2024 Red Sox Defense

[Maxbialystock]

6 of the 9 unearned runs occurred after Story's injury.

 

I guess the two unearned runs today are also because Story isn't playing SS. Duran dropped a fly in LF, which Story would have grabbed easily from the SS position.

 

Anyway, that's now 11 unearned runs out of 24 scored against the Sox.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Jarren Duran is a guy to root for.

 

I made a lot of fun of him when he made himself unavailable in Toronto back when Canada had its vaccine requirements. But it was mostly because he was a crummy outfielder. He also whiffed a lot, like most big leaguers.

 

But he changed. The fact he's admitted having mental issues (like most of us), means he's getting a grip. Going to the opposite field to become a .300 hitter makes him a standard for teammates to follow. I also think it's cool he changed his hair color after going 4-for-4 -- I like a guy who steps on the foul lines once in awhile.

 

Here's the real reason you should cheer him to succeed: no more ********. When reporters asked about his game-changing error the other night, he could've used the excuse that lefty batter liners to left field curl towards the line, and it takes all-out sprinting and focus to catch them (just like when righty batters slice liners to right). Instead, he said this:

 

"I f***ing suck, man. It's my f***ing fault, dude. If I make that play, we get out of the inning, and none of those other f***ing things happen. I just f***ing suck, honestly."

 

Duran's alright. And anyone who scores from first base on a pop-up that falls in, like he did last night, is a role model for athletes at any age. Everyone, hustle!

[Bellhorn04]

With Duran you just hope the guy doesn't hurt himself on field or off. If he stays on the field he's a definite plus.

[notin]

Jarren Duran is a guy to root for.

 

I made a lot of fun of him when he made himself unavailable in Toronto back when Canada had its vaccine requirements. But it was mostly because he was a crummy outfielder. He also whiffed a lot, like most big leaguers.

 

But he changed. The fact he's admitted having mental issues (like most of us), means he's getting a grip. Going to the opposite field to become a .300 hitter makes him a standard for teammates to follow. I also think it's cool he changed his hair color after going 4-for-4 -- I like a guy who steps on the foul lines once in awhile.

 

Here's the real reason you should cheer him to succeed: no more ********. When reporters asked about his game-changing error the other night, he could've used the excuse that lefty batter liners to left field curl towards the line, and it takes all-out sprinting and focus to catch them (just like when righty batters slice liners to right). Instead, he said this:

 

"I f***ing suck, man. It's my f***ing fault, dude. If I make that play, we get out of the inning, and none of those other f***ing things happen. I just f***ing suck, honestly."

 

Duran's alright. And anyone who scores from first base on a pop-up that falls in, like he did last night, is a role model for athletes at any age. Everyone, hustle!

 

I do not get why they moved him to the outfield, and why they kept him there. He should have been left at 2b...

[Old Red]

I do not get why they moved him to the outfield, and why they kept him there. He should have been left at 2b...

 

Most likely they moved him off 2B, because he was not that good, and wanted to take advantage of his speed, or his butterfly catching abilities in the OF.

[notin]

Most likely they moved him off 2B, because he was not that good, and wanted to take advantage of his speed, or his butterfly catching abilities in the OF.

 

Possible he was simply a lousy 2b in college.

 

There is this weird tendency to take overly speedy infielders and move them to the OF. There have been success stories (Billy Hamilton) but also serious flops (Donnie Sadler). I see the appeal, but I don’t think speed = defense. Some guys are fast but still lousy outfielders. And this makes no mention of Duran’s weakest defensive attribute - his arm…

[Maxbialystock]

Jarren Duran is a guy to root for.

 

I made a lot of fun of him when he made himself unavailable in Toronto back when Canada had its vaccine requirements. But it was mostly because he was a crummy outfielder. He also whiffed a lot, like most big leaguers.

 

But he changed. The fact he's admitted having mental issues (like most of us), means he's getting a grip. Going to the opposite field to become a .300 hitter makes him a standard for teammates to follow. I also think it's cool he changed his hair color after going 4-for-4 -- I like a guy who steps on the foul lines once in awhile.

 

Here's the real reason you should cheer him to succeed: no more ********. When reporters asked about his game-changing error the other night, he could've used the excuse that lefty batter liners to left field curl towards the line, and it takes all-out sprinting and focus to catch them (just like when righty batters slice liners to right). Instead, he said this:

 

"I f***ing suck, man. It's my f***ing fault, dude. If I make that play, we get out of the inning, and none of those other f***ing things happen. I just f***ing suck, honestly."

 

Duran's alright. And anyone who scores from first base on a pop-up that falls in, like he did last night, is a role model for athletes at any age. Everyone, hustle!

 

Well said--by you and Duran.

[Maxbialystock]

Possible he was simply a lousy 2b in college.

 

There is this weird tendency to take overly speedy infielders and move them to the OF. There have been success stories (Billy Hamilton) but also serious flops (Donnie Sadler). I see the appeal, but I don’t think speed = defense. Some guys are fast but still lousy outfielders. And this makes no mention of Duran’s weakest defensive attribute - his arm…

 

Meh. There are tons of examples of players who have been good in the infield and in the outfield. I think the infield is tougher, so I also think going from the infield to the outfield can make sense--depending, of course, on whether said infielder can take good routes in the outfield. Mookie did it with ease. So did Robin Yount. So has Rafaela. And right now it looks like Duran is doing fine out there.

[Old Red]

Possible he was simply a lousy 2b in college.

 

There is this weird tendency to take overly speedy infielders and move them to the OF. There have been success stories (Billy Hamilton) but also serious flops (Donnie Sadler). I see the appeal, but I don’t think speed = defense. Some guys are fast but still lousy outfielders. And this makes no mention of Duran’s weakest defensive attribute - his arm…

The Red Sox have had some CF with weak arms. Damon, and Jacoby come to mind. Reggie Smith came up a a 2B who had a cannon for a arm, and turned out pretty good in the OF, as did Mookie, but your right that running fast does not always equate to being a good OF.

[mvp 78]

Most likely they moved him off 2B, because he was not that good, and wanted to take advantage of his speed, or his butterfly catching abilities in the OF.

 

^^^

[mvp 78]

Possible he was simply a lousy 2b in college.

 

There is this weird tendency to take overly speedy infielders and move them to the OF. There have been success stories (Billy Hamilton) but also serious flops (Donnie Sadler). I see the appeal, but I don’t think speed = defense. Some guys are fast but still lousy outfielders. And this makes no mention of Duran’s weakest defensive attribute - his arm…

 

It didn't work for Mookie either, that's why the Dodgers had to move him back to the IF this year.

[Maxbialystock]

The Red Sox have had some CF with weak arms. Damon, and Jacoby come to mind. Reggie Smith came up a a 2B who had a cannon for a arm, and turned out pretty good in the OF, as did Mookie, but your right that running fast does not always equate to being a good OF.

 

Meh. The primary value of any position player is whether he can hit--especially if he plays for the Red Sox. Second for a centerfielder is his range. And third is his arm.

 

Ellsbury was an instant hit with the Sox because he could hit and score runs. He took some lousy routes early on, but got better. He had a weak arm--no problem. Then, primarily because of his hitting, especially in 2011 when he hit 32 dingers, he got that insane contract with the Yankees, I think $21/year for 7 years.

 

JBJ was tons better than Ellsbury in CF when he replaced him in 2014, but he couldn't hit diddly, so for that entire season be bounced back and forth between Boston and Pawtucket. His peak salary was $11M in 2020.

[mvp 78]

Also, Carl Yastrzemski was moved from the IF to the OF and eventually to 1B. They couldn't find a position for that guy!

[notin]

It didn't work for Mookie either, that's why the Dodgers had to move him back to the IF this year.

 

Honestly, what the f*** are they doing? Best RF in the game and they are using him to cover for every injured MI they can…

[Old Red]

Also, Carl Yastrzemski was moved from the IF to the OF and eventually to 1B. They couldn't find a position for that guy!

 

Just wasn’t good enough playing that Green Monsta.

[notin]

Also, Carl Yastrzemski was moved from the IF to the OF and eventually to 1B. They couldn't find a position for that guy!

 

He was drafted as a shortstop. If they needed a left fielder, they should have drafted a left fielder!

[mvp 78]

Just wasn’t good enough playing that Green Monsta.

 

Yasbumski! Swing and a lazy pop up to 2B!

[notin]

Meh. There are tons of examples of players who have been good in the infield and in the outfield. I think the infield is tougher, so I also think going from the infield to the outfield can make sense--depending, of course, on whether said infielder can take good routes in the outfield. Mookie did it with ease. So did Robin Yount. So has Rafaela. And right now it looks like Duran is doing fine out there.

 

Duran is passable on a good day, which is a step up. Two years ago, he had some plays where it looked like Scott Bakula Quantum Leapt into his body while the ball was already in midair…

[mvp 78]

He was drafted as a shortstop. If they needed a left fielder, they should have drafted a left fielder!

 

Joe Cronin didn't know what he was doing. That's why he got his ass fired in '58!

[mvp 78]

Honestly, what the f*** are they doing? Best RF in the game and they are using him to cover for every injured MI they can…

 

They want him to get his knee torn up so that he ends up playing more games in BOS than LAD.

[notin]

They want him to get his knee torn up so that he ends up playing more games in BOS than LAD.

 

Oh. That’s the most sensible reason I’ve heard so far…

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Maybe Duran didn't have the nimble footwork or lateral athleticism it takes to make second base throws on the pivot... for the 6-4-3 or 5-4-3 or sometimes tough 4-6-3 DPs.

 

Even his speed -- he doesn't fly around bases like he's returning a punt, but stampedes through bags more like a scary linebacker in pursuit.

[Elktonnick]

Joe Cronin didn't know what he was doing. That's why he got his ass fired in '58!

Joe Cronin left the Red Sox GM's job to become President of the American League. I can find no evidence that Yawkey ever fired him. If you can cite some please educate me.

[notin]

Joe Cronin left the Red Sox GM's job to become President of the American League. I can find no evidence that Yawkey ever fired him. If you can cite some please educate me.

 

It was a punchline…

[mvp 78]

It was a punchline…

 

Going from singing Tessie at America's Most Beloved Ballpark to a fake job like President of the American League is a huge step down. Obviously fired for poor performance. Guy never even got the team into the playoffs. LOSER. Take his number off the facade! Give #4 to Marcelo!

[notin]

Going from singing Tessie at America's Most Beloved Ballpark to a fake job like President of the American League is a huge step down. Obviously fired for poor performance. Guy never even got the team into the playoffs. LOSER. Take his number off the facade! Give #4 to Marcelo!

 

How is his number retired anyway?

 

Didn’t the criteria for having your number retired by the Sox back then include 1) making the Hall of Fame and 2) playing your entire career for the Red Sox? That was why we were told 26 couldn’t be retired. And 24.

 

So why does this former Washington Senator have his number hanging at Fenway?

[mvp 78]

How is his number retired anyway?

 

Didn’t the criteria for having your number retired by the Sox back then include 1) making the Hall of Fame and 2) playing your entire career for the Red Sox? That was why we were told 26 couldn’t be retired. And 24.

 

So why does this former Washington Senator have his number hanging at Fenway?

 

Entire career or 10 years with the Red Sox and retiring as a Red Sox? I can't follow those rules?

 

Fisk is retired. Pesky is retired. Pedro is retired. Boggs is retired. Ortiz is retired. When their numbers were retired, each of those numbers didn't follow those rules. Maybe it's just like Whose Line is it Anyway?

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

How is his number retired anyway?

 

Didn’t the criteria for having your number retired by the Sox back then include 1) making the Hall of Fame and 2) playing your entire career for the Red Sox? That was why we were told 26 couldn’t be retired. And 24.

 

So why does this former Washington Senator have his number hanging at Fenway?

 

It's probably not for this excerpt from SABR's Mark Amour bio:

 

"During Cronin’s 11-year tenure running the franchise (as general manager, president, and eventually treasurer), the team evolved from a contender to a middle-of-the-road club. The biggest problem, though by no means the only one, was the club’s failure to field any black players. The Red Sox famously had first crack at Jackie Robinson in 1945, and at Willie Mays in 1949. By 1958, Cronin’s last season as general manager, more than 100 blacks (either African-Americans or dark-skinned Latins) had played in the majors, 11 of whom went on to the Hall of Fame. None of the 100 played for the Red Sox."

[mvp 78]

It's probably not for this excerpt from SABR's Mark Amour bio:

 

"During Cronin’s 11-year tenure running the franchise (as general manager, president, and eventually treasurer), the team evolved from a contender to a middle-of-the-road club. The biggest problem, though by no means the only one, was the club’s failure to field any black players. The Red Sox famously had first crack at Jackie Robinson in 1945, and at Willie Mays in 1949. By 1958, Cronin’s last season as general manager, more than 100 blacks (either African-Americans or dark-skinned Latins) had played in the majors, 11 of whom went on to the Hall of Fame. None of the 100 played for the Red Sox."

 

What a guy. If they could rename Yawkey Way, they can TEAR DOWN THAT NUMBAH!!!

[notin]

Entire career or 10 years with the Red Sox and retiring as a Red Sox? I can't follow those rules?

 

Fisk is retired. Pesky is retired. Pedro is retired. Boggs is retired. Ortiz is retired. When their numbers were retired, each of those numbers didn't follow those rules. Maybe it's just like Whose Line is it Anyway?

 

They did change the rules at one point. But it was a big deal when Boggs' number was not retired right away.