792 replies to this topic

[Finn's Dad]

I was giving my son, Finn, a bath tonight. While in his bath chair, I put his toys in the water in front of him. Seeing as how he's teething and only 8 months old, his first reaction is to grab something and put it in his mouth. Well, Finn was feeling especially fiesty, and when he reached out to grab a toy from among the seahorses, blowfish, sharks, killer whales, what does he grab? The pink fucking devil ray. And he chewed on it. A lot. He spent a good three minutes chomping on that sucker while the other toys just sat there floating. It wasn't just regular nibbling, either. He was putting that thing in his mouth, chomping down, and trying to rip it out of his mouth all at the same time, like a honey badger. Ruthless.

Finn has watched about 80% of the Sox games with me this year. When he goes to bed while they're still on, I update him on what happened when he wakes up. He's very much into watching the games and sits on my lap while they're on. I've read SoSH threads to him, so he's starting to understand advanced sabermetrics as well. I asked him what his thoughts were about the Rays catching the Sox, and if he really thought they had a chance. His response? He puked all over the pink devil ray.

Now, either this was his way of expressing himself and his thought that the Rays make him sick to his stomach, or his severe acid reflux was flaring up again. I think it was the former. I try to dig deeper, and ask him what the Sox should do tomorrow to ensure victory. He splashed in the water like Jerry Kill having a seizure on the Gopher's sideline, babbled some random stuff, and then looked at me and smiled.

Here's my translation of his actions and babbling:

"Dad, fuck the Rays. Fuck David Price. Fuck bunting with two men on and nobody out. Fuck being the third out at third base when you're already in scoring position. Fuck overlooking Lavarnway as a situational hitter. I think... nay, I KNOW... the Sox will put up a fight. I mean, come on... that Rays team does some stupid shit with that Grunge Day and Pajama Day crap. Really? What the fuck is this, Little League? Hell, even Little Leaguers would think that's some hokey horse shit. They need the 10th man to really be a factor. They need the fans at Fenway and at home to send positive vibes. They need the pink hats to at least pretend that they give a shit and make the stadium shake. They will win."

I didn't know how to react at first. The filth that came out of his mouth made me think I needed to stop swearing around him. But then I jumped up next to the tub, yelled, "Fuck yeah, Finn. That's the mother fucking spirit. Let's beat those bastards!"

Don't let Tampa get any closer, Sox. Get the bats rolling. Let's beat this team. Win.


Edit: spelling and formatting. First post mistakes.

Edited by Finn's Dad, 17 September 2011 - 11:03 PM.

[Foulkey Reese]

You and Logan's Dad should become rivals.

[Finn's Dad]

Perhaps we will.



Probably not, but I suppose there's hope.

[Bob Montgomery's Helmet Hat]

A gimmick account is the perfect thread starter for our tenuous situation

[Soxy Brown]

The Simpsons quote mojo worked on Friday. So let's try that again.

Dig up, stupid.

[greek_gawd_of_walks]

Reaction of SoSH as Ortiz hits a walk off home run (or Wake goes 6 IP, 2 ER) tomorrow:

[Doctor G]

if joe maddon were really such a genius he'd realize that his blond hair dye is turning his hair puke green.

Edited by Doctor G, 18 September 2011 - 12:15 AM.

[drbretto]

Make cracks about how Wake sucks all you want, but this is exactly the type of game where he shows up and reminds us why we've kept him around all these years.

[TFisNEXT]

FINISH THEM!!!

Wake has one more gem in him.

[yawkey-talkie]

A design studio critic once told me that merely performing in a satisfactory manner was insufficient - to truly be great, one must transcend or one must subvert. I think there is merit in this. Well, bye bye 100 wins and bye bye historically potent offense. It was nice while it lasted. Transcend, we shall not.

But, as my colleagues of the pinstripe persuasion really liked to point out in April, no AL team who went 0-6 to start the season ever made the playoffs. Hell, we are an Oreo Cookie of suck with an ungodly sweet creamy filling of dominance. Well, Fuck it. So we didn't transcend our humble beginnings - we're banged up, our pitching is in disarray, and the old 7th inning massacres don't happen anymore. We need to hold on, find a way, and get in to the playoffs.

Transcendence is overrated. And narcissistic. Subvert this whole season. Back in, bring some gallows humor, and coldly disembowel all those who stand in your way. Find a way, ugly as it may be

[LeoCarrillo]

Collective optimism of SoSH going into Wake vs. Price.



(Cheswick looks like his team just bunted into a double play.)

[InsideTheParker]

I have concert tix today. Same as Friday night, when the Sox won, despite my running out to the car at intermission to check the score. Therefore I conclude that my missing the game is key. Yesterday I could only listen, but I was still following every play, at least as much as Castig would let me. Today I will be immersed in Schubert and Dvorak. So the Sox will win! Yay in advance!

[LynnRice75]

[WayneHousieHOF]

I'd be very worried about today had Wake still be stuck at 199. Now, not so much.

Win.

[visalia oak]

Reverse lock mojo!

[Finn's Dad]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L6Uz67u4xM

Edited by Finn's Dad, 18 September 2011 - 09:07 AM.

[derekson]

Lineup's posted:

Ellsbury CF
Aviles 3B
Gonzalez 1B
Pedroia 2B
Ortiz DH
Jackson LF
McDonald RF
Saltalamacchia C
Scutaro SS

[Finn's Dad]

Lineup's posted:

Ellsbury CF
Aviles 3B
Gonzalez 1B
Pedroia 2B
Ortiz DH
Jackson LF
McDonald RF
Saltalamacchia C
Scutaro SS

Surprised that Crawford is sitting for Jackson.

[derekson]

Surprised that Crawford is sitting for Jackson.

Well, he is 0-9 against Price with 2 Ks and a HBP this year, so you probably shouldn't be shocked to see him riding the pine.

Edited by derekson, 18 September 2011 - 09:37 AM.

[LesterFan]

This game should go well

[Foulkey Reese]

The biggest game of the season for Boston and Carl Crawford isn't good enough to play in it.

Depressing.

[Finn's Dad]

Well, he is 0-9 against Price with 2 Ks and a HBP this year, so you probably shouldn't be shocked to see him riding the pine.

I suppose. But wouldn't he still be a better option than Conor Jackson between speed and defense? Admittedly, I don't know much about Jackson, but from BR he only has three career ABs vs. Price and doesn't seem to add much on the defensive end of things.

Maybe the plan will be to sub him into the game in later innings if Jackson gets on base.

[derekson]

Rays lineup: Jennings lf, Upton cf, Longoria 3b, Kotchman 1b, Damon dh, Zobrist 2b, Joyce rf, Rodriguez ss, Shoppach c, Price p

[Al Zarilla]

Here's what the old saw for batters against you is Wake:

If it's low, let it go.

If it's high, let it fly.

So, keep the goddam ball down! I want to see a couple of burly teammates carrying you off the field after the game on their shoulders. Well, it ain't football, but who cares.

[greek_gawd_of_walks]

I suppose. But wouldn't he still be a better option than Conor Jackson between speed and defense? Admittedly, I don't know much about Jackson, but from BR he only has three career ABs vs. Price and doesn't seem to add much on the defensive end of things.

Maybe the plan will be to sub him into the game in later innings if Jackson gets on base.

All those things you said are true, and they speak volumes about where Crawford's at as a baseball player; that he isn't playing in this game.

Tito is saying Connor Jackson gives them a better chance to win. How far Crawford has fallen.

Edited by greek_gawd_of_walks, 18 September 2011 - 10:30 AM.

[The Gray Eagle]

Tampa's lineup is jam-packed with players who hit well against Boston, either statistically or situationally or both.

Our lineup is pretty sucky. Conor Jackson looks totally washed up, and we're starting Darnell McDonald in one of the biggest games of the year. With Mike Aviles batting second. (Aviles has had some big hits lately, but him starting and batting second was clearly Plan Z for big pennant race games.) Clearly Lowrie is still hurt, along with Youkilis.

We need to find a way to score 6 or 7 runs today, but I just can't see that lineup coming anywhere near that against Price. Conor Jackson? That will not go well.

This fucking sucks and our next three starters are terrible. This month feels like last year and 2006 all rolled up into three nasty weeks.

[TheoShmeo]

All those things you said are true, and they speak volumes about where Crawford's at as a baseball player; that he isn't playing in this game.

Tito is saying Connor Jackson gives them a better chance to win. How far Crawford has fallen.

Well, it is a Sunday, Wake is pitching and a lefty is on the mound.

Tito is a man of principles.

After all, it's a long season, and all the kids need a chance to play.

[mikeford]

The biggest game of the season for Boston and Carl Crawford isn't good enough to play in it.

Depressing.

.490 OPS vs this season

Small sample yada yada yada


The guy sucks and we'd be better off playing a cardboard cutout of Manny Ramirez in LF.

[trekfan55]

Tampa's lineup is jam-packed with players who hit well against Boston, either statistically or situationally or both.

Our lineup is pretty sucky. Conor Jackson looks totally washed up, and we're starting Darnell McDonald in one of the biggest games of the year. With Mike Aviles batting second. (Aviles has had some big hits lately, but him starting and batting second was clearly Plan Z for big pennant race games.) Clearly Lowrie is still hurt, along with Youkilis.

We need to find a way to score 6 or 7 runs today, but I just can't see that lineup coming anywhere near that against Price. Conor Jackson? That will not go well.

This fucking sucks and our next three starters are terrible. This month feels like last year and 2006 all rolled up into three nasty weeks.

That last statement is exactly how I feel right about now.

This lineup, plus the fact that it's Wakefield on the mound is one of the saddest things I have seen. At least in 2006 and 2010 I had already given up hope, and rightfully so, by August.

[reggiecleveland]

The biggest game of the season for Boston and Carl Crawford isn't good enough to play in it.

Depressing.

Also accurate.

[LynnRice75]

.490 OPS vs this season

Small sample yada yada yada


The guy sucks and we'd be better off playing a cardboard cutout of Manny Ramirez in LF.

Jackson is 2 for 3 against Price and McDonald 6 of 19 with two homers.
Stats for the cardboard cutout of Manny were not readily available, but it does have a good slugging percentage versus a cardboard cutout of his wife.

[AimingForYoko]

Will miss the start of this game.

Wake, don't get destroyed.

Fuck the Rays.

[Red Lunar Eclipse]

Jackson is 2 for 3 against Price and McDonald 6 of 19 with two homers.
Stats for the cardboard cutout of Manny were not readily available, but it does have a good slugging percentage versus a cardboard cutout of his wife.

Had to laugh.

[vyrago]

Wake is going to pitch a shutout and the Sox lineup is going to put up 11 runs against Price. Believe!

[Marbleheader]

I thought I was being optimistic that Wake would hold them under 3 runs in the first.

[Rooster Crows]

Big game - get it done, Wakes, like you've often done when it counts. Focus - hit safely, often & early - kick ass, guys!

GO SOX - WIN TODAY!

[Beomoose]

The biggest game of the season for Boston and Carl Crawford isn't good enough to play in it.

Depressing.

Biggest game of the season for Boston and Wake is pitching....

[ifmanis5]

Jamie Maggio, not as hot as Heidi.

[ifmanis5]

Jamie just said if the Rays come back to make the playoffs it would be 'the greatest story ever in baseball.'

[LynnRice75]

Argh! Living in Florida sucks when the Sox play the Rays. Blacked out on TBS and MLB.com.
Have to watch the Ray's Broadcast. Luckily I can get weei audio. Have to live with hearing the call then seeing the action afterwards.
Sadly, most of the time after hearing the call - I am afraid to look at see that actual play.
Let's change that today. Make me happy to see what I have already heard.
And how about 1 first inning without the Rays scoring?

Edited by LynnRice75, 18 September 2011 - 12:39 PM.

[genivive]

When did he get so fat?

[abty]

If there was ever a pitcher who could throw a young inconsistent lineup off their game it's Wakefield. If Wake can keep it in the ballpark then they will win.

Edited by abty, 18 September 2011 - 12:40 PM.

[greek_gawd_of_walks]

I loathe the temperature gauge.

[LynnRice75]

When did he get so fat?

About the same time his pitches did.

[Beomoose]

Nice arm, Aviles.

[E5 Yaz]

The biggest game of the season for Boston and Carl Crawford isn't good enough to play in it.

Not starting. He'll play at some point

[Soxaholic]

1-2-3!

[Beomoose]

If anyone uses the D-word I'll skin 'em through their internet connection

[ifmanis5]

Good start. Knuckle diving low.

[greek_gawd_of_walks]

Wake says, "Fuck fish."