You get your motivation any way you can, we guess. Some guys put their head down and barrel forward, others turn themselves into self-pitying victims of world persecution. Like David Ortiz. We find it tiresome and utterly, if not falsely, naive – this is an experienced professional athlete with years of dealing with fans and the press for heck’s sake. But if the results are Ortiz’ May, keep feeling like that, Papi.
Categories
36 replies on “Boring”
The media has been all over Ortiz since Spring Training, acting like his career was over since he went 0-3 in the first game of the season. Is it really unexpected that he got sick of it over the last two months?
I don’t see how it’s unreasonable for Ortiz to acknowledge how negative the Boston media can be, considering most of us agree with him.
He’s also criticizing some of the incorrect statements the media makes:
“I was watching the other day this guy named Buster Olney,’’ Ortiz said of the ESPN baseball reporter. “He was 100 percent saying that I can’t hit inside fastballs anymore. [He] needs to sit down and watch the game because I don’t get pitched inside.
“When people try to get me out, they go away. This guy was talking that I can’t hit inside pitches and I was like, ‘What is this guy watching? When was the last time he sat down to watch a game?’
“I would like somebody to give this guy a call and sit [him] down to watch a game and see how many inside pitches I get, how many of those inside fastball strikes I get. I guarantee you that if he sees one the whole game, it’s a lot, because they don’t pitch me in. So don’t be saying that.’’
I don’t understand why a player isn’t allowed to speak their mind, and is essentially told “Bawww stop crying about it, crybaby” when he basically just tells the truth.
Tito pretty much agrees about all the attention too:
“Unfortunately, two games into the season we had to answer a lot of questions, which actually gets old.”
Eh, Papi’s comments are over the top. He has played long enough in Beantown to know the ropes, and it comes off as a major whinefest. On the more substantive points, like about Olney, there is merit, and to some extent I wish more players spoke about stuff like this – the nuts and bolts analysis. On the other hand I don’t really want my team’s players spending any time watching Buster Olney, either.
On the whole, though, Ortiz’ rant sounds quite baby-ish, especially for someone making $12M. But like I said, whatever works: I want him to succeed.
i agree with both of you guys…ortiz has every right to speak out about how the writers are portraying him and what he says…reporters have a responsibility to get it right, and he should call them on it when they don’t…papi’s problem is his style…it does come across like a childish tantrum…there was every reason to have doubts about him with the start he had, and even francona was affected, as noted by the way he was using papi before he got hot…was he done, as in kaput?…i don’t know, he might still be, despite his may resurgence…it’s a long season, let’s see how it plays out…sox have been patient with him, because they had to be…as for his critics, both fans and media, i can defend his right to respond, he just needs to work on the delivery of his responses…
Also under the preface of “boring”: MLB has denied Joe Girrardi’s protest of the game the other day.
I don’t give a rat’s ass what Papi does or does not say about the press as long as he keeps jacking balls into the night.
@ dc: you’re exactly right, again: the Rays are not this good, the Sox are not this bad (and it’s showing as of late), and the Yanks are probably a lot more like they were a month ago than they are this week. The problem is that we all cliff jump when our baseball teams look a lot like, you know, the rest of baseball.
The insane, and sometimes rediculous accusations and predictions are part of the reason I’ve gone a little MIA from around here. I can’t get into arguments with idiots screaming “NESN RATINGS ARE DOWN – they’re going to be broke!!!” or “how dare the Red Sox try to rewrite baseball by hoping to build a team around pitching and defense”.
They’re in fourth place!!!
I’m pretty much over the craziness people spew about one team or the other. They’re both excellent baseball teams when it all clicks. I’ll wait for the clicks.
I’d
“The problem is that we all cliff jump when our baseball teams look a lot like, you know, the rest of baseball. ”
I think I’m holding it together pretty well this year so far but a couple more games like this and you guys will certainly be peeling me off the rocks! ;)
The funny thing is….he’s still a platoon player and yet he acts like he’s back and “how dare you for ever doubting me”.
2010
vs. LHP: .222 .300 .333 = .633, 27 AB, 1 HR,
vs. RHP: .256 .319 .585 = .904, 82 AB, 7 HR
That’s why he sat last night, and that’s why he should continue to sit against lefties. The real problem in this situation is it took Francona three years to look at the splits. His manager never gave him a chance to succeed at his best abilities. He hasn’t hit lefties since 2007.
Worse for David is the fact that platoon DHs have little place in the game today. That’s why he’s overpaid and looking at his last year in Boston. Of course, he won’t be the first nor the last athlete to think they were run out of town. But in this case the separation is as simple as baseball related.
“NESN RATINGS ARE DOWN – they’re going to be broke!!!”
They are down – almost 100% over last year. No doubt they’ll pick up as the summer wears on. But no one said they were going broke.
“how dare the Red Sox try to rewrite baseball by hoping to build a team around pitching and defense”
I don’t know about baseball, but they swapped the most consistent metrics for the most unreliable. Moreover, they’re trying to rely on defense in a ballpark that isn’t built for run prevention. How the year plays out – whether you like it or not – will be telling on that philosophy. The real problem is it isn’t an overarching philosophy at all for your organization – just like the bullpen by committee. They selected the philosophy after the players available to them were made obvious. Except some of them – Scutaro, V-Mart, Ortiz, Lowell – never fit to begin with.
“the Rays are not this good”
Except they will win 100 games. So will the Yanks. Will the Sox?
You don’t think the NESN ratings are down becuase the Bruins and the Celtics are both (or were) both deep into the playoffs, Paul? Don’t you think that the Celtics and the Bruins being on at the Same time as the Sox are going to pull a large percentage of the fanbase away from the games? Red Sox in May or Celtics/Mavs playoffs.
I’m as big a fan of the sox that there is, but I flipped over to the Celts game a few times too.
Please stick around all year, man. Please.
Down “almost 100%”? Don’t hold your breath waiting for a Fields medal.
Reports said April ratings were down 25-30%, which is still pretty bad, but it was also an awful April for the team and the Bruins and Celtics were still hunting.
“You don’t think the NESN ratings are down becuase the Bruins and the Celtics are both (or were) both deep into the playoffs, Paul?”
And the nights when neither were playing?
“Reports said April ratings were down 25-30%”
A 4.4 against the Yankees when the *average* last year was a 9? or a 12 two years ago?
“Please stick around all year, man. Please.”
And please don’t disappear for weeks on end. Please. This place is more interesting when you guys think your team is playing for something. Except no one is willing to say they’re capable of winning 100 games? I guess knowing really is half the battle…
Maz has been on fire this year. He correctly pegs the Sox as not having one player you’re willing to buy a ticket just to see. I think he’s absolutely right. The real problem though is those players aren’t reaching free agency any more. Pujols might, but I don’t see how Youkilis could be expected to play 3B full-time in the years ahead. Still, that would be fantastic if the Sox got Pujols.
It has been while since I heard the screeching of goalposts moving.
“…Except they will win 100 games. So will the Yanks. Will the Sox?…”
unlikely that any of the 3 will get out of the mid-90’s, especially given that they’re in the same division, the toughest in baseball, and will be beating each other up all year…i stand by my comment that over the long haul, the rays are not as good as their current record…the race will tighten up again. as they come back to earth and perhaps start to see some injuries [not wishing for it, but it’s a fact of life]…and yeah, i’d say nesn ratings are the least of the sox worries right now, espec. given the other sports distractions in town, as the other guys already pointed out…i’m not even a pro basketball fan, but like brad, i found myself flipping back and forth between games…
“…Please stick around all year, man. Please….”
oy…in some twisted way, i’m with you on that brad…this guy is our best form of entertainment right now…
“unlikely that any of the 3 will get out of the mid-90’s, especially given that they’re in the same division, the toughest in baseball, and will be beating each other up all year”
Except all they’ve both done is beat up on the Sox. And they’re both in line to win 100 games. The Rays might just win 110 games.
” as they come back to earth and perhaps start to see some injuries”
Based on what? Your feelings? They’re a young team that’s only getting better.
“i found myself flipping back and forth between games”
And the nights when there were no other games to flip among?
Pointless, dc. Don’t get sucked in. Baseball fans know it’s a long season, and things happen and come and go. Flamethrowers take the moment, and run in every direction with it.
“It has been while since I heard the screeching of goalposts moving.”
Sure, a 4.4 against the Yankees when the Bruins or Celts weren’t playing is only a 20-30% drop. Sure.
“Flamethrowers take the moment, and run in every direction with it.”
Or show up when their team finally wins a few games.
4.4!! 4.4!!! WAR!! WAR!! V-Mart sucks!!! He’s not a catcher!!!! David’s skill set!!!
Again, we get it. We know where you stand.
Actually, guy. I’ve been on this site since almost day one. I have literally thousands of posts (with the same handle no less) and my posting frequecy has absolutely nothing to do with how the Sox or Yankees are doing at the time. This year, I have been insanely busy, and have posted when I have time. In fact, I’m pretty sure I post more often when the Sox aren’t doing well.
“We know where you stand.”
Except where I stand changes with what the facts show. You just stand in the same place and offer no productive counterpoints. Why not talk to a wall? Or are you simply venting here?
I mean, seriously, do you think Ortiz is “back” or are they simply using him more effectively? Do you think VMart helps or hurts your team at this point? There are correct answers to those questions. Then there are the answers your feelings coming up with.
i never said the rays weren’t a good young team paul…in fact, they’re very good…i just don’t see them playing at a .730 clip all year…could it happen?…sure…i just said it’s not likely…and this is a tough division…right now, they own it, but there’s 120 games and 4+ months left in the season…things can change very quickly…i did watch the sox on the nights there was no basketball by the way, so i’ve skewed your stats…sorry
The Rays don’t have to play at a .730 clip all year to win 100 games. They only have to win at a .578 percentage to win 100 games. The chance they will is very, very likely. The Yankees have to win 62% of their games to reach 100 wins. The Sox have to maintain a .650 WPCT to win 100 games. Of everything I’ve seen this season, the Sox winning at that rate would be the most surprising. They’re not far from the team they would supposed to be and they’re not even close to that standard. They’re a .500 team for a reason – they’re a mess in a few places.
I said all the things you’re saying before, Paul. I cited stats upon stats when the yankees were 11-20 or when any number of things happened. Every time, sans a few, I’ve been wrong. Maybe this is your few.
If you think you know what is going to happen months from now based on the stats provided to you thus far, I’m happy for you.
I’m not willing to make that jump just yet. I can see the Sox going either way..just as I can the Yankees.
No, I don’t think Ortiz is back, but I’ll take it. I hope he keeps hitting. Yes, I do believe this team is better with V-Mart right now.
Like I said, if you feel comfortable calling the game right now, then more power to you.
But you never know when another team will pick up a Shawn Chacon who proceeds to reel off 11 great starts in a row and propel them right back into it.
You don’t know. You can assume based on stats. I’ll wait. To each his own.
I think that NESN’s falling rating had more to do with Hazel Mae leaving. I used to check in on Sox/Bruins junk just to catch a glimpse!
Mmm…Hazel Mae.
She makes Quick Pitch on MLB network one of my favorite shows!
in other words, you expect them to win 70 of their remaining 121 games…maybe…but their current record reflects a team clicking on all cylinders…they could keep that up all season, or “deteriorate” to .580 or less but we’ll just have to wait and see…right now they only have 3 guys on the dl: shoppach, joyce, and howell…the only guy i’ve heard any concern about losing was howell…i guess he’s one of those “specialist” relievers…by the way, if they win 69 games, you’re wrong, you understand…i know you don’t like to consider intincts or gut feel when speculating, but i’ve seen a lot of baseball buddy…wierd s*** happens over the course of a season…
I choose to enjoy my baseball. Though I appreciate statistics, and respect them, always have, I also like baseball for entertainment — even if that entertainment, this year especially, is the sports equivalent of a flaming brown bag of dogshit. Seems like the parameters that are employed to suppose results by a small contingent of our readership are stultifying, and in the end more suited to a fanbase consisting of robotic, emotionless ciphers from the all-knowing future.
But I am probably wrong, as I have been told on numerous occasions by machines far smarter than myself.
“Seems like the parameters that are employed to suppose results by a small contingent of our readership are stultifying, and in the end more suited to a fanbase consisting of robotic, emotionless ciphers from the all-knowing future.”
Except that exact same approach was used widely, and predominantly, here this off-season to indicate how the Sox would be teh greatness this season. Where were your complaints then? It’s a convenient non sequitur but meaningless all the same.
“in other words, you expect them to win 70 of their remaining 121 games…maybe…but their current record reflects a team clicking on all cylinders”
Seeing as they’re on a 116 win pace and with the second best run differential of all time, you do realize that they don’t have to “click on all cylinders” in order to win 100 games, right? They could easily fall back to a .600 WPCT and “only” win 102 games. by contrast, who here sees a .650 WPCT coming from this Sox team?
Bueller? …
Bueller? …
Bueller?
The other thing missing in the emotional vacillations here on the Sox is they’ve played 8 more home games than they’ve played on the road. Seeing as they’re built for their home park, with all the righty pull hitters, the Sox are looking at an uphill climb just to get to 95 wins. That’s the thing – the Sox are completing the easiest part of their schedule…
“…you do realize that they don’t have to “click on all cylinders” in order to win 100 games, right? They could easily fall back to a .600 WPCT and “only” win 102 games….”
i already said that buddy…do you actually listen, or just talk?…
i guess since you’ve already got it figured out based on the first 40 games, i’m not going to bother watching the remaining 120 games…maybe bud will cancel the rest of the season and annoint the rays champs…that’s ok as long as it’s not the sox, right?…what will i do with all my spare time?…
“i guess since you’ve already got it figured out based on the first 40 games, i’m not going to bother watching the remaining 120 games”
You do realize that even .500 ball from the Rays means 91 wins, right? The Sox are in tough shape. 40 games is a very good sample size and they haven’t shown any sense that they’re capable of .650 ball. They’re just not that good.
“what will i do with all my spare time?”
Maybe you can learn about the Shift key and the proper use for an ellipse?
wait, the yanks are a shoo-in to win 100 games? someone might wanna tell that to starters 2 through 5 and the bullpen. recent events would make even the die-hardest yf’s question the staff. never seen a team reach 100 wins on bats alone.
“never seen a team reach 100 wins on bats alone.”
Clearly you didn’t watch the 2002-04 Yankees. Meanwhile, CC is better than any starter on those teams.
Of course, if you bothered to look you’d find that the Yankee starters are 20-9 even including Vazquez. How’s the vaunted Sox pitching? Papelbon’s been pretty impressive too!
“widely, and predominantly”
This is, not to be too blunt, absolutely positively dishonest.
Paul put up a post in January that discussed projections, CHONE, WAR, etc., for the Sox and then the Yankees. Those metrics, not just Paul, suggested potential improvements, substantial ones, for the Sox. To turn that into a statement that there have been “widespread” claims that the Sox would be a brilliant team is dishonest, plain and simple. Claims here were way more nuanced than you might ever admit: it doesn’t fit your narrative. But you can also substantiate. Do the work for once, comb the archives. If you don’t, you are just lazy and dishonest. And when you do the work, you will find you are just dishonest, but at least no longer lazy.
For the record, here are those threads:
http://www.yfsf.org/predictions/
And hey, here’s a thread where Paul questioned the Lackey signing, even!
http://www.yfsf.org/2009/12/the-ol-noodle.html
Do the work. We have archives.
Oh, so now they’re just “metrics” and not “the parameters that are employed to suppose results by a small contingent of our readership are stultifying, and in the end more suited to a fanbase consisting of robotic, emotionless ciphers from the all-knowing future.”
Now, I have no frickin’ clue what that horrid mishmash of the English language even means. But I do think I see screeching goalposts.
Of course, the problem with the stultifying 98 to 101 win “prediction” “from the all-knowing future” is that it was based on extremely faulty logic and a basic misunderstanding of statistics.
You know a poster is a huge flaming troll when even fellow YF’s get sick of him.