Rex Hudler

Hardin blew away Ortiz.........

Justice is a dips***. Didn't I basically say that earlier? How interesting that Oakland tried to sac bunt, another thing Billy Beane calls stupid. And with a guy that doesn't have a sac all season. I bet Beane is breaking something right now. Maybe his pager Think Beane is actually watching the game?? Playoffs might be the exception??

Not sure Byrnes went on that strike 3

Justice is a dips***. Didn't I basically say that earlier? How interesting that Oakland tried to sac bunt, another thing Billy Beane calls stupid.

The same reason the Twins-Yanks were off today. It's the bulls*** NBA method of stretching out series longer than necessary so they can get all the games on TV. No reason other TV, which is crap. Think about it... The Twins got a great game from their bullpen Tuesday necessitated by the injury to Santana. Yet, because of TV, they now get an extra day to rest that bullpen. How fair is that to the other team?? I know no one has much pity for the Yankees, but it is the point. Those extra, non-necessary days off can change the complexion of a series, which I have a major problem with.

Him and Jeff Brantley annoy the hell out of me. Damon steals second (Great call). Of course if you are Billy Beane, he says it was a stupid call. Damon stealing the base takes the bat out of Nomar's hands and puts a lesser hitter at the plate. I don't necessarily agree, but that would a textbook case for Billy's argument against the SB.

Probably because they are in extras and he didn't throw many pitches in his second inning. That certainly is not the case now in this inning.

I know Foulke isn't real popular around here, but there is nothing in baseball prettier than a perfectly thrown changeup where the batter is completely fooled, thinking it was a fastball..... A perfectly executed hit and run is a close second.

Those were some damned close pitches to Damon, but I do think they were outside. Barely lol Speaking of irritations..... does anybody like the "strike zone" graphics they have been using? Where they are trying to show where the ball was in or out of the zone? Those things are so freakin inaccurate that it is stupid. The overhead camera showing the ball crossing the plate is a crock of s*** too. That angle distorts the view worse than the angles we had before.

Bmr, there have been a lot of close pitches in the last few innings. I thought Embree's first pitch to Durazo was a strike, which could have changed that at bat and we may not even be playing at this point. I have umpired many games over the years and sometimes you just get those games (or even parts of games) where it seems like every pitch is borderline. It ain't easy and if you are trying to do it at 4-hour mark, I am sure he has missed a pitch here or there, with so many close ones.

His voice by itself irritates me, let alone I don't care for his analysis.

That is a great call on the interference by Long!

His bender has had some serious bite the last two nights as well....

Is it me or does David Ortiz = Mo Vaughn Lite? Am I the only one that sees this in his Red Sox uni? And does David Justice as an announcer annoy anyone else besides me??

I don't disagree with the premise of the point you were trying to make at all. I just think the tone of the way the Sox play was set 3-4 years ago and without personnel, it is not like Manuel could have just walked into the locker room and say "Hey guys, I think we need to change how we play today". Could subtle changes have been made in the off-season? Sure But without changing personnel, I don't think expecting the 2003 Sox to play small ball was realistic. If anything, a change in philosophy could have come from the change in hitting coach. He is realistically more responsible for talking to the hitters about their approach at the plate than the manager.

Damn I'd like any of those guys. They were the kind of players this team needs and I think they would be able to come in and immediately get the players respect. FWIW and that may be nothing, but I have heard from multiple directions that George Brett is an all-out asshole. I think Molitor could be an excellent choice, but you would get the baggage along with him. One last question... Not to take anything against Molitor, because he was a great player and I loved the way he played the game, but he has no managerial experience. Wally Backman had a 14-yr. MLB career, was a similar type player in terms of scrappiness and dedication, has managed in the Minors in the Sox system and won many more games than his teams' talent should have allowed. So why would Molitor be any better of a manager than Backman??

I know I am simplifying this, but if our players just tried to hit line drives and go the other way and move runners over, i can almost guarantee you that we would be in the playoffs right now. These players are capable. It's true. My dad still can't believe the Twins are in the playoffs and the Sox choked like they did against Minny. I then explained to him that he didn't see the swing the Sox were putting on the balls. He was in Washington at the time. Why so hard to believe? The Twins had the best record in baseball after the all-star break.

Perhaps, but much more suited to the type of game you mentioned.

He's certainly getting there. He finished strong this year.

With much different personnel.............

Those numbers don't seem too far-fetched. Might be a bit of a stretch on the SB's. I really think he will develop more power down the road, but we're talking 3-5 years from now. I see him ending up in the 20+ HR category. But I do think at least until then, the two-hole is the perfect spot in the order.

Farnsworth has some nasty s***..... I'd take him in the Sox pen any day.

I was just going to post that there should be no alarm sound if he struggles this fall. This was his first full season and I know he was tired at the end of the regular season. That many games takes a toll on the body and could affect a guy who has never been through the grind. Also, keep in mind, that Reed very well could project to be a Mark Kotsay type. I think his numbers will be better, but hitting .290ish with around 10 HR and 65-70 rbi with a good number of walks wouldn't be all bad. Obviously we hope for better than that, but hitting out of the two-hole (where I think he is ideally suited at this point) those wouldn't be numbers to sneeze at. Especially if he was solid defensively in CF.

That's not rumor, it was widely publicized when he made his four appearances in Chicago.

Bajenaru has a chance to be a big league setup guy. He will need to continue to succeed and get some luck with being in the right place at the right time. The only negative about him is that there are lots of quality pitchers with good stuff in the Minors, including starters that can be converted to relievers. With good timing and taking advantage of an opportunity, he could do well. If lady luck is not on his side, he could get lost in a sea of similar pitchers, regardless of his performance. Backman will be an excellent manager in the Big Leagues and in my opinion is ready now. I do not think he and KW would mix well, however, so I will be surprised if he gets the Sox job now. I do think he would do very well, however and the players would love playing for him. I have gone into more detail on other threads if you are in the mood for a little search.