maverick4

It's a pretty big leap from talking about ethnic restaurants, to generalizing Koreans and Japanese people as running all the dry cleaning places. What if I said Boston bars were going out of business because Irish people decided to stop drinking for Lent? That would imply that all Irish were alcoholics, Catholics, and that bars mostly made money from drunk Irish. Another example: What if I said mob crimes were down because all the Italians were busy watching the World Cup? This issue is not overblown or too PC. It is insensitive and racist (at least what was originally said). By the way, I saw the original ESPN article yesterday morning. It was definitely a 'foot in the mouth' quote. The article, quotes, and sidebar were CHANGED multiple times during the course of the day. I don't even know if it was legal, but they even re-worded what Clemens said to make it sound less insensitive and racist.

That doesn't mean the Sox won't have success with Asian players in the future. .

What is your point, that Asian players can't play ball? Look around the major leagues - there are plenty of Asian ballplayers. Also, the last time I checked, two of the final 4 teams in the world baseball classic were Korea and Japan. The Sox haven't had success yet with Asian players, I completely agree, but I'd say that's more the fault of Duquette's farm program. The Sox barely produced any prospects of note, of any nationality, while Duquette was in charge. .

Tomo Ohka pitched a bit as well. .

Hammer, It's not fair to look at this guy's career average, and you know it. He's only played 4 seasons, been moved around a lot, and any young player's first season or two will scew the overall career average. In 2004 with Florida before he was traded, here were his stats: In only 281 at-bats, he hit 15HR, .270 BA, .388 OBP, made 721 plays at 1st with only 8 errors for a fielding percentage of 99%. His last year and a half with the Dodgers have screwed up his numbers, because their hitting coach was messing with his plate discipline. Also, Dodger stadium isn't exactly the best park for a hitter. I'm not saying Choi is a great player, but he has a lot of potential. PECOTA says Choi's top comparison is David Ortiz in 2003. Here are the numbers: For comparison, David Ortiz in Minnesota over 6 seasons only hit 58 home runs in 1477 at-bats, or 1 HR / 25.4 at-bats. In 2003 with Boston, Ortiz hit 31 home runs, .288 BA, and .369 OBP (1HR / 14 at-bats). Choi, in his entire career, has averaged 1 HR / 22.8 at-bats, but if you just look at his Florida numbers, he hit 1 HR / 18.7 at-bats. These pre-Boston numbers are pretty similar to Ortiz's. What's not to like about this deal? This move has high-potential, is cheap, and is low-risk.

Well didn't Hideo Nomo throw a perfect game? It's not like the Sox have signed many Asian players, so the sample size is small. Plus, Choi was the guy who carried Korea in the World Baseball Classic. Korea was killing everyone. .

The Dodgers released him so Nomar could play 1st. Nomar keeps helping the Sox unintentionally! It is absolutely mind-boggling that every other team didn't claim him before the Sox did. He is only 27. He's like Bellhorn - great eye, holes in his swing - but he hits with power. He approximately hits around .260, but with an OBP over .360. If Papa Jack fixes the holes in his swing, PECOTA projects his potential to be David Ortiz in 2003. His fielding percentage last year was ridiculous - he only made 2 errors out of over 600 chances, something crazy like a .997 percentage. He could be a young Tino Martinez - solid D, 20 homers, and a tough out in the 6-8 spot. He only costs 750k as well. I see Lowell or Snow being traded away by June.

Why is this such a big deal? I think if you look around MLB, there are plenty of players who have received permission from their teams to miss a few days. Also... I may be wrong, but don't the Patriots let their veterans show up for camp at different times, and also skip certain exhibition games? .

A stolen base should definitely have more importance than the Sox currently give it. Without Dave Roberts' SB, the Sox would have been sweeped last year.