I Think I'm Going to be Writing this a lot this year

I'm just going to clear something up right off the bat. I'm grumpy today. Probably a bit too much sports radio for me. OK. Definitely way too much sports radio for me. It was a rare chance for me to catch more than I usually do, and unfortunately I took it. I, for some reason, felt the EEIdiots might have some good tidbits on spring training. But, no. They were complaining. Again.

Still.

Ugh.

It's not even that they keep harping on the same false narratives. It's not even that they switch the narrative from one side to the other. It's that they do it all at once.

And it's always negative.

Take today's Q&A with ownership. The owners feel the Sox are in a good place entering the season, as I do, even without making a huge offseason acquisition. They assume that the new coaching staff will bring out the best in the players they have, and that will make them a better team. Now, you'd think that the EEIdiots would be jumping up and down in excitement over this. After all, they were the ones who have been screaming to fire John Farrell. They felt he was costing the team games. I heard numbers like five games being thrown out during last season. So, it would seem, by replacing Farrell with Cora you'd at least get those five games Farrell lost you, right? Add five wins to last year's totals and the Sox are a 98-win team, finishing seven games ahead of the Yankees. Not sure you can ask for more out of a team than that. So, woo hoo! Right? Well no, apparently. It seems that despite having the talent to win 98 games, the Sox are woefully short on talent. They needed to add someone. They need power! Apparently a full season of Devers isn't enough. (Weren't they pretty high on him last year?) They need more!

So, they were even more frustrated when the ownership said that the Yankees adding Giancarlo Stanton was great for the rivalry. How dare they!?! The Sox stand pat, and the Yankees make a deal...and that's just good for the rivalry? 

Umm...yeah. It is.

Remember, by the EEIdiots own calculations, the Red Sox had a seven game cushion last season over the Yankees. Trading for Stanton made up about five of those. So, it brought the Yankees closer to the Red Sox. Which makes sense. The trailing team makes the crazy desperate move, while the leading team can play it safer. How is this hard to understand?

And, that's just the X's and O's games that Cora is getting the Red Sox. See, what people forget when they clamor for a bat to replace David Ortiz is that Mitch Moreland hit 22 HRs last season. So, the entire lack of offense from the Red Sox last season was due to the 15 HR drop from Ortiz to Moreland?

Of course not.

Several other players also had bad years. Betts, Bogaerts, and Hanley all drooped. Remember, that was Farrell's fault too. So, bring those guys back, and the Sox are a juggernaut. 

I'm trying to remember a line-up with more excitement at the top than Betts-Benintendi. Give me a healthy Bogaerts to go along with that. Hanley needs to be focused this year, or his option for next year is out the window. Bradley Jr is a whiz in centerfield. Devers could burst onto the scene. Vazquez promises to keep baserunners on their toes all season long. That offense should be fun to watch. You can't turn your back on any of them.

How could this team be more exciting?

Ashley Marsh Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Ashley Marsh is a dancer, a Red Sox fan, and the current Miss Granite State! I was flattered when

she quickly agreed to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more. I hope you enjoy what she had to say as much as I did.

So, let’s see what happens when Ashley Marsh visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Granite State Crown?

My birthday was actually two days before the pageant so in a way this was a great birthday present! So, from celebrating my birthday and my Miss Granite State win I went out to dinner with family and some of the other local titleholders after the pageant and then me and my mom celebrated the next day by going to see “Recycled Percussion” up in Plymouth! It was a great weekend full of fun activities!

Is there a specific goal you’d like to accomplish during your time as Miss Granite State?

A goal I would like to accomplish for my year as Miss Granite State would be to do as much volunteer and service work I can. I want to give back to my community even more than I did last year. Also, I want to give it my all and my best effort come Miss New Hampshire week and really lay all I have during every phase of competition.

What did you learn from your past pageant experiences that will help you at the next Miss New Hampshire Competition?

The biggest thing personally for me is to not dwell on the past pageants. Those are already behind me so I just need to move forward and focus on what is in front of me now and do the best I

possibly can with that and always grow!

How did you select your platform: “Kettlebells4Kids – Bringing the Power of Fitness to Homeless Children”?

I chose my platform because it was something that brought two things I love together: fitness and helping children. I found out about my platforms organization through doing CrossFit and when I first got into pageants this seemed like the perfect fit for platform for me.

What is your personal fitness routine?

My personal fitness routine is a CrossFit class every day! One thing I love about CrossFit is it is something different every day and you never know what to expect. I am more motivated to work out this way, I found myself bored just doing similar gym routines every day. Plus, with CrossFit it challenges me to push myself and it’s always a killer workout but I feel SO good afterwards!

Your talent is tap dance. What is your favorite part about dancing on stage?

Feeding off the crowd’s energy would have to be my favorite part! I love doing tap routines that are to an upbeat song that will make the crowd basically want to get up in dance in their seat so when I hear them clapping and cheering throughout my number, I feel like I really give it my all and wish I could stay on that stage forever! The crowd’s reaction after my preliminary Miss NH performance last year was one of the best feelings I have ever felt.

Who is your favorite current Red Sox player? Why?

My current favorite Red Sox player would have to be Mookie Betts! He is a really hard worker and not only is he good in the outfield he is also really good at bat. I think it’s really cool too how he has adjusted really well from being an infielder to now playing in the outfield. I also love that he is known for being a really good bowler (lol)!

If you can’t sit is Section 36, where do/would you like to sit to watch a Red Sox game?

Besides sitting in section 36 I would love to either watch a game from the “Green Monster” or right behind the Red Sox dugout!

What are you most excited about with the upcoming 2018 Red Sox season?

I am most excited to see how the new coach Alex Cora is going to be for the team. I think it will be a good change to have a hitting minded coach instead of a pitching minded coach. It could really spice up their offense a bit!!

——

Have to admit, I never considered that managerial change from a pitcher to a hitter. I hope that helps!

As always, I want to thank Ashley for doing this interview. She did a wonderful job. I also want to thank her for providing so many great pictures. They really make the interview much more enjoyable. Don’t you agree?

As Ashley continues her time as Miss Granite State, I encourage you to follow her on the official Facebook page. You should also follow her on Instagram from both the Miss Granite State account, as well as her personal account. That will make sure you don’t miss a thing!

And, of course, I want to wish Ashley luck this summer when she competes for the Miss New Hampshire crown. That competition is turning into an exclusive Section 36 event with all the former visitors that will be on stage. How awesome would it be for a Section 36 visitor to come out on top?

Thanks again Ashley, and good luck!

Catching All The Excitement!

There are workouts. Official workouts. Players are giving interviews on picnic tables under palm trees. Managers are talking about line-ups. 

That's right, your two-time defending AL East champs are in Spring Training! If that doesn't get you excited, then I'm not sure what's wrong with you. 

And, if that gets you excited, i'm sure you want to know how you can live through it all with everyone here in Section 36!

I'm glad you asked.

Because I can't wait to see what the season brings for this blog. I can't wait to write about the individual stars, and team victories all season long. And, while the team gets ready for the season, I thought I should try to improve myself before the season starts, as well. 

By reminding you of all the many ways you can enhance your Section 36 experience.

There's the Section 36 Facebook page. It's where you can find links to every blog post, and some amazing pictures almost every day. Right now, it sits at just over 450 likes. I'd love to get that over 500 before the season stats. Do you like it yet? You should!

The Section 36 Instagram account is another place to find wonderful pictures post all the time. There will even sometimes be links posted there, especially link to my many amazing interviews. Right now, just under 900 people are following along with all the fun. Wouldn't it be fantastic to get that number over 1000 before the Red Sox move north?

Section 36 Twitter is a great place for interaction. Again, links to blog posts can be found there. But, there will be a lot more discussion there as well. Over 1000 followers get to see what Section 36 Twitter has to offer. Can we double that before Opening Day?

Section 36 Snapchat is another fun way to interact directly with fans of the blog. If you haven't added Section 36 yet, you really should.

If everyone followed Section 36 in all those locations, just think how much more fun and exciting this season will be. With all those opportunities to enjoy the Red Sox together. I can't wait!

So go surround yourself with Section 36!

36 Pack Wax Match: Pack 7

The Stage has been set. The Match is underway. Who will come out on top? There’s only one way to find out.

Keep going, and open that seventh pack!

As we dive into this pack, the 1988 set has closed the gap a bit thanks to its pack six victory. Can it come all the way back?

Hall of Famer +1

Well, that's a way to start it off. A Hall of Famer card puts a point on the board. I really can't say much about this card. I don't like how the stripes on Molitor's left sleeve almost perfectly align with the stripes on the border...but are a different color scheme. It's just off to my eyes.

Unfortunately for 1988, that's where the scoring stops with just the one point. Will that be enough?

Yankees -2

Well, that certainly helps. 1990 drops below zero with this disgusting Yankees card. Although, Balboni's head extends into the border...so its got that going for it.

Once again, the scoring ends after just one card. So, the 1988 set holds onto its lead to win the pack!

More important, it means 1988 stormed back to tie the match! Nobody seems able to pull away in this one!

Box Bottom: 1988 +1 (1-0)

Pack 1: 1990 +6 (1-1)
Pack 2: 1990 +4 (2-1)
Pack 3: 1988 +3 (2-2)
Pack 4: 1990 +1 (3-2)
Pack 5: 1990 +1 (4-2)
Pack 6: 1988 +2 (3-4)
Pack 7: 1988 +3 (4-4)

What will happen next time? 

Why are We Still Waiting for JD?

I'm sure you all know the deal. The Red Sox missed David Ortiz last year. Of course they did. You don't lose a bat like his, and not miss it at least a little bit. That, coupled with several players having down years, caused the offense to stall at times. I mean, "stall" being relative because the Sox still won their division. They lost in the playoffs to the eventual World Champions. It happens.

That caused many in Red Sox nation to think the Sox desperately needed to add a bat this offseason. Even Dave Dombrowski said the Red Sox would really like to add a bat. 

From there, everyone focused on JD Martinez. I'll admit, I had never heard of JD Martinez until after the season when people kept saying he was the perfect fit for the Red Sox. It did make a lot of sense. He was probably in their price range. He wouldn't require giving up a draft pick. The only real drawback is that he was an outfielder. The Sox are pretty full in the outfield. But, maybe as a DH with Hanley taking the first base role? But, then the Sox signed Mitch Moreland to play first. Hmm.

The Sox apparently made an offer to JD earlier in the offseason. All reports are that it was a very fair and reasonable offer, and might be the only offer JD has in hand. JD is waiting for a better offer, and the Red Sox seem more than willing to let him twist himself into knots before realizing he has no market. But, they're still waiting.

Which is why I'm confused.

I don't think the Red Sox should up their offer. God no. But, why haven't they rescinded their offer?

Because if JD signs, the Sox need to make a corresponding move. I always assumed that move would be to trade Jackie Bradley Jr. I hated hated hated the idea of letting JBJ go, but I had to admit it made the most sense. Plus, you could get something good in return for him. So JD+new guy would really help the team. But, as we get closer to pitchers and catchers reporting, it appears that JBJ isn't going anywhere. (phew) At this point, not sure there would be an easy deal to make. So, the options are to platoon your $100 million man with Hanley, or dump Hanley. Which increases JD's "salary" by another $20 million or so. That's starting to look much less appealing.

Not nearly as appealing as adding someone like Logan Morrison for about $90 million less than JD. You could platoon him with Hanley pretty easily, especially at that money. 

Or, go for one of the leftover pitchers. Do you think Arrieta is worth nine figures? Him as a fourth starter would be a pretty nice upgrade. Much better than spending that money on a fourth outfielder. Or, how about Alex Cobb? He's battle tested in the AL East for half that money. In fact, you could probably have Cobb AND Morrison for the money you'd pay JD. 

At this point, hanging around waiting for JD is getting old. It's time to fish or cut bait. If he's not signed by the first pitchers and catchers workout, the offer is off the table. He's had plenty of time to weigh his options. From there, the Sox could make another move. 

Or not.