[johnny7]

There's something 'queer' about the way Boston scribes piss on their 'stars' that leave. It's kind'a like a 'jilted-lover' syndrome.

They haven't even removed the name from their locker and they start slinging the mud. GET OVER IT!

While these guys are there, Boston treats them like God's... the writers columns are filled with unctious, fawning adulation. But once they're gone... holy sh_t(pardon the pun)... they're the closest thing to human excrement!

It sadly reflects the logic that permeates Boston and Massachusetts in general.

[Fierce Allegiance]

Don't single out Boston or Mass. on this one. That's a lame statement. It's all local sportswriting.

[Klatuu]

And if Pedro had a couple of bad seasons would these guys have stood up for him? Or would they be calling for him to traded off?

[HEY4QDEMS]

While these guys are there, Boston treats them like God's

I don't think you read the Boston sports pages much. They have not been kind to Mo, or Nomar, and especially Roger. In fact most athletes who leave Boston (Basketball and Baseball mostly) usually cite the print media as one of the main reasons for leaving.

[LowCountryJoe]

I know what you mean, still all that bitterness even though they won the World Series. It's as though they still think of themselves as losers...come to think of it, it's much like the Republican Party's frame of mind in the U.S. Senate only it's not bitterness - it's skittishness instead.

[speedy]

I moved to Boston last summer, directly from New York, and I grew up in Philly, so I've gotten to see the reactions of three of the most sports-crazy cities first hand. There is definitely something unusual about the Boston fans. They are amazingly intense -- obsessive -- about sports, I think even more so than in NY or Philly. The odd thing is, they seem to be simultaneously both the most-knowledgable and the most irrational of fans. They know their stuff, and they REALLY care, but they do seem to turn completely against one of their own who leaves here. I don't mean the sportswriters, I mean the fans. I could not believe the way they ripped Nomar after he left, and just bring up Clemens's name if you want a reaction. I did not detect anything close to this among Yankees fans, who could have certainly felt jilted about Clemens's alleged "retirement" and subsequent return. Likewise when Andy Pettitte left, the fans just missed him, they did not start blasting him. As for the Philly fans -- well, as long as they have something to boo, they're pretty happy. Baseball is clearly number two in Philly, while in Boston it seems to be number one (lots more Sox talk than Pats, even though both are champs and it's football season.) In New York, I think it depends on who is winning. The two Boston athletes I never hear criticized are Bobby Orr and Yaz. Of course, I wasn't here when they were playing.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

The bad news is that the Cubs will have to face this pitcher much more often, now that he's gone to the Mets!

[Bigturbowski]

Hey... Just be glad you all aren't Kansas City Royals fans. I have to watch every player who comes through develop into an all-star only to be yanked up by the highest bidder. Nothing like having a AAA team to root for every year.

[Moosilauke]

I don't usually like Bob Ryan columns, but in this case he's right on target. Pedro is extremely high maintenance--he needs time off several times a year (dad's birthday, all-star break, summer solstice, etc.) The most the Mets can hope for is about 30 starts from him.

He's not a #1 on most pitching staffs. A #1 is a guy who can pitch every 5th game and get quality starts in most of them. Pedro's ERA when pitching on 4 days rest was about 5.00 last year. If he could pitch every 7 days, he'd be a very good pitcher (tho still limited to about 105 pitches). His stats may improve this year since he's pitching to pitchers instead of DH's. However, his headhunting tendencies may have to be curtailed somewhat as he'll be in the batters box once or twice every start.

His shtick is going to wear thin very quickly in New York. It's one thing to humor along your prima donna when you're in the midst of a pennant race with a serious chance of World Series success. It's quite another when you're 10 games under .500 at the start of September with nothing but next season to look forward to.

[1Old Pro]

There's something 'queer' about the way Boston scribes piss on their 'stars' that leave. It's kind'a like a 'jilted-lover' syndrome.

They actually think the players love their team as much as the fans do. They don't realize that 90% of the Red Sox would rather play for the dreaded Yankees and earn more money.

[Osage Orange]

John Henry is a smart guy...with a very interesting "game plan". I'd say they offered Martinez what they deemed his worth to Boston.

If some other club thinks he's worth more..so be it.

FRegards,

[CaptRon]

none of us will have to pitch in front of the Mets' defense next year.

Nothing much wrong with the Mets' defense. They do, however, leave a passle of men on base.

[Churchillspirit]

When the Anaheim Angels won the World Series in 2002, Scott Spezio played a major part. He later transferred to the Seattle Mariners.

I was fortunate to be present at the opening game at Anaheim this season, which was against the Mariners. When Spezio came out to bat he was given a prolonged standing ovation.

What a tribute to Scott, the Angels' fans and the game.

[green iguana]

While these guys are there, Boston treats them like God's... the writers columns are filled with unctious, fawning adulation.

You've got to be kidding me. Boston's writers are famously vicious when it comes to the players.

[Doohickey]

I wonder if they same guy wrote about how Pedro pissed on Montreal when he left there to go to Boston?

[rabidralph]

At least you have a baseball team. *sniff*