Happy 36th Birthday!

Today we wish a Happy 36^th Birthday to former Red Sox favorite Gabe Kapler!

Gabe was on the Red Sox from 2003 to 2006. During that time, there are three games he was in that stand out to me.

The first game is his Red Sox debut. I’ve mentioned before that I was fortunate enough to be at, and score, that game. It was an incredible debut for a role player. 4-5, 3 RBI. Fantastic.

The second game is Game One of the 2004 World Series. Sure, all he did was pinch hit for Trot Nixon. But, how can I forget anyone who played in that fabulous World Series.

The final game is the one where he blew out his knee. He was on first when Bill Mueller hit a laser of a home run. Not able to be sure it was gone, Kapler did what he was supposed to do, and chugged around second. Unfortunately, in the process he crumpled to the ground. The thing I remember is Mueller standing just beyond second base trying to figure out how to finish his home run trot without passing Kapler. One of those things that sometimes happens in ballgames.

But, during his time in Boston he was known as a player who gave it his all. He was never able to harness his talents to become a star. But, he was the kind of player you want on your team. And, he’s a World Champion.

Happy 36^th Birthday Gabe Kapler!

Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon

I wasn’t going to mention it. I didn’t really think I should mention it. After all, when I started this blog, I didn’t want it to be a regurgitation of information you can get anywhere else. I didn’t want to just post box scores, and winning pitchers. I wanted to offer something that you can only get here. Me. Unless I was saying something that the Boston Globe wasn’t, why on earth wouldn’t you just read the professionals? With that in mind, I have a hard time believing that anyone in Red Sox Nation is unaware that the Jimmy Fund Radio-telethon is going on. I certainly can’t believe that a fan dedicated enough to read this little blog doesn’t know the telethon is going on. So, why in the world would I mention it? After all, the link to the Jimmy Fund is a permanent addition to my sidebar. I decided that, in this case, I just didn’t need a good reason.

Frankly I’m always amazed that telethons work. I used to watch the Comic Relief telethons on HBO. I always wondered if people were just figuring out that people were hungry because they were watching the show. I’m pretty sure people know that there is cancer without watching NESN today. Somehow this seems different. For me, the big impact of this particular telethon is the talk from the doctors. To hear them speak so passionately about their research is uplifting. To hear exactly how the money that is donated has directly affected treatment opportunities is humbling. To see just how far we’ve really come in treating this disease is encouraging. These are some amazing people doing some amazing things. I can’t stop myself from helping them. Hopefully you’ll find yourself in the same situation. If you do, head over to the Jimmy Fund and do what you can.

Apparently, every little bit really does help.

Wet and Wild Weekend

Well, all things considered, that weekend wasn't exactly the bust it could have been.

Frankly, I assumed that they would just postpone the Sunday game. It would end up being one of those annoying games that were only made up if it counted in the standings. That led to an interesting potential scenario in my head. The Sox end the season one half game behind the Yankees, they both have a sixish game lead in the wild card, and the Sox lead the season series with NY. That means that the Sox would have been in the playoffs, but needed to play that last game to decide the division. I wondered how hard they would try to win that game. Would the A's try? Would it have been AAA vs AAA? Sadly, we'll never know.

But, the Sox did the smarter thing, and moved all the games up to get out of the way. I can't imagine how annoying that was to fans with tickets...but there's only so much that can be done when Mother Nature's in a bad mood. I think the Sox handled the situation wonderfully. I especially like the fact that they were so easygoing with their admission policies. Once the first game went into a long rain delay, they were running up the back of game 2. Ticket holders were there, ready to go inside. So, the Sox let them in. Why not? There was plenty of room. I'm sure there are some people out there who will say the Sox only did it to sell more beer. But, I'm willing to assume they did it to be fan friendly. I never heard what happened between games. I don't know if they bothered to clear the stands or not. I know the second game started pretty quickly.

And, then, at the end of the second game, the Sox did it again. They opened the gates, and let anyone willing to support the team come and do so. Yes, yes, those fans could buy beer too. But, it was still a gesture. And, it was the perfect one at that. Did the other teams playing in front of friends and family because of hurricane Irene do the same for their fans?

The Red Sox management seems unable to win when it comes to rain delays. It's dry...they should have played. It's so wet they knew they would call it...they only delayed it to sell more hot dogs. How did they play in that? But, I think this weekend they played their hand the absolute best they could. Plus, the Sox swept the doubleheader.

If anyone took any hurricane Pix from 36, send them along!

Hits for trade.

I’ll admit it. Some of these I feel a little guilty calling “hits.” But, that’s neither here nor there.  Basically I have these cards that I don’t want. It occurred to me that there are plenty of people who are team collectors or player collectors that would want these that I don’t know of. After all, imagine my surprise to find a Russell Martin player collector out there. So, if you’re a collector of a player or team associated with one of these hits, this is the post for you. If you’d like one of these cards, just let me know. What would I like in exchange? Best case, a similar card of a Red Sox player. But, I imagine I’ll be pretty flexible. Here are the cards…

Now, I have to say. Some of these have been hanging around long enough that I can’t for the life of me remember where I got them. But, the list of what players or teams have cards pictured goes something like this.

Blake Dewitt - Cubs

Jaime D’Antona - Diamondbacks

Hanley Ramirez - Marlins

Franklin Gutierrez and Juan Pierre – Mariners and White Sox

Terrence Long - A’s

Ronny Paulino - Pirates

Derrick Turnbow - Brewers

Chris Duncan - Cardinals

Frank Thomas - Blue Jays (or A’s)

Jeff Larish - Team USA

JJ Hardy - Brewers

Miguel Tejada - Orioles

Brett Hunter - Team USA

Garret Anderson - Angels

Roy Oswalt - Astros

Francisco Peguero - Giants

Adam Jones - Orioles

Ichiro Suzuki - Mariners

Brian Roberts - Orioles

Roberto Alomar - Orioles

Martin Prado - Braves

Chipper Jones - Braves

Nick Markakis – Orioles

So, if you’re an Orioles fan, watch out. There are five Orioles on the list. The Braves, Mariners, and Brewers fans should be drooling as well.

If you see something you like, let me know and stake your claim. If you know someone else who may like something, let them know two.

Happy looking!

Are the Sox Trying Too Hard for 200?

The Sox have basically said these games don’t matter. They can read the standings in the paper as well as we can. They know that a loss in these games probably won’t end their season. They admitted as much when they put Youkilis on the DL. Basically, they were prepared to lose a few games in August. So, would it be a stretch to say that getting Tim Wakefield his 200^th win is a top priority?

It certainly has looked that way lately. Francona’s quick hook in Wake’s last start screamed it. Wakefield has been in rougher spots than that before, and stayed in the game. But, he had a slim lead. It sure looked like Francona was trying to save him from himself. He knows it’s possible that the knuckleball can go away quickly. If it’s just a matter of keeping a game close, he can live with that. But, in his last game, Wake had to keep the lead. He wasn’t going to be around long enough to benefit from keeping it close. So, Francona used the hook. It sure looked like the bullpen wasn’t quite ready to come into the game. Did Francona call for them sooner than he’d like? Did he call for them sooner than they’d like?

Then Francona monkeys with the rotation just a bit by inserting Andrew Miller. Sure, this could just be a way to give all the starters an extra day as we get late into the season. Sure, it could just happen to push Wakefield’s next start to Fenway. But, if adding Miller had pushed Wake’s start from Fenway to Texas, instead of the other way around, I can’t imagine it happening.

Is Wakefield pressing? I’m sure he is. But, if he’s throwing the knuckler too hard, it’s not as effective. Is he getting to the sixth inning with a lead, and just amping it up too much?

I’m sure 200 will come very soon. And, I can imagine that after that, Wakefield’s next starts will be much easier.

For Wakefield, and the Sox.