Too Much Love
I’ve had enough. I initially tried to ignore the hype, and get beyond the fact that everyone has seemingly crowned the Red Sox the champions of 2008. The prognostications, in-depth analysis’, and “expert” opinions I can take no longer. Someone must take a stand against ‘Red Sox Nation’ besides Hank Steinbrenner. Let ’41’ join the battle.
Boston won the 2007 World Series. I understand that. I realize that it can be reletively easy to select them to repeat, or at the very least, make a strong push for back-to-back titles. But if I hear, “They’re the team to beat in all of Major League Baseball”, one more time on ESPN, I’m going to cook my radio with my next batch of scalloped potatoes. I love scalloped potatoes.
But in all honesty, all the Red Sox REALLY that good? Can they REALLY take over the American League again? I for one don’t believe they can, and I think they’ve been surpassed by not one, but three, perhaps even four other teams in the A.L.
The Red Sox on paper at the moment looks virtually identical to their team a year ago. They’ve added a few fresh faces, such as Sean Casey, David Aardsman and Danny Kolb, but does that make them any stronger than they were last year? I think not.
I think what gets under my skin more than anything at this moment about the Red Sox, is the amount of respect and admiration that Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia are receiving. Did they have great rookie campaigns? Yes. Did they both play an instrumental role in helping the Red Sox win the World Series? Yes. Do their combined 203 games of regular season experience make them All-Star locks, and alternating MVP’s year after year? Hardly. I think they’re both incredibly over-rated, at least where their offense is concerned. While they’ll get on base from time to time, giving ‘The Big Two’ juicy RBI possibilities, I have a hard time accepting that these guys will produce game, after game, producing results that have currently earned the Red Sox the flawless reputation they now have. Over/Under on combined totals of 200 Runs, 30 HR, 120 RBI, 40 Steals? I’ll take the under.
The Sox’ pitching isn’t as dominant as it’s being billed either. Say what you want about Beckett’s back and that it’ll be fine, the fact is, he has a career-long history of blister problems, and if his back is even flared a little, it’s a cause for concern.
What has Clay Buchholz done in the majors?! It’s not like he’s thrown a no-hitter already… Wait… Yes he did. But to me, that doesn’t matter, and doesn’t make him the second coming of Nolan Ryan. Highly touted prospect, perhaps, but overrated just the same.
Tim Wakefield will get shelled every other outing and go cane-shopping in between starts.
Schilling’s career is possibly over, and if it isn’t, he’s coming back to a +5.00ERA and a smattering of Fenway boo’s.
Jon Lester has some decent stuff, but I certainly wouldn’t slot him in as a number 2 or 3 man in a rotation.
And Dice-K is a WHIP killer, and it’ll eventually catch up to him, and he eventually won’t escape those tough innings he seemingly has a tendency to get himself into.
Alright, so maybe I’m being a little too negative about the prospects of the defending World Series’ champions, but I’m honestly trying to take an objective viewpoint.
I do think that there are a few teams in the American League that have leap-frogged them in terms of talent and projection. Namely, the Kansas City Royals and Oakland A’s… Congratulations… You’ve managed to manuver through my sarcasm.
The Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays are all as strong, if not stronger than the Red Sox heading into the season. Detroit’s notable off-season aquisitions and development of players such as Curtis Granderson, in my eyes, has catapulted them to the top of the American League stratosphere. The Indians arn’t far behind, and will seek major improvement from last season. The Yankees are the Yankees, and the Blue Jays are the greatest team ever assembled to play on a baseball diamond. Buck Coats for MVP. Book it.
While my above statements may lack statistical data or any relevant findings, I go on gut instinct and careful watch with the naked eye. The Red Sox simply arn’t… that… great.
They’ll probably find a way, and Epstein could do something bold at the deadline(s), but I’ll strongly stand by my statement that the Red Sox will NOT repeat as World Series Champions, and will not even make it out of the American League. You heard it here, folks.
’41’
Preach!
41, the Red Sox, being WS Champs last year, tied for the best AL record, were down 3-1 in the ALCS before coming back and were only 2 games ahead of the Yanks. I agree the Red Sox are not locks for the World Series or even the AL East. However, I will put up $100 at even money, that the Pedrioa/Ellesbury are OVER the line you put up, I have the field vs Buck Coates in the MVP race and you have the Field vs the Red Sox for the World Series. If it all three don’t win for you or me we keep our money. Book it?
Money talks and JP walks. The Sox can add just about anything they need to their lineup at any point in the season. They have the cash for final year players that teams are looking to unload and the prospect depth to acquire solid talent going forward.
I agree that the love to Pedroia and Ellsbury is out of hand. I see Pedroia regressing and I’d be surprised to see more than 15 HR out of Ellsbury. Nothing bad out of these two but not the all-star type campaigns that the Red Sox faithful have in mind.
Red Sox fans = Leafs fans as Earl so astutely put it. They talk shit all of the time but the majority don’t have a clue what they are talking about.
Early I think you stumbled in maneuvreing 41’s sarcasm
Agreed.. There’s no way I’d bet any amount of $ Buck Coats wins MVP. For goodness sakes, Ted Williams will win MVP before Coats ever does.
’41’
Sarcasm is noted…but…how much sarcasm is to be read into the firmness of the Red Sox not “getting out of the AL”. As Kman said above, money talks. Give me the Sox at 8 to 1 and you get the rest of the AL…book it? And give me 2:1 and I will take the Over on the Pedroia/Ellsbury line.
Hahahaha. Since when do blister problems mean that you will have recurring back injuries? Thats a stretch. The Yankees are not better than Boston. On paper or on the field. Its a group of overhyped pitchers. Pettitte and the entire Blue Jays are the injury risks going into the season. Nice try though nitpicking at why Boston isnt the best team. DET has the best lineup and weak pitching. CLE is the most well-rounded team and are probably the team to beat in the AL.Boston is second. DET 3rd. LAA/SEA are both better than NY and the Jays as well.
RED SOX SUCK!!! LETS GO BLUE JAYS !!!! LETS GO BLUE JAYS ! GO JAYS GO!
Wow, you really nailed this one …..particularly the stuff on Pedroia and the Tigers. Nice call ….Mr. Wizard.