Pedro Martinez...

[Marmel]

...hits a batter already. Does this guy have any self control? Discuss. :)

[sterlingice]

Cute thread, Marmel. But he hit a guy because he hasn't been able to hit the broad side of the barn all night.

SI

[SirFozzie]

Hoo boy. Pedro really wants that big contract, don't he? :)

[Balldog]

When he first hit Segui I was like WTF, but after watching a little more he just does not have much control tonight. May have something to do with the colder weather.

[Philliesfan980]

Pedro will be the disappointment of the year, he's not anywhere close to the same pitcher he was even 2 years ago.

[Buccaneer]

Wait a minute, are these game for real??? I see a lot of interleague games and even a 5-5 tie. WTF?

[Ksyrup]

This is the only "real" game of the day. The rest start tomorrow or Tuesday.

And part of Pedro's problem is that it's cold. The Latin American guys can't take it.

[sooner333]

The only real game today is Boston-Baltimore.

[Buccaneer]

This MLB scheduling is really stupid, imo - like a lot of other things about MLB.

[Ksyrup]

Aside from the Japan games, this is how the season has started for a number of years - one Sunday night game, and several afternoon games on Monday, with at least one 7-7:30 EST and 10:30 EST game so they can be televised all day long. Not a big deal, IMO - just an extra primetime game on a pretty quiet night otherwise (unless you count women's basketball, which I don't). Even the NHL finished up earlier today.

[Suicane75]

Not to threadjack, but why is John Kruk playing Center Field for the Red Sox?

[Carligula]

Not to threadjack, but why is John Kruk playing Center Field for the Red Sox?

I thought that was Yanni...

[sterlingice]

Aside from the Japan games, this is how the season has started for a number of years - one Sunday night game, and several afternoon games on Monday, with at least one 7-7:30 EST and 10:30 EST game so they can be televised all day long. Not a big deal, IMO - just an extra primetime game on a pretty quiet night otherwise (unless you count women's basketball, which I don't). Even the NHL finished up earlier today.
I'm pretty sure even this was a relatively recent invention of ESPN (as in the past 10 years). For the longest time, the first game was played by the Reds on Monday afternoon because I remember watching one on WGN and them mentioning how it was a longstanding tradition.

SI

[cthomer5000]

This MLB scheduling is really stupid, imo - like a lot of other things about MLB.
Agreed. It's made for an incredibly bizzare beginning of the season. You have the Yankees playing a regular season game in Japan, coming home and playing a few more exhibition games, then going back to the regular season. WTF?

[Ksyrup]

I'm pretty sure even this was a relatively recent invention of ESPN (as in the past 10 years). For the longest time, the first game was played by the Reds on Monday afternoon because I remember watching one on WGN and them mentioning how it was a longstanding tradition.

SI
That's true. I can remember a particular Sunday night game involving the Cardinals during law school, which would have been the 1994 season at earliest. However, I don't see what makes it "stupid" to try to fit an extra primetime game in the schedule, much the way the NFL is now doing with an opening Thursday night game. The Japanese series is another matter.

[sterlingice]

That's true. I can remember a particular Sunday night game involving the Cardinals during law school, which would have been the 1994 season at earliest. However, I don't see what makes it "stupid" to try to fit an extra primetime game in the schedule, much the way the NFL is now doing with an opening Thursday night game. The Japanese series is another matter.
I like the Japan games but I'm starting to think I'm the only one.

SI

[Buccaneer]

Agreed. It's made for an incredibly bizzare beginning of the season. You have the Yankees playing a regular season game in Japan, coming home and playing a few more exhibition games, then going back to the regular season. WTF?
That was what I was referring too, plus having a regular season game and the same day as a bunch of exhibition games. Howabout everyone ending the exhibition season on Sunday (today), usually playing against a nearby rival or against a good local college team and then everyone start the regular season on Tuesday (or a couple of team starting on Monday)?

[Ksyrup]

I think another reason the Sunday night opener makes sense is because the college basketball final is Monday night and steals the thunder of baseball's opening day. Baseball will always traditionally open with a majority of afternoon games on Monday, but because of the basketball game, they can't take top billing during primetime. The Sunday night game is a preemptive strike on that. At least I think that's the intent.

[Easy Mac]

Not to threadjack, but why is John Kruk playing Center Field for the Red Sox?
Unfortunately no, John Kruk is on Basbeall Tonight http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

[MizzouRah]

Javy Lopez is hitting the shezaw out of the ball tonight. I like the look of the Orioles, they could be trouble for the Bosox and Yanks.


Todd

[Ksyrup]

The Orioles just don't have the pitching.

[Swaggs]

The new Red Sox CF:

http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/caveman.jpg

[Ksyrup]

Actually, I thought the funniest commentary about Damon was from one of the Page Two writers (I think) who suggested that Dan Fogelberg should sue him for copyright infringement.

[MizzouRah]

The Orioles just don't have the pitching.

True, but the Cardinals don't either and I think (hope) they'll be close to the top.


Todd

[Ksyrup]

The Cards don't have pitching, either, but they've got some young guys and Carpenter, who all could realistically be good this year. I don't see the Orioles having a similar staff.

[McSweeny]

Pedro looked pretty good tonight; 6 innings and 2 earned runs. We just didn't get the hits when we needed them

[k0ruptr]

pedro had one bad inning, then pitched great after that.

[MizzouRah]

The Cards don't have pitching, either, but they've got some young guys and Carpenter, who all could realistically be good this year. I don't see the Orioles having a similar staff.
I don't know the Orioles that well, but maybe they'll have a SP or two do better than expected, but who knows?

I'm not sure Carpenter will be that good. He's been getting slammed in spring training, but all I keep hearing is how good he CAN be. :)


Todd

[rkmsuf]

It's unbelievable the way half of Boston fans hit the panic button this morning. Martinez gave up 2 earned runs in one bad inning and some are ready to cut him...

[Bosco]

Pedro will be the disappointment of the year, he's not anywhere close to the same pitcher he was even 2 years ago.

So he sucked last season when he was the best pitcher in the game?

[Ksyrup]

It's unbelievable the way half of Boston fans hit the panic button this morning. Martinez gave up 2 earned runs in one bad inning and some are ready to cut him...
I'd say the only cause for concern is that his velocity still isn't where it used to be, and when he tried to reach for those extra MPHs last night, he couldn't get it anywhere near the plate. But obviously, Pedro is still a good-to-great pitcher even without his old stuff.

[rkmsuf]

I'd say the only cause for concern is that his velocity still isn't where it used to be, and when he tried to reach for those extra MPHs last night, he couldn't get it anywhere near the plate. But obviously, Pedro is still a good-to-great pitcher even without his old stuff.

True but it's pretty much the same velocity as last year. He's not a fireballer anymore but if the location is good he'll contend for the league lead in ERA...

They mentioned on the local telecast last night though that the gun seemed a little wacky/high when it had Ponson hitting like 97 in the first couple innings. Hopefully that doesn't mean Martinez was really throwing 85...

[Ksyrup]

Yeah, I was surprised when Miller/Morgan mentioned that there must not be something wrong with the radar gun when it clocked Pedro at 88, because it had Ponson hitting 95/96. Either I didn't realize he had that kind of fastball, or Pedro was, in reality, throwing like Shayne Reynolds last night.

[rkmsuf]

Yeah, I was surprised when Miller/Morgan mentioned that there must not be something wrong with the radar gun when it clocked Pedro at 88, because it had Ponson hitting 95/96. Either I didn't realize he had that kind of fastball, or Pedro was, in reality, throwing like Shayne Reynolds last night.

I don't know but found out this morning that after he came out Pedro went into the clubhouse, showered and left before the game was over. Franconia and Epstein have said they'll handle the matter in house...

[Ksyrup]

Hey, at least he didn't hang around and play cards with Manny during the 9th inning.

[Philliesfan980]

I can't wait for the day when Pedro loses his stuff for good and this "I'm better than you" attitude doesn't work anymore.

[rkmsuf]

I can't wait for the day when Pedro loses his stuff for good and this "I'm better than you" attitude doesn't work anymore.

By that time he'll have signed with the Phillies... :D

He's one of those guys that you love on your team and hate on any other...

[Bosco]

I can't wait for the day when Pedro loses his stuff for good and this "I'm better than you" attitude doesn't work anymore.


He's lost his velocity over the past two seasons and still is putting up the numbers. Just take a look at the guy's WHIP and ERA last season. He's going to have that attitude until the day he dies and he should as he's easily one of the best pitchers of all-time.

[WSUCougar]

By that time he'll have signed with the Phillies... :D

He's one of those guys that you love on your team and hate on any other...
Like Lenny Dykstra.

[rkmsuf]

Martinez is a f-ing dink though. New manager, game one, right out of the gate he has to take off before the game is over. He's like a little kid testing the home room teacher...

[Logan]

Not to threadjack, but why is John Kruk playing Center Field for the Red Sox?

Great line by Jon Miller:

(not exact, but...) "This is the new version of Johnny Damon. It's funny, but i remember the old version of Damon being a much better hitter."