I'll take Ortiz... but...
05/08/20008 10:38 AM
You can't go wrong with either pick, David Ortiz or Manny Ramirez in their prime? Who would you take?
That's the question I put out there for debate and thanks for all the great responses. That's the beauty of sports. Debate.
Let's take a quick look on this rather than dissect a difficult loss Wednesday night in Detroit.
Manny's best season arguably came in 1999. That year he hit .333 with 44 HR, 165 RBI, 34 doubles, and 131 runs scored. His OPS was 1.105.
David's best season arguably was 2005 when he hit .300 with 47 HR, 148 RBI, 40 doubles, and 119 runs scored. His OPS was 1.001.
On pure numbers it's hard not to side with Manny Ramirez. After all, he's been ridiculously consistent throughout his career and the 11-time All-Star will be in Cooperstown five years after he retires. David has had five tremendous seasons in Boston, where he finally got a chance to play every day. However, Ortiz won't make the HOF unless he produces 5-6 more seasons like that of his 2003 through 2007 campaigns.
The one big advantage I think David has over Manny is time and time again, David has produced with the game on the line. Remember back to 2003, 2004??? It was incredible how many big hits he had in those postseasons. Manny has had his share as well, but I give David the edge.
Of course, Manny also plays the field, but this debate started based on the question, "Who would you take as a hitter in their absolute prime?".
I will take Ortiz, but I can't come up with much if you fire back at me with Manny.
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Hitter Question
05/07/2008 11:45 AM
Hi Gang. Had a discussion at my son's baseball game this past weekend over the following question:
If you could have one hitter...in their prime, at the very top of their game...which would you take...David Ortiz or Manny Ramirez?
Both have been big RBI guys which is my number-1 criteria. Both have been clutch. Both can hit for average, etc..
So which would you choose?
Take a look at Manny's career numbers.
Then compare them to Big Papi's.
Would love to hear from you.....
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Schilling Throws
May 6, 2008
WBZ radio's Jonny Miller reports from Detroit that Sox right-hander Curt Schilling threw for the first time this season as part of his rehab from a shoulder/bicep injury.
Schilling threw 25 times from 60 feet in what was basically a game of catch with Sox pitching coach John Farrell.
Miller reports Schilling and Farrell were interrupted 2 or 3 times by someone mowing the infield grass at Comerica Park.
He is scheduled to throw again on Thursday.
Schilling has shut the arm down since having problems throwing in January. He wanted to undergo biceps surgery at the urging of his doctor, Craig Morgan while the Sox and Dr. Thomas Gill prescribed "rest and rehab". He ended up following the orders of the Sox.
The Sox hope to have Schilling available at some point this season, perhaps as soon as the All-Star break.
Schilling enters the season as the winngest pitcher in the history of the postseason as he is 10-2 with a 2.23 ERA.
Schilling Thought
05/06/2008 9:24 AM
A big day for Curt Schilling and Red Sox fans Tuesday as Schilling plays catch from 60 feet. It's the first time he'll be throwing since the off-season when he had to shut it down.
This is a huge day, make no mistake. You can say all you want, but, we know how good Schilling is in the postseason. Even if he can come back for September to get ready for the postseason, it's big for this team.
My "gut feelings" have me thinking Schilling wasn't going to be able to pitch in 2008. Let's hope that's not the case.
We'll know more in the next 24 hours.
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A One-Two Punch
05/05/2008 9:06 AM
It's exactly how Terry Francona envisioned it when he was thinking about his team in the off-season.
I'm sure he wrote it down many times during his vacations, charity functions, and other down times. After all, I still remember at the Boston Baseball Writers Dinner in January of 2007, Tito and John Farrell jotting down possible starting rotations on a napkin as the night proceeded.
Ellsbury lead-off, Pedroia in the two hole.
That's the deadly combination.
This past weekend against the Tampa Bay Rays, that dynamic duo atop the order was lights out.
Friday, a combined 4-for-8, with 2 runs, 2 walks, 4 RBI, and a stolen base in Boston's 7-3 victory.
Saturday, 5-for-9 with 4 runs scored, plus a walk and an RBI in the Sox 12-4 romp.
Sunday, 2-for-8 with 3 runs scored, 2 walks, an RBI, and 3 stolen bases in Boston's 7-3 win.
The duo scored 9 of the Sox 26 weekend runs. That's what you want out of the top two spots in any line-up. You get that, you're in great shape. They were also on base 16 times. Pretty good stuff.
Ellsbury has the speed and on-base ability to be an ideal lead-off hitter while Pedroia can do it all with the bat. He's also the ultimate sparkplug and can bat either lead-off or second with ease.
Now, this won't be the way it goes every day, but I think this is what Francona wants. Ellsbury-Pedroia. Those two names should bode well for a potent summer line-up no matter who bats behind them.
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