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Ha, doesn't matter if it was for just 1 season. If it wasn't for him, maybe BOS doesn't win that WS. Don't boo a guy that was one of the more important players on the team. The coach/gm/owner knew he was struggling, so just wait to them to take action. Don't shatter the dudes confidence and make him scared to take the mound, because he knew that was was gonna hear a ton of boos from his own (team's) fans.
That's because, given a full season, nearly any competent reliever can be a successful closer.Quote:
Originally Posted by dickay
Well...I agree to disagree here. As said prior, he's not 'unbooable' in my mind, he was given quite a pass during the 05 season because of his contributions during 04, is still idolized by Boston fans but wasn't getting it done. He even admitted he deserved to be booed. Thats the game, if you don't perform you get booed. The only Red Sox from the 04 team that are 'unbooable' are Ortiz, Varitek, and Manny...with a big if next to Manny because of his 'Manny being Manny' antics. Schilling is a horses a$$, but he gets a huge pass because of his amazing 04 bloody sock performance and was very big in 07 when it matters. He's hard to boo as well but really try's very hard to get boo's.Quote:
Originally Posted by koolzach1
Wait... why is Varitek un-booable?
Any Sox fan knows this guy is and has been the glue to the staff for years. He wears the 'C', and works harder than just about any catcher out there in preparation for handling a pitcher. Just look at how the Sox fared when he missed a month plus in 06, everything fell apart. He's the most indispensable player on the team.Quote:
Originally Posted by koolzach1
Believe me, I wasn't a believer in all the hype that Varitek was so valuable to the pitching staff before he was signed to an extension 5 years ago. He was an aging catcher at the time, and I was afraid the media was for some reason building him up as more valuable than he really was. But the Sox opened the vault for an aging catcher showing how valuable they believe he is, and during his contract which I believe this is the last season of it he's made me a believer. Completely unbooable and any true Red Sox fan will agree that he can continue to have a batting average lower than his weight and he'll be cheered as long as he's able to call games.
Lol; Well, I have to admit that he is one helluva game caller.Quote:
Originally Posted by dickay
Schilling and his ego shakes off a Varitek sign in the 9th with 2 outs sitting 1 out from his first no-hitter. Bull Durham-esk Shannon Stewart takes Schillings selection and breaks up the no-no. Think Schilling isn't still kicking himself for that lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by koolzach1
It's probably happened, sporadically and by a small number of people in the stands... but I've been to dozens of Yankee games and watched hundreds more on TV and have never heard Rivera booed.Quote:
Originally Posted by dickay
On the contrary, the electricity in the stands when he takes the mound is amazing -- and there are probably more Rivera jerseys worn in the stands than anyone else's other than Jeter.
This comes from early in the 2005 season, Rivera struggled out of the gate and was booed 'loudly' at Yankee Stadium. A big deal was made out of it on ESPN and it was all over the news at the time. Somehow, the Red Sox fans got across to the media that Rivera shouldn't worry, even if the Yankee fans don't respect him we'll cheer ya. When the Yanks came to Boston for the sawx opening day and ring ceremony (love saying that), during that game Rivera drew the a louder applause than many Red Sox players.Quote:
Originally Posted by JayC
Now, some of those cheering were doing so because Rivera blew games in the 04 playoff choke-a-palooza, some were cheering to show Yankee fans that the Sox had more class, but most IMO were cheering out of respect for the machine this guy is.
So when I say Rivera gets booed by the Yankee fans, I'm mainly referring to that time period. He has had boo's since then, but I agree with you its been much less.
While I didn't have my Sound Pressure Level meter with me... don't believe everything that's said on ESPN.Quote:
Originally Posted by dickay
Like I said before, sporadically and by a small number of people.
OK So to weigh in here.....the article is a joke. The Yanks are ONLY 1.5 games behind
1st place. They will be fine. Giambi does stink now, true....Wang is 3-0! The Yanks called up a great guy at SS for when Jeter was down....Cano...off the bench HR! THey'll be fine and in the WS this year!
I wouldn't be too confident. Their in the running, but age is catching up. More importantly, the competition in the AL East this season is going to be fierce.
True it is tougher competition but there is a youth drive this year with loads of 20sonethings ready to go. WS BABY!!!!!!
Next year Teixeira will be in a Yankees jersey and there will be NO way that we aren't ready for another few WS rings :)
This year, I don't know about the WS, but we have some stud youngsters... especially pitchers.
Now I have to turn the corner. I've been surprisingly defending the Yankees for most of this thread but I have to ask you to be real. Who are these 'studly' young arms??Quote:
Originally Posted by koolzach1
I'll give you Hughes has shown a few great starts, but pitching is so hard to gauge this early in his career. Does he have the mental makeup to last a full season? We'll see.
Ian Kennedy??? What has this guy shown you that makes you think he's a stud? Certainly not stats nor the eye test nor the scouts who a year ago projected him as a #3 pitcher at best. Far from a stud.
Joba Chamberlain?? He's been outstanding out of the bullpen, but thats a far cry from pitching 6+ innings every 5th day. Granted, he may turn into a stud but is a huge questionmark to be a starter at this point.
So, there's no denying any of those three statements. They are very fair and truthful. Who are these 'studs' then you are referring to? Wang has proven to be a stud during the regular season, but is not an ace go to guy in the playoffs. Thats also indisputable.
At least the Sox have a young Beckett & Matsuzaka who are proven starters. Granted, Matsuzaka is far from a stud but he's a solid #2 at best but probably a #3. The Sox also have Baseball America's second rated farm system with alot of young arms. I'm not projecting any to be studs, its way to early to pin hopes on that.
In short, what i'm saying is the Yankees better look long and hard at Sabathia or find another proven ace, because without one.....they are going to be hard pressed to win with or without Texiera.