Living After Midnite! Rocking till the Dawn!

Watch out Anaheim you just got Jacked UP! John Lester man I knew he would come out and grind, but he was straight grooving last night. The first inning was the only inning where he really had any total lack of control, but once the nerves settled Lester decided he belonged. Not even a costly error in the 3rd by Lowrie shook him. He did what an Ace does and picked up his teammate.

(Man-crush Alert) have really enjoyed watching this kid blossom because it hasn't happened really since Clemens. Not counting Paps, who didn't pitch too bad himself last night fanning three to seal the V. When was the last time the Sox farm system produced a stud starter and a lefty at that.

Did I expect Lester to take over the ACE roll? I'm not going to lie I didn't feel 100% about yesterday. Today I'm a total believer this kid is poised and I hate to say it reminds me of Clemens. He is stronger than he looks and has actually put on a significant amount of muscle just over the year. Buck Martinez, annoying voice with great insight, said it best Lester gets stronger as the game goes on. Last year he would gas out in that sixth inning this year he gets some big outs with the Angles able to do little to stop his dominance. Do I feel confident about him taking the hill in a big spot again? You bet your fun loving ass I do! Ohh and we have Dice in game 2 and then Dunh Dunh Dunh Beckett in game 3. If the Angles don't win Friday night against Dice they have NO Chance! No Chance in Hell!

What the hell happened to Vlad Guerro and why didn't Scioscia pinch run for him in that spot. I thought this was an agressive team. The guy runs like Robo Cop running on a couple of AA batteries. Huge play by Youk (horrible human being), but that is some bad judgement by a franchise player.

On a TBS note:

What the hell does Craig Sager know about baseball. Shouldn't he be hanging with Chuck Barkley at the Mirage in Vegas this time of year? Where the hell was Jose Mota, quite possibly the funniest sideline reporter my eyes have ever beheld. TBS we need him butchering names and coach interviews between innings. It is the least you can do for the 10 p.m. start. I can't say how much a loss would have hurt after watching that game until 1:30 a.m. eastern time.

Manny being Manny:

Lastly Manny is playing his ass off for L.A. and Joe Torre glad the Sox gave him away and paid for him to mash for the Dodgers in the playoffs. Jason Bay's heroics are the only thing weening me off not seeing Manny admire a 475 foot bomb in the Cali air. Cubs fans I feel for you hang in there Really. Don't jump.

We're gonna elbow these Halos right here

Anyone else as pumped up as I am for tonight. Granted the game starts at ten so I may do a little more pre-gaming than usual. I'm about as pumped up as this guy is to give this table a flying elbow drop. OHhhhhhhhhhhhYEAHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Watch out Anaheim because this ain't all palm trees and sunshine the Sox are about to bring the Pain! STROKE!

Macho Man's Elbow Drop @ Yahoo! Video

Man I got the munchies lets get some FREnch Toast

Haven't talked about the Darrius Miles signing. Don't really care either way if it works it works if not oh well. The C's will just have to win another championship.

Just thought I would share this hilarious headline:
"Miles still hungry"

The Herald obviously planned this right?

California Dreamin.

ALDS Game one looms over the nations collective head today. In a little less than 12 hours the Sox will hand the ball to John Lester and let their play do the talking. Will Drew or Lowell start? Who knows. Personally I think Drew starts and maybe sucks it up and pretends he has a pair. Lowell explained his injury as "fine while he's sitting on the couch" so I don't expect to see him flashing the glove too much in this series.

This bring up a big debate do you DH Lowell start Papi at first and move Youk to third. This severely downgrades your defense against an aggressive Angles club. I say you save Lowell to pinch hit in a big spot if you need him get him some rest. DH Papi where he is most at home and start "The Mayor" at first. What? you say. The MAYOR? Avid blogger Sean Casey? Yes, what has he done not to get the nod at first. Look at his numbers in almost 200 at bats this year:

2008 STATS
BA HR RBI OBP SLG
.322 0 17 .381 .392

Granted he's not hitting for power and is by no means a burner on the base paths, but the guy is a solid gap hitter and he knows how to get on base. Look at his post-season numbers if you need anymore proof:

3 Postseason Series w/ Detroit Tigers in 2006 - Team Record: 2-1 Games: 10 AB:37 Runs: 3 Hits: 16 2b's: 5 Hr's: 2 RBI's:9 Walsk: 1 K's: 2 Avg: .432 OBS: .447 Slug: .730

I say he's a better impact player than Drew will be in this series. If you're counting on Nancy to hit another grand slam it ain't gonna happen. He's been getting a pass for hitting one huge home run, but what has he done this year since his unreal July? Sat on the bench nursing his sore back. Maybe he is more seriously injured so why waste his bat in the lineup. I saw start Bay, Ellsy, and CoCo and use Drew when he feels he can contribute. It would be good to have his lefty bat and Lowell's righty bat off the bench.

We will, We will, Rock You Anaheim it just won't feel right without Manny kicking your cans all over the place...

Time to put on your Big Boy pants.

Soxtober is upon us and the Sox roster is shaping up. Though the Sox don't have to report their roster until tomorrow by midnight. The injury to Beckett on Friday concerns me, but Lester has been the guy all year and Beckett never fully got back to "I'm going to pound the strike zone and there's nothing you can do about it." level by seasons end.

Ideally, I would have liked Beckett in game one due to his post-season record and sheer dominance then having Dice go game two on the road and Lester pitch in the comfortable confines of Fenway where he has dominated. (Lester is 11-1 in 17 Fenway starts with a 2.49 ERA. Matsuzaka is 9-0 in 13 road starts with a 2.37 ERA.) bostonherald.com I know Lester did pitch well in last year's postseason run, winning game four to take the series from the Rocks, but there will be a ton of pressure flying over to Anaheim and pitching against that lineup. Hopefully he can step up and accept the challenge of being the ace. I think he just may. Glad the Johan trade didnt' go through now Right???

As for Dice he needs to be more aggressive with the fastball and get ahead in counts. This walking 6 and getting outs win men on isn't gonna fly in the post-season. If he can get first pitch strikes he's a better bet to win game two. He has done this although not consistently through out his career. Ultimately it will be up to the pitching staff this year to win another title. If they beat the Halos I know I will feel a lot better. I see the series going to 5 hopefully the Sox don't waste all their bullets getting to the winner of the Rays vs. Pale Hoes/ Twins (we'll see today). I like their chances and I'm ready to devote myself to a month of Soxtober.

So put the women and children to bed it is time for the Big Boys to shine. Shine up your brass boys because it won't be as easy as last year on the left coast. Sox in a tough 5! Cue the Music...This one's for Teeeeeeeeeeeeeeedy Balllllllllllllllgame!

Say it ain't so Troy. Well I wished it wasn't.

Patriots WR Troy Brown announced his official retirement today from the NFL.  I kind of wished he would suite up next weekend.  This team could use a leader like him on offense with Brady out.  He would fit in nicely with the short passing game the Pats will ahve to run with Cassel.  He is a huge part of the Patriots dynasty and will be remembered as a great guy and hell of a playmaker.  His career accomplishments include: 

• 3x Super Bowl champion (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX)
• Pro Bowl (2001)
• 2002 All-Iron Award
• New England Patriots Career Receptions (557)

 

During his emotion filled press conference today he announced his retirement.  He also said he had an opportunity to go over to the Jets, but stayed faithful to the Patriot red, white, and blue.

"I had the opportunity to do it, but it didn't feel right," he said of the chance to sign with the Jets, saying he didn't like the look of green and white." - Mike Reiss boston.com

He truly optimizes what the Patriot mentality is.  He was a team player who made big plays.  He was a true team player.  He always shied away from the praise that came along with winning.  He wasn't the best player on the field but he always made the most of his ability and seemingly always made the plays the Pats needed in big games.  

Here are some of Belichicks favorite moments from Troy's career:

 The Super Bowl against Carolina, when he had a big catch on first-and-20 to set up Adam Vinatieri's winning kick.

 The Snow Game against the Raiders, and how his punt return set up Vinatieri's big kick.

 His TD catch from David Patten against the Colts.

 His TD catch to beat Miami in overtime -- "one of his biggest catches, 81 yards."

 A 2006 game against the Packers in which Brown, playing defensive back, held Donald Driver to one catch.

Mike Reiss boston.com

Ohh I love this Party!

The Sox clinched a playoff birth and the Rays spilt their double header against the O's so it looks like its time to get ready for the Halos. Can't say it was a great victory, but Wake and the Sox did just enough to win. Some great plays to preserve a one run lead by Jacoby and especially Cora to save a liner up the middle from bringing in the potential tying run. Paps came in for an important bases loaded third out in the 8th and in the 9th took it to another level going upstairs to to fan two and get the final pop out to seal the win. Mild chaos ensued. Not quite the party of 2007, but the Sox certainly know how to celebrate these things. Papi was the first to don the goggles and the beer flowed like wine.

Some Observations & Highlights from the celebration:

• MDC, Lopez, and Aardsma dousing the fat cop who guards the Sox bullpen. Not sure what his name is but he always fist pounds Paps in big games. Great to see the team chemistry goes further than just the players and coaches.
• MDC has the cutest baby daughter. Coco Crisp has the cutest wife.
• Paps taking third, second, and first and handing them out to the Fenway Faithful.
• Lowell and Veritek personally thanking the fans. True Veterans.
• Katherine Tappen not being doused...is she Tek's home wrecker, because no one touched her. Tek must have called off the dogs
• Paps interview with Heidi Whatney while he was puffing a stoggey and blowing smoke right into her face. Heidi was doused from head to toe therefore I take her out of the Tek scandal running.
• You gotta love the Mayor!
• The Indians disappearing seconds after the last out. Man they must hate the Sox.
• Theo Is the Man. I hate Larry Luchino.
• Woooooooooooo! Diamonds are forever...So is Elbladado!?(no idea what this was referring to.) Was his kid all hopped up on Mountain Dew or what?
• The dousing of the coach who looks like an alien. Forget his name. It wasn't Demarlo?
• New nicknames for Masterson "Lurch"! Youk "Uncle Fester"!

Gotta love playoff baseball. Hopefully this team can put it together.

Pesky lil fella

According to Steve Buckley of the Boston Herald the Sox will be retiring Johnny Pesky's #6 before the end of the season. Hopefully they do it tonight and the Sox clinch a playoff birth against the Injuns and Cliff Lee and celebrate in style.

Johnny has been the Sox mascot of sorts over the past 10 years; Don't give me any Wally back talk either. He has hit grounders in pre-game warm-ups and been a good will ambassador for the Red Sox fans since his playing days. He's always there in spring training signing autographs or falling asleep on the bench. He's helped celebrate the past two World Series titles and nobody deserved to more then he.

Pesky holds a .307 lifetime batting average and had three 200 hit seasons. The guy was an Ichiro before Ichiro existed...almost. I didn't catch any of his games but I know he was a hard nosed player. I've know him more for his great presence on the bench and one of the last living buddies of Teddy Ballgame. Pesky is Williams' John the Baptist of sorts. He has spread the word of The Splendid Splinter on to the younger Sox fans like myself. My favorite Pesky moment is when he helped raise the flag with Yaz and accepted his 2004 ring with tears flowing down his wrinkled face. If your eyes didn't well up at that moment you're probably brain dead a Yankees fan or more likely both.

"To date, just five Red Sox players have had their numbers retired - Bobby Doerr (No. 1), Joe Cronin (No. 4), Carl Yastrzemski (No. 8), Ted Williams (No. 9) and Carlton Fisk (No. 27)." BostonHerlad.com

Here's to #6!

Hey thanks for the memories

After watching the Pats defense look like Swiss cheese against Ronnie Brown our attention turns to the Sox to take us back to that magic place. Magic number stands at 1. Apparently Bartolo Colon won't be along for the ride. He must be busy eating burritos in his homeland. Too bad he could have been somebody. He coulda been a contender. Hopefully he has fun eating away his career.

As for the playoff roster the pitching staff is being set as we speak. The Wake vs. Byrd debate appears to be a draw both starters will be included on the playoff roster. I like the move keeps the Angels on their toes. Looks like Timlin will win out over Aardsma. I like what Aardsma has done this year. Timlin has been shaky but he'll probably get the nod as the grizzled vet. The real questions are with the outfield and Mike Lowell. Can Nancy Drew get his back healthy. Can he help this team going ahead when he hasn't played in months? Lowells hip is detaching with each swing or ounce of movement he makes. Can he gut it out and provide some pop off the bench? I hope the Sox don't get Lugo back in over Lowrie, even though Lowrie has struggled over the past few weeks. I guess these are some issues to watch over the next week or two, but look on the bright side...

NO PLAYOFFS FOR THE YANKEES AND THEIR FANS!