Derek Lowe, an Imperfect Red Sox Player 1997-2004

Yesterday, Derek Lowe retired. He didn't say so explicitly but he effectively did after 17 seasons in baseball. I, like most Red Sox fans, cannot forget what Derek Lowe did for us, especially in that special 2004 season. His postseason, including winning all three clinching games of the playoffs, made him a legend. I viewed highlights from his victory in Game 7 of the ALCS at Yankee Stadium, which in my opinion is one of the most under-appreciated clutch pitching performances of all time. My words of praise, like those of other baseball journalists, cannot consecrate enough what Derek Lowe did for the Red Sox. I am glad his career continued strongly after he left the Red Sox in the 2004 offseason, and salute him for his many accomplishments from the 2002 no-hitter to the 2004 postseason.

Yet Lowe remains an imperfect individual that encapsulates all of us. During his playing days, he grew antsy and insecure about his role on the team. Relegated to the bullpen after a horrendous 2004 regular season, he showed the petulance of an immature player who did not take responsibility for his horrible season and the well-being of the team. He knew he was never going to be a star on a team with the likes of Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling, but he often felt slighted by the team. However, the 2004 postseason offered him a chance of redemption, which he grasped. In many ways, that sums up a fact of life - for all of us, regardless the vocation or situation, life offers us second chances. Even when we err or underperform to the frustration of our colleagues or loved ones, they often offer us a second chance to make amends. Lowe grasped his and resurrected his career, and we can do the same when the occasion arises. 

Lauding Lowe for his baseball heroics cannot hide his personal story. In 2005, Lowe divorced his wife, with whom he had three children, because of an affair with a news broadcaster. Lowe and the broadcaster later married. Such behavior is typical of athletes and celebrities today. I am no longer so jaded to believe that athletes are heroes who cannot do wrong and exist on a different moral plane. Lowe, like other athlete heroes of mine and probably yours too, is human and subject to our usual foibles, including the temptation to cheat. Being rich perhaps makes the temptation stronger. As Lowe retires from baseball, I view him as a sports hero but I do not exalt him because I know he is human, just like all of us. He is imperfect, much like the Red Sox, but to me, that is good enough.

An election up for grabs, the downtrodden Red Sox, and Supreme Court balancing in the middle

I watched the first presidential debate in a pub on Wednesday and came away impressed with Mitt Romney. The onus was on him to put in a strong performance and he did in several ways. He showed a sense of urgency about the nation's problems, while showing his compassionate side and ability to understand. He was aggressive throughout and criticized President Obama without appearing solely partisan and obstructionist on every policy issue. Romney also gave some specifics about his policies, which allows wonks to dissect and contrast them against Obama's. Without doubt Obama's insipid performance helped Romney shine, and with Romney scoring the style points, I must wade through both contenders' policies for substance and see what they really want for the nation beyond the rhetoric.

Obama desperately needed Friday's jobs numbers and he got what he wished for. I think it will have a huge impact, especially on those undecided voters who are finalizing their choices right now. The jobs numbers, especially the drop in unemployment below the dreaded 8%, would shore up Obama's appeal and help him maintain an edge in the polls. Underneath though, all the papers and economists suggest that the jobs recovery remains steady but very slow. The two biggest barriers to jobs growth are 1) the fiscal cliff come January and businesses' uncertainty (and hence their reluctance to hire) and 2) ongoing weak demand from emerging economies such as China and recessionary Europe. Obama may be partly responsible for the former, but not the latter.

Onto our national pastime, the Red Sox finally put us fans out of our misery with an absolutely atrocious season. I could not be more disappointed in the team and where it has gone and is going. Much of the blame, I agree, should start at the top with the ownership and front office. The players, too, I emphasize are not blameless. The Red Sox's problems are so deep that they would take many years to fix. I am unsure whether the Fenway Sports Group can turn it around and maintain the support of the fans. For me, the season was a mix of apathy, disgust, bewilderment, and mostly disappointment.

Finally, the high court resumed its term this past week and the cases thus far promise to make this term as interesting as the last. For those who keep track of cases based on ideology, last term's main cases did not turn out to be as conservative as the court's reputation is - mainly helped by Chief Justice Roberts's U-turn in the health care case. We'll see about this term, in which Justice Kennedy will continue to play his role as a swing vote. I will definitely be paying attention to the headline affirmative action case of Fisher v. University of Austin, as well as others to follow, especially if the Court takes up DOMA or Proposition 8.

Falling Out with Josh Beckett

I still remember Thursday night, Oct. 18, 2007, with the Red Sox on the brink of elimination in the ALCS by the Cleveland Indians, Josh Beckett took the game into his own hands and delivered a clutch pitching performance that turned around the postseason. He, more than any other player, was responsible for the Red Sox's seventh title. I, as well as many New Englanders, knew we had a great pitcher who was the paragon of every boy's sports hero: someone who can produce in the clutch and carry a team on his own.

Fast forward five years and that Josh Beckett is nowhere to be found. With the Red Sox dead last in the AL East and his ERA south of 5, Beckett turned in a whole stinker Thursday night against the Indians. The Fenway Park crowd booed vociferously. It's not just Beckett's performance that rankled me and fans - it's his attitude. Still recovering from a reputation tattered last September through leading the club's "beer and chicken ring", Beckett did not help his case by golfing on a day off when he was supposed to be healing a muscle problem. That was extremely poor judgment, which he compounded by defending his choice to do as he wills on his days off. For me and every other fan, that attitude speaks of arrogance and stupidity. He should know that fans view the situation differently, and hold the players to a higher standard. The team's performance made the situation more tense. To many fans, Beckett was someone who was so taken by himself and did not care about the team. That went over the line. The team continues to defend Beckett, but for how much longer?

I once revered Beckett for 2007 and what he gave the Red Sox. But I can no longer. His actions speak of unpardonable lack of judgment and arrogance for himself over the good of the team. No athlete, however talented, can get away with that. Beckett has forgotten the number one insuperable rule in sports: talent will eventually fade, and it's attitude that distinguishes the greatest from the good. Athletes, paid so much at a time when others are struggling to make ends meet, are not excepted from the rules of good character. Beckett has lost it, and character lost is rarely regained.

The Blown Perfect Game Call - what to do about it?

In case you missed it, last night, umpire Jim Joyce mistakenly called a Cleveland Indian runner safe at first base. The trouble was, that call occurred with two outs in the top of the ninth, when Detroit Tiger pitcher Armando Galarraga was about to throw the 21st perfect game in baseball history. The outrage in the sports world has been intense with many calling for MLB to reverse the call and reinstate the perfect game. I disagree. The controlling fact was that Joyce, at the time of the act, honestly believed that the runner was safe. He later realized that he was wrong, but only after checking TV replays, which clearly showed the runner was out. Joyce committed an error, a very human error. He acted with no malice toward Galarraga, nor was there evidence that the umpire acted negligently in his job. Therefore, with no wrong committed, punishment should not issue. Suspending the umpire would breach MLB's good faith relationship with the umpires union, and reversing the call will be an indirect way of doing the same.

I'm glad to see Galarraga and Joyce commiserating over the error before today's game. Joyce has accepted his error and Galarraga is prepared to move on. Baseball should as well. It is imperative that baseball explore expanded use of instant replay. More than any other sport, baseball relies heavily on the human eye and imperfect umpires to make calls that determine outs, games and even championships. Yesterday's error was egregious just because it occurred at an inopportune moment. Baseball should be more amenable to adjusting the game to the 21st century. I do not propose getting rid of umpires and just play by computer refereeing, but some renovations such as NFL's three challenges rule may be useful. As for Joyce, this infamous moment will remain with him for ever but he is veteran and professional enough to not let it haunt him. Galarraga, meanwhile, will realize that leading the Tigers to a first World Series championship in more than two decades will more than enough alleviate the sting.

2010 Baseball & Red Sox Preview

Another season starts this Sunday night, and it brings expectations for fans of all 30 teams. As a Red Sox fan, I am hopeful of great things for this season, even though I likely will be able to catch only a few games live this year (last year's total was 1). Nonetheless, I admit that other matters - such as work and school - are more on my mind right now, and my enthusiasm for following baseball is more tepid than two or three years ago. But here goes my rambles on the team, minus the customary erroneous predictions:

Starting pitching: undoubtedly the strength of the team, with three aces and loaded even at the back; question is, can they stay healthy for the long haul of the season?

Bullpen: some issues, but overall a strong group with good setup options; question is, will the lack of a viable lefty hurt, esp. against the Yankees?

Offense: the biggest weakness, with many spots in the order in flux, and newcomers who are not proven run producers; question is, can Ortiz still produce?

Defense: also a major strength, with improvements at short, in center, and third; question is, will shortstop finally be a stable position?

The Competition: Yankees are still the favorites, and have made upgrades but they also face questions of age from their regulars and kids in the bullpen and rotation (the Joba/Hughes issue); Rays will also be in it, and have many talented players in bloom; the division will be a tough one, maybe 93 wins can take it?

I won't offer any predictions (because they always backfire), but seeing the headlines, it seems that the Phillies and Mariners have garnered the most attention this offseason. The Phillies will be good - esp. with Doc Halladay on top - but the Mariners still have yet to convince me. The division is for their taking and they should finally produce. Otherwise, the field is open in every division and league. Let's hope the races go down to the wire and produce more compelling September and October than last year's.

Red Sox making some calculated moves, but still not enough

The Red Sox introduced their two offseason acquisitions, John Lackey (SP) and Mike Cameron (OF). I think both are decent players and will contribute to the team in 2010 and beyond. Lackey has a proven big-time record, and is familiar with the competition in the AL East. Nonetheless, he is in his early 30s and five years is a lengthy commitment. Cameron, meanwhile, will mostly be a role player who has much outfield potential and asset. Mindful of the team's first round exit and (maybe) Yankees' success, Theo Epstein is moving boldly.

Even so, I still ask, where is the offense? The Red Sox's struggles last season came in scoring runs, especially against good pitching. If Bay in fact is going, as reported, the Red Sox will lose one of their primary run producers. They must supplant him with a proven run producer, with power, if they intend to contend. Will Adrian Gonzalez be available? Besides Bay, the rest of the free agent market, in terms of offense, looks thin. Regardless, Theo must improve the offense by February, even if it means pushing the bank.

2009 MLB Postseason Preview - focusing on Red Sox v Angels

Well, that's finally over. The Twins edged out the Tigers 6-5 in 12 innings, and an exhaustingly long 2009 baseball regular season is complete (it makes health care reform seem like a sprint in the school playground). Woe to the Tigers, who really blew it - seriously if you cannot secure a 10th inning lead in the 163rd game, you deserve to go golfing. And congrats to the Twins, who now get a chance to be pummelled by the Yankees. Hoorah!

Onto the previews and predictions for all four Division Series:

1) Rockies vs. Phillies - Can the Rockies make another magical run, just like they did in 2007? Can the Phillies hope and pray through the 9th? As good a story as the Rockies are, the Phillies have more talent and experience [ok, Brad Lidge counts as the bad kind], so Phillies in 5.

2) Twins vs. Yankees - The Twins must be exhausted right now, and are boarding a plane for New York. Can they overcome their 0-7 season record against the Yankees? Will it be the Yankees' year, when they finally advance in the playoffs since 2004? Yes, the Yankees are too good for the Twins, so Yankees in 3.

3) Cardinals vs. Dodgers - Like the previous series, this one should be easy to call. The Cards hold two aces, while the Dodgers are still looking for one. Manny will still wreak some havoc, since it is the playoffs and weird hairdos seem to work in the witching month, but Cardinals in 4.

4) Red Sox vs. Angels - Can they finally do it? That is, if you have been living in a cave, the Angels get past the Red Sox in the playoffs? Well, the Angels have a better and more patient lineup than before, and their starting pitching depth is stronger than the Red Sox's. However, the Red Sox have the edge in the bullpen and their hitting and starting pitching - o.k. some of the starters - are peaking. So, until it happens, it won't - Red Sox in 4.