I think his defensive plays, like last night, are just as good or even better than what he does at the plate. It would be nice to have both, but I'd take the defense side over the offense anyday. Thta catch saved 2 runs last night which would have won the game for Cleveland.

I'll take Anderson's inability to hit over our bullpen's inability to hold leads any day.

I gotta say, anyone who couldn't appreciate the show that Brian Anderson and Grady Sizemore put on last night, probably should find a different sport to watch. I love pitching and defense.

You got to love that great defense. If you ain't hittin you had better play great defense and BA is doing that. It's correct to say that great defense is just like a great hitter as far as comparisons are concerned when you look at winning games. However, the box score just shows hitting and bad defense (errors). I am surprised they don't track the great plays that prevent runs from scoring.

I know the batting avg. is not there but defense wins games and last nite showed it.The Sox would of won both the final Cub and Tiger games if BA was in there.Macko is not a CF.I think the catch will jump start BA and he will be fine.

I completely agree that an offense like ours ought to be able to accomodate a defensive specialist in a key outfield position -- especially when we have a left fielder who cannot be counted on to make a routine play.

 

 

 

Anybody remember Jim Landis? (ok, I was a little kid) Like Anderson, that guy won games for the Sox with CF defense.

 

 

 

It seems the issue here is not Anderson's lack of offense, but instead this '06 team's inabiity to execute offensively when needed. We cannot advance runners and score runs in key situations despite having a killer lineup. This team and these coaches ought to take a good look in the mirror and address problems we've seen. For example, we still can't bunt. :banghead :banghead :banghead

 

 

 

These problems bring a higher focus to the weakest link -- in this case, Anderson.

 

 

 

I think this kid will make it big once he comes out of this fog.

I loved the play and automatically started clapping. Told ya he would be great defensively in the OF.

It'd be nice if he could make those catches and occasionally go 2/3 as well.

It'd be nice if he could make those catches and occasionally go 2/3 as well.

 

Maybe a hit every series?

I was sold on Anderson weeks ago, and pointed out to friends last night that if he doesn't make that catch, the Sox lose the game. He prevented two runs and gave his team a chance at winning. Mackowiak does not make that catch.

 

Brian Anderson is a great centerfielder.

He still needs to hit at least .250 to justify being a big league centerfielder.

And .250 sucks for a guy who doesn't steal bases.

He still needs to hit at least .250 to justify being a big league centerfielder.

And .250 sucks for a guy who doesn't steal bases.

It will be nearly impossible for him to hit .250 for the year, maybe we should just shoot him now.

 

I have no idea how Crede survived hitting .239 in '04.

It will be nearly impossible for him to hit .250 for the year, maybe we should just shoot him now.

 

I have no idea how Crede survived hitting .239 in '04.

 

 

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores...id=200407240CHA

Not nearly enough Hair on that Crede...

Not nearly enough Hair on that Crede...

 

Haha, I just remember that game well. I went to 2 games that month and both were walkoff victories. That Crede walkoff was the last day we were in 1st that season.

I was at the game last night, UD, and froze my ass off.

 

It was so worth it.

I'm hoping BA actually gets a start against a righty soon. He has an OPS of about .200 better against them compared to lefties.

I'm hoping BA actually gets a start against a righty soon. He has an OPS of about .200 better against them compared to lefties.

 

This is one case where playing the matchups hurts.

I'm hoping BA actually gets a start against a righty soon. He has an OPS of about .200 better against them compared to lefties.

 

Blatantly obvious over the years that the sox do not look at splits of any kind or just ignore them and play the game by the book. I know i cannot blame only ozzie... but how can he not be looking for every possible way to make his team better?