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I was thinking in terms of leadoff hitters. Youk is not going to lead off. Drew can. They are paying Crawford big bucks because he is an elite player, not a player that needs "protection". He isnt Barry Bonds, its not like they will pitch around him, remember....they dont want him on the base paths, so they WILL pitch to him regardless of protection. The top of the order doesnt have to have speed. Thats a misconception of what a leadoff hitter is. Rickey Henderson is the greatest leadoff hitter of all time, and since he is also the career stolen base leader, people assume that a leadoff hitter MUST be fast. A leadoff hitter needs to get on base. Drew and Pedroia are not "slow". They just dont have Vince Coleman speed. Stolen bases do not go to waste if you have guys in position to drive them in. If they are at the top, or bottom...they arent wasted as long as guys can drive them in. This lineup will turnover a ton. This team will score a lot of runs. They would not lose 10 SBs because they are the bottom of the lineup, they would lose stolen bases because guys hitting behind them arent taking pitches. With those guys at the bottom and Drew at the top, they will have plenty of opportunity to steal bases.

I agree. A run is a run. Here are some of my thoughts though. A leadoff hitter, is only a leafoff hitter ONCE in the game. After that, its all about matchups. The best hitter in your lineup is your #3 hitter, therefore....you want guys in front of him who get on base. I dont care if they are fat, fast, skinny, slow......it doesnt matter. Ive spoken to Dipre about this (my lineup proposal), he disagrees with me, but so be it. The best player on the team at getting on base is JD Drew (and it pains me to say it, bc I cant stand him). What about a lineup of: RF Drew 2B Pedroia 1B Agon 3B Youkilis DH Ortiz SS Scutaro LF Crawford C Salty CF Ellsbury Remember, the leadoff hitter only leads off once. You want guys who get on base in front or your best hitter. Drew and Pedroia are not slouches on the basepaths, in fact both are very good baserunners. Most people want to put Ellsbury and Crawford back to back....but I think that splitting them up extends the lineup. This lineup also provides power throughout. The lineup maintains a LH/RH mathcup. Most importantly, the lineup has a bunch of speed at the bottom of the lineup to set the table for guys who take a bunch of pitches (Drew) which allows for SB opportunities which puts guys in scoring position for contact guys (Pedroia) and also allows the best hitters in your lineup (Youk and Agon) to get a TON of ABs with guys cluttering the bases (Crawford, Ellsbury, Drew, Pedroia). Think about how crazy it would be for Youk and Agon getting all those opportunities to drive in those guys.

Why cant people just stick to the topic and not continue to wipe their asses with talksox threads? You are a saint Yeszir, dont know how you do it or how you put up with it. The fact that you have any patience at all tells me you have more than I. I think Ellsbury steals more bases than Crawford if healthy. He stole 70 a few years back, while Crawford has been sitting in the 40 range.

I think you are stretching it, and by stretching it I mean by alot. Johnny Damon is most likely a HOF'er. You are ready to call Kalish a HOF caliber player based on some minor league stats?

Offensively, I dont see them being that far off. Only gripes I have, Youks BA seems a little low. Crawford and Ellsbury COMBINE for 80 SBs, thats low by about 20-30 SB's. Why does everyone think that Gonzo will automatically hit 40 homers? HR numbers have come down, and he is playing in the AL East, not the NL West. I think 34-38 HR is a realistic projection. Keep in mind that the triangle will knock a few off the count and the fact that Fenway is a tougher park for lefties to hit, not to mention the pitching caliber is much better here than what he was used to facing.

I cant stand Drew either, but I can actually see him having a monster season. Its what JD Drew does, there is money potentially to be made, and he will make it. Have your monster contract season JD, then get the hell out!!!!

Heavier guys have no problem fitting in to the bleacher seats as well as the monster seats. Think of bleacher bums......fat, drunk with 4 hot dogs, 2 beers, cracker jack.....well, those obese guys manage to fit their asses in the seat. If you are worried about the comfort of others, dont be. The seating sucks and is uncomfortable to begin with. All you need to worry about is having a great time. Never once have I EVER looked at someone and said "wow, they shouldnt be here". Its just not like that. IF YOU WANT TO GO, THEN GO. The only thing stopping you is your own excuses and self pity.

Nope. Thats a losers mentality. The conclusion is that the Beckett and Lackey need to be better, which will leave them in games longer giving the team a better chance at winning. This isnt on the bullpen. It falls squarely on the shoulders of Beckett and Lackey. You could argue that the reason the bullpen didnt perform the way they should have was because they were being overused and depended on to bail them (Beckett and Lackey) out of too many s***** situations.

Predictons for the 2011 season: .245 BA, 25 HR, 80 RBI, .335 OB, .430 SLG, .765 OPS There is no way he gets pitched to nearly as often. Vernon Wells isnt hitting in that lineup anymore either. What a terrible contract.

Just so everyone understands.......from a guy behind the badge..... If he was in the vehicle, and the keys are in the ignition.....probable cause leads an officer to believe that he either operated, or was attempting to operate the motor vehicle. Every incident has their own specific lingo: DUI, OUI, DWI......in this case, it is most probable that it was "OUI" or operating under the influence. These do not just pertain to alcohol, they can also mean other legal, or illegal drugs. He declined to take the BAC test, which he would have failed had he had 3 drinks at his weight. Failure to take the BAC test is almost an immediate guilt plee. There are a slew of other "charges" they could have nailed with him but probably didnt, such as resisting arrest, open container, disorderly conduct, assault and battery.

BLASPHEMY!!! I hate the globe. IMO the Herald is a much better newspaper. Its a blue collar newspaper and their sports section blows the Globes out of the water!

IMO, center field bleachers are the best seats on the field in terms of cheaper options. Section 35 and 36 (lower sections) are awesome places to watch a game. The only place you lose a ball is in the triangle.

Bleacher seats are not nearly as closed quarters as the grandstand. I am like 6'1 240 and I have no problem fitting in the grandstand. Ive seen much bigger guys than me fit in those seats. You really shoulnt have that much of a problem if you get an end seat in the bleachers. Green Monster seats are pretty big as well (although they cost much more). Dont let your size deter you from going to a game. Its something that every RedSox fan has to do, if only to be around the park before the game. Its a really special time. Ive been there prob a little more than 100 times, and every time I do....when I walk up the ramp and look at the field...I get the same feeling I did the very first time I did it when I was 5.

You posted the same link as me!!!

Ruth #3

No. Im sure he will do great as a roster filler/4th OF on a AA team though.

nice article, thanks for posting it.

Im actually going to go with neither of them. Kalish will end up being a 4th OF. They will sign someone and Reddick will be traded.

http://www.preciseseating.com/fenwaypark2.php

Its about time they signed a defensive catcher better than Salty, I was getting nervous. /sarcasm.

This is about what you are looking at. Section 1 GS is a tough section to watch a game in, better off in the bleachers IMO. Click on the picture to bring up the full size view.