News, Notes and Love Letters
Hey all. Perusing the papers for any articles of interest as I get through this first official offday of the season. The first article worth mention is mostly about Mark Fidrych and his brief time in Pawtucket with the PawSox. From ProJo's Jim Donaldson who I normally hate (He basically is one of those Patriots>>>>Red Sox and craps on the Red Sox and is all like "Why can't they be more like the Pats!) The whole article is great, but I have to have a special mention to this bit which is too hilarious to not include --
Fidyrch also enjoyed it when the joke was on him, as happened when he was duped by fellow pitcher Dennis Burtt, who convinced him that, if the “Marlboro Man” cowboy on the advertisement beyond the outfield fence was hit in the, let us politely say, groin area, there was a hydraulic set-up that caused him to bend over and groan.
Intrigued, Fidyrch took a bucket of baseballs and headed for the outfield, where he proceeded to throw them at the sign until he hit the target.
Naturally, nothing happened - other than Burtt and the rest of the PawSox players bending over in uncontrollable laughter.
The surprising thing is not that Fidyrch went out there, but that it took him more than one or two tosses to hit what he was aiming at.
I think the only person on the Red Sox now that I can imagine doing this is Papelbon. Maybe Masterson. Though Papelbon would hit it like five times before he realized he was duped.
Speaking of PawSox and strange stories, I must share The Hilarious Misadventures of Hunter Jones. Now as you all know, Hunter Jones was called up in place of Daisuke Matsuzaka. Basically Jones went all the way from Rochester, NY to Oakland to try to make it to the afternoon game. As he arrived, the team was packing up and leaving. Poor kid, but the effort hasn't gone unrecognized.
When Jones arrived in the clubhouse, his teammates marveled at his day. "You've got to be kidding me," Ortiz said, eyes bugging, when informed of Jones's itinerary. All day, Jones had eaten only "a bunch of trail mix" and sipped coffee.
"He'll get a free steak on the way home," Francona said.
Jones flew back to Boston as part of the Red Sox' 25-man roster. The day's excitement still hadn't worn off. When he left the clubhouse, he thought about how he might occupy his second cross-country trip of the day.
"I don't know," Jones said. "I might try to sleep."
At least he didn't lose his luggage like Manny Delcarmen did in 2005. He had to wear someone else's cleats and use Mike Timlin's glove. And in closing I must add in this last bit of awesome. Basically confirming what we've all known time and time again -- Tim Wakefield is a badassed motherfucker. Case in Point:
After Tuesday’s game where the Sox needed 11 innings of work from their bullpen, Wakefield walked into manager Terry Francona’s office early Wednesday morning and volunteered to work the entire game.
“I told him, ‘I understand the circumstances today. Whatever happens, don’t take me out. Just let me keep going,’.” Wakefield said.
Francona never had to worry.
“We needed exactly what he gave us,” said the manager. “I’m stating the obvious when I say we desperately needed that outing from him. It was welcome. He did a great job.”
Bad. Ass. Keep in mind that te Red Sox DESPERATELY needed this win. Wakefield gave them what they needed. Sure it would've been nice to see him get that no-hitter but honestly, I'm just glad that they got the win. Wake is one of the most underappreciated players on the team. He does his job, he is almost always up there in quality starts, he has sacrificed himself so many fucking times that I can't even count on one hand, and his salary is one of the best bargains in baseball. He's awesome and bitches best recognize his awesome. Papi at least does :)
That's all for now
Fidyrch also enjoyed it when the joke was on him, as happened when he was duped by fellow pitcher Dennis Burtt, who convinced him that, if the “Marlboro Man” cowboy on the advertisement beyond the outfield fence was hit in the, let us politely say, groin area, there was a hydraulic set-up that caused him to bend over and groan.
Intrigued, Fidyrch took a bucket of baseballs and headed for the outfield, where he proceeded to throw them at the sign until he hit the target.
Naturally, nothing happened - other than Burtt and the rest of the PawSox players bending over in uncontrollable laughter.
The surprising thing is not that Fidyrch went out there, but that it took him more than one or two tosses to hit what he was aiming at.
I think the only person on the Red Sox now that I can imagine doing this is Papelbon. Maybe Masterson. Though Papelbon would hit it like five times before he realized he was duped.
Speaking of PawSox and strange stories, I must share The Hilarious Misadventures of Hunter Jones. Now as you all know, Hunter Jones was called up in place of Daisuke Matsuzaka. Basically Jones went all the way from Rochester, NY to Oakland to try to make it to the afternoon game. As he arrived, the team was packing up and leaving. Poor kid, but the effort hasn't gone unrecognized.
When Jones arrived in the clubhouse, his teammates marveled at his day. "You've got to be kidding me," Ortiz said, eyes bugging, when informed of Jones's itinerary. All day, Jones had eaten only "a bunch of trail mix" and sipped coffee.
"He'll get a free steak on the way home," Francona said.
Jones flew back to Boston as part of the Red Sox' 25-man roster. The day's excitement still hadn't worn off. When he left the clubhouse, he thought about how he might occupy his second cross-country trip of the day.
"I don't know," Jones said. "I might try to sleep."
At least he didn't lose his luggage like Manny Delcarmen did in 2005. He had to wear someone else's cleats and use Mike Timlin's glove. And in closing I must add in this last bit of awesome. Basically confirming what we've all known time and time again -- Tim Wakefield is a badassed motherfucker. Case in Point:
After Tuesday’s game where the Sox needed 11 innings of work from their bullpen, Wakefield walked into manager Terry Francona’s office early Wednesday morning and volunteered to work the entire game.
“I told him, ‘I understand the circumstances today. Whatever happens, don’t take me out. Just let me keep going,’.” Wakefield said.
Francona never had to worry.
“We needed exactly what he gave us,” said the manager. “I’m stating the obvious when I say we desperately needed that outing from him. It was welcome. He did a great job.”
Bad. Ass. Keep in mind that te Red Sox DESPERATELY needed this win. Wakefield gave them what they needed. Sure it would've been nice to see him get that no-hitter but honestly, I'm just glad that they got the win. Wake is one of the most underappreciated players on the team. He does his job, he is almost always up there in quality starts, he has sacrificed himself so many fucking times that I can't even count on one hand, and his salary is one of the best bargains in baseball. He's awesome and bitches best recognize his awesome. Papi at least does :)
That's all for now