Felger on Craig Breslow: He’s not the guy
The Boston Red Sox introduced Craig Breslow as their new Chief Baseball Officer on Thursday morning. On Thursday’s Felger and Mazz, Felger gave his thoughts on the hiring of Breslow!
Is Craig Breslow “the guy” for the job?
Felger: You can tell there’s a tone of my voice and it’s because I don’t know, Mazz, I’ll just tell you straight up….No, no, nope, nope, nope, nope. I can’t stand the way these modern baseball executives talk. I can’t stand it. And I know most of what I’m going to rail about is a baseball problem because he’s hardly the only Ivy League nerd. At least he called himself that that’s out there. So I understand this goes on across baseball. So it’s a Red Sox problem and a baseball problem. But I cannot stand the way these guys talk. In football when they hire a new GM, like the guy gives a podium talk, I know this, but I still see and hear someone who’s played the sport and I still hear a football guy.
Mazz: This makes me long for Joe Judge.
Felger: When there’s a hockey GM up there, he’s got a Canadian accent and he talks about the boys in the room and I know I’m listening to a hockey person. When I listen to one of these baseball guys, I don’t know what I’m listening to. I’m not listening to something involving sports. So, yes Murray, you’re right, it’s the whole league. It’s the whole sport. I hate it. But I’m telling you, I said the same thing on day one of Chaim Bloom and I’ll say the same thing day one of this guy….I don’t know if there’s a guy in there. It’s another clone and sorry, nope…you don’t got the guy. Not the guy. Not the guy. Not the guy. Not the guy.
Listen to Felger and Mazz from 2-6 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with hosts Mike Felger, Tony “Mazz” Massarotti, and Jim Murray “Big Jim”. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow @FelgerAndMazz on Twitter to keep up with the show!
Every Rookie of the Year in Red Sox History
3. Carlton Fisk – 1972
BOSTON, MA – MAY 26: Jarrod Saltalamacchia #39 of the Boston Red Sox shakes hands with Hall of Famer and former Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk, after Fisk threw out the ceremonial first pitch before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on May 26, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Gail Oskin/Getty Images)
A 21-year-old Carlton Fisk had his baseball career interrupted after joining the Army Reserve, but he came back with vengeance in 1972, winning Rookie of the Year, finishing 4th in MVP voting, and taking home a Gold Glove behind the plate. He ended up slashing .293/.370/.538/.909 with 22 homers, 28 doubles, and 9 triples. Fisk was the first unanimous AL Rookie of the Year and is still the last catcher to lead the AL in triples.
4. Fred Lynn – 1975
American baseball player Fred Lynn at bat for the Boston Red Sox, late 1970s. Lynn played for Boston from 1974 – 1980. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Fred Lynn owns the most memorable Rookie of the Year campaign in Red Sox history. On top of bringing home the Rookie of the Year award, he also won American League MVP, a Gold Glove, and helped lead the team to a World Series appearance against the Reds. It marked the start of 9 straight All-Star appearances.
5. Nomar Garciaparra – 1997
Nomar Garciaparra #5 of the Boston Red Sox looking on during the game against the Anaheim Angels at Edison Field in Anaheim, California on Aug. 5, 1999. The Angels defeated the Red Sox 8-0. (Tom Hauck/Allsport)
After a cameo in 1994, Nomar Garciaparra exploded onto the scene by winning Rookie of the Year and finishing 8th in MVP voting in 1997. He ended up socking 30 homers and batting .306/.342/.534/.875, which led to him winning the only Silver Slugger of his career. Jose Cruz and Jason Dickson finished behind him in Rookie of the Year voting, but neither received any first place votes.
6. Dustin Pedroia – 2007
BOSTON, MA – MAY 07: Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after throwing the runner out at first base in the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds during the interleague game at Fenway Park on May 7, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Dustin Pedroia was the last Red Sox player to accomplish the feat and it’s arguably the most memorable storyline of the 2007 World Series championship. After a slow start in April that talking voices hammered constantly, he finished the season with a final line of .317/.380/.442/.823 with 8 homers and 39 doubles. Now, whenever a top prospect tends to struggle, Pedroia is the very first name that comes to mind when certain parts of the fanbase are asking for patience.
