Getting Excited For Baseball

Seeing these 2010 baseball commercials have surely fired me up for the baseball season.

In this ESPN Sunday Night Baseball clip, Buchholz and actor Adam Scott sing along to Sweet Caroline and try and get Yankees outfielder, Nick Swisher involved too. He wants nothing to do with it. So what does Buchholz do? He continues to sing along by himself. And he can actually carry a tune (not sure why this surprises me, but it does!) I've never been a huge fan of Buchholz, but this makes me like the guy a little.

Then there are the NESN spots that my friend Susan Mahoney told me about. The first one kind of cracks me up. Orsillo is trying to explain how to navigate around Boston to John Lackey. It has often made me comment out-loud that 95/128 are the same road (in some spots) and that 95S turns into 93N....it's just confusing. Even to those of us who grew up in MA.



This last video, however, has got to be my favorite. A (real) Yankees fan walks into a barber shop talking smack...until he sees the likes of Papi, Tek, Wake and Paps. It's great.



What about you? Which is your favorite? What is getting you fired up for the baseball season?

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Nomar Gives Me Warm Fuzzies

By now you've all heard the news that Nomar Garciaparra will be retiring as a member of the 2010 Red Sox organization.

(photo taken from boston.com, photographer unknown)

Reports say he will be signing a one-year, minor league contract with the Red Sox organization and then announce he will be taking a job with ESPN as a baseball analyst.

Now....there are a lot of thoughts swirling around in my head (and I'm sure some of them could be answered if I just waited 15 minutes to listen to the press conference...but that would be logical...)

• Nomar (reportedly) had a tumultuous relationship with the city of Boston (towards the end). He didn't like all of the attention, he didn't like all of the press and he didn't always love the Red Sox - so why here, why now? I know he started his career here, that he played his best here, that he was LOVED here. I just want to know if he's being sincere, or pulling a PR stunt? edit: after watching the press conference I feel he was sincere in really wanting to end his career in the same uniform he wore when he started it. in fact, it was the most sincere i've seen nom-ay in a long time and it was awesome to see him look so happy! One little gripe though Noooommmaaahhhhhh, you are retiring as a member of the Red Sox, not as a Red Sock. We are Red Sox Nation, not Red Sock Nation. Still love ya, man.
  
• If he signs a one-day deal with a MINOR LEAGUE team affiliated with the Red Sox, won't the hat he wears during his press conference be a SeaDog, or a "P" or something? And not that it really matters, but don't we all want to see him in a Red Sox hat? My brother assures me that the genious behind Red Sox PR will already have this figured out...edit: so no uni at the press conference....it is yet to be determined what will happen. I guess they toned down the PR aspect of it - in that respect. But man, I really wanted to see him with a "B" on his head.
  
• Will Nomah coming back and ending his baseball legacy with the team where he was a five-time All-star end the curse of the SS as we have come to know it?
  
• Is there any way he can find a way to sneak onto the DL for one last day? (Ok, ok no hate mail, I kid!!!)
  

I, of course, am happy this is taking place. I had a love-hate relationship (mostly love) with the former Cape Cod League Baseball Player but I do think his final career-resting place should be with the Sox. He was, for so many years, the face of the Red Sox. I don't think any true Sox fan is happy with the way things went down in 2004 (although the outcome was, of course, very favorable that season!) Now he'll get a proper "goodbye" from Red Sox Nation...especially when he throws out the first pitch on opening day*

Nomahhhh - I wish you the best!

Some of my fellow bloggers who are honoring Nomah:

• Julia thanks Nomar: http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/03/nomar.html
• Dan recaps his favorite Nomar memory: http://blog.masslive.com/redsoxmonster/2010/03/nomar_garciaparra_career_highlights.html
• Joy of Sox posts a fantastic picture: http://joyofsox.blogspot.com/2010/03/nomar-announces-retirement.html
• Jere from A Red Sox Fan From Pinstripe Territory On Nomar, the media and the haters: http://letsgosox.blogspot.com/2010/03/on-nomar.html
• Peter talks about Nomar coming home: http://peteronall.blogspot.com/2010/03/nomar-comes-home.html
• Derek talks about Nomar and Sunshowers: http://www.sawxblog.com/2010/03/nomar-garciaparra-comes-back-home.html
• Mighty Quinn thanks Nomar for the memories:
  http://quinnmedia.blogspot.com/2010/03/nomar-retires-with-red-sox.html

(photo taken from redsox.com, photographer unknown)

*I totally made this up, but wouldn't it be amazing?! Come back to this post if it actually happens so I can say, "See! I totally called that!"

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Erin Andrews Is A Serious Dancer, errr.....Reporter

One of these things is not like the other

1. Erin Andrews wants to be taken as a serious sideline reporter
2. Erin Andrews has been fighting to keep her name out of the tabloid media and keep the paparazzi at bay since the "peep-hole" incident
3. Erin Andrews has been announced as part of the cast for Season 10 of Dancing With the Stars

I have nothing but respect for women in sports.

• There is an unfair stereotype about you because of your gender. It's cut-throat and competitive.
  
• You get heckled about your knowledge (or assumed lack there of) just because you are female.
  
• You get cat-called and whistled at because you're pretty.
  

I get that. (I also get that it is a great marketing ploy for networks to have hot women sports reporters, but that's another story for another day).

I have to be honest, though. Erin Andrews is driving me nuts.

I felt bad about the whole peeping-tom peep-hole video. It would be an extreme invasion of privacy for any woman OR man. This is not about that (even though it did boost her popularity!)

What's getting to me is this woman has been "fighting" to be taken serious in her job, and now she's dragging herself down and trying to capitalize on her 15 minutes of fame with the likes of Kate Gosselin, Pamela Anderson, Shannen Doherty and Nicole Scherzinger. Are you kidding me?

It's a shame, honestly.

Perhaps Andrews using this as a Catalyst of career change? It could be possible, the ESPN personality does seem to have a bit of an obsession with Britney Spears:

My lifelong dream was to be a backup dancer for Britney. My sister is a professional dancer, so we're still hoping Britney gets her act together so Kendra, my sister, can dance with her. -Erin Andrews

Erin Andrews, the ESPN reporter filmed naked on hidden camera in a hotel room, called 911 recently to complain about paparazzi lingering outside her home, telling the operator, "I did nothing wrong, and I'm being treated like f*****g Britney Spears."

What do you think? Agree? Disagree? Let me know!

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Affleck & Damon To Become Yankees?

...It's possible, at least on-screen!

The irony of die-hard Red Sox Fans, Ben Affleck & Matt Damon potentially playing Yankees in an upcoming film is hilarious. Even better, Affleck is said to be directing the film on the Great Yankee Swap.

If you don't know the story, it goes like this: Back in the early seventies Yankee pitchers Mike Kekich and Fitz Peterson (who were good friends on and off the diamond) made headlines when not only swapping wives, but actually swapping lives. That's right, they swapped wives, houses, kids...even dogs!

The timeline is as follows:

• Early 1972 couples joke about wife-swapping
• Off-season 1972 Mike moved in with Fritz's wife, Marilyn and Fritz moved in with Mike's wife, Suzanne
• Spring Training 1973 the new couples go public
• Sometime 1973 Mike and Marilyn split
• 1973 - 1974 both men's baseball careers start to unravel (some think it has to do with all of the negative press surrounding their off-field decisions)
  
• 1974 Fritz and Suzanne get married (and in the years following end up having 4 children together)
• 1979 friends Mike and Fritz stop talking
  

The story was so shocking, and absurd it even made ESPN's Top-1o Shocking Moments in Baseball History.

So will the film make it to the big screen? Only time will tell. But who better to play the two left-handed Yankees pitchers than a couple of die-hard Red Sox fans from Boston? Heh....

My only question is how Jen and Luciana feel about the whole thing?

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Hey Johnny, You Greedy SOB....

Oh this is good....

The Chi Sox have rescinded on their offer to Johnny Damon Demon. GM Kevin Willams said:

"It became clear to us in our recent negotiations that the money that we were offering was not going to be good enough for Johnny at this time. At this particular point, we feel it's necessary to withdraw our offer."

The response from Damon's camp? They told the White Other Sox that they had underestimated his market value. But Williams didn't fall for the BS and responded:

"Unless Johnny sees this as a great opportunity for him, enjoys a chance to win in a great city, it's an unrealistic number in which we got back from them."

(awesome painting by Erin Biscoe)

I remember Damon's first game at Fenway Park after signing with the Evil Empire (05/01/06 - I can't believe it's been almost four years!) People in the outfield were throwing $$ at him, calling him a sellout (and other things I can't post here!) He responded by saying we were just upset that he left and were *hurt* to be missing his talent. Ha.

No Johnny, we hate you you greedy SOB. Have fun in (potential unintentional) retirement!

P.S. Check out my post on Boston Sports Then and Now: 57 Years Ago Today We Almost Lost a Baseball Legend

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Boston Sports Blogapalooza

Boston Sports Then & Now, the Rhode Island based Swing Juice and Jerry Remy's Sports Bar & Grill are teaming up to put an event together for us bloggers to meet each other face to face, network, trade tips, eat, drink and be merry!!

Boston Sports Blogapalooza is being held March 28th at Jerry Remy's new Sports Bar at Fenway Park (watch out, Game On!) for all sports bloggers 18+.

Local artists Brian Richard and The Hootchies will be there for our entertainment (and a little Nothern-Fried Rock and Roll).

R.S.V.P. on BSB Facebook Event Page and become a fan!


Some bloggers I've seen on the RSVP list are:

• Cyn from Toeing the Rubber
• Derek from SawxBlog
• Caroline & Jennifer from Respect the Tek (I would not shake of Jason Varitek in my house either!)
• Jared Carrabis from SoxSpace

Will yours be next? I hope to see you there!

For more information Email Joe from Boston Sports Then and Now.

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RSN Represents in Vancouver Winter Olympics

Life is Good.

Pitchers and Catchers report TOMORROW;

Opening Day is only 45 days away;
The 2010 Winter Olympics are in full swing.

I have been pleasantly surprised watching the national coverage of the games to find out two of our USA representatives are members of Red Sox Nation!

(image courtesy of boston.com)

Hannah Kearney is a VT native, and 2010 Gold Medalist in the Women's Freestyle Moguls did a great interview with Bob Costas where she admits to wearing a Jacoby Ellsbury shirt under her opening ceremony uniform and then Costas gives a shout-out to RSN. (about 4:40 into the video).

It's been reported that Tom Wearner called Kearney up on her cell phone to ask if she wanted to throw out the first pitch at a Sox v. Yanks game in April; An offer she (reportedly) gladly accepted.

If I could walk in the shoes of anyone right now, it just might be Kearney.

I mean, Ben & Jerry's are going to name and ice cream flavor after her. And while that's not Sox related, it's just plain cool. Never mind the fact the flavor is Coffee and chocolate cookies. No joke, my favorite. Seriously we should be BFF.

(image courtesy of nbcolympics.com)

Then there is Mr. Michael Morse who placed 15th in the 2010 Men's Freestyle Moguls.

During his interview, he showed the world that he wore a Red Sox belt buckle under his skiing uniform. The buckle may not have given him the best of luck in the Olympics, but this guy is a lucky charm in other ways.

Morse threw out the first pitch in Lester's 2008 No Hitter (a game I was at!)

He grew up on the South Shore in Duxbury, MA and has been an avid Red Sox fan his whole life.

Have you heard of any other Olympian who is a Sox fan? How about an Olympian who is a fan of another MLB team? Email me and let me know!

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It's Truck Day, Brought To You By Jet Blue Airways...

...who in the what now?

Nevertheless, it's the day we've all been waiting for (especially since the end of the football season): TRUCK DAY!!!!! I attended Truck Day back in 2007. I was working in the city and it was easy enough for me to hop down to Van Ness Street to take in the happenings. Wally was there, I sung along to the music, took a few pictures...and watched a truck drive down the street. For many, they don't understand the draw. For those of us who bleed Red Sox red, it was the start of another year full of hope.

Truck Day has been a fan favorite in Boston for years, until recently it was completely overlooked by other ball clubs. According to an MLB.com article on Wednesday, Truck Day is now being celebrated by multiple clubs. Hey, I say the more the merrier (and MLB says, the more we can capitalize on, the merrier!) But really, when did Truck Day become a celebratory event in any other city besides Boston?

I'm not the only one who has noticed this. Craig Calcaterra at HardballTalk wants to know why truck day is suddenly a big deal.

Last year Dan Lamothe, over at Red Sox Monster did some analysis stating Truck Day queries on Google were largely dominated with Red Sox results. I'm going to venture to guess this year Red Sox will still dominate the SERPs, but there will be some creepers on the page. Next year is anyone's guess.

While Red Sox Nation may not have hope that this season will bring home another trophy to Boston, I think we're all excited to see the Boys of Summer back in action. At least I know I am.

On this truck day, we should all take a moment to remember Dom DiMaggio who would have celebrated his 93rd birthday today!

Here is a short video from Truck Day 2007 - Get Ready, Get Pumped, Get Thunder Struck; the 2010 season is almost here!

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Ask Soxy

Every once in a while something miraculous happens; I get confirmation that someone has stumbled upon this little blog. This can happen in the form of a comment, a RT on a Twitter post, or in this case a question via email.

Chris asks:

I saw the thing you did for red sox at bat music

i was looking for the song they play when jd drew hit that homerun in ALCS game 5 in 2008

if u could help that would be great!

Hey Chris,

Thanks for the question. JD Drew's walk-off hit in Game 5 of the 2008 ALCS was fantastic! At Fenway Park, every time the Sox win a game they immediately play "Dirty Water" by the Standells.

Here is a short video I took of the Standells playing "Dirty Water" at Fenway in October 2007, just days before the Drew hit. Enjoy!

~SoxyLady

*****UPDATE*****

I was wrong, Chris was talking about Drew's 2 run homer in the 8th. He emailed me back and said he found the answer. The song in question was the popular homerun song Sandstorm by Darude.



Thanks everyone for making sure the posted details were correct!

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Giving Away A Little Soxy Love

It's not important why I've been gone for so long - it's just important that I'm back and I have a great way to celebrate!

It's about that time of year we all love to hate. The dreaded VDay, Vtines Day, VD day - you know the day on the 14th where you're supposed to spend oodles of money to profess your love to someone. What's your plan? No need to send overpriced flowers, buy tacky stuffed animals, or eat gross filled candy when there is THIS:

The big love T-shirt from my pals at the Red Seat!!!!!

Want to take a closer look?


Yep, it's pretty awesome. A perfect - cost effective - gift for the love of your life (if that love is a woman, or a man who loves to wear his heart on his sleeve shirt).

But here's the best part. My generous pals have given me a code to share with my Soxy Friends for 10% off! Just enter SOXYLOVE when you check out to get the discount.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR BIG LOVE T-SHIRT NOW

**I was not paid by the Red Seat to post this, I just happen to love the company and their merchandise and think you should too!

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