Sox Recap - game from August 30th, 2009

Boston gives the Blue Jays the Byrd

I start today's post with a shout out and a "Thank You" to Joe Castiglione - Red Sox radio announcer. I was in my car at the start of the game yesterday listening to the broadcast when I heard something to the effect of.... "Opposing scouts say that the Fenway (speed) gun runs a "bit" fast".....

NOOOOOO, I will NOT break my arm patting myself on the back (shoulder surgery and arthritis prohibits self back-patting). I type slow enough as it is... never mind with a broken arm... But it was good to hear that I'm NOT crazy...well, not THIS time at least... Be that as it may, keep in mind when watching hurlers at the Fens and the gun says "96"... it's really like 94 in every other park.... Nuf Ced

Now, on to yesterday's game.... "HOLY [CRAP]" pretty much sums it up. I know I made a prediction about Paul Byrd taking the pill yesterday but WTF dude!?!?!? Just a month ago, Byrd was pitching to 13 year-old kids on his son's little league team... Less than a day ago he was making Toronto's line-up look 13 years old (did that make sense???).... shutting the Blue Jays out for 6 innings on 3 hits... redundancy abounds as I dare say .... what a difference a MONTH makes... Nuf Ced

For those not "Up to snuff" (uh, title of my archive list), The Sox signed Byrd out of retirement last month to bolster a rapidly depleting "best pitching staff in baseball". Paul Byrd proved, for yesterday at least, what a genius Theo Epstein is !!! ... (and myself too !!!)

I was happy at the announcement last month and stated yesterday that Byrd is a steady arm, good for 5-6 innings of 2 or 3 run ball... Yesterday he gave the Nation, AND the Blue Jays... much more than anyone could have imagined... I know, I know, you're only as good as your last outing... Well then, TODAY BYRD IS BRILLIANT !!!!!!! Nuf Ced

Also brilliant was the bullpen, preserving Byrd's masterpiece....pitching 3 innings of 2-hit shutout ball... as the Sox swept the Jays 7-0. Notably, Billy Wagner made his Sox debut and pitched the 8th, striking out the side, despite rendering a 2-bagger.... I wonder how Paps is feeling about that ?!?!?!? No worries Jigman... "IT" happens (right "G(r)ump(y)" !?!?!?!) Nuf Ced

Although Roy Halladay lasted SIX innings THIS time, our boys had him on the ropes early and often, tallying single runs in each of the first four frames... the knock-out punch came against the Blue Jays bullpen as the bombers put together a rally (albeit, a Blue Jay aided rally.... but a rally none the less) and scored 3 more... it was Halladay's 3rd consecutive ineffective start... maybe HE needs to see a "Doc" !!!!!.... Nuf Ced

Leading the Sox assault was ??? ............. nah, not Pedey and Jacoby THIS day... although they DID chip in (of course)... but, YOUK led the way with 2 hits and 3 rbi - including a sac fly... GONZO also had 2 hits and an rbi... I can't wait until this kid learns how to hit... his average has risen like 15 points since joining the boys !!!!!!!!NUF CED

Completing the well-rounded attack with a safety each.... ROCCO ('s Modern Life???? never mind !!!!) went yard, JD, VMart, Jacoby and Papi (plus a walk) oh and Pedey !!! had a hit each. Uh, Pedey had a double OF COURSE - that's 41 for the season AND COUNTING !!!

Our boys are off tonight but open a crucial (yeah yeah yeah) series tomorrow against the Kazmir-less Tampa Bay Rays !!!! Whew, Kazmir "KILLS" the Sox (great tune though... uh, Kashmir.... by Led Zep... ahhhhhhhh, ok it's a streeeeetch !!!)... but [CRAP!!!] they dealt him to the Angels !!!! [DARN], we're bound to see him anyway !!!!!!! Nuf Ced

The Yankers won yesterday, maintaining their 6-game divisional lead... BUT, the Twinkies took a bite out of Texas AGAIN.... increasing our boys' wild card lead to 3-1/2 games !!!....

OK, if anyone has loitered on a single page here (YEAH RIGHT)... well, or actually checked out the playlist (ummmm, in the right sidebar), you'll notice several new additions.... NO... not New Edition.... new songs... if you think I've totally flipped my wig... OR, head-banger mentality.... NO WORRIES.... these new songs have specific meaning to several members of the Red Sox.... any guesses... go ahead and google it... I DID !!!!!...

Ok, here's a hint... thank you to "Livejournal.com" for the info.. and "playlist.com" for actually having the songs.... Nuf Ced

As always..... it's been real.... it's been fun.... and it really has been lots of fun !!!!!

-Nuf Ced

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Sox Recap - game from August 29th, 2009

OR... WHAT THE BUCH !!!!!

If you look at last night's score, you might think it was a pitcher's duel at the Fens.... If you watched last night's game, you know the opposite is true... and you watched.... waiting for the Blue Jays to make the Sox pay for their inability to score runs....

But THAT opportunity NEVER came as Sox young gun, Clay Buchholz, continued his total dominance over Toronto going 8-1/3 (OBVIOUSLY, you should have left Clay in there Tito) scattering 3 hits, giving up 1 run (well, Oki let THAT runner score) and punching out 9....

Let's see, Clay has 3 wins this year... ALL 3 against Toronto.... with a 1.35 ERA !!! Hmmmmm, I wonder if Buchy can pitch against the Blue Jays 18 times next year.... Nuf Ced

Buchy DID have "no hit" stuff last night (YES DeCAF... I uttered that phrase, AGAIN!!!!)... and although THAT didn't happen... he "Wook(ed) Mahvelous" on the mound... every pitch was working and working WONDERFULLY... just ask Jose Bautista who nearly ended up on his keester when Clay snapped off a curve ball over the inside corner for a called 3rd strike... rumor has it that Bautista was seen heading to the clubhouse for a change of clothes after that one...

At 108 stitches (uh, PITCHES) or so (ok, he was only at 107 but...) and ONE runner on in the 9th !!!!! Tito decided to let the 'pen preserve this gem....

"UH OH !!!!!!!!!!!" (Oki).... a move that proved to be "brilliant" NOOOOOOOOOOOT !!!! Oki promptly served up 2 base-hits (to the ONLY 2 batters he faced !!!) And suddenly I was on the edge of my seat.... or my sanity... as the score was now 3-2...Sox....

Enter Jonathon Papelbon... or Mighty Mouth (uh, mouse?) !!!!

who came to save (#32) the day... and Oki's "バトック" in the process.... uh ButtOX (love that movie - hmmmmm, new "nicky" for Paps ?!?!?!) Boy, I hope that translation is correct (2 translators came up with that) or I may just be saying sayonara !!!! Nuf Ced

Anyway, this game could have and should have been a blowout by our boys, banging out 10 hits, waiting patiently for 6 free passes and Youk and JBay each took one for the team...18 base runners and only 3 runs.... not exactly an offensive explosion !!! Nuf Ced

The top of the line-up accounted for 7 of their 10 hits... led by Pedey (3 hits, the game's first rbi and a walk) and Jacoby (2 hits - a double AND a triple - but I'm SURE he could have had an inside-the-pahkah !!!)... hmm, that's starting to sound pretty familiar.. KEEP IT UP boys !!!!! Did SOMEONE make a prediction about these 2 table-setters ?!?!?!?! Nuf Ced

VMart (with game-winning rbi - on a bases loaded WALK), Youk (plus the HBP), Mikey Lowell, JD (plus 2 walks) and GONZO (and an rbi) all chipped in with a hit apiece.... JBay had no base-hits but DID get uh, hit... BY A PITCH... and walked twice...

The Evil Empire continued to win and stay light years ahead of our warriors... Texas ate the Twinkies last night and won... lead in the wild card remains 2-1/2...

A Byrd on the hill.... Yup, Byrd is the word this afternoon in Beantown.... NOOOO, not Larry Legend... PAUL Byrd.. as previously reported, earlier this month, the Sox plucked Byrd out of the retirement that they sent him into after last season... and before you get your undies in a bunch, Byrd is a quality 5 or 6 inning pitcher... usually allowing only 2 or 3 runs, certainly giving the team a chance at a win... was THAT a prediction ?!?!?! They just can't squander scoring opportunities against Halladay... Nuf Ced

Although Jonny Lester was scheduled to (out) duel Doc Halladay today, Les has been bumped to Tuesday due to Wake being locked up.... UHHHHHHHHH, due to Wake's back locking up AGAIN after his comeback stint the other night... Timmy, the front situation (uh, beer-belly) isn't helping the back situation dude... just saying... bottom's up !!!!!!!!!

Further "complications" incurred as the Sox sent Taz 3 rungs down the ladder to the SINGLE A Gulf Coast League... yikes, OBVIOUSLY you're only as good as your last outing... but welcome to the Red Sox "amateur" league, kaonajimi !!!! Nuf Ced

As always.... it's been real..... it's been fun..... and it really has been lots of fun !!!!!

-Nuf Ced

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Sox Recap - game from August 28th, 2009

OR... Bay's Blast saves Beckett's [Butt]

{{{shaking head}}} I listened to a John Farrell interview prior to last night's game.... obviously he's been reading this blog !!!... ok, I can dream... anyway, Farrelll stated that there is nothing physically wrong with Josh Beckett and that they worked on a couple of mechanical issues - he was "getting under the ball"... obviously it's been opposing batters getting under his balls... UHHHHH, PITCHES !!!! .... and lifting them over the walls....

SOOOOOOOOOO... like any other skeptical Red (Sox) blooded fan, having been "relieved" to hear that our ace is still king, I watched.... I don't need to tell you how important it is to have our ace in the wild card race.... So, I watched..... and waited..... for proof... and I continue to wait...

The only "proof" I ascertained last night is that Beckett is ailing - be it physical or mental, this is NOT the vintage JB (I prefer tequila myself) I've come accustomed to... as he continues to give up "shots" to opposing batters... and last night deuces were wild as Josh gave up 2 more big flies and got flushed from the game after 5 innings....

Beckett did K(ing) nine batters but it was the other JB(ay), our Captain (and Coke) and a scotch... uh KOTCHman, that sent the full house at the Fens home winners.... suddenly I'm thirsty... "One bourbon... One scotch... One beer !! yeah, Thorogood !!! I could have used 3 of each last night.... Nuf Ced

Anyway, down early, and 3-0 in the 4th, our boys were finally able to line up some shots of their own in their half of the frame.... singles by Youk, Papi, JD (mmmm, Jack works too), a sac fly by Tek and a double (shot) by Lefty to the triangle and our boys had bellied up and tied the score, 3-3.... CHEERS !!!

But that Fenway buzz didn't last long as JB served up ANOTHER round (tripper) to the... uh BJays????? BLUE JAYS !!! in the top of the "5th"... mechanics aside, perhaps Beckett has been moonlighting at as a bar-keep McGreevy's... or SHOULD be... he's certainly been serving up a LOT of shots lately....Nuf Ced

Thankfully JBay wasn't having any of THAT and jingled the bell (ball) way up there.....
off of the Sports Authority sign to tie the game AGAIN, 5-5....



And JBay had a glow on defensively too... tossing down (with a little help from his friends) the would-be go ahead rum...eh, RUN thanks to a Tek(stbook) job of blocking the plate by The Captain as the runner was barreling toward home .... Nuf Ced


FINALLY the boys the were able to take the lead and upped the ante in the 8th... when they were "loaded" on the bases.... (S)Kotchman pounded a hard shot to 1st, scoring a run, and ultimately sinking the Jays as our 'pen outlasted theirs.... ALTHOUGH !!!!!!!!!! Paps came out for last call and almost put us under the table, loading the bases in the 9th, before capping off the night and sending the Faithful home happy... Nuf Ced

"Still loving you" (Scorpions) UHHHHH, "my" Twinkies.... as they ate up the Rangers 3-2.... extending The Sox' wild card lead to 2-1/2 games... hmmmm, now I'm thirsty AND hungry.... BUT, tequila and twinkies ?!?!?!?

Anyway, Buchy gets HIS chance to come up aces tonight... hopefully he can (texas) hold 'em and deal the Jays a 2/3 (uh, 2 or 3 runs)... providing (tropical storm) Danny doesn't flush out the game... although either way, you know the Fens will be a full house !!! Nuf Ced

As always, it's been real..... it's been fun..... and it really has been lots of fun...

-Nuf Ced

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Sox Thawts - 28 August, 2009 (barely)

OR..... "Angels" in the outfield ????

I start with a BRIEF recap of last night's contest.. The highlight of the night for me was Lenny Clark and Dennis Leary in the booth...

Taz was out of wind from the get-go.... giving up 9 runs overs 4 innings.... JD, Gonzo and Papi did their best to break out the brooms... Nick Green ???? pitched 2 scoreless innings... Jacoby tweaks an ankle sliding into home....NUF CED

Sox lead in the wild card??? 1-1/2 games as the Rangers were roughing up AJ Burnett... "WHY, WHY, WHY?????"

Beckett's on the bump tonight in the opener of a weekend series with the Blue Jays... HOPEFULLY atonement for his recent demise will be had.... Nuf Ced


NOW, August 28th.... a couple of days from September 1st... SO ?!?!?!?! you ask.... SOOOOOOOOO, on September 1st rosters expand from 25 to 40.... hmmmm... 15 more players (pitchers?????)

In scouring the Sox's currently published 40-man, I can't help but be concerned.... it's been my belief for quite some time that they are light in..... NOOOOOOO, not the loafers !!! that I know of at least.....the OUTFIELD... Anyway, they continue that trend... and with Jacoby tweaking his ankle last night..... there just may be a big problem arising....

The team used last off-season to put the deepest patching staff in baseball together.... to what avail????

Dice-K was horrible out of the blocks and got cut... well, sent down the stairs to the Gulf Coast League for "rehab". I hear he's been pitching well on the comeback road to Boston and will most likely rejoin the club on the 1st.... BUT, in the heat of a pennant race, is it really fair to the team and the Nation to "experiment" with Dice-K???... I think not...

John Smoltz proved to be ineffective in the American League and was subsequently released - although he seems to have found love in Philly.... Sources report that he was tipping off his pitches while in Boston... NOT something you want to do, by the way...

Brad Penny garnered the most patience by the club, but thankfully they released him.... at HIS request... but ONLY because they signed Billy Wagner.... Penny would have been sent down to the farm to make room on the 25-man roster.... and most likely been called back up next week anyway..... well, we don't have to worry about THAT now...

Billy Wagner... 15 months off of Tommy John surgery.... is signed amidst "controversy" from Jonathon Papelbon - cat fight ensues... I'm not sure of this move, especially at $2+ mil this year and over $8 mil next year... hopefully the big picture includes dumping him for some back-up in the outfield... and WAIT, doesn't Paps only make like $750,000.... hmmmmmm

Pitching, pitching, pitching..... granted it takes good pitching to win (OBVIOUSLY) but at what expense to the overall performance of the club ??? CERTAINLY, constantly shaking up the staff can be detrimental.... in more ways than one.

What about catching ????? Tek is old and banged up, VMart has been awesome offensively and mediocre as a back-stop - ESPECIALLY throwing - and our 3rd catcher is.... is.... RIGHT, Dustin Pedroia..... ALL STAR, ROOKIE OF THE YEAR and reigning MVP 2nd BASEMAN, Dustin Pedroia !!!! Hmmmmm, but I imagine we'll see George Kottaras return from the DL next week....

And outfield.... there are 9, YES NINE, positions on a baseball field... THREE, uh, ONE THIRD.... of which are outfield positions... YET, our current active roster lists 4... FOUR ?!?!?! and Rocco isn't proven as an everyday player... WHAT IF SOMEONE GETS HURT ???? Wait... Jacoby tweaked an ankle !!!! NOW WHAT???? Certainly Nick Green isn't a fulltime outfielder... OR pitcher for that matter....

Surely we'll see Josh Reddick and Chris Carter on the big club next week for outfield support... definitely a help.... but do we REALLY want to drive for a World Series trophy with rookies in the outfield???... good move letting Kotsay go ... NOT !!! (he looks comfy in a WHITE Sox uniform, don't he ???)...

I have no comprehension why more focus hasn't been put on acquiring experienced outfielders.. I guess that's why I'm here bitching instead of running the club.....

No doubt we'll also see "Psycho" and "Beavis" (uh, Aaron Bates and Jed Lowrie) back with the big boys next week too... but I'm not seeing the need for more infield help... we NEED outfield help.....

Needless to say, I'm more than a bit concerned and confused... although that's not the hardest thing in the world to accomplish... I've always, and continue, to have faith in Theo and the gang.... perhaps the success over that last 5 years has this Nation member spoiled.. I REALLY don't want to digress to.... "There's always next year".....

-Nuf Ced

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I love you man

For those followers that have become accustomed to upbeat, sarcastic and critical posts here, please indulge me for a minute or so of your time... thank you.

August 27th..... every year this day rolls around... obviously I haven't the power to stop it... and EVERY year it has the same effect on me.....

August 27th.... the anniversary of the passing of my dad.... taken at 71 by the beast we know as cancer... not my biological dad mind you, as I was adopted.... but THE dad that I knew... and miss.... and love.

Dad wasn't athletic or even a sports fan... he was a workaholic... until the day he died. Be that as it may, he ALWAYS provided sis, mom and I with anything and everything (and ALWAYS the best available) we needed to participate in anything we wanted to.... to follow our "dreams".... he was selfless.

He provided literally dozens of days at the Fens, because THAT'S what WE liked... not to mention 10 years worth of season tickets to the Patriots.... although HE rarely attended... NOT 2 tickets (mom is an AVID fan and couldn't miss a game) but 3... so I could always bring a friend along... THAT was dad... he lived through our excitement...

And TRAVEL... owning a travel agency certainly had it's benefits in the 70's...

But that stuff is superficial.... and dad wasn't... although a workaholic - working 7 days a week (often 15 or more hours a day) between his full-time job and selling real estate - he would do ANYTHING humanly possible to be sure he wouldn't miss OUR basketball games, baseball games, football games, track meets, etc...

That's not to say workaholicism didn't ALSO have a profound effect on my sis and myself.... having "business" snippets drilled into our brains while growing up... "Plan your work and work your plan" was a BIGGY... dad was a business genius... and obviously his snippets could be used beyond the business world... I'm sure he knew that...

It's unfortunate that all too often we realize things too late... and I am certainly guilty of cuda, shuda, wuda... but I have continued to learn over the past 12 years.... unfortunately it won't be until I pass that I can actually tell him so...

So, in the mean time, thank you for your time. I apologize if this isn't my "normal" type of post. But, rest assured, I've got some doozies brewing in my skull.... I just needed to use this forum for this right now.... good, bad or indifferent.... could be worse.. he introduced me to BEER... at like 8 years old !!!!

I love you dad..... I miss you dad..... and THANK YOU !!!!!

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Sox Recap - game from August 26th, 2009

Wait til your Papi gets HOME !!!
OR... Going Once, Going TWICE, Going for a Walk(OFF) in the Park !!!!

Now THAT is the Papi of old... photo from NESN.COM

It was a scene so familiar to citizens of the Nation... A scene we'd come accustomed to... mmmm, almost EXPECTED, from the BEST CLUTCH HITTER in Red Sox history. Perhaps we had become spoiled by the 10 or so walk-off homers that Big Papi had treated us to - ESPECIALLY, the playoff "shots"......perhaps not...

If Big Papi hasn't FINALLY been able to put the past in the past, I would hate to be opposing pitchers when he does. Papi is tearing the cover off of the ball... and I believe it was I that pointed out that despite his AWFULly slow start this year, history showed that he could still "easily" blast more than 30 homers... Nuf Ced

David Ortiz came one...uh TWO, steps closer to making that prediction come true last night... and brought the past into the present... and oh so nice it was to see the bench greet Papi at home plate.... memories..... "dirty" water colored memories (like the new lead-off tune on the blog?!?!?!).... after belting a walk-off homer (his second dinger of the night) in the bottom of the 9th... I can get used to THAT again !!!! Nuf Ced

It was a game that COULD have gotten away... Wake, uh... Hop-A-Long... was making his return to the rotation... and obviously not 100% physically... not to mention he was tossing to VMart, whom had never caught a knuckle-ball... a recipe for disaster... as was proven by the very first pitch of the game.. which DID get away....I had flashbacks to Josh Bard's days...

But VMart sucked it up like a vacuum cleaner after that... but, obviously vacuum cleaners don't throw to second base often.... but Wake was wonderful... going 7 frames, giving up 6 hits and a lone run.... AND, he threw 94 pitches... 73 of which were strikes !!!! including a dozen pitches in the 1st, ALL for strikes !!! Nuf Ced

Wake "gimped off" after 7 strong with our boys leading 2-1 - on big flies by Papi and Alex Gonzalez, whom also sent one GONZO..... I wish this kid was more than a "defensive acquisition"... I'll bet Beavis (Jed Lowrie) TRULY wishes that... ah well, there's always next year, kid... Nuf Ced

Anyway, RamRam relieved Wake in the 8th and PROMPTLY relinquished the lead on a long ball - talk about going from hero to heel... what a difference a day makes... TRULY... as Danny Boy Bard was back in the saddle and mowed down all 4 batters he faced, picking up his first major league win - striking out 3... perhaps he had some beans before the ballgame... he was on high octane (gas) last night - NO WAIT, THAT was me !!!!!!!!!! Nuf Ced

So, it's 2-2 in the bottom of the 9th.... 1 out, nobody on base... BIG Papi at the plate... The Faithful were on the edge of their seats..... uh STANDING on their seats is more like it... deja vous set in as the big guy wrapped one around Pesky's Pole off of White Sox' pitcher, Tony Pena... and the Fens exploded, the Sox bench, uh "dancing?" at the dish awaiting their Papi to get home... Nuf Ced

As Papi was beating the White Sox, the uh YANKERS were downing the Rangers..... Sox' lead in the Wild Card.... 2-1/2 games !!!!!!

Taz takes the hill tonight... hopefully continuing the whirlwind he started against the Bummers last week....

I end today's post on a somber note... sorry for the mood swing but....
photo from Boston.com


As I'm sure you all know, the Nation(s) lost one of it's PROMINENT citizens just before midnight on August 25th...... and a great tribute was put on by John Henry, et al, at the Fens and on NESN last night....
RIP Senator "Ted" Kennedy... one of the greatest advocates for the state of Massachusetts, hometown sports, and the nation of the United States of America as a whole. He will surely be missed....
As a native son of the Commonwealth, "the Kennedys" family became a household name early in life, JUST behind the Red Sox. And, I also lost my father to the BEAST, cancer - [crap] today is the anniversary of that day..... [FREAK !!!]
I send my deepest condolences to ALL of the Kennedys and their kin on his passing... and so soon after Eunice passed.....but trust me, they are in a much better place !!!!





Tying it all together is the fact that Ted Kennedy's grandfather, John F. "Honey Fitz" "Fitzy" Fitzgerald - the middle name of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy... get it???... was once (or twice) the mayor of Boston... AND threw out the first pitch at the grand opening of Fenway Park in 1912... NOT TO MENTION, Fitzy was a staunch member of the Royal Rooters.... yes, THE ROYAL ROOTERS !!!! (uh, read the footer at the very bottom of the page)

Needless to say, it was a sad day for the Nation.... but say hi to grandpa, Ted, and give Michael T. McGreevy a BIG "thank you" from me........ NUF CED

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Take Me (uh Tom Brady) To The River(s)

I nearly [crapped] myself when I heard of the contract extension that Philip Rivers signed with the Chargers. - $92 million for 6 years!!!!! Although it shouldn't have surprised me after Eli (the OTHER) Manning signed a 6 year $97 million extension and Ben Roethlisberger signed an 8 year $102 million deal.... WTF ?!?!?!?!?

With all due respect to these 3 "amigos" (and I MAY be a bit partial here) but none of you can lace up Tom Terrific's (Patriots QB Tom Brady) shoulder pads... ok, I KNOW their pads don't have laces but, you get the message. And I'll put my money on Brady either on the gridiron or in front of the camera ANYTIME !!!!!!!!!!

Obviously their respective owners feel that this is the "going rate" for a franchise quarterback. I can certainly respect that but has ANY of them personally brought home THREE Super Bowl trophies ?!?!?! Hmmmm, history tells me that the 3 of them COMBINED have won 3 trophies.... Roth has 2 (and 1 motorcycle accident).... Eli has the lone 1, which SHOULD have been Brady's 4th !!!! .... In any event, Rivers HAS NONE !!!!!

Let's take this further... Tom Brady's career QB rating is 92.9 ... This is the 3rd best amongst active slingers and 4th overall lifetime.... Roth's rating is 89.4, Manning's is 76.1.... Rivers' rating is 92.9 - like Brady's... BUT, NO SUPER BOWLS !!

Although Brady is 5 years the elder of these other MEGA-million dollar arms, he is also a victim of the times... He's currently under a 6 year deal that ends after 2010... his official salary listed as $8 million this year.... half that of his contemporaries. ALTHOUGH, the Patriots routinely "massage" his contract in order to remain under the salary cap of the league...

So what does the future hold ??... the ante has been upped... for Tom Brady, a LOT of money... for the Patriots???? Can they afford to re-sign Tom Terrific???? They "fight" the salary cap annually - let alone adding ANOTHER $5-$10 million for a Brady extension.... ESPECIALLY if Tom brings another title home over the next 2 years.... albeit, Tom will be 34 at that time, he's going to double his salary... SOMEWHERE !!!! And if Tom leaves New England, I imagine it could cause a ripple effect.....

Of course Tom has been diplomatic, as always, in interviews concerning this subject.... but you KNOW what's in the back of his mind... wouldn't it be on yours.. he even "alluded" to being under-paid - and of course then joked that aren't we ALL under-paid.... uh, YES I AM !!!!!

Can they afford NOT to re-sign him ???... having given Matt Cassell away in the off-season??? WHO will lead the Pats if/when Brady finds his pot of gold elsewhere?!?!?!

I don't envy Mr Kraft in the very least here. I can only hope that there is a plan as I personally have become accustomed to the Patriots winning after YEARS of seasons of them playing 1-13 or so, ball.

Either way, I'm a fan for life and am looking forward to September 14th and the 20 weeks that follow...

AND, it's WAY more fun when they win.....

Nuf Ced

*QB ratings, salary numbers provided by NFL.com

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Nothing Runs Like me "Dear"

For you virgin followers that think all I do is rant and rave about our beloved Red Sox... SURPRISE !!!!! Here's a different little post - a quick peak into my pee... uh, PEA-brain... don't blink... it's a short trip

I never cease to amaze myself... uh, I MEAN laugh at myself... not because I think I'm witty or humorous.... but BECAUSE I can be some big idiot sometimes. Case in point....

I arrived home from the store at approximately 6:08:34 pm... give or take 5 seconds.... NOW, I've been watching the grass grow daily - NOT a hobby mind you, I prefer watching paint dry myself !!!!

Anyway, I've been putting off cutting the grass for ohhhhhhhhhh.... 3 days now... maybe putting it off for a rainy day.... but more-so convincing myself that cutting the grass is at least a half day ordeal... at least that's what it seems like when it's 90 degrees and your "quenching your thirst" ....

But, earlier today I decided that today was the day !!! I'd suck it (and the "suds") up and dedicate "half" my day to cutting the grass. Needless to say, "best laid plans......" as the grass was still not cut AFTER 6pm....

Now we're into the Sox pregame show... BUT, in order to not feel like a total loser, I made a deal with the devil..... uh, myself.... "I'll cut what I can before the game"....

So, I saddled up and mounted my trusty steed... or Craftsman walk behind - my lawn really isn't that big.... at 6:11 pm... I checked the gas level of said steed and "adjusted" my deal.... "I will mow until first pitch or the gas runs out.....

So.... I pulled... uh... the starter cord..... and commenced mowing... I figured if I could get AT LEAST the front done..... no one sees the back.... or the front for that matter with the privacy fence !

Long story short... after awhile, my steed was putting out ZERO horsepower... it was plum tuckered out... OR, it had run out of gas... so I returned her to the stables... uh, the carport... and returned to the homestead to feed "faithful" cling-on, Snoopy...

Upon entering the feeding room, I checked the sundial.... expecting to see at least 7:00 pm.. I mean I had mowed the front, the side (the other side is all driveway) and 3/4 of the back... not bad for less than an hour.... so, I thought.

Upon inspection of said sundial, it read 6:30 !!!!!!!! Are you freaking kidding me ?!?!?! IT TOOK LESS THAN 20 MINUTES to mow 80% of the lawn ?!?!?!?

Obviously, refueling the steed and finishing crossed my mind.... but, there's ALWAYS tomorrow !!!!!!! I opted to "fuel" myself instead...............

Nuf Ced

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Sox Recap - game from August 24th, 2009

Or.... The Error of the (White) Sox Ways !!!

I'll start this post with an apology to Clay Buchholz... isn't it always the way?... give a guy "props" and totally jinx the [crap] out of them.... So... sorry Buchy, if I had anything to do with your less than "normal" performance last night.... but maybe Tito SHOULD continue to toss you against aces of the league.... no worries, you're still a diamond in the rough, kid....

NOW.... Buchy wasn't his best... [crap], he wasn't even MY best!!!! last night as our boys opened a critical 4-game series against the Sox of a different color - actually, white is the absence of color... uh......but THOSE Sox were blue after the fat lady sang... or, they played "Tessie" at the Fens... Nuf Ced

Ok, ok, ok - from here on in... EVERY game is critical !!!!..... But on a night that appeared to be the break Buchholz needed, it was HE that needed a break after 4-2/3 innings, giving up 7 runs on 6 hits - 2 of which went yard..... sorry for the Eck talk, but even Donny Boy Orsillo is "stuck on Eck"... isn't it so nice to have Remdawg back?? (more later)

But it was "smooth sailing" (YES, I DID just say that DeCAF ?!?!?!?) after Clay (de)parted as the bullpen calmed the (muddy) waters for the rest of the game.... but AGAIN, Danny Boy exhibited the only blemish !!!! "I know that it's time for a cool change (up)" !!!!! (uh, Little River Band - see, I'm NOT just a headbanger !!!!) Nuf Ced

RamRam picked up the win as he instantly.... uh, "relieved", Buchholz... ok, WAIT A(n) (SS) MINNOW !!!!!!!!!! (and Mary Anne rocked Ginger's world!!! you get the message - must be the "country boy" in me... RIP John Denver)... how the [freak] does a set-up guy have a 7-3 record ?!?!?!?! Not sure but keep on keeping on !!! We'll take them anyway we can get them... Nuf Ced

So, the 'pen rocked... including their spokesman, JONATHON PAPELBON.... fresh off of a pee-pee slapping by management, Jon got his [butt] (and PITCHES) into gear... Reminding me of the Paps of the past, Jigman pounded the strike zone with high cheese.... FINALLY !!!! hmmmmmmm, any correlation with Nuf Ced BEGGING for that ?!??!?!

Anyway, thankfully the Beantown Bombers continued to lace up their hitting shoes, pounding out 13 hits and scoring 12 runs to out BLAST Chicago, 12-8... increasing their lead in the wild card race to 1-1/2 games over idle Texas....

The game can be summed up by the Sox' 3rd inning at the dish.... after the Chicago pitcher loaded the bases, he went 3-0 to Papi.... on the next pitch Papi swings mightily !!!!! and dribbles one down the 1st base line.... but it was the pitcher who dribbled last as he... actually I have no frigging idea what he did !!!!... but he promptly tripped over the ball (or maybe a spider !!!) allowing Papi to be safe and a run score... I'm SURE Rudolph Nureyev wasn't impressed.... but I was.... AND I laughed !!!!!!!!!! Nuf Ced

No harm, no foul right ?!?!?! WELLLLLLLLLLLL, the Chicago pitcher, Jose Contreras, learned a very valuable lesson..... FOUR "muffs" and you're OUUUUUUUT (of the game) !!!! JBay followed Papi's lead and walked, scoring another run.... with Mikey at the plate, Contreras tossed a wild pitch, scoring ANOTHER run.... THEN, Mikey put an end to Jose's misery (and his night) by depositing one somewhere in the vicinity of the Mass Pike - scoring 3 more !!!!... take a powder Contreras... and thanks for YOUR mound presents too !!!!! Nuf Ced

Guiding the ship was DOUBLES Pedroia (2 MORE 2-baggers - lest we forget my prediction) and Gonzo ?!?!?! with 3 hits each !!!!! YOUKAH (who also got "plunked" AGAIN !!) and Jacoby (double and triple) had 2 hits each.... but wait.... check me if I'm wrong Jacoby, nabbing the Sox' record-setting bag is a "WEE" bit tough when you're hitting doubles and triples, NO ?!?!?!? Here's a thought..... how about a bunt single followed by the record-setting steal.... same difference as a double RIGHT ?!?!?!? Nuf Ced

Jonny Lester takes the hill tonight... hopefully the bats will continue to electrify. Lester has fallen victim to power outages often... I mean his ERA leads the rotation yet he only has a 10-7 record to show for HIS efforts.... apparently he needs to pitch lights-outs EVERY game....

Ah Remdawg.... what a joy it is to have you back in the booth.... with all due respECKt to the 2 dozen PLUS "replacements" that tried to fill your shoes.... no one brings it home like Jerry Remy.... TRULY one of the most knowledgeable and gifted analysts in the game today... ALWAYS offering predictions and insight second to none... clearly Remdawg knows the game inside and out.... and i'm NOT just saying that because he follows me on Twitter !!!! OR that we have mutual friends..... I wonder if he ever thought about managing..... NO !!!!!!!!!!! I NEVER SAID THAT, Remdawg.... sit tight, k buddy... and no more trips to the DL !!!! Nuf Ced

As ALWAYS... it's been real..... it's been fun.... and it really has been LOTS of fun !!!.... whew, time flies

-Nuf Ced

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Sox Thawts - 24 August, 2009

AND....A bit of Shameless Self Promotion

CLAY BUCHHOLZ.... As the Sox were preparing for tonight's contest against the White Sox, I listened to Boston media personalities discuss tonight's Sox starter , Clay "Buchy" Buchholz.... In a nutshell, they were tauting Buchy as a critical piece to the puzzled rotation and possibly (probably) the 3rd starter...

I dare anyone to read my posts back in July and challenge whether I said the same exact things last month or not.... SOMETIMES, I actually know what I'm talking about... obviously not very often - the reason for the self-promo... work with me here, will ya... For all you whom THOUGHT Buchy was brought up to be trade bait..... NOT !!!! maybe I'm in the wrong line of work...Nuf Ced

Thank you for indulging me !!!... Anyway, that being Ced, here's a thought-provoking topic...

JOSH BECKETT.... be VERY concerned here... I AM !!!!! Someone has taken over Josh's arm...

I was going to joke today that perhaps he indulged in a Beckett Burger prior to last night's contest - the reason for pitching so poorly... upon further contemplation (uh, drinking), I'm glad I didn't...

Consider this.... I "chalked up" the outing in Toronto to everyone has an off day (OR, he didn't have Tek or John Farrell).... But, what I saw last night... caused DEEP concern....

Although Josh did register 96 mph on the Fenway gun.... he SHOULD be registering 97-98 (and HAS)... I STILL believe the gun at the Fens registers faster than others (RIGHT DeCAF?!?!?!)....

Beckett had NO movement on his fastball - it was flat... and where did that back door splitter to a righty go???? the one that starts outside and tails back over the outside corner ???? I didn't see that at all.... AND, the home plate umpire OBVIOUSLY had a wide strike zone to that area.... at least to Sabathia....

What kind of rolling curve was he throwing last night ????? Where's that 12-6 jobby???? the one that drops off the table... he was hanging them all night....

Where did that devastating change-up go ???? granted it's an 88mph change-up but did he even throw one ?!?!?! He'd registered many outs with that pitch as it looks like a fastball to the batter.... VERY effective.... uh, hear THAT Danny Bard?!?!?

Although some pitcher's CAN making a living throwing 1 or 2 pitches.... the odds against that are slim... as has been proven by Daniel Bard lately... and Josh Beckett last night...

Obviously I do not know the reason for Beckett's turn... I DO know that, like DLowe, Beckett has been blister-prone... although no reports have surfaced to support that.. that I know of... only time will tell... but NOTHING will surprise this fan..... Nuf Ced

JONATHON PAPELBON.... Paps was VERY outspoken yesterday when interviewed about the possible acquisition of "closer" Billy Wagner..... saying they don't need him, questioning his health (Wagner has had Tommy John surgery) and comparing it to when they picked up Eric Gagne (possibly the WORST move they could have made as Gagne proved to be nothing but washed up)....

TODAY, Jon has done a complete about face.... embracing the idea, saying it will be good for him and the team, yada yada yada..... sounds like Mr Papelbon got his pee-pee slapped for speaking his mind.... maybe he needs to blog..... "Pardon Paps's Opinion"...Nuf Ced

No worries Jigman, Billy vetoed the deal..... for now at least. It seems Wagner MUST be a closer... at least in his mind.... whatever happened to playing for the love of the sport???? Nuf Ced

JIM RICE.... Also very demonstrative yesterday was Jim Rice... extremely critical of today's players... naming Jeter, ARod, etc.... saying that players today don't play the game like they did in the (his) day, for the love of the game... RIGHT WAGNER ???? I totally agree.....and that they aren't good role models for our kids...

ALSO, making a complete 360 today was......... Jim Rice..... apparently pee-pee slapping was in order from Sox management. What happened to free speech ???? Maybe they have some kind of clause that says they can only say what management wants them to say ???? Apparently... when's the last time Lou Merloni did a game ???????

In any event... Both Paps and Jim Ed were more than clear in their initial comments... their follow-ups just totally contradicted what they originally said... kudos for speaking your mind.... boobah for taking it back.....

They can uh, "slap" my pee-pee all they want.... No wait.... NO THEY CAN'T !!!! NOBODY does that.... well.... Either way, I WILL NOT be changing my stance tomorrow... NUF [freaking] CED !!!!!!!!!!

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UFC for U and ME !!!!

Or... a (Kimbo) Slice of Heaven

I wasn't going to post today but figured what the heck... I actually got bored cutting the branches and the tree that fell up with my chainsaw... mmmmmmmmm... not to mention, I was sweating my [butt] off and the frigging saw dust and dirt were sticking to me like flies on [feces].... great feeling, btw... NOT !!!!!

Anyway..... U. F. C. ..... Ultimate [Frigging] Catastrophe ???? Although it fits in more ways than one - WRONG !!!!!!!!!!!

ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP

So what is it???? I won't tax you with the boring details... those you can find by visiting the link... But, for those interested, here's my nickel tour.....

In a nutshell... UFC is the absolute pinnacle of MMA... uh Mixed Martial Arts, fighting... like, the ultimat tough-guy competition... kinda like the major leagues are for baseball... They even have Joe Rogan (uh, Fear Factor dude) doing commentary and Bruce "It's SHOOOOOOOOOOOWTIME" Buffer, as the ring announcer... NOT to be confused with Michael "Let's get ready to rumble !!!" Buffer... although, they ARE brothers... go figure !!!!SOOOOOOOOOOO??????????

So, it is one of the fastest growing "sports" today... and definitely in MY top 5... it is brought to the public almost exclusively by Spike-TV.. the SECOND most watched channel in my house.... AH, what a great network Spike is, airing a UFC marathon this weekend !! - although I HAVE seen episodes on NESN too... and of course there are Pay Per Views every 4 or 5 weeks - of which I've rented 2 out of the last 3...

BUT WTF IS IT !?!?!?! Basically it's boxing, kick-boxing, wrestling and every other form of hand to hand combat rolled into one... but trust me... you will NOT see a "flying body press" or a "drop toe hold" here.. no sirree... but you may see a "superman punch", a "flying knee", a "rear naked choke" or an "arm bar" as the goal is to beat your opponent so bad he can't continue, knock them out, choke them into unconsciousness, or make them "tap-out" (submit).

Two men from a variety of backgrounds - wrestling, jiu jitsu, karate, kickboxing, etc etc - are tossed into a hexagonal shaped ring with the sole purpose of beating the [crap] out of each other. Non-title bouts are 3 rounds of 5 minutes each.. (although it is rare to see) while title bouts are 5 rounds - 5 minutes each.

They do wear gloves... BUT they are 4 or 6 ounce open fingered gloves... compared to 12 or 15 ounce closed boxing gloves... the official word is that the sole purpose of the gloves is to protect the fighter's knuckles - they certainly don't protect the other fighter's face.

If you're lucky, you will also see lots of blood - uh, REAL blood... from REAL strikes - punches, knees, elbows, kicks, forearms, etc - not the "pull-away" strikes as seen in "sports entertainment"... actually whether you consider it lucky or not... you WILL see lots of blood. And upon occasion, as was the case this weekend, you'll see a combatant refuse to quit.... only to suffer a dislocated elbow.... POP !!!! or shoulder or knee...

Broken noses are a given and even the best participants have indistinguishable ears from years of bludgeoning - I hope they like cauliflower !!!!!! ... as pretty much the only strikes not allowed are head butts.... well... and shots to the "nads".

They officially list 31 rules.... but that is grossly over-exaggerated... a lot of them don't pertain to the actual fight... and a lot of the rules that DO pertain to the fight aren't even enforced !!!

The original "version" of the UFC didn't involve different weight classes so it was common to see a 160 lb man fight a 260 lb man - that's just not right, and I had no interest in THAT. Today the have 5 or 6 weight classes so at least the fights are fair - or as fair as they can be....


From what I can decipher, the only way to make it to fight in the pinnacle is to be invited or by competing on (and hopefully winning a spot) "The Ultimate Fighter".... which is the UFC's reality series... and a must watch for any fan of this "sport".... this man....
will be competing this season. If anyone can name him, I'll give you a prize. No wait, all I have is a pot to pee in.... NO I DON'T... I gave THAT away last week...

Either way, I wish him luck as I DO know who he is... although relatively unknown... YET !!!!!!!! But I'm sure heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar will find out... oh, what a night THAT will be !!!!!This guy just "smells" bad... uh, you know what I mean....

Nuf Ced

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Sox Recap - game from August 22nd, 2009

OR..... Deviled (goose)Eggs Anyone ????

In a pitching match-up reminiscent to the "Gunfight at the Blue Jay Corral" from last week, the Beantown Bombers showed the Bronx Bummers who the real sheriff in Boston is.


....was on the hill and when the Dust(in) ... and the rest of our boys.... settled, my statement... "What a difference a day makes" ... from yesterday took on a new meaning


Taz wasn't perfect but there is certainly something to be said for "The Japanese Industrial League" .... and HE made a huge statement yesterday... making the Yankers look like amateurs for 6 innings, giving up 8 hits, 2 walks and striking out 2...

Tazawa pitched out of trouble in almost every inning as the Yanks had plenty of opportunities to tally runs... but stood no chance against THIS crafty little devil.

Mound presence came to mind yesterday watching this kid.... I mean, how many pitchers - let ALONE - ROOKIE pitchers... will throw a 3-2 curveball to the "great" A-Rod with 2 runners on?!?!?! At least one that I know of... and it froze A-Rod in his tracks to snuff ANOTHER rally attempt... pick your jock up, man... you been had... Nuf Ced

The only blemish to our boys was on rookie reliever Daniel Bard... ah, the "joys" of adolescence huh, Danny Boy.... I have something "Proactive" to take care of that !!!!

But, mound presence certainly wasn't part of AJ Burnett's repertoire yesterday... summed up publicly after giving up a ANOTHER big fly.... AJ was demonstrative circling the mound.. uttering... uh, SCREAMING.... "WHY !!! WHY !!!! WHY !!! WHY!!!"... I'll tell ya why, tough guy... CUZ THE RED SOX ROCK !!!!!!!!!! Oh, but thanks for the mound "PRESENTS", dude !!! Nuf Ced

Youk Skywalker led the attack on the Evil Empire, tallying 3 direct HITS, including 2 missiles, a double shot and 6 "kills" (rbi) ....oh and, NICE catch on top of the wall Mrs. "Red Sox Nation member" !!!!.... also gathering 3 hits was "Doubles" Pedroia, with TWO more 2-baggers - he has a legitimate chance to bang out 60 doubles this year... did I just make a prediction ?!?!?!? Perhaps I did.... Nuf Ced

Pounding out 2 hits each were VMart (with a walk and an rbi), PAPI (who also went yard and had 3 rbi) and JBay (also with an rbi).... bringing up the rear with 1 hit each were Casey "at the bat" (and an rbi), JD and Gonzo (went yard)... who said this kid can only play defense?!?!?!?

Although not scoring any direct hits, Cpt Tek and Jacoby certainly contributed to the over-taking of the "empire" yesterday.... the Captain guiding the good ship, SS Tazawa, and Jacoby... ah Jacoby... you continue to remind me of the Kid Nation commercial... while leading 100 bazillion to 1, Ellsbury was STILL laying it all out in center field robbing opposing batters of base hits... if he isn't stealing bags, he's stealing hits..... NUF CED

Series finale tonight... Josh Beckett vs CC DeVille... no, no no.... HE plays guitar for Poison... hmmmm, maybe he can give Remdawg some air-guitar lessons... No, Beckett will face SABATHIA .... who will toss (his) cookies [to our boys].... either way, don't be surprised if you see a bit of chin music.... "and gimme something to believe in, yeah yeah" (uh, POISON !!)

ALSO...... yes yes yes... I will make an OFFICIAL prediction..... if you miss tonight's contest on ESPN... you WILL miss a very historic event in Red Sox history (right Jacoby????)..... Nuf Ced

As always... it's been real..... it's been fun..... and it really has been a lot of fun !!!

-Nuf Ced

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A Long Summer's Night at the Fens

OR... from the Diary of a Red Sox Fan !!!

I start this post with a brief prologue... To all my Facebook Faithful, you've already read this.... it was my last "Note" on Facebook before I entered the "blogosphere" - a recap from a game I personally attended on July 9th - a night in the life of a Sox fan.

Why post something this old? .... A) It was a fun post about a fun time that I want to share with the "world" as it sheds some insight into the life of a member of the Nation ..... B) uh.... SEE "A" !!!! ..... To my new and growing blogger brethren, it's a bit lengthy... SOOOOOO, get ya popcorn ready !!!!!!!!!

Let the games begin.....
"Anyway, a GREAT time was had by all at the Sox game last night (July 9th) Well, at least I had (or "created") a good time with SEVERAL "friends" named Sam Adams !!!!! Gotta love the Fens !!!

I even believe the FOUR 20yr old (THAT's stretching it a bit, I'm SURE!!!) uh, vixens from Oakland that sat behind DeCAF and I enjoyed the "show". Or they at least enjoyed the part that they saw, having arrived a "bit" late. "Ladies", NEXT TIME come directly from Oakland to Boston... NOT via North Carolina... They need a new travel agent. KIDS !!!!!!!!! Nuf Ced

I'm not sure these girls understood, OR appreciated, the "Facts of Life" names I dubbed them with though. Right Tutti, Blare and Jo ?!?!?!?! Although the self-proclaimed "Asian Neighbor" seemed all in !!!! Fun as hell.

Even my "neighbor" was more concerned that my duffel bag would get wet than the fact that MY DUFFEL BAG knocked over HIS soda !!!! Sorry dude.... I assured him that the bottom of my bag was lined with a rain poncho... His reply? "Now THAT's experience!!!!... Anyway, I offered to replace the soda and later tried to introduce him to my friend, Sammy !!!! He was cool, though. But, MAYBE he shouldn't have stowed the soda under his seat next to my bag. Nuf Ced

The best part was when my neighbors and I were "arguing" a call by the ump (from our center-field "bleacher" seats of course). At this point, "Jo" raps me on the shoulder... I turn and she says, "You fans are CRAZY." The other girls chimed in, "We've heard that !!!" I promptly corrected them and said we are "passionate".. They all agreed.... YES!!!! Red Sox Nation is known "WORLD" wide... But I think the whole Sweet Caroline routine really had them scratching their heads!!!! Nuf Ced

I WILL note..... I made TWO predictions last night with 100% accuracy... (details to come)

Before I re-cap the contest... Let me provide an excerpt from the "ECKtionary".... uh, Eckisms..

"BIG FLY".... a home run
"GOING BRIDGE"... "GOING YARD".... hitting a home run
"DEAD CENTRAL".... a home run to center field... as in, "Papi took that piece of "salad" (see below) to dead central"
"PUNCHOUT".... a strike out, commonly known as a "K"
"PIECE OF CHEESE"... a fast ball
"PIECE OF SALAD".... a seemingly easy pitch to hit.. aka, a meatball or watermelon
"HIGH CHEESE"... obviously, a high fastball
"HAIR"....extra "giddy-up" on a fast ball.... "That piece of cheese had some hair on it"
"PAINT"... to throw a pitch JUST over the corner of the plate (or just OFF the corner)..."Beckett can really paint"... Somehow in Eck's vocabulary, this is also a noun..."That pitch was paint"

That being Ced... on to July 9ths game.....

Quiet Sox bats early was starting to concern me as they had like 1 or 2 hits (PEDEY !!!!) or so through 5 innings. Although Wake seemed to be throwing a lot of salad, Mother Nature helped keep several balls out of harm's way and INSIDE of FENway !!! Whew, it was windy... seemingly blowing in from all fields simultaneously !!!! THANK YOU, Ma'am !!!!!!!!! (was that a "Webster" reference??? NEVER !!!!)

Here's a prediction.... PEDEY is on the verge of carrying this team !!!! OK OK OK, so is Papi and JBay.. and Wake and Lester and Beckett.. yada yada yada

Batter (better) late than never as JD drew led off the 6th inning with a big fly into the A's bullpen. After ANOTHER Pedey hit and a Youk base on balls.... my first prediction was about to come true.

At some point prior to the start of the festivities, I predicted that Papi would hit a home run that night. Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding !!!!! Way to go big guy as Papi straightened out the wind and went bridge OVER the A's bullpen and down the adjoining runway !!!!!! Mami (Nature) and Papi teamed up on THAT one !!!!! Nuf Ced

I demonstrated/experienced TRUE Red Sox Nation superstition in this exciting 6th inning. Just prior to the Sox getting up to bat, my neighbor and his lady friend (or wife) left to go to the bathroom (assuming). Upon their return after the 6th inning fireworks, I "demanded" that they leave so we could win this game... they laughed like hell... Nuf Ced

Despite giving up 10 hits (salad, anyone) and 3 runs, Wake picked up his league-leading 11th victory... WAIT, Wake gave up 1 run.... Manny Delcarmen allowed 2 existing base runners to score after he entered the game... C'mon Manny, "we want a pitcher, not a belly-itcher" (I love that commercial - Kid's Nation ad) BULLPEN !!!!!!!!! And I LIKE Delcarmen !!!! So, now I'm getting real worried as I can see Oki warming up in the pen... ARGH, NOT THAT TITO !!!!!! With all do respect to Oki, he was great snuffing that A's comeback and shutting them down in the 8th... But, you STILL scare the hell out of me !!!! Nuf Ced

Onto the 9th.... WILD THING (Paps) enters the contest to the sound of "Shipping Up To Boston" (Dropkick Murphys) and a thunderous ovation from the Fenway Faithful. Paps also does a pretty mean Irish Jig to this tune - REMEMBER 2007 ???? Sox are leading 5-3... This kid almost gave me heart failure... Remember my "prediction" about him last week??? Well, although Paps, Tek and Farrell (pitching coach) seemed to "listen" to my plea to lets Paps be Paps (and focus on throwing fastballs), apparently Jonathon is in need of some "PAINT"ing lessons... ECK !!!! Gotta minute ?!?!?

Paps mainly threw gas, but his cheese was only moderately effective, giving up 2 hits (thank you mother nature for keeping that shot in the 9th from going dead central !!!) and 1 run !!!!
With the score 5-4 and runners on, the A's were on the "Cust" (cusp?) of tying the game and pinning another blown save on Jigman, as Jack Cust steps to the dish.

PREDICTION NUMBER 2 is about to come true!!!! Knowing Cust is 0-3 with 3 Ks against Paps.... Drum roll please !!!!!!! NUF CED predicts Paps will punch Cust out !!! True to my word, Paps paints with some hair on it and Cust swings and misses ending the game and giving Paps 22 saves for the year.... Thank God, my neighbor left for good before that heart-pounding ending... Hmmmmm, I see a correlation here !!!!!"

-Nuf Ced

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Sox Recap - game from August 21st, 2009

Or the DAWG days of summuh !!!!

It was a glorious night at the Fens last night.... uhhhhhhh !!!! Having visited the Nation's capitol half a dozen times this summer I'm SURE there was plenty to see and do ... our boys are in the heat of a play-off race... the Evil Empire is in town... AND AND AND.... Jerry Remy made his LONG-awaited return... "Buenos Noches Amigos" was music to my ears... and Remdawg, I can certainly understand your part-time status but please PLEASE PLEASE promise me that the Nation won't be forced to experience anymore viola recitals... I'm an air-guitar guy myself... and THAT "thing" is well out of tune.. YYYEEEEEOOOOUUUUCH !!!!

SOOOO... "all was well in the Nation !!!!" UNTIL the "contest" actually started. A game that is now listed in Webster's under the heading of "WTF". To say "What a difference a day makes" (returning from a sweep of the Blue Jays!!!) would be a gross understatement. Ah well... "There's always tomorrow"... or today even..... Nuf Ced

The Sox offense did more than their share..... banging out 12 hits and scoring 11 runs INCLUDING 4 runs in the ninth. Our boys should have "walked off" with a win... instead they walked off with their [gluteus maximi] in hand.

Leading the "cudah shudah wudah" attack was Mikey Lowell... collecting 3 base hits, including a big fly.... Dustin the double machine had TWO 2-baggers... and Big Papi had a couple of hits too.... chipping in with a safety each were Cpt Tek (who went yard)... Casey (at the bat) Kotchman, Nicky Green, Rocco and JACOBY !!!!! whom ALSO stole another bag last night... tying Tommy Harper for the Sox record of 54 in a season.... do I remember making a prediction the other day ???? NUF CED

But, with baseball being the cut-throat sport that it is.... Tito replaced VMart, Youk, JBay, and JD after they collectively were 0-7...... the "replacements" subsequently went 4-7 (including Tek's tater) plus 3 walks... hmmmmmmmm... I wonder what line-up SHUDAH started !!!! ... but Nicky in left field ?!?!?!? oh, wait... that IS where the GREEN monster resides... Nuf Ced

Despite a decent offensive display... the Sox pitching staff looked like an Italian (last) supper... spaghetti arms serving up spicy meatballs.... I mean, I know that the Stinkees are playing good ball (ooooo, THAT hurt to admit) BUT !!!!! ....... 20 runs on 23 hits ?!?!?!?! C'mon boys, did you think you were in the "north end" ??? And YES (not the network)... I will take some cheese to go with my whine....although.... Rocco Baldelli did see some action... hmmmmm

Anyway, the Sox' Penny continued to be "tails up" (sing the lymric here)... or more like ... tail between his legs... uh.... Brad was heavily tarnished, going only 4 innings + 2 batters in the 5th (you KNOW my thoughts here !!!!) giving up 8 runs on 10 hits.... time to toss that "lucky" Penny into a wishing well ????? (just in case you DIDN'T know my thoughts...) Nuf Ced

But wait !!!! Didn't our boys score 11 runs ???? Don't they have "one of the best bullpens in baseball"? ....YUUUUUUUP.... So.... HOW DID WE LOSE ?!?!?!? MY thoughts anyone ???? I'll give you 1 guess... RIGHT !!!!!!!!!! Exit Penny and enter the "pen"... more like going from the frying pan into the fire...

Honestly I feel bad for Michael Bowden..... seemingly brought up from the farm to be last night's scapegoat... the Sox "let" Bowden take it on the chin last night as he served up popcorn balls... I mean I LOVE popcorn as much as the next guy but.... the Yankers popped his pitches all over the place.... to the tune of 7 runs on 8 hits (AND 3 walks) over just 2 innings of "relief"... chin up Bowdy... just protect your throat !!!! Nuf Ced

The only bright spot from the 'pen was Takashi (NERD) Saito who pitched a perfect 8th... stopping the bleeding( for all of 10 minutes).... but THAT
.... eh, bandage wasn't nearly enough as the Yanks continued to pop ALL 109 red stitches in the 9th, scoring 4 MORE runs off of RamRam to seal the victory.... ok ok ok, the victory was ALREADY sealed 3 innings prior...

THANKFULLY.... The Rays roughed up the Rangers.... Holy [crap]... did I just root for the Rays ?!?!?!... to keep our boys on top in the wild card race.... will SOMEONE make up my mind ?!?!?!? Ah, baseball... gotta love it.... Nuf Ced

There's a tornado warning in Beantown this afternoon as Junichi TAZawa toes the rubber.... Hopefully when the dust settles, this little "devil" will be the Stankers "daddy" (or ...."daifu" as it were... look it up - I DID !!!)

And nice "gig" Remdawg... come back to work for a day, then get 2 days off.... hmmm, where do I sign up.... Great to have you back my "guitar hero"... just stay off of the furniture !!!! We NEED you healthy, k?????


As ALWAYS... it's been real..... it's been fun..... and it really has been LOTS of fun !!!!!

NUF CED

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Favre Signs Duncan Deal !!!

Yes, sad but true... in yet ANOTHER "trick" that would make the founder of Duncan Toys jealous... Mr Brett Lorenzo Favre is back... Apparently after retiring "for good" about a month ago, he has come out of retirement A. FREAKING. GAIN. !!!! go figure !!!... and signed with the Minnesota Vikings... My inside sources shot me a sneak peek of his new jersey (did I just say New Jersey ?!?!?)---------------------->


Anyway, needless to say, my feelings here are a "tad" less than joyful. I made no bones when this "man""retired" a few months ago... and Wednesday's official announcement that he's back almost left me speechless... yes I DID say ALLLLLLLLLMOOOOOOST... I can't disappoint the "Rooters" can I? - Nuf Ced

Admittedly, Favre was one of the greatest quarterbacks of ALL time.... operative word being was... WAS.... WAS !!! But, I won't mix words in saying I personally have lost all respect for Brett Favre since his FIRST retirement in March of last year.... Dang, it's ONLY been a year and a half !?!?!? seems like this guy has yo-yo'd in and out of retirement for at least 3 years now !!!!

In an apparent (and successful) campaign to keep himself in the spotlight despite being retired, Favre ensured the focus stayed on him through the ENTIRE summer of 2008.... uh, 'SCUSE ME, but personally I prefer hear about baseball during the summer !!!! .. NOT have a weathered face ruin my viewing of Sportsdesk.

FINALLY, after "retiring" 3 or 4 times over last summer, Brett Favre signed with the Jets.... whom already had Chad Pennington as their QB.... SOOOOOOOOOO.... the Jets traded Chad to the Dolphins because of Favre (although Pennington had the last laugh beating the Jets AND Favre in the last game of the season - I WAS ELATED !!!!!)

It was at that point that I lost all respect for him... and have erased all of his ON field accomplishments from my memory banks... A tearful "retirement" speech (bleh.. tainted)... a summer of a sour puss.... THEN stealing someone's job... NOPE... doesn't cut it... even my die-hard Packer and Favre lover sister turned her back !!!! Now THAT is saying something...

No, Mr Favre... I am NOT happy that you are coming back AGAIN.... I wasn't happy when you came back last year. I'm more than a bit tired of the OFF field games of yours....

The only good thing THIS sports fan derives from your return is that now the heat is off of Michael Vick...

Nuf Ced

Note: I "penned" this post yesterday but have been delaying publishing it...

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A view from the Fens !!!!

This post is inspired by my newest blogging bud, Chris Mollo... Chris is the author of... uh, obviously his OWN blog page ... whom I owe a debt of gratitude - no worries bud, I'm working on my own review for you... BUT, in the interim... if you think I AM outspoken... pound this link... and scroll through the posts... Chris puts me to shame !!!!!

Anyway, apparently Chris is a Nation member, born and raised on the east coast but now residing in AZ.....

Ready for a taste of Fenway, Chris ????? If THIS doesn't get your [butt] back here... I don't know what will !!!!!!!!! Nuf Ced

A night at the Fens...uh, Fenway Park... home of the NEXT world champion Boston Red Sox is more than the experience of a live baseball game.... it's an event.... uh, a party.... kinda like Mardi Gras !!!... without the [breasts]... DANG IT !!!!!!!!!!


Walking up Landsdown St... from the "purple rain" parking place, there's no mistaken when you enter the capitol of Red Sox Nation itself...






From that moment on, there's no telling what you'll see, including a "Green Monster"...

OR........ 2 !!!!!!!!!!
(the one on the left is Sox partner in crime DeCAF.... visit her blog too)
or ????? DON'T ASK !!!!

You may see a TC or an Eck broadcasting the LIVE pregame show...

a (Rem)DAWG in the booth....

a "bull" in the "pen"....

EXTREMELY tall players.... OR....

Ted Williams cast in bronze...


Heck.... you MAY even see a ballgame from one of the 38,000 or so seats !!!!
 

Obviously some seats offer a better view than others... so if you're sitting 600 feet or more away from home plate or had to go potty or quench your thirst... there's always THIS ....

although there ARE seats behind.... been there done THAT !!!!!!!

Amidst all the hooplah, balloon clowns, face painters, etc.... 1 thing you will NEVER see is
THIS !!!!

And whether or not your visit to the Nation's capitol ends on THIS note......

the band will always play on....

-Nuf Ced

So, to Chris and all other Nation "residents" not so close to our Nation's capitol.... there you have a brief review of the greatest "show" on earth !!!!!!!!!!!!!

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AnatomKNEE of an afternoon auto accident....

Or, Scarred for LIFE !!!

NO !!!!!! I wasn't in an accident... BUT, I was the only one requiring medical attention ... well, except for the car that did this..... That's my white fence in the background

(well, and obviously the pole required attention too)

Although I signed a waiver refusing to go to the hospital, here's a snapshot of my afternoon yesterday...

1) Hear crash while blogging
2) Run outside to investigate noise (forget to grab cell phone - CRITICAL detail here)
3) Run back inside to retrieve cell phone to call 911.
4) Slip on doormat while running into house, end up sprawled out, knee hurting (but not looking yet)
5) Jump up, grab phone, run (hobble) back out to the scene - dialing 911 along the way.
6) Conclude call, look at knee... knee is purple with blood running down my leg from a gash that looked like a mouth just above my knee-cap
7) Ask stander-by, DR. So-and-so (as was PLAINLY displayed on his shirt) his professional opinion.
8) Shun his plea to go get stitched
9) WALK (LIMP) back into the house to get facecloth to clean my "wound"
10) Return to scene... ask EMT HIS opinion
11) Shun HIS offer to be transported to the hospital
12) Convinced EMT to wrap up my knee, signed a waiver, asked for Percs, got denied
13) Found a lone "butterfly bandage" to close the "mouth" on my leg that was laughing at my demonstrated "grace"

14) Here I sit.... sharing "my" auto accident....

feeling like this.....

Notes: The driver, although taken by ambulance as a precaution, did NOT have a scratch on him...
The car.... Apparently a brand new Toyota wasn't so lucky - uh, TOTALLED !!!
My Knee... no longer "laughing", hurts like hell.....

Nuf Ced

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Sox Recap - game from August 19th, 2009

OR ............... The BUCH(holz) STOPS HERE !!!!!!!!!! AND AND AND "Buenos Noches Amigos !!!"

You got BUCH'd Blue Jays !!! Nuf Ced

In a battle that could have ended the way it did in Tombstone... Sox young "gun" (love that movie) Buchy the kid shot down "Doc" Halladay !!! and uh the Blue Jays in a Buccholz blaze of glory (love that song) ... forever changing the history/mystery of the O.K. Corral

Surprised?!?!? NOPE !!!! Buchy has been matched up against opposing aces repeatedly... falling victim only to our own lack of ammunition and fire power... uh, wait... lack of power???? THAT was MY "problem" yesterday... missing the start of the contest due to the "kind" gentleman that did this............

...... to the phone pole outside my house... Nuf Ced

Just as V-Mart now knows that every dog will have his day.... last night was Clay's, uh... day... pitching 6 innings and only giving up 1 run on 6 hits... You go boy !!!!! The bullpen took over and preserved Clay's sterling effort.... pitching 3 frames of near-perfect ball... YES.. I DID just say that !!!! Nuf Ced

The Sox' double barreled bats were once again fully loaded, cocked... uhhhhhhhhh.... and ready to fire... and fire they did as Papi Grande, JBay and V-Mart continued their assaults on opposing pitchers... each peppering a big fly..... JBay's 27th...Papi and V-Mart's 19th each....

The only starters to not get a hit were JD and Nicky. Despite Tek sitting again and Dustin's new daddydom.... the Sox proved how well stocked they are in still fielding a formidable line-up. Youkah and Casey even chipped in with stolen bases !!!!...

"Painfully" absent was a steal from our THIEF.... hmmmmmm, I wonder..... he couldn't possibly be postponing a Sox record-breaking attempt until....... until...... THIS WEEKEND !!!!!!!!!!! AT HOME !!!!! AGAINST THE STANKEES !!!!!!!!!!!...... NUF CED


One "episode" that I WAS able to partake in viewing (after my electricity was restored) was in the 9th inning.. V-Mart had just dinged the Toronto pitcher.... next up...... you guessed it !!!!!! YOUKAH !!!!!!!! So what happened... You guessed it again.... Youk took yet another one for the team square in the back.... does 2 0 look like this..

from 60' 6" ?!?!?!....maybe he should request NOT having to bat immediately after V-Mart !!!! Youk thought better of showing off his (hopefully) newly acquired WWE skills !!!

Returning tonight will be our "virgin" father as Jonny Lester takes the hill. With the Twinkies (hungry AGAIN) downing the Rangers.... the Beantown Bombers are on top of the wild card race... and with the Evil Empire on a Boston brigade this weekend...... things are really heating up - gotta "love" August in New England !!!!!!!!!

REMDAWG RETURNS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In a blockbuster of an announcement, Jerry Remy returns to the booth... YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS !!! albeit on a part time basis... AWWWWWWWWWWWW !!!! I'll take what I can get, though. And could it get any better than having Remdawg return on Friday.... uh, the opening game of the afore-mentioned Stankee weekend ?!?!?! Boy I can't wait to here those 3 little words again.... NO !!!!! Not THOSE words.... these.... "Buenos Noches Amigos !!!" Nuf Ced

As always... it's been real..... it's been fun..... and it really has been a lot of fun !!!!!

-Nuf Ced

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