Go Sox
Go Sox
Even though the Hot Stove League has not concluded, I have come to some conclusions:
First and foremost, I think 2011 for me is not about getting to and winning the World Series. What the Sox have done with their acquisitions of Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzales, to go along with Pedroia, Youklis, Ortiz, Ellsbury, Lester, Buchholz, Beckett, Bard, etc., is to make it so I can watch all of their 162 games (much to the chagrin of my wife Ellen) with the knowledge that the Sox will have a chance to win every game. Barring the injury disaster that happened in 2010, it seems to me their strong pitching, good hitting, good defense, speed, and good managing will make them capable of winning more than 100 games.
Third, while on the subject of Lee, I don’t think he needs so much praise for leaving $30 odd million dollars on the table. His statement that “enough is enough sometimes” is probably not a hard thing to say when the ‘enough’ is $120 million.
Also, while Lee would have made the Sox life more difficult had he gone to NY, that is not why I am glad he went to Philly. It is nice to see a player decide that where he plays is more important than how much he can make. I’ve thought for a long time that players are often mislead by the highest offers and by their agents when they make money the most important factor in deciding where they will play.
Sixth, back to the Sox, it seems to me that unlike the last few years, their acquisitions this winter are likely to make them contenders for the next four or five years and are not just about what will happen in 2011. They will have time for their younger players (minor leaguers) to develop now, and their needs for the next few years are most likely to be more minor adjustments and not major rebuilding efforts.
And to return to my opening conclusion: The excitement of knowing that the Sox have put themselves in a position to make every game they play a chance at a victory is truly an exciting prospect.
Will they get to the playoffs and World Series?
I suspect they will make the playoffs.
The World Series?
Despite 2004 and 2007, I have been schooled by 60 years of following Boston. And so I know the folly of making winning the WS the goal of a baseball season.
Yet, if it comes down to the Phillies vs the Sox, I suppose I could be convinced to watch those games too.
12/16/10
2011 IS NOT ABOUT THE WORLD SERIES