First, on some news around the league:
Randy Johnson goes for 300: Johnson was one of the most dominant pitchers of our generation, and, frankly, probably the most entertaining pitcher in decades. Coincidentally, he will try for 300 against the Nationals, the franchise that drafted and developed him over two decades ago. He is chalk-full of accomplishments, 5 Cy Youngs, a World Championship, more strikeout titles than I care to count. He ain't what he used to be, but he's still a future Hall of Famer, and I will have no problem if he is the last 300 game winner in Major League history.
This Manny being in the All-Star game thing is starting to annoy me, to be honest. The issue is apparently whether or not Manny should be allowed to play in the All-Star Game, if elected. I don't see why or how it's an issue. Last time I checked, you and I pay Manny's salary, the other 749 players' salaries, and we get one day a year to influence a game, and this is it. If the fans want to see Manny, then guess what, Manny plays, end of story. For Selig (who, I may add, is on my payroll as well) to say that he'll nix it, or even 'take a look at the situation', or whatever he said, is an insult to the fan base as far as I'm concerned. This is just another example of Selig's administration taking the smallest thing and making it an issue.
They should have seen this coming and just taken him off the ballot. If I was Selig, or the league, and could work it out with the union, I'd have the rule state that if you're not playing in the MLB because you didn't want to play by the MLB's rules, you aren't part of the MLB, which means no games, no pay, no votes. Id have him off the ballot until he suits up for a game again. If he gets voted in in that week and a half somehow, good for him, let him play, no worries. As it is, I don't think there's much the league can do. If Manny gets voted in (I don't support the idea), then the majority of fans (or fans that care enough to vote) want to see him there, and if Selig stops that, it'll be the most anti-fan move outside of the NHL.
Also, for the people that think that the All-Star game is a 'flawed system', and is ruined by ballot-stuffers, you know what? You're right. But you'll have a hard time convincing me that Manny might get in unfairly because only Dodger fans and Manny Ramirez fans are stuffing the boxes. Something tells me that maybe it isn't the majority of baseball fans who elect Jeter every year. If you don't like that, you can overvote for everybody else to even the odds, file a complaint with Major League Baseball, or get used to it.
In more specifically Red Sox news, I think I'm losing patience with David Ortiz. Not even the normal 2009 patience, either. After about three weeks of the slump, I was basically resigned to automatic outs when he came up. Now I think I like Varitek over Ortiz. Really. All week you could basically sit and call the swings and misses when Papi came up. I really don't know how to feel. On one hand, there are all of those RBI's over the past half-decade, as well as the knowledge that Ortiz could, theoretically, with one good series become a fearsome bat again. On the other hand, there are are few other numbers. Namely .187, Ortiz' batting average going into Wednesday nights game. There is .282, his OBP, and my favourite, 1. You all know what that stands for. Either way, we don't have long to wait. He's been dropped, which is about all we can do for now. His judgement day is coming, as interleague play will be the test he will either pass or fail, making him the DH or a PH for the rest of the year.
Speaking of the lineup changes, I have to say Francona put together a pretty healthy lineup, despite the oddities. Ellsbury doesn't have the patience to be an effective leadoff hitter, so he's down to eighth. Personally, I'd hit him 6th or 7th, as he is a very good hitter, plus I want that speed as high as I can get it. Pedey is an effective leadoff man, Drew was, as far as I'm concerned, born for the top of the order, with his careful approach and respectable wheels. Youk and Bay are a formidable 3-4 pair, and Lowell is a natural 5th hitter.
Where has Julio Lugo gone. He can't hit, he can't field, but I do miss the little guy. He's as good a fielder as Green, if not as dependable. And he was hitting decently before he disappeared. Management says he isn't at 100%, but I would like to see him out there again.
Terry Francona wins 500 as Sox manager. Sure, he isn't the greatest field manager in the majors. He likes consistency, and isn't very radical most times. And sure, he's had his sare of 'coma moments. But I think he's probably the best players manager in the game, and one of the most well-prepared baseball people around. It's why the FO likes him, and it's why I like him. It's why he's already among elite all-time Sox skippers, and why I hope he'll win 500 more.
Thanks,
-Matt
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