Sandlot

Just saw the unfortunate misspelling. Edited. I do that often, usually bastardizing someone's name... Sorry Andrew. Just keep hitting!

Regarding a few postings by Spud and others about Sox outfield concerns, I wanted to share a comment about who I think is a key outfield prospect. As the # 1 pick (7th in first round) Andrew Benintendi is a name you’ve all heard but may not have followed. I like so many things about this 20 year old, lefty/lefty, has speed and really brings the lumber. His sophomore season he won the college player of the year at U of Arkansas. This is SEC baseball and if you dominate there at such a young age it’s likely you have the necessary tools. While prospects are prospects, I am excited about this player and looking forward to him starting in A ball with a move to AA by year’s end. I think Andrew may be a PLAYER!

I agree Spudboy, I feel the same way about State and Municipal governments promoting lottery systems designed to steal from the folks that can least afford it. Regarding MLB, rule 21 is specifically for MLB employees and on field participants so the general public can do what they want in Vegas or in Fantasy but your discomfort with the alignment between MLB and Draft Kings et al is understandable.

I don’t see how anyone can defend Pete Rose with regard to his banishment from baseball. It’s simple. After the 1919 World Series, baseball was proven to be corrupt and instantly risked illegitimacy only to become viewed as a sporting exhibition much like Harlem globetrotters and professional wrestling are today. The commissioner acted quickly and implemented MLB rule 21. This rule effectively states any player, umpire, or club, league official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform shall be declared permanently ineligible. Anyone connected directly to MLB at any level see’s this rule posted in the clubhouse in every ballpark and office. This includes lowest level of minor league play. No player, umpire, manager or coach can claim ignorance of this rule. Each player, manager, umpire etc… must acknowledge their understanding of this rule and agreement to this policy in writing every year. The bottom line is Pete Rose knew the rule and willingly chose to break it. John Dowd’s report proved beyond any possible doubt that Pete Rose bet on MLB baseball games. MLB can’t risk another black sox scandal and if they don’t uphold this position, is anyone ever responsible for their actions? Ever? I ask Kimmi and others to take the counter on this argument. Love the hear it but let’s not just counter with “Rose is an old man and has 4000 hits so just let’s give him a pass on this”

Understood and encouraged. No golf courses or ball parks open around here today so sitting in one now watching college basketball and a nice snow fall.

Hi all, just introducing myself and apologize in advance for the length of this post, (to quote Mark Twain, I didn’t have time to write a short one). I’m in my 50’s and live in Connecticut and enjoy the Red Sox. The best description of my particular case of dementia is to say - I’m simply a baseball fan. I attend games at different levels including MLB, Minor League, College, American Legion and Little League. I travel for business purposes and prefer visiting ball parks and golf courses to bar rooms. More turn-on’s include statistics, athleticism, effort, attitude, spring training, playoff races and World Series drama.. Turn-off’s include “instant” replay, 7th inning sing a long’s, mascots, folks that complain about balls and strikes from the upper deck and, most abhorrent of all, judgmental hypocrites. The TalkSox site seems like an enthusiastic mix of old and young fans offering different perspectives. I like that and look forward to the 2016 season!