Really, the whole experiment lasted just three months. And in relative terms, the whole thing was eons ago.
Dustin Pedroiawas in college. Daniel Bard was in high school.Terry Franconawas not yet the Boston manager at a time when the 2003Red Soxdabbled in the dark art of a closer-by-committee, an experiment in relief alchemy that is now punishable by stoning.
But its legacy persists. The idea became — and remains — an easy target for ire. The Sox bullpen was a mess operating without a defined ninth-inning pitcher (particularly while governed by then-managerGrady Little, a man whose bullpen touch was … suspect). The idea of mixing and matching for the game’s final outs came to be viewed as an act of profound stupidity.
But that, of course, was not what the idea of the committee was about. The experiment was rooted in the notion that the most important outs of a game do not always take place in the ninth inning. Sometimes, a team is far better served having its most dominant reliever handle key outs in the sixth … or seventh … or eighth innings than the ninth.
“I remember, the year before I got here, they had that closer by committee that didn’t work very well,” Francona told reporters on Tuesday. “The idea is when the game’s on the line in the seventh or eighth and you want somebody in there that can get the job done.”
The baseball world this offseason engaged in an industry-wide embrace of that notion, in a sense. In some respects, the market for closers — the men tethered to the ninth inning — was sluggish. The market for middle relievers, on the other hand, exploded.
There was widespread disgust among talent evaluators about the dramatic rise in salaries for pitchers who would not be asked to record a game’s final three outs. Joaquin Benoit’s deal with the Tigers (three years, $16.5 million) in early November set the market for setup men, and was used as a baseline for several contracts to follow.
Five different middle relievers received three-year deals this winter. Eleven pitchers who were signed with the expectation that they would not close received deals of at least $4 million per year, led by Yankees setup man Rafael Soriano (3 years, $35 million) and Sox setup man Bobby Jenks (2 years, $12 million).
Yes, these are contracts fraught with risk. Long-term, big-money investments in middle relievers have a terrible track record. Nonetheless, that teams were willing to take the plunge on such deals this offseason was a tacit acknowledgement that it is just important for teams to secure safe passage on the march to the ninth inning as it is for them to have a light’s-out closer for the final three outs of the game.
“Sometimes [if] you wait to get to your closer, you’ve already lost,” Francona said. “It’s bases loaded, seventh inning, you’re going to lose right there.”
Yet the psychology of the modern bullpen is such that a team needs a definitive ninth-inning presence.
Blogs Marco Scutaro feels a lot better, as he showed Wednesday afternoon How Jon Lester found out he was the Red Sox’ Opening Day starter
Audio on Demand Paul Pierce with Grande & Max The Bradford Files Ep. 5: The Red Sox lineup
Columns Why Jonathan Papelbon can't win What if Victor Martinez had re-signed with the Red Sox?
Alex Speier What if Victor Martinez had re-signed with the Red Sox? Who's on first? How Mark Teixeira once pushed Adrian Gonzalez to the outfield
“I think it helps to designate a closer no matter what, just so you know,” Bard said. “It allows everyone in the bullpen to fall into their given roles.”
“I think a bullpen runs best when everyone’s got their roles,” agreed Jenks. “Sometimes you can win a game in the seventh, but those three outs are still the hardest to get. Bullpen by committee, it’s never a good idea. We’ve seen it in the past. It never works with any team. Having everyone in their roles, as relievers, we need to be creatures of habit. Having our routine. Without that set role, even if you’re a seventh/eighth-inning guy, back and forth, you know what you need to do to get yourself ready that day.”
To the extent that such an outlook is nearly universal among relievers, the Sox were able to construct their bullpen in what could be deemed almost ideal fashion this offseason. They haveJonathan Papelbonas the fixed end-point of the game, responsible for the ninth inning.
Yet thanks to Jenks and Bard, they have the flexibility to use pitchers with closer-caliber stuff in earlier game situations. If a game is on the line in the sixth or seventh or eighth innings, they can turn to an elite pitcher — perhaps even their best reliever, if Bard proves capable of repeating his overpowering 2010 campaign — in the most highly leveraged situation of a game.
“Bard for me is the best weapon you can have. Not having to pigeon hole him is a huge weapon. He can come in in the seventh and get an out. He can pitch the eighth,” Francona said. “He won’t be doing that forever because he’s too good — he’s going to be a closer — but for now he’s a huge weapon for us.
“We kind of did it with Pap that one year. That’s why when we got [Billy Wagnerto be a setup man in late 2009], our bullpen got so much better. Because we got a guy with closer’s stuff that we were able to pick a spot in the seventh or eighth to bring him in. It made our bullpen so much better.”
That, in turn, is what the Sox hope to accomplish in 2011. The team has Closer Present in Papelbon, Closer Past in Jenks and Closer Future in Bard. As such, if the three perform in line with their career track records, there should be few nights when Francona is left sleepless by the thought that he went to the wrong pitcher at a decisive moment of the game.
Going with a closer-by-committee did not work for the Sox in 2003. But, the team hopes, having a fleet of pitchers worthy of the title of closer will help the Sox move on from their relief struggles of a year ago.
Jason talked about the latest on the NFL labor situation, why the NFLPA did not want a second extension and continue the talks, the impact of Judge Susan Richard Nelson getting involved, his thoughts on the union's decertification and if it is valid, the players lawsuit and the entire antitrust conversation, how the NFL Draft could get really ugly and be a hostile environment and what he thinks is the best-case scenario going forward.
Peter talked about the scene down in Washington, DC at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service building, why the players are so adamant about seeing the numbers from the owners, his thoughts about the owners opening up the books, the possibility of an 18-game season, how the league year could still possibly start, if there is a chance games will be lost and if he believes if the union will decertify.
Mike talked about if the NFL players and owners are any closer to an agreement, why both sides are only meeting a few hours each day, how Judge David Doty's decision about the television contract impacted the negotiations, what would happen if the NFL Players Association decides to decertify, if the owners or players are more unified, how the 18-game schedule is part of the leverage game and what he thinks is the most likely outcome.
Paul Pierce joins Grande & Max on our postgame show.....he talks tonight's win and his & Grande's NCAA tournament bet.
Happy 30th Anniversary to Mike Gorman and Tommy Heinsohn
Mike and Tommy from CSNNE have been broadcasting Celts games for 30 years, and we talk to them both as they get ready to be honored at the Garden for a great career together. Plus the new Tommy rap phenomena!
Talking Hoops Ep. 5: The Celtics transformation and the Bulls rise
In episode 5 of Talking Hoops with Paul Flannery, the WEEI.com Celtics writer is joined by Kelly Dwyer from Yahoo's Ball Don't Lie blog. The guys talk about the rise of the Chicago Bulls, the Celtics transformation and whether the Sixers or Knicks are a bigger sleeper. Plus, Kelly tries to convince Flannery to listen to ELO.
WEEI.com's Rob Bradford and Alex Speier debate on what the 2011 Red Sox lineup might (and should) look like.
In the latest episode of Minor Details, Hall of Fame journalist Peter Gammons discusses how the significance and coverage of the minor leagues has changed over his writing career, while also examining the state of the Red Sox' minor league system and top prospects in this year's spring training camp.
Red Sox principal owner John Henry joins the Big Show to discuss many topics including large markets vs. small markets in Marjor League Baseball, his purchase of Liverpool FC, the team's payroll, and the future of Fenway Park.
Mike talked about Brad Marchand's hit on RJ Umberger and if he believes there could be a suspension coming, his thoughts about Rule 48, the decision by Claude Julien to sit Michael Ryder, how silly it is that Montreal authorities are still looking at the Zdeno Chara hit, if the referees are taking a closer look at the B's since the Chara hit and how Mark Recchi has been able to stay in the NHL for as long as he has.
Mike talked about why he does not believe Zdeno Chara will be suspended, how he was surprised it was even a 5 minute major, if players know where they are on the ice, the issue with the turnbuckle in between the benches, his thoughts about Tuukka Rask getting the start over Tim Thomas, if the Bruins would want to avoid the Canadiens in the playoffs and the concerns with the B's power play.
Chris joined Tom Caron and Steve Buckley and talked about the transition coming from the Senators to the Bruins, how joining the team on a long road trip was beneficial for the team, his thoughts on the atmosphere in the Garden, what his take was about the Black and Gold before the trade and his feelings since the trade, if he believes this Bruins team can take home the Cup, and what Tomas Kaberle brings to the team
Heath Evans calls Adrian Peterson an Idiot and other thoughts on the Lockout
Former Patriot Heath Evans joins D&C to give his thoughts on the lockout. He calls out Adrian Peterson, Nick Collins and some other of his fellow players.
Bruins Win, the BC Eagles Win and the latest from the NFL Lockout
Kelly Malone updates us on the Bruins win, BC's win and the latest from the NFL lockout
Dino is back from vacation and he and Gerry discuss Japan, one week after the earthquake and the NCAA Tournament
Jeff talked about how horrendous the First Four is and that they should have kept the tournament at 65 teams, that he believes Kyrie Irving will suit up for Duke and that makes them the favorite to win it all, how it was a down year for college basketball, if this is a good year to watch the tourney for NBA prospects, how far BYU's Jimmer Fredette can lead the Cougars and which double digit seeds he likes to advance.
Randy Moss' heart is still in New England with the Patriots
Former New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss appeared on a Minnesota radio station today and he discussed how much he loved playing with Tom Brady and being coached by Bill Belichick. Mut and Lou share their thoughts about a possible Moss return to the Pats.
Terry Francona announced today that the Red Sox will give Jon Lester the start on Opening Day in Texas against the Rangers and the guys discuss how the southpaw has earned this honor.
Happy 30th Anniversary to Mike Gorman and Tommy Heinsohn
Mike and Tommy from CSNNE have been broadcasting Celts games for 30 years, and we talk to them both as they get ready to be honored at the Garden for a great career together. Plus the new Tommy rap phenomena!
NBA/Celtics legend Bill Walton joined the Big Show to talk hoops and drop many Guiness plugs... you can catch Bill in a Guiness commercial during the NCAA tourney. We try and get a word in edgewise.
Adrian Peterson equates life as an NFL player as 'Modern Day Slavery', Frederick Douglass rolls over in his grave
Yo Adrian! Open mouth, insert foot. There was no 7 year, 96 million dollar contract waiting for Harriet Tubman at the end of the underground railroad.
The Planet Mikey Show kicks off a short show before the Celts Pacers game. In this segment Mikey talks about the Celts, Mike Gorman and Tommy Heinsohn celebrating 30 years broadcating together, and tries to get used to the new web cam in the studio.
John Ryder and Lenny Megliola are in for Mikey tonight and they get a call from a very special, talented, and knowledgeable guest...Mike Adams.
Who's the bigger bust, Dice-K or JD Drew?
With the season right around the corner, Ryder and Lenny get into some Red Sox talk. What signing do you think was worse, JD Drew or Dice K?
Glenn's in 'Schaefer City', people like Mike, Adrien Peterson has a thing or two to learn about African American history, plus Mary.
Enough labor talk ! Plus Mike calls Buckner back, and Bob calls us.
This week's whine of the week winner. If you are our winner please send an email to whineoftheweek@weei.com
Danny Ainge on BYU's Brandon Davies and the Celtics
Celtics President Danny Ainge joined the Big Show in studio to talk about a number of issues including the Brandon Davies at BYU situation, the Kendrick Perkins trade, and the Celtics new additions.
Adrian Peterson equates life as an NFL player as 'Modern Day Slavery', Frederick Douglass rolls over in his grave
Yo Adrian! Open mouth, insert foot. There was no 7 year, 96 million dollar contract waiting for Harriet Tubman at the end of the underground railroad.
Heath Evans calls Adrian Peterson an Idiot and other thoughts on the Lockout
Former Patriot Heath Evans joins D&C to give his thoughts on the lockout. He calls out Adrian Peterson, Nick Collins and some other of his fellow players.
Should the top college prospects boycott the NFL Draft?
The NFL Players Association is attempting to get all the top draft prospects to boycott the NFL Draft and both Mut and Lou think this is absolutely ridiculous and unfair to the young players entering the league.
Which Sport Has The Worst Officials?
Dale and Gerry discuss which sport has the worst officials.
Source:
No comments:
Post a Comment