Day 3--Red Sox 9, Yankees 2!!!

July 27, 2008

Sunday, we slept in (until at least 8am) and got up to go have breakfast at the same Cheesecake factory that we ate at Saturday night, hopefully, with no disgruntled fans throwing cappuccinos. They have a nice outdoor area for dining, and it was cool outside, so we chose to eat out there. Christi and I both had a nice omelet with lots of stuff in it, like cheese, avocado, mushroom, tomatoes, onions, etc. Very tasty. Steph had French toast. After breakfast, our plan was to get tickets for the “Duck Tour.” Unfortunately, the next available tour was at 5:30! Ugh. So much for that. So we shopped around a little mall in the Prudential Center and wound up buying new tennis shoes for Steph and me, hers having the double sock emblem of the Sox and mine having the entire Red Sox logo on the side. Woot! Steph also got a Jon Lester t-shirt and I found a set of pint tumblers that were cheaper than the ones at the team store on Yawkey Way.

We went back towards our hotel, trying to decide what to do. Christi and I wanted to go find Faneuil Hall, so we discussed our options. We decided to get on the trolley tour, which takes you all around Boston, but you can get on and off anywhere. Steph didn’t want to do this, so she stayed in the room. When we got to the trolley booth (which was in the lobby of our hotel), we were told that they were currently not selling tickets because it was “full.” Well, phooey!

We took a taxi to Faneuil Hall. (Keep in mind that, this whole weekend, we are paying $32/day for parking for a rental car that we never used until Monday morning!!) We walked around Faneuil Hall for about an hour, taking in the various sites, including a trio of pretty good performers doing some flexibility/balance tricks. One guy climbed to the top of a ladder while balancing it on it’s two legs, then jumped from the top of the ladder to a very tall unicycle and rode it around for a few minutes, ending his trick with juggling three bowling pins while on the unicycle. The finale had the girl standing on the other guy’s shoulders while he balanced on one of those large, inflated gym balls. Pretty impressive. Being street performers, they rely totally on audience contributions, so we gave them $5. Faneuil Hall had a few nice little shops in it, along with an old Post Office. It was closed, of course, because it was Sunday. Quincy Market was entirely food shops. From end to end, totally packed with people! It was very difficult to get through there. We stopped and got a couple of sodas with ice along the way, because we were very thirsty. We got out from there, and there were a lot of little carts lining the side, all pretty much selling touristy stuff. We never made into the other market building, but instead, walked down toward the wharf. There were a lot of retail shops on the way, including Gap and American Eagle Outfitters, nothing that we don’t see at home. There were more carts, though, some selling cute little signs that said stuff like “Whatever” and “All because two people fell in love.” We considered buying both of those for Stephanie’s room! Haha.

We got to the wharf and found a bench to sit on for a few minutes. I took a picture for a couple of ladies and some kids so they could have one all together. One of the ladies was from Albania. There were a couple of toddlers playing in a fountain across the sidewalk. The wharf was very picturesque, with lots of boats, both large and small. There was an “Airport taxi” boat, as well as a couple of tour boats. Across the harbor was a large building that appeared to be apartments or town homes, with a deck on the roof. It was all pretty. But we were getting tired, so we headed back to the hotel, this time via subway. It was a nice subway ride, not very crowded on Sunday afternoon.

After we got back to the hotel, we pretty much crashed until close to time for our last game. Stephanie wanted donuts from the Shaw’s across the street (they had a Dunkin Donuts shop inside), so Christi took her over there. They came back in before leaving though with a report that it was pouring down rain. That got me kind of depressed because we had already seen two losses, and now it’s raining? They got umbrellas and went across to the Shaw’s for the donuts. After they got back, we started getting ready to go to Fenway. We got jackets and umbrellas (I had to wear a dark blue windbreaker! Yankee colors???) and went down to the street to, once again, pile into a taxi. When we got to Fenway, it wasn’t raining very hard at all. We got up to our seating area, and decided to get some dogs and burgers before going up to sit.

It turned out to be a very nice night. There was no more rain, even though they delayed the game for an hour, because the forecast showed possibility of more coming through. The twilight sky was brilliantly colored!

They started rolling up the tarp at about 8:30 and got the field prepared for gametime. Game started at about 9:05-ish. We had already had the lineups and National Anthem. Hah. The National Anthem was sung by two of The Cowsills. I swear, I am not making this up. I don’t know how many people reading this will remember them. Popular family group in the 60s, predating the Partridge Family (I think). Their biggest hit was called “Indian Lake.” I have at least one of their vinyl albums.

Anyway.

Game on. Red Sox hit the ground running and never slowed down. It was glorious and made the whole night worth it. Big Papi hit a rocket to the right field bleachers, and as one lady who was coming back up to our row said, “That’s what we came to see!” The Sox scored in the first 4 innings and in the 6th, leaving only three innings blank. The Yankees didn’t do much at all. Sox win 7-2, exactly as bad as they lost the night before. Lester was pretty good. We got to see our new friend Manny Delcarmen pitch again, and Timlin closed it out.

It was a tremendously frenzied weekend, and we were totally exhausted. But it was one of the best weekends of my entire life. Even if the Sox did lose the series to the Evil Ones. I took one last picture of Gate C, as we left Fenway, being reduced to tears several times during that walk. We probably won’t be back for a long time, if ever. But, hey. How could any experience ever match this? Dear Lord, I’m starting to cry just from typing this!!

We once again availed ourselves of the “Pedicabs” back to the hotel for the last time. Oh, and by this time, I had absolutely no voice left. Lots of screaming and hollering, you know.

Tomorrow, I’ll be back with some highlights of our week so far in New Hampshire. It’s absolutely beautiful up here.

TTFN, y’all!

Gotta Bad Taste In Mah Mouth!

Does anyone else have this awful feeling because we just rooted for the *shudder* Yankees???

Ok, so you all know how hard that was.

But we had to do it, didn't we?

I hope to God that this is the only series in which I EVER have to root for the Evil Ones.

I have to go take another bath. I feel dirty.

Time to Watch the Game

I'm actually getting a chance to sit down and watch the game today.

I saw a clip of the ball that Youk hit that sat on top of the wall yesterday. That was too funny.

We had to go out and buy a new refigerator yesterday afternoon. While we were at it, we got a new gas grill, which we are going to put together in a bit. Actually, my wife just asked if I mind if she puts it together in here. So, we might cook out tonight.

We saw a very nice fireworks display last night in Haltom City. Good times.

Well, I'm going to shut up and watch the game, now. Second inning just ended with the Evil Ones up 1-0.

TTFN, y'all!

Big Sigh of Relief

Yes!! Lester was brilliant tonight! A complete game, 5 hit shutout. Boy, did we need this game!

And so did the Yankees after that blowout against Texas last night.

While I'm on that subject, I would really like to know what Ron Washington was THINKING last night when he put in a bullpen pitcher who had never pitched in the majors with a one run lead against the bloody YANKEES!!! Grrr. 12 runs later...and the Yankees have averted a sweep.

Anyway, the Sox were great tonight.

I wonder if that will be enough for the stupid Boston Globe to give Lester an "A?" Somehow, I started getting these email alerts from the Globe after the games. Ever since they started, I have wondered what in the heck it would take for them to give a pitcher an "A!" Geez!!

The Sumbeams didn't play tonight, so we gained a half game on them.

TTFN, y'all!

Aaaaargh!!! But Yaaaaaaay!!!!

What a variety of emotions I'm feeling tonight! First, I see (not directly but through mlb's "gameday" feature) our Rangers hang on and beat the Yankees in Yankee Stadium!! Feldman took a no-no into the 4th inning, which is something for Rangers pitching. Josh Hamilton picked up his 80th RBI for the season, and the Rangers beat the Evil Empire 2-1, putting them TWO games over .500 for the first time this season.

Then I learn, on the way to work, that the bloody Sunbeams held on to their lead to beat the Sox 5-4 and move 1.5 up on them in the AL East. It was 4-2 'beams when I laid down for my pre-work nap. This series has come at a very bad time. The Sox struggle on the road as it is, but now they have to contend for the leadership of the division, and it's not against the usual nemesis.

I wonder what it's like to be a Yankees fan right now. Wait. I think I know. Remember the '06 season?? Yeah. It must be a lot like that. I feel no pity. I laugh at their pain. Hah. The only run they got tonight against the Rangers was an A-roid homer.

So...does anyone think that Mark Teixeira will actually wind up with the Red Sox?? While we definitely don't need a first baseman, we sure need a replacement DH. Tex is pretty good from both sides of the plate, too. I would love to get to cheer him in a Red Sox uniform against the Yankees later this month. The problem is, he is still going to be a free agent at the end of this season, and his agent is the worst thing that ever happened to baseball, the devil himself, Scott Boras.

I have to go wash my hands just from typing that name.

I seriously dislike that man.

Well, I guess that's all I can come up with tonight. By the way, just so everybody knows, I would have just died if they had told me that I was singing at one of the Red Sox games in September. I'm so glad I drew a Phillies game. I honestly think I might have sung "root, root, root for the Red Sox..." Sheesh...

TTFN, y'all!

Celebrate! Celebrate! Dance To the Music...

LOOK!!

LOOK!!

The Yankees are in last place!!

We all know that won't last. But it's fun while it's happening, isn't it?

And I also noticed that the Rangers and the Yankees have exactly the same record. I don't know when the last time that happened was (besides the day before the season started). That's also fun, especially since the Rangers are NOT in last place. Heh.

Hopefully, this day off will help the Sox get focused again. Been a dismal week.

But...curse Bud Selig and his interleague play. I hate it. Even though I'm going to the Rangers/Astros game Friday night.

TTFN, y'all!

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Red Sox are BAAAAACK!!

First of all, let me apologize for my unblogginess lately. It's been a rough couple of weeks for us. More about that later. Now on to last night's game.

Manny hits number 496 and beats the Rangers! After Ortiz got a clutch single to drive in Pedroia, Manny defrelnicated the ball out into the street behind the Green Monster (what street is that, anyway? Is it Brookline? Landsdown?). I was watching the game with a few other fans at Frankie's Sports Bar in Dallas. We were a little scattered, because we had to compete with a Dallas Mavericks playoff game. Blech. So while watching the Red Sox finally win, I also saw the Mavs blow a 12 point half-time lead to lose by about 15. I silently enjoyed that...

Baltimore helped the cause by beating the Evil Empire yet again. It's cute how the Orioles are trying to be contenders this year.

In defense of the Rangers, Jason Jennings really had a decent outing on the mound. It was his best of the year, and I'm glad he didn't suffer the loss for it. Benoit got the loss (again) as he gave up the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the eighth, setting the stage for Papelbon to come in and do that thing he does so well.

As for stuff at the Bickleyhouse over the past several weeks, Stephanie has not been well. It all started with a double ear infection three weeks ago, which, as it was on its way out, gave way to a viral infection of some kind. From there, we suddenly developed a blotchy pink skin rash, along with joint swelling and pain, similar to some kind of rheumatoid arthritis. Keep in mind, this is a 14-year-old, who with high-functioning autism, functions at a much lower age level. At one point, she couldn't even hold a pen to write with, it hurt so much. She could barely walk. We have been at the doctor's office at least once a week for the last three weeks, and Steph and her mother wound up at the emergency room Saturday night, April 12, because the pain was so bad. The only reason I didn't go was because I had to be at church Sunday morning to lead the worship. They didn't get home until 4am.

Steph seems to be doing better now, though. We have never found out what has been wrong. The tests for Rheumatoid arthritis and lupis both came back negative. We have an appointment with a rheumatologist on April 29. If she recovers completely by then, I don't know if we will still keep it or not.

But that's primarily why I haven't had the energy to blog lately. I do a daily blog on another site that is mainly a daily devotional that I do. I keep it there instead of in a paper journal. If you care to check it out, it's at my Diaryland site.

I guess that's it for today. I'll be watching at least part of this afternoon's game, and will have to record Monday morning's, as I will be asleep. Remember, I work graveyard shift...

TTFN, y'all!

Red Sox Fans Building Yankee Stadium?

Wouldn't it be great if this is actually true??

Report: Boston Red Sox T-shirt buried in new Yankee Stadium by construction worker

NEW YORK (AP)—Say it ain’t so, George!

A construction worker on a concrete crew at the new Yankee Stadium secretly buried a Red Sox T-shirt under the future visiting clubhouse in an effort to jinx the Yankees, the New York Post reported Friday.

The paper cited two construction workers it did not identify, saying they were not authorized to speak with the media. One of the workers said the T-shirt was poured in a slab in the visitor’s clubhouse.

“We noticed that the NY Post wrote a fun and interesting story about a T-shirt today—but it never happened,” Yankees spokeswoman Alice McGillion said Friday. “Yankee fans know that burying something in concrete in the basement is never a good thing. Memo to the Post: You’re 10 days late for April Fools’ Day.”

The Yankees move to the new ballpark in 2009.

Ahahaha....

Yeah, baby.

Yanks 4, Sox 1

There are words I want to say, but I think some of my church members read this...

Sox Take 2 of 3

That was the Sox that we all know and love. The bats were out tonight, folks! Pitching was ok. Wake did alright, but had a couple shaky innings. But the Sox once again did that thing where they explode in the second half of the game.

I'm really sleepy, so there won't be many details. Plus I was also watching the Rangers on TV while watching the Sox on the 'puter. The Rangers are on the verge of sweeping a double-header from the Orioles, which will help the Sox immensely. It will also put the Rangers over .500 for the first time since 2006! Woot! It won't be enough to get the Sox into first, but it will help.

How many times did David Ortiz walk tonight? At least twice. And J.D. continues to play the redemption game. So much so that he drew (heh...no pun intended...really!) an intentional walk tonight.

And the poor Tigers fall even further. I feel no sympathy for them, though. They have Kenny Rogers on their team, you know. Ugh.

Ok. Rangers won. Game over. Baltimore falls to 6-3, Sox are 5-5. Looks like the Yanks are going to win, too, though. GO KC!!!

Well, off to bed with me. I have juree dutee tomorrow. Fun, eh! Guilty, I say! Guilty!!

Later, friends.

Who's Who, Here?

After watching the better part of two different ball games tonight, I've decided that the Rangers and Red Sox switched uniforms tonight. The Red Sox played a lot like I'm used to seeing the Rangers play tonight. Although they didn't get credited with any errors, there were plays that should have been made, players falling down, sliding when it wasn't necessary...just overall sloppy play. Offensively, JD Drew was about it. So they lose to the Jays. Fortunately, the Evil Empire got their clocks cleaned by the Rays. Heh. 13-4.

So then, I turn on the TV to watch the Rangers play the Angels out in Nevernever land. As of just a couple minutes ago, bottom of the ninth, it was 11-0 in favor of the Rangers. Eric Broussard hit a grand slam, our guy Josh Hamilton hit an opposite field triple and a double, Ian Kinsler hit two doubles, and our ex-Red Sox Kason Gabbard pitched 7 innings of shut-out baseball. Gabbard and David Murphy worked out really well for the Rangers. Too bad Gagne didn't work for the Sox. That was a stupid trade anyway. The Sox didn't need a closer. Gagne is a closer. Anyway...the Rangers played like the Sox tonight. This will put them at .500 again, for the second time this season. I don't remember when the last time they were at .500. I'm not sure they ever were last season.

Well, onward to tomorrow...um...today? Whatever.

TTFN, y'all.

Red Sox Take the Series

I got to watch the end of the game again. I'll be glad when these games get on a regular schedule. I was asleep through most of this one. But the Sox did that thing they love to do, they exploded in the last few innings of the game. Papi got them started with his two-run banger, then there was that 8th inning with 5 straight singles. Hahaha! Bang-bang-bang-bang-bang...two more runs. And Tek got that homer back that he lost last night. Huzzah!!

The only bad thing? Since Ellsbury didn't even get to bat tonight, my "Beat the Streak" hitting streak is over. I have to start again tomorrow. Sigh. But the Sox won. That's the bigger picture. They are now 3-1.

Glory be! I just saw that the Blue Jays are ahead of the Yanks, 5-2, top of the ninth! Hang on, Jays!!

And another reason to celebrate! I just learned that Youk set a new record for consecutive games at first base without an error at 194. Way to go Youk!! He gets to keep first base from today's game, which all of his teammates signed. *sniff*

Ok...one last celebration. This.

Stephanie got her braces off today!!! Congratulations, my dear! Heh. You can see where her true loyalty lies...She loves my Sox, too, though!

Shelley Is A Girl's Name, Anyway

I realized that I got Shelley Duncan's name backwards in a previous post. Well, heck! "Shelley" is a girl's name, innit? Hahahaha....

Also read in our local paper, the Fort Worth Startlegram (Not the real name), where Duncan doesn't see anything wrong with his slide. He just doesn't understand why anyone called it a dirty play.

RIGHT, DUNCAN!!

I SUPPOSED IT'S ABSOLUTELY NORMAL TO SLIDE INTO SECOND BASE WITH YOUR LEFT FOOT POINTING "SPIKES-UP" STRAIGHT AT SOME POOR GUY'S GONADS???

I hope the Yankees wind up in last place this year. I don't know anyone on the planet who will feel sorry for them.

Yankees Already Playing Dirty

It's fun to see the Evil Empire already getting distracted by on-field antics. It's clear that they feel that they are going to have to play rough this year.

As shown in this article, the Yanks and the Rays are getting off to a bad start, relationally speaking. Apparently, Duncan Shelley, when faced with getting thrown out by half the distance from the base, decided that the only choice he had was to attempt to castrate Aki Iwamura. Fortunately, his aim was bad and he only gashed Iwamura's thigh.

Wackiness ensued.

Johnny Gomes plowed into Shelley, and the benches cleared. I can't wait to get home from work so I can watch a clip of this. (I can't download the proper application at work due to company restrictions...) Several ejections also ensued, including the Yankees hitting coach and third base coach.

And does anyone think Girardi will last the season as manager? Didn't he get fired from his last job because of arguing with the owner? Like the Steinbrenners are going to put up with that. Hah.

I'm really loving what I'm seeing in the Evil Empire's camp this season, because they are rapidly turning into a team of old has-beens. Yeah, A-Roid is still a great player, I'll give him that. But no team has won with A-Roid on it. No one. And look at the rest of the lineup. The catcher is getting old. Giambi-juice will soon disentegrate from steroid use. He's already pretty much worthless. And who do they have pitching this year?? I recognize two of their starting pitchers on the roster.

Don't get me wrong...the Yankees will always be a force with which to reckon. I just don't see them being a powerhouse this year. I don't think they have done well during the off season. I could be wrong...I have been often. Hang on...I've got to get their web page off my computer before my monitor starts melting...

In other news, I am, as of 2:45 this morning, officially 50.

Been loving the Red Sox for at least 40 of 'em.

Funny...I don't feel a day over 49. Well, maybe one day...

A Red Sox Destinations Trip

I know I haven't updated in a long time, but there really hasn't been a whole lot to say. The Mitchell Report came out and shocked and dismayed a lot of people, and emotions are running high as to what MLB's response should be. I've gone through several opinions, and basically where I've come down is this. Unless it can be proven that any of these players used forbidden substances after they were banned, they should be left alone. A lot of the players named were using steroids before they were banned. Not much you can do about that. Whatever happens, baseball needs to move on. Oh, yeah. Selig should be canned. Just because all this happened on his "watch." Besides...we need a real commissioner.

Ok. On to something positive. Very, very positive.

We're going to Boston again. This time in the form of "Red Sox Destinations." We were thinking about going up there in August to see the Rangers play again, but I got to looking at the Destinations packages that the Red Sox offer, and realized that several of them are actually at Fenway. Most of them are in the other parks that the Red Sox visit, but a few are at home.

I noticed that two of the Destinations packages were against the Yankees at Fenway. And one of these is in late July. So I started calling. It was Saturday, so I guess they were closed. I started emailing. Finally, late Saturday night, I got a response (or maybe it was Sunday night) via email from one of their representatives. He said there were still spots available for the July Yankees games, but they were going fast.

I called early Monday morning, and finally got hold of him. Heheh...we were sitting in a room at Stephanie's orthodontist's office when I finally got hold of him. I booked us three spots for the July 25-27 series against the Yankees at Fenway Park! That's right, folks! I'm going to see the Sox play the Evil Empire at Fenway Park in July, 2008!! As we are prone to say in Texas,...YEEHAW!!

Along with tickets to all three games (I'm told we will get to sit in the newest section of seats that they are adding for '08, on top of the first base side, where that "temporary" box was), we get to stay at the Copley Marriott for several nights (we extended our stay there for one night so we can go back to the hotel after Sunday's afternoon game). We also each get a game-used ball, an official player jersey (we get to choose the player, too), and a pre-game reception with Q&A with a current player, plus photo ops and autographs with the player. It says there are 125 spots in each one, so the crowd won't be too terribly big.

I'm so pumped about this, I can hardly stand it. And...when I checked back on the web site on Tuesday...it was sold out! By the end of the week, the other Yankees destination at Fenway was sold out, as well.

I can't even imagine what it's going to be like to get to witness the greatest rivalry, perhaps in all of sports, live at the greatest ballpark in America.

Ok. I have to stop typing about this. I'm drooling all over the keyboard. Hahah....

I hope everyone had a great Christmas! And I wish everyone a Happy New Year! Blessings to you in 2008.

TTFN, y'all!

Shake-up In New York

Well, it's official.

Joe Torre will not be returning to New York.

And who can blame him? They basically slapped him in the face with their offer. They offered him a one year deal for $5 mil. Geez. If I were him, I would have turned that down, too.

But that's the way baseball is. You get your team to the playoffs for umpteen years running, and they don't want you back.

There could be some drastic trickle-downs from this, many of which could actually affect the Texas Rangers very positively.

For one thing, A-Roid might be more apt to opt (hehe...."apt to opt") out of his contract, which would save the Rangers, oh...somewhere in the neighborhood of $21,000,000. Maybe they could afford a pitcher?

It is also almost certain that Mariono Rivera, aka "The Sandman," will opt for free agency. Could the Rangers possibly land him? I get chill bumps just thinking about that.

What about Jorge Posada? Is he a freebie after this season? Wow, could the Rangers ever use him!! A quality catcher...something they have not had since they foolishly let Pudge Rodriguez go.

The possibilities are endless. Never mind that this could shake up the Evil Empire so much that they aren't even contenders next year. *gasp*

After all, they really don't have any young players do they? All of their stars are getting old. Or worn out from illegal substance abuse. *cough*Giambi*cough*

Well, anyway....

Tonight is it. My stomach has been in knots since this morning. The Red Sox are in a must-win situation. They need to win this tonight or it's over for the season. And, to make matters worse, they have to play in the Jake one more night. But, on the positive side, Beckett is pitching. At least I hope it's positive. And last time Sabathia pitched, the Sox bats handled him easily.

We shall see.

Yankees Go HOME! And STAY Home!!!

It was with great pleasure that I watched the Indians finish off the Yankees last night.

How ironic that a team that did not beat the Evil Empire once all season long, knocked them out of the playoffs.

At least one of the sportscasters opined that the Red Sox would rather play the Yankees with their "beat-up pitching staff" in the ALCS than the Indians. I don't know how the Red Sox team members feel about that, but I know how the fans feel. I don't know any Red Sox fans that want to be anywhere near the Yankees! I'm sure that there was great elation all throughout the Red Sox Nation last night as that last Yankee batter struck out.

So, the Sox face the Tribe on Friday night. In Fenway Park, of course. And let's see...not that it means anything, as evidenced by the series with the Yankees, but Boston's record against Cleveland this year is 5-2. A little less one-sided, and I don't see the Red Sox getting cocky. I do see them winning.

The Rockies face the Diamondbacks Thursday. The Rockies will win. I don't know if they will sweep, but they will win. We will have a Red Sox/Rockies World Series this year.

Of course, I could be totally wrong. Happens all the time. It's just a feeling.

Night of Praise with Dennis Jernigan

Saturday night, Christi, Stephanie, and I drove all the way up to Denison, TX, to take part in a Night of Praise with modern-day Psalmist, Dennis Jernigan. As always, it was an inspiring night. We sang most of the old favorites, along with some brand new songs, a couple even newer than the newest cd, "I Cry Holy." There were a few problems with the sound system at the church. At the beginning, Dennis couldn't hear his tracks from the monitor speakers (by the way, DJ uses an iPod for his tracks; this is an increasingly popular thing to do), and later, his powerful singing was simply blowing out the speakers and distorting them. But we still had a good time. Stephanie got to meet Melinda, Dennis's wife, and four of their kids were there...lessee...Asa, Ezra, Gayla, and Raina (not sure if I spelled those right or not), and Stephanie got to meet all of them, too. And DJ actually remembered her name! Now, that made her night, doncha know? I got a pretty good picture of Stephanie standing between Dennis and Melinda, so I'll post it here.



~~~~~~~~~~~~

I can't not write about the playoff results. I was disappointed that the D-Backs swept the Cubs. I was happy that the Rockies swept the Phillies, although, I must say I'm a little afraid of the Rockies. They are hotter than August in Texas right now, and have won 17 out of their last 18 games. Of course, I was ecstatic (and not in the least surprised) when the Red Sox swept the Angels. Manny was amazing. Sunday afternoon's game was close until the Sox blew it open in the top of the 8th inning. I almost felt sorry for the Angels. I said, "almost!"

Then the darned Yankees had to go and spoil it all by beating Cleveland last night. It was supposed to be straight sweeps across the board. But NO! We have to have another game, now. So, tonight...we'll be rooting for the tribe again. But you know what? I'm not the least bit afraid of the Yankees right now. This Red Sox team can handle them. I know the Yanks beat the Sox during regular season, but it's playoff time, now. The Sox are hot and out for rings. And it's time for New York's domination of baseball to be over.

TTFN, y'all!

Back To the Best

Or at least tied for the best. In spite of losing to the Twins, and the Evil Empire winning tonight, the Sox are, once again, atop the Major Leagues, tied with Cleveland for the best record in baseball. They still haven't clinched the AL East, though, with only a handfull of games left. They are two games ahead of the Yanks with three games left. The elimination number is also two.

This is simply too nervewracking.

I so wanted Josh Beckett to get 21 wins, but that just wasn't to be this year.

I'm figuring, if the standings hold till the end, the Yankees will likely play the Indians and the Sox play the Angels in the first round of the playoffs. Unless the Sox fool around and lose the division, in which case they might play the Indians and the Yanks play the Angels.

With that scenario in mind, the Yankees probably don't WANT to win the division. I promise you, they don't want to play the Angels in the first round, or any other round for that matter.

Stephie and I made it to the last home game for the Rangers. It was a fun time, and we had great seats, thanks to our friend at church. The Rangers blew out the Angels, too. Go figure. The Rangers swept the division champs for their last home series, including a 16-2 rout in the last game. I think everybody hit a home run in that game...possibly even a few of the fans. And Michael Young got his 200th hit (becoming only the third player to do that five consecutive seasons since 1940) at home, which was very cool.

We almost cried as we left the ballpark. It just doesn't seem like it's already over. It just started.

"No, it didn't," replied Christi.

TTFN, y'all.

It Was A Busy Weekend

Boy, was I tired after this last weekend. Three Texas Rangers games in one weekend! And they even won two of them. That, in itself, is pretty huge.

The Red Sox clinched a playoff spot this weekend, and today, they gained a half game on the Evil Empire without even playing! The Yanks lost a makeup game to the Blue Jays, and the Sox are off today. So that makes them an even 2 games ahead of the Yanks with an elimination number of FIVE!

If they are trying to make this exciting, they are certainly achieving that goal.

Two divisions got clinched yesterday. The Angels clinched our American League West division, and the Injuns clinched the AL Central.

None of the NL teams are anywhere close to clinching. There are still NINE teams in that playoff race. Unreal. I'm pulling for the Mets and the Cubs and the Padres. Why, you might ask? Good question, because I really don't like any NL teams. The Mets, because I hate the Yankees. So if I can see one NY team win while the Yankees lose, all the better. The Cubs, because, well, hey. They're the Cubs. What else can you say. And White Sox fans are some of the meanest, rudest people I have ever seen. The Padres because they have Chris Young, who should still be with the Rangers, and for a long time, had the lowest ERA in the entire MLB.

One more week in the season, and yesterday morning at church, one of our members came up and handed me some season tickets and a free parking pass for the last home game of the season on Wednesday afternoon. Sooo....I guess I need to go to that game, eh?

Who needs sleep anyway??
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I wanted to mention here that we had an excellent message yesterday. Our pastor, Bill Burton, really brought the concept of mercy home to us in his message. I told him later (while we were watching the Rangers beat the O's) that my toes were still sore. He's been preaching through the beatitudes, and made some good correlations between the first three and the second three yesterday. Primarily for yesterday, putting the concept of being "poor in spirit" with being "merciful." The idea being that, if we recognize how desperately destitute we are withouth God, then we should have no trouble showing mercy to others in the same position (which is, of course, EVERYONE!). Good stuff. Hard stuff. And painful stuff. But it's what we need, and it's what God wants from us.

TTFN, y'all!