July 2 Tampa Bay, Fl Thought we had enough runs to walk away with a 'W.' The Red Sux were leading 4-1 in the bottom of the six. Daisuke 'walker' Matsuzaka had finished his day, having pitched good (or bad?) for 5 innings. He only allowed two hits and struck out 5. Fortunately his 'nitpicked' five walks didn't kill him. However, like always, he kept everybody on the edges of there seats.
There's no secret to the success of the Tampa Bay Rays this season. Good pitching, solid defense and timely hitting carried them to the top of the AL East standings. Dustin Pedroia went 4-for-5, finishing a single shy of becoming the first Boston player to hit for the cycle since in 1996. He homered in the first off , then tripled and scored in the third and doubled and scored in the fifth while helping the Red Sox build a 4-1 lead. Pedroia, 25-for-44 during a 10-game hitting streak, flied to center in the sixth before delivering a two-out RBI double off Glover that trimmed Tampa Bay's lead to 7-5 in the eighth. Longoria had a RBI single off Dice-K in the first inning, and his two-run double off Craig Hansen (1-3) was the big blow in a six-run seventh and gave the rookie 15 RBIs in his last 10 games.
Manny Delcarmen and Craig Hansen each gave up 3 runs in a critical sixth inning without retired a batter. MELTDOWN!!!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
AL Player of the Week
July 1. Evan Longoria was name the American League's Player of the week.
Longoria became the first Rays rookie to take player of the week honors after hitting .433 (13-for-30) with five doubles, three homers and 10 RBIs last week against Florida and Pittsburgh. He is the second Rays player this year to be so honored, joining RHP James Shields (April 28).
There's no question Longoria had a stellar week, including four hits Friday at Pittsburgh and homers on consecutive days against the Marlins, but the Rays' newfound high profile around the game couldn't have hurt his candidacy.
"It's taken us a long time to get any kind of national recognition, and there are still the doubts out there that we can hold up what we're doing," Longoria said. "But to be in the here and now and be in the national spotlight for now is cool."
Longoria became the first Rays rookie to take player of the week honors after hitting .433 (13-for-30) with five doubles, three homers and 10 RBIs last week against Florida and Pittsburgh. He is the second Rays player this year to be so honored, joining RHP James Shields (April 28).
There's no question Longoria had a stellar week, including four hits Friday at Pittsburgh and homers on consecutive days against the Marlins, but the Rays' newfound high profile around the game couldn't have hurt his candidacy.
"It's taken us a long time to get any kind of national recognition, and there are still the doubts out there that we can hold up what we're doing," Longoria said. "But to be in the here and now and be in the national spotlight for now is cool."
So, What is Ailing Manny? - Sox lose 3-1
July 1. Tampa Bay, FL The Red Sox dropped another game to the 'mighty' Tampa Bay Rowdies, I mean Rays. Matt Garza pitched seven strong innings in his first outing since throwing a one-hitter, and the Rays beat Boston and nemesis Tim Wakefield 3-1 on Tuesday night to extend their lead in the division to a season-best 2½ games over the second-place Red Sox. Nothing more to say about this loss.
Lately, the Sox offense has been lethargic. Seems like we are just getting contributions from perhaps one or two hitters per game. Hopefully, Ellsbury will come out of his 'June swoon.' His hitting is in a funk right now, so obviously he's not running, stealing bases and distracting whoever is on the hill. We need Biggg Papi. Looks like he won't be back until late July... I hope. We need him to liven up the joint.
This brings us to Mannnnnny Rummmmeeerez. Something is really troubling him. He has been quite temperamental, going off on a number of individuals. He's all wound up, that's for sure. In the past, he's been somewhat 'quiet' in a number of ways. He was very good friends with Julian Tavarez and I think that he's upset that he is gone. The Sox have dumped other Manny companions over the year's also. I guess watching Pedro head for the Sour Apple did a number on him back then.
The Sox are missing that fighting spirit. They have 'pretended' to forget what happened in Boston with the Rowdies (I mean Rays) and at times they seem like a bunch of zombies. I know what 'happens in the clubhouse stays in the clubhouse' and that's an excellent policy. Try to keep the freaking nosy media out of their faces. We are slip-sliding away but the ship will be righted by the All-Star break. Is a split in New Yock the best we can hope for...is that out of the question? Yankees are rolling and if we don't get things turned around soon, we could have them only a game or two in back of us by the end of the weekend AND the Rays could be 7-8 games ahead of us and have all the momentum in the world. We need a good fight but we just can't afford more suspensions. Need to get everybody back and healthy. Maybe Tito will get tossed tonight and fire up these suckers.
Lately, the Sox offense has been lethargic. Seems like we are just getting contributions from perhaps one or two hitters per game. Hopefully, Ellsbury will come out of his 'June swoon.' His hitting is in a funk right now, so obviously he's not running, stealing bases and distracting whoever is on the hill. We need Biggg Papi. Looks like he won't be back until late July... I hope. We need him to liven up the joint.
This brings us to Mannnnnny Rummmmeeerez. Something is really troubling him. He has been quite temperamental, going off on a number of individuals. He's all wound up, that's for sure. In the past, he's been somewhat 'quiet' in a number of ways. He was very good friends with Julian Tavarez and I think that he's upset that he is gone. The Sox have dumped other Manny companions over the year's also. I guess watching Pedro head for the Sour Apple did a number on him back then.
The Sox are missing that fighting spirit. They have 'pretended' to forget what happened in Boston with the Rowdies (I mean Rays) and at times they seem like a bunch of zombies. I know what 'happens in the clubhouse stays in the clubhouse' and that's an excellent policy. Try to keep the freaking nosy media out of their faces. We are slip-sliding away but the ship will be righted by the All-Star break. Is a split in New Yock the best we can hope for...is that out of the question? Yankees are rolling and if we don't get things turned around soon, we could have them only a game or two in back of us by the end of the weekend AND the Rays could be 7-8 games ahead of us and have all the momentum in the world. We need a good fight but we just can't afford more suspensions. Need to get everybody back and healthy. Maybe Tito will get tossed tonight and fire up these suckers.
Red Sox..... please line up and give Manny a hug today and tell him "I love you, Manny. Hit one for the gipper today"
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
The Impossible Dream Revisited
Here is a link to the Baseball Library's summary of that 1967. Provides day-to-day scores, winning & losing pitchers. That 'magical season' actually began for the Sox on July 14 when Jim Longborg (12-3) beat the Baltimore Orioles. This was the beginning of their fabulous 10-game winning street. They were hovering around .500 with a record of 42-40 and this was just after the All Star Game.
I had lived in MA until 1962 and moved to New Jersey, but I returned each summer until 1968. New England was electric!!! Everywhere you went people were talking about the Red Sox as they continued to win and suddenly were in a position to make a run at the pennant.
The page lists the players and their season averages. Really brings back memories. The Red Sox were born again!!!! Check out that link...there's a lot of good stuff there to read. You'll enjoy it. However, the season 'summaries' only go up to 2003, but WE ALL CAN REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED OVER THE NEXT 4 SEASONS.
This Day in Red Sox History
July 1.
1945: Billy Rohr is born in San Diego, California.
At Yankee Stadium Red Sox rookie Bill Rohr debuts and startles everyone by taking a no-hitter into the 9th inning. But Elston Howard lines a 3-2 pitch for a single to right-center with two outs. Yaz had kept the no-hitter alive with a spectacular grab of a Tom Tresh drive to deep LF to open the 9th. The Red Sox win 3–0, beating Whitey Ford who allows a lead off homer to Reggie Smith and a two-run homer to Joe Foy.
July 2.
1940: The Red Sox score 14 runs in the 7th inning, and the Athletics add 2 more in their half, for an AL record 16 total runs in an inning. Ted Williams also sets a modern ML record by batting three times in an inning. He has two walks and a groundout.
June 30.
1908: Cy Young pitches a no-hitter against New York, allowing only one walk as the Red Sox win 8-0. At 41 years old, he is the oldest pitcher to throw a no-hitter.
June 29.
1986: The Red Sox trade Steve Lyons to the White Sox for Tom Seaver.
Gotta start winning!!!
Oh gosh..... I woke up this morning and the Red Sox are really 1 1/2 games in back of the Rays. Thought it might be a nightmare but in all actuality, IT IS. I thought Tampa Bay would fall weeks ago, but they are at the point now where they are gaining confidence with every win and their hard-fought losses. This team is rolling. And the fact that Sox players made comments against them, really fires them up. I can see them making the playoffs, (hopefully) beating out the Spankees for that wildcard spot. The division? It took so many years for us to take that away from New York, I'd hate to give it up so quickly. Have to rest in our laurels for a few years.
However, Manny is Manny and the Yankees are The Yankees and they will go out and spend money on another starting pitcher or mid-relief in July if they begin to falter again. Too bad Joba (the hud) is doing so good. Wasn't anticipating that. Hopefully it would have thrown things into disarray, but he is a major element in 'stabilizing' their rotation. When and if Senior Citizen Rivera retires, he could move over to that role. Unfortunately and I'd hate to admit it, but he'd be damm good.
However, Manny is Manny and the Yankees are The Yankees and they will go out and spend money on another starting pitcher or mid-relief in July if they begin to falter again. Too bad Joba (the hud) is doing so good. Wasn't anticipating that. Hopefully it would have thrown things into disarray, but he is a major element in 'stabilizing' their rotation. When and if Senior Citizen Rivera retires, he could move over to that role. Unfortunately and I'd hate to admit it, but he'd be damm good.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Rays hold on to Beat Sox 5-4
Monday, June 30. Tampa Bay, FL. Ever since they got rid of the 'Devil' the Rays have been playing like hell. Since shortening their name from the Devil Ray's, Tampa Bay has managed to turn things around this season and are now (unfortunately) highly competitive. There was a time the Sox ran up a lot of 'W's' against them. Such is not the case now.
No punches, no angry words exchanged. With first place on the line in the AL East, the Tampa Bay Rays and the Red Sox and Boston Red Sox stuck to playing baseball Monday night. James Shields scattered five hits over 6 1/3 innings and B.J. Upton and Gabe Gross homered, helping the Rays remain unbeaten at home against the Red Sox with a 5-4 victory that hiked their lead to 1 1/2 games in the division.
The Rays (50-32), surprising owners of the best record in baseball, have won six of seven and shrugged off a six-game losing streak to Boston, which is 6-0 against Tampa Bay at Fenway Park but 0-4 at Tropicana Field. "I knew from both sides nothing was going to happen. It was over," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "We're professionals, they're professionals, and all that business is in the past." Shields was suspended for six games for his part in the brawl. This time, he limited Boston to two runs before Tampa Bay's bullpen barely held on to hand the Red Sox their 11th straight one-run road loss.
J.D. Drew hit his 16th homer for Boston, cutting Shields' lead to 4-2 in the sixth. It gave him 12 homers in June, third-most by a player in Red Sox history behind Jackie Jensen (14 in 1958) and Ted Williams (13, 1950). Lowell drove in Boston's first run with a fourth-inning single off Shields, who walked one and struck out five. The Rays scored four runs off Justin Masterson (4-2), three of them following two-out walks. Upton homered on the right-hander's first pitch of the game, and Gross added a two-run shot after the Boston starter walked Navarro in the fourth.
No punches, no angry words exchanged. With first place on the line in the AL East, the Tampa Bay Rays and the Red Sox and Boston Red Sox stuck to playing baseball Monday night. James Shields scattered five hits over 6 1/3 innings and B.J. Upton and Gabe Gross homered, helping the Rays remain unbeaten at home against the Red Sox with a 5-4 victory that hiked their lead to 1 1/2 games in the division.
The Rays (50-32), surprising owners of the best record in baseball, have won six of seven and shrugged off a six-game losing streak to Boston, which is 6-0 against Tampa Bay at Fenway Park but 0-4 at Tropicana Field. "I knew from both sides nothing was going to happen. It was over," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "We're professionals, they're professionals, and all that business is in the past." Shields was suspended for six games for his part in the brawl. This time, he limited Boston to two runs before Tampa Bay's bullpen barely held on to hand the Red Sox their 11th straight one-run road loss.
J.D. Drew hit his 16th homer for Boston, cutting Shields' lead to 4-2 in the sixth. It gave him 12 homers in June, third-most by a player in Red Sox history behind Jackie Jensen (14 in 1958) and Ted Williams (13, 1950). Lowell drove in Boston's first run with a fourth-inning single off Shields, who walked one and struck out five. The Rays scored four runs off Justin Masterson (4-2), three of them following two-out walks. Upton homered on the right-hander's first pitch of the game, and Gross added a two-run shot after the Boston starter walked Navarro in the fourth.
Manny being Manny? Uh uh uhhhhh.
What happens in the clubhouse, stays in the clubhouse. This wasn't very nice, but I just don't want to hear anymore about this. The media is itching to blow it out of proportion. Anything to disrupt the Red Sox, who have been playing some very inconsistent baseball all season long.
The Red Sox are confident it wasn't Manny just being Manny. Manny Ramirez has apologized for pushing the team's traveling secretary to the ground in the visitors clubhouse during a confrontation Saturday in Houston, according to a report in The Providence Journal.
RamirezRamirez had requested 16 tickets from Jack McCormick for Saturday's game against the Astros, the report said. After McCormick said that it might not be possible, Ramirez replied by yelling "just do your job," according to Monday's report. Ramirez and McCormick later discussed the incident in a private meeting, during which the left fielder made amends.
"That's over," Ramirez said Sunday, according to the report. "We're fine now."
Boston manager Terry Francona said the team had resolved the matter and was "satisfied with how we handled this." "Sometimes things happen," Francona said, according to The Journal. "And when they do, we choose to handle them internally." It wasn't the first time Ramirez was forced to put a sour incident behind him this season. Ramirez, who on May 31 became the 24th major leaguer to hit 500 home runs, had to be separated from first baseman Kevin Youkilis earlier this month after apparently taking a swing at him during a dugout argument.
"It's in the past," Ramirez said the next day. "It's a new day."
The Red Sox are confident it wasn't Manny just being Manny. Manny Ramirez has apologized for pushing the team's traveling secretary to the ground in the visitors clubhouse during a confrontation Saturday in Houston, according to a report in The Providence Journal.
RamirezRamirez had requested 16 tickets from Jack McCormick for Saturday's game against the Astros, the report said. After McCormick said that it might not be possible, Ramirez replied by yelling "just do your job," according to Monday's report. Ramirez and McCormick later discussed the incident in a private meeting, during which the left fielder made amends.
"That's over," Ramirez said Sunday, according to the report. "We're fine now."
Boston manager Terry Francona said the team had resolved the matter and was "satisfied with how we handled this." "Sometimes things happen," Francona said, according to The Journal. "And when they do, we choose to handle them internally." It wasn't the first time Ramirez was forced to put a sour incident behind him this season. Ramirez, who on May 31 became the 24th major leaguer to hit 500 home runs, had to be separated from first baseman Kevin Youkilis earlier this month after apparently taking a swing at him during a dugout argument.
"It's in the past," Ramirez said the next day. "It's a new day."
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Tough Week ahead for Sox
Hopefully, it'll be a tougher week for the Tampa Bay Rays and the N.Y. Yankees.
The Red Sox have come to a critical juncture this coming week. Having tail-spinned into second place, 1/2 game behind the Rays and 5 games ahead of the week, the Red Sox are in what amounts to must-win situations. They Rays just will not go away and apparently, they are for real. The Yankees are close behind and making a run at the Red Sox, who will play 4 important games in Yankee Stadium
Monday's matchup:
Boston Red Sox (50-34) at Tampa Bay Rays (49-32) .... Rookie Justin Masterson (4-1 3.43) goes up against James Shields (5-5 3.76) for the Rays. Big Papi is still on the DL, where it looks like he will remain until after the All Star break. Pedroia is smokin, J. D. Drew has done a great job taking Ortiz' place in the 3 spot and has had a great month...Youk has been hot at times. Manny has cooled off the past couple weeks, but he put one out today and our pitching staff is okay at times, middle relief being the big problem right now.
The Red Sox have come to a critical juncture this coming week. Having tail-spinned into second place, 1/2 game behind the Rays and 5 games ahead of the week, the Red Sox are in what amounts to must-win situations. They Rays just will not go away and apparently, they are for real. The Yankees are close behind and making a run at the Red Sox, who will play 4 important games in Yankee Stadium
Monday's matchup:
Boston Red Sox (50-34) at Tampa Bay Rays (49-32) .... Rookie Justin Masterson (4-1 3.43) goes up against James Shields (5-5 3.76) for the Rays. Big Papi is still on the DL, where it looks like he will remain until after the All Star break. Pedroia is smokin, J. D. Drew has done a great job taking Ortiz' place in the 3 spot and has had a great month...Youk has been hot at times. Manny has cooled off the past couple weeks, but he put one out today and our pitching staff is okay at times, middle relief being the big problem right now.
Friday, June 27, 2008
KRod Closing in on Saves Record.
Acl Angels closer Francisco Rodriques is cooking up a memorable season in bite-sized increments. With 37 appearances, 35 innings and 31 saves in the books, he's ready to take aim at one of the most hallowed and talked-about pitching records in Major League Baseball history.
Bobby Thigpen.......1990 57
Eric Gagne..........2003 55
John Smoltz.........2002 55
Trevor Hoffman......1998 53
Randy Myers.........1993 53
Mariano Rivera......2004 53
Eric Gagne..........2002 52
Rod Beck............1998 51
Dennis Eckersley....1992 51
Mariano Rivera......2001 50
Bobby Thigpen.......1990 57
Eric Gagne..........2003 55
John Smoltz.........2002 55
Trevor Hoffman......1998 53
Randy Myers.........1993 53
Mariano Rivera......2004 53
Eric Gagne..........2002 52
Rod Beck............1998 51
Dennis Eckersley....1992 51
Mariano Rivera......2001 50
Mets Killing Yankees
NEWS FLASH: Carlos Delgado puts Mets in front 15-5 in eigth inning. The 3-run homer gave him 9 RBI'S for the game. Let's play two!!! Yes, they'll move over to Yankee Stadium for the nightcap.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Do you remember?
Do you remember Earl Wilson (left) and Pumpsie Green (right) in 1959 playing for the Red Sox? Pumpsie played for the Sox from 1959-1962 and finished his career the following season with the Yankees. Appeared in only 277 games and batted .233, .242, .261, .233. Hit a total of 12 home runs for the Sox, of which 2 came in a game on August 25, 1961.
Through his career, Green was a modest infielder who had the distinction of being the first black player to play for the Red Sox, the last major-league club to integrate. In his Boston tenure, he was used mostly as a pinch runner or day-off replacement for infielders Pete Runnels and Frank Malzone. He made his debut on July 21, 1959, pinch-running in a 2-1 loss against the White Sox.
In an 11-season career, Earl Wilson posted a 121-109 record with 1452 strikeouts and a 3.69 ERA in 2051.2 IP. A 6-foot-3, 215-pound pitcher who relied on sliders and fastballs. Wilson made his major league debut with the Red Sox on July 31, 1959, as their first black pitchers. On June 26, 1962, at Fenway Park, Wilson no-hit the L.A. Angels, 2-0, a game in which he hit a home run. He also became the first black major league pitcher in the American League to pitch a no-hitter. Was with the Red Sox from 1959-1966 and was nothing much more than a .500 pitcher, winning a total of 56 games while losing 58. Probably would have achieved more success as a position player, as he was one of the better hitting pitchers in baseball, slugging 6 home runs in 79 at bats in 1965. Named to AL All Star time in 1966 and 1967.
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