We Know Where We Were

There are those dates in history where people will ask you where you were when it happened and you instantly know the answer without hesitation. Today is a day that all Red Sox fans know where they were and how they reacted.

This is a day that actually changed my existence as a baseball fan forever. I thought maybe it was temporary, but after two years I can honestly say that having the Red Sox actually win the World Series on October 27, 2004 really did change my life. I'm sure that may sound ridiculous for those that aren't diehard Red Sox fans but I'm sure some of you understand.

I had planned to have people over during the weekend to watch the World Series, as I never even considered the possibility that the Red Sox could actually sweep the series and it would be over by Wednesday. My husband and I were together in our living room in awe of what we were seeing. Not only was the moon outside now red but the Red Sox were about to finally win the World Series in our lifetime. As the final out was made I was completely overwhelmed with emotion and suddenly began to sob. I wasn't crying quietly I was uncontrollably sobbing. All I could think of was how happy my mother would have been to have experienced the joy of winning. I felt like she was somehow there with us, along with my father and his father. Generations of Red Sox fans alive and dead all sharing the moment of victory together.

I now can watch my Red Sox and not have that deprived feeling. I'm not desperate any longer when the season begins. I'm joyous that baseball is finally here again and hopeful for a good season.

I can just think about that moment in 2004 when the Red Sox finally became the World Champions and I feel happy and at peace. I cherish my memories of that very special team and I'm appreciative that I lived to see it.

I Like Mike

But do I really want him in the bullpen for another season?

That is the question on many Red Sox fans' lips following the announcement that the Red Sox have signed Mike Timlin to a one-year contract for 2007. To understand the reluctance, consider that Timlin's 2006 ERA was 4.36, significantly higher than his 3.55 career ERA; his strikeouts-to-walks ratio was down to 1.88 compared to 3.75 for his previous three years in a Red Sox uniform; and he blew almost half (8 of 17) of his save opportunities. It's hard to know if his sub-par season was more a function of his age (40) or the fact that he began the season not tuning up in spring training but rather playing full bore in the World Baseball Classic.

On the up side, Timlin is evidently a positive veteran influence on the younger pitchers coming up (and there are so very many of those young pitchers who need shepherding). He forever endeared himself to many fans back in 2003, when he was part of the postseason lights-out bullpen combo of Embree, Timlin, and Williamson.

Besides, I like his entrance music. I happen to know that Beazer harbors certain, um, thoughts about him from time to time. And he's a Texan, as our newest posting sistah, Tex, will tell you as often as she can.

So maybe it will work out after all.

A cell phone rings in Boston...

::stares at the phone:: Don't answer it. Don't answer it.
::stares at the phone:: Answer the phone, dude! Answer the phone!
(sighs as he answers the phone) What is it Bronson?
Dude! The season's over! We need to celebrate!
Celebrate? Bronson, the Sox finished third in the AL East. We finished behind the freaking BLUE JAYS. Papa Jack and Wally both got shitcanned because of how bad we played. What the hell do I have to celebrate?
Lenny, honey, who's on the phone?
Who the hell is THAT?
::groans::
Dude! Who's the chick??
Bronson, I can explain...
Len...you have a GIRLfriend?
It's not what you think...
(laughs) No kidding, dude!
I'm going shopping and I'm taking your credit card. See you later!
(sighs) God, I need a drink.
Dude! I can be on a plane and in Boston by midnight! I'm calling Millar! We're gonna PARTY, dude!!!
I gotta get some new friends.




Related Entries:
A cell phone rings in the middle of the night... (Part 1)
A cell phone rings in the middle of the night... (Part 2)
A cell phone rings late in the afternoon...
A cell phone rings in a lonely hotel room...
Somewhere in Kansas City, a cell phone rings...

With props (or apologies) to Surviving Grady and The Dugout.

I'm Not a Bad Fan; I Just Need a Vacation

Forgive me if I have to get away for a few days. I know you'll understand.

It's been a trying season for us loyal Red Sox fans. Even when the team was doing well and firmly planted in first place—which was most of the season—there were worries. When will Jason Varitek come out of his hitting slump that began last September? Is Coco Crisp's throwing arm really that bad? Where did Trot Nixon's power go? Will David Wells ever pitch again, and if he does, will it be for us? And what the heck is wrong with Matt Clement?

These and other questions were on our minds, even if relegated to the back while we marveled at Kevin Youkilis' painless move to first base, the unexpected resurgence of Mike "Mr. Double" Lowell, the double-play prowess of Alex Gonzalez and Mark Loretta, the absence of any outrageous Manny Ramirez behavior, the remarkable emergence of Jonathan Papelbon, the offensive wonder that is David Ortiz. Even while things weren't necessarily going our way (Josh Beckett still hasn't figured out how to stop giving up home runs to American League hitters), the Sox got the job done. When they stopped getting it done, all the concerns came to the forefront of our collective consciousness. It has been exhausting.

And so, dear friends, I am preparing for a trek to the Carolina coast, where next week's long-range forecast calls for sunny skies and temperatures in the low 80s. I won't be able to see or hear the Red Sox games, I will have no computer access (unless I decide to spring for an hour's worth of internet access at the local cyber café), and I don't plan on reading a newspaper. It won't be all that different from my similar vacation at the same time last year, but unlike this year, last year a week without baseball bothered me.

This site will be in the capable hands of my sistahs, one of whom may even be motivated to post before I get back. Try not to miss me while I'm gone.

For Jon

On September 1st, Red Sox Nation received terrible news. Our rookie pitcher, Jon Lester, was diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of blood cancer, and will have to begin treatment almost immediately.

Along with being one of the best young arms the Red Sox have in their system, Jon is a good guy and only 22 years old. The news came as a shock to his family, friends and fans, and as one of those fans I decided I needed to show my support for young Mr. Lester.

So on September 2nd, my friend Kay and I went to the Souvenir Store on Yawkey Way and purchased Jon Lester t-shirts. As I wore my shirt, people asked me about Jon. I then received an email from someone who knows Jon who suggested it would be "awesome" if we "could designate one day for all of Red Sox Nation to wear Lester T-shirts at one of the games at Fenway."

So I got to thinking, 'why not?". Why can't we at least try something like this? So here I am.
This coming Sunday is September 10th. It is the last game in a 10-day homestand for the Red Sox, that started with this news about Jon. I think it would be the perfect day for this kind of show of support.

So here I am, asking you all to wear your Jon Lester shirts or jerseys (which you can get at many places, but you can probably get them the quickest from the Souvenir Store in Boston)...and if you can't get a shirt, make a sign for Jon and bring it to Fenway on September 10th. Show Jon the love and support he deserves.

They say that Jon's cancer is treatable, and that is a blessing. So, with that in mind, in the upcoming days, I will be creating links here to make donating to the cause easy. I don't know where Jon will be treated yet, but Dana-Farber does wonderful work (including having the Jimmy Fund as part of their institute) and they are a deserving recipient, and will be my charity of choice. Any donation, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated. I won't have them in time for next Sunday, but if we get a big enough response, there will be t-shirts available for purchase soon (with all that money going to Dana-Farber as well) to mark next Sunday and your support for Jon. If you plan on being part of the "Support Jon Lester Day", please email me at supportjon@gmail.com. I'm hoping to arrange it so we can all meet before the game. The Triumphant Red Sox fan will be there with me. We'd love to meet you!

Please pass the word along about next Sunday! Let's show Jon how much Red Sox Nation is behind him!

Suddenly, wins and losses don't seem all that important.

The thoughts and prayers of all the sistahs are with David Ortiz. Here's hoping all he needs is a little rest!

Get well and come back soon, Papi!

How Do You Solve a Problem Like Rudy Seañez?

His name is Rudy Caballero Seañez. The middle name means "cowboy" (an anonymous reader gives the meaning as "knight"; Google translator gives "horseman") and the last name is pronounced "Say-AHN-yez" even though most people pronounce it "SEE-uh-nez." I pronounce it "the bane of my existence." In 40 games this season, he has allowed at least a hit or a walk in all but eight. His ERA is 4.17, but that doesn't reflect the inherited runners he has allowed to score. His WHIP is 1.54, better than only teammates Jon Lester (very shaky in recent starts), David Wells (on the DL most of the season), Julian Tavarez, Matt Clement, Jason Johnson, and several others now relegated to the minors.

So what do we do with this guy? He is taking up a roster spot, so it isn't reasonable to not use him. As a veteran major leaguer, he is out of minor league options. Trading him would require him to go through waivers, from where he would likely be claimed with no compensation for the Sox.

In pondering the situation, I came up with a few alternatives. Cast your vote now. The top three will be sent to Theo Epstein as suggestions.

The Seanez Conundrum

What should the Red Sox do with Rudy Seanez? Use him only when either team leads by 10+ runs Force him to sit quietly and ponder his sins Send him to Single-A Lowell to torture the newbies Trade him and Dan Shaughnessy for a six-pack of beer Make him clean the team's cleats with his tongue Send him out for pizza and don't let him back in Hang him from the monster as a warning to Julian Tavarez Take him out back and smack him VIEW RESULTS poll by freepolls.com

Somewhere in Kansas City...a cell phone rings

(Whispers) Bronson, I can't talk right now!
Lenny! Dude! I'm WASTED!!
So what else is new? Bronson, I CAN'T TALK! We're having a team meeting!
A team meeting? Dude, you're still on the DL! You don't need to go to those!
B, man I'm THIS close to coming back!
DiNardo! Get the hell off the phone!
Dude, now you got me in trouble!
Is that Tito??? Tell him I said "hey"!
B, I am NOT telling him you said, "hey". I gotta go!
Who said, "hey"? Is that Arroyo??
Skip, I'm hanging up now.
Ask him if he misses me! Pleeeease!!!
(sighs) Bronson wants to know if you miss him.
::Looks at his bullpen::
::waves::
::smiles::
::bangs his head against the wall::
DiNardo. Hang up on Arroyo and get Theo on the phone.
Theo?
Yeah. Maybe I can talk him into trading me!




Related Entries:
A cell phone rings in the middle of the night... (Part 1)
A cell phone rings in the middle of the night... (Part 2)
A cell phone rings late in the afternoon...
A cell phone rings in a lonely hotel room...

With props (or apologies) to Surviving Grady and The Dugout.

The Cure for What Ails Them?

Granted, yesterday's 9-8 loss to the Seattle Mariners was a menagerie of "how not to play baseball" moments, but most troubling for me were the implosions of relievers Manny Delcarmen and Mike Timlin. In my efforts to make sense of what happened, I could reach only one logical conclusion.

These men desperately need some Beazer lovin'.

It was way back in January that Little Manny got the thrill of his life


and it is clear that he needs another.

As for Mr. Timlin, I don't think he has ever had the Beazer lovin' experience, which could very well explain his contribution to yesterday's debacle.

It's time for our Beazer to take one (or two) for the team and get these guys back on track. I'm sure it's a sacrifice she would willingly make.

What If? Who Cares?

I admit it, I watched NESN's What If..., a fictionalized account of how game 7 of the 2003 ALCS would have turned out if Grady Little had taken out A Certain Former Red Sox Pitcher Whose Name Shall Not Be Spoken after said pitcher gave up a run to the Yankees in the eighth inning. I wasn't planning to watch it because I don't believe in crying over spilled milk, and besides, I'd take the World Championship of 2004 over a single game/series against the Yankees any day of the week. But when I got home from work and automatically flipped on NESN, there was a game on, and before I realized it wasn't one of those "Red Sox Classics", I was sucked in.

For those of you who haven't seen or heard much about this absurd production, what NESN did is hire a computer baseball operation to simulate the remainder of game 7 from the point at which Grady went to the mound in the eighth, but with the presumption that he goes to the bullpen at that point. The computer takes over from there, including simulating the choice of relief pitchers. (Edit: I was mistaken; the simulation began with Grady going to Alan Embree.) Read here for details about the process and an overview of how those 100 simulations turned out.

The bottom line is that the most likely outcome (41%) was a 5-3 Red Sox win. In another 41% of the sims, the Red Sox won by a different score. That's 82 of 100 sims that yielded a Red Sox win, which indicates pretty strongly (though obviously not certainly) that if Grady had taken out P***o before Hideki Matsui came to bat, the Sox would have won. I don't know many fans who would be surprised by those probabilities.

What did surprise me was that in the production based on the simulation process, Scott Williamson never pitched. The save went to Mike Timlin, but not until he had walked two batters in the ninth inning. Williamson had been rock solid throughout the playoffs that year; it wasn't for nothing that the mantra on everyone's lips was, "Embree and Timlin in the eighth, Williamson in the ninth."

But ultimately, SO WHAT? Should it bother any of us that the most likely scenario turned out to be what we've always known it would have been? Should we salivate over the prospect of a dramatic seventh game win over our arch-rivals? Should we ache for what might have been? My answers are: no, no, and no.

Think about it. There is no guarantee that if we had gone to the 2003 World Series, we would have won. The Marlins cooked the Yankees pretty well; there's nothing to say they wouldn't have done the same thing to the Sox. But more importantly, a league championship might have changed the dynamic of the team for the worse. Grady might never have been fired, Curt Schilling might never have been acquired, and the 2004 incarnation of the Boston Red Sox (both on and off the field) might not have been so driven to right the wrong that was 2003. What we might have ended up with is another 1986, 1975, 1967, or 1946—a pennant but no World Series trophy, and even worse than that, years before we got another chance.

I now see 2003 the way I see pregnancy and labor—something long, difficult, and ultimately painful, but with a really great outcome. I know with certainty what happened after Grady's game 7 brain fart, and it was the best experience in my life as a sports fan so far.

Would I trade that certainty, that thrill, that year-long high, for the mere hope of having it one year earlier? No way. So I don't care about "what ifs". And I believe that if you think about it, you'll find that you don't either.

July 14, 2006 - In the Red Sox Clubhouse

Man, I could barely get in the park tonight! The women were all over me!
Really?
Really. I thought, maybe after last night, they'd be mad at me. But, no, they were as great as usual.
Well, I'm mad at you.
So am I. Man, I had two RBI last night! I could have been the game hero!
Well, I could have had my fifth win! Thanks for nothing, Mark
Oh, I get it. You come here in uniform thinking you're better than everyone else, Rook? Maybe if you didn't walk the entire damn team, we would have won.
You guys have me convinced. You suck, Loretta.
(pouting) How many times do I have to say "I'm sorry"?
You don't, man. It wasn't your fault. It was nobody's fault. These things happen. Leave him alone, guys.
Do not make me shoot you, Tavarez.