Friday Night Lights
I know such entreaties can get annoying, so this is the last time I’ll say it.
Bryan Joiner
Why then I
November 13, 2007
In 27 Minutes, Josh Beckett Will Not Win The Cy Young Award
I am not going to be surprised, nor am I going to fuss about it. Nor should I: it’s the right decision. Unlike some Boston-focused columnists, the Sox’ wins are enough for me. When Pedro got screwed out of the 1999 MVP award because two people did not vote for him — well, that hurt quite a bit.
Let’s not forget what an abomination that was. Vegas Watch has that listed as the worst MVP vote in history, and more recently, it’s driven Pedro to eat. Or something.
I remember exactly where I was when I heard that. I was in my living room in my first college apartment (during my junior year), and my head about exploded when I saw the ticker. I couldn’t believe it. I was on my way out the door to O’Hare, and I would, coincidentally, miss my flight for the first time ever. The only good part is that it allowed me to go back to my apartment and complain non-stop. I haven’t stopped yet, just muted it in light of recent success.
I’m still pissed about Aaron Boone, too.
(Update: He did not win, nor did I think he deserved to win. By “the wins are enough for me,” I mean the Red Sox’ wins, not his wins, because pitcher wins are dumb.)
November 13, 2007
The importance of signing Lowell
Mike Lowell’s a free agent. Normally, I would not care. But this is not a normal year — and that has nothing to do with the World Series title (which they won!). I’m not a fan of re-signing guys based on fan friendliness, likeability or prematurely graying hair, but the Lowell signing makes all the sense in the world for the Red Sox because the Yankees don’t have a third baseman and the market for them is bad. Except that one guy, but we won’t talk about him now. If the Red Sox can sign Lowell, they will block the Yankees from doing the same.
So my next question is, what’s the holdup? It seems like both sides engaged in a little doublespeak, especially Lowell. During and after the World Series, he pledged his commitment to staying in Boston, maybe even for a lower price than he could get on the open (/Yankees) market, but the sides were unable to reach a deal. The Sox proposed three years, Lowell four. I’m not begrudging Lowell for any of this — it’s good business to leverage other offers into more money, unless you’re Stanley on The Office, where it’s just not going to work. But I think there’s a separate point in all this. For all Curt Schilling’s celebrated bluster, he put his money where he mouth is. He said he would stay for less money, and he did. If nothing else, you have to respect the man for that. As someone closer to the end of his career than Lowell, it’s of less importance to squeeze every penny out of his team (or is it the other way around, with the end of the road so close?), whereas Lowell is still in his prime earning years. But still, it’s nice to avoid the drama when you can.
I still believe that Lowell is coming back though, 100 percent. I’m not worried at all. Look at the Sox’ recent history with contracts — the Varitek contract is the best analogy, but the J.D. and Lugo contracts are good indicators as well — and it points toward the Sox throwing on an option year. The money is irrelevant, but I’d guess we’re looking at 4/$50 million.
Sheesh, that is a lot of money.
Bryan Joiner 