Notes Around The League: Boston Blizzards
By Boston Herald Staff (10/10/2007)
* 2007 saw a lot of team records set by the
Blizzards. Unfortunately, most of them were on the wrong end of the record
book. Losses (104), Losing Streak (16), Team ERA (5.88), and Losses by a
pitcher (Mark Redman, 18) to name a few.
*
Boston rookie starter Jon Lester received a Player Of The Block honorable
mention in 2007. For block 4, Jon was 3-0 with a 2.59 ERA and allowed only 14
hits in 24.1 innings. The last Blizzard pitcher to receive an honorable mention
was A.J. Burnett in block 9 of the 2006 season.
* Boston continued to have bullpen woes in 2007,
especially at closer. Jorge Julio blew 16 save opportunities and lost 10
games. Julio seems destined to another role in the bullpen next season.
* Rookie Ian Kinsler was made the starting
second baseman out of spring training after Tadahito Iguchi was traded in the
offseason. Ian had an impressive debut, hitting .284 while playing solid
defense (10 errors).
* There will be a lot of competition in 2008 for
the starting rotation. Boston has many youngsters looking to make the starting
staff (Scott Baker, Matt Garza, Jason Hirsh, Jon Lester, Brandon McCarthy).
There are rumors Boston is looking to sign a veteran free agent to anchor the
young staff.
* Coco Crisp, acquired in a trade prior to
the season, disappointed at the plate (.265 BA), but recorded 13 outfield
assists and 22 steals in 2007 to lead the team in those categories. He
still appears to be the top choice for the centerfield job in 2008.
* Boston Pitcher Of The Year: A.J.
Burnett. Burnett led the starting staff with his 4.38 ERA and recorded 145
strikeouts in 158 innings of work.
* Boston Offensive Player Of The Year: Adam
LaRoche. Adam led the offense in Home Runs (32), RBIs (106), and OPS
(.885).
* Boston Defensive Player Of The Year: Ian
Kinsler. The rookie had a fielding percentage of .982 at 2B, with only 10
errors on the season.
From the Minors:
* With Jason Varitek entering the final year of
his contract, Boston is looking upon catcher Kurt Suzuki to possibly make
the team out of spring training as Jason’s backup. Depending on his
development, he could replace Jason as the full-time backstop in 2009.
* Boston is not rushing the development of prized
prospect Jay Bruce. The 20-year old outfielder will not receive a spring
training invite and instead will start his 2008 in AA.
By Boston Herald Staff (7/02/2007)
BOSTON (AP) – Boston Blizzards manager Carlton Fisk announced on
Sunday he was resigning, effective immediately. "The energy and passion needed
to lead a young team into the future is just not in me any longer. This season
has been frustrating for the fans as well as myself. I truly hope the Blizzards
can find a manager who can turn things around." the 59-year-old said in a
statement. The Blizzards had just endured a 16-game losing streak during which
team pressure was building.
Fisk has been in charge since January 2005 when he was named the
first manager the Blizzards ball club.
Bench coach Butch Hobson will succeed Fisk on an interim basis.
No decision has been made by team officials on when a permanent manager will be
named.
Fisk had a 175-231 record with the team and was struggling with a
25-57 record this season.
By Boston Herald Staff (10/06/2006)
* Boston closer
Ugueth Urbina had a horrible start to the season, but it was followed by
some amazing numbers the rest of the season. Through May 6th his
line: 9.2 IP, 14.90 ERA, 2.90 WHIP, 7 HRs, 0-4. After that point his line: 43.1
IP, 1.66 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 3-0/26 Saves.
* A few of Boston’s
September call-ups from AAA made an impressive contribution. Tike Redman
batted .357 in 18 games along with 15 RBI. Jason Dubois batted .306, hit
6 HR, and batted in 22 in September. Added to the starting rotation, Denny
Bautista went 3-2 with a 3.77 ERA in his 7 starts.
* Boston had some
success late in the season, but it was too late to make a run for wild card.
After July 28th Boston went 36-23 (.621).
* Bobby Abreu
led the league in doubles in 2005, and again in 2006 was the AL leader with his
56 doubles.
From the Minors:
* Cuban Yuniesky
Betancourt is reported to be looking forward to competing for a starting job
with the Blizzards in 2007. Yuniesky’s impressive glove should give him the
edge over Angel Berroa, who led the league in errors at shortstop.
* Tadahito Iguchi
was impressive in his rookie year (.273, 18 HR, 62 RBI), but will face some
competition with youngster Ian Kinsler looking to make the team in 2007.
By Boston Herald Staff (8/24/2005)
* Attendance has been
slumping at Fenway Park after popular Blizzards Moises Alou, Keith Foulke, and
Greg Maddux were traded shortly before the trading deadline. Boston’s record
since the trade deadline is 8-12, dropping them to 6 games back in the hunt for
a wild card playoff berth.
* Boston is currently
leading the league in doubles (273) and is 8th in runs scored.
Unfortunately, Boston’s starting pitching staff has been a disappointment in
2005 and often unable to hold early leads. They have recorded an ERA of 5.35,
while the bullpen’s ERA is only 3.61.
* Clubhouse favorite
Gabe Kapler has been doing a stellar job off the bench all season, which has led
to increased playing time since the trade of Moises Alou. He is hitting .364
with 7 home runs and 28 RBIs in only 132 at bats.
* Cristian Guzman has
solidified Boston’s infield. At shortstop he has only seven errors and has
contributed to turning 67 double plays.
* Veteran backup
catcher John Flaherty was not speaking to the media after the Blizzards placed
him on waivers on August 10th. He has one year remaining on his
contract and his future with the team is in question.
* A.J. Burnett returned
to the rotation in August after being on the DL since May 15th. He
is 2-1 since his return and has reported no problems with his pitching arm.
* Boston had success in
Interleague play this season, going 15-9 against a tough NL East division.
From the Minors:
* Japanese second
baseman Tadahito Iguchi is reported to be looking forward to competing for a
starting job with the Blizzards in 2006. Miguel Cairo’s agent has been informed
that the Blizzards will not be making his client an offer after the end of this
season. That leaves the position up to Willie Harris and Tadahito.
* Boston is excited to
add the young arm of Brandon McCarthy to its much needed minor league pitching
depth. He was acquired in a trade with the Baltimore Stars for Brendan
Donnelly. McCarthy has been pitching well in AA and may be a year or two away
from making the starting staff.
* Starting pitcher
Gustavo Chacin impressed the Blizzards fans with 2 solid spot starts this season
and has pitched well in the minors. He has a good chance of making the rotation
in 2006.
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