The Best Thing

Well, the big Pirates protest is tonight. I'd say the best thing that could happen is hearing some angry WWF-like chanting on TV. The second best thing would be the Pirates getting blown out by the lowly Nationals.

Fan Protest Thingy

For those who don't know (everyone outside the Pittsburgh area), internet Pirate fans have organized a "walk-out" during the third inning of the Pirate game at PNC Park to protest the terrible, terrible ownership, leadership, direction, decisions, cheapness, etc., of our franchise. The group putting it together is call "Fans for Change."

The deal is, you wear green and walk out at the beginning of the third inning and walk over to the concourse. The green symbolizes money or something.

Now, don't get me wrong, I have no problem with the protest. If I was going to the game Saturday, i would probably participate. No one is expecting too much from this one act. It's bobblehead night (yippeezzz!!) so even if 5,000 fans protest (an optimistic number) that will barely make a dent. However, the cool thing is there will APPARENTLY be a member of the 1971 World Champion Pirates as a keynote speaker to the pre-game protest rally.

I'd love to go just to hear the funny chants that they will probably be able to get going during the game.

So anyway, the protest is cool and all, but here's what's dumb. When the Pirates failed to make any comment on the event and took down messages from their Fan Forum and instructed FSN Pittsburgh not to talk about or show the protest on TV, people flipped out and said the Pirates are censoring and that the Pirates are "afraid" or something.

Umm, this is not the case. The Pirates, I'm sure, see this as a tiny flicker of the flame, and the actions they are taking are not despearte bullying, but are more on the level of a thumb and forefinger quenching a birthday candle light.

The protest sounds great, and fun especially, and I'd love to go. But don't pretend the Pirates are actually afraid of this because they monitor their message boards and have told their TV affiliates not to discuss something that would tear down the organization. They are taking very tiny steps to ensure the protest will have practically no effect.

As for me, I'm just waiting until we trade Jason Bay. When we do, I can cheer for his new team until Mark Cuban buys the Pirates.

Winless In Seattle

The Mariners beat the Red Sox yesterday, 2-1 in 11 innings. Diasuke pitched so well. I'd be willing to say its the best he pitched all year. 8 innings of 1 run ball striking out eight. In the third, Mariner catcher Jamie Burke hit a fly ball to left center. Coco Crisp was shading him to right and was no where to be found, but somehow closed in on the ball and dove for the ball. Instead of giving us his daily Web Gem, the ball fell inches to his right and got passed him, allowing Burke to get a double. If Manny hadn't been backing him up, it would have been a triple. Ichiro came up next and got a cheap bloop single that scored Burke from second. Other than that, Diasuke was unhittable.

The lineup just couldn't score. There were plenty of opportunities. Big Papi struck out with the bases loaded and two outs early in the game. The Sox left 11 runners on base. They just didn't capitalize. Therefore, they were swept for the first time all year.

Alas! The lead in the AL is down to 9 games. That's right. Your Toronto Blue Jays are within single digits.

Speaking of the Blue Jays and Red Sox, now seems like a good team to look at both teams former Ace, the Rocket Man. The Yankees web page claims he's now their ace. He lost again yesterday and for the first time in 200 games, didn't strike anyone out. He's now 1-3 (0-3 against teams who aren't the Pirates) with a 5.32 ERA. The Evil Empire is in 3rd place, 3 games under .500, has lost 4 in a row and seven of their last 8. Glorious!

New Guy

Well, this will likely be the last post for awhile, not that I post all that often as it is...I'm heading to Korea tomorrow for the CM2007 Conference and then to India. So, pray for that as you think about it.

Last night Mike Maroth pitched his first National League game after being acquired in a trade with the Tigers and I couldn't be more pleased. He went 7 1/3 with only 2 hits, 2 walks and a run. Pretty solid against the Mets, even if they haven't been great lately. I don't expect him to pitch that well every time out, but I feel more confident having him out there than one of our many relievers thrown into the rotation.

I am excited to think that Carpenter and Mulder may be back soon...who knows how they will pitch when they do return, but if it is even close to how they should be...then there is hope of making a run in the Central. But we still have to stay close enough to be in it. And the Brewers are back to playing well.

Maybe when I get back in a month we will be healthy and in a position to be in the race. Or maybe we'll be 15 out. I wouldn't be surprised with either.

Have fun watching baseball this summer...don't take it for granted. One of the few sad things about heading overseas will be the lack of contact with baseball. Small sacrifice I suppose.

Cheers!

In reference to an earlier post...

...this was stated:

Category NL Rank
(hitting)
Runs 15th
OBP 12th
Slug 13th
OPS 13th
Steals 16th

(pitching)
ERA 16th
BAA 12th
OPS 14th
Saves 13th
WHIP 14th
Quality
Starts 15th

And not in last place???

It's the last sentence that made me curious enough to look up some stats. Here are the Cardinals ranks for these categories in the context of the NL Central:

Runs 5, OBP 4, Slug 5, OPS 5, Steals 5 (they jumped ahead of somebody here).
ERA 6, BAA 3, Saves 4, WHIP 4.

I couldn't find the other two stats on MLB.com's stats. Anyway, the point is, despite abysmal rankings compared to the rest of the NL, the Cardinals are actually last in only one of those statistics in their division. INCREDIBLE! We are witnessing a historically bad division here, people. We should feel more grateful.

We can do it!

Come on guys! Just one game of interleague play left! Let's make it FIVE losses is a row! How low can we go!

Back from the ends of the earth

Hey. I've been gone for a while. It all started last Thursday night. I was writing a blog entry when my cousin called because his dad suddenly couldn't take him to the U.S. Open the next day because of work. He wanted to know if I'd take him.

I never thought I would attend a PGA Major tournament, but there I was, about ten hours later. I saw Tiger and his army of followers and everybody else. Interesting experience. If you want to follow what is happening at a golf tournament, actually being there probably isn't your best bet. But it's good juhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifst for the experience of saying, "I've been to a Major."

As soon as I got home, we left for North Carolina, where I did not have internet access. Now I have returned.

Not much has changed with the Pirates. Since Laura mentioned the Phillies attendance (103%) I'll take this opportunity to point out that the Pirates have had as little as 8,102(!) people at a home game this season against the Astros. I've been to Tommy Maddox Foundation celebrity softball games with more people!!

What the heck, the less people that attend games, the more money the Nuttings get from revenue sharing, perpetuating our sad, losing existence. Yay communism!

(A few notes about that Tommy Maddox softball game. It was to support his new Pittsburgh-area charity, and it was during summer 2003, when he had somehow fooled everyone into thinking he could be a good NFL quarterback by beating the Cleveland Browns three times. I doubt this charity still exists. The two teams competing were called "The Tommy Guns and the Auto-Maddox." The slow-pitch softball game featured such "celebrities" as Steelers backup center and aspiring rapper Chukky Okobi and Steelers punter Josh Miller. Plaxico Burress was supposed to be there, but...)

Coco Crisp/80s night

Last time I mentioned Crisp was to point out how much he sucks and yet he's not even one of the top two problems in the Red Sox lineup. Ever since then he's been going on a tear. His last 8 games, he's 15 for 27 with three homeruns. Plus, it seems like every night he makes a stupendous diving catch. His average has sored to .258. Coco Crisp, I solute you!

Diasuke took the mound last night against Greg Maddux, both teams in their throwback 80s uniforms. Yes, the Red Sox had a different uniform in the 80s. The BOSTON on the away jerseys were blue. And there was a HUGE space between the S and the T. Every time a Red Sox got up, the Padres messed around with their pictures to make them like 80s heavy metal guitar heroes, with long hair and nose rings and make up and whatnot. Except for Big Papi. He looked like Mr. T.

Speaking of T, I still can't believe the space was that big.
"BOS TON".

Anyway, Diasuke got in trouble early. In the bottom of the first, he walked the bases loaded with no one out, and somehow, some way managed to get out of the jam only allowing one run. The Red Sox got two in the fourth, on a two strike single by Youkilis (vote for Youk!) and a RBI single by Varitek. Maddux thought he had strike three to Youk, but the umpire didn't give it to him. The announcers brought up the fact that the home plate ump was a minor league guy who sometimes fills in for vacationing Major League Umps. Probably a good thing for Maddux, because he was screaming at him and would have been tossed by a Major League guy. Though Maddux always gets those calls a foot off the plate, so the Major League guy would have probably rung Youk up. Anyway, Maddux hit in the bottom of the fourth and struck out looking. When he heard strike three called I thought he was gonna explode.


Diasuke pitched six, giving way to Lopez and Delcarmen in the eight. Manny Delcarmen was called up recently since Donnally went on the DL and though he hasn't really pitched in many jams, he's been pretty good. That's a good thing. The future of the Red Sox bullpen depends heavily on Delcarmen and Craig Hanson.

Okajima came out for the eight and was his usual 1-2-3 self, striking out two in the process before yielding to Jonathan Papelbon who struck out 2 to earn the save.

potpourri

i would like to announce publicly that the phillies beat the cardinals 6-0 tonight.

also... it was moyer who got the win... which is great... but also sobering since he's won his last two outings... right after i dropped him from my fantasy team.

i have a bit of a fantasy team predicament. the guys on my dl are coming back... and i'm not sure who to keep and who to drop.

rich harden is sort of back. he pitched an inning tonight... and will continue to stay in the 'pen until he's strong enough to return to the starting pitching position. so what the heck do i do with him in the meantime? i can't drop one of my starters for him now... b/c i need their wins. i can leave him on the dl sort of illegally for awhile... but then i'll have to drop someone or drop him. right now... my other starters are: hamels, harang, cain, and bonderman. cain's been pitching the worst, i think. but will harden return to form? who knows.

aramis ramirez is back. i picked up brandon inge. ["ginger" as amy brandt calls him... b/c curtis granderson doesn't need the extra "gr" at the start of his name.... and "inge" doesn't really work for a last name... so she added the g and r to make "ginger."] ramirez is too good to not play. but inge is playing well... so i don't necessarily wanna get rid of him. hafner is my utility player... and while i certainly don't wanna drop him... he's been sucking lately. so i could bench him and play ramirez there. shoot... but i still need to drop someone. OH! i just got my solution. tejada's going on the dl. that opens up a place on the roster. he was out for a few days and i picked up orlando cabrera... who's been playing well. so tejada's been on the bench anyway.

posednik is hitting like a machine in the minors in preparation for coming off the dl. i'll prolly keep him and drop lofton, who i picked up to give me stolen bases. but... i usually have him on the bench in favor of jermaine dye... who's also been sucking.

so... i could ditch lofton, bench dye... and play posednik. bench hafner. put tejada on the dl. and drop cain.

good moves? or stupid moves?

Tavarez would have shut'em out.

Automatic Win Day strikes again! Julian Tavarez shut'em out, beating the Braves 11-0.

In other rotation news, Schilling was sent back to Boston and had an MRI, and it looks like he's gonna miss his next start. The Sox are off tomorrow, so Beckett's gonna take Schilling's start on his usual five days rest, and Tavarez will take Beckett's place on five days. This means Tuesday's starter is unknown.

I'm thinking Jon Lester. Either that or have Tavarez pitch twice in a row.

stitch and pitch!?!??!

how weird is this:

The Phillies in conjunction with the National NeedleArts Association, are inviting needlearts enthusiasts to the first-ever Stitch n' Pitch Night at Citizens Bank Park on June 26 versus the Reds at 7:05 p.m.

so bizarre. how can you pay attention to the game if you're knitting???!!?

ps... the phillies "automatic win day"... aka... cole hamels' pitching night... didn't work this week. really sad.

tonight... lieber goes up against sabathia. yikes.

the phils are in a precarious spot. if they'd just WIN multiple games in a row like that had been doing... perhaps... just perhaps... they can pass both the detested braves and mets and take the lead in the nl east.

here's hoping lieber gets super pitching powers this evening...

The Impossible Dream: Bringing Families Together Since 1967

The Red Sox won today, 4-0 in Atlanta.

There was a rain delay that lasted about an hour, and during it, they gave a trivia question:

"Can you name the infield for the 1967 Red Sox?"

Immediately George Scott, Mike Andrews and Rico Petrocelli popped in my mind. I had no idea who played third base. I guessed Butch Hobson, but I was pretty sure he came 10 years later. Rather than log onto NESN.com or redsox.com or whatever webpage I was suppose to in order to get the correct answer, I went to my mom. Immediately she said "Joe Foy" and was kind of annoyed when I misinterpretted it to be "Floyd."

I explained why I asked, and she rattled off the three I named above and for good measure also included catchers Russ Gibson and Elston Howard ("They got Elston from the Yankees."). She then decided to log on to prove to me that she was right. Reading over the roster from '67 brought back a bunch of memories for her.

"I can't believe I remember the infield 30 years later. (Here my brother pointed out it was actually 40 years later...time flies when your having fun...). I probably won't remember the 2004 infield, but I'll always remember that team. The 1967 team. I went to about 15 games that year. Back then tickets use to cost a dollar. I would go and take my brothers and sister. And I use to take a bunch of younger kids from the neighborhood too. Their mothers would give me a dollar for them and another dollar for me. I must have made $15 every game. A lot of my friends would come too, and bring their younger brothers and sisters. There must have been 25 of us each game. My friend Colleen had a HUGE crush on Rico Petrocelli. They use to let you bring a lunch in and everything. We'd get there at 10AM for a 1 PM game, and we'd come home at 6PM. We'd go to the parking lot before the game and get autographs and we'd go to the parking lot after the game and get more autographs. I had Jim Lonborg and Tony C and Yaz. George Scott and Hawk Harrelson. All the players. They were all on programs that were in a trunk in the basement in Grandma and Grandpa's house, and they would have been yours if Mrs. Bruno hadn't flooded it. We use to spend summer nights sitting on someone's porch and listening to the games on a transister radio. That's how I spent my summer when I was 13 years old. I saw them hang up the 1967 American League Championship banner on Opening Day in 1968. It wasn't a World Series Banner, but it was still a big deal. And I had the record, The 1967 Boston Red Sox Impossible Dream. (She then started reciting the opening...I can't remember it word for word...). Grandma said I could have it. The other kids fought over it with me when it came in the mail. I was in tears, but (her older cousin) Eileen came in and said she heard my mother say it was mine. Even Noreen was screaming for it, and she didn't even like the Red Sox. I was the one who went in the paper and sent away for it. And Grandma said it was mine. I don't remember if I paid for it or she paid for it, but she told me that it was for me. I guess it was pretty stupid for us to fight over it since we could all listen to it at the same time. I think Grandpa threw it away when he moved or else I'd let you have it. I think you'd like it. I know it sounds stupidand pathetic, but that might have been the best summer of my life growing up."

We then went to Amazon to try to find the record. It wasn't there. My mom told me she tried to find it there before but couldn't. I told her to try EBay since she'd probably have to get a used one anyway. So she went and found that it was apparently re-released as a CD and someone is selling the CD brand new...or was until my mom bought it.

I'm kind of excited to give it a listen. My mom made sure to let everyone know when she died it was to go to me (I'll have to have her call Eileen and let her know, just in case a similiar situation arises with the CD...).

It's kind of cool that 40 years later, the 1967 Red Sox are bringing families together. Perhaps 80 years later I'll be telling my kids the above story, giving them a connection to my mother.

I'll also be sure to mention how the 2004 Red Sox righted a few wrongs with the Cardinals. The Sox now lead the overall World Series between the two, 10 games to 8.

Can We Still Field 25?

Wow...so now Jim Edmonds ans Braden Looper are on the DL along with Molina, Eckstein, Carpenter, Mulder, Josh Kinney and Preston Wilson. I fully expect Rolen to go down in a couple days and round things out. This has led to the signing of Tomo Ohka today to fill the spot in the rotation apparently. I don't know what's going on, but the Cardinals are falling apart. There have been more no name guys in their lineup lately than I can remember for years.

I guess I'll just wait for the call and keep warmed up just in case Kennedy or Taguchi goes under.

Coco Crisp

Crisp, who usually sucks, went 4 for 4 Monday with two home runs. Yet the Red Sox still lost to the Braves, 9-4. It's never a good sign when someone like Crisp contributes and the team still loses.

the campaign

it appears as though april was not the defining month of the phillies' 2007 season. after going 4-11... they've fought back... and are making me really proud.

only 2 games behind the mets now.

and i'm not the only one who thinks that maybe they're coming around...

tonight's game.... attendance: 45,102 (103.7% full).

it's good to see that in philadelphia. : )

Fun Cardinals Numbers!

How 'bout these numbers?

Category NL Rank
(hitting)
Runs 15th
OBP 12th
Slug 13th
OPS 13th
Steals 16th

(pitching)
ERA 16th
BAA 12th
OPS 14th
Saves 13th
WHIP 14th
Quality
Starts 15th

And not in last place???

Our New Closer

Apparently Tony LaRussa is so upset with the pitching that it seemed best to pitch Scott Spiezio for the last inning of last night's game. Amazingly Spiezio was the only pitcher they used that did not give up more runs than innings pitched. Our pitching sucks...worst in the NL.

"The Cardinals' last four losses have been by six or more and they've dropped 18 games by at least five runs. St. Louis has allowed at least eight runs in five of its last seven games."

This includes the 14-3 loss last night and KC scoring 17 a couple days ago. That one was Kip Wells again...ok, can we call the Kip Wells experiment over? He's 2-11 with an ERA near 7. Bring up someone from AAA or AA...not that there is much going on there either.

Our rotation is essentially our bullpen from last year and this year, which means our bullpen is that much emptier. Wainright will be good eventually. Looper was ok to begin, but can't get anyone out now. Wellemeyer?...my roommate (Cub fan) saw him starting the other day and said...wait, isn't he the reliever I was always nervous about with the Cubs awhile back....yes, he is. He is not the answer here. Then Brad Thompson...good from the pen, but not so shut 'em down in the rotation. Reyes pitched his butt off in Game 1 of the WS last year, but that's his last win, so he's back in the minors. And we've already covered Wells.
How have they been winning ANY games?!

I'm up for trying Spiezio in the closer role, starter, whatever...what is it going to hurt? Can they be worse?

Automatic Win Day Strikes Again

Chalk up another victory for Julian Tavarez.

To quote one of my better friends Luke Miller "I still don't understand why Tavarez doesn't pitch everyday."

How'd the Yankees do? Clemens pitched against the Mets, and took the loss, ending the nine game winning streak.

Tavarez would have shut them out.

Only the Pirates could accomplish this.

Yesterday I said the Pirates were seven runs better than the Rangers.

Today they beat us by six runs.

Over all, I suppose, it's a wash.

So, what is the state of the Pirates organization now? We are 28-38, which is pretty bad, although to be honest, not as b


WE INTERRUPT THIS BLOG POST TO BRING YOU IMPORTANT NEWS:
Okay, I just found all of the sudden out in the middle of nowhere that I'm going to the U.S. Open in Pittsburgh tomorrow. What???!! yes, I am just as confused as you.

ad as last year at this time. That, of course, is irrelevant, as the winner of our division could conceivably end up under .500 anyway.

We are 8 games out of first place, though, and our season is over as far as contending goes. This is the second straight year we have jumpstarted the Yankees.

This is the earliest in a season I have ever stopped caring about the Pirates winning games.

We are just one win away to matching our inter-league win total of least season! (Three.)

The terrible-on-purpose-to-save-money draft pick has really stirred the Pirates fan community in Pittsburgh and on the internet. People are getting really, . really angry. If you don't believe me, check here, or here. People just can't take it anymore.

You may think your fans are depressed or that your team has bad times, but have you EVER seen a fan response like that middle link? And this is to one single draft pick. People are sick of the Pirates here. And they're sick of being told that management is trying to make the team better, when the team is obviously trying to spend the least amount of money possible. If attendance goes down, the owners just get more of the new and "improved" revenue sharing.

Lineup Shuffling

The past two games, the leadoff hitter for the Red Sox were Pedroia and Crisp. Tonight, Tito's trying J.D. Drew.

Why three different guys in three nights? Because regular leadoff man Julio Lugo sucks. Real bad. He's hitting .211. That's probably what he's fielding too. So they're trying to shuffle everything around, having him hit last. Problem is, Drew and Crisp both suck too. Drew's been horrible with the exception of the first two weeks and the Arizona Diamondbacks series. The team said way back when they acquired him he was the number five hitter. He was gonna protect Manny. Although he's done next to nothing this year, they've stuck with him, mostly cause they didn't wanna admit they were wrong. Many times the media would question Drew hitting fifth, and Francona got extremely defensive and defended Drew. Crazy as it sounds, Drew might be worse than the stupid Cow Boy Kevin Millar. Managment defending him all the time too. Morons. Finally, Youkilis is behind Manny tonight to protect him. Only managment is using Lugo as a scape goat, saying Drew has to take one for the team and hit lead off.

This team needs a shortstop first and foremost. Then a right fielder secondly. This is so frustrating. Coco Crisp has done nothing but suck ever since he put on a Boston Uniform two years ago, and yet he's not even one of the top two problems with their lineup. I hope Youk and Lowell can keep up their offensive production. Last year they started off really hot and cooled off big time come July.

As for what's going on in the AL East in general: The Red Sox had a 14.5 game lead over everyone. The Yankees have won 9 games in a row and now that lead is down to 8 games. The Sox are 4-5 in that span, including a 12-2 loss to Josh Fogg and the Colorado Rockies last night.

It's hard to believe...

...but there's actually a Major League Baseball team that is legitimately seven runs worse than the Pirates.

Ladies and gentlemen, your Texas Rangers.

let's discuss some things.

ken has poo-holes on sundays... i have hamels... every time he pitches.

i wish hamels could pitch for the phillies every day.

seriously... this guy is incredible. he got his league-leading 9th win tonight... which SHOULD be at least 11 wins were it not for the phillies' incompetent bullpen.

speaking of which... they finally shut down garcia and are sending him to get surgery. i was reading an article today that said that guillen had no idea that he was injured when he sent him to philly. but i feel like the whole situation is a bit fishy. garcia finally says that he's actually been hurt since spring training. WHAT!? why didn't he say anything about it before NOW. he's 1-5 with a 5.90 ERA. you can't be serious. i'm not saying that the sox tried to mess with philly purposefully... but i wouldn't be totally surprised if in seeing him start to go downhill at the end of last season thought it best to move him along while they could get a good deal for him. meanwhile... garcia has given the phillies one win. the stupid thing is that the phillies organization even saw him slowing down at the end of the season but didn't require a physical for him to be accepted to the team. ALWAYS DO A PHYSICAL. what in the world were they thinking??!?

they weren't. and that's the problem in philadelphia.

the new kid is starting tomorrow.... making his major league debut. that should be interesting. kyle kendrick. so new that espn.com doesn't have a page for him yet. i'm worried.

oh! so coming into the game tonight, jermaine dye was hitting 3/34. i benched him. i'm tired of him not hitting the ball. so of course... tonight he gets a home run and a double. this happens every time i bench him. i replaced him with lofton... who didn't even play tonight. BAH!

ps... chase went 3/3 tonight. : D

in other news... congrats to verlander on his no-hitter!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Yankees are Coming! The Yankees are Coming!

No, not to Fenway. Though it has been about two weeks, which must be the longest drought of the season.

But just when you think it's safe to let the kids out to play, the Evil Empire wins 7 in a row to climb back up to 500. They're 8-2 in their last 10, and only 9.5 games behind Boston. Methinks we shall have a division race on our hands sooner rather than later. Mewishes we weren't gonna.

Whining Reporters

Wow. Just wow. Check out this article, which is for the most part, a bunch of bellyaching sports reporters whining and sobbing about how their press boxes, which they get paid to sit in, are being moved to less desirable locations in many ball parks.

This is about all I have to say to that.

News Flash: Sunday Now Called Pujolsday

It is becoming apparent that Sunday belongs to Albert Pujols (in a stewardship kind of thing from the Lord, of course). He hit two homers again this week, just as he did last week. He has hit 2 HRs in a game three times on Sunday this year and 8 of his 15 have been on Sundays. Albert is swinging a hot bat in general lately, but if they could only play games on Sunday (which would make the season a few years long) he may just shatter every season record in the book.

On the flip side of all this it means he has not hit so much in the majority of their games. That is not so great. But on Sundays I'd start putting money down on them winning. I am really hoping this will start carrying over every day and he will be back to being the best hitter in the game...or at least proving it again.

Not just because of Albert heating up, but I am feeling a little more hopeful for the season. Yes, much of this is because I'm not sure any NL Central team will even finish .500, but there are reasons to think things are looking up. One is they are hitting better as a team. Still not great, but better...when Molina is back it will be better too. I guess a lot of this is players coming back.
It is looking like Mulder and Carpenter will pitch again this year. And even if they are not "on their games" yet, they will be better than the current rotation....which will also put those guys back in the bullpen where they will be improved.

Also, if Walt Jocketty sees the Cards in contention he usually makes a deal before the deadline. I have no idea what there is to offer, but last year even Ronnie Belliard and Preston Wilson were key contributors. That is weird to say, but even small deals Walt somehow gets to work out most of the time.
So, only being a few games back of a team that is basically a .500 team and us starting to play better ball gives me some hope again. Of course that also means when they lose I am not as prepared for it...I have started thinking they will win again. When they don't I am having a hard time not getting upset by it. I was kind of resigning to it for awhile, which I am ashamed of, but not now.

Give it a week or two and we'll see how I feel.
Let's play more games on Sundays!

The Colorado Rockies are Coming!

I can't think of a better way to add to the excitement still lingering from the Arizonia Diamondback series. Actually, I can. Just give me any of the 13 other American League teams. In a perfect world, which would obviously be one where everything goes exactly how I want it to, Interleague Play would consist soley of the All Star game and the World Series.

The American and National Leagues were never really meant to mix. Talk about bitter rivials. I rememeber reading one book, maybe "Summer of '49" or "The Teammates" or something, which said that the All Star game was a time when Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio cooly put aside their differences and called a truce for one day to beat an even greater evil in the National League. The book went on to compare it to Roosevelt and Stalin allying to fight Hitler. This is suppose to be a once in a lifetime (or in baseball terms, once in a season) occurance.

I don't get that same impression. In fact, the All Star game is pretty meaningless (no comment on homefield advantage in the World Series...right now anyway). It use to be a good way to see all the National League's stars in action, size them up a bit. Now I've seen all these guys play at least three times over the past few years. The All Star game isn't gonna tell me anything new.

It's not fair for competition. Lets look at the National League East for a second. Florida gets to play Tampa Bay six times a year, whereas the Mets have to play the Yankees six times. Historically speaking, that's six easy wins for Florida and six really tough games for the Mets. Why should MLB constantly give the Marlins a six game advantage in that Division Race? The same can be seen in other races. The Cardinals get the Royals for six games a year. Plus, if these teams are battling for the National League Wild Card, wouldn't we all rather see them duke it out in another series or two rather than determine it in games with DHs?

It takes away from the World Series. I was always excited by the idea of having two franchizes who have never seen each other battle for the Ultimate Prize. Both teams traveling into ballparks for the first time ever, uncertain how the ball carries or how to play bounces off the wall. Since neither team had a common opponent, there was always an unknown element. Which was the better team? The 108 win NL team or the 94 win AL team? Nowadays, it's not unheard of to have teams play in the regular season and then meet again in the World Series. It's happened at least once I can think of ('99 Yankees vs. Braves. Probably 2000 Yankees vs. Mets, though I'm not positive on that one...).

From a selfish standpoint, Interleague Play isn't good for the Red Sox. They always have DHs who shouldn't be allowed to own a glove, nevermind actually field. When they go to NL parks, they either lose the bat or have a huge defensive liability.

I propose that Major League Baseball eliminates Interleague Play once and for all. Take the 18 games and add a series involving six teams in other divisions for sake of the Wild Card races.

A triumphant return?

Sportsline.com reports Clemens delivered "six solid innings" against the Pirates.

MLB.com says he "fired six strong frames."

Um... guys? He provided a 4.5 ERA for six innings against a team that averages 4.1 runs a game. I mean, come on, Kyle Lohse pitched a complete game shutout against these guys.

Roger should be sorely disappointed. He was facing stiffer competition in AAA!

He won, and that's nice for the Yankees, but it is the Pirates. I know he was expected to be rusty, but the Yankees could have gotten the win today with Josh Fogg on the mound. I guess the headlines are more important than accurate reporting.

The Pittsburgh Pirates: a picture of commitment

No one is more committed than the Pirates.

Not committed to winning of course, nor making an honest attempt to win.

Yesterday in the draft, with the fourth overall pick, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected a player that belonged a dozen or so picks down.

Why?

Because he was cheaper. The Pirates passed on a dozen or so players who are all HEADS AND SHOULDERS above the left-handed relief pitcher we got, including possibly the best player in the draft.

There is no argument, NO ARGUMENT, that the guy we picked was the best choice to make our baseball club better, nor is ANYONE even attempting to argue that. Not even the Pirates.

There is no more charade to be exposed. The Pirates officially and overtly value NOT SPENDING MONEY over PLAYING COMPETITIVE BASEBALL. We are more committed to losing than anyone, ANYONE else in the majors, despite other teams having lower payrolls. No other owners would have made this draft pick.

Make no mistake about it, the Pirates picked the 15th or 18th best player in the draft at the 4 spot because they would much rather save money than obtain a (much) better player.

The Pirates have made some bad moves. Ramirez to the Cubs for nothing. Perez to the Mets for nothing. Schmidt to San Francisco for nothing. Etc. But this draft is the first move that makes me actually want to avoid Pirates games. Why should I support this ownership? Why should I give them any money?

It would only take one season of boycotting, and 5,000-6,000 in attendance per game 4-5 days a week, and the owners would be forced to sell to Cuban or someone else. That is the only, the ONLY thing I can hope for as a Pirates fan.

Seriously, it seems extreme, but when we pick Daniel Moskos.,, My God, who the heck is this??? How is this the number four overall pick????!!!!

When he is picked over Matt Wieters, a possible franchise catcher (that's a need position!), or any of the DOZEN PLAYERS RATED AHEAD OF HIM, it is clear there is no dignity, no integrity, and no honesty in this organization. Believe me, they did not make this pick because they're stupid. (Although they are indeed stupid.) They made it because would rather save money than win ball games.

The only solution for the Pirates is new ownership. There is no other escape. I'm not going to any more games. With PNC Park in place, the Pirates are not moving, so when enough people figure out that we need to stop supporting this AAA joke (maybe AA), the Nuttings will be forced to sell.

It's over. I only am sorry for Ian Snell, Tom Gorzelanny, Freddy Sanchez, and Jason Bay, the only four redeemable players on our roster. Once Jason Bay is traded in a year or two, I will cheer for his new team until the Succos get new ownership.

In fact, I don't even want to see the Pirates win any more. I say, go Yankees this weekend! The more we lose, the more sick of the Pirates people will get, and a sale will be accelerated. In this case, losing is the quickest path to winning.

Go Yankees!

The Impossible Dream inspiring the 2007 team?

One of the many things each good New England boy and girl learns about is the 1967 Impossible Dream Team. In 1966, the Red Sox finished in ninth out of ten American League Teams. The Celtics were dominating the NBA and the Sox averaged about 8,000 fans a game. In the begining of '67, newly hired manager Dick Williams uttered the famous quote "We'll win more than we lose."

These were the days before the wild card or divisions, when the best record in each league automatically advanced to the World Series. The Red Sox entered the last day of the season tied for first with the Twins and a half game ahead of the Tigers. Boston hosted the Twins and Detroit had a double header against the Angels. The Red Sox beat the Twins to eliminate them behind ace Jim Lonborg while the Tigers simultaniously beat the Angels in game one of the double header. With all of New England glued to their radios, California downed the Tigers in game two, making the Red Sox American League Champions for the first time since '46.

It's true the Cardinals behind Bob Gibson (3 complete game victories...) beat the Red Sox in seven games. But that team was always looked at differently than the '46, '75, and '86 teams (mostly considered chokes...). It was giving more respect, and considered much more special. It formed Boston into the baseball city it is, and fans were more or less happy to be in the World Series (though my mom told me it was the most disappointing Series loss for her). The team is loved for what it accomplished, not scrutinized for failure like the other three post-1918, pre-2004 pennant winners.

Anyways, this is the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Impossible Dream. Every day, the Boston Herald gives a little blurb about what the '67 team did. Usually, it's day by day, so on June 8th,they'll tell you what happened June 8, 1967. However, Thursdays Herald reprinted May 7th, 1967. I don't know if someone messed up or if it were done intentionally, as it says

"Reliving the Impossible Dream, May 7, at Minnesota- The Red Sox snapped out of a funk at the plate, pounding out 14 hits en route to a 9-6 win at Minnesota. Trailing 5-1 after three innings, the Sox appeared tobe headed toward their fifth straight loss, but Jose Tartabull (3-for-4, run scored) and Mike Andrews (3-for-4, two runs, RBI) swatted Boston back into the game."

Seems kind of fitting as the Red Sox avoided losing their fifth straight the same day it was reprinted.

Bottom of the 9th

The Red Sox lead 1-0 on a first inning homerun by David Ortiz. Curt Schilling is still on the mound. Jonathan Papelbon is warming up in the bullpen, and if you're just tuning in, you're probably wondering why he's not in. Former Angels and Red Sox second baseman and current NESN color commentator Jerry Remy says "I've been in this situation a few times as a fielder, and your legs actually start to shake. You don't wanna be caught out of position. You want to be the one who catches the last out."

Play by play man Don Orsillo mentions that the Athletics had only 1 base runner all day, on a Julio Lugo error. First batter is Mark Kotsay. First pitch is a 92 mph fastball, called strike. Second pitch is fouled off, making the count 0-2. Schilling tries to go up high with a fastball to get Kotsay to chase. Kotsay takes it, making it 1-2. Schilling delivers from the windup, Kotsay swings and hits a ground ball to Lugo, who this time fields it cleanly and fires to Youkilis for the first out of the ninth.

Second hitter is Jason Kendall. With a 1-1 count, Varitek gives the signal. Schillings shakes him off. Varitek gives another signal, this time one Schilling wants. He delivers a fastball and the pitch is hit harmlessly on the ground to Lugo who again fields it cleanly and fires to Youkilis.

Two outs. Shannon Stewart at the plate. Schilling has it. No doubt about it. First pitch, Varitek gives the signal. Schilling shakes him off. Varitek gives another signal, one Schilling likes. He delivers a fastball away and Stewart hits a line drive into right field for a base hit.

NESN shows a replay of Schillings reaction, and he hangs his head in disappointment. In the background, you can see Mike Lowell, who looks like he was just shot in the chest. Schilling later says something along the lines of "Varitek called for a slider and I shook him off. I wanted the fastball away. I guess we'll always wonder what could have been."

Next batter is Mark Ellis. He hits a high pop up down the right field line. Oakland has more foul territory than should be allowed in a Major League Ball Park, but this is only a few steps outside the line. J.D. Drew can't get to it, but Alex Cora comes out of no where and makes a great catch on what would have been a fitting end to a no hitter. Too bad it came one hitter too late.

This just in....

The Red Sox have lost 6 of their last 7 games and are ruining my summer.

Jack Sparrow is not a pirate!!

(As a Pittsburgh Pirate fan, I feel it is my right to comment on this movie in the context of a baseball blog.)

Pirates have totally sold out, man.

Back in the day, if you put an eye patch on your eye and a parrot on your shoulder and walked up to a random person on the street yelling, "Yer treasure or yer life, matey!" people would, confused, either cower in fear or beat you up (depending on your size).

Nowadays, every landlubber and his first mate wants to raise the Jolly Roger and drink himself some grog, all due to the no-talent wannabe-pirate hack Captain Jack Sparrow.

Here is a short history of pirates:

Since sea-faring became popular sometime in the mid second millennium, pirates have existed.

In 1882, The Pittsburgh Alleghenies baseball club was formed.

In 1883, Robert Louis Stevenson's book Treasure Island was released in book form, setting the course for how we would view pirates in our culture forever.

By 1900, The Pittsburgh Alleghenies became known as the Pittsburgh Pirates, for stealing players from other teams.

In 1960, Bill Mazeroski, a .260-hitting second baseman, hits the most important home run of all time, a walk off homer in game seven of the 1960 World Series against the heavily favored New York Yankees, giving the Pirates their third World Series title.

In 1963, Capn Crunch cereal is invented, and the "Capn," whose full name is Captain Horatio Magellan Crunch, (and whose national allegiance is ambiguous) fought Jean LaFoote, "The Barefoot Pirate" on the back of cereal boxes everywhere.

In 1967, Disney opens the Pirates of the Caribbean theme park dark boat ride. Few take notice.

In 1980, the "We Are Family" Pirates win the franchise's fifth World Series. (edit: Whoops, this was 1979. Thank you Ken.)

In 1985, I am born. By lineage on my mother's side, I am an instant Pittsburgh Pirates fan.

In 1990, Lucasfilm Games releases "The Secret of Monkey Island," the greatest video game of all time (by far) and the absolute authority on all things Piratey. I receive a "pirated" copy from my uncle (yes, I was capable of playing) and become obsessed with the game (and a fan of pirates)

In 1991, a sequel to Monkey Island is released to critical acclaim. This one is even more piratey, and is a masterpiece.

In 1992, the Pirates lose the NLCS in seven games to a small tribe of natives. Barry Bonds leaves via free agency. The Pirates never have a winning season again and become a constant victim of "pirating" with other teams now taking their players for practically nothing.

In 1997, a second sequel to Monkey Island, "The Curse of Monkey Island," is released. Monkey Island has now set a standard for true Piratey tales. (Edit: for a comical video from this game, check out this video.)

In 2003, pirates everywhere are disgusted by the release of the film "The Curse of the Black Pearl." Pirates become enormously popular, but unfortunately, the main character of the film, Jack Sparrow, is misidentified as an actual pirate, when in reality he is just a pirate wannabe. He helps others, and only does illegal things in order to benefit the greater good (despite what he claims).

In 2004, Many people begin to debate the idiotic question of who would win a fight between a pirate and a ninja. Duh, a ninja would win, STUPID. Pirates are drunk, lazy, and malnourished.

In 2006, Dead Man's Chest is released. In it, it is admitted that Jack Sparrow is not a real pirate and that he sold his soul to appear as one. Most Sparrow fans hate the movie. I liked it because it degraded the name of fake pirate Jack Sparrow.

In 2007, At World's End is released. It is the silliest, most over-the-top, messy, uninteresting, waaayyy-too-long movie ever. It features all the pirates of the world fighting together as one against the evils of early British capitalism. What????? Pirates would never do this!! The plot of this movie also features Keira Knightly becoming the "pirate king," which is entirely imbecilic.

As a Pittsburgh Pirate fan and as a fan of true pirates, such as those found in the game Monkey Island, I hearby renounce Jack Sparrow and his silly movies.

so dreamy

my baseball crush won the game today. chase went 3/4 with 3 rbi's to lead the phillies to a 4-2 11th inning win over the mets. they're now 7 games behind them in the nl east... and 3.5 games behind the braves. i loathe the braves. i loathe the mets, too... but not quite to the same extent as the braves.

philadelphia is NOT out of it. j-roll and the big guy will turn it on in august. and as long as the team doesn't self destruct as much as it usually does around the all-star break... we should be okay. last year they actually got BETTER following the break, which was pretty unusual for the phils. hopefully this year will repeat that.

i still think pat burrell needs to go. i'm starting to feel a bit bad for him. i've tried to not let compassion run over... but i can't help it. at some point, even i break. the poor guy has an entire city against him... and he simply can't get it together. i wonder if he feels depressed. awww... that would make me so sad. i need to not know if he's depressed. regardless of his emotional state... and mine... the team would be better off without him. what a sad thing to say. i hope he never reads that... cuz that could really mess with a man's self-esteem. and i'd be really sad if someone said that about me... so i shouldn't say that about someone else.

what is happening to me?!?!?!

okay. no more of that.

baseball players are the equivalent of my modern day knights in shining armor. that's why i get so frustrated with guys like a-rod and bonds. they're supposed to represent the greatest of the great... and then they do stupid things that are vacant of character and real manhood. they're a disappointment to me and terrible role models for kids who look up to them. of course... we all screw up and my favorite players have flaws and vices. but they hopefully try to keep their messiness off of the field and play baseball for the joy of the game.

there's a lot more to the greatness of a man than simply how well he plays the game. the way in which he plays and acts and lives his life on and off the field matter as well. at least to me they do.

Long time no good baseball

I haven't posted for a few days, so here's an update: We stink.

Man are we bad. I'll be happy to take 1 of 3 from the Nationals this week.

And then we head to New York to play the Yankees, featuring the debut of Roger Clemens. If ever there was an opportunity to get the Yankees on the right track, this is it!

Brace yourself for the unwarrented Clemens love fest after he does a good job against the Pirates. We are terrible, so 10ks and 1 ER over 6 innings is no big deal.

The fun part of following the Pirates is being in the NL Central. We are still in fourth place, and are only a game out of second place... that being the St. Louis Cardinals. Amazing.

The NL Central is 51-86 against the rest of the NL. Yes, this is real.

The Brewers are 17-9 against the rest of the Central but are 14-15 against the NL East and West. Think about that. The Brewers have managed to find a level of bad baseball that is inferior to the rest of the NL but that is unquestionably better than the rest of the NL Central. So here's the pecking order in the NL:

The NL East and West
The Brewers
The rest of the NL Central

And so, despite recent struggles, the Brewers will win the NL Central. Yes, they had a bad stretch between May 11 and June 3, but none of those games were against NL Central teams. Look for the Brewers to be continually questioned as they fail against the NL and then watch as the "rebound" as NL Central teams work their way back into the schedule.

4 of 5

The Red Sox played pretty good tonight. Just not good enough to win.

Someone has to right the ship. Soon.

Shef's Ideas

I don't know if the rest of you caught Sheffield's recent comments about why there are so few African-American players today, but I found it fascinating and thought provoking. Here is the main part of what he said:

"Where I'm from, you can't control us. You might get a guy to do it that way for a while because he wants to benefit, but in the end, he is going to go back to being who he is. And that's a person that you're going to talk to with respect, you're going to talk to like a man.

"These are the things my race demands. So, if you're equally good as this Latin player, guess who's going to get sent home? I know a lot of players that are home now can outplay a lot of these guys."

The whole (short) article.

My first reaction was that it sounds like an issue of pride, saying "you can't tell me what to do". I'm really curious what kind of experiences he has had or thinks players have that leads him to think the level of respect is not there. I don't doubt that this is an issue in the black community, a high value on respect and being treated like a man. But my question is how is this being compromised in the world of baseball?...and how much of this value is pursued in a healthy way and how much is just not being willing to take discipline and instruction.

Who knows for sure what Shef was trying to say, but I have often wondered why there are so few African-Americans in baseball today. It is a complicated issue to be sure, but one baseball has been wrestling with. I know part of the issue is with economics...it is not the cheapest sport with gloves, bats, balls, etc. To really play at a high level there needs to be access to good equipment, organized play, etc. That is why MLB has an urban program to promote baseball in cities in lower-income areas. You would think there would be similar problems with football then since there is all kinds of equipment...but apparently not so much.

So, what other factors keep more African-Americans from playing?

I would love to hear any ideas out there. It is sad to me there has been such a decline. There was such an identification with baseball in the Black community for so long, such a pride in the place of black players in the game. Even the history of the negro leagues is a testament to the prominence of the sport in the community.

Somehow baseball has either lost its appeal for many African-Americans or has become a more difficult ladder to climb...which seems closer to what Shef was saying. But he wasn't referring to economics, rather the respect apparently absent on that ladder.

I really don't know. But it is a curious issue. Maybe Shef is not far off....?

It's a game of inches...

...and Dustin Pedroia was inches away from being the hero tonight...twice. In the 5th (I think it was the fifth...), Pedroia doubled to left. Lugo tried to score from second but was thrown out thanks to an incredible block by Jorge Posada (second only to Varitek's 2003 ALDS block...). In the 8th with two outs and two on, Pedroia drove a deep fly ball that seemed destined for the gap in right center field, but Bobby Abreu came out of nowhere made a spectacular catch.

Boston Red Sox, you've just lost a heart breaker to your bitter rivial, you lost the series (at home) and you've lost 3 of the last 4 (all at home). But don't worry. As a consulation prize, you get to spend the night on an action packed flight to Oakland. Go straight to Oakland. Do not pass go or collect $200.

Cub-tastrophe!

I have often found that I gain as much joy from a hated rival's loss...or more importantly implosion...as I do from my team winning and doing well. Since this season has not brought much in the way of Cardinal winning, much of my joy has been watching the Cubs be...well, the Cubs. This is exactly why Laura should not succumb to Cubdom (or Cubdumb)...they are completely inept as an organization. This week has shown that once again.

I am not sure what it is about a rival tanking it that is so enjoyable...sour grapes I suppose...if I can't be happy then I want a competitor to be less happy? Whatever it is probably isn't a great thing, but either way it has been fun this last week to see the Cubs blow a couple games late, make awful plays in the field and on the basepaths, and then, of course, attack each other in their own clubhouse. Lou's meltdown seems pretty warranted to me. I don't know how he hasn't given up...his press conferences after games are great. Always entertaining.

The sick part in all this is that as terribly as the Cubs and Cards have both been playing they have a chance. The NL Central is amazingly awful. The Brewers are fading and everyone else is among the worst in the ESPN power rankings. So, at 24-30 and 2nd place the Cards are not out of it and the Cubs are right behind them. The potential on the Cubs always leaves the possibility that they will just suck less than everyone else sucks, but in the end I have confidence that they are still the Cubs.

So, even if we keep playing at just under .500 I will take comfort and joy in every Cub-tastrophe that is bound to happen. What could it be next?!

so many things happened today

and then cole hamels takes the phils to his 8th win of the season... and his second complete game. what a guy. if he weren't married to one of the stupid girls from the bad season of 'survivor' that made me stop watching the show, i might consider him among the ranks of baseball crushes.

they really needed this game after yesterday. my boy chase pitched in with a couple of runs scored, which makes me happy.

oh! i read rumors that they might 'dangle' rowand out there to see if they can get some good relief pitchers. DON'T TRADE ROWAND!!! are they nuts??!? spend some money and trade a less-valuable player or players. rowand belongs in philadelphia. we haven't had someone like him since lenny dysktra. and philly needs guys like them. the fans can relate to them. dykstra was called 'nails' for a reason. always covered in dirt... playing the game like his body was indestructable... and rowand is the closest we've had since. last season, he ran into the centerfield fence and broke his nose catching a ball. tough guys. ready to make their bodies pay. not afraid of a little dirt. scrappy. almost blue-collar-esque. philly fans love those guys. please don't take him away from us!!

also. i traded michael barrett tonight. who knows when he'll play again... and i picked up varitek who's actually playing better anyway. i was sad about that. i liked barrett. he's another tough guy. but i don't mind having varitek. he's a good guy.

my sports lowlight of the day was watching the pistons fall apart. end of pistons discussion.

my sports highlight of the day [after cole hamels' performance, which i didn't see] was watching lou pinella freak out on the umps in the cubs game vs. the braves. i loathe the braves. and i think i'm just gonna be ambivalent toward the cubs. but watching sweet lou kicking dirt over and over and over again at the ump was classic. i mean... kicking dirt isn't gonna do much... but i guess when you can't all out slug the ump you've gotta do something right?

my sports "oh my gosh" moment of the day was watching markkoiweizhioczz get blasted in the back of the head by mike lowell's thigh... coming at him at a full sprint. WOW. [we watched 3 different baseball games today while painting andy and amy's condo!]. what else can you even say about that. wow. wow. wow. jeter's two errors that inning was pretty nice, though.

we were gonna go to monday's yankees/white sox game... cuz the rocket was gonna pitch. but now he's not b/c he has a 'fatigued right groin.' so we're prolly not gonna go. but COME ON. i've heard of a pulled groin. and a bruised groin. and even a strained or sore groin. but a FATIGUED groin?!??!? how does any part of one's body become fatigued?!?!? a person becomes fatigued. not a body part. i mean... what did he say. 'excuse me, mr. steinbrenner... i don't think i can pitch on monday cuz my right groin feels fatigued"? if i were george or joe i would've just kicked him in the groin to give him an actual injury.

a fatigued right groin. [said sarcastically.] for crying out loud.

13-0

absolutely dreadful. there isn't anything else to say about it.

in other news... how bout those cubbies? zambrano and barrett. there's a reason why i picked barrett as my fantasy team catcher. he might be the one who gets beat up all the time... but he acts like a bad @$$ and for some reason i love it. hopefully he's not too hurt... and hopefully he won't miss too many games.

louie lou's got some major problems up in wrigleyville...

and i have to add... that even though i was really sad about the pistons losing last night... labron's performance was mind-boggling. i have to respect that... even as a pistons fan. the kid made history.

Wake up

The Yankees were up 9-3 in the ninth. I was thinking of blogging about how I couldn't remember the last time the Red Sox lost 2 in a row. Then Scott Proctor proved once again what a bunch of classless jerks the Yankees are, throwing a fastball at Kevin Youkilis' head. Thankfully, he managed to get out of the way and took the pitch on the shoulder. Before Youk could get up, Proctor and and Torre were immediately tossed from the game by the home plate umpire, no questions asked. Both benches cleared, no punches were thrown. Youk was pissed, as he should be. Posada walked him down to first base trying to convince him that it wasn't on purpose. I don't believe him, and I think Youk believes him less than me. It's times like this I wish Pedro was still on the Red Sox. Come to think of it, I always wish Pedro was still on the team.

It wasn't a good night. Wakefield didn't have anything at all. He beaned someone with a knuckleball on the arm, no big deal. Then Snyder did what I told him not too and hit A-Rod on his well protected arm with an inside pitch. Wong got Lowell real bad on the hand, forcing Mike out of the game. Someone got Cano on his elbow which had three or four different plastic things on it. No one took any issue with any of these, as clearly none were intentional. Whatever.

This team better wake up. The double digit lead is gone. The Yankees have won 3 of the last 4 meetings between the two teams. Wakefield is 0-3 against New York. Tavarez is 2-0 and yet his start was pushed back. Wake up Tito!

I know none of us is old enough to remember '78 when the Red Sox had a 14.5 game lead over New York (and an 8 game advantage over second place Milwaukee...) in late August, only to blow it all and end up tied with the Yankees on the last day of the season. A one game tie breaker was played at Fenway Park, and let's just say the Yankees went on to win the World Series. Last time I checked, this is very early June, so there's still plenty of time.

Just wake up.

Proctor nailing Youkilis seemed to light a fire under them in the ninth, but it was too little too late. Keep those emotions for the next two games. Don't you dare let this sorry excuse for a last place baseball team win a series in Boston.