a700hitter

Yes, I have taken to calling Beltre logjam man and a banjo hitter, but it is a running joke. As I have stated numerous times, Beltre is not at fault for causing the logjam, but there is a logjam, and it exists because he and Youk play full time, so there is no room to take VMart from behind the plate for 50-60 games. Hence, the nickname for Beltre. If you don't like it put me on ignore. I didn't try to paint you as irrational, but if everyone of your posts that responds to me is going to be hostile and full of jackass, I will treat you accordingly. Your initial post that started this was antagonistic and insulting. You were acting like an *******. You claimed that I was bitching about everything, not just 3 innings of bullpen, but I hadn't been doing that at all. I was having a baseball discussion with Dipre about Beltre/Bay during the game, and Dipre wasn't irritated by it, so I don't know why it would get under your skin. With regard to my bullpen concern, pardon me for being concerned about using the 7th inning guy in a big 2-0 game. My recollection is that in the past you have not been very comfortable with MDC on the mound. Tampa did a good job of getting Lester's pitch count up so he couldn't go past the 6th inning. Going to the pen in the 7th could have been a turning point in the game. Thank goodness it wasn't, but I don't apologize for what was nothing more than game commentary. It was neither positive nor negative. It's just a fact, managers don't like to lean on their bullpens for 3 innings in a close game. They'd rather have their ace take them deeper. Ideally, the ace starter goes 8 and hands the ball to the closer. It was a close game against a division rival on the road. I apologize that I was concerned when lester came out of the game. I guess my emotions got the best of me.

Papelbon is the best closer that I have seen in a Red Sox uniform in 45 years which is pretty close to the entire history of Red Sox closers. He has more saves than anyone in the history of the team. Think about that.

Mo is 40 and going strong. Eck was pretty dominant in his late 30's. A closer going past 30 is not that unusual.

Yanks-Twins rained out tonight. Does this get replayed in its entirety or do they pick it up after the 5th inning?

I forgot. This is your "if Papelbon continues to get worse, he'll suck" argument. Brilliant! I couldn't agree more. If he sucks I don't want to keep him. I don't agree that your "trend' argument is indicative of a fall from elite status. Why don't you loosen up a little. If you don't like my remarks, put me on ignore. You got all hot and bothered about my banter with Dipre tonight about Beltre, when we were just kidding with each other. You are so intent on finding something to get mad about in my posts that you don't even realize when i am joking around with another poster. You take yourself too seriously, which is why I treat you so dismissively. When you want to discuss baseball with me, I am happy to do so, but when you are intent on constantly playing gotcha, you'll keep ending up on the wrong end of that game.

Palm ball.

His brother M.A. Dickey never made it out of the minors.

It concerns me that Ellsbury is hurt again. When he went down is when things went bad.

If they can win tomorrow for the sweep, the Rays and the Yanks will be watching us over their shoulders. After this tough stretch, they have to keep up the pressure against the crap teams coming up.

I want to keep them both for as long as possible, so your insult misses the mark... again. Lot's of swings and misses from you lately. Let me check GameDay to see if you are chasing out of the zone.

How bad is it raining in Minnesota?

Nice work by the pitching. Papelbon has to stop sucking. His WHIP is atrocious.

You do realize that it is the objective of a good lineup to work the count on the other team's ace starter to get him out of the game as early as possible. Do you think they do that because they think the bullpen pitchers are better? It's a pretty fundamental concept.

You are like Sherlock Holmes when it comes to figuring out the real identity of previously banned posters. Dutchy was pretty transparent this time, but you picked up on his latest identity after hist first post.

In a close game like this, Crawford getting tossed was a huge development. That guy has manhandled us for the last couple of seasons.

They both pitched well.

Time for Beltre to switch his banjo for a hammer.

Which must be why lineups would ratehr face him than the bullpen.

I ddin't know that a statement about concern over 3 innings of bullpen would raise such ire.

Not worthless. Pointless. There's a difference.