tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74079912887106786412024-03-09T21:46:13.740-05:00Balls of All SizesBalls of All Sizes is an experiment in sports thinking. Can one woman post about sports of all types once a day for an entire year? I think so... I'm sure as hell going to try!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger379125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-33525505532226870442016-10-13T20:04:00.000-04:002016-10-13T20:04:19.690-04:00A Farewell to #34<i><b>Balls of All Sizes</b></i> <i>has been pretty quiet in the past 17 months but there are certain people who just deserved to be memorialized. David Ortiz is one.</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MiYa4oy5nuhuokLvS0mARiEssfAtBeD9xpVPO_9ozjabEab7-tPjsY-DRtNRkgHElf6oAkWSJsxnsszvNCSFlTDoFg-DRHdQmX53Z6E_OAXckX57baO052hqW_w-MEELfGVOfNi1wyMW/s1600/image1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MiYa4oy5nuhuokLvS0mARiEssfAtBeD9xpVPO_9ozjabEab7-tPjsY-DRtNRkgHElf6oAkWSJsxnsszvNCSFlTDoFg-DRHdQmX53Z6E_OAXckX57baO052hqW_w-MEELfGVOfNi1wyMW/s400/image1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Well... the Red Sox 2016 season came to a screeching halt on Monday after a horribly lackluster performance in the ALDS losing three straight to the Terry Francona-helmed Cleveland Indians and with it, the hallowed career of Mr. David Ortiz... Big Papi... #34. This loss was incredibly disappointing for a team that led the majors in runs per game, total runs, hits, doubles, RBI, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging, OPS and total bases. They had three players finish in the top 10 for batting average for crying out loud! But after winning 19 games in September (including an 11 game winning streak), they hobbled into the playoffs with silent bats and a pitching staff lacking confidence.<br />
<br />
But this story isn't about the Red Sox failure to perform... this story is about a career so magical it was very nearly unbelievable. This story is about a guy who was released by the Minnesota Twins at the age of 27 and given a one-year contract with the Red Sox on the word of Pedro Martinez. This story is about a guy who went on to become the heart of Boston.<br />
<br />
When Big Papi arrived in Boston for the 2003 season, the Sox had been relegated to 2nd place behind the powerhouse (and extremely annoying) New York Yankees for several seasons in the midst of winning three consecutive World Series. Painful with a capital P. And 2003 wasn't any less traumatic when Aaron Boone hit an ALCS Game 7 walk-off home run in the bottom of the 11th to send the Sox home. But it was only Ortiz's first season. Clearly, the best was still yet to come.<br />
<br />
Who knows what happened during the winter of 2003-04 with Big Papi, but he was a greatly improved player in 2004. And we all know how that season ended... An amazing ALCS where the Sox finally got revenge on the Yankees by coming back from a 3-0 deficit for a trip to the World Series. Ortiz won the ALCS MVP after batting .387 with 3 home runs and 11 RBI. The Sox went on to sweep the St. Louis Cardinals and win their first World Series in 86 years. Goodbye, Curse and Hello Blessing... a blessing in the form of a Big Papi!<br />
<br />
David Oritz went on to spend the next 14 seasons delighting Red Sox Nation. A 10-time All-Star, 6-time Silver Slugger winner, and the most important title of all, 3-time World Series Champion. I've been a Red Sox fan my whole life and I often wondered if they would ever win just ONE more World Series so THREE has been a dream come true. He hit 541 total home runs landing himself at #17 on the all-time list sandwiched between Mike Schmidt (548) and Mickey Mantle (536). Not too shabby.<br />
<br />
In 2013, Ortiz unofficially took back the city of Boston after terrorists bombed the finish line of the Boston Marathon and not only inspired the community but sparked a team of bearded ballplayers to rally around their broken city and propel the team to their third World Series Championship. Why? Because this is our f#@*ing city!<br />
<br />
And then on November 18, 2015, his 40th birthday, Big Papi announced his retirement. Sadness and disbelief settled on the Red Sox fandom. And we all wondered... has he lost his edge? Is he no longer confident in his ability to hit the ball as he once did? Or maybe he's just tired of the aches and pains associated with a twenty-year career...<br />
<br />
Ortiz spent the 2016 MLB season on a farewell tour but also showed NO signs that he was a forty-year-old in his final season. He finished in the top 10 in batting average, bashed 38 home runs (the most by any player in his final season), led the majors with 48 doubles and tied for 1st in the American League with 127 RBI. So WHY ARE YOU LEAVING US BIG PAPI?? *sobs*<br />
<br />
He was giving a hero's sendoff from every ballpark he visited in his final season with the pinnacle being his final game at Fenway Park. The city of Boston announced they would rename the Brookline Bridge the "Big Papi" David Ortiz Bridge... The Red Sox announced they would retire #34 at the beginning of the 2017 season... Maine native and 3rd base coach Brian Butterfield presented the entire Ortiz family with custom #34 LL Bean Boots... And he was basically offered any job in the Red Sox organization he wanted. A very emotional goodbye for everyone.<br />
<br />
There's so much of Big Papi that I'll miss. His presence... big and bold and loud. His smile... bright and warm and welcoming. His heart... passionate and open and devoted. I'll miss his stride to the plate, the spit, the clap, the slow trot around the bases and the salute to his late mother as he crosses home plate. I'll miss that sparkle in his eye that told me he was just an all around great guy. I'll miss that energy he brought to the ballpark in every at bat. And I'll also miss that I probably missed any chance of getting a Big Papi hug... *sniff*<br />
<br />
It was the ultimate walk-off. Good luck, Big Papi and thanks for the many memories. xoxo<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xV1Br4Wc2ho" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-13173009402582120042015-05-03T18:17:00.001-04:002015-05-03T18:17:16.810-04:00April Showers Bring Red Sox UpdatesYesterday was quite the sports-filled Saturday—it was the perfect storm of sports, if you will, with just about every single professional sport active in some way. A virtual buffet of sporting events to choose from on the boob tube, it made my head spin—from MLB action to the NFL Draft, NBA and NHL playoffs, WGC-Cadillac Match Play, the Kentucky Derby and, of course, the over-priced boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Spoiler alert: Mayweather and American Pharoah were winners!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXGMqy34PksraScU4CpS2uM8vr-U4TWw4hHULPF8w0BLTLMSAG_qQoeO6dS72RcZLYYF2_bcVWOr2umM6E9bhEUt4vLTD1Xlmm7JiPbDQulJem2dDF1OQlFYL01Xe3WF1FSCM-o-9WT7L/s1600/baseball-336631_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXGMqy34PksraScU4CpS2uM8vr-U4TWw4hHULPF8w0BLTLMSAG_qQoeO6dS72RcZLYYF2_bcVWOr2umM6E9bhEUt4vLTD1Xlmm7JiPbDQulJem2dDF1OQlFYL01Xe3WF1FSCM-o-9WT7L/s1600/baseball-336631_640.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
But I'm not going to talk about any of those contests. I'm not even going to talk about the Red Sox series against the Yankees (and if you're a Sox fan, you know why!) I feel the need to recap the first month of the Red Sox season. Yeah... I know it's only April, but no matter how newborn the season may be, it's still important to have some success in these early days so as not to fall too far behind. Playing catch up is hard.<br />
<br />
There are so many new faces on this Boston team, I still don't really know everyone—especially the pitchers (take away my fan card if you must.) I'm getting there, but I'm not going to lie, I need a cheat sheet. With new faces come new growing pains while these players get accustomed to Fenway Park and the big Boston stage. And as with every year, some will flourish, and some will flounder.<br />
<br />
Let's take a gander at some of what's been happening with our beloved BoSox in the early days of the 2015 season:<br />
<br />
<b>The GOOD...</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Brock Holt "The Brock Star" is such a blast to watch. He only appeared in 14 games in April, but he hit .386. </li>
<li>Newcomer Pablo Sandoval has been a consistent bat. In 20 games, he has 24 hits, 12 runs scored and 11 RBI with a respectable .312 average.</li>
<li>Welcome back to Boston, Hanley Ramirez! Hanley smashed 10 homers and drove in 22 in the month of April, tying him for the major league lead in both categories. If that stupid hairdo has anything to do with the home runs, keep it... even if it does make your helmet fall off every...damn...time.</li>
<li>It appears that the Dustin Pedroia of pre-2014 is back. His average is just a few ticks under .300 and he has four home runs—so he's definitely on pace to beat his 2014 total of seven.</li>
<li>Relievers Craig Breslow and Junichi Tazawa seem to be the only real bright spots in the bullpen, both posting ERAs of 1.38 and 1.69 respectively.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>The BAD...</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Clay Buchholz, Rick Porcello, Justin Masterson and Joe Kelly. This team is so blatantly missing an ace—it makes me feel a little stabby. Kelly is the only starter to have a sub-5.00 ERA and even then, just barely. </li>
<li>Big Papi's .236 average is disappointing. Even though he's notoriously bad in April, I still think he needs to spend less time on his hairstyle and beard grooming and more time in the batting cages.</li>
<li>After destroying the ball in spring training with a .429 average, Mookie Betts has gotten off to a slow start, batting only .230 in April. Maybe he has Big Papi's disease.</li>
<li>Pablo Sandoval isn't going to win any Gold Gloves at third base with three errors this past month.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>The UGLY...</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Wade Miley. Need I say more? This guy pitches like a champ one start and then gives up a hundred runs in his next. His ERA in April was 8.62 and in four starts, he only pitched 15.2 innings. I'll save you from having to do the math... that's not even four innings per start. Geez...</li>
<li>The pitching staff as a whole. They are currently LAST in the major leagues in ERA. That's slightly embarrassing.</li>
<li>Mike Napoli and Daniel Nava. Batting .162 and .154 respectively with a combined one home run and 10 RBIs. </li>
<li>Shane Victorino is injured again so I won't piss on his stats too much. Even though in 12 starts, he IS hitting only .143. Come on.</li>
</ul>
<br />
So overall April was just meh. The Red Sox went 12-10 while scoring the most runs (119) in the majors which speaks volumes for how bad their pitching is (113 earned runs allowed, also leads majors!) That's a lot of close, high scoring games! They really have some work to do—I'm giving you the side eye, pitching staff—if they're going to make my World Series prediction come true. I don't like to be wrong.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-26411463798469939362015-04-06T19:11:00.000-04:002015-04-06T19:11:08.736-04:00Bombs Away! Red Sox Rout Phillies in Season Opener.HOT DAMN! Now that's how to kick off a season, boys! Another Opening Day in the books and I'm really liking what I'm seeing—especially considering the dismalness of 2014. This game had it all—stunning offense, some awesome defensive plays and lights out pitching. I don't even know where to start!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03UD8IO2C1hqsoYSemtENokz34Y5FssoulfyiMuuuD0N8C84aK7wp17oRuIds-cob-Hf8ps0LnW3imcyGEyxGR_tc6FBDT0o682QkyaZEU0QgwDvlpptaNkHvrxp-3VBYszvJbUfnCT5_/s1600/IMG_4579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03UD8IO2C1hqsoYSemtENokz34Y5FssoulfyiMuuuD0N8C84aK7wp17oRuIds-cob-Hf8ps0LnW3imcyGEyxGR_tc6FBDT0o682QkyaZEU0QgwDvlpptaNkHvrxp-3VBYszvJbUfnCT5_/s1600/IMG_4579.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
It was a beautiful 72˚ day in Philadelphia (major jealousy!) for the official start of the 2015 season for both teams. I'll admit, I was a bit nervous with the ever-dangerous Cole Hamels on the mound, not entirely sure how Clay Buchholz would match up. My worry was all for nothing. Cole sucked, Clay did not. Cole managed to last just five innings and left down 4-0. Clay did not. Buchholz was masterful—in seven innings, he allowed just three hits, no runs and he struck out nine. I'll take that any and every day of the week.<br />
<br />
And the Red Sox lineup? Well, they did something the Sox couldn't manage all of last season... blasting FIVE home runs. Yes, FIVE. Lucky for the Phillies' self-esteem, four of those home runs were solo shots. Well, that is until Hanley "the other dreadlocked" Ramirez jacked a grand slam off the left-field foul pole in the top of the ninth to put the game out of reach at 8-0! And just for the record, he hit that slam with a broken freakin' bat. Duuuuuuuuuude!<br />
<br />
Dustin Pedroia had much to prove coming into this season. Pedey was not Pedey last year recording his lowest full-season batting average (.278) with just seven home runs. He's nearly a third of the way to that total after just one game after belting two homers and going 3-for-5 in the effort. He also flashed some leather at second base, and yes, got that uniform dirty. Does Pedroia ever finish a game with a clean uniform? Even with a day off, I bet he still finds a way to get that thing dirty.<br />
<br />
Mookie Betts rounded out the bomb brigade with a solo shot in the third. This kid has some quick hands—so quick, I barely saw him swing the bat. I've probably said this before, but I see good things for this 22-year-old youngster. I'm happy to see the Sox giving him an Opening Day start—although there probably would've been some seriously raised eyebrows if they didn't after he tore up the spring hitting .429 in 56 at-bats.<br />
<br />
I followed the Red Sox and other players on Instagram over the spring and it truly looked like a group of men that enjoy each other's company, love having some fun and try not to take themselves too seriously. I love that. And I love this video more than words can describe! I also think Big Papi and Hanley Ramirez might love each other too (dancing to <i>That's Amore</i> between innings!)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" height="600" src="https://vine.co/v/eBzzpThpKWH/embed/simple" width="600"></iframe><script src="https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I agree Pete... I love them already too! (<a href="https://vine.co/v/eBzzpThpKWH">video from here</a>)</div>
<br />
Oh, it's a good day today. Not only is baseball back but the Red Sox have not left me shaking my head wondering if it's going to be another long and tedious season. I know it's just game one of 162, but I'm determined to keep the glass half full.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-14128149924524707442015-03-30T19:57:00.000-04:002015-03-30T19:57:09.569-04:00One Week and Counting: Opening Day is Almost Here! Monday, April 6th. It's a day I've been looking forward to all winter—all five months of frigid temperatures and endless snowstorms. But now, even as the temps struggle to make it out of the 30s, I can <i>see</i> baseball season. I can see the real sign that spring is actually here no matter what the thermometer or the snow in my yard says. And I will surely argue with myself that morning of April 6th whether or not I feel well enough to go to work.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNb9BCF-RDUJIP-t-bYAfZjaUXsphzUSCEut3RV9kcNmHG8ZGvo_JOs8qcQT2Mhfm-cxz-eCUoOLY6EAhyphenhyphen-FvsgWNu5BiZR7mPzb_L0lc53Tlm3W2cSBKwN3ED9N-NUhSJV2SDHbeIocKf/s1600/IMG_4530.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNb9BCF-RDUJIP-t-bYAfZjaUXsphzUSCEut3RV9kcNmHG8ZGvo_JOs8qcQT2Mhfm-cxz-eCUoOLY6EAhyphenhyphen-FvsgWNu5BiZR7mPzb_L0lc53Tlm3W2cSBKwN3ED9N-NUhSJV2SDHbeIocKf/s1600/IMG_4530.PNG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
My hope for this season? A respectable finish would be nice. You know... sort of like that season they had in 2013 and preferably not the two that flanked it. I don't like last place. I especially don't like last place living with a Yankees fan. There's no greater pain.<br />
<br />
I have no idea what the Red Sox starting rotation is going to look like this year—especially with all these new faces. I do know that Clay Buchholz has been named Opening Day starter and after last season's 5.34 ERA, my confidence in the lanky righthander is not high. Former Tiger, Rick Porcello, seems to have the best 2014 resume of the bunch with a 3.43 ERA. And Justin Masterson returns to the Sox after spending time with the Indians and Cardinals, but despite an All-Star appearance in 2013, in 2014 he was worse than Buchholz with a 5.88 ERA. So basically... oy.<br />
<br />
The Sox picked up a couple of big offensive threats in the off-season in Hanley Ramirez (who came up through the Red Sox farm system a decade ago) and Pablo Sandoval. Ramirez has had a respectable spring, but Sandoval hasn't impressed me too much. Mike Napoli has been on fire and as usual, Jackie Bradley Jr. is tearing up the spring. What is it about Bradley Jr. and his spring training successes? And will he carry that spark north to Boston? Because last year he was sort of a giant disappointment.<br />
<br />
But Mookie Betts, dude. MOOKIE BETTS!! If the Sox don't find a spot for him to play regularly, I'm going to have someone's head. Seriously. (Unless, of course, he has JBJ disease and can't seem to play in the regular season.) This guy has been on hotter than fire. He's been like molten lava. He's logged among the most at bats during the pre-season and boasts a .452 average with 19 hits, seven doubles, two triples and two home runs—one of which was an inside-the-park jobby. He has scored 11 runs and has an OPS of 1.334. DUDE! Mookie for President!<br />
<br />
So the jury is still out on how I feel about this team. Can Pedroia bounce back from a very un-Pedroia-like 2014? Can Big Papi still smash the ball without his ever growing ego getting in the way? What will the Sox do to solve their latest complication behind the plate with Christian Vazquez going out for the season? And most importantly, what are they going to do to stay out of the cellar so I can maintain my sanity?<br />
<br />
Now I just sit and wait and wring my hands until the final 25-man roster is named and I become that crazed Boston fan who is never satisfied with any decision they make. I will also to continue to hope for a team that respects each other enough to not end up in last place again. A team that plays for the parade. I really liked that team.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-24783099778002035162015-03-01T19:45:00.000-05:002015-03-01T19:45:13.360-05:00Spring Means Baseball and Sunshine and Melting Snow... and Baseball. Did I Mention Baseball?<div class="tr_bq">
Well, it's not spring yet, but it is March 1st—the day I am officially over winter. Granted, February set a record for coldest month ever in the state of Maine—or at least since they've been keeping records—so I'm going out on a limb and saying that I was over winter sometime last month. And I'm a fan of winter, so you know it had to be a bad one.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjFMo8Z4-eNhPsTzHW3MfamdQbOBSkkWyTxKlzj4QGbsUKkeqOgkgQXzJpnOK5xyKQ_rJFYtXKWpkCue9Paai72X-zlztcGIPx-jkD8-H1h6dg7DoIFEqgZUs_6QMc8rQd5Q4ru7f-aRb/s1600/IMG_4245.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjFMo8Z4-eNhPsTzHW3MfamdQbOBSkkWyTxKlzj4QGbsUKkeqOgkgQXzJpnOK5xyKQ_rJFYtXKWpkCue9Paai72X-zlztcGIPx-jkD8-H1h6dg7DoIFEqgZUs_6QMc8rQd5Q4ru7f-aRb/s1600/IMG_4245.PNG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
But March is full of hope too. It's full of days to look forward to that actually might just signify that winter is on its way out and we could possibly see bare ground before the month's end. The town I live in, Gray, Maine, has received nearly 100" of snow so far this year and I'm fairly certain all of it is still on the ground so we're going to need some seriously warm days to get rid of this white shit.<br />
<br />
The days get longer. There's a holiday that's dedicated to drinking. And let's not forget, if the old adage is right, March goes out like a lamb. A nice, soft, cuddly lamb I like to call April—a month that is chock full of good stuff.<br />
<br />
So come, sit down next to me and let's dream of days in the not too distant future that will make us ridiculously happy... especially after Mother Nature tortured us for no apparent reason the last couple of months.<br />
<blockquote>
<b><u>Tuesday, March 3rd</u></b>: The Red Sox kick off their spring training game schedule with their annual doubleheader against the college kids of Boston College and Northeastern. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><u>Sunday, March 8th</u></b>: Daylight Saving Time! Yay, we get an extra hour of daylight after work!! Although we do lose a precious hour of weekend so that sort of aggravates me.</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b><u>Monday, March 9th</u></b>: National Napping Day. To make up for that lost hour!! Although I'm not sure my bosses would appreciate me sleeping on the job. Again.</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b><u>Tuesday, March 17th</u></b>: St. Patty's Day. Gotta love a holiday dedicated to drinking. The only day of the year, the Irish pub near my office has a full deck at 8am. Now that's commitment. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b><u>Friday, March 20th</u></b>: THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING!! And yes, it did deserve the shouty caps. It's also the day where any snow that occurs after pisses us off more than any other snow of the season. Unless you're a skier.</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b><u>Wednesday, April 1st</u></b>: April Fools Day. Don't believe a word of anything anyone says to you. And watch out for saran wrap on your toilet. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b><u>Sunday, April 5th</u></b>: Easter Sunday. Chocolate eggs. Chocolate bunnies. Chocolate everything. Did I mention chocolate? I'm sure there's another reason for Easter, but right now all I can think about is chocolate! </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b><u>Monday, April 6th</u></b>: Opening Day for the Red Sox in Philadephia. It's a fresh start after a dismal 2014 season. Could they perhaps become the only team to go worst to first to worst to first? Fingers crossed. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b><u>Tuesday, April 7th</u></b>: National Beer Day! Excuse me... wouldn't it make more sense to have this day on... say... a Saturday? Whatever. It's beer. And baseball season so... yeah. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b><u>Friday, April 10th - Sunday, April 12th</u></b>: Red Sox vs. Yankees, Version 1.0. Gotta love that first series of the year between these two rivals. And we'll see a Jeter-less Yankee team for the first time since 1995. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b><u>Sunday, April 12th</u></b>: Happy Birthday, Dad! And Sunday at Augusta National for the final round of the Masters. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b><u>Monday, April 13th</u></b>: Red Sox Home Opener! I can only hope they're 6-0 by the time they make it to Fenway Park. I <i>am</i> expecting a championship, you know. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b><u>Monday, April 20th</u></b>: Patriots Day... a holiday only celebrated in Maine and Massachusetts, but it's the day of the Boston Marathon and the Red Sox play at 11am—the only game I watch in my PJs while eating breakfast. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b><u>Friday, April 24th</u></b>: Happy Birthday, Mom! (And it just happens to be National Pigs in a Blanket day. Who knew??)</blockquote>
So there you have it. There is a light at the end of this long, dark, snowy, COLD tunnel and it smells like grass, sunshine, and beer. This list might just keep me from throwing myself in front of plow truck during the next (and you know there will be a next) snow storm.<br />
<br />
Happy Almost Spring!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-91163979238053808612015-01-28T22:19:00.002-05:002015-01-29T15:25:59.030-05:00Deflategate Be Damned: Tom Brady Says Those Balls Were Perfect.When I first heard about this thing called "Deflategate" last Monday morning, my heart sank. I couldn't have felt more disappointed to think that the New England Patriots could have purposely deflated their game balls to gain an advantage in the AFC Championship. I was crushed. This is not the distraction fans in New England needed in the two weeks leading up to Tom Brady's sixth appearance in the Super Bowl.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQuiVwcqGN2PyRSvMlPMbdPZNqk9c46_HSBOXruB4MUwlUeZfjHtyqSE_xaD7ebxsSaUEOezBK9a_YssJ8C_YRvFO8dpTOx757JvXbNtrKisuDUUu_C7PafBJkUwMifFIcpY13HgUSpEH/s1600/IMG_4167.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQuiVwcqGN2PyRSvMlPMbdPZNqk9c46_HSBOXruB4MUwlUeZfjHtyqSE_xaD7ebxsSaUEOezBK9a_YssJ8C_YRvFO8dpTOx757JvXbNtrKisuDUUu_C7PafBJkUwMifFIcpY13HgUSpEH/s1600/IMG_4167.PNG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
After the dreaded "spygate" scandal that named my favorite team a bunch of cheaters, my fan psyche was fragile. I despised the fact that many felt the Patriots couldn't win another championship without cheating. This under inflated ball controversy was just one more incident to get those haters up in arms about punishing and penalizing and disciplining this team. Some critics even called for the NFL to ban the Pats from participating in the Super Bowl all for a couple of flat-ish balls.<br />
<br />
We've heard every argument in support and against these accusations. And many of the teams' backers have vehemently maintained a football that was deflated less than two psi under the league requirement could not be the reason the Patriots destroyed the Indianapolis Colts by 38 points. Even D'Quell Jackson, who intercepted a Tom Brady pass and was reported to have brought attention to the deflated ball, says he had nothing to do with it. Sounds like a conspiracy to me.<br />
<br />
So the Patriots are forced to defend themselves to the media and present technical evidence as to what happened to the balls after they were approved by the officials. Bill Belichick turned into a mad scientific with experiments and facts on the effects of atmospheric conditions on leather balls. Tom Brady is raked over the coals as to why he didn't notice the balls were under inflated because all these moronic reporters actually think once the ball is hiked and the play is happening that Brady has time to squeeze the ball and think to himself, "huh, that feels soft. I should report this to someone." (If anything, these press conferences have been a treasure trove of completely awesome soundbites.)<br />
<br />
And then we hear that the balls were presented to the officials not properly inflated but the balls were approved. Or that because of a delay in the starting time of the AFC Championship game, the balls were in the possession of some rogue locker room attendant who spent the next ninety seconds in the bathroom frantically letting the air out of the balls... but only eleven of them because he ran out of time.<br />
<br />
It was clear to me that a few days into this whole hullaballoo, it was all just a giant pile of bullshit. Haters are going to hate even when there is no tangible proof that the Patriots were directly responsible for the soft balls. For a brief moment, I thought it might actually dissuade me from caring about the Super Bowl. But then I stopped worrying about the consequences and now have joined the camp that believes this whole ordeal is a non-issue and just a reason for all those idiot former football players who think their opinions are important to bash a team that most likely has pounded on them in the past.<br />
<br />
That disappointed me thought the Patriots were going to be damned if they did or damned if they didn't win. The won because they cheated or they lost because they couldn't cheat. But then I snapped out of it. With the mega-watt spotlight shining on this team right now, there's not a snowball's chance in hell that they would or <i>could</i> ever cheat in the Super Bowl. Every commentator, reporter, NFL representative and official will have them under the world's most powerful microscope just waiting for them to slip up. The Patriots will be on their best behavior so <strike>if</strike> when they win, they win clean.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-60237879589975487152015-01-19T21:11:00.001-05:002015-01-19T21:11:57.345-05:00The Pats are Super Bowl Bound!!My superstitious sports fan self won't let me say much more than HOLY CRAP, the Patriots are headed to Arizona and the friggin' Super Bowl!!!<br />
<br />
Who could've predicted this turn of events after week four and that 41-14 lambasting they suffered at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs? The Pats were 2-2 and sports reporters and talk show hosts were calling for the end of Tom Brady. He was washed up. He sucked. He was too old and he needed to retire.<br />
<br />
Bwaaaaaaaaahahahaha!!!<br />
<br />
Tom doesn't like to be told he can't do something. So what did he do? Meh, not much. Just a 10-2 record for the rest of the season including seven straight wins after the loss to KC. And the #1 seed in the AFC. Yup. Then there was that thrilling come from behind win to beat the Ravens in the Divisional round. Oh and just a little bit of a trouncing of the Colts for the AFC title.<br />
<br />
It's going to be a long two weeks, my Patriots fan friends.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUZsZ6__bK9Q_1SmluUO4QVw7quRQT8TTAeuFUOMTUUcBcpU6irjBl2c81oQHb6bV2PdJiEHwYOvyb0fEPjqcPrUBMLyaCCeJ-XBO_206zahXLMa4vGX1b-IuzRJUZouBqIP4uYBdIOIz/s1600/champs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUZsZ6__bK9Q_1SmluUO4QVw7quRQT8TTAeuFUOMTUUcBcpU6irjBl2c81oQHb6bV2PdJiEHwYOvyb0fEPjqcPrUBMLyaCCeJ-XBO_206zahXLMa4vGX1b-IuzRJUZouBqIP4uYBdIOIz/s1600/champs.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-14965388635976246742015-01-11T21:10:00.000-05:002015-01-11T21:10:09.234-05:00Congratulations, Pedro! (A little belated...)Pedro Martinez is going to Cooperstown! Yeah, yeah... I know I'm a little late to the party but these days, I'm lucky if I remember my own name, so better late than never. Like most Red Sox fans, I loved Pedro. His way of getting the job done was always fun to watch, not to mention his ridiculous personality. He actually <a href="http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/boston-red-sox-hall-of-fame-baseball-pedro-martinez-hopes-jheri-curl-cooperstown-plaque-010915">told TMZ Sports</a> a couple days ago that he hoped his Jheri curl makes an appearance on his Hall of Fame plaque. I'm just hoping it's a Red Sox cap covering those curls.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYw8lTRDOcRIZBjrAydaHYxcXhIm_XxAi1T3ghg9cJSx207kjDKZ-8iQEgijH8keVNGLmmS0nYIvZNdZZx3bzMzVwqe9MC3HD-cxwQTdswCVhhTQ4LeoV7-HfqpaZ2HDqwhVEr-ktVlCk/s1600/IMG_4116.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYw8lTRDOcRIZBjrAydaHYxcXhIm_XxAi1T3ghg9cJSx207kjDKZ-8iQEgijH8keVNGLmmS0nYIvZNdZZx3bzMzVwqe9MC3HD-cxwQTdswCVhhTQ4LeoV7-HfqpaZ2HDqwhVEr-ktVlCk/s1600/IMG_4116.PNG" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
I could go on and on about his accomplishments — three-time Cy Young winner, eight-time All-Star, five-time ERA champion and three-time strikeout champion, but who doesn't already know all this? He pitched in two World Series but only won one... one very, very memorable World Series for Red Sox fans. But really more impressive is the baseball era in which he dominated as a pitcher... the dreaded steroid era. And he always pitched clean.<br />
<br />
During Pedro's career with the Red Sox, I never once got to see him pitch. Believe me, I'm still bitter about this. One summer, I honestly can't remember when, I went to a game with my parents. It was a drizzly, miserable night but Pedro was scheduled to pitch and I was so excited, it could've been snowing and I wouldn't have cared. About 15 minutes before the game was to start, the public address announcer says there's been a change in the line up and Pedro Martinez would not be pitching. I looked at my parents and said, "I want to go home." But we didn't because that would've been silly. I was so pissed!<br />
<br />
It wasn't until 2006 when Martinez returned to pitch at Fenway Park as a New York Met that I<i> finally</i> got to see him live. The cheer he got as a visiting pitcher was thunderous. But the Sox kicked his ass so that was fun too!<br />
<br />
I don't think I saw Pedro again at Fenway Park until April 20, 2012 — the 100th anniversary game. But that day, I saw just about everyone through my tears of joy. Pedro and Kevin Millar led all of Fenway Park in a toast to 100 years, complete with what appeared to be a bottle of champagne each. It was funny, touching and perfect.<br />
<br />
Congratulations, Pedro... I can't think of any Red Sox pitcher in my lifetime that deserved a first ballot induction into the Hall of Fame more. I wish I could be in Cooperstown with you to celebrate! And congrats also to his classmates, Craig Biggio, Randy Johnson and John Smoltz.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-38586071134435293502015-01-04T11:57:00.002-05:002015-01-04T11:57:49.243-05:00Happy New Year! Now Get Writing... Oh and Football. Yay.I think I had a case of blog burnout. For over six months, I've been unable to even so much as think about writing a blog post about sports. It used to be that all I wanted to talk about was sports, but after 365 days of all sports, I just couldn't. I needed to purge my mind. Plus, the fact that the Red Sox went from last to World Series champs back to last really took the wind out of my sails.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4RP-oVy6WZ9S61mKsoqR5y7trRwO0mnqO0fbxvYr5G149pIHQxVC2uTuEaplJJLLSzMbnH8zZgyNzYsL6Ty5FvoX2Vwx3DJJJfD_vW6MsfcuKt-5Ip4nXE45KHHpEYZRL_d2lD8LvAx4/s1600/fireworks-235813_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4RP-oVy6WZ9S61mKsoqR5y7trRwO0mnqO0fbxvYr5G149pIHQxVC2uTuEaplJJLLSzMbnH8zZgyNzYsL6Ty5FvoX2Vwx3DJJJfD_vW6MsfcuKt-5Ip4nXE45KHHpEYZRL_d2lD8LvAx4/s1600/fireworks-235813_640.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a></div>
But then football season happened. I love football season. I love that every week is so crucial to a fan because there's only 17 of them in the regular season. And in the whole scheme of sports playoffs, football's is fleeting. NFL playoffs last less than a month and there are just 11 games so each one, for me, can't be missed. Even the teams I don't care about... which is most of them.<br />
<br />
When the New England Patriots are in the mix, that's when it gets dicey. I have butterflies. I have anxiety. I have issues. You would think I was part of the team the way my insides turn to jelly. It's especially nerve wracking when they finish the regular season so weakly — barely beating the lowly Jets and then losing to the Bills in an unspectacular fashion. So basically, I'll be a mess come Saturday evening when the Ravens come to Foxboro!<br />
<br />
But I digress... if I love football season so much, why couldn't I get back to writing about it? By the time I thought of it, it was too far into the season to risk jinxing the Patriots' amazing October run with Rah-Rah blog posts about how great they are and how Tom Brady isn't even close to retirement. Plus... I was still dealing with that whole burnout thing.<br />
<br />
So it's a new year and new goals and resolutions and all that happy crap so back on the writing train I go. Plus, I'm convinced I'm getting stupider by the day by not writing. Especially after having the last 13 days off where I spent more time in my pajamas than out of them... watching endless hours of television and possibly drooling on myself a little bit.<br />
<br />
Happy New Year to all... and I hope you'll visit Balls of All Sizes once in a while!<br />
<br />
PS: If the Patriots lose to the Ravens, I will completely blame this blog post. And myself.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-47307308296194537552014-06-18T21:33:00.000-04:002014-06-18T21:33:19.735-04:00Brock Holt: A Breath of Fresh Air for Red SoxI'm sure I'm not the only one who feels like watching the Red Sox this season is somewhat painful. They are definitely not that same bearded team we watched celebrate a World Series Championship last fall and frankly, it's just plain depressing. This group of guys can't seem to get out of their own way and it's hard to tell which team is going to show up day in and day out. They've got a whole Jekyll and Hyde thing going and it's not even remotely cute.<br />
<br />
What Boston needs is a swift kick in the ass. I think that kick in the ass is called Brock Holt. Who? Honestly, I don't recall ever hearing his name before he was called up to the Red Sox earlier this season. In the 38 games with the Red Sox, Holt has 51 hits, 12 of those doubles, and a .329 batting average. Not bad for a 26-year-old who began his season in Triple-A Pawtucket.<br />
<br />
Not only has he been producing at the plate, he's been a real trooper defensively. He has filled in at third base, first base, and most recently, the outfield. While he's not the greatest glove on the field, he's persistent and not afraid to throw his body around. And Jonny Gomes should be thankful for Holt's style of play because it totally bailed his ass out the other night.<br />
<br />
Check out the best catch I've seen in a very long time...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/UhuQo_tFwjc" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Almost makes you want to hop back on that Red Sox train again, doesn't it? Maybe this acrobatic and somewhat impossible catch, coupled with the recent release of Grady Sizemore, are just the ingredients this team is looking for to help turn this season around. I have hope. It might be just a glimmer, but it's there.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-24581082214433509212014-06-16T21:41:00.000-04:002014-06-16T21:41:07.480-04:00Rest in Peace, Tony Gwynn... Mr. Padre.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Xhuhbu9K5QXOW7daS18bIU3QlHW1u98SWdb88-AfT_bWanJeoZxIpyTT_sSOEHsOghQmcuvHo7gqC87M0EpALaBkMU2ISMW-Aov4a-U_OvJlbPPswemBb6a4Qu1iZuTksf5oZZZaSVsk/s1600/Tony+Gwynn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Xhuhbu9K5QXOW7daS18bIU3QlHW1u98SWdb88-AfT_bWanJeoZxIpyTT_sSOEHsOghQmcuvHo7gqC87M0EpALaBkMU2ISMW-Aov4a-U_OvJlbPPswemBb6a4Qu1iZuTksf5oZZZaSVsk/s1600/Tony+Gwynn.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-Sports/2014/06/16/Tony-Gwynn-Passes">HERE</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Baseball lost a special person today. The greatest San Diego Padre to ever wear that hideous uniform, Anthony Keith "Tony" Gwynn, Sr., lost his battle with cancer at the young age of 54. Folks who knew him said he was also a pretty awesome guy which is nice to hear, especially with some of the douchebags in the game these days.<br />
<br />
Having grown up a Red Sox fan, I never really got a chance to follow guys in the National League. But I knew he was special during the 1999 All-Star game at Fenway Park when he helped Ted Williams throw out the first pitch... making sure the old guy didn't fall over.<br />
<br />
The Hall of Fame outfielder was a magician with the bat. In his 20 seasons, all with the Padres, he amassed some rather ridiculous numbers.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>3,141 hits (good for #18 all time)</li>
<li>15 time All-Star</li>
<li>7 Silver Slugger Awards</li>
<li>5 Gold Gloves</li>
<li>8 National League batting titles</li>
<li>7 time National League hits leader</li>
<li>.338 lifetime batting average (good for #16 all time)</li>
</ul>
<br />
Gwynn also hit .394 in the strike shortened 1994 season which was the highest season average since the Splendid Splinter, Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/11092617/mlb-late-tony-gwynn-incredible-hitting-numbers">ESPN.com had a couple of other pretty cool stats too</a>:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Over his 20-year career, Gwynn's .338 lifetime batting average was the highest of any player whose career started after World War II—no one with 5,000 or more plate appearances has even gotten close. </li>
<li>No hitter born after 1900 reached 3,000 hits in fewer games (2,284) or at-bats (8.874) than #19. </li>
<li>No 3,000-hit man who was born after 1900 had a higher lifetime batting average than Gwynn.</li>
<li>No hitter who has played his entire career since the invention of the designated hitter has accumulated as many hits as Gwynn (3,141) without spending a large portion of his career in the American League. (I love this stat.)</li>
</ul>
<br />
For the last four years, Gwynn has been battling salivary gland cancer, most likely from using smokeless tobacco. He underwent multiple surgeries, but the cancer forced him to take a leave of absence from his head coaching job at San Diego State, his alma mater, where he had coached for 12 season.<br />
<br />
Tony Gwynn never wanted your sympathy... so instead of feeling sad, let's celebrate the life and achievements of an amazing ballplayer and person. Rest in peace, Mr. Padre.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-57050775443196042062014-06-05T22:54:00.000-04:002014-06-05T22:54:32.807-04:00Oh Red Sox... Where has the Magic Gone?I think it's safe to say that for a Red Sox fan, the 2013 season was just plain magical. It was a season where things just fell perfectly together — like you just knew at some point late last summer that this team was destined to win it all. Every game was fun. Every game was an adventure. And every game felt winnable.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnh8C1Ee1dNGeTeUu0QpsHeuBcfVFBrBiHYa9LHLF3AgNTiFYPdR1143AzJukitGWl3fZaLT-CCDf5PzOFPZqM5pmvzZoGLkE0qfWc2E6XutM7E9PhnQjK8oNQD-R87gtekokichMk2-_/s1600/redsox.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnh8C1Ee1dNGeTeUu0QpsHeuBcfVFBrBiHYa9LHLF3AgNTiFYPdR1143AzJukitGWl3fZaLT-CCDf5PzOFPZqM5pmvzZoGLkE0qfWc2E6XutM7E9PhnQjK8oNQD-R87gtekokichMk2-_/s1600/redsox.gif" height="312" width="320" /></a></div>
Maybe it was that fateful event that occurred on April 15th that sparked this group of men to give their all for every inning of every game for the rest of that season. They did have that Boston Strong rally cry to live up to, after all. What kind of team would they have been if they couldn't boost the spirits of this city with win after dramatic win? They really had no choice but to excel. They were a team fueled by hometown spirit and pride.<br />
<br />
It was just magical. I know that sounds corny, but for me, it's true. And I'm going to venture a guess that I'm not the only sappy fan out there that feels that way.<br />
<br />
Was it the facial hair that carried that winning mojo? Or was it a particular player? Maybe it was David Ortiz's heartfelt speech on April 20th that sparked something that can never again be had. I have no idea what special force caused this ragtag group of guys to succeed when no one gave them a chance, but I do know this... that magic has left the effing building, my friends.<br />
<br />
In April of 2013, the Red Sox were third in Major League Baseball in batting with a .271 team average. They had hit 26 home runs collectively, had an on-base percentage of .347 and slugged .446. In April of this season, their team batting average was .246 — good for 19th overall. Well that sucks. Orioles' left fielder, Nelson Cruz, has more home runs this season (21) than the Red Sox hit as a team in May (20). Seriously?<br />
<br />
So needless to say, I'm annoyed. Sure there have been multiple injuries to key players like Mike Napoli, Shane Victorino and Will Middlebrooks. And the starting rotation has had some hiccups... like Clay Buchholz who went 5-0 with a 1.19 ERA last April... and this year, he was 1-2 with a 6.66 ERA. I'm not even going to tell you what the difference is year-to-year between opponents batting average because it will make you want to throw up.<br />
<br />
What I do know about this team is that Stephen Drew is NOT the answer. He wasn't the answer in the off-season at $14 million a year, and he's sure as hell not the answer for $10 million after sitting out the first two months of the season. He hit a whopping .111 in the entire 2013 postseason, and is batting a big fat ZERO since he's returned to the lineup. (Ok, so it's only been a couple games but I don't care!)<br />
<br />
Something needs to happen and it needs to happen <b>tout de suite</b>. If you don't know, that's French for RIGHT THE EFF NOW! This season is slowly slipping to the point of no return. SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-67691135396477135202014-05-29T21:57:00.001-04:002014-05-29T21:57:22.254-04:00So I Took a Little Balls Break...Blogging is hard. It's as simple as that. And it's especially hard when you decide to do something as utterly ridiculous as... oh, I don't know... saying that you're going to write a blog post a day for 365 straight days. That's some serious pressure.<br />
<br />
Some days I want to say, "eff it..." and call it a day. But I didn't and that's why I've been pretty much MIA for the past nearly two months. I was burned out. Every time I looked at my laptop sitting on the table beside the couch, I wanted to vomit. It was mocking me. My laptop was being a total a-hole. And it's not like there wasn't shit to write about. The Bruins were epically failing... the Red Sox were epically failing... you know, riveting subject matter.<br />
<br />
Plus, it's really hard to write about the Red Sox when they're dead to me. DEAD. Although with this most recent three-game winning streak... they might be twitching just a little. Where did the magic go? (Personally, I think AJ Pierzynski sucked all the magic out of the team, but that's another story.)<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzRUpo3t3UjdKQlozdy_bcT5h5kJOeu67JWZCsBd751qUlSpqryx-X9Umiyvtwp46GeDNCHOAkmdXzw23f9-ImyL8WAdmhGpeL6hPb1ecpdvthuJgTjkssumJAaiQDzqYnO4ALelJyuoi/s1600/davis_soxpre2_spts-13486.r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzRUpo3t3UjdKQlozdy_bcT5h5kJOeu67JWZCsBd751qUlSpqryx-X9Umiyvtwp46GeDNCHOAkmdXzw23f9-ImyL8WAdmhGpeL6hPb1ecpdvthuJgTjkssumJAaiQDzqYnO4ALelJyuoi/s1600/davis_soxpre2_spts-13486.r.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/05/28/red-sox-reunion-precedes-sox-braves-game/qS5GqAmKjDrwTBsyJLM4zK/picture.html">Courtesy of the Boston Globe.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But what kind of blogger would I be if I didn't mention <u>MANNY RAMIREZ'S HAIR</u>!!! What in the deep depths of hell is going on there? I don't even know what to say. And from the looks of it, neither does Big Papi. In fact, he can't even keep a straight face. He looks like he's about to pee his pants. I think Papi liked those stupid dreadlocks better. Now he just looks like he was viciously attacked by a rogue Flowbee.<br />
<br />
I've never been a huge Manny fan. The dude is just a total douche nugget. A lazy, 'roided up, meany. He pushed down old folks. He let his team down when the needed him most. And he likes to hit girls. I'm glad his hair looks stupid.<br />
<br />
So this morning I tweeted about Manny. I don't tweet much which is something I really need to be better at if this damn blog is ever going to go global. And because I'm a big loser, I had to make sure my morning talk show buddies saw it because I thought it was pretty funny.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hMEao29tltXruzsL2NoAwRWnfsUZWNugZGnByf5BblvuLNwgr2H0lUFvl0tnPvAvtxsgy0EDOu0r6Op4FzMOtsuGTpVLVXRs1LH-s2MjAo02doCAdQjHIT6F6BKIt0Uq-2L4rnXz2aX5/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-29+at+9.45.21+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hMEao29tltXruzsL2NoAwRWnfsUZWNugZGnByf5BblvuLNwgr2H0lUFvl0tnPvAvtxsgy0EDOu0r6Op4FzMOtsuGTpVLVXRs1LH-s2MjAo02doCAdQjHIT6F6BKIt0Uq-2L4rnXz2aX5/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-29+at+9.45.21+PM.png" /></a></div>
<br />
And GUESS WHAT?? Gerry Callahan RETWEETED it!! Why do I find such joy in shit like that? It's the little things, really. This is how Twitter is like golf. You could hit 97 bad shots but if you sink that one 35 foot putt, that's what you remember. Most of my tweets pass like a ship in the night. But when one gets a little attention, it makes me want to spend my whole day on the Twitter.<br />
<br />
So I guess I'm back at it. Don't expect something every day because you'll just set yourself up for disappointment. What I recommend is signing up to receive an email when I do post... just a suggestion.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-32886469452092342812014-04-15T20:09:00.000-04:002014-04-15T20:09:10.861-04:00One Year Ago Today...April 15, 2013—just another Patriots Day (for Maine and Massachusetts, at least.) That day when the Red Sox play early enough that you can watch while still clad in pajamas. (Isn't everyone still in their PJs at 11am on a day off from work?) That day that I mark as the deadline to get all that crappy raking done—that is if the snow has melted. And every Patriots Day, the Boston Marathon snakes through the streets as Fenway comes alive with the sounds of baseball.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9trXAsOkIFQ90GnN-io6wysWwJAJHXVhtSHA92Na8BvoOPpy4VKcAgpg2v8N38KcQ5t-b4Tt0zGSj8M8Nz82VNyMA8GMohrjWKfSpaBeEvfmJ9R72H4YoHVquBvKY7yt9xbGgLZWteC4/s1600/BostonStrongRibbon-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9trXAsOkIFQ90GnN-io6wysWwJAJHXVhtSHA92Na8BvoOPpy4VKcAgpg2v8N38KcQ5t-b4Tt0zGSj8M8Nz82VNyMA8GMohrjWKfSpaBeEvfmJ9R72H4YoHVquBvKY7yt9xbGgLZWteC4/s1600/BostonStrongRibbon-300x300.jpg" /></a></div>
But April 15, 2013 was anything <i>but </i>just another Patriots Day. At 2:49pm, as runners and spectators crowded the Marathon finish line, an explosion rocked a city.<br />
<br />
One year ago today... a tragedy shook the Boston Marathon. A vile, terrorist act that took the lives of three innocent souls and injured over 260 others. When you think of how gravely many of those were hurt, it's a miracle there weren't more casualties.<br />
<br />
One year ago today... we learned of a young man named Jeff Bauman who viciously lost both legs in the blast, but perseveres. He's not angry, he's thankful. He's thankful for the people who rushed to his aid, the people who saved his life, and the people who cheered him on throughout his recovery. Jeff played a pivotal part in the identification of the terrorists.<br />
<br />
One year ago today... we learned of a man named Carlos Arredondo who, like many others, rushed towards the blast to provide help to the injured. He was the first to get Jeff Bauman and saved his life.<br />
<br />
One year ago today... we learned about the Richard family. They stood closest to the backpack. Mother Denise lost an eye. Father Bill suffered damage to his eardrums. They lost their 8-year-old son, Martin. Their daughter Jane lost her leg, endured 14 grueling surgeries and had to learn to walk again.<br />
<br />
One year ago today... changed the lives of hundreds of people, their families and the city. Two backpacks. Two bombs. Two loathsome and deplorable monsters. A day the people of Boston and the country will never forget.<br />
<br />
One year ago today... a city came together to become Boston Strong.<br />
<br />
I don't live in Boston. I didn't run in the Marathon. I didn't know anyone injured in this horrific act. I'm not going to pretend to know what the people involved went through or are still going through. But like many, I'm inspired by the stories of those who refused to give up in the face of adversity.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-15865008397827234062014-03-31T18:26:00.000-04:002014-03-31T18:26:13.255-04:00Day 365: Party's Over... Said the Girl.Opening Day (yay, baseball) is one of my most favorite days of the year—right behind Christmas (oooh, presents) and Thanksgiving (hmmm, food). The beginning of six months and 162 glorious games that will make me happy and sad and angry all in the span of nine innings.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq44v5HzHshM5gNyx5a1EIz9QwQxl3j7MESh8Wl3oFuzbWVhg-V9XmrBhKCFTjuI_Tba3QIyAvJ5hIQnZhqfOgfZegknQRtCnqoFA1sKSYLy-j7RMr34JtfqvAXlUTe1c06LXGM3rFV3jx/s1600/day-365.001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq44v5HzHshM5gNyx5a1EIz9QwQxl3j7MESh8Wl3oFuzbWVhg-V9XmrBhKCFTjuI_Tba3QIyAvJ5hIQnZhqfOgfZegknQRtCnqoFA1sKSYLy-j7RMr34JtfqvAXlUTe1c06LXGM3rFV3jx/s1600/day-365.001.jpg" /></a></div>
Three hundred and sixty-five days ago, on Opening Day of the 2013 baseball season, I began a quest. That quest was to start a blog and post at least once a day about sports for a whole year. I wasn't sure I would have enough topics to write about. I wasn't sure if my discipline was strong enough to complete the task. And I certainly wasn't sure if people would read what I was putting out there. Well, that quest is now completed and now I sort of feel empty. Please hold me.<br />
<br />
The Boston sports scene gave me more subject matter than I knew what to do with. I honestly don't think I could've written about a better year. Even though I started writing a week earlier, it really all started with my very first trip to Opening Day at Fenway Park—a gorgeous, sunshiny Monday afternoon that concluded with a Red Sox win. That day was full of promise and possibility after what had happened the previous disastrous year. And it just steamrolled from there.<br />
<br />
There was the Boston Marathon bombing that unsettled an entire city and enlisted the sports community to rally Boston Strong around the tragedy. The Aaron Hernandez arrest for murder and the Patriots' subsequent release of the talented yet brainless tight end. The Boston Bruins incredibly determined run to the Stanley Cup final and heartbreaking loss. Let's not forget the magical World Series Championship season put forth by those lovable, bearded Red Sox—a worst-to-first miracle. And then there was the Patriots making a postseason run even after Wes Welker's departure and a yet again injured Rob Gronkowski—leaving Tom Brady with virtually no targets.<br />
<br />
What I loved most about writing every day was the freedom to include whatever I wanted. There were no real rules—just as long as the post was about some type of sport. I loved being able to write about a good deed done by a baseball player, or a killer play made by a tiny person, or a sport that I knew absolutely nothing about, like sailing. I also loved being able to pay tribute to my parents on their birthdays for their part in this obsession and posting videos that made me giggle.<br />
<br />
I also wanted to thank everyone who loyally followed <i>Balls of All Sizes</i> and didn't get annoyed that I spammed your Facebook timeline every single day. I know it was quite a commitment and I completely understand if you missed a day here and there. Thanks to those non-sports fans that supported me by reading even when, at times, you had no freaking clue what the hell I was writing about. And, even though he'll never read this post, thanks to my extremely understanding husband who could've gotten really annoyed at the hour plus I spent on putting forth what I hope was a somewhat intelligent blog post every single day for the past year.<br />
<br />
<i>Balls of All Sizes</i> isn't going away... it's just taking a little siesta. There will be occasional posts, probably once or twice a week, after a little well-deserved break. I'd be lying if I said some days weren't just a bit stressful. I suffered from writer's block and brain cramps and drunky writing and oops, I almost forgot days. And there was that one time I thought it was over because I was on my way to Fenway for a evening game and I hadn't written anything—thank you iPads with 3G!!<br />
<br />
And just like that... game one of 2014 is in the books. Unfortunately, unlike their Opening Day win a year ago, the Sox lose to the O's 2-1, leaving 12 men on base and wasting a perfectly good outing by Jon Lester. I was hoping to maybe end this quest on a high note. I'm trying to be optimistic that this isn't indicative of the season to come, but I'm a Sox fan—glass half empty, remember?<br />
<br />
Anyway... the party's over. Elvis has left the building. The fat lady has sung.<br />
<br />
<i>PS: Bonus points if you can tell me what movie the title of this post comes from!</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-26245068418401553382014-03-30T18:08:00.000-04:002014-03-30T18:08:14.584-04:00Day 364: And Like That... Baseball is Back!The 2014 Major League Baseball season officially kicks off tonight as Sunday Night Baseball returns featuring a matchup between National League West rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. But the real action doesn't start until Monday. At 3:05pm EST, the Red Sox open their season at Camden Yards to take on the Orioles for three.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHK6W_v1DRp2s_JK5O9P19PeqV25CpZMZEibJm95FwOZX6SOZfPUqKIhBv87ALDi9i477ywM_2rODlTE5Xm7o878Fpp9txMixtzMu3EYVGJZ1mIHId10ZK3PC1N4hEu9T6MWCM3uNZCQC/s1600/day-364.001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHK6W_v1DRp2s_JK5O9P19PeqV25CpZMZEibJm95FwOZX6SOZfPUqKIhBv87ALDi9i477ywM_2rODlTE5Xm7o878Fpp9txMixtzMu3EYVGJZ1mIHId10ZK3PC1N4hEu9T6MWCM3uNZCQC/s1600/day-364.001.jpg" /></a></div>
If the weather reports are correct, it looks like a spectacular day for baseball with sunny skies and temps right around 60˚—a little better than the 39˚ and rain expected in Boston tomorrow. Winter really mistreated the northeast over the past several months and it doesn't appear to be in too much of a hurry to surrender and let spring take over. But after the deep freeze we've experienced, 45˚ sounds downright balmy!<br />
<br />
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited for Monday and that doesn't happen very often. Monday is usually reserved for a belly full of dread as the impending work week looms with piles of shit to do. But I've already got my name on the calendar indicating I will be <b><i>OUT</i></b> of the office for the afternoon to park my ass on the couch and bask in the glow of yet another Opening Day.<br />
<br />
The Orioles will send Chris Tillman (16-7, 3.71 in '13) to the hill against the World Series workhorse, Jon Lester (15-8, 3.75 in '13). I'm guessing the lineup will look a little something like this (let's see how close I get): (1) Grady Sizemore, CF; (2) Daniel Nava, LF; (3) Dustin Pedroia, 2B; (4) David Ortiz, DH; (5) Mike Napoli, 1B; (6) Shane Victorino, RF; (7) Xander Bogaerts, SS; (8) Will Middlebrooks, 3B and (9) AJ Pierzynski.<br />
<br />
Victorino is a question mark for Opening Day after suffering a strained hamstring in the final spring training game, so if he's not available, it could be Jackie Bradley Jr. in right and I would guess he would bat 9th. My pick for Sizemore to lead-off is a shaky choice... so I'll be curious to see who John Farrell puts in that spot to replace the speedy and recently departed Jacoby Ellsbury. Sizemore has been known to have some speed and his numbers in spring training were pretty good.<br />
<br />
The best thing the Red Sox could do at this point is to get the thought of repeating as World Series Champs completely out of the conversation. This is a new year, with some new faces and, most certainly, some new challenges. They need to play it one game at a time like they did in 2013. They need to play as a team... and grow those gnarly yet magical beards like their lives and wins depend on it.<br />
<br />
As the team's spring training t-shirts read: <i>Turn the [Bleep]ing Page</i>. If they can focus on making a fresh start, I'd say there's a pretty good chance it will be another fun season to be a Sox fan.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-75971046681819557462014-03-29T21:56:00.001-04:002014-03-29T21:56:25.518-04:00Day 363: Fastest Hat Trick Ever?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnuX6iRv-JeHyvynevE7Kl0Lp-9I0ta460foIe0ZtRsYhkBjAWT-oUeuC0fAPZW1a92zPWLZQQDyhSkvLUmXCIh50pGV9-QVu06-pPyRpTFP1RGOs93RsH851UcdGlzY_MzHMTBBIeMdr/s1600/day-363.001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnuX6iRv-JeHyvynevE7Kl0Lp-9I0ta460foIe0ZtRsYhkBjAWT-oUeuC0fAPZW1a92zPWLZQQDyhSkvLUmXCIh50pGV9-QVu06-pPyRpTFP1RGOs93RsH851UcdGlzY_MzHMTBBIeMdr/s1600/day-363.001.jpg" /></a></div>
Growing up, I spend a lot of time at the hockey rink. I didn't play (helloooo... contact sport!), but my younger brother did so naturally, we all made the various treks to ice arenas all over the state to cheer him on. It was fun to watch all the little kids skating around—and while some could barely stay upright, others skated circles around the competition.<br />
<br />
So today I read about a kid from Canada named Brayden MacIntosh who did something no other hockey player at any level has ever done. He scored three goals—a hat trick—in 10 seconds. Pretty efficient work by the eight year old. The fastest hat trick in the NHL happened 62 years ago when Chicago Blackhawks' Bill Mosienko scored three goals in 21 seconds. This kid completed his in less than half that time. But aren't Canadian kids pretty much born with hockey skates on?<br />
<br />
Do you need to see it to believe it? There are probably a few NHL teams that could use his services right now...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/CikOVW_lvyk" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9KkeRJj10Kw" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There's still a question of the game clock and if the goals were all scored within 10 seconds but either way, it's a pretty impressive display by this youngster. Oh and in case you were wondering, MacIntosh has scored a staggering 107 goals this season.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Remember this name, hockey fans... Brayden MacIntosh should be ready for the NHL draft somewhere around 2025.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-50478933683869211962014-03-28T20:44:00.000-04:002014-03-28T20:44:42.350-04:00Day 362: Grady Sizemore Wins Opening Day CF JobOpening Day is in four days. You know what else happens in four days? I will have officially reached the <i>Balls of All Sizes</i> goal of 365 straight days of posting... Opening Day of 2013 to Opening Day of 2014. And I have loved every single moment. You know what else I love? I love surprises. I especially love surprises like Grady Sizemore.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYhT9Pee9Dw1Fu-nfZF-kphGgifLs8zI_ZxDYsfEWqQdew2RJzhX-RHlDx-Wr5m9BY2sFQ1drjmPrgdC_QHwVGhyYQ2THhLGy0ZhfEdqm14i62Q7svPc9CgvPjalJGyIE400uvAAvH9i9/s1600/day-362.001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYhT9Pee9Dw1Fu-nfZF-kphGgifLs8zI_ZxDYsfEWqQdew2RJzhX-RHlDx-Wr5m9BY2sFQ1drjmPrgdC_QHwVGhyYQ2THhLGy0ZhfEdqm14i62Q7svPc9CgvPjalJGyIE400uvAAvH9i9/s1600/day-362.001.jpg" /></a></div>
If there was one guy I was rooting for this spring, it was Grady Sizemore. The 31-year-old former Cleveland Indian hasn't played a big league game since September 22, 2011. Yes, 2011. He has been out of major league baseball for more than two full seasons. And now? Well, Red Sox skipper John Farrell has just named Sizemore as the starting center fielder for Opening Day.<br />
<br />
Sizemore beat out Jackie Bradley Jr. who started last season's Opening Day, but never fared as well in regular season, big league action than he did in spring training. And Bradley has yet to bounce back and was optioned back to Triple-A Pawtucket prior to today's game. Sizemore is having an outstanding spring with a .333 batting average in 39 at bats and a home run and he's also <a href="http://ballsofallsizes.blogspot.com/2014/03/day-351-sox-score-st-paddys-day-spring.html">made some pretty spectacular catches too</a>!<br />
<br />
I feel sort of bad for Bradley though. With the departure of Jacoby Ellsbury, that center field job was most certainly his for the taking. But what a difference a year makes. After batting a staggering .419 in spring training back in 2013, Bradley is batting just a .158 this spring. He never hit over .200 in his short time with the Red Sox last year—it's like something just broke him.<br />
<br />
And who knows... maybe Sizemore won't be able to handle the strains of playing every day. I mean shit, he's had like seven surgeries in the past few years and his knees are going to be the issue—if there is one. But if Bradley can't prove he can successfully hit on the major league level, the Sox will have to use someone like Jonny Gomes to take the pressure off Sizemore.<br />
<br />
Whatever the case may be... I'll be rooting for Sizemore to do well and stay injury free. This guy truly does deserve a break.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-88796869241968087872014-03-27T18:59:00.000-04:002014-03-27T18:59:11.894-04:00Day 361: Vince Wilfork is Staying in New England<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqikM_9l59NdsrBjcEuUilBboqG0AXiFut2SrmCfxiYOAaI5Jq8Tm7KLOIwcU5I9QwDUPamYL5gzNvx3TUcJUgtoZkdPCDp0sQgNwXxTOhGIETkwHCMGKzo1iplTmuQa3HoRlvSJhBP4rj/s1600/day-361.001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqikM_9l59NdsrBjcEuUilBboqG0AXiFut2SrmCfxiYOAaI5Jq8Tm7KLOIwcU5I9QwDUPamYL5gzNvx3TUcJUgtoZkdPCDp0sQgNwXxTOhGIETkwHCMGKzo1iplTmuQa3HoRlvSJhBP4rj/s1600/day-361.001.jpg" /></a></div>
There are some players that just belong with the New England Patriots. Some that you can't imagine wearing any other colors... a never donning a helmet that doesn't display the Flying Elvis. Tom Brady is one of those guys. I would probably die of heart failure if I ever saw him in a different uniform. And Vince Wilfork is one of those guys too, having been a huge (literally and figuratively) presence on this team since they drafted him in 2004.<br />
<br />
The past few weeks have been tumultuous times between the New England Patriots and Vince Wilfork. A couple weeks ago, under the cloud of contract restructuring rumors, Vince decided he wanted to be released. He wanted no part of that restructuring crap—making less money was not appealing to him. But coming off an injury-shortened 2013 season, the Pats were looking to alleviate some of his $11.6 million due in 2014. And then it got real quiet... there was no word from either side... shit was eerily silent.<br />
<br />
Then, earlier this week, there was a rumor that Wilfork cleared out his locker and angrily ripped his nameplate off at Gillette Stadium. Whut? What does that mean?? Sounded like Vince was pissed off at everyone and for fans, it appeared his departure was near.<br />
<br />
But then... good news today! Recent reports say that the Patriots and Mr. Wilfork have finally found some common ground and have reached an acceptable restructured deal good for both sides. Although the particulars are not available, initial word says it's a 3-year deal worth $22.5 million. That's a pretty good gig for a big fella who turns 33 in November. Just hope that repaired achilles can hold up!<br />
<br />
It just wouldn't have been the same without the hulking nose tackle. I'm glad he'll be back... and I think he is too. Vince issued this statement via <a href="https://twitter.com/wilfork75">Twitter</a>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnQeOLlfmBvlQ418gYXfBSQ8HdvhzhX3HpH1RgKSshyiK2DVRY1ZqFnZkj-zFspLczOfbjFccldApLQQsxguarayr-moGmkDp5hpIvWhGf4j88-0wc1GFmlEO4nFj0CDiva7dcdHbgENT/s1600/Bjw4fYYIEAA0MXC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnQeOLlfmBvlQ418gYXfBSQ8HdvhzhX3HpH1RgKSshyiK2DVRY1ZqFnZkj-zFspLczOfbjFccldApLQQsxguarayr-moGmkDp5hpIvWhGf4j88-0wc1GFmlEO4nFj0CDiva7dcdHbgENT/s1600/Bjw4fYYIEAA0MXC.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-3763573512998536982014-03-26T21:39:00.003-04:002014-03-26T21:39:52.837-04:00Day 360: My March Madness Bracket Blows Up.There was a time when I felt pretty good about my March Madness bracket. Even though I didn't have any money involved, it was nice to see some of my picks turning out as well as they did—at one point I had 27 wins and only 7 losses... not bad, right? I managed to pick a few upsets correctly which helped, but then we got to the Sweet Sixteen, shit just fell apart.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIi5qxZ31PsRBRC-NfR8Wy_YjVNsPsJjgRVKXZ79KsrkqSrCvxqb4_Pt11znfQrT35La0g74dFygiUuZDi6YZrrSCGd3OWsACBr-DZpVwneyN-STgph9GGBH-5jLCcEbZPWk__0ouvve32/s1600/day-360.001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIi5qxZ31PsRBRC-NfR8Wy_YjVNsPsJjgRVKXZ79KsrkqSrCvxqb4_Pt11znfQrT35La0g74dFygiUuZDi6YZrrSCGd3OWsACBr-DZpVwneyN-STgph9GGBH-5jLCcEbZPWk__0ouvve32/s1600/day-360.001.jpg" /></a></div>
If you remember correctly from my last March Madness post, my final four consisted of Michigan State, Syracuse, Wichita State and Creighton... yeah, now you know what happened. I basically have one team left in my final four—Michigan State—and I definitely didn't have them in the final, let alone winning it all.<br />
<br />
I knew I was in trouble when Syracuse lost to Dayton. There's always that team that goes a little further into the tournament than they're supposed to and this year, it's Dayton. The #11 seed upset #6 Ohio State in the first round, then they sent #3 Syracuse packing in the next round, thereby killing one half of my final two. So now #11 Dayton will play #10 Stanford for a trip to the Elite Eight. But I love an upset so much that I don't even care if it blows up my bracket.<br />
<br />
And then there's Wichita State. The #1 seed had quite a season and entered their game against #8 Kentucky at an impressive 35-0. But this tournament isn't called March Madness for nothing. Kentucky beat Wichita State 78-76 to shock the Shockers and force them to realize they're not in Kansas anymore. I will say that the Wichita State pick to win it all was a bold one, but it had to be done. There's no place like home.<br />
<br />
Since my final two matchup was Syracuse and Wichita State, my bracket is officially nothing more than a shit catcher in a bird cage. Once I heard the Shockers lost, I immediately stopped watching. Although I'm sure once the basketball comes back on this week, I'll get sucked in again. I'll continue to root for the underdogs but in the end, I just want a great game—one that preferably comes down to the final fraction of a second.<br />
<br />
Three of the four #1 seeds are still left in the tournament... I just happened to pick the one that couldn't pull out the win! *sigh*Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-38632557918281830032014-03-25T19:06:00.001-04:002014-03-25T19:06:58.772-04:00Day 359: Baseball for Beginners: Lesson #10 - You're Ready!Well... it's the final week of the Baseball for Beginners series and here we are at Lesson #10. Hold me. {{sniff sniff}} You've learned about the following areas: <a href="http://ballsofallsizes.blogspot.com/2014/01/day-296-baseball-for-beginners-lesson-1.html">Pitchers</a>, <a href="http://ballsofallsizes.blogspot.com/2014/01/day-303-baseball-for-beginners-lesson-2.html">Catchers</a>, <a href="http://ballsofallsizes.blogspot.com/2014/02/day-310-baseball-for-beginners.html">Infielders</a>, <a href="http://ballsofallsizes.blogspot.com/2014/02/day-317-baseball-for-beginners-lesson-4.html">Outfielders</a>, the <a href="http://ballsofallsizes.blogspot.com/2014/02/day-324-baseball-for-beginners-lesson-5.html">Lineup</a>, <a href="http://ballsofallsizes.blogspot.com/2014/02/day-331-baseball-for-beginners-lesson-6.html">Some Basic Rules</a>, <a href="http://ballsofallsizes.blogspot.com/2014/03/day-338-baseball-for-beginners-lesson-7.html">Lingo</a>, <a href="http://ballsofallsizes.blogspot.com/2014/03/day-345-baseball-for-beginners-lesson-8.html">More Lingo</a> and <a href="http://ballsofallsizes.blogspot.com/2014/03/day-352-baseball-for-beginners-lesson-9.html">What Not to Wear</a>. I've tried my best to prepare you newcomers to the game of baseball for all aspects of the game.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEGWW6rIn55Cke1jlScJHRKkxifbS0meQ-HFKiucH0J62oHLrYihlcuj-E4Oz5YMqIlHY1Taq1qeg29DlrsTCj4Hia8gEOCQEW5WUbkeHJnGaWVZG_NEHrg5RJPnKcy9_UQn-r6ZH2A9a/s1600/day-359.001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEGWW6rIn55Cke1jlScJHRKkxifbS0meQ-HFKiucH0J62oHLrYihlcuj-E4Oz5YMqIlHY1Taq1qeg29DlrsTCj4Hia8gEOCQEW5WUbkeHJnGaWVZG_NEHrg5RJPnKcy9_UQn-r6ZH2A9a/s1600/day-359.001.jpg" /></a></div>
My goal at the outset of this series of posts was to hopefully get someone who's never been a fan of baseball, to at least considering giving it a shot. Maybe by knowing more about the game—some of the rules, equipment and, of course, the lingo, you might feel more comfortable heading out to your local team's stadium to take in a game.<br />
<br />
You don't have to go to a major league ballpark... some of the best fun you'll have is at a minor league ballpark. The setting is more intimate and it costs a lot less. The minor league players are usually a lot more accessible, especially if you have kids. These still humble guys are cutting their teeth and have yet to be ruined by a big contract. There's no mistake that these guys are working their asses off to try and make it to "the Show"—there's not a ton of money to be made in the minors!<br />
<br />
McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, RI, the home of the Red Sox Triple-A team, has a unique feature. Because their dugouts are built into the wall under the grandstands, fans looking for autographs actually go "fishing." They'll lower the item they would like signed in a bucket and the players can sign the item, tug on the line, and the fans then pull up their newly autographed memorabilia. That would never happen at a major league park.<br />
<br />
Be patient with the ballgame though. Baseball isn't the speediest sport around. But the slow pace of the game gives you a chance to enjoy the sights and you also don't run the risk of missing a big play like you do if you're watching hockey or football live. Games can be long. If there's a lot of offense, or the game is tied and goes into extra innings, you might be there for a while—you should set aside a good three to four hour block.<br />
<br />
Buy a program so you can get to know the names of the players and can recognize them from their numbers. Try your hand at keeping score for a couple innings on the scorecard provided in the program. It will force you to pay attention to the action, as well as getting you more comfortable with the terminology.<br />
<br />
So I think you're ready... grab a beer, some peanuts and cracker jacks, and maybe even a big 'ol sausage bomb (I like to eat a lot at the ballpark) and enjoy the game. And learn this song because most likely, you're going to be required to sing it!<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd;
buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,
I don't care if I never get back.
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win, it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game.</i></blockquote>
If you do get to a game, let me know how you like it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-34622608867131175662014-03-24T20:49:00.001-04:002014-03-24T20:49:56.459-04:00Day 358: Deal is Done: Ortiz Will Finish Career in BostonWell, David Ortiz got his way, like he always does. After a bit of a snippy spring where Ortiz, once again, voiced his desire to stay in Boston...for the right price, the Red Sox signed him essentially through 2017. If you're keeping track, Ortiz would turn 42 on November 18, 2017. But they haven't promised the money with no strings attached.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVb_sJfPjO6pkVzszv_0N9DkBiJtTeT8_Z1sgP6afEiH6mf3WbAnO3sbqYMSjDHBecnvEZB7Va7hm5RrVU_r2-pQFX6_ERCDZnloBeQEiTv1jwWs5hOv2QuLPXK5OULc6efzrK4yTBbBPU/s1600/day-358.001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVb_sJfPjO6pkVzszv_0N9DkBiJtTeT8_Z1sgP6afEiH6mf3WbAnO3sbqYMSjDHBecnvEZB7Va7hm5RrVU_r2-pQFX6_ERCDZnloBeQEiTv1jwWs5hOv2QuLPXK5OULc6efzrK4yTBbBPU/s1600/day-358.001.jpg" /></a></div>
In 2014, Ortiz will make $15 million in the final year of his current two-year contract that was signed in 2012. The original total was $26 million, but with him spending fewer than 20 days on the DL in 2013, he'll earn an additional $4 million for a performance clause. The $15 million due to Ortiz this season ranks as the second highest salary behind Mike Napoli who signed a two-year, $32 million deal in December. The new deal signed on Sunday will pay Big Papi $16 million for the 2015 season. A club/vesting option is in place for 2016 that will kick in if he achieves a certain number of plate appearances, and then there's a club option for 2017.<br />
<br />
It helps that the Red Sox will most likely have a number of low-paid players in the line up in 2014—Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Will Middlebrooks won't even be eligible for salary arbitration until after 2015. Frees up lots of moola for the big man.<br />
<br />
I've been in that boat that doesn't necessarily agree with the way the Red Sox front office treats Ortiz differently than other players when it comes to negotiating contracts. In a time when teams just don't offer up $15 million deals to single-faceted players, Big Papi is bucking the trend and getting that big payday. But there's no denying that he's an integral part of the organization and the city of Boston. And it doesn't hurt that his contributions have had an immeasurable impact on the value of the team. Ortiz is the only player on the team who has been a part of all three of the most recent World Series Championships.<br />
<br />
Who knows if Ortiz can maintain the same level of performance through the 2017 season, but at least there will come a time where he'll need to achieve some numbers in order to get paid. Maybe he'll even see this move by the team as a sign of respect and he'll stop moaning about it. Now let's just hope the current .057 spring training batting average is just a minor aberration.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-62959672779985119792014-03-23T20:09:00.001-04:002014-03-23T20:10:30.141-04:00Day 357: 2013 Red Sox Recap: Bearded Band of BrothersOctober 30, 2013: <i>"Ninth inning of game six. Two balls, two strikes, two outs. Red Sox lead the St. Louis Cardinals 6-1. Koji ready. He turns on the rubber, the 2-2 home..."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJXXXqfyJuaYEnOaJZ_xJX80N-WS8XhMB81grH_xDnuLoVp3IlbZPH6YM4KkTc9AGtkQPdiBA5I50l43ZVBeHEzaSQ4ZccXu6qKOb-RNz77VI9PXVRRHA31pI3ogMkl_wviOzyeoEYYsk/s1600/day-357.001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJXXXqfyJuaYEnOaJZ_xJX80N-WS8XhMB81grH_xDnuLoVp3IlbZPH6YM4KkTc9AGtkQPdiBA5I50l43ZVBeHEzaSQ4ZccXu6qKOb-RNz77VI9PXVRRHA31pI3ogMkl_wviOzyeoEYYsk/s1600/day-357.001.jpg" /></a></div>
We all know what happened next... something that hadn't transpired in Fenway Park since 1918—a World Series Championship clinching win. It's a moment that gives me full body chills even now five months later.<br />
<br />
NESN put together an amazing compilation of the 2013 season's events and subsequent Championship called "Bearded Band of Brothers" that is a must-see for any Red Sox fan. I've had the DVD for months and finally just watched it today. Maybe it's because the start of the new baseball season is just over a week away and the 2014 Red Sox haven't done anything too exciting in spring training. I needed a little pick-me-up, a reminder of what can happen to this team.<br />
<br />
I know it's asking a lot for a repeat of the fairytale magic that occurred last year and I know the chances of winning the World Series in back-to-back seasons are somewhat slim, but watching that DVD just reaffirmed what a special team this was and could be again. As long as they continue with the same team-unifying attitude and positive outlook, it could happen.<br />
<br />
This video covers everything from those dark days of 2012, to the blockbuster deal with the Dodgers, to the unconventional and controversial players signed in the offseason. Then from that special walk-off win on Patriots Day, to the darkness of the events that happened on the heels of that win, to the week that followed leading up to the capture of the bombers and David Ortiz's heartfelt declaration.<br />
<br />
And in the wake of that tragedy, this video documents the never-say-die, fight-till-the-end outlook this team displayed for the rest of that extraordinary season. It seemed like every other night, there was some heroic feat that catapulted them to yet another win. Whether it was a lights out pitching performance, a diving, run-stealing catch, or yet another walk-off win, each and every player contributed to the team's successes at some point.<br />
<br />
It was also a season that was defined by many different themes. When Will Middlebrooks innocently hashtagged a tweet following the Marathon bombing with #BostonStrong, it became the motto for the entire city. And let's not forget Koji's post-save high five parade... or the massive horde of players who waited at home plate to excitedly (and sometimes violently) greet every guy responsible for a walk-off win. But most of all, it was the year of the facial hair with beards so long there was quite possibly small, woodland creatures inhabiting them... and where the handshake or ass slap was replaced by a beard tug.<br />
<br />
And of course, October and all its glory.<br />
<br />
Like most things related to that amazing worst-to-first performance, the DVD made me cry, it made me laugh and it made me smile. I smiled a lot. If you need something to get you pumped up for 2014 Red Sox baseball, <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Band-Bearded-Brothers-World-Champion/dp/B00GVFJ5PE">click HERE to buy this DVD</a></b>. Go Sox!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-4744791896086241872014-03-22T18:46:00.003-04:002014-03-22T18:46:35.317-04:00Day 356: Yankees Get Taste of Ellsbury's Injury Antics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdTlmJvIskA58KtS_Ud9NUnJGvoFuW-Xw1X77RJmoMw12f7_h-wgCC3Ew0TNJzqASw0fHuesa7KSUyQrhjlyLzis_g7GFGOTHKtEAChfg8p1j18_EZoYtknQCZbkKIpIHpAdhxXBj6pwH/s1600/day-356.001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdTlmJvIskA58KtS_Ud9NUnJGvoFuW-Xw1X77RJmoMw12f7_h-wgCC3Ew0TNJzqASw0fHuesa7KSUyQrhjlyLzis_g7GFGOTHKtEAChfg8p1j18_EZoYtknQCZbkKIpIHpAdhxXBj6pwH/s1600/day-356.001.jpg" /></a></div>
Baseball players can be real sissies. In my opinion, Jacoby Ellsbury might be the president of that club. I'm not saying all players are wimps. I know plenty that play hurt—hell, Dustin Pedroia seems to be always playing with some type of injury. Or how about Cincinnati Reds pitcher, Aroldis Chapman who was blasted in the eye socket by a line drive last week? They're now saying he'll pitch again this season which blows my mind <a href="http://mlb.si.com/2014/03/20/reds-aroldis-chapman-hit-in-head-line-drive/">after seeing the replay</a>. The guy had a steel plate inserted into his head and reports are that he could be throwing a ball in a couple of weeks.<br />
<br />
And then you have players like Ellsbury. One of my biggest problems with him when he played for the Red Sox, was his inability to return in a timely fashion from an injury. There is absolutely no sense of urgency for this guy to get back in the lineup which tells me, he's more interested in what's best for him than what's best for the team. Maybe that will do something for his longevity in this game, but dude, come on.<br />
<br />
When he hit the free agent market after the 2013 season, I really wondered what type of pay day a guy like him would score. He had two seasons with the Red Sox that were significantly shortened by an injury that I'm convinced wasn't debilitating enough to warrant missing that much time. But then again, I'm not a doctor so who am I to judge... just a sneaking suspicion, I guess. So after the Yankees signed him to seven year, $153 million contract, my first thought was, <i>good friggin' luck getting your money's worth out of that pansy.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
The regular season hasn't even started yet and ol' Jacoby is up to his old tricks. He hasn't played in a spring training game since March 14th because of tightness in his right calf. He had an MRI late last week and then tested it out the following day by doing some light running and hopes to be back in the lineup on Tuesday. He hopes... you know, if there's absolutely not even one tiny little twinge of pain. Although there were reports that he said if it was the regular season, he <i>coooooould</i> play. Douche.<br />
<br />
Oh Jacoby, I'm sorry you're such a wuss. But I'm not sorry you're playing for a different team this year. Your their problem now.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7407991288710678641.post-44062648504674321222014-03-21T21:29:00.002-04:002014-03-21T21:29:42.289-04:00Day 355: They Don't Call it March Madness for Nothing.Every year I claim that I won't give two minutes to March Madness. I don't like basketball and I don't care about this tournament. I say I won't fill out a bracket or enter a pool. Come mid, March, I plan to shun all things college hoops. I don't watch it during the regular season and I know nothing about any of the teams, so why would I watch now?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjw_HKg6UDPW2eCaHSSlRTzfWmswHiPQk44GD6ifPXy_oFSGYPhZUtvaIpg_IRLP1PKlg-oQlXUWzEQ0lqoUIyI2_f0dW3fYFJXyDBVCrTXJGke_CG3vnaNHdRw_POqBDJCmu4AFHZtxpd/s1600/day-355.001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjw_HKg6UDPW2eCaHSSlRTzfWmswHiPQk44GD6ifPXy_oFSGYPhZUtvaIpg_IRLP1PKlg-oQlXUWzEQ0lqoUIyI2_f0dW3fYFJXyDBVCrTXJGke_CG3vnaNHdRw_POqBDJCmu4AFHZtxpd/s1600/day-355.001.jpg" /></a></div>
But I was just fooling myself.<br />
<br />
Like several millions of other crazies, I got sucked into that stupid Billion Dollar Bracket Challenge on Yahoo. I foolishly thought I had a chance of winning Warren Buffett's $1 billion prize. (Ok... I didn't really, but a girl can dream, right?) I'm not going to lie, I didn't spend more than two or three minutes filling out the bracket—since I have no idea about any of the teams, it was all a great big crapshoot. But obviously, that first loss stung... my dreams of being a billionaire were dashed by Ohio State. Jerks.<br />
<br />
So now... I'm obsessed. But I'm obsessed with watching just the last two minutes of the games. Since I'm not really a fan of the game of basketball, the thought of watching a game early in the first half when the score still sits in the single digits, makes me sort of want to kill myself. I'm happy if I can turn it on with two minutes or less in the game—and it's even better if the game is close. At this moment, the Cal Poly vs. Wichita State game is on and boy is it booooo-ring. It's not even a wee bit close. Guess I'll switch over to North Carolina vs. Providence match up...<br />
<br />
I've had some moments that have been lucky guesses, perhaps. I did pick Harvard to beat Cincinnati and Stanford over New Mexico. That Mercer win over Duke this afternoon was awesome—even though I didn't pick them. Duke is annoying. And with Tennessee's commanding win over UMass, well, that bracket is pretty much blown and can only be rescued by Michigan.<br />
<br />
My final four: Syracuse vs. Michigan State AND Wichita State vs. Creighton<br />
<br />
My final two: Syracuse vs. Wichita State<br />
<br />
My National Champion: Wichita State<br />
<br />
Let's see how this all shakes out. I have absolutely no chance at winning any money and usually, the only way you can get me to watch basketball is to dangle cash in front of my face, so I'm not sure what's wrong with me! It's MAD I tell you!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0