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Tony's Top 5 Red Sox stats from the new Bill James handbook
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59. According to James, percentage by which a player was more likely to hit a double at Fenway this season as compared to another park. Put another way: Fenway Park produced 59 percent more doubles than the average stadium this year. Wow.
4
119. Projected RBI total for David Ortiz in 2009, suggesting the Sox believe that Ortiz will make a nice return to productivity after suffering a wrist injury in 2008. Given that James is a Red Sox adviser, we have to believe this factors into the team's planning.
3
113. Projected RBI total for Manny Ramirez in 2009, assuming that Ramirez remains with the Dodgers. Ramirez is currently a free agent, of course, though the Dodgers have offered him a contract. James also projects that Ramirez will play in 150 games.
2
121. Projected RBI total for first baseman Mark Teixeira, in whom the Red Sox have a great interest and who is also a free agent. (He finished the year with the Angels.) Teixeira also is projected to bat .299 with a .397 OBP, 36 home runs and 102 runs scored.
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4.02. Projected ERA for Jon Lester, who emerged as one of the more dominating lefthanders in the game during the 2007 season. Interestingly, James has Lester projected to finish 12-11 while pitching 212 innings. Could the Sox be in the market for a starter?
About Mazz
Tony Massarotti is a Globe sportswriter and has been writing about sports in Boston for the last 19 years. A lifelong Bostonian, Massarotti graduated from Waltham High School and Tufts University. He was voted the Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by his peers in 2000 and 2008 and has been a finalist for the award on several other occasions. This blog won a 2008 EPpy award for "Best Sports Blog".
Tony's Top 5
NFL power rankings
5
Broncos. OK, we’re convinced. Kyle Orton is now 26-12 in his career as a starter. Josh McDaniels looks like a real coach. And the defense is much improved.
4
Saints. Went into Philly and beat the Eagles, went into New York and beat the Jets. Better defense than we thought. Right?
3
Vikings. If you’re a Vikes fan, Brett Favre should scare you come playoff time. But in the regular season? So far, so good.
2
Colts. Don’t look now, but only three teams in the NFL have allowed fewer points than Indy. And have we mentioned the quarterback?
1
Giants. They can run, pass and play defense. And did we mention they’re well-coached? Who needs Plaxico?
Featured Comments
Catching Tiger by the taleTiger doesn't need a swing coach he needs a swinger coach. Someone who can teach him how to step out. Calling her from his cell phone, leaving a recorded message on her phone what a dope.
ppag
A comprehensive breakdown of the PatsLet there be no doubt that this is a highly flawed team. However, there is no one in the AFC who scares me to the point that I don't think the Pats could beat them in January, even on the road which they will clearly have to do now.
internetking
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