cp176

If he was instructed by ownership to make those moves, I am glad that we have a new GM. I would feel better about him if the decisions were his even though they were bad ones.

ok - here is how I see your logic here. The two moves that we seem to be talking about are the signings of Sandoval last year and Price this year. Since the Red Sox are flush with cash, in your estimation they needed a third baseman last year and they signed the best available in Sandoval. Since they are once again this year flush with cash, they realized that starting pitching was a priority, thus they signed the best available in Price. You see virtually no difference in these two signings, because you feel that both were keeping in line with the team's philosophy at the moment. Those of us who see a difference between these two moves, are allowing our feelings about whether or not we liked either signing to cloud the fact that they represent the same thing in keeping in line with orders from the top? If that is your case, it is much to narrow a focus for me. If it supports your feeling good about Ben Cherington's tenure in Boston, that is fine. The move to sign Sandoval would have made some sense at the time if they had gone out and gotten a real top of the rotation guy as well. They chose not to. Bad move at the time and extremely bad in hindsight. The way you see things - not much difference in the 2 moves. The way I see things - a huge difference particularly considering what they did not do. If that is my bias getting in the way of the facts as you see them, I am very biased.

I understand what you are saying here and I always applaud loyalty. This really has very little to do with the General Managers. We did need a third baseman last year and Ben sure as hell helped to get us one. We needed a top of the rotation pitcher more. Ben's attempt to fill the greatest need that any number of teams face was to sign Porcello, Miley, and Masterson. I like the Price signing more. Although I really do value loyalty, your back door attempt to find a way to praise Ben seems silly to me . It is done. I hope Ben's attempt to solve our third base conundrum works out well for us. Remember now how many times we all thought that another deal had to get done. When Buchholz broke out the t shirts I guess I figured it was a lost cause. It might even have been when Kelly told us that he would win the Cy Young. Oh well - maybe this year.

that is different - obviously he is still the real deal - based on the number of errors he committed last year, it wasn't a stretch to think that he still has some work to do. that is the first time that i have seen anything written about his footwork though .

A couple of things. All things being equal - I did not like facing tall pitchers. They gave the impression (illusionary as it might seem) that they were a helluva lot closer to me than the shorter guys. My teammates tended to feel the same way. Athletes tend to be bigger and probably stronger today. Whether or not they are better is certainly debatable. There seem to be ample supplies of compiled statistics so as to make it possible for people to prove a point that might not even be valid.

I think you might be on to me - I'll admit it. I was trying to give the bear a little poke but he is so deep in hibernation that he isn't bothering with the likes of me. I could have said what I always told my very best point guards just to piss them off. Little people help big people win games. With respect to you personally trying to prove or disprove anything, I'm not sure that I would bet against you. I might not agree with you but that is a different story.

Doesn't surprise me- off day here - just muddling along. Speaking on my behalf though, I'm usually quicker than that.

Fastball velocity leaders of all time possibly - 1. Ryan - 6'2" 2. Chapman - 6'4" 3. Johnson - 6'10" 4. Clemens - 6'4" 5. Zumaya - 6'3' Proves absolutely nothing unless someone wants to make the point that big guys throw harder than little guys. If you have a point to prove, someone can find some kind of stat to back it up.

The wording can certainly make any two signings look similar I think you could say. If there are two positional needs on any team, and both needs get filled, I guess you are right. Exactly the same. I don't think like that. I would find it bizarre if someone truly believed that there was much similarity between a Price and a Sandoval (etc.) signing. The Red Sox in my opinion have needed a top of the rotation pitcher for sometime. They could use the girl or boy who sits on the stool down the left field line to play third base and given the opportunity to sign Price I still would have favored the deal. We just don't agree I guess. You find me old and traditional. I'm not nor are my views. I like the lens I'm looking through.

Hindsight

that is a pretty narrow way of looking at things i think - Possibly depends on where you place your value I guess. I see how the wording you choose might conjure some similarities between the two deals. I see no actual comparison between the two deals. Substitute the third baseman of your choice, I would always take one of the best pitchers in the game. Hinsdale absolutely aside. Zero comparison.

My opinion - There is an incredible difference between the two signings.

Well - I have to mention this because I did see the great Hank Aaron play. Because of the records that he broke and set, he should be mentioned among the greats. He was one of the greats. Now that being said, the greatest hitter that I ever saw play was the one and only Ted. But, in addition, to date, the greatest player I ever saw play the game was Willie Mays. It really wasn't even close. Griffey, Bonds, etc. etc. etc. - Willie Mays.

Richard M. Nixon = a very tragic story.

second thought - Personally I would actually feel better if he was going to third and Shaw became our first baseman.. Sam Travis may also soon be ready and he might be the one who winds up at first for a long time. Not happening though.

I have no hate for him. I really do hope he will get it done. It would be good for us and better for him if he can. Just a little nervous here. That's my personal makeup. I'm pretty sure that he has the physical ability to do the job.

I had a hunch that was where we were going.

seems a tad risky but kind of looks like we might be stuck with him

No question about that one - my statement was very generalized. If a pitcher has the nuts to come on in high and tight and he can throw it, I don't think that it makes any difference how tall he is.

LoL but it is scary - the back of the head - the top of the head- the side of the head

He was Christmas shopping - people were going up to him asking for autographs and pictures. He didn't like it and obviously let people know how he felt. We don't need to like him for that but I'm just guessing that we should respect his privacy and his right to do what all of us have a right to do. Some people would actually felt it discourteous to bug him. That I realize is an old and traditional way of looking at things.

Given the choice between facing a 5'11" or 6'5" pitcher - both throwing at the same speed, standing in that batter's box, I always felt more comfortable with the smaller guy. A tall pitcher can give the impression of literally standing in there right along with you. I think that there is a mental component that can give the taller pitcher the edge here. I know I know "old school traditionalist" way of looking at things. Guilty as charged.

It is reasonable to assume that Ramirez has the ability to play a serviceable first base at least for a little while. Two things worry me about him even though I have no "quantifiable statistical evidence" to back it up - can he stay healthy - is he willing to put in the time that it will take to be able to get it done. After reading Napoli's careful detail of how hard he had to work to make the transition to first base, we are going to find out soon how badly Hanley wants it. No matter how many ground balls he has fielded, the nuances of the position won't be easy for him to master. Hope he can do it.

The corners - What we hear so far is that the big boy has been doing 2 a days getting ready for the spring. We have heard that Napoli has given Ramirez some really good advise. Whether he puts the time in to make himself an adequate first baseman or not, guess we just wait and see and hope for the best. I'm glad we have something that resembles good backups if either or both of these guys can't get it done.

I also am very much up in the air over this one. It might be a good thing that HOF voters still have the perogative to vote for whoever they want to no matter how ridiculous some of the votes and non-votes look. This name will keep me questioning for a long time - Raphael Palmeiro.