BOSTON –– Tommy Harper and Jacoby Ellsbury spoke in the clubhouse yesterday, but the record that unites them did not come up. In all likelihood, Harper was too modest to discuss it and Ellsbury too embarrassed. But it’s hard to believe it wasn’t on both their minds.
In 1973, 35 years ago, Harper stole 54 bases, setting a Red Sox franchise record, and this weekend, Ellsbury has a chance to break it.
A proud man, Harper nevertheless hopes it happens.
“I’ve had the record for a long time,” said Harper as he watched the Red Sox go through batting practice yesterday afternoon. “I would never root against him. I worked with him, so if it happens, I’d be happy for him. It would be neat, yeah.”
Showing posts with label Jacoby Ellsbury. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jacoby Ellsbury. Show all posts
Friday, September 26, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Royals Knuckle under to Sox 8-2
AUGUST 6, 2008. Kansas City, MO. Wakefield's floating, tantalizing signature pitch shut down the Royals on four hits through six crisp innings. Jacoby Ellsbury hit a three-run homer and also turned in a great outfield catch to spur an 8-2 victory that made the Red Sox 6-1 in their seven-game season series against Kansas City.
"It's happened before," said the 42-year-old right-hander (7-8), who had six strikeouts and no walks. "When I faced the Braves in '92, Bruce Dal Canton threw knuckleballs to the guys in batting practice." Jed Lowrie and J.D. Drew drove in two runs apiece for the Red Sox, whose only negative note on the night was the bruised and swollen right hand of first baseman Kevin Youkilis Luke Hochevar (6-10) hit Youkilis with a pitch in the first inning, loading the bases. After trainers inspected the hand, Youkilis stayed in to run, but left the game when he was doubled off first to end the inning.
"It hurts like hell still," he said. "It's swollen and bruised up."
Youkilis said he hoped to play in Chicago on Friday after an off day on Thursday.
"If I feel good, I'll play," he said. "Bottom line." Wakefield threw knuckleballs almost exclusively, tossing practically each delivery toward the plate in the 63 mph range while winning for the first time in four starts.
Ellsbury, who appears to be breaking out of a prolonged slump, was 3-for-4 with two runs and the three-run homer off left-handed Ron Mahay. He also made a diving, tumbling head-over-heels catch of Mitch Maier's popup into shallow center after Ross Gload's two-run double shaved the lead to 3-2 in the fifth.
"Unbelievable," said Wakefield. "That was a key catch to get the two outs with a runner on second. The homer wasn't bad either." If Ellsbury lets the ball fall, the Royals have two in, runners at first and third and only one out. "I got a great read on the ball," he said. "I was running in. I wasn't sure I could get to it. I dove for the ball. I'll take a great catch any day. But a three-run homer to center, I'll take that, too. The home run was pretty neat."
"It's happened before," said the 42-year-old right-hander (7-8), who had six strikeouts and no walks. "When I faced the Braves in '92, Bruce Dal Canton threw knuckleballs to the guys in batting practice." Jed Lowrie and J.D. Drew drove in two runs apiece for the Red Sox, whose only negative note on the night was the bruised and swollen right hand of first baseman Kevin Youkilis Luke Hochevar (6-10) hit Youkilis with a pitch in the first inning, loading the bases. After trainers inspected the hand, Youkilis stayed in to run, but left the game when he was doubled off first to end the inning.
"It hurts like hell still," he said. "It's swollen and bruised up."
Youkilis said he hoped to play in Chicago on Friday after an off day on Thursday.
"If I feel good, I'll play," he said. "Bottom line." Wakefield threw knuckleballs almost exclusively, tossing practically each delivery toward the plate in the 63 mph range while winning for the first time in four starts.
Ellsbury, who appears to be breaking out of a prolonged slump, was 3-for-4 with two runs and the three-run homer off left-handed Ron Mahay. He also made a diving, tumbling head-over-heels catch of Mitch Maier's popup into shallow center after Ross Gload's two-run double shaved the lead to 3-2 in the fifth.
"Unbelievable," said Wakefield. "That was a key catch to get the two outs with a runner on second. The homer wasn't bad either." If Ellsbury lets the ball fall, the Royals have two in, runners at first and third and only one out. "I got a great read on the ball," he said. "I was running in. I wasn't sure I could get to it. I dove for the ball. I'll take a great catch any day. But a three-run homer to center, I'll take that, too. The home run was pretty neat."
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Ellsbury back on track
August 5. KANSAS CITY, MO. Jacoby Ellsbury entered last night’s game against the Royals having gone 34 days without a stolen base. Even with the extended drought, he began the day tied with Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki for the American League lead in steals with 35, and he picked the perfect time to add to his total. Ellsbury was 2-for-4 with two stolen bases in the Sox’ 8-2 rout. He swiped second base twice, once after a leadoff single in the fifth inning and again after an RBI single in the sixth.
“He got in a situation where he could use his legs,” manager Terry Francona said.
With 37 swipes, Ellsbury is in sole possession of ninth place on the club’s single-season steals list. It was his 23rd multihit game of the season and first since July 27 against the Yankees.
Lowell returns
“He got in a situation where he could use his legs,” manager Terry Francona said.
With 37 swipes, Ellsbury is in sole possession of ninth place on the club’s single-season steals list. It was his 23rd multihit game of the season and first since July 27 against the Yankees.
Lowell returns
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Red Sox All-time Stolen Base Leaders
The following players have the highest number of stolen bases in a single season.
1. Tommy Harper......54 (1973)
2. Tris Speaker......52 (1912)
3. Tris Speaker......46 (1913)
4. Tris Speaker......42 (1914)
4. Otis Nixon........42 (1994)
6. Harry Hooper......40 (1910)
6. Billy Werber......40 (1934)
8. Harry Hooper......38 (1911)
9. Harry Lord........36 (1909)
10. Patsy Dougherty..35 (1903)
11. Jacoby Ellsbury..34 (2008)
1. Tommy Harper......54 (1973)
2. Tris Speaker......52 (1912)
3. Tris Speaker......46 (1913)
4. Tris Speaker......42 (1914)
4. Otis Nixon........42 (1994)
6. Harry Hooper......40 (1910)
6. Billy Werber......40 (1934)
8. Harry Hooper......38 (1911)
9. Harry Lord........36 (1909)
10. Patsy Dougherty..35 (1903)
11. Jacoby Ellsbury..34 (2008)
Monday, June 16, 2008
Red Sox 20 Top Prospects?
Red Sox Top 20 Prospects as rated by Josh Poore of Hardball Scouts
The Boston system is a strong one. Clay Buchholz and Jacoby Ellsbury are household names to anyone who follows prospects and both should be impact players for years to come. However, those two players are just a taste of the talent that the Red Sox have waiting in the wings.
Clay Buchholz, RHP Righty phenom with fine change and curve looks to be in the Boston rotation for years to come.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF Speedster showed he is ready for the big stage and should be able to provide a steady presence at the top of the lineup this year.
Lars Anderson, 1B Power prospect should mash in Lancaster this season. A candidate to be at the top of this list a year from now.
Jed Lowrie, SS In a great bounce-back year, he continued to show great plate discipline while adding power.
Justin Masterson, RHP Big bodied groundball specialist moved from the 'pen to the rotation and showed no ill effects.
Michael Bowden, RHP Breezed through the Cal League, which is no small feat. Fly ball pitcher with great control.
Nick Hagadone, LHP Lefty had a great pro debut, with a 0.00 ERA over his last nine appearances at short-season Lowell.
Ryan Kalish, OF A broken hamate cut his season short, but at 19 years old in the NY-Penn League he put up a .368/.471/.540 line against older competition to go along with 18 steals in just 23 games.
Oscar Tejeda, SS Toolsy shortstop held his own at just 17 years of age, showing the ability to hit for average and steal bases. Huge upside.
Josh Reddick, OF Flashed power in his pro debut in the SAL while playing all three outfield spots. Will Middlebrooks, SS/ 3B Signed over slot and too late to see action. Has a good arm and was considered a much better talent than his 5th round draft status may indicate.
Brandon Moss, OF Profiles as a solid backup OF at the MLB level. Strikes out a lot, but has some pop. Could see time in Boston this year.
Devern Hansack, RHP Ranked this high because he is Major League ready. Highly doubtful he will ever be better than he is right now, but he has posted strong numbers in the high minors and could see time in Boston this year if injuries strike the BoSox staff.
Zach Daeges, OFDemolished the Cal League with a .330/.423/.579 line. Granted, it was in Lancaster, a hitting paradise, but he is still a player to watch.
Craig Hansen, RHP Needs to find a more consistent slider and build mental toughness. Still too young to give up on.
Dustin Richardson, LHP Overlooked prospect strikes out a hitter per inning while giving up very few gopher balls.
Aaron Bates, 1B A good mix of power and patience. Playing at Portland this year will tell us if he is for real.
Ryan Dent, SS Showed speed in his pro debut but needs to sharpen up his strike zone. Another exciting young middle infielder in this system.
Jason Place, OF Toolsy outfielder who needs to make more consistent contact. Looking like an overdraft at this point.
George Kottaras, C Once promising catching prospect has slipped badly. Bat has gotten worse as he has aged and now profiles as a backup at best.
The Boston system is a strong one. Clay Buchholz and Jacoby Ellsbury are household names to anyone who follows prospects and both should be impact players for years to come. However, those two players are just a taste of the talent that the Red Sox have waiting in the wings.
Clay Buchholz, RHP Righty phenom with fine change and curve looks to be in the Boston rotation for years to come.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF Speedster showed he is ready for the big stage and should be able to provide a steady presence at the top of the lineup this year.
Lars Anderson, 1B Power prospect should mash in Lancaster this season. A candidate to be at the top of this list a year from now.
Jed Lowrie, SS In a great bounce-back year, he continued to show great plate discipline while adding power.
Justin Masterson, RHP Big bodied groundball specialist moved from the 'pen to the rotation and showed no ill effects.
Michael Bowden, RHP Breezed through the Cal League, which is no small feat. Fly ball pitcher with great control.
Nick Hagadone, LHP Lefty had a great pro debut, with a 0.00 ERA over his last nine appearances at short-season Lowell.
Ryan Kalish, OF A broken hamate cut his season short, but at 19 years old in the NY-Penn League he put up a .368/.471/.540 line against older competition to go along with 18 steals in just 23 games.
Oscar Tejeda, SS Toolsy shortstop held his own at just 17 years of age, showing the ability to hit for average and steal bases. Huge upside.
Josh Reddick, OF Flashed power in his pro debut in the SAL while playing all three outfield spots. Will Middlebrooks, SS/ 3B Signed over slot and too late to see action. Has a good arm and was considered a much better talent than his 5th round draft status may indicate.
Brandon Moss, OF Profiles as a solid backup OF at the MLB level. Strikes out a lot, but has some pop. Could see time in Boston this year.
Devern Hansack, RHP Ranked this high because he is Major League ready. Highly doubtful he will ever be better than he is right now, but he has posted strong numbers in the high minors and could see time in Boston this year if injuries strike the BoSox staff.
Zach Daeges, OFDemolished the Cal League with a .330/.423/.579 line. Granted, it was in Lancaster, a hitting paradise, but he is still a player to watch.
Craig Hansen, RHP Needs to find a more consistent slider and build mental toughness. Still too young to give up on.
Dustin Richardson, LHP Overlooked prospect strikes out a hitter per inning while giving up very few gopher balls.
Aaron Bates, 1B A good mix of power and patience. Playing at Portland this year will tell us if he is for real.
Ryan Dent, SS Showed speed in his pro debut but needs to sharpen up his strike zone. Another exciting young middle infielder in this system.
Jason Place, OF Toolsy outfielder who needs to make more consistent contact. Looking like an overdraft at this point.
George Kottaras, C Once promising catching prospect has slipped badly. Bat has gotten worse as he has aged and now profiles as a backup at best.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Ichiro vs Jacoby - side by side stats
Comparing Ichiro Suzuki and Jacoby Ellsbury. At this time of the year, Jacoby has the edge. Not quite Rickey Henderson numbers.
Players ......AB R H 2 3 HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
Suzuki...... 228 37 66 9 2 3 14 24 2 19 21 .289 .349 .386 .735
Elllsbury...168 40 47 5 2 4 19 23 2 25 18 .280 .379 .405 .784
Players ......AB R H 2 3 HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
Suzuki...... 228 37 66 9 2 3 14 24 2 19 21 .289 .349 .386 .735
Elllsbury...168 40 47 5 2 4 19 23 2 25 18 .280 .379 .405 .784
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Jacoby on pace to break Red Sox' Steals Record
For 35 years, Tommy Harper has held the Red Sox' record for stolen bases in a season. He claims he always thought Jerry Remy or Otis Nixon would break it, but Remy's bad knees and Nixon's injuries intervened to keep Harper's mark of 54 steals in 1973 in the team record books. Harper is aware, however, that 2008 will likely mark the end of his reign. And he doesn't mind one bit, considering the fact he's head over heels in love with Jacoby Ellsbury's game.
Harper, employed by the Red Sox as a consultant, has worked with Ellsbury in the minors and still chats with his prize pupil during the season.
Harper, employed by the Red Sox as a consultant, has worked with Ellsbury in the minors and still chats with his prize pupil during the season.
In the teams' first 62 games this season, Ellsbury has already stolen 28 bases....on pace for over 70.
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