Our Captain America

I was able to write-off Friday night's loss to the Mariners. The team was just back from a long road trip, the M's were coming off a big series against the Yankees... But yesterday's loss was a lot harder to handle. The Sox offense never seemed to get it together - not able to capitalize any time there were men on base. Add to that the fact that I was unable to watch the game - thanks to that deal that Fox made with Bud Selig, NESN couldn't broadcast the game nationally. Although it was fun to listen to the radio broadcast via mlb.com's Gameday Audio service, I missed seeing the sight above: Jason Varitek in his "Captain America/4th of July" catching gear. This was the only photo I could find of it - but it was pretty breathtaking. Add to that his terrific offensive output (his 12th homer of the season after only hitting 13 for all of last season!) - and, well, Tek seemed willing to carry the team himself.

So, hoping for better performances all the way around today, as the Sox close out the series with Seattle.

A happy ♥ day!

The inside of this card says "Hey! There's no baseball in February! And there we are, naked with nothing to do....hmmm..."

Fortunately, the programming geniuses at NESN have made this statement incorrect. This morning, they are offering a lovely Valentine's Day gift to Red Sox baseball fans: two hours of live programming from Ft. Myers. True, the coverage will probably just show a bunch of guys running around on the practice fields - wait, that is perfect!!
Globe photo from last year

Also on deck is the first media appearance for our captain:
I still have some unresolved feelings about Tek. All of the off-season drama about his new contract has left me cold. I know that some of the blame needs to be assigned to his agent the evil Boras. But Tek is a grown man, a professional ballplayer, and smart. He has to take some of the blame as well. I'll be watching with interest when he faces the press at 11:30 am.

Meanwhile - Happy Valentine's Day!

My buddy, the famous blogger

Not that she needs any publicity, but my buddy Cyn's blog is now on the WEEI website. She won a contest to name the next great blogger! Check out her musings on the Red Sox and other important issues!

As I was surfing the channels on this super cold day (we've even got a dusting of snow on the ground right now!), I discovered that the MLB Network is saluting the 2007 playoffs this weekend. I got sucked into watching game 7 of the ALCS all afternoon - it still is awesome even though I know the outcome. Pedie with the incredible game, Papelbon at his scariest. The only downside was that they didn't play the pre or post-game shows. So didn't' get to see Paps dancing again. Oh well. Now they've gone into the WS Game 1. Those poor Rockies never stood a chance.

Good times!

Hoping to hear some good news about Tek. He and John Henry met for 90 minutes last night - with that ass Boras - so maybe we'll hear something about his coming back next year?!

Youk.... and more

Today, Kevin Youkilis finalized a 4-year deal with the Red Sox. They've locked him in to a great contract : 4 years for $41 million. So we've locked in the AL MVP and the runner up to long term contracts. Who needs Teixeira?

I applaud Theo and Company for what is shaping up to be a great off-season. While everyone was lamenting that we were losing out on the pricey free agents, our Front Office has quietly gone about cementing some of the key elements in our 2009 success. And another piece of the jigsaw puzzle may be about to fall - from the Globe:

In what may be a final attempt to end a stalemate that has existed throughout this offseason, Red Sox captain Jason Varitek has a meeting planned with club owner John Henry on Friday night that could facilitate a resolution with the free-agent catcher. Reached by phone on Friday, Varitek would confirm only that he is meeting with Henry "tonight,'' in the Atlanta area, where Varitek makes his offseason home.

I love that Jason is removing Borassss from the equation. As the guys on MLBN's "Hot Stove" said tonight, it's up to Tek to tell John Henry that he wants to end his career as a Red Sox. He may only get a one or two year deal out of it, but it would be beneficial to both sides for this deal to get done.

No news is...no news

Photo by Kelly

A niblet of good news today, via RBI Magazine:

RBI Magazine has learned from multiple news sources that the Red Sox have begun negotiations with last year’s Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek.

There was a piece on SportsDesk this morning about the available catching. The market is small, and old. The average age was in the mid-30s. So perhaps both parties here would be wise to revisit their negotiations - if Tek would agree to a shorter term contract, it might be worthwhile to keep him around for a year or two. He's incredibly valuable to our pitching staff, which I think outweighs his fading offensive power. Not to mention the immense benefit of having him mentor some of our young catchers.


And in other good news: Only four days until the MLB Network debuts! Imagine: 24 hours a day of ALL baseball. I discovered yesterday that it will be broadcast on DirecTV on Channel 213!! On opening night at 7pm:

1956 World Series Game 5 Brooklyn Dodgers @ NY Yankees featuring Don Larsen's Perfect Game. Stay Tuned Following the Conclusion of the Game for a Sit-Down Interview with Batterymates Don Larsen and Yogi Berra

I am really excited about this! No more having to sit thru endless minutes of hockey and football reports on the sports channels, hoping for some crumb of Red Sox news. Yeah!

Oh, Captain, OUR Captain

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
Jason Varitek has really been struggling offensively of late, and is being ridden hard by the 'EEI-type fan boys. But I know his value is way beyond what his batting average shows. The way he works with the pitching staff, his preparation for every start - I can't imagine there is a better prepared catcher in baseball today. Those who don't understand his value (see: Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times) mock the "C" he wears with pride on his chest. But we know he is the Captain, the one who provides direction to the team, provides a positive voice for our often-maligned bullpen. I hear he has a few personal issues he's dealing with right now, and that might be affecting his offensive production, but he is still providing leadership. Look at that photo above - encouraging Okajima, who I think needs as much encouragement and positive affirmeation he can get.

So, here's to the Captain!

And for more Manny fun, another Elsa photo from yesterday's game:
I wonder if that's one of Big Papi's Vitamin Waters?

Happy Fourth of July

Photo by Jim McIsaac
Now here's the Captain American I'd like to be rescued by! Happy Independence Day!

ETA: Paid attendance at tonight's Tampa Bay Rays' game: 16,830....Pitiful

Yeah Tek!

Getty Images photo

Certainly not overlooked last night, but also worth celebrating, was the role played by Jason Varitek in the no-hitter. Tek became the first catcher in ML history (!) to catch FOUR no-hitters! Yes, no-hitters are a lot of luck, and some breaks. But you've got to think that Tek's calling of the game played a big part in those games.

Just remember: Schilling and Pedro almost had no-hitters, too - but they shook off a sign from Tek in the 9th inning that led to a hit.

Another cliff hanger!

Winslow Townson
Another night, another cliffhanger ending for the Sox and Blue Jays. Tuesday night, it was Kevin Youkilis who drove in David Ortiz for the game winning run. Last night, it was the Captain - Jason Varitek - who hit a single and scored Manny Ramirez. Both happened in the bottom of the ninth - and it's the 8th last-at-bat win for the Sox this season. [And I'm sorry, Tek, that I doubted you. When you stepped to the plate, I had a K ready to put on your batting line! Oops]

The bats have been pretty dead during the past weeks, but our pitching? Outstanding. Even in our losses, we've seen some gems - both from the Red Sox and the opposition. Can we keep it up?

From Gordon Edes:

How about the pressure facing Tim Wakefield, who takes the mound tonight against the Blue Jays after a bedazzling conga line of high-stepping Sox starters?

The last four pitchers to start for the Sox have taken a one-hitter into the eighth (Clay Buchholz), struck out a career-high 13 (Josh Beckett), pitched eight scoreless innings of one-hit ball (Jon Lester), and pitched seven shutout innings of two-hit ball (Daisuke Matsuzaka last night). You have to go back 11 years to find the last time four consecutive Sox starters went seven or more innings and allowed two or fewer runs.

[PS - Please don't leave us alone with CHB, Gordo]

So tonight, we face the Jays with a chance to sweep them. Sweet payback for their sweep of us in Toronto earlier this season? I hope so! And let's hope to see some dramatics a little earlier in the game - the late heroics make it very difficult to settle down to sleep!

Happy Birthday Captain

Yes, today is Jason Varitek's birthday. Happy Day, Capn. These are some of my favorite shots of him!

Yes, we all miss Millar. This was during the filming of their "Queer Eye" special.


An all time favorite photo for most Red Sox fans. Tek shows ARod what the inside of his mitt looks like. Hmmm, foreshadowing for this week's series vs. the Yanks?

No commentary needed. A great moment and a great ***

So, happy day. One of the greatest signs I ever saw hoisted at Fenway said:

Captain Kangaroo
Captain Morgan
Captain Crunch
Captain Varitek...

My 4 favorite captains

And even though you can't catch his knuckleball, I'm sure Tim Wakefield says Happy Birthday too!

Photo Day

Getty Images photo - Nick Laham
Yesterday was Photo Day in Fort Myers - all the players wear their home whites and get their official photo snapped.

The above photo is some of those posted on Getty Images. I'm hoping more come thru as the week progresses. But this one of the Captain, Jason Veritek, just screams "Mount Rushmore" to me.

In other news: last night the 80th annual Academy Awards were held. I got 12 out of the 24 categories - the "lesser" awards did me in! I was shocked that Marion Cottillard beat out Julie Christie for Best Actress - both were fantastic, but I thought Christie might ride the sentimental vote into the win. Cottillard was fantastic as Piaf - totally unrecognizable if you saw her in "A Good Year." No shock that Daniel Day-Lewis won. He is such a fantastic actor - even though his "method" is pretty frickin' weird. I'm so glad the song from "Once" won best song - the whole story behind that film is so cool.

Never say Atonement. Never say No Country for Old Men. Too much like a homework assignment.

Favorite dress: Katherine Heigl in red. Amy Adams' great dark green dress - which won my vote because I think it would look great on me!

First live game is Friday, 7pm on NESN!

Counting the hours

Globe photo by Bill Greene

Yum. Uh, excuse me.

Yes, I am ready for baseball. I hate that we've had all these days off. I want the carnage to start! The game is set for Friday night, 8pm, at Fenway. And it's only Wednesday!!!