Reach out and touch someone...

Does anyone recall the old Ma Bell commercial: "Reach out and touch someone"?

That's what John Henry did last week when he personally picked up the phone and called Mike Lowell. It's about time. Didn't Shakespeare say: "The first thing we do, Let's kill all the agents"? Oh, wait, that was lawyers...right. Same thing. It was the right thing to do, John, I'm always a believer in the personal touch. The Red Sox wanted Mike Lowell and Mike Lowell wants to be a Red Sock. That's what is most important. To me...and to most of Red Sox Nation. I haven't met a person who isn't thrilled about the deal but I've met a lot of folks who'd have been really pissed if it hadn't gone this way. Say what you want about Damon, and business is business...but, if the rumors are true, the same Evil Empire who snatched Damon in 2005 offered Lowell 2 more years and a lot more money - to play first - and, he's still a Red Sock. It's not all about the money for everyone....sometimes, it's the love of a team. That's what Red Sox Nation is all about and guys like Lowell fit in beautifully.

A-Rod is back exactly where he belongs. All just seems right with the world once more.

I don't want Curt Schilling's return to the roster go unmentioned. I'm glad to have him back for his final year. I think that his quick trigger finger on the signing for free agency was just Curt being Curt (learned it from Manny?) - I don't think he had the confidence the Sox wanted him back...thus all the hype/talk/lists...whatever, Curt, I understand, you did what you thought you had to do. Welcome home. I respect and admire your willingness to put the physical aspects into your contract - come back in February in great shape, make this your year. Just don't be like Roger - you say you want to end your career in a Red Sox uniform, you say it's your final year - don't stand on the mound on your final start of the season and bring your loyal fans to tears of memories, only to come back as an Astro next season, that will just cheapen it.

Now. I've heard rumors about a major trade for Johan Santana. Ok, Theo....here's the situation. Go ahead and give 'em Coco. Go ahead and give 'em Lugo. Heck, throw in Wakefield and Mirabelli as a set....Ok, that's not enough? Then, give 'em Buchholz or Lester (though I'm not as willing). Fine. It's not that I'm not loyal to these players, I am....but, again, I do understand this is a business. But, whatever you do - do NOT give 'em Jacoby. I know that you can't give 'em Crisp and Ellsbury....and I know they want Ellsbury. Let Santana go to the Yankees, then - don't give up the kid. You gave up Gabbard for Gagne...and I'm not about to let you live it down. You owe me (and the rest of Red Sox Nation) one. This is it...I'm calling it in.

11 weeks to Spring Training! Enjoy the time off, guys...

Sincerely yours,

Ann, the Red Sox fan

WS MVP or A-Fraud...you be the judge

Everyone knows I'm a fan. Most people who know me are aware to what extent. So, when this slimy, little man poked his head into my office yesterday and asked me who I favored for 3rd baseman 2008 - I expressed my opinion openly in favor of Mike Lowell. Now, I have no problem with any fan expressing an opposing opinion - but, this particular greasy, imbecile of a man verbally attacked me. He said I was being "emotional and short-sighted...A-Rod is the best player in baseball, why wouldn't you want him on your team?"

Let's get something straight, Andy: You've confused emotion with passion and loyalty. It’s not about being short-sighted. In fact, it’s the opposite - it's about giving careful consideration and side-by-side analysis of the whole picture - not just what's on paper. That's business.

I am so tired of hearing people say that A-Rod is the best player in Major League Baseball. Rodriguez is talented, no denying that. But - Oh – I’m sorry – has A-Rod been named MVP of the World Series? Don’t think so. Has A-Rod even played in the World Series...EVER? Nope. Not in 12 years. Mike's got 2 rings now. Anyone know the final batting average for these two players? I do. Mike Lowell batted .324 in 2007. Alex Rodriguez batted .314. That's right. Look it up: http://www.mlb.com/ Ok...the RBI and the HR counts are in the pinstriped's favor...but, Mike Lowell had more assists in 2007, and a lower FPCT. And, yeah - Mike Lowell had 3 more errors than A-Rod...but, may I remind you: 3 of Lowell's errors were in one, single game way back in April - everyone's entitled to one bad day. I was there, I remember.

And...business is business? Ok, then. Let's talk business. A-Rod is looking for a $300 million deal. What sense does it make to put all of those eggs into just one basket when you can make that money go a lot farther with the guys who got us here? Boston is not a team that needs just one superstar to fill seats or sell tickets. Fenway sells out every night, we even have the largest base of fans attending away games....don't you just love it when you're watching an away game on NESN and all you can hear is the crowd chanting: "Let's Go Red Sox" ?? The Red Sox are not starving for a great power hitter - one super, sure thing to aide along the rest of a pathetic line-up. We just won the World Series in 4, for crying out loud. Why expend all of that payroll, all of those resources on just one player who has no World Series experience? It was all about postseason - Lowell, Beckett, Schilling, Ortiz, Ramirez, Varitek, Youkilis...they all have rings. And, the power in a line-up of Ellsbury, Pedroia, Ortiz, Ramirez, Lowell - has proved itself, time and time and time and time again.

And...why not get a little personal? I've heard some people say: "But, Lowell is so old!" Ok, folks, don't let the distinguished (and, in my opinion, sexy) salt-n-peppa hair fool you - Lowell is only a year old than Rodriguez. So...that aside: Let's look at each player's expectations, shall we? A-Rod is looking for a highly publicized $300 million/10 year contract. Mike Lowell: it took me some time to find this info, because there aren't 100 stories about our WS MVP's demands - looking for a top end of $60 million/4 years...would consider $45 million/3 years. Hmm. And, they're relationship with the front office: Larry Luchino himself is quoted: "“We’re going to think long and hard about Mike Lowell, (that’s) where we’re going to be spending our time thinking, that’s where we’re going to be focused" - the Yankees won't even talk to A-Rod.

And...their reputations in their clubhouses and ability to be "team players".

Here are some things said about Mike Lowell by his teammates:
-Varitek said. "He's such a special teammate to play with.
-Schilling said: "Fortunately, he made his worth here extreme"

-Papelbon: "Man, he's a phenomenal guy, he's awesome. You know, MVP and everything, and a great man."
-J.D. Drew has said he's the best teammate Drew's ever had

Mike Lowell is a rock - a literal cornerstone of the Red Sox at 3rd base as well as a respected and valued leader/mentor in the clubhouse. He displays a level of professionalism that can have so much impact on the very young, developing players on this team. Mike is also a cancer survivor, like our young Lester. He's got courage.

This is what I was able to find reported about A-Rod's rep with his team:
-"Jeter said nothing about whether he would want Rodriguez back, or if he was disappointed or wished Rodriguez had not opted out." (Source: Kat O'Brien from Newsday)
-"Jason Giambi told me: I’m always asked two things at parties: ‘What’s Jeter like?’ and ‘What’s A-Rod like?’ Answer No. 1: ‘I love Jeet. He’s a fun guy.’ Answer No. 2: ‘A-Rod’s as gifted as anyone who ever played the game.’”1

-"Though a perennial All-Star and M.V.P. candidate, A-Rod was considered a stats-first phony in the Yankees’ clubhouse. Many teammates privately called him A-Fraud."2

-"During his four years in New York, he never put the team before himself: It was always all about A-Rod.”3 (1,2,3 came from: Franz Lidz, Conde Nast, Portfolio.com)

Oh...and Alex couldn't even be bothered to show up at WS 4 in Denver to collect his Hank Aaron award. Too busy filing for free agency, too busy cashing his last Yankee paycheck. It's all about A-Rod.

Which guy would you want on your team? The guy whose mouthpiece announced his free agency during the most opportunistic 8th inning of the World Series, or the guy who said this: "Now is not the time,' Lowell said yesterday about his impending free-agent status. 'I will think about it in the next couple of days."

When you do the side-by-side comparison - similar age, similar stats - how could the Red Sox possibly fall in favor of a 10-year contract vs. a top end 4 year contract? Talk about being short-sighted.

To me, there's nothing to think about...Theo, don't spend another minute thinking about it, pay Lowell what he wants and don't look back. No brainer. Spend the rest of your off-season trying to figure out how to put more seats in at Fenway.

And, to you, young Steinbrenner - think about eating some crow and wooing A-Rod back. The Yankees and Alex deserve each other.

On the "Sign Lowell" bandwagon,

Ann, the Red Sox fan