Bleacher Report - Articles by KOSTAS EVANGELIOU

Josh Beckett's Pitch—Too Much Or Too Little?

KOSTAS EVANGELIOU — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:57:01 -0400

Just recently the Boston Red Sox and Anaheim Angels met for a three-game series. It is the first time they faced each other since Boston eliminated Anaheim last year in the playoffs for the second straight year and three times overall in the past six years.

These pesky Angels have had enough of Boston and they were not going to be pushed around much longer.

In Sunday's game, the two teams met and tempers flared when Josh Beckett, the ace of the Boston Red Sox, threw a pitch up almost hitting Bobby Abreu in the head. There was about 12 seconds before Beckett threw that pitch because of a late time-out call by the umpire.

The league met and decided to hand out a six-game suspension for this action by Josh Beckett. Was this too harsh? Was Beckett just letting the pitch go because of the late timeout call?

You have to believe that he is passionate and plays to win. He simply may have been frustrated on a late time-out call,let the pitch go, and unfortunately came close to hitting Bobby's head.

However, I think the suspension would of never taken place if he didn't have a few select words back to Abreu.

MLB Veterans: They Will Always Remember Their First

KOSTAS EVANGELIOU — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:22:00 -0500

Brad Radke, Greg Maddux, Rick Ankiel, Kenny Lofton, and Mike Hampton.

What do all these guys have in common?

They have all managed to go back to their original ball clubs and and have productive comebacks.

My favorite is Rick Ankiel. This man had surgery after surgery after starting in the major leagues as a pitcher. In 2007, Ankiel came back to be an elite outfielder in the game.

Kenny Lofton came back to the Cleveland Indians, only to lose to my beloved Red Sox in the playoffs (so sad, Kenny).

Greg Maddux returned to the Windy City and made the playoffs, only to be eliminited in the first round at the hands of the much-hated Dodgers (Manny who?).

Mike Hampton has battled injuries, but managed to win double-digits in his return during a rough season for the Atlanta Braves.

Brad Radke made his return to Minnesota to be one of the few pitchers at his age to lead his team in innings pitched.

Though Jason Giambi is not one of my favorites, he is a premier hitter in the game. I hope he doesn't do well, just so my Red Sox can get Matt Holliday to Boston (sorry A's).