LorfTVP

Brawl Video 2:38- for the best views. This is bullshit. So basically, this stemmed from yesterday when Coco Crisp slid into Iwamura a bit too hard for his liking. Coco says he started it first with a bad block that hurt his finger or something like that...but basically, the Rays were out for Coco. Look at the video. Shields hits Coco with his first pitch, Coco charges, Shields builds up a punch and lets loose, Coco amazingly dodges (his dad is a boxer), throws a punch, and is then wrung around the neck by the catcher, Dioner Navarro. While Navarro is trying to push Coco down, Shields tosses in more punches. As soon as he hits the ground, watch closely as Jonny Gomes (31), the DH, charges from the dugout and starts pounding Coco on the dirt. Iwamura (1), the guy in question, comes in from 2b and starts throwing punches as well. And then, who else, but Carl Crawford (13) the speedster, comes rushing in from CF, slides in, and throws punches right away! It even looks like the pile turns over a couple of times. This is just a beat down.

Give 'em credit. Boston should win Sportscenter's Best Sports Town without a problem. In the last calendar year, Boston teams have performed as such: Boston Red Sox - World Series Champions New England Revolution - Eastern Champion - Lost to Houston Dynamo in final game New England Patriots - Perfect Regular Season, AFC Champions - Let's not rehash this Boston Bruins - Final playoff seed in the East - Force a game 7 against the 1 seed Canadiens Boston Celtics - NBA Eastern Champions - Facing LA Lakers in the NBA Finals. You can't beat that really...a Superbowl win would've been nice. Even the Revolution winning just so I can say they did. 5/5 in playoffs, 4/5 in Finals, 1/4 won. It's gotta be 2/5 or else it will feel semi-worthless.

Ahh, true. It's a two sided game. Combined with the inefficiency of their offense though.

This has always sort of been a no-brainer. Both the Sox and the Yankees were among the first teams who learned how to take walks effectively. Why the A's never had long games, I dunno, probably the lack of any impact hitters to continue the inning. I looked for team P/PA but couldn't find any. But yah, I've watched PLENTY, and let me stress that, PLENTY, of lengthy Sox-Yankees games and I'll readily attribute it to the way these teams take pitches and take walks. For the Red Sox, at least, add to that the new speed element and it adds a decent amount of time whenever Ellsbury or Crisp reaches 1st base.

One Strikeout. I expected a bit more from my first round pick. Granted April and May are his only career months with an ERA above 4. I'm still waiting for him to get hot. Doesn't he feel the burn from Cole Hamels threatening him for best LHP?

It's difficult because I don't see the need to update everyone. But yes, let's discuss baseball. Buchholz is probably going back to AAA after this DL stint which is for the best. He's gonna miss this upcoming road trip and have a couple of rehab starts in AAA. Jayson Stark's article on ESPN today has a section with scout's rumblings and they mention the following about Buchholz: It seems like the issue is maturity and experience, as with all young guys, rather than stuff. As for Lester, this is an incredibly encouraging sign. I know they mention it again and again but every day is yet another day further removed from cancer and chemotherapy. Lester started the game in the 91-92 range and got progressively stronger, ending with a 96 MPH fastball. Just knowing that Lester can dial it up that high is a shock considering I'm used to him tossing in the low 90's. His last four starts are trending positively but he has to prove that he can limit the walks. Overall, this is incredible what we've seen. Toss in Masterson and the Red Sox young pitchers have all impressed. But seriously, Buchholz and Lester with no-hitters, Varitek catching four. Some unheralded heroes are Remy and Orsillo (and maybe McDonough for Nomo's) who have successfully done four no hitters. National TV would've ruined it by the fifth or sixth inning.

When kids read the Rangers lineup, do they say "Sir Sidney Ponson"? Because they always say Mister and I think that if a baseball player is a knight or a doctor, it deserves to be recognized. Dr. Greg Maddux.

I'm not gonna lie, I'm surprised. But I've seen a lot of Sidney Ponson as a Sox fan and I cant ell you he's not this good. Do you know if he "figured anything out" or something along those lines or is he just doing what he does. Ponson hasn't had a real impact in ages...and that 1 HR allowed won't stay up. But still, impressive so far.

You can't complain about Josh Hamilton though.

I guess fantasy really does help introduce you to the world of baseball players out there. But I think that any fan who watches their own team regularly should at least know their league. Worst comes to worse, their division. Remember when Garret Anderson and Bobby Abreu used to be those under the radar guys? In about eight full seasons (in ten seasons), Berkman has 274 HRs, 827 Rs, 898 RBI, a .303 BA, and a .414 OBP with a .568 SLG. His career OBP is 27th all time, behind only Helton, Pujols, and Frank Thomas on the active list. (Bonds is there but...nah). His career SLG is 15th all time, behind active Pujols, Manny, Helton, A-rod, and Vlad. Wow. I never realized how insanely good a hitter Berkman was. 12th in career OPS. Nobody ever mentions Berkman's name in such vaulted territory...what a beast. Was that a splash shot? I can't tell from the online replays.

Well, I can't complain, being lucky enough to have Berkman on my team as well, but that San Francisco team is frustrating to own starters for. Even when they put on an offensive explosion...sigh. At least I don't have any Padres pitchers

Is it too much to ask for you to give Lincecum and Cain some run support? I mean, they help my rate stats and Ks but...I want some wins.

You're 3 1/2 games behind...that's nothing at this time of the year.

Just preparing for interleague arguments, eh?

Admin, Nemesis, Admin2, Plax 4 Prez, BronxRik, Motes, jranieli, and Killakyle. And Admiral, it's a long season...but you definitely got two solid prizes there.

And to make things worse, the Rangers bash the King around. VG, you're going on the List. #9

Seriously? Well, more power to him. Still won't change a thing. Sorry.

I dunno...but they definitely have to move Delcarmen back in the bullpen rotation. Thing is, nobody has really stepped up to take that 7th inning role. Aardsma walks too many people, Timlin is still in spring training mode, Lopez is worthless, Delcarmen has faltered, and Hansen is probably our best chance now. Both outings he's given up runs but looked good while doing it. I guess we'll just have to monitor this one. Logic says Hansen will get sent back down for when Cora comes off the DL but we'll see. I hope Hansen pitches well...just because.

Well, the man is royalty. I still find his presence on your roster pretty funny though.

The Rangers are depending on Sidney Ponson? Since when?!

Don't worry, I understand. I despise Comcast which has a chokehold on Boston.

And OBP which is why they're such a scary team to face. Even if they're old, they take pitches and can mash mistakes. I was scared shitless when I heard that Rivera added a new pitch.