Piazza: Next Stop Cooperstown

Mike Piazza made it official today, and announced his retirement, after 16 seasons, and in five years from now will surely be a first-ballot Hall of Fame election. No one signed Piazza after playing an injury-riddled final season with the A's last year, so he called it quits.

Piazza will go to Cooperstown as the player with the most home runs as a catcher. He was the dominant player at his position during the '90s, and led the Mets to the World Series in 2000. Not bad for a guy who was drafted by the Dodgers in the 62nd round of the draft as a favor to Tom Lasorda.

Piazza will be remembered for a lot of things, his mammoth home runs, his dustups with the Texas Con Man, Roger Clemens (more on that later), and many other things. But I will never forget, for the rest of my life, one night that involved Piazza that stands out among all of them.

On the night of September 21, 2001, New York City was hurting. Hurting really badly from the terrorist attacks that had occurred just ten days earlier. We were all trying to come to grips with what had happened, and that night the Mets were playing the Atlanta Braves at Shea Stadium, the first sporting event in New York since we were attacked. I remembered I worked in Manhattan that day, and had to go to a concert in the East Village to see one of the bands that the music company I worked for at the time was promoting.

Just before 7 PM, I stopped off at the ESPN Zone in Times Square to see the opening ceremonies that were taking place that night that would honor the victims and the first responders. I got there just as it was starting, and it was an incredibly emotional experience. It made me think so much of my missing friend Joyce. The crowd in the place was incredibly respectful to the unfolding scene on the TVs, and cheered and applauded at just the right moments. And I will never forget the shot of Mike Piazza with his head bent down in memory of the 9/11 victims with tears in his eyes.

Unfortunately, I couldn't stay at the ESPNZone, as I had to be at the show by 8 PM. (For the life of me, I can't remember who the band was.) The entire night I was thinking of little else but how the Mets were doing against the Braves. At certain intervals, I put on my Walkman to get updates. The Mets were still very much alive in the pennant race, but I was just hoping the Mets could give their fans a memorable evening.

As the concert was drawing to a close, the Mets were down 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth. There was a man on and two outs and Piazza was coming up. I decided to stay with the game to see what Mike did. And lo and behold, he drove a pitch from Steve Karsay and hammered it over the left-centerfield fence to put the Mets up, 3-2. I pumped my fist in the air and let out a yell. I had to explain to a friend of mine, who wasn't a baseball fan, why I did that.

But I was glad I had done it, as the Mets went on to win, and for just a very brief time, made New Yorkers happy again amid some horrific struggles they were going through.

Rudy Giuliani said right after the terrorist attacks that we had to go back to as normal a life as we could possibly return to. And for me, that was getting excited about baseball again. And Mike Piazza helped do that on the night of September 21, 2001, and for that, I will always be grateful to him, as just about every Mets fan is.

Enjoy your retirement, Mike.

Getting back to Clemens. Earlier today I realized that if the Texas Con Man is really finally through with baseball and doesn't throw another pitch again in the big leagues, he and Mike Piazza will both be eligible for the Hall of Fame together for the first time in 2013. And the way things are going for The Carpetbagger, it doesn't appear likely, barring a miracle of some kind, that he will go in to the Hall on the first ballot, if ever. (Especially if he does time in jail for perjury.)

Piazza appears to be a leadpipe cinch for enshrinement.

Yes, in his dustup with Clemens, it looks like Mike will have the ultimate last laugh.

Great White North Featured on Wednesday

This week Trivia Night will be on Wednesday night at the special time of 8:30 PM, due to the Celtics playoff game being on tonight. The crowd will just be too big and the game won't end before 11 PM, so the change was in order.

And this week's Special Category will be, in honor of Victoria Day, "Canadian Trivia." (Victoria Day was this past Monday, for those of you who weren't busy celebrating.) It will be seven questions about our neighbors to the north, with a special bonus points question to conclude the category. We will also have the usual four categories. So get your thinking touques on! (That was a McKenzie Brothers reference.)

The Sneak Peek question for tomorrow night is:

What ancient written language did the Rosetta Stone help decipher?

Hope to see many of you for Trivia Night on Wednesday!

Lester's Night to Remember: The Final Out

Here is a nice clip from last night's historic events at Fenway Park, courtesy of YouTube and a fan behind home plate who recorded the final out and the emotional scenes after the no-hitter was completed. Nice job by the fan.

The clip lasts just nearly four minutes. Enjoy.

"Blessed! Still We Believe 2" Now Available

Today is the official release date for the 2007 Red Sox season documentary that I appear in, along with many of the Professor Thom's regulars, "Blessed! Still We Believe 2." It is available at most fine video outlets everywhere.

For more info, here's what Amazon.com has about it, and you can also order it there.

In the near future, we will have a showing of the film at Professor Thom's. No date has yet been set.

And also, this version of the film has more "extra features" of the celebrations at Professor Thom's, stuff that was not included in the first version that was exclusively available at Shaw's in New England this past month.

I'm proud to be a part of it.

Another Page in Jon Lester's Hollywood Story

Tonight we may have seen Jon Lester finally reach that turning point that Red Sox fans have been waiting for him to turn.

He was in complete and total command as he fired a no-hitter, the 18th in Red Sox history, over the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park, 7-0. Lester was never in any kind of trouble as he allowed just a two walks, one to Billy Butler in the second, then retired 20 straight hitters before walking Esteban German to open the ninth. He then got two ground outs before he struck out Alberto Callaspo to end a very historic night at the Fens.

Lester became the first Red Sox lefty (or any lefty at Fenway) since Mel Parnell in 1956 to throw a no-hitter. He threw a season-high 130 pitches, but he was constantly getting first pitch strikes and rarely went to a three-ball count. Late in the game he was hitting 95 MPH on the radar gun, and the Royals hitters could only just flail away. He struck out nine, and was aided by a great sliding catch by Jacoby Ellsbury in the fourth. It was probably Kansas City's best chance at a hit all night.

The Red Sox scored five runs in the third, and added a two-run homer by Jason Varitek in the sixth to complete the scoring. (It was also a big night for Tek, as he became the only catcher to catch four no-hitters in MLB history. He also caught the no-nos of Hideo Nomo in 2001, Derek Lowe in 2002, and Clay Buchholz in 2007.) But it was Jon Lester's night to shine.

Terry Francona hugged Lester after it was over and it brought a tear to my eye. Jon was interviewed afterwards and called Tito "a second dad." It's another incredible moment for the young lefty who was diagnosed with lymphoma back in September 2006. He was also the winning pitcher of Game 4 of the 2007 World Series.

(My buddy Chris emailed me tonight and pointed out how we had yet another "mound celebration" on the sacred turf at Fenway. It's really nice to see them coming in an abundance in recent years.)

How could you top that? Lester found a way. The poet John Keats once wrote, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever." Tonight's game sure was a beauty.

Enjoy it forever, Jon.

755: Still the Record, and Hank Says So

Hank Aaron gave the commencement address at Concordia University last Saturday, and spoke to reporters before the speech. And what he said was to say the least interesting.

"I still," Henry Aaron was saying, "consider myself the home-run king."

You're not alone in that assessment, Hammerin' Hank. Millions of us who passionately love baseball feel the same way. That other guy might have a higher number, but you have the real record.

Thanks to Fanhouse for the article, which you can read here.

Mets Massacre Yankees Despite Horrific Umpiring

The Mets tap danced all over the Yankees in The Bronx last night, 11-2, despite an unbelievably idiotic call by the umps that actually reversed a Carlos Delgado home run that hit the left field foul pole and ultimately cost the Mets two runs. Mike Reilly called it a home run, but the other three idiots in blue made him change his call, despite the fact Reilly had the best angle to it. I've always liked the fact that umps get together to get a call right, but this one actually reversed a right call for a bad one. (Bob Davidson, home plate ump, to his credit, actually admitted his screwup after the game.) But the Mets showed real determination and went out and stomped all over the Evil Empire anyway, and swept the two-game series.

I have never been a fan of instant replay for baseball, but more and more I am starting to believe that having it for calls like home runs around the foul pole and fan interference might actually be the way to go. If more calls like this are blown, you might see it gain some speed.

And once again, unlike football, umpires are NOT held accountable for blown calls they make. There is no system in MLB for weeding out incompetent umpiring (and there is plenty of that in baseball). Being an ump is like being the pope or a Supreme Court justice. You're there until you die or retire. And the game is worse for it.

I had the game on the radio for most of the night, and I really enjoyed hearing Howie Rose on WFAN in the eighth inning say how, "The Mets fans have taken over Yankee Stadium, while the Yankee fans head for the exits."

It brought back many pleasant memories of October 20, 2004. Nothing like watching the Yankees get their heads handed to them on their home turf, and especially by the Mets. Only watching the Red Sox do it to them could be any sweeter.

Trivia Night Moved Again This Week

The Boston Celtics wrapped up their playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, a 97-92 Game 7 win in Boston. The Celtics now move over to the Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons, starting on Tuesday night.

And you know what that means: Trivia Night this week will be moved once again to Wednesday night, May 21, with a special starting time of 8:30 PM.

Once again, we apologize for the move, but there will be a strong group of Celtics fans in Professor Thom's for the game (as there was on Sunday), so having Trivia Night this Tuesday will be almost impossible. When we moved it two weeks ago to Wednesday, a good number of the regulars adjusted their schedules and came out for it, and we had a good crowd in. I thank you all who did that so much.

I will be posting the Sneak Peek question as well as the Special Category on Tuesday night this week. I looked ahead on the schedule and there will be no Celtics game next Tuesday if their series is still going. But the Red Sox will be playing in Seattle that night, so on May 27th when Trivia Night goes back to Tuesday, it will be at a special time of 8 PM that night.

I hope to see many of you on Wednesday night.

The Beckett of 2006?

Josh Beckett had another rough outing at Fenway Park on Sunday, as the Milwaukee Brewers knocked him around for four home runs in seven innings. But the Sox had their hitting shoes on and outslugged Milwaukee, 11-7, to sweep the three-game series.

Commander Kick Ass gave up 5 runs last Tuesday night in Baltimore, so he has allowed 11 runs in his last two starts. Today's outing brought back bad memories of the pounding he took in 2006, as he allowed home runs by the truckload back then. But he did get the win today, as the Sox also hit four home runs, courtesy of David Ortiz (two), Dustin Pedroia (pictured) and Kevin Youkilis.

Also of note on Sunday was the fact that Jacoby Ellsbury was caught stealing for the first time in his young career. He had stolen 24 straight bases until Jason Kendall caught him on a pitch out. And Kendall's one of the best in baseball at throwing out runners.

Beckett's next outing will be on Friday night in Oakland, when the Red Sox open a ten-game road trip.

Manny Ramirez is still stuck on 498 homers, and hasn't hit one since the bomb he hit in Cleveland two weeks ago. I had guessed that Manny would blast number 500 on May 18th in a contest over at Jere's A Red Sox Fan From Pinstripe Territory before the season started. Oh well.

The Red Sox also announced that Justin Masterson will be brought up for his second start on Tuesday night, against Kansas City. After the game, he will be optioned back to the minors, and Bartolo Colon will be brought up to make his first start in a Red Sox uniform on Wednesday night.

Mets Whip The Mop, and the Yankees

The underachieving Mets whacked the even more underachieving Yankees in The Bronx on Saturday afternoon, a 7-4 come-from-behind win for the Boys from Queens. And the Yankee villain was one Kyle (Mop Up Man) Farnsworth, who gave up two home runs in the seventh to Jose Reyes and David Wright to seal the Mets victory before a sold out crowd.

In the immortal words of Robert De Niro in Casino: "I wouldn't give the bum a mop job." Farnsworth continues to prove why he's one of the worst and most overpaid relievers in baseball. (And I bet most Yankee fans wouldn't mind seeing Farnsworth with a real mop in his hands, anywhere but Yankee Stadium.)

The Mets and Yankees were rained out of Friday night's game, but instead of doing the logical thing and playing a doubleheader on Saturday or Sunday, they will play one of those cutesy-pie doubleheaders where one game is played in the Bronx and the other is played later that day in Queens, when both teams meet again at Shea later next month. (So, as Dennis Miller used to say, "I don't want to get off on a rant here, but...")

The bloom is off the rose as far as this so-called "Subway Series" goes. The uniqueness of the two New York teams playing each other every year is long gone, and MLB is milking every last dollar out of it by scheduling six meetings between them every year. And they only do so because they are six guaranteed sellouts. You want to make it special again? Have them meet each other every other year, and just three times, not six. I am not a fan of interleague baseball, as it plays havoc with schedules, and creates a competitive imbalance with who every team plays.

As far as I am concerned, the Yankees are just six games the Mets are playing outside their division, as well as league. They'd be better suited playing six games inside the NL, against teams they might ultimately be fighting for a playoff spot against.

They always talk about the Subway Series being for "New York bragging rights." But honestly, who remembers who won the series between the two teams last year, or the year before?

It wouldn't break my heart to see it disappear. But as one wise philosopher once said, "Money talks, bullshit walks." ("Bullshit walks?" Could they have meant Farnsworth?)

No chance of that happening anytime in the near future.

An Ugly Win Beats a Beautiful Loss

The second game of Saturday's day/night double dip at Fenway Park had to be one of the ugliest games of this baseball season. There were seven errors by both teams combined, and the last few innings were simply excruciating to watch. It was simply butt ugly. But it resulted in a Red Sox win and a sweep of the twinbill with the Milwaukee Brewers, 7-6, after the Sox took the opener, 5-2.

The Red Sox jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the second game, 5-0, as Mike Lowell (pictured) doubled in two runs and hit a two-run homer in his first two at-bats. Tim Wakefield looked good for the first five innings, but by the sixth he faltered, and it was turned over to David Aardsma. He continues to be a tightrope walker, as he allowed two runners on to score, via a hit, walk and hit batsmen. Aardsma continues to walk more than he strikes out, and inspires no confidence.

Craig Hansen then came in in the seventh and gave up three unearned runs. While he wasn't hammered, he struggled. The Red Sox committed two errors ( a questionable one on Alex Cora) that gave Milwaukee a 6-5 lead.

But they are one of the worst fielding teams in baseball, and they made two errors that led to two Red Sox runs in the seventh to put them back up, 7-6. Milwaukee threatened again in the eighth, as they had two on and one out, but a double play bailed out Javier Lopez, who seemed determined to give the game away.

And Terry Francona really rolled the dice in the ninth, keeping Jonathan Papelbon on the bench, as he pitched in Game 1 and got the save. (He threw just 7 pitches in getting it.) Tito went to Mike Timlin, who also threw just seven pitches in the ninth to seal the doubleheader sweep, 7-6. The bullpen was overall incredibly shaky, but the win was put away. (Tito, what a genius!)

And in something not unexpected, Gabe Kapler received a nice ovation upon his return to Fenway Park in the second game. Gabe's a true professional, and deserved to get a nice reaction from the Fenway faithful.

The first game was a lot neater, as Daisuke Matsuzaka improved his record to 7-0 and David Ortiz blasted a three-run home run in the second inning in leading the Sox to the win and stopping a four-game losing streak. After winning the second game, the Sox are now in a first-place tie with Tampa Bay for the AL East lead.

Manny Ramirez: A Retrospective

MLB yanked the "Oriole Magic" YouTube clip, claiming some ownership privilege. But my buddy Dave sent me a link to the Awful Announcing web site, who posted a clip from ESPN of the Baseball Tonight crew, who did a "Best of Manny Being Manny" retrospective. It's the best of Manny Ramirez in all his goofiness, as well as some of his very best outfield plays. I missed it when it was first broadcast.

I hope no one yanks this. Enjoy.

Millar's Still Crazy After All These Years

My friend Eddie in Maryland (onetime Orioles and now a Nats fan) sent me this cool video, an updated 2008 version of the "Oriole Magic" song, a staple at Orioles games many years ago. So what's an Orioles video doing on a Red Sox-oriented blog like this?

I include it because it contains yet another priceless lip-syncing video performance by that crazy, lovable lug, Kevin Millar. You've got to love any video that includes him, even if it has nothing to do with the Red Sox. (It was taken down later today from YouTube by MLB. Idiots.)

UPDATE: My friend Jere of A Red Sox Fan From Pinstripe Territory informed me that the clip is now available to be seen at the Orioles web site. Go here to see it.

And speaking of Kevin Millar lip-syncing videos:



The scoreboard at Fenway played this video of KFC back in his youth doing "Born in the USA" back in 2004 when the Red Sox were trailing in the late innings. And many times it led to a Red Sox comeback.

I still miss that goofy bastard.

Guess Who's in the AL East Basement?

Yep, it's the New York Yankees, who find themselves in last place today after losing to the first-place Tampa Bay Rays, 5-2, on Thursday afternoon at the Trop.

But wow, the first-place Rays? They are one game in front of the Red Sox as I write this, as they beat up on Ian (Where Do You Want It?) Kennedy once again.

I know, I know. It's May 16th, and there's still about 120 games left in the season.

But how I do enjoy writing "New York Yankees" and "last place" in the same sentence.

Only ManRam Could Do This

Here is the play everyone is talking about from Wednesday's Sox-Orioles game. Manny Ramirez makes a great catch off the bat of old friend Kevin Millar, and as his momentum carries him to the left field wall, he high fives a Red Sox fan in the stands, and then turns and throws a strike to Dustin Pedroia, who fires the ball to Kevin Youkilis to double off Aubrey Huff at first.

Just spectacular. Manny never ceases to amaze, in one way or another.

My thanks to uncutvideo.aol.com web site for providing the video.

Yet Another 3-0 Lead, Yet Another Loss

A 10-game road trip that started off with so much promise with two wins in Detroit ended with a crashing thud in Baltimore as the Red Sox, for the third straight game, blew a 3-0 lead and dropped the two-game series to the Orioles, 6-3. The Red Sox have now lost four straight and 5 of 6. And the problems are beginning to mount.

Lots to be concerned with right now. JD Drew and Julio Lugo are both hurt, and each maybe heading to the DL. Clay Buchholz was just placed there today because of a problem with his fingernail, and outfielder Jonathan Van Every was called up from Pawtucket.

The clutch hitting seems to have disappeared, as the Red Sox had tons of opportunities in both games in Baltimore to score runs (12 hits on just three runs today, and two were on solo homers) and failed time and again. Jon Lester wasn't bad at all, allowing two runs in six innings. But the bullpen is really hurting, as Hideki Okajima once again let inherited runners score, as he gave up a grand slam to Jay (I'll Act Like a Whining Asshole to Get Traded Off This Team) Payton, who took him deep on his second pitch of the game to slam the door shut and give the Orioles the win. Okajima's numbers may look on the surface impressive, but they mask the fact he is one of the worst relievers in the AL when coming into a situation with men on base.

(The play of the day, or maybe of this year, happened in the fourth when Manny Ramirez made a fabulous running catch in left field, actually high-fived a Red Sox fan after he hit the wall, and turned and doubled off Aubrey Huff at first to end the inning. At least today wasn't a total loss.)

I kiddingly said that when the Red Sox scored just one run in the first inning, "at least it wasn't three, as I bet they are sure to lose if they did." Well, today they waited until the sixth to get that 3-0 lead, and let it slip away yet again.

StoryCorps Booth at Grand Central Closes

Today I had the pleasure of attending a small ceremony in Grand Central Station for the closing of the booth run by StoryCorps, which had been there since 2003. It will officially close on Saturday.

StoryCorps is the group that records the stories of average people, and has been collecting them since their first booth opened five years ago. They have recorded the stories of over 5300 people at that location, including myself in 2005. The legendary writer Studs Terkel cut the ribbon that opened the booth in October 2003. (And Mr. Terkel turns 96 this month.)

I recorded a fond remembrance for my friend Joyce there, and it was a very special hour I'll never forget. There were some funny memories, as well as a few that brought a tear to my eye. I found out about StoryCorps through the WTC support group I belong to. They have encouraged many people who suffered a terrible loss on September 11, 2001 to come in and record a CD for them. (Every person who does gets a copy of the CD as well as it being sent to the Library of Congress in Washington DC and also to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, where it will be stored forever so future generations can hear their words.) They have recorded stories from over 200 victims' family and friends.

StoryCorps is led by Dave Isay, and he has done some remarkable work in getting the stories of just regular people at the StoryCorps booths. And today, the original location was bid a fond farewell with a short 20 minute ceremony, and then alumni like myself were interviewed for their memories of the booth for a CD that will also be sent to the Library of Congress.

I am very proud to support StoryCorps, and I encourage you to check out the booth they now have in Lower Manhattan, at Foley Square. You can record a fond remembrance of a loved one, or of someone who is here now. The hour I spent with them was incredible, and the faciliator who interviewed me could not have been more sensitive and respectful. The new location is on Centre Street between Duane and Worth Streets, across from the US Courthouse.

If you'd like to know more, just click here for more information, at the StoryCorps web site.

Another 3-0 Lead Goes Down the Drain

Another promising night where the Red Sox scored three in the first inning resulted in a loss in Baltimore last night. Monday night started out just the same, and went downhill from there. With Josh Beckett going you'd think that's all the Red Sox would get for him to get a win. But Beckett wasn't sharp at all, and by the third inning the Orioles had five runs in, culminating with Luke Scott's three-run home run.

The Red Sox had opportunities to score more, especially in the seventh with the bases loaded and no outs. Manny Ramirez came up with the bases loaded and no outs and promptly hit into a 1-2-3 double play and Mike Lowell then flied out. They added a run in the eighth, but the Orioles went on to win, 5-4. The Red Sox find themselves in second place this morning, as those pesky Rays of Tampa Bay beat the Yankees and Mariano Rivera in the 11th inning, 2-1 to go 1/2 game up in the AL East.

David Ortiz got tossed out in the ninth on a controversial check swing, and he complained loudly and then dropped his bat. And then he got run. J. D. Drew left the game in the third inning after he slid for a fly ball that popped out of his glove when his left wrist turned on the turf. It turned out to be a just a sprain, but knowing Drew's history, a trip to the DL wouldn't surprise me.

Trivia Q&A: May 13

We had a very large turnout at Professor Thom's on Tuesday night, with a record-tying number of teams, 24, taking part. There wasn't anything special going on at the bar apart from the Red Sox game in Baltimore, just folks who have to have their trivia. And I thank you all for turning out in such record numbers.

The numbers were rather good for Current Events and True or False, but many teams struggled with both General Knowledge and the special category, Name the Number. We had a good contest, and going into the final round, seven teams were within four points of the lead.

IQ Trivia was a mixed bag. Two teams got perfect scores, and six teams got no points. The other teams got two or three of the questions right. But So Long Tavarez and Thanks For All the Fish wound up the winner, as they were one of the teams who got all five right, and wound up winning by four points. The top three teams also qualified for a special drawing to be part of "High Trek Adventure," in which Professor Thom's is putting up a team on June 14. It's a scavenger hunt/Trivia Pursuit around Manhattan that day. We also be having the top three winning teams of the next two weeks entered for chance to be part of it as well.

Current Events
1. The son of this media and reality star was sentenced to eight months in prison in Florida for causing a car crash that seriously injured his passenger.
2. Brian Cowen became the new prime minister of this country last week.
3. News Corporation withdrew its bid last week to purchase this New York-area newspaper, and it was purchased instead by Cablevision.
4. Mike D'Antoni, the former head coach of this NBA team, last week agreed to a four-year deal with the Knicks to become their head coach.
5. The Social Security Administration said that this was the most popular baby girl's name for the 12th straight year, and this boy's name was number one for the 9th year in a row.
6. A new species of spider was recently named for this Canadian rock legend by a biologist at East Carolina University.
7. A stamp of this legendary singer went on sale this week, exactly 10 years after his death.

Answers: 1. Hulk Hogan; 2. Ireland; 3. Newsday; 4. Phoenix Suns; 5. Emily and Jacob; 6. Neil Young (Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi); 7. Frank Sinatra.

Name the Number
1. This number amendment to the US Constitution instituted a federal income tax, in 1913.
2. This was the number worn by MLB Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn and NFL Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas.
3. This is the number of years of marriage marking a silver anniversary.
4. Pearl Jam, LL Cool J and Chicago all had albums titled with this number.
5. This is the number of Brandenburg Concertos of Johann Sebastian Bach.
6. This numbered Apollo spacecraft malfunctioned after being launched in April 1970 and had to return to Earth without landing on the moon.
7. This was the number worn by star athletes Michael Jordan, Ryne Sandberg and LeBron James.

Answers: 1. 16; 2. 19; 3. 25; 4. 10; 5. 6; 6. 13; 7. 23.

True or False ("The Q Train")
1. The main ingredient of Alfredo sauce is cream.
2. The game "Pokemon" is called "Pocket Monster" in Japan.
3. Walter Mondale lost two consecutive elections as a presidential candidate.
4. Dean Martin authored the book "Happiness is a Dry Martini."
5. Bob Hope once had a brief career as a boxer.
6. Mick Jagger sang harmony with Carly Simon on her hit song "You're So Vain."
7. Tess Trueheart was the girlfriend of Dick Tracy.
8. P.T. Barnum's real first name was Paul.
9. A Granny Smith is a tart apple.
10. Poet Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote many of his poems while he worked as a priest.

Answers: 1. true; 2. true; 3. false, he lost one; 4. false, it was written by Johnny Carson; 5. true; 6. true; 7. true; 8. false, it was Phinneas; 9. true; 10. true.

General Knowledge
1. Islamabad is the capital of what country?
2. In the comedy team of Laurel and Hardy, what was Hardy's first name?
3. What American folklore hero died after digging a tunnel faster than a steam drill?
4. The Presidio is a former Spanish fort and military base located in what US city?
5. "Brimstone" is an old-fashioned word for what substance?
6. Mammoth Cave National Park is located in what US state?
7. The 1990 film "Goodfellas" tells the story of what real-life mobster and FBI informant?

Answers: 1. Pakistan; 2. Oliver; 3. John Henry; 4. San Francisco; 5. sulfur; 6. Kentucky; 7. Henry Hill.

IQ Trivia
1. What 19th century historical figure was nicknamed "The Liberator?" ( 4 points)
2. What conservative Israeli parliamentary group is named for the Hebrew word for "unity?" (4 points)
3. "I Me Mine" is the title of what rock musician's 1979 autobiography? ( 3 points)
4. What do the zygomatic muscles help a person do? ( 5 points)
5. The island of Zanzibar is part of what African country? ( 4 points)

Answers: 1. Simon Bolivar; 2. Likud; 3. George Harrison; 4. smile; 5. Tanzania.

498

Last night's Red Sox finale in Minnesota got off to a great start as Coco Crisp doubled and was driven in by David Ortiz. Manny Ramirez then took Livan Hernandez deep over the rightfield wall ("baggie?") to put the Red Sox up 3-0 with his 498th career home run.

But that was as far as the Red Sox got offensively, as Clay Buchholz gave back two runs in the first. And he was in trouble all night, and eventually gave up 7 runs in just over four innings to put the Red Sox in a hole they couldn't get out of. Hernandez settled down to get the win, 7-3.

Congratulations to Kevin Youkilis for winning the AL Player of the Week award this past week, for the monster series he had in Detroit.

After taking three of four in Detroit, the Sox dropped three of four in Minnesota. The road trip ends in Baltimore with two quick games starting tonight, and another tomorrow afternoon. Josh Beckett takes the hill against Jeremy Guthrie.

Billy and Casey Go Bonkers

An old video of Bill O'Reilly is making news, and it's one of those "going bananas behind the scenes" videos. It was of him when he hosted "Inside Edition" many years ago. Things don't go right and Bill loses it big time. I actually saw it for the first time tonight on Keith Olbermann's "Countdown" show. Of course, he had to show it, as he has that deep "O'Reilly Fetish," trying to ridicule him at every turn. (I actually find the war between Olbermann and O'Reilly the best of high comedy, as both think they are standing on moral high ground by bashing the other. I must admit I liked Olbermann better when he was doing SportsCenter on ESPN with Dan Patrick, long before he became a liberal water carrier.)

The clip is just over two minutes, and an unedited version from the Olbermann Show with the colorful language intact, as YouTube has taken down most of the clips of this, because CBS claimed ownership of it.

And speaking of meltdowns, another favorite of mine is the famous Casey Kasem meltdown on his radio show, "American Top 40." He uttered some incredible obscenities about U2 (just before they became famous) and "a little dog named Snuggles." It was recorded in a song by the band Negativland, in a two-song CD single called "U2." U2 sued them over the song, which is a takeoff on their hit "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." The song went out of print, so it's hard to find. (Guess who has a copy?)

There's plenty of dirty language in the following clip, so be warned. It lasts just under 6 minutes. Classic stuff. Enjoy.

Lots of Numbers on Tuesday

Trivia Night returns to its regular Tuesday night spot tomorrow night, and the special category will be "Name The Number." What I will be doing is giving you seven questions, and each answer will be a number between 1 and 25. You have to figure out which one (and none of the answers will be the same number).

We should get going sometime after 9 PM. We will have the regular four categories to go with this one. The Sneak Peek question for this week is:

Brimstone is an old-fashioned name for what substance?

I hope many of you can come out for Tuesday Night Trivia, back on Tuesdays where it belongs.

"Hatchet Face" DFA'd by Red Sox

The Julian Tavarez Era in Boston is over.

The Red Sox gave the quirky righthander his walking papers today, and designated him for assignment to make room for Sean Casey, who comes off the disabled list today. This season had been a struggle for him, and he had been used infrequently and a long reliever and just didn't pitch well. Tavarez' exit means Craig Hansen stays, and their are still rumors that Tavarez' next stop might be in Denver with the Rockies. The Sox have 10 days to trade him or release him.

Before last night's 9-8 loss, the Red Sox traded Bryan Corey (who had been DFA'd twice this season) to the Padres for a player to be named, and sent Jed Lowrie back to Pawtucket.

I'm actually going to miss Tavarez, who my friend Adam nicknamed "Hatchet Face." He definitely had his moments with the Red Sox, like those times when instead of throwing the ball to first on a comebacker, he actually rolled it to first. Or when a double play ball was hit to the infield, he'd be shown "directing traffic," flailing his arms in urging the infielders where to throw the ball. I also loved the fact that Tavarez looked like he was paling around in the dugout with Daisuke Matsuzaka last year on days when they weren't pitching. I would love to have been a fly on the wall to know what they were talking about (and in what language they were speaking in, too).

I will also never forget seeing him on the field before a game in San Diego last year chatting and acting playful with a young boy in a wheelchair. He does have a softer side.

He actually did a rather decent job as a starter last year, and beat the Yankees twice at Yankee Stadium. He was a valuable swingman, and did just about anything the Red Sox asked of him, without complaint.

And how could you not love a guy who said his ambition when he was younger was to become a porno star?

Well miss you, Julian, more than you'll ever know.

Gagne Out as Brewers Closer

The Milwaukee Brewers brain trust could have saved themselves a lot of aggravation, as well as $10 million this year, had they had the good sense to view the three disasterous months that Eric Gagne spent in a Red Sox uniform last year. They made him their closer and this year he's blown five saves, and had yet another meltdown on Saturday that finally led the Brewers to remove him from the role.

The Red Sox play the Brewers this week at Fenway. As Gabe Kapler gets the ovations he deserves (if he plays that is), Eric Gagne will get booed and hounded (if he plays that is).

Nothing short of what he deserves to get. I just thank the stars above the Red Sox learned their lesson about this guy last year and made no attempt to resign him.

England's Evil Empire Champs Again

Manchester United won their 10th Premier League championship today and their second consecutive one as they defeated Wigan, 2-0, on goals by Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs. Meanwhile in London, Chelsea, who was still mathematically alive today, as both they and Man U were tied on points, faced Bolton.

Chelsea led 1-0 at Stamford Bridge, but the result at Wigan made it a foregone conclusion that they wouldn't take the title. And just to rub salt into the wounds, Bolton scored an equalizing goal in added time to make it a 1-1 tie. (I guess watching Man U over the last decade and a half is like watching the Yankees in the 1940s and '50s. And you either love them or hate them.)

On the other end of the table, Fulham, will all their Americans on their roster, survived the regulation battle with a 1-0 win at Portsmouth, and will be back in the EPL next season. Birmingham and Reading both won, but it made no difference, and they both take the drop to the Championship.

Manchester United and Chelsea will face each other one final time this season, in the European Champions League final in Moscow on May 21. Man U now have won 17 English titles, one behind Liverpool's 18. And speaking of "18," it is now 18 years since Liverpool (who ended the year today with a 2-0 win at Spurs) won an English title. Back in 1990 they had 11 more championships than United.

It's getting a little too close for comfort for the Merseysiders.

A Day For Mom

I dedicate my 1,400th post to my Mom, and all the mothers out there on their special day. I hope you all have a wonderful day with your families.


What is a Mother’s Love?

A mother’s love is many things. She is a teacher and a friend, someone to guide you through right and wrong, someone to listen and understand.

She can comfort you like no other, holding you in her arms. She can fill your spirit with confidence and encourage your unsure heart.

She can bring a smile to your saddened face, wipe away your tears, love you regardless of the faults you have, and stand by you throughout the years.

A mother’s love is many things, and one thing is quite sure: a mother’s love is special, for no one can love like her.

- T. L. Nash

My thanks to the Voices of September 11th for sending along the beautiful poem.

Four Solos

It was a night of solo home runs in the Metrodome last night as the Red Sox won, 5-2. (Don't you dare call it "The Homerdome," as that is a great misnomer, as the Metrodome has actually become one of the tougher parks in the AL to hit home runs in.)

Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched seven solid innings, as he settled down after early in the game it looked like The Dice-K Walk Parade was making another appearance. He wound up walking three, striking out seven and allowed just two runs in getting the win. Jonathan Papelbon pitched a solid ninth, bouncing back from the crushing loss on Friday. He allowed just a popup that hit some wire for a cheap hit, but got the final three outs to seal the deal.

Kevin Youkilis and Mike Lowell hit homers, and Jed Lowrie and Coco Crisp went back-to-back in the seventh to put the Red Sox ahead to stay. It was the first career homer for Jed. Dustin Pedroia had an RBI single in the ninth for insurance.

Answer Me This

Just a few things I'm wondering about, and can't come up with reasonable answers to.

1. Why do they call the last man taken in the NFL Draft "Mr. Irrelevant?" It's never made any sense to me. There are hundreds of college guys who aren't picked every year who hoped to be selected, so doesn't that make them more irrelevant? At least the last man take in the draft has the satisfaction of telling the grandkids one day that he was selected by an NFL team. They have to come up with a better name for the last guy taken than that.

2. Why do NFL writers and broadcasters insist on grading teams the day after the NFL Draft is completed? Let's face the facts, no one has any idea of how a team does in the draft until after the following season, than you can judge how good it was. Were any Patriots fans jumping for joy when their team selected a future Hall of Famer in Tom Brady? How many Chargers fans thought Ryan Leaf would be leading their team to a Super Bowl some time in the future when they picked him? (Sorry Peggy and Ken.) I find it ridiculous seeing Mel Kiper's "grades" on the bottom of the screen crawl for each team after the draft is over.

3. Why don't teams reschedule rainouts as part of doubleheaders unless they are forced to? I was listening to Chris Russo on the radio today (not against my will, BTW), and he talked about the Mets-Reds game possibly being rained out Friday, and all he talked about was the teams finding a mutual offday to reschedule the game, as the Reds don't return to NY this season. But wait, the Mets and Reds still have two games to play this weekend, so isn't a simple solution just play a doubleheader this weekend? Do they have such a fetish about not playing two games in one day that they would rather take away an offday later in the season rather than get the postponed game in this weekend? Ask most players their choice and they will say play a doubleheader now. Players really enjoy off days during the summer and I know most don't want to give them up and have to travel back to the same city to make up just one game. (The game was rained out, and saner heads prevailed and the teams played a doubleheader on Saturday. But it was that fan-gouging "day/night" one.)

4. Why do pitchers talk through their gloves when talking to catchers during breaks on the mound, but when pitching coaches come out to talk to them, the coach doesn't talk to them through his hands? Have pitchers really become that paranoid that there are lip readers all over place, and if so, how come pitching coaches haven't become just as paranoid?

5. I've never been able to figure this out. When Las Vegas gives odds on things like who will score the first TD in the Super Bowl, the most obvious or likely players to do it are ranked from anywhere from 1-2 to 20-1, but the most obscure or least-likely players (known as "the field") usually have low odds of something like 5-1. Shouldn't their odds be more like 100-1, or even higher? I'd like that explained to me.

6. When are these silly home plate celebrations going to end when a team wins a game in so-called "walkoff" style? Good Lord, these guys act like they've just won the World Series. It's good to be excited about winning in your last turn at-bat at home, but it's getting really idiotic, as well as dangerous. Guys are beating on the hero of the night like he just declared war on them. I remember a few years ago in the minors, a guy hit a homer in the bottom of the ninth, and as his teammates were beating him up, he actually blew out his knee among all the happiness and ended up on the disabled list. When someone gets really hurt in one of these silly scrums, maybe players will finally wise up and save it for the really special times.

7. And finally, I'll end this on a classy, upscale note. In the immortal words of George Carlin, why do we say "take a leak?" You don't take a leak, you leave it!

God bless Mr. Carlin. (Even though he doesn't believe in Him.)

"Playing for Peanuts"

Tomorrow night, a new reality series will debut on Sportsnet New York (SNY) called "Playing for Peanuts." It is being made by John Fitzgerald, who made the fine "The Emerald Diamond" documentary a couple of years back about baseball and how it has grown in Ireland.

This reality series is centered around Wally Backman, the former Mets second baseman from the 1980s who was denied the job of managing the Arizona Diamondbacks a few years ago after the stories of his arrest for assaulting a neighbor's wife came to light. The series follows the team he's managing, the South Georgia Peanuts, a minor league team in the now-defunct South Coast League. The team is mixed bag of youngsters and veterans who have dreams of making it to the big time. Backman still has his dream of getting to the Big Leagues as a manager.

"Playing for Peanuts" has 10 episodes, and will make its debut on Sunday night at 6 PM on SNY in New York. The show will also debut on the following stations tomorrow as well:

CSN Chicago (DISH: 429, DIRECT: 640)- May 11 @ 7pm.
Sportsnet Philadelphia - May 11 @ 7pm.
Sportsnet New England (DISH:435, DIRECT: 620) - May 11 @ 7pm
Sportsnet Bay Area (DISH: 419, DIRECT: 654)- May 11 @ 8pm

The above clip is a commercial for the debut of tomorrow night's opener. I hope you will support John's efforts, as I've gotten to know him since "The Emerald Diamond" came out and he is a terrific filmmaker. You can find out more about "Playing for Peanuts" by going to the blog John has for it: http://www.playingforpeanuts.com

Brutal

Another awful gut-wrenching loss on this road trip for the Red Sox, on Friday night in Minnesota.

You can lay the blame for this one getting away at the feet of many.

Jonathan Papelbon blew his second straight save opportunity. He wasn't exactly battered in the ninth with a 6-5 lead against the Twins. But he didn't slam the door again, and an awful walk to a guy who simply doesn't walk, Carlos Gomez, with two outs set the stage for Mike Lamb to hit a ball off the end of his bat to drive in two runs. It was only the fourth time Gomez has walked this season.

Julio Lugo cost the Red Sox once again tonight, muffing an easy grounder off the bat of Gomez that would have ended the second inning. But as soon as it happened, you just knew it would lead to something. And it did, as Brendan Harris singled in two runs to make it, 4-2. For those of you scoring at home, Lugo now has an eye-popping 11 errors already. Five more than David Eckstein, who is second in the league in errors for a shortstop.

Not a great outing for Jon Lester, but he left in the sixth with the lead, and the bullpen kept the lead until the ninth. But not to be overlooked is the Red Sox offense, who wasted many opportunities to add on to the lead, as they left two in the seventh and the ninth, and 11 in total.

I know it's a long season, but it's nights like this that royally piss me off.

Spur-of-the-Moment Emotion, or Showboating?

The New York papers were all agog today about the fact that Cleveland Indians' outfielder David Dellucci was miffed by the show that Joba Chamberlain put on after he struck him out in the eighth inning of yesterday's Yankees-Indians game. The papers, as well as the "Mike and Mad Dog Show" were all over it. Fatso and Fruit Loops are kind of divided over it, with Russo taking Chamberlain to task over it.

If you didn't see it, Chamberlain has been known to get all worked up if he strikes out the last hitter of an inning that he works, and he did it again on Thursday, with his fist pumps and yelling. After the game, Dellucci let it be known that he didn't appreciate the antics, and called them "bush league." Dellucci, who hit a game-winning homer off Chamberlain the previous game, also questioned why pitchers seem to get away with that sort of thing, while hitters are called unprofessional and show pitchers up by showing similar acts of emotion. (Dellucci also mentioned he didn't show the Yankees up when he hit his home run.) Chamberlain was unapologetic, and says it was just something he does when he gets all worked up.

Chamberlain isn't the only pitcher who does that, and Francisco Rodriguez and Jonathan Papelbon have been known to show a lot of emotion after an inning-ending strikeout. My personal opinion on this is that if a pitcher strikes out a hitter in a tough situation to end an inning (say with the bases loaded and holding a one-run lead), a show of emotion is not a bad thing. It is most times just an impromptu thing, and most aren't trying to show the other team up.

But if pitchers are going to make this a regular thing, or part of their routine or "shtick," then I have a problem with it. That would be something where the pitcher was just trying to be a showboat or trying to bring attention to himself: "Hey, look what I just did!" Well, isn't that what you get paid to do? Chamberlain, like Pap and K-Rod, has been known to do this sort of thing too often, and that's where I think it is crossing the line. (And don't forget that Pap and K-Rod do their thing after a win, while Chamberlain only does it after the 8th inning, and I believe the game is still going on.)

And way too often, baseball has become too much "Hey, check me out," especially when it comes to those guys who stand and watch balls go out of the park. It's a two-way street in baseball, and pitchers too can show up the other team just like some hitters do.

For me, it's not a good trend in baseball, and it can lead to some hard feelings, especially among players like Dellucci who consider themselves "old school."

But it will be interesting to see what happens the next time Chamberlain faces Dellucci, as all of a sudden they have a history against each other.

3 Out of 4 in the City of Motors

Lots to enjoy about last night's Red Sox win in the finale at Comerica.

Kevin Youkilis is about the hottest hitter on Planet Earth right now, and he connected for another two-run shot last night, and his fourth homer in the four-game series. He and Mike Lowell both had big series in Detroit. David Ortiz, despite the knee that still sore, looks like he's out of the early season funk, hit two homers in this series. Youk is now tied with Big Papi and Manny Ramirez for the club lead in home runs with 7.

Josh Beckett got his career strikeout number 1000 last night, and eight in total last night. He scattered six hits in seven innings in getting his fourth win of the year. Encouraging work from the bullpen last night, as Terry Francona did not need to use Jonathan Papelbon or Hideki Okajima. Craig Hansen pitched a 1-2-3 eighth, and may very well be suited to be just a one-inning pitcher. (The times he's run into trouble this season has always been when he comes back for a second.) Manny Delcarmen, who's been struggling mightly this season, allowed just a single in closing out the 5-1 win. The Red Sox have now won eight of their last ten games.

This could easily have been a four-game sweep, but taking 3 of 4 in Detroit is quite a good thing. The Red Sox now move on to Minnesota for another four-game series with the Twins. Jon Lester takes the mound tonight against the Boofster and the Central-leading Twins.

A Small Miracle in Lower Manhattan

I came across a wonderful article recently written in The Ottawa Sun about St. Paul's Chapel, the magnificent little Episcopal church in Lower Manhattan that was just a block east of the World Trade Center. The church miraculously came away nearly without a scratch on September 11, 2001, and became a sanctuary for the rescue workers who worked tirelessly at the site in the aftermath of the disaster. The front of the church was covered with all kinds of tributes from people all over the world offering their sympathies after the terrorist attacks occurred.

You can read the article here.

I have gone to many events at St. Paul's over the last six years, and it is a beautiful little church that was founded in the mid-18th century, and before 9/11, it was best known as the place George Washington went to after taking the first oath of office as president in 1789 in New York. Now, there are all kinds of tributes to the 9/11 victims and that terrible day, with the most poignant being a beautiful special altar with pictures and remembrances of the 9/11 victims (pictured). My friend Joyce's picture is among them. St. Paul's has now become a major tourist spot, and every time I am there, people treat it with a special kind of reverence, which is really heartwarming to see.

St. Paul's is just a beautiful place for people to pray, but also remember. It is truly one of God's miracles. And it is a living testament to the best that man has to offer, in the aftermath of one of the worst days in our nation's history.

My thanks to the web site The Freedom Tower for originally linking the article on their site.

Bad Start, Nice Comeback, Awful Ending

The Red Sox fell behind the Tigers 4-0 early last night, as Clay Buchholz didn't have it. He gave up five runs total, but the Red Sox marched back with two home runs from Kevin Youkilis, a three-run bomb by Mike Lowell to tie it up at 8 (second time this week Mike fell just a triple short of the cycle), and Dustin Pedroia completed the comeback (or so we thought) with a pinch-single in the eighth to make it 9-8.

And Julio Lugo blows it all in the ninth.

He made his MLB-leading 10th error in the ninth with no outs, and it opened the door for Detroit to score two runs off Jonathan Papelbon and win, 9-8. And it was slightly ironic that the guy who hit the ball Lugo booted was Edgar (30 errors in 2005) Renteria.

It's been a horrific year for Lugo at SS, and he's on a pace to eclipse the one-year disaster that was Rent-a-Wreck in Boston in 2005. Lugo tried to get the runner going to second in the ninth, but the ball popped out of his glove and completely changed the inning. The fact Lugo was on base three times last night was totally forgotten by that one play in the ninth.

Well, Theo Epstein had to have this guy in 2007, and now he and the Red Sox are stuck with him for another two years after this, at $9 million per. Jed Lowrie isn't ready yet but has impressed in the field, so getting rid of Lugo now just isn't a viable option. Terry Francona won't toss him under the bus, and will probably go right back to him tonight.

He'd better shape up at short, as Alex Cora comes back this weekend from the DL. And there's still Lowrie waiting in the wings. You have to wonder if Lugo continues to have an awful year at the plate that Theo will finally admit his mistake with Lugo and eat the remaining part of his contract after the season and move him. Just like with Renteria after 2005.

Trivia Q&A: May 7

We had 14 teams in for Trivia on a special Wednesday night edition. It was good to see many of the regulars come out on a different night, and I appreciate so many of you like it enough to come out on another night just for us. Thank you.

We also had an exciting Red Sox game going on at the same time, so at times it was tough not to get caught up in it. We started Trivia Night early last night (shortly after 8:30 PM), and it would be a memorable night.

The scores were generally good for True or False and General Knowledge, but the scores were a bit low for Mother's Day Trivia, as they were rather difficult, especially the last two questions, which I increased in value. We had a close match going into the final round, with four teams within four points of each other. And Yours Truly goofed in IQ Trivia.

On the first question, I accepted both "tetrahedron" and "pyramid" as answers, when in retrospect after the night was over, I really should only have taken "tetrahedron." I was going to toss the question out, but since everyone said either answer, I gave everyone three points. Yes, I do goof every once in a while.

And if that wasn't enough, we had a tie after IQ Trivia was over, so we had to break the tie between the two teams, Waffle Fry Experience and Jim Euthanized Eight Belles With Jaeger. Since my pal Mike, a huge Phillies fan, was tending bar last night, I came up with this: "Chase Utley is currently leading the majors with how many home runs right now?" JEEBWJ got it exactly right with 13, and were awarded the title for the night. My congratulations to them.

Next week we return to Tuesday night at the usual time of 9 PM (or so). There won't be a Celtics game on that night no matter how their series goes, just a Red Sox game in Baltimore. Hope to see many of you then.

Current Events
1. This Eastern US city overtook Los Angeles for the title of America's "Most Sootiest City" for 2007.
2. A recent survey by a research firm showed this giant oil-producing country has the cheapest price of gasoline in the world, at just 12 cents a gallon.
3. Northwestern University last week withdrew an offer of an honorary degree to this controversial figure last week because the school wanted "to ensure that the celebratory character of their commencement not be affected."
4. Hundreds had to flee when a volcano that had been dormant nearly 10,000 years erupted in this South American country last week.
5. A cyclone ripped through this Asian country last weekend, and 100,000 people are feared dead in its aftermath.
6. This Hollywood superstar actor put out a 2 1/2 minute video on the Internet on Sunday in support of the candidacy or Barack Obama.
7. The estate of this late rock legend says that an amateur video that surfaced last week of him having sex with two women is bogus.

Answers: 1. Pittsburgh; 2. Venezuela; 3. Jeremiah Wright; 4. Chile; 5. Burma (Myanmar); 6. Tom Hanks; 7. Jimi Hendrix.

Mother's Day Trivia
1. In which month is Mother's Day normally celebrated in the UK? a. March; b. April; c. May; d. June.
2. What country celebrates Mother's Day on the last Sunday in November? a. Norway; b. Canada; c. Sweden; d. Russia.
3. What team did the Boston Red Sox defeat 6-5 with six runs in the bottom of the ninth last Mother's Day? a. New York Yankees; b. Baltimore Orioles; c. Toronto Blue Jays; d. Oakland A's.
4. Which US president declared the first national Mother's Day holiday? a. Abraham Lincoln; b. Teddy Roosevelt; c. Woodrow Wilson; d. FDR.
5. True or False: Mother's Day is now the most popular day to dine out at a restaurant in the US.
6. What day of the week, since 2001, is the most popular day in the US to have a baby on? a. Monday; b. Tuesday; c. Friday; d. Sunday. (2 points)
7. What month of the year, since 2001, is the most popular month in the US to have a baby in? a. April; b. June; c. August; d. November. (2 points)

Answers: 1. a; 2. d; 3. b; 4. c; 5. true; 6. b; 7. c.

True or False Trivia
1. The term "preppy" was derived from the word preparatory.
2. Penne pasta is in the shape of a shell.
3. In the movie "When Harry Met Sally," Harry first meets Sally on a blind date.
4. Only female bees work.
5. Jimmy Carter once said, "I have committed adultery in my heart many times."
6. The theme song to "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" was written by John Denver.
7. Crickets hear with their legs.
8. The word "satan" comes from the Hebrew meaning "adversary."
9. The Spanish word for pelican is "attica."
10. Michael Jackson narrated the soundtrack for "E.T. The Extraterrestial Album."

Answers: 1. true; 2. false, it's a tube; 3. false, they met on a car trip; 4. true; 5. true; 6. false, it was Paul Anka; 7. true; 8. true; 9. false, it's "alcatraz;" 10. true.

General Knowledge
1. The smallest county by area in the US is located in what state?
2. What city is home to a sports stadium that is nicknamed "The Ted?"
3. In the 2001 movie "Joe Dirt," the title character has what distinctive hair style?
4. In the Old Testament, who asks, "Am I my brother's keeper?"?
5. A circle with a diameter of one foot will have a circumference of approximately how many feet?
6. In hip hop lingo, what are "the ones and twos?"
7. What US president's real first name was Hiram?

Answers: 1. New York (Manhattan); 2. Atlanta; 3. mullet; 4. Cain; 5. three; 6. turntables; 7. Ulysses S. Grant.

IQ Trivia
1. What is the three-dimensional shape with four faces called? ( 3 points)
2. Who is the co-author of the 1998 nonfiction bestseller "The Art of Happiness?" ( 5 points)
3. Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer Ted Williams flew in the same Korean War fighter plane as what future astronaut? ( 4 points)
4. What architect designed the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? ( 4 points)

5. What poet was married to the author of the novel "Frankenstein?" ( 4 points)

Answers: 1. tetrahedron; 2. Dalai Lama; 3. John Glenn; 4. I.M. Pei; 5. Percy Bysshe Shelley.

He Won't Vote For McCain For What Reason?

I haven't commented on any of those "Letters to the Editor" recently, but I stumbled across one in today's Daily News that really threw me for a loop. Read this one:

El Paso, Tex: So I'm sitting here watching the Mets/D-Backs game on Sunday on WWOR. They interview John McCain, who says he grew up a Red Sox fan. Guess what, McCain? You just lost my vote. (Name withheld, for obvious reasons)

This one really had me shaking my head. This guy won't vote for John McCain because he used to be a Red Sox fan? As in, not any more? (McCain's now a Diamondbacks fan, being from Arizona, and they weren't founded until 1998.) There are plenty of legitimate reasons to vote or not vote for a certain candidate. His or her stand on the war, health care, education, illegal immigration, etc. But once again, I'm hearing from people who won't vote for a certain presidential candidate because of the baseball team they support. I remember a lot of the vitriol sent John Kerry's way in 2004 simply because he was a Red Sox fan. (Or at least said he was. Remember his famous "Manny Ortez" goof on ESPN?)

I couldn't care less what baseball or sports team a candidate says he or she roots for. There are too many important issues out there to make a final decision based on something as frivolous as what baseball team the person pulls for. (Many politicians come off as idiots when it comes to talking about sports teams anyway.) And for this guy, it's the fact the McCain once was a Red Sox fan makes him go over to his opponent.

At first I thought this letter may have just been a joke. But I'd lay down money this guy is serious.

We are truly finished as a nation.

We Want...A Shrubbery!

After a 16-day drought, Manny Ramirez finally belted his 497th home run, a moonshot in the seventh inning off Detroit reliever Freddy Dolsi over the 420 sign in center field and into some trees they have back there. (Or as the Tigers announcers said last night, "into the shrubbery.")

It was memorable, especially for Dolsi, as it was his MLB debut, and it was off the first pitch he threw in the majors. Something he can tell the grandkids one day: "The first pitch I ever threw in the majors was hit by Manny Ramirez for a home run into the center field shrubbery at Comerica."

TV trivia question: From what classic TV sitcom were the numbers "4-9-7" made famous in a four-part episode? (Answer below.)

David Ortiz also went deep, another blast that went about halfway up the right field seats. Then Manny hit his blast. But the story of the night was Tim Wakefield, who had his knuckler dancing all night long, and allowed just two hits in eight innings in winning, 5-0. At one point, he retired 17 straight batters. It may have been the best game he's ever pitched, and it took just 2 hours and 20 minutes to play. (And continues to make a BS liar out of one Wallace Matthews.)

The Red Sox have now won five straight, and have taken the first two games in Detroit. So far, Mike Lowell has gotten the monkey off his back, and on Tuesday night, Manny Ramirez did too, with his 497th home run, a "Knights Who Say Ni" (pictured) blast to deep center at Comerica.

Trivia answer: "4-9-7" was the combination to the moon safe that Jeannie was trapped in in a classic four-part episode of "I Dream of Jeannie." I can remember as a kid NBC had a contest to guess what the combination was, and someone won. Who? I have no idea.

Mother's Day Trivia on Wednesday

This coming Sunday marks that the day that honors that special person in all of our lives: our moms. So in special recognition of the holiday, we'll be having as our special category tomorrow night: Mother's Day Trivia. It will be seven questions about moms and their special day, and there will be two extra credit questions in there as well (the questions will all be multiple choice). So bone up on all that has to do with Mom's Day.

Tomorrow night is a special edition of Trivia Night this week, as it simply wasn't possible to have it Tuesday night due to the expected crowds at Thom's due to the Celtics game with Cleveland. (And a fair number of Red Sox fans as well.) We will return to the usual day and time next Tuesday. (We also hope to get going early tomorrow night as well, as it scheduled for an 8 PM start, but it will begin shortly after that.)

This week's Sneak Peek question is:
A circle with a diameter of one foot will have a circumference of approximately how many feet?

I hope many of you will come out for this week's special edition of Trivia on Wednesday.

Tragedy in Nashua

Last Friday night, an incident occurred in Nashua, New Hampshire that made news down here yesterday. Apparently, a 43-year-old woman named Ivonne Hernandez got into an argument with a 29-year-old man from that town and his girlfriend. Hernandez had been drinking in a local bar when the argument occurred.

The couple was joined by three other people, and when one of them noticed a New York Yankees sticker on the woman's car, they heckled her with chants of "Yankees Suck!" Hernandez, now in her car, gunned the engine and drove right at the hecklers in a parking lot, figuring they'd all scamper and she'd throw a scare into them.

But tragically, she hit Matthew Beaudoin, 29, and killed him. Hernandez has now been charged with reckless conduct, driving while intoxicated and second-degree murder.

The press are playing up the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry angle, but it sounds as if the original argument had nothing to do with baseball. A young man is now dead, and another woman's life is now ruined forever. Once again, automobiles and alcohol can prove to be a deadly combination.

In the wake of Matthew's tragic death, a petition is now up on the Internet from fans wanting the Red Sox to honor him. Sounds like a great idea. You can sign it by going here.

Let's hope the Red Sox do something for him, and especially for his family. (Thanks to Dan at Red Sox Monster for the link to the petition.)

It's Lowell

Well, those of you who answered my question of yesterday, "Which will happen first: Manny Ramirez hits his 497th home run or Mike Lowell drives in his first RBI of 2008?" Mike Lowell, you were correct.

Lowell went deep for the first time in his first at-bat in Detroit last night for his first homer and two RBI of this season in leading the Sox to a 6-3 win to extend their winning streak to four and six out of their last seven. He also had three hits, and came up just a triple short of the cycle.

Daisuke Matsuzaka had lots of problems with his control, as he walked 8 in five innings, but allowed just one run on two hits. Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz both went deep as well to pace the Red Sox attack.

Trivia Night Change This Week Only

A special alert to all the Trivia Night regulars of Professor Thom's. This week's Trivia Night has officially been moved to Wednesday night, May 7, at 8 PM. Because of the Celtics second round opening game and the large crowd it will draw to the bar (and it's 8 PM starting time), it will not be possible to have Trivia Night start at a proper hour. Next week we will be back at our usual Tuesday night, 9 PM contest.

We do apologize to all of you about the late notice of the change. The Sneak Peek question and the special category will be posted here tomorrow night. I hope many of you can make it in Wednesday.

Which Will Happen First?

Namely, Manny Ramirez' 497th home run or Mike Lowell's first RBI of 2008?

Both look really frustrated lately, especially Lowell. Manny's been stuck on 496 for over two weeks, and Mike just came off the DL last Tuesday. But the rest of the cast has picked it up nicely, and wailed on so-called Red Sox killer Scott Kazmir yesterday in his first start of the season as the Sox swept the upstart Rays, 7-3. (EVERY time I see Kazmir in Rays uniform I think to myself, "What the hell were the Mets thinking on July 30, 2004?")

David Ortiz got the day off to rest his knee, as Dustin Pedroia continued his torrent resurgence, and Jacoby Ellsbury scored twice and stole two bases. Jon Lester got his second win of the year in going six innings, allowing just a home run to Carlos Pena.

Now the Red Sox hit the road to Detroit, Minnesota and Baltimore, with Daisuke Matsuzaka going tonight at Comerica.

Clemens Apologizes. Sort of.

Roger Clemens issued an apology yesterday. You may ask for what, for using steroids? To Mike Piazza? For being a complete asshole to the Red Sox fans and every other fan base he's alienated? Well, whatever it was, here it is:

"I know that many people want to know what I have to say about the recent articles in the media," Clemens said in the statement. "Even though these articles contain many false accusations and mistakes, I need to say that I have made mistakes in my personal life for which I am sorry. I have apologized to my family and apologize to my fans. Like everyone, I have flaws. I have sometimes made choices which have not been right."

"Specifically," Clemens added, "I've been unfaithful in my marriage pretty much right from the get-go. So, sorry about that. Plus I've generally been an asshole to my wife and kids. There's also this perception that I'm a huge money-grubbing douchebag, which, I must say, has more truth to it than Rusty Hardin or any of my henchmen would ever admit. Additionally, as a boy, I was fond of stoning small animals to death from 15 or 20 feet away. I loved it. I tricked myself into thinking it was a budding pitcher's way of honing his control. That was bullshit. All apologies for it. Sorry about the succession of age-inappropriate hairstyles I've been sporting over the last decade or so, too. And kudos to my kids for not caring that much that I named them all with the same letter, the one that signifies a strikeout in the baseball-scoring kode. Sorry, Koby, Kory, Kacy, Kody. Sorry to you, too, Kevin, our fifth child that nobody knows about, because when you turned out to be a girl, we threw you down the well. Tough break. Really sorry."

"So, to recap," Clemens said, "sorry about a lifetime of atrocious conduct, but I never did HGH. If you believe that, now, I'm sorry you feel that way."

Actually, just the first paragraph was what The Texas Con Man issued, the rest was by my buddy Adam from Maine. (Thanks for the laugh my friend!) No, Clemens didn't apologize for using steroids. Just to his family and his fans. (Does he still have any? That is, family and fans?)

The comedy continues.

My Favorite Python Turns 65

A very Happy Birthday today to Michael Palin, who turns 65. I've had the pleasure of meeting Michael at a number of signings of his books, and he is genuinely a nice man, and my favorite member of Monty Python. His travel shows are always a joy to watch, and I saw his latest, "New Europe" earlier this year (despite the fact the Travel Channel bounced it around their schedule like the Yankees pitching rotation). Hope it's a great day for you Michael.

Thanks for all the laughs. "The Spanish Inquisition" (pictured) will make laugh until the day I die.

Speaking of birthdays, it's also a special anniversary. Red and Denton over at Surviving Grady, one of the best Red Sox fan sites on the Internet, are celebrating their fourth anniversary today. (Cinco De Mayo, a great day to begin!) A short while back, they were kind enough to put up a link for me. Surviving Grady is one of my daily morning stops when I get online, and if you've never been there, it's worth checking out. You can wish them well by going here.

Long may you rock, guys!

Moss Shelved as Sox Roll Again

The Red Sox bats were definitely out of the doldrums they were in earlier this week, as they blasted James Shields for seven runs in just over three innings, and went on to win, 12-4 at Fenway last night, as Josh Beckett went 8 innings, allowing four runs in getting his third win.

David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia each had three hits, but the struggles of Mike Lowell and Manny Ramirez continues. Lowell still doesn't have an RBI, and that can be chalked up to that thumb injury he suffered in April. It looks like it's still giving him trouble at the plate, although he looks terrific in the field.

And Manny is still stuck on 496 home runs, and has been there since April 20. He seems to be fouling pitches back he was hammering just a few weeks back.

Brandon Moss wasn't feeling well after Friday night's game, where he hit a long home run to center. Last night, the Red Sox sent him to Massachusetts General Hospital, where an emergency appendectomy was performed. He will be shut down for at least 10 days, and will be placed on the DL. No word as to who will be replacing him on the roster.

An interesting article in today's Boston Globe about fans wanting to leave their loved ones' ashes at Fenway after they leave this world. A funny line from Coco Crisp:
"It's kind of freaky knowing you're diving into somebody's grandpa."

Bloggers Are People Too, Buzz

On Saturday afternoon, I caught a replay on HBO of "Costas NOW," which is Bob Costas' sports show. (I've always enjoyed his take on sports, especially baseball. Very similar to mine.) He had a special live show on this week about sports and the media, and the part that's gotten the most attention has been the part of the show about the Internet. He had on Will Leitch of Deadspin, the entertaining sports blog, and Buzz Bissinger, who is the author of many books on sports, most notably, "Friday Night Lights" and "Three Nights in August," which is about Tony LaRussa and the St. Louis Cardinals. (An interesting book which I read a few years ago.) Their segment had some verbal fireworks on it, to say the least.

The YouTube clip gets off to a rollicking start, as Bissinger begins by telling Leitch, "I think you're full of shit." And Bissinger gets rolling on a long diatribe about how the Internet and sports bloggers are "dumbing down America." Bissinger came on the show looking like he had just swallowed a mouse, and comes off as a really crotchety old man. (He reminds me of those old men who would tell younger people, "It was much better in my day!") Bissinger comes off as elitist, and like he's talking down to Leitch and the audience. (Notice the way he's tilted in his chair.)

Bissinger is indeed correct about a lot of the negativity that pervades sports blogs, but he comes off as one of those sportswriters (Dan Shaughnessy comes to mind) who sees bloggers as nothing but a threat to their existence. He also seems to believe, like Shaughnessy has written, that most bloggers are guys in their underwear who live in their mother's basement and do nothing but take potshots at athletes (as well as sportswriters). Listen, there is plenty of crap on the Internet as far as sports bloggers goes. But there's also plenty of crappy sportswriters as well.

Bissinger seems to realize that sports bloggers are here to stay, but perceives us as the enemy. As far as I go, I try to keep my own blog as positive and upbeat as I can. I enjoy writing about the Red Sox, baseball, trivia, and anything else I feel passionate about. Do I have some negativity on my site from time to time? Sure. What blog doesn't? I try to write with some intelligence, and I hope my audience (however large or small it might be) out there enjoys it.

And no, I don't have a degree from a major university in journalism, but that doesn't mean I have no right to express my opinion. That's the beauty of the Internet. The Information Superhighway has good and bad, you just have to separate the two. And I don't hide here, as I have an address posted here if people wish to offer me feedback. And I enjoy hearing from people who check my site out.

I enjoy reading Deadspin from time to time (and as a matter of full disclosure, my site was linked to an article written there last year-thanks guys), and they have every right to exist. They have been very influential, and it drives most sportswriters like Bissinger insane. There are many well-written, funny, insightful sports sites out there. I have also seen many sites that are simply awful and not worth the time to try to read. But they have a right to exist, too.

Good and bad bloggers. Just like many sportswriters I've read in my life.

Get over it, Buzz. The Internet is here to stay. Get used to it.

BTW, the clip is just over 4 minutes, and some of the language "Pottymouth" Bissinger uses is more than a little colorful. You have been warned.

The Dam Breaks: Sox Score Seven

I went into Professor Thom's last night to take in the Red Sox-Famous Ray's game, but a two-and-a-half hour rain delay basically put the kibosh on that. The Celtics game dominated the screens, as my friends slowly left the bar. As the young folk made their way in, I decided to take in the game at home, should it finally start. By the time I got on the train for home, the game was underway. On my arrival home, the Red Sox were finally putting runs on the board. About time.

They scored seven last night. Five were scored in the fourth, all with two out. Brandon Moss crushed one above the camera well, and it was 2-0. It was 6-0 when the inning finished, and Clay Buchholz was on his way to his second victory of the year, 7-3. He went 5 1/3 innings, allowing one earned run. (But not before Javier Lopez and Manny Delcarmen, who both frighten me these days, let the Rays back into it.)

Speaking of cameras, have you all noticed the "new" camera angle that NESN debuted the other night? Reminds me of the one ESPN used back in 2001, the night Mike Mussina was almost perfect against the Red Sox. I didn't like that angle, as it was a bit too high up, and I felt like I was watching the game from the Goodyear (or was it Goodrich?) blimp. This one is a little higher than the one we are used to, but with this one, you get a better view of the umps calls, and you feel like you are directly behind the pitcher. The older one was skewed slightly to right.

Like most things in life, I'll get used to it. I'm just glad to see the Red Sox finally scoring more runs.

Buzzie Bavasi Dies at 93

Emil "Buzzie" Bavasi, the longtime general manager of the Dodgers, both in Brooklyn and Los Angeles, died at his home in La Jolla, California yesterday of respiratory failure. He was 93 years old. He was one of the last living connections to the Dodgers in Brooklyn, and served the club for nearly 30 years.

It's a shame that Mr. Bavasi was not elected to the Hall of Fame, while his nemesis, Walter O'Malley, was just inducted last year. He was also the first GM of the San Diego Padres, and also ran the California Angels in the 1970s. His son Bill is currently the GM of the Seattle Mariners.

My friend Chris had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Bavasi earlier this year, and said he was a joy to talk with. Chris has a nice tribute to him on his blog today, The Professor's Sox.

My sympathies to the family and friends of Mr. Bavasi. He will be missed.

Bats Stay Cold Again

It was another night of the Red Sox looking like they were swinging with holes in their bats, as they were shutout for the second time in four games, 3-0, at Fenway by AJ Burnett and the Toronto Blue Jays last night.

Tim Wakefield didn't pitch all that badly, allowing three runs in seven innings, but the Sox couldn't figure out Burnett, who is now 4-0 lifetime against the Red Sox.

In the last 54 innings, the Sox have scored just a meager 5 runs, going back to the three-run second inning last Friday night at Tampa. They haven't had a multiple run inning since. The pitching on the other hand, has allowed just 13 runs over the same span. And they have lost four of those six games.

There was some fireworks near the end of the game, as BJ Ryan was called for a balk on what was thought to be the final out of the game. Coco Crisp flied out, but ump Bruce Dreckman said Ryan didn't come to a full stop. Coco then singled, and thoughts of miracle comeback started dancing in the heads of the Fenway faithful. But Jed Lowrie got caught looking at a 3-2 pitch and it was over.

Tampa Bay comes to Fenway tonight, and they are percentage points in first over the Sox. Who would have guessed that on May 2 that would be even a remote possibility?

I'm Just "Mentoring" Them. Really.

From gate21.net:

Boy, am I enjoying watching the Texas Con Man's rep go further down the crapper!

Refreshing Their Memories

Last night at Madison Square Garden, the New York Rangers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins, 3-0, and avoided elimination in their NHL second round playoff series.

The Rangers were down 3-0 in the series to the favored Penguins, and the series returns to Pittsburgh tomorrow night.

I love how the media here in New York have mentioned that the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs and the 1975 Islanders (against Pittsburgh) are the only NHL teams to come back from a 3-0 deficit in a seven-game series to win. (And the Islanders almost did it twice that year. They fell behind 0-3 against the Flyers in the next series and fought back to Game 7, only to fall in that game.)

But they have very convienently forgotten the last (and most famous) American sports team to come back from 0-3 to win a series of seven games. I have seen NO mentions of it in any of the New York tabloid papers. (I guess they are doing their very best to forget about it.)

The above picture should help refresh their memories.

It's the gold standard of all perceived lost causes, the mother of all comebacks.

Pull out the 2004 World Series video, Rangers. It should be inspiring.

Another 9th Inning W

The Red Sox pulled off another ninth inning win last night, after another incredible pitchers duel, winning 2-1 for the second straight night over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Jason Varitek singled in Manny Ramirez (pictured), just one play after Brandon Moss' singled and Jed Lowrie was gunned down at home by a strong throw from center by Vernon Wells. Just before Tek's single, I was thinking to myself "They couldn't have two men thrown out at home in the same inning." And as I saw the throw coming home from Wells, I yelled at the screen, "Burn, Manny, burn!" And Manny made it by a nose, and Professor Thom's erupted in delight.

It was unfortunate that Daisuke Matsuzaka, who pitched 7 terrific innings and left with a 1-0 lead, didn't get the W, as the bullpen let the Sox down again, as Toronto tied the score on a scarfice fly. It was the fourth straight game the Red Sox got a game from a starter whow ent at least 7 innings and allowed two earned runs or less. Jonathan Papelbon pitched the ninth and got his second straight win.

It was an interesting night in the bar last night, as comedian Steven Wright, a longtime Red Sox fanatic, had a seat at the end of the bar and took in the game. There was also a large contingent of Celtics fans, who came in for the playoff game against Atlanta. Many were surprised that the Celtics game wasn't on the big screens or the sound of the Red Sox game was still on. There wasn't any problem, as a large group of Celtics faithful gathered around two of the TVs in the back to root on their heroes.

Thom's has a pecking order as far as the main TVs and large screen and which team gets it:
1. Red Sox
2. Everybody else

Once the Red Sox victory was completed, the Celtics game took charge. And that ended the night for me.

European Dream Ends For Liverpool

Liverpool's dream of going to the European Champions League Final against Manchester United ended on the field at Stamford Bridge in London last night, as Chelsea won the second leg of the semifinal with a thrilling 3-2 win.

The match ended with a 1-1 tie, but since the first leg also ended with the same score, the match continued into extra time. Chelsea had a goal called back because they were offsides early in the extra session, but won a penalty kick moments later and Frank Lampard shot it home to put Chelsea on top.

They added another goal to make it 3-1 from Didier Drogba, his second of the contest. It looked like it was all over, but Liverpool wouldn't go quietly into the night. With three minutes to play, Ryan Babel hit a screaming drive that goaltender Petr Chec couldn't catch up with, and Liverpool still had life. As the Merseyside faithful was dreaming of a comeback like three years ago in the final at Istanbul (and I couldn't help but think of the 2004 Red Sox again), time ran out on them and Chelsea earned their first berth ever in a European Championship final.

It was Liverpool's first semifinal loss in European club competition since 1965. It was a good run for the Reds, but it could have been very different. The own goal that John Arne Riise put in in injury time in the first leg at Liverpool cost the club dearly, as had the second match remained at 1-1, Liverpool would be facing United at Moscow next month for the title. So Riise wears the goat horns, and I bet the Liverpool fans won't soon let him forget it.

Makes me think of a certain first baseman who played for the Red Sox many years ago. You know, the guy who wore number 6...