BIG DOG BITES

Date: Sunday, September 23, 2001
From: Big Dog
Subject:  Getting Back to 'Normal'

So much for a kinder, gentler Red Sox Nation... my online chat exchange with the Boston Globe's Dan Shaughnessy from this past Friday follows:

Big Dog:  Hey Dan, You had previously lambasted me for suggesting that Pedro's half-hearted off-season conditioning and strength training program for the past three years contributed to his regular stints on the DL. Now that he and the Sox are suddenly admitting that he needs to strengthen his upper body and shoulder area, do you still think pitching is simply an unnatural act and Pedro is doomed to be damaged goods for the remainder of his career?

Dan Shaughnessy:  hey, big dog. clearly you know more about pedro than he does. you should write a medical column on the side. i think the fact that he's been hurt makes the team want to moniter (sic) him more closely during the off season (like they should have with nomar), but i still disagree that his woes are due to lack of conditioning or offseason work. there's only so many bullets in those arms. but clearly, you know better.

Ouch. Why so harsh Dan? It was a legitimate question. No need to be so smug and curt.

For the record, I have long been critical of some of the players' off-season conditioning habits, or lack thereof.  Although I never claimed to have a medical background, I have consulted with medical professionals both directly and not directly involved with the team for anything we've published that is conditioning or injury related. Regarding Pedro Martinez, it was widely publicized last week that he will be begin a more aggressive off-season training regimen. The espn.com report on Pedro's leaving follows:

·  RHP Pedro Martinez has left for the Dominican Republic and will rest for two weeks before starting his rehabilitation program, the Boston Herald reported Sept. 21. Manager Joe Kerrigan says Martinez is scheduled to report to Fort Myers, Fla. on Nov. 5 for a checkup and then begin throwing again in early December. "He made a promise that he's going to come back with a new body and be as strong as he's ever been," Kerrigan told the paper. "He's already set his sights on being the pitcher he can be next year."

Shaughnessy did appear to lighten up by the end of the chat when asked a simple question:

Big Dog:  Dan, Is Cal Pickering Mo Vaughn or Sam Horn?

Dan Shaughnessy:  big dog -- looks more like sam to me. without a doubt.

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More signs that we're getting our edge back:

A group of fans wore shirts to yesterday's game that said:  "DUQUETTE SUCKS" on the front, and "Ruining Boston Baseball Since 1994" on the back.  ٱ