Soxbadger

That has been my whole point. I hate Ozzie's bullpen management. Ive just been constantly trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but tonight just showed he has 0 plan.

I have a right to my opinion, if you arent going to post on a message board and give your opinion, you have no worth on a message board (imo). Id rather read people who are completely wrong, but at least think for themselves, than people who just repeat what the manager says or what players say in interviews. As for a players mental state, Im not sure where I actually even mentioned that. I merely stated that if I (key word I) was running the Sox, I would have saved Santos for the 9th and used match ups in the 8th (or more than likely just told Sale to strike out Jones). Not sure where you are going here, itd be one thing if I constantly harped on the Sox or Ozzie, but this is one of the few times that I have ever been this outspokenly negative.

Because he entirely miss used this pen from the start, and sent it in a tail spin. He consistently puts players in positions to fail instead of making their lives easier. When you watch other managers use a pen its just night and day, and im tired of giving Ozzie a pass because he brings other qualities that got the Sox a WS in 2005. Hes really going to have to do something to change my mind at this point, because Ive given him a pass forever.

Yeah Ozzie has done a great job handling this pen, I really want him in charge of what I consider to be a potentially devastating closer. (Note sarcasm) And if he knew so much, why did Ozzie let so many others fail before him? Seems to not make a lot of sense. Kind of like Ozzie has no idea what hes doing and is just randomly hoping for the best... (edit) And were on a message board, I obviously have less personal knowledge than any person who even works with the Sox. That doesnt mean I cant second guess them, thats why we have the internet.

I dont think ozzie has any plan and hes completely flying by the seat of his pants, hoping for anything to work right now. For the first time ever I just really am done with him (and this was before tonights game), if the Sox need a shake up, its not Walker its Ozzie.

I love the Sox talent. I just really am worried about the damn person in charge of that talent.

Right. Youre not worried that Ozzie ahsnt realized that Santos is the closer? Thats the main thing im really concerned about.

My beef is bringing in Santos in the 8th if he will close in the 9th. How is that hard to understand? (To make this extremely clear) I want Santos to be the closer, thus I want him to be treated like a closer and come in the 9th. I wanted his first attempt at closing to be an easy save so he didnt get screwed in the head about it. Its pretty damn simple, I love Santos he should be the closer. I was extremely worried Ozzie would use Thonrton so in the game thread I was prepping myself for it once Santos came in

I dont care I was wrong, it worked out. Ill gladly be wrong every game thread for the rest of my life if the Sox win.

Points up, that is what im worried about. Santos earned being the closer, quit f***ing around with it. Sale, Thornton had their shot.

I was talking about Santos succeeding, go back and read the context. I wanted SANTOS TO SUCCEED thus I wanted him to have a 3 OUT NINTH. Jesus is that so hard to understand.

No but Im not sure how people can just say Santos first save being a 4 out save in Yankee stadium was an amazing decision. If Santos is your closer you bring him in the 9th, and use match ups in the 8th. The 4 out save worked today, but that is not a strategy I want to see the rest of the season. Next thing its 5 outs then its 6, you just arent going to get away with that forever. Use match ups in the 7th and 8th, closer in the 9th. Im really not sure why what im saying is so groundbreaking, most teams always do this.

Argue what you want, youll just never convince me that leaving Sale against Jones or having Chavez against a lefty with Santos pitching the 9th wasnt a better decision. Santos did the job, but if that game was such a major game, Ozzie put it on the back of some one who has never done that before.

Where have I advocated Matt Thonrton? All Ive asked is, What is his role if he cant even get you 1 out anymore? Im basically saying we should trade him today while we can maybe convince some one hes worth something. Otherwise, what is the point of having him? Why do you keep thinking I support Thornton, Im just wondering what the hell the Sox are doing with this pen.

But it wasnt game 7 of the World Series, it was the first game of a series in NY, with a pitcher who I hope can be with the Sox for a really long time. If Santos is going to blow his first save, its going to be 3 outs. No convincing me otherwise, unless it was a real elimination game, or maybe even a game in September.

Its revisionist history to say how many pitches he had to use in the 8th. If he goes out and has to throw 15 to Chavez, then what? What if he throws 30 to get out of the inning? Now we are up 1-0, is Thornton now our closer again? We have a ton of pitchers on the damn roster, if they cant get me an out against a righty or lefty, than they are not on my team. Its 1 out with no one on base. If you cant deliver that, Ill find some one else.

I dont care what happens to Thornton, but putting Santos in to close his first game in Yankee stadium is a pretty big deal no matter what. You then add on top of that he has to get 4 outs, and face Cano, Teix and Arod. He did the job because hes a stud, but Ozzie did him no favors. He bailed Ozzie out and thats what star players do, but I dont agree that Ozzie made the right call. There is a difference. (Edit) Yes pulling Sale for Jones is what lead to my anger and using Santos not Crain, if Santos is the closer.

Its not about Santos closing. Its about Santos pitching in the 8th. I would have been fine with Santos coming in during the 9th to try and nail it down.

If Sergio had saved a few games Id be entirely in agreement. But Im pretty sure Sergio had never saved a game in his entire career, including minors. I really think he could be a great player, I would have hated to see him fail tonight because of this nonsense. Its just protecting a guy I hope to become a large part of the Sox.

Sox are starting to find a knack for getting guys who had huge expectations when they were young, failed and then turn it around.

Some times its easier to get mad about a win than a loss. You cant always let results trick you. (Edit) Can anyone even name a time that Ive been called negative? Im one of the most positive posters, but it just was risky as hell.

BUt why did we need our #1 reliever against Chavez? Why did we not have Crain and Thornton in the pen, so that if he puts in Jones, we put in a righty, if he takes out Jones, we put in a lefty? If Chavez is so bad, why did we waste Sergio on him? Id rather face Jones with a righty or Chavez with a lefty. Isnt that why Ozzie brought all these damn relievers, so that we can actually outmanage the other team?

The reason he didnt go for it is 9/10 the pitcher just gets in the way of the fielders.

Jones v. Sale or when Jones gets pinch hit, bring in crain, then he brings in Chavez, bring in Thornton for 1 batter, bring in Santos to close. I mean there are a million ways to get 1 out.

I guess I just dont see what the long term plan here is. Is Thornton now useless? I dont know, we had a guy go 7 innings and needed our closer to get 4 outs. Thats a problem.