I realized the other day, quite how much I am not over the Patriots lost. I'm still absolutely angry. As one of my students proved the other day with his, Giant's Super Bowl hat, complete with it's, "We Wanted It More" logo, I am angry, I am hurt, and I wanted my Super Bowl ring and even the warm wonderful glow of spring training is not quite warming the ice over my sports heart.
*I live in coastal Eastern North Carolina, and I've been waiting to see this whole Duke / UNC feud up close. A few weeks ago, I saw that match up at a neighborhood sports bar, and quite frankly, I'm tired of hearing about how other rivalries rival the Boston / New York rivalry. I'm sorry, but I haven't seen anything yet to see show me otherwise.
*Does Tiger Woods actually drive a Buick? I don't think so. At least, I hope not. I've seen the picture of his house, and I don't see a Buick parked in that driveway.
*The NBA All Star game uni's did nothing but confuse me. What was the point of those?
*Kelvin Sampson looks like a dick. His demeanor on the sideline, the way he's always yelling and jumping around. He looks slimy. Athletic directors and GM's should take that into account more often? Does the person look like a good person? No? Well I'd rethink that.
*The NCAA constantly reminds me of an Enron like corporation for a lot of reasons, but mainly because you have these coaches who sign massive multi-year deals, recruit, make promises of four year starting and such, and then jump ship at the first instance of a little water in the hull. Players who signed on to a particular coach should be able to transfer with no wait. Why should they have to put their college career on hold because of some coach? That being said, they should not be picking their college on coach alone. They should be picking their college on more important merits, like the ability to get into most bars with white out on your ID freshman year. The ability to order food at 4 am. Oh, and majors and crap.
*I'm not ready for Fantasy Baseball in any way, shape, or form, when you are still mourning the NFL season and you live without NESN, it's hard to get in the proper mode for football.
*This Bill Simmon's wiki entry is hilarious. I have read the SG since I was a sophomore in HS (just turned the big 25) and I have long enjoyed his work, but the things he feels the need to tell us (like hanging out with Tom after the Super Bowl) show that he is not a fan's perspective, but rather that of a fairly famous writer for the world wide leader. I'm not saying I'm not excited to read what he has to say, but I am saying that I find myself identifying with him less and less.
*So Manny hired Satan and isn't interested in talking about a contract extension and the Boston media has their panties all up in a bunch. I am coming to realize more and more that the "good" guys in baseball are those who are always ready with a good quote, like Mike Lowell (not saying Mike isn't great, just saying that he speaks English and Spanish fluently and is always willing to talk), whereas someone like Manny who isn't quite a language master, (as far as we know) isn't quite as able and willing to talk is aloof and crazy and a bit of a jerk. The only Red Sox player I am willing to say is a nice as you would hope is David Ortiz, as he once pinched my cheek, called me sweetie, and gave me a $1,000.00^. True story. One player I know to be a jerk, I know first hand, John Valentine. Had the personality of a stale piece of moldy toast at the freaking Square One Mall where my brother made me stand in line for like, 3 hours to get his autograph and refused to make eye contact. (At the same event, Darren Lewis quite freakly winked at me, in like, a creepy way, when I was like, 14? 15 tops?)
*It's really sad that the Celtics are relevant, albeit, struggling of late, and I hardly ever get them on TV. I can however watch Duke, State, or UNC every freaking night of the week. Did I ever tell you about the time my dad and I won a raffle to play basketball on the old parquet floor at Boston Garden? I was, eh, I'll go with 12 or 13. My brother was a baby and my mom worked in the bakery at Shaw's at night. And she entered a raffle, and won. (I guess I'm good at raffles) . Anyway, because I was going to be nervous, my Dad told me he was taking me to a bun factory in Boston. When I was younger, I had this terrible problem that whenever I was really excited about something, I kind of threw up.^^ Boston was a big deal, save for Disney on Ice, I didn't go in too often. So I had on a white blouse, black pants, dressy shoes for my big trip. And let me just say, I was psyched for the bread tour. I thought it was going to be like Piantadosi and who doesn't love carbs? This blog is aptly titled...rambling. Part of our tour was that we could eat in whatever the Garden 600 Club was and of course. It was open bar. For those of you who don't know my dad, or my family in general, including myself...My Family + Open Bar = bad times. A few crown royal and gingers later, we went downstairs, shot hoops with ML Carr (well, I shot maybe one, then sat on all the seats on the bench so I knew I had sat in Larry Bird's) and then my dad and I snuck away from the group, and went into all the locker rooms...B's, Celts, visitors room. The home locker rooms were pretty nice, and I actually got to sit in Larry Bird's locker, and my dad took a picture that didn't come out. We were found out by a maintenance man that wasn't too amused by us. I told him we got lost looking for the bathroom and ended up in Larry Bird's locker.
On the way home, I dropped ML Carr's autograph out the window. Then I asked my dad if we could go to the bun factory.
*I need the Red Sox in my life, real live Red Sox. So I'm thinking about talking to the principal on Monday and seeing if I can take a Friday or a Monday coming up and driving to Fort Myers and just saying, "Hi Mike Lowell" and turning around and driving home. Is it worth driving 855 miles to say hello to Mike Lowell? Well, let's face it, rarely if ever should I be your base for sanity!
^Okay, it was a gift certificate I won in a raffle at a charity event, but he gave it to me okay?!?!
^^And not about big things, like, one time, my Auntie told me that she was taking me to Toys "R" Us because I got a good report card (I was maybe in 2nd grade), and that I could get whatever I wanted. (It was a simple thing, I was totally getting a Barbie, it wasn't like I was going out with a new bike or something). Anyway, we get about 3 steps into Toys "R" Us and I threw up all over the floor.
Showing posts with label Lowell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lowell. Show all posts
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
I'm backk...
After 8 long days without internet AND cable TV with the exceptions of some sneaking done at the Sheraton I am back thanks to the shady internet guy who came today and and the new roommate who figured out how to get my wireless internet working.
Anyway, for the last week + I have been like a junkie in need of heroin. Through phone calls, texts, bits and pieces of info through the Chicago news (for some reason we get there here), and the occasional break from high school football in the local paper, I have been without sports. I haven't seen Sportscenter, I haven't seen the Sox play except for when we could pick up Maryland TV in the Outerbanks last weekend, (I saw the O's first walkoff), I haven't read Rob Bradford...it has been a cold dark world. It's also been a kind of stress free world. I haven't been on Tom Brady Baby Watch 24/7. I haven't spent nights worrying about our lack of offensive production. I haven't heard announcer after announcer complain about Manny playing too close to the wall. So, I don't know what is going on in the land of Boston sports, but I'm going to be working my way back. I'm trying to figure out how I can get the Patriots down here, I have mlb.tv thanks to Joe and Katie for the rest of the baseball season, and now I will back in the world of basegirls, surviving grady, papelblog, deadspin, onemoredyingquail, extra bases, eric wilbur, chad finn and everyone else that keeps me up to date one things. But I don't want to leave you with a boring entry about how I don' t have shit to tell you, so instead, I'll tell you a dream.
Last night, I didn't feel that well, and my mom and I have been sharing my full size bed till she goes back to Massachusetts. So, we are both laying there unable to sleep, so she breaks out a xanyax for both of us. After about a half hour, we are still awake, so I break out a sleep aid. I passed out. At some point in the middle of the night, my Red Sox deprived sub conscience puts me at Fenway, and I decide I'm going to the clubhouse (now, I've been to the Press Box, EMC Club, and State Street Pavillion, so sneaking around Fenway isn't something new). Anyway, I get into the clubhouse, and am greeted by my college friends, who I don't see nearly enough, Katelyn and Freddie, who tell me that they do this all the time. I know that I have to find Jonathan Papelbon, and get my picture taken with him. I find him, he's as friendly as I would hope, and takes a picture with me, and proceeds to start making out with me. Then, he tells me has to go, and that he'll be back later. So, I need to call all my crazy Red Sox obsessed friends to share my ridiculous story. Of course, I can't find my cell phone in my dream. So I find Katelyn and Freddie, and Katelyn scolds me for making out with a married man. Then, I find Jeff, who I also graduated with and now coaches football at our college. He tells me that he now coaches the Red Sox, who now play football. (I think this must be where my lack of training camp coverage come in). I turn around to find Mike Lowell and Joshua Papelbon in shoulderpads, which, lets face it, Mike Lowell could totally play middle linebacker, Baby Papelbon, I'm not so sure. Anyway, I then turn around again, and it is my entire college football team (which, I was thier student athletic trainer), and Youk is yelling at me to tape his ankles and Sweeney (one of my footballers) is telling me that he should get to go before Youk. I then woke up.
Anyway, I'm glad I can rejoin the Nation starting today. I've missed being neurtoic, psychotic, and all the other good things that go along with being a Red Sox fan.
PS. I could not be more excited about this Patriots season. If I don't figure out a way to get the Patriots in NC I'm flying home every weekend.
PPS. Reggie Miller eh? I know I'm a week late but this Celtics off season is turning out to be a much better time then we first thought huh?
Anyway, for the last week + I have been like a junkie in need of heroin. Through phone calls, texts, bits and pieces of info through the Chicago news (for some reason we get there here), and the occasional break from high school football in the local paper, I have been without sports. I haven't seen Sportscenter, I haven't seen the Sox play except for when we could pick up Maryland TV in the Outerbanks last weekend, (I saw the O's first walkoff), I haven't read Rob Bradford...it has been a cold dark world. It's also been a kind of stress free world. I haven't been on Tom Brady Baby Watch 24/7. I haven't spent nights worrying about our lack of offensive production. I haven't heard announcer after announcer complain about Manny playing too close to the wall. So, I don't know what is going on in the land of Boston sports, but I'm going to be working my way back. I'm trying to figure out how I can get the Patriots down here, I have mlb.tv thanks to Joe and Katie for the rest of the baseball season, and now I will back in the world of basegirls, surviving grady, papelblog, deadspin, onemoredyingquail, extra bases, eric wilbur, chad finn and everyone else that keeps me up to date one things. But I don't want to leave you with a boring entry about how I don' t have shit to tell you, so instead, I'll tell you a dream.
Last night, I didn't feel that well, and my mom and I have been sharing my full size bed till she goes back to Massachusetts. So, we are both laying there unable to sleep, so she breaks out a xanyax for both of us. After about a half hour, we are still awake, so I break out a sleep aid. I passed out. At some point in the middle of the night, my Red Sox deprived sub conscience puts me at Fenway, and I decide I'm going to the clubhouse (now, I've been to the Press Box, EMC Club, and State Street Pavillion, so sneaking around Fenway isn't something new). Anyway, I get into the clubhouse, and am greeted by my college friends, who I don't see nearly enough, Katelyn and Freddie, who tell me that they do this all the time. I know that I have to find Jonathan Papelbon, and get my picture taken with him. I find him, he's as friendly as I would hope, and takes a picture with me, and proceeds to start making out with me. Then, he tells me has to go, and that he'll be back later. So, I need to call all my crazy Red Sox obsessed friends to share my ridiculous story. Of course, I can't find my cell phone in my dream. So I find Katelyn and Freddie, and Katelyn scolds me for making out with a married man. Then, I find Jeff, who I also graduated with and now coaches football at our college. He tells me that he now coaches the Red Sox, who now play football. (I think this must be where my lack of training camp coverage come in). I turn around to find Mike Lowell and Joshua Papelbon in shoulderpads, which, lets face it, Mike Lowell could totally play middle linebacker, Baby Papelbon, I'm not so sure. Anyway, I then turn around again, and it is my entire college football team (which, I was thier student athletic trainer), and Youk is yelling at me to tape his ankles and Sweeney (one of my footballers) is telling me that he should get to go before Youk. I then woke up.
Anyway, I'm glad I can rejoin the Nation starting today. I've missed being neurtoic, psychotic, and all the other good things that go along with being a Red Sox fan.
PS. I could not be more excited about this Patriots season. If I don't figure out a way to get the Patriots in NC I'm flying home every weekend.
PPS. Reggie Miller eh? I know I'm a week late but this Celtics off season is turning out to be a much better time then we first thought huh?
Thursday, July 19, 2007
These pictures are worth MUCH more than 10,000 words...
It's kind of like someone took this picture specifically for me. Like they said, "Hey, look at Paps and Mikey sitting there drinking beers, playing cribbage, you know who would love this picture, Amanda. I better take it for her"
Joshua's girlfriend. Now, I'm not saying that Josh isn't infinitely hotter because he plays baseball than he actually is. I'm just saying his girlfriend is...surprising.
Manny and Okie drinking wine. My only question is, where is Papi in all these pictures? Maybe these are Papi's pictures? Maybe he took them for me? Papi's probably sitting on the floor indian style between the pilots touching buttons and trying to grab the controller with a huge grin on his face. I mean, how great are these pictures? Kansas City who? Whoever took them, thank you for bringing them into my life.
Objects in rear view mirror may be closer than the appear...
This is going to be a rambling mess, but I haven't posted in a while and I have a about 29293 things running through my head right now. Proceed at your own risk.
Okay, I'm offically stressed out. Our in ability to hit with runners in scoring position is so freaking frustrating I can't take it anymore. David's single followed by Manny popping out last night just added to my tension. I'm wondering if we need to make a move for another bat (although if our lineup could just hit how we know our lineup can hit, all would be well in my world). July 31st is quickly approaching and I think Theo has a big move in store for us. Here is my things with trades. I don't think in terms of statistics or productivity or contracts. I think in terms of how much I love the player. Under those rules, Jon Lester, MDC, the Typo Twins (Jacoby and Kason) (Credits to Surviving Grady for that one), Mike Lowell and Wily Mo would not even be considered for a possible deal. (I didn't mention Jonathan, Tek or Papi here, because they are clearly not going anywhere). Anyway, the moral of my story is, I wouldn't trade any of those guys because I love them. Theo, obviously, doesn't go with this heart. Lenny Dinardo performed at Theo's Hot Stove Cool Music event and then got released just before opening day. And, if I was the GM of the Red Sox in 2004, I never would have traded Nomar, and we probably wouldn't have won the World Series with him. And we'd be on 89 years of futility and my whole life would probably be different. So, the moral of this story is well, I don't know, but hopefully Theo does.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Let's remind those Blue Jays who is the boss around the AL East!
Hello on this lovely Sunday, I hope everyone has had a great weekend. I am currently enjoying the Sox game, but I was going through my mail and I had one of my SASE from the Great Autograph Experiment of 2007. I sent out 20 "fan" notes with SASE to 20 Major Leaguers, just to see who I'd get back. I got my first back today, unsigned along with my note, from Manny Ramirez. Apparently Mr. Ramirez doesn't deal with fan mail, but someone took the time to send my card back, which is nice.
Dear Mr. Demarlo Hale,
If you ever run my torn minicus boyfriend into a GD out at home to end the inning again, I promise to inflict SEVERE bodily pain.
Love,
Amanda
And I leave you with the handsomest third baseman and El Capitan...
Dear Mr. Demarlo Hale,
If you ever run my torn minicus boyfriend into a GD out at home to end the inning again, I promise to inflict SEVERE bodily pain.
Love,
Amanda
And I leave you with the handsomest third baseman and El Capitan...
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Home Run Derby Recap!
Well, I'm back. I hope everyone missed me. I'm starting off today with a Home Run Derby recap and will then have a road trip recap later on today. The quote of the road trip definitely goes to our cab driver the last night who said, "You girls know what the best thing about Detroit is? Chicago is only 3 and a 1/2 hours away". Right on sir, right on.
We have a pregame concert by the Counting Crows, which, whatever, but we do also have....Mike Lowell videotaping the CC with baby Mike Lowell! This is absolutely my favorite part of the HR derby, cute pictures of cute players with cute little kids.
The Home Run Derby starts off with all the players being introduced by the always horrific Chris Berman. Honestly! What does he bring to the table? He's just loud and annoying and I don't know anyone besides Bill Belichick that likes him. I can't wait for him to tell us that a ball is hit to Japan when we clearly see it landing in the bleachers. Grrr. We do, in the annoucements, get our first "Bermanism", Albert Winnie the Pujols. Shut UP!
The Derby contestants were, for the American League, Alex Rios, Vlad Guerrero, Magglio Ordonez, and Justin Morneau. From the National League, we had Matt Holliday replacing the injured Miggy Cabrera, Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard and Prince Fielder.
The pregame ceremony, I imagine could not have gone worse for the ESPN production team. The microphones were all screwed up, I'm sure we were hearing things that we weren't supposed to, no one seemed to know how Willie McCovey was supposed to hand out the bats. They made an old man with two canes stand up to do the whole thing. That being said, I thought the gesture was a nice one, and the players all seemed pretty excited to meet him. Alex Rios shook his hand and said, "Nice to meet you, Sir". I like Alex Rios, he's my pick for the derby. On Sunday in Toronto they had this video montage of Alex Rios, and the PA announcer said, "Let's hear it for our All Star, Alex Rios" and everyone in RF (where we were sitting), stood up and gave him a standing O. It was a nice moment before the Toronto fans started yelling at us.
Matt Holliday is in the running for my new non-Red Sox boyfriend.
Barry Bonds loves Peter Gammons apparently. Barry could almost be described as, well, jovial. He was nice, almost considered charismatic in his interview. He's trying to win everyone over for when he gets Hank's record. Barry says that he's disappointed people judge him by what a third party said. I haven't finished Game of Shadows, but from what I've read, I'm pretty convinced he's guilty. He says that he has, "The utmost respect for Hank Aaron" and understands that, "Hank has a life" and doesn't want to follow him around the country waiting for him to hit the HR.
Next up was Magglio Ordonez of the Detroit Tigers. I was hoping he'd tear both ACL's during his swings, but instead he sucked. In Detroit they do this, Magggggllliiiioooo, OH EEE OHH, Maggggllllliiioooo, OH EEE OH song everytime he's up. It's almost as annoying as Hip Hip JORGE in the Bronx, and just as gross.
We then had a fantastic interview with A-Rod, who put on a suit for his big prime time appearance. He said he, "Had dinner in about an hour". He didn't say if he had it with Cynthia or Joceyln. He also said, "NY has been great, there's something special about putting that uniform on day in and day out". A-Rod, they hate you. You are so opting out. Cut the BS.
Alex Rios hits 5 HR's, while Erin Andrews talks with Jake Peavy who is looking extremely handsome and is joined by two extremely cute little boys.
The camera then cuts to A-Rod chatting up Barry Bonds, "Really Barry, they hate me more, I'm sure of it"
Prince Fielder steps in, and he will absolutely be an American League DH very soon.
I have a few issues with ESPN's Derby coverage, but mainly, there are not nearly enough cute little kids. Also, why aren't they interviewing the players after they hit? And how come they don't have any players miked up?
Ben Sheets son looks EXACTLY like him. Almost creepily.
Vlad is up, and he gets a few quick outs and Papi steps in (the first real clutch thing he's done all year), and gives Vlad a new bat, and he gets on a mini tear and doesn't seem to be too distracted by Papi yelling at him the whole time.
Ryan Howard has a disappointing outing, kind of like his first half, and when he walks back over, Dmitri Young's son yells at him, "ARE YOU SERIOUS?". Please, the only reason your dad is an All Star is because of the "one guy from every team" rule.
..."That's all the way to Saucilito"....kill me now.
Oh I got to ask, who is the guy with the spray painted tee shirt that keeps running up to and tackling all the Dominican guys? Who let that guy on the field? Someone look into this and report back please.
I really like Karl Ravech. I always feel bad for him because he's usually the one smart person in a room full of idiots.
I find it very cute Matt Holliday is having his brother pitch to him. It almost worked out. We also learn Matt Holliday was a QB at Oklahoma State. He looks like a QB.
We get some Freddie Sanchez and Trevor Hoffman complete with cute little kids. Yay!
At this point, we have the always hard hitting journalist Joe Morgan ask Dusty Baker about the infamous "Game 6" decision. He doesn't explain anything about it, but I did some research and this is what I found, (from wikipedia)
Game 6
October 26, 2002 at Edison International Field of Anaheim in Anaheim, California
The turning point in the series came in Game 6. Leading 5-0 with one out in the bottom of the 7th inning, 8 outs away from the Giants' first World Series title in San Francisco, Giants manager Dusty Baker pulled starting pitcher Russ Ortiz for setup man Félix Rodríguez after Ortiz gave up consecutive singles to third baseman Troy Glaus and designated hitter Brad Fullmer. In a widely publicized move, Baker gave Ortiz the game ball as he sent him back to the dugout. During the pitching change the Rally Monkey came on the jumbotron, sending 45,037 Angels fans into a frenzy. Angel first baseman Scott Spiezio came to the plate and fouled off pitch after pitch before finally hitting a 3-run home run that barely cleared the wall in right field. The rally continued in the 8th inning, as Angel center fielder Darin Erstad hit a leadoff line-drive home run, followed by consecutive singles by Tim Salmon and Garret Anderson. (Chone Figgins pinch ran for Salmon.) When Bonds misplayed Anderson's shallow left field bloop single, Figgins and Anderson took third and second respectively. With no outs, two runners in scoring position and now only a 5-4 lead, Baker brought in closer Robb Nen to pitch to Glaus, hoping that Nen could induce a strikeout that might yet preserve the Giants' slim lead. However, Glaus slugged a double to the left-center field gap over Bonds' head to drive in the tying and winning runs. In the 9th inning, Angels closer Troy Percival struck out Rich Aurilia to preserve the 6-5 victory in front of the jubilant home crowd.
I guess giving Russ Ortiz the game ball turned out to be a bad idea. Dusty was never a Red Sox fan. We would have known better than to do shit like that.
Seriously? Who is the guy with the tee shirt?
Vlad hits 3 HR's in the final round to beat Alex Rios' 2 as I fade in an out of conciousness. I'm happy for Vlad, but would have liked Rios to win. In a bizarre turn of events, ESPN has a guy from ESPN Deportes interview Vlad in Spanish, and then translate what he has said. I'm pretty sure that Vlad speaks English. A bizarre night from the ESPN production team all around.
All Star game tonight, Peavy and Haren starting it off, and this time, it counts. (whatever)
We have a pregame concert by the Counting Crows, which, whatever, but we do also have....Mike Lowell videotaping the CC with baby Mike Lowell! This is absolutely my favorite part of the HR derby, cute pictures of cute players with cute little kids.
The Home Run Derby starts off with all the players being introduced by the always horrific Chris Berman. Honestly! What does he bring to the table? He's just loud and annoying and I don't know anyone besides Bill Belichick that likes him. I can't wait for him to tell us that a ball is hit to Japan when we clearly see it landing in the bleachers. Grrr. We do, in the annoucements, get our first "Bermanism", Albert Winnie the Pujols. Shut UP!
The Derby contestants were, for the American League, Alex Rios, Vlad Guerrero, Magglio Ordonez, and Justin Morneau. From the National League, we had Matt Holliday replacing the injured Miggy Cabrera, Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard and Prince Fielder.
The pregame ceremony, I imagine could not have gone worse for the ESPN production team. The microphones were all screwed up, I'm sure we were hearing things that we weren't supposed to, no one seemed to know how Willie McCovey was supposed to hand out the bats. They made an old man with two canes stand up to do the whole thing. That being said, I thought the gesture was a nice one, and the players all seemed pretty excited to meet him. Alex Rios shook his hand and said, "Nice to meet you, Sir". I like Alex Rios, he's my pick for the derby. On Sunday in Toronto they had this video montage of Alex Rios, and the PA announcer said, "Let's hear it for our All Star, Alex Rios" and everyone in RF (where we were sitting), stood up and gave him a standing O. It was a nice moment before the Toronto fans started yelling at us.
Matt Holliday is in the running for my new non-Red Sox boyfriend.
Barry Bonds loves Peter Gammons apparently. Barry could almost be described as, well, jovial. He was nice, almost considered charismatic in his interview. He's trying to win everyone over for when he gets Hank's record. Barry says that he's disappointed people judge him by what a third party said. I haven't finished Game of Shadows, but from what I've read, I'm pretty convinced he's guilty. He says that he has, "The utmost respect for Hank Aaron" and understands that, "Hank has a life" and doesn't want to follow him around the country waiting for him to hit the HR.
Next up was Magglio Ordonez of the Detroit Tigers. I was hoping he'd tear both ACL's during his swings, but instead he sucked. In Detroit they do this, Magggggllliiiioooo, OH EEE OHH, Maggggllllliiioooo, OH EEE OH song everytime he's up. It's almost as annoying as Hip Hip JORGE in the Bronx, and just as gross.
We then had a fantastic interview with A-Rod, who put on a suit for his big prime time appearance. He said he, "Had dinner in about an hour". He didn't say if he had it with Cynthia or Joceyln. He also said, "NY has been great, there's something special about putting that uniform on day in and day out". A-Rod, they hate you. You are so opting out. Cut the BS.
Alex Rios hits 5 HR's, while Erin Andrews talks with Jake Peavy who is looking extremely handsome and is joined by two extremely cute little boys.
The camera then cuts to A-Rod chatting up Barry Bonds, "Really Barry, they hate me more, I'm sure of it"
Prince Fielder steps in, and he will absolutely be an American League DH very soon.
I have a few issues with ESPN's Derby coverage, but mainly, there are not nearly enough cute little kids. Also, why aren't they interviewing the players after they hit? And how come they don't have any players miked up?
Ben Sheets son looks EXACTLY like him. Almost creepily.
Vlad is up, and he gets a few quick outs and Papi steps in (the first real clutch thing he's done all year), and gives Vlad a new bat, and he gets on a mini tear and doesn't seem to be too distracted by Papi yelling at him the whole time.
Ryan Howard has a disappointing outing, kind of like his first half, and when he walks back over, Dmitri Young's son yells at him, "ARE YOU SERIOUS?". Please, the only reason your dad is an All Star is because of the "one guy from every team" rule.
..."That's all the way to Saucilito"....kill me now.
Oh I got to ask, who is the guy with the spray painted tee shirt that keeps running up to and tackling all the Dominican guys? Who let that guy on the field? Someone look into this and report back please.
I really like Karl Ravech. I always feel bad for him because he's usually the one smart person in a room full of idiots.
I find it very cute Matt Holliday is having his brother pitch to him. It almost worked out. We also learn Matt Holliday was a QB at Oklahoma State. He looks like a QB.
We get some Freddie Sanchez and Trevor Hoffman complete with cute little kids. Yay!
At this point, we have the always hard hitting journalist Joe Morgan ask Dusty Baker about the infamous "Game 6" decision. He doesn't explain anything about it, but I did some research and this is what I found, (from wikipedia)
Game 6
October 26, 2002 at Edison International Field of Anaheim in Anaheim, California
The turning point in the series came in Game 6. Leading 5-0 with one out in the bottom of the 7th inning, 8 outs away from the Giants' first World Series title in San Francisco, Giants manager Dusty Baker pulled starting pitcher Russ Ortiz for setup man Félix Rodríguez after Ortiz gave up consecutive singles to third baseman Troy Glaus and designated hitter Brad Fullmer. In a widely publicized move, Baker gave Ortiz the game ball as he sent him back to the dugout. During the pitching change the Rally Monkey came on the jumbotron, sending 45,037 Angels fans into a frenzy. Angel first baseman Scott Spiezio came to the plate and fouled off pitch after pitch before finally hitting a 3-run home run that barely cleared the wall in right field. The rally continued in the 8th inning, as Angel center fielder Darin Erstad hit a leadoff line-drive home run, followed by consecutive singles by Tim Salmon and Garret Anderson. (Chone Figgins pinch ran for Salmon.) When Bonds misplayed Anderson's shallow left field bloop single, Figgins and Anderson took third and second respectively. With no outs, two runners in scoring position and now only a 5-4 lead, Baker brought in closer Robb Nen to pitch to Glaus, hoping that Nen could induce a strikeout that might yet preserve the Giants' slim lead. However, Glaus slugged a double to the left-center field gap over Bonds' head to drive in the tying and winning runs. In the 9th inning, Angels closer Troy Percival struck out Rich Aurilia to preserve the 6-5 victory in front of the jubilant home crowd.
I guess giving Russ Ortiz the game ball turned out to be a bad idea. Dusty was never a Red Sox fan. We would have known better than to do shit like that.
Seriously? Who is the guy with the tee shirt?
Vlad hits 3 HR's in the final round to beat Alex Rios' 2 as I fade in an out of conciousness. I'm happy for Vlad, but would have liked Rios to win. In a bizarre turn of events, ESPN has a guy from ESPN Deportes interview Vlad in Spanish, and then translate what he has said. I'm pretty sure that Vlad speaks English. A bizarre night from the ESPN production team all around.
All Star game tonight, Peavy and Haren starting it off, and this time, it counts. (whatever)
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Went to the Rangers game last night. I really wanted to get there early and yell at the Texas players how weak their fans are and how annoying the song, "Deep in the Heart of Texas" clap clap clap, but I had to return some overdue library books and go to the ATM on the way. As Katie and I were cutting through the common, a man yelled to us, "Going to the game?", we told him we were, and he asked who they were playing, we told him Texas, and he proceeded to argue that we were actually playing the Devil Rays and that Matsuzaka was pitching. You're a day early, buddy. Don't let this pony tail fool you Sir, I know my shit.
There was no line at the Cask and Flagon, so we had to stop in and have a beverage. The Old Cask is 10 times better than the new Cask, by the way. Anyway, two drinks later we head into Fenway and stop behind home plate to watch the pre-game stuff and come to realize we are standing right next to Larry Lucchino donning a red hat with the Sox on it. He went inside after the first pitch, which was thrown by the newest member of the Celtics, Ray Allen, who, received a very nice ovation from the faithful. I was very disappointed with myself that I didn't air all my grievances regarding how much I hate Red Sox Nation: The Official Fan Club of the Boston Red Sox.
Anyway, we make our way to our seats, where we are sitting in front of a man how is doing play by play into his camcorder, next to a man who looked completely miserable the entire game, and behind a guy with the biggest head ever. (I always sit behind that guy). You know how the game went...Kason pitched great, Jacoby made us drool, and we finally got some timely hitting. 6 Twisted Teas later Katie and I head off to the Baseball Tavern, wrangle some free drinks from some older gentleman, head over to Dominos, realize we missed the last commuter train home and the last T, and ate a small pizza, buffalo kickers, and cheezy bread. I make best friends with the employee there named Carlos from Ecuador. Well, he just goes by Carlos. I tell him I'm going to become his pizza assistant. We end up getting a very sketchy cab ride home. I was thinking the odds were probably 6:1 I was going to end up in a trash bag in the Charles. I arrive home safely, call Katie ("I was 45 seconds away from calling the cops"), and pass out. I woke up to a BLARING headache about 4 this morning, chugged two glasses of water and 3 Excedrine, woke up at 6:30 and chugged another glass of water and two more Excedrine, and sadly got dressed (thank God I laid out my outfit last night). I am now just WAITING for it to be lunch. I have a bad case of the hangover munchies. Anyway, it was a superb time, great game, good to get that winning feeling back.
First game against the D-Rays tonight. I actually thought the MLB contracted and no one told me. The Dice and Kazmir tonight, should be a good one.
*Stephen Gostkowski looked snazzy at a charity golf tournament in Quincy yesterday for WAAF.
*The Red Sox stepped up to the plate for David Ortiz's hometown.
*Jacoby is a great time.
*Richard Seymour was the top paid player in the NFL last year, raking in nearly 25 million dollars. I love the guy, we all know that, but that is some serious coin. USA Today also has a kick ass database salary sorter thingy. Tom was 6th on the list with 16 million.
Here are the top paying teams in the NFL. (The Texas should get some kind of refund.)
Indianapolis Colts $ 131,189,741
Minnesota Vikings $ 125,025,909
Dallas Cowboys $ 113,595,442
Cincinnati Bengals $ 113,000,016
Baltimore Ravens $ 111,596,746
Washington Redskins $ 110,340,460
Houston Texans $ 108,675,881
New York Giants $ 108,196,454
Seattle Seahawks $ 107,449,932
Carolina Panthers $ 106,554,612
Arizona Cardinals $ 105,685,931
New England Patriots $ 105,110,495
*And finally, be sure to vote early and vote often for Okajima as the final gentleman to make the All-Star team!
My next post, unless something exciting happens this afternoon, will be an update from NH, then a post-Cooperstown post on Thursday. Everyone be safe this week.
Happy 4th of July & God Bless America!
There was no line at the Cask and Flagon, so we had to stop in and have a beverage. The Old Cask is 10 times better than the new Cask, by the way. Anyway, two drinks later we head into Fenway and stop behind home plate to watch the pre-game stuff and come to realize we are standing right next to Larry Lucchino donning a red hat with the Sox on it. He went inside after the first pitch, which was thrown by the newest member of the Celtics, Ray Allen, who, received a very nice ovation from the faithful. I was very disappointed with myself that I didn't air all my grievances regarding how much I hate Red Sox Nation: The Official Fan Club of the Boston Red Sox.
Anyway, we make our way to our seats, where we are sitting in front of a man how is doing play by play into his camcorder, next to a man who looked completely miserable the entire game, and behind a guy with the biggest head ever. (I always sit behind that guy). You know how the game went...Kason pitched great, Jacoby made us drool, and we finally got some timely hitting. 6 Twisted Teas later Katie and I head off to the Baseball Tavern, wrangle some free drinks from some older gentleman, head over to Dominos, realize we missed the last commuter train home and the last T, and ate a small pizza, buffalo kickers, and cheezy bread. I make best friends with the employee there named Carlos from Ecuador. Well, he just goes by Carlos. I tell him I'm going to become his pizza assistant. We end up getting a very sketchy cab ride home. I was thinking the odds were probably 6:1 I was going to end up in a trash bag in the Charles. I arrive home safely, call Katie ("I was 45 seconds away from calling the cops"), and pass out. I woke up to a BLARING headache about 4 this morning, chugged two glasses of water and 3 Excedrine, woke up at 6:30 and chugged another glass of water and two more Excedrine, and sadly got dressed (thank God I laid out my outfit last night). I am now just WAITING for it to be lunch. I have a bad case of the hangover munchies. Anyway, it was a superb time, great game, good to get that winning feeling back.
First game against the D-Rays tonight. I actually thought the MLB contracted and no one told me. The Dice and Kazmir tonight, should be a good one.
*Stephen Gostkowski looked snazzy at a charity golf tournament in Quincy yesterday for WAAF.*From http://www.bostonsportsmedia.com.
"From an article by Jason Quick in The Oregonian yesterday, it sure appears that Danny Ainge made an immediate effort to get the number one pick from the Blazers after Portland won the draft lottery:
As he drove to Eugene to watch a play with his daughter on May 23, less than 24 hours after winning the lottery, Pritchard took a call from an Eastern Conference general manager, with whom he had past dealings.
The executive made an offer that was moderate in shock value: A five-time All-Star and this year's lottery pick in exchange for the No. 1 pick and the Blazers' 2008 first-round pick.
As enticing as the offer was -- the Blazers in years past had made a run at the All-Star player -- Pritchard declined on the spot.
Five time All Star...who the Blazers had made a run at before...sounds like Paul Pierce to me."
I really can't imagine that Danny Ainge thought he had any shot of getting the 1 and the 2008 first rounder. I wonder what Pritchard would have done had he just offered PP and the 5 for the 1. Very interesting.
*Mrs. Papelbon feels bad for Mrs. Rodriguez, saying, "It would kill me if people said the things they’re saying about A-Rod about Jonathan. I mean, that’s her husband. People forget that. He may play baseball, but he’s still human and she’s still married to him. I’m sure she’s embarrassed, but I don’t know how she feels. It would be my worst nightmare.”
*Bill Burt says, Pardon the Interruption, but Wilbon is a jerk, after Wilbon said that the reason Garnett and other NBA super stars didn't want to come to Boston is because Boston is a racist city.
*I really don't like the Herald, but I do enjoy the inside track on occasion...here are some goodies...
We hear...that NESN vixen Hazel Mae chickened out of crashing starter Josh Beckett's roped-off table at Saint the other night. How bashful of her! Beckett was hoisting a few with fellow pitchman Julian Tavarez and sidelined outfielder Coco Crisp. Other baseball biggies in da house: Texas Rangers slugger Sammy Sosa, who headed over from Bar 10 at the Westin Copley Place with closer Eric Gagne and fielder Jerry Hairston...
Tracked Down...Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell signing autographs and showing off the Lumber Liquidators Red Sox race car at the company’s HQ in Braintree . . . Sox hurler Curt Schilling and wife, Shonda, buying paper baseballs at Shaw’s at Fenway to support the store’s Pitch’n to Win campaign that supports Curt’s Pitch for ALS . . .
*The Red Sox stepped up to the plate for David Ortiz's hometown.
*Jacoby is a great time.
*Richard Seymour was the top paid player in the NFL last year, raking in nearly 25 million dollars. I love the guy, we all know that, but that is some serious coin. USA Today also has a kick ass database salary sorter thingy. Tom was 6th on the list with 16 million.
Here are the top paying teams in the NFL. (The Texas should get some kind of refund.)
Indianapolis Colts $ 131,189,741
Minnesota Vikings $ 125,025,909
Dallas Cowboys $ 113,595,442
Cincinnati Bengals $ 113,000,016
Baltimore Ravens $ 111,596,746
Washington Redskins $ 110,340,460
Houston Texans $ 108,675,881
New York Giants $ 108,196,454
Seattle Seahawks $ 107,449,932
Carolina Panthers $ 106,554,612
Arizona Cardinals $ 105,685,931
New England Patriots $ 105,110,495
*And finally, be sure to vote early and vote often for Okajima as the final gentleman to make the All-Star team!
My next post, unless something exciting happens this afternoon, will be an update from NH, then a post-Cooperstown post on Thursday. Everyone be safe this week.
Happy 4th of July & God Bless America!
Friday, June 22, 2007
The Great Autograph Experiment
So, the other day I was reading my ESPN the Mag, and there was a section about the best way to get autographs. Now, I have to say, autographs have never done much for me. I'd much rather get my picture taken with the player then have them sign something that will end up in a photo album and then eventually get ruined when the basement floods.
In my autograph collection, I have Nancy Kerrigan (at Toys “R” us when I was maybe 12). (Funny side story, I need a piece of paper, so my dad handed me a notebook that we hadn’t bought yet, and I thought for sure I was going to get arrested. And then, my dad wouldn’t even buy the notebook that I had used to get the autograph, he just tore out the page and put it his pocket…and I was horrified we were stealing paper!).
My second autograph is ML Carr. My mom won some contest when she worked in the bakery at Shaw’s (I’m serious, she worked there). So my dad and I got to go play basketball on the court at the Garden. The real Garden, not TD Banknorth. This was the same year as Nancy Kerrigan I believe. Anyway, I used to get really nervous. So my dad lied to me and said he was taking me on a tour of a bread factory in Boston. Now, we never went to Boston, so this was a huge deal. So I got dressed up and wore like, a blouse and skirt and tights and dress shoes. And it turns out I was going to play basketball with the Celtics. There were a few other random people there from the Celtics, I don’t know who. So I just sat on the bench in my dress shoes, and watched my dad shoot hoops with ML. Who, I might add, was wicked nice. Anyway, my dad and I snuck off from the group to see the Celtics locker room. It was the offseason, so they were empty, but I did get to sit in Larry Bird’s locker. We went into the Bruin’s locker room too. And, I of course, thought for sure we were going to get caught and my dad was going to get arrested and I was going to have to call my mom to come bail us out. Also, on the way home, I dropped the autograph out the window and my dad had to pull the car over so I could pick it up. He almost killed me.
My third autograph is Jenny Meno and Todd Sand. They are figure skaters that never won much of anything except for the US title a few times. We had these awesome front row seats and I got to meet Jenny and Todd who were my favorites.
My fourth autograph is Tom Glavine. Tom was doing an autograph signing at the Burlington Mall and I took Paul and his best friend Chris. Tom was extremely nice, he took a picture with us, signed like, the 20 Tom Glavine cards we brought.
also, I did get every Disney character I could find when I went to Disney in 6th grade, and Cinderella's twice.
Anyway, that is the extent of my autograph collection. In the article in ESPN it mentioned Pat Neshek’s website. I linked to it last week, but it’s for autograph collectors, and they talk about who they’ve gotten autographs from, where’s the best place to get them to sign. One thing they were talking about was who you could write to, with a self addressed stamped envelope, and who would send your card or picture or whatever back. I read through them and was intrigued. Pat's site also mentioned this one, SASE Sports Sigs, which keeps track of what cards get signed and sent back. I knew my brother and I had a giant box of cards in the basement, so I’ve decided to try it out. I’m sending out 20 baseball cards to 20 major leaguers, a little note, along with a baseball card and SASE. I actually couldn’t find my baseball cards so technically I’m sending my brothers. I went through a few books and pulled out current major leaguers, and was surprised by how many players are no longer in the majors. So, I decided to send 5 to current Red Sox, 5 to current Yankees, and 10 to regular major leaguers. (they are the control group if I remember my scientific method correctly). I'm completely accepting of the fact that there is a very good chance I'm going 0-20.
I’m rambling today. Must be the ice coffee combined with the fact that it is FINALLY Friday.
We’ll start with the bad guys, move on to the neutral guys, and then onto to the good guys.
First up, Mr. Roger Clemens, (whose name I intentionally spelled wrong on the envelope for humor’s sake). I told Roger I liked watching him pitch as a Red Sox, and that “I hope your un-retirement works out just like I think it will”. As in, you average five runs and five innings a game while going 6-9. In A-Rod’s note, I wrote, “I really miss watching you play shortstop. I think that you would have been remembered as the best shortstop of all time”. Not that I would want to ruffle feathers between him and Derek. In Mo’s I told him that “Enter Sandman” was my favorite Metallica song and that I thought he was a great closer during the 2004 ALCS. In Jason Giambi’s, I told him I hope his foot heals faster than they think it will (because otherwise they will probably trade for Carlos Pena and I’d rather they didn’t). And, in Derek Jeter’s, I told him that he was a much better player than A-Rod. Those were very hard to write.
I told Barry Bonds that he has “set an incredible example for younger players”. If that’s not the truth. You too can cheat your way to 755.
Mike Sweeney, “you are my favorite player on the Royals”. That is 100% accurate. Of course, he’s tied with every other Royal for that position, but I left that out of my note.
In my collection (actually Paul’s collection), I found a sweet card with a very young Pedro and Ramon on it in Dodger Blue. Pedro looked badass and Ramon looked goofy and I’m pretty sure they both had mullets. I thanked Pedro for being so great for the Red Sox, and told him there was nothing like getting up in the morning and knowing we had Pedro going that night.
Edgar Renteira, “I’m sorry it didn’t work out here in Boston.” I am. Now I’m stuck with Julio Lugo who is more expensive and couldn’t hit his way out of a wet paper bag. I am sorry it didn’t work out. Your contract ends before his does.
Jason Schmidt and Randy Johnson got get well cards. I told Magglio Ordonez and Andruw Jones they were great outfielders and that I wished they had come up with the Sox. (Sorry Nancy).
I wrote to Pudge Rodriguez and told him he was a great catcher and congrats on catching a No-no and thanks for knocking the Yanks out last year.
Then came my notes to the Sox, which, were harder and took a lot more thought.
First up was Mike Timlin. I thanked him for ’04, and for being such a reliable set up man over the years and told him that us Sox fans were lucky to have him. (I left out that he makes me vomit slightly in my mouth)
I told Batshit Tavarez that it has been an absolute pleasure watching him this year and that we have the best #5 in baseball.
I told Manny that he was the best hitter I have ever seen (I sent him a card of him on the Indians, which, was the only one I have).
I confessed to Mike Lowell that he was my favorite Red Sox and that he really needed to resign with the Sox to keep my mental health stable. (well, I left out the mental health part, but I did tell him I hoped he’d finish his career with the Sox).
I thanked Tim Wakefield for being such a leader with the Red Sox both on the field and in the community.
So there the 20 are. I’m going to send them out with tomorrow’s mail, and we’ll see how many I get back.
Tonight we have Dice-K and Greg Maddux. I feel like I haven’t seen Dice-K pitch in weeks. I’m excited!
In my autograph collection, I have Nancy Kerrigan (at Toys “R” us when I was maybe 12). (Funny side story, I need a piece of paper, so my dad handed me a notebook that we hadn’t bought yet, and I thought for sure I was going to get arrested. And then, my dad wouldn’t even buy the notebook that I had used to get the autograph, he just tore out the page and put it his pocket…and I was horrified we were stealing paper!).
My second autograph is ML Carr. My mom won some contest when she worked in the bakery at Shaw’s (I’m serious, she worked there). So my dad and I got to go play basketball on the court at the Garden. The real Garden, not TD Banknorth. This was the same year as Nancy Kerrigan I believe. Anyway, I used to get really nervous. So my dad lied to me and said he was taking me on a tour of a bread factory in Boston. Now, we never went to Boston, so this was a huge deal. So I got dressed up and wore like, a blouse and skirt and tights and dress shoes. And it turns out I was going to play basketball with the Celtics. There were a few other random people there from the Celtics, I don’t know who. So I just sat on the bench in my dress shoes, and watched my dad shoot hoops with ML. Who, I might add, was wicked nice. Anyway, my dad and I snuck off from the group to see the Celtics locker room. It was the offseason, so they were empty, but I did get to sit in Larry Bird’s locker. We went into the Bruin’s locker room too. And, I of course, thought for sure we were going to get caught and my dad was going to get arrested and I was going to have to call my mom to come bail us out. Also, on the way home, I dropped the autograph out the window and my dad had to pull the car over so I could pick it up. He almost killed me.
My third autograph is Jenny Meno and Todd Sand. They are figure skaters that never won much of anything except for the US title a few times. We had these awesome front row seats and I got to meet Jenny and Todd who were my favorites.
My fourth autograph is Tom Glavine. Tom was doing an autograph signing at the Burlington Mall and I took Paul and his best friend Chris. Tom was extremely nice, he took a picture with us, signed like, the 20 Tom Glavine cards we brought.
also, I did get every Disney character I could find when I went to Disney in 6th grade, and Cinderella's twice.
Anyway, that is the extent of my autograph collection. In the article in ESPN it mentioned Pat Neshek’s website. I linked to it last week, but it’s for autograph collectors, and they talk about who they’ve gotten autographs from, where’s the best place to get them to sign. One thing they were talking about was who you could write to, with a self addressed stamped envelope, and who would send your card or picture or whatever back. I read through them and was intrigued. Pat's site also mentioned this one, SASE Sports Sigs, which keeps track of what cards get signed and sent back. I knew my brother and I had a giant box of cards in the basement, so I’ve decided to try it out. I’m sending out 20 baseball cards to 20 major leaguers, a little note, along with a baseball card and SASE. I actually couldn’t find my baseball cards so technically I’m sending my brothers. I went through a few books and pulled out current major leaguers, and was surprised by how many players are no longer in the majors. So, I decided to send 5 to current Red Sox, 5 to current Yankees, and 10 to regular major leaguers. (they are the control group if I remember my scientific method correctly). I'm completely accepting of the fact that there is a very good chance I'm going 0-20.
I’m rambling today. Must be the ice coffee combined with the fact that it is FINALLY Friday.
We’ll start with the bad guys, move on to the neutral guys, and then onto to the good guys.
First up, Mr. Roger Clemens, (whose name I intentionally spelled wrong on the envelope for humor’s sake). I told Roger I liked watching him pitch as a Red Sox, and that “I hope your un-retirement works out just like I think it will”. As in, you average five runs and five innings a game while going 6-9. In A-Rod’s note, I wrote, “I really miss watching you play shortstop. I think that you would have been remembered as the best shortstop of all time”. Not that I would want to ruffle feathers between him and Derek. In Mo’s I told him that “Enter Sandman” was my favorite Metallica song and that I thought he was a great closer during the 2004 ALCS. In Jason Giambi’s, I told him I hope his foot heals faster than they think it will (because otherwise they will probably trade for Carlos Pena and I’d rather they didn’t). And, in Derek Jeter’s, I told him that he was a much better player than A-Rod. Those were very hard to write.
I told Barry Bonds that he has “set an incredible example for younger players”. If that’s not the truth. You too can cheat your way to 755.
Mike Sweeney, “you are my favorite player on the Royals”. That is 100% accurate. Of course, he’s tied with every other Royal for that position, but I left that out of my note.
In my collection (actually Paul’s collection), I found a sweet card with a very young Pedro and Ramon on it in Dodger Blue. Pedro looked badass and Ramon looked goofy and I’m pretty sure they both had mullets. I thanked Pedro for being so great for the Red Sox, and told him there was nothing like getting up in the morning and knowing we had Pedro going that night.
Edgar Renteira, “I’m sorry it didn’t work out here in Boston.” I am. Now I’m stuck with Julio Lugo who is more expensive and couldn’t hit his way out of a wet paper bag. I am sorry it didn’t work out. Your contract ends before his does.
Jason Schmidt and Randy Johnson got get well cards. I told Magglio Ordonez and Andruw Jones they were great outfielders and that I wished they had come up with the Sox. (Sorry Nancy).
I wrote to Pudge Rodriguez and told him he was a great catcher and congrats on catching a No-no and thanks for knocking the Yanks out last year.
Then came my notes to the Sox, which, were harder and took a lot more thought.
First up was Mike Timlin. I thanked him for ’04, and for being such a reliable set up man over the years and told him that us Sox fans were lucky to have him. (I left out that he makes me vomit slightly in my mouth)
I told Batshit Tavarez that it has been an absolute pleasure watching him this year and that we have the best #5 in baseball.
I told Manny that he was the best hitter I have ever seen (I sent him a card of him on the Indians, which, was the only one I have).
I confessed to Mike Lowell that he was my favorite Red Sox and that he really needed to resign with the Sox to keep my mental health stable. (well, I left out the mental health part, but I did tell him I hoped he’d finish his career with the Sox).
I thanked Tim Wakefield for being such a leader with the Red Sox both on the field and in the community.
So there the 20 are. I’m going to send them out with tomorrow’s mail, and we’ll see how many I get back.
Tonight we have Dice-K and Greg Maddux. I feel like I haven’t seen Dice-K pitch in weeks. I’m excited!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
8.5 isn't nearly as pretty as 14.5...
You know how every once and a while in Little League, you'd end up with 8 kids, and you'd have to take an out in their place? That is how I feel whenever Crisp and Lugo are up. Like they are automatically an out.
Something is clearly up with Mike Lowell's fielding, and quite frankly, I blame Julio Lugo. How could this be Lugo's fault you ask? Well, Mike has spent is entire career playing 3rd base next to Alex Gonzalez, who, is a fielding wizard. Because Mike is now next to Lugo, who has the range of my stove (pun intended), he is going after balls that should be the shortstops, and therefore increasing his error total. Bullshit you say? I don't care. When in doubt, I am going to blame Lugo.
*I have spent hours reading all the stuff here, and I don't even collect autographs. Just an excellent time.
*Justin Verlander threw a no-no the other night incase you missed it, and he was hitting triple digits in the 9th. Crazy.
*This is the ugliest thing I have ever seen.
My heart clearly isn't into this entry, but I'll try to be back later with something exciting.
Joshua tonight as we try to win the series and go to 10 and zero.
Something is clearly up with Mike Lowell's fielding, and quite frankly, I blame Julio Lugo. How could this be Lugo's fault you ask? Well, Mike has spent is entire career playing 3rd base next to Alex Gonzalez, who, is a fielding wizard. Because Mike is now next to Lugo, who has the range of my stove (pun intended), he is going after balls that should be the shortstops, and therefore increasing his error total. Bullshit you say? I don't care. When in doubt, I am going to blame Lugo.
*I have spent hours reading all the stuff here, and I don't even collect autographs. Just an excellent time.
*Justin Verlander threw a no-no the other night incase you missed it, and he was hitting triple digits in the 9th. Crazy.
*This is the ugliest thing I have ever seen.
My heart clearly isn't into this entry, but I'll try to be back later with something exciting.
Joshua tonight as we try to win the series and go to 10 and zero.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Thoughts while hoping the knuckler knuckles tonight.
*To lead off today, we have some photoshop genius from BostonDirtDogs acknowledging some of the holes in our offense. Good thing they aren't batting first and second.*So, as stated in yesterdays post. I had some inside info that Mike Lowell was at the Children's Museum yesterday. When I left work at 4:30, I followed my normal path home. I had a bit of a dilema. Do I swing by Au Bon Pain and get a water? Just incase Mike had the same idea? Do I maybe go admire the new construction? Just incase Mike was doing the same? I eventually decided that I would do the admirable thing and go home. I walked to the bus and got to the intersection of Congress / State and as I'm waiting to cross I'm 97% sure that I saw Brendan Merriweather. As I was waiting, a guy drives by me and I think to myself, "that looked just like Brendan Merriweather". After he passes, I check out the license plate, and it was from Florida. Of course, it was entirely possible it wasn't him, but I'm going with that it was.
*The Globe has a good piece on the police officer who often works the bullpen at Fenway.
*The always knowledgeable Gordon Edes has a mailbag.
Hi, Gordon. Don't you think it is ridiculous that the Yankees were actually jumping for joy when the A's broke up Curt's no-hitter? I consider a no-hitter to be a rare and special event that is good for the game of baseball. I can understand the Yankees don't want to see us win, but to root against something historic -- I'm just missing the point. Dan, Nashua, N.H.
A: The point is, Dan, the Yanks don't like Curt Schilling, and didn't want him to have that special moment. I'm sure Curt isn't losing any sleep over it, and probably wouldn't expect anything less. I'm a little surprised that the Yanks were so demonstrative in their reaction, but hey, maybe they were bored.
*Pac-Man Jones has dropped his appeal and will serve his on year suspension. I think that Roger Goddell should have suspended him 16 games, with a chance to cut it down to 10 with excellent behavior, and the knowledge that any off the field BS gets you another year. Tank Johnson only got 8 games and he served jail time!
*J.R. Smith's friend who was in critical condition yesterday has died.
*The former prosecutor of the Duke lacrosse case is facing possible disbarment in North Carolina.
*Nick Carfardo is dealing with What If's? With Todd Helton coming to town, Carfardo examines the "What If's" behind the deal that would have sent Michael, Julian to the Rockies for Helton. "Straight up, yes. Our numbers don't compare. However, I like me a lot more than I like Todd, and Todd is a good guy" says Michael, ""Not to knock Colorado, but I'm happy to be with the Red Sox. After the fact, I heard it wasn't as close as people made it out to be, but at the time it sure sounded like it. It sounded like it was a done deal and all they had to settle was a little bit of the money. I'd been involved with rumors before, and I just thought that one had some truth to it." He continues, "I really don't know the market, but I know there aren't a lot of free agent third basemen this year. I guess that's good for me, but I want to be here. Without a doubt."
My whole life would be sadder without Mike Lowell in it. I'm just saying.
Heading over to the Fens tonight to see Wake and friends. Let's hope the knuckler is dancing.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Guest Column: Katie's Mike Lowell Story...
So I'm on the phone at about 3:15 doing an exit interview with yet another disgruntled employee who is leaving. I always shut the door to my office when I'm on calls like this because, frankly, I work with retards who will stand in front of me the entire time I'm on the phone to wait for me to finish. I'm so glad that working in HR, my workspace is private and people respect the confidentiality of my role. Awesome!
As I said, I'm on the phone, and my door is shut. One co-worker barges in and tried to get my attention. I point to the phone and mouth "come back later". A second one does the same thing, followed by a third, fourth, fifth, and finally sixth. Through my window that looks into the hallway in my office, I see that a small group has gathered. Finally, Julia (the girl I share an office with) goes out into the hallway to see what's going on. Five seconds later, she walks back into the office, shuts the door, glances at me, and sits down at her computer. My outlook makes the noise that tells me I have a new email. I glance at the lower righthand corner of my screen where the "preview" feature comes up -- you know, tells me who sent it, the subject, and the first few lines of the email. There it is. Sent with high importance, from Ms. Julia, is an email with just a subject heading and no text:
MIKE LOWELL IS IN PLAYSPACE AT THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And then she whispers something to George, the CFO who also shares our office and runs out the office door, leaving me with my mouth hanging open, not listening to a word that the person on the phone is saying. For all I know, she was telling me that she planned to hack into our payroll software and steal all of our money. I really didn't care; Mike Lowell was in the same building as I was.
So I start sending emails to George (it's basically a well-known fact around my office that when it comes to the Red Sox, I have a serious illness) asking where Julia went. He said that she went with the other people who were trying to get my attention to find him, and that if I wanted to go, he was pretty sure that he could arrange for the phones to go down (the CFO is also the Director of Technology. Yay non-profits!).
What did I do? Did I get off the phone, claiming some kind of gas-induced illness? No. I finished the exit interview.
Yes, perhaps I'm insane. One of the most bad-ass (not to mention handsome) Red Sox players in quite some time was in the Children's Museum. Working inside the museum sucks. I have to hear crying children floating up the vents into my office. I need to get on the elevator with maintainence staff who have barrels that smell like dirty diapers. When I get my morning coffee downstairs at ABP, I need to wade through groups of ankle-biters and rugrats who are so excited to get into the museum they don't speak, they scream.
Once I saw Walter McCarty in the elevator. That was cool. He's really tall. The difference between seeing Walter McCarty in the elevator and scouring the museum to find Mike Lowell is that I ran into Walter by chance. Had I run into Mike Lowell (notice I can't say Mike? He's always MikeLowell) in the elevator, I would have done the same thing I did when I shared an elevator with Walter McCarty -- blush profusely and stare at the floor while sneaking sideways glances at him. I just couldn't justify stalking Mike Lowell -- while he was at the CHILDREN'S MUSEUM with his kids on his off day -- so I could turn an unflattering shade of red. He wasn't going to leave his wife and marry me. He wasn't going to sit there and shoot the shit about baseball while his kids were rolling around in the ball pit, he was going to enjoy an off day with his kids.
So I did the moral thing. I let the man have his day off with his family and sat at my desk (ok, I may have gone outside and glanced through the windows once -- but I didn't see him). It always makes me mad when I hear stories of ballplayers who are out to eat, or out having a drink and obnoxious drunk fans come up to them and interrupt whatever it is they're doing. They're out to eat or grabbing a drink after a long day -- just like you are. Leave them alone. If you happen to end up in the same place as them by chance (and if "chance" is defined as a great tip from a cabbie who tells you what hotel they stay at during away games, that's ok too), just be cool and let them do their thing while you do yours. If they seem approachable and friendly and you're feeling bold, go for it. Say hi. Steal sideways glances while you brush profusely and drink another Bud Light.
But Rule Number One of Professional Sports Players Stalking -- don't f**k with them when they're with their kids.
Soxgal: As we know, I work just two blocks down from Katie's work, and I think that you should all give me a little credit for not leaving a trail of dust behind at my desk. After all, he was with his kids. That, and I'm going to become best friends with him in Detroit.
As I said, I'm on the phone, and my door is shut. One co-worker barges in and tried to get my attention. I point to the phone and mouth "come back later". A second one does the same thing, followed by a third, fourth, fifth, and finally sixth. Through my window that looks into the hallway in my office, I see that a small group has gathered. Finally, Julia (the girl I share an office with) goes out into the hallway to see what's going on. Five seconds later, she walks back into the office, shuts the door, glances at me, and sits down at her computer. My outlook makes the noise that tells me I have a new email. I glance at the lower righthand corner of my screen where the "preview" feature comes up -- you know, tells me who sent it, the subject, and the first few lines of the email. There it is. Sent with high importance, from Ms. Julia, is an email with just a subject heading and no text:
MIKE LOWELL IS IN PLAYSPACE AT THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And then she whispers something to George, the CFO who also shares our office and runs out the office door, leaving me with my mouth hanging open, not listening to a word that the person on the phone is saying. For all I know, she was telling me that she planned to hack into our payroll software and steal all of our money. I really didn't care; Mike Lowell was in the same building as I was.
So I start sending emails to George (it's basically a well-known fact around my office that when it comes to the Red Sox, I have a serious illness) asking where Julia went. He said that she went with the other people who were trying to get my attention to find him, and that if I wanted to go, he was pretty sure that he could arrange for the phones to go down (the CFO is also the Director of Technology. Yay non-profits!).
What did I do? Did I get off the phone, claiming some kind of gas-induced illness? No. I finished the exit interview.
Yes, perhaps I'm insane. One of the most bad-ass (not to mention handsome) Red Sox players in quite some time was in the Children's Museum. Working inside the museum sucks. I have to hear crying children floating up the vents into my office. I need to get on the elevator with maintainence staff who have barrels that smell like dirty diapers. When I get my morning coffee downstairs at ABP, I need to wade through groups of ankle-biters and rugrats who are so excited to get into the museum they don't speak, they scream.
Once I saw Walter McCarty in the elevator. That was cool. He's really tall. The difference between seeing Walter McCarty in the elevator and scouring the museum to find Mike Lowell is that I ran into Walter by chance. Had I run into Mike Lowell (notice I can't say Mike? He's always MikeLowell) in the elevator, I would have done the same thing I did when I shared an elevator with Walter McCarty -- blush profusely and stare at the floor while sneaking sideways glances at him. I just couldn't justify stalking Mike Lowell -- while he was at the CHILDREN'S MUSEUM with his kids on his off day -- so I could turn an unflattering shade of red. He wasn't going to leave his wife and marry me. He wasn't going to sit there and shoot the shit about baseball while his kids were rolling around in the ball pit, he was going to enjoy an off day with his kids.
So I did the moral thing. I let the man have his day off with his family and sat at my desk (ok, I may have gone outside and glanced through the windows once -- but I didn't see him). It always makes me mad when I hear stories of ballplayers who are out to eat, or out having a drink and obnoxious drunk fans come up to them and interrupt whatever it is they're doing. They're out to eat or grabbing a drink after a long day -- just like you are. Leave them alone. If you happen to end up in the same place as them by chance (and if "chance" is defined as a great tip from a cabbie who tells you what hotel they stay at during away games, that's ok too), just be cool and let them do their thing while you do yours. If they seem approachable and friendly and you're feeling bold, go for it. Say hi. Steal sideways glances while you brush profusely and drink another Bud Light.
But Rule Number One of Professional Sports Players Stalking -- don't f**k with them when they're with their kids.
Soxgal: As we know, I work just two blocks down from Katie's work, and I think that you should all give me a little credit for not leaving a trail of dust behind at my desk. After all, he was with his kids. That, and I'm going to become best friends with him in Detroit.
Links Links everywhere!
*The Sox had a solid weekend in Arizona, although the bats are still quieter than I would like. Joshua dominated Friday, Julian took care of buisness, and Dice-K pitched good enough to win yesterday, says Jeff Horrigan. The Sox have today off, and get back at it on Tuesday they host the Rockies, and Soxgal.
*If you haven't read Curt's recap of his near no-no, please do so immediately.
*The Sox are now 40-22 on the season, and 9.5 up on the 2nd place New York Yankees, and 11.5 up on the last place Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
*After 6 weeks as #1 upon the ESPN Power Rankings, the Sox dropped to 2nd, with the Padres taking over the top slot.
*The Nuggets had a rough week, with J.R. Smith being thrown from a car during an accident and one of the passengers in the car having severe head injuries, and another Nugget DeeMar Johnson was tasered and arrested outside a night club.
*Julian Tavarez has his own cure to fix his own blister problem.
*Mike Reiss, as always has some good stuff.
*Chad Finn has a fun update. Including this tidbit via Peter Gammons:
"On April 20, Courtney Butcher of Worcester, Mass., a freshman at the University of New Hampshire, called her father, Jim, to talk about the Monster seats Jim had purchased for the family for the Sunday night game. Lowell was her favorite player. That night, right after Courtney talked to her father, she and three friends were killed in an automobile accident.
That Sunday night, Jim took his other children to the game. In the 4-HR inning, Lowell's shot went right to the Butcher family.The next day, a friend of the family called Sarah Stevenson of the Red Sox, who relayed the message to Lowell, and he signed a uniform with these words: "Courtney, May God Be With You, Rest in Peace." He also sent word to Jim Butcher that he would homer for Courtney. The wake was that Tuesday, April 24, and Lowell's uniform was draped over Courtney's coffin. That night, he homered against the Blue Jays."
*Jayson Stark ponders the question, is Curt Schilling the best pitcher to never win a Cy Young or pitch a no-hitter? I'm pasting the whole thing because I know not everyone has ESPN Insider.
Random thoughts, as we ponder the unique interleague magic of Rockies-Orioles:
IS CURT SCHILLING THE BEST PITCHER NEVER TO WIN A CY YOUNG OR PITCH A NO-HITTER?
Watching that Shannon Stewart single whoosh past Alex Cora on Thursday, I was struck by this thought: Can anyone think of a great pitcher who has done more specializing in the near-miss than Curt Schilling?
He has never pitched a no-hitter, but he has thrown three one-hitters. And among active pitchers only Randy Johnson and Mike Mussina (four apiece) have thrown more.
Schilling also has never won a Cy Young. But he has finished second three times. Among active pitchers, only Johnson, Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez, Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine have more top-two finishes in the Cy voting than Schilling. But those guys have combined for 21 Cy Youngs, to Schilling's zero. In fact, according to baseball-reference.com, Schilling has the highest award-share voting score of any pitcher in history who has never won a Cy Young.
So if it sometimes seems as if all his great years have been trumped by someone else's great years, it's because they have.
He has won 20 games three times -- all of them in seasons when at least one other pitcher in his league won 20. He has struck out 300 hitters in a season three times -- two of them in years another pitcher in his league whiffed 300. And he has finished in the top three in his league in ERA nine times -- but never won an ERA title. So is timing everything in life, or what?
Have a nomination for some other great pitcher in the last 40 years (the era spanning the awarding of Cy Youngs in each league) who has never pitched a no-hitter or won a Cy? Send it along to uselessinfodept@yahoo.com. We can do a ranking in a future blog of the best pitchers ever in this funky category.
*My favorite blogger not named Schilling has updated a few times recently, Mr. Curtis Granderson. He has all kinds of good stuff.
*How did this guy only get a mild concussion and a sprained ankle?
*Lester is coming up to Fenway to throw with John Farrell and figure out a plan for the next few weeks.
*This Arizona columnist talks about how Curt is a jerk for not talking to them on Friday, because he owed it to the fans. A few things here:
- In the column, he says that Curt was traded to the Red Sox. He signed as a free agent. Maybe he doesn't want to talk to idiots.
- He also says he owes it to "the fans". The highest attendence in Arizona history was...Saturday night against the Red Sox? With Julian Tavarez starting? They didn't even sell out the clinching game of the World Series? I wouldn't worry too much about those "fans".
*Roger Goodell's myspace.
*If you haven't read Curt's recap of his near no-no, please do so immediately.
*The Sox are now 40-22 on the season, and 9.5 up on the 2nd place New York Yankees, and 11.5 up on the last place Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
*After 6 weeks as #1 upon the ESPN Power Rankings, the Sox dropped to 2nd, with the Padres taking over the top slot.
*The Nuggets had a rough week, with J.R. Smith being thrown from a car during an accident and one of the passengers in the car having severe head injuries, and another Nugget DeeMar Johnson was tasered and arrested outside a night club.
*Julian Tavarez has his own cure to fix his own blister problem.
*Mike Reiss, as always has some good stuff.
*Chad Finn has a fun update. Including this tidbit via Peter Gammons:
"On April 20, Courtney Butcher of Worcester, Mass., a freshman at the University of New Hampshire, called her father, Jim, to talk about the Monster seats Jim had purchased for the family for the Sunday night game. Lowell was her favorite player. That night, right after Courtney talked to her father, she and three friends were killed in an automobile accident.
That Sunday night, Jim took his other children to the game. In the 4-HR inning, Lowell's shot went right to the Butcher family.The next day, a friend of the family called Sarah Stevenson of the Red Sox, who relayed the message to Lowell, and he signed a uniform with these words: "Courtney, May God Be With You, Rest in Peace." He also sent word to Jim Butcher that he would homer for Courtney. The wake was that Tuesday, April 24, and Lowell's uniform was draped over Courtney's coffin. That night, he homered against the Blue Jays."
*Jayson Stark ponders the question, is Curt Schilling the best pitcher to never win a Cy Young or pitch a no-hitter? I'm pasting the whole thing because I know not everyone has ESPN Insider.
Random thoughts, as we ponder the unique interleague magic of Rockies-Orioles:
IS CURT SCHILLING THE BEST PITCHER NEVER TO WIN A CY YOUNG OR PITCH A NO-HITTER?
Watching that Shannon Stewart single whoosh past Alex Cora on Thursday, I was struck by this thought: Can anyone think of a great pitcher who has done more specializing in the near-miss than Curt Schilling?
He has never pitched a no-hitter, but he has thrown three one-hitters. And among active pitchers only Randy Johnson and Mike Mussina (four apiece) have thrown more.
Schilling also has never won a Cy Young. But he has finished second three times. Among active pitchers, only Johnson, Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez, Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine have more top-two finishes in the Cy voting than Schilling. But those guys have combined for 21 Cy Youngs, to Schilling's zero. In fact, according to baseball-reference.com, Schilling has the highest award-share voting score of any pitcher in history who has never won a Cy Young.
So if it sometimes seems as if all his great years have been trumped by someone else's great years, it's because they have.
He has won 20 games three times -- all of them in seasons when at least one other pitcher in his league won 20. He has struck out 300 hitters in a season three times -- two of them in years another pitcher in his league whiffed 300. And he has finished in the top three in his league in ERA nine times -- but never won an ERA title. So is timing everything in life, or what?
Have a nomination for some other great pitcher in the last 40 years (the era spanning the awarding of Cy Youngs in each league) who has never pitched a no-hitter or won a Cy? Send it along to uselessinfodept@yahoo.com. We can do a ranking in a future blog of the best pitchers ever in this funky category.
*My favorite blogger not named Schilling has updated a few times recently, Mr. Curtis Granderson. He has all kinds of good stuff.
*How did this guy only get a mild concussion and a sprained ankle?
*Lester is coming up to Fenway to throw with John Farrell and figure out a plan for the next few weeks.
*This Arizona columnist talks about how Curt is a jerk for not talking to them on Friday, because he owed it to the fans. A few things here:
- In the column, he says that Curt was traded to the Red Sox. He signed as a free agent. Maybe he doesn't want to talk to idiots.
- He also says he owes it to "the fans". The highest attendence in Arizona history was...Saturday night against the Red Sox? With Julian Tavarez starting? They didn't even sell out the clinching game of the World Series? I wouldn't worry too much about those "fans".
*Roger Goodell's myspace.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Oh Michael
Sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words. I mean, Hi Mike!(picture stolen from www.redsoxchick.com)
Even the New York Times loves Mike Lowell;
After Saturday’s game, he wore a gray T-shirt that said “Red Sox Strength.” When a reporter asked him what he had said to Derek Jeter as they walked back to toward second base after the injury to Mientkiewicz, Lowell answered with a deadpan look and a reference to Friday’s game.
“I told him I made one play off him yesterday and he has Wang hit me in the hand,” Lowell said.
When some listeners were not too sure how to take his remark, Lowell looked at one of the press credentials and finished his thought (and at least one of their articles) by adding, “ ‘Ha, ha, ha,’ he said jokingly.”
After Saturday’s game, he wore a gray T-shirt that said “Red Sox Strength.” When a reporter asked him what he had said to Derek Jeter as they walked back to toward second base after the injury to Mientkiewicz, Lowell answered with a deadpan look and a reference to Friday’s game.
“I told him I made one play off him yesterday and he has Wang hit me in the hand,” Lowell said.
When some listeners were not too sure how to take his remark, Lowell looked at one of the press credentials and finished his thought (and at least one of their articles) by adding, “ ‘Ha, ha, ha,’ he said jokingly.”
Sunday, June 3, 2007
*Doug Mientkiewicz was kept overnight at Mass General last night with a concussion, cervical sprain, and a broken wrist. I am absolutely, 100% shocked the Yankee trainer didn't collar and board him and send him directly to the ambulance. It was entirely possible with the way his neck twisted and hit the pavement that he had broken something. Red Sox MLB had this to say, "I feel bad for Doug. You don't want anything like that happening. We go way back, I mean, I played against him when I was 15 years old in high school. We hit together this offseason, and I've got a lot of respect for him."
*Lowell also took out Robinson Cano who thought it was a "dirty" play but Joe Torre thought it was fine. Not that I care what either one of them think. Also, it says here Michael has a WS ring from 1998 for playing a few games for the Yanks that year. *Here's the game report on a rough one at the Fens yesterday, where Curt pitched good enough to lose.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
I went to the Sox Monday night...yesterday, I was tired, cranky, and I didn't want to talk about it. I decided it was a classic let down game after sweeping the Yanks, I was giving them a free pass. Then last nights game came around. I hate Julian Tavarez, you know he's probably going to pitch like shit, and you're hoping the O can score enough to overcome all of his inadequacies. I feel like Denny Green after the Cardinals lost to the Bears, "HE WAS WHAT I THOUGHT HE WAS, HE WAS WHAT I THOUGHT HE WAS". I understand Lester isn't ready and maybe he's still a ways off, we'll have a better idea after today when he throws against AAA for the first time. Why not throw someone else out there. After 5 innings of no-hit baseball last October, I'm not taking out the anointing oil or anything, but at least if you throw Devern Hansack out there, you don't know what you are going to get. He might pitch great, he might not, who knows, but isn't it worth a shot? I don't care if it isn't Hansack, maybe there's some AAA stud I don't know about. Freaking bring up Papelbon's brother from A, whatever, I don't care, I just can't take Julian anymore.
And another thing, could Wily Mo look more freaking lost out there. The only place for him on the field is um, in the dugout as a DH, but I think last time I checked we were in pretty good shape in that position. Wily Mo needs a some months, maybe even a season, in AAA hitting everyday. Right now, he can't hit offspeed pitches and he can't hit high heat, and he can't lay off balls, so if everyone could just throw him fastballs right down the middle, that would be super. He only sometimes plays well when he is getting a ton of AB's, and he's not good enough to get a ton of AB's, and I'm pretty sure his contract leaves us with no options. So, instead of Bronson following Dice-K, he's in Cincy (wishing he was in Boston obviously), and we have a bench that can't hit or play D.
My question to Theo would be, in what ways did the Pena trade make us a better team?
My answer, zero ways, but other than that, good deal.
So, there we go, mark the date and time, April 25th, 9:21 AM, Sox Gal's first Red Sox induced freak out of the 2007 season.
A few things...
I may or may not be back with links later...
I was going to go to bed early last night, but then someone fell overboard on the Bering Sea and I obviously couldn't miss it!
Mike Lowell, how do I love thee?
Something I already noticed but that the NY Times picked up on. ESPN manipulated Theo's reaction to make it look like it was his reaction to Jason but really it was his reaction to Drew's HR.
Carrie Underwood and Tony Romo have been lying to me when they said they weren't dating. Carrie, I thought we were friends.
If anyone knows the local radio station in Rochester that you can stream online...let me know.
Friday yet?
And another thing, could Wily Mo look more freaking lost out there. The only place for him on the field is um, in the dugout as a DH, but I think last time I checked we were in pretty good shape in that position. Wily Mo needs a some months, maybe even a season, in AAA hitting everyday. Right now, he can't hit offspeed pitches and he can't hit high heat, and he can't lay off balls, so if everyone could just throw him fastballs right down the middle, that would be super. He only sometimes plays well when he is getting a ton of AB's, and he's not good enough to get a ton of AB's, and I'm pretty sure his contract leaves us with no options. So, instead of Bronson following Dice-K, he's in Cincy (wishing he was in Boston obviously), and we have a bench that can't hit or play D.
My question to Theo would be, in what ways did the Pena trade make us a better team?
My answer, zero ways, but other than that, good deal.
So, there we go, mark the date and time, April 25th, 9:21 AM, Sox Gal's first Red Sox induced freak out of the 2007 season.
A few things...
I may or may not be back with links later...
I was going to go to bed early last night, but then someone fell overboard on the Bering Sea and I obviously couldn't miss it!
Mike Lowell, how do I love thee?
Something I already noticed but that the NY Times picked up on. ESPN manipulated Theo's reaction to make it look like it was his reaction to Jason but really it was his reaction to Drew's HR.
Carrie Underwood and Tony Romo have been lying to me when they said they weren't dating. Carrie, I thought we were friends.
If anyone knows the local radio station in Rochester that you can stream online...let me know.
Friday yet?
Monday, April 23, 2007
*I love those NY papers. Hehe.*Bob Ryan has a good one about the freaking amazing 3rd inning. Just for the record naysayers, I did call it. I told Paul that the Sox were going back to back to back to back. (I meant to say that Jason would hit one too and thought that they would hit 3 in a row, but I said it wrong.) But I did call it. So, if anyone wants to hear it directly from Paul, call my cell phone number only change the last number from a 3 to a 5. One more thing on the 4 HR's in a row. It's happened five times in baseball, and once Terry Francona's dad was involved, and TWICE, J.D. Drew was involved. What are the odds of that happening?
*I mean, I know it is early and all, but you can't ask for much more than what we got this weekend. Gordon has the game report.
*When Papelbon came on in Saturday and Wild Thing started playing...I mean, it was like a dream come true. We all new he needed a song. He is so bad-ass. I mean, the ovation he gets / everyone singing along. It doesn't get better than that. His face when he's on the mound so angry. The fist pump. I mean, I am starting to feel for him like I do for Tom, Rodney and Papi. How did we get so lucky to have them in our lives? I made a Red Sox mix yesterday with Barb O'Reilly (after searching for four hours for Teenage Wasteland / The Who on iTunes before Mr. C put me the in the right direction, Wild Thing, obviously, Welcome to the Jungle, Sweet Caroline, Shipping up to Boston, Tessie and of course, Dirty Water, and listened to it on repeat in my kitchen for about 5 hour blaring it while I made dinner / danced around the kitchen like an idiot. It was so much fun.)
*So, the clip of Tavarez talking to Dice-K in the dugout is explained in the video at the top of Nick Carfardo's report on Dice-K battling last night. (Everytime I see Tavarez, he is close talking / touching Dice-K in some way. I think he might have a little crush - Then again...don't we all?). By the way, I'm expecting HUGE things out of Dice-K Sunday in Yankee Stadium. Anyone wants to drive up for the game and scalp tickets. I'm game. (but I can't go Saturday because 1. Tavarez makes me sick to my stomach, 2. I am going to Vince Wilfork's charity event.) I like getting my ass kicked.
*Dear ESPN,
A few things regarding last nights broadcast:
1. It would be nice if Jon Miller and Joe Morgan had a few stories I haven't already heard before, Sure, it's a national broadcast but all your little anecdotes were stories that Red Sox and Yankees fans alike already knew. (Although I did like Manny telling Joe Morgan he was going to hit a HR last night).
2. Can we get a camera so we can see balls hit to the left? Work on that for next time.
3. If you insist on interupting my game with stupid Sportscenter updates, please don't tell me the same thing ON ALL FOUR FREAKING UPDATES. Okay, Barry hit a HR and the Suns beat someone, whatever, I don't care. And, there is a ticker at the bottom that already told me those things, so really, I was all set.
I think that's all. Thanks for your time, and for continously screwing up my Sunday's by picking up Sox games for national broadcasts.
Love,
Amanda
*Jon lester was in the dugout yesterday (yay) and will start Wednesday against the Rochester Red Wings. (watch the video too...love him).
*A good one on our new "Pappy" from Mike Vaccaro of the NY Post.
BOSTON - The bullpen gate swung open just as The Troggs started tum bling out of the speakers at Fenway Park. They don't much care about keeping the iPod up to date here. They still play Neil Diamond in the eighth inning, letting the faithful stretch their beer-soaked vocal cords and shout "So good! So good! So good!"
The Red Sox haven't bother to find a 21st-century song for their 21st-century closer, either, so "Wild Thing," which first made the world's heart sing back in 1966, serves as the warm-up music for Jonathan Papelbon. It may not invite goose pimples the way "Enter Sandman" does for Mariano Rivera, and it may not cause chills the way "Hell's Bells" does for Travis Hoffman.
But the song has never made the closer. It's the closer that has always made the song. And so it is with Jonathan Papelbon. Less than 24 hours earlier, the man who ruled this profession for 11 seasons, Rivera, had come in with the mission of protecting a three-run lead against the Red Sox, couldn't do it.
*David in 42 was giving me Mo Vaughn flashbacks. (Take off that jersey please). Also, you heard it here first, David has a huge game tonight. He's due to break out.
*You know you love your closer when... You are slightly bummed out that you know he's unavailable (don't pitch him today or tomorrow please Terry) because he's thrown 80+ pitches over the past 5 days.
*Buster Olney had question and answer with David...
2. What is your thought process in late-inning situations?
DO: Well for one, I don't like extra innings so I want to do what I can to avoid it … I'm kidding, sort of. Honestly, I've always been able to relax and focus well in key moments … the thing is, I want to help my teammates. When I step up to the plate, I just try to stay loose, never tense. I tell you what, too, there's no greater feeling than pulling through for your teammates -- and doing it in Boston, for our fans … forget it.
DO: Well for one, I don't like extra innings so I want to do what I can to avoid it … I'm kidding, sort of. Honestly, I've always been able to relax and focus well in key moments … the thing is, I want to help my teammates. When I step up to the plate, I just try to stay loose, never tense. I tell you what, too, there's no greater feeling than pulling through for your teammates -- and doing it in Boston, for our fans … forget it.
*Buster also says that Barry Bonds is on pace to "break" Hank's record on June 20th in Milwaukee, but you know where the Giants are just before that. Oh yes, Fenway Park. Personally, I think that when he hits 755 everyone in the stadium should just stand up, turn around and say nothing. He's not worth the waste of time to boo.
*A Met's fan was arrested for using a high powered flashlight to distract the Braves.
*As you know, I'm a sucker for a nice story.
*Please enjoy the Wild Thing video below.
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