So that’s all it takes, huh?
I bust my tail week after week, trying to write a Lowell Sun column that’s creative, informative and funny, only to be ignored like a nagging girlfriend during SportsCenter. But mention one bad word about Coco Crisp, and you’d think I just insulted Hillary Clinton at a N.O.W. rally.
If picking on poor Coco gets you all fired up and commenting, just wait till the first time I rip someone who’s actually accomplished something in this town. (Note to self: move to Botswana if you ever say bad things about Bill Belichick and Tom Brady)
Anyway, here are a couple of comments I couldn’t just let slide without a defense:
Rick writes: “No wonder you now work at the Sun. Sounds like a personal vendetta to me. Coco Crisp is as good a player as Damon. Sure you can bring up the stats for the season as your proof, but there is more to baseball than stats, particularly since Coco missed 25% of the season out of the gate. Don't get me wrong, I like Johnny and certainly feel that he is an excellent leadoff hitter. To say we would be five games ahead without him is ludicrous. The Red Sox record at this time last year??? We have lost 40% of the rotation and have a better record. Hello??? anyone home?�
“Coco is as good a player as Damon?� You’re basing this on what, exactly? If not numbers, then what?
Hey, we all have our opinions and maybe in time, Crisp can become Damon’s equal. I highly doubt it, but if you’re proven correct, I’ll be more than happy to give you props. But in the meantime, please don’t insult our intelligence with that statement.
And yes, there is more to baseball than stats…like winning World Series…hitting two home runs, including a grand slam in Game 7 of an American League Championship Series, on the road no less…defense...intangibles like working pitch counts...taking the media pressure off your teammates...putting fannies in the seats...etc...
To work at the Sun, you have to pass an eye test so you can actually observe what’s going on in front of you instead of turning a blind eye and making ridiculous statements like that. Believe me, I'm home. I just refuse to answer the door to let the nonsense in!
My buddy Legend Killer chimes in with; “The Non-Signing of Damon and Trading for Coco were not moves meant to pan out THIS YEAR. Come back to me in Damon's 3rd year with the Yankees when He, Giambi and E-rod are all DH's.�
I’ll be sure to come back to you in three years when Damon is still a productive .290-.300 leadoff hitter for the Yankees. What will Coco be? Will he even be around?
Please gang. Put down the Kool-Aid for a bit and admit this one was a mistake…today, tomorrow, and even 3-4 years from now. It’s o.k. I promise. Even I admit to being wrong from time to time. It’s not that bad!
Take your medicine. It’s better for you than Kool-Aid!
Comments (9)
I'm willing to give Coco a little more time to get back into form. How long did it take Nomar (your other binky) to get his swing back after his hand injury? Coco will become the player he was before this year's injury, and the player the Sox thought they were getting. As for Damon, if you're saying you'd overpay somebody for 4 years, then I also know that it wouldn't be your own money you're spending!!!
See you at the Folk Festival pal! How 'bout free kabobs for your favorite bloggers?
Posted by T2 | July 26, 2006 10:51 PM
Posted on July 26, 2006 22:51
It's not us drinking the Kool-Aid, it's you drinking the Haterade Ted. Say what you will about Crisp (he might not be that good), but to say it was a mistake to let Damon go and that it's obvious is borderline absurd. To pay $13 million for a guy hitting below .300, back problems (in the first year of the contract), and an water-pistol for an arm is not good business. I'll take Coco for $3 mil and room to make a move for a pitcher with that money. As for your comment "Will Coco even be around?", I ask whether Damon will be able to still walk at the end of his contract? If you had your way, we'd have spent $30 mil on Damon and Pedro this year, and $120 over the next four years. You probably would have given Luis Tiant an extension too. Pro-active, not re-active. Go ask the Celtics about over-paying aging players b/c of past accomplishments.
Posted by Greek Thunder | July 27, 2006 9:14 AM
Posted on July 27, 2006 09:14
OK smarty pants, lets look at their first 4 yrs
Damon Crisp
G 499 415
AB 1819 1626
R 267 235
H 501 467
2B 75 90
3b 28 14
HR 35 35
RBI 187 176
AVG .276 .281
SB 74 54
OBP .328 .326
Just a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down. You're WS comparison has no merit as Coco has no WS ABs.
Look up numbers if you are going to use em, you have good eyesight, you work at the Sun!!!
Posted by Rick | July 27, 2006 10:06 AM
Posted on July 27, 2006 10:06
Very nice Rick. You've proven you can read numbers. But can you look beyond the surface to understand what they truly mean?
Other than the first year, where Damon was a part-timer (as was Crisp for the first 2 years), JD's numbers got better every year. Then in year five (which I notice you conveniently left out of the argument...is that because YOU are the one with the agenda?) Damon exploded with a .307 average, .379 on-base percentage, and .477 slugging. (I'll leave out the homer and ribbie totals because of Crisp's injury) Coco's year five numbers in those departments? .271, .325 & .390, respectively.
That's called regressing, my friend. Is it because he was injured, because 2005 was a one-hit wonder year, or because he can't perform in Boston? Only time will tell, but I think the early evidence is pretty damning, don't you?
If you'd like, we'll give you a tour of the Sun building. And if you're really lucky, we'll teach you how to analyze numbers and understand them so you won't be so easily fooled by them in the future!
Posted by Teddy Panos | July 27, 2006 1:19 PM
Posted on July 27, 2006 13:19
As for my booming countryman, you know better than to call me a hater. For the 7th consecutive year, I've proudly gone through an entire fantasy baseball season without drafting or picking up a single Yankee. I'd call that a pretty loyal member of the Nation, wouldn't you?
Now then, some more facts for you. Crisp was signed to a 3-year, 15.5 million extension. On top of that, add the $11-mil over 3-years we had to pay the Braves to take Renteria off our hands (I include that because it cost us Marte to get Crisp), and he's not as much of a bargain as you'd think.
Pedro, he makes less than Wells and Clement combined. His past, present and future accopmlishments will dwarf anything Wells and Clement have done, are doing, and will ever do in the future.
As for T2...Festival Kabobs and beers are on me. I sell them cheaper than the Red Sox sell their hot dogs and watery draft beers. Unlike them, however, I don't cry poverty!
Keep up the good work boys and girls...this is what makes doing this blog fun! You too, Rick...I love a good challenge!!!
Posted by Teddy Panos | July 27, 2006 1:28 PM
Posted on July 27, 2006 13:28
Teflon Teddy!!! You're a master at shaping the conversation to your advantage. FULL seasons of comparisons are the true test and this season is yet to be completed therefore I left it out. My agenda is to help you to shake the title of the one sided, only my opinion is right kinda guy. You will then become a master blog moderator. Ooohhh!!! I have talked baseball for many years with lots of folks around the country and your insights are as deep as a puddle on a hill. ;)Have a nice day and we will be looking for you at the festival.
Posted by Rick | July 27, 2006 1:54 PM
Posted on July 27, 2006 13:54
Fair enough my friend. But I'll wager a kabob or two that Crisp's stats at the end of the year still pale in comparison to our long-haired friend, as will years 6-10. I'll even go so far as to say "old man" Johnny's stats over his 4-years in New York bury Coco's 4-year Fenway accomplishments....if he lasts that long in this town.
See you at the festival...and watch out for those puddles...they're sometimes deeper than you think!
Posted by Teddy Panos | July 27, 2006 3:09 PM
Posted on July 27, 2006 15:09
Wow. Easy you two. It's like a fight over Macedonia.
I tend to agree with Rick, here. I'll take you up on that offer Teddy. I'll admit there are alot of fans who "Drink the Kool Aid" but then there are the fans who are willing to throw the baby out with the bath water..PSST Ted, that's you....
Posted by Legend Killer | July 27, 2006 5:51 PM
Posted on July 27, 2006 17:51
You're on kid. Kabobs to the winner.
Legend Killer,
I love the passion of contentious baseball opinions. What other game can you entwine past, present and future statistics and opinions in such detail.
No malice intended. Just good solid smackdown verbiage.
Posted by Rick | July 27, 2006 8:17 PM
Posted on July 27, 2006 20:17