Enemy Perspective

In a city that features one of the world’s best known road races, all of the Fenway Faithful that attended the Saturday afternoon-turned-evening (June 10) game ran a marathon of their own.

But they ran it with their arms instead of their legs, as they drank themselves silly waiting for the rain to subside and the Sox to take the field.

I was among them as we waited, watching the rain at the newly-renovated Cask & Flagon (which if you haven’t seen, you need to get there). We were all waiting for the much-anticipated debut of the highly-touted Jon Lester, but by the time 5:00 rolled around the scene at the Cask was more like a bar at midnight than a mid-afternoon scene. Everyone was tanked, including yours truly, and everyone was dancing like it was New Year’s Eve. (Also guilty, which just tells you how drunk we were. Can you remember the last time you were drunk and dancing before 3:00 that didn’t involve someone getting married? Neither can I.)

While we drank up and watched the world’s game instead of America’s pastime, I got to thinking about what we were waiting for.

If Lester even lives up to half his touting, he could be one of the next greats, the best prospect since a guy named Roger tossed his first few at Fenway. The more I thought about it, I couldn’t remember a time when both the Red Sox and Yankees were relying on so many young players and untested rookies. With all the injuries to both sides, younger guys are getting a chance this year.

I thought about spending the duration of this issue’s column ripping the Sox organization for TURNING OFF THE BEER AT FENWAY AT 5:00 YESTERDAY which was even more aggravating given the fact I had roof table seats, which come with $100 worth of food and beverage. (Of course, we weren’t looking for diet cokes.) Hell, we even bitched to the unexpectedly-attractive concession manager Bridget about it, because drunk people complaining about not getting served is always effective.

Instead, I think I’ll be a little more productive and discuss the Rivalry’s young players. (I have to fill the two-month gap between Sox and Yanks matchups with something.)

These two teams make a habit of not relying on young talent, especially the Yankees. (Why grow corn when you can just buy it at the grocery store?) With Robinson Cano and Chien-Ming Wang making major contributions to the Yankees eighth-straight division title, last year was the first year I can remember young players playing such major role for the Yanks since some kid named Jeter came up back in ’96.

(As an aside, is the “Jeter is overrated” argument the most overrated argument of all time? Quite frankly, it’s just dumb. Here are just a few accolades Derek Sanderson Jeter has earned: Four World Series rings, six All-Star appearances, Rookie of the Year, a World Series MVP, an All-Star game MVP, two gold gloves—not to mention a .315 career batting average. Wow, he’s awful.)

If the Yanks are going to make it nine—or if the Sox are going shake the second fiddle role—young players will be playing major roles again this year.

So let’s talk about the young guys. Just to tick everyone off, I’m going to rank them, even though I’m perfectly aware that one start from Lester is not enough to judge him on, and zero starts by Phillip Hughes is, well, zero starts. (But I’m going to do it anyway, because who’s column is this? That’s right, it’s mine, beyatch.)

Some parameters: the player doesn’t have to be making his debut, but he has to be considered a rookie. That means, for example, Robinson Cano and Kevin Youkilis aren’t eligible.

1. Jonathan Papelbon

The obvious choice to top the list, Wild Thing blew his first save of the season in his 21^st attempt, only allowing a single earned run along the way. By all accounts, he’s been impressive. Despite his poor hairstyle choices, he has proven he has the intelligence and rare skill that it takes to be a closer. He’ll be in the starting rotation next year, but for now he’s dominating in one of the hardest roles in sports. (But please, don’t make me come to your house and beat you to death with a blunt instrument of your choosing by comparing him to Mariano. Thanks.)

2. Melky Cabrera

We’re going to be seeing his game-saving robbery of Manny in every Rivalry montage for the rest of the year, which is of course just fine with me. He can hit for average and, contrary to the sentiments of the usually-excellent Jerry Remy (who I think is one of the best color men in the game) he has a fantastic arm: he’s currently tied for the AL lead in outfield assists. His D has improved immensely since giving Trot Nixon a free trip around the bases last year. However, I’m a little ticked off that he already has a nickname, especially because it’s a horrible one: The Melk Man. Why? Get this: Because he delivers. Um, rip off Karl Malone much? I’m starting a petition to call him The Kid, because he’s only 21 and he looks like he’s 12. Also, I know he’s going to be around for years, and I am eagerly waiting for the day when he’s 37 and everyone is calling him The Kid, like the way you call a 6’7” fat guy “Tiny.”

3. Jon Lester

We don’t know enough about him for me to put him higher on the list, but he pitched well enough in his debut for me to not completely doubt the hype. At least that’s what I read this morning on ESPN.com’s recap, because I only have a vague recollection of the game thanks to several gallons of beer I consumed during the delay. He’s also a southpaw, so that instantly puts him ahead of

4. David Pauley

After watching supposed Yankee-killer Josh Beckett get battered around in a game where the Yankees scored the most runs before the fourth inning in the entire history of the Rivalry, this kid comes out and shuts down the Bombers, holding them to two runs for six-plus innings. Definitely a hard-luck loss, not that I minded it. I know Lester is supposed to be better; I know he got hammered by the Jays in his debut; and I know this guy is going to bounce back and forth between Pawtucket and Boston all year, but if shutting down even a depleted Yanks lineup in The Stadium doesn’t prove you can play with the big boys, I don’t know what does.

(Aside: I said it last year, and I’ll say it again here… Josh Beckett is a rich man’s Carl Pavano. He’s only an inevitable elbow injury away from living up to his potential in the same way Pavano has. I also said that Mike Lowell will end up being the better part of that deal, and so far I’ve been right. And yes, I’ll be the first person to tell you “I told you so” when Beckett goes down.)

5. Phillip Hughes, RHP

You haven’t seen him yet, but he’s the Yankees top pitching prospect. I want to rank him above Pauley, but seeing as how he has yet to throw a pitch in a Major League game and I have no idea what he looks like (his MLB.com profile is sans any information, including a picture), I think we’re best served putting him right here. Quite frankly, I’m not even sure he exists. I could have dreamed him up. But if he is real and if he’s still with the Yanks you know he has to be good or he would have been an “…and prospects” guy on the back end of a Tori Hunter trade announcement by now.

6. Bubba Crosby, OF

I’m admittedly stretching the rules including Crosby on this list, because he was on the Yanks roster for 55 games in 2004 and 76 games last year, but he had fewer than 100 at bats in aught-five so he might as well be a rookie this year. The Lesser Crosby may earn a chance to play every day with all the injuries to the Yanks—if he gets off the DL (hammy) any time soon. Before the season started and Damon was bought, I was perfectly content to let him start in center for the Yankees this year. He’s a hit with Yanks fans because he gives 100% every time he’s out there, even if it means running over Gary Sheffield in the process. And unlike Damon, he can throw farther than my sister.

7. Kevin Thompson, OF

You probably have never even heard of him, but he hit his first major league home run on Saturday, and scouts say he’ll likely hit a few more before he’s done. When the Yanks don’t pick up Sheffield’s option at the end of the year, Thompson and Cabrera will likely be battling it out for the open outfield spot. (Unless Cashman goes shopping.)

8. Andy Phillips, 1B

He’s already doing his part to lock up this year’s Aaron Small Award for the “old guy” finally getting some playing time (he’s 29) and doing well with it. He had four homers in five days a few weeks ago, and had the best batting average in baseball over that week. But his career is half over before it has even begun due to the fact he’s just getting PT and he’s only a year shy of A-Rod, who only had about 9 years of experience when he was Phillips’ age. Then again, I’ve seen Phillips get a hit with runners in scoring position this year, unlike A-Rod, so who knows.

(Aside: One of the few things Yanks and Sox fans agree on is Choke-Rod’s ability—or lack thereof—in the clutch. And somehow, you know the guy will still have 40-140 by the end of the year. So here’s something to chew on: what happens if A-Rod ever sheds his “unclutch” ways and actually starts producing in those situations? The numbers would be staggering. I’m talking 60-70 HR, maybe 180 RBI? He’s already on pace to shatter the record books. It’s worth noting. Then again, the earth could start spinning in the opposite direction tomorrow too, but I don’t think there’s much chance of that happening.)

Needless to say, it should be an interesting year. It’s always exciting to watch young guys cut their teeth, and even moreso when they do it on one of sports biggest stages, which is what the Yanks/Sox Rivalry is.

It will be fun to watch guys succeed and stars be born—and equally entertaining to watch them fail. Assuming the ones failing are on the other team.

Honorable mention: Yankees: Kevin Reese, OF; Darrell Rasner, RHP; Sox: Manny Delcarmen