Soupy1957

Is it just "me" or does it make sense that if you have quality coaching, you can avoid chronic "DL" overload in any given season?! I'm glad they got rid of Valentine finally, but they should have done THAT a LONG time ago! In the interview with Management, they said they look forward to a better year next year. Makes sense, don't it?! You CAN'T go anywhere but up, when you're on the bottom! -Soupy1957

Keeping Runs from accumulating is not just a "Pitching" job. It takes a "Village" ( as one Preident's wife has said). That said, I sure hate to see the Bullpen fall back into it's old inept ways of yesteryear! "It's the economy, stupid" I hear myself saying. True enough........it IS about the "money" and times ARE tough. The Yankees have proven it to everyone, year after year. If you have the money AND you Manage it well, you CAN make it to the "winner's circle" time after time. It was "the money" that drove the Bambino there, and it is "money" that will make or break the Bosox, regardless. If you can buy the best, you GET the best. That 's not to say that we haven't seen some phenomenal "ball playing" from our guys of course. I'll give credit where credit is due. -Soupy1957

Being so late in the season, with nothing to lose, why not start a revolving door with Pawtucket, and give as many of the farm team players as much exposure as possible to the "big leagues.". Maybe THAT way they'd be better prepped for NEXT season! -Soupy1957

I've yet to be convinced that Franconia WAS in fact "fired." Based on what "I" had heard, he made his own choice to leave. Whether Terry would have been able to make a positive contribution to the ball club in 2012 was what was in question. That's dependant on the players (IMHO). -Soupy1957

I'm not convinced that Valentine's the driving force behind the issues, but I sure do think he plays a part in the mix. Whatever it is that slowed the club down to the crawl they've been doing for the last couple of months however, I hope they figure it out and get it fixed for "next year!" Not that many years ago, it seemed it was simply that Management didn't want to spend the money for a decent Pitching staff. These days it seems like they have been careless with the revenue that a couple of winning years afforded them. It's been encouraging to see a good bunch of talent coming out of Pawtucket, only to burn out fairly quickly. Seems like a coaching issue to me. Perhaps expecting too much too soon from the rookies? Let's take a step back for a second, shall we? I seem to remember a Rather crappy number of years for the Mets,eh?! Then what happens? Valentine taps the Pitching coach for the Mets on the shoulder to come to Boston. What's wrong with THAT picture?! Twenty-five years of crappy pitching in NY, and Bobby brings that guy to OUR team? Ah well.......such are the musings of yet another loyal, yet wounded fan. Meanwhile, Pedroia works his tail off to try and keep the Sox Out of last place. Dustin: I hope you demand a higher salary for that "C" that you should be wearing on your jersey! You sure in heck DESERVE it!! -Soupy1957