2007 Spring Training Game Thread

[seabeachfred]

Perhaps, Fred, I mean just maybe, I was reading the page while you typed and then responded because yours was the last at the page I was reading. So, rest easy my friend, my reading comprehension is better than you can imagine.

 

It's funny though. It's funny that a guy who has been watching baseball for 60 years gets so worked up about a bad outing or two in spring training. Are you worried that Manny is only hitting around .200? Maybe that's a bad example; Manny's track record is a carbon copy from year to year. How about Pedroia? You seem to like him. Does it worry you he's under the Mendoza line?

 

Here's what I think Fred. I think your daily rants are gross overreactions, and your focus on singular events prevents you from seeing the reality of a situation. And, this is in addition to your personal biases that make you want to keep non-performers around. You can't stand WMP, but he was valuable to the team last year, hitting .301/.349/.489 while playing every outfield position effectively. Don't laugh, he was 1 run above average for the year defensively. However, the gaffes stick out in your mind, and a bad play or two makes a "bum" in your eyes. All the while, you loved Loretta and his statue impression at 2B while putting up a .285/.345/.361 line. Don't get me wrong, I was content with Loretta last year, but I never understood the Wily Mo ire.

 

You want my opinion of the bullpen? There are some quality arms there that have either had success in the past or are on the cusp of breaking out, it is only spring training, and until I see otherwise in a real game with the real bullpen out there, I'm confident 3 or 4 of them will pitch well enough to be the guys that get handed a lead late in the game.

 

I can tell you this. As long as you remain the town crier on this board, I'll continue to be thorn in your side until you drop the arbitrary nature of your spite.

 

Carry on, Mr. Frost.

 

I do NOT consider you a thorn in my side at all. I like your brutal honesty and since VA fan agrees with you perhaps I ought to tone down a bit. I do take this Red Sox thing very seriously. Perhaps it is because I found them so late in my life that I think if I don't engulf them completely I'll miss out on something. s***** excuse or not the Red Sox have almost become a religion with me. I cannot remember ever loving a team as I do the Red Sox, not even back when I was a kid and thought the sun rose and set with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate all straight talk.

[VA Sox Fan]

I do NOT consider you a thorn in my side at all. I like your brutal honesty and since VA fan agrees with you perhaps I ought to tone down a bit. I do take this Red Sox thing very seriously. Perhaps it is because I found them so late in my life that I think if I don't engulf them completely I'll miss out on something. s***** excuse or not the Red Sox have almost become a religion with me. I cannot remember ever loving a team as I do the Red Sox' date=' not even back when I was a kid and thought the sun rose and set with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate all straight talk.[/quote']

 

Thanks and all Fred, but I have NO weight whatsoever out here in this forum. But I can hang b/c we're all Sox FANS.....lifelong........young or older....

 

ORS is pretty much THE MAN.....so.....we are not worthy.......

 

I like this place.

[ORS]

I do NOT consider you a thorn in my side at all. I like your brutal honesty and since VA fan agrees with you perhaps I ought to tone down a bit. I do take this Red Sox thing very seriously. Perhaps it is because I found them so late in my life that I think if I don't engulf them completely I'll miss out on something. s***** excuse or not the Red Sox have almost become a religion with me. I cannot remember ever loving a team as I do the Red Sox' date=' not even back when I was a kid and thought the sun rose and set with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate all straight talk.[/quote']

I can understand your passion - you should see me when a meaningful game is on. However, now is not the time to blow a gasket. The team is what the team is at this point, and the time to fix it is when you are sure it's broken. The first week of ST is not when we find that out. Is there reason to think it will likely need fixing half-way through April? Sure is, but we aren't there yet, and we don't know what we will know then.

 

EDIT: Oh, and VA, I certainly am not the man. Just a guy with some strong opinions.

[schillingouttheks]

I can understand your passion - you should see me when a meaningful game is on. However, now is not the time to blow a gasket. The team is what the team is at this point, and the time to fix it is when you are sure it's broken. The first week of ST is not when we find that out. Is there reason to think it will likely need fixing half-way through April? Sure is, but we aren't there yet, and we don't know what we will know then.

 

EDIT: Oh, and VA, I certainly am not the man. Just a guy with some strong opinions.

 

Eh, I think I speak for a vast majority of the board when I say that you're pretty much the man. I mean, you served for the country, you're funny, smart .... dude. You're THE man.

 

By the way, now that I think about it, did I ever thank you for your service? Here it is anyway...THANKS! :thumbsup:

[ORS]

Eh, I think I speak for a vast majority of the board when I say that you're pretty much the man. I mean, you served for the country, you're funny, smart .... dude. You're THE man.

 

By the way, now that I think about it, did I ever thank you for your service? Here it is anyway...THANKS! :thumbsup:

Thanks, Zach. Although, I almost feel guilty for accepting your gratitude because it really didn't feel like service. It was tough work, but it was a lot of fun and I'd do it all over again if I went back in time.

[riverside sluggers]

Spring stats (not including vs college teams), per http://www.Boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox

 

Starters

Curt Schilling (1-1, 1.93 ERA)- 3 games, 9.1 innings, 6 Hits, 2 Runs, 2 Walks, 3 Ks

Josh Beckett (0.00 ERA)- 1 game, 3 innings, 3 Hits, 2 Ks

Daisuke Matsuzaka (0.00 ERA)- 1 game, 3 innings, 2 Hits, 1 Walk, 3 Ks

Jonathan Papelbon (0.00 ERA)- 2 games, 5 Innings, 1 Hit, 1 Walk, 8 Ks

Tim Wakefield (1.80 ERA)- 2 games, 5 innings, 7 Hits, 2 Runs (1 ER), 1 Walk, 5 Ks

 

Combined (1-1, 1.08 ERA)- 9 games, 25.1 innings, 19 Hits, 4 Runs (3 ER), 5 Walks, 21 Ks

 

Contending for opening day bullpen roster spots

Craig Breslow (0.00 ERA)- 2 games, 2 innings, 1 Hit, 2 Ks

Bryan Corey (0.00 ERA)- 4 games, 5 innings, 1 Hit, 3 Ks (Corey has been flying under the radar since being acquired last July, as a decent middle relief option. The 2nd half for Boston he churned out a 2.70 ERA and is now doing a good job in ST.)

Nick DeBarr (0.00 ERA)- 1 game, 1 inning, 1 Hit

Travis Hughes (0.00 ERA)- 2 games, 2.1 innings, 2 Hits, 1 Walk, 2 Ks

Kyle Jackson (0.00 ERA)- 1 game, 1 inning, 1 K

Javier Lopez (1-0, 0.00 ERA)- 4 games, 4.2 innings, 2 Hits, 2 Walks, K

Edgar Martinez (1-0, 0.00 ERA)- 3 games, 3 innings, 4 Hits, 1 Run (0 ER), 2 Walks, 2 Ks

J.C. Romero (0.00 ERA)- 4 games, 4.2 innings, 3 Hits, 1 Run (0 ER), 2 Walks, 3 Ks

Hideki Okajima (2.70 ERA)- 3 games, 3.1 innings, 3 Hits, 1 Run, 1 Walk, 2 Ks

Mike Burns (3.00 ERA)- 2 games, 3 innings, 2 Hits, 1 Run

Kyle Snyder (4.15 ERA)- 2 games, 4.1 innings, 6 Hits, 2 Runs, 2 Walks, 5 Ks

Julian Tavarez (4.76 ERA)- 4 games, 5.2 innings, 6 Hits, 4 Runs (3 ER), 1 Walk, 4 Ks

Devern Hansack (4.91 ERA)- 2 games, 3.2 innings, 5 Hits, 2 Runs, 2 Walks, 3 Ks

Mike James (5.40 ERA, 1 save)- 2 games, 1.2 innings, 2 Hits, 1 Run, 1 K

Kason Gabbard (1-1, 6.75 ERA)- 2 games, 4 innings, 3 Hits 4 Runs (3 ER), 4 Walks, 2 Ks

Joel Pineiro (8.31 ERA)- 4 games, 4.1 innings, 7 Hits, 5 Runs (4 ER), 3 Walks, K

Manny Delcarmen (9.64 ERA)- 4 games, 4.2 innings, 7 Hits, 5 Runs, 2 Walks, 3 Ks

Chris Smith (0-1, 11.57 ERA)- 2 games, 2.1 innings, 5 Hits, 3 Runs, 1 K

Brendan Donnelly (0-1, 12.27 ERA)- 4 games, 3.2 innings, 5 Hits, 5 Runs, 2 Walks, 5 Ks

Runelvys Hernandez (18.69 ERA)- 4 games, 4.1 innings, 10 Hits, 9 Runs, 2 Walks, 3 Ks

Craig Hansen (1-0, 22.50 ERA)- 2 games, 2 innings, 7 Hits, 5 Runs, 1 Walk

Jason Sturge (0-1, 27.00 ERA)- 1 game, 1 inning, 4 Hits, 3 Runs

[jacksonianmarch]

Eh, I think I speak for a vast majority of the board when I say that you're pretty much the man. I mean, you served for the country, you're funny, smart .... dude. You're THE man.

 

By the way, now that I think about it, did I ever thank you for your service? Here it is anyway...THANKS! :thumbsup:

 

ditto

[VA Sox Fan]

Eh, I think I speak for a vast majority of the board when I say that you're pretty much the man. I mean, you served for the country, you're funny, smart .... dude. You're THE man.

 

By the way, now that I think about it, did I ever thank you for your service? Here it is anyway...THANKS! :thumbsup:

 

See, I told you ORS.

[CrespoBlows]

Eh, I think I speak for a vast majority of the board when I say that you're pretty much the man. I mean, you served for the country, you're funny, smart .... dude. You're THE man.

 

By the way, now that I think about it, did I ever thank you for your service? Here it is anyway...THANKS! :thumbsup:

 

Gotta agree.

 

You handing Clay his ass is one of the more entertaning threads on the website. Every single one of your posts are either full of logic, or full of wit.

 

ORS = the alpha male.

[TheKilo]

Yeah, ORS is the s***.

[ORS]

Alright, that's enough.

 

Back to baseball. Five-run first highlighted by a Hinske slam vs. Verlander.

[castigs850]

modest too

[ksushi]

Leave the guy alone!

 

He's pretty cool, but how about that Eric Hinske?

[ORS]

I think our bench is going to be strength this year. Hinske, as long as he's hitting against RHP, can be dangerous. WMP is excellent for a 4th OF. Cora is a very competent MIF off the bench. Belli, meh?

[ksushi]

Pena might be the best fourth outfielder in baseball and Hinske is valuable off the bench. Not enough people give Alex Cora his due credit. One of the smartest players in baseball and he will make tito look really smart with his glove late in games. Belli is a wash, I'd rather have someone like Kottaras make the roster, but at the same time I think as long as wake is in the rotation some chemistry with the catcher can't hurt.

[ORS]

I'm listening to the radio stream on the internet. Beckett struggled with command in the 3rd, walking Sheffield and plunking Mags. Two runs came in on a seeing eye single by Guillen. Nothing has been hit hard all game, save a Casey foul blast. He gave up 3 unearned runs in the 1st. 6-5 Sox going into the 4th.

[VA Sox Fan]

I'm listening on XM radio. Sounds like Pedroia is having a rough day w/ 2 E's.

 

Good job by Hinske! Cora's having a good day at the plate 2-3 w/ 2 runs.

[ORS]

That weird because it is uncharacteristic of his play in the past. He needs to get it out of his system before they break camp.

[VA Sox Fan]

That weird because it is uncharacteristic of his play in the past. He needs to get it out of his system before they break camp.

 

Per MLB.com one was fielding and the other was a missed catch. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the boy.

[a700hitter]

That weird because it is uncharacteristic of his play in the past. He needs to get it out of his system before they break camp.

Remember my prediction. Pedroia will have more errors by the All Star break than Loretta had all of 2006. Pedroia's hands are not as good as Loretta's. The kid is strictly average at best.

[VA Sox Fan]

Beckett hit Assfield and Maggs. Todd Jones just got thrown out of the game for throwing behind Drew.

 

Benches cleared! Crazy ST action!!!!

[a700hitter]

Just stupid stuff for ST. Beckett is not throwing at anyone in ST. Todd was being an ass.

[riverside sluggers]

That weird because it is uncharacteristic of his play in the past. He needs to get it out of his system before they break camp.

 

Very much unlike Pedroia. The season is still 3 weeks away, plenty of time for him to get himself into season mode. Kind of a sidenote here, on WEEI they said the scoreboard had him down as Dusty Pedroia

[a700hitter]

Very much unlike Pedroia. The season is still 3 weeks away' date=' plenty of time for him to get himself into season mode. Kind of a sidenote here, on WEEI they said the scoreboard had him down as Dusty Pedroia[/quote']Let's hope he can shake the .158 average too.

 

Edit: But he is being given the job with no competition. He's not hitting or fielding well. It's not just today. I told you that his hands didn't look that good while I was down there. I guess if he doesn't come around we can get Loretta back from the Astros, a la Mirabelli, but for more than we gave up for Mirabelli.

[riverside sluggers]

Even though its just ST... correction: you mean lets hope everyone can shake their low batting avg

[a700hitter]

Even though its just ST... correction: you mean lets hope everyone can shake their low batting avg

Most of the other guys have pretty good ML track records. His ML average is .191. I am a bit more concerned about Pedroia who just k'd.

[VA Sox Fan]

Jim Leyland got tossed too.

[a700hitter]

Jim Leyland got tossed too.

Will he start his crying again. I think Leyland and Vermeil should start some sort of weepy coaches support group. They turn my stomach. Torre has become weepy in the last few years too.

[VA Sox Fan]

Will he start his crying again. I think Leyland and Vermeil should start some sort of weepy coaches support group. They turn my stomach. Torre has become weepy in the last few years too.

 

They said he was getting into w/ DeMarlo Hale. Now he can go in the club house and smoke a pack of cigs. Jim "Weepy" Leyland

 

Edit: oh and the announcers were saying how Jones pitched to Tek and then went after Drew. They were calling it a respect thing. That's my man Tek!

[ORS]

Remember my prediction. Pedroia will have more errors by the All Star break than Loretta had all of 2006. Pedroia's hands are not as good as Loretta's.

Maybe so. He'll probably total more outs too.

 

EDIT: That is, through the All Star break.

 

The kid is strictly average at best.

Good, that would make his contribution more than what Loretta's was last year.