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I Want My Old (But Younger) Red Sox Back  

Well... the bad umpiring has risen it's ugly head yet again and the Red Sox are now down 6 1/2 games and quickly digging a hole they may not be able to get out of. The umpiring has been atrocious - again - and these guys who call themselves Major League Umpires need a refresher course in how to call strikes and balls. This is what I meant last week about how bad umpiring can affect an entire series, standings in the division, and the fact that bad game calling now could affect the outcome of a team at the end of the regular season. But there's more to last weekend's sweep in Fenway than just bad umpire calls. The Red Sox were outplayed by the Nationals, plain and simple.

Sad to say, but the Red Sox do not seem to have it this season - so far anyway. Pedey is not hitting and even though he says he's OK and his thumb is better, where has his hitting gone?  It seems to me that Pedey doesn't want to give up his spot regardless of his performance on the field and at bat. Make no mistake about it, Pedey is a gamer who wants to play 163 games during a regular season, he doesn't want to sit on the bench - ever. But, his performance may be dragging the team down because he's not getting the hits we need, such as the last out in the bottom of the ninth Sunday afternoon. We needed a hit and while there are never any guarantees that anyone will get a hit in that situation, based on his recent performance he would not have been my first choice to try and tie the game or even win it.

Also, there's the one factor that nothing can be done about and that is the age of the team. While many people say experience trumps youth every time, based on last weekend's performance I'm not so sure. The average age of the Washington Nationals is 24.5, whereas the average age of the Boston Red Sox current starting nine is 29.4. The Red Sox are the third oldest team in MLB and I'm sorry to say that last weekend youth did indeed trump experience. Granted, we have some great experience but right now it isn't working. Gonzalez still isn't hitting, Pedey says he's better but I don't think so, and Crawford...well, that's anyone's guess as to when he'll return and if/when he does, will he hit when he stands at the dish? And, boy is Ellsbury missed. I really like Daniel Nava and I feel he has a future with the Red Sox but he was really outplayed this weekend, especially by Stephen Strasburg who had his number every time Nava came to bat. (I think Strasberg had everyone's number on Friday. Yikes!)

So, what's next for the Red Sox? They are in Miami and are against the Marlins who on paper can also do some damage to the Sox and proved the point Monday night, especially since there is no DL in this series as it's being played in a NL park. Big Papi took first which kept him in the line-up but how will Bobby V continue to handle the Gonzalez, Youkilis, Middlebrooks situation? (I give A-Gon all the credit in the world for trying to play right field but...) One or more of that big three will have to sit out some playing time and their glove(s) and bats will be missed. (More or less.) Also, Bobby V has to take a long, hard look at Pedey because I don't think he's 100% and we need him at his best if we are going to have any kind of a chance at the post season.

Post season? Is that wishful thinking or what? 

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First of all I would like to say that this forum is the greatest example of why Red Sox fans are the best, most caring, and most knowledgeable in all of sports. We write what we feel while in many cases, learn from others' observations. And in this safe haven, we can express ourselves openly without fear of Flying Pizza slices.

Are we are in the midst of a Silent Armageddon? Destruction of a 21st century treasure is happening before our eyes.

Where is the pride? Where is the spirit?

For the last 3 or 4 years, there has been no true leadership on the team. Pedroia, Ortiz, Youkilis, and even Varitek have each tried to spread enthusiasm in their own unique way, but to no avail. The team needs a spark - No, a Bonfire! Are they waiting for a sign? A Burning Bush or something? A Hibatchi in the clubhouse? Maybe even a can of Sterno? Anything....

No Pepperoni Please!

Merrimack Valley Fredd

One game at a time...that is what I keep telling myself every night. The team just looks lost. Greg *Henderson, NV * hit the nail on the head-The Walking Dead.

We never know what is going on in the clubhouse. However, on the field it seems like there is no team spirit. Little sparks happen here and there but nothing lasts. The old saying "It's not whether you win or lose but how you play the game" really seems to apply so far to the 2012 Boston Red Sox. Most of us have been fans for a very long time. We stick with the team no matter what. If you lose a game because you played your heart out and really tried, so be it. It just doesn't look like they are even trying to win.

Maybe it's just the perception. However, it you look at their talent on paper, this team should be winning more often than not. So, the real question is-why aren't they?

I'll have the good fortune to attend four games this season-two in Tampa and two in Boston. As fans, all we can do is continue to enjoy the games as best we know how and cheer on our boys of summer. No matter what, we live for this and the game of baseball! GO SOX (please :-))!!!

Cathy * Wesley Chapel, FL

Ramblings: I agree with Billy that the longer the game, the more entertainment - I don't care to cut the game short. Its all good! You tech nerds out there don't get it - baseball is entertainment! I don't want perfect computerized games. Its human interactment that provides the drama, angst, excitement - the unexpected. I want human umpiring - no chips, lasers, etc. Baseball is a game to be performed by imperfect people - that's where the entertainment is derived!

Back in the day, Unitas called his own plays and pitchers and catchers called the pitches. Not today, when a critical pitch, or throw to first takes place, its usually called by the coaches. Sports is a big business today with a lot riding on every game, so the game is basically taken out of the players hands - too bad and sad to, as it has diminished the game on the field, resembling more of a controlled video game in your living room.

Just one more cry out: Bring up Lavarnway and Iglesias. The Sox need spark and enthusiasm. Hitting at the catcher's position is very unreliable and the fielding is poor. Iglesias would bring excitement and a great glove to short, something the Sox lack. His hitting wouldn't have to be much to surpass Aviles. The Sox aren't going anywhere but backward - bring up the kids. Bring in some life and excitement! There's nothing to lose and a lot to gain

Phil from Idaho

I'm sure that my being under the weather for a couple of days has given some people a well deserved rest. It also gave me time to think. What skills are needed to play baseball and win. Pitching a baseball and we have guys who can do that. Catching a batted or thrown baseball is number two and all our guys can do that. Throwing a baseball accurately, as opposed to pitching, is third on my list it seems we can do that too. Hitting a pitched baseball seems to be more problematic but only from a consistency point of view. We can do it just not often enough in all games. So that leaves running and hustle. Some days I can see it, some days I see robots. Mr. David Ortiz is not the fastest runner on the team, but when he is running for first on an in the park hit, he gives it all he's got, every time. He took off the weight and looks like he is faster this year than last. I think he dogs it on a home run, but why not?

The punch and hustle that it is going to take to get to the top needs to show up for every game. I have commented that a lot of our prime players are on or just coming off the DL. The "second string" should be as good as the guys they are filling in for. Middlebrooks for example, has created a decision problem every manager would like to have. We are the Red Sox and pay pretty well, I have heard. Charrington and Valentine should have the Middlebrooks problem times ten.

Chuck (I'm not going to get into the last home sweep) Lewis * Warwick, RI

Billy the Bandit, I couldn't agree with you more. The longer the game the better! I love a good 5+ hour slugfest between the Yanks and RS, beats a 2 hour no hitter any day in my book. The other sports all seem to end so soon, I love not having a clock in Baseball. Don't make any changes to speed up the games! I am, however all for changes to improve the accuracy of umps, but we've already discussed that.

Steve and Phil - I think you are selling Aceves short as a closer. I also think you are way over-estimating Bailey. If you look at results, Aceves is in the top tier of MLB closers in 2012. Last two appearances have been disappointing, but hardly a reason for him to lose the job. In my opinion, Bailey would have done no better, and could have been much worse. I for one am not looking forward to the return of Bailey if it means Alfredo loses his job. Further, Bard as closer is a terrible idea. Did you watch any of the games he closed in 2011? He flat out stunk. Yes, he's got high velocity on his fastball, but it doesn't move. He did well as a set up man. He might turn out to be a decent starter in time. He is not a closer. Maybe long relief?

Here's my diagnosis of the RS 2012 ailment: Starting pitching ERA. Forget quality starts, forget strikeouts, forget wins/losses. This team has the third highest ERA in MLB. That is not a recipe for success. Lack of hitting from key performers - A-Gon where are you? Pedey hurt again. Youk - ??. Ells being the obvious one. Poor base coaching. RS have the fewest stolen bases in MLB, but have many pickoffs at first. This is subjective, but it seems like the 3rd base coach either sends a runner with no chance, or holds a runner who would have been easily safe on a regular basis.

I think we have the pitching staff, I just don't know what it takes to get them pitching the way they can. The hitters all have done it before, just don't seem to be doing it now. Base coaches need serious re-training or replacement. Just my two cents for today.

Josh in NH

We need to rob our minor leagues teams, send the none productive major league players down to refresh their minds and get onto winning some games. Maybe getting rid of Valentine is the solution too? These players are too good to be so bad. I used to be a defender of Youk but Middlebrook needs to stay and play every day. Maybe have Youk & AGon platoon at first base. Management needs to have a fire sale and buy some pitching but even when our pitching gives the team a chance to win, the bats die. Remember last year when the start was so bad? It was a lot better than this year and this year feels like the end of last year but longer. I am really frustrated!

Of course everyone likes winning but this team is infected with a cancer

Greg * Henderson, NV.

There is a Sabermetrics Seminar for baseball enthusiasts in Boston to benefit the Jimmy Fund. I went last year and found it very interesting. Go to saberseminar.com for more info.

Tony Ashland