jeff--I remember them announcing the surgery would be today several days ago. It's not like they said, Okay, season's over, who needs surgery?
I also read today that the surgery was a success. Though it's rare you hear the doctor say "I was just off my game today. Nobody to blame but myself. Terrible surgery. Terrible. The guy's worse off than before."
Alright team let's regroup and get ready for the off-season rumor hurricane. I would bet we will lose Ellsbury or Crisp, Kotsay and The Mayor and probably Lopez. Lugo will be interesting to watch now that we have replaced him, without him actually knowing it apparently. Will Wake continue? Will Timlame finally retire as promised? Schilling? What starter will we pick up? I am sure we will do something around the pen. Lowell? I forget, did we give him that big contract? If not then do we keep Kotsay for 1B or do we go for a bat to play 1st? Ahh the possibilities. And all the Rays have to look forward to is mediocrity for next year.
For some reason this season was very draining on this fan, nothing ever seemed comfortable, and come with ease. It seemed stressed at all times , whether it was with Manny or nagging injuries or tough losses or hard fought wins, This team always seemed like it was in a battle , never truly dominant. I know that starts with the pitching. Leaster had quite a few of dominant stars, Beckett not really and Dice-K ,he's the reason they made maalox.....
The hitting at times looked unstoppable and at times futile.
The defense I thought was their most consistent part of thier game.....
Well, we will see what next year brings, It was up and down , but I enjoyed the ride nonetheless...
I feel that 9C summed it up perfectly. You can't say right now that the Red Sox could not have won the World Series, because of how close they actually were.
The Red Sox showed people just how hard it was to repeat. Of course, the Rays really had a lot to do with it. The 2008 Red Sox were 1 game behind the 2007 Red Sox in the regular season. The Red Sox's record would indicate they were just as good as 2007, but it also shows you how much other teams have improved.
The Red Sox last year were tied for the best record in all of baseball, with Cleveland, with 96 wins. This year, three teams finished with a better record than Boston.
So it wasn't just the Red Sox's team, but it was other teams as well.
I think the Sox were NOT as good as last year, not that other teams just got better. Pedroia, Youkilis and Drew had (somewhat) higher BAs than in 2007. But all the others did worse, much worse in many cases. Ortiz was the obvious one, but Tek hit better last year, Lowell obviously did better last year, Ellsbury declined, etc.
So certainly on the offense side, this was not as strong a team as 2007. I am actually impressed that we ended up doing as well as we did. It shows what a lot of guts and determination and good pitching and some luck can do.
It's moot, but a) could he have and b) would he likely have become part of the WS roster had the Sox won last night?
ReplyDeletejeff--I remember them announcing the surgery would be today several days ago. It's not like they said, Okay, season's over, who needs surgery?
ReplyDeleteI also read today that the surgery was a success. Though it's rare you hear the doctor say "I was just off my game today. Nobody to blame but myself. Terrible surgery. Terrible. The guy's worse off than before."
I believe the surgery was already scheduled for today no matter what...
ReplyDeleteSorry to Nix and the GF.....
Alright team let's regroup and get ready for the off-season rumor hurricane. I would bet we will lose Ellsbury or Crisp, Kotsay and The Mayor and probably Lopez. Lugo will be interesting to watch now that we have replaced him, without him actually knowing it apparently. Will Wake continue? Will Timlame finally retire as promised? Schilling? What starter will we pick up? I am sure we will do something around the pen. Lowell? I forget, did we give him that big contract? If not then do we keep Kotsay for 1B or do we go for a bat to play 1st? Ahh the possibilities. And all the Rays have to look forward to is mediocrity for next year.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason this season was very draining on this fan, nothing ever seemed comfortable, and come with ease. It seemed stressed at all times , whether it was with Manny or nagging injuries or tough losses or hard fought wins, This team always seemed like it was in a battle , never truly dominant. I know that starts with the pitching. Leaster had quite a few of dominant stars, Beckett not really and Dice-K ,he's the reason they made maalox.....
ReplyDeleteThe hitting at times looked unstoppable and at times futile.
The defense I thought was their most consistent part of thier game.....
Well, we will see what next year brings, It was up and down , but I enjoyed the ride nonetheless...
What are the prospects for Buchholz next season?
ReplyDeleteI feel that 9C summed it up perfectly. You can't say right now that the Red Sox could not have won the World Series, because of how close they actually were.
ReplyDeleteThe Red Sox showed people just how hard it was to repeat. Of course, the Rays really had a lot to do with it. The 2008 Red Sox were 1 game behind the 2007 Red Sox in the regular season. The Red Sox's record would indicate they were just as good as 2007, but it also shows you how much other teams have improved.
The Red Sox last year were tied for the best record in all of baseball, with Cleveland, with 96 wins. This year, three teams finished with a better record than Boston.
So it wasn't just the Red Sox's team, but it was other teams as well.
Joe Kerrigan was hired as a pitching coach for... Pittsburgh.
ReplyDeleteAndy, to add to your list, what will happen with Varitek?
ReplyDeleteI think the Sox were NOT as good as last year, not that other teams just got better. Pedroia, Youkilis and Drew had (somewhat) higher BAs than in 2007. But all the others did worse, much worse in many cases. Ortiz was the obvious one, but Tek hit better last year, Lowell obviously did better last year, Ellsbury declined, etc.
ReplyDeleteSo certainly on the offense side, this was not as strong a team as 2007. I am actually impressed that we ended up doing as well as we did. It shows what a lot of guts and determination and good pitching and some luck can do.