Liner notes

Former Sox GM Dick O'Connell knew what he was doing when it came to the draft in the early '70's. Too bad he didn't have that same savvy when he traded Sparky Lyle to the Yankees for Danny Cater.

Cecil Cooper could really rake in his heyday as a Milwaukee Brewers. He had a phenomenal batting stance!

You cannot comment on Big Schill's cooperstown merit using comments like "he was a great big game pitcher"...It is similiar to saying Rice "was a feared slugger:..
either Schill's numbers equate or they do not. Based on Blyleven/John on the outside looking in, and with Glavine/Smoltz/Unit/Maddox/Pedro? all potential same year competition, I would think Schill is on the outside looking in.

Oh, I don't think Schill gets in during Year 1, Ron. But don't his postseason numbers count as part of the package? Of course they do.

Cooper had some terrific season - I had no idea he had an OPS+ of 142 for the '75 Sox. Too bad his best years came after the George Scott deal.

Don't forget the pitchers that came up through the system in the early eighties - Hurst, Tudor, Ojeda, Boyd, Smithson, and Clemens. If they'd kept that crew together they might have won a world series in the 80's. They all had some at least good years throughout their careers.

Schilling's interesting, because if you look at his "most similar," both by age and overall, he's very similar to a lot of decidedly non-HOF pitchers (Scott Sanderson, Kevin Brown). On the other hand his black ink, gray ink, and HOF monitor put him in, thanks to some monster seasons and of course his postseason. I'd say he's borderline, but I suspect the ketchup sock incident, and his force of personality, get him in. But I think Blyleven (and Ron Santo!) should get in before Schill.

Agree with you on the whole Masterson/ Buchholz thing. Trading for relief never works, so I think its time to stop. As for Bowden, I think its a mistake to trade him for anything since he's 21 and with his velocity ticking up this year and his demeanor he has top of the rotation written all over him. After watching yesterday's pathetic excuse for a game (Brian Moehler, really???) I wonder if Theo could use Masterson and some of the other top prospects (not Bowden) to get another bat. If the Braves start to fall out of it maybe Teixeira?

Regarding Bowden/Masterson/Buchholz, I've worried a bit when I've heard fans ranting about trading any of these gems for bullpen help, then I realize that it's Theo in charge, and I relax. I'm pretty sure you're right - Masterson ends up in the pen and Buchholz back in the rotation. Right now Buchholz's innings are being managed in a manner that makes you think they're grooming him for the stretch run. And there's no rush on Bowden (though I'm disappointed for his sake that he wasn't chosen for the Olympic team).

although it was great to catch the sox over the weekend i had the misfortune of having to listen to the astros announcing crew...it sounded even sicker than it did way back in '77 when they reminded us that coop had been traded from the carmines to the brew-ha-ha's for boomer scott & bernie carbo...just sickened me all over again...last time i saw boomer scott i nearly backed into his mercedes in ft. myers and he looked as if he'd eaten luis tiant!

I think learned his bullpen-desperation-trade lesson from Gagne, when he clearly knew better (Mitchell report) but pulled the trigger anyway.

As to HOF for Schill, let's not forget that he wasn't exactly a media darling. While he always provided great storylines, he frequently ticked off the very people who now have to decide if his very borderline numbers are worthy. Not that the baseball writers would ever hold a grudge...

Great point by Bob about trading for relievers. The performance of most relief pitchers is so volatile, you never know what you're really getting year to year.

For example, how are J.C. Romero, Alan Embree, and Rudy Seanez still pitching and succeeding in the major leagues?

Is there room in the Hall of Fame for players whose numbers only tell part of the story? I think so. It's the Hall of FAME, not the hall of statistical excellence. Certainly on-field performance is what the game is all about and grows fame. At the same time, the game is also about the personalities that drive the culture and experience on a micro (in season) and macro (across multiple seasons, generations) level.

Schilling has played on some bad teams, so the wins don't trouble me. He's had monster years (220+ innings) with WHIP at or below 1.00. Now, he's #2 in K/BB ratio all time. His post season record is great (11-2, 4CG 120K in 133IP).

Baseball-reference lists Hershieser, Smotlz and Drysdale as similar pitchers. Good company. Catfish Hunter is in because he has a fun name and played a few years in NY where fame grows like a weed.

Schilling's winning percentage is better than: Nolan Ryan, Gaylord Perry, Drysdale, Bob Gibson, Jack Morris, Bert Blyleven and others in the HOF and on the bubble. He is one K behind Bob Gibson.

Love him or hate him. There's lots there to merit discussion.

I think the Hershiser comparison is the best one, statistically and otherwise. Both were great postseason pitchers who also had some dominant seasons. Schilling had a LOT more strikeouts, Orel had the scoreless innings streak ... but I don't think of Hershiser as a HOFer, while Schilling is a much tougher call. Maybe because the end of Orel's career, despite some decent seasons, was unmemorable, unlike Schilling's? Very interesting discussion.

I'd guess the Masterson move to the bullpen is coming as soon as (a) Colon is healthy, or (b) they are fully confident in promoting Buchholz. Especially after that lovely implosion on Saturday. Ecch.

I think Schilling will have a hard time getting into the HOF. 216 wins is very low total in this context. Schill's fame is strongest in Red Sox Nation, so our view is skewed in his favor. The BBWAA is from all over the country, they're a VERY tough audience, and you have to get 75% support. They tend to downgrade players (like Rice) with relatively short career peaks -- unless you're Sandy Koufax, which Curt is not. It's a close call, but if I had to bet, I'd bet against him getting in.

Eck put it best in a major Boston newspaper Sunday..not an exact quote, but he said something along the lines of:
"If you have to ask if the guy is a Hall of Famer, then he's probably not."
I thought that summed it up best. I agree w/you on Posey. A versitale, impact, character guy who helps you in damn near every capacity on the floor as much as a player his size can. I'd re-sign him over anyone right now. Sadly, so long to Eddie House, what a gamer and consumite teammate.

I enjoy your writing, but it's pretty disappointing to see you use the phrase, "Pink Hatters" in this piece. I'm firmly in the camp that blogs can be just as important as traditional journalism, but language like that just degrades your message. It implies first that you can judge the quality of someone's appreciation for the game simply by their fashion choices, and second that to be a better fan somehow makes you a better person. Who are you to judge or put limits on someone's appreciation for the players, the team, or the game?

It's sexist and derogatory, and I think you can do better than that.

I totally thought of Michael Young when they announced Geddins as their pick. As a kid I was super-excited when they got Young late in the first round. He then proceeded to get his ass handed to him on a pre-game in, pre-game out basis by Univ. of Maine at Orono product and 2nd round pick Ricky Carlisle. Let's hope Geddins works out better than Young.

Matthew, I think you might need to lighten up. The phrase is joking in a completely non-sexist way and basically describes a category of fans that are new to the Red Sox due to their new found success/popularity and the presence of an uber-popular, young player such as Jacoby. Chad didn't say "chicks who know nothing about baseball, wear pink hats and lust for Jacoby." It is a harmless comment that pokes a bit of fun at the reality of the new side of Red Sox Nation. You don't happen to live in North Hampton do you? Come on, when PC goes to this level it gets REALLY tiring and preachy and this is from a West Coast lefty.

I'm with Matthew on this one. I was put off by Chad's use of "Pink Hatters." Everyone knows that term is pejorative.

Jim, I have to disagree with you on this. How many men have you seen at Fenway wearing pink hats? The phrase is specifically targeted at female fans. While you're right that Chad didn't say "chicks who know nothing about baseball, wear pink hats and lust for Jacoby," that is exactly what what most people will read into it. I don't know how harmful it is, but it is certainly disrespectful.

I was referring specifically to those who shriek for Ellsbury every time he comes to the plate - he gets a Jeterian ovation, and it sure doesn't sound like a bunch of dudes yelling. It has nothing to do with baseball knowledge. I do plan on limiting the use of pink hat in the future, though. After all, my daughter has a pink hat and a pink sweatshirt.

" it sounds like he's so inept/indifferent defensively that he might as well change his last name to Radmanovic-Vujacic. "

These kind of Lakers' jokes will never get old. NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!! Clap.....clap.....clap.....clap....ha ha ha ha.......

I think Schill's on the bubble for the HOF. But 'wins' is an AWFUL indication of how good a pitcher is/was. You can pitch well for poor teams and not collect wins (or pitch not-so-well for good teams, and still ring them up.)
And I agree - it's not the "Hall of Statistical Excellence". The requirements are simply... "Voting shall be based upon the player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played."
Schill may be a bit of blowhard, but he always competed, and made incredible contributions to his teams (including significantly impacting pennant races and the post-season). Gotta give him consideration.

The one thing I remember about Cecil Cooper is that he killed us in the '75 series.

Just looked it up - he hit .053 in the World Series, 1 for 19. Not exactly Mr. October, eh?

Dick O'connell said that only reason he did the Danny Cater deal was Sparky was driving Eddie Kasko crazy and Eddie couldn't manage and watch Sparky in the bullpen at the same time.