Yeah, yeah! I know. I'm a slacker. No excuses. But I've been paying attention to both the Phils and the Sox over the last few days, and what a few days they've been, huh?

As for the Phillies, they played a 4 game series with San Francisco. Each game was decided by the winning team's last at bat. This included 3 walk-offs by the Phillies. Chase Utley continues to have a good portion of the time on talk radio with early predictions of NL MVP. Ryan Howard, on the other hand, continues to suck. As of today, he's got a .168 batting average, and 47 K's in 119 ABs.

Over in Detroit, the Red Sox have taken the the first two in a four game series against the offensively anemic Tigers. This is following a three game sweep of the Rays at Fenway. The Orioles have slowed down a bit, getting closer to what they really are. And the Yankers appear to be dealing with a start similar to last year's, without the talk of firing Torre, of course.

Papi and Manny went back-to-back last night, which puts Manny at 497! I think I have 5/19 in the pool.

Labels: Giants, Orioles, Phillies, Rays, Red Sox, standings, Tigers, Yankers

With the first game at Fenway, the 2008 season can really begin, and what a way to start. Dice-K was superb again, throwing 6 2/3 shut-out innings. The bats finally woke up a bit (at least most of them) and the Red Six prevailed, 5 to zip, over the hapless Tigers.

There was so much more though, and all before the game began! Attended by representatives of Boston sports championships (Celtics, Bruins, Patriots) the 2007 rings were handed out. Of special note was the fact that players that were around for the '04 win received special rings, with two trophies depicted under their surnames where the new gents only have one trophy. The rings were gorgeous, and (at least on MLB.tv) they showed close-ups of most as they were dispersed.

There were lots more guests. Johnny Pesky was in attendance and, with a little help from Papi, hoisted the new 2007 World Series Champions flag. In perhaps the biggest surprise, the first pitch of the game was thrown by none other than Bill Buckner! A teary-eyed Buck emerged from behind the banner cloaked green monster and received one of the largest ovations of the day.

Buckner later went to the booth to chat with Jerry and Don. I have to be honest, it was the low point of the afternoon. First, I am not a big fan of interviews during the game. I want to see the game, you know? But poor Buckner! Let's just say that he's not a great public speaker. At one point Don Orsillo made a joke about Buck perhaps getting into the booth somewhere because if Jerry could do it, anyone could. I think Buckner's ten minutes of mumbling and extended pauses is proof that Don is way off.

It was still good to see Bill Buckner.

Steven Tyler of Aerosmith was on hand to belt of "God Bless America" during the stretch, but I did not get to see that thanks to MLB.tv.

So, now we move on with the rest of the season. Here's hoping we have another one of these to watch in April of '09!

Labels: baseball, Red Sox, special, Tigers

At long last, the Red Sox have come back to Boston! Opening day at the Fens, but so much more than that! Today marks the the end of the Japan saga that has seen our beloved Sox literally running around the globe on an MLB good will tour that has left them all a bit sluggish. Today also holds the special designation of having the World Series ring ceremonies, with some surprises, including who will throw out the first pitch and who will sing the National Anthem.

Over the last few weeks we've all been reading the various interviews with players and coaches and we have all read them saying the right things. They talked about how it was an honor to represent MLB and Red Sox Nation in the far east. But we all know the truth, don't we? The trip has knocked the crap out of the team and cannot be left out of the list of reasons why we have begun 3 and 4. In fact, this world wind tour is the main reason things have begin shaky, and we should all be glad that things haven't been worse.

Now the guys have had the pleasure of sleeping in their own beds, seeing their families, and relaxing for a day. In to town come the Detroit Tigers, who while winless, have a line-up that makes us think of a stick of dynamite with a trick fuse. It's going to go off, it's only a matter of when. But the Tigers will have their work cut out for them at Fenway today. A lot of things that were working against the Red Sox are now in the past and the feeling that things are looking up can't be denied.

GO SOX!!!

Labels: baseball, Fenway, Red Sox, Tigers

The Red Sox will take the field tonight in Toronto for the Jays home opener. Counting the Japan trip, then the A's first home game, this will be the Sox third opener. They of course have one more, the most important, opening day at Fenway this coming Tuesday.

Yesterday was an off day which we're hoping will take the last of the team's jet lag away. There nothing like an off day to get creative juices flowing for folks when there isn't actually a game to talk about. I heard on Mike & Mike this morning a clip of some baseball pundit extolling the reasons why Papelbon should be a starter. I cannot remember who this lad was (If anyone knows, please leave a comment!) but he was taking a page out of some Sabermetrics guide and talking about how your best pitcher should not be a reliever and your best reliever should not be a closer. The geek view of this topic is that you should put your "closer" in whenever the game is really on the line. For instance, if you have a 1 run lead in the 6th, and the opponents meat is coming to the plate, that should be the clue to put in your "closer". The only flaw with this theory that I can think of was that the Red Sox tried this once and it was a downright disaster. Meanwhile, the Yankers have two closers; Rivera for the ninth, Chamberlain for the eighth. I vote we keep Paps where he is.

There's been discussion about center field and the Crisp/Ellsbury situation. The truth of this matter is that decisions on who is in the line-up are not being made strictly on numbers and perceived benefit towards a win. Crisp got a start Wednesday and will probably get more, not because he is better than Ellsbury, but because the front office wants to "showcase" him so that a trade can be worked out. He went 2 for 5 that night and scored a run. I suppose that isn't too bad a show, but I can't help but wish that Jacoby was in. (Drew, who went 1 for 5, is not being showcased for anything, as far as I know.)

It appears that Josh Beckett will make his first start on Sunday in the third game of the Toronto series. Here's some logic that I can't help but question. Starting Tuesday (for that Fens opener) the Sox will be facing Detroit who will be, at best, playing .500, assuming they sweep the White Sox. Based on their plate performance while being swept by the Royals, those Tigers may not be able to get three in their first home stand, but anyone who thinks that those bats aren't going to wake up at some point is nuts. Should we be leaving Beckett out until that Tuesday? I mean, he didn't get the Japan start, now he won't get to pitch in Fenway until the 11th or 12th against the Yankees? I say you let him have the Fens opener, which still leaves him ready for game three of the Yankee series (Which is the only one I'll actually get to see since MLB.tv will be blacked out for me and Sunday's game is on ESPN. (Thank you YES network!) Who do we need Beckett more against, the Toronto line-up or those of Detroit and New York?

Finally, folks are expressing their relief to see some players waking up a bit. Papi had hit first hits, his first RBI, and his first jack of the season on Wednesday. Matsuzaka looked much better in his second start, as did the young Jon Lester. Even Tek is performing better at the plate, getting a RBI double (He was robbed of a homer, pure and simple) and a homer this week. We have survived the worst part of this Homeric 2008 Opening Odyssey with a record of 3 and 1, and that is a good thing because April is not getting any easier.

Labels: baseball, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Royals, Tigers, Yankers