cp176

If you are suggesting that the bigger the guy is then it naturally figures that he must be tougher in any way be it physical or mental, I can't buy that one at all. That old expression ain't the size of the dog that is in the fight that matters it is the size of the fight that is in the dog really does ring true. Now if the suggestion is that we aren't sending really anybody to the plate that just looks a little intimidating from a pitcher's perspective, you might be on to something. We have a whole bunch of potentially good little hitters. With Ortiz, even when he was a little off, pitchers knew that any mistake could cost them dearly. I don't think that anybody is intimidated by this group to feel the need to pitch around anybody. Napoli or Encarnarcion regardless of how they are playing at least give the impression that they can still change the complexion of a game with one swing. As in something other than a single or a double.

I thought for sure I would get some kind of response on this one but alas not so much as one word. Guess just muddling along is ok for this crowd. Couple things though once again. I don't need to hear Bogaerts talking about how much this team misses Papi. We all miss Papi. Shut your mouth and play the game. We understand that you are trying to hit. No need to apologize. What I would say is that if David was still there, I don't think that Pedroia would have run his mouth outside of the clubhouse and no one would be crying about the guys we don't have anymore. Who is leading the way?

Sometimes you just have to approach things differently. If you aren't scoring runs - have no real power threat- continually ground in to dp's - don't you just have to try something different now and then. The alternative is to just muddle along and repeat the words - it's all going to be ok - this team will hit. unfortunately while we wait for this to happen, good pitching performances are being wasted. move runners over into positions where they might have a chance to score. bunt, steal, hit and run - anything to get into a position to limit the number of double plays and allow us to score a run. Singles just don't seem to produce as many runs as the home run. it doesn't have to represent a permanent change in approach by any means but I think it is time to consider doing a little more to try and score a few runs.

willis feels the same way we do. he is memorized. nothing to do!

I know - i agree - just an opinion. I'm also pretty sure that most of us have our own idea as to what a leader should be. There does seem to be some agreement here that he shouldn't have run his mouth.

I'll bet that going up and in isn't something that he is even used to doing. I'm still upset that a pitcher as valuable as he has been is unavailable because he was trying to protect somebody who didn't want the protection.

They can play the game of "keep this in the clubhouse" all they want and actually I hope they do but it doesn't take a genious to figure out that there are issues here and they need leadership. A team made up of almost entirely young, talented, good kids who need to be led. Pedroia has been a leader on the field but has he really ever been a leader in the clubhouse.? I don't think so. i still think that he will be a productive player but in terms of leading the way - not so much. I know that there are people here who think that having the talent is enough - it isn't.

There were quite a few of us who truly felt that losing that big bat in the middle of the lineup would have a big impact on this year's team. i have seen the home run totals repeated over and over for everyone as well as the refrain "this team will, this team will hit". We shall see. The acquisition of Sale is huge for sure but not replacing the big bat is going to have some impact as well. At this point in time, it looks like a big impact.

I would be willing to bet that there is more to this story. That's why I have suggested that there very well could be a leadership issue here. For all of the people who really hate the idea of signing veterans, if you sign the right ones, they can be extremely valuable. You have to have talent but it takes a lot more than just talent to win over the long haul. Who are the leaders on this team that everyone wants to follow? Championship teams need leaders.

and that is the way it's done

no one is ever going to question how hard he works on the field. i expected more from him. Disappointing.

and a damn good one too

I honestly think that Barnes was trying to do what someone else asked him to do. He is still just a kid. His execution was obviously pathetic. i don't think he was trying to hit Machado in the head. I'll give him some credit for not being simply stupid. I think that it is about leadership here. Has to come from somewhere. Pedroia's on field play sets examples - good ones but they need more than that. Where is the real leadership coming from? Where is it going to come from? Without something that resembles good solid leadership - guess what - you lose.

They must have some big tough guys somewhere.

We can still turn this whole situation into a positive.

We will be able to sign him soon enough when he is a free agent. His villain status will change to tough guy misunderstood status immediately. lol

Those goddam sneaky snarky (what ever that means) ******** Red Sox. They should all get suspended for 10 games. Except for Pedroia. Wow

i don't think that anyone is knocking them here Bell. God bless them.

Why would anybody call JBJ a fat slob? i think that we need Pablo to come back if he is just actually able to get a few errorless games in to build up some confidence . It might be kind of sad but I still think he presents the best 3b option for now. I don't think that he is ever going to be called skinny though.

Good thought went into this. This is pretty much why my heroes were not nor will they ever be professional athletes unless what they do outside of the game merits some form of thank you. It is also why I really have no desire to listen to a hollywood actor voice their opinion about things that matter in the real world. Nice post.

same

10 game suspension for you! encouraging bad behavior

No one I hope would ever argue with you about the toughness (whatever that might mean to you) of those who endure and have endured combat. I truly think that the issue becomes one of what your definition of toughness is. To me a single parent working and raising children getting up in the morning and going to work and just getting through another day represents something a helluva lot tougher to deal with than the majority of pampered paid professional athletes. talent alone absolutely does not make it. It doesn't make it anywhere in any line of work. if you are not mentally tough enough to overcome the adversity that life throws at us all, you ain't making it. Toughness really has very little to do with being big and strong. Winners - real winners - come in all shapes and sizes but one thing they all have in common is that they are tough. If to you that means fighting tough or the ability to physically move small buildings - ok then. It isn't even close to meeting my definition of tough. Professional athletes better have some sort of toughness because without it they are just like the rest of us wannabes.

Oh come on now. You are being a little too harsh. The Red Sox know that they aren't big enough to defend themselves against the other bullies. Group hugs will solve all of their problems. Maybe they could hire a mediator to solve all on field issues. It is a changing world. Any of this old school garbage needs to take a back seat.

I'm all in. if a bat slips out of a batter's hands and goes into the dugout, what is the punishment going to be? If a throw gets away from a ss and someone gets hit and hurt, what is the punishment going to be? Were these types of "accidents" accidental or intended? While we are at it, blatant cheating should be punished as well. If a player traps a ball, he should freely admit it. I'll be watching Pedroia very closely when he returns. When he turns the next double play and goes low on the throw in attempt to defend himself, he needs to be punished. He was intentionally trying to hit a defenseless base runner. Time to clean this foolish game up. While we are at it, maybe we should take a look at professional football as well. A law is broken on every play but those gladiators get away with it. I know what you are thinking - football players are tough. Baseball players should not have to in situations where they might get hurt needlessly. We can do more to protect them!