tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84972637986290211722024-03-06T00:40:57.479-05:00Soxy LadyDiary of a Boston Sports FanUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger239125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-47971395301750110322011-07-22T11:50:00.000-04:002011-07-22T11:50:34.761-04:00A Tribute to the Minor Leagues: Your Pawtucket Red Sox<i>Hi everyone! My name is Melissa and I am honored to be a new contributor here at Soxy Lady! I'm a mom of a 7 month old little boy, author of <a href="http://www.fillingourbucket.com/">Filling Our Bucket</a> and a huge Boston Red Sox fan. My family lives in Rhode Island, and we are frequent visitors to McCoy Stadium to see our "hometown" team, the Pawtucket Red Sox! If you've never been, check it out! Below, you'll find lots of information about the ballpark and the team. Enjoy!</i><br />
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We are huge Boston Red Sox fans. But as Rhode Islanders, and now Rhode Islanders with a 7 (already!!) month old, it is pretty tough for us to get up to Fenway Park as much as we would like. Aside from that, the cost of a Red Sox game is not a small amount! Between tickets, food, a couple sodas...we are often talking over $100 a game! I love my Red Sox, but sometimes, I love having the money in my pocket a little more.<br />
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So what is a girl, and a family, to do? Well, head to a Pawtucket Red Sox game of course!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0HlDUwKoh9W-cvTZDoVcCtJ-hjITbZF8-ptc7SR2MRhQtmHUjmN91IAAb-ZsC2sxl6KRWxwwBUJ94lrTUmgQfyG4ECQ4dNw5qo20iPCLAT5yO_fJcT7tXHU9C55NwL5RU3zC07CCn34/s1600/mccoy.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0HlDUwKoh9W-cvTZDoVcCtJ-hjITbZF8-ptc7SR2MRhQtmHUjmN91IAAb-ZsC2sxl6KRWxwwBUJ94lrTUmgQfyG4ECQ4dNw5qo20iPCLAT5yO_fJcT7tXHU9C55NwL5RU3zC07CCn34/s320/mccoy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The PawSox are the Triple A affiliate of the big club and play at McCoy Stadium. We are lucky enough to pretty much live within a stones throw of the park, so it is really easy for us to pop on over for a game.<br />
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A little history about McCoy. It was built in 1942, and named after the mayor of Pawtucket, Thomas P. McCoy. It was renovated in 1998. So much like the big boys, the PawSox have been playing in their original stadium for a long time, although not quite 100 years!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifp_SMiMEIgepKwBYBeSlPq3ssJop0_7sn3Kf6lKBqeHdkpQG0qNk6D_mvzlmcrq7B7gk2cXUjm9n_pKWMjdX32JeTOoOjlKRplsckvwLmXXaaP7pb62puNNy0alzwC2IfOljmP0rF5w/s1600/IMG_3809.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifp_SMiMEIgepKwBYBeSlPq3ssJop0_7sn3Kf6lKBqeHdkpQG0qNk6D_mvzlmcrq7B7gk2cXUjm9n_pKWMjdX32JeTOoOjlKRplsckvwLmXXaaP7pb62puNNy0alzwC2IfOljmP0rF5w/s200/IMG_3809.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>McCoy is also home to the <a href="http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/team1/page.jsp?ymd=20080904&content_id=454286&vkey=team1_t533&fext=.jsp&sid=t533">longest game in baseball history</a>. 33 innings over 3 days, April 18, 19, and June 23, 1981. On June 23, the PawSox were victorious and beat the Rochester Red Wings 3 - 2!<br />
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This year marks the 30th anniversary of the game, and there has been quite a few stories and events in recognition of it, including a story that aired on <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/04/18/eveningnews/main20055057.shtml">CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley</a>. I never watch CBS, but I did that night. There were two gentlemen in the story who were at the game, two men that were two of the few fans that stayed until 4am that first night. They had them sit in the seats they sat in for the game...on opposite sides of the field. It was a fantastic story, and reminded us of the glory and excitement of baseball. Want to learn even more? NY Times columnist <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/ref/us/bio-barry.html">Dan Barry</a> has written a book about the event called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bottom-33rd-Redemption-Baseballs-Longest/dp/006201448X">Bottom of the 33rd: Hope, Redemption and Baseball's Longest Game</a>. I haven't read it yet, but it is definitely on my summer reading list.<br />
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As an aside, I have to wonder what would happen if a game went on and on and on like this these days. Would someone pull a Bud Selig, call the game and have it <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/2002/allstar/news/2002/07/09/allstar_game_ap/">end in a tie</a>?<br />
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Another great bit of history at McCoy are the murals. The <a href="http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/team1/page.jsp?ymd=20080909&content_id=456286&vkey=team1_t533&fext=.jsp&sid=t533">Murals at McCoy</a>, painted by Carol Heuser, are of PawSox greats over the years. Men who have made significant contributions to the PawSox and Red Sox organization not only as players, but as people. Here is a collage of the murals. Do you recognize any of the greats? See your favorite player?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdj4kby29ihQbnn40HbTLZeC0TaUvyWg_4ZEElC9DcltPV8AvNtvVmkwaQUAzQ0DMycllFFixMtJ0zlufV5B4aAyxQNzs2lzuwwVp9uXlQe0ZBj-W47ZLzG9Q9Vvo33e8oiTSHg_jJmlM/s1600/murals+at+mccoy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdj4kby29ihQbnn40HbTLZeC0TaUvyWg_4ZEElC9DcltPV8AvNtvVmkwaQUAzQ0DMycllFFixMtJ0zlufV5B4aAyxQNzs2lzuwwVp9uXlQe0ZBj-W47ZLzG9Q9Vvo33e8oiTSHg_jJmlM/s400/murals+at+mccoy.jpg" width="381" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/team1/page.jsp?ymd=20080909&content_id=456286&vkey=team1_t533&fext=.jsp&sid=t533">photo credit</a></td></tr>
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McCoy Stadium and the Pawtucket Red Sox are incredibly family friendly place. Before the ballgames, there is almost always some sort of entertainment outside the gates. We missed the band this week, but as we walked in I heard people talking about how great they were. Every Sunday after the game, kids of all ages can go down onto the field and run the bases! There is face painting, several kid friendly giveaways throughout the summer, and several games start at 6:05 - you know, to accommodate those early bedtimes!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzFcfpuSjepi-S6SIa1W-qH-aXaEZRu0BrIr3yjjVUC5dhcZAvTMgcC6IeoTIOdB35MC8Vl_5sy6lFOGYGVNO6YzRPyM4YR73nUDH9tBflfu7xIRh7bM950TuDLsq94_eBKpQu27VNtY/s1600/IMG_3806.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzFcfpuSjepi-S6SIa1W-qH-aXaEZRu0BrIr3yjjVUC5dhcZAvTMgcC6IeoTIOdB35MC8Vl_5sy6lFOGYGVNO6YzRPyM4YR73nUDH9tBflfu7xIRh7bM950TuDLsq94_eBKpQu27VNtY/s200/IMG_3806.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>On Sunday, the PawSox played the Durham Bulls, the minor league team for the Tampa Bay Rays - who the Boston Red Sox beat that night in a 16 inning battle, 1 - 0. It was hot, but McCoy Stadium has the luxury of having most seats under the roof, and during a day game with the position of the sun, typically the only seats in the sun are those that are down the third base line, the bleacher seats in center and right, and the grassy area in left. We were lucky enough to be sitting nearly right behind home plate, so we were under the roof. A comfortable breeze was blowing, so that definitely helped!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvLie_8CdVdTupaJOnoelM4qhcL_yxuzdSZoL-2G5EeG-O-y8M2y4r1dF1z02w4-5AUko0kK_4ZBr3R1TGx5GYq1-IJCD6lYtwYGazCcBHpVQmbdIaXCACH85SPaFJhyphenhyphen2Yqu7_WKCNZE/s1600/IMG_3817.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvLie_8CdVdTupaJOnoelM4qhcL_yxuzdSZoL-2G5EeG-O-y8M2y4r1dF1z02w4-5AUko0kK_4ZBr3R1TGx5GYq1-IJCD6lYtwYGazCcBHpVQmbdIaXCACH85SPaFJhyphenhyphen2Yqu7_WKCNZE/s320/IMG_3817.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our view - no zoom!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Tickets at McCoy are incredibly reasonable, as I'm sure you can imagine and because the stadium has a capacity of only just over 10,000, there isn't a bad seat in the house. Box seats at McCoy are $11 for all ages, General admission seats are $7 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under and seniors. General admission seats are great, but if you choose to go that route, remember that you'll have to get to the park fairly early, particularly for weekend games! The seats fill up quick, and the ballpark opens two hours before game time.<br />
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McCoy offers a good selection of concession options at reasonable prices. They even have the complete list of their concessions - with prices - <a href="http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/documents/2011/04/22/18117202/1/2011ConcessionStandMenu.pdf">available online</a>! Please note the price of a draft beer in McCoy Stadium - $4.75. They even offer healthier fare for those who may not want to go all out in the full baseball experience, noshing on hot dogs, peanuts and Cracker Jacks. Salads, fruit and hummus with pita chips are just a few of these healthier options.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVLRSclB2PSjWOsdnPJHzIA1S4lfawq33igGhDnFMocWtAiiru5v0YkIH6pYXJUkRaZe9rZG9vAJFQV7w_UZsSzzXqbxDOpazqtsdiFJ-eARxkS0UhRlRtW6tJrxY7Bqjb3Q9DY6El-w/s1600/paws+and+sox.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVLRSclB2PSjWOsdnPJHzIA1S4lfawq33igGhDnFMocWtAiiru5v0YkIH6pYXJUkRaZe9rZG9vAJFQV7w_UZsSzzXqbxDOpazqtsdiFJ-eARxkS0UhRlRtW6tJrxY7Bqjb3Q9DY6El-w/s320/paws+and+sox.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/team3/page.jsp?ymd=20080904&content_id=454258&vkey=team3_t533&fext=.jsp&sid=t533">photo credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The mascots of the PawSox are Paws and Sox. And while they are no <a href="http://www.mlb.com/bos/fan_forum/wally.jsp">Wally the Green Monster</a>, they are pretty awesome. I mean, according to his bio, Paws favorite song is "Centerfield" by John Fogarty. That's MY favorite baseball song. It was meant to be!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBd3HD8Abdgsy2vpTyP1h_JTPJIb3oVglCdxI_gPace7aVep2i0MOSyb0ghyKPDkyjZBY4MTMP-Eu4TGpGx7WXf29TCqZquez5ajGiPMSZq9dPCNzq7XAEzY42Ajtq5KM93L1VaJRsRM/s1600/IMG_3808.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBd3HD8Abdgsy2vpTyP1h_JTPJIb3oVglCdxI_gPace7aVep2i0MOSyb0ghyKPDkyjZBY4MTMP-Eu4TGpGx7WXf29TCqZquez5ajGiPMSZq9dPCNzq7XAEzY42Ajtq5KM93L1VaJRsRM/s200/IMG_3808.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Do you want to meet Paws and/or Sox? You can!!! During the 2nd, 3rd, 8th and 9th innings, one of these furry mascots will be at the SBLI Paws Pavilion to take pictures and give autographs! Unfortunately, when we went to the game on Sunday, I didn't get a chance to get down there with the little man. But, I did get a picture of the Pavilion! Too bad that person was standing there, kind of ruining the shot. But, I have never claimed to be a photographer! See how the seat looks like ice? That's to keep Paws and Sox cool. Since they are polar bears. Of course.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMR5xz-mdlPI5wkekqEElSbkxgoxlcbxjSMhjfb17kppH5yn6UNhtD-ON5Uh5gavE-8eKvnZivEMcMs1UuU6aRIKTnsNn8MLTGz6b2L2c8eNvx0wYf2ikE-FT1vuuOHQCLQGKqkibXDw/s1600/176310_10150122177984049_677274048_6163623_2446988_o.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMR5xz-mdlPI5wkekqEElSbkxgoxlcbxjSMhjfb17kppH5yn6UNhtD-ON5Uh5gavE-8eKvnZivEMcMs1UuU6aRIKTnsNn8MLTGz6b2L2c8eNvx0wYf2ikE-FT1vuuOHQCLQGKqkibXDw/s200/176310_10150122177984049_677274048_6163623_2446988_o.jpg" width="148" /></a></div>TSI is already a big Paws fan. He's got a fun little beanbag Paws that we bought him way back in February, when he took his very first trip to McCoy!! We started training him about PawSox and Red Sox love young, and brought him to the ballpark the day it opened for ticket and souvenir sales!! They didn't expect anyone to show up, but we showed up about an hour after I saw the posting on Facebook, and they actually had to unlock the doors for us. That was the day we also bought our <a href="http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/tickets/page.jsp?ymd=20081030&content_id=473363&vkey=tickets_t533&fext=.jsp&sid=t533">flex pack tickets</a>.<br />
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The PawSox offer a really cool deal with these tickets. You can purchase packs in multiples of 25. The more tickets you purchase, the lower the price! We decided to get the 25 tickets of the box seat package. Normally box seats are $11 per set, but when you purchase through the flex ticket pack, you save $1 a ticket! That's a total of a $25 savings over time! Pretty sweet! When you want to go to a game, all you have to do is show up at the ticket window and exchange your voucher for a real ticket. It's pretty great. Just remember, there will always be games that are super popular that you should consider getting your tickets in advance. Most of these happen to be the games where there are fireworks such as Memorial Day and 4th of July weekend. We got a few games in advance - including Memorial Day Sunday and July 30, which is Clay Buchholz bobble head giveaway night! Get well soon Clay! <br />
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We left the game on Sunday in the bottom of the 5th inning. It was hot and TSI was getting sleepy and needed a nap. That's the beauty of going to a PawSox game, it's so close and the tickets are cheap enough that you don't feel too bad when you have to leave early! On the way out, I got to take a closer look at the area outside the ballpark. This season, they have lined the sidewalks around the outfield with pictures of some of the greats that have played in a PawSox uniform. As part of this addition, they created a nice little garden area with some pretty cool statues!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGKO9PRAqMF95s7YMFLEncFg1J6JEmmUqP60ALYaMNmSMlUtw7DAxZaGdyqMotHeHJl5yQI2KfEhkNS79oR7rogoQ4el7NGv_Klg-9oa9dz0_jrECWtmG45k_QlR6pVGxXXqyp5_efMY/s1600/cool+statue+3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGKO9PRAqMF95s7YMFLEncFg1J6JEmmUqP60ALYaMNmSMlUtw7DAxZaGdyqMotHeHJl5yQI2KfEhkNS79oR7rogoQ4el7NGv_Klg-9oa9dz0_jrECWtmG45k_QlR6pVGxXXqyp5_efMY/s320/cool+statue+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I do have to say that I love they included a little girl in this group of statues! Girls love baseball too!! I also love how one group of kids is just playing for fun, and the other is clearly playing more competitively. They are fun and full of whimsy. Someday, that'll be TSI!!<br />
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So, if you are a baseball lover and you live in the Rhode Island area - or even if you don't live in the Rhode Island area! - you must head on over to McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket to check out a game. Who knows, maybe you'll get lucky and see one of the major leaguers that are set to come off the DL soon doing a rehab assignment!!<br />
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Play Ball!!!Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/06862254272585544685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-14343497931293642482011-07-12T23:20:00.001-04:002011-07-12T23:21:43.790-04:00All Star Pizza - The Best Pizza in Rhode IslandDuring this MLB All Star break, it only seemed appropriate for my husband and I to pick up dinner from our favorite local pizza shop, All Star Pizza.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprX5BhbrHvFPyjZVIi0HCxGosWEr2gHlWcQdDFrDH5tMH8pW0cm3vCCV99XI9bhNOPlWUXWqhFPd3OBnePHA1mI5WQi7ROr4fe1qyo-nzZn2tC1RSP4TZAX0tE1nVF1iP-_X01F3_WRk/s1600/AllStarPizza1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprX5BhbrHvFPyjZVIi0HCxGosWEr2gHlWcQdDFrDH5tMH8pW0cm3vCCV99XI9bhNOPlWUXWqhFPd3OBnePHA1mI5WQi7ROr4fe1qyo-nzZn2tC1RSP4TZAX0tE1nVF1iP-_X01F3_WRk/s400/AllStarPizza1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All Star Pizza, 417 Broad Street, Cumberland, RI 02864</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Located in Cumberland, Rhode Island All Star Pizza is owned by brothers Brian and Steve Seagrave. <br />
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From the name, to the colors painted outside the building it is apparent baseball is going to be a theme in this pizza shop - but just wait until you step inside.<br />
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Once opened, the door chimes with "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" and everywhere you look are pieces of Red Sox memorabilia. There are bats, World Series pictures, pennants, a mini scoreboard/green monster, Red Sox pizza cutters, cotton candy and even a the light switches are Red Sox themed! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOgjScDNgJG0_Pya2jQYCOM59Jbx5Aq_Uo7I9pX1Yx7JbkTmQpHnv7WQFkGvczWXitZK-aTnw3MFEGzLLlXQOSicXB6SPRBzpCViScQStkL7ZhAJY04D9ct80FNwVSrC1NOULarFCrD4/s1600/AllStarPizzaCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOgjScDNgJG0_Pya2jQYCOM59Jbx5Aq_Uo7I9pX1Yx7JbkTmQpHnv7WQFkGvczWXitZK-aTnw3MFEGzLLlXQOSicXB6SPRBzpCViScQStkL7ZhAJY04D9ct80FNwVSrC1NOULarFCrD4/s400/AllStarPizzaCollage.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Sox Memorabilia in All Star Pizza</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As much as it's fun to look around while picking up your order (or dining in at one of the high top tables located within the small shop), All Star really hits a homerun with its food. <br />
<br />
They have some signature items like friend pickles and wieners served Rhode Island style (yellow mustard, diced onions, seasoned meat sauce and celery salt) and seriously some of the best pizza I've ever had. Their pizza dough and sauce are made from scratch and they smother their toppings in cheese.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-SqnF2YKREttTP3w8eGCmiGtxcAvIE37te7CGAreFVPprvLIY24GHDJ8ATUs7a22tu0WKTNdpwvSmtKQ0YSMy3gsZmOfzDsC5bduYSBCvwzrD2FFEsS9GFT8rRZbBI9kUAN_z7PRPEc/s1600/AllStarPepperoniPizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-SqnF2YKREttTP3w8eGCmiGtxcAvIE37te7CGAreFVPprvLIY24GHDJ8ATUs7a22tu0WKTNdpwvSmtKQ0YSMy3gsZmOfzDsC5bduYSBCvwzrD2FFEsS9GFT8rRZbBI9kUAN_z7PRPEc/s400/AllStarPepperoniPizza.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that cheese-covered pepperoni goodness!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I even hear in the fall they serve a special Thanksgiving Pizza (<span data-jsid="text">brown gravy, chunks of turkey, bread stuffing, green beans and mozzarella cheese). Yes, please!<br />
</span><br />
<span data-jsid="text">In addition to the wonderful atmosphere and outstanding food All Star also offers free delivery and the best prices around. <br />
</span><br />
<span data-jsid="text">If I had one (or two) small wishes it would have been 1) That All Star supported their local professional baseball team, the Pawtucket Red Sox a little bit within their shop and 2) Sports was on their TV instead of Cake Boss ;) <br />
<br />
But seriously if you're ever in the area or looking to try some great pizza check out All Star Pizza. Tell 'em SoxyLady sent you. </span><br />
<span data-jsid="text"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span data-jsid="text">All Star Pizza</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span data-jsid="text">417 Broad Street</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span data-jsid="text">Cumberland, RI 02864</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span data-jsid="text">401-725-SLAM</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span data-jsid="text"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span data-jsid="text"><b>Business Hours: </b><br />
Sun-Thurs: 11 AM - 11 PM</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span data-jsid="text">Fri - Sat: 11 AM - 1 AM</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span data-jsid="text"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span data-jsid="text">Like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/All-Star-Pizza/331918467267">All Star Pizza on Facebook</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span data-jsid="text">View pictures of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/All-Star-Pizza/331918467267?sk=wall#%21/media/set/?set=a.433586947267.209910.331918467267">All Star Pizza's Menu</a> on Facebook </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span data-jsid="text"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span data-jsid="text">No free pizza or other offers were exchanged for this review. In fact, nobody at All Star even knows who I am. I just want to support this local Rhode Island business and fellow Sox fans! </span></i><br />
</div>Soxy Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01515337644631991851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-22212193621689519722011-07-08T20:04:00.004-04:002011-07-08T23:25:13.487-04:00Boo Birds Sing<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br />
<img src="http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/174/4/e/emouse_banner_by_emousedesigns-d3js96o.jpg" /></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
There's stormy weather in the forecast, and it made me think about one of the times when I feel it's okay to boo at Fenway Park, when it's not directed at the other team; If you feel you're being held hostage by a rain delay.<br />
<br />
Rain is just a part of what you deal with as a baseball fan. It's not played indoors like hockey and basketball, and it's not just an exciting, additional factor, like it is in football. It's cause for cancellation of a game that is played almost every day of the Summer. Therefore, it's hard to make up this games after they're called off. Believe me when I say I'd much rather have an open field like Fenway than one of those artificial domes, that feels more like a novelty size child's toy than a ball park. However, there's been plenty of times where I feel this has been taken advantage of. <br />
<br />
Obviously not all Sox fans live in Boston. Usually, a trip to catch a game involves a commute that lasts hours each way. When one finally arrives, the ordeal isn't over. If you didn't feel like parking outside of town and going through the nightmare that is public transportation revolving around a sporting event, you have to find a place to park that beast, and it costs $30.00 + dollars to do so. Then you file in, probably pick up an official trash bag with a hood, because you forgot to pack any gear, buy some food, and wait for the delay to be called off, knowing in your heart the whole time the whole game is going to be called off. You heard the weather man say 100% chance of precipitation in Boston tonight on the way up. <br />
<br />
That excuse about how difficult it is to make up that game is always at the ready, should you ever imply the whole run-around is given to prevent loss of vendor revenue to anyone official.<br />
<br />
So you sit there...In your hooded trash bag...Watching as time trickles on, just like the rain, only to have it called about an hour after the game was supposed to start. Just enough time to make sure as many people as possible spent money on parking, rain gear and food.<br />
<br />
<br />
Recently, my father had tickets to a game that was cancelled hours before it started. He was so pleased that he didn't have to deal with the weather gamble that he was moved to write a letter to the Red Sox saying so. I've never known Dad to take the time to write letters when he's anything but livid about something. Sign my name on the bottom of that letter too, pops.<br />
<br />
Anyone who has been in this situation knows exactly what I'm talking about. Anyone else thinks I'm just bitching about the weather, which no one can control. Fair enough, but it brings me back to my original point about being more clear about when it's okay to direct boos at something other than the other team. Here's the break down:<br />
<br />
-When your team is losing to a bunch of Canadians on America's birthday.<br />
<img src="http://www.theology.edu/Remata/Android/Help/wrongx_icon.png" /> Nope. Just turn that cap inside out, and rally like a good fan.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
-When a consistently lackluster pitcher is giving the game away.<br />
<img src="http://www.theology.edu/Remata/Android/Help/wrongx_icon.png" /> No. This is only going to make him worse, and build up resentment.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
-When the organization waits until the last second to call a game, while the weather reports were telling the people of Boston all day not to worry about filling up the kiddie pool using town water.<br />
<img src="http://www.theology.edu/Remata/Android/Help/check_icon.png" />Absolutely. Boo the bejesus out of that place! Better to get it all out there, than behind the wheel on the long trip home.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/34/120318854_63c4267b05.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://basketbawful.blogspot.com/2006/03/word-of-day-boo-birds.html">Source</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
That's all for today's lesson. Cheer up, though. We're back in first!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://emousedesigns.blogspot.com/">-eMouse </a><br />
<br />
<img src="http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/174/1/5/emouse_logo_by_emousedesigns-d3js9ky.jpg" />eMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559234185294474846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-71695000157157430352011-07-01T17:34:00.002-04:002011-07-02T19:44:21.944-04:00The Seven Commandments of Fenway<img src="http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/174/4/e/emouse_banner_by_emousedesigns-d3js96o.jpg" /> <br />
<br />
This past week, I've had a few friends reply "So I guess you're the judge now on who's a real fan and who isn't?" after I posted the link to my last blog entry on Facebook, I thought "Yes. Yes I am...And why not?"<b> </b><br />
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In light of this, I've decided to compile a list of rules one should follow in order to behave properly as a baseball fan, particularly within the walls of our beloved ball park. So, without further ado, I present you with the SEVEN COMMANDMENTS OF FENWAY!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/182/7/4/7494fde66c0f0d7741116bcbc3da41cd-d3kogzb.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Yes, there's only seven. The remaining commandments were lost in an unfortunate and unforeseen incident.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<b>Thou Shalt Remember that You are at a Baseball Game.</b><br />
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While a baseball game is certainly a place to connect with other fans, it is not a cocktail party. It is impolite to come and go as you please, making everyone in your row stand up to let you by, and blocking the view of the people behind you while the count is full. If you need to leave your seat, wait to do it between innings. If you can't wait that long, do it between at-bats.<br />
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Seeing people more interested in waving while talking too loudly on their cell phone, either at a camera or to a friend on the other side of the park who isn't going to see them anyway is also annoying. While pretty much everyone has done this at some point, you should be mindful that you will be made fun of by complete strangers. You may not be aware of it, but it is happening.<br />
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<b>Thou Shalt Not Boo Any Member of thy Current Red Sox Roster</b><br />
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I'm typically not one to utter a phrase such as "How dare you!?", but I've found myself saying it at Fenway before, particularly during David Ortiz's dry spell. When a player has been performing poorly for a while, it weighs heavily on his mind. He doesn't need your entitled sense of indignation following him in wafts of hot air back to the dugout. Since I've been a Red Sox fan, I've sinned; I've booed two team players. The first was Manny Ramirez, because...Well, because of the same reason you booed him. Also there was Eric Gagne, because he was clearly a Yankee spy.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/182/2/6/2626b817bd722fc38513b6aff0463c36-d3kogw6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What more proof do you need?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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The fickle nature of many that inhabit the stands of Fenway was the reason Ted Williams refused to tip his cap for so many years. No one's saying that you have to cheer or come up with with motivational posters to hold up at the game, or that you're not allowed to discuss your disappointment with a player's falling numbers...But absolutely no booing, especially when it comes to players who have already done so much for the team. I don't buy the argument that it gives him incentive to shut the crowd up, either. It is uncalled for and there's zero class in it.<br />
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<b><br />
Thou Shalt Not Waste Playoff or Yankees Tickets on Non-Fans.<br />
</b><br />
I propose that when deciding whether or not a person is worthy of post-season or Yankees tickets, they should be quizzed. I suggest asking them to name the players corresponding to all the Red Sox retired numbers. If none of your potential "dates" pass the test, sell it to someone who is dying to go. <br />
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In December of 2003, my parents stood in line and acquired a ten-man-ticket-plan season ticket package. That was quite a year to pick up one of those! Their deal included four seats to ten regular season games (two of which are Yankees games), and four seats in one post-season game. I was in my senior year of college, so my parents sold two of the seats for every game to a friend of my father's.<br />
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Turned out that was a bad idea, because the first thing he did was sell his seats for the Yankees games, and brag about how much money he made. That wasn't the worst part though. The post-season of 2004 was rather exciting, as you may remember. The game my parents wound up getting tickets to was game 5 of the ALCS. Despite strong suggestions from both myself and my parents that he should offer me the last ticket, Kevin (screw it, I'll use his real name. The bastard deserves it.) decided to take a woman he'd just met to the game. I'm sure she was very impressed by the gesture, but according to my parents, she knew next to nothing about the game, and apparently cared even less. That's some bullshit, huh?<br />
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Also, small children that don't know anything about the game should brought a regular season, non-Yankees game for a test run to see if they show any interest in watching and sitting through one. Too many times have I sat near a family, and the well-intentioned parents brought their children, thinking they were giving their children a memory they'd have for the rest of their lives. They realize only when the kids argue with each other the entire time, climb the seats, kick the back of my chair, and cry that they want to go home starting in the fifth inning, that maybe it wasn't such a good idea.<br />
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<b>Thou Shalt Not Fake It</b><br />
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Of course you're going to meet people in the stands that know very little about the game, and readily admit it, but are enthusiastic about learning more. However, many band-wagoners are highly annoying in their attempts to make it seem like they've been fans all along. This makes it an important commandment, as it has to do with the self-preservation of one's own pride. Faking it to try and appease the Faithful is a mistake, because you will eventually be outed, and that's just embarrassing for everyone. You will also be the subject of scorn if you managed to fake your way into getting a ticket to an important game, and are found out when you ask "Why is everyone booing and clapping at the same time?" when Youkilis approaches the plate.<br />
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<b>Thou Shalt Not Confuse Thy Team Colors </b><br />
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These days, it's fashionable to claim to root for the Red Sox. The key word in that statement is "fashionable", and the influx of band-wagoners that have converged on Fenway Park since the mid to late nineties haven't exactly made themselves hard to spot, particularly if they're so ridiculous as to wear a pink hat, pink Ellsbury shirt and pearls...Yes, we have photographic evidence of this.<br />
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Green is not okay either. I realize the Sox have been known to wear green uniforms one day out of the year during Spring training in honor of St. Patrick, but neither pink nor green shall ever be considered team colors, unless the club changes its name to the Boston Watermelons. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/182/8/f/boston_watermelons_by_emousedesigns-d3kohkh.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only then...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<b>Thou Shalt Be Mindful of Thy Beer</b><br />
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Pay attention, whether it be in watching your overall consumption level, or trying to carry one too many cups back to your seat, and sloshing it everywhere. Either situation can become uncomfortable for all involved. I know the beer isn't that great at Fenway, and it's no big loss to you losing a splash or two, but I don't want to wear it on my sleeve. Please be particularly careful if you have higher-up seats right on the perimeter. Too many times have I seen fans with their elbows perched on the railing holding a beer, blissfully unaware of it raining down on the fans below. I don't know about you, but my chances of being stopped by police double when I leave a game, especially if we lost. I prefer not to smell beer-soaked in such cases. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.instructables.com/image/F210U9JG76MFC2G/Self-antiquing-Prank-just-use-paper-and-flour.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worst case scenario: Being soaked in a beverage disaster, and then antiqued by a mountain of powdered sugar from a piece of fried dough on a windy day. <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Self-antiquing-Prank-just-use-paper-and-flour/">Source</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<b>Thou Shalt Not Leave Early, Just Because Thy Team is Losing</b><br />
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-You took the train in, and you don't want to miss the last one out.<br />
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-You've got children with you, and they're getting cranky.<br />
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-You work the graveyard shift, and you have to be there in an hour.<br />
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Those are all acceptable excuses for leaving a game early. Leaving because the team is losing is never, ever, ever, ever acceptable. Leaving just to beat traffic is just as bad. You're the very definition of a fair-weather fan if you do either, and you will deserve the walk of shame to the scowls of the real fans who know to stick around when their team needs them.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://emousedesigns.blogspot.com/">-eMouse</a><br />
<a href="http://emousedesigns.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/174/1/5/emouse_logo_by_emousedesigns-d3js9ky.jpg" /></a>eMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559234185294474846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-90192216042626207782011-06-23T18:38:00.010-04:002011-07-02T19:45:05.482-04:00Pink Stinks!<img src="http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/174/4/e/emouse_banner_by_emousedesigns-d3js96o.jpg" /><br />
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<i>Author's Note - I wanted to post a positive, non-ranting piece for my first entry on Soxy's blog, I really did! But I saw something last week at the coffee shop that just inspired me to go off. </i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa367/eMouseDesigns/pinkbruins.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.guidespot.com/guides/boston_bruins_hockey_fan">Source</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<br />
"I ain't no pink hat-wearin' Red Sox 'fan'".<br />
<br />
I wonder how I would explain this statement to somebody visiting our country. Someone with absolutely no knowledge of baseball. Even if they did know a little, I'm sure I'd come off as a complete nutcase. I wonder how I would describe this to a "pink hat" herself. I pondered this question as I took a gander at my first viewing of a pink Bruins jersey, on the eve of game 7 last week. I was sipping my anti-grump serum on my fifteen minute break when a familiar bitter taste of non-coffee origin crept into my throat. I gazed upon the familiar B logo without even a hint of black or gold coloring.<br />
<br />
I thought to myself "Well now, I guess this means at least I shouldn't have any trouble finding someone to go to a Bruins game with me." However, I know from experience that the crowd once made up of "Good Will Hunting" stunt doubles will be replaced with wannabe runway models. It will be less of a hockey game and more of a school dance. It's a small price to pay for victory, and hell, some would call it an improvement, but it always makes me mourn for the watering down of the die-hard crowd.<br />
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What does a pink hat in Fenway Park represent to me? It represents a movement of poseurism that inevitably follows any championship, or even any serious run at one. You'll turn around to high five a stranger after a home run, only to see the top of a pink hat, gazing down at her iPhone. Maybe she's updating her Face Book status at how awesome it was seeing Papi knock one out at a Yankees game? Nope. She's playing "Angry Birds".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://thesporthole.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/fans.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Congratulations to the runner up in the "Image of a fair weather fan" category. <a href="http://thesporthole.com/in-defense-of-fair-weather-fans/">Source</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
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You couldn't find a more literal sign of when it's fashionable to be a sports fan. I get the same feeling when I watch a post-season game and see the seats filled with Muffys and Mitchum Grayson Snobington III's, that cower at every hint of a foul ball, instead of the real fans that were there rallying with the team all season long. For every clown in a Nantucket red hat sitting behind home plate that's more interested in talking on his cell phone and waving at the camera than watching a crucial game from an amazing seat, there is a real fan sitting at home or in a bar with a hate-induced nose bleed. <br />
<br />
Don't think I'm overlooking a double-standard, here. I'm not ready to let green hats off the hook either. Green is not a team color, unless we're talking Celtics. The only reason I don't rail on them so hard is because the ratio of true fans to fashion victims is reversed when you compare pink and green hats. Although the green is meant to show the Irish pride of Southie, it really just dilutes what should be a sea of red. Seriously, it's on the exact opposite side of the color wheel. You're there to support your team; Wear the team colors! I know I've seen correctly-tinted hats and jerseys with a shamrock patch. That'll do just fine, won't it?<br />
<br />
Boston is a proud city, and the greatest sports town you'll find anywhere. It has endured years of agony and last second misses that have made its victories all that much sweeter. The heart and soul of the sports scene is its fan base, who's unwavering passion has brought about nicknames such as the "Fenway Faithful". <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="228" src="http://www.royalrooters.org/storage/Rooters_Drum.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1301742288987" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.royalrooters.org/about/">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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Fenway is the only park I've been to where the fans don't need to be prompted over the P.A. or big screen to start a cheer. Take a trip up to Toronto, and see how many gimmicks they use to try and keep half-hearted fans engaged in supporting their team! I think of that whenever I see a pink hat...I feel like there is a spy among us. <br />
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I'm not saying anyone that's ever worn a pink hat can never be considered a real fan. I'm merely writing this to alert the unaware that if you want to support your team, you need to wear their colors, and learn not to ask if a pitcher that was traded two years ago is warming up in the bullpen. Get some real gear, and either toss that pink hat out, or just use it to keep the hair out of your face when you clean out the garage once a year. Every time you wear it, you'll be taken as seriously as that girl at every Super Bowl party that cheers when the other team scores because she "thought touchdowns were good"<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.cosmicbaseball.com/edooley_n.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cosmicbaseball.com/edooley_n.gif">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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Unless your name was Lib Dooley...Then you get a pass.<br />
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<a href="http://emousedesigns.blogspot.com/"><img height="196" src="http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/174/5/c/emouse_logo_by_emousedesigns-d3js9ky.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="http://emousedesigns.blogspot.com/">-eMouse</a>eMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05559234185294474846noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-35437750920815804752011-06-21T14:02:00.000-04:002011-06-21T14:02:56.286-04:00Red Sox Events CalendarI'm happy to announce the next major change to SoxyLady!!<br />
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There are often many cool events happening for Red Sox nation and now SoxyLady can be your one-stop shop to find out about all of them.<br />
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There are two ways to view what's going on. <br />
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Now listed in the right hand navigation is an agenda view of upcoming events -- click on the name of any event to get more information and add the event to your personal Google calendar.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR33p7wiS-EHFFl0BRqnMb4O5LX-7bXaMETdxTOh9LfGNOGReOv2qowq8y2J-DrPhyDOV8f9O_Df6Ux9ak276P3dddDOZzvyxuHHGzaE3qzln76H7cV8-ecY49z73zakoRRu0aDNwobLo/s1600/RedSoxEvents.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR33p7wiS-EHFFl0BRqnMb4O5LX-7bXaMETdxTOh9LfGNOGReOv2qowq8y2J-DrPhyDOV8f9O_Df6Ux9ak276P3dddDOZzvyxuHHGzaE3qzln76H7cV8-ecY49z73zakoRRu0aDNwobLo/s320/RedSoxEvents.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Second, also in the right hand navigation there is now a link under the "Quick Link Pages" to the main calendar page. Clicking on this will bring you to the static <a href="http://soxylady.blogspot.com/p/events-calendar.html">Red Sox Events Calendar</a> page.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzhppsoApd6HZ2oUEwl596oTIGTM3TlUQrKWNeGXexSWXM9ZK1NJcLxH1pz3AepO1pJ_7cC8-1TMaMr49uXbZLJtZ7vviYFe2ZkzOaD24lbZffVMiEojZCmEmoIIxRFKWA3fVexCupfE/s1600/QuickLinks.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzhppsoApd6HZ2oUEwl596oTIGTM3TlUQrKWNeGXexSWXM9ZK1NJcLxH1pz3AepO1pJ_7cC8-1TMaMr49uXbZLJtZ7vviYFe2ZkzOaD24lbZffVMiEojZCmEmoIIxRFKWA3fVexCupfE/s1600/QuickLinks.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFynBF8oZnn8Aq13sf_95S9M0ogadOGFN9fWIjYA1WpBtF1bPlKMzNsnkT5eQTsIfsBIByCM4vmxIoxOFx7ZET6hzZbCySj5-GXqkl6oJ35dHkmfXEH59p3far5W4KDw_6LrwcBSqExF8/s1600/calendar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFynBF8oZnn8Aq13sf_95S9M0ogadOGFN9fWIjYA1WpBtF1bPlKMzNsnkT5eQTsIfsBIByCM4vmxIoxOFx7ZET6hzZbCySj5-GXqkl6oJ35dHkmfXEH59p3far5W4KDw_6LrwcBSqExF8/s320/calendar.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Again, clicking on any date/event name will provide you with more detailed information on the event as well as the option to add it to your personal Google calendar.<br />
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I hope you love this change, as I'm very excited about it.<br />
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<b>Help get the word out to others by letting them know they can add their own event to this calendar</b> by emailing me at: Soxylady33@gmail.com<br />
In the subject of the email please write "Red Sox Event Calendar Addition"<br />
In the body of the email please write the event name, date, time, registration information, costs associated and a brief description. Events should be in the greater Boston/Providence/Manchester/Portland areas.Soxy Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01515337644631991851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-37411881623107844372011-06-16T07:00:00.006-04:002011-06-16T07:00:00.246-04:00Changes Coming to SoxyLady!!!Over the next few months expect to see some changes over here at SoxyLady. We're getting an overhaul, a self-hosted domain, some new writers, new focus....a lot of exciting stuff. Now is your chance to let us know what YOU want to see on this site, we just might take you up on it and send you a thank-you gift.<br />
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The first change I'm going to announce is a writer who has joined the Soxy family! Erin aka <a href="http://emousedesigns.blogspot.com/">eMouse</a> is the amazing artist who brought us such greats as "Darth Jeter" and "Emperor Steinbrenner"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHVL7-kato6yp150MXQ0Eo5WcosW8xsHOmldZKcL4zCqJD3HFhYbm7pvk9Ht8jYG37KrxE6lWKddeMANYIaNFn_tT1Ks5v-t5zmzaKVhmL-XHXUvTSIOosWEqF-uHvFkjyF7y4DHVLt8/s1600/DarthJeter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHVL7-kato6yp150MXQ0Eo5WcosW8xsHOmldZKcL4zCqJD3HFhYbm7pvk9Ht8jYG37KrxE6lWKddeMANYIaNFn_tT1Ks5v-t5zmzaKVhmL-XHXUvTSIOosWEqF-uHvFkjyF7y4DHVLt8/s320/DarthJeter.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrG5qzI3kFywaoU48k-KYprBFUxnHHbyOMPmNvsgBaPL4m6tGp9bAMQ4NMFsQCEZN4hvbw4ceFwnI_S_MgOpEalxVUoY0OCnAHaKCSQ06XjrQ5j0-jEwO2YPM5wb78YpDdtfYCAswpxIw/s1600/EmporerSteinbrenner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrG5qzI3kFywaoU48k-KYprBFUxnHHbyOMPmNvsgBaPL4m6tGp9bAMQ4NMFsQCEZN4hvbw4ceFwnI_S_MgOpEalxVUoY0OCnAHaKCSQ06XjrQ5j0-jEwO2YPM5wb78YpDdtfYCAswpxIw/s1600/EmporerSteinbrenner.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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</a></div>I asked eMouse a few questions in effort to let you get to know her a little bit.<br />
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<b>SL: </b>I know you've been a Sox fan practically since birth, what is your earliest Sox memory?<br />
<b>eM: </b>My earliest Sox memory is ironically hearing about my big brother's first trip to Fenway. I wasn't included on that trip. Dad says it was because they sat in the bleachers, and that was no place for a little girl. Of course, my brother's lasting impression of that event was seeing a drunk female flash the crowd and "having to pee in the sink". Of course, I'm referring to the infamous old urinal trough in Fenway.<br />
<div><b>SL: </b>Were you disappointed the first time you went to Fenway and realized girls didn't have to "pee in the sink?"</div><b>eM:</b> No, I was definitely not disappointed at not having the sink-peeing option. My first trip didn't come until 1995. I couldn't tell you who was pitching that night. I was more interesting in taking in the park for the first time. <div><b>SL:</b> Of all of the changes that have taken place in Fenway Park over the years, what has been your favorite/least favorite?</div><div><b>eM</b>: Hmmm, I think my favorite would be the monster seats, though I've never had the privilege of sitting up there. It just enhances one of the park's most famous quirks in an awesome way. My least favorite would have to be the seats in section 33 that they swapped out during last year's renovations. They're uncomfortable, they get smaller as they get closer to the wall, and they somehow managed to situate two of my parents' season ticket seats behind the same pole.</div><div><b>SL: </b>AMEN!</div><div><div><b>SL:</b> Obligatory question, who is your favorite Sox player, past or present? </div><div><b>eMouse</b>: Y'know, Nomah was my first love, but I think I'm going to have to go with Papi. He's got as much class as he's got game, and his smile could light up the park at night. Attitude is very important, and Papi's got the right kind.</div><div><b>SL</b>: What one thing do you want the readers of SoxyLady to know about your love of the Red Sox? </div><div><b>eM</b>: It is real. I love the Red Sox and Red Sox Nation. I even love Yankees fans, in the same way a puppy loves an expensive leather shoe.</div><div><b>SL</b>: Hahahahahaha, there comes some of that personality and fiestyness you're so famous for!</div><div><b>SL</b>: One of my friends said today "Times have changed - my six year old thinks I'm joking when I tell him the Yankees used to beat the Red Sox all the time.." Those kids are lucky. At the same time, what do you say about pink hats who don't know the true pain of being a Red Sox fan? They aren't six years old...they should know better. Or do you think enough time has passed since 2004 that those pink hats should now be given a pass of being a true red sox fan? </div><div><b>eM:</b> I wouldn't give pink hats a true fan pass. I'm sick of the pink hats who are just at games because it's the popular place to be.</div><div><b>SL</b>: I suck at interviewing. Let's play a lightening round.....</div><div><b>SL</b>: Fenway Franks or Italian sausages? </div><div><b>eM: </b>Sausages </div><div><b>SL</b>: Don or Jerry? </div><div><b>eM:</b> Jerry</div><div> <b>SL: </b>Curveball: Damon or Clemens? </div><div><b>eM: </b>[I hate] Damon more </div><div> </div><div> <b>SL</b>:Dirty Water or Sweet Caroline?</div><b>eM: </b>Dirty Water (tough one)</div><div><b>SL</b>: Dirty Water or Shipping Up To Boston? </div><div><b>eM: </b>Dropkicks win that round </div><div><b>SL</b>: Curveball: ESPN or FOX </div><div></div><div><b>eM: </b>ESPN...Fox {censored} {censored}</div><div><b>SL</b>: Haha, ok. Soft serve ice cream in a mini sox helmet or fried dough? <br />
<b>eM: </b>Soft serve in the helmet<br />
<b>SL</b>: God Bless America in the 7th - yay or nay? <br />
<div><b>eM: </b>Yay. Definitely yay. Please strrrrrrrrrretch and remove your caps for this evening's rendition of "God Bless America"</div><div><b>SL: </b>Beckett or Pedro?</div><div><b>eM: </b>Pedro, no questions</div><b>SL: </b>Pardon the sexist girly question, but I gotta ask...[Babe] Kaplers abs or Variteks @ss?</div><div><b>eM: </b>Kapler's abs, hahahaha<br />
<div><b>SL: </b>Papelbon or Foulke? </div><div><b>eM: </b>Papelbon. Didn't care for Foulke's attitude towards the end. He said he didn't even like baseball! WTF?</div><div><b>SL: </b>Youk - beard or no beard? </div><b>eM: </b>No beard! But have you seen him with just a mustache? He looks like Sgt. Slaughter. Fitting, no?<br />
<b>SL: </b>I was thinking Buzz Lightyear</div><div><b>eM: </b>You're stalling...you're on Google Images right now looking up Sgt. Slaughter, aren't you? </div><div><b>SL: </b>Haha, GUILTY!<br />
<b>SL: </b>Booing players, yay or nay? <br />
<b>eM: </b>NAY!</div><div><b>SL: </b>Bigger dirt dog, Nixon or Pedroia? <br />
<b>eM: </b>Nixon, I used the snot rocket statistics to break the tie...you know, Nixon had more instances of snot rockets and nose picking on camera. I couldn't decide otherwise just based on diving catches and scrap. <br />
<b>SL: </b>Ha! On that note, I think we've given readers a pretty good idea of who you are. I can't wait to read your posts, they're sure to entertain! <br />
</div>Stay tuned.......Soxy Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01515337644631991851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-1090850775614946802011-06-15T23:50:00.001-04:002011-06-15T23:51:22.824-04:00Boston Bruins, 2011 Stanley Cup Champions!!!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvCyIYobDdxmVFB5r0LQjJ-RTQMkslU8mYbLd5BITZpPpBrcHIk7jP9ERs_bY_NiQjTnOIFE3bsonCtm3KeN3AdAnANvWIThyW8LJ3134Jwz3nOnqVGJjWaB6CswY_XWVLnnOMXrkClU/s1600/BruinsChampions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvCyIYobDdxmVFB5r0LQjJ-RTQMkslU8mYbLd5BITZpPpBrcHIk7jP9ERs_bY_NiQjTnOIFE3bsonCtm3KeN3AdAnANvWIThyW8LJ3134Jwz3nOnqVGJjWaB6CswY_XWVLnnOMXrkClU/s400/BruinsChampions.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photon from http://bruins.nhl.com/</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Soxy Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01515337644631991851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-89093859764331074312011-04-22T10:14:00.000-04:002011-04-22T10:14:32.378-04:00Red Sox Support Earth Day, Every Day, But Can They Do More?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0rd3t_JVKfhBQImCioIgNgNMHdbJ2RNC3S4OOvRD0NbZ2dbaXZp5G6PI1gV79FKSDgHv2e4xB-45u-dUG349Mt_jbQtc1R6hi7WAKzxdwZ9WRSlzMPEdDtqYBbf78CruSD_mKmiW6TA/s1600/gogreen_266x266.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0rd3t_JVKfhBQImCioIgNgNMHdbJ2RNC3S4OOvRD0NbZ2dbaXZp5G6PI1gV79FKSDgHv2e4xB-45u-dUG349Mt_jbQtc1R6hi7WAKzxdwZ9WRSlzMPEdDtqYBbf78CruSD_mKmiW6TA/s200/gogreen_266x266.gif" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/community/gogreen.jsp"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo credit</span></i></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Over the past few years the Red Sox have made significant strides in becoming a more environmentally-friendly ballpark.<br />
<br />
This page on their website outlines their "Go Green" initiatives: <a href="http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/community/gogreen.jsp">http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/community/gogreen.jsp</a><br />
<br />
I've highlighted one of these initiatives below, as well as added thoughts on what I'd like to see from America's Most Beloved Ballpark.<br />
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<b>Poland Spring Green Team</b><br />
In 2008 Poland Springs solicited volunteers from local organizations and schools to walk around the park during the game and collect recyclable materials. According to the <a href="http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/community/gogreen.jsp">website</a>, these teams collectively gathered 25 tons of plastics during the 2008 season. That number is absolutely mind-blowing. 25 tons of plastic gathered in just Fenway Park alone.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/119751-advantages-plastic-recycling/">Livestrong website</a> estimates in 2008 the US used 14 million tons of plastic, and that recycling a ton of plastic saves about 30 cubic yards of space in landfills. So that means the Red Sox did their part by saving 750 cubic yards of space from Boston-area landfills. Seems admirable, right?<br />
<br />
But here's the thing. I don't recall seeing Green Team members collecting plastic over the past couple of seasons. Did they only do this in 2008? If so, why haven't they continued? Since they are asking for volunteers I don't see that it costs the team much money (unless they sponsor the Tshirts the volunteers wear? Even so, they are effectively paying a ridiculously low sum of money to help have the park cleaned up).<br />
<br />
Then comes an even bigger issue....do the Red Sox need to sponsor Poland Springs and bottled water usage? I'll admit I'm a bit of a hypocrite. I do purchase bottled water from time to time and I also bring my own sealed bottle of water to every Sox game I go to (what is the price of water up to in the park now, $4.00 or something?!). However, if I were allowed to bring in an empty reusable water bottle and fill it with filtered water I'd do just that instead.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://jackjohnsonmusic.com/greening/2010/">Jack Johnson</a> did something similar during his 2010 To The Sea concert tour<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Jack and his crew reduced the use of single use plastic bottles on tour and backstage. All water came straight from the tap, filtered with Brita’s filtration systems and hydration stations.</span> </blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">As a result, the band, crew and concert-goers saved over 55,000 single use water bottles from being consumed and thus ending up in the wastestream.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Concertgoers were able to fill up their own reusable water bottles for free at <strong style="font-weight: bold;"><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">All At Once</em></strong> Water Stations located throughout each concert venue</span></blockquote>The Red Sox could partner with All At Once, or a similar organization to effectively reduce plastic use at Fenway Park.<br />
<br />
I know the push-back is going to be the fact the Red Sox will lose money by doing this. After all, they are a business ::rolls eyes:: but there are ways to work around that as well.<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Red Sox could sell their own branded reusable water bottles, earning money</li>
<li>It would be free for fans to fill the Red Sox branded water bottles at filtration stations</li>
<li>Fans bringing in their own empty reusable water bottles would have to pay $1 to use the filtration station -- cheaper than buying a bottle of water, thus encouraging participation but still earning the organization some money</li>
</ul><div>What do you think? What can the Red Sox do to reduce plastic water waste at Fenway Park? </div>Soxy Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01515337644631991851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-39420930654814082982011-04-21T23:35:00.004-04:002011-04-25T15:28:14.822-04:00The Boston Jed Sox<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqD0RAToZSl-onncC9Ju6XGJXnYrtvhU7n-aWDoZRr1v3IhgWpIEueTbtvg9rQgZOtUMNZ0jR-Oe3N0SE9G_ba-x8G0wuZeTlOfOr-xRNkPN8Cljf28S2jzO2abSaHDhxmLvnwI3K3g8/s1600/TheBostonJedSoxJedLowriePicbyElsaGettyImages%252B.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598234265450734674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqD0RAToZSl-onncC9Ju6XGJXnYrtvhU7n-aWDoZRr1v3IhgWpIEueTbtvg9rQgZOtUMNZ0jR-Oe3N0SE9G_ba-x8G0wuZeTlOfOr-xRNkPN8Cljf28S2jzO2abSaHDhxmLvnwI3K3g8/s320/TheBostonJedSoxJedLowriePicbyElsaGettyImages%252B.jpg" style="float: left; height: 320px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0pt; width: 247px;" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Photo Credt: Elsa/Getty Images North America</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>If you had asked me who the shining star of the Red Sox would be at this point in the season, I can guarantee you Jed Lowrie wouldn't have been on that list.<br />
<br />
Historically Lowrie has been an average utility player who has earned the nickname "no tickets" in my household (inside joke, sorry all). <br />
<br />
He made his MLB debut playing 3rd base on April 15th (my birthday!) in 2008. He had a respectable season batting .258 over 81 games.<br />
<br />
2009 was a different story for him entirely. Batting just .147 over 32 games, it didn't seem the Sox would have a permanent place for this young player.<br />
<br />
In 2010 he hit a respectable .287 with 9 long balls over 55 games. Lowrie seemed to to be a decent utility player, especially against lefties. But to me, there wasn't much else.<br />
<br />
Enter the 2011 season. The season of Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and the triumphant return of Youkilis, Pedroia and even Ellsbury from the DL. We had Scuataro as our starting SS it seemed like our team was set. Lowrie wasn't supposed to be a key player, yet here we are. Over the past couple of weeks Lowrie has become the heart and soul of the Red Sox franchise. Even in the past couple games where he hasn't been hitting as well, he's had productive at bats by advancing batters. (Don't make a liar out of me, no tickets!)<br />
<br />
I even picked him up in one of my fantasy baseball leagues (OK, truth be told. I tried to pick him up in both of my fb leagues, but lost out to my brother in one!)<br />
<br />
Not only is he making waves on the diamond...he's also earned himself a Chuck Norrisesque Twitter following using the hashtag #legendofjedlowrie<br />
<br />
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<br />
This is the final year of his contract if I'm not mistaken. Let's really see what the kid can do this year. What do you think?<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><form action="http://www.acepolls.com/votes" id="poll_id_1200051" method="post"><div style="background-color: #4a4a4a; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 10px 0pt; width: 250px;"><input name="vote[poll_id]" type="hidden" value="1200051" /><br />
<div style="color: #82bfff; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">Is Jed Lowrie The Real Deal?</div><ul style="list-style-type: none; margin: 0pt; padding-left: 10px;"><li><input id="vote_choice_id_6723312" name="vote[choice_id]" type="radio" value="6723312" /><label for="vote_choice_id_6723312" style="color: white;">Yes! He Will Be a 2011 Legend</label></li>
<li><input id="vote_choice_id_6723313" name="vote[choice_id]" type="radio" value="6723313" /><label for="vote_choice_id_6723313" style="color: white;">Only Time Will Tell</label></li>
<li><input id="vote_choice_id_6723314" name="vote[choice_id]" type="radio" value="6723314" /><label for="vote_choice_id_6723314" style="color: white;">Nah, He's Had A Few Good Games, That's all</label></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><input id="submit_1200051" type="submit" value="Vote!" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.acepolls.com/polls/1200051-is-jed-lowrie-the-real-deal/results" id="results" style="color: white;">View Results</a><br />
<a href="http://www.acepolls.com/create" style="color: white;">Create a Blog Poll</a></div></div></form></center>Soxy Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01515337644631991851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-80461819540537672382011-04-11T22:32:00.034-04:002011-08-31T12:42:04.966-04:002011 Red Sox At Bat - Player Entrance Songs and Songs of Fenway ParkIt's that time of year again! It's time to start compiling the list for the Red Sox 2011 At Bat/Player Entrance songs, as well as the songs of Fenway Park. <br />
<br />
I was at last night's 4-0 win over the Yankees. I'm not sure what it is, other than the fact that I must be getting old (it is my birthday on Friday...makes sense), but I didn't have a clue on a lot of the at bat songs! <br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">So just like last year, I'm going to need some help. Please email me at soxylady33 {at} gmail {dot} com or post a comment with any updates!!!</span> <br />
<br />
<b>Mike Aviles #3 - </b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcmKbTR--iA&ob=av2e">Rocketeer by Far East Movement ft. Ryan Tedder</a></i><br />
<b>Carl Crawford #13 </b>- <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY8CXXs06kU">Balling by Young Jeezy ft. Lil Wayne</a></i> (<i>previously <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUg-36fO-Qs">John Doe by Rick Ross</a></i> <em>and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBtsGPzDTEU">Mr. Kodak by T.I.</a>)</em><br />
<strong>J.D. Drew # 7</strong> - <span style="font-style: italic;">No song by request</span> <br />
<strong>Jacoby Ellsbury # 2</strong> - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0n4eMGXAyk"><span style="font-style: italic;">Let It Rock by Kevin Rudolph ft. Lil Wayne</span></a> <br />
<strong>Adrian Gonzalez #28</strong> - <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ei82TQ376E">Get Up Levantate by Pitbull</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O72RLP5fF4">Bon, Bon by Pitbull</a></i> <br />
<strong>Jed Lowrie #12</strong> - <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhPaWIeULKk">Stylo by Gorillaz</a> </i><br />
<strong>Darnell McDonald #54</strong> - <em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYo3wC5Rye0">Ni**as in Paris by Jay-Z and Kanye West</a> (previously </em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWvSJQmBWi8"><i>That's All She Wrote by T.I. ft Eminem</i></a><i> , <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E58qLXBfLrs&ob=av2e">Can't Tell Me Nothing by Kanye West </a>confirmed by Soxy reader, jmorse6)</i><br />
<strong>David Ortiz # 34</strong> - <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMnb4KA_6AU">Subete by Alexis Y Fido</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-dvTjK_07c&ob=av2e">DJ Got Us Falling In Love by Usher ft. Pitbull </a></i>(<i>previously</i> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viJ5W-E3EJc"><span style="font-style: italic;">Never Scared by Bone Crusher ft. Killer Mike & T.I.</span></a> <em>and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ27AM3RTv8">Big Poppa by Notorious BIG</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5rqBA2xxTI">Moment 4 Life by Nicki Minaj ft. Drake </a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGXzlRoNtHU&ob=av2e">All I Do Is Win by DJ Khaled </a> - early in the season he was also coming out to Hotel California - both the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piW9MHpfCu4">Eagles</a> and the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8CWN4qVqrg">Big Lebowski </a>versions, anyone know why?)</em><br />
<strong>Dustin Pedroia # 15</strong> - <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/verify_age?next_url=http%3A//www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DOPaNaD2gr-E">Dre Day by Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg</a></i> <i>(previously</i> <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAfFfqiYLp0">All of the Lights by Kanye West ft. Rihanna</a></span> <em>and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK6wOG_aDl8">More Bounce To the Ounce by Zapp & Roger</a> (confirmed by @mattjgoldstein) and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwGzRdmV6NU">The Wash by Snoop Dogg ft. Dr. Dre</a> (confirmed by @jared_carrabis)</em> <br />
<strong>Josh Reddick # 16</strong> - <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLuW-GBaJ8k">Also Sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss (aka 2001: A Space Odyssey) </a></i>(<i>previously</i> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT6x6ta7eRE" style="font-style: italic;">Cadence to Arms by Dropkick Murphys</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> confirmed by @Shelley1005) </span><br />
<strong>Jarrod Saltalamacchia #39</strong> - <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVxt-Qr8ml0">8 Second Ride by Jake Owen</a> </i><br />
<strong>Marco Scutaro # 16</strong> - <span style="font-style: italic;">No Song by request</span> <br />
<b>Drew Sutton #44 - </b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-TtHCJm44s">Warehouse by Dave Matthews Band</a></i><br />
<strong>Jason Varitek # 33</strong> - <span style="font-style: italic;"></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg8gEIBs5CU" style="font-style: italic;">Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down</a> <br />
<strong>Kevin Youkilis # 20</strong> - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbH3bAvTYjg" style="font-style: italic;">Just a Friend by Biz Markie</a> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Pitcher Entrance Songs</u></span> <br />
<strong>Alfredo Aceves #91</strong> - <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btPJPFnesV4&ob=av2e">Eye of the Tiger by Survivor</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxtvDBZS-Mw&feature=fvst">En La Ciudad De La Furia by Soda Stereo</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCctokeqWyo">Heroes Del Silencio by Soda Stereo</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6AIyzJoPas">Musica Ligera by Soda Stereo</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGo7YlL6odw">Viento by Caifanes</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6giXgG6qQzo">Letting Go (Dutty Love) by Sean Kingston ft. Nicki Minaj</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_mxqrtNEsc">Arboles De La Barranca by Banda El Recodo</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m48GqaOz90&ob=av2e">Boom Boom Pow by The Black Eyed Peas</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81IgdhQdAMQ">Dime Jaguar by Jaguares</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAd3cXf_Ros">Amante De Lo Bueno by Los Tucanes De Tijuana</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5k8BPMndao">Iluvia Al Corazon by Mana</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVkUvmDQ3HY&ob=av2e">Without Me by Eminem</a> (confirmed by @RedSox)</i><br />
<b>Matt Albers #32 - </b><i>No Song </i><i>(confirmed by @RedSox)</i><br />
<b>Scott Atchinson #48</b><i> - No Song </i><i>(confirmed by @RedSox)</i><br />
<strong>Daniel Bard # 51</strong> - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c3d7QgZr7g"><span style="font-style: italic;">Strangle Hold by Ted Nugent</span></a> <br />
<strong>Josh Beckett # 19</strong> -<i> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isLqoB3v_wI">My Kinda Party by Jason Aldean</a> submitted by SoxyLady reader loopschick</i> <br />
<b>Erik Bedard #23</b><i> - No Song </i><i>(confirmed by @RedSox)</i><br />
<strong>Clay Buchholz # 11</strong> - <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoAXW30mMAg">VooDoo Child by Jimi Hendrix</a></i> <br />
<strong>Felix Doubront #61</strong> - <i>unknown</i> <br />
<b>Rich Hill #53</b><i> - No song </i><i>(confirmed by @RedSox)</i><br />
<strong>Bobby Jenks #52</strong> - <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUTXb-ga1fo">I Won't Back Down by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers</a></i><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br />
<strong>John Lackey # 41</strong> - <em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk602Y66UgI&ob=av2e">Guys Like Me by Eric Church </a>(confirmed by Soxy reader Loops)</em> <br />
<strong>Jon Lester # 31</strong> - <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OusIVrzHpOU">I Use What I Got by Jason Aldean</a></span><br />
<strong>Andrew Miller #30</strong> - <i>No Song </i><i>(confirmed by @RedSox)</i><br />
<b>Franklin Morales #46</b><i> - No Song </i><i>(confirmed by @RedSox)</i><br />
<strong>Jonathan Papelbon # 58</strong> - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmDWHLDRM8k" style="font-style: italic;">Shipping Up to Boston by Dropkick Murphys </a> <br />
<strong>Tim Wakefield # 49</strong> -<span style="font-style: italic;"> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfQFU0omkJI">How Bad Do You Want It? by Tim McGraw</a></span><i> </i> <br />
<strong>Dan Wheeler #35</strong> - <i>No Song </i><i>(confirmed by @RedSox)</i><br />
<strong>Pitchers Walking Out To The Bullpen</strong> - <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttQjm-8OITE">He's a Pirate from Pirates of the Caribbean</a></i> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Fenway Park Songs <br />
</u></span><pitcher meeting="">Before the Game - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD8ljNobUys" style="font-style: italic;">Cheers Theme Song</a> <br />
Before the Game Player Video Montage - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmp6zIr5y4U"><em>The Show Goes On by Lupe Fiasco</em> <br />
</a>Middle of the 8th Inning - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0UZONM7JOI"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond </span></a> <br />
</pitcher>Pitcher Meeting On The Mound (by Opposing Team) - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNip8ZEesow"><span style="font-style: italic;">Communication Breakdown by Led Zeppelin</span></a> <i>and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLFF2P8fInI">Message in a Bottle by The Police</a></i> <br />
Pitcher/Catcher Meeting - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Syt8qQUbzVc" style="font-style: italic;">Theme from the Odd Couple</a> <br />
Pitching Change (Visiting Team) - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th370QmFtk8"><i>Surrender by Cheap Trick</i></a> <br />
Ground Rule Double (by Sox) - <a href="http://www.brassbonanza.com/Sound/brassbonanza-2.mp3" style="font-style: italic;">Brass Bonanza</a> <br />
Walk (Sox player on base) - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKttENbsoyk" style="font-style: italic;">Walk This Way by Aerosmith</a> <br />
Intentional Walk of a Sox Player - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWpND8GhBuU"><i>Free Ride by Edgar Winter Group</i></a> <br />
Homerun (by Sox) - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5LW07FTJbI" style="font-style: italic;">Kernkraft 400 by Zombie Nation</a> or <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqHQ_wWbG9Y" style="font-style: italic;">Boom, Boom, Boom by The Outhere Brothers</a> <br />
When the Game Goes into the Bottom of the 9th - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBwS66EBUcY"><em>I Need a Hero by Bonnie Tyler </em> <br />
</a>When the Sox are Trailing in the 9th - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nqcL0mjMjw&playnext=1&list=PL8A1E534591E6F592"><em>Livin' on the Edge by Aerosmith</em> <br />
</a>Extra Innings - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUGsZgkjrco" style="font-style: italic;">Time Is Tight by Booker T & The MGs</a> <br />
After a Sox Win - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a65H8PR17fY" style="font-style: italic;">Dirty Water by the Standells </a> <br />
After Dirty Water - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVC9b0K1Iis" style="font-style: italic;">Tessie by Dropkick Murphys</a> <br />
After Tessie - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xB4W8thG28" style="font-style: italic;">Joy to the World by Three Dog Night</a> <br />
After a Sox Loss - (on the organ) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egX9N8yOgaU"><span style="font-style: italic;">Goonight Sweetheart by The Spaniels</span></a> and (on the organ) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbxxkwBQk_o"><span style="font-style: italic;">Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow by The Shirelles</span></a> <br />
Other songs: <br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98W9QuMq-2k"><span style="font-style: italic;">Vertigo by U2</span></a> <br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ytfrhBWJDM"><span style="font-style: italic;">Gimme the Bassline by Torpedo Boyz</span></a> <br />
<br />
Here are the lists to my: <br />
<a href="http://soxylady.blogspot.com/2007/10/red-sox-at-bat-songs.html">2007 Red Sox At Bat Songs</a> <br />
<a href="http://soxylady.blogspot.com/2008/08/2008-red-sox-at-bat-songs.html">2008 Red Sox At Bat Songs</a> <br />
<a href="http://soxylady.blogspot.com/2010/04/2010-red-sox-at-bat-songs.html">2010 Red Sox At Bat Songs </a> <br />
And not mine, but <br />
<a href="http://redsoxinsider.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/05/the_players_jams.html">2009 Red Sox At Bat Songs</a> <br />
<br />
And hey, guys, these lists are really a labor of love. Feel free to share with others, but please link back to me if you do. <br />
<br />
Some of my information on 2011 player songs came from <a href="http://articles.boston.com/2011-04-07/lifestyle/29393254_1_songs-kevin-rudolf-david-ortiz">this article</a> on the Boston.com. Last year, for the first time the Red Sox took my lead (yep, I'm saying my lead. Based on the number of hits I've gotten on these posts, you'd say the same!) and ended up posting their songs online. <br />
<br />
I'm counting on you guys to help me fill in the blanks and confirm what I have! Soxy Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01515337644631991851noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-49311693829495187012011-02-23T08:59:00.000-05:002011-02-23T08:59:25.385-05:00Lil' Papi, D'angelo Ortiz Bringing It Big TimePersonality: Check<br />
Swagger: Check<br />
Talent: To be seen, but looking good Lil' Papi, looking good!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0" height="356" id="flashObj" width="440"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=799982659001&playerID=16977198001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAAA6piHY~,DqRT40XOAr8wI0s0AlLx8-XNKKxaCNBM&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=799982659001&playerID=16977198001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAAA6piHY~,DqRT40XOAr8wI0s0AlLx8-XNKKxaCNBM&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="440" height="356" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object></div><br />
There is something so refreshing about seeing the players out on the field with their kids, and seeing D'Angelo Ortiz at spring training is like a cherry on top of the sundae.<br />
<br />
Spring training is a time of hope for many.<br />
It's the hope of those young men trying to make it to the bigs.<br />
It's the hope of a nation to bring home another World Series Championship<br />
And where more do you see more hope than in the eyes of a six year old?<br />
<br />
Love it.<br />
Play Ball!Soxy Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01515337644631991851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-66382163895613360882010-05-13T22:40:00.004-04:002010-05-13T23:20:12.158-04:00My Blog Giveaway Winner Announced!!!!!About a week ago, I posted a <a href="http://soxylady.blogspot.com/2010/05/blogapalooza-sized-boston-sports-give.html">contest</a> to give away a package of prizes from Boston Sports Blogapalooza.<br /><br />Each entrant had the opportunity to enter the contest up to three times. I numbered all of the entries in the order I received them and used Random.org to pick the winner.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinvqwelz7dqibAjsT0AYt83CZkh041KNnIPxJIa3WI-dL9XthDV2_mm7qNtObX3lE_2-WHnZ3KhvFW_LDsMbSXO3pa_p9BPtZ4uzx5tFaSVQ-uPYrWGn2kxueDk1yOT4o2FGco1dLIWU/s1600/Picture+2.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinvqwelz7dqibAjsT0AYt83CZkh041KNnIPxJIa3WI-dL9XthDV2_mm7qNtObX3lE_2-WHnZ3KhvFW_LDsMbSXO3pa_p9BPtZ4uzx5tFaSVQ-uPYrWGn2kxueDk1yOT4o2FGco1dLIWU/s200/Picture+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470960246528072482" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">So without further ado, I'd like to congratulate Jeff Docherty!!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CzTjdcYliJ1oopbtyto-sqRnAOMn-U3tq0oVlFr0g9A5Oz5-M7mo5RV0VHIRja8sH3SoE_Hf5l2nJtSgiGInfQGSeAD0OzO5-8Ruxb0stiqr0dXwPx7EZnc9AEMyhHdtOnYFs-6NpqI/s1600/large_soxclinch.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CzTjdcYliJ1oopbtyto-sqRnAOMn-U3tq0oVlFr0g9A5Oz5-M7mo5RV0VHIRja8sH3SoE_Hf5l2nJtSgiGInfQGSeAD0OzO5-8Ruxb0stiqr0dXwPx7EZnc9AEMyhHdtOnYFs-6NpqI/s200/large_soxclinch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470954902136582802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://blog.masslive.com/sports_impact/2008/09/large_soxclinch.jpg">Photo originally posted here</a>. </span><br /><br /></div>Jeff has won:<br /><ul><li>His choice of one of four baseball necklaces, courtesy of <a href="http://www.sportnecks.com/">Sportsnecks</a></li><li>A Large "<a href="http://www.blshirts.com/boston_runs_on_dustin_pedroia_red_sox_shirt.html">Boston Runs on Dustin</a>" Tshirt, courtesy of <a href="http://www.blshirts.com/">Bottom Line Apparel</a></li><li>"<a href="http://supahfans.com/Stickers.html">Entering Fenway</a>" sticker, courtesy of <a href="http://supahfans.com/">SupahFans</a></li><li>A free ticket to a Brockton Rox game, courtesy of <a href="http://www.brocktonrox.com/">Brockton Rox</a> (probably a long shot from Canada, eh?) </li><li>Two coasters and a bottle opener, courtesy of <a href="http://www.wachusettbrew.com/">Wachusett Brewing Company</a><br /></li></ul>Thank you to everyone who entered my very first blog contest and to all of our participating companies for the great prizes!<br /><br />Congratulations, Jeff! Please email me (soxylady {at} gmail {dot} com) with your choice of necklace and your address.<br /><br />You can follow Jeff on <a href="http://twitter.com/jeffdoc">Twitter</a> or read <a href="http://www.jeffdoc.com/">his blog, Jeff Doc, here</a>.Soxy Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01515337644631991851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-2181587026975008892010-05-12T14:46:00.015-04:002010-05-12T18:31:37.430-04:00Jacoby Ellsbury & Josh Beckett Launch Their Charity WinesYesterday, in the shadows of the Green Monster, I attended the launch party for Jacoby Ellsbury and Josh Beckett's charity wines. The event was held at the exclusive Foundation Room at the House of Blues. Ellsbury and Beckett are the latest athletes to launch their wines "<a href="http://www.eventwines.com/Jacoby_Ellsbury_s_ZinfandEllsbury_p/1238-06.htm">ZinfandEllsbury</a>" and "<a href="http://www.eventwines.com/Josh_Beckett_s_Chardon_K_p/1237-09.htm">Chardon-K</a>" under the <a href="http://www.eventwines.com/longball_cellars_s/3.htm">Longball Cellars</a> brand.<br /><br />NESN personality Heidi Watney emceed the event which was attended by Ellsbury. Beckett was supposed to be there but he's been "whining" about a tweaked back and had to focus on treatment in hopes he won't miss his next start (<span style="font-style: italic;">Get it? "whining"</span>). Watney said the back problem stemmed from Beckett having to take batting practice in order to prepare for inter-league play later this month.<br /><center><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmf7Bs_-75Zg4hnw9y97s3JSANkZNsaC8Zy-px3AXsJezgOCitIo62aAAFiSfMwpZZGbUqDCeyQK4vEdirtkFRarcOVeONKz4cGgyehLYpBnR5Zr41UXyQXdo8OsT2pinKFF5V_juAkM4/s512/Heidi%20Watney.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 341px; height: 512px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmf7Bs_-75Zg4hnw9y97s3JSANkZNsaC8Zy-px3AXsJezgOCitIo62aAAFiSfMwpZZGbUqDCeyQK4vEdirtkFRarcOVeONKz4cGgyehLYpBnR5Zr41UXyQXdo8OsT2pinKFF5V_juAkM4/s512/Heidi%20Watney.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Heidi Watney</span><br /><br /></div>Jason Oberle, Executive Director of the <a href="http://www.joshbeckettfoundation.org/">Josh Beckett Foundation</a> was on hand to read a statement from Beckett:<br /><center><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3N7XOdb-VcxRSEvxTiBd4Q?feat=blogger" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG29YRm1FH5qNajqHqaI6TGiMItMlILOP3vINOgNErUBCHRW4059O9HXyEn-f9PuTcXeyJmD2cN8KVAm4jvrePGZTBAI9c1Oit4HT1Uu9AXUK9YupQ2Niwm-DDlAapDY1LZHsvLPuPErM/s512/JasonOberleJoshBeckettFoundation.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Jason Oberle</span><br /></div><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">"With my new contract here in Boston, it is going to give me the chance to pursue even more opportunities to help the children in New England with my Foundation. These opportunities would not be possible if it were not for the dedication and hard work from companies like Charity Hop who also give back to our charities."</span></blockquote>1oo% of proceeds from sales of Beckett's wine will go to <span>the Josh Beckett Foundation, which supports community-based programs that strive to improve the health and well-being of children, especially those who are seriously ill, disabled or otherwise disadvantaged.</span><br /><br />One example of how this charity has helped local kids is the Josh Beckett Treatment Room at Children's Hospital. Located in their Oncology department it's a room where sick kids can go in and focus on the cheerful Fenway Park imagery instead of drab walls. Once their treatment is done they leave with a Beckett baseball card and a picture.<br /><br />Oberle also announced that Jason Aldean will be performing this July after Josh Beckett's Charity Bowl celebration, <a href="http://www.beckettbowl.com/home.htm">Beckett Bowl</a>. I love that they're bringing this country star to Boston and hope I'm able to attend the event.<br /><br />Next up was Andrew Graff. Graff started <a href="http://charitywines.com/">Charity Wines</a> with the goal of finding athletes and celebrities, and matching them with fine wines to raise funds for the charities of their choice.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/FSIr1kK_lVl6Fy1ZJnNNVw?feat=blogger" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixl39DxS8vusF1jj4ppRCYLRhYkHYmg9G4kXXR4WXF2F-fRQskuT6IrCdGsCwKC1KhgeCer4kJH3n5mc4nNigaxmAPJnF5PU2wJKR_8C0v1YVFmnA2kX8gH5bk1auNYXZd8TOvYVxQakw/s512/AndrewGraffCharityWines.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Andrew Graff</span><br /></div><br />I was really hoping for the opportunity to speak with Graff, as he is a businessman I have looked up to for a long time. It has always been my hope to work for a non-profit or charity organization, while being able to support my family. Graff has found a way to combine that with sports and I really can't imagine anything better. Unfortunately it was not in the cards for me to meet him yesterday, but I was grateful to be able to hear him speak.<br /><br />Shannon Albert, President of the <a href="http://www.nrcprograms.org/site/PageServer?pagename=nrf_index">Navajo Relief Fund</a> spoke a little bit about the Navajo people. They represent the largest reservation in the United States and still take part in traditional activities such as basket weaving, rug making, harvest dance and silver making. What most people don't realize is the difficulty in the day-to-day conditions the Navajos face.<br /><br />The current unemployment rate on the reservation is between 40%-50% and over 300,000 Navajos live below the poverty level. Nearly half of the high school students are drop-outs and teen suicide is well above the national average.<br /><br />In her sincere thanks to Ellsbury (whose grandmother and mother are full Navajo) she presented him with a beautiful silver and turquoise bracelet which Ellsbury said reminded him of his grandmother.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nZ9GuQnN7e8eDsDe7st5xw?feat=blogger" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqX6mJmhoNL-jbxWddXbzeR3kQnC44SFiKDpx3-Seo8uD0QURDmXrHuRTPpN1oqKDUF9cKAXa46c-tuV7Duk4LAQUyZMotxbUefSbSVuOqPyJiT_Xc3ElbV7rng7GRw_1sTfx7oYOQ7OM/s512/ShannonAlbertNavajoReliefFund.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Shannon Albert presents Ellsbury with a Navajo bracelet</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/C_ZFS-LYUpRI3BQISRQBJg?feat=blogger" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtsmdvm93Qgm7Oc_0DviR1kjs7oG-cIoLFjWgw1w0oFr-jn8FGgrbKbZJaGlfGc8DpKC_qJkqLSPWS6dnI40kxfspXnAEol1ZTg9xQxS2brvk_pH8O6Uu2PxPowmolyTn_izt-glF770/s512/JacobyNavajoBracelet.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Ellsbury's Navajo bracelet</span><br /><br /></div>“I have been blessed, not only to be a professional athlete but to be able to give back to the less fortunate,” Ellsbury said.<br /><br />He mentioned how it took him a while to choose the charities who would benefit from wine sales. So difficult was it, he couldn't choose just one but was able to narrow it down to three charities which he said are "all near and dear" to his heart.<br /><br />I already mentioned the first one, <a href="http://www.nrcprograms.org/site/PageServer?pagename=nrf_index">The Navajo Relief Fund</a> helps Native Americans improve their quality of life by providing opportunities for them to bring about positive changes in their own communities.<br /><br />The second is <a href="http://www.projectbread.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home_page&cvridirect=true">Project Bread</a>. Executive Director Ellen Parker was on hand to talk about the leading anti-hunger organization, and how the money earned from sales of Ellsbury's wine will go to in-school programs to ensure kids from low-income families will be fed nutritious breakfast and lunches during school.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4O_5obalpzeQsCxzd5yJ3w?feat=blogger" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNg1qcx_6QyY1G2_Oj7jg74vCUo-Um-mBFaLUkL09LW12BPnQs08FH6Aq2GVGjMhnRAWbuN_9hr3h1_kyaXwHPABlW4qbE4aldXWtIZDUZrjLXROLadp9gc3w7qiJKguluF-ojEp3YjDA/s512/EllenParkerProjectBread.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Ellen Parker</span><br /><br /></div>Ellsbury's third organization is the Ellsbury-Read Project. I was unable to find a website for this organization (So um....if you need some help with your online visibility, contact me!) but the Project helps promote child abuse prevention so every child can be safe at home.<br /><br />Ellsbury talked a little bit about his number change from 46 back to his preferred 2 (He did mention 46 served him well in 2007 when the Sox won the World Series. Watney joked maybe he should switch back), his hopeful return to baseball "soon" and joked how his wine tasted better and had a better name than Beckett's.<br /><br />He was so gracious posing for pictures, signing autographs and talking to his fans.<br /><br />If you're a faithful reader of my blog, you know I'm a big fan of the <a href="http://www.capecodbaseball.org/">Cape Cod Baseball League</a>. Ellsbury played for the Cape League in 2004 for the Falmouth Commodores (<span style="font-style: italic;">*side note: The Commodores lost the championship to the Y-D Red Sox, my home-town team!</span>). It's hard to believe he wasn't the heart-throb back then that he is now.<br /><center><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WlzJJq4fgIG6QDY3o77gyA?feat=blogger" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuCoaFgxROhY0KzpzFn0CroiEg54LlUIbxtW-qVWI9yJQoCVKkBJK-TheSskWCAQQZj94IijuOZzSz4t-w_I2a-WbjXQYjZ6uisckaN2tK_EB3EGoWHigCSotH7bkn-XB4zrjiXdoMr0/s512/JacobyEllsbury.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Swoon-worthy Ellsbury</span><br /></div></center><br />That's not to say he wasn't adorable, but he wasn't the guy on the team all of the girls swooned over, like he is now.<br /><br />Speaking of swooning girls...Ellsbury's long-time girlfriend Kelsey Hawkins was at the event. Despite rumors that have been swirling around lately Hawkins wasn't sporting a ring on her left-hand.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/X3wxOEMiWwzUgo72CGMWTA?feat=blogger" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7Xihz04KsLI53yddzbYZYNa_WjcCa3R5Rb57GcSyQh7xiCg0Dpas2-vICRUAk2t6jg2PeqOU9ZBYCKYfPhLe7nyTVgY5dLKwi2iKT1gOcZWsUlP1qz4GZepo2ZtXaLvKHLWKDCdJXfQ/s512/KelseyHawkinsJacobyEllsburyGirlfriend.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Jacoby Ellsbury's girlfriend, Kelsey Hawkins</span><br /><br /></div>You know who <span style="font-style: italic;">was</span> sporting bling, though? Jacoby. Check this watch out!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/l9yoacBvLKoKyasXE-A6Iw?feat=blogger" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwT4cQLlkW_tSRVbea0TaxBA0Qf_qank8ziNKXMvhZ2b1U8k4ORv2gyfK-CR5YageBne3835_8VUrvjBN-Od3YWQ5at9Uecg-hsSRA9dAeBMfdnz2i4-is5IGuImbiwPe5yd1mgwJVE6Y/s512/JacobyEllsburyWatch.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Ellsbury's Watch</span><br /><br /></div>Does anyone know what brand that is? Wow.....<br /><br />OK, back to the serious stuff.<br /><br />I need to thank Brett Rudy from <a href="http://www.charityhop.com/">Charity Hop</a> for inviting me to this wonderful event! The wines are now available for around $14 in local establishments, as well as <a href="http://www.eventwines.com/longball_cellars_s/3.htm">online</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/edWSEflaSrhoRv5SRTqUvw?feat=blogger" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVngeV2fzlTry1rYqfgPNBMXwM1JiGo_9mxYLxzHD4BrJwyyA-3JQKZrChYO0lfoC6JIEThJbQZQMEdKNVkFpODRDJ2q8E_oEMdxoem5vykcteQ_i4QBeowPsgum-uN4GLRUq-7_Gf2CQ/s512/BrettRudyJacobyEllsbury2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Mike Lembo, Brett Rudy & Jacoby Ellsbury<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">Please raise your glasses for both Beckett and Ellsbury<br />for using their status as a professional athlete to help those in need.<br /></div><br /><strong></strong>Soxy Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01515337644631991851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-78903037793868244642010-05-07T14:23:00.012-04:002010-05-07T17:37:35.646-04:00When Promotional Emails Just Don't Do It For Me (With My Sox On) (That's What He Said)If you're like me, your email inbox gets flooded with promotional emails on a daily basis. Email marketing has proven to be an effective tool for businesses - especially small businesses - some <a href="http://emaildance.com/">even have a lot of fun with it</a>.<br /><br />Today I got an email from Chowdaheadz. You know, the guys who have that "wicked pissah stuff." But instead of enticing me to buy something (<span style="font-style: italic;">or even get the free T-shirt they were promoting</span>) I wanted to report them to the <a href="http://thegrammarvandal.wordpress.com/">Grammar Vandal</a>*.<br /><br />Here is the text of the email:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;"><span>By being our friend you are going to get some great deals from us including:</span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;"><span><em><strong>Discount codes, Free stuff, & Much More..</strong></em></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;"><strong>In fact we will start right now with this great offer:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></strong></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 102);">FREE CHOWDAHEADZ T-SHIRT TODAY</span></strong></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;"><strong><img alt="FREE CHOWDAHEADZ T-SHIRT" src="http://dts.ystoretools.com/2123/images/100x100/chowdaheadz-wicked-pissah-stuff-t-shirt.gif" title="Free Chowdaheadz T-Shirt" width="100" height="100" /></strong></span></span><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);">HOW TO REDEEM</span>:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></strong></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;"><strong>-Use coupon code at checkout:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">FCTN7183</span></strong></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;"><strong>-This one time coupon code must be used the same day this email was opened</strong></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;"><strong>-Code cannot be combined with other codes & expires today</strong></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;"><strong></strong><a href="http://app.bronto.com/public/?q=ulink&fn=Link&ssid=12459&id=ifga1v5kj0vsctttqw47dr95hva4d&id2=0a0fzvp249nvxkwlylwqynxfzrowo&subscriber_id=bibhacvwrachjolxoxsnzrvtimeqbgp&delivery_id=burhkmwqpmytugojbjtaaxycntfqbje" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(64, 100, 128);">-CLICK THIS LINK TO GET YOUR FREE TEE TODAY!</a></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">Thanks for being a Chowdaheadz and we look forward to hearing from you!</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;"><a href="http://app.bronto.com/public/?q=ulink&fn=Link&ssid=12459&id=ifga1v5kj0vsctttqw47dr95hva4d&id2=5419w4y9kcorloionmraxuob7pcyz&subscriber_id=bibhacvwrachjolxoxsnzrvtimeqbgp&delivery_id=burhkmwqpmytugojbjtaaxycntfqbje" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(64, 100, 128);">CLICK HERE TO VISIT CHOWDAHEADZ.COM</a></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;"><em>If your a Yankee Fan hit unsubscribe below:</em></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:85%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;"><em><a href="http://app.bronto.com/public/actionpage/execute_page/?fn=Mail_ActionPage_FormResponse&tsid=ifga1v5kj0vsctttqw47dr95hva4d&page_type=unsubscribe&sid=h5qnnnjrnp8x45vz0yi3dwolqzdwv&ssid=12459" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(64, 100, 128);">http://app.bronto.com/public/<wbr>actionpage/execute_page/?fn=<wbr>Mail_ActionPage_FormResponse&<wbr>tsid=<wbr>ifga1v5kj0vsctttqw47dr95hva4d&<wbr>page_type=unsubscribe&sid=<wbr>h5qnnnjrnp8x45vz0yi3dwolqzdwv&<wbr>ssid=12459</a></em></span></span><br /></div><br />I'm going to offer my unsolicited advice to these clams:<br /><ol><li>Saying "this one time coupon code must be used the same day this email was opened" and that the code "expires today" does not go hand in hand. What if I didn't open your email until tomorrow? Or next week? You are leaving your words open for some interpretation and confusion.</li><li>Do I need to purchase something in order to get my free Tshirt? Or maybe there is no purchase necessary? I don't want to have to click through to your site, try and add the shirt to my shopping cart and try and check out, only to find out I might need to buy something else. Tell me now, please.</li><li>You thank me for being a Chowdaheadz (wouldn't I just be a Chowdahead? I don't have multiple heads) and say you look forward to hearing from me, but don't tell me how to get in touch with you. Fail.<br /></li><li>This line, while intending to be funny (I get that), is really just wrong in so many ways "<span style="font-style: italic;">If your a Yankee Fan hit unsubscribe below</span>" - oh where to start, where to start....</li></ol><blockquote><ul><li>First: Let's talk about homonyms. You've surely learned about them. They're words that are pronounced the same, but are spelled differently and have different meanings. See the Yankees, they don't belong to me. They don't belong to my heart, none of their shirts even belong in my closet. </li><li>Second: This may be me going over the edge a bit, but I'm an online marketing geek, I "click" on links. I don't "hit" them. My mom taught me not to hit at all, it's not nice.</li><li>Third: I can't even "hit" or "click" unsubscribe below because there is no unsubscribe button or link. There is just a dynamically generated link full of garbage most people don't understand. </li></ul></blockquote>And before you go all <a href="http://www.mtv.com/shows/jersey_shore/cast_member.jhtml?personalityId=13196">Snooki</a> on me, I know I'm far from perfect. But this is my blog and I felt the urge to say something.<br /><br />That's my rant for the day. Until next time, remember to proof your business emails before sending them out!<br /><br />*Read <a href="http://thegrammarvandal.wordpress.com/">the Grammar Vandal</a>'s <a href="http://www.adventurouskate.com/">Travel Blog</a>: <a href="http://www.adventurouskate.com/">Adventurous Kate</a><br /><br><br />.Soxy Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01515337644631991851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-63886309434263693282010-05-05T16:46:00.009-04:002010-05-05T17:31:07.768-04:00A Blogapalooza-Sized Boston Sports Give-Away!!!!!You've read about <a href="http://soxylady.blogspot.com/2010/05/boston-sports-blogapalooza.html">Blogapalooza</a> on my blog <a href="http://soxylady.blogspot.com/2010/04/minor-league-highlight-lowell-spinners.html">more</a> <a href="http://soxylady.blogspot.com/2010/04/boston-sports-blogapalooza-this-sunday.html">than</a> <a href="http://soxylady.blogspot.com/2010/05/boston-sports-blogapalooza.html">once</a>. I've promised to write about some of the awesome bloggers, vendors and people I met there and I'm going to make good on that promise in the coming weeks. Today, however, I'm going to do one better. I'm not only going to write about some of the vendors but I'm also going to host my VERY FIRST SOXY LADY BLOG GIVE-AWAY!!!!!<br /><br />I'm going to be giving away* a <span style="font-weight: bold;">package of 5 awesome prizes</span> in honor of Cinco De May0 and Nomar Day at Fenway Park.<br /><br />All you need to do is either blog, Tweet or Facebook about this give-away. Once you have done that, leave a comment on this post with a link to your blog/Tweet/Facebook status** and you're entered! If you do all three then you are entered three times :) Make sure you leave your contact information in your comment, or email it to me at soxylady33 {at} gmail {dot} com. <br /><br />You have until midnight on May 12th to enter. The winner will be announced on my blog on Thursday, May 13th.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The first prize</span> comes from <a href="http://www.sportnecks.com/">Sportsnecks</a>. Sports jewelry made in the USA! These <a href="http://www.sportnecks.com/Sportnecks-10/Sportnecks_-_Baseball__Softball.html">adorable baseball charms</a> are perfect for the female sports fan in your life.<br /><br />The winner will have their choice of one of the following:<br /><ul><li>A ball and bat charm on a silver chain or red chain</li><li>A glove and ball charm on a black chain</li><li>A white baseball on a silver chain</li><li>A pink baseball on a silver chain<br /></li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7cKhXlI6-LiKQIIi2KZ6fXCtDMunF1uGBSCo0MgW2SA9I8eYrYjpyPZD9nqMFvUL14YcOygPH4sl3FeU8gTLNMPwJLD1WWeVX3K5NHMjOz_8tsmm2bH1l5QZh5zjJoI3U3knmRLJu84/s1600/SportsNecks.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7cKhXlI6-LiKQIIi2KZ6fXCtDMunF1uGBSCo0MgW2SA9I8eYrYjpyPZD9nqMFvUL14YcOygPH4sl3FeU8gTLNMPwJLD1WWeVX3K5NHMjOz_8tsmm2bH1l5QZh5zjJoI3U3knmRLJu84/s320/SportsNecks.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467893315245552962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(image courtesy of </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.sportnecks.com/Sportnecks-10/Sportnecks_-_Baseball__Softball.html">Sportsnecks.com</a><span style="font-style: italic;">) </span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The second prize</span> comes from <a href="http://www.blshirts.com/">BottomLine Apparel</a>. These <a href="http://www.blshirts.com/">Boston Sports shirts</a> are fun and made on quality T-shirts. If you purchase Bottom Line's <a href="http://www.blshirts.com/kevin_youkilis_hits_for_kids_boston_red_sox_shirt.html">"Yoouuk" T-shirt</a> $5 is donated to the <a href="http://www.youkskids.org/">Kevin Youkilis Hits for Kids charity</a>. <span style="font-style: italic;">I'm wearing mine to the game tonight!!</span><br /><br />The T-shirt you will win is size L and one of my favorites!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qnmLOrl0Uzw3WrhFjKs2H-0N_GBXrMKsfQvc93gOug6NffNpX3_CiyZjCLYkyCgGnA_-O8rn3XKhD_BFVCDabE92y2gMoorDSY6cE5EYvoGaO1FPvebOX-mPNKabWIc5Hrdb_uKUwqo/s1600/bostonrunsonpedroia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qnmLOrl0Uzw3WrhFjKs2H-0N_GBXrMKsfQvc93gOug6NffNpX3_CiyZjCLYkyCgGnA_-O8rn3XKhD_BFVCDabE92y2gMoorDSY6cE5EYvoGaO1FPvebOX-mPNKabWIc5Hrdb_uKUwqo/s320/bostonrunsonpedroia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467895946549727186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(image courtesy of </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.blshirts.com/boston_runs_on_dustin_pedroia_red_sox_shirt.html">blshirts.com</a><span style="font-style: italic;">) </span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The third prize</span> comes from those Supah people over at <a href="http://supahfans.com/">Supahfans.com</a>. They sell Boston sports T-shirts, stickers and more!<br /><br />The <a href="http://supahfans.com/Stickers.html">sticker</a> you will win is a must-have for any Red Sox fan! Place it on your car, your notebook, your forehead (heh)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtNouF5X3y_pqNp1oXbW3TH0HBu4v9o1STX4KhkkQiPSNHY_XbIjRv8rNxbmjEypstp3rIrxNkHocM6pFKA-hhPC-hhh2i8J44nL8vcQ8yp-dkUU4lqpB6bFBKPVvQD9YGXcp_gy6qn8/s1600/STKEntFenway2-180x150.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtNouF5X3y_pqNp1oXbW3TH0HBu4v9o1STX4KhkkQiPSNHY_XbIjRv8rNxbmjEypstp3rIrxNkHocM6pFKA-hhPC-hhh2i8J44nL8vcQ8yp-dkUU4lqpB6bFBKPVvQD9YGXcp_gy6qn8/s320/STKEntFenway2-180x150.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467896977192359250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(image courtesy of </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://supahfans.com/Stickers.html">supahfans.com</a><span style="font-style: italic;">)</span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">The fourth prize</span> is a coupon for one free ticket to any home <a href="http://www.brocktonrox.com/">Brockton Rox</a> game! You'll have a chance to experience professional baseball at a fraction of the price of the major-league team.<br /><br />The ticket is not assigned to any seat, so <a href="http://www.brocktonrox.com/tickets/single/">for $5</a> bring a friend or family member!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqHpjnh6llk0QoumPFouBUo-hJR4VXaT-iUhJCHwdtixym9_D2wRTMR07F_B4aQ9VrIGVCynhRhTBa_LQNYTwcM2x32SyllR_Qt7ZnHCZ7sjGhyphenhyphenIpHCEQ_Jra1VgQDipyxOAE-hModIE/s1600/brocktonrox.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 66px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqHpjnh6llk0QoumPFouBUo-hJR4VXaT-iUhJCHwdtixym9_D2wRTMR07F_B4aQ9VrIGVCynhRhTBa_LQNYTwcM2x32SyllR_Qt7ZnHCZ7sjGhyphenhyphenIpHCEQ_Jra1VgQDipyxOAE-hModIE/s320/brocktonrox.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467898278067473458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >(image courtesy of the<a href="http://www.brocktonrox.com/"> Brockton Rox</a>) </span><br /><br /></div> <span style="font-weight: bold;">The fifth prize</span> is really 3-in-1. You will win a pair of <a href="http://www.wachusettbrew.com/">Wachusett Brewing Company</a> coasters and a Wachusett Brewing Company bottle opener.<br /><br />This MA-based brewery offers tours and has a store where you can fill 1/2 gallon growlers with their beer!! Bring it home and enjoy :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtn0TO1Dwi2xFzM7Nwp2LSHmWGNtWsvdaN328ogqHkvzsUDgeyVyL5dSO-L9yK5eikkGl2WwC_u9OhT8Rejir2QqNVDsVP3mkXOKU0lewCsJzNNlIl_gFYxceoYA8-xZdCRk93LmW63Kw/s1600/bottleCap.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 109px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtn0TO1Dwi2xFzM7Nwp2LSHmWGNtWsvdaN328ogqHkvzsUDgeyVyL5dSO-L9yK5eikkGl2WwC_u9OhT8Rejir2QqNVDsVP3mkXOKU0lewCsJzNNlIl_gFYxceoYA8-xZdCRk93LmW63Kw/s320/bottleCap.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467899341593360482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(image courtesy of </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.wachusettbrew.com/">WachusettBrew.com</a><span style="font-style: italic;">)<br /><br /></span></span></div>All of these companies were represented in one way or another at the first-ever Blogapalooza. I want to thank them for these awesome prizes and hope you enjoy them!<br /><br />Best of luck on winning!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">*Dear, </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.mediabistro.com/prnewser/social_networks/ftc_clarifies_blogger_guidelines_weve_never_brought_a_case_against_somebody_simply_for_failure_to_disclose_139589.asp">FTC</a><span style="font-style: italic;">: These prizes were all donated to me either to be part of a SoxyLady giveaway, or as a "door prize" at Boston Sports Blogapalooza.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">**To link to the exact Tweet you posted on Twitter, click on the time stamp after the Tweet has been submitted and send me that link. To link to the Facebook status just tag me @SoxyLady in your message! Let me know if you have any questions. </span></span>Soxy Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01515337644631991851noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-81965903193832485112010-05-03T21:56:00.005-04:002010-05-03T22:23:31.478-04:00Rally WallyI've always been a huge fan of Rally Wally. As a matter of fact, just a quick search through some of my old pictures and I was able to find these:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_wSVhC0jfsE1R7t697003ipAHb9nOuf1XduvhSH47GwwzjjiObj0Y8AKvA5QD4HeyNAGRK1iuOVZa6r4VTnoY76AFX6K1f0Ly5FS9AGH4abCZ-OTufb66Utruf93PgGdUZt8vHw0Z-0/s1600/RallyWallys.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_wSVhC0jfsE1R7t697003ipAHb9nOuf1XduvhSH47GwwzjjiObj0Y8AKvA5QD4HeyNAGRK1iuOVZa6r4VTnoY76AFX6K1f0Ly5FS9AGH4abCZ-OTufb66Utruf93PgGdUZt8vHw0Z-0/s320/RallyWallys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467230924361518706" border="0" /></a><br />The first picture is from when Papi hit a 3-run walk-off homer in June of 2006. The Sox were down by 2 in the bottom of the 9th, 2 outs, 2 strikes...and the power of Rally Wally took hold.<br /><br />Truth be told, I don't remember when the second picture is from, but we'll just have to assume it was also an epic night.<br /><br />Earlier today the folks at the Remy Report urged Red Sox Nation to take part in "Upside-Down Wally night"<br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;"><strong>To all of Red Sox Nation - something MUST be done to stop this slide into oblivion. </strong><br /><br />So many of you have a Wally, and many even have his chair. Let's get ALL of Red Sox Nation to recognize "Upside-Down Wally" night as the Sox take on LAA.<br /><br />We will even have Wally upside down and on his chair at Jerry Remy's Sports Bar & Grill. If you are there tonight, be sure to wish luck on Wally, so that he will bring luck to the Red Sox.<br /><em><strong>What are you waiting for?</strong></em><br /><br />Get Wally on his head before the game begins and tell all your friends and family to do the same! The Nation is waiting!</blockquote>Did I take part?<br /><br />You bet I did!!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh249xdjn6QCXEXQW9ltBjXp2L4jTwD4zGzxenhXSwWhu7t9wb2KCbffbiu9rizDvRv-cdRuWEORDqFEuvbnkCAfKF-txIUKne6-EGCJpWE9IBp3KTx6yzp7hsMoiorXklqAJSxdsIbjAs/s1600/RallyWally.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh249xdjn6QCXEXQW9ltBjXp2L4jTwD4zGzxenhXSwWhu7t9wb2KCbffbiu9rizDvRv-cdRuWEORDqFEuvbnkCAfKF-txIUKne6-EGCJpWE9IBp3KTx6yzp7hsMoiorXklqAJSxdsIbjAs/s320/RallyWally.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467233443167705218" border="0" /></a><br />Here is Rally Wally with the Growler of beer we won yesterday at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#%21/Bostonsportsblogapalooza">Boston Sports Blogapalooza</a>.<br /><br />The Nation responded with plenty of pictures posted to the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#%21/pages/Weston-MA/The-Remy-Report/206332118768?ref=ts">Remy Report's Facebook page</a>. Go and check them out, and add your own photo from tonight if you have one.<br /><br />I'll say the call to the Nation has paid off. In the 8th inning it is 17-4 Sox over the Angels. Dare I say I don't even think our bullpen can blow this lead?<br /><br />Don't make me eat my words........Soxy Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01515337644631991851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-38488321391897748522010-05-02T21:46:00.005-04:002010-05-02T22:35:35.887-04:00Boston Sports BlogapaloozaKudos to Joe Gilll for organizing a very successful <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Bostonsportsblogapalooza">Blogapalooza</a>. If you weren't able to make it, definitely try and be there for the rumored 2nd coming of Blogapalooza in the fall.<br /><br />In the coming days I'll be highlighting many of the bloggers/artists I met and will talk about the various prizes and schwag I walked away with. There is just too much to highlight in one post (and yeah, I'm tired after a long weekend!)<br /><br />In the mean time, I want to share some linking love with the people I met. If I've missed you I apologize in advance, just shoot me a message and I'll be sure to add you to the list.<br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/">Julia's Rants</a></li><li><a href="http://baseballreflections.com/">Baseball Reflections</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://blshirts.com/">Bottom Line Apparel</a> & <a href="http://www.bottomlinesox.com/">The Bottom Line Blog</a></li><li><a href="http://www.sportsgirlkat.com/">Sports Girl Kat</a><a href="http://www.sportsgirlkat.com/">, On Being a Sports Girl</a></li><li><a href="http://www.nrwithkisha.com/">Necessary Roughness with Kisha</a></li><li><a href="http://www.idrawpeople.com/caricatures.asp">Neal Portnoy from idrawpeople.com </a></li><li><a href="http://www.saver-sports.com/">Saver Sports</a></li><li><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Randy%20Booth">Randy Booth</a> from <a href="http://www.overthemonster.com/">Over the Monster</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bostonsportsthenandnow.com/">Boston Sports Then and Now</a></li><li><a href="http://respectthetek.blogspot.com/">Respect the Tek</a></li><li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/Bostonsportsblogapalooza#%21/pages/Jared-Carrabis/157812759987?ref=ts">RSN Governor Jared Carrabis</a> from <a href="http://www.soxspacenews.com/">SoxSpace News</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.charityhop.com/brettrudy.html">Brett Rudy</a> from <a href="http://www.charityhop.com/index.html">Charity Hop</a></li><li><a href="http://firebrandal.com/authors-2">Tim Daloisio</a> from <a href="http://firebrandal.com/">Fire Brand of the AL</a></li><li><a href="http://www.brocktonrox.com/">Brockton Rox</a></li><li><a href="http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t558">Lowell Spinners</a></li></ul> I want to send a special shout-out to Mike Hall's girlfriend, Laura. I was so excited to find out Laura is a fan of SoxyLady. I hope to get the chance to meet her soon!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHd0z6KGrOKBk1Ok3FRDaVV6mOVNFQETidWCcPGY1hKp4p43Jg5LJx05ax8RlwS4J7WYWBWQ1I2Vfu-u0XuCAdccThFe6dZ_Cjj-sDfTnVvEEhziJ5i3Gzkb8TnTsXpr9EviiT3mhUVSE/s1600/BostonSportsBlogapalooza.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHd0z6KGrOKBk1Ok3FRDaVV6mOVNFQETidWCcPGY1hKp4p43Jg5LJx05ax8RlwS4J7WYWBWQ1I2Vfu-u0XuCAdccThFe6dZ_Cjj-sDfTnVvEEhziJ5i3Gzkb8TnTsXpr9EviiT3mhUVSE/s320/BostonSportsBlogapalooza.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466863657592956386" border="0" /></a>Soxy Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01515337644631991851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-15594643877076139952010-04-27T22:37:00.009-04:002010-04-28T08:48:18.401-04:00Minor League Highlight: Lowell SpinnersIn 2005 my dad met me in Boston and we drove a few miles north to Lowell to watch the <a href="http://lowell.spinners.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t558">Lowell Spinners</a> play the Batavia Muckdogs.<br /><br />Dad's former <a href="http://www.codball.com/">Cape Cod League Baseball</a> host-son, Brett Harker, was going to pitch for the Muckdogs. We were ecstatic to see him play professional ball. I was even more excited because one of my BBBF's (yeah, that's Baseball Boyfriend), Gabe Kapler, was rehabbing in Lowell.<br /><br />The Spinners are part of the Red Sox Minor League System. They are affiliated as a Class A Short Season Team. As the name implies, their season is short (June - September) and for many players this is their first opportunity to play with a wooden bat (Cape League Alumni have a head start on this!) Short-A ball helps transition rookies to professional baseball; They learn a lot about conditioning and have the opportunity to play on a daily basis.<br /><br />We were able to meet with Brett before the game. He had always pitched as a closer, but told us the Muckdogs were going to try him out as a starter that day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVhBMtxnpGxcbnGVtLo40l4t-6FebWvfpSGADwPfNLYhdG6y6qQ6KA37PjL_GYA1KGXBAcEryBAoc8tnBcNLSe71Jks71OVBtk67qkc7PoHCJhzHDDBzJM4B_X91te32VnzhlVqddpYc/s1600/BrettSarah.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVhBMtxnpGxcbnGVtLo40l4t-6FebWvfpSGADwPfNLYhdG6y6qQ6KA37PjL_GYA1KGXBAcEryBAoc8tnBcNLSe71Jks71OVBtk67qkc7PoHCJhzHDDBzJM4B_X91te32VnzhlVqddpYc/s320/BrettSarah.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465019203475935058" border="0" /></a>I expressed my concern.....I was conflicted because I wanted him to do well, but I had to cheer for the Spinners and for Kapler. My dad joked that when Gabe came up to bat, Brett should buzz the tower. Brett's agent didn't think that was a good idea. We had a few laughs and then headed for the ball park.<br /><br />I don't remember many details of the game except for these:<br /><ul><li>Brett struck out Gabe Kapler. I was proud and frustrated at the same time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8NEJBTHMA_AOt9VWT9rm9i2gI-_X1LZ47LrzrCihBlS4jNtALtnMr4yej3QcvYa5ts9eGj4JAyckpzgf8d6wtC7ONAisMjfAEKoELieOklFDswEfpADt-n3fMdc5kEcTS0aVPi1rdWo/s1600/Gabe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8NEJBTHMA_AOt9VWT9rm9i2gI-_X1LZ47LrzrCihBlS4jNtALtnMr4yej3QcvYa5ts9eGj4JAyckpzgf8d6wtC7ONAisMjfAEKoELieOklFDswEfpADt-n3fMdc5kEcTS0aVPi1rdWo/s320/Gabe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465022391233900754" border="0" /></a></li></ul><ul><li>Jacoby Ellsbury was on the Spinners roster. He wasn't a household name yet, but he also played in the Cape League the same season Brett did. Our team beat Ellsbury's team to win the championship</li><li>I was impressed by LeLacheur Park<br /></li><li>The fans loved their home team and the Spinners did a lot to get the fans involved<br /></li><li>You could feel the passion in every pitch, every at-bat</li></ul>It's the thing I love most about minor-league ball; The boys are playing for the love of the game. They're playing for the opportunity to perform on the big stage. They are giving it their all to make their dreams come true.<br /><br />For anyone who lives in the vicinity of Lowell (or any town that hosts a minor-league team) I urge you to take in a game. For mere pennies in comparison to going to Fenway you can experience a night of fun and good, pure baseball for the whole family.<br /><br />Often times you have the opportunity to meet and interact with players. This is especially beneficial for the kids as they get to pick out a "favorite player" before they become famous. They are able to follow their journey through the professional baseball system and boast to their friends they knew "so and so" way back when he played for the Spinners.<br /><br />You are able to get a real good look at those boys who may one day turn into men in front of Red Sox Nation. Former Spinners players who are now on the Red Sox:<br /><ul><li>Kevin Youkilis</li><li>Jacoby Ellsbury</li><li>Jonathan Papelbon</li><li>Clay Buchholz<br /></li></ul>Oh, and the starting pitcher for the spinners the night Brett pitched? Just two short years later he threw a no-hitter for the Boston Red Sox.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjun_hnHu8mArY6OKwkRrWxmrN422EfZPccZG4BZ79LLoqctojStQ6fp2c8k4K8nH2PziB0E1QqMwkbRT629pfKRi58eqfQrZHKWxAuCN3LU4CcYi5fHvaj79zteMo5DmJYY0-kyPWFqco/s1600/Buchholz.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjun_hnHu8mArY6OKwkRrWxmrN422EfZPccZG4BZ79LLoqctojStQ6fp2c8k4K8nH2PziB0E1QqMwkbRT629pfKRi58eqfQrZHKWxAuCN3LU4CcYi5fHvaj79zteMo5DmJYY0-kyPWFqco/s320/Buchholz.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465020083645230018" border="0" /></a>If you're interested in Learning more about the Lowell Spinners come to <a href="http://www.bostonsportsblogapalooza.com/">Boston Sports Blogapalooza</a> on Sunday, May 2nd. They will have a representative on hand.<br /><br />I hope to see you there!Soxy Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01515337644631991851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-71128173413536368012010-04-27T15:13:00.003-04:002010-04-27T15:23:01.797-04:00Boston Sports Blogapalooza, This Sunday May 2nd<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=367823692935&index=1#%21/event.php?eid=367823692935"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 195px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/4460985694_b9b6f1f69c_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Ladies, Gentlemen & Sports fans, it's time to get your Blogapalooza on!<br /><br />If you haven't heard about Blogapalooza yet, check it out:<br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">Blogapalooza is an event where social media and Beantown sports collide. Bloggers, their fans, and Boston Media members will have the opportunity to meet, network, trade social media tips and of course talk sports.</blockquote>The event is being held at and sponsored by <a href="http://www.thebaseballtavern.com/">The Baseball Tavern</a> - right in Fenway's back yard. It is being co-sponsored by NESN.com, SwingJuice and Lenovo with the Lowell Spinners, Brockton Rox, SupahFans.com, Sullys and more as participating companies.<br /><br />Who else is going to be there? Well..me. And lots of other <a href="http://www.bostonsportsblogapalooza.com/">Boston Sports bloggers</a>. Check out the list on the <a href="http://www.bostonsportsblogapalooza.com/">Blogapalooza</a> website.<span style="font-weight: bold;">There is still time to RSVP for this free event! </span>Make sure to <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8497263798629021172">visit the Facebook page to RSVP today! </a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGS81Gfk2e5XjnqTpxbcH3ztuyAtJhMlT8p7trhiHId0wbuN5tdCpnWjO1WC0PvlT5DyzfOdKc1YZSzeZIOHq2O6jAPnvAgZpeLfi-mPnPh4iyMi1M_3N1fZiRII-z5dtBFTYbXR2R8s/s1600/JoeSoxy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGS81Gfk2e5XjnqTpxbcH3ztuyAtJhMlT8p7trhiHId0wbuN5tdCpnWjO1WC0PvlT5DyzfOdKc1YZSzeZIOHq2O6jAPnvAgZpeLfi-mPnPh4iyMi1M_3N1fZiRII-z5dtBFTYbXR2R8s/s320/JoeSoxy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464899850365665922" border="0" /></a><br />Hope to see you all there!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iG0hvsMMiq0c0ziOCPEmVYJzBV3JPih5rtmDmPNIvd5k8MBAzvmWkznq6ESs_x2W9W0x45skaWyF92nkQ1IVIiEDVFKDegtwFjMTqTuT7mT5XvpA24OBuUShf9k6jXx7poKYPkcisBc/s1600/SoxyLady.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iG0hvsMMiq0c0ziOCPEmVYJzBV3JPih5rtmDmPNIvd5k8MBAzvmWkznq6ESs_x2W9W0x45skaWyF92nkQ1IVIiEDVFKDegtwFjMTqTuT7mT5XvpA24OBuUShf9k6jXx7poKYPkcisBc/s320/SoxyLady.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464899332239009202" border="0" /></a>Soxy Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01515337644631991851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-60933405173053425632010-04-16T08:48:00.003-04:002010-04-16T09:24:50.687-04:00Jay-Z Sues David Ortiz: Kicks Him While He's DownLet's face it, David Ortiz hasn't had the best two weeks of his life.<br /><br />He's batting .143 which has caused the media and fans to jump all over him; They want him benched, they want him traded, they want to tear the big guy down. In response Ortiz hasn't been himself off the diamond either, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Game-on-David-Ortiz-and-Red-Sox-media-clash-on-?urn=mlb,232624">lashing out at the media. </a><br /><br />If things weren't bad enough...Jay-Z is suing him for $5M for allegedly stealing the name of his nightclubs.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWrlqdUAAS6zmt-y2L8cXkCyv3h2joQ_erbmsXLrVZWwSj50V2rSeSEfsdw9YBKboVcDT5ot46Ww7Y_mXc2cGr3vwaGV_Nibf4tBLuXt3Q8hvDb4L-B3ea0W60lYO-935az9dIfn9CBg/s1600/david-ortiz-ap-photo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWrlqdUAAS6zmt-y2L8cXkCyv3h2joQ_erbmsXLrVZWwSj50V2rSeSEfsdw9YBKboVcDT5ot46Ww7Y_mXc2cGr3vwaGV_Nibf4tBLuXt3Q8hvDb4L-B3ea0W60lYO-935az9dIfn9CBg/s320/david-ortiz-ap-photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460717689454232034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(photo courtesy of the AP)</span></span><br /><br />Nothing like kicking a man when he's down, huh?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Iconic rap mogul has a series of clubs in the US and Tokyo called 40/40. The clubs name is supposed to be a shout-out to the exclusive club of MLB players who have hit 40 HRs and stolen 40 bases in a single season. <span style="font-style: italic;">Any true baseball fan would realize Ortiz is not one of them. While Papi went deep more than 40 times in each of the seasons from 2004-2006, </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/ortizda01-bat.shtml">according to Baseball-Reference.com</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> in his 14 years in MLB he's only stolen a total of 10 bases. </span><br /><br />Anyway, Ortiz has a club in Santa Domingo named Forty-Forty and Jay-Z thinks he's trying to capitalize off his success. Yadda, yadda, yadda.<br /><br />Papi is one of the Dominican's most recognizeable figures. He could have opened a club down there called "This Place Sucks" and I'm sure it would become a huge success. I don't honestly think he was trying to ride Jay's coat-tails.<br /><br />At the same time, why would Ortiz even tread on that naming territory when he could have named his club anything? Bad advice from his management team? Who knows?<br /><br />I'm really getting sick of all of this negative talk and attention surrounding Papi. We're two weeks into the season...give it a rest. I mean the <a href="http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_14877457">Twin Cities</a> can still stand behind the big guy, why can't we?<br /></div></div>Soxy Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01515337644631991851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-69865341217626381882010-04-12T21:08:00.006-04:002010-04-12T21:36:25.624-04:00Daisuke Matsuzaka Starts at McCoy StadiumThis past weekend <a href="http://stephensdailylunch.blogspot.com/">my friend</a> and I headed to McCoy Stadium to take in the Pawtucket Red Sox Double Header against the Yankees AAA team, Rochester Red Wings.<br /><br />The Sox won both games - the first game was close at a score of 1-0. The winning pitcher? Daisuke Matsuzaka. I wanted to take in my first game of the season at McCoy watching Daisuke's rehab start, and he looked great! <span style="font-style: italic;">Reliever Alan Embree...not so great. </span><br /><br />Here are a few of the pictures I took.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fY_XII21W_kwZ55NajDx24wST5HaD2XIn_E_TrMYwNiRRsEON4WcKOZv8E_nEjwMgnV8pZZVCy7-aaGtRjE_f4ww1O5jvi4MMyCVA1VYJ2woWvQHAFFKUbaFHjcQLUPK_Ks0GY7GLPg/s1600/DaisukeWarmUpStance.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fY_XII21W_kwZ55NajDx24wST5HaD2XIn_E_TrMYwNiRRsEON4WcKOZv8E_nEjwMgnV8pZZVCy7-aaGtRjE_f4ww1O5jvi4MMyCVA1VYJ2woWvQHAFFKUbaFHjcQLUPK_Ks0GY7GLPg/s320/DaisukeWarmUpStance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459425975455077986" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBjqgayfkSb5MfBOW8iXB4K-Tx3mRpgxT0Q98sBPfypbUGVKSKZ01vxVRpPW0YZ420MhE4kNDY_rrIbEXLkX-crN5Z2jOM6UZYh15X5-7ZGy4k3icO6Wn7GNFwlHxQyn0dSGAYdBtIwE/s1600/DaisukeWarmingUpFunnyFace.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBjqgayfkSb5MfBOW8iXB4K-Tx3mRpgxT0Q98sBPfypbUGVKSKZ01vxVRpPW0YZ420MhE4kNDY_rrIbEXLkX-crN5Z2jOM6UZYh15X5-7ZGy4k3icO6Wn7GNFwlHxQyn0dSGAYdBtIwE/s320/DaisukeWarmingUpFunnyFace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459425963574794610" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrdY32WcEu2Y8aHE1-qyXLWavRAnQUqIkHIC6fQioevzyvxbEoaktOpuEyHNAAfkI8y0H_l0iN1NrVLmFFvhrLG5TnV6IZUjw0SOXINpsUVzTM-R-5l_FlUEv9NcYv5t5Pg75Wud4bv0/s1600/DaisukeWarmupPitch.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrdY32WcEu2Y8aHE1-qyXLWavRAnQUqIkHIC6fQioevzyvxbEoaktOpuEyHNAAfkI8y0H_l0iN1NrVLmFFvhrLG5TnV6IZUjw0SOXINpsUVzTM-R-5l_FlUEv9NcYv5t5Pg75Wud4bv0/s320/DaisukeWarmupPitch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459425968397743522" border="0" /></a>Watching Daisuke warming up in the Bullpen. This guy was crazy with his warmup routine. I think he stretched every possible muscle in his body...and then some! He also spent some time watching highlight reels on the scoreboard.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeNGuRkOPsUUrmsxueM9vaiDi4WDH607LaS7f8UM7UajuQyxCmbRnqi97nstDH9Rfa63KQ0V0PJSVLDo_DIruLkRnOgwpbsYOGLlz9nxuzZYj79n0fmDN-c2vmK7NvEXghz8YC6sNQQU/s1600/AngelSanchezSS.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeNGuRkOPsUUrmsxueM9vaiDi4WDH607LaS7f8UM7UajuQyxCmbRnqi97nstDH9Rfa63KQ0V0PJSVLDo_DIruLkRnOgwpbsYOGLlz9nxuzZYj79n0fmDN-c2vmK7NvEXghz8YC6sNQQU/s320/AngelSanchezSS.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459425946386620434" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Short Stop, Angel Sanchez, throwing a ball to a fan during warmups.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQZoobWS395xHuoS1l-ewpssKCCYqc2G66Zu6qVkh-eGEs53YImVgbLhgek5Fa4W1xALp0H-ojIYGJlSa8aNje3VjCYl1GtUnw0xCgjOU5SdO6c_DjOTsTGPGOPcc_7VDnXhLTuVGfTA/s1600/McCoyStadium.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQZoobWS395xHuoS1l-ewpssKCCYqc2G66Zu6qVkh-eGEs53YImVgbLhgek5Fa4W1xALp0H-ojIYGJlSa8aNje3VjCYl1GtUnw0xCgjOU5SdO6c_DjOTsTGPGOPcc_7VDnXhLTuVGfTA/s320/McCoyStadium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459426193423576754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBa1td4s00dcfgEohlZvz5i59D_zoneT-QWl-7t7FdVtyw2b_kJeOgqufYWjhzVroWd9j5YYZEhVmeugjlQbdo6AUfTP-aDMsnpGo0IALbww5v-MN1colW3srN1UwT7ErYQ2LO1mIQADc/s1600/StarSpangledBanner.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBa1td4s00dcfgEohlZvz5i59D_zoneT-QWl-7t7FdVtyw2b_kJeOgqufYWjhzVroWd9j5YYZEhVmeugjlQbdo6AUfTP-aDMsnpGo0IALbww5v-MN1colW3srN1UwT7ErYQ2LO1mIQADc/s320/StarSpangledBanner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459426216445808738" border="0" /></a><br />Can you see Josh Reddick all bundled up? It was cold out, but not <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> cold!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7mtb9_CDxsVyGJjkKlRbz_QjZUhQ9tKTIzDpcTAoETTUsRNWNEZhgTOiZmHE93ZE78rkny6cnZYT8pSk4Hk7SyAXs6QZda9Pp1XRbwP6ZNRZzfhIvETKqkIjJN_wdK5p6tv7_Lg8U4Y/s1600/NowPitchingDaisukeMatsuzaka.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7mtb9_CDxsVyGJjkKlRbz_QjZUhQ9tKTIzDpcTAoETTUsRNWNEZhgTOiZmHE93ZE78rkny6cnZYT8pSk4Hk7SyAXs6QZda9Pp1XRbwP6ZNRZzfhIvETKqkIjJN_wdK5p6tv7_Lg8U4Y/s320/NowPitchingDaisukeMatsuzaka.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459426202967252450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbzNNrQAGfB4MN06Ygg0J2cLG0q-oDALAI21S5MbNnGTcdMYZLmE5GFYc7DsFIYbE-F9XL_Tjuf9QB_Abcgex6vbBYjXLn06alizoZwMk_538QgplQWrryKfugFOLzuJlJm3Q2R5cRRc/s1600/DaisukePitching.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbzNNrQAGfB4MN06Ygg0J2cLG0q-oDALAI21S5MbNnGTcdMYZLmE5GFYc7DsFIYbE-F9XL_Tjuf9QB_Abcgex6vbBYjXLn06alizoZwMk_538QgplQWrryKfugFOLzuJlJm3Q2R5cRRc/s320/DaisukePitching.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459425955063283042" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHOXlEOb9xVXwTijVcEwF5R4ltpZIWG_fPW_g15i-6yiTaJa6zpOKN3pWqPJdgq2XIs0aQiJhVWzx3IIm0LpvivusV0SG8pz-gypllFR6B8pdq7rJaCNCGoyss-lvaK6lFEHqyEM19v4/s1600/Picture+1.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 20px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHOXlEOb9xVXwTijVcEwF5R4ltpZIWG_fPW_g15i-6yiTaJa6zpOKN3pWqPJdgq2XIs0aQiJhVWzx3IIm0LpvivusV0SG8pz-gypllFR6B8pdq7rJaCNCGoyss-lvaK6lFEHqyEM19v4/s320/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459428690699614978" border="0" /></a>Daisuke pitched really well. Looking forward to seeing him back in Boston soon!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qBNMpLlEx5i0hnT3ZF2MCl_ZpwkHMm1mFAIeY641nvpNm9bT_e7HD9z0TXYRZ51TXHhDgkuMBw-_DzFfzei_IPL_XRD0Ed_KDAqQsyXp8ztHE7L3bYUMg99v1qZxeFOwZvMVf2NitGM/s1600/Paws.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qBNMpLlEx5i0hnT3ZF2MCl_ZpwkHMm1mFAIeY641nvpNm9bT_e7HD9z0TXYRZ51TXHhDgkuMBw-_DzFfzei_IPL_XRD0Ed_KDAqQsyXp8ztHE7L3bYUMg99v1qZxeFOwZvMVf2NitGM/s320/Paws.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459426212019855330" border="0" /></a>Paws shooting TShirts into the crowd<br /></div>Soxy Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01515337644631991851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-66804534644276963522010-04-08T11:39:00.009-04:002010-04-19T14:04:19.061-04:002010 Red Sox At-Bat SongsHey Red Sox fans! It's time to build the list of the 2010 Red Sox At-Bat and player entrance songs.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm going to need some help, so please email me at soxylady33 {at} gmail {dot} com with any updates!!! The list is looking pretty pathetic right now.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Position Players</u></span><u></u><br />Adrian Beltre # 29 - <span style="font-style: italic;">Unknown, but sounds like it possibly could have been a Daddy Yankee song? </span><br />Mike Cameron # 23 - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDuRoPIOBjE"><span style="font-style: italic;">Forever by Drake</span></a><br />J.D. Drew # 7 - <span style="font-style: italic;">No song!</span><br />Jacoby Ellsbury # 2 - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0n4eMGXAyk"><span style="font-style: italic;">Let It Rock by Kevin Rudolph ft. Lil Wayne</span></a><br />Bill Hall # 22 - <span style="font-style: italic;">Unknown</span><br />Jeremy Hermida # 32 - <span style="font-style: italic;">Unknown</span><br />Mike Lowell # 25 - <span style="font-style: italic;">Unconfirmed <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QQ0hH4MYsk">Iron Man by Black Sabboth</a> or <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu1wAP2Baco">Bombtrack by Rage Against the Machine</a></span><br />Victor Martinez # 41 - <span style="font-style: italic;">Unknown Latin Song</span><br />David Ortiz # 34 - <span style="font-style: italic;">Unknown Latin Song</span><br />Dustin Pedroia # 15 - <span style="font-style: italic;">Unknown Song by Dr. Dre, wasn't Dre Day</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">possibly The Next Episode</span><br />Marco Scutaro # 16 - <span style="font-style: italic;">No Song!</span><br />Jason Varitek # 33 - <span style="font-style: italic;"></span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg8gEIBs5CU">Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down</a><br />Kevin Youkilis # 20 - <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbH3bAvTYjg">Just a Friend by Biz Markie</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Pitchers</u></span><br />Scott Atchison # 48 - <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRPIAqhZu1w">Heartland by George Strait<br /></a>Daniel Bard # 51 - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c3d7QgZr7g"><span style="font-style: italic;">Strangle Hold by Ted Nugent</span></a><br />Josh Beckett # 19 - <span style="font-style: italic;">Unconfirmed </span> <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmeUuoxyt_E">Rock Star by Nickelback</a> or <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xnd7jHbZk14"><span style="font-style: italic;">Living Hard by Gary Alan</span></a><br />Clay Buchholz # 11 - <span style="font-style: italic;">Unknown</span><br />Manny Delcarmen # 17 - <span style="font-style: italic;">(I'm From) Boston - MAV Entertainment (Anyone know where to get this track?)</span><br />John Lackey # 40 - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcMLCK8Sw5I"><span style="font-style: italic;">Crazy Town by Jason Aldean</span></a><br />Jon Lester # 31 - <span style="font-style: italic;">Unconfirmed </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6oYI1gFxGk"><span style="font-style: italic;">I Use What I Got by Jason Aldean</span></a><br />Daisuke Matsuzaka #18 (when he returns) - Unconfirmed <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBosdaY56z4"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Next Door by Exile</span></a><br />Hideki Okajima # 37 - <span style="font-style: italic;">Unconfirmed </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.melakathemeems.com/_music/Hideki%20Okajima%20-%20Okajima-Okie-Dokie.mp3">Okajima-Oki-doke by Mr. Yoshie</a><br />Jonathan Papelbon # 58 - <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmDWHLDRM8k">Shipping Up to Boston by Dropkick Murphys </a><br />Ramon Ramirez # 56 - <span style="font-style: italic;">Unknown</span><br />Scott Schoeneweis # 60 -<span style="font-style: italic;"> Unconfirmed </span> <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7TkzqrAdE8">It's a Fight by Three 6 Mafia</a> (not sure this is right after hearing the song again)<br />Tim Wakefield # 49 - <span style="font-style: italic;">Unconfirmed <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfQFU0omkJI">How Bad Do You Want It? by Tim McGraw</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Fenway Park Songs<br /></u></span><span><pitcher meeting="">Before the Game - <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD8ljNobUys">Cheers Theme Song</a><br />Middle of the 8th Inning - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0UZONM7JOI"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond </span></a><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a65H8PR17fY"></a></pitcher></span><span>Pitcher Meeting On The Mound (by Opposing Team) - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNip8ZEesow"><span style="font-style: italic;">Communication Breakdown by Led Zeppelin</span></a><br />Pitcher/Catcher Meeting - <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Syt8qQUbzVc">Theme from the Odd Couple</a><br />Ground Rule Double (by Sox) - <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.brassbonanza.com/Sound/brassbonanza-2.mp3">Brass Bonanza</a><br />Walk (Sox player on base) - <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKttENbsoyk">Walk This Way by Aerosmith</a><br />Homerun (by Sox) - </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5LW07FTJbI">Kernkraft 400 by Zombie Nation</a> or <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqHQ_wWbG9Y">Boom, Boom, Boom by The Outhere Brothers</a><br /><span>Extra Innings - <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUGsZgkjrco">Time Is Tight by Booker T & The MGs</a><br /></span><span>After a Sox Win - <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a65H8PR17fY">Dirty Water by the Standells </a><br />After Dirty Water - <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVC9b0K1Iis">Tessie by Dropkick Murphys</a><br />After Tessie - <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xB4W8thG28">Joy to the World by Three Dog Night</a><br />After a Sox Loss - (on the organ) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egX9N8yOgaU"><span style="font-style: italic;">Goonight Sweetheart by The Spaniels</span></a> and (on the organ) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbxxkwBQk_o"><span style="font-style: italic;">Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow by The Shirelles</span></a><br />Other songs:<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98W9QuMq-2k"><span style="font-style: italic;">Vertigo by U2</span></a><br /></span><span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ytfrhBWJDM"><span style="font-style: italic;">Gimme the Bassline by Torpedo Boyz</span></a><br /><br />Here are the lists to my:<br /><a href="http://soxylady.blogspot.com/2007/10/red-sox-at-bat-songs.html">2007 Red Sox At-Bat Songs</a><br /><a href="http://soxylady.blogspot.com/2008/08/2008-red-sox-at-bat-songs.html">2008 Red Sox At-Bat Songs</a><br />And not mine, but<br /><a href="http://redsoxinsider.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/05/the_players_jams.html">2009 Red Sox At-Bat Songs</a><br /></span>Soxy Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01515337644631991851noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-22845443892631935952010-04-05T16:06:00.007-04:002010-04-06T12:34:19.805-04:00One Down, 161 To Go...If last night's game was any indication of the season to come, I am very very excited.<br /><br />We all know the Sox spare no expense when it comes to marketing the team. And we know John Henry and Co. love to have a few surprises up their sleeves (ala Billy Buckner in 2008). What we didn't know is just how brilliant last night's opening game was going to be - both orchestrated and not.<br /><br />I tuned into the coverage in time to see Dr. Dre donning a Sox Jersey (what?!) and plugging his new headphones, "<a href="http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100405005490&newsLang=en">Beats</a>." When asked about player at-bat songs, and which one player he'd like to convince to be announced to one of his songs, he quickly replied "Ortiz......Big Papi" to a new song of his Under Pressure. Oh Dre. If you only knew Pedroia used <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwGzRdmV6NU">The Wash</a> in 2007 and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTfGCe3dZ1A">F*ck With Dre </a>the past two seasons you might have had to do too much convincing. Papi historically prefers The Game, 50 cent or some Dominican jam.<center><br /><script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript" src="http://nesn.img.entriq.net/dayportcore/dpm/DayPortPlayers.js"></script><script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript">DayPortPlayer.newPlayer({articleID:"8006",domain:"video.media.nesn.com",fileTypeID:"7",playerInstanceID:"FA4BADDF-1121-2521-A713-8B4A46F1280D",videoWidth:"450",videoHeight:"300",maintainAspectRatio:"true"});</script></center><br />Then there was seeing <a href="http://soxylady.blogspot.com/2010/03/nomar-gives-me-warm-fuzzies.html">newly retired Nomar Garciaparra</a> sitting at the ESPN Analyst's Desk on the field.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf16pia_ZJyR6Tyi9lhIuhdIKIBvu4To2l_NJp3b-v1enbGO7kwhyphenhyphenKLszzAIsDFTjoRWS4vwrCiIMozLZj2eAa0z8BKticlTxUX88Ndyv6rWgHPleGcE4eP3Woxox0mnOTciUqW-IFpUs/s1600/nomar.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf16pia_ZJyR6Tyi9lhIuhdIKIBvu4To2l_NJp3b-v1enbGO7kwhyphenhyphenKLszzAIsDFTjoRWS4vwrCiIMozLZj2eAa0z8BKticlTxUX88Ndyv6rWgHPleGcE4eP3Woxox0mnOTciUqW-IFpUs/s320/nomar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456759969372513330" border="0" /></a>When it was time to announce the teams. The 2009 World Series Champions, NYY were first. *yawn* and then it was time for the 2010 Red Sox. When Mr. Red Sox, number 6, Johnny Pesky was announced I got teary. When fan fave Mike Lowell was announced, I may have cried (don't judge me). He got the biggest ovation of the night, one he clearly deserved. It was strange having both Lowell and Varitek announced before the starting players, a reality I was perhaps not yet ready to accept.<center><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eVxsUg8tDNc&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eVxsUg8tDNc&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Thank you to Jere at a <a href="http://letsgosox.blogspot.com/2010/04/sox-yanks-opening-night-2010-photovideo.html">Red Sox Fan From Pinstripe Territory</a> for shooting and posting this video!</span></center><p><br />Although the secret was leaked in the hour or so before the game, it was still a great surprise to see Pedro Martinez walk from out of the Green Monster, under the American Flag and towards home plate to throw out the game's first pitch. I loved when Orsillo announced him he said it was time to "wake up the d@mn Bambino and welcome Pedro back." But why, oh why did they play Phil Collins as he headed towards the mound?!<br /><br />Pedro's smile was electric. He looked truly and honestly happy to be back. And I was truly, and honestly, happy to see him back wearing #54. I miss Pedro. Every time he toed the rubber you expected the unexpected to happen. The moment of his return was momentarily ruined when A-Rod ran out from to give him a hug...all returned to right in the world when Pedro thew to long-time catcher Varitek.<center><p><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DJKzVr56Zhw&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DJKzVr56Zhw&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></p></center><br />Martinez even shared in a lengthy hug, and a photo-opportunistic conversation with Pesky. It was magical to watch.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATxzSV13e5Fz66Uibvjrt85jenk6gMOJF4SyVGYR-7byNwzP_ORrMIkaoigXPHJqiLWI-fyBzQOXZDuRUFQZLi9K6jEF9bPFh3mZIz7fhS_T7ElS-h4Xdh8aJugqCB_A3RL569LX_Pog/s1600/PedroJohnny.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATxzSV13e5Fz66Uibvjrt85jenk6gMOJF4SyVGYR-7byNwzP_ORrMIkaoigXPHJqiLWI-fyBzQOXZDuRUFQZLi9K6jEF9bPFh3mZIz7fhS_T7ElS-h4Xdh8aJugqCB_A3RL569LX_Pog/s320/PedroJohnny.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456756550383095202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(photo courtesy of Bosotn.com and the AP)<br /></span></span></div>It wasn't over there, though. 5 year old Joshua Sacco came out to do a Red Sox rendition of his <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CdJTfGiRCI">paradoy on Herb Brooks locker room speech</a> from the movie "Miracle." I wonder how many people didn't get what this was all about. If you didn't, it may have seemed odd. But if you were one of the million plus viewers who know Josh from YouTube...it was awesome. It was complete with the link, "I'm sick and tired of hearing 'bout what a great baseball team the Yankees have...Screw 'em!"<br /><center><p><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Rl2mCBPAKVM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Rl2mCBPAKVM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></p><p></p></center><br />Seriously this was all before the game even started.<br /><br />Beckett pitched a great first inning, but it was all down-hill from there. He allowed back-to-back homers to Jorge Posada (off of Pesky Pole) and Curtis Granderson. He had no control of his off-speed pitches and he only struck out one batter and gave up 5 runs in 4 2/3 innings.<br /><br />But the offense, you know the offense that wasn't supposed to be able to score any runs this year? They came alive. Youk (who was still donning a goatee, much to the<a href="http://blog.masslive.com/redsoxmonster/2010/03/a_plea_to_red_sox_fans_vote_st.html"> chagrin of many</a>) went 3 for 4. He had two doubles, a triple and scored three runs with two RBIs.<br /><br />Then there was Pedroia. <a href="http://www.outincenterfield.com/2008/10/my-little-pedroia/">El Caballito</a>, the F*ck Yeah Kid. He went 2 for 4. He walked, smashed a 2 run homer and drove in 3. Almost nothing in baseball gets me as excited as watching Pedroia scream "F*ck Yeah!" (sorry mom & dad). He is in it to win it. Every single game.<br /><br />Youk and Pedroia, they are the new face of the Boston Red Sox. They may not have the natural talent that Manny and Papi dominated with, but they are gritty and determined. They are not going to let anyone tell their offense they can't score runs. No way. No how. These boys are ball players.<br /><br />The new guys did well, Ellsbury and Papi struggled at the plate (and Ellsbury a bit in the field). Nothing too concerning, but it did have me wondering about the future of Papi in a Sox uniform when a very capable DH named Mike Lowell was sitting on the bench.<br /><br />Yankee's fan LeBron James was sitting in Henry's luxury box for the game (texting every time the camera cut to him) along with Dre (no longer in his Sox jersey).<br /><br />There were other surprises throughout the night. Steven Tyler and one of his daughters came out for a creepy rendition of God Bless America. I'm not sure why she was there. She wasn't announced. She only did a bit of harmonizing at the end. My guess is that he's going to be pushing her pop-rock singing career soon.<br /><br />One of the best things to happen? Sweet Caroline was played during the middle of the 8th, like always. But for the first time ever it was sung live by Mr. Neil Diamond himself.<center><p><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z0UZONM7JOI&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z0UZONM7JOI&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></p></center><p><br />He wasn't much better than Tyler...but honestly I loved every second of it. Sox fans had been waiting a long time to see that. He was curiously wearing a jacket that said "Keep the Dodgers in Brooklyn" but eh...whatever....</p><p>My first game of the season will be on Wednesday night watching John Lackey's debut against the Bronx Bombers. I can't wait.<br /><br /></p><p></p>Soxy Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01515337644631991851noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497263798629021172.post-10286006370886109602010-03-23T16:14:00.007-04:002010-03-23T17:17:38.580-04:00Burying the HatchetWhat do the following people have in common?<br /><ul><li>Johnny Damon</li><li>Ramiro Mendoza</li><li>Eric Hinske</li><li>Tony Cloninger</li><li>Dale Sveum</li><li>Gary Tuck<br /></li></ul>According to the <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/damon_can_finally_wear_sox_ring_VHwwmQayur2raJ12Fd9TrM">New York Post</a> they are the only people who have World Series rings from both the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. Surprising, right? You'd think there would be some more, ummmm....iconic players/coaches on that list. But considering history...this is it.<br /><br />I don't really have much to say about any of those men, with the exception of Johnny <strike>Demon</strike> Damon. I have to (wo)man up and admit it might be time to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burying_the_hatchet">bury the hatchet</a> with him.<br /><br />There is no surprise that as a member of RSN I've had had hard feelings towards the self-proclaimed idiot. I've lashed out on my blog <a href="http://soxylady.blogspot.com/2010/02/hey-johnny-you-greedy-sob.html">more</a> <a href="http://soxylady.blogspot.com/2007/11/johnny-damon-sucks.html">than</a> <a href="http://soxylady.blogspot.com/2007/08/youre-5-foot-6-youre-balding-and-youre.html">onc</a><a href="http://soxylady.blogspot.com/2007/08/youre-5-foot-6-youre-balding-and-youre.html">e</a> about him. I've called him every name in the book, I've sat down during his announcements at Fenway Park (<span style="font-style: italic;">I would like to point out I never booed the man</span>), I've laughed at the thought of him potentially being unemployed this season (<span style="font-style: italic;">until the Tigers stepped up</span>)....but I've also loved him.<br /><br />I loved him when he was a member of the 2002, 2003 and beloved 2004 Red Sox. He made me cry when he was carried off of the field after colliding with Damian Jackson in the outfield. He had me screaming out "What Would Johnny Damon Do?!" more than once. He hit a grand-slam against the Yankees in the game 7 2004 ALCS, which was just as exciting, if not more exciting, than winning the World Series in my eyes. He rode the duck boats through the streets of Boston, where I cheered at the top of my lungs out of sheer joy and excitement.<br /><br />Johnny was my homeboy.<br /><br />That is, until he went to the Yankees in 2005.<br /><br />It honestly and truly felt like a betrayal to me. There is no other way to describe it. I was hurt. Johnny let ME down personally.<br /><br />But here is the thing. I have had no hard feelings towards any other member of the 2004 Red Sox who are no longer with the team...<span style="font-style: italic;">except maybe a few for Manny, but that's just because he was "being Manny." </span>I don't have hard feelings for Eric Hinske, who is up there on that same list with Damon. In short, I was being a jerk.<br /><br />It's time for me to bury the hatchet on my hatred of Johnny Damon. I will cheer on May 14th (albeit while watching my television) when he steps up to bat against the Red Sox. I will try and get tickets to the July 30th game so I can cheer him in person, at Fenway Park. I would like to finally give him that standing ovation he so much deserves.<br /><br />I just hope he'll accept my cheers and congratulations after all these years.Soxy Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01515337644631991851noreply@blogger.com1