Randomocity meets curiosity by Mike Ghika
A collection of thoughts from the week that was

•Red Sox GM Theo Epstein on drafting Dustin Pedroia in 2005: “We got him in the second round. We were afraid he wouldn’t fall to us. To this day, he goes around saying that we cheated him out of money by not taking him in the first round. But I think he’ll be making up for that – very soon.” Although Pedroia is not eligible for arbitration until after the 2009 season, Epstein is clearly hinting the front office is strongly considering signing him up for the long-term. Interestingly, the team refused to give contracts to both Jonathan Papelbon and Kevin Youkilis last off-season, which shows just how much they do indeed value their pint-sized second baseman.

•The Sox unquestionably salvaged their season with their legendary Game 5 comeback classic. And of course, we all expected a Game 7 victory after they overtook the Rays at the Trop in Game 6. But winning is not something that is inevitable, and we are merely fans, and the Red Sox are merely a baseball team. Take happiness in winning, but I hope nobody takes exception to a group of 25 guys that left everything they had on the field. Not to mention the fact that Theo Epstein has a few tricks up his sleeve to make this ball club even better in 2009.

•As for the Rays, what more can you say? These are not your high-priced Yankees, and it is safe to say that a vast majority of Sox followers are in fact rooting for Joe Maddon and company as the World Series kicks off tomorrow night in Tampa. GM Andrew Friedman will only improve the club in the off-season, and it is clear this was not a one-year fluke (Anyone remember Colorado in 2007?). This nucleus will remain together for another half-decade, and AL East opponents should prepare for it.

•Don’t look now, but the Philadelphia Phillies have a tremendous core in reigning MVP Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Shane Victorino (all of whom may be around for years to come), and the players are finally starting to believe in themselves as the ones who can put it all together. Sure, everyone wanted to see the Dodgers make the Series as the Cinderella, a la Colorado last year, but the Phillies advancing to the Fall Classic is a nice little story in itself. Fans (believe it or not) are more critical of their sports in Philadelphia than they are in Boston or anywhere else in the country. They now get the opportunity to see their club in the Series for the first time since 1993, with a chance for the Phils' second title and first in 28 years.

•Plus, the Phillies have got some players that are simply great for the game. The play (and attitudes) of Utley and Victorino should be at the forefront of instructional videos everywhere.

•The resurrection of 31-year-old Brad Lidge has also been a great story this postseason. After his 2 losses in the 2005 World Series, the closer looked like he may be running out of time, and instead he has become the anchor that the Phillies’ pitching staff has needed. He’s allowed only one earned run in 7 1/3 innings this October, and the way he finished the season 41-for-41 in saves opportunities was amazing, especially after his bullpen disaster in July’s All-Star Game.

•Ace Cole Hamels’ performance in this year’s playoffs? Three starts, three wins, and a 1.23 ERA in 22 IP. We all figured that he had it in him to be this good, and the 24-year-old Hamels is already an LCS MVP after just two and a half full seasons as a starter, not to mention his .623 winning percentage and 3.43 ERA in 84 career starts.

•As for the Dodgers in blue, youngsters James Loney and Andre Ethier are complete players, and watching both of these guys play astounding defense in the playoffs shows they are clearly beyond their age. The strength of Matt Kemp is evident (his pop up in the ninth inning of Game 5 looked like a can of corn off the bat, and instead it carried so far that it resulted in a 400 foot fly out). Meanwhile, Chad Billingsley and Jonathan Broxton are also essential pieces for the future, but in the end it took the production of Manny Ramirez to get them to the NLCS. He doesn’t sound intent on coming back (LA doesn’t have that kind of money), and Derek Lowe is likely out the door, too. However, it is important to surround their young core with productive veterans, because this team is good enough to win in the near future, especially with Joe Torre at the helm.

•There hasn’t been much said about the upcoming World Baseball Classic this spring with the playoffs at full force. Nonetheless, it does begin March 9, and it once again will cause a stir among the Major League clubs that will have to swallow the bug and cringe while watching their stars participate. Maybe you recall the Sox’s Mike Timlin had to serve time on the DL early in 2006 after he participated in the Classic. It’s only time before a multi-million dollar All-Star gets hurt.


Published on October 21, 2008

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