September 29th, 2006 → 11:41 am @ Seth Mnookin // No Comments
As the Sox head into the season’s final series, there’s plenty of news to consider. Will Wily Mo ever learn to play the outfield (as Terry Francona and the rest of the Sox brass desperately hope)? Related to that, will Sunday be Trot Nixon’s last game in a Red Sox uniform? Will Matt Clement ever pitch again? (And do we even want him to?) Will Gonzo win the Gold Glove he deserves? And will he be patrolling the Sox infield in 2007, or will Boston, as seems increasingly likely, go hard after Julio Lugo? Finally, will Jerry Trupiano still be calling Sox games for WEEI alongside Joe Castiglione next year or will he be replaced by Sox PR man Glenn Geffner, who may or may not have been promised the job last year when he turned down a broadcasting job with another MLB team?
These waning days of the regular season bring plenty of non-Sox excitement as well. To wit: are the Mets, a team that is suddenly forced to rely on El Duque as its #1 postseason starter, still a force to be reckoned with? Will Pedro ever pitch again, and if he does, will he ever be the dominant performer we’ve grown accustomed to? Will the Tony LaRussa’s Cardinals suffer one of the most ignominious collapses in history? (As someone who can’t stand Tony LaRussa but counts many Cardinal partisans among his friends, I’m a bit conflicted on this one.) (Also, remember when there was all that talk about how the non-Clemens trade at the deadline meant Roger had lost his last, best chance at playing in one final postseason?)
That’s a lot of questions…and we’ll get at least some answers in the next 60 or so hours.
Mr. Furious
18 years ago
I pinning my hopes on no more Trup.
Retire_Number_14
18 years ago
If it were Joe Castig on the ropes, I’d be suicidal. His voice is a calming influence and a signature of summer in New England. Trup’s great too, but Joe is what makes the radio team go, IMO.
This is what I’d try to do as GM this offseason:
1. Trade Manny for pitching. Sorry, but it’s time. Angels seem like a team desperate enough to take him, although it won’t help their porous D. But Weaver, Santana and some other youngins over there may make an attractive package. Mets or any other NL team would be better, though.
2. Sign Torii Hunter. Whatever it takes. Give him 12 million per. Just think of what 48 will look like patrolling CF and smacking the wall over and over in the 5 spot. Move Crisp to left where he belongs and bat him ninth. His arm strength won’t kill us over there. Also, how about a real leadoff guy, and move Youk to the 2 spot where he’d flourish.
3. Move Papelbon to the rotation (duh) and give Freddy Kruger, I mean, Tavarez a shot there too. No closer? How about Brad Lidge, damaged goods in Houston who could benefit from a change in scenery.
4. Resign Gonzo. He should get the gold glove this year, and personally I like the left side of our infield.
5. Buy another starter. Preferably a lefty. Zito? Mark Mulder? And for crying out loud, put a lefty in the pen too!
6. Teach Pedroia to use the backhand or he’ll rot in AAA. Dude, you’re short enough, so learn how to catch the damn ball. We know you can hit.
7. Keep Hansen in Pawtucket. Or use him as trade bait. Awful performance, but was he really ready? Did Sox have a choice? Too bad.
8. Say goodbye to Foulke, Nixon, Timlin, Miserabelli and Kapler. It’s been fun, but, you know. And put Clement out of his misery already.
Nordberg
18 years ago
The saddest of all, I think, is that Mork Loretta is one and done with the Red Sox. I understand that Pedroia is the heir apparent at second base, but how can you let go of a pro like Mark Loretta. The man is a professional baseball player, period.
I think the Sox FO should do everything possible to bring him back at a reasonable price.
And Troup must return.
Mr. Furious
18 years ago
Put it this way… I live in Michigan (btw, the Tigers radio team is excellent), and I still want Trupiano gone in case I’m ever back in Connecticut visiting and have to listen to a game.
Nordberg
18 years ago
I’m at a loss on the Troup hate. Why?
Ever heard John Sterling or Ed Farmer or Ron Santo or Chip Caray?
Troup is fine. He’s accurate, not too much of a homer and calls a good game. He’s fair, not too over the top and treats the game with respect.
And he and Joe C. are a good pair.
Those of you who don’t like him, who have you heard on the radio who you think is good, and what are your standards for a good broadcaster?