What are the chances of Porcello being offered a contract extension?

[mvp 78]

I could write an entire treatise on why I think fan perception of media pressure is overblown. But I don’t think you’d want to take the time to read it. Even though I would probably color it up with a lot of profanity...

 

Even without the profanity, I'd be more interested in that post than all these other "JBJ sucks" "nope he's good now" "DFA Weber" "WTF Cora" "DD can't build a pen" posts everyone on here does. I'm always down for new content.

[notin]

You were trying to state that Milwaukee was as great of a baseball town and nearly as obsessive as Boston. It's just not the case. Year in and year out, Fenway has a much higher percentage of seats filled and more eyeballs on the tv screen. The atmosphere in Boston and Milwaukee are just not comparable. Your original argument that "well, Milwaukee was right behind Boston in attendance" was faulty and that is what I was pointing out.

 

It’s not faulty for Shaw’s tenure there. This was about Shaw.

 

In fact, I don’t think you get how impressive that is. Milwaukee is only about an hour from Chicago. People commute from the Milwaukee suburbs to the Chicago suburbs. Yet even in the wake of TV coverage from another major market so close, the Brewers still do well. They have a huge disadvantage in that their blackout region covers Wisconsin and Iowa, which affects viewership.

 

Even if you want me to concede that media pressure in Boston is so much worse, the notion that players in other cities have no pressure is just ludicrous. Media pressure isn’t the only factor and certainly not the only type of pressure.

 

Also the notion that it was an issue for Shaw - which is really where this all started- is 100% unsupported.

[mvp 78]

I'd never say that "no pressure" exists in any other market. I'm sure there is pressure even in a dump like Tampa (Tampa is nice, the park is a dump). I just think players are under a bigger microscope here. In Milwaukee, the fans are just happy to be there when they get to the playoffs. In Boston, we're only happy for parades. It's different.

[Slasher9]

Also the notion that it was an issue for Shaw - which is really where this all started- is 100% unsupported.

 

yes. that is why i stated IMO on my original post about it.

[notin]

I'd never say that "no pressure" exists in any other market. I'm sure there is pressure even in a dump like Tampa (Tampa is nice, the park is a dump). I just think players are under a bigger microscope here. In Milwaukee, the fans are just happy to be there when they get to the playoffs. In Boston, we're only happy for parades. It's different.

 

 

But do players really notice or care? Maybe some might, but the notion that players in small markets can walk amongst the normies unnoticed is ridiculous.

 

I believe most players live in a bubble, and that bubble contains 24 other guys they spend nearly all their time with. And when they’re on the field focusing on the game, they’re not thinking about what Gerry Callahan or Tony Massarotti is going to complain about the next day. Those guys complain about everything. They’re focused on the pitcher staring them down. Or the hitter and what they have to do when the ball is hit to them. They’re focused on those other 24 guys and not letting THEM down. Because those guys are in their bubble, not Callahan or Massarotti. And I believe every player in MLB has this type of focus, because you simply don’t make the majors without it.

 

And probably plenty of players worry about the players coming up to take their jobs, or how their current injuries will affect their time going forward. Or their pending contract. Or what do they need to do to make sure their next road trip isn’t on a bus.

 

That Bob Q. Twitter has some disparaging comments to share with his followers is far, far down on the list, where it belongs.

 

And none of that is any different in Boston than it is in Minneapolis...

[mvp 78]

yes. that is why i stated IMO on my original post about it.

 

You're not allowed to make your own opinions on this site. You need to make arguments about other people's opinions and then go on tangents for two pages. That's how this system works. You must be new here?

[mvp 78]

But do players really notice or care? Maybe some might, but the notion that players in small markets can walk amongst the normies unnoticed is ridiculous.

 

I believe most players live in a bubble, and that bubble contains 24 other guys they spend nearly all their time with. And when they’re on the field focusing on the game, they’re not thinking about what Gerry Callahan or Tony Massarotti is going to complain about the next day. Those guys complain about everything. They’re focused on the pitcher staring them down. Or the hitter and what they have to do when the ball is hit to them. They’re focused on those other 24 guys and not letting THEM down. Because those guys are in their bubble, not Callahan or Massarotti. And I believe every player in MLB has this type of focus, because you simply don’t make the majors without it.

 

And probably plenty of players worry about the players coming up to take their jobs, or how their current injuries will affect their time going forward. Or their pending contract. Or what do I need to do to make sure my next road trip isn’t on a bus.

 

That Bob Q. Twitter has some disparaging comments to share with his followers is far, far down on the list, where it belongs...

 

Some players do pay attention to the media (Pedroia, Price, JBJ) as we have discussed before. Even Foulke had to rant about Johnny from Burger King at one point. I think it matters to players more than you are letting on.

[notin]

Some players do pay attention to the media (Pedroia, Price, JBJ) as we have discussed before. Even Foulke had to rant about Johnny from Burger King at one point. I think it matters to players more than you are letting on.

 

But even that behavior isn’t unique to Boston or exclusive to large markets. Social media makes it very, very easy for anyone and EVERY player in MLB has detractors on Twitter or bloggers who rip them for some reason.

 

And even then, do you think Foulke or Pedroia or whoever thought about it on the field? And it affected their play?

[Slasher9]

. You must be new here?

my post count lists me as Legend tho?

dammit.

[notin]

You're not allowed to make your own opinions on this site. You need to make arguments about other people's opinions and then go on tangents for two pages. That's how this system works. You must be new here?

 

 

Also, stating something is an opinion makes it free for counter arguments and criticisms...

[notin]

my post count lists me as Legend tho?

dammit.

 

 

The definition of “legend” is “traditional story believed to be historic but is unauthenticated.”

 

So it leaves the door open that you don’t exist...

[mvp 78]

But even that behavior isn’t unique to Boston or exclusive to large markets. Social media makes it very, very easy for anyone and EVERY player in MLB has detractors on Twitter or bloggers who rip them for some reason.

 

And even then, do you think Foulke or Pedroia or whoever thought about it on the field? And it affected their play?

 

I guarantee it affected Foulke on the field.

[mvp 78]

Also, stating something is an opinion makes it free for counter arguments and criticisms...

 

Well, that's just like your opinion man.

[Slasher9]

 

And even then, do you think Foulke or Pedroia or whoever thought about it on the field? And it affected their play?

 

absolutely. and no. not for those guys (foulke/pedroia). they dont fall under the "wilter" category. although foulke did chock some up when he was in the A's organization. i was at 2 of them....

[mvp 78]

my post count lists me as Legend tho?

dammit.

 

But this is contradictory with what my post count shows? Weird!

[notin]

absolutely. and no. not for those guys (foulke/pedroia). they dont fall under the "wilter" category. although foulke did chock some up when he was in the A's organization. i was at 2 of them....

 

At the hands of Ortiz, no doubt. Is it really chocking if you get beat by a Hall of Famer to be?

 

Ok let’s take a more obvious candidate. Do you think Edgar Renteria - a man who once got the game-winnng hit in game seven of the World Series - struggled in Boston due to media pressure?

[notin]

I guarantee it affected Foulke on the field.

 

 

I’m all ears. Or eyes in this case...

[a700hitter]

Most people here are knowledgeable about baseball and the Red Sox and almost all of their opinions are valid. Some people feel it necessary to invalidate the opinions of others. Stating their own opinion is not enough for them.

[notin]

Most people here are knowledgeable about baseball and the Red Sox and almost all of their opinions are valid. Some people feel it necessary to invalidate the opinions of others. Stating their own opinion is not enough for them.

 

But I agree with mvp it’s more interesting than the influx of “JBJ sucks” posts..

[Slasher9]

But this is contradictory with what my post count shows? Weird!

 

ahahahahaha.

damn you.

you know this is coming:

[Bellhorn04]

At the hands of Ortiz, no doubt. Is it really chocking if you get beat by a Hall of Famer to be?

 

Ok let’s take a more obvious candidate. Do you think Edgar Renteria - a man who once got the game-winnng hit in game seven of the World Series - struggled in Boston due to media pressure?

 

You can certainly make a case that Renteria struggled due to Boston pressure, based on the following circumstantials.

 

1) 'Warning' from LaRussa that he wasn't a good fit for Boston.

2) Lousy season.

3) Shipped out promptly by Theo at a loss.

[mvp 78]

You can certainly make a case that Renteria struggled due to Boston pressure, based on the following circumstantials.

 

1) 'Warning' from LaRussa that he wasn't a good fit for Boston.

2) Lousy season.

3) Shipped out promptly by Theo at a loss.

 

I thought the same thing, but he had a down season in 2004 too.

 

Honestly, Renteria was fine here. He wasn't a Rentawreck.

[TylerD]

Most people here are knowledgeable about baseball and the Red Sox and almost all of their opinions are valid. Some people feel it necessary to invalidate the opinions of others. Stating their own opinion is not enough for them.

 

Half this board is guilty of it unfortunately. A good chunk of posters think I am insane for wanting Porcello back..... granted nobody can give me a valid option of who will replace him and for what cost.

[notin]

I thought the same thing, but he had a down season in 2004 too.

 

Honestly, Renteria was fine here. He wasn't a Rentawreck.

 

As a hitter, his numbers that one year in Boston were right in line with his career numbers. He was awful defensively, but metrics had him in rapid decline the 3 previous seasons.

 

And it was also only one season, which is more important (and really my entire point - that this whole “can’t handle Boston” thing gets thrown around so quickly). At the time, I couldn’t remember Renteria diving for a single ground ball and playing all year very gingerly. Like he had a mild injury of some soreness, which is hardly uncommon.

 

But I think people cling to the LaRussa comment, which I always interpreted to mean “Edgar won’t be very good without me, since I’m the only manager who knows how to get anything out of him or any other player.” But then, I’ve always felt LaRussa was a bit of a megalomaniac...

[Bellhorn04]

Half this board is guilty of it unfortunately. A good chunk of posters think I am insane for wanting Porcello back..... granted nobody can give me a valid option of who will replace him and for what cost.

 

Hardly anyone thinks you're insane for wanting Porcello back.

[Bellhorn04]

As a hitter, his numbers that one year in Boston were right in line with his career numbers. He was awful defensively, but metrics had him in rapid decline the 3 previous seasons.

 

And it was also only one season, which is more important (and really my entire point - that this whole “can’t handle Boston” thing gets thrown around so quickly). At the time, I couldn’t remember Renteria diving for a single ground ball and playing all year very gingerly. Like he had a mild injury of some soreness, which is hardly uncommon.

 

But I think people cling to the LaRussa comment, which I always interpreted to mean “Edgar won’t be very good without me, since I’m the only manager who knows how to get anything out of him or any other player.” But then, I’ve always felt LaRussa was a bit of a megalomaniac...

 

The key point is that Theo dealt him, taking a financial bath in the process.

[notin]

O

The key point is that Theo dealt him, taking a financial bath in the process.

 

 

Oh GMs respond to media pressure. That’s not uncommon at all.

 

And the money hit he took was a big deal at the time. But he also got the BA #2 overall prospect in return. (And really, the money spent wasn’t that different than what untried prospects were getting as signing bonuses at the time.)

 

LNow that guy (the late Andy Marte) was a complete bust, but that was Cleveland’s problem...

[Bellhorn04]

Oh GMs respond to media pressure. That’s not uncommon at all.

 

Do you seriously think the primary reason Theo Epstein traded Renteria was media pressure?

[mvp 78]

Half this board is guilty of it unfortunately. A good chunk of posters think I am insane for wanting Porcello back..... granted nobody can give me a valid option of who will replace him and for what cost.

 

You are also apparently not allowed to invalidate their opinion of you being crazy. Sorry, those are the rules.

[mvp 78]

Do you seriously think the primary reason Theo Epstein traded Renteria was media pressure?

 

He was traded because Lugo was Theo's binky and no other SS would compare. He absolutely loved that guy.