Boston Red Sox Nation 2004

June 2004 Archives

(Archives have been reduced to mostly plain text)

Wednesday 6/30

SLOPPY JOE RED SOX DO IT AGAIN

Simon & Garfunkel said it best ... Slip Sliding Away...

Errors lose it for us again!

Oritz, Nomar...commit felonies on the field and cost us a chance to sleep well last night...

Routine ground ball went through the legs of Ortiz... Buckner Style...

(Equipment failure alert: Ortiz, quickly changed his glove as if that was the issue)

"My glove kind of stretched out," said Ortiz. "I was supposed to catch the ball, I don't know what happened. I don't know if the ball just went through my glove ... my glove, I got to change it. I got to get another one." - Ian Brown of MLB.COM

Nomar ..another throwing error to prevent us from getting out of the 8th inning, keeping things alive and the go ahead run comes in....possibly costs us the W ..third error in two games.... ( I must note that the error could have been charged to Ortiz as it was possible that the play could have been made)

Full box Score & recap by Yahoo sports

Sox Lose 4-2

Props to Tim Wakefield for a stellar performance.. the game ball of the night ...but nobody has his back.... 6.1IP, 3H, 0ER..

T. Wake shows up to fight.... squares off against 20 guys only to turn around and realize his friends ran away~

Red of Surviving Grady.com

On a mock conversation between Red and Butch Hobson:

Red: I can't stand it any more. It's over. We're cooked. This was the nail in the coffin.

Butch: [taking a long drag on his cigarette, his face silhouetted in the shadows] You'll be back. This is your cocaine, my boy. You can't resist. Pedro goes nine tomorrow night and you'll be blabbering on at the office about how this is the year and how the Yanks are toast. The foam hand will be out. The Schilling jersey on your back. You're hooked, buddy

Tuesday 6/29

Red Sox Downed 11-3 in an embarrasing display of sloppy defense.  More unearned runs for the league leaders

Damon went Yard twice.

Ortiz Yard Once

Da Fence has too many holes in it...

3 Errors tonight for the Sloppy Joe Red Sox..

Derek Lowe 5IP, 9R, 5ER, 9H

Error on the Side of Caution

This week has been nothing less than demoralizing.  Before rolling into the Big Apple, the Sox were playing not much better than 500 ball and, more importantly, losing most of their 1 or 2 run games.  Okay, so unfrozen caveman Damon says coming into Yankee Stadium will rejuvenate them?  Yeah!  That’s right!  Why not?  Nothing else has worked to this point.  Well, to his credit, Jonny did contribute well to the first game of the series, but the rest of the Sox (cough cough NOMAR cough cough) have been playing sloppy at best.

 So we get blown out last night.  We were sloppy, we’ll turn things around, right?  We were facing Vasquez anyway.  Well, we seemed to have turned a corner today with some good, not great defense, but enough to carry us through 6 and a third with an outstanding outing for Wakefield.  Then, Tony Clark, yes that isn’t a typo, comes up and ties the game off a crappy fielding play by Oritz.  ESPN cues tape of Bill Buckner – thanks ESPN.

 This just isn’t right.  The Sox couldn’t cash in on their multitude of opportunities.  The most glaring of course is the bases loaded, none out, top of the order up catastrophe.  That was our chance to open the game wide open.  Not even one run crossed that plate against Felix Heredia, a lefty with an era that, to quote Sam Berman, “looked more like a movie time than an ERA.”

But we’re tough, we’re dirt dogs, we’re the sox!  Well, not tonight, anyway.  Nomar throws the ball away, soon enough Lofton’s at third after a Jeter bunt.  Sheff eventually throws his BALCO bat and knocks one in.  But it isn’t Rivera time yet!  A two out RBI for Hideki!

Okay, so the season’s not over, but things are looking grim.  In my opinion, we needed to gain some ground a game at least.  Now the best we can do is go six and a half back, nearing the mid summer classic.  I just don’t want to endure that long week thinking about the D-rays.  The danger now is that you’re fighting a lot more people.  The West is very strong right now and the Chi-Sox and Twins are nothing to scoff at.  So hop on the Sox roller coaster, and hope they don’t drop the ball – literally. 

(B)enevolent and (L)oyal (O)rder of (H)onorable and (A)ncient (R)ed Sox (D)iehard (S)...
 

Put aside our passion for baseball, our love for the hometown team, our resilience and determination to see a world series victory and take a look at the people that wear the Red Sox  B with pride.   Sox fan's are down to earth, friendly, fun loving people.  Maybe our sense of humor and light hearted spirit stems from the history of our team leading us to be enduring & easy going in order to cope with the way things have played out over the last 85 years.  This personality is on display around the country, hence the term "Red Sox Nation" that has become so popular.  From Hawaii to Boston, Sox fan's display their colors with pride and smile from ear to ear, not ashamed to wear that "We still believe" look on our faces.

On Tuesday 6/29 at the Time & Life building in Midtown Manhattan a group of Sox fan's living in NYC known as the Blowhards (www.blohards.com) gathered for their annual luncheon to put this "personality" on display. The event can be described as a pep rally and meeting juncture for Red Sox fans living in the heart of the Evil Nation.  Waking up in the lion's den everyday and seeing the streets filled with the dreaded NY Yankee logo is a tough arrangement for even the strongest Red Sox brethren. The Blowhards bring the Red Sox community together to have fun and stay sane while 200 miles away from Fenway.  The group ranges in age from founder Jim Powers (age 76) to an 8 year old kid that got up and gave his best impression of Nomar's batting ritual  However, age didn't matter as we were all there for the same purpose, to show our love for the hometown team.  

Jim Powers, founder and master of ceremonies of the event might be 76 years old but he has the spunk & energy that even a guy in his teens would envy.  Jim, the rest of the organizers, members of the Red Sox organization, and other Blohard members were inviting and welcoming to everyone that attended.  Mike Dee (Red Sox COO) & Dr. Charles Steinberg (Red Sox EVP) spoke for a bit about the positive direction of the Red Sox organization.  There were also some great giveaways such as books & Red Sox tickets as well as  Sox trivia, fun stories and a donation made to the Jimmy Fund.  Bornintoit was invited as a guest and we want to say it was an honor to be amongst the generations of Sox fans that attended.  It was a great occasion and highly recommended that you tell anyone living in the NYC area to inquire about becoming a member.

More info can be found at www.blohards.com.

   Some of the names in attendance included:

Dick Bresciani of the Red Sox  

Lenny Dinardo, pitcher for the Red Sox 

Joe Castiglione-Sox (WEEI) radio personality along with the author of his new book Doug Lyons.

Mike Dee- Red Sox COO

Bill Nowlin author of Johnny Pesky’s latest book

Linda Ruth Tosetti -Babe Ruth's Grand Daughter

Mike Torre - Joe Torre's son

( I believe he said he was dragged there by a colleague.  I think he may be a closet Sox fan or he was there to infiltrate and give away precious member secrets like the handshake and password )

Jim Shea- Blohards Executive Vice President

Joseph Abboud- Well known clothier

Elliot Paul - NYC Pianist

Many other people tied to the Red Sox Organization & industry big wigs also attended.

We will have pictures and a more in depth report about the event soon

We will also keep you up to date on the Blohards and their future

 happenings as we get info.

ORTIZ MANIA

One word can describe David Ortiz right now….HOT!  As I have been saying all season…this guy is flat out incredible.  From his leadership in the dugout, to his clutch performances at the plate, to his winning smile, David Ortiz is everything that a Red Sox player should be.  He is really giving Red Sox Nation a reason to believe.  I mean this guy goes out and performs day in and day out like that guy Bob does from those Enzyte® commercials for natural male enhancement.  Leaving very happy teammates back at the clubhouse.  To think Manny and Nomar bat after him must be frightening for opposing pitchers. I’m so glad we inked this guy. 

Speaking of inking guys.  Theo Epstein swings and misses on yet another huge free agent.  First it was Carlos Beltran, who pranced over to the Astros.  Next it was Freddy Garcia, who will be improving the White Sox rotation, not the Red Sox rotation.  The good news is that the Yankees did not get either of these players.  Thank god!  With a couple more free agents on the market lets hope Theo doesn’t strike out.  I know Theo is committed to improving the team and I feel confident he will do so before the post season.

Curt Schilling came through once again yesterday against the Phillies.  It was his second career win versus his old mates.  Bearing down while his ankle was hurting he showed there was nothing wrong with his backbone.  Curt was down early in the game and managed to keep it together and pitch very strong until the Boston bats came alive…which they did in a big way!  After the game Curt made some remarks on his teammate Manny Ramirez: "Manny, he's the best right-handed hitter I've ever played with." "He plays that dumb-like-a-fox gig pretty well. He puts his time and effort into preparation. He's got a lot of God-given talent, but he's making as much as he can out of it."

So with all these bats coming alive right now what are we going to do when Bill Mueller comes back?  Francona will have a tough decision to make.  How could we possibly send down Mark Bellhorn, who has 44 RBI’s right now?  I mean….that is more RBI’s than Barry Bonds has right now!  And what about Kevin Youkilis??  The guy has been great and has done much more than what has been asked of him.  He has a better batting average with two less RBI’s than Kevin Millar does right now and has played in 38 less games.  Kevin Millar hasn’t been stellar but I can’t see him going down either.  What a dilemma! 

"The Iddler" is a contributing writer to Bornintoit.com, his work has been syndicated to other sites around the web. Questions or Comments to "The Iddler" send to info@bornintoit.com

Sunday 6/27

Sox Bounce back to take Philadelphia Series

Sox win 12-3.. Great game all around for the hometown team.

Bellhorn, Ortiz, Ramirez lead the day with 3 RBI each

Nomar had 2, Youkilis grabs 1...

Schilling, Rocky Start then Solid!

6IP, 3ER, 7K

Foulke, Timlin, Embree- Lights out

Out of Left Field

MY PEP TALK TO THE RED SOX

   It should be no mystery that Boston fan's are a rare breed,  baseball is a huge part of our everyday lives. When we look at the Schedule and see that there is a game that day it gives us something to look forward to, gives us an escape from our jobs, our busy lives, our headaches & stress, it gives us something to enjoy that day

 (although most days it is a net gain of stress & headache but we accept that being sports fans)

We understand that playing baseball is your job, you punch in (well you don't really "punch in", but you get the point), field a few ground balls or pop flies, throw a few pitches, swing a bat around etc....As fans we understand that you show up to win, you are athletes, competitors and you try your hardest to do be your best day to day. 

With this said I must make a plea to the Red Sox of 2004. You must win for this city, you must win for the fans, you must win for the rooters that have passed on before us,  and for everyone that supports you and has endured a life of pain & suffering that has plagued us Red Sox fans  for  the last 85 years.  You must win for me, so that when I meet someone from another city and tell them that I am a Sox fan they don't make that face ever again.  I hate that face! I hate having to have that conversation, I hate having to say "Yeah it's tough being a Sox fan" or "Wait and see, this is the year".. I hate having to justify why I love the team or why things are going to be different!

Please guys make our lives easier, make us winners this year.

 Make us proud and put this misery behind us. 

Saturday 6/26

Sox stink the joint up.. Out hit Philly and still lose 9-2..

4 Errors Costly, Runners left on..yada yada..

This team is unpredictable.. one day to the next who knows what is going to happen.. We need to get our act together to contend..

That is the bottom line!

Friday 6/25

Sox Go Wild in the 6th.. Score 8 Runs kicked off by a homerun from none other than

"The Messiah" -David Ortiz!

  -D. Ortiz homered to deep right
  -T. Nixon walked
  -K. Millar singled to center, T. Nixon to second
  -R. Hernandez relieved P. Abbott
  -J. Varitek singled to right, T. Nixon scored, K. Millar to third
  -K. Youkilis doubled to left, K. Millar and J. Varitek scored, K. Youkilis to third advancing on throw
  -J. Damon walked
  -B. Powell relieved R. Hernandez
  -M. Bellhorn singled to first, K. Youkilis scored, J. Damon to second
  -J. Damon to third, M. Bellhorn to second on wild pitch
  -D. Ortiz walked
  -M. Ramirez doubled to deep right, J. Damon, M. Bellhorn and D. Ortiz scored
  -N. Garciaparra grounded out to first
  -End of Inning (8 Runs, 6 Hits, 0 Errors)

Inning Summary by Yahoo Sports..

and the big story.. Manny...Oh Manny..ohhh Manny..

Manny-5RBI, 8 putouts including an awsome diving play in the 7th that would make any nimble man jealous!

Beltran Dealt.. .Not to the Red Sox...but to Houston in a 3 team deal..

We are probably better off anyway, this trade didn't work out because the Sox would have had to give up too much.  Who are we going after next?...

Thursday 6/24

Red Sox Go Down 4-3 in the 10th

Sox Drop 3rd Series in a Row  lose the last 4 of 6 , and 6 of last 9..

Nomar makes costly throwing error in 10th to get a runner to 2nd on what should have been an out to open the inning.  Two Sac flies later and we are down 4-3 and don't respond in the bottom of the 10th..

Then the fat lady sings and its all over....

Tim Wakefield-7 2/3, 1ER, 8H.. Solid Start from T.Wake but not enough

Ortiz-Solo Yard in the 1st.

Ortiz.. 2 RBI Single in 7th to tie it up

David Ortiz is a player.

  This guy brings a smile to my face every time I see him.  Whether it be the big grin he has in the dugout or the determined look in his eye at the plate.  He comes through in the clutch like Brandon Walsh from 90210 showing up unannounced at the Peach Pitt to help Natt on a busy day.  He has become an integral part of the heart and soul of this Red Sox Team and has proved that he can add life back to a game when we are down & out.  I am not just saying this because he had a 3 RBI day today when no one else showed up to hit.  That is all great but I am giving him props for the fire and personality he has added to this team over the last two seasons.  This guy deserves to be an All Star this year and it is a shame he will not make the team.  I speak for all of RSN when I say that David Ortiz, you are a player. A player in every sense of the word and we appreciate having you on the roster.  You are a big dog in this city and you have earned the respect from the Nation.  You should be proud my man!

Let David Ortiz Know how you feel about him

(Lots of Red Sox Know about this website, good chance he will see your shout out to him)

Thursday 6/24

Carlos  Beltran Not Coming to Town!

Wednesday 6/23

Pokey Reese Hurt in Game Today..

Prognosis: Severely Sprained.. not the end of the world.. will miss a few games..

This is what he Red Sox are saying at least.

Nomar=Day to day=95 days later

Chat about Pokey

Red Sox downed 4-2

Lowe lets up 2 runs in 1st then lets Tori Hunter go Yard for 2 in the 6th..

actually pitched pretty well other than the runs.. can't be too disappointed in D. Lowe's performance.. Bats didn't give him the support he needed...

Bellhorn goes yard in 6th for a solo shot..

Nixon goes yard in the 7th with a solo shot as well.

Schilling Opens Up Again on SOSH.. Defends Tito in a way and gives his 2Cts.. on a few things..

Sons of Sam Horn Messageboard

Tuesday 6/22

Music to our Ears....

Sox win 9-2 ..everything was in harmony

Ortiz...Yard.........Manny..Yard.....

Damon-Two Great Catches in the 6th...

(Most will not get the Rick James Pun..if not ask around about a certain episode of Dave Chapelle Show)

From 6/22 www.survivinggrady.com

House of Love

I'll say this much for the 2004 edition of the Olde Towne Team: They don't do things half-assed. When they lose, they lose in stellar, sock-to-the-gut fashion, with stupendous base running gaffs, boatloads of stranded runners, balls lost in the sun, and Kevin Millar invariably doing something ugly, prompting you to shake your fist at the sky and declare, "That Kevin Millar! He is good for nothing! Nothing, I say!"

But when they win, it is thunderous. Baseballs screaming into the void far above the Monster. Men flying without wires. Luke Skywalker blowing up the Death Star.

Last night's game was a textbook example of the latter, with just about everything a Red Sox fan could hope for. We had Johnny Damon (who says he's ready to move to right or left field to accommodate Carlos Beltran) making a sensational grab in centerfield. Curt Schilling (who, ankle willing, could be on his way to a 20-win season) turning in another majestic pitching performance.

And then there was Manny. Is there anything, and I mean anything more bloody amazing than watching Manny Ramirez effortlessly swat home runs over the Green Monster seats? I never want to take it for granted, but he's making it tough. I mean, when's the last time he hit a Fenway homer that stayed in the park? Fecked if I can recall. And that bit the NESN cameras caught in the Sox dugout, with Manny goofing on Schilling as the pitcher scribbled furiously in his notebook? Hilarious. So much for being bitter and cantankerous over almost being shipped to Texas. Dude mugs for the camera more than Mr. Roper.

The centerpiece of it all was Nomar's grand slam, a terrific jack to straightaway center, right after Minnesota intentionally walked Manny to load the bases. Is he unhappy? Is he leaving? Is he being traded? Who gives a shit. Just sit back and soak these moments in.

Thirteen hits. Superhuman plays. A standing O and curtain call. It was a good night at Fenway. We just need to see a lot more of them. Like, in a row.

Tuesday 6/22

Sox sign Veteran Relief Man Leskanic to take load off Williamson

Beltran Being Shopped Heavy,

Sox One of Teams Still Named - Gammons

The Potential Deal From the Sox End:

 Baird says there are four teams currently in the Beltran hunt, with the A's, Red Sox and Yankees three of the four (could the Marlins be the fourth?). Baird and Beane worked on the three-way trade that would have included the Dodgers, then spent the weekend working with Theo Epstein on a three-way deal that in the Red Sox's world would have sent Beltran to Boston, Kevin Youkilis and Scott Williamson to Oakland and A's third baseman Mark Teahan (Kansas City's favorite), Red Sox catcher Kelly Shoppach and Oakland pitcher Mike Wood to Kansas City. - Gammons

Red Sox Nation doesnt seem to like this trade - SOSH Beltran Thread

Schilling's Ankle shows no sign of getting worse after a positive MRI.  He will make the start for the Sox Tuesday Night

Tuesday 7:05

Schilling V.S Lohse

5-0 with 2.41 ERA @ Fenway

Sorry for the lack of news on these games.  We were unable to access our server while on Vacation.. We are back on track now!

We are not going to go back and rehash on these games.  We will pick up where we left off.

Sunday 6/20

Red Sox @ San Francisco 4:05

Arroyo

Lost 0-4

Surviving Grady .com

A day in which the Red Sox win and the Yankees lose? That's the king of days. A good time all around. We've got Fred Astaire and Ben Vereen jumping around with canes and hats. David Lee Roth and the Van Halen brothers playing grab-ass as they announce their new world tour. Halle Berry stops by my house to apply for that French maid position.

A day in which the Yanks lose and the Red Sox lose? That's the next best thing. We're not losing any ground. Yeah, we're not gaining any either, but, dude, we're not losing any.

A day in which the Sox play and lose in the early afternoon and the Yanks play later in the evening in a nationally televised game is a good day, too. Because then you can sit on your goofy Irish ass and make feeble attempt after feeble attempt to coax a Bombers loss, be it conjuring A-Rod voodoo dolls from old baseball cards or teaching your four-year-old daughter the "Yankees Suck" chant just to set the karmic mood right where you want it to be.

And I did. And they lost. So chew on that, Mr. Steinbrenner.

Posted by Red.

Saturday 6/19

Red Sox @ San Francisco 3:05

Pedro Martinez

Lost 4-6

Friday 6/19

Red Sox @ San Francisco 10:05
Tim Wakefield

Win 14-9

Thursday 6/17

Red Sox @ Colorado 3:05

Derek Lowe

Win 11-0

Lowe The Only High Point This Past Week

This week the Sox pulled out the shovels instead of the bats.  As they started digging themselves a hole, the Yankees have continued to turn up the heat in the AL East.  Okay, to be fair, the Sox have not been doing that poorly (they’re close to where they were last season), but they still find themselves in a significant ditch (5.5 games back as of June 17^th).  We seem to be in a twilight zone where the Yankees just don’t lose anymore, the Rockies turn things around for the first two games, Schill lets up a handful of runs for a loss, and Tampa is in third place in the division.

 The only good news this week is that Lowe has proved he’s got it back.  To pitch a four hit shutout at Coors Field is a feat for anyone, and certainly reassuring to Red Sox Nation after seeing Lowe get shelled for the majority of his first starts.  Lowe said that he figured out what he was doing wrong, and whatever it was, he fixed it.

 As we know well in Red Sox Nation, however, is that no good news comes without some bad.  Boston Dirt Dogs is now reporting that Schill-dog is going to miss his next start which is terrible news for our most consistent starter.  I’m just worried about who is going to fill his work-horseshoes.

 My plan to fix all of this?  Well, I don’t have one.  But like so many other times that us Sox fans have to do, we just put our faith in the Sox, cross our fingers, and pray to the baseball gods.

Wednesday 6/16

Sox Down 7-3 in 7th..
Nothing too sweet going on again in Colorado..

Things just not clicking!

Game box Score

Welcome Back Trot!

Trot Nixon back in the lineup tonight batting 6th

Nixon Back, Schilling feeling better, Ortiz in at first next two days!

Tuesday 6/15

SOX STRANDED A MILE UP

Red Sox team cast for next episode of survivor

Red Sox fall to Colorado 6-3

Bellhorn gets things going in 3rd with 2 run Double, Nomar a Sac Fly..

then nobody comes through in the clutch..

A couple bad base running mistakes by Tek & Manny costly as well..

Arroyo

6IP, 3ER 4R-kept us in the game till Embree let up 2 in the 8th

Pokey Reese not in lineup with a stubbed nub..

(banged his toe the other night during his "leap of faith"

Nixon expected to be activated for Wednesday

Sunday 6/13

Pedro is still the "Pedro" we knew

Pedro -7IP, 1ER, 2BB, 5K

90 MPH Average in 6th inning...adjusting his pitches to a decrease in  overall velocity

....comfortable on the mound.... more & more confident..

Doing the "Hokey Pokey" again tonight!

GREAT PLAY AMAZING PLAY IN THE 7th TO SAVE 2 RUNS.

Manny-Single for 1RBI

Kapler- Double for 1 RBI

 Keith "Foulke You" sits em down in the 9th..

Why even bother having the 9th inning anymore with this guy on our team?

Sunday 6/13

Schilling to Start Wednesday and then

 a possible trip to the disabled list!

Ankle injury possibly worse then initially reported, may take a 2-4 week siesta to get back to 100%

Saturday 6/12

T.Wake Cold As Ice

Wakefield hammered for 8 Runs 10 hits through 4 1/3 doesn't give us a chance at this one.

Sox get smoked 14-5

Good news on the injury front:

Williamson activated last night, Nixon expected back next week

Mendoza (forgot about him huh?) back soon as well

Bad news on the injury front:
Schilling's Ankle is becoming more of a ?. Will have an MRI this week..

Friday 6/11

Lowe's portfolis today-

Strong to very strong! Is Lowe in a bull market finally?

Manny Bobble head hands costs Lowe a well deserved win.

Sox do still go on to win after Manny Error.. 2-1

Ortiz the hero again....

(These guys are always pointing to the man upstairs, is it me or are the Sox very religous)

Friday 6/11

Achilles' heal: Nomar returns

Finally we have Nomar back, and exactly the way we remember him…..awesome!  After his first game back on Thursday Nomar told reporters: ``It was great to be out there. I was excited to be out there,'' Garciaparra said after going 1-for-2 in an 8-1, rain-delayed Sox loss to the San Diego Padres on a very long night at Fenway. ``The fans here are just unbelievable. The ovation they gave me was incredible.''   The sox have 51 games remaining and hopefully Nomar will play more than that number of games in a Bo Sox jersey.  He is the pride of the Red Sox Nation.  A true fan favorite.  Although he passed on our first offer I think this star may finish his career in Beantown…just a hunch.  We all know baseball is a business and even the greatest players prove every year that team loyalty is becoming less important.  For this reason it is so tough to predict which players will be on a squad from year to year.

We have been plagued by injuries all year and finally have one of our key players back in the line-up.  Williamson is due back tonight, Mueller is due back in 3 weeks, and Trot the Dot is progressing nicely in AAA reporting no pain.  We have a lot to look forward too.  Our young players, especially Kevin Youkilis, have been huge.  Once we have everyone on staff healthy again, its closing time.  There is one thing I just can’t seem to get over:  Vlad Guerrero having more RBI’s in one game vs. the sox than Gabe Kapler has on the season.  That’s awful.  Step it up for the love of god.

I will be in attendance tonight as Lowe and his 6.65 era hits the mound.  As the wedding singer in the movie Old School once reminded us that “F*ckin every now and then I fall apart.” I hope he is not singing that tune tonight.  We really need him to get on track.  Pedro was great last start and  I believe the weather has a lot to do with his pitching.  I think he is much better in the warm weather.

Currently the Bo Sox are 4^th in RPI, second in the AL in runs scored, and second in the AL in era (even with Lowe’s 6.65).  So its safe to say that the Sox are playing some high stakes ball and will be playing some high stakes ball for the rest of the year. 

Thursday 6/10

Do the Hokey Pokey

Thats whats its all about..... SOX WIN 9-3

Pokey Reese (Birthday Thursday)-Yard.. 3 for 4 with 1 RBI..3 Runs

Manny Ramirez-Yard... 3 for 4 with 3 RBI's..

Nomar-1 for 3..  with a 2 RBI Double...

Ortiz ...4 for 5

Great Outing by the Schilling

A job well done again by our ACE.. 7IP, 2ER, 8K..

Wednesday 6/9

Nomar's return a hit..

Nomar Comes Back strong. First at bat is a hit,  A few good plays in the field, looked ok on the base pads... played 5 innings (1 for 2) all around a good start...

but.....
Sox bats completely asleep.. lose 9-1

 ZZZZZZZZZZ........

Quiet one at the plate as Sox Lose 8-1 . 

Game was delayed two hours because of rain!

Wednesday 6/9

A secret society, an underground community with rituals, deep history, and stories passed on from generation to generation. The Blohards, a fraternal organization started in 1967 from a conversation between two sox fans on a CT bound boxcar following a Yankee's -Sox game will reconvene on June 29th in New York City.   This is one event you want to be a part of! 

Tuesday 6/8

Pedro on Point

Pete is solid as a rock tonight! Best outing of the Season...

8 Strong Innings , 8K, 0ER, 1BB..

The Pedro I Know

Pedro dominated the Padres in the first game of this interleague play series, there is no question about that.  However, Pedro, the man  who in his prime was known for his intimidating fastball and deceptive change didn’t take the hill on that warm June night.  To be honest, he looked more like Barry Zito up there than the Pedro I know. 

 With a dominating knucklecurve, Pedro racked up 8 strikeouts, and let up only 2 hits in his 8 inning masterpiece.  Though he was in the 92-94 range with his fastball several times, it wasn’t for an out like it used to be.  He reached for that velocity to set up his locked on offspeed toss.

 So let me introduce you to the new Pedro.  Still aloof with the media, still whiny about the weather, still not a dominating fastball, but to his credit, he has adapted to his circumstances.   He knows his velocity is decreasing (and most likely has nowhere to go but down).  It took him 8 starts, but he finally realized what he needs to do to win, use his dominating curve.

 Perhaps it was a combination of denial and routine that caused Pedro to keep trying to use the pitching strategy of his earlier years.  I give immense credit to Pedro for successfully finding a new method to mow down his opponents.

 So, say hello to the new Pedro and get ready for a lot of Ks (minus 20 miles per hour).-

All Eyes on Nomar!

Well we have all been anticipating his return, I am very excited and I am sure you all are.

All eyes will certainly be on him.

His performance upon his return is a pivotal point in his career, facing free agency this year, and looking for big bucks he cannot afford not to be the Nomar of old.

Good Luck Nomar RSN is behind you 100%...

Monday 6/7

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Sox have the day off today.  Inter-league play starts this week when San Diego comes to town!

Sunday 6/6

Derek Lowe with a reasonable performance 

Play of the day: Francona pulls Lowe after 5.2IP on the first sign of slowing down

(Because Lowe would have given up a few more if he remained in the game another inning)

Bullpen Shines again: Timlin 3IP 0ER,  Foulke: 1IP 0ER

Damon See's Double ...Damon Damon hits hits three three Doubles Doubles

Red Sox make it two in a row ---Win 5-3

Francona Earns Hesitant Respect

Today, Francona has done something I haven’t seen him do all season – make a good pitching call.  Up in Canada, he let Schilling stay in too long, which resulted in a grand slam by number nine man Gomez; After going into the highest pitch count of the season and showing signs of fatigue, he let Arroyo face Vlad to lose the lead; and last time Lowe was on the mound, he kept him in until the game became a bloody mess (literally).  Today’s call to the bullpen, however, showed great presence of mind. 

 Lowe had settled pretty well into a quasi-groove after being roughed up by Sweeny in the first couple innings.  He started to unravel a little after a botched throw to second, which would have been an easy two outs, but came out of the inning relatively unscathed on the scoreboard.  After the half-hour circus show of the top of the sixth inning, however, Lowe was bound to lose it had he come back in the bottom.  I expected Francona to keep Lowe in for one more hurrah, I could see it happening:  Derek would take the mound, walk a couple, let up a run, leave two men on base, and then Francona would hobble out onto the mound and pull him, leaving Lowe frustrated and placing enormous burden on some rookie in the pen.  Luckily, this didn’t happen.  With the off day tomorrow and a pretty fresh ‘pen to begin with, Franco decided to put Timmy in, who pitched a perfect three innings.

 Though I’m happy with the win, I’m a little hesitant to give my full congratulations to Francona.  Using the past as precedent, he should have figured out that this is the right call by now.  In other words, know your pitchers.  As I wrote yesterday, Schill is a trusty workhorse.  Pedro is hot and cold, and Francona has to realize how to play each scenario.  Arroyo is young, use your mound visits, have Tek talk to him and get him relaxed.  Wakefield is a veteran who knows how to pitch, don’t take that for granted.  This brings us to Lowe.  He is a veteran, yes, can be hot and cold, and wants to be a workhorse, but so far has been inconsistent at best.  It’s your job Franco, to step in and have him give you some qualities innings until he’s back to the Lowe we saw pitch lights out against the A’s in the ALDS last year, which I think he will be.

 So, Francona has made quite a few mistakes in terms of pitching calls this season.  Today he demonstrated that he has the ability to make some good calls, even if it was Wallace who probably suggested the call.  Just remember Francona, if you’re going take the helm of the Sox, you better be able to deal hardball with your pitchers.

Mike G.
Bornintoit.com contributing writer.

Saturday 6/5

Sox power up and give Schilling a W.

Sox Win this one 8-4

Bellhorn -Yard, Youkilis-Yard, Ramirez- Yard

Behind Schillin’ Things are Clickin’

Besides being a devoted father, supporter of numerous charities, and the occasional town-sheriff (he called in to the police department to report a drunk driver), the Schill-dog seems to be the magic man for the Sox.

 Dubbed the Sox rotation’s “workhorse,” Schill seems to pull a W every time he steps on the mound.  He is a rugged and durable starter of the old school:  Every time he goes out there, he wants to pitch all nine.  There hasn’t been a time where I’ve seen him tell Francona he’s tired, or sore, or some garbage about the weather (hey Pedro); he just wants to play.  Hopefully the other four guys will take a lesson from Schill.

 Curt always hits the hill prepared.  I mean super prepared.  It seems that he has worked through the whole game in his mind, placing each pitch and hitting his marks.  Remember how during spring training Lowe was making fun of Schilling for constantly scrawling on his clipboard?  Well, Derek, maybe you should go to Office Max and grab as many clipboards and pencils as you can.

 The offense seems to be taking a lesson from Schilling.  Having faced a similar pitching style last night, the bats came alive tonight.  As they say, “fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me”.  Well, if the bats keep clicking like they did tonight and the rotation follows Schilling’s example, there won’t be any shame on the Sox this season.

Mike G
Born Into It Contributing Editor 

Friday 6/4

Even KC has our number

Mag2113, avid BII visitor pissed after last nights loss

Both my old dress socks and my tennis socks have holes in them but our Red Sox starting pitching may have more.

Sox lose 4 in a row, Wakefield 6 2/3IP, 5ER

It's a long season- 162 games, I know the story... but how can you not be nervous when we are starting to show some serious weakness in the area that both gets you the playoffs and wins in the playoffs-

STARTING PITCHING!!

Time to start wheeling & dealing to keep us in the race?

Friday 6/4

Where will Nomar fit in?

Nomar's return is only a week or so away.  Francona will face a few decisions about how to configure the lineup while integrating Nomar back into the mix.

Youkilis, Bellhorn, Reese have all been playing very well.   It will be a shame to take one of these guys out of the mix but with Nomar's return it is inevitable that someone will have to sit.

Positive Note: Decisions like this are a good one as it means that we have depth & flexibility in our infield. If only Francona had similar issues with our starting pitching.

Wednesday 6/2

Ladies and Gentleman Welcome to the Vladimir Guerrero Show

9 RBI Night for V. G.

(2HR, 4H)

Eckstein 5 for 5 ...

Either Anaheim is really good or Pedro sucked!

You decide? 5IP, 7ER, 11H

Red Sox Lose 10-7 as Angels show us who the #2 team is in the AL

Manny- Solo Yard in 2nd