Following Former Red Sox 2018

John Marzano Olympic Hero

has fancy plans, and pants to match
Dope
SoSH Member
Apr 12, 2001
24,548
I think what BC meant was that he was the stopper they needed. That was the year that the Sox tried going with the "Closer by Committee" idea and the idea bombed big time.

Also trading Hillenbrand opened up a slot of Ortiz. That worked out pretty okay for Boston.
 

Leskanic's Thread

lost underscore
Silver Supporter
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
2,774
Los Angeles
BK Kim's 2003 game log.

He had become a starter that year in Arizona, and continued in that role for five of his first seven appearances. Then he went to the bullpen to anchor things back there, and was crucial for the second half of the season (with some scattered poor appearances, of course).

But he only got into one game at Oakland in the ALDS, giving up the lead in the 9th of game 1. Then he wasn't greeted warmly when he got back to Fenway, people got upset that he responded to the greeting, and he never pitched again that year.
 

brandonchristensen

Loves Aaron Judge
SoSH Member
Feb 4, 2012
38,144
Really? I was horrified when they went and got him, based on the fact that he tried to single handily win the 2001 World Series for the Yankees.

You also realize he started a grand total of 8 games for us in 2 years, and was primarily used out the pen.... Was he on the roster for the ALCS in 2003? Was was for the ALDS that year, but they sure as hell didn't let him pitch against the Yankees in the ALCS...
Yeah, I know how it worked out, but I was excited at the idea of him starting for whatever reason. It's been 15 years now (WHAT), but I remember him being a solid starter for us.
 

mt8thsw9th

anti-SoSHal
SoSH Member
Jul 17, 2005
17,120
Brooklyn
In game 5, Kim was in his 2nd inning of relief when he allowed the Yankees to tie, and 3rd when they won the game in the 10th. Then he was brought out again the following night. Kim was ground into the dirt by Brenly all season (he nearly eclipsed 100 innings as a reliever), and they probably win that series in 5 if they had someone other than Greg Swindell and Mike Morgan as the setup men. 2002 he bounced back just fine, with (if I recall correctly) back-to-back series in which he clowned the Sox at Fenway, and finally got his save at Yankee Stadium (which culminated in him celebrating by tossing the game ball from the infield out of the playing field in RF).

I really can't fathom why someone wouldn't A: not wanted to trade for him, and B: not be happy with his ripple effect as it related to the bullpen. That move saved the season on two fronts, as it settled the bullpen, and got at bats away from the painfully mediocre Shea and gave them to Bill Mueller and David Ortiz.

edit - my memory was a tiny bit off, he threw the ball into Monument Park.

 

lexrageorge

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2007
18,100
I've heard some folks opine that BK Kim got overused by Grady Little that season.

He was used 4 days in a row from August 20-23, including an inning in a game where the Sox were leading the A's 14-5. Then there was another 5 day stretch from 8/30 to 9/3, a stretch that included a 5 out win on 9/1 (the infamous "Manny Ramirez benching" game in Philly), and a 2 inning appearance on 9/3. Then he made 6 appearances in 7 days from 9/17 to 9/23.

Then, after 9/23, he appeared in once in the remaining 5 games, the season finale on the 28th.

In Game 1 against Oakland, Kim walked one batter then hit the next one. However, he struck out Mark Ellis before Grady pulled him for Embree, who gave up the tying hit. He never appeared in a game again managed by Grady Little. And his career basically stalled after that.
 

Cesar Crespo

79
SoSH Member
Dec 22, 2002
21,588
I've heard some folks opine that BK Kim got overused by Grady Little that season.

He was used 4 days in a row from August 20-23, including an inning in a game where the Sox were leading the A's 14-5. Then there was another 5 day stretch from 8/30 to 9/3, a stretch that included a 5 out win on 9/1 (the infamous "Manny Ramirez benching" game in Philly), and a 2 inning appearance on 9/3. Then he made 6 appearances in 7 days from 9/17 to 9/23.

Then, after 9/23, he appeared in once in the remaining 5 games, the season finale on the 28th.

In Game 1 against Oakland, Kim walked one batter then hit the next one. However, he struck out Mark Ellis before Grady pulled him for Embree, who gave up the tying hit. He never appeared in a game again managed by Grady Little. And his career basically stalled after that.
Curt Schilling hated Kim and said most of Kim's issues were from insisting on throwing 100-150 pitches every day.
 

The Gray Eagle

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2001
16,725
BK Kim's 2003 game log.

He had become a starter that year in Arizona, and continued in that role for five of his first seven appearances. Then he went to the bullpen to anchor things back there, and was crucial for the second half of the season (with some scattered poor appearances, of course).

But he only got into one game at Oakland in the ALDS, giving up the lead in the 9th of game 1. Then he wasn't greeted warmly when he got back to Fenway, people got upset that he responded to the greeting, and he never pitched again that year.
When Kim first got to Boston, Littlebrain used him in relief for an inning on June 1, then started him for 7 innings on 2 days rest. After another 2 days rest, he pitched in relief for 2 innings again, then on 2 days rest started and went 5 innings.

It was playoff-style usage in early June.
 

Ale Xander

Hamilton
SoSH Member
Oct 31, 2013
72,480
Yo Adrian, thank you for 2010, you put up one of the highest EARs (entertainment above replacement) in history. Certainly the highest for a non-championship year. MLB fans will miss you. Good luck on your hopeful voyage to Cooperstown.
 

Number45forever

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 16, 2003
1,970
Vermont
I'll always think Youk would've played 2-3 more years at a very high level if he was left on 1B and they'd just re-signed Beltre to keep playing 3B. Would have been a very different set of circumstances that unfolded to the present day if they went in that direction.

Beltre was so fun, and so good, wish he could have played the last 9 seasons of his career in Boston.
 

SydneySox

A dash of cool to add the heat
SoSH Member
Sep 19, 2005
15,605
The Eastern Suburbs
I know, right? I had you on ignore. I don't have anyone on ignore but then I found out I had you on ignore. I can only assume it was an odd mobile issue, a misclick.

But then I thought, maybe it's actually God who made me ignore you, I saw on tv he's into social media now.
 

BoSox Rule

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
2,343
One of my favorites from the Championship teams. When he hit a homerun with that uppercut swing it was memorable.
 

Jim Ed Rice in HOF

Red-headed Skrub child
SoSH Member
Jul 21, 2005
8,260
Seacoast NH
Jeff Mathis retweeting Nap’s retirement announcement:
Feels like yesterday I was 18, reporting to camp, you walked in the apartment (no shirt or shoes) with an inflatable raft, handle of Captain Morgan’s (top off) and sun burnt as hell... I’ll never forget it and so thankful for it. #oneofakindteammate
 

Al Zarilla

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 8, 2005
58,878
San Andreas Fault
It isn't listed on my DTV schedule, but mlbn announced it as coming on at 8 Eastern. The schedule also shows it on at 11 pm and 2 am.
My DirecTV schedule on my TV and on my phone show it airing at 5, 8, 11 Pacific. I'm recording it at 5, along with the Chargers - Chiefs game at 5:20. I heard it is more about off the field, his struggles with alcohol, etc. than on field. I'm sure his divorce from his first wife will get attention. Or will it?
 

santadevil

wears depends
Silver Supporter
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
6,472
Saskatchestan
Yep, he was the reason they lost the World Series that game, but also the reason they had a chance at the end

The bad still outweighed the good in that game