No need for "excitement"
With the September 1 roster expansion and subsequent infusion of youth on the Boston roster, an unnecessary level of expectation and pressure have been placed on the Sox superstars of tomorrow. And those expectations are not going to be tempered when one rookie casually tosses a no-hitter, followed by another going deep and securing the day's top Web Gem in a single game.
Can I make a request, though, Red Sox Nation?
Please stop saying you want these guys here because they are "exciting."
All I've heard and read in the Boston media over the past week or so is how "exciting" these guys are to watch. Jacoby Ellsbury has been the most prominent recipient of this comment, and I'm getting tired of it. The young center fielder is here because he put up an OBP of .360 in Pawtucket this year, complimented with a .298 batting average and .380 slugging and excellent defense.
If I wanted exciting, I'd watch an action movie. I want wins, and Ellsbury may contribute to that.
When the team was slumping, many wanted Jacoby to be brought up to the big club, which is a sentiment I agree with in theory. However, while others wanted him to do impossible and irrational things like "providing a spark" (what does that even mean?), I wanted him in a "Dave Roberts" capacity. And even that concession came with a caveat - if we called him up before September 1, who do we let go? Granted, in hindsight, we should have let Wily Mo go in the offseason; in real time, however, we were stuck with him and it wouldn't make sense to dump him when Ellsbury so desperately needed at-bats in AAA.
But now Ellsbury is in Boston with no repercussions. He's gotten all the playing time he could in the minors, and we don't have to move anyone to get him on the roster. He is a solid young player who may be next year's Pedroia, and he can provide a late-inning defensive replacement and/or pinch runner to the 2007 edition.
And of course he accomodates all those thrill-seekers with all the corresponding "excitement."
2 comments:
Kevin-
I thought you should know, I held a press conference recently announcing Jacoby Ellsbury as my new "guy"; a hole that has been left vacant since the departure of Cowboy Up Gunslinger Kebin Mirrar. (Wily Mo flirted with being the replacement for Millar for about 8 months, but we could never get a deal negotiated)
I do, however, agree with your assessment and believe his role on this team, THIS YEAR, is the Dave Roberts role in '04.I'd like to see him get a little more playing time these next couple of weeks so that in the playoffs, when he is in that role, he doesn't feel like he's being thrown in...give him a few more oppurtunities to swap some bags off of big league catchers before he's called upon to do it in a critical situation. Next year, however, he is a starting outfielder on this team. Who does he replace? Where do they go? Questions? Concerns? Comments?
I would have thought that all the money that was spent (or debt incurred might be a better term - both by him and his parents) on getting Kevin his three degrees he would understand the meaning of the word "spark." To help him out, here are a few of the definitions provided by dictionary.com:
1. anything that activates or stimulates; inspiration or catalyst.
2. a trace of life or vitality.
3. to kindle, animate, or stimulate
4. A vital, animating, or activating factor
5. To set in motion; activate
6. To rouse to action; spur
And if anyone thinks that the "Dead Sox" of August didn't need any of the above, he or she is sadly mistaken.
Yes, Ellsbury's contribution will be made because of his ability, not his "excitement." But the injection of enthusiasm should not be minimized.
As to Dan's question. Ellsbury should replace Drew, who should be transferred to the front office as an assistant to Theo. Mr. Epstein had the man-crush on him that forced him to overpay. Let him teach Drew how to file or something while Tito gets real ballplayers who can contribute.
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