Thursday Links

Everything is coming up Mookie. Picture by Kelly O’Connor, sittingstill.smugmug.com

For most of us, “Mookie Madness” was an experience that was only felt through a minor league box score or a game recap, but on Wednesday night Red Sox nation got to see first hand what Mookie Madness is all about. Down by4 runs in the 8th inning, Betts’ sharp grounder to short looked like a routine out. However, Betts didn’t just bust it down the line and beat Alexei Ramirez throw to first, he kept running to a vacated second base. Betts’ aggressive base running sparked a 3 run Red Sox rally, which trimmed the deficit to 1. In the 9th, it was Betts again sparking a Boston rally. With the Red Sox two outs away from another one run loss, White Sox reliever Javy Guerra hit Betts’ in the side with an errant pitch. Daniel Nava entered the game as a pinch hitter and promptly served an RBI double into left field-center to knot the score at 4. However, the score didn’t stay tied for long, as the next batter Brock Holt lined a single into right field to score Nava and win the game for Boston.

• Upset with his lack of offense this season, the Red Sox cut ties with veteran backstop A.J. Pierzynski prior to Wednesdays game. To fill the vacant catching spot, Boston summoned 23 year old catching prospect Christian Vazquez from AAA Pawtucket. Most believe that this move signals the beginning of the teams integration of young talent. (Red Sox designate A.J. Pierzynski for assignment, call up Christian Vazquez)

• While he is seven games deep into his rehab outing, Will Middlebrooks — remember that guy? — is not close to returning to the majors. Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington wants the 25 year old to gain consistent at-bats, and get more exposure to the corner outfield spots. (Middlebrooks not close to return)

• While there is 72 games left this season, being in last place in the AL East and 11 games below .500 has put the Red Sox in a seemingly insurmountable hole. Therefore, Boston should sell their valuable major league pieces, promote their promising prospects, and start to formulate their plan of attack for the 2015 season. (The season is over for the Red Sox)

• When the Red Sox signed A.J. Pierzynski, they knew just what they were getting. The 38 year old had built a career on being a free swinging, defensively challenged backstop with a nasty attitude to match. So it’s really no surprise that Pierzynski never really fit in with the Red Sox “all for one” clubhouse mentality. (The AJ Pierzynski problem was worse than anybody could have imagined)

• Christian Vazquez’ ascension through the minor leagues hasn’t been nearly as publicized as fellow Red Sox rookies Xander Bogaerts or Mookie Betts, but Vazquez is no less the prospect. When watching the 23 year old backstop break into the majors, you’ll see that his defense is worlds better than his predecessors, but his bat needs some work. (What to expect from Red Sox rookie catcher Christian Vazquez)

• Tweet of the day: In time, perhaps we’ll have our own Molina-type