Day 313: Red Sox Hall of Fame Class of 2014

The Boston Red Sox named its most recent Hall of Fame selections and I can honestly say one of those choices, I don't agree with at all. I understand this isn't Cooperstown, but the panel of 16 judges that include club executives, print and broadcast media members, booster club representatives, and historians, may need to get their heads out of their asses. The group elected Pedro Martinez, Nomar Garciaparra and Roger Clemens to the team's Hall of Fame.

Now do you see my problem? Roger Clemens? Really? Roid boy Roger? The cheater.

I'm sure they're all sticking to the argument that there was no proof that the Rocket was on the juice during his 13 seasons in Boston. If you're just looking at his accomplishments with the Red Sox, he was mostly likely already Cooperstown-bound. He is tied with Cy Young with the most career wins (192) and most career shutouts (38) as a member of the Red Sox. He is the all-time franchise leader in strikeouts with 2,590 and he won three Cy Young Awards. Clemens also had two 20-strikeout, no-walk games in 1986 and 1996.

Well, that's all well and good but the dude cheated. He most likely will never be voted into the national Hall of Fame because of this so why did this bunch of wind bags vote him in? And how much Pedro and Nomar be feeling about their classmate? Oh well... it's done and there's nothing I can do about it but be bitter and annoyed and I have no interest in discussing that jackass more than I have to.

Red Sox shortstop from 1996-2004, Nomar Garciaparra has the fourth-best career batting average (.323) and fifth-best slugging percentage (.553) in the team's history. In 1997, he led the AL with 209 hits and 684 at-bats, and a 30-game hit streak—the same year he won the Rookie of the Year award. He batted .372 in 2000 which was the fourth-highest for a single season in club history. It was such a big surprised when Nomar was traded mid-way through the 2004 season, but who knows if his presence would've changed the outcome of that season. Regardless of his absence from that Championship run, he deserves a spot in Red Sox history.

Pedro Martinez won two Cy Young Awards and was named an All-Star four times in his seven seasons with the Red Sox. He played a huge role in the World Series run in 2004—his last season in Boston. Pedro finished his time with the Sox with a 117-37 record making him the club's all-time leader with a .760 career winning percentage. He had 72 10-strikeout games and his ERA with the Sox was a stingy 2.52—the seventh lowest in team history, but the lowest since the early 1900s. There were few pitchers more dynamic and fun to watch than Pedro. I remember the one time I was supposed to see him pitch in person, he was scratched just minutes before the game started. I was crushed.

Red Sox radio broadcaster, Joe Castiglione, was also inducted. He has spent the last 31 season as their play-by-play announcer. Castiglione became a household name for his call of the 2004 World Series win where he said, "Can you believe it?" He's been my beach buddy for years because there's not much that makes me happier in the summertime than sitting on the beach with the Sox game on the radio.

So other than that one mistake, looks like a pretty solid and deserved Hall of Fame class for the Red Sox in 2014. I just feel bad that Nomar, Pedro and Joe have to share the stage with that douchebag.

Day 312: The Olympics are Here! The Olympics are Here!

Can you tell I'm just a little bit excited about the start of the Sochi Olympic Games? It's what will keep me going now that football is over. Well, the Olympics and the fact that pitchers and catchers report next Saturday, but mostly the Olympics. Hey... it's only happens once every four years, right? I can get excited if I want.

This year, those tricky Olympics organizers are throwing us a bit of a curve ball. While the official Opening Ceremonies for the games are Friday night, they've really already started with a few events on Thursday. There will be preliminary rounds of Slope Style Snowboarding Qualification (a new, and very dynamic event), Freestyle Skiing Qualification (women's moguls) and Team Figure Skating (huh? there wasn't enough skating already?)

Unfortunately, pretty much everything that NBC shows us will be tape-delayed because Sochi is nine hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, so that just makes it impossible for the events televised in primetime to actually be live. You know what this means, don't you? It means either you stream it over the interwebs (at work! gasp!) to see it when it happens, or you avoid all world wide web contact for the entire day so you don't see the results. Click HERE for the TV schedule.

It also means that every single news report about the Olympics will be prefaced with the whole "spoiler alert" speech and everyone will be diving for their remote control mute button. Or you can just do what I do—stick your fingers in your ears and start singing "la-la-la-la-la" as loud as you can so as not to hear anything those evil spoiler newspeople are trying to tell you.

NBC received tons 'o flack for its tape-delayed 2012 London games. The time difference that summer also forced the network to delay broadcasting events, but it also gave them the opportunity to edit the primetime programming and include all those feel good stories that usually have me sobbing uncontrollably. And even though many took to social media to complain about it, it didn't seem to hurt the viewership. The London Summer Olympics earned record numbers when 219.4 million people tuned in to watch.

Let's just hope there are no major flubs with the network giving away the results accidentally. Sort of like the Missy Franklin gold medal mishap when just seconds before her final in the 100-meter backstroke, NBC ran a promo featuring Franklin as a newly crowned gold medalist. D'oh. Major head-desk for the moron who let that happen.

I think what I need to do in order to remain stress-free throughout the next 17 days is to just accept that with the speed information travels these days, I'm going to get spoiled on some events. I'm pretty sure it won't be the end of the world. And while it sucks to know the results before the event, it will still be fun to watch.

Can someone please remind me of this new philosophy when I'm spouting off like a crazy person on Facebook in a couple days?

USA! USA! USA!

Day 311: Curt Schilling Diagnosed with Cancer

Sad news from Curt Schilling today—the 47-year-old former Red Sox right-hander released a statement through ESPN that he has recently been diagnosed with cancer.

"I've always believed life is about embracing the gifts and rising up to meet the challenges. We've been presented with another challenge, as I've recently been diagnosed with cancer. Shonda and I want to send a sincere thank you and our appreciation to those who have called and sent prayers, and we ask that if you are so inclined, to keep the Schilling family in your prayers.  

"My father left me with a saying that I've carried my entire life and tried to pass on to our kids: ‘Tough times don't last, tough people do.' Over the years in Boston, the kids at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have shown us what that means. With my incredibly talented medical team I'm ready to try and win another big game. I've been so very blessed and I feel grateful for what God has allowed my family to have and experience, and I'll embrace this fight just like the rest of them, with resolute faith and head on."  

- Thank you, The Schillings

Schilling has not disclosed the type of cancer yet but will most certainly get the heaps of support from his cancer survivor spouse. His wife, Shonda, battled stage-2 melanoma back in 2001 and founded the Shade Foundation of America to promote sun safety awareness.

Curt Schilling pitched for the Red Sox from 2004 to 2007, playing a huge part in their World Series wins in both '04 and '07. He finished his four years in Boston with a record of 53-29, but he was best in the playoffs going 6-1 with a 3.28 ERA during those two championship series. Schilling will forever be solidified in Red Sox lore for his courageousness when he limped to the mound in game two of the 2004 World Series and pitched with a freshly stitched up ankle and bloody sock.

Get well soon, Mr. Schilling.

Day 310: Baseball for Beginners: Lesson #3 - The Infielders

Welcome to week three of becoming a baseball fan! We've learned about the Pitcher (here) and the Catcher (here) but these guys need some help in the field. They're the two that get the play started and the seven other guys in the field are there to try and keep that batter from getting on base. Tonight, we're going to discuss the infield. I love the infield. This is where I played in my years of softball—I've played third base, shortstop and second base. Even though I've never played first base, I've certainly Bill Bucknered my share of ground balls at the other positions.

The infield consists of four players who man the three bases—first, second and third—as well as the shortstop who patrols the area between second and third base. They're the first line of defense against the opposing batters.

First base is the first of four that a baserunner must touch in order to score a run. It lives at the right corner of the infield. The first baseman is the guy who plays the field nearest to that base and is responsible for the majority of the plays made there. This guy is normally a big guy with good flexibility and cat-like reflexes. He often needs to stretch, sometimes almost into a split, to field throws from the other infielders. If the first baseman catches the throw before the runner touches the base, that runner is out. If a runner reaches first base, this guy is also responsible for keeping them from stealing.

Second base is the next base that a runner will advance to. The second baseman, the guy guarding that base and patrolling the right side of the infield, has to be all-around quick. He needs quick hands and feet and needs to get rid of the ball quickly. If a second baseman finishes the game with a clean uniform, he most likely sucks. He's pivotal in a double play, often the guy who gets upended by the runner sliding into second to break up the play. Second basemen are rarely big guys and not really known for their power at the plate.

The shortstop is different because he has no base to protect. He is, however, responsible for protecting the left side of the infield. Baseball generally has more right-handed than left-handed hitters and since most batters have a tendency to pull the ball slightly, the shortstop is usually a busy guy. Because of where on the field the shortstop is positioned, he must have the strongest arm in the infield. And like the second baseman, he should be agile in order to field those balls hit hard to his position.

Lastly, is the hot corner or third base—the last infield base touched by a runner on their way to home plate. It's called the "hot corner" because the third baseman is generally closer to the batter and right-handed batters can scorch a ball in his direction. These players also must have quick reflexes due to that close proximity to the plate, and they must also have a strong throwing arm. This wasn't my favorite position mostly because I didn't want to get nailed in the face with a screaming line drive.

So there you have it. Some quick facts about the infield and the guys who patrol it. Balls hit out of the infield are the responsibility of the outfielders—we'll take a more in-depth look at those guys next Tuesday.

Day 309: The Most Watched Super Bowl Ever? Really?

So it's no secret I thought the Super Bowl sucked. If you weren't a Seattle Seahawks fan reveling in the beat down or a general Peyton Manning hater, it was a total yawn-fest. The fourth quarter was so incredibly painful to watch, I left it for the comfort of my latest read. I, for sure, would rather have my tonsils removed through my belly button than have to watch anyone on the Seahawks in an interview.

A lot of the late game uncomfortableness had to do with the Denver Broncos' lackadaisical approach to trying to make a comeback. Where was the hurry-up offense? Where was the sense of urgency? It was clearly all absent. The Broncos went fetal at the worst possible time. Did that football off the noggin on the first play of the game knock something loose in Peyton's brain? Or where they a bunch of impostors? A friend posted on Facebook: "Somewhere, all of the Broncos players are tied up in their underwear while the Raiders play in the Super Bowl wearing Broncos' uniforms." Yeah... it was just like that. (Thanks for the laugh, Jamie!) 

It's really unbelievable to me that this ridiculous 43-8 drubbing was the most watched Super Bowl ever. Seriously? I'll believe most mocked, but most watched? Get out of town. But it's true—111.5 million people watched this crap—the biggest blowout since Dallas clubbed Buffalo 52-17 in 1993. I'm assuming about 90 million of those people used the game as an excuse to eat absurdly large vats of food and wax poetic about the overpriced and mostly disappointing commercials. (Not Budweiser, they were my favorite.)

Five of the last six Super Bowls have been decided by less than a touchdown—two of those games featured my New England Patriots who lost both nail biters. I would've preferred one or both of those games ended a little differently... maybe with second stringers getting some snaps because the game was so far out of reach. I will say I was a bit envious of those 'Hawks fans just coasting to the presentation of the Lombardi Trophy without a care in the world.

I also have to wonder if any of the other 111,499,999 people noticed what I noticed. There's a common denominator in three of last seven Super Bowls for the losing team. There was a certain player that played in Super Bowl XLII, XLVI and XLVIII and lost all three. Yup, Wes Welker. I've come to the conclusion that this guy is bad news. He's a jinx, a curse and total hex. Someone very evil and very clever possesses a tiny little Wes Welker voodoo doll ensuring that any team he's a part of will never win the coveted Championship. Sorry, Peyton... you're stuck with him now.

I'm curious how many of those 111.5 million folks woke up this morning with no recollection of anything that happened after the muffed coin toss by one fur-cloaked (and possibly drunk) Joe Namath. Oh well... so long, football. See you next fall.

Day 308: All I Wanted was a Good Game. This Sucks.

I'm not a fan of sucky Super Bowls and this one is turning out to be just that for footballs fan who could care less about either team. I'm sure Seahawks fans are stoked (or toked *heehee*) and Denver fans are too stoned to realize their team is losing. I'm not going to lie, if the Patriots were playing and they were crushing their opponent like this, I'm be pretty pumped too.

All this hype of the best offensive team versus the best defensive team isn't boding so well for that high-flying offense. The defense is crazy tough and refuses to let Denver get into a rhythm. Peyton Manning has a serious case of the happy feet and just doesn't look comfortable. At all. But then again why would he after that horrific opening play of the game when the snap bounced off his helmet and into the wrong end zone for a safety.

Things just never could get on track for the bewildered Broncos. Also, the turnovers have absolutely detonated the Denver offense. There's no way you can turn the ball over three times against a defense of this caliber and get away with it. And because the Denver defense isn't nearly as tough as Seattle's, it's making the Seahawks offense look pretty good. Oh well, live and learn I guess...that's if Peyton ever makes it back to the Super Bowl again.

I imagine the half-time show was the most entertaining part of the night. And I missed it. I was in the car driving home to catch the second half at home and I missed it all. I probably would've been better off to have watched the damn half-time show and just missed the first half of the third quarter. I'm annoyed—mostly because I didn't think to at least set the DVR. D'oh.

Boredom is setting in. This game blows. I kinda just want to go to bed because I almost think sleep would be more exciting.

Well, at least this will quell all that talk about Peyton Manning being better than Tom Brady. For now, anyway.

Day 307: More Super Bowl Commercials... and Now for Some Funnies

It's no secret that I really could care less about the two teams playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday. I mean, I'm rooting for Denver but all I really want is a good game and some great commercials. It has to be a good game, right? Both Denver and Seattle led their respective divisions with 13 wins and were both top seeds going into the playoffs. And how often does the Super Bowl feature the best offense versus the best defense? I'll tell you... it has only happened six times.

If you go back and review each of those games, the best defense won five of the six. Those statistics don't bode well for the Denver Broncos. As a matter of fact, the only best defensive team that didn't win the Super Bowl just happened to be the Broncos when they lost to San Francisco 55-10 in Super Bowl XXIV—the year Joe Montana won his fourth title. 

The other thing to keep in mind is that in four of those five wins for the best defense, that team also featured a future Hall of Fame quarterback driving the offense. Now that's just not fair. The best defense AND a kick ass quarterback—I imagine the shame factor would've been high had those teams not won it all. It's still too early to tell if Seattle's Russell Wilson is going to be that caliber of QB, but for now, let's just say he's not.

But I digress. The real purpose of this post is to talk about some more Super Bowl commercials. I recently stumbled across a couple of spots that totally cracked me up. One has a past tie to the Broncos and features former and brief NFL quarterback, Tim Tebow. Who knew the kid could pull this off? And considering I'm not a big fan of Tebow, this ad cracked me up.

The other commercial I found entertaining was also just a wee bit disturbing—but it also proves once again that dogs make everything better. Audi has historically been high on the list of best Super Bowl ads and they produced one of my favorites in 2012 called Vampire Party. But this year's spot is kitschy and somewhat troubling and completely not what I expected from the luxury car brand. And it made me totally guffaw.

Ok, I'm done with blog posts about commercials now. Maybe. I can't believe tomorrow is Super Bowl Sunday and then football will be over. {{flails}} Deep breaths... in exactly two weeks, pitchers and catchers report for the Red Sox!