A Clever Phillies Phan

I’ll admit that my latest contest placed some people at a disadvantage. The contest asked you to take a picture of yourself in Section 36. Obviously, that task was much easier if you happened to be going to a game at Fenway in June. Just snap a picture while you’re there. It also slightly favored some fans who take a lot of pictures while they’re at game. Maybe in your picture collection, you happened to have a shot of you in Section 36. But, that only helps if your local ballpark has a Section 36. What if it doesn’t?

What if you’re a Phillies Phan? What if Citizens Bank Park didn’t have the foresight to have a Section 36? What do you do in that case? You need to get clever.

Enter Dawgbones, a Phillies Phan. He didn’t let a little think like an inadequate ballpark stop him. Take a look at his entry.

That’s right. He took it upon himself to create a Section 36. In case you can’t read the sign on the wall, it states that “For the entirety of June, this cubicle will henceforth be referred to as: SECTION 36 with all of the appurtenant responsibilities, entitlements, and accouterments!”

How wonderful is that? That’s the kind of creativity and dedication I like to see. Unfortunately, despite all of that, Dawgbones did not win the drawing for the prize. Here at Section 36, however, I can’t let that kind of effort go unrewarded. When you think that far outside the box, and overcome such an obvious obstacle, you deserve some recognition. So, I have scoured Dawgbones’s wantlists, and he should be expecting a consolation package of cards shortly.

So, thanks again to Dawgbones, and everyone else who entered the contest. Stay tuned for another chance to win.

And, thanks for the creativity!

Pedroia Screws the Sox Once Again

So, instead of a healthy Dustin Pedroia coming off the DL in time for the Yankees series, we have a stubborn Pedroia going on the DL in time for the Yankees series. Not only that, but we had to suffer through him clogging a roster spot as he gritted it out and acted tough while he performed like garbage in the games he could play in. When is everyone else going to get tired of Laser Show’s act?

Probably never, because the media loves the guy. I actually heard a radio idiot wonder this afternoon if the Red Sox were looking past Seattle to the weekend series with the Yanks. Was that the reason they got swept? Was it another example of the poor character of this team? Was it lack of focus? It certainly wasn’t because Pedroia was awful while he was playing, and robbing Bobby Valentine of flexibility when he wasn’t. Did anyone see the line-up the Sox had to use in the last game against Seattle? Would focus have really helped?

On the first day of Jere’s Anti-Boston Media Weekend, I think it’s telling that one of the biggest crimes of the media comes to the forefront. The fact that things that make their jobs easier are examples of good players. Who are some players that have been well liked in Boston? Pedroia? Ortiz? Millar? What do they all have in common? They give the media great quotes. Who are some players who have been constantly dogged? Dice-K? JD Drew? Adrian Gonzalez? What do they all have in common? They’re dull.

What’s the biggest crime a player can commit after a poor performance? Not “owning up to it.” Not talking to the media. Josh Beckett got shelled…and then WASN’T AVAILABLE IN THE LOCKER ROOM! So, it’s a major character flaw, apparently, if a player doesn’t make the media’s job easier? What exactly does talking to the media prove? That you’re talkative. Other than that? I can’t think of anything. Are you more sorry if you tell the Herald that you played poorly? I’m fairly certain that every player dislikes playing poorly whether they say it in print, or not.

So gritty (quotable) Pedroia will continue to get a free pass. He had nothing to do with the horrible west coast trip. He was busting his butt, after all. Not like that slacker Crawford who is waiting until he can actually play before he plays. If only more players were like gutsy (quotable) Pedroia, last September might not have happened. Despite his superior numbers in every meaningful category, it was Adrian Gonzalez wilting (not giving quotes) that killed the team down the stretch.

Drives me crazy.

Happy (two hundred) Thirty-sixth!

Today we wish a very happy 236^th birthday to the United States of America!

Why do we call the fourth of July, America’s birthday? It’s the day we declared our independence. Wouldn’t the birthday be when the Constitution was ratified? In any event, Happy Fourth of July to everyone!

I’ve never been to Fenway for a July 4 game. It always seemed like it would be a fun one to get to go to. I came close once. I had tickets and everything. Was going to make a day of it. Game in the afternoon, fireworks in the evening. Then the day came. It was hot. No, not hot. it was HOT. You couldn’t turn on the TV without someone telling you to stay the heck inside. If you even walked down the street, you ran the risk of bursting right into flames. And I wanted to sit out in the sun for four hours at a game? Suddenly didn’t seem like the smartest idea. So, I skipped the game. I know. I feel terrible about it. But, really, at that point it’s a health issue, right?

I’ve been to Fenway on other Holidays. Opening Day. Patriots Day. Easter. Mother’s Day. Memorial Day. Father’s Day. Labor Day. Just not Independence Day. Yet.

Anyone been to Fenway for the Fourth of July?

A Banner Weekend

Jere, reigning Scavenger Hunt Champion and author of A RedSox Fan from Pinstripe Territory, has come up with a great plan.

Much like I am, Jere is tired of the local media. He’s tired of them telling us how to think. He’s tired of them making up stories just to create controversy. He’s just sick of it all. So, he proposes we do something about it. An anti-media weekend at Fenway.

This weekend, the Yankees are in town for four games. As it happens, these games will be covered by four networks (NESN, MLB, FOX, and ESPN). So, Jere is proposing that people who go to Fenway this weekend bring signs displaying our disgust with local Red Sox coverage. While the signs might not get much play with NESN, the national networks might be able to have some fun with it. I can imagine that ESPN might enjoy showing a sign on Sunday with Tito in the booth that read “Beer and Chicken aren’t crimes!”

Obviously, a couple things to keep in mind if you’re thinking of a sign. Be creative or clever, NOT profane. And, for the love of Josh Beckett, don’t hold them up while the game is going on. Between innings will be just fine to get the point across.

Naturally, if you’re at Fenway this weekend and take pictures of these signs in or from Section 36, send them along so I can post them here. (Along with any other pictures you take in Section 36, of course.)

Get those creative juices flowing.

And the winner is…

Who is that man, shrouded in mystery? That is none other than the winner of the June contest! So, a big round of applause for Steve who won a copy of the spectacular book, The First Fall Classic. Steve has provided this blog with several pictures in the past, so I was expecting a strong entry from him. As you can see, he came through.

So, congratulations to Steve! If you see him, give him a slap on the back for me. Thanks, as well, to everyone who sent in an entry. I’ll be sharing the runner up photos with everyone along the way in the Pix from 36 page. I’m sure you’ll agree that I had several wonderful pictures entered.

For those that didn’t win, you’ll get another chance. Keep your eyes open for your next opportunity to win.

Congratulations again Steve!