Ramblings
May 5, 2008
Sox Photos
A friend was able to get us some great seats to the Sox-Rays game this past Sunday. Even though they weren't the "good" company seats, they were the best seats I've ever had at Fenway (two rows behind the photographer's well).
Because there was a good chance of rain (which didn't happen) I didn't bring my SLR and just used my point & shoot to get some shots from the game.
April 27, 2008
Red Sox Batting Stances
Pretty funny video. The Mo Vaughn and the over-the-top Youkilis impressions are great..
April 10, 2008
Gruber Proclaims Sox "Classy" For a Day
You already know that Yankee fans are the be-all and end-all when it comes to deciding what's classy in baseball and what's not, right? Well, I'm very pleased to report that Daring Fireball tech blogger and Yankee fan John Gruber has bestowed the "classy" label to Bill Buckner's treatment on Fenway's opening day!
Classiest thing the Red Sox have ever done.We Sox fans can now bask in warm glow of Gruber's proclamation! Ahhhhhh. This must be what it feels like to be a Yankee fan all the time...
April 7, 2008
By-Tor and the Red Sox
Following a series sweep at the hands of the Blue Jays this weekend, Surviving Grady breaks out an ancient Rush reference to help explain what went wrong:
Geddy Lee of Rush was in the house... With the guy who wrote "By-Tor and the Snow Dog" rooting against us, there was little we could hope to accomplish.
March 25, 2008
Opening Day in Japan
It's opening day for the Sox! Nothing like getting up at 5:30 for a little pre-work baseball...
February 27, 2008
Baseball and Politics
I'm a big fan of Tim Wakefield, but once again I've learned that most baseball players don't share the same political views as me.
“[President George Bush] knew who I was, which was really cool, and said, ‘Tim, great job, congratulations,’ ” said Wakefield, who plans to return the pleasantries. “(This time) I’d say, ‘Thanks for a great eight years.’ I’m a big fan of his.”On the other hand, Coco Crisp liked Ross Perot because “he had those big ears working.”
February 14, 2008
Like Love, Baseball is in the Air
Ah yes, today is the official beginning of spring training! And I'm not sure if I feel good or nervous that, just like me, Josh Beckett could benefit from doing some sit-ups...
February 4, 2008
18-1, 10 Days
Well, it's a good thing I'm not emotionally invested in football.
On a more relevant note (to me), pitchers and catchers report to spring training in 10 days...
On a more relevant note (to me), pitchers and catchers report to spring training in 10 days...
Labels: redsox
January 18, 2008
Geffner Gone
Good news on the Red Sox front: Glenn Geffner won't be broadcasting Sox games this season! No more of his non-stop drivel, drowning out Joe Castiglione who, on more than one occasion, seemed to tune Glenn out during broadcasts (just like I tried to do). Hopefully that means Dave O'Brien will take over full-time with Joe.
Labels: redsox
December 18, 2007
Mitchell Report: A Red Sox Conspiracy
Carl from Aqua Teen Hunger Force, an unapologetic Yankee fan, thinks the Mitchell Report is just a Red Sox conspiracy...
November 10, 2007
Acceptable 2007 World Series Matchup
MLB Announces Acceptable 2007 World Series Matchups
I missed this Onion article when it ran back in May, but looks like MLB got its wish that "any underdog team from the National League is acceptable as long as they play against the Yankees or Red Sox."
I missed this Onion article when it ran back in May, but looks like MLB got its wish that "any underdog team from the National League is acceptable as long as they play against the Yankees or Red Sox."
November 6, 2007
Onion Sox Coverage
Since they broke the Curse Of Relief Pitcher Curtis Leskanic, here are a few Sox-related headlines from America's finest news source:
October 29, 2007
Sox Win!
Everybody already knows it, but it'd be odd if I didn't at least mention it: the Red Sox won the World Series. Obviously, I'm very happy about that! The only bad thing about the sweep is that my Sox-fan sister-in-law was in Spain for work the past week and missed every game.
October 22, 2007
Good Weekend
Well, those last two games went better than I expected. Short recap (and funny shot of Indians GM Mark Shapiro and his wife) at Surving Grady: With All Due Respect to Ryan Garko, Champagne Tastes Much Sweeter at Home.
Labels: redsox
October 14, 2007
Ugly Loss
About the only good thing I can say about last night's game ("The Gagne/Lopez Comedy Hour"), besides the fact that I was smart (or lucky) enough to call it a night at 1:30 when it was only 8-6, is that I don't have to watch Eric Gagne play again this year. True, Gagne can't be blamed 100% for the loss (how many hits on 0-2 counts did Schilling give up?) but I'm tired of seeing him come out of the bullpen. (He really had 84 consecutive saves? And has actually pitched 1-2-3 innings before?)
Sure, he might pitch a game for the Sox again, but it's going to be in one of three situations:
Sure, he might pitch a game for the Sox again, but it's going to be in one of three situations:
- A Boston blowout. With Sox ahead by 6+ runs (gotta have enough of a lead to allow Gagne to give up a grand slam) it's "safe" for Gagne to pitch.
- An opposition blowout. If the Sox are down by 6+ runs in the 9th, go ahead and bring in Gagne. He can't make it much worse.
- A close game. Either the game is tied, or the Sox are up/down by a single run. If Gagne comes in, chalk up a couple for the bad guys.
Labels: redsox
October 9, 2007
Apology Ecard for Yankee Fans
If you're a jerk, here's an ecard you can send to your Yankee fan friends:
(Hopefully this same ecard won't be needed for Sox fans...)
(Hopefully this same ecard won't be needed for Sox fans...)
October 3, 2007
Pap & Tito
Recently there have been a couple nice articles about Red Sox: Terry Francona in Yahoo Sports and Jonathan Papelbon in Sports Illustrated.
See you at 6:30!
See you at 6:30!
Labels: redsox
September 30, 2007
The Season Ends
The Sox (finally) win the AL East, I won't say anything to my Mets-following family and friends, and Jon in Philly watches a great comeback. Let the playoffs begin...
April 2, 2007
Weekend Wedding & Opening Day
This weekend my cousin Shane got married and it was probably the best time we've had at a wedding that wasn't ours. It was great weather for an outdoor ceremony, the reception was a lot of fun, and everything was nicely done.
One thing I hadn't seen before was their table assignment method: rather than being assigned a table by number, people were assigned by current and former Red Sox players. (Knowing my respect for the knuckleballer, my uncle was nice enough to pull some strings to get me seated at the Tim Wakefield table.) So congratulations to Shane and Tracey...hope they're having fun in Florida and Hawaii.
And on a related note, it's opening day!
One thing I hadn't seen before was their table assignment method: rather than being assigned a table by number, people were assigned by current and former Red Sox players. (Knowing my respect for the knuckleballer, my uncle was nice enough to pull some strings to get me seated at the Tim Wakefield table.) So congratulations to Shane and Tracey...hope they're having fun in Florida and Hawaii.
And on a related note, it's opening day!
February 20, 2007
Keith Foulke Retires
The Retirement of Foulke
He didn't exactly throw smoulke.
He's not the most lovable bloulke.
But in Boston they're glad
For the time that they had
A man who for once didn't choulke.
Labels: redsox
January 12, 2007
Magical Fenway Park
Fenway all about 'the history and the tradition' (ESPN)
Fenway Park is magical. There's no ballpark, stadium or arena quite like it. Squeezed into the Fenway section of Boston, it's old, cramped and irritable, but there's no better place, no more intimate setting, for a baseball game.
October 22, 2006
Fenway in Japan
At Kyoto's Fenway Park, it's always October 2004 (ESPN)
A late-night stroll through Kyoto reveals white-faced geisha, the mysterious teahouses of Gion, the millennia-old Shinto shrines ... and a small red and blue sign for a bar named Fenway Park...
A shake of the head and a short ride in a cramped elevator later, you walk into a little piece of Beantown here in Japan's most traditional city. It's complete with Red Sox memorabilia on the wall and Sam Adams in a bottle. A Boston fan named Yasuyuki Ohta holds court behind the bar he owns with his brother.
Labels: redsox
August 27, 2006
Submariner of the Future?
You might already know that I'm a fan of sidearm & submarine pitchers. Yesterday Jill & I took Amelia to Fenway Park (for her first time) to see "Futures at Fenway": a doubleheader of Sox minor league teams Lowell Spinners and Pawtucket Red Sox.
We only stayed for the Spinners game (who won 3-1), but it was cool to see (a) Jonathan Papelbon's younger brother Joshua close out the game with a 1-2-3 ninth inning for the save, and (b) that Joshua is a submariner. Check the photo of him above: people's arms just shouldn't bend that way. Anyway, I'll dig it if he makes it to the Red Sox someday.
August 16, 2006
"Where's Mel Gibson now?!"
Denis Leary and Lenny Clarke visited Remy and Don on last night's Sox game, talking about Kevin Youkilis:
Denis: "I'm so proud to have a Jewish first baseman."
Lenny: "So am I. I hope Mel Gibson doesn't come into this park."
[Youkilis makes a great play]
Denis: "Where's Mel Gibson now?! Are you happy Braveheart? The Jewish first baseman makes the play, Mel Gibson!"
Watch the whole thing...
Denis: "I'm so proud to have a Jewish first baseman."
Lenny: "So am I. I hope Mel Gibson doesn't come into this park."
[Youkilis makes a great play]
Denis: "Where's Mel Gibson now?! Are you happy Braveheart? The Jewish first baseman makes the play, Mel Gibson!"
Watch the whole thing...
August 11, 2006
August 1, 2006
Le Monde du Papi
Great Sox game last night! When the 9th inning came around with the Sox down by 2, I told Jill "If Ortiz gets a chance to bat, he'll either tie it or win it." Of course, I'm not the only one who thought that:
But when Ortiz stepped to the plate last night, everyone in the free world knew that he was going yard. I knew it. You knew it. Your neighbor's wife knew it. The guy down the street who steals your newspaper knew it. Your dog knew it. Your sideburns knew it.
December 21, 2005
No more Sox sidearmers
Bummer. Two of my favorite Sox pitchers are now gone. Sidearmer Mike Myers already signed with the Yankees, and now the Sox have released Chad Bradford. I guess I'll just have to get used to seeing guys pitch overhand again.
December 20, 2005
Goodbye Bill Mueller
I can't stand Dan Shaughnessy, but he wrote a nice sendoff to Red Sox third-baseman "Buell" Mueller.
Mueller leaves an enduring mark with Sox
Mueller leaves an enduring mark with Sox
He left quietly, which is the way it always was with Bill Mueller, the Sox' Stealth Star from 2003-05.
Think about it. He played here almost every day for three years at a time when the Sox achieved popularity that bordered on religious fanaticism. He won a batting title for the Red Sox and played Gold Glove-caliber defense. He hit three home runs in a game. In a time when David Ortiz emerged as the Sox' greatest clutch hitter since Yaz, Mueller delivered two of the biggest hits in the history of the franchise. Oh, and does anybody remember that Mueller hit .429 when the Red Sox won their first World Series since World War I?
And yet, somehow, he did it all without anyone really noticing.
December 8, 2005
'06 Sox infield
First the Sox get a new second baseman, then they let the first baseman go (while the backup retired), the third baseman is going to the Dodgers, and now they just traded their shortstop. Looks like a new beginning for Boston's infield in '06...
October 14, 2005
Rain
The Red Sox were eliminated from the playoffs one week ago today. And since then, here in New England it's rained every single day, with more to come in the next couple days. Coincidence? Well, yes, but still...
Labels: redsox
October 10, 2005
2005 Red Sox
October 6, 2005
A Test of Faith
A Test of Faith @ Surviving Grady
What a difference a year makes. Last October, this would have been a profanity-filled rant with all sorts of illogical reasons why the Sox are doomed to break our hearts and spirits again. Now, I know better; this is simply a test. For all the fans who swore up and down after the 2004 ALCS that they would never lose faith, it is time to put up.
Yes, we are down 2 games to none. Yes, last night was a nut-buster. Yes, the sins of the 2005 season were all repeated and wrapped up in a nice little one-game summary; poor defense, no timely hitting, swinging at first pitches and a serious lack of hustle. But still I have faith. The Red Sox have been in this situation before. In 1999 to Cleveland and in 2003 to Oakland. In both cases, they prevailed, and against better teams than the White Sox.
October 2, 2005
A year without a curse
I gotta tell ya, I really enjoyed this past year of watching the Red Sox and not hearing anything about Babe Ruth, 1918, Bucky Dent, Bill Buckner, or "86 years." Very nice...
September 30, 2005
Sweet Caroline Redux
As I mentioned before, Lou Piniella and I are sick of hearing "Sweet Caroline" at Fenway. But more than that, I wondered how that tradition even got started in the first place. Today, my sister-in-law pointed me to the origin:NPR Morning Edition: The Mystery of 'Sweet Caroline' and the Red Sox
(As annoying as it is, though, I'll take Neil Diamond over "Cotton Eyed Joe" at Yankee Stadium!)
September 27, 2005
Let the torture begin!
Surviving Grady writes God on behalf of all Sox fans...
Dear God:
[T]his week is already the single most important week of the 2005 Red Sox season. The week that will more or less define my mental and physical well-being for the next half-year. And you pick the day of the first game of this particular week to kick it Noah style? Not cool.
September 2, 2005
Sweet Caroline
After witnessing Boston's four-game sweep, Tampa Bay manager Lou Piniella said, "Thank God we don't come in here anymore. I've heard enough 'Sweet Caroline.'"Gotta agree with Lou on that one: I don't know how "Sweet Caroline" became a Fenway staple, but I could really do without it...
August 9, 2005
July 19, 2005
Sox Sidearmers
As I've mentioned here before, I'm a big fan of sidearm pitchers. (It goes back to my early baseball years fascination with Dan Quisenberry and Kent Tekulve in the late-70s/early-80s.) I know some baseball purists don't like them -- they consider sidearmers (and knuckleballers) "tricky" pitchers, but their deliveries are so much fun to watch.
So you can guess correctly that I enjoyed watching last night's Sox game when Chad Bradford and Mike Myers pitched back-to-back. Of course, it would've been nice if they actually won the game...
So you can guess correctly that I enjoyed watching last night's Sox game when Chad Bradford and Mike Myers pitched back-to-back. Of course, it would've been nice if they actually won the game...
June 13, 2005
Joe Morgan is no Remy
Watching the Sox game on ESPN last night, I was reminded once again that watching Joe Morgan call a game drives me nuts. Last night's big thing for him was the Sox lineup: it featured four "non-regulars": Mirabelli instead of Varitek, Millar instead of Ortiz, Youkilis instead of Mueller, and Payton instead of Nixon.
And all throughout the game Joe wouldn't stop repeating over and over that when your team's not winning (like the Sox of late) you have to put your best players out there. And these four guys' results?
Mirabelli: 2-4, 1 R
Millar: 2-4, 1 R
Youkilis: 3-5 (one a HR), 2 R, 1 RBI
Payton: 2-5, 1 R, 1 RBI
Not bad at all. Yet Joe never once said that he was wrong, or even comment that the Sox were still able to easily beat the Cubs despite having some of their best players on the bench.
One good thing you can say about Joe Morgan, though: at least he's not Tim McCarver.
And all throughout the game Joe wouldn't stop repeating over and over that when your team's not winning (like the Sox of late) you have to put your best players out there. And these four guys' results?
Mirabelli: 2-4, 1 R
Millar: 2-4, 1 R
Youkilis: 3-5 (one a HR), 2 R, 1 RBI
Payton: 2-5, 1 R, 1 RBI
Not bad at all. Yet Joe never once said that he was wrong, or even comment that the Sox were still able to easily beat the Cubs despite having some of their best players on the bench.
One good thing you can say about Joe Morgan, though: at least he's not Tim McCarver.
April 28, 2005
Irony, or just bad timing?
Irony, or just bad timing?
April 27: Ankle injury sidelines Curt Schilling
Curt Schilling will miss at least two weeks with a bone bruise on his surgically repaired right ankle.
April 28: Curt's ankle gets bobble treatment
The most renowned torn ankle sheath in Red Sox history has gotten an extra 5 3/4 inches of fame. Curt Schilling's blood-soaked performance in last year's playoffs has been immortalized in a new "bobble ankle" doll unveiled yesterday at Fenway Park.
April 27: Ankle injury sidelines Curt Schilling
Curt Schilling will miss at least two weeks with a bone bruise on his surgically repaired right ankle.
April 28: Curt's ankle gets bobble treatment
The most renowned torn ankle sheath in Red Sox history has gotten an extra 5 3/4 inches of fame. Curt Schilling's blood-soaked performance in last year's playoffs has been immortalized in a new "bobble ankle" doll unveiled yesterday at Fenway Park.
Labels: redsox
April 22, 2005
Surviving Grady
Ever since Bambino's Curse retired, Surviving Grady has been my Red Sox blog of choice. It's updated daily, entertaining, and to the point -- no over-analyzing of statistics like many baseball blogs going on there. Today's entry had a pretty funny observation:Even more intriguing to me is watching the way Clement has become something of a young Dick Grayson to Curt Schilling's Bruce Wayne. During Wednesday night's game, the NESN cameras showed the two huddled close on the bench, discussing something -- it could have been Boomer's mechanics or Jessica Alba's tan line -- with great intensity. Last night, Schilling embraced Clement after the game, and it was one of those manly hugs that translates to, "You done good kid, just like I said you would. Now, let's go get some whores and cigars."
March 31, 2005
Almost baseball time...
Baseball season starts on Sunday, jumping right into the fire: Sox vs. Yankees.
Being a fan of the odd-style pitchers, I'm a little nervous that the Sox might not re-sign my favorite player, knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. Hopefully there's still a good chance he'll stay.
For reasons unknown, I've always been a big fan of the sidearm/submarine style pitchers. (Check out this great shot of Chad Bradford.) So I was glad that though the Sox got rid of one sidearmer, they brought another one back.
Being a fan of the odd-style pitchers, I'm a little nervous that the Sox might not re-sign my favorite player, knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. Hopefully there's still a good chance he'll stay.
For reasons unknown, I've always been a big fan of the sidearm/submarine style pitchers. (Check out this great shot of Chad Bradford.) So I was glad that though the Sox got rid of one sidearmer, they brought another one back.
February 28, 2005
Tim Wakefield on boston.com
Baseball is almost here (and yet another snowstorm approaches): Thursday is the first spring training game for the Red Sox. And today's Boston Globe had an article on Tim Wakefield, which included a cute little part about his newborn son:
Wakefield's is gripping story: Knuckleballer still contributing
Wakefield's is gripping story: Knuckleballer still contributing
Sure, it was great that [Tim's] son [Trevor] was born in the same year that generations of fans were forced to stop complaining that the Sox had not won a World Series in their lifetimes. Better yet that Trevor's mom, Stacey, took him to Game 1 of the World Series, with his father on the hill at the start of the game.
January 21, 2005
The Coma Guy, unlucky Red Sox fan
Talk about bad timing... (ESPN)
Here's a movie idea: diehard Red Sox fan falls into a coma before the 2004 playoffs, spends the next four weeks fighting for his life, then regains his senses after the World Series. He survives ... only he feels ripped off, because as millions of Sox fans say, "I saw them win in my lifetime," this poor guy is the one who didn't see anything. It actually happened.
Labels: redsox
January 1, 2005
World Series Winter NESN
Happy new year!
You Sox fans out there can relive World Series games from '75, '86 and '04 (see? it eventually has a happy ending...) as NESN is replaying the games this and next month -- here's the schedule. Especially worth noting is last year's (and I mean 2004) ALCS series against the Yankees. Fire up the TiVo!
October 30, 2004
Media perpetuates "Curse"
Media to blame for perpetuating Curse
The idea that the Boston Red Sox have been hexed for nearly a century because one of their owners sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees is the appallingly flimsy crutch of writers and broadcasters who haven't formed an original thought since they ditched "what's your sign?" in favor of "come here often?" Only in sports can journalists get away with such blatantly irresponsible behavior. ...
We decry their tragic loss of the spontaneity gene, yet reporters and headline writers will turn right around and bloviate about the "Curse of the Bambino," evidently failing to realize it's the worst kind of hackneyed, scripted drivel.
October 29, 2004
Just Another Baseball Fan
The Nation's destination: Destiny
Because that's all we ever wanted. Nobody understood that. Outsiders made up fake curses, called us losers, pointed to a legacy of failure, questioned our sanity. We kept hoping. We kept the faith. We kept passing this team down from generation to generation, hoping it would be worth it. And it was.
October 28, 2004
2004 World Series Champions
Red Sox: 2004 World Series Champions
I can hardly believe they won it -- it still seems unreal. I still haven't totally processed the comeback win over the Yankees. The soon-to-be retired (?) Bambino's Curse summed it up:
And just like that it's all gone: No more Curse; No more 1918; No more getting the rock almost to the top of the hill only to have it roll back down and crush us...
October 23, 2004
Fenway QuickTime VR
Here's a QuickTime VR of our last outing at Fenway (1.2MB) from our seats in left field. (Requires QuickTime, obviously...)
October 22, 2004
Sox stuff...
Some Sox stuff...
David Ortiz from this ESPN article:
"One day I was driving from my house to the stadium on a workout day and I saw a big sign on the street that said, 'Keep the Faith.' And I saw a photo of Manny and he had a big smile," series MVP Ortiz said of the historic comeback. "I just parked in front of the photo and I just sat down for a minute and thought about what we've been through the whole year. Then I went to the field and I just expressed myself to my teammates about what the Boston nation has been waiting for us and they expect from us.
"So it doesn't matter if we were down 3-0. We just have to keep the faith because the game is not over until the final out."
Photo by Eliot Shepard (y'all remember Sinkhole, right?) of two members of different evil empires shaking hands: Jeter and Cheney.
From the Late Show with David Letterman: Top Ten Secrets To The Boston Red Sox Comeback presented by Curt Schilling
10. Unlike the first three games, we didn't leave early to beat the traffic.
2. What'd you expect -- we have a guy who looks like Jesus!
A Yankees website had this written on October 18, after the first Sox win (in 12 innings):
But, for the Red Sox to [win the series], the following things need to happen:It's still sinking in how big an accomplishment the Sox comeback was, especially against this Yankee team. Reading the above near-impossible list of "to do" items the Sox had just reinforces that.
- Boston needs to beat Mike Mussina
- Pedro Martinez needs to shut down the Yankees
- Pedro Martinez needs to go deep into Game Five
- Boston needs to beat Jon Lieber
- Curt Schilling needs to pitch well despite having a ruptured tendon sheath
- Boston needs to beat Kevin Brown/Javier Vazquez
- Boston's pitching staff needs to stop the Yankees' lineup for three more games.
October 21, 2004
October 20, 2004
Why the Boston Red Sox will win Game Seven
The article "Why the New York Yankees will win Game Seven" has pretty shaky reasons. (It's also odd that this same writer predicted a Sox win in 7...talk about hedging your bets!) So I have to counter reason-for-reason with...
Why the Boston Red Sox will win Game Seven
Here are five reasons the Boston Red Sox will beat the New York Yankees on Wednesday night:
1) Recent history. Three outs away from going to their 40th World Series one night, then 6 outs away the next night, the Yankees have shown that they can't hold onto a lead and close the deal. In Game 6, the team looked even more lost and desperate.
2) Not-so-recent history. No team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit -- though mathematically possible, it's nearly impossible to come back. But the Sox have done the impossible and have forced a game seven for the first time ever -- history is being made. Also, look at the team rosters: Bucky Dent, Bill Buckner and Aaron Boone are not playing on either team. And check your calendar: it's 2004, not 2003 or 1986 or 1978.
3) A rested Mariano Rivera was unable to preserve Yankee leads in two games this series (not to mention some regular season failures). This Sox team is not afraid of Rivera, who in 2004 is human. He was lights out in 2003, but what has he done for Steinbrenner lately?
4) Kevin Brown. Starting for the Yankees is a pitcher who has been ineffective against the Sox offense, going back as recently as his two-inning start on Saturday. (The backup pitcher is equally ineffective Javier Vasquez.) Meanwhile, the Sox counter with Lowe and Wakefield, both who have had their troubles this year but have pitched well against the Yankees this series.
5) Joe Torre. More than ever, Torre has had his decisions questioned over the past three games -- read any New York paper or website, or turn on the radio. Perhaps it's not his fault: the bullpen isn't lights-out like days past, and he's got nobody on his bench except the starting 9. Francona has surprised people with his moves (e.g. bringing out Foulke in the 7th inning), and they've worked. While Terry isn't Joe, he also certainly is not Grady.
Why the Boston Red Sox will win Game Seven
Here are five reasons the Boston Red Sox will beat the New York Yankees on Wednesday night:
1) Recent history. Three outs away from going to their 40th World Series one night, then 6 outs away the next night, the Yankees have shown that they can't hold onto a lead and close the deal. In Game 6, the team looked even more lost and desperate.
2) Not-so-recent history. No team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit -- though mathematically possible, it's nearly impossible to come back. But the Sox have done the impossible and have forced a game seven for the first time ever -- history is being made. Also, look at the team rosters: Bucky Dent, Bill Buckner and Aaron Boone are not playing on either team. And check your calendar: it's 2004, not 2003 or 1986 or 1978.
3) A rested Mariano Rivera was unable to preserve Yankee leads in two games this series (not to mention some regular season failures). This Sox team is not afraid of Rivera, who in 2004 is human. He was lights out in 2003, but what has he done for Steinbrenner lately?
4) Kevin Brown. Starting for the Yankees is a pitcher who has been ineffective against the Sox offense, going back as recently as his two-inning start on Saturday. (The backup pitcher is equally ineffective Javier Vasquez.) Meanwhile, the Sox counter with Lowe and Wakefield, both who have had their troubles this year but have pitched well against the Yankees this series.
5) Joe Torre. More than ever, Torre has had his decisions questioned over the past three games -- read any New York paper or website, or turn on the radio. Perhaps it's not his fault: the bullpen isn't lights-out like days past, and he's got nobody on his bench except the starting 9. Francona has surprised people with his moves (e.g. bringing out Foulke in the 7th inning), and they've worked. While Terry isn't Joe, he also certainly is not Grady.
Game 7
I can't say anything about the Sox, other than they've been amazing and have gone much farther than I expected.
Doug Mientkiewicz said "We've been playing Game 7 since Game 4." That's true. But the real Game 7 is tonight. And I'm not sure I'll be able to take it...
Doug Mientkiewicz said "We've been playing Game 7 since Game 4." That's true. But the real Game 7 is tonight. And I'm not sure I'll be able to take it...
October 17, 2004
October 14, 2004
The bright side...
While the Sox played another offense-free game, I've decided to try to look on the bright side: At least this year's ALCS will merely be a "disappointing loss" rather than a "soul-crushing loss" like last year.
October 12, 2004
Yankees in Three?
Larry Mahnken of The Hardball Times writes an ultra-pro-Yankee preview ("Prediction: Yanks in Three") of the upcoming series in YANKEEZ ROOL!!! Boston is teh suck. It's a pretty funny head-to-head comparison of each position (second base: "Boston had signed Pokey Reese to prevent runs on defense, the Yankees were playing Enrique Wilson in order to prevent runs on offense").
October 11, 2004
How to Watch the ALCS
For your baseball-watching pleasure, Surviving Grady helps you out by presenting "How to Watch the ALCS [a handy guide]":
As an aside, I'm going to say Sox in 6 ... although I'd love it if they swept (not a realistic prediction, but still...) because we'll be at game 4 (go Wake!).
1. Tune into FOXRead the rest...
2. Press "mute" on your remote to spare yourself the inane blabbering of Tim McCarver and crew
3. Switch channel during prerequisite thirty-four showings of Aaron Boone's home run
4. Switch channel during prerequisite fifty-seven showings of "the Buckner"
As an aside, I'm going to say Sox in 6 ... although I'd love it if they swept (not a realistic prediction, but still...) because we'll be at game 4 (go Wake!).
September 29, 2004
Pledge allegiance to Red Sox Nation
Pledge allegiance to Red Sox Nation (ESPN)
Everything has changed. Nothing has changed. I don't want to go through this again. I can't live without it. I'm not sure I can handle it. I couldn't imagine any other way.Bill Simmons pretty much captures the mind and essense of a Sox fan.
Labels: redsox
September 27, 2004
Make it 6 in a row
Yesterday: Yankees 4, Red Sox 11
2004 overall: 0-5 without shirt, 6-0 with shirt. On to the playoffs!
2004 overall: 0-5 without shirt, 6-0 with shirt. On to the playoffs!
Labels: redsox
September 23, 2004
Lucky 49 shirt
Orioles 6, Red Sox 7
Once again, the lucky shirt comes through: the Sox are 5-0 when I wear it to Fenway.
Once again, the lucky shirt comes through: the Sox are 5-0 when I wear it to Fenway.
Labels: redsox
September 17, 2004
Lucky shirt comes through again...
Though I'm not superstitious and I don't believe in The Curse, I do wear my now-lucky Tim Wakefield shirt whenever I go to a Sox game. It worked again last night.I had been to five games (four at Fenway plus one in spring training) and they lost them all. Then I bought myself a #49 shirt, wore that to Fenway each time we went, and they've won all four since then. So even though I don't really believe it's lucky, I'm still going to wear that shirt to our remaining games...or at least until it stops working.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention: after the game last night, we stuck around while they filmed a scene for the upcoming Farrelly Brothers movie, "Fever Pitch" (based on Nick Hornby's book about soccer). Spoiler: Drew Barrymore runs across the field while being chased by security. Hilarious hijinks ensue!
Labels: redsox
September 1, 2004
Michael Corleone on the Red Sox
"Just when I thought that I was out, they pull me back in."
I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high. In June and July I had pretty much written off any playoff hopes for the Sox, but -- and I hate to say it -- I'm feeling it now. Feeling it like I did last year (up to Game 7). I don't want to: I'd rather just enjoy each game as it comes. But I can't help but look to October...and even imagine the Yankees in second place.
The thrill of the chase in Boston (ESPN Page 2)
On Friday the 13th, I made a startling confession to my magazine editor: I still hadn't given up hope of catching the Yankees. Of course, he cackled in delight. He's a grizzled New Yorker, the type of guy who loves listening to delusional Red Sox fans. Especially when we're talking crazy.We'll see how things go: if this is just the Sox once again getting our hopes up to be dashed to bits, or if this really is The Year.
Except for one thing ... I wasn't crazy.
Labels: redsox
August 3, 2004
Goodbye to Nomah
I'm sad to see the Sox trade Nomar (and not just because I own a #5 jersey), but at the same time I think it's for the best he move on...and it seems fitting he ended up with the Cubs.
There's a good article on ESPN -- The (cow)bell tolls for Nomar -- about the trade, and it raises some interesting points that fans probably want to overlook. How did the Cubs end up with both Nomar and prize prospect Matt Murton?
There's a good article on ESPN -- The (cow)bell tolls for Nomar -- about the trade, and it raises some interesting points that fans probably want to overlook. How did the Cubs end up with both Nomar and prize prospect Matt Murton?
Then again, maybe it does make sense ... it tells you two things.
1. Nomar didn't have as much trade value as we thought.
2. The Red Sox were more desperate to get rid of him than we thought.
Then throw in this one:
3. Not a single teammate stepped up to A) defend him, or B) bash the trade as he was headed out the door.
July 1, 2004
Time to take a break
Well, last night's game clinches it: I have to take a break from the Red Sox. I don't mind when they lose while playing well, but they've been playing some of the ugliest baseball for the past two months. How does a "good" team have the bases loaded and no out, and not score a single run? And I don't remember seeing a team commit so many errors: just in the past two games against the Yankees, they've allowed more unearned runs than they've scored themselves.
Even the eternally-optimistic Edward Cossette, author of Bambino's Curse, is now singing a pessimistic tune ("By the way, don't look up because the sky is falling"). So no more games for me until next Thursday ('cause we have tickets to that one), and instead I'll spend more time gardening to regain some sanity...
Even the eternally-optimistic Edward Cossette, author of Bambino's Curse, is now singing a pessimistic tune ("By the way, don't look up because the sky is falling"). So no more games for me until next Thursday ('cause we have tickets to that one), and instead I'll spend more time gardening to regain some sanity...
Labels: redsox
June 28, 2004
Red Sox hitting = days of bachelorhood
Bambino's Curse has a pretty funny observation about the Red Sox's hitting:The Red Sox hitting reminds me of my days of bachelorhood. When I didn't have a girlfriend, attracting interest from the opposite sex was something of a chore, yet, during those stretches when I had a hottie g.f. on my arm, it seemed all of a sudden that women were coming out of the woodwork with (wicked) wanton looks in their eyes. Similarly, the Red Sox hitters tear the friggin' cover off the ball when they're already up by 5 runs, but heaven forbid they need clutch hit with runners in scoring position while trailing by one run.
Labels: redsox
May 10, 2004
Project Knuckleball
Tim Wakefield is expected to start the next Sox game we're going to, and I'm very excited. Wakefield has been one of my favorite players for years now, and I've always wanted to see him throw in person.
Coincidentally, I was just pointed to an article on The New Yorker all about the knuckleball: Project Knuckleball. It's a great article touching on the history of the knuckleball, the physics behind it, knucklers past & present, the difficulty hitting (and catching) it, plus little facts like why knuckleball pitchers often wear number 49.
Update: This post used the word "knuckle" way too many times...
Coincidentally, I was just pointed to an article on The New Yorker all about the knuckleball: Project Knuckleball. It's a great article touching on the history of the knuckleball, the physics behind it, knucklers past & present, the difficulty hitting (and catching) it, plus little facts like why knuckleball pitchers often wear number 49.
Update: This post used the word "knuckle" way too many times...
April 30, 2004
April 26, 2004
The view from the Bronx
There's a good Yankees-eye view of what went down this weekend over at Bronx Banter -- check it out. In addition to some coverage of the weekend games, there's some commentary about idiot fans on both sides:I don't know who is worse: the Yankee fans or the Red Sox fans. I've said this before, but I think they deserve each other. They are the two most self-aggrandizing, insufferable groups of fans you can find in the sport. When the Yankees beat the Sox, Yankee fans become shameless, entitled front-runners, rubbing tired slogans in the faces of the Sox fans. When the Sox beat the Yankees, Sox fans act as if the victory is a triumph of all that is moral and good, over all that is evil.The only problem is that the people that read his site tend to be intelligent people who don't fall into the "bad fan" category. I can't wait for all the "Yankees suck" and "Red Sux" crap to go away, though realistically I know it won't be for a while...
Labels: redsox
April 19, 2004
Chapman Jinx?
The Red Sox took 3 of 4 games from the Yankees this weekend, and of course the game we went to was Sunday's loss. As a matter of fact, the Sox have lost every game we've gone to see this year (three at Fenway plus one spring training). While I don't believe in the "Curse of the Bambino," I'm starting to think there might be some kind of "Chapman Jinx."
Labels: redsox
April 6, 2004
"Instant Red Sox history"
Bambino's Curse has a great post today. It's on the long side, but worth the read (if you're a Sox fan). If I may second-hand quote from it:
I really think fans of most teams, in most sports, can probably recite their own unique litany of failure and pain -- Red Sox fans aren't that special. What is unique is that since 1986 that precise emotional vibe has been exploited and marketed to make money. And too many Sox fans (and way, way too many casual fans here and elsewhere, and an absolutely obscene number of know-nothing broadcasters) have gobbled it up because it goes down quick and easy and seems to explain everything. It's instant Red Sox history, antiseptic, without having to deal with the real nasty stuff, like racism and incompetence.
Labels: redsox
April 2, 2004
Sox Bashing
I know Red Sox-bashing is in vogue in the baseball world, but every year it gets more and more out of control. It's happening all over again ... in fact, it's happening even more than usual as the team gets better. I can't wait for the Sox to win it all, just to put an end to all this bullshit.
The people who talk about the "Curse of the Bambino" are not Red Sox fans, but the media (and with the exception of Dan Shaughnessy, most aren't from Boston). Just watch Fox or ESPN any time they broadcast a Red Sox-Yankees game and count the curse references. (That might be a decent drinking game...) Here's a fact for you non-Sox fans caught up in the "curse" hype: We don't talk about it. We don't think about it. We don't believe in it. It's just something lazy sportcasters and sporswriters use as a crutch instead of reporting real stories and analysis.
On a related note, the new thing to do besides bash the "pathetic" Red Sox is to pity the Cubs. And it's usually Yankee fans/writers doing this. In fact, Frank Deford was particularly condescending to Cubs fans in this article:
I like the Cubs fans better. They go out and accept defeat the way they always have, with that grace that comes with resignation.As someone commented at Bambino's Curse:
If I were a Cubs fan, I'd be pissed off. It sounds so condescending coming from a Yankees fan (assuming he is one...he sure sounds like one): "Why can't Red Sox fans be more like Cubs fans? They just lose quietly and go away."Let the season begin!
Well f*** you, Frank Deford. If the Sox have to be a pain the Yankees' side while George tries to buy another World Series, so be it. Sorry if the Sox won't lie down and let the Yankees pass on by, like the Cubs allegedly would do if they were in the AL East.
March 28, 2004
2004 Spring Training
Marlins 4, Red Sox 0
Spring training at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, FL. Not the best game the Sox have played, but it was nice to be somewhere warm watching a ballgame.
Spring training at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, FL. Not the best game the Sox have played, but it was nice to be somewhere warm watching a ballgame.
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