Let’s keep him.
I’m an analyzer. I like to look at the stats, watch batting practice, see how players carry themselves during interviews, all before I make a calculated decision…do I like them? Do they work hard? Do they understand the pressures of playing in Boston are due to the fact that they play in the city that cares most about baseball?
I have little “Kate” categories. The Dirt Dogs–Trot, Tek, Timlin, Paps, Schilling, and Youk, of course. There are some others, too. I have phenomenal respect for the guy who goes out there and works hard every day that he can. Then there are the others. I don’t mind them, but they’ll never be true Dirt Dogs.
So far, Dice-K is a keeper. I have to admit, when I read about the $51.1 million posting fee, I was annoyed. I thought Theo and Co. had gone off the deep end. When I heard about the $52 million, I blew a gasket. I was convinced we were going in the Evil Empire direction, and having lived there for a year and witnessed the YES network frequently, I was not prepared to go there. To say the least, that year (2003) left me a tad bit bitter.
After Spring training, zillions of articles, press conferences galore, and more importantly, after today, I think: maybe this will be ok. Maybe this actually was a good investment. Like always, we’ll just have to wait and see, but so far…things are looking up. Dice-K may even be a Dirt Dog.
Stumble it!