Hey Dad --
Did you hear Beckett was suspended today? For six games? He of course is appealing it, but come on!
I mean, he wasn't even thrown out of the game when he threw that pitch at Abreu. Joe West, the crew chief in Sunday's game against the Angels, the man who did most of the ejecting, said publicly that he didn't feel Beckett's toss at Abreu was intentional, but rather wild because Beckett was in the middle of his wind up when time was called by the home plate umpire, Paul Schrieber.
Out of the four Angels who were ejected during the game, only one, Mickey Hatcher, was suspended. And he only has to miss one game. However all four, manager Mike Scioscia, center fielder Torii Hunter, right-hander Justin Speier and Hatcher received fines for undisclosed amounts as did Beckett. But the fact that Beckett received a six day suspension is absolutely absurd!
It'll be interesting to see what happens with Beckett's appeal. Considering how long these things usually take, I expect to see him in the dugout tonight and for the next few games. He'll also probably be able to make his next start on Saturday. After that, it's anybody's guess.
XO
Jenn
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
The Bird-Peter
Jenn:
Yes, I pretty much agree with you on the Beckett toss. If you're a hurler, you don't suddenly come to a stone wall stop of your motion. If you do, you could be stonewalling your year,possibly career. Which brings me to someone you don't know and may never have heard of, but whose career effectively was over early in his 2d MLB season. Mark "The Bird" Fidrych exploded on the MLB scene in 1976 (you were only two) after being a non-roster invitee to spring training for the Detroit Tigers. He quickly became a sensation, winning the AL Rookie of the Year award, leading the league in ERA and finishing second in the voting for the Cy. He even threw a complete game win over the Yankees at Yankee Stadium as part of the year.Finished 19-9 with 2.34 ERA for the year.His first start was a 2 hitter complete game win.He earned the start that year in the All-Star game. The next year the world woke up and the dream ended--starting with a torn knee cartilige in spring training, he went DL until May, then due to changing his motion, he screwed up his pitching shoulder. After the 19-9 start, the remaining four years in the Show was a 10-10 record.He tried a few years later to return for the Sox (he's from Mass.),but never got beyond the Pawsox.
The thing about Bird was when he first arrived, he'd talk, I mean real live conversations with the ball on the mound between pitches. He had a weird delivery and was just a kick to watch. Because of his stature and nickname, not to mention the antics, SI even had him on the cover with Big Bird--yes, THAT Big Bird.
Today the Bird died, working on his Massachusetts farm in an accident while repairing his truck.
RIP, Bird, even though the show only lasted a year, it was fabulous. We could use many more like you.
Yes, I pretty much agree with you on the Beckett toss. If you're a hurler, you don't suddenly come to a stone wall stop of your motion. If you do, you could be stonewalling your year,possibly career. Which brings me to someone you don't know and may never have heard of, but whose career effectively was over early in his 2d MLB season. Mark "The Bird" Fidrych exploded on the MLB scene in 1976 (you were only two) after being a non-roster invitee to spring training for the Detroit Tigers. He quickly became a sensation, winning the AL Rookie of the Year award, leading the league in ERA and finishing second in the voting for the Cy. He even threw a complete game win over the Yankees at Yankee Stadium as part of the year.Finished 19-9 with 2.34 ERA for the year.His first start was a 2 hitter complete game win.He earned the start that year in the All-Star game. The next year the world woke up and the dream ended--starting with a torn knee cartilige in spring training, he went DL until May, then due to changing his motion, he screwed up his pitching shoulder. After the 19-9 start, the remaining four years in the Show was a 10-10 record.He tried a few years later to return for the Sox (he's from Mass.),but never got beyond the Pawsox.
The thing about Bird was when he first arrived, he'd talk, I mean real live conversations with the ball on the mound between pitches. He had a weird delivery and was just a kick to watch. Because of his stature and nickname, not to mention the antics, SI even had him on the cover with Big Bird--yes, THAT Big Bird.
Today the Bird died, working on his Massachusetts farm in an accident while repairing his truck.
RIP, Bird, even though the show only lasted a year, it was fabulous. We could use many more like you.
The Brawls Come Early This Year
Dad --
Unfortunately your hope for another win with Beckett on the mound would not come to pass. But it wasn't his fault. It was Okajima's. He was the one who gave up the insurance run the Angels needed to take the win and the series. But I don't want to talk about that.
I want to talk about the benches clearing pseudo-brawl that took place in the first inning. Did you see it? I don't know who to blame. Maybe it was Bobby Abreu. Maybe it was Beckett. All I know is Beckett took a long time to throw to Abreu because he was keeping an eye on Chone Figgins at 2nd. For what seemed like a good five minutes Beckett didn't look like a pitcher, but rather a spectator at a tennis match shaking his head back and forth between the batter's box and 2nd base. Finally Abreu had had enough and called time. Unfortunately Abreu made this decision at the same moment Beckett decided to go into his windup.
As you know, Dad, plenty of pitchers before have been in the middle of their windup when time has been called. And as you also know, it's much safer for the pitcher to follow through with the throw than stop mid-pitch. What isn't safe (or in my opinion, wise) is to throw the ball at the batter's head. But that's exactly what Beckett did: he followed through with his pitch and tossed it right at Abreu's chin.
Abreu and the rest of the Angels team were shocked by this aggressive move and came out onto the field. Then the Red Sox dugout followed suit. And since no player wants to be left out of the excitement, both bullpens also joined the melee. Now no punches were thrown and I don't believe there was any pushing, but there was a lot of finger pointing and a whole hell of a lot of yelling.
By the time the smoke cleared, four Angels had been thrown out of the game: center fielder Torii Hunter, relief pitcher Justin Speier, batting coach Mickey Hatcher, and finally, Angels manager Mike Scioscia. Amazingly, and quite surprisingly, not a single Red Sock was tossed. Even Beckett who'd started the whole thing and kept it going with his jawing was left in the game.
Yes, the Sox unfortunately went on to lose the game, but the fact that they got to keep all their players on the field and in the dugout makes me believe they won the battle. Too bad they're in last place with a record of 2 and 4. Here's hoping they can turn that around tonight when they face the Oakland A's. And if they can do it without another benches-clearing endeavor, even better.
XO
Jenn
Unfortunately your hope for another win with Beckett on the mound would not come to pass. But it wasn't his fault. It was Okajima's. He was the one who gave up the insurance run the Angels needed to take the win and the series. But I don't want to talk about that.
I want to talk about the benches clearing pseudo-brawl that took place in the first inning. Did you see it? I don't know who to blame. Maybe it was Bobby Abreu. Maybe it was Beckett. All I know is Beckett took a long time to throw to Abreu because he was keeping an eye on Chone Figgins at 2nd. For what seemed like a good five minutes Beckett didn't look like a pitcher, but rather a spectator at a tennis match shaking his head back and forth between the batter's box and 2nd base. Finally Abreu had had enough and called time. Unfortunately Abreu made this decision at the same moment Beckett decided to go into his windup.
As you know, Dad, plenty of pitchers before have been in the middle of their windup when time has been called. And as you also know, it's much safer for the pitcher to follow through with the throw than stop mid-pitch. What isn't safe (or in my opinion, wise) is to throw the ball at the batter's head. But that's exactly what Beckett did: he followed through with his pitch and tossed it right at Abreu's chin.
Abreu and the rest of the Angels team were shocked by this aggressive move and came out onto the field. Then the Red Sox dugout followed suit. And since no player wants to be left out of the excitement, both bullpens also joined the melee. Now no punches were thrown and I don't believe there was any pushing, but there was a lot of finger pointing and a whole hell of a lot of yelling.
By the time the smoke cleared, four Angels had been thrown out of the game: center fielder Torii Hunter, relief pitcher Justin Speier, batting coach Mickey Hatcher, and finally, Angels manager Mike Scioscia. Amazingly, and quite surprisingly, not a single Red Sock was tossed. Even Beckett who'd started the whole thing and kept it going with his jawing was left in the game.
Yes, the Sox unfortunately went on to lose the game, but the fact that they got to keep all their players on the field and in the dugout makes me believe they won the battle. Too bad they're in last place with a record of 2 and 4. Here's hoping they can turn that around tonight when they face the Oakland A's. And if they can do it without another benches-clearing endeavor, even better.
XO
Jenn
The Laserman
Dad --
Yes, Papelbon giving up that homer to Torii Hunter at the top of the 9th on Saturday was stressful. My first thought was "thank god we got that insurance run during our half of the inning". But what was even more stressful than Pap making it a one-run game was him loading the bases on a double and two walks. Luckily there were already two outs in the inning, but one single and the game would at least be tied, maybe even won by the Anaheim enemy.
Then an amazing thing happened. Dad, you should have been there. Gary and I were sitting on the edge of our stadium seats for the pitching battle of all pitching battles. Papelbon had already thrown 29 pitches - which you know is high for him. Then Howie Kendrick stepped to the plate. The first two pitches were strikes. As were the next eight. But the difference between the first two and the following eight were that Kendrick didn't swing at them. Those first two pitches were called strikes. It wasn't until that 3rd pitch that Kendrick finally removed the bat from his shoulder. Unfortunately he fouled it off. As he did the seven pitches that followed. But they weren't just fouled off. These two players were so evenly matched that every swing Kendrick took, sent the ball to the exact same place: the backstop.
Finally on the 10th pitch of the at bat Kendrick swung, connected, and sent that ball to deep right. Unfortunately for the Angels, it wasn't deep enough and the ball landed safely in the glove of Rocco Baldelli. Pap had gotten out of trouble and had gotten the save.
But in a game full of ups and downs, a game that as you know we desperately needed to win, it was that show of force between two ball players that stayed with me for the rest of the day. After 37 pitches, and a battle to beat all, it just proves, once again, that Papelbon is still the Savior of the Red Sox.
XO
Jenn
Yes, Papelbon giving up that homer to Torii Hunter at the top of the 9th on Saturday was stressful. My first thought was "thank god we got that insurance run during our half of the inning". But what was even more stressful than Pap making it a one-run game was him loading the bases on a double and two walks. Luckily there were already two outs in the inning, but one single and the game would at least be tied, maybe even won by the Anaheim enemy.
Then an amazing thing happened. Dad, you should have been there. Gary and I were sitting on the edge of our stadium seats for the pitching battle of all pitching battles. Papelbon had already thrown 29 pitches - which you know is high for him. Then Howie Kendrick stepped to the plate. The first two pitches were strikes. As were the next eight. But the difference between the first two and the following eight were that Kendrick didn't swing at them. Those first two pitches were called strikes. It wasn't until that 3rd pitch that Kendrick finally removed the bat from his shoulder. Unfortunately he fouled it off. As he did the seven pitches that followed. But they weren't just fouled off. These two players were so evenly matched that every swing Kendrick took, sent the ball to the exact same place: the backstop.
Finally on the 10th pitch of the at bat Kendrick swung, connected, and sent that ball to deep right. Unfortunately for the Angels, it wasn't deep enough and the ball landed safely in the glove of Rocco Baldelli. Pap had gotten out of trouble and had gotten the save.
But in a game full of ups and downs, a game that as you know we desperately needed to win, it was that show of force between two ball players that stayed with me for the rest of the day. After 37 pitches, and a battle to beat all, it just proves, once again, that Papelbon is still the Savior of the Red Sox.
XO
Jenn
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Catching Up-Peter
Well, Jenn, to quote Roseanne Rosannadanna, it's always something. Certainly seeing the Sox start the season 1-3, the last number being consecutive, isn't what any of us expected, particularly when two of the L's are from 2/3 of the Sox 'Big Three' pitchers.However, at least the Sox ended the aggravation for the present today, coming back from a two zip hole to take the W. It got a bit uncomfortable when Laserman immediately gave up a shot on coming on that tightened the scroe, but, in the end he held on and we're almost back to .500. The highlights so far in this young season are Youk's hot start, coupled with Jake's reprise of last season's Speedracer. I think today was his third swipe of the year.
JB's taking the apple tomorrow, so maybe we can get further back on track. Let's hope.
Regarding the tragic loss of the young Angels hurler, if the driver of the other car is proven in court to have been DUI, he should be convicted of the three murder counts against him and sent away for life. Anyone driving drunk is just as guilty as someone using a gun. This 22 year old idiot has senselessly ruined four lives--the three victims and his own. What a waste! It kind of puts everything in stark perspective--how unimportant in the larger scheme of things a game is.
JB's taking the apple tomorrow, so maybe we can get further back on track. Let's hope.
Regarding the tragic loss of the young Angels hurler, if the driver of the other car is proven in court to have been DUI, he should be convicted of the three murder counts against him and sent away for life. Anyone driving drunk is just as guilty as someone using a gun. This 22 year old idiot has senselessly ruined four lives--the three victims and his own. What a waste! It kind of puts everything in stark perspective--how unimportant in the larger scheme of things a game is.
Friday, April 10, 2009
First Opening Series Loss Since '05
Dad --
Can you believe it? These are not the Sox we know and love. Theo's been going on and on about how great our pitching staff will be this season, well what happened?
Beckett was awesome on Opening Day, but Jon Lester seriously faltered in the 5th on Wednesday and Dice-K clearly didn't have his stuff in yesterday's game.
Sure Lester cruised through the first 4 innings only giving up one run, but then in the 5th, he gave up four more. And against the Rays' Scott Kazmir, you know there was no chance the Sox would ever catch up. So the game ended as a 7-2 loss.
Then yesterday, Dice-K may have gone 5 and a third innings but gave up 4 runs, three of which were homers. Unlike Wednesday though, the Sox actually put up a fight. They'd still come up short because that darn wind that helped Jason Bay get a triple earlier in the game, would unfortunately work against the Sox and hold up Kevin Youkilis' ball long enough for Gabe Kapler to catch for the final out. So while the game was significantly closer than Wednesday's you always say a loss is still a loss.
So now the Sox are 1 and 2. Not a place I'm used to seeing them at the beginning of a season. Tonight they're here in Los Angeles for three games against the Angels where things will hopefully go better. Tim Wakefield is due to take the mound and the only thing that could effect his curve is the potential rain storm that's supposed to hit land this afternoon. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Now Dad, I know you've been out of town, but baseball season has started and it's time to comment on the past three games. I know you have an opinion, so let's hear it.
XO
Jenn
P.S. - One more thing... I'd like to send out my condolences to the Adenhart family. Their son, Nick, was killed Wednesday night by a drunk driver after pitching six scoreless innings for the Angels. Even though it was the 22 year-old's fourth appearance in the big leagues, it left everyone in the Angels organization elated, knowing that this young pitcher would have quite the career ahead of him. Who knew that career would be cut short by a drunk Andrew Thomas Gallo running a red light. I'm sure his absence will be felt over the course of this three game series against the Sox.
Can you believe it? These are not the Sox we know and love. Theo's been going on and on about how great our pitching staff will be this season, well what happened?
Beckett was awesome on Opening Day, but Jon Lester seriously faltered in the 5th on Wednesday and Dice-K clearly didn't have his stuff in yesterday's game.
Sure Lester cruised through the first 4 innings only giving up one run, but then in the 5th, he gave up four more. And against the Rays' Scott Kazmir, you know there was no chance the Sox would ever catch up. So the game ended as a 7-2 loss.
Then yesterday, Dice-K may have gone 5 and a third innings but gave up 4 runs, three of which were homers. Unlike Wednesday though, the Sox actually put up a fight. They'd still come up short because that darn wind that helped Jason Bay get a triple earlier in the game, would unfortunately work against the Sox and hold up Kevin Youkilis' ball long enough for Gabe Kapler to catch for the final out. So while the game was significantly closer than Wednesday's you always say a loss is still a loss.
So now the Sox are 1 and 2. Not a place I'm used to seeing them at the beginning of a season. Tonight they're here in Los Angeles for three games against the Angels where things will hopefully go better. Tim Wakefield is due to take the mound and the only thing that could effect his curve is the potential rain storm that's supposed to hit land this afternoon. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Now Dad, I know you've been out of town, but baseball season has started and it's time to comment on the past three games. I know you have an opinion, so let's hear it.
XO
Jenn
P.S. - One more thing... I'd like to send out my condolences to the Adenhart family. Their son, Nick, was killed Wednesday night by a drunk driver after pitching six scoreless innings for the Angels. Even though it was the 22 year-old's fourth appearance in the big leagues, it left everyone in the Angels organization elated, knowing that this young pitcher would have quite the career ahead of him. Who knew that career would be cut short by a drunk Andrew Thomas Gallo running a red light. I'm sure his absence will be felt over the course of this three game series against the Sox.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Opening Day at Fenway
Hey Dad --
As you know it's April and that means only one thing (other than being only three weeks away from my due date). Baseball season is back in full swing! Which in turn means I can finally get back to spending my afternoons at Fat Faced Fenners watching the Red Sox (ideally) beat whoever they're playing that day. And today, the home opener, they faced that thorn that knocked them out of the '08 playoffs - The Tampa Bay Rays.
As always it was a noteworthy game. Josh Beckett struck out 10 over seven innings and only gave up one run. Dustin Pedroia proved once again why he was named MVP last season and knocked one into the monster seats in his first at bat. And Jason Varitek, the Captain himself, proved why keeping him around for two more years was the right move - he hit a ball that stayed just fair around Pesky's Pole and widened the Sox's lead.
Sure there were a couple tense moments, like when Beckett had to throw close to 40 pitches to get out of the 3rd inning. Or when Hideki Okajima came in for the 8th and proceeded to hit and walk the first two batters he faced. But thankfully Justin Masterson replaced him and stopped the bleeding. Then for the final inning, my favorite pitcher, Jonathan Papelbon, stepped on the mound, faced three men, and got them all out.
Can't wait for round two tomorrow.
XO
Jenn
As you know it's April and that means only one thing (other than being only three weeks away from my due date). Baseball season is back in full swing! Which in turn means I can finally get back to spending my afternoons at Fat Faced Fenners watching the Red Sox (ideally) beat whoever they're playing that day. And today, the home opener, they faced that thorn that knocked them out of the '08 playoffs - The Tampa Bay Rays.
As always it was a noteworthy game. Josh Beckett struck out 10 over seven innings and only gave up one run. Dustin Pedroia proved once again why he was named MVP last season and knocked one into the monster seats in his first at bat. And Jason Varitek, the Captain himself, proved why keeping him around for two more years was the right move - he hit a ball that stayed just fair around Pesky's Pole and widened the Sox's lead.
Sure there were a couple tense moments, like when Beckett had to throw close to 40 pitches to get out of the 3rd inning. Or when Hideki Okajima came in for the 8th and proceeded to hit and walk the first two batters he faced. But thankfully Justin Masterson replaced him and stopped the bleeding. Then for the final inning, my favorite pitcher, Jonathan Papelbon, stepped on the mound, faced three men, and got them all out.
Can't wait for round two tomorrow.
XO
Jenn
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