Sox inquire about Benitez

[ORS]

Get off this pledge of allegiance s*** ORS because it is getting very very old. You're not stupid; you have heard it said over and over that I came on board in late 2000 so no more of that crap. It is starting to wear on me. As for 2003, you conveniently pick the end of the 2003 season. What about the early and mid part of that year; we're you playing Rip Van Winkle? Remember the very first f***ing game that year? A blow lead, a blown save and an extra inning loss, and two more the following week. Remember?????

 

If you want to bag on me, fine, but get your facts straight. I have also repeatedly said that our 2003 bullpen cost us numerous games the first two and half months of that season. You disagree with that??? I also wonder if we had not had those early problems that year and had won the AL East whether having the home field advantage that seventh game might have made some difference, idiotic manager and all.

Facts? Here's the facts, Fred. Home field advantage wasn't necessary in '03. A competent manager was. That fatally flawed team you love to warn us about won 95 games with one good starting pitcher and no bullpen at the start of the season. I'll take 95 wins to the bank and to the playoffs. Quit it with the f***ing tired Chicken Little s***.

[a700hitter]

I guess you waited until they won in '04 to pledge allegiance' date=' Fred. By the end of '03 the 'pen was actually a strength of the team. What it lacked was someone like Schilling to complement Petey, and someone smart enough to take him out of the game.[/quote']ORS is right about the 2003 bullpen. After acquiring Williamson and Embree, the bullpen solidified to the point where it was a strength of the team by the end of the year and the playoffs. Williamson was lights out at the end. If he'd been on the mound, as he should have been, in that last inning, the Red Sox would have taken their championship a year earlier.

[VA Sox Fan]

Embree, Timlin, Williamson worked great in the '03 play offs, the regular season is history once you make the play offs.

 

There is a good chance we would have beaten the Yankees in game 7 if Grady hadn't stuck w/ Pedro. But there is no guarentee beyond that.

 

The bullpen by committee isn't going to happen this season and that's a good thing. There is still plenty of ST and time left on a closer, there's nothing we can do about it, just wait and see.

 

Remember, once again all, please, Keith Foulke had a 15.00 era in ST in 2004.

[seabeachfred]

No argument about a competent manager in 2003 ORS; that was never a bone of contention between the two of us. I might remind you that the Red Sox went off on a tear the second half of that 2003 season and had their best hitting team of last 20 years that season. We won a lot of games by simply outslugging the opponent. Where we differ is when you say we won 95 games with no bullpen as if that was a big freaking accomplishment. If so, what if we would have had a decent closer and bullpen early that year? How many more games could we have won even with a s***** manager? At least a dozen more from where I sit. "f***ing tired Chicken Little s***"???? Sorry, but I haven't a God damn idea what you mean by that. Whatever it is, though, I will desist when you desist with that damn badwagon jumping crap. See you down at Fort Myers in two weeks.

[VA Sox Fan]

No argument about a competent manager in 2003 ORS; that was never a bone of contention between the two of us. I might remind you that the Red Sox went off on a tear the second half of that 2003 season and had their best hitting team of last 20 years that season. We won a lot of games by simply outslugging the opponent. Where we differ is when you say we won 95 games with no bullpen as if that was a big freaking accomplishment. If so' date=' what if we would have had a decent closer and bullpen early that year? How many more games could we have won even with a s***** manager? At least a dozen more from where I sit. "f***ing tired Chicken Little s***"???? Sorry, but I haven't a God damn idea what you mean by that. Whatever it is, though, I will desist when you desist with that damn badwagon jumping crap. [b']See you down at Fort Myers in two weeks.[/b]

 

So you and ORS are meeting up at ST?

[ORS]

The point of bringing up the 95 wins is that a solid team going into the season with question marks in the bullpen will still win some games. I liked our offense better then, but I like our rotation a whole hell of a lot better now. Nobody will be as good as Pedro, hallowed by thy name, but it's a lot deeper. This team will win a lot of ball games, and they have the whole season to identify and correct problems in the BP. There was only one RP that I wanted this offseason, and they missed him. That happens. Don't get your feathers ruffled Fred. If nobody can get the job done early in the season, they'll make a move, like they did in '03. All they need to do is get this rotation in the playoffs, and from there, watch out.

[ORS]

So you and ORS are meeting up at ST?

No, I wish I could find some time for ST this year. It's tough with work, school, and a family that includes a 3 y/o and an 11 m/o. I'll get down there before I leave the Sunshine State.

[VA Sox Fan]

No' date=' I wish I could find some time for ST this year. It's tough with work, school, and a family that includes a 3 y/o and an 11 m/o. I'll get down there before I leave the Sunshine State.[/quote']

 

Is it as great living down there as some say? I've thought about it for a "one of these days" type things.

 

It's sounds like your schedule and family keep you busy, that's a good thing!

 

Fred and I will be down in Ft. Myers at the same time, if I run into him, wish me luck...

 

Joking Fred but you do get worked up dude, that whole thing w/ your priest, forget him, he's only a man regardless of his title. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

[MANNYHOF24]

ORS is right about the 2003 bullpen. After acquiring Williamson and Embree' date=' the bullpen solidified to the point where it was a strength of the team by the end of the year and the playoffs. Williamson was lights out at the end. If he'd been on the mound, as he should have been, in that last inning, the Red Sox would have taken their championship a year earlier.[/quote']

 

Actually Embree was traded for in 2002. Kim was our closer until the playoffs, Williamson took the role by default in the playoffs. Kim was really good for us in the regular season that year, but got hurt in towards the end of the season, and was never the same.

[seabeachfred]

No' date=' I wish I could find some time for ST this year. It's tough with work, school, and a family that includes a 3 y/o and an 11 m/o. I'll get down there before I leave the Sunshine State.[/quote']

 

Whoa ORS!!!! I thought it was you who was going to Fort Myers in late March. Sorry, what a screw up. Who is it then? I'm sure it was someone from this board.

 

Anyway, when I get down there with whoever I'll run into at the ballpark I would hope our closer situation becomes a tad clearer than it is now. What makes me antsy is that the front office did something I didn't think they would do this past winter, namely going out and getting us a couple of good hitters, a potentially great starting pitcher, a good middle relief man or two. I didn't think John Henry would do this. Now it looks like we can have a helluva team but only a couple of good bullpen men standing in the way of a possible truly great season.

[seabeachfred]

The point of bringing up the 95 wins is that a solid team going into the season with question marks in the bullpen will still win some games. I liked our offense better then' date=' but I like our rotation a whole hell of a lot better now. Nobody will be as good as Pedro, hallowed by thy name, but it's a lot deeper. This team will win a lot of ball games, and they have the whole season to identify and correct problems in the BP. There was only one RP that I wanted this offseason, and they missed him. That happens. Don't get your feathers ruffled Fred. If nobody can get the job done early in the season, they'll make a move, like they did in '03. All they need to do is get this rotation in the playoffs, and from there, watch out.[/quote']

 

Well ORS, I agree that if we are stumbling out the gate the FO will make a move. I just wonder if they will make it early enough and whether we can hold the fort until they do. Of course, if the current band of reliever suspects could suddenly rise to the occasion we all could avoid getting nervous, and, in my case, my feathers ruffled. Truth be known, one thing that has pissed me off no end the past six seasons is our always finishing second to the Yankees in the AL East. Though it isn't as important as winning the AL and the WS, I would love to see Boston sitting on top of New York in the standings when I take a gander at the papers come the end of September. I haven't seen our team win the division since I came on board and the fact that it is the Yankees in front of us makes it even more of a pain in the ass. Remember, I go way way way back as a Yankee hater.

[seabeachfred]

So you and ORS are meeting up at ST?

 

I thought it was ORS, but apparently I have had another senior moment. Now I do have you straight, right? I will see you down there, or did I screw this one up, too. :o

[seabeachfred]

Is it as great living down there as some say? I've thought about it for a "one of these days" type things.

 

It's sounds like your schedule and family keep you busy, that's a good thing!

 

Fred and I will be down in Ft. Myers at the same time, if I run into him, wish me luck...

 

Joking Fred but you do get worked up dude, that whole thing w/ your priest, forget him, he's only a man regardless of his title. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

 

Well VA, my wife will NOT go to a Red Sox game with me when they play out here in Anaheim so that should tell you something. Wanna know something else? I am 66 years old and ever since I found the Red Sox I am a kid again. A certifiable nut about our team; even got pissed off hearing them unable to get that tieing run home this afternoon against the Pirates. I sometimes wonder if I would still be alive if I had been rooting for the Red Sox as long as the rest of you. Don't forget, section 24 and 22. I guarantee you will spot me a mile away.

[VA Sox Fan]

Well VA' date=' my wife will NOT go to a Red Sox game with me when they play out here in Anaheim so that should tell you something. Wanna know something else? I am 66 years old and ever since I found the Red Sox I am a kid again. A certifiable nut about our team; even got pissed off hearing them unable to get that tieing run home this afternoon against the Pirates. I sometimes wonder if I would still be alive if I had been rooting for the Red Sox as long as the rest of you. Don't forget, section 24 and 22. I guarantee you will spot me a mile away.[/quote']

 

Your poor wife...jk Spot you a mile away huh? I'm afraid to ask......

 

The Sox make me feel like a kid again too (I'm 42). It got worse when I got the baseball package in 2003, it was a dream come true to watch the Sox almost every day. I've been a little more laid back since they won the WS but still hate to miss a pitch.

 

I'll be in section 22 both City of Palms games w/ my brother and nephew. Flying down 3/26, I CANNOT WAIT!

[Sam Malone]

The Diamondbacks might be shopping Jorge Julio.

[BSN07]

Maybe, I'll be honest I don't know a whole lot about him, how good is he? Whats his stuff like? And most importantly what will he cost us?

[a700hitter]

The Sox make me feel like a kid again too (I'm 42). It got worse when I got the baseball package in 2003, it was a dream come true to watch the Sox almost every day. I've been a little more laid back since they won the WS but still hate to miss a pitch.

You sick bastard! lol! I have had the baseball package since Primestar offered it.I don't even remember the year. Was it the '90's? I only miss games for poorly planned funerals and weddings, but only for close family members-- may they all live 100 years.

[a700hitter]

The Diamondbacks might be shopping Jorge Julio.

He's Heathcliff Slocumb without the talent.

[BSN07]

He's Heathcliff Slocumb without the talent.

 

 

Ouch...... What about the Jewelry?

[VA Sox Fan]

You sick bastard! lol! I have had the baseball package since Primestar offered it.I don't even remember the year. Was it the '90's? I only miss games for poorly planned funerals and weddings' date=' but only for close family members-- may they all live 100 years.[/quote']

 

Maybe a sick bitch but not bastard!

 

I wish I had been able to get the bb package back then. I hate missing a game too. There are a few day games (during the work, damn my job!) in KC at the start of the season, but I can 'DVR' them and listen to them on XM. A week into the season until we'll have a NESN broadcast....

[redsoxsuperfan]

Yeah' date=' Pass on Benitez please.[/quote']

 

Do we really want a guy named Armando on the team? He may be effective, but if I recall, he has elbow problems and has had a lot of major surgery.

 

I still think they can get a closer as the season goes on or find someone from within. How many so-called closers both start and end the season in place? Very few I believe. Including World Series winners.