With a devastating split-fingered fastball that sinks into oblivion Jonathon Papelbon dazzled the American League and solidified his spot as the Red Sox closer of the future.
A starting pitcher throughout his minor league career, Papelbon, filled in for an injured Keith Foulke last year and pitched phenomenally. For much of the season, up to his injury, he was leading the league in saves. Even though his arm did wear down at the end of the season, the dominance displayed has all of Boston talking.
Papelbon has been working on elevating his arm slot when he pitches. This, he hopes, will help him avoid another injury at the end of the season. He is not concerned about the adjustment, “Mechanically, I’m getting there. It’s a little bit different, not much- enough to get it done.”
Papelbon was originally going to be the fifth starter in an already impressive rotation, which includes Daisuke and Schilling, but a weak bullpen prompted him to ask Coach Terry Francona to be the closer. Francona was happy to facilitate Papelbon’s request, and moved Julian Tavarez to the Fifth Starting spot.
The decision was easy for Francona, as Papelbon’s ERA last year as a closer was 0.92. He also won four games and saved 35 more. He blew six games but a majority came at the end of the season when he began having arm issues.
Boston has full confidence in Papelbon, and will be giving him the ball in the ninth. He is the first reliable closer that the Red Sox have had in many years and the whole league is excited to see what this kid can do; they got a glimpse of it last year, was it the real deal? My bet is yes, and watch them ride his arm to the playoffs.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Manny Ramirez: Will Manny be Manny?
Boston Red Sox fans are hard pressed to remember a season that Manny Ramirez hasn’t had one of his notorious “episodes”. These episodes vary from him demanding a trade or refusing to play for games on end. It seems every year the Red Sox front office frantically searches for a team to trade him to, but their attempts always end up unsuccessful.
So the question is, will Manny be Manny again, and more appropriately, how long will it last for this time? Opinions differ on the steps Boston should be taking. Some feel that since Ramirez will be receiving $18 million in 2007 that he should just shut up and play. Others argue that as long as Manny puts up eye popping numbers, an average of 35 homeruns and 100 RBIs a year, let him be Manny.
Regardless of how you feel about Ramirez’s bipolar nature, you can’t ignore his consistency at the plate during the course of his career. He is only 30 homeruns short of 500, and barring an injury, he will pass that number this season. At 34, Ramirez’s age is beginning to show, as last year’s RBI, Run, and Homerun totals were all the lowest since he has come to Boston.
Even though he is slowly declining, Ramirez still holds a key spot in the batting order and will be batting third or fourth this year. The combination of him and David Ortiz batting back to back has proven dangerous for many of the opposing pitchers, as the duo united for 89 homeruns last season.
The simple truth of the matter is that Boston loves Manny. They can live with his “freak outs” as long as they get to see the opposing pitcher’s knees shake every time he steps to the plate. You can bet that when October comes around you will hear the chants of Manny! Manny! Manny! Coming from Fenway.
So the question is, will Manny be Manny again, and more appropriately, how long will it last for this time? Opinions differ on the steps Boston should be taking. Some feel that since Ramirez will be receiving $18 million in 2007 that he should just shut up and play. Others argue that as long as Manny puts up eye popping numbers, an average of 35 homeruns and 100 RBIs a year, let him be Manny.
Regardless of how you feel about Ramirez’s bipolar nature, you can’t ignore his consistency at the plate during the course of his career. He is only 30 homeruns short of 500, and barring an injury, he will pass that number this season. At 34, Ramirez’s age is beginning to show, as last year’s RBI, Run, and Homerun totals were all the lowest since he has come to Boston.
Even though he is slowly declining, Ramirez still holds a key spot in the batting order and will be batting third or fourth this year. The combination of him and David Ortiz batting back to back has proven dangerous for many of the opposing pitchers, as the duo united for 89 homeruns last season.
The simple truth of the matter is that Boston loves Manny. They can live with his “freak outs” as long as they get to see the opposing pitcher’s knees shake every time he steps to the plate. You can bet that when October comes around you will hear the chants of Manny! Manny! Manny! Coming from Fenway.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Principia Swim Team Vs. Adversity
Adversity is part of sports, but few teams are challenged with the misfortune that met the Principia College swim team this past season.
Coach Jenny Moeller and the swimmers found themselves without a place to swim, and forced them to commute to Godfrey for practice. Two of the best swimmers on the team were suspended from school and off the team.
“It was hard for me,” Moeller said, commenting on the time of practice, “ but I think it was harder for them.” In February the swim team arrived home from practice after midnight.
Moeller laughed a little, almost in disbelief that she made it through the season. She talks about how this was definitely the most challenging swim season in her six years as a swimmer and coach at Principia. Although the season was difficult, she said she was pleased with the results at the Liberal Arts Swimming and Diving Championship in Coe College in Cedar Rapids Iowa. The Liberal Arts Invitational is the climax of the swim team’s season.
“I wanted everyone to come away happy with how they swam; I wanted everyone to get a lifetime [best].” She said with 42 lifetime bests, 18 season bests, and 26 top 16 finishes at the meet, Moeller’s goal was accomplished. Both the women and men’s teams finished seventh out of 11 and 13 teams.
Moeller cited the performances of two freshman swimmers. Jenny Bailey was two-tenths of a second from qualifying for nationals, and broke two school records in the 50 freestyle with a 24.68 and the 100 freestyle with a 53.89.
Bailey said she is in the best shape of her life and that is evident with her results. “It was the best meet I ever had because I got all my lifetime bests.” She says, “I just wanted to end the season well.”
The other freshman who excelled this year was Aaron Olszeski, who placed sixth in the 500 freestyle with a 4:58.30. He came from a strong background of club teams and a good record in high school. Unfortunately for the Principia swim team he is transferring at the end of winter quarter. To accept a scholarship to swim for Division II Lewis University in Chicago.
“I was offered money to swim at another college where my brother is attending.” Olszeski said adding that, “ It’s hard to do something when you know you can be better at it.”
Jenny Moeller is confident about next year with the new home pool and a recruiting class and she hopes to turn the women’s team into a powerhouse.
Coach Jenny Moeller and the swimmers found themselves without a place to swim, and forced them to commute to Godfrey for practice. Two of the best swimmers on the team were suspended from school and off the team.
“It was hard for me,” Moeller said, commenting on the time of practice, “ but I think it was harder for them.” In February the swim team arrived home from practice after midnight.
Moeller laughed a little, almost in disbelief that she made it through the season. She talks about how this was definitely the most challenging swim season in her six years as a swimmer and coach at Principia. Although the season was difficult, she said she was pleased with the results at the Liberal Arts Swimming and Diving Championship in Coe College in Cedar Rapids Iowa. The Liberal Arts Invitational is the climax of the swim team’s season.
“I wanted everyone to come away happy with how they swam; I wanted everyone to get a lifetime [best].” She said with 42 lifetime bests, 18 season bests, and 26 top 16 finishes at the meet, Moeller’s goal was accomplished. Both the women and men’s teams finished seventh out of 11 and 13 teams.
Moeller cited the performances of two freshman swimmers. Jenny Bailey was two-tenths of a second from qualifying for nationals, and broke two school records in the 50 freestyle with a 24.68 and the 100 freestyle with a 53.89.
Bailey said she is in the best shape of her life and that is evident with her results. “It was the best meet I ever had because I got all my lifetime bests.” She says, “I just wanted to end the season well.”
The other freshman who excelled this year was Aaron Olszeski, who placed sixth in the 500 freestyle with a 4:58.30. He came from a strong background of club teams and a good record in high school. Unfortunately for the Principia swim team he is transferring at the end of winter quarter. To accept a scholarship to swim for Division II Lewis University in Chicago.
“I was offered money to swim at another college where my brother is attending.” Olszeski said adding that, “ It’s hard to do something when you know you can be better at it.”
Jenny Moeller is confident about next year with the new home pool and a recruiting class and she hopes to turn the women’s team into a powerhouse.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Daisuke Matsuzaka: Worth $103 Million?
Speculation has always struck me as futile, but with the arrival of Daisuke Matsuzaka, and all the hype that has followed, you can’t help but be curious about how he will perform. Japanese pitchers in Major League Baseball are relatively new, and their success has been limited, so the question is: have the Red Sox discovered a gem from overseas?
Daisuke, pronounced Dice-K, Matsuzaka has dominated Japanese hitters in the past years with a devastating eight-pitch repertoire. His stats draw comparisons to Pedro during his Boston years and so does his price. The Red Sox coughed up an astounding $51.1 million just for the right to talk to him, outbidding the Yankees and Mets. Boston then signed him to a six-year $52 million contract.
Unlike previous Japanese players to come to America, Daisuke has proven his worth against competition outside Japan, for he was the MVP of the World Baseball Classic. During the WBC he faced powerful teams and was still able to find success, this is a promising sign for the Red Sox.
Matsuzaka is known for his superhuman arm, which seems to never tire. His thirteen complete games in 2006 are unheard of in American baseball since the dead ball era. He regularly throws 170 pitches in a game, roughly 50 more than the average Major League pitcher; and after he will throw another 100 or so pitches in a bullpen toss. It is normal for him to play 300-foot long toss and then complete a 300-pitch bullpen session. The most impressive thing about him is that his shoulder was perfect in all the cat-scan pictures.
The big concern is when will he throw his last pitch, when he is 31 or 40? Japanese pitchers who transfer to the U.S. are infamous for only pitching into their early thirties. Matsuzaka, who is 26, is in his prime now, but how many good years does he have left?
Daisuke has pitched well during spring training and appears to be ready for the season. He is currently 1-1 this spring with a 2.84 ERA and has 13 strikeouts in 12.2 innings pitched.
Boston hopes that Matsuzaka will live up to his reputation and be a key component of what looks to be possibly best starting rotation in baseball. He is prepared for a huge season and all signs are pointing upwards. Speculation is useless, however, as all our questions will be answered opening day.
Daisuke, pronounced Dice-K, Matsuzaka has dominated Japanese hitters in the past years with a devastating eight-pitch repertoire. His stats draw comparisons to Pedro during his Boston years and so does his price. The Red Sox coughed up an astounding $51.1 million just for the right to talk to him, outbidding the Yankees and Mets. Boston then signed him to a six-year $52 million contract.
Unlike previous Japanese players to come to America, Daisuke has proven his worth against competition outside Japan, for he was the MVP of the World Baseball Classic. During the WBC he faced powerful teams and was still able to find success, this is a promising sign for the Red Sox.
Matsuzaka is known for his superhuman arm, which seems to never tire. His thirteen complete games in 2006 are unheard of in American baseball since the dead ball era. He regularly throws 170 pitches in a game, roughly 50 more than the average Major League pitcher; and after he will throw another 100 or so pitches in a bullpen toss. It is normal for him to play 300-foot long toss and then complete a 300-pitch bullpen session. The most impressive thing about him is that his shoulder was perfect in all the cat-scan pictures.
The big concern is when will he throw his last pitch, when he is 31 or 40? Japanese pitchers who transfer to the U.S. are infamous for only pitching into their early thirties. Matsuzaka, who is 26, is in his prime now, but how many good years does he have left?
Daisuke has pitched well during spring training and appears to be ready for the season. He is currently 1-1 this spring with a 2.84 ERA and has 13 strikeouts in 12.2 innings pitched.
Boston hopes that Matsuzaka will live up to his reputation and be a key component of what looks to be possibly best starting rotation in baseball. He is prepared for a huge season and all signs are pointing upwards. Speculation is useless, however, as all our questions will be answered opening day.
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