Boston Red Sox

The Miami Heat had a foul to give, and Paul Pierce still intimidated his defender enough to dribble within the arc and take a shot that was so clutch in this series it gave me the chance to shout, "Miami can't  handle The Truth!".

Continue reading "The Truth in Miami"

th a match-up between the defending World Series champion New York Yankees and their arch rival the Boston Red Sox.  This is, hands down, the best rivalry in sports.  The series didn't go the way I wanted it to, but we did get our first win against the Yankees under our belt and the games were well played for the most part.  Hey, when you think about it last year the Sox won the first 8 games against the Yankees only to lose 9 out of the next 10 so maybe losing 2 out of the first 3 ain't bad.

Continue reading "Sox Begin 2010"

It's four hours before the second game of the 2010 season. I'm in the 9th in of the Opening Day- night- game and one out away from seeing the Sox win for the fourth time I've watched this game. It was that great of a game. Truly, it's taken me this long just to digest the game. I've been savoring it since the 8p.m. start and even now I think the 0-2 pitch to Curtis Granderson in the 9th was a strike, especially given home plate umpire Jerry West's expansion of the strike zone as the 4 hour game went on. I enjoyed a season's worth of emotions over the 9 innings, and ultimately I was reminded just how special a ball game at Fenway Park can be.

Continue reading "Opening Day Thoughts, two days later."

Former commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti once wrote: “[Baseball] breaks your heart.  It is designed to break your heart.  The game begins in spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone.” 

Continue reading "Fenway Home Opener 2010"

There’s been a lot of griping recently over the state of Boston sports, serving (for me) as another ugly reminder of the developing, spoiled and cocksure nature of fans in this area. Let’s take a quick look, shall we?

Continue reading "A Message to Boston Sports Fans"

Oh man, it’s been a bit too long and I’d like to apologize, first and foremost, to my legion of loyal readers. Who still checks in on occasion? Rogers? You still out there? Bark twice if you’re in Milwaukee!  Slim Bob? Herman? Dalton? Petey? Reginald? David Lefort from the Boston Globe? Fat chance of that… bastard…  Am I writing to myself here? Hello?

Continue reading "Checking In... And Talking Sox Shortstop Situation"

Its recently been brought to my attention that, over the past couple of weeks or so, my readership has doubled in volume, from 2 to 4. Thanks to these good natured and sympathetic followers, I’m left to wrestle with a serious question: Do I quit while on top (never had I anticipated the blog becoming this great a success), or do I continue to dribble out these “bi-weekly” blunderbusses, even though there is likely nowhere to go from here but down?

Continue reading "Late Night Rant"

 Last Night B. Penny and the Sox came out on a mission and that was to break this losing streak and they did. But I personally was more concerned about our hitting. After getting swept by the Yankees in a 4 game series which has not happened in over 20 years, I wasn't concerned about our pitching (except Smoltz which the Sox dealt with after that 1st game massacre and giving up 9 earned, they put him on assignment) I was worried about our line-up.

Continue reading "Red Sox Get Much Needed Win and End ..."

I believe I speak on behalf of Red Sox Nation when I say NESN gave us a bit of a scare this afternoon. When we looked at our TVs  and saw Tom Caron saying the New York Times has reported David Ortiz being on the anonymous list of players who tested positive for Performance Enhancing Substances in 2003, no Red Sox fan was leaving the TV for the fridge – unless it for a couple of cold ones. 

Continue reading "Say It Ain’t So, Papi…Please?"

I was filled with all sorts of emotions when I got a text a couple of hours ago saying that the Sox had offered Buchholz, Bowden, and Westmoreland for Roy Halladay.  Now rotoworld.com is saying that’s not the case.  For those of you that don’t know, rotoworld.com gives minute by minute updates on sports rumors and updates.  I was all ready to blog about this trade when I read the latest posting saying that this trade offer never happened.  What I want to know is how a rumor like that got started without having any validity to it…then again we’re in the world of sports, so I guess this happens.  I dunno though, I’m not ruling out any trade ideas yet.

Continue reading "Believe in the Sox, but not the Halladay rumors?"

At 1:51 PM today, I got a text saying that the Sox acquired Adam LaRoche from Pittsburgh.  I had heard the name many times, but had never followed him much.  So I looked him up online and found out that LaRoche is a first baseman and will be used to give Lowell some days off.  I was pretty excited about this.  And with our recent struggles, why not grab another bat?

Continue reading "Look out Kostay – LaRoche is coming through"

MLB Boston Red Sox; Beckett goes for his 12th win, close but no Support!!
The Red Sox had lost 3 in a row and went into this game versus the Texas Rangers with their ace Josh Beckett on th

Continue reading "Red Sox Fall Out of First Place"

Clay Buchholz Would get his First Start of the Year- and it would be a good one.

 This being the first game since returning from the all-star break the Sox looked to stay in command in the East.  Not knowing if Beckett and Wake would pitch in the all-star game(which they didn't and I personally thought they really should have got Wake in the game)so they made this move. The Sox brought up Clay Buchholz (7-2 in minors this year) for this one start knowing no matter how good he did, he would be sent back to the minors after the game. This did not matter to Clay Buchholz, he came out gunning, he threw 103 pitches, only allowed 4 hits and 1 earned run and had 3 strikeouts--Nasty!!  He went into the 6th and was relieved by Bard who ended the inning and looked great also. Makes you think should we keep Clay up here and sit Smoltz, what does Sox Nation think??? Log in and let me know!!!

Continue reading "Buchholz Gets First Win"

According to Ian Browne from redsox.com, Wakefield was one of the pitchers they were saving in the case that the game went into extra innings.  “Okay,” one might say, “then why did it have to be Wake? Why did they have to save both him and Beckett for extras?”  Ian Browne comes to the rescue again saying that Wakefield was well rested.  I also think that they took into consideration his ability to pitch more than one inning without hurting himself.   Wakefield is blessed with being able to pitch without his full five days rest because of the slow knuckleball.  In addition, Maddon was told to save extra pitchers because last year both the AL and the NL nearly ran out (who could forget that 15 inning game?)  So Wakefield was on the list of pitchers to save in case of extra innings. 

Continue reading "Why Wakefield Didn’t Get To Pitch ..."

The Boston Red Sox announced on Sunday that Clay Buchholz will be returning to Boston to start Friday night’s game against the Toronot Blue Jays. 

Buchholz has been waiting a while for this call, and who can blame him?  The twenty five-year old has pitched phenomenal in Pawtucket, posting a 7-2 record with a 2.36 era.  On May 25th, he nearly threw a perfect game, but had it broken up in the 9th with a hit.  He finished the game recording a complete game shut-out.  Who wouldn’t want out of Triple-A with a season like that?    

Continue reading "Buchholz is Back"

I saw the replay of last night’s game where Jacoby Ellsbury earned himself his first career ejection.  In the fifth inning, Ellsbury slid into home on a close play at the plate where he was called out.  Replays indicated that he was indeed safe.  Jacoby threw down his helmet violently in disgust.  Although home plate umpire Derryl Cousins had his back turned during all of this, he must have overheard Jacoby’s angry reactions.  In addition to that was Ellsbury’s helmet which was rolling around close to the on deck circle.  After seeing all this, Cousins decided that Ellsbury would have to leave the game. 

Continue reading "What Is It With All These Ejections??"

I very fortunate to be at last night’s game.  I say fortunate because there were some special moments last night.  That being said, it was one of the most frustrating Red Sox games I’ve ever been to. 

Continue reading "Being at Last Night’s Game - Welcome Back, Nomar"

end there.  Tonight John Smoltz will be pitching at Fenway for the first time as member of the Boston Red Sox.  I’m sure he will get a hearty hand as his name gets announced at the ballgame tonight.  Maybe tonight we’ll see the Smoltz that we’re hoping to see for the rest of the season. 

Continue reading "Monday Night Baseball at Fenway: Very Exciting"

Ever since I was little, I remember going to Fenway Park and seeing Wakefield pitch.  About five or six years ago, I remember complaining to my friends in high school about how as much as we loved the guy, it felt like he was the pitcher we always saw on the mound.  I haven’t made it to Fenway yet this year, but when I do I personally can’t wait to see him pitch. 

Continue reading "Growing Up With Wakefield"

I’ll tell you right now that it’s not better than viewing it as any other person. 

I’ll also tell you that even though it’s the summer, we still maintain some of the college atmosphere here in Salem.  A lot of us Salem Staters have off campus apartments so we get to see each other even when school is not in session. 

Continue reading "A College Student’s Perspective ..."

Boston Red Sox Bullpen Blows a 9 Run Lead!!
So last night the 42 year old John Smoltz would get his second start of the year!!  In the last game he pitched he gave up 3 runs in the first inning, but then he was lights out. So I believe it was because it was his the first start and 1st inning jitters, so I didn't know what to expect. Well he was on point again and looked great. He only gave up 3 hits, 1 earned run and had 2 strikeout-- awesome! But the story is far from over. Meanwhile the Red Sox bats looked like they where going to explode, scoring 9 runs giving Smoltz a 9-1 lead, but that's when the rain came and this was big trouble for Smoltz and the Sox.(rain always seems to be trouble for the Sox).

Continue reading "BoSox Bullpen Blows a 9 Run Lead!!"

Last I updated, I mentioned Lowrie had to exit a rehab game early.  Fortunately for Lowrie, this wasn’t a setback.  However, yesterday word came out that Dice-K was going to be on the DL for longer than 15 days.  While we may have already known that, I don’t think any of us were expecting him to be on there for as long September 1st. 

Continue reading "Lowell Goes on the DL – Dice-K ..."

I was just looking up news trying to find out if anyone knew how Lowrie was doing and this is what I found out.  Apparently Lowrie had to leave in the fifth inning due to soreness in his knee.   This scared me a bit until I remembered that Lowrie is on the DL for a wrist injury – not a knee injury.  What happened was on Tuesday Lowrie was hit by a pitch in the knee.  It seems as if the eager shortstop might have been pushing a little too hard on the knee, which forced him to leave the game early.  Poor guy.  Hope he gets better soon.  I’m sure he was more than frustrated after leaving the game, but at least the soreness has nothing to do with his wrist. 

Continue reading "NESN.com Reports Jed Lowrie Exits ..."

I already knew that the Red Sox were in first, and that the Yanks were in second.  I also knew that whenever I looked at the standings, Toronto was not far behind New York.  What I didn’t know was that Tampa Bay is currently only a game behind Toronto. 

Continue reading "Take a Look at the Standings"

Last night I saw a funny production of Neil Simon’s play “Rumors” at Salem State College.  When I got out, I was hoping to catch the end of the game.  As it turned out, the game was over, and it was no laughing matter.  Smoltz had given up four runs alone in the first inning.  The Red Sox bullpen was very shaky.  And Jordan Zimmermann from the Nationals absolutely dominated the Red Sox through seven innings of work. 

Continue reading "Don’t Worry About Smoltz….Yet"

The Red Sox played a great game of baseball Wednesday night, as those of us in the Boston area were able to watch on NESN.  However, there was another fun game of baseball on ESPN 2 for their usual Wednesday Night Baseball game against the Braves and Yankees who were playing at the same time.  I found myself flipping between channels during commercial breaks for the Sox and caught some cool moments.  Meanwhile, the College World Series’ final game was on ESPN between Texas and LSU.  There was an awful lot of baseball on last night. 

Continue reading "Wednesday Night Baseball – Not ..."

Brad Penny took the No Decision on Tuesday night after going 5.2 innings, allowing 6 hits, 3 runs, 3 walks, and 6 strikeouts.  Had he been able to retire Willie Harris in the 6th, he would have been eligible for the win. 

Continue reading "Penny Not Perfect, But Not Bad Either"

I honestly feel bad for Matsuzaka.  He was placed on the DL, had a terrible start to the season, got booed in his last outing, and now back on the DL.  Personally I don’t think he deserved getting booed.  There was clearly something wrong, booing him isn’t going to help. 

Continue reading "Dice-K is OK in My Book"

Yesterday on the MLB Channel, they were replaying Game 4 of the 2007 World Series.  I tuned in during the 8th inning and was very content in watching the final innings.  What made it so much fun was  remembering who I was watching with and things that they were saying as the score changed.   It was a bit emotional to bring back those memories that were still fairly fresh.  And it was even more fun to remember how excited we all were after Papelbon recorded the final strikeout to win the game, and the series. 

Continue reading "Why 2009 is a Special Year"

Boston Red Sox; Rainey Night Costs the Sox!!

J. Lester started last night for the Sox and has been outstanding, winning his last 3 games in a row, 2 were almost no hitters and allowing only 1 run in the other and 11 strikeouts in all 3 games--Sick!!! So I expected Lester to come out last night and do the same thing as he has been doing.

Continue reading "Rainy Nite costs Red Sox"

One of the most exciting games I’ve seen all year.  If I could compare it to any other game this season, it would have to be one of the two Red Sox-Yankee games back in April.  You can’t beat a walk off homer, but you gotta love pitchers duels that erupt in the late innings, only to have the Sox come back and win it in the 8th. 

Continue reading "“Go Crazy Folks, The Red Sox Win This One!”"

What a great time to be a Sox fan! When was the last time the Yankees had taken their starter out of the game before the 3rd inning on back-to-back days?  This almost seems too easy…

Continue reading "Boston You’re My Home – New York, You Are Not"

Although the Red Sox have dominated the Yanks thus far, many have pointed out that the first two series against the Bombers were “a different Yankees team.”  They did not have A-rod and we have yet to see Sabathia pitch against us.  While we still have yet to see Sabathia, we sure proved that we can beat the Yanks with or without A-rod last night – although it sure helps when AJ Burnett is on the mound and can’t get out of the third inning. 

Continue reading "Sox Are 6-0 Against Yanks for the ..."

I absolutely love the intensity of Kevin Youkilis.  The fact that he cares so much about the every swing of the bat shows great commitment to the game of baseball.  What a great guy to have on the team.  That being said, I’ve been a little disappointed in Youk lately. 

Continue reading "Disappointed in Youuuuk"

These days, going to a baseball game isn't what it used to be. Seldom will a pitcher throw into the 7th inning; the score is usually 7-6 or 10-9; and your favorite slugger is likely to hit one, if not two balls, out of the park. The game is shamelessly jacked up on HGH, and its obvious. The best hitter (Bonds) and pitcher (Clemens) of our generation used it, and more players are getting busted by the day (A-Rod, Manny). However, most fans don't care. They still go to the ballpark. That's because baseball, and pro sports in general, is merely another form of entertainment.

Continue reading "Rampant Steroid Use Brings Up Issue ..."

What do you do with David Ortiz? Here's a guy who has bled Red Sox red (note to self: this doesn’t work) for the better part of his career. He is arguably the greatest clutch hitter in team history. Would the Sox have won two World Series rings without him? Surely not.

Continue reading "What to do with David Ortiz?"

This has been a big topic on WEEI lately.  You can’t help but wonder whether or not our starting rotation is going to change with all the extra pitching we have.  Right now we have a decent rotation of Becket, Lester, Matsuzaka, Wakefield, and Penny.  Meanwhile, redsox.com reports that Smoltz says he’ll be ready to pitch for Boston in just three more starts.  Then you have Clay Buchholz in Pawtuckett with a 3-0 record who nearly threw a perfect game on Monday. 

Continue reading "Sox Thoughts - What Will We Do With ..."

We all know that our offense hasn’t been much of a concern in 2009.  Bay is hitting homers left and right, Youk is back off the DL (4-8, 2 R, RBI since his return) and Papi finally ended his drought.  There are others contributing to the Red Sox offense, but I want to take a look at the guys who perform in the other half of the inning – the pitchers.

Continue reading "Sox Thoughts - Some Positives About Our Pitching"

Did anyone else get the chills last night as Ortiz’s shot just cleared the center field fence in the fifth?  I sure did.  I kept smiling for the rest of the inning (which was hard not to with all the homers) and even laughed out loud as I realized the team was giving Papi the cold shoulder when he came back to the dugout.  And Red Sox Nation topped it off by giving him one of the loudest ovations of the season, to which Papi answered with a curtain call.  What a great moment at Fenway Park. 

Continue reading "Papi Power - What a Game!"

Seriously, I got into my car at 9:45pm last night expecting to catch the end of the Sox game as I got out of rehearsal.  But instead I hear John Rish, and he’s not giving the game highlights – he’s giving the out of town scores.  My first thought was maybe one of the pitchers threw a no hitter (I would have been frustrated to find out that I had missed another one).  But that wasn’t the case. 

Continue reading "Well That was a Fast One"

This is just not the Celtics' year. Last night's game 7 looked like a game 4 in a 3-0 series. The Celtics came out without their energy, all out of sync. Clearly, they missed KG. Ray Allen, who we needed to step up, finally did, but he was the only one who showed up to play. Meanwhile, Orlando 21-13 from three point land, was just too much to handle and every shot they took led to me biting my nails off and praying for a comeback that never came. This game was a tough one for Boston to handle; we were losing all game and never made the run that they usually can.

Continue reading "The Celtics Lose Game 7 and Boston ..."

The one game the Sox win this series and I don’t even get a chance to write about it before the Sox lose another one…

Well, that’s baseball for you.  I was actually walking through Boston last night after seeing the National Tour of Spring Awakening (which was amazing, by the way) and caught the score of the Sox game through a restaurant window.  “Oh good!”  I thought.  “We’re up 4-0.”  As it just so happened, I was just in time to see Yuniesky Betancourt hit a two run homer to change the score to 4-2. 

Continue reading "Sox Thoughts - Bad Luck on the West Coast"

If you don't have MLBTV as part of your cable or satellite system, you're missing out.

 I'm currently watching Game 6 of the 1975 World Series - the classic between the Reds and the Red Sox.  For a guy who was born in 1977 and grew up a Sox fan, I've of course heard and read all about the 75 season and the World Series.  And of course if you tune into ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, Joe Morgan will remind you every 10 minutes that he played in it as part of the "Big Red Machine."

Continue reading "MLBTV Brings the Old Games to Life ..."

I just read Lester’s comments as to why he didn’t throw to second in the 6th inning that could have potentially lead to a double play.  Apparently Lester was expecting to see Lugo covering second, not Pedroia.  When he saw Lugo at shortstop, that must have thrown him off.  Although he could clearly see Pedroia there at second, the split-second decision he had to make forced him to throw the ball to first.  Sure it seemed like an easy decision for us, because, it was.  But for Lester in the heat of the moment, he got confused and threw to first. 

Continue reading "Sox Thoughts - Blanking in the Ballpark"

Before I go into my “woe is me” mode for yesterday, let me just say that there was some incredible defense on both sides of the Sox-Angels game.  Although I was furious as the game concluded, I can’t say it wasn’t a fun game to watch.  Whether it was Nick Green cleanly fielding a bunted ball, or Jason Bay diving for a fly in left, the Sox made it clear (at least defensively) that they wanted to win yesterday’s ballgame.    And how about that play by JD Drew to keep the game scoreless in the 8th?  What a play. 

Continue reading "Boston, you're still my home"

So I get home last night and turn on the TV only to find that the Sox are losing 7-4.  “Okay,” I think to myself, “it looks like I picked a good night to go out.”  Then I see that Daniel Bard has just entered the game.  Now I’m very happy that I just turned on the TV.

Continue reading "Let's look on the bright side of last night's game"

Home plate umpire Jim Joyce gave all of us on the East Coast a start last night after jumping up from behind home plate to issue a warning to both ball clubs in the third.  As it turns out, both clubs were informed before the game even started that the umps would be keeping a close eye on them, according to Lyle Spencer from mlb.com. 

Continue reading "I'll give you a warning..."

Okay well he’s not techically gone, but I have to say I am very pleased with that Daniel Bard has taken Javier Lopez’s spot on the roster.  I’ve mentioned time and time again that I’m sure Lopez is the nicest guy in the world, but he isn’t reliable to have on the mound.  Bard, on the other hand, is going to be very exciting to watch when he makes his Major League debut – as long as his debut isn’t at 1:00am Eastern Time. 

Continue reading "Sox Thoughts - Later Lopez!"

“Good evening folks, hope you’ve had a wonderful Mother’s Day.  It’s Sunday evening and we’re playing baseball at Fenway Park.  Get ready folks – this is gonna be a fun one.”

Continue reading "Beckett, the Bullpen, and Bay make us Believe"

Steroids has officially gone postal.

The list of all-star players who have been revealed to be using steroids: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Andy Pettitte, Jason Giambi, Miguel Tejada, Alex Rodriguez, now.......MANNY RAMIREZ.

Continue reading "Manny being Manny: The Latest twist ..."

The Sox are going to have a difficult time making the playoffs this year. I’m no sucker for the Jays quick start (they’ll start to slip once they deal Roy Hallady and realize Marco Scutaro is starting at shortstop) but I think the rest of the American League is better than most pundits allow.

Continue reading "Breaking down your 2009 Red Sox (in context)"

     As a fan of the Boston Red Sox living in enemy territory it was hard for me to see my boys come down here to Florida and lay an egg like they did.  They had just recently had an 11 game win streak snapped and then started a new one before proceeding to lose 3 out of 4 to the then last place Rays.  Growing up I watched a lot of Notre DameFighting Irish football games as my Dad was a big fan.  I still watch a lot of Fighting Irish football games come to think of it, but I'll eleborate more on that elsewhere. 

Continue reading "Play Like A Champion Today"

At this point, Alex Rodriguez could be accused of drowing puppies in a bucket of children's tears, and it would barely register on my radar screen.

Nothing I hear about this guy can shock me.

Since it came to light in February that A-Rod used performance enhancing drugs from 2001 to 2003, he has been made a pariah, representing everything that is wrong with professional baseball. He was supposed to be baseball's last remaining light, the golden boy who was supposed to break Barry Bonds' home run record without the help of a single supplement. Many considered the steroid era in baseball to be over - all the heavy hitters had been chased from the game, and there was a new policy in place to punish those who did test positive. The new era of hitters (Pujols, Howard, Ortiz, Texiera) were doing it without steroids, and A-Rod was supposed to be the poster child.

Continue reading "The continuing s*** show that has ..."

The American sports landscape has been continually tattooed with dynastic labels like “Team of the Year” or “Team of the Decade.”  The NFL in particular has been defined each decade by a juggernaut winning …. a lot.  The dominance of franchises like the 70’s Steelers, the 80’s Niners, the 90’s Cowboys, and the Patriots of the new millennium has immortalized the likes of Bradshaw, Aikman and Montana to deific status.  The NBA has also provided its share of dynastic runs from the Celtics to the Lakers to the Pistons to the Bulls, and examples abound exist in both hockey and baseball as well. 

Continue reading "Bruins Cup could give Boston Most ..."

Alex "A-Roid" Rodriguez has to be one of the dumbest athletes in modern sports. He's getting paid $33 million per year, as part of a 52-year contract, so he's set for life. Yet he resorts to using steroids. Why? He clearly has it all. He's already on pace to break Bonds' home-run "record." Besides that, he's known as the best offensive hitter in the game, when healthy. The staff and myself racked our brains over why the slugger feels he needed the extra edge. Having been stumped, we came up with 10 reasons why he doesn't need steroids, in hopes of convincing the vain ballplayer to lay off the juice.

Continue reading "Top 10 Reasons why Alex "A-Roid" ..."

As I watched Jacoby Ellsbury steal home against the Yankees Sunday night, I thought to myself: "This pretty much sums it up." An aging Andy Pettitte forgets to deliver from the stretch, letting a youthful Ellsbury elude another future Bingo regular, Jorge Posada's, tag at the plate. Would Justin Masterson have made the same error? The two ballclubs could not be headed in more opposite directions. Every year, the Red Sox seem to call up another hyped prospect, while the Yanks continue to overpay for limited talent, and shun their farm system.

Continue reading "Red Sox continue to steal away Yanks' future"

Tim Wakefield – I owe you an apology.  I was very concerned when I heard you were returning to the Red Sox rotation.  You are the nicest guy in baseball, no doubts there.  But I doubted you during the off season.  Boy do you know how to prove others wrong.

Continue reading "It's hot...and so are the Sox!"

They routed Baltimore 12-1.

 The Boston Red Sox started the season at 3-6 before rallying and now have a 7-6 record - tied second with the New York Yankees behind the Toronto Blue Jays. They just completed a 4-game sweep at home against the Baltimore Orioles, scoring a total of 30 runs in the 4 games. Next up, they host the Minnesota Twins for two games and the Yankees for three. Hoping to keep this momentum going, the Sox will look to continue the apparent offensive power and pitching dominance going.

Continue reading "Patriots Day a Success"

A lot of people have their proverbial panties in a bunch over Josh Beckett’s high-and-tight pitch in the first inning of Boston’s game against Los Angeles on Easter Sunday. Pundits, fans of other Major League clubs and even some who root for the Red Sox have labeled Beckett’s "misfire" as dirty, dangerous and suspension worthy. I say, relax people, stop being so sensitive. Boston’s ace was doing what his pitching brethren have taught him through the decades. Beckett was sending a message. You can call it archaic, but it’s part of America’s pastime.

Continue reading "Beckett Simply Keeping with Tradition"

I tried writing this before yesterday's game but had some computer troubles. I'm going to do my best to combine both games. Let's start off by saying that I know I'm not the only fan who knows the Angels deserved a win Friday night.

Continue reading "Sox and Angels Both Get Wins Despite Some Anxiety"

Wednesdays loss was a frustrating one.  Yesterday’s wasn’t as bad.

The Sox put up a good fight yesterday.  Yes, they could have taken advantage over some opportunities (Lowrie in the 8th with runners on second and third…ugh).  But it was different from  Wednesday night where they just couldn’t seem to get anything going.

Continue reading "Rays take their sunshine with them ..."

Hello there.  We are about an hour away from the second game against the Rays.  It’s lefty versus lefty tonight at the Fens!  Jon Lester will take the mound and challenge Scott Kazmir to an old fashioned pitchers duel - hopefully.  Rocco will get the start in right and let Drew take the night off from facing the lefty.  I am psyched to see Rocco!  

Continue reading "Play Ball!!!"

Casey Stengel once said, “There's three things you can do in a baseball game - you can win, you can lose, or it can rain.”   

Today, it just may be the latter that begins another Red Sox season.  But even if Red Sox National begins the year with drops falling from the sky, we are still one step closer to the start of the season, and fans will flock to the park as they have since the very first Fenway opener on April 20th, 1912.  

Continue reading "Red Sox Opening Day 2009"

AL Wild Card: New York Yankees; AL Champion: Boston Red Sox

2. In the National League, the wildcard situation is a bit more complicated – I’ve been spending the last week and a half avoiding this decision. Presuming New York, Chicago and Los Angeles finish atop their divisions, Arizona, St. Louis, Cincinnati and Philadelphia (not in that order) are the serious contenders for that coveted fourth postseason spot. I realize I also listed four teams as potential wildcard winners in the AL, but I don’t think anyone will truly give the Yankees a race and they’ll take the wildcard by eight or more games. The Reds because of their pitching, and the Cardinals because of Albert Pujols and the possible resurgence of Chris Carpenter will make a run, but in the end they’ll be the final two teams to fall short. It comes down to the D-Backs and Phillies, and, I’m going with...Philadelphia (I just went back and forth for the last 30 minutes). Although the Phillies made the playoffs last season because the Mets collapsed, they did so with Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins dealing with independent issues, and they ended up winning the World Series. On paper, the team appears too talented to not play its way into October where it will lose in the first round and watch from home as New York defeats the Cubs in seven games in the NLCS. In a rematch of the 1986 Series, the Red Sox will get their revenge because of their aforementioned stellar pitching front to back. NL Wild Card: Philadelphia Phillies; NL Champion: New York Mets; World Series Champion:

Continue reading "The Sports Don's Sunday Musings: ..."

The National League has four legitimate contenders for the World Series, and two of those clubs reside in the NL East. Along with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, the New York Mets and incumbent champion Philadelphia Phillies are the league’s elite. The Florida Marlins and Atlanta Braves should have respectable seasons while the Washington Nationals battle with the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates for the label of most horrendous team in the league.

Continue reading "The Sports Don's 2009 NL East Preview"

The National League West is not a division too many people are getting overly excited about entering the 2009 season. The return of Manny Ramirez to Los Angeles has made the Dodgers the division’s lone true contender for the World Series. Arizona will go as far as its pitching takes it, which could be far, but other than that, there’s not a whole lot to pontificate upon. Yet, somehow, I still managed to write 1,383 words.

Continue reading "The Sports Don's 2009 NL West Preview"

Surprisingly, my expectations were wrong...

The Boston Red Sox have the best team in baseball. 

Seems unusual, I know. Not the Yankees, or the Phillies, or the Rays, or even the Cubs...but the scrappy, resourceful Red Sox.

Continue reading "MLB Preseason Predictions: Regular ..."

I'd say 11-12 with a 4.40 ERA. Not great, but not terrible for a No. 4. 

2-Boston Red Sox: Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield, and Brad Penny. Wild cards: John Smoltz, Clay Buccholz, and Justin Masterson. 

Continue reading "MLB's Top Five Starting Rotations"

effectiveness and subsequent AAA or AA call ups. 

That said, here's the shakedown:

5-(Tie) Boston Red Sox: Justin Masterson (or Manny Delcarmen), Ramon Ramirez, Takashi Saito, Hideki Okajima, and Jonathan Papelbon.

Continue reading "MLB's Top Five Bullpens"

3-Boston Red Sox: RF-J.D. Drew, CF-Jacoby Ellsbury, LF-Jason Bay

This group has excellent balance. All three are fast and cover ground well at their respective positions, and they are astute baserunners as well. Drew's injury history is a slight concern, but when he's out there he's smooth, athletic, and immensely talented. He really seemed to settle in during his second year in Boston.

Continue reading "MLB's Top Five Outfields"

Dear Readers (all five of you):

I've been active on my other blog at www.fannation.com, under the username JFro, but I continually forget to publish those posts here. That said, the next five posts should be considered my belated MLB preseason predictions -- a preview, of sorts. There's the top five infields, outfields, bullpens, and starting rotations, and of course The Big Kahuna:

Continue reading "Note about forthcoming posts"

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim won the American League West by 21 games in 2008, a margin 13 1/2 games wider than the next largest difference which was the Chicago Cubs’ 7 1/2 game lead over National League Wild Card winner Milwaukee. With the departures of some key Angels and the acquisitions of some big name players by the other teams in the West, the race will tighter, but don’t expect Texas, Oakland or Seattle to leapfrog Los Angeles who should capture their fifth division title in six years.

Continue reading "The Sports Don's 2009 AL West Preview"

It’s Day Two of The Sports Don’s 2009 Baseball Preview, and I present perhaps the toughest division in baseball to predict. The American League Central could finish in any order, and I wouldn’t be the slightest bit surprised. And yes, that includes the upstart Kansas City Royals winning the division for the first time since 1985 when George Brett was 32, and the Royals defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series.

Continue reading "The Sports Don's 2009 AL Central Preview"

After a J.D. Drew-like stint on the disabled list of blog writing, I, like baseball, have returned. For real this time. Let me begin by expressing my sincerest apologies to my readers whom I promised a return to the spotlight weeks ago only to vanish like a ninja once again. Thanks as always for your support and readership. Without getting too mushy-gushy, welcome to the first of a seven-part series previewing each division, day by day, leading up to an all encompassing culmination piece on opening night next Sunday.

Continue reading "The Sports Don Returns with His 2009 ..."

I thought that Josh Bard would be here a little longer this time. By signing him for a second time, I figured Bard would rebound and be that back-up catcher that Boston needs so badly. I was hoping that he would thrive this season and totally redeem himself from that awful stint in 2006. He never made it through spring training. On Wednesday, the Red Sox placed the 30-year old catcher on unconditional waivers, one day before he would have made a guaranteed $340,000. Instead, the Sox are only required to pay him $283,333. This move leaves the door wide open for George Kottaras.

Continue reading "Anyone Seen My Josh Bard?"

Mikey is back and looks good – Mike Lowell was in the lineup last night against the Yankees, holding down the four spot in between Ortiz and Drew.  That is a pretty solid 3-4-5 if you ask me.  Mikey had his first fielding opportunity of the spring in the first inning which turned into an inning-ending double play.  He then led off in the second inning and took a high fastball from Chien-Ming Wang deep over the left field fence for a solo shot.  Lowell hit a single later in the same inning as the Sox batted through the lineup and tallied 7 runs. 

Continue reading "A Few Sox Saturday Updates"

I figured I would take a little peak at the battle for shortstop this season and see where each guy stands.  As of March 12, Jed Lowrie and Julio Lugo seem pretty even – on paper anyway.  Jed has played in two more games than Julio and thus has four more plate appearances, giving him a total of twenty four chances to produce at the dish.  While they both have nine hits, two doubles and four RBI’s, Lugo is hanging on to a better OBP and AVG (.478/.450).  I like the fact that Lugo has a nice OBP right now because of his speed.  If he can find himself on the base paths, he’s no doubt a threat to score every time.  Lowrie, however, is hitting the ball well, with two 3-baggers and a slugging percentage of .625!  Right now Lowrie is leading the spring squad in triples.  Nice.

Continue reading "Checking in With the Lugo and Lowrie Situation"

While the U.S. lost this evening, our fearless Sox hitters in the line up did not do so well.  Pedroia was 0 for 5 and now carries an average of .125 in the WBC.  Youk went 0 for 4 with a walk and a strike out and left 2 men in scoring position.  Oh well. 

Continue reading "United States Loses to Venezuela - 03/11/2009"

I have to admit, this edition of The Sports Don’s Sunday Musings was harder for me to compile than the previous two weeks. Maybe it’s because I’m still bull over Steven the Black Jack Dealer cheating me out of all of my money at Foxwoods or perhaps it’s because I’m trying to remember to DVR Dark Days in Monkey City. Either way, I still managed to ramble on especially long this weekend so I’ll keep the words typed in the remainder of my intro to a minimum...here it is.

Continue reading "The Sports Don's Sunday Musings: Volume III"

“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make, you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” – Matthew 7: 1-3

Yes, that’s correct. I just quoted the Bible. Enjoy it, because the only other biblical reference I’ll make is when I inevitably tell the story of how Larry Bird created the world in six days and rested on the seventh to watch Tom Brady win the Super Bowl. The reason I’m recruiting an Apostle is because I want to show each and every one of my readers that I’m not messing around. Enough is enough. We’re a forgiving culture. Let’s check ourselves before we wreck ourselves.

Continue reading "Sympathy for the Steroid Devils"

Well, get ready for another season of Detroit Tigers baseball. We have been spoiled the last couple of years. The team actually has expectations and unfortunately so do the fans. Can Mo Town survive another sports team to fail miserably like the hapless Lions? Are we just a hockey town? I don't have the answer to that, but I do get excited for Tiger baseball. As a proclaimed member of the Red Sox Nation, I still love the Tigers. I watch most games and even try to get to the ballpark. I lived in misery because all my neighbors are "Tigers for Life". So my sports life is much better when the Tigers are winning.

Continue reading "Detriot Tigers look to impress in 2009"

The sport of Major League Baseball just can't catch a break. The steroids era is very damaging to the game. Not to long ago the fans suffered major disappointment learning of the alleged steroid use of such stars of Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. Not to long before that Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa cases were presented before us. We all thought what a relief that we still have coveted stars whose names weren't implicated in any of that mess. Well fans... we were all wrong. The games savior Alex Rodriguez admittedly used performance enhancing drugs. I was indeed shocked but I almost expected this. How many more players are there out there who no in doubt cheated the game and all of us? I don't exactly know, but I am beginning not to even care. The fact that drugs have played a part in the game that I love the most, has become reality and there is nothing I can do to change it. I believe in Major League Baseball. I am confidant that the Commissioner and his office, the owners and the players association have taken enough heat to try and get the game back on track. No doubt that there will be more stars that will have there past made public, but after enduring A FRAUD's ignorant publicized apology, I believe we the fans can handle all of the rest that will no doubtedly come.

Continue reading "Are You Serious???"

One of the great things about sports is that every week fans are provided with a plethora of new topics to think about and discuss. Along with my other posts, starting today, and continuing every Sunday for the foreseeable future, I am going to supply my readership with an opportunity to peer inside my oversized cranium and take a peek at what I’m mulling over.

Continue reading "The Sports Don's Sunday Musings"

bsp;defensive part of your game is quite frankly that of a high school player. You quit on the Boston Red Sox and became a complete distraction, ruining a team made of chemistry. You have at times played for the name on the back of the jersey instead of the name on the front of it, hence "Manny being Manny".  The track record you have made for yourself is not worthy of nothing but short term contracts.

Continue reading "What in the World is Manny Ramirez thinking?"

Everyone loves a puppy, and in Boston, every fan loves Jason Varitek.

His deadline to accept or decline the Red Sox’ contract offer is swiftly approaching, and soon all will know if the captain is returning for his 13th season. Boston fans want the stalwart catcher back in a bad way, predicting the pitching staff will crumble without him and insisting last season’s subpar batting average was a direct result of the demise of his marriage. The Sox are interested, but only on their terms. The Boston brass will not bend or break to assure Tek’s return, and regardless of the contract’s details, a return would be advantageous for both parties.

Continue reading "Much Ado About Varitek"

;   After baseball legend,  Babe Ruth was sold to the New York Yankees in 1919, the Boston Red Sox never won another World Series. The Yankees won 26. Many believed it was a curse placed on the team by some almighty power since Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold the “Bambino” to finance his Broadway ventures. It wasn’t the fact that the Red Sox would lose, but the way they would lose. Almost as if someone or something was toying with them.  

Continue reading "For Love of the Game"

ing is less than a month away, and for the first time in more than a decade, it seems as though the Boston Red Sox may be facing a new season without their captain, Jason Varitek.  This is just wrong, and although he'll be 37 in April and his offensive production has dipped dramatically in recent years, the Red Sox still need number 33 behind the plate come April.  Anything else would be a travesty, plain and simple.

Continue reading "Rightful Place"

gher salary but not this man.  Indeed, Smoltz is a great fit for a great organization like the Boston Red Sox.  Sure, it was not a huge front-page signing like it was for the Yankees

Continue reading "Smoltz; a Red Sock"

Dear readers:

I'd like to begin my blogging on this account by thanking each and every one of you who have taken the time to read my content in the past, and those of you who will do the same in the near future. A special, personal thanks goes out to the readers who have provided me with direct feedback.

Continue reading "Welcome to JFro Sports Journalism"

The Yankees have gotten their holiday gifts early this year with starting pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. I could rant and rave about how Stienbrennerclaus had to spend oodles of cash in order to bring New York some holiday cheer but the fact remains; the Yanks just hauled in the top two free agent pitchers on the market. Now that the Bronx Bombers aren't using Sidney Ponson as their number three man in the rotation we can expect them to once again be pushing towards playoff glory in the dominate A.L. East. As a Red Sox fan I can't help but be upset in losing both these arms so let's look towards the bright side. 

Continue reading "The Death Star was Rebuilt and so ..."

It's truly a shame in the modern era of baseball to see a player like Jason Varitek as just part of business. Call me a traditionalist but I'm a big fan of any player who gives his loyalty to one s

Continue reading "Oh Captain, My Captain"

The first domino - and a hefty domino it was - in the free-agent pitching puzzle fell this morning, with the announcement that C.C Sabathia took a seven-year offer from the Yankees. And with it came news that the Red Sox, apparently, are "very much involved" in discussions with former Marlin and Blue Jay hurler A. J. Burnett.

Continue reading "Burnett to Boston? Thanks, but no thanks"

It is time for the Boston Red Sox to move on from Mike Lowell. The 2004 World Series MVP has performed greatly for the Sox in his three seasons with the team amassing 58 HRs, 273 RBI and a b

Continue reading "Adios To Mike Lowell"

I know, I know, you're as sad and distraught as I am about the elimination of the Red Sox at the hands of the tampa Bay Rays.  Actually, if that is true, then you must be feeling ok, because I'm really not that torn up about it.  If this were five years ago, I'd still be in bed crying myself to sleep and cursing the universe for conspiring against me and playing such a cruel joke on a desperate fan. 

Continue reading "Silver Linings Galore"

Baseball is an amazing game: You spend six months falling in love with 25 guys you've never met, spend almost 200 nights tuning in to see how they do, and then with one half-swing by J.D. Drew it's all over.

Continue reading "Warming up the hot stove"

Another year, another baseball season in the books. This one didn't end the way we all would have liked, but like the old saying goes, you can't win 'em all. As they all are, this season was defined by some transcendent moments, some goofy moments, and some moments that made you question your sanity.

Continue reading "The 2008 Red Sox - defining moments"

That would be the American League East with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.  The best two teams money can buy, well at least most of the time.  The year before, the Rays lost 97 games with a team of young, inexperienced players.  Giant fans please pay attention.  Behind the leadership of Joe Madden, the Rays seemed to have reached the Promised Land.  Then Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett were acquired midseason from the Twins.  The Rays held on and won the American League East Title. Next they beat the Chicago White Sox in Round One of the American League Playoffs.  Up next was the mighty Red Sox, who after falling behind 3 games to 1 and on the brink of extinction pulled off an improbably and precedent setting comeback.  Momentum seemed to have switched in favor of Beantown.  On Saturday night, Josh Beckett led the Red Sox to a win to even the series.  It set up a match of young flamethrowers, Garza vs Jon Lester.  Both pitchers threw well, but in the year of the Wonderdogs, is it any surprise that for seven innings, Garza, the former Fresno State Bulldog, would be almost perfect as the Rays took a 3-1 decision and earned a trip to the World Series.

Continue reading "Year of the Underdog"

>As a baseball fanatic, how refreshing is it that on an NFL sunday, baseball is center stage as the Boston Red Sox attempt to complete an amazing return from the dead, again.  The team with a history of choking is now on the edge of becoming one of the greatest comeback teams in history.

Continue reading "Sunday Morning"

With a comeback of historic proportions in game five, the Boston Red Sox forced the series to a game six in Tampa Bay. In my mind, this will be the deciding game of the series. Obviously, the series is over if Tampa wins, but I believe if the Red Sox are victorious tonight, they will not only have stolen all of the momentum the Rays had after being seven outs away from the first World Series berth in franchise history, but the Sox will have watered and nurtured the seed of doubt they planted in the young, inexperienced minds of the Tampa Bay Rays in game five into a full-grown tree. Game seven, at that point, will be a foregone conclusion and that proverbial tree of doubt will bare fruit for the Red Sox. But what are the odds of the Red Sox carrying their new found momentum into Tropicana Field where they have only won two of eleven games this season? It will all be decided by the right arm of Josh Beckett. He is the epicenter of what will be a season changing game for the

Continue reading "Game Six is Game Seven"

Hello!  I just wanted to take this time and introduce myself to anyone reading this...

I'm a 22-year old graduate of the University of Maryland-College Park (GO TERPS!) and while there I was the Assistant Sports Director at the campus radio station, WMUC.  The time I spent at WMUC was amazing, as I was able to be a play-by-play announcer for numerous ACC Football, Basketball and Baseball games.  Play-by-play announcing is what I've wanted to do for many years now, and the excellent journalism program at Maryland was the main reason why I attended the university.  If you are at all interested, you can listen to my play-by-play demos at my "official" website: www.ScottSudikoff.com.

Continue reading "Welcome to my blog! Here's a little about me..."