No I don't remember that story about Ellsbury at all. In fact I doubt it happened as you're relating it now, if at all. If Beckett made any such comment I'll bet you can't find any reference of it now saying he said that "with a snarl" as you likely embellished here but did so in a joking way, trying to lighten things up for Ells.

I never said he would be an improvement just that he has pitched decent in AAA and it would be a good story to see him get a chance to pitch in the majors again after all his efforts to come back. If the Sox pitching is as rock solid as you say then deal him somewhere that he can get a chance.

BTW--still waiting for your numbers on Cook taking away the Seattle start

Why don't you come up with them. That's the way this works Randy. I posted numbers to back up my opinion. Now it's up to you to post the numbers you think back up yours.

I actually remember that story...He talked about it at the parade in his hometown after the WS...Ellsbury didn't take it as a joke if it was meant that way...

Could have been Ells being Ells, though, as much as Josh being Josh...hard to know...

Thanks that is exactly the way I remembered it. Ellsbury said he was very nervous being in his first PS and it was obvious he did not appreciate or take Josh's comment as a joke. It may have been a local story from Ellsbury's hometown that never found its way into the Boston press. But it just reinforced my impression of Beckett as being a nasty Texan.

Actually it was in a story here...Edes

"When he spoke in the gym at Madras, Ellsbury referred to his big-league debut, how he was so nervous he almost threw up ("by far the most nervous I've ever been in my life for anything") and how Josh Beckett, who was pitching that night, approached him with a message: "Don't screw it up."

Later, he was asked if Beckett was just kidding with him.

"I didn't get any joke out of it," Ellsbury said, unsmiling. "Maybe if you ask him, maybe he'll say, 'Yeah, I was just joking,' but he didn't give me a wink or a smile or something. It was, 'Don't screw it up.'

"He came up to me and said, 'Is this your first game?'

" 'Yeah.'

" 'Is this your debut?'

" 'Yeah.'

" 'Don't screw it up.' That's what he told me, right before the game."

<http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2007/11/25/man_of_the_peoples/?page=4

try reading the posts Ken--I did

Well thanks for the complete story. Yeah Beckett is a real sweetheart. Although I was wrong on him using the f word. What is it with Texas pitchers; Clemens, Beckett, Lackey.

I see nothing there that would be an improvement over what one would have expected out of Lester, Buchholz, or Beckett...which is the REAL problem. Would you be drooling over anybody there if those three were performing up to par?

And I'd say Cook is acquitting himself pretty well right now.

Well, yes, it would be a good story. Most fairy tales are.

Randy, just admit it-the front end of the rotation has been the probelm, not the back. And to use a tired political CYA cover line, no one could have predicted that.

Can I say goodnight to you?

Of course.

g'night, TUSK.

Thanks, Goodnight!

Mark Prior has 20 walks in 22 innings, he's walked at least one guy in nearly every outing. He has not pitched back-to-back days at all, and I believe only one time has even pitched on the second day after an outing. I fail to see how he would help this bullpen, or who he would be an improvement over. And if an opening does arise there are other guys in the PawSox pen that are more deserving of a call-up. And that doesn't even include Andrew Bailey, who will hopefully have no more setbacks and return soon.

So release him to go elswehere then since our pitching is so stacked

I never said it wasn't

He'll probably be up in September to pitch meaningless innings, and you can serve out all that crow you've been talking about.

Not anywhere I could see. All you did was ask me for his numbers minus the Seattle start. I suppose after yesterday you're going to want to eliminate that start as well for Cook.

Yeah he's great. We should keep him in the rotation the rest of the way. Funny how you waited till after this game to reply on this subject. Very typical of you Ken. By the way did Beckett make his start last Sunday?? Have Beckett and Buchholz missed time again this year.

I can see next year's rotation already after Beckett gets moved for a Lillbridge type and some salary relief.

Lester
Buchholz
Lackey
Morales/Cook
Doubrount

You are insufferable, randy.

Back on ignore until hockey season.