Bobby Valentine doesn't like "personal catchers,'' but what if it works?
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett says he'll throw to anybody, but he had better results with Kelly Shoppach behind the plate.Few managers like personal catchers, and fewer still admit they do.
But what if it works? That could be the question facing Bobby Valentine, whose No. 2 pitcher has been famously fussy about who is calling his game.
"The joke with the starters is that we want whoever puts the good fingers down,'' said Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett, who rolled through eight innings of one-run, five-hit ball Friday.
Kelly Shoppach was putting the fingers down for the signs against Tampa Bay. The results were a far cry from Beckett's first start, when Jarrod Saltalamacchia was calling the pitches at Detroit.
The Tigers hit five home runs off Beckett, whose preference for Jason Varitek last year was no secret. Terry Francona tried to fend off such suggestions, but it became obvious before long.
Francona did not want it seen as either a putdown of Salty or a case of Beckett making out the lineup card. But the pairing was obvious and probably the smart thing to do.
After all, if Beckett is better with one catcher, why not just go with what works? Do you want to prove a point or win?
Valentine does not see it that way. He has dismissed specific pitcher-catcher pairings as a remnant of Red Sox past, and of no interest to him.
He said Shoppach got Friday's start because he is a better hitter against lefties. David Price was pitching for Tampa Bay.
He also said Shoppach knew all about the Rays, his former team. Shoppach later said he did not know anything he could not have passed on to someone else.
Back to you, Bobby.
The concept of a designated catcher for certain pitchers was developed by Steve Carlton (with Tim McCarver) and continued by Greg Maddux, who often preferred Atlanta's backup receiver to do his games.
The No. 1 catcher was Javy Lopez, whose contribution was primarily with his hitting. To the Braves, it was worth it to keep Maddux happy.
That might be the case with Beckett in Boston, too. But that is not how Valentine likes to run a team.
If Beckett continues to have dramatically better results with Shoppach, though, I think Valentine is going to have to think about this. He has called Beckett one of the players the Red Sox are building around
Can he really disregard the results, just because he doesn't like the concept?
Beckett's next start is Wednesday against Texas. The Rangers' starter is left-hander Derek Holland, so maybe Shoppach gets another start, anyway.
Basing the catching rotation on hitting would be new in Boston, where a premium has been placed on defense. An exception was made when Victor Martinez replaced Varitek as the No. 1 guy, but Shoppach is no Martinez with the stick.
Valentine's disregard for the personal catcher concept is such that it will come as no shock if he starts Salty against Texas, just to show he can. Besides, just as Shoppach was a former Ray, Salty is a former Ranger.
Make no mistake, though. This is a delicate situation that could have adverse effects if it's not handled well.
Saltalamacchia has been considered the No. 1 catcher, though that could become less clear if Shoppach shows he can hit. Shoppach has been seen as the seasoned veteran presence, though Valentine made it a point last week to compliment Salty's game-calling.
Pairing Beckett with Shoppach could be interpreted as diminishing Salty's stature. It could also give the impression that Beckett is calling the shots, opening up the pitcher to criticism as a prima donna.
In the aftermath of Popeye's and brew, it's not the best time for that. Beckett says he'll pitch to anybody.
But baseball is about results. He seems to get better results when Salty is not catching him.
That will be a hard reality to avoid if it keeps up. If Shoppach is really the better receiver, though, is it fair or wise for one starter to get first dibs on him?
If Beckett's first two starts turn into a pattern, Valentine may have to choose between principle and results. You know which side usually wins those, but this manager is more stubborn that most.
That will make it very interesting to see which catcher's fingers are flashing the signs, when Beckett is on the mound.