MOnster (Jim) EDitions

Hall of Fame balloting for the Class of 2009 includes first timer Mo "Hit Dawg" Vaughn and once again the one the only Jim Rice. Honestly I don't see why both don't get the nod this year. Maybe I'm a little biased being a Sox fan, but you have two MVP caliber hitters (Rice '78 & Vaughn '95) who undoubtedly were top 5 players of their generations.

The 8x All-Star Rice has been held out of the Hall, some say, due to his rocky relations with reporters during his playing days. He has never apologized for his actions and certainly won't make any excuses for being a cocky S.O.B., that's what makes Jim Ed Jim Ed. You have to wonder if Vaughn's steroid use late in his career is going to hurt him when it comes time to vote. There is however no evidence that Vaughn was juicing during his prime years with the Sox and that may benefit him unlike Jose Canseco or Mark McGwire.

Both men are the prototypical power hitters. The guys who are there to clean up the base paths with just one swing. If you look at their numbers it is hard to deny their contributions to the Red Sox and Major League Baseball.

Rice's Career Numbers: .298 BA, 382 HR's, 1,451 RBI's, 1978 MVP, 8x All-Star

Interesting Stat: Rice remains the only player ever to lead his league, and Major League Baseball in triples, home runs, and RBIs in the same season 1978.

Hall O' Fame Worthy Stat: Only nine other retired ballplayers rank ahead of him in both career home runs and batting average. They are: Hank Aaron, Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Mel Ott, Babe Ruth, and Ted Williams.

Vaughn's Career Numbers: .293 BA, 328 HR's, 1,064 RBI's 1995 MVP, 3x All-Star

Interesting Stat: Hit one of the most prodigious home runs in Shea Stadium history (in the middle of the "Bud" Sign on the monstrous Shea scoreboard)

Hall O' Fame Worth Stat: One of less than 260 Major Leaguers to have over 1000 career rbi's. Ranks 91st on All-Time HR list.

It looks like Jim Ed might finally get in for his contributions in 2009 with over 70% of the vote in the 2008 balloting. If someone like Don Mattingly gets in over Rice this year it will prove that the voters are being subjective and holding a mans personal short comings in higher esteem then his on-field achievements, which is wrong on so many levels. I don't see how a bunch of writers get the say on it anyhow when most have never tried to hit a 90 mph fastball. I probably can see Mo getting passed over due to the stigma of the steroid era and his penchant for late night strip club runs. The Hit Dawg has been very charitable in his time away from the game (not just to single mommas trying to earn a buck) and owns a number of inner city buildings in New York and that should reflect well on his chances down the road. Hopefully for both these feared sluggers the Hall is only a call away. I know I'll always remember the Mo Vaughn era it was the begining of the prime of my Red Sox fanhood.

London is Calling

After a horrible lose to the Steelers the Pats playoff hopes are in limbo. Some say the need to win out the rest of their schedule to make it to the dance. 4-0 with this team is hard to imagine, but it certainly has been a strange season. Now in the wake of this huge lose the team learns Old Uncle Roger and the NFL have chosen the Pats to play in London next year. Mr. Kraft isn't too pleased, but hey it beats China. I hope Tommy's prepping the knee because Cassel is sure as hell going to get a hefty paycheck from some bottom feeder this off-season. With a West-Coast swing in the next two weeks we'll see who the Pats are playoff contenders or overachievers. Either way it has been a fun ride reminiscent of the old days where the Pats were not the hated powerhouse.

M.V.Pedroia

Great news today from MLB. Dustin Pedroia is your 2008 AL MVP! I'll write that again Dustin Pedroia is your 2008 AL MVP. Believe it! They said he wasn't big enough. They said he didn't have the athletic ability to play at the big league level. They said his big swing approach wasn't right for a guy his size. Well haters put that in your pipe and smoke it. Pedroia epitomizes the player that Theo (and Moneyball) looks for scrappy guys who work the count, are always on base, and give you the pop when you need it. He also won a gold glove and the silver slugger award this year (only the 8th player to do so in history) so maybe he's not a five tool player, but he certainly is at 4.75 tools in only his second year. Think about that it is only his second year. We haven't seen this type of kid since Nomar and I don't even want to think of what he's capable of once he gets some years under his belt.

Maybe he's not your prototypical MVP like an A-Rod who bashes 45-50 bombs, and knocks in 120 runs, but he showed late in the season why he is so valuable. When the Sox needed someone to step up with Manny off in LA LA land he was there. When they needed a spark after the All-Star break he provided it. Maybe Youk is more versatile and has a bit more pop in his bat and maybe he too deserved it, but if you watched this year's Sox you knew who they belonged to. Pedroia. He's the first Sox to win the award since Mo "The Hit Dawg" Vaughn in '95. He's also the first AL second baseman to win the award since 1959; which is fitting since he reminds me of throw back players. Pedroia is the player you can tell your kids you saw a guy who never made excuses for his shortcomings and never let anyone tell him what he was capable of. If he listened to the critics he never would have made it this far it's almost as if they fuel his desire to compete at such a high level. Well drink up Dustin because the Sox will need you more than ever next year if the Captain leaves. Does anyone else feel weird that a Red Sox player ran away with the MVP? I mean who would have predicted a guy like Pedroia to win an MVP in a million years? I'm just glad he's on our side because I would hate to see this guy kick our cans every year. Yes, I'm talking to you Yankees fan. Goodnight and God Bless you all!

Pats vs. Bills was like old times

My pops scored a couple tickets to the Pats vs. Bills last Sunday and what a day it was. My buddies also made it on an ourticketsandtours bus trip and we caught up with them for some adult beverages before hand. Needless to say there were some great sights other than the Pats owning the clock on offense for the majority of the game.

I was lucky enough to see the greatest throw-back Pats jersey combo ever i.e. Bledsoe/Meggett mint condition. There were a ton of great comments about tossing and receiving. Many of which I do not wish to post online. Yes even I have a bit of humility and good taste.

After playing 300 level seat survivor my dad and I decided to try to see my buddy and his dad in their season tickets section in front of the mega-tron and Mickey D's. We ended up seeing this Bills waterboy 16 rows back from the end zone. Classic! Then after the game I got to meet up with Shoe one half of the BigJab 96.3 morning show. There were numerous Bob Kraft impression requests and surmising the Pats stand at Indy in 2003 where McGinest blew a hammy for an injury timeout and on the very same goal line stand stuffed Edgerin James with the help of Mt. Ted Washington's arm.

Lastly if anyone follows the Stool I ran into "Big Daddy Smooth" and gave him the cut throat sign yes he was wearing the tri-jersey. Guys becoming a straight up legend.

Pats are looking really good with BJ G-Ellis running the ball. He fits the system, hits the holes, and finishes off runs. I'm sure Belichick is sticking with him the rest of the way. Casselhof is quietly proving all the critics wrong. This week they say he doesn't have the experience of playing on short rest against the Jets. Well, I guess we will have to see how he matches up against their pass D with the new addition of Ty Law. Speaking of secondaries the Pats shut down Lee Evans who is averaging like 20 yards-per-catch and a td in every game this season. They may not have the experience hard hitter Rodney back there but they def are quick with Sanders and Merriweather. Looking forward to tonights game and seeing Favre throw 4 picks to hand the Pats a victory.

Who's the real Maverick?

Well I have to apologize to my hoards of readers, all two of you, I haven't been keeping up on things with "To Be the Man...". Ever since the Sox failed to create another improbable chapter in baseball history things haven't seemed the same. I mean sure the Pats are playing well, winning games they should and being competitive with Casselhof at the helm. The C's are back and hoisted banner 17. All should be well, but there is still a great moment that weights on my mind. Who will be the our next president?

Sure McCain has the experience and spent more time in a viet cong box then Kim Jong Ill. Yes he'd make a great choice for president if you want four more years of Republican b.s., but I digress I don't want to rant. I just want people to think about who they want to lead our country. I value someone with solid fundamentals, a great defensive strategy, a knowledgeable distributor who can change direction on a dime, and man with a solid bounce pass. Yes a man who can school you in a game of pick-up b-ball. No not Larry Legend, although he would make a solid candidate in 2012. I know he'd have my vote and French Licks.

I'm talking the Man, the Myth, the Legend...That's right. OBAMA!

This isn't OVER! Nothings OVER! HIMMMMMMINEYYYYYYYYAHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Benjamin: Some Sox are superstitious, too...


Drew gets a lifetime Red Sox Nation pass...



Paps is comfortable (don't doubt the Sox!)...


Ryan confirms this is a BIG win in Sox lore

and...

I CAN FEEL IT COMING IN THE AIR TONIGHT!

De Ja Vu All Over Again

I'm ready for the Sox to take on the Rays tonight in a do or die game with Dice K on the mound. I know Tek is ready after reading this. I know the Sox are ready after nearly ever player was at today's "Optional" practice. They are going to leave it all out there for however many games it takes. I know this team and they won't quit.

While the Rays decided to take a day off yesterday and to move up Kazmir to tonight. Why? Why would Maddon change his rotation when he has the Sox down for the count? He's scared of the Sox. He knows his rookie team can't keep up the hitting and doesn't want Kaz to throw against the sleeping giant that is the Sox offense in a pivotal game 6 (if necessary). They threw out some excuse that Kaz has a history against the game 6 umpire, but why would you worry about game six when all you need is game 5? You're scared Maddon. You're very very scared of what could happen to your young, cocky, overconfident squad. You've seen the Sox come back form the dead last year. You know what is coming. Just take it like a man.

basically the message tonight for the Rays from Tek and the Sox is...

NOT IN OUR HOUSE!

So you're telling me there's a chance.

There hasn't been much to blog about the past couple of days the Sox lost their thunder the Pats got handled by their rivals the Chargers. Things seem all doom and gloom in the nation. But, then something like this happens and the voice in my head says there is still a chance the a big chance that the Sox will steal this series.

Kazmir will start Game 5
In a surprise move, Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon announced this morning that he will start Scott Kazmir in Thursday's Game 5 of the ALCS at Fenway Park. James Shields was pushed back to Game 6.
- boston.com

To the fans ready to jump. Act like you've been there before. I remember this same bull$shit last year with the Indians. What are we going to do they are so much younger and more athletic then the Sox they have a better staff. Blah Blah Blah. Dice K, Beckett, and Lester in the clutch. I'll take those odds. You know the Sox are taking game 5 in a big way. This team has come to far to quit now. Plus Sr. Octobre had a bit of a slump buster in his last ab if you were still watching. Time to check yourself and find out if you're a real Sox fan. Because I know I haven't quit on this team. KEEP THE FAITH!

Loaded Dice K

I can say as a Sox fan I have seen cleaner performances (Big Schill '04). I can say I've seen better pitchers (Pedro '98-'99). But, I can't say I've seen a guy flirt with a no-no after that wild and wacky a first inning. If there were any questions as to who Dice K is I think they were answered. He isn't going to wow you but he will hit the corners and drive you crazy all night. As a hitter you must think you have a great shot against him with all the walks he deals out, but then he finds a way to throw the smoke-and-mirrors at you. Next thing you know he's no hit you through 6 innings in game one of the ALCS. When all the cards are on the table I'll take the Dice man any day. In the end all I can say about his performance is WOW. Very unconventional pitcher, but what a horse. He doesn't back down to any hitter and doesn't change his approach. What a gem. Guts of a burglar indeed.

By the way Carl Crawford nice catch. I thought you were better than Gary Matthews defensively. I guess I was wrong.