Fenway Flashback: Playing In the Band

September 11, 2007

The DEVIL Rays came to town, wearing green and grey vests and much fun ensued. It was late in the season and the team formerly known as the worst in the league was showing signs of what was to come. Much of that came in the form of Scott Kazmir, who out pitched Curt Schilling to win the first game of the series 1-0. As the score suggests, there wasn't a lot of action, other than pitching dominance. The highlight was the appearance of Clay Buchholz in the bullpen band and Julian Tavarez' refusal to participate, topped off by the always outstanding band play-by-play of Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo. Thanks to NESN for the clip.

American Music Awards

I was too busy watching Jack Bauer run around Africa to see much of the AMAs, but I did enjoy Sarah Mclachlan and Pink's duet of Angel. Pink is shockingly good live:

ohno, Coco!

Rumors are flying this morning that Coco Crisp will be heading to KC. Darn it! I knew this day would come but I love Coco and will definitely miss him, especially coming off the most fun (if not the best) season he's had with the Red Sox. Well it was fun for me, anyway...And I will miss him everytime someone drops a ball in the outfield.... And I'll be really pissed everytime this Ramirez guy sucks... But it may open the door for Masterson to become a starter should the Sox not pick one up this off-season. In the meanwhile, thanks for the memories, Coco... especially this one:

wooohoooo! M.V.Pedey!

Congrats to Dustin Pedroia, the Sox teeny little MVP. Nothing like a little off-season hardware to pump you up for next season, huh? Yup, our little Rookie of the Year is all grown up to GOLD GLOVE, SILVER SLUGGER, and AL MVP! Lovelovelove that little Pedey!

Madonna rocks forearm balances

While browsing ashtanga images seeking inspiration for our website redesign, I came across this picture of Madonna, heels, fishnets and all, rocking her second series forearm balances. Too funny....

A totally biased commentary on small businesses

Times are tough. Big corporations are flailing and valuable stocks have become almost worthless. Folks have seen their nesteggs evaporate before their eyes. Americans are scared. So we've tightened our belts. We've cut back on gas, on groceries, on anything that we can live without. But before you put away that Gold card, think for a minute about your favorite local shops -- those small businesses that you love, that enrich your life. Yeah, you can put off buying a new car until money starts to flow a little more freely. You can put off a new house until the mortgage companies get back on their feet. Don't worry, the government will save Ford and AIG. They'll save Fannie and Freddie. But they won't save the coffee shack down on the corner. The government won't step in and save that little salon where you've had your hair cut for the last decade. They won't save the corner bar. And they won't save your favorite little yoga studio.

No one knows how long this recession will last, but we've yet to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Everytime you drive by the coffee shack without opening your wallet, the owner goes a little deeper into debt. Soon there will be no money left for rent and the doors will be shut on him. In a year or so, your stocks will be back up. Your future will feel safe again, but your favorite shops will be gone. Only the big guys -- the Walmarts, the Starbucks, the Exxons will remain. Is that the future you want?

So the next time you drive by your favorite coffee shop, corner bar, or yoga studio, stop. Drop a couple of bucks. You can live without it, but the small businesses can't. Thank you.

Fenway Flashback: If the Orioles and Red Sox brawl, what side does Kevin Millar pick?

September 7, 2007
Camden Yards
Daniel Cabrera loses his shit and Julian Tavarez talks him down. Good times...

Fenway Flashback: Yo-Yo

September 4th, 2007

People ask me, "Now that baseball's over, what do you do with your time?" Of course, I've been watching baseball. I don't know if I could handle the cold, depressing weather without baseball! During last off-season I re-watched my way through to September of 2007. Good times back then. Although, I've been happy with the changes that Theo has made in the last year, there are things I miss like Julian Tavarez being his wacky self.

Why I'm Relieved..

After the first time I heard Palin speak, I avoided her the rest of the campaign for fear I might cut off my own ears. But I came across this gem this morning. Very very funny. Well, it's only funny because there is no longer a chance she'll be our next Vice-President. Let's face it folks, she makes George W. look smart.

Congrats, Pedey!

The Boston Globe reports the Dustin Pedroia will be named the Gold Glove 2nd baseman later this afternoon. Personally, I absolutely love watching Pedey play second... Although he's done it dozens of times, those diving catches where he pounces back to his feet in time for the throw, just never get old!

In other, even more exciting news, the Sox have requested to host the All-Star game in 2012. That's Fenway's 100th birthday! Sounds like a party!

A little political propaganda

I woke feeling proud to be an American and the Olympics aren't even on tv! That said, I present to you one last piece of political propaganda...
!

Welcome back, Wakey!

In the first play of the off-season, Theo and Co. resigned Tim Wakefield, bringing back the 42-year old knuckleballer for yet another season. Although ALCS Game 4 left a sour taste in my mouth, it really was a great season for Wakefield. His games were actually fun to watch!

Zack & Miri make me laugh...

Thanks to Tim McCarver, Phillies Win Big

Tim McCarver and FOX wanted everyone to know that the Phillies were struggling with men in scoring position. He reminded us every single time a man got in scoring position. Did you hear they were 2-33 with RISP coming into the game? Wow, it's no wonder the Phillies were losing, huh? If only they had hit with men in scoring position, they might have won. Wait. They did win. In fact, they were up in the series 2-1. Nonetheless, McCarver had a point to make and he made it perfectly clear when he said "it's almost as though the Phillies can't drive in a run unless they drive in themselves." Seriously! It's like he's writing the script for the mockumentary version of the World Series - yes it's the "Best in Show" for baseball fans. Now that's a great idea! But I digress... After McCarver's wise words, the Phillies did figure out how to drive in themselves. Ryan Howard really benefited from the baseball strategy lesson, hitting 2 homeruns and earning 5 RBIs.

Rant aside, FOX really rocks compared to TBS. Although I do miss Sager's suits.

Maddon and Sager
by beisbolct

Rollins takes one for the team

Rollins was called safe after getting a glove shoved up his ass. Ump obviously felt sorry for the guy. FOX was nice enough to put the image in a pretty frame.

No, thank you...

Now that the bitter sting of of that 3-1 Game 7 loss has faded, I can look back with a somewhat rational eye at the 2008 season. What a season it was, huh? What looked like it would be a sweet ride to the series became a long, hard fought battle that proved the character of the team, the players, and the front office. From Japan to the Fenway Flu, from Manny's high-fiving catch and his 500th homer to his adolescent melt-down, it was a wild ride. I'd like to thank the organization for a fantastic year and for all the great memories...

• the emergence of Justin Masterson


• Jon Lester's no-hitter and his rise to become one of baseball's best


• Jed Lowrie saving us from the E6


• Fight Night


• Youk's beard


• Youk badass at either corner


• Jason Bay was welcomed aboard in Fenway Fashion


• JD Drew replacing Papi's bat and winning All-Star MVP


• Pedey batting cleanup


• Ozzie intentionally walking a jockey


• Knuckleballs -- the old guys' shutout


• Dice-K's magical, yet baffling record


• Casey being Casey = hilarious


• Youk in right field


• Youk in right field again


• Game 5

Thank you, Boston Red Sox, thank you! I look forward to hearing what our fearless Theo has in store for the off-season...

Livin' On A Prayer

I almost didn't go. I'll admit to that. I found out the score was already 2-0 in the 2nd when I got off work and I considered not going to the bar to watch the game. You know, with economics being what they are and the last few games being well, downright depressing..But I had to see it through. I'm no goddamned pink hat. I've watched (or listened to) EVERY SINGLE GAME. I am Fenway Faithful. I will not desert the boys when they need me the most. HOLY FREAKING CRAP! I'm soooooooooooo glad I did. BESTGAMEVER! Well not ever because that yankees game in 2004 probably had it beat but I didn't see that, living on the west coast without cable has complicated my fandom. But it was definitely the best game I've ever seen and I'm madly in love with jd i'm-the-mvp-of-the-freaking-world-series,-punk, drew. But the real highlight was that the juke box was actually playing LIVING ON A PRAYER during Coco's at bat. DOES IT GET ANY BETTER THAT THAT? Classic....

When pumpkins drink too much

Lenny!

As if the game weren't good enough -- nesn posted Lenny Clark's appearance at the Yawkey NESN desk. Funny funny shit...

Huge Relief

It's a little sad, but at the same time, such a relief: Mike Timlin didn't make the ALDS roster. Potential disaster averted.