Gagne blew another one. For those who missed it, Sox are up 2-1 in the 8th thanks to a wonderfully-pitched game from Jon Lester, who gave them 6.2 IP. Francona called upon Delcarmen to get the last out (Vernon Wells) in the 7th - but didn’t keep him in for the 8th for some reason, turning to Gagne instead. (more…)
I separately posted on the AL Cy Young race - which highlights that the Indians have the best “top-two” starters in the AL (maybe in baseball… although the Padres with Peavy and Young have an argument). That post highlighted the top pitchers on each of the four AL teams - Boston (Beckett), NY Yankees (Wang), Angels (Lackey, Escobar), and Indians (Carmona, Sabathia).
What about the #3 starters? Let’s look at each of the four teams and their candidates for #3 starters:
So the buildup to Saturday’s Fox telecast of the Sox-Yanks was that it was the two leading candidates for the AL Cy Young - and the winner of that game would go onto win the AL Cy Young (or at least should).
Um… really?
Friday night’s loss to the Yankees was clearly frustrating and disappointing. But as I thought about the game, I thought of a couple moves that Francona made - which to me, were the right moves, even though they didn’t work. There may be others, but these two stuck out:
So it comes down $750k total, and a first-round draft choice (as I’ll go out on a limb and say the Pats will make the playoffs this year):
Okay, I’m now officially a card-carrying member of the Rory Sabbatini Fan Club. Actually, it may be that I’m the *only* member of the Rory Sabbatini Fan Club, but if so, so be it. He’s my favorite golfer now - pushing aside the immortal Morris Hatalsky… always loved that name, Morris Hatalsky. Morris Hatalsky has three career victories, most recently the 2006 Puerto Vallarta - so in addition to his name, he’s got that going for him… which is nice. But he doesn’t have the stones that Sabbatini has, so I’m moving on.
On 9/1, Clay Buchholz filled in for the injured Tim Wakefield against the Orioles. Making his second ML start, he threw a no-hitter. He reacted like your dad might after striking out the side in a father-son game… happy for the accomplishment, but seemingly too embarassed to express much emotion.
The Patriots “cheating” has gotten a lot of press this week here in the States. But I don’t think they’ll be getting fined $100 million dollars for their misdeeds:
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2007/9/6767.html
And we think Roger Goodell rules with a heavy hand?
I’m not being facetious, and freely admit, I just may be obtuse. But… I don’t get why videotaping an opponent’s defensive signals is such an issue.
I understand its an explicit rule, and when the Pats chose to break the rule (even after what was apparently several warnings), they earned whatever penalty/consequence(s) is/are handed down by the Long Arm of the Law, Roger Goodell. I understand that, and happen to agree with it. Shame on the Patriots for ignoring the warnings. They deserve their fate.
But I don’t understand why the rule is in place. (more…)