Bruno's Top 10 posts/stories of 2009

Believe it or not the end of another decade is approaching (in approximately seven and a half hours of this post) and around the sports blogging community some have been posting top 10 Boston sports moments of the decade.

Well I'm not going to be doing that and instead counting down the top 10 posts/stories of 2009 here on Batter-up with Bruno. 

Mid-January will mark the blog's fifth birthday from its original creation in 2005 on AOL Journal's and its third since moving to Google's Blogger in February in 2007.

It's come a long way and hopefully my new and old followers will continue to follow me in 2010 and see what's in store for the next decade. 

With that said, here is

 

Bruno's Top 10 posts/stories of 2009:

10. Should the Red Sox go after John Lackey?

Surprisingly GM Theo Epstein did and also reeled in outfielder Mike Cameron as well. I original wrote that post toying with the idea and one month and five days later it became a reality.

9. Bruins done, 'Canes kill 'em

After sweeping the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, the Bruins got beat by the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games in the semis.

8. Follow us on Twitter

On April 26, I decided to take a leap of faith and join the Twitter craze. It's probably one of the best and smartest decisions I've made as far as networking with other Red Sox bloggers. So far I have a total of 210 followers and have to check at least a couple times a week to spam people.

7. Red Sox 2009 season wrap-up: Angels return the favor and sweep ALDS 

Jonathan Papelbon was due to give up runs, earned and not earned in the post-season and unfortunately it had to come in blown fashion as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim stole the show away and blasted Boston to advance to the ALCS to face the New York Yankees.

6. Fang's Bites links Batter-up with Bruno twice in one day

I had no idea what this would lead up to and no idea who this person was, but it was the start of my blog's growing network. Ken Fang found my blog on Bleacher Report, which I joined in June. Another smart decision made in 2009. Since the initial linkage, my blog has been also linked on Boston Sports Media Watch, SOX & Dawgs, Sox Addict, Red Sox Monster, Masslive.com (The Springfield Republican's website), National Sports Journalism Center, Boston Band Wagon, and Big League Screw.

5. No more SOX & Dawgs? Top Red Sox website shutdown (for now)

After covering a high school football game I came home to find out Ian Bethune, blogger and owner of SOX & Dawgs shutdown his site effective immediately after the Sox game. The news shocked the blogging and Twitter communities. The good news is it only lasted for two weeks. 

*I would also like to note that Ian found my blog on Yardbarker during the 2009 offseason and since then he's helped me out a lot including convincing me to join the Twitter craze and have me post whenever I want on his blog, so thank you Ian for everything this year.

4. What is up with these random commentators? 

Red Nation took a scare in 2009 when color announcer Jerry Remy was diagnosed with lung cancer and took an indefinite leave from the broadcast booth from May to late August. For almost four months Don Orsillo teamed up with multiple others including Buck Martinez, Dave Roberts, Sean Casey, Tony Massarotti, and Dennis Eckersley. The 2009 season was definitely one of the eeriest to watch and listen to.

3. I totally called it; David Ortiz linked to steroids

After the Manny Ramirez bombshell in May, two months later Ortiz's name surfaced as another ballplayer who was linked to using performance enhancing drugs. It shocked Red Sox fans all over, but it wasn't as shocking especially with the decline of Big Papi's performance numbers, yet somehow he still managed to hit 28 home runs and drive in 99 runs. 

2b. Mike Reiss to leave Globe, join ESPNBoston

This was only the first of many other movements to come, which is way this is split into two parts. After Reiss left, Boston.com's Chris Forsberg followed and former Globe Red Sox beat writer Gordon Edes left Yahoo! Sports to come back to Beantown and cover his team again for the local market.

Other movement at the Globe: Albert Breer replaced Reiss, Zuri Berry replaced Forsberg, Peter Abraham joined the Boston.com staff for Red Sox coverage, Adam Kilgore was moved from the Sox beat to the Patriots, Christopher L. Gasper was named a new columnist joining Bob Ryan and Dan Shaughnessy, Julian Benbow was promoted to become a Celtics beat writer along with Frank Dell'Appa who still covers the Revolution, Gary Washburn replaced Marc J. Spears who left for Yahoo! Sports on the National Basketball beat, and Monique Walker was also promoted for Patriots coverage. Tony Massarotti joined 98.5 FM The Sports Hub, but remains part-time for Boston.com.

Another shocker was Peter Gammons leaving ESPN to join NESN.com and the MLB Network.

2a. How much is too much? Boston pro sports sites uncovered; and The Boston Globe will always be No. 1 ESPNBoston

These two posts go with one another. For some reason 2009 was the year of everyone hopping on the Boston sports coverage bandwagon and one of the reasons more than likely was because of my number one post/story below.

Boston.com now has intense competition with NESN.com and CSNNE.com, which were both revamped over the past year, WEEI.com, and now with ESPNBoston, which already has effected the Globe by taking away two of its staff members. Also 98.5 FM The Sports Hub joined the sports radio airwaves in competition with WEEI 850 AM. 

In this down economy, at least it's creating more jobs for Boston sportswriters. 

1. No more Boston Globe?!!?

This was by the far the most posted and talked about story of 2009. I think I legitley ticked off a lot of people too, especially on Facebook with the coverage. When the news first broke it was my biggest nightmare coming true. What started in the beginning of April was dragged out until the end of June, but after it was all said and done, the Globe and Guild reached an agreement including a pay cut, reduced benefits, and unpaid furloughs.

Happy New Year!!! What will 2010 bring...???

Merry Christmas!!!

Will Jason Bay be the new Johnny Damon in Boston?

There's something cooking in New York and no, it's not the Mets.

Melky Cabrera got shipped away to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Javier Vazquez as he'll have his second stint in pinstripes.

With Curtis Granderson as one of the newest outfielders for the Yankees this doesn't seem surprising, but with Hideki Matsui off to California (even though he served as a designated hitter in 2009) and Johnny Damon more than likely on his way out, why trade away an outfielder?

Unless, there's another sure deal in the works.

That's where Jason Bay comes in. 

No matter what anyone says, Bay is not coming back to Boston. It's more than clear.

Bay could very well be the newest signing in New York after Christmas.

If that does happen, where does this leave Red Sox fans? 

Will he be another traitor just like Damon?

Will fans boo him so hard every time his name is announced or comes to the plate at Fenway they'll lose their voices?

Or how about making creative signs to show their true feelings?

Yes it would be devastating, I mean this guy came from the Pittsburgh Pirates and no one knew who he was until he replaced Manny Ramirez in 2008. Now all of a sudden everyone wants this guy including the Yankees. But it's true props to Theo Epstein for finding him first.

It always seems to happen this way. Maybe Bay will be smart and go to Seattle like everyone else.

Mike Lowell Texas trade off; Good or bad for Boston?

The Mike Lowell to Texas trade is officially off reported by Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe.

Lowell needs to have surgery due to a torn ligament in his right thumb.

He'll have surgery later this month.

The original deal was sending Lowell along with $9 million of his remaining $12 salary for the 2010 season to Texas in exchange for catcher Max Ramirez. 

Maybe this isn't such a bad thing.

The Rangers plan was to send Lowell across the diamond to play first base. Perhaps Boston should think about doing the same. 

Or after the surgery, perhaps Theo Epstein could try to move him again in a trade package, but that seems unlikely at this point.

How awkward that must be for Lowell and Epstein. It's like, 'Hey so it looks like you'll staying in Boston after all, heh, heh. I hope you understand our situation, no hard feelings?'

With Lowell's class, there shouldn't be a problem. Maybe even better he could produce to prove everyone wrong. He shouldn't be an everyday guy just because of his hip and if he were to switch over to first base if the Red Sox don't trade for Adrian Gonzalez, him and Kotchman along with the versatility of Kevin Youkilis could all rotate. 

It's just one possible scenario if no other moves are made. But in reality, more moves need to be made especially with the loss of Jason Bay's bat.

Even without Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox team is scary

Do the Boston Red Sox really need Adrian Gonzalez?

Of course he'd be the ultimate prize and prime solution for first base, but it still wouldn't be the end of the world if he winds up not coming to Boston.

Theo Epstein made some very smart transactions this week signing John Lackey and Mike Cameron.

Lackey bolsters the starting rotation with Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Clay Buchholz, and Tim Wakefield.

Cameron fills the void of the departed Jason Bay, which isn't official, but pretty much likely. Bay is not returning to Boston, end of story.

The outfield will feature Cameron, Jacoby Ellsbury, and J.D. Drew.

That's not too shabby is it?

With the current players on the team, here's what the lineup could look like:

1. Jacoby Ellsbury LF/CF

2. Marco Scutaro SS

3. Dustin Pedroia 2B

4. Victor Martinez C

5. Kevin Youkilis 3B

6. J.D. Drew RF

7. David Ortiz DH

8. Mike Cameron LF/CF

9. Casey Kotchman 1B

* Or have Scutaro more towards the bottom of the lineup and move everyone else up.

What's wrong with this lineup?

The one question mark will be nonetheless David Ortiz, but say if the Mike Lowell trade falls through? Why not keep Lowell and have him DH and get rid of Papi? At least Lowell can still produce the numbers and won't strikeout all of the time.

The Sox don't absolutely need Gonzalez, but of course he'd be nice to have. It's all about not being too greedy, which is better known as the New York Yankees.

Memo to Theo Epstein: Don't trade Jacoby Ellsbury!!!

Theo Epstein you're a fool if you trade away Jacoby Ellsbury, one of your homegrown even if it's to bring in Adrian Gonzalez from the San Diego Padres.

Why in the world would you trade away a clutch defender, 70 steals, leadoff hitter, something that any Boston Red Sox team 

hasn't seen ever?

There are other options Theo. Even if it's parting with Clay Buchholz, which would also be a shame since the starting rotation on paper looks to be more deadly than even the reign World Champions (dare I say it) New York Yankees.

Tim Wakefield will be iffy in 2010, there's no question about that so why ship away a reliable arm?

The signings of John Lackey and Mike Cameron make it easier to trade both Buchholz and Ellsbury, however who is going to play left-field and who'll lead off?

Yes I know, it'll be for Gonzalez, the 27-year-old who hit 40 home runs and drove in 99 runs and also walked 119 times, but you can't have enough pitching unless Boston might be willing to risk and sign Chien-Ming Wang who left on not good terms.

Just in case you've forgotten, Wang was the Yankees No. 1 starter and won 19 games in 2006 and 2007.

Marco Scutaro can't lead off and he certainly won't steal 70 bags. 

Move Ellsbury to left-field if you have to because whether you like it or not, Jason Bay is not coming back and it's quite a shame really, but what are you going to do.

The Sox would be deadly if they acquire Gonzalez and the move makes sense, but throw in Max Ramirez instead of Ellsbur, there are other options, this isn't Nomar Garciaparra.

Mike Lowell for Max Ramirez WHO!?

Mike Lowell who was the 2007 World Series MVP is reportedly being dealt over to the Texas Rangers along with $9 of his remaining salary for catcher/first baseman Max Ramirez.

FOXSports.com first broke out with the news late Wednesday night about the trade however Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston reported that the deal isn't done yet after he contacted Rangers GM John Daniels.

Ramirez, 25 has only played in 17 Major League games in 2008. He didn't play in 2009 at the Major League level, but at two minor league levels. His combined stats aren't that impressive.

He batted a combined .230 with 5 home runs, 45 runs-batted-in, 15 doubles, 36 walks, and struck out 93 times in only 80 games. 

Now the question is why? Why trade Lowell and eat up most of his contract for this guy?

The trade shouldn't be a complete surprise, but this is far from over. Moving Lowell means something else has to go down.

Scott Boras suggested yesterday that the Red Sox trade Lowell and sign Adrian Beltre.

Yahoo! Sports is suggesting that's exactly what's going to happen.

To be continued?

Red Sox offseason notes: Who's the next acquisition? Bay, Holliday, Halladay, or Harden?

With the shortstop position officially filled with the signing of Marco Scutaro, many wonder what the next big signing will be.

So far there hasn't been anything big looming with left-fielder Jason Bay, but MLBTradeRumors.com reported that the Seattle Mariners are making a big push for him.

Speaking of the Mariners, it looks like they want to be serious contenders in 2010 as they already inked Chone Figgins and might also be in the mix for John Lackey. 

The Sox already lost Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito to the Atlanta Braves who are bolstering its bullpen.

What is Theo Epstein waiting for? 

It's either going to be Matt Holliday or Bay to fill the left-field hole and if Boston wants to be contenders with New York, they have to add another arm not only to the starting rotation, but now the bullpen.

Besides the Roy Halladay sweepstakes rumors, now Rich Harden of the Chicago Cubs is in the mix.

Who's it going to be Boston?

Red Sox to open 2010 season in Australia false

There was a claim earlier that the Boston Red Sox would be opening up the 2010 season in Sydney, Australia.

The Sunday Telegraph, the Sunday edition of The Daily Telegraph reported:

"THE Boston Red Sox, one of the world's most famous baseball teams, are coming to Australia for a Major League game at our own field of dreams - the Sidney Cricket Ground - next year."

The story said that team officials watched the Danny Green-Roy Jones Jr. fight at Acer Arena on Wednesday night as guests.

The Boston Globe's Peter Abraham posted later on the Extra Bases blog that the reports were not true saying a "Red Sox source said the story wasn't true."

That's too bad, but then again I'm sure the players are even more relieved that it's not true. Can't imagine how they felt after the Japan opener in 2007, in yet they also made it to the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

But then again, everyone knows how that ended.

Coming in January 2010: BUWB Top 20 College Newspaper Sites

With the MLB trade rumors in full force, I've been taking a break from the college newspaper reporting scene, but have concocted a masterful idea.

In January 2010, Batter-up with Bruno will list the Top 20 college newspaper sites in the country.

The list will solely focus on the site, not the actual newspaper. With the changing journalism industry it's only fair.

The rankings will be based on five categories:

1. Overall design and appearance

2. Navigation

3. Frequent Updates

4. Story content and writing

5. Multimedia

Each of those categories will earn between 0-5 points and that's how the list will be compiled.

If you have any suggestions of sites to look into feel free to contact me or leave a comment under this post.

Spread the word and let the games begin.

Forget about Polanco, Phillies ink second baseman

In less than 24-hours, the Placido Polanco to Boston rumors are dead. 

The Philadelphia Phillies inked the Detroit Tigers second baseman for a three-year $18 million contract The Detroit Free Press reported.

With Polanco off the market, perhaps those Dustin Pedroia moving over to shortstop rumors will die too.

At this point, it's all about Marco Scutaro, whether you agree or not.

Why mess with Dustin Pedroia's success?

Apparently the Boston Red Sox management is in complete panic mode.

Last night there was quite a stir in New England when the words, Dustin, Pedroia, and shortstop were all mentioned in the same sentence.

With the shortstop position in complete crisis mode, one "solution" is possibly moving the current and Gold Glove winning second baseman to his old position in while playing for Arizona State in college.

Is this really a smart move?

Pedroia isn't foreign to the position, but he hasn't played it since 2006 while he split between Pawtucket and the Red Sox.

A similar comparison would be when the New York Yankees shifted Alex Rodriguez to third base from shortstop to make room for him on the roster and on the diamond since Derek Jeter already filled in that slot.

Pedroia won a Gold Glove in 2008 and has flashed a lot of leather around in his three full big league seasons.

He's committed only 18 errors in those three seasons out of 2,021 chances and exactly six errors per season.

Why mess with Pedroia's success? And suppose it doesn't work out?

There's already a rumor going around that the Sox are interested in 34-year-old second baseman Placido Palanco who wasn't offered arbitration from the Detroit Tigers.

Wait, another 34-year-old? What is it with these guys?

Marco Scutaro or Palanco?

On a defensive stand point, Palanco made two errors in 151 games and Scutaro had 10 errors in 43 games.

Oh what to do Boston, can we please get it together?