The House of Horrors, etc.

So, tonight is game two of a four game series vs. the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays. We won't talk about last night's game. I wasn't able to watch it, so as far as I'm concerned, the game never took place. Suffice it to say that the game confirmed my feeling that the Trop is a stadium to be dreaded.

Instead of the game, I went to our school's production of "Death of a Salesman." It's been years since I read the play or saw it, so I was a little foggy on the details. I frankly expected to slip out at the interval. However, it was wonderful! We had a senior directing it, and he coaxed some wonderful performances from the cast. It was really riveting - and I was so proud of our students! (I did find the lead kinda funny, though - it was like watching Jimmy Stewart's Harvey character Elwood play Willie Loman!)

Today, I opened my mailbox to find my new Mike Lowell action figure!! I had seen in on the Clark Toys website - and knew I had to have it. Here's their photo of it:

So, I was a little surprised to open the box and find this:
They changed the design in two significant ways. First, he's now wearing the alternative red jersey. And you'll notice he's wearing the new "hanging sox" logo on the hat. Interesting....Look at those muscles, though. Yum.

This is actually my fourth McFarlane figure. I've got Beckett, Papelbon and the 1975 WS Carlton Fisk. I'm never sure if I should open them or not. I know they have a greater resale value if they're "mint in the box," but seriously, would I 1) sell them or 2) find anyone who'd buy them?! I guess I need to display them someplace...

The H1N1 virus (aka Swine Flu) continues to spread. Three schools in the Nashville area are now closed, and our school is preparing plans should we have to close. My only concern is the impact on my planned trip to Boston in three weeks. It better not be affected by this!!

Finally, I'm enjoying this drink this evening. The recipe was on boston.com months ago, promoted as a great winter drink. It was developed and served at the Foundation Lounge, and is called "The Cinnabon"

In a cocktail shaker, mix with ice:
1/2 oz. Goldschlager
1 oz. Bailey's
1 oz. Starbucks Coffee Liqueur.

Shake. Serve over ice with a cinnamon stick.

Cheers!

Focusing on positives

Yes, the 11 game win streak came to an end last night in Cleveland. Not only was it a loss, it was an ugly loss. The Sox gave up 4 unearned runs and left 24 men on base. Still, it was tied in the bottom of the ninth, and what looked like a sure out to send the game into extra innings turned into a horrible error by Javy Lopez which allowed the game winning run to score. 9-8

So, we start fresh tonight. Hey, you didn't really expect them to finish out the season undefeated, did you? As one writer said recently, each season you can expect to win 50 and lose 50. It's the other 62 that are key to the season. Last night may have been one of those 62 squeakers, and we came out on the losing end. Meh.

In the meantime, Mike Lowell was named AL Player of the Week on Monday. Yeah Mikey! He seems to be getting stronger with each game, and that bodes well for the Red Sox.

All positive here!

Good news!

File photo
Good news about Mike Lowell. His rehab continues to go well, and Tito says we could see him back in the lineup in a limited role next week. Yeah! We really need him to be healthy and to play well if we hope to contend this year. His off-the-field leadership is also really important to the Red Sox. So, keep up the good work, Mike!


Some bittersweet news out of San Francisco this week. Dave Roberts was let loose by the Giants - they are apparently going in a "younger" direction. What this will mean for Roberts' future, I'm not sure. There's a terrific look at "The Steal" on SF Gate - it always give me chills to remember that incredible moment in the run to the 2004 World Series Championship. The photo above was taken when he played for the Padres, during a series against the Braves. I was standing by the dugout during BP and called out to him. He saw my Red Sox shirt and came right over to sign for me. He went on about how great RS fans have been to him, how they always came out to see him play and thank him for that great moment. What a great guy, a total gentleman.

One other bit of interesting news. According to today's New York Times, Alex Rodriguez will almost certainly by undergoing surgery for his torn labrum. Estimated time on the DL: four months. At least he'll be back in time to choke in the playoffs again.

I must write myself a note - so that I remember to change the clocks tonight! Ugh - losing an hour of sleep is not fun, especially when you have to work on Saturday and Sunday is lone day of "rest" for the week. Oh, well, I am grateful that I have a job these days...

Must. Have.

Coming out in May from McFarlane.

More odds and ends

• I was thinking this morning that five years ago, if someone had mentioned the Winter Meetings to me, I would have assumed they were talking about the MidWinter Meetings of the American Library Association.

• A poster on SoSH says

Buster Olney on Sportscenter:"The Red Sox have checked around to see if there's a landing spot for Lowell and the answer is yes."

That makes me sad. I know that Teixeira will be a powerful addition to our lineup. I know it's smart for Theo to put out statements like that to keep the other teams guessing. But I'd really miss Lowell. It's funny how he's become my favorite player of late - I just like the way he plays the game. Tough, all out, with his whole heart. And reading his book made me really respect him as a person, as well. Yes, Youk can play 3rd - and will throw his whole bearded self into making himself the best third baseman in the game. But it will hurt to see Mikey in another uniform.

• Speaking of uniforms, the Sox will announce at 6pm today some changes to their unis. Rumor has it that it will involve a new away uniform, as well as an alternative cap. Interesting.

• I have eaten too many cookies today. The parents gave us all 3 dozen Christmas cookies. Both yum and yuck, if you know what I mean.

• Golden Globe nominees announced today. How can "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" be nominated when it's not being released until December 25th? Or "Doubt," which isn't coming out until January? I hope they've seen an advance viewing, and just aren't judging by who the stars are or what the advance buzz is.

• This past weekend, Netflix sent me a BBC miniseries called "State of Play." It was broadcast in 2003, and is now being made into a feature film with Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck. I can't imagine that the film could improve on the original: it is outstanding! I was on the edge of my seat the whole 6 hours. It's a thriller. A young researcher for an MP apparently throws herself under a train. It soon becomes clear that she was sleeping with the MP, whose life starts to unravel during the ensuing scandal. A journalist - who happens to be the former campaign manager for said MP - starts sniffing around, and soon uncovers an ever widening circle of corruption.

The cast is awesome. Bill Nighy is the newspaper editor - smarmy and yet focused on finding the answers. He has some great toss-off lines - which you know he delivers just right. David Morrissey plays the MP - you feel so sorry for him, and yet... My favorite, without a doubt, is John Simm as the reporter - sympathetic and unsympathetic in turns - just right the blend.

If you're looking for a great thriller, check this out. But be prepared to lose a large of chunk of time, because you won't be able to turn it off.

• And finally, if you need some inspiration to get you through until the weekend, look no further than this (thanks to Josh Blue for the link)

I hate the hot stove

I am one fan who finds nothing fun or exciting about the hot stove season. Every time you open a paper or look at a website, the rumor mill is saying Masterson is about to be traded, that the FO is offering Tek $1.50 per game, that Papelbon has taken up knitting, yadda yadda yadda.

This time of year is especially taxing if you're a Mike Lowell fan. It seems like we have to sweat it out each year. Last year, it was waiting for a new contract offer. The year before, it seemed he was being offered to every team short of the Bruins. And, of course, the year before that, RS Nation was complaining about our being "forced" to take him in order to get Beckett.

Of course, the rumors are swirling over him again this year. Since his hip surgery in October, he has been subject to all kinds of trade stories. The talk is especially prevalent in articles about Mark Teixiera. If the Sox sign Teixiera, the stories go, he'll take over 1B and Youk will move back to his "natural" position at 3B. That leaves Lowell out in the cold.

Sitting Still photo

Yes, I know he's aging. That he's losing what little speed on the base paths he once had. That his offense is slowing down, and his defense is sure to follow. But he brings so much to the team. His leadership, his incredible rapport with all of the players. I know it's a mistake to get too emotionally attached to any of the players. It will only lead to the kind of heartbreak that accompanied the Damon trade. I trust in Theo to do what's best for the team.

But, damn, I'd sure miss this guy. The prettiness factor alone will drop substantially.

Real Life is Overrated

Back to work today....although my students don't actually arrive until next Monday. It IS fun, I admit, the first few days back - getting caught up with colleagues, hearing about everyone's vacations...boring everyone with my Red Sox summer tales!

It looks like Mikey Lowell is going on the DL. He's clearly been playing hurt - he hasn't been swinging the bat well nor hasn't looked as sharp at 3rd in recent days. I think it's a great idea to rest him a bit - we need him in September and October. Meanwhile, I love the story of his parking ticket!

What an unbelievable game last night. I had a meeting to go to, so didn't tune in until the 3rd. I looked at the screen in shock - it was already 10-2?! I mean, Bib Papi hit TWO 3-run homers in the first inning! They then squandered the lead - and I was clinging to hope in the bottom of the 8th. BUT - all hail the Youk! He hit his second homer of the night, and the Sox won a wild game 19-17. And because I had set the DVR for while I was in the meeting, I have it all recorded! I believe that will get viewed several times in the off-season!

I think this game is going to give the team the kick in the pants it's needed. Some are already likening it to the Fight Game of 2004, the game that kickstarted our World Championship run. To have a team come back so far on you, to nearly lose it, and to have your offense bail out your struggling bullpen so fantastically - wow!

Smilin' Mike

Globe Photo by John Bohn

The Red Sox beat the KC Royals today, a four-game sweep of the series. This on the heels of a three game sweep of the Brewers. The Sox have won 7 in a row, and finished the home stand 7-0.

The highlight of the game was two Grand Slam homeruns! JD Drew hit one in the second, and Mike Lowell hit another in the 6th. As you can see, Mike was pretty pleased with the results! Unbelievably, Daisuke Matsuzaka gave up 6 walks (he now leads the AL in that category!) but also had 7 strikeouts (and he leads the AL in that category, too!) He's now 8-0 - and the Sox have won every one of his starts. His hot start feels so different from Josh Beckett's 9-0 start last year. Josh simply dominated every one of those outings. Matsuzaka isn't dominating - yet he does manage to get himself out of every jam. Plus he's been fortunate with his run support.

So the Sox are now off to the West Coast. A ten day road trip thru California and Washington State, and ending with those games in Baltimore!!

Mikey is back!

Globe photo (file)

Mike Lowell back in his place tonight after a stint on the 15 day Disabled List. Back at third, flashing the leather. Back in the number six spot in the batting order, hopefully providing some much needed offense. And Ortiz back tonight.

I'm looking forward to some butt kicking. Kill those Jays!!

Some girls got all the luck

Lucky Rene Russo. Although I know some members from the other side of the gender gap might argue that Mikey's the lucky one here, I'd swap places with her in a heartbeat.

Get well soon, Mike - we miss you!

Hot D**N!

Stole this from Cyn's blog - but original is on the magazine's website

I can't believe I missed out on picking this up by a few days. He is, indeed, en fuego!

Salsa and cookies

NESN has video from the Mike Lowell Dancing with the All Stars competition. Here he is in all his glory!

I also have to include the video of the Red Sox annual Cookie-Off. Dan Roche from WBZ has done this three years in a row - he lines up four cookies and their sponsors, and gets the Spring Training crew to choose their favorites. Again, Lowell makes an appearance (he was great in the '06 version - "from this ripped physique, you can tell I never eat cookies")

I don't know if it's due to the new contract, or because RS Nation has been demonstrative of their collective love of Mike, but this spring he seems to have emerged from his low-key approach. He's more relaxed with the press, showing his wit and brains. He's appeared at these various events, and always gets camera time. He was one of the three players chosen to appear before the White House Press last week (the others were Tek and Oki). He seems to be one of the faces of the Red Sox - perhaps reflecting how the Front Office wants this team to be viewed. Professional, serious baseball players, with a sense of humor and a sense of history.

Low and Fro

Two great photos from yesterday in Fort Myers:

Globe Photo by Jim Davis
Mike Lowell, Dustin Pedrioa and Kevin Youkilis played an intense round round ping pong tournament yesterday for Comcast Sports Net. I guess Youk claimed he could beat anyone, if someone would just set up a table. So CSNE did. And apparently, Mikey whomped them both. Here he is, accepted the "golden paddle" - don't you love the batting gloves?!


Herald Photo by Matt Stone
I'm not sure how Coco is going to get his baseball cap to stay on if he continues to eschew the cornrows!

The first game of Spring Training is only one week away!

Ortiz is here, all's right with the world

Herald photo by Matt Stone

Word that Big Papi has arrived at the Red Sox Spring Training HQ makes me smile - makes me happy! - because it means it almost time to get this season cranked back up. The AP reports David Ortiz took some swings in the batting cages, and says his surgically repaired knee is nearly ready for action. Just seeing the photo above made me realize how much I've missed these guys.

Also arriving late this afternoon:

Screen cap from Surviving Grady

It's strange, but when I heard the news this morning that Fidel Castro was resigning as President of Cuba, my first thought was of Mike - and the many, many Cuban exiles living here in the US. I'm sure today is a very happy one for them.

And happy for me - because Mikey's back in the Red Sox family, where he belongs!

Mikey

Enough about all the bad side of baseball. Here's a ray of sunshine - Mike Lowell being interviewed last night at the Boston Baseball Writers Awards Banquet.



He won the team MVP Award and the Nice Guy Award. Yeah!

Further Lowell revelations

This from Jayson Stark:

Although there were lots of reports that the Phillies made a four-year offer to Mike Lowell over the weekend, that isn't quite true. They were prepared to make that offer if Lowell had told them he wanted to be a Phillie. But instead, Lowell was so intent on going back to Boston, he called the Phillies and told them it wouldn't be right to even ask for an offer. Just one more example of how one of the classiest humans in baseball operates 24/7.

The more I read about the contract negotiations, the more I'm glad we've kept Mike for another three years. The fans love him, he loves Boston - it's a perfect fit.

From the New York Times:

“I really don’t believe everything should be about money,” Lowell said. “I just didn’t think my happiness should be bought just by dollars.”

Class act, man. MLB.com has the audio of his conference call yesterday. Listen to it, and picture Mikey kicked back, in his velvet smoking jacket, snifter of brandy in hand, fielding questions from the media. Sigh.

More Mikey!

It looks like the deal has been struck! Late into the night, the Levinson brothers and Theo were hammering out a deal for Mike Lowell to return to Boston for three more years. Buster Olney reports tonight that he had a firm offer from the Phillies, and as late as last night, it looked like it was going to be signed. But RS owner John Henry called Mike, told him how much he meant to the organization, and pulled on his heart strings. So Mike walked away from several millions, to stay in a place where he's beloved and appreciated. The deal isn't official - no contract has been actually signed - but they should announce the deal tomorrow.

So we can look forward to three more years of hits...


....of great plays at third base....


...of "in-depth interviews" on NESN.... (wait, did he say something??)

...and of general hotness....

Mikey in Mickey land

Photo by Disney
Yesterday, Mike Lowell was honored at Disney World, appearing as Grand Marshal in the daily parade.That's him, riding the teacups with his daughter. The day before, he was honored at his elementary school in Miami. At the event - during which his jersey number 4 was retired and he ran the bases with his 8th grade teammates - Mike said:

The baseball star has two World Series rings. He is now a free agent with a chance to sign for big money, but he said he fits in Boston."There are certain teams and stadiums that have a different aura, and Fenway is one of them," Lowell said.

So, Mike, quit the Mickey Mousing around, and sign the damn contract!!

Edit to add video:

Random Thursday thoughts

Taking a break from the Lowell saga, well maybe not...

1) Last night, it began to look like ARod will remain a Yankee next year. There are many theories as to why he has gone crawling back to the Steinbrenners. I think it most likely was that Boras over-estimated the interest in his client. Reports are that most GMs at last week's GM meetings kind of shrugged, smiled and speculated about who would be foolish enough to give Boras and ARod all that money. Apparently, none were. So, ARod went over to Tampa and pleaded for another shot. Without Boras sitting at his side.

I think that's my favorite part of this whole "epic drama." The man who just two weeks ago was praised in a lengthy New Yorker article as one of the toughest and best negotiators - forced to remain out of the room. Forbidden entry by management. Forced to try to manipulate the negotiations from the lobby. I hope that other teams will follow the Yankees' lead, and try to gain some control over that Demon.

2) The New York Daily News says that, even though it looks like the Yankees will have a 3rd baseman, they still are interested in Mike Lowell, as a First Baseman! Amazing. Is it just to keep him from the Sox? Mike has never played first base before - what could he be thinking? (Other teams mentioned as having "offered" him a four contract - St. Louis, Atlanta and Houston.) So, the Yankees could end up with two infielders playing out of their natural position, all to keep a less and less effective Derek Jeter at SS?

3) I'm sorry Josh Beckett didn't win the Cy Young - but I wasn't shocked. CC Sabathia had a terrific regular season, impressive numbers. Granted, he totally fell apart in the post-season, spanked especially hard by our "Commander Kick Ass." And, as many have pointed out, I bet Josh is just as happy to have a WS ring as another trophy for his case.

4) The Sox published their schedule yesterday. I'm not enthused about the National League opponents this year, although they do play three games in Cincinnati in June. Bronson? I've been looking it over, and trying to decide which games to attend. Tampa Bay in June? Baltimore in May? Definitely not Japan in March!

Getting nervous about Lowell

I'm beginning to get a little nervous about the Lowell situation. From today's Boston Globe:

Epstein believes daily conversations with Lowell's agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, progressed. Major league sources said the Red Sox could give Lowell a three-year deal, but Lowell's agents believe he can get four years in the $13 million-$14 million annual range on the open market. The Red Sox have wrestled with the length of the deal, and whether Lowell, who turns 34 in February, has peaked offensively. Lowell hit .324 with a career-high 120 RBIs in 2007.

That "four years" dangling out there is what scares me. I believe if he hits the open market Monday at midnight, SOMEONE will offer four years. That puts the whole issue on Mike. Does he take what is probably a $13-15 million deal for three with the Sox - and stay in a city that obviously adores him, with a team he clearly loves playing with? Or sell out for another year, and go someplace without the Fenway atmosphere and championship possibilities?

Face it, if he hadn't been traded with Beckett, today he'd be a free agent after languishing for another two years in the baseball purgatory that is south Florida. From listening to his interviews, it's clear Mike knows what playing in Boston has done to revitalize his career and his marketability. After the WS, he talked about how different it is to play in Fenway on a Tuesday night in mid-July, how with the Marlins such a game would only attract a few thousand fans, and then only because they were offering $1 hot dogs or fireworks. Imagine the difference in your attitude when you're playing before a packed house every night. You're not going to find that in Pittsburgh, Mike, or back with the Marlins. You might find it at Yankee Stadium, but are you willing to sell your soul for that?

I don't begrudge him wanting to get the best deal and to take care of his family when his playing days are over. This will undoubtedly be the last big contract of his career - he's 33, which is getting on in baseball years - but he doesn't strike me as someone who's been blowing his money up to this point. He's made a nice bit of cash off this last contract and, if he's been smart, he's socked away that money. So, it's not like he needs the money that extra year will yield.

Seems like a no-brainer to me. Stay in a place you like working with people you like and with a real chance for that 3rd World Series ring, or take the money and go to yet another new town with a bunch of strangers with not nearly as good a chance of a championship....