Do Your Job

While not doing my job. I had the pleasure of watching Belichick speak fondly about Mr. Patriot Teddy Bruschi. Alot will be discussed about Bruschi's impact on the pats, but you can't deny that he personified the Pats dynasty. From the underdog world shocking 2002 Superbowl team to the dominant defenses of the 2004 and 2005 Superbowl Champs it was Bruschi who anchored the line-backing core. When the Pats needed a big play Bruschi would step up. He wasn't the best player on the field, but he'd be damned if anyone worked harder and gave more. In an age where players care more about their health and paychecks Bruschi proved you could work hard for success even if that meant jeopardizing your future to being confined to a hospital bed. Not even a stroke could keep Teddy from returning to the game he loved. I'm proud to say I had the opportunity see this man play and I emphasize the word "MAN!"

Don't Do This To Me Again!

After last nights preseason masterpiece. Again, Pats fans are to wonder if Tom Brady is healthy. Albert Haynesworth decides late in the second half to take it to postseason level and take Brady down like a McRib at the drive-though at McDonald's. All of New England collectedly flashed back to the first drive of 2008-09 and headed for the hard stuff while gasping for air. Now it looked like he was alright on the bench. I would say, having had my collar bone broken, he didn't break anything, but that is one god damn important shoulder right there. The team took precaution in holding him out, but that was the biggest "OHH Shit!" moment. Of course it was the biggest since Tommy went down last year and we all know how painful that was after the Superbowl that never happened. So I'm on my knees begging you please don't be hurt Tommy, please don't be F'ing hurt.

Otherwise the night wasn't a total loss. Defense had some flashes of what it can be. The bright spot was the Sox taking a big game to stay up in the wild card. What a huge block by Tek to save the lead. Those god damn Yankees better cool the F off though. Although we all know who C.C. Sabathia turns into when the money's on the line...

Back Jack Do It Again

Big Papi where have you been all this season? What happened to all the talk before the All-Star break about Papi's HR over-under being 17??? Well consider this guy H-O-T-T! Muy Caliente.

David Ortiz decided to dust off the cape last night and send Ozzie Guillen off with a hard-on. I can't wait for Ozzie's late season killing spree of his bullpen. That wild card is looking awfully tasty right now. Plus, Tazawa is on the hill tonight in a big game. Man I love Baseball in late summer. It actually means something.

Sox need to WAKEfield up!

What the hell is going on with this team. One day they're the champs the next they can't get a friggen run. Maddening I tell yah.

Two positives from this weekend Fridays unbelievable comeback in the 9th and Franky Viola burning up the booth. I mean I have enjoyed Eck, Roberts, and the plethora of other randomly Sox-related broadcasters, but Franky V was magnificent. Orsillo couldn't contain himself with some of the gems V was laying on him. I mean this is a guy who sounded like he was sitting at the corner of the bar telling old war stories to whoever would listen. Hopefully we get much more Viola in the final months of the season, because if the Sox keep squandering their leads it'll be a long October.

Orsillio has proved he can work with every style of broadcast partner from cards like Viola to stiffs like Macha. Forget the talk about Youk, Orsillio is my MVP.

Youk Gotta Fight! For Your Right!

The tipping point was reached last night. Youk had enough of being the target of opposing pitchers retribution. Can I blame the Tigers for throwing at Youk? No.

I personally met Youk in a bar before and wasn't impressed with his demeanor even as a bench warming utility man on the 2004 squad he had a cockiness about him. Granted being cocky in professional baseball works out in your favor it doesn't do much for your fan base. Now I'm not saying my buddy wasn't wrong in offering Youk shots that night, but the piss poor response from a guy who hadn't even cracked the starting lineup was uncalled for. So I don't really blame Porcillo or the Tigers for hitting Youk. I'm a fan of the Sox and I don't even like him.

What I do like is the fact that this may be the shot in the arm a desperate Sox team needs to get back on a roll for the September stretch run. Winning the wild card won't be easy and taking the division back from the Yanks will be even tougher. This team hadn't really shown any balls over the last two series vs. the Rays and Yanks and Youk decided enough was enough. You could tell the Sox were going to win the game after the fight. Tazawa settled down and the Sox offense decided to awake from its collective slumber. Bay finally added to his team leading RBI total after a month plus of sleep walking his way to the plate. Even Youks replacement, Mike Lowell, was back on track hitting two shots to give the Sox the win. Do I like that the Sox had to fight to get it going, Yes! It reminded me of the 2003 Pedro vs. Zimmer type of spark the team needed. It also reminded me of Bill Meuller's big shot of Mo Rivera...Some what. When it is all settled the Sox showed they were not going to lay down and take it any more. We'll see if it can carry over to October.

Cheer up Papi. It could be worse.

At least Sox fans don't have to worry about a David Ortiz relapse into a steroid haze. While losing 6 in a row to the Rays and Yanks hurts. It doesn't hurt as much as seeing your rejuvenated born again slugger fall back off the wagon with a couple of tramp stamping booze hounds.

With a big series coming up against Texas for the AL Wild card lead it is good to see they are human too. The Papi scandal hasn't helped the Sox chances either and took a hit to the clean Red Sox Nation image. Is there any baseball player that isn't human after all?

This picture hopefully sums up the way the Sox will be treating the rest of their opponents in August or it will be a long September. Hopefully the Sox can get it going here and apparently Detroit is just what the doctor ordered. I'll drink to that!

Dawg Days of Summer

Here we go again the Rays demolished the Sox hopes of getting the W last night in a "Big" game. Granted it was still early August, but last nights game had a playoff aura about it. Imagine saying that 4-5 years ago about a Sox/Rays game. In all honesty I think it was the most stressful game I've watched all season.

Bard finally showed he was hittable and Longoria established why he shouldn't be pitched two not once, but twice to win the Rays a game they had no business taking. Lester pitched a stunning game as did Garza who is a Sox killer if you recall from last fall's ALCS. Pedroia and Youk continued to carry this team offensively as they have over the past month and Victor Martinez, don't get me started, was another spark plug in the lineup. Got to love the Sox getting another hybrid player like Martinez who can give you better than average defense at two positions and still add a dangerous switch hitting bat to your lineup. Opposing managers are going to be driven nuts with all the options Tito can throw at them. It wasn't enough last night though and leaving men on base happened all too often. In the end the Rays had enough to take a burner and I couldn't make it past the 13th. Hopefully the Sox can take the next game and this isn't the type of lose that puts them on a skid. Something tells me this team is still forming their playoff identity and figuring out where the new guys fit and who is going to be ready when they get put into big spots in the playoffs. What this game showed is the Sox just have not figured out how to beat this Rays squad, maybe they still have the confidence from last October, but the Sox better figure it out quick before they become the third seed in the East.

P.S. Can we keep Josh Reddick up and send down Drew???

Ey Papi

Ortiz and Manny are both listed on the 2003 steroid report for using performance enhancing drugs. Surprised? NO! Shocked? A little. This sucks for any Sox fan for one reason and one reason only. Yankee fans can now toss stones at our 2004 and 2007 Championships. That sucks more than learning a legend was not quit what he claimed to be. The Sox who fought so hard in 2004 to bring the faithful what they longed for are now tainted. Granted all the MLB is tainted due to the rampant steroid era. Really is anyone off limits from this. Even the golden boys like, Ripken? Gwynn? This really opens the door for all these guys to be under the gun. As far as the Hall of Fame is concerned do these guys accomplishments get recognized? So many questions that you had hoped not to have to answer, but is anything off limits anymore. Is there anyone who won't cheat to achieve greatness? What do I tell my kids when I have them watch my idols on DVD or whatever the hell they'll invent to watch highlight tapes by then? Sad day in the nation. Not surprising, but a sad day.

Trade Deadline Thugs

Can't Theo get this kid to rough up the Padre's or Indians GM's to give up V Mart or Gonzalez already??? Word on the street is everyone wants Clay Bucholz. I say what is so wrong with giving him up. If anyone has watched the last few games it is obvious this team is gassed on offense and needs a spark. LaRoche was a nice addition, but is he going to fill the four hole?

RIP Big Pun!