The Red Sox 2005 Season - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

[BoSox21]

Now that the 2005 Red Sox have been eliminated, let's take a moment to reflect on what was a heck of an entertaining ride

 

The Good:

 

- The emergence of Jonathan Papelbon. He's gonna be a hell of a special pitcher and hopefully we can hang onto him for a long time.

 

- Matt Clement's first half. He pretty nuch carried the rotation through the first half and who knows where we would've been without him by the all-star break.

 

- Tim Wakefield's second half. Did the same for the rotation in the second half that Clement did in the first although the rotation with a bit better in the second half with Wells pitching well, Schilling giving us a few good starts and Arroyo being alright.

 

- Career year by David Ortiz. Everyone knows what he did and what he meant to us throughout the year.

 

- Johnny Damon. Showed a lot of heart playing through his injuries this year and was a hell of a hitter despite dropping off a bit at the end.

 

- Edgar Renteria coming around. Say what you want and overall, his first year with the Sox was a bit of a dissapointment but he ended up coming around and I think he'll have a terrific 2006.

 

- Tony Graffanino really filled a hole in the batting order while playing solid defense at second.

 

- Mike Timlin. The only shining light in a bullpen of darkness.

 

- John Olerud. Played the great defense he was known for and lit a bit of a fire under Millar for the second half while providing solid hitting.

 

- It might be only me but I loved the defense Trot played this year. He was fantastic.

 

The Bad:

 

- Curt Schilling. I'm praying he'll be back to form in 2006 cause 2005 was a god awful year for him.

 

- The bullpen. What a horrible year for the bullpen. Bradford and Myers were alright and I mentioned Timlin and Papelbon above but the rest of them were absolutely terrible.

 

- Manny Ramirez's distractions. We could've done without the trade demands, the trips inside the green monster, not running out ground balls, his mp3 Oakley's and the rest of them.

 

- Keith Foulke. I believe it was more than just his knees, probably his divorce but he was a guy we needed even more this year than we did last with the rotation not being nearly as good as last year and we couldn't get him.

 

The Ugly:

 

- The liner off of Matt Clement's head.

 

- A-Rod's homerun during Schilling's return to the Sox in a relief appearance.

 

 

 

So all that being said, 2006 becomes a huge off-season. Priority number one becomes resigning Theo Epstein, that goes without saying. After that, we need to resign Damon, there's no better leadoff man in baseball and he's as big of a part of the batting order as anyone. I think it's time to trade Manny. We've got good young talent on the brink of being ready for the big leagues so I think it's time to change the face of the organization a little bit and part of that is getting rid of Manny who has worn out his welcome. Same goes with Millar. We need a bigger bat at first base and maybe second.

 

The pitching staff has GOT to improve. A vintage Schilling would be great, Wells could be a solid #3, maybe Clement can be consistent for an entire year for a change. Papelbon is ready. I just don't like Arroyo all that much. Bring in A.J. Burnett.

 

So all in all, good year but a lot of changes need to be made because I don't think these guys deserved to be in the second round of the playoffs and quite frankly, first round isn't good enough for Red Sox Nation.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

One hell of a season. It was good, but this year even during the regular season didnt have that feeling last year did. Even during the season last year they had a feeling to them. Oh Welll. Next year should be good.

 

 

Oh yeah, I am playing Tessie right now. Reminds me of last year sooo much. Kinda sadening.

[MANNYHOF24]

YEs lets get rid of manny and make ortiz leave after the 06 season, thats real smart

[BoSox21]

why make Ortiz leave? He's happy here. And I'm guessing all those who think we'd sink without Manny thought the same thing when Nomar left. Look, we'll miss his bat no doubt but f*** man, the guy clearly doesn't want to be here

[GabeKaplerluver19]

that was one good season. i really thought they would go all the way. Well maybe next year. i'm just glad they made the play offs!!

 

The Curse of Gabe Kapler, lol.

[riverside sluggers]

defeat is something you never want to see. especially a die hard red sox fan, been one since birth in 83. first game i went to at fenway park was game 2 or 3 of the 86 World Series. Still I wont forget this season, there were a number of positives. now this offseason its time to say goodbye to players you grew accustomed to seeing, cheering them on with every AB. Yes Millar wore out his welcome, but I still have cool flashacks of the good things he had done from 2003 (notably inside the park HR) to 2005 (walkoff HR off Oakland). Thanks for the memories Millar, see you next season from the opposing team's dugout...

[Are U Kidding Me]

I don't think manny, damon, and millar will be around next season. The redsox need pitching in a huge way. They need middle relief and a closer. Those damn yankees. They took the division and we got swept.

[riverside sluggers]

not all is lost the yankees so far might not make it past game 4 vs the angels

[Cityofchampions33]

This year we were very much equivalent to the Angels of 2004. We had a bunch of #3 starters goin for us, our ace, Schilling had a terrible year, much like Colon did in '04. If we are gunna learn anything from these past two years, its that pitching is way more important then hitting. The White Sox had an offense based on Pods, Konerko, and Rowand. They have a great catcher in Pierzynski, as we do Varitek. There's no question we have a better offense then them but we got silenced by Buerhle, Contreras, and Garcia. Only problem is there are no big pitchers available in the FA market, and i doubt we can acquire any big time pitchers via trade. I'd love to see Papy in the rotation next year, he's basically Roger and Schill combined. I don't think we'll have a huge problem in the bullpen, one more solid arm should do it, then maybe Hansen and Foulke will contribute next year.

[riverside sluggers]

anyone think Matt Mantei is still an option to return to the Sox?

[yankeessuck013]

anyone think Matt Mantei is still an option to return to the Sox?

 

yeah i forgot about him, and I think he will be back depending on how his rehab went after he went on the DL

[BoSox21]

he'd be great if he returns to form. the guy throws gas

[riverside sluggers]

Yanks lose 11-7 !!!!! well thats happy news

 

tomorrow is their elimination game

[yankeessuck013]

he'd be great if he returns to form. the guy throws gas

 

When they are healthy, Mantei and Foulke are two of the best relievers out there. I'm just hoping that they will be healthy, as doubtful as it may be.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Its not my nature to dwell on negatives. You got what you put into this season. If you followed them closely, you were elated with the highs, depressed with the lows, and encouraged by the kids. In short 162 + days of entertainment and excitement.

 

Loved the performance of :

David O.

Manny ( If they trade, I hope we get a ton, dougt it though )

Tony G. ( I hope they resign him )

Johnny D. ( hope they resign, but I don't think they will be able to afford him )

Bill M. ( they should resign )

John O. ( loved him but his days are pretty much done )

Manny D. ( don't know how or why he fell into Tito's dog house )

John Pap. ( oustanding will definately be key next year )

Hansen ( the real deal )

Tim W. ( love the guy )

David W. ( tough competitor )

Mike T. ( great season )

Mike M. ( above and beyond )

Bradford ( pleasant surprise )

 

There most definately be some changes :

 

Millar ( gone )

Cora ( maybe gone, depends on Pedrosia )

Youk ( third, first, or traded )

Trot. N. ( hope the surgery is successful, otherwise 1st base phase -in or trade ).

Schilling ( he'll work his ass off to get back, if he can't he'll retire, he's too damn proud )

Matt C. ( great 1st half, sucked in the 2nd, hit to the head, tired, teams figured him out ? )

Theo ( contract expires at the end of Oct ).

Tito ( will he be given another year ? )

 

 

Needs :

 

Power hitting 1st baseman ( Huff , Paul K. )

Outfield ( need 2-4 depending on resigning and trades, but not much out there for free agents )

Pitching, Pitching, Pitching ( not much out there for free agents, we'll go with home grown )

 

Minors :

 

We have alot of potential talent in the middle infield and pitching, but squat in the outfield or first.

[riverside sluggers]

Adam Stern will be the 4th outfielder next spring. According to Boston Dirt Dogs, under the Rule 5 draft the Sox pretty much have to. Im ok with that, the kid has speed and he showed some great defense before getting injured

[whackyzach]

Its not my nature to dwell on negatives. You got what you put into this season. If you followed them closely, you were elated with the highs, depressed with the lows, and encouraged by the kids. In short 162 + days of entertainment and excitement.

 

Loved the performance of :

David O.

Manny ( If they trade, I hope we get a ton, dougt it though )

Tony G. ( I hope they resign him )

Johnny D. ( hope they resign, but I don't think they will be able to afford him )

Bill M. ( they should resign )

John O. ( loved him but his days are pretty much done )

Manny D. ( don't know how or why he fell into Tito's dog house )

John Pap. ( oustanding will definately be key next year )

Hansen ( the real deal )

Tim W. ( love the guy )

David W. ( tough competitor )

Mike T. ( great season )

Mike M. ( above and beyond )

Bradford ( pleasant surprise )

 

There most definately be some changes :

 

Millar ( gone )

Cora ( maybe gone, depends on Pedrosia )

Youk ( third, first, or traded )

Trot. N. ( hope the surgery is successful, otherwise 1st base phase -in or trade ).

Schilling ( he'll work his ass off to get back, if he can't he'll retire, he's too damn proud )

Matt C. ( great 1st half, sucked in the 2nd, hit to the head, tired, teams figured him out ? )

Theo ( contract expires at the end of Oct ).

Tito ( will he be given another year ? )

 

 

Needs :

 

Power hitting 1st baseman ( Huff , Paul K. )

Outfield ( need 2-4 depending on resigning and trades, but not much out there for free agents )

Pitching, Pitching, Pitching ( not much out there for free agents, we'll go with home grown )

 

Minors :

 

We have alot of potential talent in the middle infield and pitching, but squat in the outfield or first.

 

 

John O. ( loved him but his days are pretty much done )...He'sonly 37...checkout his stats forcomplete games only...extrapolate them...and see what numbers you come up ...and whatever team does that for next year will have a great player defensively and offensively...don't forget he could pitch too!!!

 

Yeah..it's a bitch that Pinhead Penguin didn't play him the last week straight through as I had suggested he's only 47 or so I'm 60...So what do Iknow...

 

One win more in that last week would have been a tie and a playoff with the Yankees ...

Two wins and we would have been Division Champs...and chump coach plays Millar 3 or more games to lose the all.

 

One last thing...I did state that if he didn't play Olerud the final week...Bosox would lose and I also said...

 

"Mark my Words"...well...enough said...sorry guys but incompetent coaching and not using experience leads to 2 measly wins from the whole shabang!

 

I'll follow Olerud and good luck to you loyal fans...it's been unreal.

 

whacky...have a good winter and watch Montreal Canadiens!

[Youk Of The Nation]

Power hitting 1st baseman ( Huff , Paul K. )

 

 

Helton!