Was Jim Rice robbed?

I think so. In his 14th year of eligibility for the Baseball Hall of Fame, Rice, who played his whole career for the Boston Red Sox, lost out on a spot in the hall by a mere 16 votes, a very slim margin and no doubt a bunch of writers whop are still a little upset he wasn't more talkative back in the 70's. Regardless, this is not me being some die-hard Red Sox fan saying he should get in, but instead, I've listened to other, mainly Yankees fans and players who say he should be there. Why? Because whenever he got up to the plate, they feared what he would do. His stats are borderline and he never won a ring, but there are a few other players who are in with the same or lessor stats. Next year will be his final year to appear on the ballot. I hope some people can get out of the past and send this man to Cooperstown.

Jim Rice deserves a spot in the Hall of Fame!

With ballots already due for this year’s Hall of Fame voting and subsequent inductions, I’m curious how The Mitchell Report will affect voters’ minds and if some players who have been on the fence for years, will finally get their due. Having read a pretty good article by a very biased Tom Caron yesterday, I am all too hopeful for #14, Jim Rice, to get the nod in his 14th year of eligibility, but despite an argument that is almost too good to refute, from T.C., I think the hall voters – most of them aged and angry writers – will again make a poor choice with Rice Let’s hope they finally change their minds about his standoffish nature towards the media in the 70’s and give this guy his due!

The Mitchell Report: Politics As Usual

Sports fans from around the country have been salivating for this day. With a budget of $20 million, former U.S. Senate Majority Leader, George Mitchell was hired by Major League Baseball to investigate steroid use among its' players. While names like Mark McGuire, Jason Giambi, Jose, Canseco, and Barry Bonds had been thrown around like candy out of a pinata over the past several years, most other players probably held out hope that their names wouldn't appear on what some have referred to as "The List." Surely, Roger Clemens and Miguel Tejada would have loved for this day to have come and gone without the new found fanfare that doesn't go along with signing autographs, but realistically, the list was small. Some 80 or so former and current players - 7 MVPs and 31 all-stars - were named in the 400 plus page report that covers the use and abuse of steroids in baseball. So what? What now?
If you listen to Mitchell; it's over. He was paid to compile a list of offenders so the national media would have something to talk about. Seriously? How can a sport really think they will clean up their image by producing such a high profile document with so many accusations and decide to just move on? Whereas I may not yet be a parent, but if I were, I'd be furious if I had a kid playing sports and watching as these players get a seemingly free pass. Wasn't part of the point to be made that if you break the law or cheat and get caught, you get punished? Isn't that what we try to teach young athletes?
Having followed Mitchell's career as a Mainer, I have great respect for the wonderful contributions he's made to our nation and others, but this is a joke. If anything, it is a time to take a stand. If you say you want to clean the sport up and produce real role models, this is the wrong way to go about it. All it has done is provide fodder for sports talk shows and basically said that cheating and lying is okay if you're a high profile athlete. In my book, Bud Selig, the MLB commissioner needs to take a stand and follow-up on his statement from today. Not that Selig has really done a great job in cleaning up the sport, but at least he has the opportunity to take this report and run with it. Suspend players, fine players; do something to ensure that this was not all for naught. Our game and our youth need something more to come from this. I don't need a report to tell me that someone has been on the "juice," I want a report that tells me that participating in such illegal actions is unjust, unethical, and punishable. All great politicians learn how to play both sides of the aisle, but in this arena and in this fight, there shoudn't be such a middle ground.

When rivals meet

As a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan, I follow my team closely and appreciate how fans of others teams are passionate for theirs. This past summer this culminated in what was nothing short of an online battle on a ski resort forum regarding the Red Sox and the New York Yankees. While Sunday River boasts skiers from all over the east, it's fairly rare for too many Yankees fans to be around, but a few years back someone had started a thread for the two sides to debate. For one reason or another, I decided to get involved in the debate and it was nothing short of cut-throat. Both sides took shots at one another over a whole season and it was easy to formulate opinions about those who we were debating, but then as the ski season neared and the promise of meeting some of the Yankees fans, approached, I was curious as to what they would be like. We knew the thread was all in fun, but still, I was a little apprehensive. And yet today I finally met one of the men I'd been sparing with. In 10-degree temperatures with 20-knot winds, he joined a bunch of us for some runs and I got a chance to chat with him. I was pleasantly surprised by the mutual respect we had for each others teams, but also that he was nothing like I had imagined. Baseball season is over and we were embraced in our passion for skiing. If only this was always the case...

Will 14 be a charm for Jim Rice?

With the 2008 Baseball Hall of Fame recently announced, there are some familiar faces to go along with the 11 new candidates. For Boston fans, no player is mosre recognizable than Jim Rice. While the Boston Red Sox slugger has come close several times, including leading the ballots of non-electees last season, but some feel that while he was a great player, his numbers don't add up to a Hall induction. Rice, the 1978 AL MVP, batted .298 in his career and hit 382 home runs.
While most players from his era are often heard from, Rice is still an integral part of Red Sox Nation as a host of NESN's pre and post game shows along with Tom Caron. And with 2 years left to somehow get voted in, the odds may be against him, but there are still many pulling for his election.

Was Beckett robbed of the Cy Young?

Interesting question. Josh Beckett was the only twenty game winner in the major leagues this past season and he got out-voted by a wide margin for the Cy Young award, given annually to the best pitcher in each league as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America.
Collecting almost two-thirds of the votes was the Cleveland Indians' C.C. Sabathia. Yes, the same Sabathia who was shelled in the playoffs against the Red Sox. The same Sabathia who lost to Josh Beckett in both post season games this year. The Same Sabathia, who having pitched almost 40 more innings, had one less win than Beckett.
As interesting as those figures are, only one of them matters at all in terms of this votes. You see voters cannot take playoffs into consideration as this is a regular season award. In fact, the ballots are cast on the eve of the playoffs. There is little doubt that if the playoffs counted, Beckett wouldn't have been denied, but lets not forget who got the ring at the end of the day.
As I sat down to write this thought long and hard about whether I was actually bitter about the award and quite frankly I'm not. C.C. Sabathia is one hell of a pitcher and might face Boston again next year in the playoffs - we've seen how he does under pressure. Josh Beckett is another great pitcher and may get a shot to make it three in a row against the tribe next October - we've seen how he does under pressure, too.
And yet that match-up wold make Fox a little giddy, Red Sox Nation has something else to look forward to - an already great number one starter who has a chip on his shoulder and might just want to settle the score next season. So while folks might think the voters took something away from Beckett; they're only half right. The writers might have just fueled an already fiercely competitive man.

A surprise out of Boston

I call it a surprise 'cause quite frankly, I thought Curt Schilling would not pitch his final season in Boston. Of course I'm not the only one and even he had been sending his goodbye letters. Granted, Schilling had previously requested one year for $13 million, which was a pipe dream - not only coming from the Red Sox, but perhaps anyone given his age and lack of once powerful fastball, but I think the Red Sox decided that regardless of his regular season mediocrity the past couple of years, Schilling is still a big game pitcher that can rise to the occasion. With a 6 & 2 post-season record, the Sox might want him for that reason alone. They figure that come next October, they'll again be in the playoffs. Now comes the odd part of the deal: The Red Sox are signing Schilling for $8 million in base pay for a possible $2 million if he meets a series of weigh-ins. So if he meets his incentives, it's $3 million less than he asked for before the season, but probably that much more than anyone else would have given him, except perhaps the Yankees and he already made it clear he wouldn't pitch in New York. So it sounds like they want him around for October and hell, if they make it to the playoffs again, he should be nice and trim!
Looking a little further into this deal, it has far less to do with what happens on the mound with him than it does with his knowledge and ability to teach Boston's young prospects. I'm glad Curt will retire a Red Sox; he is one of the big reasons we no longer have a curse!

When it was a game...

The title reminds me of a two-part HBO special from the 80's or 90's about the days of baseball's past. Mostly shot in black and white with real interviews and candid moments with some of the games greats, the special showed something that is seemingly gone from professional sports - the love and passion for playing the game.
Yes, I'm well-aware that there are plenty of professional athletes out there with all the drive in the world, but they are totally overshadowed by the self-absorbed and larger-than-life characters that we as a society have created. These people get paid millions of dollars to play and we treat them as gods. Curious. Perhaps that's why they are self-absorbed.
In the 1980s athletes began to get very large contracts and once it started, it just got worse and worse and team owners and sponsors competed with each other. In the past few years, some professional sports leagues have put salary caps on teams, but players still make absurd amounts of money while rarely showing the class that the ballplayers from days gone by, showed.
I'm not going to call any of these athletes out by name. We all know who thought he was bigger than the World Series. We all know current players who think they are bigger than basketball. Hell, we even know golfers that make so much money from sponsorship - due to demand from fans who watch and create ratings - that you'd think he'd appreciate his fans, but the reality is that sports in our country have been declining for decades and it's a sad commentary.
I could make more of an argument, or rant, if you will and delve into the world of "college athletics," but I don't think there is enough room on the page; however, on the note of "amateur" sports, it isn't too long ago that we watched the Olympics and saw a unique spectacle that only allowed amateur athletes. While that is mostly not the case by-in-large, there are still many events in the Olympics (winter and summer) where money is NOT an issue whatsoever and it is great to see the twinkle in the eyes of these athletes as they enter the stadium for the opening ceremonies. Their payday isn't a bid check, but rather a small flag embroidered on their uniform, a camera full of priceless pictures, and memories to last a lifetime. Some of the events may be obscure, but perhaps it is those sports where we find those athletes who truly embrace and remember, when it was a game!

Fans have spoken: Keep Lowell!

World Series MVP Mike Lowell is going to get a sizable contract from one lucky major league team. Lowell, a unrestricted free agent, came to Boston is a trade to acquire Josh Beckett from the Florida Marlins. Beckett, the 2003 World Series MVP was the hard-throwing right hander Boston was seeking, while Lowell considered himself a "throw-in."
A former Gold Glove winner, Lowell had a good 2006 season and a record setting 2007 season when he set a record for RBIs by a Red Sox 3rd baseman with 120, which was also the team high.
While almost flying under the radar for most of the post-season, Lowell was quietly contributing, batting .333. The after his decisive home run in game four, Lowell was the writers' choice for series MVP.
As Boston fans made their way to the lower levels of Coors Field, they chanted, "re-sign Lowell" and "Don't sign A-Rod." The chants were continued on Tuesday as the Red Sox took to the streets of Boston. And while Curt Schilling has made the most noise about free agency thus far from a Red Sox player's perspective, it is Lowell who the fans want to hear about.
Fans know that baseball is business, but sometime the right guy is better than the right statistics. Boston fans would probably be less welcoming to A-Rod than they were to J.D. Drew and Drew never tried to swap at one of the Red Sox pitchers.
While the Red Sox brass is very reluctant to sign a soon to be 34-year-old to more than two or three year deal, the Red Sox would do well to make a damned good offer to this man.
For this fan, the choice is clear - resign Lowell and keep a throwback hard-working player. Then again, if it was up to me, they'd re-sign him and he join Jason Varitek as co-captain of the Red Sox. Wishful thinking. I know!

BOSTON RED SOX - 2007 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!

Congratulations to the 2007 Boston Red Sox on concluding a sweep of the Colorado Rockies and winning the World Series. The Rockies are a tough team, but Boston played so well. A decade ago, we couldn't have imagined winning a second series in a four year period 'cause we couldn't fathom winning any World Series. This team is tough and a bunch of hard-working young men, who will makes New England, and indeed "Red Sox Nation," proud for a long time to come. Colorado has nothing to be ashamed of, they are a great team and a wonderful bunch of athletes!

THANK YOU FOR A GREAT SEASON!!!!

As a fan of the game...

I've admired every minute of watching the World Series at Coors Field in Denver. Granted, the Sox having been doing well, but the atmosphere looks electric, despite the seemingly bleak outlook for the home team. In last night's game the Rockies were down 6-0 and while in other parks, fans would be making their way for the exits, the 50,000 plus Rockies fans were still roaring and cheering their team on. As a fan of the game and sportsmanship in general, this is what we love to see. And while the 3-run homer by Matt Halliday wasn't enough to put the Rockies over the hump, they hung in the game like they'd been there before, and that my friends, bodes well for baseball in Denver for a long time to come, not matter the outcome of this series.

I'm not a traitor, really!

I should preface by saying that I wouldn't blog so much about the Sox if it were not for the fact that they have a chance to win their second World Series in two years. My blog - being topically random - should and will have more variety, but again, the World Series is pretty special.
Anyway, to the point of my title, I am saying that I am not a traitor because I admittedly want the Red Sox to only win one game in Colorado. I know, I know; you can't have your cake and eat it too, thus I would be Happy for them to win the Series at all, but ideally, it would be sooooo much better for them to win the Series at Fenway, especially since it's been over eight decades since it has happened. Two losses, or even three in Colorado is very possible. Hell, The Rockies have the heart and talent to take this Series, I just think they - like the Indians - are a year or two away from being a team like Boston. All of that said, The Rockies could win the Series and I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it 'cause they're not the Yankees or Mets, but yes, I would be upset. I don't take the Sox for granted, but they are a good team, who could sweep this series, so all I am saying is that it would be cool to see a World Series end in Fenway. Aside from the Sox throwing games like the "Black Sox," I don't see that happening this year.
It's actually a little strange being a fan of the Red Sox when they are expected to win. None of us grew up with such an aura surrounding the team. Regardless, I want the Sox to win and ultimately it doesn't matter if it's in Denver or Boston, the banner will look exactly the same, I hope.

Red Sox hope to keep momentum going into game two

Red Sox players probably learned a lesson or two from the seven game series with the Cleveland Indians in the ALCS. First, they learned that the Indians have one tough team that will be a thorn in the collective American League's side for years to come. More importantly, they learned that a switch in momentum can happen with one play or one inning. You let up a second against a team like the Indians or yes, The Colorado Rockies, and you'll pay. Granted, the Sox looked very strong in their 13-1 victory Wednesday night, but the Sox looked very strong in game one of the ALCS. As Clevelnad bounced back to trounce the Sox in extra innings in game two and go on to win three in a row, the Sox may have overcome a some adversity that makes them a better team in this World Series. While the arm of Curt Schilling will be tested tonight, it will be the bats of the Sox lineup that will be under the microscope. The bats stay hot, the Sox win. The bats go cold, well, let's just say that coming back from a 3-1 series deficit made for exciting baseball.

Go Sox!

Yesterday:
Despite being 2 hours away from the "city" and amongst the tall firs and birch trees of the western Maine mountains, Jules and I were still back to the condo to watch the Sox last night. J.D. Drew's grand slam in the first inning finally popped me up from my semi-slumber and I got to enjoy the home team rally back to tie the series behind an impressive and gutsy performance from Curt Schilling...

...Now:
It's top of the 6th inning and 3-2 Red Sox. J. D. Drew just hauled one in for the second out of the inning, but the nerves are still there. And why? What stake do I have in this? In the grand scheme of things - nothing I suppose, but it's October and the Sox are playing baseball. It doesn't get old!

...Thank you, Dustin! Two-run home run. We beleive!

...And J.D., and Youk, and Pap, and Okie, and WORLD SERIES here we come - One Nation under Fenway!

Beckett tosses one-run five-hitter to carry Boston home!

It was do or die in Cleveland last night for the Boston Red Sox. The team, which looked like it may dominate the series during game one, was trying to avoid elimination in game five of the ALCS. With the game one starters back on the mound, the dreams of Red Sox Nation and at least 24 or their 25 players, rested squarely on the shoulders of Josh Beckett.
Beckett, dominant in game one, showed that he would be out-dueled by C.C. Sabathia and went eight strong as the Sox scored seven runs to send the series back to Boston. The Sox will still face elimination, but the Fenway Faithful will be the ones cheering now and hopefully, the momentum has turned!

Congrats to Joe Torre

Hold on! Did I just say that? But alas, I'm a Red Sox fan. How could I make such a comment about the former Yankees skipper. The reason is because I am a fan of the game and I respect people who give there all to anything or any type fo work.
Does it mean I have to like the Yankees? Nope, but I sure as hell respect the history the organization has and some of the fantastic players who've worn the pinstripes. Whereas I can't stand The Boss and feel that his announcement buring the playoffs that Torre had to win or would be done, was class-less; I respect Joe Torre and even like the guy. I'm glad he stood up and said no when the Yankees spit in his face today with their $5 million offer for one year. The man should have done this a long time ago and I hope he goes somewhere where he can come back to defeat The Boss, but the fact is, he already did so today.

Out-pitched, out-hit, and out-managed...

Things looked so promising in the 5th inning when Manny Ramirez and Mike Lowell hit back-to-back homers. Little did Red Sox Nation know, that Cleveland Indians manager, Eric Wedge knows a thing or two about managing a baseball game. My choice for Manager of The Year in the AL, Wedge used his tail end of the bullpen more effectively than Terry Francona, thus in the top of the 10th, Boston was forced to go to the always scary, Eric Gagne. The former Cy Young winner gave up a hit and walked a man and left to the dismay and shock of the Fenway faithful. Javiar Lopez, normally effective, but mostly used in partial innings, left his pitches up and Cleveland teed off. And the player of the game was none other than the Dirtdog himself, former longtime Red Sox right fielder, Trot Nixon. Nixon, who was pursued by the Red Sox in the off season when he was a free agent, signed with Cleveland and while probably not the vengeful type, he again left his mark on Boston. Final score: A lot to about half... Series tied at one game a piece.

Top of the 5th... and then GAME OVER! 10-3

And the Boston Red Sox are on top 5-1! Maybe I'll write more later...

and I rejoin you after a little shakiness from Eric Gagne, but nonetheless a fairly complete game by the Sox. Lots of timely hits and the Indians had to use a lot of pitching they probably would have liked to have saved. Tomorrow night's gonna be a tough night. I'll be curious to see which Schilling shows up. I hope it's the blood-sock Schilling!

GO SOX!

Sox sweep Angels and await winner of Yanks/Indians!

It was a close game... until the 8th. Curt Schilling pitched a decent 7 innings with a very good variety of pitches. I was impressed at how he has reinvented himself to keep his pitch count low. The back-to-back jack by Manny and Big Papi were all teh Sox needed, but it was nice to see the run production in the late innings. Little Dusty and Lugo were smart on the bases and Coco almost made the catch of the game. I can't wait till Friday!

Go Sox!!!!!

Manny and the Red Sox WALK-OFF!

The score tied 3-3 going to the bottom of the ninth in Boston. Jonathon Papelbon pitched a solid 1 1/3 innings and left it up to the top of the order with Boston leading the best-of-five game series 1-0.

With Big Papi intentionally walked and Julio Lugo on second, Manny Ramirez stepped to the plated against the funky-throwing, but always dangerous K-Rod.

Second pitch, middle-in, Manny hits it over everything in left field - over the Green Monster, over the screen, probably over Lansdowne Street and onto the Mass Pike.

What a shot!

Red Sox lead 2 games to 0!