Okay, so I lied about the Filter being daily this week. Yes, I realize this situation's stupid. Let's move on to the links, shall we? As an experiment, I'm not going to say much about most of the links - except these:
This Dirt Is Free - A Red Sox Fan From Pinstripe Territory
Not completely relevant, but I figure that some people are going to want to be on the lookout for this. Doesn't bother me too much, but I don't own a blog and I don't see most advertisements anyways. That's more of an aesthetic choice than a political one though - I don't enjoy explaining the presence of certain ads to anyone that glances over my shoulder. However, there is a political aspect to blogging that I'd love to discuss:
I don't particularly like Mr. Simmons's work. Most of it isn't entertaining, to me. But that doesn't mean I think that ESPN should be able to control what he can and can't say. (Yeah, I know, the stupid kid is ranting about stuff that he's not old enough to understand, but just bear with me.)
For one, maybe it's the young and naive view that needs to be considered here; I haven't been around long enough to be corrupted into thinking money is the only thing that matters. That'd be why I tend to over-romanticize simple stuff like curfews - but I digress. To me, there isn't a thing in the world more valuable than my voice. Without it, I wouldn't be able to write this post. Without it, I wouldn't be able to further my education through questioning the material. Without it, I wouldn't be able to express my many, hormone-driven emotions, I wouldn't be able to share my faith, and I wouldn't be able to be the die-hard fan I am. In short, I wouldn't be me without my voice.
Unless Mr. Simmons shares my flair for the dramatic and decided to sign an iron-clad contract with Lucifer so that he could have his voice amplified, I don't see how ESPN can justify censoring someone who was simply defending himself. Even though he probably could have found a more intelligent way of doing it than name-calling via Twitter, Mr. Simmons was not in the wrong to speak his mind. It may be part of the conditions that he agreed to when he signed onto ESPN, but I'm sure an insanity plea wouldn't be that hard to make for Mr. Simmons' case.
And now, onto the other links: some interesting, in not confusing, stuff about different parks and their effects upon stats; a couple of takes on recent Sox news; and plans for MLB domination!
For those of us that get a kick out of the wind tunnel effect at New Yankee Stadium, here's some interesting data.
Is UZR park adjusted[?] - Inside the Book
Yeah, I got lost a lot during this, but maybe someone can explain some of the more technical stuff?
Type A label hurts free agents such as John Grabow, Juan Cruz - Sky Andrecheck
Terry Francona's Staff One of the Best in Baseball - NESN.com
Even After Rough Season, Jonathan Papelbon Still the Red Sox' Best Choice for Closer - NESN.com
JD Drew Undergoes Shoulder Surgery - Bleacher Report
Good job, sir. Basically what we've been saying around here for a while.
Trade Market: Righty Relievers - MLBTradeRumors.com
We REALLY should have traded MDC for Nick Johnson. And now he REALLY needs to be good.
Red Sox May Take a Step Back in 2010 To Take Two Steps Forward in 2011 - Bleacher Report
As long as we can fail spectacularly so that we can lose some of the bandwagoners.
Red Sox Don’t Need to Break Bank to Win 2010 World Series - NESN.com
Yes, this is a generally accepted and completely obvious fact. And?
David Ortiz Has No Desire to Be General Manager - Heidi Watney
Try to focus on what Papi is saying, gentlemen.
All-Aughts Team of the Decade RP5: Rich Garces - Fire Brand of the American League
All-Aughts Team of the Decade bench IF: Alex Cora - Fire Brand of the American League
I kid you not, Drugs.
All-Aughts Team of the Decade SP2: Curt Schilling - Fire Brand of the American League
Ben Cherington Is Underrated Difference-Maker for Red Sox - NESN.com
The replacement for Jed Hoyer gets a nice little biographical post.
How Sabermetrics saved my dissertation - THT
What does clinical psychology have in common with Sabermetrics? Quite a bit, as it turns out.
Awesome story.
NEW SEGMENT: OMGOMGOMGIWantToCallItTheJedSectionButItWouldBeWeirdYou'llSeeWhatIMeanInASecond
Falling to the Bottom of The Filter
New Poll Question: Left Field Left-overs - Fire Brand of the American League
Umm... where's Cameron? Or at least the Ells (with a new CF) option? I guess not every Sox blog has explored these options.
Miguel Cabrera Reminds Us That Character Still Matters - NESN.com
So THAT'S why he got a 1st place vote!
Why The Red Sox Should Get Alfonso Soriano - Bleacher Report
So... the contract... not at all a bad thing?
Links, comments, and angry rants (just warn us if there's any NSFW language) are all appreciated.