(Photo By Minda Haas) |
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Will Manny Be Next Cubs Asst. Hitting Coach?
Surgery On Buchholz Knee Deemed Successful
The Red Sox announced that this morning's meniscus surgery on the right knee of pitcher Clay Buchholz was successful. The right-handed starter is expected to make a full recovery in time for next February's Spring Training. The 30-year old Texan was 8-11 in 2014 with an ERA of 5.34. He is signed through 2015—with team options for 2016-17.
REPORT: Red Sox Not Pursuing 3rd Cuban OF
(AP Photo) |
Cubs Facing Same Prospect Conundrum As Sox
(Getty Images) |
AL Wild Card May Feature Two '15 Sox Hurlers
One scenario being bandied about has Jon Lester coming back to Boston (although he's putting his Newton house up for sale) and the Red Sox also adding James Shields. If you're into that possibility, it might behoove you to watch tonight's AL Wild Card game (8PM Eastern, TBS). Both aces will face-off against one another in the stupid "lose one game and go home" format bequeathed to us by outgoing Commissioner Bud Selig. But, hey, it's still baseball—something we Red Sox fans have to wait 143 more days for. So watch, already!
Alex Wilson Is FN's 2014 'Under The Radar' Pick
Alex Wilson: 1-0, 1.19 ERA, 0.88 WHIP |
40% Of Red Sox Home Games Have Ticket Hikes
Ever the expert parsers, the Red Sox touted to the world yesterday that they are "holding the line" on ticket prices for the 2015 season. Of course—as in politics—the truth is in the details. In fact, tickets prices will go up over 2014 levels for 32 home games—40% of the schedule at America's Most Cramped Ballpark. While it's true that the "average" ticket price will not increase in 2015—they did increase a whopping 4.8% last year. The sleight-of-hand by the NOG (New Ownership Group) is truly breathtaking. Just look at the comments from Red Sox President and CEO Larry Lucchino: "Given the challenges we experienced on the field this year, and the steadfast support of Red Sox Nation through those challenges, we are holding the line overall. We are adjusting some of the variable pricing categories to better correspond to demand." They even have the gall to resort to the oldest of political canards—the appeal to the 'kids'. Lucchino goes on: "Over the last two years, we will have dropped the prices, for example, of Infield Grandstand seats by $17 for certain games. That helps us improve the affordability and accessibility of Fenway Park for families and children." Affordability? The phony "variable pricing" scheme is also back for 2015—with five different "Tiers" of games categorized by "anticipated" demand. These guys should run for something.
Brock Holt Is 2014 FenwayNation Rookie O' Year
(Getty Images) |
No Decision Yet On Qualifying Offer For Koji
(FenwayNation Photo) |
Final Dalton Jones Average Sees 6.8-Point Drop
In September, the Red Sox sealed their fate as the first team in MLB history to go from worst to first to worst. Reflective of that status, FenwayNation's Dalton Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) saw another drop in confidence. The Index fell 6.8 points in September—to a final 2014 reading of 58.3 (by contrast, 2013's final number was 126.4 and 2012's final reading was 54.8). The decrease was caused mostly by eroding confidence in the team's offense—but every element of the game suffered losses. FenwayNation offers its readers this
monthly reading of "The Mood Of The Nation" through our exclusive Dalton Jones Industrial Average Index. Named for the all-time Red Sox pinch-hit leader, the average is a composite index of four key metrics: starting pitching, relief pitching, total offense and total defense. All of our readers worldwide can now 'weigh in' every month on the state of The Carmine
Hose. The Index number—and its fluctuation up or down—has proven, over
the years, to be an accurate bellwether of team performance. See you in April for our 2015 Pre-Season Dalton Jones Industrial Average reading!
Will Middlebrooks Will Not Play Any Winter Ball
(Michael Ivins/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) |
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Good Riddance To The Utterly Forgettable 2014
The lights are out at Fenway for another year. But this off-season will not be filled with trophy tours and duckboats. It will be—once again—time to visit with our old friends: angst and agita. We ask: which prospects will remain in Carmine Hose and which will Ben Cherington package—like so many Xmas presents—to Miami for Giancarlo "Don't Call Me Mike" Stanton? Which starting pitchers will be acquired to fill the void left by the departures of Jon Lester, John Lackey, Felix Doubront and Jake Peavy? And, who will really take the place of the dear departed Jenny Dell? All of these pressing questions will occupy us through the cold dark nights. But Fort Myers will come soon enough. Remember the sage words of the great Rogers Hornsby, "People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." Indeed.
Join In On The FINAL '14 Dalton Jones Reading
As the 2014 season ends, all of our readers can "weigh in" on the FINAL State Of The Carmine Hose through our exclusive Dalton Jones Industrial Average Index. The DJIA (honoring the Red Sox all-time pinch-hit leader) gathers four
key metrics each month using a simple "0" to "10" confidence scale on: starting pitching, relief pitching, overall offense and overall defense. Each month, FN readers—through a simple one-page survey tool—can assess the fortunes of the team. FenwayNation will publish the Final 2014 DJIA Index Score in the next few days. We invite all of our readers to complete
the quick survey, then simply hit "done", which automatically (and
anonymously) sends the form to FenwayNation. Here is the survey link for the FINAL September 2014 reading: DJIA SURVEY LINK (Please complete and send by Tuesday, September 30th).
Sox Limp Out Of '14 With A Loss On Jeter Day
(European Pressphoto Agency) |
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Red Sox Are Designated Hitters, Pummel Empire
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa) |
Friday, September 26, 2014
Jeter Sits, Rusney Hits; Red Sox Fall Short, 3-2
(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) |
Out Of 'Respect', Jeter Won't Play SS At Fenway
(Exclusive FenwayNation Photo) |
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Vazquez And Castillo Get First HRs; Sox Cruise
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa) |
Sox Jeter Tribute To Be Low-Key, Respectful
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa) |
Sox Shouldn't Pop Any Corks Over Next Win
No Sham-Pag-Knee For You! |
Lucchino: 'Considerable Efforts' To Get Pitching
(Getty Images) |
Sox Find Ray Of Sunshine; Pummel Tampa, 11-3
(Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images) |
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Yankee Elimination Day Has Finally Arrived!!!!!
Jeter Raises Doubts On Last Game At Fenway
(Exclusive FenwayNation Photo) |
We Won't Have Jacoby To Kick Around Anymore
(New York Daily News) |
Cruising Buchholz Fades In Eighth; Loses, 6-2
(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) |
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Napoli Out As Red Sox Start Final Homestand
Mike Napoli is out of tonight's line-up as the Red Sox get set to face the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-game set. Boston will send out the following line-up: Mookie Betts 2B, Xander Bogaerts SS, David Ortiz DH, Yoenis Cespedes LF, Daniel Nava 1B, Rusney Castillo CF, Will Middlebrooks 3B, Christian Vazquez C, and Jackie Bradley Jr. RF. Clay Buchholz will take the mound for The Carmine Hose.
The Final Six—The End Of A Long Nightmare
The End Is Near! |
America's Most Cramped Ballpark—Crampier!
Stretch Out And Relax! |
Monday, September 22, 2014
Sox Have Second Longest Avg. Game Length
(Forbes.com Graph) |
Sox Have 2 Reps On MLB's 'Pace Of Play' Cmte.
Outgoing MLB Commissioner Bud Selig appointed a new committee to produce recommendations that will improve the pace of the game. The Red Sox will have two people on the committee: team Chairman Tom Werner and general partner Michael Gordon. As you might recall, Werner made "pace" the centerpiece of his failed campaign to become Commissioner. Said Selig of the committee, "With the cooperation of all appropriate parties, we can make progress on improving the pace of play, and we will have recommendations in the very near future for the 2015 season. I believe that this group has the experience and the perspective to be mindful of our game's traditions while being creative about our approach in the future." Perhaps the most surprising part of this story is that Selig has already convened a conference call with committee members. Honestly, did you think Bud could work the phone buttons?
FenwayNation Offers Fenway Park WEBCAM
Memo To NOG: Cut 2015 Ticket Prices By 20%
There's one thing the NOG (New Ownership Group) can do to really demonstrate their "care and concern" for Red Sox fans: cut 2015 ticket prices by 20%. As it is, Boston fans pay the highest ticket prices in all of baseball (average ticket: $52.32; total Fan Cost Index: $350.78). And for what? A team that might pass the 69-win threshold set by Bobby Valentine's 2012 legions? Great! The owners got a big-time 'mulligan' for 2013—and fans have been amazingly positive in this humiliating year. We need payback—real, tangible payback. The state's feeble economic 'recovery' has left most fans still struggling to make ends meet—if they have a job at all. So, multi-billionaire John Henry should be able to find it in his "progressive" heart to give the average fan a break. It's bad enough that they've saddled us with a century-old, obstruction-filled, cramped ballpark—now they've given us players who hit like their 100 years old. Give us a 20% reduction—that's a measly $10.46 cents on the average ticket. Just enough to buy an over-priced Fenway Frank.
Red Sox Play 'Kelly's Heroes', Beat Orioles, 3-2
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) |
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Cecchini And Brentz Start Today For Red Sox
The Red Sox will send out four rookies today in their final match-up of the year against the AL East Champion Orioles. Boston will send out the following line-up today—Mookie Betts 2B, Xander Bogaerts SS, Daniel Nava 1B, Yoenis Cespedes LF, Will Middlebrooks 3B, Rusney Castillo CF, Garin Cecchini DH, David Ross C, and Bryce Brentz RF. Joe Kelly takes to the hill for The Carmine Hose.
Sox Wear 'Rubby' Slip-Ups, Fall To O's, 7-2
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) |
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Oritz Hits #464 And #465; Sox Top Orioles, 5-3
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) |
Friday, September 19, 2014
Rusney Castillo Hitting Seventh In First AL Start
The Red Sox are in 'Charm City' to take on the AL East Champion Orioles tonight in the start of a three game set. Boston will send out the following line-up: Mookie Betts, 2B; Xander Bogaerts, SS; David Ortiz, DH; Yoenis Cespedes, LF; Daniel Nava, RF; Allen Craig, 1B; Rusney Castillo, CF; Garin Cecchini, 3B; and Christian Vazquez, C. Allen Webster will head to mound for The Carmine Hose.
Giancarlo Stanton Updates Press On Recovery
Giancarlo Stanton met with the media yesterday to update them on his recovery from a brutal beaning he suffered a week prior. Just from a visual point of view, the "before and after" pictures he posted on Instagram are enough to both horrify and inspire. Stanton said he suffered facial fractures that will take 6-8 weeks to heal. Also, five of his teeth were damaged—with one knocked out completely. He also sustained an "orbital fracture" around his eye—but his vision was never impaired. Ominously, when asked about a return, he stated, "I’ve wondered about that. I think I’m in a great mental state for what has gone on. But to be able to be back into the box, and in competition, I’m not quite sure. I think when we decide the protection that will be on, I’ll have more reassurance wearing that." Wow.
Anthony Rizzo Wins 2014 Branch Rickey Award
Former Red Sox farmhand Anthony Rizzo is the winner of the 2014 Branch Rickey Award for his work with pediatric cancer patients. After being drafted by the Red Sox at age 17, Rizzo was diagnosed with with Hodgkin's lymphoma in his first minor league season. After a long period of treatment, the cancer went into remission. Rizzo was initially traded to San Diego in the Adrian Gonzalez deal and was later re-united with former Red Sox GM Theo Epstein on the North Side of Chicago. Since his illness, Rizzo has consistently visited pediatric cancer patients at both Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago and Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, Florida. Congratulations, Anthony!
Is Jon Lester Enough To Save Slumping A's?
Don't look now, but baseball may be witnessing yet another epic September collapse. The Oakland A's lost again last night (with Sonny Gray giving up four runs in the first inning), and are now in danger of dropping completely out of the post-season picture. This, despite the fact that former Red Sox ace Jon Lester has been lights out since joining The Green and Gold. The big lefty is 5-3 with The Children Of Charley Finley, posting a 2.30 ERA. In 62.2 innings, he's struck out 57. Two nights ago, the A's watched their bullpen implode in a six-run ninth. They've actually been swept by the lowly Rangers at home. Since August 28th, Oakland is 5-15—since August 10th, they are 11-25. Before trading Yoenis Cespedes to the Red Sox, the A's were averaging 5.00 runs a game—since the trade, it's 3.47. So, Lester and the other quality pitchers on the staff may not be enough to keep the A's from choking big time.
Team Of Negative Destiny Loses Again; Fall, 3-2
(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) |
Thursday, September 18, 2014
FN POLL: A's Surge Ahead As Top Playoff Team
The Oakland A's have moved ahead of the Orioles and Royals as the AL team most readers will pull for in the playoffs. As the chart shows, 26% now pick the "Bay Area Red Sox" as their team of choice, followed by the Orioles at 22%, the Royals at 19%, the Angels at 15%, the Mariners at 7%, unidentified National League teams at 7% and the Tigers at 4%. Somewhat surprisingly, no voters chose Terry Francona's Indians. You can still vote in the poll HERE.
FN POLL: Orioles And Royals Are Fan Faves
Very early voting in our latest FenwayNation Poll indicates that our readers will primarily be pulling for the Baltimore Orioles in the playoffs—followed closely by the Kansas City Royals. As the chart shows, fully one-third of voters support the Birds (33%), and almost as many (27%) will be rooting for the Royals. Next in line are the Angels and A's (13% each), followed by the Seattle Mariners at 7%. You can still vote in the poll HERE.
Are The Baltimore Orioles Really That Good?
The American League East representatives from 'The Charm City' have run away with the division—currently setting the pace with 92 wins and a 14.5 game lead on The Bronx Embalmers. They've already clinched their first division title in 17 years. But are they good enough to run the table and capture the franchise's fourth World Series Championship? Let's take a look. First of all, they won't have the services of three of their best players—Matt Wieters, Manny Machado and Chris Davis (suspended until at least the second round). Then again, they've done pretty darn well without the first two for a long time. Manager Buck Showalter has deftly shuffled his line-up to accommodate the "hot hands"—even benching veterans. He's also made some pretty bold decisions—like banishing highly-paid malcontent Ubaldo Jimenez to the bullpen in August. Showalter has mastered the delicate balance between old-school and new-school managing—and it shows on the field. This group of Birds leads the majors in HRs and is near the top in team defense. To get far into October, they will need two guys to consistently deliver—Adam Jones and Nick Markakis (in addition to the consistent Nelson Cruz). And the amazing Steve Pearce looks like he'll just keep on hitting. Their so-called "no-name rotation" will need youngsters Chris Tillman and Kevin Gausman to hold up under the pressure of the big city lights. If they get to the ninth with a lead (after being set-up by Andrew Miller and Tommy Hunter), Zach Britton is about as effective as any closer in the game. So, yeah, these O's have a definite chance to hoist another banner over Eutaw Street. Secretly, we're rooting for them.
Red Sox Scarily Close To Not Passing Bobby V.
With 22 games left, the Red Sox only needed 9 wins to eclipse Bobby Valentine's magical 69 win plateau from 2012. Now there are only 10 games left—and they still need four more wins to hit 70. Can they do it? For the cipher-challenged out there, four wins out of ten translates to a .400 winning percentage. To this point in the season, the team is winning at a .434 clip, so, theoretically, they should do it, right? Not so fast, pine-tar breath! Here are the remaining games: one more against the Pirates (who are fighting tooth-and-nail for a playoff berth), three at Camden Yards against the juggernaut O's (who might be in coast mode), three at Fenway against the almost-equally pathetic Rays, and the final three at home against The Evil Ones (during the canonization ceremonies for Derek Jeter). So, can they scoop at least four from this list? Tonight looks like a loss in Pittsburgh, but they should take at least one from Baltimore. Then, just three more wins out of six from the Rays and Yankees should be do-able. But, frankly, as bad as this team is, passing Valentine should not be this close.
Re-Signing Koji Uehara Is A Red Sox Priority
Koji: Worth Re-Upping For 2015 |
Red Sox Walk The Plank In Pittsburgh; Lose, 9-1
(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) |
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Red Sox Recall Six Today From AAA Pawtucket
The Red Sox recalled six players today from AAA Pawtucket. The six are: OF Rusney Castillo, OF Bryce Brentz, C Ryan Lavarnway, 3B Garin Cecchini, P Heath Hembree and P Edwin Escobar.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)