No Chip
With the second-half struggles of the Sox, you naturally try to say "what's gone wrong". This team has heart and it has been playing hard. Those are not issues. There has been a missing element, though and it appears to be that chip on the shoulder, a swagger, a killer instinct that was so apparent throughout last year and especially during the post-season.
By that I mean the ability to go and get go after teams right away. Last year, we got teams down and kept them down. In similar situations this year, it seems like we were just trying to hang on. There's a huge difference in those approaches. I've told everybody that I think think this is the best club I've been around so I kept hoping that we would see a change in that type of attitude. I think we all thought this team would come and kick every one's tail again, but it just hasn't happened.
That's what makes this such a beautiful game and why we all have such passion for it, because of the fact that you have high expectations and when they are met, you are elated. If not, you are frustrated.
Hawk
Comments
Dear Hawk and DJ,
Love your work. I do agree that the swagger seemed to be not quite
as obvious as 2005. I do think that the swagger was a result of our bullpen having veterans such as Hermanson( a fiery type) and
El Duque( a true pro) who would take the ball and get it done in
the clutch. I do hope the Sox keep/obtain veteran pitchers of that caliber for 2007 to get us back where we belong: World Champs of Major League Baseball.
Posted by: mike evans | September 24, 2006 4:42 PM
The swagger starts with the manager. If Ozzie would quit guessing and start leading it might have been different. The down slide started with the dressing down of Garland because he would not hit a batter. That is bush league and the results arre apparent.
Posted by: John Petrovich | September 25, 2006 8:15 PM
Just want to thank you guys for another great year of broadcasting.
No we didn't end up where we would have liked to, but the sox are still no slouch team.
Hopefully next year we'll do it again!
I hope Kenny and Ozzie focus on some relief pitchers.
Have a great winter, see you next spring.
Oh, wouldn't it be great if the sox sweep the twins in this last series, nice way to make a final statement.
Sharon Becerra
Speedwell, Tn.
Posted by: Art & Sharon Becerra | September 28, 2006 1:59 PM
I have another name for my favorite baseball playwe, A.J. Pierzinski. The name is "The hunk behind the plate." Even if he wasn't so good looking, he'd still be my favorite baseball player. He's fantastic!
I agree with your description of what went wrong with the Sox.
Bridget
Posted by: Bridget Sullivan | September 30, 2006 5:09 AM
first of AJ is a very good looking man bridget. and mike this may just be the year we get back our rightful title...YES! john doesn't know what he is talking about! Ozzie is the best manager in baseball! and hawk how can you say that? baseball is great, but if your getting frustrated then i can't ever tell. that's what is so great about you! you can have fun and be excited for our great team, but when we have a bad call against us or we for some reason lose you always seem to put a positive spin on it and keep a cool head. keep cool hawk!
Posted by: bocaj | June 25, 2007 4:55 PM