206 replies to this topic

[Gambler7]

From WEEI

They are indicating he is going home as well right now

[redsoxjamie]

From WEEI

They are indicating he is going home as well right now

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Great. More good news.

Craig Hansen, a nation turns its lonely eyes to you. . .

[TheYaz67]

Good. 4 months too late, but good nonetheless.

[NJ Fan]

Going home? As in, I'm going to see my own personal physician and I'll be back to root for my teammates once they're back at Fenway next week? Or going home as in, "I'm through with these guys, with the entire city of Boston, the ungrateful fans, (fill in the blank)"?

[yecul]

Good.  4 months too late, but good nonetheless.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yup.

It's reasonably impressive that the team is in the place it is considering their two best and most important pitchers have basically contributed nothing to the season.

[curly2]

If that is the case, he should get his other knee scoped today to make sure he's ready to go for 2006.

I've said it before, but if Foulke had followed the team's request to have surgery months earlier, and if Schilling hadn't rushed himself back when there was no need to, the Sox would probably have a nice comfortable need. Unfortunately there's nothing they can do about that now.

Get well for 2006, Keith. An no mattewr what happens, thanks always for 2004.

[15'sCementShoes]

Great.  More good news.

Craig Hansen, a nation turns its lonely eyes to you.  .  .

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If true then I actually think this is good news because it is one less potential point of indecision for Tito. If you take Foulke away then Tito can't put him in. I like seeing them make tough choices. It shows me that they are not worried about egos.

Edited by 15'sCementShoes, 22 September 2005 - 12:57 PM.

[smastroyin]

Just to be stupid, I think you could probably have heard this conversation last night?

Foulke: "I was the man last year and now you don't even go to me in the 8th inning of a two run game when I've hardly worked? What the fuck?"

Tito: "You suck, man, sorry."

Foulke: "If I suck so much then why am I here?"

Tito: "Good point. Clean up your shit and get out of here. See you in Fort Myers."

Edited by smastroyin, 22 September 2005 - 12:23 PM.

[SaveBooFerriss]

Byung Yun Kim redux.

Of course, Foulke helped them win a world series.

But, Foulke's 2005 season is similar to the Kim 9/03-04 period. Both fail as closers, have physical problems, loss of velocity, blow ups with the fans.

[mr guido]

Get well for 2006, Foulkie. Hopefully he'll be mentally recharged by next year too.

[NDBoston]

Byung Yun Kim redux. 

Of course, Foulke helped them win a world series.

But, Foulke's 2005 season is similar to the Kim 9/03-04 period.  Both fail as closers, have physical problems, loss of velocity, blow ups with the fans.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah...putting that World Series victory to the side, there's no difference.

[ShaneTrot]

Ouch, I have been hoping against hope that it all was going to come together for him. Well it takes away another option. I hope Tito rides the kids because Myers and Chadford have been painful lately.

[Todd Benzinger]

any word on scope plans?

[Gambler7]

All they said was he is/was expected to get a scope done on his left knee when this season was over

[FENWAY CHUCK]

Ouch, I have been hoping against hope that it all was going to come together for him. Well it takes away another option. I hope Tito rides the kids because Myers and Chadford have been painful lately.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

YES we will lose games with the kids but everyone says that PAPELBON and HANSEN have great composure.
IF so does that mean that we believe they will not implode if they have a bad game and "give it up"?... Cause I think placing the "kids" in during some of these tough situations will benefit the team immensely down the road. Of course that thought is predicated on the idea that "If one of the studs gives up a ton of runs he will not be made into Psycho mush".

Every above average player must be given a chance to prove his mettle somewhere sometime.... I would rather have been able to prove these kids in July/August but that wasn't done. The Sox need them now.... they are very composed and act like veterans well lets see how they take it all. MAYBE they will start something special like a run of scoreless innings until the end of the season.

Good Luck Keith Foulke, and Thank you so much for the outstanding post season last year.n Now get healthy and get you ass back on the Fenway mound!

[Chemistry Schmemistry]

Gee, let's all pile on a guy while he's down.



Still a hero. Still one of the 25. And I want him back in 2006. I'm sure no one is more disappointed than he is right now.

[jacklamabe65]

How can you not a enormous respect - as well as affection - for the guy? He and Papi were our two playoff-WS MVP's last year.

Can we take the big picture approach here every once in a while?

[Rudy Pemberton]

He was great last year, awful this year. If the Sox miss the playoffs, the blame will most squarely lie on the right arms of Foulke and Schilling. It's a humbling game, you can go from the top to the bottom in no team. Let's hope he gets his head clear and is ready to help next year.

It's too bad he didn't play well this year, but I don't feel that bad for the guy. He made a ton of cash this year, it's not like he's going to be working at Burger King in the off-season to make ends meet. He'll be ok. This isn't a tragedy or anything; it's a talented athlete at the crossroads.

Edited by Rudy Pemberton, 22 September 2005 - 12:40 PM.

[staz]

Just to be stupid, I think you could probably have heard this conversation last night?

Foulke:  "I was the man last year and now you don't even go to me in the 8th inning of a two run game when I've hardly worked?  What the fuck?"

Tito:  "You suck, man, sorry."

Foulke:  "If I suck so much then why am I here?"

Tito:  "Good point.  Clean up your shit and get out of here.  See you in Fort Myers."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised.

[Kowlooner]

keith's negative approach towards the fans and media this year came out of nowhere. I think everyone was caught off guard that he's a huge a-hole off the field. Maybe he just wasn't ready to live up to being a lifetime hero to Red Sox nation.
Despite that, I don't think anyone should hold it against him in regards to what he did in 2004.

[OneOfTheosMinions]

It's too bad he didn't play well this year, but I don't feel that bad for the guy. He made a ton of cash this year, it's not like he's going to be working at Burger King in the off-season to make ends meet. He'll be ok. This isn't a tragedy or anything; it's a talented athlete at the crossroads.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Moreover, he's been here before. He's gone through stretches of ineffectiveness, only to come out the other side as strong as he ever was. I have faith that he'll be back next year, and I hope we never forget what an incredible stud he was in '04.

(I note for the record the gratuitous Burger King reference. Subtle.)

Edited by OneOfTheosMinions, 22 September 2005 - 12:45 PM.

[Steve Dillard]

I'm sorry that the Boston Media is killing the guy, as I'd hoped the goodwill he earned last year would overcome his poor pitching this year, e.g. Schilling. He deserves it equally.

Many thanks, and I hope that next year you come back sans radio show, get the annonimity you desire, and can help groom Hansen like Wetteland groomed Rivera.

Best of luck on the off-the field issues, too.

[redinchicago]

Don't you think by not being with the team that he may have some personal issues to deal with and that baseball is not his priority right now? Has his divorce been finalized? If his head is not into the game, he should not be with the team. Hopefully everything will be cleared up by next season, including the way he pitches.

[PortlandSoxFan]

keith's negative approach towards the fans and media this year came out of nowhere.  I think everyone was caught off guard that he's a huge a-hole off the field.  Maybe he just wasn't ready to live up to being a lifetime hero to Red Sox nation.
Despite that, I don't think anyone should hold it against him in regards to what he did in 2004.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Out of nowhere? It was pretty clear before he even pitched a game for the Sox that he didn't even like baseball very much. I seem to remember an interview during that offseason show they did between 2003 and 2004 where he talked about how he saw baseball as a job, etc. etc.

It didn't get to him last year because, well....he was good last year.

[Tiegs]

I'm sure most here have heard his WEEI interviews -
From the start of the season he didn't seem to be happy here.
He spoke of personal problems often (even as recently as last week)
and of course said the infamous "I won't be disappointed when this season ends" & "This has been the worse year of my life"

Whatever his reasons (physical and/or mental), I think it's probably best to just put him out of his misery and let him go.
The Indians lost Rhodes to personal problems that were a distraction.
We've probably seen the last of Foulke in this town.

Thanks for the stab Keith.
1 of the 25.

[Punchado]

keith's negative approach towards the fans and media this year came out of nowhere.  I think everyone was caught off guard that he's a huge a-hole off the field.  Maybe he just wasn't ready to live up to being a lifetime hero to Red Sox nation.
Despite that, I don't think anyone should hold it against him in regards to what he did in 2004.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm reading his outbursts as more frustration than anything else. The guy wants to contribute at a high level and his knee of all things was keeping him from doing it. That sucks for an athelete -- especially one who has just reached the pinacle of his career.

The Sox are going to have a hard time without Foulke in the playoffs. One need only pop in the MLB DVD set from last year to see how much that guy saved the team.

This is the one great advantage of winning it all last year, we can understand that winning every year is impossible and that winning any year only happens when a huge number of factors fall into place.

[amfox1]

Good luck, Keith. See you in February.

Can we put him and Mantei on the 60 day DL and get Hansen and Harville(?) on the playoff roster?

[rmurph3]

If the Sox miss the playoffs, the blame will most squarely lie on the right arms of Foulke and Schilling.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Or, more accurately, their knees and ankle respectively.

[Kowlooner]

Out of nowhere?  It was pretty clear before he even pitched a game for the Sox that he didn't even like baseball very much.  I seem to remember an interview during that offseason show they did between 2003 and 2004 where he talked about how he saw baseball as a job, etc. etc.

It didn't get to him last year because, well....he was good last year.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Looking back it, your right we did have some clues. But those weekly interviews with Dale and Holley this year were pretty shocking to me. Maybe some are still on the EEI website.

[BigJimEd]

I don't know that Foulke is an a-hole off the field. He may or may not be but I have seen no reason to think one way or the other. Most of his comments seemed pretty honest.

I was hoping he could turn it around as obviously the pen is by far the team's weak spot. But if he wasn't then I guess it's good to shut him down so Francona has one less worry out there. Looks like it's going to be up the kids.

[sonsoftrotnixon]

keith's negative approach towards the fans and media this year came out of nowhere.  I think everyone was caught off guard that he's a huge a-hole off the field.  Maybe he just wasn't ready to live up to being a lifetime hero to Red Sox nation.
Despite that, I don't think anyone should hold it against him in regards to what he did in 2004.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't care if he what he said off the field. My only concern as a follower of the team is what he added to the team by way of performance on the field. I loved what he brought to the team last year, without his performance those 14 innings of last October, we'd all be sitting here wondering if "this is the year". On the other hand, he stunk the joint up this year between the white lines, and now he is home hopefully with the intention of doing something about his injury, mental state, etc. I'm okay with him not on the roster, he would be dead weight anyway. Now's the time for someone else to step up.


edited: removed non-politically correct comment.

Edited by sonsoftrotnixon, 22 September 2005 - 12:54 PM.

[OneOfTheosMinions]

Good luck, Keith.  See you in February.

Can we put him and Mantei on the 60 day DL and get Hansen and Harville(?) on the playoff roster?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes. Not sure if we WANT to do that in Harville's case, but we can.

Edit: I just got that. Playoff roster. Heh heh...

Edited by OneOfTheosMinions, 22 September 2005 - 12:53 PM.

[PedroKsBambino]

I couldn't care less how much he likes baseball. I care about how hard he competes for the team and how well he does. In 2004 he was amazing on both counts. This year, hard to evaluate the first one (though there's reason for doubt) and he sucked on the second one.

I'm hoping he gets it back together in 2006.

[LahoudOrBillyC]

Foulke's a guy who might need a lot of stroking, and I think he has earned it. I hope the team makes it clear to him, repeatedly, how important he is and how much we need him next year.

[Kowlooner]

I think some have suggested that Foulke hasn't gotten the free pass this year with his injuries that Schilling has gotten. Hence, me bringing up his radio interviews and overall bad attitude towards everything (including himself).

[redsox1918]

Thanks Keith, for 2004. Get those knees healthy, get that heater back up to 90 mph, and find another twenty year old babe,...and all of RSN will be happy!!

[Rudy Pemberton]

If his physical shape is OK, I still think a move to the rotation (which Eric suggested years ago) could be a way to get him a fresh start, which appears like something he might need. It worked for Derek Lowe, and there's probably no harm in trying it. There's not really a need- I guess- but maybe it's a way to get him excited for the game again?

Edited by Rudy Pemberton, 22 September 2005 - 01:00 PM.

[Worst Trade Evah]

I'm surprised. Wasn't he getting better? I thought there was some progress since he's come back. Did he just need more work, or is he hurt again? I don't understand this.

Very disappointing.

[Kowlooner]

If his physical shape is OK, I still think a move to the rotation (which Eric suggested years ago) could be a way to get him a fresh start, which appears like something he might need. It worked for Derek Lowe, and there's probably no harm in trying it. There's not really a need- I guess- but maybe it's a way to get him excited for the game again?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wouldn't it be tougher to pitch 200 innings with two bad knees rather than 70?
Plus, Lowe was at 5 years younger (age 28) than how old Foulke is now (32-33)

[redsoxjamie]

I'm surprised. Wasn't he getting better? I thought there was some progress since he's come back. Did he just need more work, or is he hurt again? I don't understand this.

Very disappointing.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree that it is very disappointing. I was still hoping that he could be effective for us. . . I miss watching him come in to games very, very much. That's why I don't see this as a good thing--yes, it forces Tito to use the kids, but I'd rather be relying on an effective Foulke than the kids.

Get your self better soon, Keith. We will need you for 2006. Do what you need to do to get yourself physically healthy, and remember, if you ever need, um, female comfort and companionship, just let me know.

[sfip]

If his physical shape is OK, I still think a move to the rotation (which Eric suggested years ago) could be a way to get him a fresh start, which appears like something he might need. It worked for Derek Lowe, and there's probably no harm in trying it. There's not really a need- I guess- but maybe it's a way to get him excited for the game again?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No thanks. If by at least early next season he's done with his rumored off the field distractions and he can do what needs to be done to rehab both knees, that should be enough motivation to get him excited for the game again. A big if, mind you, but it seems possible to me.

Edited by sfip, 22 September 2005 - 01:07 PM.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

I'm surprised. Wasn't he getting better? I thought there was some progress since he's come back. Did he just need more work, or is he hurt again? I don't understand this.

Very disappointing.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There was mention that he recently shortened his stride in order to get better zip on the ball. I wonder if that re-aggravated the knee.

Last year when Foulke was effective he clearly had tremendous confidence in his abilities and brought that cockiness out to the mound. This is particularly apparent in the World Series DVDs; everything about him exuded confidence. It was always "Try to hit THIS, mother*&^#er!"

This year his confidence is shot due to prolonged ineffectiveness. Combine that with his personal life apparently going to hell in a bucket, and you can see how he came across as a gold-plated prick on the radio. Not that I give a damn about what these guys are like off the field, mind you.

He was a stud for us all last year. Before we let the mouthbreathers at EEI tarnish everything about him, I going to keep that fact in mind.

[PedroKsBambino]

I'm going to stick to the belief (without knowing for sure what the truth is) that the workload in 2004 essentially killed his 2005.

That's a tradeoff I'll make 10 times out of 10 and it's worth remembering just how amazing he was in the 2004 playoffs before getting too down on him.

[someoneanywhere]

I'm not sure the guy needs a lot of stroking. My approach is from the opposite end of things -- I think his attitude is wholly understandable. For one thing, you need it a little snear to be a closer.

For another: if it were me, and I laid it all out there on the field in October '04, pitching like nails with my arm falling off, and was the key guy in bringing home a championship in the world's toughest game to a place that hadn't had one in 86 years -- if I did all those things and then six months later was booed mercilessly in my own park, I would question just how much respect those fans actually had for the game.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

I'm not sure the guy needs a lot of stroking. My approach is from the opposite end of things -- I think his attitude is wholly understandable. For one thing, you need it a little snear to be a closer.

For another: if it were me, and I laid it all out there on the field in October '04, pitching like nails with my arm falling off, and was the key guy in bringing home a championship in the world's toughest game to a place that hadn't had one in 86 years  -- if I did all those things and then six months later was booed mercilessly in my own park, I would question just how much respect those fans actually had for the game.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Let's be fair: he stunk this year. He had numerous bad outings and was saved several times from losses by late-inning home runs.

The fans booed because he was awful. Combine that with his crumbling personal life, and one can see how he might be resentful. But had the performance on the field been a bit better, he wouldn't have been booed.

[Bucknahs Bum Ankle]

This is good news, both for the team and for Foulke I think. There seemed to be little chance he was going to start pitching like his old self any time soon. Give Hansen a shot at closing and use Manny Delcarmen more.

[JimD]

Let's be fair: he stunk this year. He had numerous bad outings and was saved several times from losses by late-inning home runs.

The fans booed because he was awful. Combine that with his crumbling personal life, and one can see how he might be resentful. But had the performance on the field been a bit better, he wouldn't have been booed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry, but that still doesn't cut it for me. I've been plenty disappointed at times, but I've never booed a Red Sox player. To think that so many people had no problem embarrassing one of the key players that brought us our first modern-day championship is mind-boggling to me. It just goes to show that we Boston fans, as a group, aren't the fine bunch of fellows we like to think we are.

Jim D.

[thisyearisthe]

This may be the last we see of Keith Foulke. That "going home" thing doesn't sound too good.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Sorry, but that still doesn't cut it for me.  I've been plenty disappointed at times, but I've never booed a Red Sox player.  To think that so many people had no problem embarrassing one of the key players that brought us our first modern-day championship is mind-boggling to me.  It just goes to show that we Boston fans, as a group, aren't the fine bunch of fellows we like to think we are.

Jim D.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'd agree with that. I've never bought into the nonsense that Boston fans are the best in the country. Like any other fan base, if you suck they will boo you.

Yaz got booed. Mo. Rice. Dewey. Ted Williams. Clemens. Everyone gets booed. Foulke is hardly some sort of exception.

He was immense last year. That should not be forgotten. But in sports, it's all about "What have you done for me lately?" Alan Embree and Mark Bellhorn know the answer to that question.

[CPT Neuron]

I'd agree with that. I've never bought into the nonsense that Boston fans are the best in the country. Like any other fan base, if you suck they will boo you.

Yaz got booed. Mo. Rice. Dewey. Ted Williams. Clemens. Everyone gets booed. Foulke is hardly some sort of exception.

He was immense last year. That should not be forgotten. But in sports, it's all about "What have you done for me lately?" Alan Embree and Mark Bellhorn know the answer to that question.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, they get cut and picked up by a first place team