yagmaster

Is kim really throwing 80 MPH fastballs?

This is the most important game of the young season.

I was going to put out a far fetched idea (until I saw that Zenny already said it). I think Trot would be a great captain.

One word...DAMN!

Wow you guys are too negative. I think this a cool thing for Manny to offer. It seems like he really enjoys being on the Sox and wats his friends to stay with him.

The last part of what you said is the key: We should have a good game.

He's done nothing but kill ralies.

Welcome to the site, very insightful post. I agree that it's not great for young children, but I think "Yankees Suck" is a symbol of Boston, albeit not a very sophistocated one.

I know this doesn't really pertain to Major League Baseball, but what do you think makes for a better game, wood or metal bats? I know a lot of High School leagues are at crossroads on this issue. NCAA uses aluminum. I personally think metal makes for a better slugfest but wood makes for a better game. What do you all think?

Randy Johnson just developed a splitter a few years ago, Leiter and Pettite live off their cutters. But I think you are right.

I think the most important part of pitcing, other than the obvious abilities to locate and change speeds, is movement on the fastball. There are so many examples of pitchers who use this ability to incredible advantage. Roy Halladay had a 98 mph straight fastball, and got shelled. Now, he throws it 93 mph with great movement and he's a Cy Young award winner. Esteban Loaiza has always had great stuff, but has never put it together. Last year, he learns a cut fastball and he's one of baseball's best. Derek Lowe has great movement on his fastball, down and in to righties. That's what gets him so many groundball outs (and called third strikes against the A's in the playoffs ). Mariano Rivera, perhaps the best example, has one pitch. A fastball that cuts about a half a foot. Throwing only that has allowed him to be the most dominant closer for years. My question is this...Why don't more pitchers try to develope moving fastballs? All that's required is slight alteration of grip, fingerpressure, or arm angle, none of which are that hard to do. If I was a pitching coach, that is what I would preach.

Thoought of that one myself...

Let's get one back.

I'm confused how we are pitching Arroyo and BK. Did Wake lose his spot? I didn't think so but he came in relief a couple nights ago.

The home plate umpire is terrible for stretching it so much. But I loved doubleheaders.

Not that I don't love nomar, which I do, but we're not in desperate need for him. We're playing the best baseball I can remember the Sox playing so early.

Wow, 3 and half hours after game time and they're in the first. Doubt they'll finish this one.

I agree completely, bosox. When Nixon comes back, that will make us even tougher against right-handed pitchers, as he is amazing against them. And then when Nomar returns, that takes the weak bat of Reese out of the starting lineup (if Bellhorn stays at second as I think he should), and replaces Reese with one of the best hitters in the league...in a contract year too!

I loved his start today. With limited pitches, he was pretty dominating as he allowed no runs. Who do you think should have the five hole in the rotation, BK or Bronson. Both have pitched well recently, it's a tough question.

He is a great coach, good move for celts.

I went to see it hoping it would have a happy ending O well, let's hope a better movie comes out next year.

There is almost no catcher that catches more than 140 games in a year. It's ok to let Varitek rest some, but EVERY WAKE START is overkill I think. Mirabelli has, however, seemed to be hitting decently well as of late. I don't think he gets enough credit.

Welcome to TalkSox

Great to have you on board. I look forward in talking with you, and I echo yeszir and thefens in saying "Welcome to TalkSox.com!"

Great game so far for Sox, nice to see Tek hit one out.