11/23/24
September 23, 2002
Pedro quits. Again.: Poor guy doesn't feel like pitching again this year since he got his 20th win. Doesn't want to 'risk injury' since the team is out of contention. But it was fine to risk it to get win #20 with your team out of contention. When asked about the Cy award he said he'd split it down the middle between him and D-Lowe... (nevermind that Zito deserves it more than either of them) When is Pedro ever going to grow up? Everyone else on the 20 non contending teams is still playing and fulfilling their contracts...
posted by Bernreuther to baseball at 02:59 PM - 14 comments
But if the Sox are out of contention, what exactly is the harm of Pedro letting a prospect get a chance to pitch to a major league lineup? A spoiled brat would insist that he be given the chance to get another win rather than offer to give up his spot in the rotation for a rookie.
posted by thescoop at 04:04 PM on September 23, 2002
If I was the Boston Red Sox, I wouldn't let him pitch that last start, even if he wanted to. He's been injured before and he'll probably get injured again. They have too much money invested in his future (at least one more, maybe two seasons) and there is no value in having him start a meaningless game. And technically, Boston isn't out of contention just yet. They would need an absolute miracle to get into a playoff for the wild card (win all 7 remaining games and have Anaheim lose their last 6 and Seattle to lose at least one game) but the possibility is still there. Now, if the impossible happens and Pedro's scheduled start on Saturday actually means something, I think he'll do the right thing and pitch.
posted by grum@work at 04:06 PM on September 23, 2002
Maybe I'm just extra cynical from heated Sox discussions on uscho.com (a hockey message board, but populated mainly by new englanders) but I don't really buy the fact that he's been valiantly pitching hurt, as much as he's a bit of a whiner and if something minor comes along he'll bring it up to make himself sound more heroic. But that's just one man's anti-Pedro opinion. (Plus, I'd say Lowe has been another beacon of light, probably stronger than Pedro this year.) Similarly, along those lines I think the "let the rookie try" thing was an afterthought reason also to try to put a positive spin on it. IMHO, he's not so fragile that he shouldn't be able to go out and do his job. If he was in rough shape we'd have been hearing about it all over the news. Anyway, I'd just be pissed if I was a fan scheduled to go see that game. I mean, what other reason would I have for spending money on an Orioles game? :) But you're right, there's certainly no harm in it, I just see it as another instance of Pedro having a bad attitude.
posted by Bernreuther at 05:24 PM on September 23, 2002
They are not making the playoffs. Even if he is the healthiest man in the universe - why risk an injury to the greatest pitcher of our lifetime on a Saturday afternoon? What are you, a closet Mets fan?
posted by djacobs at 05:48 PM on September 23, 2002
OT. Bernreuther...don't forget about us Minnesotans on USCHO. We waste just as much time over there!
posted by emoeby at 07:53 PM on September 23, 2002
Well, he certainly ruined his chances of winning the Cy Young. I find that a little brave. But, I believe individuals have a responsibility to their teams, even the Red Sox. Is it possible to be lazy and brave?
posted by pastepotpete at 09:36 PM on September 23, 2002
djacobs, how insulting! Yankee fan here :) So I can see how it comes off as me ragging on the enemy. But if say Clemens did that with the Yankees I'd be really pissed as well. It's just not the right attitude, imho. ah, yeah, there're plenty of you people from MN there too, emoeby, but you're not nearly as fun to read... the arguments all the HE fans have, esp in the offseason about other sports, are a blast to read! I need to start going there more often, it's been far too long...
posted by Bernreuther at 01:48 AM on September 24, 2002
Since the Red Sox battery has essentially taken a holiday on the fucking field since the All-Star break, I don't see why Pedro shouldn't be given a proper day off.
posted by etagloh at 04:56 AM on September 24, 2002
Speaking as a Red Sox fan, I'd rather see him pitching a full season next year than risking injury in a meaningless game this year. That, to me, is fulfilling one's responsibility to the team. I dunno if people remember this, but it's been a couple of years since Pedro won 20 games. That isn't due to declining skills, it's because he gets hurt. And he's not whining about minor injuries, either. This is the same guy who came in to win a game in relief against the Indians a few years back. He's an amazingly fierce competitor. It was the right decision.
posted by Bryant at 05:57 AM on September 24, 2002
I hate Yankees fans.
posted by djacobs at 09:33 AM on September 24, 2002
I hate Yankees fans. I'm glad someone else said it. Can we get an addition to the stylesheet that marks them in bright red? I have tickets for what would be Pedro's final start and I don't want him to start. What's the point (barring a remarkable Angels collapse and when has that ever happened)?
posted by yerfatma at 11:03 AM on September 24, 2002
I just see it as another instance of Pedro having a bad attitude. Show me a few others. Most of those "incidents" are presented by great boosters like Dan Shaughnessy who have a problem with any behavior that veers from their idea of What Is Right. And God forbid any non-white player violate those rules or it's twice as bad. The only "bad attitude" incident I can think of was Pedro's reaction to Jimy Williams not starting him in 1998 or 1999. Other than that, Pedro has been the most media-savvy and friendly Sox player during the last 10 years (that I can think of). I understand he leaves himself open to media spin at times, but I've never seen an example of him not doing what is right for the team. If you think the team doesn't matter to him, go back and check that Game 5 against Cleveland. He wants to win desperately and, better yet, wants to win in Boston. He's just a realist: better to have him healthy again next year than risk an injury for nothing. Put it to you this way: if it gets to be Saturday and the Sox are still in the race, He'll be there.
posted by yerfatma at 12:09 PM on September 24, 2002
We sure took care of him! Keep your durn shovel pass, too!
posted by djacobs at 01:08 PM on September 25, 2002
Pedro has valiantly pitched hurt and been a beacon of light in an otherwise dysfunctional situation. Lay off him, bernie.