599 replies to this topic

[Judge Mental13]

Oh my god, they actually won......







I just blew myself.

[physcho20x9]

WATAH

[hoothehoo]

YES!

PAPS AND THE D PULL IT OUT!

[The Flying Dutchman]

WATER

let this be the first of many consecutive.


Bryan Corey for Cy Young!!!

[Greg29fan]

WATER

[Barbara]

It's dirty and I like it that way!!!!

I watched every single left coast game till the bitter end.

Am going to sleep like a baby tonight.


Thanks guys.

[PhilWings24]

'ats rangey, homes.

lol poor alex rios...poor, poor alex rios.

[Walkoff34]

"... we got a bunch of guys about to turn blue. We're breathin' again, thanks a lot ... "

Watahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[kefkafloyd]

Winning sure is great, isn't it?

And to think the difference is Alex Cora.

I remember when the Tavarez as Starter meme was going around here back in July. Who would have thought that it came to fruition? Hope Wells enjoys sunny SD, I was wearing my Dave Roberts Padres shirt today for good luck.

[souljade]

well that's a nice monkey off our back. I am glad that the David Wells trade happened and hope we can see what the kids will do the rest of the way. I hope Theo has a good off season

[bosox1760]

RED SOX WIN

[Soxaholic]

Hallady vs. Tavarez and we win. Who woulda thunk it? Honestly.

[PlantiersSquat]

ALIVE

[Teksgrandslam]

wish i could see the postgame tonight. stupid MLB extra on Time Werner. feels good to win. I am pleased and finally proud of the scrub crew tonight.

[paulftodd]

We are on day 1 of a winning streak that takes us to the 2006 WS!

[StupendousMan]

Someone asked earlier in this game thread if the Red Sox hit into more double plays than the average team. That sounded like an interesting question -- I'd wondered the same thing myself at times -- so I thought I'd make a quick little check. Sorry to have taken so long; it looks like the game will be over by the time I post this ... but at least it will have been a victory!

Anyway, I computed a rough approximation for the number of baserunners a team produces over the course of a season by adding (Hits + Walks + HitByPitch) and subtracting (Home Runs), since the batter who hits a home run can't be doubled up. I then plotted the number of times a team grounded into a double play against this proxy for baserunners, figuring that there should probably be a nice correlation between runners and GIDP. It turns out that there is:



The graph shows the numbers for the past three years, with the 2006 statistics to date. As one would expect, there is a correlation between number of baserunners and GIDP -- though perhaps not a very strong one.

I've circled the Red Sox datum for each year. Note that the Sox lead or come close to leading the league in baserunners ... but do NOT lead the league in GIDP. They have been near the middle of the GIDP distribution in 2005 and 2006, and were close to the bottom in 2004; they were very good that year in avoiding the GIDP that year (thanks in part to Mr. Bellhorn, I presume).

So, contrary as it may seem to us as we watch individual games, the Red Sox do NOT have a history of grounding into more double plays than the average team. In fact, they do a pretty good job of avoiding them, on a per-baserunner basis.

[FenwayFlu]

The Boston Red Sox just won a game started by Julian Tavarez.
Rinse, Repeat, Wipe hands on pants.

[Rough Carrigan]

Julian Tavarez . . . . STOPPER!

[PhilWings24]

Julian Tavarez . . . . STOPPER!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

the man thrives in the spotlight.

[Andrew]

Radio saying that Alex Rios may have just cost Roy Halladay the Cy Young... wonder how Doc feels about that?

[Walkoff34]

The Boston Red Sox just won a game started by Julian Tavarez.
Rinse, Repeat, Wipe hands on pants.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

... with the winning RBI's on an Alex "The Masher" Cora HR
OMFG

[Teksgrandslam]

Someone asked earlier in this game thread if the Red Sox hit into more double plays than the average team.  That sounded like an interesting question -- I'd wondered the same thing myself at times -- so I thought I'd make a quick little check.  Sorry to have taken so long; it looks like the game will be over by the time I post this ... but at least it will have been a victory!

Anyway, I computed a rough approximation for the number of baserunners a team produces over the course of a season by adding (Hits + Walks + HitByPitch) and subtracting (Home Runs), since the batter who hits a home run can't be doubled up.  I then plotted the number of times a team grounded into a double play against this proxy for baserunners, figuring that there should probably be a nice correlation between runners and GIDP.  It turns out that there is:



The graph shows the numbers for the past three years, with the 2006 statistics to date.  As one would expect, there is a correlation between number of baserunners and GIDP -- though perhaps not a very strong one. 

I've circled the Red Sox datum for each year.  Note that the Sox lead or come close to leading the league in baserunners ... but do NOT lead the league in GIDP.  They have been near the middle of the GIDP distribution in 2005 and 2006, and were close to the bottom in 2004; they were very good that year in avoiding the GIDP that year (thanks in part to Mr. Bellhorn, I presume).

So, contrary as it may seem to us as we watch individual games, the Red Sox do NOT have a history of grounding into more double plays than the average team.  In fact, they do a pretty good job of avoiding them, on a per-baserunner basis.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is good work Stupendous Man, interesting, indeed. Amazing how I got so down on them, so sure they were hitting into the DP all the time, glad and surprised I was wrong. Now, what the hell do you do for a living to figure this crap out so quickly?

[fubar_2]

And I love that Dirty Water.


Anyone watching the Theo press conference?

[StupendousMan]

That is good work Stupendous Man, interesting, indeed.  Amazing how I got so down on them, so sure they were hitting into the DP all the time, glad and surprised I was wrong. Now, what the hell do you do for a living to figure this crap out so quickly?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, I'm an astronomer, but it's cloudy tonight .... Thanks for the kind words; I guess all those years of graduate school, numerical analysis and computer modeling were worth it

By the way, ESPN's TV news program mentioned Lester's enlarged lymph nodes around 10:10 PM EST tonight, but I was pleased to hear them leave it at that; no mention of Mr. C.

[Andrew]

Curious press conference. Could it be possible we got something BETTER than K-man?

[fubar_2]

Well, I'm an astronomer, but it's cloudy tonight ....  Thanks for the kind words; I guess all those years of graduate school, numerical analysis and computer modeling were worth it 

By the way, ESPN's TV news program mentioned Lester's enlarged lymph nodes around 10:10 PM EST tonight, but I was pleased to hear them leave it at that; no mention of Mr. C.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Terry went to visit him today and said that they were testing for some "serious stuff". I hope it's not the C word.

[RedDragon67]

Good win, no matter who it's against, (or the fact a HR was slapped over the wall by an opposing player).
Great defense.

[PhilWings24]

Curious press conference. Could it be possible we got something BETTER than K-man?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i doubt it. i watched the conference, what makes you think we could be gettin something better than kottaras??

[RedDragon67]

i doubt it.  i watched the conference, what makes you think we could be gettin something better than kottaras??

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree. At least we get something from Wells. I wasn't looking for anything as good as Kottaras. If thats who it is, I will be satisfied.
Very curious to see what the offseason holds.

[vtexposfan]

I didn't see the bobble by Rios. Could it have been scored an error? Has a ball that's gone out of the park ever been scored an error?

[fubar_2]

I didn't see the bobble by Rios.  Could it have been scored an error?  Has a ball that's gone out of the park ever been scored an error?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think it is an error and no I don't think a ball that has gone out of the park outside of a ground roll double been scored an error.

[PlantiersSquat]

I didn't see the bobble by Rios.  Could it have been scored an error?  Has a ball that's gone out of the park ever been scored an error?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't know the answer to your second question but, without question, it should have been a 4 base error. It was in his glove and popped out. Had the ball fallen in the field of play no way they rule it a hit.

[paulftodd]

Anyway, I computed a rough approximation for the number of baserunners a team produces over the course of a season by adding (Hits + Walks + HitByPitch) and subtracting (Home Runs), since the batter who hits a home run can't be doubled up.  I then plotted the number of times a team grounded into a double play against this proxy for baserunners, figuring that there should probably be a nice correlation between runners and GIDP.  It turns out that there is:

The graph shows the numbers for the past three years, with the 2006 statistics to date.  As one would expect, there is a correlation between number of baserunners and GIDP -- though perhaps not a very strong one. 

I've circled the Red Sox datum for each year.  Note that the Sox lead or come close to leading the league in baserunners ... but do NOT lead the league in GIDP.  They have been near the middle of the GIDP distribution in 2005 and 2006, and were close to the bottom in 2004; they were very good that year in avoiding the GIDP that year (thanks in part to Mr. Bellhorn, I presume).

So, contrary as it may seem to us as we watch individual games, the Red Sox do NOT have a history of grounding into more double plays than the average team.  In fact, they do a pretty good job of avoiding them, on a per-baserunner basis.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The analysis would carry more weight if you eliminated runners who get on with 2 outs. I understand this would take more time.

[sueh1]

Just got in from the game. I'll keep this short, but let's just say I was VERY impressed with the class of the Fenway crowd tonight-cheered the team constantly from the moment they took the field, and I barely heard a boo for ANYONE, no matter what they did.

It was just a ridiculously feel-good night, even BEFORE we were winning.

[paulftodd]

I didn't see the bobble by Rios.  Could it have been scored an error?  Has a ball that's gone out of the park ever been scored an error?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It was a routine fly ball, about 10 ft from the wall, he was under it and should have caught it without any extraordinary effort being required. After the ball popped from his glove into the air, he tried to grab it with his bare hand before it fell to the ground, and ended up swiping it into the stands. If that was not an error, I do not know what is an error.

I have Halladay on a fantasy team and the 2 additional ER lost me some points.

If Mannys hit to Jeter was ruled an error, Rios bobble and swipe certainly was an error.

I suspect this will be overturned on review. Mannys call was arguable. A good SS makes the play, Jeter got a late break and ended up on the ground trying to reach it, and it bounced off his glove, but even if he catches it, he has no play to 1B.

[Fansince72]

It was a routine fly ball, about 10 ft from the wall, he was under it and should have caught it without any extraordinary effort being required.  After the ball popped from his glove into the air, he tried to grab it with his bare hand before it fell to the ground, and ended up swiping it into the stands.  If that was not an error, I do not know what is an error. 

I have Halladay on a fantasy team and the 2 additional ER lost me some points.

If Mannys hit to Jeter was ruled an error, Rios bobble and swipe certainly was an error.

I suspect this will be overturned on review.  Mannys call was arguable.  A good SS makes the play, Jeter got a late break and ended up on the ground trying to reach it, and it bounced off his glove, but even if he catches it, he has no play to 1B.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Don't count our Sox out yet!

[Sprowl]

I didn't see the bobble by Rios.  Could it have been scored an error? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was stunned when the scorer gave Cora a home run. Rios almost caught the ball with his glove hand about 4 feet short of the wall. It popped out of his glove toward his body. He swung his right arm toward the ball, as if to grab it bare-handed, but punched it volleyball-style over the fence and into the stands. He'll take a long time to live that one down.

[yazisgod]

I didn't see the bobble by Rios.  Could it have been scored an error?  Has a ball that's gone out of the park ever been scored an error?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

MLB Official Rule 6.09(h) says the batter is entitled to a home run in this situation.

[paulftodd]

MLB Official Rule 6.09(h) says the batter is entitled to a home run in this situation. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

h) Any fair fly ball is deflected by the fielder into the stands, or over the fence into foul territory, in which case the batter shall be entitled to advance to second base; but if deflected into the stands or over the fence in fair territory, the batter shall be entitled to a home run. However, should such a fair fly be deflected at a point less than 250 feet from home plate, the batter shall be entitled to two bases only

I would argue that the ball was not deflected, it was swatted.

But at least we got a win, even if I lost a few points

[DaveRoberts'Shoes]

h) Any fair fly ball is deflected by the fielder into the stands, or over the fence into foul territory, in which case the batter shall be entitled to advance to second base; but if deflected into the stands or over the fence in fair territory, the batter shall be entitled to a home run. However, should such a fair fly be deflected at a point less than 250 feet from home plate, the batter shall be entitled to two bases only

I would argue that the ball was not deflected, it was swatted. 

But at least we got a win, even if I lost a few points

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would pay good money to see someone "deflect" a ball into the stands "at a point less than 250 feet from home plate". I don't even think Canseco could pull that off.

[kartvelo]

July 31, 2006 - AL East
Boston   63 41
New York 61 41 1.0 
Toronto  57 48 6.5 

August 31, 2006 - AL East
New York 79 53  
Boston   72 62 8.0 
Toronto  69 65 11.0

Now that is one heck of an August. Let's put it behind us and move on. Welcome September!

[Jack Sox]

You can't stop Julian Tavarez, you can only hope to contain him.

[paulftodd]

I would pay good money to see someone "deflect" a ball into the stands "at a point less than 250 feet from home plate".  I don't even think Canseco could pull that off.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If it happens you know WMP may be involved.

[paulftodd]

July 31, 2006 - AL East
Boston   63 41
New York 61 41 1.0 
Toronto  57 48 6.5 

August 31, 2006 - AL East
New York 79 53  
Boston   72 62 8.0 
Toronto  69 65 11.0

Now that is one heck of an August. Let's put it behind us and move on. Welcome September!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Yankees only went 13-12 if you take away the 5 games they won against the Sox. Talk about a gift.

[mangotree101]

Well, I'm an astronomer, but it's cloudy tonight ....  Thanks for the kind words; I guess all those years of graduate school, numerical analysis and computer modeling were worth it 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Interesting work, StupendousMan.

I agree with the earlier comment about runners with two outs, though unless this year's team had a freakish ability to put runner on with 2 outs (markedly better [or worse, I suppose] than other teams this year or Sox teams over the last two years), the relations shouldn't be affected too much, right?

On a slightly different point, though, isn't there a connection between the number of total baserunners a team puts on and its number of GIDPs? Perhaps I'm braincramping again, but surely a team that grounds into fewer DPs as an effect of that feat also puts more runners on base. Doesn't that skew things?

[KevMyster]

Just got back from the Cask N' Flagon. Had a great time with an enthused crowd. It's great to finally have some water flowing again, despite this horrible tailspin we've been mired in. It's nice that we got the W against Halladay, but I wouldn't classify his stuff tonight as great. We also got some solid late inning D from Pedroia and Kapler, along with a gift homer from Rios. It's too bad that we have to search for positives in stretch run games against the Blue Jays, but it's at least nice to be back in the win column.

[Oil Can's Liver]

Noticed a few things tonight. This team has not quit. A simple thing like Youkilis stopping and getting in a little rundown to avoid the double play..and ending up safe putting runners on 1st and 3rd.. That really made me smile..they are still busting their asses.

Pedroia, Kapler, and Cora going all out in the field. This team deserved a little something to be happy about. I was as proud of them tonight as I have been year. Nice win fellas.. Let's see if we can string a few together....one win at a time..

[the_pun2000]

You heard it hear first...I know its Tavarez v. Halladay....but I am serious when I say...we win tonight.  I am excited to see it...it will happen...this will be equivalent to Wiley Coyote catching the road runner...and I hate the f-n road runner...meep meep halladay...you lose tonight.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

For the guy who typed that...Tavarez v. Halladay...who would have thought we would win? I just wanted to point out that out. ...

For the guy who complained about Cattalanatto's "nervous twitch" that drives him crazy... It is just his way of keeping himself honest on off speed and breaking stuff...he is a decent hitter...(but he can suck it...cause we won regardless of his hit)

For the guy who drank a pile of Beers watching us win tonight (me)...I am going back to bed....Thank-You Sox...and Best of Luck to David in "a whales vagina"...and Thank-You for working and pitching your arse off for us here.

and for the person with the fancy words...you sir...are a weenyhead

Edit: And I think we all continue to have Lester in our hearts and prayers.

Edited by the_pun2000, 01 September 2006 - 03:49 AM.

[The Flying Dutchman]

cant wait to see the hit tracker on that one

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

http://www.hittracke...hp?id=2006_4427