My daughter, Kaitlyn, came home with her mid-term progress report the other day. Not sure why the teachers pick on her so.
Last time I checked 66, was not a C as she has been telling us since September. And she did do well in Music, Art and Gym. I'm sure that will get her into an Ivy League school.
In any event, her poor with an occasional gust to fair grades, has whet my appetite to grade the Red Sox at the end of the first month of the season.
Like President Obama's first 100 days, we grade a bit easier early in the semester as shrapnel remains from the previous administration (Can you say waterboarding?).
As the season progresses, for example, Brad Penny may be get his knuckles slapped while today he only gets an F warning.
Honor Students
Yoooouk: A+
The head of the class, both team- and league-wise is Kevin Youkilis. Not only did he have to conduct the Passover Seder but he sipped from Elijah's cup by leading the AL in hitting with a Williams-esque .405 with five home runs and 15 RBI.
The pride of Cincinnati had a .716 slugging pct. and was on base 52 percent of the time. As always, Youk played a solid first and even slid across to third at one point.
His one black mark is he should have run to first instead of entrusting Javier Lopez with the non-catch that ended the Sox' 11-game win streak.
Mike Lowell: A+
With all the questions surrounding Mike Lowell and the controversy that surrounded him with the potential free agent acquisition of Mark Teixeira, a looser grader would give Lowell an A++.
His weighted score is the highest on the team as he is hitting .317 with 4 HR, 23 RBI (second in the league) and thirteen total extra base hits.
Lowell even legged out his first triple since 2007 and only the seventh of his career (on bad wheels no less). His fielding has been as expected.
With a player of the week vote under his belt in week 3 of the season the Sox have to be mighty pleased as they cross a big IF off of their 2009 list of concerns.
Jason Bay: A
Manny Who? .338, 5, 19 with a ton of heart vs. 360, 4, and 14 with a none at all. I pick Bay...Not to mention a solid glove thus far, several big and/or game winning hits and 2-for-2 stealing bases.
The question with Bay was his ability to hit in the clutch. To date since his acquisition? Not a concern. No teammates or traveling secretaries grappled with, either.
Tim Wakefield: A
What more can be said about Wake. When the Sox needed to rest the bullpen he went deep and almost threw a No-no.
He is in a groove reminiscent of his 14-1 in 1995 or his 8-1 for the Pirates in 1992. Am I really pulling stats on an active player from 17 years ago? Wake enters may at 2-1 and a 1.86 ERA and the teams top starter.
Justin Masterson: A
Masterson gets an A with an asterisk. His flexibility and poise is note worthy. I suspect that he may take Penny's spot when Dice-K returns as opposed to bouncing Masterson back and forth.
If injuries don't become a factor, Justin may not go to the pen until Smoltz returns.
Bullpen: A
8 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete