coComments related to Fire Brand of the American League

Yankees game that night game d

2009-07-16T01:36:44.934+02:00

Yankees game that night game due to throat inflammation? It was all enough. (Fire Brand archive: An Open Letter to Manny Ramirez,

How come “baseball purists” we

2008-07-28T20:06:21.535+02:00

How come “baseball purists” were never any good at baseball? How come the authorities on the game are guys that got cut from JV? I read Dan Shaughnessys book “senior year” and in it he describes his kid who was going on to play in college as having a “me first” attitude and wasnt a good teammate at times- funny that the guy who has written almost all the anti-manny, anti- nomar articles would have a kid who acts the same way….

Its funny earlier this week I

2008-07-27T23:10:51.117+02:00

Its funny earlier this week I was watching a Yankee classic on YES. It was the game in early July 2004. The whole team was into the game. All were on the top step of the dugout cheering every aspect of the game. This game was critical to the season and every player knew it. In the 12th inning (after Jeter sacrificed his face in the 11th) Manny comes up and belts a home run to put the sox up. It was what we thought the straw that broke the camels back. Unfortunately in the bottom of the 12th the yanks scored 2 and one the game and took the wind out of our sail. Everyone who had been sitting on that top step of the dugout looked devastated. There was only one player that didnt. His name was Nomar Garciaparra and he was no where near the top step. He sat on the bench and refused to enter the game to help his team. Now we are here 4 years later and Manny has pulled the same stunt. Lets hope he wrote his ticket out of town almost 4 years to the day that Nomar did. See ya Clown.

is not the first time Hermida

2009-03-20T05:12:43.376+01:00

is not the first time Hermida has been involved in Red Sox trade talks. Back when Manny Ramirez was traded, a couple rumors had Hermida going to either the Red Sox or

Check your facts: Joba gave 1

2008-07-26T17:18:00.427+02:00

Check your facts: Joba gave 1 walk and the Yankee run came on a infield single, not a fielder’s choice

On the other hand, perhaps the

2008-07-26T17:17:50.427+02:00

On the other hand, perhaps the Sox should just bite the bullet and do the deal for Fuentes and Holliday, forget the drama, and win the WS again. Manny, Holliday and Drew OF and in the lineup through October. Coco as backup. Jacoby and Hansen in AAA until the 9/1 callup. A repentant Manny gets his extension, or an unrepentant Manny walks, and we make do with Jacoby, Holliday, Drew in 2009, preparing for a fourpeat.

But if he throws at Youk again

2008-07-26T17:17:40.427+02:00

But if he throws at Youk again, one the Red Sox pitchers should put a pitch in Jeter’s ear (preferrably Lester or Beckett, they have the best fastballs.

That was a pretty pathetic sho

2008-07-26T17:17:30.427+02:00

That was a pretty pathetic showing last night, hopefully Manny will play today and they can rough up Pettite like last time. Papi looked decent last night, let’s win one please. P.S. Props to Joba, he is indeed good and not overrated at all.

I understand the decision to n

2008-07-26T17:17:20.427+02:00

I understand the decision to not throw away star prospects to acquire Street, Rauch, Marte or Fuentes, etc., because Masterson, Colon, Buchholz, Zinc, Pauley, Hansack will probably do as well or better through October, if needed. Using the same logic, if the Sox do not pursue the Bays or Nadys to deal with Manny’s possible sitting out 2008, then we need to see what Carter, Bailey or Moss can do at Fenway over an extended period. Carter is pure hitter, yesterday hitting his 24thHR, continuing to drive the 1st place Pawsox. Bailey is in the same category. Moss is a Dave Murphy with a better bat, showing good form despite being little used. We may not have to look beyond Pawtucket, but we’d better get a really good look at them at Fenway before making such an important decision.

personally, i would prefer swi

2008-08-02T20:27:21.490+02:00

personally, i would prefer switching lowell and youk in that option #2 Pedroia-Drew-Bay-Ortiz-Youkilis-Lowell-Lowrie-Ellsbury/Crisp or, using the above lineup but switching youk and bay for… Pedroia-Drew-Youkilis-Ortiz-Bay-Lowell-Lowrie-Ellsbury/Crisp i like lowell and all but he has really struggled of late and i definitely think youk is the better of the two. in the second option there, it seems like it would be good, too, since bay has done better in the 5 spot (although with not many ab’s) and youk gets on base at a pretty good clip, right?

wow, thats hard to believe … o

2008-07-30T18:45:37.291+02:00

wow, thats hard to believe … or maybe im just an idiot, haha

The Big Hurt has to be up ther

2008-07-30T18:22:06.866+02:00

The Big Hurt has to be up there, playing his entire career in the AL and all …

shit nevermind, haha, Jimmie F

2008-07-30T17:38:25.420+02:00

shit nevermind, haha, Jimmie Foxx, would have never guessed that one

Frank Thomas?

2008-07-30T17:37:53.204+02:00

Frank Thomas?

Actually, Frank Thomas only ha

2008-07-30T17:05:37.397+02:00

Actually, Frank Thomas only has 20 career HRs against the Yankees. He’s done the most damage against Minnesota, with 52.

Colin, you sound like a lot of

2008-07-30T04:08:05.666+02:00

Colin, you sound like a lot of people critiquing Jon Lester last year. The last few outings Clay has mixed in 3-4 good/dominant innings with 1-2 bad one’s. He just has to avoid the big innings and improve his consistency but he is getting close in my opinion, although you wouldn’t know it looking at his final line. Also I think the last couple starts we have seen all three pitches working at some point in the outing. Earlier this he rarely had good feel/command for two of his three pitches

per rob bradford from the hera

2009-03-13T00:32:22.736+01:00

per rob bradford from the herald: “I will leave you with this tonight

i think we all have been patie

2008-07-26T04:22:04.585+02:00

i think we all have been patient with jacoby but we cant wait forever. he needs to step his game up now or he should go where all big leaguers go when they cant hit. the braves sent francouer down to try gain him some confidence. I dont think this guy is ready for big league pitching yet. i hope he proves me wrong tomorrow.

Theo told McCarver he’s trying

2008-07-26T23:42:05.607+02:00

Theo told McCarver he’s trying to trade Manny. Good riddance.

Tessie’s Dad is on the money h

2008-07-25T15:02:38.240+02:00

Tessie’s Dad is on the money here. Once something goes commercial, those with copyrights will exercise their rights of ownership. If MVN is the source of the shirts being sold for profit, MVN will automatically be the target of any legal actions. Most corporations have attorneys who police this. Life is hard, and silly. Monsterson is better anyway, even though I voted for Jedi.

He Who Must Not Be Named!

2008-07-25T05:10:34.887+02:00

He Who Must Not Be Named!

Why Monsterson? Tessie- you th

2008-07-25T04:10:13.988+02:00

Why Monsterson? Tessie- you think thatd be a problem?

I think they assumed you meant

2008-07-25T00:35:57.387+02:00

I think they assumed you meant Paps as some people call him Cinco Ocho. Wow, Jedi Masterson… That’s awesome.

Shane- LOL! Sergeant for me, I

2008-07-24T23:08:45.566+02:00

Shane- LOL! Sergeant for me, I think its great. “And here comes the Sergeant.” Monsterson is intriguing because he could be the son of the Monster (Dick Radatz)

i actually love that lineup vs

2009-07-08T01:05:16.546+02:00

i actually love that lineup vs righties, pretty solid one trough seven, and then…

1. J.D. Drew, RF 2. Dustin Ped

2009-03-17T14:40:05.890+01:00

1. J.D. Drew, RF 2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B 3. David Ortiz, DH 4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B 5. Jason Bay, LF 6. Sean Casey, 1B 7. Jed Lowrie, SS 8. Jason Varitek, C 9. Coco Crisp, CF Weird lineup today with Lowell off

Cy Young voting is never logic

2008-11-25T05:14:55.234+01:00

Cy Young voting is never logical. Zito beating Pedro because he had one more win, even though Pedro had a better win pct., era and more Ks, not to mention playing in a hitters park was pretty ridiculous to me too. The voting system is antiquated and useless half the writers have no clue what they’re doing and many of the one who do (Neyer, Law) don’t get votes. I put absolutely no stock in offseason awards anymore.

http://interpreting.aeropack.info/ interpreting dreams

Is it a coincidence that there

2008-07-29T21:48:31.668+02:00

Is it a coincidence that there was a 5.4-magnitude earthquake in Los Angeles minutes after the report of Manny talks came out?

Why hasn’t someone checked Gia

2008-07-23T15:30:58.424+02:00

Why hasn’t someone checked Giambi’s credit card for purchases of drug testing supplies, he’s clearly back on the juice.

That would be awesome Sean. I

2008-07-23T15:30:48.424+02:00

That would be awesome Sean. I think some of the fire is back in the rivalry, I want to put those jokers back in their places. By the way, is Dice-K a legitimate Cy-Young candidate now? I know about the walks, but a guy doesn’t put up numbers like his by accident. Really the only terrible start that he’s had was the one against the Cards after coming off the DL. 11-1 2.63 should be enough to get some consideration.

Very good chat tim and testa –

2009-03-16T21:54:30.177+01:00

Very good chat tim and testa – Had to make the trade and got back more then you could hope for. Manny is definitely top 3 hitter from right side still and will put up better numbers in LA then anyone in AL East the rest of the year (most likely). The best lineup imo is: Youk Drew Bay Ortiz Pedroia Lowell Varitek Lowrie Ellsbury … and I wouldn’t mind switching Ortiz and Bay as I like getting Ortiz more at bats at the expense of LL .. and testa – thanks for saying that Manny was a very good LF in Fenway – needed to be said!

Ok Tim I think he is talking a

2008-08-02T12:53:36.738+02:00

Ok Tim I think he is talking about my comments. I will be the first to admit I didn

“Really? Dude played for the Y

2008-07-22T09:02:58.584+02:00

“Really? Dude played for the Yankees, won a ring with them and was invited to go to Yankee Stadium

Oh, to follow up, I’m going to

2008-07-22T00:09:35.966+02:00

Oh, to follow up, I’m going to select David Ortiz because I assume he will spend 10 years with the Red Sox and will put up numbers worthy of inclusion. If we don’t deal in assumptions, I would have selected none.

Here’s my take: I like the str

2008-07-22T00:09:25.966+02:00

Here’s my take: I like the stringent guidelines for getting your number retired. The current “rule” is 10 years a Sox, Hall of Famer, retired with the Sox. The reason why I put that in quotations is because they retired Carlton Fisk’s number. I also think that Pedro Martinez shouldn’t be penalized for spending “only” seven years with the Red Sox. That’s ludicrous. He needs to get his number retired. I also think that Johnny Pesky, Hall of Fame or no Hall of Fame, needs to get his number retired. So my new rule: Must be a Hall of Famer, must have spent at least 10 years with the Red Sox unless player has won two or more Cy Young/MVP awards in his tenure with the Red Sox lasting no less than five seasons, does NOT have to retire a Red Sox, and then it’s still up to the Red Sox to decide if they want to retire the number. Then, after establishing that, I retire Pedro Martinez, Wade Boggs, and an honorary statue/monument/plaque for service to the organization in Johnny Pesky. 1 4 8 9 26 27 42 45 Hey, I love Timmy. He’s the man. But … sorry.

Just so I can be on record as

2008-07-22T00:09:15.966+02:00

Just so I can be on record as trashing St. Tim _and_ defending Julio Lugo on the same thread, here’s this: 2008 Red Sox overall: 57-43, .570 with Lugo in the starting lineup: 49-30, .620 without Lugo: 8-13, .381 Good grief. Lowrie really needs to step up. A win in the second half would be nice, too.

Sean O, you can write “I

2008-07-22T00:09:05.966+02:00

Sean O, you can write “I

On the other side of the spect

2008-07-22T00:08:55.966+02:00

On the other side of the spectrum is one of the best hitters who ever played in Red Sox uniform, Manny. He needs a contract extension to play 10 years at Fenway by, I think, 2011. I well remember Ted William’s last season and last-at-bat home run. Manny could repeat that feat if Scott Boras is willing to engineer a contract which will take into account for the probability there will be less of Manny being Manny over the next 3-4 years. Ortiz, if he hits 10 years, is a no-brainer. It would be good if Tek’s # is on the wall if he takes over when Tito retires.

I believe a qualification for

2008-07-22T00:08:45.966+02:00

I believe a qualification for getting a # retired is having been on the team for a decade. Wake is the only one qualified in this regard. Post season credentials notwithstanding, his contributions to getting us to the post season, including two WS, over his decade have been substantial. Add to that his contributions to bringing along young talent (most recently Charlie Zinc), being a steadying force in the Pen and ego filled clubhouse, the consistent selflessness Sean points out, and his being a true role model from his phenomenal charity work in Florida to fishing on NESN, and we have, IMO, ample reason to retire his number as an exemplary player and as a unique individual who brings pride to the Red Sox uniform.

I’d say 14 years of above aver

2008-07-22T00:08:35.966+02:00

I’d say 14 years of above average pitching is more than enough to qualify. Considering he had no right to be in ALCS game 3, and was throwing to Varitek, and Sox pitchers couldn’t get anyone out, I’d say he did pretty well. This wasn’t even a Pedro ‘99 situation, where we knew there was a possibility from the start that he could be brought in. I simply think he deserves it. Sometimes, very rarely, we can’t quantify the effect of someone with statistics. Wakefield and his many roles with the team should be recognized.

Sean O, that’s a really good e

2008-07-22T00:08:25.966+02:00

Sean O, that’s a really good explanation of why Wakefield has been important to the team, but I don’t think that just being a generally good guy with his ego in check is sufficient qualification for having his number retired. You write: “Selflessness and performance should be rewarded.” In that 2004 ALCS Game 3 appearance, Wakefield went 3.1 IP with 5 ER. His ERA in that series against the Yankees: 8.59. His cumulative postseason performance with the Sox: 3-6, 7.54 ERA. The selflessness is there. Where’s the performance?

Wake is my first choice, Papi

2008-07-22T00:08:15.966+02:00

Wake is my first choice, Papi if he can stick around a little longer without serious regression.

David Ortiz has arguably been

2008-07-22T00:08:05.966+02:00

David Ortiz has arguably been the face of the Red Sox and the face of Major League Baseball since arriving in Boston. He’s arguably the most important player to ever wear a Sox uniform (he was the most indispensable player on both World Series teams) Wakefield definitely deserves mention as does Manny Ramirez (HOFer and let’s not forget that Ted Williams was also an enigma), but I’m just surprised that there isn’t more support for Papi.

I agree with Sean O…Wakefield

2008-07-22T00:07:55.966+02:00

I agree with Sean O…Wakefield has been the ultimate Red Sox for more than a decade.

I just think there comes a poi

2008-07-22T00:07:45.966+02:00

I just think there comes a point where you have to reward someone willing to do anything to win. If Wakefield doesn’t suck up those innings in Game 3 of the ALCS, we’re toast for the rest of the series. Other pitchers wouldn’t have put the team ahead of their own ego, which Wakefield has done countless times. There comes a time when the competitive desire to win has to meet reality. Wakefield doesn’t bitch and moan about any decision we’ve made, but clearly does what will help us win. He’s been a starter, a reliever, and a constant on the team for practically as long as I’ve been following. Selflessness and performance should be rewarded.

The Sox have pretty strict gui

2008-07-22T00:07:35.966+02:00

The Sox have pretty strict guidelines regarding the retirement of a player(s) number but IMO, Tim Wakefield is the top choice in that group to get his number retired. Manny needs a few more years to qualify doesn’t he? Does anybody know the guidelines? I know we’re not the Yankees and we don’t slap someones number up on the wall whenever they get a curtain call…

Sean O, if Wakefield deserves

2008-07-22T00:07:25.966+02:00

Sean O, if Wakefield deserves to have his number retired for NOT starting game 4 of the 2004 ALCS, and NOT pitching at all in the 2007 WS, then can I have my number retired too? I have the same qualifications!

I think they have to be HOF, b

2008-07-22T00:07:15.966+02:00

I think they have to be HOF, but I think that should be changed. Nobody has meant more to the Red Sox for over a decade than Tim Wakefield. He’s given up playoff starts for the betterment of the team. He was left off the playoff roster because he wasn’t ready. 1 4 8 9 27 42 49

Yeah, and I also said that Ell

2008-08-01T14:42:29.336+02:00

Yeah, and I also said that Ellsbury was just Juan Pierre, how’d that turn out? I would rather have a long-term solution at a position (third) than a placesitter (Bay and Lowell), who just suck up at bats. Why would we want Sheets or Sabathia? Sheets is always injured, Sabathia falls apart in the playoffs and is hardly athletic. Shouldn’t we try to find someone who can hit for power?