Watch out for Bryce Harper

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

In case you didn't notice, the 2010 MLB Draft begins on Monday June 7th. Don't worry, this will not be an article that delves into the entire first round. No, I am concentrating on the consensus overall top pick, Bryce Harper.

By all accounts, Harper has the tools to be a very good, potentially great hitter in the big leagues. To be quite honest, I'm not even writing this blog about how good he will be, but I'll quickly tell you. If I wasn't a betting man, I'd put my money on him being the next Todd Van Poppel or Brien Tayler. Obviously the offensive version as both of the aforementioned players were pitchers. So, the title to this blog is misleading on purpose.

Despite the obvious tools that make him a "safe" pick # 1 overall, if I was a GM of a major league team, I would pass and let him be someone else's problem. Based on everything I've heard, and read, Bryce Harper seems to be extremely full of himself. We are talking about the kid who dropped out of high school, got his GED and went to Community College so he would be draft eligible a year early. Unfortunately for the Washington Nationals, the 17 year old will be even more expensive than last years #1 pick Stephen Strasburg. The major problem with that is he is at least 3 years away from even breaking into the big leagues, much less making an impact.

His natural position as catcher, but recently Harper's "advisor", yeah right, Scott Boras has indicated a move from behind the plate would benefit him more. I haven't seen enough of him in the field to know if he can play other positions. The Nationals could always start behind the plate while in the minors, and do what the Giants are doing with Buster Posey until they think he can handle a major league staff. Either way, it's going to be a situation many baseball fans, and experts, will be watching closely.

Like I said, I'd rather take another player, but this is a draft that is somewhat light on bats. I just have a hard time gambling on a kid that could turn out to be an overrated, arrogant punk who can't really hit at the major league level. Then again, there's a reason why I'm writing this blog instead of making draft choices. I guess only time will tell

Reynolds proving what a snub he was

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Every year the All-Star Game has one or two snubs, or players who deserved to be in, but were left out, whether it be because of lack of room, idiotic fan voting or a mixture of the two.

One of my favorite snubs this year has been Mark Reynolds, who had made a case for being the starting third baseman with his bat this spring and early summer, but ended up being forced to hope to be the last player voted in as part of the ridiculous final vote system Major League baseball has set up. Reynolds lost out to Shane Victorino - who needed to go door to door campaigning for votes and have radio stations have contests to see who could click his name the most in a 62-hour period to win the "honor" - and also came in behind Pablo Sandoval.

Now Reynolds is showing the baseball world how wrong they were to overlook him. Even with his team falling apart around him, Reynolds has still been one of the best power hitters in the game this season.

The one knock everyone pointed to in terms of Reynolds' game is his strikeouts. He was the first major leaguer in history to strike out 200 times and is on pace to do it again. However, he hits the ball often enough - and when he does, he does bad things to it - that the question has to be raised: Is it really that big of a deal? After all, Ryan Howard twice had 199 strikeouts and was an All Star and was actually considered for MVP both of those years. One of those seasons, he had those 199 in just 144 games. In his MVP season, he had over 180 K's. Bobby Bonds held the major league record for strikeouts for a long time and some, including Willie Mays, make the argument he should be in the Hall of Fame.

But forgetting all that, the bottom line is strikeouts or no strikeouts, Reynolds produces. Let's review. He's batting .281 with a .371 on base pecentage, both very respectable. His slugging percentage of .593 is third in the National League and his OPS is .964, which ranks fifth. He's second in the league in home runs with 48, just two behind the immortal Albert Pujols. His 84 RBI are eighth in the league and he's scored the sixth-most runs in the league, sitting at 81. Oh, he's also stolen 21 bases, which is good for ninth.

When a guy is hitting .281 and is on pace for 50 homers and 110 RBI with Miguel Montero batting behind you, he is raking. And since his All-Star snub, Reynolds seems to be a man on a mission. Since the break, Reynolds is batting at a .339 clip and leads the league in homers with 14 and his slugging percentage leads national league regulars at .732. Yep, that's a better SLG than every national league player that took part in the Midsummer Classic, including Albert Pujols.

You can't even use the excuse that he's getting aided by the warm Arizona air, because he's batting almost 15 points better on the road.

I hate to say I told you so, but Reynolds is shaping up to be the real deal. Hopefully next year fans will pay attention.

Beckett gets bombed again

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Another outing like that and Josh Beckett will have pitched his way right out of Cy Young contention.

In fact, over his last two starts, Beckett has looked less like the ace and more like the shell-shocked National League pitcher who came to the Red Sox in 2006.

Before getting rocked in back-to-back outings, Beckett had won eight of his previous thirteen starts dating back to the beginning of June. Over that span he posted a 2.10 ERA and gave up six home runs. Fast forward to his last two outings against Toronto and tonight's debacle against the Yankees. Over those two games alone, Beckett allowed eight home runs and saw his season ERA rise just a shade under half a run.

This is not the time for Beckett to be imploding. Or is it?

Over his career, there is only one month that has been a losing one for Beckett and we just happen to be smack dab in the middle of that month. Going into tonight's game, Beckett had a career record of 14-15 with an ERA over 4.00 and historically, his K/BB ratio takes a dive.

But fear not, Sox fans, for we know more than any that Josh Beckett is no burnout. In fact, in September, he boasts a career 18-8 record and a 2.86 ERA, a 1.32 run difference from month to month. The division is all but decided and was before this series with the Yankees ever came to pass. But do not forget that there is still a month of meaningful baseball left to be played. Thanks to the loss tonight, the Texas Rangers are breathing down the Red Sox' necks at just a game back and Tampa Bay is making a play at the Wild Card after taking two of three from those Rangers.

While the Red Sox don't face Texas at all and will require help keeping them at bay, Boston has two upcoming series in September against the Rays. If the rotation continues in the pattern it should, Beckett will take his good September numbers and his solid numbers against the Rays (6-4, 3.63 ERA, 98 K in 84.1 innings) into what could be some critical games.

You always want your ace to be on, but this is especially the time when you need him to come up big. He failed to do it tonight, but history suggests he could be up to rebound in a big way.

We can only hope.

Does Boston have the arms to make the playoffs?

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

It's really sad to see.

The team that was said of have one of the best pitching staffs in the game heading into the season is now relying on Clay Buchholz and Junichi Tazawa to get into the playoffs.

Remember when nothing made you more confident than to look at the Red Sox' rotation heading into a pivotal series? It seems a million years ago. Brad Penny didn't look so bad when he was your fifth starter. Now he's your third and lo and behold, the Red Sox are being left in the dust in the AL East and now trail in the Wild Card race.

Josh Beckett and Jon Lester have been all that you would expect them to be. Beckett has to be one of the favorites for the Cy Young award, especially with his current tear. He's 7-1 in his last 10 starts with a 1.93 ERA. Clearly he has done everything you could ask of your ace. Lester, likewise, has looked more than solid. He hasn't earned a decision in his last four starts, but has only allowed nine runs in 24.6 innings (3.29 ERA) in that span.

But Penny has been simply atrocious basically since the All-Star break. He's won just one of his six starts and dropped four with an ERA north of 6.50 after making Theo Epstein look like a genius over the first half of the season, especially when June rolled along. Perhaps the whiplash is getting to him, as he's allowed seven post-All-Star homers after giving up just 10 taters in 17 starts to begin the year.

Buchholz has done nothing to give Sox fans a warm and fuzzy feeling. He's learning the hard way once again that there's a major difference between AAA hitters and major league ones. Yes, he's been left out to dry in his last two starts by zero run support, but he's very lucky he hasn't gotten blown up with that 20/19 K/BB ratio. In fact, he's failed to strike out more batters than he's walked in each of his last three outings.

Tazawa has been placed in one tough position after another. Ok, go hold off the Yankees in extra innings in your first big-league appearance. Ok, go beat the Tigers on the road. Ok, help us hold the lead in the Wild Card against Texas. The kid has 20 professional appearances before being called up and while people have raved about his talent (though he has been overshadowed by Buchholz and Michael Bowden), he's still a green 23-year-old. Expect a lot more where today's outing came from against quality opponents (5 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 3BB, 0K).

Is this team and its postseason hopes fading away as its pitching staff falls apart? John Smoltz was an epic failure. You can't blame the organization for taking a gamble on a future Hall-of-Famer, but you can question their decision not to hold him out for longer, even when he complained. Anyone counting on Daisuke Matsuzaka needs to step away from the pipe and head to their nearest N.A. meeting. It seems ridiculous to say, but at this point, the Red Sox desperately need Tim Wakefield and unfortunately, he's still limping around.

Two pitchers does not a rotation make and at this point, that is what the Red Sox have to work with.

Bats...and Buchholz...go boom in Baltimore

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

It was both an encouraging and disturbing day for the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards yesterday. Where to begin? Well, let's start with the positive.

The Red Sox scored 18 runs. Yep. The offense that was simply dreadful coming out of the All-Star break appears to have awakened. 23 hits, seven walks and only three strikeouts. What's more, they did it with the starting corner outfielders sitting on the bench. Jason Bay had the day off and J.D. Drew appeared to aggravate his groin injury legging out a triple in the first inning. The Red Sox are now 7-3 since snapping their five-game losing streak, averaging seven runs per game over that span.

Victor Martinez looks like he's settled right in with the Red Sox lineup. The Sox' big trade deadline splash went 5-for-6 yesterday with a double four RBI. Since coming to Boston two days ago, he's had as many RBI as Jason Bay had the entire month of July. In the first two games, Terry Francona has batted him third, where he primarily hit in Cleveland with a .304/.380/.490 line.

Josh Reddick continues to fill in admirably. Since coming up from AAA Pawtuckett, where he had a .277/.352/.520 line, Reddick has been asked to start twice, once in the place of J.D. Drew and once in the place of Jason Bay. In those two days, the 22-year-old has accomplished a plethora of firsts. Saturday, he recorded his first major-league hit and first major league double. The double was one of two he had, making it also his first multi-hit game. Sunday, he belted his first major-league homer, netted his first major-league RBI and scored his first major-league run. It's a very small sample size, but in three games (two starts, one pinch-hit), Reddick has a .364/.417/818 line with two doubles, a homer, two RBI and two runs scored. This probably won't keep, as scouts on every level have said he needs to polish his approach at the plate, but it's nice to see.

And now the negative. There's only really one big one.

Clay Buchholz showed his appreciation to the Red Sox brass for holding onto him by allowing seven runs in four innings to the AL East's worst team. And it was even worse than it sounds. Buchholz gave up nine hits and four walks. It seems odd, given that he threw 46 of his 76 pitches (61 percent) for strikes, but that just means he had no command. When he missed, he missed bad and when he hit the zone, he put it right in the O's hitters' wheelhouse. The Orioles' problems have never revolved around the offense, which is fourth in the majors in batting average, but that more illustrates the point than acts as an excuse. When you're against a team that can hit, you need to be more conscious of where you're putting the ball. Buchholz didn't do that and as a result, saw his ERA rise from 3.52 to 6.05. He hasn't made it out of the sixth inning in any of his five starts, giving up 28 hits - including 9 in each of his last two starts - in 19.1 innings and has a putrid 14/11 K/BB ratio.

Stay classy, Nomar. Stay classy.

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Ok, I will preface this blog with this. I despise Nomar Garciaparra. There are no two ways about it. Even when he was here, I knew what he was - a tremendously talented baseball player with a bad attitude and a chip on his shoulder for all the wrong reasons. He wore the red, white and blue of the Red Sox like it was a burden instead of a privilege. And while he has always insisted he loved the fans in Boston and he loved the team, he never did anything to actually show it, leaving his words resoundingly empty.

For all intents and purposes, the yesterday's ceremony to retire Jim Rice's number was amazing, a moment that will stay etched in my mind forever. I really feel truly blessed to have been there to witness it.

But there was a brief moment where I felt nothing but disgust and sure enough, Nomar Garciaparra was in the middle of it.

For those of you who missed it, let me break it down for you.

After a brief introduction, Rice was introduced to the Fenway Faithful and made his entrance from the overhead door in left field, appropriately, and to a rousing ovation walked down the third-base line towards home plate, passing the Oakland dugout on the way. There were several players stretching and prepping for the game and as Rice passed them, Nomar jumped out in front of him with arms extended as if to say, "Come on, big guy, gimme a hug!"

Rice hugged him, but Nomar didn't let go and actually started rocking back and forth in an awkward exchange that looked like a pair of pre-teen middle schoolers dancing together for the first time at the school social.

Does it seem like much? Maybe not. But it's still a case of Nomar trying to insert himself in someone else's spotlight.

I have no problem with Nomar appreciating Rice and wanting to congratulate him. But how many current and former Red Sox players appreciate Rice and have congratulated him? Probably more than a few. How many of them did it in public, uninvited? One. Nomar wanted everyone to see him congratulate Rice. It would have been one thing if Rice made a point to go over to Nomar and give him a hug. It's the fact that Nomar went out of his way.

Maybe he couldn't stand to see the spotlight on someone else. Maybe it was one more way for Nomar to say, "See? I really do like Boston!" in his somewhat successful attempt to show the lemmings he cares and get their love back. Or maybe he and Rice are friends. I don't know their relationship.

But if they are friends, Nomar should have accepted that this was Rice's moment, stood to the side and let him have it. It's not like there wouldn't be other opportunities both inside the ballpark or outside to give Rice a hug, congratulate him, buy him a beer, whatever. And if he couldn't get a hold of him, Nomar could have called up his good buddy Lou Merloni and gotten hooked up.

It was Rice's moment. And it was an unbelievable one - one that I feel extremely lucky to have been there to see. But a part of me will always remember that moment where the man who couldn't stand to be here, couldn't stand the organization and didn't care about the fans made himself a part of history that honored someone who did all the things Nomar never did.

Stay classy, Nomar. Stay classy.

Advantage American League ... again!!!

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

What a great All-Star Game.

The best and brightest stars came out and put on a show -- some clutch hitting, great pitching and exceptional defense (Carl Crawford robbing a homer in left field was just amazing!).

And to top it off the American League, with another All-Star Game win, secured home-field advantage in the World Series.

Nice! 

Especially if you're an American League fan who roots for the Red Sox, Yankees or Rays -- just a few teams who actually have a shot at winning the whole thing.

But I'm still confused as to why people still want to complain about the All-Star Game, a game now that puts an emphasis on winning and rewards the team with home-field advantage in the World Series.

What's the big deal with that? Every other All-Star game --football, basketball, hockey, etc. -- is just a goof-around session which is done to simply entertain. There's no defense played in any one of those other games, but in baseball there's no taking it easy. The managers manage to win the game and what's so bad about that?

Do you like the All-Star Game format, rewarding the winning league with home-field advantage in the World Series? Or what do you think should be done?

Go ahead, let me hear you!

Morrow's better off starting, but not like this

Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

It's been a long, long time since Brandon Morrow had himself a decision. It's been even longer since that decision has been a victory

Morrow's season has been very much a strange one and while the Mariners are doing the right thing in making him a starter, they're doing it in all the wrong ways. They should have committed to Morrow as a starter at the end of last year and had him conditioning for the position during the offseason. Instead, even though he has constantly said he wants to be a starter, the Marriners made him their closer again this year. Then Morrow played the good teammate and said he was happy relieving. It was only after he struggled, went on the disabled list, came back, struggled again and ultimately lost his job to David Aardsma did the M's consider him for a starting spot when he went begging to them to allow him to start.

What should have happened is a prolonged trip to AAA Tacoma to build up arm strength. Instead, he spent a whole four days in AAA, then was brought up to the majors. He's been a mess since.

Going into today's game against the Red Sox, Morrow had had four starts, going 16.2 innings (an average of just over four per start), allowing nine runs. He's walked 11, while striking out 18. Not an incredible ratio.

Today's start was his most encouraging as he went six innings, allowing three runs in six innings. Most importantly, he walked only one. Still, is this the way you want to break a promising young pitcher into starting in the big leagues? Have him struggle through five or six innings per start for a team that can't promise to win a game for him? Seems more like a way to destroy a pitcher's confidence than anything to me.

Don't get me wrong. I like the idea of moving Morrow to the rotation. I am one who believes Jonathan Papelbon would be a sure-fire ace if the Red Sox had inserted him in the rotation as they had originally planned going into the 2007 season. There was a time when Papelbon was considered a superior starting pitching option than any the Red Sox had in their farm system, including Jon Lester. Sure, he's topped the Red Sox' saves list, but I am a firm believer that saves are a vastly overrated stat (Holds and range factor top the list of overrated stats).

Having one of your best pitchers pitching one inning in a game you hold a three-run lead in is just a waste if you ask me. There are a lot of guys who can protect a three-run lead for an inning.

It's too late for Papelbon. He's too firmly entrenched as the closer for the Red Sox. For Morrow, it's not too late, but the Mariners just aren't going about it the right way.

Ortiz still has a lot more to prove

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Another home run for David Ortiz.

That makes six on the year and five in June with eight games left in the month.

So as the weather gets hotter, will Ortiz's bat follow suit? His recent production would suggest yes, but this is one fan that remains skeptical.

The Red Sox need Ortiz to produce in the DH spot for one reason more than any - they don't have anyone to replace him with. No one on the bench or in Pawtucket could provide the kind of offense you desire at the designated hitter position, otherwise, you have to think they at least you have been given a look at this point.

So many fans have come to the conclusion that the Red Sox don't need Ortiz because the team has managed to be successful thus far without him. Jason Bay has been an RBI machine. Kevin Youkilis has thrived in the three spot. Most importantly, the Red Sox are in first place and still winning.

But what happens if things go wrong? Mike Lowell, who has played a major part in helping people forget Ortiz's struggles, now has sat out two games with discomfort in his surgically repaired hip. Losing a valuable guy has to make you start thinking, "What if?"

What if Bay hits a prolonged slump? What if Youkilis goes down or Lowell needs to miss significant time? Or there are other less dramatic questions. For instance, what if Nick Green remembers he's the guy who didn't have a job this time last year? What if the Red Sox will need offensive production from other means.

Ortiz has to be that guy. The DH cannot be a hole in the batting order.

His recent success has to give you hope, but at the same time, can we count on Ortiz to be David Ortiz when it really counts? He's connecting when he was missing and he's hit some mistakes out of the ballpark. But when it comes down to it, can Ortiz still hack it against the best of the best as he'd be called upon to do if/when the Red Sox make the postseason?

He's still late on a good fastball and still looks confused at times. You have to hope if you're a Sox fan that this will continue to improve as he gets more comfortable. But at the same time, you have to realize that all season this has not looked like the David Ortiz fans have come to know and love. Something is off and sometimes big, aging ballplayers just lose something, especially ones coming off of injury. He just might not make it back to become "our" David Ortiz ever again.

Dice-K, Rotation not a fit for Bo Sox

By Jim Ingram
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Daisuke Matsuzaka has been incredibly consistent so far this season. Consistently bad really, and last night was no different versus the Atlanta Braves. You'd think facing off against a fellow Japanese player would get his blood pumping, right. No. He threw 4 + IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 2K and 106 pitches. Not good at all. In fact, it's down right awful. Daisuke is now 1-5 with an 8.23 ERA. He's allowed 53 hits in 35 innings pitched. He's allowed a .378 batting average against.

On the flip side, Kenshin Kawakami was clearly ready for this game. He pitched 6 innings and allowed only 2 hits, 2 runs and struck out 5. Kawakami is not nearly as heralded in his home country as Matsuzaka. This is a game that was still anticipated in Japan, but not nearly as much as the first time Ichiro faced Daisuke three years ago. The Braves dominated last night in the 8-2 trouncing of the Red Sox. Garret Anderson, a long time Sox killer, went 3 for 3 and drove in 4 of the 8 runs.

Now back to Daisuke. In my opinion, there are three things you can do with him. Either come up with a phantom injury so he can spend some time on the DL, send him down to Pawtucket and let him pitch every 5 days and work through his problems down there, or send him back to Florida for extended Spring Training. I think this is the best option. Let him get away from game action for a little while and try to work with a pitching instructor to break down what he's doing wrong. He has a full no trade clause, so there's virtually no way you can deal him. After winning 18 games last season, I doubt the Sox will want to get rid of him. Especially since his problems really stem from the World Baseball Classic he pitched so well in prior to the season. He'll be back to his usual self next season after he's allowed his dead arm to rest. I've heard people mention putting him in the bullpen. That will certainly not work because he walks to many people. That would be a disaster.

It shouldn't be too long before we find out the Sox's plans for Dice-K. John Smoltz is scheduled to pitch on June 25th. Brad Penny has pitched well enough to stay in the rotation and Tim Wakefield should be going to the All Star game for the first time. The only real option is removing Dice-K from the rotation. I guess we'll just have to see what Boston decides.

Stay tuned....

To win the NL West, Dodgers don't need Manny

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The Dodgers lost 4 out of their first 5 games after the suspension of Manny Ramirez. The team looked lost, and it looked as if the Mannyless Dodger's were going to go in the tank. Thanks in part to Joe Torre, and the resurgent Juan Pierre, this young Dodgers team was able to quickly turn things around and maintain the best record in the Major Leagues. Since that original 5 game stretch, the Los Angeles Dodgers are 12-4 giving them a 13-8 overall record without Manny Ramirez.

You might think a 13-8 record is not great, but that 12-4 stretch is. How have they been doing it without Manny? Well, offense for one. They've outscored their opponents 90-62, and have averaged 5.6 runs per game. That is fantastic for a team that's been offensively challenged for a few years prior to the Manny trade. Most experts, and baseball fans in general, expected the Dodgers to struggle scoring runs during Manny's absence. That has not happened so far, but they are scoring those runs much differently. Instead of Manny's home runs, the rest of the team is chipping in. They're running more and putting pressure on the opposing teams' defense.

Juan Pierre is hitting .397 with a .463 OPB on the season, and has been a revelation at bat and on the base paths. He already has 10 stolen bases and 25 runs scored in only 121 at bats. Orlando Hudson, now entrenched in the 3rd spot in the lineup, has been tremendous all year hitting .333 and is 3rd on the team with 30 RBI. With the exception of Pierre, Casey Blake has taken advantage the most of Manny's 50 game suspension. He's 2nd on the team with 33 RBI. He's had 18 RBI in the 18 games without Manny Ramirez. Not bad huh? You want a young player who's stepped up? Let's talk about James Loney. He leads the team with 36 RBI, 15 of them since Manny's 50 game departure. He's now batting .298 which is 20 points higher since Manny's last game. All this and Matt Kemp has been struggling of late, and Russ Martin has struggled all year. Watch out if they get hot!

Enough offense, let's talk pitching. They still have depth problems in the starting rotation, but Chad Billingsley has taken the role of staff ace to heart. Bills was the tough luck loser today, and is now 6-3 with a 2.80 ERA and 76 strike outs in 74 innings pitched. Randy Wolf has been far better than most thought as well. He is only 3-1, with 7 no decisions, but has a 2.84 ERA. Clayton Kershaw has been somewhat inconsistent, but always shows flashes of brilliance. He is the staff ace of the future. He's only 3-3, but has won 3 of his last 4. They've had good contributions from Jeff Weaver, 2-1 3.63, Eric Stults, 4-1 4.29, and even Eric Milton "pitched" in with a great start last time out allowing only 1 run in 5 innings. What's helped the most is the dominant bullpen. Jonathon Broxton has been fantastic converting 11 of 13 save chances so far. He has a 1.50 ERA and 37 strike outs in only 24 innings. Ramon Troncoso and Ronald Bellesario have been great as the main set up men this year. Troncoso even has 3 saves. Personally, I think the Dodgers need to make a move for a better lefty specialist than Will Ohman and add another quality starting pitcher at the deadline, but have a pretty good staff for the National League.

To be a legitimate contender you need a combination of good pitching, good defense and timely hitting. That is what the Dodgers have been doing without Manny. They are solid defensively up the middle with Martin, Furcal Hudson and Kemp. They've had pitchers performing above and beyond and they've had timely hitting from Hudson, Pierre, Blake and Loney. They haven't hit a ton of home runs, but you don't need power to win in the National League. Now the playoffs and The World Series are another matter. I never said they don't need Manny to win it all!

Big Papi finally dropped in the Sox order!

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Terry Francona and Theo Epstein finally decided to drop David Ortiz in the order. About time if you ask me. He's been an automatic out in the 3 hole so far this season.  He's dead last in average, hits, homers, on base percentage and slugging for designated hitters. Ouch! They tried sitting him down, but that didn't help. Neither will dropping him in the order. Of course it's the natural progression to put him down in the order, but what will they do next. I am of the opinion that David Ortiz is done as a productive major league player. I don't think dropping him to the 6th or 7th spot in the order will do any good. He's swinging and missing by at least a foot right now. 

So, what happened to the beloved Big Papi? Is this a result of stopping a regimen of steroids or other performance enhancing drugs? We don't know. Is it because of personal problems? We don't know. Does he have an eye sight condition similar to the one that ended Jim Rice's career? We don't know. What we do know is that his lack of production is hurting the Boston Red Sox. What we do know is that he looks so lost and mechanically wrong at the plate it's almost sad. He's being blown away by 88 mph fastballs and waving at off speed pitches in the dirt. 

When he goes another 2-4 weeks without increasing his production, what can the Red Sox do? They could send him back to Florida to spend time alone with a hitting instructor. That "seemed" to work when the Yankees did that with Jason Giambi. I doubt this will happen, but it could come to the Red Sox granting him his outright release, or looking at potential trades. The Red Sox have such a surplus of good, young pitching. They could dangle a Clay Bucholtz, or Michael Bowden, to the struggling Cleveland Indians and trade for Victor Martinez. He'd solve the immediate problem of a DH, and be the one to replace Varitek behind the plate in a 2010 or 2011. 

Whatever happens, Red Sox fans will be waiting and hoping for a triumphant return of the good ol' David Ortiz. Unfortunately for you Sox fans, you'll be waiting a very, very long time.

Sox Look To Salvage Split After Bats Come Alive in Tampa

By Erik Pesta

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

J.D. Drew got the scoring going early in Saturday's game, doubling in two first-inning runs, giving the Red Sox a lead that was later threatened but never relinquished. They scored three more times in the second inning and once more in the third, in support of Tim Wakefield. The veteran knuckeballer gave up five runs (all earned), on seven hits in five innings to earn the victory. He runs his 2009 record to 3-1, but also now has a lifetime record against Tampa of 20-5. It is the fifth-highest winning percentage among active pitchers against a single opponent.

The Rays threatened to come back and tie the game as Carlos Pena homered in the fourth, before Evan Longoria knocked in a pair and Pat Burrell added an RBI of his own in the fifth, making the score 6-5, Boston. However, the resilient Sox came charging right back. Kevin Youkilis doubled in a pair in the sixth and Mike Lowell scorched a solo homer in the seventh, before Youkilis added his third RBI of the night by drawing a walk to score Nick Green, running the score to 10-5. The Rays would manage one more run in the ninth against Boston reliever Takashi Saito to close out the scoring.

The Red Sox (15-9 overall) are just 2-4 this season against Tampa, but look to earn a split of the four-game weekend series this afternoon. Brad Penny (2-0, 8.66 ERA) faces Rays' Opening Day starter James Shields (2-2, 3.74 ERA). First pitch is 1:38 p.m. from Tropicana Field in Tampa. The Sox will then head to the Bronx to begin their first-ever series at the new Yankee Stadium tomorrow.

How much do you hate Julio Lugo?

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Julio Lugo only needed one game before Red Sox nation was reminded how much they dislike him. Despite going 2 for 3 with with an RBI last night, he earned the ire of Sox fans with his botched double play in the bottom of the 3rd inning.  You can never assume a double play, but the ball was hit hard, and Youkilis delivered a spot on throw to second.  Lugo just couldn't handle the throw. There are no excuses.  It was a simple catch and throw to double up the runner at first.  

The next thing you know, The Red Sox allowed 4 runs and the game was tied 7-7.  Ouch.  

I have never understood Theo's man crush on Lugo since his days in Tampa Bay.  At his peak, Lugo was an average shortstop at best.  For some reason the Red Sox brass get a brain fart every time they need to fill that position.  Edgar Renteria was a debacle. Orlando Cabrera was a good fit, but allegedly had clubhouse problems, and Jed Lowrie can't stay healthy.  I actually like Lowrie, but his wrist injury will most likely keep him out most of the year.  

Let us know what your thoughts on Lugo are?

Ellsbury Figures It Out

By Erik Pesta

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

What a weekend! With a 10-game win streak, the Sox have shown us that they have what it takes to compete in baseball's toughest division. Friday night was probably the best game, with Jason Bay tying things up with a monster ninth inning homerun to left center, and Kevin Youkilis winning it in extra frames with a huge blast of his own. But the play of the weekend just may have involved the birth of a superstar. Jacoby Ellsbury really has a shot at being a special player, and last night showed us why. There were a couple of things that went through my mind when he electrified the Fenway crowd with his steal of home plate:

1. I can't believe Pettitte didn't check the runner. Hasn't he been pitching for like 50 years?

2. Ellsbury is figuring out how to best use his speed to his advantage. Getting on however he can, stealing bases, disrupting the other team's pitchers, and being an all-around nuisance.

When he arrived on the scene a couple years ago, his incredible 2007 World Series performance set some pretty lofty expectations that he could never realize in 2008. While he didn't exactly flounder, he certainly fell short of what Sox fans had hoped. Yes, he led the A.L. in steals and finished third in Rookie of the Year balloting, but he had a poor on base percentage for a guy who leads off one of baseball's most prolific offenses. To be honest, his OBP is still poor, but he's growing up before our eyes. Terry Francona could be seen in the dugout after the steal, smiling from ear to ear and hugging Ellsbury before giving him a smack on the butt and sending him on his way. He looked like a proud father. It was a genuine moment, and you could see it on both of their faces. He's still just a kid, but he's starting to get comfortable in his role and sometimes, that's all it takes. Throw in his stellar defense and it's easy to see why we expect so much from him.

Tonight, the Sox take aim at last year's A.L. Cy Young winner, who hasn't exactly followed up 2008 the way he wanted. Cliff Lee enters the series with a 1-3 record and an ERA of 5.25. Conversely, Tim Wakefield has been on a roll of late, and hopes to continue baffling hitters with his signature knuckler.

Way too early to bury the Red Sox

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

So are you still ready to take that shovel and start putting dirt on the Red Sox?

I didn't think so.

Granted, the Sox didn't start the way Red Sox Nation had hoped they would, but they are now starting to show signs they can swing the bat.

That early-season cold spell may be the beginning of a week or a couple weeks of white-hot hitting throughout the lineup, well, maybe not David Ortiz (boy, he's really struggling, huh?).

Just an amazing comeback Friday night against Baltimore. Down 7-0 in the second, the Sox pick away to tie the game at 8-8 in the fifth and score two more in the sixth for the 10-8 final.

There's many people to thank on the team, but not starter Brad Penny, who got lit up for 8 earned runs in 3 innings -- expect more slugfest parties from the opposition with Penny on the hill. His stuff is average at best.

But how about that bullpen -- five relievers don't surrender a run and bail out the worthless Penny. That's the type of production from the 'pen that will win you many games. The big key, however, is that shaky rotation with Dice-K now on the DL. When is John Smoltz slated to come back? What does he have left in that aging arm?

But anyway, the Sox DID build on that six-run 8th inning against Oakland on Wednesday. Boy, did they need that since they had only scored 24 runs in their first 7 games before exploding in the series finale against the A's.

Why have the Sox struggled as a team? Take a look at these batting averages through Friday night and there's your answer -- Ellsbury (.220), Pedroia (.233), Ortiz (.158, but great Mango Salsa), Youkilis (.425, at least he's hot), Drew (.281), Bay (.344), Lowell (.237) and Varitek (.207).

It's way too early to bury the Sox because we all know this offense will start stinging the ball and the bullpen appears to be a real strength. Plus, it's so early, don't get too high or too low just yet. Save that for around August.

Keep the faith, it should be an exciting ride with a few bumps in the road in the AL East.

50 Years of Integration for the Red Sox

By Matt Ingram
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff


Fifty years ago today the Boston Red Sox signed their first African-American player, Elijah "Pumpsie" Green. Under former owner, Tom Yawkey, there was a racist tone to the Sox. It took twelve long years after the Brooklyn Dodgers signed Jackie Robinson, integrating Major League Baseball, to finally sign an African American player.

Yawkey has been accused of being a racist for his reluctance to employ African American players with the Red Sox, including passing on signing Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson. It was not until 1959, that the Red Sox became the last Major League team to field an African American player. This was almost three years after Robinson's retirement in 1956. Even after integrating, racism was believed to play a role in moves made by the Red Sox; notably the trade of star outfielder Reggie Smith. During that period, the Red Sox went from being a perennial contender to failing to finish within 10 games of first place for 17 years (1950–1966).

Unlike the Red Sox the Celtics took the opposite approach by being the first team in professional basketball to integrate. Charles "Chuck" Cooper was drafted in April of 1950 by the Celtics. The Celtics were mediocre until drafting another African American, Bill Russell, in 1956. Russell led the Celtics to championships in 1957 and 1959, before Pumpsie Green even played an inning with the Sox. I believe this was the main reason why the Celtics dominated basketball and the Red Sox stayed in the basement in the MLB through most of the 50's and 60's.

With the new ownership, diversity has been the trademark for their success with the inclusion of a mutli-cultural roster. In today's game, the Yawkey philosophy of segregation is no longer present nor tolerated. Although Yawkey Way pays tribute to the former owner; the current Red Sox Ownership paid tribute to Pumpsie Green at tonight's game by honoring his legacy with the ceremonial first pitch.

Josh Beckett is a scumbag!

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Sorry Sox fans, but what Josh Beckett did yesterday to Bobby Abreu was uncalled for.  I have been a baseball player and fan all of my life. I understand and have practiced baseball code and the "unwritten" rules of the game, but throwing at, or over, a person's head because he called time in the batters box is unacceptable.

First off, Abreu is the wrong person to be mad at. It took Beckett 11 1/2 seconds to come to the plate.  Any other hitter would have called time after standing in the box that long.  If you want to blame someone, blame the umpire for granting time in the first place.   Yes, he was practically in the middle of his windup.  It's the umpires job to grant, or not grant time.  He has no obligation to the hitter.  If the pitcher has started his motion, then the umpire let's the pitch go.  

If you haven't seen what happened, or need to view it one more time, I have attached the youtube link to the photo above.  As Josh, Chad and Matt will tell you I was an uncaged animal on the ball field.  I couldn't tell you how many times I've ripped up batting gloves, smashed a batting helmet over my head, or yelled at an umpire for a bogus call.  What I would never do is throw at someones head.  That type of action can end a person's career.  I have no problem with a pitcher taking offense to styling after a home run or taking too long to run the bases, but you throw at a person's back, butt or legs.  Not their head.  That is just plain bush league.  

So, I have a bit of advice for Josh Beckett.  Stop trying to be Pedro, simmer down and play the game the right way.  Maybe I should also send this to Joba "Crown Royale" Chamberlain as well.

Tragic Death for Angels Rookie

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The life of a promising young rookie has been taken prematurely. According to TMZ, Angels rookie pitcher, Nick Adenhart and two other people were tragically killed in a hit and run just hours after he pitched. There is currently no information on the other two people other than one of them is an Angels employee.

The preliminary story has an unidentified driver blowing a red light and plowing into the car that Adenhart was riding in.  The driver then fled the scene, but was later apprehending by the police.  Personally, I hope they throw the book at this person.  Forget life in prison.  This is not just a tragic story because he was a promising young professional athlete.  Let's not forget there are two other people who lost their lives and that is no less tragic.  My family has recently been affected by a tragic car accident so my thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and families of all three people.  Let's hope the media allows these families the respect and time to deal with the sudden and tragic loss. 

Do you feel twenty years younger?

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

I am sorry, but I just couldn't resist.  I have been a big Ken Griffey Jr. fan since he broke into the bigs.  We've had some ups and downs over the years, but there's something about seeing him back in a Mariners uniform that makes me feel like a pre-teen again.  

When I turned on the MLB Network last night, I absolutely love that channel, to watch some highlights, I was immediately thrilled to see Griffey's blast off Francisco Liriano. Even now, I can't believe it's been a decade since his last game in Seattle.  It doesn't matter to me that he'll spend the majority of his time in either right field or on the bench as the DH.  I love to watch this man play the game of baseball.  The sweet swing still remains as well as that youthful smile.  Personally, I'd love to see him at DH all season and see the numbers he can put up.  I wouldn't be surprised with a .270, 30HR, 1o0 RBI season.  Would you?  Of course I'd be more surprised if he played 150 games.  

Either way, welcome back #24.  I can't wait until the 4th of July weekend so I can go watch him in Fenway.  Junior, just do me one favor.  Please be healthy to play that weekend.