COVERITLIVE.COM

11:52

Boston.com - Hi everyone -- Chad somehow managed to dodge the WEEI posse this morning and will be here in a few moments to answer your questions, so feel free to start sending them in now.

12:01

Chad Finn - Hey guys -- Thanks for stopping by. Everyone ready for the Starbury era?

12:01

Chad Finn - Lot of questions already, so I'll try to stick around past 1. Let's go . . .

12:02

[Comment From hockeyfan]
What do you make of the fallout from your column yesterday?

12:03

Chad Finn - Didn't really feel like there was fallout, probably because I listened to about 10 seconds of the Big Show yesterday. From what I gather, it was pretty clear the piece struck a nerve, and it should have. I don't regret a word.

12:03

Chad Finn - For the record, I had about 250-300 e-mails about it this morning. Two were negative. And one of those was written in Crayola.

12:03

[Comment From SJH]
Chad, what's your 3 point plan to improve on the cesspool that is Boston sports radio?

12:05

Chad Finn - 1) Have someone start a sports station with a signal equal to theirs.

2) Get the best of the Globe and ESPN to contribute, as well as the likes of Rusillo, Sean McDonough, and whoever jumps ship from WEEI. (And they always do -- even DeOssie went to 1510 for a while).

3) Talk sports knowledgeably and with great humor, much like Mike and the Mad Dog at their best. The advertisers will come, and you know what? Ordway knows it.

12:06

[Comment From Jessica]
Chad, how well do you see Jacoby Ellsbury doing this year?? he seemed a little anxious to be hitting in the Preseason game he was in, swinging at the first pitch he saw. Do you see that as a factor, as he's so young?

12:06

Boston.com - For those of you just catching up, Chad's article on Boston sports radio that many of you are asking about can be found here.

12:08

Chad Finn - I go back and forth on that, Jessica. He's obviously a tremendous athlete, and works extremely hard. But that hole in his swing (fastballs low and inside) was glaring last season, and he really never adjusted. I hope it's something he can fix, and if I had to give my best guess, I think he will. But I do wish he'd use his speed more, hitting the ball on the ground and bunting for hits and so on. He hit too many routine fly balls last season -- he might need to be reminded that he's better off emulating Brett Butler than Johnny Damon.

12:08

[Comment From Jrod]
Luis Exposito sounds like the answer to our catching prayers..should i believe the slowly mounting hype?

12:09

Chad Finn - He sounds like the best of the lot, Jrod, at least offensively. He had some discipline problems a few years ago, but what 20-year-old hasn't? They said the same thing about Hanley Ramirez when he was here, and he turned out okay. I also still have some hope for Mark Wagner, even though he hit .219 in Portland. He seems to have good command of the game from behind the plate, and he's a better hitter than he showed in the second half.

12:09

[Comment From Chuck in CT]
Chad, the obvious question. What is your take on Starbury? Is he a cancer or a saviour?

12:11

Chad Finn - Talked myself into thinking it's a good idea, Chuck. I don't think he necessarily deserves this chance -- the NY papers flat-out called him a loser on his way out, and there are a lot of players who have been good citizens and selfless teammates who would kill for the chance he's getting. But it really is a no-lose situation for the Celts. If he's a pain in the you know what or can't play anymore (it has been, what, 13 months since his last game?), Ainge will send him on his way, back to whatever planet he is from.

12:12

[Comment From Offensive Threat]
Are you concerned that Baldelli whiffed twice against college pitching? I really feel as if no matter what pitching that is not at your equal shouldn't K you?

12:13

Chad Finn - Nah, it happens. Papi whiffed in that game as well. I am beginning to wonder if Baldelli will contribute much, if at all. His health is such a mystery. Everyone is rooting for the guy, though.

12:13

[Comment From Brian]
Don't you think your criticism of WEEI is a bit harsh? After all, what about other things in life that appeal to the lowest common denominators... Politicians, newspaper journalism, etc.?

12:17

Chad Finn - Nope -- they had it coming, and I wouldn't change a word. I hear they clinged to the lowest common demoninator line, and while I don't know for sure, I'm going to assume it was taken out of context, as way to rally the troops, so to speak. That was aimed more at the celebrity callers and some of the clearly inebriated nitwits who call the night show. I do find it quite funny that they're trying to make it seem like they are coming to defense of their listeners, considering that no one belittles them more than they do. I'll never understand why someone would wait on hold for an hour to get yelled at by Steve DeOssie.

12:17

[Comment From Pitchingwinsballgames]
Our pitching albeit is in the beginning of the season, but from what we've seen so far is dominating. Reminding me of the mid 90's ATL Braves, but our offense is downright anemic. Do you think Theo is still looking to wheel and deal right now for another bat?

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