After giving Milk a hard time about not posting, he has done the same to me. Can I help it? The Sox have taken a nose dive since starting this blog... but I don't believe in curses and still hold out hope that the Sox can make some noise!
It's funny, the Cubs are 7 games back of the Cards right now and anytime I speak with a Cub's fan their jumping ship. The season is over for them. Grant it they are 7.5 games back in the Wild Card, but the season is still far from over.
I say this as I look at the Sox 7 game deficit to the Spankees in the American League East. We do, however, have a 1.5 lead on the Wild Card. So hope still remains.
In an interesting move, the Sox claimed Mets closer Billy Wagner off of waivers. He's coming off of tommy-jon and pitched a shut-out inning for them before being traded. His trade doesn't come without controversy of course. Current Sox closer, Jonathan Papelbon put up a fuss about disrupting the flow of the bullpen, although he claims not to doubt the obvious talent Wagner is.
In my opinion this is a great trade. Yeah, Wagner could turn out to be another Smoltz, or worse another Gagne(or Gag-Me as we Sox fans like to call him), but he could turn out to be just what we need. After losing to the Spankees 20-11 and 8-4 in a weekend series, it is clear we need more pitching.
Now, what kind of pitching is the real question. Yeah, we got Wagner, but Paps has a point. Our bullpen isn't that bad... it's been our starters. Brad Penny has just been banished to the bullpen momentarily to try out "rookie" Japaneese pitcher Tazawa in the starting role. Tazawa has had a few scoreless innings against the dreaded Yankees and this has prompted his promotion.
So we'll see. Wake returns from the DL tomorrow night, Tazawa may bring new life to the rotation, and Wagner may shut things down in order to get to Paps.
Either way, the Sox are still in the playoffs and never say never when it comes to the division.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Aaaaaaahhhhh!!! Part 2
The Red Sox just dropped their fifth game in a row! 3 now to the dreaded Yankees.
But let's not talk about that. What I want to talk about is reliever Ramon Ramirez coming into the game and hitting A-Rod on the arm. Without any warnings he is tossed! The Sox were down 2-0 and still in the game at this point. Why would he purposefully hit a guy? Why throw him out without a warning? Stranger still, the next inning, and with every Yankee pitcher after, the ump would walk out to the mound and speak with CC or whoever was out there... giving them a warning.
Unbelievable.
There was a strange exchange between the homeplate ump and Sox Catcher Victor Martinez right before Ramon hit A-Rod... I still haven't heard what was said.
All I know is the Sox need to turn things around. I don't watch games often... and the last few I have watched we've lost! Aaaaaahhhhh!!!!
But let's not talk about that. What I want to talk about is reliever Ramon Ramirez coming into the game and hitting A-Rod on the arm. Without any warnings he is tossed! The Sox were down 2-0 and still in the game at this point. Why would he purposefully hit a guy? Why throw him out without a warning? Stranger still, the next inning, and with every Yankee pitcher after, the ump would walk out to the mound and speak with CC or whoever was out there... giving them a warning.
Unbelievable.
There was a strange exchange between the homeplate ump and Sox Catcher Victor Martinez right before Ramon hit A-Rod... I still haven't heard what was said.
All I know is the Sox need to turn things around. I don't watch games often... and the last few I have watched we've lost! Aaaaaahhhhh!!!!
Aaaaahhhh!
That's how I feel inside after dropping two to the Yankees and falling 4.5 games back to them! In a gut wrenching loss, the Red Sox fell to the Yankees 2-0 in 15 innings last night. It was the first time since 1976 that the two teams went to extra innings tied at 0. In the fifteenth, with two outs and Jeter on base, A-Rod stepped up and hit a home run off of a young Japaneese pitcher we just called up from AAA after designating future hall-of-famer John Smoltz for assignment.
Its a tough week in general for the Sox. Beside designating Smoltz, a guy who was an automatic win for the Braves for so many years but couldn't find his groove in Boston, the Sox (who are 8-2 this season against the Yankees overall) have lost two series in a row, first to rival Tampa Bay, and now to nemisis NY. Boston falls 4.5 back from the Yankees, but are only 2.5 up on the Rays now.
Life after the All-Star break hasn't been easy. Josh Beckett has really been the only bright spot. First time All-Star Tim Wakefield (after being snubbed of an appearance in the All-Star game) was placed on the DL with a sore back that continues to nag him. Dice-K continues to work out, but last week there was some drama has he was misinturpruted and thought to have been complaining about the Sox's rehab program.
Then there is the trade deadline. Theo (the Sox's GM) is known for making blockbuster moves at the deadline, and sometimes you get the feeling that he's just going through the motions to keep that reputation up. The one year we didn't make a move was in 06 and we fell flat on our faces. So this year he was up to it again. I am really confused about the whole Adam LaRoche thing. Only a week or so after recieving him and taughted as a big bat off the bench, and a team player willing to be a role player rather than a starter, he was shipped off to Atlanta for yet another first basemen, Casey Kotchman, a lesser bat, and more of a life time bench warmer. Couldn't LaRoche have sat on the bench for a season? Or if we were going to trade him all along, couldn't we have found a better back-up for an outfielder or shortstop? Come on Theo!
Our big move was landing Cleveland catcher Victor Martinez. While its great to have him, he plays three positions where we have solid guys already playing, Catcher (Varitek), firstbase (Youk) and DH (Big Papi). So the merry-go-round continues.
The one thing that was glearingly apparent is how we didn't pick up one solid arm. No new starters, no reinforcements for the pen. If we're going to win we need another healthy arm in the rotation. The Sox have sought to fix this problem from within, promoting phenom Clay Bucholtz. While this is a start, I don't believe its the answer. With Wake out, and Smoltz gone the Sox need to search the waiver wire and pick up a second or third Ace. I still hold out hope that Lester will turn things up. He hasn't played horribly, but he hasn't played to his potential either.
Aaaagh!!! That's how I feel about the Sox right now. So much potential seems to be going down the drain. The season's not over yet. I still hold out hope... but I'm getting worried. Come on Sox. Let's do it again!
Go Sox!
Its a tough week in general for the Sox. Beside designating Smoltz, a guy who was an automatic win for the Braves for so many years but couldn't find his groove in Boston, the Sox (who are 8-2 this season against the Yankees overall) have lost two series in a row, first to rival Tampa Bay, and now to nemisis NY. Boston falls 4.5 back from the Yankees, but are only 2.5 up on the Rays now.
Life after the All-Star break hasn't been easy. Josh Beckett has really been the only bright spot. First time All-Star Tim Wakefield (after being snubbed of an appearance in the All-Star game) was placed on the DL with a sore back that continues to nag him. Dice-K continues to work out, but last week there was some drama has he was misinturpruted and thought to have been complaining about the Sox's rehab program.
Then there is the trade deadline. Theo (the Sox's GM) is known for making blockbuster moves at the deadline, and sometimes you get the feeling that he's just going through the motions to keep that reputation up. The one year we didn't make a move was in 06 and we fell flat on our faces. So this year he was up to it again. I am really confused about the whole Adam LaRoche thing. Only a week or so after recieving him and taughted as a big bat off the bench, and a team player willing to be a role player rather than a starter, he was shipped off to Atlanta for yet another first basemen, Casey Kotchman, a lesser bat, and more of a life time bench warmer. Couldn't LaRoche have sat on the bench for a season? Or if we were going to trade him all along, couldn't we have found a better back-up for an outfielder or shortstop? Come on Theo!
Our big move was landing Cleveland catcher Victor Martinez. While its great to have him, he plays three positions where we have solid guys already playing, Catcher (Varitek), firstbase (Youk) and DH (Big Papi). So the merry-go-round continues.
The one thing that was glearingly apparent is how we didn't pick up one solid arm. No new starters, no reinforcements for the pen. If we're going to win we need another healthy arm in the rotation. The Sox have sought to fix this problem from within, promoting phenom Clay Bucholtz. While this is a start, I don't believe its the answer. With Wake out, and Smoltz gone the Sox need to search the waiver wire and pick up a second or third Ace. I still hold out hope that Lester will turn things up. He hasn't played horribly, but he hasn't played to his potential either.
Aaaagh!!! That's how I feel about the Sox right now. So much potential seems to be going down the drain. The season's not over yet. I still hold out hope... but I'm getting worried. Come on Sox. Let's do it again!
Go Sox!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
One game out & a new back up?
The Sox have had a stellar week... let me repeat... stellar. After losing 6 straight... sorry let me say that again... 6 straight! They've (noticed I'm referring to them as 'they' now, not we- but let's be honest, they'll always be 'we' in my heart-) fallen 2 games back to the dreaded Spankees (sorry, Yankees).
What is our answer to this 6 game streak? We acquire two back-ups to fill an already jammed bench, and jammed positions. Now don't get me wrong... I'm a little excited about one of our transactions.
It seems Boston & St. Louis are trying to help Milk and I along in this blog as Boston traded high priced Shortstop Julio Lugo to St. Louis for Outfielder Chris Duncan. This trade, I believe, brings some pop to the line-up that we sorely lacked in our other trade.
That other trade brought Adam LaRoche from Pittsburgh to Boston. The one good thing about the trade is they didn't have to give up much to get him. Grant it, LaRoche seems to be a great infielder, and has some pop for a Pittsburgh team... but for Boston, who already has an All-Star at first base and a backup in Mark Kotsay, who could start for almost any other team... do we really need LaRoche? No.
What we need is some power implanted in the middle of the line-up. Duncan might have some power, but I doubt he is going to play everyday... especially after he struggled in St. Louis this year. In order to play everyday he'll need injuries to starters Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Bay, or JD Drew... and if that happens... well let's not talk about that.
Basically, the Sox need to go out and find a bat either at short or at third. Grant it we have everyday players there right now, we really can't afford to displace any other position. You may make an argument for Catcher, but I'm not going to be the one who asks for V-Teks job. The man is a STUD even if he is moving on in age. So do we ask for aging Mike Lowells spot at third? Again that's tough. He's been faithful to Boston, even taking a paycut to stay with us and he still has some pop in the bat and a great glove. So what? Short? What big bats are at short? Maybe ex-Sox prospect and now star of the Marlins Hanley Ramirez, but that would be a blockbuster that I don't see happening. Arizona is struggling mightily this season, maybe making a move for JD's brother Stephen Drew, but that doesn't improve our power very much. Unless we part with some regulars, I don't see the Sox making any moves in the line-up.
Our rotation however has some room to grow. That is another area we need help in. First we need Lester to step up and pitch like the future number 1 that he is. We also need Dice-K to return to his rookie season form or really return to his Japanese form that Boston has never really seen. Finally, I think they need to make a move for a legit starter. Doc Halladay from Toronto would be great, but you can't send top prospects to a division rival. So we need to look out West and the NL, and I just don't know whose available.
So after a 6 game slide the Sox are looking up at the Yankees. I'll be watching to see how these two trades play out. There too big of a log jam at 1st for nothing else to happen. So we'll see. Does this mean the Sox need to battle for the Wild Card instead of the Division now? Not on your life.
Go Sox!
What is our answer to this 6 game streak? We acquire two back-ups to fill an already jammed bench, and jammed positions. Now don't get me wrong... I'm a little excited about one of our transactions.
It seems Boston & St. Louis are trying to help Milk and I along in this blog as Boston traded high priced Shortstop Julio Lugo to St. Louis for Outfielder Chris Duncan. This trade, I believe, brings some pop to the line-up that we sorely lacked in our other trade.
That other trade brought Adam LaRoche from Pittsburgh to Boston. The one good thing about the trade is they didn't have to give up much to get him. Grant it, LaRoche seems to be a great infielder, and has some pop for a Pittsburgh team... but for Boston, who already has an All-Star at first base and a backup in Mark Kotsay, who could start for almost any other team... do we really need LaRoche? No.
What we need is some power implanted in the middle of the line-up. Duncan might have some power, but I doubt he is going to play everyday... especially after he struggled in St. Louis this year. In order to play everyday he'll need injuries to starters Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Bay, or JD Drew... and if that happens... well let's not talk about that.
Basically, the Sox need to go out and find a bat either at short or at third. Grant it we have everyday players there right now, we really can't afford to displace any other position. You may make an argument for Catcher, but I'm not going to be the one who asks for V-Teks job. The man is a STUD even if he is moving on in age. So do we ask for aging Mike Lowells spot at third? Again that's tough. He's been faithful to Boston, even taking a paycut to stay with us and he still has some pop in the bat and a great glove. So what? Short? What big bats are at short? Maybe ex-Sox prospect and now star of the Marlins Hanley Ramirez, but that would be a blockbuster that I don't see happening. Arizona is struggling mightily this season, maybe making a move for JD's brother Stephen Drew, but that doesn't improve our power very much. Unless we part with some regulars, I don't see the Sox making any moves in the line-up.
Our rotation however has some room to grow. That is another area we need help in. First we need Lester to step up and pitch like the future number 1 that he is. We also need Dice-K to return to his rookie season form or really return to his Japanese form that Boston has never really seen. Finally, I think they need to make a move for a legit starter. Doc Halladay from Toronto would be great, but you can't send top prospects to a division rival. So we need to look out West and the NL, and I just don't know whose available.
So after a 6 game slide the Sox are looking up at the Yankees. I'll be watching to see how these two trades play out. There too big of a log jam at 1st for nothing else to happen. So we'll see. Does this mean the Sox need to battle for the Wild Card instead of the Division now? Not on your life.
Go Sox!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Waiting for Baby
For those of you who were at JFF on Wednesday night know that it looked like Amanda was beginning to go into labor. 10 hours later we are still waiting for that labor to begin.
She is contracting, but nothing is happening. Our daily lives continue as they have. It really feels like the calm before the storm. We're both really excited to have Robert Elijah join us. So excited in fact, that the waiting is making on antsy! This is a great test in patience and perseverance.
As a Father, I'm sure Milk and speak into the experience of going through childbirth with your wife. Obviously it is completely different for us compared to what our wives have to go through. But, we still go through a lot... I think. I know so far, while I may get frustrated that the baby hasn't come yet, my main role here to to support Amanda.
That role will continue at the hospital. Together, with God, we will welcome this child into the world. That's crazy to think about!
Please keep us (Amanda, Robert and myself) in your prayers as we await Robert's arrival. Stay tuned as we'll give an update when the big guy shows up!
God bless,
Jim
She is contracting, but nothing is happening. Our daily lives continue as they have. It really feels like the calm before the storm. We're both really excited to have Robert Elijah join us. So excited in fact, that the waiting is making on antsy! This is a great test in patience and perseverance.
As a Father, I'm sure Milk and speak into the experience of going through childbirth with your wife. Obviously it is completely different for us compared to what our wives have to go through. But, we still go through a lot... I think. I know so far, while I may get frustrated that the baby hasn't come yet, my main role here to to support Amanda.
That role will continue at the hospital. Together, with God, we will welcome this child into the world. That's crazy to think about!
Please keep us (Amanda, Robert and myself) in your prayers as we await Robert's arrival. Stay tuned as we'll give an update when the big guy shows up!
God bless,
Jim
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Bible & Bagels (doughnuts)
We had a great study Friday morning and enjoyed some fresh doughnuts from Krispy Kreme! We were going to have bagels, but as I was calling around looking for some, Krispy Kreme offered to donate doughnuts each week of the study! Sweet! So join us next Friday for our next round of Salvation History and eat some free doughnuts!!!
Our evening Friday Salvation History study will be canceled. No one showed up this week and so rather than have low numbers at each study, we'll just have one in the morning and have larger numbers. Hope you'll all be able to join us!
God bless,
Jim
Our evening Friday Salvation History study will be canceled. No one showed up this week and so rather than have low numbers at each study, we'll just have one in the morning and have larger numbers. Hope you'll all be able to join us!
God bless,
Jim
2 Games
I caught the end of the Cardinals Cubs game yesterday and with Milk away from the known world for a few days at TEC I thought I'd make a few comments from what I saw. And thanks to MLB.com and my All-Star voting, I'm able to watch the Sox for a few days with a free trial of MLBTV. It's pretty sweet. So I watched my boys in a wild one last night!
When I turned to Cards game on the Cubs were up 5-1 with Marmol was pitching and he was doing all he could to give that lead up. Finally, after letting a run in and loading the bases, Gregg came in and got the win. It was an interesting end to the game and the Cards fought hard. The loss let the Cards lead drop to two games.
The Sox, however, with the win, moved their lead up to two games with a Spankees loss earlier in the day.
The bats came alive in a big way last night jumping out early to a 9-0 lead. Smoltz looked like his old self and the Sox looked to be coasting to the win. That was until the bullpen took over and allowed the Royals to chip away at the lead. By the 8th inning the score was 12-9 and Paplebon warming up. Luckily in the bottom of the 8th we tacked on a few more and Paps got to sit down.
The bullpen sure didn't look pretty and that has to worry me going into the allstar break. But according to the announcers (Dennis Eckersly being one of them), the pen has been going through a tough spurt right now and that is to be expected. Let's hope he's right.
One of the brightest signs from last night heading into the break had to be Big Papi. His bat was alive... I'm watching the game as I write this and David was just named the Sox player of the week, go figure... anyway, Big Papi hit his 1,000th career home run (12th of the season). Way to go Papi!
So things look to be going well heading into the break. Sox won last night, are winning 3-0 in the 4th today and its a beautiful day in Boston.
FYI, the Cards are losing again in Chicago but I think its early still.
When I turned to Cards game on the Cubs were up 5-1 with Marmol was pitching and he was doing all he could to give that lead up. Finally, after letting a run in and loading the bases, Gregg came in and got the win. It was an interesting end to the game and the Cards fought hard. The loss let the Cards lead drop to two games.
The Sox, however, with the win, moved their lead up to two games with a Spankees loss earlier in the day.
The bats came alive in a big way last night jumping out early to a 9-0 lead. Smoltz looked like his old self and the Sox looked to be coasting to the win. That was until the bullpen took over and allowed the Royals to chip away at the lead. By the 8th inning the score was 12-9 and Paplebon warming up. Luckily in the bottom of the 8th we tacked on a few more and Paps got to sit down.
The bullpen sure didn't look pretty and that has to worry me going into the allstar break. But according to the announcers (Dennis Eckersly being one of them), the pen has been going through a tough spurt right now and that is to be expected. Let's hope he's right.
One of the brightest signs from last night heading into the break had to be Big Papi. His bat was alive... I'm watching the game as I write this and David was just named the Sox player of the week, go figure... anyway, Big Papi hit his 1,000th career home run (12th of the season). Way to go Papi!
So things look to be going well heading into the break. Sox won last night, are winning 3-0 in the 4th today and its a beautiful day in Boston.
FYI, the Cards are losing again in Chicago but I think its early still.
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