Kevin Youkilis is selfish

[Dojji]

IF WE MISS OUT BY 2 OR 3 GAMES' date=' I think EVERYONE should be pointing at Youk's suspension as the first thing that was most easily avoided that realistically would have changed our playoff status.[/quote']

 

http://trs86.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/daisuke_matsuzaka-jpg1.jpeg

 

http://theghostofmoonlightgraham.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/julio-lugo.jpeg

 

http://misterirrelevant.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/nick-green-bat.jpg

 

http://cache.boston.com/resize/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2009/01/13/1231905185_7401/300h.jpg

 

http://trueslant.com/ethanporter/files/2009/06/david_ortiz-1.jpg

 

The first thing?

 

Really? Seriously?

 

Even if you want to limit it to the "preventable," there's still John Smoltz.

[ORS]

Wow, swing and a miss. Those guys underperforming was something that "could" happen, but it might not. Charging the mound is 5 games, almost guaranteed. This is why he said "easily avoidable". Use your head.

[Dojji]

Not buying it. I'm sorry, but at least Daisuke on that list was pretty easily avoidable as well. Just make him stay home from the WBC. The worst that happens in that scenario is that Daisuke is mad at the team and the Japanese fans resent us for awhile. I find I can stand that much better than losing a season from our #3 starter.

 

You say you aren't creating a crisis, yet you drama queens want to try to stretch this suspension out as if it was some pivotal moment in our playoff aspirations. This stuff is just part of playing a season of ball. I see no reason at all to get worked up about this, especially now that the penalty is over. Any repercussions of this one suspension are well within the margin of error. Kilo, you ought to know that as well as anyone.

[CrespoBlows]

Strike two.

 

THE FREETHINKA IS BACK!

[Dojji]

Yeah, I don't like calling attention to it since it tends to make things ten times worse, but getting a little sick of the baiting I'm getting from certain corners.

 

Seriously, listen to yourselves. The Sox are going to miss the playoffs and the prime factor is going to be one player missing 5 games in August? who writes your material? And did you get your money back?

 

No matter how you attempt to manage your statements to try to make yourselves sound correct, and to filter out the ten different distinct causes that would have far more to do with us missing the playoffs than a suspension that lasted less than a week, it's still a pretty danged petty thing to fret this much about.

[CrespoBlows]

I understand that Ortiz, Matsuzaka, etc... are all larger reasons for why they aren't better, but it is far more easier to avoid a suspension than it is to predict slumps.

 

Hence the term, "EASILY AVOIDABLE."

[Dipre]

I understand that Ortiz, Matsuzaka, etc... are all larger reasons for why they aren't better, but it is far more easier to avoid a suspension than it is to predict slumps.

 

Hence the term, "EASILY AVOIDABLE."

 

Still, saying that if we don't make the playoffs by one or two games the first finger will be pointed at Youk is not very logical.

[Dojji]

See also: cherry picking.

 

Also, define "easily avoidable" to me. You really want to tell me that you have a lid on your temper 24/7? Otherwise you're just throwing crap out there to try to keep the argument alive.

[CrespoBlows]

What a foolish statement. Are you saying that if you are not capable of keeping a lid on your temper, than we cannot criticize Youkilis? I get angry just like the next person, but I don't resort to striking people, or throwing objects at those who have pissed me off.

[schillingouttheks]

How many times do I have to repeat myself?

 

Youk's 5-game suspension WAS easily avoidable.

 

I don't think my point is that outrageous. I'M FULLY AWARE OF ALL THE OTHER FACTORS. That said, EVEN WITH THOSE FACTORS, we would be a playoff team if Youk had kept his lid on. Once you make the playoffs, the rest is a crap shoot.

 

I mean, do people really disagree with that? In the big picture, if we miss out by a game or two, sure, there are more people responsible, but if I look at all those factors, I'm looking at Youk's suspension as the one thing that didn't need to happen that most likely resulted in missing the playoffs. Do you really not see the difference between some players being injured/having bad years and Youk's suspension? One's unavoidable, one is. Take a guess.

 

I don't know how I can be any clearer. There are players on championship teams who have down years. Down years happen every year to different players, and the same with injuries. Despite those, the teams can still go deep in the playoffs.

[Dojji]

I mean' date=' do people really disagree with that? In the big picture, if we miss out by a game or two, sure, there are more people responsible, but if I look at all those factors, I'm looking at Youk's suspension as the one thing that didn't need to happen that most likely resulted in missing the playoffs.[/quote']

 

I for one disagree with that. When you start saying that something "resulted in missing the playoffs" you need a standard of proof a little higher than "it happened, and oh yes we also missed the playoffs in the same year."

 

There is no guarantee that Youks wouldn't have gone o-fer over those 5 games after all.

[schillingouttheks]

I for one disagree with that. When you start saying that something "resulted in missing the playoffs" you need a standard of proof a little higher than "it happened, and oh yes we also missed the playoffs."

 

There is no guarantee that Youks wouldn't have gone o-fer over those 5 games after all.

 

I understand that. There is also no guarantee that he wouldn't have made a difference. I can guarantee you one thing though - he's one of the best players on this team, and not having him hurt a s*** ton.

[Dojji]

over those fie games? Sure. but personally I'd blame the Yankee sweep in the Bronx for costing us a playoff spot long before I talked about Youk's suspension. That took us out of the pennant race, if nothing else. And that happeend with Youkilis in the lineup.

[schillingouttheks]

over those fie games? Sure. but personally I'd blame the Yankee sweep in the Bronx for costing us a playoff spot long before I talked about Youk's suspension. That took us out of the pennant race' date=' if nothing else. And that happeend with Youkilis in the lineup.[/quote']

 

We were still leading the Wild Card race after the Yankees series. There was time to rebound from that and focus on the team behind us. I agree that the Yankee sweep took us out of the AL East race. It did not take us out of the Wild Card race.

 

We're still in it. As I have said countless times before, the only time we'll be able to really put this argument to rest is when we see who is playing in October. If we're there, then by God with all the s*** we went through we deserve to be there.

 

Agree to disagree. I'm just tired of arguing this anyway. FWIW - many of my friends, including myself, have seen Youk's douchebaggery in person. He sits at Mary Anne's in Cleveland Circle, drinks by himself, and tells anyone who tries to talk to him to, essentially, f*** off. He's a great player, but from what I've heard and seen, he's not that great of a guy.

[TheKilo]

Everyone's arguing past each other at this point, the thread should just be locked.

[schillingouttheks]

I'll leave it open, but I'm just repeating everything I've said so as far as I'm concerned I think I've exhausted my POV.