OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - WIN AT ALL COSTS! The 2004 Boston Red Sox

AZTarHeel · 07-25-2004, 02:27 AM

My turn

Greetings Red Sox Nation, Bill here with some more Views from Section 100... I haven't written in awhile. As before, I'm too worried I'm going to jinx something. I mean, things are going WAY too good right now.

We're 83-33 for real? That's just sick. And the Yankees are 21.5 games out and 11 games out of the wildcard? Am I dreaming?

Pardon me for waiting for Bill Buckner or Bucky Dent to show up.

Honestly, though, there are some things about this team that have me concerned right now. Pedro's back and all, but here are some small threads that to me seem to be coming unraveled a bit:

* David Ortiz is mired in an 0-for-25 slump. I hope Boston management not signing him to a new deal hasn't killed his drive. He looks like he has just quit or something. We need that lefty clean-up hitter in a big way.

* Ellis Burks has completely fizzled. For much of the season he led the league in RBIs, even as the lead pinch hitter and DH only against lefties. But he's just 4-for-20 in his last 10 games with 0 home runs and just two RBIs. No wonder Boston didn't resign him -- and no wonder Adam Hyzdu has gotten more at-bats of late.

* Mike Bordick has cooled quite a bit. His average has dropped from the .330's (which was extraordinarily high anyway) to about .275. In his last nine games, he has only one hit in 16 ABs. Pokey might get his starting job back but he's struggling too (.240s-.250s).

* Curt Schilling's winning streak ended. Just to see him in the dugout after the Chicago game, with his head buried in his cap. He's gotten by on pure heart most of the season but I'm wondering if he has anything left in the tank for the last two months. The scouts keep predicting his downfall.

* No farm system. We have a bunch of washed up old-timers in Pawtucket, so if someone goes down with a big injury, we're history.

I realize I'm being quite paranoid I know. But it's the little things that win championships, and suddenly a lot of the little things are going South on us. Did we peak to soon? Maybe so. At least our starting pitching is holding up. Let's hope Francona doesn't overwork the guys, though. Remember what that did for Grady Little -- and our Series chances.

Forgive me for being so twitchy. It's just history is not on our side and things are going so well, it's hard to get our hopes up because the more we do, the harder the fall. That being said, this might be my last note until October.

Go Sox. Just don't blow it...

07-25-2004, 02:27 AM	#245
AZTarHeel All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,732	My turn Greetings Red Sox Nation, Bill here with some more Views from Section 100... I haven't written in awhile. As before, I'm too worried I'm going to jinx something. I mean, things are going WAY too good right now. We're 83-33 for real? That's just sick. And the Yankees are 21.5 games out and 11 games out of the wildcard? Am I dreaming? Pardon me for waiting for Bill Buckner or Bucky Dent to show up. Honestly, though, there are some things about this team that have me concerned right now. Pedro's back and all, but here are some small threads that to me seem to be coming unraveled a bit: * David Ortiz is mired in an 0-for-25 slump. I hope Boston management not signing him to a new deal hasn't killed his drive. He looks like he has just quit or something. We need that lefty clean-up hitter in a big way. * Ellis Burks has completely fizzled. For much of the season he led the league in RBIs, even as the lead pinch hitter and DH only against lefties. But he's just 4-for-20 in his last 10 games with 0 home runs and just two RBIs. No wonder Boston didn't resign him -- and no wonder Adam Hyzdu has gotten more at-bats of late. * Mike Bordick has cooled quite a bit. His average has dropped from the .330's (which was extraordinarily high anyway) to about .275. In his last nine games, he has only one hit in 16 ABs. Pokey might get his starting job back but he's struggling too (.240s-.250s). * Curt Schilling's winning streak ended. Just to see him in the dugout after the Chicago game, with his head buried in his cap. He's gotten by on pure heart most of the season but I'm wondering if he has anything left in the tank for the last two months. The scouts keep predicting his downfall. * No farm system. We have a bunch of washed up old-timers in Pawtucket, so if someone goes down with a big injury, we're history. I realize I'm being quite paranoid I know. But it's the little things that win championships, and suddenly a lot of the little things are going South on us. Did we peak to soon? Maybe so. At least our starting pitching is holding up. Let's hope Francona doesn't overwork the guys, though. Remember what that did for Grady Little -- and our Series chances. Forgive me for being so twitchy. It's just history is not on our side and things are going so well, it's hard to get our hopes up because the more we do, the harder the fall. That being said, this might be my last note until October. Go Sox. Just don't blow it...