Jayhawk Bill

1) Yep, it might be a slump. Hope that you're right--but Tek is known for precipitous dropoffs each season, and this looks to me like a September dropoff in June, and that would be bad. 2) I didn't suggest a platoon of Cash and Kottaras--Jacko did. 3) Boston LEADS MLB in third-order runs. Texas and the Cubs play in weaker divisions--Boston has the best offense in baseball. But unless Tek can hit a little better--that .330 OBP being a benchmark for me--it's tough to justify keeping him around for "intangible" contributions with Kottaras looking ready for The Show. :dunno:

http://www.ssc.wisc.edu/~oliver/RACIAL/RacialDisparities.htm As I understand it, Imus's defense is that he was pointing out the greater likelihood that an African-American would be arrested, not disparaging an African-Americans. The stats are on his side. Is Imus a bigot? He called a group of predominantly African-American female student athletes "Nappy-haired hos," and that could certainly be used as evidence of racism or bigotry. Unless this more recent well-publicized incident is seen through the lens of that past incident, though, it doesn't necessarily suggest bigotry, but rather a statement of actual truth...and as a statement of truth regarding the arrest and incarceration practices established in a white-majority America, not necessarily an indictment of the conduct of African-Americans themselves.

Josh Kalk is a great guy, and his tool is good. Caveat emptor: I think that he's still using just 2007 data, although that's not explicit.

OK...before everybody goes all "Sandy Koufax" on me, remember: 1) Koufax had a short career; 2) Koufax pitched in a pitcher's park in a pitcher's league in a pitcher's era--he didn't look so great before he reached Dodger Stadium; 3) Grove was a great pitcher for years in AAA before they'd sell his contract at age 25--he was a great pitcher then, too, regardless for whom he pitched, even if it's tough to find the stats; 4) Grove played in hitter's parks in an extreme hitter's era; and 5) Grove STILL reached 300 wins. Career ERA+: Grove 148 (second all-time); Koufax 131 (32nd all-time) Koufax may have had the greater peak value; Grove had the greater career value.

Papelbon needs more cheap saves.

Coming into yesterday's game, Cano was .167/.154/.167 in his previous four games.

Craig Hansen doesn't look ready to be a closer.

Great moment here...I told Mrs. JHB, "Kevin Cash can also hit for power." 5-0

Lefty Grove.

I think that David Pinto is the source of the Remy-Watney rumor. :dunno: http://www.baseballmusings.com/archives/027421.php Regarding the Bill Murray issue, if what your blog reports is true, Heidi was stupid to ask Bill Murray directly for a promo shot for local anchor Kopi Sotiropulos during tournament play at Pebble Beach, but Murray was totally out of place to berate her and all blonde women after her faux pas. :thumbdown Regarding Heidi Watney, she's made exactly one error I've considered serious all season. That's better, by far, than Tina Cervasio did even after a year with the team. She has a reputation for ill-advised comments--she got into trouble with bad language at an elementary school in her last job, and the Bill Murray issue is another data point--but I'm enjoying having her as the third member of the team, and I think that she's getting better. She doesn't need a public controversy right now--she needs a chance to get to know the NESN team and the Red Sox players and staff. Still...I wonder if, behind the scenes, she did something stupid that ticked off Remy, just as she's made other blunders previously? :dunno:

Game.

Nice...Tek makes contact.

Lugo on first...NO outs... Ellsbury singles, too. :thumbsup:

Did I miss Tina Cervasio Day?

Strongly concur. Any time a guy comes up from AA or AAA and posts an ERA below 4.00 as a starting pitcher, he's done very, very well. FWIW, although Chris Smith is used in low-leverage situations, he's done very well, too. If Boston weren't hitting .227 tonight, it might be a closer game.

You suck.

Pardon, but the sun was setting and it was either watch another couple of innings of futility or go outside and play catch a few minutes with JHB II, and I chose catch, 'cuz I'll never have those moments to play catch again, but I can be just as frustrated if and when Boston loses whether or not I catch every inning. Regarding the discussion posts I missed: 1) The active posters tonight do not suck. 2) The admin does not suck. 3) Jerry Remy is probably one of the best five color guys in MLB broadcasting. It is, however, an annoying tribute.

Moss is doing well for a rookie. Thanks for the backscratch, though!

You're welcome! :dunno: