The Boston Red Sox have it all. All the reasons to claim why this is a lost season. All the excuses as to why they might not make the postseason. All of the the explanations as to why this year wasn't meant to be.
That being said, this team has something most Red Sox teams don't have. Spunk. We're talking beyond dirt dog status here. SPUNK! Players who were called up from the minors - not expected to do anything. Players who have outperformed expectations. Players who have offered a glimpse of the future.
For those who are down on the Sox, those who think this is a lost season, those who think that this season has been less than expected, ease up. This team, based on what has happened to it, has exceeded all expectations.
First, let's go back to winter. Many people thought the Sox would easily be a 3rd place team WITH the players they had. But, without most of them for prolonged periods of the season, no one would have given them a chance.
No, this team has spunk.
Think back to July, when the Sox were close to 1st. Expectations exceeded. Everything clicked. There was reason for optimism. Then the injuries hit. They mounted. They snowballed. There was trouble in paradise.
But, through it all, they have fought, clawed, and dug in. They are a true team.
Sure, they've lost many of their position players for chunks of the year. A lesser team would have mailed it in. This team has not.
There is reason to be optimistic. Perhaps not this season - though I am not ready to wave the flag yet (it is close, though). But, it is set up great for the future. The rotation is solid. Some of the younger position players are signed for a while. The bench is good. With some money to spend this off season, this team is ready to strike. Go on the rise.
So for the rest of this season, ease up. Watch how Doubront and Bowden work in the bullpen. Watch how Kalish plays. See how Nava and McDonald can perform for long stretches. Then, think about next year. The Sox are no longer playing for the championship...they are playing for next year.
And next year looks pretty darn good....thanks to SPUNK!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Sox getting into it
Ah, the Sox may finally be back. Each year, the Sox need a spark plug, and last night may have been it.
First things first. There are a lot of subplots still surrounding this team. It was great to see Mike Lowell finally being used. I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason and there was no doubt that he was not traded for a reason. Now, we know why.
Second, hopefully the Jacoby Ellsbury saga comes to an end today. It appears he is ready to be called back. This is HUGE. There are too many lingering questions about his work ethic, effort, and desire. He needs to return to put those to rest and settle the angst that fellow teammates have regarding him.
However, probably they most important event of last night involved the brouhaha in the late innings. Every Sox team that was successful benefited from a jump start and this may have been it. After the Indians failed attempt to hit Papi and Beltre, the subsequent bench clearing argument - definitely not a brawl - was interesting. A lot of steam was let off during that event and I think it was important to notice how the team came together and what personalities were into it.
JOSH BECKETT - he definitely showed the most fire he has shown in a year. His gripe with Duncan shows he still has the fire to be THE man in the rotation.
JOHN LACKEY - great to seem him be the first man off the bench into the gathering. He flew in, was keepin everyone from fighting, but was certainly vocal to the Indians. Shows you that he can be THE MAN when needed.
DUSTIN PEDROIA - the man with the broken foot was in the middle of things. While that may garnish him a fine, this tells you all you need to know about the man. He is HUGE and can't wait to get back.
ADRIAN BELTRE - nice job protecting himself. This dude is not to be messed with.
JOHN FARRELL - it is always important to have a coach who is a protector. This guy is it, which is phenomenal. He definitely was in the middle of things, doing what he does best. Talk about leadership.
TERRY FRANCONA - it is rare to see him all worked up, especially in a gathering such as this. But his tet-a-tet with 3rd base coach Smith definitely showed where the leadership is on this team. That was impressive.
This is the type of game you remember. The season just got a little more interesting!!!
First things first. There are a lot of subplots still surrounding this team. It was great to see Mike Lowell finally being used. I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason and there was no doubt that he was not traded for a reason. Now, we know why.
Second, hopefully the Jacoby Ellsbury saga comes to an end today. It appears he is ready to be called back. This is HUGE. There are too many lingering questions about his work ethic, effort, and desire. He needs to return to put those to rest and settle the angst that fellow teammates have regarding him.
However, probably they most important event of last night involved the brouhaha in the late innings. Every Sox team that was successful benefited from a jump start and this may have been it. After the Indians failed attempt to hit Papi and Beltre, the subsequent bench clearing argument - definitely not a brawl - was interesting. A lot of steam was let off during that event and I think it was important to notice how the team came together and what personalities were into it.
JOSH BECKETT - he definitely showed the most fire he has shown in a year. His gripe with Duncan shows he still has the fire to be THE man in the rotation.
JOHN LACKEY - great to seem him be the first man off the bench into the gathering. He flew in, was keepin everyone from fighting, but was certainly vocal to the Indians. Shows you that he can be THE MAN when needed.
DUSTIN PEDROIA - the man with the broken foot was in the middle of things. While that may garnish him a fine, this tells you all you need to know about the man. He is HUGE and can't wait to get back.
ADRIAN BELTRE - nice job protecting himself. This dude is not to be messed with.
JOHN FARRELL - it is always important to have a coach who is a protector. This guy is it, which is phenomenal. He definitely was in the middle of things, doing what he does best. Talk about leadership.
TERRY FRANCONA - it is rare to see him all worked up, especially in a gathering such as this. But his tet-a-tet with 3rd base coach Smith definitely showed where the leadership is on this team. That was impressive.
This is the type of game you remember. The season just got a little more interesting!!!
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