PERSONAL THOUGHTS FROM A RED SOX SOUL

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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.

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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).

This is going to be a painful off-season unless something takes shape soon.

You see, it’s not just about getting the right parts secured early because you want to be best prepared for your season, it’s also about the players who will move / sign / get traded that should be afforded the courtesy of getting adjusted to their new digs.

My list for what I’d like to see in 2009 will fall on completely deaf ears down on Yawkee Way, but here goes:

Catcher
2008: Jason Varitek, 2009: Jason Varitek for 2 year deal, bring up George Kottaras if he can stay defensively stable during Spring Training.

‘Tek brings a lot to the table. He’s just fine defensively and he’ll be the best thing for the pitching staff. At 11 Million a year (or 12 if they splurge), ‘Tek is still a bargain for a seasoned and defensive catcher who is beloved by his pitchers.

Kottaras should at least get his last shot before they kill his career. This kid has potential, but they may not see him as a viable option… ever. If that’s the case, cut him or trade him. He could definitely go somewhere and get a major league deal, even if it means one more year in the minors. Kelly Shoppach, anyone?

Fourth Outfielder
2008: Coco Crisp (traded to KC), 2009: Mark Kotsay

With Coco out of the mix, the Sox had better hope that the chick-magnet Ellsbury can get his stick together. Otherwise, he’ll be mid-year trade bait. Mark Kotsay is a great defensive player who can still stroke a couple doubles and he’ll even take 1st if something were to happen with Youk.

Another option: Rocco Baldelli  - I’m less intrigued by him since his announcement of mitochondrial disorder came out. He’s not as durable and he might not even be ABLE to play 75-100 times. Too much risk.

Short Stop
2008: Julio Lugo / Jed Lowrie, 2009: Jed Lowrie

Look, the offensive force of Papi and Manny is gone and the best we’re going to do without the likes of a Texeira or Mauer is hit a lot of doubles and steal some bases. Lowrie should be able to take a few bags and Lugo is probably still going to become a super-sub with about 30 Million in guaranteed money coming to him (unless they can get a sucker team to take him).

Lowrie had his moments of brilliance last year and I actually think that with a full year under his belt he’d be more consistent and have fewer gaffes. He’s not any worse (no, really, not ANY worse) than Lugo would be.

Third Base?
2008: Mike Lowell / Kevin Youkili / Jed Lowrie, 2009: Lowell / Lowrie?

Here’s a weird issue: The Sox don’t actually know that Mike Lowell will come to Spring Training 100% ready for the season. If he doesn’t, I’m sure Lowrie will start off there with Lugo filling in (at least temporarily) at Short.

I’m not convinced that Lowell will be 100%. I actually believe he’ll be 80% and try to get through the season without killing himself. What this means, of course, is that we shouldn’t count on his bat for a hell of a lot of production until we SEE a hell of a lot of production. He can sing-song all day long about how great he feels and that he’s just a little rusty, but if the pop is gone, this could get ugly. His expectation from management is a good, solid 25 homers. We’ll see…

Season Expectations

I’m not the first person who has said this about the Sox for ‘09, but I don’t see them getting higher than 3rd in the AL East unless they can get some offensive help. Of course, they’ve pretty much killed a lot of hope by the fans with the overpaid Texeira going to NY, but can they milk Joe Mauer out of the Twin Cities for a couple hot players? Masterson and Buchholz? Masterson, Lugo and some money?

Right now, the AL East projects to be:

1. NY
2. Tampa
3. Boston
4. Toronto
5. Baltimore

Let’s see how this works… I’m sure once Spring Training is over I’ll feel different. Especially if they’re actually out there making moves.

Only 8 weeks until pitchers and catchers report. Who will report in the latter category?

Wow, am I ever stressed out.

We’ve just gone through the worst 8 day stretch of Winter Hell I can remember (not including ‘78 when I truly didn’t care) and the schools will AGAIN be closed tomorrow. Tomorrow! They don’t even know how the roads will be tomorrow, and yet, they’ll be closed. Hooray for snow days. The kids will essentially be going to school until mid-August, at which time lawsuits will be a plenty due to overheating and dehydration.

In baseball news… I’m relatively sick to death of hearing whether or not Mark Texeira will accept a bajillion dollars to grace our presence in Boston.

Know what? Give me 9 Perdroias and a couple Welkers and I’ll take my chances.

Here’s an idea: Lower the price of a ticket and grow better players that may have a bat to bring to the party.

Diminutive, power-hungry infielders aside, we truly need to see some heavy production come out of the minors. (Lars Anderson, anyone?)

I’m busy at work and especially busy with the holidays mixed in for good measure, which is great, but if they keep closing school my child will end up with four weeks off between December and the “Christmas” break. SHEESH!

Let’s hope for no more snow days… it’s not even officially Winter yet.

I am, once again, truly lucky to be published on the now decade-long running online publication “A List Apart: For People Who Make Websites”.

The personal side to all of this is that I get to strut my stuff and have some interaction with like-minded folks who are into what I do. It’s a wonderful outlet that is completely and entirely separate from the daily riggers of running a small business.

My side project for almost two years has been to get a book published. I’ve been less lucky on that front. Many, many discussions with two publishers have led to creative license questions and missing fulfillment guarantees, and I’m now thinking of switching gears and doing the self-publish route. More money per book, less marketing power from an imprint. Not sure if I want that. I also like the cache of someone printing it on my behalf.

So! One last shot: If you know of an editor or publisher who would love to work with someone incredibly diverse and talented (sales pitch), hit me up with a contact.

Thanks!

Do you remember having sleepovers as a kid? I do. Late night movies and talking until you can’t remember what your middle name is was standard operating procedure when I was young.

I had two sleepover friends that would trade weekends to act as “brothers”. John Geoffroy and Jason Brown. I loved them both dearly as friends and I wish they were still a part of my life. John was the cool kid with the cool hair and Jason was the really smart, but equally cool dude who never dated until he left high school for no other reason than he wasn’t ready.

My youngest has been having sleepovers this year with more frequency. Which is totally cool, since I love being able to give him a piece of what childhood is all about. The funny thing about having a friend over, however, is that they always camp out in the living room. It becomes a lions den of sorts. It’s actually a very entertaining place to a pre-teen; video games, a large-screen and a surround sound system (not to mention quick access to the fridge) are all completely kick-ass amenities.

But the best part about one of his sleepovers is the pancake breakfast. Whether I make it here or we head out (if, in fact, the kids wake up at some ridiculous hour), the breakfast is a huge part of the sleepover experience.

And you know what? Screw the diet. Screw the carb count.

More sleepovers.