9-4-08 Red Sox sweep the O's

So I admit it was a little strange. Because usually when when we have our little celebratory ratings dinners. You know it's just Art Shell and you know we can't get together with the folks from Art Shell and we kind of divvy up the the cost of thing season you know we just sort of do on our -- it was a little weird. And I don't know when somebody else is picking up the attack was good but it was -- well.

That that was a strange part it was also strange that a -- everybody wasn't there are a little weird but it's free food. Many are ranked maybe people -- like him. If you count me every year call coming it's free and -- a nice place I've really got -- one of you know top five top ten places. In the city of Boston. Either -- and waited you -- fashionably late I'm I'm shocked DC. It made it before dinner. I'm yeah exactly. How old Bartoli Iran had a whole panel -- in. Order segment now. I knew I was going to be mad at that I gave Jason Ward at all. I will be there later because. Into the game. At the game hang out afterward. Sweat on those let action going and also people in the building -- believe in nineteen and -- hope for a human. Or baseball game -- the -- breeze in the next world okay. That's why that's necessary but you know I want to go home and it got to get right.

I do all right I got news and I talked to people -- I wasn't going to drive to rent them. At 530 in the afternoon and then drive back in -- I have to admit I. I -- from -- right over. Spike it is with Tony for awhile to visit with -- Steve.

It was good food and follow. Really an incredible baseball game that you could field earned. On one play and -- next to big game James BP. In the EEI box. Beat. Like today nice gentle very comfortable in that -- in his back with the project roster for -- gone. -- allowed to be here but opposite now because you know James hello. Hello hello situation -- thing. Where you want to give up his seat he was trying to be like Rosa parks it.

I. Well I haven't caught Michael I don't know Rose had a cause. I knew that that. Well. His god given equality of Michael and quality when he'd give up it's a movement did not going to happen. -- almost Edgar out of it anyway.

James is what that is backed the entire time. And two we were we were. Switching seats. Throughout this to keep him protected. But in the fifth inning. When Jacoby Ellsbury made that incredible and it's something we made that catch I said James. Bottom of this inning. The Red Sox dropped four and tie the game it didn't happen then. But when he made that catch I was convinced threats are going to win the game because not only did the ballpark come alive. The Orioles cap put everybody to sleep the Red Sox had two hits at that point. And it really really couldn't get anything together against Orioles bikinis cricket one day right. Tennis like our body but when he made the catch the ball park came alive.

So -- not. Yet and I I agree with -- that that that was one of the turning points and I was sitting there is as the game was going on and -- and I'm thinking to myself when was the last time. A Red Sox game where that three of the key plays in the Red Sox game where bonds. Alex Cora had a two out perfect on -- it couldn't EI mean you couldn't walk out and set it any better than. You had them the bunt that crisp was trying to sacrifice on took a little turn on him and he and he was satan and in the Ellsbury a lot of courts ended up being as he said the walk off bunt. I don't know in the last all the small ball people out all around England Saints they. That's what I was talking about they were all fired up.

Well I was desperation to it was in the not exactly what they want it to do but that's what they needed to do yesterday against Orioles because. There really wasn't working and that they did have a kind of lineup for that yesterday when you have. Alex -- Coco Crisp and Jacoby Ellsbury in the lineup at the same time right along with -- So you do have. You have the potential to do some things like that.

You've got to sweep that team that is that is awful base you already deeply disappointed. If you take two out of three from Baltimore there as they are terrible. And and you know not only did did the Red Sox win in two with they were supposed to raise laws -- got some help elsewhere which is nice from the Yankees. Yeah I mean -- And still have a hard time with double root for the Yankees thing -- but pulled off -- where it figuring where they weren't they artwork and three I mean A-Rod nice job. They got the call on your home run clutch player. Big time money on the line you want Iraq at the plate misunderstood by the New York fans and now maybe. But think about this now when they're going to be off today they're both traveled today to Texas. When they take the field in Texas. Tomorrow. They will like label we know I'll have back. -- will probably also have Michael back. Sean Casey back in available they may have Kevin Youkilis back in avail but I think about adding you Kalus and lol to the infield. So you know Meyer Mark Kotsay -- have really nice job at first base but you know that was sort of stop gap you put you back over there and and you know I I love. The things that Jeb Lowrie has done I want him over at shortstop Alex Cora thank you very much for your contributions but. You know move jet right back over there -- and you know that you stick stick Beckett back on element to what.

Here's a question you mentioned this and and I don't think anybody have a problem with you to sit. -- Kevin Youkilis is the starter first base fine no controversy the controversy there Mike Lowell to start at third base no controversy there. Is now a lot as long as Lowrie is still on the line up he will be at shortstop right that's fine. What happens when Julio Lugo comes back.

He doesn't play. Well I'm not sure if he's going to come back at all just from a physical standpoint I mean he is barely doing light jogging right now. They try to ramp and back up we -- in Baltimore a week or two ago -- and and he was still a lot of baseball stuff fight I'd get to the park early -- see him out there with. Trainer Paulus art and at least a little shuttle runs and fielding little short grounder type things. They try to run him in Ian in Baltimore and -- he has setback okay he went back to square one.

I was gonna say even if he does have a setback. I answer the question and play -- these -- what happens when it comes back he's on the bench because Jed Lowrie has has answered the that the questions that we are. What's this guy going to look like in in September is always the the big milestone. For everybody with the milestone for the Tampa bay rays what were they do they get the September and they start to feel a little bit of pressure about clinching. And and being pursued. By the by the bank rolled the Yankees and by the bank rolled the Red Sox well. The Yankees are really in strong pursuit although they've taken -- the first two games of the series. The Red Sox have three games back from Tampa and they still have some games left head to head. Against the race so. That the question has been completely answered about the rate because of first place although their hold on first place -- as strong as -- a week ago. And the question about Jeb Lowrie has been answer. There's no doubt my tactic and he can do the job -- get Saturday that are like he has better offensively I don't know if he's. He's better will be better in 2009. -- Julio Lugo. He wasn't better and he wasn't ready in 2007. Over Julio Lugo but in 2008. This year maybe it's a fluke maybe not. He's a better player at the confidence thing is a better player than Julio Lugo -- 2008.

Now I know that my that my being -- Has not -- perhaps what I hoped he would be -- right always been pretty -- on mine might think he has been you know good but not what I help. The one thing he has then and I know you'll and I had this this talk early on in the season about how he was going to be defensively. He's as good as they've got a -- proved -- he he was the defensive minor league player of the year last year so he was I -- got. But he -- CS rate he has improved. At the Major League level. He has improved defensively this year. Sports center had a whole thing where -- and they put the little thing up in the corner it's a gold glove with a question mark and they ran through. Just in the last week some plays he's made I mean that the two catches it against Cabrera the White Sox that. The one in the first inning diving catch in right center field was unbelievable. The catch up against the left field wall the other day as you said that the one yesterday at the right field bullpen and it was Billy beane in a Peter Gammons. On espn.com. Piece several on maybe even a month or two -- Said that you he said it may be that Jacoby Ellsbury is the best defensive outfielder in the major leagues. And his point wise. He can play all three positions. Equally well I mean and and it's really I know it it seems you'd you'd think all outfield is outfield -- the big deal fly balls fly ball out that way.

Now it's not that way and I think in terms of in terms of range. And in terms of athletic ability yes I would agree with Billy -- but don't you have to. Include armed strength. And and that does not want to mister -- these great instant Dracula and Coco -- but yeah and the night of August has that same right. I bet -- could come up with -- you know ten or fifteen outfielders right. In baseball who have who have a better arm than Jacoby Ellsbury but. Yesterday you didn't need a strong arm and a -- need to make catchers make any made as great catch.

He's he's he's at one of those streaks and -- part of this is you get the opportunity to be special okay he's just hit a stretch here in the last week or so. Where he's had the chance to make some catches that were pretty special but. I loved what he brings to the table you know the speed at factor. The defense factor I wish he'd hit better I wish she'd get on base better wish he'd walked more. I I know that they want him to bunt for base it's more than -- guys and use that speed in and you know put that pressure on the other two.

Well against it it was a perfect strategy really against a team like the Orioles would get a bad team. All all you want to do it you're not having a great day at the plate which the Red Sox -- happen through the first six innings. Are you want to -- hang hang around for awhile and keep the game close. Get into their bullpen. And then make the bad team execute. And and chances are the bad team won't be able to execute that's why they're so bad right right that's exactly what happened to the Orioles yesterday they date they literally threw the game --

The surprise for me as I watched the game and and this is the point that I'm Matt. I was surprised Dustin Pedroia doubled and didn't hit a home run to tie the the get David Ortiz who's on who has walked. Pedroia comes up any hits the double down into the left field corner they ended up with runners on second third -- kotsay at triple right I was only surprised he didn't hit a home run. I mean he's he's on that kind -- right now as Tito pointed out to us yesterday I mean this terror goes back about you know 200 at bats here -- recent 400. But just in the last eight games he's hitting 618 and another home run yesterday you know and three more hits yesterday -- gone out he just. I'm actually surprised when he makes an out. -- and I'm I'm I'm almost surprised when he doesn't come up in that situation -- one into the monster seats again just 'cause he's on he's a -- like I've I've never seen before.

Well I wasn't surprised then hit a home run. I knew he would do something do something positive that -- not a top dollar strike doubters yet he has got a lot of guys -- strange to me. We've been watching Dustin Pedroia for two years. And and they are there aren't a lot of things that surprise you. About Dustin Pedroia but still strange to me to see David Ortiz all 64 of them come up third. And then the cleanup hitter. Off 56 and a half of them Dustin Pedroia batting --

Well there was and Curt Schilling this morning made a great point and about little guys in the -- are not just that but as he was saying you don't think about the amount of strike zone. That a guy like David Ortiz has to cover and then think about how much of a strike zone guy like it Dustin Pedroia has the comer. You know it it the the alternatives for the pitcher are slimmer. You know you've only got this much space to put the ball into and and Pedroia has got great hand eye coordination. Chad Finn's blog on on non boston.com. Had my my favorite stat of the day according to ES ID numbers that we're talking about -- according to those. According to the numbers Dustin Pedroia is two inches taller and twenty pounds heavier than two time National League MVP Joe Morgan. How sorry I'm going to push the BS but not -- one I've seen both guys. He there is no way he's two inches taller than Joe Morgan. If -- taller at all. And there's no way he's twenty pounds heavier we're talking about numbers when Morgan was playing obviously not Joe Morgan it was a sort of 56. Yeah. Joe -- only 56. Right that's what the the plane is and and when I saw the numbers and let Joe Morgan is not a huge guy.

he's not but look let's they would. Throughout baseball reference has to say about. I'm Joe Morton can -- Quickly. Yet -- got -- 57160. So. Pedroia president five non economist at 59. He's he's went up he's going to pitch in any year. Last year the 58. Gotta gotta gotta listed at 59 no chance.

Well -- off three people that size. Yet they list him at 59180 which sorry an anonymous believe that. But the point I of the greater point here is you know somebody of that stature and even that position. Has won an MVP Award before mean Joe Morgan was the MVP of the National League despite the fact that he was you know smaller than most and playing.

Second base. As as okay. I think most people I don't know it's national but definitely in the Boston market people can't stand Joe Morgan as a broadcaster. As bad as you think he it is as a broadcaster. It was just the opposite of play was a -- was -- credible he it was a great it was great great player.

Absolutely. And I don't now you know our our opinions it colored by you know watching what -- to stay with yet. With John Miller but he was a great player he was an MVP. And and a guy who was listed at 5760. Pounds. And was the MVP of the National League that's the kind of game Pedroia has got here. You get the chance to talk to people from outside of Boston is you know other teams command. Gary Thorne does the Orioles games. And then is an old friend. Up until about Pedroia and I said -- what what the the perception of put Roy is in Baltimore outside looked -- him -- Andy said he says I think most people didn't believe it until last month or so. And and then all of a sudden you look and you go. -- that's for -- this is every day. And and we talked with Jeff Horrigan about it -- it yesterday and and he's been talking to a lot of out of town guys knows the White Sox command. All the White Sox writers are talking about it and got look at this guy and in -- the Orioles beat guys -- ball opening stand with this -- still and slowly but surely you're getting the perception that it's not just Boston who's looking at -- this is a real legitimate MVP candidate. Now all of a sudden these other places and it's funny because the Chicago media has been watching Carlos -- every day. And they get a chance to come here over the weekend and see what Pedroia doesn't go well maybe there is another.

But I think I think we may be going. To another stage so one stage. And this is just last month. It was a stage of talking about Pedroia as a legitimate candidate so we just had to establish this legitimacy. If he nomination -- yes it is okay. So now we go from the legitimacy of Pretoria which is not even an argument anymore. Saying that he probably. One of the leading guys to get it I -- to say he's got to get.

Steve Phillips on ESPN. I'm on baseball tonight said he would vote for Dustin Pedroia for MVPs and.

Ice and now he he he's like that's still got to give -- credit brenly was the first guy if upon my mistake mistaken I think -- the first got to say he's my MVP. Two months ago. Before the streak yeah.

And you Kalus is not a great year to. Open that back starts the real butter although watch him the the was involved in check presentation for the game mr. Little gingerly walking gingerly he was locked in pretty slow mean it -- uniform on but he wasn't moving too well. And you know you wouldn't expect three and a half hour plane -- Arlington Texas is going to make a whole lot better today. But you know he's getting treatment all day every day in their open will be able to play this as one guy when you went in your win over your list of of guys we can expect -- Fairly -- One guy to a -- ager. I don't think he's ready yet let's listen other weaker soul -- these other guys could be playing in a bar I mean he's eligible yet eligible bachelor. And you know we could see him in the next and -- hope in the next three to five games it's it's funny too because and then in hindsight is always 20/20 the -- had a really good year. I mean most people you know think back to June when he carried this team. When Ortiz was on the sidelines to Roger or an article about JD -- he's had he's really had a very good year he's had a kinda year. Maybe Theo was expecting of -- a year ago. But he goes down. They bring in kotsay. Any slides right into the position and he produces he you know all hits -- doubles and at a triple --

It's like not to he's been having a good year and even have a lot of home runs but applicant is averaging -- some the other numbers beneath had a he's had a very good year. So it's not a surprise to see him come in and be productive and -- April Red Sox fans -- at their anxiously awaiting the arrival of J. D. Drew. They can afford to take their time with and they don't have the force J. D. Drew comeback. But I would think. As good as kotsay has been. And as. Rejuvenated as Coco Crisp looks. I I would rather their best lineup this is. Is a lineup with J. D. Drew and all.

With bay and laughed -- Berrian Sander and Andrew and her -- right now I I think I agree. You know and it means less playing time for kotsay and for Coco Crisp. But I I agree with the I think the ideal lineup and around the infield you'd have lol Lowry. Pedroia and Youkilis. And and you go from there yeah pretty good.