I hopped in the car tonight at about 745pm, and drove southbound on Route 1 in Saugus. I was approaching the Tobin when traffic came to a stand still. I tuned my radio to WBZ for the latest traffic report, and just to add to my misery there was a mile and half backup to the destination so many people (including myself) were seeking, the apex of the Tobin bridge. Then I thought, of course, everyone else is lining up to jump off the Tobin too. Who wouldn't after this day of Boston sports misery.
First, Jonathan Papelbon blew chunks, then Tom Brady followed suit. Of course, Brady's late-game fumble didn't end the Patriots season, so Papelbon will be the one stoned by me. Papelbon blows the season, then explains to the media that he will use this experience as motivation. Is it just me or he too stubborn to throw anything but his fastball? Maybe he should use this experience to learn how to throw another pitch besides a fastball. He had an 0-2 on Erick Aybar, yet threw him a fastball. He had Abreu down 1-2, yet threw him a fastball. Changing speeds is by far the best way to deceive a batter, the best baseball minds agree with that statement. Yet Papelbon's idea of changing speeds is going from 94 to 95 on his fastball. I fear that this loss is not an aberration, but is what we should expect more of from the man who calls himself cinco-ocho. Daniel Bard for closer! I'm starting the campaign, who's with me.
2 comments:
Terrible ending to the Sox season, but c'mon, Bard for closer?
Papelbon is one of the best in the league - he may have some odd habits (like the tendency to throw the fastball you mentioned) - but you can't argue with the numbers. He's been clutch, too, in every situation up until Sunday, over a sour year span.
Bard looked good in spots this year but clearly needs some seasoning. Then again, we had no idea Papelbon would wind up this good when he was just a kid. The point is: you can't do any better than Papelbon, anywhere. Even Mariano Rivera blows a playoff game (or series) once in a while.
And Jay: it was sad to see your hero struggle on Sunday. Too bad the Wagner Era in Boston ended with a thud.
I agree with the PapelBomb comment. Would it kill him to throw a splitter to Abreau with a 1-2 count.
More shocking than Brady and PapelBomb was a stunning victory for Young Guns over Resevoir Dogs in a PDC matchup with playoff implications.
Is it my imagination or do the Bs have the slowest skaters in the history of the NHL? I guess we didn't need Kessel. By mid-season Clodhopper Julian is going to resemble a ghost looking for a house to haunt.
Long live Bungholio..
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