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The Official 2012 Boston Red Sox Thread

Discussion in 'Other Sports Forum' started by Ray Finkle, Feb 17, 2012.

  1. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Strasburg pitching in Fenway should be pretty cool to see. As would Harper. It's a pretty exciting time to be a Nats fan.
     
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  2. GreenMonster

    GreenMonster New Member

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    Seriously, I can't wait for people to tell me how the always rooted for the Nats and Expos.
     
  3. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    Tell you what I am pulling for them in the NL....pretty young and exciting team...
     
  4. BigDogsHunt

    BigDogsHunt Enough talk...prove it!

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    Only since they moved here, and anything that sticks in the crow of Orioles is fine by me.:up:
     
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  5. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    Holyyyyyyyy crap Harper just pounded a shot to the deepest part of the ballpark, right of the 420 triangle......

    Not sure their is a limit that this kid can't accomplish...
     
  6. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    Fink they got swept at home? really?

    and in another stroke of bad luck....they gotta face Johnson tonight...
     
  7. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    They faced some really good pitching that shut down the offense. Of course yesterday the home plate ump basically cost them the game in the 9th but no excuses the Sox were just outplayed. And people can say whatever they want about Harper but the kid plays hard, there's a lot to like about him.

    The only positives of the weekend is Matsuzaka didn't look too bad, he looked like a different pitcher actually going after hitters instead of nibble, nibble, nibble. Let's see if he keeps it up. And Lester is starting to rebound from his slow start.

    I don't think this team is good enough right now to contend but if you look at the overall picture of how poorly they played in the beginning of the season (and at different points in the past 3 months) and with all the key injuries they suffered to be only 6 back isn't the worst news in the world. They have a long road ahead of them but there's still hope, granted it's small.

    I think come July 31st you'll see a very very different Red Sox team, if all goes right of course.
     
  8. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    People are saying bad things about him?
     
  9. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    I really can't tell if you're being serious or not but yes Harper has been getting hammered in the press since he was 16 or 17 for being "too cocky" or "a jerk". ESPN and other media outlets killed the kid because after he hit a home run off of a junior college or minor league pitcher (I honestly forget when it was) he blew a kiss to the pitcher after he touched home plate yet failed to report the pitcher threw pitches at him earlier in the game and after he hit the home run the pitcher was yelling at him when rounding the bases. Then there was the whole Cole Hamels HBP thing etc. The kid has been a lightning rod since he was on the cover of SI when he was 16 for really no good reason except that he's very good at baseball for such a young age.
     
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  10. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    Yeah I knew about that, however besides the "kisses" thing, all that other crap is just that....hating media trying to make a story out of nothing....ESPECIALLY the Hamels thing, if anything Hamels is more a douche bag...

    All reports and breakdowns I have seen of him since he has been playing at the MLB level has been nothing but praise...and watching him myself I have good things to say....
     
  11. BigDogsHunt

    BigDogsHunt Enough talk...prove it!

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    What do you mean besides??? The "kisses" thing was crap that the hating media was trying to make a story out of. As Ray stated, the media went out of its way to NOT TELL the other side of the incident.

    Harper has become the villain (boo'd by Dodgers fans in very first MLB at bat this season)....he is loved by DC fans...hated by all others in a "just because" kind of way.

    Its the hype from SI cover, its because he was #1 pick following the #1 pick of Strasburg, its because he was covered and hyped in Minor's with a constant when will they call him up, its because he is 19 years old...its all that rolled into one.

    He is the focus opposing fans put on playing the Nationals.

    I dont find it unusual, he isnt the first villain opposing fans latch on to....but his play and style is fun to watch for sure. I enjoy it, and Harper handles it the right way...he is immune to the visceral...feeds off it to some degree, but really doesnt give it a passing glance and just plays hard and "well above his age"...but always has.
     
  12. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    What I meant is, it is baseball, for whatever reason he blew kisses and shouldn't have...whether he got plunked or not, thrown inside or not...a bat flip sure, a stare down sure....blowing kisses is just stupid, this isn't the nba or football where you overly celebrate for every small thing you do....BDH I would have been overly impressed and would have loved if Harper threw down with the pitcher cuz that's what you are supposed to do...

    All of the other non-sense, is like you said people hating the kid because he is rare and very good....call it jealousy I don't know...I usually dont hate people when they are good athletes that do good things especially at such a young age...I usually watch it and admire it....

    problem is BDH we will be ruing these words soon, as they play this week...:up:
     
  13. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    I agree blowing kisses was dumb, he shouldn't have done it but you would he liked to see him fight the pitcher? I'm glad he didn't. Remember Brendon Taylor? Ask him if he thought that bar fight was worth a possible MLB career and millions of dollars. Baseball isn't about fighting nor is it what you're suppose to do.
     
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  14. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    ultimately no I would have just liked to see the guy run across the plate and into the dugout....the home run alone speaking volumes....
     
  15. BigDogsHunt

    BigDogsHunt Enough talk...prove it!

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    Baaaaah, he blew a kiss to a pitcher that got what he deserved, properly disrespected by the bat and the response. I find no issue with it.

    A MINOR LEAGUE arm that wanted to do something other that try to beat Harper at the game of baseball. The pitcher caused it all, and Harper being in the right, ended it succinctly both times...a dinger, and the proper visual (non-verbal) response....kissed him off so to speak. Loved it...and would have loved it as my team mate.

    This Minor Leage arm - and to paraphrase Billy Joel - probably will be for life:yes:....was beaten both times. Again, what's funny, aside from the Hamels thing, no major league pitcher has tried to do anything to Harper in the Show beyond arm talent beating bat talent, and thus, Harper runs quickly around the bases with his head and eyes straight ahead on his HR trot.

    But if a pitcher tries to verbally abuse him, (not even toss at him cause thats part of the game too - ala Hamels)...I suspect he just may non-verbally one-up him too.

    Harper lets his talent produce for him. No need to verbally do anything else....but blowing a kiss?? to a punk who couldnt produce on his end....nah, a small item, and by all accounts well deserved.

    P.S. so looking forward to Friday night!:up: (Gio G. vs Hughes)
     
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  16. BigDogsHunt

    BigDogsHunt Enough talk...prove it!

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    Its all about respect, and the Minor League arm didnt earn any, and thus wasnt entitled to any....a blown kiss was the least and best response - icing on the cake of SHUT UP and pitch type once the ball left the park of course.:tongue2:
     
  17. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    u found tix I assume?
     
  18. BigDogsHunt

    BigDogsHunt Enough talk...prove it!

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    To Nats vs Yanks this week, yes....not yet for next weeks Yanks @ Mets...
     
  19. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Exactly. The best revenge for a pitcher is getting a hitter out, the best revenge for a hitter is not making an one, the ultimate is obviously a HR.
     
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  20. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    thats right thats right, forgot you already had them to the Nats....

    I think they stay high as well I looked yesterday for a deal, I would have taken a ride to go, but they were still high....
     
  21. BigDogsHunt

    BigDogsHunt Enough talk...prove it!

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    ....and then blowing a kiss to teach the little weenie a lesson in manners about focusing on the game only and not verbally writing a check one's talent can't cash - is the ultimate, ultimate response.

    HULK SMASH! Puny God moment!!!
     
  22. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Nah I would have preferred he just put his head down and be above all of that crap. There's nothing good that can come from showing the other team up.
     
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  23. BigDogsHunt

    BigDogsHunt Enough talk...prove it!

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    I never stood for any verbal crap from my team mates....thus a non-verbal response to the incorrect verbal taunts from the pitcher was a perfectly acceptable response. It wasnt the finger...it was a blown kiss...a hint at how non-masculine the opposing pitchers taunts were when his arm couldnt back up his mouth, and he should never have verbally put his lack of talent in that position.

    Just saying, as captain, I would have had Harper's back and actions on this one. Granted, I may have talked to him following this, and suggested like you hint at, to not step over that line, and if he can, control it, but in this instance, under those circumstances, a blown kiss following the dinger hopefully SHUTS the pitcher up for good and hopefully the pitcher learned the more important lesson.

    I would wager, as soon as we knocked him out of the game, I would lead the entire bench in a visual "blowing him kisses" as a right proper send off...!!
     
  24. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    :lol::lol: u need Ritalin dude...
     
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  25. BigDogsHunt

    BigDogsHunt Enough talk...prove it!

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    Nah, you would have loved me as your captain.....we will take the hill boys, we will take that hill!!!!!:yes: (far more Thurman Munson, than Mattingly or Jeter).

    Although, Jeter has his closed door moments from what I hear....he just has a talent to leave it away from the diamond and portrays a different image.
     
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  26. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    I am sure, but I don't think Jeter was overly aggressive either though...sure he probably had his moments...Posada was that guy, at least Torre portrayed him as such in the book he wrote...
     
  27. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    ...
     
  28. BigDogsHunt

    BigDogsHunt Enough talk...prove it!

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    well that's going according to plan now isnt it!! :pity:
     
  29. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Good.

    Also Ryan Kalish has been swinging a hot bat for Triple A and really since he's been cleared to play from offseason surgery. I wonder how long the Sox will keep him in the minors before he gets his call up. He's clearly a better option than Scotty Pods and probably Ryan Sweeney too.

    On the other injury front news both Ellsbury and Crawford started throwing programs and I think Crawford has even started taking batting practice. Cody Ross has been cleared to start a rehab assignment And Andrew Bailey could be cleared to start throwing soon too.

    The Sox just have to stay close for the next month to month and a half to get all their guys healthy for the 2nd half.
     
  30. BigDogsHunt

    BigDogsHunt Enough talk...prove it!

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    Sure, but 2 games under .500; 6 games back, with every club over .500 in front of you....and thats just for division.

    How close is close in your book?

    Division?

    2nd WC?
     
  31. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Record is meaningless, I look at the L column the most.

    And close to get into the playoffs, whether it's the division or wild card doesn't matter to me. Being 6 games back from the division, 5 for the WC on June 11th isn't anything to panic about, especially with the amount of injuries and bad play involved.

    Again it's still so early, yeah the Sox are in last place but is Baltimore or Toronto really a better baseball team than the Red Sox? Is Cleveland or the White Sox better? A lot can happen in the span of 1 month, as we saw last year. There's still more than 3 and a half months of baseball left, this thing is very far from being over.

    On August 1st, worst case I'd like to see them no more than 5 games out of a playoff spot.

    The team they have right now isn't good enough to make the playoffs but I think just getting their injuried players back in July would be a better upgrade than any team could do by a trade(s).
     
  32. BigDogsHunt

    BigDogsHunt Enough talk...prove it!

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    [video=youtube;1Eksrw4QSSs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1Eksrw4QSSs[/video]
    According to the YouTube description of this vid, the students in the above clip wanted to make a video paying tribute and reenacting a famous American sports moment.
    :lol:
     
  33. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Would have been even better if those kids were wearing New York Yankee 2004 AL Champions t-shirt.
     
  34. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    Fixed...
     
  35. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Its funny but wasn't it a week and a half ago that Yankee fans were ready to cancel the season and the Sox were only a half of a game behind them and now look at the standings. All it takes is 1 or 2 good/bad weeks and everything changes.

    Again right now I don't see this team doing much or anything, they are what they are a .500 team. Like I said the team just has to somehow say close enough until all their players come back healthy but who knows by that time it might just be too late.
     
  36. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    I still feel the same way about NY.....the team cant hit....that is a deathnail in their season regardless of what any other team does, and the kicker is NY has the 2nd best record in the entire league!!!

    The Sox need a brawl with the Yanks to get going..... foreshadowing?
     
  37. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    The Sox just need to win baseball games, plain and simple.

    There's really no great team in the MLB, every team has flaws. Even Texas, they looked like world beaters at the start of the year haven't played well since mid Aprilish, they had a chance to bury the AL West but couldn't do it. I think the Angels were as far back as 9 games from them and now they're only 2.5.
     
  38. BigDogsHunt

    BigDogsHunt Enough talk...prove it!

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    First he invents the wrap sandwich, now this...I am beginning to fall head over heels for him...LOL.

    I fully support this and guarantee it will improve the game, the speed of the game, and significantly reduce arguments. I want electronics and technology that already exists to replace balls and strike calls, however, the game needs and I still want human umps to be present for safe and out, fair and foul, interference, etc, but they would be subject to full instant replay to aide and correct or confirm events on the field.

    It would be so much better of a game....and not the NFL subjective allotments...every error can and should be corrected. NFL should do the same - this crap allotment system - is stupid. Get it right (to the best of video confirmation) ALL THE TIME.

    Just imagine and ball or strike call and the pitcher, catcher, managers, batter have no grounds to argue....great, get back in there, next pitch.

    I suspect it will improve pitch counts - the overall speed of the game, and quality of play will reveal itself too.
     
  39. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    very un-Sox like...
     
  40. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Again a lot has to do with the injuries this team has had and lack of production out of Gonzalez, Pedroia (since he got hurt) and Youkilis. And of course just a random cold streak too. But also the Sox did have to face Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Zimmerman and Josh Johnson. Those are good pitchers and can shut down any line up any time out they pitch. It's not like the Jason Marquis (poor Marquis I always pick on him), Jeff Karstens or Kevin Millwoods of the MLB shutting them down.

    Again though, this team isn't good enough to compete right now.
     

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