Tagged: Kevin Youkilis

April 6, 2010

Nice Way To Start

The 2010 season has started! Adrian Beltre, Mike Cameron, and Marco Scutaro, all had nice games. Beltre has a sac fly and a total of two RBIs, Cameron had a walk, two hits, and a run, and Scutaro had two hits, a run, one RBI, and a walk. Youk had the first Red Sox hit of the decade with a double off the monster.

So here is a list of baseball “first of the decade.”

-First Play, Derek Jeter grounds out to shortstop Marco Scutaro.

-First Hit/Run/Home Run/RBI, Jorge Posada hit a home run off the Pesky Pole.

-First Reliever, Scott Schoeneweis

-First Sac Fly, Adrian Beltre

-First Single, Nick Swisher

-First Double, Kevin Youkilis

-First Strikeout, C.C. Sabathia strikes out Dustin Pedroia

-First Walk, Josh Beckett walks Nick Johnson

-First Double Play, Marco Scutaro, Dustin Pedroia, and Kevin Youkilis get Nick Johnson out at second and Alex Rodriguez at first.

-First Steal, Derek Jeter

-First Win, Boston Red Sox

-First Loss, New York Yankees

-First Winning Pitcher, Hideki Okajima

-First Loosing Pitcher, Chan Ho Park

-First Save, Jonathan Papelbon

Beckett though has not had a nice start to 2010. His command was terrible. Martinez is setting up low and he has thrown high and it has been very consistent. His velocity also has not been so good. He only threw about 95 MPH at his highest and not his regular velocity of about 98 MPH. Beckett through gave up five runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings. He struck out only one, Nick Johnson and walked three.

Youk is now 100 percent a beast if he was not earlier with a double, triple, two RBIs, and two runs. Pedroia was probably a little more clutch but for me Youk was player of the game.

Scott Schoeneweis and Hideki Okajima helped my fantasy team while Ramon Ramirez didn’t. Schoeneweis pitched an inning, not allowing a hit and striking out one. Okajima got the win, pitched one inning, and gave up a hit and one walk. However, Okajima allowed two of Ramon Ramirez’s runners to score.

Ramon Ramirez’s stats look like this: 0.1 innings pitched, two hits, two earned runs, and a walk. Not the best way to start 2010 but no need to worry because the Red Sox got the win.

Jacoby Ellsbury mishandled two balls now off the monster. I was not expecting that Ellsbury would play the balls off the Monster perfectly but I thought he could do better as Jacoby could win a gold glove.

J.D. Drew though had a very nice play on a ball that one hopped the wall. In most ball parks it would be a home run but Drew got it barehanded and held Robinson Cano to a single.

https://mlblogsbostonsports.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/jd20drew.jpg

Victor Martinez still is not a gold glove catcher and probably never will be. With Jeter on first and Brett Gardner on third Martinez threw to second then Gardner stole home.

Jacoby Ellsbury and Big Papi had an opening day to forget going a combined, zero for eight with a walk by Papi. I am not worried yet because it is only the first game. However, at this point I am more worried about Ellsbury because Papi is a second half hitter.

However, we couldn’t finish talking about the game without mentioning the little guy, Dustin Pedroia. Pedroia went two for four with a game tying home run off of Chan Ho Park in the seventh. Pedoria also had two runs, three RBIs, a walk, and a K.

After Pedroia tied it Youk came home on a pass ball making the lead 8-7. Then in the bottom of the eighth Pedroia added an insurance run driving in Mike Cameron.

Daniel Bard pitched a hitless eighth inning then Papelbon gave up a hit to Posada but got Granderson to ground out to end it as the Red Sox won nine to seven. So much for pitching and defense!

UPDATE: Now it is Tuesday and the game is just strarting

Photo Credits

1-http://thestartingfive.wordpress.com/2007/10/19/beckett-to-cleveland-not-yet/

2-http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/10/

3-http://oneseasontrader.com/features/dustin-pedroia-stock-trading/

June 13, 2009

3 In The 13th

What a wild night it was in Philadelphia last night. Every single position player played except all three backup catchers, George Kottaras of the Red Sox and Chris Coste along with Paul Bako of the Phillies. A total of twelve pitchers came in the game and struck out 34 batters. Jon Lester got eleven while Joe Blanton struck out seven.

The final score was five to two but ended in the thirteenth inning when Boston scored three runs in the top of the inning and then Daniel Bard got his first major league save and Takashi Saito got his second win of the season. Youk and J.D. Drew supplied the power as each hit solo home runs off of Joe Blanton.

The lineup was a little questionable and it was not the only questionable thing Terry Francona did. Here is the line up so you can be the judge.

1- Dustin Pedroia, 2B

2- J.D. Drew, RF

3- Kevin Youkilis, 3B

4- Jason Bay, LF

5- David Ortiz, 1B

6- Jason Varitek, C

7- Jacoby Ellsbury, CF

8- Nick Green, SS

9- Jon Lester, P

Of corse playing at Citizens Bank Park there are not any DH’s so Terry Francona put David Ortiz at first base and moved Youk to third. I liked the move because Ortiz has finally broken out of his slump, hitting three home runs in six games. Ortiz though went one for three with a strikeout before being taking out of the game for Mark Kotsay in the sixth.

The other questionable thing Terry did happened in the ninth. Jonathan Papelbon needed the day off and Takashi Saito had pitched a hard earned 1.1 innings against the Yankees and Francona wanted to give him the day off even though he could have pitched in the ninth. Saito came in and got two outs in the 12th and got the win. Anyway so with Boston up by one run in the ninth Ramon Ramirez came in.

Ramirez had given up back to back home runs in his last outing against the Yankees and with Ryan Howard up Ramirez gave up another home run. Let me just say I would have never put him in. I mean sure he has been having a good year but I would have put in either Manny Delcarmen or Justin Masterson. Delcarmen last pitched Thursday and Masterson came in and pitched 2.1 scoreless innings in extra, striking out three. I might have considered Daniel Bard, who later got the save that game but because he is a young kid I can understand Terry not wanting to put him in and then have him give up a home run.

Anyway Ramirez’s ERA is up to 2.10 and he has now given up four home run, seven earned runs, eighteen hits, and has walked ten in 30 innings. I really did not like the Coco Crisp trade even though I agreed he needed to go. Boston could have got a lot more for him. But I am getting off topic. Ramirez is in a slump or whatever you want to call it and before the season started I thought he should be a mop-up reliever. Maybe he should become a mop-up reliever for a little while.

Jon Lester though was the talk of the game though he gave up just two hits an earned run and walked just two. He also struck out eleven including six straight (the record is ten though in case you were wondering set by Tom Seaver) Lester got Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Raul Ibanez to strikeout twice.

Lester has been on fire his last three starts striking out 34 going two and zero. His ERA for his last three starts has been 1.23 against the Blue Jays, Rangers, and Phillies. Lester has only walked seven batters and given up seven hits. Against teams with guys like Vernon Wells, Ian Kinsler, and Raul Ibanez.

Lester pitched seven great innings but did run into some trouble in the second. After a leadoff single for Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino doubled moving Ibanez to third with no outs. Lester then got Pedro Feliz to ground out but Ibanez scored on the play. Carlos Ruiz would ground out for the second out of the inning but Victorino would move to third. Joe Blanton though grounded out to second as the hits to Ibanez and Victorino would be the last hits he gave up.

Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay and Jacoby Ellsbury went a combined five for 23. The four of them batted just .217. They also combined for seven strikeouts. On a positive note they combined for two RBIs, scored two runs, and did not make an error along with the rest of the team. Youk also had a home run and stole a base like mentioned before.

Dustin Pedroia did not have such a good game. Mr. MVP went zero for seven and left four runners on base. He did not strike out though. Pedroia said after the game, “I haven’t had the best at-bats, but the balls I hit hard seem to get caught. You hit stretches like that throughout the year. I’m not to concerned. We’ll get in there tomorrow and work on it.”

Even though Youk did hit a home run it was not his best game. Youk went one for five with three strikeouts. Of corse Youk had a run and a RBI. On another positive note Youk played Golden Glove defense at third and then after Mike Lowell came in he played Golden Glove defense at first.

Jason Bay who I think we can officially put into MVP talks did not have his best game either. Bay went two for five with three strikeouts. He did score the first run in the thirteenth inning and have a walk.

Jacoby Ellsbury was playing his first game back since hurting his shoulder diving for a ball. Ellsbury did not have his best game as he went two for six with an RBI in the thirteenth inning. Ellsbury did strikeout once though. In the field he looked fine same thing running he did not steal any bases or make any diving catches but he does not need to every night.

The Red Sox mostly played small ball to win this game. Besides Kevin Youkilis’ and J.D. Drew’s home run there were no other extra base hits in that game. The Phillies only had three extra base hits. Even though there where a total of seven runs there where only sixteen hits and eleven of those hits were singles.

Tonight Dice-K faces off against Antonio Bastardo, a young lefty who is two and zero so far this year. Tonight David Ortiz is sitting with Mike Lowell playing third and Rocco Baldelli is in right. I think the Red Sox will get an early lead and keep that lead. I also think Dice-K will pitch like his old self earning the win.

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Mr. Epstein please just Call Up Clay already! Send down Ramon Ramirez because this guy is dominating in AAA with an ERA of 1.75 and he is 4-0! Please call him up and ohh ya this is for you.

AND VOTE FOR ANDRE ETHIER!!!!!!!!!!

Photo Credits

1-makeamemory.com

2- bostonsports.mlblogs.com

June 3, 2009

Change Red Sox Nation Can Believe In

*- Sorry this could have been up Monday night but I have been super sick. Today I had to go to the hospital with a temp of 104.9 F. The doctor thinks I might have mono. So if I don’t blog for a few days do not worry.

I thought the Red Sox where having a hard time scoring runs! Well how does eight runs sound along with a pitcher who struck out twelve! Unless your a Blue Jays fan that is awesome. Why did we score eight runs because of this.

1. Dustin Pedroia- 2B

2. J.D. Drew- RF

3. Kevin Youkilis- 1B

4. Jason Bay- LF

5. Mike Lowell- 3B

6. David Ortiz- DH

7. Jason Varitek- C

8. Jacoby Ellsbury- CF

9. Nick Green- SS

Yep Pedroia batted first, J.D. batted second, Bay batted cleanup, Mikey batted fifth, and Jacoby batted eight. If I remember correctly Pedroia batted first for most of his 2007 year in which he won the Rookie of the Year award. Jacoby just had a twenty-two game hit streak snap the other day and now is batting eight. And Big Papi is still batting sixth.

Overall I love the line up. It is spread out so every three batters there is at least one guy who could hit a home run (Youk, Bay, and Tek) along with fast guys who can turn singles into doubles (Pedroia, Bay, and Ellsbury).

Yes Pedroia and Bay only have thirteen combined stolen bases but they are players who are super fast but do not steal that much. For example look at Andre Ethier and Hunter Pence. They only have eight combined stolen bases but can turn singles into doubles easily.

Anyway I am getting off topic. Now Tuesday after the off day or the next time Julio Lugo plays I would bat Ellsbury last. Yes call me crazy whatever. Jacoby batted behind Varitek so if Varitek is say at second and Ellsbury at first Ellsbury cannot steal. Lugo is another guy with speed but he never really steals much.

But look at it this way Lugo’s on base percentage is .345 which yes is .010 points higher then Jacoby’s but Lugo has 21 hits in 23 games. Ellsbury has 64 hits in 49 games. Lugo has eight walks while Ellsbury has eleven. Lugo’s batting average is .276 while Ellsbury’s is .299. So maybe OBP is a messed up stat. Or maybe Lugo gets a little more lucky and more errors happen when he is up.

Anyway it is better then having your catcher hit in front of a speedster. Of course though I wish Jed Lowrie started and not Julio Lugo started at shortstop.

My favorite change in the lineup was Pedroia batting first and J.D. Drew batting second. Drew should not have batted third at all. Yes he has seven home runs but he is not a third batter. Pedroia could bat anywhere in the lineup as he gets on base, can steal, rarely strikes out, and one some days (like yesterday) he can hit for power.

Your first and second guys have to have a high OBP so you big guys can drive them in. Drew seems like he always gets on base as his OBP is .359 this year and his carer OBP is .391. Pedoria’s OBP is .416 for this year. 416 which is tied for fifteenth in baseball. (Youk has the highest with .478.) Then if Youk gets on base (and he probably will) Jason Bay is tied for the most RBI’s in baseball with Adrian Gonzalez with 49 in just two months!

Now there are a few ways to get Big Papi going so he can turn back into the feared slugger he is. One is you could drop him to the seventh spot or even last. Then after Big Papi has say a four hit game or gets two doubles or whatever Terry would move him up one spot as at and Ortiz would say, “Finally Something Good Happened,” and Ortiz would slowly move up till he becomes the slugger he is. However with Jason Bay having an MVP season maybe he will stay at fifth.

The other thing that has the highest risk would be if he gets voted into the Home Run Derby. If I remember correctly Ortiz was third in fan home run derby voting in the A.L. Which I think would put him in the derby even though he only has one home run.

That could be good or bad. That could have Ortiz swing for the fences more which as everyone knows makes guys strikeout. Now the good news about the bad news (If that makes since) is that that would be in the first half of the season. If Big Papi hits a ton of home runs in the derby (which he will) I believe he will start hitting again just in time for the playoff run.

I like Ellsbury batting eight because like I said before it spreads the “wealth” of the lineup. So when whoever is batting it is not going to be a one-two-three inning because Ellsbury’s OBP is .335 and his batting average is .299 like mentioned previously.

So how did the lineup end up doing? Well they scored eight runs and had eleven hits. Pedroia went one for four with a home run and three RBIs. J.D. Drew went one for four with one RBI and two strikeouts along with a sacrifice fly. Youk had a great game as he went two for four with three runs two RBIs. He also had two home runs.

Jason Bay went two for three with one run, RBI, strikeout and he hit his fifteenth home run of the year. He also had two doubles. Mike Lowell went two for five with an RBI and three strikeouts. He did have a double though. But maybe The Red Sox should consider moving him if he has a few more bad games. Big Papi went one for five with a run a double and a strikeout.

Jason Varitek went zero for two with three walks and a run. Jacoby went one for three with a walk. See he could not use his speed with Varitek in front of him. Nick Green (who should start at shortstop till Jed Lowrie gets back) went one for four with a run. Nick had a double but got picked off at first after his walk.

So hopefully this lineup will score more runs. I believe it will. Facing Detroit Tuesday their pitching has to be good but Detroit does not have the best starting pitchers besides Justin Verlander. I am predicting they sweep the Tigers.

May 4, 2009

Papi Problems And A Little NBA Talk

I am sure you know it by now. Chan Ho Park has more home runs then David Ortiz. Big Papi is batting .208 with no home runs and just twelve RBI’s in 96 at bats.

Now the reason for the problem is unknown. It may be because of his wrist injury suffered last year. However watching him swing it does not look like he is in pain. It looks like he is trying to swing for the fences.

Let me just say trying to hit a home run is not a good idea. When I try to hit a home run I strikeout most of the time. When I try to hit a triple I groundout. When I try to hit a double I get a single most of the time. When I just focus to get on base and try to drive in the runner on second or third. I get on base and drive in the run.

Big Papi does not have the kind of power he had in 2006. Yes he is only like 33 but we have seen it with a ton of players. For example look at Eric Gange. Of corse it is believed that when he stopped using steroids he started doing bad.

I honestly could care less about home runs. If Big Papi doesn’t hit a single home run this season I would not care. As long as he drives in 100+ and bats .300+ I will be happy. Home runs are nothing. No one in baseball has the job of hitting home runs. If you hit a home run awesome if you do not who cares. As long as you do not strikeout looking I will be fine.

Big Papi may not have the protection with Manny in the lineup because well Manny is Manny. Manny could strikeout every time this season but pitchers would treat him like he is the guy who hit 500 home runs. Kevin Youkilis could do better but pitchers would still be afraid of Manny more then Youk.

So either until Big Papi finds his stroke or starts driving in runs and getting doubles. Here is what my line up would lock like.

1- Jacoby Ellsbury

2- Dustin Pedroia

3- Jason Bay

4- Kevin Youkilis

5- J.D. Drew

6- Mike Lowell

7- David Ortiz

8- Jason Varitek

9- Julio Lugo

Now I would rather have Jason Bay then say J.D. Drew in the third spot because I think J-Bay is just underrated. He will hit around 30 home runs a year but I love guys who can hit doubles of the Green Monster. Even though J.D. Drew has eight doubles and Bay has only five Bay also is A.) a little faster and B.) is kind of hot. He is not the hottest player but still I like J-Bay and he is still getting better.

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Now for some talk about the NBA. As many of you probably know my Boston Celtics are facing the Orlando Magic in the second round of the playoffs today.

Many say that the Magic will go on to the next round however I say it will be the Celtics. So far in the game we are down by 19 but I have faith in my team. The reason for many predicting the Magic over the Celtics is because we don’t have one of our best players, Kevin Garnett (note that I didn’t say KG is our best player).

Many believe that that is why we went to seven games against the Chicago Bulls. That is 100% not true. We didn’t go to seven games because Garnett was not on the court but rather the fact that he was on the bench. KG was a distraction to the team. I mean just imagine one of the greatest players of all-time not playing.

*Update we are now down by 14*

But we should not have went to seven games. Garnett is our best defensive player, Ray Allen is our best shooter, and Paul Pierce is the best all around player and the best player on the Boston Celtics. But even with KG on the bench we still have a big three.

Rajon Rondo has made a name for himself this season. He was nearly an all-star and turned the Big Three into the Fab Four. However many treat the team like we only have two all-stars, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.

Well those people must have an IQ of 1. Ray Allen is the best shooter of all-time. He is second on the all-time carer three pointers made and still has a ton of years left. I read an article in SI a while ago and it said that Pierce’s 34 and Garnett’s 5 would soon be up in the rafters. Well Ray Allen’s 20 and Rajon Rondo’s 9 will be up there soon.

*Update at the end of the third quarter we are down by 16*

*Update after checking my e-mail we are down by ten! I can smell the comeback!!!!!!!!!*

My second topic is the MVP voting. Today LeBron James won the MVP award. Unlike the MLB the NBA does not give awards out for both leagues.

LeBron James like Derek Jeter can be described in one word, OVERRATED! Tons of people say he is the best player on the planet. I say nice joke. Lets compare stats to Paul Pierce, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups and Kobe Bryant.

ASSIST PER GAME POINTS PER GAME REBOUNDS PER GAME

James- 7.5 (2) James- 32 (1) James- 11.3 (2)

Pierce- 2 (6) Pierce- 23.1 (6) Pierce- 6.9 (3)

Wade- 5.5 (5) Wade- 28.8 (2) Wade- 5.3 (4)

Howard- 1 (7) Howard- 24 (4) Howard- 15.8 (1)

Paul- 10.4 (1) Paul- 16.6 (7) Paul- 4.4 (6)

Billups- 7.4 (3) Billups- 22.6 (5) Billups- 4 (7)

Bryant- 5.6 (4) Bryant- 27.4 (3) Bryant- 5 (5)

So Based on my awesome, crazy formulas based on just stats the voting should have looked like this . . .

1.) James

2.) Wade

3.) Howard

3.) Bryant

5.) Paul

6.) Billups

6.) Pierce

and not this . . .

1.) James

2.) Bryant

3.) Wade

4.) Howard

5.) Paul

6.) Billups

7.) Pierce

The one problem is an MVP has to have more then stats. For example Chauncey Billups turned the Denver Nuggets around so he might be fifth and not sixth. So really I would have voted like this . . .

1.) James

2.) Wade

3.) Howard

4.) Billups

5.) Bryant

6.) Pierce

7.) Paul

Okay well I have a confession to make that may kill me. Don’t worry I have already written my will so here I go. LeBron James is the best player on Earth.

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RIP

Bob 🙂

April 28, 2009

Ten Years Changes A Team- Infield And DH

I was playing MLB 2K8 the other day on my Wii. I was the Royals and I was trying to make them a good team. In the game they are the 29th best team. The worst team is the Marlins but that would be to easy to make them good. I went to 2015 and won a World Series with guys like Ryan Zimmerman and Zack Greinke winning the MVP and Cy Young. I played four more seasons till 2019. I actually played one of the games against the Red Sox. Most of the games I just sim. It showed Michael Bowden on the mound for Boston. That got me thanking. What would the Red Sox be like in ten years . . .

I see a very young team that is like the Marlins in some ways. The rotation would be great, young, with the experience needed to go all the way. The lineup would have guys all over who could hit the ball every where. There would be homers around the Pesky Pole, doubles off the monster, and singles that would fall for base hits. Players like Jason Varitek, Mike Lowell, and Tim Wakefiled would be a thing of the past. Jeff Bailey, Lars Anderson, and Luis Exposito will be the present.

At first base will be Lars Anderson. Anderson will make his major league debut in 2011. His first three seasons will be from the bench but then when Mike Lowell turns 40 and retires Anderson will get the full time spot at third. Over time his home run totals will go up from ten to twenty to thirty to thirty-five in 2019. Most of Anderson’s home runs will be line drives. Unlike some players who golf when they swing Anderson has a very smooth swing. Anderson will improve his eye and will lead the league in walks sometime around 2017. He will not win Rookie of the Year due to the fact that his first few seasons will be played from the bench. However in 2019 he will be in MVP talks. Anderson will have a pretty good OBP and a decent average around .285 in 2019. Anderson will be a lot like Justin Morneau of the Twins once he gets called up.

At second it is a no brainer. Dustin Pedroia will still be there. He will be 35 but will still be standing strong. Over the next ten years his home run numbers will increase to twenty in 2014. They will stay like that till 2017 when they will start to decrease. Pedroia will steal more stolen bases as he gets older. In 2017 he will start to decline in that stat along with hits, RBI’s, and OBP. Pedroia will still be the same Pedroia and will be a leader on and off the field. While I am highly doubtful there is a chance that he could become captain of the Red Sox once Jason Varitek retires. Pedroia will make numerous all-star teams and will be the starter at most of them till 2017. Pedroia may have already won an MVP but will still improve till 2017 when he will exit his prime and Boston will probably draft a good talented second baseman. One that will have to follow up a Hall of Fame carer.

Shortstop will be Jed Lowrie. Lowrie will never be a power hitter but like Pedroia will get younger legs as he gets older. His carer high for home runs in a season will probably be fifteen but will have an average higher then .300 for his carer along with a high OBP. He will improve his fielding skills and will start to become a leader. Jed will be 35 like Pedroia. He will not though have a Hall of Fame carer like Dusty though. Even though Jed is not the best fielder and could improve his arm he will win around two Golden Gloves sometime around 2013. Lowrie will probably make four all-star games and will start at one. Jed will be a franchise player who will play only for Boston. He will get into the Red Sox Hall of Fame but will not have 3,000 hits or 500 home runs. He will probably have 2,500 hits and 200 home runs for his carer.

At third is Youk. Mike Lowell will retire in 2014 when he turns 40. Youk will move across the diamond and Boston will put Anderson at first. Youk will have a great carer. In 2011 he will win an MVP. By the time he turns 40 (which would be in 2019) Youkilis will have had 475 home runs and 2,500 hits. Youkilis will win around five SIlver Sluggers and eight Golden Gloves, six at first and two at third. Youk has a chance to break Ted Wiliams’ all-time care OBP which is .4817. However by then it could be held by Albert Pujols. Youk also has a chance to break Barry Bond’s single season record for OBP which is .609. Youk gets on base what seems like every time. Youk’s offensive carer will be a lot like Jim Rice’s just better and it will only take him thirteen tries to get into the Hall of Fame.

Catcher is a problem. Jason Varitek will most likely retire after 2010 which is the last year of his contract. Boston could have George Kottaras become the everyday catcher. Luis Exposito is promising but is only in A ball. Jarrod Saltalamacchia was nearly traded to Boston this offseason. I believe all three will get the chance the next few years. I believe Boston will traded for Saltalamacchia this offseason. Kottaras will stay as Tim Wakefield’s catcher till Wakefield retires. Exposito though will be the catcher in 2019.

Luis Exposito will be 32 in 2019. Exposito is pretty balanced but that is not much of a good thing as he does not hit a ton of home runs but will have a higher average. However he could hit twenty-five home runs in his prime. His arm could use some work when trying to throw out base stealers but is great at blocking pitches. He has a strong arm but could work on his accuracy. From what I know and I do not know much about him he is very popular in the clubhouse and seems to be a fan favorite. He will probably make his debut in 2013 and will start at catcher in 2014. I am not so sure about him but he has five years to prove himself to me.

Big Papi will retire at the age of 43 which would be in 2019. Big Papi by then will have made seven all-star games and will have won six silver-sluggers. Big Papi will have hit nearly 500 home runs by then and will hit number 500 in 2019. Big Papi will have had 2,500 hits when he retires. Ortiz will continue to be a fan favorite and after Varitek retires he has a chance to become the captain. However I believe Pedroia is more likely to become captain. Papi will retire with 515 home runs which will be good enough for twenty on the all time home run list. Big Papi will be just like “The Hit Dog” just he is going to get into the Hall Of Fame.

After Big Papi retires the job is up in the air. I think Boston will draft a D.H. in the next five years. If he is not ready Jeff Bailey will take over for one season. However I do not think that will be a problem. Whoever does follow Big Papi will have to follow someone who is the greatest D.H. of all time.

February 13, 2009

Pitchers, Catchers, and the Rest of the Team

Today, Friday the 13th was the first full day of pitchers and catchers camp. It came just in time although it could have been earlier. Today there are two college basketball games, seven hockey games, a golf tournament, four women’s basketball games, and the 2009 Rookie Challenge. Some could argue that today is the loneliest day in the history of sports. It would be the loneliest day in sports if the NBA Rookie Challenge wasn’t today at nine P.M. eastern. I’m getting off track though. I know that all the first few days of pitchers and catchers camp is just conditioning, stretching, and throwing the ball around. The real work doesn’t start until Monday when position players report to camp. The only problem is Kevin Youkillis and Chris Carter will not arrive at camp . . . because they are already there. I think it would be kind of boring to be the only two position players (besides catchers) to be there. Like all of the drills would be mostly related to the pitchers and catchers. I’m sure they have someone else training Youk and Carter though. Everyone seems healthy or better. It looks like Brad Penny and Jon Smoltz or doing great but Mike Lowell might need a little extra time maybe till the end of spring training but he should be able to practice Monday. Josh Beckett is also looking great. When he threw yesterday he seemed like when he had his 2007 form according to reports. Jed Lowrie who got a left wrist sprain and an unknown fracture should also be ready to compete for the starting spot at shortstop. Julio Lugo also will be after recovering from a torn right quad. David Ortiz looks healed and should have a Big Papi type season smacking 40 homers out of the yard. Mark Kotsay looks to be the only Red Sox position player not ready for spring training. He underwent back surgery and looks like he will be ready in May. Another big question for the Red Sox in spring training is will Josh Bard be able to catcher knuckleballer, Tim Wakefield? I think he will. There will be a few rough spots, most of them coming in spring training but I think he will. Sure he stunk last time he tried t catch him but he saw a guy catch a knuckleballer in San Diego with the Padres and that must count for something. Spring Training is where champions are made. Prospects get called up, players meet new teammates, and baseball starts again.

P.S.- Sorry for no pictures extra ones tomorrow.

January 24, 2009

Young Guns- Red Sox

This is a new series I like to call, Young Guns. I will look at the youngest, best, and most promising player on each team. This series will not be every day. I could put two up on the same day, zero in a week, or nine in three days. So I’m going to start with the Boston Red Sox.

Dustin Pedroia

Dustin Pedroia is 25 years old. He went to Arizona State. Pedroia was drafted by the Red Sox in the second round with the 65th pick of the draft in 2004. He has a carer batting average of .313, with 27 home runs, 140 RBI’s, 213 hits, and 27 stolen bases. He also has a .989 fielding percentage at second base (his primary position) and shortstop. In 2007 Peedie won a World Series Ring and a Rookie of the Year trophy. That season Pedroia batted .317, with 50 RBI’s, eight home runs, 165 hits, and seven stolen bases. In the postseason he batted .283, with two home runs, ten RBI’s, and 17 hits. In 2008 Pedroia started at second base in the 2008 All Star Game at Yankee Stadium. In 2008 he batted .326, with 17 home runs, 83 RBI’s, 213 hits, and 20 stolen bases. That year Pedroia won a golden glove, a silver slugger, and the 2008 A.L. MVP. In the playoffs he batted .233, with three home runs, ten hits, two stolen bases, and six RBI’s. Pedroia carer postseason stats are a .262 batting average, five home runs, 27 hits, two stolen bases, and 16 RBI’s. Pedroia is a great guy in the clubhouse. he is very cocky saying stuff like, “Strongest 180 pounder in the league.” He and Red Sox manager, Terry Francona play games of cribbage in the clubhouse on road games. Click here to learn more about cribbage. Pedroia doesn’t have the body of a baseball player at all. He weighs 180 pounds and is five foot nine inches. Did you know that Pedroia is the nephew of Phil Snow, the Detroit Lions linebacker? On January 9, 2009, Pedroia was named cover guy for MLB 09: The Show. This offseason Pedroia signed a six year, $40.5 million dollar contract. Pedroia will have a great carer and maybe will 100% make it in to the hall of fame. I think Pedroia will get 3,000 hits.

Honorable Mentions

2.Jon Lester

3.Jonathan Papelbon

4.Jason Bay

5.Kevin Youkilis

6.Jacoby Ellsbury

7.Justin Masterson

8.Jed Lowrie

January 19, 2009

World Baseball Classic- Red Sox Style

First- I’m sorry I didn’t blog yesterday I am taking this boring five day test over math, writing, reading comprehension, science, and tons more.

Second- The real news in baseball isn’t the World Baseball Classic, it is Barry Bonds! Click here to read this shocking story about him.

Third- Jeff Kent the legendary second baseman retired today. Kent has a pretty good shot at getting into the baseball hall of fame. More on that soon hopefully.

Forth- Jonathan Pabelbon avoided arbitration by signing a one year, $6.25 million dollar deal. Boston also signed Javier Lopez. Theo Epstein has yet to go in to arbitration with any player since becoming G.M. of the Red Sox. More on that soon.

Fifth- The Dodgers signed Jonathan Broxton and Russell Martin avoiding arbitration.

Sixth- The Red Sox traded David Aardsma to the Mariners for Fabian Williamson.

The Boston Red Sox have eleven major league players and five minor league players on the World Baseball Classic provisional rosters.

Jason Bay- Bay played for Canada in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. In three games Bay hit .455, with zero home runs, drove in none, and had five hits. Last season Bay hit .286, with 31 home runs, drove in 101, and had 165 hits. Bay will be a great move for team Canada. While he didn’t have great stats in 2006 I think he will have a good 2009 World Baseball Classic.

George Kottaras- Kottaras will join Jason Bay on team Canada. Kottaras didn’t play in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Last season in three games with the Red Sox he hit .200, had one hit, with no home runs, RBI’s, or stolen bases. The Red Sox will watch Kottaras carefully as a test to see how he does against major league talent.

Javier Lopez- Lopez will play for team Puerto Rico. Lopez did not participate in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Last season with Boston he had a two and zero record, with a 2.43 ERA, and 38 strikeouts. Lopez should help team Puerto Rico. He would give team Puerto Rico a pretty good relief pitcher.

Mike Lowell- Lowell will join Javier Lopez on team Puerto Rico. Lowell will play in the World Baseball Classic for his first time. Last year with Boston he hit .274, with 17 home runs, 73 RBI’s, and had 115 hits. The Red Sox will watch Lowell closely to see how his hip is. If it gets bad they may tell Lowell to sit out a game or sit on the bench for the rest of the tournament. I think his hip will be fine though.

Daisuke Matsuzaka- Dice-K will play for team Japan. Dice-K played in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. He had three wins no losses, an ERA of 1.28, and ten strike outs. Dice-K was a vital part in helping Japan win in 2006. He also won MVP in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Last year with the Red Sox he had a record of 18-3, with 154 strikeouts, and an ERA of 2.90. I think Dice-K will do fine in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Hideki Okajima- Okajima will join Dice-K on team Japan. Okajima didn’t play in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Last season he had a three and two record, with an ERA of 2.61, 60 strikeouts, and one save. Okajima will be great playing for Japan. he could help them to win another title, but the USA will win.

David Ortiz- Ortiz will play for team Dominican Republic. In 2006 while playing in the 2006 World Baseball Classic he hit .150, with three home runs, five RBI’s, and three hits in twenty at bats. Having three hits and three home runs means that all of his hits were home runs. In 2008 with the Red Sox he hit .264, with 23 home runs, 89 RBI’s, and 110 hits. Ortiz has a hurt wrist so he might not be able to play. He also is listed on the list of Red Sox players in the classic but not on the list of players for team Dominican Republic on MLB.com which is strange.

Designated hitter David Ortiz of the Dominican Republic celebrated after hitting a home run in the second inning against Venezuela during the first round of the World Baseball Classic at The Ballpark at Disney on March 7 in Kissimmee, Fla.

Dustin Pedroia- Pedroia will play for my favorite team, team USA! Pedroia did not play in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Last season he hit .326, with 17 home runs, 83 RBI’s, and stole twenty bases. He also won a golden glove, a silver slugger, and a MVP. Pedroia should be a upgrade for team USA. In 2006 the USA had Chase Utley at second base.

Ramon Ramirez- Roman Ramirez will possibly join David Ortiz on team Dominican Republic. Ramirez didn’t play in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Ramirez was traded from Kansas City to Boston for Coco Crisp this offseason. While with the Royals last year he had a record of three and two, with a 2.64 ERA, one save, and 70 strikeouts. The Red Sox will look at him if David Ortiz plays to see if any chemistry forms between them. As we all know ( Well not the Y*****s) chemistry wins championships.

Kevin Youkilis- Youkilis will join Dustin Pedroia on team USA making the left side of the infield all Red Sox. Youkilis did not play in the 2006 World Baseball Cassic. Last season Youk hit .312, with 115 RBI’s, 29 home runs, and stole three bases. He also started at first base in the 2008 all star game at Yankee Stadium. Youk will be a great ascent to team USA in 2009.

The World Baseball Classic is a time where Cubs and White Sox, Dodgers and Angels, and even Red Sox and Y*****s (Hey I’m serious about not putting the Y word in my entries) unite and cheer for Pedroia, Jeter, Derrek Lee, Carlos Quentin, Joe Saunders, and Jonathan Broxton on team USA.

Ortiz watched his second inning home run clear the fence as his team faced Venezuela in their World Baseball Classic first round game. At left is Venezuela's catcher Ramon Hernandez.

Team USA shortstop Derek Jeter blew a bubble after throwing to first for a double play while forcing out Mexico's Luis Alfonso Garcia. Team USA won 2-0 on Tuesday.

January 15, 2009

Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuk

First- Michael Young will move to third and will not be asked to be traded. Don’t ask me about this one.

Second- Scott Kamir and J.P. Howell, bot Tampa Bay Rays will play in the World Baseball Classic.

Third- David Eckstein signed with the Padres.

Forth- Big Papi (no not me) hopes to play for the Dominican.

Fifth- Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, Jonathan Papelbon, and Prince Fielder went for arbitration.

Sixth- This has nothing to do with baseball but my phone broke yesterday. 😦 Today I got one of those AT&T go phones. I don’t like it so much but it was twenty bucks and I can get an upgrade (a new phone) in July when I’m at summer camp.

Seventh- I found this cool link. http://www.redsoxdiehard.com/players/unifnums.html

Sorry I don’t know how to make website URL’s into words. it has every single player to play for the Red Sox by number. A useful tool when dedicating your ranking to a player’s number. No one really good wore #28. So I’m going to dedicate it to Doug Mirabelli.

Kevin Youkilis signed a four year, $40 million dollar contract with an option for 2013 with the Red Sox. The deal hasn’t been made official. Youk finished third in the 2008 AL MVP voting and the person who won, Dustin Pedroia, got a deal with Boston six weeks ago. When my sister first went to a game at Fenway and Youk was up I said YOUK, she didn’t know what see was doing and said BOO. People just stared at her. Imagine that a girl in Red Sox gear booing Youk! This season he hit .312, with 29 home runs, and drove in 115. Youkilis won the 2007 Gold Glove at first base. In 2008 he won the Hank Aaron award. Youkilis will play for team U.S.A. in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Youk can play gold glove defense at first or third which is great for the team. Youk made his MLB debut with the Boston Red Sox on May, 15, 2004. He was not apart of the 2004 World Series team though. He was apart of the 2007 World Series winning team though. Youk had carer highs in batting average, home runs, runs, RBI’s, at bats, hits, doubles, triples, total bases, and slugging percentage. He also started at first base in the 2008 all-star game at Yankee Stadium. I was surprised that Youk will only get paid 10 million a season. I thought it would be around $15 million to $20 million. Maybe it is due to the economy . . . on second thought it is due to the economy. One thing is for sure. If there was a best go-tee award, Youk would win it hands down. I mean just look at that thing.

January 9, 2009

Baldelli, Penny, Smoltz, Saito, and Kotsay

First- Sorry I didn’t blog the past few days, I had a ton of home work.

Second- Wow. A lot of news since I haven’t been blogging.

Third most of those moves have been by the Red Sox

Roco Baldelli

Roco Baldelli signed with the Red Sox on a $500,000 with some performance incentives. Roco played for the Tampa Bay Rays last year. Roco grew up in Rhode Island only 50 miles away from Fenway Park. Baldelli will probably be the forth outfielder unless the Red Sox trade Jacoby Ellsbury for catching help. Which sadly means if that happened Jason Varitex wouldn’t be coming back. Baldelli had rare mitochondrial disease, but got an update and the disease he now has is highly treatable. Baldelli will wear number five. The first Red Sox since Nomar Garciaparra. Baldelli is 27 years old. This year Baldelli won the Tony Conigliaro award, given to the player that overcomes adversity. Baldelli has been know for his strong character, spirt, and is a great influence in the clubhouse.

Brad Penny

Brad Penny officially became a Red Sox today, on a one year deal. He passed his physical and will join the rotation in spring. Penny was an all-star in 2006 and 2007 with the Dodgers. In 2008 he was hurt. Penny will get payed $5 million dollars plus performance incentives up to $3 million. Penny is 30 years old. Brad Penny has a carer record of 94-75, a 4.06 ERA, and 1,032 strikeouts. The Red Sox rotation is now set, Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Dice-K, Tim Wakefield, Brad Penny, and Jon Smoltz by June (more on him in a second). Penny spent nine years in the National League before joining the Red Sox.

Jon Smoltz

Jon Smoltz signed the offer sheet from the Red Sox. The deal is worth $5.5 million plus incentives which could bring the total to $10 million dollars. Smoltz will not be able to play till June. Smoltz is 41 years old and has played with the Braves his whole carer, 21 years before joining the Red Sox. Smoltz has a 210-147 carer record, a 3.26 ERA, 3,011 strike outs, and 154 carer saves. One thing is will he start or be in the pen. I think Smoltz would be the ultimate setup man in the Boston bullpen.

Takashi Saito

Takashi Saito signed with the Red Sox on a one year deal with a club option for 2010. I found this out when I was working on this entry. Saito was the Dodgers closer last year and will now be a setup man/ back up closer. Saito was hurt for most of 2008. Satio’s deal is worth between $1.5 million and $2.5 million. He could earn up to $7 million if he does all of his incentives. Saito is 38 and will join Manny Delcarmen, Hideki Okajima, Justin Masterson and maybe Jon Smoltz in a great Boston bullpen. Saito will also join Dice-K and Okajima as three Japanese born players on the same team.

Mark Kotsay

Mark Kotsay resigned with the Red Sox on a one year, $1.5 million dollar deal. The deal would also include incentives that are unknown. Kotsay was a vital clog during the Red Sox postseason run last year. When Mike Lowell went down, Youk moved to third and Kotsay who plays outfield most of the time moved to first. Last year in 22 games for Boston Kotsay hit 19 hits, zero home runs, 12 RBI’s, and had a .226 batting average. Kotsay has played 12 years with the Marlins, Padres, A’s, Braves, and Red Sox. Kotsay had zero errors in the outfield and one error at first base last year.

I hope the next move I get to blog about is Jason Varitex resigning with Boston.