Q&A with Alan Greenwood, Sports Editor, Nashua Telegraph, Part 2 of 3
Alan Greenwood has been covering the Red Sox for 15 years for the Nashua Telegraph and has been a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America for 13 years, serving as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Boston Chapter since 2001. He grew up in Exeter, NH, graduated from The University of New Hampshire in 1981, worked at Foster’s Daily Democrat in Dover, NH for three years before coming to The Telegraph, where he became the Weekend Sports Editor in 1986 and the Sports Editor in 1994. Over the years he has covered the Patriots, Celtics and Bruins as well as the Red Sox.
What is it going to take for the Sox to go deep into the playoffs and contend for a World Series?
Everything boils down to pitching. Always, for every team, every season, especially now in the pitching-poor American League. If Matsuzaka is as good as he seems, and if Schilling has another solid year in him, and if Beckett gets his head on straight and if Wakefield is OK and if whoever the 5th starter is comes through, they have a shot at not only winning the division but going deep into October. I’m of the belief that the bullpen will take care of itself; outside of the elite two or three, relievers and closer in particular are the most overrated roles in baseball. Unless you have a Rivera-like closer who can be lights out for six months, you’re usually talking about interchangeable parts. Let’s hope Papelbon ends up being that guy.
Having a decent closer is important, but it isn’t going to decide the Red Sox’ fate this year. As a point of reference, consider the Red Sox’ closer and bullpen situation at the start of 2003 and how far they went (and should have gone) that Fall.
If the questions in their starting rotation mostly come out their way, and if the middle of their lineup is as productive as it has been and should be, the Red Sox have as good a shot as anyone.
Come back tomorrow for part 3
Stumble it!