Diary of A Red Sox Fan 2008

Pedroia wins AL MVP

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 05:14:00 +0000

Pedroia wins 1st Golden Glove

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:35:00 +0000

Dustin Pedroia followed up his Rookie of the Year 2007 Award by winning his 1st Golden Glove as a 2nd Baseman. He is also a strong candidate for AL MVP Honors. Of course he would trade them all for a 2nd World Series ring but still it's a great accomplisment for Lil' Pedro!

Jacoby who was the favorite at the beginning of the year, based on his post-season success last year to be the AL Rookie of the Year, ended up 3rd behind Evan Longoria of the Rays and something or other Ramirez, 2nd baseman for the Chicago White Sox. Ellsbury stoloe 50 bases but slumped at the plate and was benched for the final 3 games of the ALCS.

Rays Lose World Series 4 games to 1

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 04:57:00 +0000

I tuned into a bit of each World Series game but was there listening to the radio at the beginning of the continuation of game 5 with the Phillies and Rays tied 2-2. When former Red Sox Eric Hinske struck out on 3 pitches to end the game I actually pumped my fist in celebration. Good for you Philly! You would think I would root for the AL Champs and another World Series title for the AL East but I wanted the Rays to lose, have wanted them to lose ever since Barret injured Coco by blocking 2nd base with his leg way back in June and then hit him with a pitch in the next game.

Red Sox lose ACLS 4-3

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 07:48:00 +0000

The Red Sox almost pulled off a spectacular comeback against the Tampa Bay Rays but not quite. After winning Game 5 8-7 after being down 7-0 with 7 outs to go and winning game 6 4-2 behind a gritty performance from Josh Beckett the Sox bats could not get it done on Sunday night and lost 3-1 to lose the best of 7 series 4-3.

The Rays have had the Sox's mojo since they took 4 of 6 in September and truly deserve to go to the World Series capping their remarkable season in which they went from the worst team in the Majors to a World Series berth.

The Sox really missed Mike Lowell, out with a Hip injury as his replacement in the line up, Mark Kotsay left 20 men on base in the ALCS. It was a tough season for the Sox what with the Manny incidents and trade, the injuries to Lowell, Schilling and Big Papi, the struggles of Josh beckett and Tim Wakefield, Jacoby and Lowries troubles at the plate and the up and downs of an inconsistent bullpen. I guess I can say I saw all this coming way back in May when Pap blew two saves out of the bullpen even though it was not the pitching that let the Sox down in the decisive game but rather a lack of clutch hitting. On the plus side Pedroia and Youk had MVP caliber seasons, Dice-K got 18 wins, Lowrie was a boon at shortstop and Coco Crisp re-emerged as an productive batter.

I must admit I quit the Sox after the 5th in Game 5 but not completely as I checked back in on the radio just in time to catch the last 2.2 innings of a most incredible comeback as the Sox with 2 out in the 7th and down 7-0 scored 8 runs in the next 2.1 innings.

The Sox did it with clutch hits from Pedroia, Kotsay, and Crisp and with home runs by Big Papi and JD Drew who also had the walk off hit in the bottom of the 9th scoring Youk who reached when Longoria threw the ball away while blowing a bubble.

Listening to the play-offs on the radio was a 1st time experience and so much better than the TV as I feel like I know the broadcasters and thus it is more personal. Joe's game winning call in game 5 was the best I've ever heard! We did have Game 5 and 6 as well as Game 4 against the Angels.

I am a bit sad but not too much, the Sox have won 2 World Series in my lifetime so far which is GREAT. This year belongs to Tampa Bay, a great story in itself, but there is always next year. The year after a World Series win has been an obssessive one for me as a fan as I would love for them to repeat. Next season I should be a little more flexible and not revolve my life around a red Sox broadcast. Here's to a great offseason! The Sox open up at home next year against...who else but Tampa Bay!

RED SOX WIN ALDS!

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 06:25:00 +0000

GAME 3: ANGELS 4 RED SOX 3

Beckett, making his 1st start since the loss against the Indians that I went to with Tony and Gamma, had a shaky outing, giving up 2 home runs to Mike Napoli and getting a no decision in the loss which went to Javiar Lopez who gave up a double a sac bunt and a hit scoring Napoli in the top of the 12th. The Sox left the bases loaded and runners in scoring position in the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th inning. I watched the 1st 5 innings at McGillicudy's and then came home to listen to the end at home on the snugli couch.

GAME 4: RED SOX 3 ANGELS 2

I listened to this game complelety at home on the radio. It was very exciting, Lester pitching strong, few hits by either team, then in the 5th the Sox score 2 on hits by Varitek, Ellsbury and Pedroia. Lester is lights out but comes out after the 7th and Okijima gets the 2 outs and gives up a walk before he is lifted for Masterson to face Guerrero. Masterson gets ahead 0-2 but ends up walking him and then a wild pitch to Hunter puts men on 2nd and 3rd. Hunter rips a base hit to right and 2 runs score. Fenway is as silent as a tomb. Especially after the Sox go 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 8th. YTop ninth, the Angels lead off with a double, I start to get ready for a loss and the thoughts that maybe this is not our year, too many injuries, a shaky bullpen...Pinch runner comes in, he's bunted to third. One out. Manny Delcarmen is pitching. The angels go for the aqueeze play but the better misses the bunt and Tek chases the runner back to third and gets him out with a diving tag. Fenway explodes. On the next pitch the batter grounds out to 1st. The crowd roar is deafening. On one play the momentum has shifted 180 degrees.

Bottom of the 9th: Drew strikes out, Bay follows with a double. Kotsay lines the 1st pitch down the 1st base line, a sure base hit but Texiera makes a sensational play. Joe Castiglione is goping on about how the Sox were inches from a win when Lowrie smacks the 1st pitch he sees in the hole between 1st and 2nd and under the diving 2nd baseman for a base hit. Bay rounds third, the throw comes home. Bay dives for the plate. He's SAFE. The Red Sox win the game 3-2, the Red Sox take the series 3-1 CAN U BELIEVE IT????? Ant the best thing about play-off wins on the radio??? Joe Castiglione takes the mic into the locker room celebration describing what he sees and interviewing practically every player amidst the champagne showers. He even talks to Theo and the Owners. Sweeeeet! I'm up to 12:20am listening to all the descriptions of the celebration. The Rays advanced today as well so it's off to Tampa for a Friday night opener of the ALCS! Broadcaster Dave O'Brien is done for the year as he now moves over to ESPN International to do the Championship Series and World Series for overseas TV.

Jed Lowrie left bases loaded in Game 3 when a hit would've won the game, tonight he did not hesitate and knocked in the winning run boosting the Red Sox to the ALCS!

ALDS Game 1- Red Sox 4 Angels 1

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:35:00 +0000

I drove into Montepelier last night at 9:30pm to watch the 1st game of the ALDS between the Sox and the Angels in Anaheim. It was not much fun, my barmate was not interested in chatting and the bartender made an ugly face when he took my last $3 for a beer. I stayed til 11:30am with the Sox trailing 1-0 on a Lowrie error. Listening in the car on the way home Jason Bay slammed a 2 run homer to put the Sox ahead and I listened to the end of the game snuggled on the couch in the living room.

The Sox added 2 more runs in the 8th and won 4-0. Lester pitched out of jams early and was dominating the last 3 innings he pitched. Masterson worked a scoreless 8th and Paplebon struck out the side in the ninth for the win.

Ellsbury regained his swing in September and went 3-5 with 2 singles, a double, 2 stolen bases, a spectacular catch and a run scored. Yippeeee!

95-67 AL WILD CARD

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:32:00 +0000

The Red Sox could not overcome the Rays and settled for the Wild Card. I listened to most of the games and was crushed by the back to back losses to TB in Fenway. Too many injuries, not enough clutch hits. If the Sox get hot in Anaheim they could win it all!

Boston 3 Indians 4

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 07:35:00 +0000

Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians

Tony had tickets to the Red Sox/Indians game and he took Gamma and me. Our seats were right on the right field foul line so close we needed a mitt for protection which we didn't have. I asked the ushers, the ballboys, even asked Alex Cora as he wasn't starting. No luck but lucky 2 men behind us had their mitss and they saved Tony's face in the late innings from being re-arranged by a foul ball. One moment Tony's hands were going to his face, his cell phone dropping, next instant a lunging mitt is there as the ball thumped loudly into it.

Ambiana wanted to see Wally the Green Monster so we got there early and asked everyone where Wally was, no one knew but Ya scored a free hot dog from a really nice hot dog man. It turns out Wally doesn't mingle, he arrives on the field in a four-wheeler and cavors with the VIP's on the field. He did saunter in front of us waving a flag but ignored our greetings and proceeded to chat it up with the groundscrew.

This is the closet Ambiana got to him. She was OK about it and even stayed through the 1st inning. She really loved being able to scream as loud as she could and smiled big when 38,000 people screamed for Big Papi and for "YooooooooouK".

It was a good game except the Sox lost 4-3. They had lots of chances but could not get a hit with runners in scoring position. They left men at 2nd and 3rd in the 1st inning, basses loaded with one out in the 7th and couldn't get a run in and then Lowrie struck out in the 9th again with runners on 2nd and third when a base hit would've won the game. No matter it was fun to be at Fenway for the 4th time this year. The Sox wrapped up a wild card spot with a win the next night against Cliff Lee 2008 Cy Young winner-to-be who fell to 22-3. Tony and Gamma were there for that one as well joined by Katie and Maya for 6 innings and Tony had a mitt!

71-52

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:14:00 +0000

Paul Byrd acquired from the Indians lost to the Blue Jays last night 4-1. Since trading Manny Ramirez the Sox are 10-4 and are 3.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays who I guess are for real. I have been listening to what games I can while we are up in Vermont looking for a home and while we are at NOFA. The Sox swept Oakland, took 2 of 3 from the Royals and split a 4 game series with the White Sox before sweeping the Rangers at Fenway. I was there with Gaelen and Gammy and Ya for the 1st game of that series as part of Gaelen's...

Red Sox Youth Fantasy Camp

...which was held last week in Melrose, Massachusetts. We drove in from NOFA on Rt. 2 right to Gamma's in Copley Square where Gaelen already was with Gamma having gone to the Aquarium with John on Saturday. We all met Wally, saw the Championship Trophy and had a great time. It was 250 some kids, mostly 8 and 9 year olds and some Holy Cross and NorthEastern college players and coaches. They did an hour of drills and an hour long game in the AM and the same after lunch (pizza for Gaelen and some kind of #5 Blue juice) panless quesadilla's for Colleen, Ambiana, me and Gramma who came with us both days.

Gaelen was in the 6-7 age group and it seemed like a long t-ball practice as the emphasis is on getting the kids to throw and catch or is supposed to be. There were some kids who were way more into than most, who actually were trying to play baseball Gaelen among them. It seemed a lot of the kids were there because their parents wanted to be there as well (me included). Three kids came from Japan, one of whom was in Gaelen's group, Mom was wearing his 6 month old sister. Ambiana made lots of friends.

Lunch it was photo time with Wally and the World Series trophy which some old guy picked up off the bleacher between each group of kids having their picture taken with it and kept it covered with a cloth to keep the rain that might fall off of it. Each kid got a 5x7 group picture with Wally, all the other pictures, like the one above and of Gaelen wearing the World Series Ring and Alex Cora signing an autograph for him will cost me $15 for a 4x6. There's one of Colleen and Ambiana too, when he took it I thought cool but then he handed me his business card and I thought $$$. Funny...

...cause this guy named Chuck who was warming up the crowd the first day with his playful Melrose baseball flavor gave Gammy the #18 DAMON 2004 World Series Jersey off his back just because she told him she liked it and now she was lovin' it. Gamma had the most fun of any of us at the Camp. The 2nd day we saw Chuck in the parking lot in the rain re-directing every single car to the rain spot at the Melrose Middle School Gym.

In the Afternoon when the rain stopped we were back at the fields and SS Alex Cora showed up to sign autographs. Gaelen got the ball that he had brought signed and saw that Cora was signing and giving a picture to those kids with no object to sign ( I saw one kid give Cora a candy bar to sign ) Gaelen got back in line at my suggestion and got one of those too. I then rolled Momma up with her c-leg on her lap and positioned her where Chuck could see her and soon he was crossing over and asking "if we wanted to he could get that..." when she shouted "I WANT YOUR AUTOGRAPH!" Chuck smiles, finds a Sharpie and signs her leg as Gamma points out Terry Francona's autograph she got in Spring Training. Soon Chuck is at the end of the line with her c-leg in hand. Cora doesn't blink, it's as if he signs c-legs all the time, he looks up, finds her and gives her a thumb up! (no camera but a lady next to me said she got one and asked for her email so she could send her one. I gave her mine.)

Camp ends when the Camp as a whole is introduced on the field at Fenway. Molly drove in and met us and we had gotten Gamma an access seat in the same bleatcher section as Gaelen and us. Ambiana came into Fenway with me for the 1st time and after dropping gaelen off with his campmates we sat above the infield and made a video of Gaelen on the field (it will be out this fall)

When the game began it started to sprinkle and Ambiana was done & wanted to see Momma. We agreed at the end of the 1st inning we would...then Big Papi hits 2 3 run homers in the bottom half and the Sox score 10 runs. Ya is tremendous good luck becasue after she leaves Fenway the Sox blow the lead and actually trail in the bottom of the 8th until Youk sends a 3 run blast into deep monster seats in center.

Gamma's seat is right above the dugout and she told me afterwards she spent more time watching the picthers warm up...that is what is great about being at a game, checking out what you want to look at as opposed to the images TV and Radio supply. SHe watched Papelbon's warm up and strut out to the mound in the 9th. I had joined her by then, Molly and Gaelen and Eden having departed, and got a kick out of the rockin' bleacher mayhem as the Dropkick Murphys accompany Pap to the mound. It was sweet. He gave up a run but got 3 outs and the Red Sox won 19-17.

Sox Trade Manny

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 22:59:00 +0000

The Sox traded manny, my momma is very sad. I wish he could have finished his career in Boston WTF but it's a bu$$ine$$. It tarnishes 04 and 07 just a bit.

Sox swept by Angels

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:54:00 +0000

The Sox got swept by the Angels getting blown out in the 1st game but gave up the lead in the next two while stranding a ton of baserunners. Pedroia, Youk and manny are hot while Jacoby and Lowell continue to struggle. Lugo is on the DL and Lowrie is up. Big Papi is in the minors rehabing and hitting homers and retunrs on Friday against the Yanks. The Sox are in 2nd 1.5 behind the Rays and last night finally won against the Mariners 4-0 with lester pitching 7.1 innings and Pap coming in to get the final 5 outs as the bullpen is no longer reliable and pap hasn't pitched since the All-Star game. Tek hit a homer which hopefully means he's comin out of his slump. We are at Falcon Ridge and reception was horrible last night so i only listened to one inning.

Drew AL MVP as the AL makes it 11 in a row!

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:51:00 +0000

I listened to the All-Star game on ESPN radio while we were camping in Vermont. I went to sleep after the 6th with the AL down 2-0 thinking it would not be so bad if the AL lost because then the Sox might win the World Series at home if they make it that far and sweep again. I was surprised in the morn to find out the game had gone 15 innings and that the AL had won 4-3 and that it was JD Drew who hit a 2 run homer to tie the game in the 7th and that he was voted the MVP!

57--40 1st place @ All-Star Break!

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:40:00 +0000

What a week, the Sox began 5 games back and are now 1/2 a game up on the reeling Rays who have lost 7 in a row! The Sox split 4 games with the yanks over the 4th of july weekend. I got to watch the 1st game at the Scahills and listened to most of the next 3 on the Yankees radio network as we were camping in NY! It kills me when the Sox lose by NOT getting timely hits and makes me wonder why it hurts so much like it did back in 1986. I guess i have become greedy and 2 World Series titles in my lifetime are not enough.

I caught most of the games against the Twins and the O's while we were roaming around Vermont. It is nice to be back in Red Sox Nation as there are other Sox fans to share the delight with.

Seven Red Sox: Big Papi, Manny, Youk, Pedroia, Drew, Pap and Varitek are going to the All-Star game in NYC.

Columbus Clippers vs. Toledo Mudhens

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:45:00 +0000

From Chicago our next stop was Columbus Ohio to drop Gaelen off at his Grandma's and to visit Colleen and Mike. We camped again in their backyard and on Tuesday night we went to Cooper Stadium to see the Clippers play the Mudhens.

Ambiana loved the Seal!

It was 2 for 1 ticket night plus Cap night (we all got Detroit Tiger hats) plus $1 pizza slice night. Colleen and Mike joined us and we had a blast. The Clippers won 9-7. Toledo staged a 9th inning rally with a 3 run homer but fell short

Join us for the 7th inning stretch!

RED SOX 49-32

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:34:00 +0000

Catcher Kevin Cash socked a 3 run homer last night as the Sox took 2 of 3 from the Diamondbacks and Tim Wakefield outpitched Randy Johnson for a 5-0 win.

Previously the Sox dropped 2 of 3 to the Cardinals and took 2 of 3 from the Phillies. They are 1 game up on the Rays and start a 3 game series in Houston to finish off Interleague play then head to Tampa for a showdown with the Rays.

Big Papi is still out with a wrist injury but JD Drew has stepped up.

RED SOX TAKE 2 OF 3 FROM REDS

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:39:00 +0000

The Red Sox won 9-0 today aginst the Reds. Jacoby Ellsbury broke a 100 year old Rookie Red Sox record for stolen bases (32) when he stole 2nd in the 1st and immediately added to it by stealing 3rd on the next pitch, scoring on a SAC FLY by Dustin Pedroia. Jacoby also homered as did Pedroia, Drew and Coco (his 2nd in as many games)

Yesterday the Sox won 6-4 in 10 innings when Youk and Coco homered after Pap blew his 3rd save. At least he got the win this time rather than a loss!

The Red Sox are 44-16 and lead the rays by 2.5 games in the AL East!

RED SOX SWEEP RAYS

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:30:00 +0000

In the 3nd game of the 3 game Series which the Sox swept Coco was hit by a pitch in retaliation for his aggressive slide in the 2nd game which was in response to the rays 2nd baseman blocking the bag with his knee when Coco stole 2nd in the 6th inning. Coco got into a shouting match with the rays Manager from the dugout i that game and it was no surprise that he got hit nor that he charged the mound touching off a brawl the video of which you can see below.

Manny hits 500th homer

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 06:14:00 +0000

Manny hit his 500th homer against Baltimore as the Sox beat the Orioles 6-3. The Sox have taken the 1st two games from the Orioles and are still a game back of the Rays.

Jacoby Ellsbury stole 6 bases in the two games and tied a club record for most steals (18) in a month.

Sox Suffer on the Road

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Sat, 31 May 2008 16:11:00 +0000

The Sox just can't seem to win outside of Fenway, as of this post they are 2 and 5 in the midst of a 10 game road trip and are 1.5 games behind Tampa Bay, yes TAMPA BAY in the AL East.

RED SOX 11 ROYALS 8

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Fri, 23 May 2008 04:06:00 +0000

Gaelen and I went to see the Sox play the Royals on May 22nd. We scalped 2 tickets which turned out to be no good because they had all ready been used and then passed out to be sold to suckers like us. We were bummed and as I was explaining to Gaelen why we would not be going in a man stepped up, apologized for eavesdropping and then gave us 2 tickets! We were overjoyed and thanked him profusly then hurried in to the park and found our seats on the left field line right below the GULF sign.

The Sox won 11-8 behing 2 grand slams; one by JD Drew and one by World Series MVP Mike Lowell. We had a great time, Dice-K got the win and Papelbon the save. We spent an half an hour after the game collecting cups and coke caps before they kicked us out of the park. We then stood with lots of others and watched the Sox load up on the buses taking them to the airport to catch a flight to Oakland!

Lester throws no-hitter

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Tue, 20 May 2008 05:21:00 +0000

After dropping 3 of 4 to the Twins (2 of which I watched at Mike and Colleen's in Columbus :( and being swept 2 games in Baltimore (I followed these on Gameday in Cincinati) I had no contact with the Sox as they swept the Brewers over the weekend and when we arrived in Massachusetts I got to hear this game on the radio, my first Red Sox Radio Broadcast of the season and what a doozy, how so exciting to hear a no-hitter yeeeeehaw!

Red Sox in Detroit

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:22:00 +0000

I have been following the Sox via MLB Gameday but that changed when we got to Toledo!

Red Sox vs. Tigers

We left Chicago on Monday and drove to my dad's in Toledo. On Tuesday Patti and I drove up to Detroit to see the Red Sox Play the Tigers.

We had seats in the upper deck behind home plate, a perfect view of the Red Sox 5-0 victory. Big Papi and Manny went deep back2back and Wakefield pitched an awesome game!

It was my first time to the new stadium and I was impressed they did a real nice job and I really liked all the tiger staues and motifs.

Gaelen went with John (Eden's dad) to a game at Fenway on April 30th. The Sox won 2-1 on a walk off double by Varitek scoring Manny. Big Papi also hit a homer so it was a great game for Gaelen as Big Papi and Varitek are his favorite players plus it was his first time seeing the Sox win at Fenway in the four games he has gone to!

Mud Hens Baseball

On Wednesday me and Colleen and Yaya and Patti and my Dad went to see the Mud Hens play

It was raining and no one was there and we sat behind home plate for 4 innings and left when the game was delayed. It was too bad as Ambiana is a budding baseball fan. We will come back for a game when we pass thru in June!

We caught the end of the 3rd game between the Sox and the Tigers on TV. The Sox made great comebacks but their pitching let them down all around culminating with Papelbon blowing his first save this year as the Tigers got a walk off win in the bottom of the 9th. The Red Sox are in 1st place with a record of 22-14, 3.5 games ahead of Tampa Bay!

Sox take 2 from Rangers!

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 04:36:00 +0000

Again following via Gameday the Sox win 2 more, crushing the rangers 11-3 on Friday and today coming from behind on a two run homer from...guess who??? MANNY. Still red hot and smokin' He's having a great April, says if Big Papi doesn't hit, he will hit for him and boy has he ever!

Red Sox beat Yanks!

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:34:00 +0000

Manny went deep twice and the Sox beat the Yanks 7-5, i followed the game on-line via gameday, not quite as good as radio or tv but better than waiting for the screen bottom scroll on ESPN or the paper the next day! Manny is HOT!

Red Sox lose to Yanks

noreply@blogger.com (mochi, colleen & yaya) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:51:00 +0000

I have watched 4 of the last 5 red Sox games and tonights was a doozy but unfortunately they lost 15-9. With no more games scheduled for TV and me not being in Red Sox Radio country I must regretfully rely upon the newspaper and the web for my Red Sox news for the next month :(