Dad --
Yes, Papelbon giving up that homer to Torii Hunter at the top of the 9th on Saturday was stressful. My first thought was "thank god we got that insurance run during our half of the inning". But what was even more stressful than Pap making it a one-run game was him loading the bases on a double and two walks. Luckily there were already two outs in the inning, but one single and the game would at least be tied, maybe even won by the Anaheim enemy.
Then an amazing thing happened. Dad, you should have been there. Gary and I were sitting on the edge of our stadium seats for the pitching battle of all pitching battles. Papelbon had already thrown 29 pitches - which you know is high for him. Then Howie Kendrick stepped to the plate. The first two pitches were strikes. As were the next eight. But the difference between the first two and the following eight were that Kendrick didn't swing at them. Those first two pitches were called strikes. It wasn't until that 3rd pitch that Kendrick finally removed the bat from his shoulder. Unfortunately he fouled it off. As he did the seven pitches that followed. But they weren't just fouled off. These two players were so evenly matched that every swing Kendrick took, sent the ball to the exact same place: the backstop.
Finally on the 10th pitch of the at bat Kendrick swung, connected, and sent that ball to deep right. Unfortunately for the Angels, it wasn't deep enough and the ball landed safely in the glove of Rocco Baldelli. Pap had gotten out of trouble and had gotten the save.
But in a game full of ups and downs, a game that as you know we desperately needed to win, it was that show of force between two ball players that stayed with me for the rest of the day. After 37 pitches, and a battle to beat all, it just proves, once again, that Papelbon is still the Savior of the Red Sox.
XO
Jenn
Monday, April 13, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Catching Up-Peter
Well, Jenn, to quote Roseanne Rosannadanna, it's always something. Certainly seeing the Sox start the season 1-3, the last number being consecutive, isn't what any of us expected, particularly when two of the L's are from 2/3 of the Sox 'Big Three' pitchers.However, at least the Sox ended the aggravation for the present today, coming back from a two zip hole to take the W. It got a bit uncomfortable when Laserman immediately gave up a shot on coming on that tightened the scroe, but, in the end he held on and we're almost back to .500. The highlights so far in this young season are Youk's hot start, coupled with Jake's reprise of last season's Speedracer. I think today was his third swipe of the year.
JB's taking the apple tomorrow, so maybe we can get further back on track. Let's hope.
Regarding the tragic loss of the young Angels hurler, if the driver of the other car is proven in court to have been DUI, he should be convicted of the three murder counts against him and sent away for life. Anyone driving drunk is just as guilty as someone using a gun. This 22 year old idiot has senselessly ruined four lives--the three victims and his own. What a waste! It kind of puts everything in stark perspective--how unimportant in the larger scheme of things a game is.
JB's taking the apple tomorrow, so maybe we can get further back on track. Let's hope.
Regarding the tragic loss of the young Angels hurler, if the driver of the other car is proven in court to have been DUI, he should be convicted of the three murder counts against him and sent away for life. Anyone driving drunk is just as guilty as someone using a gun. This 22 year old idiot has senselessly ruined four lives--the three victims and his own. What a waste! It kind of puts everything in stark perspective--how unimportant in the larger scheme of things a game is.
Friday, April 10, 2009
First Opening Series Loss Since '05
Dad --
Can you believe it? These are not the Sox we know and love. Theo's been going on and on about how great our pitching staff will be this season, well what happened?
Beckett was awesome on Opening Day, but Jon Lester seriously faltered in the 5th on Wednesday and Dice-K clearly didn't have his stuff in yesterday's game.
Sure Lester cruised through the first 4 innings only giving up one run, but then in the 5th, he gave up four more. And against the Rays' Scott Kazmir, you know there was no chance the Sox would ever catch up. So the game ended as a 7-2 loss.
Then yesterday, Dice-K may have gone 5 and a third innings but gave up 4 runs, three of which were homers. Unlike Wednesday though, the Sox actually put up a fight. They'd still come up short because that darn wind that helped Jason Bay get a triple earlier in the game, would unfortunately work against the Sox and hold up Kevin Youkilis' ball long enough for Gabe Kapler to catch for the final out. So while the game was significantly closer than Wednesday's you always say a loss is still a loss.
So now the Sox are 1 and 2. Not a place I'm used to seeing them at the beginning of a season. Tonight they're here in Los Angeles for three games against the Angels where things will hopefully go better. Tim Wakefield is due to take the mound and the only thing that could effect his curve is the potential rain storm that's supposed to hit land this afternoon. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Now Dad, I know you've been out of town, but baseball season has started and it's time to comment on the past three games. I know you have an opinion, so let's hear it.
XO
Jenn
P.S. - One more thing... I'd like to send out my condolences to the Adenhart family. Their son, Nick, was killed Wednesday night by a drunk driver after pitching six scoreless innings for the Angels. Even though it was the 22 year-old's fourth appearance in the big leagues, it left everyone in the Angels organization elated, knowing that this young pitcher would have quite the career ahead of him. Who knew that career would be cut short by a drunk Andrew Thomas Gallo running a red light. I'm sure his absence will be felt over the course of this three game series against the Sox.
Can you believe it? These are not the Sox we know and love. Theo's been going on and on about how great our pitching staff will be this season, well what happened?
Beckett was awesome on Opening Day, but Jon Lester seriously faltered in the 5th on Wednesday and Dice-K clearly didn't have his stuff in yesterday's game.
Sure Lester cruised through the first 4 innings only giving up one run, but then in the 5th, he gave up four more. And against the Rays' Scott Kazmir, you know there was no chance the Sox would ever catch up. So the game ended as a 7-2 loss.
Then yesterday, Dice-K may have gone 5 and a third innings but gave up 4 runs, three of which were homers. Unlike Wednesday though, the Sox actually put up a fight. They'd still come up short because that darn wind that helped Jason Bay get a triple earlier in the game, would unfortunately work against the Sox and hold up Kevin Youkilis' ball long enough for Gabe Kapler to catch for the final out. So while the game was significantly closer than Wednesday's you always say a loss is still a loss.
So now the Sox are 1 and 2. Not a place I'm used to seeing them at the beginning of a season. Tonight they're here in Los Angeles for three games against the Angels where things will hopefully go better. Tim Wakefield is due to take the mound and the only thing that could effect his curve is the potential rain storm that's supposed to hit land this afternoon. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Now Dad, I know you've been out of town, but baseball season has started and it's time to comment on the past three games. I know you have an opinion, so let's hear it.
XO
Jenn
P.S. - One more thing... I'd like to send out my condolences to the Adenhart family. Their son, Nick, was killed Wednesday night by a drunk driver after pitching six scoreless innings for the Angels. Even though it was the 22 year-old's fourth appearance in the big leagues, it left everyone in the Angels organization elated, knowing that this young pitcher would have quite the career ahead of him. Who knew that career would be cut short by a drunk Andrew Thomas Gallo running a red light. I'm sure his absence will be felt over the course of this three game series against the Sox.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Opening Day at Fenway
Hey Dad --
As you know it's April and that means only one thing (other than being only three weeks away from my due date). Baseball season is back in full swing! Which in turn means I can finally get back to spending my afternoons at Fat Faced Fenners watching the Red Sox (ideally) beat whoever they're playing that day. And today, the home opener, they faced that thorn that knocked them out of the '08 playoffs - The Tampa Bay Rays.
As always it was a noteworthy game. Josh Beckett struck out 10 over seven innings and only gave up one run. Dustin Pedroia proved once again why he was named MVP last season and knocked one into the monster seats in his first at bat. And Jason Varitek, the Captain himself, proved why keeping him around for two more years was the right move - he hit a ball that stayed just fair around Pesky's Pole and widened the Sox's lead.
Sure there were a couple tense moments, like when Beckett had to throw close to 40 pitches to get out of the 3rd inning. Or when Hideki Okajima came in for the 8th and proceeded to hit and walk the first two batters he faced. But thankfully Justin Masterson replaced him and stopped the bleeding. Then for the final inning, my favorite pitcher, Jonathan Papelbon, stepped on the mound, faced three men, and got them all out.
Can't wait for round two tomorrow.
XO
Jenn
As you know it's April and that means only one thing (other than being only three weeks away from my due date). Baseball season is back in full swing! Which in turn means I can finally get back to spending my afternoons at Fat Faced Fenners watching the Red Sox (ideally) beat whoever they're playing that day. And today, the home opener, they faced that thorn that knocked them out of the '08 playoffs - The Tampa Bay Rays.
As always it was a noteworthy game. Josh Beckett struck out 10 over seven innings and only gave up one run. Dustin Pedroia proved once again why he was named MVP last season and knocked one into the monster seats in his first at bat. And Jason Varitek, the Captain himself, proved why keeping him around for two more years was the right move - he hit a ball that stayed just fair around Pesky's Pole and widened the Sox's lead.
Sure there were a couple tense moments, like when Beckett had to throw close to 40 pitches to get out of the 3rd inning. Or when Hideki Okajima came in for the 8th and proceeded to hit and walk the first two batters he faced. But thankfully Justin Masterson replaced him and stopped the bleeding. Then for the final inning, my favorite pitcher, Jonathan Papelbon, stepped on the mound, faced three men, and got them all out.
Can't wait for round two tomorrow.
XO
Jenn
Monday, March 23, 2009
Hasta La Vista, Baby--Peter
Well, today Schill made it official. After 20 seasons, he's retiring. Curt Schilling came to the Sox bringing new hope to an end to 'The Curse'. In 2004, he led the Sox to a successful conclusion of that goal, defeating the Yankees in the famous 0-3 comeback for the AL pennant and then helping finish off the Cards four zip in the Series for the Sox first World Championship in 86 years--all with a freshly surgically repaired ankle leaking blood through his sock. He stuck around to help duplicate the Championship in 2007, which, as it turned out, was his final season of action.
While some will question his credentials for the Hall (he only has 216 wins), it is clear that his post-season record is unmatched by anyone. A W-L of 11-2 with an .846winning percentage in post season play, he is at the top of the list in MLB history. Add in his 3116 K's career-wise, and he is a valid candidate for the HOF, if not first ballot, then certainly within a few years of eligibility. One other thing--like all true winners, he never shrank from the task handed him. He always wanted the ball when the going was the toughest--like all true champions.
We won't forget you, Curt.
While some will question his credentials for the Hall (he only has 216 wins), it is clear that his post-season record is unmatched by anyone. A W-L of 11-2 with an .846winning percentage in post season play, he is at the top of the list in MLB history. Add in his 3116 K's career-wise, and he is a valid candidate for the HOF, if not first ballot, then certainly within a few years of eligibility. One other thing--like all true winners, he never shrank from the task handed him. He always wanted the ball when the going was the toughest--like all true champions.
We won't forget you, Curt.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Youk's Staying!!--Peter
Well, the news is out! Kevin Youkilis and the Sox have agreed to a four year deal worth $41 Million. There's also a potential 5th year as a club option for an additional $13 Mill. Yes!!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Red Sox Re-Sign Dusty
That's right. The little big man has a new contract with the Sox.
Our favorite team signed the second baseman for a nice $40.5 mil for a healthy six years. The breakdown is as follows: Pedroia will get $1.5 million next season, $3.5 million in 2010, $5.5 million in 2011, $8 million in 2012, $10 million in 2013, and $10 million in 2014. He also received a $1.5 million signing bonus. So, if you do the math, that means Pedroia will continue wearing red until he's at least 32.
Coming off a season in which Pedroia hit .326 with 17 homers and 83 RBIs and became the first American League second baseman to win the MVP award since Nellie Fox in 1959, it's no surprise the Sox made the deal they did. And as a first step in setting up the 09 season, I'd say Theo is definitely on the right track.
(And if you want to help commemorate Dusty's spectacular season, The Remy Report has made a T-shirt just for the occasion. Here's the web address if you're interested: http://theremyreport.innuity.com/store.html)
Now the only real question that still remains is what's going to happen with Varitek. And with negotiations kicking off in Las Vegas this week, we may have an answer to that question sooner rather than later.
Our favorite team signed the second baseman for a nice $40.5 mil for a healthy six years. The breakdown is as follows: Pedroia will get $1.5 million next season, $3.5 million in 2010, $5.5 million in 2011, $8 million in 2012, $10 million in 2013, and $10 million in 2014. He also received a $1.5 million signing bonus. So, if you do the math, that means Pedroia will continue wearing red until he's at least 32.
Coming off a season in which Pedroia hit .326 with 17 homers and 83 RBIs and became the first American League second baseman to win the MVP award since Nellie Fox in 1959, it's no surprise the Sox made the deal they did. And as a first step in setting up the 09 season, I'd say Theo is definitely on the right track.
(And if you want to help commemorate Dusty's spectacular season, The Remy Report has made a T-shirt just for the occasion. Here's the web address if you're interested: http://theremyreport.innuity.com/store.html)
Now the only real question that still remains is what's going to happen with Varitek. And with negotiations kicking off in Las Vegas this week, we may have an answer to that question sooner rather than later.
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