I'd think Schilling, Ortiz, and Foulke had more to do with that. Winning that game put us what, 8 games behind them in the division?
The tide was turned in the 2004 ALCS.
His past is respected, and overrated. He's not worth $10 million no matter how you slice it, and the fact that you staunchly defend him while at the same time bashed JD Drew last season is hypocritical.
I'd love nothing more than Tek to break out of his slump. Until he does, he's going to be criticized by myself and a few others. The guy is not Kevlar.
So everyone else needs to pick up the slack for the guy making $10 million. Gotcha.
I think Tek calls a good game. I don't think his gamecalling is worth $10 million and I find his gamecalling/defense to be vastly overrated. He had in his prime Pedro and Beckett, a slightly past his prime Schilling, solid starters in Lowe, Wakefield, etc.
He's had good pitchers to throw to. His preparation may be good, but don't disregard the talent he's had to work with. Why couldn't he work miracles with Jason Johnson or Kyle Snyder? Because they sucked.
He can't throw runners out anymore. He's prone to being fastball happy. That being said I'd prefer him in the lineup over Cash every day of the week.
To steal a line from Jacko, we had the chance to put the nail in the coffin and failed. The middle relief is an issue just as much as Tek but his presence in the lineup is a black hole right now.
