Random All-Star Sox thoughts

by Randy Booth on Jul 16, 2008 12:33 PM EDT in News

via d.yimg.com

Congrats to JD Drew for winning the All-Star MVP award. I was worried he wouldn't win it because of the 'B' on his hat, but he definitely deserved it. He deserves the spotlight and it couldn't have happened to a better guy. And to think, he was voted in by players -- makes it even sweeter.
I'm not quite sure what to think about this whole Jonathan Papelbon mess. I haven't really known what to think about him since he started spouting off about his contract a short while ago. He made some comments that obviously were going to piss some Yankee fans off, and he received that back at the All-Star parade. I understand why he is complaining (and no one should ever feel unsafe) but he had a hand in the whole situation. And, unfortunately, if the roles were reversed, it'd happen in Boston, too.
Outside of Drew, there wasn't anything notable from any other Sox hitters. Dustin Pedroia walked -- that's really all to note. No worries though. Drew did enough to carry the rest's slack. Papelbon went an inning, allowed a hit and struck out two.
What's with Wade Boggs wearing a Yankees hat? C'mon. Is that necessary? He's in the Hall wearing a Sox hat but now that he's in New York he's wearing the interlocking NY? I don't really like that, but maybe we should be a little understanding in this case.
There's a lot to remember about last night's game, but one thing that might go unnoticed but shouldn't is the job Terry Francona did. Some will question him removing Francisco Rodriguez so early in the game, but that move was done to ensure Mariano Rivera would see time in the game. I did hear some praise for Francona and it just makes me think: in 10, 15, 20, 25 years, how is the baseball world going to look at Francona? I think he's going to go down as one of the best managers in baseball and probably the nicest guy in the history of baseball. I've never heard a bad word about Francona and I think that's how we'll all remember him. It's a pleasure to have him coaching our team.
When will the All-Star game be back in Fenway? I can't wait...

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I really don't understand why he put in K-Rod for two batters

I would’ve just had Mariano come in for the ninth and, if necessary, the tenth, then moved through to Rodriguez, Soria et. al.

http://inplaynoouts.blogspot.com/ - A blog about teams I like, written by me.

by Carl Johnson on Jul 16, 2008 1:02 PM EDT 0 recs

I was going to do a story on this too.

But I’ll just add my thoughts here.

The Yankee fans that were booing, chanting “Ma-ri-ano” and “over-ra-ted,” are idiots. I know some people get their kicks from that stuff, but to hear it across Yankee stadium was really disheartening. Don’t they want the AL to win? Or do they not care since their team has slim playoff hopes?

Yankee stadium gets a lot of misplaced love, just because some great people used to play there. Curt Schilling appropriately said: “When you use the words ‘mystique’ and ‘aura,’ those are dancers in a nightclub, those are not things we concern ourselves with on the ball field.” The behavior of modern NYY fans belies any claims to mystique or grandeur that the organization might make. It’s very hard for me to like Yankee stadium or respect its fanbase when they are threatening Paps’ wife, booing laundry at an All-Star Game, or threatening to riot during the ALCS (2004, Game 6, police in riot gear moved into Yankee stadium to prevent violence against players).

J D Drew was money. He led the team in WPA, at .583. He even offered to pitch after Kazmir. His MVP selection was well-deserved.

The actual game was cool, but it took way too long to get started. First pitch at 8:54?!! If they want people to actually watch these things, they should start the game (not the BS festivities) by 8:05. Especially given the danger of going into extra-innings. Exhibition games shouldn’t have to go past 1am.

by 0157H7 on Jul 16, 2008 1:35 PM EDT 0 recs

perhaps in late september...

after everything is clinched, something i sincerely hope happens… a 15 inning game, the bullpen is exhausted, varitek was pinch run for in the 10th, cash gets hurt in the 13th…. so we end up with JD Drew pitching to dustin pedroia.

by jjbooth74 on Jul 16, 2008 1:48 PM EDT up 0 recs

Beckett Article

Not really about the All Star game except for like the last sentence but who cares. Great read about Beckett practicing during the off season with a division 3 school in Texas.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3488178

by drabidea on Jul 16, 2008 4:25 PM EDT 1 recs