There is no I in team, but there is a W

Its been awhile, but I am back. Last night I was able to catch my first game of the season when the Sox played here in Philly. After all the ups and downs so far this season, the one huge difference I have noticed in the past few weeks, and specifically by watching them live, is how much of a true team these guys are becoming. With so many players on the DL, the pieces are starting to fit together nicely. Will Middlebrooks is showing that he belongs up with the big boys. He may not take Youks job just yet, but with him on the bench, there is a powerful right handed bat that can fill in when needed. One of the biggest surprises to me so far has been Daniel Nava. After he was up 2 years ago, I thought we would never see him again. He just looked average when he was here, but what I can say about him now is he is a BALLER. He plays with energy, youth, and attitude that the Sox needed at exactly the right time. Outside of the offense, I have loved what I have seen from the bullpen. They are starting to take pride in what they do and giving it their all. Rich Hill and Andrew Miller have brought some veteran experience to the pen and the back end of Aceves and Morales are starting to show why Bobby V likes them so much. And from the starting rotation, everything looks good since the bumpy start, but I am still worried about Bard. He is allowing at least 4 walks per game and looks lost as a starter. With the reaction from Bobby V after Friday, I am thinking we might see Bard back in the pen when Cook or Dice K are ready to come back and help out. Overall I am starting to like what I see, and you heard it hear first, the Sox will make the playoffs.

Back on Track?

After a rough home stand against some of the best competition in the AL, the Sox took their show on the road to Minnesota to play some of the weaker teams in league, and it turned out to be just what the doctor ordered at this point in the season. Going into the series, nothing was clicking, no offense, no starting pitching, and definitely no pen. Over the past three games, the big difference maker has been the offense. The lineup has finally started clicking, starting with the man at the top, Mike Aviles. At the end of spring training, I will admit that I was not a fan of him, specifically because of his lack of range. But ever since he has been moved into the leadoff spot, he has really grown on me. he is hitting for average (.324) for power (4 HRs) and is even causing havoc on the base paths. Following up behind Aviles is Big Papi, and all I have to say for him is WOW. The man is playing at an MVP level and I have never seen him look so healthy at this point in the season. Hitting over .400, driving the ball to the opposite field, and crushing shots like he did tuesday. I am impressed. Outside of those two, Youk is finally starting to hit, which is a great sign for the team. Also, why isn't Shoppach the everyday starter? he is on FIRE and is a great leader behind the dish. I love the way he has settled Beckett down, and been a real spark plug for this team. Another player that I am really impressed with is Cody Ross, I know he is hitting well, but I really love his fire. He energizes this team and reminds me of pedroia with his leadership (and his bat flip is pimp). Finally, I really like the pick up of Byrd to fill in for Ellsbury. He is not going to hit .300 or hit 20 home runs, but he really solidifies the defense in Center. He gives the pitchers confidence and allows Ross to play the corners where he is most comfortable. The only issue I have with this lineup right now is Adrian. We picked him up to be a power hitter. Hit 40 home runs, drive in runs and be a beast in the middle of the order. Right now, he is hitting below .300 and is being out slugged by Aviles. Something has to change. We need him to get his swing back and start driving the ball to compliment Papi in the heart of the lineup. Overall, I like what I see with this line up, and it gives me some optimism for the future.

I will hit on the starting pitching after Bard goes Friday, but let me get to this bullpen. Here is what I think needs to happen. Justin Thomas- there is a reason why the Pirates released him, go be a career minor leaguer. Aceves- go back to long relieving. He is a good pitcher, but not under pressure. Padilla- Hes a good 6th or 7th inning guy, but not a set up man. Atch- I love how he looks this year, move him into the 8th or 9th inning. Morales- Keep him, hes alright, just take some pressure off. Next, send Tazawa back to AAA and pull up Rich Hill for another lefty reliever. And then, when Wilson is ready, bring him up out of AAA and let him see what he can do with his 98 MPH fastball, I like what he has to offer. Lets hope this will help, because this Pen will be our downfall.

Panic Button: Pushed

       Push the panic button, sound the alarm, do whatever you want, but Sox Fans, this is rock bottom. Many people are going to compare this years start to last year, but that is honestly like comparing apples to oranges. Last year we had a new team, guys learning to play with each other, roles being worked out, and just some bad luck. But last year we had a closer, this year, our closers ERA is 24.00. Yes, after 2 weeks of baseball, the man who should have the lowest era on the team has an ERA greater than 20, and thats not for a lack of innings. Last year we had a starting rotation who at its best could compete with the best and the veteran Tim Wakefied in the wings. This year, we have 2 pitchers who have never started in the majors and if they fail? well we have Aaron Cook who was released by the rockies, and dare I say it, Alfredo Aceves. Last year we had one of the best lineups in baseball, sure Carl Crawford looked miserable, but I can promise you he is a whole lot better than the platoon of Mcdonald, Repko, and Sweeney. But most importantly, we had hope last year. Hope the team could turn it around, hope the team could win and possibly make the playoffs.
         As of today, there is no hope for the faithful. The bullpen currently has no structure and has an ERA sitting above 6, and it includes some guy named Justin Thomas? To make matters worse the two acquisitions made this winter by GM Ben Cherington to replace Papelbon are not even able to pitch. Bailey is out until the all star break with some freak thumb injury, and Mark Melancon, well there is a reason why the Yankees let him go so easily, and now the PawSox are figuring that out. On top of the pitching woes are the issues with the outfield. Crawford is down in Florida still crying over a sore elbow, so who knows when he will be back. As for Ellsbury, that shoulder looked painful, but we all know how soft he is when it comes to rehab, just ask Youk. Although the bullpen and outfield issues are tough to overcome, there is one major issue: lack of leadership.
           Now by this time, everyone of my twitter followers know how little respect I have for bobby valentine. But outside of him being a giant windbag, there is a reason why the Mets fired him, he lacks any leadership skills. The Red Sox ownership probably liked what he did in Japan and thats why they hired him, but as Dustin Pedroia noted, what works in Japan doesn't work here. And this is not me downing the Japanese leagues, but lets think about this from a cultural standpoint. In Japan, they respect their elders regardless of how they feel about them personally. All of Valentine's players had to respect him, and therefore he had no issue motivating him because they looked up to him like a God. Here in Boston, there is nothing godly about him. All of the players make alot more money than him, they are all better baseball players than him, and more importantly, the players run the clubhouse here, and their respect is earned. As we all know, Bobby has done nothing but lose respect from the players so far with his comments. Even with his comments, the thing that worries me the most is a comment made by Kevin Millar on Fox today. He noted that in the first game against the yankees, the Sox were only down by a few runs in the 7th inning, and when he looked into the dugout and saw and heard no emotion at all. A true sign that Bobby V has completely lost this club. So regardless what personnel moves Ben makes, the most important and most necessary would be to remove Bobby V from the clubhouse and replace him with a true leader. And please Ben, do it before its too late. 

The Eve of 100

Good afternoon.

To start off my blog, I figured it would be appropriate to post on the eve of the 100th birthday of Fenway. Fenway is an amazing place, dont get me wrong. To the memories I have with my father and brother, to all the amazing games I have witnessed in those stands, to my heroes I watched out there on that field my whole life, no place beats Fenway. Although I love Fenway, I fear that on this 100th anniversary, we are losing what is great about the place. To start, the ownership group we have is destroying it. At first, I enjoyed the rehab they were doing to the park, but with some of the things they have added, the park is no longer a baseball stadium, its more so a tourist attraction. Another complaint I have is ticket prices. The thing that made Fenway so special when I was younger was that you could go to every game, and the fans were all over the players. Every fan knew about baseball, and everyone of those fans was there to see one thing: the sox win. Now, with the increased ticket prices, people go to the game to be seen, because its "hip". In the 7th inning of a recent blow out at the hands of the Texas Rangers, the fans still got up and sang sweet caroline....really? down by more than 10 runs and still acting like everything is okay? Obviously these fans are just there for fun, and it is ruining what used to be the best place to watch a game. Furthermore, the thing that has killed the allure the most are the faces representing the organization. The ownership group originally were invested in the Sox and the Sox only. Then came the nascar team, then came liverpool, and then Theo leaves, they fire Tito, and worst of all, they higher the wind bag named Bobby Valentine. I think this has to be one of the decisions ever made. Boston is gritty, Boston is tough, Boston is filled with hard working, no bull shit people, and you sign a manager that is a fluff, obviously goes tanning, has not managed in years, and worst of all, is one of the most obnoxious people in the world. I am sorry, but that is not Boston.
         So really with this historic day approaching, my point is that it is time for us fans and ownership to take a step back and realize what has gone wrong. It is time for us fans that really care about the team like it is ours to be represented at games. It is time for ownership to either dedicate themselves to the Sox or it is time for them to sell the club, and finally, it is time to get some leadership in that can even fill one of Tito's shoes. Where has 2004 gone? Cowboy up? The underdogs? The Kevin Millars, the Dave Roberts, the Trot Nixons, The Variteks. These are Red Sox. Not John Lackey, Carl Crawford, Dice K, and outfielders that have been cut by the likes of Pittsburgh. Lets make a push, as fans, to bring this great franchise back to where it belongs.

Happy Birthday Fenway. I will always love you.