pedro martinez
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News Archive for March 9-17, 2002
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March 17, 2002
Links to stories about Pedro’s start against New York are here.
March 16, 2002
Pedro vs. Yankees
Jeff Horrigan, Boston Herald
Pedro Martinez is scheduled to throw 65 pitches or five innings, whichever comes first, in his third start of the spring this afternoon, against the New York Yankees at City of Palms Park.
Ex-manager and pitching coach Joe Kerrigan routinely gave the three-time Cy Young Award winner an extra day of rest when the schedule permitted over the past few seasons, but Kerrigan’s replacement said that his policy will be determined on a case-by-case basis. “We’re going to let Pedro’s body decide that,” Little said.
Red Sox watch
Ian Browne, mlb.com
Pedro Martinez will make his third spring start Saturday against the Yankees at City of Palms. “Pedro will pitch four or five innings, maybe 60 or 65 pitches,” Manager Grady Little said. “We’ll see what his body tells us.”
Henderson, Damon A 1-2 Punch
David Heuschkel, Hartford Courant
It worked to perfection Friday against the Marlins. In the first, Henderson drew a walk and Damon followed with a homer to right. Two batters later, Manny Ramirez homered and the Red Sox were on their way to a 9-5 victory at City of Palms Park. In the third, Henderson led off with a double and moved to third when Damon grounded to the right side. Trot Nixon followed with a run-scoring single. Damon tripled in his last at-bat and scored on another single by Nixon, who stole two bases, which was one more than the entire team stole last spring.
Pedro Martinez is scheduled to throw about 65 pitches today when he makes his third spring start in a split-squad game against a Yankees team that will include Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams and Jason Giambi.
On second thought … Sox may have Damon bat behind Henderson
Bob Hohler, Boston Globe
Fresh from promising Johnny Damon $30 million over four years in their urgent quest for a premier leadoff hitter, the Red Sox yesterday weighed batting the speedy center fielder second in the order as many as 100 times this season to make way for the king of leadoff men, Rickey Henderson. Manager Grady Little, who debuted Henderson and Damon as a 1-2 combination in just his second game as manager, indicated in a brief interview that he may stick with the scenario through much of the regular season.
Starting Over
Bob Hohler, Boston Globe
Little has scrapped much of former manager Joe Kerrigan’s blueprint for the coming season, opting to make his own choices on everything from who will follow Martinez in the starting rotation to how the team will handle cutoffs and relays. … Little also subscribes to what he calls a “more-movement program” on the basepaths, but it appears he will exercise more restraint than Kerrigan planned with his “green-light committee” of base stealers.
Henry predicts Red Sox-Marlins World Series
Julius Whigham II, Palm Beach Post
Though Henry’s now a New Englander, he insists that there’s a part of him that still holds an affinity for the Marlins. “I’ll be recording Marlins games,” he said. “I’ve already warned my wife that after the Red Sox games come the Marlins games. How can you not root for this team?” He predicts a Marlins-Red Sox matchup in the World Series. “That’s my dream if you can have a World Series between the Marlins and the Red Sox. And it could happen. I know you’re a little skeptical, but it could happen.”
Red Sox pitchers have right stuff
Ken Maguire, Associated Press
Right-handers Pedro Martinez, John Burkett, Derek Lowe and Dustin Hermanson are expected to be the first four starters. But after Martinez, Little said he’s not sure of the order. … Frank Castillo, Tim Wakefield, Rolando Arrojo, Juan Pena, Oliver and Casey Fossum (also a left-hander) want the fifth spot. …
Martinez is scheduled to throw up to 65 pitches Saturday against the Yankees. It will be his third start and he’s reported no problems in his right shoulder. … When the season starts, it’s possible Martinez will skip turns in the rotation if he needs rest. ”We’re going to let Pedro’s body decide that. If it’s physically able to go in five days, that would be a serious consideration. If it’s not, we’ll give him more,” Little said.
Art’s Notebook (March 15)
Art Martone, providence Journal
Player analysis, Part Three … [Johnny Damon, John Burkett, Tony Clark, Brian Daubach, Manny Ramirez]
March 15, 2002
Red Sox Notes
Chris Umpierre, Ft. Myers News-Press
Pedro Martinez will then pitch against the Yankees on Saturday at City of Palms Park. Martinez, who was plagued with shoulder tendonitis last season, is expected to have his pitch limit increased to 60. Orlando Hernandez is scheduled to go for New York.
Sox boot up a new coach
Jeff Horrigan, Boston Herald
Tony Cloninger has a computer but admittedly doesn’t know the first thing about using it. “I haven’t learned to work it real good,” the 61-year-old said. “I can turn it off and on, so I’ll have to work on that. … I’m not so strict,” he said when asked about adherence to pitch counts. “I believe the hitter tells you when a pitch count gets too much.”
Cloninger named Red Sox pitching coach
Ian Browne, mlb.com
Expect Cloninger to coach his pitchers more by feel than pitch counts. “I believe a hitter will tell you if a pitch count is getting too much. Yes, we want to take care of guys like Pedro. I’ll stay in close contact with pitchers during the game.”
Red Sox hire new pitching coach
Ken Maguire, Associated Press
He said he’ll be a hands-off coach, much like Boston’s new manager, and unlike numbers cruncher Kerrigan. “I have a computer, but I haven’t learned to work it real good. I’ve often said that it’s not how much you know, it’s how much you care. I really care for my players, my pitchers, my coaches.”
Little fulfills his coaching promise
Sean McAdam, Providence Journal
Philosophically, Cloninger said, he stresses the importance of location, movement and change of speeds. He indicated he wouldn’t be quite as devoted to pitch counts as was one of his predecessors, Joe Kerrigan. “I believe hitters will tell you when your pitch count gets too high,” he said.
As Jon wrote early this morning at Your Turn:
Can you imagine, say, a Wall Street trading firm hiring a broker who says, “Yeah, I own a computer but I don’t know how to work it too good. I’m jest learnin’ to turn it on and off. But I like to play the stocks that just feel right.” Neither can I.
Can you imagine a hospital employing a doctor who says, “I don’t unnerstand all this fancy ‘puterized diagnosin’ ‘quipment. I believe in eyeballin’ a patient and lettin’ the way he looks at ya tell ya what’s ailin’ him.” Neither can I.
Can you imagine an airline hiring a pilot who says, “I don’t know how to work them comple-cated computer bells ‘n’ whistles all ’round the cockpit. Seat o’ the pants! That’s my ‘proach to flyin’ this heap!” Neither can I.
Yet the Red Sox have just hired a pitching coach who actually said about his computer, “I haven’t learned to work it real good. I can turn it off and on, so I’ll have to work on that.” He also said, as paraphrased by Jeff Horrigan, “he will trust his eyes, experience and instincts when dealing with his new pitching staff.”
Great. It’s the 21st freakin’ century if you haven’t noticed. Get with the damn program. Joe Kerrigan and Ralph Truel were not the only pitching coaches in baseball to use computers. I’d be willing to bet that the majority of current pitching coaches make at least some use of statistical information from computerized databases — not to mention digitized video — and that many make extensive use of it. Yet the Red Sox just hired a pitching coach who is a self-proclaimed computer illiterate. That puts our team at a tremendous disadvantage against most other teams in baseball.
[“It’s how much you care“?! I’m trying to quell my usual
Sox pessimism, but this could be bad. Real bad.]
Cloninger joins Sox
Bill Ballou, Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Cloninger worked for the Yankees for 15 years, one of them as pitching coach. He insists that in all of those 15 seasons in New York, he never rode the subway once.
The Baseball Crank: A Look at the Red Sox
Dan McLaughlin, Providence Journal
I’d give you a thorough appraisal of the current soap opera in Boston, except that (1) there are so many bizarre internal dynamics here that I can’t hope to do justice to the situation from my perch in Queens and (2) this column takes some lead time to write, and at this writing, Lord only knows who else will be hired or fired by Friday. Let’s do some basics:
1. Was it time for Duquette to go?
2. Did Duquette do a good job?
3. Did Joe Kerrigan deserve the axe?
4. What about the new owners? …
Since I was on the subject of economics lately, and since it ties in to the game on the field, I thought it would be useful to look once again at how recently each major league team has contended for a postseason berth. … by historical standards, the size of baseball’s true have-nots is fairly small.
Last Made Was Last Within 6 Games
Team Playoffs In: On Sept. 1 in:
Diamondbacks 2001 —- (Won World Series 2001)
Yankees 2001 —- (Won World Series 2000)
Braves 2001 —- (Won World Series 1995)
Indians 2001 —- (Lost World Series 1997)
A’s 2001 —- (Lost World Series 1990)
Cardinals 2001 —-
Astros 2001 —-
Mariners 2001 —-
Mets 2000 2001 (Lost World Series 2000)
Giants 2000 2001
Cubs 1998 2001
Dodgers 1996 2001
Phillies 1993 2001 (Lost World Series 1993)
Twins 1991 2001 (Won World Series 1991)
White Sox 2000 —-
Red Sox 1999 2000
Blue Jays 1993 2000 (Won World Series 1993)
Rangers 1999 —-
Reds* 1995 1999 (Won World Series 1990)
Padres 1998 —- (Lost World Series 1998)
Angels** 1986 1998
Marlins 1997 —- (Won World Series 1997)
Orioles 1997 —-
Pirates 1992 1997
Expos*** 1981 1996
Rockies 1995 —-
Brewers 1982 1992
Royals**** 1985 1987
Tigers 1987 —-
Devil Rays***** Never Never
* — Lost one game playoff for Wild Card in 1999
** — Lost one game playoff for AL West title in 1995
*** — Leading the NL East with best record in baseball when strike hit in 1994
**** — Four games out when strike hit in 1994
***** — Founded in 1998
March 14, 2002
Pedro set for Yanks
Jeff Horrigan, Boston Herald
Martinez had another incident-free side session in Fort Myers, which keeps him in line to face the Yankees on Saturday at City of Palms Park. He is expected to have his pitch limit increased to 60.
Art’s Notebook (March 13)
Art Martone, Providence Journal
We’re now at the stage of spring training in which we’re beginning to formulate the Opening Day roster, at least in our own minds, and perhaps a look at each of the serious candidates — with both their current spring-training stats and their Baseball Prospectus projections — will give us a little insight as to which direction the team will go. So, without further ado . . . [Damon Buford, Quilvio Veras, Nomar Garciaparra, Trot Nixon, Carlos Baerga] .. We’ll continue tomorrow.
Art’s Notebook (March 14)
Art Martone, Providence Journal
Player analysis, Part Two [Michael Coleman, Rickey Henderson, Rey Sanchez, Casey Fossum, Willie Banks] … More tomorrow.
Hungry for success, Sox willing to eat contracts
Sean McAdam, Providence Journal
Under the John Harrington-Dan Duquette regime, the Red Sox were on the record as being opposed to “eating” contracts, maintaining that while the team’s resources were considerable, they weren’t so plentiful that the team could pay a player not to be with the team. …
“Our stance is we need to win ball games,” said John Henry, “so if that means eating a contract, we’ll eat it, if that’s what in the best interest of the team. We did have that discussion. There are times when you’re better off eating a contract than not. We’ve got to have the best players on the field.”
M’s Garciaparra fights for spot Red Sox star’s younger brother displays potential
David Andriesen, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
It’s not easy having a superstar brother while trying to carve out a baseball career of your own. Just ask Ozzie Canseco and Jeremy Giambi. Michael Garciaparra will always be compared to his older brother Nomar, and barring something extraordinary, the comparison will not be favorable. Not many people look impressive next to the All-Star shortstop for the Boston Red Sox.
Red Sox Notebook
Gordon Edes, Boston Globe
The Sox cut five players, reducing the number of players in camp to 49: James Lofton and Bryant Nelson were assigned to minor league camp, along with pitchers Ryo Kumagai, the 22-year-old Japanese pitcher signed last winter; Mexican lefthander Jorge de la Rosa; and Anastacio Martinez, the promising Dominican righthander.
March 13, 2002
Opening Day at Fenway Park
Bill Ballou, Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Opening Day at Fenway, which is April 1 against the Blue Jays, will be “markedly different” from the opening days that Red Sox fans are accustomed to seeing. John Henry refused to be specific as to any changes, however, saying he was “sworn to secrecy.”
Red Sox Notebook
Sean McAdam, Providence Journal
Two players made the trip [to Jupiter, Fla to play St. Louis] only to find that their uniform tops didn’t. Trot Nixon wore No. 20 instead of No. 7, while Ugueth Urbina put on No. 63 instead of his usual No. 40.
Rickey out-stole Sox
Bill Ballou, Worcester Telegram & Gazette
How much can the Red Sox use Rickey Henderson, even at age 43? Since Henderson broke into the majors with Oakland in 1979, he has stolen 1,395 bases. Since 1979, the Sox have stolen 1,378 bases as a team.
Time is friend for Wakefield
Peter Kerasotis, Florida Today
Since 1995, when Wakefield made his Boston debut, 137 players have joined the Red Sox — 70 of them pitchers. In 100 years of Red Sox history, only six pitchers have played for Boston longer — Roger Clemens, Bob Stanley, Ike Delock, Bill Lee, Bruce Hurst and Joe Dobson. The numbers keep sneaking up on the record book, too. Wakefield is eighth on Boston’s all-time strikeout list (910), 11th in games pitched (275), 15th in starts (172) and 23rd in wins (80). He has pitched two more years and started 14 more games than Babe Ruth did with Boston.
Somebody tell John Henry that Fenway Park cannot be saved
Christopher Young, Boston Phoenix
Let me get this straight. John Henry, Tom Werner, and the other investors who just bought the Olde Towne Team recently wrote a check for more than $700 million, and will pay another $100 million this season alone in employee salaries, and they want to keep their investment playing in an 80-year-old stadium that holds around 34,000 people?
March 12, 2002
Links to stories about Pedro’s start against Texas are here.
Players’ approval loud and clear
Bob Hohler, Boston Globe
The new Sox owners barred the media from the clubhouse when they introduced Grady Little to the team as the third Red Sox manager in seven months, not even counting interim skipper Mike Cubbage. But they could have loaded the press corps onto canoes in the nearby Calahoosahatchee River and reporters still might have heard the thunderous ovation that Little received.
”I’m just really happy he’s back,” said Pedro Martinez, who made a playful gesture to welcome Little that helped trigger the ovation. ”He’s a funny guy. He communicates well with all of us. He respects all of us. He is real easygoing. We all respect that. He should be a perfect fit for this team.”
Players applaud choice
Michael Silverman, Boston Herald
Ace Pedro Martinez, no stranger to the issue of mutual respect between players and managers, was at peace with the choice. “Knowing Grady, I don’t think he’s going to change much. He’ll let us play. … He communicates well with all of us, he respects all of us and he’s also really funny and engaging. We respect that and he should be perfect for this team. He’s what you call a real pro, he’s a true big leaguer. I believe he knows a lot of us, the ones who have been around for a little while. His attitude will fit perfectly with this ballclub.”
After Swiping All the Bases, Rickey Steals Time
Vic Ziegel, New York Daily News
“I can play the game, yes I can. I don’t think 25 players can outplay me to this day. I don’t care what team. I don’t think 25 players will outplay me five years from now. There’s not a base-stealer in the league that can outplay me. I can lead the league to this day. I know that. Ain’t no question in my mind. I can hit, I can field, I can steal, I can pinch-run, I can catch a ball, I can create stuff, I bring so many different assets to the game. But I still got to come around like I’m begging for a job. Why? Why?”
Roster gets a trim
Jeff Horrigan, Boston Herald
Infielder Angel Santos, who was overmatched by big league pitching last September, was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket while non-roster invitees first basemen Shane Andrews and Todd Betts, shortstop Freddy Sanchez, catcher Kelly Ramos, and left-handed pitcher Chris Elmore were reassigned to the minor league camp. Fifty-four remain to compete for 25 jobs.
Grady Little
Age: 52, Born March 3, 1950
Education: 1968 graduate of Garinger High School, Charlotte, NC.
Personal: Married to Debi Little. They have one son, Eric, 29.
1996: Padres bullpen coach
1997-99: Red Sox bench coach
2000-01: Cleveland bench coach
2002: Red Sox manager
Managerial Record
Year Team League Pos W L Pct.
1980 Bluefield Appalachian 5th 29 39 .426
1981 Hagerstown Carolina 1st/3rd 70 68 .507
1982 Hagerstown Carolina 2nd/3rd 71 65 .522
1983 Charlotte Southern 4th/3rd 69 77 .473
1984 Charlotte Southern 5th 29 43 .403
1984 Hagerstown Carolina — 1 3 .250
1985 Kinston Carolina 5th/1st 64 73 .467
1986 Pulaski Appalachian 1st 41 25 .621
1987 Pulaski Appalachian 2nd 39 31 .557
1988 Burlington Midwest 4th 20 22 .476
1988 Durham Carolina 2nd/2nd 52 45 .536
1989 Durham Carolina 1st/1st 84 54 .609
1990 Durham Carolina 3rd/4th 71 68 .511
1991 Durham Carolina 3rd/2nd 79 58 .577
1992 Greenville Southern 1st/1st 100 43 .699
1993 Richmond International 2nd/West 80 62 .563
1994 Richmond International 1st/West 80 61 .567
1995 Richmond International 2nd/West 75 66 .532
Minor league totals 1,054 903 .539
Yankees Cast Out Returning Ruben — Allegedly stole bat, glove from Jeter locker
Anthony McCarron and Bill Madden, New York Daily News
The Yankees gave Ruben Rivera his unconditional release late last night amid allegations that the one-time super prospect was involved in the theft of equipment from Derek Jeter’s locker in the Legends Field clubhouse, sources told the Daily News.
‘Thief’ Ruben Gone
George King, New York Post
There is no room in the Yankees’ clubhouse for a thief. That message was sent loud and clear to Ruben Rivera last night when GM Brian Cashman released the outfielder who was, according to multiple organizational sources, caught stealing a glove from Derek Jeter late last week. …
Even though Rivera returned the mitt to Jeter on Saturday, the damage was done. There is no lower form of life in a big-league clubhouse than a thief. Several items also disappeared from Roger Clemens’ locker this spring. … Rivera, according to friends, lives larger than his income and has been beset by financial troubles recently.
Five tools, but 1 is for burglary
Jon Heyman, Newsday
Maybe Ruben Rivera misinterpreted the steal sign. This guy takes the cake. And quite possibly anything else that isn’t nailed down. … In what has to be the strangest spring story of the year, multiple clubhouse sources told Newsday that Rivera admitted stealing Derek Jeter’s game glove out of his locker, apparently with the hope of selling it for profit. So without explanation, the Yankees put Rivera on unconditional release waivers late last night.
March 11, 2002
Art’s Notebook
Art Martone, Providence Journal
You know, sometimes you can’t win. I had just finished this column when Sean McAdam called at 11:40 a.m. “Grady,” was his cryptic greeting. “News conference at noon.” Great, I thought. A whole morning’s work, out the window. But then I thought, you know, maybe not. Maybe all this work would indicate what it would take me four hours to reconstruct in a new column: That I think the Sox made the right choice today.
So here it is, the question-and-answer column I cobbled together when it looked as if there’d be no new manager today. Believe me: The last answer is something I actually wrote before I knew what happened.
So much to do, so Little time for new skipper
Sean McAdam, espn.com
We now know Grady Little is the new manager of the Boston Red Sox. We also know there will be a lot of work for Little to do and a short period of time in which to get it done. Opening Day, after all, is three weeks away. … As a favor to Little, here’s a brief “To Do” list to help hit the ground running.
Red Sox manager candidates reviewed
Ian Browne, mlb.com
The Boston Red Sox interviewed no new managerial candidates Sunday. Instead, as interim GM Mike Port said Sunday night, he, president/CEO Larry Lucchino and other club personnel spent the day performing “due diligence” on the candidates who had already interviewed. With that in mind, allow MLB.com to do our own review of Felipe Alou, Grady Little and Mike Cubbage, and present the pros and cons each man brings to the table.
Rob Neyer’s column — Going back in time… lists three games he would like to see if time travel were possible. It’s a fantastic topic, sparking the long, spirited discussions that baseball history makes possible. Here are a few of my must-see games:
1. Clinching game of 6th Red Sox championship (future date unknown).
2. September 9, 10 and 11, 1918 — Games 4, 5 and 6 (all at Fenway Park) of the 1918 World Series.
3. May 1, 1920 — Boston Braves 1, Brooklyn Dodgers 1 (26 innings, called by darkness).
4. May 2, 1917 — Cincinnati’s Fred Toney and Chicago’s Jim Vaughn each throw nine inning no-hitters. Vaughn allows two hits and one run in the 10th, Toney finishes with a no-hitter.
5. Typical game in 1890s when fans and players routinely attacked the umps and both teams cheated as often as possible, since there was only one umpire.
6. Babe’s called shot (or not) in the 1932 World Series.
7. August 16, 1920 — Ray Chapman gets beaned.
March 10, 2002
Sparkling on diamond — Lowe, Fossum no-hit Toronto for 7 innings
Bob Hohler, Boston Globe
Two guys with something to prove did just that yesterday, as Derek Lowe and Casey Fossum combined to no-hit Toronto for seven innings before the Blue Jays mustered a one-out single off Sun Woo Kim in the eighth. … Lowe submitted his second impressive outing of spring training and Fossum extended his streak of scoreless innings to eight. Opponents are batting .125 against Lowe and .115 against Fossum. …
The Sox had a shot at patching together the first no-hitter in spring training since Pedro Martinez and five others – Fernando De La Cruz, Dan Smith , Rheal Cormier , Rich Garces , and Rod Beck – combined for a perfect game March, 14, 2000, against the Blue Jays in Fort Myers.
Lowe off to a good start: Ex-closer enjoys new role
Michael Silverman, Boston Herald
“Love it, love it, love it,” said Lowe after needing just 37 pitches to retire 12 batters … “I’m just trying to get better with every outing. But I felt good out there, I felt strong. I pitched today – it’s still a work-in-progress, but I got to use all my pitches.”
Felipe Alou interviews for Sox manager slot
Ian Browne, mlb.com
While the Red Sox were playing the Toronto Blue Jays in an exhibition game Saturday, the team’s front office brass was interviewing Felipe Alou for the vacant managerial position at an undisclosed location in Fort Myers, Fla.
Going back in time …
Rob Neyer, espn.com
Like a lot of history buffs, I considered (and still consider) the past more interesting than the present, which of course leads to fantasies about traveling back and seeing things for myself. The problem is, where in the past does one start? I’d love to see a game in every old ballpark, love to see every great pitcher work, love to see the players toss their gloves to the ground after each half-inning, love to see every World Series Game 7 (starting with 1960). But today I’ll limit myself to three games on the wish list, all of them from at least 50 years ago and all of them in living color.
March 9, 2002
Martinez set for start
Michael Silverman, Boston Herald
Pedro Martinez said he felt “good, real good” after throwing on the side. He is set to make his second start of the spring on Monday against the Rangers.
Little states his case — Interview with Sox ‘positive’
Bob Hohler and Gordon Edes, Boston Globe
Emerging from a high-stakes interview that may have clinched his job as the next manager of the Red Sox, Grady Little yesterday gave every indication he knew he stood on the threshold of something special. ”I feel like I’m the luckiest man in the world right now just being able to be considered for a position like this.”
March 8, 2002
Ace in a hole: Martinez at a crossroads
Ken Rosenthal, The Sporting News
The pen is out of ink. Pedro Martinez, signing autographs at the Red Sox training complex in Fort Myers, Fla., shakes the instrument with his right hand, trying to get it working. Immediately, a fan goes into a near-panic. “Shake the pen for him!” he cries out from the back of the crowd. “We don’t want him to hurt his shoulder!”
Umps Called Out — Gambled, Didn’t Pay Like Rose
Bill Madden, Michael O’Keeffe and Luke Cyphers, New York Daily News
At the height of the furor over the Pete Rose gambling probe in 1989, Major League Baseball’s front office secretly conducted another gambling investigation — one centered on umpires. The investigation, never before made public, resulted in a shadow report written by Rose investigator John Dowd and two years’ probation for two of the game’s top umpires — Frank Pulli of the National League and Rich Garcia of the American League.
The umpires were disciplined for “associating and doing business with gamblers and bookmakers,” in violation of Major League Rule 21 — the “best interests of baseball” rule — according to documents obtained by the Daily News. The probe was initiated by the late commissioner Bart Giamatti and signed and enforced by his successor, former commissioner Fay Vincent.
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