Reality Sets In

I think it is almost time to focus on these.

Comments

[A YF]

Except it's the Rays. I'm not giving them anything. They have to earn it. If they do I'll be at the front of the crowd applauding.

[A YF]

Wow, Francona looks like a giant ass for choosing Varitek.

[A YF]

I'm surprised Francona didn't select Lugo too.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Um, Ass YF, Varitek was chosen by the players. The reserves are chosen by the players. The pitchers are chosen by the coaches.
So I guess all of the players look like gianty asses then, don't they?
Or maybe it's you who looks like a giant ass for once again opining without all of the facts. Or any of the facts.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

A YF is really Jay Mariotti.

[Sam-YF]

Whoever chose Varitek made a mistake. He barely breaks the top half of AL catchers this season. I realize he calls a good game etc but offensively he is basically terrible this year. (id know i have him on my fantasy team)

Also Bill, there is absolutely no reason to call A names here. You have become as bad or worse than he ever was when it comes to antagonizing people around here. You decry his postings and act in basically the same way.

[Dirty Water]

On one hand, I'd say the decision is appropriate given how Sox 'fans' have dogged such a proud and vital player. Good for you, Tito.

On the other, this may be Tito's classy farewell tribute to Tek. And that's not good news if true.

Either way, since you as a Yank fan cannot possibly comprehend what it is to have a catcher who prioritizes his position instead of his bat, I'm pretty sure you should not be commenting on the decision. There's more to baseball than just offense.

Dirty Water

[A YF]

"So I guess all of the players look like gianty asses then, don't they?"

Yup. Maybe Varitek will pop out will the tying run on third base - again. Then I can mime the universal choke sign - again.

Varitek must have been chosen for his "leadership" cause it wasn't his OPS nor his catching ability. I'd just like to know what "leadership" represents.

[Dirty Water]

"The reserves are chosen by the players"

Are you sure about that, Bill? I thought the coaches had final say on the reserves after balloting by the players.

[Dirty Water]

Bill is right.

"Over in the American League, the players selected these reserves: designated hitter Milton Bradley of the Rangers, who undoubtedly will start in lieu of the fan pick -- Boston's injured David Ortiz; catcher Jason Varitek and outfielder J.D. Drew of the Red Sox; first baseman Justin Morneau of the Twins; second baseman Ian Kinsler and shortstop Michael Young of the Rangers; third baseman Joe Crede and outfielder Carlos Quentin of the White Sox and outfielder Grady Sizemore of the Indians.

AL manager Terry Francona of the Red Sox added infielder Carlos Guillen of the Tigers, catcher Dioner Navarro of the Rays, and pitchers George Sherrill of the Orioles, Justin Duchscherer of the A's, Joe Nathan of the Twins and Joakim Soria of the Royals"

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080706&content_id=3076908&vkey=allstar2008&fext=.jsp

[Sam-YF]

"There's more to baseball than just offense."

Thats an absurd argument, its clear that there are many catchers with much better offensive numbers than Varitek who are his equal (or close to it) defensively. Believe me, I realize that Varitek is excellent behind the plate but he isnt the best or so far better than everyone else that it should surpass his lack of a bat.

[A YF]

On what grounds can we say Varitek "calls a good game"?

He's thrown out 17% of runners. That's bad.

And sure the starter's ERA has been really good. But the bullpen hasn't. So he gets credit for the former but not the latter?

By all counts, I-Rod was a significantly better choice.

"I thought the coaches had final say on the reserves after balloting by the players."

Uh oh...Bill? Is anyone there? Hello, Bill?

[A YF]

"I realize that Varitek is excellent behind the plate"

I don't. But Jose Molina is.

[Dirty Water]

You don't know that because you don't play against or along side him. Obviously, the pro's that actually play the game hold Tek in a higher esteem than fans and other pundits.

[Dirty Water]

That post was directed towards Sam.

[Sam-YF]

So DW, your argument is that since Im not a pro baseball player, I essentially am not entitled to an opinion on the subject?

Also, AJ pierzynski is known as one of the best defensive Catchers too. His numbers at the plate are well better than Varitek's. He's just not as popular. All of this underlies how stupid the selection process is for this game. Kinsler should be starting at 2b if there were any justice (and Jeter shouldnt be starting at SS).

[Dirty Water]

Ped is a better overall 2nd baseman than Kinsler; reportedly, AJ is the most hated catcher in baseball; you are certainly entitled to your opinion. Right or wrong as it may be.

[A YF]

I-Rod too, Sam.

[Sam-YF]

Sorry but Pedroia isnt a better overall 2b than Pedroia this year. Look at the numbers, its not even close.

Thanks for permitting me an opnion albeit with a snide comment attached.

You're obviously not taking into account his E4's.

I did not mean to come off as snide. My point is that if the pro's hold Tek in such a high esteem maybe us fans should stop acting like jerks by criticising his hitting over the past few months.

[Atheose]

Wow I missed baseball all weekend, but I just watched an amazing tennis match. Don't know how many of you follow it, but Nadal just beat Federer in an amazing upset.

Anyways, I get to see my first Yanks-Sox game of the weekend tonight! Wakefield better not disappoint.

[A YF]

It's not just his hitting. Varitek doesn't field the position well either - he doesn't thrown out runners and he let Giambi slide around him yesterday.

The performance of the bullpen suggests his skills a calling games is vastly over-rated.

Bottomline: He doesn't belong in this exhibition. It's not even close.

[Atheose]

Ian Kinsler: 16 errors in 85 games
Dustin Pedroia: 5 errors in 88 games

Kinsler's offensive numbers are certainly better than Pedroia's, but Kinsler leads the league in errors at his position. The next highest has only 8 errors, half his amount!

[Dirty Water]

Than neither does Jeter, but the players would have voted him in, as well. Maybe it's the professionalism both players exihibit daily. Like, how neither could fathom screaming 'I got it' towards the SS as they round 2nd. Or weak-wristing at the ball while a pitcher was holding it at 1st.

[attackgerbil]

Meh. I have no complaints with any of the picks. There are a few guys that one could say, "Sure, he belongs instead of at " but whatever. Most of the viewing populace will enjoy the rosters as constructed, and that's all that matters.

[A YF]

Seriously, AG, you can look at Varitek on that roster and not skip a beat?

[Lar]

Moose! Grumbles.

[Lar]

I don't know how many "runs saved" Varitek's play calling did, but his hitting certainly cost him more than that.

Ath - I was watching the entire game (or most of it) and it was an upset going in..

[Dirty Water]

Tito missed his moment by not picking Joba, and then bringing him in to start the 8th! lol

[Atheose]

Yeah Lar, Federer hadn't lost a match on grass in over 6 years. I hate Federer and was SO happy to see Nadal win it. It was a great match too, despite the rain delays.

[A YF]

Also, the players picked Crede over Lowell. Guess they "respect" the former more...

[Atheose]

Also, the players picked Crede over Lowell. Guess they "respect" the former more...

Apparently so, A. They voted Crede in ahead of Lowell didn't they? You're good at stating the obvious ;-)

[attackgerbil]

> you can look at Varitek

Of course I can! He's man-candy. Oh, you mean the roster. Yeah, his numbers don't compare very well this year, but it doesn't grind my gears because he's Jason Fucking Varitek who killed the Yankees at the Stadium in 2004, an historic year and historic series. Yeah, he belongs at the last ASG every played at Yankee Stadium.

[SF]

I am not sure that a fan who likes to flaunt the fact that he gives the universal choke sign to Sox fans at Yankee Stadium in early July after his team scrapes a win together to stay within 10 games of first place is the best arbiter of the justice system that is the All-Star selection process.

But that's just me. I am in Germany, and it could be the Pilsener talking.

[Atheose]

Yeah, I wouldn't have selected Varitek but the players did. It was there choice to make, and they made it. Their opinion is worth more than mine, and yours too AYF.

Though you're a 'public figure', so I'm sure you can write them all angry letters and they'll listen to you.

[A YF]

"2004, an historic year and historic series. "

Wow, four years ago. Might as well select Pedro and Damon too.

"it could be the Pilsener talking."

One would think a drink would finally endow you with a sense of humor. Order another. Then another.

But those Sox fans certainly weren't sitting on their hands all game. Them flipping the bird to Mo was funny, especially when he gave hope then extinguished it.

[A YF]

"Their opinion is worth more than mine"

I'm sure Joe Crede appreciates their opinion.

[Lar]

For most years I probably wouldn't care, but I wanted to see Posada and/or Moose in the game. Moose was borderline, but Duch the Duke deserves it, so can't complain this year..

By the way, I've just started reading "Living on the Black" - the book about Moose. I'm probably going to be known as the only Moose supporter/fan here, but still.

Though I should've realized it, but never did the math. It's oft-quoted that Moose never has 20 win season and how it might affect his HoF chances, but the book points out that the baseball strike possibly cost Moose two very good chances at 20 wins. So go figure.

Also, if it comes close at the end, and Moose needs a few more wins, that strike might look bigger and bigger, though it's not brought up enough.

[A YF]

That swing from Ellsbury looks a lot like Garnder's.

And how about how helpless Crisp looked in his K's yesterday. Just completely overmatched. Once he loses a step or two in the next year or two, he's finished.

[Atheose]

Gamer?

I'm sure Joe Crede appreciates their opinion.

I think you're at the wrong site; check out www.CFPF.com (CredeFan-PierzynskiFan).

Public figure? Now that is interesting. Is it any wonder that NYers will shell out over $1 billion to build new Yank Stadium and line the Steinbrenners pockets further when "public figures" like A YF are so apparently dilusional about the franchise?

Nice representation of the people, A. And I won't go asking if the kickbacks were worth it, cause you write as if they were just the icing.

[A YF]

Hey, Anon, pick a name then get a spell-checker.

delusional

Dirty Water:
Interested in what office you hold/held

Or not. I can presume just the same.

[Hudson]

I know there are plenty of sports commentators who are saying the Rays are the real deal, not to underestimate them, etc. But there is plenty of time for the Rays to regress toward the mean, or even collapse monumentally.

Though the Sox are 6-7 games back in the loss column, I expect them to compete for 1st place, and still think the Yankees will be at minimum a Wild Card contender.

But then, old habits die hard.

[LocklandSF]

Wow, I missed quite a weekend here while floating and drinking up north.

Now we have Dirty Water and A YF in the same thread, the perfect storm of trolls. Although, I will give A YF some credit, he's cleaned it up since he realized he liked it here and wants to stick around.

I listened to most innings on the radio this weekend so adjusting back to these ESPN dolts is tough.

I'm a sun burnt happy Red Sox fan with two wins out of three so far, let's see how this one plays out.

I hope everyone enjoyed their 4th as much as I did.

Nice catch Ells!!!!

[AndrewYF]

I love how some Sox fans make fun of Derek Jeter's 'intangibles' and then laud Varitek for that very same thing. FWIW, intangibles are just that - intangible, meaning, it's all in our heads. If the Red Sox FO believes that Varitek just calls a great game, nevermind being the worst catcher in baseball and having mediocre defensive skills, more power to them. I would love to see Toast behind the plate for them for two more years on an inflated contract.

It's a pretty embarrassing selection, not only because every other starting catcher in the AL deserves it more, but because almost any other regular player in the AL deserves it more. Hopefully this is one of those situations where he rides the bench the whole game, because simply having him on the roster hurts the team. Can't pinch-run. Isn't a defensive replacement. Isn't a pinch-hitter. Oh well. At least Mark Redman in 2006 was the 'obligatory' player.

[IronHorse (yf)]

Varitek is in the ASG due to a combination of him being respected and AJ being detested.

As good as Varitek is at calling games - and I believe he is among the best - at .219 he carries the AL's lowest BA, 2nd lowest in the majors ahead of Carlos Ruiz of Philadelphia. As pointe out I think by John YF elsewhere, that is not mediocrity. That is putridity (yes, that's a word).

The Yanks back-up catcher - Jose Molina - is superb at calling games and has a demonstrably better arm than Varitek, but is equally useless at the plate. I would never argue that he should be in the ASG even if he were the starting catcher.

Having said all that, if a guy is elected by his peers, you've got to respect that as they clearly respect him. It doesn't make me feel any less like I want to see a home plate collision between him and a full-speed Giambi one of these days. But that is neither here nor there.

[A YF]

Interesting that Lockland is calling me a troll but then adds absolutely nothing on topic. And I have no idea what you mean by cleaning up - I've never been dirty. If anything, I'm letting that out more during these game threads.

Well said, Andrew.

This AJ vs. Varitek thing is false. It wasn't simply an either-or with those two. I-Rod is having a significantly better year than Varitek and is twice the catcher. Furthermore, I-Rod is a perennial selection while Varitek has made it twice. It's any wonder why the players didn't recognize that. It's almost like a bunch of players got together for a goof selection, specifically to piss off Yankee fans. If so, well done!

[IronHorse (yf)]

Incidentally, I meant that Varitek's BA is lowest among starting catchers - not lowest in the league.