dannycater

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.

Bradley could hit 200 the rest of his life, and I still would put him out there 162 games a year.

Wright had a 26-inning scoreless streak or something like that...Eovaldi starts off with 15...this team is torrid, hot, molten lava sizzling burn your hand in 2 seconds steaming hot!!!!! Go Sox!!!!! Moreland/Pearce an animal!!! Everyone goes on 10-day DL...and who cares!!! Up 8-1/2 ....Love this team, love the manager, love the approach and let's face it, Kimbrel might be Full-Back Don Stanton but sure as hell isn't blowing games the way the Bullpen By Committee did that one fateful season.

19 hits, batting practice, 4 steals, what's not to like...Betts, JD, and Beni putting on a binge hit show only to be upstaged by Pearce's 3 jacks...Go Sox!!!

Bandwagoning or not, I can't even try to criticize anything DD or Cora has done for this team.

Forgot one of the great arguments of the past, but I think it was...catcher's ERA. Go Tommy Harper!!! and El Tiante!

exactly. they won't lose anyone. It will be DL or something to get to Sept. 1. Or one less pitcher. I don't think you can have enough bench guys. Extra inning game is a good example. Pinch hitting is a lost art, but the Sox have opportunities to change things up during any game now.

Joe F, I'm not a Vasquez fan either. It's interesting that the pitching has been very good in his absence with all 3 big name SPs really pitching well. Leon has done a great job with the staff, and how bout that out stealing play where he had so little time to get runner with a big jump. He has sneaky fast release