Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Opponents In Disbelief

For the second time in 3 days the mound at the Cell was checked at the request of opponents to see if it meets MLB specs for height and distance on Monday afternoon. The Orioles asked for the mound height to be checked prior to Saturdays contest after being held in check the first two games against the Sox. Then, on Monday, Bucky Showalter and his Rangers asked for it to be checked again, and measured from the plate.
Does anyone else find it amusing that opponents would feel like the Sox must be doing something other than just pitching the hell out of the ball? It's almost insulting, as it's basically being accused of cheating. Now, I don't know what the penalties are, as far as exceeding mound restrictions go, but why would a team even risk being branded cheaters? Their would be a stigma about coming to play in our park. On top of that, even if the mound is higher than is allowed, their pitchers are throwing off the same mound! Aren't we at the same disadvantage as our opponents (at the plate)?
Not only would it effect the Sox reputation (if it were not up to specs), but also the Sox' groundskeepers, Roger Bossard, who is one of the most acclaimed groundskeepers in baseball and has installed his patented drainage system in about 9 of the 13 stadiums that have been recently built. This guy is a 3rd generation groundskeeper, he knows everything there is to know about his profession, which is most likely his livlihood. I doubt there is enough money on the planet to bribe him into risking his job.
When it comes down to it though, let every team check it when they come in here to play us. To me, that just means the Sox are already in their heads before they've even played. If opponents are worried about little BS like that, it can only be to the Sox advantage.

Game update: Garland just got out of a major jam in the 6th...after already giving up a run cutting the Sox lead to 3-2, he had runners on 2nd and 3rd with NOBODY out. Now, Garland of last year, hello big inning, goodbye lead. Tonight he left them right where they were by getting 2 K's and a flyout to center from last nights villan, Kevin Mench.

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