Mike Andrews glances around the Fenway Park stands when he comes back for a reunion of the Impossible Dreamers. "I'm thinking, it's been 40 years," says the man who played second base during that unlikeliest of summers. "How many people in this ballpark really remember it?"
在夢幻球季1967的重聚會上，當年鎮守二壘的Mike Andrews有感而發：我在想，都已經過了40年了，在Fenway球場裡還有誰記得當年的往事。
Who remembers Yaz and Lonnie having the years of their lives? Who remembers Tony C lying in the dirt on that Friday night in August, his career ruined? The brilliant, vanishing comet that was Billy Rohr? Jose Tartabull throwing out Ken Berry at the plate in Chicago?
有誰還記得那一年的投打雙雄 Carl Yastrzemski 和 Jim Lonborg、那年夏天被一顆觸身球毀掉職業生涯的Tony Conigliaro、曾經閃耀卻又消逝的流星Billy Rohr、Jose Tartabull 在芝加哥那球長傳本壘成功的阻殺了 Ken Berry。
(文章的最後有生涯成績連結)
The Boston Redevelopment Authority, which keeps track of such numbers, estimates that only one in five current Boston residents was living in the city in 1967, when the Red Sox pulled off the greatest turnaround in baseball history, soaring from ninth place to the pennant in one season and taking all of New England with them on their dizzying ascent.
波士頓都市發展機構做過一次評估，目前的波士頓居民每五人中只有一人在1967年住在波士頓，在那年，紅襪創造了幾乎不可能的歷史，由分區的第九名一路爬升到分區冠軍，令整個新英格蘭區為之瘋狂。
"We were doing the impossible," says shortstop Rico Petrocelli, "and we were doing it together."
"我們當年是在一起創造歷史" 游擊手Rico Petrocelli
It was a season of shared joy and ridiculous hope, Roger Angell mused in the New Yorker, and when it was over, after the Cardinals had won the seventh game of the World Series, thousands of fans remained in their seats in the Fens, reluctant to let it go.
那是一個令球迷五味雜陳的球季，在世界大賽的第七戰，數千名紅襪球迷在Fenway球場嘆息，無法接受紅雀拿下世界大賽冠軍的事實
It was the last great pennant race, with four teams changing places almost hourly until the final weekend.
1967年的季後賽競爭有多激烈？四隊有機會的球隊排名到了球季的最後一個禮拜尚未分出勝負，每個小時都有不同的排名變化
"You were in first place or fourth, depending on the time of day," recalls manager Dick Williams.
總教練 Dick Williams說：我們有可能在第四名或是第一名，就看你在一天的什麼時候去查排名。
When the Sox clinched their first flag in 21 years, they did it in the clubhouse, listening to the Angels beat the Tigers on the radio after rallying to beat the Twins in the season finale.
在賽季的最後一天。球員們在擊敗雙城後，聚集在一起收聽天使戰老虎的實況，祈禱獲得隊史暌違21年的分區冠軍。而天使也順利擊敗老虎
"For us to be sitting around a radio instead of a TV, it reminded me of an old-time movie, where you were listening for news of some important event," says Jim Lonborg.
投手 Jim Lonborg：聽收音機的感覺就像是在收聽一項重要的新聞一樣
It was a time before playoffs and free agency and the designated hitter, when the Series was played in daylight (and was finished by Oct. 12), when players worked during the winter and missed games for military duty, when a ball club's entire payroll was well under $1 million and when the Yankees were at the bottom of the league.
在當時的年代，MLB沒有世界大賽以外的季後賽，沒有自由球員制度，沒有DH，比賽在白天舉行。球員在冬天仍要另謀他職維持生計，有的還因為兵役無法打球，全隊薪資不超過100萬美元，洋基是聯盟後段班的球隊
Boston was a different city then, in the middle of being torn up and remade after decades of decay and disinvestment, and the racial tensions and social upheaval that erupted in the '70s were just beginning.
波士頓在當時也是個不同的城市，社會變遷導致了很多經濟、族群問題
What brought the city together, against 100-1 odds, was its ball club, which had been moribund for years. They were the Dead Sox, Tom Yawkey's country club, and they hadn't won anything since 1946, when Ted Williams put away his Marine pilot's wings and picked up a bat again.
而讓整座城市融合在一起的，是一支從1946年(打擊之神Ted Williams由軍隊退役後回到紅襪的那年)後都無法拿下美聯冠軍的紅襪隊
An Allston tavern put a photograph of that team in its window. By 1967, it had turned sepia with age, its corners curled and cracked. The Sox hadn't had a winning season in nine years, finishing seventh or lower six times and losing 100 games in 1965, finishing 40 out. "Nobody really cared about winning," says Williams, who was a reserve infielder on the 1963 and 1964 clubs.
1967前的紅襪戰績並不好，連續九年勝率為過半，有六年的名次不高過第七，其中1965又單季輸了100場球
Nobody cared and nobody came. Attendance in 1965 was 652,000, the lowest since World War II. When Dave Morehead pitched his no-hitter in September of that year, only 1,247 were in the stands. A couple of weeks later, 461 turned up to see the Angels. "When I was with Kansas City, we played in Fenway one day and I was in right field, counting people in the stands," remembers Ken Harrelson, who was picked up by the Sox late in the 1967 race. "There couldn't have been more than a couple hundred."
戰績的不佳導致了觀眾的流失，1965年的總進場人數只有二戰後最低的652,000，當Dave Morehead投出無安打比賽時全場只有1247名球迷，有一場對天使甚至只有461 人進場看球，1967球季由皇家轉隊到紅襪的外野手回憶道：我記得還在皇家時。有一次作客到波士頓，我在右外野數觀眾席上的人數，還真是寥寥可數。
Yawkey, the owner who'd made millions in lumber and mining, could live with the empty seats. But the ineptitude drove him daffy. One day in 1960, after watching Bobby Thomson, the former Giants pennant hero, let four balls get by him at first base while playing without a first baseman's mitt, the owner swore he'd sell the club. "Seven million will take it," Yawkey told broadcaster Curt Gowdy. "A finger glove at first base? This is the major leagues?"
當時的老闆Yawkey是個靠著土木業致富的富翁，球隊的票房不佳對他沒有什麼影響，不過球隊的荒唐行徑卻令他為之氣結，在1960年的一場比賽，他在一場前巨人球星Bobby Thomson表現不佳的比賽後說道：七百萬我就把球隊給賣了~~!!，這支球隊根本不向大聯盟的球隊。
New sheriff in town
新官上任
Nobody, not the fans and not the players, understood what winning looked like. But Williams, who'd managed the club's minor leaguers in Toronto for two years, knew there was plenty of promise in the clubhouse in Andrews, Joe Foy, George Scott, and Reggie Smith.
當1967年的球季開打時，球迷和球員們都不太清楚勝利是啥滋味。不過由AAA拉拔上來的教練 Dick Williams，知道如果敢用在農場的新秀，新球季依舊有希望，Joe Foy、George Scott、Reggie Smith 幾位AAA的新血於是開始在大聯盟嶄露頭角。
"Dick thought with all that talent, if we could just catch the ball and throw the ball, we'd win a lot more than we had in the past," says Lonborg, who won 22 games and the Cy Young Award in '67.
67年的賽楊獎得主Jim Lonborg：Dick(總教練)認為依隊上球員的天分。如果我們能夠踏實的打球。做好基本功，我們一定能比以前拿下更多場勝利
Williams, the eighth manager in nine years, had only a one-year contract, which he realized was oddly liberating. "I decided, if I'm going to go down," he says, "I'm going down my way."
那段時期的紅襪，在九年內換了八位總教練，而身為其中一位的 Dick Williams同樣簽的也是一年約。對此他反而覺得壓力沒有那麼大
Dick Williams 說：如果我最後不會留在這。我就按照我的球風盡情發揮。
So he went back to fundamentals, to the astounding novelty of "playing the game the right way" and disciplining those who didn't.
於是Dick開始以基礎為主。強調"以正確的態度比賽"。並嚴格管理違逆的球員
"I was very strict with them and some of them didn't like it at first," says Williams, who promised that the club would win more than it lost. "But they came into the fold."
"我對他們非常的嚴厲，而許多人在一開始都不是很習慣" Dick Williams 回憶道 "不過隨著球賽進行他們也開始慢慢瞭解了"。
The winning took a while. After losing four of their first six, despite rookie Rohr's one-out-away no-hit bid in the Bronx, the Sox were in ninth place. Then they won six of seven, rallying to beat Kansas City in the bottom of the 15th, and found themselves tied for first.
在經過了13場比賽後，紅襪靠著在15局下半的再見安打成功擊敗皇家。也將排名拉到了與洋基並列聯盟首位。
"How do you like our chances now?" crowed Carl Yastrzemski, after his mates had prevailed, 11-10, in the Fens.
Carl Yastrzemski賽後興奮的說：我們本季大有機會~~!!
Thus began the wild carnival ride - the Sox dropped nine of their next 12, then won 7 of 10, then lost three, then won four, bouncing between third place and eighth. It was mid-July, after they'd been skunked, 10-0, for the second time by the Orioles, when the magic kicked in. The Sox won 10 straight, the last six on the road.
接下來的比賽裡紅襪的狀況並不是很好，在29場比賽裡只贏了14場，排名也在第八到第三之間徘徊。不過襪子們開始急起直追，開始了一波十連勝的高潮。
Yet it wasn't until they landed at Logan on a late flight back from Cleveland and found 15,000 fans (more than had greeted the Beatles) waiting to salute them, that the players understood what they'd done.
在結束了六連勝的客場之旅後，疲憊不堪的球員們在深夜抵達了波士頓的羅根國際機場後，出乎他們意料的受到了15000名球迷的熱烈歡迎。他們也才感受到他們原來做了件了不起的事情。
"Our mouths were open; we were shocked," remembers Petrocelli. "That's when we started believing."
"我們全部人都瞠目結舌，無法相信" Petrocelli回憶道 "不過我們也是在那時開始有了信念"
The low moment
降至冰點
It was a giddy and magical run, with Lonborg (Gentleman Jim no longer) intimidating hitters, Yastrzemski wearing out pitchers, and everybody else stepping up on demand.
在連勝的那段期間，投手丘上有 Lonborg 一夫當關，打擊方面也由 Yastrzemski 帶領全隊往目標邁進
Then, on Aug. 18 at Fenway, Angels pitcher Jack Hamilton drilled Conigliaro in the face, breaking his left cheekbone and damaging his eye.
然而在八月18日主場對戰天使之戰，Tony C遭到投手 Jack Hamilton 的強襲球命中頭部，造成了左頰骨骨折和視力受損
"I thought I was going to die," said Conigliaro, who remembered only hearing a hissing sound before the ball smashed into him. "Death was constantly on my mind."
"我以為我要掛了，心裡一直在想著我會不會因此而喪命" Tony C 回憶當天被k的情況
Conigliaro missed the rest of the season and all of the next one and was never the same player. His teammates, who thought Hamilton was head-hunting, were furious. "Yaz had fire in his eyes," remembers Petrocelli, who was on deck when Conigliaro went down. "Everybody got very angry - and we played angry."
在經過了一年半的復健後，他才能夠克服心理障礙回到球場，不過...他在也不是受傷前的強打少年了。在該場比賽排在Tony C後面打擊 Petrocelli 說：大家都認為他是故意砸人的，全隊都很憤怒，我可以看得出來 Yastrzemski 的眼裡氣到噴火，我們把怒氣轉換為贏球動力。
The Sox won that night, prevailed in a 12-11 marathon the next day, then swept the Angels in a Sunday doubleheader, coming from eight runs down to win the nightcap, 9-8. Before long, the erstwhile Dead Sox were in first place alone that late in a season for the first time in 18 years.
Petrocelli說的沒錯，該次系列賽紅襪四連勝橫掃了天使。8/26，長久積弱的紅襪終於獨佔了暌違18年的東區龍頭
That was the setup for the screwiest of Septembers, with four teams - Boston, Minnesota, Detroit, and Chicago - all within a game and a half of the lead. For the rest of the season, the Sox were never more than a game out of first, even after they dropped three straight to the Orioles in the Fens. Three nights in a row, they won in the ninth or 10th inning. That's how it was.
令人玩味的九月來臨，Boston, Minnesota, Detroit, Chicago四隊互咬，競爭分區第一的頭銜。四隊的勝場差都在一場半以內，儘管對金鶯的系列賽被橫掃，紅襪靠著堅強的韌性在皆下來三場比賽都在第九或第十局強壓老虎。仍舊與第一名保持著一場的勝差。
"I can remember people saying, 'How can you stand the pressure?' " recalls Yastrzemski, who won the Triple Crown, was named league MVP, and ended up on the cover of Life magazine. "I'd say, 'Pressure? This is fun. This is what the game is about.' "
當年拿下打擊三冠王和聯盟MVP的Yastrzemski回憶道：我記得有人問我，"你都感覺不到壓力嗎？" 我回答"壓力？這才是棒球呀"。
Scoreboard-watching became an obsession. How were the Twins doing against the Yankees? What was happening in Washington?
隨著賽季進入尾聲。球員們也養成了注意計分板上排名的習慣
"At Fenway, we had the best way of keeping score - the guy in the Wall," says Lonborg. "You would see that number disappear and wait for the next one to come up. It wasn't like it was being blurted out on a Jumbotron."
投手Lonborg說：我們在Fenway的計分板很好玩，你看著工作人員把數字牌拿下，一直空到他們在放另一塊不同的數字上去，是電視螢幕感受不到的
Going into the final week, the four contenders were separated by a game and a half with the Twins on top. The schedule favored the pitching-rich White Sox, who had five games against last-place Kansas City and seventh-place Washington and aces Gary Peters and Joel Horlen available twice.
球季的最後一個禮拜。上述四隊仍是保持著一場之內的差距，由雙城暫時領先。而就賽程來說，對於投手戰力堅強的白襪有利，且隊上最好的兩名投手可以在五場內先發兩次
Though the Red Sox were finishing with four games at home and three days off, they squandered the advantage with two ugly losses to the Indians, the second a 6-0 shutout with Lonborg on the mound.
有著主場優勢的紅襪卻在此時栽了個小跟頭，連輸了兩場包括了由王牌 Lonborg 先發的比賽
"Luis Tiant would strike out the side, then he'd look over and say, 'You guys tight?" ' remembers Petrocelli. "And he'd laugh."
Petrocelli 回憶當天印地安人的先發投手Luis Tiant：他在一個半局連續三振三名打者後，會轉過頭來對著紅襪的球員說 "你們很強嗎？"然後笑著回休息室。(結果他在1970年加入紅襪...)
The Sox trooped glumly into the clubhouse on Wednesday. Six months of frenzied fantasy had vanished in two days. "We thought it was over," says Yastrzemski. "Everyone was saying, 'Well, we had a great year.' "
該場比賽結束後，球員們難掩失望之情。六個月的努力在兩天內泡湯。
Yastrzemski 說：大家都覺得沒望了，安慰自己至少今年打的不差。
Magical weekend
神奇週末
Then the unlikeliest of parlays broke their way: The Athletics swept the White Sox in a doubleheader while the Twins were losing at home to the Angels.
然而，幸運之神是眷顧紅襪的，同屬領先群的白襪、雙城兩隊，分別被運動家橫掃和被天使擊敗
And Boston, despite having dropped four of six, was only a game out of first with two to play.
紅襪則希望再接下來的兩場比賽裡擺脫之前六戰四敗的小低潮，拉近與首位一場的勝差
"We got up the next morning and said, you know, we still have a chance," Lonborg remembers.
Lonborg 還記得：我們隔天早上起床，突然覺得我們在季後賽又有希望了
All the Sox had to do was take two games from the Twins, who'd won 11 of their 16 meetings, and beat aces Jim Kaat and Chance. Both days, they fell behind. Both days they prevailed with grit and guile, a little bit of luck and a lot of Yaz, who was 7 for 8.
他們的目標是搶下最後兩場當年對戰成績以16戰11勝佔上風的雙城隊，並且面對的是對方的前兩號先發投手 Jim Kaat 和 Chance。連續兩天，紅襪都以些微的比數落後，連續兩天，紅襪都靠著膽量，小聰明，一點運氣和很多的Yastrzemski，逆轉獲勝
"Carl was a man possessed," Lonborg says.
Lonborg ：Yastrzemski 實在是個沒心臟的男人
Who'd ever had a season, or a September, like his? During the final fortnight, Yastrzemski hit .523 with 5 homers and 16 RBIs.
第三棒Yastrzemski 在九月的最後兩個禮拜繳出了.523打擊率，5支全壘打，16分打點的驚人成績
"I was in the zone," recalls Yastrzemski, who superstitiously didn't change his shirt or socks during his out-of-body run. "You usually stay in it for 10 days, but I was in it for a month."
Yastrzemski 記得：我剛好狀況調整得很好。一般差不多10左右就結束了，我維持了一個月。
而此段期間他也很迷信的一直重複穿著前一場的球衣和球襪
Everything broke Boston's way that weekend. On Saturday, Kaat's elbow blew out in the third inning. With two out in the fifth, the Sox managed two runs after Dalton Jones's tapper to second bounced up and off Rod Carew's shoulder and reliever Jim Perry neglected to cover first on Yastrzemski's grounder. Then, after the Twins had drawn even at 2-2, Scott hit a homer to center, Yastrzemski hammered a three-run shot into the bullpen, and his mates went on to win, 6-4.
那個週末是屬於波士頓的。雙城先發Kaat在三局時因為手肘異狀而退場，紅襪在領先被追平後，靠著 Scott 和 Yastrzemski 兩支全壘打以6-4取下了第一場勝利。
Now it was up to Lonborg, the Stanford grad who fell asleep that night reading "The Fall of Japan." He'd never beaten the Twins, and his mates, down, 2-0, after five innings, weren't touching Chance. So Lonborg, leading off the sixth, laid down a perfect bunt that caught third baseman Cesar Tovar napping and sparked a five-run rally, including a two-run single by Yastrzemski.
最後一場季賽的重責，就交在當年的Ace Lonborg 身上了。比賽膠著到六局下半，紅襪以2-0落後，雙城投手 Chance 完全壓制住了他們的打線，首位上場的投手Lonborg 出奇不意的偷點了一支三壘方向的內野安打，擾亂了 Chance 的投球情緒，而紅襪在該局拿下來包括Yastrzemski 兩打點一壘安打的寶貴五分。
It seemed hours later that there were two out in the ninth with a full house on its feet and Petrocelli settling under Rich Rollins's popup.
比賽快轉到九局上半雙城最後進攻，打者Rich Rollins 打出了一球內野高飛球，游擊手 Petrocelli 在滿場觀眾的矚目下接殺了他們在季賽的最後一個Play。
"As soon as the ball went up, the park went silent," he recalls. "Thank God I caught it, otherwise I would have been murdered and there really would have been pandemonium on the field."
他回憶道：那球一打出去，全場馬上鴉雀無聲...上帝保佑我接到了那球，否則的話我可能會橫屍街頭吧，那時的Fenway也會變的很混亂
As it was, the fans went berserk, falling out of the bleachers onto the field and trying to scale the backstop. "It was an unbelievable scene," recalls Mel Parnell, who was handling the TV broadcast. "I'll never forget that as long I live."
在比賽結束的同時，Fenway場內的球迷也瘋狂了，他們開始不顧性命的用盡各種方法往場內衝
電視主播 Mel Parnell 說道：我在有生之年都不會忘記當時的混亂
Lonborg, his cap gone, his jersey torn asunder, was borne across the diamond toward the Pesky Pole on a thousand shoulders. It was, he remembers, both exhilarating and a bit scary. And, of course, premature. The Sox hadn't won anything yet.
該場的勝利投手 Lonborg 也很慘，他的帽子被摸走了，球衣被撕成碎片，同時被數千人抬在空中送出球場(應該挺壯觀的 XD)，他回憶當天的狀況：很令人振奮，不過也有點嚇人。以及，過於草率，畢竟該場比賽結束後尚未確定隔壁的老虎是否輸球
Birth of the Nation
紅襪國誕生
The Tigers had won the first game of their doubleheader with the Angels. If they won the second, there would be a one-game playoff. "Take it easy with that stuff, Stinger," Williams advised pitcher Lee Stange, who was draining a bottle of beer. "If there's a game tomorrow, you're going."
同日的老虎天使雙重賽，如果老虎兩場都拿下的話，將會在加賽一場，由紅襪和老虎爭奪世界大賽資格。總教練在賽後跟正在喝啤酒的投手Lee Stange說：你只可以喝一點，如果明天必須要加賽的話，你也要到場。
The uncertainty made for the oddest of celebrations. "There was no celebration," remembers Yastrzemski. "No champagne. You're just sitting there, waiting for the second game to be over."
Yastrzemski 還記得比賽完後並沒有慶祝活動，"沒有香檳，沒有狂歡，我們都在等待該場比賽究竟鹿死誰手。"
And, then, it was. With the Angels leading, 8-5, in the bottom of the ninth, Dick McAuliffe, who hadn't hit into a double play all year, went 4-6-3. "Knoop to Fregosi to Mincher," remembers Andrews. "And then we went crazy."
我們把鏡頭拉到老虎隊主場。九局下半，天使8-5領先，老虎打者 Dick McAuliffe，在67年沒有打過一支雙殺打的選手該年的第一支雙殺打，就是終結球隊冠軍的希望。比賽結束。紅襪奪得美聯冠軍
Yawkey went from locker to locker, hugging everyone. "This is the happiest moment of my life," he proclaimed. Bottles of Great Western were uncorked and sprayed, heads were smeared with shaving cream, cigars protruded from grinning mouths. "It was," says Petrocelli, "baseball utopia."
老闆 Yawkey 在休息室裡擁抱每一位紅襪球員。並大聲歡呼：這是我一生最快樂的時刻。球員們在休息室裡玩瘋了，香檳一瓶一瓶的開著，喝著，噴著、一群人頭上沾滿了惡作劇的刮鬍膏、笑的合不攏嘴的嘴裡含著一根根象徵勝利的雪笳
Petrocelli 仍舊記得：那就是所謂的棒球烏托邦
After that, the World Series with St. Louis almost seemed an anticlimax, especially after Boston fell behind, three games to one. But Lonborg, who'd pitched a one-hitter to win Game 2 behind two Yastrzemski homers, beat the Cardinals on three hits in Game 5 and the Sox bashed four homers (two by Petrocelli) to win Game 6.
緊接而來的世界大賽，卻給了紅襪球迷一個異常失望的結尾，在前四戰以1-3落後的情況下，靠著 Lonborg 和 Yaz 兩人的投打加持下，硬是將戰線拉到了決勝負的第七戰。
"What are your plans for tomorrow?" Williams was asked.
總教練 Williams 在賽前被問到 "請問明天有什麼特別的佈局嗎？"
"Lonborg, then champagne," he replied.
"Lonborg 先發，然後我們灑香檳" 他簡短回應
The Sox had achieved the improbable for so long that the impossible seemed inevitable. But Lonborg, after just two days' rest, was operating on fumes and Cardinals ace Bob Gibson, who'd allowed just one run in two complete-game outings, was masterful. The final was 7-2 and the dream was done.
可惜的是，在只有兩天休息的狀況下 Lonborg 無法拿出最佳狀態應戰。敗給另一廂的紅雀王牌 Bob Gibson 的大師級演出，紅襪以7-2落敗，打破了"不太可能"神話的紅襪，挑戰"不可能"失敗
"I look back and say, I can't believe we lost the seventh game of the World Series because the script didn't go that way," says Andrews. "We were supposed to win it and it would be the greatest movie ever made."
二壘手Andrews 感慨的說：現在回首當年，依然無法相信我們輸掉了第七戰，我們應該要贏的，那會是歷史上最好的電影。
Hopes were high for a sequel the following year. "You think, well, this could be a dynasty," says Yastrzemski, who hit .400 with three homers in the Series. "We were young - I was the oldest starter at 28. But Tony didn't come back, Jim injured his knee skiing, and Jose Santiago hurt his elbow. You don't lose three players like that."
1967年的成功，令許多人對接下來的1968球季充滿期待。Yastrzemski 說：我們有可能可以創造一個王朝，當年全隊的球員都很年輕，我當時才28歲還是隊上最老的，不過 Tony C 隔年沒有回來，Jim Lonborg 在滑雪時弄傷了膝蓋，Jose Santiago 傷了他的手肘，三位球員就這樣錯過了一個球季
The Sox finished fourth in 1968, 17 games behind the Tigers, but the game had been reborn in Babe Ruth's old town. Attendance was nearly 2 million the next year and victory no longer was an aberration. The Dead Sox were reborn.
1968年球季，紅襪僅以第四名坐收，不過經過了1967，棒球又在貝比‧魯斯的舊家重生。觀眾開始進場看球，勝利也不在像過去一樣難以到手，紅襪如浴火鳳凰般重生
"I call Yaz the Renaissance Man," says Harrelson. "Because he was the renaissance of baseball in New England."
Harrelson 說：我後來給 Yaz取了一個綽號"復興者"，他代表的是新英格蘭區棒球的復興。
Since then, the Sox have played in three more World Series, sweeping St. Louis in 2004. Fenway, once a pigeon-infested echo chamber, now is sold out for the season. And fans who wouldn't get on a trolley to watch the team now fly to San Diego for a weekend.
後來的故事，大家都知道了，紅襪又打了三次的世界大賽，04年橫掃紅雀復仇成功。而Fenway球場，一個曾經雞不拉屎、鳥不生蛋的空洞迴廊，現在是一票難求的熱門球隊。有的球迷甚至為了紅襪從東岸波士頓飛到西岸的聖地牙哥度週末順便看一場紅襪隊的比賽
"Red Sox Nation," Williams muses. "I'd never heard that before, but I hear it now. They say we started that."
"紅襪國度" Williams 若有所思地說 "我以前從來沒聽過，不過現在大家都這麼說，人們說是我們開創的"
2007年11月5日 星期一
紅襪球員培育部門director Mike Hazen訪談
Origin: soxprospects.blogspot.com
Interview with Mike Hazen, Red Sox Director of Player Development
SP: Last time we spoke in July, you mentioned that you thought it would take some time to evaluate the “Lancaster Effect” for both pitchers and hitters. Have you come to any conclusions, even tentative ones, regarding development and evaluation in Lancaster ?
SP:我們在七月時有訪問過你對於Lancaster這個球場的看法，你說還需要多點時間來評估，現在你有任何結論了嗎？即使是粗略的也OK
MH: We are getting closer to feeling more comfortable on the overall impact of Lancaster. Clearly there is an effect on both offense and pitching in that park. We saw some of our position players get to Portland and saw their production fall off from the California League levels. Most of these players were promoted in the middle to the end of the season, so I think jumping to Double-A has some effect as well as getting toward the end of the season, but Lancaster propped up some of the statistics as well. From a pitching standpoint we feel comfortable that Portland will be somewhat similar to Lancaster given the conditions, even with players moving up a level.
MH:很明顯的此球場對於投手和打者都有不同的影響，有一些我們在季中將他們升到AA的球員打擊成績有所滑落，這和面對不同層級的投手和季中體力流失有關係，當然也因為球場因素將他們數據往上拉了一點。對投手來說，由於打者強度的關係，兩個球場的狀況算是差不多的。
SP: What were your initial impressions of Nick Hagadone this season?
SP:你對於Nick Hagadone的第一印象如何？
MH: Nick had a very good half season. Great kid, great work ethic, I think the scouting staff did a great job evaluating him. We will take any and all power arm LHP that we can find, and he showed a good feel for a change-up in the instructional league. Long-term starter vs. reliever will be the biggest discussion over the next 12 months.
MH:他在轉入職業後的下半季投的很好，也有著很好的工作態度，球探部門做得很好，我們在選秀會上不會放過任何有潛力的強力左投。Nick現在在教育聯盟(林哲瑄目前也在)新練一顆變速球，在明年球季開始時我們會決定他到底會往SP還是RP走這個重要課題
SP: Have any particular players stood out in the Fall Instructional League in terms of development?
SP:有哪些新人在秋季教育聯盟(FIL)有顯著的成長嗎?
MH: I think the overall group, with regard to athleticism and size, was extremely impressive overall. Our middle infield was very athletic with Tejeda, Navarro, Middlebrooks, Roque, and Dent, and some of our younger corner players impressed as well. Greenville would project to look somewhat similar to the 2007 team in terms of age/experience which is always exciting from our standpoint -- although you never know how that is going to translate in the win/loss column.
MH:所有的年輕球員在體型和運動能力上都讓我們驚豔，尤其是二遊的Tejeda, Navarro, Middlebrooks, Roque, Dent等人
SP: Anything you can share on how Michael Almanzar’s development is coming along in the early going?
SP:可以透露一點Michael Almanzar的養成情況嗎？(1.5M簽約金的16歲小鬼)
MH: Tough to get a great read right now. He is extremely young and athletic but it will take some time for him to develop into his body. At 16, he held his own in the FIL, which was extremely encouraging - he will show you quite a few tools. Next spring, we will get a much better read after a winter of strength gains.
MH:雖然他的運動能力很受我們期待，不過才16歲的他依舊有許多地方需要改進，他在FIL的學習能力令我們感到欣慰，請期待明年
SP: Former first round picks Daniel Bard and Jason Place struggled a bit in 2007 but have seemingly impressed in the Hawaiian League this off-season. Any noteworthy changes in approach that may have catalyzed these improvements?
SP:兩位07球季在1A表現欠佳的第一輪球員Daniel Bard and Jason Place現在在夏威夷冬季聯盟看起來表現不差，有什麼值得一提的缺點校正嗎？
MH: As we have discussed with Jason, his path was going to take some time with adjustments to his swing and the acclimation to pro ball. He has worked extremely hard to really smooth out his swing mechanics and mental approach at the plate. With time and repetition, we feel he will maximize his potential. With regard to Daniel, he seems to have taken to the bullpen role pretty well, focusing on short stints where he can be ultra aggressive with his approach. Ultimately, we still feel he can either start or relieve but it has been interesting in seeing him in this role.
MH:我們和Jason討論過他需要調整的一些地方，包括了他的揮棒和適應職業棒球。他的打擊姿勢變的更流暢，在打擊區的心態也有所調整，如果能夠持之以恆，他可以在更上一層樓。Bard部分，目前看起來他挺適應後援角色的，我們覺得挺有趣的
SP: Have any other players performed beyond expectations in HWB, the AFL, or in the Caribbean Leagues thus far?
SP:還有哪些人在今年的秋季聯盟有超乎預期的表現呢？
MH: Still a little early to get a true read on the winter leagues, but the way Argenis Diaz has been swinging in Hawaii has been extremely encouraging. He really got worn down at the end of the SAL season, and that is when we saw a big drop off in production.
MH:現在談還太早，不過Argenis Diaz的打擊表現值得讚賞
SP: Looking ahead to next season, should PawSox fans anticipate that the organization will stay true to form and sign a lot of minor league free agents to fill the Pawtucket roster in 2008?
MH: I think we will continue to see the progression of young talent that has been moving its way up the system. This has taken some time, and some have moved on to the ML club, but we feel there is a next wave that will be playing in the minor leagues for the next couple of years. As always however, we must provide the ML club with the depth and protection it needs for a six month season. We will look to supplement our young club with some veteran FA’s.
SP: What is the prognosis for Aaron Bates, Ryan Kalish, and Craig Hansen to be back and healthy in time for Spring Training?
SP: Aaron Bates, Ryan Kalish, and Craig Hansen三人目前的傷勢復原如何？
MH: All will be fine. Bates had a staph infection that kept him out of the AFL – this was unfortunate for him and something that has cleared up. Ryan had successful surgery on his hamate and is progressing well through his rehab stint. He will begin a swinging progression soon and has already begun his off-season strength training. Craig had minor facial surgery recently and will be ready to go in 3 weeks.
MH:他們目前都狀態良好，Bates的葡萄球菌感染使他miss掉今年的AFL，不過已經治癒了。Kalish的手掌鉤骨手術也很成功，很快可以開始打擊練習。Hansen的臉部手術則還需要3個禮拜
SP: Who of 2007 DSL players should we keep an eye on in 2008?
MH: Stolmy Pimentel and Ronald Bermudez
SP: How does the organization intend to manage middle-infield playing time next season between Ryan Dent, Will Middlebrooks, Yamaico Navarro, and Oscar Tejeda?
SP:球團如何分配Ryan Dent, Will Middlebrooks, Yamaico Navarro, and Oscar Tejeda四位農場二遊新秀
MH: Great question, one I do not have an answer to as of yet, we will make those decisions during the course of the off-season. Will be tough decisions, although part of our goal will be to ensure that all of those players get everyday AB’s somewhere.
MH:好問題，不過我目前還沒有答案，在冬天我們會做出他們會被分配到那個階級的決定，可以跟你保證的是每個人都會有足夠的上場時間來成長
SP: Over the past four years, there has been an impressive influx of new home grown talent making major contributions each and every season, from Youkilis to Papelbon to Lester to Delcarmen to Pedroia to Ellsbury to Buchholz. Care to make any predictions on what other prospects could be added to this list in 2008?
SP:最近四年來農場不斷有人冒出頭來為紅襪建功，包括Youkilis, Pap, Lester, DelCarmen, Pedroia, Ellsbury, Buchy等人，08年有哪些球員值得期待呢?
MH: Our scouting department does a tremendous job evaluating the players that are drafted and hopefully this has provided the club with additional young players that will contribute over the next few years. There are a number of players we believe will have an opportunity to impact the ML club. I think Lowrie, Masterson, Hansen among others will have a good chance in the short term --with hopefully another level of young depth coming behind them.
MH:Lowire, Masterson, Hansen在明年都會有機會
Interview with Mike Hazen, Red Sox Director of Player Development
SP: Last time we spoke in July, you mentioned that you thought it would take some time to evaluate the “Lancaster Effect” for both pitchers and hitters. Have you come to any conclusions, even tentative ones, regarding development and evaluation in Lancaster ?
SP:我們在七月時有訪問過你對於Lancaster這個球場的看法，你說還需要多點時間來評估，現在你有任何結論了嗎？即使是粗略的也OK
MH: We are getting closer to feeling more comfortable on the overall impact of Lancaster. Clearly there is an effect on both offense and pitching in that park. We saw some of our position players get to Portland and saw their production fall off from the California League levels. Most of these players were promoted in the middle to the end of the season, so I think jumping to Double-A has some effect as well as getting toward the end of the season, but Lancaster propped up some of the statistics as well. From a pitching standpoint we feel comfortable that Portland will be somewhat similar to Lancaster given the conditions, even with players moving up a level.
MH:很明顯的此球場對於投手和打者都有不同的影響，有一些我們在季中將他們升到AA的球員打擊成績有所滑落，這和面對不同層級的投手和季中體力流失有關係，當然也因為球場因素將他們數據往上拉了一點。對投手來說，由於打者強度的關係，兩個球場的狀況算是差不多的。
SP: What were your initial impressions of Nick Hagadone this season?
SP:你對於Nick Hagadone的第一印象如何？
MH: Nick had a very good half season. Great kid, great work ethic, I think the scouting staff did a great job evaluating him. We will take any and all power arm LHP that we can find, and he showed a good feel for a change-up in the instructional league. Long-term starter vs. reliever will be the biggest discussion over the next 12 months.
MH:他在轉入職業後的下半季投的很好，也有著很好的工作態度，球探部門做得很好，我們在選秀會上不會放過任何有潛力的強力左投。Nick現在在教育聯盟(林哲瑄目前也在)新練一顆變速球，在明年球季開始時我們會決定他到底會往SP還是RP走這個重要課題
SP: Have any particular players stood out in the Fall Instructional League in terms of development?
SP:有哪些新人在秋季教育聯盟(FIL)有顯著的成長嗎?
MH: I think the overall group, with regard to athleticism and size, was extremely impressive overall. Our middle infield was very athletic with Tejeda, Navarro, Middlebrooks, Roque, and Dent, and some of our younger corner players impressed as well. Greenville would project to look somewhat similar to the 2007 team in terms of age/experience which is always exciting from our standpoint -- although you never know how that is going to translate in the win/loss column.
MH:所有的年輕球員在體型和運動能力上都讓我們驚豔，尤其是二遊的Tejeda, Navarro, Middlebrooks, Roque, Dent等人
SP: Anything you can share on how Michael Almanzar’s development is coming along in the early going?
SP:可以透露一點Michael Almanzar的養成情況嗎？(1.5M簽約金的16歲小鬼)
MH: Tough to get a great read right now. He is extremely young and athletic but it will take some time for him to develop into his body. At 16, he held his own in the FIL, which was extremely encouraging - he will show you quite a few tools. Next spring, we will get a much better read after a winter of strength gains.
MH:雖然他的運動能力很受我們期待，不過才16歲的他依舊有許多地方需要改進，他在FIL的學習能力令我們感到欣慰，請期待明年
SP: Former first round picks Daniel Bard and Jason Place struggled a bit in 2007 but have seemingly impressed in the Hawaiian League this off-season. Any noteworthy changes in approach that may have catalyzed these improvements?
SP:兩位07球季在1A表現欠佳的第一輪球員Daniel Bard and Jason Place現在在夏威夷冬季聯盟看起來表現不差，有什麼值得一提的缺點校正嗎？
MH: As we have discussed with Jason, his path was going to take some time with adjustments to his swing and the acclimation to pro ball. He has worked extremely hard to really smooth out his swing mechanics and mental approach at the plate. With time and repetition, we feel he will maximize his potential. With regard to Daniel, he seems to have taken to the bullpen role pretty well, focusing on short stints where he can be ultra aggressive with his approach. Ultimately, we still feel he can either start or relieve but it has been interesting in seeing him in this role.
MH:我們和Jason討論過他需要調整的一些地方，包括了他的揮棒和適應職業棒球。他的打擊姿勢變的更流暢，在打擊區的心態也有所調整，如果能夠持之以恆，他可以在更上一層樓。Bard部分，目前看起來他挺適應後援角色的，我們覺得挺有趣的
SP: Have any other players performed beyond expectations in HWB, the AFL, or in the Caribbean Leagues thus far?
SP:還有哪些人在今年的秋季聯盟有超乎預期的表現呢？
MH: Still a little early to get a true read on the winter leagues, but the way Argenis Diaz has been swinging in Hawaii has been extremely encouraging. He really got worn down at the end of the SAL season, and that is when we saw a big drop off in production.
MH:現在談還太早，不過Argenis Diaz的打擊表現值得讚賞
SP: Looking ahead to next season, should PawSox fans anticipate that the organization will stay true to form and sign a lot of minor league free agents to fill the Pawtucket roster in 2008?
MH: I think we will continue to see the progression of young talent that has been moving its way up the system. This has taken some time, and some have moved on to the ML club, but we feel there is a next wave that will be playing in the minor leagues for the next couple of years. As always however, we must provide the ML club with the depth and protection it needs for a six month season. We will look to supplement our young club with some veteran FA’s.
SP: What is the prognosis for Aaron Bates, Ryan Kalish, and Craig Hansen to be back and healthy in time for Spring Training?
SP: Aaron Bates, Ryan Kalish, and Craig Hansen三人目前的傷勢復原如何？
MH: All will be fine. Bates had a staph infection that kept him out of the AFL – this was unfortunate for him and something that has cleared up. Ryan had successful surgery on his hamate and is progressing well through his rehab stint. He will begin a swinging progression soon and has already begun his off-season strength training. Craig had minor facial surgery recently and will be ready to go in 3 weeks.
MH:他們目前都狀態良好，Bates的葡萄球菌感染使他miss掉今年的AFL，不過已經治癒了。Kalish的手掌鉤骨手術也很成功，很快可以開始打擊練習。Hansen的臉部手術則還需要3個禮拜
SP: Who of 2007 DSL players should we keep an eye on in 2008?
MH: Stolmy Pimentel and Ronald Bermudez
SP: How does the organization intend to manage middle-infield playing time next season between Ryan Dent, Will Middlebrooks, Yamaico Navarro, and Oscar Tejeda?
SP:球團如何分配Ryan Dent, Will Middlebrooks, Yamaico Navarro, and Oscar Tejeda四位農場二遊新秀
MH: Great question, one I do not have an answer to as of yet, we will make those decisions during the course of the off-season. Will be tough decisions, although part of our goal will be to ensure that all of those players get everyday AB’s somewhere.
MH:好問題，不過我目前還沒有答案，在冬天我們會做出他們會被分配到那個階級的決定，可以跟你保證的是每個人都會有足夠的上場時間來成長
SP: Over the past four years, there has been an impressive influx of new home grown talent making major contributions each and every season, from Youkilis to Papelbon to Lester to Delcarmen to Pedroia to Ellsbury to Buchholz. Care to make any predictions on what other prospects could be added to this list in 2008?
SP:最近四年來農場不斷有人冒出頭來為紅襪建功，包括Youkilis, Pap, Lester, DelCarmen, Pedroia, Ellsbury, Buchy等人，08年有哪些球員值得期待呢?
MH: Our scouting department does a tremendous job evaluating the players that are drafted and hopefully this has provided the club with additional young players that will contribute over the next few years. There are a number of players we believe will have an opportunity to impact the ML club. I think Lowrie, Masterson, Hansen among others will have a good chance in the short term --with hopefully another level of young depth coming behind them.
MH:Lowire, Masterson, Hansen在明年都會有機會
2007年8月18日 星期六
Buchholz賽後訪談
【原文網址】-- 原文網址
【刊登時間】-- August 18, 2007
【原文作者】-- Bob Ryan, Globe Columnist
【原文標題】-- For a change, it was very good
【中文標題】-- Buchholz賽後訪談
Only one man in major league history has umpired more games than Bruce Froemming, who was behind the plate yesterday afternoon when a young'un the Red Sox think might be a real keeper was the winning pitcher in his major league debut.
昨天下午由紅襪新人Buchy主投的補賽，擔任主審的是MLB史上擔任壘審次數第二多的Bruce Froemming
So, you'd have to say the veteran arbiter's opinion carries a lot of weight.
既然這位主審執法了這麼多的比賽，他的話應該多少有點份量吧
"Randy Jones," said Froemming. "This guy has pretty good command of his pitches for a guy starting out. Reminds me of Randy Jones in that regard. And this guy's got some changeup. It surprised me to see him go to that changeup right away."
Froemming說：這小子的控球讓我聯想起Randy Jones，對個新人來說都有不錯的控球。最讓我驚豔的是他的變速球
Jones was a lefthanded pitcher famous for low pitch counts and fast games. He twice won 20 games for substandard Padres teams and he walked off with the 1976 National League Cy Young Award.
Randy Jones這位以低投球數和節奏明快著稱的左投手，曾經在75.76兩個球季在戰績不佳的教士隊中兩度奪得20勝，並在76年奪走了CYA
Clay Buchholz, you've just been paid a compliment from a very knowledgeable source.
Buchy應該感謝Froemming這位經驗豐富的主審對他有如此的評價
"He showed good poise," said Mike Scioscia, the manager of the Orange County American League Baseball Club, a.k.a. the Angels. "We were very impressed with his arm. He made some real good pitches with his changeup."
而天使的總教練Mike Scioscia對他又有什麼看法呢？”這場比賽他很穩定，我們對他的投球印象深刻，他有幾球變速球投得非常好”
Clay Buchholz, you've just been paid a compliment from another very knowledgeable source.
Only you know if they make you feel any better now that you're back in Pawtucket with your 1-0 major league lifetime record.
有了這兩位資深棒球人的好評，Buchy在回3A的路上或許會比較好過一點吧…
This had to be one of the stranger first outings in major league history. No matter what the 23-year-old righthander did against the Angels yesterday, he was heading back to Pawtucket. He was part of the Big Picture for the 2007 Red Sox. No more, no less. They had a day-night doubleheader because of an April 15 rainout. They needed a one-time-only starter. They felt he was ready enough to fill a need. Period. End of story.
不管昨天的投球內容如何、也不管他是紅襪未來的重要藍圖之一，球團的決定就是只讓他先發這場在4/15日因雨延賽的比賽。投完就回3A繼續磨練
"Doesn't matter if he throws a no-hitter," Terry Francona said before the game. "He's going back down."
腦殘紅襪總教練Tito在賽前說：就算他今天投了場無安打比賽他還是會回3A。(嚼嚼嚼嚼嚼)
Come on, the skipper was asked, don't you want to leave yourself a little wiggle room in case he really does throw a no-hitter?
記者再追問，如果他真的投了場無安打，為何現在不幫他預留個空間呢？
"If he throws a no-hitter," Francona said, "we may send him back with a present -- but he's going back."
Tito邊嚼邊說：如果他真的投了場無安打。我們會送他個禮物再把他送回3A(我嚼我嚼我嚼我嚼)
Buchholz did not throw a no-hitter. He did not throw a shutout. He did not throw a complete game (Yeah, right). He did not even have a 1-2-3 inning. He gave up four runs (three earned) and eight hits (none smashed) in six innings as the Red Sox took the first game of the day-nighter, 8-4. He threw 91 pitches, walked three, and struck out five. He was the beneficiary of three double plays, one a liner to Kevin Youkilis at first that extricated him from a two-on, one-out spot in the fifth after he had given up four consecutive well-placed singles, good for two runs.
而Buchy也沒有投出無安打，沒有完封，沒有完投(也不可能會讓他完投)，甚至沒有一個半局3上3下。他在六局的投球中，投了91球，掉了四分其中三分責失，三振5人，3次保送。紅襪也以三次雙殺守備幫他化解了一些危機。
But he had people talking about that changeup.
這場比賽也讓人注意到他的變速球
"It's not just a changeup that's good for a young pitcher," Francona said. "His changeup is good -- now."
Tito：Buchy有一顆很好的變速球
"All season, it's been the changeup," said Buchholz, a skinny Texan who's listed at 6 feet 3 inches, 190 pounds. "I have been able throw it in a lot of counts that I shouldn't be able to throw it in, and getting swings and misses out of it, and a couple of ground balls."
Buchy對自己的變速球有點話說，”今年整季的變速球狀況都很好，我可以用他在不同的球數下搶好球，讓打者揮空或是擊出鳥滾”
His fastball was clocked as high as 94 miles per hour, and generally came in at 91, but it really wasn't a major ally. His problems with the pitch were immediate, since he walked the first batter, Chone Figgins, on four pitches -- all fastballs, none you would call borderline.
"Thinking too much," Buchholz shrugged.
而他昨天的速球則是大多在91mph左右打轉，最快曾到達94，不過並沒有帶給他太多的幫助，第一個打席保送天使第一棒Figgins的四個球都是離譜的壞球。Buchy認為面對第一個打者時有點緊張
Figgins eventually came around on a two-base error by J.D. Drew (a low-trajectory Vladimir Guerrero fly) and a Garret Anderson infield out. The kid found himself on the 14th pitch, a changeup to Gary Matthews that produced his first swing and miss.
Figgins後來靠著Drew失誤和內野滾地回本壘得分。不過他在對決Gary Matthews時找回了手感，用了一顆變速球讓他揮棒落空
It was a needed ice-breaker. He induced eight swings and misses, seven on the change. Only one was a heater (a 93-m.p.h. job to Erick Aybar). Working off a change his manager would label "devastating," he used the fastball as an adjunct pitch. Of nine Angel foul balls, six were on the fastball and three on the change.
他在讓天使打者揮棒落空的八球中，有七球是變速球，只有一球是93mph的速球。以”壓倒性的”變速球為主，速球為輔。九個界外球裡有六個是速球三球變速。
He also mixed in a major league curveball and a major league slider. "Four pitches," marveled Froemming. "That makes guys think."
Buchy也在配球中夾雜了大聯盟等級的曲球和滑球。主審Froemming：一場比賽中能夠投這四種球路足以迷惑打者
So you can say Buchholz arrived in the big leagues with, as they like to say, an "idea."
"He didn't seem to be afraid of contact," noted Scioscia. "He let his defense make plays. That's important."
天使教練Scioscia補充：他並不怕他的球被打，相信球隊的守備，這很重要
A lot went his way. Like, what pitcher doesn't salivate when he watches his team put up a six-run first, for example?
紅襪打者在第一局就先幫他打下六分讓他可以躺著投
"It definitely made things easier pitching with a five-run cushion," Buchholz acknowledged. "You know you can give up some hits, and even runs, and not get hurt."
“有著五分領先當然感覺投的輕鬆許多，就算被打出安打或失個1.2分也不會造成戰況緊繃” Buchholz說
"Any time you can command a changeup, in any league, you've got a chance," declared Francona.
腦殘Tito邊嚼邊說：一個投手如果能夠控制好他的變速球，無論在那個聯盟他都有機會。嗯嗯，ㄏㄡ甲 ㄏㄡ甲。
Anyway, thanks a lot, kid. We'll see you in September.
總而言之，我們九月再見
"I remember catching Ramon Martínez in a similar situation," mused Scioscia about his Dodger days. "He threw something like eight shutout innings, and they still sent him back. The difference was, they didn't tell him before the game. He wasn't too pleased."
天使教練說了段趣事：我記得當初在道奇時，Ramon Martínez也發生過類似的情形，他投了八局無失分的比賽，教練團在未告知他的情形下把他送回了3A，他挺不爽的。
No such communication problem here. "It wasn't all that hard going out there knowing that it wasn't based on if I had a bad outing and they were sending me back because they didn't think I was doing great," said Buchholz. "I know what was going to happen. I'm coming up here and getting my feet wet a little bit and, hopefully, come back in September sometime and help them out."
不過相同情形沒有發生在紅襪上，Buchy說：原本我就知道投完這場比賽後會回去3A，所以也不需要擔心因為我投的不好所以被送回去之類的問題，我把此行當作是學經驗，期待九月時還能夠再上來替球隊出力。
If you want to see his next start, point the car toward the Pike and New York Thruway and get yourself to Buffalo. The next guy flailing at that killer Clay Buchholz changeup will be someone you never heard of.
沒意義，省略
【刊登時間】-- August 18, 2007
【原文作者】-- Bob Ryan, Globe Columnist
【原文標題】-- For a change, it was very good
【中文標題】-- Buchholz賽後訪談
Only one man in major league history has umpired more games than Bruce Froemming, who was behind the plate yesterday afternoon when a young'un the Red Sox think might be a real keeper was the winning pitcher in his major league debut.
昨天下午由紅襪新人Buchy主投的補賽，擔任主審的是MLB史上擔任壘審次數第二多的Bruce Froemming
So, you'd have to say the veteran arbiter's opinion carries a lot of weight.
既然這位主審執法了這麼多的比賽，他的話應該多少有點份量吧
"Randy Jones," said Froemming. "This guy has pretty good command of his pitches for a guy starting out. Reminds me of Randy Jones in that regard. And this guy's got some changeup. It surprised me to see him go to that changeup right away."
Froemming說：這小子的控球讓我聯想起Randy Jones，對個新人來說都有不錯的控球。最讓我驚豔的是他的變速球
Jones was a lefthanded pitcher famous for low pitch counts and fast games. He twice won 20 games for substandard Padres teams and he walked off with the 1976 National League Cy Young Award.
Randy Jones這位以低投球數和節奏明快著稱的左投手，曾經在75.76兩個球季在戰績不佳的教士隊中兩度奪得20勝，並在76年奪走了CYA
Clay Buchholz, you've just been paid a compliment from a very knowledgeable source.
Buchy應該感謝Froemming這位經驗豐富的主審對他有如此的評價
"He showed good poise," said Mike Scioscia, the manager of the Orange County American League Baseball Club, a.k.a. the Angels. "We were very impressed with his arm. He made some real good pitches with his changeup."
而天使的總教練Mike Scioscia對他又有什麼看法呢？”這場比賽他很穩定，我們對他的投球印象深刻，他有幾球變速球投得非常好”
Clay Buchholz, you've just been paid a compliment from another very knowledgeable source.
Only you know if they make you feel any better now that you're back in Pawtucket with your 1-0 major league lifetime record.
有了這兩位資深棒球人的好評，Buchy在回3A的路上或許會比較好過一點吧…
This had to be one of the stranger first outings in major league history. No matter what the 23-year-old righthander did against the Angels yesterday, he was heading back to Pawtucket. He was part of the Big Picture for the 2007 Red Sox. No more, no less. They had a day-night doubleheader because of an April 15 rainout. They needed a one-time-only starter. They felt he was ready enough to fill a need. Period. End of story.
不管昨天的投球內容如何、也不管他是紅襪未來的重要藍圖之一，球團的決定就是只讓他先發這場在4/15日因雨延賽的比賽。投完就回3A繼續磨練
"Doesn't matter if he throws a no-hitter," Terry Francona said before the game. "He's going back down."
腦殘紅襪總教練Tito在賽前說：就算他今天投了場無安打比賽他還是會回3A。(嚼嚼嚼嚼嚼)
Come on, the skipper was asked, don't you want to leave yourself a little wiggle room in case he really does throw a no-hitter?
記者再追問，如果他真的投了場無安打，為何現在不幫他預留個空間呢？
"If he throws a no-hitter," Francona said, "we may send him back with a present -- but he's going back."
Tito邊嚼邊說：如果他真的投了場無安打。我們會送他個禮物再把他送回3A(我嚼我嚼我嚼我嚼)
Buchholz did not throw a no-hitter. He did not throw a shutout. He did not throw a complete game (Yeah, right). He did not even have a 1-2-3 inning. He gave up four runs (three earned) and eight hits (none smashed) in six innings as the Red Sox took the first game of the day-nighter, 8-4. He threw 91 pitches, walked three, and struck out five. He was the beneficiary of three double plays, one a liner to Kevin Youkilis at first that extricated him from a two-on, one-out spot in the fifth after he had given up four consecutive well-placed singles, good for two runs.
而Buchy也沒有投出無安打，沒有完封，沒有完投(也不可能會讓他完投)，甚至沒有一個半局3上3下。他在六局的投球中，投了91球，掉了四分其中三分責失，三振5人，3次保送。紅襪也以三次雙殺守備幫他化解了一些危機。
But he had people talking about that changeup.
這場比賽也讓人注意到他的變速球
"It's not just a changeup that's good for a young pitcher," Francona said. "His changeup is good -- now."
Tito：Buchy有一顆很好的變速球
"All season, it's been the changeup," said Buchholz, a skinny Texan who's listed at 6 feet 3 inches, 190 pounds. "I have been able throw it in a lot of counts that I shouldn't be able to throw it in, and getting swings and misses out of it, and a couple of ground balls."
Buchy對自己的變速球有點話說，”今年整季的變速球狀況都很好，我可以用他在不同的球數下搶好球，讓打者揮空或是擊出鳥滾”
His fastball was clocked as high as 94 miles per hour, and generally came in at 91, but it really wasn't a major ally. His problems with the pitch were immediate, since he walked the first batter, Chone Figgins, on four pitches -- all fastballs, none you would call borderline.
"Thinking too much," Buchholz shrugged.
而他昨天的速球則是大多在91mph左右打轉，最快曾到達94，不過並沒有帶給他太多的幫助，第一個打席保送天使第一棒Figgins的四個球都是離譜的壞球。Buchy認為面對第一個打者時有點緊張
Figgins eventually came around on a two-base error by J.D. Drew (a low-trajectory Vladimir Guerrero fly) and a Garret Anderson infield out. The kid found himself on the 14th pitch, a changeup to Gary Matthews that produced his first swing and miss.
Figgins後來靠著Drew失誤和內野滾地回本壘得分。不過他在對決Gary Matthews時找回了手感，用了一顆變速球讓他揮棒落空
It was a needed ice-breaker. He induced eight swings and misses, seven on the change. Only one was a heater (a 93-m.p.h. job to Erick Aybar). Working off a change his manager would label "devastating," he used the fastball as an adjunct pitch. Of nine Angel foul balls, six were on the fastball and three on the change.
他在讓天使打者揮棒落空的八球中，有七球是變速球，只有一球是93mph的速球。以”壓倒性的”變速球為主，速球為輔。九個界外球裡有六個是速球三球變速。
He also mixed in a major league curveball and a major league slider. "Four pitches," marveled Froemming. "That makes guys think."
Buchy也在配球中夾雜了大聯盟等級的曲球和滑球。主審Froemming：一場比賽中能夠投這四種球路足以迷惑打者
So you can say Buchholz arrived in the big leagues with, as they like to say, an "idea."
"He didn't seem to be afraid of contact," noted Scioscia. "He let his defense make plays. That's important."
天使教練Scioscia補充：他並不怕他的球被打，相信球隊的守備，這很重要
A lot went his way. Like, what pitcher doesn't salivate when he watches his team put up a six-run first, for example?
紅襪打者在第一局就先幫他打下六分讓他可以躺著投
"It definitely made things easier pitching with a five-run cushion," Buchholz acknowledged. "You know you can give up some hits, and even runs, and not get hurt."
“有著五分領先當然感覺投的輕鬆許多，就算被打出安打或失個1.2分也不會造成戰況緊繃” Buchholz說
"Any time you can command a changeup, in any league, you've got a chance," declared Francona.
腦殘Tito邊嚼邊說：一個投手如果能夠控制好他的變速球，無論在那個聯盟他都有機會。嗯嗯，ㄏㄡ甲 ㄏㄡ甲。
Anyway, thanks a lot, kid. We'll see you in September.
總而言之，我們九月再見
"I remember catching Ramon Martínez in a similar situation," mused Scioscia about his Dodger days. "He threw something like eight shutout innings, and they still sent him back. The difference was, they didn't tell him before the game. He wasn't too pleased."
天使教練說了段趣事：我記得當初在道奇時，Ramon Martínez也發生過類似的情形，他投了八局無失分的比賽，教練團在未告知他的情形下把他送回了3A，他挺不爽的。
No such communication problem here. "It wasn't all that hard going out there knowing that it wasn't based on if I had a bad outing and they were sending me back because they didn't think I was doing great," said Buchholz. "I know what was going to happen. I'm coming up here and getting my feet wet a little bit and, hopefully, come back in September sometime and help them out."
不過相同情形沒有發生在紅襪上，Buchy說：原本我就知道投完這場比賽後會回去3A，所以也不需要擔心因為我投的不好所以被送回去之類的問題，我把此行當作是學經驗，期待九月時還能夠再上來替球隊出力。
If you want to see his next start, point the car toward the Pike and New York Thruway and get yourself to Buffalo. The next guy flailing at that killer Clay Buchholz changeup will be someone you never heard of.
沒意義，省略
2007年7月16日 星期一
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