The Triumphant Red Sox Blog

All-Star Week Updates

2008-07-19T12:32:00.008-04:00

Somewhat belated congratulations to All-Star Game MVP J.D. Drew. He was one of seven Red Sox All-Stars, including starters Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, and Manny Ramirez; subs Jason Varitek (voted in by the other players) and Drew; fan favorite David Ortiz who was voted the starting DH but didn't play because of his healing injury; and reliever Jonathan Papelbon. It was sweet to see so many Red Sox players, not to mention manager Terry Francona and his coaches, descend upon the Den of Darkness, soon to be known as The House that Hank Tore Down. If only the oh-so-classy Yankees fans (just ask them — they'll tell you how classy they are) had shown a little, you know, class.

Special thanks to 2004 ALCS MVP Mariano Rivera for holding the tie that sent the All-Star Game into extra innings until the American League could do what they always do, i.e. beat the hapless National League. With home field secured for the World Series, the Red Sox have one item knocked off their to-do list and can now focus solely on winning the division.

On Thursday evening, David Ortiz homered for the Pawtucket Red Sox in the first of several minor league rehab appearances leading up to what we all hope will be his return to the Sox line-up in time for in the upcoming Yankees series. A friend and I managed to make it to the game thanks to an advance online purchase of two general admission seats.

It was great. Papi's home run was but one of five—count 'em, FIVE!—hit by the PawSox. (The visiting Toledo Mud Hens had three homers of their own.) Attendance was 11,460 at a ballpark I thought only held 10,000, but that may have been before they put a grass berm and bleachers in the outfield. In any event, the place was sold out, and there were LOTS of people standing behind the general admission seats.

In addition to getting a standing O after his fourth inning solo homer, Papi got a huge ovation when he took the field for warm-ups, when he returned to the dugout after warm-ups, when he was on deck, when he was at bat, when he popped out in the first, when he lined out in the fourth (his second at-bat of the inning), when he walked in the fifth, and when he came out of the game for a pinch runner—at which point people started leaving. In fairness to the crowd, it was hot and muggy, and many of the people leaving were families with little kids. And a lot of us did stay for the whole thing. Final score: PawSox 15, Mud Hens 6, though it wasn't even as close as the score makes it sound.

PawSox starter Edgar Martinez (not to be confused with the cutie-patootie formerly of the Seattle Mariners) pitched into the seventh inning and was charged with three runs, two of which scored when Justin Masterson came on in relief and coughed up a grand slam. Let's just say he was not stellar. Chris Smith finished it out.

Every PawSox starter except Joe Thurston (Juuuuust sit right back and you'll hear a tale...) scored at least one run. Thurston and Keith Ginter had no hits, but Ginter did draw walks in three consecutive innings and scored all three times. I looked back to my spring training scorecards and realized that I saw each and every PawSox starter, plus two of the pitchers, at spring training this year. Oh, and lest I forget, Chris Carter (a.k.a. The New Lenny, a.k.a. Hunky) went 4-for-5 with two singles, a double, and a two-run homer. His last hit before being lifted for a pinch runner was a single, but of course we were all hoping for a triple so he could get the cycle.

Did I mention it was warm and muggy? Of course the air temperature cooled off a bit after the sun went down, but the place was so packed and there was only a slight intermittent breeze, so it felt much warmer because of all the amassed body heat. No one who has ever attended a game with me in the blazing heat will be surprised to learn that the bra came off while we were in line at will-call before the game. I call this the female version of "going commando."

Now I'm in Maine visiting my brother, and we hope to grab tickets for tonight's Portland Sea Dogs double-header against the Trenton Thunder, the AA affiliate of the Yankees. The not-yet-Triumphant Brother, a lifelong MFY fan due to the unfortunate after-effects of being dropped on his head as a young child, is going with me to tomorrow's game with a bunch of my crazy Red Sox friends. Since taking a job in Portland last year and moving to the area part-time, he has become totally hooked on the Sea Dogs, which I explained to him was step one in his deprogramming.

Do You Know This Man?

2008-06-21T17:29:00.001-04:00

Neither do I.

But whoever he may be, he came on in relief against the Cardinals this afternoon after Daisuke Matsuzaka coughed up four runs in the first inning and loaded the bases in the second.

Naturally, inquiring minds want to know more about the (apparently) young Mr. Smith. Here's what my exhaustive internet search turned up:

According to ESPN.com's transaction log, Smith was "recalled ... from Pawtucket of the International League (AAA)" on Tuesday, the same day Bartolo Colon went on the disabled list.
His minorleagebaseball.com player page says he was "[s]elected by the Boston Red Sox in the 4th round (their 3rd pick, No. 118 overall) of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft" after playing three years of college ball at University of California at Riverside.
He has played in 22 games, including four starts, with a 1.52 ERA for the PawSox this season.
Last season, he pitched for AA Portland (6-9, 4.41) and Pawtucket (0-0, 1.80).
My scorebook informs me that he didn't appear in any of the six spring training games I attended last February and March.

The only other thing I can tell you is that since giving up a grand slam this afternoon (the runners on base were charged to Matsuzaka), he has pitched three scoreless inning.

Better Pitching with an Erection?

2008-06-10T17:53:00.000-04:00

Just when you think Roger Clemens can't possibly become a bigger joke than he already is, we learn that the Rocket used Viagra as a performance-enhancing drug:

Clemens got the pills -- which are not banned by Major League Baseball -- from a teammate and kept them in a GNC vitamin bottle in his locker, according to an anonymous source cited by the newspaper. He also reportedly told a friend that the drug made him feel flushed and made his heart race.

I can think of something else it might have done. Suddenly, I feel the need to take a shower.

Dr. Daisuke and Mr. Wild

2008-05-22T13:54:00.005-04:00

Hmmmm, which Daisuke Matsuzaka will we get today? The one who pitches brilliantly and gets the win, or the one who gives us small heart attacks and gets the win?

I'll give you a hint: I have already taken two TUMS. And an Imitrex.

After one inning pitched against Kansas City this afternoon, Matsuzaka has already allowed a run on two walks, a wild pitch, and a hit. He has thrown 36 pitches.

But hey, he has two strikeouts.

Magical Happenings at Fenway

2008-05-19T22:11:00.004-04:00

Updated 05/20/2008 at 13:23 EDT

24-year-old Jon Lester faced the Kansas City Royals tonight to open the four-game series, and all he did was throw a no-hitter. It was the 18th no-hitter in team history (no American League team has more), the first by a Red Sox left-hander since Mel Parnell did it to the White Sox on July 14, 1956, and the first at Fenway Park since way back on September 1, 2007 when Clay Buchholz no-hit the Orioles.

The cherry on the sundae is that it was the fourth no-hitter caught by Jason Varitek, and that's a major league record. (Update: See today's Boston Globe for details on this record.) He was behind the plate for Hideo Nomo's second career no-hitter, also against Baltimore, on April 4, 2001; for Derek Lowe's no-hitter on April 27, 2002, versus Tampa Bay; and for last year's Buchholz gem.

Did I mention that my friend Lloyd was at this game? He has 20-game-pack tickets up in the new left field Pavilion, so he had a good view as the evening played out. Can't wait to have lunch with him tomorrow so he can tell me all about it.

~~(Note: When I eventually get onto Retrosheet.org, whose servers are probably being swamped by stats geeks like me, I'll post links to the box scores of the above games.)~~ Links to the no-hitters mentioned have been added. Thanks to Retrosheet.org.

Luck Runs Out

2008-05-01T21:49:00.002-04:00

Well that sucked. Let's get the bats going for the series against mighty Tampa Bay, shall we?

And speaking of The Team Formerly Known as the Devil Rays, we are now out of April and the Rays are in first place. It's as if we're living in a parallel universe where Tampa Bay doesn't suck.

OK, I Was Wrong about Timlin

2008-05-01T21:34:00.003-04:00

The Sox now move to the bottom of the ninth with the intention of scoring at least three runs. If they pull it off, I hope they just keep going and score four. I'm beat tonight and not looking forward to extra innings.

Comebacks Are Great, but Must We Rely on Them?

2008-05-01T21:30:00.001-04:00

Granted, the last two games were phenomenally exciting, edge-of-your-seat contests that the Sox won with walk-off hits. It is nice to know these guys don't stop playing until the game is over.

The problem is that they can't pull off late-game heroics every time. Given that reality, it might be a good idea for the Sox to try to, you know, score before the ninth inning.

Take tonight's game, which the Blue Jays currently lead 3-0 in the top of the ninth inning. I know that Red Sox fans the world over realize a win is still possible, though not probable. On NESN, Don Orsillo is just pointing out that the Sox have had eight walk-off wins and 10 come-from-behind wins this season (I think I got that right). But come on, guys, give us a break here. And give a break to the poor guys who have to hit in the bottom of the ninth.

Wait, Terry Francona is making a pitching change—to Mike Timlin. I love Mike, really I do. But I'm afraid a come-from-behind win just got less probable, as I have no confidence that the score will still be 3-0 when he's done.

Fast Games and Pitchers' Duels

2008-04-30T21:31:00.000-04:00

Some people, usually casual fans, find baseball boring. Not enough action, they protest, or the games take so long. Ask them what would make the sports more exciting and they're more likely than not to say they want more hitting. There is action in offense and grandeur in towering home runs. The irony is that high scoring games are also very long, but if your understanding of baseball is limited to hits and runs, it would be hard to sit through a game that lacked those elements.

For me, the most exciting games are the low scoring affairs where the pitchers and fielders have no room for mistakes. There is nothing better—or, increasingly, rarer—than a pitchers' duel. So I was as happy as a clam watching last night's contest between the Sox and the Blue Jays. It lasted only 2 hours 18 minutes, according to the official box score, and involved only three pitchers, one run, and an average of only 12 1/2 pitches thrown per half inning.

Compare that with the other 14 games around the major leagues last night that averaged 3 hours long and more than 8 pitchers used. But enough of the raw numbers.

What was most enjoyable about last night's battle is that both starting pitchers were about as close to perfect as most pitchers ever get. Toronto's Roy Halladay is known as an efficient and fast worker, the antithesis of what Boston's Jon Lester has been so far in his short major league career. Yet Lester was also quick and efficient, perhaps following Halladay's lead, or maybe because manager Terry Francona reportedly suggested to him after Justin Masterson's debut appearance that Lester might take a page from Masterson's book and move things along a bit more than he is used to. It was great to see Lester pitching the way we have long heard he can.

Meanwhile, there were defensive plays aplenty to back up the pitchers, the most memorable being a diving stop by second baseman Dustin Pedroia that saved a run. It was reminiscent of the spectacular play he made late in Clay Buchholz' no-hitter last year, and a sign that the terrific defense we saw from Pedroia last year wasn't a fluke. He epitomizes the term "scrappy," which MLB.com's Ian Browne uses in his game recap and many a Sox fan would agree with.

Of course, I wouldn't be waxing poetic about the game if we had been on the losing end of the 1-0 score. It's more fun to watch your team win a close one than to be left agonizing about why they couldn't do just a little more. That frustration was saved for Jays fans, not to mention Halladay, who was none too happy when center fielder Vernon Wells bobbled Kevin Youkilis' hit that ended up scoring David Ortiz in the bottom of the ninth. (Incidentally, I wasn't there to see exactly Ortiz was on the basepath when Wells fumbled, but I was somewhat surprised the official scorer didn't score an error on the play. It seemed to me an argument could be made for marking Ortiz to third on Youk's hit and to home on an E-8.)

In any event, it was a great win, and as I sit here and write about it, the same teams are in the midst of another tight one, a 1-1 game with pitching not quite as good as lawst night's but still better than you'd expect from Daisuke Matsuzaka and Dustin McGowan, the latter of whom, by the way, is on my fantasy team and did well for me tonight and has now given way to relief that I hope will give it up. I realize how lucky I am to love this game and be able to appreciate it in its many forms, including the lost art of outstanding pitching. So, with the Red Sox threatening with runners on first ande second with one out, I leave you to reflect on your own appreciation of what we have seen these last two games. And if you don't appreciate it, well, all I can say is you don't know what you're missing.

The Battle of Good vs. Evil: Part 1

2008-04-12T12:12:00.005-04:00

OK, so that didn't go exactly as planned. Clay Buchholz was very good, but unfortunately Chien-Ming Wang was better. Each allowed just one run, but Wang was more efficient with his pitches and turned in a complete game. Buchholz gave way to a string of relievers who, well, didn't do as good a job as he did (see: Timlin, Mike). Hideki Okajima did an admirable job trying to get the Sox out of the situation Timlin had placed them in, but he did allow one inherited runner to score on a sacrifice fly. Beazer and I scratched our heads over why Okie didn't come out for the eighth inning. Javier Lopez acquitted himself well before David Aardsma gave up the game's final run in the ninth inning.

The hitting was anemic, to say the least. Big Papi not only continues to hit below the Mendoza line, he's hitting below Mendoza's knees — .077 after going 0-for-3 last night. The offensive bright spot continues to be J.D. Drew, who had the only Sox run with his third home run of the season. His average stands at .429 with eight RBI. Of course he got off to a good start last year, but not that good: .342 with one homer and seven RBI after the same number of games.

It rained for more than half the game, but we were under cover (grandstand section 26) so we didn't mind. Today's game looks like it won't be a wash-out after all, with relatively warm temps and only about a 40% chance of showers. So I guess I'll go. Look for me on TV. I'll be the one cheering with a bunch or people around me.

If All Goes According to Plan, I Will Be at All Three Games This Weekend

2008-04-11T15:46:00.002-04:00

The wild card factor here is the weather. I just got tickets for tonight's Red Sox vs. Yankees game from a co-worker with seasons tickets who is sick and can't go. My good friend and sistah Beazer has tickets for tomorrow afternoon's and Sunday night's games.

If the rain that is being forecasted (70-80% chance of precipitation through the evening) holds off long enough, Beazer and I will see tonight's game. Tomorrow afternoon's forecast looks even worse, and frankly neither of us wants to hang around for what almost certainly will be a rain-out. So we're both going to stay home and hope for a postponement to Sunday afternoon, at which time we'll see a day-night doubleheader.

That's my plan. Now it's up to Mother Nature not to screw it up.

Water under the Bridge

2008-04-08T18:57:00.013-04:00

I can scarcely find words to express my thoughts about the ceremonial first pitch preceding today's Red Sox home opener. But this being a blog, I'll try.

Let's start by saying that the pre-game ceremonies—from music by the Boston Pops and the unfurling of banners to delivery and presentation of championship rings—was a slightly toned-down version of the ceremonies that marked opening day 2005. The most notable difference was the absence of Red Sox stars spanning the generations. It was a comfortable ceremony, one to which we seem to have grown accustomed, in a good way. Yeah, this is cool. Let's do it again. And again and again. It will never be as intense, as cathartic, as what followed the 2004 victory, but that's good too. Despite the inane prognostications of people way too self-important for their own good, we Red Sox fans haven't been dealt some existential blow from which we can never recover. We used to be devoted followers of a losing team; now we're devoted followers of a winning team. No one amongst us—NO ONE—wants to go back.

What I didn't realize, though, was how much unfinished business there still was after 2004. Up until today, it had felt like that victory, with all the drama of the unprecedented ALCS comeback and ease of the World Series sweep, erased all the agony of seasons past, like we were at last free to do what other teams' fans do, look forward to what our club can do next rather than back at what they couldn't do before.

Apparently I was wrong. There was one wound that still festered, at least for one person, and probably for all the rest of us, though we probably didn't realize it. So as I sat in front of the television at 2:00 this afternoon listening to ~~Carl Beane~~ Joe Castiglione announce that the ceremonial first pitch would be thrown by Bill Buckner, it was as if I was watching the last piece of a puzzle fall into place, a piece no one even realized was missing until it was there. THIS was last remaining loose end.

Buckner—who ironically wore the same number as a Red Sox player that was worn by the "goat" of a prior Red Sox World Series loss, Johnny Pesky—was introduced as a player who amassed Hall of Fame numbers during his 21 year major league career, one without whom the Red Sox would not have won the American League pennant in 1986. That characterization is not an understatement. A career .289 hitter, the 15-year veteran came to Boston in 1984 and proceeded to hit double digit home runs in his first three seasons here and had an impressive .990 fielding percentage at first base for the Sox. He was also a stabilizing influence on a team that included several young players. So respected was he that John McNamara decided to leave him in the game that night in New York—when he should have been on the bench with an injured ankle—because he wanted Buckner to be on the field to savor victory.

I was thinking about all of that when I saw and heard on TV the thunderous, prolonged, and unanimous ovation given to Buckner by the fans in attendance before today's game. They must have known, like all of us know if we're honest, that we overreacted back in 1986. Seriously. The Sox didn't lose that year's World Series because of Bill Buckner. They lost because of many people and many failures, not only before that most memorable play at first but in the entire next game, in which Boston had a chance to reduce Buckner's game six error (and Evans' error, and Gedman's error, and Clemens' giving up a two-run lead, and Schiraldi's giving up a one-run lead, and Stanley's wild pitch, and of course manager McNamara's sentimental decision) to a mere footnote in what would otherwise have been a tremendous series for the Sox. They lost because the Mets played better. The ensuing years of piling on Buckner as if he alone held victory in his hands and let it slip away like sand always was ridiculous.

Frankly, I'm surprised Buckner agreed to come back. He said back in 2004 that he didn't think he'd ever set foot inside Fenway Park again, and who could have blamed him if he had stayed away? After the way some of the fans held a grudge, he would have been justified in saying, with bitterness or without, "good riddance" to the lot of us. I would be very surprised if he didn't fear in the back of his mind, or perhaps even in the front of it, that the announcement of his name might elicit a chorus of boos from which he would have no escape.

So when the boos didn't come, when he was greeted warmly and genuinely and with enthusiasm and affection, Buckner wiped away a few tears. The fans had an opportunity to collectively make things right with Buckner, and he seemed happy to accept the gesture. Have you ever had a falling out with a family member or best friend, one that lasted many years? It becomes tiring, and tired. Eventually, you just have to fix it and move on.

Which seems to be what happened this afternoon at Fenway Park. I can picture sitting at a ball game a couple months or a few years down the road and, at the point when that game's occupant of Fenway's Legends Suite is introduced, being happy to see that the guest that day is Bill Buckner. I'm sure he'll never forget how shabbily he was treated by some of the faithful, just like we'll never forget that error. But there's an understanding between us now. We have all come to terms with the ugly past and have mutually decided that it doesn't matter any more.

It feels good.

UPDATE: Here is the full transcript of Joe Castiglione's introduction of Bill Buckner:

Now it's time to welcome the star who will throw our ceremonial first pitch on this day that we honor champions. And how happy we are that amidst this celebration and joy, this Red Sox alumnus has come back to join us. He amassed Hall of Fame caliber credentials in his 21 year major league career, and the Red Sox would never have won the 1986 American League pennant without him. Won't you please welcome back to Boston and let him know that he is welcome always. Number 6 — Bill Buckner.

Rings!

2008-04-08T10:37:00.002-04:00

The new Red Sox World Champion ring has been revealed, and once again it's a beauty.

Reminiscent of the 2004 ring, it features the team colors in gemstones: a ruby logo on a diamond of diamonds on a background of sapphires. But this time, instead of the stylized "B", the logo used is the two red socks. Like the '04 ring, this one is eminently wearable, as demonstrated when Mayor Tom Menino modeled both a tthe unveiling earlier today.

One person who wears his World Series ring every day is Fenway Park's public address announcer, Carl Beane, who comes to my office occasionally to have lunch with his wife, who also works here. I can't wait to see his new ring—and try it on.

That's Why We Chant YOOOOOUK!

2008-04-03T14:32:00.003-04:00

Not only was it news at MLB.com, the Boston Herald, Providence Journal, Washington Post, and countless other sports pages around the country, but it was also this morning's question in a daily e-mail trivia game I play. The question: "Boston Red Sox player Kevin Youkilis just set a Major League Baseball record for what?" The answer: Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis is baseball's new all-time leader in errorless games played at first base. Succinctly documented on SI.com:

Kevin Youkilis set the major league record for consecutive errorless games by a first baseman, playing his 194th consecutive mistake-free game at first to break Steve Garvey's record. The A's gave first base to Youkilis in appreciation, and the ball used on his final putout was sent to the Hall of Fame.

What the articles don't mention is that the record is actually for consecutive errorless regular season games. Alert fans may recall that Youkilis committed an error in Game 4 of last year's American League Championship Series against Cleveland. No matter. It's still a remarkable accomplishment which is unlikely to be equalled any time soon, especially if the streak continues awhile longer.

And as the Herald article notes, there is some incentive for Youkilis to remain perfect awhile longer: He stands just 72 errorless defensive chances shy of Stuffy McInnis. Youk could tie that record with six more games like last night's, in which he was credited with a dozen chances.

Drive-By Posting: Sox @ A's

2008-04-02T16:59:00.002-04:00

Jon Lester threw about 60 pitches through the first four innings of today's game in Oakland. At that pace, he'll get into the seventh inning before he hits 100 pitches. That's a good sign coming from a guy whose downside in his young major league career has been falling behind the batters, high pitch counts, and short outings. I was beginning to worry that we've seen what we're going to see of Lester. Perhaps my judgment was premature, she said hopefully.

Sox Players, Manager Stand Up for Coaches

2008-03-19T13:42:00.000-04:00

It has been the big news since this morning, when major outlets across the country startd reporting that the Boston Red Sox players voted to boycott their scheduled trip to Japan if Major League Baseball follows through on a late decision to renege on appearance pay for coaches and team staff. ESPN.com reports that MLB appears to have capitulated, which is a good thing because the players were not willing to compromise, according to the Globe's Nick Cafardo

The players are adamant that a $40,000 stipend for coaches and staff was negotiated in their agreement to play in Japan and that it has now been reneged. Third baseman Mike Lowell confirmed to the Globe that the team voted unanimously this morning not to make the scheduled trip unless the situation was rectified.

"When we voted to go to Japan, that was not a unanimous vote," said third baseman Lowell, "but we did what our team wanted us to do for Major League Baseball. They promised us the moon and the stars, and then when we committed, they started pulling back. It's not just the coaches, it's the staff, the trainers, a lot of people are affected by this."

$40,000 is a relatively small amount for the players, even those earning the league minimum of around $400,000 a year. But as manager Terry Francona points out, the coaches and staff aren't paid as well, noting that in some cases, $40,000 may be two-fifths of a coach's salary. Perhaps even more important is the message the decision sends about the value of coaches and other staff. The players' stance seems to have truly touched those affected.

"We all like to feel as if we're part of the team," Alicea said. "We help the players and we appreciate what they're trying to do. We thought this issue was resolved a long time ago. To have it come down to the final day is embarrassing. That's about all I can say about it."

Red Sox batting coach Dave Magadan said he appreciated the players' support.

"It means as much as the money itself," he told ESPN.

The Boston Herald's Rob Bradford and Michael Silverman point out that for at least one member of the Red Sox coaching staff, the appearance fee exceeds his entire salar: bullpen catcher Manny Martinez, who earns $30,000 a year.

Delivering the bad news to the affected individuals fell to Francona, who was quite upset by the turn of events.

"We're spending energy on something we don't want to spend it on. I don't understand it. I was embarrassed this morning. I had to tell them, 'Hey, that money you may have already spent, go get it back.'"

[ . . . ]

"I did not have an off day yesterday. I had the phone glued to my ear because I was promised some answers and I haven't even received a phone call," Francona said. "So I’m a little bit stuck. What I want to do this morning is get excited to play a baseball game and what I ended up doing is apologizing to the coaches and being humiliated."

Francona has long been a huge advocate of coaches' rights, executing such deeds as using money from television commercials to pay for the coaches' clubhouse fees, and making sure they all are included in his contract with Reebok.

[ . . . ]

"I don’t agree that coaches are second-class citizens. That has never sat well with me, ever, and continues to boggle my mind."

Speaking just for myself, I would agree with Francona. It's bad enough to back out of any part of an agreement, but to shaft the very people who aren't making millions is particularly repulsive. For the players to take a stand in their behalf, especially one that could potentially resulted in forfeiture of two regular season games, is gratifying to see. Fans prone to complain about the selfishness of highly paid professional athletes would do well to remember this gesture.

End of an Era

2008-03-13T13:10:00.003-04:00

My spring training reminiscences will appear sporadically between now and the beginning of the season, but for now, there is news.

The Doug Mirabelli era appears to be over.

The Red Sox have just made Doug Mirabelli's release official. He was placed on unconditional release waivers.

[ . . . ]

[Kevin] Cash is a non-roster player, but he had not yet been upgraded to the roster. [H]e appears to be a likely choice to be added, however.

The Sox replaced Mirabelli in [today's] lineup with Pawtucket catcher Dusty Brown, who is also considered a possible candidate for the major league club.

The View from My Window

2008-02-29T13:09:00.004-05:00

(Written February 29 at 12:45pm, posted late due to technical difficulties)

I'm sitting on the lanai of my friend Patty's condo in Marco Island, Florida, also known as Home Base for the duration of my vacation. The weather is absolutely beautiful — sunny and warm — after a couple sunny and cool days (but still better than what they're having back at home). All in all, I have absolutely no reason to complain.

After arriving late Wednesday afternoon, I saw the two college games yesterday, blowouts both (24-0 vs. Boston College, 15-0 vs. Northeastern). The BC kids definitely had it worse, facing the a-team infield and pitching. Northeastern faced some of the top pitching prospects, starting with Justin Masterson. We'll see how some of these guys look against actual major leaguers.

One more quick note before I leave for lunch and the beach: I have found Kelly's Spring Training Hottie of 2008. He is Chris Carter, wearing #77 and not having played yet. I'll post a picture later so you can see how right I am.

The Dog Regurgitated My Laptop

2008-02-24T11:50:00.006-05:00

I'm alive!

I have no excuses for my long absence. I suffered no dread diseases that had me comatose and hospitalized; I wasn't lying in a ditch on the side of the road, undiscovered for months after a terrible auto accident or ferocious winter storm; aliens did not abduct me and perform torturous experiments upon my body and mind. No, I'm just a big bag of ca-ca. But I'm back. And I'm leaving for spring training in...

(Drum roll, please...)

(Wait for it...)

(Are you ready?)

THREE DAYS!

Three days, folks. That's a Washington's birthday holiday weekend. A 3-day Macy's sale. The very same amount of time it took Jesus Christ to eat the last supper, die on a cross, and rise from the dead. Except that I fortunately, don't have to save humankind in that amount of time. All I have to do is pack, get myself and my luggage to Logan Airport, and board a plane to a magical place where I won't have to see this for a week.

OK, kids I'll see. But they won't be trudging through snow, which means neither will I.

I'm almost ready to go. Going through the checklist in my mind...

Airline reservation direct to Southwest Florida Airport – CHECK!
Economy rental car – CHECK!
Tickets for six pre-season games – CHECK!
2007 World Series t-shirt – CHECK!
Travel journal hand-crafted by my friend Pam – CHECK!
Custom scorebook made by yours truly – CHECK!
White-Out, just in case of scoring mistakes – CHECK!
Sharpie, for autographs – CHECK!
My brother's super-duper digital SLR camera and zoom lens, the better for capturing butt shots of my favorite Red Sox players – CHECK!
And last but not least, my previously dog-eaten and since regurgitated laptop for (hopefully) daily blogging from Fort Myers – CHECK!

I'm still trying to find a way to download the aforementioned butt shots from the aforementioned camera without the accompanying software, but once I resolve that small glitch, I'll be ready to post image after image that will have you feeling almost like you're there with me.

Talk to you then.

The Dog Ate My Laptop

2007-12-21T08:44:00.001-05:00

That is my official excuse for not posting anything new in a month and a half.

If it's a good enough story for Jonathan Papelbon, it's good enough for me.

Talk to you all again soon.

38 Pitches...Again

2007-11-06T10:38:00.000-05:00

From ESPN.com less than an hour ago:

Curt Schilling and the Boston Red Sox have reached an agreement on a one-year deal worth about $8 million in base salary and another $2 million in potential incentives, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reports.

The agreement is pending Schilling, 40, passing a physical exam.

Next step: Mike Lowell. (And check back later today for The Official Re-Sign Mike Lowell Blog Post.)

UPDATE 13:34 EST: According to the Red Sox page at Boston.com, the deal is actually for $8 million plus a potential $5 million in incentives, "$3m in performance bonuses based on innings pitched and $2m based on weight clauses" — although at the moment, the article that link goes to mentions nothing about the weight incentives. Here's a screen grab of the page currently (click for larger version):

UPDATE 14:06 EST: Curt breaks down the incentive arrangement on his blog:

The deal looks like this.

$8 million in guaranteed base salary

$2 million in bonuses for 6 seperate weigh ins.

I inserted the weigh in clause in the 2nd round of offers, counter offers. Given the mistakes I made last winter and into Spring Training I needed to show them I recognized that, and understood the importance of it. Being overweight and out of shape are two different things. I also was completely broad sided by the fact that your body doesn't act/react the same way as you get older. Even after being told that for the first 39 years of my life. Now I can't get on Dougie anymore, which sucks, and I am sure the clause will add 15-100 more jokes to Tito's Schilling joke book.

$3 million in IP incentives based on IP totals.

$1 million for receiving a Cy Young vote, any vote.

Keep in mind that Curt doesn't have an agent, so this is something he didn't have to get talked into.

Damn, This is Fun :)

2007-10-29T01:16:00.001-04:00

It's so different from 2004. No underdog status, no great unburdening, no tears for those who lived their whole lives never seeing a championship. All we have now is...a tremendous accomplishment. The Boston Red Sox are 2007 World Series champions.

It's very different from 2004. Then, we had several players we knew wouldn't be here the next year. Many of the key characters in that unprecedented postseason did indeed move on: Derek Lowe, Dave Roberts, Pokey Reese, Orlando Cabrera, Doug Mientkiewicz, the Certain Former Red Sox Pitcher Whose Name Shall Not Be Spoken. Now, we are looking forward to years of success built around young guys named Papelbon, Ellsbury, Pedroia, Delcarmen, Lester, not to mention Beckett and Matsuzaka.

WRKO's Joe Castiglione just pointed out that the Red Sox are the first baseball team in the 21st century to win multiple World Series championships. All those years when we thirsted for success, when we would have practically given our right arms for just one victory, seem like so very long ago. If 2004 represented our liberation from angst, 2007 represents the maturing of our new role as fans of a team that expects to contend every year.

I'll have more to say about all this after I get some sleep. For now, I'll mention that Glen Gefner is reporting that an announcement about a victory celebration in Boston will be coming from the Mayor's office later today. Rumor is the parade will be Tuesday. I hope my boss doesn't mind my taking some time off.

Sweet championship dreams, Nation.

Lasts Chance to Blog before the (knockonwood) Big Win

2007-10-28T20:03:00.001-04:00

I can't believe I have gone almost a full week without blogging. The most momentous week of the season, no less, and I was AWOL. I blame it on Allan, my English pen pal, who was visiting Boston with his family, so naturally I had to be the gracious hostess with the mostess and spend quality time with them. I couldn't say no; international relations were on the line. And besides, Allan is a Red Sox fan.

Anyway, it has been quite the surreal week. After game 7 against Cleveland, I noticed with mild amusement that I didn't feel the unbridled ecstasy I felt after we beat the Yankees in 2004. It was obviously very satisfying to come from behind, but it was just another step in the road. The ultimate prize, a World Championship, still had to be fought for. That was true in 2004 as well, but there were really two stories: going to the World Series, and dishing out a big dose of abject humiliation to the Yankees in the process. This year, that sub-plot doesn't exist.

The World Series, on the other hand, is like déjà vu all over again. The highly touted hot team with the great pitching thought they were going to continue to steamroll their way through the postseason. What they didn't count on is the superior caliber of American League baseball. All that great young starting pitching that was supposed to shut down the Red Sox offense (and did, actually, in game 2, won by the Sox only thanks to our own even better pitching) just hasn't panned out. You have to feel sorry for them. They were like lambs led to slaughter.

We have our own lamb going tonight in game 4, so I'm not taking anything for granted. This is baseball and anything can happen, even with a 3-0 series lead. Just ask the Yankees; they'll tell you all about it. But let's just say that if we win tonight and complete the sweep, I won't be surprised. This team got hot at exactly the right time. If they do win it all, it will be the perfect ending to the best regular season this team has seen in a very long time.

So without further delay, here are a few of my random thoughts heading into the fourth and possibly final game of the 2007 World Series:

I knew something very significant was afoot when, in game 6 against Cleveland last weekend, J.D. Drew hit a first inning grand slam. When Fox's Joe Buck commented in a later at bat that Drew was getting a huge ovation from the Fenway crowd, I thought to myself, I'm living in a parallel universe where J.D. Drew hits grand slams and the fans love him. Don't look now, but as of last night, he had hit in nine consecutive postseason games. Damn.
Stupid Tim McCarver comment of 2007, from game 1: "Once that runner hits third, the next stop is home." I'm glad he told us that, because I had no idea.
Will any opposing starter make it through the 5th inning ever again? Game 1, Jeff Francis, 4 innings, 6 earned runs. Game 2, Ubaldo Jimenez, 4.2 innings, 2 earned runs and 5 walks. Game 3, Josh Fogg, 2.2 innings, 6 earned runs.
How about Daisuke getting an RBI hit in game 3? I love it when pitchers come up with offense.
My pick for series MVP so far: Dustin Pedroia.
Last night was the 3rd anniversary of the 2004 World Series victory. It has nothing to do with this year, but isn't it still nice to think about?
On, and before I forget... Towels should be banned from all ballparks forever more.
And finally, am I the only one who was a bit stunned and concerned to hear that pitching coach John Farrell is a potential managerial candidate for the Pittsburgh Pirates? They have completely reeled me in when I have gotten attached to the coaches.

Enjoy the game folks. Think good thoughts.

Another ALCS, Another Dramatic Comeback

2007-10-22T07:37:00.000-04:00

Remember the days when the Red Sox could be counted on to take us to the brink of ecstasy, only to crush our hopes at the last minute? Neither do I. The new and improved 21st century Sox may have the same ability as their predecessors to give us all mild heart attacks, but in the end, they find a way to leave us feeling quite satisfied. I like this better.

That said, I realize there is still lots of work to do. The ultimate goal, after all, isn't to be merely the American League Champion. Over the next couple days, I'll be looking back on the series just completed and looking forward to the matchup against the band of unknowns called the Colorado Rockies. But first, I have to get some work done. Crap, I'm tired this morning. But it's a happy tired.

Welcome Back Special Guest Blogger Matt Goulet

2007-10-19T10:26:00.000-04:00

A win is a win, and that's what we got last night thanks to Josh Beckett, or as I like to call him, God. Still, there are a few things worth venting over. Making another appearance to do just that is friend and co-worker Matt:

Please refrain from using Coco's last name when discussing him.

For the rest of the playoffs, please refer to him as Coco Crap.

Also, if you see Lugo playing SS tomorrow night without a glove...yes, I stole it. He did nothing with it last night, and he doesn't need it, as evident by the play of Lowell where he charged in front of Julio for the Blake groundout.

Thank you.

Heh.

UPDATE FROM MATT:

I'm sorry, I can't take credit for 'Coco Crap' - that was from Angry Bill this morning on WEEI.

As far as Lugo, I just thought it was hilarious how he kept on trying to get into every play for no reason. And then Lowell just cuts him off and makes a great play. Lugo doesn't bother me as much as Crap. He is so out of it that his swings don't even look like swings. Ellsbury is more of a spark plug than Alex Cora at this point and Cora is not a better player than Lugo. I don't think you can worry about losing Crap because…well, he's gone. He has that same look on his face of no hope each AB and NO ONE talks to him in the dugout.

This weekend is going to be special for three reasons...1, Schilling is one of the best big time pitchers of all time, 2, Cleveland does not have that killer instinct, and 3, I look forward to a Daisuke masterful performance on Sunday night with him ending it with the Derek Lowe crotch thing that Lowe did to Oakland in the 2003 ALDS…HA HA HA!!

By the way, saith Matt on the phone just now, "I'm a true blue Red Sox fan who had no worries about last night." Well said.