I suppose it is hard to feel bad for a guy that stands to make $8 million this year for pitching a half season at most.  Taking the money out of the equation, Curt Schilling is getting hosed by the Red Sox.  However, being the team guy that he is, Schilling will go along with the team’s wishes and rehabilitate his shoulder instead of undergoing surgery, which is what he wanted to do.

Schilling is one of those guys that opponents love to hate.  He even rubs a lot of Red Sox Nation the wrong way.  Schilling knows when to shut up, he just chooses not to.  But nobody can deny the guy is a gamer.  He has been since he walked through the door at Fenway.  He has been on every other team he has played for and that’s why so many fans admire him.  Pesky’s Poll (PP) had Schilling over for dinner upon his arrival to Boston in 2004.  We couldn’t wait for him to leave, but we love to watch him play.  He is fierce, intense, and he only gets better when there is more on the line.  Success doesn’t follow him around because he is lucky.  Schilling creates winning situations with hard work and the drive to win.  With this in mind, the man should go under the knife if that is what he wanted to do.

Schilling was given a mission in 2004: to help end an 86 year drought and relive the pain of Red Sox Nation.  He took on this challenge, went 21-6 in the regular season, and we all know the rest.  The man basically gave up an effective 2005 season and pitched through the pain of the 2004 post season to accomplish his mission.  Then he went 3-0 in the 2007 post season just for emphasis. 

It is very unclear if Schilling will pitch at all this season, even if he had undergone surgery.  And of course the Red Sox suits have to try and field the best team they can to continue winning championships.   Obviously a post season team with Curt Schilling is better than one without him.  He is one of the best post season pitchers of all time (11-2, 2.23 ERA in 19 games).  With all the young arms on the Red Sox staff, having the experience of Schilling in the playoffs would be invaluable. PP has no doubt the Red Sox think they are doing what is in the best interest of Schilling and the team, but with results from both courses of action (the rehabilitation route or surgery) being so uncertain, we think Schilling has earned the right to make his own decision on this one.

With consistent poor weather here in northern New England, PP didn’t have the opportunity to do extensive polling on this topic.  However, with the polling we were able to do, we found that 7 out of 10 people felt that bloody hosiery and two World Series rings means you can get chopped up if you want.  Hopefully the Red Sox going against Schilling’s wishes does not mess with the fate of the season.  This could get very dramatic.  Changing the course of these events may be out of our hands, but go to a quiet place, think good thoughts, and hope for the best.

Poll #1138111 Schilling and the knife
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 1

What was the correct course of action for Curt Schilling?

View Answers

He should have been allowed to have surgery.

0 (0.0%)

The Red Sox have it right-rest, rehabilitation and shoulder strengthening is the answer.

1 (100.0%)

Pesky’s Poll (PP) regrets having to write this post.  We hoped it wouldn’t come down to this, but here we are.  So let’s just hold our noses and get through it.

I know there is a lot going on in Red Sox Nation right now.  We have the Shilling situation, how our starting five will look, and some new players to discuss.  Believe me, we are working on it.  But this Clemens thing just won’t go away, so let’s deal with it now before it gets any worse (and it will get worse).

Some may ask why deal with it at all?  Clemens hasn’t pitched for Boston since 1996.  This is true, but if Clemens gets into the Hall of Fame, his huge dome is going to be sporting that beautiful “B”, so this warrants discussion here at the Poll.

Let me admit it right now.  I loved Roger Clemens.  Even when he was falling out of favor with Red Sox Nation towards the end of his stint in Beantown, I loved him.  Even when he took the money and left for Toronto, I loved him (even though I pretended to hate him).  When he stared down the Duke up in his luxury suite after mowing down the Sox, I got goose bumps.  I mean, the Red Sox have to lose a certain percentage of games every year anyway, so why not lose them to Clemens?  Toronto was harmless enough at the time, anyway.

Of course, the Rocket had to go to the Yankees, and then I really did hate him.  As he stood at Fenway during the All-Century team ceremonies (which he deserved to be on) wearing that pin stripe suite, I remember thinking to myself (although I’m sure I said it out load, probably louder than I should), “What a freakin’ douche bag!”  And he was.

I was so happy when Roger f-ed with the Yankees and came out of retirement to play for Houston.  I could like him again!  And I did.  Houston was an easy team to like.  They played hard, were unlikely to win, but they always came close.  They were exciting to follow.  And when Roger came back to the Yankees this past season, I had to hate that he did, but at the same time, I didn’t really care.  He seemed irrelevant at that point.  He lost the edge that made him great.  American League hitting exposed his age that was masked in the National League.  Still decent, but the Yankees lost that Boogey Man quality to them.  They just don’t scare me anymore, so who cares if they add Roger to that aging starting five?

With all that love-hate going on over the years, I was still excited to see Roger retire and get into the Hall with a Sox cap on his melon.  In my mind, he was the best ever (at least in the regular season, but he has jewelry, too, which you can’t take away from the man).  And now there is the steroids issue…

It’s hard to say who is lying here: Clemens or Brian McNamee (Roger’s former trainer and suspected drug source)?  But what is clear is that one of them is lying.  And it is hard to say why McNamee would be lying.  He would have nothing to gain from it.  McNamee has given up other players involved in steroids or HGH, and if he lies, he goes to prison.  In other words, he seems to be cooperating, so why would it be any different in regards to Clemens?

So PP had some work to do, and do it we did.  This was hard for us, but that’s why they call it work.  There is the Clemens we love, but the Clemens we suspect of being dirty could permanently taint the future of Red Sox Nation if he were elected into the Hall with a Red Sox cap on.  We can’t have this, so we hit the streets.

Normally, I am just the talent here, typing away in an entertaining fashion.  But thinking I could add some more in-depth perspective to this, I headed to my former stomping grounds of Lowell, MA.  I spent two days interviewing crack addicts on the streets about Roger Clemens.  Eight out of ten crack-heads said “Yes, I would smoke crack with Roger Clemens.”  Now, where I come from, there is a saying: “Don’t trust a crack-head.”  I trust this logic.  And by implementing this logic into my findings, I do not trust Roger Clemens.  PP is not suggesting that Roger smokes crack, but only that crack-heads trust him, so we do not.

PP saw this steroid problem in baseball mounting years ago, so one of our own got a job at BALCO, the main source for many of these designer steroids.  Our inside man (or was it a woman?  Dear reader, we love you, but do you really think we’re going to reveal our sources?) has no evidence of Clemens being a customer, but did have this to share: “Every time Roger’s name was mentioned at the lab, people seemed to get giddy.  The women got this sparkle in their eyes when they would see him on TV.  It was strange.  It might be nothing, but they barely looked up when Barry Bonds was on TV.  Draw your own conclusions.”  Thank you Mr/s. X, and we have.

Our source in Japan also had an interesting take to share.  “In Japan, Clemens is not really that popular.  He is well known and was respected, but not followed.  That is except for one group of people: the pigeon racers.  Pigeon racing is extremely popular in Japan, and extremely dirty.  Betting is huge for these pigeon races, and with big money comes big problems.  Doping of birds is a constant issue in pigeon racing: anything to gain an edge and win the big prize.  And for whatever reason, Clemens seems to be a hero to these pigeon racers.  As far as I know, Clemens doesn’t even have one bird.”  Interesting.  And speaking of birds…

As many of you probably have heard by now, our old friend Pedro Martinez was recently filmed in the Dominican at a cock fight.  What does this have to do with Clemens?  Our Dominican contact was at the cock fight Pedro attended.  He had this to share: “Pedro was very animated, yet focused just like when he’s on the mound.  He was looking for an edge, a way to intimidate his opponents.  He started yelling to the crowd, “My bird’s name is ‘The Rocket!’” over and over.  Many potential opponents would not put their bird up against Pedro’s after this, even though the prize money was high.”  (Editors note: PP has no problem with Pedro at the cock fight.  This is a part of the Dominican culture and has no right being judged by people who know nothing about it, or about chickens.  Go work on a farm with animals to gain some perspective about livestock before preaching about it.)

PP does not have a smoking gun, but we have enough to make the decision to sever ties with Clemens permanently.  Even if Clemens is found guilty, it could stand to reason that he would make the Hall of Fame someday.  His accomplishments are tremendous and may only be passed over for so long.  But we feel that Red Sox Nation has to part ways with Roger Clemens now and forever.  PP is not interested in another 86 year drought.  The number “21” hanging in right field in all its glory could be the new Bambino.  This craziness ends here!

Should Roger Clemens be banned from Red Sox Nation?

View Answers

Yes

2 (66.7%)

No

1 (33.3%)

This won’t happen often, so when it does you should know to listen up.  This post is about my other love: the Patriots.  What is the reason for this?  The basis of Pesky’s Poll may sound foolish to some, thinking that your thoughts can change outcomes.  Well, if you are one of those doubters, I have the proof that it works.

The baseball season is a marathon where the excitement lies in the long term strategy that, when played out properly, can result in an exciting season.  Football on the other hand is just a series of sprints where you can’t turn away in fear of missing that amazing interception or the elusive safety.  It all matters; it’s all exciting.  This unique quality of football brings out the uniqueness in its fans.  I consider myself a very practical and reasonable man.  However, on football Sundays, I erect a Patriots shrine in front of my television.  Why you ask?  Out of the festivities of it all?  No, I actually do it because I believe it has some bearing on the outcome of the game.  Unreasonable you say?  Well, read on.

I set out my Patriots bench and then carefully align, depending on the mood of the day and the Patriot’s foe, my shrine items (This is only if I am not actually at the game, of which I go to one or two a year.  In this case, I am considered a “traveling shrine.”).  I have multiple Sports Illustrated covers with Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Bill Belichick, and the Patriots linebackers to display.  I have a Patriots mug depicting their three Super Bowl wins.  I have a glass with the old Patriots helmet decaled on.  There is my Pat Patriot doll from when I was a kid.  And what’s that he’s holding?  Oh, that would be my ticket stub from the Snow Bowl (I’m often asked what kind of mafia connection I have that a nobody like me gets to attend so many high profile sporting events.  I’m not ready to reveal such information at this time, but let’s just say I have a generous donor).  There is my Tom Brady bobble head proudly displaying his three rings (Brady could kick Bilbo Baggins ass!).  How could I forget the children’s book Lets Go Patriots! that someone gave to my daughter.  Is it really wrong to steal a book from a child in the name of football?  Finally there is various Patriots swag displayed on and around the shrine to really give it that extra flair.

When the game isn’t going as planned, the shrine can be altered.  Maybe the bobble head goes over here?  Maybe I’m wearing the wrong shirt?  In the end, I think I’m getting pretty good at constructing the shrine.  I mean 18-0?  It’s never been better, and that’s history talking, not just some schmuck on a blog site.

I can hear your question before you even respond.  So what happened?  Why not 19-0?  The answer is simple, and yes, I did have my shrine in order.  Nothing was spared for the biggest game of the year.  Mass negative energy trumped the cockiness of Patriots Nation.  How many Patriots fans even considered the possibility that they might lose the Super Bowl?  I’m not sure that I did.  But even with my confidence, the shrine had to go on.  I was cocky in part due to the shrine.  It has worked magic in the past.  I’ve seen it happen.

How many of you have similar superstitions (and if you don’t get it by now, they’re not superstitions at all)?  And if so, how many of you felt you need not bother, the Super Bowl was as good as won?  Obviously, too many members of Patriots Nation felt this way.  And now you feel like a member, don’t you?

The fact is the Patriots needed your shrines or whatever ritual you might have.  They needed it that night more than ever.  Why?  I don’t know if you listen to national sports radio shows, but the rest of the world hates the Patriots.  They hate Belichick, they hate Moss, they don’t hate Brady, but they love to watch him lose.  They hate their successes of the past and the ones to come in the future.  The rest of the country outside of our New England bubble, just want the Patriots to roll over and die.  That’s a lot of negative energy to overcome.

And that’s the point.  Like in any great story, or any great football game, there is good vs. evil.  Which side is which doesn’t really matter.  But you have to pick a side and believe you are the good.  Then you have to put your good thoughts and feelings forward to make what you want to have happen become a reality.

Don’t believe it?  Too hippie-dippy for you?  Hey, how much more proof do you need?  Look at it this way.  Baseball season is coming up.  The Red Sox are on top which means everyone else wants to knock them down.  We didn’t get Santana.  We have two pitchers that have been battling injuries and are in or knocking on the door of their 40’s.  Manny is only getting crazier.  These are issues that need to be handled and they will be addressed here at Pesky’s Poll.  What we need you to do is put your disbelief aside and let’s get back on the winning end of things.  Can you feel me?

Once again, Jim Ed Rice will have to be satisfied with having been considered one of the most feared hitters in baseball.  Rice only gained 72.2% of the needed 75% of the votes (16 votes shy) to become a member of baseball’s Hall of Fame.  There is hope, however.  Rice has been on the ballot for 14 years and each year has gained more votes than the previous year.  Also, only 20 players have gained more than 70% but less than 75% of the vote to get into the hall, and each of those players was eventually voted in.  The bad news is that next year is Rice’s 15^th and final year on the Hall of Fame ballot.  It stands to reason that Rice will get voted in next year, but it shouldn’t have come to this.

During his 16 seasons in the majors, Rice was one of the most feared hitters in the game.  Now that he awaits his entrance into the Hall and to baseball immortality, Jim Rice has become a GW Bush of the baseball world.  Voters and critics are polarized by him, either thinking he definitely should or should not be in the Hall.  Convincing arguments have been made for both sides.

Jim Rice never reached those “automatic” Hall of Fame statistics (pre-steroid era “automatic” statistics anyway) of 3,000 hits, 400 home runs, 2,000 RBI’s, or a .300 batting average.  Over 16 seasons in the majors, he did accumulate an impressive 2,452 hits, 382 home runs, 1451 RBI’s, and a .298 batting average.  Rice was voted in the top 5 for the MVP award 6 times, winning it once.  In 1978, he was first in home runs and RBI’s and third in average, just missing the prestigious Triple Crown (being first in each category).  Rice was elected to 8 All-Star games.  He is the only player in major league history to have 3 consecutive seasons hitting 200+ hits and 39+ home runs. 

Check out the 10 players most similar to Jim Rice (based on statistics) on www.baseball-reference.com.  Four of the 10 are Hall of Famers (Orlando Cepeda, Duke Snider, Billy Williams, and Willie Stargel).  A great aspect of Rice’s career too is that he got stronger as the season went on.  His numbers rose steadily month to month through September/October throughout his playing days.  That is the kind of production a team needs from its star players.

Though Rice is remembered for his offensive gifts, he was an adequate left fielder for the Red Sox.  He ended his career with a .980 fielding percentage as he came to peace with the Green Monster over the years.

There is some legitimate criticism of Rice’s career.  For 6-7 years, he was one of the most dominant offensive players in the game.  After that time, his numbers did start to decline to baseball mediocrity though he remained feared.    He was also much more productive when playing at home (.320/208/802) than on the road (.277/174/649).  Pesky’s Poll says that being more comfortable at Fenway than at Yankee Stadium just means you’re a civilized human being, and this should not be held against you.

Statistically, Jim Rice is not a first ballot Hall of Famer, but his career should be based on much more.  Pesky’s Poll has done its homework and offers you some other considerations. 

My contact in Japan had an impressive story to relay.  “In 1983, a survey was conducted throughout all of Japan.  When asked who they would want to protect them if Godzilla were to invade their town, 67% voted for Jim Rice.  Bruce Lee was a distant second with 17%.”

A friend in the Dominican Republic convinced us further.  “My daughter was dating a real scum bag -- someone you would cross the street to avoid.  The more I complained to my daughter and the more I threatened this guy, the more they saw of each other.  So one day I pull this guy aside.  I tell him ‘My friend Jim Rice is coming to stay for awhile.  I gave him a job to do.  He’s going to escort you on all the dates you take my daughter on.’  That was the last we ever saw of him, and life has been great ever since.  Funny thing is I’ve never even met Jim Rice.  I do still keep a picture of him above my door, though, to ward away evil.”

Statistics make you a player, but stories like these make you a legend.  Pesky’s Poll has determined that Jim Rice should be in baseball’s Hall of Fame (at the very least there should be a spot in the Hall of Fame for people who broke bats by taking check swings).  Positive actions are in motion and ready to take over in 2009.  What does the rest of Red Sox Nation think?  Answer the poll below to determine the future of Mr. Rice.

Should Jim Rice be elected into the Hall of Fame in 2009, his final year on the ballot?

View Answers

Yes

1 (100.0%)

No

0 (0.0%)