WIN AT ALL COSTS! The 2004 Boston Red Sox

[AZTarHeel]

Welcome to another edition of Saturday Baseball on Fox. It's May 29. I’m Joe Buck, and today, we’ve got the two best teams in the American League – actually in all of the Majors – locking up in one of the most legendary ballparks, Fenway Park.

It’s Boston with a 34-16 record hosting the Seattle Mariners and their 33-15 record. The Sox won the opener last night, drilling Jamie Moyer and the M's 9-3.

Welcome to the show Tim McCarver. Did that score from last night surprise you?

TIM: Absolutely, Joe. I totally expected a pitcher’s duel all the way. Moyer was 8-1 going up against Curt Schilling (4-2). But the Sox tagged Moyer for seven hits and four runs in three innings, and manager Bob Melvin wasted no time in stopping the bleeding. The problem is, it didn’t stop when they brought in Hasagawa. Boston lit him up as well. This team can hit the ball...

JOE: Well today, Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield goes up against Ryan Franklin. Wakefield is 5-1, having that knuckler working on most days. Franklin is 4-2. And these are the types of games where you learn a lot about a ball club – how they will respond without their aces on the hill.

Stay with us. The game is next … live on Fox…

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JOE: Here are the lineups tonight.

Boston is giving Kevin Millar the night off at first. He’ll be replaced by David Ortiz, and Ellis Burks will DH. Jason Varitek will step behind the plate to catch Wakefield, an unenviable task. Mike Bordick, called up from AAA just a few days, will man second. Bill Mueller will play third and Nomar Garciaparra will play short. Trot Nixon, Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez will rove the outfield.

For Seattle, veteran catcher Dan Wilson will step behind the plate. Fellow vet Jon Olerud will man first, with Brett Boone (2B), Scott Spiezio (3B) and Rich Aurilia (SS) going around the horn. Randy Winn, Raul Ibanez and Ichiro Suzuki will play in the outfield. And just guess who’s going to DH for the Mariners?

TIM: That would have to be Mr. Edgar Martinez, who seems born for this role… The 41-year-old’s still got it, batting .317 with 10 HRs…

First Inning.
JOE: Well, Tim Wakefield sat the Mariners down in order in the top of the first. Let’s see if Ryan Franklin can do the same thing in the bottom half. He’s worked a full count to lead-off man, Johnny Damon. The pitch – LOOK OUT! That’s gone if it stay fair. Oh my, the wind carried it over the right field porch. Boston takes the early lead… BOS 1, SEA 0.

JOE: Franklin seems to have recovered from that leadoff homer, getting Mueller and Ramirez out. He’s just walked David Ortiz, though. Let’s see if that will come back to haunt him.

Trot Nixon stands in. WHACK. Uh-oh, Timmy, we could have us a blowout. That’s a two-run homer over the Monster, and Boston is already out to a comfortable lead for Wakefield. BOS 3, SEA 0.

JOE: Nomar pushes his average close to .300 with that single, bringing Ellis Burks to the plate. Can the Sox go deep three times in one inning? We’ll see as Franklin digs in – CRACK – Winn is going back, back, back in centerfield… He’s not going to get this one as Burks plays one over the centerfield fence.

TIM: This is amazing. They’ve hit home runs to all parts of the park in the first inning… BOS 5, SEA 0.

Second inning
JOE: Wakefield has gotten himself into a bit of trouble, walking Olerud and Edgar Martinez. Rich Aurilia gets a hold of a knuckler, sending Ramirez back to the wall. We could have a ball game again… But no. Ramirez makes a spectacular catch at the wall… It’s going Boston’s way for sure right now…

Well, Wakefield has issued another walk now, and the M’s have loaded the bases with two outs. They could get back into this thing quickly with a nice swing from Dan Wilson. The count’s 1-2. The pitch – nothing but air! Wakefield escapes that jam nicely.

TIM: Joe, when we come back from break, Seattle’s going to bring out a new pitcher. Ryan Freeman lasted all of one inning, and he’ll give way to Julio Mateo… BOS 5, SEA 0.

[AZTarHeel]

Third Inning.
JOE: Is this a baseball game or a home run derby, Tim? Manny Ramirez has just gone long, the fourth time a Boston player has left the yard today. It’s 6-0 Boston.

TIM: They were serving drinks on that flight. Ramirez now has 13 homers on the year…

JOE: Now up, David Ortiz. It’s like a feeding frenzy now, and the Red Sox are sharks circling in the tank. The pitch to Ortiz – WHACK – you’ve got to be kidding me. Is that one going to get out? YES! It’s 7-0 in the third inning, and Boston has hit five home runs. Manny and Ortiz just went back-to-back… BOS 7, SEA 0.

TIM: Looks like another pitching change for Seattle. Can Rett Johnson stop the bleeding?

JOE: Well, Rett didn’t last long, just two batters. Two men on for Bordick and the fourth pitcher of the game on the hill for Seattle, Rafeal Soriano. Bordick connects nicely with that one, and Nomar is going to score easily from second. BOS 8, SEA 0.

(Editor’s note: I picked this game because it was on a Saturday, and I figured Fox might pick it up because of the teams’ records. I’m writing as I play. This is unreal…)

[AZTarHeel]

Fourth Inning.
JOE: If you stepped away from your TV for a few minutes thinking this game was over, come on back. Scott Spiezio has just hit a three-run homer for Seattle, and the Mariners have the Sox back within their sights. This isn’t exactly playoff pitching but the hitters have come to play ball today… BOS 8, SEA 3.

Fifth Inning
JOE: The M’s get another run back as Ibanez bounces one off the fence in centerfield. There is no way there were going to get Winn flying around the base paths… BOS 8, SEA 4.

JOE: Ichiro rips a single to center. Ibanez will hold at third. And it looks like Terry Francona is going to go to the bullpen. Can you believe this? We’ve got a game again.

TIM: They are bringing Brendan Donnelly in. I’m not sure if he’s had time to warm up, so these first few batters could be interesting...

JOE: Right you are, Tim. Donnelly gives up an RBI single to Brett Boone. It’s now 8-5 Boston, and the Red Sox still haven’t gotten an out. Suzuki and Boone are on the bases…

JOE: With one out, Donnelly walks the bases loaded… Boy, is the pendulum swinging now… The Mariners have the chance to take the lead with one swing. Rich Aurilia stands in … and he drills this one!! Two runs are going to score. The M's have pulled within one run at 8-7… And that’s all for Donnelly, who had an ERA under 1.00 before this inning… Not anymore...

JOE: This is incredible, folks. Spiezio’s sac fly has just tied it up 8-8. Boston thought they got out of the inning on a routine grounder, but David Ortiz couldn’t handle the throw at first. Now Seattle has runners at the corners for Winn. He stands in and takes a pitch from Mike Timlin. Base hit! Can you believe it? Seattle is now in the lead, 9-8…

TIM: Winn got a little greedy there. A nice play by Varitek to gun him down at second. Boston finally escapes the inning. Seattle gets six runs on five hits, and we’ve got us an entirely new ballgame… SEA 9, BOS 8. Come on back after these messages for the new movie, Spiderman III: Baseball Boy...


JOE: Johnny Damon’s going for three as Ellis Burks scores. We’ve got a tie ball-game as Damon slides safely into the three bag. SEA 9, BOS 9.

[AZTarHeel]

Sixth Inning
TIM: Ichiro can make things happen on the bases, can’t he? He beats out an infield single, steals second and then hustles home on a base hit by Boone. The Mariners take the lead again, 10-9. One team may need a 2-point conversion to win this game…

JOE: The M’s may have just gotten it as Edgar Martinez bats Boone home… SEA 11, BOS 9…

Seventh Inning
JOE: It looks like Mike Bordick is not going to bat here. Boston, trailing by two runs with two runners aboard, will look to Kevin Millar to give them a spark. Millar’s rest day seemed assured when Boston jumped to an 8-0 lead. Now it’s 11-9 Seattle. Two outs, and the pitch – nothing but air!! Rafael Soriano is pitching lights out and could get the win if the Mariners can hang on… Johnny Damon hits into a routine out, and the M’s are still on top… SEA 11, BOS 9.

Eighth Inning
JOE: Ramiro Mendoza has walked the bases loaded, and Rich Aurilia is up. He’s had a great day so far with two hits. Make that three, as he rips a single into centerfield. Two runs are going to score.

TIM: We’ve got a blowout all right. It’s just going Seattle’s way now… SEA 13, BOS 9.


JOE: Bottom of the eighth now, and Mueller stands in against Soriano. He drives one deep. Ichiro is chasing it down. He goes to the wall, and he’s not going to get it!! The Sox hit their sixth homer of the game, but will it be enough? SEA 13, BOS 10.

TIM: Seattle leads by a field goal, Joe. And now, closer Eddie Guardado is coming in to try and shut down a Red Sox rally.

JOE: So far, not so good. Manny and Ortiz both reach with singles. No outs, and Trot Nixon representing the tying run is coming to the plate… The 0-2 pitch to Trot. What an ugly swing! He goes down on strikes…

Nomar stands in now. And he rips one up the middle. Wow, Rich Aurilia really gloved it. He throws to first. OUT BY AN INCH! Wow, and Nomar does not like that call, and Fenway is going crazy. Hold onto your hats. Manny and Ortiz advance, but now Boston has two outs.

It’s up to Ellis Burks… And HE PUTS A CHARGE INTO THAT ONE… Raul Ibanez goes to the wall. He climbs the fence. AND HE CATCHES IT! Wow, he robs Burks of the game-tying home run… That could be your ball game right there…

[AZTarHeel]

Ninth Inning
JOE: One out for Seattle. Scott Williamson with the 3-2 pitch. And Williamson gets the K. NO! The ump calls that a ball, and Ryan Winn is aboard.

TIM: Look out, Joe. Here comes Terry Francona, and he doesn’t look happy. The ump turns away, but Francona is in his face. He’d better be careful…

JOE: Yep, he’s gone. It figures. We’ve had everything else this game. Now we’ve had a manager tossed…


JOE: Jason Varitek leads off for Boston, and that’s a nice hit right there. He’s going for two. Yes! He’s there and would it surprise anyone if Boston rallied right here?

TIM: Not me. What time is it anyway? Midnight.

JOE: Mike Myers walks Mark Bellhorn, and Boston once again will get the tying run to the plate. Seattle will bring in Hasagawa to try and shut this down. Boston’s leadoff guy is up, Johnny Damon. He got this started many hours ago with a leadoff homer... But this time he hits into trouble. Aurilia takes it and throws for the out at first, but that is all they get…

JOE: Bill Mueller hits another double play ball. Yes, they get the out at second… But Mueller is safe at first. A run scores from first. Manny Ramirez is up with two outs and the chance to tie it.

JOE: The pitch to Manny. Popped straight up. Out. Game over – four hours and 25 minutes after we started. Would you believe that Seattle has rallied from 8 down to win it by 3? Whew. Tim, I’m tired… Join us again next time for more Fox Saturday Baseball.

[AZTarHeel]

The Post-Game Show

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Seattle 0 0 0 3 6 2 0 2 0 13 14 0
Boston 5 0 3 0 1 0 0 1 1 11 17 1

Seattle AB R H RBI BB K AVG HR RBI
R. Winn CF 4 1 1 1 2 2 .296 3 32
R. Ibanez LF 5 2 1 1 1 0 .285 7 31
I. Suzuki RF 6 3 4 0 0 1 .385 3 22
B. Boone 2B 5 2 2 2 1 3 .308 13 39
J. Olerud 1B 5 0 1 0 0 1 .329 8 37
E. Martinez DH 1 2 1 1 4 0 .321 10 36
R. Aurilia SS 5 2 3 4 0 0 .282 7 28
S. Spiezio 3B 3 1 1 4 1 0 .323 5 27
D. Wilson C 5 0 0 0 0 3 .235 2 6
Totals 39 13 14 13 9 10

BATTING
Doubles: R. Ibanez (10, 5th inning off Wakefield, 1 on, 0 out.) J. Olerud (12, 4th inning off Wakefield, 0 on, 1 out.) R. Aurilia (8, 5th inning off Donnelly, 3 on, 1 out.)
Homeruns: S. Spiezio (5, 4th inning off Wakefield, 2 on, 2 out.)
Runs Batted In: R. Winn (32), R. Ibanez (31), B. Boone 2 (39), E. Martinez (36), R. Aurilia 4 (28), S. Spiezio 4 (27)
Stolen Bases: I. Suzuki 2 (26), B. Boone (6)
Caught Stealing: R. Winn (13)
Sacrifice Flies: S. Spiezio (2)


Boston AB R H RBI BB K AVG HR RBI
J. Damon CF 6 1 2 2 0 2 .304 3 20
B. Mueller 3B 6 1 1 2 0 1 .267 2 20
M. Ramirez LF 6 1 3 1 0 0 .319 13 42
D. Ortiz 1B 4 2 2 1 1 2 .353 11 37
T. Nixon RF 4 1 2 2 1 1 .326 10 30
N. Garciaparra SS 5 2 3 0 0 0 .302 7 31
E. Burks DH 5 2 2 2 0 0 .327 13 48
J. Varitek C 3 1 1 0 0 0 .227 5 19
M. Bordick 2B 3 0 1 1 0 1 .333 0 2
K. Millar PH 1 0 0 0 0 1 .328 9 36
T. Womack 2B 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200 0 0
M. Bellhorn PH 0 0 0 0 1 0 .267 1 3
Totals 43 11 17 11 3 8

BATTING
Doubles: J. Varitek (10, 9th inning off Guardado, 0 on, 0 out.)
Triples: J. Damon (5, 5th inning off Soriano, 1 on, 2 out.)
Homeruns: J. Damon (3, 1st inning off Franklin, 0 on, 0 out.) B. Mueller (2, 8th inning off Soriano, 0 on, 0 out.) M. Ramirez (13, 3rd inning off Mateo, 0 on, 0 out.) D. Ortiz (11, 3rd inning off Mateo, 0 on, 0 out.) T. Nixon (10, 1st inning off Franklin, 1 on, 2 out.) E. Burks (13, 1st inning off Franklin, 1 on, 2 out.)
Runs Batted In: J. Damon 2 (20), B. Mueller 2 (20), M. Ramirez (42), D. Ortiz (37), T. Nixon 2 (30), E. Burks 2 (48), M. Bordick (2)

FIELDING
Errors: M. Timlin (3)

Seattle IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA RECORD
R. Franklin 1 4 5 5 1 0 3 27 12 5.30
J. Mateo 1 2 2 2 0 2 2 17 13 3.94
R. Johnson 0.2 1 1 1 0 0 0 18 10 4.26
R. Soriano W 4.1 7 2 2 1 5 1 69 45 1.69 3-0
E. Guardado H 1 3 1 1 0 1 0 16 10 3.50
M. Myers H 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 6 2 9.64
S. Hasegawa S 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 5 4.50 2 SV

PITCHING
Batters Faced: R. Franklin 8, J. Mateo 5, R. Johnson 4, R. Soriano 21, E. Guardado 6, M. Myers 1, S. Hasegawa 3
Ground Balls-Fly Balls: R. Franklin 2-1, J. Mateo 1-0, R. Johnson 1-1, R. Soriano 4-3, E. Guardado 1-1, M. Myers 0-0, S. Hasegawa 2-1
Game Score: R. Franklin 18

Boston IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA RECORD
T. Wakefield 4 5 6 6 5 5 1 82 42 5.61
B. Donnelly 0.1 2 3 2 1 1 0 14 7 1.69
M. Timlin L 1 3 2 2 0 0 0 17 12 4.94 1-1
R. Mendoza 1.2 1 1 1 1 1 0 21 13 4.84
S. Williamson 2 3 1 1 2 3 0 34 23 5.59

PITCHING
Batters Faced: T. Wakefield 21, B. Donnelly 4, M. Timlin 6, R. Mendoza 7, S. Williamson 11
Ground Balls-Fly Balls: T. Wakefield 3-3, B. Donnelly 0-0, M. Timlin 2-1, R. Mendoza 3-1, S. Williamson 3-1
Game Score: T. Wakefield 28

GAME INFO
Time: 4:25
Attendance: 34239 (34243) at Fenway Park
Weather: Partly cloudy (56 degrees), wind blowing out to center at 12 mph
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Rich Aurilia
Game Notes:
Rich Aurilia set a career high for RBI in a game! Terry Francona was ejected in the 9th inning!

[AZTarHeel]

Sox take two of three from M's
May 28-30, 2004

Game 1: Boston 9, Seattle 3 Curt Schilling outduels Jamie Moyer in the first meeting of the season between the teams... Game MVP: Nomar, who goes 3-for-4 with an RBI...

Game 2: Seattle 13, Boston 11 For details, check the WAY TOO LONG Fox reports above... sorry about that folks -- that game got away from me, report wise...

WP: R Soriano. LP: Mike Timlin. MVP: Rich Aurilia, who went 3-for-5 with 4 RBIs... (for some reason I kept calling Seattle "Oakland" in my initial reports above. I hope I edited all of those references correctly...)

Game 3: Boston 7, Seattle 6 Once again, not much of a pitcher's duel. Seattle roughs up Pedro for six runs in the third inning (his worst performance of the season). Fortunately, Boston rallies from 6-2 deficit and gets game-winning runs in the seventh.

WP: Scott Williamson (2-1) LP: R. Johnson (0-2) S: K. Foulke (8)
MVP: David Ortiz, who hit a big home run. Mark Bellhorn hit a 430-foot bomb as well...

What's next?
An exciting month of June looms for the Red Sox... The amateur draft is up next... Will Boston start looking to shore up its lineup with some summer trading?... Interleague play begins in the middle of the month. The Sox will take on the NL West (San Diego, Colorado, San Francisco -- pitch to Bonds? -- and Los Angeles)...

[AZTarHeel]

Burks named Batter of the Month for May

June 1, 2004

Boston DH/OF Ellis Burks had a splendid May and was rewarded with the AL's Batter of the Month award.

He batted .386 during the month with eight HRs and 37 RBIs. He has a league-leading 48 RBIs in all, splitting time as the team's designated hitter with David Ortiz and also playing some in left field.

"The biggest problem I have, if you can call it that, is finding room for all of my big boppers," said Boston manager Terry Francona. "Ortiz, Manny, Millar and Nixon are also swinging the bats well right now. It's a nice problem to have."

Preston Wilson (COL) earned the NL Batter of the Month award. Brad Radke (MIN) and Mark Prior (CHC) were the Pitchers of the Month. Radke was 6-0 in May, while Prior was 4-0 with a 1.17 ERA and one shutout.

[AZTarHeel]

Major League standings report

June 1, 2004

American League Standings
East
Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10
Boston 35 17 .673 - 36-16 -1 18-10 17-7 2-2 6-5 105 W1 7-3
Tampa Bay 27 23 .540 7.0 24-26 3 17-11 10-12 1-1 9-8 - W4 8-2
Baltimore 23 27 .460 11.0 20-30 3 12-14 11-13 2-2 10-6 - L1 4-6
(!!)New York (A) 23 27 .460 11.0 23-27 0 8-13 15-14 1-3 8-4 - L3 5-5
Toronto 22 29 .431 12.5 26-25 -4 14-14 8-15 1-3 3-10 - L1 6-4

Central
Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10
Minnesota 29 21 .580 - 29-21 0 14-9 15-12 1-5 7-6 109 L2 5-5
Chicago (A) 24 25 .490 4.5 22-27 2 14-13 10-12 3-1 9-8 - L1 3-7
Kansas City 20 29 .408 8.5 26-23 -6 12-12 8-17 1-3 4-14 - L1 6-4
Cleveland 19 31 .380 10.0 19-31 0 11-18 8-13 4-2 7-5 - L5 1-9
Detroit 15 35 .300 14.0 18-32 -3 10-15 5-20 2-2 8-9 - W2 2-8

West
Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10
Seattle 35 16 .686 - 33-18 2 17-6 18-10 3-0 7-4 108 W1 7-3
Oakland 29 20 .592 5.0 28-21 1 14-7 15-13 1-1 8-5 - W3 7-3
Anaheim 28 22 .560 6.5 29-21 -1 14-8 14-14 3-0 4-9 - W1 6-4
Texas 21 28 .429 13.0 18-31 3 11-14 10-14 1-1 10-7 - L4 2-8

National League Standings
East
Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10
Montreal 27 24 .529 - 27-24 0 14-13 13-11 1-1 6-5 112 L2 3-7
Philadelphia 26 24 .520 .5 24-26 2 14-12 12-12 1-1 7-7 - W3 5-5
New York (N) 24 26 .480 2.5 24-26 0 12-12 12-14 3-0 9-5 - L1 4-6
Atlanta 22 28 .440 4.5 23-27 -1 6-16 16-12 2-1 8-9 - W1 6-4
Florida 19 32 .373 8.0 24-27 -5 8-18 11-14 3-3 4-9 - L2 3-7

Central
Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10
Houston 36 15 .706 - 34-17 2 22-6 14-9 2-4 10-5 104 W8 8-2
St. Louis 28 23 .549 8.0 28-23 0 17-9 11-14 3-2 6-8 - W1 2-8
Cincinnati 25 27 .481 11.5 25-27 0 12-13 13-14 3-3 10-8 - W2 5-5
Chicago (N) 24 26 .480 11.5 25-25 -1 9-14 15-12 0-4 6-12 - L1 7-3
Pittsburgh 21 29 .420 14.5 22-28 -1 12-14 9-15 3-0 7-9 - L4 4-6
Milwaukee 20 30 .400 15.5 19-31 1 11-15 9-15 3-4 8-10 - L2 4-6

West
Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10
Arizona 31 20 .608 - 31-20 0 12-11 19-9 5-3 12-7 112 W3 7-3
San Francisco 31 20 .608 - 31-20 0 19-10 12-10 3-3 7-6 112 L1 7-3
Colorado 24 26 .480 6.5 21-29 3 13-12 11-14 2-2 8-5 - W1 5-5
Los Angeles 23 26 .469 7.0 24-25 -1 12-13 11-13 2-3 5-9 - W1 5-5
San Diego 23 28 .451 8.0 21-30 2 7-16 16-12 1-3 8-7 - L1 5-5

[AZTarHeel]

Red Sox pin future on Martinez, Garciaparra
Beantowners re-sign both players to long-term deals

The Boston Globe * June 1, 2004

The future of the Boston Red Sox will be in the hands of Pedro Martinez and Nomar Garciaparra.

The Sox re-signed both players earlier this week, general manager Theo Epstein said.

Martinez (9-0, 2.06 ERA) had asked for more than $17 million per year but settled on a six-year, 14.5 million contract. The 32-year-old right hander is making just over $12.5 million this season.

He's now the highest paid player in the Boston organization (Manny Ramirez makes $14 million a year). Martinez is now the second highest paid player in all of baseball behind Alex Rodriguez from New York.

"I'm very happy with how things transpired," Martinez said. "I look forward to playing out my career in a Boston uniform."

Garciaparra was believed to be on his way out this winter when Boston was courting A-Rod. But that deal fell through, and the Sox retained Nomar back.

After a slow start that many blamed on ill feelings toward the organization, Garciparra has heated up over the past month. He's now hitting .320. He batted .529 in games last week.

Garciparra's deal is for four years at $9.4 million per season.

The two signings eat up a lot of Boston's change set aside for re-signings. Fourteen other players on the active roster are set to be free agents after this season, including the AL's leading RBI man Ellis Burks, David Ortiz, Jason Varitek, Bill Mueller and Derek Lowe.

Epstein hasn't left too many hints at how Boston will proceed next.

This could be Boston's lone chance to win a World Series in a long time if this group is broken up by economics.

[AZTarHeel]

Hello all, Bill here again with some more "Views from Section 100."

I haven't written in awhile, and frankly it's because I've been scared to. I don't want to jinx anything!

Wow, what can I say? The Sox have been playing great. They swept that mini-series (two games) at Anaheim earlier in the week, have taken eight of the last 10 in all!

Man, I've got to tell you about tonight's opener at Kansas City. Talk about some managing blunders by the Royals and some no-quit from the Sox.

OK, so here's the deal. It's 4-2 KC in the top of the ninth. Me and the boys watching the game at the local pub are thinking that Pedro is finally going to get saddled with his first loss. He didn't look that good honestly. Hank thinks it's because he's got his contract locked up.

Anyway, Nomar rips a double through the gap. Man, has he been hitting the ball sweet of late. Then -- and this is where I don't understand the Royals management -- KC chooses to walk Jason Varitek (who is struggling with a .220 average) to get to Ellis Burks (who leads the AL in RBIs and Boston in homers).

Conventional wisdom may tell you that the walk is prudent to produce a force situation at any base. But guess what Burks did to conventional wisdom? He parked it in the seats in right field, and Boston hung on to win 5-4. What a game!

That's been our good fortune for now. Just hope it holds up... We're 9.5 up on Tampa, and while New York is playing better they are still more than 10 out. Awww, those poor Bronx boys might not make the playoffs. I love it!!

Until next time -- keep fighting for the Nation...

Bill

[AZTarHeel]

Red Sox, MLB teams getting ready for amateur draft

Boston Globe * June 1, 2004

With more than a dozen would-be free agents and a limited budget, the Boston Red Sox consider this week's amateur draft vital to their future.

"We may not do much upgrading to the big club over the course of this season, but we definitely need to beef up our farm system for the future," said GM Theo Epstein. "We believe there are some good players out there for the picking."

While their abilities remain to be seen, two names in particular should jump out at scouts -- Sandy Koufax Jr. and Freddie Lindstrom Jr. Both are descendants of Hall-of-Fame players by the same name.

"We're looking hard at Lindstrom," Epstein said of the infielder. "He could probably step right in to AA ball today, maybe even AAA, and do well."

[Klew1986]

This dynasty is getting better and better everyday. I enjoy reading it and anxious to see how you settle the Pedro/Nomar problem with contracts. I'm online if would like to talk on AOL. Do you have AOL? Please comment on my dynasty. I'm doing the Reds one.

[AZTarHeel]

Thanks Klew -- enjoying yours as well... see my comments in your dynasty thread...

Cincy is 28-29 in my dynasty in early June... so you're ahead of the curve!

[AZTarHeel]

Red Sox first to 40 wins
Boston sweeps Anaheim, KC to extend streak

At Anaheim -- June 1-2

Game 1: Boston 10, Anaheim 4. The Red Sox stake BK Kim out to a 3-0 lead in the first and never trail. Even though it's easy street, Kim still gives up three homers. At least he got the win but he's still on shaky ground (5.65 ERA, 2-5 record) with management.

MVP: Kevin Millar, who is 3-for-5 with four RBIs and a two-run HR
LP: Bartolo Colon (5-6)

Game 2: Boston 7, Anaheim 2. Boston homers three times in this win as Curt Schilling improves to 6-2. Schilling goes seven strong, surrendering five hits and one run. In the long run, he might be more suspect than Kim as his talent ratings keep falling almost weekly. He's now just a 3 1/2 star guy...

MVP: Schilling. Game score 69
LP: J. Lackey (5-5)

** on the same day, Texas beats Cleveland 17-16 in a game that features 47 combined hits over 14 innings. A good ol' pitcher's duel...


At Kansas City -- June 4-6

Game 1: Boston 5, Kansas City 4. As described above by diehard fan Bill, Ellis Burks hits a three-run homer in the top of the ninth with the Sox down 4-2... KC had walked Varitek to get to Burks... Oops...

MVP: Burks... duh...
WP: Brendan Donnelly (3-0) S: Keith Foulke (9)
LP: Mike McDougal (0-7)

Game 2: Boston 12, Kansas City 9. The Sox are like an Arena Football team or something when it comes to scoring. They jump to a 4-0 lead, then fall behind 7-4. A 6-run seventh-inning sways things back into their favor. The team belts 16 hits in all including three each from Nomar and Bill Mueller. Both of those two dudes also go long...

MVP: Nomar Garciaparra (3-for-5 with three runs, 1 HR)
WP: Scott Williamson (3-1), who bailed out Derek Lowe (six runs!)
S: Keith Foulke (10)
LP: S. Sullivan (2-3)

Game 3: Boston 4, Kansas City 3. Ellis Burks nails the Royals with his second game-winning HR in three days. The score was 3-3 at the time in the top of the ninth. Boston blew a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the eighth, keeping hard-luck BK Kim from his second straight victory. Keith Foulke got his third save in three nights.

WP: Scott Williamson (4-1)
S: Foulke (11)
LP: S. Sullivan (2-4)

After an off-day, it's time for interleague play!! Boston will entertain San Diego (26-30) and the Dodgers (24-30) before traveling to Colorado (26-29) and San Francisco (34-23). Will the Sox pitch to Bonds? That will surely become a story line as that series approaches...

Also on deck: The 2004 amateur draft. The Sox are on the clock...

[AZTarHeel]

Peter Piper Pizza's Slice of the Majors
What's going around the league:

Nomar wins AL player of the week honors
The Red Sox shortstop was red-hot during the past week, going .619 with six RBI and a slugging percentage of 1.143 in 21 at-bats. He also had two homers. In his past 9 games, Nomar is 21-for-33 (.636).

Albert Pujols (STL) won his second NL player of the week honors, batting .500...


Kerry Wood blanks Pittsburgh The Cubs ace threw a one-hit complete game shutout in a 7-0 victory over the Pirates on June 5.


Ponson nearly untouchable Baltimore Orioles pitcher Sydney Ponson two-hits Tampa Bay in an AL East rivalry shutout on June 4...

[AZTarHeel]

Red Sox take Lindstrom with first draft pick

June 6, 2004

The Boston Red Sox have picked the grandson of a Hall-of-Famer with its first selection in this year's amateur draft.

The Beantowners took Freddie Lindstrom, a 20-year-old second baseman, with the second overall pick. Lindstrom's grandfather was a second baseman, third baseman and outfielder with the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs and Brooklyn Dodgers from 1924-36. Lindstrom was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976.

Boston's pick will likely begin his career in AA Portland, GM Theo Epstein said. Some believe he could play AAA right away, but Epstein said he wants to take things "slow and steady" with his potential star.

Here are some comments Boston scouts have made about Lindstrom. He gets a 4 1/2 star rating. He's listed as the 73rd best prospect in the league's top 100 list of all young players in the pros.

"Freddie may be one of the top second baseman for years to come," said Red Sox scouting director Doug Cotney. "He has the tools -- and the attitude -- to develop into a star..."

LF George Echebarria was the first overall selection in the draft. He was taken by Baltimore. He's 19 and listed as a 5 star guy. "Write it down -- he will be a star in the future. He's a HUGE prospect," Cotney said. "We were debating between Freddie and George, but we saw a greater need in the infield."

Other Boston selections in the 10-round draft included:
2) P David Guo - 22 years old, 4.5 stars, reliever, "very live arm"

3) P Christopher Taylor - 19 years old, 4.5 stars, "outstanding reliever"

4) C Julian Houck - 19 years old, 3.5 stars, "quality prospect"

5) 2B Ruben Bohnert - 21 years old, 3 stars, "above average talent"

6) SS Thomas Agar - 22 years old, 3 stars, "very good defensively"

7) CF Diego Elizalde - 24 years old, 2.5 stars, "should be a quality CF... raw"

8) P Tony Diaz - 19 years old, 3.5 stars, "tremendous talent and poise"

9) CF John Aguilar - 19 years old, 2.5 stars, "average CF"

10) RF Carlos Velazquez - 19 years old, 2 stars, "won't be a star but should be consistent"

The last pick in the entire draft was C Lawrence Walker, taken by the Giants... "He looks like the perfect candidate for a career in the minor leagues," Cotney said.

So naturally, the Giants have him at AAA already... for real...

[AZTarHeel]

Draft pick's ties to baseball history

Lindstrom was once the youngest player to appear in a World Series

Boston's first draft pick of 2004 has a great model to look up to as he pursues a Major League career.

Freddie Lindstrom's grandfather, who went by the same name, was the youngest player (18 years, 10 months, 13 days) to appear in a World Series in the fall of 1924 with the Giants. In game five, according to www.baseballlibrary.com, Lindstrom had four hits against Washington's Walter Johnson.

"He is one of my heroes," the young Lindstrom said. His grandfather died in 1981, five years after getting tabbed for the Hall of Fame.

According to baseballlibrary.com: Lindstrom hit .300 or better in seven of his 13 ML seasons. In 1928 he batted .358 with a league-leading 231 hits; he had 231 hits again in 1930, reaching career highs of .379 and 22 home runs. He drove in more than 100 runs in both seasons.

Lindstrom is best remembered for his part in the seventh and deciding game of the '24 Series. In the bottom of the 12th, Earl McNeely's grounder took a wild hop (blamed on a pebble) over third baseman Lindstrom's head, allowing the Series-winning run to score. (editor's note: interesting fate that he ends up with a "cursed" franchise -- I love this game)

He retired while with Brooklyn in 1936. He finally got his chance to manage, in the minors, from 1940 through 1942, and he coached at Northwestern University in the early 1950s. His son, Charlie, caught one game with the 1958 White Sox. Despite being an everyday player in only seven seasons, Lindstrom was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Committee on Baseball Veterans in 1976.

[AZTarHeel]

Josh Beckett: 'I'd love to pitch for Boston'
Marlins hurler 'frustrated' at Florida's downfall this season

MLB.com * June 8, 2004

Florida pitcher Josh Beckett, the star of the 2003 World Series, created quite a stir on the Marlins off-day, saying he wouldn't mind "getting out of here" sometime this season to play for a contender.

"I'd love to pitch for Boston," Beckett said Monday when asked about the defending World Champions' struggles, which include a 25-35 record. "I like Jack (McKeon) but management just doesn't seem to have a long-term vision for winning here. I've got to play for a winner."

Beckett was outspoken against the Marlins during the off-season for letting catcher Pudge Rodriguez go. Many tab Rodriguez as the heart and soul of the '03 team, which upset the Yankees in the Series in six games.

Even though Beckett's having another banner season (8-3 record, 2.38 ERA), the rest of the team isn't following suit. Florida is currently languishing in the back of the NL East and is 11 games out of the wild card hunt.

"I am frustrated being in last place," Beckett said. "I must admit I'm envious of what the Red Sox have this year and would love to pitch alongside Schilling and Martinez. Who wouldn't?"

The Internet rumors have heated up big time since Beckett's outburst. The 24-year-old Texan is in the final year of his contract.

Observers believe Boston is trying to shop right-hander BK Kim, who is 2-5 despite having a good off-season and spring training.

"If you package him with a few prospects, somebody like Florida might be willing to part with a player of Beckett's caliber," one MLB scout said. "BK has the potential to be a great pitcher. He's just not fitting very well in the big lights of Boston. Somebody like Josh, meanwhile, would thrive there."

Red Sox management has been mum on any trades.

"We're always looking to upgrade and refine what we have," GM Theo Epstein said. "We've had no contact with Josh or Florida, but heck who wouldn't want the reigning World Series MVP on their roster?"