2005: Mid-Season Random Red Sox Ramblings

[Fishercat]

Dear Mr. Ortiz,
Never Leave.

Sincerely,
Fishercat

In other news, Jonathan Papelbon deserves kudos. Three scoreless innings and his first MLB win to increase the lead over the Yankees to 3.5 games.

Manny had a sweet HR too, and other good jobs by other players

[Fishercat]

Well, a horrible game for the offense as another talented rookie shuts down the offense. Schilling wasn't horrible, although I imagine Providence is dancing in the streets over Schilling losing...now imagine Clement!

In other news, I am avoiding the Oakland A's forum!

[Providence A's]

Schilling recovered after a rough start and the worst bullpen in baseball lived up to its name. I'm still expecting a split...maybe 3/4 for the A's...

[Fishercat]

The Sox need to avoid a sweep at all costs. 3/4 for the A's wouldn't be the worst thing ever (1.5 games for the Sox currently? Yeah, it wouldn't kill them), but a sweep would kill any possible momentum they gained.

Yeah, the pen is the suck. They essentially have one good relief pitcher, one shaky youngster with good stuff, and two specialists.

I'm encouraged by Schilling. He wasn't great tonight, but he still held the A's to 4 ER (I think, going off memory) in 6.2 IP, which is not good, but it could have 7/3, which isn't half bad.

Still, not a shocker that the two leading AL RotY candidates shut the Sox down, especially Blanton, who the Sox had not seen since he started getting really good.

[Fishercat]

Jeff Brantley said something positive about the Sox after about 14 negatives...man, how does he have a job?

[General]

Better watch out for them Yanks.

[Providence A's]

Jeff Brantley said something positive about the Sox after about 14 negatives...man, how does he have a job?

I don't think saying only positive things about the Sox is in his job description. You have to realize that many people view the Sox in the same light as the Yankees now that they've won. When they didn't win the World Series for so long it was cute and ok to root for them. Now they've won and they're #2 in payroll, so people see them as another Yankees.

[Fishercat]

That'd be fine if he wasn't horrible prior to the WS. The second the Sox did anything bad, even in a game where they didn't face the Yankees, he mentioned the ghosts (curse) and he constantly denounced the Red Sox. I don't think he should always be positive about one team (although I'd be hardpressed to find a negative Yankee comment), but perhaps a somewhat fair mix.

[Providence A's]

Sox call up Hansen and Ramirez

The Red Sox made a couple of intriguing roster moves before Monday's game against the Devil Rays, adding two of the organization's most anticipated prospects.
Craig Hansen, the dominant right-handed closer from St. John's whom the Red Sox selected as a first-round pick in June, became a Major Leaguer just 104 days after being drafted. Red Sox manager Terry Francona will ease Hansen, who has electric stuff, into the mix before putting him into a pressurized situation.

And Hanley Ramirez, perhaps Boston's most talented positional prospect, also came aboard for his first stint in the Major Leagues. Ramirez, a shortstop with the athleticism to play other positions, offers the Red Sox some infield depth in the wake of backup third baseman Kevin Youkilis injuring his right ring finger in Sunday's game.

I don't understand why they'd call them up since they're not eligible for the post season...or are they? I don't think they are...but that schmuck Ian Browne doesn't even touch upon that topic

[Fishercat]

Hanley can't be since he was active when the deadline passed, buit Hansen may be since I think he was on the DL at the deadline. Great reporting work, don't mention the important part for a possible playoff team.

[Providence A's]

yea, he's the same clown that was saying the Sox should trade Hanley for Zito because the A's need a SS...hello, AL RotY Crosby?

[Providence A's]

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/NASApp/...=.jsp&c_id=bos

Well, this article gives a little more info...it appears neither are eligible:

He (Hansen) last made an appearance Friday, tossing a scoreless inning in Portland's 2-0 loss at Akron in Game Three of the Eastern League Championship Series.

[Fishercat]

Hm. Disappointing, Hansen has some nice stuff. Oh well. At this point the playoffs aren't even enough of a good chance to be thinking about it, especially losing to Tampa 7-4.

[Fishercat]

Well...they're blowing out the D-Rays, and they need that as the Yankees are winning too.

Ortiz and Manny are a combined 8-8 with four HRs and Trot has a HR and Triple only being a double away from the cycle.

[Providence A's]

Johnny Burger King will be happy

Boston Red Sox right-hander Keith Foulke will not pitch again this season, ESPN's Peter Gammons has confirmed.

The struggling reliever returned to Boston on Thursday for an examination on his left knee, another setback for the World Series champions as they scramble to stay in the playoff race.

A day after falling out of first place in the AL East for the first time since July 18, the Red Sox sent Foulke home from the road trip to see team physician Thomas Gill.