Linkies

I meant to post these yesterday, but...

Interesting column by Jason Stark on ESPN.com He talks about how the volume on this year's Sox is much lower - and how some of the ex-idiots are lamenting the intrusion of reality. His point about how that 2004 team was really the only one that could have won is true - but so is the idea that reality has to intrude at some point. Every championship team is different, and it's time for the Sox to find that NEXT championship team.

The occupants of that Red Sox clubhouse last year now say they were aware that the team around them heaved that deep breath and never recaptured the same sense of urgency. What they saw, they say, was a team that needed to change its mix.

Good article in the Baltimore Sun on the changes in the Orioles' clubhouse - and the effect that chief Idiot Kevin Millar is having.

Classic article on Yard Work. They imagine what it would be like if Stephen Colbert did one of his trademark rifs on A-Rod and his decision/non-decision to play in the World Baseball Classic.

The classic father-son it was not. Roger Clemens faced his son Koby in batting practice. Koby hit the first ball out of the park. At his next at bat, Clemens buzzed the kid high and inside. What was interesting was Koby's remark that that type of thing happened all the time at home. Nice. Not.

And finally, as if to disprove Stark's contention that the idiots are out of Boston, check out this classic bit of tv. Dan Roche and Gabe Kapler ran a Cookie-Off in the Red Sox dining hall. It's the kind of nonsense we've come to expect and love from our Sox. Check out Bronson Arroyo singing the Cookie Monster theme!

It's a Mark sighting!

Got this off the Getty Images sight. It's my former Red Sox Fav - Mark Bellhorn. Now to be my favorite Padre, of course. Phew, he looks "normal" again!

July 30th - Red Sox vs. Angels

Yeah baby!
I'll be right up there in the Green Monster seats!! Got thru this morning - after one little snafu. I got thru the VWR right away, then couldn't get logged in. After ten minutes of futility, I realized you had to put in your password and then your user name. Doh! So we're in Section 10 - to the right of the light, in the third row. Really wanted the front row(and probably would have had them if I'd been more alert on that sign-in), but... I am SSOO excited!!
There we are section 10 on the right!

Now THIS is a fashion statement

Some hazing of the rookie pitchers....

Also, Happy Birthday Bronson!

Great fashion statement

Here's a great way to recycle all those Johnny Damon tees in your closet (stolen from SOSH):

Now this is what I've been waiting for!

It appears that the curls are coming back!!!

Oops!

Boy, was I confused last night. It was still Tuesday! Guess I was trying to make the week go faster. Anyway, a bonus for you!

1. From today's Boston Herald:

Gray-haired third baseman Mike Lowell joked that his salt-and-pepper mix was actually “platinum highlights” that he gets touched up every two weeks.
“This actually jumped on me four years ago, and it really hasn’t wanted to go away,” he said. “If I’m going to color, it’s going to be purple or something, unless Just For Men wants to give me a three-year deal. Or Grecian Formula.”

I saw him on RS Now last night, and I think he's quite nice looking. He WAS voted one of People En Espanol's 50 most beautiful people last year, after all...

2. When I looked at USA Today today, the banner across said: "One word: Aggressive - Derek Jeter, USA short stop." Hmmm, if I were thinking of an "a" word to apply to him, aggressive wouldn't have been my first choice...

3. And the email said:

Congratulations! You've been selected for the opportunity
to purchase Green Monster tickets for a Red Sox home game.

Wahoo!! Guess I know how I'll be spending MY Saturday afternoon. Man, I got the chance to buy some last year, too, and was never able to get through the Virtual Waiting Room. I hope I have better luck this year. This is one of my dreams - to sit up on the Monster on a sparkling, warm, sunny, summer day...

4. Interesting photo from spring training:

Watch your back, Johnny. Neither one of those guys looks too happy to have you as a teammate!

5. Red Sox Now runs some of the funniest captions while they're interviewing players. We've learned that Mike Lowell graduated from high school with a 4.0 GPA; that Jason Varitek's childhood idol was Bo Jackson; and that Mark Loretta yearns to play the violin!

6. My tickets arrived today!! Yeah!

7. I'm going to end with Bronson's great quote today about Manny:

“Manny is a strange guy,” he said. “On the outside, he’s happy-go-lucky, but on the inside, he’s got a lot of conspiracy theories. I’d say Manny might be one of these guys when he’s 50 years old who might be in his house with all the blinds shut, looking out like the CIA’s after him. You don’t know what’s going on in the interior with him, so you don’t worry about him.”

Random Wednesday Thoughts

1. To be slightly political for a moment, I got the chance to hear US Representative Harold Ford, Jr. speak today. He visited our school, and spoke eloquently and charismatically to our students. His three pieces of advice:

1. Take as many math and science classes as you can
2. Learn a "global" language - like an Arabic dialect or Chinese
3. His one regret from his college years was that he didn't travel as much abroad as he could have. He said to visit things beyond the Western European capitals.

Great advice! I got to meet him before he spoke, and I must admit, he had my vote at "hello"! He is an up-and-comer in the Democratic party - he's already declared his intention to run for Bill Frist's Senate seat. Maybe I should volunteer for his campaign??!

2. I just finished reading City of Falling Angels by John Berendt. He's the author of Midnight in the Garden of Good Evil, the story of a murder in Savannah that swept the publishing world in 1994. It was a huge hit - and a whole tourist industry was born in that city. He's chosen Venice as the site for his latest - he went and lived there for 8 years. The incident he focuses on is the burning of the La Fenice Opera House - a fire that was eventually determined to be arson. But that fire really is just the framework - the real story is of all the unusual and eccentric people he meets in Venice. I thought it did not measure up to Midnight - the fire story really doesn't glue the tale together. But I did enjoy the information on Venice - since I'll be there in just THREE weeks!!

3. As a PS to the Manny entry below, New England Sports Tonigh is tonight reporting that Manny and the Sox reached a deal wherein Manny reports on March 1st, but does NOT play for the Dominican in the World Baseball Classic. (Since the reporting date for the WBC is March 2nd, it would have meant he spent NO time in Spring Training). Theo was just saying that he had "compelling personal issues" to deal with - and that he was undergoing "vigorous" training. Hmm....

4. I don't know why, but this picture just makes me happy. I'm so glad to see that Bronson still has those lovely locks.

5. I was just watching Red Sox Now - good interviews with Bronson and Mike Lowell. The latter really impressed me - very poised. Shared a lot about his baseball and personal past. His parents escaped Cuba and he was raised in Puerto Rico. I love when he said that with a name like Lowell, everyone thinks he's from Tennessee or Kentucky.

And Bronson was, well, man, Bronson. Says he's going to lay off the music a bit this year - although sounded interested in Coco Crisp's recording contract...

6. One final note - in memory of Curt Gowdy. What New Englander doesn't have fond memories of listening to his voice on Sox broadcasts. My family has a personal memory of him, too. According to the story, Gowdy gave the eulogy at the funeral for my Uncle John, who died way too young. I've never been able to truly verify the story - but now I feel like I should!

Manny being....

Late to camp! According to Gordon Edes' Extra Bases blog:

The Red Sox and Manny Ramirez today issued the following joint statement:

“With the permission of the Boston Red Sox, Manny Ramirez will report to spring training in Fort Myers on March 1, 2006. Manny is in Florida completing an extensive training regimen, and is prepared to have an exceptional season."

Interesting...That means he'll be in camp one day before he reports for the World Baseball Classic. And one wonders what that "extensive training regminen" involves.

Again, can I say that I'm tired of his theatrics?! This makes Manny look bad - especially in light of some of teammate Jonathan Papelbon's statements: (taken from Surviving Grady)

Jon Papelbon: "For me, it's just a matter of going out there, proving myself and keep letting Tito [manager Terry Francona] and [general manager Theo Epstein] and all the guys around me know that I'm here to win and I'm here to contribute in any way I can."

Some new ex-Sox sightings

While waiting in anticipation for the first Bellhorn sighting of the spring, here's two familiar faces in unfamiliar uniforms:


That's Bill Mueller taking a little BP in the Dodgers' Camp












Why, look, it's a camera and Kevin Millar is talking to it! I don't think he will ever change - and that's a good thing!

An Ace for the Boomer Generation

Take a look at this photo. Yeah, he's got less hair - and what's there is more gray than not. But good old John McEnroe regained his winning form this weekend, becoming the oldest player to win an ATP title -- singles or doubles -- in 30 years.

He was - in the day - my very favorite tennis player. He was always unpredicable - except in the fact that he usually won in an exciting match.

It's heartening to those of us in the same age bracket (he's now 47) - we needn't give up competing just because of a number on our driver's license!

Photo fun

Some fun pix from Spring Training


Good to see Doug Mirabelli back in action! He looks better in Red, but...















Keith Foulke practices one of his most well known moves - putting his foot in his mouth

















This guy looks like he should be appearing in a remake of "The Three Musketeers"
(It's Gary Majewski from the Nationals)











I suspect Scott Linebrink won't be allowed to bring his dog back to practice again!

What a weekend

What a truly fantastic weekend this has been. Every time I log onto my computer, I open a new box of candy with RED SOX stamped on the outside. The pictures coming out of Fort Myers are awesome!! Curt looks great - maybe twenty pounds lighter than last year - and the videos of him throwing are making me optimistic. I can't wait to hear how Foulke did today. And great to see some of the familiar faces making early appearances - although Youk looks like he was on the Kevin Millar Off-Season Diet - and that Trot caught him with his hairdressing shears!

No photos yet of Tek or Bronson - but today is the first full workout for all pitchers and catchers. Tonight NESN will have a live show from Fort Myers - with Terry as guest - so we ought to get some info! In the meantime, I love this picture from boston.com - looks like these two have just returned from a showing of Brokeback Mountain! (Not that there's anything wrong with that)

The gauntlet thrown?

Now this is starting to get interesting. From espn.com:

George Steinbrenner wants Ozzie Guillen to zip his lips.

TheaNew York Yankees owner didn't appreciate a shot the Chicago White Soxmanager took at Alex Rodriguez, remarks Guillen later apologized for.

"Shut it up," Steinbrenner said Saturday, moving his hands across his lips in a zipper move. "I like Ozzie Guillen as a manager, but I don't like him when he pops off like that," the Boss said, following with a profanity.

Now, there's nothing like a cranky Boss to make life interesting....

Dancing with the Stars - 2/17

Travesty. That's the only word for it. Unbelievable that Lisa and Luis got voted off - and that Jerry and Anna are still in the competition. I've got a lot of respect for Jerry Rice in terms of what he did on the football field. But, that man can NOT dance! I really thought Lisa and Luis would be in the finals. Can Jerry Rice have that many fans out there dialing in?

I hope the finals come down to Stacy and Drew. My choice? Drew. He looks ssoo smooth out there on the dance floor - and he really looks like he knows what he's doing! If that Jerry makes it into the finals and eliminates the two best dancers, I'll....

I'm liking this

Does this not look like murderer's row - bullpen edition??

The sun is coming up!

That jukebox in the corner blasting out my favorite song
The nights are getting warmer, it won't be long
Won't be long till summer comes
Now that the boys are here again

The boys are back in town...

YES! This was the first song I heard on my iPod today - and as I listened to this verse, I found myself just grinning. The boys are starting to arrive in Fort Myers - tomorrow is the official day for pitchers and catchers to report. But several of the position players are rolling in - Trot Nixon has been in the Fort since February 1st! The new guys are arriving, meeting their new teammates and bosses, some warily (Beckett), some downright ecstatic (Riske).

Boston.com documents the first meeting of Jonathan Papelbon and Josh Beckett. This part makes me swoon in anticipation of the season - on several levels!

Papelbon is listed at 6 feet 4 inches, 230 pounds, Beckett 6-5, 220. But their bodies are discernibly different. Because, before the chubby face, before the goatee, before the prodigal arm, before anything else, when you look at the former Marlin, your eyes take you to his legs. The bio says Beckett is 1 inch taller than Papelbon, but it doesn't mention anything about distribution of those 77 inches, and Beckett's torso rises noticeably higher than Papelbon's. Upon first sight, the source of Beckett's power -- the transference of kinetic energy between legs and right arm -- comes as little surprise.

''This kid shakes your hand," manager Terry Francona noted yesterday, ''and your whole body shakes."

And the signs of spring are everywhere. The Fort Myers paper is running photos of the early practices - great site to bookmark and consult for the next few weeks. Edes and Snow are filing articles. Today, NESN starts their reports from the Fort - and I believe my DirectTV is now reloaded with the expensive package so I can start seeing those reports. Yahoo!

I'll also be monitoring the progress of some other teams during ST. Like the Dodgers (have to check on my Billy Mueller). The Orioles (here's an amusing quote from today's hometownannapolis.com:

Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro and B.J. Surhoff are replaced on the roster by low-key veterans Kevin Millar from Boston, Jeff Conine from Florida and Corey Patterson from Chicago.

I don't think I've EVER heard the words "low key" and "Kevin Millar" in the same sentence!

And, of course, I think the biggest contender for my attention will be the San Diego Padres. Man, I hope Doug Mirabelli does well. Oh, yeah, and that guy Mark Bellhorn, too....

Oh, and there's one other verse from Thin Lizzie that might predict the future:

And that time over at Johnny's place
Well this chick got up and she slapped Johnny's face
Man we just fell about the place

Let's hope our 2006 Sox will slap Johnny's face this year - and we will certainly fall about the place!!

Great headline!

From the signonsandiego website:

Turn around so we can see your name:

Team comes to camp with plenty of new faces

I think there many fans out there who are going to be experiencing this same phenomenon!

Gotta love Ozzie

Ozzie Guillen can come up with the greatest quotes. There's an article in today's New York Daily News, in which Ozzie gives it to A-Rod good! (You know, he's my favorite target, too). Regarding A-Rod's very public wavering on which WBC team to play for -

"Alex was kissing Latino people's (butts)," Guillen, who's from Venezuela, said in the most recent issue of Sports Illustrated. "He knew he wasn't going to play for the Dominicans; he's not a Dominican!"

And I love this:

Guillen apparently found his flip-flopping to be disingenuous. "I hate hypocrites: He's full of ---," Guillen said. "The Dominican team doesn't need his (butt). It's the same with (Nomar) Garciaparra playing for Mexico. Garciaparra only knows Cancun because he went to visit."

Keep it coming, Ozzie!!

And Surviving Grady is AWESOME today - a very funny list of predictions for the 2006 season. One of my favorites is his Coco Crisp prediction: "Stats by June 1: 4 home runs, 21 RBIs, 354 T-shirts."

Random Wednesday Thoughts

Yet another edition!

1. The Westminster Dog Show was last night. No, I am not so desperate for sports that I watched it. But ESPN did an hysterical report on it on SportsCenter. Covered it like it was a real sport, including the poignant story Desmond, the favorite who lost. His incredible disappointment - apparently he is now the "Michelle Kwan of the dog show circuit."

2. Call of the Green Monster has a funny take on the Cheney "accident" - about how Steinbrenner was accidentally hit by an A-rod line drive and waited 12 hours to report it!

3. SATURDAY!! Pitchers and catchers report to City of Palms Park. Need I say more??

4. And who was the first veteran pitcher to report? Keith Foulke. His story is going to be pretty closely watched - has he come back from off-season knee surgery? Can he regain his 2004 form? As Eric Wilbur said in today's Globe:

The 33-year-old needs to have a spring training the likes of which he hasn’t had to have since he was a young pup fighting for a major league job.

Another interesting story will be the comeback of Curt Schilling. Can he be an ace again at 39?

5. Big congratulations to our RemDawg - Jerry Remy was tapped for the Red Sox Hall of Fame. When you look at his career numbers, they're kind of mediocre. But he's being recognized for what he's done since. The man has become an industry and an institution in Boston since he retired. I can't imagine watching a Sox game on NESN and not hear him. I think he could have the Wally doll as his broadcast partner (no offense to Don Orsillo!) and it would still be mandatory viewing. I love when he and Announcer Boy get a case of the giggles - those long moments when you can hear Rem wheezing and trying to regain his breath. Priceless.

6. Last summer, I decided to learn how to keep a "real" scorecard for the games. I'd never learned - but got it into my head to teach myself. In the process, I discovered a great new pasttime. I love keeping score! It really makes me pay attention to the game, and has helped me to see the "game within the game." I try to keep an accurate pitch count (because they don't always give that minute information on the tv broadcasts), and note any great plays - any worthy of SportsCenter's Top 10.

So when I was at WalMart this weekend, I happened to stroll over to the sporting goods department, and there they were: a whole stack of brand new scorebooks! I've tried several different books, and the ones they have at WallyWorld are my favorites. So I'm ready for that April day!!!

Now I just have to re-up my Extra Innings package, and get back my extended Direct TV package (that includes NESN), and I'm ready!!

More on Truck Day!

The official Red Sox site over at mlb.com has got a great article on Truck Day. And check out the Photo Gallery - yes, actual photos of a truck being packed with equipment. Are we Sox fans pathetic or what??

<<---And here's a welcome site (from the Remy boards)

It's Truck Day!

Yes, I meant to capitalize that. Today is the TRUE harbinger of Spring - much more so than some rodent popping out of the ground. It's Truck Day - the day they load up all the equipment over at Four Yawkey Way, and take it to Fort Myers for Spring Training. As I write, they're packing boxes of baseballs, bats, uniforms, bandaids, and getting ready! Yeah! It's become almost another holiday in Boston (and is continuing despite the record snows over the weekend). Here's a description of the scene from Joe over on "Surviving Grady":

So...I live on Mass. Ave, right by the Orange Line stop. I'm walking back to my apartment, and I'm by Symphony Hall, and I start hearing a song...and I wonder, "where have I heard that before?"

Well, it was the Dropkick Murphy's "Tessie," and I hadn't heard it since the season, when we had the games on in the souvenir store, augmented by the crowd across the street, seeing the commercials with Millar's walk-off, and Ortiz's Sunday afternoon blast off B.J. Ryan...

So I turn around, and there's Wally, throwing squishy baseballs from a flatbed truck, with the Fenway Embassadors joining in...and they're being followed by a gigantic Truck.

I have experienced Truck Day, my friends. And it is a glorious day that God has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

And I got two squishy balls. Giggidy goo

Speaking of the snow - did you know that it costs the city of New York $1 million per inch to remove snow. PER INCH?!!


So Cheney finally shot a guy. I was just watching the press conference from the White House, and it was pretty funny. They kept referring to the VP as "the shooter." Too bad Scalia wasn't with Dick on this trip. Great spin here:

Mary Matalin: “He felt badly, obviously. On the other hand, he was not careless or incautious or violate any of the [rules]. He didn’t do anything he wasn’t supposed to do.”

And does he become more like Aaron Burr every day?? Of course, Burr did shoot a Cabinet member, which gives him a leg up on the Worst VP Ever award.

Random Wednesday Thoughts

Time for another edition - just some the baseball-related things rolling around inside my head...

1. Johnny please leave! It's getting so this long saga of Johnny Damon leaving Boston is becoming an epic. Yesterday, he ran a full page ad in the Boston Globe thanking the people of Boston. It's like that country song: How can we miss you if you won't go away! It makes you wonder if he's realizing he made a mistake. By now, he's bought the apartment in Manhattan, and can see that the cost of living there is much greater than in the Hub. That extra $12 million will go pretty fast - especially with Michelle loose in the city. (no double entendre intended - wink, wink). He also is probably realizing that there was no "mystery team" interested in him - it was simply Scott Boras interested in more $$ for himself. (I truly dispise that man). And, of course, there's the issue of no more naked pull-ups. I mean, would you want to do those in front of Jeter and A-rod? Ewww.

The guys at Call of the Green Monster have a great spin on the ad...

2. Goodbye Johnny, yes, but a big HOWDY to Alex Gonzalez! Our new shortstop was on a tear during the Caribbean World Series - and scored the winning run for Venezuala. Bodes well for our team in '06 I think!

3. Another beloved member of the Yanks made an appearance in the New York Daily News yesterday - that lovely fellow Jason Giambi. Follow the link for a shocking sight - looks like Jason has been hitting some all you can eat buffets. Guess his new at-bat music should be "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" - because he sure is starting to resemble Meat Loaf!

All for now --

11 days and counting!

Now that the Super Bowl is done - signifying the end of the football season - it feels safe to now start the countdown to Spring Training. In eleven days, pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers. Yeah! As soon as "Truck Day" arrives - which I would guess is soon - it'll really feel real.[Edit: Just read on the Remy board that Truck Day is next Monday, February 13th!]

A couple of interesting notes. The new manager of the Florida Marlins, Joe Girardi, has ordered a no facial hair rule for his team. Has Steinbrenner secretly purchased this team? As someone who works in a school with a dress code, I can see some reasons behind such a decision. It puts everyone on the same level - enforces a team mentality. But the liberal in me says, Hey, these are adults. If they want to express themselves with a goatee, big deal. I'm just glad Bellhorn didn't sign there. His brief foray into the "Yankee way" was horrifying.

Bengie Molina signed a one-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. Wonder what that means for Greg Zaun? It also makes the Jays one notch better. They are going to be a team to watch this year. Now that Ricciardi has a decent budget, he's going to be on the firing line to produce a championship team, and he's certainly made some great off-season moves.

I have to admit, I have a soft place in my heart for the Molina boys. Can you imagine growing up in a household with three catchers? I mean, a catcher has a lot of STUFF. It would be tough picking up after one, but imagine three?? Their house must have been strewn with masks, chin guards, helmets. It's kind of amazing to think that one family could produce three major league players, and three talented catchers, too. The pick-up games in the back yard must have been weird and strained. No, Jose, YOU pitch this time. Come on, Bengie, try to steal off me. Hey, Yadier, bet I can get a pass ball on you....

Mike Piazza officially signed with the San Diego Padres yesterday. Poor Doug Mirabelli. I'm sure he was bummed out over being traded by the Sox - especially after it looked like Wakefield would be staying put there for the rest of his career - but I'm sure he was consoled by the fact that it looked like he might get to be an everyday player. Now, with Piazza swooping in, it looks like he's back to being a back-up. Of course, Piazza could suck and then Doug might get to play more. Time will tell.

And finally, the Sox officially inked Coco Crisp and Alex Gonzalez - so the holes in center and at short are filled. We've still got two players who long for trades - Wells and Ramirez. I'd be surprised if Wells is with us on Opening Day - I think a few teams are interested but want to see him ST before offering for him. As for Manny, he will just have to continue being Manny in Boston. There aren't any reasonable deals out there for him and, as I've said before, I don't think there are any other teams or towns out there that are going to put up with his Manny-antics. So he needs to just make the best of things in Boston.

Edit: Had to add this. The latest rumors have the Sox making a pitch for Roger Clemens to join the pitching staff. Not sure how I feel about it. It certainly would be a great way for him to end his career - and he could break Ty Cobb's record for most Red Sox victories. On the other hand, horrible traitor. Wonder how the fan base would react?

Super Bowl Sunday

I don't mind watching the game, but the SIX hours of pre-game hype is ridiculous! So, instead, I decided to catch up on movies. I rented an armload of dvds, and here's a quick recap.

(Not a football fan in general, but I really like this Polomalu guy - it's the hair I think!)
Sigh....

So, here are my reviews. First, watched In Her Shoes. I really liked it! If you have sisters, this film will resonate with you. At the outset, Cameron Diaz as the irresponsible sister just irritated me. But as the plot progressed and you began to see the back story, she won me over. I went thru a BUNCH of kleenex by the end. Thumbs up.

Next up: Crash. I missed this one at the theaters, but decided I needed to see it after hearing my students talk about it - and the Academy Award nominations. It was really affecting. The performances all the way up and down the list were fantastic - I was especially impressed by Matt Dillon. He plays an egregious racist, but somehow makes his character sympathetic when yo see what he's going through. It's the kind of movie you need to see with a friend, and then get a coffee after to discuss it. Thumbs up.

Broken Flowers. If you haven't seen Coffee and Cigarettes by the same director - Jim Jarmusch - rent it, along with this one. Bill Murray has evolved into such an evocative actor. There are long scenes with no dialogue, when all you look at are Murray's facial reactions to something, and there is never any question as to what you're seeing. The film is really a slice of life - a middle-aged man discovers (through an anonymous letter) that he has a 19-year old son. So Murray sets out to see the women he knew and loved back then, and this film follows his journey. There's no resolution or big emotional climax, but his journey is at times hysterical and other times poignant. Thumbs up.

A Constant Gardner - another one I missed at the theaters, mainly because I was afraid it would be too sad. Not the case, although this is a nice little thriller. Ralph Fiennes is awesome, of course, looking tres hot! I thought Rachel Weisz was good - but in no way was she the BEST supporting actress of the year. (I really think Michelle Williams deserves the award for Brokeback Mountain - she was heart-breaking in it). Thumbs up.

I've just started the Zorro sequel - but it doesn't look thumb-worthy.

Got to watch some commercials - uh, I mean the Super Bowl. Fingers crossed - snow predicted for overnight. Snow Day??? PLEASE?!!

Love these headlines

From "Call of the Green Monster":

• Damon Plans to Whine About Red Sox for Next Four Years
  
• Distancing Himself from Renteria, Gonzalez Promises to Bend Over to Field Ground Balls

Random Wednesday Thoughts

Time for my weekly musings. First those not related to the Red Sox:

1. The Academy Award nominations came out yesterday. I've seen most of the nominees - but not, most notably, Munich or Crash. The latter is now out on video - probably should rent it before the awards. As for Munich, I'm a little sick of Spielberg (*gasp!*), so it'll take some doing to muster the enthusiasm. So glad Amy Adams got recognized for Junebug - she really stole the film.

2. I'm so glad the February sweeps start next week - I'm tired of reruns! No new Lost tonight, no House. Gilmore Girls was awesome last night, though!

On to the Sox!

3. I'm so over all the stupid cereal jokes about our new centerfielder, Coco Crisp. Yeah, it's an easy shot to take, but come one. I'm also dreading the inevitable jokes about our new pitcher, David Riske (yes, pronounced "risky") and the new catcher, Josh Bard. I see an endless stream of headlines: "Sox Fans Cuckoo for Coco," "Coco Crispies and Fruit Loops in the OF," "Riske Business," as well as a host of Shakespeare and poetry references.

4. How will the '06 team be different? As the Herald says today: "Their defense looks better, their offense looks worse, their pitching remains a relative unknown." I really like this line, too: "For months now, we have heard Sox officials speak of how the team needs to improve in the area of “run prevention,” which is a nice way of saying the 2005 Sox could neither pitch nor play defense." Oops! Let's hope that we see some improvement in that area of "run prevention."

5. I was never a rabid "Damon Lovah." I thought he was a fun part of the '04 team, and he played great last year. Never impressed by his intellect, though; when I finished reading his memoir Idiot, I commented to a friend, "You know, he really IS an idiot"! I mean, incomplete sentences, he goes off on tangents that never do get you back to the main point...And he worked with a pretty good writer on it as well as an editor...Anyway, the more I read from the New York press since he followed the bucks to the Big Apple makes me truly despise him. He's been making the rounds this week for the media - filmed a special for the YES network (as well as some promos for their Yankees' broadcasts), appeared on the David Lee Roth radio show (now THERE'S a brain trust!), had dinner with A-Rod (bleah), and was featured in today's New York Times. In the latter, this part made me laugh out loud:

"Manny really wants out of Boston, just so he can relax and chill," Damon told Kay. "If he played for the Mets, he probably wouldn't be able to chill much. But I think the Yankees would be a perfect fit for him, as well as for David Ortiz."

MANNY? As a YANKEE?? Yeah, I can see him fitting real well into that clubhouse. He'd really toe the line for Mr. George, wouldn't he?! (One of the commenters on SG offered this: "Translation: It's really lonely in the ninth circle of Hell. Please come visit." Classic!)

And from the Roth interview (via "Surviving Grady")

DLR: That's a classic look for the Yankees, right? You gotta have that spit-shine with the big smile and everything. That's right out of one of those old paintings. Is that how you envisioned baseball when you were growing up?

JD: Well, I kinda envisioned players having personalities.

Sounds like maybe JD is realizing his days as a personality are numbered. He certainly is never going to be as adored as he was in Boston. He will soon find out that you can't have a personality while you're wearing pinstripes - you have to fit the "Yankee mold." It's going to be very interesting to watch his evolution over the next few months.