The Optimism Thread

[yeszir]

After last night's game' date=' it might not have been the best time to bump this thread. Lol![/quote']

 

Thought we could use some cheering up

[example1]

I'm pulling this from another thread I posted it in, trying to bring back some of the good fortune that this thread brought us earlier this year. If you don't have something optimistic to say, or at least neutral, just post it somewhere else please...

 

If you remember, at the beginning of the season I did a B-R search to see which teams had ever started that poorly to have success at the end of the season. I found a few that made it to the playoffs and a couple that won the WS. (see beginning of this thread)

 

I tried to do the same thing for this type of finished and really struggled to find one.

 

In fact, I think there is only one comparable recent example that offers any optimism:

 

2000 NY Yankees

That Yankees team went 5-16 in its last 21 games.

They won the division by 2.5 games over the Sox.

They won only 87 games.

They lost their last 7 games.

 

They ended up winning the World Series.

 

It is little hope, I realize.

 

In order for the Sox to match that last 21 games the Yankees had, they would need to go 2-4 the rest of the way.

 

Given that, I wouldn't say it is out of the realm of possibility.

 

The Yankees played better ball in September than the Red Sox have this year, despite their s***** finish. However, the Sox already have more wins than that Yankees team had at the end of the season, so maybe that equals out?

 

All in all, given the very few teams who have ever started as poorly as the Sox did and still ended up in the playoffs, this team has come a long way--no matter what the initial expectations were.

 

Once they were 2-10 (or whatever) they were in a select group of longshots.

 

If they make the playoffs they will be one of those teams to have made it despite s***** starts. That may end up being a disappointment to all of us, but it is a reality in 100+ years of baseball results.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Assuming both the Angels and Rays win today, we'll be 2 up with 6 to play.

 

If we can pull out a win with Lester on the bump tomorrow, we'll just have to win 2 of our last 5 and we're basically in. Unless the Rays or Angels go 5-1, that gets us into the post season.

 

If the Angels and/or Rays lose today, we'll be 3 up with 6 to play.

 

If we can pull out a win with Lester on the bump tomorrow, and we win 2 of our last 5, the Rays and Angels will have to win out.

 

Needless to say, all of the pressure is on them. Even though it doesn't feel that way. This team has got to find a way to kick it into gear.

 

That being said, in our other 2 trips to NY this season, we went in stumbling:

 

Trip 1: 3-4 before NYY series, Sweep NYY, 10-2 after NYY series.

Trip 2: 3-4 before NYY series, Sweep NYY, 8-2 after NYY series

Trip 3: 2-5 before NYY series.

 

Lets hope that we can at least be consistent in how we play the Yankees. Maybe a NYY series is just what we need. Who knows. We need something.

[yankees228]

I think another reason to be positive is that the Red Sox are likely to see a very weak Yankees team this weekend. The starting position players should get some rest, Girardi will take it easy with the bullpen, and CC isn't starting. Despite how the Sox are playing, the unmotivated Yankees might be the perfect remedy for them.

[SoxFanForsyth]

This weekend is a big series for the Sox.

 

I just want to see this team get pissed off and score about 35 runs this weekend. I don't care if it's against the Yankees AA team.

[jacksonianmarch]

I think another reason to be positive is that the Red Sox are likely to see a very weak Yankees team this weekend. The starting position players should get some rest' date=' Girardi will take it easy with the bullpen, and CC isn't starting. Despite how the Sox are playing, the unmotivated Yankees might be the perfect remedy for them.[/quote']

 

The Yanks will likely rest everyone today since the starters will probably all be hung over. They do have one thing to play for and that is home field. They are currently up 5 games on both Texas and Detroit with 7 to play. We will likely clinch home field against the sox.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

We're only in April.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

Optimism: At least there is other baseball teams to watch.

[SoxSport]

Sorry I can't be optimistic about this team because I think there's a management clash going on between

the front office and Bobby V that LL/Henry don't seem to be willing or able to handle. They created it, and they will have to solve it--or the Red Sox are as good as dead this year.

[FredLynn]

Sorry I can't be optimistic about this team because I think there's a management clash going on between

the front office and Bobby V that LL/Henry don't seem to be willing or able to handle. They created it, and they will have to solve it--or the Red Sox are as good as dead this year.

 

You are right. It does seem that there are some disagreements in management here. Still, someone came to their senses and put Bard back in the pen, at least temporarily. I wonder who won that battle...

[Elktonnick]

You are right. It does seem that there are some disagreements in management here. Still' date=' someone came to their senses and put Bard back in the pen, at least temporarily. I wonder who won that battle...[/quote']

 

LL set it up to be a clash between his GM and field mgr when he over ruled Cherries and forced him to hire BV. It almost gets one to wondering if Cherrington was Larry's hire in the first place. There is also another although remote possibility that is that JH likes to have a clash among his top execs. There are some CEOs and Board Chairs who do operate that way.

[FredLynn]

LL set it up to be a clash between his GM and field mgr when he over ruled Cherries and forced him to hire BV. It almost gets one to wondering if Cherrington was Larry's hire in the first place. There is also another although remote possibility that is that JH likes to have a clash among his top execs. There are some CEOs and Board Chairs who do operate that way.

 

It all seems pretty dysfunctional right now.

What I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall in some of those meetings....

[RedSoxRally]

Ok I'll bite.

 

On October 2, 1978 Bucky F@#ing Dent shot Boston's chance of making the playoffs down sending a homerun over the Green Monster.

 

On October 16, 2003, Bret F@#ing Boone ruined the Red Sox chance of advancing to the World Series with a walk-off homerun. I wanted to throw my TV set through the window of my dorm room. Although a lot of liquor isn't the permanent answer to a dagger in the heart, that night was a night of temporary bliss.

 

October 17, 2004, Boston trailed the Yankees 3-0 in the ALCS until a leadoff walk to Millar and a steal of second base gave the Sox a new life. Ortiz awakened Sox fans with a monster blast off Paul Quantrill and hearing Joe Buck's "See you tonight" call still sends chills down my spine. That night was the prelude to the biggest comeback in sports history as Boston came from 3-0 to not only avenge Bret Boone's homerun from '03, but went on to sweep the St. Louis to win the 2004 World Series.

 

Tito's Red Sox once again went on to claim another World Series title. Francona's 8 years as Boston manager and 2 World Series titles was an incredible run and will never be forgotten. Look back on this really makes one appreciate the past just a little.

[jung]

What I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall in some of those meetings....

 

Nay ya' wouldn't want to be there. All you would hear is a bunch of marketing and PR ******** as opposed to what you would hope to be hearing.

 

While I am not a mind reader you could just about see it in their faces when the camera panned up to the owner's box last night. They looked to me like two guys mulling over "how the f*** are we going to explain this one" not "how the f*** are we going to fix this mess".

[italstallianion]

I do feel better knowing that Erik Bedard is 0-4 despite a 2.62 ERA. That's what you get for going to Pittsburgh.

[BornToRun]

Well I took a few days off after Saturdays clusterf***. As hard as its been I've remained optimistic. The only concern for me is the bullpen which can be fixed a lot easier than the lineup or rotation. A couple guys are bound to be better and maybe we add an arm at the deadline. We have an easy stretch of games coming up so here's hoping that we can get back on track. It's a long season.

[a700hitter]

Well I took a few days off after Saturdays clusterf***. As hard as its been I've remained optimistic. The only concern for me is the bullpen which can be fixed a lot easier than the lineup or rotation. A couple guys are bound to be better and maybe we add an arm at the deadline. We have an easy stretch of games coming up so here's hoping that we can get back on track. It's a long season.

This is the key. Everything else will fall into place. They need to plug the bullpen hole before the ship takes on too much water. I don't know what they are waiting for? Bullpen arms are far more critical at this juncture than Marlon Byrd.

[pedroias laser]

This is the key. Everything else will fall into place. They need to plug the bullpen hole before the ship takes on too much water. I don't know what they are waiting for? Bullpen arms are far more critical at this juncture than Marlon Byrd.

 

What kills me is they have Cook throwing below 1.50 ERA and he is still down in the

minors. I feel Bard should go back and lets see Cook pick us up.

[a700hitter]

What kills me is they have Cook throwing below 1.50 ERA and he is still down in the

minors. I feel Bard should go back and lets see Cook pick us up.

They have to decide to make some adjustment to the pen. Waiting, will only result in losing more games in the standings and further depressing the morale of the team.

[pedroias laser]

Agree 700 on those comments especially when we need to fix the issue now rather then later.

[RedSoxNC84]

This is the key. Everything else will fall into place. They need to plug the bullpen hole before the ship takes on too much water. I don't know what they are waiting for? Bullpen arms are far more critical at this juncture than Marlon Byrd.

 

I'd rather see them march DMac to the outfield every day and fix the bullpen instead of them trading for another outfielder, especially when they give up a potential arm for said outfielder...

 

Oh wait...

[BornToRun]

This is the key. Everything else will fall into place. They need to plug the bullpen hole before the ship takes on too much water. I don't know what they are waiting for? Bullpen arms are far more critical at this juncture than Marlon Byrd.

 

Really. Sweeney and Ross can handle most of the load just fine until crawford returns and when he does then we just need to hang tough until jacoby is ready. I'd rather we spend our resources on a bullpen is dire need of help rather than an outfield that is just fine for the time being.

[jung]

Cubs are paying ALL of Byrd's salary. So all the Sox gave up was a pitcher that they decided simply did not fit into their plans even with all their pitching problems.

 

Theo just loves to off players and continue to pay their salaries. At least now he is doing it for somebody else.

[BornToRun]

Cubs are paying ALL of Byrd's salary. So all the Sox gave up was a pitcher that they decided simply did not fit into their plans even with all their pitching problems.

 

Theo just loves to off players and continue to pay their salaries. At least now he is doing it for somebody else.

 

Wait? We actually got Byrd? Wow where the f*** have I been. I didnt know they were covering his salary.

[redsoxbeatz]

Don't we have to bring Cook up before May 1st?

[jung]

Ya' in fact he is going to be in the Sox outfield tonight. So they are wasting no time getting him on the field.

 

and

 

Yes, Cubs are covering 100% of his salary.

[jung]

Don't we have to bring Cook up before May 1st?

 

They have to either bring Cook up before May 1st or they have to sign something like an extended contract with him or maybe even a different contract. The point being if they don't want to bring him up by the 1st but want to keep him if he is agreeable, they can do it via a contract.

[pedroias laser]

They have to either bring Cook up before May 1st or they have to sign something like an extended contract with him or maybe even a different contract. The point being if they don't want to bring him up by the 1st but want to keep him if he is agreeable' date=' they can do it via a contract.[/quote']

 

From what i heard Cook has no intentions of extending and would leave if he is

not up in the big's by May1st.

[BornToRun]

Ya' in fact he is going to be in the Sox outfield tonight. So they are wasting no time getting him on the field.

 

and

 

Yes, Cubs are covering 100% of his salary.

 

Well then that's perfect. He can fill in until Crawford and jacoby are ready and he can kick DMac to the curb and be on the bench with craw, ells, and Sweeney/Ross starting.

[jung]

Money solves most problems in baseball. That said I don't see a good reason not to bring him here by May 1st if they are going to bring him here.

 

The timing may not be perfect and for the right money if they wanted 2 weeks or something like that out of him, I would be surprised if he did not give it to them.