Posted by Rob Bradford

Click here to listen to the Big Show’s interview with Rangers beat writer Evan Grant, who left American League MVP Dustin Pedroia out of his Top 10 on his ballot.

Here is a partial transcript of the interview, which aired on Tuesday afternoon:

Evan Grant: Sure, fire away. Before you go into any questions let me say this. I know Red Sox Nation is extremely passionate and I did vote Kevin Youkilis as the AL MVP.

(Where was Dustin Pedroia, 11 or 12?) Grant: He was in different ballots I had cooked up as late as mid-September I was toying around with him as my AL MVP … It was probably before he had some big, big games in late September.

(When did you file the ballot?) Grant: I didn’t file the ballot until after the season was over …

(Did you not say at one point you were viewing him as the AL MVP?) Grant: I did say that and I did say at one point and time I had scenarios where I considered him as my AL MVP … The stats I weighed the heaviest I think when it came down to everything were things like OPS, batting average with runners in scoring position, clutch hitting type situations. And when I looked at Kevin’s numbers compared to Dustin’s numbers, they dwarfed them in those situations.

Grant: What I did want to say was it was completely and totally, based on what my all my colleagues, all of whom I respect very much, have voted today was that my opinion was totally wrong. Dustin Pedroia did belong on the ballot and he did belong in the top five. When it came down to it, again I looked at those numbers and looked at guys individual success. I’ll just go back and look, I’ve wrote this down since I’ve been bombarded today, Pedroia was 18th in OPS in the league, he was 30th in batting average with runners in scoring position, he was 53rd in OBP with runners in scoring position …

(Runs, doubles, hits, multi-hit games …) Grant: It’s entirely acceptable if you don’t agree with my opinion.

(There is no way somebody who watches the game of baseball and say Dustin Pedroia is not in the Top 10 candidates) Grant: I can only tell you as the month of September takes place I constantly put together an MVP ballot. I look at the entire season. After many conversations with players in the past I kind of changed my tune a bit. Most players have told me you shouldn’t value September over everything else because it is a 162-game season and you can’t because Carlos Quentin was hurt in September he can’t be considered …

(Yes you can) Grant: Well, that’s your opinion. I will be happy to tell your listening audience and all of New England that if they feel I was wrong in leaving Dustin off the ballot that opinion is entirely acceptable to me. But to suggest I don’t watch the game or to suggest I don’t know what is going on is a little bit unfair.

(I’m suggesting you didn’t watch Dustin Pedroia) Grant: I don’t cover the Red Sox.

(You cover baseball) Grant: I told you he was a Top 10 candidate. I just didn’t put him in the Top 10.

(How do you feel when your colleagues voted him as the MVP and you don’t put him in the Top 10) Grant: It makes me feel like my opinion is wrong … So I’m wrong, how wrong am I? … This is unproductive. If you wan’t to say I’m really wrong, then I’m really wrong.

(Everybody is entitled to their opinion) Grant: I’m obviously not because the minute I come on the air and do what I did you make me out to be an idiot.

(Reason?) Grant: I’m not going to convince you guys.

(What did Pedroia do or not do to fall out of your Top 10) Grant: He merited all the consideration in the world to be in the Top 10, but on the day after the season when I looked at all the numbers over the course of the entire season the body of numbers suggested that as good as a candidate as he was for the Top 10 I thought in my mind I could be comfortable with the other 10 guys.

(Grady Sizemore at nine?) Grant: I can see where people would … again, everybody else may be right and I may be wrong in retrospect and I will live with being wrong. I will tell you in a number of emails I have responded to people that I got too cute in trying to analyze the final two spots on the ballot. But do not sit here and insinuate Grady Sizemore didn’t have an outstanding season.

(How did things change after Pedroia had such a great August) Grant: Again, it’s based on the entire body of numbers over the course of the season. I know Pedroia won a Gold Glove at second base and Grady Sizemore is considered a Gold Glove defender in the outfield, too. Is Pedroia a better candidate in retrospect? Guys, I’ve acknowledged that time after time after time. I am telling you when I put together the list on the day after the season, ultimately the numbers I came up with all of that stuff led me to think hey wait a minute I don’t want to overvalue Pedroia’s guttiness and grittiness and if anything I may have erred on the side of statistical analysis.

(Did you take into consideration that he struck out only 52 times) Grant: No, I did not … I don’t know why I would take into account the number of strikeouts in an MVP candidate.

(Are you serious) Grant: How far down the list of strikeouts does it have to be to be considered an MVP? Where did Ryan Howard finish in the National League MVP? Where did he finish in the voting?

(I think where our disagreement is is that you don’t understand his game) Grant: What I value is getting on base and producing runs.

(He led the league in runs scored. The answers you’re coming up with ) Grant: I’m glad you guys have that opinion and that’s where you stand on that, but again this is a guy who did not lead his team in on-base percentage his numbers were dwarfed by Kevin Youkilis … I’ve been voting for the MVP for about 10 years now, I know how the ballot works.

(It’s not who is No. 1 or No. 2, it’s who is No. 10) Grant: Guys, all I can do is tell you is you’re right, you’re right and I’m wrong. I admitted I was wrong on my ballot in retrospect. If that’s what you’re trying to get out of me that’s what you’re getting out of me. I do not understand the process of continuing to go back and ask why I left him off the ballot. I just told I left him off the ballot.

(Trying to get answers) Grant: When I gave you my answers you’re not accepting them.

Grant: I’ve told you why I left him off the Top 10, you don’t buy that and I accept that.

(When you submitted your ballot did you think it was going to be controversial?) Grant: I didn’t really concern myself with whether or not it was going to be controversial. I think ‘99 was the year when I voted Pedro (Martinez) No. 2 and people were asking why the guy left Pedro entirely off the ballot … It is such a subjective award. It is so full of every year trying to put together what you’re impressions are and no matter what you say you only have a limited amount of exposure to each guy …

(In this day and age it is different) Grant: I’ll tell you this, I do have an opportunity. I cover my club about 12 hours a day, I sleep for about 6 or 7, and then the rest of the time I try to have a life. If you want to question my integrity, or whatever you want to do on that end, I don’t think that’s fair. If you want to disagree with my vote that’s entirely a fair point.

Posted by Rob Bradford

David Ortiz just spoke at Fenway Park, appearing to promote his charity golf tournament. Here is what he said:

(Regarding his wrist): ”I know it’s going to feel fine. It’s feeling better. I had inflammation at the end of the season, but it went away. Just like the doctors said, you take a month, a month and a half without swinging, you feel fine.

“There’s one thing I can control is what I time I go to sleep. That’s it. After that there are a lot of things you’re not going to be able to control, and injuries are one of them. You have to just deal with it and suck it up.”

(Did he feel like he was missing a lot of pitches he normally hits in October): ”Oh yeah. It wasn’t only October, it was since I got back I was missing a lot of pitches.”

(Do the Red Sox need another middle of the order hitter): ”I think so, I think so. Especially our division the pitching is improving a lot and next year, let me tell you, you’re going to have to face a lot of good pitching.

“We just need a few guys in the bullpen and another 30 home run guy and we’ll be all set.”

(Regarding the possibility of acquiring free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira): ”I haven’t thought about it because we have Mikey, we’ve got Youk. Mike just had surgery so you don’t know what’s going to happen, hopefully he comes back healthy. You definitely need to find another guy who can produce here.”

(About his concern regarding what moves the Yankees might make): ”All I know something crazy is going to happen out there. I know they’re going to do something because of the situation they have right now. That’s why we need to get stronger too.”

(Does he think Manny Ramirez will end up with the Yankees): “I don’t think so. I don’t think it will happen. I never heard Manny talking about that, about going to New York. I really think he will stay in the National League.”

(When was the last time he talked to Ramirez): ”Been a while.”

(Regarding the how the Red Sox finished up): ”Nobody said you’re going to win every year. Things have to happen for you to get better.

“We wasn’t the best team this year. We had a lot of injuries, we had our ace hurting, we got some key (players) missing. But we still show we can beat people up. We beat the best team in baseball, the Angels, and we were like 70-75 percent.”

(On if he thought the Red Sox would have won it all with Ramirez): ”I don’t know. Probably, probably not. I’ll leave it up to you.”

Posted by Rob Bradford

Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia confirmed that he had received word Wednesday afternoon that he was the winner of the 2008 Rawlings American League Gold Glove for his position. Pedroia’s reported that his first two calls upon learning the news were to former Sox infield/first base coach Luis Alicea and fellow infielder Alex Cora. The second-year major leaguer led all American League second baseman who played more than 115 games with a .992 fielding percentage, making six errors in 733 chances.

The news was first leaked out publicly on the Sporting Goods News Wire.

“I really didn’t think about it,” he said of winning the award. “I take pride in my defense, it’s a huge part of my game. In fact, my biggest (priority) is defense. I need to be extremely important to our pitching staff. I put in a ton of time with Luis Alicea and Alex Cora from Day One. It’s only my second year playing second base. I took extra ground balls every single day and it definitely paid off.”

Pedroia was the only member of the Red Sox to earn Gold Glove status, with last year’s winner at first base, Kevin Youkilis, being replaced by this season’s recipient, Tampa Bay’s Carlos Pena. Major League Baseball’s official announcement will take place at 4 p.m.

Pedroia, who began his workouts two days after the completion of the season with Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier, also credited his diligence last offseason at Athletes Performance with his success in the field throughout the 2008 campaign.

“I got a lot faster in the offseason,” he said. “I put in the time, did all the cardio workouts, speed work, and agility. That really paid off where my range got a lot better and my arm strength got better. I’m not the biggest guy in the world but I can make up with effort in the offseason.”

As for his thoughts on the Red Sox deciding not renew the contract of Alicea, Pedroia would only say, “He’s helped me out a ton. I definitely wouldn’t be a Gold Glove winner if he wasn’t part of it.”

Posted by Rob Bradford

So which presidential candidate (or other political candidate) did those in the sporting spotlight put their substantial financial weight behind? Thanks to the Web site ‘Open Secrets’ we have some answers (max donation is $2,300):

Gary DiSarcina, Manager, Lowell Spinner: John McCain

Theo Epstein, General Manager, Boston Red Sox: Barack Obama

Larry Lucchino, President, Boston Red Sox: John Kerry

Tom Werner, Chairman, Boston Red Sox: Joe Biden, Jeanne Shaheen

Curt Schilling, pitcher, former Boston Red Sox: John McCain

Alex Rodriguez, third baseman, New York Yankees: Rudy Giuliani

Hal Steinbrenner, Executive Vice President, New York Yankees: John McCain

George Steinbrenner, owner, New York Yankees: Rudy Giuliani

Robert Kraft, owner, New England Patriots: Democratic National Comm.

Gene Orza, Chief Operating Officer, MLB Players Association: Barack Obama

Darryl Hamilton, Executive, Major League Baseball: Barack Obama

Bud Selig, Commissioner, Major League Baseball: Democratic National Comm.

Danny Ainge, Executive Director of Basketball Operations, Boston Celtics: Mitt Romney

Rich Gotham, President, Boston Celtics: Mitt Romney

Wyc Grousbeck, Owner, Boston Celtics: Mitt Romney, Barack Obama

Jeremy Jacobs, Owner, Boston Bruins: John Edwards

Posted by Rob Bradford

Posted by Rob Bradford

For whomever might be interested, here is a very small snapshot of some of the rehab work Mike Lowell did over the past week at Fenway Park before heading home to Florida Thursday …

Assistant trainer Mike Reinold stretching Mike Lowell's injured hip

Mike Lowell is administered cold compression to his injured hip

Assistant trainer Mike Reinold assists Mike Lowell in administering the brace the third baseman will be using to stay mobile while rehabbing his injured hip

From Red Sox assistant trainer Mike Reinold: ”Early in the rehabilitation program the emphasis is on recovering from the trauma of the surgery itself (ice, compression, gentle range of motion exercises), restoring motion and muscle activity of his hip and entire lower extremity (basic isometric exercises for the hip and strengthening of his other leg muscles) and normalizing his gait (crutches and exercises to help him walk normal again). Once this initial period is over, we can begin to emphasis more of the strength and balance of his legs and core, which will be a several week phase. He can then begin to integrate his normal offseason and baseball activities. At the end of the program, he will likely be even stronger and agile than before.”

Posted by Rob Bradford

Email the following url to share these photos with a friend:
http://blogs.weei.com/robbradford/2008/10/28/celtics-opening-night-photo-slideshow