153 replies to this topic

[FanSinceBoggs]

"We pledge to do everything that we can to support Dice-K. . .to ensure that he will be a success--not that he needs much help." --T.Epstein

No, Dice-K didn't need much help--he was a natural. Good luck to the Cubbies.

Edited by FanSinceBoggs, 06 October 2012 - 06:39 PM.

[crystalline]

That meeting at the mound was very emotional. Pedey and Salty both looked like they were genuinely sad for Dice-K, and Dice-K looked heartbroken. Personally, I never got the feeling he wasn't giving it his all. I just see him as a tragic figure - maybe 2008 was his version of flying too close to the sun, maybe it was the WBC. Whatever it was, he crashed down to earth and never recovered.

As he leaves the Sox staff, it's hard to be optimistic for either his future or the Sox staff's future. The starters were an absolute blood bath this season.

I read this article today, a self-story about a star high school pitcher who burned out in the minors and never made the Big Show.
http://www.sbnation....4222/a-big-game

The next batter stepped into the batter’s box. I already knew he would be the last batter I would ever face in my aborted career. I glared at him, my final chance to salvage some pride, to go out on my shield on a boat filled with burning straw into that vast sea of an ordinary life that awaited me in Bridgeport, where I expected to work one shit job after another to support my wife and squalling kids; Mason laborer. Soda jerk at a drugstore. Ditch digger on a construction crew. And then, after work, dirty, depressed, and disgusted, I would drink too many beers before I went home to my poor beleaguered wife.

Made me think of Daisuke's last Sox game. He knew he was starting the last game he'd start as a Sox, and on the last batter, and facing the last batter he'd ever face. You can give the guy credit for realizing this and caring.

[The Long Tater]

I read this article today, a self-story about a star high school pitcher who burned out in the minors and never made the Big Show.
http://www.sbnation....4222/a-big-game

If you haven't read it, Pat Jordan's book about his minor league failure is fantastic:

http://www.amazon.co...n/dp/0803276265

[Spacemans Bong]

I'm with Rudy on Darvish. His walk rate tripled in his first year in the Majors.

The proof will be in the pudding - he's got better stuff, a bigger, longer body, etc. But I want to see Darvish make some adjustments in year 2. I don't think it's unfair to say the Dice experience has made me permanently skeptical about Japanese pitchers, who get the benefit of Gregg-esque strike zones in NPB.