5GoldGlovesOF,75

The Sox' brass just needs a candidate to threaten their wives' lives. That should help a guy get named CBO... never.

He said he was open to signing in Boston but it didn't work because JD decided not to opt-out for what -- the 20th time. I was always hoping against hope Martinez would leave; first, so they could keep Mookie (some media at the time noted they couldn't afford both); next, so they could keep Schwarber. And then, of course, Bogaerts did opt out, causing more infernal issues... Opt-outs suck. Glad they wised up and didn't give one to Devers.

No, but it would mean they were the best team at this time of year. Like all other sports, the hottest team in the tournament usually wins it. If you truly want the best teams to play in the World Series, then eliminate all league playoffs and just let the two clubs with the best overall records for six months fight it out in October... ... kinda like it was when only the pennant winners went to the Series for the first 60-something years in Major League history. Btw, not all posters are disciples of the crapshoot theory. I'll take my chances with the best group of star players in a short series. Baseball is the sum deeds of isolated individuals. Batters all by themselves, facing pitchers all by themselves, with fielders trying to catch a ball before it hits the ground, and baserunners trying to score without teammates setting picks or blocking for them... stuff like that.

When I was a young teacher it was hard for some folks to trust me because I was not a parent.

Imagine the Red Sox always thinking they could have a two-way player become a both a superstar pitcher and hitter. Trey Ball, Frankie Rodriguez, Casey Kelly -- a veritable trio of Joe Schmoetanis.

Charles Steinberg? LaRussa? El Guapo? Stories may note they took jobs elsewhere, but does the public ever really know what exit arrangements are made behind the scenes...

I was actually thinking the brass may pivot to AC if he isn't to too many potential candidates' liking.

We'll see if there's an influx of new interviews that need to wait until the World Series ends. If not, I still say AC is in play for a new title if the Sox go internal. Will November be "yet" yet?

Kinsler turned down an interview for family considerations. He doesn't love Pedroia like a brother.

The Mariners can't go because they traded their closer Paul Sewald to Arizona on the last day of July. His 2023 small sample size crapshooting postseason so far: 5 saves in 6 IP, 0.00 ERA. Dang, those were stats. Here's more supposition on calculatesox.com: my supposition is not at the head of the table, but at the end of the bar, just like my breakposition. My lunchposition is in the sunroom, where it's not quite quality when our pack of rescue dogs barks at the neighbors' mutts they spy through the picture windows.

Sam must be offended that so many MLB execs aren't "here to win championships."

That's where family considerations cause refusals to interview. Can't risk bringing home regionnaires disease.

Or divorce a spouse...

There's an opening for VP to the Assistant VP of VP Clubhouse Operations that matches locker nameplates with tackle-twill backs of uniform jerseys that just got back from the laundry room.

I don't have an intense desire to argue with other posters, and don't quite understand the beef of this one. Are stats really the end-all be-all of any discussion here, or are others with actual experiences allowed to participate on this board? Is qualitative data the enemy? Is it possible that many subjective realities can co-exist on a forum and contribute different perspectives to discussions?

You can keep citing numbers, if that's where you're most confident... but rationally there are other factors that can also be considered in context that aren't always quantifiable. I haven't even looked at the stats of the Dbacks or Sox pitching staffs, so I believe you that neither is very good. But conditions in the majority of ballparks they frequent are quite different. I'm not going to get too much into my past, but will admit playing on several professional diamonds with and against ex-pros or DI players all over New England and Arizona for years. Dimensions of fences in the latter are much deeper because the ball travels further; in places like Tempe Diablo and Scottsdale it's 360 feet down the line. The ball travels faster, too, because the dirt is like red gravel and the natural "grass" is baked into crunchy turf... both also offer rug burn raspberries for those inclined to slide or dive. You may be aware that Phoenix set a national record as the hottest city last July, with average highs of 114.7 degrees. You probably also know from following the Red Sox that it rained for basically four straight months in New England. Extreme weather causes extreme conditions.

If Romero gets one spot, I predict Cora gets the other; I'm still unsure of whether AC also manages or ups one of his own.

I said from the beginning they know, and the extensive intensive (to some here, pensive) interview process is just for show.

He was in charge when a trio of prospects were developed by his people to make solid contributions to the big league team. He acquired another trio of bargains who were really good for one season or stretch drive: a reliever, a power hitter, and a starting pitcher... ... the problem is that he only signed one longterm, Whitlock, and let Schwarber and Wacha walk away. This was very uncharacteristic of any Red Sox team during modern times -- to find an obvious fits to the puzzle, then leave them out and try to frame the picture with holes in it. And the worst thing he'll always be remembered for isn't three last place losers; it's Mookie Betts. It ultimately doesn't matter if it's the owner's fault or the player's fault -- it happened on Chaim Bloom's watch.

Ever try sifting rapid-fire through bargain bins? Those plastic lid handles have to click shut, lest moths sneak in and chew holes in the fabrics.

Baaaaaah -- four years living in Boston, running the Red Sox! What youngish baseball-lifer-wannabe can turn that down. They need to stop recruiting Ivy League elitists and scour the community colleges instead. There are plenty of capables who would jump at the chance -- and probably never lose the energy or the buzz for the job.

I actually didn't research this, but lived it. Hodges basically started three Gold Glovers at C-SS-CF every game -- Pitching and DEFENSE, Rot Sox -- and a .340 batter in LF.

Can't believe how many baseball execs have families! ... really, it's only been a few decades since Theo was the youngest GM ever. Before Epstein, the Old Boy Network of Empty Nesters ruled the majors for too long.

No more damn rescues! Bloom is history. Bring in some purebreds -- and not from a puppy mill!

Earl Weaver didn't invent platooning, but he did have team employees go through box scores and scorebooks to break down all his batters' splits vs. RHP/LHP to help make line-up decisions. Presumably, he did the same with his pitchers vs. right/lefty hitters. Of course, it could be said Earl learned a huge lesson getting upset in the '69 Series by Gil Hodges and the Miracle Mets, who platooned over half their batting order in every game.