Josh Hancock

Here are a few articles on Josh Hancock that I thought were well done...

Cardinal Nation Mourns; Autopsy set for today

Death leaves a family and a team in pieces

Pitcher's Death Hits Fossum Hard

Hudson mourns Auburn teammate

Being the die-hard Sox fan that I am, me, Kate, Amy, Paul and T went down to Pawtucket Friday for Lester's first AAA start. It was a great time (except it was freezing), and we had sweet seats 5 rows behind home plate. Lester looked great, didn't give up any runs and hit 96 once, and 94 a few times on the gun.

2/3 ain't bad...

Actually, 2/3 is pretty sweet.

*In case you were under a rock this weekend, the Sox took 2/3 from the Yankees.

*Bob Ryan says that despite protests from Cora, he is making a case to take Pedroia's job.

*Seth Mnookin has an entry where he says why he doesn't like Jay Payton and Kevin Millar, and also says that Doug Mirabelli is a jerk. Interesting.

*This Sox / Yanks recap has Tavarez going over and giving Lester a big hug.

Tavarez talked about how he went up to Jon Lester recently, when Lester was throwing on the side at Fenway Park. Lester has valiantly battled back from cancer and figures to take his spot in the rotation. "I gave him a big hug," Tavarez said. "I said, `I'll see you soon. Be better. You're going to be fine.' He's a kid. He has a big future."

*Josh Hancock, who came up with the Sox and made his first ML start with the Sox was killed in a car accident early Sunday morning. The news hit some of the Sox who came up with him especially hard.

"It was kind of shocking when I found out today," said Youkilis. "It was really tough, just more of a shock. I'm still shocked right now. It's just a sad story. I haven't really heard what the whole details are of the whole thing. It hasn't really hit home yet. To all of his family and his friends out there, you just have to say a prayer for them and hope they handle it all right. The St. Louis Cardinals lost a good pitcher today."

*The Patriots officially acquired Randy Moss yesterday in exchange for the 4th round pick that they got from the 49'ers when they sent their 2007 1st round pick to the 9'ers for their 1st round pick in 2008 (which, hopefully they suck next year). Anyway, here is what I think about Moss and Meriweather. Moss is going to make 6 million dollars less to play for the Patriots last year, he is a future Hall of Famer, and he ran a 4.29 and a 4.30 in the 40 for Bill the other day. He was the best WR available, especially for a 4th round pick. If he doesn't work out, we release him, and if he does, then him and Stallworth are our 1 and 2 recievers, aka, nasty.

I think that Oakland had to get rid of him because they have a young coach, and couldn't risk Moss fucking with him. I'd like to see Moss try to do something like that with Bill. He won't. In Mike Reiss's article above, Bob says he trusts Belichick and Pioli. And why wouldn't he? I'm with Bob on this one, when in doubt, take the best player available, and assume that your coaching and leadership will be able to get them into place. I, personally, can't wait for the first time Randy comes across the middle in practice and Rodney or Tedy lay them out for good measure. You know, just to let him know who is in charge.

Rodney had this to say...

"When Corey Dillon came in, everyone thought he was an outlaw. He proved otherwise. When I came in, everyone thought I was an outlaw, ruthless. I think I proved that otherwise. Let's get a chance to know the guy before we make any judgments. If he comes in and is selfish, there are going to be problems. But if he has the right attitude, it will be huge for us. I've always said, if he comes in, doesn't work hard, and acts like a prima donna, it's not going to work. But if he puts the team first and works hard, he has the talent to do special things for us. It comes down to the small things, and buying into what we're all about here."

As for Meriweather, he did stomp that guy in the Florida International brawl, and he may have once fired shots back when someone was shooting at him, but, he's only 22 years old, kids make mistakes, and I mean, who hasn't stomped on someone and fired return shots? I mean, really now. He hits nasty and was the best safety available...And in the AFC Championship game we were one stop / big hit away from winning our 4th ring, so, maybe he'll be able to bring that big hit if Rodney goes down again.

When does training camp start? Because I am very excited.

*Dan Shaugnessy has an incredibly predictable column about how the Patriots can no longer pretend to be morally superior to other teams. I didn't see this one coming a mile away, Dan. I like that Dan quotes Joe Buck in this. The irony is not lost on this girl.

*The Steeler's have a new mascot, who I think looks just like the custodian from the Simpsons. Yes? No? All I know is if I'm an 8 year old, I am not going near that guy.

Breaking News...

Just heard on ESPN that Randy Moss is in New England and will be a Patriot by the end of the day. He has restructured his contract so he can win a Super Bowl.

NFL Draft Party with Vince Wilfork

Yesterday me, Colleen, Katelyn and Katie made the trek out to Milford for Vince Wilfork's Draft Party. It was very fun. I love the NFL draft. It is one of my favorite sporting events of the year.

To steal from Peter King, here are 10 things I think I think...

*I think that if I was a top 10 NFL draft pick projection, I would absolutely not go to NY to watch the draft. I would do the Joe Thomas route and go fishing with my dad. Who wants to be the Matt Leinart / Brady Quinn (that was painful and I don't even like Brady Quinn) of the draft?

*I think the Browns got a steal with Quinn at 22 even though they had to give up their pick in '08.

*I think the Lions did the right thing taking Calvin Johnson with the 2nd pick. When in doubt, take the best player in the draft. Also, they took Drew Stanton with their 2nd pick, who I also love.

*I think I liked the NFL network's draft coverage rather than ESPN's. A Mel Kiper / Chris Berman-free day is a wonderful thing.

*I think I missed Sean Sailsbury and Todd McShay though.

*I think the Patriots did a good thing getting San Fran's pick in 2008. Now all we have to do is route against them.

*I think I'll just trust that Bill and Scott knew what they were doing taking Brandon Merriweather who fired some shots at an assailant and was the main stomper in the brawl with FIU.

*I think Brady Quinn dropped to 22 because he had on that vest. Franchise QB's don't wear vests.

*I think I liked Katelyn's suggestion that the time in between picks, at 15 minutes, is 8 minutes too long. Just make a GD decision.

*I think that the Lion's are trading a WR this week and that the Brett Farve must be thrilled that the freaking Packer's took a defensive player.

This is me and Le Kevin Smith, a black up D-lineman who was super nice and signed autographs and took pictures for at least an hour.

This is me, Col and Katie with Vince, who introduced himself to us, "Hi, I'm Vince". He couldn't have been nicer.

This is Vince and Greg Dickerson, who, won me over a bit yesterday. He seemed like a good guy.

This is from the live auction where there were all kinds of Patriots memorabilia and whatnot, and a bunch of things like, go out to dinner with Vince and his wife, go bowling with Vince, and all other cute things. Me and the girls were prepared to bid $1,000 for Monster seats, and were swiftly outbid when they sold for like, $2300.00. Gary Tanguay was there, but no pictures because um, he's a tool. Ty Warren, Kevin Faulk, Matt Light and a few others. Ty Warren and Matt Light are absolute houses.

It was a great way to spend the draft. (and it helped out a good cause!)

From the Onion...

MLB Credits Hank Aaron With 50 Lost Home Runs

MILWAUKEE—In what Major League Baseball officials are calling a "long overdue correction of a gross oversight," Commissioner Bud Selig announced Tuesday the discovery that Hall of Famer Hank Aaron had in fact accumulated 50 previously unaccounted-for home runs during his illustrious 22-year baseball career, bringing his once record total of 755 to an even higher 805 and putting the all-time home-run record perhaps forever out of reach.

Hank Aaron hits one of the 12 home runs he tallied during the 1973-1/2 season.

"Hank Aaron is a hero, an excellent man, and a great ambassador for the game of baseball," Selig said during a press conference to announce the findings. "We're proud to have finally set things right, hopefully once and for all. And I have to tell you, some of the home runs that we discovered were just monster shots. One was hit off of [Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher] Harvey Haddix that went 576 feet, and Hank wasn't even that big of a guy. Just naturally strong and gifted, I guess."

Haddix was unavailable for comment, as he passed away in 1994.

According to Selig, a committee of sports journalists and baseball historians was set up during the off-season to investigate, with Selig's oversight, whether there was any substance to a rumor that began circulating last summer concerning Aaron having hit more homeruns than those credited to him in the record books. Though Selig said he couldn't recall the date the committee was established, he believes it was in or around the time he approved the San Francisco Giants' highly publicized signing of Barry Zito.

The committee's 30-page report points out several key factors that combined to increase Aaron's home run total. For example, in 1958, home runs hit during both the first week of spring training and those hit in pre-game batting practice during away games in the third week of August were added to a player's career numbers. In addition, home runs hit during the 1971 All-Star Game should have been tallied.

Aaron, coincidentally, did hit a home run in that game.

"We are here today to the right the wrongs," Selig said. "This

is America's national pastime, and its players, fans, and all citizens deserve to have a record book in which they can take great pride. So if we didn't count Hank Aarons five-homer outing during 1964's famous 'Empty Stadium' game, I wouldn't be able to live with myself."

Furthermore, the report continued, a third of the home runs hit by players who participated in the television series Home Run Derby, a show on which Aaron appeared several times, should have been counted. In addition, during the second half of the 1962 season, balls that bounced over the outfield fence should have been counted as home runs, and foul balls that were hit behind the batter but cleared the netting intended to protect fans seated behind home plate were also home runs. That being the case, league scorekeepers now say Aaron had his best year in 1962, hitting 65 home runs—20 more than originally thought.

Though there has been some negative reaction towards the announcement of Aaron's new record, mostly from fans in northern California, the news has been received very well nationwide.

"This is the best thing that has happened to baseball in years," said New York resident Tom Plaitano, 63. "I remember watching Hank Aaron as a kid, and even though I don't recall a time when all home runs hit off Sandy Koufax counted for two, I don't really care. This decision just makes sense to me."

"The number 805 will go down as the most prestigious number in sports," said Selig, adding that there is a strong possibility still more of Aaron's home runs could come to the surface during this season, and maybe even the next several seasons to come. "It's not out of the question that Hank could have, say, 900 home runs by the time our investigation is all said and done."
"Either way, the all-time home-run record couldn't be held by a more dignified and honorable man," Selig added.

The committee's report has caused quite a shakeup to the list of baseball's all-time home-run leaders. Aaron, while keeping his record, is not even the biggest benefactor of the findings; as of now Aaron is first with 805, Willie Mays has jumped to second with 800, Frank Robinson is third with 798, Harmon Killebrew is fourth with 797, and Reggie Jackson, Mickey Mantle, Ernie Banks, Ted Williams, and Willie McCovey are tied for fifth at 796.

According to Selig, early results of another investigation may net Babe Ruth as many as 74 additional home runs, Mike Schmidt an estimated 124, and Ken Griffey Jr. a possible 200, while players such as Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, and Barry Bonds will probably be knocked even further down the list.

Um...

Ryan Hollweg does his pregame routine. He's a forward for the NY Rangers.

As for the Sox, Joshua is dominating just as I knew he would, and hey, look at that, Wily Mo didn't strike out once. Good win, I'll take it. I wish that our rotation was in a different order for this weekend, but, Tavarez is due for a good start. Right? Due? Overdue even?

Even in April, doesn't get much better than that.

Matsuzka tonight, Vince Wilfork's Draft Party tomorrow, and then some more Sox Yankees for the rest of the weekend! And it's the weekend!