Fans are just stupid.

[mlyons]

Originally Posted by kq76

Well, like I said, I don't usually make much out of stats like that and even the above doesn't convince me, but it does make me wonder. And I don't know when Trot was injured, but I imagine it may have been when Varitek was and I find it more believable that an entire team could struggle without its starting catcher and team captain than a non-superstar COF. It's also not just about their record without him, it's more the difference in winning %s with and without. I just wouldn't vote in that poll because I really have no idea whom they miss more. Sure, Ramirez puts up the best numbers by a bit, but I do put a fair amount into leadership and I'd be surprised if Ortiz or Varitek are not bigger losses to the team in the grand scheme of things.

That's the thing -- folks who talk about what a huge impact Varitek getting injured was are ignoring the fact that Nixon got injured at the same time. I wouldn't be inclined to say that either of them individually would be enough to cause a collapse like the Red Sox saw over the last month, but both together is huge.

Trot Nixon isn't as much of a media darling as Jason Varitek is, though.

[Dagrims]

That poll shows clearly what we already knew: New Englanders miss the white guy the most.


joke

[Splitter24]

Well, FWIW, it was kind of a stupid poll. Because at the time that is was asked, Ortiz and Ramirez had missed 3 or 4 games apiece. Varitek had missed a month. I'd rather miss 3 days of Ortiz or Manny than a month of Varitek.

[Luis_Rivera]

Originally Posted by mlyons

They're 13-27 without Trot Nixon.

Bump because nobody who talked about "veteran leadership" responded to this point.

[CMH]

Originally Posted by Luis_Rivera

Bump because nobody who talked about "veteran leadership" responded to this point.

I think it was assumed that Trot Nixon's ability to channel out the best of his teammates was well-known so therefore it was unnecessary to mention his uncanny veteran leadership.