2014 MLB Gamethread

[rjortiz]

The start of this season is starkly different from the start last year. The offense looks flat and listless, and some of our biggest bats our injured. It doesn't portend of the end of season results, but right now we do stink. Playing stinky ball looks the same no matter what part of the season you are in.

 

I think the pessimism is completely warranted. The offense was facing a regression from 2013, but I'm downgrading projections even further with Pedroia's continued power outage, and Nava turning back into a pumpkin. I'm not saying that the Red Sox are doomed, but they look closer in talent to the rest of the AL East. I would start making calls for a power hitting OF. We have the chips in the farm system, and the cap space available to make a big splash.

[seabeachfred]

I think the pessimism is completely warranted. The offense was facing a regression from 2013, but I'm downgrading projections even further with Pedroia's continued power outage, and Nava turning back into a pumpkin. I'm not saying that the Red Sox are doomed, but they look closer in talent to the rest of the AL East. I would start making calls for a power hitting OF. We have the chips in the farm system, and the cap space available to make a big splash.

 

Again I insist these problems originated in Spring Training when Farrell treated it like an extended vacation. The team was not prepared for the regular season. Too many different lineups and not enough at-bats to get ready when it counted. Farrell kept saying the extra month of play last season could have a deleterious effect on the team if he pushed it too hard in the early going. I find nothing wrong with that thinking but I do think it carried way too damn long in ST when two weeks before the opener he should have started driving the team more and get mentally ready as well for the season. And once again, I insist that how you do in ST DOES effect how you get off when the real games begin. You just have to look at the past to see that.

[Bellhorn04]

The Houston Astros have a team batting average of .185.

[rjortiz]

Again I insist these problems originated in Spring Training when Farrell treated it like an extended vacation. The team was not prepared for the regular season. Too many different lineups and not enough at-bats to get ready when it counted. Farrell kept saying the extra month of play last season could have a deleterious effect on the team if he pushed it too hard in the early going. I find nothing wrong with that thinking but I do think it carried way too damn long in ST when two weeks before the opener he should have started driving the team more and get mentally ready as well for the season. And once again, I insist that how you do in ST DOES effect how you get off when the real games begin. You just have to look at the past to see that.

 

Minor league batters took 35% Red Sox AB's, and minor league pitchers accounted for over 50% of innings in March. Spring training is still meaningless.

[User Name]

Of the teams five with the best W% in ST for each league: Cleveland, Angels, Miami, Rockies, Baltimore, are all playing sub .500 baseball, while of the five teams with the worst W% in each league: Atlanta, Milwauke, Dodgers, Texas, White Sox are all playing better than .500 ball and most of them are leading their divisions.

 

Spring Training doesn't mean jack s*** and fred doesn't know what he's talking about.

[Bellhorn04]

Fred is Fred. I've been reading his posts since 2007 so I'm completely immune now from being bothered by them. Maybe in 5 more years I'll be the same way about SoxSport's posts.

[seabeachfred]

Fred is Fred. I've been reading his posts since 2007 so I'm completely immune now from being bothered by them. Maybe in 5 more years I'll be the same way about SoxSport's posts.

 

Don't listen to that baboon Bellhorn. I just put the guy back on ignore and there to stay. Whether it affects other teams or not....it effects the Red Sox in a very negative way. Check 2009 and 2011 for disastrous starts and late season collapses. Check 2010 and 2012 and you will see a pattern. We had a decent spring in 2013, didn't we? See the difference?

[Station 13]

Since 2009, Felix Hernandez have started 67 games in which he went at least 7 innings and giving up 1ER or less. The most in baseball. This guy deserves to play for a contender.

[Spudboy]

I've been watching baseball for about 48 years and have seen a lot of cool things. Last year I saw a left fielder make an unassisted double play ( Johny Gomes ).

 

I'm watching the Reds at Pittsburgh now. Billy Hamilton was hit by the first pitch of the game. A subsequent batter hit a soft grounder toward the left side that the pitcher Lariano fielded and threw to first for the out. Meanwhile, Hamilton got a good jump and ran all of the way to third base where he was called safe on a good throw from first. Later Hamilton scored ( missed the play but believe it was a sacrifice of some kind ).

 

I have no idea if this kid has any other skills. However, his speed is remarkable. A true game changer.

[rjortiz]

I've been watching baseball for about 48 years and have seen a lot of cool things. Last year I saw a left fielder make an unassisted double play ( Johny Gomes ).

 

I'm watching the Reds at Pittsburgh now. Billy Hamilton was hit by the first pitch of the game. A subsequent batter hit a soft grounder toward the left side that the pitcher Lariano fielded and threw to first for the out. Meanwhile, Hamilton got a good jump and ran all of the way to third base where he was called safe on a good throw from first. Later Hamilton scored ( missed the play but believe it was a sacrifice of some kind ).

 

I have no idea if this kid has any other skills. However, his speed is remarkable. A true game changer.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/lets-watch-billy-hamilton-make-a-run-happen/

 

Runnin' Billy!

[jacksonianmarch]

Chris Sale to the DL. I said in the game thread that letting a pitcher go to 120+ pitches in April is an awful idea and the subsequent arm injury he ensues should be called a "Robin Ventura". Looks like I was right

[a700hitter]

Chris Sale to the DL. I said in the game thread that letting a pitcher go to 120+ pitches in April is an awful idea and the subsequent arm injury he ensues should be called a "Robin Ventura". Looks like I was right

Yep, I remember. He threw 127 potches on a cold April night. Ridiculous. Johan Santana's career was ended early in 2012 when he threw a career high 130+ pitchesan early season game for the Mets one and only no-hitter. He was never the same after that. He had one more good game left in his tank.

[a700hitter]

DBacks are 5-17 in the early season -- on pace to break the Mets 120 loss season.

[Spudboy]

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/lets-watch-billy-hamilton-make-a-run-happen/

 

Runnin' Billy!

 

Thanks for the link.

 

The kid is a jaw dropper. Really. It is like seeing Lou Brock run for the first time.

[a700hitter]

Thanks for the link.

 

The kid is a jaw dropper. Really. It is like seeing Lou Brock run for the first time.

 

Lou Brock. Spud you are showing your age. LOL!

[Bellhorn04]

Yep, I remember. He threw 127 potches on a cold April night. Ridiculous. Johan Santana's career was ended early in 2012 when he threw a career high 130+ pitchesan early season game for the Mets one and only no-hitter. He was never the same after that. He had one more good game left in his tank.

 

This is why pitch counts can't be dismissed.

[Spudboy]

Lou Brock. Spud you are showing your age. LOL!

 

Lol

 

You probably know what I mean Ted. When the Sox played the Cards in the 1967 series I saw Brock for the first time. He was unstoppable. That series was an eye opener for me. I was new to the game and had never seen speed in the AL like that. Of course, I had never seen a pitcher as good As Gibson either! That Cards team was loaded.

 

I would love to see more speed in MLB. Of course having followed the Sox for so long it's probably natural for me to like something that the Sox have rarely had.

[Thunder]

Happy 100th Birthday Wrigley Field! It's too f***ing bad that you still aren't the oldest park in the league.

[a700hitter]

Lol

 

You probably know what I mean Ted. When the Sox played the Cards in the 1967 series I saw Brock for the first time. He was unstoppable. That series was an eye opener for me. I was new to the game and had never seen speed in the AL like that. Of course, I had never seen a pitcher as good As Gibson either! That Cards team was loaded.

 

I would love to see more speed in MLB. Of course having followed the Sox for so long it's probably natural for me to like something that the Sox have rarely had.

Back then it was a special treat to see players from the other league. There was no interleague play and no MLB extra innings package or ESPN. Gibson may have been the most intimidating pitcher that I have seen. Brock was a demon on the bases. He could steal at will. I think he had 7 SB s in that series. We couldn't keep him off the bases. Spud, don't forget that from 2007 to 2013 we got to watch a baserunner who was almost as exciting as Brock. That was a real treat. This guy Billy Hamilton is in a class of his own on the bases. He is exciting to watch.

[Bellhorn04]

LMFAO at the Rays being pressed into using Erik Bedard as a starter, with predictably atrocious results.

[Bellhorn04]

Balfour blows it for the Rays on a grand slam by Abreu.

[Navafan29]

Bottom 9th, bases loaded, 2 outs, Rays up by 1, and Balfour gives up the grand slam. The Rays just can't close games. And Balfour was MAD afterwards. Edited April 26, 2014 by Navafan29

[Bellhorn04]

Here's something we can all get behind : post-PED suspension $53 million man Jhonny Peralta is off to a rough start with a .169 BA (.632 OPS) and 5 errors. Keep up the bad work, Jhonny.

[italstallianion]

Is there any announcer more explicitly biased for their team than that Harrelson dude from the White Sox? I've never seen an announcer blatantly say "us vs. them" as much as he does.

[Jasonbay44]

Is there any announcer more explicitly biased for their team than that Harrelson dude from the White Sox? I've never seen an announcer blatantly say "us vs. them" as much as he does.

He is by far worst announcer I've ever listened to. I had to listen to him when NESN's feed wouldn't work on MLB TV and I ended up just muting that s*** by the 4th inning. Its one thing to be biased, but this guy is biased, retarded and even the way he talks is annoying.

[Spudboy]

Hawk was greatly admired in the Boston area because of his play for the Sox.

 

I haven't heard his commentary but I certainly have nothing bad to say about him.

 

As a Red Sox fan, I feel lucky that I get to listen to very high quality TV broadcast of the games.

 

Although I am becoming increasingly nauseated by all the new money making crap like text surveys. I don't believe it belongs in the game.

[a700hitter]

Hawk was greatly admired in the Boston area because of his play for the Sox.

 

I haven't heard his commentary but I certainly have nothing bad to say about him.

 

As a Red Sox fan, I feel lucky that I get to listen to very high quality TV broadcast of the games.

 

Although I am becoming increasingly nauseated by all the new money making crap like text surveys. I don't believe it belongs in the game.

I am one of the TalKsox posters that remembers Hawk when he played for the Red Sox. He brought a lot of excitement to the town. He had the perfect swing for Fenway. He was free-spirited and probably the only cool athlete in Boston at that time. He was a bachelor living the fast life and dressing with the styles of the time.

 

Hawk was a Red Sox announcer in the 1970's. I agree with Spud about the text surveys and other nonsense. I hate that stuff. I hate sideline reportrers that add nothing to my enjoyment of the game, unless some cleavage is showing. I hate walk up music at the games.

 

I miss many of the old-time announcers who were genuine characters. Hawk is one of the last crazy characters left. Yes, he is a homer, and it is annoying when the ChiSox are beating you. Scooter Rizzuto wasn't any different, but he was as entertaining as they come. No, Hawk doesn't bother me. Not in the least.

[Spudboy]

I was just a kid then. I seem to remember Hawk, Derek Sanderson, and Joe Namath were involved somehow. Something about clubbing in Boston. The Playboy club?

In any case, you are right. Hawks flair was very different at the time. Long hair and unusual clothes. He also had some swat at the plate!

[VA Sox Fan]

Yeah. Hawk was on the 67 Red Sox awesome team and thanks for the memories.

 

He is an insufferable douche and White Sox homer. I would rather not watch the game if he's announcing and I don't have the choice of watching on NESN. Thank Christ we only play the White Sox 6 times in the regular season.

 

So glad he's not part of the Red Sox broadcast team. He's an embarrassment. I put him up there with John Sterling, the NYY radio idiot.

[Spudboy]

Yeah. Hawk was on the 67 Red Sox awesome team and thanks for the memories.

 

He is an insufferable douche and White Sox homer. I would rather not watch the game if he's announcing and I don't have the choice of watching on NESN. Thank Christ we only play the White Sox 6 times in the regular season.

 

So glad he's not part of the Red Sox broadcast team. He's an embarrassment. I put him up there with John Sterling, the NYY radio idiot.

 

He's that bad? Wow. Again, I'm fortunate and very glad that I get to listen to Don and Jerry. They may be Red Sox employees but they do seem to remain objective when something like a close play happens. Their chemistry is unmistakably strong and for the most part they are entertaining when there is a lull in the action on the field.