Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Men at Work

Game 18 - Red Sox

Blue Jays 7, Red Sox 3
Record: 12-6

You know, slackjawed and not much to say.

Pretty predictable return to terra firma for the Sox last night after three tight, dramatic games against the Yankees. Timmy Wake looked a little bit human for the first time all season, though he wasn't awful. The bats couldn't get much going against Tomo Ohka. Even the pen whiffed a bit, as Mike Timlin helped the Jays double their advantage in the 9th by serving one up to Aaron Hill.

As a fan, the Sox' laid-back public persona (what's the collective of persona? personii?) is a bit of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, that laissez-faire approach helps the team stay calm when things are tight, even as the entire fan base chews through fingernails and wears holes in carpets - witness the last three against New York, for example. On nights like last night, though, the blase attitude takes on an indifferent cast, making the Sox seem like they're going through the motions. Seem is the operative word there, as I have no doubts about the Sox' professionalism and motivation. I guess I'd just appreciate a little redass from time to time, which is a patently stupid thing to want from a team that's posted the best record in the majors thus far.

3 comments:

Whitney said...

Manny's the best example of that. How many people vilify him for not caring when those closest to him swear to a vastly different mindset in that braid-covered head?

Despite my belief that Manny Ramirez is a quality guy both on and off the field, I also know that it's just not that hard to quiet critics with a few gestures of concern and effort along the way. We know better rationally, but it makes any fan feel better to watch dudes leaving a little something out there every night.

Whitney said...

Oh, and the Dodgers are better than the Red Sox . . . in the standings, I mean. Not sure if the Boston papers/sites have National League standings, or even AL Central & West.

rob said...

by best record in the majors, i of course meant "in the american league". we don't recognize the national league as a major league any more.