illinoisredsox

The plate umpire’s been pretty bad. The rest were okay. Like I said earlier, the call on Duran was defensible by the 2nd base ump; it was that close. The replay guy is another story. All of a sudden, that strike 2 call on Hamilton is looking big.

It was a bad decision because baserunners are important when you are down 3. You have to be sure you’re going to make it, and that was anything but sure.

I don’t blame the 2nd base ump. I thought he was out watching it live and Duran got back only because he didn’t trim his fingernails today. The replay guy’s a different story.

The Toro play I didn’t mind. Ray is a tough guy to score on and it took 2 good throws to get him. The Gonzalez pick off, ,meh. All it meant was Duran got to lead off, where upon he made his boneheaded play.

Dumb play by Duran; you’re down by 3, even if it’s overturned.

I do. The dirt means nothing for a runner; you establish your own base path. Toro was running straight about 1 foot on the foul grass. He gets 3 feet either side of that when a play is being made. He was not (IMO) outside that 3 foot area. Sox pathetic D has made the question moot.

When’s the last time you saw anyone do one?

Those A's teams may not have liked each other, but they were united in their hatred of Charlie Finley.

If he continues to throw as he has this year, there will be no shitstorm.

WTH does that mean? For that matter, what the hell is a back up pitcher?

Roupp is really pulling the string on that curve ball today.

He’s been consistent; thats something. It’d be worse if called it sometimes and not others. Bello and Wong have to adjust.

I can see where Roupp can be tough the first time you see him. I’ll be interesting to see what adjustments they make the second time through.

I think Cora used tonight as a bit of a teaching moment for Dobbins. You’re a starter; you aren’t always going to have your A game and you have to learn to get out of some messes early in games.

If Duran doesn’t go here, he’s injured. He’s not even looking like he wants to run.

This

Well, it’s his second year, but I get the flavor of what you’re saying. Breslow may have some job security however. He was what, the 11th or 12th person they contacted and the first 10 wouldn't even interview. Nothing has changed from that environment; no one with a track record wants this job right now.

This may be your worst post yet. I’ll start with Wong, who is now reduced to backup catcher status and is playing about once a week. Is there another catcher in the organization who you’d rather see in that position? It’s a serious question, because while Wong was passable last year, that player hasn’t shown up this year. As for Sabol, he hasn’t been on the 26 man roster since May 2nd (when Wong came off the DL) and was DFA’d and outrighted to Worcester the first few days of June. He’s currently taking up no space on any part of the major league roster. What these catchers have to do with Campbell’s status (or that of any other non-catcher position player) escapes me but whatever. I’m not addressing any other of the players mentioned because you are so biased towards Campbell and against anyone else that it would be fruitless. If Mickey Mantle and Mike Trout can be sent down after their first major league experiences, so can Kristian Campbell. If he’s at all the player you think he is, he’ll be back up later this year and have a good career.

Unfortunately, the Sox moved him along way too quickly.. One year of major college ball and 130-140 games of minor league ball did not prepare him for the majors; indeed it would be extremely rare for any player to be ready that quickly. For probably the first time in his life, he failed on the baseball field. Now he has to be mentally tough enough to play through it and get it back. i also hope the Sox put him at one position at Worcester and leave him there. He doesn’t need the added stress of playing multiple spots. i can’t remember if I posted it in a game thread or just thought it, but when he struck out the last time up yesterday, he looked totally defeated. He had a blank look on his face as he returned to the dugout.

Breslow most definitely figured out the politics of the organization. Deflect blame down and CYA. He and Kennedy are politicians. When was the last time either gave a straight answer to any question?

A very apt and accurate description.

He did what aces do. He didn’t have his best stuff but he figured out a way.

Campbell’s body language after that K was not good.

I answered that on page 1: “No. Crochet spiked a changeup and it hopped up about 5 feet. Bench or Pudge Rodriguez wouldn’t have stopped it.” Quote

All of which is true but not getting momentum into the throw had nothing to do with athleticism; it’s a fundamental that a true OF knows to do. I said he’s not the most athletically gifted guy on the field, but that’s a relative term. He’s a better athlete than some and nowhere near others. Compared to any of us, he’s world class.