JBJ's Spring

[Ogden]

1--- Then you don't agree with iortiz when he said Castillo will share time?

 

2--- My guess is if Victorino goes down / gets traded - Castillo will be more than a "share-time player." Do you agree?

 

3--- I do expect Victroino to break down. Until that happens you think Farrell is going to keep Castillo on the bench without at-bats waiting for the probable inevitable of Shane breaking down?

 

4--- Or do you think after say 10 games Castillo and Shane will split near even? Or maybe throw in Betts where they all split even?

 

 

 

Yout comment was "Victorino imo-- but then again if he is healthy, a terrific defender and hitting." Nothing I have seen or heard indicates that he is the Victorino of 2 years ago. All I asked is what has given you the impression that's a probability. My question/comment is not related to Castillo.

[User Name]

I was very skeptical of Bradley last year because the hype for an unproven player was way over the top (and was probably part of the reason why Jacoby Ellsbury isn't still patrolling center for us which I think will go down in history as a mistake), but I honestly think the kid has some good upside. he's a patient hitter and a great defender in a premium position. I'm going to keep an open mind on Bradley going into the year. He has potential, and I'd hate to discard that just because his first foray into the bigs did not work out for him. At the very least he's going to be a good backup for someone, and I do think he has the ability for more.

 

Having said that I do realize that I said exactly the same things about Che-Hsuan Lin, so it's reasonable to keep expectations modest.

 

Ellsbury is grossly overpaid, his numbers weren't that good even with the move to that launching pad, and he's ony getting older. How was not re-signing him a mistake again?

 

Not only that, but we have Betts patrolling CF, who will likely be a better player than Ellsbury as soon as this year, and JBJ could still bounce back. That's what I don't understand about you. You s*** all over guys with legitimate major league upside, then you're beside yourself offering optimism for guys who aren't even marginal MLB talents, like, well, Che-Hsuan Lin. Some consistency would be appreciated.

[bostopz]

Yout comment was "Victorino imo-- but then again if he is healthy, a terrific defender and hitting." Nothing I have seen or heard indicates that he is the Victorino of 2 years ago. All I asked is what has given you the impression that's a probability. My question/comment is not related to Castillo.

 

Nothing -- I think it is inevitable that he is going to breakdown. But the Red Sox don't agree it seems. So based on what I fee l he Red Sox are going to do -- my statement of "Victorino imo-- but then again if he is healthy, a terrific defender and hitting . . ." applies is some manner otherwise Castillo may possibly start (I don't think SOx start Castillo. IMO they go with Castillo because they hope he can hit and defend very well). So---

 

1--- Then you don't agree with iortiz when he said Castillo will share time? Or you think Castillo is going to share time? If so, with who?

 

2--- My guess is if Victorino goes down / gets traded - Castillo will be more than a "share-time player." Do you agree?

 

3--- I do expect Victroino to break down. Until that happens you think Farrell is going to keep Castillo on the bench without at-bats waiting for the probable inevitable of Shane breaking down?

 

4--- Or do you think after say 10 games Castillo and Shane will split near even? Or maybe throw in Betts where they all split even?

[bostopz]

I was very skeptical of Bradley last year because the hype for an unproven player was way over the top (and was probably part of the reason why Jacoby Ellsbury isn't still patrolling center for us which I think will go down in history as a mistake), but I honestly think the kid has some good upside. he's a patient hitter and a great defender in a premium position. I'm going to keep an open mind on Bradley going into the year. He has potential, and I'd hate to discard that just because his first foray into the bigs did not work out for him. At the very least he's going to be a good backup for someone, and I do think he has the ability for more.

 

Having said that I do realize that I said exactly the same things about Che-Hsuan Lin, so it's reasonable to keep expectations modest.

 

It's one thing to believe JBJ has good upside. It's entirely a different manner to bench Pedroia in place of JBJ.

[Dojji]

Ellsbury is grossly overpaid, his numbers weren't that good even with the move to that launching pad, and he's ony getting older. How was not re-signing him a mistake again?

 

Not only that, but we have Betts patrolling CF, who will likely be a better player than Ellsbury as soon as this year, and JBJ could still bounce back. That's what I don't understand about you. You s*** all over guys with legitimate major league upside, then you're beside yourself offering optimism for guys who aren't even marginal MLB talents, like, well, Che-Hsuan Lin. Some consistency would be appreciated.

 

I'm very consistent once you understand why I take the positions I do.

[jacksonianmarch]

Ellsbury is grossly overpaid, his numbers weren't that good even with the move to that launching pad, and he's ony getting older. How was not re-signing him a mistake again?

 

Not only that, but we have Betts patrolling CF, who will likely be a better player than Ellsbury as soon as this year, and JBJ could still bounce back. That's what I don't understand about you. You s*** all over guys with legitimate major league upside, then you're beside yourself offering optimism for guys who aren't even marginal MLB talents, like, well, Che-Hsuan Lin. Some consistency would be appreciated.

 

Don't forget the 20X All-Star Lars Anderson. I am so glad I have his rookie card

[Dojji]

Yep. All the crazy things I said, all the insane things he could have picked to throw in my face and he fixates on one thing I never said at all. That's how you know your premium Jacko is the genuine article and no substitute..

[User Name]

I'm very consistent once you understand why I take the positions I do.

 

I understand, it just doesn't make sense.

[Ogden]

Don't forget the 20X All-Star Lars Anderson. I am so glad I have his rookie card

 

 

What about Ron Bloomberg's rookie card? The #1 overall pick in the draft and baseball's first DH. Or is he before your time in Yankee lore?

[a700hitter]

What about Ron Bloomberg's rookie card? The #1 overall pick in the draft and baseball's first DH. Or is he before your time in Yankee lore?

 

I remember Boomer Blomberg.

[cp176]

I remember Boomer Blomberg.

 

Takes me back to the fall of 1972. The last pitcher to get a hit before the American League initiated the DH was from Auburn, Maine - Larry Gowell- a true power pitcher. My sophomore year in HS (1967) we were scheduled to face him. The game got rained out. I was not disappointed.

[a700hitter]

Our DH was Orlando Cepeda. That '73 team had a lineup with Cepeda, Yaz, Reggie Smith, Petrocelli and a young Carlton Fisk.

[cp176]

Our DH was Orlando Cepeda. That '73 team had a lineup with Cepeda, Yaz, Reggie Smith, Petrocelli and a young Carlton Fisk.

 

I almost cried watching Cepada try to get out of the batter's box after pounding one off the wall. Tired old knees. He played on some great Giants teams.

[a700hitter]

I almost cried watching Cepada try to get out of the batter's box after pounding one off the wall. Tired old knees. He played on some great Giants teams.

I think he had 4 wall ball doubles in a game at Fenway that season. He looked crippled on the basebaths. I was at Yankees Stadium on the 4th of July that year for a Red Sox Yankees double header. In the 9th inning of game 1, Cepeda laid down a perfect sac bunt with men on first and second and no one out. Thurman Munson bobbled it 3 or 4 times and then just dropped it to load the bases. It took Cepeda about 8 seconds to get to first base.

[cp176]

I think he had 4 wall ball doubles in a game at Fenway that season. He looked crippled on the basebaths. I was at Yankees Stadium on the 4th of July that year for a Red Sox Yankees double header. In the 9th inning of game 1, Cepeda laid down a perfect sac bunt with men on first and second and no one out. Thurman Munson bobbled it 3 or 4 times and then just dropped it to load the bases. It took Cepeda about 8 seconds to get to first base.

 

Oh man - I felt bad for him. they timed Vada Pinson in under 4 going down the first base line. He could have been on second before Cepeda got to first.

[Spudboy]

Our DH was Orlando Cepeda. That '73 team had a lineup with Cepeda, Yaz, Reggie Smith, Petrocelli and a young Carlton Fisk.

 

There are a ton of memories in those names. Reggie Smith never seems to get much ink in this town. Maybe because of Lynn and Ellsbury. I don't know. But he was pretty talented. And he had a giant afro with the Sox cap on top. He had speed, an arm, power, could hit. Plus he was very fan friendly.

 

It would be nice if Bogaerts could become 75% of the SS that Rico Petrocelli was. Rico was not a great athlete in the obvious sense. But he hustled his ass off and always seemed to be making plays.

[Spudboy]

I almost cried watching Cepada try to get out of the batter's box after pounding one off the wall. Tired old knees. He played on some great Giants teams.

 

Didn't he play 1st for the Cards in the 1967 World Series? That is how I came to know him.

[a700hitter]

There are a ton of memories in those names. Reggie Smith never seems to get much ink in this town. Maybe because of Lynn and Ellsbury. I don't know. But he was pretty talented. And he had a giant afro with the Sox cap on top. He had speed, an arm, power, could hit. Plus he was very fan friendly.

 

It would be nice if Bogaerts could become 75% of the SS that Rico Petrocelli was. Rico was not a great athlete in the obvious sense. But he hustled his ass off and always seemed to be making plays.

Yaz said that Reggie Smith was the strongest player that he knew. The guy was talented and fearless.

[a700hitter]

Didn't he play 1st for the Cards in the 1967 World Series? That is how I came to know him.

Yes, he did play for the Cards in 1967. He was the NL MVP that season.

[Bellhorn04]

There are a ton of memories in those names. Reggie Smith never seems to get much ink in this town. Maybe because of Lynn and Ellsbury. I don't know. But he was pretty talented. And he had a giant afro with the Sox cap on top. He had speed, an arm, power, could hit. Plus he was very fan friendly.

 

Perhaps it's because what fans remember most is being pissed about him being traded in his prime.

[sk7326]

Perhaps it's because what fans remember most is being pissed about him being traded in his prime.

 

Tom Yawkey's relationship with black players was ... flawed

[Bellhorn04]

Yeah, I was only in my teens back then, but I can distinctly remember thinking 'Umm...why did they trade Reggie Smith?' And a couple years later 'Umm...why did they trade Cecil Cooper?'

[a700hitter]

Yeah, I was only in my teens back then, but I can distinctly remember thinking 'Umm...why did they trade Reggie Smith?' And a couple years later 'Umm...why did they trade Cecil Cooper?'

Especially since Cooper got traded for George Scott who was on the decline.

[Bellhorn04]

Especially since Cooper got traded for George Scott who was on the decline.

 

Just one in a series of horrible moves in those days, as all us old-timers recall so well.

[cp176]

Just one in a series of horrible moves in those days, as all us old-timers recall so well.

 

Oh man - we are old timers aren't we. I bet we all remember where we were and what we were doing the night that Tony C. got beaned. Sadly it seems like just yesterday.

[gojohn99]

I remember that trade (Cooper/Scott). I don't remember much about Reggie Smith however.

 

Especially since Cooper got traded for George Scott who was on the decline.

[a700hitter]

I remember that trade (Cooper/Scott). I don't remember much about Reggie Smith however.

Reggie Smith was traded to the Cards for Rick Wise and Reggie Cleveland. Wise pitched a couple of games in the cold damp Boston April weather and he missed the rest of that year with shoulder trouble.

[cp176]

Reggie Smith was traded to the Cards for Rick Wise and Reggie Cleveland. Wise pitched a couple of games in the cold damp Boston April weather and he missed the rest of that year with shoulder trouble.

 

Ray Culp and Rick Wise. Two pretty good ones in their day. I am on a personal crusade to not look up anything on the internet so I will just ask - I think that you will know. Didn't Reggie Smith go tho the Dodgers?

[a700hitter]

Ray Culp and Rick Wise. Two pretty good ones in their day. I am on a personal crusade to not look up anything on the internet so I will just ask - I think that you will know. Didn't Reggie Smith go tho the Dodgers?

Yes he did, but I don't remember who the Cards got for him.

[Spitball]

Yes he did, but I don't remember who the Cards got for him.

 

Actually, Smith was traded for Wise and Bernie Carbo. I believe Cleveland came in a trade for pitchers John Curtis and Lynn McGlothlin. Reggie Smith was traded from the Cardinals to the Dodgers for catching prospect Joe Ferguson.

 

I suspect Smith may have been traded from the Sox for his outspoken criticism of the citizens for the reactions of some to the bussing issue which came about in the early 1970s. It was ridiculously ugly, and he became emotionally involved.