I wonder if Wily Mo Pena watched the Reds-Giants game last night

My beloved Red Sox are at home this post season, watching the games and pounding beers.

One of the big problems for the Sox the last few years, especially 2011 when they fell just short, was a lack of starting pitching and someone at the back of the rotation who could go deep into games.

Meanwhile the Cincinnati Reds, who unlike Boston made it to the 2010 and 2012 post season, are getting good mileage out of Bronson Arroyo.

In his seven seasons with the Reds, Arroyo has given Cincy 200 or more innings six times.
The one time he came short? 2011, he went 199 innings.

Not every year has been great, but he has won 12 or more games in five of those years and can reach back and have a great performance from time to time.

A case in point? Last night’s 9-0 massacre of the Giants in Game 2 of the Division Series. The Reds took control of the series with Arroyo on the mound.

He threw 7 innings of shutout ball, letting up one hit, walking one and striking out four, preventing any Giants rallies.

Man the Red Sox could have used a pitcher like that.
Oh wait.

They HAD him. And right before the 2006 season after he signed a sweet heart extension, the Red Sox traded him to the Reds for Wily Mo Pena.

I called up XM Radio to complain about the trade when it happened, I always hated the trade and I hate it more now.

The Reds got a good innings eating pitcher who gives them flashes of brilliance for seven years and two division titles and the Red Sox got a crappy fourth outfielder for a year and a half.

FYI, while the Reds are probably on their way to the NLCS, Pena has played 39 games in the majors since 2008 and spent last year with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks of the Japan Pacific League.

I bet the Red Sox can resign him at a good price.

I hope he watched the game last night.

 

Not THAT Wily Mo Pena!

The Diamondbacks won a heartstopping game against the Indians. The Tribe had a wonderful comeback in the 9th but with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th up stepped Wily Mo Pena.

Yes.
Wily Mo Pena.

I never hated Wily Mo Pena. I just hated the trade. There was no reason to trade Bronson Arroyo for a backup outfielder. I said it then and I say it now.

Ah well… so Pena went from the Reds to the Red Sox to the Nationals… then out of the bigs in 2009 and 2010… off to Buffalo and Columbus and independent Bridgeport… then to Portland and Reno.

Now at 29 years old he is in Arizona and watch him become the very player Theo imagined when he shipped off a decent starting pitcher who has given the Reds some All Star numbers and a lot of innings eaten.

Just saying.

I wonder how Wily Mo Pena did today

Evidently Wily Mo Pena is playing for the Padres’ AAA franchise in Portland… a big step up from Independent Bridgeport.

Who knows? If he keeps hitting, the Padres could call him up and he might see some post season action.

I wish him well.

Meanwhile, Bronson Arroyo won again (win #14) and logged his 174 1/3rd inning of the season. And seeing he didn’t let up a run all game, he lowered his ERA to 3.82 as he helped the Reds maintain their lead in the NL Central.

I always feel the need to check on Wily Mo when Bronson wins… seeing how the Red Sox side of the trade is doing.

Why?

Because I am petty.