FENWAY WEST HAS MOVED
Check out the new site at http://www.fenwaywest.com/
Please update your links, this site will stay up for archive purposes.
Read more...
Please update your links, this site will stay up for archive purposes.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Huge Trouble at Short
Alex Gonzalez may have a hairline fracture in his right hand from getting beaned last night. Tito explained the injury:
"Gonzie got a flor-scan, flor-scope, whatever they call that thing in there," he said. "It was actually a little bit inconclusive. That doesn't mean that -- I think they just feel a little more comfortable if they get some x-rays tomorrow morning. Paulie said it could be as little as a blood vessel. But it doesn't seem like a real good time to not -- we weren't going to play him tomorrow night anyway, so we'll get him checked a little bit further."Green is still out with the leg injury, Lowire is not 100% and Woodward is away from the team for the birth of his kid. If Gonzalez can't go the Red Sox get worse defensively. They may have to go with Chris Woodward in the playoffs, he is only batting .215 with an OPS of .520 in 33 games this season. Read more...
Friday, October 2, 2009
Rookie Hazing at Fenway
The Cleveland Indians have no shortage of players making their major league debuts and the hazing of rookie players was on display in and around Fenway tonight.
When (Trevor) Crowe walked into the visitor's locker room at Fenway Park on Friday, he saw his brand new baseball shoes sitting on a chair in front of his locker frozen into a block of ice. Even the inside of the shoes were filled with ice.
and there was this:
Read more...
Sox and Dawgs to return
On September 18, Ian Bethune shut down his popular blog, Sox and Dawgs, leaving a semi-cryptic message on a blank white page. Today, he twittered that he will be returning to blogging soon.
I have never met Ian, but I do know that Matt O'Donnell, founder of Fenway West, has thanked him publicly for numerous links from his site to Fenway West.
For more about Ian Bethune and Sox and Dawgs, read Batter-up with Bruno.
Is this the same team that beat the Yanks 22-4?!
Ellsbury swiped #69 (3B no less) and was caught on his 2nd attempt at stealing third. The Sox had most of their usual starters in the lineup today after getting the day off yesterday. Only Drew and Papi were out today, with ‘Tek behind the dish, V-Mart at 1B, Youk at 3B, and Lowell at DH. 8 hits brought in 6 runs.
The Chinese New Year’s Bullpen Dragon was manned by Wagner, Ramirez, Bard, and Saito: 3 IP, 3 H’s, 1 BB, 0 R’s (total for the crew.) No position players pitched for the Sox today.
Sox Win 6-2 BOX SCORE
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
| Indians | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 3 |
| Red Sox | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 1 |
One other score of note: TBY 13, NYY 4 BOX SCORE
At first I thought that NY was resting all their regular starters, but no, that was not the case. Why couldn't Sabathia pitch like that last week. Grrrrr............
Red Sox Lineup 10/2 vs the Tribe
Jacoby Ellsbury-CF
Dustin Pedroia-2B
Victor Martinez-1B
Kevin Youkilis-3B
Jason Bay-LF
Mike Lowell-DH
Rocco Baldelli-RF
Jason Varitek-C
Alex Gonzalez-SS
Dice-K-SP
The Running Game Will Cut Both Ways in the ALDS
Red Sox fans are very worried that Tek and V-Mart will struggle to gun down the speedy LAA Angels baserunners. They have reason to be concerned but as Angels blog points out, so do Angels fans:
Meanwhile, the Angels have only thrown out 23 percent of prospective base stealers. That’s mediocre.
In last year’s playoffs, the Angels’ small-ball approach probably hurt them more than helped them. The Red Sox are more selective with their aggressive running. When they go, they make sure they can make it.
Fear not Sox fans, everything is working out according to plan. Read more...
On Field Photo Day
Want to get your picture with a Red Sox player? Get to tonight's game early and you can go out on the warning track for the shot:
Friday, October 2 – On-Field Photo Day – Fans will have a chance to get a photograph with a player before the game during On-Field Photo Day. Fans will be invited to head to the warning track on the field as soon as the gates open at 5:10 p.m. Players will come out to the field and greet fans for approximately one hour.
Will Manny Delcarmen be standing all by himself? Read more...
This Might Be the Most Disturbing Thing You Read All Day
As if the freezing and severing of Ted William's head was not enough, a new book now claims that employees of the cryonics facility that has his body have been doing extremely bizarre things to his remains:
In "Frozen," Larry Joohnson, a former exec at the Alcor Life Extension Foundation in Scottsdale Ariz., graphically describes how The Splendid Splinter" was beheaded, his head frozen and repeatedly abused:I do not understand how people can ever become this crude. Hopefully an investigation will lead to prision time for these employees and Ted Williams will be unfrozen and cremated as he asked to be in his will. Read more...
Johnson writes that holes were drilled in Williams' severed head for the insertion of microphones, then frozen in liquid nitrogen while Alcor employees recorded the sounds of Williams' brain cracking 16 times as temperatures dropped to -321 degrees Fahrenheit.
Johnson writes that the head was balanced on an empty can of Bumble Bee tuna to keep it from sticking to the bottom of its case.
Johnson describes watching as another Alcor employee removed Williams' head from the freezer with a stick, and tried to dislodge the tuna can by swinging at it with a monkey wrench.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Jonny Lester is BACK!!! So good, so good, so good!
The offense got Lester out to a quick lead with Youk's sac fly in the 1st inning. Ortiz got his 97th RBI in the 3rd on a line drive, followed by a RBI single by JayBay to have the Red Sox leading 3-0. The drama of the evening was the Tribe's pitcher, Carrasco being hit by a line drive in the 4th that was eerily reminiscent to Jonny Lester being hit. He left the game and reports are that he is ok. Thank goodness for that. The bullpen came in for the Indians and took care of business for Carrasco.
So, how did Lester do???
Lester's line. 6.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K on 84 pitches. Basically...Lester was all chuck full of awesome and showed that not only is he back, but he seems READY for the post season. Lester struck out the side in the 5th and his off speed pitches just looked nasty. Lester walked the first batter in the 7th inning and Tito took him out. Bard came in...gave up a hit...and hit a batter. With the bases loaded and one out, it looked like the Red Sox might be in trouble. Bard lucked out with an awesome Gonzo/Pedey DP and got out of the inning without any damage done. Wagner followed with a 1-2-3 in the 8th and Pap closed out the 9th with an awesome 1-2-3 of his own. Pap looked like he is locked and ready for October...throwing 11 pitches, 9 for strikes to get through the inning.
Yeah. It officially feels like Soxtober.
Sox WIN 3-0. BOX SCORE
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
| Indians | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Red Sox | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 0 |
Ricco Petrocelli Gets a New Baseball Radio Show
Petrocelli signed with the Red Sox in 1963 and played all of his 13 Major League seasons in Boston. A two-time All-Star, Petrocelli led all American League shortstops in fielding percentage in 1968 and 1969. In 1969 he hit 40 home runs, fourth most in the AL, a single season record for a shortstop at the time. Over his career, he played in two World Series (1967, 1975) and hit 210 home runs with 773 RBI and 653 runs in 1553 games. He was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1997.
The first show is on Saturday, October 3 (8:00 – 10:00 am ET)on XM radio's Home Plate channel. It should be an interesting listen. Read more...
Red Sox Lineup 10/1 vs the Indians
Jacoby Ellsbury-CF
Dustin Pedroia-2B
Victor Martinez-C
Kevin Youkilis-1B
David Ortiz-DH
Jason Bay-LF
Mike Lowell-3B
Joey Gathright-RF
Alex Gonzalez-SS
Jon Lester-SP
Smoltzie. You lost. Ya big baby...
So, it seems that John Smoltz and the Cardinals are blaming his loss yesterday...not on his suck, but on the unrubbed balls he was given for the game.
I'll admit it...I openly am annoyed by John Smoltz and everything he does. I was SO excited when he signed with the team. On his first outing with the Red Sox...I jumped around proclaiming it John Smoltz Day. Since then, Smoltz has done nothing but disappoint me. He didn't pitch well with us...and seemingly was not ready for the challenge, especially in the AL East. He seemed arrogant in his post game interviews. Then, he left...went to the Cards and seemed to pitch "lights out." Maybe that shouldn't annoy me...but it does. If he was going to be pitching lights out, it should be for us.
But, I digress. So, last night...Smoltz walks an uncharacterist 5 people. He says it is because he was given "unrubbed balls." (Insert your own joke here...they write themselves!) Fine. It seems like classic not taking responsibility for your own suck, but fine. I can't see Joshie Beckett ever blaming one of his losses on something else. That's just not how he rolls...
The next part is what really annoys me. Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan goes on to say that the reason Bronson Arroyo didn't have that same hard time was because he was using pine tar that he had on his ball cap.
Duncan, who said the umpires told him the baseballs indeed were rubbed up, said Arroyo was able to deal with the issue because "I'm sure he had pine tar on his cap. He didn't have any problem getting a grip. Balls like that can generate a lot more movement than a slick ball that hasn't been rubbed up."
Asked if he had seen Arroyo go to his cap, Duncan said, "Just every pitch."
So, not only is Smoltzie not responsible for his loss, but Arroyo and the Reds are cheaters. Umm. No. Ridiculous. It's like that immature 7th grade response..."I lost, but it's because you all CHEATED." My response. Grow up. Read more...
The "Dangerous" Red Sox
The Sporting News picks the Red Sox as the most dangerous wild card team in the playoffs:
To win in October, a team needs power pitching, at least one big-time slugger, a dominant closer and a chip on its shoulder (the "we don't get any respect" angle is always popular).
No team features a better mix of these ingredients than the Red Sox.
I have to agree with them on this one. If the Sox get good efforts out of Lester, Beckett, Buchholz and Dice-K they will be very tough to beat. The addition of V-Mart has made the offense very powerful and there are enough good arms in the pen. I say bring on the Angels and let's send 'em home again. Read more...
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Halladay flattens PawSox
Auditions were being held for the postseason bullpen roster: Cabrera, Richardson, Delcarmen, Jones, Okajima, and Brown. Wait a minute- Brown? Brown who? Catcher Dusty Brown was the third position player to be used as a relief pitcher this season by the Sox, Nick Green and Jonathan Van Every preceding him, setting a record in the process. Brown actually made it through the 9th inning allowing only 2 hits and 1 run, which was better than Francisco Cabrera and Manny Delcarmen. Cabrera gave up 3 runs in his 1 inning, Delcarmen gave up 3 hits and 2 runs. Yes, another disaster for MDC, but will it spell doom for Manny’s playoff spot? And what of Wake’s poor showing in his last game of the regular season as well? These are questions that won’t be answered until the last playoff spot has been determined (Twins or Tigers) and New York decides which playoff schedule they prefer.
The glowing embers of tonight’s Roadhouse burning down include Richardson and Jones who each pitched scoreless innings, and Joey Gathright. Gathright went 2 for 4 and made a diving catch that would make Coco Crisp and Jacoby Ellsbury proud.
PawSox Lose 0-12 BOX SCORE
Sox & Yanks '09 matching postseason caps
Thanks to Lisa Swan of The Faster Times for pointing out that the Red Sox and the Yankees postseason caps are nearly identical, except for the 'B' on the Sox caps and the 'NY' on the evil caps. The only other difference is the Yankees hat says 'Division Champs' and the Sox caps read 'Wild Card Champs'. But as you learned in my previous post, it don't mean a GD thing until you win 11 more games after the first 162.
No worries
Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald says the Sox' slide means little, everything gets reset back to zero. He tells of the last weeks and mediocre performances of previous World Series' winners, including the 2004 and 2007 Sox World Series winning teams. He says "hot doesn't mean squat"; and cold doesn't necessarily equate with mold.
The Red Sox aren't worried, just the fans and the bloggers, I guess.
I Met Pedey Part 3: Pedroia Q&A
Since I am still reliving the awesome that was yesterday....getting to go to Fenway...go on the tour and meet Dustin Pedroia as part of the Dunkin' Donuts Perks Most Value Tour...I will let you all in on the Q&A that Pedey did with the fans.
I am a dork, but you will all benefit from my dorkiness. I took some notes while Pedey was answering questions. Dave O'Brien, radio sportscaster started off by asking Pedey a few questions and then turned it over to the crowd.
FAMILY
Pedey began by gushing about the newest Pedroia, Dylan. He says he already looks good in a Sox uniform and that he has that baby fat, but a few muscles emerging already. O'Brien asked if Pedey would be disappointed if Dylan didn't wanna play ball when he grew up. Pedey smiled and said no. He said as long as Dylan is a good kid and enjoys himself...then that is all he can ask for. It's obvious he is just in love with that little boy...as well he should be.
TITO
O'Brien asked Pedey about his relationship with Tito...saying it has been reported a lot about it. Pedey's response, "I just flat out hate him" followed by a big laugh. He went on to say how great Tito has been to him. He talked about when he first came up and struggled so much and Tito never gave up on him...and how that made such a difference. He said Tito was awesome and so grateful he gave him a chance.
He also said that Tito kicks his butt in cribbage daily and said he is finally willing to openly admit that Pedey is in fact not very good at it. I think it's the first time I've heard the adorable ego that is Pedey admit he is not good at anything.
JETER LOVE
Pedey admitted that he likes Jeter. We all knew this since they've been WBC BFFs for a while now. He said that Jeter has been to the World Series 6 times, won 4...and for someone to have that level of success, everyone respects him. I agree. I can't say I have Jeter hate. I have to respect the way Jeter has played the game, even if he plays for EVIL.
MIDSEASON ADDITIONS
Pedey said he has really enjoyed having Gonzo in the lineup. He said that when he came up in 06, Gonzo was on the team...so it didn't take much time for them to get comfy working the double team action together. He said that Gonzo just makes it look easy.
Pedey also talked a bit about V-MART. He said that Theo easily got the best available player on the market in V MART. And made a special note that he did it last year with JayBay as well. Pedey said that the Sox were one game away from the World Series last year and that having V MART on the team...it should bring us that one extra game we need to get back there. Sounds like people on the team are really loving having V MART around.
O'Brien asked about JayBay's upcoming free agency and if Pedey tried to talk him into resigning. You could tell Pedey didn't want to answer this one. He said that JayBay has to take care of his family...first and foremost. He said that he doesn't really get the whole free agency stuff since he lucky never had to be a part of it. He did joke that a lifetime supply of Dunkin' Donuts might get the deal done.
OTHER FAV BALLPARKS
Pedey was asked what other ballparks besides Fenway he likes to play in. He said he likes to play in Anaheim. "The park is nice, the weather is always nice and they have the rally monkey there." Giggles. He also said he likes playing in Seattle. I guess Pedey is not bothered by the constant trains...as we all know I am. DAMN TRAINS. Sorry, back to Pedey. He also said when they played interleague at Houston...he liked that park. He did finish off by saying there is no better ballpark in the world than Fenway Park. Well done sir, well done.
SUPERSTITIONS
Someone asked if Pedey had any superstitions before or during the game. He said he didn't and that he didn't believe in it. He said that people get their usual routine, but that he didn't think that made a difference. He said he could go right from an event like this to playing the game...and would be fine. He did make fun of Nomar playing with his batting gloves for a bit. It was cute.
He was asked to share a fellow teammate's superstition. He said that there are 3 bathroom stalls in the bathroom. A certain player (which player???....it's for me to know and you to find out) came into the clubhouse during the game and went to the bathroom...came back a minute later and went back into another stall. Pedey asked what he was doing...and said player said, "I didn't get a hit. I'm gonna try this stall." Good to know that actual baseball players do the same stupid things I do during the game...and think they matter. Someday...I'll write a post where we can list all our superstitions. Mine are pretty ridiculous, but I still do them.
PEDEY AND THE MEDIA
Pedey obvious is not a fan of the media attention in Boston. He went on to say you have to have a thick skin to play in Boston. He was asked if he reads any of the blogs or social media. He said no, he doesn't. He said the only thing he uses his computer for is checking his fantasy football team. LOL He said all that stuff can get overwhelming if you let it, so most of the players just ignore it. He did say that he sees that he has a Twitter...and made the point that it was not him. He said he didn't care and hopes the guy is having fun being him on a computer. Oh if only Pedey knew he wasn't alone...with the fake Jacoby and the fake Jed.
Pedey went out of his way to say that "O% of what the media reports is true."
And as I said before, Pedey went off a little bit on the idea of the sports media having an opinion if or how the Red Sox should celebrate clinching the post season. Pedey said that the team felt that last night would be the night to clinch. He was right...it just wasn't done with a win. When asked what he thought of the sports radio talk about it...I actually wrote down the quote:
"We'll handle this. We don't need sports media to decide how we should handle it. We are going to do whatever the hell we want to."
PEDEY AND HIS #S
Someone asked Pedey how he thought his numbers compared to the great Red Sox second basemen. Pedey said that he doesn't really pay attention to #s...followed by "I don't count good." He said that the only stat he really pays attention to is runs scored.
Pedey said that the great second baseman Bobby Doerr asked him to sign a ball for him. Pedey agreed and when he sent it to him...he said, "Hey, doesn't he send me one back???" So, Bobby Doerr just recently sent him a ball back. Doerr wrote on it, "Dustin, Congrats on winning the MVP." and did not sign his name. Pedey asked who the ball was from....they told him Doerr. Pedey said that "doesn't he have a name??" and that someone might wanna explain to Doerr how this whole signed baseball thing works.
YANKS SERIES
Pedey talked about that series. He begrudging admitted that losing the two games in KC might have changed the game plan going into NY. He also talked about watching Lester getting hit. He said that as a batter...he has been there in those situations. He said that seeing him being hit in the knee was really scary since Lester is such a huge key to any post season success. Pedey said that he would rather be drilled in the ribs anytime than be hit in the knee. Interesting.
DOUBLE PLAY HIJINXS
Someone asked Pedey what is the worst he has ever gotten from a runner sliding into him and taking him out when he is trying to turn a double play. He said it was the ChiSox's Carlos Quentin. He said that it was ironic because Carlos is one of his best friends in the league. He said they knew each other from the college days and what not. When Carlos took him out...Pedey went down flat. He said it knocked him out cold. Carlos got up, asked him if he was ok. Pedey said, "Umm, not really. What were you doing? I weigh 160 pounds." Carlos's response, "Dude, you are on the other team." He chuckled.
That's about it...at least what I can make out of my spotty memory and my scribbly notes.
Oh Yeah...Pedey isn't a big fan of hockey. When he said that...some members of the crowd gasped. He assured them...."I am a Bruins fan now. Calm down."
It was a good time had by all. I feel so lucky to be there and get to just listen to Dustin talk. He really is down to earth and just seems like a normal guy. He also seems pretty honest. They was never a time when I felt he was given the "canned" answer.
Thanks again to Dunkin' Donuts for the opportunity. They are always having more opportunities....with the Red Sox, the Celts and the Patriots. If you wanna be a lucky duck just like me...sign up for the DD Perks program. Trust me, you won't regret it! Read more...
Red Sox Lineup 9-30 vs Toronto
Joey Gathright-CF
Josh Reddick-LF
Casey Kotchman-1B
David Ortiz-DH
Rocco Baldelli-RF
George Kottaras-C
Alex Gonzalez-SS
Jed Lowrie-3B
Chris Woodward-2B
Tim Wakefield-SP
Billy Wagner is Unsure About 2010
Red Sox reliever Billy Wagner has not made a decision about pitching next season. He was asked the question on XM's MLB Home Plate yesterday:
Jody McDonald: “Is it a given that Billy Wagner is going to play in 2010?”Read more...
Billy Wagner: “No, sir. That’ll be up to (laughs), obviously, my wife. She’s been telling me to play and I told her, I said, ‘I don’t know about all this.’ I said, ‘Let’s just talk about it when we get home.’ I’ve enjoyed it. It’s been a blessing to get back and have an opportunity like this but, you know, it’s a young man’s game.”
Q&A With New Red Sox Beat Writer Peter Abraham
Peter Abraham will be joining the Boston Globe to cover the Red Sox very soon, and he was nice enough to answer a few questions for us.
FW: Will you have your own blog with the Globe or will you blog as a part of Extra Bases?
Peter Abraham: I will be blogging for Extra Bases but the plan is to really ramp it up with plenty of content, new features, multi-media, etc.
FW: Who was your favorite player growing up?
FW: What are you most excited about in the new job?
FW: Do you think the Red Sox and Yankees will meet in the ALCS?
Peter Abraham: I actually do and I wrote that before I got my new job. I think they have the two best teams in the league — assuming Beckett and Lester are healthy.
Read more...
Should the Red Sox have celebrated? Hell Yeah!
So, the Red Sox clinched the wild card last night when the Angels nicely beat the Rangers. We all were hoping that the boys would clinch with a win and we'd get to see a crazy celebration on the field...in front of the fans. However, our late innings rally was a run or two too short.
There is a lot of discussion last night and this morning...that the Red Sox should not have had a celebration following their 5th straight loss. A lot of people think it is bad form....or embarrassing.
I am not one of those people. I'm gonna give you just one little highlight of my Pedey Q&A article this evening. Dave O'Brien started off the Q&A asking Pedey some basic questions before turning it over to the fans.
One question he asked Pedey was about how they planned to celebrate when they clinch. O'Brien said that a lot of sports radio people were discussing if they should be celebrating at all and in what way...
It's one of the only times I say Pedey get annoyed and a little disgrunted. His response was...that he did not feel it was the media, sports radio or anyone else's job to decide how or if they will celebrate. He followed it with this statement, "We're the ones who will put the work in to clinch, so we can decide to celebrate any damn way we want." That was followed by a bunch of cheers...myself included. LOUDLY.
The Red Sox won the wildcard...and we know for sure that they are going to the post season. I am celebrating that. I think the Red Sox should celebrate that. It would have been better to celebrate clinching because of a win...instead of a Ranger loss, but it's still pretty kick arse.
My thoughts...the Red Sox put the work in all season long in order to be in the position to clinch, no matter how it comes. A lot of other teams would wish to be in that position. When you know you are going to the post season...champagne should fly...Pap should wear almost no clothing and don a hat made out of a beer case.
All it matters...in my little old world...is that you got in, not how you got in. And maybe all of this spectulation on how the right way to "celebrate" is why the Red Sox decided to celebrate behind the closed doors of the clubhouse and not let the media in. It's their celebration....and Pedey is right...they can do it however the hell they want.
Let's Go Red Sox! We are officially headed to Soxtober!!!
J-Bay Talks About the Playoffs
Jason Bay spoke with reporters after the Red Sox clinched the wild-card late last night. Watch below:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
RED SOX WIN A.L. WILD-CARD!
The Angels beat the Rangers tonight and punched the Red Sox ticket to the playoffs. They may have backed in, but they are in. In Theo we trust.
Read more...I Met Pedey Part 2: The Fenway Tour
Earlier tonight...I posted the photo blog of the Dunkin Donuts Perks Most Valuable Tour with Dustin Pedroia at Fenway. Here is a little more information about the event...in particular about the tour of Fenway Park. The Q&A with Dustin Pedroia will be in Entry 3 (I know...I like to draw things out).
I live in Upstate NY...which is about 3.5 hours away from Fenway Park. I got up at 5am...and was out on the road at 5:30am. I wanted plenty of time to get there and get lost...and to find parking. Well, I am glad I did that. Traffic was insane. INSANE. There was an accident and then just the basic "driving into Boston" traffic. My GPS went from telling me I would get there at 8:45am to 10:00am in about 5 seconds. My GPS found me a detour, but still I ended up pulling into the parking garage at about 9:55am. I was supposed to meet my "Fenway Date" Jayne at 9:45am in front of Fenway. So, I jumped out of the car...grabbed by bag and RAN down the street to Fenway. Literally. Well...maybe I jogged. You get the point.
I got there just at 10am...and we went inside. They were just saying hello to people and telling them about the plan for the day. The plan was to officially have the best day EVER!
First up...batting cages. Jayne went first. Seriously. She kicked arse. She hit every ball...and many of them she hit well. I haven't played baseball since I was in elementary school...and let's be honest, when I did...I was really bad at it. I was afraid of the ball and just all around sucked. So, I wasn't sure I would get in the cage. But, I also figured...I only live once...and got in there. And yeah, I sucked. But....I don't care. GOOD TIMES.
Next we went on a tour of Fenway. The highlight of the tour...was of course...going inside the Green Monster. It has always been a dream of mine to be able to go inside. I am so jealous of people I see at games who get to look inside and what not. Now...I have been one of those people. The nice little old man who gave us our tour...the most entertaining thing he said all afternoon..."We have 3 people who work the scoreboard from inside the Green Monster. We used to have 4, but then we traded Manny Ramirez."
Other interesting tidbits on the tour....
Even though the Monster was built in 1934...they didn't add the little window to have a TV camera until 1975. NBC was covering the World Series and wanted to be able to film home runs as they went over the Monster. So, they added this little pop out door for a camera.
So, the camera man was supposed to follow the travel of the ball as it went up up up and over the Monster. Well...Carlton Fisk. At the plate. Hits a high fly ball towards the Monster. And what does the camera man catch.....you remember the image......
Fisk wishing the ball fair. So, why didn't the camera man watch the ball go up up up....like he was supposed to? Well..as Fisk hit the ball, he got ready to follow it up, but there was a "critter" in the Green Monster by his feet, so instead of focusing on doing his job, he was trying to get the little critter away from his feet. Instead, he caught an iconic moment of Red Sox Nation. At least that is the story.
The Ted Williams Seat. The guy sitting in that seat...was Joe Boucher from Albany, NY (basically in my backyard). He came with his family for the doubleheader. Wore a straw hat and proceeded to fall asleep. Ted Williams decided to wake him up by hitting a 502 foot home run. Joe Boucher after the game...admitted he was a...gulp...Yankees fan. He also said that the baseball god's blessed him that day by him not being hurt by William's home run ball...and from that day on, he was a Red Sox fan. The headline the next day in the newspaper, "BULLSEYE- Knocks Sense Into Yankee Fan!" LOL. Joe Boucher kept to his word and remained a Red Sox fan.
The tour guide went through all the different alterations and upgrades of the park. He said that in 2012...they are hoping to have Fenway Park recognized as a national landmark. If and when that happens, it will never be able to be torn down. *crosses fingers*
He also said that the current owners are close to the end of the planned upgrades. He said that if the upgrades were a 9 inning ball game, we would currently be in the top of the 9th.
I had a great time on the tour. If I could have, I would have spent HOURS in the Green Monster. I would have looked at every single name in there. I remember JayBay telling a story of after he got to Boston...he went into the Monster and found where he signed it as a member of the Pirates. That's pretty cool.
After the tour, we had lunch. While we ate...some lucky little kids got to go back down to the batting cages and swing with Dustin. I am not a little kid...so I didn't get to do that. I guess that is acceptable, even though I think everything should be about me.
And then...Dustin showed up. This entry is long...and it's late...and the Red Sox didn't clinch on their own, so I am going to save the Dustin entry for tomorrow. I took some notes, so I'll remember what we said. So...come on back and read it tomorrow...when hopefully the Rangers will have lost and we will know for sure we are heading to the Post Season.
STAY TUNED......
The cork is stuck!
Buchholz gave up 5 home runs, and 8 runs, 4 of them in the 1st inning. Tonight’s bullpen conga line consisted of Ramirez, Saito, Wagner, and Papelbon were mostly effective in slowing down the runaway train that Buchholz unleashed- 4 IP, and only 1 run. Y’see, the BJ’s took off to an 8-2 lead by the time the bottom of the 8th inning arrived when the Sox mounted a 5 run attack which brought them to within 1 run of tying, hence Papelbon’s appearance in the top of the 9th inning. The Sox had men on 1st and 2nd, 2 outs, with Youk at the plate. You can’t write a better script. Unfortunately the author of this drama must have been Canadian. Youk looked at a called 3rd strike.
Sox Lose 7-8 BOX SCORE
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
| Blue Jays | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 11 | 0 |
| Red Sox | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 1 |
I Met Pedey Photo Edition 9/29/09
Hey all! So, Fenway West was lucky enough to get an invite to the Dunkin Donuts Perks Most Valuable Tour with Dustin Pedroia. Matt lives all the way in California, so he awesomely offered the opportunity to attend and blog about the event to me. Thanks Matt! I have a whole story...I will share it soon. But first...here is a quick photo post of the event.
I arrived at Fenway at 10am after battling some pretty hairy traffic. I actually ran from my car to the meet up spot with Jayne, who was my Fenway date.
First thing we did....was head to the BATTING CAGES!!!!!
See. Actual batting cages. The sign is proof!
Here is my batting stance. Trying to look all bad ass.
Here is my trying to reach down and get a low pitch. I don't believe I was successful! LOL. In fact, I hit 3 balls...fouled them off. It was not the best hitting, but well...as I stated to the group, I haven't played baseball since 3rd grade. But...you only live once and if you get the chance to bat in the Fenway batting cages...you take that chance!
Here is Jayne batting. She hit all 10 balls thrown to her. She is a rock star.
Next we took a tour of Fenway Park.
Green Monster. Me. Awesome. Sauce.
Me. Going INTO the Green Monster. I was SO psyched to hear we could go inside. I've always dreamed of walking around in there. DREAM COME TRUE!!!!
Inside the Monster. I could have taken a million different pictures. I wish I had hours to just read everything. A cute little kid asked where the bathroom was that Manny used. I had to break it to him that there is in fact...no bathroom in the Monster. LOL.
Numbers inside the Monster. Pretty gosh darn cool. I don't care how hot or cold it gets in there...I would SO do that job for free.
On the way back to the stands...Jayne and I sneaked away to the dugout and took a quick pic. I couldn't help myself. I wanted to go inside the dugout, but I wanted to not get kicked out more.
Here is my shoe....covered in the clay from the field. Swoons.
Next...we went up on top of the Monster. I've never been up there before....so...I was a happy camper. I'll see a game from there....SOMEDAY.
Last part of the tour was going through the Press Box. Here is where Don Orsillo lives...and Jerry...and Eck...and Dave....and sometimes someone who I want to be my BFF...Sean Casey.
Here is a pic of the Press Box. I was sitting in front of a spot reserved for the Boston Globe.
Pic of the dugout from the press box.
And oh yeah....Dustin Pedroia was coming to do a Q&A and fan Meet & Greet. Did I forget that??
Dustin arrives. Shelley is happy.
Dustin answering fan questions while looking adorable. (Trust me...I'll have more on this later.)
Dustin laughing. Continuing to look adorable.
Jayne asking her question...and part two was, "Can I have a hug." Dustin of course said yes!
It's a little dark....but it is a pic of Dustin waiting to get his pic taken with someone.
and......the last pic is the picture of Dustin and Shelley. Oh yeah and the World Series Trophies. I touched both the trophies and Dustin. Swoons.
Some people were standing next to the trophies...maybe to even out the pic. Not me, I came up and said, "I'm standing on this side...so I can touch you." Pedey smiled and said, "Come on over." Took the pic. I shook his hand...told him I was a NYer, but loyal Sox fan...and was on my way.
Great day. GREAT GREAT DAY.
Next entry...will be more words...less photos of this GREAT DAY!!!
Once again...thanks Matt for the opportunity!!! Read more...
Fernando Cabrera Gets Called Up to Boston, v. 2
Fernando Cabrera has been recalled up to Boston again for the final week of the season, as reported by Chad Finn of Boston.com.Cabrera was the closer for the Pawtucket Red Sox after Daniel Bard got called up. In 52.2 innings, he compiled 22 saves, a 1.71 ERA, and a 1.18 WHIP. In his previous stint with the parent club, he pitched 4 innings in 4 games, allowing 2 runs.
I had a chance to meet with Cabrera back in July when I was back east. You can read the interview with him here.
Red Sox Lineup 9/29 vs Toronto
Jacoby Ellsbury-CF
Dustin Pedroia-2B
Victor Martinez-C
Kevin Youkilis-3B
David Ortiz-DH
Jason Bay-LF
J.D. Drew-RF
Casey Kotchman-1B
Alex Gonzalez-SS
Clay Buchholz-SP
Please, No More Champagne Goggles
When L.T. and the N.Y. Giants began dumping gatorade on Bill Parcells it was original, now it has been over done. The champagne goggles are now in this catagory. People liked dancing Papelbon so much because it was new and original. Hopefully there will be four of these celebrations for the Red Sox this fall and we will have some new lasting memories of the '09 season and great post-game celebrations. Read more...
Red Sox Plan to Start Beckett on Saturday
When the Angels beat the Rangers last night it put the Red Sox within one win of making the playoffs. The Sox have 6 more games to get that win and in reality, they could make the playoffs without winning another game if the Rangers lose just one more. With that kind of leaway Tito will rest some players throughout the week but he still plans on having Beckett make his next start.
Read more...
“During the game isn’t the easiest time to discuss that stuff, but we talked a little bit,” Francona said. “We’ll see how he does. I think our thought right now is that we’ll probably keep him on his turn, which means he’ll pitch Saturday. We just want to make sure we do what is in his best interest, and that’s probably realistic. That doesn’t mean it’s a done deal, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s how it works out.”
Monday, September 28, 2009
Put a Cork in It
There was some positive news in the game; Youk broke out of his slump with two homers in the game and Pedey also had a hit to end a long slump and Manny Delcarmen pitched a scoreless inning for a change. The rain came in the bottom of the 7th with 2 runners aboard for the Sox and after a long delay the game was called.
Red Sox Lose 11-5 BOX SCORE
| a | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| Blue Jays | 4 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 11 | 14 | 0 |
| Red Sox | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | - | - | 5 | 7 | 0 |
Beckett Scratched
Josh Beckett will not pitch tonight due to mild back spasms. Michael Bowden will make the start. Not the news Red Sox Nation wanted to hear after coming off a sweep by the Yankees. Terry Francona explained the injury when the clubhouse opened:
Beckett's back spasms are upper left. He couldn't get comfortable coming home. We'll be cautiousRead more...
Red Sox Lineup 9/28 vs Toronto
Jacoby Ellsbury-CF
Dustin Pedroia-2B
Victor Martinez-C
Kevin Youkilis-3B
David Ortiz-DH
Jason Bay-LF
J.D. Drew-RF
Casey Kotchman-1B
Alex Gonzalez-SS
Michael Bowden-SP
Mark Your Calendar
Fenway West will be interviewing Mike Vaccaro, columist for the N.Y. Post and author of The First Fall Classic -The Red Sox, the Giants and the Cast of Players, Pugs, and Politicos Who Re-Invented the World Series in 1912. The interview will take place on Oct. 6th (the day the book comes out) at 12:30 Eastern/9:30 Pacific on Blog Talk Radio so feel free to call in. Below is more information from the publisher:
In October of 1912, seven years before gambling nearly destroyed the sport, the world of baseball got lucky. It would get two teams-the Boston Red Sox and the New York Giants, winners of a combined 208 games during the regular season-who may well have been the two finest ball clubs ever assembled to that point. Most importantly, during the course of eight games spanning nine days in that marvelous baseball autumn, they would elevate the World Series from a regional October novelty to a national obsession. The games would fight for space on the front pages of the nation's newspapers, battling both an assassin's bullet and the most sensational trial of the young century, with the Series often carrying the day and earning the “wood.”
In The First Fall Classic, veteran sports journalist and author Mike Vaccaro brings to life a bygone era in cinematic and intimate detail-and gives fans a wonderful page-turner that re-creates the magic and suspense of the world's first great series.
Listen to Fenway West Read more...
Late Night Party for the Red Sox?
Sunday, September 27, 2009
MLB.com: "Yanks back on top, where they belong"
Huh? Since when does MLB have the gall to declare that the Yankees are back on top, "where they belong"? Maybe they are in 1st place in the AL East at the moment, but when I saw that headline, the impression I got was that the Yankees are the only team to ever deserve to be in 1st place, not just this week, or this month, but for all time. They may have clinched the AL East title this year, but they have not won the American League Pennant yet. They still have two post-season series and then a World Series to get through before they can say they are at the top.
The Yankees have not won a World Series this century and it's been 6 years since they even went to the World Series. The Red Sox have won 2 of the last 5 World Series. Since 2003, the Red Sox have been to the playoffs five times, reaching the ALCS four times, and are on the verge of playing in the postseason again. They have come back from a 0-3 deficit to beat them in 2004. They have won all 8 World Series games that they have played in since 2004. These facts certainly justify the Red Sox being worthy of belonging "at the top."
I'm really surprised at the bias of MLB when they make this declaration. I think the Red Sox deserve to be in 1st place. I'm sure there are some Giants, Royals and Pirates fans that may think their team should be on top. MLB should stick to reporting the news. Say they are in 1st place and have clinched the AL East, but let the bloggers do the opining.
Read the full article here. Read more...
Yanks Sweep Sox, Win A.L. East
With the win the Yankees clinched the A.L. East title and are back in the playoffs after not making the post-season last year. The Rays rallied back to beat the Rangers so the Red Sox magic number dropped to two.
Red Sox Lose 4-2 BOX SCORE
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
| Red Sox | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
| Yankees | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 1 |
Red Sox Lineup 9/27 vs N.Y.
Jacoby Ellsbury-CF
Dustin Pedroia-2B
Jason Bay-LF
Kevin Youkilis-1B
David Ortiz-DH
Mike Lowell-3B
J.D. Drew-RF
Jason Varitek-C
Alex Gonzalez-SS
Paul Byrd-SP
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