soxfan17881

There's two sides to that coin. Sure, Sabathia pitched more innings and that may have effected his post season. On the other hand, that means he needed more appearances that Beckett to rack up a win total that was still one shy of Beckett. And like many have mentioned, the post season isn't supposed to factor in.

Such ********. Sabathia is a great pitcher, but Beckett out-shined him this year.

I'd just like to stick my two cents in here... I believe statistics to be as important as the Sox FO does. But baseball can not be totally broken down by numbers alone. I say that if you were to ask Michael Hill (in a chat over a beer, not on the record in front of a camera) who got the better end of the deal, he would tell you that having the ALCS MVP, the rightful but robbed Cy Young winner, a 20 game winner, and the WS MVP on your (World Championship) team is not something you should ever regret, Hanley Ramirez's runs created not withstanding.

First, let's skip (just for the sake of argument) the idea that only common sense and logic prove the Bonds is a roid user and he has never been proven to have used (other than the whole skull expansion thing.) If we assume that he is guilty, again just for this discussion, you still believe there is no difference between taking steroids for the better part of a decade,) which would affect every game and produce a 70+ HR season and add up to the all time record for home runs) and the use of a camera for half of one game in one season? They're the same in your opinion? If so, wouldn't we need to say then that all cheating is equal? There are no levels of culpability? Simply guilt or innocence? Doesn't that open us up to a lot of chaos?

I'm not so sure I believe that. I would not be surprised to see him at SS somewhere.

Is anyone upset that he might not be back? I'm not terribly concerned either way, except to say that he'd have to get himself back in order and that seems like a big issue.

Coincidentally, I'm reading Jason Stark's book, "The Stark Truth" which lists his lists of the most underrated and overrated baseball players at each position. Stark lists Manny as one of his underrated left fielders and, admittedly, bases it almost solely on the fact that Here are some more items that Stark lists. I'm following his text closely, here, but I've edited some things to include this past season: I suppose we might want to hold on to him for awhile

Ok. Perhaps it's a little harsh. I did say "bit of a hypocrite", though. The point is, Shula is trying to do whatever he can (admittedly, there isn't much) to preserve that '72 season. And personally, I don't think that the camera on the sideline makes much difference. Maybe I don't understand it, but how is it different than a camera in the press box with a zoom? Or a guy with a notepad keeping track of the other teams signals?

Generally speaking, I'm not a huge Pats fan. I'm an Eagles fan, as hard as that usually is. I certainly enjoy watching the Pats this year. They are exciting and, most likely, historical in their 2007 domination. As such, my interest was peaked when I heard the talk on ESPN Radio about Don Shula's comments that, should the Pats go undefeated this year, the record should have an asterisk because of the "Spygate" sideline camera cheating infraction. Don Shula said, referring to the fines and draft choice loss that the league imposed on the Pats: In response, Mike Vrabel, pats linebacker, had this to say: First, to compare what the Pats did in one game (because that was all that was "proven"), something that may or may not have made a difference, to Barry Bonds' half-career of steroid laden home runs, where the juice definitely affected the outcome, is like comparing a Cub Scout slap fight to World War II. Not even close. Second, the punishment, as such, was the fines to the coach and franchise and the pending draft choice losses. That is the punishment. Bonds has received no punishments as yet, but either way, I believe the Pats have paid the piper sufficiently. As far as Shula is concerned, what else should we expect? That undefeated Dolphins team is the only thing that Shula is really remembered for, other than being the coach who was so wonderful he couldn't win a Super Bowl with one of the top QB's of all time at the helm. Whenever a team starts off undefeated and then loses, Shula and Csonka and whomever else is left get together for a little drinky to congratulate themselves for the 35th or so time. I'd have more respect for Shula if he just came out and said, "Screw these guys! I love that record and I want to keep it all for myself!" Vrabel? Well said. He wasn't vulgar or rude. He was honest. And here's the kicker... This quote from USA today: So, aside from being a bitter old fart, Shula is also a bit of a hypocrite.

I didn't think this merited its own thread, but the Boston Herald reported that Papi's knee surgery was a success. LINK: Ortiz has arthroscopic surgery on right knee

I still want Lowell.

According to 38pitches (because the info in that blog's all Gospel ) Schilling put that clause in during the negotiations as incentive to lay off the Ding-Dongs. Hell, for that kind of money, I'd be able to get/stay in shape!

I think it would be totally dependent on whom we were to pick up. For instance, if we were to sign A-Rod (which I do not think will happen) then we would not need Manny. If we replace that bat with another that is even 75% as good, but can also defend? Eh...Maybe. And as long as someone brought him up, let me also add that the whole "Manny Being Manny" thing has worn thin, too. I'm tired of wondering if he's going to hustle on any given day. I'm tired of his Dominican Rain Man interviews. And mostly, I am tired...no...scratch that. I'm SICK AND TIRED, of that dumb-ass hairdo and the how his cap and batting helmet don't fit him. I can't stand the goofy rag he has to wear to keep it all harnessed (even the blue one with the "B" on it.) I can't stand the way he pushes the damn thing off his head when he's rounding third and the way he smirks when he does, like he's on SNL doing a skit instead of trying to score a freakin' run! OK. Now I'm calm again... Still love the guy, overall. Love it when he's at the plate. But he is not nearly as necessary an asset as he once was.

I would be sorry to see him go. Especially to the Pirates. That franchise couldn't find its ass with a map and a crack detector. Tough, tough place to go for your first managerial post. IF anyone can turn them around, it could be Farrell.

I agree that he should not have talked "down" about his team. But there are lots of ways to do that without sounding like an idiot.

Just to be clear... what thread was the other pointless thread?

Forgot about the Hinske-Posada game. That was a good one. As for the other part of your comment, I couldn't agree more.

I watched a bunch of clips on boston.com. So jealous, I'd love to be there!

Now, I know that there will be some who will post things like, "Winning the World Series, DUH!" Obviously, I'm looking for more than that. Let's hear about moments that were great, funny, awesome, or memorable for you for whatever reason (maybe even because of something that was going on while you were watching the game? Let's keep it clean, folks ) I have two that I want to include. The first was when Joba "The Hutt" Chaimberlain launched two missiles over Youk's head and then looked like Frank Caliendo doing a Richard Nixon impression when he got the boot. The second, is Bobby Kielty's home run in Game 4 of the WS. First, because we ended up needing it to win. But mostly because I like Kielty, I was happy when he came to the Sox, and we're so used to Papi and Manny hitting big jacks, it was really cool the have Tito bring in the pitch hitter (which is related to that whole "you guys gotta play in the NL park and your pitcher has to hit blah, blah, blah..." thing) who send the game winning homer out on the first pitch! How freakin' cool was that?!?

Here is an interesting POV from a post at http://www.overthemonster.com: I find this argument quite compelling. Especially since I spent a lot of time this year hoping for more from Drew. Thoughts?