Reb Sox

We've wanted to Believe in You, J.D. Drew

2007-10-21T11:17:00.000-04:00

Thanks for finally coming through.

Don't Mess with Bill

2007-09-04T12:15:00.000-04:00

Over the course of a wild off-season, we watched Reche drop from the top to the fringes of the Patriot's depth chart. At the beginning of camp, my father predicted that Caldwell would end up among the team's final roster cuts. "I betcha Bill (Belichick) decided, after watching that tape, that he didn't want Reche Caldwell to make the team this year," my father speculated, "and he's been loading up on receivers ever since to make sure that happens." In defense of his position, my dad pointed out the hallmark of Patriot players during the Belichick era: when the stakes are highest, these players step up their performance and exceed expectations. By missing two "easy" catches (as perhaps unfairly deemed by the couch experts, but wide open, nonetheless) in the second half of last season's AFC championship game, Reche did not fit what we have come to expect as "the mold". He inspired resentment within the hearts of Patriots fans, and quite likely a quiet rage within Bill himself.

In the past I've seen the Patriots release good players early out of courtesy. When the numbers indicate little chance of making the final cut, Bill will often let a veteren go with plenty of time for him to stick on another squad. The timing of this cut was intentionally cruel. Here is where B.B. struck his revenge for missing a fourth Super Bowl in six years. Bill knows better than most when the worst time to be cut is, and it's not quite when most would think... See, he could have made the call the other day. Instead, he made Reche believe he had made the team. He let him relax for two days while teams around the league scrambled to find room for the best of the rest made available on Saturday. Only then, when the final sqeezing had already been done by most teams, did he let the gauntlet fall. Sure, it's likely that the Jets or the Chargers might make a run for him, hoping for a little insight in their upcoming matchups, but they won't be able to do it without losing some other key cog... and Reche won't catch onto a team in time to actually play this week, and perhaps even the next few.

Somewhere in the back of B.B.'s mind is the grim satisfaction that he got even, and the added sense of security that this player that he could not trust with the game on the line is no longer on his team. Somewhere in the back of Reche's mind is an angle we never saw of those two balls, coming at him over and over and over again.

O Sweet Wild Thang

2007-03-22T15:47:00.000-04:00

The following planned posts have been cancelled: The Great Closer Debate: Parts II & III, due to the official appointment of A CLOSER. As long, of course, as this is reliable information, and Curt does seem to have the inside track for information here. (thanks Ernie, for the head-up!)

Don't worry, kids, there's still a ton of stuff to write about!

Oh, like I suppose y'all wanna know what I think of all this, and who's gonna take Pappy's spot in the rotation, etc. Of course.

To be honest, I'm surprised. I think this decision was helped along by a fair amount of begging by sir John, for one thing. Maybe his curve isn't coming along as well as he'd like, or maybe he misses the adrenaline rush that comes with the role... it does take a certain temperment. Maybe John got suckered into the media hype and actually began to fear that without him in the ninth, his team was doomed. Poor kid IS young and impressionable, you know.

I've been told by more than one chiropractor that I am not strong enough to do all the things I am doing on a semi-occasional basis (i.e. lifting ladders and paint buckets and whatnot) and that I really oughta work out a certain muscle group so I can do all these things without injury or fatigue. It seems there was a similar type of situation with some of Jonathan's shoulder muscles and thank the great flying spaghetti monster that he is slightly less lazy and/or slightly more committed to his career than I am. He has actually taken their advice, and (so it has been claimed) built up said group of muscles to the point where there is now no longer any danger in using him with a closer's frequency.

Do I think this is true? Sure. But more importantly, Pappy has learned (the hard way) the importance of taking a day off, and is a lot more likely to take himself out of consideration if feeling fatigued. There was a time last summer when he was the only thing we could call out of the bullpen with any confidence, and we can't let that happen again. Those guys need to step up and demonstrate themselves capable of getting outs (ahem, is this not what they are being paid for) so we don't get in the habit of relying on the kid too much again. That extra out in the eighth we needed from him so many times last year may not seem like much to us, but I'm sure having to sit for awhile after a quick warm-up puts unnecessary strain on the arm.

In short, I think this could work very well for us, as long as we get good production out of our other relievers AND the slot he has abandoned in the rotation. If it does work, I think Pappy's hooked on the rush of the save, and could command big bucks for it his entire career. Would he have developed into an even better starter? We may never know OR theo may make the move to find out as soon as Hansen or Delcarmen or the young aussie kid Cox shows up ready to take over.

As for the starting slot, I think this could make for an interesting April. I would prefer they just throw Kyle Snyder in there, but I have a feeling they'll give Julie a crack at it first, and we might get better quality out of him there as opposed to out of the 'pen. Kyle will be happy to compete and not land on the waiver wire, I'm guessing, and Tavarez will likely feel slighted if he doesn't get the chance, making this a better move for clubhouse dynamics. In the long run, assuming no injuries, this job actually belongs to Jon Lester... and you can be sure a certain Texan just sharpened his focus in this direction as well.

The Great Closer Debate - Part I: The Obvious Suspects

2007-03-22T11:14:00.000-04:00

I haven't been with you, my friends, for quite some time, and the writing topics have been swooping around my brain lately, eying me curiously to check if I'm dead. Not so. Although I HAVE wondered if my blogging days were... but I miss it, and I miss you, my digital friends, and I realize it more with each word I type.
As it's often happened in the past, I started typing a comment to some kind of article or post, and three paragraphs later decided I'm better off just writing a post of my own. The thing that's been holding me back from blogging of late is a feeling that I lack the expertise in sports analysis to be helpful - yet I also lack the talent to be truly side-splittingly funny as so many of my fellow bloggers are, so why do people bother reading? In so many ways I trouble that my opinions are just stating the obvious, and then I wonder why the obvious isn't being stated... Well I haven't been reading blogs lately, that's probably why.

Anyway, I've been pondering about the closer situation lately, just like everyone else in Red Sox Nation, and as usual I've become disgusted with the lack of creativity and doomsday mentality brought to this issue by our typical WEEI-caller-type fans as well as national beat-writers. Oh, what a shock, the more obvious veteran candidates brought in to compete for the job have been inconsistant at best, each with outings that could kill a vote of confidence from the guy's own grandmother. It's easy for us to look at the pitching line and automatically float a guy out on our mental waiver wire, but we don't really know what's going on. There's a lot happening in Florida, and winning is not a priority- nor is looking good. Major adjustments are being made on the mound in every area from mechanics to communication, and what we've seen in the last few weeks may bear little resemblance to what we will know about our bullpen by June.

Still we must speculate.

The Obvious Suspects

Mike Timlin

There's something quite fortifying about the bad-assery that IS Mike Timlin, striding across the outfield to begin the eighth inning. That's right, eighth. Somehow the magic aura fades away if we save him for the ninth. He just doesn't inspire the same "gotta bed of coals? where? here, take my shoes" kind of confidence that we got spoiled with last year. You know, the kind that made us scribble GAME OVER in our mental notebooks as the first notes of our closer's song played on the loudspeakers. Maybe I ought to take a magnifying glass to the numbers, but it just doesn't feel like Timlin closes the door, and isn't that what a "closer" is supposed to do? If we bring him in with two men on base, one of them will score. If we give him a clean slate, he's sure to let one or two on just to pump us all up before he fans the last batter to get out of the inning.

On the other hand, it sure does make me feel safer just to know he's packin' out there in the 'pen, ready to march out to the mound at any time and shoot a glare over to the guy at the plate. Lately this league had created demand for the role of "set-up man", something Mike seems better suited for. It also better compliments his less visible role as "backbone" of the bullpen. Since he will be starting the season on the DL, I don't think we'll be seeing Timlin close a game until May, and we all hope someone better has emerged by then.

Julian Tavarez

Julie sure had a tough crowd when he first got here, and it would be heartwarming to see him redeem first impressions by becoming someone we rely on and cheer for loudest. But I don't think that's going to happen. He certainly has the fire required to close, but perhaps too much; he can tends to self-destruct or even spontaneously combust in a tight spot... not what we need for a nightcap in RSN, I assure you. He has shown flashes of brilliance both internationally and for the Red Sox in the past year, but in a starting role; this makes me suspect Julian needs his full arsenal to be effective, which pitchers need more time to warm up for and often don't use in short relief stints.

Tito may try him out to start the season, but Tavarez will likely blow two out of ten save attempts if (he gets the chance) before someone else rises to the top. Then he will settle into the role he is best suited for, long relief fireman.

Brenden Donnelly

Remember, dude's only here because the Angel's bullpen has too many untouchables to fit him in. Not a power pitcher, but he finesses with the best and wants the ball when the game's on the line, much like our old friend Keith Foulke. Some say that Donnelly's lost a step, but his gamer attitude should fit well in Boston. He will be a key cog for us, but more likely in the sixth and seventh innings.

Joel Pineiro

It's hard to predict what will happen with Joel, considering he has gone through his delivery like an Extreme Makeover plastic surgeon with a scalpel this Spring. All we can do is look at his last two years' numbers and HOPE that if he changes absolutely everything, he'll get much different results. Sure, Joel could be our next closer. Theoretically, anything could happen, and it will take the first two months of the season to assess what we have here. By June we ought to see Joel mopping up meaningless innings and on the trading block, hanging out at Blockbuster while on the DL for a "sore shoulder", riding the waiver wire, or buffing up the last bit of polish on his new role as STAR. We'll just have to wait and see.

In my next post, I'll discuss the rest of our bullpen. This will include our lefties, who likely won't get considered for the job, our future closers who will end up in Pawtucket waiting for someone to get hurt or blow up, and my personal fave, someone who I think has been virtually ignored in this discussion, Kyle Snyder. Then in part three, I intend to discuss our starters (which ones could make the switch) and all the unrealistic trade options out there. Of course at my rate, we'll have picked a closer by then. But just so you know, I wrote all of this and had it blown away by Blogger because of some supposedly missing html two days ago, and I REWROTE IT FOR YOU TWO PEOPLE WHO STILL VISIT MY BLOG. (you know who you are) I think that shows dedication. And love. And promise, eh?

A Healthy Helping of Crow Pie

2007-01-22T09:11:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I was wrong. I don't mind saying so. After all, I have a blog so I can voice my opinion, and I guess that's what I deserve for not blogging in over two months.

I'm actually stunned, but perhaps no less than last week when our boys in blue beat the Chargers. What's most shocking to me is how outdone Master Bill was in the halftime adjustments... almost as if Tony Dungy had a video feed from their locker room and knew exactly what to expect. Or the flu bug finally hit B.B. and the great brain wasn't functioning during the game. Getting the better of Bill Belichick from halftime adjustments is something you'd never expect... something I've seen only a few times over the past six years, and not in the playoffs.

Of the worst aspects of being knocked off at this point is that I believe one of our coordinators may now be considered for a head coaching position. Aye, here we go again. One can only hope the young Josh McDaniels can see the value in two or three more years under B.B.'s tuteledge... or at least the dangers of working for the notorious Al Davis.

And so we tip our cap to Peyton Manning, hoping he can finally win the big game and quiet the whiney voices of his fans (who were really starting to get on my nerves.) The bro-in-law, who was posing in a pats shirt last night, declared it "the end of an era" as the colts walked into the endzone with a minute left. Readers of this blog already know that the bro-in-law is prone to spew diarrhea and cannot be taken seriously. Our boys in blue proved once again this season that as long as the two-headed beast of Brady and Belichick are at the helm of this team, you cannot count them out of contention. As we turn our heads now to the upcoming college draft, Scott Pioli's quick and no-nonsense rebuff of the Giants organization's advances grounds our expectation of excellence for the forseeable future.

Wistful Thinking

2007-01-21T11:27:00.000-05:00

Last Sunday was another heartracer right up to the end, a thing I've gotten used to in twenty-one years as a Patriots fan. I didn't expect to win, but anytime we can keep the game close, I like our chances with the ball in Brady's hands at the end. It was earlier this season in which we saw each of our fearless leaders make a rare tactical error as time was expiring in Foxboro against the Colts. As predicted, the outcome of that game holds major significance as the Patriots' Offense now prepares to call and execute plays amid the deafening crowd noise at the RCA Dome.

All week I've been watching reports in anticipation of this game, and it strikes me as amusing that the Patriots can still whip out that old and worn disrespect card- not that they are making it of public issue, of course. I can agree with public sentiment that man-for-man, the San Diego Chargers were a better team this year, and most likely the best team in the NFL, but sometimes it's the men in charge that make the difference. It was the leadership of Brady and Belichick that tipped the scales one week ago, just as it has so many times before.

The Indianapolis Colts are NOT man-for-man a better team, in fact I believe they've been playing horribly for the past two months. While one might say the same for the Pats in some ways, the Colts have eked through thus far in spite of themselves. It amazes me that so many sportscasters, paid to make a prediction, are making the emotional choice this week. Out of all the analysis I have watched (and there's been quite a bit) I've seen only four men pick the Patriots to win this game: Boomer Esiason, Chris Collinsworth, Skip Bayless, and "the Swami", Chris Berman. All four made their picks with apologies to Payton, but no doubt in themselves like the rest- mostly wistful and hopeful and sympathetic. I can understand their desire to pick Manning, just as I can understand my own desire to root for the Saints this afternoon. There's just one difference: I'm picking the Saints to win, not just because I want them to, but because I think they are the better team. As much as I respect Payton Manning as a player and National role model, the effect of this game on his place in history will not propel him to victory; if anything, it will prevent it.

This morning on Sportscenter:

"Is Adam Vinitieri a bigger gain for the Colts, or loss for the Patriots?"

Neither.

Are you people kidding me? He's not some lucky charm, he's just a kicker, and tonight he'll be kicking where his skill and experience levels matter least: inside A DOME. In addition, Adam has had back problems on and off for the past several years... his days of automatic are over. Adam knows that, which is exactly why he harbors no ill will against the Pats organization as he takes Indy money and runs with it.

We all admire Payton Manning's athleticism and abilities... now can we just get over it and stop dredging up any possible excuse for him to win because we feel sorry for his team's seemingly futile playoff chances? These teams are fairly well matched, as they have been for years. I would feel a lot more confident heading into the game with some extra defensive advantage, namely Harrison and Seau, but the biggest edge is the one we haven't lost: preparation. The factor that has won every game we had to win over the last five years, the method which makes our New England Patriots peak at just the right time, the X-factor that no one is bothering to talk about this week because it's been said so many times (and mostly in hindsight) is this organization's ability to execute the details when they matter most. If this game comes down to a few plays, and I think it will, I like our chances. And frankly, so does anyone else who knows a thing or two about the pigskin, even if they don't want to admit it.

Gripes from Gary

2006-10-26T10:02:00.000-04:00

Poor, poor Gary. Nothing ever seems to go right for him. He spent a great deal of time this spring belly-aching over how Cashman had better pick up his option for next year, and it's finally been done. The nerve of those Yankees, insisting on paying mr. nasty $13 million next year. Imagine that.

"This will not work, this will not work at all," Sheffield told the newspaper. "I don't want to play first base a year for them. I will not do that."

I'm sure sheff will have no problem banking the $13 million, and he maintains his commitment to uphold his contract with the effort and attitude consistant to his level of approval for the task and uniform involved. "...there's going to be a problem," promises Sheffield.

Slacker Stops By

2006-09-14T22:29:00.000-04:00

I bet most of you think I haven't written because I can't face the current state of the Nation. After all, I am a glass-half-full kinda girl, and there hasn't been a helluva lot to put a positive spin on lately. While it has been painful to watch, I have stood by silently more out of circumstance than shame. (shame, in fact, is mine for my silence) I won't get into the long line of excuses that have kept me from my blogger dashboard these last six weeks, except to say that it involves the tragic death of a certain over-worked and underpaid home computer. You might say the chain of blog-prevention events resembled the tiresome pile-up of health catastrophes noted among our boys in red over the past month... But that might be misleading, as a good deal of it could be attributed to the distraction of my new man, and I can't complain about that.

The best part about being out of the race is that I can watch the Devil Rays blow a three-run lead to the yankees without severe mental anguish. Mind you, I am not exactly jumping for joy, but the result doesn't matter anymore. It's peaceful to play out these last few weeks without stress. I think we knew in the back of our minds three months ago that we didn't have the pitching to get anywhere in the postseason this year... and that was before we lost even more pitching.

Someone asked me a few weeks ago if I was still a fan of theo... if I was not bothered that he did nothing before the trading deadline while the skanks picked up Abreau. Ha. I told him I was happy my team was not willing to shell out 15 million for just a few months of one player... and at the same time I didn't go into my full thoughts on the matter. It seemed an ignorant question to me. The front office philosophies of the two teams are quite different, and so are the assets. No one was asking the red sox for millions of dollars at the trade deadline - oh no, only our best prospects. Since there was no trade I can only infer that nothing good enough was offered for them. And yes, I am happy with that. I am content to know that our front office was not willing to mortgage our future for the chance of a better present, especially now, as we all know how minor an improvement would have proved as an impact for our club as it hit Murphy's month.

The same guy asked me just yesterday if I've given up on the red sox yet. I don't know where this guy gets off making such snide remarks to me... he's not even a yankee fan. I have to assume he doesn't realize the cruel nature of his tone. Yes, if my enjoyment as a fan is limited only to the glory of postseason, on that I have given up. Yet I still watch the games. I still enjoy a game winning double by Mark Loretta in the ninth. I still enjoy Mike Timlin's fist pump as he works himself out of trouble for the save. I know the postseason is a pipedream, at least for this year, and it does not even bother me, knowing there are far better teams who would only crush us if we got there. So I watch these last games with peace of mind and a hopeful heart, for the major league time certain rookies are logging with no pressure will benefit us in the future via both play and trade value.

And even when it means nothing, a Sox victory in the Bronx is a joy - one we will get four chances for in the next three days. So take heart and stay tuned, there is enjoyment still to be had in these last waning days...

...and there's also our boys in blue.

Arms Testing

2006-07-22T09:29:00.000-04:00

Aside from the usual lame-n-lazy, Reb has been super-busy, out of town a lot, and quite possibly *in love* and therefore duly distracted. But don't worry; said lucky boy still has no idea that I am a blogger, and once he finds out I'm sure it'll be all over and you'll have me back to yourselves... (er, probably not, but ya'll can hope.)

Anyway, just wanted to check in to say that even though I fell asleep while watching last night, I sure do continue to like Kyle Snyder, not that my opinion matters, but perhaps those of tito & tek DO:

"I really was impressed tonight," Francona said. "And what's even more encouraging for me is how impressed [Varitek] was. Tek really thinks this guy can pitch. That's a good sign for me. I think Tek is genuinely excited about what this guy can do. He threw a lot of strike ones today and got ahead."

yeah. now that's good news, especially with arms falling out of our rotation left and right. I half-heartedly wish I were not an atheist so I could PRAY for the quick recovery of Timmy's ribs before we have to use some kid right out of high school to start a game. Fortunately I believe good vibes are just as effective and am currently meditating to beam them out to both Wakefield and Wells regularly. I send some to Matty Clement, too, but those include a special emotional healing and anti-suckiness wish. And yes, perhaps I AM a freak, but at least I have an imagination.

I'm also sending out good tidings to Mike Lowell, and hoping he can keep a few crackers down by now. I'm really hoping Mike hasn't been spending a whole lot of time with his teammates lately, if you know what I mean. The last thing we need right now is a clubhouse flu epidemic. The great part of Mike illness is the creative adjustment to the rotation... Call me a fool, but I LOVE IT when Papi plays first base. Ok, so he does not have the range of KY, but it's cool to see how competant he is there, and maybe it'll have a bit of impact on those MVP voters this year. And of course it means we get Gabe AND Wily Mo in the lineup while Manny gets to bat AND rest his knee. I know Willie Harris was supposedly a tremendous asset to our bench, but I did not like seeing him out there with that pathetic .156 batting average. Fortunately he's agreed to hang out in Pawtucket to try and get his swing back and rejoin the gang as our pinch-running specialists once the roster expands in September.

On to today's game... I have a bad feeling that this is one of those "taste-o'-the-bigs" designed to scare the hell out of Gabbard and is not expected to go well. Fortunately we humans tend to rise to the occasion every once in awhile, and perhaps our hot bats will give Kevin the extra shot of confidence (or insurmountable lead) he needs to post a win in his first major league appearance.

Today's game will be @ 4:05 on FOX, including Hartford's FOX-61 (thanks Michael for the heads-up.) I will be a bit busy downing tequila shots in between meeting my new man's friends at a 40th birthday party, but I will be with you all in spirit... really. I may even make some pretend trips to the bathroom to check on the game. Just don't ask me to evaluate Gabbard's curveball.

That Same Ugly Scapegoat

2006-07-13T23:20:00.000-04:00

And so we begin the second half... with another extra-innings game. As I type, our boys in red have gone down by two in the eleventh. Tavaraz is pitching, causing the pelting of hundreds of televisions in the Nation with tomatos and curse words and even the lime slices from several freshly-downed Corona bottles (and who could blame them; many of us need the spirits to stomach the likes of Julie.)

Trouble is, I often start to feel comfortable with Julie on the mound. That is usually one or two pitches before he manages to fuck the game over. Such was the case tonight. I was right over there on the couch, all settled in comfortably and ready to stay there for awhile. I watched Tavaraz work the corners and Macha get pissed over the plate calls. I started to think that our nazi phone-puncher maybe wasn't so bad. yeah. you can probably guess what happened next. One meatball over the plate... and as if that wasn't enough, another.

I'm desperate to get rid of Julian Tavaraz, but also afraid. If he leaves he will surely stop throwing these meatballs and become untouchable, and probably in pinstripes. He's likely on Georgie's payroll already anyway. I think it's about time Timlin takes that guy hunting... you wouldn't have to pull a Cheney, Mike; a simple lead though unlevel terrain without warning might do nicely - heck, if you just find a way to trip the guy in the clubhouse you could save yourself the trip. Just make it something that lasts about two months, m-kay?

Were it not for that extra run driven in by Frank Thomas, I would still be watching the game right now. Kaplar & the Captain rallied for a run, but it wasn't enough. I'm sure there are some out there invoking the name of Fran-coma, playing backseat driver to Tito, so sure we ought to have walked the man. More will be asking (as I wondered myself, at the time) why Papelbon was cut short at one inning. I don't have the energy. That loss makes us big losers (so far) for the month of July. I go to bed thankful that baseball is a long season, almost as forgiving as groundhog day.

Tomorrow brings another game. Beckett v. Zito; now that should be good.

Happy Ending to the Break

2006-07-12T08:37:00.000-04:00

Since 2003, the All-Star game has counted for something: home field advantage in the World Series. I can understand why a lot of (er, National League) fans don't like this new system, but personally I love it. It's great to see your favorite players selected to the teams, but without that carrot dangling, I could care less about the game. I love baseball, but give me Gilmore Girls and Law & Order re-runs all night long over a game that doesn't count.

By the time we reached the ninth last night, I was bored to tears but at least I was watching for a reason... And in the end that reason would not be denied. With just one out left, three straight hits reversed our fortunes, and the American League walked away victorious yet again. It only seems right since, you know, everyone knows the American league is superior. And as an added bonus, we all got to see Papi dig out a ball from A-rod, saving an error. I only regret that Pappy was not available to close it out for us... Ah, that will leave him well rested for us (yes, like Manny, yes).

If you're wondering what to do with yourself for the rest of the break, Chicago fans Ross and Taft are announcing a different kind of all-star team today. I recommend that you check it out, especially you readers of the female persuasion. I was actually asked to contribute to this, but as I do not swoon and gush quite as eloquently as some of my blogger colleagues, I urge you to (register &) comment!

Cut Manny Some Slack

2006-07-11T09:20:00.000-04:00

Leading up to the Derby last night, I had ESPN on in the background as I roamed the apartment. I kept hearing the same crap we've seen spewed about for the past week, and it started to grate on me. The national media seems to regard Manny's knee as a phantom problem... an excuse to get out of something he doesn't want to do. They use the nineteen innings played on Sunday to evidence that Manny's knee is just fine.

Sure, Manny doesn't exactly bask in the limelight the way we are accustomed to seeing with most players of his caliber. He's a bit shy and would prefer to be left alone - he's even described as paranoid. It wouldn't surprise anyone if Manny would rather not deal with the "honor" of the flashbulbs and interviews and national spotlight of the All-Star Game.

The press has taken that view and run with it. They paint Manny's absence as a snub to the millions of fans who have voted him in... but let's not forget who really feels snubbed. For two years one of the most premier players in all of baseball has refused to talk them - and gotten away with it. Tired of trying to read between the expressions, the press has become increasingly aggressive in guessing what Manny's up to in his head (a pointless effort if you ask me; it's likely all kittens and rainbows in there.) It's almost as if they are trying to goad Manny into talking, which is also a complete waste of time.

In case there's anyone reading this that doesn't actually watch the Red Sox games and check the team site at least weekly, I should let you know that Manny's knee has been bothering him for at least two months. He doesn't like to take games off, but I know he's had one or two extra just to rest his knee. He's taken out of every game we are winning by a comfortable margin (which seems to be two or more now that we've got the Papel-bot), usually for a pinch runner in the seventh or so. As for the nineteen-inning marathon in Chicago on Sunday, people are reading faaaaar too much into that. In a game like that, every player move must be made carefully or you will run out of them. Manny's a competitor, sore knee or not; in a tight game, he wants to be in there, and you'd have to be crazy to take his bat out of the lineup. Of course he was out there.

I can understand why American League fans might be disappointed by Manny's absence. This one silly game makes a difference - as in one extra home game for the winning league - and Manny's bat could make a difference in any one game. This is exactly why Red Sox fans support Manny in missing the All-Star game this season... and why many yankee fans and blue jay fans and maybe even white sox and tigers fans are upset about it. Because missing this one game means three days off for Manny, which means two or three or maybe even a whole lot more games he'll be making a difference in down the stretch, and not for the whole AL, but exclusively for the Boston Red Sox.

So belly-ache all you want, people; we know the real reason you're upset about Manny not showing up this year, and we here in Red Sox Nation are just fine with it.

Just Checking In

2006-06-27T09:15:00.000-04:00

Two Papi walkoff's later, we're still BLAZIN' and the NY Mets are comin' to town. I'm really looking forward to this one. I'm pretty busy up in NESN territory this week, but I'll find a way to watch.

And by the way, this guy's clearly a skankees fan- and right on par with the skankee-fan arrogance and idiocy. He thinks we are going to boo Pedro? ridiculous.

Tryin' to Stay HOT in the Rain

2006-06-24T13:25:00.000-04:00

Great. FOX sent out their "best" broadcast team to torture us this afternoon. At least they don't even have the option of a New York game to switch over to. That's right; The Red Sox are playing in TV's at least halfway down the Atlantic coast today.

Maybe they'll fit it in. I hope so, since it's already raining down here in CT; Sitting around in front of the telly is my activity of choice for the next three hours. Plus it'll great to pounce on a wife-beater like Myers at his peak point of distraction. And from what I've seen so far of this game (no outs yet), that's what we're gonna have to do.

A Surge of Positivity

2006-06-21T21:53:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the rotation, Jon Lester.

I got home late, but saw his last two innings. The kid's got the fist-pump down, that's for sure, and he's starting to earn it. Who knows when/if Wells and Clement will ever make it back from the DL, but if the day ever comes, surely Beckett will have a blister or something and Lester will by then be firmly entrenched in our every-five-day expectations.

So our boys have continued to demonstrate the clear superiority of the American League. Less than a week after my woe-is-me negativity posting (thanks MattySox for reminding me that it could be so much worse- we could be Royals fans!), we are riding a six game winning streak, the likes of which has not been seen before by the 2006 Red Sox. IN JUNE. Hopefully we can get the mop out this weekend to extend it.

Like everyone else in this corner of the world, I'm really looking forward to next week's series, and I'm glad to see Jere's prediction of a celebration of the 1986 team coming true (right down to the date. Terrific Job.) If you're still not into celebrating the 1986 team, you might enjoy this short clip. If, on the other hand, you're up for re-living the moment -again- you're either a Mets fan or a masochist or desperately seeking to re-enact the joy of October 27, 2004 -which will never happen, but have fun trying- check out this re-enactment of "the inning" in RBI Baseball. Both links courtesy of our cyberspace informant, Jay from LA.

Meanwhile in the dark recesses below Fenway, Theo and his crew of young number-crunchers continue to work their best keyboard fingers to the bone. Not satisfied with their latest salvage from the scrap heap, some discussion with the tribe has yielded yet another new pitcher. Yes, folks, we now have our very own Johnson, and despite the urgency with which he was sent packing by Cleveland, I betcha he's randier than Randy. After all, do our scouts know pitching or what? Check out this recently drafted pitcher...

The obvious temptation here is to worry like crazy over what we'll do with all these extra arms once our old guys come back from the DL, but these things have a way of working themselves out. Take the Peña/Kaplar situation: if Trot's not ready for his annual DL stint by then, maybe we can finally get rid of Willie Harris before he rots the spot on the bench he's farting away on every night. Oh, did I say that out loud? No Willie, of course I didn't mean you. I'm talking about silly Paris Hilton - who let that dumb bitch into the clubhouse, anyway?

L'il Alex Cora

2006-06-21T12:25:00.000-04:00

photo courtesy of sittingstill

Let's all take a moment to appreciate a guy who spends most of his time wondering if he'll get to bat at some point in the game.

Stayin' Alive

2006-06-19T19:35:00.000-04:00

To clarify, I didn't mean to be negative in my last post. It's just so easy to get down in baseball when things are really not that bad. By the end of last week, it seemed as if our boys might not ever win again ::Braves fans roll their eyes:: but the June Swoon is not as bad as it could be. At the time of this post we are above .500 for the month AND we just extended our flimsy lead over the skanks to two whole games.

Kyle Snyder was, in fact, downright decent last night. Sure, he gave up a run/inning at first, but he settled down into two scoreless ones. He had a very nice curveball, and I was actually a wee bit sad when they took him out. After all, who would've expected the effectiveness of our bullpen would hold up through four innings sans the great Pappy? It remains to be seen what will happen to Kyle, who a million years and four surgeries ago was once a first-round draft pick with loads of potential. Just last week he was tossed aside like garbage by the worst team in baseball, but today he basks in the overglow of a win in his new home, Fenway Park.

In other news, J.T. Snow finally turns in a uniform that barely ever got scuffed with dirt. Comments by our fearless leader imply a trade may be in the works, and more exciting roster moves loom on the horizon. (Note that Kyle's killer curveball seems to have re-bolstered my confidence in theo... not that I ever doubted him, mind you.)

And then there's Gabe. There's almost no words for that man. But he has words for us: (via the Globe)

``We have the best, and, to be more specific, the classiest fans in all of sports," said Kapler, who took Trot Nixon's spot in right field and batted eighth against the Nationals last night. ``And the reason I say that is because they recognize and care about hard work as well as people, human beings. Contributions [from players] other than superstars. They recognize every player on the roster.
``They recognize contributions from guys like Alex Cora, and, in the past, from a pitcher who would get one out. They always seem to recognize effort. I'm just blown away by their consistency and their knowledge of the game."

Do you people realize how often skankee fans tell me how un-classy we are? I know, I know, they wouldn't know classy if they hit it with their SUV, but try explaining that to them.

freakout

2006-06-19T00:42:00.000-04:00

"holy..."

I just looked at the "expanded standings". The Tigers have won 46 games. The White Sox, 44. The Mets have won 43. Boston is in 4th with 39. Seven games behind the tigers (no offense, sam; I love 'em, I really do) after a SWEEP? I wanna cry.

Can't I just be happy we're ahead of the skanks? Or that we scored six runs tonight with two outs?

No. No, I can't. Not with our starting pitcher tomorrow night having only one other start, in which he was shelled. theo help us. (oh that's right; this was your move.)

FOX Finally Does the Right Thing

2006-06-10T09:30:00.000-04:00

Jere & I have been highly amused this season by the many FOX 61 commercials we've seen on NESN. I had even planned to write them an e-mail about how this might backfire as anti-advertising to real sox fans. You see last year, just like many, many times in previous years, when given a choice between Red Sox and Yankees games for their game of the week, FOX-61 in Hartford chose Yankees... EVERY blippin' time. And the good folks down here in Southern Connecticut get screwed AGAIN.

So today when I realized that the young Jon Lester's Major League debut would be on FOX, I feared I might not even be able to order it on MLB.TV. I will be babysitting my nieces, you see, as the sis and bro-in-law will hopefully be watching the A's beat the ever-lovin' snot out of their beloved bombers.

The biggest drawback to the extra innings package is that you can't take it with you. As it turns out, that's not such a big deal today... FOX-61 has come to its senses. Maybe they had enough of hate mail and bomb threats. Maybe they got rid of the evil Steinbrenner mole who had been skewing their viewer statistics. Maybe they were forced to sign a contract of faithfulness in order to advertise on NESN. To whatever tipped the scales, I am grateful, and I also think I might send an e-mail of appreciation. If you are watching today's game on FOX-61, I encourage you to do so as well. Usually people only write in to complain, so a flood of positivity over the Sox game might ensure many more to come.

A Needed Boost

2006-06-09T01:35:00.000-04:00

I was out tonight, at a place called the Seagrape, which is commonly too snobby to put on the Mets game, let alone the Sox. Tonight they didn't have a choice, and this "yankees" bar erupted in the sixth when A-rod missed a tough bounce for the go-ahead (winning) run. That Alex Gonzalez... I can't rank on him in good conscience, despite his failings to reach the Mendoza line. Surely his defensive play has saved more runs than Edgah had driven in at this time last year, and he does STEP UP for the skanks. I think this may have been lost to my companions, as the failure of the other Alex seemed to be at least half the joy for the crowd I was surrounded by tonight.

An inning later, after the Captain's three-run pad to the lead, the Mets game was suddenly and surprisingly airing on half the tv's. I was relaxed at this point, but still had the game in the corner of my eye through the 3-pitch A-rod strikeout in the ninth. "I hate A-rod," said my favorite Mets fan, at this point.

"I don't hate A-rod," I told him honestly. He's too pathetic to hate, in my opinion. "I hate Gary Sheffield." I didn't think this night was going to get any better until just now, when I saw the "Hell, No" ticker scroll by the info on scary gary's upcoming wrist surgery. He will be "out indefinitely." Poor guy. *sniff* ::stifles chuckle... but not convincingly::

Yes, upon coming home (quite toasty) I have flicked on yankees encore just in time to see the two-inning rally once again, this time with Michael Kay's invaluable comments in the background. (Although I must admit he's much better this year) And thank theo, yankees encore just moved straight from the top o' seventh to the bottom of the ninth, the only other part I really wanted to see. It did not escape me the first time around, by the way, that Pappy walked Melky Cabrera. Not my favorite person recently; how 'bout you? So, so sweet, though, to see the pop-up by Damon and back-to-back K's on Mr. Super-Human-Growth-Head & Prince Purple-lips. I suppose we wouldn't have that were it not for the walk. Pappy did that for our added enjoyment, methinks.

Well we did deserve it, after those last two games.

That's the last of the great rivalry for awhile. The press will have to hype up Phillies-Mets and Pale-Ho's-Tigers and Cardinals-Reds for a few months now. (yes, that was win #8 for our boy Bronson tonight, for those still keeping tabs) At least we have the Mets coming to Fenway soon; I get the impression that series might re-define NY-Boston scalper prices. I'm completely incoherant, glued on the Time-Life 70's Music Explosion commercial, and need to go to bed like two hours ago, but I think those last two sentences demonstrate the Nation's love for our players even when they've moved on... anywhere but the Bronx, Johnny. (you may have gone yard tonight, idiot, but your replacement got twice as many RBIs on one base hit. get used to being shown up by Coco; I think you'll be seeing that alot in the future.)

Aye, time to cut me off. (um, three hours ago, I know.)

Let's Get Out of Canada

2006-06-01T07:22:00.000-04:00

So our boys pulled that one off. And to think ::hangs head sheepishly:: I was afraid to watch. Silly me.

The ferocious Tigers of Detroit continue to roll over and mew helplessly with the skanks in town. Pathetic. Last night they failed to take advantage of a grossly depleted lineup, dropping their fourth game in a row, with three of those gifted to the bombers. Maybe Jeter, Damon and Sheffield will all be out for a game we play them in. Think so? *Eh NO, Peg*.

Anyway, I did see some of that game, and must hail the impressiveness of our young studly arms. See, I totally missed the Pauley start (which, from what I read, seems like quite the frightening adventure) but the VB/DC tag team is workin' it. Maybe by the end of the season we can get enough young arms up so we don't need the z-boys.

I was starting to really like Wily Mo out there. Now it looks like he'll be taking a little break from us rabid fans...It sounds like this could hold Wily back all year. Fortunately it comes at a time when Coco has made it back to the lineup and Kaplar looks to be about a week away. What is it with this revolving outfield? Ah, well. Not as bad as the skanky situation, at least. The timing of these injuries seems to be working out in a roster-room-favorable way.

I took a peek forward in the rotation, mostly to stress myself out. Who will we be putting out there on the 6th to face the skanks? To make matters worse, we have a double-whammy on the tenth (make-up game v. Rangers) and no day off until the 12th. That's three games we don't have a starter for: the 6th, 10th, and 11th. Not cool. Today's day off is in the wrong spot. Rocky roads ahead, kids; brace yourselves. We'll need some offensive potency like last night to get through this stretch.

Gray Skies

2006-05-31T06:50:00.000-04:00

That had to happen. With the Nation leaning on him to lift our spirits, I knew in the back of my mind that Beckett was due for a bad start. Back-to-back meatballs served over the plate to Vernon Wells and Troy Glaus proved to be just the appetizer for Blue Jay fans (all 26 of them who weren't busy scouting Edmonton's potential Stanley Cup Cinderella spoilers.)

So far this road trip is going about as well as my love life: exciting at times, but ultimately disappointing. And, to add insult to injury, more of the same was happening in Detriot. The Tigers staged a comeback from a 5-0 deficit to tie the game at six... only to lie down and provide the masochism whips in the 11th for an 11-6 beat-down from the skanks. To those of you limited to reading a recap online, I can assure you that it was excruciating to watch; In fact, I ended up having to leave the room before I could hurt myself trying to drop-kick the television.

With my lingering angst and pent-up violence from the last couple of days of baseball viewing, this link (in my inbox this morning from Jay from LA) really hit the spot. Now if only there was a way to pit the Farns against Gary Sheffield... (or any of his current teammates, for that matter.)

Meanwhile our view from the wide-angle lens has started to look bleak as well. It may be only rumor, but I'm still losing hope on the Clemens deal... just like any relationship, the more desperate you are to have someone, the less likely you are to get 'em. My only consolation here is the strong assertion that Roger is even less likely to end up in pinstripes. That just might be good enough for me.

Other things that might cheer you up:

Edit, and moving immediately to the top of the faint-glimmer-of-sunshine list is Gary Sheffield's recurring wrist woes. Also, please note the worsening condition of Johnny Damon's foot.
most likely, if you're reading this, you are not tribe member Scott Sauerbeck. Trust me, today that's probably a good thing.
Boomer is not pretending he's OK.
Loretta has sustained an injury at Rogers Centre, yet it appears to be minor.
After tonight, we won't have to face the Jays 'til September.

Tonight our FO tests the mettle of a kid who hasn't even seen AAA, let alone the majors. Make sure your liquor cabinet (and/or other sedative of choice) is stocked tonight if you plan to experience Pauley making the start against a guy who's GOTTA BE LONG OVERDUE to have a shitty night against our boys in red.

Deflated

2006-05-30T07:05:00.000-04:00

I tuned into the game last night just in time to see Matt Clement hand the ball over. So no, I did not have the pleasure of witnessing his suckiness firsthand... but the general feeling of hopelessness I had felt in anticipation of this game solidified as truth with one glance at the scoreboard.

It was only the fourth, but a six-run deficit is pretty much my cut-off for hope. I started a sudoku puzzle. I was briefly cheered up by Coco's homerun, the first of many, I expect, in a Red Sox uniform. It was solo, which doesn't put much of a dent in things; I wasn't about to get my dander up at this point, but a two-run shot by Manny in the 6th made it a game again.

Van Buren had defied my expectations of him by staving off a strong lineup. The Blue Jays can hit - best team batting average in MLB - and one would think they could make a youngen like Jermaine look foolish rather quickly... but somehow they didn't, and the Captain was set up to tie the game with another moon-shot in the eighth.

Here it is, I'm thinking. With all the ridiculous comebacks staged by the MFY, most of them at least partially unearned, it's about time we get some of that touch in our corner. I sit back on the couch and ready myself for a potentially long extra-inning drama. Wait a sec... who's that? I had not remembered Riske was back from his back spasms. Dude was not exactly feelin' the magic. A bit rusty, maybe? I was not thrilled. Pretty much in unison with the rest of the Nation, my thoughts jumped to our man Timlin, may he swiftly return. I can't blame Tito here, with a 'pen of tired arms and a potentially long game stretching out before us... but soon that was the least of our worries. Foulkie came in and got us out of a mess with just one pitch, but the damage had been done.

Don't get me wrong; I'd never trade him for our Pappy, but that B.J. Ryan was scary last night. Toronto stepped up with some cash this year and spent it in the right place to compete in the AL East: pitching. They awarded Ryan the largest contract ever given to a reliever, and last night in the ninth, he showed us why. Can we please, pretty please, mount an impressive lead over the Jays tonight so we don't have to see him again?

Meanwhile, back in the basement beneath Fenway Park, I certainly hope our army of young analysts and lawyers are diligently seeking a serious solution to our pitching woes. Mattie is starting to produce a thick cloud of dread over New England every fifth day. Plus, we've got the "open" slot in the rotation, which finally started to look solid the other day... for about four innings. Now we're back to the wait-n-see game (including who-the-hell is pitching tomorrow night.)

At least we have Josh Beckett taking the rubber tonight. That boy is like a shot of adrenaline right into the veins of Red Sox Nation. Which, of course, makes me nervous to have him pitch at Rogers Centre, if you know what I mean.

It's the Win that Counts

2006-05-29T09:27:00.000-04:00

So it was a little tense there at the end. Rudy and Julie wanted to make it exciting for us. They are, after all, being paid for our entertainment, right? Er, right. Technically. Does anyone else find it ironic that it took an actual HIT to get us out of that 9th?

In the end we get the win, and the near-disaster gets to fade away in our minds, rather than fester like a bad taste in the back of our throats. Many a game like this slipped away from us last season, eating away at our confidence 'til we felt no lead was safe... This year (so far) has been better, and while we have had our share of rough outings from relievers, few have affected the actual outcome of the game. Still these failures will not be forgotten, and while the Z-boys have both pitched rather well of late, it's aberrations like this that stick in our minds and overshadow the faith we had started to build up; The next few times either are seen walking to the mound, it will surely be to the music of our own mental moans as we pray for the health of our trusty tough Timlin and ponder the readiness of young DelCarmen, Hanson, and Lester.

In the meantime we put it away and pause for a moment of appreciation...

Sweep

You might remember sweep-boy from our series against the O's earlier this month. Maybe ya had to be there, but the sweet sound of carefree celebration and hi-5's all around plays in my head much like a song. It brings a smile to my lips and reminds me of all y'all out there in the Nation basking in the victory with me. By posting this picture, I offer you all a digital clink o' the glass to the sweet call of "SWEEP". May we see sweep boy again - soon and often.

Meanwhile, over in my neck of the woods... The Royals, led by our friend Tony G, made things exciting with a slow comeback from a six-run deficit. It was a valient effort throughout the game, but in the end fell short in a 6-5 final. I was checking on this game regularly, so I can tell you ::shakes head sadly:: those blue-boys stranded TOO MANY runners. One more timely hit, and they woulda taken that series for us. Eh, woulda-shoulda-coulda. Let's hope the Tigers keep it hot and start another win streak today.

Skanks at Fenway

2006-05-28T13:51:00.000-04:00

Reasons it's taken me nearly a week to post pictures from last Monday:

I procrastinate.
I had better- er, I mean other- things to do.
Blogger Images is a bitch. She likes to tease me. There is no rhyme or reason to making her work.
I took so many terrible shots that it took me this long to sort through and find some that are worth posting.

That last reason is the kicker. If you want some real may-as-well-be-professional pics from the Sox-Yankees series, see Samara. She has a real camera and real skills (not to mention real good seats); all I got is heart.

"Hey, it's those bloggers, Reb & Jere!"

Keith laughs it up as he schemes his Billy Wagner impersonation

The Evil Empire requires flexibility of head, in addition to heart & soul.

Johnny's still trying to figure out their bizarre rituals.

In the foreground, you can see what Johnny's supposed to be doing here.

It seems like everyone's staring at Damon's butterfly.

Sorry if this is too much JD for you people; mostly it's for my readers Novy & Jtt.

Mike Myers begs his former teammate for mercy in their next match-up.

(Head left intentionally in foreground for added creepiness)

Manny comforts Johnny as they remember the good ol' days.

Arod fondles himself as he admires some real clutch hitters.

Manny gives Cano some "advice".

No one wanted to be with Bernie. Dude was alone wherever he went.

The Jerky Boys

Kapstein and Torre shake hands, agreeing that Damon should play as much as possible this next month. Jere has his photo taken with them to remember this auspicious moment.

Hazel turned and held this pose until just after I lowered my camera, indicating a successful shot. I'm pretty sure this was intentional, and quite considerate of her.

Torre literally dragged Arod over here for this picture.

Which arachnid-clad being pictured here is most obviously a Fenway Park employee?

At this point I parted ways with Jere, figuring my friend would arrive soon and I should grab myself a sausage and beer while I waited. Sure enough, the moment I stepped onto Yawkey way, I heard from her... But she was not nearly at the park. I tried to find Jere again, but no such luck. After waiting around for awhile near his seats with WCSG, I decided to check out a certain season ticket holder we know. I had never been to Andrew's seats before, but I managed to find him. I sat and chatted with him and his dad through the middle of the first, when I got bumped by people who had rights to the seat.

This time I found Jere and WCSG, who happened to have two empty seats next to them in section 23. I sat with them while awaiting my friend. She had gotten caught in traffic, arrived at fens so late that she couldn't find parking, drove home and took the T in from Brookline Hills. An otherwise sharp Schill labored through the top of the third while I was gone to pass Christin's ticket over at Gate A.

We ended up sitting in section 23 the whole time, as no one ever showed up for those seats. (Our seats were in section 43, right next to the red fence- Jere's seats, actually, which he gave me the crack at when he got the chance at these better seats.)

These guys sat in front of us during the game. Pictured on the right is Steve, one of the most gracious Yankee fans I have ever met. I am sad to say, for a fanbase seemingly obsessed with "class", that is not saying much. So maybe I should just say he was a nice guy and seemed to enjoy his visit to Fenway, despite the ugly hat.

I arrived back from my seventh-inning bathroom & beer run to find a bigger lead and a wet seat. I ran back to get napkins. "Who spilled beer all over my seat?" I asked as I wiped it off. A girl turned to me from the seat just to my right. She wore a satin navy jacket. "That guy," pointing to an enthusiastic but generally harmless fan who had been letting us climb over his seat throughout the game. "He threw beer at me," she pouted. I just stared at her. "That's nothing," I told her, "compared to what I saw at Yankee Stadium two weeks ago." She quickly turned away, so I did not bother going into it further. Seeing as a couple in their sixties had been sitting there most of the game, they were obviously crossing some lines by sitting in seats they were not entitled to, and who knows what they said to create trouble. Sorry, but I have no sympathy. I went to Yankee Stadium, I kept my mouth shut, I sat in my own seats, and I came away with dry clothes, just like many MFYF's at Fenway that night, including the ones in front of us.

My friend Christin, aka "Clarissa" of FNX Radio, celebrates victory with me once Keith Foulke finally decides to let us do so.

And of course, this post is dedicated to the lovely and joyful WCSG, whose score of these sweet seats enabled my entrance to the ballpark.

Who Farted?

2006-05-24T09:55:00.000-04:00

Well something stunk up the Park last night, and it wasn't Wily Mo Peña.

(this pic was really from Monday night. more to come, when I get some time.)

It's Safe to Come Back Now; Reb has Approved

2006-05-18T10:42:00.000-04:00

I got an e-mail earlier this week from a reader regarding this petition to bring Roger back to Boston. As you may know, I'm careful not to pepper my dear readers with just any crazed correspondence I may get in the ol' inbox; I tend to be rather slow and deliberate in my consideration of such things, sometimes painfully so. I don't do it to be rude to those readers who are good enough to e-mail me with interesting links... oh my, no. But I don't feel right about putting opinion links out there without stating my ground on the matter, and sometimes it takes a bit of mental debate to clarify my location.

This bit about Roger has been hashed out to a pulp all Spring, in Red Sox Nation and beyond. It's gotten almost as absurd as the bi-weekly press conferences they were holding for awhile in Green Bay over Brett Favre's non-retirement. Like Brett, no one really believes Roger is ready to step away from the game, but at least in this case there is some genuine drama, like where to go from there. Roger has laid out the possibilities clearly, pitting two sets of fanbases against one another, as the teams themselves duke it out for the right to play backdrop to the Rocket's final stage.

I have my own fantastical imaginings of what is going on behind the scenes. I like to make up these silly storylines, and naturally in my head things always play out as they should, like Ty Law's return home. When I first caught wind of the Roger rumors, I brushed them off as a pipedream, but as things have progressed in the media this Spring, the prospect has swung a one-eighty in my mind. The way Roger's been kissing beantown ass in the press, it feels like he's already decided to come here. I (in full acknowledgment that this is ridiculous speculation) believe he and theo are under hush-hush verbal agreement, with Boston needing to keep a strong showing in the division race of course, and also match any other bids. The secrecy is to drive up the bids, throw a stall into Cashman's schemes, and give the FO time to pawn off Wells or Clement. But don't take my word for it; I also thought Pavano was going to sign with us (as the clear career choice) and thank papi that didn't happen!

As far as the petition goes, I'll be honest in saying I'm not sure what the point is. I doubt Roger will ever know it exists, let alone read our pleas... and I certainly don't think it will swing the tide for him. Of course I signed it anyway, because it can't hurt, and I hope you will, too. (Except for Jere, of course, who won't, so I won't bother hoping. If Roger comes back, as far as he's concerned we'll have a corpse on the mound every fifth day.)

Still More Egotistical Skankee-isms

2006-05-17T10:54:00.000-04:00

Oh yeah. Said skankee-fan Jay from the previous post wanted me to make sure you all knew that yankee fans are the ones who invented sports-blogging, and red sox fans are merely riding along on their coat-tails per usual, and doing a half-ass job of it, at that. That from a guy who had never even heard of sports-blogging a month ago.

He also wants to make sure you all know how much more patriotic yankee fans are. And that Red Sox fans are so politically liberal, the team ought to be re-named the "Lib Sox". As if there's something wrong or unpatriotic about that. So ignorant, he went as far as to say that nothing valuable has ever come about in the city of Boston, and made fun of the Boston tea party, and denied it unequivocably when I informed him that if it were up to the "Empire State", we all would still be subjects of jolly ol' England. All this I find to be utter nonsense and hardly worth my time to type, but he did insist... right before he went into some more crap about how we're still crying about Johnny Damon. Seriously, that just happened. I want to bang my head against the wall, but I'm afraid my ears will still be working afterwards.

This Week's Skankee Fan Ranting

2006-05-17T07:40:00.000-04:00

What was worse than witnessing first-hand the ridiculousness that was the MFY comeback last night? Try watchin' it with a YF. As Posado strode to the plate last night with two outs and the tying run in scoring position, my friend Jay says to me "come on, you love Posada." (no doubt responding to some remark of mine- perhaps I was using my sister's nickname for him, double-play Jorge, even though it didn't apply in this situation.) "Sure," I reply. "In a 'I love it when he pops up in a key situation' type of way." And in the back of my head I briefly acknowledge the worst thing that could happen here. Seconds later that exact worst-possible scenario plays itself out on my tv screen. And I must control my strong and violent urge to smack my guest silly as he celebrates in that obnoxious ever-so-smug MFY-fan way. Ah, the strict confines of hostessness... could I get around it by posting some sort of disclaimer sign?

Warning!

Celebrate Yankee Success at Your Own Risk

Clear enough, do you think? I feel as if I should make it a bit more harsh... just so people would have no excuse as to what they should expect. Ah, but you know how those MFY fans are. Probably get all up in arms about "class"- you know, as if every bar and basement rec room in this area doesn't post that stupid "Yankee Fan Only - All Others Will Be Towed" sign. The standard skankee double-standard: they'll mock red sox fans 'til blue (with classy white pinstripes) in the face, but as soon as you cheer and smile, say when Mo gives up the go-ahead run in the top-o-ninth, they'll get on you for being "mean". As if rooting for the Rangers is some kind of crime against humanity or something.

This particular Yankee fan is obsessed with thinking that all good red sox players eventually become yankees, and the red sox organization is not "classy" enough to pay a player through to retirement. Come to think of it, the bro-in-law's pretty high on this concept as well. In fact, I've gotten an earful on this from every skankee fan I've run into lately; that must be their underlying theme this year. I wonder if you click on the "Pride, Power, and Pinstripes" it brings you to a page stating the official club harassment techniques for the season. Like it really bothers us that the management is smart enough to not pay the premium for a player in their decline. It's as if these people don't get it- or more likely refuse to. Acknowledge the economic purity of shying away from long-term contracts for players over thirty? Why, you just don't have to when you can take PRIDE in the POWER of not caring about the market price because you have so much god-damned cash to throw around in an anually-increasing desperation to add some 21st century hardware to those ever-classy PINSTRIPES.

I have to say, even with Coco on the DL, the most bothersome aspect to JD becoming a yankee (from my perspective) is having it hear about it in every other breath from said fans. They go on and on and on about it as if I care. It is so hard for them to believe that I don't. Not that I'm surprised, but it's important that you people outside of the big-apple area understand that it's not enough for the typical MFY fan to sign a great free agent... their real pleasure comes in believing that it causes us pain. And I know that for some of us that's true. But I have to wonder if the gloating in my ears is more annoying because in my case it's just NOT. To hear these people harp on it, it's like they all believe the propaganda that the dude's Jesus or something. And now, with the current shortage in the Bronx outfield, with Johnny being the big team player and throwing more and more and more mileage on that sore shoulder... Well, I am not one to wish ill on the man, but I do inwardly chuckle as I think of the length of that contract he signed.

So in accordance with the theme of "Red Sox don't have enough class to re-sign their best players," I hear a lot of "who's next to become a yankee" speculation. "Wakefield will become a yankee eventually, you just wait and see," is my favorite for the sheer absurdity and clear lack-of-understanding for the contract-concept side of this issue. Manny Ramirez, of course, is the most believable to be thrown out there, and with the grooming of Wily Mo somewhat palatible, but not even Steinbrenner's likely to touch that contract... This guy Jay, in typical Italian-American machismo, is claiming Damon was lured over to the dark side by Jeter threatening "You come play for the yankees or I'll steal your wife." I'm sure you all can feel my hysterical laughter when he said Jeter was going to try this one on Papelbon next. (I mean aside from the whole practicality of Jonathon still with years left in his rookie contract, there's a slight believability issue in the prospects of that happening with a sleezy ex-stripper vs. the charming southern girl Pappy's married to.)

Get me a valium, people; It's the next day and I still can't come down from that one.

Wrap-up

2006-05-11T23:50:00.000-04:00

The beautiful thing in my inbox:

Boston Red Sox Postgame Alert
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 11, 2006

Boston 5, N.Y. Yankees 3 at Yankee Stadium
Boston
Record: (21-13)
N.Y. Yankees Record: (19-13)

Winning pitcher - Tim
Wakefield (3-4)
Losing pitcher - Ron Villone (0-1)
SV - Jonathan
Papelbon (13)

Those of you suffering without the "Hell, No" Network can likely guess that the postgame show is mostly about losing "much more than the game" as in Hideki Matsui, whose wrist injury includes a broken bone and need for surgery. What you also missed was Johnny Damon, looking a little bloated and tied up in a shoulder wrap, playing doctor as he assessed Hideki's injury based on degree of swelling. JD apparently aggravated his shoulder (and maybe a foot?) in the process of robbing Dougie of that homerun. He'll be playing hurt, though, 'cause he's a good guy like that, and besides they don't have anyone else to put out there now.

And we leave the Bronx with a better taste in our mouths than last night, as we remain in first place and hold a 3-1 advantage over the skanks in the head-to-head meetings this season. Done for now, but we'll pick right back up on it in ten short days, as the bombers come back to Boston on the 22nd. Hopefully Coco will be back for that one.

Adventures of Reb & Jere: Layin' Low in the Nosebleeds

2006-05-11T16:25:00.000-04:00

I was running late at usual, but managed to find parking at the Fairfield train station and hustle over the bridge to the inbound side in time to buy my round-trip from the machine and even get a little antsy while waiting on the platform.

I found seating across from a woman and her young son. Throughout the near-ninety-minute train ride I smiled as he asked his mother the silliest questions like "what's your least favorite show on television?" Across the aisle a young couple seemed destined for the same eventual location as myself, the guy wearing a white-on-white arachnid hat and tan yankee jersey. (what are those tan jerseys from, anyway?) A wealthy Westonite sat across from them, chattering away in her earpiece about hotel reservations, rustic resorts, convalescent accommodations, charity events, and adopting a little girl from China. Her designer jeans were to-die-for. Her voice and demeanor held my attention, as they reminded me of my cousin (sister of the one mentioned in a recent post.)

I spent my train ride working on a project for Jere. I'm sure it looked unusual, but no one asked why I was sewing with embroidery thread on the train. I had cut the letters out of the red knit cotton of a child's Papelbon t-shirt and glued them to a white knit backdrop. On the train I stitched the letters to secure them, then hemmed the edges of my piece. By the time I finished we were in the Bronx, and I put it away carefully in the pocket of my bag.

I weaved my way through Grand Central quickly, and into the subway tunnels to wait for the six-train. Silly to go all the way to GC only to head back uptown, in my opinion, but Jere wanted it this way, and he had my tickets so... I waited. And waited. Boston fans aplenty smiled and joked as a group of girls made nasty comments nearby.
"Where did all these Boston people come from?"
"Go home."
"wait, didn't the yankees lose last night?"
"so?"
"well maybe you should shut your mouth?"
"nuh-uh. gotta be a true fan and support my team even if they lose. I can't watch 'em on tv anyway - too boring."

"Yankees Suck" exclaims a guy to my right.
"They sure did last night," I replied, smiling.

The group of Boston fans get on the 4-train. A 5-train comes and goes. After about fifteen or twenty minutes, a 6-train arrives and the crowd collected crams into it like sardines. I get off at 77th, as instructed, and Jere directs me to squeeze right back on. We make it, just barely, but end up waiting for his friend Jenny at 86th, who wasn't so lucky. I pull out my little sewing project, and Jere seems pleased. We arrange it over the numbers on his Damon t-shirt, and I start whip-stitchin' it down. Jenny comes along and we're back to squishing on the train, this time with truly no personal space. We get to Yankee Stadium, finally, and sit down on the wall outside of McDonald's courtyard across the street. I finish sewing so Jere can put the shirt on for all to see as we walk into the stadium. As he puts it on I notice a guy behind us immediately reach for his cellphone to snap a picture.

I'm disappointed that it came out a little crooked, but in my defense I was doing this job in my lap at best (when not in the middle of the air in Jere's hands,) not on a table, and our friend Jere was not exactly waiting patiently.

We found our seats and sat down while I ate the necessary-lest-I-starve-and-fall-down-the-upper-deck Nathan's (sans relish, mind you, apparently the toilet has something against the minced-pickle dressing I find crucial to a decent-tasting dog.)

From there we tried to spot Michael Leggett, who had sent Jere his seat assignment. Indeed, we spotted him, and headed off around the park to say Hi over in tier 22. I am always surprised, when I meet people I've gotten to know through blogging, at how much they are like how I imagined them; there always seems to be traits that I unknowingly expected. Michael is a jovial fellow, with a pleasant smile and an excitable demeanor. I have suspected (as Jere suggested to me long ago) Michael's unusual writing style to be a reflection of the way he speaks, and indeed this proved to be the case. It was a pleasure to meet you, Michael, and perhaps we will meet up again sometime, like at that Toronto game we both have tickets for.

Yankee fans seem to have a lot to say about class, but when it comes time to demonstrate, few are generally interested (unless they've brought a little kid along to the game.) As the fans continued to find their seats around us in the first couple innings, Jere was notably pleased by our immediate neighbors around the vicinity of row S, seats 9 & 10 in tier 15. The couple behind us wore no yankee gear. They seemed to be rooting for the skanks, but also seemed genuinely amused by Jere's modified T-shirt. Directly in front of us a woman sat alone with two empty seats on either side. She also wore no gear but supported the dark side. In front of her was a family with two small children.

Poor child. A lifetime of hubris awaits him. Jere joked about sneaking the boy baseball cards of Red Sox players while the father wasn't looking. Next to Jere on our right was his co-worker Jenny and a friend of hers - yankee fans as well, but not too likely to be trying to get in our faces. The seats to my left were empty for quite awhile before a guy lumbered up to sit next to me in the bottom of the second. He was wearing a yankee jersey, but was pleasant enough as he explained that he had drank so many beers already that it took fifteen minutes to find his seat. He was joined by his friends not too long afterward. "Asians... Perfect." Jere whispered. Asian guys can be loud and obnoxious, but are rarely violent or confrontational. Despite being surrounded by yankee fans in the upper deck, we were in pretty safe company - as long as we could keep our mouths shut.

Edit: ok, I missed something here. This is what jere meant by liking the fact thatwe had Asians next to us:

Reb, please clear up my "Asians" comment on your post. I said that it was good that we had people from another country next to us, because a drunken, racist, white-boy yankee fan might hate them as much for not being American as they'd hate us for wearing Sox stuff. So I felt a little safer because of it.

Personally I don't see how that would make us safer, and I stand by my comment about asians being less violent and confrontational from a cultural standpoint. Also, I'm pretty sure these guys were American, just not Caucasion, but whatever.

While Papi kicked the night off right...

...We know that didn't last. There were a lot of Sox fans up where we were, but Jere said it was a low turnout in comparison to recent years, most likely because it was a weeknight. It wasn't nearly as bad as what jere was describing to me (via Sam) from the night before, but as the night went on and people got drunker, one could not walk up or down the stairs with Sox gear on without people yelling and getting in their faces, and I can only imagine how much worse it could have gotten had the yanks not had a comfortable lead.

The decks are pretty rowdy, and security at the toilet seems to be um, a lot more stringent than Fenway - and for good reason, as far as I can tell, as the crowd seems to be looking for trouble and borderline explosively violent. This does not, in my opinion, excuse security literally pushing red sox fans out of the bleachers, forcibly overboard and visible from my bird's-eye seat. The security on our section was busy. Here's the first ejection I saw. It seems this guy wearing the number seven hit the girl next to him, although from the way he could barely walk I think it may have been an accident.

This harmless looking preppie couple were next. Jere speculated that they had lit up a joint. The huge melon in the left foreground of this picture is the drunk Asian yankee fan sitting next to me.

Not too long after this, the batteries in both of our cameras died (and in my rush out the door on the way to the train, it seems I dropped my back-ups) so the rest of our stay at the toilet goes undocumented. Honestly, it was mostly more drunk ejections in addition to the same disappointing non-clutch moments you all saw on TV. Then it was a long pushing-and-shoving walk to the subway tracks, where we failed to squeeze onto the first train and waited for the second. We rode it to Grand Central and debated glumly over our trip to the hotel.

We wondered. It had taken so long to get there, it was hard to believe we would catch any of them getting back. Plus it didn't seem like any fun, having lost, but I told Jere we were probably more depressed about it than they were.

We were wrong on both counts. After stopping at the pharmacy for batteries and going the wrong direction before finding the hotel, we arrived just in time to watch a bus pull up... And Jere on my cell with his girlfriend failed to get his batteries in his camera in time to get any shots off. And of course my camera's painfully slow and never gets exactly what I want, but here's what I got:

Papa Jack

Dougie and Jason

Josh Beckett is studly

And our boys look as downcast as we do. We saw others, of course, and I would have loved to have caught Kevin Youkilis, who was staring right at us in clear recognition AS HE ALWAYS DOES when we see him. (He looks at us like we're crazy; just what are you telling him about us, Mr Youkilis?)

By this time I have to use the bathroom quite badly, and I was able to use the one in the hotel last year, so we head inside toward the elevator. A security guy stops us and insists we must have a key. We find another hotel down the street and use theirs instead. (Seriously, dude, I really needed it.) We wait around for awhile, but it's clear nothing's going on, and I still need to get the train back to Connecticut.

We're both pretty tired at this point... It was a long and disappointing night. During my train ride home I found I had lost my voice, and it was nearly four by the time my head hit the pillow. Still I would do it all over again.

Beauty in the Bronx

2006-05-10T10:12:00.000-04:00

It was the type of game that lends us all a good night of sleep in Red Sox Nation. I must admit, I nearly dozed off before it was over, but long after most of the yankee fans in my area had reached for the clicker and kicked the tv in frustration. I'm a peaceful person myself, but I must admit smirking with guilty pleasure as the normally classy and easy-going pinstriped DH Bernie Williams was booted for tossing his equipment after a called strike three.

I hate to admit it, but the skankee lineup is re-defining intimidation this year, which, added to our own lack of run production through the first month of the season, does not leave a lot to look forward to in these match-ups. When Giambi went yard in the first, Beckett clearly laboring and being forced to throw a lot of pitches early on, I thought to myself "oh, boy. here we go..." And there we went, indeed, but in a far better direction than I expected.

from Boston.com:

"I think [Beckett] got more competitive, if that's possible with him," said Red Sox second baseman Mark Loretta. "At that point, you could see him turn it up to an even higher notch. He took it to a new level. His location was fantastic tonight. He rarely threw a fastball over the middle of the plate."

It was pretty much smooth-sailin' from there, with a few minor defensive gaffes from the homeboys to help us along the way. Fresh from the minors, Melky Cabrera flubbed a pop-up which allowed two runs- and our dear prince purple-lips showed off why playing in the field makes him "most valuable" - er, to us, that is. (to be fair, a-rod is normally an excellent fielder... as is Edgah Rentaria, or so we've been told.) The skanker-site would have you believe that these errors led to their loss, but the real difference in the game was pitching, as inferred in the article: "Beckett looked shaky in the first, but it was Johnson who fell apart..." Our new yankee-killer has lived up to his billing, at least in the first match-up.

As good as we feel about Josh Beckett's future in red coming out of this game, it's the rubber ramifications in pinstripes that really piques the interest of baseball analysts. They may be living up to their nickname "bombers" in the Bronx, but poor pitching can only get a run-scoring machine so far, as we found out first-hand in Boston last year. The shriveling of the "Unit" is just one facet of many mound issues surfacing at the toilet also known as Yankee Stadium. Tonight we see the Moose, who's off to a scary-solid start this year, but all that could change in a matter of moment with just a tweak of an elbow...

(I know ya'll are waiting anxiously for pics from the weekend. Blogger was a little bitch yesterday and would not allow me to upload them. I'm workin' on it.)

The Birthday Game

2006-05-10T10:04:00.000-04:00

Yeah, yeah, my birthday was Saturday, but I continued with the theme right into Sunday. May 7th is my cousin's birthday, and with just two week 'til she graduates from Sloan, Nathalie had started to regret her absence from Fenway Park in her two-year Boston stay. We didn't have tickets, but she asked me to try to get into the game with her, and I wasn't gonna let the girl down. I told her we should meet there early and stand in line for "day-of-game" tickets.

I had heard of these fabled tix, those held by the club and released when the gates opened. I didn't know how many there were, and didn't know how likely we were to get them, and we came prepared to scalp. On my way in from Kenmore, I asked some scalpers and got the usual BS "they're expensive today. $80 apiece for bleachers." Right. I'll take my chance with the line, I figure. When I got there, the line seemed pretty long to me, but then again, what do I know? The two girls who got in line behind me had done a little research. They had asked up toward the front of the line how many tickets were available and found out it was always at least two hundred. Then they counted people in the line as they walked back and found themselves at around the 148 mark. This made me feel a lot better. And when Nathalie finally showed, she managed to sneak in line with me, since the dude hadn't come by yet passing out the numbered rules handout which you need to purchase a ticket.

We were waiting for quite awhile, chatting with the girls behind us (who ended up right next to us later in section 21). We caught up on our family stuff: my new niece, her sister's next trip in from Denver, her mom's winter tour of Texas, my dad's dating the crap out of every girl he can find on match.com, our grandmother's golf game, etc. A couple guys came by from WEEI asking us to fill out a survey to win tickets to a sox game. Nathalie wrote that her favorite New England pastime was drinking beer, and I shocked the shit out of these fellas (the looks on their faces was better than the actual prize, a bag of potato sticks,) by answering their trivia question "what is Coco Crisp's real first name?" Apparently in a week of asking the question, I am only the second person to answer it correctly, and the first with breasts. (shouldn't this qualify me for the tickets right then and there?)

Anyway, eventually we get in, buy steak subs, and find our seats to eat them in. Then we wander about for awhile, sitting in some sunny field box seats since it was cold. No sooner do we sit down when some lady comes along to block our view:

Now I ask you ladies, who the hell wears tight pants like that and lets her panty-line show (even with a thong?) and then proceeds to make sure everyone sees it by standing on top of the seats? Anyway. It wasn't very nice of her to stick her ass in our faces like that, which is the only reason I'm ranking on her, I suppose.

We ended up moving down a bit as the sun shifted, and stayed in the field boxes through the top of the first. Lenny was laboring, and it looked like it might be a rough day from the start. We were at a bit of an angle, so of course it was hard to tell, but some of those plate-calls were pretty close, and you could see he was frustrated. When the seat owners finally arrived, Nathalie hit the women's' room and I went off in search of fried dough before going up to our actual seats. I saw bits and pieces of our first inning rally from the TV's everywhere, and when the bases were loaded I decided I had to walk up and watch, even though I couldn't find the Cuz.

I hit the open air and see a pitch headed into homeplate, then connect with the Captain's bat. Crack. And just like that we're up 4-1, Lenny's troubles are forgotten, and people are just sitting down again when I make it up the stairs and find Nathalie- not in our seats. Someone else is in our seats, because someone else is in their seats, and we all just smile and stay where we are, knowing someone will likely come along eventually to set off a chain of musical chairs. Indeed an inning later a few guys come along to start the ball rolling, and it turns out two girls were sitting in the right seats, right row... Wrong section. Terrible job;)

and here's the view from our real seats, section 21, row 10, seats 12 & 13:

During the game, I blathered on like an idiot savant to Nathalie, filling her in on the players with tid-bits of useless information. I offered to shut up at one point, but the Cuz claimed to appreciate my insight... ya gotta wonder if others in the vicinity were screaming "yes! Shut the fuck up, bitch!" in their heads, but since they said nothing I was free to run my mouth. When Keith Foulke came in, one of our new friends next to us (also named Nathalie) groaned. She and I had a minor disagreement over whether or not Keith had gone to crap (and yes, Beth, I was on the better side of that argument), but it stayed friendly, and as we were tacking on more runs in the bottom of the eighth I pointed out a new pitcher up warming in the 'pen. "That's Manny Delcarmen warming up," I told them. They looked at me in disbelief. Go ahead, click for big on our view, and see if you believe I could tell who was up there. Honestly, I wasn't even sure Manny was back up from Pawtucket, but for some reason I knew it was him:

For the ninth we had moved down, but they wouldn't let us in the field boxes behind home plate without a ticket- I bet those are pretty much redsox-owned seats only. We sat just above, and stuck around for awhile as the rush slowed to a slow trickle of fans still relishing their day at the park... And a good day it had been to be there, indeed. A guy who had been sitting in front of us stood up looking for hi-5's as the final out was made. "Sweet," it had sounded like the first time he offered the hand, but as I watch him insist on the celebratory slap from each fan that walked by at the bottom of the stairs between sections 21 & 20, it dawned on me... This was a SWEEP. Which is, of course, much more than sweet.

We managed to get sweep-boy and his buddy to take pictures of us- My Cuz is the one with the drop-dead gorgeous eyes; I'm the one who looks retarded in pictures:

But we didn't have time for re-takes, as he had an important job to do...

...Even if some people didn't understand it.

Cheap Seats

2006-05-09T13:31:00.000-04:00

It's my birthday, and Jere covers the $12 to get me a bird's-eye view of my first game of the year. Our seats were under the "6", near the four who are already seated in this picture. (click for big, per usual)

When we arrived, Papi was chillin so I assumed it was Kev he was talking to. But it wasn't. I really don't know who it was.

As expected, our dearly departed Kevin Millar was the center of attention during batting practice. Here he turns to look as some fan yells something at him. He's pleasant and gracious about the attention. He still loves us, you know, and clearly enjoys being back at Fenway.

not pictured: I saw Larry Lucchino letting a little girl try on his WS ring but wasn't fast enough to catch it with my camera.

Kelli the ball-girl was hanging out for awhile during the O's batting practice. Sorry, guys, I'm sure most of you would have made more effort to get a better shot of her.

Given that those are soccer jerseys (very cool), we assume they are somehow related to the Oriole Markakis, who grew up a Red Sox fan.

Jere thought we should follow them to see where they were sitting. So I went along with it the first time they moved, but the second time I insisted we keep walking. I mean who cares where their seats are? Not that we meant any harm, but I'm sure it didn't escape their notice that we were tailing and talking about them. I think it would have been interesting to see who they were rooting for in the game, though, since apparently the family still roots for the Red Sox.

From our seats, we had a great view of um, the crazy bleacher-creatures. I love the pants on this Dunkin' Donuts dude.

As you may have already read about over at ARFIPT, some scruff in our section kept nodding off. Here he is taking a drag off his cigarette, which seemed to keep him awake for awhile.

Finally he had been passed out so long, people around him started to wonder if he was dead. Security came to find out. After being woken up, dude tried to stand up to leave (per instruction) and sunk right back down again. Here the Security guy is helping him up for the second time.

Not the least bit tipsy, I assure you, I manage to tip my cup, and am destined to smell like beer for the rest of the night. Terrible Job, Reb.

a few rows down on my right, a woman was gettin' down n' dirty with the shoulders of just about any man who would allow it in front of her.

a couple of those guys disappeared after awhile, possibly to find some standing room elsewhere?

back-rub girl returns from an unnecessary beer-run. not pictured: pulls down her tank top several times upon request to show her boobs before finally sitting down and letting those of us behind her watch the game again.

And yes, the game itself is what I was watching most of the time, although we were to far away to get any decent pics of it with my crappy camera. The early lead gave us a relaxed good-times vibe up in the outfield. Jere is always of the opinion that Wake should stay in, while I believe wind conditions sometimes prevent him from pitching effectively. In the first few inning, when Wakefield was making batters look foolish, the wind was blowing softly out, ideal conditions for the knuckleball. Later the wind changed directions and was blowing more fiercely, and seemed to affect Tim's control. It stayed that way, which eventually led to bringing in Tavarez (and that near-fracas.) The air got chilly with the wind once the sun went down, but most everyone stuck around... till we tacked another couple on in the eight, and it was clear we would see no Pappy in this one. Even Jere left the bleachers at this point, although I'm sure he stuck around to see the end somewhere else, where he could exit the park more quickly. Me, I was in no hurry, and slowly ambled my way down toward the T at Kenmore, just a few stops from dancing the night away.

Edit: Dan brings up a good point in my comment thread. I met some great people toward the end of the game who had been sitting behind me. Once Jere left me high and dry it sure was good to have other people to talk to. I didn't mention them because it seems that I failed to take a picture of them... and also I forgot their names, which is so typical of me!

Dan's brother had been visiting some friends over on the other side of the park in one of those glassed-in company boxes. It was some guy's bachelor party, and they made him wear a pink red sox jersey, pink boxers, and a purple Boston hat. From the bleachers I could see him, but only because he had been given a fuschia boa by a bride-to-be at her bachelorette earlier in the evening.

Dan, his brother & wife, and her sister seemed oddly familiar to me. I almost feel like I've met them at a game before. They seem like a really fun bunch, anyway, and I'm glad Dan made it over here to reb sox.

Pain-in-the-Ass with Pain-in-the-Wrist

2006-05-08T10:41:00.000-04:00

Roid-rage Gary, no longer willing to play hurt, may be headed for the DL.

In other news, I spent most of my weekend at Fenway, and I'll have time to post more about it late tonight or tomorrow morning. stay tuned.

Not Dead, Just Busy

2006-05-06T09:09:00.000-04:00

And I thought last week was crazy. Sorry for the lack of action here; this week I've been stretched out thinner than a Kenyan marathoner on crack. I shouldn't even be writing this. I have to get running to Boston, where I'll be stealing one of Jere's $12 seats tonight. If you see me at the park, I'd advise you to not let on, or I shall force you to buy me a birthday beer.

Hero's Welcome v. Traitor's Lynching

2006-04-29T11:27:00.000-04:00

With our first visit from the MFY quickly approaching, there has been some fringe discussion/disagreement over how our former fan favorite ought to be received. In case you've been riding out the winter on a deserted tropical island and upon returning just now to civilization have made reb sox your first stop to catch up on the news (ha hah) I should "inform" you that Johnny Damon has crossed enemy lines and is manning center field and leading off this year for the New York Skankees. On Monday he will walk onto the hallowed grass of Fenway Park wearing a gray uniform... And an arachnid* on his head. There will be a reaction from the crowd, and whatever it is will surely be spun into drama on Sportscenter.

Some claim "the world is watching" as if our "honor" is somehow at stake in this matter. It has been suggested that a negative reception would indicate a lack of appreciation for Damon's service while in a Red Sox uniform... That the only way for Red Sox Nation to PROVE we appreciate what he has done for us in the last four years is to cheer. Some of my readers have gone to great lengths to support this position, which I can only commend, but must repectfully disagree.

Others fume about Johnny's two-faced behavior and plan to exact revenge. The WEEI-caller types are out there stocking up on batteries as we speak, some even having their balls removed so as to have a place to hide them getting into the park. Those who advocate the ovation are calling them out, trying to plead with them to have mercy... And show some class. Nice try, but I have a feeling this is a lost cause. These aren't exactly the types to go online and make an educated decision on the matter... Some of them might check the DooDoo page (damn, it's hard to find a link to that thing on a decent blog these days... Wonder why?), so I guess there is some hope, but many will assume the "big" dog's being sarcastic, since he hardly ever has anything nice to say about our players. Hell, most of these drunk object-hurlers probably can't read anyway.

The problem with being in the crowd is that you're rather limited to what you can express. Not too much beyond "boo" and "yay" comes across effectively. The standing ovation given to Mariano Rivera last year may be the most complex message ever expressed in unison by an audience of this size. In the case of Johnny Damon, there is no simple way to demonstrate the mixed feelings held by most fans. "Johnny Damon is dead." Jere's mom sums it up quite nicely here, and if I were director of the "welcome back, Johnny" show, I would call for absolute silence. "Pin drop", as WCSG suggested. Let's all have a moment of silence to commemorate a hero who is now dead to us. (Click to sign the petition; thanks to the good witch for the heads-up) The worst kind of acknowledgement, you know, is none at all. Of course that's just a fantasy... 'twould be impossible to keep all of Fenway quiet without an army of people passing out flyers and screaming out on megaphones beforehand, and this itself is far more attention than the situation warrants. (er, actually even this post, along with the hundreds of other pieces written on the subject, is already WAAAY overboard.)

I don't understand why Red Sox fans are expected to show their loyalty when he didn't. Johnny followed the money, and we follow the laundry. That's just the way it is. I will cheer him, sure, when he strikes out, crashes into the outfield wall (as long as he doesn't make the catch), pops up, gets caught stealing, or grounds into a double play. Maybe he will get his standing ovation - someday when he shows up in another uniform, or even plainclothes. Even as a yankee he just might get a decent reception if he shows up to watch a playoff game once his team's been booted. To expect one now, however, is laughable- pure folly. If this is what you hope for, you are merely setting yourself up for disappointment. If you think a standing ovation is even a possibility, you might want to pinch yourself 'cause you are livin' in a dreamworld.

Johnny's not the sharpest tool out there, but even he knows what to expect on Monday night. He's seen enough players come and go to know the drill. If he wanted a standing ovation he would have gone to another - ANY other - team. He's enjoyed a lot of love from Boston in the past, and I'm sure it'll sting at first, but I think he knows not to take it personally. He's the type of guy who will just roll with the punches and learn to love it from the other side - he'll listen to his new buddy Jeter, who says "if I'm not booed the loudest at Fenway, I'm not having a good year." By the end of the season, those boos will make him beam, so don't feel sorry for him; the passion that drives our reaction is what made him love playing here in the first place.

*description, I believe coined by Jere, of the intertwining letters on the hats of the MFY.

More People Triply-Screwed

2006-04-27T07:38:00.000-04:00

It has recently come to my attention that citizens of Red Sox Nation in the Waterbury area of Connecticut have been screwed over for years. It seems that Adelphia Communications / Tele-Media Cable has REFUSED to get NESN for their customers, despite enormous grassroots support for the Red Sox in this area. I come into this information waaaay too late, as Adelphia has recently been purchased by Comcast, and the problem will finally be remedied in about a month.

I was talking to a guy about this last night who recently purchased the Extra Innings package so he could watch the Red Sox games. He specified to the cable rep that this was why he was ordering. She assured him that he would get all the games. Now he's pissed. I certainly hope they give the guy a refund- the rep either lied or didn't know what the F she was talking about. Since the Waterbury area is outside of Fairfield County, the only way to see Red Sox games is on NESN - either through satellite or your cable provider (who in this case does not provide). Last night's game was aired nationally on ESPN... but not in New England. Whoever that programming director was at Tele-Media- I hope king georgie padded that off-shore account of yours pretty well.

Please Pardon this Interruption of Coverage

2006-04-26T08:02:00.000-04:00

Sometimes life gets in the way of blogging. This week it's going all haywire and I'm trying to settle things down before my new neice arrives on Monday. I am working on a piece about Johnny's return to Fenway on that same day, and I'll find a way to pump it out before it happens. In the meantime, the most I saw of last night's game was the brief highlight reel on Sportscenter... and I have a feeling it will be more of the same tonight.

That pic up there was taken by Jere last September, as most of you know. He sent it to me the other day, and of course whenever I see this pic I'm embarrassed that I did not recognize Billy Mueller at the time. But look at him; it's like he's got his nerd costume on. That is not the hot Billy we all know & love. That IS Gabe the Babe, who (I'll say it again) thanked ME for taking a picture with him. Jere thought it was cool that they are both looking at me like that in the (video still)- and since I could use the ego boost right now, I'll take it. At that eensy-teensy moment in time, I was indeed the center of attention among several Red Sox players (believe it or not, there were others looking at me at that very moment, not pictured.) But I really shouldn't brag about it, since they were probably all wondering if I was crazy.

Man is Back

2006-04-23T16:27:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it seems like the moment you say something nice about a player they go and screw up. Such is not the case this weekend with Keith Foulke, who continues to dominate players with precise location. Clement may walk out of Rogers Centre with a win today, but we all know who really did the job for us.

Garbage Game

2006-04-22T15:36:00.000-04:00

We've officially lost our second series this season, both to those bastard blue-birds. Now to complete my deal with the devil, our boys must get through tomorrow's game with nary a scratch or bruise to behold. Also, I won't complain if we break off this losing streak at three, which is already the longest of the year.

Just when things seem so sunny and optimistic in the Nation, some damn flying creature comes and shits in your eye. Twice. And in between the two droppings, while ya can't see, nasty gray clouds roll in to take over the blue sky. And while the first was eased by the help of our dearly departed and now orange-feathered friend playing this weekend in the Bronx, there looks to be no such joy today, unless you count the misery on the faces of shivering skankee fans looking on...

ugh. I'll be going out to drown my sorrows tonight. Please, Mattie, tomorrow: don't make me wish I had never gotten out of bed.

The One that Got Away

2006-04-22T10:00:00.000-04:00

I just want to go on record as saying that I was against taking Keith Foulke out in the bottom of the twelth. (And yes, I fully intended to declare that, regardless of the outcome.) Then again, I also felt pretty strongly against a whole lot of the plate calls last night... The last pitch Keith Foulke tossed was a STRIKE. Ah, phooey- A hex on you, plate ump Jeff Kellogg. No one got hurt last night *knock, knock*, and we move on.

Boring Batting

2006-04-21T09:43:00.000-04:00

Last night we couldn't even help the Rays beat themselves.

Fitting, I suppose, that our first blowout is followed by a game in which we can get nothing going. A hum-drum game most of the way, and then there was the ninth...

Tavarez comes in and manages with just twelve pitches (and nary an out) to double the troubles on the scoreboard, and improve his popularity as a WEEI call subject. I suppose you're not in this to make friends, Julian, and that's a good thing since pretty much NO ONE likes you right now, unless you count the eighty or so D-Rays fans in the Florida panhandle (22 of them are wives of the players) or the three yankee fans who are paying attention. Not that those runs mattered in the end, of course, but still -

We needed a grand slam to tie, and a bobble by Wigginton, who obviously dips his fingers in buttercream in between innings, ensured the possibility. After the ninth innning heroics witnessed earlier this week, I doubt I was the only one thinking this might actually happen. And then it didn't.

I think it's important to note who got us out of that ninth inning. Yeah, that was our old friend Keith. Despite the aches he claims to have coming back, Foulke's been putting up some good numbers this year. Last night he needed just four pitches and two batters to make three outs. Maybe if we had him out there in the first place some less conservative base-running in the bottom of the ninth could have tied the game... but that's one for the coulda-shoulda-woulda pile, I 'spose, along with the second strong outing by Wake wasted by a pathetic show at the plate.

That's right, pathetic. Is there something wrong with our sluggers? I understand that this award is a poor substitute for what should-have-been, but let's not take it for granted. And Manny - it's a baseball, not a freakin' Easter egg; it's ok to smash it. I do believe you're starting to get your stroke back, man, but it wouldn't hurt to show us some proof, you know.

'Tis a shame to end such a pretty homestand on a low note, but buck up, boys! Beckett takes the mound across the border tonight, trying to tie big daddy Curt's four wins. As we enter our first series of the year in Toronto, let's cross our fingers and hope Rogers Centre is kinder to our players this go-around. So far the Jays are the only team we've lost a series to, and I'm ok with losing another one (I guess) if all our players come back from that dangerous place in one piece.

A Few Random Notes

2006-04-21T09:15:00.000-04:00

Warning: this is really stupid stuff that no one cares about but me.

On Sunday, a day that signifies "new life", one of my sisters repented from darkness to become an ex-yankee fan. I am proud to announce that she has converted to the Mets. (*cough* front-runner *cough, cough*) Her reasoning, as she told me, "I've decided that I'm too much a fan of the underdog to remain loyal to the yankees."
Last night the bro-in-law (different sis) sent me this link, proudly announcing that he is "good friends" with the man who owns the red sox lineup card from game four of the 2004 World Series. Well maybe he'll buy it for his daughter, who was born that day and will surely want an extensive collection of red sox memorabilia. Oh, that's right, his friend Sky is not effin' likely to sell that card to a yankee fan.
Last night Jere told me that the game was on ESPN2. (Not that I was going to switch from Don & Remy on Extra Innings) I checked, and I was getting the New England feed: ESPN News. Once again, Fairfield County is double-screwed. But compared to some people, I'm apparently lucky: Pat, (Jere's 10-game plan partner) lives in Danbury and has Comcast. He has NESN, but the games are blacked out because Danbury is in Fairfield County. However, because most of the Comcast territory in the state is outside of FC, sox games are blacked out by Comcast in the Extra Innings package. Pat is double-screwed. Since he is forced to go to the bar for his sox games, maybe he has grounds to sue Comcast for any future alcoholism issues?

Our First Blowout

2006-04-20T08:14:00.000-04:00

Sure feels good.

So good, in fact, that I deserted the game in the middle of the fifth to hang out with some friends who came acallin'. I know the game was still young and Schill was not at his sharpest (although I'll take a blunt 2006 Curt Schilling over a sharp 2005 one any day.) AND it's the Devil Rays, who have that nasty little habit of creeping up on a big lead... but they didn't, did they? In part due to something we seem to have this year called a bullpen.

There is no decent explanation for the lack of posting here on Reb Sox lately, except for the fact that our team has been leaving me in a speechless bewilderment on a daily basis. I was watching on Sunday, when a gift run and another balls-solid performance-of-insanity by Beckett teamed up for a win. On Monday, hanging my head as I watched for that third out until suddenly... scaring my cats and neighbors with all my jumping up and down and yelling, scaring myself with a sudden overwelming love for Youk and Mark Loretta. On Tuesday- noting that it was about time our Pappy was less than perfect, pounding the couch cushions with clenched fists as I hoped it would not cost us the game. Yearning to smack Adam Stern and maul him with kisses and hugs simultaneously for that spectacular-but-crazy-risky catch to end the game. Yeah, I was there. Watching on the telly. At a loss for words. And yet here I am, finally posting, on a game I didn't even stick around for. tsk, tsk.

It's only April, as I keep telling myself. Back when I lived in seacoast New Hampshire I was a less-than-faithful fan, giving *the hand* to enthusiastic diehards each spring with the words "talk to me in August". Those were the days of the Duke, when it seemed an annual Boston tradition to soar the hopes of new life in the Nation with a fast start, and slowly watch it wither in the dry summer sun. But that was then. Our young stat-geeks now running the FO have already trained us to believe in a team built to last not just long enough to sell the seats for the season, but into the post-season. "It's only April" is not quite the shrill warning it used to be.

April is a time of appraisal for a new team. March was scaring me, I admit, for despite attractive new parts and pieces our boys did little to try and actually win. That's ok; they used the time for what it was for, and saved the wins for when it counts: NOW. Now is when we see what we really have. Although the words SMALL SAMPLE SIZE keep screaming in my head, what we seem to really have is a pitching staff. Sure, there is that "little" problem of Wells, and it really would be nice to have Bronson right about now... but don't you think this little "gap" in our pitching staff is is positively tantalizing to a certain unemployed Texan right now? I can just about guarantee the guy is hitting the gym with new vigor as wife Deb calls old friends and hunts rentals in the Boston area.

Tonight we welcome Willie Harris as we say a fond farewell to a very funny guy who's truly won our hearts this spring - we have not seen the last of Adam Stern, I'm sure. We hope to break out the brooms to end the homestand tonight: 7:05, Wakefield. Be there.

Hard to Win When Ya Don't Score

2006-04-15T15:28:00.000-04:00

Much like Terry Francona, I like to put a positive spin on things wherever I can (so much so that I'm sure it gets on your nerves at times, dear readers.) So I'll say this as sweetly as I can: Can you pretty please bring your bats to the park tomorrow, boys?

Still, It's Nice to Have a Bullpen

2006-04-12T23:05:00.000-04:00

The 'jays smacked the ball all over the field tonight, tearing up the basepaths to hand our boys one for the loss column, where that one game in Texas last week was starting to get a little bit lonely. Now those canadians are not quite as meek at the plate as Josh and Jon(athan) made them seem yesterday, but they had a little help tonight.

Mr. No-I'm-not-ready-but-gimme-the-damn-ball Wells was about as good as I expected in his first start of the year. I'm not too concerned. He couldn't get anything where he wanted it, but he fought on, and he sharpened up as it went on. Maybe Gabe the babe came by with one of those brownie/cookies as a morale boost in the second- and it worked for awhile. I wonder if Wells has trouble pitching in cold weather? It would be strange, as he certainly has the most insulation of anyone on the team, but it would explain why he's so desperate to get back to San Diego. And why he sucks so hard in the springtime.

I think Boomer will be back to his unhittable ways soon, if not the next start then surely by the 22nd, when he's due to face the Blue Jays again. He may be a cranky bastard, but he sure is a good man to have on the mound when he shows up with his curveball and can hit his spots. In fact, I bet some of those west coast teams will be salivating over him by mid-june (just in time for roger to sign up in his place.)

At least the game never got too out of hand, and Tito wasn't shy about seeing Wellsie out in the fifth. There's an extra swagger to Terry this year, it seems. He's settled in and will not waffle about taking the ball. 'Course, that could have a little bit to do with having another arm to go to.

Funny thing about our bullpen this year: we have a couple of new characters, but a whole lot of familiar faces. And yet it's like night and day from last year. And in pitching terms, this year's the night.

Ok, so Lenny and Rudy were not exactly "lights out" tonight, but they were pretty decent. They each let an inherited run score. They both got into some trouble, and they both got out of it. Lenny worked himself out of a bases-loaded, no out, about-to-unleash-a-nightmare "situation" in the sixth and followed it up with a three-minute top of the seventh. It was seriously shorter than an American Idol commercial break. And not just by one thirty-second spot, either. Rudy rebounded from his disasterous appearance in Baltimore and managed to demonstrate the reason he made it onto the roster. (And if he wants to stay there, he'd better keep it up; another appearance like last Friday anytime soon, and the nation will be yelling for the axe. Forgive us, we've still got a short fuse from the carnage witnessed last year.)

So we didn't win. But we had a chance. Our "B" group kept us in the game, which is better than what our "A" group was capable of half the time last year. And we get another go at 'em tomorrow, with Mattie Clement at the helm. If we see anything like Matt's first six innings at Camden, captain cupcake will become but a distant memory (one we hope not to re-live anytime soon.)

He Loves Us

2006-04-11T00:12:00.000-04:00

Papi describes to his new teammates why it's so important to him to stay in Boston:

Said Ortiz, "I told them, 'Wait till you play your first game at Fenway. You might need a diaper.'"

...sure would've come in handy for me while I was reading that quote.

My, How Things Have Changed

2006-04-08T21:26:00.000-04:00

How sweet it is. Our boys are off to a bold start, and seem determined to prove right off the bat that they are quite a different team this year. I feel like I'm in therapy, watching the lead stay firmly in place through the ninth. How many points has it taken off your blood pressure?

Meanwhile the skanks are already reminding me of last year's sox. A scary lineup that doesn't always produce, an unreliable rotation, and a shaky bullpen staff... yikes, even the leadoff centerfielder that keeps hitting while everyone else flops.

Double Bonus

2006-04-08T12:19:00.000-04:00

It's raining in New York this morning, and appropriately so for the three skankee fans paying attention to the standings. Clearly it's far too early in the year to play baseball for the bombers (including ex-bomber Wells).

My sis, being eight months pregnant with nothing else to do, is one of those three fans looking on in the middle of the night as her team goes down for a third night in a row. "Sweet," I told her yesterday, upon learning the skanks would be playing the Angels. "Orlando Cabrera's on a tear, and he LOVES to beat the yanks."

I wonder if the O.C. thinks about, when he plays those skanky yankees, the thousands of red-clad rooters pulling mostly for him. I don't mean Angels fans, as I'm sure you know.

A Long Walk with the Birds

2006-04-08T11:10:00.000-04:00

Ever get bored by your own team's walks? That's what happened to Kevin Youkilis last night, before he even made it to the plate. After three had alreaady walked in a run, the "greek god of walks" refused to be a victim to Cabrera's justcan'tthrowastrike disease, and took the first pitch he got for a ride all the way to the warning track to get a real rbi.

In case you missed it, here's how the game went:

Sox up 4-0 after the first

7-0 after the second

10-0 after the fourth

...at that point anyone paying attention on a Friday night in early April seriously needs to get a life. And I mean besides the one you live vicariously through Papa Jack. (And yes, I include myself in those comments.)

The first six innings last night was exactly what RSN needed to remember how solid gold Clement was for the first half of 2005... and then came the seventh, (lest we forget how the second half of last season played out.) Dude needs to work that shit OUT. Still, let's not forget how AMAZING the man looked for most of the evening, and remember he's suposedly our "#4" pitcher? (And as if David Wells is actually a "#5"- although apparently he looked like one, or worse, in his rehab start with the PawSox.)

Tito obviously wanted to get seven innings out of Clement, and stubbornly so, but the hit parade kept on coming and you've got to wonder how long it would've lasted without an eleven-run lead. After giving up a fourth run, we finally saw some action in the 'pen- and finally got that last out from Matt.

Of course, we all knew that was going to happen, that Seanez had to warm up early and then stand around as the offense tacked another three onto our lead. I wish I could pretend that was to blame for what happened next... the Sea*N*ez (as opposed to "shawn"ez, as I automatically read it no matter how many times I correct myself) got basted for six hits and four runs in what Tito was once again determined to get- a full inning. And once again, after the fourth run, Francona finally made the call over to the 'pen and surprised us all *AGAIN* by warming up Jonathon Papelbon.

I had been thinking that this would be a great game to get Foulkie into, to get him some work and take a look at his stuff. With a six-run lead, why waste the kid? It didn't take me long to think of an answer. I've noticed, and for good reason, that Tito is careful of who he brings in with runners on, and tends to shy away from Timlin in these situations, and also Foulke. Thing is, we could afford to give up more runs, but not additional damage to Keith's ego. With the suspension of Tavarez, the 'pen's a bit sparse right now, and Tito needed a fire extinguisher. I fully believe, had he needed to bring Jonathan in to get the last out of the eighth, we still would have seen Keith in the ninth. As suggested by BSM earlier this week, Tito's taking a slightly less conventional approach to the bullpen, at least for now, and will be bringing in his best arm in a squeaker, regardless of the inning, and apparently in this case, the score.

In "closing", Keith gave up a hit, but looked sharper than last time. For the record, put me in Francona's camp of high expectations for Foulkie this year. Right now he still makes me nervous as all hell, but I fully believe he's in the process of leaving his toubles behind.

The Payroll Report

2006-04-06T12:52:00.000-04:00

Once again, the Red Sox and Yankees top the list of payrolls for 2006. And that's the way you'll read about it in the press for the next year, with no distinction between them. You'd never know, by the way they are described, that the gap between them is enough to fund over half the the teams in the league. Last year I set out to describe that gap tangibly for the casual observer, and I feel a moral obligation to my readers to update the situation.

Before jumping right into the gap, I should let you know about some major changes in payroll around the league. Eighteen teams increased their payrolls this year, by an average of 23%. This puts a slight damper on our fun here today, but makes for a more competitive league, of course, which in the end is what we are shooting for. That revenue-sharing must be working, or at least it seems to be for the Toronto Blue Jays, as they take a stab at competing in the AL East with a 57% increase in payroll. Also breaking the bank are the Milwaulkee Brewers, whose 44% bigger budget pulls them out of the MLB $40 million ghetto. And it may pay to win the World Series, but it also costs big bucks to sign guys when you're done - as we can see from the 37% increase in payroll for the Chicago White Sox. Last year we could field both Sox teams in place of the Yankees and still have almost $10 mil leftover; this year we'd need an extra $30 mil.

Not everyone is cash-crazy. Three teams remain within 1% of last year's budget, and all three moved down in payroll rankings. Omar Minaya, after throwing a ton of money at free agents last year, kept things status quo for the Mets this year. Also sticking to the budget were Seattle and San Fransico.

Nine teams cut costs, and none moreso than the Florida Marlins. While other teams feasted on the firesale in Florida this off-season, the Marlin organization has accomplished the remarkable feat of decreasing their payroll by over 75%. Last year the Marlins boasted a moderate payroll of roughly $60 mil... this year people are wondering how it's possible, but they are indeed fielding a major league team down there for less than $15 million, almost half of last year's cheapest team, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Most teams cutting costs were slightly more conservative, with the only other significant drop by the Colorado Rockies at 14%.

While it's not going to make any headlines, The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox both cut payroll this year by 6.5% and 2.8% respectively. The difference between them also went down by about $10 mil, leaving the gap at a mere $74.6 million. (More than the payroll, maybe I've mentioned, of 16 out of 30 Major League teams.)

So. With all king georgie's money, and none of his men, what could we do in addition to fielding the second-richest payroll in the MLB?

We could field the Boston Red Sox +

The Baltimore Orioles, and still have an extra $2 mil.
The Toronto Blue Jays, and still have an extra $2.6 mil.
The San Diego Padres, and still have an extra $4.7 mil.

We could field this year's Red Sox opening day WITH the Rangers, and give an extra $6.3 million to charity or just drop it like confetti into the stands during the seventh innning stretch. We could pay Boston's favorite PLUS their (last night's) second favorite, ESPN mag's hot-pick, the Moneyball A's, and still have $12.3 million to play with... that's almost enough to pay the Marlins, too!

What's that? You would really like to field three teams? Well the bottom third of last year's payroll ranks really stepped it up this year, so I'm afraid that's not possible without the help of those penny pinchin' Floridians. So we don't have the kind of variety we had last year, but it's still feasable.

How about the Boston Red Sox +

The Cleveland Indians AND The Florida Marlins AND $3.5 million

I don't want to make your head spin with all the combinations, but let's just say we could fund Fenway PLUS all the major league ballplayers in Florida, and we'd be just $2 million short of putting a fourth team on the field, the Colorado Rockies. That Steinbrenner's got some big bucks.

Good Morning

2006-04-06T12:17:00.000-04:00

What can be better than a Red Sox win? Heh. You know. Once again I turned off the tele while the score was tied in Oakland. Once again I awoke to good news. via yahoo sports:

Cano was almost as helpful as the A's hitters, making two mistakes that led to five unearned runs.

Oakland rallied with three runs in the fourth inning, aided when Cano and Jeter both bobbled a one-out grounder. Cano initially kicked the ball but managed to toss it to Jeter, who couldn't catch it at the bag.
"I'm not perfect," said Cano, who made 17 errors as a rookie last season. "Some things are going to happen in a game. I don't want them to happen, but I'm going to learn from my mistakes."

"I took my eye off it a little too soon, but I've got to make that play," Jeter said. "Everyone is talking about our offense, but it doesn't win games. It's pitching and defense. We're not always going to hit."

Pitching and defense. (Like I have already mentioned today), a new way to win in 2006.

No More White-Knuckin' the Ninth

2006-04-06T12:11:00.000-04:00

So far the most obvious difference between this year and last is that Tito cares about the fans with heart conditions. He made this message loud and clear over the phone to the bullpen last night, calling out the biggest pair of balls he had - green they may be. Foulkie looked on with the kind of interest you would see from someone watching hip-replacement surgery on TLC. via redsox.com:

"The Sox won," said Foulke. "That's always my first concern. It's one of those deals where, [heck], when I get my stuff together and I go back and earn the spot, so be it. As long as we win, that's all that really matters."

...and if you wanna get that Center Ice package I've been talking about, [heck], I'll sit on my [rear] back there all you want. [Heck], I'll even hang out in the bullpen on our off-days.

The anxiety over here in the land of reb was reaching root-canal levels when the Rangers' broadcast came back from commercial break for the top of the ninth. Suddenly the screen held our young Pappy, and the tension took a nose-dive. The Rangers' dudes sound surprised and a bit baffled. Probably disappointed. The excitement 'round here rises slowly to giddiness in perfect harmony with the high heat zooming into home plate. By the eleventh and final blow, all of Red Sox Nation is on its feet, aching to hug the young Jonathan Papelbon and dance around with him.

Am I exaggerating? Was it worth that much anxiety and excitement? Last year a one-run squeaker like that gets chalked up in our loss column - and you know it... So does Tito. Just read the relief between the lines as our manager describes the first outing by Beckett (via yahoo sports):

"He was terrific. ... He enjoys competing and is fun to watch. I'm glad we didn't waste that outing."

We got the pitching we needed last night. Pitching and defense... a new way to win in 2006.

Not the Wind I Had in Mind

2006-04-04T21:33:00.000-04:00

Timmy's tossing out meatballs tonight- the kind that like the bats, not the gloves. Four innings were enough for him, and Lenny's out there now, but the damage has been done. Our boys are on the short end of a seven-run gap. I heard mention that Timmy has not done well in past outings here, either. I hope this is an area the stat jockeys keep track of down there in the church basement. I'm no expert, but I bet each field is subject to unique wind patterns, which could affect the knuckleball a great deal more than other pitches. If we're going to use match-up stats to decide things like when Papi should sit out and what reliever to bring in, why oh why can't we plot where Timmy pitches? I mean we all know who we want on the mound when we play the Twinkies, right?

*

An hour later I'm flipping between the Red Sox and the "Hell, No" Network. Normally I watch these things side by side, since I get most of my sox games on mlb.tv - but this week extra innings is giving us a free preview. I can't bear to shrink the game down to my computer screen, and I can't put the skanks game on there because of blackout restrictions. So I give a workout to my favorite button on the remote, "last".

I quietly ask myself why I am bothering, with a score of 10-1 in the seventh. It's not like they're likely to come back and win this one. Still I stay tuned, and I notice the sox fans in the sparse Ameriquest Field crowd are sticking around as well. What is it that keeps us here, when the outcome of a game is all but certain? So many teams are known for fans who wander off in the seventh innning, no matter what the score. Not us. You won't catch a red sox fan making dinner reservations too close to the end of a ballgame, or sneaking out early to "avoid the rush". Still, what's the fascination that keeps us locked in, trailing by nine? They're still playing, and that's why we watch. Win or lose, there is no mercy rule in MLB; the players still come up to bat, and if you walk away, you just might miss something... like Wily Mo's first official rbi in a Red Sox uni.

*

Later I'm close to dozing off, one eye still open to the diamond out in Oakland, when the phone rings. I can think of only one person who would call at half past eleven on a Tuesday just to chat- and sure enough I'm right. The benefit to talking on the phone during a yankees game is that I miss all of Kay's idiotic blathering... the drawback is that you miss it, too. But I wasn't paying attention anyway, remember? The blatherings, that is... the game itself I was indeed watching. I'm not a big fan of talking on the phone while I'm trying to watch something, in fact I pretty much avoid it at all cost- Unless, of course, I'm talking to someone who is watching the same thing, which is occasionally like having our very own anti-dunbar broadcast of a skankee game. Someday we're gonna rid the world of all this "exclusive territory" bullshit, and Jere & I (or perhaps people who are slightly better than us) will get paid a ton of money for such commentary.

*

After hanging up with the blogger-friend, I wussed out on the A's in favor of a half-decent bedtime. Clearly I had forgotten that the Farns was warming up in the bullpen. And Mike Myers. But in the end it was neither of those cats, but Scott Proctor giving all clad in green and yellow (and red and white) cause to jump around. Sure, the A's deserve some credit, I suppose, but not very much; Out of twelve pitches, Proctor threw three strikes. He has handed us what I like to call a "compensation loss". Our first of the year, and a walk-off one at that. So let's all hear it for Scott.

Off and Running

2006-04-03T23:54:00.000-04:00

The spring games mean nothing, yet still they've been building up like a lump on the back of my mind. I told my sis, as we watched Schilling blow balls by bats yesterday, how relieved I am to have it finally count... even if it only means it's okay to be upset by a loss. "Why?" she asks. "You can't take those games seriously. The real players aren't even in most of them past the fourth inning. The pitchers aren't even trying to get the guys out; they're just tossing their stuff." As if I haven't been saying the same things to myself over and over for the past month. It's all true... but by the twentieth loss, it's long past reassuring. I feel good about our team this year- actually I feel great about our 2006 Sox... but the line has not been helping, so to get out of the gate the way it happened yesterday was a salve to my sports-obsessed soul.

117 pitches? I heard it on Sportscenter last night and nearly feel out of my chair. I pay less attention to the "little" details like that when I'm watching the game with others. Dude didn't even seem like he was tiring. The only thing I'm worried about with Curt this year is what's gonna come out of his mouth, and who it's gonna piss off.

On the other end of the spectrum, the men I (along with the rest of RSN) am most worried about this season stepped up to the plate with something to prove yesterday- and came through. Mike Lowell went yard. Another big question mark in my mind is Alex Gonzalez, who was 2/4 yesterday, which looks a helluva lot better than some of the swings I saw him make. Papa Jack has his work cut out for him here, and even if he succeeds, I still will miss the OC (who btw went 3/5 yesterday with 2 RBI) but not Edgah (despite his respectable 2/5, 2 RBI) or Nomah (hi again, DL).

Reb Sox friend Jay from LA gave us the heads-up on that new Nomah injury in his comments of this year's opening of the Dodger blues. It appears the beloved blue-eyed Billy is faring well out there (2/4, BB, RBI) but check out these other ex-loves: (quoth Jay)

A few innings later, Derek Lowe thought it would be a good time to try out his favorite pitching technique: starting guys with a mediocre fastball right down the middle. Tim Hudson: base hit. Chipper Jones: base hit. Andruw Jones: home run. Note to Lowe: next time you want to tell people about your pitching patterns, tell your kids, not reporters. Note to Grady Little: If you're at all interested in silencing those who doubt your managerial style, you might want to consider pulling a guy when he's getting shelled. (Witness Bobby Cox, who pulled Tim Hudson in the fifth after he gave up four runs.) Nonetheless, we thank Grady for making our "Days until Grady Little leaves Derek Lowe in too long" countdown a success.

yeah. (Wonder why Jay doesn't have his own blog?) Looks like some things never change.

And while we're on the subject of ex-loves... Number three on the list of things people are sick of seeing on Sportscenter (#1: Barry Bonds daily (non)reactions to steriod allegations and #2: will Brett Favre make a decision by his (newest) deadline) is Clemens: Will he play or will he go, and where? I can hardly believe it, but I'm actually starting to get interested in this question. While clearly keeping his options open for whoever's got the best shot come June or July, Roger's comments look more and more calculated toward pulling the heartstrings of Red Sox Nation the way Werner's pulled his. (Via redsox.com:)

"I can tell you that my two little ones are even warming up to that," Clemens said. "They're starting to make comments now that baseball season is getting under way. You can ask Deb, she had tears in her eyes watching the video they brought down, too. Boston is very special to us, no doubt about it."

Call me a sucker, but I'm honestly starting to believe that Roger wants to return. Don't get me wrong; I know he'll sign with the skanks if they've got eight or more games on us by June, but the Rocket is rooting for RED. (Let's not let 'im down, boys.)

This all added up to a satisfying opening day in rebville, which even prince purple-lips couldn't put a damper on. (Let the record note the "value" of Arod's 5 rbi = a game that would've been won by seven without them) So the skanks won, too, in high-flying colors... but may wish they had saved some of those runs for some of their lessor-able starters. Moose puts his elbow to the test tonight at ten.

Wake puts his flutter to flight at eight. Weather.com is forcasting a light wind straight into home plate. (that's not a desirable direction, is it?)

Where's Bob?

2006-04-01T15:06:00.000-05:00

MLB Disciplinarian Watson has been reported missing at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. Red Sox manager Terry Francona met with him regarding recent infractions this morning, but claims to have not seen him since. While not known for keeping his mouth shut when it comes to what Watson dishes out, David Wells had no comment on his whereabouts. Bats#*t reliever Julian Tavarez also declined comment, but looked rather pleased with himself despite learning yesterday of his ten-day suspension.

Red Sox reliever Mike Timlin was spotted having a private conversation with new teammate Julian in which Tavarez handed him what looked to be a bag of hunting equipment. Timlin was overheard telling teammates of a special "catch" to be grilled up after today's game. Pitcher Jonathon Papelbon has been telling reporters for several days of a special bayou recipe they would be using to ensure a great 2006 season. Let's hope it works.

New Choi

2006-03-25T18:55:00.000-05:00

The first I heard of our new pick-up came in my e-mail box this morning. This guy Jay from L.A. is a Dodgers fan who sends me links and crazy stuff from time to time. Here is what he had to say about Choi:

Egads! We all hear in Blue Land are glad to see him go!

Good luck. This guy does NOT belong on a major league roster at all.

As soon as you get a chance just look and see how bad his swing is. Real bad
mechanics!

Yeah. Great news. But ya never know; one man's trash is another man's treasure... just look at big papi. But I thought I'd share with y'all the above pic, also from Jay.

also: anyone else find it funny that Byung-Hyun Kim gave such a favorable report of Boston?

Hi Again, Mr.Youkilis

2006-03-22T12:01:00.000-05:00

When asked what he will do for fun in his new city, Bronson said:

"I'll probably end up hanging out with [Cincinnati native Kevin] Youkilis's parents a lot," he said.

So Mr. Youkilis, if you're still googling for your son's name all the time, hopefully you've found this. Please tell Bronson we miss him, and the nation will always love him.

Juan Gone

2006-03-22T09:19:00.000-05:00

I saw this last night, but was unable to find confirmation. Guess I didn't look hard enough. The spanish translation on Elephants in Oakland is funny enough to wonder if it's just a joke...

So the nickname sticks. Or comes back to bite us in the arse, I suppose... Is it legal to just desert a contract like that?

I can't blame 'im. Certainly he was not going to get too much playing time, especially since we've acquired our new toy from Cincy. We are suddenly a bit back-loaded in mediocre outfielders, me-thinks. We will start the season with Stern (whose first name we refuse to use today) and Wily Mo as our roster back-ups, and when Gabe gets back our young jewish-canadian will start doin' the ol' Pawtucket Polka (KY is teaching him the steps - and the fastest travel routes - as we write this). So yeah, we're all set, Juan. But thanks for stopping by.

Let the Bleeding Continue

2006-03-21T19:26:00.000-05:00

(this post has been edited for foul language. sorry but there's nothing left. read this link for an explanation. As had been forshadowed.)

Pinstripe Pitching

2006-03-21T18:13:00.000-05:00

It's been awhile since we've had a good chuckle over the skankee rotation, hasn't it? Snark on this from the NY Post, via the yankee despiser.

A Girl After My Own Heart

2006-03-21T17:34:00.000-05:00

Thanks, Deadspin, for pointing out this fascinating read. (They're good like that, aren't they?) There are so many more to consider... please make your nominations, ladies, in the comment thread. Remember, blog comments are not legally binding.

After the Smoke has Cleared

2006-03-20T13:33:00.000-05:00

The initial shock of a trade always gives way to acceptance, for me, and a look at the potential positives. While I was not around to take part, there was a great discussion of the trade over at A Red Sox Fan in Pinstripe Territory (or whatever-the-hell he's calling it these days) where people smarter than me seem to be in favor of it. I would have to describe my own feelings more as "sad" than good or bad in this case- and here are some thoughts:

The big Bronson bummer makes the Clemens concept a little less far-fetched. I said a little. Don't go blowing up those "Welcome home Roger" balloons yet; you're wasting your breath. (or all that leftover helium from St. Patty's Day leprechaun skits.) He could still sign with Steinbrenner, you know. This would feel a lot more like a Clemens set-up if Clement had been traded instead.

And perhaps Clement might have been traded instead, were it not for that sparkling performance we saw on Sunday. A performance, by the way, that Bronson credited in his press conference almost entirely to the man behind the plate. Confidence is the key when you wonder which Bronson will show up, and the other day that confidence came from the called pitches of the Captain. Lately it seems like he's been pitching scared; maybe in a smaller market he will find that toughness within that once earned him the nickname "balls of Saturn". I sure hope so, for he deserves the best possible outcome from this mess.

As for our end of the deal, I have a good feeling about Wily Mo. The Tizzle seems pretty happy to have him onboard, and Manny might not mind having him around either. Clearly he needs to learn some plate discipline, but I think Papa Jack might be just the man to teach him. Remember that Manny's freakish natural ability at the plate seems to have affected the patience and confidence of a lot of players coming in, including Big Papi.

A quote from the conversation at RedLegNation:

I have a feeling that Peña will thrive with a regular job in Boston. I expected him to sort of fizzle in Cincinnati, even as an everyday player, but he may really take to playing alongside Manny Ramirez. After all, Wily Mo was made in his image.

At the very least, we now have another player with a very funky name. Last year I was at a game with Jere, WCSG, and Empy when I first noticed the spelling of his name, which ought to be read like "smiley" rather than "silly". This makes Wily sound more like a wascily wabbit than the (apparently) "correct" pronunciation, which if you ask me sounds like a red-neck on crack. Let's hope he lays off the rock and crushes the baseball this year instead.

I've seen this compared to the Nomar trade of 2004 for the emotional impact on red sox nation - I hope Bronson can appreciate the implications of this comparison! Nomar was THE marquee player in Boston for years; to acheive a similar outcry from red sox nation is a tribute to the level at which Arroyo was appreciated in this town. But there is more to the comparison: Wily Mo's production numbers are pathetically similar to the two infielders acquired for Nomar. The Nation looks back at this trade in hopes of the same upside result. We hope Wily Mo starts hitting better and brings a smile to the clubhouse every day, just like the OC did. As this trade plays out, maybe theo will look less like a gorilla and more like boy wonder yet again.

And today our young Wily Mo took a step in the right direction of plate discipline. In his first two plate appearances in a red sox uni, he singled and walked.

More intelligent conversation re: the trade over at "Learn Stern" from yesterday. And if you're wondering why I keep finding out about these after-the-fact, there's something on jere's main page that keeps giving me a run-time error and closing out browser windows like a mad frothing dog. I wish he would fix it because in the meantime I resort to checking the specific posts that show up in my came-from's.

Singin' Sad Songs...

2006-03-20T12:11:00.000-05:00

I was so happy for Bronson yesterday. but that was then. Who knew such a stellar performance on the rubber would be his sexy leg-kick out of town? ::Arroyo's agent raises hand::

Lovers of the leg-kick have been nervous ever since the contract was signed. A long-term contract is meant to ease concerns. It's supposed to imply security and committment between a club and a ballplayer, and this one did... the commitment of a ballplayer and security for the club, that is, and not the other way around. His heart was in the right place - He wanted to keep Boston as his home, and was willing to take a hit for it, both in money and playing time. That's how much he loved us.

I think we all know from life that sometimes when we love we give too much... and when we give too much, we're liable to get kicked around, taken for granted, or tossed out in the cold. In his eagerness to stay and play for the Nation, Bronson made a miscalculation. He was too generous with his hometown discount. He signed so far below market value that his contract became coveted throughout the league, and it was only a matter of time before an offer was made that could not be refused.

*sniff*

We'll miss you, Bronson. We'll never forget that you're gone because you loved us TOO much - ever the irony here in Boston - and we hope you know that we loved you, too (and as one of the 25, always will.)

That's a Good Question...

2006-03-17T13:33:00.000-05:00

A reader has inquired about where the skanks stay in Boston - reb being such an expert in hotel stalking, and all. We are looking into it. If anyone knows, please e-mail the information rather than posting in the comment thread (no need to make this info TOO available).

Brackets for Dummies

2006-03-17T12:34:00.000-05:00

I've never been involved in an NCAA tournament bracket before, and would not be now were it not for the persistance of the bro-in-law, a character ye readers of reb sox might be familiar with. He started this mock tourney and named it after my familiy, despite the fact that we know absolutely nothing about college basketball. After begging me & the sis to get involved, he put us up for persuading other members of our family, and anyone else we could scrape up.

As you might already know, I was able to snag Jere and Chan into our lair. I also convinced my youngest sis & her boyfriend, along with my dad, who was a surprisingly hard sell. My family members were most concerned with their lack of knowledge in the area of college basketball, and afraid they would become a laughingstock in this tournament. Of course I told them that none of us know anything, and the less you know, the better off you would be. Well since those three are sitting in the bottom third of our standings right now, I guess I may have been a little off in my statement. Either that or they made shitty pics on purpose; believe me, this is always a possibility in my family. Despite their poor performance, I hope they are finding out what the sis & I have discovered: this is fun!

Picking a bracket is not about thinking you know who will win... rather it's like the nickel bets we used to make at Lee Speedway when we were kids: picking for the simple fun of caring about the outcome. There was one sister I was unable to bully into involvement, and I am sad for her. It reminds me of the time this same sister refused to go to Water Country with us because she didn't want to be seen in her bathing suit. Now if you've ever been to Water Country, or any other water park for that matter, you know that people are way too busy having fun on water slides to care how you look - and also no matter how bad you look, there's going to be others there who are worse. When we got back to our grandmother's at the end of that day, sun-burnt and exhausted but still grinning form ear to ear, our sister regretted having stayed home. I'm sorry she didn't join our tourney, and I hope she gets the same feeling again - because life is too short to worry about how you look to other people. It's not about where you land in the standings at the end, unless, of course, you have a lot more riding on it than our silly $3 bet. The most fun is always in the ride itself - which is exactly what I used to say about being a red sox fan before the big win, and it's still as true as ever.

So if you've never done a bracket before, try it next year. There's a reason they call it March Madness, and it's not because all these people actually care about college basketball.

Aww, Johnny...

2006-03-16T10:08:00.000-05:00

Is your shoulder bothering you AGAIN?
From the NY Daily News via Joy of Sox:

Damon said he was "not really sure" when his shoulder started bothering him this spring, but the timing could sprout into an issue since the Yankees were reluctant to send their stars - Damon, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez - to play.

Team USA manager Buck Martinez said yesterday that "Damon's been conservative with his throwing the whole time here. He hasn't thrown much. We haven't done anything here that's affected Johnny Damon."

But Damon apparently told his friend Jason Giambi that Team USA was "trying to speed them along" in drills to get into game form, Giambi said yesterday.

"I think I just need to, when I start throwing, save my bullets right now," Damon said. "I was stretching my arm out, trying to build it up real quick for this tournament. I just need to back off. It's something that comes and goes, but if the season were to start today, I'd definitely be able to go."

King Georgie's up in arms, of course, and blaming the "injury" on Bud Selig, when we all know it's Rogers Centre that's to blame, if anything. The Yankees chose to ignore what we in the Nation knew in our gut to be a career-nagging injury. Not that Johnny's a bad ballplayer with a bum shoulder - not by any means. In fact if his value at full strength is $13 million/year, I'd say his value with a constantly sore shoulder is still around $10 million. Boy, those numbers sound familiar... Where have I heard them before?

America's Vanity

2006-03-15T23:53:00.000-05:00

I was watching the U.S. play Japan on Sunday, and one of the announcers kept talking about how important it was for them to do well in this tournament. He asserted that it would be an embarrassment to MLB for the U.S. to not make the semi-finals in this WBC. I just kept thinking about how arrogant he was and how he sounded so much like a YES announcer in his blind-sightedness...

Many countries have been playing baseball for many, many years. The concept of baseball as "America's pastime" is antiquated. The only thing distinctly American about baseball is who pays the most for it - so yeah, it is our pastime, as in an entertainment venue we americans spend a lot of time money to support, and as a result the best players seem to gravitate here.

I went to the D.R. once and spent two weeks with a bunch of natives there. Every boy wanted to be a baseball player. We just don't have quite that kind of draw for it here in the U.S., so why should we expect to be better? That's just silly.

I've decided I'd like to see Korea Vs. Dominican Republic in the finals. That's a game I would be most interested in watching. Make it happen, ye umps.

Frank-ona

2006-03-14T23:38:00.000-05:00

Tito's the man. After what happened with theo, no way were they going to leave this contract up in the air. I love how laid-back and personable he is. He always looks on the bright side of things, like the WBC being an opportunity to see more of the young guys. He handles difficult situations with genuine sensitivity, causing barely a ripple of discontent in the clubhouse. And he's not shy about the truth, as we can see from this quote from redsox.com:

"I was going to the bathroom," Francona said. "Theo walked it in. That's when you got a pretty good relationship. When your general manager can come and hand it to you while you're on the toilet, you got a pretty good relationship."

Wow. That's a really stange visual. Thanks, Tito.

The Adventures of Reb & Jere - Posing as Press

2006-03-08T22:37:00.000-05:00

I was in NYC last Wednesday night, as indicated by photographic evidence, on a mission with Jere. This adventure was a wee bit less exciting than others we have been on. It does seem rather silly to take the train into the city just to watch a movie that I could've seen here a week later. Still, it was kinda thrilling just to see jere and talk baseball. It's appropriate that this should happen on the eve of our first spring training game; we last saw each other at WCSG's for the last game of last season. (our plan to meet up at the ALDS home game 2 was so rudely thwarted by those other sox.)

In my title I pretend we might be doing something borderline-bad again. I must admit, in all honesty, that our attendance was perfectly legitimate. Jere was invited to the preview as a member of the press - and yes, apparently these people had full knowledge that jere's mode of publication is a red sox blog. He had called ahead of time and obtained a "+1" for me, so they had no idea that I intended to write about it, and dude didn't even seem to want to give me the notes handout. But I got one, and it doesn't say much anyway.

I must say that as a red sox fan, I was not exactly excited to see this movie. I'm an empathetic person, and the concept of re-living the agony of the 1986 world series through the characters of a movie did not appeal to me. After all, I've gone through a great deal of trouble to compartmentalize and avoid my own memories of said series for many, many years. Of course I could NOT avoid the Bill Buckner play, since that clip seemed ever so popular for a long time, and it began to re-play in my head each time I thought about going to see this film.

Just as I suspected, there is a ton of misery to be experienced in this movie, from the very start. They pile on the pain so thickly that you almost forget there's a game coming up - but Nicky Rogan (Michael Keaton) never does. And he's convinced they're going to fuck it up it up somehow. Jere and John had a big problem with that, saying everyone they knew thought the sox were going to win at that point. I remember being pretty hopeful myself. Nicky was an empty-glass kind of guy, so I guess it went along with his character to expect the worst. I thought it was strange that he only cited one of the sox past disappointments as reason to expect catastrophe.

The end is oddly cathartic, as if the characters had our present peace of mind shipped back in time. Or maybe they decided that the shared emotion of being a fan was more important than winning itself. Either way, there were some aspects of the film that were a little hard to buy as a fan, but the acting was good enough to support it. The movie was also very well produced, with fascinating details throughout. If you are like I was, reluctant to see this movie because of the painful memories involved, I can assure you I left the theater a lot less depressed than I expected. In fact, I think this movie helped me come to terms with the game it was named for, and even helped me appreciate the accomplishments of the great 1986 Red Sox. And judging from posts I've seen, I'm not the only one.

Game 6 comes tomorrow to a theater near you, and reb gives it the thumbs-up.

He is Fast

2006-03-08T17:48:00.000-05:00

Mr. Speedy (aka our own Adam Stern) just hit an inside-the-park homerun for Canada. Americans are almost as stunned as Canadians (er, the three that are paying attention) by the 8-0 smack-down currently going on in Arizona.

Later in the same inning, Captain shows 'em how a homerun really looks - a grand slam.

Ah, despite the 6-run rally, the USA falls to Canada. But I did get to hear my yankee-fan sister cheer for 'tek and yell about how awesome he is. Nice. But once again I must ask...Mexico beat South Africa tonight, so if the U.S. beats them tomorrow, and Mexico beats Canada (both seem to be reasonable scenarios, right?) WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

Scattered Musings

2006-03-08T10:54:00.000-05:00

The real baseball has begun, albeit a little early and in strange uniforms. I have lots of thoughts on the subject, and since I've been sick for what seems like FOREVER, I'm now also sick of letting my fuzzy head prevent me from blogging. So today you all get to read a bunch of random-ness. lucky you. Well go on, read them - or just click one of those links on the left if you're looking for something more cohesive.

How 'bout Papi yesterday? Good to see the man showed up ready to rake this spring. Is there anyone more lovable than this man? (er, as you can see, when selecting a picture I realized how conflicted I am on that question.)
Congrats Italy for completely humiliating the Australians. Our own Lenny DiNardo gets the ball tonight against Venezuela. Question: Assuming Australia loses all three games, what happens if Italy loses tonight and then pulls an upset against the D.R.? That would give us three teams with the record of 2-1. Yup, I realize how unlikely that scenario is, but I still wanna know.
according to the globe: Francona said Millar embraced playing for the Sox ''as much as anyone I've ever seen. I mean, he called me last week and said, 'Tell me the joke is over.' " Guess Red wasn't that far off... I really wish Kev could still hit, or that he knew it was over; I miss 'im.
"What?" My bro-in-law started in on the same old shit yesterday, "you really think the Red Sox have a legitimate chance this year?" He was laughing. Laughing, I tell you boys, so please waste no time in shutting him up this season. The arrogance of skankee fans continually amazes me.
Yesterday my niece (born October 27, 2004 - to yankee fans) watched some baseball, and was visibly fascinated. She doesn't like it as much as she likes football - yet. And now I will go on my annual tirade and explain why I hate Bud Selig for an entirely different reason from Wells. You see, I live in the ONLY portion of NEW ENGLAND in which NESN is not licensed to broadcast Red Sox games, Fairfield County. There are tons of Sox fans here, mind you, but since they can all afford MLB Extras Innings, (plus king georgie's surely padding some pockets) it would be against the financial interests of MLB to change the situation. Meanwhile there's little I can do to help my dear neice. Now she does love red, and she loves her auntie, and she demands to wear her auntie's red sox hat every time she sees it, so we do have a great deal of hope for her. Nonetheless, the girl will be stuck watching the Hell, No Network all season once again, even when auntie is over.

Knock-Out Knuckleball

2006-03-07T14:18:00.000-05:00

John Flaherty has retired. He didn't say why, exactly, but maybe he just sucks at catching the knuckleball. Guess you don't know until you try; it's not exactly standard practive among major league catchers. I feel kinda bad for him, actually. It's hard for an old dog to learn new tricks, especially with a couple of young pups nipping at his heels. And I'm sure his competitor's yard-ball yesterday didn't help.

So long, John. I'm sorry you won't be in the clubhouse to watch the whoopin's we lay on your former teammates this year.

Happy Days are Here Again

2006-03-06T10:23:00.000-05:00

Last October, as the lights went out at Fenway Park and the players packed up and left for home, some were not very subtle about when (or if) they wanted to come back. As if it wasn't bad enough to be swept in the ALDS, the team itself seemed to be unraveling at the seams. By the end of the month a certain gorilla walked off into the shadows, signifying a dismantling so complete, it could not have been better orchestrated by king georgie himself.

Depression. I suppose that's an appropriate way to enter a long, cold winter. The Rocket would reckon we missed that feeling... that we called it back on our own - that we wanted this misery. We in the Nation must have something to complain about, after all. Right?

Were it not for football, reb might have sworn off sports altogether. In fact, it may have seemed to you, dear readers, that she had. No such luck, kids. While I did not have high hopes for our boys in blue last season, they seemed to pull things together toward the end there, at least until they had to return to the dreaded Denver (I hate Mile High Stadium. Thank you, wild horses, for reminding us here in New England what it's like to end the season with a loss.) At this point reb was sinking from sadness, seeing nothing but desolation on the boston sports' horizon.

The sting from our latest loss had barely faded when things began to turn around - and in a big way. The foundation of the future of Fenway, which seemed to be crumbling apart less than two months before, found its footing again. It's been slow going, but players have been pieced together and began playing last week. It's a different group, as it always is in Spring, and time will tell how well these guys mesh, both old and new. But early signs are good, as previously pissy players appear to have made peace with their old uniform.

according to Wells, quoted from mlb.com:

I think we're a better team this year than we were last year

In other words, either someone's putting something special in David's donuts, or he's getting excited about our team this year. And gosh darnit, SO IS REB. It's time to fall in love again with our boys in red.

No Tag for Adam

2006-02-24T06:52:00.000-05:00

The Legend is Free to Leave

It seems like Adam Vinatieri has been the place-kicker for our boys in blue forever, right? It looks like Bill is in no hurry to keep it that way. The crux of the problem is uncertainty... Belichick and Pioli have been masters in the past of allocating resources, and are unwilling to make contract decisions until they know what those resources will be in the next few years. That's right, the salary cap which has created the tight competition we've come to love in the last decade, is not set for 2007, and many factors still need to be hashed out before we even know if there will be one. And right now they're not even talking.

The team has decided not to slap the franchise tag on Adam, which would have awarded him $3 million for the 2006 season. If not signed to a contract with the Patriots by March 3rd, Vinatieri will become a free agent. Even if he leaves, Adam may still be dressing in blue and silver; ESPN is reporting Dallas to be the most likely landing place. I really hate Bill Parcells. Really. Ok, I just had to say that; I will be extremely annoyed if he gets our kicker.

Bill says he can't make any contract decisions until he knows what he's working with, and is focusing instead on preparations for things he knows the parameters of. This means key free agents may slip away to teams willing to take that chance. It is no surprise that our front office is taking a conservative economic approach to the situation, despite the immediate risk. As sad as it would be to lose our clutch kicker, this is the philosophy that has brought three Lombardi trophies to Foxboro in the last five years, and continues to keep our team competitive in the long term.

Scary Gary

2006-02-22T07:14:00.000-05:00

Congratulations, Gary, the yankees "will probably" pick up your option for next year. Why is this news? Because the skanky right fielder is such a cranky little prick that he needs his every insecure feather smoothed over. Apparently having a contract for this year was not enough for his highness. Cashman had to personally stroke the dirtbag's ego to prevent a barrage of distracting and destuctive comments due to start yesterday and continue throughout the season.

Sheffanie may produce on the field, but his selfish and nasty attitude are intolerable. No doubt teammates must tiptoe around him, so as to not awaken the beast. Even though I resent it when he contributes a key homerun, I am glad to see the Shef in pinstripes yet again... he is ticking bomb in the clubhouse, exuding negativity all the while.

I don't like that our Manny is a prima donna, and yeah, I sure wish he was more of a team player, but at least he's not a raging a$$hole.

Idle Chatter

2006-02-21T09:03:00.000-05:00

Who cares where Manny is? Do we really have nothing else to talk about? Manny's a flake, but he's no Ricky Williams; we all know that by April he'll be ready to rake, most likely in red sox. Papi has been playing with the media, probably because it's too early for them to be so concerned... And maybe to give them something to write about.

With so many new players, we here at reb sox are glad to see an early turnout to camp. The World Baseball Classic will be cutting deep into the get-to-know-you time down there in Fort Myers, and every extra day helps. Although I know a lot of RSN sheds no tears over the departure of Kentucky Fried Kevin, between him and clueless Johnny we are losing the core of the chemistry previously pulling together the clubhouse. It's going to take a little while for all these new guys to mesh, but perhaps even longer for our team to find their identity.

There's been a lot of debate over whether this WBC thing is good for the MLB or not. When it was first announced last fall, the risk of injury to our players was at the forefront of everyone's mind. Of course the risk is highest to starting pitchers, and since we don't have any of those playing in the Classic, who cares, right? I like how Tito pointed out that this will give younger players like Pedroia a chance for more playing time. One of the best traits of our manager is his ability to put a positive spin on anything.

Despite all of its possible drawbacks for the team, we at reb sox are pretty excited for the new international tournament. After all, this means MORE BASEBALL. Sure, we would have the spring training games, but ya gotta admit they can be pretty lame, since no one really cares about winning them. March is a long and dreary month up here in New England, and any distraction is welcome as far as I'm concerned.

With nine days before the first spring training game, the nation tries to keep a grip on our anticipation with silliness such as the Manny search. But there's a lot of good news coming out of Fort Myers, too - like all of our early arrivals, and players who are happy to be here and hoping not to get traded. Spring Training will be productive and answer a lot of questions for us, despite the disruptions. And somewhere up ahead lies a hundred and sixty-two games to look forward to.

Sweet Caroline

2006-02-17T08:55:00.000-05:00

I had the radio on yesterday afternoon as I was troweling venetian plaster (fun job I have, people. I know you're jealous.) and the first few notes of the next song brought a breeze in warmer than yesterday's already unseasonable air... the sun got a bit brighter, even indoors, and a smile grew large on my face.

As I danced, I saw the green of Fenway in my mind, felt the swell of fans groovin' along with me, and smelled the sausages... and all the while four words repeated over and over in my head:

PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT

That's tomorrow, folks. But most of the guys are there already, as anxious as we are.

Rabid about Roger

2006-02-13T13:03:00.000-05:00

I can't seem to get back into my bloggin' rhythm. So many things to write about... anyway, here's a post I started at the beginning of the week. I saw jere making veiled references to feelings I imagine to be similar to mine on the subject, so I decided to put this out there. Better late than never.

I was very much out of the loop last week while I was out of town, and was surprised when my client arrived on Friday talking as if Clemens was practically ready to lace up the cleats over RED SOX. Sure, I've heard the whispers even as early as before the trading deadline last year, but I've had a hard time taking this one seriously. Do we really want Roger?

Before you start waving stats about and shaking me by the shoulders, hear me out people. I'm perfectly aware of Roger's fine skills. I know how unhittable he was in Texas last year, yes, and please don't yell. Guy got shut out nine times last year, yada, yada, ya don't have to tell me. He's a great pitcher. He's old, could go south any day now, but far be it from any of us here in Boston to suggest that his best days are over... once burned, twice shy, you know.

So why am I dubious? Oh let me count the ways!

Remember what he said about us last year? Roger does not like red sox nation. He thinks we like to complain. That we don't know how to be happy. That we don't know how to love our team. Roger listens to too much WEEI, methinks.
Roger has only played the last two years because he was able to play for his hometown. He was able to live at home and spend most of the time with his family. Even if he were to get the same silly deal with travel here, pitching for Boston would involve being away from home most of the time.
Roger costs too much money and would require special treatment. Isn't that why (I mean deep down in the unadmitted area) theo pushed away Pedro by bruising his ego? This is not a good ingredient to team chemistry.

The only inkling that could bring Roger here would be EGO. Maybe he yearns for that sentimental finish in a blaze of glory. Maybe he realizes the Hall of Fame will induct him with a Red Sox uni, so he may as well make some more positive memories here so he won't resent it. He came close to winning it all for his home team last year, which really would have put a cap on it... he won't come to Boston unless he firmly believes we can have it all.

I see this situation as a sentimental piece of coal being pressed vigorously by ownership - Our young stallions in the front office know what a fruitless effort this whole thing is, and have told John Henry to knock himself out.

The Extra-Large Bowl

2006-02-05T11:47:00.000-05:00

It's been a few years since I have woken up on Superbowl Sunday without jitters. I don't like it. Still, it's the last football game I'll get to see until August, and despite my ambivalence toward the final score, I am soakin' it up. It's not even noon, and I've got the big game countdown on the tele.

Three years ago I had some very legitimate reasons to back Tampa Bay on game day:

Jon Gruden is hot.
I hate the Oakland Raiders, their fans, and their owner.

It turned out ok for me that day. I ended up seeing the Raiders lose AND lots and lots of close-up shots of their former coach, wonder-boy Jon. So now that I think about it, the last FOUR Superbowls have been pretty damn good for me, and a team should be so lucky as to have me on their side on Superbowl Sunday.

Looking again at my reasons for backing the Bucs in 2003, it sure makes my pick for this year seem funny. That's because:

Bill Cowher is scary-looking. His smile could wilt flowers.
I could care less about the Seattle Seahawks. Actually under normal circumstances I pretty much hate the Steelers, and Seattle I view as benign or unthreatening.

So why adorn myself in black and gold? It's pity, to be quite honest. But don't tell those towel-heads; they're a proud bunch. They have been pretty aggressive toward us Patriots fans in recent years, and nothing shuts up a trash-talker like not needing to talk trash. In an ideal situation, the steel army did not need to get past the pats this year to make it to Detroit. Let's hope they take advantage, 'cause who knows when such a thing will happen again.

Maybe I'd be more inclined to root for the Seahawks if I knew any Seahawk fans - at all. I'm sure it's just because I'm sheltered in my haven of New England, but you can't prove those guys have fans by me; I have never met one in my life. I do, however, know many Steelers fans, including one of my best friends from college, and after the consternation caused by my own team in recent years, I suppose I could deal with seeing them smile.

That being said, best of luck to all the fans out there with vested interest in this game. It's a special day to see your team in the big show, and you never know when or if you will see it again. Soak it up.

Does it Do Any Good to Demand?

2006-02-04T12:44:00.000-05:00

By the end of the month, our boys will be reporting to camp and the new season will be in motion. We will see quite a few new faces in the blessed ballcap "B", but many will be familiar... some which perhaps we did not expect to see again.

The season ended on a sour note - can't win 'em all, folks - and a cry rose up from the malcontents. Demands were made for a trade by two marquee players. At least we know of only two, right?

Perhaps there were others. I like to think maybe Edgah wanted out... and was smart enough to keep his mouth shut about it to the press. He was dealt early. No rumors, no setbacks, just smooth-sailing, with no attempts by the Atlanta front office to fleece the farm. If there was blood in Boston, the braves didn't smell it. Reticence served Rentaria well this time; His unhappiness, while plain for the world to see, was not shouted of from the roof-tops, but brooded upon silently behind closed doors, where our young braintrust was free to negotiate a reasonable solution.

I would like to know what Manny and Wellsie think they have accomplished by making their trade demands so widely known.

Recent reports indicate another failed attempt to trade Manny to the west coast, as the Angels balk at the steep price of both Manny's pay and trade value. An earlier trade fell through when Manny made known that he would require his new team to pick up both ($20 million) option years at the end of his contract. For those of us with brains and logic skills, it's quite dizzying trying to figure out what manny actually wants... we realize these are tools he may not possess, but surely he's paying someone to advise him? (How often would you want to strangle your client if that were you?) With his repeated fits of unhappiness, Manny Ramirez has placed the Boston management in an awkward position - over and over and over again. His monstrous salary alone limits the interest of other teams, as so few can afford to pay him. He might have a beef there with the players' association, since their ruling will not allow him to accept a pay reduction, yet I get the feeling Manny doesn't even realize this is a problem. If you told the man that he makes more than two-thirds of the salary of the entire Tampa Bay team, he probably wouldn't get it. (It seems wasteful to pay someone that much when they are incapable of recognizing how much it really is.) By "tying the hands" of the GM, Manny has essentially made himself impossible to trade. He has driven down his trade value time and again, until there is nowhere left to go. Meanwhile his future is being determined by people who are fortunately much, much brighter than he is. While paying lip service to the possibilities, theo & co. will only go so far to cut their losses on this one. We will not accept fodder just to get the cry-baby out of the fold. After so much time, his complaints now fall on deaf ears- (oh except for the dumb ones on WEEI.) By the end of the month we will almost surely see him take it all back, smiling sheepishly as he pulls on his navy cap and double-points to the crowd. He will claim, once again, that he wants to win for the city of Boston. And we will cheer, once again, at least until the trading deadline.

Boomer has also waited in vain for a trade announcement this winter. After sounding off this Fall, Wells has watched from the sidelines as Sox management has toiled unsuccessfully to placate his desires. Just this week, Boomer's agent felt the need to reinstate goodwill in the situation by asserting that Wells would be reporting to camp with belles on his toes and a jolly good smile, toasting jovially to another year in Boston if he has not been traded. David has claimed this is not about Boston, but simply a desire to be closer to home as he finishes his career. Whether this is true or not is irrelevant. David Wells may have a few loose screws, but is known to be crafty and is clearly intelligent... So why would he make his desires to be traded a public matter? It's clear now that he has shot himself in the foot; teams on the west coast, seeing that the sox have no choice, have tried to take advantage of the situation. The result has been NO DEAL, as the sox seek fair compensation for a valuable ace and will not allow him to simply be stolen. One look at the roster and we clearly see the need to unload the great Boom... and might have already if he had only kept his trap shut.

I understand that players believe this is the only thing in their power to get traded. Do they understand the results? This tool - the press - is a dangerous one, with a mind of its own and a strong tendancy to backfire. Players and agents should look at these situations carefully and take heed to the dangers demonstrated. Shouting demands with all the sound and the fury of an explosion can so easily result in nothing but the stench of ill will and distrust from a fanbase. Whisper your wants, and they may be more swiftly granted.

The Position has been Filled.

2006-01-28T09:25:00.000-05:00

Well whaddaya-know, Cleveland didn't need the sweetie Delcarmen after all... I thought they were just pushing the desperation button, seeing how far they could get with it, but I was not sure they would back off. I think they must really like Marte a lot. The prospect has turned out to be little more than a poker chip for the red sox, and considering the players he was traded for each time, a highly valued one. After finally getting the message that theo & co. were willing to give up on this deal, Shapiro caved, unable to walk away form Marte.

In a press release, Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro explained:

"In Andy Marte, we are acquiring a right-handed power hitter who is also a good defensive third baseman. Not only is third base a position of need in our organization, but it is one of the more difficult positions to acquire a player of Andy's caliber and skill set via trade or free agency."

I for one am looking forward to seeing this kid when he finally hits the big leagues - find out if he ends up worth all the fuss.

Meanwhile, although Crisp looks to replace Johnny on the field and in the lineup, the big picture nets us Coco for Edgah. By the numbers these players are similar in caliber, but strikingly different in character. Hopes are high that Coco has more of the emotional make-up required to play in the fishbowl we call Fenway. In other words, he seems to have social skills and a personality.

On a Personal Note...

2006-01-27T08:23:00.000-05:00

Remember back in August when reb started trying to quit smoking? We here at reb sox are pleased as punch to announce that reb finally quit smoking for good one week ago. We know one week might be a little early to bust out the fife and drums, but sometimes ya just know what you know. You can read all about reb's struggles in her quest, and how it suddenly became so easy. Or not. Whatever floats your boat. If you are a smoker and you would like to quit, no one can really help you do that... But reading about my experiences might give you some insight into how you can eventually achieve your own goal.

Also: My niece is fifteen months old today... Which means so is the red sox championship. Amidst our recent struggles - the FO drama, issues of all kinds on the rubber last season, our current wide-open vacancy in center field, the media creating problems instead of just reporting on them, and other teams' FO's trying to steal us blind while we're in desperation mode - still there is a certain peace which cannot be disturbed here in red sox nation. Two years ago, an off-season like this would have been hell. This year we just roll our eyes as we anxiously await those two lovely words "play ball!"

The Future is Bright

2006-01-26T08:40:00.000-05:00

In the days approaching the now famous "gorilla suit" Halloween, I expressed concern with the motives of our ownership. I worried that a short-term outlook would get in the way of what was best for the team. Funny, although not exactly in the form that I speculated, it seems like that's exactly what happened.

Differences in philosophy caused theo to walk, or so the FO says, and maybe I'm the only one who believes them. When theo made his statement in November about not being able to do the job because his heart was not in it, many people could not understand. We needed someone to blame, and Lucchino made an easy scapegoat (along with chb, but we'd want him burned at the stake anyway, I imagine.) It's not money, so it must be a personal rift/power struggle between the prodigy and his mentor, right? Now that theo's back, despite John Henry's statements, most people believe Lucchino has lost his veto power, thinking theo would only come back with autonomy.

Some people are in it for the power and the money, and that's it. While we might admire these people's accomplishments, they aren't exactly the type you'd pick for the godparent of your child, right? (in fact I think we call these people "sell-outs") The one thing we've all liked about theo since day one is the sense that he is not about that. Despite his assertion that to become the GM he had to give up being a fan, we all know where his heart is, and knowing he truly wants the best for the ballclub helps us in red sox nation to let go a little bit and trust.

The thought that theo could not believe in the direction of the organization really disturbed me. It pretty much wiped my faith in the organization away. It almost made me believe these ridiculous skank-taunts that we wouldn't see another ring for another eighty-six years. Loyal readers of reb sox would be right to assume that my recent leave-of-absence was partially due to apathy and loss of faith. My approach to this off-season has been cowardly, with hands over my eyes like a little girl at a horror movie/ boy at a chick flick saying "let me know when the bloody killings/gross kissing (sell-off of our best prospects) is over."

The statement of "we now have a shared vision," the concept of our brass being on the same page, the mention of spirited discussions and healthy debates... hey maybe you all see this as smoothing things over for the press. I don't. My heart healed and my trust was restored when I read these words. Mistakes will be made by the best of teams, but no organization can reach their potential without sharing the same goal and agreeing on the avenues to acheive that goal. With a shared vision, there "ain't no mountain high enough" to keep our team healthy and competitive for years to come - and really, what more can a fan ask?

For Your Amusement (Warning: Explicit Content)

2006-01-26T08:16:00.000-05:00

Which is more disturbing: that reb sox showed up on the very first page of an MSN search for "BEST FUCKED YOUNG BOYS", or the fact that someone in Saudi Arabia not only executed this search, but chose to visit reb sox, AND was interested enough to view ten different pages on reb sox within the hour, AND COME BACK the next day TWICE.

On Their Way to the Big Dance

2006-01-22T17:46:00.000-05:00

Steeler colors in Detroit... this does not seem aesthetically pleasing to me. But whatever. Towel-heads everywhere rejoice as their team finally won a championship game today. Soak it up, my bumble-bee-clad friends, and quit your bitchin'. Do you know some crazy Steelers fan actually complained to me about the "tuck rule" last week? Well, now you're going to the Superbowl, so get over it.

I'm now watching the NFC game, and Carolina is getting run all over. That's a surprise to me; I thought they were going to be really tough. There is plenty of time left in this game, but the Seahawks are not letting them get anywhere.

Fans of the Seahawks and Steelers are ecstatic, I'm sure, and for good reason- Both teams played as if they deserve to go to the Superbowl. Winning the turnover ratio helped them both out, too. Pretty hard to win a playoff game with turnovers, as we Patriots fans felt last week. Jake Delhomme will be seeing defensive backs in his sleep tonight, you can be sure.

At Least I Can Breathe Again

2006-01-20T11:16:00.000-05:00

For over a month I found myself sans internet access, and truthfully so wrapped up in physically moving my belongings to a new little niche in the world... Well I had almost forgotten the joys of the internet, and I dive back into the digital world without even knowing where to start. Boy did I pick a time to take a break, eh? I hardly recognize our boys in red. I had to make a diagram of our new roster, and this is where I realized that our third outfielder is this guy:

(the one on the left, my friends. If it were the one on the right- well then we'd REALLY be in trouble.)

Cute, Jewish, and Cornhusker he may be, but Adam Stern needs a year in Pawtucket. The outfield situation scared me so much when I first looked last week, I crawled right back in my hole as if I were some kind of weather-predicting oversized rodent from Pennsylvania. (zoology majors, feel free to correct me here- I have absolutely no idea if those wascily vermin are rodents or what, and that's just the type of useless information I like to stay informed on.)

Anyway, even from my dark hole, I could hear the roars and cheers and banging of cymbals in celebration as I caught a glimpse of Boston's wonderboy gracing a much happier headline than the last time he made breaking news. Across the table, my friend Mike noticed a light beginning to dance in my eyes. Immediately I open my new phone to see if the news had hit the ESPN ticker yet - Nope, the news was indeed that fresh. Forty minutes later I was home, typing madly onto my blogger dashboard even before making time to say goodbye to my friend. Never mind that I was supposed to already be in Westport to meet another friend... Theo has returned and so must I.

Truthfully, the timing could not have been better. I've been meaning to write, but to write I have to research (or babble, as I'm doing now) and material just seems so hard to find when you've been out of the loop. I ought to have given my boys in blue one last blog... Alas, I missed my chance, and the very next day I knew my sporting world had finally gone over-the-edge haywire as I found myself rooting FOR the terrible towel-heads. (And I will reluctantly continue to do so, JessieE; tell Perry. Maybe the third time's the charm for those guys.) Now that Eric Mangini has gone gan-GREEN, I'm officially confused and nervous about the off-season situations of both of my teams, and the return of our dear theo is a dearly-needed shot of adrenaline for our hopes here at reb sox.

Returns

2006-01-19T22:09:00.000-05:00

Theo Epstein has returned... or so said the headline just now on the tv at the bar. And with theo... reb. yes, I know you all have left me for dead. no such luck. Well, I'll have to update this when i know more. sooner than later- I'm back.

Call Off the Dogs

2005-12-11T12:04:00.000-05:00

It's okay, people; I'm still alive. Aside from my whirlwind of a life right now (moving, lots of work, and of course, the holidays) Peter* has really hit the nail on the head: I'm awfully depressed about Theo. I'm having a terrible time caring what the sox are doing this off-season - simply can't grip the confidence to make fair evaluations of any of these moves. This, of course, makes it difficult to write about.

Of course there's another sport that I follow, and it's getting into the home stretch in the NFL. Our boys in blue have at times this season been painful to watch... but last week was not one of those times. I'm not sure I can derive a significant amount of confidence from beating up on the Jets - such as they are this year - but still it was nice to see the defense hit their groove. Oh, and was it just me, or did it seem like Tom was actually getting some time to throw the ball last week? I think I may have mentioned this before, but quite frankly, that's ALL HE NEEDS.

Today our boys head into Buffalo, always a tough place to play. While watching the game, I shall be stringing the lights onto each individual branch of my family's Christmas tree - a tiresome task, as you might imagine, but well worth it. By the fourth quarter my hands will be sticky with sap, and I can only hope they will be red from clapping as well. Maybe I'll take some time later to write about the game. If not, dear readers, please know you are in my thoughts as I scurry around madly making samples and packing and otherwise preparing for my big move on Wednesday.

Rest in Peace

2005-11-21T00:05:00.000-05:00

Perhaps because I was denied access to the game, I did not find out until just now glancing at the post-game conferences... BB's dad, Mr. Steve Belichick died. I can't imagine what it was like for BB to coach that game today, and to not say a thing... my heart goes out to him; the grief must be unbearable.

I Can't Comment on What I Can't See

2005-11-20T23:32:00.000-05:00

I wasn't able to watch the game today. No, this was not the result of my crazy-being-out-all-night (but jeez I really am getting too old to do that). I was up in time to watch the game, though, and confused as I flipped through the guide. No coverage in Foxboro, least not in my area. For awhile I fumed at CBS-Hartford, which was showing the Raiders and Redskins. Who in the Hartford area could possibly care about that game beyond general love for football? But I looked and found that the Patriots game was the property of FOX this week.

It used to be that one network owned the AFC and the other the NFC, and I think they went by the home team. This is clearly no longer the case, and there seems to be no rhyme or reason to it this year, AND this weeks assignment meant that Connecticut fans of the New England Patriots were SOL today, no thanks to FOX 61, who chose to broadcast the Giants game instead. Now I understand that the Eagles/Giants seemed to be a more compelling matchup, but there is that any-given-sunday yada-yada... and frankly I don't care how boring the game is; I WANNA SEE MY TEAM! Clearly I was not the only person to feel this way, as FOX-61 had an apologetic statement on the subject posted on their website. They claimed to have applied for the right to broadcast both games, and that was denied.

WHY OH WHY, YOU BITCHY PEOPLE IN THE NFL OFFICES, WOULD YOU DO THIS TO US? Let me make this clear that I blame the NFL for improperly allocating the games in order to create this mess in the first place...if this game was only owned by CBS, we never would have had an issue, seeing as CBS owned the double-header this week and the Jets had a 4:15 game. Also I don't understand what is wrong with granting rights to both games. Clearly there are plenty of fans of both the Giants and the Patriots in Connecticut, and some party was bound to be pissed either way. What's the big deal? Do these NFL office people need to upset fans in order to feel powerful? Well there you go. You have the power. I'm upset. Hope that makes your day. It sure fucked with mine.

New Stuff

2005-11-16T11:00:00.000-05:00

I'm adding a bunch of links to the left, and I'm not nearly done yet. I've been meaning to do this for months, so of course it all adds up, and it should take me awhile to remember all I wanted to link to. All in good time.

Another Plastic Jewel for the Crown

2005-11-14T17:34:00.000-05:00

Prince Purple-lips brought his gold-plated tin crown in today for fitting... a sparkling new rhinestone may ease the pain as he glances down at the bare hand. No ring? No matter; he'll just put his fielding glove on so nobody notices.

The votes came in today, and fielding outweighed clutch, at least to those voting for the official AL MVP. Apparently one needs not add actual value to a team's record to be considered most valuable to the league; As long as you've got the numbers, they really don't care how you got them. And I don't care either... about the MVP results, that is. This particular year's winner underscores how irrelevant this award actually is to the true value of a player, and promises to make this award less and less meaningful to people in years to come.

A Win and a Smile

2005-11-13T17:41:00.000-05:00

I'm sorry for the sad silence here at reb sox for the past week or so. Reb Sox commenting fave peter* e-mailed last week to make sure I had not been abducted, so I guess I should apologize for any concern I may have caused. Some of you read my other blog, and may have guessed that I just have a lot to figure out right now... still I need to make time to blog, for writing brings me clarity. Breaking silence is always tricky for me, as if I must dig out something very profound to make up for it. I have nothing profound for you today. Just words. But enough words about me, right? Let's get some about sports.

The game this past Monday seemed like a compelling subject, yet I had nothing to say about it. Nothing, that is, that I haven't said repeatedly about our Patriots this season. (1. PROTECT TOM- 2. Force Turnovers- 3. What the hell are we putting out there pretending to be an OL? We need to PROTECT TOM BRADY!) If we were able to solve those fatal flaws, we would have won that game. I knew going in, though, that if we could not protect tom we had no chance... beyond the freak occurrance of turnovers, which as it turned out went the wrong way last week.

It's pretty obvious by now that our boys in blue are vulnerable this year. Beyond the ol' "any given Sunday" routine, I really have watched the games with no confidence. To the casual fan this might be depressing. Certainly for me it is frustrating, but I must admit there is an aspect to it which I find refreshing. I am a FAN, you see, one who has seen my team at 15-1, and also 1-15, and watch for them to win all the same. As much as I hate to admit it, winning all the time can get dull. At least, the expectation to win, I mean- it takes the joy away from the actual winning.

The nice thing about our boys falling back to earth after their long stint at the top? We get the real excitement back. How many of you were jumping up and down with me yesterday, celebrating that final fourth-down stuff? How many times did you pump your fist and exclaim "yes!" after a first down, or even just a completed pass? How many times did google search out #44 "Heath Evans" for pats fans yesterday, as our eyes bugged out in pleasant surprise and we wondered "who the hell is this guy?" and "where did he come from?" and "where the hell has he been all season?" (Miami, BTW, so I guess he had a little bit to prove out there.)

The best thing about the mediocrity of this season is the hope we still hold from where we stand. After nine games we are barely above .500, yet our chances of making the playoffs are excellent. From there, as we know, anything can happen.

At this point in the baseball season, we knew the chances for our boys in red to make the playoffs were good... but without fixing the fatal flaws on the team (pitching and plate consistancy) we would not be able to do much there. And we didn't. Prospects for the boys in blue this year are similar. Our chances to make the playoffs are fairly solid, and may come down to the wire just like they did in MLB. We have the next seven games to fix the fatal flaws on this team (secondary health and the OL). If we don't- anything can happen, absolutely, but we won't expect much. The success we've seen in recent years allows us to see the team through clearer eyes, accept our shortcomings, and be happy to acheive whatever the team is capable of this year.

Knowing this should help us truly buy into BB's top-page mantra: One game at a time. We won that game in Miami, and I smile today for it, come what may. Starting tomorrow I will shift my focus to The New Orleans Saints, who, despite their meager record, can win easily if not taken seriously. They may only have two wins this year, but one was in Carolina, who in case you don't remember made us look downright foolish just one week later.

Thank Theo

2005-11-02T11:09:00.000-05:00

Thank you, JB, for setting up a site where we can express our overflowing gratitude and respect... and even hope he will read it!

I'm Just One Girl

2005-11-02T09:57:00.000-05:00

I don't have to like a source or agree with it to keep coming back, as long as I believe the motives are true, but the scent of corruption drives me away in frustration every time. This is why I've barely glanced at DD in months, and read CHB so infrequently that I am personally amazed I actually read the offensive "dirty laundry" article (AND blogged about it) before it became an issue.

I wish I could do something about it. It makes me so sad that people read these guys. Just because their names are known, people are stupid enough to believe them, and keep coming back. Disgust with their falseness has been widely discussed and agreed upon in the blogger community for quite some time, so it seems amazing that the majority of people don't see it. But then again, I suppose the level of thought process required to blog makes bloggers a special breed.

Dirt continues to come out about the Globe via Sheriff Sully, so be sure to check out the site today. I have barely read the Globe lately anyway, but I definitely won't be going back until CHB is gone - no matter how long that takes. But I am just one girl, so who cares, right?

Must Read

2005-11-01T22:32:00.000-05:00

So you want to know how I feel? I'm too exhausted by my anger to fully describe it. It's been summed up pretty nicely by Beth in the fifth paragraph here. Or by Andrew here. But for even more perspective on the situation, don't miss this. Really, you MUST read it.

And this- shockingly, I've finally read something today that made me feel a little bit better. But only for theo. We, on the other hand, are screwed.

The Nation Falls

2005-11-01T10:59:00.000-05:00

I've been sitting at my computer for over an hour, trying to find the words...

I feel so powerless.

The last three years, under the direction of a young and brilliant leader, we have seen the rise of a great nation. We have come together with more pride than ever before, we have suffered the sting of disappointment, we have celebrated a victory like no other, we have swelled with pride and hope for our bright future. Suddenly something has shot out the lights, and the nation panics in the darkness... the noble sir theo has been betrayed. He has left town, and no one can blame him, and citizens of the nation wonder how they can go on supporting what is left. We curse the roots that bind us here, once a source of great pride to us, but now imprisoning us to wait out the passing of a corrupt regime.

Why is it always the good who walk away, leaving power in the hands of the evil?

Consolation Prize

2005-11-01T02:04:00.000-05:00

I won $100 tonight in a football pool in which I had bet $4. It was one of those where you pay $2/square, each square corresponding to a number for each team. The numbers are assigned randomly after all squares have been purchased. My squares were: Balt 0, Pitt 4; Balt 9, Pitt 0. I've never won on this grid before, but tonight I won the final.

I'm happy, really. I'm irritated that it involved the waving of terrible yellow towels, but I'll take it since I don't think it will affect the Patriots this year.

Still I'm having a hellava hard time feeling happy about anything. $100 is nice and all, but I am inconsolable. No theo, no smile. And for a poor girl like me, that's saying quite a bit.

At least in the process I have thoroughly numbed my emotions with Jack, Jameson, and Patron. For tonight.