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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 25, 2024 12:10:18 GMT -5
Just saw a photo in the LA Times of uniformed elderly secessionist Civil War veterans and their families at the 1925-26 dedication of a memorial to fallen confederate soldiers in a LA cemetery. You can bet some vets watched baseball even at Fenway.
FYI, in grad school more than 40 years after that photo I had the honor of interviewing a wonderful matriarch who had been born into slavery. She didn’t follow baseball but she taught me a lot.
Interesting that the article went on to document the far right secessionist leanings of early LA, still a cow town. An important contributor was the Stage Coach route that ran from Texas through southern NM and AZ to LA. It brought slave holders and their slaves to LA. The area was so “southern” that more than 200 men joined the confederate army, only 2 the Union. The article documented that this political strain continued. The KKK and American Nazi and self proclaimed militia groups were strong. They still exist. But fortunately they are now a small, though still loud and angry, minority.
The arrival of the Dodgers, Angels, Lakers along with Hollywood helped change all that.
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 25, 2024 11:07:39 GMT -5
The Sox have gone from dreaming on a WC to being one. The job now is to actually make the postseason and compete.
Knowing how well Wong, Casas, Valdez, Devers, Hamilton, Duran, Rafaella, Abreu, ONeill, Refsnyder, Romy have turned out, injuries aside;
Knowing Houck, Bello, Crawford, Pivetta, Criswell, Winck, (Whitlock, Giolito) have proven themselves as talented MLB SP, injuries aside;
Knowing the Pen is strong and reinforcements like Grissom, Hendricks, hopefully Yoshida and some prospects are in the wings;
The time to enhance this young team’s chances to contend this season and prepare for next is this trade deadline. IMO we have our RHB in ONeill, Ref, Wong, Grissom, maybe Rafaella. But this board has correctly identified a good SP as key to not only patch holes left by Whitlock and Giolito but to stabilize the remaining solid rotation. Breslow must see the need and has the resources. It’s a no brsiner for such a smart FO.
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 24, 2024 2:46:38 GMT -5
I dunno. I assume Whitlock fills that Rotation out. I am hoping for a Pivetta extension. We have to love the depth of Criswell, Winck, Fitts, more prospects. That’s a good rotation with above average depth without even considering Kelly or Slaten as SP.
Also, would you be very surprised if Breslow traded for some really good SP in a month or so? Or that some more RP’s like Kelly are stretched out? Me neither.
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 24, 2024 2:22:48 GMT -5
As you say, several days of reckoning are approaching.
This is a perfect thread for the next month or so.
After months of seemingly countless injuries hurting play, only a few remain on the IL who may be back in 2024 (like Casas, Grissom, Hendricks, Mata) and are getting close to doing so. I can think of several spots for them.
Recent IL returnees helped to finally/actually get INTO the wild card competition. Ironic that around the deadline the Sox could improve as much from these returnees as any trade. Yet the rosters will also have to accommodate any trades, which makes this thread even more significant.
And guys like Criswell, Fitts, Winck will also be in the picture. This team just keeps getting better.
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 24, 2024 1:39:49 GMT -5
In the early 1900’s Civil War vets from both sides, in their 50’s and 60’s, were very active in all phases of life. Many veteran clubs and orgs were active then. And of course they followed baseball.
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 22, 2024 2:45:22 GMT -5
Would love to see how good Crochet would be after the Bailey bunch works with him. Bello & Crochet at 25, enhancing a highly talented youth movement.
On the other hand, how much of an upgrade NOW would he be over Houck, Crawford, Pivetta, Bello, Winck, Criswell and the near ready in AAA/AA.
I am all for it, but not if the cost hurts the team. Which means how ready are we to part with any key component of this evolving young team.
No matter, Breslow and Co have earned trust quickly. I have confidence in their decision making at the deadline, as long as it drives a strong playoff run in 2024 … and 2025.
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 21, 2024 14:43:16 GMT -5
Just using the Wall he looks like a doubles machine. But also his speed makes him a doubles machine just beating out singles and getting on base. Wow!
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 21, 2024 14:34:22 GMT -5
What an interesting teaser for a suddenly very young, very interesting team : Abreu? Hamilton? Rafaella? Slaten? Valdez? It seems most could get votes for something. Little Raffy is a big part of, IMO, a big transition. Certainly a face of it.
Add into this transition the recently kids in Bernardino, Bello, Casas, Crawford, Duran, Grissom, Romy G, Houck, Kelly, Weissert, Whitlock, Winck, Wong, Yoshida. Forever young.
Amazing that the old men include vote getters like Devers, O’Neill, Ref, Story. Add Anthony, Mayer, Teel to 2025. Nice.
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 19, 2024 3:03:15 GMT -5
Good young team doing good things, including winning 3 series vs good teams. Surprised? Had some fun? God bless the child.
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 18, 2024 3:49:55 GMT -5
Good problems
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 17, 2024 11:22:17 GMT -5
He was the one, it is true. But with all the injuries across the league (and with our own 40% of the rotation Giolito, Whitlock issues) it becomes clearer that $300M for a SP isn’t good roster building; pays a few top dogs ridiculous $$ at the expense of paying and keeping the other 25 guys.
On the other hand, it is becoming clear the Sox are well set for the foreseeable future at most positions. I would rather many of these kids sign decent contracts while still upgrading in areas of need. The old Theo argument for having/paying for the balance of average to above average players at every position. Imanaga would have fit into this concept perfectly.
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 17, 2024 10:39:41 GMT -5
Interesting point. Wait til Grissom is truly ready. He is 23, plenty of time to get back to his fighting weight and level of play. Meanwhile Hamilton, Romy, Valdez, Westbrook can shine. Lots of talent here now. Lots more to come. So glad Hamilton got a chance to show he belongs. IMO he is just getting started.
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 16, 2024 21:52:10 GMT -5
Hear ye, hear ye! Henceforth let this game be known as “the Fathers’ Day Game”, in which the Sox stole the day.
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 16, 2024 19:02:28 GMT -5
Baseball gods reward us for the umps BS Baseball gods? Solid defense? Not mutually exclusive.
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 16, 2024 18:53:38 GMT -5
“The Running Red Sox” says the announcer says. NEVeR heard that before. Love it.
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 16, 2024 17:47:41 GMT -5
Lineup tonight: Jarren Duran LF David Hamilton SS Rob Refsnyder RF Rafael Devers 3B Connor Wong C Masataka Yoshida DH Enmanuel Valdez 2B Dominic Smith 1B Ceddanne Rafaela CF Interesting speed kills observation. Accompanying the chaotic speed of Rafaella, Duran and Hamilton the only ones in this lineup without good speed are Raffy and Masa, maybe Dom. O'Neill’s speed on reserve. Grissom and Story also fit this new paradigm. I haven’t seen this emphasis in decades of watching.
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 16, 2024 10:28:01 GMT -5
This was the nightmarish PHI/NY series many feared would finally knock the Sox well below that magnetic .500. After, at min, a split and a clear headed look at the WC competition, well yikes. Now we know what we know and the Sox realistically look like buyers with resources to spend. Especially with: 1. continuing performances of the kids. 2. continuing returns of O’Neill, Yoshida, Valdez, Kelly, Abreu, Martin, Grissom, Casas, more. 3. growing confidence in the proximity of a half-dozen or so strong prospects emerging within a year.
The really good news is just how short the shopping list needs to be. This makes for a happy Fathers Day
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 15, 2024 9:20:07 GMT -5
Put differently: 1B, 2B, SS, LF, RF, OF, DH 4SP, 3RP, WTF.
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 13, 2024 10:52:09 GMT -5
Story, Hamilton, Grissom, Yorke, Valdez, Mayer as MI is another wonderful problem. Kinda like the logjam in the OF. Too bad we don’t have anyone good for 1B or 3B (or SP, RP, C, DH). IMO that core is materializing before our eyes.
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 12, 2024 2:29:41 GMT -5
Changing my mind about Dom. Wish got that. Wow. Edit. To be fair Schwarber won that game with 2 HR. And Valdez did make a poor throw. Still wish Dom caught it but he didn’t really cost this game. That came from just 4 hits, one run and some bizarre calls. It was the Phils that was supposed to be jet lagged.
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 11, 2024 19:05:39 GMT -5
Changing my mind about Dom. Wish got that. Wow.
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 11, 2024 3:27:27 GMT -5
For discussion sake. The Sox OF overflows with 5-deep talent even without Anthony or Masa. The Duran-Rafaella-Abreu OF is fast becoming among the best. Ref may already be the best 4th OF.
That leaves a seemingly fragile TON, a twice GG power hitting RHB, and I think a FA at the end of the season unless extended. His potential for defense, speed, power is well proven and he is reported good in the clubhouse. But playing 150 games again seems unlikely.
Would it be possible to extend him on the understanding he would be on the bench, providing well above average RHB depth for Abreu, Duran, Casas (he can learn like Yaz did) and especially Yoshida as well as PH and PR.
I like ONeill for that RH big bat. IMO he will probably offer as good a RHB, more versatility, comfort with the system, fans and park, and cost less than the players considered above. Just a thought
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 10, 2024 10:36:25 GMT -5
Beyond colonoscopy is the old and universal “All’s well that ends well.” I am grateful for the split. What pun?
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 9, 2024 10:53:32 GMT -5
You make excellent points. Red Sox Nation as a whole is experiencing classic signs of loss and fatigue. Again. But this time we are not the cursed loveable losers. I, personally, think the ship is gradually turning in the right direction so that offer stands.
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gerry
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Post by gerry on Jun 9, 2024 3:09:07 GMT -5
Champs. I feel your angst. And agree about the Sox being a sacred local trust. Beginning with my grandfathers more than a century ago through 6 generations of a large extended family down to our grandkids and great grandkids we are diehard Sox fans. This is a common beantown story.
I treasure the recent Sox dominant play from 2003 to 2021 and share your concern about the mis-steps of the past few years. But I am fully confident we will see it again soon. We are seeing the positive changes.
I also understand John Henry’s reluctance to be in the spotlight. He is a quiet, reserved man who is uncomfortable in its light, just like millions of people.
Moreover, after ALL he has done for the team and us, the fans, he has been increasingly pilloried online and in the media; and recently been booed by the same type of fans who relentlessly booed Ted Williams in my day, threw batteries at JDDrew and this week threw bottles at their players. Remember what Ted said to these morons masquerading as fans? I do. Why should JH feel compelled to face us during this insane period of historic vitriol and violent rhetoric. I can enjoy my house and simultaneously consider it an asset. What’s wrong with that?
Kennedy as his mouthpiece? C’mon. He is the Red Sox President. He, not JH, is the appropriate public persona of the Red Sox. We hear from Sam, Breslow, Cora and staff on a regular basis. Why should we expect more?
Finally, despite 14-16 injuries; despite losing foundational players like Whitlock, Giolito, Martin, Story, ONeill, Yoshida, Casas, Abreu, Grissom and many more, the Sox continue to hang in. It’s been a season of genuine highs and frustrating lows, which is draining for avid fans like you and me. So draining. But this team, healthy, is a very good team, even without several big ticket items we didn’t sign (and dodged a few bullets in doing so.).
I have never expected payroll to remain at the level of huge markets like NY, LA, CHI, DFW and have been pleased to always be in the $200M range. Come next off-season if the Sox don’t fill out this roster of amazing young talent with a star veteran or two and spend closer to the Tax-send me the receipt for a good meal and I will pay the bill. And I don’t gamble.
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