The Red Sox dropped 2 out of 3 to the Tampa Bay Rays to open the season, a 4-3 afternoon loss. If they had opened last season like this against the Rays I'd be much more concerned, but now the Rays have the moniker "defending league champions" on their resume, so I can sleep a little better at night.
Daisuke Matsuzaka gave up three home runs yesterday, to Matt Joyce, Evan Longoria and Shawn Riggans. He threw 100 pitches in just over 5 innings, which brought back bad memories of "Evil Daisuke," the one that drives fans (as well as Terry Francona) crazy. He nibbles, walks batters and is vulnerable to the gopher ball. The bullpen was good overall (although Hideki Okajima struggled in the ninth), pitching 3 2/3 scoreless innings. (Ramon Ramirez continues to impress.)
The Sox did their best to comeback late in the game after falling behind 4-0. In the eighth it was 4-2 when Jed Lowrie came up with two men in scoring position and two outs. And for the second straight day in that position in the eighth, he struck out. Lowrie was terrific in spring training, batting .343, but he is struggling out of the gate when it counts, and so far is 1-for-12 with six Ks.
Kevin Youkilis had three hits yesterday, and Jason Varitek, who is 2-for-12 overall so far, hit his second HR in the ninth to make it 4-3. David Ortiz walked with two outs when the guy you want up there, Youk, stepped in. This had game-winning home run written all over it, but he hit a deep fly to center to end the game.
The Red Sox head to California for six games with the Angels and A's. It will be a somber night in Anaheim tonight as the Angels play the Sox in their first game since Nick Adenhart's tragic death.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Nick Adenhart: 1986-2009
I was at softball practice today in Manhattan and I was checking my phone for updates of the Red Sox-Rays game at Fenway Park. I hadn't checked any sports news in the morning, and on my cell I discovered that Angels rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart was tragically killed in a car accident in Fullerton, CA, after he had pitched in his first game of the year on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium against the Oakland A's.Nick Adenhart was only 22.
He was a player with a future, and had made the Angels rotation out of spring training. He was a 14th round draft pick in 2004 by the Angels, even after coming back from Tommy John surgery in high school. It was just his fourth MLB start, a game I watched briefly after the Red Sox game ended. By the time I returned home last night, Adenhart had been removed after pitching six shutout innings, and the Angels pen let the lead get away and he wound up getting a no-decision.
But hours after the game, Adenhart and three companions were driving in his sports car when it got hit by a drunk driver in a minivan who went through a red light and struck the car. Two of Adenhart's friends also perished in the crash. The third is in serious condition. The police caught the other driver a short time later, as he fled the scene on foot after the accident occurred.
Here is more on the tragedy.
It's a tragedy that affects all of baseball, and it will hit the Angels hard, losing a teammate as well as a friend. Tonight's Angels game with the A's was postponed, and the Angels will begin a series with the Red Sox beginning tomorrow in Anaheim.
But everyone's thoughts are with Nick's loved ones. My deepest condolences to the Adenhart family as well as all Angels fans.
Here is a video tribute to Nick Adenhart, from YouTube.
RIP Nick.
Undefeated Season Goes By the Boards
OK, the Red Sox got their first loss out of the way, and are now 1-1, as the defending AL champion Rays (still tough getting used to writing that) had their way with Jon Lester, getting five runs off him in five innings and cruised to a 7-2 at Fenway last night.
Lester looked very sharp the first two innings, striking out five of the first six hitters. But the fifth inning was his undoing. The Rays got two runs off him with the benefit of only one sharply hit ball. But Carlos Pena hit a long bomb into the bleachers that made it 5-1.
Terry Francona turned it over to the bullpen after that. In a scene eerily similar to Hideki Okajima in April 2007, Takashi Saito gave up a home run to Evan Longoria, the first batter he ever faced in a Red Sox uniform. The Sox had one last shot in the eighth, as Jed Lowrie came up with the bases loaded as the tying run with two out and the score 6-2. But he was called out on strikes to basically put the game on ice. (And what was with that strike zone by Bob Davidson last night? He was calling pitches six inches outside strikes for both teams. Brought back memories of the late Eric Gregg in the playoffs in 1997.)
It was a memorable night for Rocco Baldelli, as the Rhode Island-born outfielder made his Red Sox debut in right. He got one hit, and made a terrific sliding catch as well.
The only saving grace of the night was the Yankees, now alone in last in the AL East, got whacked by the Orioles, 7-5. Another starting pitcher of theirs, Chien-Ming Wang, got blasted for all seven runs. They have surrendered 17 runs in their first two games to the O's, and their newest Mr. Clutch, Mark Teixiera, went 1-fo-5, and is now batting .111.
Red Sox and Rays meet this afternoon with Daisuke Matsuzaka taking on Matt Garza. Make no mistake, the Rays are still a very good team, and this should be another grind-it-out race in the AL East.
Lester looked very sharp the first two innings, striking out five of the first six hitters. But the fifth inning was his undoing. The Rays got two runs off him with the benefit of only one sharply hit ball. But Carlos Pena hit a long bomb into the bleachers that made it 5-1.
Terry Francona turned it over to the bullpen after that. In a scene eerily similar to Hideki Okajima in April 2007, Takashi Saito gave up a home run to Evan Longoria, the first batter he ever faced in a Red Sox uniform. The Sox had one last shot in the eighth, as Jed Lowrie came up with the bases loaded as the tying run with two out and the score 6-2. But he was called out on strikes to basically put the game on ice. (And what was with that strike zone by Bob Davidson last night? He was calling pitches six inches outside strikes for both teams. Brought back memories of the late Eric Gregg in the playoffs in 1997.)
It was a memorable night for Rocco Baldelli, as the Rhode Island-born outfielder made his Red Sox debut in right. He got one hit, and made a terrific sliding catch as well.
The only saving grace of the night was the Yankees, now alone in last in the AL East, got whacked by the Orioles, 7-5. Another starting pitcher of theirs, Chien-Ming Wang, got blasted for all seven runs. They have surrendered 17 runs in their first two games to the O's, and their newest Mr. Clutch, Mark Teixiera, went 1-fo-5, and is now batting .111.
Red Sox and Rays meet this afternoon with Daisuke Matsuzaka taking on Matt Garza. Make no mistake, the Rays are still a very good team, and this should be another grind-it-out race in the AL East.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
This MVP Can Handle The Fastball Inside
So much for that jackass on the MLB 2009 The Show commercial who says Dustin Pedroia can't hit the inside fastball.Dustin made Kevin Whatshisname, their Director of Accuracy or whatever he calls himself, eat his words in the first inning yesterday as he took Little Game James Shields into the Monster seats with an inside fastball to get the 2009 season off with a bang and a 1-0 Red Sox lead.
From there Josh Beckett took over and showed them what a real "Big Game" pitcher is. He struck out two of the first three hitters he faced, and only ran into any problems twice. Tampa Bay loaded the bases in the third but scored only one, and had second and the third in the sixth with no outs and did not score. Commander Kick Ass allowed just two hits, struck out ten, walked three and threw just 93 pitches in getting his first ever win on Opening Day.
Jason Varitek also went deep for the Red Sox, and ball hit right down the line just inside the Pesky Pole. The Red Sox scored three in third off Shields on RBIs by J.D. Drew, Jason Bay and Mike Lowell to make it 4-1.
Hideki Okajima put two runners on in the eighth who eventually came around to score to make it 5-3. Jonathan Papelbon came on in the ninth to shut down the defending AL champions which included two strikeouts to end the first Red Sox win of 2009.
The huge crowd at Professor Thom's enjoyed just about every minute of it. It was good to be with so many friends who were glad to have regular season baseball back again. I couldn't be at Fenway yesterday, but I was at the next best place I could be at. And the Red Sox getting 2009 off to a flying start made the day even more special.
Trivia Q&A: April 7
We had a huge crowd in Professor Thom's on Tuesday, as the Red Sox opened their 2009 season in the late afternoon after being rained out Monday. A very big crowd turned out for the Sox 5-3 win and some stayed until Trivia Night started about two hours later.
We had 23 teams take part. The scorews weren't bad for Current Events and April baseball Trivia, but nothing spectacular. The scores were close throughout, and no team led by more than a point after any round. In IQ Trivia, the team of Gay Corn Huskers came from sixth place and six points down to capture a one-point win, as they were the only team to get three questions right in the round.
It was the team's very first win on Trivia Night, and my congratulations to them.
Current Events
1. Mount Redoubt, a volcano in this US state, had a series of explosive eruptions over the last few weeks.
2. A recent study found that this Eastern US city was the second "Least Wasteful City" among the top 25 cities in terms of conservation, after San Francisco.
3. The Postal Service announced last week that this TV family will be honored later this year with their own postage stamp.
4. A report by a group called Freedom House, a human rights group, says that this nation's Internet is the most controlled and the least free than any country in the world.
5. This daytime drama (aka soap opera) was canceled after being on the air for 72 years, as it began originally on the radio in 1937.
6. This New England city got the top spot in Forbes.com's rankings of "America's Most Liveable Cities" for 2009.
7. Name one of the two Eastern European nations that joined NATO for the first time last week.
Answers: 1. Alaska; 2. New York City; 3. The Simpsons; 4. China; 5. "The Guiding Light;" 6. Portland, Maine; 7. Albania and Croatia.
April Baseball Trivia
1. Which Hall of Fame pitcher is the only pitcher to throw a no-hitter on Opening Day? a. Bob Feller; b. Nolan Ryan; c. Catfish Hunter; d. Bob Gibson.
2. What city, for many years, hosted the "traditional" first Opening Day game? a. Boston; b. Chicago; c. Cincinnati; d. Detroit.
3. In April of what year did Hank Aaron break Babe Ruth's home run record? a. 1973; b. 1974; c. 1975; d. 1976.
4. Against what team did Roger Clemens set the single game strikeout record in April 1986? a. New York Yankees; b. Detroit Tigers; c. Seattle Mariners; d. Kansas City Royals.
5. What position did Jackie Robinson play for the Brooklyn Dodgers in his debut in April 1947? a. 1B; b. 2B; c. SS; d. 3B.
6. In April 1985, which Yankees manager was replaced by Billy Martin 16 games into the season? a. Bob Lemon; b. Dick Howser; c. Gene Michael; d. Yogi Berra.
7. Which slugging 1B holds the record for home runs in the month of April in the NL with 14? a. Derrek Lee; b. Albert Pujols; c. Adrian Gonzalez; d. Carlos Delgado.
Answers: 1. a; 2. c; 3. b; 4. c; 5. a; 6. d; 7.b.
True or False Trivia ("The Q Train")
1. A holographic will is one that is unsigned.
2. Bananas originated on the continent of Asia.
3. New Zealand was the first nation to grant women the right to vote.
4. The Curie is a unit that measures radioactivity.
5. A tie-game in tic-tac-toe is called a goose's game.
6. Almost all clouds are formed in the troposhere.
7. Muenster cheese is not considered a blue cheese.
8. A standard stick of butter weighs 8 ounces.
9. Nashville, TN is west of the Mississippi River.
10. The word "guru" originates from the Hindu religion.
Answer: 1. false, it is handwritten; 2. true; 3. true; 4. true; 5. false, a cat's game; 6. true; 7. true; 8. false, four; 9. false, east; 10. true.
General Knowledge
1. What is California's one-word state motto?
2. "Ars Gratia Artis" is a slogan featured on what movie studio's logo?
3. In 1986, Fannie Farmer published a classic book on what subject?
4. What is the largest lake in North America?
5. In what city is the largest Chinese settlement outside of Asia?
6. What famous rock group was originally called The Quarrymen?
7. Name 1 of the 2 countries that lies on "The Mosquito Coast."
Answers: 1. Eureka; 2. MGM; 3. cooking; 4. Lake Superior; 5. San Francisco; 6. The Beatles; 7. Nicaragua and Honduras.
IQ Trivia
1. In which of the 48 contiguous US states is the northernmost point in the United States? ( 3 points)
2. In what place of business would you find a Brannock device? ( 4 points)
3. Who was the first woman to be commemorated on a US postage stamp? ( 5 points)
4. Convicted criminal William Kemmler had the distinction of being the first to do what in 1890? ( 4 points)
5. In 1995, which Southern state was the last US state to ban the sale of alcohol to people under the age of 21? ( 4 points)
Answers: 1. Minnesota; 2. shoe store; 3. Martha Washington; 4. die in the electric chair; 5. Louisiana.
We had 23 teams take part. The scorews weren't bad for Current Events and April baseball Trivia, but nothing spectacular. The scores were close throughout, and no team led by more than a point after any round. In IQ Trivia, the team of Gay Corn Huskers came from sixth place and six points down to capture a one-point win, as they were the only team to get three questions right in the round.
It was the team's very first win on Trivia Night, and my congratulations to them.
Current Events
1. Mount Redoubt, a volcano in this US state, had a series of explosive eruptions over the last few weeks.
2. A recent study found that this Eastern US city was the second "Least Wasteful City" among the top 25 cities in terms of conservation, after San Francisco.
3. The Postal Service announced last week that this TV family will be honored later this year with their own postage stamp.
4. A report by a group called Freedom House, a human rights group, says that this nation's Internet is the most controlled and the least free than any country in the world.
5. This daytime drama (aka soap opera) was canceled after being on the air for 72 years, as it began originally on the radio in 1937.
6. This New England city got the top spot in Forbes.com's rankings of "America's Most Liveable Cities" for 2009.
7. Name one of the two Eastern European nations that joined NATO for the first time last week.
Answers: 1. Alaska; 2. New York City; 3. The Simpsons; 4. China; 5. "The Guiding Light;" 6. Portland, Maine; 7. Albania and Croatia.
April Baseball Trivia
1. Which Hall of Fame pitcher is the only pitcher to throw a no-hitter on Opening Day? a. Bob Feller; b. Nolan Ryan; c. Catfish Hunter; d. Bob Gibson.
2. What city, for many years, hosted the "traditional" first Opening Day game? a. Boston; b. Chicago; c. Cincinnati; d. Detroit.
3. In April of what year did Hank Aaron break Babe Ruth's home run record? a. 1973; b. 1974; c. 1975; d. 1976.
4. Against what team did Roger Clemens set the single game strikeout record in April 1986? a. New York Yankees; b. Detroit Tigers; c. Seattle Mariners; d. Kansas City Royals.
5. What position did Jackie Robinson play for the Brooklyn Dodgers in his debut in April 1947? a. 1B; b. 2B; c. SS; d. 3B.
6. In April 1985, which Yankees manager was replaced by Billy Martin 16 games into the season? a. Bob Lemon; b. Dick Howser; c. Gene Michael; d. Yogi Berra.
7. Which slugging 1B holds the record for home runs in the month of April in the NL with 14? a. Derrek Lee; b. Albert Pujols; c. Adrian Gonzalez; d. Carlos Delgado.
Answers: 1. a; 2. c; 3. b; 4. c; 5. a; 6. d; 7.b.
True or False Trivia ("The Q Train")
1. A holographic will is one that is unsigned.
2. Bananas originated on the continent of Asia.
3. New Zealand was the first nation to grant women the right to vote.
4. The Curie is a unit that measures radioactivity.
5. A tie-game in tic-tac-toe is called a goose's game.
6. Almost all clouds are formed in the troposhere.
7. Muenster cheese is not considered a blue cheese.
8. A standard stick of butter weighs 8 ounces.
9. Nashville, TN is west of the Mississippi River.
10. The word "guru" originates from the Hindu religion.
Answer: 1. false, it is handwritten; 2. true; 3. true; 4. true; 5. false, a cat's game; 6. true; 7. true; 8. false, four; 9. false, east; 10. true.
General Knowledge
1. What is California's one-word state motto?
2. "Ars Gratia Artis" is a slogan featured on what movie studio's logo?
3. In 1986, Fannie Farmer published a classic book on what subject?
4. What is the largest lake in North America?
5. In what city is the largest Chinese settlement outside of Asia?
6. What famous rock group was originally called The Quarrymen?
7. Name 1 of the 2 countries that lies on "The Mosquito Coast."
Answers: 1. Eureka; 2. MGM; 3. cooking; 4. Lake Superior; 5. San Francisco; 6. The Beatles; 7. Nicaragua and Honduras.
IQ Trivia
1. In which of the 48 contiguous US states is the northernmost point in the United States? ( 3 points)
2. In what place of business would you find a Brannock device? ( 4 points)
3. Who was the first woman to be commemorated on a US postage stamp? ( 5 points)
4. Convicted criminal William Kemmler had the distinction of being the first to do what in 1890? ( 4 points)
5. In 1995, which Southern state was the last US state to ban the sale of alcohol to people under the age of 21? ( 4 points)
Answers: 1. Minnesota; 2. shoe store; 3. Martha Washington; 4. die in the electric chair; 5. Louisiana.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Opening Days: Nothing Like It
Yesterday was one of those special days I always look forward to: baseball's Opening Day. Even though the Red Sox were rained out in Boston (and thankfully they called the game early in the morning) and I couldn't attend my opener at the Fens, I stayed in with my TV and checked out Opening Day around baseball.
Once again this year, I have the MLB Extra Innings package. And what a blessing it truly is. In addition to seeing the two New York teams in their local coverage, I saw games all over the USA and all day long. I watched a good part of the Dodgers-Padres game in San Diego, and Petco Park had the largest crowd in the park's short history. My friends Peggy and Ken were there, but the Padres came up a little short, 4-1.
I also watched some of the A's-Angels game, and it was strange seeing Nomar Garciaparra in an Oakland uniform. And since Matt Holliday obviously beat Nomar to the number 5, it was even more weird seeing him wear number 1. I'm looking forward to seeing Nomar's return to Fenway Park in the first week in July (assuming he's healthy, and that's NEVER a sure thing) and seeing him get the standing ovations he richly deserves.
The rebuilt Mets bullpen was stellar in their 2-1 win in Cincinnati, a game played in the rain and cold. 3 1/3 hitless innings pitched by Sean Green, J.J. (The Putz) Putz, and Francisco Rodriguez. And I really thought the Orioles were going to give a 6-1 lead away to the Yankees, as New York climbed back to 6-5 before the Orioles put it away in the eighth. And the Orioles fans sure let Mark Teixiera know they weren't happy with his decision to go to New York this past winter. (Check out my new countdown clock at the top of this blog.) Tex claims to be a lifelong Orioles fan, but also at times says it was his dream to be a Yankee. See you at Fenway on April 24, buddy.
Today, the Red Sox will kick off their 109th season against the Tampa Bay Rays, and it sounds like the weatherman will cooperate. Senator Ted Kennedy is scheduled to throw out the first ball if his health permits. They'll be a huge crowd at Thom's and I will be joining them. Since I am doing Trivia Night tonight, I can't go to the opener today. Thom's is certainly the next best thing.
Opening Day is here. Summer is not far behind. Thank goodness.
Once again this year, I have the MLB Extra Innings package. And what a blessing it truly is. In addition to seeing the two New York teams in their local coverage, I saw games all over the USA and all day long. I watched a good part of the Dodgers-Padres game in San Diego, and Petco Park had the largest crowd in the park's short history. My friends Peggy and Ken were there, but the Padres came up a little short, 4-1.
I also watched some of the A's-Angels game, and it was strange seeing Nomar Garciaparra in an Oakland uniform. And since Matt Holliday obviously beat Nomar to the number 5, it was even more weird seeing him wear number 1. I'm looking forward to seeing Nomar's return to Fenway Park in the first week in July (assuming he's healthy, and that's NEVER a sure thing) and seeing him get the standing ovations he richly deserves.
The rebuilt Mets bullpen was stellar in their 2-1 win in Cincinnati, a game played in the rain and cold. 3 1/3 hitless innings pitched by Sean Green, J.J. (The Putz) Putz, and Francisco Rodriguez. And I really thought the Orioles were going to give a 6-1 lead away to the Yankees, as New York climbed back to 6-5 before the Orioles put it away in the eighth. And the Orioles fans sure let Mark Teixiera know they weren't happy with his decision to go to New York this past winter. (Check out my new countdown clock at the top of this blog.) Tex claims to be a lifelong Orioles fan, but also at times says it was his dream to be a Yankee. See you at Fenway on April 24, buddy.
Today, the Red Sox will kick off their 109th season against the Tampa Bay Rays, and it sounds like the weatherman will cooperate. Senator Ted Kennedy is scheduled to throw out the first ball if his health permits. They'll be a huge crowd at Thom's and I will be joining them. Since I am doing Trivia Night tonight, I can't go to the opener today. Thom's is certainly the next best thing.
Opening Day is here. Summer is not far behind. Thank goodness.
Let's Talk Money
My friend Adam sent me a list of the top ten payrolls in baseball for 2009. The Red Sox are down to sixth. (The payroll obviously declined with Manny Ramirez and Curt Schilling coming off and no huge salaries taking their place.) The New York clubs are at the top, with the behemoths from the Bronx topping the Mets by over $67 million.
NY Yankees - $206,811,689
Here are the top 10 Opening Day payrolls, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts. These numbers include bonuses and money owed former players.
NY Yankees - $206,811,689
NY Mets - $139,102,235
Chicago Cubs - $137,945,612
Detroit Tigers - $129,598,000
Philadelphia Phillies - $128,307,380
Boston Red Sox - $122,624,689
LA Angels - $113,709,000
LA Dodgers - $109,175,853
Houston Astros -$105,035,000
Seattle Mariners - $99,596,926
Chicago White Sox - $98,418,500
Atlanta Braves - $97,692,834
St. Louis Cardinals - $93,612,500
Monday, April 06, 2009
Early Season Baseball Trivia on Tuesday
In honor of one of the greatest of all American traditions, baseball's Opening Day (the picture is of President Eisenhower throwing out the first pitch in 1957), the special category will be "April Baseball Trivia." There will be seven questions on events that have happened in MLB history in the traditional first month of the season (although the season has begun in March on rare occasions). And for those of you who aren't baseball fanatics like me, not to worry, it will be multiple choice.The Q Train lightning round will feature "True or False Trivia."
The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
In 1896, Fannie Farmer published a classic book on what subject?
The Red Sox opener, which I was supposed to go to, was rained out today, and has been rescheduled for Tuesday at 4 PM. The game should conclude before we get going, which will be at 9 PM. Hope to see many of you then.
Opening Day Postponed
The Red Sox called off their opener with the Tampa Bay Rays early today after the forecast for Boston all day was heavy rain. It will now be played tomorrow at 4:05 PM.
It is the first time since 2003 that the Red Sox home opener has been rained out. Here is more from Extra Bases.
It is the first time since 2003 that the Red Sox home opener has been rained out. Here is more from Extra Bases.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Dorks
From the Boston Globe Extra Bases Blog on Sunday. You have to love this:
In the clubhouse, there's confidence in the team -- at least from one corner.
In the clubhouse, there's confidence in the team -- at least from one corner.
Up on the white board near the door to the clubhouse was written, "Only two believe we broke the curse," with an arrow to the Boston Globe predictions. Under certain writers, who shall remain nameless, the word "dork" was written when the writers did not choose the Sox to win the World Series (even those who picked the Sox to go to the World Series). The ones who chose the Sox? They "believe."
Clearly the players think they have a long and fruitful season in store.
No matter what certain dorks think.Invoking Buckner Doesn't Work Guys
I saw thousands of Red Sox fans at Citi Field the past two days, and saw no fights or anything remotely looking any angry altercations with any Mets fans. But I did make a few mental notes about what I saw.
Before the game on Friday night, there was some loudmouth Mets fan in the section next to us, randomly yelling out nonsense about the Red Sox. His main theme seemed to be "Buckner." This guy actually believed that yelling the name of the great former Red Sox player actually enrages Red Sox fans, like it is some kind of taunting device we've never gotten over. Funny some Mets fan trying use "Buckner" as a choker. Have you been watching baseball the last few Septembers, buddy? (Having so many family and friends as Mets fans I hate to point that out.)
I also saw some Mets fan wearing a team jersey that had "BUCKNER E-3" on the back of it. Looked pretty new to me, and if he wore it with the idea of "giving it" to Red Sox fans, well, see the above paragraph.
I also saw two rather "brave" souls at Citi Field yesterday. I saw a woman wearing a Cole Hamels jersey, and after the events of the last two Septembers, she better have had a bodyguard accompanying her. I also some guy wearing a "BOSTON STILL SUCKS" shirt, and naturally, he was also wearing a Yankee hat. That reminds me so much of those desperate Red Sox who wore "YANKEES SUCK" shirts while New York was winning championships. More than a little pathetic. And I guess he figured he was going to get some sympathy from Mets fans.
Bet that didn't happen.
Before the game on Friday night, there was some loudmouth Mets fan in the section next to us, randomly yelling out nonsense about the Red Sox. His main theme seemed to be "Buckner." This guy actually believed that yelling the name of the great former Red Sox player actually enrages Red Sox fans, like it is some kind of taunting device we've never gotten over. Funny some Mets fan trying use "Buckner" as a choker. Have you been watching baseball the last few Septembers, buddy? (Having so many family and friends as Mets fans I hate to point that out.)
I also saw some Mets fan wearing a team jersey that had "BUCKNER E-3" on the back of it. Looked pretty new to me, and if he wore it with the idea of "giving it" to Red Sox fans, well, see the above paragraph.
I also saw two rather "brave" souls at Citi Field yesterday. I saw a woman wearing a Cole Hamels jersey, and after the events of the last two Septembers, she better have had a bodyguard accompanying her. I also some guy wearing a "BOSTON STILL SUCKS" shirt, and naturally, he was also wearing a Yankee hat. That reminds me so much of those desperate Red Sox who wore "YANKEES SUCK" shirts while New York was winning championships. More than a little pathetic. And I guess he figured he was going to get some sympathy from Mets fans.
Bet that didn't happen.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Citi Field's Open For Business
I attended both exhibition games that Open Citi Field this weekend, games between the Mets and Red Sox. The weather was horrific, but I'm glad I had a chance to witness history.I was part of a group that got tickets in the left field stands in the top deck. It really didn't look like there would be a game last night, as the forecast was for rain all day. But we got a break in the late afternoon, and the game began on time, at 6:10 PM. (I noticed that the Game at Citi began one hour before the opener at the newest Yankee Stadium. Could there be a reason why the Mets opened the park before the Yankees did on the same day?)
The park wasn't half-filled, as I'm sure many people believed the game wouldn't be played and didn't show. I walked around Citi Field for an hour before the game and I was very impressed with it. It reminds me a lot of Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, and Petco Park in San Diego. I like the two huge scoreboards, especially the one in right field, which reminds me of the old Shea scoreboard a bit (that was always one of the old park's best attributes). I also like the new out of town board in left, as it has the "diamond" included in the scores, as you can now tell how many outs and the runners on base in those games (I could only see it during the second game however.). It's available in a few other new parks, and I'm glad Citi Field is using it too. I am big time scoreboard watcher (even in April) and I like that a lot.
I was sitting in heaven in the left field stands beneath the out of town scoreboard, about five rows from the top of the stadium. Sitting there I could not see the deep fly balls hit to the outfield, so I had to judge by the fans reaction what happened. (There were video screens put up for those fans just above our heads, but most of them weren't working yet.) It was a cold, windy night and I didn't dress for it, wearing my Red Sox jersey and a jacket, so I froze up there.
Dustin Pedroia got the first hit in Citi Field history, a double in the first. J.D. Drew scored the first run in the fourth inning, on a double by Chris Carter. The Mets grabbed the lead, 3-1 by the fifth inning, and when it concluded, the heavens opened up. I was determined that if there was a rain delay, I was calling it a night, and I did. I got home in time to see that the game resumed and caught the last two innings, as the Mets won their first game in their new home, 4-3.
My friend Jere of "A Red Sox Fan From Pinstripe Territory" had an extra ticket to Saturday's game, so I took him up on his offer and went. I dressed a lot more warmly for this game and I'm glad I did. I met up with Jere and his two friends, Marcus and Jim, and we sat about 10 sections over from where I was last night. The seat was in the fourth row and provided a much better view of the field (although the left-field corner was cut off). There was a bigger crowd to this game than to last night.
We took our seats and Oliver Perez couldn't find the plate, walked four and gave up a grand slam to Jed Lowrie, the first homer in the park's two-day history, to put the Red Sox up, 6-0. The Daisuke Matsuzaka Walk Parade was on in the first, as he walked two and loaded the bases in the second, but the Mets did not score. He went four innings, did not allow a run, and got the win. Jason Varitek hit the second home run in the sixth (my friend Adam can't be happy about that) and the Sox coasted to a 9-3 win.
Shortly after Tek's blast, the four of us left our seats and toured the park a bit. I was really impressed with the Bullpen Cafe, where you can view both bullpens up close (about 20 feet away). I am also happy to see the Mets brought back not only the original Home Run Apple, but the skyline they had on the Shea scoreboard (it still has the World Trade Center covered over with the red, white and blue ribbon). We eventually settled into some seats in the field level section behind first base. Just a fabulous view of the game, as there were no ushers stopping anyone to see tickets.
Citi Field sure is a gigantic step up from Shea Stadium. (The most surreal moment for me this weekend was looking out of the subway and seeing Shea gone. Then to see Citi Field right next to where it should have been, in all its glory.) It's not perfect, as the PA system sounded a bit muffled, strange for a new ballpark, and the right field wall is strangly shaped, and you can bet there will be fan interference on balls hit out there, as they can reach out on balls hit in the lower part of the fence. And could someone explain to me, why are there two speakers on the field behind home plate? And why is the wall behind home plate made of brick? Both of these things are recipes for disaster, as some catcher will get hurt slamming into them.
Despite the bad weather, I enjoyed the weekend in Queens. Overall, it felt like the Mets were a home team in a foreign ballpark. Mets fans have a special new ballpark, and after years being stuck at Shea, I hope they appreciate it.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Doesn't Look Good For Tonight
It looks as if the Red Sox-Mets game at Citi Field, New York's best new ballpark, will probably not be played, as the forecast is for rain all day and into the evening. It's a 6:10 PM start, with Jon Lester scheduled against Livan Hernandez.
As long as the game isn't postponed in the early evening, I'll be making the trek to Queens and Citi Field by subway. I'll be sitting in the left field top deck with a group of 25 of my friends. I want to see the new place and take a few pictures. It looks like I'll be back to Citi Field tomorrow, as my friend Jere of "A Red Sox Fan From Pinstripe Territory" is coming down to New York to see games in both of New York's new parks and offered me a ticket to Saturday's game. (Oh yeah, they are opening another stadium in this city, right?)
Funny post from Terry Francona's Twitter page today, as I am a follower:
"Citi Field tonight. I'm sure it will beat playing at Shea. That place was a dump."
Shea's gone, but it sure hasn't been forgotten.
As long as the game isn't postponed in the early evening, I'll be making the trek to Queens and Citi Field by subway. I'll be sitting in the left field top deck with a group of 25 of my friends. I want to see the new place and take a few pictures. It looks like I'll be back to Citi Field tomorrow, as my friend Jere of "A Red Sox Fan From Pinstripe Territory" is coming down to New York to see games in both of New York's new parks and offered me a ticket to Saturday's game. (Oh yeah, they are opening another stadium in this city, right?)
Funny post from Terry Francona's Twitter page today, as I am a follower:
"Citi Field tonight. I'm sure it will beat playing at Shea. That place was a dump."
Shea's gone, but it sure hasn't been forgotten.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
"The Lost Son of Havana"
A very special film will make its debut this coming April 23rd at the Tribeca Film Festival here in New York. It is called "The Lost Son of Havana," and it's about all-time Red Sox fan favorite Luis Tiant and his journey back to his home in Cuba, which he had not seen in nearly 46 years."The Lost Son of Havana" is written and directed by eight-time National Sports Emmy winner Jonathan Hock, and it is presented by the Farrelly Brothers, who are the executive producers. Producer Kris Meyer met Tiant a few years back and told him it was a dream that he had to go back to his homeland. Meyer contacted the Farrellys, big Red Sox fans and makers of such films as "There's Something About Mary,""Kingpin" and "Fever Pitch." They got the ball rolling and Tiant was able to return to Cuba, and the filmmakers tagged along and documented Louie's dream come true.
The film includes Tiant's memorable baseball career (it should be a "Hall of Fame career" but that's another story), but the centerpiece of "The Lost Son of Havana" is Tiant's pilgrimage to Cuba, and how it helps Louie look forward to rest of his life by taking a look back at the place of his birth.
Both baseball history and political history are interwoven into the story, which includes Louie's father, who was a star lefty pitcher in Cuba, as well as in the Negro Leagues, and faced many American baseball stars, including Babe Ruth. His father and mother's return to Boston in 1975 to see their son pitch for the Red Sox in the World Series is recalled, along with Senator George McGovern's efforts to get them to the US after a late-night meeting with Fidel Castro. (Both of Louie's parents would pass away at his home, and within days of each other in 1976.)
"The Lost Son of Havana" is a Luis Tiant fans have never seen before, a man at the crossroads of his life at age 67, back where it all started for him.
The documentary is narrated by Academy Award-winning actor Chris Cooper, and it also features El Tiante's Red Sox teammates Carl Yastrzemski and Carlton Fisk, Peter Gammons and George McGovern. The film will make its debut at the Tribeca Film Festival on Thursday night, April 23rd, in two theaters at the AMC Village VII Cinema, on Third Avenue and E. 11th Street in Manhattan. There will be two shows that night, and tickets go on sale April 7th to Amex customers and April 14th to the general public. Here's more from the Tribeca Film Festival's web site.
I hope you can join us at the AMC Village VII Cinemas on April 23rd, as it's sure to be a memorable night, seeing a touching film about an unforgettable man and his journey home.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Youk on The Silver Screen?
Today on his site, The Joy of Sox, Allan pointed out something I never knew. Our very own first baseman, Kevin Youkilis, once appeared in a film as a youngster. It was "Milk Money," a feature film from 1994 that starred Ed Harris and Melanie Griffith.
He has an extremely brief appearance, one that lasts just a few seconds. In the following clip from YouTube, you can see a young Youk on the far right of the scene collecting money from kids as they enter a room. Youk is about 14 years old. And yes, he has hair.
But it's on the top of his head. The famous goatee is still a thing of the future. (My thanks to Allan for pointing this out and the link to the clip.)
Enjoy.
He has an extremely brief appearance, one that lasts just a few seconds. In the following clip from YouTube, you can see a young Youk on the far right of the scene collecting money from kids as they enter a room. Youk is about 14 years old. And yes, he has hair.
But it's on the top of his head. The famous goatee is still a thing of the future. (My thanks to Allan for pointing this out and the link to the clip.)
Enjoy.
Trivia Q&A: March 31
We had 17 teams in for Trivia on Tuesday night, and it was a very interesting evening. We had a five-way tie for first place after the second round, and I don't think that's ever happened. The scores were strong for Current Events and 1-2-3-4 Trivia, but only so-so for Comedy Trivia.
There was another correction I had to make on one of my questions. The question was the one about the number of sets in volleyball, which for men is 3 out of 5. But it was also pointed out that for women's beach volleyball, it is 2 out of 3 for a win. So I did accept two as an answer.
It was close going into IQ Trivia, with the top six teams separated by just three points. But something happened tonight that hasn't happened in a few months: a tie. So I pulled out a question I had been saving for just such an occurance. "How many years was the Tower Records store on E. 4th Street and Broadway at that location?" Both guesses were close, but the team of We Don't Need Rob to Help Us Suck at Trivia guessed 26, and were the winners as they were the closest. (The actual answer is 23.) Congratulations to Rob and his friends on the victory, their first in quite some time.
Current Events
1. Parade magazine's annual "World's Worst Dictators" list has this African strongman with the top spot for 2009.
2. For the sixth consecutive year, this Western US state tops the list as "The Most Dangerous US State" as it is number one in the US for car theft and robbery.
3. This TV funnyman encouraged his viewers to vote for his name in an online Space Station room naming contest, and he wound up winning.
4. Mirek Topolanek resigned as Prime Minister of this eastern European country last week after his government lost a parliamentary confidence vote.
5. Dan Seals, a singer in this famous two-man 1970s pop group, died last week at the age of 61.
6. This Academy Award-winning actor has won the role of Larry in the upcoming Farrelly brothers film, "The Three Stooges."
7. Luiz Inacio de Silva, president of this country, stunned British Prime Minister Gordon Brown at a press conference with wild accusations that the world's financial crisis was caused by "white people with blue eyes."
Answers: 1. Robert Mugabe; 2. Nevada; 3. Stephen Colbert; 4. Czech Republic; 5. England Dan and John Ford Coley; 6. Sean Penn; 7. Brazil.
Comedy Trivia
1. What standup comedy legend had a hit movie and album in 1982 called "Live On The Sunset Strip?"
2. "Angela" is the actual title of what hit late 1970s/early 1980s comedy series' theme song?
3. What is the only comedy film to win the Best Picture Oscar in the last 30 years?
4. What 1990s comedy series won a record five consecutive Emmy Awards as Best Comedy Series?
5. What comedienne got into hot water when many felt she did a disrespectful singing of the Star Spangled Banner before a San Diego Padres game in 1990?
6. What immortal Hollywood comedian portrayed such movie characters as Otis B. Driftwood, Rufus T. Firefly and Hugo Z. Hackenbush?
7. The 1994 book "Don't Stand Too Close to a Naked Man" recalls what comedian/TV star's time in prison?
Answers: 1. Richard Pryor; 2. "Taxi;" 3. "Shakespeare in Love;" 4. "Frasier;" 5. Roseanne Barr; 6. Groucho Marx; 7. Tim Allen.
1-2-3-4 Trivia ("The Q Train")
1. This is number place is the lowest the US has ever finished in the overall medals in the Summer Olympics.
2. The number of MLB players who've hit at least 700 HRs in a season.
3. Cancer is the number sign of the Zodiac.
4. Catcher is this number on a baseball team.
5. A Beatles greatest hits album from 2000 was this number.
6. This is the number of Noble Truths in Buddhism.
7. The number of US presidents who have been impeached.
8. On a telephone, this number key is associated with the letters D,E, and F.
9. In volleyball, this is the number of sets needed to be won to win a whole match.
10. The number of WBC titles won by Japan.
Answers: 1. three; 2. three; 3. four; 4. two; 5. one; 6. four; 7. two; 8. three; 9. three (I also accepted two); 10. two.
General Knowledge
1. What Midwest city is known as "The Rubber Capital of the World?"
2. What is the name of the mascot of the Philadelphia Phillies?
3. A song by what rock group was used as the theme song of Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign?
4. What Roman emperor was rumored to have declared his horse a high priest of his temple?
5. What ingredient gives guacamole its green color?
6. According to the "Guinness Book of World Records," in what US state can you find the world's tallest tree?
7. Who was the co-anchor of the TV news program "20/20" for 21 years before stepping down in 1999?
Answers: 1. Akron, OH; 2. The Philly Phanatic; 3. Fleetwood Mac; 4. Caligula; 5. avocado; 6. California; 7. Hugh Downs.
IQ Trivia
1. What television show used to regularly feature a chimpanzee named J. Fred Muggs? ( 5 points)
2. The Islands of Murano and Burano are found in what coastal European city? ( 4 points)
3. What Civil War battle is considered the bloodiest and deadliest one-day battle in American history? ( 4 points)
4. The US Constitution has how many amendments? ( 3 points)
5. In Scandinavian mythology, what is the home of warriors who are slain in battle? ( 4 points)
Answers: 1. "The Today Show;" 2. Venice; 3. Antietam; 4. twenty-seven; 5. Valhalla.
There was another correction I had to make on one of my questions. The question was the one about the number of sets in volleyball, which for men is 3 out of 5. But it was also pointed out that for women's beach volleyball, it is 2 out of 3 for a win. So I did accept two as an answer.
It was close going into IQ Trivia, with the top six teams separated by just three points. But something happened tonight that hasn't happened in a few months: a tie. So I pulled out a question I had been saving for just such an occurance. "How many years was the Tower Records store on E. 4th Street and Broadway at that location?" Both guesses were close, but the team of We Don't Need Rob to Help Us Suck at Trivia guessed 26, and were the winners as they were the closest. (The actual answer is 23.) Congratulations to Rob and his friends on the victory, their first in quite some time.
Current Events
1. Parade magazine's annual "World's Worst Dictators" list has this African strongman with the top spot for 2009.
2. For the sixth consecutive year, this Western US state tops the list as "The Most Dangerous US State" as it is number one in the US for car theft and robbery.
3. This TV funnyman encouraged his viewers to vote for his name in an online Space Station room naming contest, and he wound up winning.
4. Mirek Topolanek resigned as Prime Minister of this eastern European country last week after his government lost a parliamentary confidence vote.
5. Dan Seals, a singer in this famous two-man 1970s pop group, died last week at the age of 61.
6. This Academy Award-winning actor has won the role of Larry in the upcoming Farrelly brothers film, "The Three Stooges."
7. Luiz Inacio de Silva, president of this country, stunned British Prime Minister Gordon Brown at a press conference with wild accusations that the world's financial crisis was caused by "white people with blue eyes."
Answers: 1. Robert Mugabe; 2. Nevada; 3. Stephen Colbert; 4. Czech Republic; 5. England Dan and John Ford Coley; 6. Sean Penn; 7. Brazil.
Comedy Trivia
1. What standup comedy legend had a hit movie and album in 1982 called "Live On The Sunset Strip?"
2. "Angela" is the actual title of what hit late 1970s/early 1980s comedy series' theme song?
3. What is the only comedy film to win the Best Picture Oscar in the last 30 years?
4. What 1990s comedy series won a record five consecutive Emmy Awards as Best Comedy Series?
5. What comedienne got into hot water when many felt she did a disrespectful singing of the Star Spangled Banner before a San Diego Padres game in 1990?
6. What immortal Hollywood comedian portrayed such movie characters as Otis B. Driftwood, Rufus T. Firefly and Hugo Z. Hackenbush?
7. The 1994 book "Don't Stand Too Close to a Naked Man" recalls what comedian/TV star's time in prison?
Answers: 1. Richard Pryor; 2. "Taxi;" 3. "Shakespeare in Love;" 4. "Frasier;" 5. Roseanne Barr; 6. Groucho Marx; 7. Tim Allen.
1-2-3-4 Trivia ("The Q Train")
1. This is number place is the lowest the US has ever finished in the overall medals in the Summer Olympics.
2. The number of MLB players who've hit at least 700 HRs in a season.
3. Cancer is the number sign of the Zodiac.
4. Catcher is this number on a baseball team.
5. A Beatles greatest hits album from 2000 was this number.
6. This is the number of Noble Truths in Buddhism.
7. The number of US presidents who have been impeached.
8. On a telephone, this number key is associated with the letters D,E, and F.
9. In volleyball, this is the number of sets needed to be won to win a whole match.
10. The number of WBC titles won by Japan.
Answers: 1. three; 2. three; 3. four; 4. two; 5. one; 6. four; 7. two; 8. three; 9. three (I also accepted two); 10. two.
General Knowledge
1. What Midwest city is known as "The Rubber Capital of the World?"
2. What is the name of the mascot of the Philadelphia Phillies?
3. A song by what rock group was used as the theme song of Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign?
4. What Roman emperor was rumored to have declared his horse a high priest of his temple?
5. What ingredient gives guacamole its green color?
6. According to the "Guinness Book of World Records," in what US state can you find the world's tallest tree?
7. Who was the co-anchor of the TV news program "20/20" for 21 years before stepping down in 1999?
Answers: 1. Akron, OH; 2. The Philly Phanatic; 3. Fleetwood Mac; 4. Caligula; 5. avocado; 6. California; 7. Hugh Downs.
IQ Trivia
1. What television show used to regularly feature a chimpanzee named J. Fred Muggs? ( 5 points)
2. The Islands of Murano and Burano are found in what coastal European city? ( 4 points)
3. What Civil War battle is considered the bloodiest and deadliest one-day battle in American history? ( 4 points)
4. The US Constitution has how many amendments? ( 3 points)
5. In Scandinavian mythology, what is the home of warriors who are slain in battle? ( 4 points)
Answers: 1. "The Today Show;" 2. Venice; 3. Antietam; 4. twenty-seven; 5. Valhalla.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Schilling's Mirror Image?
I've talked about over the past week about Curt Schilling and his retirement. The debate is currently going on about whether he will make it into Cooperstown with the other immortals. (I feel he merits it, whether on the first ballot or not.)
I got a fascinating email from my friend Dave yesterday, and he points an incredible comparison between Schilling's last 11 seasons and one of the game's all-time greats, and it is striking to say the least.
Dave wrote that the fine ESPN.com writer Rob Neyer pointed out this about Schilling:
Neyer feels Schilling is a first-ballot Hall of Famer because of what he did from the time of his 30th birthday on, and his postseason heroics. Here is what Curt did from 199-2007:
11 seasons, 164-94 win-loss, 9 saves, 2,316 strikeouts in 2,272 2/3 innings. 3.45 ERA versus league average of 4.60 (133 ERA+). 1.117 WHIP.
Superior numbers indeed. And then he pointed to the numbers of one of the greatest pitchers of all-time. Can you guess who this is?
12 seasons, 165-87 win-loss, 9 saves, 2,396 strikeouts in 2,324 1/3 innings. 2.76 ERA versus league average of 3.62 (131 ERA+). 1.106 WHIP.
Those are the numbers of one Sandy Koufax. And it is his numbers over his entire career. Koufax' ERA is quite lower, but he also in pitched in era when pitchers dominated baseball. The ERA+ is adjusted for the league ERA of the time, and it is incredibly close. They both struck out more than 1 batter an inning. Schilling and Koufax were both thought of as just mediocre pitchers at the start of their careers (Schilling did blossom until 1992, five years in, and Koufax until 1961, six years in). They also were both on multiple World Series championship teams: Koufax four, and Schilling three.
Of course, when Koufax retired, no one thought he wasn't a Hall of Famer, as he was hands down the best pitcher in baseball for six years. Schilling didn't dominate the way Koufax did, as he never won a Cy Young Award or pitched any no-hitters.
But is incredible to see just how close the second-half of Schilling's career mirrored Koufax's career in terms of overall stats. You'd never think of them in the same category of pitching dominance, but it also helps Curt's cause of him joining Koufax among the game's immortals.
I got a fascinating email from my friend Dave yesterday, and he points an incredible comparison between Schilling's last 11 seasons and one of the game's all-time greats, and it is striking to say the least.
Dave wrote that the fine ESPN.com writer Rob Neyer pointed out this about Schilling:
On the day Curt Schilling turned 30 -- in 1996 -- his career record in the majors was 52 wins and 52 losses. Nobody would have given you a plugged nickel for his chances of someday getting his own plaque in Cooperstown.
And since turning 30? 164 wins, 94 losses.
Neyer feels Schilling is a first-ballot Hall of Famer because of what he did from the time of his 30th birthday on, and his postseason heroics. Here is what Curt did from 199-2007:
11 seasons, 164-94 win-loss, 9 saves, 2,316 strikeouts in 2,272 2/3 innings. 3.45 ERA versus league average of 4.60 (133 ERA+). 1.117 WHIP.
Superior numbers indeed. And then he pointed to the numbers of one of the greatest pitchers of all-time. Can you guess who this is?
12 seasons, 165-87 win-loss, 9 saves, 2,396 strikeouts in 2,324 1/3 innings. 2.76 ERA versus league average of 3.62 (131 ERA+). 1.106 WHIP.
Those are the numbers of one Sandy Koufax. And it is his numbers over his entire career. Koufax' ERA is quite lower, but he also in pitched in era when pitchers dominated baseball. The ERA+ is adjusted for the league ERA of the time, and it is incredibly close. They both struck out more than 1 batter an inning. Schilling and Koufax were both thought of as just mediocre pitchers at the start of their careers (Schilling did blossom until 1992, five years in, and Koufax until 1961, six years in). They also were both on multiple World Series championship teams: Koufax four, and Schilling three.
Of course, when Koufax retired, no one thought he wasn't a Hall of Famer, as he was hands down the best pitcher in baseball for six years. Schilling didn't dominate the way Koufax did, as he never won a Cy Young Award or pitched any no-hitters.
But is incredible to see just how close the second-half of Schilling's career mirrored Koufax's career in terms of overall stats. You'd never think of them in the same category of pitching dominance, but it also helps Curt's cause of him joining Koufax among the game's immortals.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Comedy Trivia on Tuesday
In honor of the fact that this Wednesday is April Fool's Day, the special category for Trivia Night this week will be "Comedy Trivia," seven questions from the world of comedy from TV, movies, standup, that sort of thing. (No, there won't be any questions on Redd Foxx. I just included that picture of his classic comedy album, as it is very funny, and I always liked the title and cover.)The Q Train lightning round this week will be another round of "1-2-3-4 Trivia." I got some good feedback from when we did it a couple of weeks ago, so we're doing it again. It will be 10 questions that will have an answer being one of those four numbers.
The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
A song by what rock group was used as the theme song of Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign?
We'll get going at the usual time of 9 PM on Tuesday, so I hope many of you can join in on Trivia Night with us.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Schill: An Appreciation
Well, as we all know, Curt Schilling brought his 20-year baseball career to an official end earlier this week. He put up some good numbers in his career, such as 216 total wins, 3,116 strikeouts and three 20-win seasons. But it will be the postseason heroics for which he will forever be remembered.
He was on three World Series winners, and had the best winning percentage (11-2) of any pitcher in postseason history. (Of course, you have to also remember he's played in an era with three rounds of playoffs, and many great hurlers only got to play in one in some postseasons.) He is the only pitcher in history to win a World Series game with three teams. Schilling was a money pitcher, and a guy who wanted the ball when the pressure was at its greatest. He always came up big when it mattered most, and that I believe will put him in the Hall of Fame one day.
Schilling's crowning moment was of course, the 2004 postseason. After further exacerbating an ankle injury during the 2004 ALDS against Anaheim, he got whacked in Game 1 of the ALCS in New York, and it appeared as if his 2004 season was over. But in the middle of the greatest comeback in sports history, Schilling pulled off his own miracle and returned to beat New York in Game 6, on an ankle that had been surgically worked on just hours earlier. And he repeated it once again when the Red Sox made it to the World Series, in Game 2. He pitched both of those games on sheer will and guts, and forever etched his name in Boston baseball lore.
But as we all know, Schilling is a complex individual, and enjoys letting the world know what he thinks. He's done a lot of good with all the money he's raised in support of fighting ALS. But his outspoken opinions have rubbed a lot of people the wrong way, not only opponents but teammates and fans of his own team. I'll never forget after the Red Sox won the 2004 World Series. Schilling came out and fully gave his support to President George Bush, who was running for re-election, with the vote coming just days after the Series. Despite the fact that Schilling was one of the main reasons the Red Sox had finally won, I will never forget the vitriol thrown his way by many Red Sox fans I know (most of whom are Democrats). For me, I could care less what Schilling feels about politics, but it really brought out the hate in many people I knew, and I was stunned at how vicious it was. (I've always felt that if celebrities want to come out and talk about politics, I have no problem with it, as long as it is done in the proper venue.)
Schilling also got the ire of many sportswriters, as he started his own blog, "38Pitches." This was Curt getting around the middleman and going directly to the fans. Of course, writers hate that, as they can't twist his words around and make themselves part of the story. (I think you know who I'm driving at here.) There is no doubt that Schilling loves the limelight, and has made many enemies along the way because of it.
But for me as a Red Sox fan, he came to Boston with a mission and saw it through to the finish, and forever earned my respect. Schilling knew that going to New York to try to win a ring wouldn't cement his legacy, but getting one in Boston would be something far more special and remembered. He basically spit at stupid, media-created nonsense like "curses" and brought the title to Boston.
Schilling doesn't have overwhelming numbers, but what he accomplished in the postseason should put him in the Hall of Fame, which he is eligible for in 2013. I honestly don't believe he will make it on the first-ballot, as I'm sure there are writers who won't vote for him in his first year of eligibility, for all sorts of reasons. But I think his reputation as a guy you'd want to pitch in any deciding game should put him in.
But it's interesting to see how loony some people can be on the subject of Schilling, especially Yankee fans. From a letter in the New York Post's "Sound Off Column" of March 29:
For two or three days earlier this week, the only thing sports talk hosts could find to discuss was whether or not this pompous big-mouth will get into the Hall of Fame. Schilling's not even eligible for another five years! Who cares? I'm not sure who's more pathetic: Mr. Fake Bloody Sock or the sports media suckers he continuously reels in.
No, some of these Yankee fans still haven't come to terms with the Yankees immortal Choke of 2004 and Schilling's role in it. Maybe this guy should go to the Hall of Fame and see The Sock up close, as when blood dries it turns brown, and the sock is covered in that color. (That doesn't happen with ketchup or red dye, pal.) And maybe also this guy should know that once a player like Schilling, who is not a slam-dunk Hall of Famer, retires, the debate will rage for as long as Schilling isn't in the Hall of Fame.
But for me, Schilling is a Hall of Famer. He spent four seasons in a Red Sox uniform, and was an integral part of not just one, but two Red Sox championships. Schilling talked big, and sure as hell backed it up. He will always have my respect for what he did for the fans of New England.
Enjoy retirement, Curt. See you in Cooperstown, some time in the next decade.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Get the Earplugs Ready, Tex
Today's Boston Globe had an article about Mark Teixiera, who was on WFAN radio yesterday and felt the Red Sox hurt their chances to sign him as a free agent because they talked about their negotiations with him and Scott (Evil) Boras through the media this past winter.
But this paragraph seems to signify that Teixiera had no serious interest in coming to Boston and had New York on his radar the entire time:
Teixeira was asked specifically if the public nature of the Red Sox negotiations last winter bothered him. "It did, it did," replied Teixeira. "And I think in the end, it probably worked against them a little bit, because everyone thought the Red Sox were [my] No. 1, but in reality, the Yankees were gonna be the team, like I said all along, if all things were equal, the Yankees were the place that I wanted to go. It made the most sense for my family. It made the most sense for me and my career and where I wanted to go. Being a Yankee and wearing the pinstripes into the new Yankee Stadium, it doesn't get any better than that. They had a leg up all along."
So much for the talk that the Red Sox had "blown" this deal. Hey, players and agents have used teams to get a better deal from the team they want to go to, and Teixiera is no different. With Slappy on the sidelines for the first two months or so, Teixiera better be prepared, as he figures to get most of the abuse from the Boston faithful.
Sometimes the best deals are the ones you don't make. Let's hope it proves true in this case.
But this paragraph seems to signify that Teixiera had no serious interest in coming to Boston and had New York on his radar the entire time:
Teixeira was asked specifically if the public nature of the Red Sox negotiations last winter bothered him. "It did, it did," replied Teixeira. "And I think in the end, it probably worked against them a little bit, because everyone thought the Red Sox were [my] No. 1, but in reality, the Yankees were gonna be the team, like I said all along, if all things were equal, the Yankees were the place that I wanted to go. It made the most sense for my family. It made the most sense for me and my career and where I wanted to go. Being a Yankee and wearing the pinstripes into the new Yankee Stadium, it doesn't get any better than that. They had a leg up all along."
So much for the talk that the Red Sox had "blown" this deal. Hey, players and agents have used teams to get a better deal from the team they want to go to, and Teixiera is no different. With Slappy on the sidelines for the first two months or so, Teixiera better be prepared, as he figures to get most of the abuse from the Boston faithful.
Sometimes the best deals are the ones you don't make. Let's hope it proves true in this case.
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