There is Opening Day of Baseball (today)...
Opening Day, the Sox first game (tomorrow)
and
Opening Day at Fenway Park on April 10th. I love and am excited about them all!
I started my new job last week, and you can imagine my delight when I found a Tek cut-out in one of the conference rooms. I also learned that the company will be closing early tomorrow, so all of us can head down to the bar to watch the game! Woooo hooooo! My company rocks!
While I don't have tickets to any of these games, I do for the Seattle game on the 12th (the last game in the home opener series).
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I was going to take this opportunity to write a letter to my dear Jason Varitek but while browsing around I found Kristen already wrote a pretty solid one. For that, I am also adding her to my daily reads. It will be nice to celebrate in Tek's success this season, right? I said SUCCESS!
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Also, my fantasy baseball draft was today. I think my team is OK. I give it a 6.5/10 - what do you think?
Sunday, April 1, 2007
I <3 Opening Day
Friday, March 9, 2007
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Brrrrr.....
In Boston the temperature has fluctuated from being in the 50s (last week) to in the teens (today - with a windchill of -7!!!) Man it's cold! I was really starting to get "spring fever" with the warmer weather and spring training games. Now I'm feeling like it's only the middle of January!
One story that keeps me "warm and fuzzy" is Jon Lester's comeback. Slow and steady wins the race and will get him back to being an ace pitcher.
(photo courtesy of the AP)
It was September 2, 2006 when Boston.com reported Jon's illness:
The Red Sox announced yesterday that Jon Lester, 22, had been diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a blood cancer, and will begin treatment in the coming week.
RSN was already down on the ground being kicked with injuries and "Manny being
Manny" when we got this blow. Fast forward only six months later to March 5, 2007 where Lester went out and pitched an inning in a Spring Training game! Lester had an 8 pitch inning in a B game against the Twins.
Lester feels he is 85-90% back to being full strength. He really wants to get out there and do this thing, but understands why the organization is urging him to take things slow.
I REALLY REALLY REALLY can't wait for him to return to the Majors and show his stuff. I'll be honest, I didn't think much about him one way or another before news of his cancer broke. But the way he has kept such a positive attitude and worked to get his life "back to normal" impresses me above and beyond just about anything.
GOOD LUCK JON LESTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SOXY LADY IS ROUTING FOR YOUR SUCCESS!!!!!!!
Here is a great blog dedicated to Jon's recovery: http://jonlesterwatch.blogspot.com/
Friday, March 2, 2007
Time To See What the Kid Can Do
I'm placing my bets now that tonight's Spring Training game will be the highest viewed Grapefruit League game in history. Curt and Becks came out earlier this week and did their thing, but all eyes will be on Dice-K tonight. Both in the US and Japan. Live report to follow.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Dramatown, FL
I'm having a hard time wanting to post lately. The thing is, all the news about the Red Sox lately is DRAMA filled. I just want them to play ball already.
Dear members of the Boston Sports Media,
Enough is enough. I am sick to death trying to figure out who is getting more attention. Is it the threesome of Britney, Anna and Cameron? Or Manny, Schill and Dice-K? The Red Sox are a BASEBALL team. Let's keep it real. Cut the drama. Let's talk about baseball. Lets talk about Timlin's possible injury, lets talk about Mike Lowell's leadership and for goodness sake, if we must talk about Dice-K lets talk about how he and Vtek are learning to communicate with one another!
Stop blowing things out of proportion. Any serious baseball fan could not have expected the Red Sox to renew Curt's contract before the season started. I don't give a rats @ss about why Manny is late to spring training - I care about his condition once he arrives! And honestly, let's give Dice-K some room to breath and PITCH. That is what he's here for after all!
UGH! UGH! UGH!
Sincerely,
Soxy Lady
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Why Can't Manny Just Be "A Baseball Player"?
Position players haven't even started their workouts yet and already the drama surrounding Manny has begun.
Manny is an exception to just about every rule out there. You laugh at him when he pulls stupid antics (like taking a leak inside the monster instead of being in position) and you get pissed off beyond belief when he quits on his team (and the fans) like this past July - September. You might even sigh a bit of relief when trade talks come up, just so you won't have to deal with the drama anymore - there has to be someone out there we can get to cover Papi, right? Ok, if you don't at least I do. The thing is you can't hate the guy enough to hate him when he's hot. Why is that?
It angers me beyond belief that we let Manny get away with "being Manny" even when it's at a complete determent to the team. The thing is, he knows he's "that good" and we'll let him off the hook. Argh. We don't let anyone off the hook in Boston. Why is Manny the exception?
How many of you out there work? I'm going to say most everyone reading this blog has a job.
So how many of you who work do a kick-@ss job at work? Maybe not as many, but if I were a betting gal I'd say there are a few of us out there.
So of those of us who do a kick-@ss, fantastic job at work, how many are allowed to stay home and not work just because we don't like how well a particular campaign is doing? How many are allowed to show up late, and not minutes late - I mean days late? I dare say, not one of us.
I don't know, it's tiring to think about. It's a double-edged sword...you "punish" Manny by not letting him play but he's getting paid no matter what, and you just hurt the team. You let him get away with all this sh!t and send the message to others that it's ok for Manny because we need him.
I would just love for one season Manny to come out and be a baseball player instead of just being "Manny." Then maybe D.S. would lay off us a little bit (probably not, he hates Boston sports and Boston sports fans) and maybe we could concentrate on more important things.
And P.S. Julian Tavarez....it's so not your place to disclose to the media whether or not you think Manny will be reporting to Spring Training on time. Work on your pitches, bub...leave the rest to management to deal with.
Friday, February 16, 2007
ALL Pitchers & Catchers Report!
One thing I'm really excited to witness is how Tek and Daisuke learn to communicate with one another. I'm already developing a mini-crush on Dice-K. Honestly, it's not because he's the greatest thing since sliced bread (according to the media.) I mean, only a few years back we got Pedro...then Schilling....I have NO DOUBT that I'll come to love Daisuke as a player, but right now I'm loving his little boy smile and his witty comments to the media.
He was asked what pitch he would throw for his first pitch and answered,
"I would love to pitch a fastball, that will be my first ball. I would like my
first batter, if he is listening, please try not to hit the ball."
Plus, he's already out there sporting his Red Sox!
(Photo Courtesy of Boston.com)
Pitchers and catchers reporting means Spring Training games are right around the corner...which mean it's getting closer to Opening Day!
Speaking of Opening Day, argh! I "won" the raffle to have the "opportunity" to buy Opening Day/Patriots Day/Yankees tickets today. So I signed in, sat in the virtual waiting room for an hour, got in to purchase my "tickets" and EVERY game in the raffle was already sold out. So annoying. But I'm over it, really, I am......
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Truck Day - A Re-enactment
There are times when I think I can be a pretty creative person - but then I come across something like this:
and realize I'm not as creative as I'd like to be. Thanks to my friends at The Red Seat for the entertaining video.
Glad we could provide some insight into Oh, Holy Day - TRUCK DAY! Metaphorically, Truck Day is a beautiful thing. It fills you with excitement and anticipation! But really, it's just a truck. That gets loaded with gear. And drives away. -The Red Seat
The Truck Day Videos
It's all sorts of anti-climatic, but here are the short videos I took yesterday!
Wally, jammin' to Tessie:
The equipment truck leaving Fenway:
(The Day After) Truck Day
I made it in time to see the Red Sox equipment truck leave Fenway on its journey to Ft. Meyers. Wally was there, he threw me a ball. I caught it - What's up, I could be on the Sox! Think they need another outfielder? Drew still isn't on the 40-man roster! So what if I throw like a girl, Damon did too!
I took some pictures and even a couple short videos, but for some reason I keep losing my Internet connection (argh, Comcast!) and YouTube is being hella-slow tonight. So the video is going to have to wait. Sorry all.
In Spring Training News Papelbon, Lester and Beckett all threw off the mound today. Look at our pitchers, out there early and excited for the new season! I loved this quote from Pap about Lester:
"When I first saw Jon today, I almost didn't recognize him because I didn't expect him to look that good," said Jonathan Papelbon, after arriving today for the first time. "Look the same old Jonny to me. Obviously I've said prayer after prayer for him this offseason, me and my wife. It's just awesome. Awesome, awesome, awesome to see him come back from that. The fight that he's gone through, you know, it's just amazing. For me that's the kind of teammate I want, somebody that's never going to give up, somebody that's going to go out there and bust his butt to succeed and bust his butt to get where he wants and deserves. That was awesome, almost like a pick-me-up."
According to our dear friends at Extra Bases, Papelbon spent some time in the off season hunting with Eli Manning! ELI MANNING! What?!?! I HATE ELI MANNING! Half of the reason I wanted the Colts to lose the Superbowl was so I didn't have to see Eli gloating on TV about his brother's win. Ok, maybe not half of the reason....but part of it. Seriously. That was a little disturbing to read. If he sucks it up as a starter, I'm going to blame it on Eli - mark my words!
No need to end on such a sour note.......48 days until opening day and counting! WOO HOO!
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Where the Truck I've Been...
I know, I've already committed the cardinal sin in blogging...it's been a week since my last post. For those of you who know me personally, you understand why I haven't been around. For the rest of ya'll, there was a lot of news in RSN last week, which I did mean to write about but sometimes life just gets in the way - I'm baaacccckkkk!!!!!
Tomorrow is a great day for all of us baseball fans - it's TRUCK DAY!
(photo courtesy of Boston.com)Member's of Soxy Lady's camp have also reported that at this very moment there is a ramp filled with Red Sox equipment bags at Logan airport! Eeekkk! I asked if there was a possibility for a picture. If one comes through you know I'll post it here.
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Roll the Dice
Now I'm getting excited! Check out this Japanese Beer Commerical starring our very own Daisuke.
As a former sorority girl, I am proud to report our new pitcher is not drinking in his letters, errr...uniform! The boy can pound 'em! However, he's not smiling. I love his smile. He just looks so friendly.
There is a lot to report on the baseball front today, but unfortunately I don't have time to update right now. I'll be back though!
Friday, February 2, 2007
Jason Varitek :: An Unofficial Fan Site
It's a slow day for Red Sox news.....
With the countdown to Pitchers & Catchers reporting down to only two weeks, I thought it was appropriate to talk about my hometown fav, Tek.
(Photo Taken by me 5-5-2006)While most of us have referred to Trot Nixon as the original Dirt Dog, for his grungy uniform and hard-playing attitude, but it was actually Jason Varitek who coined the Term. The first edition of the 2004 Red Sox Magazine featured an article written by Gary Brown (excerpt below):
In the western Massachusetts town of Agawam, there’s a sandlot baseball team with an unlikely name: The Sacred Heart Dirt Dogs.
The team adopted its nickname after being inspired by a story in which Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek was quoted as saying, “We’re just a bunch of dirt dogs, working hard and finding ways to win ball games.” No question about it, the “dirt dog” image speaks to the true-grit style of this Red Sox ball club. Varitek could be the poster boy for that image. So could right fielder Trot Nixon, truly a blue-color worker on the baseball field. They certainly stand as ideal role models for the kids in Agawam, and everywhere else.
It has been said of both that they play baseball with a “football mentality”. That’s a tribute to their toughness and their willingness to go all-out all the time. They are tireless workers, both in pre-game preparation, and on the field.
When you’re a dirt dog, you eschew possible bodily harm to get the job done. Think about Varitek, an immovable object when he blocks the plate against fast-moving baserunners determined to knock the ball out of his grasp. Think about Nixon, diving to make plays, even though those dives sometimes hurtle him close to Fenway’s low railing along the right-field line.
The most dangerous dive in recent years was performed by Varitek, when his head-first slide for a catch of a foul ball damaged his right elbow and put him out for the season in June of 2001. Would he go for that kind of play again?
“Absolutely”, he said.
I don't remember exactly when I decided Tek was my "favorite" Sox player, but I know I chose him because of his work ethic (reminiscent of Cal Ripken), his intensity and I'm not going to lie...some of his "physical" attributes!
On Christmas Eve 2004 RSN received presents a little early when the Red Sox held a press conference naming Jason Varitek as the Red Sox Captain.
Anyway, I'm always excited when I find news articles related to, or interviews done by Tek. You can my joy in finding the Jason Varitek Unofficial Fan site!
The site is maintained very well and offers articles, photos, stats, a biography and a lot more! I just emailed Erin, the webmaster, some of my personal pictures of Tek. I hope to see them up there soon!
I urge all of you to take a look at the site and contribute any Tek info/pics you may have!!
Also, let me know if there are other great fan sites out there, maybe I'll profile it in an upcoming post.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Rocky Mountain Low
As of right now, the Helton deal isn't going to work out. No big deal. The Sox didn't NEED him, he just would have rounded out a KILLER offense (well, if everyone stayed healthy). What really s*cks about the whole thing played out. The media may say there are no hard feelings between the Rockies and the Sox, but common. There was already bad blood because of the Larry Bigbie deal that never happened. And now:
Charlie Monfort told the Associated Press today. "We're not just
going to give him up for nothing".
Dear Mr. Monfort,
Todd Helton is a great baseball player, but lets face the facts. He's past his prime. He is not a baseball God. In fact we'd be giving up two strong players in both Mike Lowell and Julian Tavarez for your one, Mr. Helton. To insist they are nothing is a slap in the face not only to them, but to the Red Sox as an organization and to RSN.
You say that you need to build up young talent? You're right, you do. As does every other team in MLB. So trading Helton for young prospects benefits us this year, maybe the next year....but you for years in the future. Why would we do that? We don't play for the short term strategy. You stated Mike and Julian can help you in the short term, but you need more. Ummm....right.
You're asking the Sox to do something you publicly stated you wouldn't. I don't get it.
Moreover, Dear Mr. Monfort - there was no need to leak Lowell and Tavarez's name to the media. Now, not only are their egos bruised by your "nothing" comment but the Sox are going to have to smooth over their relationships with these two players. We were trying to make a deal with your struggling organization. Baseball is business to the front office, right? We weren't playing gossip trash-talk with the media.
Please get over yourself, and try not to come in last in the NL West this year.
Sincerely,
Soxy Lady
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And as for all of this Schill Thrill talk, here's the way I see it. Curt, I love you dearly, but you won't get a contract before the 2007 season even starts. Let's see you go out there, knock 'em dead a while and then draft something up. If you've still got the goods, we want you back. I love to hear you say you wouldn't go to NY if things don't work out with the Sox next season. Stick to your word, Schill - if you don't your political career in MA is dead before it even started.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Who in the What Now?!?!
"I will play in 2008," were the words 40-year-old Curt Schilling told Red Sox Nation this morning.His contract with the Red Sox ends after this season. "Where I'm going to play beyond 2007, I hope it's Boston, but I will go out and find a home to pitch,” he said. “I hope it's here but there's also that possibility [of pitching for another team]."-Boston.com
He also says it is not a possibility of him to go to the Yankees...where have we heard that before? More on this later, I'm going to have to put some thought into my response to this news.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
What the Hel(ton)?!?!
The possible Todd Helton acquisition has thrown me for a bit of a loop. It could make for a lights out offense for the Sox, presuming everyone stays healthy. Rumor has it the Rockies are willing to pick up a big chunk of Helton's $90M contract and in return they want Lowell, Tavarez and someone else...that someone else according to some is ether Manny Delcarmen or Craig Hansen. The Sox, it appears, are trying to get them to agree to Matt Clement. I am pretty OK with all of this. What I am NOT OK with is the rumor they also want Triple-A center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (according to FoxSports.com).
Ellsbury was the Sox first round draft pick in 2005. He's been compared a lot to Johnny Demon..and while we (alright, I a speaking for myself here) sill may not like him, we can't argue his work ethic, great defensive ability and strong lead-off status. Coco hasn't instilled a lot of confidence in RSN, Wily Mo has a way to go, Manny could be "Manny" at any given time and want to be traded yet again, and Drew (oh yeah, we finally finalized the Drew deal, yawn) has a lot to prove and needs to stay healthy. The only confidence I had in the Sox outfield for the future were with Ellsbury. I have to admit, part of the reason I like Ellsbury is that he is a Cape League alum. I got to see him play in the 2004 Cape League Championship game against my Y-D Red Sox. The Sox with my host brother, Brett Harker, beat Ellsbury's team, the Falmouth Commodores.
Moving on...I'm a bit disturbed about the news that Fenway Park may be serving sushi this coming season. There are apparently a couple of reasons 1) it caters to those fans who have requested healthier food at Fenway and 2) it will help fans get 'in sync' with Dice K. Now honestly people, you don't go to a ball game and expect to get healthy food. You get peanuts, cracker jacks, Fenway Franks and fried dough. If you don't want that "cr@p" food then eat before the game, bring in your bottle of water and deal. Hey, I have nothing against sushi, I just don't think it has any place in a ballpark. And if they take the Dice K reasoning...hello, we don't serve tostones and habichuelas to please Dominican fans. And you can't tell me that Papi and Manny don't deserve that respect.
Lastly, I couldn't write without mentioning how great my boyfriend is. After 5 1/4 hours in virtual waiting rooms yesterday, and incessantly calling the Red Sox ticketing agents he finally got two tickets to the Red Sox game on May 28th, which is Trot's return to Fenway Park!!!!! Granted, our seats are in the upper bleachers (ha!) but hell they were only $12 each! It is an early Valentine's Day present to me. He has also purchased tickets for the April 25th game at Camden Yards as an early 20+10 birthday present to me! Even though the game is 10 days after my birthday I am so excited to go back to Camden Yards, and to Baltimore to see friends and family. He also said we could go to the Cal Ripken museum, YAY!!!! And seriously, this is all HUGE because believe it or not, Soxy Lady's boyfriend is NOT a baseball fan!!
Friday, January 26, 2007
This Day in Red Sox History
On January 22, 2003 David Ortiz signed as a free agent with the Red Sox. Big Papi, as he
is so affectionately called by members of RSN, came to the team along with two other free agents, Bill Mueller and Kevin Millar. Of the three, Papi is the only one still with the organization.He’s also known as “Mr. Clutch” - any Sox fan should know why! According to Boston.com:
In three seasons with the Sox, David Ortiz has 15 walkoff hits, including nine walkoff homers. Last year he received a plaque from the Sox that read “David Ortiz #34 The Greatest Clutch Hitter in the History of the Boston Red Sox.”
For the past two years Papi has been a serious American League MVP candidate. In 2005 he lost to A-Fraud, after significant debates. The feeling was, since he is DH and not on the field all of the time, he doesn’t contribute as much to the game as a position player. 2006 was a different story for Papi, although he broke the Red Sox single season home run record (previously held by Jimmie Foxx), The Sox failed and therefore nobody expected M.V.Papi to take home the prize. It was awarded to Minnesota Twins player, Justin Morneau.
Do you agree a DH shouldn’t take home the MVP prize? I mean to me an MVP means a player who has provided the most value to his team. Pitchers have their own version of MVP, the Cy Young award. So what award does the DH get? Nothing? How wrong is that? Especially for a guy (like Ortiz) who has FANTASTIC stats? There aren’t enough words to talk about all of his accolades or what he’s brought as both a player and a person to RSN. He’s an MVP in my book.
This day in RSH (Red Sox History) proved to be a significant one, indeed!!!
Show your support of this Boston All-Star by picking up one of these kick-@ss shirts from theredseat.com
(No, they didn’t pay me to say that! They just happen to be my favorite site for Red Sox Apparel and related merchandise because everything they have is so unique! In fact, my ‘This Day in Red Sox History’ facts come from their Red Sox Calendar!)
(Photo taken by me at Fenway Park on 10-01-06)
This Day in Red Sox History
Saturday, January 20, 2007
(photo taken by me at Fenway Park 6-19-05)On January 20, 1871 the Boston Red Stockings were founded and became the first professional baseball team in Boston (NL). They finished the season with a 20-10 record. Today’s Red Sox (AL) took their name from the Boston Red Stockings. Who, after a series of moves landed and remained in Atlanta where they became the Atlanta Braves.
The AL team was called different names before the owner settled on the Red Sox, to differentiate them from the NL team. Why Sox and not Socks? It was a sign of the times to simplify English spelling.
So Sox fans, raise your glasses and have a drink to celebrate the team who gave us our name!
Thank You Trot!
Friday, January 19, 2007
The day I have been dreading has finally come. Trot Nixon has signed with the Cleveland Indians. He’s not coming back to Boston (as a Red Sox).
(photo courtesy of RedSoxChick)
I can’t say I’m surprised he signed with the Indians. I also can’t say it wasn’t a good move for the Sox, as Nixon was oft injured. However our alternative, J.D. Drew, isn’t a sure bet either.
Although announcing he agreed to a 5 year/$70 million deal with the Red Sox in the beginning of December, Drew’s deal still isn’t finalized because of an injured right shoulder. So we’re over-paying a right fielder who has a high risk for injury and letting go a guy who has spent his entire career in Boston, is the original Boston Dirt dog and plays harder than anyone (when he’s healthy)?
I don’t know. I don’t have huge confidence in an outfield of Drew, Wily Mo and Manny (when he decides it’s ok to be a ball player).
Anyway, this post isn’t meant to debate the details of what went down. It’s to say “goodbye” to the guy whose helmet is covered in pine tar, face is streaked in eye black and pants are stained with grass.
My cousin and I were lucky enough to be at the Sox vs Orioles game on October 1, 2006. It was the Sox last game of the season. Even though there was a 3 hour rain delay and the weather remained miserable I am so happy I was there. I was able to witness Trot’s last at bat in a Red Sox uniform. I also captured this short video:
Sure it’s sideways, unstable and a little too short but cut me some slack. I actually thought I was taking a picture! What I got was a great memory and a little piece of history.
Soxy Lady will miss you, Christopher Trotman Nixon.
Yes, I am a sap.About Soxy Lady
Strong willed woman, who is a huge Boston Sports Fan
Overly emotional about said sports teams
Xtremely loyal
Yelling at the TV during games, you bet!
Love that Dirty Water - Boston you’re my home!
Another World Series? Another Superbowl? Bring it!
Don’t wear pink apparel, black pants or heels to games
Yes, I still smile when I think of the 2004 season
Contact me at: soxylady33{at}gmail{dot}com
I know not everybody in the world is a Boston Sports Fan, and I respect (although I don’t understand) that. I ask that you please respect me. You don’t have to agree with what I’m saying. If you don’t agree simply don’t read or don’t comment.
