RED SOX AND STUFF

OWNED!!!!!

2010-12-06T20:31:00.001-08:00

Christmas has come early. Seeing the Patriots spank the Jets 45-3 made me so happy I just had to drop a little note here. A pleasure to watch for sure but the real pleasure will be hearing New Yorkers tomorrow!

Maybe I was wrong

2009-03-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

Ok, so Matt Cassel isn't the Anti-Christ. I guess I owed him an apology. We will see what happens with him this year though!

Matt Cassel is the Anti-Christ!!

2008-10-12T19:09:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting here watching the Patriots play the Chargers and have just come to this conclusion; Matt Cassel is horrible!! Four plays from 6 inches from the goal line and he can't find a way to get the ball in the end zone. As I am writing this Rivers has just gone long again. All I can say is this; In a world where I think athletes are over paid, PAY BRADY MORE!!! We obviously can not win without him.

Chargers score again. What an embarrasment.

I Wish Manny Nothing but the Worst!!!

2008-10-07T17:33:00.000-07:00

As a Red Sox fan I have been watching the games since Manny's departure and finding that I don't really miss him at all. Jason Bay has done an incredible job of stepping into Manny's spot and making the team stronger. I'm not saying that Bay is the same caliber of player that Manny is, because he's not, but he has made the TEAM stronger. The long and short of it is this...Do we miss Manny? I would say no. Do most Red Sox fans have no more respect for Manny? I would say yes. Not in a Johnny Damon kind of way but in a way that you would not be able to respect anyone who quits on their team. Have you seen Manny running around the bases like he's 26 again? It's a joke. This guy would be carrying a plastic spray bottle and washing windshields in NYC if it wasn't for baseball. He has more money than he can count but it obviously wasn't enough. He and Scott Boras represent what is wrong with both the players and the game today. When $20 million a year is not enough, when World Series Championships are not enough, and an opportunity to repeat is not enough, what is? Manny may have everyone out here in SoCal fooled for now but as soon as he and his money grubbing whore of an agent get there money it will be the old Manny again. Putting himself ahead of both the team and the sport. Manny is a great ball player but he has obviously forgotten about the love of the game. If the Red Sox should meet the Dodgers in the World Series I hope they throw at him every time he comes up to the plate.

Manny may look like a winner right now but only a loser quits on his team. Especially when that team is paying him $20 million a year. Go Phillies!!

They're Killing Me....

2008-07-27T07:53:00.000-07:00

The Red Sox are officially killing me. I could have done without yesterday's ass kicking by the Yanks. Let's hope that the Sox can make a statement today and keep the Yanks from coming even in the standings with them.

Coco Crisp Man's Up!!

2008-06-06T20:47:00.000-07:00

What a sight it was to see Coco Crisp rush the mound and take it to James Shields! I think anyone who knows anything about baseball knew that this sequence of events was set in motion the night before when Coco and Maddon exchanged pleasantries, but to see it materialize into such a donnybrook was, I believe, both a surprise and a pleasure to most. I can say this for certain, these are not the Rays of the past. The old predictable cellar dwellers seem to have a new fire in their bellies and a record on the field that can not be denied. All I can say is that a new rivalry in the AL East is sorely needed now that the Yankees can't seem to find any way to get it together. I hope this rivalry only grows more heated.

By the way, Go Celts! 1-0 and looking for more!

I've been slacking...

2008-04-16T18:25:00.001-07:00

If there is anybody out there that has actually missed my ramblings over the last week I apologize for the lack of activity on the blog. With that said I have a few thoughts to share with you.

First and foremost, the universe seems to be back to normal now that the Orioles or the Rays are not holding down the first place slot in the AL East. It's especially nice to see the Sox on top even though it is meaningless this early in the season.

Second, as I sit here and watch the Sox and the Yanks go at it again I can't help but think of A-Rod and his giant contract. Does this guy ever come through when it counts? When the game is out of hand he is a stat machine, but when it really needs to get done it seems like he is completely useless. I was wondering earlier today, what do you get from A-Rod for for $28 million or so that you don't get from a guy who makes a hell of a lot less? For example...

David Wright signed a 6 year contract worth $55 million a year or about $9 million a year. Let's compare their stats from 2007.

Player	A-Rod	Wright
Hits	183	196
Runs	143	113
HR's	54	30
RBI's	156	107
SB	24	34
BB	95	94
TB	376	330
AVG	.314	.325
OBP	.422	.416
SLG	.645	.546

Does the difference in those stats justify an additional $19 million a year? You could have 2 David Wrights for the cost of A-Rod and he probably wouldn't choke every post season. There are a lot more examples to look at to prove this point such as an A-Rod vs. Chipper Jones comparison but I'm sure you get the point.

So tell me, is a guy like A-Rod worth the money?

The First Place Tampa Bay Rays??

2008-04-05T17:16:00.000-07:00

So I guess there are no surprises so far this season right? I mean we all knew that the Rays would be in first place right now and that the Detroit Tigers would be 0-5 after dropping 3 straight to the Royals and then another 2 to the White Sox didn't we. Listen, I know that one week into the season this means pretty much nothing but it sure is interesting to watch. Did I mention that the Yankees are in last place after getting their asses handed to them on Friday and then losing again today to the Rays. It's just so much fun to watch.

Pictures from the LA Coliseum

2008-04-04T17:00:00.000-07:00

I didn't have a chance to get some of the pictures from the Sox game up yet so here they are.

MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE COLISEUM

VIEW FROM MAIN ENTRANCE

COLISEUM DURING BATTING PRACTICE

COLISEUM BEGINNING TO FILL UP

COLISEUM AT CAPACITY DURING GAME TIME

I hope you enjoy the pictures and that they are able to give you at least a small feel for what the experience of being there was like.

On another note, I'm watching the Sox play the Blue Jays right now and it is a hell of a game so far. Wakefield is looking great. Scratch that. Matt Stairs just went yard. 1-0 Jays. Not to fear though, it's still early!

One Night at the Coliseum (Red Sox vs. Dodgers)

2008-03-31T19:31:00.000-07:00

If you've read anything about last Saturday nights game at the LA Coliseum between the Red Sox and the Dodgers then you probably already know the following facts.

They played for a crowd of approximately 115,300 fans which is a new world record. As a footnote I'd like to point out that the previous attendance record for the Coliseum was 93,103 for a game between the Yankees and Dodgers. We'll have to ask Hank Steinbrenner what he thinks of that.

That left field was a monstrous 201 feet deep at the foul pole but that they did have a 60 foot net up to make it a little more interesting.

The game was played to benefit the Dodgers' ThinkCure charity and obviously raised a pretty nice chunk of change.

As someone who had the privilege of being at the game I would like to share with you some things that you might not know.

That one Dodger fan was nice enough to share with me that he had to take his shirt off because he and one of his friends were talking to some women and he puked all over them. He, unfortunately for me, was kind of a close talker. Yummy.

The feeling of being pelted by food and ice cubes by drunken sloppy criminals, umm I mean Dodger fans. Believe it or not, this was happening to 2 women sitting near me.

That Manny played a mean shortstop during batting practice. Considering that left field was 201 feet Manny seemed to feel at home. Shame we didn't get to see him in action crushing the ball over that short porch.

The feeling of walking into a stadium that holds 115,000 people, to watch baseball no less, and knowing that you're about to watch a exhibition game that doesn't even count. It's amazing how much people love their baseball.

The sound of boos being rained down upon our beloved Red Sox during their stretching exercises that turned into thunderous applause and excitement every time Big Papi crushed one out of the park during Batting Practice.

To me, this next one is the one you just can't relate to unless you were there. That is the feeling of being surrounded by 80,000 Mexicans that look like they were given a day pass from the local prisons. If you've never feared for your life before than I suggest you go to the Coliseum the next time they hold such an event for the Dodgers. I can assure you that these fans would have made Raider fans proud. (I'm sure the majority of them were Raider Fans anyway) I kept waiting to see Sean Penn and Robert Duvall making their rounds in the stadium. I don't think that the 10 hours of tailgating before the game helped matters at all. I can sum up the whole experience to you like this.

Two tickets to the Coliseum $150
One beer, a sprite, and two sausages $31
Parking $25
Making it in and out of the Coliseum without being stabbed or robbed....PRICELESS!

Overall the experience was a great one and the feeling of experiencing history was amazing. Glad I could be a part of it, but more glad that I am still here to share it with you and that I don't have any extra holes in me.

Lastly, I would like to say....STAY CLASSY DODGER FANS, YOU'RE SOMETHING SPECIAL!

Opening Day??

2008-03-25T14:59:00.000-07:00

So I guess today was Opening Day. I think it was Opening day, wasn't it? Funny thing though, it didn't feel like Opening Day to me. What about you? I know that I am not alone when I say that this is a stupid idea. Don't get me wrong, a few exhibition games in Japan is great for the sport but to have Opening Day start at 6:10 AM and for the bulk of Red Sox fans to not have any chance to watch it is just plain dumb. I caught the tail end of the game on MLB.com but at 6:30 AM west coast time it certainly didn't seem like I should have been watching the 9th inning of Opening Day. The worst part about these games being played is that the Sox come back to the States this week and play more meaningless exhibition games before they resume real baseball. (Just for the record, I am excited about the game at the LA Coliseum because I have tickets.) Now I know that most baseball fans, outside of Boston and Oakland, won't really care about this issue but they should. Why you may ask, I'll tell you why, because soon it will be your team over there Opening the season at 6:00 AM and although it may seem like a little thing it's just one more simple pleasure that you may not be able to count on and enjoy.

Congratulations to the Red Sox on their Opening Day victory. It was probably one of the most exciting Opening Day games in quite some time and I'm sure that it was the most exciting Opening Day game that no one really saw.

I'm sure there are thousands of Sox fans who would have liked to have seen it. Way to go MLB keep up the good work.

Top 5 Fights in Red Sox History #1

2008-03-21T15:52:00.000-07:00

IZZY ALCANTARA LOSES HIS MIND

Number One

Alright, I realize that I am probably going to have a lot of people who disagree with Izzy Alcantara and the Pawtucket Red Sox holding down the number one spot on my list, but how can you watch a hitter kick the catcher in the face before charging the mound and not think that is something special!

I'll shed some light on what led up to the action.

In the first meeting of the season between the Paw Sox and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons back in May 2001, Alcantara was plunked in the shoulder by Scranton pitcher Pete Zamora after hitting two homers off another pitcher. Now, fast forward to July and we have the two teams meeting again. Alcantara, who was the International League leader in batting and home runs, hits another homer off of Zamora and proceeds to make his way around the bases at a snails pace. Later in the game the Red Barons pitcher, Blas Cedeno, brushes Izzy of the plate with an inside fastball and Izzy obviously takes exception to this. He decides to express his displeasure by kicking the catcher, Jeremy Salazar, in the face and then proceeds to charge the mound. For his troubles he received a six game suspension and an undisclosed fine. In the end, I'm sure he would say it was all worth it just to hold the number one spot on my list of top 5 fights in Red Sox history!

Disclaimer

I know that I left the 1976 Red Sox/Yankees, Fisk vs. Piniella, brawl off the list but the truth is I have only seen clips of it and I am to young to have seen it unfold live. I'm sure if I was around to see it it would be on the list. The clips I have seen looked pretty intense.

Top 5 Fights in Red Sox History #2

2008-03-20T14:58:00.000-07:00

PEDRO MARTINEZ vs. GERALD WILLIAMS

Number Two

Ok, for those of you who remember, this is when all the bad blood between the Red Sox and the Devil Rays began. It was the first inning and with his fourth pitch Pedro plunked Williams with a fastball up and in. Williams decided to take exception to this and charged the mound. When the brawl was all said and done with MLB handed down suspensions to 8 Devil Rays players and 0 Red Sox players. If you're wondering whay that is you would have to remember that the Devil Rays pitchers hit 3 Red Sox batters after the Pedro incident in the first inning. After missing Brian Daubach with two pitches that were obviously intended to bean him they still found a way to hit him twice before the night was over. I'm sure it was no coincidence that Daubach was the first Red Sox player to come to Pedro's aid as Williams charged the mound. You have to admit that Pedro always found a way to keep things interesting.

Top 5 Fights in Red Sox History #3

2008-03-18T16:40:00.000-07:00

GEORGE BELL vs AARON SELE

Number Three

This action here was not really so much with Aaron Sele as it was with Mo Vaughn. It's great watching Mo just run into the frame and lay Bell out on the turf. I'm not going to say much about this one, I'll just let you check out the video. Hopefully you'll see why this makes my list at number three.

Top 5 Fights in Red Sox History #4

2008-03-16T18:22:00.000-07:00

V-TEK vs. A-ROD

*Unfortunately audio doesn't kick in for the first 27 seconds*

Number Four

Alright, I have to admit that I love this one mostly because I hate A-Rod. It was just so nice to see Varitek get up in his grill, literally.

Here's a quick recap.

Top of the 3rd inning and Bronson Arroyo hits A-Rod with a pitch. A-Rod tries to look tough as he begins to walk toward first base while staring down Arroyo. A-Rod begins to get a little mouthy and Varitek tells him to shut the f*** up. A-Rod then says "come on" to Varitek and motions toward him with a "let's get it on" gesture. Varitek responds with both hands in A-Rods face and then all hell breaks loose.

Anytime I get the chance to see A-Rod getting bitch slapped I'm going to hold it in high esteem. For that reason alone I give this fight 4th place on my Top 5 Fights in Red Sox History.

Top 5 Fights in Red Sox History #5

2008-03-16T17:12:00.001-07:00

PEDRO MARTINEZ vs DON ZIMMER

NUMBER FIVE

Now I know that this wasn't really a fight by most standards but you have to admit that this is a classic as far as on field scuffles go. How many more times in history do you think you'll see a 72 year old man headed for the turf during a bench clear?

If you recall, the fight began after Pedro Martinez threw behind the head of Karim Garcia in the top of the 4th inning. As Karim Garcia attempted to advance to 2nd base during an Alfonso Soriano at bat, he slid in hard and past the bag knocking down Todd Walker. A shoving match ensued and both benches cleared.

In the bottom of the 4th inning Roger Clemens stepped on the mound and threw a pitch up around the head of Manny Ramirez which prompted Manny to yell and move towards the mound. The benches cleared again, and that was when 72 year old Don Zimmer came rushing toward Pedro Martinez. As we all know, that resulted in Pedro sending Zimmer's fat ass to the turf, and to a memory that most Red Sox fans will never forget.

As entertaining as the game had been up to that point there was still more to come. In the 9th inning a fight broke out in the Yankee's bullpen that reportedly involved a member of the Red Sox ground crew and Karim Garcia. Garcia cut his hand and was removed from the game.

Now that my friends is a memorable ball game!

With all that said, that is why I rank the Pedro vs. Zimmer fight at number five.

Yankees Lack of Class Causes Bench Clear

2008-03-15T09:49:00.000-07:00

I've had a few days now to think about this whole Yankee vs. Rays bench clear incident and have come to a few conclusions.

First, Joe Girardi was quoted after the game in which the Rays Elliot Johnson ran over Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli at the plate and breaking Cervelli’s wrist as saying:

"I'm all for playing hard, but spring training is not the time to do it"

Well I guess Joe Girardi doesn't think it's the time to play hard (which to me says a lot about Joe), but for young guys like Cervelli and Johnson it is exactly that time. What other opportunity do these guys have to showcase their hustle and performance at a major league level? These guys are fighting for an opportunity to not only make the pros, but to make a Big League income. Francisco Cervelli blocked the plate for the same reason that Elliot Johnson knocked him on his ass. To show the guys in charge that they are the type of players who play hard all the time. Can you imagine what the talk would have been if Johnson had just slowed up at the plate and allowed himself to be tagged out? Everyone would have said he had no heart and that he was afraid of being physical. What do you think his odds of making the major league roster would have been then? The fact is the play at the plate was a clean play.

This brings me to my second point. The Yankees showed once again why they have continued to fall from grace. They are no longer a class organization. You throw at a guy during spring training in retaliation for a clean play? I expect that from a perennial loser, not a team like the Yankees. You then follow that up with Shelley Duncan trying to drive his spikes into the thighs (or groin) of Iwamura. Duncan explained the slide like this:

"I made a hard slide into Iwamura's glove. When I'm out there playing, I like to play hard. In my head, I wasn't thinking about a message. They see me playing hard every day."

"To me, there's no malicious intent at all. I just felt I'm doing what I'm supposed to do. I play the game one way. I'll never stop playing the game that way."

Well, that's the same way Elliot Johnson was playing when he smashed into Francisco Cervelli and Girardi took offense to it. Girardi has to make up his mind. Either playing hard in spring training is good or bad. If it's not the way he wants to see teams play in the spring then he should be coming out and saying that Duncan's slide was inappropriate. If it is the way he wants to see teams play then he started this whole mess for nothing because he would understand that Johnson was just playing the game hard like Shelley Duncan said of himself.

The Yankees wanted new leadership and they got it in Girardi. So far I don't think even Yankee fans are impressed. The manager sets the tone for the team and so far the tone set by Girardi does not seem to be a good one. Just more whining and complaining which seems to be the new Yankee tradition.

With all the talk of this brawl it now has me thinking. What would you consider the top 5 greatest fights in Red Sox history? Over the next five days I will share my picks. I look forward to your feedback and opinions.

Beckett Not Headed to Tokyo (and probably happy about it)

2008-03-11T18:31:00.001-07:00

Looks like all the big news in Red Sox Nation the last few days is about Josh Beckett and his back problems. With all the speculation from the media about whether or not he will make the trip to Japan for his scheduled start on March 24th I think that they have missed the bigger picture. What is that bigger picture you ask? I'll tell you: Who cares? It's game number 1. It's a trip he probably doesn't want to make anyway, and I would rather have him sitting at home watching the game if there is any doubt about his physical condition. It must be a real slow week in Boston sports for this to be getting so much press.

In other news, it looks like Johnny Damon is continuing to fall apart. After fouling a pitch off of his right foot he was taken to a local hospital for x-rays. The x-rays were negative but it's nice to see him hobbling around already. I personally look forward to his continued deterioration throughout the season.

Should the Feds Stop Investigating Roger Clemens?

2008-03-09T16:30:00.000-07:00

I am so smart. Look at them, they believe every word I say.

Last week a Democratic Congressman from New York by the name of Anthony Weiner asked the FBI to stop the investigation into whether or not Roger Clemens committed perjury. Weiner was quoted as saying:

"Roger Clemens has been shamed. I think the public record is replete with examples of how he did not likely tell the truth. What is the public benefit of continuing with an FBI investigation?"

In a letter to the U.S. Attorney General Weiner went on to say this:

"Whether or not Roger Clemens may have committed perjury should not compete with real national security threats for the FBI's time, attention and resources."

This has me completely torn. Ever since the government starting messing with Barry Bonds I have been one of those people who thought it was a major waste of time and money to carry out an investigation into steroid use in baseball. Would you want the government coming in and drug testing at your job?

But here's the thing. They already wasted time, money, and resources. They have already opened up Pandora's box. What kind of message will it send to the American people if they just decide to drop the investigation? Weiner has pretty much shared his opinion on Roger Clemens' testimony already and that seems to be that Clemens is guilty. Has he been shamed? Sure he has, but Marion Jones was shamed and where is she now? Has Barry Bonds been adequately shamed? If so, I guess they have to drop that investigation too. Where does it end? Is shame the new prison sentence for perjury?

The fact is this; the government has already got involved with something that they shouldn't have. Maybe dropping the investigation is even the right thing to do. Here's the thing though, to people like you and I all this looks like is another example of a rich guy being given a get out of jail free card just because he can afford it.

To you, the reader, I ask this: If they decide not to go forward with the investigation will you see it as a compassionate decision or will you see it as a slap in the face to the rest of us who are held accountable by law for our actions? Lastly, if they do choose to drop the investigation, what do they do about Barry Bonds? Seems that this would have to be a package deal wouldn't it? Let me know your thoughts on this one.

Francona Glad to See Torre in Dodger Colors

2008-03-06T14:12:00.000-08:00

The Red Sox fell to the LA Dodgers today when they allowed the Dodgers to score 7 runs in the top of the ninth. The final score was 9-6. For me, as I'm sure it was for most Red Sox fans, it was a very strange experience to watch that game and see Joe Torre in a Dodger uniform. Terry Francona seems to be happy about the change.

"I'm glad," Francona said of seeing Joe Torre in a Dodger uniform. "Me and Joe actually talked about this a little bit. It just gets so out of whack, the whole [rivalry] thing. I like Joe so much, but at the same time, you want to beat each other's brains out -- that's just what you want to do. I'm glad he's in the National League. I feel like I can go put my arm around him tomorrow and nobody's going to start yelling at me."

It will be interesting to follow the Dodgers season and see what kind of success Torre has over in the National League now. I will certainly be pulling for him now that he's not a Yank.

As for the Red Sox and Yankee rivalry, I guess we will see it begin to heat up again as they take the field against one another on April 11th in Boston to start a three game series. As we all know, it's not really baseball season until the Red Sox and Yanks get together and allow the hatred to begin. I hope Girardi is ready for the party.

In other news, with the retirement of Brett Favre in the media this week I would like for everyone to make sure they keep John Madden in their thoughts and prayers as he goes through this difficult transition. As we all know Madden is more than just a little bit in love with Brett and his retirement is sure to have a dramatic effect on Madden's day to day life.

I can see the new Madden 2009 format coming together already.

Ok, which team would I like to be? Looks like I can be the 1992, 93,94,95,96,97,98,99,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006, 2007 Packers, or I can be the All-Brett Favre Team. What shall I do? I guess I'll be the 1996 Packers.

Ok, now where shall I play? Looks like I can play in Lambeau Field or............

Well I guess it's just Lambeau Field, in the snow.

Also, be sure to look for John Madden's feature film debut of "Being Brett Favre", it's just like Being John Malkovich only a little more creepy.

Randy Moss Stays in Boston

2008-03-03T20:37:00.000-08:00

Randy Moss asking which way the bank is after his new contract

It seems as though all is right in the universe now that Randy Moss and the Patriots have come to a 3 year $27 million agreement. Click here for the full story.

This Week in Red Sox Nation

2008-03-02T16:04:00.000-08:00

Red Sox are dealt first spring training loss by the Twins.

Hank Steinbrenner inducted into Red Sox Nation.

Red Sox are honored at The White House.

Hank Steinbrenner: Ignorant or just Stupid??

2008-02-29T20:42:00.000-08:00

Spank the Yanks

In a comment that emphasizes either ignorance or pure stupidity, Hank Steinbrenner was quoted as saying the following in regards to the Red Sox fan base....

"Red Sox Nation?" What a bunch of [expletive] that is." That was a creation of the Red Sox and ESPN, which is filled with Red Sox fans."

"Go anywhere in America and you won't see Red Sox hats and jackets, you'll see Yankee hats and jackets. This is a Yankee country. We're going to put the Yankees back on top and restore the universe to order."

Right about now I'm thinking that maybe MLB should explore mandatory drug testing for front office personnel. Is Hank kidding anybody but himself? Every Red Sox fan in America has heard nothing but "Bandwagon Fan" bullshit from Yankee fan's since the Sox won in 2004. So which is it Hanky? Are there just millions and millions of bandwagon fans or are there just no Red Sox fans to be found across America and, apparently, the world?

I think Hank is coming across like he has a slight case of denial and possibly envy.

While we're exploring this topic I wonder what his thoughts would be on some others....

What do you think about the Holocaust Hank? Answer- Never happened.
What are your thoughts on the moon landing? Answer- Conspiracy, never really happened.
When was the last time you pulled your head out of your ass and took a good look around? Answer- I don't know, it's been quite a while I guess.

Thanks for the Q&A Hank.I can't wait to see how many new ways Red Sox fans will come up with this year to annoy both Hank and the Yankees. At the end of the day I believe Hank will have no doubt as to who's really on top and what Red Sox Nation is all about.

Roger Clemens Continues Texas Two Step on Topic of Steroids

2008-02-27T16:12:00.000-08:00

Apparently Roger Clemens thinks that everyone should just get over this whole steroid thing now that baseball season is here. Is this guy for real? In a comment that seemed eerily similar to Mark McGwire's "I'm not here to talk about the past speech", Clemens actually had the nerve to tell reporters...

"Everything's been said that needs to be said on that, we're moving forward. It's baseball time."

Prior to that he sharply addressed a photographer outside the facility by stating...

"This isn't a zoo!"

Well, to Roger Clemens, I have this to say. Yes Roger, it is a zoo. To take it one step further, it's a zoo that you created. With the news today that Congress has asked the Justice Department to investigate whether he lied during sworn testimony being added to this zoo I think it has officially been promoted to a three ring circus.

Write this down Roger....

There is no one to blame for this mess and media circus but yourself. Your big ass ego just couldn't come clean and face the consequences of your decisions like a man. Well, I hope you're satisfied with the results so far. We now know your wife was using HGH, that she likes to play "rate my rack" at parties, and that you would much rather see the lives of everyone around you burnt to the ground than to see your image damaged. For the record, these are all little bits of knowledge that we wouldn't have if you had just come clean.

I will give Clemens this though; he likes to state that he gives all of his energy to everything that he does. That sure seems to be the truth here because he is peddling 100 percent pure BS and it's obvious that he's giving it 110 percent.

What a role model.

Red Sox Season Starting to Heat Up.

2008-02-25T12:40:00.000-08:00

With Tito locked into his extension until 2011 and Bartolo Colon getting signed as an insurance policy down in the minors it is really starting to feel like Red Sox baseball is getting close! Although I would have preferred to see Johan Santana in a Red Sox uniform I guess getting Bartolo Colon out of the bargain bin may pay dividends down the stretch. I heard that they're paying him with cheeseburgers but I can't confirm that yet. I guess we'll see.

Who is the Underdog Now??

2008-02-21T21:13:00.001-08:00

Is this the Michael Jordan of Taiwan???

It seem that after 86 years of losing, only to see the Yankees continue to win during that time, that Red Sox fans had grudgingly accepted their underdog role. Now the question has to be...Who is the underdog now? A reasonable person can't possibly look at the Red Sox and Yankee rivalry through the same old glasses any longer can they? Isn't it a fact that the Red Sox are now the team to beat in that rivalry? The tide has certainly turned hasn't it? The Yankees are always referencing their "26 rings", but don't the most recent 2 rings that the Red Sox find on their fingers trump that when we are talking about this decade, and certainly this season? I guess it would depend on who you ask. Hal Steinbrenner certainly doesn't think so. He was quoted in GQ Magazine as saying....

"I don’t think you guys wanted to play us in the ALCS. So I will concede nothing. I think we’re better than you."

I can appreciate that coming from the team owner but is the average sports fan with no allegiance to either the Red Sox or the Yankees suppose to believe that? I mean aren't the New York Giants now the team to beat in football? If that's the case, and I believe most New Yorkers will tell you that it is, then don't those same New Yorkers have to say that the Red Sox are the team to beat in baseball?

Now I know what most New Yorkers are probably thinking right now, and that is that we have forgotten about their secret weapon. Which secret weapon you ask? That would be Chien-Ming Wang, the "Michael Jordan of Taiwan"; I do wish I could have been in the room when his agents pulled that one out of their asses! To respond to that thought, on behalf of Red Sox Nation, I say to you, that as great as he may be, we are not worried about Chien-Ming Jordan.

Anyway, it is my humble opinion that, at the end of the day, when all the arguing and debating is done, that the Red Sox are the team to beat. As for why, it's real easy. They have to be. They are the reigning champions and that will hold true until they are eliminated from World Series contention in 2008, and nothing that the Yankees have done in the past can change that.

If You Could Forgive One Man in Sports......

2008-02-20T14:21:00.001-08:00

Shoeless Joe Jackson

All this Roger Clemens talk seems to have people divided into two groups. One group says give him a pass, and the other group says he should be held accountable for his (alleged) actions. This got me thinking. Should he be given a pass? Should he still be a first ballot Hall of Famer? Should he be in the HOF at all? With those questions in my mind I ask you this; If you had one vote to cast for "forgiveness" who would you cast it for? (Let's just stick to the sports world please) Would it be for a guy like Steve Bartman? Scott Norwood? Roger Clemens, Marion Jones? To take it one step further, who would you allow into the HOF who isn't there now (or you don't see getting in when their time comes) but you think should be?

Pete Rose- Gambling
Mark McGwire- Steroids
Shoeless Joe Jackson- Accused of Game Fixing
Barry Bonds- Steroids (I'm just assuming that he's not getting in on the first ballot if at all)
Raphael Palmeiro- Steroids

Who do you think deserves the pass into the Hall? Remember you can only pick one for the Hall.

Andy Pettitte.... A Rat??

2008-02-18T15:22:00.000-08:00

It seems as though Andy Pettitte's press conference today has stirred up a lot of emotion, and in reading some of the comments across the internet today it seems like most of the emotion is, not only negative, but aimed at Andy Pettitte. How can that be you ask? Well, apparently New Yorkers think that Pettitte is "a rat". Well, with that said, in my slightly slanted opinion, most New Yorkers have shown themselves to be ignorant morons! You look at a guy who tells the truth while looking at a choice between prison or supporting his family and you call him a rat? It's not like Pettitte came out and started running his mouth just because he felt like it. They gave him a choice. Which, by the way, was the same choice that they gave McNamee. Tell the truth or face possible jail time for perjury. I guess most big tough New Yorkers would have put their friendship first and their families in the background where they apparently think they belong. Do any of them think for a second that Clemens would have put himself or his reputation in harms way to protect Pettitte if the situation was the other way around? Clemens is interested in one thing and one thing only and that's covering his own ass even if he has to expose someone else's ass to try to do it. In this case, that person's ass was Mrs. Clemens, literally. I'm just waiting for him to say "it wasn't me it was the one armed man". By the reaction from most New Yorkers though it seems as if this is the kind of guy that most New Yorkers aspire to be and think displays the qualities that a man should possess. I have to say, I feel bad for any single woman around New York who are looking for an intelligent honest man because apparently they are few and far between. On the bright side though if you're looking for an ignorant guy with his priorities and values all out of whack then you are in the right place!

As far as Andy Pettitte goes, he has earned my respect. What he did was wrong and today he accepted the consequences. He didn't run, he didn't hide, and he didn't point the finger at anyone and everyone in his life. We all make poor choices at one time or another. It's how you handle the consequences of those choices that make you a man.

Breaking News!!!

2008-02-16T20:52:00.000-08:00

We here at Red Sox and Stuff have breaking news to share with you today! That news is............. IT'S OFFICIAL, JORGE POSADA IS AN IDIOT! Let's take a look at the following quotes from Posada in regards to Roger Clemens' congressional hearing.

“He sounded real truthful the other day and that’s all I wanted to hear,” Posada said. “I believe Roger.”

Is he serious? Roger sounded truthful?

Is anyone besides me thinking that Roger may have naked pictures of Posada in some compromising position? Or maybe, just maybe some inside information on how Posada was able to put up career numbers 13 seasons into his career at the age of 35. Have you looked at Posada's stats for last year? He had the highest slugging percentage, batting average, on base percentage, and number of doubles of his entire career. Just giving you something to think about.

When Posada was asked if Pettitte's testimony had him reconsider Roger's story he once again stood firm behind Roger saying....

“It’s been so long ago that they talked about it, so I don’t know,” Posada said. “Andy said that they talked about it, and right now, I don’t know much about it. It’s going to keep going on. Rocket said it was a miscommunication or whatever, and I believe Rocket.”

With that said, is it just me or does Posada have to be brain dead to believe Roger's ridiculous sequence of events? I guess I'll leave that up to you to decide. Just remember, you heard it here first!

Team Steroid and Team Clean Rosters

2008-02-15T18:15:00.001-08:00

Ok. Here are the results of the All-Star Steroid Team and the Team Clean rosters. I have only used players who were given to me by you, the readers.

Team Steroid

1B Mark McGwire
2B Chuck Knobloch
3B Troy Glaus
SS Miguel Tejada
RF Barry Bonds
CF Brady Anderson
LF Sammy Sosa
DH Rafael Palmero
C Pudge Rodriguez

SP Roger Clemens
SP Andy Pettitte
SP Kevin Brown
SP Paul Byrd
SP Orlando Hernandez

RP Eric Gagne
RP Brenden Donnelly
RP John Rocker

Team Clean

1B Albert Pujols
2B Chase Utley
3B A-Rod
SS Derek Jeter
LF Manny Ramirez
CF Grady Sizemore
RF Vladimir Guerrero
DH David Ortiz
C Mike Piazza

SP Pedro Martinez
SP Josh Beckett
SP Johan Santana
SP Brandon Webb
SP Jake Peavey

RP Mariano Rivera
RP Trevor Hoffman
RP Jonathan Papelbon

At the suggestion of SoxDevil (overthemonster.com) I chose to use only players from the steroid era on "Team Clean". Also, "Team Clean" was coined by Tommy (overthemonster.com) I liked it and therefore stole it!

So, here are the two teams. Think there is a big name missing? Leave a comment and let me hear your argument.

Now for the fun part. Which team is better? In a best of 7 series who would win and why? I'm looking forward to some good arguments for both teams.

Congress, Clemens, McNamee and Spygate

2008-02-13T16:43:00.000-08:00

Well what a day today was. I think I am actually dumber for having listened to that nonsense on Capitol Hill today. Did we learn anything new? Yes, McNamee is a bit of a weasel and may have some skeletons in his closet. Yes, Roger Clemens is a HUGE EGOMANIAC and apparently doesn't mind that McNamee had his wife's pants around her ankles in their bedroom while he stuck something in her ass unbeknownst to him. (I'm talking about the needle of course) Yes, Congress should have better things to do, but apparently doesn't, and still has some members who are star struck just as they were with the first round of Steroid Users. As for Arlen Specter and Spygate, shouldn't he just admit that he's a bitter Eagles fan and that he's just pissed off that they keep losing? For all you people out there that think this is a good thing because you hate the Patriots for being winners let me remind you that it may be the Patriots today but where do we draw the line? Maybe you work at a private company and Congress decides they want to come in and do some drug testing because they have heard that there are some users working there and they don't think that management has handled the job of punishing them adequately enough. Are you for that? Do you want them micromanaging your company's personnel decisions? Call it what you want, that's exactly what this is. So even though watching Big Head Roger today was good for a laugh or two it doesn't change the fact that he shouldn't have been there to begin with.

Note to Congress:

It's a game people! We have real problems in our country that affect real people and you get paid to take care of those. Why don't you try doing that job well before you start trying to run the NFL and MLB?

Getting back to Clemens, If he would have just shut his big yap he wouldn't be in this situation. He has displayed all the negative aspects of Pride. Rather than admit that he is human and maybe had a few lapses of judgment, he has decided to throw his wife under the bus and to treat you and I like we are complete morons. Does he really think that we are all dumb enough to buy his BS? If he would have gone the honest route like Pettitte and the others then this would all be over by now. Unfortunately it looks like he decided to lie, thinking he could fool everyone, to preserve his reputation. In the end that will be the reason he no longer has one.

Help Me Build a Steroid All-Stars Team!!

2008-02-11T17:09:00.000-08:00

I was sitting at home the other day reading through more of this Roger Clemens drama when suddenly it occurred to me....Wouldn't it be interesting to make an All-Star team comprised of only players we know have taken steroids, and those that we all but know have taken them? case in point, Roger Clemens)

So here's what I'm asking from all of you: Give me the best steroid user you can find for each position (ex. pitcher- Roger Clemens), but then, give me the best non steroid user counterpart that you can think of (past or present). My goal is to collect 2 starting rosters. Team Steroid, and Team Natural so to speak. After I receive all the suggestions from all of you I will post the 2 teams rosters and then we can debate (if you choose) which of the 2 teams is the superior one. Remember, I need suggestions for all positions. Please look at what others have posted so we can try to avoid duplicates.

Do I Owe Dan Duquette an Apology?

2008-02-10T18:12:00.000-08:00

I am sitting here wondering if I owe Dan Duquette an apology and I don't quite know what to make of it. Ever since Roger Clemens left the Red Sox back in 1996 I've been cursing out Dan Duquette for thinking that Clemens was, as he said, "in the twilight of his career". At the time I couldn't help but think that it didn't look like he was in the twilight of his career when he won the Cy Young Award up in Toronto in 1997 and 1998, or, for that matter, when he won it again in 2001. So, for almost 12 years now I've been giving the middle finger to Duquette for being an idiot. But now, with all these allegations that Clemens has been cheating since 1998, what am I to do? If Clemens is found to have cheated do I have to give Duquette credit for knowing that Clemens' career was winding down? Looking back, Duquette made some great acquisitions. He picked up Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez, Derek Lowe, Jason Varitek, and in the process gave up Carl Pavano (that alone earns him new found respect from me), Heathcliff Slocumb, and Tony Armas Jr. Talk about coming out smelling like roses! Anyway, not that Dan Duquette will ever read this, or would care even if he did, but.... I AM SORRY for doubting you. I don't know how many other people out there have been holding a grudge against him like myself, but it seems to me we all may owe him one big apology and maybe, just maybe, a thank you as well.

Mrs. Clemens...on the juice???

2008-02-09T16:47:00.000-08:00

Well what an interesting twist we have woken to this morning. Could this story be any more "As the World Turns" or what? One of these guys is proving to be quite the little story teller. I tell you one thing, I'm not sitting in on a card game with either one of these guys right now. Talk about a poker face. We have McNamee all in with nothing to gain if he's telling the truth, and Clemens all in with his legacy and reputation, not to mention possible jail time if he really takes it to the mat and lies under oath. If these guys would just do this while driving a white Bronco down the freeway we would have the story of the century unfolding before our very eyes! How exciting.

Is Schilling on the Way Out?

2008-02-07T18:57:00.000-08:00

Well, it looks like the baseball world is really beginning to get interesting. Is it true? Did the Sox really try to drop Schilling? Does McNamee have needles with Roger's DNA on them? If so, were they stored with Monica Lewinsky's dress? Seriously, who saves trash for seven years? Should Schilling have used some of that lidocaine and B12 that helped Roger stay healthy? I guess he would have a different set of problems then but at least he'd be good to go come April.

Trivia Question....

Who is Barry Bonds' favorite MLB player?

I'm guessing Roger Clemens. Does anyone even care about Barry any more? He must just be sitting at home thinking "Thank God for Roger! This has been my most relaxing off season in years!"

Do you think that if Johnnie Cochran was still around that he would move over to the prosecutors side of things and have tried a "if the hat doesn't fit, you can't acquit" strategy against Roger?

And how about the news about the new Yankee Stadium? Will the extra $300 million dollars it looks like it is going to cost be passed along to the fans through the price of beer?

Fan: Uh, yeah, I'd like a beer please.

Beer Guy: Ok, that will be $16.00. What's that? A martini for your girlfriend? Ok, that will be $42.00

Fan: Dude?

Anyway, sad as it seems, these are the things that keep me up at night.

Now What Do I Do?

2008-02-06T17:09:00.000-08:00

How many of you out there are like me in that, now that football season is over, you feel this void in the sporting world? Life just isn't the same between the end of the NFL season and the beginning of MLB. I guess we all just have to be patient and count the days until the first pitch is thrown and the passion of baseball begins again.

Here are some baseball related stories to get you in the spirit of things.....

Official: Jeter settles tax inquiry

Do the Red Sox have the makings of a Dynasty?

Casey To Help Sox At First

Nothin Says NFL- Tough Like...Ryan Seacrest??

2008-02-05T18:20:00.000-08:00

While everyone else in the sports world is focusing on things like: Blame runs deep for Pats, and The Patriots still define the 2007 season, I'm going to focus on something a lot more important. That is....Why the f#!k did I have to sit there and watch Ryan Seacrest? Is this what the NFL thinks that we want to see before the biggest football game of the season? If I wanted to see someone like Ryan Seacrest before the game I would have been tuned into the Lifetime Channel or watched Will & Grace for 3 hours. Whoever thought that was a good idea should be fired, or better yet, forced to watch his favorite sporting event or television show with Seacrest edited into it, interrupting every 15 minutes. I think Frank Caliendo hit the nail on the head when he said...

"Boy, nothing says 'NFL-tough' like Ryan Seacrest. I guess Richard Simmons was booked."

Terry Bradshaw threw in his two cents as well by stating...

"Seacrest, the only time I thought I'd see you at the Super Bowl would be as a cheerleader."

For all true football fans I think that says it all. Not only do I believe that most fans were greatly annoyed every time Seacrest was put in front of them, (I personally paused my DVR to accumulate enough of a buffer to skip through the Seacrest BS) but I also believe that people don't want to be bombarded with these celebrities that are only at the game to steal some of the limelight and push their own personal agendas. If anything, it just reminds me that a ticket to the game costs $5,000 because all the corporations and celebrity A-Holes scoff them all up because it's an opportunity to be seen. Meanwhile, the true fans of the game, the people that buy the merchandise and tune into the games week in and week out get the shaft and are forced to accept the reality that, in all likelihood, they will never have the pleasure of cheering on their team at a Super Bowl game.

Time for Mercury Morris to Return to Obscurity

2008-02-04T17:46:00.001-08:00

Well, the Super Bowl has come and gone. For New Yorkers, it was a GREAT one. For New Englanders, not so great. I will say this, however, I am proud to be a Patriots fan today. In my eyes, what happened yesterday does not take away from the amazing season that they put forth for us to be a part of and to experience. With that said, I would like to talk about the 1972 Dolphins. I know there's a lot of other stuff to get to like the crappy commercials, the boring Tom Petty performance, and the game itself, but I choose the '72 Dolphins today.

Being born in 1975, I didn't have the pleasure of seeing the '72 Dolphins in action so all I have to judge them on, outside of their record, is how they act today. Does anyone else think that the '72 Dolphins are a lot like the old guy at the bar trolling for younger women and desperately trying to hold on to his younger years because he knows his best years are behind him? Or maybe a better example would be to think of them as the 25 year old who still hangs out at high school parties wearing his Varsity jacket trying to remain relevant for something he may have done well years ago? Either way, it just seems sad to me. I'm not saying that they shouldn't be proud of their accomplishment, because they should. But do they really have to be so childish about it? Great athletes tend to let their accomplishments stand on their own, unlike Mercury Morris and his friends. If you have to tell people how great you were, could you have really been that great?

Did anyone see Troy Aikman, Terry Bradshaw or Joe Montana trying to prove that their teams were better than the Patriots this year? No, you didn't, because they let their achievements stand on their own. Will another team ever make a run at perfection like the Patriots did this year? I don't know. Thanks to the 72' Dolphins, though, I do know this: Apparently you can be perfect and still have no class.

On another sad note, it seems as if a lot of Dolphins fans are much more interested in the fact that they had a great team 36 years ago than they are with the fact that they have a terrible team today. Check out this article. It's enough to make you want to puke. I love the part about Don Shula never running up the score that comes immediately after the point he makes about the Dolphins beating the Patriots 52-0.

It's kind of funny, while the Dolphins were winless this year I kept hoping that they would find a way to win just one game to keep them from the embarrasment that would have been attached to that record. Right about now, after listening to some of the 72' Dolphins players and their current fans, I can't believe I rooted for them to win. In hind sight, if they had gone winless, I don't think there is any other franchise that would have been so deserving of that 0-16 season as the Dolphins. I wonder what Mercury Morris would have said about that?

Super Bowl XLII

2008-02-03T19:41:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to the New York Giants. They are the new Super Bowl Champions. They deserved to win tonight.

That really hurt to say.

Let's Get It On!!!

2008-02-02T17:52:00.000-08:00

Well, tomorrow is the day. All the talk will stop and the action will begin. Will it be 19-0? Will it be history in the making? Will it be a Giant upset? (I hope not) Will a Patriot's victory only add fuel to the Spygate fire? All these questions, and more, will be answered soon enough. In the meantime, enjoy the game, the commercials, and the beer. I know I will!

Did I Already Say Enough with Spygate??

2008-02-01T20:41:00.000-08:00

So it seems as though all the big news again today is Spygate. From former Patriots employees looking for their 15 minutes of fame (i.e. Matt Walsh), to just about every sports writer in the known universe, this is once again the main focus of the upcoming Super Bowl. This has me asking myself one question: Why do we as people prefer to focus on the negative things out there in the world much more than the positive ones?

From the nightly news to the daily papers we just can't seem to get enough of Britney Spears' latest meltdown or O.J Simpson, or anything having to do with death and destruction. Why is that? Could it be that we just take joy in others misery because it makes us feel better about our own personal situations? Does it allow us to justify where we find ourselves in life by finding a reason to tear down people who have achieved a high degree of success? We have on our doorstep an opportunity to see perfection, and no doubt history, from a franchise that has built a winning tradition based on team unity and a singular vision of the task at hand. That task is taking care of business. The Patriots are a well oiled machine and now people hate them for that. Would we be hearing about all this if the Patriots were 15-3 right now? Not a chance! The fact that they are on the verge of achieving something special is the only reason for all the negativity.

It's a sad world we live in when an event that has all the makings of an uplifting story line takes a back seat to the nonsense we are witnessing today. That's right boys and girls, take note, if you get close to achieving your dreams the media and the masses will surely be looking for an opportunity to put you back in your place. Right or wrong it doesn't matter. Negativity sells, and unfortunately that's the American Way.

Enough with Spygate Already!

2008-01-31T18:27:00.000-08:00

Is anyone besides me tired of this Spygate nonsense? Can people out there really be stupid enough to believe that what the Patriots did in week one has given them any unfair advantage since that day? I understand that controversy sells books and newspapers and draws internet traffic and all of that ultimately turns into money, but can the people reporting on this really believe what they're arguing? For example, check out this article by Tim Dahlberg. In the article Bruce Svare, who is the head of the National Institute of Sports Reform, compares the Patriots to Barry Bonds and says that....

“In my view they should go down with an asterisk the same way Barry Bonds should go down. They cheated the game, cheated the integrity of the game.”

So here's my problem with this, Mr. Svare. With you being from New York, would you say that the Yankees should have an asterisk next to their records because they had players who were cheating and contributing to their victories? I mean, that has a pretty big impact on a win-loss record doesn't it? There isn't even any proof that the Patriots had an opportunity to use the video that they recorded from that game. Did they have the video? Yes they did. But that is the equivalent of having steroids and never using them, isn't it? Even if they did have time to use it how would that have helped them in, say, last weeks game against the Chargers? Or the week before that against the Jaguars? The fact is, it didn't and it wouldn't. This is just another example of trying to fabricate a story out of something that isn't one any longer. As I've said before, did they break the rules? Yes. Did they pay the fines? Yes, and they suffered the penalty handed down from the NFL. That should be the beginning and the end of it right there. For those who don't believe it is, I will leave you with this thought.

The New York Yankee's World Series Victories from 1996 on should look like this in the record books then.....

1996*

1998*

1999*

2000*

Is Plaxico Smarter than a 5th Grader?

2008-01-30T20:13:00.001-08:00

Currently, I am sitting here in front of my computer contemplating, amongst other things, Plaxico Burress' Super Bowl prediction. I don't have a problem with the prediction. I don't even have a problem with the guarantee of victory. However, like most other people, I do have a problem with the score itself. Did he not see what happened the last time these teams played one another? Is he just no good at math? Or maybe he's just smarter than everyone else and he knows something that most people don't. Just for the record, I'm pretty sure it's not that last one.

So what could have possessed him to give such a prediction? Could he really believe that it will be that kind of low scoring game? Is it possible that he hasn't watched any game film of the Patriots this season? I can only think of one good reason why he would throw those numbers out there, and that is, good ole' fashioned air time. In this sound bite world that we live in there is no better way to get some publicity than to say something stupid or controversial. Just look at Miss Teen South Carolina and her now infamous "map speech".

Anyway, with all that said, I figure this is as good a time as any to put down the redsoxandstuff.com game prediction. These numbers have no statistics, insider information, or intelligence behind them (drum roll please..........................)

New England Patriots 34
New York Giants 27

And Boston continues it's reign of dominance over New York in the 2000's!

I would also like to place an over under on how many Payton Manning commercials we will see during the game. I'll set the line at 4.5. What do you think?

Boston vs New York

2008-01-28T16:44:00.000-08:00

As Super Bowl Sunday quickly approaches, the country is once again faced with a familiar post season sports sight, and that is, Boston vs New York. To people within these two regions this is another great match up and another opportunity to stick it to a rival city. For others, it’s just another “Red Sox vs Yankees” post season and it seems as though a lot of people have had enough of that already. To those people I say: Too bad! Get a better team! And if you don’t like it then don’t watch as the Patriots go for perfection and Boston sports once again adds to it’s growing resume of putting New York in it’s place since the turn of the millennium. Go Pats!

2007 Patriots...Best Team Ever???

2008-01-26T19:27:00.000-08:00

All the talk lately seems to be... If the Patriots win the Super Bowl next week will they be the best team ever? The two teams most commonly referenced have been the 1972 Dolphins and the 1985 Bears; so, let's look at the numbers and the reasons that I believe that this is a no brainer.

First off, let me point out that the 72' Dolphins opponents had a combined winning percentage of under .400.
The Patriots have already broken the 1972 Dolphins record of 17-0 which makes them the only team in NFL history to go 18-0 in a single season. Win or lose in the Super Bowl this will be true.
Dolphin's combined for 385 total points. Patriots scored 589 points in the REGULAR season. The 1985 Bears scored 456 points.
Multiple choice question.... You're team is in the Super Bowl and you have your choice of starting quarterbacks. Who would you choose... Tom Brady, Jim McMahon, Earl Morrall, or Bob Griese? Yeah, I thought so.
Patriots have to deal with the Salary Cap and Free Agency. Something neither other team had to consider.
The Patriots outscored their opponents by 315 points. The Bears outscored their opponents by 258 points and the Dolphins outscored their opponents by only 214.
With all the advances in sports medicine and training regimens the Patriots are by default a bigger, faster, and stronger team than both the 72' Dolphins, and the 85' Bears.

I'm sure I could continue to dig for more obscure reasons but to me the seven above do an adequate job of proving my point. Maybe you disagree; and that's fine, because at the end of the day that's half of what makes sports so much fun to talk about.

The Belichick Show

2008-01-25T16:56:00.000-08:00

Is anyone besides me getting a real kick out of this whole Tom Brady boot thing? Just looking at the smirk on Belichick's face during his last press conference as he said to the media....

"I don't have any comment on it. The injury report will be out next Wednesday and we're excited to give that to you. That form will be filled out completely and I can't wait to give that to everybody."

Hell, the media even laughed with him! Who knew that Bill had jokes? I mean he's handling himself pretty well considering he's planning on starting Donte Stallworth at QB next week isn't he? I mean that's what Stallworth said wasn't it? The fact that the whole team is getting in on the fun is just great. This whole thing is just another example of Belichick being the "puppet master". I sometimes get the feeling that everyone in the NFL this season are unknowing participants of the Truman Show and that Belichick is both director and producer.

As for what's really going on, who knows? All I do know is that come February 3rd Tom Brady will take his place behind the center and do what he does best, and that's win. Boot, no boot, it doesn't matter.

Worst Red Sox Moments

2008-01-24T14:57:00.001-08:00

With the popularity of "Top 10 Greatest..." lists and "Best of..." lists being what they are, I wanted to take a slightly different approach today. For that reason, I give you:

"The 5 WORST moments in Red Sox History"

I know it's painful but with all the success that Boston sports are experiencing right now, I think it's important to remember our humble and tortured beginnings.

(These are in no particular order and are all equally painful to remember.)

1919...Babe Ruth is traded to the Yankee's to (allegedly) finance a Broadway production. This move signals the beginning of a long and torturous run of heartbreak and pain.

1986...Bill Buckner forgets how to field a ground ball in game 6 of the World Series. With one more shot to win in game 7, the Red Sox lose and send their fan's to bed sucking their thumbs and wanting to cry.

October 2nd, 1978...Earl Russel Dent (AKA Bucky Dent), who is hitting a solid .243 for the season, steps up to the plate with the Red Sox leading 2-0 and hits a three run home run to put the Yanks in the lead. The Sox lose the game and a shot at the post season. Bucky Dent becomes Bucky "F***N" Dent to all Red Sox Fans.

October 16th, 2003, 11th inning ALCS...Aaron Boone steps to the plate in a tied ball game and proceeds to hit a solo home run off of Tim Wakefield to send the Yankees to the World Series. Again. Red Sox fans now affectionately refer to him as Aaron "F***N" Boone.

2007...Pretty much any game that Eric Gagne took the mound.

Think I left one off? Let me know what your most painful Red Sox memory is.

Some Classic Rants and Meltdowns

2008-01-22T16:30:00.000-08:00

With this two week break before Super Bowl Sunday I am already thinking about the gaping sports hole that exists between the end of football season and the beginning of baseball. With that in mind I've chosen to focus on some humor today. With the clip of Denny Green proudly displayed this week it got me thinking about some other great rants. Here are a few of my favorites.

Casey Kasem losing it about a dedication to "snuggles" while coming out of an up-tempo song.
Bob Knight giving some words of encouragement to his team.
Hal McRae answering some of the media's questions involving his line-up.
Mississippi Braves AA coach Phillip Wellman experiences a Vietnam flashback. (not really a rant but it is damn funny)
Last but not certainly not least is Earl Weaver of the Baltimore Orioles answering callers questions and giving some dating advice as well.

I hope you enjoy them. Let me know which one is your favorite.

LT....A Leader?

2008-01-21T16:51:00.000-08:00

After enjoying yesterdays AFC and NFC Championship games, I awoke this morning with a strange feeling of indecisiveness about LT's non performance. Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting for a minute that the guy should go out there and play if he really can't make a go of it. But, if that is the case, and he can't play, shouldn't he at least get off his ass and be a part of the game from the sideline? I've heard the arguments from San Diegans today that "he's just not that type of guy" and "he was too upset about not being able to play". To me, neither one of those excuses is going to cut it.

The fact is that LT can't have it both ways. You're either a leader or you're not. You can't be a leader some of the time or just when it's convenient. LT should have been up and down that Charger sideline rooting on his team and voicing words of encouragement to his teammates. What kind of effect does it have on morale when you see your star player sitting there on the bench hiding behind his Darth Vader visor with a posture that would lead you to believe that his dog just died? (I personally think they switched him out with a body double and that's why the Vader helmet never came off). Listen, I understand if he was upset about not being able to help his team on the field, but that doesn't give him a free pass from helping his team from the sideline by way of his leadership. If he was really that interested in supporting the team, I don't think he would have sat like a statue for three quarters of football.

Could this be a case of LT showing his true colors? Could it be that he is a "me first" kind of guy, and that he just puts on a good face for the public? I just can't seem to make up my mind here. Some here in San Diego have even called for him to be traded because, as so many of them have said, "he isn't a warrior". Can any one of you reading this possibly imagine a guy like Rodney Harrison, Teddy Bruschi, Junior Seau, or even a Philip Rivers, sitting and looking so disinterested during such a crucial game?

After a loss to the Bears, Denny Green once said, actually, make that screamed, "They are who we thought they were!" and right about now I do believe there are a lot of Charger fans who must be wondering "Is LT who we think he is?"

Patriots defeat the Chargers

2008-01-20T16:14:00.000-08:00

Well, it's in the books. The New England Patriots have advanced to the Super Bowl. On a night when Tom Brady just couldn't seem to get into a groove, Laurence Maroney stepped up HUGE, put the Patriots on his back, and carried them to victory. The Patriots defense also turned in a great performance. The job they did in the red zone today was nothing short of spectacular. As for Philip Rivers and the Chargers, they proved that they can talk a better game than they can play. Rivers showed a lot of heart with his performance today but in the end showed us why so many people have taken issue with all his jawing on the field. Once again, I say, if you want to run your mouth you had better be able to back it up. With not once getting the ball into the end zone from the red zone Philip Rivers proved that he still has work to do before he can run with the big dogs. Then there is Igor Olshansky, with 1/2 a sack today all I can say is "He knows what's up"and now so do we, and that is, another patriots victory and another opportunity to make history in the Super Bowl. We'll see you there!

Game Predictions

2008-01-19T20:14:00.000-08:00

Well, here we are on the eve of the AFC and NFC Championship games. We here at redsoxandstuff.com have listened to all the experts opinions on the two match-ups tomorrow and with that said, have ignored all of it and have come up with our own predictions based on nothing other than good old fashioned instincts. So, here they are....

Patriots 27
Chargers 17

Packers 24
Giants 13

Packers vs Patriots in the Super Bowl!

What's with all the hate?

2008-01-18T15:21:00.001-08:00

All the hype and talk over the upcoming Patriots game this weekend vs the Chargers has me thinking, why all the hatred toward the Patriots? When did it all start? What are the reasons? The best that I can seem to come up with is this: In America we love a winner....as long as you don't win too much. It wasn't too long ago that the Patriots were America's darlings. It was in the aftermath of 9/11 when the Patriots took on the St. Louis Rams as huge underdogs and it seemed like everyone in the country was pulling for them. They were the little engine that could. A team full of role players and no one gave them a chance. I guess the only thing that Americans really love more than a winner is the little man trying to beat a giant. Just six years later here we are looking at a team that has started from humble beginnings and turned themselves into a dynasty.

Why is it that in America we all strive for perfection but when someone else is knocking on that door, we turn on them and try to tear them down? What is it about people that makes them turn their backs on a winner? What have the Patriots done to deserve all the hatred except for winning? Spygate you say? Well let's really look at that.

The Haters will say: They cheated in that first game and don't deserve all the credit they have received for this season.

A Pats fan will say: How the hell is cheating in one game, the first game, going to help you go undefeated over the course of a season? Yes, they cheated, they got caught, and they paid the price. Besides, everyone tries to steal signs in professional sports.

I am partial to the second line of thought.

The Haters will say: Bill Belichick is an arrogant jerk!

A Pats fan will say: Bill Belichick is a great coach who keeps his players in line and accepts nothing short of perfection from his players. Besides, he doesn't get paid to be Mr. Personality, he gets paid to win football games. Which, by the way, he does better than anyone else lately.

The Haters will say: The 1972 Dolphins were a better team.

A Pats fan will say: Who gives a shit what you think about that? The two teams will never play one another and it is impossible to say who would have won. The fact is this, the Pats are the best team in football right now.

But what is the truth? Could that one game have possibly given the Patriots an edge over every other team in the NFL? Surely a rational person can't believe that. Can they?

I believe it's as simple as this: We as people look for any reason to unleash our jealousy and envy upon a winner. Apparently it is just easier for people to take a negative and run with it than it is to give credit to a team who has built a dynasty upon hard work and a "team first" attitude.

To true fans of the game I say this: Enjoy this very special season. It is something that will not come around again anytime soon. To all the Haters I say this: jealousy is an ugly quality and the fact that you can't appreciate something special when you see it is just plain sad.

Internal Communication

2008-01-17T15:32:00.000-08:00

We at redsoxandstuff.com have gotten our hands on an internal communication from the city of San Diego

To All City Employees:

The San Diego Chargers have had a great season and are in the playoffs again! The Chargers have a playoff game this Sunday against the New England Patriots in Foxborough , Massachusetts . The winning team will represent the American Football Conference (AFC) in the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 3, 2008 in Phoenix.
In honor and support of the team, Mayor Sanders is encouraging all City employees, and all San Diegans, to show their team spirit by wearing Chargers colors – blue and gold - or appropriate team attire this Friday, January 18th.

Please encourage your co-workers and employees to proudly wear Chargers attire on Friday as we cheer the Bolts on!

We at redsoxandstuff.com are looking forward to receiving the follow up on Monday which we imagine will look something like this:

To All City Employees:

Our apologies for making you buy into and believe that the Chargers actually had a shot in hell of beating the Patriots this past weekend. For all of you who wore the blue and gold on Friday we recommend you burn the clothing and go back to enjoying the sun and the surf because the Bolts just can't seem to get the job done. Mayor Sanders apologizes for any mental anguish this request may have caused. The city of San Diego will make it's mental health professionals available at no charge between the hours of 10:00-2:00 for anyone who needs to talk.

PS

We will be using a new cover sheet for all TPS reports. Thaaanks.

Patriots vs Chargers

2008-01-16T18:48:00.000-08:00

As the Patriots prepare to play the Chargers on Sunday it appears that Bill Belichik has taken some time to share his thoughts on the chargers with his team. Tuesday morning Belichick held what some people are calling his "toughest morning meeting to date". During that meeting he shared the Chargers stats with the team and stressed that they had the best stats in the game since December. He also referred to the Chargers as "the best team in the AFC" during his press conference. I guess it is possible that he forgot that the Patriots are also in the AFC, but I kind of doubt it. This game is being sold as a blow out in the making by the media and Belichick is making sure that the Patriots don't believe the hype. After the meeting, Richard Seymour was quoted as saying:

“I don’t know why there’s this perception that we’re just going to run over the Chargers, that all we have to do is show up and the game is won. We’ll be going home if we take that approach. That’s the bottom line. We’ll be going home.”

We have seen throughout the season that Belichick is a master at keeping his team both focused and humbled. Not one peep of trash talk has been heard out of the Patriots camp. Not one ounce of disrespect for their opponent, and no talk of taking this game lightly. It is hard to believe that Belichick has been able to keep a team with so much success so grounded in reality.

On the other side of the ball are the Chargers.

This is a team that, last year, couldn't say enough about the "lack of respect" that was shown by the Patriots after their infamous post game celebration in San Diego. Leading that team at the QB position is Philip Rivers, who it seems, makes a second career out of talking shit. For a team that is so focused on respect they, may want to look behind their center and have a word with their "leader". From his trash talking directed toward Jay Cutler, to his confronting of a fan in Indianapolis, it is clear that he is far from being an example of class and respect. I only wonder what LT had to say about that to his QB. My guess is nothing.

Then there is Igor (who's name really does a good job of describing his appearance and mental capacity) who just couldn't help but put his foot in his mouth the other day with his comments. I guess he didn't see the Patriots humiliate Anthony Smith after making his "guarantee", or he did and he's just too dumb to know better.

Will the Patriots blow the Chargers out this weekend? I don't know. What I do know is this: two great teams will step onto the field this Sunday, and at the end of the game, one team will go home and the other will go to the Super Bowl. Smart money says the Patriots will be on their way to Phoenix. But then again, there's a reason that they play the game.

One piece of advise for the Chargers: Win or lose, remember the words of Ron Burgundy and "Stay classy San Diego".

Igor Olshansky?

2008-01-15T19:32:00.000-08:00

I would like to take a few short moments to address the following comment by Igor,

"Who? New England?" Olshansky said. "Seriously, I mean, they're more worried than we are, I promise you. Believe me. They know what's up."
The who? Well Igor let's go back to week 2 of the season, does 38-14 sound familiar? Maybe you've blocked out the ass whipping that the Pats laid upon you because it was too painful to cope with. I guess that would explain the amnesia.
They know what's up? I bet they do Igor. I think "what's up" would be that they are a team with a perfect record going against a team who is physically beat up that they just happen to have beaten the last two times they met.
I guess come Sunday we'll all see what's up, out there, on the field.

SOME QUESTIONS

2008-01-14T15:24:00.000-08:00

The last round of the playoffs is now upon us and with that we now know which four teams will be fighting it out to get to the Super Bowl. With that knowledge, it leaves me with questions.

1. Should the Chargers lose to the Patriots (and they will)

Will LT cry like a baby, as he did in 2007, after losing to the Pats in the post season?
Will Philip Rivers finally shut his mouth and stop yapping like he's won something?
Will LT change his 'if we play them 10 times we beat them 9" to "if we play them 10 times we beat them 7, maybe"?
Will Merriman do his stupid dance at midfield anyway just to make himself feel better?
Will any Charger player challenge Terrel Owens for weepiest post game interview of the season?

I can't help but wonder.

AM I WRONG?

2008-01-13T15:55:00.000-08:00

Is it just me or does the relationship between Jessica Simpson and her dad border on very, very creepy? Do you think that when it comes time for Romo and Jessica to get into the sack that he's curled up at the foot of the bed like the family dog? How many other dads out there make comments to the media about their daughters rack like “She’s got double-D’s! You can’t cover those suckers up!” Take a look at this picture taken by dear old dad. Now listen, personally, I'm grateful that he took it, but it still doesn't make it normal. I'm actually sitting here wondering if the indentation in the other pillow is from her dad spooning her prior to the picture being taken. What do you think?

Just for conversation purposes I've added one more picture to make my case.

Creepy.

PATS ADVANCE (and Peyton annoys)

2008-01-12T20:45:00.000-08:00

Well, it's in the books, and the New England Patriots are still perfect. The Jags came in to Gillette Stadium tonight and gave the Patriots all that they could handle for the majority of the game, but lost the turnover battle and ultimately the game.

Once again Tom Brady was superb in his execution and led his team flawlessly throughout the four quarters of play. For the details check out http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=280112017.

Moving forward from here the Pats will face the winner of tomorrow's match up between the Colts and the Chargers. My money says that we will see the Colts marching into Foxborough next Sunday, but that won't stop me from hoping that it will be the Chargers.

On a completely different subject. Am I the only one who wants to smash Peyton Manning in the face with a shovel every time I see him in a commercial? Can this guy be anymore over exposed? Seriously, doesn't he ever want to just stay home and bang his wife? Listen, the "cut that meat thing" was funny, the "I have you on my fantasy team" thing with the accountants was as well, but let it go already and get back to being what you are, a football player, not an actor. I think that Bruce Dickinson would sum it up like this, "I got a fever and the only prescription is LESS Peyton Manning!

LET'S TALK SOME FOOTBALL

2008-01-11T16:21:00.000-08:00

So here we are on the eve of the Patriots taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars and I still can't shake that uneasy feeling. As I stated a few posts back, I don't think the Jags will beat the Pats, but let's talk about how they could.

The Patriots have shown that they can be run on effectively and the Jags have shown that they are quite capable of mounting an impressive running attack. This is cause for concern on two fronts. First, the more time the Jags can grind the ball out on the ground, the less time Tom Brady has to do what he does best; put the ball in the end zone. This enables the Jags to turn that old adage of "the best offense is a good defense" around. Their best defense will certainly be ball control on offense. Secondly, it gives the Jags an opportunity to wear down our aging defensive linebacker core.

The Jags are also a very physical team and have considerable height at the receiver positions which makes the lack of height on the Patriots defense an issue to be dealt with. Can our defensive backs match up? I think they can and will, but time will tell.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Jags secondary is certainly a weakness that the Pats can exploit when their offense has the ball. To me, the game breaks down simply to this: If the Patriots can stop the Jags running game, they walk away with the win. If not, this will be a game that will go down to the wire. If that happens, be prepared for one hell of a game, and a possible upset.

WHEN DOES HISTORY BECOME HISTORY?

2008-01-09T19:59:00.000-08:00

Before you read any further answer this question. Are the San Francisco 49er's a great team?

Just the other day at my local watering hole I was having a conversation with a Yankee fan, which got me thinking. When does history become history? How much time has to pass before you can no longer say that your team is great because, simply put, they haven't done anything lately? Yankee fans seem to think that they are still on the top of the sports mountain, but are they? They certainly have a spot in history as one of the greatest sports franchises of all time, but when does it become "you were great" and not "you are great"? By the way, this is not just about the Yankees they just happen to be my favorite example currently! When do the bragging rights get put to rest? If the Yanks don't win a World Series for another ten years can they still brag about all the rings they won 30, 40, or 50 years ago? Can the 49er's say that they're currently great because of what they did under the leadership of Young or Montana? When you put it like that it seems almost laughable. I think we need Triple H to have this put on the "Man Law" negotiating table. Man law, you can not brag about accomplishments that occurred over a decade ago if you are discussing the best teams of the moment! Don't get me wrong, I'm not down playing the importance of history in sports. History is a big part of the game. It's a part of the game that allows friends to sit around years later and reminisce about their younger days and some of their finest hours as sports fans, as well as to separate the band wagon fans from the real ones. It also creates traditions and greatness. So, as for the history of the game, I say know it, appreciate it, and continue to watch it unfold. As for the present, you're either winning or losing and what you did 30 years ago can't help you now! A great franchise is not the same as a great team.

A REPUTATION LOST?

2008-01-08T14:49:00.000-08:00

Roger almost had me going his way. The whole act was beginning to win me over. Then he played the tape. Let me ask you, if you had a friend who just threw you under the bus, destroying your reputation and your future, would you have been so calm on the phone with him? I would have been screaming like a lunatic. Unable to control my anger from such a deep feeling of betrayal. Not "Cool Hand" Clemens though. Cool as a fan. Never raised his voice and never lost his composure. Is that the same guy that you've seen on the field firing 95 mph fastballs and broken bats at opposing players? Is that how we are suppose to believe he would react to something like this? I keep waiting for him to break into his best impression of Jack Nicholson while screaming "you can't handle the truth!" Is this charade anything other than Clemens using smoke and mirrors to avoid taking responsibility for the choices that he has made in the past? Let's look at this rationally and without emotion. Does McNamee have anything to gain by lying? Now ask yourself the same of Clemens. What do you come up with? Did you hear McNamee's voice on that tape? What did you hear in his voice? Anguish? Sadness? Perhaps you heard the words of a man who had to choose between the betrayal of a friend or going to prison and destroying his family. Now, what did you hear in the voice of Clemens? Purpose? Calculation? Lack of emotional involvement? Clemens has made a decision to go "all in" with his denial, and with that decision has opened himself up to a game of which he has never played before. A game in which the end result will be, one of two men, himself or McNamee having their lives irreversibly damaged. If Clemens is innocent I hope the truth comes out and sets the record straight. If however, in the end, we find out that McNamee is telling the truth it will be a very sad day for Roger Clemens and for anyone who believed in him. Instead of being remembered as one of the all time greats he will be remembered as a man who not only let pride ruin his life, but a man who tried to ruin the life of another for that same selfish pride.

SHOULD WE REALLY CARE?

2008-01-07T16:59:00.000-08:00

OK. Roger Clemens. Guilty? Not guilty? A bigger question in my mind is.....who cares? Do you? Really? Is this something that Congress should be wasting their time and our money on? Everyone in MLB went along for the steroid ride and looked the other way, Owners, fans and players. Why? Because it was good for business, not the game, business. Not too long ago baseball was dead. What brought it back? The long ball. Sosa and McGwire slugging it out and hitting home run after home run after home run. Today the game has achieved a popularity never before experienced in the history of the game. Are steroids to thank? I don't know. I do know this, however: Everyone loves to see the long ball. Who doesn't like to marvel at a 500 ft home run blasted out of the park or feel the anticipation when a guy like Bonds, who you expect to hit it out every time, stands at the plate. The thing to remember is this: It's just a game. Now, I know (especially to Red Sox fans), to say it's just a game is paramount to sacrilege. Some may say that it's a business and they would be right. But to most, it's still a game.

The simple fact is that in America, and most other places on Earth, people have an inner drive to be the best. Show me someone who doesn't hate to lose and I'll show you a loser. We all want to be the best at whatever it is we do in life. With that said, if you had a chance to make millions of dollars this year, but you had to take some HGH or some steroids would you do it? Most people experiment with drugs during their life for no good reason at all, never mind when there are millions of dollars on the line. When a guy like Gaylord Perry was throwing a Vaseline ball or Don Sutton was scuffing the ball with sandpaper was that cheating? I think we all know it was, but was it better or worse than this? Should Congress have intervened then? I agree that rules are rules but I just can't look past the fact that everyone knew what was going on here and just didn't care until now. How do you respect a person or an organization that allows the cheating because it is good for business and then takes a holier than thou attitude towards the problem that they embraced? So, did Roger cheat? I don't know. Probably. Did Barry cheat? Most likely. Does this ruin the integrity of the game? Isn't that what all this fuss is about? If not, then what is it about? Is baseball any better off today after dragging Roger through the mud than it was a month ago? I don't think it is. But I do know this: steroids or no steroids, I don't really care because it has no bearing upon real life. Will your life change if the game is drug free? I'd love to hear from someone who thinks it would. To myself and millions of other passionate and devoted fans, baseball is entertainment. A diversion from the harsh realities of everyday life. It's us, the fans, who make the game what it is and it will be nice when Congress stops wasting it's time on this ridiculous witch hunt and gets back to doing what they are paid to do, and that is, make this a better and safer place to live. If you show me how pulling ball players in to speak to Congress will do that, then I'm all for it. Until then, like my good friend Roger once said "it's just hogwash"

THE "AND STUFF" PART OF THIS BLOG

2008-01-06T10:47:00.000-08:00

As you can no doubt tell, the primary focus of this blog will be the Red Sox. With that said, the "and stuff" part of the title are for the times when my attention deficit disorder gets the best of me and I can't help but ramble about something different. Today my something different will be football. With the Patriots doing what they have done this year I can't help but worry about the playoffs. Watching the Jags/Steelers game last night I couldn't help but root for the Steelers because the Jags suddenly make me nervous. Did you see Maurice Jones Drew running all over the world last night? Now listen, I'm not saying I think the Pats will lose this game because the Jags are THAT good. What I am actually getting at is this, winning every game you play over the course of any season, at any level, is HARD. Is 16-0 really worth anything if they do anything other than win the Super Bowl? Will you as a fan take any solace in the fact that they went 16-o but lost in the playoffs? I don't think I will. I would like to know what you think. Which team, if any, do you think will give the Patriots the most problems in the playoffs? With all that said, my money says that the Patriots win it all. Tell me why I'm wrong.

CONGRESS ASKS CLEMENS TO TESTIFY

2008-01-04T20:32:00.000-08:00

Well, it looks like Roger and his good friend Brian McNamee will be sharing a room with Congress. The two along with 3 others were asked to appear in front of Congress on January 16th to answer questions stemming from the Mitchell report. It will be interesting to see how "The Rocket" handles the heat that is about to come down upon him.

THERE'S A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING

2008-01-03T16:43:00.000-08:00

Well here I am at the beginning of the first of many blogs to come. As you know, if you are reading this, being a Red Sox fan is something that gets in your blood. Not quite like some liquor after a hard night of drinking, and not even like that itch you brought back from Tijuana after you met that "nice girl" (It's ok, I won't tell) It's Something different. Something that gnaws at you and makes you think that everything about the game is life or death. Something that makes you think that it's a great idea to get a big red "B" permanently tattooed on your ass (or maybe something on your head like this guy here), and something that makes you able to love them even when they make you miserable. (A lot like a wife I guess.)

Anyway, having that passion inside of you as a fan and sharing the ups and downs with other fans wherever you may be creates a special bond with someone you have never even met before. Weather it's acknowledging the Sox hat on a passer-by, or just hearing a "Yankee's Suck" comment and chiming in with "yeah they do" It is for this reason that I am starting this blog today. To focus on a passion that has brought me so much joy, (and pain) over the years, and also to hear from all of you out there in Red Sox Nation. I look forward to, with your help, making this a place that Sox fans can come for some updates, some laughs, and some good old fashioned heated sports debate!