599 replies to this topic

[MoVaughnsTruck]

Win this game, and the next one.

3rd place is a mighty lonely place to be.

Edited by MoVaughnsTruck, 31 August 2006 - 08:04 AM.

[MiracleOfO2704]

I'll be in Sec. 22 tonight. You guys know what would be nice? If I could see them win for one, regardless of who's starting for the Sox.

[TomBrunansky23]

If there is one blessing in disguise to all of this misery, it's that we are all going to find out who really wants to call themselves a Sox fan vs. who was just here for the free t-shirt in '04.

Now let's try winning one for a change.

[Jack Sox]

Win it for Boomer! Even though he'll be on a different team by tonight anyway.

But dammit! Win it for him!

[Hiller]

A win or two this series would be nice - second place is better than third. But out of the playoffs is still out of the playoffs. The important things are Papi's and Lester's health.

It is amazing how quickly things have gone down hill with this team and the fans. We need a win just to have something good to read and talk about tomorrow. A win coupled with a good Wells trade would make my morning much better.

[LestersPotential]

With Wells unlikely to start tonight due to the trade brewings with some team, who is more likely to pitch tonight? Snyder? or do they look to bring up someone for another spot start?

Havnt really been home to watch the games as of late but with all the recent injuries whos available?

[chewbarod]

I'll be there tonight, also. And then again on Tuesday. And as many games as I can get to (and afford) down the stretch as more and more tix become availible. Maybe the once vaunted tradition of 20 dollar field box tickets (aka "Standing Room") will become a reality again...

It seems like a long time ago that I pronounced that I expected the Sox to be performing well down the stretch (I think it was last Friday). That doesn't seem to have happened - oh well, life goes on.

Still, as Putty once said, "gotta support the team".

As far as going to the games, once upon a time, during years when the Sox were out of it by June (or never really were in it) and before I could drink, I used to go to the games for three reasons:

1. Because watching baseball in person with your friends is sweet.
2. To heckle the closest fielder on the opposing team (see reason #1)
3. Because there was a chance that a Darren Lewis or a Mike Lansing could provide some late inning, and TOTALLY UNEXPECTED heroics.

Yeah, there was often a (good) chance that it would be a blowout, but that doesn't matter.

Case in point: To this day, one of the greatest experiences I've ever had at Fenway (and I was at Game 4 and Game 2 of the WS, along with many many walkoff hits) was when Rico Brogna hit a walk-off grand slam. That year, at that point in time, there was no chance of the playoffs, hardly any likeable individuals on the team, and even no real hope for next year.

At some point, after the early hopes of the season have faded, and the weather is getting cold, and the odds of winning that night aren't in your favor, you just have to really like baseball. That's why people still go.

Go sox.

Edited by chewbarod, 31 August 2006 - 09:11 AM.

[SoxChick13]

I spent >20 dollars yesterday to FedEx a pair of tickets for tonight's game to my sister.

Why? Because I can't go (I'm in NYC), and I'll be damned if those tickets go unused because I'm unavailable and because of a silly little losing streak.

Whether I like it or not, I need the Red Sox, and they need us.

I have every intention of going to the last two games of the season at Fenway, even if we're 15 games out and it's snowing.

I'm still on. I'm never off, and that's all there is to it.

So, they should win. Tonight. At magical, wonderful Fenway. I don't care if Mr. Roy Halladay is taking the mound. I don't care if we're not even sure who's pitching for the Sox tonight.

WIN.

[HighHeat]

Even though David Wells has thrown his last pitch for the Boston Red Sox, he was scheduled to pitch tonight.



Thanks for working so hard to get back this year, David, and good luck in San Diego.

[pantswadeboggs]

I've got tickets to both games this weekend in prime foul ball territory. It's going to rain. I live in NY.

I'll be sitting there getting soaked watching Lopez swing and miss.

Note to fans of a lessor stature than I fans, get bent.

http://www.boston.co...yre_not_so_hot/

[nomah5]

I'll be there tonight, also.  And then again on Tuesday.  And as many games as I can get to (and afford) down the stretch as more and more tix become availible.  Maybe the once vaunted tradition of 20 dollar field box tickets (aka "Standing Room") will become a reality again...

It seems like a long time ago that I pronounced that I expected the Sox to be performing well down the stretch (I think it was last Friday).  That doesn't seem to have happened - oh well, life goes on.

Still, as Putty once said, "gotta support the team".

As far as going to the games, once upon a time, during years when the Sox were out of it by June (or never really were in it) and before I could drink, I used to go to the games for three reasons:

1.  Because watching baseball in person with your friends is sweet.
2.  To heckle the closest fielder on the opposing team (see reason #1)
3.  Because there was a chance that a Darren Lewis or a Mike Lansing could provide some late inning, and TOTALLY UNEXPECTED heroics.

Yeah, there was often a (good) chance that it would be a blowout, but that doesn't matter.

Case in point:  To this day, one of the greatest experiences I've ever had at Fenway (and I was at Game 4 and Game 2 of the WS, along with many many walkoff hits) was when Rico Brogna hit a walk-off grand slam.  That year, at that point in time, there was no chance of the playoffs, hardly any likeable individuals on the team, and even no real hope for next year.

At some point, after the early hopes of the season have faded, and the weather is getting cold, and the odds of winning that night aren't in your favor, you just have to really like baseball.  That's why people still go.

Go sox.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you love the game, you will go to Fenway in September. Always worth it to see a great player or rising rookie.

I also look at this type of season as sort of a cleansing and renewal: If you have season tickets, and offer them to that "friend" that is always bothering you for prime tickets, and they suddenly have underwater basket weaving class on Thurs. night. And are volunteering at a Soup kitchen on Monday(selfish p&*ck never volunteered for anything other than to take your Yankees tix). It's a good way to figure out who your friends really are, and say goodbye to those bandwagoning leeches for good.

Edited by nomah5, 31 August 2006 - 10:06 AM.

[mfried]

I'll be there tonight, also.  And then again on Tuesday.  And as many games as I can get to (and afford) down the stretch as more and more tix become availible.  Maybe the once vaunted tradition of 20 dollar field box tickets (aka "Standing Room") will become a reality again...

It seems like a long time ago that I pronounced that I expected the Sox to be performing well down the stretch (I think it was last Friday).  That doesn't seem to have happened - oh well, life goes on.

Still, as Putty once said, "gotta support the team".

As far as going to the games, once upon a time, during years when the Sox were out of it by June (or never really were in it) and before I could drink, I used to go to the games for three reasons:

1.  Because watching baseball in person with your friends is sweet.
2.  To heckle the closest fielder on the opposing team (see reason #1)
3.  Because there was a chance that a Darren Lewis or a Mike Lansing could provide some late inning, and TOTALLY UNEXPECTED heroics.

Yeah, there was often a (good) chance that it would be a blowout, but that doesn't matter.

Case in point:  To this day, one of the greatest experiences I've ever had at Fenway (and I was at Game 4 and Game 2 of the WS, along with many many walkoff hits) was when Rico Brogna hit a walk-off grand slam.  That year, at that point in time, there was no chance of the playoffs, hardly any likeable individuals on the team, and even no real hope for next year.

At some point, after the early hopes of the season have faded, and the weather is getting cold, and the odds of winning that night aren't in your favor, you just have to really like baseball.  That's why people still go.

Go sox.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is it technically possible for Wells to pitch tonight then announce the trade after the game?

[Foulkey Reese]

Is it technically possible for Wells to pitch tonight then announce the trade after the game?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is


But they wouldn't do that because Wells could suck tonight which might scare teams off, or he could get hurt (god forbid)

His value is higher now coming off a few great starts then it would be after a start tonight that could go poorly.

[sueh1]

If there is one blessing in disguise to all of this misery, it's that we are all going to find out who really wants to call themselves a Sox fan vs. who was just here for the free t-shirt in '04.

Now let's try winning one for a change.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm going tonight, I bought a ticket last week. I just hope the fans are a little kind-the debacle that is the 2006 Red Sox is not the fault of most of the guys coming out on the field tonight.

[jose melendez]

8/31/06-- White Collar Crime

It’s time for Jose Melendez’s KEYS TO THE GAME.

1. Jose was robbed. Maybe no one pointed a gun in his face, stuck a knife in his ribs or shoved a crossbow in his back, but Jose was robbed nevertheless. The fact that it was done by men in suits does not make it any less traumatic, frightening or wrong then if it had been done by a coked up teenager in a ski mask.

Wasn’t the corporate crime wave supposed to be over now? Weren’t the convictions of Lay, Skilling and Ebbers, the rise of Sarbanes-Oxley and the contempt for the constitution of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales supposed to end the pillage? Well, they didn’t.

Over the course of the past year, Jose had built up quite a little nest egg. He had scrimped and saved and tucked away just enough to pick up some commodities that would ensure him a comfortable off season, if not retirement. Then all of a sudden, he wakes up this morning and discovers that his assets have become worthless, and Jose is willing to bet a lot of his readers are in the same position.

When Jose read in the Globe this morning that the collapse of the Red Sox has sent ticket values plummeting, Jose knew he was ruined. Jose has four games left, each of which was worth two to three times its face value just two weeks ago. Now they are barely worth the oil needed to run the machinery that generated the electricity that was used to print them.

Jose knows what some of you are thinking. “That’s how the market works, Jose. There are risks.”

Of course there are risks, Jose knows that, but the risks are supposed to be equal for everyone holding the same commodity in proportion to how much they hold. It is very clear that Red Sox management was not sharing these risks, that they were using insider information to make decisions. It is well documented that even three weeks ago, when most of us had no evidence that ticket values were about to plummet, the Red Sox management was still selling tickets by the thousands, or perhaps Jose should say “dumping tickets.” Why would they do it? Why? Because they knew the bottom was going to fall out, that the entire organization was built on a foundation of sand, and they were maintaining the illusion of liquidity until they could make one last big score.

And what do they do? They laugh at us. While small ticket holders saw their investments disappear two weekends ago, Red Sox management held a lavish engagement party for Theo Epstein on John W. Henry’s yacht. Jose doesn’t know, but they probably lit their cigars with one hundred dollar bills. Either that, or with flaming strands of Jose’s dreams.

This franchise was a house of cards, built on a fault line covered in quicksand, as fraudulent and illusory as Enron or the work of David Blaine. The players knew it, the owners knew it. Jose only wishes someone had told him.

2. Yesterday was a day of milestones for the Red Sox. The most noteworthy was Curt Euro recording his 3,000th career strikeout, but there were other that were far less widely reported, yet just as remarkable. For instance, the Red Sox recorded their 3,000 injury of the season when Coco Crisp was scratched with a shoulder problem. The Red Sox debuted pitcher Mike Burns, the 3,000th most anticipated debut by a Red Sox reliever ever. David Wells ate his 3,000th donut of the season.

Even as the season disintegrates into a meaningless procession of meaningless games and boring losses, there are still little miracles, little historical footnotes happening all the time. As we watch the Red Sox over the next month we need to remember that. Who knows what will happen at Fenway tonight? Maybe, mystery pitcher will throw a no hitter? Maybe Alex Cora will hit for the cycle? Perhaps Kevin Youkilis will convert to Sufism? Or maybe, just maybe the Red Sox will win.

3. And as the good news continues to roll in, the Boston Herald reported today that rookie pitcher Jon Lester is being tested for cancer. Jose will confess to being a little confused. Jose thought Lester was going in due to a back injury sustained in a fender bender on Storrow Drive. Jose was unaware that fender benders could cause cancer.

Obviously, Jose is praying that there is no cancer and that Lester recovers quickly. Still he has started thinking about environmental factors that could potential have caused the disease, and he has come up with a few things the Red Sox should look at in order to protect their players.

• The media keeps saying Manny is radioactive right now. Maybe he really is?
• Could the clubhouse be made of asbestos? Certainly, it would explain why the Red Sox have been unable to catch fire this year.
• Second hand chewing tobacco spit.
• Rookie hazing. Some teams make young players dress up like women, others give them deadly diseases.
• Too much hanging out with Mike Timlin, that guy has become a clubhouse cancer.
• Is there any way he could have touched Juicin’ Giambi’s sweat? That stuff looks mutagenic.

Regardless, Jose hopes Lester does not have cancer and that whatever the injury or illness is he recovers quickly, because not only is his health and well-being important, but Jose would hate to think that this team is so bad, so dysfunctional that it is literally falling apart at a cellular level.

I’m Jose Melendez, and those are my KEYS TO THE GAME.

[Foulkey Reese]

I will be there next Saturday, and I will make a good time out of it no matter what.

What's done is done, might as well try to enjoy as much baseball as we can before the season ends.

[RIRed]

If you're going to the game tonight, don't you think a Curt-ain call is needed?

[DaveHendersonIsGod]

Hey Blue Jays, GET IN MY BELLY!!

[Foulkey Reese]

Considering what the Sox have gone through with the injuries and everything......I would LOVE to see a nice standing ovation tonight. It would be a classy thing to do, and hell it might get some positive vibes out there which could help win the game.

Season's over......but there is a month left to play, so it would be cool if RSN could show some class and just accept things for what they are. Booing Mark Loretta or Mike Timlin isnt going to help anybody.

Don't want to scare off any potential free agents

Edited by Foulkey Reese, 31 August 2006 - 11:05 AM.

[HowOlerud!]

I have a business and can't sit on this board for hours on end, but just jumped on with lunch pending. Look, this is how I feel: the potential health issues of Ortiz and Lester should put all this 'just win, win, win' stuff in perspective. Baseball is a pure joy to watch and sitting in Fenway on just about any evening is an even bigger joy. It's times like this that you have to try and remember what it was like to be a kid, coming to Fenway for the first time, walking up the steps, and seeing the field. For me it was 1968 and seeing Ray Culp pitch. I don't begrudge the fans of a lessor stature than I, if they love baseball; given the Sox collapse and, more importantly, whatever a 23-year-old kid is facing at a Boston hospital today, can we just try and enjoy being alive and lucky enough listen to the sound of the bat hitting the ball? It's a game. (Like Willie Stargell said, nobody every said 'work ball.') Think good thoughts for Jon Lester today and pray it's 'nothing'. Probably a very scared young man.

[JimBoSox8]

I really hope these game threads don't turn into forums for legions of lurkers to take pot-shots at the "wine and cheese" crowd.

1) Sure, you're a real hard-core fan who will show up to Fenway regardless. Congrats, so am I. So is most everyone here.

2) It's tough to blame someone for preferring to watch a game at home when the product we're rolling out there is so diluted, especially for people who follow the rest of MLB a lot less than they follow the Sox.

3) The team is falling apart, there probably won't be quite so many people in the crowds in September-so what? The team isn't losing any money, all these tickets have been sold. Just gives me a better chance to move up into the box seats. Just cheer louder.

On the other side, I will have very little patience with anyone who shows up to boo. This team has been DEVASTATED by injuries, and anyone whose instinct isn't to rally behind the guys we run out there with loud vocal support....Well, I won't say they're bad fans, but they're certinatly not people I would ever want to watch a game with.

edit: typo

Edited by JimBoSox8, 31 August 2006 - 01:38 PM.

[Foulkey Reese]

I would never tell anybody how to be a fan, I just think that there is no need to make Fenway a hostile enviroment for the players who have played their best (however good that may be) all season long.

Yankees are like 8 games up at this point yet Arod keeps getting booed and they booed Proctor last night for blowing a save, let's not become that!

[TomBrunansky23]

I've got tickets to both games this weekend in prime foul ball territory.  It's going to rain.  I live in NY. 

I'll be sitting there getting soaked watching Lopez swing and miss. 

Note to fans of a lessor stature than I fans, get bent.

http://www.boston.co...yre_not_so_hot/

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Like rats from a sinking ship...

``Prices have dropped pretty drastically," Brownell said. ``Who wants to pay through the nose to see a lousy team play with third-string players?"

Fenway Park is not Wrigley Field my friends. If you're there to see and be seen, go to a singles bar. On the other hand, there are some of us who love the game and love the Red Sox and are there for those reasons alone.

Maybe there is a silver lining to this mess.

[educatedcheese]

I will be standing-ovationing from my living room tonight, and flying to Boston for 2 games next weekend. If I can change my return flight, I'll stay for the Sunday game, too.

I love this team, I love that ballpark, I am very fond of a great many of the individuals on this roster, and that doesn't change no matter where they finish this season. Was I waxing so poetic 2 weeks ago? No, I was looking for a bridge to jump off and griping about poor roster construction. But if the last week (Ortiz, Lester) hasn't given us all a little perspective and reminded us just what it is we're rooting for, then nothing will. So: Go Sox.

And the real reason for this post: Thanks, Boomer -- enjoy the playoffs.

[TomBrunansky23]

I really hope these game threads don't turn into forums for legions of lurkers to take pot-shots at the "wine and cheese" crowd.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My apologies but the "wine and cheese crowd" is mine and a lot of other fans' pet peeve about the post-WS Red Sox. It's the same phenomenon that occured circa 1996 when the MFY's started winning again. All of the sudden every other person you see is walking around with a red/green/purple/mauve/fucia MFY hat and talking about how they live and die with the MFY's.

Post-2004, we have been on a steady track to having that same kind of fandom. And I'll be honest, I'm ashamed to be associated in any way with those type of people.

While I certainly do not want the Red Sox to return to the mediocrity of the mid-90's and the apathy of 2001, and I certainly never want them to lose, it just might be that the time has come for a thinning of the herd.

After all, what's been more typical in Sox history - a August/September like 2004 or one like we are in the middle of right now?

[Foulkey Reese]

My apologies but the "wine and cheese crowd" is mine and a lot of other fans' pet peeve about the post-WS Red Sox.  It's the same phenomenon that occured circa 1996 when the MFY's started winning again.  All of the sudden every other person you see is walking around with a red/green/purple/mauve/fucia MFY hat and talking about how they live and die with the MFY's. 

Post-2004, we have been on a steady track to having that same kind of fandom.  And I'll be honest, I'm ashamed to be associated in any way with those type of people.

While I certainly do not want the Red Sox to return to the mediocrity of the mid-90's and the apathy of 2001, and I certainly never want them to lose, it just might be that the time has come for a thinning of the herd.

After all, what's been more typical in Sox history - a August/September like 2004 or one like we are in the middle of right now?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't get this mentality at all. It's just baseball!

You actually feel shame because some 14 year old girl wears a pink Red Sox hat because she thinks that David Ortiz is cool? I think we all foget that baseball is just a sport, and that sports are just entertainment. I'm only 26, but 2003-the present has been an amazingly fun time to be a Red Sox fan. I can't believe that some people are almost wishing for a return to those "glory days" where the Sox were out of the playoffs by June just because they get annoyed by some bandwagon fans.


It's baseball....enjoy it!

More people watching and going to the games is GOOD for baseball.

Not to mention the fact that my g/f knows more about baseball then many fans that I know, and she looks very cute in her fans of a lessor stature than I

Edited by Foulkey Reese, 31 August 2006 - 11:34 AM.

[TomBrunansky23]

I don't get this mentality at all. It's just baseball!

You actually feel shame because some 14 year old girl wears a pink Red Sox hat because she thinks that David Ortiz is cool? I think we all foget that baseball is just a sport, and that sports are just entertainment. I'm only 26, but 2003-the present has been an amazingly fun time to be a Red Sox fan. I can't believe that some people are almost wishing for a return to those "glory days" where the Sox were out of the playoffs by June just because they get annoyed by some bandwagon fans.
It's baseball....enjoy it!

More people watching and going to the games is GOOD for baseball.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You make an excellent but simple point, it is certainly just baseball.

However, I guess my larger point is that I feel - and I'm speaking only for myself - is that you can't call yourself a real fan of a particular team if you only fit that description when the team is on top and challenging for championships.

For lack of a better way to put it - you gotta earn the right to call yourself a Red Sox fan. I believe that enduring some lean times is a part of that. Plus, you really haven't seen a game at Fenway unless it's half-empty.

[HowOlerud!]

I don't get this mentality at all. It's just baseball!

You actually feel shame because some 14 year old girl wears a pink Red Sox hat because she thinks that David Ortiz is cool? I think we all foget that baseball is just a sport, and that sports are just entertainment. I'm only 26, but 2003-the present has been an amazingly fun time to be a Red Sox fan. I can't believe that some people are almost wishing for a return to those "glory days" where the Sox were out of the playoffs by June just because they get annoyed by some bandwagon fans.
It's baseball....enjoy it!

More people watching and going to the games is GOOD for baseball.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've got 21 years on you, but I'm with you on this, brother. If some little girl wearing a hat bugs the crap out of you ... do you have kids? Do you remember being a kid? My son built a shrine to Papi in his bedroom a couple of years ago (pre-04). Did he know from OBP or VORP or whatever? All he knew was that he loved watching a guy who seemed to love playing the game and who could hit the ball really high and really far. Chill and enjoy the game. As others have said in this thread --- surprise everyone and give the team a standing O when they take the field.

[Foulkey Reese]

You make an excellent but simple point, it is certainly just baseball.

However, I guess my larger point is that I feel - and I'm speaking only for myself - is that you can't call yourself a real fan of a particular team if you only fit that description when the team is on top and challenging for championships.

For lack of a better way to put it - you gotta earn the right to call yourself a Red Sox fan.  I believe that enduring some lean times is a part of that.  Plus, you really haven't seen a game at Fenway unless it's half-empty. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I do agree with that. My grandfather is 86 years old and FINALLY got to see his dream come true in 2004, so I can just imagine what people like him think about the "fans of a lessor stature than I bandwagon fans". But at the end of the day all teams have fair weather fans, and those of us who are the real deal will always be there through thick and thin. I will be cheering my ass off next saturday when the Sox get some pay back on the Royals. My 1st time up in the RF Roof section...should be a good time.


*edited for pretty much everything

Edited by Foulkey Reese, 31 August 2006 - 11:52 AM.

[the_pun2000]

Is it technically possible for Wells to pitch tonight then announce the trade after the game?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think it is possible...but I think that if the sox do it...they need their head examined...as much as I want to see Boomer pitch one last game in Fenway...(or more)...if I am Theo..and I have made up my mind to trade him....well...I don't take the chance of him getting hit by a comebacker (i.e.-our luck lately) or re-injuring that knee...just for the sake of getting one more start out of him. (For whatever reason). Tonights start should be a fish or cut bait type question for the F.O... not ...lets trade him...but try to get one more win outta him or anything like that. imo

[sueh1]

You make an excellent but simple point, it is certainly just baseball.

However, I guess my larger point is that I feel - and I'm speaking only for myself - is that you can't call yourself a real fan of a particular team if you only fit that description when the team is on top and challenging for championships.

For lack of a better way to put it - you gotta earn the right to call yourself a Red Sox fan.  I believe that enduring some lean times is a part of that.  Plus, you really haven't seen a game at Fenway unless it's half-empty. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, I'm a newer fan, to be sure-that just happens to do more with the timing of my own life, and chance. I was never particularly into sports my whole life, and then by chance, I did happen to start watching the Sox near the end of 2003. I got sucked into the Sox fan thing then, because let's face it, they, and the 2004 team were pretty charismatic and exciting to watch, and pretty easy to like.

Now IS my first chance to follow the Red Sox when they're not very interesting or good, but I plan on continuing, because I DO enjoy the game, very much. And it starts by going tonight, I guess.

[Let it Flo]

Win tonight.

Do it for Lester. And Papi. And Wake. And Tek and Trot and Gonzo and Coco.

And win it for Tito. This has gotta be taking a toll on a guy whose health is already fragile.

Do it for the simple, small joy of beating those stupid Blue Jays.

Win tonight.

[TomBrunansky23]

I do agree with that. My grandfather is 86 years old and FINALLY got to see his dream come true in 2004, so I can just imagine what people like him think about the "fans of a lessor stature than I bandwagon fans". But at the end  of the day all teams have fair weather fans, and those of us who are the real deal will always be there through thick and thin. I will be cheering my ass off next saturday when the Sox get some pay back on the Royals. My 1st time up in the RF Roof section...should be a good time.
*edited for pretty much everything

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No doubt Foulkey - look no further than the Patriots. There are always going to be people jumping on the bandwagon at the appropriate times. There is nothing that can be done about that. Still, I'll bitch about it knowing that it's pointless.

As far as what kids do/say/wear to a ballgame or around town, that's not what I'm trying to say. Kids should be free to be kids and root for whoever they want to. My comments really have more to do with the crowd that sees the Red Sox as a lifestyle accessory.

Edited by TomBrunansky23, 31 August 2006 - 12:15 PM.

[Teksgrandslam]

Personally, I am psyched for the game tonight. I get psyched for every game, every night. Drives my wife nuts. Even if we suck and we aren't going to win, you gotta love baseball for baseball, and you gotta love the Sox. We will all be sad come november when all we have is anticipation for 07. So tonight, we get to flip to the Pats and the Sox, both in meaningless (mostly) games. This, my friends, is a nice relaxing night. And We should give this team a hearty welcome home, it has not been easy for them either.

Saturday I make the trip from NYC to the fens and will be so glad to be home. I would be happy to watch Natick HS play the Blue Jays. Going to Fenway is the highlight of any month you get to go.

GO SOX. Go (fill in random pitcher here) and get some Ks.

[JimBoSox8]

You make an excellent but simple point, it is certainly just baseball.

However, I guess my larger point is that I feel - and I'm speaking only for myself - is that you can't call yourself a real fan of a particular team if you only fit that description when the team is on top and challenging for championships.

For lack of a better way to put it - you gotta earn the right to call yourself a Red Sox fan.  I believe that enduring some lean times is a part of that.  Plus, you really haven't seen a game at Fenway unless it's half-empty. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I understand the viewpoint, and I would be dishonest if I said I was never guilty of calling people out for not being hardcore fans. But if the existence of the fans of a lessor stature than I Club is a neccessary by-product of consistant success, I'm more than willing to take that trade. If you want an end to high prices, hard-to-find tickets, fairweather fans, and a park that makes sames a social event and not just games...move to Kansas City.

[DaveHendersonIsGod]

So, it's been ugly over the past two or three weeks, BIG DEAL!! It's not like this team just completely rolled over and died....(except maybe Timlin). They played hard through all the adversity, the injuries, the illnesses, the shaky bullpen with no lefthanders in it. Those Mariners and Royals series took a lot out of them (Timlin, you bastard), and the MFY series completely drained them (Timlin, you bastard). The lineup currently resembles a third place AAA team, and they still should have won a couple games in the last two west coast series (Timlin, you bastard).

I'm willing to bet that there's not one of you out there that didn't say, "Please, God, just ONCE in my lifetime, I wanna see the Red Sox win it all!" Okay, so you've seen it. Sure, it would be absolutely amazing to see it again. It WILL happen again....soon....but it's not gonna happen every year. Steinbrenner and Timlin will see to that!

I haven't even written them off for this year yet. The MFY are NOT that great a team, and when the Sox are at full strength (if they ever get back to it), they are as good, if not better. They proved that in the first half of the year.

Another good starter, a reliable reliever, and ANY goddamn lefty in that pen, and the Sox win the division in '07.

And if you want, you can use the above quote as your signature.

[JimBoSox8]

And if selling fans of a lessor stature than I can buy the team an extra middle reliever, well, I'll take 20.

[TomBrunansky23]

I understand the viewpoint, and I would be dishonest if I said I was never guilty of calling people out for not being hardcore fans.  But if the existence of the fans of a lessor stature than I Club is a neccessary by-product of consistant success, I'm more than willing to take that trade.  If you want an end to high prices, hard-to-find tickets, fairweather fans, and a park that makes sames a social event and not just games...move to Kansas City.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Alas, no Royals for me. Besides I can remember when they won in 1985 there were bandwagon KC fans walking around wearing pink Members Only jackets and driving Royal blue Trans Ams.

[Foulkey Reese]

Alas, no Royals for me.  Besides I can remember when they won in 1985 there were bandwagon KC fans walking around wearing pink Members Only jackets and driving Royal blue Trans Ams.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Now all the kids are driving around in OFFICIAL RSN Hummers.

[pantswadeboggs]

let's assume Wells is traded... Who's pitching tonight? KS?

Edit: Spelling.

Edited by pantswadeboggs, 31 August 2006 - 12:37 PM.

[Foulkey Reese]

let's assume Well is traded... Who's pitching tonight? KS?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Snyder...or Dinardo I would assume

[EP Sox Fan]

DiNardo was scratched from his rehab start with the PawSox yesterday, presumably to start tonight once Wells is traded.
Unfortunately as a team the Blue Jays have the following line against DiNardo. .474 Avg, .512 OBP, .658 SLG, 1.170 OPS. Overbay seems to be the only BJ who doesn't crush LennyD 0-4 2K.

[GerryZ]

I'm sure it won't happen, but wish they would or could throw Paplebon out there for a start or two now (in fact, I'm not even saying it's a good idea at this point of the season). This kind of belongs in the "Paplebon thread" but being a lurker only...: this current skid is an example of a need to have your best young pitcher pitching (why he SHOULD be a starter), imho. When was the last time the Sox needed a closer? For that matter, when did Pap pitch last? But have they needed a kid who could probably go 8 with one ER?

Edited by GerryZ, 31 August 2006 - 12:55 PM.

[Foulkey Reese]

I'm sure it won't happen, but wish they would or could throw Paplebon out there for a start or two now (in fact, I'm not even saying it's a good idea at this point of the season).  This kind of belongs in the "Paplebon thread" but being a lurker only...:  this current skid is an example of a need to have your best young pitcher pitching, imo.  When was the last time the Sox needed a closer?  For that matter, when did Pap pitch last?  But have they needed a kid who could probably go 8 with one ER?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would also like to see that.......although by the time they stretch him out, the season will pretty much be over. It might just be better for his arm to keep doing what he is doing and then worry about starting in spring training.

[mfried]

Does anyone feel that it's a bit hasty to get rid of Loretta before Pedroia shows anything remotely convincing? Yes, Mark is 35 and is in his last year, and he's somewhat expensive, but why not give him one more year? He's a steady player, doesn't make errors, bats .300 and gets on base in front of the big boys.

[GerryZ]

I would also like to see that.......although by the time they stretch him out, the season will pretty much be over. It might just be better for his arm to keep doing what he is doing and then worry about starting in spring training.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, I agree. No real purpose to it at this point. I do hope they're leaning towards starting him come the spring.

[EP Sox Fan]

To add insult to injury (no pun intended) the Sox with the most success against Halladay are Nixon (19-51 4 2B), Manny (17-61 3 2B, 3HR), Papi (16-58 4 2B, 5 HR) and Tek (13-47 3 2B, 1HR).
The only one likely to be in the lineup tonight with moderate success against Halladay is Carlos Pena (5-18, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR). Crisp (3-10, 1HR), Youks (3-15 2BBs 3Ks) Loretta (2-9), Cora (0-5), Lowell (2-6) Mirabelli (1-10 12B, 1HR) Lopez (3-17, 1HR), Kapler (2-16, 3Ks).

[Pedro's Complaint]

I'm glad Wells has been pitching better lately and I'm especially glad that it looks like we're going to get something for him, but the well wishes and positive vibes are a little strange to me. The guy was never in shape, didn't rush to come back from injuries, whined about being traded, and has a generally lousy attitude. Maybe there's a John Dalyesque "he's one of us" mystique about him for some, but count me on the happy to see Wells gone team.

That said, the Sox would be crazy to pitch him tonight. Like most, I wouldn't expect it.

[GerryZ]

Does anyone feel that it's a bit hasty to get rid of Loretta before Pedroia shows anything remotely convincing?  Yes, Mark is 35 and is in his last year, and he's somewhat expensive, but why not give him one more year?  He's a steady player, doesn't make errors, bats .300 and gets on base in front of the big boys.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I do agree. One more year for both Loretta and Pedroia would benefit everyone.

[Foulkey Reese]

Does anyone feel that it's a bit hasty to get rid of Loretta before Pedroia shows anything remotely convincing?  Yes, Mark is 35 and is in his last year, and he's somewhat expensive, but why not give him one more year?  He's a steady player, doesn't make errors, bats .300 and gets on base in front of the big boys.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

734 OPS isn't terrible, but I hate his range in the field. They can do better, but he's not a terrible player to have either.