Riske Business

Ugh... The bullpen is decimated right now. Timlin went on the DL over the weekend which could cripple the Sox for a few weeks. After climbing back against the Jays last night and tying the game on a three run Varitek homerun David Riske promptly gives up the go-ahead run. I don't know why GL2:EB put Riske in that situation in only his second appearance of the season. Foulke and Papelbon were available last night. Bill James would have sent Papelbon into the game in the 8th inning. Is there any chance the Sox can hire James to be the manager?

Coco Crisp made an early return to team on Sunday. In fact, Sunday marked his Fenway debut. He's 3-for-9 since his return with a homerun. Soon enough he'll be batting leadoff again.

Wakefield was brilliant on Sunday throwing eight shutout innings. The bullpen nearly blew the 5-0 lead in the 9th inning. Certainly Mirabelli's inability to catch a 3rd strike, resulting in the Sox having to get four outs, didn't help the cause.

It was great to see the Sox complete a four game sweep of the Devil Rays over the weekend. It was even nicer to beat Scott Kazmir for a change. Papi dealt the killer blow with a three run double off the center field wall.

Injuries have hit hard this week. It looks like Clement might be feeling the effects of the line drive he took off the leg last week. Wells is going to miss his scheduled start tonight. Wily Mo joins Timlin on the DL. Keep your fingers crossed boys and girls.

Early Retirement

Tubby just took a line drive off his bad knee tonight. I'm betting that his career is now over.

I was hit in the knee by a baseball-sized rock thrown by a friend (I know, some friend!) back in my Little League days. I missed my next game because I couldn't run on the bad leg. Tubby has no cartilage in his right knee and was hit by a baseball traveling a lot faster than the rock that hit me. I can't see him returning.

It's a shame considering the rehab he required just to play this year and then the rehab required after his season debut. We need pitching. As good as Wily Mo plays, we could really use Bronson right now (see yesterday's closing paragraph).

Where's Jack Bauer When You Need Him?

"Slit his throat. Cut deep to sever the vocal chords and carotid artery." - 24's Jack Bauer

Jack Bauer is brutally efficient counter-terrorist agent. He saves the world 24-hours at a time without eating or using the bathroom. He's not afraid to torture, maim, or kill you to get critical information or to prevent disaster.

The Red Sox could have used a bit of Jack Bauer last night. The Yankees were licking their wounds with Posada and Damon on the bench nursing injuries. Randy Johnson was ineffective as advertised yesterday. Yet somehow the Red Sox could not finish off the Yankees and managed to lose the game.

Matt (insert nickname pertaining to "mental", "meltdown", or simply, "overpaid") Clement demonstrated exactly why GL2:EB skipped him in the rotation last week so Clement could avoid the Yanks. Look at how many times Papelbon has been hit by or has deflected the baseball coming off the bat and still made the play. Clement made no attempt to field the ball after getting hit in the leg last night.

I was okay with the Arroyo trade when it happened. I think I've changed my mind. Even if Bronson had an E.R.A. of 7.50 right now and didn't have a win to his name, I would still trade Clement to get him back on the team.

Rubberized

Tim Wakefield and Doug Mirabelli looked an awful lot like Tim Wakefield and Josh Bard last night. Ironically, as the game started I thought about how much more comfortable I feel having Mirabelli back in his familiar role of personal backstop to Wake. In the 6th inning last night Wakefield fell apart and Mirabelli was charged with three passed balls. The Yanks took advantage and held on for the 7-5 victory.

The ever more ugly (as a person and a visage) and ever less effective Randy Johnson faces up-and-down Matt Clement tonight in the rubber match of the series. The oddsmakers favor the Sox in this game and I'm not going to disagree. I think RJ is totally washed up and will retire after this season. He's a thrower, not a pitcher.

Wily Mo Pena is scheduled to return to the Sox lineup tonight. I think I would have gouged out one of my eyes if I had to suffer through three straight nights of Willie Harris. I understand and agree with the decision to leave Adam Stern in Pawtucket; he needs to get at bats and playing to continue to develop. I don't, however, understand how or why the Sox can't get a better backup outfielder in the short term. I suppose the problem will resolve itself when Coco returns from the DL.

10-4 Good Buddy

Or 9-5. Either way, the Yanks got it handed to them by the Sox once again last night. Schilling was excellent. This was the first game since Schilling threw 133 pitches against the Indians that he actually looked dominant. He had been scuffling a little bit since that outing. The Sox are now 4-1 against NY this year.

Patrick Hruby wrote a great piece on the number of homeruns that Bonds* would have hit without steroids. He discusses the key factors influenced by Barry's chemical intake and their affect on homerun output. It's a good read for stat-heads and casual fans alike.

Wanted: A Starting Pitcher

Must be able to throw 80-120 quality pitches every 5th day. Pitches should include a fastball between 88 and 100 MPH. Fastball in the 92-97 MPH range preferred. Must also possess at least two other quality pitches. Preferred pitches include 90-93 MPH slider, 82-86 MPH curveball (either a 12-6 break or 1-7 break), and a changeup in the 76-80 MPH range. Additional pitches, such a sinker or knuckleball, are also welcome. Applicants must possess excellent command of all pitches (see Greg Maddux). Applicants without excellent command must possess the ability to vary speeds and throw pitches with excellent movement (see Pedro Martinez).

Benefits include:

• the opportunity to reach the playoffs.
• a good chance to win a World Series ring.
• excellent run support.
• a very good bullpen.
• lots of media coverage and exposure.
• the opportunity to sign multiple endorsement deals.
• a great team physician, Dr. Bill Morgan, oops an adequate team physician

Serious applicants only. Relocation packages available. To inquire, call Theo Epstein, General Manager and Executive Vice President of the Boston Red Sox.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Rain, Rain, Go Away

I hope that people in this area have made more progress building their respective arks than I have. I feel fortunate to live where I do as I have been relatively unaffected by the near constant rains of the last 10 days. The sunshine on Wednesday and Thursday was wonderful and the temperature was perfect. I finally got to play a round of golf this year. I feel for those individuals who have to deal with flooding and water damage. Stay dry and stay safe.

The Sox have had a quiet week so far. They have only played three games, going 2-1 against the Orioles. They had an off day yesterday and had two games rained out last weekend. Tonight they start a three game series in Philadelphia.

There has been a lot of jibber-jabber by the talking heads inside the radio and TV regarding the lineups that the Sox will or should use against the Phillies. If you believe D&C on WEEI, Youk will sit tonight as Ortiz plays first, then Youk will play 3rd as Lowell sits on Saturday, and finally Ortiz will rest on Sunday as Youk moves back to 1st base.

I disagree with the notion that Ortiz is a complete liability in the field. Big Papi should have dispelled that notion by his play in the 2004 World Series. I do agree that he's a big downgrade defensively from the stellar play of Kevin Youkilis, but he's not a disaster waiting to happen. I think that the rotating lineup is the best bet for this weekend. When the Sox travel to Atlanta and Florida later in the season the health of the team could dictate the lineups. Having a healthy team is a blessing that leads to healthy debate.

I was discussing the impact of the eventual return of Coco Crisp to the Sox lineup with a friend the other day. If Loretta had not broken out of his slump, Youkilis would have been well suited in the #2 spot behind Crisp. Loretta has been on fire lately, though, and I think he's better suited to move runners over with sac bunts and to protect runners when the hit-and-run is called. As it stands now, we figured that Youk would be best suited at #6, as opposed to #7, #8, or #9. His high average and on-base percentage would help keep innings alive and drive in runs behind the big bats in the order. I'd like to see the impact he could have at #6.

Drivers Aren't Athletes

Kurt Busch and Michael Waltrip have each thrown out the ceremonial first pitch at a Major League Baseball game this year. Both NASCAR drivers were simply awful. Awful. Busch threw like an effeminate wimp. Waltrip threw the ball into the 3rd base dugout.

These two drivers are helping to prove two points. Drivers are not athletes. NASCAR is not a sport.

NASCAR is an entertainment event. It should be covered under the Arts and Entertainment section of the newspaper. It should not take up time or space on sports shows, channels, or papers. NASCAR should receive as much coverage on SportsCenter as the WWE does.

NASCAR drivers are skilled individuals who can navigate crowded racetracks at very high speeds for hours at a time in brutal heat. They are not athletes. The more they pose as athletes the more they will be exposed.

If a kid can't go outside and play NASCAR, NASCAR is not a sport. I, for one, hope that NASCAR stops being covered as a sport.

Every Game Counts

The three game series the Sox just completed in New York went about as well as one could have hoped for. The Sox won two of the three games (hello, Marvin!) while facing the top of the Yankees rotation. Boston has now won three of four against the Yanks.

Game one was a romp, with the Sox pounding the now ineffective Randy Johnson. The national media continued to pump Johnson as a great pitcher before the game. His numbers and performance this year told a different story. After surrendering seven runs to the Sox and looking awful on the mound, the media has come around to see the light. Johnson's mechanics were simply awful and he isn't a pitcher ready to get by on smarts and location. Even at his peak he was never a great pitcher, but rather an intimidating thrower. Thanks to some of E-Rod's continued superb defense against the Sox Johnson was only charged with two earned runs. He actually lowered his E.R.A. from 5.02 to 5.01.

Mike Mussina has completely turned the corner this year and become a crafty pitcher. Mussina now mixes speeds and uses great control to fool batters. Game two featured the most intriguing matchup of the series, Mussina against Schilling. The Sox got to Mussina early, but failed to put him away. Jason Varitek's inability to get a big hit with the bases loaded allowed New York to climb back into the game. Mussina settled down and Schilling didn't. Schill missed his location with a few pitches and the Yankees managed to take him deep repeatedly. Game two showed New York's response to criticism from Georgie Porgie.

Game three featured textbook pitching and defense by the Sox but was an exercise in frustration at the plate. Boston left 15 men on base and left the bases loaded three times. The tying and winning runs scored when Miguel Cairo failed to hold onto a throw as Mark Loretta reached first and the two players collided. I'm sure that Loretta would have preferred to line a base hit into the outfield. Game three proved costly for New York as Hideki Matsui broke his wrist in the 1st inning, ending his consecutive games played streak.

If the rain holds off, the Sox are scheduled to play three games against the Rangers this weekend. Hopefully they can continue their 7-2 pace in the month of May.

Radio Plagiarism?

I was listening to Dennis and Callahan on WEEI 850 AM this morning from 7:20 to 7:40 AM. They were discussing Barry Bonds* and whether or not race was coming into play with the way that Barry is treated by fans and the media. They made every point that I wrote about last night. If I didn't know better, I would think that those guys had read my blog earlier this morning. They talked about how Bonds* is so disliked because he's a cheater and a fraud, not because of the color of his skin. They also speculated about the treatment and scrutiny that McGwire would be facing if he were still an active player.

It's Time...

...for Barry Bonds* to simply go away.

First, props to the Sox for going 5-1 on their homestand. They beat the Yanks, split two games with the Jays, and swept the O's. They have now won their last 11 games against the Orioles.

Now back to 'Roid Raging Barry. I'm sick of reading about the guy. First and foremost he's the biggest cheater that baseball has ever known. He tarnished his career, his reputation, and the game of baseball for his own personal gain. What really chaps my ass is that he was completely motivated by race. At least so say the authors of "Game of Shadows". Considering how often Bonds* plays the race card I don't find it hard to believe that he was jealous of Mark McGwire.

Why does Barry consider it racist for the media to call him a "cheater"? Steroids are regulated drugs. They are illegal without a prescription. Baseball even submitted a memo to all clubs in 1991 reminding them that steroids were illegal. To say that Bonds* or any other player was unaware of steroid rules regarding the game of baseball is to play the fool with your head in the sand. Barry is asking you to play that fool when he says that he is unfairly portrayed.

And why does Barry consider it okay to be jealous of a "white boy" when he so often hides behind the race card? Has he ever heard of "reverse racism"? In addition to McGwire, Bonds* has often talked about passing Babe Ruth on the all-time home run list. Ruth, being white, also provides extra motivation for Bonds*.

If Mark McGwire had been healthy enough to continue playing, he would be facing the same scrutiny today. McGwire was smart enough to leave the game before his joints were all bone-on-bone and before the accusations of illegal performance enhancers were too loud to ignore.

Bonds* is a child among men, a loser among legends, a cheater among those with true love for the game. It's time he went away.