Tennyson Knows Best

"That which we are, we are, and if we are to be any better, now is the time to begin." Alfred Lord Tennyson

As we cruise into September, we face the reality of a team without good pitching or defense (mediocre), but with astonishing offensive potency. Or, as they say, it is better to be important than impotent.

Signing Jason Varitek for all that dinero looks to be a good investment, at least in year one of the deal. Although Damon has been outstanding, Varitek is the guy they would miss the most.

Edgar Renteria got off to a slow start, both offensively and defensively, but he continues to advance, with his batting average at .288 (as I type), and 84 runs scored on the year.

Terry Francona seems to take a lot of abuse for a manager who's enjoyed an awful lot of success.

The Sox keep manufacturing runs via hitting behind the runner (Damon tonight, Cora last night), taking the extra base (Kapler, Renteria tonight), and sacrifice flies...

Maybe Manny wouldn't get so many errors if he weren't always trying for the quick release.

Does anybody in addition to me worry about Clement having a forme fruste of 'Steve Blass Disease'?

Sox fans always said that Nomar was better than Tejada. Tejada is two years younger, a better hitter (outside of the Oakland Mausoleum), better defensively, and plays with youthful joy almost every day. He is a pleasure to walk. Now let's get him out. (Done)

Did anyone else notice that Jonathan (don't call me Jon) Papelbon fixed a mechanical/deception problem with his delivery? That's what the staff is for, and I'm glad they worked on it...

Jon Lester worked another six inning, two-hits worth of shutout ball last night for Portland. I don't think that he's on the 40-man roster, though, so he's probably not Boston bound.

Last time I checked Randy Johnson (29) led the AL in most homeruns allowed. Now he's tied with Tim Wakefield and Brad Radke.

Bartolo Colon leads the AL in wins with 17, and probably in pounds, too (280?). Tim Wakefield leads the Sox in wins with 14.Has a knuckleballer ever led the Sox in wins?

Wilbur Wood didn't win a game in four years with the Red Sox. Unbelieveable. He won 20 games four times with the White Sox and even had a twenty game winning AND losing season (1973). He had 22 complete games in 1974 and finished seventh in the league! In 1972 he threw 376 2/3 innings, the equivalent of 42 complete games.

So, Smokey Joe Wood leads the Sox in most wins in a season (34) and Wilbur must have pitched the most years (4) and games (36) without a win (maybe not the games). You gotta love baseball and Tennyson.