$5 shorts!

Michael Jackson?
Surreal.
I loved his music growing up. Thinking about him makes me want to watch Free Willy.


Last night I did something very unusual: I went shopping. I never buy clothes for myself. Once in a while I'll find myself in Goodwill, where I'll see a shirt or a skirt that I like, and I'll get it. But (he he) I tend to wait and let my parents take me clothes shopping once or twice a year. I'm still young enough to get away with that. Anyhow, I realized that I dont have the clothes I want/need for the summer, gave myself a budget, and went out to Old Navy. They were selling shorts for $5!! A pleasant surprise. Until last night, I had one pair of non-athletic shorts to my name and so I loaded up. Then I hopped back in the car to listen to Smoltzy's start, which left something to be desired to say the least, but it's the man's first time back from a long, long winter (so to speak). It would have been great if he came back and completely dominated, but the guy's been pitching to AAA kids for the last 3 months. I'm willing to wait this out, give him the benefit of the doubt... and you'll notice that he locked in for the last few innings, retired something like the last 7 batters he faced. Bard had another inconsistent outing- definitely has some more developing to do, but if Theo lets it happen he'll be our closer in a couple years when Cinco Ocho is in pinstripes (as much as it pains me to say). I'm excited to see Bard back in Pawtucket this summer, because the next time he goes up, it'll be for good I'm sure. Selfish thought. Of course I'd love to see him stick it out in Boston for the rest of the season but things are going to get really interesting over the next 30 days.
Please dont make any trades we'll regret.

Today started with sun, and will end with rain. I am extremely upset with the way the weather has been. This weekend was supposed to be a break from all of the grey skies and rain. Now it looks like thunderstorms, and the possibility of hail tomorrow afternoon. I dont care, I will be in Pawtucket no matter what... I've waited long enough. Next week is also forecasted to be rainy, which is terrible as a few area churches have put together this Soccer Nights soccer camp - free - for kids around the area. Supposed to get around 300 participants. I'm volunteering as a team coach. Playing in the rain is fun, and at least it will be warm rain. But enough already. June was 97% rain, and that's no way to kick the summer into gear.

A new housemate moved in last night. Cory. More to come on that, but after 45 minutes of first-impression chat, he gets the thumbs up.

parting thoughts from the 6/17 game

By the way, what's going on with Youk? All these strikeouts (3 this past game) and 0fers lately (0-4 this past game). or 1-fer's. not typical of the Youkah.

Petey looked great though. 3-5 with 3 RBI and 2 SB. I look forward to a long career as a Pedroia enthusiast.

500 consecutive sellouts at Fenway Park. Will be there tomorrow for 501.

Matt Wieters hit his first MLB homerun tonight. Way to go, kid- congrats. More to come from you, I expect.


NICK GREEN. LOOKIN SHARP, LOOKING LIKE A SHORTSTOP. I was at McGreevy's with coworkers tonight watching the game, decided not to skip out and hit up Fenway... man alive, Nick Green has really stepped his game up a notch or two in the past little while.


Smoltz and Buchholz combined for a win in Pawtucket. Today (6/18) Zink is on the bump... I need to sit down with someone who knows what's going on to hear the explanation for the MESS that the rotation has been as of late. Bowden will be going on 6 days rest if Friday is his start, Clay went on 7 tonight (and didnt even start, he  relieved Smoltz), Zink is going on 6.. it's that Smoltz guy, and all this rainy weather/ppd games, but the way guys have been shifted is a little crazy (Zink was scheduled to go 6/16 which would have been 4 days rest.. then as a game time decision they put reliever Rocky Cherry in to start.. I know, i've already mentioned a bit of this but I'd love to know a little more about what's going on behind the scenes here).


Today (6/18), I'm out of work at 4 to watch Sox BP from the Monstah (so unique to be in there before the gates open), then taking lots of Hanley pictures for my friend Victor, who is either a Sox, Rays, or Hanley/Manny Ramirez fan.. but cant possibly be all of them. oh, and the best part... catching the Sox/Marlins game from Pavilion SRO. LOVE it, some of the best spots in the house to watch a game from.

That's all i've got in me... I'm fading fast.. night.

Paw Sox doubleheader

About the Buchholz post from a few days ago... sorry. Clearly I've never been a huge fan, and his tone in that interview made me a little crazy. I'm glad that his confidence certainly seems to be there (for better or worse). I'm glad that he cant wait to get to the big leagues, that he's not settling for the success he's experiencing in the present. And I will say no more. (until he gives me another reason to give him attention, positive or negative.)

Last night was a beauty of a night. I caught the second 7-inning game of Pawtucket's double header, and yes, more eye-footsie. In hindsight, I wish I had taken the $20 bleacher seat I had found for the Red Sox game, because I'm afraid that tomorrow could get rained out (I'm in Pavilion SRO... LOVE it). And how often do the Marlins come to town? Anyhow, I'm going to see 2 or 3 BoSox games (barring rainouts) before Sunday comes, and the Paw Sox are gone for a week after tomorrow night's game. Wanted catch them while they were at home. Chris Carter contributed mightily with his midgame 2-run homerun. Lately the Paw Sox have been looking alive at the plate but when the game is happening I'm still unable to believe that they have the ability to come back from being behind. Haha, Travis Denker summed it up in his post-game on-field interview last night... Hoard was talking to him about how "the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away" in relation to getting breaks, having hits dropping in, and how for a while through the season guys were making contact but just not getting hits. Travis gave a little chuckle before replying something about how "the Lord has been taketh away for most of the season...". Funny stuff. McCoy was pretty much empty at that point, but I think everyone who heard got a kick out of that.

Tonight I'm cohosting a party at McGreevy's (baseball/boston sports bar half a block down the road, coowned by Dropkick Murphy Ken Casey) but might head over to Fenway to catch at least a few hours of baseball. Again, who knows what's going to happen tomorrow with the weather. It's supposed to be absolutely terrible this entire week, with the exception of tonight and last night.

*I'm thankful Ortiz ended his (embarrassing) curtain-call streak. Varitek has more hrs than you do, Papi. Good job, you're looking sharp lately, but you've still got work to do. Jonathan Van Every got his first (Major League) hr this season which should have been applauded so much more loudly than your first of the year, which came months into the season. We need you, and we're glad you're showing signs of life, so go out there and be our DH.

*Johan Santana. I believe in you. Locate those pitches, guy.. a pitcher of your caliber doesnt just lose it like that, and I know that once you figure stuff out you'll be back at the top of the pack. A couple tough outings dont define you.

*Jonathan Broxton, you are the best thing to ever happen in my fantasy baseball career.

*Hanley Ramirez, you're good, you're great, but I wouldnt trade Michael Bowden away for you.

*Wieters: too much pressure too soon? Or too soon to even talk about this perhaps. I feel for guys like you. The world doesnt give you a chance to do your thing the way any other rookie would get to..

Smoltz and Buchholz go tonight in Pawtucket. By the way, Zink was slated to start the second game last night but Rocky Cherry (? he's not a starter, fyi) took his place. Still havent figured out what happened there, but maybe google news can help with that.

More thoughts, but lunch time is over.

Go Sawks.