Six games down and I've already had enough of Valentine.

[bluedigger]

Last edited Fri Apr 13, 2012, 12:09 PM - Edit history (1)

From an interview with Peter Abraham:

Valentine said the team's collective slump (the Sox are 12 of 64 with 2 runs in two games) was not the reason he benched Kevin Youkilis (0 for 8, 4 strikeouts), Cody Ross (0 for 8, 3 strikeouts) and Jarrod Saltalamacchia (1 for 6, 3 strikeouts). It was more to get the subs some action.

"It was kind of a planned routine," Valentine said.

...

Valentine did not inform the players of the lineup changes on Saturday night. That's a departure from the previous regime.

"I didn't know until this morning," Valentine said.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2012/04/valentine_expla.html

[JonLP24]

1. I must have not got enough sleep

My first look at the thread title said to me, "Two games down and I've already had enough valium".

I don't know why I thought I saw that. I never took it myself and never knew anyone that openly admitted to using it to me.

[bluedigger]

2. Valium would probably help my Valentine problem.

[chelsea0011]

3. Valentine? I've already had enough of the pitching.

Poor Youk wasn't informed he wasn't playing last night. Boo hoo. Guy has lost it. just throw sliders in the dirt. He'll swing.

[bluedigger]

28. Doubront tonight.

Here are the lineups:

RED SOX (0-3)
TBA
Pitching: LHP Felix Doubront (0-0, 6.10 in 2011)

BLUE JAYS (2-1)
TBA
Pitching: RHP Henderson Alvarez (1-3, 3.53 in 2011)

Game time: 7:07 p.m.

TV/Radio: NESN / WEEI
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/

What could go wrong?

[joeybee12]

4. I'll try and keep my mouth shut until July...I think John Henry is the real problem...

Getting rid of Papelbon, Jason Bay, etc..over-spending and then kissing up to Crawford...I need to win Powerball and stage a coup and wrest ownership from him.

[bluedigger]

5. That is not the Red Sox Way.

Winning must have spoiled you. It's never too early to start whining.

[joeybee12]

8. Hey, in mid-August I was concerned about a collapse...

And my pessimissm was proven right! How's THAT for a true fan!!!

[bluedigger]

10. It was YOU!

Jinx.

[joeybee12]

11. Yup! And they're going to lose today...couldn't score in the 8th..

Blown opportunities...and they have no close...a 2-run lead is not enough...idiots.

[bluedigger]

12. Just stop!

For the love of Ted's head, just stop! We're up by 3, too.

Tie score. Now you're just pissing me off.

[joeybee12]

15. Not anymore...nt

[bluedigger]

16. Thank god I was watching the Yankees.

@PeteAbe Daniel Bard could be the first guy to lose his job as a starter without throwing a pitch. #RedSox

[joeybee12]

17. Well, at least we won't be ALONE in last place...nt

[Marooned]

22. He's not doing so hot with Liverpool either

[Upton]

23. Yep, Liverpool is down in 8th place..

26 points back, and they were supposed to be an EPL title contender. Certainly, they were tabbed as a favorite for a CL spot, yet they've no shot there either.

[JonLP24]

6. About the article

The Sox did get a tough draw for an opening series on the road against a great Detroit team. It won't be unusual for probably any team to lose 2 out of 3 or even swept on the road. I'm aware he made some questionable bullpen decisions in the first game but it is easier to fix bullpen issues in April than July-September, so I look at it as a new coach figuring out what he's got.

As far as the lineup stuff, is unusual, but these things are not always about what you've done in the past but what you are going to do in the future so again new coach figuring out what he's got or he saw things that in practice, spring training, etc. Don't know. I give a short benefit of the doubt on this one, a few series before I feel I can evaluate this decision.

Of course he could be just not knowing what the hell he is doing, just trying to throw some thoughts out there.

[bluedigger]

7. The Tigers are a tough draw for openers.

Probably favorites for the WS, aren't they? And the Yankees are right there
with us at 0-2... But Valentine has done nothing to win me over as a fan, so far, and Boston's management was horrible over the winter. This may be the year for a rebuild - they got nothing in the bullpen, and have tossed tons of money in the whirlpool. At least with low expectations they can't disappoint me.

[joeybee12]

9. Well, clearly whoever decided to get rid of Papelbon is to blame...

Say what you will, he would have remained healthy...thatexplains game 1, game 2 was inexplicable.

[Auggie]

13. I can't believe the pessimism ...

after just two losses.

[bluedigger]

14. I understand.

You're not a New Englander, apparently.

[HuckleB]

33. And you're not a fan of a team that has never won the World Series.

Thus

[chelsea0011]

18. Bottom of the 11th and a slow Cabrera (this years MVP) on first with Fielder up, so...

what's with the shift? Neither the batter nor the runner have any speed and you need a DP which Fielder appeared to hit into but because of the shift, a single. It makes no sense to me. With one out, the game would be over. Instead Sox lose with a walkoff homer against them. Jeesh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[joeybee12]

19. Gonna be a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooong year...nt

[chelsea0011]

21. You can say that again.

[chelsea0011]

20. BARD BARD BARD BARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[MaineDem]

24. Three games now and I'm right with you

I have nothing good to say right now.

[bluedigger]

25. Pretty good column by Mazz this morning.

In the last eight months, the Red Sox have changed managers and general managers, late-inning relievers and the medical staff. But the results remain constant. And there is plenty of blame to share.
So where do you turn now, Josh Beckett? Or you, John Henry? The 2012 Red Sox season has begun precisely the way the 2011 campaign ended, with the Red Sox disintegrating in a succession of forms and blunders. Sunday's 13-12 defeat at the hands of the Detroit Tigers was only the last in season-opening series that featured bullpen breakdowns, offensive struggles, atrocious starting pitching and suspect defense, a range of problems that makes it virtually impossible to blame one person or one thing.

The only relatively innocent bystander in this thus far? Manager Bobby Valentine, who must feel as if he has just stepped on board an ill-fated vessel.

So who is to blame?

http://www.boston.com/sports/columnists/massarotti/2012/04/by_tony_massarotti_globe_colum_4.html

Even if it does negate my OP.

[joeybee12]

26. John Henry...he's to blame...

Seems like Red Sox owners have historically been d**ks.

[bluedigger]

27. We loved him when we were winning.

Pride and complacency, lack of focus... And always the egos. You have to have a huge ego to be a "name" in the Red Sox organization, on or off the field. They just aren't hungry, like the Sinden Bruins weren't from 1972 to 2011...

[joeybee12]

29. I never loved him...they won in spite of him...

I think he took Valentine because he was a "name"...Henry likes to have stars everywhere, just like he pushed for Crawford who hasn't done squat, and then Henry decided to apologize to Crawford for pointing out he hasn't done squat.

And you're right, they're not hungry...and as long as Fenway keeps filling up, there will be no sense of urgency to get back to the top.

[madinmaryland]

30. THREE games behind the FIRST PLACE ORIOLES!!1!!

Just had to get that little dig in before the Skankees come to town.

[bluedigger]

31. El Supremo has provided us with a secret weapon!

Forwarded to Bobby V.!

[HuckleB]

32. Uh, didn't the RSox start 0-4 last year?

And then pile on the wins before they fell apart in September?

Dude.

Chill.

[bluedigger]

34. This is how you choose to cheer me up?

[HuckleB]

37. Well, perhaps they'll fall apart earlier this year, so you can go fishing!

[bluedigger]

38. Keep trying.

I hate fishing.

Really!

[El Supremo]

35. 0-6

I've lost interest in them even though it is the 100th anniversary of Fenway.

[HuckleB]

36. And that matters ...

... how?

[bluedigger]

39. What sport/league are you on about now?

Because no team in MLB is winless.

[bluedigger]

40. Home opener on Friday the 13th! What could go wrong?

Beckett's pitching, huh?

[bluedigger]

41. Well, that was fun.