Full Count » Dan Rowinski

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05.21.10 at 12:58 am ET

Missing two-thirds of their starting outfield, the Sox are about ready to get a significant part of their team back on Saturday in Philadelphia. Jacoby Ellsbury, out since April 11 with broken ribs, is ready to pick back up where he left off.

Without Ellsbury or fellow outfielder Mike Cameron, the Red Sox are tied with Philadelphia for third in majors with 219 runs (six behind the Rays and 19 behind the Yankees). With Ellsbury they might be able to bridge that gap in the coming weeks as the swift left fielder brings a new dimension with him to the the Boston lineup.

“It gives us a different element, the kind of game-changing speed that teams have to be aware of … It is certainly a different look than when we don’t have him in here. Besides, I think the guys that have played have done a really good job,” manager Terry Francona said on Thursday.

Francona said that Ellsbury would travel with the team to Philadelphia and be good to go this weekend. The big worry for him has been to not just do baseball activities but also to move around in general. Broken ribs are the type of injury that put immobilizes anybody let alone a guy trying to turn on a Roy Halladay cutter. Ellsbury went 3 for 4 in his last rehab assignment on Thursday afternoon and got all the hurdles out of the way — stealing, diving back to the bag etc.

“Trying to catch every aspect as far as sliding back, stealing and I think I came through it really well,” Ellsbury said. “Diving back, that was kind of the last thing we wanted to do just for confidence sake and see how it held up and it did pretty good.”

Ellsbury was not particularly surprised that it took a solid month-and-a-half to come back considering that his ribs were broken. The initial surprise was that the bones were actually cracked. He said that after it happened he tried to play before the medical staff figured out the the bones were actually broken.

“If they would have told me it was broke right away, then yeah,” Ellsbury said when asked if he was surprised at the length of his disabled list stay. “But in the beginning we just thought it was just bruised ribs. Laid off for a few days, I was trying to play with it. But when we went to see what it was. Anybody who has broke one rib know how hard it is to move around let alone try to play pro baseball you know or any type of physical activity.”

Ellsbury said that his legs are still a little sore from his last rehab game and ultimately the decision to get back into the game lays with Francona and the medical staff. He has little doubt he can be a productive player once he does get back on the field because broken ribs are not the type of injury that lingers after the healing process is complete. At the same time, it might take the outfielder a couple of games to get back into the swing of things considering all the time off he has had since the beginning of the season.

“It was one of those injuries that once I feel good it is not going to linger. So, once I am back on the field I should be 100 percent,” Ellsbury said. “I have to talk the Tito and the training staff. I was scheduled to play a couple more games but depending on how I felt, I felt pretty good the first game in Pawtucket but still wanted to see me diving and do normal baseball activities that I would on the field and stuff. I think I can do everything I can in the games.”

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Lester remains red hot

05.20.10 at 11:59 pm ET

By Dan Rowinski | 4 Comments

There are quality starts. Then there are exceptional starts.

Jon Lester was exceptional on Thursday.

Two years and a day from the anniversary of his no-hitter against the Royals on May 19, 2008, Lester was once again unstoppable for the Sox in the back end of May, taking care of the Twins with a complete game, nine-strikeout effort as the Sox romped 6-2 to sweep the two-game series with Minnesota.

Why did he win? Basically it came down to the simplest factors that give pitchers success — he threw strikes and worked quickly.

“I think his high pitch count for an inning was 12, 10, 11, 12. Pounding the strike zone,” manager Terry Francona said. “Throwing everything to the two dangerous lefties, front-door cutter, he used all his pitches. When he did give up a hit like to [Denard] Span he bore down on the count, he came back. Same thing after [Justin] Morneau. There are a lot of ways for him to go right now and still attack the strike zone even against some of those hitters.”

Lester started hitters off with strikes, getting to an 0-1 count on 27 of 31 hitters he faced on the night. That made for an extremely efficient night against the Twins lineup. Entering the ninth inning, he only had 84 total pitches and ended the night with an economic 103, or 11.44 per inning. He used his four-seam fastball, cut fastball, curveball, sinker and change at any time in the count and used his defense to bail him out of any jams. The performance continued a trend.

After a rocky April, Lester has been simply dominant. In his last five games, he has pitched 38 innings, allowed eight earned runs and struck out 42 while picking up wins in three out of the five and going at least seven innings in each.

“I got some good pitch outs and I was able to establish that we were throwing strikes tonight,” Lester said. “With that lineup they are not going to strikeout or walk a lot, they are going to swing the bats and I got some good pitches and some double plays when we needed them and that is a big night as far as a team thing. Following what [Clay Buchholz] did last night and able to go out there and do it again.

The start was the 100th of Lester’s career and and he is officially the winningest pitcher through 100 starts to start a career, with a 46-18 mark for a .719 winning percentage. Since 2006, Lester’s winning percentage is second only to the incomparable Tim Lincecum (45-17), a player with two consecutive Cy Young Awards on this mantel.

Lester is on the sort of roll that can anchor a rotation for weeks or even months. He said after the game on Thursday that he feels like he is in the type of groove where the five days between starts feels like one. Gone are the rough outings to start the season. Hello, summer heat.

“There are still some things that I am working on that followed me from April,” Lester said. “But, you know, that past month-and-a-half, almost two months have gone by pretty quick. It is a lot nicer when you get on that roll early on and the five days seem like it is tomorrow. It is a good feeling.”

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Notes: Scutaro sits, Sanchez starts at short

05.20.10 at 4:58 pm ET

By Dan Rowinski | No Comments

Marco Scutaro

Shortstop Marco Scutaro will sit out Thursday night’s game against the Twins after having a cortisone shot in his elbow after Wendesday night’s 3-2 at Fenway Park. The Sox have recalled Angel Sanchez from Pawtucket to start against Minnesota left-hander Francisco Liriano.

“I think he is doing OK. He was a little tender last night, which happens,” manager Terry Francona said. “That is part of the reason we have Angel [Sanchez] here. He will be ready to go tomorrow and be feeling good about being ready to go, that is the idea. If not we will give him another day but I don’t think that will happen.”

Sanchez will be making his Red Sox debut. He was eight games of major league service time, all with the Royals. At Pawtucket he was batting .313/.375/.359 with nine RBI in 144 plate appearances. Sanchez was told that he was getting the promotion to Boston after the PawSox game Wednesday night.

“He can move around the infield. He is a guy who can accumulate a ton of at-bats because of his versatility. He had a good year in Vegas last year, he was playing very well in triple-A and he is playing tonight,” Francona said.

How does Sanchez feel about the chance to play in Fenway?

“Pretty happy. No explanation for how happy I am right now,” Sanchez said.

• Both Mike Cameron and Jacoby Ellsbury had strong days in the rehab assignments in Portland. Cameron played center field and went 1-for-4 with a double, RBI and a run while Ellsbury was 3-for-4 with a double, infield hit and a stolen base.

“Just talked to [Cameron]. He was 1-for-4, played the whole game, played pretty well. He will come back tomorrow and play center field. Maybe not the whole game tomorrow, we will see and go forward from there,” Francona said. “Ellsbury had a really good day, 3-for-4, stole a base. Slid a couple times, dove back into first a couple of times. A lot of good things happened and I think he felt good about himself. We have been playing phone tag because his game was just over and hour ago or something. Hopefully we will be able to talk in about an hour or so but it sounded really good.”

• Mike Lowell will get the start at the designated hitter spot Thursday against Liriano as Francona tries to stack his lineup against a pitcher who is tough on left-handed hitters. Lefties are batting .154/.154/.179 against Liriano in 39 plate appearances this year while righties are hitting .277/.346./.340. The southpaw has yet to walk a left-handed hitter on the year and has not served up a home run to any batter in 2010.

“I think that David is swinging the bat just as well as he can which is great. This is a normal, take your blow, be ready to pinch hit against righties. This is a guy who is really tough on lefties. This to me is a perfect night to send some righties up there and see if we can do some damage,” Francona said.

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Transcript: Peter Gammons On The Big Show

12.11.09 at 4:25 pm ET

By Dan Rowinski | 127 Comments

Peter Gammons joined the boys on the Big Show this afternoon to talk about his return to the New England baseball market after 20 years at ESPN and discuss what is happening with the Red Sox. Check out the full transcript below.

Click here for the full audio version.

So, you will actually start at NESN and the MLB Network today?

No, I mean, we are sort of working it out. I am actually going over to NESN today to do something but most of the activity will start after the first of the year but give me time to figure out exactly what I am doing.

Well, welcome back home.

Thank you. It is fun to be home, it does mean something as you know very well since I have been with you for a lot of years and it does matter to me. I grew up here and I covered that team for a lot of time and the market is tremendous. People get so emotional. I was reading Dan Shaughnessy yesterday and I was actually laughing because people are taking one word [bridge] and making such a big deal. But that is the way we are, I mean, the Red Sox are lucky that fans care that much. You could be in some markets where people just go, huh, who cares? The New York Mets have made themselves that way. The Mets are running around announcing that they have made offers to Jason Bay and now Joel Sherman is saying that it is to make sure that people believe that they are actually trying. That is not what people want to hear.

Is the Red Sox reaction to the Yankees having just won a championship?

I think so, to a certain degree. They see where the Yankees are right now and they are, again, going to be $80 million above anybody else in the American League East and, you know, that is a lot of money that is different. They did such a great job last winter with Teixeira, Sebathia, Burnett that they are in a tremendous position right now. They are going to be, Theo always says, at worst you expect them to win 95 games and at best you expect them to win 105. That is what you are dealing with and I think that Red Sox fans are discouraged about that but they should also look at it and say that the Yankees did a good job rebuilding on the fly, albeit with a lot of money. And the other thing that I think is really frustrating to Red Sox fans is that when you look at the Yankees veteran players that have been there for 14, 15 years, they don’t seem to be getting older where a lot of Red Sox players have been getting older.

When you look at Mariano Rivera, he has been doing it forever. It may be the most remarkable thing that we have seen in the last 15 years that he has been able to be at the top of the game and he does it with one pitch.

I wrote a column about that during the playoffs and this is not hyperbole, I really believe this – in the last 15 years in Major League Baseball he is the Most Valuable Player and he is the Cy Young Award winner yet he has never won an award. It is just astounding. Despite that incredible pitch he has tremendous fitness, he has a great body but the makeup. I remember I had breakfast with him on the first day of Spring Training 2002 and he had just given up the lead to Arizona in Game 7 of the World Series the previous October and I said to him “ are you ready for when pitchers and catchers reporting that you are going to get a thousand questions about it, are you ready for it?” And he said, “ oh yeah, I was over it when the plane landed in Newark.” He said ”I broke three bats, it is the nature of the game. He said there are games where I didn’t pitch as well and got the save so, now, believe me, I didn’t lose any sleep.” Most of the rest of us cannot relate to what makes great athletes great, Steve can, but most of us can’t relate.

What is your take on the Lowell trade?

I think they just decided it was best for everybody, for him and for everybody to just move him. They have to make a change at third base and I don’t think that Mike was very happy about it, but they said OK, we’ll clear the deck and move on. I know, I read all the defensive metrics and it was one of the worst seasons for a third baseman in like the last 10 years or something. But this time he has five months to rehab where last year he told me in January that he wasn’t sure what he was going to do in Spring Training. I hope he comes back but they just clearly decided to move on, he is not going to be happy and that is it. The guy they are getting may be leading the Venezuelan League in home runs but he is also leading the Venezuelan League in chickens consumed.

It all brings us back to Jason Bay. Do you buy that the Sox are hesitant to give him a fifth year that another team will?

I think there is a good chance about that. I know the Giants would go to a fifth year but I know that Jason does not want to play in San Francisco, pure and simple. If there was a mistake made here is that the Red Sox made him such a huge offer in July that it gave Joe Urbon the confidence that they will go for $3 million and another year. I am not sure that is going to happen. Would the Mets go to five years and $17 million? I think the Angels are going to end up resigning John Lackey so I think Bay is out of it there so I think it would be San Francisco, the Mets or the Red Sox and the first two are not exactly attractive alternatives. Though, it is a lot easier for a right hander to pull the ball in the new ballpark in New York than it is to go to right-center.

I assume that you do not think that Seattle is a player for Bay but people say the Adrian Beltre thing is not cut and dry in terms of him just walking to the Red Sox no questions asked and that Seattle will offer him a contract and they have some money to spend. Do you agree with that?

Yeah, I do. I don’t know how they would do it. I mean, maybe they would play Figgins at second base but Figgins thought he was playing third base so, it will be interesting to see. I also don’t know Beltre’s frame of mind. I know he likes being on the West Coast but he hates that ballpark. I haven’t had time to do all the work on it but Scott Boras’s mathematics. I know he told the Red Sox that you can have Matt Holliday right now, just duplicate the Mark Teixeira contract. But, you know, Boras is great at what he does but his numbers will show that Beltre is a better hitter on the road than better, but, you know, we’ll see. Beltre is a very good player and a tough guy but he does have, like Jason, have a lot of injuries in his past.

I credit the Red Sox, it was phenomenal of them. Dana Levangie may be the best advanced scout in the game the way they prepare. Breaking ball, breaking ball, breaking ball, you worry about that a lot. We saw Jason go through a two month stretch where he got nothing but breaking balls but I am not sure Beltre would ever get a fast ball here.

What do they do in left field without either Bay or Holliday?

I don’t really know yet. Maybe a short term of get Mike Cameron and put him in centerfield and put Ellsbury in left field and sign Xavier Nady? That is a possibility. I think they have four or five alternatives where they go a lot more to defense, because they did have the did have the second worse defense in baseball last year and maybe they can save the pitching with that. Even though I have great respect for David Ortiz when he says they have to get more power they did hit 46 more home runs this year than they did in 2007 when they won the World Series. They scored more runs than they did in 2007, the defense of course will still be a problem but they have to have that balance. I don’t know much how much real power they are going to have. How much better can Kevin Youkilis be than he has been the last two years, I don’t know.

What do you think about the Sox acquisition of pitchers? Do they got low end reclamation projects or try to get in on the Lackeys and Halladays of the world?

I don’t think they go Halladay because I think it would be a disaster to give up Buccholz and Kelly and then try to pay a guy with his medical history $18 million a year through the age of 38. That won’t happen. I do think they are looking toward Lackey, but, there are guys, I know it is expensive for this market but what about Derek Lowe? The Braves have to move him and he didn’t pitch well this last year but he got really messed up mechanically and I know he is expensive but maybe there is a way of moving somebody who has a little bit of money left and do that. It may be that if they lose out on Bay and Holliday and so forth that maybe what they do is just hold on and look at all the teams that don’t start off well and maybe just buy off some of their players and see what they have come July 1^st.

Do you see all of this approaching the Sox approach with Beckett? Even if they get a guy like Lowe or Lackey that they cannot have too many highly paid guys at the top of the rotation and that he will have to move on after next year?

I think that is a possibility. Josh had one great year here, but as you know Rob, in the eyes of the manager, the coaches and most of the players they have two captains – one of them is Pedroia and the other one is Beckett. The way he does his between the starts sides in the bullpen, the way goes about things. There is a lot of respect that goes there. I think he has had a tremendous impact on Lester and he is starting to have a tremendous impact on Buccholz and I think they expect Kelly to be ready by late August and I know they would like to have Beckett around for him. So, even though, OK, he has a 4.05 ERA in a Red Sox uniform and yes in the last two postseasons he has four starts, 30 innings and 18 runs, but on the other hand there is something really unusual that if he is your third starter, that is pretty good. And I think that the makeup of leadership on the team that he would make a void that would be pretty difficult to fill.

What do you think of Scutaro and does that end the merry-go-round for the Sox at shortstop?

Yeah, I think for a couple of years. They did a lot of medicals on him because he had the plantar fasciitis the last five or six weeks of the season and it really effected him. As of about July 20^th, if you believe all those defensive metrics they use in baseball, he was the best defensive shortstop in baseball and he struggled after that. Allan Baird went and worked him out and they got all the medicals on him and Allan said he was just the way he was early in the season, he is a very smart player. And, because of the nature of being able to vest the third year I think that they see him as a guy who eventually becomes a utility player and eventually becomes the mentor to Jose Iglesias who they and everybody I talk to in baseball thinks is really going to become one of the great defensive shortstops. About that merry-go-round, I am one who really like Jed Lowrie. I think he is an average to above average defensive shortstop who could have 50 extra base hits. But, once he gets those hand injuries he has got to be really afraid. That is one reason that they have been a little bit cautious on Mark DeRosa. He had that wrist injury last year, is he really going to come back from it at the age of 35? It is one of those questions, it becomes a gamble. They are paying for some guys who don’t play here anymore.

Do you know exactly what you are going to be doing at NESN? On the desk before and after games? Where will we see you?

I will be there, I will be at Spring Training, I will be doing shows in the offseason. I have kind of patterned my career after someone like Dick Schofield Sr. At every position I try to get in more innings than any other infielder in history.

Maybe they will bring you back for some Bruins games? People forget you used to over the Bruins back in the day.

I would love that. I was out in the L.A. Forum when they brought Frank Sinatra out to sing the National Anthem before, I think it was Game 6 of the 1976 playoffs and Wayne Cashman cut the cord. And Sinatra was supposed to sing the National Anthem and you couldn’t hear him because Cashman had already cut the line.

You are going to continue to do that national stuff for the MLB Network. How is that going to work?

I will go down to New Jersey occasionally and I can do some of it from Boston. So, it will work out very well for me.

You will be able to spend much more time at home.

Yes I will. Which I enjoy. I like being home. Not that I didn’t love the Residence Inn in Connecticut.

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2004: Where Are They Now?

10.27.09 at 1:50 pm ET

By Dan Rowinski | 14 Comments

Five years ago today, the Red Sox did the unthinkable, the unimaginable, the borderline criminally insane. After coming back from a 3-0 hole to beat the Yankees in the American League Championship Series, they completed a sweep the Cardinals to win their first World Series since 1918.

It was the most memorable fall in the history of New England sports. It created terms that need no explanation — The Steal, Bloody Sock, A-Rod Slap, Big Papi Walkoff …

There were 25 players on the roster for the clinching game in St. Louis. Some of them never played baseball again after that fateful day, some are still kicking around the majors. Four are still with the Sox and now own two World Series rings. So, let’s take a look at where the heroes of 2004 are now and remember what they did for New England five years ago.

To jump to individual players, use the following links:

STARTERS:

Curt Schilling, Pedro Martinez, Tim Wakefield, Derek Lowe, Bronson Arroyo

LINEUP:

David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon, Trot Nixon, Jason Varitek, Bill Mueller, Kevin Millar, Orlando Cabrera, Mark Bellhorn

BULLPEN:

Keith Foulke, Mike Timlin, Mike Myers, Alan Embree, Curtis Leskanic, Ramiro Mendoza

BENCH:

Dave Roberts, Doug Mientkiewicz, Gabe Kapler, Doug Mirabelli, Pokey Reese

THE ROTATION

Curt Schilling

Current Occupation: Contributor to WEEI.com with his 38Pitches blog; founder, 38 Studios

2004 Stats: 32 games, 21 wins, 6 losses, 226.2 innings, 3.26 ERA, 203 strikeouts, 35 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: No. 1 starter

LDS -

1 game, 1 win, 6.2 innings, 2.70 ERA, 4 strikeouts, 2 walks

LCS –

2 games, 1 win, 1 loss, 10 innings, 6.30 ERA, 5 strikeouts, 2 walks

WS –

1 games, 1 win, 6 innings, 0.00 ERA, 4 strikeouts, 1 walk

Subsequent Teams: Red Sox 2005-07

Performance After 2004: 87 games, 32 wins, 23 losses, 448.1 innings, 4.30 ERA, 371 strikeouts, 73 walks

The Memories –

Bloody Sock Game in Game 6 of the ALCS against the Yankees goes down as one of the most memorable performances in the history of the Red Sox.

The Line –

Where do we start with Schilling? He joined the team at WEEI.com in 2008 with the 38Pitches blog and has been a constant source of information, opinion and amusement since. He is an avid online gamer and started 38Studios, a video game design company (that is currently hiring, by the way). Active with his wife Shonda in fighting Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) with the organization Curt’s Pitch for ALS.

Pedro Martinez

Current Occupation: Starting pitcher, Phillies

2004 Stats: 33 games, 16 wins, 9 losses, 217 innings, 3.90 ERA, 227 strikeouts, 61 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: No. 1a starter

LDS –

1 game, 1 win, 7 innings, 3.86 innings, 6 strikeouts, 2 walks

LCS –

3 games, 1 loss, 13 innings, 6.23 ERA, 14 strikeouts, 9 walks

WS –

1 game, 1 win, 7 innings, 0.00 ERA, 6 strikeouts, 2 walks

Subsequent Teams: Mets 2005-08, Phillies 2009-present

Performance After 2004: 88 Games, 37 wins, 24 losses, 531.1 innings, 3.86 ERA, 501 strikeouts, 145 walks

The Memories –

Seven scoreless innings in Game 3 of the World Series, though really, the ones you really remember are from 2003. That’s when Martinez plunked Yankees outfielder Karim Garcia, setting off a brawl that ended with Martinez “pushing” the elderly Don Zimmer to the ground. That would probably be your second memory, with the first being the fact that 2003 manager Grady Little may, or may not have, left Martinez in ALCS Game 7 a little too long against the Yankees.

The Line –

“They beat me. They’re that good right now. They’re that hot. I just tip my hat and call the Yankees my daddy.” The Phillies hope that is not true right now. ”I’m starting to hate talking about the Yankees. The questions are so stupid. They’re wasting my time. It’s getting kind of old. … I don’t believe in damn curses. Wake up the damn Bambino and have me face him. Maybe I’ll drill him in the ass, pardon me the word.”

Tim Wakefield

Current Occupation: Starting pitcher, Red Sox (option pending)

2004 Stats: 32 games, 12 wins, 10 losses, 188.1 innings, 4.87 ERA, 116 strikeouts, 63 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: Spot starter, long reliever

LCS —

3 games, 1 win, 7.1 innings, 8.59 ERA, 6 strikeouts, 3 walks

WS —

1 game, 3.2 innings, 12.27 ERA, 2 strikeouts, 5 walks

Subsequent Teams: Red Sox 2005-present

Performance After 2004: 138 games, 61 wins, 51 losses, 865 innings, 4.42 ERA, 540 strikeouts, 293 walks

The Memories –

The man who ate the innings and took it on the chin when the Sox needed him. Saved the bullpen in Game 3 of the ALCS with 3.1 innings of relief (5 earned runs) and was the starter in Game 1 of the World Series, going 3.2 innings and giving up five earned runs on a windy night (note, tailwind is not good for a knuckleball) at Fenway. The Sox won that game, 11-9.

The Line –

One of the biggest bargains in baseball with a perpetual $4 million dollar team option. Climbing the list of all-time Red Sox pitching stats in just about every category, good and bad. Just underwent successful surgery and hopes to remain with the Sox until his durable right arm falls off or the rest of his body fails him.

Derek Lowe

Current Occupation: Starting pitcher, Braves

2004 Stats: 33 games, 14 wins, 12 losses, 182.2 innings, 5.42 ERA, 105 strikeouts, 71 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: Middle-of-the-rotation starter, spot reliever

LDS —

1 game, 1 win, 1 inning, 0.00 ERA, 1 walk

LCS —

2 games, 1 win, 11.1 innings, 3.16 ERA, 6 strikeouts, 1 walk

WS —

1 game, 1 win, 7 innings, 0.00 ERA, 4 strikeouts, 1 walk

Subsequent Teams: Dodgers 2005-08, Braves 2009-present

Performance After 2004: 169 games, 69 wins, 58 losses, 1045 innings, 3.79 ERA, 674 strikeouts, 277 walks

The Memories –

Lowe was the finisher. In all three series-clinching games he was the winning pitcher. He pitched one inning against the Angels in the ALDS (Ortiz walk-off home run), he started Game 7 against the Yankees in the ALCS in the Bronx, and he started Game 4 of the World Series in St. Louis. No other pitcher has earned the victory for every deciding game of a World Series winner in the wild card era.

The Line –

The sinkerball specialists and his hard-charging ways have been tempered since he left Boston. He remains reliable as an innings-eater who will win about 55 percent of the time. Signed a 4-year, $60 million contract with the Braves last offseason.

Bronson Arroyo

Current Occupation: Starting pitcher, Reds

2004 Stats: 32 games, 10 wins, 9 losses, 178.2 innings, 4.03 ERA, 142 strikeouts, 47 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: Long reliever, spot starter

LDS —

1 game, 6 innings, 3.00 ERA, 7 strikeouts, 2 walks

LCS —

3 games, 4.0 innings, 15.75 ERA, 3 strikeouts, 2 walks

WS —

2 games, 2.2 innings, 6.75 ERA, 4 strikeouts, 1 walk

Subsequent Teams: Red Sox 2005, Reds 2006-present

Performance After 2004: 171 games, 67 wins, 60 losses, 1,077 innings, 730 strikeouts, 314 walks

The Memories – Led the league in 2004 in hit batters, though there is really only one that Red Sox fans care about. Started Game 3 of the ALDS, a game Lowe ended up finishing. Induced Alex Rodriguez into one of the most embarrassing scenes of his career in Game 6 of the ALCS when Rodriguez slapped the ball out of Arroyo’s glove when he tagged him out late in the game.

The Line –

Still a contributor to the Hot Stove, Cool Music jam sessions at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston. Released an album in 2005 called Covering the Bases. Led the National League in games started in 2006 and 2008.

The Lineup

David Ortiz

Current Occupation: Designated hitter, Red Sox

2004 Stats: 150 games, 582 plate appearances, .301 average, .380 on-base percentage, .603 slugging, 41 home runs, 139 RBI, 133 strikeouts, 75 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: Cleanup hitter, designated hitter aka “Mr. Clutch”

LDS —

3 games, 16 plate appearances, .545 average, .688 OBP, 1.000 slugging, home run, 4 RBI, 2 strikeouts, 5 walks

LCS —

7 games, 35 plate appearances, .387 average, .457 OBP, .742 slugging, 3 home runs, 11 RBI, 7 strikeouts, 4 walks

WS —

4 games, 17 plate appearances, .308 average, .471 OBP, .615 slugging, 1 home run, 4 RBI, 1 strikeout, 4 walks

Subsequent Teams: Red Sox 2005-present

Performance After 2004: 718 games, 3184 plate appearances, .286 average, .393 OBP, .570 slugging, 187 home runs, 590 RBI, 552 strikeouts, 476 walks

The Memories —

“I am a bad man!” The Legend of Big Papi began in the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 3 of the ALDS when Ortiz hit a two-run walk-off bomb of Jarrod Washburn to complete the sweep of the Angels. The legend grew in the bottom of the 12th in Game 4 of the ALCS when Ortiz kept the Sox alive when he took Paul Quantrill deep for a another two-run, walk-off home run. Less than 24 hours later he brought the Sox back within one run of the Yankees by taking Tom Gordon deep in the top of the eighth inning before ending Game 5 in the 14th with a bloop single to score Johnny Damon. It was one of the most chaotic and memorable performances in Red Sox history.

The Line —

New England high school graduating classes of 2023 will probably have an inordinate of people named David. Ortiz led the league in RBI in 2005 and 2006. He also set the single-season Sox home run record with 54 in 2006. His skills have been diminishing of late (with allegations of steroid use this past year), but Big Papi will forever remain a New England hero.

Manny Ramirez

Current Occupation: Left fielder, Dodgers

2004 Stats: 152 games, 663 plate appearances, .308 average, .397 OBP, .613 slugging, 43 home runs, 130 RBI, 124 strikeouts, 82 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: Three-hole hitter, left fielder

LDS —

3 games, 16 plate appearances, .385 average, .375 OBP, .769 slugging, home run, 7 RBI, 4 strikeouts, walk

LCS —

7 games, 35 plate appearances, .300 average, .400 OBP, .333 slugging, 4 strikeouts, 5 walks

WS —

4 games, 20 plate appearances, .412 average, .500 OBP, .588 slugging, home run, 4 RBI, 3 strikeouts, 3 walks

Subsequent Teams: Red Sox 2005-08, Dodgers 2008-present

Performance After 2004: 672 games, 2862 plate appearances, .307 average, .412 OBP, .571 slugging, 156 home runs, 518 RBI, 518 strikeouts, 409 walks

The Memories —

One of the oddest statistical postseasons for a player named Most Valuable Player of the World Series. Had a phenomenal series against the Angels, though he managed the strange feat of having his on-base percentage actually be lower than his batting average (sacrifice flies being the culprit). Then he went 0-for-the-entire-ALCS in terms of driving in runners, odd for a man who led the American League with 43 home runs in 2004 (Ramirez had one double and eight singles against the Yankees). He regained his form in the World Series to take the MVP award while hitting a home run of Jeff Suppan in the first inning of Game 3.

The Line —

Oh Manny, Our Manny, our fearful trip is done. The ship has weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won. A belated thank you to Walt Whitman, though Boston fans won the prize they sought, twice actually, with Ramirez sporting red socks. Then Manny went searching for his own prize and found it to the tune of $45 million from the Dodgers after he ran himself out of Boston at the trading deadline last year.

Johnny Damon

Current Occupation: Left fielder, Yankees

2004 Stats: 150 games, 702 plate appearances, .304 average, .380 OBP, .477 slugging, 20 home runs, 94 RBI, 71 strikeouts, 76 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: Leadoff hitter, left fielder, co-captain of the Idiots

LDS —

3 games, 16 plate appearances, .467 average, .500 OBP, .533 slugging, 2 strikeouts, walk

LCS —

7 games, 37 plate appearances, .171 average, .216 OBP, .343, 2 home runs, 7 RBI, 8 strikeouts, 2 walks

WS —

4 games, 21 plate appearances, .286 average, .286 OBP, .619 slugging, home run, 2 RBI, strikeout

Subsequent Teams: Red Sox 2005, Yankees 2006-present

Performance After 2004: 724 games, 3212 plate appearances, .292 average, .363 OBP, .454 slugging, 87 home runs, 371 RBI, 413 strikeouts, 321 walks

The Memories —

Good ALDS, bad ALCS … until the final game. Everybody knew that going into Game 7 against the Yankees that anything could happen. Anything turned out to be Damon. The center fielder broke the Bronx Bombers’ backs (and their hearts) with a grand slam in the second inning to make the score 6-0 Sox, then added another two-run shot in the fourth to really ice the champagne.

The Line —

Speaking of champagne, or, whiskey more appropriately, it is rumored that Damon and a couple other players would take whiskey shots before games to stay loose. Has a penchant for being naked in the clubhouse, once prompting Terry Francona to say, “I have never seen a man go from naked to uniform that fast.” Wrote “Idiot: Breaking The Curse and Enjoying The Game of Life” with Peter Golenbock about the 2004 championship season before jumping ship and signing with the Yankees for four years and $52 million in 2006.

Trot Nixon

Current Occupation: Free agent

2004 Stats: 48 games, 167 plate appearances, .315 average, .377 OBP, .510 slugging, 6 home runs, 23 RBI, 24 strikeouts, 15 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: Right fielder, six hole hitter.

LDS —

2 games, 10 plate appearances, .250 average, .400 OBP, .250 slugging, 2 RBI, strikeout, 2 walks

LCS —

7 games, 29 plate appearances, .207 average, .207 OBP, .345 slugging, home run, 3 RBI, 5 strikeouts

WS —

4 games, 15 plate appearances, .357 average, .400 OBP, .571 slugging, 3 RBI, strikeout, walk

Subsequent Teams: Red Sox 2005-06, Indians 2007, Diamondbacks 2008 (AAA), Mets 2008; released by Brewers on March 25, 2009, after signing a minor league contract

Performance After 2004: 348 games, 1318 plate appearances, .263 batting average, .357 OBP, .393 slugging, 25 home runs, 151 RBI, 183 strikeouts, 163 walks

The Memories —

Hit a two-out, two-run double in Game 4 of the World Series that put the Sox up for good. Also hit a home run in Game 3 of the ALCS off Kevin Brown to at least give the Sox a semblance of dignity in the 19-8 whipping the Yankees handed the Sox that day.

The Line —

Sox fans will always remember Nixon with a dirty jersey, a timely bat and a guy who had a penchant for hitting grand slams. A stalwart in right field, his time was just about up when the Sox released him after the 2006 season. Bounced around with the Indians and Mets before being cut by Milwaukee in spring training this year. He has been out of baseball since then and recently went to Iraq to visit troops.

Jason Varitek

Current Occupation: Catcher and captain, Red Sox

2004 Stats: 137 games, 463 plate appearances, .296 average, .390 OBP, .482 slugging, 18 home runs, 73 RBI, 126 strikeouts, 63 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: Catcher, club leader, seven-hole hitter

LDS —

3 games, 15 plate appearances, .167 average, .333 OBP, .417 slugging, home run, 2 RBI, 5 strikeouts, 2 walks

LCS —

7 games, 31 plate appearances, .321 average, .355 OBP, .571 slugging, 2 home runs, 7 RBI, 6 strikeouts, 2 walks

WS —

4 games, 15 plate appearances, .154 average, .267 OBP, .308 slugging, 2 RBI, 4 strikeouts, walk.

Subsequent Teams: Red Sox 2005-present

Performance After 2004: 607 games, 2381 plate appearances, .243 average, .339 OBP, .415 slugging, 778 home runs, 287 RBI, 538 strikeouts, 285 walks

The Memories — July 24, 2004 —

The Day That Changed Red Sox History. It was a career year for Varitek and he was the heart of the team that socked the Yankees in the face in the middle of July and then again in October. The captain did his work against the Yankees with two home runs in a good offensive series.

The Line —

In 2004 Varitek became the only player to ever play in the Little League World Series, the College World Series and MLB World Series. Parlayed his good 2004 into a four year, $40 million deal.

Bill Mueller

Current Occupation: Special assistant to Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti.

2004 Stats: 110 games, 460 plate appearances, .283 average, .365 OBP, .446 slugging, 12 home runs, 57 RBI, 56 strikeouts, 51 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: Third baseman, nine-hole hitter

LDS —

3 games, 13 plate appearances, .333 average, .385 OBP, .333 slugging, strikeout, walk

LCS —

7 games, 33 plate appearances, .267 average, .333 OBP, .300 slugging, RBI, strikeout, walk

WS —

4 games, 18 plate appearances, .429 average, .556 OBP, .571 slugging, 2 RBI, 4 walks

Subsequent Teams: Red Sox 2005, Dodgers 2006

Performance After 2004: 182 games, 716 plate appearances, .288 average, .367 OBP, .425 slugging, 13 home runs, 77 RBI, 83 strikeouts, 76 walks

The Memories —

Game 4 tying single off Mariano Rivera will go down as the singular moment when the Sox turned the series around. Mueller, one of the most professional hitters in baseball at the time, was one of the few people with the composure and grit needed to get a clutch hit off the “Hammer of God.” Also had great numbers against the Cardinals in the World Series. When Mueller was hot at the bottom of the lineup, the Sox were tough to beat.

The Line —

Mueller’s knees gave out after the 2005 season and he went to the Dodgers to play a few games before taking over hitting coach duties. He has jumped upstairs and serves with Colletti in the front office now. No word on Joe Torre’s feeling about having one of the biggest 2004 postseason heroes haunting him in the hallways.

Kevin Millar

Current Occupation: First baseman/DH, Blue Jays

2004 Stats: 150 games, 588 plate appearances, .297 average, .383 OBP, .474 slugging, 18 home runs, 74 RBI, 91 strikeouts, 57 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: Offensive first basemen, five-hole hitter, co-captain of the Idiots

LDS —

3 games, 11 plate appearances, .300 average, .364 OBP, .600 slugging, home run, 4 RBI, strikeout, walk

LCS —

7 games, 29 plate appearances, .250 average, .379 OBP, .375 slugging, 2 RBI, 4 strikeouts, 5 walks

WS —

4 games, 11 plate appearances, .125 average, .364 OBP, .250 slugging, 2 strikeouts, 2 walks

Subsequent Teams: Red Sox 2005, Orioles 2006-08, Blue Jays 2009

Performance After 2004: 629 games, 2477 plate appearances, .253 average, .348 OBP, .406 slugging, 68 home runs, 278 RBI, 384 strikeouts, 291 walks

The Memories —

Drew the walk from Rivera that eventually became the game-tying score in Game 4 of the ALCS. From “Cowboy Up” in 2003 to the “Idiots” of 2004, Millar was the man who kept the Sox loose. Credited for his ability to placate Manny Ramirez and helping turn the Sox from “25 players, 25 cabs” to the tight unit that claimed the 2004 World Series.

The Line —

Millar was headed to Japan before the Sox scooped him up in 2003 in a little bit of a fishy transaction (the Marlins sold him but Millar blocked the waiver). Is one of the few players not in the Major League Baseball Players Association because he was a replacement player during the strike of 1994-95. Though his power would probably play better in say, the National League West, Millar has refused to leave the American League East after his time with the Sox by signing with the Orioles and Blue Jays. Famous quote before Game 4 against the Yankees: “Don’t let us win this game. … This is a big game. They’ve got to win, because if we win we’ve got Pedro coming back tomorrow and then Schilling will pitch Game 6 and then you can take that fraud stuff and put it to bed. Don’t let the Sox win this game.” The Sox won the game, of course, and the rest is history.

Orlando Cabrera

Current Occupation: Shortstop, Twins

2004 Stats: (With Red Sox) 58 games, 248 plate appearances, .294 average, .320 OBP, .465 slugging, 6 home runs, 31 RBI, 23 strikeouts, 11 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: Short stop, eight-hole hitter

LDS —

3 games, 15 plate appearances, .154 average, .367 OBP, .231 slugging, 3 RBI, 2 strikeouts, 3 walks

LCS —

7 games, 33 plate appearances, .379 average, .424 OBP, .448 slugging, 5 RBI, 5 strikeouts, 3 walks

WS: 4 games, 21 plate appearances, .235 average, .381 OBP, .294 slugging, 3 RBI, strikeout, 3 walks

Subsequent Teams: Angels 2005-07, White Sox 2008, Athletics 2009, Twins 2009

Performance After 2004: 770 games, 3401 plate appearances, .282 average, .329 OBP, .385 slugging, 42 home runs, 349 RBI, 314 strikeouts, 225 walks

The Memories —

So long, Nomar! Cabrera was one of the key cogs in the trade deadline deals that sent long-time fan favorite Nomar Garciaparra out New England. Cabrera became a steadying influence and productive hitter from the shortstop spot and performed well in the ALCS.

The Line —

Is it any wonder that the Twins picked up Cabrera in the second half of 2009 then went on a miraculous run to beat out the Tigers for the American League Central crown? Well, yeah, probably a little bit, but the Sox went 42-19 in the 60 games after they acquired Cabrera. In his first game back in Boston, with the Angels in 2005, Cabrera received a 30-second standing ovation. Ironically, earlier in 2009, Cabrera and Garciaparra manned the left side of the Athletics infield, with Garciaparra at third and Cabrera at short.

Mark Bellhorn

Current Occupation: Infielder, Colorado Sky Sox (Rockies AAA affiliate)

2004 Stats: 138 games, 620 plate appearances, .264 average, .373 OBP, .444 slugging, 17 home runs, 82 RBI, 177 strikeouts, 88 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: Second baseman, two-hole hitter (Bellhorn and Mueller were switched in the batting order a couple of times in the playoffs)

LDS —

3 games, 16 plate appearances, .091 average, .375 OBP, .091 slugging, 4 strikeouts, 5 walks

LCS —

7 games, 31 plate appearances, .192 average, .323 OBP, .500 slugging, 2 home runs, 4 RBI, 11 strikeouts, 5 walks

WS —

4 games, 16 plate appearances, .300 average, .563 OBP, .700 slugging, 1 home run, 4 RBI, 2 strikeouts, 5 walks

Subsequent Teams: Red Sox 2005, Yankees 2005, Padres 2006, Reds 2007

Performance After 2004: 222 games, 661 plate appearances, .198 average, .306 OBP, .344 slugging, 16 home runs, 58 RBI, 207 strikeouts, 88 walks

The Memories —

Bellhorn hit the fourth-inning, three-run home run in Game 6 against the Yankees that gave the Sox a lead they would not relinquish. It was a funny ball on a cold night in the Bronx that cleared the fence but hit a woman in the stands and bounced back into the field. There was some confusion if it was actually a home run, but the umpires conferred and got the call right. Bellhorn also hit a home run (no doubt this time) in Game 7. Also, 15 walks in 14 games in the playoffs is remarkable by itself.

The Line – “Who died and made you Mark Bellhorn?” Though he never hit again in his career, Bellhorn will be remembered fondly by the denizens of New England for his postseason drama. Kind of reminds you of Nick Green a little bit, right?

THE BULLPEN

Keith Foulke

Current Occupation: Pitcher, Newark Bears of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball

2004 Stats: 72 games, 5 wins, 3 losses, 32 saves, 83 innings, 2.17 ERA, 79 strikeouts, 15 walks

2004 Postseason Role/ Stats: The closer

LDS —

2 games, save, 3 innings, 0.00 ERA, 5 strikeouts, walk

LCS —

5 games, 6 innings, 0.00 ERA, 6 strikeouts, 6 walks

WS —

4 games, 1 win, 1 save, 5 innings, 1.80 ERA, 8 strikeouts, walk

Subsequent Teams: Red Sox 2006, Athletics 2008

Performance After 2004: 118 games, 8 wins, 9 losses, 16 saves, 126.1 innings, 4.84 ERA, 93 strikeouts, 38 walks

The Memories —

There are desktop wallpapers, screen savers and posters all through New England of Varitek jumping into Foulke’s arms after the final out of the 2004 World Series. Foulke threw the pitch that became the out that made so many people cry and allowed old-time Sox fans go to their graves happy.

The Line —

Do not let the “Jonny from Burger King” comment be the thing you remember about Foulke. He was straight dominant in the 2004 playoffs, often times going multiple innings and still not allowing any runs. Why is he playing for the Newark Bears?

Mike Timlin

Current Occupation: Free agent

2004 Stats: 76 games, 5 wins, 4 losses, save, 76.1 innings, 4.13 ERA, 56 strikeouts, 19 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: Setup man

LDS —

3 games, 3 innings, 9.00 ERA, 5 strikeouts, walk

LCS —

5 games, 5.2 innings, 4.76 ERA, 2 strikeouts, 5 walks

WS —

3 games, 3 innings, 6.00 ERA, walk

Subsequent Teams: Red Sox 2005-08

Performance After 2004: 246 games, 19 wins, 14 losses, 249 innings, 3.72 ERA, 152 strikeouts, 70 walks

The Memories —

A lot of good memories with Timlin, though his pitching in the 2004 postseason was a little erratic. Timlin was always just one of those guys who looked really mean on the mound, even if he gave you a heart attack with that consistent 93 mph straight fastball. Timlin could dominate at times. Sometimes he got dominated.

The Line —

Timlin is one of the only non-Yankees players in history to be a member of four World Series winners (1992-93 with the Blue Jays, 2004 and ’07 with the Red Sox). Timlin signed a minor league contract with the Rockies on July 29 this season and was released on Aug. 15.

Mike Myers

Current Occupation: Special assistant to outgoing MLBPA head Donald Fehr

2004 Stats: (With Red Sox) 25 games, 1 win, 15 innings, 4.2o ERA, 9 strikeouts, 1 walk

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: Lefty specialist

LDS —

2 games, 0.1 inning, 27.00 ERA, strikeout, walk

LCS —

3 games, 2.1 innings, 7.71 ERA, 4 strikeouts, walk

Subsequent Teams: Red Sox 2005, Yankees 2006-07, White Sox 2007

Performance After 2004: 199 games, 8 wins, 3 losses, 122.1 innings, 3.90 ERA, 70 strikeouts, 46 walks

The Memories —

Ah, the old submariner. Did not pitch particularly well in the 2004 postseason and did not pitch in the World Series.

The Line —

It was always interesting to watch Myers and Chad Bradford (right submariner) warm up next to each other in the outfield in 2005. Retired from baseball in 2007.

Alan Embree

Current Occupation: Reliever, Rockies

2004 stats: 71 games, 2 wins, 2 losses, 52.1 innings, 4.13 ERA, 37 strikeouts, 11 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: Setup, lefty specialist

LDS —

2 games, 1 inning, 0.00 ERA, walk

LCS —

6 games, 4.2 innings, 3.86 ERA, 2 strikeouts, walk

WS —

3 games, 1.2 innings, 0.00 ERA, 4 strikeouts

Subsequent Teams: Red Sox 2005, Yankees 2005, Padres 2006, Athletics 2007-08, Rockies 2009

Performance After 2004: 314 games, 11 wins, 17 losses, 18 saves, 258.2 innings, 4.98 ERA, 211 strikeouts, 90 walks

The Memories —

Embree played the left-handed complement to Timlin and pitched reasonably well as a specialist in the 2004 playoffs. Was a go-to guy for Francona against the Yankees in tough spots during the ALCS with six appearances and recorded the final out in Game 7.

The Line —

Embree is the classic journeyman left-handed reliever, having played for 10 teams in 16 seasons. Broke his tibia when he was hit by the bat of Atlanta’s Martin Prado on July 11 this year and missed the rest of the season.

Curtis Leskanic

Current Occupation: Red Sox scout

2004 Stats: (With the Sox) 32 games, 3 wins, 2 losses, 27.2 innings, 3.58 ERA, 22 strikeouts, 16 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: Emergency reliever

LCS —

3 games, 1 win, 2.2 innings, 10.12 ERA, 2 strikeouts, 3 walks

Subsequent Teams: None

Performance After 2004: None.

The Memories —

Curtis “The Panic” Leskanic actually was the winning pitcher in the historic Game 4 against the Yankees as he pitched 1.1 innings and allowed one hit to Jorge Posada to lead off the top of the 12th. Apparently, that was enough panicking because Leskanic never pitched in the big leagues again.

The Line —

Leskanic hung up the cleats after 2004 and eventually joined the Sox scouting department. After the Sox won the World Series, Leskanic mimicked the snow angel celebration that Lonie Paxton did after the Patriots famous “Snow Bowl” victory over the Raiders en route to the 2002 Super Bowl. Hit Yankees right fielder Gary Sheffield with a pitch in 2004 but did not have to face Sheffield’s temper because Leskanic’s brother had installed a pool at Sheffield’s house.

Ramiro Mendoza

Current Occupation: Pitcher, Newark Bears of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball

2004 Stats: 27 games, 2 wins, 1 loss, 30.2 innings, 3.52 ERA, 13 strikeouts, 7 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: Emergency reliever

LCS —

2 games, 1 loss, 2 innings, 4.50 ERA, strikeout

Subsequent Teams: Yankees 2005

Performance After 2004: 1 game, 1 innings, 18.00 ERA, strikeout

The Memories —

Face it, most of the memories of Mendoza actually came AGAINST the Red Sox, not for them. He spent his entire career except for 2003-04 with the Yankees and was an effective setup man for Rivera for awhile. Was the official losing pitcher (somebody had to be) in the disaster that was Game 3 in the ALCS.

The Line —

Mendoza joined Foulke in Newark with the Bears this year. Oddly enough, Scott Williamson also is on that team. Mendoza must not have liked the fact that he was on the Red Sox team when they finally won the World Series because he pitched exactly one inning for the Yankees in 2005 before leaving the big leagues for good. He did sign a minor league contract with the Yankees after 2005 and had a tryout with the Brewers this year but failed his physical. Pitched for Panama in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

The Bench

Dave Roberts

Current Occupation: NESN Red Sox analyst

2004 Stats: (With the Sox) 45 games, 101 plate appearances, .256 average, .330 OBP, .442 slugging, 2 home runs, 14 RBI, 17 strikeouts, 10 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: Backup outfielder, pinch-runner

LDS —

1 game, no plate appearances

LCS —

2 games, no plate appearances, 1 stolen base, 2 runs

Subsequent Teams: Padres 2005-06, Giants 2007-08

Performance After 2004: 410 games, 1618 plate appearances, .273 average, .349 OBP, .386 slugging, 12 home runs, 114 RBI, 204 strikeouts, 166 walks

The Memories —

Really, there is only one. “The Steal.” Millar walks, Roberts pinch-runs. Everybody on the planet knows that he has to steal second base. He goes, Posada fires. Safe. Mueller gets the hit that sends him home, and the Red Sox have never been the same since.

The Line —

“Maury Wills once told me that there will come a point in my career when everyone in the ballpark will know that I have to steal a base, and I will steal that base. When I got out there, I knew that was what Maury Wills was talking about.” Roberts will forever get a warm welcome at Fenway and now has a job with NESN, filling in for Jerry Remy on occasion.

Doug Mientkiewicz

Current Occupation: First baseman, Dodgers

2004 Stats: (With the Sox) 49 games, 119 plate appearances, .215 average, .286 OBP, .318 slugging, home run, 10 RBI, 18 strikeouts, 10 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: Defensive first baseman

LDS —

3 games, 4 plate appearances, .500 average, .500 OBP, .500 slugging, RBI

LCS —

4 games, 5 plate appearances, .500 average, .500 OBP, .750 slugging, strikeout

WS —

4 games, 1 plate appearances, .000 average, .000 OBP, .000 slugging.

Subsequent Teams: Mets 2005, Royals 2006, Yankees 2007, Pirates 2008, Dodgers 2009

Performance After 2004: 395 games, 1219 plate appearances, .270 average, .353 OBP, .405 slugging, 22 home runs, 129 RBI, 146 strikeouts, 128 walks

The Memories —

Dougie Baseball caught the underhand toss from Foulke for the final out in Game 4 against the Cardinals. He was the reliable late-inning defensive guru at first base to replace the sometimes adventurous meanderings of Millar. Part of the Garciaparra shuffle at the deadline as he came over from the Twins.

The Line —

I am keeping the ball … wait, what?! Mientkeiewicz caused a ruckus with the Sox after the World Series when he elected to keep the ball after the final out. A spokesperson for Major League Baseball said the ball belonged to Mientkeiewicz, as per normal baseball standards. Mientkiewicz let the ball tour with the World Series trophy during the winter of 2005 and eventually reached an agreement with the Red Sox to allow the ball to go to the Hall of Fame in 2006.

Gabe Kapler

Current Occupation: Outfielder, Rays

2004 Stats: 136 games, 310 plate appearances, .272 average, .311 OBP, .390 slugging, 6 home runs, 33 RBI, 49 strikeouts, 15 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: Backup outfielder

LDS —

2 games, 5 plate appearances, .200 average, .200 OBP, .200 slugging

LCS —

2 games, 3 plate appearances, .333 average, .333 OBP, .333 slugging

WS —

4 games, 2 plate appearances, .000 average, .000 OBP, .000 slugging, strikeout

Subsequent Teams: Red Sox 2005-06, Brewers 2008, Rays 2009

Performance After 2004: 303 games, 734 plate appearances, .265 average, .328 OBP, .430 slugging, 19 home runs, 91 RBI, 108 strikeouts, 59 walks

The Memories —

Kapler was in right field for the final pitch of Game 4 against the Cardinals. Played in a career-high 136 games for the Sox in 2004.

The Line —

During the 2004 season Kapler was deciding whether or not to play on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. He consulted a Boston rabbi who reportedly told him: “Do it! We need all the help we can get!” Kapler played. Kapler went into semi-retirement in the 2007 season and managed the Sox’ Single-A affiliate, the Greenville Drive, for a year, coaching some of the rising prospects in the Sox organization, including Josh Reddick.

Doug Mirabelli

Current Occupation: Realtor, Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realty; manager, St. Francis High School baseball team in Traverse City, Mich.

2004 Performance: 59 games, 182 plate appearances, .281 average, .368 OBP, .525 slugging, 9 home runs, 32 RBI, 46 strikeouts, 19 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: Backup catcher

LCS —

1 game, 1 plate appearance, .000 average, .000 OBP, .000 slugging

WS —

1 game, 3 plate appearances, .333 average, .333 OBP, .333 slugging, strikeout

Subsequent Teams: Red Sox 2005, Padres 2006 (for about two months), Red Sox 2006-07

Performance After 2004: 171 games, 481 plate appearances, .208 average, .283 OBP, .363 slugging, 17 home runs, 59 RBI, 148 strikeouts, 40 walks

The Memories —

Never the greatest hitter, “Duck Boat” Mirabelli occasionally got a hold of one with his long swing and push it over the Monster. Caught Wakefield in Game 1 of the World Series as his personal catcher and singled off Walt Williams in the third inning.

The Line —

Mirabelli may be the only backup catcher ever to get a police escort through Boston when he was reacquired by the Sox in 2006 from the Padres to catch Wakefield that night. Ended up with a little controversy when there was some “miscommunication” between him and Orioles broadcaster Gary Thorne about the authenticity of Schilling’s bloody sock in Game 6 against the Yankees. Mirabelli would later insist that the sock indeed had blood on it.

Pokey Reese

Current Occupation: Free agent

2004 Stats: 96 games, 268 plate appearances, .221 average, 271 OBP, .303 slugging, 3 home runs, 29 RBI, 60 strikeouts, 17 walks

2004 Postseason Role/Stats: Defensive utility middle infielder

LDS —

3 games, no plate appearances, run

LCS —

3 games, 1 plate appearance, .000 average, .000 OBP, .000 slugging, strikeout

WS —

4 games, 1 plate appearances, .000 average, .000 OBP, .000 slugging

Subsequent Teams: Signed with the Mariners in 2005 but never played after suffering an injury; played in the Nationals’ system in 2008 but was limited by injuries.

Performance After 2004: None

The Memories —

Reese and Mientkiewicz were the defensive right side of the infield for the Red Sox as they would consistently come in late in games down the stretch and into the postseason to spell Millar and Bellhorn. Helped transform the Sox’ fielding from “somewhat atrocious” to “fairly respectable” late in the season.

The Line —

I bet you still see some “Pokey Woulda Had It!” bumper stickers around Boston. Reese was never much of a hitter, but he did hit two home runs in one game in May, an inside-the-park job and a normal Monster pop fly-turned-homer. He left the Red Sox in spring training of 2005 and hasn’t done much since.

Where Was I? On the final pitch of the final game I was sitting on a stool at a now-defunct bar called Atomic Burrito in Charlottesville, Va., watching the game and listening to a band called Jim Waive and the Young Divorcees. I was a kitchen manager in downtown Charlottesville at the time and did not have television in my apartment. So, I ended up listening to the late night games (since we got kicked out of the bar) on my radio, rocking back and forth on a dining room chair with my border collie, Kira. When Mientkiewicz caught the ball I was mobbed by all my fellow transplanted New Englanders, some of whom were crying, others trying to pull my pants down, walk-off style.

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Behind Enemy Lines: Angels Coverage

10.08.09 at 5:46 pm ET

By Dan Rowinski | 1 Comment

Since we brought you everything we have been doing here at WEEI.com on the Red Sox/Angels series, we figured we would bring you some of the news coming out of the left coast. Check out what they are saying in the links below.

-Los Angeles Times -

Angels Gary Matthews Jr. plays his role well

Angels want a new mind-set against Red Sox

Angels Lackey needs to post a victory

Reliever Jason Bulger is on Angel’s playoff roster

They’re only playoff opinions . . . (Good quote from this one: “If Jon Lester is half as intense on the mound as he is in media interviews, I can see why he has become the Sox’s No. 1 starter . . . .”)

Casey Kotchman proves you can’t go home again

Paul Byrd’s heart is still in Anaheim

Torii Hunter hasn’t quite cut the cord with the Twins

Check out the rest the LA Times has to offer in its Angels Unplugged blog.

-The Orange County Register

Angels vs. Red Sox: Analysis and Prediction (slideshow)

Why the Angels will win (slidehshow)

ALDS Preview: Will maturity help Angels?

Angels Playoff Argument: Beantown vs. Beach Town

Bill Plunkett, Mark Saxon and Randy Youngman of The OC Register go on camera to discuss the series. (video)

GoHalos.com

How To Beat The Red Sox – Top 10

ALDS Scorecard (strange mathematical formula used here, check it out)

And, of course, we have this little guy. . . rally_monkey

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ALDS Coverage: Angels vs. Red Sox

10.08.09 at 4:48 pm ET

By Dan Rowinski | No Comments

It’s playoff time, and that means that we here at WEEI.com have gone full-tilt into Red Sox coverage as the Sox battle the Angels in the American League Division Series. Drowning in data? Having trouble keeping up with all the latest information? Well, here is your one-stop shop for everything Sox that you will ever need to know.

Rob Bradford, Alex Speier and Mike Petraglia are on the scene in Boston, bringing you the most up-to-date information, while Lou Merloni and Curt Schilling will break down the scene. Check it all out in the links below.

Don’t forget: The Virtual Press Box will be open during every game. Join Rob, Alex, and Lou for an in-game conversation unlike any other. The Box opens at noon for Game 3 – CLICK HERE to enter.

Sunday

Full Count – Francona: We Know What’s At Stake

Full Count – Buchholz vs. Kazmir By the Numbers

Full Count – Red Sox Struggles vs. Top Pitchers Continue

Speier: Can the Sox Beat Good Pitching? A Season Hangs on the Answer

Speier: Buchholz Left It All on the Field – A Look at the Pitcher’s Biggest Game

Virtual Press Box: ALDS Game 3 Live Chat

Saturday

Full Count – Francona: We Might Adjust Our Batting Order

Full Count – 12 Pieces of Bacon and a Red Bull

Speier: For Buchholz, October Opportunity Finally Arrives

Bradford – Five Things We Learned: Red Sox Can’t Quite Solve This Riddle