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Behind enemy lines

Print | Comments () Posted by Chad Finn, Globe Staff September 30, 2008 12:24 PM

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Our daily look at what others are saying about the Red Sox-Angels matchup.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Angels are confident that slugger Mark Teixeira is capable of big things in the first postseason appearance of his six-year career. They've certainly seen nothing to suggest otherwise: In 54 games for the Angels after coming over from the Braves July 29, the slugging first baseman hit .358 with 13 home runs, 43 RBIs, and a 1.081 OPS.

Also in the Times, Angels manager Mike Scioscia says something that Boston fans of a generation ago never would have believed: The Red Sox are a team built around outstanding pitching.

"If you look at their starting rotation and you look at their ability to close out and hold leads, that's the real heartbeat of that club," he said. "They've got some guys throwing the ball very well in their rotation. They've got a premier closer. And they've been holding leads."

Orange County Register columnist Mark Whicker picks Angels record-setting closer Francisco Rodriguez as the AL MVP. (Yes, MVP.) He's either pandering to his readership or needs a refresher course on the general meaninglessness of the save stat. For the record, Bobby Thigpen finished fifth in the MVP voting when he set the previous saves record (57) games in 1990.

The OC's Bill Plunkett is picking the Angels in five. We're still awaiting word on Jim Plunkett's pick.

The Angels' may have found a far more appealing cheerleading option than the Rally Monkey.

The Angels estimated a crowd of 10,000 at their sendoff rally.

Finally, in a semi-related note, here is our obligatory Manny Ramirez link for the day -- a column by the LA Times's Bill Plaschke urging the Dodgers not to sign the new toast of LA to a lucrative free-agent deal in the offseason. Writes Plaschke:

Acquiring Ramirez for prospects is already one of the best trades in Dodgers history.
But if the Dodgers allow these two months to sucker them into signing him to the rich long-term deal he will demand, the trade will be one of their worst.

For the long-term future of the organization, Manny Ramirez is not Mr. Right, he is only Mr. Right Now.

He is a brilliant, Hall of Fame hitter. He is also a 36-year-old man with aching knees who will want the Dodgers to pay him until he is beyond 40.

He has feasted on National League pitching, loved National League ballparks. But because of his fielding problems, he will soon be needing the comfort of an American League designated-hitter role.

. . . He has been the veteran leader both in the clubhouse and on the field, easing tensions, relaxing swings, turning up the music, making winning fun. But what he's done in 15 minutes can't change who he's been for 16 years.

Manny may be a solid baseball citizen while pursuing a new contract, but Manny is still Manny.

He punched a teammate. He knocked over a 64-year-old club employee. He feigned injury to miss two important series. And that was just this season.

Somewhere, we suspect, Curt Schilling is nodding in agreement.

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8 comments so far...

uh huh, uh huh!

Posted by curt s. September 30, 08 01:23 PM

Chad, why didn't The Globe get you into their lineup of chatters this week? Bush league.

Posted by AK September 30, 08 01:49 PM

Memo to #99 and Mr. Boras: PLEASE remember this offseason that no amount of misery is worth $20 Million a year for 8 years or $25 Million a year for 4 years... right?

Posted by Brian W. September 30, 08 02:02 PM

Bill's been paying good attention out there in LA with the "Manny being Manny" escapades going on back here in Boston the past few years and leading all the way up to where Theo unloaded this bad seed/apple/teammate.

Hopefully nobody falls for Manny's sh*t and Manny just goes back home to the DR where he and all the money he stole belongs!

Posted by Jack Mc September 30, 08 02:08 PM

Why do you people have to repeat garbage just because it is about a man you have ALWAYS hated, Manny Ramirez. I was aware that Manny had an altercation with Youk. I was not aware of any punching. I was also aware that the general feeling from the Red Sox at the time that was that Youk more or less deserved it for his "antics" after a bad at bat. Also it is ALMOST funny that the Globe is now quoting Curt Schilling as if he were a God. He was second only to Manny in their hatred. It would be nice to read this rag and only here the actual news instead of a bunch of biased, deragatory remarks. Too much to ask? I guess so.

Posted by elccpa24 September 30, 08 02:58 PM

Chad,
You're hitting your stride. Great cracker at the end of Plaschke's excellent column.
The cheerleading thing is hilarious.
And you're dead right Frankie R is no MVP candidate.
One thought about Texeira: Virtually every great player in recent years has struggled at first in the playoffs. Bonds' struggles made A-Rod look fairly clutch, well not really, but you get the point.. Ortiz went something like 0 for 13 before he exploded. Pedrioa is quoted today as saying the pressure of the first few games got to him. Every year we see big-time sluggers wilt a bit until they find their playoff stride. I may be grasping at straws, but I think Tex will struggle early. Watch out for the unsung hero, and let's hope he's wearing a big B on his cap.

Posted by Scott from San Fran September 30, 08 03:01 PM

Let's move on from the Manny issue. Let's face it we all loved him last year and more importantly in 2004. Yes, we paid a large amount of money for him and he did become a pain in ***, but we got our monies worth....Two World Championships. I wish him best of luck now let's move-on. Good Job Theo!

Posted by Mike C. from Derwood, MD September 30, 08 08:46 PM

By and large it is hard to fault Theo or Tito. I am not doing that, but giving Manny away ( the Sox pay his salary) then picking up Jason Bay's salary, was not a coo for sure. Manny for all his faults should have brought more in return, to the club than he did. Basically ,the Sox gave up Manny for Bay, but they pay Bay's salary and Manny's. No bargain there, they gave up Moss who they had no spot for, but they gave up, arguably , the best right handed power hitter since Joe Dimaggio, great work by the front office. Only time will tell, but Manny has led the Dodgers to the playoffs, and Bay, well we will see. But why didn't theo keep Manny till the end of the year? He got nothing for Manny, really

Posted by .406 October 1, 08 04:35 AM