Posted by:
Mike Dowling on
April 6, 2007 at
2:54PM EST
O-K let's take a step back and look at Daisuke's debut realistically and put it in it's proper perspective.
-Impressive that Daisuke was able to overcome the cold weather -a great thought when remembering how cold it is when the games really count in mid to late october. Remember Daisuke pitched the majority of his games
in japan in domed stadiums.
-Just as impressive was that he actually met (maybe even exceeded, tho how can you possibly exceed 103 million bucks) the unbelieveably high expectations of the money spent to bring him here (AND the 150 japanese media members- and do not discount that pressure from his homeland to be the savior).
-The Royals are not good (tho they certainly cuffed around Schilling), so realistically we should expect an overpowering performance.
-Daisuke's out pitch appears to be a fastball(bringing to mind Pedro and Clemens)- and a fastball that has some real pop AND movement to it. You'll love this!
-So all in all- Red Sox fans should be happy but let's not order the Cy Young award quite yet.
-Other quick hits,
-Varitek's bat looked quicker than I thought. I don't think he'll hit for a high average (I'm thinking .245 ish) but he is in such good shape that I think he will hit 15-18 home runs.
-Coco Crisp does not look good at the plate. Can you say Willie Mo?
-Irony of all ironies- Manny got a double when the Royals right fielder played Manny's hit like, well like Manny would have- a slow undecided jog. Tho, Mark Teahan had a little excuse- he has never played the outfield before this year.
-Kauffman stadium in Kansas City is beautiful and located in a very well designed stadium complex with the Chief's Arrowhead Stadium with LOTS of parking. What a breath of fresh air.
If you have not attended a major league baseball other than at fenway park, do yourself a favor-Do it, and do it soon. Yankee and Shea stadiums do not count- Go to a park which has been built in the last 15 years-Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Detroit, Kansas City, San Diego, San Francisco (do I need to go on) and enjoy a nice relaxing, uncrowded day at the park. You won't feel the passion that you do at Fenway, but it is wonderfully relaxing.
