I often wonder what Dan Shaughnessy would write about if he weren't disparaging the Red Sox. Well, we're all of one game into the 2004 season and he's in mid-season form. Pedro Martinez got off to a decidedly rocky start last night at Camden Yards in 43 degree weather, but looking at the box score, his performance was better than most -- just not better than Sidney Ponson. Pedro gave up 3 runs (2 ER), 1 walk and 5 strikeouts. On most nights that will get you a win, just not this opening night.
It was a big night for the revamped Orioles -- they had their new star shortstop, Tejada; their new star catcher, Lopez; and their old-new-old 1B, Palmeiro. They all played well and were a large part of their success.
But of course Shaughnessy was more interested in Pedro, who he described in today's Boston Globe as 'the little guy.' He starts his story by picking up where the Red Sox left off last October (I wonder for how many years a Globe story will start, "Player X is still feeling the effects of the heartbreaking loss from the October 2003 game...") with the following observation:
"Pedro Martinez was back on the mound, but the problems that plagued him in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series in the Bronx last season and continued throughout spring training followed him into the second inning of a 7-2 loss to the Orioles."He followed that with:
"Martinez didn't stick around to talk about things after the game. In fact, team guy that he is, Pedro left the ballpark before the game was over. He must not have been feeling properly respected, or something like that."Here's a thought: Who cares? Pedro got off to a slow start -- as he's done many times before. He was hitting 88-90 mph on the radar gun -- just as he did at the end of last season. It was 43 degrees and there are still 161 games to go. I'm not even sure Pedro leaving the ballpark early is a big deal. I don't think he would have been called upon to pinch-hit. And if he did violate a team rule, I'm sure it will be addressed -- but it's certainly not the worst thing a player can do -- and hardly one that is worth mentioning.
My advice to Shaughnessy it to relax -- you don't want to tire yourself out so early in the season. You have all summer and most of the fall to write articles disparaging your hometown team -- if for no other reason than to sell more of your books.
