October 21, 200322 yr I really think that Damaso's most valuable role isn't as the closer. He is much more important as the set up and bridge man, when there is real big trouble. I also get the feeling that not pitching much at the end of the year, that either Koch is going to recover his velocity or have major surgery. Agreed SS2K3, and I have long thought that I was in the minority of those that thought Damaso is too good of a Set-up man to make him closer. If that happened, then we have no one consistent enough to bridge us to the closer.
October 21, 200322 yr Koch still has a 94-95 MPH heater Since when? He only hit mid-90's a few times this season. Remember when Botch hit 96 MPH in the Sox/sCrUB game at Wrigley and when a reporter asked him about his velocity he replied..... after 1 pitch that was 95+...... that, "there's your f***ing heat"? Billy has a great work ethic. Wonderful. Maybe his work ethic will allow him to throw a
October 21, 200322 yr Koch can't get anybody out. A $12 MM mistake. Stupid is as stupid does. One of the more sensical posts on Botch
October 21, 200322 yr When I saw him pitch I always saw him 94ish. I never saw the 97, 98 that was consistently thrown. He did go into the low 90's too, but it was the lack of movement that got him.
October 21, 200322 yr Author When I saw him pitch I always saw him 94ish. I never saw the 97, 98 that was consistently thrown. He did go into the low 90's too, but it was the lack of movement that got him. His fastball is about as straight as Alan Embree's, which is not a good thing....
October 21, 200322 yr His fastball is about as straight as Alan Embree's, which is not a good thing.... But look what Embree turned into after leaving the Sox. I still can't figure out how he gets guys out.
October 21, 200322 yr Koch can't get anybody out. A $12 MM mistake. Stupid is as stupid does. Could you have imagined that Koch woulda struggled this mightily coming into the 2003 season? No one but apparently Billy Beane could have. Its real easy to sit back and say it was a mistake now having seen this past season play out. But I loved the deal at the time, knowing Foulke may not have even had a shot as the closer for us with KWs dislike of him.
October 21, 200322 yr Could you have imagined that Koch woulda struggled this mightily coming into the 2003 season? No one but apparently Billy Beane could have. Its real easy to sit back and say it was a mistake now having seen this past season play out. But I loved the deal at the time, knowing Foulke may not have even had a shot as the closer for us with KWs dislike of him. I really don't think Billy Beane could possibly say he knew this was going to happen. I think he thought he was getting a stud prospect and a little better reliever while the Sox saw themselves getting a very good closer that they could keep long term that wanted to be a closer. I don't buy that Beane knew he would fall apart.
October 21, 200322 yr Author But look what Embree turned into after leaving the Sox. I still can't figure out how he gets guys out. Embree has improved, as have a lot of other pitchers who have escaped the wrath of Nardi Contreras, Kip Wells, Rocky Biddle and Embree to name a few...
October 21, 200322 yr Embree has improved, as have a lot of other pitchers who have escaped the wrath of Nardi Contreras, Kip Wells, Rocky Biddle and Embree to name a few... Don't mention the name Kip. I still shudder thinking the Sox traded my favorite pitcher. :finger
October 21, 200322 yr Author Don't mention the name Kip. I still shudder thinking the Sox traded my favorite pitcher. :finger Same here, I was a big Kip fan, but now I can only root for my boy Mark B...
October 21, 200322 yr Same here, I was a big Kip fan, but now I can only root for my boy Mark B... And hopefully soon enough Joey B and Jeremy Reed are all stars
October 21, 200322 yr Am I missing out on Praising Kip! Oh how I loved the Kipster. Phew...the other Kip supporter made it here
October 21, 200322 yr Billy Koch, 2004 - 3-4, 2.58, 44 saves You heard it here first. Koch: 4-8 4.58era 28 saves Marte: 6-2 2.79 era 20 saves
October 21, 200322 yr When it's all said and done, we don't know which Billy Koch we will see next spring. We can only hope that the rest he got in the 2nd half and this off season helps him revive his fastball. If so, we will be in good shape. If not, he's going to be a burden on our payroll.
October 22, 200322 yr KipWellsFan, You'll regret that mindset. And you'll be cheering your lungs out when Koch retires the last 3 batters as we win the division - all three by STRIKEOUT. But have laughter at my expense - the opponents won't think it's funny next year when Koch sticks up their asses sideways and unlubricated.
October 23, 200322 yr SOMEONE I KNOW WHO IS RELATED TO A PERSON PROMINENT IN THE SOXES FRONT OFFICE SAYS THAT HE WAS OVERWORKED IN OAKLAND AND HE IS EXPECTED TO REST OVER THE WINTER AND REGAIN OLD FORM IN SPRING TRAINING. HE'LL WORK TO GET HIS VELOCITY UP. THERE NOT HAPPY WITH THOMAS AND ARE SHOPPING KONERKO.
October 23, 200322 yr KipWellsFan, You'll regret that mindset. And you'll be cheering your lungs out when Koch retires the last 3 batters as we win the division - all three by STRIKEOUT. But have laughter at my expense - the opponents won't think it's funny next year when Koch sticks up their asses sideways and unlubricated. Ya not alone. I have said that Koch will be back to old form aswell.
October 23, 200322 yr I still have my moments of negativity, but I'm much more positive than I've been in a long time. I really think Koch will rebound. When you have a player like him who "lost it" all of a sudden, you'll find two kinds of players. Those who just accept it and hang on until they are shown the door, and those who say "Oh yeah? Watch me!" - and they fight and claw their way back. I think Koch is the latter.
October 23, 200322 yr I still have my moments of negativity, but I'm much more positive than I've been in a long time. I really think Koch will rebound. When you have a player like him who "lost it" all of a sudden, you'll find two kinds of players. Those who just accept it and hang on until they are shown the door, and those who say "Oh yeah? Watch me!" - and they fight and claw their way back. I think Koch is the latter. I agree. And I also hope we, and the Sox, are right.
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