7/08/2005
Jay Payton We Hardly Knew You
If you have not heard already, yesterday the Boston Red Sox designated outfielder Jay Payton for assignment. For those who do not follow baseball being designated for assignment means that Payton has 10 days to accept a minor league demotion to the Red Sox AAA team in Pawtucket Rhode Island. If he chooses not to accept his demotion he is free to go to another team once that ten day grace period has run its course. I tend to believe that the latter choice is that one that he will ultimately make.
Jay Payton outstayed his welcome in Boston simply because he was critical of his playing time. When he was brought here in a trade during the offseason, he was expected to be a backup outfielder because all three of the Red Sox starting outfielders are clearly better players. Payton came to Boston from San Diego and an environment in which he was used to being an everyday player. The Red Sox had hoped that Payton would provide some power off the bench should the team get themselves into a hole in the late innings. He was also brought in to improve the Sox chances against left-handed pitchers because regular outfielder Trot Nixon does not fare well against them. At first, Payton seemed eager to play for a contender and the reigning world champions, but once he realized that he was getting little to no playing time, he began to sulk to the media. Ah the media, the folks so desperate for scoops that they are likely to hound players like rabid wolves for any hint of controversy surrounding the team.
What Jay Payton failed to realize was that there was no place to put him as an everyday player. For he lacks the build of an infielder and the outfielders are clearly better players. In left fielder you have Manny Ramirez, not a great defensive player but a guy whose pop you need in the lineup. In center resides that technical hitter and cult hero of the Red Sox, Johnny Damon. He needs to be in there so that he can set the table for the power hitters. In right field, stands Trot Nixon who is better defensively and adds more power to the lineup. It is hard for me to believe that Payton actually thought that he was going to be an everyday player with the caliber of players surrounding him on the team. Maybe he will accept his demotion will class and dignity but in this era of athletics where money and power is everything, it is not likely to happen.
PS. My Prayers are with those affected by the attacks in London yesterday.
Jay Payton outstayed his welcome in Boston simply because he was critical of his playing time. When he was brought here in a trade during the offseason, he was expected to be a backup outfielder because all three of the Red Sox starting outfielders are clearly better players. Payton came to Boston from San Diego and an environment in which he was used to being an everyday player. The Red Sox had hoped that Payton would provide some power off the bench should the team get themselves into a hole in the late innings. He was also brought in to improve the Sox chances against left-handed pitchers because regular outfielder Trot Nixon does not fare well against them. At first, Payton seemed eager to play for a contender and the reigning world champions, but once he realized that he was getting little to no playing time, he began to sulk to the media. Ah the media, the folks so desperate for scoops that they are likely to hound players like rabid wolves for any hint of controversy surrounding the team.
What Jay Payton failed to realize was that there was no place to put him as an everyday player. For he lacks the build of an infielder and the outfielders are clearly better players. In left fielder you have Manny Ramirez, not a great defensive player but a guy whose pop you need in the lineup. In center resides that technical hitter and cult hero of the Red Sox, Johnny Damon. He needs to be in there so that he can set the table for the power hitters. In right field, stands Trot Nixon who is better defensively and adds more power to the lineup. It is hard for me to believe that Payton actually thought that he was going to be an everyday player with the caliber of players surrounding him on the team. Maybe he will accept his demotion will class and dignity but in this era of athletics where money and power is everything, it is not likely to happen.
PS. My Prayers are with those affected by the attacks in London yesterday.
7/07/2005
The Saga Begins
Hi, and thanks for checking out my blog. This is Life and Stuff and my name is Dan. This entry will serve as an introduction as to what this blog will be about and what I hope you as a reader will get out of it. I will mainly discuss the areas of sports and entertainment within this blog because they are the two things I enjoy the most in my life. Specifically, I will do a lot of pieces on the Boston Red Sox and television programs I admire and detest. At times, I will discuss world events or things that I have seen in the news that are of particular interest to me.
I chose to call this blog Life and Stuff because I see this blog as two parts. The Life section of this column will represent anything that has to do with sports or entertainment as they are the two facets of life that I care about the most aside from my family and my educational goals. The stuff portion will entail anything I talk about that does not have to with athletics or the arts. Basically, 95% of the entries will fall into the "life" category while the other 5% will fall into the "stuff" category. My ultimate goal is that anyone who reads these blogs will enjoy at least something in every single column. I hope that you will think about what I have said and that you will not be afraid to voice your opinion on the subject matter. Please be advised that if you choose to comment on the blogs I will read your comments and try to answer any questions that you may have. However, I will not mention you by name because I do not want to stir up any trouble that may cause me to have to discontinue these writings. In short, I except all kinds of criticism, I do not claim to be an expert on any topic I may discuss within this blog. You are free to agree or disagree with anything I say but be advised that I may write future columns in which I defend my statements based on what you as a reader have said in your personal comments to me. As I have said before, I will respect your opinion by not mentioning you by name as a wish to not stir up any trouble that may occur between you and I. I'd like all of you Yankee fans to be advised that I am a diehard Red Sox fan and that the team will be a frequent topic of my postings. I therefore expect a lot of angry comments disagreeing with my statements.
As I said before, I will read your comments on anything and use them as the basis for future blogs in an attempt to defend myself. Remember, I am not always right and I will admit when I am wrong. Lastly, I intend on posting new columns just about every day. If you do not see a new column, it means that I have not had time to write one or I am suffering from writer's block on that particular day. Be sure to check back everyday for new postings and I will talk to you real soon.
Dan
I chose to call this blog Life and Stuff because I see this blog as two parts. The Life section of this column will represent anything that has to do with sports or entertainment as they are the two facets of life that I care about the most aside from my family and my educational goals. The stuff portion will entail anything I talk about that does not have to with athletics or the arts. Basically, 95% of the entries will fall into the "life" category while the other 5% will fall into the "stuff" category. My ultimate goal is that anyone who reads these blogs will enjoy at least something in every single column. I hope that you will think about what I have said and that you will not be afraid to voice your opinion on the subject matter. Please be advised that if you choose to comment on the blogs I will read your comments and try to answer any questions that you may have. However, I will not mention you by name because I do not want to stir up any trouble that may cause me to have to discontinue these writings. In short, I except all kinds of criticism, I do not claim to be an expert on any topic I may discuss within this blog. You are free to agree or disagree with anything I say but be advised that I may write future columns in which I defend my statements based on what you as a reader have said in your personal comments to me. As I have said before, I will respect your opinion by not mentioning you by name as a wish to not stir up any trouble that may occur between you and I. I'd like all of you Yankee fans to be advised that I am a diehard Red Sox fan and that the team will be a frequent topic of my postings. I therefore expect a lot of angry comments disagreeing with my statements.
As I said before, I will read your comments on anything and use them as the basis for future blogs in an attempt to defend myself. Remember, I am not always right and I will admit when I am wrong. Lastly, I intend on posting new columns just about every day. If you do not see a new column, it means that I have not had time to write one or I am suffering from writer's block on that particular day. Be sure to check back everyday for new postings and I will talk to you real soon.
Dan
