Ted's Army: The Voice of Red Sox fans

A-Rod is an idiot

What should A-Rod do when he is trying to keep his mouth shut and not stir up any controversy? Kick Knicks fans in the nuts by rooting for the Heat.

I don't know if I would label this controversial, but he has to realize that a good number of Knicks fans are also Yankees fans. A-Rod lived in Miami for a while and played his high school ball there, so the Heat are obviously his favorite team. He has to keep those comments quiet and maybe make a statement on it if the Heat do win it all (hopefully they won't), especially when the Knicks think they have a shot. 

With all that said, I hope neither team wins the title.

Valentine forcing pitchers to learn how to field

The Red Sox pitching staff isn't know for having slick gloves in the field.  Last season, they were ranked last in the East and 8th in the American League.  Bobby Valentine is out to change all of that, putting a huge emphasis on pitchers getting work in the field during Spring Training.

Via the Globe:

New Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine has spent much of spring training stressing to his pitchers the importance of fielding their positions.

He wants it in their heads at all times.

So, two of the six television screens in the new clubhouse have been dedicated to baseball highlights, including defensive plays by pitchers, from fielding bunts, ground balls, and comebackers, to holding runners on at first. And Jim Kaat, one of the best fielding pitchers in the modern era, was a guest in camp earlier this week.

"I'd like to have our pitching defense improve," Valentine said in an understatement. "We were last in a lot of categories. We weren't really good at a lot of stuff other than pitching the ball. Hopefully, we can improve on that. Might win a game or two."

First the man bans beer in the clubhouse, now he's forcing them to watch "highlights" (and I can't use that term loosely enough) of pitchers holding runners on first and fielding ground balls?   I would almost pay money to watch Josh Beckett sit on a couch and watch Mark Buehrle hold runners on first.  Almost.

And speaking of Buehrle, just for fun I wanted to look up the AL Gold Glove winners to see if any Sox pitcher has ever won.  Not only have they not, I think I've uncovered a vast conspiracy that has to go straight to the top.

Since 1957 when the award starting being handed out, only 13 American League pitchers have won the award.  THIRTEEN in 54 years.  The National League is no better.  17 pitchers have won it in their league.  And Jim Kaat and Bobby Shantz have both won it multiple times in both leagues. 

Basically the writers all agree on the best fielding pitcher and keep shoveling that guy the award until he retires.  That's really the only explanation for this.  With Buehrle switching leagues, perhaps Lester can step in and be the default American League Gold Glove winner.  He could have a solid 10 awards on his mantle before he retires if he plays his cards right.

Crawford is refining his running game

As a result of a poor OBP, Carl Crawford's stolen base numbers declined considerably in 2011. Crawford participated in played in 130 games last season and stole 18 bases, compared to 154 games in 2010 with 47 steals. With the lack of a running game, Carl Crawford needs a bit of a refresher course and he is working with Mike Roberts (father of Brian Roberts) to get back to where he was.

CSNNE:

For two days, after the team’s regular workouts, Crawford went back out to Field 3 to work with Mike Roberts, a former college coach and a baserunning specialist. Roberts and Crawford have worked together for several years, most recently before Crawford’s last season with the Rays, in 2010.
 
“It’s usually like for a reminder,” Crawford said of these sessions. “I don’t care how good you get at something, it’s always nice to have guys like Mr. Roberts come in and remind you of the little things that make you successful at it.
 
“Last year I lost my confidence on the basepaths and that’s one thing we were talking about, having confidence on the bases. It might translate to my playing better defense and hitting better.”
 
“The best word to use is ‘refine,’” said Roberts. “He’s got to refine [his technique]. And the other thing that I mentioned to Carl is by refining and working on the little things on basestealing, if it clicks, his legs are more alive, he has more confidence. With some of the athletes that I’ve worked with it seems that they have more confidence when they’re hitting, they have more in their outfield play, when they have to make a throw. So I think it transcends the entire game. A lot of people start with  offense.  With a player like Carl,  I think you start with his baserunning to regain his confidence.”

Crawford's lack of steals was a huge void in the Red Sox game last season, even with Ellsbury's offensive explosion. I'm glad he is not taking an approach where he doesn't work on this part of his game because he is an established base-stealer. He is trying hard to get back to where he was in Tampa and he does not seem to be cutting corners. As long as he keeps up all of the hard work, it will be hard for him to fall back to where he was last season.

Valentine loves Jeter

Here is Valentine's response to Jeter's response to Valentine.

Will this ever end?

Jeter: Valentine 'must be bored over there'

In reaction to Valentine's criticism of his 2001 ALDS flip play at the plate, Derek Jeter thinks Bobby is just bored, so he has to stir some crap up to pass the time.

ESPN New York:

"I'm indifferent, really," Jeter said on Wednesday in regards to comments Valentine made regarding the famous "flip play" Jeter made at home plate against the Oakland A's in Game 3 of the 2001 ALDS that nipped Jeremy Giambi at the plate. "I don't know Bobby well enough to know what he's trying to do. I could care less. I guess that's the best way to put it."

[...]

Jeter seemed more bemused than annoyed at the assertions.

"We do practice it, but not the flip home," Jeter said. "But who cares? Why are we talking about this? He must be bored over there, huh? I don't understand."

Once again, we are going to get a lot of this with Bobby Valentine. Jeter also brings up a good point, Why are we talking about this? I guess it has been bugging Valentine for years and since he was talking about Tek smashing A-Rod in his face, he might as well throw some Jeter criticism in there. Bobby is going to make for some great Enemy Chatter this season.

Your Morning Dump... Where Shoppach is not filling Tek's shoes

Jim Davis/The Boston Globe/Getty Images

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

When the Red Sox signed veteran catcher Kelly Shoppach in December, it effectively ended Jason Varitek’s 15-year run with the team and ultimately his career.

But whatever you do, don’t suggest that Shoppach is replacing the longtime captain.

“No, I’m not,” Shoppach said yesterday, even as Varitek prepares to announce his retirement tomorrow in a ceremony at the Red Sox’ new spring training complex. “I just happened to be in the same position on this roster.”

“Things that will be different are not on-the-field things,” Shoppach said, acknowledging that Varitek’s leadership is irreplaceable. “But they asked me to come do a job, and it’s my responsibility to give it everything I’ve got. That’s all I can do. I can’t worry about anything else.”

Herald - Kelly Shoppach will catch, lead his own way

You have to feel a little bit for Shoppach here.  He effectively forced Red Sox all-time great and fan favorite Jason Varitek into retirement. 

It's not his fault.  That's how the situation was going to play out regardless of whether the Sox signed him or someone else; but that's the hand he's been dealt.  And now he has to deal with the "How are you going to fill the Captain's shoes"  questions, for at least the next couple days.

Not that the expectations are that high for Shoppach.  Nor would they have been for Varitek.  Salty is the every day catcher.  He's the guy that is going ot have to produce from the catcher position.  Shoppach and his .115 average against righties will only see action when the Sox face a left-handed pitcher.  And when he does suit up, we simply want him to call a solid game and get a timely hit or two.  And if he can continue to mentor Saltalamacchia and build upon his 2011 campaign, well that's just gravy.

But one thing that Scott Lauber makes clear in the above article is that Shoppach does not come from the Jason Varitek school of catching.  During his brief time with the Sox, Kelly doesn't seem to have interacted with Varitek at all.  This is neither a good nor bad thing, but if your expectation is that we're getting a Jason Varitek clone, you will be disappointed.  But there's enough veteran leadership on this team that we don't need another Tek. 

Just a backup catcher who isn't awful.  The jury is certainly still out on that.

On Page 2, what the hell happened to Albert Belle?

Bobby V thinks Jeter is full of crap

How do you make your way into the hearts of Red Sox fans, take shots at the Yankees.

Herald:

Asked today for his thoughts on retiring catcher Jason Varitek, Valentine offered the usual kudos, calling the longtime Red Sox captain a “man’s man” and “everything you want in a guy who wore a ‘C’ ” and “the leader of the pitching staff.” Then he paused, likely for effect, and said, “And he beat up Alex,” referring, of course, to Varitek’s famous facewash of A-Rod during the 2004 season.

What does he think about Derek Jeter's famous 2001 ALDS cut-off/throw out of Jeremy Giambi at the plate.

“We’ll never practice that,” Valentine said. “I think (Jeter) was out of position. I think the ball gets (Giambi) out if (Jeter) doesn’t touch it, personally. That was amazing that he was there. I bet it’s more amazing that he said he practiced it. I don’t believe it.”

Get used to this Red Sox fans, he is full of this. Valentine loves to make these type of comments and it gets under the skin of a lot of people. The good thing is, Yankee fans hate him already, so the fire is already burning.

Ortiz: "It was a good ride being Tek's teammate"

 

While I'm not happy that Jason Varitek is retiring, I can acknowledge that it's for the best.  For all parties involved.  Still, though, it's going to be weird not seeing him suit up every afternoon.

Luckily we still get to keep him as part of the organization.  Last season's perceived lack of leadership aside, this is still a man who is greatly respected by the members of the Red Sox roster, and having him around (depending on his role this season) for players to lean on is only going to help this team move on.

Down in Fort Myers, the Globe's Pete Abe talked to some players about Tek's retirement, and the impact he's had on their careers.  Here's just a small sampling of some of the things they said:

JOSH BECKETT
"I never had a catcher before that I felt like cared more about wanting me to be successful even before he wanted to be successful... He was a guy you could always bounce something off of. It didn't matter what it was, if it was personal stuff, you were pretty confident he was going to be honest with you and try and help you."

DAVID ORTIZ
"Great teammate. It was fun, it was a good ride being Tek's teammate. There's a lot of moments, a lot of memories involved... Now that he's going to retire, he's the kind of person this organization needs to keep very close. This is a guy, he doesn't nothing but add things, good things. Like I say, it was an honor for me to be his teammate I learned a lot of good things from Tek... Walking in this year and not seeing him, it was like something unexpected."

JARROD SALTALAMACCHIA
"He meant a lot. He helped me out a lot last year... Last year was a huge, huge help for getting my career back on track. Just the person he is, you can't find a better person... I could see across the field how people looked at him, how people respected him. You definitely look up to a guy like that... He gave me the confidence back that I needed to be a player. He's just such a special guy, such a special player."

Some players are obviously going to miss Tek more than others (*cough*Beckett*cough*), but his absence in the clubhouse will have a universal impact.  It'll be interesting to see if Salty regresses at all without the Captain's guidance.  But as Jarrod told Pete, Varitek told him he can come to him at any time.  What more can you ask for in a teammate?

Your Morning Dump...Tito thinks the beer ban is a PR move

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

“I think it’s a PR move. I think if a guy wants a beer, he can probably get one.”

– Terry Francona

He’s right.

Bitter? Probably. Sensitive? You bet. But Terry Francona (already far more outspoken as an analyst than I ever imagined) proves that being blinded by bias doesn’t always get in the way of finding the truth.

I swear this column will feature my final chicken and beer references of 2012. Even by Boston sports media standards it was and is a spectacularly overblown issue. But this back-and-forth between Francona (formerly the manager of the Red Sox and now an ESPN analyst) and Bobby Valentine (formerly an ESPN analyst and now manger of the Red Sox) is guilty fun, right?

“Remember,” Valentine said on Monday when asked about Francona’s “PR” assertion, “you’re getting paid over there [ESPN] for saying stuff. You get paid over here for doing stuff. I’ve done both. … How was it PR? It means like 20 teams are looking for PR and that’s why they’re making good decisions.”

WEEI: Sox ban on beer is meaningless

I agree with Minihane, this is becoming a fun battle as Valentine and Francona swap jobs. You can count on the battle keeping up during the season because Valentine likes to be in front of a camera and he will surely respond to any criticism.

As far as the comment of the ban being a PR move, that is also true. The fans are not happy, for the most part, with the results of last season and the actions in the clubhouse. Though, some of the decision can be attributed to Valentine changing things to his way and that was one of the things on the checklist.

I hope the talk about the ban is pretty much over, but we all know it will linger for the entire season. They are big boys, they'll get their beer and someone will have to write about it. 

Related: Herald: Terry Francona fans flames in wake of beer ban

The rest of the links:

CSNNE: Morales slowed by strength issue | Ortiz, Bard understand Beckett's distractions | Picard: An example of why Varitek was a man of respect | Globe: Captain's Call | For Red Sox, history repeats | Pitching plans into motion | ESPNBoston: Photos: Varitek through the years | Morning Report: Will success beget success | Herald: Bard's doing what he's always done - pitch

Varitek to retire, take job with Red Sox

The Boston Globe broke the story:

Jason Varitek, a two-time World Series champion and the captain of the Red Sox from 2005-2011, will announce his retirement on Thursday in Fort Myers, sources told the Globe today.

Varitek is expected to stay with the organization in some capacity.

A member of the Red Sox from 1997-2011, Varitek hit .256 with 193 home runs and 757 RBIs. He was a three-time All-Star and a Gold Glove winner.

Only Carl Yastrzemski (23 seasons), Ted Williams (19) and Jim Rice (16) had longer tenures with the Red Sox without playing for another team.

Congrats to Jason Varitek on one helluva career. (Am I a horrible person for saying this announcement is two years too late?)

Tek will always be remembered for shoving his mitt in Alex Rodriquez's face during the championship season of 2004. He had a knack for catching no-hitters (4) and let's not forget his alleged affair with the lovely Heidi Watney. 

It's safe to say this guy has manager written all over him.