Positives

[Gringo]

Clearly a crushing outcome to a bizarre season. Plenty of disappointments. But a few bright spots which deserve mention, I think.

 

Ellsbury- MVP caliber season. Who knew he could hit with such power? Dominant player.

 

Aceves- A rock out of the pen

 

Scutaro- Monster September, hopefully something that carries over

 

Papi- Silenced his critics who said he was finished

 

Salty- His bat came around eventually, plenty of promise going forward

[a700hitter]

Clearly a crushing outcome to a bizarre season. Plenty of disappointments. But a few bright spots which deserve mention, I think.

 

Ellsbury- MVP caliber season. Who knew he could hit with such power? Dominant player.

 

Aceves- A rock out of the pen

 

Scutaro- Monster September, hopefully something that carries over

 

Papi- Silenced his critics who said he was finished

 

Salty- His bat came around eventually, plenty of promise going forward

I agree with everything above except for the fact that Salty is still a disaster. He can't catch or throw and he strikes out way too much.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

A-Gon, Bard, Papelbon, Pedroia? I think you're missing a few players imo.

[Gringo]

A-Gon' date=' Bard, Papelbon, Pedroia? I think you're missing a few players imo.[/quote']

 

I just listed the ones that were more of a surprise. We all knew Ells was a keeper, but nobody thought he'd hit 30 HR's....

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Ahh I see. Well in that case your list is accurate.

[SoxSport]

I agree with everything above except for the fact that Salty is still a disaster. He can't catch or throw and he strikes out way too much.

 

Salty faded in September, but that was understandable for a first year regular catcher.

They only carried him and old Tek the whole season. VMart could have come in handy.

 

Epstein's fantasy team was better last year with Vmart and Beltre.

 

All this talk in Boston about catchers who can't throw out runners is BS.

They have been stealing on the pitchers, who don't hold runners on as a policy.

It's part of their poor or misguided fundamentals problem.

Maybe a new GM is in order who doesn't coddle starting pitchers.

Cripes, they even wanted Buchholz to go down to Florida and throw 10 pitches before joining the roster the last game.<_>

[a700hitter]

Salty faded in September, but that was understandable for a first year regular catcher.

Wearing down at age 26 is not understandable.

[VA Sox Fan]

David Ortiz wins Roberto Clemente Award

Posted by Matt Pepin, Boston.com Staff October 20, 2011 07:16 PM

 

Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz won baseball's Roberto Clemente Award tonight.

 

He is the second consecutive member of the Red Sox to win the award, given annually to the Major League Baseball player "who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field."

 

Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield won the award last year. It is presented annually at the World Series.

 

“David’s remarkable commitment to helping children receive essential pediatric care in the United States and the Dominican Republic makes him a wonderful choice for this honor. The legacy of the great Roberto Clemente lives on through the selfless actions of players like David and so many of his peers," baseball commissioner Bud Selig said via an MLB press release.

 

Ortiz's charitable work includes the David Ortiz Children's Fund, which provides medical care for children in the Dominican Republic and the United States, and a partnership with Massachusetts General Hospital.

 

“I am incredibly honored to be the recipient of this year's award,” Ortiz said. “It's humbling to be associated with all the tremendous names that have won this award in the past, and I look forward to continuing to do my part to maintain Roberto Clemente's legacy.”

[VA Sox Fan]

Ellsbury captures comeback award

 

By Peter Abraham

Globe Staff / October 14, 2011

 

Jacoby Ellsbury was rewarded for his remarkable season yesterday when Major League Baseball named him the American League Comeback Player of the Year.

 

After playing only 19 games in 2010 because of fractured ribs, the Red Sox center fielder hit .321 with 32 home runs, 105 RBIs, 46 doubles, 39 steals, and 119 runs while playing 158 games.

 

Ellsbury became the first player in franchise history to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season. He also made the All-Star team for the first time.

 

Lance Berkman of the Cardinals was the National League winner. The award is voted on by beat writers employed by MLB.com.

[SoxSport]

Wearing down at age 26 is not understandable.

 

First full year as a catcher healthy in quite awhile. And first in majors.

Without a real backup.

 

Besides, he had to catch Wake--every start.

[SoxSport]

Ellsbury captures comeback award

 

By Peter Abraham

Globe Staff / October 14, 2011

 

 

Lance Berkman of the Cardinals was the National League winner. The award is voted on by beat writers employed by MLB.com.

 

Speaking of Berkman, did you see him at bat in the WS game tonite?

 

The guy looks at least 10 lbs lighter than last year with the Yankees--a couple of inches off the waist. Trim and in shape.

 

Amazing what a little conditioning will do to a player's performance--especially if he's over 30.

 

Ditto for Papi.

[a700hitter]

First full year as a catcher healthy in quite awhile. And first in majors.

Without a real backup.

 

Besides, he had to catch Wake--every start.

The Rangers moved Salty and got Napoli. The Ranger FO made the better move.

[VA Sox Fan]

First full year as a catcher healthy in quite awhile. And first in majors.

Without a real backup.

 

Besides, he had to catch Wake--every start.

 

Leave it to you and a700 to post something sarcastic/negative in the "Positives" thread. Nice. :rolleyes:Thanks.

[a700hitter]

Leave it to you and a700 to post something sarcastic/negative in the "Positives" thread. Nice. :rolleyes:Thanks.

Ooops. I was just responding to a post about Salty, who by the way ended up like a bag of suck.

[VA Sox Fan]

Ooops. I was just responding to a post about Salty' date=' who by the way ended up like a bag of suck.[/quote']

 

Yeah we all know. You harped on that fact ALL season long.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Ooops. I was just responding to a post about Salty' date=' who by the way ended up like a bag of suck.[/quote']

 

You can say he was adequate but you're reaching by saying he sucks.

[a700hitter]

Yeah we all know. You harped on that fact ALL season long.

Sorry, but during the middle of the season I said that he was adequate and that I'd be happy if hit .250. In the end, he was not adequate.

[VA Sox Fan]

Sorry' date=' but during the middle of the season I said that he was adequate and that I'd be happy if hit .250. In the end, he was not adequate.[/quote']

 

Quit it already and stay out of the "Positives" thread where you don't belong. Tons of other threads where you can be your happy/negative self.

 

I am trying to point out positive things from the season.

 

Thanks.

[VA Sox Fan]

You can say he was adequate but you're reaching by saying he sucks.

 

Don't encourage him, please.

[a700hitter]

Quit it already and stay out of the "Positives" thread where you don't belong. Tons of other threads where you can be your happy/negative self.

 

I am trying to point out positive things from the season.

 

Thanks.

It will be a short thread.

[VA Sox Fan]

It will be a short thread.

 

Thanks for the enlightenment, I had NO IDEA. Go away please.

[a700hitter]

Thanks for the enlightenment' date=' I had NO IDEA. Go away please.[/quote']Jeesh, who's being negative now?

[jung]

I actually think that the way Paps came back this season is a positive as I don't think many people thought he would come back this strong. I thought Paps would better his 2010 performance but I did not think he would be as good as he has been this year either.

 

As for Salty, he has difficult receiving the ball even when not catching Wake and regardless of how poor a job most Sox pitchers do holding runners that is no excuse for Salty's throwing problems. If you want to see how good a catcher can make the throw to second, watch Yadi here in the WS. Not saying that there are many catchers that can execute the throw to second like he can but Salty is the polar opposite to Yadi.

 

Yadi is not even out of his crouch and the ball is gone with such force that it is aimed directly at the front corner of the bag on the first base side. Many times it is Yadi that gets the runner out as the guy covering the bag does not even have to move the glove from making the catch.

 

Salty must stand, step and throw and even with that the ball is often tailing up and toward the second baseman's normal position. By the time he is done standing and stepping there is just about no sense in throwing.

[a700hitter]

I actually think that the way Paps came back this season is a positive as I don't think many people thought he would come back this strong. I thought Paps would better his 2010 performance but I did not think he would be as good as he has been this year either.

 

As for Salty, he has difficult receiving the ball even when not catching Wake and regardless of how poor a job most Sox pitchers do holding runners that is no excuse for Salty's throwing problems. If you want to see how good a catcher can make the throw to second, watch Yadi here in the WS. Not saying that there are many catchers that can execute the throw to second like he can but Salty is the polar opposite to Yadi.

 

Yadi is not even out of his crouch and the ball is gone with such force that it is aimed directly at the front corner of the bag on the first base side. Many times it is Yadi that gets the runner out as the guy covering the bag does not even have to move the glove from making the catch.

 

Salty must stand, step and throw and even with that the ball is often tailing up and toward the second baseman's normal position. By the time he is done standing and stepping there is just about no sense in throwing.

I could live with Salty as a back up, but not as a starter. Maybe Theo will look to pluck him away from us in a trade. I really don't think Lavarnway could be worse behind the dish. Salty has terrible hands.

[SoxSport]

The Rangers moved Salty and got Napoli. The Ranger FO made the better move.

 

Agreed. I think that's one of the reasons Epstein interviewed the Cubs.

 

Epstein had a terrible year last year. And bad judgement about the Red Sox needs mid-season. He blew it. Blew the team chemistry.

 

Salty was not a disaster, because the kid worked hard. But there were better options in Napoli and Martin. In the long run, Salty may be OK. But Tek has to go. They need a younger backup.