Graffanino is a better player in every facet than Bellhorn...

[Rugbyboy_90210]

I for one am so pleased with Tony's performance compared to the pathetic play of Bellhorn. It used to be I would cheer when Bellhorn struck out as at least he didn't ground into a weak double play. Graf is a legitimate 5 tool player who will bring speed and defense as well as a good bat to the Sox.

 

John

[BigPapiEnFuego]

Yup, he is doing very well and i am impressed with him. The 4-4 game the other day in my opinion solidified a starting spot even when Bellhorn comes back.

[yankeessuck013]

yep, graffanino should start, but tito will give k-horn a chance to EARN his spot back

[Soxfan1]

yep, graffanino should start, but tito will give k-horn a chance to EARN his spot back

Thats exactly what he should do.

[riverside sluggers]

a day after taking a game off from him hurting his pinky on a slide home, tony g had 2 doubles last night driving in 3 runs while scoring 2 runs of his own, whats more impressive to me was that his first double was towards the green monster then his double in the 8th inning was driven to right field, great depth to have that he can put the ball anywhere

 

In his first 15 games with the Sox, has not committed an error and has had 20 hits in 59 at bats (an overall .339 avg) 4 Doubles, 1 HR, 9 RBIs, 14 Runs scored, 3 Walks, 12 Ks, 2 for 3 Stolen Bases

[Rugbyboy_90210]

He can hit with some pop to all fields. I have met Francona and do realize how loyal he can be but I think this is a pretty open and shut case. Red Sox Nation will riot if Bellhorn is given his starting job back while he isn't even hitting well in AAA. Come on Graf is a better defensive player and hits to all fields. Bellhorn did have some big hits in the postseason but if he keeps playing the way he is now we may not see the postseason.

[BariNoVa]

Graffanino seems to me to fit the Red Sox. Never was too sure about Bellhorn.... used to cringe when Bellhorn came to the plate, both with the Cubs and the Red Sox.... haven't really missed him this year....

[riverside sluggers]

i'll be first in line whenever they do start selling his red sox jersey replicas

[yankeessuck013]

Thats exactly what he should do.

 

I don't agree, hes had 2/3 of the season to prove himself, Graffanino has had about a month (not quite sure) and has proved himself to all of RSN

[riverside sluggers]

yeah jeez getting to see him play for the first time, for me was just unreal, fenway faithful was treating him like he's been a cult hero for awhile now, not sure if anybody could hear but in the 8th before he hit his 2nd double, section i was in above dougout were chanting "Tony G" "Tony G", it was awesome

[SCM33]

Lets not go crazy here. Legitimate 5 tool player? No. Better in all five areas than Mark Bellhorn? Yes. The next coming of Bobby Doerr? No. A capable veteran able to provide solid D, quality AB's and baserunning smarts? Yes.

 

Lets not forget that the law of averages finds a way of equalling itself out. He has been hot with the sox, just dont be disappointed when he returns to the hitter he has been over his career.

 

If I were choose, Graffy anyday of the week of K-Horn, and keep Cora on the bench with Bellhorn NEVER returning to Boston, its sad because he was a hero, but he has no purpose for being on the team. He is a backup 2B, not a utility INF. I would cringe to watch him play SS or 3B for any period of time. Cora is more valuable.

[Sizzlin22]

I for one am so pleased with Tony's performance compared to the pathetic play of Bellhorn. It used to be I would cheer when Bellhorn struck out as at least he didn't ground into a weak double play. Graf is a legitimate 5 tool player who will bring speed and defense as well as a good bat to the Sox.

 

John

Once again thank you Captain Obvious. Legitaate 5 tool player? Hell no, good pesky little hitter. Yes.

[yankeessuck013]

Graffanino enjoying stay in Beantown

 

Veteran infielder has done well filling in at second base

 

BOSTON -- When he was informed on July 19 of the trade that would send him from Kansas City to Boston, Tony Graffanino experienced a reversal of fortune few have seen in baseball this season.

 

The 33-year-old veteran went from a team that was mired in last place in the American League Central to a club that was just beginning to catch fire in defense of their World Series championship.

 

"I knew I was coming to a good ball club," Graffanino said. "When I played [in Boston] against the Red Sox, I knew about the fans and the [passion] but obviously I didn't know what it was like to be part of the Red Sox and part of this clubhouse and a member of this group of guys. It's been nothing but great."

 

Graffanino has leaned on the camaraderie among the other 24 players and the coaching staff to get through a difficult off-the-field family issue. His 5-year-old son Nicholas had a growth removed from the side of his throat just prior to the Aug. 4 game against his former team.

 

He went to the hospital to be with his son in the morning and returned to Fenway in the middle of the day game in full uniform.

 

"From the day and moment I got here, I felt welcome and they made me feel like part of the club right out of the gate," said Graffanino, who felt fortunate to be in one of the most renowned medical cities in America.

 

"I told him, 'You didn't have to do that,'" Red Sox manager Terry Francona said about Graffanino showing up at Fenway Park. "But I think he just found a little comfort in being here around the team."

 

Graffanino, playing for his fifth big league team since entering the Majors in 1996, has made his case to remain a regular in Francona's lineup by batting .339 (20-for-59) in 15 starts at second base.

 

"I'm sure if I got off to a slower start, I'd probably be pressing a little bit and wanting to do more to fit in or least show why they traded for me."

 

"I think we knew what we were getting. Sometimes guys go under the radar a little bit with the media or the fans. I think we expected him to be a good player," Francona said.

 

Graffanino says he's not concerned about what happens when the injured Mark Bellhorn returns from his sprained left thumb.

 

"I just go and play everyday," Graffanino said. "I can't control any of the decisions that are going to be made in the future so I'm just going to keep playing and see what happens."

 

While Graffanino entered Thursday's off-day batting .308 between Kansas City and Boston with four home runs, Johnny Damon feels there's much more Graffanino brings to the field every game than just a good bat and glove.

 

"He breaks up a double play as well as anyone I've seen in the game," Damon said. "He just does so many things that make you go, 'This guy is a true professional.'"

 

Graffanino made his biggest impression last Monday against the Rangers with the game tied, 5-5, in the fifth. He belted a three-run homer to the seats above the Green Monster in left-center to break the deadlock and send Boston on its way to an 11-6 win in the opener of the series.

 

"Sometimes it takes a big hit for that to get across to the fans. You see a home run and all of sudden everyone is on the Graffanino [bandwagon]," Francona said. "He's been a good player. He knows how to run the bases, he knows how to play second. He sees the field. You get a big hit or have a big night, you see people say, 'Wow, this guy is here.' I just think he does it a little quietly."

 

Great article. Gave me some really good vibes. Not just about Graffanino but about the general feeling that seems to be circulating in the club house.

 

It sounds like, once again, there is a chemistry there in that club house that is driving this team to win despite its shortcomings.

 

Now I said I had one moment which let me down. That was 2003. I didnt feel good about Grady Little as manager but I DID feel good about the team and though that it was there year. But then Little left Pedro in to the world's shock and dismay and the rest is history. That team was good enough to go all the way but mismanagement cost us.

 

Then in steps Francona and Theo's blockbuster trade of Nomar in 2004. The clubhouse comaradarie was good. Francona, for the most part, managed the team solidly. The team was showing all that it had in 03 plus the welcome additions of Schilling, Pokey Pokey and Minky. I got that feeling again.

 

Now, I admit, I definitely had my concerns when they were down in games against the Yank 0 - 3. But when they pulled off those last minute heroics, thanks to Dave Roberts steal of 2nd base, and they closed it out to win, my postive feelings returned.

 

Hearing all the press talk about the fact no team ever had come back from an 0 - 3 deficit to win, I remained gaurded but watched with optimism as the Red Sox won game 5 in the Bronx.

 

Then it was back to Fenway where I now started to feel history was on its way to being made. A win of game 6 would remove any lingering concerns I had that we were going to the WS and I didnt have to wait long as the game was a blowout.

 

The rest is history. The momentum carried the Sox rest of the way and it wasnt even really a fair fight. The Sox just had a confidence that could not be rivaled.

 

Its that confidence Im feeling from the team right now. They are on a winning streak. They will not let go of first in the division.

[1904]

Here is the way a game goes with Belhorn

1st ab. K

2nd. Hit into DP

3rd walk

4th walk then get pick off 2nd base by the catcher

5th. can be a HR but i'll go with K!!!!!!!!!!

Graffanino is the new man in town let him play the season out.

 

:thumbsup:

[BoSox21]

I dont see any reason Bellhorn should even be up with the big club. I'd rather have Cora with the Sox rather than Bellhorn

[yankeessuck013]

its all about loyalty

[GabeKaplerluver19]

He is really good. I went to the game yesterday

[Sizzlin22]

its all about loyalty

Please please please don't tell me you think we should be "loyal" to Bellhorn.

[yankeessuck013]

no no no, i hate k-horn prly more than anyone here, but you know that is what tito is going to do

[Sizzlin22]

I don't think he will play Bellhorn any more than 3 more games this season.

[riverside sluggers]

who knows with the way tony is doing good, tito might start having loyalty in him as each game goes on

[Rugbyboy_90210]

I think Francona will be loyal to Graf since he has been playing so well. Bellhorn will probably hang out in the minors for a while at least. So no huge decision needs to be made right now.

[soxie thefangirl]

Well according to today's Globe:

 

"According to a team source, one scenario the Sox are considering is to release second baseman Mark Bellhorn after his 20-day rehab stint at Pawtucket, get him through waivers, and then outright him to Pawtucket and call him up when rosters are expanded Sept. 1. Judging by recent remarks from manager Terry Francona, the team likes what it gets out of Alex Cora as a utility infielder, and Tony Graffanino has been solid as the starter. Heading into last night's game, his ninth with the PawSox, Bellhorn was batting .152 (5 for 33), with only two extra-base hits, one walk, and 10 strikeouts"

 

 

That's not gonna cut it. 'Cause another team will probably pick him up. Ah well.

[SCM33]

To those of you who think Bellhorn will not lose his job, or will get an opportunity to win his job back, Drew Bledsoe says hello.

[SCM33]

"That's not gonna cut it. 'Cause another team will probably pick him up. Ah well."

 

 

I dont think anyone has a need for a K-machine who had produced nothing this year.

[riverside sluggers]

you never know dude, twins picked up bret boone

[SCM33]

Picked up, and released hahahaha

[soxie thefangirl]

Someone will pick up Bellhorn as a utility infielder no doubt. His defense is pretty good.

[GabeKaplerluver19]

To those of you who think Bellhorn will not lose his job, or will get an opportunity to win his job back, Drew Bledsoe says hello.

 

I love Drew Bledsoe

[Rugbyboy_90210]

His defense is mediocre at best. I think old droopy may be out of the bigs for a while.