SRYD's NOTEBOOK

July 24, 2000

Well, since my last installment, the Sox have certainly done what I was looking for. They have gotten off to a good start in the second half (8-3), have played better at home (7-2), and have cut the gap in the AL East to 1 game down as well as the Wildcard (.5 games before Sunday Night's results). Things are looking well over the last 20 games (the month of July) as well as the Sox have gone 13-7 in that span. There have been 4 guys who have been particulary big in July and I would like to point them out in particular.

1. Troy O'Leary- What a turnaround from Troy! I think that it is obvious, now, just how much his personal problems (Impending Divorce as well as the impending birth of his daughter (born on June 23). Troy has been a completely different player since his return. The difference is startling. Before going on the DL, Troy had these abysmal stats: 44-209 (.211 BA), 5 HR, 11 2B, 17 RBI. Since his return he has these stats: 29-67 (.433 BA !!), 4 HR, 5 2B, 21 RBI !!! He has played in 17 of 18 games since his return and the Sox have gone 13-5 in that stretch. Another startling stat is this: Boston is 46-26 when Troy starts, 5-18 when he doesn't. So even with Troy struggling earlier in the year, the Sox went 33-21 when he started. That should end all nonsense about trading him.

2. Tim Wakefield- I spent most of my first article defending Tim and I pointed out that he had an ERA of 3.86 if you threw out his 3 emergency starts. He has won 4 of his 5 starts since being reinstated into the rotation and his numbers for July are: 4 starts: 3-0, 26.0 Innings, 22 Hits, 10 BB, 9 K, 11 ER, 3.81 ERA.

3. Pedro Martinez- There is asolutely no doubt that Pedro is the Red Sox MVP. His win on Sunday was another one for the books. Complete game shutout allowing 6 hits, while striking out 15 and walking none. Pedro's July stats are: 3 Games, 2-0, 24.0 Innings, 16 Hits, 4 BB, 37 K !!, 3 ER, 1.13 ERA !!!!

4. Nomar Garciaparra- He is the heart and soul of the offense. His July stats are 19 G, 27-72 (.375 BA), 5 HR, 1 3B, 10 2B, 15 RBI.

I took a look at the Sox pitching staff over this month and I came up with some interesting stats. First, a look at the starters other than Pedro and Wakefield:

Ramon- 4 G, 2-1, 20.0 Innings, 24 Hits, 14 BB, 12 K, 15 ER, 6.75 ERA He needs to be better than this!

Fassero- 4 G, 13.1 Innings, 14 Hits, 5 BB, 12 K, 8 ER, 5.40 ERA. This includes a relief appearance. Hopefully, his last start is an indicator of things to come.

Schourek- 4 G, 0-3, 14.0 Innings, 25 Hits, 7 BB, 6 K, 18 ER, 11.57 ERA. It was obvious that he was hurting. Likely, his season is over.

Crawford- 2 G, 1-1, 12.1 Innings, 10 Hits, 5 BB, 4 K, 3 ER, 2.19 ERA. He would be back up here if not for a fluke injury.

Now a look at the relievers:
Garces- 9 G, 1-0, 10.2 Innings, 14 Hits, 4 BB, 12 K, 10 ER, 8.44 ERA
Lowe- 10 G, 0-1, 4 Saves, 9.2 Innings, 17 Hits, 0 BB, 8 K, 7 ER, 6.51
ERA Both of these guys could use a little rest.
Pichardo- 6 G, 2-1, 13.2 Innings, 10 Hits, 6 BB, 8 K, 3 ER, 1.98 ERA He has been a key factor.
Cormier- 7 G, 0-0, 8.1 Innings, 10 Hits, 1 BB, 3 K, 4 ER, 4.32 ERA
Ohka- 1 G, 0-0, 1.1 Innings, 2 Hits, 0 BB, 1 K, 0.00 ERA He moves into the rotation for the time being.

Now for the surprises:
Wasdin- 5 G, 1-0, 1 SV, 11.2 Innings, 10 Hits, 2 BB, 6 K, 5 ER, 3.86 ERA
Florie- 6 G, 0-0, 1 SV, 11.2 Innings, 15 Hits, 4 BB, 8 K, 5 ER, 3.86 ERA While neither of these guys is great, I see why Duquette will not release either guy at this point. Beck replaced Wasdin on the roster as Wasdin still had options left. I would still like to get a look at Sang Lee. (I guess that we will see him in September).

I'd like to make some last comments as well. Trot Nixon is due off the DL on Monday (July 24) and I still don't know who he will replace on the roster (Izzy ?, Gilkey? Sprague? Offerman to DL??). Burkhart looked good and the only reason that he was demoted was because he has options left. He will be back in September. I am a little bit puzzled by the move to recall Berry. I guess that DD wanted to give him a look (he would have been a FA if not recalled). I hate to see Mike Stanley released, but he did look like he was all done. Could the Designation for Assignment be a ploy to give Berry a look? (It does appear that he will be released though.) Nomar and Pedro did not seem real happy about the Stanley situation. This story may not be over.

I am very confused about Everett sitting out 2 of the last 5 games. With him facing a 10 game suspension, resting him now doesn't make a lot of sense to me. (I can understand the Douleheader though). I am beginning to think that he should have withdrawn the appeal immediately and started serving the suspension right away. I don't think that Carl should go through with his appeal. Best case scenario is that the hearing is pushed until after the Road Trip (I think that it will be scheduled for Wednesday though).

Finally, Congratulations to Carlton Fisk for his election to the Hall of Fame. I owned one of those red plastic helments from the 75-79 days and proudly wore a 27 etched on the back. Also, my first Little League Bat was a Carlton Fisk Model. He was my first favorite Red Sox player (Jim Rice replaced him and still remains my favorite). I still think of what could have been if only ..........
SRYD out.
SoxRuleYanksDrool@go.com