Happy 36th Birthday Daisuke Matsuzaka!

Today we wish a very Happy Birthday to former Red Sox pitcher, and international sensation, Daisuke Matsuzaka!

Very few players in the history of the Red Sox, or baseball, or any sport ever, have arrived with the sort of fanfare and expectations that Daisuke joined the Red Sox with. Dice-K was a superstar in Japan, but that was putting it lightly. If you were born in Japan in the same academic year as Daisuke was, you’re considered to be in the “Matsuzaka Generation”. It’s like the Red Sox signing “X”. His spring training starts were covered better than some World Series games. He actually had to announce which type of pitch he would throw as his first pitch. That’s coverage!

So, it’s not surprising that he was considered to have had an underwhelming career in Boston. Sure, he won 15 games in his rookie season, and helped bring the Sox to the 2007 World Series Championship. Sure, he went 18-3 the following year with a 2.90 ERA. (Seriously, did you remember he did that?) He was supposed to come over and use his gyro-ball to strike out every batter he faced. Because he didn’t, he was doomed.

People were also frustrated by him. He was a nibbler. He put a lot of guys on base. He walked the bases loaded more times than people want to remember. I don’t know why. It’s possible he couldn’t control the MLB bass as well as the one in Japan. Maybe he could nibble in Japan more because the Legend got all the strike calls. Or, maybe it was all calculated. He always threw a TON of pitches in Japan. Maybe he was used to pitching carefully to the dangerous guys and then just striking out the less dangerous ones. Maybe he was using the same strategy that Bill Belichick might use. Sure, I’ll walk the bases loaded, because I know I can strike out the next three. But, in MLB, the pitch counts caught up to him. When he was going five innings a start to keep the counts down, he wasn’t very helpful to the Sox. 

But, I for one enjoyed his time with the Sox. I got to see him pitch live five times, and feel lucky to have done so.

Plus, the guy drove in a run during a World Series the Sox won. How can you not love that?

Happy 36^th Daisuke Matsuzaka!

Happy 36th Birthday Josh Beckett!

Today we wish a very happy 36th birthday to former Red Sox ace Josh Beckett!

I talk about Beckett a lot. He happens to be a great example to use in several common talking points.

Worried about trading away future prospects? Remember the Josh Beckett-Hanley Ramirez trade. The Sox traded away a young Ramirez, even though he was their top prospect. It hurt to give up on that much potential. It hurt even more when Hanley lived up to just about every inch of it. A perennial MVP candidate is not something you want to see from a player you trade away. But this trade shows that there's something more important than what you give up. It's what you get back. In exchange for Ramirez, the Sox got their ace. A young one too. Beckett would lead the Sox, in every sense of the word, to the World Championship just a couple years later. Even after seeing Hanley fulfill his promise, Sox fans can't help but be happy with the trade. So, when people rush out to mark every prospect in the system as "untouchable" they should remember that every prospect should be available, at a price. Especially if the price is someone like Josh Beckett.

I also mention Beckett when I talk about Pedro Martinez. Josh Beckett is the closest thing I've seen and felt to Pedro. The only difference is that Pedro did it for seven seasons, and Beckett for about seven days. I've often said that the different between Pedro and other Red Sox "aces" like Lester, or Schilling, was the expectation. When Lester took the mound, I expected a well-pitched game, and knew the Sox would have a shot to win. A really good shot. When Pedro took the mound, I knew the Sox were going to win. The only question was whether Pedro would allow even a run. The only other time I've felt like that was with Beckett during the 2007 playoffs. First, he completely shut down the Angels. Then the Indians. Then, the Sox went down 1-3, with Beckett scheduled the next game. Was there anyone who didn't automatically make the series 2-3? Beckett was going to win and send the series back to Boston. The idea of him losing never entered my mind. After he won that one, he embarrassed the Rockies in game one of the World Series. Reminding the hottest team in baseball that he wasn't about to be stopped. Just like Pedro would have.

Is there anything else you need to know about Josh Beckett? He was part of a huge trade. He made us all glad he was. He was absolutely filthy dominant in the playoffs as he won a ring with the Sox.

What else can you ask for?

Happy 36th Birthday Josh Beckett!

Happy 36th Hideki Ojajima!

Today we wish a very happy 36^th Birthday to former Red Sox reliever Hideki Okajima!

I’ve already talked about Okajima here. Most of it is still true. I’m still absolutely baffled by his delivery. Not so much that it works, but that nobody over the last 36 years has told him to stop doing it. How did a high school coach not bench him for not looking at the target? I’m also still in love with his entrance song. It is on a regular rotation in my ipod. It always wakes me up a little bit whenever it comes on.

Unfortunately, age eventually caught up with Okajima. He became less and less effective until he was finally cast off. But he was a favorite of many in a way few relievers ever were. That and his ring in 2007 have earned him a permanent place in Red Sox lore.

Happy 36^th Birthday Hideki Okajima!

Happy 36th JD Drew!

Today we wish a very happy 36^th birthday to former Red Sox rightfielder JD Drew!

JD Drew is an interesting sort, to say the least. I’m trying to remember a Red Sox signing that was met with the same reaction as his was. Most Red Sox fans were dumbfounded. They thought he was overpaid. They thought he was soft. They though he was anything other than a player the Red Sox should sign. And, it was really too bad.

JD Drew had a lot of talent. Because of that, it sometimes looked too easy. It looked like he didn’t care. And, maybe he didn’t. But he was a much better player than he is given credit for. If you watched, you saw that his effortless play actually created results. I can’t tell you how many times I was in the stands when a ball was hit to him. I’d watch him casually fling a ball into the infield, only to be amazed when it would beat a runner to a bag for an out. It looked too easy to be effective. It was true beauty.

Did he play hurt? I don’t know. I’m not him. I know that playing hurt is hugely overrated. The idea that 90% of so-and-so is better than a back-up is usually bunk. I’m glad he took himself out of games sometimes to allow a healthy player take his spot. Joe Dimaggio did that, and it became part of his legend. Drew does it, and he’s soft.

Is Drew the best rightfielder in Red Sox history? No. The best in the last 20 years? Probably. Add that to his $15 million grand slam, and you have a pretty good signing.

Happy 36^th Birthday JD Drew!

Happy 36th David Ortiz!

Today we wish a very happy 36^th birthday to David Ortiz!

If you’re not familiar with David Ortiz, and what he’s done for the Red Sox, what exactly are you doing here? The most clutch player in Red Sox history (he has the trophy to prove it), he’s been leading the Red Sox since 2003. He will forever live in Red Sox lore for what he did for the 2004 World Champions.

I’ve never personally been a huge David Ortiz fan. Don’t get me wrong. He’s a heckova player. I love watching him hit. But, he’s always been a little bit too crass and crude for my liking. I would never have listed him as a favorite player because of it. The “Big Papi” persona always seemed to be in contrast to the other stuff. But, he’s still been a lot of fun to watch over the years.

My closest personal encounter with Ortiz was at an autograph signing at a local BCS. I waited in line for an hour in order to get his signature. It was a lot of fun waiting in line, meeting and talking with the people stuck there with me. When I got to the front of the line, to speed things along (I guess) I wasn’t allowed to hand my item to Ortiz myself. I handed it to a store employee who gave it to Ortiz. Unfortunately, there was a large group in front of me. There were five or six people in line, but only one item was being signed. By the time they had gotten themselves together to be on their way, Ortiz was done signing my item, and was actually trying to hand it to someone in the group. I had to run up and grab the item. By that point, Ortiz was already on to the next item. So, I didn’t even get to say thank you. It wasn’t Ortiz’s fault, of course. But, I would imagine that if he were actually engaged in the signing, and not just throwing his name on whatever was shoved in front of him, he would have been more on the ball. He was clearly just going through the motions. Which is not a complaint. I didn’t pay for a chance to spend five minutes chatting. I paid for an autograph. That’s exactly what I got. It just wasn’t “Big Papi.”

What about the coming years? What will Ortiz’s role be with the Red Sox in 2012 and beyond? I don’t know. I know that I’d like him to be on the team. I can’t imagine the line-up next year without him. He’s clearly the best DH available, and would add value to any team. My feeling is that the Sox will give him more value than other teams. So, I see him back with the Sox for the next few seasons. Hopefully.

Happy 36^th Birthday David Ortiz!

Happy 36th!

Today we wish a very happy 36^th birthday to former Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo!

Lugo was one member of the revolving door Theo put at shortstop after dumping Nomar. He wasn’t exactly the first acquisition Theo mentioned during his interview with the Cubs. Lugo was one of Theo’s love affairs. He longed after his on-base percentage for years. When he finally became available, Theo jumped at him. He signed him to a big deal, that he ended up having to eat in order to move Lugo. Julio was with the Sox from 2007-2009 before being cast aside.

Lugo was brought in to be the lead-off hitter, and ignite the offense. It didn’t exactly work out that way. Although, I think that like some of the other signings Theo made, expectations were probably too high. People assumed he was going to come in and be Johnny Damon. In reality, there was no reason to have thought that. He was a decent player. He led the team with 33 steals in 2007, back when that was an amazing number for a Red Sox player. He did a lot of good for the Red Sox. Plus, he was a member of a World Championship team in Boston. That has to count for something.

Happy 36^th Birthday Julio Lugo!

Happy 36th!

Today we wish a very happy 36^th birthday to BOTH Andy Dominique and Marco Scutaro! Two players get birthday wishes today. One, a former Sox, and one a current team member…assuming an option is picked up.

Andy Dominique was a catcher on the 2004 team. I assume that means he got a World Championship ring. Pretty cool! But, as far as the Red Sox go, that’s all he has. As the third catcher behind Varitek and Mirabelli, his playing time was naturally limited.

Marco Scutaro has had a different career with the Sox. He was signed as a free agent following a solid year in Toronto to be the Red Sox shortstop. He has been in a somewhat constant battle with the potential of Jed Lowrie. While Scutaro has played steadily, he has had to fight to keep his spot. Only injuries to Lowrie have let him keep a firm grasp on the starting job he probably has deserved all along. In the infamous 2011 collapse, Scutaro was one of the few bright spots, consistently putting up the numbers you’d expect him to. Going into the 2012 season, his option is a big question. If he comes back, is he the starter? Do the Sox shop Youkilis knowing Scutaro could replace him? He’s a great guy to have on a team since he can fill many roles. It’ll be interesting to see which one he ends up in.

Happy 36^th Birthday Andy Dominique and Marco Scutaro!

Happy 36th Birthday!

Today we wish a very happy 36^th birthday to former infielder Alex Cora!

Cora was with the Sox from 2005 – 2008. He did a great job filling the utility infielder role. Wherever he was needed, he did what was asked. However, he may be most well known for the one time he wasn’t asked to fill in where so many thought he was needed.

At the start of the 2007 season, Alex Cora was playing wonderfully. While it was in his customary limited action, he was hitting the ball as well as anyone could ask. He couldn’t seem to crack Terry Francona’s line-up though. Despite the fact that the rookie starter wasn’t hitting nearly as well as Cora, Francona stuck by his guns and left Cora on the bench. No matter how much the public cried, Cora was left on the bench. And, unfortunately for Cora, it was the right move. Who knows how Dustin Pedrioa’s rookie season would have ended if Francona had gone with the hot Cora in April.

So, these days we can thank Alex Cora for the part he played in the 2007 World Series Championship. We can also thank him for staying out of Dustin Pedrioa’s way as he went on the with the Rookie of the Year award.

Happy 36^th Birthday Alex Cora!

Happy 36th!

Today we wish a very happy 36^th birthday to Edgar Renteria! Yes, I said a happy birthday.

Edgar Renteria enjoyed one of the weirdest and misunderstood tenures in recent Red Sox history. He was signed to much fanfare as the replacement for Nomar Garciaparra, and was never really given a chance in Boston. Renteria came to the Sox advertised as a gold glove shortstop with a superb bat. He was given a four-year deal that was supposed to solidify the shortstop position for the near future. The size of his contract, and the size of his expectations, eventually led him to be run out of town after only one unfortunate season. I never really understood it.

There were questions about Renteria almost right away. Tony LaRussa played into the opinion that some people just can’t play in Boston, saying the Renteria just wasn’t a good fit. So, the question was instantly in the back of people’s minds. Then, went Renteria got off to a slow start, people started to assume it was true. He wasn’t hitting as well as the media thought he should. He was making more errors than the media thought he should. So, the normal adjustment period was ignored. It was suddenly a fact. Renteria was too soft to play in Boston. The fact that his name fit easily into the “Rent-a-Wreck” moniker was an unfortunate coincidence. After a year of abuse, Renteria was shipped off for spare parts even with the Sox covering most of his remaining salary. That’s the part that always bugged me. If they were paying him anyway, he wasn’t a bad option at short. Just ask the Giants. He just needed a minute to get his bearings.

So, unfortunately, Edgar Renteria will be remembered in Boston for two things. For his wasted 2005 season, and for making the last out of the 2004 World Series. And that’s just too bad. The least I can do is wish him a happy Birthday.

Happy 36^th Birthday Edgar Renteria!

Happy 36th!

Today we wish a very happy 36^th birthday to Shea Hillenbrand. Shea played third base for the Red Sox during the 2001-03 seasons. While unremarkable, his time with the Red Sox did have a few memorable moments.

He started his Red Sox (and major league) career with a bit of a hitting streak. He even earned the nickname “Hit-a-Day Shea” for a while there. I was fortunate enough to see him contribute to that streak with a single in his last at-bat during the 2001 home opener.

The second highlight I’ve already mentioned when I Scored his game-winning three run home run off Mariano Rivera on April 13, 2002.

But, the thing he may be remembered most for is being traded for Byung-Hyun Kim in 2003. This trade impacted the team in many significant ways. It ended the “closer by committee” concept that was never given the fair chance it deserved. It also started the BK Kim era in Boston. It was a rocky tenure for Kim that included flipping the bird to the Fenway fans. But, most important, the trade opened up some playing time for both Bill Mueller, and David Ortiz. Mueller would win the batting title, and Ortiz would club 31 home runs leading the Sox into the playoffs. Both would, of course, play key roles in the 2004 world championship. The trade of Hillenbrand really represented the shift of focus to those two key players.

So, as much as anyone not in a Sox uniform during the 2004 season, Shea Hillenbrand was an important part of the championship. For that, we need to wish him a happy birthday.

Happy 36^th Birthday Shea Hillenbrand!

Happy 36th!

Today we wish a happy 36^th birthday to Bartolo Colon. Now, I admit, I’m not usually in the habit of sending birthday wishes to Yankees. But, what’re you going to do?

I didn’t get the chance to see Colon pitch in a Red Sox uniform. I’m guessing that I’m not alone in that aspect. But, I did see Colon pitch a number of times with his former teams.

I saw him pitch for the Indians on 4/25/1999. The Indians lost to Pedro and the Sox 3-2. He pitched 6 innings, gave up 1 run on 9 hits, and struck out 9

I saw him pitch for the Indians on 6/8/2000. He lost to Pedro and the Sox 3-0. He pitched 7.2 innings, gave up 3 runs, 9 hits, and struck out 9.

I saw Colon pitch with the White Sox on 9/13/2003. He beat the Sox 3-1. He threw a complete game, giving up 1 run, five hits, and striking out 2.

So, he pitched pretty darn well in the games I saw him pitch. Hopefully, he doesn’t continue that streak if I see him play this season.

Happy 36^th Birthday Bartolo Colon!

Happy 36th!

Today we wish a very happy 36^th birthday to former Red Sox reliever Steve Woodard. Woodard pitched for the 2003 version of the Red Sox. From my records, I attended one game that season in which he pitched.

It was the April 21 game against Toronto. The starter, John Burket, got into a little trouble. OK. He got into a lot of trouble. He gave up seven runs in 2.2 innings. Steve Woodard was brought in to put out the fire. Which, he sort of did. He gave up a double to the first guy he faced. But, after that, he pitched three innings giving up two runs on five hits. He struck out three batters in his three innings. Not a bad showing for a mop-up relief appearance.

Happy 36^th Birthday Steve Woodard!

Happy 36th Carlos Castillo!

Carlos Castillo was a relief pitcher for the 2001 Red Sox. I have to admit, that’s all I know about him. Sorry.

Looking through my scorecards, I see that I attended one game in which Castillo pitched. Since I have cards from 22 games that season, I’m going to say he wasn’t used all that much by the Sox. So, how did he do during my game?

He pitched the ninth inning of the July eighth game against the Braves. He entered the game with the Sox trailing 7-0. I love the list of batters he faced. First, he got BJ Surhoff to ground out to first. Then, he got Andruw Jones to pop up to first. Jones had hit a 2-run homer earlier in the day, so it was nice to get him out. He wasn’t as lucky with the other Jones. The Braves clean-up hitter, Chipper Jones, took Castillo deep for a solo home run. Castillo regrouped to make Ken Caminiti ground out to third. So, one inning, one hit, one run. 

Castillo only lasted the one season in Boston before heading out of town. Maybe I’m having a hard time remembering Castillo since the 2001 season was one I’d just as soon forget. The Sox finished barely over .500. Jimy Williams was finally let go. Joe Kerrigan then went out and proved to be the second best manager the Sox had that year. So, I imagine I have erased all references to the 2001 season from my mind. Which is too bad.

Happy 36^th Birthday Carlos Castillo!

Happy 36th Birthday Jesus Pena!

Jesus Pena was a left-handed reliever for the 2000 Red Sox. That right there, is about as much as can be said about his Red Sox career. As luck would have it, I was fortunate enough to see him pitch in one game during the 2000 season.

It was September 21, 2000 against the Cleveland Indians. It was quite a game. Rolando Arrojo gave up an amazing seven runs in the top of the fourth inning, putting the Sox in an instant hole. The Sox, however, wouldn’t give up. The actually clawed back and won the game. Pena actually recorded a hold in this game. (OK, maybe “recorded” is a bit of a stretch.) He pitched one scoreless inning, protecting a 8-7 lead in the fourth. To be honest, I’m only assuming he gets credited with a hole, despite the early entry into the game. since the starter only went two-thirds of an inning, I guess Pena technically could have gotten the win when he entered the game. But, he certainly took care of that chance with his performance. In his inning, he gave up a double and two walks. A double play allowed him to escape the bases loaded jam with the lead in tact. It’s probably exactly the performance you could expect from a young reliever. And, to be fair, he was facing quite a line-up. The first four batters Pena faced that day? Omar Vizquel, Roberto Alomar, Manny Ramirez, and Jim Thome. Welcome to the majors, kid! So, I suppose a double to Alomar and walks to Manny and Thome is a pretty good result.

Happy 36^th Birthday Jesus Pena!

Happy 36th Birthday Jeff Suppan

Jeff Suppan had two stints with the Red Sox. He came up with the Sox in 1995, and hung around until 1997. He picked up nine wins for the Sox in this stint before beginning to bounce from team to team. One of those bounces landed him back in Boston at the 2003 trading deadline. It was a pretty big pick up at the time. He was supposed to be the key to getting the Sox over the top. He wasn’t. Looking back, it was the classic case of “best available” becoming “best.” Just because he was the best pitcher on the trading block, he became everyone’s must-have. But, it still didn’t make him a difference maker. His half season in Boston was less than memorable. The only memorable thing about it, really, was the set of trades he was involved in. The Red Sox and Pirates swapped a couple players back and forth in a couple deals just before the deadline. It was a weird series of events. But, it was the role that Suppan played the following year that was the most help to the Sox.

In 2004 Suppan was a top starter for the Cardinals. As such, he found himself starting game 3 of the World Series against Pedro Martinez. Since the game was in St Louis, things were looking up for the Cardinals, despite being down 0-2. They played very well at home that year. Because of the NL park, the pitcher would bat and Suppan was more used to doing that then Pedro was. It also meant the Sox sat Kevin Millar in order to get David Ortiz’s bat in the line-up at first base. As it turned out, those advantages weren’t all they were cracked up to be. We all know the story. Representing the tying run, on third base in the third inning, Suppan was ready to score on a groundball. But the NL pitcher used to running the bases got turned around. He stopped, started, spun, danced, and didn’t score. Not only that, but the Sox’s poor first baseman gunned him down for a double play. The Cardinals didn’t score off Pedro that inning, or any inning. As often happens with an ace, you have to get them early. Pedro settled into a groove after that. The Sox never looked back.

So, while Suppan couldn’t bring the Sox a title while he was wearing the uniform, he was a big help from the visitor’s dugout. For that, he has the thanks of Red Sox nation.

Happy 36^th Birthday Jeff Suppan!

Happy 36th Birthday Orlando Cabrera!

I’m trying to remember how the Red Sox acquired Orlando Cabrera. I think it was some sort of trade, or something. Can anyone remember the exact details of that transaction?

Of course, no Red Sox fan can ever forget that Cabrera was the largest bean in the bag the Sox got when Theo traded away Nomar Garciaparra. He was a solid player with a history of sparkling defense at short. He was the kind of shortstop that many teams would be happy to have. Really, other than Boston, Oakland, and Texas, he was probably an upgrade over any other shortstop. The problem for Cabrera was the place he was traded to was Boston. But, he did his best to make the trade look reasonable.

He clubbed a home run in his first at-bat with the Red Sox. He went on to have several key hits for the Sox during the stretch run. He even plated a game winner against the Yankees as the Red Sox were fighting to stay in contention. And, along the way, his defense was exactly as advertised. His play up the middle was fantastic. He was smooth and effective. A fabulous combination.

The play that sticks out for me when it comes to Cabrera was more something he couldn’t do that what he could do. In the first inning of game one of the 2004 World Series, he couldn’t get out of the way of a pitch. It plunked him in the helmet. Being the rational Red Sox fan I was at the time, I naturally assumed this was the end of the Red Sox season. Of course, in the first inning of the series the Sox would lose their starting shortstop. Of course that’s the way it would work. Of course whichever guy they stuck in at short would make four errors a game for the rest of the series. Of course, the Sox would complete the greatest comeback in the history of sports only to have their dreams squashed two freakin’ batters into game one. Ok. So maybe I wasn’t all that rational. Cabrera ended up making his way to first, and scoring when David Ortiz followed with a 3-run home run. The Sox never trailed in the series.

Curiously, the Red Sox didn’t keep Cabrera after the 2004 season. There were rumblings that he might not have been the best clubhouse presence. That always struck me as odd. After all NESN (who owns them again?) couldn’t stop showing clips of him getting along with his teammates. Special features of him and his handshakes flooded every broadcast for the rest of the 2004 season. The clear message? This shortstop was fun and easy to get along with…not that other shortstop they got rid of. So, it was interesting to hear that one of the reasons he was allowed to leave the team was clubhouse chemistry.

Cabrera’s time with the Sox, though, certainly was full of activity. He was on the field when the Sox won their first World Series in 86 years. That’s not nothing.

Happy 36^th Birthday Orlando Cabrera!

Happy 36th Jeremy Giambi!

You remember Jeremy Giambi, right? When the great Theo Epstein became GM, the third move he made was to trade for Jeremy Giambi. In case you’re curious, the first two were to sign Ryan Rupe, and trade for Todd Walker. So, Theo was obviously a fan of the younger Giambi. Giambi could play a little outfield (emphasis on little). He would DH some, thereby blocking a clear path for David Ortiz. He could get on base when he was at the plate. But, even being able to do all that couldn’t help him hang on with the Sox more than the one season.

I made it to Fenway for ten games in 2003. Flipping through the scorecards, I see that Jason Giambi played in four of them. That was probably a fair representation of his workload for the Sox. He was the starting DH for the April 19^th game. He walked, and scored a run. David Ortiz did not play in that game. He was the starting DH for the May 18^th game against the Angels. He walked, was hit by a pitch, and scored a run. David Ortiz played first base in that game. Giambi came in as a pinch hitter in the July 19^th game against the Blue Jays. David Ortiz was the starting DH. Giambi pinch-hit for Damian Jackson, who was a pinch runner for Kevil Millar, in the bottom of the tenth. Giambi singled, stole a base, reached third when the throw went into centerfield, and scored the winning run on a single. Giambi was the starting DH in the July 26^th game against his brother and the New York Yankees. In the bottom of the ninth he singled, and again stole a base. He scored the winning run on David Ortiz’s pinch-hit single.

So, Giambi played in four games I attended. He scored a run in all four. In the last two, he scored the winning run in walk-off fashion. That’s pretty crazy if you ask me. But, that’s pretty much what Giambi was for. He got on base. If he got on base, he could score runs.

The Sox eventually decided they only needed one DH, so Giambi was cast aside. He really had two flaws. He wasn’t his brother (maybe because he didn’t take as many PED’s) and he wasn’t David Ortiz. Neither was his fault, of course. But, that’s the way the ball bounces sometimes.

Happy 36^th Birthday Jeremy Giambi!

Happy 36th Birthday Chad Bradford!

Chad Bradford pitched for the Sox during the 2005 season. The sidearmer pitched in 31 games for the Sox that year. His 23.1 innings pitched clearly displayed his specialist role.

That was certainly the case in the only game I saw Bradford pitch live. On October 1, 2005 he started off the top of the ninth inning for the Sox against the Yankees. He got John Flaherty to pop up to the catcher, and allowed a single to Derek Jeter. He was then pulled from the game, even though another righty was coming up.

The Yankees ended up winning the game, and clinching the division in the process. It wasn’t all bad, however, since the Red Sox would clinch the wild card the next day. It still wasn’t much fun watching the Yankees celebrate.

I always wondered why there weren’t “righty specialists” like there were for lefthanders. Why are there so many left handed pitchers who are just deadly to lefties, but you never see righthanders that are poison to righties? Chad Bradford might be the closest I’ve seen to a true righty specialist. If nothing else, It was fun to watch that goofy delivery.

Happy 36th Birthday Chad Bradford!

Happy 36th Birthday Mark Bellhorn!

Clang!

Today we wish a very happy 36th birthday to World Series hero Mark Bellhorn!

Clang!

Like many people, I have no trouble in recalling my favorite Mark Bellhorn memory. It was Game 1 of the 2004 World Series. I was sitting in the bleachers trying to stay warm. The Red Sox had jumped out to an early lead, and I was hopefully of an easy victory. But, the Cardinals came back, twice, to tie the game. By the time Bellhorn strode to the plate in the bottom of the eighth, I was worried of an extra innings game in the cold rain. The wind was the worst point. It was whipping out to right, as it cut through you like a knife. Bellhord tried to pop a ball down the rightfield line, but the gale blew it well foul. I joked that the only chance was to hit the ball to center, and hope it was past the pole before it blew foul. I was almost correct. Bellhorn lofted another ball to right. We all held our breath. Pitcher Julian Tavarez tried the anti-Fisk, trying to push the ball foul. It didn’t work. The home crowd heard that glorious sound.

Clang!

The ball bounced off Pesky’s pole, and the Sox had the lead again. It was, of course, a lead they would never give up…for the rest of the series.

Bellhorn, of course, had many great games for the Sox. He had several great playoff games for the Sox. But, this cold, wet, tired Red Sox fan will always remember one more than the rest.

Clang!

Happy 36th Birthday Mark Bellhorn!

Happy 36th Matt Clement!

Matt Clement played for the Red Sox during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. He was a desperation signing following the World Championship 2004 season. Following that season, the Sox lost two starters in Derek Lowe and Pedro Martinez. They needed bodies to fill out the rotation, and Clement was one that fell into their hands. It actually started out pretty good for the Sox, as Clement made the All-Star team in 2005 after a great first half. It looked like Theo may have lucked out with the signing. Unfortunately, Clement was hit in the head by a line drive, and never regained the all-star form with the Sox. Whether it was coincidence, or the liner shook his confidence, Clement wasn’t the same.

I flipped through my scorebook, and could not find any games pitched by Matt Clement. That’s too bad, since it would have been nice to have seen another all-star pitcher. (I do have a lot of Wakefield starts in those years, for some reason) Perhaps the defining moment for Clement as a Sox (other than the line drive) was him blowing up in game one of the 2005 ALDS. Clement went 3.1 innings, giving up 8 earned runs as the Sox lost the game en route to a series sweep. Those aren’t exactly two quality memories for a player.

But, Clement was an all-star from a team that made the playoffs. That has to count for something in the hearts and minds of Red Sox fans. And for that, he deserves warm birthday wishes.

Happy 36th Birthday Matt Clement!