Evan Grant

We've been talking about Evan grant the writer from the Dallas morning news and he's been nice enough. To what calls back and he's joining us live on the on the phone lines right right now avenue Guardia and Steve Buckley is your little Maloney -- to play for the Red Sox -- block rates. For the Boston -- thanks to get back to us because. We got some questions here. Sure -- organize the then Youkilis yeah.

How I -- I noted that the Red Sox Nation is extremely passionate and I do hope that everybody did that is listening is aware of the fact that. I did vote giving -- which is busier tale of.

I I was just gonna say you voted for -- number one K rod number two no -- three. Hamilton for Quinton five -- six cliff -- seven. My our eight Sizemore nine Carlos Pena tents all wanna I wanna present -- the the clear picture true picture yeah. We -- was Dustin Pedroia was eleven or twelve.

He was in Indy in different ballots that I had cooked up it is plea is that September. Well I was toying around with them is my -- MVP but. Even.

I don't know any problem I don't know what it was that. That would it was then.

You know again -- probably 88 and that was probably before he had big big games in late September but let me.

When did you file about. Ballot so after the season did you watch him in August and then September.

I'd you know I'd start you know month. We played there the Rangers played Boston. Believe it was Labor Day weekend here at -- more. Those games that and I saw you know I was busy covering -- quote from ours -- September -- saw work ESPN highlights and things like that.

How could you at one time this is -- even more so. Let me let me tell you not to say at one point you were viewing him. As the as the MVP candidate.

I. Absolutely just said that and I thought it would because there one point in time. I had scenarios in which I considered him as my tail MB today and what's it wouldn't let me. Not just. Finish up here. The steps that I weighed the heaviest I think when it came down to it to everything. The worst thing is like. OP just. Batting average with runners in scoring position. Clutch hitting tight situations. They want to look at Kevin's numbers compared to dawson's numbers. They dwarfed the most situation.

That's fine okay have a whole lot of -- I I can I -- appreciate even applaud that if you make a rational decision. To pick Youkilis opened the warrior -- MVP based on the criteria putting forward but how does that rationalize we drew up -- ballot completely.

I don't know it well I mean the guys you started on not a -- questions of what I do want to -- early on words. It's completely. And totally. I think based on what call my colleagues all of whom -- respect very much have voted today it bit my opinion was wrong with Dustin Pedroia. Did did belong on the ballot in the deep -- belongs obviously in the top spot. When he came down to it again when I looked at it if those numbers haven't looked at it guys individual success. You know and and I'll just go back you can look at you I -- I've been -- today. You don't -- he was your was eighteenth in Tokyo personally he was thirtieth in batting average with runners in scoring position was 53 in. OBP reverse and scored position and obviously I know he led the league in the lead tied for the league.

hits doubles multi hit games. Gold glove gold gloves silver bat recommend.

Guys. I beat -- I'm telling you that it's entirely it's it's entirely acceptable to me if you don't agree with my opinion.

Evans and -- it well hold on second and violent -- sort out again I'm not arguing the point of view Kalus versus Georgia and to be honest with you. I don't want to seem like we're parochial here and it why didn't you have -- number two what I don't I -- India's I'm looking at your worst year Sizemore. No way with that somebody and you know people have told us that you're respectable -- is no way that somebody that watches the game the baseball.

Could look at this list -- Dustin Pedroia is not one of the top ten candidates for MVP that's what we're saying. You have 456. How could you not want him in the top ten when you already said that you would consider podium. As that guy I don't get.

Well you know against these I can only tell if.

Atlanta it's easier to -- I was when I -- so I don't get how do you leave them out of the top.

I can only tell you that as the month of September as like his there's a month of September takes place I I constantly. Kind of put together are MVP ballots in round. I'd look at the entire season. After many conversations with players over the past. I've kind of changed my -- a little bit. Hey you have to values most players have told me tell you shouldn't value September it over everything else but it -- 262. Game season and you can't. You can't say that because Carlos Quentin was hurt in September that he shouldn't be considered for. -- Well I mean that's your opinion and then I'm not I'm not -- again I would I would be happy to tell you were listening audience. In all ball boss and all of New England. Bit if they feel that I was wrong in leaving dusted off the ballot they are entirely. That opinion is it is is entirely acceptable to make. But to suggest that I don't I don't watch -- game or to suggest that I don't know what's going on I think it a little bit unfair.

I'm glad I'm I'm suggesting that you didn't watch enough Dustin Pedroia and -- it on. -- you can cover this sport you ever just because you cover one team you can still it would sports center and everything else that's on the you have you don't watch enough highlights that. Two to come to some conclusion that Dustin Pedroia was at least a top five top six -- and.

I told he was a top ten candidates -- blue chips at my nose and I didn't put it in the top down.

That's an added fuel is not -- I -- that's my question how do you feel what went when the winner of the MVP the one that your colleagues across the country realize that the best player in American League was dust of -- it's -- like I was that make you feel when you do need to put them and.

It makes you feel like my opinion was wrong.

We lay off that not just wrong like way off let it be if he's not at that point and that would appoint him. That's way off -- Sort out how am really stronger -- as -- Somebody --

This is this is unproductive. I mean it if you just let it really wrong. I'm really wrong RI. Can't let them again. Everybody's entitled to their I'm obviously not -- I you walk. I come on here in the middle by talking yet about what I'd do what -- taught us and showed tonight do you want me out to be an idiot.

I didn't I'm not saying that you're saying now that you're at -- coming up neck right but that. But the question what I'm trying to do was trying to get some reasoning -- ago like when I first heard about your your -- next. We're certainly before -- while maybe his reasoning was you can only have won MVP -- Youkilis was. Inside your Boston's MVP so he couldn't have another one then we saw that with 220 players and that was we were sitting here lying to reason. As to why you would make -- and I've got to tell you which said your talk to you now for almost eight minutes.

Which haven't been able to rationalize -- them.

not get a tendency guys you guys.

I don't know and a convincing you haven't given a reason while why would anyone jumping and having beaches you've matched them up -- you collect -- yeah that.

I I guess where I have the problem is in and I can embassy having my ballot if that's you want to call it -- make a lot of us -- the same thing you start. Writing down different choices as the season. Goes into its final weeks we're we're I'm left blind sided by this is is how. At one juncture await the season in Europe mark -- you had him injury MVP. And and I don't understand what he did or did not do. From that point forward that he didn't merit consideration being a top ten.

I mean he even he merited all the consideration in the world to be in the top ten but -- on the day after the season what I looked at all the numbers over the course of the entire season.

The body of numbers to -- suggested that -- is is as good of a candidate as he was for the top -- out of I thought that I could make right I can I thought in my mind I could be comfortable would be over ten yards.

IR -- now I'm I'm going to -- went in for a minute because we scene of a philosophical disagreement I thought that when. He physically harmed himself and got himself out he he he took himself off of any doubt I would of put together having said that. Let's just go unite choice let's put Grady Sizemore the Cleveland Indians and again we are talking about. Most valuable player this -- player of the year where's that ruled the day. Grady Sizemore with the out of the running Cleveland Indians an enormous disappointment this season going from game seven of the LCS and -- seven. To completely out of the running by Labor Day by Memorial Day this year. You pick Grady Sizemore number nine and the jury doesn't appear in about can you see where that would be inconsistent with the Spirit of the Award.

All I can see it again I can see where people would make -- with what again. And people everybody else may be right and I may be wrong in retrospect I will live with the fact that I am wrong and I will tell you. I will tell you that I -- in it and number of even over responded to people that it's entirely possible that I got too cute in. It helps I tried to analyze the karma couple spots on the ballot but -- that you don't do not sit here. It and at an end and then they insinuate that the Grady Sizemore. Didn't have an outstanding.

Thing that. Not getting outstanding season Cliff Lee you head. As seventh pick you know understand that he is the cy young two of two most valuable players in the league at seven in nine on a team that didn't even compete for anything. Whereas the obvious choice a lot of people out there Sammy as as results here Dustin Pedroia. Won the American League and yet these two guys on a team that was -- contention. We don't get more acknowledgment you put him in your ballot you leave and with Dustin Pedroia who. Throughout if you look at the body work if you look at what this ball club that missed with the injuries throughout from day one this guy help this team carry him along with throughout the candidate Kevin Youkilis. It just doesn't make any sense that you would leave off the guy that ended up winning. The American League MVP. It that guy that you actually considered at some point and if you look at is our month of August we hit 3746. Home runs twenty RBIs 33 running route runs scored. And -- a 1060. OP yes at what point did your opinion changed. Because he dominated the month of August -- you possibly go from a possible MVP candidate to completely. Off --

Again I didn't I used it's based on an entire your body. Of numbers over the course of the season the hand I mean I know Pedroia won an Award gold glove at second base I understand it. Grady Sizemore is considered a goal -- in a global defender in the outfield to disarm means. You know little that. Is Pedroia a better candidate and it was he a better candidate retrospect. Guys I've acknowledged that time after time after time. I -- time telling you. Bit when I put together -- list on a day after this season and ultimately. Though the numbers that I looked at the numbers that I came up with. All of that stuff. Led me to think that hey wait a minute I don't want to overvalued. I don't want to overvalued Pedroia is steadiness in greenest and all that other stuff. And I think you know if anything I'm may have erred on the side of statistical analysis a little.

did you like take into consideration that he struck out only 52 times and seven under ten plate appearances. Just one.

I did not take -- I didn't want to -- that's also pretty it was a question and just. I don't know it.

I don't know why I would take into does that count. The number of strikeouts in an MVP candidate.

You gotta be particularly are you serious you've got you serious and either send them through sentiments saying we were Europe's second you know baseball and obviously you don't take that into account. C'mon I don't I don't and I Texas at old women I don't I don't understand why that not taken in the consumer advocate and I don't.

worn down the list doesn't have to be the number of strikeouts to determine an MBTA.

It's going to be consumer it's summer -- national media considerations somewhere around -- Ryan Howard finished the Ryan Howard should regiment that was always -- or was he unless I don't vote for a national that. We're ready prediction of -- second. Helmet to strike out sitting out this may be light wind. Okay but -- strikeouts Padilla.

A brilliant and that's not worsen what you're do what is your -- counting. Pat you're a -- counting the fact that he simply doesn't strike out.

You'll -- you don't always I think we're a disagreement is you'll don't understand -- and -- it may be looking at all power hitters maybe -- you have your own definition.

It apparently doesn't belong with the rest of your baseball -- group.

Would you let your definition. Of what this -- should be and it's not in step with what everybody else out there.

What I have a I can't what -- value is getting on base in producing runs.

He's easy going a 118. It runs scored. He led the league and so we couldn't categories how to beat. Look at and I look like I'm outside of the -- a match on the road. The chances -- come up with our our. Out of left -- some more.

I'm glad that you guys that you don't have that opinion -- that that's where you stand on that but you know again. But the guy who didn't believe you know he did not -- his -- in in on base percentage he wasn't even. It'll -- his numbers were dwarfed by Kevin you.

Okay FI don't have anything to flowing into that trap. Doing it either war we only had a bullet now and our lack.

I've been quiet now you can compute comparing victorious that was Youkilis is numbers for -- number one choice and that's why -- but -- and that that's that's as good argument but. It's not a it's not off it. Tulsa will -- it's it's not a bullet out it's not what you'd have to put one number one name in the while the white.

Guys have been very pretty MVP for -- for about ten years been like I know how the.

Worse should probably deal while apparently not because you'd you'd keep comparing Pedroia with Youkilis and that's fine up to a point there aren't that -- that that's that's the solid rationale for not picking the jury number one. The there remains no rational for not putting him on the ballot completely. That's not a point that's that's the usually here it's not who's number one who's number two it's who's not number 109876.

Guys. All I can do is -- You're right. You're you're right -- wrong. I admitted that I was wrong on my upon my ballot in in retrospect. If that's what -- try to get out of me. That's what you got everything -- just do not understand the process of continuing to go back and take. Why did you leave him off the ballot I understand what you are solid and left it on the ballot and you tried to answer your question.

Can I get that you your job when you go into locker room at the clubhouse the end of the game is to ask questions to try to find out what happened we're just asking you. The basics seem.

Right and what I do my answers you're not accept with the.

Because it because again I'm not ration I don't think they make any sense I'm I'm not trying to be rude here I just hope that they again I think puck just explained to you wouldn't. You're you're missing the point -- not sit there arguing why you didn't have a number one night we get them. I understand and and an even here I think we looked at it is possible what the point. Where were trying to figure out is how you could leave them out.

Can't get ten other guys in front of -- I switched Hewitt said today you know what.

I I.

I messed up I forgot what his name and.

I had a bad day that the and I just you know overlooked hitters something. And because I didn't look at him his number one but work question a couple of New. York and that's hardly.

Partly that's our problem -- and that's our.

Okay well I did you know again I don't think there's a questioner but. Whatever that's fine I've I've told you why I left him off the top down you guys don't.

I and I don't -- couple weeks ago. When you submitted your ballot because. A lot of them were you submit a ballot reach it and I'll look when you submitted your ballot did you see yourself. This is going to be controversial ward did you submitted. Not have any concern that that would happen.

I did not I I didn't really concern myself with whether or not -- would be controversial. I don't. I didn't -- needed in -- in 991 I voted. I think I think 99 -- voted pager number Q. And people were asking why a guy left Pedro off his balance aren't.

in the Al dale Lavelle Neal through from and so.

And again I mean. You know it it. There's different there's there is it is such a subjective Award it is so full of every year trying to put together. What your impressions are in no matter what you say he only get a limited amount of of exposure to each. I've I've I've talked with people.

That are I -- I disagree I -- in this day and age you know twenty years ago you're right avenue got a limited access option to a guy's game in this day and age. There's so much video available now the --

By not Browns -- I want you just I don't know what to believe that you don't have an opportunity to see and I don't know I.

I let you know you just I'd you have an opportunity but I cover my club about twelve hours today I can sleep for about six or seven and then the rest of the time since we try to have a life.

I've come down to three hours sleep and its work and.

Well I didn't I don't know I really don't aren't. But you know I think if you want to question -- anyone question my integrity whatever you want to deal on that down. I don't think that's very fair if you guys want to disagree would -- road that's entirely. It rarely got off.

I will leave that that we disagree with you vote but I do appreciate you at least get back to us and at least being willing to. To respond. Here in Boston.

Well I didn't know -- I'd I didn't know that do what I had done was was considered you know. I hate us but we -- yeah.

We haven't heard from other people -- more power yes a lot of people are trying to. If you're from other writers who -- what sleep you don't.

No actually arts I've spoken to every writer in Boston who asked good you know would you give me they have treated to a question and I gave them an answer your question. And they said hey I appreciate your time and and that your opinion.

What we're doing a radio show -- we're conversation and what they're doing is they're looking for a quote and then what they'll do is so. Well that. That works right. Actually that's got our work or Dolphins are well you're just for Europe they obviously -- about today you're a different era. I haven't thank you very much we appreciate. It and who knows them. Or that make him.