Boston Red Sox Nation 2004

August 2004 Archives

(Archives have been reduced to mostly plain text)

Tuesday 8/31

Can Anybody Cool this team down?

Doesn't Look like it so far

Sox Control Angels 10-7 Manny 4 RBI's, 2 HR's, Roberts 3 Run Shot

Schilling, 7.2IP, 3ER, OBB

(Angel Grand Slam in 9th, made it closer then it really was. Sox had this one in the bag after 2 )

Crankees, Suffer Worst Loss in Franchise History!

Yanks Stink up the Joint!

Yanks Hammered 22-0..Embarrassed by Cleveland.. Can't wait to see the headline of the NY Post Tomorrow..

Monday 8/30    "Objects in mirror are closer then they appear" - Side view mirror

OFF DAY

 John Brian Quinn

Read John's Article about a local spot in NYC that Sox Fans In Enemy Territory Flock to:

A Safe Haven in Enemy Territory

 By Jeff Pardue

A September to Remember?

So you wanna go to the playoffs?  The Sox better be ready to put together a “September to Remember.”  Currently, Boston leads the American League Wild Card race by 1 ½ games over the Anaheim Angels.  Further, the Sox are only 4 ½ games off the pace of the dreaded New York Yankees.  The Sox have won 12 of their last 13 games, and have currently put together an impressive 6 game winning streak by taking down the Toronto Blue Jays and rolling over the Detroit Tigers this past weekend. The Sox have narrowed the gap in the AL East and appear to be pulling away for the Wild Card.  A winning streak like this must make the Sox a shoe in for the playoffs, right? - Read the rest of Jeff Pardue's article

Sunday 8/29

"The path to our destination is not always a straight one. We go down the wrong road, we get lost, we turn back. Maybe it doesn't matter which road we embark on. Maybe what matters is that we embark. " - Barbara Hall

Red Sox Stock is still on the Rise

Sweep Detroit and make it 6 Straight W's.

Wakefield is Money in the Bank today, 8IP, 1ER, 3H

Sox win 6-1

Sox pull to 4.5 Games back of Yanks...

``This is not a boring clubhouse, or dugout,''  ``I think these guys feel good about each other. ... They look like they care about each other. They stick together. Of course it's easier to do that when you're winning.'' - Terry Francona

Saturday 8/28  "The future ain't what it used to be". - Yogi Berra

Pedrolicous...

7IP, 1ER, 4H, 8K... oh my

Sox still rolling strong.. Win 5-1, led by Pedro Gem

Friday 8/27"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself"-FDR

Full Steam Ahead!

Sox take this one 5-3,

Like an good friend breaking up with a girlfriend that you never really liked and all of the sudden he is back to the guy you once knew.

Sox are on a roll and looking mighty fine, winning the types of games that plagued us June & July:)

Derek Lowe solid, keep up the good work D'Lowe 8IP, 3ER,

Manny Fouls Ball off Knee, Said to be fine though

Gutierrez with 3 Singles, 2RBI's,  Bellhorn RBI double

Thursday 8/26

Arroyo looking more & more dependable.

7.1 IP, 0ER, 8K

Bellhorn, Ortiz, Roberts all with RBI's, 4 Runs enough as sox win 4-1

Dave Roberts is smoking fast on the bases. 1st SB for Sox, 34 on the Season..

(Yes he had 33 with LA before being traded)

Wednesday 8/25

Ortiz hits two long, Schilling Looking Good and Feeling Great

Schilling 6.1IP, 1ER, 9K

"I feel strong. Tonight was the best fastball I've had in probably three or four months," Schilling said. "It was a minimal effort." "We had a great road trip. We're clicking," Schilling said.

Sox put 17 Hits on the board and make a statement.

Cabrera still looking sharp, 2 for 4, 3 RBI including 2 Run HR

Tuesday 8/24

Sox Win 5-4

Hottest hitter in baseball to serve his suspension starting tonight.

V.Tek to Serve Four Game Suspension Starting tonight

Varitek is hitting .448 in August

Nomar, getting some time on the pine because of wrist injury.  

"Garciaparra was examined Monday by the Chicago Cubs medical staff and did not start that night's game against the Milwaukee Brewers, the third straight game he's missed"

Born Into It would like to introduce our two newest writers. 

John Brian Quinn, Brooklyn Sox Fan & Jeff Pardue, Full Count.

Expect them to deliver some great stuff for the rest of the season and hopefully for seasons to come.

If you have any questions or comment for them you can send to info@bornintoit.com and your message will be direct to them.

"The Nomar Divorce"
by John Brian Quinn
 

People get into bad relationships all the time. When it turns into a bad marriage, sometimes there is only one way out (no, I don't mean either murder or suicide). You just have to call it quits and get a divorce.

That's what happened to Nomar Garciaparra and the Red Sox. As Sox fans I think we all saw an end coming. It was a relationship that everyone seemed unhappy in. On July 31, 2004, almost like a lightning bolt out of the sky, a seven year relationship came to a sudden end.

I really didn't think it would end the way it did. I heard all the rumors for all of July. But as a Sox fan, I really didn't think a deadline deal involving him would happen.

But Theo Epstein was basically left with no choice. There's a lot riding on this season. Expectations for the Sox have never been higher. They are EXPECTED to reach the World Series this year (and win) and anything less would call 2004 a failure.

Nomar's achilles injury cast a pall over the team since spring training. It was originally thought to be a "day-to-day" thing, but it would drag on for over two months. And of course, the hurt feelings over the megadeal that didn't happen last winter involving Alex Rodriguez cast an even longer shadow.

The turning point in the Nomar Saga seems to be the July 1 game against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The Red Sox were reeling after two bitter losses the two previous nights, and Nomar was kept out of the starting lineup that night because of the injured Achilles. That frankly surprised me, as this was a game the Sox needed, if only for psychological reasons. But what I found even more stunning was the fact that as the game went into extra innings, Nomar was still on the bench. In the top of the 13th inning, he was still there as Cesar Crespo grounded into a double play to end an inning that cried out for him to at least pinch hit. (Earlier in the game, a gimpy Trot Nixon came off the bench and pinched hit. You may remember Jeter made quite a catch of his popup.) As the game was ending, all the Sox players were up on the top step of the dugout except Nomar, who from the TV cameras didn't leave his seat on the bench.

Many Sox fans took this to be him "pouting" and the fact that he didn't suck it up and get out there and play a sign that he didn't really care about playing for the Sox anymore. He later said that none of this was true, and that he was sitting in a "lucky seat" on the bench. Hmmmm.........

In looking back on his time with the Sox, no one played harder than Nomar. He's been called the biggest star on the Sox since Ted Williams (I would say Carl Yastrzemski, but that's just me). He had a burning desire to win and always showed up ready to play. But the fact he turned down a 4-year, $60 million contract extension BEFORE the 2003 season tells me one of two things. Either he was just greedy, or really didn't want to play in Boston anymore. I really think it is the latter.

I know he's never been a true team leader, very comfortable in the limelight, or being in the fishbowl that is playing in Fenway Park. I really believe that he made a decision in early 2003 that 2004 would be his last year with the Red Sox. And I think that the failed Rodriguez deal gave him the perfect out. Maybe his feelings really were hurt. It didn't really matter in the end.

The Sox management could not risk losing Nomar after this season and get nothing in return. They had three other major free agents after 2004 and some hard decisions had to be made. I believe they knew he would walk, and by July 31 a move had to be done. So ultimately they decided to fix one glaring problem (team defense) to try and win a pennant. And at the same time get an 800 pound gorilla off the backs of the rest of the team. It was a move that was done with the best long term interests of the team in mind. I think the Sox did really well with the trade. You have to remember that for the Cubs, Nomar is for right now a "rent-a-player", and could bolt them after this year.

The trade left many Sox fans stunned, and even hurt. But the Red Sox have really shown life since the deal. It ultimately may be the turning point of the 2004 season that leads them to the Promised Land. Or it may not. No matter how you slice it, this deal will be how the reign of Theo Epstein as GM will ultimately be judged by.

I do wish Nomar well with the Cubs. It would something else to see him back with the Cubs playing the Sox in this year's World Series. But it will be interesting to see if he signs with the Cubs after this year. I think he will ultimately go to one of the California clubs, like the Dodgers, Giants or Angels.

There was plenty of sniping going on between Nomar and the Sox management after the deal was done. It wasn't anything vicious, but more of the "face saving" nature. I think both sides need to just put all that behind them and move forward with their lives. Just as any other divorced couple should.
 

Expectations

By Jeff Pardue

  Welcome to Boston Orlando Cabrera, where your fan support will change as often as the New England weather. You have been brought in to fill the biggest shoes in Beantown, and oh yeah don’t forget, anything less then a World Series Championship will be a complete disappointment. 

  Coming from a team about as popular as a Geo Tracker, Cabrera looked shell-shocked in his first two weeks with Boston.  He committed uncharacteristic errors, and looked plain foolish at the plate.  Fans were quick to boo Cabrera, letting there frustration be known.  Was this really the guy that Theo Epstein was so high on a few weeks ago?

    On August 17, Cabrera’s luck changed for the better.  The Sox were tied at 4 with the AL East’s worst team, the Toronto Blue Jays.  Cabrera came to bat in the bottom of the 9^th and drove in Johnny Damon from first base with a game winning RBI double.  It is important to note that this wasn’t just any RBI double.  This was the strangest hit I have seen at Fenway all season.  Cabrera sent a shot out toward the left field monster.  The ball struck directly above the scoreboard, hitting it in such a fashion that the ball shot straight up in the air allowing a speedy Damon to score all the way from first base.  Two inches higher off the wall and the ball would have been played cleanly resulting in Damon being stopped at third.  Looking back, this has proved to be the “friendly Fenway” bounce that Cabrera needed. (prior to August 17 Cabrera was a dismal 13 for 62 with Boston)

     In his last seven games, Cabrera is batting a red-hot .385, while driving in 6, and posting a “stud like” .654 slugging percentage.  It is no secret that Orlando Cabrera can play the game, but his first two weeks in Boston left much to be desired.  However, now that he has gotten his feet wet, we may see a more consistent Orlando Cabrera at the plate and in the field.  The more time he spends in Boston the more comfortable he will get.  Fact of the matter is you cannot replace Nomar Garciaparra.  It is important that we don’t pressure Cabrera to feel like he has to replace Nomar.  If Cabrera can bat .280-.300 and play sound defense then he will be giving the Red Sox a legitimate chance at winning.  Give the guys from Boston a chance and the end result may be scary.  A chance, isn’t that all we can ask for?

Monday 8/23

Ted Lilly isn't going to roll over and play dead

Jays end Sox Six Game Streak

Pedro pitched a great game, but Lilly pitched a spectacular one

Pedro- 7IP, 3ER, 4H, 10K

Lilly-9IP, 0ER,3H, 13K (Career Game)

Jeter-HBP in game tonight, leaves early injury report soon

Sunday 8/22

The Kitchen is Clean...

Red Sox-Sweep   Yankees-Swept

Exciting game In Chi Town, Sox Sweep led by HR's from Manny, Ortiz, Mienkiewicz

Sox Fans Walking Tall & Proud!

Five 1/2 back on faltering Yanks, Looking like we may be the team to beat down the stretch.

How can I be the man if your the the man?

Yankees - Swept by Angels.. heading south real fast!..

"Every Sox Fan Has a Story"

Hello fellow Red Sox Nation members! My name is John Brian Quinn and this is the debut of my column for Bornintoit.com. I call it, "The View From Brooklyn", as I was born, raised and still currently reside in Brooklyn, New York. My future articles will be on all things Red Sox. Many of you may know me as "BklynSoxFan" from the message board. I am single, and currently an unemployed writer. I worked in the music business for 19 years. I live about 250 miles southeast of the shrine that to all of us is known as Fenway Park. That also means that I live right smack in the heart of enemy territory, surrounded by heathen Yankee fans.

Since I'm not a New Englander I am asked often how I became a Sox fan. Well, as a matter of full disclosure I was born a Mets fan, and like them, in 1962. My parents were diehard Brooklyn Dodgers fans, and they became Mets fans when the team was created. The Dodgers were THE team in both my mother's and father's families, and the Yankees were totally dispised. I ate, drank, and lived the Mets for the first fifteen years of my life, until the blockheaded ownership traded Tom Seaver to Cincinnati in 1977. It was clear that the owners cared little about winning, and the bottom line was all that mattered. I had enough of those misers, and I would take the Mets back when those penny-pinchers were gone (and I did in 1980). So I looked around for another team to pull for. (You might be wondering what I did in 1986 World Series, Mets vs, Red Sox. That's an article for another day.)

I was born a Yankee hater, and still was in 1977. I saw that they were in a great pennant race with the Red Sox and Orioles. I always had a bit of a soft spot for the Sox. When I was 7, I got a "Yaz" hat through an offer from a bread company (I can't remember which one) and since then I always like Carl Yastrzemski (he's still one of my all-time favorite Sox). In the early '70s I remember seeing the Sox on the NBC Game of the Week on Saturdays it seemed like every week. I remember watching games from Fenway and thinking what a cool park it was.

So, coming down the stretch in 1977, I started to pull for the Sox. It came down to the final weekend, but the Orioles knocked the Sox out on the next to last day of the season, giving the East to the Yankees. But I really grew to love guys like Yaz, Evans, Lynn, Rice, Fisk, Tiant, and the whole team. When the 1978 season started, I was there as a fan. I must admit I didn't know everything about the Red Sox at the time, and the fact that they hadn't won a World Series in six decades. But they were my team in the American League, and I would support them against the big, bad Yankees. I guess you might say I became a "naturalized"  Red Sox fan.

A new love affair was born. And like any love affair, its had its ups and downs. Like many of you, there were times I was teetering on totally giving up on these guys. The "strike" (if that's what you want to call it), in 1994 nearly killed my love of the game, and I didn't go to another game live until 1999. But throughout everything that has happened in the last quarter century with the Red Sox ('78 playoff, '86 World Series, '03 ALCS, bad personnel decisions, etc.), I keep coming back to them.

After Game 7 last year, which I watched in the West Village at a Red Sox fan "oasis" called The Riviera Cafe and Sports Bar, I went home on the subway to Brooklyn, as depressed as I ever was in my entire life. I asked myself if it was worth all the pain and aggravation to root for the Red Sox. All I could think to myself was that I could never give up on this team. They hooked me in 1977, and there was no going back. I also thought of that famous cliche, "What doesn't kill me makes me stronger." I figured that the Sox fans in 2004 would be even more determined to stand by the team and see them through to the eventual World Series championship.

I was correct. For the first time in team history, the Red Sox sold out the season at Fenway. The Patriots won a second Super Bowl in three years, but the Red Sox are still "Kings of the Mountain" in New England. At the Riviera I have met so many passionate Sox fans that take the same attitude as I do, "I just want to live long enough to see them win it all JUST ONCE!"

The Red Sox are more than just "the team I root for". It is a passion, a religion. Red Sox Nation is really like a "brotherhood", something Yankee fans will never understand. The current Sox are the 21st century version of the Brooklyn Dodgers. They both have (or had) a loud, passionate, loyal, knowlegable fan base, with the Yankees seemingly always in the way of that elusive World Series Championship.

But, like the 1955 Dodgers, the title is coming. It's not a matter of "if", but "when".

I just hope I live long enough to see it.

Saturday 8/21

Train Keeps a Rollin

Sox looking more and more sexy. Winning key games!

Sox win 10-7, Make it five in a row, hold on to your seats people...

Manny - 3 Run HR in 1st,

Manny & Damon- 2 RBI singles in 2nd

Varitek- 2 solo HR's..

"Manny is so hot right now"- overheard at Dunkin Donuts this afternoon

2 Home Runs and 9 RBI's in 24 Hours...

Friday 8/20 

Curt lays down the Hurt!

Sox On a Roll, Manny Grand Slam, Cabrera HR, 4 RBI's, Win 10-1

But the big story is Curt's Gem of a Night, 7IP, 0ER, 3H

Can the Sox still take the AL East?  I think its not unreasonable Do you?

Vote Here!

Menino has Chrohns disease, a chronic intestinal condition.  Will not affect his ability to serve office.

Flare up after eating peanuts at fenway..

Thursday 8/19

Something for the Ladies

Gabe Kapler Tribute Site - Click on "working out" section.  This guy is diesel!

Thursday 8/19

Watch out New York

 The Sox haven't done much to give us bragging rights this season, we all know that.  We have played around .500 baseball for three months and trail NY by 8 games.  Yeah we are up on the head to head this year but you can only throw that one around if there is a tight race for the AL East.  It is a hollow victory to take the head to head and finish the season 10 games back. 

 However, the Sox are starting to get into their groove now and are ready to make their run.  I have said this over and over but this time I feel comfortable about this statement.  Lowe is pitching better, our defense is stronger,  Millar & Mueller are dependable again,  Cabrera is going to get more and more comfortable, we are scoring runs, and a team with this talent can only lose so many one run games.

 I am going to throw down some fighting words early.  Earlier than I should as I may be eating my foot in six weeks.   Watch out New York,  the Red Sox are going to kick your a** in the playoffs this year (assuming we make it).  As sad as that comment is it is one made in confidence.  We are the better team in a short series.  We have two solid Aces, have won 8 of 13 regular season so far, have scored more runs than the Yanks, have our slump behind us,  and are can only gain momentum at this time.  We are poised as the better team in a short series, a dependable #1 & #2 is going to make the difference in a 7 game show down.  Our cards have yet to be shown and if we make it to the final table we are taking our pocket Aces to take the bank!

Wednesday 8/18

A Sweep in the right direction

Sox Sweep Jays, Wakefield a solid outing 8IP, 2ER,1BB

Millar still hot as Paris Hilton...

Mueller "Mr. Professional Hitter" 3 for 4, 2RBI

Tuesday 8/17

Abra  Cabrera,  Orlando shows he got some magic

Pulls rabbit out of hat, hits game winning double in bottom of night

1 Run Red Sox win 5-4

Foulke Pitches Perfect Ninth to Set Sox up For Victory...

Sox Getting a Groove?

Pedro, 7IP, 4ER, 6H

Ortiz- HBP in 7th by Lilly, shows he has a hot head again as benches clear after Ortiz and Lilly throw words... Lilly had no reason to hit Ortiz as game was tied and on the line with Millar batting next... Looked for a second that it was going to get ugly but cooler heads prevailed.........

Monday 8/16

Francona - Loaded

Terry loads lineup with lefties, putting Mientkiewicz at Second for first time in his career.

Dougie Fresh played pretty good defense despite getting plowed over by

Delgado successfully breaking up a double play.

Sox win 8-4, Cabrera, Millar, Damon all with 2 RBI's

Lowe-7IP, 3ER, 5K (I'll take these numbers from D'Lowe any day of the week)

Sunday 8/15

One too many

Yet again the Sox are involved in a 1 Run Loss, 5-4

Story of the season so far- day late, dollar short.....

Can't take the games that are going to make the difference down the stretch...

High Note: Cabrera 3 for 5

Varitek 3 for 4 with 2 RBI

Youkilis left the game after colliding with Alomar in the third, update on injury soon

Saturday 8/14

One Run Warriors Come Out on Top Tonight

Ortiz hits two long balls to do it for the hometown boys, 4-3 Sox

Friday 8/13

1 is the Loneliest Number

Sox one short again, Lose 8-7

Contreras gets his first win in Boston.

Opportunity knocks for sox but they come up short again.

Thursday 8/12

We are not Worthy!

Pedro a warrior on the mound, Complete Game 6H, 0ER, 10K

First shutout in nearly 4 years!

Ortiz 3 for 5, Millar 1 for 4 with RBI, Mueller 3 for 3 2R,  Youkilis 2 for 5 HR

Wednesday 8/11

Millar Makes a Statement

Southern boy makes his presence felt and proves his point, 3 Run HR, 4RBI Night

"In his last 19 games, Millar is 31-for-66 (.470) with 18 runs, seven homers and 21 RBIs to increase his batting average from .269 to .306. He had just five homers and 25 RBIs in his first 85 games"- article below

Led by Millar Sox go wild at the plate 14-4, 15 Hits

Mr. Blister, Derek Lowe leaves game in 6th with a blister on his thumb.

Tuesday 8/10

Counting on the Little guys

Bottom of order gets it done:

Cabrera, Mueller, Varitek, Youkilis contribute to an 8-4 W.

Bronson with a quality start. 6.2IP, 3ER, 7H, 6K

I want to make a remark about how we are going places but I don't want to put my foot in my mouth for the 51st time this season... Never mind.. This is it, the Sox are making their run..

Why are we such suckers for this team?

Monday 8/9

(S)Chilled  Out

Schilling dealt his first home loss of the season as Sox pitching gives up 4 long balls

Sox bats can't bail out Curt in an outing untypical of the Schill Dog...

5IP, 6ER,10H

This Socks.. Team can't seam to get into a groove.

Francona Must Go

Bryan Roy of www.royville.com

Fan's Starting to become dissappointed

BklynSoxFan on Bornintoit.com message board

Here we go again, time to vent once more.

This team is absolutely driving me to drink! Yet another loss to a lousy team, this time at home. Where is the urgency, the passion, the drive in this club? I thought the fight and the game winning home run by Bill Mueller over the Yankees would spur on the Sox to hot streak. Since the home run, they are 7-6. They are fortunate not to be further back in the wild card race than they are (1 game behind Anaheim).

Here is the scenario I see unfolding by Labor Day: another crappy month of mediocre baseball in August while one of the other wild card chasers (Anaheim, Chicago or Texas) goes on a hot streak, winning 9 or 10 in a row, and seizes the lead. The Sox will find themselves 4 or 5 games back and wondering to themselves, "How did this happen?" and the answer is simple, "FOUR MONTHS OF CRAPPY BASEBALL PUT YOU THERE!"

This has been one of the most eagerly anticipated seasons in Red Sox history, and they are bombing big time. They have NO ONE to blame but the guys they see in the mirror. At the end of April, my friends and I were really high on this team, after the first two Yankees series. They really impressed me with their start, seemingly not letting the end of the 2003 season spill over into 2004. But they have not been the same team since the sweep in Texas in early May.

Right now, the Sox will have to go 35-17 the rest of the way in order to equal 2003's record. And 30-22 JUST TO REACH 90 WINS! Not likely with this bunch. I keep hearing the "There's still lots of time left" crap that just isn't true. And I don't want anyone to use the "injury" crutch. The Yankees got hit just as hard and kept their ship going. THE RED SOX HAVE TO SHOW SOME LIFE RIGHT NOW!!!

I've been a fan of this club since 1977 and I have not been let down this badly ever. All of the great feeling of early this season is gone. And the spirit of 2003 is LONG gone. "Cowboy Up" has become, "Let's mail it in and collect a paycheck".

It's time for a new manager. I don't know anyone who supports the job Terry Francona has done. Hey, at least they played for Grady Little the two years he was here.

I know I'm not alone in all this ranting. I'm just glad I went to the Brooklyn Cyclones game tonight, and didn't witness the latest Sox disaster on ESPN........

Sunday 8/8

Bizarro World

If I told you this morning Tim Wakefield would tie the all time record for home runs allowed in one game yet still get the victory you would probably give me a funny look.  That is exactly what happened today in Detroit at one of the games longest ballparks. 

Wakefield gave up 6 long balls tying a record set 64 years ago.

`I'm glad we won, but that's just because the offense scored more runs than I gave up,'' Wakefield said. ``I'd rather just forget about the whole thing.'' -Article

Sox win 11-9, A wild one in Detroit including 10HR's in the game

HR Club

I. Rodriguez-Det (2)

C. Monroe- Det

E. Munson-Det (2)

K. Youkilis-Bos (2)

C. Pena-Det

D. Ortiz-Bos

D. Young-Det

Offensive weapons of the day

Youkilis 2 HR, 4RBi's,

Cabrera 3 for 5

Ortiz 1 for 5 with 3 Run HR

Damon 3 for 5 with 2 RBI, 1R

Saturday 8/7

Pedro brings it to the Tigers with a great performance

Sits down 11 with the K, 7IP, 1ER, an all around gem of a night

Sox are in 5th Gear and are making their run now.  You heard it here first.

Friday 8/6 Sox Acquire left handed specialist pitcher Mike Myers from Seattle for a PTBNL or Cash

Sox Dealt a Loss in another close game.

The Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda's show up again and leave fans asking questions.

Sox can't light the match.  10 1/2 Games Back

Mia Ono or Yoko Hamm?

Cousin Eddie on RSN.Net responding to the possibility that Nomar hurt his heel playing soccer with wife Mia Hamm.

The Big Dig

Media Hounds Dig Deep to Uncover Story About

 Nomar's Heel. Origin of Injury Questioned

Nomar May have hurt his heel sidestepping Mia on the soccer field, not by a baseball as originally reported .

Wednesday 8/4 -

Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda,

 Another Questionable Loss by "The Unpredictables"

Base running Blunder Costs Sox the Game

No outs in the 9th -Roberts sent home on Mientkiewiecz single, out by a mile at the plate.

Arroyo makes 1 mistake, lets up a grand slam to give D'Rays the 5-4 Win.

Never should have happened though, Francona can't seem to manage his arms.

Tuesday 8/3

Schilling & Crew have things under control in Tampa

Sox win 5-1  Mueller & Varitek bats doing the trick

Schilling Calm, Cool, & Collected through 9 Innings

9IP, 2ER, 7K, 6H

Can someone in Tampa please put a muzzle on the idiot that keeps screaming at Johnny Damon and the rest of the confused Tampa fans that think that they are in playoff contention. I mean its great to root for your team through thick and thing but you think they would be somewhat supportive of the us when they fall out of the race (I saw 1918 signs, heard fans yelling Aaron Boone). I guess Tampa fans are a bit more passionate about the Rays then I had previously thought.

Interesting Article about a discussion between NESN & YES in NYC merging.

Monday 8/2

Sox win one with Gimp Team

McCarty 3 run shot & Youkilis double give sox 6-3 win

Wakefield Keeps it real with a great performance 7IP, 3ER, 4H,

Foulke &  Embree steady...

Orlando Cabrera goes 0-5, despite his poor performance I kind of like the determined look in his eye.  At the end of the day its about the production but its nice to see that he wants to be here and has a smile.

Mark Bellhorn is heading to the Disabled List according to Boston.com

This is very bad news

Young kids in Mass. becoming Yankees fans in records.

One of the more disturbing articles I have read in some time.

  We may have to start sacrificing school children very soon if this keeps up.

Sunday 8/1

Cabrera hits a HR in first at bat, but then muffs

 cutoff from Kapler in the 8th ..officially scored an error but

the play was a tough one to make,

 Sox swallow a tough, tough loss.

Sox blow it for Pedro, downed 4-3 in a crappy loss.

Pedro and Santana toe to toe in a great pitching duel.  Pedro taken out of game after 100 pitches when he had about 125 or so left in him.  Timlin comes in and gives it.

Pedro: 7IP, 101 Pitches, 2ER, 11K, 1BB

Nomore Garciappara goes 1 for 4 in his Cubs debut.

Nomar Nomar Nomar

The end of an Era, the loss of a superstar. Nomar was great throughout his almost 9 seasons in a Red Sox uniform but Nomar could have been a legend. Nomar could have gone down in history and had his number sit along side those of greatness forever. Nomar was awsome, fun to watch, and a great on the field guy but he didn't want to be a part of Red Sox Nation, he couldn't handle it. For this reason I am not terribly sad to see Nomar leave. He didn't have the passion anymore,  he didn't want to be a part of the fraternity that we all belong to, he has been going through the motions for this entire season and it was time to dump him.

 No doubt his offensive presence will be missed but the supposed burden in the clubhouse that Nomar has been seems to have outweighed his crack of the bat.  I don't sit on the bench with these guys so it is tough to really determine how much of a dead weight he has become but it must have been something along the lines of an infected cut between your toes or reoccuring hemroids to have dished him midseason in the heat of a playoff run.  The dynamics of this team have changed and time will tell if this move has benefited us or if we will be watching Nomar ride a horse around Wrigley field and taking our usual end of season bitch slaps that we have come to know so well.