I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Peter Gammons, who may, before all is said and done, be known as the most popular and influential baseball journalist in the history of the sport. Getting his start at the Boston Globe and spawning the Sunday Baseball Notes section of which Nick Cafardo currently pens, he has been in Sports Illustrated and ESPN and appears regularly on ESPN television programming. He is a Hall of Famer, having received the J.G. Taylor Spink award for outstanding baseball writing in 2004.
Last year, in his ESPN Insider blog, he graciously mentioned Fire Brand of the American League as an influential Red Sox blog that many club officials read. Today, he joins us to answer a few questions about the Olde Towne Team…
Are the rumblings that the Red Sox refuse to be outbid for Mark Teixeira true? If so, what do they see in the future for Lars Anderson and what would they seek in a Mike Lowell trade? Why would they want Teixeira instead of patching other holes? What would they do if they signed Teixeira and couldn’t trade Lowell?
They look at Teixeira at age 28 and see a star who can produce for an easy eight years, then figure out what to do with everone else. I don’t think they’re in the mode of refusing to be outbid; they never work that way. But with the age of Ortiz and Lowell, to put Teixeira in with Youkilis and Pedroia in their primes would give them offensive predictability.
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| Anderson – Portland Sea Dogs |
They don’t know what they have next year in Lowell or Ortiz, although I’d be hesitant to give up on them. Lowell says he is progressing very well, and Cora was stunned by how far he’s come, and I believe that Ortiz will come back with his knee, wrist and condition far different. But if they have Teixeira, they can get to spring training and see what happens.
As for Anderson, there may be a 1b/DH situation, maybe he can play some outfield, but they think he was born to play in Fenway because of his ability to drive the ball in the air to left center.
In light of the Ramon Ramirez acquisition, where do the Sox see Justin Masterson best profiling as? And who do you expect to assume the fourth outfielder mantle?
Considering that after being such a terrific team guy Crisp wanted to go, I thought getting a cheap, young, high strikeout, high groundball power arm (and Dayton Moore raves about his aptitude) like Ramirez was terrific. Masterson can now start or relieve. My guess is that in time, Justin will be a starter, but the more flexibility, the better. They’ve been talking to Rocco Baldelli, and I’ve wondered if, given Arizona’s money crunch, if they took Eric Byrnes’ contract, would it be possible to get Montero. Byrnes would be a very good fourth outfielder.
What young catcher do the Red Sox covet the most (Saltalamacchia, Teagarden, Montero, etc) as their future catcher? Will they be able to land this person? Are they expected to solve the future of catching this year or could they hold it off a couple more years?
I don’t think Texas will trade Teagarden, and their asking price for Saltalamacchia has been either Buchholz or Masterson and Bowden; not happening. I know they like Montero, and with the Angels’ catching depth, Jeff Mathis is an interesting guy. I keep thinking that if the Sox offer arbitration to Varitek that he will take it, collect $10M and help develop whomever they acquire.
So apparently CC Sabathia’s either going to take the money (Yankees?), go out west (Angels? Dodgers?) or stay in the NL (Brewers?). Which route and team do you see him taking? Is there a possibility of the Sox putting a surprise bid in?
I don’t think the Red Sox will jump on CC, knowing it would take $150M. Don’t underestimate Arte Moreno and the Angels, although if it comes down to money, the Yankees might creep to $160M. CC wants to pitch on the West Coast.
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| Ortiz – Evan Brunell |
A lot of fans seem to be concerned/convinced that David Ortiz is on the decline and should leave as a free agent after 2010 or 2011. Do you agree? Why?
Ortiz could not work out properly last winter after knee surgery, and the weight, the knee and, finally, the wrist lessened his year. But, remember, in 2007 he led the majors in OPS in September, and Manny Ramirez batted behind him in one game. Be careful writing him off too fast.
What can Dustin Pedroia possibly do next to top what he’s done in his first two seasons?
I’m not sure Pedroia can top his offensive stats, but he will continue to improve every minute phase of his game. I do think if they get more power behind him, he will concentrate more on pitch selection. I talked to friends at Athletes Performance Institute in Tempe that say he’s more obsessed than ever. I want to see some of those marathon ping pong matches between Pedroia and Brian Roberts, whose tennis/eye/hand coordination skills and off every chart.
Some place the smaller seat revenue of Fenway over the comprehensive worth of Fenway. What do you think the value is of having the Sox playing in “the Cathedral” of parks to growing and sustaining Red Sox Nation? Does this national and international status create additional revenue to ownership from multiple other streams? If so, does this status and revenue help Boston retain competitive parity with the truly large market teams?
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| New Coke seats at Fenway – Evan Brunell |
This ownership looked around and saw there’s no land for a new park, and they’ve done a brilliant job marketing Fenway and the Red Sox brand. There is a limited ceiling to revenues, but I can’t believe they will not remain in the top 3-5 in revenues even with the $2500-a-seat tickets at the new Yankee Stadium. How about those tradeoffs to give Mayor Bloomberg his luxury box.
How do you feel blogs, both as a tool for grassroots media like MVN, as a part of mainstream media like Extra Bases, or as an athlete’s direct to fan communication device have changed the media landscape? Do you think media is better now in total because of it, less collectively informed (given Bob Costas’ arguments), or just different? How do you think media and coverage of the game will continue to evolve?
The media world has dramatically changed, and I feel the blogs are part of our landscape. Are there instances when there is little accountability? Yes. Do I think we need reporters who understand players as people? Yes. Do I agree with everything? No. Look, I always read every word that Sean McAdam writes, because he is a giant. But the fact remains that if you line up the seriousness of good bloggers vs. the angry white minority shock jocks on radio–not Michael Holley, for instance, but those whose worlds exist to spread agenda–are superior to listening to talk radio. My car has Sirius, so I listen to Rivals Radio (I love college football), Little Stephen’s underground and the BB King blues station.
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If they can tear down Yankee Stadium, they can tear down Fenway…no where near the history in Fenway!!! I don’t care what Peter “I’m a huge Red Sox Fan” Gammons says!!!
Fenway has just as much historical value…. you are just biased because you are a yankees fan. Quiet down.
It’s Little Steven’s Underground, outside of that, nice interview of the legend.
at least the Sox owners aren’t boning their fans with the “new stadium” being built…. Where is your tax money going??? Pretty good for a third place 200 million dollar payroll!!
I’m sure the lack of viable land was an issue, but the main problem for the Henry ownership had to be the amount of debt necessary to purchase the club and then building a new Fenway. The Yankees can’t have the same level of debt as the Sox. At some point (5+years or so), Henry will need to revisit the topic. In the meantime, a clue might be any real estate purchases the Sox make in this down market.
“They look at Teixeira at age 28 and see a star who can produce for an easy eight years, then figure out what to do with everone else … with the age of Ortiz and Lowell, to put Teixeira in with Youkilis and Pedroia in their primes would give them offensive predictability.”
I’d just like to thank Peter for saying the same thing that I’ve been saying since Tex became a free agent… everyone who think that signing Tex is a mistake isn’t looking at the BIG picture.
Nice work overall Evan!
Great interview Evan, Gammo is great.
Fenway is a treasure, and unlike Yankee Stadium, it continues getting better with age. And I am certainly happy that Mass. isn’t paying $500-$800m for a new ballpark.
Peter Gammons, may, before all is said and done, be known as the most popular and influential baseball journalist in the history of the sport. Or maybe someone will remember Henry Chadwick.
I certainly know of Henry Chadwick, and he was covered in brilliant faction in “The Numbers Game.”
Still stand by my statement, though.
How about talk about teams other than the Red Sox and Yankees. There’s a thought. Peter has been the best reporter in my lifetime, and is slowly losing all interest due to the fact that he won’t get his head out of the Red Sox/Yankees ass.
Your tax dollars in the state of Mass is going into the pockets of everyone in Beacon Hill. Fenway is a dump and you know it! Just add some more 2×4’s, chicken wire & green paint and keep sending your money to Stubhub and Acetickets for standing room only seats.
Sox/Yankees share an ass?
RED SOX SUCK
POTD.
Fenway is a dump just like the entire city of Boston.
The same holds true for you – Yankee Stadium has just as much historical value…. you are just biased because you are a Redsox fan. Quiet down.
Fenway park sucks and you and all your mass*ole friends know it.
Just keep on adding more plywood, chicken wire and green paint! What a fun place to see a ballgame?
“Posted by Anonymous in reply to comment from Anonymous” That’s informative..
Jack, you dig on Fenway was already taken by “Anonymous” in comment #11. If you’re going to troll please try and come up with some new insults.
Jaba, have you been drinking again?
Jaba?
Get it right…..
“Fenway has just as much historical value….”
Um, no.
Yankee Stadium
- Hosted 37 World Series
- Hosted 4 All-Star Games
- 3 perfect games (Don Larsen 1956 WS)
- 7 No hitters by Yankee Pitchers
- Louis vs. Schmeling (amongst other big boxing matches)
- 1946 Army vs. Notre Dame football game
- 1928 Army vs. Notre Dame football game (”win one for the Gipper”)
- 1927 Yankees (Murderer’s Row)
- 1998 Yankees (114 Win Season & WS)
- Former home of the New York Giants
- 3 Papal masses
- Lou Gehrig’s Speech
- Reggie Jackson 3 HR game in 1977 WS
- Monument Park
- “The Bat”
- The Frieze
- Bob Sheppard
- Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York”
- 9/11 Memorial Service
- Built with concrete developed by Thomas Edison
- Known as “The house that Ruth built”
Fenway Park
- Hosted 9 World Series
_ Hosted 3 All-Star Games
- 8 no hitters by Red Sox Pitchers
- Carlton Fisk’s HR in 1975 WS (I would also mention Bucky Dent’s HR, but that would be a dig)
- 1967 Red Sox (The Impossible Dream)
- 2004 Red Sox
- Green Monster
- Pesky’s Pole
- Yawkey Way
- The Lone Red Seat
- Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”
- Known as “Fenway Park”
Now if I missed some stuff in Fenway History, I’m sorry, but I’m more knowledgable in Yankee history. You could also make the argument that Red Sox fans are more emotionaly attached to Fenway than Yankee fans to Yankee Stadium (although it could be argued either way).
When you look at the facts, Yankee stadium does have more historic value.
O.K., then. Joba. He can’t pronounce it, I can’t spell it. Whatever.
Being to oldest still used baseball park has no historic value?
Sorry about that Shane you are a writter, a news man, a dictionary. com guy, just like your Boston Pal Gammons. Let me ask you are you going to make it to the Hall of fame for doing absolutly nothing as well?
Sorry that I didn’t put Jack ASS instead of Anonymous in #11.
Really I’m really sorry.
Thanks for the heads up.
The Yankee Stadium they are tearing down is not the one for most of the historic moments mentioned above. It was essentially a new stadium built in the mid-’70s on the same footprint as the old. For all the changes the Sox have made Fenway is still much more in keeping with the original than Yankee Stadium II ever was. It will be interesting to see what kind of atmosphere Yankee Stadium III brings.
I agree, Yankee Stadium II was a 1970’s dump. The old one is where the nostalgia lies.
Are you serious? This is a Red Sox blog last I checked. I think it’s OK for Mr. Gammons to talk Red Sox here.
Kinda sad that, after getting a rare interview with one of the best baseball guys of our time, this thread has turned into a troll-fest. Despite it all, great job Evan. Keep it up.
Impressive, Evan. Congratulations for a great interview.
A trade for Montero and Byrnes is certainly an interesting idea. We can have the catcher we need and even when Byrnes is a salary dump for Arizona, he still is usefull for us as a 4th outfielder.
Actually, the Lone Red Seat is at Kansas City’s Kauffman Stadium. All of Fenway’s seats are red.
Sad that this turned into a pissing contest over who has/had a better stadium. I will say that all history aside that Fenway is a nicer place to watch a game than Yankee Stadium was, just for me personally it is more aesthetically pleasing (the green seems easier on the eyes than that ugly blue color) and honestly in better shape (remember the 90s when the stadium was collapsing?) but I’m biased, whatever.
I like the idea of getting Montero, but is there any player more worthless and annoying than Eric Byrnes, even if he would be a nice 4th outfielder, I just don’t want to have to watch him or see him do interviews or hear his voice.
Interesting though from Gammons about Anderson possibly playing some outfield, I hadn’t considered that because everything we’ve been told says he’s a pure 1st baseman.
Ummm…
http://www.redsoxconnection.com/redseat.html
By the way, I know you jumped on this much earlier, but the major outlets are reporting that Tazawa is going to sign a 3 year major league deal with the Sox worth about 3 million
Gotta echo M.A.G.’s comment. Congrats on getting Gammons for an interview. You also showed up on MLB Trade Rumors today for the second time this month. Major props.
It is sad though that this publicity is bringing the level of discourse down to mud-slinging and name-calling. One of the best things about Firebrand is how we, Sox and non-Sox fans, all foster an atmosphere where you can talk about the Red Sox, and baseball as a whole, in an intelligent, respectful manner.
Keep up the good work!
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Not all the seats are red, Kevin ;)
varitek takes arbitration? not sure about that
Varitek taking arbitration would be incredible.
Notice that the new Yankee Stadium has fewer seats than the old one. Now, the difference isn’t dramatic, but it does speak to a realization that has occurred across the league: bigger isn’t better. While having 80,000 seats can potentially draw more revenue, when the Marlins play the Pirates in September and there are 50 people in the stands, that 80,000 becomes a major p.r. liability. Now granted, 50 people in the stands would look bad anywhere, but the point remains: keeping stands with that many seats looking full is a major onus, and t.v. shots of empty upper decks look terrible. Perhaps even more importantly, when people can always get tickets they’re less inclined to rush out and see a game–simple, obvious supply and demand. In Boston, seeing a sox game requires serious planning or a mark-up on StubHub. It means that when people do have the rare opportunity to see a game, they jump on it, even if they’re not the biggest fan. This is really, really simple economics, and I think it speaks to why John Henry & Co. held on to Fenway. What revenue they lose in the short term they gain by increasing the attention to and love of their brand.
If they know what’s good for them, they’ll hold onto Fenway as long as they possibly can, lest they turn what used to be an American icon into the Shawmut Center/FleetCenter/TD Banknorth Garden.
*sigh* The Yankee fans are just mad that they have become irrelevant and they know it. They are the ones playing catch up now.
Yankee Stadium saw a lot of great players and a lot of great moments but to put down Fenway just because they are tired of hearing about it is just assanine. Maybe they should have nursed their history more and learned from John Henry and company. Fenway and Wrigley are the best parks around and they can’t be replaced.
Agreed, Bob. I don’t think Byrnes would be too pleased to find himself in a 4th OF position in Boston. However, perhaps Boston could soothe his ego by talking about how much AB Coco got?
I loved the Lars concept as well. Is it possible he’s our future left fielder? I’ll have to ask Lars.
Flexibility is always a huge plus with a up and coming player. Take Youk for example. It’s impossible to put enough value on his ability to play 1st and 3rd so smoothly. Now, can Lars play left adeptly and handle the Monster? I really don’t know. But it sure would make things easier in a couple years. Especially if we somehow end up with Tex. Either way, I cannot contain my enthusiasm about Lars. I do understand it’s a realistic possibility that he doesn’t pan out. But if you can’t get excited about this kid, someone needs to check your pulse.
I don’t care what kind of blog it is!!! The “Sux” win a couple World Series in the last 100 years and all of a sudden, Boston is the formost authority on all things baseball? You have to be kidding!! In the last 10 years,I think the Yanks are still the leaders in World Series Titles!!! Don’t forget your lean times Red Sox fans, they are what made you guys great. Peter Gammons is the most biased baseball analyst around hands down. Don’t get me wrong, he is great and a HOF’er, but I can’t take him seriously when he talks Yanks-Red Sox…it is not an unbiased view of the rivalry. He takes every chance he can to rip, quipe, etc…the Yanks.
I don’t care what kind of blog it is!!! The “Sux” win a couple World Series in the last 100 years and all of a sudden, Boston is the formost authority on all things baseball? You have to be kidding!! In the last 10 years,I think the Yanks are still the leaders in World Series Titles!!! Don’t forget your lean times Red Sox fans, they are what made you guys great. Peter Gammons is the most biased baseball analyst around hands down. Don’t get me wrong, he is great and a HOF’er, but I can’t take him seriously when he talks Yanks-Red Sox…it is not an unbiased view of the rivalry. He takes every chance he can to rip, quipe, etc…the Yanks.
W…wow. Dude, you need to quit your troll behavior. We are more than happy to discuss baseball with you in a reasoned manner, but stop being so biased. You think Gammons is the most biased baseball analyst around? I think YOU are more biased than him.
If Lars can play LF, and honestly he couldn’t be much worse than Manny Ramirez or Adam Dunn, then signing Tex seems like a great idea. It’s a big if, but I don’t think the Red Sox have any plans to trade Lars or block him, they believe way too much in the kid. If they acquire Tex then I think they’ll get creative to find Lars a spot in the future. If left is a possibility then you can sign Tex and let Bay walk after this season and slot Anderson in Left then in 2010 you have Ortiz-Tex-Anderson mashing in the middle of the lineup, with a Tex-Anderson anchoring the lineup for the next 6 or so years. Like I’ve said before there are worse problems to have.
I thought Jeff Mathis was a smart option for the new catcher until I looked at his stats, they’re not so hot although he is only 25 and he is a top notch defensive player. Still, I just watched Varitek fail to catch up to 85 mph fastballs for a whole season, I don’t want to see another catcher with a 55 ops+
Joe I understand that you think Gammons is biased, but if your team isn’t playing well people are going to say mean things about them. It doesn’t mean that they’re out to get them, it just means that they weren’t that great. Or they might just hate the Yankees so much that they need to take every possible dig at them, I can respect that.
I’m pretty sure that Lars hasn’t played LF (or any outfield) in a long time now (not with the sox organization anyways). So how long would it take him to get the feel for the field again?
Plus if you moved Lars to LF and Tex was 1B and Ortiz at DH, wouldn’t you rather have Bay in RF (hey if Lars can play LF, Jbay can play RF lol) instead of an injury prone JD Drew?
Don’t get me wrong i love what JD brought to the table this year, but i think going into the future Jbay is a better player with more consistency.
Wow…very nice piece, and awesome interview. Peter Gammons is amongst my earliest memories of baseball (when the game was pure and my favorite sport before the ‘94 strike). Simply the best in the business. Fire Brand is a big step up after this interview. Good job, Evan.
Great interview Evan. I especially like Peter Gammons’ knowledgeable support of David Ortiz, Justin Masterson, Clay Buchholz, Michael Bowden. They are keepers who will bring us again to post season.
I wonder if anyone has realized yet that when The House That Ruth Built is torn down, Fenway Park will be one of the last places remaining on earth where Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, the Mick, Yogi, Whitey and all Yankees and Red Sox legends have played. Fenway, in the American League, will soon be the last of its kind, unfortunately. Like the old Yankee Stadium, it is hallowed ground. IMO, Boston and Chicago should be thanked by baseball fans everywhere for keeping their historic baseball grounds alive and well, and support keeping them going.
My grand-daughter is excited about going to a game and seeing where her father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather watched the DiMaggio’s, Mantle, Yaz roam the OF. The very second Fenway comes down, God forbid, that link will be irreparably broken, and baseball in Boston will be substantially diminished.
The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are very old, so is the Louvre, but they are not junk . . . they are links to the past. The Steinbrenners decided to sever the Yankee baseball link to the past, for the bottom line, by destroying the Babe’s House (thereby reversing the curse?). The owners of Fenway have decided to preserve this old lady and keep her looking as good as possible. May she live another 100 years.
What a shame that Firebrand gets a date with Peter Gammons and the result is a thread full of Yankee trolls.
You know what? I never want to hear about Yankee history again. Not a word. The Yankees deep-sixed The House That Ruth Built for the sake of some more luxury boxes. That tells you everything you need to know about their FO’s opinion of the value of history.
I truly believe these facts about Gammons: He knows baseball inside/out, his pieces are great work and he’s Sox fan. I truly believe he’s one of the few that separates his feelings as a Sox fan from his writing/interviews. The fact that people believe he’s biased (especially from reading this piece) makes me believe they’re biased. This is a Sox blog which means that most of the information is going to be about the Sox and who better than a knowledgeable baseball/Sox fan than Gammons. And might I add that NO where in his answers does he portray a bias. He is simply stating facts and answering the questions to the best of his knowledge. I think Evan has done a wonderful job and asked all the right questions that many of us Sox fans were also asking.
With all due respect Ray how can anyone claim Gammons separates his feelings when it comes to the Red Sox? Peter not only is a card carrying member but is the founding father of the Kiss Theo’s Arse At All Costs club. Ask Manny Ramirez and Larry Lucchino about the Three Faces of Eve….errr Peter Gammons. Pete’s a good writer but as with all media he carries forth an agenda for his boy.