Things Get Deep as Millar and Olerud Experience Power Surge!
The rumors of Kevin Millar’s demise were greatly exaggerated. The irrepressible Texan accepted the “loss” of his full-time gig at first base with a positive attitude, and, instead of sweating it out on the bench, has been making the most of his limited playing time. Millar has knocked in three home runs since the Sox started their most recent homestand, has shown better plate discipline, and even flashed some leather in a couple of appearances. Of course, this doesn’t mean Millar has hit his way back into the permanent line-up. Not when John Olerud’s bat has been just as lethal, and his glove even flashier. I still hate to see ol’ helmet head try to run out a ground ball as if he were jogging through wet pavement, but man-o-man, what a sweet swing that man has. It seems, now at least, that the lack of power from the first base side has been addressed, even if it’s taking two players to do it. Sadly that leaves Roberto Petagine as the odd man out, here, as it’s highly unlikely that the team’s third first baseman will see much playing time, especially if Olerud and Millar keep playing dueling baseball bats. Still, a good bench is all about depth, and, with the September call-ups, the Sox have plenty of that to take them down the stretch.
In addition to Petagine, the Sox now have an extra second basemen in Alejandro Machado, a back-up for Bill Mueller with the human Yo-Yo that is Kevin Youkillis, and a third catcher in the recently rehabilitated Kelly Shoppach. This gives skipper Terry Francona a multitude of options for match-ups, especially when one figures in resident reservists Gabe Kapler, Adam Stern, Doug Mirabelli, and Alex Cora.
The Sox pen also got a few extra arms, not only from the minors, but also off of the waiver wire and fresh from the disabled list. This homestand saw the return of Keith Foulke who looked solid in his two outings thus far, especially when called in to a one out/two on situation against the Orioles, where he retired both batters. In addition to Foulke, the Sox welcomed Chad Harville (who was released from the Houston Astros), Matt Perisho, and Lenny DiNardo, and also recalled Manny Delcarmen.
Wells, Wells, Wells!
David Wells, fresh from his much publicized suspension/visit to commissioner, threw the ninth complete game of his career in Sunday’s 5-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
Ortiz is the Greatest...
...according to Red Sox owner John Henry, anyway! Henry and Larry Lucchino presented David Ortiz with a plaque that they’d had made for Ortiz a while back and were waiting for the right time to present it to him. After Tuesday night’s walk-off home run against the Anaheim Angels, Henry and Lucchino seized the moment, and gave Ortiz the large plaque that read "The Greatest Clutch Hitter in the History of the Boston Red Sox, David Ortiz, #34."
The rumors of Kevin Millar’s demise were greatly exaggerated. The irrepressible Texan accepted the “loss” of his full-time gig at first base with a positive attitude, and, instead of sweating it out on the bench, has been making the most of his limited playing time. Millar has knocked in three home runs since the Sox started their most recent homestand, has shown better plate discipline, and even flashed some leather in a couple of appearances. Of course, this doesn’t mean Millar has hit his way back into the permanent line-up. Not when John Olerud’s bat has been just as lethal, and his glove even flashier. I still hate to see ol’ helmet head try to run out a ground ball as if he were jogging through wet pavement, but man-o-man, what a sweet swing that man has. It seems, now at least, that the lack of power from the first base side has been addressed, even if it’s taking two players to do it. Sadly that leaves Roberto Petagine as the odd man out, here, as it’s highly unlikely that the team’s third first baseman will see much playing time, especially if Olerud and Millar keep playing dueling baseball bats. Still, a good bench is all about depth, and, with the September call-ups, the Sox have plenty of that to take them down the stretch.
