dannycater

The bullpen is mostly fine, Kimbrel on the back end is an issue.

3.1 innings of 5-hit, 1 run ball...yes, the bullpen sucks???

Passed him by..mooon

I didn't mean to begrudge the idolization of Teddy. I don't recall the Senators being a great hitting team, but you're right about guys like Frank Howard, Mike Epstein and Ken McMullen, all had good power numbers and Howard 48 HR, 111 RBI. They did win 86 games and TW was Manager of the Year. After that, not so much, but Ted's batting eyes and knowledge of hitting was tremendous. Ted might have been a terrific overall batting coach for many seasons if that's what he chose to do. The overall is he managed a few epic bad teams after that '69 season. Greatest hitter of all time, though.

the Jackson home run was pretty much as fast a ball to leave a park as anything from Stanton and others. absolutely one of the most crushed balls ever, and certainly made it memorable that it occured on the grand stage in an All-Star Game. Mr. October was a winner.

Ian Kinsler lasted all of a few games before putting Sox back into a Nunez/Holt deal, which frankly never bothered me overall.However, Kinsler's great plays in that one inning shows you how much he truly replaces Pedroia as a defender. Holt I think has played very well when he's been at 2b. Kinsler i hope won't be a day to day guy, nagging injuries.

Gold Glove awardless...sad.

DLew (who is now DFat as in huge if you saw the Alumni game) was a great outfielder, but not the arm of JBJR. Lewis got great jumps on balls. Paul Blair was fantastic and so was Garry Maddox and so was to an extent Ellis Valentine, who had one of the great arms ever. Evans read balls very well and was outstanding in range/arm. However, game in and game out, JBJR is making plays that are simply beyond ESPN highlight reel. He has robbed so many extra base hits, they need to make up a category for that in those "metrics." His speed and knowledge of his craft put him like JD Martinez has been in terms of how he has turned hitting for power into a science (no not Ted Williams science...a real f***ing science!...I always laugh because Teddy Ballgame was Teddy Ballgame, he couldn't transfer his ability to hit for average/power to others. I liked his book but the reality is his vision/strength was off the charts fantastic). Back to JBJR. I have a pretty good recollection of watching many great outfielders, this isn't about today's guys v. yesterday's guys. This is absolute ridiculously greatness as a defender. Ellsbury used to make these great diving catches and I used to think wow he had some range, and then I watch JBJR and think, Ellsbury had no idea how to really field his position. JBJR is the master of anticipation and break. His instincts are just better than everyone.

Maddox is on my top 5 too

I saw Yaz for years, Lynn, I watched many highlights on Mays, Clemente (who is right up there). What JBJR does few can. He catches virtually anything even remotely near him. He makes so many catches standing up that a lot of today's over-rated guys have to dive for. I'm not off base. Best. Ever. JBJR

Julien and Farrell in their own ways had some similarities in how their communication with players slowly eroded. Both had world titles to their names. Both deserve appreciation for that. I'll take Cassidy and Cora though and enjoy the new times.

Rookie status? Jesus, tells you how little I've chatted in a Sox chat room. But I do chat a lot on Bruins board, more to bitch about there, although great year this past season. Similar themes. Cassidy changed the B's Julien system and Cora changed the Sox moneyball system. Both have made their respective teams not only explosive offensively but fun to watch. Entertainment wise, I don't know if you include the Pats (and even the Celtics), this 17-18 has been one of the best periods of time in Boston sports history in terms of entertaining and competitiveness. Even last year's Sox team was fun to watch.

Judge out hurts Yanks for sure, but I think if Sox can complete the sweep tonight, it would really put some pressure on the clubhouse and the NY Post/NY media brigade would start throwing out all kinds of things for disruption...Washington clubhouse stories are an all-time fiasco, true or false. Bottom line, Sox have gone through that a lot over the years and it's truly satisfying to see the hard Boston media simply realizing this '18 team is beyond fantastic. They will only come in for the kill if Sox don't perform in postseason (which is their job if that happens). I am enjoying this team, enjoying the winning, enjoying the camaraderie. Cora is so much better clubhouse guy than Farrell, who will always have the '13 title but had a lot of shortcomings that didn't help team overall since that glorious year. Of course, I'm of the opinion Francona never had to leave and was scapegoated when it happened. Cora is terrific, and frankly so is Dombroski. who has done a lot of the little things to keep the Sox depth in order.

JBJR is to me the greatest defensive outfielder I've ever seen. Ever.

Oakland, Seattle breathing down Yankees necks.

for what it's worth, I know every lineup from 1975, and no lineup from 2015

Love you slash...always, always love your avatars

a700, good job on Stanhouse recall

There is a story about 10 top catches in Bradley's career as analyzed by JBJR...jesus h. jiminy, he is the guru of teaching outfielders. He totally has inate ability to describe every part of his catches. It's sick outstanding, and like JD analyzing hitting. Love JBJR. And I wanted him waived way back...I'm an idiot.

LOL, so true, I f***ed up his name...good correction.

Completely agree...love Leon. Love him at the plate too. You know, he battles pitchers, he's not 3 pitches and out.

If you can't sit back and relax watching the 2018 Sox, then I have vodka for everyone.

Dan the Curly Man would always rip Pedro or rip whomever no matter how good the Sox would be playing....there was always something to bitch about or complain about. The worst thing that happened in Sox dugout this season? I really don't even know if there was anything that caused a stir unless it was Hanley's release.

I really believe the Sox would have lost today's game in other years...I'm positive of that just because it would always fuel the fire of media/and obsessive fans who are always thinking the worst.

Leon is so much better than Vasquez, and I hope Sandy keeps the majority of the innings behind the plate...again, he can hit 200, and I don't really care, just hit a big hit or HR every once and a while...which he does.