Buch UP

The Rally Cry may have been Cowboy Up in 2004 with Millar...but another Texan makes me want to yell at his fellow Texan teammates and pitchers, Beckett and Lackey to "BUCH UP"  and start pitching like the Texas PITCHERS they ARE!!!!   Today after 2 Rain Delays....3 pitchers....11 K's...and NO Runs by the Jays, Buchholz (7 K's of his own)  His last 23 2/3's inning without an earned run!  15 Wins and lowering his ERA with each win!! Last 4 starts WON.

Our Sox are still in 3rd place in our division and 2nd place in the Wild Card...but they keep kicking and scratching all the way till someone shuts the door.

Talk of Clay being the next Cy is in the buzz....and nothing would make me happier to have a Texan win it.



Meanwhile back here in Austin....predictions of triple digits continue...high of 103 in Austin tomorrow. Can't WAIT :SIGH:
I don't look forward to October JUST for baseball........ 

I went to the Woods....discover that I had not lived. Thoreau

I took  path down a windy way somewhere in the middle of Massachusetts.  I felt as if I was repeating a path some had taken long ago.  I came across rubble it appeared  to me with roped off stones to an area to which I was unclear what it meant. 

the closer I approached this rubble of stones, I realized they were put there rather purposely for a reason or reasons.  The crowds around take away the solititude that seems to creep into the day.     Oh to have the passion and desire that Throreau had...to have the Purpose and Deliberate Life to do this.

 Seeing all those rock formations left by others...I had to leave mine.

But  knew mine would be special...apart from others. Taking time and patience to find the rocks and pieces to create my Zen formation....I came across a tiny piece....that I'm still puzzled by what it is.

But it was a blue star. It was perfect as I placed it on top of my Zen.   One day I want to live in the woods as Thoreau did.  Separate myself with others. Simple Life. 

I just wonder if they have baseball there

One. Game. At. A. Time.

It started with Papi doing what he does  best

**pic by Ray Stubblebine Reuters

Clay going long into the 8th to save the bullpen...ERA 2.66  Oh Ok he hit Jeter with a pitch but I'm sure he deserved it
















And God help me....I've been trying to find a photo of Kalish hitting his first homerun in the Majors against NONE OTHER THAN the Yanks!!!!!!!!!!!

I didnt get to watch the games as I was visiting my folks and then met up with a friend I hadn't seen in years....but I was STOKED to see not only did we win....we held the lead the entire time.  One thing I am happy about (other than the WIN) is I didn't have to see Berkman in those pinstripes. :shudders:

And it all happened in a matter of 3 hours and 17 minutes in Yankee Stadium.
Tomorrow Game 2. Be THERE.

Year of the DL

I've really lost count at this point the number of boys who've been out on the DL at some time or another.  I mean it's been pitchers, infielders and outfielders....short DL's...long DL's, questionable DL's and over extended DL's.  But TODAY....Today's DL?????  REALLLLLLLLLLLLY???????????????  :SIGH:

 **pic by Jim Davis of Boston Globe

I hope Youk's thumb surgery and rehabilitation goes better for him than it did for me.  I wonder if he'll get a cast like I did? 

Not that I don't think we can hang....I mean look where we still are without The Little Engine that Could.  Every time we turn around someone steps up to the plate and fills their shoes.  Beltre's been a breath of fresh air...sure he knocked the breath out of Jacoby that one time....but other than that...OK so maybe he's run into a few others but his Grand Slammie tonight was awesome!!  Knocking the Indians on their tonkas.  Meanwhile between Scutaro and  VMart, they love ganging up on Beltre to rub his head...he's got some weird hang up for no one to touch his head and is willing to go head-to-head with you if you dare!!!  He's leading the Sox in batting average! .337  We're up 6-1 top of the 9th with OKJ on the mound.  1 out...and I'm hoping I still have this smile in a few.  **pic by Darren McCollester of Getty Images

Screaming in Seattle

So Lackey flirted with one....boom it was gone, We won but he didn't get the stat. Beckett has good return...but we just can't do enough so he doesn't get the W.

Ok those are not our aces but we still Won....so what the heck happened last night???????????????

Lester's dealing K's like a BlackJack dealer in Vegas and yet we LOST. Lost BIG!!!  Flirting with a No-No and No Name Eric can't seem to catch a simple ball out to him.  Yah I blame him.  Sure Lester allowed a homerun after that so BOOOOOOOOOOM....2-1.

NO MORE of this DRAMA!!!!   WIN...boys just WIN.
oh and No Pic cos the one of me putting the boys balls in a vicegrip is not allowed on the net.

Miles and Miles of Texans

(Elaine Thompson/Associated Press)

 

 

Back to Back wins for the Sox with Back to Back Texans on the mound....Yet neither the Tall Texans captured the Win.  Lackey had probably his best outing as a Sox on Friday night fiddling with a No-No...coming out with the Sox on top only for relievers and closers to almost lose it....but in the end we won.
Last night Josh only allowed one hit in his less than 6 innings pitching....but the game was tied. Blame Ichiro. Is the 'old' Beckett back?   Only time will tell but I've missed seeing him....I'm hoping he'll only get stronger.

I also hope Lackey continues his Friday performance for the rest of the season....

Texas and Fenway are God's Country

**Picture courtesy of San Diego Tribune and thanks to my high school friend Perk for finding it for me

Texans love to say that "Texas is God's Country"  but I know better.....God has a little park in Boston as well.

I really don't think the picture needs any explanation....cept maybe Steinbrenner probably was thinking "Oh Shi@#**^%##@$F##%MOth##^&@@&**$####!"
And personally I don't think he got in

Ding Dong...you know the rest

**pic taken off Austin American Statesman Charles Sykes AP


Ok so call me Wicked









He wasn't a Saint...no he owned a baseball team...one that I despise....but did ya know that he actually was banned from baseball some time back for being a convicted felon?  yah yah yeah....Sending sympathy to his family....but it's like he orchestrates these things....the All Star Game is about to begin and it's already ALL about GEORGE.

Timing?? 

Home Run King

Maybe that magic wand I posted worked?   Or maybe Papi came back?  Or maybe Ortiz was pissed at Girardi for not selecting Youk to be on the All Star Team?  or maybe...just maybe the Red Sox luck is turning a corner and we're on our way to a more healthy team. 

I didn't even watch it tonight....I get so tired of the whole mess of the All Star thing cos it's messed up.  If it's exhibition then why does it make or break who gets home team advantage.  Funny thing, Red on SG predicted Tiz to win it.  Ok now...Red predict our boys to get healed.

Even so....I'm not watching the All Star Game.

Three Days...Three Nights

The Sox have 3 days and 3 nights to get well.  I'm really hoping that they take advantage of it.  I don't want to hear excuses.....Papi's going to be swatting at some leather in L.A. and my boy Adrian is going to fill in for the game while the rest of the boys who are on the All Star list recuperate...along with the rest of the gang who are on Sick Leave.  I'd love to have a handy dandy Magic Wand to use in these next three days to heal broken bones, strained muscles, stiff necks, still backs, jammed thumbs or toes, etc.....I have to say I cannot rewrite any of the following any better than Peter Abraham.  I hate repeating what someone says but he gets to the point hitting the nail on the head

Instead of writing a long involved recap of the season to date, let me ask you this question.
If on Opening Day I said the following would be true at the All-Star break ...
* Josh Beckett would have one win.
* Jacoby Ellsbury would play nine games.
* Mike Cameron would have three home runs and 14 RBIs.
* Dustin Pedroia would hit .213 in May then go on the disabled list on June 26.
* David Ortiz would have one home run in April.
* Guys named Darnell McDonald and Daniel Nava would become regulars.
* Bill Hall would be in the top nine in plate appearances on the team
* Every reliever outside of Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon on the Opening Day roster would have ERAs over 4.59.
* Tim Wakefield would have the third-most innings pitched on the staff.
... would you have said the Red Sox would be 14 games over .500 and within three games of a playoff berth?
Probably not.

Nuff said....Let's Play Ball!!! 

Roll of the Dice and We Win and Beckett is on his way back

**photo taken by Kelly O'Connor...used with permission plus I begged for one knowing she was at the Pawtucket game today. 


His name is Joshua Patrick Beckett....he's one of our Starting Pitchers for the Red Sox.  Yah I know he's been out alot but so has alot of other players.  Beckett threw today in the game at Pawtucket and apparently did good.  I begged Kelly on her facebook page for a picture....knowing she probably just sat down at her computer...I've just been so anxious to see him back in our rotation. I'm hoping he'll be Beckettesque and give us what the Dr orders.  You can catch the story over on the Globe where Mike Scandura reports the game.  Beckett threw 68 pitches....42 strikes with 4 K's and no Walks. Ok so one homerun hit off of him, however, the catcher, Wagner blamed himself for calling for the wrong pitch.  Beckett didn't give any chance at interview...but I'm sure he woulda set them straight.

Good News is DiceK pitched well. The boys took the game but we're back at 5 games back....I'm ready for the boys to get back on track and quit using up all their accrued Sick Leave.  Enough already

When do we get to see the Amusement?

Amusements Parks always have one....everyone wants to ride them because they're so exciting and fun.  They're fast....turns and circles and up and down....Everyone wants to ride them....it's a staple icon in every Amusement Park.   Baseball parks are like that....they all have excitement at every turn of an inning.

Being a Red Sox fan this season is like riding a rollercoaster.....we're down...then we're up....we're down...then we're on. our. way. up......and we're                       

down again.....Looks like my Texas boy didn't quite do it for us today.  The Jays SP came out in 4th...I think somewhere around his 102nd pitch!!!!   And we were TIED even then. Perhaps it was the fact Lackey put 6 batters on base himself... No matter...Lackey lacked what it took....the Jays brought their bats with the runs and the Sox lost yet again. 

Tomorrow JiggleButt climbs on the mound to see what he can do to squash our pain...although I know he'll try our patience, I'm hoping he'll pull through and give us a W.  Thanks to Sharpy from SG for making these flags for me. 

Now I love myself a good State Fair with an awesome rollercoaster...but if someone could find the safety bar and lock it tight before the game, I'd appreciate it.  Last but not least...last year this seemed to work.  Maybe it will again

Do Not Let the Size Fool You

I'm 5'2    and 1/2".  Yeah I claim every single 1/2 inch of stature but NEVER let my size fool you in what I am capable of.  I will stand up to a man of 6'4" and call him a 'Dick' if that's what he deserves.  Dynamite comes in small packages and up there in the Rocky Mountain High area, I think they got a taste of it as well.  Pedie saved Paps ass BIG TIME last night by dinging his last home run to put us back over the Rockies after Papelbon was playing rock-paper-scissors with every at-bat.  Extra Innings with a west coast game that takes biting your nails to the extreme....I'm dragging here today trying to focus on work. So I figured if I wrote a little diddy about the game, I'd get it out of my head and perhaps get something done. 

5 for 5 and 3 Home runs with 3 Runs and 4 RBI's.  Last night. Apparently the last Red Sox player to hit 3 Dingers in one game was Millar in 2004.  I love these sort of stats because it shows you not to underestimate the players who may not appear to be a hero of a game.  I'm sure if you ran into Dustin on the street at Sullivan's or Dunkin's, you may not even recognize him cos....or maybe you would cos with his personality (after reading just some of his book I get the jest he is a smack talker in general), you could possibly overhear him talking smack to the girl behind the counter on how many donuts he could eat in less than 5 minutes or how many tires he could change in less than one hour.  He's a competitive little dude....but don't let him know I called him little.   But as you can see, JB definitely leaned 'over' so he wouldn't be taller than Dustin.

It was told that Dustin was heard chanting as he walked by Papelbon in the locker room last night "Who's Your Daddy?" **





**Ok maybe that was made up but it sounds like something he would do...and I'm willing to bet my Red Sox tickets in Texas that he did.

Reason I fell in love with Baseball

College Baseball....more specifically College World Series.  Sometime back after leaving high school and heading to college at Lamar University, I fell in love with baseball.  I admit it was the boys I was following at first....but at some point, my focus shifted from adoring the seat of their pants to the way the ball sailed across the plate meeting metal with leather then watching the ball make it's way over the shortstop's head to outfield...all the while watching the batter run his ass off to make it a double.  

LSU isn't in Omaha...so I'm not as invested to watch BUT (there's always a but in baseball-pun intended) Texas is...no not THAT Texas team....TCU, Frogs, Texas Christian University.  It's the last year at Rosenblatt...I'm sad I never got to go before they move it to the new park....but I'll get there one day.

TCU vs UCLA tonight...Top of 7th and the Frogs had a great big ZERO....just seeming to have No chance when Boom. Got one hit and man on First.  BoomBOOM Man on 1st and 2nd.  BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM. Bases loaded.  Unknown player to me...gets up to bat and gets a piece sending it right down the middle out to Centerfield....TRIPLE bringing the score to 5-3.  Bottom of the 7th brings a solo home run for the Bruins

Now it's the top of 8th and Frogs are up again. Let's hope the Frogs can pull it off. But there's Double Elimination so the Frogs are still in it even if they lose tonight.

Baseball.....ya gotta LOVE IT!!!

I love baseball....know why?

Stories like Daniel Nava.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to a Forum...

I began planning this year's summer vacation last August after receiving a message from a dear younger friend inviting me to her college graduation party. It was months away but she wanted to make sure I knew far in advance so I could plan my annual trek to Beantown.  I recall thinking how proud I was of her and her persistence and determination in working and going to college for years to finally graduate with little financial help and lots of emotional support from family and friends. I looked forward to enjoy celebrating with her while getting to spend some time in my other favorite place: New England.   So I began my plans of how long and how many games I would be able to attend and all the friends I would see. I had even thought maybe I could catch a minor league game in Pawtucket or Portland.  How little did I realize that I would be headed to Portland on this trip...but not in the fashion I had intended. 

In October last year, again via the internet, I found out that a fellow SGer had passed away: Andy Block, or lovingly known to us as AB.  SG, otherwise known as Surviving Grady, is a Red Sox blog where I have met many Sox fans and actually am proud to call quite a few of them my friends. Andy had been fighting cancer again, unbeknownst to many of us, and lost the fight last October. Now I'm sad to say that I didn't know Andy very well except for our interactions on SG and brief interactions at SG gatherings. What I did know about Andy was that he was opinionated and  not afraid to voice it. I really liked that about him, despite the fact he always barked at us when we talked about other subject matters on the SG chat room claiming SG was a baseball blog.  He thought we should go elsewhere to discuss Off topics but since I don't follow rules very well...I kept posting about baseball, recipes, dancing and other random topics that came up. But I still liked Andy cos he was a matter of fact sort of guy and didn't care if you disagreed with him.  SG did a very nice Memorial Post about him that really made me smile.  You either really liked Andy or didn't. No gray area. 

Remember I told you I had already planned my vacation last summer for this summer? Well it was originally all built around Neena's graduation and of course attending Sox games.  Then I got another email...AB's family was planning a Memorial Service in Maine the day after Neena's graduation party.  Like I said earlier, I really didn't know AB very well but I did feel I knew BB and his wife Debbie enough to pay my respects and participate so I begin adjusting my schedule with the help of Hayes.  Now you may wonder and ask why I would attend a Memorial Service for someone I had met I believe a total of 3 times: Because it's what you do for friends.

Which brings us to this past weekends' events. 

I forgot to mention I also met Neena on the internet via a Red Sox fan forum years earlier.  It seems crazy to think that merely 5 years ago I had no friends in New England and now probably 1/2 or 2/3's of my FB page's friends are from there or Sox fans I've met on line. But here I was on my way to New England to a Celebration of the beginning of a New Life Post Graduation and a Celebration of a Life that had ended. 

On Friday, June 4th, I headed  towards Jamaica Plain to attend the Party for Neena at Doyle's Cafe, an Irish Pub.  The celebration was a huge success as family and friends mingled and I got to learn more about Neena from her childhood friends to her latest friends met at an Art Workshop she attended.  Good times were had by all....I got to meet DAVE DAY!!  I was so happy to meet her mom as she lives here in Texas!!  Felt great to have someone other than myself from Texas at a party in New England!!  Watching Neena that night was just wonderful...she was basking and glowing. Her dress she had on was Oscar worthy and she needed a red carpet to walk on that night!  Marci and Erin made graduation cap cupcakes for her!! They were adorable!   I was just estatic to be a part of this celebration.  I know Neena plans on continuing her education in Art and I hope somehow by chance she chooses UT for her Masters...but if she doesn't...I'll be waiting for that celebration party as well.   I raise a glass to Neena and her accomplishments and her future in the Arts. 

Saturday morning as Hayes and I made our way from Boston to Portland, we were both alittle out of sorts (that'll be saved for another story) but we finally arrived at our hotel on the wharf.  It was a beautiful day and our bay facing view was stupendous!!  Hayes took the David  Tennent life size cardboard body and stuck it in the window for all to see....was quite the funny sight I have to say from the street.  Meeting up with the Blues and Ted, we walked towards the restaurant where the Memorial Service was to be held in honor of AB.  

I'm not sure what we were expecting and I can only speak for myself but it felt odd attending such an event for someone I didn't believe I truly knew deeply.  Ted definitely had a much stronger connection and bond with Andy as he had established an on-going friendship with him even attending a minor league game with some of the B's. Rakes had went as well and it was love from the moment Rakes and AB laid eyes on each other.  The picture with Rakes wearing the fake peanut moustache sitting on AB's lap still makes me laugh. 

As we meandered around and met family and friends of AB, it became clear to me that AB was loved by many. Watching his two sons and listening to friends talk, looking at pictures of AB through his life, I felt finally I was getting to know all of the other compartments of Andy. When it came time for speeches, I was choking back tears just listening to heartfelt stories and memories. But of course BB pulls an Andy and calls out us SGers to the crowd(explaining "us") and asked if we wanted to say something.  I knew Ted couldn't cos he'd be a blubbering mess. I thought to myself "please someone open up their mouths!!"  when Hayes quips "Ya know, we're just good at one liners"   

A storm had blew in with lightening all around and wind and rain blowing all around. 

As quick as the storm had kicked up earlier, a calm came across the water when someone exclaimed and yelled "Oh my Gosh...Look outside! Andy!!"   We all turned around and looked out across the bay at this marvelous rainbow.  Although I find rainbows very beautiful and meaningful...I didn't understand the sense of wonder most seemed to be feeling.  But then it was explained. Andy loved Rainbows....he loved Rainbows before they were popular and all. So it was like Andy showed up for his own Memorial Service to say Good-Bye. 

To me the evening with the storm and rainbow was akin to both sides of Andy; his crotchety side and his softer side. Andy left quite a legacy behind instead of leaving footprints.  I'm raising a glass to Andy

Rethinking this entire weekend on my return flight(of which where I wrote this post), it occurred to me a funny thing happened on my way to a forum.  I made lifelong friends who continue to impact my life daily, challenge me to question my actions and motives, and help me to continuously realize relationships are what matter most in life and I've really come to love New England as much as I love my great home state of Texas.....Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Sometimes you're the Dustpan...Sometimes You're the Broom

Apparently, the Sox are learning to play a new game...it's called Broomball.  Instead of bringing bats, it's played with Brooms.  Ok, maybe this ain't the Sox actually playing but there is a game called BroomBall and they do play with Brooms. 

The Sox caught fire this week and lit up the Angels melting their wings right off their backs. 
4 Game SWEEP!    I'm not even gonna recap...cos I'm so giddy it's enough just to know we did it.

BFF #5

Apparently before gates opened at Fenway tonight, there was a bomb threat. Bomb Squad was called but nothing was found. Had they waited around till the xx Inning, they would have seen it...go right over the Monster where Ortiz hit it. Of course, Munchkin pipes up and laughs about it retorting "Bomb Squad?...they're early"  I think he had a premonition since he's been speaking up for Papi with all the haters out there.  Beltre hit a bomb as well and Lackey took down his former bosses making Scioscia cry like a baby in the dugout.

But the real story (if that wasn't story enough for ya)  the Red Sox were honoring Nomar on Cinco de Mayo day. Nomar's entire family was there along with several players he had played with at Fenway.

















 And he scored pretty nicely....he got a pair of Fenway seats #5 and #6, him and Pesky's numbers :-)

He got to throw the first ceremonial pitch and see some of his old buddies and we got to see Trot. 
It was a sweet thing the Red Sox did this past Spring Training....signing Nomar to a one day deal so he could retire a Red Sox.  It was sweet and bittersweet seeing him....as he left on such awkward times but such an awesome year: 2004.  And although he did receive a World Series ring....it had to be hard for him to watch the team win it without him there.   Nonetheless, fans love Nomar...always will.

it really is DIRTY WATER

So yesterday Boston announces "DON'T Drink the WATER....Contaminated Leak" yadayada yada...

The Bruins and Celtics are in the playoffs.....Both Played Game 2....and BOTH WON!!!!!!!!!!!  I'm not a hockey or basketball fan but I'm really happy for my friends in NE who are. 

But then...the Red Sox came back into town dragging their slowasses into the clubhouse after getting embarrassed to high heaven at Fenway South.  You can read the stats and all the newspaper articles you want...I watched the game. And I wanna know what was said in the clubhouse this afternoon. I wanna know what they put in the water jugs.  Cos the team that played in Baltimore was NOT the team I saw tonight.

The Team tonight KICKED SERIOUS BUTT!!!!!!!!!!!!  I know...its just one game but they played the game I knew they could play.  And Beltre hit his first home run as a Sox!!!  and I CALLED IT!

Red Sox 17, Angels 8

and to quote a movie line   "How you Like THEM APPLES?"

Out with the Mold...In with the You

s

I was 'advised' to take down my profile pic on Facebook by a friend who said it wasn't appropriate and looked like a tramp stamp. Now I love this dear friend to death as we've been friends since 6th grade but it still hurt me that again....'the world' doesn't want us to really be ourselves.  I got on Facebook to have fun with my Red Sox buddies...next thing I know, I'm connecting with old high school friends.  I held my ground of the reason why I put it up there...it's baseball season and you're liable to see anything on my profile pic that I think will bring my team good luck. Today I put up my "Praying at the game" pic with my SG shirt on.  Now it wasn't because my friend suggested to remove my tat pic...it was because my team has been sucking loads lately.  So it got me to thinking this afternoon....if you were to have to select a 'mold' of yourself, could you pick one?  One single item that explained you...your life....your heart....your soul....Could you?  I'm throwing up this boot chocolate mold because I LOVE Cowboy Boots.  LOVE THEM. I only have two pairs...but I want way more.  I don't need tons of heels like most women...I want Boots and not the fancy 'copycat' 'wannabe' cowboy boots...I want the real thing.

  so then I had to figure out another one....the Running Horse....free spirit....strong....standing up to anything that comes it's way....and Running Hard to get to somewhere. Still not sure where but Running. 

I've been focusing on my goal of the company I work for to focus on being gender responsive with the girls we house in the juvenile facilities.  Society has tried to put females in a mold...in their place.  Problem is...I never listened.  I challenge all of you, female or male, to not put your life or yourself in a mold.  Be Yourself....Authentic Self.   

I love my dear friend still...and I'm over it...but it did cause me to think.