Bostonist: Sports Redux: How Many Red Sox All Stars Does It Take To Win A One-Run Game?

Michael Femia

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:50:26 -0500

You're right. I forgot they changed the rules so the manager didn't have complete control (the "Joe Torre picked Mike Stanton?!?" Rule). Oh, well, at least Tito has the discretion to make Mariano Rivera pitch 7 innings and blow his arm out for good. Hint hint.

Carter

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:45:04 -0500

"...while Jonathan Papelbon, Jason Varitek and J.D. Drew were named by Terry Francona as reserves." Wow, is it possible for anyone to get this correct? Terry Francona DID NOT select those players - They were selected by MLB Players!!! Get your facts straight!

VinF

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:58:29 -0500

The contrast between the intense and great effort by Federer and Nadal and the complete lack of energy of any kind on Manny Ramirez' part in the same day was striking. At Wimbledon it was a great shot by one guy followed by a great shot by the other guy. One minute you think one guy is going to win. Then you think the other guy can't lose. They played 4 1/2 hours and were still hustling on every point. It was THE best tennis match I have ever seen. And Manny can't play baseball on a warm Sunday evening, when his team has David Ortiz out with injury and Jason Varitek out with Wakefield pitching and could use him, not even as a DH who doesn't have to run unless he hits the ball. Which of course he can't do if he never swings, as was the case in that pathetic at-bat (if you can call it that) when he stood watching three strikes without ever moving the bat! What a contrast between two great athletes giving it their all in a great rivalry and one guy sitting for most of the game and then just watching three strikes go by in one at-bat in what is supposed to be another great rivalry.