June 2010
It’s Caballito’s Team Now
In the early hours of Friday morning, Dustin Pedroia took ownership of the 2010 Boston Red Sox. It was then that the feisty second baseman launched a Houston Street pitch into the Denver night for his third home run of the game. It gave the Red Sox an improbable 13-11 win–improbable because minutes before Jonathan Papelbon had blown his second save in 24 hours. Papelbon then pitched the 10th for the win.
‘Pedey’, as he is called by his teammates, has become the de facto captain of this squad–the leader that characterizes all that is good about them. If ever there was a “jump on my back, boys” moment in 2010 it was last night. In addition to the game-winning home run, all Pedroia did was clout two other round-trippers–going 5 for 5 with a walk, five RBI and four runs scored. Since June 10th, he is hitting a filthy .500.
As the Red Sox struggle to deal with crushing injuries (Nava, Hall & McDonald sounds more like a crooked law firm than a starting Red Sox outfield), it is Pedroia who has been the glue that has kept things together. Beltre and Youkilis have also been steady, but it’s the little ‘Caballito’ that has taken on the role of a true leader.
DisloyalNation?
A ridiculous story recently appeared on an otherwise interesting website called SeatGeek. The article purported to show that Red Sox fans are less loyal to their team than Yankee fans are to theirs based on less willingness to pay usurious prices for tickets on the secondary market. How dumb is that?
It’s like arguing that smokers are more socially conscious than non-smokers, because their earlier deaths save millions of dollars in extra health-care costs. Yeah, but…..
As Nick Underhill points out on MassLive.com, the Red Sox have sold 100.8% of their home tickets this year compared with only 86.2% in the Concrete Bunker On 161st Street. Moreover, Red Sox road ticket sales outpace the Pinstripe Posers–84.2% versus 81.3%.
So, SeatGeek, turn the thermostat up in the basement and tell your Mom you do want another FlufferNutter sent down.
Nava Protection Program
The Red Sox have instituted a top-secret set of policies aimed at protecting new hero Daniel Nava. For the balance of the 2010 season, every effort will be made to keep Adrian Beltre away from Nava–on and off the field. Not only will Nava be housed on a separate floor in the team hotel from Beltre, he will also be sequestered from any team meetings involving the Red Sox third-baseman.
Red Sox manager Terry Francona stated, “Look, the kid has had some pretty darn good karma on his side so far. We are not going to let Beltre mess that up.”
Beltre has been amenable to the scheme, agreeing not to even converse with Nava, lest the temptation be too great to knee him in the ribs. He did offer the rookie one warning, however, “Don’t ever touch my head–ever”.
Ellsbury Still Hurt; Franco Still Dead
After visiting with Dr. Lewis Yocum in California, it was revealed that Jacoby Ellsbury’s ribs still hurt and that he needs more rest. So, this is our second opinion? I have no medical training, and I think I could have arrived at the same conclusion.
This whole RibGate thing is getting as vexing as the Mike Lowell Death Watch. Can someone please clear the air? Does Jacoby think the Red Sox doctors screwed up in their initial diagnosis, or not? Is Scott Boars horning in on the process to punish the Sox yet again? Were his ribs ever actually fractured, or not? Where the heck are the reporters who supposedly cover this team on a daily basis to give us some answers?
The bottom line in all this, of course, is that the Red Sox suffer mightily with Ellsbury out of the lineup–both offensively and defensively. If he had been healthy all year, chances are our current position in the standings would be greatly enhanced.
Just get back, Jacoby, will ‘ya? Spare us the Soap Opera!
fenwaynationchief
Recent Comments