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Monday, April 28, 2008

projo: Beckett is fuming about 20 straight (RR)

Beckett and the Schedule of the Absurd…

Pitcher Josh Beckett provided a solid starting performance, in which he struck out a career-high 13 in his seven-inning outing. The right-hander allowed only two runs (one earned) and four hits. He didn’t get any help from his offense, and when he looked around the clubhouse after the team’s 3-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, he saw a lot of tired players. So he made his feelings known.

“A lot of our guys need that,” he said, referring to today’s off-day. “It’s unfortunate we’re just a little banged up right now. Tito is usually pretty good staying on top of giving guys days off when we’re in a stretch like that. I mean, Kevin Youkilis (0-for-3 yesterday) needs to be in there right now because he’s either playing third or first. “There’s nothing you can do,” added Beckett. “Tito’s hands are tied. It’s going to be nice to get Mike Lowell back pretty soon. (MLB) makes the schedule and it’s not just the 20 games in a row we play — 8 o’clock getaway games in Oakland. There’s not enough [complaining] and moaning that goes on to get it changed. I don’t know what we can do.”

He wasn’t done.

“That’s what strings guys out,” he said. “It’s tough playing 20 in a row, anyway, but whenever you get Sunday night baseball here and Sunday night baseball there, it’s at 8 o’clock and you don’t get home until 5 in the morning. Then you’re right back out there the next day.”

Repoz Posted: April 28, 2008 at 02:17 AM | 42 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
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1. The Most Interesting Man In The World Posted: April 28, 2008 at 02:35 AM (#2760991)

Damn do I feel bad for the Red Sox. Back to back games, it's awful!

2. Phil Coorey, You Won't Posted: April 28, 2008 at 02:37 AM (#2760995)

Next off day after tomorrow is May 15. Amazing to think their last off day before tomorrow was just before they got their rings at Fenway which seems like ages ago...

3. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L)

Posted: April 28, 2008 at 02:40 AM (#2760998)

"In retrospect", said Beckett, "we should've let the ##### janitors drown in their poverty and told Selig to go #### himself when he brought up the Japan trip. Oh, and that unagi ####? It's ####."

4. Social media assassin (Templeusox) Posted: April 28, 2008 at 02:42 AM (#2760999)

Beckett shouldn't be complaining. There are teams in the majors which had to play regular season games in Japan before the season even started.

5. Danny Posted: April 28, 2008 at 02:53 AM (#2761009)

(MLB) makes the schedule and it’s not just the 20 games in a row we play — 8 o’clock getaway games in Oakland. There’s not enough [complaining] and moaning that goes on to get it changed. I don’t know what we can do.”

Except that your complaining did get the time of that "getaway game" changed, screwing the A's and their fans. And you had an off-day the next day.

Many ticket holders for the April 2 game against Boston at the Coliseum will not be happy to learn that the game is no longer at 7:05 p.m. The start is now 12:35 p.m., and the A's aren't too thrilled, either.

The team had nothing to do with the decision, which, according to team officials was imposed by Major League Baseball at the behest of the Players Association. The Players Association argued that the Red Sox, who have a day off April 3 before playing at Toronto on April 4, need adequate time to adjust to Eastern time after a week in Japan and then a week on the West Coast.

"We would prefer not to change the time, obviously," A's President Michael Crowley said. "It's not ideal."

It's certainly not ideal for TV rights holder KICU (Channel 36), which does not air day games on weekdays. So the game will not be on TV, KICU will not have the world champion Red Sox on in prime time, and the station's first A's telecast of the season now will be April 4, when Cleveland is in Oakland.

6. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L)

Posted: April 28, 2008 at 03:08 AM (#2761016)

You know, I really would like to hear what Eric Chavez would have to say about the trip in Japan.

No religion too?

7. Rich Posted: April 28, 2008 at 03:24 AM (#2761022)

Being a MLB player is a tough job, but somebody's got to do it.

8. Lassus: Posted: April 28, 2008 at 03:39 AM (#2761030)

Shut up, you whining ####### ######## loudmouth crybaby #######.

9. Charter Member of the Jesus Melendez Fanclub Posted: April 28, 2008 at 03:52 AM (#2761034)

10. Halofan Posted: April 28, 2008 at 04:11 AM (#2761042)

You don't get nationwide coverage of your regional team for free. Your "Nation" wants to see you and they are the ones to whom you should be complaining.

11. Crispix Attacks Posted: April 28, 2008 at 04:21 AM (#2761045)

If they started the season early, and have 20 games in a row now, and another 20 games in a row starting, seems to me they'll have a lot of off-days during the dog days when every other team is dragging.

Or maybe they have fewer doubleheaders than other teams. Seems like since tickets at Fenway are so expensive, the owners might not want to have even the two or three home doubleheaders that most teams have nowadays. Is that right?

12. Social media assassin (Templeusox) Posted: April 28, 2008 at 04:27 AM (#2761047)

When was the last time there any team had a scheduled double-header?

13. mashimaro Posted: April 28, 2008 at 04:57 AM (#2761066)

At least it will be a fair fight with the Jays. They just completed twenty consecutive games also. Life must be too good when you complain about playing too much baseball. If it is too much of a burden, I suggest you quit because I am sure there is someone in the minors that wouldn't mind playing often.

14. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L)

Posted: April 28, 2008 at 05:03 AM (#2761071)

I suggest you quit because I am sure there is someone in the minors that wouldn't mind playing often.

Playing often? Beckett has made 4 starts and thrown 26 1/3 innings. Harang, Blanton, Zambrano and Webb have all started 6 games and thrown at least 40 innings each so far. Less chat, more spat, Beckett.

15. shoewizard Posted: April 28, 2008 at 05:13 AM (#2761078)

I think he was talking more about his teammates being tired.

16. Biff isn't really an apt handle anymore Posted: April 28, 2008 at 05:37 AM (#2761097)

20 straight could almost refer to the number of innings the Red Sox haven't managed to score runs in. Unfortunately, they did get one in Saturday's game. However, that run is the only run they have in the last 23 innings of baseball, so that's pretty impressive too.

17. BeanoCook Posted: April 28, 2008 at 06:22 AM (#2761121)

I remember when the Red Sox cried about 20 years without a world series championship, 4 times in a row. Now they cry about playing 20 games in a row. My how times have changed.

18. The importance of being Ernest Riles Posted: April 28, 2008 at 10:39 AM (#2761140)

Hahaha, this is me not giving a ####.

19. chris p Posted: April 28, 2008 at 10:51 AM (#2761142)

he's right though. 8 o'clock get away day games are stupid. there are always plenty of teams with off days on monday. espn can pick one of them to play an 8:00 sunday night game.

20. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: April 28, 2008 at 12:01 PM (#2761165)

8 o'clock get away day games are stupid. there are always plenty of teams with off days on monday. espn can pick one of them to play an 8:00 sunday night game.

Sure...if they want crappy ratings. I don't think they want crappy ratings.

Beckett got his lottery-sized salary, now he doesn't want to pay the piper. Waa waa waa, next time sign with Kansas City or Pittsburgh if you don't want to be bothered with this sh*t.

21. MSI Posted: April 28, 2008 at 01:33 PM (#2761247)

I would like to see Josh Beckett get his ass kicked.

22. Cooperstown Schtick Posted: April 28, 2008 at 01:53 PM (#2761268)

Josh Beckett will not be stopped by any managerial kibosh on whining.

23. villageidiom Posted: April 28, 2008 at 01:55 PM (#2761270)

Sure...if they want crappy ratings. I don't think they want crappy ratings.

Waa waa waa. Then either ESPN shouldn't have bid on the contract or - more appropriately - MLB should have set their national broadcast schedule with this kind of thing in mind. If MLB doesn't take this into consideration when the schedules are made, I'd expect it to be part of the next CBA demands.

Beckett got his lottery-sized salary, now he doesn't want to pay the piper.

As mentioned above, he was talking about his teammates being tired. He just gave up 1 ER in 7 IP with 13 Ks in his first outing after the flu. He doesn't appear to be making excuses for himself.

Beckett is right that the scheduling is goofy sometimes. Every team subjected to it is right to complain about it, but few do because it's a small thing, all other things being equal. And normally Boston's players don't complain about it. But when you put it on top of the Japan trip, the ensuing road trip, and a flu outbreak timed with some injuries to reduce the 25-man roster effectively to 18 - their backup catcher was Dustin Pedroia, folks - and any team would complain. I think nearly everyone here on this site has complained more, over less.

24. Big Train Posted: April 28, 2008 at 01:58 PM (#2761276)

Yankees played a getaway day Monday Night in the Bronx against Tampa, then flew to KC to play a day game on Tuesday.

It isn't ideal, but it happens. If Beckett would play for a less successful team, this wouldn't happen.

25. El Hijo del Ron Santo (Alan Keiper) Posted: April 28, 2008 at 02:01 PM (#2761278)

Try life in Triple A. The team in Allentown had 25 consecutive games to open the season, an off day today, and games the next 22 days in a row. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre has 27 game days, one off, then 20 in a row. And their rosters are a man shorter. They survive somehow.

26. Gern Blanston Posted: April 28, 2008 at 02:07 PM (#2761286)

Since I still hate that little punkass Beckett, anything that makes him look like even more of a little punkass is OK by me.

27. Danny Posted: April 28, 2008 at 02:15 PM (#2761298)

he's right though. 8 o'clock get away day games are stupid. there are always plenty of teams with off days on monday. espn can pick one of them to play an 8:00 sunday night game.

He's not right. The Red Sox had an off day the next day, and their whining still got the game time changed.

28. bfan Posted: April 28, 2008 at 02:16 PM (#2761300)

His team played 20 straight? Shoot, I'll bet Mike Marshall pitched in 20 straight (or something close). But that was when men were men...

29. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: April 28, 2008 at 02:19 PM (#2761301)

I'm not sure how I feel about this until I read Curt Schilling's blog.

30. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: April 28, 2008 at 02:45 PM (#2761336)

Waa waa waa. Then either ESPN shouldn't have bid on the contract or - more appropriately - MLB should have set their national broadcast schedule with this kind of thing in mind. If MLB doesn't take this into consideration when the schedules are made, I'd expect it to be part of the next CBA demands.

Again, they'll do that if they want less money. I think less money is going to be very low on the list of CBA demands.

As mentioned above, he was talking about his teammates being tired.

He still wouldn't have to make that complaint if he were pitching for Kansas City.

31. The importance of being Ernest Riles Posted: April 28, 2008 at 02:50 PM (#2761343)

But when you put it on top of the Japan trip

Well, the team agreed to the trip after their travel bonuses were raised.

Anyway, East Coast teams have no idea how little traveling they do compared to a West Coast team.

32. salvomania Posted: April 28, 2008 at 04:07 PM (#2761425)

Anyway, East Coast teams have no idea how little traveling they do compared to a West Coast team.

Well, yeah, but it's easier in the west because you don't have to get going until three hours later.

33. Karl from NY Posted: April 28, 2008 at 05:58 PM (#2761582)

When was the last time there any team had a scheduled double-header?

IIRC, but can't find a cite, scheduled doubleheaders went out with the 1995 post-strike CBA.

34. villageidiom Posted: April 28, 2008 at 06:05 PM (#2761593)

Again, they'll do that if they want less money. I think less money is going to be very low on the list of CBA demands.

How will it be worth less to ESPN and MLB (and, eventually, the players) if teams scheduled for a Sunday night game and subsequent travel get Monday off?

35. Rodder Posted: April 28, 2008 at 06:16 PM (#2761605)

I would normally be the last to defend Beckett, but is he really fuming? If you read his statement he seems to simply be explaining why the Red Sox seem to be tired right now. And it is quite probable that his words are a response to a question by a reporter on the topic (notice his quote starts with "A lot of our guys need THAT"). Of course, because it is Beckett, maybe he was going off on his own, but it sounds like he was just describing the reality of the situation.

36. Karl from NY Posted: April 28, 2008 at 06:34 PM (#2761623)

How will it be worth less to ESPN and MLB (and, eventually, the players) if teams scheduled for a Sunday night game and subsequent travel get Monday off?

37. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: April 28, 2008 at 06:39 PM (#2761631)

IIRC, but can't find a cite, scheduled doubleheaders went out with the 1995 post-strike CBA.

Scheduled doubleheaders are the one thing that the MLB and MLBPA are in 100% agreement.

38. The importance of being Ernest Riles Posted: April 28, 2008 at 06:43 PM (#2761635)

Well, yeah, but it's easier in the west because you don't have to get going until three hours later.

Well, for every trip there, you've gotta go back (save for the first and last of the season).

39. Dr Love Posted: April 28, 2008 at 06:46 PM (#2761637)

Man I feel bad for Beckett. He has to work once every 5 days for 20 straight days. What a rough way to make a living.

40. Crispix Attacks Posted: April 28, 2008 at 06:52 PM (#2761640)

Man I feel bad for Beckett. He has to work once every 5 days for 20 straight days. What a rough way to make a living.

In the article I read, the only player Beckett mentions as being particularly tired is Youkilis. He doesn't mention himself.

And the article says that Beckett is playing well, but didn't get support from the hitters because they are worn out at the end of this long streak without a day off.

Pitcher Josh Beckett provided a solid starting performance, in which he struck out a career-high 13 in his seven-inning outing. The right-hander allowed only two runs (one earned) and four hits. He didn’t get any help from his offense, and when he looked around the clubhouse after the team’s 3-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, he saw a lot of tired players. So he made his feelings known.

41. DKDC Posted: April 28, 2008 at 07:02 PM (#2761653)

The Red Sox actually had a pretty managable 20 game stretch; 14 of those 20 were at Fenway and they never left the eastern time zone.

The Orioles are in the middle of a 20 consecutive game stretch with just three home games and two west coast trips (Seattle to Chicago to Baltimore to Anaheim to Oakland to Kansas City).

I suspect other teams have equally taxing or worse stretches in their schedule.

But I do feel bad for Beckett and the Red Sox, I really do.

42. villageidiom Posted: April 29, 2008 at 01:50 AM (#2761980)

Because it limits ESPN's ability to select games for Sunday night. For example (and probably the only really relevant example), they can't pick NYY-BOS for primetime if one of them is flying to Tampa Bay for a Monday game.

I'm sure the league can talk to ESPN beforehand and arrange the schedule so that it doesn't happen, or at least happens infrequently enough. There might be three people in America who don't know what matchups will be of interest to ESPN; it's not rocket science.

For BOS/NYY, even a "travel" day isn't too bad, if the visiting team travels back home and the home team continues a homestand.

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projo: Beckett is fuming about 20 straight (RR)

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