Maxbialystock

Ortiz has spoiled us because he is close to the best DH ever. The Sox traded to get him and maybe should try that again although I prefer not to. Moonslav has it about right.

What slow start? The Sox are 1.5 games behind the Orioles, who got off to a fantastic start (won their first 7). The lineup, despite the presence of whoever you don't like, is scoring runs better than all other AL lineups. The rotation stinks so far, but even they have shown moments of promise. Price and Kimbrel, the two expensive acquisitions intended to right the pitching, have not been good, but their track records say they will be. There is lots to like about this team. Pretty good bullpen. Sandoval on the DL replaced by Shaw at 3B. Ortiz with a good start. Hanley Ramirez comfortable at 1B if not yet hitting. Bunch of midgets in the OF, but they can field and hit (assuming JBJ comes around). Pedroia a whole lot more like the Pedroia of old at the plate, if a little slower at 2B. Betts and Bogaerts at the top of the order, 1st and 3d, both 23, with bright futures. And good players down on the farm. What I like most about the lineup is that it is deep and going to get better. I also like that they still won in 12 after Kimbrel's blown save in the 9th on a 2 run dinger off a fast ball to Rasmus and won again last night on short sleep. I would be less than honest if I don't express concern over the rotation, which so far has been the worst in the AL if not MLB. But I also think at least four of them are capable of quality starts. Time will tell, but I am optimistic.

I think what Rose did was unforgivable, simple as that. It is and was the one golden rule simply because the Black Sox almost destroyed MLB. Rose not only bet on games, but then lied and lied and lied. He does not have a contrite bone in his body. Indeed, I think he believes he is bigger than baseball. Before the gambling story broke, I was a huge Rose fan because he was both a great hitter and a great leader (on the Reds and on the Phillies).

It's Red Sox related because, predictably, I had to go to bed at 11 and couldn't watch the whole Red Sox game--I wouldn't have minded if any other teams were playing. On top of which our team--the Boston Red Sox--are now screwed by missing sleep playing a night game after a night game. Again, I wouldn't care if last night's ESPN special game of the week on Sunday Night had been between two other teams.

They insist on starting Sunday night games at 8, which means us east coast viewers have to stay up late (or way late), but it also louses up the players who have to play the next day or night, which is especially burdensome because Monday is usually a travel day. Most often, if a team plays, travels, and plays again in a different ballpark the next day or night, they play a day game followed by a night game the next day. I also thought the coverage of the game was lousy.

I think that's exactly what Farrell was doing last night with Owens starting--preparing for a disaster. Remember, when he brought Barnes in, there was a man on first in the 4th inning, but the Sox were leading, 5-3. In general that is also what long relievers are for--contingencies. Right now the Sox like to keep Tazawa, Uehara, and Kimbrel on hand for the final three innings when the Sox are ahead or tied or maybe just 1 run down. The other four relievers are for both long relief and for spelling the "big three" because they can't pitch every game.

Defensively, Hanley is fine, but 1b should produce a good hitter. Last year and this year not so great at the plate.

Tazawa's forkball makes him a keeper.

I'm also new and can vouch for moonslav but not for myself, a Sox fan since 1949 (born at Fort Banks, now gone, in suburbs of Boston). 31 years in the Army, retired 23 years ago in Fairfax County, VA, only Sox fan among 6 siblings. Have never actually tried to produce a Broadway musical, but am a Mel Brooks fan. I think I am civil even when disagreeing.