circus catch

A couple of things about Hamilton that I don't think are here: - I heard on comcast NE one sunday morning that he has reamed out assistant coaches publicly three times this season. No other verification of that. - He's a very un-Red Soxian first pitch hitter. He is 57th of 78 regulars in pitches per at bat, just a shade better than Mike Aviles. When you think of how often they must pitch around him . . . - Next year would be his year 32 season. I think he's fine for a few seasons, but his chances of a serious injury go way up. And how will he deal emotionally with the downward trend in his career, and where does that leave him in regards to the wagon? He's already fallen off a couple of times recently. Watching a 35 year-old Josh Hamilton battling injuries and popping up on the first pitch for 25 mil. Shudder. I'll pass.

I think it has to be remembered that the long-term plan for 2012 included Dice-K and Lackey, and while we knew that neither would be available for this season, consistent league average starters just don't appear out of thin air. The Sox had Bard, Padilla, and Aceves all try out for the rotation. Clearly, Bard was not the correct choice, but that's a lot easier to say now. And having said all of that, I agree that the blame goes squarely on the front of the rotation. Doubront has been a pleasant surprise in the 4th spot, and lots of teams have questions in the 5 hole. But Lester, Buchholz, and especially Beckett all need to step up. Just because you were a big deal at one time doesn't mean that you can throw s*** and not get called on it.

The thing I'll miss most is saying Hey, Hey, Hey - Its MAAAAAtt Albers! But its not a nothing trade. Breslow is a better pitcher than Albers, this year and career wise. Albers' WAR this year is -0.2, and 1.6 for his career. Breslow is 0.4 and 2.7. And having a second lefty can be important, especially with teams like the Yankees, who we still have lots of games with.

Lifelong Sox fan. Went to Game 7 of the 75 World Series. Had tickets to the 78 playoff game but my Dad wouldn't take me because it was Rosh Hashanah. Broke my hand punching an Oregon wall instead of the guy standing behind me at that bar calling everyone from Boston a racist during game 1 of the 86 series. Got called back from a booth where I was chatting up a hot bartender on break during Game 6. Had to follow game 7 of the ALCS in 2003 from online after the MFY tied it, because I couldn't watch it anymore. 2004 was GLORIOUS! 2007 DIVINE! Raising my kids in Florida the right way, with extra innings, and EEI, and comcast sports NE. I'm on SOSH too but finding some of the elitism unsufferable. Tell me to play in the sandbox? Yeah, right. Looking forward to meeting everyone. I'm usually much calmer than that opening paragraph would appear.

Ten hitters have hit .370 or better since Ted - Musial, Carew, Galarraga, Gwynn twice, Larry Walker, Helton, Nomah, Bonds, Ichiro, and now possibly McCutchen. Carew tops the list at .388. That's real close. I would guess that someone like Ichiro, focused on putting the ball in play and using his speed, with maybe more patience, would have the best chance.

Agreed! Granted, Ted didn't play much against minorities, or modern bullpens, and probably not nearly as many night games, but guys have come reasonably close. The one I remember as closest was Brett, who was injured but still had enough at bats in August with I think a .390 average. And that wasn't a hitter's age either. The game will change and change, and circumstances will arise that will make it possible again.

I would think Andrus too, except the Rangers are coming off two straight World Series losses, the last one of Red Soxian proportions, and this season is no frickin joke for them. They might do something like that in the winter, but not now. I'm guessing Mike Olt had to be part of it. His name came up in lots of other trade rumors, as the alternative to Profar, who they won't deal.