View Full Version : Boston Red Sox Think Gilchrist New Babe Ruth
Thats Outta Here (http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200504/s1339706.htm)
Red Sox flag interest in Gilchrist
World Series champions the Boston Red Sox have expressed interest in the possibility of Australian wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist playing major league baseball when he retires from cricket.
Red Sox talent scout and Australian Olympic baseball coach Jon Deeble says he is prepared to evaluate Gilchrist's potential in the sport at some stage in the future if he is interested.
Deeble said he would never underestimate what Gilchrist could achieve in baseball as he was such a great athlete.
gee i hope he gives it a go
gee i hope he gives it a go
Not until he's a washed up cricketer, thanks!
ben.carbonaro
7 Apr 2005, 10:18
Yeah, let him play out his cricket career first and then let him decide on his own if he wans to play baseball or not. He shouldn't let media pressure make hm go and go play baseball in the US.
monarch4
7 Apr 2005, 10:25
It is a well known fact that major league baseballers can play into their 40's.
Gilchrist is now 33 and I feel he has 2 - 3 years left in cricket (maybe the next world cup). Playing for Boston Red Sox he could be used as a designated hitter (batter that bats for the pitcher).
An besides, I would be betting there would be a lot of people around that would like to play major league baseball (if they were good enough) and be a part of $160 million payroll. :eek: :eek:
NYC-Kaiser
7 Apr 2005, 10:44
him being a baseball player, yeah maybe- him being babe ruth, never. its like saying some american can just pick up playing cricket and become bradman, or brian lara- at 33 no less.
it would definitely be fun and interesting to see.
anyways, any baseball fan knows boston sux.
Presti_is_god
7 Apr 2005, 11:04
On the news they said the average salary is 2.5million. You would think Gilly would be certain to go after hes finished with cricket if only for the money.
Black Thunder
7 Apr 2005, 12:03
it would be an interesting thing to see, but i doubt it would ever actually happen - especially not while he's still playing cricket very succesfully.
I'd say it's nothing but a beat up.
if gilly wasnt a wicketkeeper and vice captain of his country i think he would defeniatley take up the offer, but when he is so important to the side, i think he will stay.
Let's remember that we are talking two entirely different games here, folks- some baseball players could do quite well at cricket, but others would frankly suck eggs....no patience and discipline for playing a lonng game.
No offence to the original poster, but comparing Gilly to Ruth is a joke...terrific batsman, but Ruth also pitched- and did so very well. Gilly is much more of a Mike Piazza type guy- excellent hitter at a position where hitting is not expected.
I wonder how Gilly would go on balls knee high on the outside corner of the plate- he can't simply defend his wicket- and pitchers tend to find weak areas quickly.
Don't get me wrong- Gilly is a great player- but translating cricket power onto a baseball diamond is quite a different matter....and one also wonders how his legs feel right now. Might be worth a punt- but Boston would be crazy giving a 30+ guy who has no professional baseball experience a gig....I think cricketers could adapt to baseball- Symonds could be a devastating batsman...Warne would be an absolute legend. Perhaps some publicity for the Bosox....
punter257
7 Apr 2005, 14:07
the yanks are trying to take the aussies
benny graham to gridiron
maybe gilly to baseball
what next?
andrew gaze to ice hockey or peter everitt to the NBA :eek:
the yanks are trying to take the aussies
benny graham to gridiron
maybe gilly to baseball
what next?
andrew gaze to ice hockey or peter everitt to the NBA :eek:
Who's the guy playing college ball and will be a top NBA pick- Bogutt? Haven't really followed my college hoops this year....joys of not having televsion
johnnyhoward
7 Apr 2005, 16:06
No offence to the original poster, but comparing Gilly to Ruth is a joke...terrific batsman, but Ruth also pitched- and did so very well. Gilly is much more of a Mike Piazza type guy- excellent hitter at a position where hitting is not expected.
errr...he never compared gilly to babe ruth. babe ruth was used because its probably the only baseballer that most people know (thanks to the Simpsons - I also know daryl strawberry, roger clemens, who is a 45 yearold motherf**ker that STILL plays)
I wonder how Gilly would go on balls knee high on the outside corner of the plate- he can't simply defend his wicket- and pitchers tend to find weak areas quickly.
i have a few questions about baseball. how far does the ball have to travel? in cricket its a 20m pitch, how about baseball? how fast do they throw the ball (i'd imagine its at least 100mph, unless they have spinners as well ;)) And how long does a baseball game last?
THey spoke to a guy on SEN last night that's thinking of recruiting Gilly to the Red Sox, and they will follow it up within the next few weeks. Gilly surely won't focus on it until the end of the 2007 World Cup, and he'll be 35 then. I hope it gives some publicity to cricket from the Americans (i'm sure you're an ambassador over there usalion :)) and vice versa with aussies and baseball.
crazy_big_al
7 Apr 2005, 16:08
it is funny to see
Fred Yeomans
7 Apr 2005, 16:34
Back in the 50s & 60s, many of the top Australian cricketers played Baseball in the winter months. I think Bill Lawry, Norm O'Neill & Chappelli all played at a high level while John Swanson & Dave Mundy (both Sheffield Shield players) were stars in the Claxton Shield competition. There were lots of others but I can't recall them all.
how fast do they throw the ball (i'd imagine its at least 100mph, unless they have spinners as well ;)) And how long does a baseball game last?
Only some pitchers fast ball can get up to 100+mph, the sliders, curve ball, etc are all like 60-80.
The games in baseball last 9 innings (no draws so they can on forever!), games last about 3 hours (from memory).
errr...he never compared gilly to babe ruth. babe ruth was used because its probably the only baseballer that most people know (thanks to the Simpsons - I also know daryl strawberry, roger clemens, who is a 45 yearold motherf**ker that STILL plays)
i have a few questions about baseball. how far does the ball have to travel? in cricket its a 20m pitch, how about baseball? how fast do they throw the ball (i'd imagine its at least 100mph, unless they have spinners as well ;)) And how long does a baseball game last?
THey spoke to a guy on SEN last night that's thinking of recruiting Gilly to the Red Sox, and they will follow it up within the next few weeks. Gilly surely won't focus on it until the end of the 2007 World Cup, and he'll be 35 then. I hope it gives some publicity to cricket from the Americans (i'm sure you're an ambassador over there usalion :)) and vice versa with aussies and baseball.
OK- the pitcher in baseball is 60 feet and six inches from the batter, and most guys will throw in the 90s, for sure. It actually gets slightly closer, because the pitcher starts on a slab of rubber and comes forward as he throws, so drop off an extra couple of feet- if there is a big pitcher (example is Randy Johnson- for cricket, think Joel Garner), then it can seem like it is even closer.
There are guys who can things to the ball like arnie- those that don't have the raw speed can get by because of "spotting the ball"- essentially bowling good line and length. Can be as effective, if not more so, than the speed guys- if they make a mistake, though, it will be spanked.
Remember, too, that the baseball quicks do not simply rely on speed, but throw curve balls and sliders- a quicker breaking pitch that really explodes as it reaches the plate. That stuff is nasty to try and hit.
The American publis has the attention span of the averagage fruit fly- the Sox could build Gilly up and talk about cricket, but it won't mean a thing. Cricket is a lower tier sport here in the USA- essentially three mean and a dog watching....there is a nice little group that plays in the Philadelphia area- Merion Cricket Club is fairly well known. But to watch a game of cricket- well, here in NE Ohio, don't think I'll find one unless I find an enclave of Indians or expat Aussies.
Cool thing was, while teaching in Southern Illinois, there were a group of studentss, mostly Indian and Pakistani, who formed a cricket club- late October, they had a small tournament of essentially 20/20 matches- about 100 guys, so had something like 8 teams- they asked me to umpire because of my interest in the game- matted wicket...tennis ball, but it was fun to watch.
Typical baseball game is between 3 and 3 and a half hours- if they cut down the ads between innings, they could cut it to under 3, but that aint gonna happen- besides, the ads let you get the beer and check whether SBS is showing anything of interest (No, mate- only the soccer...). Am a huge 12th Man fanatic....
Oh, and Clemens- great pitcher- a freak of nature. Still putting up great numbers after 20 years...the equal of McGrath, but Pigeon would need to stay at the top 5 more years, which I don't think he will do. Retirement after 2007, I think.
Back in the 50s & 60s, many of the top Australian cricketers played Baseball in the winter months. I think Bill Lawry, Norm O'Neill & Chappelli all played at a high level while John Swanson & Dave Mundy (both Sheffield Shield players) were stars in the Claxton Shield competition. There were lots of others but I can't recall them all.Norm O Neill was asked to train with the Yankees but turned them down to play cricket
What an unfortunate thread title.
Just when the Red Sox had lifted the Curse of the Bambino, along comes Adam Gilchrist...
I don't think anyone can take up a proper sport at 33 & become a leading player.
There's was some hoo hah about Botham doing something similar in about 85, as a batter.
Some guy from Essex called Ian Pont went over for trials as a pitcher after they saw him flinging them in from the boundary but nothing came of it.
monarch4
8 Apr 2005, 10:20
On the news they said the average salary is 2.5million. You would think Gilly would be certain to go after hes finished with cricket if only for the money.
He wouldn't make that amount of money to start off with.
He would have to go through the minor league system and they barely make enough to survive.
My brother played with the Kane County Cougars in the Baltimore Orioles system in 1989 (he also competed at the 1988 Olympics with the Australian Baseball team) and he had to pay his own way..........accomodation and everything............so it wouldn't be all beer and skittles for Gilly.
Ipaidmy200in89
8 Apr 2005, 11:44
On the news they said the average salary is 2.5million. You would think Gilly would be certain to go after hes finished with cricket if only for the money.
SEN last night linked up with a station in Boston who were interviewing the owner of the Red Socks. The owner said he'd not heard of anything to do with Gilly. Said though the International scouts were both Aussies and there might be something to it. Then when told of Gilly's age, 33, he said stop right there.....it will never happen.
theorangeapple
8 Apr 2005, 19:44
i dont think he would leave his family. he is away enough as it is now, i dont think he would go after he retires from cricket. his life is already setup, he doesnt need to do this. especially if they are not overly keen.
i think he will stay home with the kids he missed so much of.
I really wanted to stay out of this topic, but being a diehard Western Warriors fan (I rarely miss any Warrior cricket at the WACA) and a diehard baseball fan (I watch at least three full games every week) I just couldn't resist the temptation.
This whole thing is possibly the stupidest thing I've ever heard anywhere. The thought that Gilchrist could just walk away and go to play a completely different sport at the highest level and somehow succeed, well, it's so stupid I'd almost say I find offensive as a baseball fan.
As someone who has followed his career well before most people had heard of him, let me tell you Gilchrist took ages to develop as a batsman, and even longer to become anything resembling a decent wicketkeeper. Sure, he's awesome now, but this all suggests that it would take him ages to even get the hang of baseball. Face it, he doesn't have that time.
Secondly, there is a big difference travelling around the world to smash a bunch of sub-standard bowlers from third-world nations playing for a team which never loses, when compared with playing 162 games in one of the most competitive races in world sport; the AL East rivalry with the Yankees. Especially when it's in a sport he doesn't know how to play. He would not cope. Period.
Thirdly, where would he play? He can't field in cricket so there's nothing to suggest he could in baseball, and don't even try comparing a baseballer's glove or role in the field to those of a wicketkeeper. He has no throwing arm, so that rules out anywhere in the infield or outfield, or pitching. Catcher? Not a hope in hell. You can't have some bloke who has never played the game before calling the pitch sequence to Curt Schilling, and I'd love to see him try to catch Wakefield's knuckler. So that leaves DH, a position which is already occupied by one of the best in the business, and there is not even the slightest piece of evidence that Gilchrist would be any kind of a decent hitter in baseball, you simply cannot compare the two sports.
So in short, the scout who recommended him is an idiot, Australian sports journalists who treated this as a decent news story are idiots and anyone who goes along with the notion that Gilchrist could succeed in the majors is an idiot. Okay maybe idiot is harsh, but their thinking on this particular subject is undeniably stupid. It's about time people started showing some common sense. If Gilchrist makes the move he will never make it past AAA unless given some serious preferential treatment, mark my words.
anyways, any baseball fan knows boston sux.
By the way, anyone care to remind me who the current World Series Champions are?
NYC-Kaiser
9 Apr 2005, 09:53
...
By the way, anyone care to remind me who the current World Series Champions are?
i would have never thought i'd get into a jab with a boston fan on a AFL site, well...
anyone care to tell me how many titles the yankees have compared to the sux, i mean sox ;)
flamethrower
10 Apr 2005, 08:40
i would have never thought i'd get into a jab with a boston fan on a AFL site, well...
anyone care to tell me how many titles the yankees have compared to the sux, i mean sox ;)
When was the last time the Evil Empire actually won a World Series?
Adam Gilchrist play in "The Show"....yeah right. Jon Deeble is just talking garbage again. Red Sox Nation is having a good old laugh at this.
My brother played with the Kane County Cougars in the Baltimore Orioles system in 1989 (he also competed at the 1988 Olympics with the Australian Baseball team) and he had to pay his own way..........accomodation and everything............so it wouldn't be all beer and skittles for Gilly.
Who's your brother? Did he play ABL?
I know a few mates who play or have played in the Minors, as well as in the ABL.
monarch4
10 Apr 2005, 14:17
Who's your brother? Did he play ABL?
I know a few mates who play or have played in the Minors, as well as in the ABL.
He played ABL for Perth Heat and Gold Coast Cougars........I think from memory he was named rookie of the year of the ABL in '89
sa-afl blues
10 Apr 2005, 15:02
I think Gilly would be silly not to give it a go. I can remember Michael Jordan giving up basketball in his prime to persue his first love baseball. I don't think he ever got above AA ball in the White Sox farm system.
I doubt gilly would even make it to AA ball but its worth a shot if the bosox throw money at him
monarch4
10 Apr 2005, 16:22
I think Gilly would be silly not to give it a go. I can remember Michael Jordan giving up basketball in his prime to persue his first love baseball. I don't think he ever got above AA ball in the White Sox farm system.
I doubt gilly would even make it to AA ball but its worth a shot if the bosox throw money at him
If you don't think he would make it, why even bother about giving it a go. Noticed how Jordan went back to the Bulls (because he couldn't play baseball as well as anyone else) then he won 3 more titles. Baseball is not an easy game........probably harder than cricket IMO
viddleodge
10 Apr 2005, 20:18
better start poppin the roids now! :p
NICK THE PIE MAN
10 Apr 2005, 20:20
anyways, any baseball fan knows boston sux.
You mean the team that just won the World Series, including going through your side after being 3-0 down? ;)
sa-afl blues
11 Apr 2005, 01:15
I'm not saying baseball is an easy game. As a player and avid fan of both sportsI I acknowledge both can be hard games with baseball being a more tactical game. Gilly has a gift of timing and power that is a once in a generation talent.
Could he convert that talent with the willow into success with the ash? maybe, but if I was him I wouldn't want to die wondering (granted it is a hard and long road) The other thing is, is Gilly even interested in baseball.
For the record I was never suggesting Gilly give cricket away in the middle of his career as Jordan did. He still has 3 years of good cricket in him.
i would have never thought i'd get into a jab with a boston fan on a AFL site, well...
anyone care to tell me how many titles the yankees have compared to the sux, i mean sox ;)
Boston fan? What on earth gave you that idea? I just thought somebody needed a reminder of the current champions. Now I think I'll keep my allegiances to myself, but let's just say as long as the New York Yankees are not World Champions I'm a very happy man, with regards to baseball at least.
Oh, and while I'm talking up Boston, great to see the Yankees lose another series to the Sox, and great to see Sheffield behaving like a total tosser again. Good thing for the Yankees that there is a wildcard.
Renegade
16 Apr 2005, 17:41
You mean the team that just won the World Series, including going through your side after being 3-0 down? ;)
Yep that's the team. Forgot to mention the Yankees lazy 26 titles between the last 2 the Sux won though.
Renegade
16 Apr 2005, 17:44
and great to see Sheffield behaving like a total tosser again. Good thing for the Yankees that there is a wildcard.
Yep Sheffield being a real tosser. How dare he try and field a ball and run into the clenched fist of a Sux fan. So unprofessional. :rolleyes:
Um ... I hate to bring truth to the conversation, but the fan was reaching for the ball, something not unusual at baseball games. Yeah, taking a swing at him was a real mature way to handle the situation, ignoring it and getting on with the game would've been a much worse option.
Amazing how so much is made of this incident, yet Yankee fans forcing the riot police in during last season's playoffs after being upset at the correct decision being made hardly made anyone say boo.
But how dare I say anything bad about Sheffield, he's such a fantastic bloke. When he's not injecting steriods into his ass or choking in the playoffs, be it for the Dodgers, Braves or Yankees, he's saying stupid things about the Red Sox like; "They're a walking disaster. They act like they're all tough, how they care so much about winning, but it's all a front. They're just a bunch of characters." Nice one Gary!
Yep that's the team. Forgot to mention the Yankees lazy 26 titles between the last 2 the Sux won though.
Thanks for reminding us there actually was a time when the Yankees didn't completely suck ass, it's easy to forget it these days.
Renegade
16 Apr 2005, 19:14
Care to share with us your team? Or is there a reason you haven't told us?
Thanks for reminding us there actually was a time when the Yankees didn't completely suck ass, it's easy to forget it these days.
http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/20040831/scoreboard_82557.jpg
is there a reason you haven't told us?
Yes, it has no relevance to the conversation.
Atlanta.
Renegade
17 Apr 2005, 13:44
Yes, it has no relevance to the conversation.
Atlanta.
Explains the bitterness and hatred towards Sheffield though.
Um ... no ... he was a tosser when he played for the Braves too.
usalion
17 Apr 2005, 22:39
[QUOTE=Donkey]Um ... I hate to bring truth to the conversation, but the fan was reaching for the ball, something not unusual at baseball games. Yeah, taking a swing at him was a real mature way to handle the situation, ignoring it and getting on with the game would've been a much worse option.
Amazing how so much is made of this incident, yet Yankee fans forcing the riot police in during last season's playoffs after being upset at the correct decision being made hardly made anyone say boo.
But how dare I say anything bad about Sheffield, he's such a fantastic bloke. When he's not injecting steriods into his ass or choking in the playoffs, be it for the Dodgers, Braves or Yankees, he's saying stupid things about the Red Sox like; "They're a walking disaster. They act like they're all tough, how they care so much about winning, but it's all a front. They're just a bunch of characters." Nice one Gary!
QUOTE]
Actually, Sheffield is being praised for showing some restraint here. I didn't see the incident, but apparently, he pushed at the fan after throwing the ball back in and had some words for him. A number of managers commented on the positive nature here. Let's put it in AFL terms- what would the reaction of a Collingwood player be next week if one of the Essendon cheer squad did something to interfere with him- yes, it would be an out of play situation, but I'd suspect there would be some confrontation.
And as somebody pointed out, fans reaching for balls is part of the game- the moron should have realised the ball was in play, but you sometimes don't focus on that.
And I will add, I generally don't support sheffield.....an arrogant tosser
I support Philadelphia, BTW
Yes, of course this Boston fan was in the wrong. But firstly let me point out how hypocritical it would be for a Yankee fan to be critical, let's not forget fan interference in the 1996 ALDS turned a straightforward out into a series-turning home run. And I've got a funny feeling Yankees fans wouldn't have applauded the Baltimore outfielder (forgotten his name, sorry) had he turned around and swung at the kid!
Fan interference is wrong, it's frustrating, but it's a part of the game. There is no way in hell you will ever make me believe Sheffield, or anyone who reacts in such a way, is anything but a tool.
if gilly wasnt a wicketkeeper and vice captain of his country i think he would defeniatley take up the offer, but when he is so important to the side, i think he will stay.
More then likely. I would prefer him to give it a go though, doesn't die wondering.
pav_is_god
18 Apr 2005, 12:17
I'd like to see him give it a crack once his cricket career is over, but I think Gilly would rather raise his family in Perth.
usalion
18 Apr 2005, 12:40
Yes, of course this Boston fan was in the wrong. But firstly let me point out how hypocritical it would be for a Yankee fan to be critical, let's not forget fan interference in the 1996 ALDS turned a straightforward out into a series-turning home run. And I've got a funny feeling Yankees fans wouldn't have applauded the Baltimore outfielder (forgotten his name, sorry) had he turned around and swung at the kid!
Fan interference is wrong, it's frustrating, but it's a part of the game. There is no way in hell you will ever make me believe Sheffield, or anyone who reacts in such a way, is anything but a tool.
True- but in 1996, the kid was well above the fielder going for the ball- kind of like the incident in Chicago a couple years ago- no way could the O'd guy have swung at him...in boston, you are right at field level- part of the charm of a game at Fenway.
As long as they build stadia where fans CAN reach into the field of play, there will be a problem...
CheGuvera
20 Apr 2005, 02:04
One thing is for sure....transition from Cricket to Baseball would be a lot easier for the batters, then it would be from Baseball to Cricket....