Hot Stove Burning Hotter

To quote the Dave Matthews Band "So much to say, so much to say, so much to say, so much to say"

I literally could have created a separate blog posting for each one of the following items, but it wasn't meant to be today.

Let's start with a little something I like to call The Demise of the Evil Empire

(photo courtesy of Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Joe Torre, is officially a memeber of the LA Dodgers. I've always liked Torre and am happy to say I like him a WHOLE lot more when he's not wearing pinstripes. He's being paid $14 million for three seasons, which keeps him as the highest paid manager in MLB. It's not only Torre who left the Evil Empire for the Dodgers but also former Yankee coaches Don Mattingly and Larry Bowa.

In other Stankee news, Andy Pettitte declined his $16 million option to pitch for the next season. It would have been better if he said it was because he was taking his arm elsewhere, but at 34 years old he has said he's not even sure if he's returing to baseball at all. He has said before if he pitches again it will be for the Yankees and nobody else, but I also seem to remember a certain Judas Damon saying he'd never go to the Yankees. Basically, take his words for what they're worth right now.

So far we know Bobby Abreau will be returing to the Yanks - it will be interesting to see where everyone ends up. I'm most anticipating the news about Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera and Johnny Damon. Oh - right - and that AFraud guy too, as long as it's not in Boston!

Now onto the Good Guys!

It's been widely publicized already today, but Curt Schilling and the Red Sox did reach a one year agreement for the old bloody sock to stay with the Sox and finish his career here in Boston. According to Schilling's blog:

The deal looks like this.
$8 million in guaranteed base salary
$2 million in bonuses for 6 seperate weigh ins.
I inserted the weigh in clause in the 2nd round of offers, counter offers. Given the mistakes I made last winter and into Spring Training I needed to show them I recognized that, and understood the importance of it. Being overweight and out of shape are two different things. I also was completely broad sided by the fact that your body doesn’t act/react the same way as you get older. Even after being told that for the first 39 years of my life. Now I can’t get on Dougie anymore, which sucks, and I am sure the clause will add 15-100 more jokes to Tito’s Schilling joke
book.
$3 million in IP incentives based on IP totals.
$1 million for receiving a Cy Young vote, any vote

Not bad old man, not bad at all. I also have to point out how much I love the fact Schill signed off his post with the SIGN MIKE LOWELL!!!!! chant!

The next piece of excellent news is that Kevin Youkilis became a first-time Gold Glove winner today. He definitely deserves it because during the regular season he made no errors in 1,080 chances and had 990 putouts. CONGRATS YOOOOOOUUUUUUKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!

And finally, Papi had his arthroscopic knee surgery today. RSN, lets wish him well for a speedy and successful recovery!

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I've Said it Before....

(photo courtesy of wallyg)
Magic Number to Clinch the Division: 3
Magic Number to Clinch a Playoff Spot: We Already Made it, Baby!

I'll say it again...Brian Bruney is my favorite Yankees player. This time b/c he gave up a Grand Slam (to Jorge Velandia - It was his first career homerun!) to change the lead in the 6th inning against Toronto. And this was after AFraud had pranced around the bases with his Grannie thinking he had won the game, and secured a playoff spot for them. Sorry Roger.

I love this picture.

(photo courtesy of Chris O'Meara/AP)

Look at Bruney. Look at Posada. Classic. The stankees had to use 8 pitchers last night! 8! Sweet. Don't get me wrong, I think they'll make the playoffs, and I think they'll be a strong contender but I love watching them sweat and wear down their pitchers.

Anyway, enough about them. How 'bout us? Curt pitched a strong game, Manny was back, Youk pinch-hit....All is well in RSN today. I'll admit I was a little worried when Gagne came in, but Paps saved him....with one pitch. And then, even though we were leading 7-1, Corey scared me a bit but we did it! I feel good, but not great. I'm hoping to feel great after tonight. If we can pull of another win and the Yankees lose again that means WE COULD CLINCH THE DIVISION on Thursday night when I'll be at the game! EEEKKK!!!!

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Bittersweet Symphony

WOW!
As much as I don't always love the guy, I have got to tip my hat to Curt Schilling. Not only did he just pitch the game of his life, and help the Red Sox to break their horrendous losing streak, he had a complete game thowing 71% strikes and got a one hitter. He pitched an alomst perfect 8 2/3 innings (a runner reached base on an error by Julio Lugo)...then there it is. He shakes of Tek, accepts the next call, throws the ball and WHAM Shannon Stewart rips a base hit. UGH! He was ONE OUT away from his first career no-hitter (would have been perfect game, if not for the error.) Instead, he "settles" for his third career one hitter and a Red Sox Win.

At first I was PISSED at Steward. Com'mon give the guy a break. But the A's were only down 1-0. He was the tying run on base. I guess you can't help him for taking the swing and doing his "job."

So no 'no-no' for Curt...Here's a guy who's had an amazing career but never won a Cy Young or had a no-hitter/perfect game. Amazing...

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I'm baaaccckkkk

Miss me?

I've been on a somewhat unplanned, extended vacation - but I'm here now. Ready to talk Sox. I've been reading up on the news and on my friends blogs so I don't feel too out of the loop. There are a few things I need to mention as I get back into the blogesphere.

Tek (photo courtesy of www.jason-varitek.com)
Finally his no-hit streak is over! I know it's only Spring Training, but it was a little disconcerting that he was 0-17. He came out of it with a "bang" - a solo homer in the 5th against Erik Bedard and the Orioles.

I have always stated that Tek's value matters more behind the plate than they do at the plate. That isn't to say that going 0-17 is ok. I really feel the ball club suffered when he was out with his injury. I'm also confident that he can make a "comeback" this year....regardless of what the recent numbers are saying. However, I'm starting to hear rumblings that Tek isn't really calling the games like I thought he was. Is it true that Tito and the front office are making most of the calls? Anyone have information on this matter. I'm definitely interested in hearing more.

Papelbon
Our Golden Boy Closer is back. I actually got the news from Schillings blog (more on that in a minute) and I had to say there was a big sigh of relief. Realistically though, is this the best thing? I mean they are saying his shoulder is fine. How much of that do we believe? Did this move come out of desperation? Lets face it there weren't many options and we're getting might close to opening day. This news does, however, change my opinion a little bit on wanting to get Roger back. I think if Tavarez becomes our 5th starter he'll do an OK job, but our pitching rotation has definitely been weakened. I think this is the only situation where I'll be happy if Roger comes back to the Sox, to put us back as the strongest pitching team out there (and if we aren't the strongest with this staff, and there are no injuries, does the blame fall on Tek? Or whoever is making the pitch calls?!?!)

38 Pitches
What do ya'll think of Curt's blog? I, for one, have some mixed reactions to it. On the one hand, I think it's really freaking cool that he's taking the time to do this. I work in the Marketing Industry and Social Media is the "wave of the future" - Curt is doing a great job getting his name and his company out there. He's gathering interest from current baseball fans and maybe making some new fans out of video-gamers.

I like the inside thoughts, but he's never going to go "there" which is where I want him to go. I'm most interested in learning what life is like in the clubhouse and he's clearly stated he won't talk about that at all. I see his point, but I still wish he would dish a little.

On the other hand, I really don't give a cr@p about the gaming industry and tend to skip over the parts of his posts where he talks about it. When he's talking about baseball he holds my interest at first, but then to be honest my eyes start to gloss over. He's giving really in-depth information, which is great...but man he talks a lot. That shouldn't be a surprise, right?

I'm looking forward to see how much publicity he generates for charities through the blog. I love how he gave a plug to the little boy with Ewing’s Sarcoma who is the Cardinals fan (http://www.peterdespain.com/blog/index.php) - he's even having a shoe designed with the phrase "For Pete's Sake" to support him. That's pretty cool.

There is a blog post on there that Schilling called and talked to Pete. It's really cute.
http://peterdespain.com/blog/?p=14

Wow! Thanks to our friends, the Close’s, Pete was introduced to Curt Schilling. Mr. Schilling made several calls during the week on his way to spring training to check on Pete. In the picture he’s giving Pete a pep talk on his last day of chemo therapy. He wants Pete to call him with an update after every chemo session. Being a pitcher, Pete has always been a Curt Schilling fan. He admires his mental and physical toughness…and the way he plays the game. Pete admitted to being a little nervous on the call…all we heard was “awesome…wow…okay…really” in response to Mr. Schilling’s offer to meet him for a game. Looks like Pete may be wearing the Red and Blue of the Red Sox!

Schilling even left him a comment

1. Curt Schilling Says:
   March 4th, 2007 at 5:57 pm

   PETE! My man! Curt Schilling here! I haven’t heard from you in a few weeks and wanted to stop by and say hello. The Close family sent me the link to your site, pretty awesome! You have my number buddy, gimme a ring when you get some free time!
   God Bless
   Curt

See stuff like this makes his blog worth it and a positive thing in my book. I'll just continue to "gloss over" when needed.

OK, that's it for now. Happy to be back, hope to hear from you guys!

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Dramatown, FL

I'm having a hard time wanting to post lately. The thing is, all the news about the Red Sox lately is DRAMA filled. I just want them to play ball already.

Dear members of the Boston Sports Media,

Enough is enough. I am sick to death trying to figure out who is getting more attention. Is it the threesome of Britney, Anna and Cameron? Or Manny, Schill and Dice-K? The Red Sox are a BASEBALL team. Let's keep it real. Cut the drama. Let's talk about baseball. Lets talk about Timlin's possible injury, lets talk about Mike Lowell's leadership and for goodness sake, if we must talk about Dice-K lets talk about how he and Vtek are learning to communicate with one another!

Stop blowing things out of proportion. Any serious baseball fan could not have expected the Red Sox to renew Curt's contract before the season started. I don't give a rats @ss about why Manny is late to spring training - I care about his condition once he arrives! And honestly, let's give Dice-K some room to breath and PITCH. That is what he's here for after all!

UGH! UGH! UGH!

Sincerely,
Soxy Lady

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Rocky Mountain Low

As of right now, the Helton deal isn't going to work out. No big deal. The Sox didn't NEED him, he just would have rounded out a KILLER offense (well, if everyone stayed healthy). What really s*cks about the whole thing played out. The media may say there are no hard feelings between the Rockies and the Sox, but common. There was already bad blood because of the Larry Bigbie deal that never happened. And now:

"This is Todd Helton we're talking about," Rockies owner
Charlie Monfort told the Associated Press today. "We're not just
going to give him up for nothing".

To that I say:

Dear Mr. Monfort,

Todd Helton is a great baseball player, but lets face the facts. He's past his prime. He is not a baseball God. In fact we'd be giving up two strong players in both Mike Lowell and Julian Tavarez for your one, Mr. Helton. To insist they are nothing is a slap in the face not only to them, but to the Red Sox as an organization and to RSN.

You say that you need to build up young talent? You're right, you do. As does every other team in MLB. So trading Helton for young prospects benefits us this year, maybe the next year....but you for years in the future. Why would we do that? We don't play for the short term strategy. You stated Mike and Julian can help you in the short term, but you need more. Ummm....right.
You're asking the Sox to do something you publicly stated you wouldn't. I don't get it.

Moreover, Dear Mr. Monfort - there was no need to leak Lowell and Tavarez's name to the media. Now, not only are their egos bruised by your "nothing" comment but the Sox are going to have to smooth over their relationships with these two players. We were trying to make a deal with your struggling organization. Baseball is business to the front office, right? We weren't playing gossip trash-talk with the media.

Please get over yourself, and try not to come in last in the NL West this year.


Sincerely,
Soxy Lady

------------------------------------------------

And as for all of this Schill Thrill talk, here's the way I see it. Curt, I love you dearly, but you won't get a contract before the 2007 season even starts. Let's see you go out there, knock 'em dead a while and then draft something up. If you've still got the goods, we want you back. I love to hear you say you wouldn't go to NY if things don't work out with the Sox next season. Stick to your word, Schill - if you don't your political career in MA is dead before it even started.

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Who in the What Now?!?!

(photo courtesy of The Baseball Critic)

"I will play in 2008," were the words 40-year-old Curt Schilling told Red Sox Nation this morning.His contract with the Red Sox ends after this season. "Where I'm going to play beyond 2007, I hope it's Boston, but I will go out and find a home to pitch,” he said. “I hope it's here but there's also that possibility [of pitching for another team]."-Boston.com

He also says it is not a possibility of him to go to the Yankees...where have we heard that before? More on this later, I'm going to have to put some thought into my response to this news.

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