the 07 BOSOX thread

Upset over Piazza's arrival and his subsequent lack of playing time, Mirabelli requested Padres General Manager Kevin Towers to work out a deal that would send him back to Boston.[1]

Mirabelli was reacquired by the Red Sox on May 1, 2006 in exchange for catcher Josh Bard, minor league pitcher Cla Meredith, and Upset over Piazza's arrival and his subsequent lack of playing time, Mirabelli requested Padres General Manager Kevin Towers to work out a deal that would send him back to Boston.[1]

Mirabelli was reacquired by the Red Sox on May 1, 2006 in exchange for catcher Josh Bard, minor league pitcher Cla Meredith, and $100,000 cash. This reacquisiton occurred because Bard had trouble catching Tim Wakefield's knuckleball. Bard had 10 passed balls in just 7 games. The day that the trade occurred, the Red Sox were to play their first game of the year against their rivals, the New York Yankees, in Fenway Park. It took a private jet and a Massachusetts State Police escort to get Mirabelli to the field in time. His plane from the west coast touched down at Logan Airport at 6:48 pm, he arrived at Fenway Park at 7:00 pm, and took his place behind the plate just in time for Wakefield's opening pitch at 7:13 pm. In an effort to conserve every second possible, the Red Sox sent a uniform along with the police escort for Mirabelli to change into while en route to Fenway Park from Logan Airport. The special glove (which is actually a woman's softball catcher's mitt) which Mirabelli had used in previous years to catch Wakefield had been left in Boston for Mirabelli's replacement; Bard had left it waiting for Mirabelli's arrival. 00,000 cash. This reacquisiton occurred because Bard had trouble catching Tim Wakefield's knuckleball. Bard had 10 passed balls in just 7 games. The day that the trade occurred, the Red Sox were to play their first game of the year against their rivals, the New York Yankees, in Fenway Park. It took a private jet and a Massachusetts State Police escort to get Mirabelli to the field in time. His plane from the west coast touched down at Logan Airport at 6:48 pm, he arrived at Fenway Park at 7:00 pm, and took his place behind the plate just in time for Wakefield's opening pitch at 7:13 pm. In an effort to conserve every second possible, the Red Sox sent a uniform along with the police escort for Mirabelli to change into while en route to Fenway Park from Logan Airport. The special glove (which is actually a woman's softball catcher's mitt) which Mirabelli had used in previous years to catch Wakefield had been left in Boston for Mirabelli's replacement; Bard had left it waiting for Mirabelli's arrival.

“I came up with the craziness of the Yankees in the seventies—the ‘Bronx Zoo,’ and Sparky Lyle and all of them sitting on cakes without clothes on. Manny was mild compared to what I had been used to.” In Cleveland, I pointed out, Ramirez used to walk into the video room naked to study tapes of pitchers. “Do you understand why I would see that as normal?” Negron said. “He wasn’t sitting on a birthday cake.”

Point #5: Throwing down the gauntlet.

Credit to Schilling for the money and awareness he raises on ALS. If a charity gets a million bucks out of this whole story, that would be a great outcome. But hey, Curt, instead of waiting for takers on a bet, why not just give a million bucks more to ALS? Or even better, ask yourself What Would Jesus Do? He might ask Gary Thorne who his favorite charity was, and give a million bucks to them.

david i know, but they ARE playing out of their minds - not individually, but as a team and the worm always turns - how many times and for how long who knows. i agree they're a great team, i mean they are just killin everybody for the most part. there's a feeling of depth and balance. i still think the defense is suspect sometimes and that is the real horror. i've been proven wrong by them before of course. in 2004 i was CONVINCED millar was going to pull a knoblauch or something.

My husband and sons are in Fenway Park right now. My future quality-of-life is riding on this game.

How about lack-of-game?

Nope it's on.

I'm not sure I knew 'Kason' rhymed with 'Jason'.

Phew.

Beth I know exactly what you mean.

mattymatty2000 (Philly, PA): Simple question, but feel free to give as complex an answer as you want: Are the Red Sox this good?

Nate Silver: Guys that are going to cool off: Lowell (a lot); Youkilis (a little, but he's looking like a real power hitter now); Beckett (a little); Wakefield (a lot); Okajima (a lot).

Guys that are going to heat up: Ramirez (a lot), Crisp (maybe), Drew (probably), Matsuzaka (a little).

Right now they're on pace to win 113 games and I don't think they'll sustain that but they haven't been playing that far above their heads; they've had some hot starts but some cold starts too. I think it's probably a 100-102 win team in terms of true talent level.

Has Crisp EVER played long toss?

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/gallery/ortizwalkoffs/

Who is Billy Bob Thornton look-alike in the shorts and T-shirt in pic #2?

John Burkett!

I'm surprised he would be allowed on the fiels out of uniform. Although, I guess the game is technically over, so what does it matter?

I was trying to remember his name the other day. He is what the major leagues is all about. I remember when some commentator said he looked like he was on his way to a Jimmy Buffet concert.

So now that his finger flap is fine, the Sox are moving Beckett up to Sunday vs Yanks ... I sincerely hopes this means Alex and I are seeing MATSUZAKA! next Monday in Oakland, and not Julian Tavarez.

Lester may get the call-up too, so there's that.

:p

(not trying to disparage the cancer-free, I just wd like to see Dice-K while yer swelterin' in the East)

It's no secret that Theo wants Tavarez out of the rotation. Just sayin'

Oh and don't worry about me, I sold my A's/Sox tix for a pretty price. :D

oh?? no discounts to yr ILB friends?

I sold those on stubhub long before I knew of your visit dude.

it looks like tavarez for monday, sorry morbs

awwww fuck. vs Lenny DiNardo, no doubt.

Revenge Of The Long Relievers!

the one sox game i've seen in the last 10 years featured a starting mr. dinardo, a pinch-hitting david ortiz, and a loss :/

man bosox tickets are not cheap! highway robbery - $88 for bleacher seats!

Tavarez will be skipped this time through the rotation, reports the Boston Herald. His next start is expected to come Monday against the A's on seven days rest.

Yes, it's very difficult to get game day tickets officially so the resellers of the world gouge accordingly. I just go for the obstructed view ones, the farther back from the pole the better the seat. Well, that and I hit Baltimore once a year.

i'll be doing that too!

see you there Aug 11th and 12th!

I just ordered tics for the game on the 24th - vs the Twins!

So I learned yesterday that Youklis apparently tries to get a hit EVERY TIME HE GOES UP TO THE PLATE which seems kind of a weird revelation. I mean are there batters out there that are trying to do something else when they bat (although to be honest I often wonder these days if Jason Kendall has some different agenda.)

Sometimes you are just trying to get on base. Other times you are just trying to see the ball well and make GOOD contact. Youkilis' approach appears to be hit-based.

lol, alex, didn't you also know that pete rose got a hit almost EVERY TIME HE WENT TO THE PLATE, too?!?!?

Way to push that hamstring, Papi.

There were SOOOO many obnoxious Boston fans in Oakland last night that all I could do when Chavez ended the pain was yell "PAHK YUH CAH IN HAHVAHD YAHD!!!"

Haha pity the complete asshole Red Sox fans behind us left before Chavez coup de grace. Probably to write letters to Brian Sabean demanding he pull a sign and trade for Mark Texeira ("man that would be sweet, Giants just need one more bat ya know.")

OH NO THE SEASON IS OVER GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

OK not really but it would be nice to push Lugo out of the top of the order until he figures out what to do w/ that wooden thing on his shoulder. DP & Youk / Youk & DP @ the top, & Lowell to 5 RIGHT NOW.

um, young pedroyer has had a nice little turnaround, huh?

We got to see Jason Kendall pop him in the mouth! HE AIN'T PRETTY NO MORE!

On the Baseball Think Factory forums, there's some small subset of fans (possibly only 1 or 2 knuckleheads) that love to claim that A) Pedroia will be better than Han-Ram (which, right now, ain't looking likely) and B) Pedroia is on a level w/ Captain Fistpump (based on this year's statlines).

My ability to detect sarcasm has shit the bed, for sure.

I didn't realize til I saw last night's ejection that Donald Pleasence was the Sox' manager.

They better be ignoring Schilling in that dugout.

BOSTON PITCHER CURT SCHILLING HAS A NO-HITTER THROUGH 8 2/3 INNINGS.
Last Play: S. Stewart singled to right

AAAAArgh.

*insert Nelson laugh here*

bradyquinnwowthatsasurprise.gif

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN199905230.shtml

oh jesus

Twenty-six Americans and six Italians are accused of kidnapping an Egyptian terror suspect and sending him to Egypt, where he was allegedly tortured.The Americans - most believed to be CIA agents - will be tried in absentia. Italy has not announced if it will seek their extradition to the Milan trial.

US President George W Bush will arrive in Italy hours after the trial opens.[..]

Italy’s government has asked the country’s highest court to set aside the rendition trial, saying prosecution documents will break state secrecy laws and damage relations with the CIA.[..]

One of the surprise witnesses in the case will be Philip Morse - one of the minority owners of the US baseball team the Boston Red Sox, says the BBC’s Christian Fraser in Rome.

It is alleged that his Gulfstream jet was used by the CIA to fly Abu Omar out of Italy, says our correspondent.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6732897.stm

haha I love Tavarez

Tavarez revealed he has been pitching with a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand. "[Josh ] Beckett would be on the DL with this," Tavarez said, showing the blister. Tavarez said he pops the blister and dries it out by rubbing in some Red Bull and ground-up aspirin. [...]

Tavarez on his half-swing, half-bunt hit Saturday night, his first hit since Aug. 24, 2002: "Anything to help this team win. People look at you as a clown, dumb and stupid. People, fans, players, teammates look at you as a clown, as stupid, as a dummy who always does something to make people laugh," he said. "They don't admit the truth and say, 'You know what, the guy who is stupid and a dummy, he's going to make something happen to win. Pain is nothing to him. He'll do something to find a way to win.' And that's me. Dumb like a fox."

(Globe)

http://bestmessageboardever.com/uploads/monthly_06_2007/post-148-1181345605.jpeg

"[Josh ] Beckett would be on the DL with this," Tavarez said, showing the blister.

Hahahaha that's probably true.

gooblar i just started a thread about that! i should have known you dudes would be on top of that.

"[Josh ] Beckett would be on the DL with this," Tavarez said, showing the blister.

Hahahaha that's probably true.

Tavarez is really entering into some Old Dirty Bastard batshit-yet-truth-telling territory these days. I'm guessing beat reporters just hang around his locker waiting for a choice quote.

Matsuzaka throwing a gem, SF barely losing

Shasta must be so conflicted right now

Well anyway, I think Lugo's still a bum.

I'm so, so glad that the Bloviator is on indefinite hiatus. Let's see what these dudes can do.

One of these years they should think about picking up a shortstop.

Cora can play short. Pedroia, Cora, Lowell and Youk. I got no problem with that.

Wakefield's still no-decisionless.

BOSTON -- David Ortiz has been playing with a torn meniscus in his right knee since the middle of the 2006 season, the Red Sox slugger revealed Thursday night.

Speaking to reporters after Boston returned from the All-Star break to beat Toronto 7-4, Ortiz said he hurt his knee during batting practice at Yankee Stadium last summer, probably during the series June 6-8. Ortiz said when he twisted his leg to field a bunt, his knee turned but his spike got caught in the netting that protects the grass in front of home plate.

Ortiz said he hasn't needed surgery because the knee is free of inflammation.

"It wasn't anything major," he said. "I just kept playing through it last year. This year, it's been bothering me more than it used to."

Ortiz was limping around after hitting the same knee with a foul ball in the eighth inning Thursday.

"It hurt, but I'm fine," he said.

:O

SEASON'S OVER
BLOW IT UP

Ha - I guess you read that article about David Ortiz *GASP* getting older.

oh manny
you think that it's gone, but it's not
and you end up at first
oh manny

It's been a while since Manny being Manny (playing shallow in LF, loafing to 1st) has gotten to me, tho. I guess I shd watch Red Sox baseball more often.

Not a word on Lester you shallow callous casual fans?

Too busy singing Sweet Caroline?

You people disgust me.

haha I almost teared up watching those highlights.

beating cancer doesn't mean he can beat the Tigers in the postseason.

zomg the dude co-hanging the Ks in Jacobs Field was going to hang a K right-side up after Wily Mo went down looking WTF

You people disgust me.

I did watch the game -- even the Sullivan Tire commercials.

unfortunately I had to watch the ESPN feed with parental reaction shots after every pitch. Luckily the dude isn't married (or maybe unluckily as the case may be).

WHY THE HELL DID ORTIZ NOT GET THAT SH*T TAKEN CARE OFF IN THE OFF-SEASON

was there contract stuff?

G*D DAMMIT

this squad is scary good. really catching every break when it comes to pitching. i think it could possibly best its storied '70s predecessors. let's hope they have the same degree of success in the postseason.

http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2007/07/25/1185384272_0815.jpg

the pitching is really something else.

Someone give the D-Rays a league-average pitching staff so they can contend, please - w/ that lineup, they should be an 80-90 game winner every year.

Surely Mike Lowell bought his eyebrows, sideburns, and goatee at a costume shop.

Q: What is going on here?

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/garnett_0801.jpg

A) Tall, skinny kid meets world-class athlete.
B) World-class athlete meets short, fat, out-of-shape old man.
C) Two world-class athletes meet.

one half of the fantastic four

when you see ortiz play in person, you realise he is anything but out of shape!

haha...last time I saw him play in person he struck out and threw the bat about 8 rows into the stands! so athletic!

Not a word on Coco's Ichiro-impersonating hit -- or Moose's attempted maiming of Coco -- you shallow callous casual fans?

I'm just happy that Coco is alive.

AND THAT YOU NOW HAVE BOBBY O'KIELTY?

Erin go bragh!

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/pics/troy_oleary_autograph.jpg

To: Terry Francona
Re: Julian Tavares

JUST SAY NO

Coco sez next time it'll be moose jerky!

I'll be part of the BoSox invasion in Baltimore this Sat/Sun

uh how the hell did it get to be five games

i might try to get tix for friday nights game. sold out online but... ;)

Gagne with a spoon. I think he must need a new pair of goggles.

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/c7/fullj.getty-73396297gf005_bos_balt.jpg

I hope you fans w/ Extra Innings haved cancelled all plans for September.

Taking Okajima out of the 8th inning was a huge misstep for Theo.

Matt (Santa Rosa, CA): Rob, in regards to Ryan's need for illumination on Gagne's small sample size... isn't that why trading three prospects for 20 innings from a setup man is less than prudent?

Rob Neyer: (12:52 PM ET ) Yeah, I think so. I'd like somebody to show me five relief pitchers who have, over the course of two months, made the difference between a team winning and losing a division title.

Andy Sonnanstine is BAFFLING thus far!

oh maaan, will the TB bullpen finish the "job"?

Just a little regression to the mean, Doc.

and the mean is Manny whiffing to end it!

Better hope the O's have someone to pitch the 10th. Mazzone?

How about an ex-Met*?

*and A's cast-off ;-)

http://www.lowcarbluxury.com/cocoacrisp.jpg

john lackey, muttering to himself after doug mirabelli hit one off the top of the monster in a six-run first inning today:

"fuck this place"

Goodbye, Wily Mo ;_;

i hope gagne fukkin dies that faget sux hell of dicks

DANE COOK LADIES & GERMS:

http://deadspin.com/assets/resources/2007/07/danecookmakesuswanttodie.jpg

Seriously, fuck a Reggie "FOUL FUCKING TIP" Willits.

jeredpapideathglare.gif

gagne's benitez impression is pretty frightening.

is it gag-nee or gahn-yah

lol at danecookmakesuswanttodie.jpg

gone yay

Scott Kazmir: wha happen?!?

"hmm we have the best bullpen in baseball, let's fuck with it"

http://cache.boston.com/resize/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2007/08/20/1187664852_7389/410w.jpg

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wakefield is still no-decisionless.

Okajima is the best relief pitcher on the BoSox this season:

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/statistics/sortable/index.php?cid=204021

Good thing he got demoted LOL.

Yeah, you're absolutely right. Relying so heavily on one middle reliever in the regular season worked out so well for the Yankees with Proctor in 2006, Gordon in 2005, Quantrill in 2004, Mendoza in 2002...

Okajima Oki-doke.mp3, anybody?

it's by someone in Tokyo known only as "Mr. Yoshie"

tim wakefield for cy young

fuck yes

hay guyz

can we bundle up jd drew, lugo, and gagne in order to get, like, an outfielder who can hit?

No. 61 currently has something going through six.

Youkilis almost hit his Dad above the Monster.

Make that "dad."

Through eight!

!!!!!!!!!!!!

AWESOME

one out away

his second major league game!

his curve ball is insane

OMG

Is the break on his curve always that bonkers?

TAKE THAT PHILLIP HUGHES #1 PITCHING PROSPECT IN BASEBALL!

This post-season is going to be fucking bonkers.

Meanwhile the Orioles appear deadset on getting their names written into the record books for futility as many times as they can, don't they!

I NEVER EVEN HEAR OF THIS GUY CONGRATS BRODY

"Guys we let the Rangers score 30 against us. . . we let that dude whose only pitched one other game in the majors just completely smoke us. . . okay now get this LET'S MAKE AS MANY ERRORS NEXT GAME AS WE CAN next game! What's the major league record for that shit? FUCK IT LET'S BREAK IT!" -- Miguel Tejada (http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=991991)

haha awesome. wish i had been watching this

Buchholz post-game still giving off heavy "Uhh..... !!!!!!... ????????" vibe.

he's probably more surprised than anyone

url doesnt work alex!!!

Haha it's a fake quote.

Pompous, er, proud U of M football fans should be ESPECIALLY happy about this.

HAIL TO THE VICTORS VALIANT

BUCHHOLZ FOR PRESIDETN.

hay guyz

can we bundle up jd drew, lugo, and gagne in order to get, like, an outfielder who can hit?

-- Tracer Hand, Friday, 31 August 2007 10:12 (5 days ago) Link

Why don't you hold onto them and continue to play Jacoby Ellsbury?

Dreams of a Ellsbury / Crisp / Drew OF next year make me giddy.

(Manny can catch.)

how anything containing drew can make anyone giddy is beyond me

a rocket into space?

I think he meant defensively.

I looked up Buchholz on Sat nite in the Prospectus annual and saw he stole 29 laptops from a middle school about 3 years ago. Yup, he's from Texas.

Andy this is a very good point

arrrrrrgh

What's with Matsuzaka? 5.57 ERA post-All-Star break.

yes i would like to know whats up w/that too

“Right now it’s sort of a testing time period for me, where I need to be patient,” Matsuzaka said, through his interpreter. “But at the same time I feel like I’m the one guy dragging on this team a little bit and for that I feel very apologetic.”

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1030330

Give Buchholz another start or two? Couldn't really hurt, could it?

http://bostondirtdogs.boston.com/BDD_dice_mtv_9.10.07_bdd.jpg

"Give Buchholz another start or two? Couldn't really hurt, could it?"

I don't think it's gonna happen.

when he's cruising, he's just cruising. but he is very susceptible to: (a) bombs (like Johan, but without the change) and (b) big blow-up innings, his "big innings" are reallllly big.

yah big innings wtf w/that

http://graphics.boston.com:80/images/bostondirtdogs//Headline_Archives/papi_0820)97.jpg

http://condodomain.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/manny-grill.jpg

lawl

Today's lineup sure was something special:

- Pedroia hitting 3rd
- Lugo leading off & DHing
- Kielty in RF (& 5th)

No wonder Kazmir had 10 Ks.

My fantasy team thanks Terry Francona.

SEXY

What's wrong with Pedroia hitting 3rd?

Dude has highest BA & second highest OBP on the team. He's like Youkilis with less power.

pedroiafuckyeah.gif

What's with Matsuzaka? 5.57 ERA post-All-Star break.

-- Dr Morbius, Monday, September 10, 2007 10:59 AM (Yesterday) Bookmark Link

yes i would like to know whats up w/that too

-- jhøshea, Monday, September 10, 2007 11:05 AM (Yesterday) Bookmark Link

hi dere used to a 140 game season

2005 IP: 215

2006 IP: 186

hi dere, we just GOT to 140 and he's been crappy since about 115

it's not the 140 game season that's the problem, it's going from a 6-man to a 5-man rotation maybe?

can't wait to see him in the playoffs!

looks like another decision for wakefield...

....exactly what I was coming here to post!

...Or maybe not!

haha. wtf.

hey daver, tell me what's wrong with d-ped batting in the heart of the order again...

Not enough sluggo power? Given the guys he was surrounded w/, it was A-OK. But I was pointing that out because of what it said about the guys they weren't playing.

Of course, Lil Pedro homered today, to show me up (& save my fantasy team)!

HAY RAPOZER, re Big Pedro -- if you ILXmailed me it didn't work.

looks like another decision for wakefield...

Way to jinx, Shasta.

http://asp.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/_photos/2006-08-16-papi-large.jpg

Dear DY2,

THANKS MAN. APPRECIATE THAT.

One,

BP

yankee weekend

this is really interesting:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/14/sports/baseball/14matsuzaka.html?_r=1&ref=baseball&oref=slogin

bobby valentine says dice-k's trying too hard to be an AL pitcher, intentionally limiting his repetoire

ha they interviewed valentine during the game. dice-k did alright tonight. lol @ giambi

cockfuckers

wow :D

p.s. fuck fox fuck fox fuck fox fuck fox fuck fox fuck fox fuck fox fuck fox
fuck fox fuck fox fuck fox fuck fox fuck fox fuck fox fuck fox fuck fox fuck fox
fuck fox fuck fox fuck fox fuck fox fuck fox fuck fox fuck fox

suddenly things got real quiet-like

hey, is the Pats game still on? loool.

oh gabbypaws, i bet you turned the game off after that clutch hit.

BIG FLAPI

http://homepage.mac.com/alexinnyc/.Pictures/Photo%20Album%20Pictures/2005-07-31%2007.36.52%20-0700/Image-C297DB7401CF11DA.jpg

schilling shouldn't have stayed in that long obv. good game otherwise

Merci beaucoup, monsieur Gagne!

this team sucks on more levels than people think. i hope they can hold off the yankees but it's starting to look like they won't be able to.

you compare their lineups and it's not even close, and i'm not sure about this supposed edge the bosox have in pitching. lol @ gagne.

Dear Tito Francona:

I'd like to congratulate you on your sterling bullpen usage this past week, as it's probably cost the Red Sox at least 2 games in the standings. In case you've forgotten, you dumb shit:

Friday, September 14: you allow Hideki Okajima to start the 8th inning, the Red Sox up 5 runs. He allows 2 home runs to the 1st two hitters of the evening, and walks the next hitter. Somehow, you're the only person watching this game that realizes Hideki doesn't have "it" this evening - I'm thinking unborn babies in Guatemala knew what the fuck was going on. Instead, you play ride-or-die with a guy that's probably running on fumes and you allow him to give up a double to Johnny Damon. Then, instead of using one of the other capable arms in the bullpen, you hit the panic button & go straight to Papelbon, asking him to get 6 outs. That move unexpectedly blew up in Boston's face, but shit happens. However, had you pulled the trigger on HO one or two batters sooner - because giving up 2 HRs back-to-back to like-sided hitters is a pretty good sign you're done - Papelbon or some other worthy pitcher wouldn't have come into a game with the tying run at the plate.

Sunday, September 16th: Despite Curt Schilling having thrown only 70-something pitches through 7 innings, he found himself in a sticky wicket, with 2 guys on base, 2 outs, and Derek Jeter up in a 1-1 game. Sure, it would be nice to have Schilling finish out the inning, but if there's ever a time to go to the closer early - a fresh arm, a hard thrower & arguably your best pitcher - it's now. Instead, Schilling serves up a meatball to Jeter, and the game is now 4-1. You then get leftie Javier Lopez in the game, and (as is his wont) he gives up a double to a left-handed batter. Finally, Manny Delcarmen (a guy that probably should've been in the 8th inning on Friday) gets the final out. It's too late, though - that fat bastard Joba & whats-his-face stave off a Sox rally, and they lose 4-3.

Tuesday, September 19th: In a 2-1 game, Eric Gagne gets 2 outs in the 8th inning, then gives up a walk and a single. Again, this would be a fine time to go to Papelbon (who, coincidentally, hasn't pitched since Friday's 8th inning debacle), but you'd rather stick with a guy that's been nothing but unreliable since arriving in Boston, rather than go to a sure thing to secure the win. Gagne walks the next 2 guys to tie the game, then gives up a 2-run double to slap-hitter-in-training Russ Adams that would've kept the inning going had the Blue Jays not sent anti-speedy catcher Gregg Zaun home for the 3rd out.

Three years ago, I was beside myself in glee w/ the way you managed the bullpen during that improbable comeback against the Yankees. It was a pleasant antidote from Grady Little's (to be kind) dumbshit management of the rotation. As much as I appreciate your Little-esque nostalgia trip this week, I (and I imagine most Red Sox fans) would appreciate it if you could pull your blood-deprived head from out your ass and actually did your goddamn job. Bad enough the MSM is in love with this 1978 LOL meme. If you actually could figure out when and where to use your pitchers, it wouldn't even be an issue and those fuckwit retard Yankees wouldn't be anywhere near the top of the division. Instead, your dipshitty nonsense has brought those fucks withing 2 losses of the goddamn AL East pennant. Please wake the fuck up, or get the fuck out.

Eat my rancid leprotic dick you ass-backwards sack of fuck,
Denis Leary

PS - Fuck Sullivan Tire, too.

if they can get healthy, they are a much better team:

ortiz hurting
manny hurt
schilling fresh off the DL

burnett is pitching like a god, i wouldn't be too concerned about their performance vs. him per se.

Today's the 18th, dude.

xpost

TODAY IS D-DAY

FOR FUCK'S SAKE HOLD A FUCKING LEAGUE AGAINST THESE LIFELESS HOSERS

AND LOSE JAVIER LOPEZ SOMEWHERE IN NIAGARA FALLS YESTERDAY

i don't think they'll get healthy in time and i think it's more of a dead heat when both teams are full strength, if only because the yanks don't have jd drew.

i say all this as someone who wants the yanks to miss the playoffs from now until teh end times

everiwun otm fuck tha world

again, why does anyone care who's 1st and who's WC? SHUT UP MEDIA

the red sox sure dont seem to care

Eric Gagne especially.

morbius you're assuming the bosox will actually win another game and make the wild card

I gotta admit I sort of feel bad for the guy. He was rolling along, doing just fine in Texas and then he gets traded, looses his closer job and it all falls apart. He belongs either in the closer role or on the DL. he clearly knows nothing in between.

xpost

not only that but okajima got equally rattled when he was demoted for gagne...

If only certain organizations treated bullpen roles the same way Jim Leyland treats lineup slots.

Lineup = batting order

Merci beaucoup, monsieur Papelbon!

NOTE TO RED SOX

RUSS ADAMS IS A NO-TALENT CHUMP

BUT EVEN NO-TALENT CHUMPS CAN HIT FAT PITCHES

AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES SHOULD NOT PLAY BASEBALL

919 NEVER FORGET

http://www.rockingham.k12.va.us/sound_sorting/initial_blends/sw/images/sweep.jpg

TRYING WINNING OVER A FULL SEASON NEXT YEAR CANADA

CAPS LOCK IS SOMEWHAT THERAPEUTIC I MUST SAY

ascii art >>>>>>>>>>> capslock

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TRYING WINNING OVER A FULL SEASON NEXT YEAR CANADA

^^^^^^^^

Quoting therapeutic too. Also: paying as little attention as possible.

Francona determined not to give up on Gagné

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Time isn't running out, Francona said. I think we have a lot more baseball to play.

uh...

postseason odds, Red Sox: 99.98%

You guys really are sick.

And Yankees at 99.2%, gripping stuff!

Yeah, but can the Red Sox possibly recover emotionally from blowing a 794-game lead to their arch-rivals, even if the division win is something of a paper title? *cough2006Tigerscough*

I still think the Sox are the team to beat in the playoffs, call me crazy if you like. I am not scared of Clemens/Wang/Pettitte/Mussina.

can we all agree to never ever post anything by dennis leary ever again thx

http://www.zazzle.com/dakfjm/product/235441971227466025

http://www.zazzle.com/dakfjm/product/235771402647789705

Andrew(az): When can we expect Manny back and with what kind of production?

Jayson Stark: (1:58 PM ET ) It will definitely be sometime between tonight and Thanksgiving.

(edited for clarity)

http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/AP_Photo/2007/09/21/1190368327_1474.jpg

I was there over the weekend when Manny told them he was ready to go out on a rehab option, and they told him, "Hey Manny, the minor-league season ended two weeks ago. Where do you think you're going to rehab? Guam?"

Well I'm thinking that just about seals the Cy Young for Josh.

LUGO

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/3791/beckettsg7.gif

whats he saying? it looks like "(something) fucking cock"

after Joba Chamberlain was ejected (for no reason) for throwing inside to Kevin Youkilis (for no reason), NESN cameras clearly caught the respectful Beckett yell at a questioning and rightfully confused Chamberlain: "Get out of here, you fucking cunt!"

One Cy Young award for Josh Beckett, please.

yah all year he was racking up wins w/o an elite era - now he's .11 off the pace. i know he pitches in a hitters park so can a stat dude show me some adjusted info or whatnot?

Adjusted ERA+:

Carmona-CLE 146
Beckett-BOS 145
Bedard-BAL 141
Haren-OAK 140
Sabathia-CLE 138
Lackey-LAA 138
Santana-MIN 134
Bannister-KCR 132
Kazmir-TBD 130
Meche-KCR 129

I imagine Sabathia and Carmona will split some votes. (Also: two Royals in the top ten!)

\(^o^)/

Pap, on where the missing WS ball went: My dog ate it.

Mientkiewicz pwned

oh papelpaws