Manny Being the New Manny

For all the complaining people used to do about "Manny being Manny," this play from last night's game was really incredible. Here, Manny makes a great catch only feet from the outfield wall, takes another couple steps to climb the wall, high five's a Red Sox fan while atop the wall, and then returns to the field of play to "double-up" a base runner trying to get back to first.

I don't want to say Manny's the only one that could do something like this, but he's about the only one that would find himself in this position.

Here's the link to the video (which has already been pulled from YouTube because of copyrighting) and some pics from the catch:

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200805142699480

Dude!...What?!?

Just quickly, I want to make it clear I have no problems with Clay Buchholz as a person. I'm even completely over the fact that his last name has two, count 'em...two, consecutive "H's." But I just saw something I never thought I'd see and Buchholz's name was attached to it. Tell me you ever thought you'd see this:

Yes, this does lend itself to every horrible, stereotypical, hyper-masculine joke you can conceive of, but honestly....

And again, I understand that there is a fundamental and practical legitimacy to this, but if Buchholz's value is that he's been doing everything he can to help "the Boys," then what is this all about? And does it mean that in order to continue helping out he needs to get a manicure before games?

Ughhh. Not that I want Buchh picking up habits from Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson, but if you're going to have personal beauticians follow you on road trips, let it be someone that's going to be giving you "cornrows" rather than someone who specializes in filing, tissue enamels, and "hang nails."
But, in support of the Boys, I must admit I did do some research into this and found some potential help for Buchholz. Please enjoy, to the extent we can celebrate something like this.

Sign, Part IV: I just don't have the words

In honor of this fan's devotion, here's a musical tribute to Sox fans. I apologize in advance for this fan's failure to take his ADHD meds. on this day, but enjoy.

Sign of Eden or Apocalypse? Part III

When I started this segment, "Sign of Eden or Apocalypse," I never would have guessed it would become a running series. But here, faithful Reader, we are. Today there were a confluence of events that aligned themselves at the great conduit: Fenway Park. The three anomalies were, in order: Bill Buckner's heroic return to Fenway, the Detroit Tigers sporting an 0-6 record, and Manny Ramirez nearly scoring an inside-the-park homerun (he scored on a throwing error after hitting a deep triple).

What should we dare expect next?
Here's a link to more info on Buckner's return:http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080408&content_id=2504342&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos&partnered=rss_bos and please note the image (attached to the start of this entry) contains the play-by-play text explaining Manny's way around the bases (in the bottom right corner of the image). Another article, even more poignant and thoughtful, on Buckner's rebirth as a hero is available from ESPN at the following address: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3335928

The Sox went on to win today, beating the Tigers 5-0, but that can in no way compare to warmth of the moment shown in this clip: Bill Buckner's emotional return to Boston (finally).

3 Sox Blast Solo Shots, Beckett's Back (All for Not)

The Sox made a surprise national television appearance today, finishing the series with Toronto on TBS.

The Sox started out strong from the word go. Beckett was nasty through the first three innings, hitting 98 mph with his fastball, and Jacoby Elsbury went ya'd in the 3rd. Things got tough in the bottom of the fourth, however, as Beckett's pitch count went from 45(ish) at the start of the inning to 70 by the end of it. He also gave up a two-run shot to Wells. Luckily, Manny showed a real flash of leather in the bottom of the 4th and 'Tek put one out to straight away centerfield at the top of the 5th to tie things at 2-2.

Unfortunately, the same fatigue the forced two Sox errors early in the game (and Lugo to have four in the game), forced Beckett out after he loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning (see image). On the next pitch, Manny Delcarmen offered Frank Thomas a pinata and Thomas broke the game open, recording his 11th career grand slam.

JD Drew's 7th inning solo shot, his second of the series, was of little consolation at the time, but is hopefully a sign of good things to come as Drew tries to rebound from his first year in Boston.

Today's game brings the Sox's 15,840 mile road trip to an end and will start them on an "off day" that precedes TWENTY consecutive games starting Tuesday. Fortunately, 13 of them will be at home.

Sign of Eden or Apocalypse? Part II

This is almost too spooky to be true. This image, of a hawk attacking a visitor to Fenway Park, happened to a young girl who is eerily similar to a particularly loathed member of the New York Yankees.
ALEXa RODRIGUEZ, whose age is the same as A-ROD's jersey number (13), was attacked during a school field trip to Fenway Park. Alexa, a student at a Connecticut middle school, is reportedly fine, but was rushed to a hospital by ambulance.
Can you believe this?
Consult the following link for more info: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7986154?MSNHPHMA

Sox Win Record Exhibition

Can you imagine? Sox win (not surprising) in front of 115,000 fans.
The league's getting their money's worth out of Red Sox Nation and the cultural phenomenon the organization invokes.

Sign of Eden or Apocalypse?

I don't think Tom Hanks as symbologist "Robert Langdon" in The DaVinci Code had the cryptological ability to decipher what this means, but I have to post it becuase I highly doubt Julio Lugo will ever lead Major League Baseball in Batting Average again, ever, again, ever.

Sox Split; Haa'den Throws Pissah

Oh my God. This devil child, Rich Harden, busted up the Sox lineup with some wicked junk. His fastball was in the mid-90's; he had a brutal change up; he struck out 9 in only 6 innings. As if that wasn't enough, this advertisement alleges he even speaks "fluent Canadian." I didn't even know Canada had a language, that's how nasty this guy is. If I ever see him walking down the street, I'm crossing over to the other sidewalk.

Was it worth getting up at 6am to watch? No. But since I'm living in NYC and can't see most Sox games, or even order NESN, I'll grow to appreciate this more. Red Sox, good luck on the ten hr. flight back to the States.

Red Sox Dominate MLB Statistical Leaders

This is even more impressive if you can forget the fact that, at the time this was posted, the Red Sox and A's were the only teams to have played during the official "2008 Regular Season."

Brandon Moss

In spite of the fact that Manny Ramirez got the "Hero Interview," because of his 4RBIs, including two in the top of the 10th, the Sox would not have made it into extra innings if it weren't for Brandon Moss's 9th inning, bases empty, one out, homerun. That made it two RBIs on the day for Moss, a last minute addition to the line up. He filled in for JD Drew, who was scratched for tightness in the back.

Christmas Comes Early for Sox Fans!

What an amazing morning! Last night, I went to bed feeling as though it was Christmas Eve. I woke up every hour on the hour. As I arose at 5:45am, filled with optimism and hope, I could not have conceived of the disappointment I was to discover. That's exactly what happened, though, when I discovered that ESPN2 (and only a couple other channels) were not coming in. I continued to search for the game, as panic grew, until finally, I found it on NESN at the top of the 8th inning (it normally doesn't come in, wasn't coming in earlier, and is allegedgly "unavailable" in the NYC area). In any event, I was able to watch the last three innings, including the 10th inning, and see the Red Sox come-from-behind in the most dramatic fashion.
Meanwhile, Japan seemed to do a wonderful job in the role of host. Though less than unbiased (as they have an enormous Red Sox fan base), they played "Sweet Caroline," brough Papelbon out to Dropkick Murphy's "Shipping up to Boston," and fervently cheered for the Sox throughout the contest. It was a wonderful start to a new year! Thank you, Santa.

Sound the Alarm! A Sign of Things to Come

By this time tomorrow, the Red Sox will have already won their season-opener and you'll have gotten up at 6am EST to watch it for yourself. Hurrah!
And, for those of you trying to figure out when you'll be able to watch your beloved Red Sox, I've compiled a list of nationally televised games (for those of you not lucky enough to get NESN). Anyways, enjoy and Go Sox!

Sat. April 12 @3:55pm. Red Sox v. Yankees from Fenway Park. Fox.
Sun. Apr. 13 @1:35pm. Red Sox v. Yankees from Fenway Park. ESPN.
Mon. Apr. 14 @7:05pm. Red Sox at Indians from Jacobs Field. ESPN.

Mon. May 5 @7:05pm. Red Sox at Tigers from Comerica Park. ESPN.
Sun. May 11 @8:05pm. Red Sox at Twins from the Metrodome. ESPN.
Mon. May 12 @7:05. Red Sox at Twins from the Metrodome. ESPN.
Sat. May 17 @3:55pm. Red Sox v. Brewers from Fenway Park. Fox.

Sat. June 7 @3:55pm. Red Sox v. Mariners from Fenway Park. Fox.
Sat. June 14 @3:55pm. Red Sox at Reds from the Great American Ball Park. Fox.
Mon. June 16 @7:05pm. Red Sox at Phillies from Citizens Bank Park. ESPN.
Sat. June 21 @3:55pm. Red Sox v. Cardinals from Fenway Park. Fox.

Sat. July 5 @3:55pm. Red Sox at Yankees from Yankee Stadium. Fox.
Mon. July 7 @ 7:05pm. Red Sox v. Twins from Fenway Park. ESPN.
Sat. July 19 @3:55pm. Red Sox at Angels from Angel Stadium. Fox.
Sat. July 26 @3:55pm. Red Sox v. Yankees from Fenway Park. Fox.
Mon. July 28 @7:05pm. Red Sox v. Angels from Fenway Park. ESPN.

Mon. Aug. 4 @8:10pm. Red Sox at Royals from Kauffman Stadium. ESPN.

Fri. Sept. 26 @7:05. Red Sox v. Yankees from Fenway Park. ESPN.

Happy Easter, Red Sox!

There's a lot going on right now, but let me start by wishing everyone a Happy Easter. However, I'm presently most excited about the fact that the Red Sox on are national television both Tuesday and Wednesday. Living in New York, not only do I not get to see the Sox on television very often, I can't even purchase NESN (New England Sports Network) because it's "unavailable" in this area. I can put those worries aside, though, on Tuesday and Wednesday because the Sox are being televised live on ESPN2 from the Tokyo Dome (Japan) as they open their season by taking on the Oakland A's. Each day, the broadcast starts at 6am and will be re-aired at 2pm. I haven't decided when I'll be watching, but am seriously considering catching the live game so I can do other work the rest of the day.
Besides Easter and the Red Sox, Kim's still fighting her cold and seems to feel even worse than yesterday, while I'm shaking off the final remnants of my flu. I have the upcoming week off, like last week, thanks to my school's break, but I have a couple papers I need to do for grad school and, along with some grading paperwork to complete for my job. Overall, this break's been great, though it would have been nice to have better health for its entirety. But how can I complain?
Finally, not only do I have the second half of my vacation coming up, my mom's coming into NYC to visit on March 29th. What a nice way to end my break!

Formal Wear

Tuxedo tee-shirts aside, it can be really hard to find something apropros for those special occasions. This, however, is the clear exception. Whether you're going to a wedding, Broadway, or even just work, this is exactly what you need to look like a winner...literally. For more on the cuff links, go to:
http://www.chowdaheadz.com/boston-red-sox-cufflinks.html.