[WoolyGoat]

KC v WSH in teh series! mahk it down.

[BIRD33]

Phillies vs Tigers

[WoolyGoat]

Predictable

[BIRD33]

And the 2012 Red Sawx season is over.It was fun.



Seemingly, it should be a fine day in Boston. It's Patriot's Day, the weather is nice, and the Sox are going for a four-game sweep of the division-rival Rays. But manager Bobby Valentine, as is his wont, can't leave well enough alone.

Here's what Valentine, during an appearance on Boston's WHDH, had to sayabout third baseman Kevin Youkilisand his .498 OPS: "

I don't think he's as physically or emotionally into the game as he has been in the past for some reason," Valentine said. "But [on Saturday] it seemed, you know, he's seeing the ball well, got those two walks, his on-base percentage up higher than his batting average, which is always a good thing, and he'll move on from there."

I don't think he's as physically or emotionally into the game as he has been in the past for some reason," Valentine said. "But [on Saturday] it seemed, you know, he's seeing the ball well, got those two walks, his on-base percentage up higher than his batting average, which is always a good thing, and he'll move on from there."

don't think he's as physically or emotionally into the game as he has been in the past for some reason. But [on Saturday] it seemed, you know, he's seeing the ball well, got those two walks, his on-base percentage up higher than his batting average, which is always a good thing, and he'll move on from there."

As you can see, Valentine softened that initial broadside in the second portion of the quote, but it's the first part -- the part in which he assails Youkilis's physical and emotional commitment to the game -- that's going to be with us for a while.

Maybe this is a calculated motivational technique on the part of Valentine, but it certainly looks, feels and smells like an all-too-candid moment brought out by the extemporaneous nature of talk radio.

Whatever Valentine's thought process (or lack thereof), Youkilis, who won't be in the lineup for the series finale against Tampa Bay, begs to differ with his conclusions. "Everyone here knows I go out and play with emotion," he told reporters Monday morning. "The only time there has ever been a question is because I've been too emotional."

The most revealing response, however, may have been Dustin Pedroia's: "I really don't know what Bobby is trying to do," Pedroia said. "That's not the way we go about our stuff around here. He'll figure that out. The whole team is behind Youk. We have each other's backs here."

After being asked whether Valentine's comments could serve to motivate, Pedroia said, "Maybe in Japan or something."

[WoolyGoat]

Valentine is going to be a disaster.

I still hate this team from last year.

[BIRD33]

Pedrioa is showing a real lack of awareness talking about how "thats not the way we go about it here".Oh really?Where were you last year when dudes were getting wasted in the clubhouse?This team in general is still living in the world where they are the ones that brought a title to boston after a 100 years.Call it the Schilling mindset.They will never win again until they clean house.

[WoolyGoat]

Pedroia was Francona's guy, teacher's pet type almost, so I'm not sure the Becketts and Lackeys of last year's team involved him in all the horseshit that went on. He was also pretty ticked off at how management handled the entire Francona fiasco, so it's not surprising that he's not (yet?) no board the Valentine train.

And I agree about cleaning house. They got part of the way there by finally dumping Wakefield and Varitek (well passed their useful baseball lives but whining about playing time) and got lucky with Lackey getting hurt (though he's still with the team). I think Beckett absolutely has to go, though, and probably Youkilis too.

[WoolyGoat]

And I think Carl Crawford's struggles last year are completely tied to the circus that clubhouse was and all the "me first" players on that team.

[BIRD33]

You need to watch Bobby V get gum spit at him by the ump over the weekend.The way he backed away silently while pointing was very WWF like.Very strange.

Also I like Pat Burrel again.

http://www.crossingbroad.com/2012/05/wev...rties.html

[Anhil8tor]

Phills are strugglin

[BIRD33]

Yup.Halliday is damaged goods possibly.Sad thing is they won't know what they need to trade for until at least late July when Utley gets back and Howard is finishing rehab hopefully.I'm not worried.

Nat's are good this year.Harper is a beast.

[Anhil8tor]

Phillies vs Tigers

Good call!

[BIRD33]

Its not over yet!Yes it is.Fine with the Phillies at the moment.Save it for next year.

[WoolyGoat]

KC v WSH in teh series! mahk it down.

perhaps I'll be half right

[Anhil8tor]

Take a good look at the Astors bird.. thats where the phils are heading.

[BIRD33]

Nah.Major restructuring after next year.We have the payroll.