One Down, 161 To Go...

If last night's game was any indication of the season to come, I am very very excited.

We all know the Sox spare no expense when it comes to marketing the team. And we know John Henry and Co. love to have a few surprises up their sleeves (ala Billy Buckner in 2008). What we didn't know is just how brilliant last night's opening game was going to be - both orchestrated and not.

I tuned into the coverage in time to see Dr. Dre donning a Sox Jersey (what?!) and plugging his new headphones, "Beats." When asked about player at-bat songs, and which one player he'd like to convince to be announced to one of his songs, he quickly replied "Ortiz......Big Papi" to a new song of his Under Pressure. Oh Dre. If you only knew Pedroia used The Wash in 2007 and F*ck With Dre the past two seasons you might have had to do too much convincing. Papi historically prefers The Game, 50 cent or some Dominican jam.

Then there was seeing newly retired Nomar Garciaparra sitting at the ESPN Analyst's Desk on the field.

When it was time to announce the teams. The 2009 World Series Champions, NYY were first. *yawn* and then it was time for the 2010 Red Sox. When Mr. Red Sox, number 6, Johnny Pesky was announced I got teary. When fan fave Mike Lowell was announced, I may have cried (don't judge me). He got the biggest ovation of the night, one he clearly deserved. It was strange having both Lowell and Varitek announced before the starting players, a reality I was perhaps not yet ready to accept.

Thank you to Jere at a Red Sox Fan From Pinstripe Territory for shooting and posting this video!

Although the secret was leaked in the hour or so before the game, it was still a great surprise to see Pedro Martinez walk from out of the Green Monster, under the American Flag and towards home plate to throw out the game's first pitch. I loved when Orsillo announced him he said it was time to "wake up the d@mn Bambino and welcome Pedro back." But why, oh why did they play Phil Collins as he headed towards the mound?!

Pedro's smile was electric. He looked truly and honestly happy to be back. And I was truly, and honestly, happy to see him back wearing #54. I miss Pedro. Every time he toed the rubber you expected the unexpected to happen. The moment of his return was momentarily ruined when A-Rod ran out from to give him a hug...all returned to right in the world when Pedro thew to long-time catcher Varitek.

Martinez even shared in a lengthy hug, and a photo-opportunistic conversation with Pesky. It was magical to watch.

(photo courtesy of Bosotn.com and the AP)

It wasn't over there, though. 5 year old Joshua Sacco came out to do a Red Sox rendition of his paradoy on Herb Brooks locker room speech from the movie "Miracle." I wonder how many people didn't get what this was all about. If you didn't, it may have seemed odd. But if you were one of the million plus viewers who know Josh from YouTube...it was awesome. It was complete with the link, "I'm sick and tired of hearing 'bout what a great baseball team the Yankees have...Screw 'em!"

Seriously this was all before the game even started.

Beckett pitched a great first inning, but it was all down-hill from there. He allowed back-to-back homers to Jorge Posada (off of Pesky Pole) and Curtis Granderson. He had no control of his off-speed pitches and he only struck out one batter and gave up 5 runs in 4 2/3 innings.

But the offense, you know the offense that wasn't supposed to be able to score any runs this year? They came alive. Youk (who was still donning a goatee, much to the chagrin of many) went 3 for 4. He had two doubles, a triple and scored three runs with two RBIs.

Then there was Pedroia. El Caballito, the F*ck Yeah Kid. He went 2 for 4. He walked, smashed a 2 run homer and drove in 3. Almost nothing in baseball gets me as excited as watching Pedroia scream "F*ck Yeah!" (sorry mom & dad). He is in it to win it. Every single game.

Youk and Pedroia, they are the new face of the Boston Red Sox. They may not have the natural talent that Manny and Papi dominated with, but they are gritty and determined. They are not going to let anyone tell their offense they can't score runs. No way. No how. These boys are ball players.

The new guys did well, Ellsbury and Papi struggled at the plate (and Ellsbury a bit in the field). Nothing too concerning, but it did have me wondering about the future of Papi in a Sox uniform when a very capable DH named Mike Lowell was sitting on the bench.

Yankee's fan LeBron James was sitting in Henry's luxury box for the game (texting every time the camera cut to him) along with Dre (no longer in his Sox jersey).

There were other surprises throughout the night. Steven Tyler and one of his daughters came out for a creepy rendition of God Bless America. I'm not sure why she was there. She wasn't announced. She only did a bit of harmonizing at the end. My guess is that he's going to be pushing her pop-rock singing career soon.

One of the best things to happen? Sweet Caroline was played during the middle of the 8th, like always. But for the first time ever it was sung live by Mr. Neil Diamond himself.

He wasn't much better than Tyler...but honestly I loved every second of it. Sox fans had been waiting a long time to see that. He was curiously wearing a jacket that said "Keep the Dodgers in Brooklyn" but eh...whatever....

My first game of the season will be on Wednesday night watching John Lackey's debut against the Bronx Bombers. I can't wait.

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Jon Lester No Hitter - I Was There!

It's the stuff dreams are made of.

Every Red Sox fan hopes to experience things in their baseball lifetime -

• Going to games at Fenway Park - Thanks to my awesome family I'm guaranteed at least 10 games a season
• Seeing Justin Masterson's Major League debut? I'd say that's impressive (especially after only giving up three hits the other night). I was also there for Cla Meredith's MLB debut.
  
• Watching a crazed fan get dragged of the field? Briefly captured on video
• How many of you know Jose Canseco actually pitched an inning against the Red Sox? I do, I was there
  
• How being there for walk off wins thanks to Papi? Been there
• Our favorite Jack Drinking first baseman Kevin Millar's return to Fenway in 'o5? Yep
  
• Johnny Demon's return to Fenway Park? The same night Mirabelli gets dressed in a cab to make his return as well? Uh huh...I was there
• Signed baseballs from a legend? Thank you Johnny Pesky
• Witnessing the history making back to back to back to back homeruns against the Yankees? You guessed it - I was there!
  
• Playing catch with dad in the Fenway outfield? Done that
• For Red Sox Fans a wish was always for a World Series win in their lifetime. I've had two - complete with their Rolling Rally parades!
  

I have been a blessed baseball fan - and last night I was blessed again while experiencing a no-hitter from Mr. Jon Lester.

I have to thank Google for this. The tickets were a gift from them, thanks to the business our companies do together. Those New Yorkers couldn't have picked a better game to bring us to. THANK YOU will never be enough!

Armed with my new camera, a Canon 40D, I was able to get some good shots of the game. Not great shots, I've seemed to left my photography skills back with the film cameras. If anyone wants to teach me how to use this beast, I'm game!

Anyway - I don't need to go on and on about how impressive any no hitter is - never mind the circumstances behind this no hitter. What I really want to do is share some of those pictures with all of you.

A full moon rising over the park in the 8th inning.

Lester getting ready to pitch in the 9th

The Last Pitch of the Game

I DID IT!

Look how high Youk jumped!

Cora and Lowell in unison

The mighty bullpen leaping over the camera wires

130 total pitches - 86 for strikes - Last pitch a 94 MPH Fastball!

Captain Tek handing Lester the game ball (if you look closely you can see it in his right hand)

What a game. What a night. What memories!

But before another person I know tells me how much they hate me for being at the game, let me bring things back down a little bit. This morning, as I was walking to my car on my way to work, I stumbled on the grass and twisted my ankle. Bad. Bad enough that I was given a cast, crutches and orders to stay off my feet for five days. All of this 17 days before my wedding. So really, don't hate me too much. PLUS, these crutches...they don't do it for me. I was obviously not coordinated enough to walk on my own two feet, and now I have to try and balance on these things? Oh no way...this is not working well.

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2007 Boston Red Sox Rolling Rally Videos

Here they are! My Soxy Fiance spent A LOT of time trying to convert these videos so all of you could see them. They came out a little grainy - and we may try and fix them at a later date, but you get the idea.

Many people have asked me - what was the difference between the 2007 Rally and the 2004 Rally. It's really hard to describe, but I'll try.

• The entire atmosphere was different - while both were Electric! - the electricity was a different feeling each time.
  
• Of course, the weather in 2004 was cold and rainy in comparison to the sunny skies this year
• In 2004 there were fans of ALL ages, and many many many "older" fans. This year, there was an overload of college and younger kids (especially girls with "I love Ellsbury signs!)
• For the most part the "ducks" drove slower this year. Maybe they learned in 2004 they were going too quickly, maybe since they didn't go in the Charles this year they wanted fans to get a better opportunity to see the players, but in any event...most of the player ducks went slower. The exception I noticed was Tito's duck which seemed to fly by.
  
• People have asked if the players were less enthusiastic and to that I say "No!"
  
• The one thing I did notice is many more players were taping the crowd than in 2004. I think some of the veterans suggested buying a camcorder.
• The younger players, and those (like Mike Lowell and Daisuke) who weren't here in 2004 were simply glowing
• The veterans...they were having a blast. Manny and Papi were playing with the crowd the whole time. Listen for Manny saying he needed some Crown Royal and that everyone was invited back to his house for a party! He also said we were the best fans and they loved us and Boston was the place to be.
  
• Jonathan.Bleeping.Papelbon - enough said
• It was great there was the opportunity for player interaction this year. Besides Manny and Papi talking, Pedrioa joined the crowd with chants of "YOUK!" and of course there was the Dropkick Murphy's on the flatbed with Papelbon-bon and Timlin dancing.
  

Yeah - it was TOTALLY worth it to be there! Without further ado - here are my videos!

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Red Sox Players - Red Sox Rolling Rally Parade Pictures

Well, I had lofty expectation of editing all of my great pictures and "wow-ing" you with them, but work and life get in the way and I think the most important thing, at this point, is to get my pictures out to all of you who weren't able to be there.

I'm going to "attempt" to post my favorite pictures, but truth be told it's SO HARD to find a "favorite" when the whole lot of them put a smile on my face. You already saw my sign pics, so here are the players/team pictures I have :o)

Tom and Larry sure look happy!


Here comes Theo (to chants of "Re-sign Lowell! Re-sign Lowell!")


Will John Farrell be back next year?
Is he grooming Tek to be the next pitching coach?


Curt (and his son) with the World Series Trophy!


JOHNNY, please don't call me Mr. Pesky!


Dustin Pedroia joining in on the crowd's chants of "YOUK!"
(who is hidden behind Pedroia) while Hinske takes video on his cell phone.


John Lester video taping the crowd


Lester and Dice! Notice the Dragon looking Red Sox thing on the bottom!


The Bullpen Band, complete with drums! Did anybody really see Gagne there?


OKIE DOKE! (With the beginning of the Papelbon series on the bottom left)


Play that funky "leg" White Boy!


Cigar Celebration (That's Timlin's back to the left of Paps)


I can't hear you!


"YEAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" - I'm a little disappointed though. Beckett PROMISED to dance with Paps if we won the World Series, and we did. So far no confirmation on that actually taking place!


Bobby Kielty (who we later saw at Longhorns with his family!) and JD Drew


Papi! He was pointing to the shaved head (with a Red Sox Logo) of Royce Clayton* and saying "This is what it's all about! This is what it's all about!" *Ok, I don't know if it's Royce Clayton because I didn't see his face but that's who I'm guessing it was.


Papi and the Dominican Flag!


Manny! He said "I need some Crown Royal!" and then invited everyone
back to his place for a party and said that Boston is the
place to be and that they have the best fans and he loves us. Awww Manny.


I love it when you call me Big Papi!!


O Captain, My Captain TEK!


Two of Tek's adorable daughters


Lugo and MVP Mike Lowell who arrived to
chants of "MVP! MVP!" by the way, these pink hats are ok!


The voice of Fenway Park, Carl Beane, and Joe Castiglione


Confetti in the Air


The Crowd - looking down Boylston


View all of my 2007 Red Sox Rolling Rally Pictures

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Red Sox 2007 Rolling Rally Signs - Signs - Everywhere Signs

It's going to take a few days for me to get all of my pictures and videos from today's Red Sox parade online.

Believe me, it will be worth it! Papelbon stopped right in front of us to do his jig and even though I didn't see Ellsbury, Crisp or Wakefield I saw more players than I did in 2004!

It was a great day filled with chants of "Re-sign Lowell! Re-sign Lowell!" and "MVP, MVP" which just goes to show how much Boston and RSN loves Mike Lowell and doesn't want to see him anywhere, but in a Red Sox Uniform next season!

In 2004 I walked around a lot more - first watching the parade at the Common and then down on the Charles. Today, however, I was stationed in Copley. Besides seeing the players, one of my favorite parts is looking at all of the creative signs people made. Here are the shots I got.

Thanks for the Tacos Jacoby!!!


A Great Spin-Off from Last Years "Jeter is Playing Golf, This is Better!"


DON'T SIGN A-ROD!!!


Sox Smashed the Rox


Sox Banners on Old South Church


Beckett is Our Rock Star


HeHeHe


The Papel-Pop!!!!!!!! The K-Men Were there in Full Force


They (K-Men) Even Let us Take a Picture With one of their Famous "K" Signs!


Window Painting


Ortiz! (Courtesy of the K-Men)


1 Bad Man - (Courtesy of the K Men) See Papel-Pop in the Crowd?


And while this may not be a "sign" - does it get any better than a
Boston cop with a Shamrock on his holster? I didn't think so!

Send me shots of your favorite signs, and I'll be happy to post them throughout the Off-Season!

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