Sunday Morning Thoughts

<startbitch>

My computer died this morning. Twice. It’s only 9:51 as I start this post.

In the hour or so that I was working on it peacefully, I put a tremendous amount of effort into what I was doing, only to lose it all when the temporary cache bit the big one for reasons unknown. All I know, after contacting Apple for the third time in six days, is that even though my computer is under warranty and has been replaced already, I’m stuck with an issue they don’t know how to fix.

</endbitch>

HOF NOMS

ok - So I’ve had a few years of discussions with friends about whether or not Jim Ed Rice belongs in the Hall of Fame. My take, still, is that he does not. Pre-steroid era, threatening and incredibly powerful as he was, Jim Rice is not a hall of fame player.

My recent feeling about the voting process for the BBWA is that even though we don’t like it, it’s still probably the most fair personal recognition system around. If you want to put up a case for changing the system, doing only statistical analysis on a Bill James-induced computer model, then go for it. It won’t give you a fair and accurate picture. Do you know why? Because the game of baseball is not only played with physical prowess; it’s played mentally, just like any other strategy-laden game.

I wish Jim Rice the best of luck tomorrow. The deal is, if he gets a phone call in the morning from the HOF (around 8 AM, I’m told), then he’ll be in. If he is still sitting around at lunch waiting for the caller id to show him some love, he’s out of luck.

MANNY Retardirez

If I were in a situation where I had a guaranteed deal for roughly 22.5 Million per year for two years, plus a team option of even more money… I’d … well, I’d shit myself.

Manny has twice rejected a salary of above $20Million dollars this year, most likely thanks to his inability to understand the financial components of a down economy, and otherwise thanks to his ridiculous wanna-be baseball player agent, West-Side Scottie B.

Manny Ramirez will not have a problem getting a job, and Scott will look like a genius when all is said and done. He’ll either go back to LA or go up north to put some fans into the seats of the incredibly beautiful SF Giants stadium (name withheld due to my frustration with name-sponsoring company).

RECLAMATION NATION

Is it Duquette-ish to have as many retreads coming into Boston on those “high-risk, high-reward” deals? I believe so. Even though many would not doubt the leadership in the front office to previous success (see: 2004, 2007), I can’t stand loading up on the one-year, injury crew. I see the team starting out a little weak and JUST missing the wild card by 3 games. I’ll bring this back into the fold at the end of the year if I’m right. If I’m not, I’ll be happy to ignore it. Please feel free to join me in my blissful ignorance.

Happy Sunday. I’m going out to clear 7.5″ of freshly-fallen snow. I can’t wait! (This is me being positive about the record number of times I have to shovel before the calendar hits January 15).