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CLICK HERE to read Punch’s take on Bonds’ bashing

CLICK HERE as Punch puts things Bonds in historical perspective 

CLICK HERE to read The Hecklers’ take on MLB waffling on recognizing feat

By Punch N. Judy
BaseballBigMouth.com baseball news

The trade that brought Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to Boston for Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez is looking better by the day. If it’s true that you can’t accurately pass judgment on any deal for at least five years, the Red Sox are at least off to a good start.

If you flash back to year one of the deal however, it seemed the Marlins may have had the edge. A late no-hitter by Sanchez was followed by Ramirez wrapping up the NL Rookie of the Year award. In Boston, Beckett was wildly inconsistent in winning 17 games, aided considerably by the best run support per start in the AL. Lowell meanwhile was solid on both ends of the field. With both players a year away from free agency, some tough decisions had to be made going into 2007.

Things were made considerably easier when Beckett coming off what was for him a bad opening act, agreed to a three year $30 million dollar deal. Lowell meanwhile was left to play out his contract, which may end up costing the Sox the difference in what Beckett is really worth – around 15 to 20 million.

Back in Florida, Ramirez enjoyed another fine season, while Sanchez blew his arm out in April, landing himself in Alabama with an appointment with Dr. James Andrews. So, after two years it appears to be advantage Red Sox.

The difference in Beckett from 06’ to 07’ has indeed been dramatic. Unable to control his emotions or mechanics for that matter, the former Yankee killer was a mess last season to the point where the Sox felt compelled to overspend on Daisuke (Mr. Fuji) Matsuzaka. After last nights dominating performance – 7 inn, 1 run, 9K’s – it appears Beckett is on track to join the Babe, Cy Young, Pedro and the Rocket on the franchise’ Mound Rushmore.

Punchouts
 - Don Mattingly looks like the front runner in the Yankee managerial sweepstakes. Claiming that he learned not only from Joe Torre, but Billy Martin, Lou Piniela and Dallas Green (say what?), Donnie Baseball says he is “100 percent ready to manage.” Better get off to a better start than 21-29 Donnie.
 - At least the Yanks didn’t blame the three out of five first round format for their early exit this year.
 - The new Yankee regime officially is headed by Curious George’s sons Hal and Hank, whose main decision heading into the new Yankee Stadium must be: Do we fill the seats by resigning A-Rod or by actually winning again?
 - Nobody did more with his God given talent than Carl Michael Yastremski. Even though he bounced last night’s first pitch.
 - A-Rod should be careful what he wishes for. Back in 04’ Nomar Garciaparra turned down the Red Sox $15 mil a year offer then got hurt and never earned more than $5 mil thereafter. If Yanks won’t pony up the dough who will?

Clown of the Week – Super agent Scott Boras. While stoking the fires of interest in Alex Rodriguez, Boras continues to flap his gums on all the factors that may influence his client not to opt out his contract following the World Series. You know, like who the manager is, who else re-signs, who drags the infield, etc. Gimme a break. This guy would play in the cornfields of Nebraska if some farmer had the bread to pay him.

Quote of the Week – “I’m just another ghost, fully capable of haunting.” Boston manager Grady Little in the aftermath his firing following the 03’ playoffs. 

Editor’s note - Baseball and Eggs will appear every Thursday, and serves as a form of self–therapy for this clinically insane baseball fan. The baseball part is self–explanatory. The eggs however, could pertain to just about anything on Punch’s mind from Thursday to Thursday.

By Punch N. Judy
BaseballBigMouth.com baseball news

There may never have been a better instance of Manny being Manny than the interview he gave the other day in which Ramirez said, “If it doesn’t happen who cares?” In a city like Boston where every comment real or imagined (remember Gary Thorne and Doug Mirabelli here) gets picked over with the finest of tooth combs, you’d think such a statement of treason would be met with a harsh chorus of boos tonight.

Just don’t bet on it.

On the meter of the absurd, this one ranks far below LeBron James donning a Yankee cap and throwing out the first pitch at Jacobs Field. The whole MBM phrase was started four years ago by the Red Sox clubhouse spokesman Kevin Millar, who in attempting to provide a buffer between the rabid local media and its erstwhile slugger, created what he thought would be a disclaimer for all the moronic things Manny said and did.

And the idea was brilliant. Look there’s Manny with liter of bottled water in his back pocket while playing the field during a national game of the week! Oh that’s MBM. OK ,the new pitcher has completed his warm-ups and is ready to go . . . where’s Manny? Well he’s relieving himself behind the Green Monster of course. Oh that Manny. You see when perceived as being a few sandwiches short of a picnic you’ll get cut that slack in Boston. And let’s face it here, if he wasn’t booed for being sighted at a restaurant with then Yankee Enrique Wilson during a pennant drive in which he missed time with a mysterious upper body ailment that wasn’t even diagnosed, something tells me he’ll get a pass this time as well. But then again maybe it’s the .429 batting average and the four dingers this post season that’ll get him off the hook.

The decision to start Tim Wakefield the other night is still a hot topic in the Hub, as many believe the nod should have went to Josh Beckett. Because of the quirky TV schedule which gave the teams a day off while in same city I tend to agree. But in hindsight I’m sorry to say folks it didn’t matter. The Red Sox just aren’t hitting and the Tribe as the rest of baseball knows is really that good. Forget the payroll discrepancy, at this time of year it’s the team with the best pitching and guts that prevail.

That said, should the Sox come all the way back, a game seven with Matsuzaka on the mound could get a little bit Dicey . . .

Clown of the Week - Detroit Sports Radio. An already shoddy job of covering the post season got worse the other day when neither station even acknowledged the on going post-season on my 20 minute morning drive to work. I really could care less what these jocks ate for dinner last night or thought of network TV’s fall lineup. Sheesh!

Quote of the Week – “A guy who throws what he intends to throw - that’s the definition of a good pitcher.” – Sandy Koufax, LA Dodgers.

Editor’s note - Baseball and Eggs will appear every Thursday, and serves as a form of self–therapy for this clinically insane baseball fan. The baseball part is self–explanatory. The eggs however, could pertain to just about anything on Punch’s mind from Thursday to Thursday.