Welcome back, Trotter!

I've had the pleasure of seeing Trot's last game at Fenway as a Red Sox player:



As well as his return to Fenway as a member of the Tribe:



I've gotta say - I miss the Dirt Dog. There were some great signs (will try and post a pic of my favorite one tonight) and lots of Nixon jerseys in the park.

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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!!

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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.

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