Random Thoughts (May 16, 2010)

The glory days of the Red Sox from 2003 - 2008 were made possible by many great players producing many memorable performances but if you had to choose one name who represented the team from that era, it would be David Ortiz. Big Papi was the heart and soul of the Red Sox teams that won the World Series in 2004 and 2007 and made it to the playoffs in 2003, 2005, and 2008. I cut the year off at 2008 because even though the Red Sox returned to the playoffs in '09, Papi morphed back into a mere mortal. A wrist injury had limited him in 2008 and a year ago he batted .238 with 28 HR and 99 RBI. The homerun and RBI totals did slightly resemble the Ortiz of old but in late inning situations - a time when Ortiz thrived in the past - he was no longer feared ... he was no longer Big Papi. The start to 2010 was not much better. At the end of April Ortiz was hitting .238 and had just 1 HR and 5 RBI. Respected baseball writers like ESPN's Buster Olney reported that the Red Sox were close to releasing the struggling Ortiz. Now that we are 15 days into May, Ortiz is still with the Red Sox and he is starting to look like the Big Papi of old. His May numbers - .361/5/13 - have led the team to a 9-5 record as they creep slowly back into the AL East race. The fact of the matter is that David Ortiz is never going to be the Big Papi of 2004 again but he can play an important role in the success of a third World Series champion if he can continue to produce at the plate... When the Phoenix Suns swept the San Antonio Spurs in their Western Conference Semi-Finals series this past week, it looked like the end of the era of dominance for Tim Duncan & Co. Since 1999, Duncan has made the Spurs annual contenders and won four championships. Playing alongside with Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker under the leadership of Gregg Popovich, Duncan has become one of the best forwards in NBA history as well as one of a handful of players to lead their team to more than three championships. If this is indeed the end to the Duncan chapter of NBA history, it is bittersweet to see end of such a great individual player and a transcendent team... It probably will seem wierd that I am burying the disappointing end of the Bruins season in the middle of a "Random Thoughts" post but after blowing a 3-0 series lead to the Flyers and a 3-0 lead in Game 7, there's really not too much to say. I will choose to be positive. As depressing as the Flyers series turned out, I am still optimistic for the future of this team. Tuukka Rask is a goalie they can rely on for the long term and their triumvirate of young forwards - David Krejci (his injury in Game 3 proved fatal to the season), Milan Lucic, Patrice Bergeron - provide a good foundation. With the second pick in the upcoming draft (thanks to the Maple Leafs trade for Phil Kessel), they will have the opportunity to add a potential impact player such as Taylor Hall. There are issues heading into 2010-11. The team's best defenseman, Zdeno Chara, is getting older and he needs help on the blueline because the likes of Dennis Wideman and Andrew Ferrence proved in the playoffs they are not tough enough to win a Cup. The Bruins have now lost consecutive Game 7's at home in the Conference Semi-Finals. They have to advance deeper next year with the Stanley Cup - not hoisted by the B's in almost 40 years - being the ultimate goal... I am not worried about Tom Brady choosing to train in California in order to be closer to his children. I am worried that the Patriots will not have a consistent running game and the bulf of the offense will fall on the shoulders of Brady. Brady is capable of carrying that burden but a great defense can stop a one-sided offense. Anyone who doubts that opinion should just pop in the tape of Super Bowl XLII... Enjoy KG today...