Red Sox Changes Everywhere
Good mornin’, Red Sox Nation!
Change is in the air. The leaves have moved on to a better place. Rondo and Kobe put the Celtic-Laker rivalry aside to have breakfast together. And BSI has a new segment called ‘Mornin’ Chowda’. Each morning, you will get the atmosphere of the Red Sox universe as it evolves.
So, chew on these matters while you chow down on breakfast:
The Minor Appetizer
Change came to the Pawtucket Red Sox, as they unveiled their new uniforms for 2015, yesterday. The new logos will definitely make many fans take notice, as the angry bear breaks a bat in an attempt to intimidate the opposition. Boston.com correspondent Jake Reiser reports, “the bright blue alternates with a navy blue paw on the left side are certainly a departure from the classic Red Sox look.” Reiser also reports that “this departure comes in the wake of rumors of a sale of the team to some minority owners of the Boston Red Sox.”
The new logos themselves seem to emphasize more of the ‘Paw’ in PawSox. With any Major League franchise, the financial success of their minor league affiliates can greatly impact the big club. Better managers and coaching staff are also attracted to the job, which will help the prospects grow. Families, especially with small children, are the life-blood of the minor leagues, and these new uniforms will make parents and young fans form opinions.
The aggressive-looking bear could be considered ‘cool’ and motivate an increase in ticket and merchandise sales with youth, who felt the old uniforms were ‘played out’. Some children hear the history of Red Sox everyday, but they want something that fits in with their more modern future. As many other minor league teams are turning to more eye-catching caricatures for their uniforms, the PawSox may reap some rewards from distancing themselves from their big brother and reap the rewards from being their own identity.
However, not everyone likes change. Is it wrong to have a strong connection to history? What do you think? Check out the uniforms and have your say.
The Main Course
The Boston Red Sox continued to change their landscape on Friday, as Ryan Lavarnway was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
NESN’s Ricky Doyle reports that Lavarnway “became expendable amid Boston’s 40-man roster crunch.” After Pablo Sandoval was signed to his five-year contract, the Red Sox put Lavarnway on the the waiver market. “The 27-year-old spent the bulk of 2014 with Pawtucket, hitting .283 with three homers, 20 RBIs and a .389 on-base percentage in 257 plate appearances spanning 62 games.”
The Lavarnway move makes sense to what seems to be a push for power next season. Ben Cherington’s recent signings have many Red Sox fans drooling for the potential run production. Lavarnway’s power simply is not the same. His batting average in Triple-A is about the same as before he made his way to Boston, but the run production was not near his breakout start as a prospect. When you cannot produce against unproven talent in the minors, especially on a club that loves to score runs, your future may lay elsewhere.
In Lavarnway’s case, it begins again with the Dodgers.
For Dessert
Ian Browne of MLB.com reports that Pedro Martinez “was one of several players with Red Sox ties listed on the 2015 Baseball Writers’ Association of America Hall of Fame ballot. The voting results will be announced on Jan. 6 on MLB Network and MLB.com.” Roger Clemens, Nomar Garciaparra, and Curt Schilling are also on the list.
Notwithstanding the continuing debate over the other three players, especially Clemens, Pedro’s numbers and his personality would be a wonderful addition to the Hall for many unique reasons. As much as he was loved in Montreal, winning a National League Cy Young Award in 1997, he was loved even more in Boston. He played seven seasons with the Red Sox, going 117-37 with a 2.52 ERA and winning two American League Cy Young Awards.
From battles on the mound, with batters and coaches, to press conferences on who his “daddy” was, to absolute competitive aggression, Martinez made his time in Major League Baseball and especially with the Red Sox a very memorable experience. If he makes it to the Hall of Fame, Pedro’s induction will likely be as a member of Boston’s historic franchise, to the delight of Red Sox Nation.