OT - Ex Bruin Ben Francisco torments the Rays

by Fox 71 on May 17, 2009 11:36 AM PDT Comment 14 comments

Ben just hit a three run homer off Andy Sonnenstine. Ben is now 5 for 6 with three homers and 7 RBI's lifetime against Sonnenstine.

Andy Sonnenstine was deemed to be the next Greg Maddux by the Rays. Mediocre stuff, but able to hit the corners, etc. The problem is that his stuff is so mediocre that guys tee off on it if its anywhere near the plate, as his 8-plus ERA this year indicates.

Yet Sonnenstine is in the majors and David Price is in the minors. I guess I don't understand things.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

1 recs | Comment 14 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Point of Semantics

I prefer “Bruin Alum” much better than “Ex Bruin.” Ex Bruin sounds like he ripped up his diploma (although, I suppose, Francisco may not have received one).

I know it doesn’t really matter. Your Rays need to regenerate some of their emotion and momentum from last year.

by Barnes2JJ on May 17, 2009 11:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Examples

Jrue Holiday is going to be an “Ex Bruin” very soon.

DC will be remembered as a “Bruin Alum”

HUGE DIFFERENCE.

by Nestor on May 17, 2009 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good point, Barnes

I stand corrected.

(Rays have made a comeback, even with the manager’s monumental gaffe. Maddon listed both Longoria and Zobrist at third base in the lineup, Longoria was to have been the DH. So when Zobrist took the field in the top of the first, that meant that Sonnenstine was now the DH and the pitcher. Anyway, Sonnenstine made it though five innings, the Rays got a bunch off some stiffs the Indians threw out there, and he stands to be the winning pitcher if the Rays bull pen can get three more outs. A very strange game. )

I’m getting the Rays, the Dodgers-Marlins game and the Yankee Minnesota game. (The Dodgers embarrassed the Marlins.)

by Fox 71 on May 17, 2009 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

AL East

The AL East is wide open. The Yankees are playing down to expectations, as usual. The Red Sox are a bit of an enigma right now. The Rays are underperforming. Toronto is probably overperforming. The Orioles are probably where they belong.

I think the Rays will stay competitive this year, assuming no more bizarre lineup card errors. That was very strange, huh?

by Barnes2JJ on May 17, 2009 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Fox

I don’t understand why Price isn’t in the majors either.

by gilbert on May 17, 2009 1:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The word is that he's working on another pitch.

Assuming he’s only got one pitch, he still should be in the majors. A couple of the Rays pitchers have less than one pitch.

by Fox 71 on May 17, 2009 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The $$$ is what I keep hearing

Keeping him in AAA-ball for a couple of months will delay his arbitration eligibility by one season, or more accurately, preventing his arbitration eligibility from jumping forward by a year. Whether that is worth the competitive cost of his absence from Tampa, I cannot answer.

by bruinhoo on May 17, 2009 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yup

They don’t want to start the clock on him.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on May 17, 2009 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rays management is very astute at this sort of thing.

They did the same thing with Longoria last year, but finally saw the light and gave him a long term deal. I hope the same thing happens with Price.

by Fox 71 on May 18, 2009 3:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

They didn't see the light with Longoria

They kept him in the minors long enough to delay his arbitration/free agency. As a result, his long-term deal takes him to his first eligible year of free agency, which is one year later than it would have been because they kept him in the minors. When you’re a small-market team like the Rays are, it’s necessary and the Rays do it well.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on May 18, 2009 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's what I meant

They are well aware of how to keep their payroll in line. It looks like attendance is up a bit, but probably not enough to have any significant impact.

The Rays do a lot of things well. One thing they do which the Bruins might want to emulate to alleviate a little traffic congestion is to give free parking when there are four in the car. I took advantage of that a couple of times, and had to find another couple to drag along which increased attendance a bit. Food for thought if Dan Guerrero is reading things.

by Fox 71 on May 18, 2009 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

One note about Evan Longoria

When I was a sophomore in high school, I got to play a game against Longoria while he was still in high school. I was playing center field and Longoria hit one of the farthest home runs I’ve ever seen directly over my head. I didn’t even both taking a couple steps back because it was clearing the fence by a good 80-90 feet. He’s undoubtedly the best high school hitter I’ve ever seen, then was one of the best college hitters I’ve ever seen and is now one of the best hitter in the majors.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on May 18, 2009 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The longest homer I saw was by a high schooler named Ron Woods

He played for Compton High against Lynwood, and hit it over the 440 sign in left center and across the street behind that. He ran all out the whole way because he didn’t think it could possibly go out. As far as I know, Woods never played pro ball, but he was sure good in high school.

by Fox 71 on May 18, 2009 5:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Final comment about Bruin Alum Francisco

He ended up hitting another homer off Sonnenstine. He’s now 6 for 7 with four homers and two doubles and eight RBI’s. (I confess I’m not 100% sure about the RBI’s.)

Those of you old enough to remember Jim Healy will remember his story about Curt Bevaqua, who insulted one of Tommy’ Lasorda’s pitchers. Tommy said “(Bleep)in’ Bevaqua couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a (Bleep)in’ boat. When I pitched, I used to send a (Bleep)in’ limo to pick guys like Bevaqua up to make sure they would get to the ball park.” I’m sure Francisco will send a limo to the Ray’s hotel to pick Sonny up when the Rays go to Cleveland next week.

by Fox 71 on May 17, 2009 9:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs