What Are We Boston Now?

I thought this was a dumb post on benching Sosa, but this hits new levels of stupidity.

Northside Lounge does an excellent dissection of the Tribune article so you should go check that out.

This kind of crap happens every time Sosa goes into a slump. People calling him a worthless bum, he is in decline, he isnt worth the money we are paying him, he is a cancer on the team. It is like clock work. Yet every time, Sammy gets hot and shuts up his critics. The critics will go into ignore mode for awhile waiting for the next slump to unleash the proof of his decline. I do feel for these people, because eventually they will be correct. But that is like saying some day you are going to die. Really? Your freaking kidding me? I am going to die?

They want him gone now because of one simple point. He isnt the Sammy Sosa that hits 60 hrs and drives in 140 RBI year in and year out. That is the main reason Sosa takes his flack from his critics. They will deny it and say he strikes out to much, doesn't walk like he used to, and other dodges. But guess what? Sammy has always been strike out prone, and traditionally has never been very good with walks except for a few season's.

In other words the critics are spoiled and want the 98-2002 Sammy Sosa. Guess what guys? Your not ever going to get it. And you will never be happy with a .270 hitting Sosa with a .350 OBP who hits 40 hrs and drives in 100 RBI a year, now or for the next 4-5 years if he puts up this numbers. You will never be happy until the day he is gone.

This is the way I think of it, he put up some of his best season's in his prime years and is now settling back down into, how do I say it, more normal pattern. I never bought into the myth he should be able to continue that pace to age 35+. I would be happy as hell if he did, but no way would I be disappointed or think Sosa is less of a player.

I don't agree with posts and articles calling on Sosa to be benched or retire. They are entitled to their opinion, as am I. That's why we comment on our blogs about things that are passionate to us.

In the end I think it is dumb to be openly rooting for the demise of Sosa when he is still sporting around a .900 OPS, and if he continues to hit .261 for the year he will have 36 hrs, 82 RBI in 447 AB's. I might jump on the band wagon when it dips to a .700 OPS for the season, but I will always respect his time in a Cubs uniform and hope he retires a Chicago Cub.

To finish let me just take one quote from the Tribune article and respond....

Despite the occasional dinger, you have left more men stranded this season than Paris Hilton.

If all you watched were the last couple of weeks you might be correct, other than that his point is a flat out lie.

Sosa with RISP 2004 - .293 BA - .430 OBP - 7 HR - 35 RBI - 18 BB - 17 SO's - 72 AB's. (1.055 OPS)

Which in turn mirrors his 3 year splits with RISP - .292 BA - .456 OBP - 37 hrs - 211 RBI - 134 BB - 124 SO's - 401 AB's. (1.067 OPS)

The key has always been to get as many people on ahead of Sosa as possible because according to the AB's to RBI he has a 50% chance of knocking in a run. Factor in his walks with RISP and he does a damn good job of either knocking in the run or simply taking the walk to extend the inning for another hitter. That is why Sammy Sosa will remain in the #3 or #4 spot for now, and for the near future.

I don't know guys am I just dumb for wanting to keep a guy with a 1.000 OPS in the middle of our order with RISP?