2009 Boston Red Sox Thread

[SunCoastBlueHen]

I'm going to tomorrow night's game here in St. Pete. Should be a good pitching matchup (Garza Vs. Beckett) and it will be my first game this year, so I'm really looking forward to it!

Even though they have sucked so far this year...

Go Rays!

[hank scorpio]

Outfielders Take Knee, Infielders Move Up In New 'Jason Varitek Shift'

BOSTON—As the 2009 baseball season progresses, major-league managers are defending against Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek by employing what they call the "Varitek Shift," a defensive maneuver in which infielders move up past the pitcher's mound and outfielders take a knee and relax. "It's very effective," Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told reporters. "If Jason makes contact with the ball, which is rare in itself, he usually hits slow dribblers that catch infielders by surprise because of how weak they're hit. So, by moving the infielders up, and having the pitcher rush home plate after the pitch has been thrown, [Varitek] has virtually no chance of reaching base. If runners are on when he comes up, we may have the outfielders cover first, second, and third to ensure a double or triple play." Gardenhire added that it doesn't matter if the switch-hitting Varitek bats right- or left-handed, as the shift is foolproof.

[UNHWildCats]

Outfielders Take Knee, Infielders Move Up In New 'Jason Varitek Shift'

BOSTON—As the 2009 baseball season progresses, major-league managers are defending against Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek by employing what they call the "Varitek Shift," a defensive maneuver in which infielders move up past the pitcher's mound and outfielders take a knee and relax. "It's very effective," Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told reporters. "If Jason makes contact with the ball, which is rare in itself, he usually hits slow dribblers that catch infielders by surprise because of how weak they're hit. So, by moving the infielders up, and having the pitcher rush home plate after the pitch has been thrown, [Varitek] has virtually no chance of reaching base. If runners are on when he comes up, we may have the outfielders cover first, second, and third to ensure a double or triple play." Gardenhire added that it doesn't matter if the switch-hitting Varitek bats right- or left-handed, as the shift is foolproof.

Dont think AJ Burnett would agree with that

[Ivytalk]

Rays 13, Sawx 0!!

Cue Harry Doyle : "One hit? That's all we got? Just one GD hit??"

Another super Sox start for Josh "Flavor-saver" Beckett, E.R.A. 7.22!

[SunCoastBlueHen]

Rays 13, Sawx 0!!

Cue Harry Doyle : "One hit? That's all we got? Just one GD hit??"

Another super Sox start for Josh "Flavor-saver" Beckett, E.R.A. 7.22!

That one hit was a little dribbler past the pitching mound.

Garza carried a perfect game into the 7th.

My buddy has great seats (season ticket holder) - about twelve rows behind the visitor's dugout. I already put in my request for tickets during the Rays - Phillies series.

[bluehenbillk]

The Rays are still an elite team & showed it last night. They have the pitching, just need some more production from the bats like last night. As a Red Sox fan, this is the team I don't wanna play.

[UNHWildCats]

The Red Sox designated Javier Lopez for assignment and called up fireballing prospect Daniel Bard.

Bard reguarlly tops 100 MPH on the gun and is considered the closer of the future for Boston. He joins the bullpen starting tonight.

[UNHWildCats]

Dustin Pedroia has left the game with a groin injury.

[UNHWildCats]

Sox knock off the Angels 4-3....

A nice day as the Sox and its four minor league affiliated currently in season as well as the Bruins and Celtics all won today.

[AZGrizFan]

Dustin Pedroia has left the game with a groin injury.

What happened? Did you blow him before the game?

[UNHWildCats]

Dustin Pedroia has left the game with a groin injury.

What happened? Did you blow him before the game?

nah I was busy with Dice K

Pedroia will be back tomorrow, however Youkilis went on the DL today retroactive to the 5th or something.

[UNHWildCats]

Guess Ortiz finally got fed up with being embarrassed.

Jason Varitek had homered twice tonight to bring his season total to 7 while Ortiz sat at 0.

Well Ortiz finally connected on a two run shot to make the score 5-0.

[UNHWildCats]

And now Bay connects...

Someone please get this guy a contract.... PLEASE

[UNHWildCats]

And now Mike Lowell 8-0 Sox... 5 HRs in 4.2 innings....

I think its safe to say the Jays arent for real... they have a bloated record courtesy of the easy schedule they have had...

There on their way to being 1-4 against Boston and NYY and have a very tough June ahead.... they should be in 4th by the time July rolls around.

[UNHWildCats]

Well Bay just added some more dollars to that new contract hes waiting for... another HR in the 1st today

[Willie]

Hey UNH...what do you think about Papelbon's comment saying that when Rivera retires, he would love to close for the Yankees?

And yes it's true, it was on todays Sunday Conversation with Mariano Rivera.

[citdog]

Tommy.....Hanson


WOW!!!

[Col Hogan]

Tommy.....Hanson


WOW!!!

He is the future for the Braves...

[UNHWildCats]

Hey UNH...what do you think about Papelbon's comment saying that when Rivera retires, he would love to close for the Yankees?

And yes it's true, it was on todays Sunday Conversation with Mariano Rivera.

i've known for quite some time he will go where the most money is and we all know thats the Yankees... Thats fine though... Daniel Bard will be ready when he leaves and Bard will be better.

[Col Hogan]

Papelbon has been an adventure this year...he may have 18 saves, but most of them have been nail-biters, unlike previous years...

[UNHWildCats]

Papelbon has been an adventure this year...he may have 18 saves, but most of them have been nail-biters, unlike previous years...

he's changed how he thorws in an attenpt to take some of the pressure off his arm and help extend his career... some thought the way he threw would result in a short career which is why Boston has had no interest in locking him up long term like Youk and Pedroia.

[dbackjon]

great game last night

[JoltinJoe]

I saw over the weekend that Daisuke Matsuzaka was sent to Florida to rehab in the hopes of getting him major-league ready this season. It is still not clear whether he will be back in a position to contribute this year.

Dice-K's travails this year, I think, raise real questions about how willing teams will be to let their players -- especially pitchers -- participate in the next World Baseball Classic. The Sox are paying a lot of money for no return this year and they cannot be happy about it. There is no doubt that Dice-K's participation in the WBC completely disrupted his preparation for the 2009 season. I know he's huge in Japan and it is unthinkable that he would not represent Japan in the WBC. On the other hand, his primary job is to pitch for the Red Sox.

[UNHWildCats]

I saw over the weekend that Daisuke Matsuzaka was sent to Florida to rehab in the hopes of getting him major-league ready this season. It is still not clear whether he will be back in a position to contribute this year.

Dice-K's travails this year, I think, raise real questions about how willing teams will be to let their players -- especially pitchers -- participate in the next World Baseball Classic. The Sox are paying a lot of money for no return this year and they cannot be happy about it. There is no doubt that Dice-K's participation in the WBC completely disrupted his preparation for the 2009 season. I know he's huge in Japan and it is unthinkable that he would not represent Japan in the WBC. On the other hand, his primary job is to pitch for the Red Sox.

They should just have the WBC using minor leaguers and hold it in September once the minor league seasons are done... This allows players to be in top shape, and isnt too late and doesnt take away from playoff baseball.

Better yet... just scrap the damn WBC why the hell does MLB wanna spend money to hold a tournament every year so we can watch USA suck

[UNHWildCats]

Pathetic call by the umpire calling out a clearly safe Ellsbury. Umpire then quickly tosses Ells when he throws his helmet.