Congratulations to Jim Rice, long time outfielder and slugger for the Boston Red Sox. After years of getting snubbed in the vote for the Hall of Fame, he came in at about 76 percent (75 is required) of the vote. He joins stolen base legend, Ricky Henderson, but I’m more excited about Jim Rice.
My father was a huge fan of Rice, so I’m sure he’s happy about this.
Now we can say what we already knew, Hall of Famer, Jim Rice.
Now that the Yanks pulled in CC (or, with that monstrous contract, maybe he pulled them in), I am concerned about the the Sox’ perceived lack of motivation for the free agency. I hear the Yanks are pursuing other top pitchers quite aggressively.
Sure, we picked up some unknown Japanese youngster who played for a corporation (an ultra-glorified company softball team). And we no longer have Manny to round out the batting order. Plus we seem to be losing our chances at a quality catcher (hint: If no one else is around, pick up the old captain).
Henry lost a ton of money in the weakened economy. Perhaps he is no longer a big risk taker now that he’s moved down a few notches in the billionaires club.
Maybe they’ve analyzed all of the aspects of sabermetrics and came to the conclusion that adding Texiera and another number two pitcher will not improve their chances at winning the World Series. The amount of number crunching the Red Sox administration attack would make an IRS Auditor blush.
At this point, I still believe the Sox ownership and executives to have a higher level of intellectual aptitude than their Yankee counterparts. Why else would they have two World Series Championships since the calendar flipped over to 2001?
The question is: Will they sign a big contract with a huge bat?
So as my memory begins to fade, I almost forgot that earlier this year, the Boston Celtics were crowned the NBA Champions. This is what I’m taking solace in, my friends.
Yeah, we Boston fans have become just a tad spoiled.
So sue me.
Tampa Bay was the better team, and I have a feeling they are going to throw the Phillies to the side like a cat throwing a dead mouse in a busted alleyway.
The Red Sox? Time to update that lineup. The bottom three of the order stranded too many people in key situations during this year’s ALCS.
Oh well, there will always be game 5, right?
At least the Yankees didn’t even make the playoffs (repeat that to yourself).
And, the Celtics should be competitive. 17!
I’ll be honest, folks. While not shocked about this outcome, I am a bit annoyed. The Red Sox have made the comeback series a fashion statement, and this year they became like other teams who came back only to lose at the last minute.
Have we entered the Curse of the Mannytrade?
Only time will tell.
For now, at least I’ll be getting more sleep.
And, at least the Celtics look good.
Oh well. It is 5-0 right now. I believe the Rays are the team to go all the way. Sorry Phillies, I hope you can do it, but these Rays just look darn right dangerous.
Sox had a good season, but when they get to the ALCS, fans expect them to get to the World Series. Sure, the Yankees didn’t even make the playoff, but I’m still left feeling a bit empty.
So here are my list of excuses:
1. Injuries, including Lowell, Drew, Ortiz, and Beckett. Don’t forget, we lost Schilling this year, and he’s probably the most clutch pitcher in October history.
2. Manny. You lose the best right handed hitter in probably baseball history, you lose something. Jason Bay is an above average player, but he’ll never enter the Hall.
3. Manny/Ortiz factor. See above. Ortiz seems more deadly when pitchers are forced to pitch around Manny to get to him.
4. Rays. They came in their own this year. They are tough, fast, and domineering. No mercy. This will be a team to last for a long time.
5. Beckett. Again, he’s not the same pitcher he was last year.
6. Wakefield. He’s a bit too old now, I believe. I hate to say it, but I think he needs to hang up his glove.
7. Varitek. The captain. His offensive production is atrociuos. I really don’t want to see him go, because he still offers a lot behind the plate, but when the runs don’t add up, there is a glaring hole in the lineup.
8. Ellsbury. He seems like his vacation started a week early. You can’t win games if your leadoff doesn’t get on base. I hope he has an MVP year next year.
9. Terry Francona. We’ll keep him, and he may help us to bounce back next season, but he kept Beckett in too long during game 2! The entire ALCS may have finished differently if he had pulled him out before that 5th inning.
10. The Fans. Booing Varitek during a playoff game? Give me a break. You all are an embarrasment, and I hope you all jump on the Rayhawk Wagon this season. We don’t need your stupid pink hat-wearing types around to bring down the Red Sox fans collective IQ.
Rays are destined. And now the AL East will have three highly competitive teams, which will make the Wild Card less of an automatic selection for the Boston Red Sox. Hopefully the Sox will pick up some good pitching, and hitting during the off season. Hopefully Manny stays on the West Coast!
UPDATE: 12:18 PM EST. – Umm…They’re not done yet. Good night.
This year they don’t seem to have that drive that they did last year. Besides, two blowouts in a row will serve little to inspire a team to overcome a 3-1 deficit.
I think it is safe to say there will be no repeat.
Darn.
Sox are losing 4-0 right now with Lester getting slammed and it is only the top of 3rd.
I think I’ll play some guitar tonight, study, and play some Madden.
Buh, bye Manny. Thank you for the good times, but we have had enough!
Welcome, Mr. Bay.
“As tough and big as he seems, he is real wimpy around doctors or any type of medical situation,” Cynthia Rodriguez said. “I was, like, not even having a baby; he was the one. The one nurse had a cold cloth on his head, the other nurse had the blood pressure on his arm and my mother was like rubbing his back — and he is passed out on a couch.
“And I am there, in the middle of labor, and really, I am not being paid much attention to besides the doctor and a couple of nurses. And he is there, moaning. In between pushing, I am going, ‘Honey, are you OK?’ And are you breathing? Are you OK?'”
Well, the purse slap incident that occurred in the 04 ALCS makes a heck of a lot more sense to me. Dirt Dog he is not.
I am at a loss. The Celtics should be gearing up for the next round of the playoffs right now. Instead, they are gearing up for at least two more games with the Atlanta Hawks.
Yesterday’s 4th quarter was terrible. The Celtics came in with a ten point lead, but that was quickly erased with 5 quick ones. I’m sorry, but if they play so well during the season only to lose in the first round, then the entire season was a joke.
This coming off of a sweep by the Rays. The Red Sox batters have been largely quiet the last week or so. Some phenomenal efforts by the pitching (excluding the bullpen), but crickets on the bats.
Well, I hope the Celtics can turn this around. I would love to see a Celtics vs. Lakers finals.
The biggest upset in sports history is still the 2004 Yankees/Red Sox ALCS. For a team to come back 0-3 and to win in the fashion in which they did, nothing can surpass that. Nothing.
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Arrogant New Englander 