ORS

I don't think it's the money, not in a vacuum. It's this.... [table]Year|WHIP|K/9 2006|0.776|9.9 2007|0.771|13.0 2008|0.952|10.0 2009|1.147|10.1 2010|1.200|6.6[/table] ...combined with a perception that the money he expects to get extended is predicated on performance from 2-3 years ago that isn't being delivered now. If he can right the ship and perform like he did 2-3 years ago, I don't think money would be an obstacle, but it seems like his expectation doesn't match the reality of his current performance. Conversely, "Moonball" Bard has an 0.840 WHIP with a 22/4 K/BB ratio in 16.2 IP. Those are the numbers Papelbon was putting up and is expecting to get paid for now (although he's not doing that anymore). More than anything, I want Papelbon to revert to the Papelbon of old, the one that resides in everyone's mind right now when they incorrectly refer to him as a still "dominant" closer, and to get paid for it. But, if I'm playing and paying the person based on what I think they will do for me from this point forward, Bard is the choice based on trends. Hopefully that changes, not the part about Bard being good, but the part about Papelbon slipping. Overall, that would be best for the team.

Rizzo, Middlebrooks, and Tejeda have all homered tonight for Salem. Middlebrooks and Tejeda both also have doubles. Kelly went 5, giving up 2 runs (1 ER), stiking out 4 with 2 BB. Greeville is a pile of bleh right now. Pawtuckett did not play tonight.

Gameday is broken again.

Two LIDP. You can't make this s*** up.

f***ing Mongo. He hits a 7-run homer there 10 times out of 10 against the Sox.

Maybe the decision to see if he can pull out of it, like last year, is coming from above?

Back to back, and uh....belly to belly. (which is really f***ing gay, if you think about it, which is actually fitting that it comes from Sterling)

Rizzo hit 2 last night, bringing his season line in Salem up to .260/.345/.479.

Lars hit his first AAA homer last night. In Pawtuckett, he's hitting .267/.500/.533. He keeps this up for a couple of months and a Kelly/Anderson swap for Adrian Gonzalez might start to gain some traction with no other pieces involved.

One, it's doubtful that getting on via the bunt will do much for his confidence, not when they are giving it away. Two, screw his confidence. Get on base if they make it that easy. When they stop making it easy, swing away. Some hits getting through the hole that is normally fielded by the 2B in shallow right will give him confidence, and bunting when they shift, like rhet says "every time", will make them play him straight up opening that hole. I agree 100% with that strategery. EDIT: In fact, screw with their heads, have him do nothing but bunt it up the 3B line during batting practice.

Those were the quarterback's fault.

His pay doesn't get cut if they DFA him, he may think being demoted to the minors is more embarrassing, and he may not really give two shits about the success and failure of the team (his sullen attitude during this suggests he's not above placing himself over the team in terms of priorities). Just saying.

What incentive does Ortiz have to accept that?

He had a chance at redemption after the Baltimore game, but tonight's performance erases that and more. It's the straw.

The strikezone Lester is getting is ridiculous. He's got to throw it inside a tomato can to get a called strike.

Angels +2 Sox -3

And Lester is getting squeezed pretty hard. To Brooks.....

The out machine is up to his old tricks.

Santana is getting a wide plate right now. I've seen 5" given on either side. And he is still getting tattooed.

Man on Fire. EDIT: Oops, saw, "In play, no out", and figured it was a hit.

5 hits with 3 doubles in two innings, and they only score 1 run. Unfortunate.

You are, he was, that's the point. It's a known potential consequence, and the actions, knowingly breaking the law and resisting arrest, commonly involve it's use.

Literally? No. As part of the culture of the board? Yes. Is that a problem?