Fenway West - The Boston Red Sox Western Home

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Separated at birth?

Jamey Carroll of CLE and I-Rod of NYY?

You decide!

The Fenway Tour

I have been on the Fenway Park tour every year for the last 5 years and I have to say that today's was not as good as it has been. Usually they try to accommodate the fans and show some unique things but the guide was rushing trough the tour. No press box, no walk on the warning track. The worst part is he told the exact same jokes as last year, even the Manny Ramirez ones. Time for an update. That being said, spending some time at Fenway on a beautiful morning is always fun.

Wakefield adds yet another 6 innings to his resume

Tim Wakefield produced another quality start, turning in another solid, (yet not overwhelming), 6 innings. Except for that 1 inning (HBP, single, single, double, double), Wake was looking good again: 6 IP, 6 hits, 4 ER's, 1 BB, 99 pitches.

Cliff Lee was good, but not good enough, as he was most likely due for another loss before the season was over: 9 hits, 5 ER's, 3 BB's, 8 K's, and another Youk HR (his 27th this season) into the Monster seats.

Masterson, Okajima, and Lopez decided the game wasn't over yet with the Sox ahead 5-4 in the 8th inning getting two outs but loading the bases in the process to pave the way for Papelbon's early entrance. Pap got Jamey Carroll out on 1 pitch.

Lee would not go the distance as relief came in the form of..... Brendan Donnelly! That firey Irishman who was in the Sox 'pen in 2007, he of the 8.00+ ERA entering the game. Alex Cora worked him for 10 pitches before getting a free pass, one that was nullified moments later when he was caught stealing.

Pap comes back out for the 9th inning, but which Pap? The overwhelming Pap of 2006, or the just slightly super-human Pap who's been keeping us guessing this season? He started off with 2 straight balls to Choo. Who? Choo. And then he struck him out. Struck out Peralta, too. Martinez popped up on the 1st pitch he saw. It took Pap 10 pitches to garner the last 4 outs and his 41st save of the season.

Offensive stars of the game for the Sox were Pedroia (2-4, 2 RBI's), and Youk (HR, 3 BB's.)

On to NYY, TOR, and TBY: NYY beat TOR 3-1, leaving the Yanks in 3rd place, and 3 games up on the Jay's. The Ray's are losing to the O's, 4-1 in the 6th, after taking the 1st game of their double header, 5-2. Chad Bradford was on the mound for TBY, starter Talbot getting pulled in the 5th inning.

Kevin Cash

I meet Kevin Cash today, he was extremely nice and he signed a note for my son.

This Morning at Fenway

celebration begins in a few hours

Can the Red Sox Win it Without Lowell and Drew?

This week could be a good time for the Red Sox to get ready for the post-season but they are without two of their starters. Drew has had one of the type of seasons he used to have before joining the Sox; good offense and injuries. His back has been a problem for the entire year from the Japan trip right through September. An epidural will keep him out of the lineup again today and likely until the Yankees series. With Ellsbury, Crisp, Bay, and Kotsay the Sox can easily survive Drew's absense and possibly win the division.

Mike Lowell is having hip problems and will continue to have them for the rest of the season. His Wednesday return may be pushed back, but he should be able to go for the last few games of the regular season. With Lowrie going cold the Red Sox need to get Lowell back in a hurry if they want to catch the Rays.

Tampa plays two today in Baltimore so the Red Sox will know if they have a legitmate chance of winning the division by the end of the night. I'm off to Fenway for a tour, I try to post some pictures tonight.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Not Much of a Welcome

It was great to be able to catch the last few innings of the Red Sox game at the hotel, but they did not give me a very warm welcome back to Boston. Masterson and Oki both did a great job of relieving Beckett and giving the Red Sox the chance to clinch tonight but it was not to be. The goat of the game has got to be Lowrie who struck out in two key late inning at bats with players in scoring postition. I will be at Fenway at 9 am for a tour tomorrow and will bring some good karma to the team so get your champagne on ice for tomorrow's game.

Beckett didn't bring is best stuff today, but...

Sox were down 4-2 going into the 7th inning. Beckett threw 105 pitches in 6 innings, struck out 6, but allowed 4 ER's and 7 hits. He only walked 1 batter, but hit 2 others. Not looking good getting deep into the 9th inning, down 4-3, 2 outs. But wait! There's more! Youk singles! Bay doubles! SOAB! Lowrie strikes out swinging to kill the rally.

This post ain't over yet. Tampa Bay beat the O's 4-2. (Kevin Millar popped out to end their rally, as well as not hitting that last HR at Yankee Stadium like he said he was going to do.)

SOAB is right. Sox are now 2.5 games behind the Ray's (I thought they were supposed to go belly up in September?) On the brighter side, Masterson and Okajima pitched 2.2 innings: no hits, no runs, no walks, 3 strikeouts.

Lookin' like it might be Sox and Halo's in the ALDS. Let's hope Tito has a few cards up his sleeve for that series.

Sox lose 4-3 BOX SCORE

Goin Back Home

Every September I am lucky enough to take a school group from California to Boston for a week to visit some historic sites and a few colleges. We are departing for the Hub this morning for a direct flight back to the land of NESN. Red Sox Sonoma will be covering things from the West Coast and I will throw up a few posts throughout the week. Even though not all of the students are baseball fans, I make them all go on the Fenway Park tour; gotta get some culture in 'em. I've done the tour countless times but it is different every time. I'm going to Thursday's game against the Tribe, sitting in bleacher section 40. I'll be the one catching Big Papi's home run ball.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Dice-K Goes 18-2 as Sox Shutout Toronto, 3-0

After tossing 45 pitches in the first 2 innings, Dice-K then went 5 more scoreless innings, throwing only 64 more pitches and issuing only 2 free passes along the way. The win makes Dice-K the first Sox pitcher to win 18 of his first 20 decisions, while going 9-0 on the road.

Ellsbury ripped a leadoff triple in the 1st and scored on Pedroia's sac fly. Ellsbury had a 3 for 4 day, including 2 doubles. Papi followed one of those doubles with a home run to give the Sox a 3 run lead. Pedroia also hit a league leading 52nd double and stole 3rd base, taboot. Oki pitched a 1-2-3 8th inning, and Pap got his 40th save.

The Sox did their job today, a Yankee loss tonight in their last game in the House That was Built for Ruth will put the Sox in the postseason, and send the pinstripers to dusting off their golf clubs.

TBS also noted at the end of the game that the Yankee-Sox finale at Fenway next Sunday is one of four games that could be broadcast that day.

Minnesota beat Tampa Bay 4-1 today, leaving only the Sox only 1.5 games out of 1st.

Sox win 3-0 BOX SCORE

A Yankee Loss In Their Final Game at the Stadium Puts Red Sox in Playoffs

If the Red Sox hold on to win the game today we can be doubly rewarded if Baltimore can beat the Yanks. The Yankees will close the history of their stadium on a low note and to rub some salt in the wound it would guarantee the Red Sox a spot in the post season. We also have to root for Kevin Millar to get the last homer in Yankee Stadium history. Nothing could be finer.

Good and Bad Memories of Yankee Stadium

I lived in New Jersey in the late 80's and early 90's and went to a lot of games in Yankee Stadium, I would make a game in almost every Red Sox series. I never liked the stadium very much, it was usually pretty dirty, the beers were unfordable, and the fans were pretty obnoxious. I have been to two playoff games there and witnessed players like George Brett and Cal Ripken hit homers there.

I have had the honor of being thrown out of Yankee Stadium after my brother got into an altercation with an a-hole sitting next to us in a box seat. It wasn't even a Red Sox-Yankee game and the altercation was not even over that, just some loser wanting to fight. My friend was also ejected with us and he is a Yankee fan. The strangest thing was having Yankee fans all high five me on the way out (I was not wearing a Red Sox hat, and I guess this guy had been an a-hole at every game.) It is pretty wierd to see 40,000 people staring at you as you get escorted out, but it was pre YouTube days so we don't get to relive it. We had a cooler full of beers in the car so it wasn't so bad even though we had good seat.

At one game I was at a fan jumped from the upper deck into the screen behind home plate, he got up and started dancing around before he was arrested.

They used to have this really fat guy, I think everyone called him "Chico," who would sit in the first row of the bleachers and take orders for pizza at the start of the game and then around the 5th a couple of pizzas would show up from a Bronx pizzeria. He had some security guard on the take and must have made a ton of cash. He would also take odds on the great subway race on the big screen.

Even though I despise the Yankees and everything they are about, I am a little sad they are taking down Yankee Stadium. I am a big history guy and hate to see when places that ment so much to the game are dismanteled.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Division Is Slipping Away

The Red Sox did not have much in the tank to keep the heat on the Rays today. Halladay did a good job of keeping the Sox batters off balance but he was tagged for 3 in the in the third. The Jays bullpen was almost untouchable making for a frustrating afternoon at the plate for our heros. The Jays had no trouble getting to Lester early as they had 5 runs in the first two innings before he settled down. Jason Bay had his 9th tater as a member of the Sox in the game. With the loss the Sox have all but eliminated their chance of winning the division. Look for some interesting lineups in the days ahead to get the team ready for the Angels in October.

Sox Lose 6-3 BOX SCORE

Today's Red Sox Lineup 9/20 in Toronto

Jacoby Ellsbury, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
Jason Bay, LF
Jed Lowrie, 3B
Coco Crisp, CF
Alex Cora, SS
Jason Varitek, C

Jon Lester, SP

MIA Rays Fans

Bugs and Cranks has posted this video explaining how the Rays can increase their fan base

Colon Choses Food over a Ring

El Gordo went to the Dominican Republic on a personal matter and would not return to pitch in the Sox bullpen. There have been reports that he was mad about not getting put back in the rotation, but Fenway West has learned he is staying in his homeland to re-fat. His work in Pawtucket has caused him to lose some of his trademark belly and people were even starting to change his nickname from el Gordo to el Gordito. With a reputation to uphold, Colon has started a month long feast that should have him back over 3 bills in no time. Sidney Ponson will be joining him once the Yankees are eliminated on Sunday.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Red Sox Roundtable

Time for Red Sox bloggers to chime in on this week's topic: "What is the one weakness the Sox need to work on to ensure they advance in the postseason?" over at Fire Brand of the American League. Check what we had to say.

Red Sox are One Step Closer to Post-Season

The Red Sox struggled to get anything going against A.J. Burnett as Byrd gave up a couple of quick runs in the second. Boston took the lead in the 5th when Youk and Casey had back to back 2-out hits driving in 3 runs. The Jays got a run back in the bottom of the inning to tie it up. The Red Sox regained the lead in the 8th when Tek hit a weak bases loaded grounder allowing Bay to score. Delcarmen, Oki, and Papelbon all pitched well to preserve the win.

Red Sox Win 4-3 BOX SCORE

Red Sox Magic Number for clinching a playoff berth: 2

Tonight's Red Sox Lineup 9/19 in Toronto

Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
Sean Casey, 1B
Jason Bay, LF
Mark Kosay, RF
Jed Lowrie, SS
Jason Varitek, C Paul Byrd, SP

Colon placed on suspended list

Righty's time in Boston likely over after injury-plagued season

From redsox.com:

TORONTO -- Bartolo Colon's mostly injury-plagued run with the Red Sox all but came to an end on Friday, when the team placed the big right-hander on the suspended list.
Colon went to the Dominican Republic earlier this week to tend to a personal matter and expressed a preference to stay there, rather than return to the Red Sox and serve as, at most, a long reliever or spot starter for the rest of the regular season.
It's doubtful that Colon -- who made seven starts for the Red Sox -- would have factored into the team's postseason plans.
"He got home for the personal stuff and decided that he just wasn't real comfortable [returning]," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "He was either going to be in the bullpen or back up a starter here."
When none of the other 29 teams made a run at Colon over the offseason, the Red Sox took a no-risk flyer on the 2005 American League Cy Young Award winner and signed him to a Minor League deal in February.
Colon suffered an oblique injury in April, but entered the Red Sox rotation for a six-start run on May 21, breaking out to a 3-0 start. But his good fortune ended when Colon tweaked his back while taking a big swing in an Interleague game against the Phillies on June 16.
He finally made it back to Fenway on Sept. 13, earning a no-decision in the second game of a doubleheader against the Blue Jays. Colon went 4-2 with a 3.92 ERA in 2008.
With five able starters healthy (Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Tim Wakefield and Paul Byrd), there was not much of a role left for Colon.
By putting him on the suspended list, the Red Sox don't have to pay Colon for the rest of the season.
Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Sciesinski Arrest Video

Dan Lamothe of Red Sox Monster today posted this video of Christopher R. Sciesinski, the Red Sox fan that tried to jump over the Ray's dugout and onto the field during Wednesday night's game, as he was being led up the stairs and out of the stadium. Salty language ahead advisory.

Tek's Curtain Call

I would put chances of Tek coming back next year at less than 50%. Theo and the Red Sox ownership have shown they are not willing to pay for players past their prime. For Tek to return to Boston he would have to be willing to take far less than he would recieve on the open market, something like a two year deal at $7 mil per. After Posada set the tone for catchers last offseason, Boras will be looking for a big payday. Tek has been a huge part of the sucess of the Red Sox throughout his time in Boston and still has something to offer the team. I am hopeful this will not be his last season but we need to be prepared if it is not. The fans at Fenway need to honor him in his last few games for all he has done for the team. Even if he goes elsewhere next season, I believe he will be back as the Red Sox manager sometime in the future.

Buchholz Will Pitch in the Arizona Fall League

The Red Sox are going back to the start for Clay Buchholz to try to get him ready for next season. He will pitch with other Red Sox prospects in the Arizona Fall League. Right now they want to try to build him back up again so he could potentially join the rotation next season. He will have a much harder time in Spring Training becasue the team will not give him the benefit of the doubt is he struggles like he did last spring. He has the talent to get back quickly, let's hope he has the mental drive.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

More on Tasergate

Apparently there is more to the story.
From tampabay.com:

Sciesinski, 33, pleaded no contest to the charge Thursday morning. He also admitted to chanting "Let's go, Red Sox!" in the back of the police van.
The judge found him guilty. He was sentenced to the night he had already spent in jail and fined $375 and court costs.
The Sarasota DJ tells a different story. He wasn't drunk, he said, just "buzzed" after his third rum and Coke. He said he cursed in front of some kids but apologized. He said it was Rays fans who were being rowdy. He was just "heckling."
He said he went limp when he got tackled and that he was threatened with the Taser after he had surrendered. And he said "they beat me up pretty bad."
But Sciesinski said he won't file a complaint.
"If he would have Tased me, yeah, I would," he said. "But there's no need for ill feelings."

Tasergate Heats Up

During the Sox/Rays game yesterday a Red Sox fan fought the law and the law won. Here is what Sox fan Chris Sciesinski said he was trying to do.

"Some of the people tried to have us kicked out once," he said. "Didn't work. Finally the second time security came over and I told my friend, I said, 'You know what? If they're kicking us out I'm getting arrested. I'm doing this,' I said, 'I'm running.
"I was going to run out onto the field and I was going to run across over towards the Red Sox dugout and stick my hand out and I was going to high five all the players. And I was just going to run around the field until someone tackled me."
Sciesinski said he was already in handcuffs when McGovern threatened to hit him with the Taser.
"I don't think he should've put the Taser to my head, but we'll see from here,"

I would say that Sciesinski is not among the smartest members of Red Sox Nation and I doubt there would be any players willing to accomidate his hi-five request, especially since Manny has left the building. There is a new investigation into the actions by St. Petersburg's finest about the incident.

What Now For the Red Sox?

Tito has some choices to make; does he go for the division title or rest some of his key players and settle for the wild card. The big problem with going for the wild card option is the prospect of facing the Angels in the first round. The Red Sox have stuggled against LAA this season but they do have a history of playing them well in October. If Boston goes for the division it might be at the risk of losing Lowell, Drew, and possibly agrivating Big Papi's wrist. The upside of going for the wild card is getting to rest players and work on some of the question marks like where Colon fits in. Either way it looks like we will have a Red October. Ortiz is happy either way:

"If you're in, you're in. It doesn't matter. We won the division last year. We look forward to being back in the playoffs this year. I never noticed the difference between winning the division and going in as the Wild Card. As long as you're in, you're in. That's what everybody looks for -- being in the top four."

Fenway Citizens

Fenway Park was used to swear in over 3,000 new citizens yesterday. Look at the picture, see any Sox gear? I think some more careful screening is needed in the future.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Bad News All Around

The Red Sox lost the rubber match at the Trop tonight and fall to 2 games behind the Rays. Wake had another disaster on the mound going 2 1/3 innings giving up 6 earned runs. What happened to him pitching well in domes? He throws a gem in the rain and gets shelled indoors....go figure. Tito decided to give everyone some work tonight sending 8 different pitchers to the mound. The Red Sox offense started out strong against Garza when Big Papi connected for a 2-run homer in the first. They added 1 more in the fourth but could not do anything against the Rays pen.

Mike Lowell had to sit out the game with the hip problem and now has had an MRI that will be viewed by a specialist. There is a good possibility that Lowell could be done for the season. If that is the case Youk will most likely play third and Casey will be at first.

We also had Schilling bring back the whole Manny stuff again...who needs that now?

Red Sox lose 10-3 BOX SCORE

Tonight's Red Sox Lineup 9/17 at the Trop

Jacoby Ellsbury, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
Mark Kotsay, RF
Jed Lowrie, SS
Sean Casey, 1B
Coco Crisp, CF
Kevin Cash, C

Tim Wakefield, SP

2009 Schedule Is Here

The Red Sox have released their 2009 schedule, here's what you need to know:

Opening Day- April 6 vs. Tampa Bay
Patriot's Day- Baltimore
First Yankees Series is at home on April 24-26.

When Fenway was opened the Red Sox played the Yankees (Highlanders) and when Yankee Stadium was opened the Yankees played the Sox. But it looks like Bud and Hank want to break with tradition, the Sox will not visit the new Yankee Stadium until May 4th.

You can view the entire schedule here.

Rays Mohawk Will Go the Way of theThunderstix

How many days before they start selling fake mohawks at the Trop. I put the over/under at 4 days, as soon as some Chinese factory can start mass producing them. The 5,000 or so Rays fans that show up will buy them and look as silly as the team they are rooting for. If the Rays lose tonight are Rays players going to ditch to mohawk because it no longer has mystical powers? Just like thunderstix or those silly white towels in Cleveland last year, the mohawk will be remembered as a silly attempt to drum up fan support.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Red Sox Fail to Overtake the Rays Again

For whatever reason the Red Sox cannot move past the Rays into first place. Beckett looked like the pitcher of '07 going into the 7th before he gave up his first run. He only gave up 3 hits on the night. The Rays pitching staff gave the Sox offense all kinds of trouble tonight; Boston could only manage 5 hits and 1 run. The game went into extra frames and Masterson gave up a walk-off single to end the game in the bottom of the 9th.

Sox Lose 2-1 BOX SCORE

Another Recently Added National TV Sox Game

TBS will be broadcasting the Sox v. Jay's @ TOR game this coming Sunday, September 21st at 9:30 AM, (PDT)

Theo Is Getting an Extension

Extra Bases is reporting that the Red Sox and Theo Epstein have reached an agreement on a contract extension. Details of the deal are not yet available.

Tonight's Red Sox Lineup 9/16 at the Trop

Jacoby Ellsbury LF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
David Ortiz DH
Kevin Youkilis 1B
Mike Lowell 3B
Mark Kotsay RF
Jed Lowrie SS
Jason Varitek C
Coco Crisp CF

Josh Beckett SP

Rays Media as Bad As Their Fans

We all know how little support the Rays fans have given their team, but take a look at how clueless their media is. Look at today's stat of the day posted on the Rays section of Tampa Bay Online . I think they need an update.

El Gordo to Pen?

The Red Sox are considering sending Bartolo Colon to the bullpen for the post-season. It seems like el Gordo does not like the idea.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Red Sox Crush Rays to Move Into a Tie For First

The Red Sox used the long-ball to get the monkey off of their backs and win a game at the Trop. The game was really over in the first when Boston put up a crooked number after Big Papi crushed a 3-run homer. Scott Kazmir looked bad (not good news for my fantasy team) in this one: 3 innings with 9 earned runs, I can hear Ferris Bueller's principal now: "nine times." Youk, Lowell, Bay, Tek, and Ellsbury all joined Papi in the tater club tonight. Dice-K looked like his usual self: high pitch count, getting in and out of jams, leaving early, and getting the win. Chris Smith came in for some long relief in the blowout and looked pretty bad. Timlin and Pauley both pitched well on the night. With the win the Red Sox are now tied with Tampa Bay at the top of the division, tomorrow the can stand alone and all will once again be right with the world.

Red Sox Win 13-5 BOX SCORE

Tonight's Red Sox Lineup 9/15 at Tampa Bay

Coco Crisp, CF

Dustin Pedroia, 2B

David Ortiz, DH

Kevin Youkilis, 1B

Mike Lowell, 3B

Jason Bay, LF

Jed Lowrie, SS

Jason Varitek, C

Jacoby Ellsbury, RF

Dice-K, SP

Former Red Sox Coach Dale Sveum Will Manage Brew Crew

The Brewers have fired manager Ned Yost and have elevated former Red Sox coach Dale Sveum to the position of interim manager for the remainder of the season. Sveum is arguably the most famous third base coach in Red Sox history for sending runners home when they had no chance of scoring.

The Worst Post Season Ad Ever

I don't think I have ever seen an ad for the postseason as bad as this one. I have seen more exciting infomercials. Let's hope the Rays play like as their promotional department this week. Video via Bugs & Cranks.

Rays October
by meechone

Will The Rays Collapse Under Pressure?

The Tampa Bay Rays are fading fast and could have been in the Red Sox rear-view mirror if not for a few breaks last week. Tonight's game starts a series that could send them into a tailspin before the playoffs start. If either team can sweep it is very likely they will end up being the division champs. The Red Sox enter the series looking like the team to beat while the Rays have been stuggling lately. Red Sox players and fans are used to these type of games, Rays fans are not. Take a look at what the Tampa media is saying about the series:

OK, it seems an uneven match for September. After all, the Red Sox have tradition and salary. And there's the city of Boston itself, with all that history. Oh, if only Paul Revere had ridden a golf cart through Sun City Center shouting "The British are retiring!"

The Rays can make their own history this week.

They can start tonight.

The Red Sox have played 9,871 of these kind of series, dating back to when Cy Young was hardly old - the kind of series that makes fever in the streets. The Rays got a taste of it at Fenway. Now it's in their breadbasket. The lead is one. Just one.

What a week it could be at the Trop.

Uh, bring a friend.

Tito Summarizes Yesterday's Game

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Rays Can't Even Sell Out For The Biggest Series in Their History

How sad is it that the Rays are playing in such a bad stadium in a town that does not care about baseball? With 15 games to play for the Rays, up by 1 game over the visiting Red Sox, you can still buy second level tickets to tomorrow's game. If it was not a 3,000 mile trip I would consider attending myself. The really sad thing for the Rays is that at least 1/3 of the fans will be Red Sox fans and they still cannot fill the stadium. This is a clear sign that the team needs to be moved out of Tampa Bay. It is understandable for Rays fans not to want to go to a game in the dump known as the Trop in July, but this is as close to playoff baseball as there has ever been in Tampa. Note to Sox fans, buy some ALCS tickets online because you will be able to get great seats. For all of the members of Red Sox Nation making the trip to the series this week: please show Rays fans what being a true fan is all about.

Lester Leads the Way

Jon Lester is just plain great at Fenway this season. Today he dominated the Jays batters getting ground ball outs (mostly to Mike Lowell) as well as 6 Ks. He went 8 innings only giving up 4 hits and 1 earned run. Papelbon came in for the 9th and continued his recent struggles giving up 2 runs on three hits. It could have been worse since the Red Sox caught a break on a bad call at second when Overbay clearly beat the tag. Coco went 2-3 and Big Papi had a triple in the game.

Red Sox Win 4-3 BOX SCORE

Todat's Red Sox Lineup 9/14 vs the Jays

Jacoby Ellsbury, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
Mike Lowell, 3B
Jason Bay, LF
Jason Varitek, C
Alex Cora, SS
Coco Crisp, CF Jon Lester, SP

Red Sox Blogger Roundtable

This week's roundtable focuses on the impact of the last series with the Rays, check out what myself and others had to say over at Firebrand of the American League.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Say Hello To My Little Friend

Dustin Pedroia had 3 more hits tonight to reach #200 on the season. The Red Sox had to come from behind to beat the Jays in the second game of the doubleheader. Colon ran in some trouble in the second giving up 5 runs (2 earned). He settled back down and went 6 innings. The pen was spectatcular keeping the Jays off the board for the last 3 innings. The Sox offense chipped away at the lead getting a run in the 6th from a sac fly, another run in the 7th and then took the lead with 3 in the eighth. Jacoby, Lowrie, Bay, and Pedroia all a multi-hit game.

The Yankees rallied from behind to beat the Rays 6-5 and put the Red Sox back within 2 of the division lead. Tonight's win for all practical purposes ended the Jays chance of competing for the wildcard.

Red Sox Win 7-5 BOX SCORE

Red Sox Lineup 9/13 Game 2 vs the Jays

Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
David Ortiz DH
Kevin Youkilis 1B
Mark Kotsay RF
Jason Bay LF
Jed Lowrie 3B
Alex Cora SS
Kevin Cash C

Bartolo Colo, SP

Byrd Comes Back to Earth

Paul Byrd had pitched like a Cy Young candidate since joining the Red Sox, he came back to reality in Game 1 of today's doubleheader. Byrd went 5 innings giving up 10 hits and 5 earned runs. David Aardsma came in for his first appearance since coming off of the DL and looked like a guy that is still not right. He pitched an inning giving up 3 runs, all earned. The only good news from the pitching staff was Hansack who pitched the final 3 frames without giving up a hit. The Sox offense looked as flat as the pitching staff today managing just 5 hits (Ellsbury had 2 of them) and one run in the blowout loss. I don't know the stats for this but it seems like the Sox alway suck when they wear the red uniforms.

Red Sox Lose 8-1 BOX SCORE

Okajima's option picked up for 2009

From redsox.com:

BOSTON -- The Red Sox announced Saturday that reliever Hideki Okajima's option has officially vested for next season.
Okajima's two-year, $2.5 million contract had a $1.75 million option for 2009, but if he pitched in at least 115 games in '07 and '08, the Sox would automatically pick it up.
"In a day and age when it's hard to find relievers," manager Terry Francona said, "he's done a pretty good job."
Entering Saturday's doubleheader with Toronto, Okajima has pitched in 123 games over the past two seasons; his 115th appearance was Aug. 20 at Baltimore. But due to paperwork and finalization on the option pickup, the Red Sox did not officially announce it until Saturday.
Okajima, 32, joined the Red Sox in November 2006 as an amateur free agent. The lefty came to the Major Leagues with a 34-32 career record and a 3.36 ERA in Japan.
He made the American League All-Star team in 2007 with a 3-2 record and a 2.22 ERA. This season hasn't been quite so seamless -- while Okajima harbors an identical record and a 2.88 ERA, he's blown eight saves.
"He set the bar unbelievably high," said Francona of Okajima's first year, when he finished sixth in the AL Rookie of the Year Award voting. "This year, I think by his own accounts, it hasn't been as easy as it was last year."
Okajima has pitched 123 1/3 innings in his first two seasons in Boston, and his strength down the stretch in 2007 undoubtedly helped the Sox toward their World Series title.
Now, with the option picked up, Okajima will have the opportunity to make a similar impact down the stretch this year and in 2009.
"He's still a pretty good reliever, and when he has that split over -- or that changeup or whatever you call it -- he can be a dominant reliever," Francona said. "There have been times this year when it hasn't always been there."

Red Sox Lineup 9/13 Game 1 vs. the Jays

Jacoby Ellsbury, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Lowell, 3B
Sean Casey, 1B
Jason Bay, LF
Jed Lowrie, SS
Jason Varitek, C
Coco Crisp, CF

Paul Byrd, SP

Friday, September 12, 2008

Wake Delivers

Tim Wakefield pitched a gem tonight, going 8 scoreless innings only giving up 3 hits with no walks. The Sox took a one run lead in the bottom of the second and added another run in the 4th. Kevin Cash opened the flood gates with a 3-run tater over the monster in the 8th. Papelbon was warming up before Cash put the game out of reach so Delcarmen came in for the 9th and retired the Jays in order. The Tampa-NYY game was rained out so the Red Sox pick up 1/2 a game and now trail the Rays by 2.

Red Sox Win 7-0 BOX SCORE

Tonight's Red Sox Lineup 9/12 vs the Jays

Coco Crisp, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
Jason Bay, LF
Mike Lowell, 3B
Mark Kotsay, RF
Jed Lowrie, SS
Kevin Cash, C Tim Wakefield, SP

Lester to take on Halladay on TBS

New addition to the Sox national TV schedule this week: Jon Lester v. Roy Halladay of Toronto will be on TBS this Sunday, September 14, 10:35 AM (PDT) on TBS.

NESN Gives Announcer Boy An Extension

Don Orsillo has signed to a multi-year extension to broadcast Red Sox games for NESN. Tonight he will announce his 1,000th game on the network. Congrats Don, well deserved.

Dumbass Hank Guarantees the Yankees Will Suck Next Year

If the Yankees were bad this year, just think how bad they will be when Dumbass Hank makes all the decisions next season. Here is what he told the Record yesterday:

“Suffice to say, there’s not going to be any more, on my part, of trying to keep everybody happy. If I want somebody, I’m going to go after him,” Steinbrenner told The Record by phone this afternoon. Immediately after the season, Steinbrenner plans to review the entire organization. “Just as my dad would have,” he said, adding that George Steinbrenner has equally been dismayed by the Yankees’ fourth-place standing. “It’s been a very disappointing year for both of us."

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Red Sox Can Bury the Jays

Toronto is the hottest team in baseball and they have moved to within 6.5 games of Boston. They do not have a great chance of catching the Red Sox but it is in the realm of possibilities. If the Sox win the upcoming four game series with Toronto they can make fans north of the border start to think about hockey season. Bartolo Colon is scheduled to make his first start since his injury during interleague play on Sunday.

Remember

----writers note, I don't claim to be a poet, nor a writer, but this is from the heart, and this is my plea for today: Sorry it's not Baseball, but sometimes, there is more to life than baseball.

-----

We sit in silence, to focus on this day,

a celebration, mournful and heavy, what me must remember.

Remember the skyline of the City torn to bits,

Remember the support of the world.

Remember, the outcry for help, and the outpouring of love.

Remember in celebration, the character of this United States.

Remember, the strength from within.

Remember as a nation, we were NOT divided,

even when religion, politics, sex , race and geography tried to.

Remember, we are one, we breathe, sigh, love and bleed together, we are one voice,

one people.

We, need to remember, no matter what side of the fence we stand,

in argument with our neighbor, ALL of our feet, both sides, are

firmly planted in America.

SO please my brothers and sisters,

Lest not remember color, creed, religion or politics.

Lets remember, hope, a better life for the future of us,

and our love for our country.

Our People, and our children.

Let us remember, this day, this somber day, that we are Free, Free to believe, act, think, be different.

And we are lucky, blessed, and fulfilled for it.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Red Sox Could Go After Japanese Pitcher Junichi Tazawa

Junichi Tazawa announced that he was interested in playing with a Major League team in the U.S. instead of playing in Japan. Here's what Rotoworld said about him ealier this month:

The Red Sox, Braves and Mets are among the teams reportedly targeting 22-year-old Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa.
Tazawa is slated to be an early pick in Japan's draft, but there's nothing preventing him from signing with an MLB team first. He reportedly throws 97 mph, though that may be an exaggeration, and shows a quality slider. There's been no indication yet of what kind of contract he might get.

Fenway Park Blood Drive

Papelbon's Dirty Dancing Video

Wicked Good Sports has posted the Jonathan Papelbon high school dancing video in full, you can watch it here if you can stomach it.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Rays Squirm Out of Fenway With Their First Series Win

It took 14 innings but the Rays now have won the first series at Fenway in the history of their franchise. Timlin gave up a 3-run homer to Pena in the top of the 14. The Sox loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the inning but could only push one run across. The Red Sox could very easily have swept the series if a few things had gone their way but they now find themselves 2 1/2 games back.

Red Sox Lose 4-2 BOX SCORE

Red Sox Prayer

Our Lord of Fenway, God of all things seen, and green (like the monster),

Be with our gentlemen tonight, as they cruise (around the bases like Ellsbury), and over the Rays for a victory tonight.

See them hitting the ball hard, being swift, and gloves accurate and on.

Arms firing hard (Beckett), and the wind in fenway against our backs.

Gods of hits, runs and outs, please grant us easy outs on defense, long innings and high scores on offense, may we hit and run, hit off the wall, and not commit any errors.

Lord, once again, I ask you to be with Bay, Lowrie, Ellsbury, Kotsay, Ortiz, Varitek, Pedroia, Youkillis, Lowell and of course Beckett, and also with the Bench, Bullpen and the coaching staff. . . lead us to victory.

Lord, thank you so very much for the fall of the yankees, we do owe you one!, And oh yes lord, who ever it is praying hard in Tampa and Toronto to give them the luck they're getting, please know, Bostonians and the Red Sox Nation have been praying longer, and harder. . . so thanks again for 2004, 2007 and I'll just thank you in advance for the victory in the world series over the Cubs this year.

Ellsbury for ROY, Pedroia for MVP, Dice-K for Cy Young, and the Sox for Champs in 2008. . . . . . . . . . too much to ask?

AMEN

Tonight's Red Sox Lineup 9/10 vs Tampa Bay

Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
Jason Bay, LF
Mike Lowell, 3B
Mark Kotsay, RF
Jed Lowrie, SS
Jason Varitek, C

Josh Beckett, SP

Papelbon and Casey Appear in New TBS Ad

TBS is rolling out a new ad for their post-season coverage featuring Bon Jovi and Red Sox players Jonathan Papelbon and Sean Casey. Yahoo sports points out that the Yankees are also featured in the ad even though they will be nowhere near the post-season.

Lugo Is Done For the Season

New reports are now suggesting that there is no chance Julio Lugo will be back on the team this season. After a setback during rehab to his injury he has not been able to resume baseball related activities. Many of you out there may be cheering this news, but I would have liked to have him available in case Lowrie gets hurt. The team has been better offensivly and defensively with Lowire so the news is not devistating by any means.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Cinco Uh-Oh

Tonight's game was looking like it would be one of the best of the season for the Red Sox after the heroic go-ahead 2 run homer by Jason Bay in the eighth. That is, until Papelbon took the mound in the top of the 9th. Paps threw three straight balls to start the inning before getting Dan Johnson to a full count. The Fenway crowd rose to cheer on what they thought would be strike three only to watch the pitch fly over the bullpen wall to tie the game. Another near homer off of the monster and a base hit brought in the go ahead run for the Rays. In the bottom of the 9th Kotsay walked and Tek failed to bunt him over before popping up. Big Papi came up and got under a ball flying out to right. Ellsbury was called on to pinch run and stole second and advanced to third on a bad throw. Coco Crisp came to the plate with a chance to drive in the tying run but popped up to end the game. The Sox should be in first place celebrating, the stories in tomorrow's papers should have be about Jason Bay's impact on the team but a bad inning by Papelbon changed the outcome. The loss hurts a little because it could have been such a memorable game but with Beckett going tomorrow Boston should be able to win the series and keep the pressure on the Rays.

Red Sox Lose 5-4 BOX SCORE

Celebrity TP

I found this photo of Yankee TP a while back. Someone asked me where to buy some, but I didn't know. Well, I have since found a link:

http://www.jeremyinc.com/Celebrity_toilet_paper.html

Besides Yankee TP, they also sell TP w/your favorite celebrity on it. If you click on the link, you'll get a good chuckle from who's first on their list!

Tonight's Red Sox Lineup 9/9 vs.the Rays

As I pointed out yesterday, the Red Sox may need to rest Ortiz, it looks like they are going to do that today. Drew is available to pinch hit but will not start and the Red Sox will use Bailey as the DH batting 9th.

Crisp CF
Lowrie SS
Pedroia 2B
Youkilis 1B
Bay LF
Lowell 3B
Kotsay RF
Varitek C
Bailey DH

Matsuzaka SP

Great Pitching Matchup

Tonight's game at Fenway will feature an intriguing match-up between Dice-K and Scott Kazmir. Both pitchers have great stuff and are among the leagues best pitchers, but niether has been able to elivate to the top and become a Cy Young candidate. A win tonight will give Dice-K 17 wins on the season and put the Red Sox in first place. A win for the Rays will give Kazmir the confidence he needs against Boston in case the teams meet in October. As good as both pitchers are, I don't see this game as becoming a pitcher's duel; the Sox offense should be able to get to Kazmir in the first few innings, the key to the game is for Dice-K to keep his walks down.

Red Sox Give 456 Reasons To Thank Fans

In an ad in today's Globe, the Red Sox listed 456 reasons to thank fans for the record number of sellouts. Click on the picture to read them all.

Monday, September 8, 2008

First Place In Sight

The Red Sox recorded their league leading 14th shutout tonight against Tampa Bay. Jon Lester had "ace" stuff once again pitching into the eighth inning before turning it over to Paps for the save. Boston scored three runs in the 1st including a homer by Jason Bay, but would not score another run in the game. Kotsay had two hits on the game and Coco went 3-3 Is there a batter hotter that Crisp right now? With the win the Red Sox move to within 1/2 a game of the Rays. They are also 1 game behind the Angels for the best record in the league.

Red Sox Win 3-0 BOX SCORE

Book Review: 'The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty', by Buster Olney

First of all, Buster Olney is not a die hard Red Sox fan. He did not write this book from the perspective that many of us in RSN might have given the opportunity. He covered the Yankees for 6 years for the New York Times. Secondly, it was with total glee that I happened to finish the book on the same day that the Yankees slid from 3rd place to 4th with slim chances of climbing back higher.
Olney tells the story of the Yankee dynasty of 1996-2000, the team that won 4 World Series in 5 years, the team that was on the brink of winning their 5th title in 6 years. He does a splendid job of weaving the backstories of most of the Yankee players of the era, the poor choices made by Yankee management and ownership, the events of the night mentioned in the title, and the subsequent title drought that persists to this day. He offers a look into the way George Steinbrenner operated as a hands on owner, driven more by the notion of success in whatever endeavor he chose (in his case, owning a baseball team) than creating a true baseball legacy. It seems to me that it didn’t matter what Steinbrenner was doing, as long as he was successful doing it.
If you’re looking for a book that shreds the Yankees into pieces, berates and belittles everyone in the Yankee organization from George himself down to the man holding down the last spot on the roster, this is not it. It is not a hit piece on the Yankees, but a well written docu-drama recording the events that had permanent repercussions and the lesser known sub-plots and personal stories of all involved, a must read for all die-hard Red Sox fans.

Tonight's Red Sox Lineup 9/8 vs. the Rays

Mark Kotsay, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
Jason Bay, LF
Mike Lowell, 3B
Jed Lowrie, SS
Jason Varitek, C
Coco Crisp, CF

Jon Lester, SP

Mike Timlin Receives Lou Gehrig Memorial Award

Mike Timlin, for the Boston Red Sox, has won this year’s Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, sponsored by the Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity, headquartered in Oxford, Ohio. The award is presented annually by Phi Delta Theta to the Major League Baseball player who best exemplifies the giving character of Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig, who was a member of the Fraternity’s Columbia University chapter. The award was first presented in 1955 and is permanently maintained at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York.

An Important Night

Tonight the Red Sox will break the record for consecutive sellouts held by the Indians. The game also will set the tone for the remainder of the season. The Rays come into Fenway having just been swept by Toronto. It is clear now that the fade everyone had been counting on has begun and it is up to the Red Sox to help it continue. We have the bad blood between the two teams and the division lead at stake in the series. In reality there is not much pressure on Boston; they have the experience to get to the post season even if they lose this series but the same cannot be said for the Rays. Tampa Bay has lost 5 of their last 6, and they have never been in this position before, panic may set in if they get swept. Jon Lester takes the hill for the Red Sox looking to have better control than he had in his last start, he is 8-1 at Fenway this year. He will be opposed by Edwin Jackson for Tampa Bay. Jackson gave up 6 runs in 3 1/3 to the Yanks last week and has an ERA of 6.19 agianst the Sox this season. The Red Sox have the momentum going into this series and should be able to keep rolling towards the division lead tonight.

Should The Red Sox Rest Ortiz?

It is looking like the Red Sox are going to be in the playoffs, the only remaining question is whether or not they will win the division. Boston can overtake the Rays with a sweep of this series but still has to face them for 3 more in Tampa Bay. Is winning the division worth possibly jeopardizing Ortiz for the post season? Yesterday Big Papi revealed that the clicking had returned to his wrist and that he in not totally comfortable swinging a bat. It is possible that Boston could win the division and rest Ortiz at the same time, the team was able survive big injuries earlier in the season. The downside of not winning the division is the prospect of facing the Angels in the playoffs; a team that Boston has not played well this season. Will an extended rest of 2 weeks make his wrist good enough for him to be a force in October or do the Sox roll the dice and hope he can continue to be productive enough at the plate to win the division?

Sunday, September 7, 2008

The Yanks fall to 4th (FOURTH!) place in AL East!

Today, the Yankees lost to Seattle (last place Seattle!) while the Jays beat the Rays, leaving the pinstripers at the door to the basement. The Yankees stand all alone in 4th (FOURTH!) place in AL East today, with only the Orioles any lower.

Looking at the remaining schedule of the Yanks and the Jays, it is quite possible that the Yankees will not rise back up to 3rd place. Their schedule includes 9 road games against the Angels, Jays, and Sox, along with home games against the White Sox and the Rays. The only weak link in their schedule is a 3 game home stand against the O's. If the Yanks go 9-10, and the Jays go 11-9, which is quite doable for them, as they are a good team, that would leave the Yanks at 85-77 and the Jays at 87-75.

They've kept putting that humble pie to the back of the frig, but now it's time to eat it, as old and moldy as it is.

Byrd v. Byrd

Earlier this summer, we saw Drew v. Drew when the Sox played the D-Backs and the Drew brothers played against each other on opposite sides of the scorecard. Today, Paul Byrd and Marlon Byrd faced each other with Paul of the Sox pitching against Marlon of the Rangers. These Byrds however, are not of a feather and most likely not related. So who bested whom? Marlon got a single in his 1st AB but failed to score. Paul made him pay by getting him to ground into a DP, 1-6-3 in his next AB, and then got him to fly out to center in his 3rd AB. This round goes to Paul.

Texas Two Step

The Boston Red Sox beat Texas to take two out of three and win another series today. The win, along with a Rays loss, put the Sox within a game and 1/2 of the division lead. Paul Byrd picked up another win giving up just 3 hits in 6 2/3 scoreless innings. Coco Crisp stayed en fuego with another multi-hit game. Jason Bay and Big Papi left the yard but after the game Ortiz said the wrist is still bothering him. The Red Sox return to Fenway to start an important three game series with Tampa Bay tomorrow, Lester will pitch the first game. If you hadn't noticed, the Yankees have fallen to 4th place in the division behind Toronto.

Red Sox Win 7-2 BOX SCORE

Red Sox Nation In Iraq

Another sign that Red Sox Nation is bigger than Hank thinks it is.

Today's Red Sox Lineup 9/7 in Texas

Ellsbury RF
Pedroia 2B
Ortiz DH
Youkilis 3B
Bay LF
Casey 1B
Varitek C
Cora SS
Crisp CF

Byrd SP

Kevin Millar Wants To Hit the Last Home Run at Yankee Stadium

Red Sox fans may get another thing to tease Yankee fans about if Kevin Millar gets his way. The Orioles will play against the Yankees in the final game at Yankee Stadium in a few weeks. Millar told the NY Daily News the following:

Personally, it's been one of, if not the funnest place to go play," says Kevin Millar, the Baltimore first baseman who played a key role in that most painful of Bronx memories, the 2004 ALCS. "You're always hated when you wear a Red Sox uniform, and being an Oriole the last three years, you're still hated because you did wear a Red Sox uniform....It would be nice to be the last home run, to go down in history that way," Millar says. "I'm sure there's a guy who hit the first one, and it would sure be nice to hit the last one." Told that the guy who hit the first one was the Babe himself, Millar says, "So, Ruth and Millar. That sounds normal."

It may seem a little too greedy, but it would make for a fun off-season if the Yankees lost in their last game in Yankee Stadium and Millar hit the final home run.

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