Nice piece Dan; thanks. As a pretty big Sox fan, I had a couple additional thoughts. One, is that Wake was only 2/3 years older than we are. I lost another friend Wake's age--an Army FAO himself--earlier this year too. Just a reminder that we're in that territory now where life's not a given. As for Wake, I'll also always remember that stretch in '95. A few have called it the greatest stretch of knuckleball pitching ever, and I don't doubt it. I think Wake was actually like 15-1 at one point. Crazy.
As for Tito--agree with your tactical analysis; thought it was a shame he didn't beat out ever-overrated tactician Joe Maddon in that series. I'll offer another that no one seems to have noticed: Tito's handling of his pitching staff--particularly Dice--down the stretch in 2007. Few remember now, but the Yankees did push us at about a month out. Tito managed to 1) win the division and 2) sufficiently rest his starters--esp. Dice who was good...but also had about the IP longevity of Kutter Crawford (people STILL bitch about Dice, but sorry folks, we don't win in 2007 without him). For Tito to pull this off took an ASTOUNDING amount of management, planning, finesse, etc. Tito was the BEST at thinking strategically AND tactically, together. Best I ever saw.
Nice post - right on the mark, but no need to diss Curt Schilling in the footnote - the reason we remember both of these people so fondly is because of Curt - in 2004 he went 21 and 6 and was the inspiration behind the 2004 team with his “bloody sock” win.
Nice piece Dan; thanks. As a pretty big Sox fan, I had a couple additional thoughts. One, is that Wake was only 2/3 years older than we are. I lost another friend Wake's age--an Army FAO himself--earlier this year too. Just a reminder that we're in that territory now where life's not a given. As for Wake, I'll also always remember that stretch in '95. A few have called it the greatest stretch of knuckleball pitching ever, and I don't doubt it. I think Wake was actually like 15-1 at one point. Crazy.
As for Tito--agree with your tactical analysis; thought it was a shame he didn't beat out ever-overrated tactician Joe Maddon in that series. I'll offer another that no one seems to have noticed: Tito's handling of his pitching staff--particularly Dice--down the stretch in 2007. Few remember now, but the Yankees did push us at about a month out. Tito managed to 1) win the division and 2) sufficiently rest his starters--esp. Dice who was good...but also had about the IP longevity of Kutter Crawford (people STILL bitch about Dice, but sorry folks, we don't win in 2007 without him). For Tito to pull this off took an ASTOUNDING amount of management, planning, finesse, etc. Tito was the BEST at thinking strategically AND tactically, together. Best I ever saw.
You scared me at first. I thought Francona had died too! Wakefield was my favorite pitcher. Rest in Peace!!
Nice post - right on the mark, but no need to diss Curt Schilling in the footnote - the reason we remember both of these people so fondly is because of Curt - in 2004 he went 21 and 6 and was the inspiration behind the 2004 team with his “bloody sock” win.