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Apparently frustrated by the inability of Josh Bard or Jason Varitek to catch Tim Wakefield's knuckleballs, the Red Sox have reacquired Doug Mirabelli from San Diego in exchange for Bard, minor league pitcher Clay Meredith, and cash, which has to be paid all in Susan B. Anthony dollars. This, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.com.
Except the part about the Susan B. Anthony dollars.
Jack Curry of the New York Times had written a very long piece about catching Wakefield's knuckler.
It included quotes from Bard.
Bard said he doubted there would ever be a time when he and Wakefield "kick it into automatic pilot." Sliders, changeups and curveballs are pitches Bard has mastered. But the knuckleball tricks catchers, Bard said. It torments them, too. It made Flaherty retire, which is not an option for Bard."The biggest thing is, I believe in myself," Bard said. "I'm not going to hide in the corner. I know my talent is going to come out and I'm going to get through this."
Good luck with that Josh.
And the Boston Globe confirms the story as well.
Bard leads the majors in passed balls with 10. Ramon Hernandez and Kenji Johjima have four each.
It doesn't appear to be working right away.
My mind just about melted every time Wakefield took the mound this year. The only thing that worries me is that we may be forced to keep Mirabelli way past the point that he's useful with the bat, if no one else is ever found who actually can catch the knuckler. I suspect some borderline backup-type could get himself a job in Boston in the next couple of years by training himself to do just that, so when Mirabelli's done, the Sox will turn to him.
And now Damon is getting booed.
Mr. Tower is going to lose his job if the Padre keep playing like they are now, seriously, the Padre's way of "upgrading" their team after a freakishly succesful season (in which they sucked a little less than a really bad division) bewilders me.
At this rate, wouldn't surprise me if they finish at the bottom 2 in a division with no playoff contenders.
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