To Close or Not to Close… That is the Question
The past few days for Tito must feel like the apocalypse. On the day he makes one of the biggest decisions of the year (Schilling / Bullpen) most of his players turn on him. With not picking Matt Clement for the All-Star game and the final straw with Jay Payton. Of course Johnny Damon ( Red Sox PR/Media president) was all over every major network saying he thought this was a bad and disrespectful move on managements part. I think that he was a little misconstrued, but that is what the media does. Damon like myself, wants Schilling to pitch in the rotation.
But before all the Damon publicity, Mike Timlin spoke first. Timlin is the leader in the bullpen. He has the most experience. Timlin’s main gripe is this guy is not a “bullpen” pitcher. Timlin said, ” I understand what they’re saying, that they can put him in the bullpen and have him help out, but it’s like they’re saying you can just take a guy and put him out in the ‘pen and have him do what we do. It’s not just about getting guys out. It’s about doing it day after day after day, in all sorts of situations.” If you read into this a bit more than just the words it sounds like it’s a territorial thing. The bullpen is definitely a different breed. Good relievers, long, setup and situational are proud to be good at what they do. They don’t like to be looked upon as if they are there just to finish a game because the starter couldn’t do it. They are like goal tenders in hockey. If they allow a goal everyone blames them for the loss. Timlin has been outstanding and I think he is willing to take 100% responsibility for the everything that happens, good or bad, in the pen. He understands that Schilling will be a good short term addition, like most of us do, but he is not the ” Great White Hope”.
Sure my first thoughts were ” Look how good John Smoltz did, this is awesome.” But we NEED Curt going seven, eight innings. I do think this is a good short term idea to him back on the Major League roster at a time when we need a good arm. But we can’t keep him there. It will put too much doubt into both the starters and bullpen. I know these guys are professionals but they must have this in the back of their minds, ” Tito doesn’t trust I can do it, because we have Schilling to the rescue.” After all Curt Schilling is the All-American (Red Sox) Hero.
S
July 8th, 2005 at 4:28 pm
We need Schilling in the starting rotation, but he needs to be Schilling. It doesn’t matter where he is, if he’s not Schilling. Do I think he should be in the bullpen? Not really. Do I think he can do it? Not sure, probably not. It’s a completely different mentality and physical approach, and it’s not easy transitioning to starter after being in the pen for awhile. Unfortunately Schilling is probably not ready for either placement, and that hurts. We need help at both ends, and I think the Sox mgmt might see Schilling ready for pen work before starting… Not sure I agree.