seabeachfred

Crawford is nothing more than a bellyacher and he has no one to blame but himself. He didn't do the job in Boston; in fact he was pretty ordinary and that's being kind in my opinon. If he thinks he slide in LA he is in for a rude shock. Somewhere those LA fans out here where I live have suddenly gotten some guts and balls and they now rip players who don't do the job----perhaps it came from McCourt's butchering of the team. Now there's a reason to be thankful. As bad as some of us think Henry and Co. have been past few years could you imagine w hat would have happened to the Red Sox if native Bostonian Frank McCourt had bought the team? No titles in 2004 or 2007 most likely.

Hey, what about me RS305? I recommend "The Teammates: A Portrait of a Friendship" byDavid Halberstam. It came out in 2003 and is a masterpiece about four close friends on the Red Sox whopretty much came up together and played over a decade as were as close as friends and teammates could be........Ted Williams, Dom DiMaggio, Johnny Pesky and Bobby Doerr. You can get a real good slant on Ted from that book and how he was loved and respected by these teammates and many others on the Red Sox. It shows a caring and nurturing Splinter. Just get the book. You will love it and you'll learn a lot.

There was a story on Crawford in the LA Times out here this morning and a more meely mouth, candy-ass excuse machine you never heard better before. He blamed the Red Sox, the town, the fans and the press for all his problems. He apparently forgot that he lost complete control of the strike zone, couldn't get on base to save his tush, and wound up like looking like a combination of Frulimek Peer and Stepin Fetchit in the outfield, stumbling and bumbling on routing short flies......remember that last one in Baltimore? I also remember two at Yankee Stadium. OK, he is now here in Southern California where the fans are "more tolerant", but they are no longer pollyannaish and haven't been since McCourt raped the team of its funds. If Crawford shows some of the lack of talent he showed in Boston he will hear it from the fans and the press.

That's exactly what I read in the LA papers this past fall on Haren. Yes, there were conversations but apparently the Red Sox never were serious is carrying them out. He was one pitcher I would have liked in Red Sox scarlet but my hopes were dashed as were probaly some others here. I then came to think that he probably felt he might have a better chance in the NL where he wouldn't have to face so many offensive juggernauts as he would have to in the AL He was, after all, trying to revamp and improve his FA value so he could cash in big at the end of this season.

BSN, I wrote that post because I have been guilty of some of the stuff I was protesting about when it occurred to me that we are all in this together. Whether we're off the wall, pleasantly passionate or just quitely logical we are all Red Sox fans and we all want to see our team do well. 700 is as close a friend as I have on this board and we take on the phone periodically and I know he thinks we haven't done enough to upgrade for this season. That you and he are at swords point seems silly because you're both good baseball fans and knowledgeable whether you agree with each other or not. If you noticed some retorts to what I wrote bordered on the incredulous, but I think we can all be on the same page as we head into ST. I'm going to try like to keep personal attacks out of my posts even if I'm being criticized. I just though that might be a good way for all of us to get along on here.

Ted, last week you gave me a heads-up about how some poster we both know was trying to goad me into losing it and getting me either suspended or banned and I thanked you for it. Time to return the favor. There are two posters who are trying to do that to you and I have kept my cool about, but I am getting ready to blow. I would suggest to those two that you ride it easy and keep this stuff civil before I start ripping both of you a new one. There is a lot of tension on this board and many of us are wired over last year, the injuries that have already hit us so soon in ST, not to mention the fact that some moves that should have been made this off season haven't be done. I believe I was suspended once a few years back and it's no fun, but it's less fun seeing friends and colleagues being insulted and blasted on this board. What do you all say if try our damndest to refrain from that starting now. No personal insults and a more collegial atmosphere. I think we're capable of that.

Trade Dustin Pedroia, the heart and soul of the Red So? If that rumor did have any legs then Lucchino and Company have to be the dumbest bastards on the planet. I hope you aren't talking such a trade up Dojii; I think you have better sense than to do that.

I think a lot of things would have to go right to make your pearls from your crystal ball make us all happy. First and foremost, Lester, Buchholz and Lackey must come back strong and the first two must have banner years. The bullpen must be as solid as it potentially is. Ellsbury, Pedroia, Middlebrooks, Ortiz and Napoli must stay healthy and hit, with the last three provided some long ball and run producing power. We need solid defense, especially at catcher (a problem) and up the middle. These are doable and perhaps a more positive outlook in the clubhouse this Spring Training will translate into an upbeat team on the field when it all counts. My God, I only hope it can be so.

This is where there might be some room for optimism for us Red Sox fans. John Farrell knows the pitchers, especially Lester and Buchholz, both of whom experienced some real success under his tutilege. Pitchers get in slumps just as hitters do, as you well know being a coach, and proper mechanics can mean the difference between success and failure. Of course that precludes the fact that you have to have the talent in the first place, but when you get to the Majors it is accepted that you have that talent. Since we'll take that as a given perhaps Jon last season had his mechanics and well as his head all screwed up. We know his head was off what with his constant bitching and complaining to umpires. We'll see if his mechanics were off as well. We might see it as soon as Opening Day since it is my belief he will be opposing CC Sabathia that afternoon at Yankee Stadium. What a victory by him that day might do for his confidence and that of the team.

Wyo--Glad you liked what I said but I almost wish I didn't say it since it might have jinxed the team. Hear about Buchholz pulling a hammy covering first base on a play today? The hits just can't stop coming for us. We need a healthy team for a change. I just hope the conditioning and medical staff is up to the task this season. For he last four years we've been a MAH unit. Still, it always pays to look ahead for some upbeat signs. Hopefully Buchholz isn't made of glass and will be back soon.

Oh, I don't know Jung. Buchholz has this bad habit of fu@@ing himself up on routine baseball plays. I was sitting in SF's AT@T Park back in 2010 and saw Clay try and slide into second base and wound up coming out of the game because he couldn't slide properly and was built like tin. He was out t hree weeks back then. Who the hell is the trainer and why aren't these guys ready to take part in drills when they begin? So it begins....again!!!!!

What the hell is going on anyway? Already we have one of our starters and a key reliever coming up lame, a top prospect shoots himself in the foot, and the plane carrying Ellsbury and Pedroia are hit by lightning. Does that SOMEBODY up there hate the Red Sox? It seems we are a team of Jonahs. Who got God mad at the Red Sox and when is this physical nightmare going to end? We can sure use a welcome smile from Dame Fortune.

If Dickey and Johnson have banner years on the mound the Jays could be rough customers indeed, but by the same token we have to pray that Lester and Buchholz pitch up to their capabilities to give us a good one-two punch, otherwise we are just spinning our wheels. For Farrell he has to get his charges to think of the team first, put their personal spites behind them and unite for a common end. Perhaps a good clubhouse and a unified and spirited club could lead to a comeback for the Red Sox. Well, hell, we need to look at every possibility that exists for our team to get back on track. Who the hell wants another 2012?

I hope you have that one wired right SoxSport because it is my opinion that we go nowhere with Saltalamacchia as our catcher. I also think Lavarnway has a tremendous upside despite what a couple of our friends on this board feel.

Just to be clear myself, you didn't even have to make another good post as this one was because I knew exactly where you were coming from because I think the exact thing myself. Nothing screws up a young and promising player when he has to look over his shoulder and realize that if he does something bad his ass with be back on the bench and the old and sad guard will be back in the lineup. We saw that with Reddick. Enough said on that. Look, we both know that Salty is NOT our catcher of the future and we will never win anything with him behind the plate. He can do only one thing....hit home runs and he doesn't hit enough of them to warrant his being in the lineup when he does so many other things wrong. I also have over 30 years experience coaching baseball and the one thing I learned was that if you want a promising player to show up well you don't jerk him around.....You put him in the lineup and make it clear he is there to stay. Rarely if ever does a player handled that way fail, and I cannot remember anyone who played for me who didn't flourish with that handling. The few times I did it the other way the results were very bad. I see that with the Red Sox all the time now. You don't win that way and that is not the way they won in 2004 and 2007.

Absolutely in my opinion Jung. The Red Sox will rue the day if they trade Lavarnway and keep the miserable Satalamacchia. Even though I am not writing this season off, the consensus seems to be that this is a bridge or transition or rebuilding year---take your pick. We already know what Salty can do and except for hitting home runs, and not enough of them, he gives them nothing else. You put Lavarnway in there and get rid of Jarrod, and I would bet anyone that he would hit more than 25 homers and be a better defensive catcher because he already is-----and what's more he has the upside of being capable of being a 30-35 homer man. The guy is intelligent, a quick learner and a hard worker. We must not let this guy get away.

Terrific post Jung.....and I couldn't agree with you more. We have some colleagues who takes a different position on that with varying degrees of accuracy and one who is completely off the wall. What they don't mention is that when Lavarnway was called up last season he WAS NOT allowed to claim the spot for the duration of our miserable season but was jerked in and out of the lineup at will. You can't show much under those circumstances, and those who say that Saltalamacchia is a better catcher than Ryan need to either get their eyes checked and apply for a new brain. The fact is the Braves were seriously considering moving Salty to first base because of his catching deficiecies while the Rangers simply gave up on the guy. This s*** with Salty has been going on and on for five years now and the guy still can't call a game right, still cannot get on base with any regularity, still has a rag arm and still can't handle a pitching staff. I also want to remind those who make snap judgments about a young player who remember what happened to Pedroia when he was called up in August of 2006. He was jerked in and out of the lineup too, and he wound up hitting only a paltry 191. When he was told the job was his around May of 2007 he took off. Lavarnway hit over 30 homers in AA in 2011 and showed good power and improvement at Pawtucket last season despite what one out of touch poster still believes. If we are not going anywhere this season why not give Lavarnway a shot and see what he can do. We already know what Salty can do and especially what he cannot do, and he is not our catcher down the road. As you said, only on the Red Sox---stupidity carried to the Nth power.

Is there? I know of one on this board who might try and start pining for Salty, but that's beside the point. Jarrod stinks!!!!!! He can hit home runs, but he is a poor run producer. Two years as a starter and he still can't call a game, still has a rag arm, still allow the team's ERA to balloon when he catches, still has a miserable OBA---and Cherington says he is one of the best catchers in the league? What more proof is needed for Cherries' total incompetence and malfeasance in this position than saying something stupid like that? 700 Hitter brought up the Peter Principle and if it doesn't fit with Cherington I don't know what does. Notice guys like Byrnes and Hoyer went on to other higher jobs. You know of any team that has made an offer to this bum to go and run their team? Henry saved money promoting this slagheap and it helps Lucchino to have a patsy he can toss around like a rubber ball, but it doesn't bode well for the well being of the Red Sox.

That's great to hear Ted. I was a little concerned you might be in the line of fire of that damn blizzard rocking the Northeast. Try to stay warm and out of harm's way.

Again, I'm not surprised at all. I have never been a fan of Cherington and have been a critic of his since he took the team's GM spot over. His disastrous signings last off season has been improved somewhat this year but apparently he still has stars in his eyes when it comes to Satalamacchia. Ever notice in a close game when we're behind by a run or so in the late innings. Five gets you ten that Salty strikes out. He does not drive in runs very well and we all know his poor receiving. Trying hard is fine but the road to hell is paved with good intentions and Lavarnway is not getting any younger. We keep our kids tied down in the minors too long and sooner or later they either get hurt (Kalish), fade badly (Anderson) or are traded away for trash (Reddick for the garbage we got for him last winter). If the Red Sox are ever going to become relevant again the young prospects must be given the chance Pedroia, Ellsbury, Papelbon and Lester got before the front office went postal and decided on the "more damn seasoning kick". Lavarnway is our best all around catcher and must be given that job before 2013 is out.

Yes I did!!!!! At my age these things happen as you will find out when you reach my age. I never called you a pollyanna either; I don't think I called anyone but User that and I did it once. As for you actually believing I am not a Red Sox fan, do you actually believe that? You've read my posts for over a year. No one can be that good an actor. Hope you're having a nice day.

I didn't know we had a deal MVP----and if so I forgot.....another senior moment. I sent you a PM. I hope you act on it.

I think the problem might be that the front office has never come out and asked the fans to be patient, that they must rebuild and wait for their kids to develop. That, plus the fact that the Boegarts, Brentzes, Bradleys, Barneses are still not quite ready for the big top, necessitates their having to go out and try to patch things up with some signings on a short term basis. What I don't want to see is these kids being held back another year or two when they're ready---as Youkilis was back in 2005 or Lavarnway last year. Red Sox fans are loyal and will follow their team come what may just as long as they know what the front office is really thinking and philosophising. What none of us want is to hear a bunch of ******** from Lucchino, who has never wanted to rebuild and seems to be worried more about marketing and promotions than building a solid foundation. At least that's the way I see it.

Very good of you to mention this Palodios and that is very good news from where I sit. For awhile the attitude among the players seems to have left a lot to be desired but there does seem to be a new spirit down in Florida this February. As you said, whether this will turn into positive results remains to be seen, but I'll tell you this.....I would rather see this happening one hundred times over than hearing about all the angry and sad faces down at Fort Myers. A positive outlook can't do anything but help get our whole team on track. One point I want to amplify from what you said. About Lackey, I have always liked the guy and think he will be a pleasant surprise for us. You rightly said I and 700 are pretty critical and only speaking for myself, I plead guilty, but not with Lackey. He pitched when he was hurting and I think he wants to make amends and I think he will.

The script is already being written. Nava will get off to a decent start and the pollyannas and ball washers will wax poetic, but most of us will know from the get-go that after a month Nava will show that he is just what he is----a second rater who has no business being a starting outfielder for a serious Major League club. As for Sweeney, the less said the better Luc. We need someone better out there to platoon with Gomes but apparently Cherington continues to drop the ball and pretend black is white.