Sox Therapy: It Ain’t Never Dull in the Bronx

The Sox had a frustrating weekend finished off with a terrific victory on the back of an absolute gem from Steven Wright.  It was not a weekend without talking points and to get us rolling to start the week I thought I’d address a few things;

- Friday was as frustrating a loss as the Sox have had in an awfully long time.  They left 13 men on base and to say they were frustrated with the strike zone is an understatement.  On the whole I think Kulpa was consistent though not particularly good ...

Gonfalon Cubs: Jake

There’s a million different ways to talk about how dominant Arrieta has been recently:

Christopher Kamka ‏@ckamka May 3
Jake Arrieta’s last 26 regular season starts:
0 Runs allowed: 14
1 Run allowed:    6
2+ Runs allowed: 6

Christopher Kamka ‏@ckamka May 3
Jake Arrieta ERA (regular season):
1.62 in 2015-16
0.85 in last 26 starts
0.55 in last 18 starts
1.46 on road in 2015-16
0.84 in 2016

Most of them usually include some sort of “since X”, with X being sometime last year.  That ...

Hall of Merit: Most Meritorious Player: 1993 Discussion

The Blue Jays beat the Phillies in the World Series.

MLB expansion adding the Rockies and Marlins means we will vote for 14 this year.

Player			SH WS		BBR WAR
Barry Bonds		44.9		9.9
Ken Griffey Jr		32.2		8.7
Rick Wilkins		28.5		6.6
Mike Piazza		30.8		7.0
Jay Bell		28.3		6.2
Chris Hoiles		27.6		6.8
John Olerud		37.1		7.7
Darren Daulton		28.5		5.0
Len Dykstra		35.1		6.5
Rafael Palmeiro		32.1		6.9
Kenny Lofton		26.6		7.6
Frank Thomas		34.2		6.2
Jeff Blauser		27.7		5.7
Robby ...

Gonfalon Cubs: As I Was Saying…

Where were we…oh, that’s right.  It’s good to be back.  My goal is to have something up at least once a week, but I’m sure we’ll have plenty to talk about this year.

Since the last post on this blog, appropriately titled “I Am Fine with This”, a lot has happened.  And then it’s been rehashed, and rehashed, and rehashed yet again.  Regardless of your opinion on *how* we got here (for the record, I’m right and you’re wrong), we’re here.  The Cubs are outstanding, top to bottom; with a great ...

Hall of Merit: Most Meritorious Player: 1992 Results

Congratulations to Barry Bonds on winning his first MMP award!

Player Name	pts	ballots	1sts
Barry Bonds	135	9	9
Ryne Sandberg	101	9	0
Darren Daulton	100	8	0
Frank Thomas	100	9	0
Greg Maddux	100	9	0
Roger Clemens	81	9	0
Gary Sheffield	64	7	0
Mark McGwire	54	7	0
Roberto Alomar	50	6	0
Andy Van Slyke	49	7	0
Barry Larkin	37	4	0
Mike Mussina	36	5	0
Kirby Puckett	31	4	0
Edgar Martinez	19	4	0
Dave Hollins	16	3	0
Ry! Henderson	15	3	0
Paul Molitor	13	2	0
Kevin Appier	12	2	0
Carlos Baerga	9	2	0
Fred ...

Sox Therapy: Three Questions: May 2016

Three Questions: May 2016

1. Is it time to cut Buchholz loose?

2. Who are the 2016 All-Stars among position players on this team?

3. Which is more likely this season: the Red Sox remain in first place, or the Yankees remain in last place?

Sox Therapy: Gettin’ It Done

OK, so the Sunday night games were a bit harrowing and not all is perfect but your FIRST PLACE RED SOX (going to enjoy it while I can) wrapped up a nice stretch of 8-2 baseball with a thriller on Sunday night.  It is easy to say the competition, the slumping Astros, the pitiful Braves and the last place Yankees (going to enjoy that one while I can too), was not good but 8-2 is 8-2.

What is encouraging is the contributions are getting throughout the roster.  Guys like Mookie, the red hot ...

Sox Therapy: Happy (Belated) Anniversary Tim

21 years and 1 day ago the Boston Red Sox signed a guy who posted a 5.84 ERA in AAA Buffalo the previous season.  All Tim Wakefield did is dominate the American League for the next several months and by the time he was done he had won more games than all but two Red Sox pitchers in the 111 year history of the club.

Wednesday the Sox sent Wake’s spiritual descendant to the mound in the form of Steven Wright.  All Wright has done in 2016 is be arguably the best pitcher on the club.  With David ...

Sox Therapy: Guys Who Are Not Major Leaguers

I figure we need a bit of a minor league thread to go along with the Major League one, don’t you?  Today I’m going to go with a bit of a gimmick and just pick a guy at each position I feel like focusing on.  In all seriousness I could just say “hey, look at Hi A Salem” because the collection of talent there is pretty amazing but I’m an equal opportunity guy (all stats through Saturday).

1B - Josh Ockimey - Greenville - I saw Ockimey a few times in Lowell last year and at the very least he ...

Hall of Merit: Most Meritorious Player: 1992 Ballot

For 1992, each voter should rank the top 13 players from all leagues combined.

Balloting is scheduled to close at 4pm EDT on 4 May 2016.

Anyone can vote, even if you do not normally participate in Hall of Merit discussions. If have never participated in an MMP election, just post a preliminary ballot in the discussion thread by 3 May 2016.

For detailed rules see one of our previous ballots.