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Beware of "contract" players |
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Tuesday, 22 April 2008 |
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By TERRY NAU Sports editor Some things I think I think
It’s amazing how often professional athletes achieve maximum results during their so-called “contract year.” Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada last season and Manny Ramirez this season come quickly to mind. Ramirez isn’t really in his “walk” year but he does have an option clause that allows the Red Sox to renew his contract for another year or two at $20 million per if they deem fit.
Is it possible to imagine this Red Sox team without Manny’s powerful bat in the lineup? We can talk all we want about Big Papi’s clutch hits over the past five years but it is Ramirez who has always been Boston’s most feared hitter, mostly because other teams know he is oblivious to pressure.
In terms of contract seasons, the reverse is also true. Once a player signs a new contract, it seems there’s a tendency to sit back and relax. Or, more likely, to perform as though the weight of the contract is on their shoulders. It’s a little early to evaluate “off” seasons but Jorge Posada, with his dead arm and slow bat, seems a possibility right now.
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Jason Giambi is 3-for-3 this season against Mike Timlin and 2-for-43 against the rest of the American League pitchers he has faced this season. Maybe that stat indicates both players should retire. But who retires at these prices?
Boston’s performance so far this season has been incredible. Coming from behind to win nine times already is a perfect indicator of this team’s resilience. Some of that energy has to come from the young players – Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, et al – who have pushed some of the veterans.
It’s interesting that shortstop Julio Lugo is showing signs of waking up now that Jed Lowrie is up with Boston, pushing for playing time while Mike Lowell is out with the sore thumb.
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Flipping through the TV channels last night, I ran across my favorite baseball movie of all time -- Bull Durham. No film has ever captured minor league baseball the way this one did. Just the scene with Kevin Costner talking to himself during an at-bat is worth the entire movie. Costner did what professional hitters always do. He’s trying to think along with the pitcher. How many times have you seen that in a Hollywood baseball flick?
Costner’s also in my second favorite baseball film -- For Love of the Game. That one’s about an aging pitcher and his life inside and outside the sport. Costner’s character reminds me of Mike Mussina and a few other old pros trying to hang on for one last moment of greatness.
That’s another reason why you see so many former big leaguers playing Class AAA ball. The money is the big reason, of course, but these guys have pride and they want one last crack at the big leagues before they retire.
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Last week, I wrote something about athletes who have won world championships in two different sports. Sprinter Bob Hayes was one who came to mind. A reader who uses the email monicker “rsoxfan57” sends in two other good ones. The first is hockey player Chris Drury, who won a Little League World Series with Trumbull, Ct. and then a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2001.
The other name is for old-timers: Former Boston Celtics player Gene Conley, who was a pitcher for the 1957 World Series champion Milwaukee Braves and also won three NBA titles with the Celtics from 1959-61.
So thanks to the Red Sox fan. You guys are having all the fun right now. Your team is clearly the best in major league baseball right now. Life is good. But it’s a long way from April to October.
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This is also a great time just to be a sports fan. Nothing is better than a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup playoffs. We had one last night that went the wrong way for Boston Bruins fans. Tonight we have another when the Flyers invade Washington, having blown their chance at closing the series out last night at home.
And let’s not forget the NBA playoffs. The Celtics shouldn’t have any trouble sweeping Atlanta in the first round. They’re probably more interested in the Pistons-76ers series, which got off to a surprising start when Philly won the opener on Sunday in Detroit. Boston wouldn’t mind missing Detroit in the conference finals. Orlando won’t be easy, either.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 25 April 2008 )
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