A Red Sox State of Maine

Boy, That Was Satisfying

I know what was happening in many a livingroom in the Empire State yesterday afternoon. The Yankee faithful had looked at the two starting pitchers and-after conveniently ignoring the fact that Burnett had been bombed in his previous two outings at Fenway-mentally put the game in their "W" column. After all, surely salary alone dictated what the outcome was going to be. What is league minimum compared to $82 million? So, after having prepared themselves for another joyous afternoon of watching Blackwater-er, the NY Yankees-shellack Red Sox pitching, Blackwater-er, Yankee-fans were stunned to find out every Sox pitcher isn't named Penny or Smoltz. One of them is named Junichi Tawaza, who is obviously destined to be this year's Johnny Podres.

Yes, I exaggerate, I know, and I certainly don't expect that type of performance every outing-but wasn't it great to see that $82 million shoved down the Yankees' throat by a guy who got to Boston two weeks ago and doesn't yet speak enough English to order off a McDonald's menu? Didn't it feel great to see ARod jump away from a pitch that dipped back across the plate for a called strike? Or ending Derek Jeter's much-ballyhooed eight-game hitting streak? (Eight games? BFD. Only in New York is an eight game hitting streak cause for a coronation.)  The only disappointment of the day was Bard giving up that long ball to Swisher-I was reeeeaaalllly rooting for a shutout. But if that's the worst thing I have to complain about-at least for today-I guess I really ought to shut up.

Tim Wakefield comes back on Wednesday, if nothing else sparing us another episode of Tales from the Brad Penny Crypt. Is it coincidence that Wake going down coincided with the Sox slide from first? *I* don't think so. As you may recall, same thing happened in 2006, (when Wake was found to have broken ribs if memory serves) and the Sox ultimately wound up in third place.  C'mon, Tim, and be our little goodluck charm, hey-hey-hey!

Mucho media drool over the pitching match up tonight, Beckett vs Sabathia on ESPN. Beckett sucked last time out, so let's hope he's pissed off enough about it ot throw a no-hitter.

The Following Day

So. Since David Ortiz was outed as being on "the list", he has hit tow home runs and the Sox have won the last two games. The Yankees, on the other hand, have played two shitty games in a row and cut their lead to a game and a half.

Makes me think that maybe someone should have leaked the news a little sooner. Perhaps we could have avoided two months of bonecrushing suckitude from the big guy.

As the dust settles on the past 36 hours, I am less emotional and more resigned. Yes, I had hoped David Ortiz was different, but he wasn't. He caved to the pressures to perform, as did many a ballplayer in many a decade before him (what, do we all think cheating originated with this generation of ballplayers?) It's disappointing, it's nauseating, but it is what it is. I still love David Ortiz, and I still love what he has done for his team and this city.  But the fact is that I will never be able to look at him with the same amount of reverence as I did two days ago. It's strange why this has affected me so much more than the revelations about Manny. I think it is because I saw Papi as the ideal, the great hitter AND sports ambassador-and now I'm learning that at least part of that image was an utter facade. Say what you want about Manny, but he's not a phony. So I am less disappointed in him.

Oh, well. It's plain that if the choice is between rooting for cheaters and giving up baseball, I will root for cheaters. For to paraphrase Samuel Johnson, it is happier to be sometimes cheated than not to trust...and Susannah Centlivre, who noted that "every man cheats in his own way, and he is only honest who is not discovered."

Oy vey. Can't let myself become such a cynic, but at the same time, I refuse to bury myself in denial either. I'm not going to be one hiding behind the "bad andro" conspiracy theories.

Thankfully, the Red Sox did not trade for Eric Gagne again yesterday, but Victor Martinez. I like Victor Martinez, mostly because when he took Schilling deep in the '07 ALCS he took a year to run the bases (of course, had the Sox lost that series, I wouldn't've found that so amusing, but since they did, well, I approve). I just wish they had found some way to deal John Smoltz, who has worn out his welcome from me. Wher have you gone, Roy Halladay...held up by a demand for Clay Buchholz, evidently. Theo, I think it's time to let the Buchholz-cum-Clemens fantasy go myself. Kid is 25 years old. He is what he is, and that "is" will likely never be the Doc. 

Last game at Camden Yards before hitting the road to Tampa. If they can scrounge up a win with Smoltz on the mound, they surely ought to be able to get one with Beckett. Go Sox.  

Back on Top

Well, that turned out to be a disappointing game, not only for Beckett and the Red Sox (hey, losing a no-hitter has got to sting a little, even when you eventually win the game), but to the fans who paid for their seats and watched the Tigers lose 10-5 last night. I mean, think about it. Your team is losing 4-0 in the 7th, and the way Beckett is going, there doesn't seem to be much hope for pulling this one out. But, as a fan, you're sitting there thinking, "Well, even if they don't win, I'm going to hang around and see if he can keep this no-hitter going." (Unless you're Dennis Eckersley, you're not saying it, of course, but I digress). Then-bam! Curtis Granderson slaps what looked to be a good pitch to right field for a hit. End of history. Then-bam! again, the Sox score six runs in the top of the 8th. Now it's just a slaughter, and if you're a Tiger fan, not even an interesting one anymore. Granted, the Sox did everything they could to make it interesting in the bottom of the 8th-five unearned runs? What, too much pressure?-but a win's a win, and if the Sox are going to make a run of this Beckett has got to continue to set the pace.

Nothing makes me happier than good pitching. Nothing. Not a home run, not a day off, not a great dinner. I can suspend everything bad in the world when the guy on the mound in the Sox uni is spinning a gem. Crap like Pat Buchanan, GM collapse, or a bad hair day become blissful elements of the otherworld whena Sox pitcher is working magic like Beckett was last night-"painting," throwing "cheese" with "gas" (my favorite Eckism? "I gotta have that pitch!" when the strike grid shows it to be a foot outside) and making the opposition look stupid in the progress. I've had a lot to be happy about the last few games-Lester looked great the last time out, Brad Penny has been a decent surprise. Even Dice-K looked like he was back on Tuesday-lots of baserunners for sure, but very few runs, and when he's well isn't that always the way with him? (He and we have a great bullpen to be thankful for as well.) The whole John Smoltz thing has me scratching my head though-where are you going to put him? Anyone could get hurt, of course, and these things have a way of working themselves out. But in the meantime, I just don't see where he fits.

Speaking of Smoltz, did you hear his comments when he learned the Braves released Tom Glavine? I agree with him that it does smack of classlessness on their part, but it's a business-Smoltz of all people should know that-and I suspect the Braves figured they weren't ever going to see the 1998 Glavine again, and it was time to move. The Red Sox success has sparked a massive youth movement everywhere but the Bronx, I guess..the other thing is, I think it's a lot harder for the really good ones to admit the jig is probably up. Glavine may be a serviceable 5th starter for someone going forward, but is that going to be enough for him? Perhaps it may be time to tip the cap, say thanks, and go home and wait for his HOF call.

Anyway folks, the big picture is this-for all intents and purposes, David Ortiz has been AWOL this year (every time I think he might be on the verge of breaking out he collapses, so I'm holding judgment on last night), Dice-K just got his first win, Jacoby Ellsbury has been first and eighth in the lineup...and the Sox are still tied for first place on this beautiful morning. Let's keep it going this afternoon, as Wake takes the mound against Dontrelle Willis, a guy I always liked but not today.

GO SOX!!!!!

The Stars Were Aligned

Tim Wakefield sucked, Papi's average continued it's spiral into Death Valley, it snowed, and Brad Lidge is facing waterboarding when he gets back to Philly-but the Red Sox still ended the day in first place! It's divine intervention, I tell ya! Well, no-to quote our illustrious former criminal-er, commander-in-chief, it was just a good old fashioned thumpin'. J.D. Drew went 4-for-5 (and my vote to replace Papi at the three spot), Kevin Youkilis thumbed his nose at the umping crew that got it wrong the first time, and Mike Lowell is looking more and more every day like a guy who is playing with two hips instead of one.

(Too bad we couldn't say the same for David Ortiz, poor guy. We are all suffering watching him desperately climb out of the deep pit of suck he has dug for himself. It's decision time, Terry. Make one before Theo Epstein makes it for you.)

Events of the recent past have taken a lot of the sting out of 1986, but there's still something very satisfying about taking it to the Amazin's. Friends of mine who are recent (within the past 15 years or so) converts to the cause don't quite understand that I still get a minor case of PTSD looking at those ugly blue and orange uniforms. The only people in the universe who hate the Yankees more than Red Sox fans are Mets fans, they say; we should be allies, not antagonists. Eighty-six was a long time ago to still be holding onto a grudge.  I'm not holding a grudge, folks. But just imagine trying to be good friends with your ex-husband's second wife, with whom he had an affair for two years before he left you. It might have been years ago, you might not wish her any harm at this point, but you are never, ever going to be BFF.

On the road again, to Minny. Maybe the homecoming of sorts will be what Papi needs. Or not. These last few weeks have begun, in an odd type of way, to prepare us for a Papi-less future, one in which the Sox are still in first place. Back in 2005, who would have thought that was ever going to be possible?

(pic from boston.com)

Red Sox Nation Celebrates

...the first of the year! Thank you sweet Jesus and all the disciples! 







You know, there are good reasons that-in spite of the rabid media, pitiless fans, and fishbowl existence-free agents list Boston as a highly desirable place to play (second only, umm, to NY, which has the same problems) and it's been on evidence the past couple of nights at Fenway. While the faithful can at times be a player's worst thorn, and booing your own in Boston is a cottage industry of sorts, once a guy has been through the fire and come out intact there are no more devoted fans on earth. Our standards may be high, but our loyalty runs just as deep, and I was so proud to be a member of this group I was almost in tears last night. He carrried us in '04, folks. It was nice to be able to return the favor. As Jason Varitek noted, "I think it’s big we had our fans get behind him. It was a pretty electric moment for David.”

AND for us...there's a palpable feeling of relief, that it's all going to be all right now.

Congratulations, Papi and Sox, on a VERY satisfying victory! Now let's keep it going!

EDIT: Even Shaughnessy agrees with me: It was a moment. Where else would this happen? In what other town could your slugger go homerless for 35 games, drop to .200, then be summoned from the dugout for a tip of the cap? This is why the truly great ones love playing here.

That's More Like It

A much better weekend. I approve.

Some thoughts:

Jon Lester, when he is on, is as good or better than anyone in the league, and that really is no exaggeration. Josh Beckett, however, is still considered the "ace" of the staff...but let's be honest here, folks. As good as Beckett has shown he is capable of being, he will never be Pedro-a dominating, intimidating presence, and that inconsistency leads to things like the four-run inning on Saturday. He's now 29 years old, in his tenth season in the bigs. I'm not sure we'll ever see another 2007 out of him.

We haven't missed much out of the cleanup spot-I expect to see dreadlocks and Spanish coming out of Youk any day now. What we have missed is production from the third spot. The top of the order is starting to warm up a little bit, but if Ortiz continues to whiff every time he goes up there, it won't matter much. Ellsbury can't steal home every time he gets on base. He needs someone to drive him in. Good karma to Papi, folks. He needs us.

Speaking of Manny-and we were, sort of-I have to say I was a bit surprised to see #24 on Takashi Saito yesterday. Yes, I know it's not new, I just hadn't noticed it before. Riddle me this, folks: Who accomplished more for the Red Sox during their tenure, Manny Ramirez or Roger Clemens? Who was the World Series MVP? They both left the team under ugly circumstances. So why is #21 still so jealously guarded like the tape of a Bush torture session, but #24 gets thrown out to the first schlub who gets a five-dollar contract? I'm not necessarily advocating holding on to #24, but I find the incongruity annoying. Number 21's luster faded many years ago, it's owner an exposed fraud and liar, not to mention a class A, #1, gold-plated asshole. It's time for the team-and the fans-to extend their arms, open their hands, and let it go. If we can wash our hands of Manny so quickly, we can surely do the same of Clemens. 

Another thing that annoyed me this weekend? I was watching the Yankee/Cleveland game Saturday (if you can call it a game-it looks like the rest of the league is catching up to what the Red Sox have always known about Wang, that he sucks) and Joe and Tim were focusing on Nick Swisher, saying he couldn't be smiling out on the field while his team was getting absolutely murdered in their own park. For Christ's sake, why not? Did someone's dog die out there? Is he being forced to watch Doocy and Carlson on a loop? (Talk about torture...) This is baseball, guys. It isn't as serious as cancer. It's not the end of the world. Part of what makes guys like Swisher fun (and I like Swisher, although I liked him more with the White Sox and A's than I do the Yankees, for true) is their ability to hang loose and have a good time no matter what's going on around them. The fans were interacting with him, making their own fun in a horrible game they looked forward to seeing and paid too much for. Why rip on him for responding, even if just by smiling? Not everybody is Derek Jeter, Stepford Yankee. Lighten up, folks.

Patriots' Day, game starts in an hour. Lucky for me, I get the day off and can watch the game! Another great reason to be from Maine...

Let's go for the SWWWWEEEEEEEPPPPP!!!!!!

That's More Like It

Now, lord knows I've been known to be somewhat skeptical about Jason Bay. Yes, I know he's a very talented ballplayer. But, as blowhard extraordinaire Ozzie Guillen once noted, "I'd much rather face Jason Bay in a lineup than Manny Ramirez." Or words to that effect, and he has a point (which, fortunately, his hat covers up most of the time).

But yesterday, Mr. Bay gave us all that we could ever have hoped to receive from the Manster and more. Yes, Manny might have hit those two home runs, but who in the house thinks he would have performed that juggling act and still come up with the ball? My guess is that he would have kind of given up on it halfway through, played it off the base of the wall, and there's Torii Hunter standing on second with nobody out. That play, in my most humble opinion, is what won the game yesterday. Standing O for JB. Nice work.

Nice work as well for the defense in general. Great play-7th inning?-by Youk, Pedroia and Ramon Ramirez, who stretched out as good as any first baseman on that play. Mike Lowell had a nice stop, too-good to see him on two feet again without looking like he needs a walker.  Brad Penny was adequate but not great, and it remains to be seen if he gets stronger or weaker as time goes by.

And Paps? Please. I lost five years of my life in that Howie Kendrick at-bat. We pay you for outs, not drama.

I have to admit, though, looking at the team as presently constructed, I still get a little uneasy at the sea of pasty white faces on the field. Although I know it isn't true, it does lend some evidence to the whisper campaign of haters about the historic and inherent racism of Boston and it's sports fans. Like I've said previously, I personally have yet to see anything from Jacoby Ellsbury that we couldn't've gotten from Coco Crisp (albeit at a higher price). I doubt Jed Lowrie will ever be a significant offensive upgrade over Julio Lugo (or Alex Gonzales), although he's unquestionably a better fielder than Lugo (although not Alex Gonzales). If the trends continue-and I'm not saying they will or they won't, I hope they don't, but just if they do-will these two white guys get the same type of abuse from the fans and media that was heaped on their nonwhite predecessors?

And if they don't, what does that mean?

I don't know. I'm just sayin'. I think it would be an interesting anthropological study, or someone's PhD dissertation, and really it wouldn't have to focus just on Red Sox fans-they only happen to be the ones who have the all-white team right now. But you could try it anywhere, based on the observation that Barry Bonds has taken it much harder, both in the court of public opinion and in the real court (both lied under oath, after all) than Roger Clemens for the same offenses.

Rubber game of the match at 3:35pm today, Beckett vs. Dustin Mosely who, thankfully, is one of the few right handers the Sox will see on this road trip.

GO JOSH!!!!!!! GO SOX!!!!!!!!!!

Jed Lowrie is Da Bomb...

So is Jon Lester. He saved the season, now he's saved the postseason. Four hits in seven innings? Got rooked out of a win. Hideki Okajima is very, very thankful to Jed Lowrie and Jason Bay this morning. どうもありがとう, guys!

Double thanks to Mike Lowell, who tried to channel his inner Curt Schilling and play on one leg. God knows, he tried. But he just ran out of gas, and we've seen the last of him this season. It's ok, Mike. Sean and Mark will hold your place nicely. See you next year.

It's so funny, the difference between now and years past. BTE (before Theo era), Aybar would have never have been called out on that ninth inning tag, and the Angels would have gone on to score. In the New Age, Varitek holds on to the ball long enough, and the Red Sox bring some two-out, walkoff magic to the old park. I know it's been a few years and a couple of titles. I know the Red Sox have two more tough series to go through before they win anything again. But if anything says just how different things are now than they used to be, well, it's that ninth inning.

Oh, and I'm reminded of why I hate John Lackey. His postgame comments? "It's totally different [than the 2007 sweep by the Red Sox]. They were better than us last year. They're not better than us this year." Ummm, John, may I remind you that two of their best players-Pedroia and Beckett-were MIA for most of the series, and Mike Lowell pulled out due to a hip injury. Nobody gave Jed Lowrie that single in the ninth, and nobody gave Jon Lester those two amazing outings. Hobbled as they were, they took it from your full-speed Angels. So, yeah. I'd say they're better than you are, and that goes double for those whiners Hunter and Anderson.  

You know what else is funny? The teams who expended the most in getting to the playoffs-the Angels, the Brewers-swept away. In the AL, you've got the Sox and Tampa Bay, neither of whom broke the bank in the offseason or made dramatic upgrades at the trade deadline (well, Bay for Manny didn't look like one at the time, but oooo, mama now!) The exception to that, of course, is the Dodgers, who have ridden Manny's now-shortened dreads to the NLCS. I'm a bit conflicted here-if the Sox go to the WS, I DO NOT want them beaten by Manny Ramirez. But if the Rays make it, well, that's another story...the Dodgers are more interesting just because of the Joe-Manny-Nomar-Lowe factor, but I'm cheering for the Phillies in the NL, and I think they'll win. They just have better pitching.

You know what else is great? No more effin' west coast trips...at least, not right now.

Ellsbury, Lester, Lowrie...now on to the ALCS and the who-would-have-thought-it-in-April Tampa Bay Rays. Who will be the hero next?

Second Verse, Same as the First

First of all, an apology: I fell asleep waaaaay before deja vu all over again, the second-year-in-a-row series-saving Game 2 blast off KRod. Mea culpa, between game 1, the VP debate and needing to be up by 5:00am at the latest the last couple of days-and then spending the bulk of those days on my feet-I was dead. Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. I'm reduced to watching it on SportsDesk.

But maybe it was for the best. No one has a love/hate relationship with J.D. Drew the way I have over the past season. Love him because he has more natural talent in his little finger than a guy like Youk does in his whole burly body; hate him because he's, well...soft. He just is, a Fred Lynn. A guy with the most remarkable inherent ability I've ever had the pleasure of witnessing, but who seemed made of glass-and not only made of glass, but personally terrified he would shatter at any moment. Cost him a Hall of Fame career, as it may have Drew.

Still, today that matters not. Bad back and all, Drew dragged himself to the plate and channeled his inner Manny, taking KRod deep for what proved to be the game winning shot. I guess, for moments like that, you just have to put up with a little bit of timidity at other times. J.D. Drew, for a big fly at a crucial moment for the second year in a row, we salute you. Schaaaaa-wing!

In the meantime, you really can't get all that excited or smug because remember, these Angels were 5-1 at Fenway this year, and nearly no-hit by the snot-nosed Lackey (for no reason I can articulate-a strategy that works well for Sarah Palin, so I'll just go with it-I can't stand him). You can see the finish line of this series, but there's still a long way to go. Here's hoping the fired-up Fenway crowd helps the Sox do what they couldn't do in the regular season-win three games against the Halos.

In the meantime, call me crazy, but I'm not sure today is the best day for the Angels' web site to be running this particular ad:

  

The Holy Trinity

Last year, Game One belonged to Josh Beckett (and a cast of thousands-the Sox scored 13 runs that night.)

This year, the glory can be spread around...

Jon Lester, who's gone from cowering boy to confident man right in front of our eyes. Congratulations guy. We wouldn't've expected anything more from Schilling, and come October that's the highest form of praise (AND, unlike Schill, you keep your mouth shut, too! Bonus!)

Jacoby Ellsbury, who was all over the bases AND the outfield-three hits, two steals and a spectacular catch in center field. After a half-season slump, he's broken out at just the right time. Way to go, Jacoby!

Then, there's Jason Bay, who, in his first postseason game, took  perennial Red Sox bitch John Lackey-who seems to swear more than Josh Beckett, if that's possible-deep with what turned out to be the game winning home run. No nerves, no whiffs. Just took control and performed like a pro.

Home field advantage for the Angels is now a memory. Move on to game two, rollin' the Dice...

(Pic lifted from Yahoo! Sports)