Thoughts While Shaving

4.6.05: � The "Curse of the Bambino" may be dead. But, the "Curse of the Martino" lives. Ever since the Red Sox let Pedro go to New York, they haven't won a game.

� How'd it work out for the Red Sox' closer yesterday?

� If the official scorer wasn't so generous on Sunday night, Edgar Renteria has THREE errors in his first two games.

� Does David McCarty get to pitch an inning for the Sox this afternoon?

� Now that Pedro is gone, it seems like Manny Ramirez is the one who is showing up a little late for the start of the season.

� Wade Neal?

� Does Johnny Damon get a ring or a Pulitzer Prize on Monday? (And, does the wife get a WS ring, too?)

� Why do Yankee pitchers even bother to pitch to David Ortiz with first base open? Ditto for Sox hurlers facing Hideki Matsui.

� Mariano Rivera will still be on the mound this afternoon if it's a save situation for the Yankees.

� So far, A-Rod's off-season workout regimen appears to be paying as many dividends as Trot's.

� Guess Sox' fans know what they meant by David Wells "balky back" now, don't they?

� It's two games in the loss column. The Yankees' magic number is 159. Time to panic yet?

-- Bill Bingham, Westerly, RI... longtime Yankees fan
 

No More Cursing

4.3.05: There never was a �curse.� No such thing. Sure, you can curse at someone, or curse someone in a general way- but a lengthy history of failure needn�t imply a supernatural conspiracy. In reality, baseball, as well as life, is more complicated than that.

For all the �cursing,� from both sides of the aisle, I�ve always wondered who was supposed to have put the hex on the Red Sox in the first place? It certainly wasn�t the Yankees, or Ruth himself- who both benefited tremendously from the deal. Truth is, there�s a conspicuous lack of motive.

Discarding the silliness of curses, we are left to examine the evidence. There have been some undeniably bizarre twists and turns along the way, but make no mistake- there is no shortage of perfectly rational explanations for Boston�s championship drought:

Their frustrating failure to recognize the value of quality pitching (until the last decade or so), Mr. Yawkey�s country club policy of racial exclusion, the financial limitations of Fenway Park, their perennially shaky management, and yes- the standings-be-damned legion of loyals who fill the park regardless of our place in the standings.

Not to mention the shadow of the Babe himself.

In his days with the Red Sox, Ruth established himself as one of the premier pitchers in all of baseball (his lifetime record was 94-46, with a 2.28 ERA). But as he dominated from the mound, he was also becoming one of the game�s most feared sluggers. In 1918, in only 315 at bats, Ruth led the American League in home runs with 11. The following year, his last in Boston, he hit 29, setting a new single-season record for home runs. By the time he arrived in New York, his pitching days were behind him. In 1920, his inaugural season with the Yankees, Ruth hit a whopping 54 homers, nearly doubling his own record.

Ruth�s exploits are legendary, and his eye-popping numbers remain the yardstick by which sluggers are measured. (To put Ruth�s achievements in perspective, apply his transformation to contemporary baseball. Imagine Tim Hudson giving up pitching and becoming Barry Bonds. Then imagine Bonds hitting more home runs than every team in baseball- with the sole exception of the Phillies- as Ruth once did. As godlike as Bonds has been -- he�s a lesser god than Ruth.)

Beyond his impact between the lines, Ruth left an indelible mark on American culture.

Even today, more than seven decades later, freakishly dominant numbers are said to be Ruthian.

Although he hung up his spikes in 1934, during World War II- when charging American troops- Japanese soldiers would sometimes scream, �To hell with Babe Ruth!�

The Babe even insinuated his way into the popular idiom: When playing at Yankee stadium, Ruth not only hit the majority of his home runs into the right-field bleachers, he also took his position in right. Thus, right field seats were highly prized. If there were no such seats available, you were �out in left field.�

Ruth�s impact on the Yankees is incalculable. He single-handedly turned a regional cult into a full-fledged religion- generating an unmatched revenue stream in the bargain. His presence and unprecedented popularity afforded the Yankees the ability to not only construct the �House that he Built�, but to establish and help maintain baseball�s one and only dynasty. It may be an oversimplification, but one could make the case that Ruth led to Dimaggio, Dimaggio led to Mantle, and so on.

Meanwhile, for all their Charlie Brown charm, the Red Sox have consistently failed to kick that *@$%^&+ football. Their tragic history is a tale told by numbers: �46, �48, �49, �67, �75, �78, �86, �03�staggering, heartbreaking collapses that are enough to make one believe in curses. From Pesky to Grady- and everything in between- the Sox always seemed to fall just short of glory.

Suffice it to say that these are not your grandfather�s Red Sox. Same uniforms, same park, same town. But different. From Theo�s chess master mind, to the new owners� fan-friendly attention to detail, to the Animal House spirit of the ballplayers themselves- the new-and-improved Red Sox inspire faith. Like Belichick�s Patriots, they�ve earned it.

But the so-called �fellowship of the miserable� need not worry about us becoming too cocky. If we find ourselves getting caught up in the hysteria of the moment, we can easily recall the ulcers of yesteryear.

The 2003 ALCS was an especially bitter pill. To come so tantalizingly close, against the Evil Empire, left us speechless and holding our heads. As a Sox fan, there has always been a prevailing sense of �I�ve seen this play, and I know how it ends.� But like a foolish lover who�s been betrayed a dozen times, we inexplicably come back for more.

After the Greek tragedy of �86, many of us swore to ourselves that we wouldn�t get fooled again. We would harden our hearts and lower baseball back to its proper place in the cosmic order. Guardedly hopeful, we determined not to care too much. But the �03 team melted our collective hearts. Down and out, they cowboyed up. They made baseball fun again. Which is precisely why Aaron Boone�s home run hurt so much.

While the Sox-Yankee rivalry is surely the fiercest in all of sports, it has not been a balanced one by any stretch of the imagination. It is the classic story of the oppressor and the oppressed. Some have even gone so far as to humorously suggest that it�s akin to the relationship between the hammer and the nail.

Things are different now. While the �03 Sox finished a few outs away from the World Series, the �04 team made the Impossible Dream a reality. Down 3-0 to the dreaded Yankees- written off by every sane person on the face of the planet- something strange and wonderful happened: The Sox rose to the occasion, and the Yanks crumbled. It was more than a long overdue victory- it was a stunning and complete reversal of roles. The Christians beating the Lions. Larry slapping Moe.

Long-time Sox fans are savvy enough to know that we can never win with Yankee fans. When we finally beat them, they sneered, �You�ll choke in the World Series.� When we swept the Cardinals, to become Champions for the first time in 86 years, they said, �It took you long enough.� (Note the gracious headline of the New York Daily News on the day after: �See you in 2090!�)

At the risk of aligning myself with the aforementioned infidels, they might have a point. Winning it all didn�t make us the Yankees. We may have robbed New Yorkers of their pet chant, but the Bombers are still the team to beat. True, they haven�t won a championship in four years, but there�s no denying the depth of Steinbrenner�s pockets. Torre always has the horses, and while Cashman has made his share of blunders in recent years, the AL road to the World Series still goes through New York.

(However, when I reminded my father that we still trail the Yankees in championships 26-6, his response was swift and imperious: �That was last century.�)

We�re the �Defending World Champions,� and no one can take that away from us. But that fact, however satisfying, brings no guarantees. Different team, different year. And yet the moment Doug Mientkiewicz caught Keith Foulke�s underhand toss, the world changed. If only slightly.

As anyone in Fort Myers can attest, the Red Sox are more popular than ever. But after winning the whole enchilada- in goose bump-raising fashion- many of us can�t help wondering what will become of Sox Nation: Have we lost our identity as baseball�s version of Job? Will finally reaching the Promised Land secularize our passion?

Some in the local media have divided Sox fans into two camps: those content with last year�s euphoric redemption, and those who greedily clamor for more.

I say split the difference. Continue to savor the sweetness of �04, while buckling up for another bumpy ride. As far as heightened expectations go- we�re Sox fans. We don�t take championships for granted. All we really ask for is a chance. A chance to do it again.

File this one under "Best days of my life". -- Chris Pinney
 

Ring, Ring... I Think It's for You

3.25.05: The Boston Red Sox 2005 home opener may be moved from Monday, April 11th to Wednesday, April 13th.

In a statement released by acting MLB Commissioner, Bud Selig, "We just aren't sure they (the Red Sox) will be able to distribute all of their World Series rings in time to play the game on Monday afternoon, as originally planned."

According to Selig, the Red Sox plan to award a championship ring -- designed by the cast of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," to everyone who has ever attended, watched, listened to, or heard about a Boston Red Sox game in the past 87 years.

The list of recipients is said to encompass all former players, living or dead -- except, of course, for Jose Canseco -- players' wives, girlfriends and guy friends, broadcasters (including Wally and his Adirondak chair), long-suffering Sox fans, their parents, grandparents, foster parents, heir apparents, cousins of fans, pets, and children of Red Sox Nation, including those not-yet born.

In addition, a large contingent of the pompom media -- led by Peter Gammons -- have been fitted for a rings.

Not to be outdone, a special celebrity ring will also be presented to Matt Damon by the Farrelly Brothers.

Neil Diamond will receive a "Sweet Caroline" ring. Anyone named "Tessie" will receive a ring.

2004 presidential runner-up, John F. Kerry, will represent all politicians who will receive rings as well. Kerry's ring will be engraved with the name of ALCS Most Valuable Player, "Manny Ortez." The list of these political bandwagon jumpers is said to include, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who has been banned from the upcoming steroid witch hunt, because he still cannot pronounce the names of two prominent suspected cheats, Mark (don't call me Mike) McGuire and Sammy (Souza) Sosa.

"Throwback" rings will honor Curt Gowdy, Ned Martin and Art Gleason. Gowdy's ring will be engraved with the phrase, "Hi neighbor, have a 'Gansett."

Mel Parnell will receive a southpaw ring.

The widows of Ned Martin and Ken Coleman will receive posthumous "Mercy" rings on behalf of their deceased husbands.

The voice(s) of ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, John Miller, will receive an imitation ring.

Current Sox analyst, Jerry Remy, will not receive a ring for fear that he will immediately put it up for sale on his website.

Sean McDonough will receive a ring, but will only be allowed to wear it on Friday nights during baseball season.

Don Orsillo was too giddy during ring fitting sessions, and as a result, his ring will not be ready in time.

Johnny Pesky and Sal Bertalamo (and Billy) AKA, "The Window Boys" will head a list of longtime Sox television and radio sponsor recipients each of whom will receive a ring.

A special "Sullivan Tire" ring will also be created and given to anyone who has ever purchased tires or had a wheel alignment.

Former Sox manager, Mike Higgins, who will be represented by the local bar (and we ain't talking' about lawyers here) will receive a "Pinky" ring.

Dick "Dr. Strangeglove" Stuart heads a list of ex-Sox players, and promises not to drop his ring, as does Don "Bootsie" Buddin.

As a token of good will, New England Patriots' owner, Robert Kraft, was scheduled to receive a complimentary championship ring. However, Sox management feared he would not as yet have finished his rambling SuperBowl postgame acceptance speech by game time.

Mr. Selig also hinted that the 2005 Opening Day game could be pushed back another day or two, should the Sox decide to present rings to all of those in Red Sox Nation who claim never to have given up on last year's team when they trailed their arch-rivals, the New York Yankees, by 3 games to none in the ALCS. "That could add three or four million more rings to this farce, and require two or three more days, at least."

Curt Schilling, announced that he may not be ready to accept his ring because of his off-season ankle surgery, the flu and/or his upcoming appearance in Washington, DC, about steroids. Curt promised to update the media each and every day between now and then (whether they like it or not).

In a related business story, Balfour's stock jumped an incredible 50 points since the Sox' ring plans were made public.

(A little cyclical humor from a Yankee fan, as Opening Day draws closer.)
-- Bill Bingham, Westerly, RI
 

A Young Reporter Meets the Great Ones

2.19.05: Thursday, I had the opportunity to meet Carlton Fisk (Former Red Sox player), Bob Ryan (Boston Globe), Bucky Dent (Former Yankee), Mike Francesca (Yankee Radio) and Linda Cohn (ESPN).

The press conference began at 4:30, so I arrived at the hotel exactly then. I went up to the Press Conference room and waited until about 5:00 to begin questioning. At this point Linda Cohn, Bob Ryan and Mike Francesca were the only ones there. I asked Bob Ryan a question from the Dirt Dogs (when I said I had a question for him, Mike Francesca was like "wait... is this choreographed? The Red sox girl asks Bob Ryan, The Yankee girl asked me.") "How has the internet changed sports media?". He laughed and was like "How long do you think we have?" and all the adult press in the room laughed. "It makes it a lot harder to write. 30 years ago you could write a... not a half (assed)... it's a lot more scrutinized. It has to be great". At this point, Mike Francesca winked at me. Also, Bucky and Carlton arrived fashionably late (Bucky a little less fashionably, he had the worst sweater I've ever seen). At this point, all the adult press got to ask their questions. The sports guy from Fox61 asked Carlton Fisk how he felt in the "'76 World Series" and I turn around like a flash and was like "75!" and the room erupted with laughter and the panel was like "She's good!" Later I got to ask Carlton Fisk a question and I said "As you know, Fenway Park has undergone a lot of changes the past two years or so. What would you like to see done?" "This girl has all the good questions" someone said. He thought for a while and said "I saw something done that I never thought I'd see, and that's the seats on top of the wall. I thought it was blasphemy. But I got to go on them last year... best seats in the park. I mean, people are giving up luxury box seats for these. But what would I like to see done? If he could somehow get 45,000 seats, although I think there has been that much squeezed in there before, but that's what I'd like to see." The press conference ended on that note (The panel was like "She's good, she can make it in this business." YAY, (that's what I want to do) and we got our picture taken. I stood in front of Carlton Fisk (I am dying at this point) and he put his hands on my shoulders. He was so tall, I felt like I was standing in front of a tree. And he was really strong, so his hands felt like boulders. I think I'm shorter than I was before, because I think he pressed me into the ground. After that, all the panelists left the room and shook my hand as they left. I ran after Carlton Fisk for his autograph, and I got it, and it's sitting on my Red Sox shrine right now with my Yaz, Luis Tiante and Brian Daubach ball, among other things.

File this one under "Best days of my life". -- Courtney Smith, 16
 

California Trophy Stop

12.03.04: I wanted to write in a real quick note about the WS Trophy visit in Santa Monica, CA the day after Thanksgiving. We had been planning to drive down to LA for the holiday since before the boys brought the big one home, and when we found out Sonny McLean's would have the Trophy coming through it absolutely made our weekend (along with UNH's 1st ever playoff win in football). We drove by the pub around 3:30 just to check out the line for the 4pm opening. The line was to the end of the block and everyone was decked out in their finest Beantown gear.

We swung back to the pub and got in line around 6PM. It was about the same length and everyone was so happy and excited - it was like we had just won it the night before. Sonny's site had mentioned Kapler and Roberts would be by at some point. When they arrived the folks up near the front of the line passed word back that they were indeed here at the pub. We had been waiting an hour when there was some commotion at the back of the line and wouldn't you believe it -- Kap and D-Rob had come out behind the pub and circled back on us. They were shaking hands, signing everything, and even taking the time for photo ops and conversation! D-Rob relayed the "no steal sign/go change history" story several times, Gabe was more interested in what we thought about West Coast living and missing Boston. He was especially interested in what we thought of the difference in the people. I got the impression that he REALLY felt at home back East. There was more bustle at the back of the line and who is moving thru? Tom Werner! He was getting patted on the back and everyone was chanting "Just Sign Tek". He was very gracious and humbled. He moved thru pretty quick, but kept on thanking US. For someone who didn't make it home for any of the games, didn't get to watch them with my Dad, and missed out on the parade to end all parades -- this night was just a perfect accent to our holiday celebration.

Some other quick notes:
� Tom Werner brought a rough cut of the Sox version of the dvd. It was around 2.5 hours long and started all the way back in spring training. Most of it was riveting to everyone in the pub and when he left it went with him. After seeing it, I'm not sure I'd buy the MLB version.
� The World Series trophy was beautiful. It's definitely worth seeing to anyone who's thinking about going to one of the "tour" events.
� Sonny's handled everything so well, all 6 galleries are on their website. It's interesting just to see everyone's poses and smiles. The Nation is a proud Papa.

Happy Holidays to you and all back East.

Cheers, Brian in the Bay
 

Right Wing Not Wanted

12.01.04: I have been a Red Sox fan all my life...I saw Ted Williams play his last game...I moved to Europe when I was seven, I listened to Armed Forces Network in '67 when we played the Cardinals in the World Series...I lived in NYC when we played the Reds in '75. I moved back to Europe in 1984, and was interviewed by USA TODAY as an example of rabid expatriate Sox fandom. I saw Clemens pitch a 16 strikeout game in '86 at Fenway, I went to Fenway last year, I went to Fort Myers this past spring, and I was grateful to see the entire post season here in London on British TV - NASN, and Channel 5... they deserve a mention, and a lot of credit as they service the expat community, and I get to see the Red Sox play about 20 regular season games.

The Dirt Dog site is a lot of fun, and invaluable in its way, but I am really sick of the political comment that intrudes. There is a nasty tone that has entered US politics...it seems to have spilled over on to your website. The columnists on Dirt Dogs seem to take a right wing position, and disparage all those who either disagree or whose politics they don't share. If you don't like Kerry, or Democrats, fine, but please leave it out of baseball. I've seen at least one other reader write in agreeing with me...stick to baseball please.

Thanks
Eric Richmond
London, U.K.

27 Outs

"They'll be the 27 hardest outs we're gonna make all year." - Curt Schilling

10.27.04: The Boston Red Sox are 27 outs away from winning the World Series.

Twenty-seven outs away from retiring the "19-18" chant.

Twenty-seven outs away from having eight and eighty-year olds dance for joy.

And cry for the same reason.

Twenty-seven outs away from Babe Ruth being just another dead Yankee.

Twenty-seven outs away from Ted Williams smiling in heaven. And swearing at Joe Dimaggio.

Twenty-seven outs away from Johnny Pesky holding a trophy, and not the ball.

Twenty-seven outs away from Dom DiMaggio dialing Bobby Doerr's phone number and talking for an hour.

Twenty-seven outs away from Derek Lowe mirroring Joe Dobson's career-best game five performance in 1946 versus St. Louis.