• I think our new Italian boy likes it in Boston. Find out why he's better at first than a Dead Sea Lamprey. 'Cause Sam, as you know, is always more amusing than I am anyway. (once again, terrible job by Reb for not successfully concealing her reaction to Tony's very first Monster shot evah. I just don't understand why Jere is always behind me on the video feeds. I think it's ok, though, because he couldn't possibly know that that was coming... at the time he told me that from my reaction, he knew it was either a single or a strikeout.)
• I'm very observant, but at the same time I'm not always paying attention. So I think it was the 2nd or 3rd time through the lineup when I said "Is Cora playing 3B or SS? Ought to be SS; Edgah's due for a rest. If he's playing 3B, that's a bad sign." Sure enough, 3B. Are you ok, Billy? If there's anything I can do for you, just say the word. Then I hear mention of KY being called back up. Now what the hell do they have Cora out there for, if Slick is here and available? I think he made it pretty clear on Sunday that he's not the best third baseman in the world...
• I seem to remember reading in several places that Kapler would not be too helpful from an offensive perspective. (you people are so lucky I am too lazy to find these posts.) I heard that Gabe had some trouble "finding his bat" or something in Japan, but apparently he's not having trouble here (maybe they don't have batboys over there?) So far he's hitting .364, slugging .545, with an on base percentage of .391. OK, maybe 22 at bats is kindof a small sample, but at least he doesn't need time to get into the groove. (boy you've got to prove your love to me...) (yay! more useless parenthetical remarks!) Apparently it's a large enough sample to DFA (dunk for apples? discard fucking assholes? oh, designate for assignment!) Jose Cruz, Jr. whose stint with the Boston Red Sox maxxed out at 4 game appearances, 3 hits in 12 at bats, and 1 walk. If you recall, we acquired Jose Cruz, Jr. as a last minute substitute for Larry Bigbie b/c that trade was nixxed by the ever-so-popular Larry Lucchino. Even though Lucchino's an ignorant dickwad, I guess we can be glad not to lose a promising prospect like Kelly Shoppach for an extra outfielder that we don't even really need.
• I just love that JeremI kid. It's so nice to not be completely flipping out mentally when our starter gets pulled early.
• Curt must be thrilled to see Foulkie back on the mound. Baby steps, yes, but we hope to see Keith back to his old self soon. For more on why Keith is da-bomb, see Beth. After all, she is our blogosphere expert on this subject, and please be prepared to bow down to her by this time next month.

Yanks Suck

• Pavano is missing his "rehab" start for a two-day examination of his shoulder tendonitus. Why do I get the feeling he's done for the season? I can't believe how much I wanted this guy during the off-season. Thank you, Mrs. Pavano, for buying that arachnid hat. And thank you, Carl, for being such a wussy momma's boy.
• The shriveled unit is missing his next start due to "back spasms". Age catching up to you, you scary-bizarre genetic freak?
• Congess is considering intervening with the 'roid testing system. (Is this a pay-only article? if so, I apologize.) Now I realize that congess is not exactly above taking bribes, but let's hope they're not quite as under-the-thumb of king georgie as MLB is...
• I missed it, but jere told me that in the YES pregame last night, the notes on Mussina included "needs to go eight innings". Now Mussina is one of the few yank players that I really respect, and I truly hope he one day gets the opportunity to buy back his soul. In the meantime, despite relishing the situation, I do kindof feel sorry for him that being the only competant pitcher in the yank rotation, his arm is liable to take some abuse. Mike fell short of that eight inning goal last night. In six innings, he reached a pitch count of 122. While I am pissed at the white sox (who are supposed to be so "dominating") for not pulling that game out with their many opportunities, they were victims last night of the great-yank-ump-payoff, and at least they got to the bullpen, which will be beneficial in the long run.

The Patriots

• I have been pathetically neglecting my sports obsession in this area. At this time last year I was painstakingly aware (at least, as much as the public is able to be, with Bill's tight-lipped virtual stranglehold on information) of the tight competition for roster spots. (You will need to scroll down about two-thirds of the article to admire my haiku triptych.) At the moment, however, due to my added blogger reponsibilities, I have become all wrapped up in the sox, and have not yet recovered my groove for the gridlines. I have no idea what is going on, save a few obvious points regarding my favorite players.
• Ty Law was my favorite player for many, many years. I still think he's amazing, but I'm shockingly ambivilant to his contract with the Jets. I think they're paying too much, so go ahead and take up that cap room, Ty! Also, they're paying the same for fewer years as the contract offered to him by the Patriots awhile ago, which he considered an enormous insult. Oh how quickly the tides turn.
• Tedy Bruschi has been placed on the PUP list. This means the Patriots are paying his full salary this year, perhaps in hopes that he will change his mind sometime by or after week six, when he will be eligible to return.
• I saw Matt Light on one of my rare moments-to-view NESN. Did someone give that boy a haircut? He looks good this year, sans mullet, and ready to take over the leadership reins of the OL.
• I love how they keep bringing in new veterans to back up Brady, as if their sole purpose is to have their brains picked for different QB perspective & experience. Doug is just the guy to be here this year, and it sure is nice to have him back in town. I can't wait to see a replay of his infamous flea-flicker Hail Mary play at BC about a million times this year. Honestly, I never get tired of seeing that play.

Bloggers

Usually when bloggers "change location" we mean from blogger to typepad, or livejounal to blogger, etc. No, this time we've got a different kind of move going on. I'm about to swap "distance to Fenway" ratios with two bloggers I love to read:

• It's come to my attention that we have less than two weeks left to bust on Andrew for being "Canadian". Don't miss your chance, kids! Once Andrew finishes his thesis or whatever, aside from a family gathering he's attending this weekend, he'll be "saying goodbye" to Toronto, and if I know Canadians, I expect this will involve some heavy drinking. Which means we can expect at least several drunken posts. Can you type out the slurs for us, Andrew? Please?
• Sarah is about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. I, for one, am really excited for her. I know how hard it must be to see her beloved restaurant close, but Boston now holds the key to seeing her grow as a fine chef. I'm not one of those people who usually say that everything happens for a reason, but I think this is going to turn out to be a good thing. Besides, now she'll get to go to Fenway. I wish I was in a position to help her out, but I doubt there's much I can do from Connecticut. So be good to her, you Bostonites.
• Also, not moving YET... but another blogger plotting her move. I ought to have pointed this out days ago. I did not think there was anything quality to say about Saturday's game, but Amy found a way.

An extra special treat

• Maybe you already know that I neglect my other blog almost completely... I doubt anyone ever checks it. But today I posted a pic you might what to see.

# posted by Rebecca @ 1:15 PM