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The Hot Stove League Begins

The Red Sox announced that about 81 percent of existing ticket prices would remain unchanged for the 2007 season. I'm sure that relieves many of our anxieties that tickets could actually get expensive. "America's Most Beloved Ballpark" already had the highest price tag for a family outing of four, currently only requiring a second mortgage, a downgrade to regular from high test, turning the heat down to 60 at night, and buying only generic turkey hot dogs for weeks. If I can find my Game 1 ticket stub from the bleachers in 1975, I think it will show $4.75 for attending a World Series opener. Now that's almost the price for a bottle of water. Well, water is the commodity of the 21st Century, and I'm sure that Mr. Henry will confirm that, although a lot of other commodities haven't treated him so well in the recent past. Of course, that also means that 19 percent of ticket prices will rise. I guess I'd like to sit in the Monster Seats someday, and that...
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Mercurial Rising (W5-1) GB 3

The old saw about 'momentum lasting only as long as the next day's starting pitcher' proved true, as the Sox stuffed the Birds from Baltimore 5-1, to even their four game series at one apiece. Wade Miller pitched seven strong innings to capture his second win of the season and he lowered his ERA to 4.85. Mike Timlin and Mike Myers came in to close out the final 6 O's. Edgar Renteria, David Ortiz, and Mark Bellhorn each had two hits, and John Olerud, replacing Johnny Damon in the lineup offensively (multiple switches defensively) delivered a key double to left-center. Damon ran into the bullpen projection in right center chasing an extra-base hit and the extent of his injury is not known, although he had four stitches above the right eye. The Sox chased hard throwing righthander Daniel Cabrera with four runs in the fifth although Cabrera lasted into the sixth. Sox fans were treated to an inning of premier closer B.J. Ryan in a non-save situation. Ryan has a 1.33 ERA with...
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The Other Side of the Trade

In the stock market, traders sometimes talk about knowing who is on the other side of the trade. What do they know? What do they hope to accomplish? The 'other side' of the Theo Epstein trade is Larry Lucchino and the power on the throne, John Henry. As they say in Hollywood, "what's my motivation?" As I wrote on the Dirt Dogs site, Lucchino would clearly come down as the Fall Guy if Theo Epstein walked. So far, it's played out that way. Does anyone think that Larry Lucchino gives a rat's patootie about that? Lucchino runs the business side of the house, skillfully maneuvering among the politicians, contractors, and vendors to enhance the ballpark, expand revenues, and increase club value. From an ownership perspective, you care about widget sales, top and bottom line growth, cash flow, debt service, and ultimately market capitalization. If you're John Henry, the trend is good. If you're Henry, do you care about fan reaction to the departure of the...
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