July 16th, 2008

American League 4, National League 3:
And that makes 12 in a row….

Since the National League won in Philly in 1996, the American League has won 11 games (the 12th was the infamous tie in 2002). So, once again, the American League has home-field advantage for the World Series, as they have for every year since the “prize” was implemented in 2003…

Can I just say how amusing I find it that, after all the brouhaha about the All-Star festivities being at Skankee Stadium and the history there that NOT ONE SKANKEE figured prominently in the festivities?? Read more…

July 16th, 2008

A look back:
Preview: The 2008 Boston Red Sox

I wrote this back in March for Razzball. So, in honor of the only day of the year where no profesional sport is played, I offer you this perspective of the Boston Red Sox from nearly 4 months ago, when the season had not even begun yet, and we were all anxiously awaiting the start of the 2008 campaign–Enjoy!

And yes, I know I forgot Daisuke–but here were my thoughts on him, as Daisuke is a tough one to put into any one place–But I would have to say he will improve. He is too good of a pitcher not to. He was 15-12 with a 4.40 ERA last year, which is pretty much what I wanted/expected to see out of him, with the transitioning to American baseball/culture/etc. With all of that behind him (and a new son) I can see him winning a couple more, going deeper into games, and mixing up that extensive arsenal of pitches he has…I can easily see a 17-8 3.52 ERA for him in 08… Read more…

July 15th, 2008

Home Run Derby:
Best…One…Ever…

Holy Buckets! 28…homers…in…the…1st round…

As I mentioned yesterday, I was cheering for Josh Hamilton to win the Homerun Derby, and while he lost to Justin Morneau, 5-3 in the final round (where both hitters start from zero–which is a bogus, crappy rule…) He hit 28 homers in the 1st round, obliterating the Bobby Abreu record of 24 from 2005–with a 71 year old pitcher, a volunteer high school coach that used to throw batting practice for Josh when he was a kid in N. Carolina–Clay Counsil. Read more…

July 14th, 2008

Red Sox 2, Oreos 0:
Wrapping up the 1st 1/2 of the Season…

While it’s not technically the 1st 1/2 of the season, as the Sox have already played 97 games, its close enough.  So at this 1/2 way point, time to do some assessments:

They are and are 57-40 at the break, which translates into a .588 winning % and the 4th best team in the bigs. Not to horrible. It also means that thanks to a 7-game losing streak by the Rays, the Soxare now back in 1st place–with a 1/2 game to spare…

And for the record, this weekend should have been a sweep–Why Why WHY does ANYONE actually thinks Clay Buchholtz was/is ready to come back is to the bigs? And that he is better than Masterson? I am thinking not…. Read more…

July 12th, 2008

Sports Handicapping:
Some Tips on Choosing the Best Ones…

Over 35 years ago, in the early 70’s, handicapping services available to the general public were few and far between, with only a handful of companies offering the service. Fast forward to 2008 and there are thousands of services out there, some offering everything from “80-90(and more) percent chance of winning every time, or “can’t lose” or other such guarantees. How do you tell the good ones from the bad?

Here are some tips from one of the oldest and most well-known Sports Handicapping services in the business, Doc’s Sports Service, which has been family-owned and operated since 1971: Read more…

July 11th, 2008

July 11, 2008:
Boston Red Thoughts Post #500

Back in May 2006, I started a blog about the Boston Red Sox. I figured that I had something to offer in terms on my baseball knowledge, and since I think I am reasonably entertaining, it would be fun. Did I ever think that over 2 years, and a World Series win (the 2nd in 4 years!) later, that I would be writing my FIVE HUNDRETH POST? Not even a little bit.

But here I am, and hope to be here for at least another 500. To those who read me, and to my long and impressive list of batterymates–I have made alot of friends in the last 2 years, and I am grateful for every last crazy one of you. Thanks for everything…

So, Tampa Bay lost again last night, which means the Sox picked up a 1/2 game in the standings, bringing them to 1.5 out of 1st place (the Skanks are 6.5–HA HA). So, going into this 3 games series, the Sox have the potential to be in the 1st place in time for the All-Star Break (that is, if Tampa Bay continues to lose…) Read more…

July 10th, 2008

Red Sox 18, Twins 5:
And that would be a Sweep…

How come I never get to see these kinds of games???

Sure, I get to see the one run losses, or the nail biter Jonathan Papelbon-giving-up-hits-and-barely-squeaking-on-by stuff…But when there is a potential TRIPLE PLAY and 23 hits, it’s when I am not able at actually watch the festivities….

And this game had BOTH of these. I cannot even remember the last time some actually executed a triple play–last year maybe? There is usually about 1 a year…But here is how the one that almost did–didn’t… Read more…

July 9th, 2008

Boston Red Sox Fan Site:
A Community of Sox Fans…

As a member of the Red Sox blogging community, I like to go out and look at and for new and interesting Red Sox sites, and when I find ones I like, I talk about them, the ones I don’t like, not so much…(hey, beauty is DEFINETLY in the eye of the blogger…)

So when Ashley, the Webmaster of the Boston Red Sox Fan Site contacted me to tell me about the site she runs, and ask me to check it out and give her some feedback, I could not wait to stop by. Read more…

July 9th, 2008

Red Sox 6, Twins 5:
Another 8th inning rally…

When I came home from my stepdaughter’s All-Star Game, the score was 5-2, so I went about my evening stuff and when I looked again, the Sox has scored 4 runs in the 8th inning and they were up 6-5. So I sat and watched Jonathan Papelbon get his 27th save of the season–of course, not without some drama, as Nick Punto (one of the few Twins I even know anymore) has a 12 pitch at bat, which ended in him getting a double because Coco could not get to the ball and it got past him…He ended up at 3rd, but went no further…

But the best part about this game(besides the win) is that fact that Jon Lester stayed consistent, and went 7.1 innings, throwing 117 pitches (78 for strikes) while giving up 5 runs on 9 hits while walking 23 and striking out 6. Not the greatest line in the world, but competent… Read more…