So, first big league hit is a single off Joe Saunders the inning after the Angels tied it up. Should we start calling him Sparkplug?

Only if we can call Kapler, shittplug.

So, how did Sparky look last night? I didn't get to see the game or highlights, and need some info so I can rush to judgement on the basis of one game.

Posting this here because I'm not sure where else it would go:

LaPorta back to UF

It says in this career summary that Pedroia gave back his scholarship after his freshman year at ASA.

Is it true he worked as a fluffer to pay his way through the rest?

Callis says the Sox have signed Lars Anderson pending a physical.

temple, your boy scaffolds says he talked to lars anderson ... said he signed the contract 2 weeks ago.

It's always nice to see that the Red Sox ability to buy talent isn't limited to signing free agents and absorbing contracts other teams can't afford.

I agree.

On the pregame show last night, Theo sounded really confident about signing Bard soon.

i was at the sox game last night in anaheim, and i have to say that i'm not impressed with pedroia defensively. he twice mucked up double plays and was nowhere near the bag on the throw to second that tavarez threw into the runner. he had a way of making routine plays interesting. was that just nerves, or has he been shaky in the minors as well?

he had a way of making routine plays interesting. was that just nerves, or has he been shaky in the minors as well?

He's bearable at 2B. At SS he's a homeless man's David Eckstein.

What makes you say he is "bearable" at 2B? He was rated the best defensive IFer in the Sox system (which, at the time, included both Marte and Christian Lara) and most who have seen him (including me) seem to think he is at least average at 2B if not above.

Yeah, from what I've seen of him in person, he seems less mobile and agile than what I would expect from a stellar IFer. Of course, that just means he's like 99% of ballplayers in that regard. But unless Petunia has uncanny savvy or some other quality that I'm missing, I don't see how he'll be more than an above-average MIer,

On the other hand, I have been impressed with Petunia's bat, how quick he can get it around and the consistent hard contact he can make.

I think Pedroia will end up as a utility infielder, or as a regular 2B on a weak team. He could have a short and unremarkable career. Or a long and unremarkable career. Craig Counsell, maybe? Or Lansing? Anyway, never understood the (created by Red Sox rabid fans on Primer) hype around that guy.

Anyway, never understood the (created by Red Sox rabid fans on Primer) hype around that guy.

That's because he isn't a Yankees prospect. If he was, you'd be saying he's the second coming of Joe Gordon.

If this comment is genuine, just go to baseball cube and peruse his minor league record. It will become clear to you rather quickly.

I wasn't a Pedroia believer until I heard his ASU manager speak at length about him.

He's the ultimate teammater/gamer, like if Jeter and Pete Rose had a little baby.

He's the ultimate teammater/gamer, like if Jeter and Pete Rose had a little baby.

So he bets on baseball and has no range?

go to baseball cube and peruse his minor league record. It will become clear to you rather quickly.

We'll see...

So he bets on baseball and has no range?

Still trying to beat me despite the evidence?

Still trying to beat me despite the evidence?

I am just trying to fight the good fight for all small-market posters with big dreams. I am going to see if Furtado and Szymborski will put a "posting cap" on you to even the playing field.

I think Pedroia will end up as a utility infielder, or as a regular 2B on a weak team. He could have a short and unremarkable career. Or a long and unremarkable career. Craig Counsell, maybe? Or Lansing? Anyway, never understood the (created by Red Sox rabid fans on Primer) hype around that guy.

The hype goes something like this: he was a top player in college who the Red Sox snagged in the 2nd round because of his size. He proceeded to dominate A ball in his first year and AA in his second, all while controlling the strike zone amazingly well. So, prior to this year, you had a guy who was 21 and already dominating AA. That's where the hype came from.

He started this season injured and struggled, but has been excellent since that rough start. His defensive reputation has also been very good, particularly at 2B. So the hype has faded some, for good reason, but it's still there. If he finishes strong in the bigs this year, I'll be very optimistic about his future.

Pedroia's Yahoo page

So I see Pedroia is the bastard child of David Wells and Kevin Millar. Buffet chefs in NE, rejoice!

Somebody hire Billy Blanks as a special fitness assistant to the Red Sox.

That's not him.

That's Dustan Mohr.

This is he.

Geez, I can't make a joke without getting the snyde remarks brigade on my case :)

And yes, I knew that wasn't Petunia (even if I could've figure out who it was). But a joke was out there to be made.

... couldn't figure out who it was...

Joke was made long ago, dude. Although, it's funny, there have been rumors about Pedroia's weight being an issue. Myself, I think the Red Sox have decided to exploit the market inefficiency of players with weak chins.

Geez, I can't make a joke without getting the snyde remarks brigade on my case :)

They say BTF is like the movie jaws... because it's one big SNARK ATTACK!!!

The Attack of the 5'9" Weak Jawed Infielder.

5'9"? You're feeling generous, I guess.

I'm talking width here, Darren...

Is it true that Dustin Pedroia projects to being a better player than Robinson Cano?

Cano is 10 months older but seems to have a done more in that extra year. Though I guess Pedroia's ability to play some SS gives him added value.