The Good:Jonathan Papelbon. I know I probably gush about this kid too much, but it's not without reason. His stat line on the season so far easily makes him the top closer in the game, after he's pitched 5 innings with zero runs scored, one hit and no walks, going 4 for 4 in save oppurtunities (t-1st). What makes this all even more impressive is that Papelbon never had a major league save coming into the season (just one career minor league save) and he spent most of spring training preparing as a starter. He's really something special, and his dominance hints at good things to come with the Red Sox pitching staff, and also continues with a wave of spectacular young pitchers in the major leagues. As the Steroid Era fades away, baseball will become more of a pitcher's sport, and names like Papelbon, Rich Harden, and Felix Hernandez will soon become as well known as Roger Clemons, Greg Maddux, and Randy Johnson.
The Bad:
Barry Bonds. Not only is he not hitting on the season (.167 average and the big number- zero home runs), but he's a cancer in the lung of Major League Baseball. Currently there's an investigation as to whether or not Bonds perjured himself in a federal grand jury hearing about steroid use. The MLB needs to put the lingering effects of the Steroid Era behind it, and the biggest symbol of that Era is bonds, who is threatening to tarnish 2 records that were posted by two of the greatest hitters of all time in Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron. It doesn't help that Bonds has made himself a sideshow in the otherwise professional world of baseball. His new ESPN program "Bonds on Bonds" is just one more joke in the repertoire that is Bonds' major league career. I myself haven't watched the show, but just seeing the ad was enough for me: it has Barry saying something to the effect of "there's no better place to here it than from me." Right B, because everyone knows you're just a simmering cauldron of credibility. And those circus acts around spring camp - like when he dressed in drag to judge a rookie singing competition - had nothing to do with camp morale or camraderie, it was simply a means of getting something of interest to film for his show. Bonds has soiled the image of baseball long enough, it's time for him to let himself fade from the spotlight.
The Ugly:
David Wells. His tough outing last night isn't just a matter of one loss on the season; like it or not, his performance was symbolic of his attitude during the offseason and through spring training. After a spectacular week in Red Sox pitching, Wells - who asked to be traded over the offseason and then went through a minimal workout regimen in the spring - became the fumbler and paved the way for the Blue Jays to take a three game opening series at Fenway with wins over Wells and Matt Clement. Also, the fat biker guy look went the way of Dan Conner and 1994. Lose some weight, lose some ego, and add some heat to your fastball. You don't win 15 games by pitching a batting practice season.
The Pretty
Bronson Arroyo. Pretty face, pretty voice, pretty breaking ball, pretty...swing? Bronson is the first pitcher in the modern era to have two wins and two homeruns in his first two starts of the season. Of course, both dingers came from pitches by the same guy - the Cubs' Glendon Rusch, but there's no denying that Arroyo is the whole package. I miss him. :-(
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