Quick hits: The State of the Red Sox, NewsHouse links

First off, I'd like to alert your attention to thenewshouse.com, a student publication I am now a member of at The Newhouse School. I have written an article and two blogs for them in the past week. The first is on Rolling Stone political journalist Matt Taibbi's lecture at the Maxwell School on September 12. Additionally, I have secured the field hockey beat, which is exciting because the Orange are currently ranked #2 nationally, and have actually beaten the #1 team (UNC). Links are below.

http://www.thenewshouse.com/story/rolling-stone-reporter-weighs-politics
http://www.thenewshouse.com/blog/orange-field-hockey-remains-unbeaten
http://www.thenewshouse.com/blog/orange-roll-over-kent-state

Now, for the State of the Red Sox. When I last spoke on the Red Sox, I spoke about how Bobby Valentine is almost definitely done in Boston. Or, at least, he should be. A controvery this past weekend proved this.

In Jon Lester's start on Sunday, in a 0-0 tie with Pedro Ciriaco having just stolen second, and shortstop-of-the-future Jose Iglesias at-bat with a 2-2 count, Bobby V used his genius to pinch hit for the soft-hitting Iglesias. Why would he pinch hit, in the middle of an at-bat, no less? His reasoning: He was trying to get a run for Lester, who had been "busting his butt out there."

Sure, Iglesias is hitting just .069. Sure, Daniel Nava is a much more proven MLB hitter than Iglesias. Sure, it'd be nice if Nava could drive a run across for Lester. But guess what else? The Red Sox are done. (They were officially eliminated following Sunday's loss). Bobby, are you aware what September is for for teams with no playoff chances? IT'S TO GET THE YOUNG PROSPECTS AS MUCH MLB EXPERIENCE AS POSSIBLE!

Jose Iglesias is a bad hitter, that much is true. But how do you expect him to gain any confidence if you embarrass him by REMOVING HIM FOR A PINCH HITTER IN THE MIDDLE OF HIS AT-BAT?!? How noble of you, Bobby, for trying to get a run for Jonny Lester! But, in the long run, don't you realize that the run is inconsequential compared to a young players future. Lester is a vet, he'll get over it. Iglesias? We'll have to wait to see. Daniel Nava grounded out, and ended the inning, so it was failed move, anyway, but that's neither here nor there.

See you on ESPN, Bobby.