Hit and Run with Dan Roche

Congratulations

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:24:48 GMT

I congratulate the defending World Series Champion Boston Red Sox on making it back to the postseason for the 5th time in the last 6 seasons.

I laugh at anyone who says they should have had a "low key" celebration. Why?

You begin your season February 15th. You open your year as defending champs in Japan. You travel all over together. You lose key players to injuries. You trade a Hall of Fame superstar. You bring in new players, young and old. You mold a team together on the field and in the clubhouse.

You are one of only 4 teams in your league to make it to the play-offs. And, you have several new players that have never had a taste of postseason.

Celebrate? Are you kidding me?

Celebreate all you wants guys. You deserve it. We'll see you next week in the postseason.

Congratulations.

Play-offs Are Looming

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:52:29 GMT

The Magic number for the Red Sox to make the postseason for the 5th time in the last six seasons is dwindling. It may very well happen this weekend in Toronto.

Congratulations. So, now what?

How do you feel about this year's edition of your Boston Red Sox?

Boston went 8-10 against Tampa Bay this season. 1-8 vs the LA Angels, and 4-3 vs the Chicao White Sox. The Sox were also 4-3 against the Minnesota Twins, just in case Ron Gardenhire's crew catches the White Sox.

On paper(Theo Epstein's least favorite term), the Red Sox would like to play the White Sox. However, that appears to be a lonsghot. If Boston can rally and win the AL East, they would most likely play the White Sox. However, if they win the WIld Card, it would be on to LA.

The Sox swept the Angels last year thanks to brilliant performances from Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling. Can Boston beat the Angels this year? Sure, why not. I think a rotation of Beckett, Lester, and Matsuzaka matches up well with any combination of John Lackey, Ervin Santana, Jon Garland, Joe Saunders, and Jered Weaver.

The one big difference this season, in my mind, concerning the Angels is the addition of Mark Teixeira. Put him with Vladdy and Torii Hunter and this offense is much tougher to face.

As for Tampa, well, you don't have to worry about the Rays until you get by either the Angels or the White Sox.

Meanwhile, relax and take a deep breath. Get some sleep. Just sit back and watch Theo Epstein, Terry Francona, and John Farrell rest and re-shape the roster so that all the big guns are ready to come out firing in a couple of weeks.

And, congratulations on yet another fun baseball season in New England.

Yaz/Pedroia

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:43:08 GMT

I was away when one of my all-time favorite players Carl Yastrzemski went down with heart trouble. I'm praying Yaz is feeling much better these days following bypass surgery. Was just telling my kids the other day that I had a Yaz poster in my bedroom growing up and would have a blast trying to imitate his 50 different stances playing wiffle ball.

Meanwhile, as we've been watching Dustin Pedroia hit everything in sight as this Sox stretch run is underway, I couldn't help but think that Pedroia may be having a Yaz finish to his season. In 1967, Yaz had every big hit...every big play down the stretch as the Sox won the American League pennant.

Any insight/feedback from you on this would be helpful since I was 3 years old in 1967 and don't remember. I just go by all the stores from the likes of Curt Gowdy, Ned Martin, Peter Gammons, etc that I heard over the years.

Ortiz on Pedroia

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:59:32 GMT

I had an interesting conversation with David Ortiz about possible MVP candidate Dustin Pedroia before Tuesday's game against the Orioles.

I asked Ortiz what he tought of all the "M-V-P, M-V-P" chants and all the MVP talk in general, surrounding Pedroia right now. His answer? He thought it was great for Pedroia.

David felt that when it happened to him in past years...when he heard the fans, etc...he felt that it game a "big bag of confidence".

Make sense in some ways. Why not? Makes you feel good at the plate(as opposed to booing, right?). Each time up the fans are taking the time to tell you that you are the best player in the American League. Meanwhile, Pedroia, as only he can do, said the other day that basically he wanted the fans to "shut up, I'm trying to hit". Classic Pedroia.

I think that's one side of Pedroia that the fans don't get to see. He is one of the funniest guys you'll ever come across. Always yapping, always upbeat...always getting on somebody. No one is spared, including his manager.

As Alex Cora told me...it's still early when it comes to the MVP voting. We've got a couple dozen of games to go. However, right now...you have to give Dustin Pedroia a long, long look. Carlos Quentin? K-Rod? Morneau or Mauer? Josh Hamilton? Kevin Youkilis?

I'll take Pedroia. And with that....take David's advice. Keep up the chanting.

Bowden and Pedroia

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 02:59:02 GMT

It was all about two guys Saturday night at Fenway Park as Boston bested Chicago 8-2.

Michael Bowden and Dustin Pedroia.

The 21-year-old Bowden made his Major League debut on the mound and the hot-shot didn't disappoint. Bowden used his fastball for two innings and then pulled out a curve and chaneg-up. He worked an "effective" five innings and got the win.

The story here? Continues to be the Sox Baseball Ops guys. Director of Amateur Scoutin Jason McLeod and his staff. Director of Player Development Mike Hazen and his staff. Theo Epstein and John Henry. They all deserve a big pat on the back for finding, signing, and developing kids like Bowden, Masterson, Lester, Papelbon, Delcarmen, Buchholz, Matsuzaka, Okajima. And don't forget all the positional players such as Ellsbury, Pedroia, Lowrie, etc....Amazing stuff.

Ah yes, Pedroia. The man that energizes this ballclub on a nightly basis. Hang around him for any amount of time and you can't help but smile. He's infectious. One of the best things I like about him? He shows at 1pm at the park for a 7pm game and he's always full of energy. Ready to "rake" as he would say, or ready to "put on a laser show". He's got a great attitude...and...as we're finding out..he can really hit. He seemingly "squares up" on every ball.

Amazing......

Road Trip

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:00:52 GMT

This is it. The Sox need to put together some good performances over this important nine game road swing through Baltimore, Toronto, and New York.

The Sox enter the swing 4-1/2 games behind the Tampa Rays in the AL East and in a virtual tie with Chicgao/Minnesota in the AL Wild Card chase.

Following this swing the Sox play only nine games away from Fenway Park the rest of the way.

What will be the difference? As David Ortiz told me Sunday...and as Jason Varitek always says..."pitching, pitching, pitching".

Good News on Ortiz

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:15:17 GMT

You can breathe again. David Ortiz and his left wrist checked out fine Tuesday, one day after Big Papi heard a click on a swing in his final at-bat in a 4-3 loss to Kansas City. Apparently, Ortiz just simply swung too hard on a pitch.

Ortiz, who told Tony Massaroti of the Boston Herald that he heard the click, was apparently checked out and was deemed good to go. He was back in his usual number-three spot in the batting order.

Ortiz missed nearly two months after he tore the tendon sheath in his left wrist on May 31st in Baltimore. Doctors put him in a full-arm cast so that the sheath would have a good chance of healing itself. So far, so good.

Ortiz has struggled at the plate lately...going just 3-for his last-22.

But...the big story Tuesday..is that he's ok. With all the Manny stuff going on, an Ortiz injury was the last thing Terry Francona and the Sox needed at this point.

Ortiz... Click Concern

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:19:56 GMT

You have to be concerned that David Ortiz heard a "click" in his left wrist during his final at-bat Monday night against the Royals.

Concerned.

However, let's just see where it goes from here. It's not time to panic. I would expect bumps in the road as David recovers.

When info comes in Tuesday night from KC....then we'll discuss.

But, this is certainly a story to keep an eye on.

Manny Update

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:05:26 GMT

There's about a 5-percent chance that Manny Ramirez will be gone by Thursday afternoon's Major League Baseball Trade deadline.

It would certainly make sense that the Sox and LA Dodgers would have a conversation about Manny going out to LA-LA land. The Dodgers have young major leaguers ready to give such as Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, or James Loney. Massachusetss man Frank McCourt, who owns the Dodgers has brought plenty of Sox players(Nomar, Bill Mueller) and staff(Grady Little) to Hollywood. And, the Dodgers could use Manny's bat.

However, it seems any deal would be too complicated. Manny's "veto power", contract situation, etc..

I was told "flat out" Tuesday night by someone I know and trust around the team that there's "no way" Manny gets traded. No way. Count on it. And he wasn't the first person to say that to me.

Could it happen? I don't discount anything simply because the Sox Front Office can and has gottten very creative in these situations. However, I was also told that there won't...won't be any 3-way trade such as Manny goes to team X for prospects and then the Sox turn around and acquire a big bat from another team. Nothing big like that.

Meanwhile, the Sox could use another veteran bullpen arm and perhaps the emotional boost that a trade can bring. We've seen the Yankees get Damaso Marte and Xavier Nady and LA get Mark Texeira.

So maybe the Sox will do something. However, don't expect number-24 to be going anywhere soon.

The Manny Story

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:57:32 GMT

Let me start by telling you this new Manny being Manny episode is not being driven by us, the media. I think you know me well enough by now that I am one that simply appreciates the "game". Everything else around it is secondary. I realize these ballplayers are human beings and have their share of problems just like everyone else. I understand.

So with that said, here's what I can tell you about this latest chapter and you make up your mind about how you feel and what you would do or think will happen.

Manny Ramirez has had tendinitis in his right knee for years. It's something he's had to deal with. He's had hamstring issues. However, all ballplayers deal with tendinitis, arm issues, etc. For instance, Jason Varitek has had to battle through all kinds of stuff on a daily basis to be able to play. Just ask him and he'll tell you. I've had conversations with Tek about certain injuries and he would say something along the lines of, "it's nothing I can't handle or haven't dealt with before". Again, all ballplayers have ailments. It's part of the game.

I will say no one...no one...knows how someone else's body feels. However, the Sox front office and their medical staff get paid to keep tabs on how serious injuries are.

In Manny's case, he surprised his manager last Wednesday afternoon in Seattle by suddenly asking out of the line-up. Ok, it was surprising, but the Sox obliged and said fine.

Then Friday, the Sox assumed he would be good to go in the opener of one of their biggest games of their 2008 season. It also was the day that David Ortiz was coming back to the Sox line-up. A huge day for the team. Manny tells Brad Mills that he can't play again.

The Sox, because they have seen this stuff from Manny in the past, think he may be bluffing. After all, Manny has expressed that he wants the Sox ownership to pick up the two option years remaining on his contract. And, I can tell you folks that Manny(from what his teammates have told me over the years) is an insecure person. Nothing wrong with that, but it's the way he is. He does not like to have things to worry about. So, maybe Manny is a bit upset. Doesn't like having someone else control his future. I understand that. Again, he's human. Some people handle things better than others. However, Sox ownership was upset with him because they have already paid the guy $168 million for his services.

So, back to his knee. The Sox, again, think he may be battling his normal tendinitis. And, they go back to Manny and say, alright, let's get an MRI done to see what's going on. If it shows some damage, we'll address it. Maybe put you on the "disabled list" to let it heal. If it's the same as it has been over the years, you have to get yourself back in the line-up. The MRI comes back fine on both knees.

The Sox say get back in the line-up and to make their point even stronger(because they need him), they tell him that of he doesn't play, you may be fined or suspended. Saturday, Manny is back in the line-up.

Now this comes after the fact that Manny pushed down the traveling secretary because he wanted a large amount of tickets. But all parties cleared that up, as we know. Manny apologized to Jack McCormick, was fined, was talked to by his teammates, etc...

However(and this is my opinion here)...those same teammates had to be disappointed with him not playing Friday night against the Yankees(a game they lost 1-0). When Manny shut it down in 2006 with an injury, some of his mates were livid. It hurts when you feel the guy next to you in the office, on your team, etc..isn't doing everything in his power to help you win.

So now.....what do you do?

Theo Epstein will take phone calls from other teams and listen to offers. Can he get "prospects" back for Manny, plus a major league player? How much of his salary will he have to pick up? If he works out a deal and Manny says "I'm not going unless that team picks up both my options," does Theo pay some of those option years? If you deal Manny, can you find another bat to go with Ortiz somewhere else.

In other words, is it worth it? Or do you suck it up and keep him? Hope Manny's teammates rally around him again and get him to play hard the final two months of the season. Maybe his agent, Scott Boras, can help in some way. The Sox and the hard-nosed Boras do have a good working relationship and this is the first time Boras has seen this up close.

Who knows what will happen. The Sox have been prepared to trade him before, but have never gotten anything close to the right offer for him. But Theo and the Baseball Ops guys are creative. Maybe they can work something out.

My best guess? Manny stays. This is just another hiccup and this dies down. But, who knows at this point.

As always, stay tuned. Should be an interesting week at Fenway.