Twitter Friday

It's another Twitter Friday!  Red Sox take on the Dodgers this weekend, a year after making the blockbuster deal that sent Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez, and Nick Punto to the Dodgers.  Let's hope for a series win- a sweep would be best!

Here are this week's tweets:

8/16

 

8/17

8/18

8/19

8/20

8/21

8/22

And the Tweet of the Week:

Gonzalez, Crawford, Beckett, and Punto Gone

If you’re interested in sports, particularly baseball, I’m sure you’ve heard about the major trade the Red Sox and Dodgers pulled off this weekend. Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett, and Nick Punto (along with $11-12 million, depending on which source you use) were sent to the Dodgers for first baseman James Loney and four prospects. The Sox shredded around $250 million from their payroll over the next 6 years by doing this.

I would be lying if I said I was happy about the trade. While Gonzalez wasn’t hitting the home runs like people thought he would’ve in Boston, he was a plus-300 average hitter, lead the American League in doubles, was probably the most solid defensive first baseman in the league, and generally had a good attitude (well, there was some debate about that over the last few weeks). But, I feel like the Red Sox gave up too much when they traded the Padres for Gonzalez. Remember, they sent Anthony Rizzo (now seen as a savior-like player for the Cubs), and Casey Kelly (who will be starting for the Padres today).

Crawford got a bad rap in Boston. Last year was difficult for him, and it seemed a lot of his uneasiness came from playing for Francona; the two just never seemed to click. In the limited games Crawford played this year, while injured, he was impressive.

Punto… well, I was happy to see him and his .200 batting average leave.

Beckett’s probably the player that needed to go the most but who I really did not want to leave. I understand his issues with his attitude, his inability to pitch well this year (though, he never seems to pitch well on even-numbered years, if you check the stats), his inability to lead an already dysfunctional pitching staff, etc. But, Beckett’s been there the longest. It’s hard to see him go while someone like John Lackey is still sitting on the Red Sox bench.

I’m not sure what the Red Sox are going to do in the coming months with so much payroll to work with now. Essentially, they’ll the following players for next season: first baseman, shortstop, right-fielder, left-fielder, and at least two starting pitchers (to replace Beckett and Matsuzaka, whose contract is up after this season). Ellsbury status with the team is also in question, as his contract ends after next season and his agent is Scott Boras. Might also be seeing Ellsbury traded in the offseason… and there have been some rumors about Lester being moved as well.

Two things that I think the Red Sox will do this offseason are sign David Ortiz and Cody Ross. Ortiz, I believe, will get a one-year contract. He’s already said that he is planning on retiring after next season, and this year has been an injury-year for Ortiz (rumor is he will return to the disabled list today and could be out the rest of the season). I think Ross should be signed to a 2-3 year deal. He’s proven that he can play in Boston, and he has the type of attitude this team needs.

I was very agitated when I heard about this trade Friday because I felt like the ownership and Cherington were basically saying that they have given up for this year (as they should) and the next 2-3 years. The more I think about it, the more I feel like it was something the team had to do. They had to clean up Epstein’s mistakes (the high-priced contracts of Beckett, Crawford, and Gonzalez). I’m hoping this move turns out well in the end, but it’s still hard to comprehend exactly what the future holds for this Red Sox team.

Below are tweets the traded Red Sox players sent out on Saturday, once the trade was final. I find it a little interesting that Josh Beckett joined Twitter on Saturday as well.

Adrian Gonzalez @adriangon28
Thanks to Red Sox nation for everything. You guys are great!

Adrian Gonzalez @adriangon28
Excited to get back to Cali and be part of the Dodgertown!

Josh Beckett @beck19bb
Hey this is josh beckett Just set this up to say thanks to the great fans of #redsox nation I enjoyed the good times we had

Josh Beckett @beck19bb
Even in the tough times I ran into so many wonderful people that were so awesome I’m Greatly appreciative to all of you #redsox nation fans

Nick Punto @Shredderpunto
Thanks to all the fans of #Red Sox nation, also thank you to all my teammates, coach’s and staff.

A Nice Weekend Series Against the Phillies

I have to admit, I was a little worried about the Red Sox heading into Philadelphia to play the Phillies. The Red Sox had been playing great baseball up to Friday, and I didn’t want them to lose their momentum. Even though the Sox were still in last place, they were playing the Phillies, a last place team with a better record than the Sox. Plus, the Red Sox would lose their DH and have to face their former teammate, closer Jonathan Papelbon.

Looking back, I think the Red Sox played great, for the most part. Yes, Friday night’s game was a little dicey. Bard gave up 4 runs in the first inning, five overall in five innings. He also hit two batters and his own catcher, Jarrod Saltalamacchia who ended up needing twelve stitches near his ear. I always thought it was never good to have blood coming from the ear, but maybe it was good for Salty (he played both Saturday and Sunday going 4 for 8 with two home runs, a double, and four RBIs).

The Red Sox ended up losing Friday night’s game 6-4, and Papelbon got the save for the Phillies. While this game ended in a loss, it showed that the Red Sox still had some heart. Aviles, Ross, and Gonzalez all hit home runs, all single shots. Nava had the other RBI on a sac fly. Ross took a foul ball off his foot, and he’s been out since, though he is hoping to play today (Monday).

Probably the most entertaining aspect in the game happened in the 9th inning when Bobby Valentine was ejected arguing a close play at first base, something I’m sure everyone has been waiting for all season. It was interesting because the umpire “spit” his gum at Valentine (or rather, it flew out of his mouth and hit Valentine). Valentine raised his finger at the umpire, letting him know he didn’t appreciate it.

My question is does the umpire get penalized, by fine or suspension, for his gum hitting a manager? It appeared to be an accident, but what would happen if the roles were reversed? What if Valentine’s gum flew out of his mouth and hit the umpire? I’m sure Valentine would be fined and probably given a suspension of at least a game. This past week, we saw Toronto’s Brett Lawrie get a four-game suspension when he threw his helmet on the ground (in anger, after arguing with the umpire), and the helmet hit the umpire. I highly doubt anything will happen to the umpire though, in this case.

I didn’t get to watch the Saturday game because it was broadcasted on Fox, and we Midwesterners were forced to watch the Chicago series. I did follow the game on the MLB At-Bat and ESPN apps. Lester’s start was a little shaky, 6.0IP, 8H, 4ER, 1BB, 3SO, and 1HR. The relievers; Padilla, Hill, and Aceves, did an okay job, only surrendering one run, but they made it a little too interesting. They gave up a combined 7 hits in 3 innings.

The offense produced Saturday though. Aviles, Middlebrooks, Saltalamacchia, and Ortiz all had home runs. Quick fact, Middlebrooks and Saltalamacchia went back-to-back, and now hold the record for teammates with the longest last names going back-to-back (who comes up with these statistics?). Salty was 3 for 4 on the night with 2 runs. Stranely, no one on the Sox was walked that game.

Sweeney had a spectacular diving catch, which resulted whiplash and concussion-like symptoms. He’s hoping to play today (Monday). Gonzalez started in right field and Ortiz at first for this game, and neither committed an error. The Sox had three double- plays in the 7-5 win.

Sunday’s game was great- a great performance by Beckett, a great performance by the offense, and some great defense (including gold-glove candidate for first base, David Ortiz). When a team plays great, great things happen (sorry, will not say “great” as much anymore during this post). The Sox took the series with a 5-1 win.

I’ll start with Beckett, who seems to by silencing his critics pretty effectively. His line for the game: 7.2IP, 7H (4 were infield singles), 1ER, 2BB, 5SO. He carried a shut-out into the eighth inning. He even had a hit, the longest single I’ve probably ever seen in my life. It was inches away from being a home run, and Beckett just stopped at first base (a wise move, considering he was experiencing a little discomfort in his foot).

The offense produced as well, scoring 5 runs in the first three innings. Aviles started it off with a home run in the first (his third consecutive game with a home run), and Salty also had a home run. Aviles (2) and Salty (3) were the only two players with RBIs. Middlebrooks had a double and scored a run, and only Gonzalez and Aviles had more than one hit (2 a piece).

For the second game in a row, Adrian Gonzalez started in right field and Ortiz at first base. Ortiz had some terrific plays, and I couldn’t help by saying that he’ll win a gold glove (jokingly, of course). I don’t know if it was all the weight Ortiz lost in the off- season, but he was looking good at first.

The Red Sox have now won 8 of the past 10 games and are one game back from the Yankees and a game below .500. They take on the first-place Orioles the next three days, and everything could change in that series. The Sox are playing well, and if they continue to play the way they have been, they’ll start to roll, much like they did at this time last year. I’m optimistic that the Sox can carry this on.

* Just a side note, this is my 100th post on the blog. Thank you for reading because let’s face it, if no one was reading, I wouldn’t be posting.

Twitter-Mania!!!

As I’ve mentioned before, I joined Twitter, but only to follow Red Sox news (and a few other people/groups). It seems to be the fastest way to get information today, so I caved and joined. As one of my brothers told me this past weekend, since I don’t “tweet,” I’m a lurker and a creeper. So be it then!

Honestly, I don’t find any thrill in broadcasting over the internet/phone every little thing that happens in my life. I probably only post on Facebook 2-3 times a week, and one of those times is on the weekends when I link up the blog to Facebook. But, on the other hand, I have no problem reading “tweets” from other people!

(Just on a side note, I found out recently that the Twitter bird logo’s name is Larry. As in Larry Bird.)

So, for a fun, Friday post, I decided to repost some of the tweets regarding the Red Sox. As a note, not all players are on Twitter. Without further adieu, here are this week’s tweets:

Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
#Tigers averaged 8.7 runs first 3 games against #RedSox. In 16 games since, 3.3. Seventh in AL, behind Bos, Tex, NYY, Cle, TB, Tor.

MLB @MLB
The Red Sox broadcasters spent about a minute last night debating whether mittens have fingers: atmlb.com/JKaq1k

MLB @MLB
Felix Doubront went for the hug. Jarrod Saltalamacchia went for the handshake. Awkward: atmlb.com/lvsUQ4

Red Sox Tweets Info @RedSoxInfo
Middlebrooks earns Player of the Week nod- MLB.com, atmlb.com/IwAyr2 #RedSox

David Ortiz @davidortiz
Good morning everyone beautifull day in Chicago ready to start a 4 game serie with the WS here we go again...go sox34 (*I did not make those typing errors.)

Kelly Shoppach @ShopHouse10
Lou Brown: “If we win one today, that’s two in a row. If we win one tomorrow, that’s
called a winning streak. It has happened before…”

Jacoby Ellsbury @JacobyEllsbury
Nice win to start road trip! 2 huge home runs from @IamCodyRoss

Kevin Millar @KMillar15
Sully from Godsmack enjoying a day off at the house #boysclub #voodoo pic.twitter.com/iHhS7BTG(Yes, I am a Sully Erna/Godsmack fan. I find it interesting that Millar is wearing a Cubs shirt though- Sully is representing Boston though. Here’s the pic:)

Ryan Sweeney @RyanSweeney12
Man it’s great to be back in the Midwest in chi town and hang out with our friends. Family is coming in tomorrow can’t wait! (**Ryan Sweeney did not start in tonight's game.)

Adrian Gonzalez @adriangon28
Great win for us tonight, before I forget tmorrow, just want to wish the Bruins another game 7 series win.

And my favorites of the week:

Mike Aviles @Themikeaviles
So I get in the cab to the field and the cabbie asks me how to get to US Cellular? Should be a fun ride! #adventure (***Before Thursday's game)

Mike Aviles @Themikeaviles
So yesterday I thought I'd get in the cab, I was wrong its today we get lost!!  How hard is it to know the city you're a cabbie in?