pedro martinez
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News Archive for March 1-13, 2001
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Tuesday, March 13, 2001
Pedro Martinez sparkles in spring debut
Brita Meng, redsox.com
“I felt pretty good. I’m getting there,” Martinez said after the game. “I’m still not consistent enough with my pitches. My curveball is good. I’m just getting my work done and getting ready for the season.”
A shot from his arm — The Red Sox stumble again, but Martinez is masterful
Sean McAdam, Providence Journal
“This is the first time in four years that he’s pitched good for us in the first game,” Joe Kerrigan said. “In the past, he didn’t have good command, he’d be over-vamped, his delivery was rushed. … Today, he was comfortable.”
Pedro sharp in his debut
Jeff Horrigan, Boston Herald
Rarely is it considered a surprise when Pedro Martinez embarrasses opposing hitters with filthy, unhittable pitches that leave entire stadiums shaking their heads in awe.
[Vladimir Guerrero] showed off his powerful arm by throwing out Mike Lansing at the plate on Jose Offerman’s third-inning single with a no-hop bullet to catcher Michael Barrett. “He’s amazing,” Martinez said of his fellow Dominican. “I wish I could have that arm to pitch.”
A striking debut for Martinez
Bob Hohler, Boston Globe
”I felt like I’m getting there, but I’m not quite hitting my spots yet,” the three-time Cy Young Award winner said with a straight face. ”I’m strong, but I’m not really consistent with my pitches except the curveball.”
Pedro impressive in first spring training game
The Sporting News
Martinez mixed up his pitches from the start. “Usually in his first game his first 20 pitches are almost all fastballs,” Kerrigan said.
Martinez in game form
Mike Petraglia, redsox.com
Grapefruit League, regular season or playoffs – it doesn’t matter. Pedro Martinez showed Monday why he is considered the best pitcher in baseball.
Martinez offers real hope for Red Sox
Karen Guregian, Boston Herald
For one spring training game, at least, the torture stopped. Pedro Martinez was pitching for real, and all the negativity that had been gnawing away at our preseason euphoria over the Red Sox came to a halt.
Double delight
Pierre Moussette, mlb.expos.com
He left a huge void after his departure. Shoes that were too big to fill.
Even Martinez Can’t End Slide
David Heuschkel, Hartford Courant
By Opening Day, the Red Sox expect Martinez to be able to go the distance. He threw 54 pitches (35 strikes) Monday. His pitch count will probably increase 10-15 pitches in each of his final three starts, putting him on pace to throw around 100 in his first appearance of the regular season.
A year ago, Martinez threw 32 pitches in his first spring start and 76 in his final start. He threw 49 pitches – mostly fastballs – in a three-inning simulated game against minor league players last week. “I think that simulated game did him a world of good,” pitching coach Joe Kerrigan said. “He got all the juices out.”
Pedro’s pumped
Jack Todd, Montreal Gazette
Pedro Martinez looked a little rusty. After all, it was his first start in spring training. Game Notes from Jack Todd, including news on Tommy Harper.
Martinez shines but Expos win in blowout
AP, from Toronto Sun
Pedro Martinez looked like he was ready for opening day.
Martinez already superb
Garry Brown, Springfield Union News
Is it too early to hand out the American League’s Cy Young Award? Is it too early to polish it, engrave it and deliver it to 4 Yawkey Way, Boston?
Sox pitching entering focus
Associated Press
The blurry picture of the Boston Red Sox pitching rotation became clearer Monday based on the performances of two candidates: Rolando Arrojo and Tomo Ohka.
Nomar remains optimistic as ailing wrist improves
Sean McAdam, Providence Journal
There was cautious optimism surrounding Nomar Garciaparra, after the Red Sox shortstop had the cast removed from his ailing right wrist for examination.
Nomar sees improvement: Tendon tear seems to be on the mend
Jeff Horrigan, Boston Herald
Nomar Garciaparra appears to be right on schedule with his recovery from a tendon tear in his right wrist.
Cast system is still in place — Garciaparra shows improvement
Bob Hohler, Boston Globe
Dr. Jeff Dugas, an associate of noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., has not seen the MRI of Garciaparra’s wrist. But he concurs with the approach the Sox are taking. ”I would wholeheartedly agree,” Dugas said yesterday. ”If [Morgan] says the wrist has improved and the swelling has decreased, my approach to the star player of the Red Sox would be a conservative one. I would continue exactly the same course of action.”
Improvement seen in Garciaparra’s wrist
Mike Petraglia, redsox.com
Garciaparra says he still holds out hope that the wrist will improve enough for him to be in the starting lineup when the Red Sox open the season April 2 in Baltimore.
Garciaparra to be examined again in a week
foxsports.com
“The area is still tender, but improved,” team physician Dr. Bill Morgan said. ”We’ll continue with the current course of treatment, which includes casting, medication and his aerobic workouts. The wrist has now been immobilized in a cast for 10 days. We will re-examine the wrist in one week.”
Garciaparra will be re-evaluated in a week
ESPN.com
The waiting game continues for Red Sox fans.
Duquette to get three-year pact
Bob Hohler, Boston Globe
With the Red Sox for sale, CEO John Harrington is poised to award general manager Dan Duquette a new contract that will keep him on the payroll for at least another three years, according to a source.
The three-year pact is worth an estimated $4.5 million, a boost from Duquette’s current annual wage of about $1 million. Duquette has said he wants to remain general manager for as long as it takes the Sox to win their first World Series since 1918.
Monday, March 12, 2001
Martinez to provide quick fix
Gordon Edes, Boston Globe
Pedro Martinez is pitching this afternoon. That in itself should provide a temporary reprieve for Red Sox fans weary of beginning another day with a dose of unsettling news from Camp Woebegone.
Can the staff ace Martinez put end to spring swoon?
Providence Journal
What do you when you need to snap a losing streak? You give the ball to your ace pitcher.
… The cast is expected to come off Nomar Garciaparra ‘s right wrist today, at which time he’ll undergo an examination.
… Left-handers Luis Arroyo and Allen McDill were returned to the minor league camp; left-hander Jesus Pena and right-hander Jin Ho Cho were optioned to Pawtucket; catcher Steve Lomasney was optioned to Trenton, and left-hander Trever Miller was promoted to the major league camp.
Ohka enhances his chances of cracking Sox’ rotation
Steven Krasner, Providence Journal
When spring training began last month, the Boston Red Sox had assembled a number of veteran pitchers as candidates for their starting rotation.
Arrojo and Ohka have different grips on spot
Gordon Edes, Boston Globe
With the exception of David Cone, the Sox have a starting rotation where it helps, as someone mentioned earlier this spring, if your name ends with a certain vowel: Pedro. Nomo. Castillo. Arrojo. And if not Rolando, how about Tomo?
Ohka lost in translation: No room in rotation for righty
Jeff Horrigan, Boston Herald
Tomo Ohka is more perceptive than many give him credit.
Florie vents frustration: Clears the air with Williams
Jeff Horrigan, Boston Herald
Bothered by his stagnated status and unclear future with the club as he attempts to return from a shattered eye socket, Bryce Florie held a clear-the-air meeting with manager Jimy Williams yesterday and received assurances that he is still a part of the Red Sox’ plans.
Florie anxious to get back on mound
The Sporting News
Bryce Florie’s arm is strong. He fields grounders cleanly. He sees well enough to throw strikes.
Hillenbrand well-positioned for success
Steve Buckley, Boston Herald
He’s one of those guys you’ve probably never heard of, unless you’re a card-carrying statnik who likes to run a finger through the spring training boxscores every morning, digesting every last name.
Catching up with Jason Varitek
Mike Petraglia, redsox.com
He is the less famous half of the Georgia Tech connection on the Red Sox. But in the mind of manager Jimy Williams, he is just as important to the club’s success.
An Angell has been watching over Cone
Gordon Edes, Boston Globe
When author Roger Angell, the eminent essayist for The New Yorker, set out to do a book on pitcher David Cone, the idea was to write a highly technical book on the art of pitching.
Will McDonough, Boston Globe Columnist
”A man came in my store last week and said he had an old baseball that he thinks might be worth something,” said Phil Castinetti, who owns Sportsworld in Everett, the biggest memorabilia store in New England. ”I look at it. It’s old. It’s worn. But I can read some of the names. There’s Babe Ruth on the side panel. I look at it more and it’s the 1918 Red Sox. Their last world championship team. So I got out the books, and the oldest team baseball signed is from Chicago in 1920. This could be the oldest.” But how does one prove it? ”You send it out to be authenticated,” said Castinetti, who has shipped the ball to Jim Spence in Pennsylvania, who works for a company named PSA-DNA. ”They can test the ball scientifically to see if it’s the real deal. I believe that it is. But I want to make sure. Imagine owning the oldest team baseball in existence, and that it’s a baseball from the Sox’ 1918 team. That’s exciting.”
Sunday, March 11, 2001
Neill trying to find his place in sun
Bob Hohler, Boston Globe
He has knocked in as many runs in 10 at-bats as Manny Ramirez, Carl Everett, and Dante Bichette have in a combined 55 at-bats. He has scored more runs and hit more homers than all three, who have a combined salary of $26.5 million.
Errors are catching
Bob Hohler and Gordon Edes, Boston Globe
Better days are ahead. They have to be. … [also Bryce Florie news]
Doctors discuss surgery — Garciaparra still opposes procedure
Bob Hohler, Boston Globe
After an independent review of an MRI and X-rays on Nomar Garciaparra’s injured right wrist, Garciaparra’s doctors have raised the possibility of surgery.
Rehabbing third baseman says knee’s still sore
Gordon Edes, Boston Globe
John Valentin’s left knee was still sore yesterday, the day after he felt pain for the first time this spring, raising considerable doubt that he will be ready for the start of the season.
Valentin not too late to weigh in on Everett
Gordon Edes, Boston Globe
When you’ve been with the team longer than any player in uniform, as John Valentin has, you can talk openly about things your teammates might discuss only in private. Like Carl Everett missing the bus.
It hasn’t been a fitting start for Red Sox
Steven Krasner, Providence Journal
When spring training began for the Boston Red Sox, expectations for a banner season were high.
Struggling defense can see the errors of its ways
Steven Krasner, Providence Journal
Stay away from the panic button.
Sox have bus to catch
Tony Massarotti, Boston Herald
There is an old saying in baseball: The bus leaves on time. Be on it or be under it.
Spring is made for Camp Stories
Steve Buckley, Boston Herald
A growing number of “baseball people” have been saying that spring training is too long, that teams could easily get their players stretched out and limbered up for the season with no more than a four-week boot camp.
Jimy’s error message: Don’t panic
Jeff Horrigan, Boston Herald
The Red Sox have baseball’s worst spring training record, have committed 20 errors in only 10 games and have scored five runs in their last 27 innings.
Burkhart all business: Aims to stick with Red Sox
Jeff Horrigan, Boston Herald
Morgan Burkhart has long since reached the conclusion that nothing will ever come easy for him in baseball.
Rehabbing third baseman says knee’s still sore
Gordon Edes, Boston Globe
John Valentin’s left knee was still sore yesterday, the day after he felt pain for the first time this spring, raising considerable doubt that he will be ready for the start of the season.
Blanco is a white-hot prospect
Gordon Edes, Boston Globe
Al Newman, who manages the Minnesota Twins’ rookie league team here, was in Sarasota when the manager of the Reds’ Gulf Coast League team, Luis Quinones, pointed at a satellite dish in the middle of the clubhouse, well beyond the left-field fence of the minor league diamond on which his team played.
”You’re not going to believe this,” Quinones said, ”but yesterday, a kid hit a home run off that dish.”
Newman’s response was immediate. ”I told him, ‘Bull,”’ said Newman, calculating the distance at close to 500 feet. ”Then he told me the name of the kid who hit it. Tony Blanco. I believed him then …”
Jon Shave, who had arthroscopic surgery Friday for torn cartilage in his left knee, was reassigned to the minor-league camp yesterday. Shave, who is signed to a minor-league deal, ultimately will be placed on Pawtucket’s disabled list. Outfielder Dernell Stenson was optioned to Pawtucket, and right-hander Carlos Castillo, catcher Angel Encarnacion and outfielder Yamil Benitez were reassigned to the minor-league camp.
Saturday, March 10, 2001
Holes in the Sox — Boston faces more questions than answers
Paul C. Smith, MLB.com
The signing of Manny Ramirez during the offseason gave Red Sox fans hope that their team could challenge the New York Yankees for the AL East title and maybe a trip to the World Series.
Doctors discuss surgery
Bob Hohler, Boston Globe
After an independent review of an MRI and X-rays on Nomar Garciaparra’s injured right wrist, Garciaparra’s doctors have raised the possibility of surgery.
Red Sox Notebook
Bob Hohler, Boston Globe
Anyone who criticized Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette for giving away two prospects for third baseman Chris Stynes may have second thoughts this morning.
The Sox assigned lefthander Casey Fossum and first baseman Juan Diaz to the minor league camp in the first round of roster cuts.
Garciaparra’s D-day Thursday; surgery last-resort option
Steven Krasner, Providence Journal
Yesterday, for the first time since the tendon in his right wrist swelled up on him several days ago, Nomar Garciaparra used the “s” word.
Nomar cast in strange role: Oft-quiet star is stir crazy
Steve Buckley, Boston Herald
“Eight days I’ve been wearing this cast,” Nomar Garciaparra was saying yesterday. “Yes, eight days – if my calculations are correct.”
Garciaparra waits and sees with wrist
Mike Petraglia, redsox.com
Nomar Garciaparra remains hopeful that his right wrist will heal on its own with proper rest and treatment. However, the Boston shortstop does not rule out surgery should doctors deem it necessary.
It may be time to shop for a shortstop
Michael Silverman, The Sporting News
Wrist in cast another week, then what?
Howard Ulman, Associated Press
Nomar Garciaparra can’t even sign autographs with the right wrist that propelled so many hits.
Lewis starts off hot in exhibition play
Mike Petraglia, redsox.com
Darren Lewis’s glovework has always been his trademark over the course of 11 big league seasons. Now, a new aspect of the veteran’s game is emerging: his bat.
News on John Valentin and Bret Saberhagen
Providence Journal
Also news from the Boston Herald
Florie calls timeout: Comeback try delayed
Jeff Horrigan, Boston Herald
The feel-good story of the spring has taken an unexpected turn and may be destined for an unhappy ending.
Ask Edes (mailbag)
Gordon Edes, Boston Globe
Friday, March 9, 2001
“The Fuss on the Bus”
The day after, Everett takes usual stance
Sean McAdam, Providence Journal
One day after manager Jimy Williams ordered the team bus to leave without a tardy Carl Everett and levied him with a fine, the two attempted to move past the latest in a series of conflicts between them.
Cool Everett holds court
Jeff Horrigan, Boston Herald
Carl Everett poked his head through the opened side window of the white, stucco bungalow that serves as the visiting clubhouse at McKechnie Field and peacefully smiled as the morning sunshine burned off the residual dew.
Williams wins `Fuss on the bus’ by TKO
Steve Buckley, Boston Herald
The latest showdown between Jimy Williams and embattled outfielder Carl Everett was a one-punch knockout for the Red Sox skipper.
Everett says they’re all back on board
Bob Hohler, Boston Globe
Carl Everett wanted peace. But as careful as the controversial slugger was not to toss nails under the Red Sox’ tires the day after he missed the team bus, Everett yesterday insisted on making peace on his terms.
Plenty of backfiring in wake of Sox’ bus
Dan Shaughnessy, Boston Globe
Everett has his apologists, including thousands of sycophant Sox fans who wouldn’t care if he hosted nightly keggers at the local youth center as long as he hit .320.
Boston CF takes bus to Bradenton
Howard Ulman, Associated Press
Missing the Red Sox bus was “no big deal,” Carl Everett said Thursday. Boston manager Jimy Williams said it “could happen to anybody.”
Pappas sheds light on Garciaparra — Scar tissue in wrist is main problem
Gordon Edes, Boston Globe
While Nomar Garciaparra took grounders on a back diamond here yesterday morning, fielding the balls then tossing them a few feet away, Red Sox medical director Arthur Pappas shed some light on the condition of his injured right wrist.
Cone rediscovers the secret to his past success
Sean McAdam, Providence Journal
Seated in front of three TV monitors early last Sunday morning, David Cone watched the video intently. On the left screen was Atlanta Braves ace Greg Maddux; on the right was Red Sox teammate Bret Saberhagen; in the middle was Cone himself.
Cone’s in a good fix: Regains control via Kerrigan videotape
Jeff Horrigan, Boston Herald
On Sunday, one day after being hammered by the Texas Rangers for five runs in two innings, David Cone arrived at City of Palms Park to find Red Sox pitching coach Joe Kerrigan waiting with a series of television monitors and VCRs.
Help is delivered to Cone
Bob Hohler, Boston Globe
”I came here with an open mind because I knew these guys could help me,” Cone said of Kerrigan and manager Jimy Williams. ”It appears that they have.”
Cone appears certain to pick up the $1 million the Sox owe him if he remains with the team next Thursday. He gets an additional $1 million if he makes the Opening Day roster. He will have one more outing – Tuesday – before the deadline.
Cone changes delivery; much stronger in second outing
The Sporting News
David Cone watched three television monitors the morning after his own horror show.
Cone’s ‘epiphany’ could save Red Sox something
Jayson Stark, Epsn.com
He still looks like he came out of Central Casting wearing the wrong uniform, with that “B” on his cap instead of “NY.”
Red Sox hurting with Garciaparra out
Rod Beaton, usatoday.com
The Boston Red Sox sure could use Donnie Sadler again.
The Red Sox signed six more players: Brian Daubach, Trot Nixon , Tomo Ohka , Morgan Burkhart , Jin Ho Cho , and Pena. They also renewed Lou Merloni’s contract at last year’s rate of the minimum $200,000. Daubach, who earned $295,000 last year, signed for $400,000. And Nixon increased his salary from $270,000 to $390,000. Ohka was believed to have received a similar increase from last year’s $200,000. The first cuts are expected by late next week, when the minor league teams begin spring training.
Thursday, March 8, 2001
Pedro Martinez throws simulated game
Mike Petraglia, redsox.com [lengthy report]
Pedro Martinez struck out three and walked none pitching three innings of a simulated game against Red Sox minor leaguers Wednesday at City of Palms Park. The Red Sox ace retired 10 of the 12 batters who came to the plate, surrendering only two hits: a double to Nate Tebbs, the first batter he faced, and a triple to center off the bat of Mark Fischer, who recorded an RBI in his two at-bats.
Full speed ahead for Martinez
Sean McAdam, Providence Journal
The setting was tranquil — a cloudless blue sky with perhaps 25 or so people seated in the stands. The opponents were unfamiliar, mostly unknowns with little experience above Single A ball.
Pedro gets his work done
Steve Buckley and Tony Massarotti, Boston Herald
Facing a collection of wide-eyed kids from the Sox’ minor-league system, Pedro Martinez allowed one run in a three-inning simulated game yesterday in a near-empty City of Palms Park.
Martinez likes his prospect
Gordon Edes, and Bob Hohler, Boston Globe
Tony Blanco, 19, the highly touted third base prospect, hit a two-run home run for Martinez’s side in this practice game.
“He’s going to be the next Vladimir Guerrero, that’s the type of swing he has,” Martinez said. “He’s got a Vladimir Guerrero-type of build, but he may be a little bigger and stronger than Vladi was at the same age. But he has the same kind of swing, the same approach.”
Red Sox Notebook
Providence Journal
Prior to yesterday’s 9-8 win over the Phillies at Jack Russell Stadium, Jimy Williams said the Red Sox’ starting rotation consisted of Pedro Martinez, Frank Castillo, David Cone, Hideo Nomo and Rolando Arrojo .
Martinez happy with simulated game
Howard Ulman, Associated Press
The setting was strange for Pedro Martinez — a nearly empty stadium and players from the lower minors batting against him.
Everett AWOL for today’s game
Bob Holher, Boston Globe
With a blast of exhaust in a sudden air of trouble, a bus carrying the Red Sox yesterday to a game against the Philadelphia Phillies rolled away without a star player: Carl Everett.
Everett misses bus to Clearwater
Mike Petraglia, redsox.com
Red Sox manager Jimy Williams says centerfielder Carl Everett will travel with the team and be on hand for Thursday’s game against Pittsburgh in Bradenton.
Carl Everett Misses Bus
Providence Journal
Boston Herald (1)
Boston Herald (2)
Boston Globe (1)
Boston Globe (2)
redsox.mlb.com
Associated Press
Wednesday, March 7, 2001
Simulated Pedro
Tony Massarotti, Boston Herald
Pedro Martinez will throw a simulated game today at City of Palms Park while the Sox head north to Clearwater for a meeting with the Philadelphia Phillies. While it has been suggested that the Sox scratched Martinez from the game with the Phils to keep him off a long bus ride, there were indications yesterday that the Sox feel he is not yet ready to pitch in a game. Following today’s simulated game, Martinez will have just four spring starts before the scheduled April 2 opener at Baltimore.
Bad news gets worse: Nomar to wear cast longer than expected
Tony Massarotti, Boston Herald
General manager Dan Duquette still believes Nomar Garciaparra can be ready for Opening Day, but the shortstop’s road back to the Red Sox grew just a little bit longer yesterday.
Opening Day lineup may be recast
Sean McAdam, Providence Journal
The fact that Nomar Garciaparra was fitted with a new cast for his right wrist yesterday and has had his recovery time extended doesn’t bode well for the start of the 2001 season.
A bad sign for the Sox?
Garciaparra must wear cast for an extra week
Bob Hohler, Boston Globe
As for the prospects of Garciaparra being ready for Opening Day in Baltimore April 2, Duquette said, ”I would think so.”
Red Sox Notebook
Bob Hohler, Boston Globe
The starting rotation for the rest of the week: Tim Wakefield today, David Cone tomorrow, Hideo Nomo Friday afternoon, Paxton Crawford Friday night, and Frank Castillo Saturday.
The Sox continue to slump in the Grapefruit League
Howard Ulman, Associated Press
The Red Sox made three errors, giving them 11 in five games, four of them losses. Of the 39 runs they’ve allowed, 19 were unearned.
Rumblings and Grumblings
Jayson Stark, espn.com
Top 10 things we love about baseball in March
1. Pedro goes to the mound, while New Englanders go for more rock salt.
Tuesday, March 6, 2001
Red Sox Notebook
Mike Petraglia, redsox.com
The Red Sox announced Monday that Pedro Martinez will throw his simulated game Wednesday at City of Palms at 11:30 a.m. Pitching coach Joe Kerrigan will stay behind and watch the ace throw 50 pitches. … “We want to control the outing and still let him get his work in,” said Duquette. “We control the number of pitches and the hitting. It’s just more of a controlled setting. We all know Pedro controls the hitter.”
Martinez on mound Wedneday
Steven Krasner, Providence Journal
Pedro Martinez will pitch a three-inning simulated game at City of Palms Park tomorrow at 11:30. Manager Williams won’t see him pitch. He’ll be in Clearwater, where the Red Sox will be playing the Phillies.
Table of contents and news on the upcoming 2001 Big Bad Baseball Annual.
Art Martone of the Providence Journal has written the Red Sox essay.
Monday, March 5, 2001
Wakefield written in
Tony Massarotti, Boston Herald
In an interesting decision, the Red Sox have replaced Pedro Martinez with Tim Wakefield as the scheduled starter for Wednesday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater. Martinez will instead pitch a simulated game at the team’s home field, City of Palms Park, leading to speculation that the either he does not want to travel to Clearwater or the Sox want to keep him off long bus rides.
Wakefield backed up Cone on Saturday, which also makes one wonder if the Sox have concerns following Cone’s performance. “There are a lot of factors in there,” said a vague [Jimy] Williams of the decision to keep Martinez out of live game action. “I just think it’s the best way for us to handle it.”
Martinez moved back a day
Providence Journal
The Sox have moved Pedro Martinez’s first appearance of the spring. Originally slated to pitch Wednesday in Clearwater, the Sox will now have him pitch a simulated game at the Sox’ complex.
Delay of game
Bob Hohler, Boston Globe
The Sox backed off plans to give Martinez his first start of the spring Wednesday in Clearwater against Philadelphia. Instead of rushing Martinez, who arrived at spring training four days late, Williams decided to have him throw a simulated game Wednesday at City of Palms Park.
The Sporting News
Martinez won’t make Wednesday’s 2 1/2-hour bus ride up Florida’s west coast to Clearwater. He had been scheduled to make his first start against Philadelphia. Instead, he’ll stay behind in Fort Myers and throw 50 pitches in a simulated game, while Wakefield starts against the Phillies.
Aiming to make a name: Crawford maps out his future
Steve Buckley, Boston Herald
Line up 50 Red Sox fans and ask them to give you what they think will be this year’s starting rotation and you’ll get 50 different variations. All of them beginning with Pedro Martinez, of course. Nobody talks much about Paxton Crawford.
Express Service
Bob Hohler, Boston Globe
Lou Merloni greeted Tomo Ohka in Japanese. Pedro Martinez said good morning to Sang-Hoon Lee in Spanish. And Lee exchanged pleasantries with his countrymen – Sun-Woo Kim and Jin Ho Cho – in Korean.
Just another day in the Red Sox’ multilingual melting pot. Fifty-eight players, 23 for whom English is a second language, one colossal communications conundrum.
Good thing pitching coach Joe Kerrigan is equipped with a pocket device that translates 13 languages. Even better that the Sox have two new voices in the clubhouse, infield coach Nelson Norman and assistant minor league trainer Chang Lee.
Clouds forming over Red Sox
Peter Gammons, espn.com
What envelops the Boston Red Sox is a red-sky-in-the-morning hysteria … It is wondrous enthusiasm in some ways, but a curious and often angry manifestation of an irrational cultural inferiority complex about the Yankees.
Full circle Ramon aims for LA rotation
Gordon Edes, Boston Globe
”Pedro said to me, ‘You can sign with anybody else except the Dodgers,”’ Martinez the Elder said. …..
Manny Ramirez’s handling of his outfield assignment was entirely consistent with the way friends and associates have portrayed him – as profoundly insecure, despite his superstar status. … If there’s a controversy brewing, Ramirez isn’t likely to pay any attention to it. He’s oblivious to such things, according to Pedro Martinez.
”That’s going to work in his favor,” Martinez said even before the position flip-flop. ”He always seems to be, like, La-La Land. I don’t think pressure is going to get to him because he doesn’t recognize it. He doesn’t even think about it. That’s going to make him a better player. You guys [reporters] are so aggressive, but you’re not going to be able to get Manny to say anything interesting. Really, he doesn’t recognize what to do that much. I think it’s going to be good for him, that he is like that. He’s a little shy in the first place, even in Spanish. He’s shy in every way.”
Martinez’s favorite activity in the offseason was spending time on the 52-foot yacht he bought over the winter in Miami. … His other sanctuary was his mother’s farm in Hato Mayor, to ”play with the chickens and stuff.” …
Sunday, March 4, 2001
“Ask David Luciani”
Baseball Notebook
Q: “I’ve heard a lot of talk about which pitchers will benefit from the new strike zone, but what about the hitters. Specifically, which hitters will be most affected by the new zone, both positively and negatively, and why?”
A: “…[I]f the average ERA in baseball were to fall, say, a half of a run, then that doesn’t actually “help” the pitchers. Relative to the overall performance in baseball, everyone moves in that direction and therefore they’ve only been helped if looked at as an individual outside the context of the era in which they perform. If the major league ERA falls by a half an earned run, then a 4.50 ERA pitcher will be equally as valuable as a 5.00 ERA pitcher a year earlier and whether you can call that “help” is debatable. They’re the same player performing now under a new context.
… There is one exception to all of this and that is that I believe that Pedro Martinez will especially benefit from the high strike because his fastball does appear to hitters as a sharp “rising fastball.” Though I don’t want to overemphasize the effect, if I had to pick a pitcher or hitter in particular whose performance would benefit from the umpires calling a high strike, Pedro would be my first choice. I don’t see the effect as profound but I’m naming him if forced into a corner from which I must select a player.”
Battered Cone makes poor first impression
Sean McAdam, Providence Journal
Rough first for Cone: Rally taints debut with Sox
Tony Massarotti, Boston Herald
A bundle of nerves: Jittery Valentin a sight for sore eyes
Steve Buckley, Boston Herald
Manny provides little comfort
Bob Ryan, Boston Globe
Manny joins selfish club
Tony Massarotti, Boston Herald
Cone roughed up by Rangers in spring debut with Red Sox
Red Sox nine players to one-year contracts
Oft-injured Saberhagen working hard to make Red Sox roster
The Sporting News
Saturday, March 3, 2001
Red Sox Notebook
redsox.mlb.com
Pedro Martinez will also throw his last live batting practice session Saturday before making his first start of the Grapefruit League season Wednesday in Clearwater against Philadelphia.
David Cone is scheduled to throw two innings against the Texas Rangers today. Tim Wakefield and Tomo Ohka also will pitch.
Sox doc talks: Pappas: Did weights put strain on Garciaparra?
Tony Massarotti, Boston Herald
All eyes on Cone today
Tony Massarotti, Boston Herald
Manny’s off-base: Sluggish start for slugger
Steve Buckley, Boston Herald
Sox’ hurler [Casey Fossum] on fast track to success
Sean McAdam, Providence Journal
Valentin reaches milestone today in return to action
Steven Krasner, Providence Journal
Florie’s comeback hopes jolted by glare problem under the lights
Sean McAdam and Steven Krasner, Providence Journal
Forget flexibility, Red Sox need to trade an OF
Paul White, USA Today/Baseball Weekly
Boston College Eagles
Nomar Garciaparra @ rotonews.com
Trot Nixon @ rotonews.com
Friday, March 2, 2001
Red Sox ready for takeoff
Jim Baker, Boston Herald
The Red Sox’ first telecast of a promising preseason hits Ch. 25 tomorrow at 1 p.m. with a test against the Texas Rangers and Sean McDonough isn’t about to let Nomar Garciaparra’s wrist injury dampen his enthusiasm – yet.
Injuries, controversy mar peaceful spring training
Michael Silverman, Boston Herald (TSN Exclusive)
After nearly two weeks of peace and calm, the Red Sox’s spring training was jolted twice in two days by news of an injury to shortstop Nomar Garciaparra’s right wrist and a change of heart from Manny Ramirez about switching from right to left field.
Garciaparra’s against surgery
Tony Massarotti, Boston Herald
Nomar fitted with hard cast
Sean McAdam and Steven Krasner, Providence Journal
Wishy-Washy Jimy Moves Manny Back to Right
whatcurse.com
Red Sox’ move is out of left field
Bob Hohler, Boston Globe
Manny to move back to right field
Boston Globe
Manny’s move shows who’s really in control
Sean McAdam, ESPN.com
Ramirez wants to play right
Sean McAdam, Providence Journal
You just knew things looked too good to be true
Bill Parrillo, Providence Journal
Ramirez to play right field for Red Sox
The Sporting News
Ramirez To Play Right
Mike Petraglia, redsox.com
Manny makes his move: He’s right back where he started
Tony Massarotti, Boston Herald
Ramirez’ call hurts Sox’ cause
Steve Buckley, Boston Herald
When right is really wrong
Gerry Callahan, Boston Herald
Thursday, March 1, 2001
Umpire Hirschbeck shows Sox what they might be missing
Sean McAdam, Providence Journal
When [umpire Mark Hirschbeck] called a high strike for Pedro Martinez, Martinez jokingly let out a cheer of glee . . .
Umps try to put players in zone
Jeff Horrigan, Boston Herald
“They don’t want us to go too far in or too far out,” Martinez said. “It’s going to be like a circle (rather than a rectangle).”
A striking change in umpires’ call lifts spirits of pitchers
Bob Hohler, Boston Globe
Pedro Martinez … snapped off a breaking ball that swerved through the previously unenforced high end of the zone for another strike. “Are you serious?” Lansing asked Hirschbeck. ”We’re going to have serious problems.”
Red Sox Report
Bill Simmons, Boston Sports Guy
Now that Nomar’s injured wrist has become a media lightning rod, will Sox fans finally discover that their hero can’t stand reporters?
[Long piece on Nomar’s relationship with the media. Essential reading, but then the BSG usually is.]
Garciaparra Sidelined With Wrist Injury
Mike Petraglia, redsox.com
“I woke up and couldn’t move it,” revealed the shortstop Wednesday afternoon. “Then I noticed an awful lot of swelling around the area where I got hit two years ago.”
Garciaparra out at least two weeks
msnbc.com (AP)
Ouch! Garciaparra injured
Sean McAdam, Providence Journal
Wrist watch: Nomar’s hurt: Time to worry
Tony Massarotti, Boston Herald
Wrist injury throws Nomar: Sox lose star for 2 weeks
Jeff Horrigan, Boston Herald
Garciaparra is injured
Gordon Edes, Boston Globe
Rest is recommended for ailing wrist
Bob Hohler, Boston Globe
Nomar sidelined two weeks
Sean McAdam, ESPN.com
Oh, No-mar!
Garciaparra Injury History
Garciaparra’s wrist flares up; could require surgery
sportingnews.com
Curses!: SI jinx strikes again with Nomar injury
Steve Buckley, Boston Herald
Nomar loses perspective
Michael Gee, Boston Herald
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