Disappointing, But Not Disastrous

Well, we are not off to a good start. But we aren't off to a terrible start, either. Three games with the Evil Empire, and all were very close. All of them could have easily gone the other way, too.

I'm sure there is much hate for J Papelbon at the moment, especially since his last outing for 2009 resulted in the end of the season for the Sox. I'll not join that camp just yet, just as I'm not hating on Okajima for walking in the winning run Tuesday night. After all, it was Marco Scutaro's botched throw before that that even caused him to have to pitch to that batter.

Kevin Youkillis is very wise. His response to all of that was to say that no single event or play in the game caused the loss. It is a group effort. If they had scored more runs, they wouldn't have been in that situation. That's why it's a "team."

Anyway...so we're 1-2. And, thanks to the Rangers, the Sox are now behind the Blue Jays, too. Sigh. The Rangers are experiencing bullpen troubles, as well, and their closer blew their game today. Franky Francisco entered the game in the 9th, with the Rangers ahead 1-0, and lost it. However...just like the Sox, the Rangers couldn't score any runs. They went 0-10 with runners in scoring position, and the great Vlad Guerrero was responsible for 3 of their 5 hits. The only run was unearned, scored on one of 4 wild pitches by Toronto pitchers.

The Rangers are looking like the Rangers of old, and Ron Washington is probably on the bubble, due to his drug issues, which may or may not be over. Who knows?

The Sox, on the other hand, have looked pretty good for the first three games. I think they have the looks of a solid team this year. I AM concerned about Papi. I love Papi. But he just doesn't seem to have the magic any more. I hope I'm wrong and he pulls out of this.

That's my nickel's worth for today.

TTFN, y'all!

Well, Looky Here!

We all know how last season ended up.

And that's all I'm going to say about that.

I'm excited about the new season, which will be under way shortly. In fact, our beloved Sox begin the season on Sunday night, if I'm not mistaken? I have tickets to the Texas Rangers home opener on Monday, April 4. Right behind home plate on the second level. Great seats.

I also have tickets reserved for two of the three games in August when the Sox come to Arlington. The Texas Rangers play in Arlington. They do NOT play in Dallas. Heh. Come to think of it, neither do the Cowboys, anymore.

Anyway. I'll be back blogging baseball stuff here, hopefully. I need to get caught up with my old friends over here. Even though I can find most of them over on Facebook.

The smell is in the air. It's electric. In less than one week, we will hear those beloved words echoing from Fenway Park (and half of all of the baseball parks in the country), "PLAY BALL!"

That makes me smile.

TTFN, y'all!

Off To Never-never Land

Seriously? It's been almost a month since I've been here?

Well, you see, it's like this...

No, really...

I think I have too many blogs. Plus everyone that I care about over here is on Facebook, which I think, great as it is, has ruined some things like this for me. I have two "Diaryland" blogs besides this one. My primary blog is purely spiritual, where I blog my semi-daily devotions. The other Diaryland blog has begun being pretty much about Stephanie and our adventures with autism.

Then there's this blog.

Where I get to ask this question.

In what kind of surrealistic dream land do we live, where it could ever be thinkable that the Red Sox could be 8-0 against the Evil Empire in the season?

When I left home to come to work tonight, the Evil Ones had taken a 3-1 lead, thanks to some subpar pitching by Manny Delcarmen. We love you, Manny, but you just didn't have it tonight. Even though I know the Sox are famous for those 8th inning comebacks, I had a bad feeling about this game. You know what I mean...sometimes, you just know that this one isn't going to work out.

By the time I got to work and was able to get logged on to this here 'puter, Mike Ogulnik was announcing the AL scores on "Rangers Replay," which, by the way would be a winning edition of said program, as the Rangers took the Jays 1-0 tonight, in a tremendous pitcher's duel. I was racing him, trying to get the Red Sox web site up before he announced the score. It was pretty much a tie, as he gave the score right as the site loaded up. I could scarcely believe my eyes and ears, and almost squealed with joy at what I saw/heard. The came back. In that magical 8th inning.

And so, the dream continues. The Red Sox have successfully thwarted the Busted Bronx Bombers 8 times this season and 9 straight if you go back to the last time they met in '08. I read that the last time the Sox started off a season 6-0 against the Evil Empire, they were known as the Highlanders. Dear Lord, that was a long time ago. And I read that the last time the Sox swept three series from them was 1974.

To make things even better, it looks like Papi may be back. He popped two good ones during this series, one to straightaway center field.

And don't we all just love Brad Penny now, after plunking A-Roid in the back? Wasn't that just great fun? I only wish I could have seen the 8th inning. But, alas, to work I had to heigh-ho.

Don't anybody dare wake me up from this dream.

TTFN, y'all!

Not Enough

Just a quick word to the Red Sox bats. For the last several games in a row, you've scored four runs through the first two innings, and then decided that was enough to win.

WORD!

It's not!! Please keep hitting for the remainder of the game.

Okay?

Okay.

Thank you very much.

Where Have You Gone, Dom DiMaggio?

Today, the Red Sox Nation mourns the passing of a legend. To some, the "lesser" of the DiMaggios, Dom DiMaggio passed away early this morning, Friday, May 8, 2009, at the age of 92.

According to the Boston Globe, many believed him to be the best player that ever wore a Red Sox uniform.

So long, Dom. So long. Say "hi" to Ted for us...

Not Those Kind of Surprises!!

13-0?

A one-hitter?

Who were those guys and what did they do with the Red Sox?

An investigation will ensue immediately.

I Love Surprises!!

When I went to bed for my brief nap before going to work last night, the Sox were behind 5-0, and Carmona was shutting them down handily.

I arrived at work at 10pm, and got right into work stuff, so I briefly forgot about the game.

I know. I'm not worthy.

But then this buddy of mine walked in, who happens to be a Cleveland fan. I suddenly remembered the game, and immediately opened up my Interwebs browser, expecting to congratulate him on his Indians whipping up on my Red Sox to take the series.

I went first to MLB.com, and the first thing I saw was a headline that says "Van Every's shot lifts the Red Sox in the 10th." I almost fell out of my chair. Life is good.

I know in my heart that our Sox can never be counted out, and it ain't over until the mythical fat lady sings. And one of the things I love so much about baseball over all other team sports is that there is no wimpy putting down a knee and letting clock run out, or dribbling in place until the clock runs out. It's not over until that third out is posted in whichever half an inning ends the game. You have to earn that last out. And there is nothing quite like the thrill of standing with the Red Sox nation in any park in this country and cheering your fool head off when there are two strikes on that last batter in the 9th inning. Of course it's magnified by 1000000000000000 if you happen to be in Fenway Park when this happens.

I should write for a newspaper.

Just kidding. But I do think it would be great fun!

Anyway...back on top for the Sox, once again. Here's hoping for a series win (a sweep would be nice) in the Juice Box (I like that name, Dawn) against the Desperate Housewives, who appear to be even more desperate this year.

Hey...anyone ever gone from Worst to First to Worst?? Hahahaha

TTFN, y'all!