Don't panic, but ...
Them thar Yankees have won nine straight and are now 7 1/2 games behind the Red Sox.
Boston and manager Terry Francona have never been a team to panic (re: 2004 ALCS), although fans are likely to be feeling the strain and suggesting every trade under the sun for an instant fix.
Red Sox management is also rarely content to sit on its hands (no one is smiling and thinking it's wonderful to have a 7 1/2-game lead; though that's not a bad thing).
Between panic and cruise control is a steady course for improvement. That brings me to my mantra of the last few weeks: Look at promoting Jacoby Ellsbury.
Maybe don't bring him now. Wait until July (or when you have a trade in place for Wily Mo Pena).
In the past 11 games, Boston's leadoff batters have batted .130 (6-for-46) with one run scored.
In his last 10 games, Ellsbury is batting .333 (13-for-39) with 7 runs, 6 stolen bases, 3 doubles and a triple.
Of course, hitting for Pawtucket is different than the majors. And you don't make decisions based on 10 or 11-game stretches (although Ellsbury is batting .299 since going to Triple-A).
Would you be rushing Ellsbury? Sure. But he can handle it. This is a kid who has dealt with Johnny Damon comparisons since he was drafted. There are many who think Ellsbury could be better than Damon. Let him start showing why.
Posted at 05:55 AM
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For the love of all that's Holy - ENOUGH ALREADY! There is more to life, and actually more to Major League Baseball, than the Sawks and the Yankees. The Red Sox have always had second child syndrome. They, and their Jonestown-like cool aid drinking fans, resent the fact that they aren't as tall, as good-looking and as accomplished as their older, big brother. The Yankees are the Hilton family of baseball, tossing millions around like pennies, thinking they can buy their way to the objective and having hissy fits when it does work out that way. Meanwhile life, and the rest of the baseball season goes on, with barely a notice outside the shadow of the infantile, Hatfield/McCoy-like Sawks v. Yankees feud.
Posted by
Brock DenbyJune 15, 2007 08:03 AM
I get a huge kick out of your rant Brock! More to life than Sox/Yankees but look who couldn't WAIT to read and post-- apparently someone even LESS accomplished than our (apparently) Kool Aid drinkers or the NY Hiltons. Feeling left out? LMAO!!
Just relax and have fun watching the AL East this summer and hopefully the Red Sox in the late fall. You can start watching football and won't even have to think about the Jonestown boys or the Hilton heads. lol!
And I am anxious to see Ellsbury come up, but I'm not all for rushing him. But I am definately all for finding someone who wants Pena. lol
Posted by
reverendJune 16, 2007 10:17 AM
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