Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

[deeman11747]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

You have to call for a bunt in that situation. I don't know why Cora wasn't showing bunt, unless he's a poor bunter.

With bases loaded?

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

If he bunted it wouldve been a much easier double play.

[Armitage]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

If he bunted it wouldve been a much easier double play.

It looked like A-Rod was playing in but not too far in to defend the bunt, just going by memory though.

[deeman11747]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

It looked like A-Rod was playing in but not too far in to defend the bunt, just going by memory though.

Rivera is regarded as one of the most athletic pitchers in the league. The bunt would've had to be perfect to get in a spot where A-Rod, Rivera, and Posada couldn't make a play.

Couple that with the fact that the Sox have about 5 bunts all year make it the least likely possibility in that situation.

[Thrasha]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

Rivera is regarded as one of the most athletic pitchers in the league. The bunt would've had to be perfect to get in a spot where A-Rod, Rivera, and Posada couldn't make a play.

Couple that with the fact that the Sox have about 5 bunts all year make it the least likely possibility in that situation.

The bunt would have been useless, ARod was in and he's not a slug. Along with Rivera having a shot at it, they both would have been out.

I just wish Bellhorn was up in that situation, I'm not in the majority that hates him. He rarely grounds into the DP, so at worst he would have K'd. Setting Damon and Renteria up to have a crack at it.

[Armitage]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

Rivera is regarded as one of the most athletic pitchers in the league. The bunt would've had to be perfect to get in a spot where A-Rod, Rivera, and Posada couldn't make a play.

Couple that with the fact that the Sox have about 5 bunts all year make it the least likely possibility in that situation.

Ah, good point, the Sox barely bunt as it is.. but you gotta try the unexpected sometimes to win a game, especially against Rivera. It's possible the Yankees could've been caught offguard if Cora pushed it down the first base line, away from A-Rod and Rivera. Like you say, it would've had to be perfect.

[GBrushTWood]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

I was praying Mueller's ball would somehow hook around the pole and win the game, because I knew Cora was on deck. It was all too predictable after Mueller's hit dropped in.

I think you can put a little of the blame of this one on Theo. IMO, there's no room for both the Dalai Halama and Jeremi Gonzalez. You pick one, DFA the other, and bring Youkilis back up. You can't just have Olerud as the only non catcher PH option off the bench. I don't see why John Halama is on this team and Kevin Youkilis is not. Halama has no purpose for this roster, get rid of his corpse for a bat.

IMO, if Youks was up in that situation (or Olerud), there's less of a chance that he GIDP.

[CWood2]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

I thought Cora was clearly safe at 1st from the replay, but what can you do?

Time to win some ball games and get on with the trade talks.

[Thrasha]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

Ah, good point, the Sox barely bunt as it is.. but you gotta try the unexpected sometimes to win a game, especially against Rivera. It's possible the Yankees could've been caught offguard if Cora pushed it down the first base line, away from A-Rod and Rivera. Like you say, it would've had to be perfect.

Down the first base line would have been the only good shot, River would have had to field to get the runner out at home assuming he would have been sent on the pitch.

Still, Bellhorn's injury cost us tonight I believe

[Thrasha]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

I was praying Mueller's ball would somehow hook around the pole and win the game, because I knew Cora was on deck. It was all too predictable after Mueller's hit dropped in.

I think you can put a little of the blame of this one on Theo. IMO, there's no room for both the Dalai Halama and Jeremi Gonzalez. You pick one, DFA the other, and bring Youkilis back up. You can't just have Olerud as the only non catcher PH option off the bench. I don't see why John Halama is on this team and Kevin Youkilis is not. Halama has no purpose for this roster, get rid of his corpse for a bat.

IMO, if Youks was up in that situation (or Olerud), there's less of a chance that he GIDP.

Agreed

Halama is puke garbage, same situation with Youks as it is with Bellhorn. He would K at worst, he doesn't ground into DPs with much frequency

[Armitage]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

Down the first base line would have been the only good shot, River would have had to field to get the runner out at home assuming he would have been sent on the pitch.

Still, Bellhorn's injury cost us tonight I believe

I do say a bunt would've been a play to try because it's said that Cora has good speed. The only way I'd see a DP out of that is if he completely botches the bunt, which is possible since the Sox have barely bunted this season. Cora's not a guy I'd want swinging for a base hit, though. It was a tough situation.

[ILLCHILL]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

I felt like crap, but I saw the ESPYs and the win over the Yanks last year and felt better.

[deeman11747]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

I do say a bunt would've been a play to try because it's said that Cora has good speed. The only way I'd see a DP out of that is if he completely botches the bunt, which is possible since the Sox have barely bunted this season. Cora's not a guy I'd want swinging for a base hit, though. It was a tough situation.

So let's say he bunts and since he's quick they only get the out at home...

Now what? They aren't going to expect him to GIDP before the pitch so him bunting and them getting the out at home would've just been a wasted out instead of anything prodcutive such as a sac fly.

[ILLCHILL]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

I was with my friends SCREAMING at Cora to do ANYTHING but hit into the DP, even K. I actually thought he should take every pitch with Damon on deck. But nope

[Armitage]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

So let's say he bunts and since he's quick they only get the out at home...

Now what? They aren't going to expect him to GIDP before the pitch so him bunting and them getting the out at home would've just been a wasted out instead of anything prodcutive such as a sac fly.

Like I said, it was a tough situation to be in. There wasn't a ton of speed on the basepaths really to begin with. The bunt would've had to have been absolutely perfect to get the run home, which is why I felt the best chance would've been to knock it down the first base line and hopefully the runner at third had the legs to get home.

Anything would've been better than hitting into a rally killing double play. Even striking out.