Boston Red Sox Nation 2004

July 2004 Archives

(Archives have been reduced to mostly plain text)

Saturday 7/31

  Nomarless Red Sox 0-1

Sox lose to twins, Mientkiewicz debuts at first goes 2 for 4.

Red Sox Nation Welcomes Doug M., Orlando C. , Dave R.

 as the newest members of RSN. Good luck playing in

 Boston, you got some big shoes to fill.

Saturday 7/31

NoMore Nomar

Nomar traded to Chicago Cubs in a 4 team deal, get Cabrera, Mientkiewicz

Theo on the trade- "We have a lot more dimensions to this team now" 

Theo on D'Lowe- "Derek will benefit from this trade" as a result of the step up in defense.

Defense, Defense, Defense.... Sox think this is the way to solve our defensive woes.

Thank you Nomar for your 9 years of service.  You will be missed!

Red Sox acquire

Orlando Cabrera

Doug Mientkiewicz

Dave Roberts also acquired for prospect H. Stanley

Yankees Contreras also dealt to Chi White Sox for Loaiza

Friday 7/30

Who is Bronson Arroyo?

 Bronson Arroyo throws a gem, sox win 8-2

7.1IP, 2ER, 8H, 8K

Kapler is a superstar!  

3 for 5, with 3RBI

Ortiz-3 for 5 2RBI

Varitek- 3 for 4 1 RBI

Thursday 7/29

BRAWL DISCIPLINE A BIT HARSH

WATSON DEALS A BLOW TO SOX HARDER THEN TEK'S

GLOVE TO A.ROD'S FACE

SOX & YANKS HANDED SUSPENSIONS & FINES

SUSPENSIONS & FINES

Tek: 4 games    A-Rod: 4 games    Kapler: 3 Games   Nixon: 3 Games   Sturtze: 3 Games

FINES
Schillin, Lofton, Ortiz

Thursday 7/29

RUMORS RUMOR RUMORS

Trade Deadline Rumors are still flying. Nomar & Lowe the names at the top of the list.

Nothing solid to report today nor do we want to perpetuate any existing scenarios as things seem to be hush hush in the back office .  Details to come on any solid info that we pick up on.

Wednesday 7/28

Birds Fly Away with This one, Sox bats kept quiet

Schilling out dueled on the Mound as sox held to 4 hits by Borkowski

``It was a game where I was going to have to outpitch him, and it didn't happen. Our offense generally scores a lot of runs for everybody. But he pitched a fantastic game tonight.'' - Schilling

-Tuesdays Game Rained Out-

Fight Fallout- A'rod the Loser

A-Broad- Stop being such a little girl. You opened your mouth to the wrong guy and he wasn't going to take your sh*t, you should have walked to first and kept your mouth shut. 

You got what you had coming.

  Baseball disciplinarian Bob Watson has said there will be some suspension to hand out as a result of Saturdays Festivities.

"If somebody attacks you, obviously you've got to protect yourself. If somebody initiates, you've got no choice but to protect yourself. Whatever (the suspension) is, I'm going to appeal. The initiation was made by someone else, not me.""What was said from my half was simply a rebuttal and reply," A-Rod said. "What was said under the mask was a lot greater, so I'm not really concerned about what was seen versus what initiated it. The beef was never with Jason, it was with Arroyo and I was on my way to first."- NY Daily News

Monday 7/26

The Red Sox Train Keeps A Rollin'

Everyone contributing to give the Sox a 12-5 W

Pedro 6.1IP, 5ER, 7H -  His line doesn't look too sweet but Pete pitched very well

Pedro felt a pinch in his hip late in the game, jury is out if it is anything significant

Day's High Five's Kap Dog- 3 Hits, 3 Runs... Solid Play as of late by Kapler  Ramiro Mendoza pitching great 2IP, 1H, 0ER, 2.08 ERA Ramirez - 3 for 4, 2R, 2RBI Pedro - Solid Start against a team that he has had trouble with in the past

Sunday 7/25

Another Exciting Evening at Fenway. Sox win 9-6

John Kerry, Affleck, Couric, Stephanopolous, Uncle Sam & other celebs on hand..

Millar eating his spinach?     Millar with a clutch 2 RBI single in first, a HR in the fifth, and another RBI single in the sixth.   Matsui Grand Slam in 7th Kept it close but no cigar

Sox win 9-6,  D. Lowe settled down and pitched a decent game, Foulke Closes it out

Lowe 6.2 IP, 4R, 2ER, 5K. Overall good performance by Lowe..... Foulke 5 Batter Save.

Damon 3 Run Shot around Pesky's Pole (3 for 4, 3RBI), Bellhorn solo shot.

   Note: Trot Nixon put on Disabled list with quad injury.

Varitek sits with wrist Injury (possibly from Arod fight)

Saturday 7/24

Sox Get Gritty and Do a Ditty!

Sox capitalize and win a close one. Still magic left in the tank?

Sox and Yanks hit the battlefield,  Arroyo hits Arod on the elbow, Arod makes some smart remarks on his way to first challenging Tek to a fight.  So Tek smacks him in his Grille - all hell breaks loose and a bench clearing brawl erupts. More drama to add to the rivalry.. oh my....

Bill Mueller launches two Run HR in Bottom of 9th to take a much needed moral victory for the Sox.

Kevin Millar is swinging a hot bat ...4 for 5

Leave us feeling good about rooting for this team again.. Start of something Great?  This is just what the doctor ordered.   Screw you A. Rod!

Friday 7/23        News: Oritz gets 5 game suspension for his tossing of bats.  To serve after appeal

Sox Shown up by Yanks, Slugfest leaves us Stunned

FRANCONA IS IN WAY OVER HIS HEAD?

More questionable calls by Francona leave Fans shaking their heads. Lets Arod hit the game winning single when he should have been walked.

YANKS DO THE LITTLE THINGS NEEDED TO WIN!

Sox are finding ways to lose bottom line. They fail to close the deal night after night.  While Yanks show they are winners.

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH OUR CLOSER?

Just when we need a "Steady Eddie" in the pen he is unraveling and getting worse every time he comes to the mound.

WHY DO WE DO THIS TO OURSELVES?

I need to find a new hobby! . I keep saying I Still Believe. We all must be complete fools.  I still love this team I don't know why

Millar hits three 1..2..3 Long balls but still not enough to overcome Yanks. 

Sox Lose 8-7, Posada called safe at plate when he was clearly out.  Still should have won this game. Sox prove once again they can't close the deal.

High Note: Millar seems to be hitting the ball again, his July numbers are decent. However, his defense is spotty.

chat about the series here

BklynSoxFan on Bornintoit.com Message Board
I watched most of Thursday afternoon's latest debacle at the ESPN Zone in Manhattan. On the big screen there was Ruben Sierra hitting a home run to give the Yankees a win over the Blue Jays. At the same time Melvin Mora hit a home run to seal the Orioles win at Fenway. Hearing those Yankee fans applaud made my blood boil.

Bornintoit.com- We feel for you man.  It actually physically  hurts (nausea, heartburn, upset stomach, indigestion, diahhreah) to see the Yankees succeed.  We need grab 2 of 3 or sweep this series not just to keep pace but for a morale booster.  I am slowly losing faith but feel we are in for a run and am keeping my hopes up.  Looking forward to kicking some MFY behind this weekend.

Thursday 7/22

Bottom of order gets it done

Youkilis, McCarty,Nixon get it done on offense, Wake on the Mound

T. Wake solid as a rock, 7IP, 0ER... Starts a high note as NY comes to town

Schilling says: Time to maintain a streak now, and then watch this team go out and whip the @#%$ out of some people for a few weeks." 7/22 on The Remy Report via Boston Dirt Dogs.com

Thursday 7/22

Sox downed 8-3 in first game of

Double Headache.

Dead weight Red Sox can't seem to make it happen! 8-3 loss

Tejada and crew do us in again

Millar- Two run dinger

Ortiz- 2 Triples

Wednesday 7/21

Pedro Gives up 8ER, Loses first game since May 16th

Tejada drives in 5R, and Newhan hits inside the park HR as unpredictable Sox lose 10-5

Newhan hits inside the park HR

Pedro's worst outing of the season

puts him in our Dog House

High Notes:

Kapler- 3 Run Shot

Millar- Solo Shot in 6th

Game Notes:

Sox Obtain Rickey Gutierrez from Cubs for a PTBNL

Pokey Sent to 15 Day D.L, Malaska & Youkilis called up

Tuesday 7/20

Sox Barely Hold On for a Needed Win

Up 8-2 then all the sudden its 9-7 , hold on by a thread in the 9th

Offense sparked by the Usual Suspects-

 3 Run Shot from Ortiz and a Solo Shot by Manny in the 4th

Derek Lowe his usual subpar self, left game with blister but gets the win

5IP, 4ER, 9H

Foulke makes us cringe again as he puts winning run to

plate but shuts em down with 3K's

Monday 7/19

Boonefied Again! (By a different Boone)

Grand Slam By Brett Boone in 11th Does Sox In!

V.Tek 3 Run Shot in 8th should have sent us home to bed but:

Foulke gives up  back to back Solo Shots in the 9th to give Seattle the chance they needed in 11th inning. Sox fail again to pick up a game on Yanks

Bronson Arroyo was Fabulous but bullpen blows it for him.

A much needed W and an absolute gem for Arroyo is lost in space.

7IP, 3H, 1ER-- 12K's..yep 12K's

    Sox are playing .500 ball since April 30th.  Can't seem to close the deal consistently.

Giving up back to back solo shots in the 9th puts Keith Foulke in our Dog House for the day!

For the record, the worst ways to lose a ballgame are:
a) Letting it get away after the grind of extra innings
b) Giving up a game winning, walk-off home run
c) Giving up a game winning, walk-off grand slam
d) Forfeiting the game when your starting pitcher is bitten by Al Sharpton

With the exception of "d" -- and the way this season is going, isn't it only a matter of time until it happens -- the Sox managed to cover all of the above listed methods in a heart-crushing, spirit-grinding defeat.

-survivinggrady.com

ESPN: Gammons Chat Wrap 7/19

Sunday 7/18

Mr Dependable, Curt Schilling 8IP, 7K, 1ER, 3H

"Day to Day" Red Sox figure they show up today and win 6-2

Ortiz- 3 for 5, 3 Run HR, 4 RBI's

Kapler- Solo HR,

Nomar- RBI Triple

Pedro & Schilling are 14-1 since May 28,  Rest of  the Staff is 23-29

Saturday 7/17

West Coast Floppers  

  Sox Asleep at the Wheel Lose 8-3

Damon: 2 HR's

Friday 7/16

ORTIZ GOES BATTY

Ortiz argues balls & strikes with home plate umpire then kicks it up a notch by tossing bats out onto the field.  Will be suspended as a result of his actions.

Sox win 4-2, Nomar Solo HR, Trot 3-4, Bullpen Solid!

Pedro- 6IP, 2ER,8K ... Sweet performance by Pete

(Real Small Strike Zone by HP Umpire Matt Hollowell)

Johnson Rumor Update

Looks like RJ will be staying put in AZ, pieces of puzzle just don't seem to fit for Sox or Yankees. Angels still a possibility which at this time may be worse then him going to NY as the Halos are right in the wild card mix with Boston. 

Thursday 7/15

Derek Lowe & Sox Get Shown up by the Halos

Sox downed 9-1, Sloppy

Sox bats fall asleep, Lowe not too sweet, Anaheim shows us up yet again.

Note: Youkilis Sent down to AAA, Mendoza gets another shot.-Boston Globe article

And We're Baaaaack

Red of Surviving Grady.com

The best thing about a west coast game when Derek Lowe is pitching? Once he gets zapped by a misplayed fly ball or grounder and magically transforms into The Incredible Sulk (patent pending), you can pretty much go to bed. That's right. Sleep. Don't bother staying up late. Because you know how it's going to end. Especially on a night that has no Manny in the line-up. Especially on a night when Kevin "I'm an excellent thrower. Excellent thrower" Millar is in left field.

That said, even though I gave up around the fifth inning, there's the magic of the west coast tease. You know, when you wake up in the morning, still not certain if they won or lost. Thinking, however delusional, that they might have come back. You may have missed a critical 26-run ninth that Spielberg is currently securing the rights to.

So you walk to the computer and -- no, not the computer. Let's drag this out a bit. Let's put on NESN sports desk. And you have to time it right. Gotta hit it on that 15 minute mark when the update begins. So you do, and you hold your hand up to block the crawl at the bottom of the screen. Because you don't want to read it, you want to hear it. You want to hear someone tell you on this otherwise perfect Friday morning that the Sox have dropped the first game of the second half and they're sinking and the Yankees are surging and suddenly you hear it and it's official that they've been pummeled by the Anaheim Angels, and you almost wish you didn't know yet. Like the guy who wakes up from a dream just as The Olsen Twins have come over for a pillow fight, you want to go back to that warm, comfortable netherworld where there still exists the possibility that Lowe came through, the bats came alive, and Mary-Kate is tying you up with fishing line.
 
Instead, you wake up to realize the game was lost somewhere around the 45 minute mark, Manny's hammy is acting up, Randy Johnson probably isn't coming our way, and the Sox are looking less and less like a contender by the minute.

You also know, no matter what, you'll be there till the end. 'Cause you're that kind of guy.

Wednesday 7/14

Rumors Rumors Rumors

No real news or info, all is hush hush in the back office

Tuesday 7/13

Ortiz & Manny both Homer in All Star Game

AL Leads the way with a  9-4 Victory,  Sox to have home field in the World Series

Update- Randy Rumor still Heating up!

We will keep you posted as news & rumors pop up

Latest Rumor has Nomar to Chi Sox,  Prospects turned around to AZ, Johnson to Boston... and some other details... All just a rumor right now though.

Message to R.J. -

Randy Johnson, are you interested in becoming a saint or a sinner?

Mr. Johnson, you are great.  We have always been big fans of yours.  You helped take the Evil Nation down a few years back and have done nothing but be a solid pitcher and entertain us throughout your long career.   It is time to make a decision that may change peoples perception of your legacy forever.  It is as simple as this:

Accept a trade to the Yankees and join the ranks of all the others that have tarnished their long lived reputation just for a few extra wins and a chance to win a World Series in Vain.

Accept a trade to Anaheim, pitch for a good team that is respected and keep your name in tact just as it is.

Accept a trade to Boston, help us win a World Series and become a legend, your name included in fables & tales that rival that of Paul Bunyan & Zach Morris.  A hero, an icon, absolute greatness...

The decision is yours.  Give us a chance to make the deal happen and write your own story or go to New York and lose the respect of the Nation, most importantly Red Sox Nation, because you will find us wherever you go and we will not let you forget what you have chosen to become.

Sunday 7/11

Johnny Damon Left Stranded 90 Feet Away

Sox Play "Ketch up" for most of the Game, tie it in 7th, go down by one in 8th & make it close in 9th but Bellhorn K's with Damon on third.

Lose Final Game Before All Star Break.

Saturday 7/10

Red Sox Deliver a Hit Bonanza at Fenway

21 Hits, 5 HR

Damon still keeping it real 3 for 6 (15 game hitting streak)

 Bellhorn, Nomar, Manny, All 4 for 5 with a HR (Manny had 2)

V. Tek 2 for 4 including a dinger off the "Pesky Pole"

My Main MANny!

Lowe lets up 6 in the second including a Grand Slam to Hank Blalock, but (get this) none are earned!  He pitched pretty well as a whole other then a few mistakes early, settled down & delivered.

Check the box score for all the stats

Congrats to David & Tiffany Ortiz on the birth of their first child today, Baby Boy D'Angelo

Friday 7/9

Led By Johnny Damon the Red Sox follow to the promise land!

Johnny D. is marvelous, simply marvelous.

4 for 5, 4RBI, 2HR, 3R

And he isn't even the headline of the day as far as I am concerned.  Johnny D. is on a tear and it is not surprising that he put up these numbers tonight.

 A one Mr. Bronson Arroyo pitched an absolute gem. Allowing 3 hits in 8 innings work with 7 strikeouts.  Pitch like this for the rest of the season Arroyo and we can tell Randy Johnson his services are not needed here!

8.0IP, 7K, 3H, 1BB

From Dud to Stud Award:   Nomar 3 for 4 with three singles, 14 for 30 in last 7 games

Thursday 7/8

Sox Giveth then Taketh

Sox up 7-1 in 5th then give Oakland 6 Runs right back to tie up..

Mueller Ropes a double in the bottom of the 10th sending

Speedy Johnny D around third to a close play at the plate..

 Johnny D = Safe at home = Sox win = Sweep A's

Sox sweep Oakland in a close one at Fenway

GAME NOTES

Schilling-5.1IP, 3ER, 8K, 11H

Ortiz- Solo HR, 3 for 5

Ramirez-3 Run HR

Red Sox out hit 17-4

Millar- 2RBI

Damon- 3 For 6 with Game winning Run

Thursday 7/8

Curt is Awesome!  The Other One

 Curits Leskanic has to be one of the most underrated and udervalued additions to our bullpen.  I saw him pitch a couple games in Kansas City and was very impressed with his stuff.  He reminds me a little of Williamson in that everything he throws is hard and his breaking ball, like SWilly’s splitter, breaks sudden and fast. 7th Inning Stretch for complete article

Thursday 7/8

Randy Johnson to talk with the Sox?

This story has been hitting all the message boards and chatterboxes everywhere are active.  There have been various reports including a remark from Bob Lobel on NESN Wednesday night that Theo plans to talk with Johnson at the All Star Game.

Theo Epstein said  that it is "internet b.s."

Some rumors indicate a three way deal with a west coast team involving Nomar & Youkilis, possibly some moving of prospects & $$.  

Boston Dirt Dogs Blew the story up today with half a page saying

"There have been GM to GM talks" but not citing a source

All of this is just hearsay so take it for what it is worth.

Let us know what you think in the Rumor Mill

Thursday 7/8

Is it possible?  Could it be? Are the Sox back on track?

Two great consectuive wins and Red Sox Nation is all smiles again.  Just when things felt like they were slipping away the Sox go and rope us back in.  Ups & down's, in's & out's, tears and joys, this season is playing out to be the typical Red Sox soap opera story.

(We have all been through this many times before)

Wednesday 7/7

Red Sox Over the Hump?

Looked like it may be possible after another great performance

Sox Win 11-3 and gain a full game today on Yanks

Sox capitalize on hump day and bring home the bacon..

 RED SOX BACK IN STRIDE?

Pedro- 7IP, 2ER, 7K

Great Job Tonight by Pete!

Tuesday 7/6

Red Sox Pound the A's haahd..real haahd

Sox take it to em 11-0

Led by our offense, a stellar performance by T.Wakefield, and no errors..thats right no errors tonight.. these bums show us they might still have something in their bag.

Nobody get too excited, everyone knows the Red Sox are up & down...up & down..  But do have hope, the season is almost half way over, we are certainly in contention for the wild card and even the division.  Our bats came alive, our pitching was solid, and nobody made any huge mistakes on the field.  Some good things happened and hopefully this is a sign of things to come.

Monday 7/5

All Star Game Team Announced

Piazza will catch for Clemens

Giambi to start at 1st for AL ...(Crock)

Sunday 7/4

Sox Duped again!

Lowe & Sox get smashed in 5th for 9 Runs..

Everyone seems to have the Red Sox number...

Sox 1-5 on Road Trip.. 

Hopefully Friendly Fenway sets us straight...

Saturday 7/3

Schilling Pulls things together

9IP, 6H, 1ER

Mirabelli goes Yard with a grand Slam

Damon- Solo Yard (looking like Barry Bonds Lately)

Garciaparra- Solo Yard 3-4 (starting to show signs of life)

Sox needed the win, Schilling Delivers in fine fashion

Friday 7/2

Extra Innings..Extra Frustrating..

Hurts even worse when you have the game in your hands and we  give it right back....Sox up 1 again in Extra Play and then give up 3... Simple Math.. We lose..

Ortiz-Yard

Nomar 3-5 but grounded into double play in 10th..

15 Strikeouts..Sox Lose 6-3 fail to gain a game back on Yanks

Noteworthy News today:

Bill Mueller Activated for tonights game, A. Mart called up

 Cesar Crespo to Pawtucket, Williamson to D.L.

Sox Sign Jimmy Anderson & trade for Brandon Puffer- Nothing huge, hopefully some big trade news in the next few days. Lots of rumors flying

Bill Simmons Digs into Francona & Nomar-7/2

On the other side, we have Nomar Garciaparra, who sulked in the Red Sox dugout for the entirety of last night's game. Either he's getting traded, or he's determined to turn the city against him. Boston is a weird place. If everyone is standing at the top step of the dugout, and you're sitting awkwardly on the bench with a "I wish this game would end, I could go for some pizza" face, you may as well just start strangling kittens on live TV at that point. I'm not a betting man -- okay, that's a complete lie -- but unless Nomar gets traded in the next 48 hours, I would bet that last night's game became one of his defining moments in Boston. And not in a good way.

- Read the full article on ESPN Page 2

Friday 7/2

Hanging our heads in shame!

Today I woke up and felt worse then I did last Saturday morning when I partied for 5 hours downing beer & smokes the night before.  Exhausted, Frustrated, Depressed... 

Having to read the morning emails from my Yankee idiot friends and frustrated Sox brethren has made me feel even worse.  One of my buddies made a point "At least we have the Patriots".. True..True.. but somehow that doesn't help right now. Maybe it will bandage some wounds in October but today is a dark day for Sox fans.  Being swept by the Yankees .. The Mother F'ing no good dirty Yankees and their crappy fans with their smiles from ear to ear.  From Long Island to the Jersey Shore every single one of them should be tortured and treated to a slow painful death.  Maybe the bathtub chinese water torture, this is when you hog time them, lube up the tub so it's nice and slippery, drop them in face down and turn the water on and watch them attempt to escape the climbing water level (If they get close you just push them over and poke em in the eyes) Sorry to turn to violence this morning however it might be our best solution.  I do still hold on to hope and am staying positive.  It is not even the all star break yet, the season is still young and we have time to make a run.  Fine, maybe we don't win the AL East no big deal.  The Sox have a great team for a 5 or 7 game series and a wild card birth gives us the chance we need.  A big move to come in the next few weeks by Theo and crew, hopefully something that will help us down the stretch and get this team back on track.. 

Thursday 7/1

SOX AND YANKS GO TOE TO TOE IN A CLASSIC

ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS!

THE RED SOX LOSE AFTER 13 INNINGS OF BLOOD, SWEAT, & FINALLY  LEAVE US ALL IN TEARS AS USUAL....

Ramirez hits HR in 13th for what was thought to be the game winner. Leskanic lets two up in the Bottom of 13th to give the Yanks a 3 Game Sweep of the lowly Red Sox

Manny- Yard in 6th and again in 13th

Pedro- 7IP, 3ER, 8K, 4H..  Pretty solid Performance..

I must give props to Jeter for an unbelievable play in the 12th inning...

Lacerated Chin, Bruised Cheek, Bruised Shoulder while making a diving catch into the stands... Watch Sports Center for the play..

(His face immediately swelled up like a beach ball when his head bounced off of a chair)