Red Sox Stink 2007

Aug 29, 2006

Things are as bad as I have ever seen them. At least since the Williams Kerrigan days. Even then, I don’t remember it being such a huge fall as this. It all seems to be happening so quickly, like a chain of events that are spiraling out of control. I would normally be delighted about this, seriously thrilled, but I have to admit I feel bad. It is not just one or two star players going out, like the Yankees, but almost half of the team. And I love David Ortiz, great player, and I don’t think there is a more likeable guy in New England sports than David. People like Brady but not in the same way they love Ortiz. Other than hitting well against the Yankees, there is almost nothing bad to say about him.

Manny Ramirez is hurt, David Ortiz is out right now, Mike Lowell is playing hurt, so is Wily Mo Pena, Trot and Veritek are out, Alex Gonzalez is on the DL, Keith Foulke’s back hurts and he is throwing like a girl, Lester is now on the DL and could be done for the year, Hansen is a mental mess hope they didn’t ruin this kid, Timlin is coming across like a total jerk even after getting hit like a piñata, Mirabelli’s ankle or foot or his pride are hurt, Javy Lopez is not helping his pitchers, Loretta is banged up, Coca I think is banged up or maybe he just sucks, David Kapler sucks and there is pretty much no middle relief, or starting pitchers other than Schilling and Papelbon.

That is a huge list. To be honest, they were not that good before. We all know that they went 16-2 against the national league and 11-1 against Baltimore, but around 500 with the rest of the American league. All of these injuries just make it worse.

That leaves me to talk about Francona. I actually feel bad, really bad, for this guy. Things are not his fault, at least not totally his fault. He might not be the best motivator but something tells me the world’s greatest motivator would have no luck in this situation. McArthur wouldn’t be able to help here.

So too bad. There is still enough baseball left that anything could happen, after all the Yanks are playing like crap. They lost 2 out of 3 before the weekend series with the Sox, then went 2-4 on the west coast trip. Not great. Like the stayed in step with the Sox while they were hurt, they are letting the Sox stay in step while the Sox are hurt, But they are now back at home and after the AL Central teams, they start to play some pretty bad teams. Realistically its over, with the Sox going down in flames.

It’s weird, but I don’t feel great about this. Maybe because it’s so bad that it’s embarrassing. Maybe because there are some pretty good players, real professionals, who are now part of this loser Nation thing that was so much fun to watch pre-2004. Listen to these guys in post game press conferences or on WEEI, they are really down. It’s like they lost their way in life.

Either way, I am now focusing more on the Yanks and how things play out then on how bad it could still get for the Sox.

Posted by David at 04:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ok, I can't leave it like that. The Red Sox are a freakin joke. In Theo we trust?? Abreu is not worth the money?? Crisp is better than Damon?? CRISP WENT 1 FOR 19!!! Huh?? Hey, Red Sox losers, are you stilling kissing the ground that Beckett walks on? How about those young guns that you so smuggly talked about a couple of months ago. All I heard was how the Yankees are too old to do anything, their pitching stinks, they buy their championships. Well, how does it feel right now? Huh!!??

Seriously, how does it feel?? Tell me!!! How sick to your stomach are you after this nationally embarrassing display of shitness?? You just droped 5 games to the Yankees. As good as the Yankees are, you should not get your ass handed to you for 5 straight games. And let's be honest, an ass kicking is exactly what it was. You lost by 8 Friday afternoon, blew a lead Friday night, got embarrassed Saturday with Josh Beckett, and blew it in late innings on Sunday. Today you let KEITH FOULKE in when David Wells was pitching a gem and KEITH BLEW THE FREAKIN GAME. What the &*%$# were you thinking Francona?? Did you watch the other games?? Your bull pen SUCKS. Maybe they should send Hansen back to St. John's.

Look, I am realistic. The Sox could go on a 9 out of 11 streak, the Yanks could go on a bad stretch and things could be a lot closer. But right now the Sox have some serious holes and if Manny is really hurt, WHICH HE IS NOT HE JUST WANTS TO GET HEADED OUT TO THE WEST COAST EARLY THAT FREAKIN LOSER, then forget about David Ortiz doing anything. Unless another team is on crack, they are going to pitch around Ortiz like he has the plague. Good Lord, Ramirez leaving a tight one run game with Yankees bullpen coming up. Does it GET ANY BETTER?? NO!

This was a great weekend. I can't remember when the Sox played worse over 5 games than this weekend. Truly amazing. Every single person on that club other than David Wells should be ashamed of themselves.

Posted by David at 05:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Wow. I feel like it's Monday morning after a weekend binder. Did this weekend really happen? Things are a little hazy and I lost track of some of the games, but I know it happened. I think. 5 ass whoopings in 4 days. Ok, so today was not exactly a beat down, but for Red Sox fans its just as frustrating.

There are a little less than 40 games left, so no reason to go crazy. But this weekend dealt a demoralizing blow to the team and all those poor saps who are going to go home tonight and beat their dogs.

I am so happy.

Posted by David at 04:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Wow. I feel like it's Monday morning after a weekend binder. Did this weekend really happen? Things are a little hazy and I lost track of some of the games, but I know it happened. I think. 5 ass whoopings in 4 days. Ok, so today was not exactly a beat down, but for Red Sox fans its just as frustrating.

There are a little less than 40 games left, so no reason to go crazy. But this weekend dealt a demoralizing blow to the team and all those poor saps who are going to go home tonight and beat their dogs.

I am so happy.

Posted by David at 04:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

First, read the piece in today's Globe by Bob Ryan about Tony C. A friend from Somerville knew Tony back in the day. Great article.

Second, I am watching game 2 and can someone please remind me why the Yankees let Ponson wear the pinstripes. He had a 5-1 lead and effed it up. If that fat drunk could keep the Sox from scoring, the Yanks could have chased Lester by the 4th and totally screwed up their bullpen for the weekend.

So what does that sauced slob do? He gives up 4 more runs and leaves with the bases loaded and no outs. ugh.

Posted by David at 10:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I am addicted to Craig's List. I don't really buy or sell anything, but I love seeing what people try to sell. I really love to watch when someone tries to sell a used piece of crap for the same price as buying it new.

Anyway, there is an unofficial reply process on CL where someone will post a response to another post and put "RE" to let viewers know it is related to another post. I found the following pretty funny.

In case you don't make it to the end, let me explain something to those not from around these parts. An April game on Tuesday against Kansas City sells out and bleacher seats go for triple face. Yankee tickets, say for 25 dollar bleachers, will go for 150.

"Man, that's a lot of typing to come to the ending that you would pay up to double for Yankee tickets. Unless you find someone with a recent head wound, getting those tix for 2x face will be a chore.

RE:

WANTED - Monday afternoon Yanks - Red Sox - $500
Reply to: sale-194105882@craigslist.org
Date: 2006-08-14, 4:28PM EDT

Hey there,
Interested in three tickets to the Monday afternoon game against the Yankees on August 21 ( 8/21 ). I know it is a pain in the *** to get three instead of four or a pair - but if you are a season ticket holder and can not make it to the game in the afternoon due to work or being on the Cape an extra day - I'm here to help!! HAHA
Not a broker - will not resell - and looking to take a buddy and his 11-year old son coming into town for the weekend. They are going to stay the extra day if I can find some decent seats.
Already going to Sunday night's game with my own season tickets (Im not as lucky as those who bought in the 80's - so my seats are out in right field), but would really like to see the game from atop the Monster if possible - money is not an object for this game - but the better the seats - the better the price.
Willing to pay up to double the face for REAL field box, EMC, Monster or Loge seats.
Please do not offer bleachers, right field box seats or grandstands as those are available outside the park by the thousands.
Looking for the best and will pay for the best! Thanks!!"

Posted by David at 07:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today is August 7, 2006. The Yanks and Sox have two months of regular season play left before its all said and done. Couple of thoughts and then quick comments on some players.

- The Yanks weathered the storm in the first half. They lost three key parts of their offense and kept pace. Things are starting to come back together and they have a small lead in the AL East. The Sox and Yanks will most likely change positions before it’s all over, but I feel much better as a Yankee fan now, today, than I did two months ago.

- The Sox could easily have been 1-9 in their last 10 games. Ortiz hitting walk off homeruns and the Sox coming back in the 9th inning is exciting, but no way to sustain the last two months. Things have to change for the Sox if they are going to stay in this.

- Players.

Veritek. I’ve said this before. I hope his injury is not career ending and he comes back to hitting 250. But I hate this guy and losing your team captain and the leader in the field is killer. If the Yankees lost Posada, it would probably be the biggest impact after Rivera. Hope you have a nice time sitting around your Newton house, Jason. You jerk.

Josh Beckett. His melt down last week could not have been more beautiful. Cruising for 5 then total collapse. It happens. I just hope it’s a sign of things to come, you have this guy for the next 3 years. Josh Beckett, meet Carl Pavano and Kevin Brown. And keep throwing those fastballs, trust me, no one can hit them.

Jon Lester. Still not convinced. Papelbon might be the real deal, but I would give Lester some more time before anointing him the future Clemens.

Coco Crisp. I love Mike Adams, but his insistence to compare Coco to Damon is driving me nuts. Coco is no Damon, at least not right now, so give it up. Although he does make some pretty amazing catches.

Trot Nixon. The Gods of Red Sox Nation shined down on you when he went down. I would rather have Wily Mo in the line up than Nixon. Plus I hate Nixon, he looks like a drunk frat brother who just rolled out of bed. I’ve seen soccer balls that are less round than his head.

David Ortiz. I have to admit I love this guy. Clutch is clutch, and with all respect to Paul O’Neil, this guy is the greatest come-through player I have ever seen. I just hope whatever skeletons he has in his closest stay there, because there is not a single person who does not like this guy.

Youkilis, Lowell and Loretta. Water, welcome to your own level.

Alex Gonzalez. Why hadn’t I heard of this guy before this year. I love defensive players, I think they play the game like all kids should learn how to, and Gonzalez is pretty impressive in the field. But if McAdams says that anything over 250 is bonus one more time, I’ll send him a harshly written email.

Manny Ramirez. His RBI numbers are a little down, but everything else is typical Manny. The thing that bugs me is that this guy has trained Red Sox Nation to put up with his antics. David Ortiz in the line-up could not have worked out better for Manny.

Seanez and Tavarez. You, you light up my life, you give me hope, to car-ry on. I love these two guys almost as much as my own children. They are the reason I watch every single Sox game, in the hope they are put in like yesterday. These guys should carry the torch for the next decade.

Papelbon. Yeah yeah, he is great. We get it. Let’s see how his arm is feeling over the next 7 weeks.

David Wells. Why is everyone excited about his last outing? I didn’t see anything that was great. I like his lunch pale working man shtick as much as anyone else, but let’s see how he does when he starts seeing the Yankees and Chicago.

Lopez, Corky Miller, Mirabelli. One is worse than the other. I would keep Miller in just because of his first name. The Sox have used 6 or 7 catchers this year.

Francona. Yeah, he sometimes makes mistakes. But this guy is under the microscope like no one else in the league. Only in this town do people STILL complain about this guy’s 2004 season, after he won a World Series title. I think Terry tells it straight, doesn’t give answers that say nothing and supports his players.

Posted by David at 02:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)