Results tagged ‘ MLB ’
A New Season, A New Start
General managers have the job of reshaping their team during the off-season by making necessary acquisitions, releases, and changes in staff to ultimately make their team better than the season before. I’ve taken the same approach with my blog, and my life. I’ve made changes that will better suit me in my pursuit of achieving my dreams.
So let me start off by making it clear that I am still a die-hard Red Sox fan, and they have been and always will be my favorite team.
Now, with that being said, I want to explain why I’ve decided to change to a generic blog instead of using my Red Sox one. You may or may not know, but I have always been very firm in my belief that my passion for baseball is first and foremost, and will always come before my love of any specific team. I completely believe to be a fan of a team, you have to be a fan of the sport first. Baseball is something that I grew up loving, and I have decided I want it to be a part of my career. I’m an aspiring baseball writer, which means I need to write about all of baseball, not just one team.
During this off-season, a lot of changes happened in my life that have allowed me to actively pursue my dreams to make it in the sports industry. I worked as a freelance writer and covered a local college basketball team all season, which was able to give me experience and taught me a lot about a different sport, and will ultimately help me in the future. I was also hired by the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves as a scorekeeper, and I’m really looking forward to being a part of professional baseball as an employee, not just a fan.
My thoughts for wanting to change my blog around was mainly due to my new job. Since I will be scorekeeping at CoolRay Field all the time, I’m sure I will want to talk about what’s going on in the Braves organization, because I do live in Atlanta. I’m also doing fantasy baseball this year for the first time, so I will have to pay closer attention to all of the teams (I’m doing 3 leagues… I don’t know how I’ll have time for it!) I’ve also grown to love minor league baseball even more than before, so I plan on making trips to different stadiums in my area, and I want to be able to share all of my experiences relating to those trips.
I’ve been very blessed for all the opportunities that have been presented to me over the last few months, and I want to take full advantage and make the best of everything I’ve been given.
I’m looking forward to a great baseball season, and I’m very excited about reconnecting with everyone. I hope you all enjoy my new approach and feel free to e-mail me, follow me on Twitter, or add me on Facebook!
Jenn
Guess Who’s Back?
After a long and agonizing two months, I finally have the
time to sit down and write—and not to mention the day I was able to do this,
I’m literally snowed in after a “blizzard” dropped six inches in North-Atlanta
(which is an absurd amount for Georgia, so everything is shut down).
These last two months have been somewhat of a roller coaster ride for yours
truly, which makes perfect sense because the Red Sox off-season has also sent
the Nation into swirling winds of excitement, hope and utter craziness while we
wait for these last thirty-four days of the “Hot Stove” season to
wind down. With all the recent acquisitions, and my pure eagerness for baseball
season to start, I can’t stop thinking about the potential we have for 2011.
Yes, I understand that everyone is “World Series Champs” in the
winter months, but if you take an in-depth look at our starting line-up (no matter
what order Terry Francona decides on), plus our starting rotation, it is only
right for all of us to think we could be major contenders this upcoming season.
On December 6, 2010, five days after my twenty-first birthday, Adrian Gonzalez
was sent to the Red Sox via trade with the San Diego Padres for three minor
league prospects (RHP Casey Kelly, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, outfielder
Reymond Fuentes) and a PTBNL (Eric Patterson). The twenty-eight year old first
baseman, who will be wearing number 28 for the Sox, is coming off an
outstanding season with his hometown team. In 591 at-bats, the lefty hit
.298/.393/.511 with a .904 OPS and belted 31 long balls, with 101 RBIs. The
three-time All-Star (’08, ’09, ’10) and two-time Gold Glove winner (’08, ’09)
knew what to say in his Fenway Park press conference to win over the hearts of
the Nation, stating “I’m ready to beat the Yanks.”
Then two days later on the 8th of December, rumors finally came to
rest when it was confirmed that the left fielder for the Tampa Bay Rays, Carl
Crawford (29), signed a 7 year, $142 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.
The four-time All-Star (’04, ’07, ’09, ’10) and 2010 Gold Glove and Silver
Slugger Award winner is entering Boston in his prime. Last year, he hit 19
homers, with 90 RBIs and batted .307/.356/.495 with an .851 OPS. In this
blockbuster deal, Crawford becomes the highest paid outfielder to never hit twenty home-runs in a season.
Happy birthday to me, right?
Although there were plenty of other notable transactions the last few months, I
have to say I’m very excited to see a healthy line-up including Kevin Youkilis,
Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury. Our bullpen could possibly see more changes
by adding another lefty in the mix, however, with Daniel Bard, Bobby
Jenks and Jonathan Papelbon ready to step on that mound, I have a very good
feeling about our pitching staff.
February 13th is slowly but surely creeping up on us, pitchers and catchers
will report, and the chilly Hot Stove season will finally coming to an end.
It’s hard to picture myself at a ball game when all I see is white when I look
outside, but I know that very, very soon I will be able to sit back, eat my sunflower seeds, and finally enjoy another memorable baseball season.
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season, and I want you all to know how
great it feels to finally be back!
-Jenn
Yes, I wait for Spring
As many of you
know, I am currently a full-time college student studying communications and
journalism. Something that you might not know, unless you follow me on Twitter,
as I talk about it constantly, is that I also work full-time at a local sports
bar. Between school, work, and moving into my new apartment, I have had little
time to enjoy writing, and more importantly, writing about baseball.
Although it’s a shame that I haven’t been able to post frequently, I never
stopped watching the game that I love most. Despite my Red Sox not being able
to play in the October madness, I still thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the
postseason. I was able to watch live as Roy Halladay threw the second no-hitter
in postseason history, the first being Don Larsen’s perfect game during the
1956 World Series. I attended the unbelievable and heartbreaking Game 3 of the
NLDS — Giants v. Braves at Turner Field, in which the Giants slimmed the
chances of my National League team to make it to the World Series. As I am an
avid Yankee hater, and also being born in Dallas, Texas, I was beyond thrilled
when the Rangers won the American League pennant and shocked the world as they
devastated the “Pinstripes” from competing for their 28th World
Series title. Although most media outlets downgraded this year’s series because
there were no Phillies or Yankees—as a baseball fan, I couldn’t have been
more eager for the history that was going to be made. In a very exciting and
heart-wrenching 5-game series in the 106th annual Fall Classic, the Giants took
home for the first time since they relocated to San Francisco, the first time
since 1954, that beloved Commissioner’s Trophy against the Texas Rangers.
“People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you
what I do, I stare out the window and wait for spring.” -Rogers Hornsby
A part of me died inside on October 3rd this year, as the Red Sox season ended
short. But, an even bigger part of me escaped when the near-flawless Brian
Wilson (1-0, six saves and 0.00 ERA in the postseason) struck out Nelson Cruz,
honored his late father in his post-save ritual, and turned around to celebrate
with Buster Posey, Tim “The Freak” Lincecum, World Series MVP Edgar
Renteria, and the rest of the Giants team. It was real, then. Baseball season
had ended, and I had to get ready for the most lonely time of the year.
So, here I sit, during my three-hour break between my classes, in the cold and
rainy Atlanta weather which consistently reminds me that there is no more
baseball to be played this year, reminiscing on all the ups and downs of the
2010 season.
From Ubaldo Jimenez throwing a no-hitter in April, to Dallas Braden and Roy
Halladay’s perfect games. From Armando Gallaraga’s perfect game that wasn’t, to
Doc’s no-no in his first postseason appearance. From being able to witness
first-hand Ryan Kalish make an outstanding catch in center field at the Trop
and Daniel Nava’s grand-slam at Fenway Park in the first pitch of his first
at-bat in the major leagues, to Stephen Strasburg, Aroldis Chapman and
“The Freak.” From all the rookies trying to prove themselves, to all
the heroes, the living legends and the players who make this game what it is.
From all the walk-offs, come-from-behind victories, devastating losses, to all
the unbelievable, non-human-like, “there’s no way that was possible”
plays that were made—this year, this season, just proved and reiterated to me
that this game is the greatest game in the world. Baseball will stand the test
of time, it will be safe during a time of crisis, it will give children hope,
and give us all something to live for, it will bring strangers together, it
will form stronger bonds between fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, as we
are all able to enjoy this astonishing pastime…. and be a part of something
bigger than ourselves.
For the next 102 days, all I have are memories of the past, and hopes for the
future as I wait for the day that pitchers’ and catchers’ report. With all of
the free agents, exciting off-season hires, and all the changes that will be
made in all the different organizations in the coming months, I can only look
forward to one thing: that beautiful Spring day in which I hear those beloved
words, “Play ball!”
-Jenn
Home Stretch
It is September 21 and the regular season is scheduled to end on October 3. With 12 games left to play, the Red Sox are 83-67. They sit 8 games out of first in the AL East and 6.5 games back in the Wild Card. We have two games left against the Baltimore Orioles, a three-game series this weekend at Yankee Stadium, a four game series against the Chicago White Sox next week and we end our regular season at home in a three-game series against those awful pinstripes.
Me…negativity? Yeah, right!
Most people would say that this year has been somewhat of a disaster. I highly disagree. OK, so we’ve been dealt some tough hands, and we’ve been thrown some nasty curve-balls. But, the success that we have had this year despite the injuries we have sustained is remarkable. We have played the majority of the season without some of our key players and have managed to stay in contention.
We still have 12 games left and Clay Buchholz will be starting tonight in the second game against the Orioles. He’s looking for his 17th win this season and with a 2.48 ERA, he has continually been a starter that we can depend on every outing. He is holding opponents to a .229 average this season and is 7-4 with a 2.38 ERA in 12 starts at Fenway.
Our starting line-up for tonight’s game is as follows:
1. Scutaro, M 2B .272 AVG
2. Drew, J RF .257 AVG
3. Martinez, V C .296 AVG
4. Ortiz, D DH .261 AVG
5. Beltre, A 3B .327 AVG
6. Lowrie, J SS .259 AVG
7. Kalish, R CF .233 AVG
8. Nava, D LF .246 AVG
9. Anderson, L 1B .267 AVG
As important as it is to have an ace on the mound, you can’t win games without scoring runs. The Red Sox, this season, seem to leave runners on base in very critical situations. We need to see more clutch hitting throughout our entire line-up. We can’t continue to count on a few players to drive in runs (Adrian Beltre and David Ortiz lead the team in RBIs with 98 and 92 respectively). Let’s make these last 12 games interesting, and not back down now!
Whether or not we can mathematically come back and make it to the
playoffs really doesn’t matter to me anymore. I love baseball and I love watching my team win games. I just want to see all of our guys succeed and play great baseball. We need to go out with a bang!
What’s
really started to sink in, though, is that we are in the home stretch…
baseball season is coming to an end and I am not happy about it!
Go Red Sox!
Jenn
Not-so-perfect
Ok, so it wasn’t as jaw dropping
as Armando Galarraga’s un-perfect-perfect game. But, Jon Lester had a perfecto
into the 6th inning of Saturday night’s game against the Mariners.
Eric Patterson ruined his heroic act from Thursday nights game, when he dropped a fly ball with 1 out in the 6th hit by Jack Wilson for
a two-base error. When will major league players understand the little league
concept of using two hands when catching a fly ball? Lester still had the no-no
possibility but that was shortly shattered by the next batter, Michael Saunders,
who jacked a 2-2 curveball over the right field wall. We then trailed 2-1 and
nothing good came after that. Lester had 13 strike-outs (career high) in his 8 and 2/3
innings pitched. He was obviously solid through 7 innings, other than the
homerun he gave up. However, in the 8th inning, something happened, and he lost
his momentum and gave up 2 more runs. When he was taken out of the game, we
were down 4-1 and we were not able to score again. We ended up losing the game
5-1.
It’s not rocket science, but we can’t expect to win games by only scoring 1
run. And we definitely can’t count on our starter’s to do all the work, as much
as we’d like to be able to. Run-prevention can only do so much when you have a shaky bullpen like we do. David Ortiz was
the only reason we were even on the board that night, belting his 19th homer of
the season in the 4th inning. It’s so frustrating that we keep losing these games in late innings, which only proves one thing— we need to work on our pen.
Fast forward to Sunday’s afternoon game in which Daisuke Matsuzaka started. He prevailed through 6 innings, giving up only 1 run on 4 hits with 5 walks and 4 strikeouts. He was taken out and replaced by Daniel Bard who came in for the 7th. Bard pitched the 7th with 1 hit, 2 ground outs and a strike out. He was taken out in the 8th with no outs after giving up a single and Hideki Okajima came in (which was, without a doubt, Tito’s mistake). From there, all hell broke loose. Oki loads the bases with no outs. He gave up 5 straight singles, Michael Saunders being one who hit a 2-run single which put the Mariners up front 3-2. Milton Bradley came in as a pinch hitter, and singles on a bunt which scores Casey Kotchman. We end up losing this one 4-2, giving up 11 hits, and no errors, although we had a few mental errors.
Oki misplays two bunts which truly cost us the game. Bard should have been kept in to finish the 8th, then bring in Jonathan Papelbon for the 9th to close it out. Why did Terry decide to bring Oki in when Bard is completely and utterly dominating? We have a one run lead in the 8th inning, and we replace Bard, who now has a 1.86 ERA (lowest on the team) with Oki, who now has a 5.81 ERA. I understand the pitch count, and the idea that we need to save him so we can use him more. But, I’m sure you all have heard the quote by Leo Durocher, “You don’t save a pitcher for tomorrow. Tomorrow it may rain.” We need to win games one at a time and not worry about the next day’s game. If we keep doing this, we’ll go 0 for the next 30 games.
We need to start making better defensive decisions. Our starters, for the most part, are doing their job and leaving the game with the lead. But, our pen is really struggling and we need to do something about that ASAP. It’s also tough for our offense to truly dominate when we aren’t playing with Dustin Pedroia, Victor Martinez or Jacoby Ellsbury.
It’s hard to stay hopeful when we are now 8 games out of first and 5 from the Wild Card spot. This is the worst deficit we’ve sustained since May 23. We are now 55-44. Positives— V-Mart could be back tonight for the series opener in Anaheim and most of our guys should be back by mid-August. But, is it too late? We can’t let this split series against the Mariners keep us down. We have to keep going out there every single day and fight—fight for our lives, practically. We must stay in contention with the line-up we have, so when we get all of our boys healthy, we can come back and, at the very least, take over the Wild Card. Let’s just hope the Yankees and Rays go on some major losing streak so we can gain some ground. We’ve done it before and we can do it again.
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