How Far Did That Home Run Travel? This Guy Knows!

Good morning!! This is from Monday's Boston Globe....

"Greg Rybarczyk has a day job. But most of all, he digs the long ball, and he has devoted much of his spare time to tracking home runs, creating a tool, the Hit Tracker, that he says calculates the precise trajectory of every home run hit in the big leagues.
"I'm not sure why exactly I got into the home run thing, it's probably a combination of things," said Rybarczyk...."

Peter here, and I'll link the entire article, which even includes a link to his "hit tracker" website, and it will be available when you click on the title of this post. But aren't we all curious to know, after watching one of our favorite Sox players crush a ball out of the park, just exactly how far that round leather stitched object traveled? From its point of impact with the wood of the bat to the spot where it lands, somewhere in Fenway Park, or better yet, somewhere on the surrounding streets, there has never been an EXACT scientific method for measuring the distance traveled. It's not as if a ball boy or girl can run out onto the field of play, metallic tape measure in hand, and my goodness, it had better be a LONG one, and then climb into the stands to get an exact flight path measurement while holding up the flow of the game for five or ten minutes. No, that won't work. So that's why Greg's concept interests me, and I too am going back to read the entire Globe article and then click on the provided link to go to his actual website. Yes, it's all there, when you click on the title!

Muct more importantly, I wanted to wish you, my Constant Readers, a happy New Year's Eve Day. In yesterday's post, I had a few things mixed up...I originally thought yesterday, Sunday, was New Years Eve day, but a comment from blogger and friend Laura (she and her blog are on my link list...just scroll down a little on the right hand side of this page--look for her first name) set me straight. TODAY is New Year's Eve day, and it's Monday, December 31st, 2007, and that's probably the very last time I will type the numbers 2 and 0 and 0 and 7, except when I write about the fond rememberances of a GREAT baseball year for all of us. Because it WAS a very special year, and every one of us is richer for it. I know I am, and I have you here every day! Life is good.

So enjoy midnight, when 2007 becomes 2008, and hug someone who is close to you, right there, on your right. You know you want to! I look forward to a great 2008, and I'd love to spend it writing to you, my blog friends and readers, or better yet, MY FRIENDS...FOREVER. Is that OK with you? Oh, don't forget to click on this post's title to read the Edes' fascinating article about home runs, and their tracking machine! Be well. Forever! And have a wonderful night, for as the hours turn and tick closer and closer towards that special midnight hour, magic will happen! I just know it. And I love it!!! And I love you, every one of you. Be safe, and be well.

On The Eve Of New Year's Eve Day 2007-2008--Perfect Patriots!

Good morning on this partly cloudy December 30th, 2007 (thanks, Laura!). We're in the last hours of the calender year, and it certainly has been a kind one for Boston Red Sox fans, Boston Celtics fans and, of course, the perfect 16-0 regular season New England Patriots, or as some liked to call them, the "Red Sox in helmets." That phrase WAS known as a "diss," but my, oh my, how things have changed! The Sox are the best team in all of baseball. BAR NONE. The Celtics have the best record in basketball. And the Patriots last night completed their perfect 2007-08 regular season at 16-0 with a comeback and thrilling 38-35 victory over the gung-ho New York Giants. Both teams played with all hands-on-board. They played for keeps, and the Pats were successful in making NFL history, although in more of a nail-biting fashion than I would have liked. Bottom line? THEY WON.

The latest from Minnesota and the Johan Santana sweepstakes goes like this, from ESPN dot com. I'll be back with a comment after you read this, although I've exhaustively made my feelings known when it comes to the Twins' lefty and his final destination....

"The Twins continue to stay in contact with the Red Sox, Yankees, Mets and Mariners about a Johan Santana deal. But those talks have moved so slowly it's now possible a Santana trade may not get done "for several weeks," according to one source with knowledge of the discussions.
The Yankees' last bid was a four-for-one offer that would have included Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, pitching prospect Jeff Marquez and a fourth prospect that the teams never settled on. That offer isn't currently on the table. But those talks could be revived if Hank Steinbrenner pushes the Yankees back into active discussions.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, haven't budged on their offer of Jon Lester, Coco Crisp, pitching prospect Justin Masterson and shortstop Jed Lowrie. And the Mariners are still viewed as a longshot because Santana appears reluctant to sign an extension that would tie him to Seattle long term.
The Twins are now telling other teams that they may hold Santana until spring training to get the package they want."

Peter here, and we can wait as long as it takes. The last thing the Twinkies want or need is to go through the 2008 season and then lose Santana to free agency. THEY WILL NOT LET THAT HAPPEN. But it seems that they're going to take their time deciding exactly what path they will follow. And that's just fine with me....the Red Sox are "sitting pretty," as things stand now.

I'll be back tomorrow with a New Years post, one that has all my wishes and dreams, not only for me, but for you, EVERY one of you, my Constant Readers. So until then, I thank you for being here, and I urge you to click on the title for the Sunday Boston Globe's great Patriots' article. It's entitled "SWEET 16." And as the late and great one, and you know who I mean, said, "How sweet it is!" Oh yes, Jackie. How sweet it is...that says it all. Be well everyone, and watch out while driving those soon to be snowy roads.

Former Yankee Jim Leyritz In Deep Sh....Err...Trouble!

Good morning on this rainy but relatively warm early Saturday. The snowstorm to come is not due here until late Sunday into Monday, a Nor'easter type of storm that is so hard to predict, even for the expert meteoroligists, that the possible severity will not be known until Sunday. OK, back to the subject of this post. I heard a news story, sports-related, on ESPN radio in the wee hours of this weekend morning, and I wanted to pass it along to you. Here's a bit of it...the entire story is available when you click on this post's title. Here you go....

"Former major leaguer Jim Leyritz was arrested Friday on charges of driving under the influence and killing a driver after his car crashed into hers.
Leyritz was charged with DUI manslaughter and DUI property damage, said Detective Kathy Collins, Fort Lauderdale police spokeswoman. He posted the $11,000 bond and was released from Broward County jail.
Police believe alcohol was involved in the crash, though investigators are awaiting results of blood alcohol tests, Collins said."

Peter, back again. On one hand, I feel a little bad for him. But on the other hand, I feel tremendously bad for his victim, for Leyritz blew past a red light while heading north and broadsided her westbound car, killing that unfortunate driver, a person who was simply in the wrong place at the EXACT wrong time. She was at the mercy of another driver, whose judgement AND vision were impaired by alcohol. Leyritz WILL see jail time...that's what happens when you kill someone, man OR animal. And that's the way it should be.

So, my Constant Readers, be careful on the roads this long four day weekend....I want you back on Wednesday, the second day of (GULP!) 2008. And for the unedited full story, just click on the title. I'll be here throughout this four day New Year's weekend, so expect to hear from me! And, as always, be well.

2007...A Red Sox Year In Review

The Boston Herald's Jeff Horrigan has penned an article that appeared in the Friday edition of that newspaper. It summarizes the Boston Red Sox and the year 2007. It's a "Reader's Digest" version of the season, but it encapsulates very well the season, the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON, that touched our hearts. Here's a taste...click on the title for the entire piece. Here you go....

"With few roster decisions to be made, Francona was able to gear the team up for the regular season down in Florida. The Sox lost three of the first five games but won five of the next six and never trailed again.
Beckett, who had an unfulfilling debut season in Boston (16-11, 5.01 ERA) in 2006, demonstrated right from the start that he was primed to take over as staff ace by winning his first nine decisions, including all five in April. The right-hander wasn’t alone with the fast start. Matsuzaka and Schilling each won three games in April, while Papelbon converted all eight save opportunities without surrendering a run and Okajima posted a 0.71 ERA in 12 appearances.
The Sox didn’t let up in May, going an MLB-best 20-8 to build the divisional lead to as high as 11.5 games from May 27-29. Sox bats began to heat up, with first baseman Kevin Youkilis [stats] leading the way with a .402 average, six homers and 22 RBI in the month. Rookie second baseman Dustin Pedroia [stats], meanwhile, rebounded from a dreadful April (.182) to hit .415 and earn AL Rookie of the Month honors."

Peter here, and that's just April and May! Right now on this Friday, December 28th, the Red Sox news is slim and none. But my ears are always open and my fingers always ready to type this battered Apple keyboard. Actually, it's not THAT battered, and it works just fine. They make them to take a lot of pounding, I guess, and that's exactly what I do to get the news, rumors or just plain old good stuff out to you. For without you, life wouldn't be so interesting. Not even close! So you keep reading, and I'll keep writing. Deal? Done.

Click on the title of this post for the entire Horrigan Herald article, and enjoy this, the last weekend of a very special year, 2007. I've had my ups, actually we ALL did with the Sox going all the way, but I've had my downs, too, with the loss of my beloved kitty of more than 18 years. But such is life...we might bend, but we never break, even when it gets rough. Have a wonderful four day weekend, and welcome 2008 with open arms. It will be a year to remember. I just have one of those feelings. And don't forget to click on the title of this post. Thanks, as always, for being here. You make my day, everyday, everyway.

Fairfield, Connecticut Concerns.....

Jessica, a visitor and reader of my blog, is a Boston Red Sox fan. She lives in Fairfield county, which is in the southwest portion of my state, Connecticut. The cable companies have to play by the MLB rules, and YES, the Yankee network, is the only baseball-team related signal that they're allowed to carry. NO NESN! I'll repeat that. NO NESN!!!!!!! And that's a shame. I have other blog friends, one who STILL lives in that blacked-out county (Reb) and one who has recently moved to a NESN happiness zone (Jere). I'd like to give you the link that Jessica, just now, gave me. Sign the petition if you can, while thinking about all those loyal fans, members of our Red Sox Nation, who are shut out of the every game coverage of the best team in baseball. That's what NESN does, to our delight. JUST CLICK ON THE TITLE OF THIS POST, and you'll be directed to the petition site.

Thank you Jessica, and don't forget to click on this post's title, my Constant Readers!! And thank you.

What Goes Up MUST Come Down. *Part Two*

Peter here on a still dark Thursday morning. I'm going to continue to analyze Jeff Horrigan's Boston Herald article from Wednesday about the highs and lows of the 2007 world champion Boston Red Sox. This time my focus will be on the five low points. Go back to my last post, right below this one, to read Horrigan's five high points, with my comments in parenthesis. Same thing this time around, too. Here we go, and don't forget to leave me a comment. Did Horrigan have a glaring oversight? Did he forget an obvious low point? OK, here we go....ta da! Again, my comments will be bracketed......

THE LOW FIVE

1. GAGNE GAGS UNDER PRESSURE
Eric Gagne fell flat on his face after the Sox acquired the closer from the Texas Rangers for the final two months of the season. The former Cy Young Award winner went 2-2 with a 6.75 ERA in 20 regular-season appearances for Boston, losing the trust of management, which justly refused to go to him in key moments down the stretch and in the playoffs. For some reason, the Brewers still gave him $10 million this offseason to serve as their closer.
(Peter here, and this is an obvious numero uno....he was a certifiable BUST. PU. Stinkaroo...I could go on, but you get my drift).

2. A $70 MILLION MISTAKE?

J.D. Drew did little to quell the fears of Sox fans, who felt the team dreadfully overpaid for his services. The veteran right fielder had drop-offs in every major statistical category and hit only .270 with 11 homers and 64 RBI in his first year in Boston and was a non-factor for extended stretches. A strong finish, however, provided reason to be optimistic for a better 2008.
(OK, JD Drew did nothing for most of the first two thirds of the regular season, and the Fenway boo-birds were heard inncessantly, in full force. But we've seen his worst, and that's behind us. Optimistic thinking? Nope, just a feeling I have, deep inside. I listen to those feelings, and I realize that more than half the time, those inner mind flashes come true. But please don't ask me for tomorrow's lottery numbers. I have my limitations just like everyone else!).


3. MANNY SLOW FADE?

For the first time in his tenure with the Red Sox, Manny Ramirez did not demand to be traded this season and offseason. Could it be that the enigmatic left fielder realizes that his skills have begun to erode and that his production would drop drastically outside of Fenway Park? Don’t be surprised if the Sox entertain trade offers for Ramirez before the start of spring training, as he enters the final year of his contract.
(I think this is a totally off the wall statement to make, even in jest. And he wasn't joking, my friends. I'll have to file it away under "what if...", but I think Manny is as snug as a bug in the rug, so to speak. We all saw how hard he worked to come back from his oblique muscle injury, and when he returned to the lineup and Fenway's cozy left field, well, he flat out SHINED!).

4. LOOKING OUT FOR NO. 1

Jacoby Ellsbury’s presence in the starting lineup in 2008 should solve the problem but the Sox struggled to find a viable leadoff hitter in ’07. Julio Lugo proved to be a far better hitter in the ninth spot (.305 in 49 games) than in the first (224 in 84 games), while Coco Crisp seemed far more comfortable hitting lower in the order. Pedroia finished up at leadoff and hit .328 there but he’s far better suited for the second spot.
(Ellsbury, Pedroia, Papi, Manny and Mike Lowell...that one through five sounds good to me!).

5. AGE ISN’T JUST A NUMBER

The Sox will likely open next season with three pitchers -- Curt Schilling (41), Tim Wakefield (41) and Mike Timlin (42) -- in their 40s, and six of nine starting position players 32 or older, including a 36-year-old catcher (Jason Varitek and 36-year-old clean-up hitter (Ramirez). Schilling, Wakefield, Timlin and Ramirez were sidelined by injuries for stretches in 2007, which may provide reason for concern in ’08.
(Peter here, one more time. I think Mr. Horrigan is stretching with this number five item. True, many of the players mentioned above will NOT be with our club for the 2009 season, but we play AS A TEAM, not looking forward or back, trying to stay focused on "the moment." It worked in '04, and again last year. And we're going to go for it yet again, with all the seasoned veterans playing shoulder to shoulder with the younger guys, who have so much to learn and so many great "advisors" to teach them the nuances and sublety that IS major league level baseball. That's the game I love, and something tells me that you love it too! I wouldn't have it any other way!).

Click on the title of this post for Dan Shaughnessey's Thursday Boston Globe article about Jim Rice and his quest for the Hall of Fame. Is this his year? I sure hope so. Enjoy your Thursday, because, ready or not, the weekend is almost upon us....AGAIN! Be well.

A Post-Holiday Wednesday GLOW! *Part One*

And with that title, I wish you all a happy "day-after-Christmas" greeting. Good morning!! The Boston Herald's Jeff Horrigan wrote a Wednesday morning article dealing with the top five Boston Red Sox high points of the world championship season of 2007, and the five at the opposite end of the spectrum. I'd like to go over the five high points in this well written article, with my comments following each one. Sound OK? My comments will be in parenthesis. Here we go......

1. BECKETT BECOMES TRUE ACE
"Had postseason play been considered in the voting, Josh Beckett would have been a unanimous winner of the A.L. Cy Young Award. He became the game’s first 20-game winner since 2005 and was a true stopper, going 10-3 when starting after a Red Sox loss. The Cy snub should only drive Beckett harder in 2008."
( Peter here, and there's not much more to say.....Josh "Baseball" Beckett proved that he was the best pitcher in all of baseball, BAR NONE!)

2. OKAJIMA, PAPELBON AT THE END OF GAMES

"The Sox’ bullpen was in chaos in spring training before Jonathan Papelbon asked to return to his role as closer after preparing to start due to shoulder concerns. He ended up being the most dominating closer in the game today, with newcomer Hideki Okajima serving as the perfect setup reliever, effectively shortening the games for Sox starters."
(Hideki "the Darkman" Okajima was the best lefty set-up guy of them all, in both leagues!. And Paps? Just the name Papelbon says it all.)

3. LOWELL SIMPLY INVALUABLE

"The one-time “throw-in” in the Beckett trade, third baseman Mike Lowell was the Sox’ most consistent player from start to finish, batting .324 with 21 homers and 120 RBI before earning World Series MVP honors. Urged on by an adoring public, the team rewarded him with a three-year, $37.5-million contract extension."
(And he's resigned for another three years! Oh joy!)

4. PEDROIA SECOND-BEST TO NO ROOKIE

"Critics were calling for Dustin Pedroia [stats] to be benched or sent down to the minors after a dreadful start but the undersized second baseman got the last laugh. After batting only .172 through May 1, he hit .330 the rest of the way, ending up with the highest batting average ever by a rookie second baseman (.317)."
(Pedroia started to sizzle when most fans and scribes were clamoring for his replacement. He was white-hot for the rest of the year, including his heroics in that wonderful post-season.)

5. THE FUTURE’S SO BRIGHT

"Jacoby Ellsbury, Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester made invaluable contributions in September and October, providing promise for the future. Ellsbury bailed the team out with an outstanding September (.361), Buchholz pitched a no-hitter in his second big-league start and Lester won the clinching game of the World Series. The Sox may not have won without them.
(This is my favorite! Ellsbury will be our lead-off guy and provide great speed on the basepaths and in the outfield. Jon Lester will be a dependable lefthanded arm in the rotation. We ALL know he has heart! And Clay Buchholz? Only time will tell, but I recently watched a recording of his no hit outing against the Orioles, and his stuff is awesome, his future is so bright, and WE get to watch!)

Peter here, without the brackets. The number one low point was Eric Gagne, and who could argue? But today I wanted to concentrate on the bright and shining highs. Have a wonderful Wednesday, which feels like a Monday. Your comments will be read and answered. Do you have any additions to the top five list? And click on the title for another Wednesday Jeff Horrigan Herald article...this one an overview of the Sox season of 2007. A year to remember...forever! Be well.

Deal, Or NO Deal?

This is from MLB dot com, dated yesterday. I think it's worth our attention. What do you think? Here it is....any comments??

"The Boston Red Sox are on the verge of trading young talent for the best left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball.
The Sox could probably finish a deal for Johan Santana today if they'd include Jacoby Ellsbury in a package with Jon Lester and two mid- to high-level minor league prospects (shortstop Jed Lowrie and pitcher Justin Masterson).
Theo Epstein and Co. have so far resisted the inclusion of both Lester and Ellsbury, reportedly putting two separate packages on the table with one of the two players in each.
But why wouldn't the Red Sox include Lester? After all, they'd be replacing a strong pitching prospect with a two-time Cy Young winner.
The Sox have also offered Coco Crisp in lieu of Ellsbury. Crisp is one of the best defensive outfielders in the AL, and should have won a Gold Glove in 2007. His career offensive numbers show an average hitter with above-average speed on the basepaths.
Considering that the Red Sox have won two of the last four World Series on the strength of their starting rotation, pitching should continue to be their priority. In 2004, the Sox started the same five pitchers throughout the season, and in 2007 had the second best ERA in baseball behind San Diego.
With the inclusion of Ellsbury, the Red Sox could probably eliminate Masterson from the trade, thus keeping one of their top pitching prospects, along with their best overall prospect in Clay Bucholz.
To his credit, Ellsbury looked great in 2007. His speed is of the once-in-a-generation type, and he's a homegrown talent. But it's considerably easier to acquire an outfielder than it is to acquire a premier starter.
So go ahead Theo—bite the bullet.
A Santana deal would put the Tigers, Angels, and Yankees on notice that there will be no easy series against the Red Sox in 2008—not with Santana, Beckett, Schilling, Matsuzaka, Wakefield, and Bucholz taking turns on the mound."

Peter here, and I'd prefer NOT to include Ellsbury in that mix. But you already know my feelings! Again, have a Merry Christmas.....and maybe there WILL be a Sox present under the tree, but I don't think so. Not right now. And that's good, too.

Happy Christmas (War Is Over)

So this is Christmas
And what have you done?
Another year over
And a new one just begun.
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young.

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear.

And so this is Christmas
For weak or for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong.
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight.

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear.

And so this is Christmas
And what have we done?
Another year over
And a new one just begun.

And so happy Christmas
We hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young.
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear.

War is over
If you want it.
War is over
NOW!

Words and music by John Lennon 1972


Peter here on Christmas Day 2007. I wish every one of you a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year. 2007 was a fun year to be a Red Sox fan, and I enjoyed writing every post (well, ALMOST every post). Have a great holiday season! I appreciate the fact that you stop in and read my words. I'm a lucky guy, I guess. I KNOW!!

A Christmas Poem Sent To Me This Morning....

Peter here, and this was sent to me this morning by a very special friend. She knows who she is! It's called SILLY ME.....

**SILLY ME** NW-2007

I'm in love with a man who is ever so sweet.
I'm in love with a heart that does not skip a beat.

I'm in love with a voice that is always so kind.
I'm in love with a mind that overpowers all minds.

I'm in love with eyes that captured me so.
I'm in love with someone I cannot let go.

I'm in love with the lips that trapped mine forever.
I want to be with you forever and ever.

And most of all, as you can see,
I'm in love with you.
Ha ha, silly me.

Hello, my Constant Readers. I thought that was so sweet. I hope you're having as great a day as I am. Be well.

Papi On Johan...Roger On HIMSELF......

Good Monday morning, Christmas Eve Day. I guess it's nice that Christmas falls on a Tuesday, because those last minute shoppers who haven't completed their gift lists have the entire day today to catch up and morph into Santa Claus tomorrow.

Yesterday, Big Papi David Ortiz sounded off on the chances of his good friend Johan Santana being traded to our team from Minnesota. This is part of what he had to say, from the Herald of Boston....

“No,” Ortiz said when asked if he thought his good friend, Santana, would be traded to the Red Sox. “I was (following it) for a minute, but I guess they stopped. They don’t want him to go. (Minnesota) already gave Boston too many good things already. Me, and now Santana? No way.”
While Ortiz’ belief that the left-hander won’t be coming to the Red Sox might serve as coal in the stockings of many New Englanders, the idea of missing out on the former Cy Young Award winner doesn’t thrill the Sox slugger, either. The two have remained close since they first played together with Minnesota in 2000, and Ortiz still carries pictures of Santana’s children on his cell phone.
“Hell yeah,” Ortiz said when asked if he was excited at the prospect of calling Santana a teammate again. “What do you think? That’s a whole lot less trouble for me.”

Peter here, and all I can say is this...if the proposed but still iffy trade with the Twinkies does NOT include Jacoby Ellsbury's name, I hope it happens! But Papi knows what's going on, and I take what he has to say with a grain of salt. I've already said and written all that a person can on this subject...it's just a matter of waiting until something, or an official nothing, happens. I can wait.

Next up, a quick quote from that overweight cheater Roger Clemens, borrowed from the Boston Globe. He speaks of his upcoming interview, soon to be taped, for the CBS show 60 MINUTES. The interviewer is said to be Mike Wallace, which means one thing to me....no Katie Couric powder puff questions. Nail him, Mike, just as you've been doing for the last 50 plus years. Here's a bit of what the "once-Rocket" had to say....

"Let me be clear, the answer is no. I did not use steroids, or human growth hormone and I've never done so," Clemens said. "I did not provide Brian McNamee with any drugs to inject in to my body. Brian McNamee did not inject steroids or human growth hormones into my body either when I played in Toronto for the Blue Jays or the New York Yankees. This report is simply not true." While Clemens has released a written and video statement since Mitchell issued his report Dec. 13, he has not answered questions. "After Christmas, I'm going to sit down with Mike Wallace of '60 Minutes,' and I'll do an interview, and he'll ask me a ton of questions on this subject, and I'll answer them right there in front of him, and we'll do all of this again," Clemens said."

Peter here...yeah, sure Roger. That's all I have to say on this matter right now. But if I may, I'd like to say this to Mike Wallace....GO GET 'EM, MIKE!! Nail him!!! My Constant Readers, don't get me wrong....I do NOT want a witch hunt, or anything close to that. I JUST WANT THE TRUTH. THE PLAIN AND SIMPLE TRUTH.

To all of my readers, every single one of you, whether you are from the United States or from anywhere across this huge world of ours, have a wonderful, happy, healthy and joyous Christmas. It's Christmas Eve Day today, and the faint echos of jingling bells, reindeer snorts and ho-ho-ho's can ALMOST be heard. SSHHH, just use your imagination. Turn down the sound, and listen. You see?? He's there....miles and miles away but ready to spread joy throughout this land of ours. Be well and be safe...forever. And MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Oh, and click on the title of this post for the entire Big Papi Boston Herald article.

2008-2009 Off Season Thoughts

Yes, that's right...NEXT year's off season. Rob Bradford of the Boston Herald wrote a thought-provoking piece in today's Boston Herald, having to do with a couple of the "what-ifs" that will be facing the Sox after the 2008 baseball season. Here's a little bit of it, and my comments will follow. The entire article is available when you click on the title, but read this and my comments first, please...

"Every offseason presents a whole new set of storylines. But next year’s might be Oscar worthy.
For the Red Sox, there is the impending free agency of catcher Jason Varitek and the task of replacing starter Curt Schilling.
But the player who will potentially headline the drama is Manny Ramirez [stats], staring at a club option of $20 million for each of the two years after 2008. Once thought to be a destination not to be concerned with because of the Red Sox’ front office’s previous run-ins with the left fielder, the notion of Ramirez sticking around for a ninth year could be a plausible scenario.
Who would have envisioned the slugger finishing up his latest championship parade, pointing to the retired Sox numbers along the outside of Fenway Park's wall and making it clear that he not only wanted to retire a Red Sox, but hoped to have his own number immortalized at Fenway?"

Peter here, and who'da thunk it? Manny at $20 million per year...that's a relative bargain these days. First of all, Schill will be retiring after next season, at least that's what it seems like right now, so no Boston decisions need to be made on that front. But the Captain, Jason Varitek? We need him back for the 09-10 seasons. Let's just hope...I can't envision him playing for ANY other team than ours. And neither can you! I guess when the Sox are doing well, in fact, better than ANY TEAM last year, Manny is all about his club. But when the club "wallows in the mire," to borrow a few words from Jim Morrison, THAT Manny seems to lose it. Just a little. Last year, when his severe oblique muscle injury allowed him to take his natural swing at the plate, we all saw him shine, and we rode his shoulders, along with Papi's and so many others, to a World Championship. And how sweet it was! The prospect of having him playing out there in Fenway Park's left field for an extra two years is a wonderful one in itself, and he'll be welcomed back with open arms and love in all our hearts. And if one day, years from now, the club decides to put his number up there with the cherished and hallowed ones, that would be equally wonderful. AND that would mean Manny will decide to remain with the club next year, of course, AND pick up his option for the two years after that. Just the thought of our clean up hitter sticking around THAT long is sweet indeed, and I hope I can score tickets for his Fenway finale....in 2010.

It's Sunday, the day before Christmas Eve day. I wish you all the best, every one of you, and I appreciate you stopping by. Any and all comments will be quickly responded to, and the entire Rob Bradford Herald article is right here! Just click on the title of this post. Be safe. Be well. And thanks...for everything!

Please Mr. Postman.......

With the absence of any hard Red Sox news, I'm going to delve into Ian Browne's MLB dot com mailbag. There'll be a question about our veteran starter, Curt Schilling. I'll print it and Browne's answer, and then be back with a comment or two. After that, there'll be a question and reply about our young phenom Clay Buchholz, whose stuff is so good, it's scary! Here you go.. question numero uno.....

"What are your projections for Curt Schilling in 2008? I feel with the incentives that were written into his contract recently, these will prove invaluable to a productive season. Personally, I feel if Schilling keeps his weight in check and continues to rely on other pitches besides his once-dominant fastball, he will win 15-20 games in 2008."
-- Greg L., Owings Mills, Md.

"Schilling learned a lot about himself last season. Mainly, he learned how to pitch without the velocity he's had most of his career. I think Schilling is also making a strong commitment to getting in great shape this offseason, which is always a key for any pitcher in his 40s. I agree with your optimism, that he should have a pretty good year. Plus, in Schilling's mind, this is going to be his last season, and you know he wants to go out strong. This is the first time in a long time he'll go to camp as something less than an ace or a co-ace, so I bet that also motivates him."

Peter here, and right now Curt is in the midst of his off-season training routine. He's not losing weight....that will come later. He is building muscle mass, especially in his throwing shoulder. The hope is that the "tired" shoulder problems of last year, when he missed roughly six weeks to rehab into playing shape, will be a thing of the past. Schill certainly knows how to pitch, that's for sure. He can't overwhelm hitters with gas anymore, but he can mix up his speeds and use his devastating splitter for maximum effectiveness. All we need from Curt next year is six, maybe seven quality innings, giving up three runs or less. He will be a 15 plus game winner if he can do that, and that's so sweet. And not being the "top dog' of the rotation WILL motivate him. Like the car rental company AVIS, "he'll try harder!" Now, on to question numero dos.....

"I know that Clay Buchholz wasn't pitching at the end of last season because of a tired right shoulder. Is he ready to go for next season?"
-- Karl M., Clifton Park, N.Y.

"Buchholz was in Boston earlier this offseason and underwent some strength tests and the Red Sox were very pleased with the progress he has made. The expectation is that Buchholz will be full speed ahead at the outset of Spring Training. And as pitching coach John Farrell recently said, the club is hoping to get about 180-185 innings out of Buchholz in 2008."

Peter here, one more time on this still dark but balmy Saturday morning, the first hours of an exquisite four day weekend. Clay Buchholz is a gem in the making, a developing talent who has such great stuff, he's a "can't miss" future All Star. Remember his no-hitter last year against the Orioles? I sure do. He used his great fastball and mixed in his "fall off the table" curveball to keep the Baltimore batters off balance the entire night. His pitch count was mounting in the later innings, however, and Theo MIGHT have had to make a decision that would seemingly vilify him to every member of Red Sox Nation and Red Sox International...a few more pitches and he would have had to "strongly suggest" to Boston manager Terry Francona to pull him from the game, no-hitter or no no-hitter. Boy, I'm glad it didn't come down to that. He was shut down in early September of '07, and that was a good move. As the above letter showed, 185 Buchholz innings in 2008 will be a joy to behold. I love watching him pitch. And with a Daisuke who will be embarking on his second run-through of the American League and Josh Beckett continuing his dominance and.....oh well, I could keep going, but I won't. We ALL know that the 2008 Boston Red Sox club will be a good one, fun to watch while staying successful. What a combination! And maybe a Johan in the starting five? We'll see.......

Click on the title of this post for an article from the Boston Globe that illuminates, a little, the Jason Grimsley steroid tell-all "who did this, who did that" story. There's not much Soxy stuff around today. probably because so many people are taking the long weekend off....time to be with families and friends, loved ones. Be well, have fun, and I'll be back tomorrow, and every day thereafter, the Big Guy in the sky willing. I'd love to see and respond to your comments....comments about Schill or Clay, or ANYONE/ANYTHING. Thanks!!

"Goose" Gossage Speaks Out....

In what might be "his" year to gain admission to the hallowed Hall of Fame, fabled reliever supreme Goose Gossage had this to say about the swirling mist that is Roger Clemens. This is from North Jersey dot com. Read a little......

"If Roger cheated, what do the numbers mean? They mean nothing," Gossage said by telephone on Thursday. "Roger has always been a production, everything he's done has been a production. He's always wanted the attention. He's probably getting a lot more attention now than he ever wanted."
Gossage added that the three Cy Young awards Clemens won after he allegedly began taking performance-enhancing drugs "cannot stand," just as Bonds' home run record must be disqualified by Bud Selig.
"I always felt [Hank] Aaron's record was never given a fair shot," Gossage said. "It wasn't a level playing field, because Aaron had to go through so much more than Bonds ever did. I'm just glad the investigation took place. For a while, I thought the whole [steroids] thing was going to be swept under the rug.
"There's too much at stake here, too much great history, too many great players whose numbers pale in comparison to the steroid numbers. With Clemens, you just shake your head and wonder how it all happened, how it came to this. I mean, why didn't the Red Sox re-sign him [after the 1996 season]? All of a sudden his numbers started getting crazy when he was supposed to be getting older.
"There's no way [those post-1996 Cy Young awards] can stand."

Peter here, and I'm just now ready, finally, to go to the Christmas party at work....it's a half day of work, a two hour party, and so many happy faces going home to their friends and families. But I applaud Mr. Gossage for what he had the guts to say. I DO hope he will be voted into the Hall of Fame this year. After all, he was one of the most feared hurlers ever to take the mound in those so important late innings. Thanks Goose!! The entire article is linked when you click on the title of the post.

BOSS, The Bulldog, And What He Thought Was A Rawhide Chew Toy!

Jonathon Papelbon, the Boston Red Sox closer supreme, has a bulldog, a cute one, and his name is "Boss." I hope he wasn't named after George Steinbrenner, and I KNOW he wasn't named after the real BOSS, Bruce Springsteen. So he's just.....well, he's just Boss! And that World Series baseball we last saw in Jason Varitek's right hand as he was stuffing it into his right rear pocket on his way to the mound to congratulate the jubilent and somewhat crazy Paps after the final World Series out, well, that's a thing of the past, a victim of Boss's teeth and salivary glands. I sure hope he enjoyed it! His Dad had this to say....

"He plays with baseballs like they are his toys," Papelbon told the Hattiesburg (Miss.) American. "He jumped up one day on the counter and snatched it. He likes rawhide. He tore that thing to pieces. Nobody knows that. I’ll keep what’s left of it."

Peter here, and Boss, your Dad likes to play with rawhide baseballs, too. He throws them really fast, zipping them by dumbfounded batters who are as helpless as a fly on a piece of flypaper. So you took a page right out of Dad's book! Well, you know what they say! Bark, bark, bark woof. No, wait a second, in English that translates to "like father, like son." Have a long life, Boss, and make sure your Dad stays out of trouble. You see, much like you, we love him. SO MUCH.

Thanks for stopping in again, my Constant Readers. I can honestly say that the preceding mirthful words were the first ever here on my blog that I directed to a canine. But as most of you know, I'm an animal lover, and cats and dogs gravitate towards me. I guess I'm lucky. I KNOW I am. We were ALL put here on this wonderful Earth for a reason, four legs or two. And that makes me SO happy.
Click on the title of this post for a Dan Shaughnessy article from the Boston Globe, from Wednesday. Enjoy your Friday, and have a wonderful weekend, a holiday weekend. Stay well, be safe....and don't forget....I care. Forever.

Jacoby Ellsbury IS NOT On The Trading Block...READ ON!!

The Red Sox front office, consisting of Theo Epstein and company, are making sense. They know right now, in their back and forth, off and on and off again recent dealings with the Minnesota Twins about their ace lefty Johan Santana, that they are dealing from a position of strength, NOT NEED. So it seems that Jacoby Ellsbury, our centerfielder for many years to come, is NOT ON THE TABLE ANY MORE! And I applaud that decision. Minnesota, YOU HAD YOUR CHANCE. Now deal with the latest offerings, or go hungry after the 2008 season. Because you'll have a hole in your roster, a gap that could have been so preventable. I sound like your dentist....no, NO....read this....

"From the St. Paul Pioneer Press' Charley Walters (Dec. 19): "The Boston Red Sox remain the favorite to acquire Johan Santana from the Twins, insiders say. Boston remains firm, though, as initially reported by the Pioneer Press, in offering just Jon Lester, Coco Crisp, Jed Lowrie and Justin Masterson. The Red Sox are adamantly opposed to substituting Jacoby Ellsbury for Crisp, and that's the current holdup. Regardless, there's buzz that the Santana trade could be made within days. Boston has a larger pool of players who interest Minnesota and can contribute to the Twins immediately, whereas many of the New York Yankees' top prospects are at least a season or two away from succeeding in the major leagues."

Peter here, and I'm proud of our Sox.....and you know why. They realize they are in the dominant position. The Sox don't need that much help, maybe a couple band aids rather than stitches. So Theo took Ellsbury off the table. Of course I'll miss Jon Lester, AND Coco, for if (when) Jacoby stays, Coco has already said he's out. But nothing has happened yet!

I'm linking the entire article, short as it is, and it's from the Boston Globe "Buzz." So click on the title of this post. And who knows? Sometime between the Christmas and New Year holidays, our wonderful team might be richer with a lefty in the number two rotation slot. I'll have much more to say, and I usually do, when the news warrants. Until then, it's been a doubleheader post morning, and I'm ready for another breakfast! Be well. Forever. Thanks for being
here.

Schilling Speaks (Again!)

Curt Schilling yesterday was loquacious as always, and his subject this time? None other than seven time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens and his recent denial of using any type of PEDs (performance enhancing drugs). Here's a bit of what he had to say. Anything in parenthesis are my words, and mine alone.....

"Now I, like every other Yankee/Clemens fan, am faced with a dilemma. The two men that fingered multiple players, from my understanding, they both testified with immunity, but only if they told the truth (!!!!). So these guys had every reason in the world to NOT lie. (BINGO!) That doesn’t mean they didn’t, but there is an immense amount of incentive for them to not lie when they gave their depositions because lying would have seen them open to legal actions beyond what they are already facing.
“So the question to me then becomes this. It’s no mystery that Roger and Andy are as close as any two teammates I know of. Andy makes no bones about Roger's influence in his career. Their personal trainer, the trainer Roger took to Toronto, then to NY, has admitted to administering PED’s (performance-enhancing drugs) to both men. Andy has admitted he did, and that it was a mistake and he never did it again. Roger has denied every allegation brought to the table (of course he has!). So as a fan, my thought is that Roger will find a way in short order to organize a legal team to guarantee a retraction of the allegations made, a public apology is made, and his name is completely cleared. If he doesn’t do that, then there aren’t many options as a fan for me other than to believe his career 192 wins and 3 Cy Youngs he won prior to 1997 were the end." (AMEN...well said, Curt. Sock it to 'em! Wait...where'd THAT come from? Rowan and Martin's LAUGH-IN??)

Peter here, and I'm sorry...I couldn't resist the lure of leaving my thoughts, inside the brackets, when the need(s) struck me. I'm a guy of many words, but when something hits me, hits me right between the eyes, and that "something" stinks foul and unfair and just plain old nasty, well, I HAVE TO PUT MY TWO CENTS IN!

Enjoy your Thursday, as it has become two days and counting before the four day Christmas weekend commences. We have our Christmas party at work starting at noon on Friday, and everyone manages to have a great time while keeping one eye on the clock, maybe to duck out after an hour or so and beat the holiday traffic rush that is sure to develop, not only because it will be a Friday but, even better, the start of a long and wonderful weekend. I wish you all well, and thanks for stopping in again. You make me so happy. I'm just now writing another Thursday morning post, this one with something more "urgent" in nature. About our club's future. So read on!! Be well.

Yeah, Right! Roger Will Do That. And There IS A Santa Claus!!

Good Wednesday morning yet again. What do you think of this article? It's another one all about Roger, but this is the kind of publicity I'm sure he would love to do WITHOUT. What do you think? Here, read a little. It's from Newsday dot com, and I will link it when you click on the title.....

"There's only one way for Roger Clemens to clear his name, one exit strategy that will get him the "benefit of the doubt" for which he yearns.
Clemens needs to go in front of Congress next month and repeat, under oath, the exact words his agent Randy Hendricks released yesterday under the seven-time Cy Young Award winner's name. Otherwise, he's toast.
Is this fair? Nope....."

Peter here. Fair? YES! But I think it might never happen. I'd love to read and respond to your comments. Click on the title of this post to access the entire interesting and true, at least to me, article. And thanks....now click!!

The Pot Calling The Kettle Black?

In a rare interview in which he doesn't focus ENTIRELY on himself, Pete Rose, banished from the Hall of Fame, has come down, and come down hard on those major leaguers who allegedly have taken streoids or HGH. Here is a bit of what the two-faced liar (my true feelings about the man) had to say....

"I never thought anybody would make me look like an altar boy," Rose said.
"I've been suspended 18 years for betting on my own team to win," he added. "I was wrong ... but these guys today, if the allegations are true, they're making a mockery of the game."
Rose was banished from baseball for life in 1989 for betting on games while he was manager of the Cincinnati Reds, his former team. He denied the gambling allegations until 2004, when he came clean in his autobiography. He is not eligible for the Hall of Fame.
"If you're going to put these guys that supposedly did steroids into the Hall of Fame, I mean, I've got to have a shot at it someday."

Peter here, and hey Pete, just seeing your name and the two words "altar boy" in the SAME SENTENCE is revolting, so don't flatter yourself. You are permanently tarnished. You gambled on baseball while managing a big league team, and some of your bets were on the game your team was playing that day! How low can someone go? You set the bar, my friend, and now you're paying for it. Bart Giamotti was exactly right when he doled out your punishment....who knows, maybe someday you'll be elected via the old-timer's route....voted in after your death. Don't get me wrong. I hope you have many, many years left on this planet, but while you're still breathing and alive, I feel it would be so wrong for you to be able to enjoy an induction ceremony. As the saying goes, "you play, you pay." Boy, did you play! WITH THE RULES, and everything sacred in the game I love, the game of baseball.

Everyone, my Constant Readers all, enjoy your Wednesday hump day as we slide towards that magic four day Christmas weekend. That's right....Saturday, Sunday, Monday AND Tuesday...all reserved for last minute gift purchases, eating, watching sports, eating and being with your families and loved ones. Oh, did I mention eating?? Seriously, I wish every one of you the best, and I'll be back tomorrow. The Red Sox news has been slim, but I'll always find something to write about. It's my nature. Thank you for your recent comments, and keep 'em coming! Be well, be safe and be happy. Forever.

Does Anybody REALLY Care What Time It Is?

Good Tuesday morning, as the night is surrendering to the never-ending sun's strength and tenacity, as our life-giving orb is still trying to make its way over the eastern horizon. I'm sure the golden rays, unimpeded by cloud cover, will shine, and shine soon, low angled through the canopy of trees, but still there in all its glory.

I just read the Boston Globe's Gordon Edes' Tuesday, December 18th article. It has to do with the Johan Santana/Red Sox back and forthness, and that's exactly what is is. Two teams, seemingly NOT in a hurry, but knowing what each of their needs are, playing a game, a high stake one. Here's a bit of the Edes article.....

"....for the Sox, standing pat may be the most attractive contingency to missing out on Santana.
So far, clearly, Epstein has decided Santana isn't worth the price that appears to have been set in Minnesota, one that includes some combination of Jacoby Ellsbury, Buchholz, and Lester. In the meantime, the phone lines remain open...."

Peter, back again, and MY phone lines are open too!! Just kidding. But I HAVE to respond to those words. First of all, I DO NOT want to lose Jacoby Ellsbury, Clay Buchholz is and ALWAYS will be untouchable, and Jon Lester, if we MUST part with him to obtain Johan's left arm, will be a huge loss, at least to me. For many of us, I am sure. The lure of a rotation that includes Santana following Beckett is a strong one, but that's the key word...STRONG. The Boston Red Sox are dealing from a position of huge strength.....and that's a great thing for every member of Red Sox International and Red Sox Nation. So the seconds, minutes, hours, days and months WILL tick by. But the Twinkies know that they have the most on the table if Santana, good as he is, is lost to free agency at the end of the '08 season. It's almost like sitting at the poker table, playing "Texas Hold'em No Limit," and you're sitting with a flush, reached on the turn (the second to last face-up card), and you check (don't bet), hoping an opponent with a lesser hand will raise the pot, and he or she does! You respond with your own raise, And that's what's called a "trap." I'm not sure what Theo is thinking, not right now, but maybe by his silence, it might be a baseball kind of TRAP." I DO know that the 2008 Boston Red Sox will be, and are, great. And that is such a nice thing. Overwhelming, to me, to tell you the truth.

Click on the title of this post for the Gordon Edes' article that spawned this entire post. It's from the Boston Globe, and I am your happy writer from Peter's Red Sox Forever. Have a great Tuesday, and always be safe. Thank you, and I'd love to read and respond to any and all of your great comments. Poker? All you have to do is ask...I know of a couple great online poker sites, play money or not! Red Sox Forever, and to you, my Constant Readers, thank you so very much.

Thank You, Dan Fogelberg

Hello...this is Peter. Wow, who else would it be? We lost a great singer/songwriter yesterday...his name was Dan Fogelberg, and he was able to write songs and simple music with a story. Click on the title of this post, and turn on your speakers to hear a song he wrote about his Dad, who had just passed away. MY Dad was "THE LEADER OF THE BAND", and his, as you'll hear, was too. And don't forget his sad but always Christmas song....."SAME AULD LANG SYNE," which you can click on right there...when you click on the title. Always remember that I thank you for stopping in. Now listen to that song.......

Did You See AROD on 60 Minutes?

Good Monday morning, a wickedly cold one here in north central Connecticut. Katie Couric interviewed Alex Rodriguez on the CBS show "60 Minutes" last night, and I thought it was a balanced interview with fair questions abounding. AROD came off as ALMOST likeable, and I think, for the most part, he was honest. Katie Couric? She has always irritated me, for some reason or reasons, but those are not important. Not here and not now. If you missed it, you can catch the entire interview online. The 21st century has brought that capability. Click on the title of this post. I found the exact link, and I'll remind you later!

On the same subject, former Red Sox Brendan Donnelly, whose option was declined by the Sox the day before the Mitchell report was released, said this after being one of those fools named in the report....

"Former Red Sox reliever Brendan Donnelly denied claims in the Mitchell Report that he used performance-enhancing drugs. In the report, the culmination of a 20-month investigation into steroid use in baseball that was released Thursday, former Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski recalled that Donnelly called him in 2004 looking for Anavar, an anabolic steroid. The report said Radomski made one sale to Donnelly of Deca-Durabolin for which Donnelly paid $250 to $300. In a statement, Donnelly acknowledges calling Radomski to discuss Anavar in 2004, when the pitcher was injured. "Upon learning that Anavar was classified as a steroid, I realized that was not an option," Donnelly said. "That was the end of it. Yes, I called him. But I did not purchase or receive anything from him. I never took Deca or Anavar."

Peter here, and Brendan, "never" is a strong word, but in this country you're innocent until proven guilty....so I believe you. Good luck to you and I hope you recover fully from the "Tommy John" procedure. Many other pitchers have, but it's an intricate and tricky operation.

Click on the title for the above mentioned "60 Minutes" AROD interview with Katie Couric. A dial up connection might not make it easy to see and listen to without break-ups and stutteringly still moments. But I enjoyed it....click on the title, and right there, front and center, click on the AROD interview.

I hope every one of you has a great Monday. Congrats to the Patriots, to the UCONN men, and to the number two in the country UCONN women, who play tonight against 7-2 South Carolina, the first game since their exam break. Be well and be safe. Have a great week, a week that's just an appetizer leading up to Tuesday's Christmas Day. Ho ho ho!!

The Door To Johan Is STILL Open For The Yankees...More From Senator Mitchell

Hank Steinbrenner had a few things to say to the NY Daily News this past Friday concerning the state of his club and the Yankees' continuing but seemingly waning interest in Johan Santana. Seemingly. Here is a little bit of what he had to say, and then I'll be back with a comment or two....

"We're all still very much pleased with what we've got," Steinbrenner added in a telephone interview. "As far as the door (to a Santana deal) being open, who knows? At this point, Chamberlain, Hughes, Kennedy, Cabrera and Cano, they're as close to untouchable as you get.
"The only reason I made a point of a deadline on Santana was that I didn't want to get caught up in the circus of the winter meetings. The purpose of that deadline was trying to get something done before the winter meetings."

Peter here, and we hear ya, Hankie (if I can call his Dad George...Georgie, I annoint his son Hank...Hankie!). I must say that if the Twins have looked at what the Red Sox are offering them, a plate headlined with a center fielder they SO need after the departure of Torii Hunter, and haven't pulled the trade trigger yet, they might not. But they would be fools. I'm in love with our 2008 rotation without changing a soul. And Ellsbury in center, for a decade, if not more, catching anything hit his way and batting leadoff, using raw speed and baseball path awareness to be the perfect guy up there with Pedroia kneeling in the on-deck circle. And then Papi, and Manny, and......well, you know the rest.

I hope your Sunday will be a great one. Here in interior Connecticut and Southern New England we are dealing with a Nor'easter, a storm with a track that takes it too close to us, bringing in milder ocean air and a quick change to sleet and then the dreaded freezing rain before changing to all rain, and then back to snow as the easterly winds change to those cold ones from the northwest. Confused? It's one of a Nor'easter's typical and completely normal behavior. It all depends upon the storm track, and this one is too close...100 miles to the east and south, passing over Cape Cod, and, well, that's a horse of a different color, and that "horse" would start with a "B." For blizzard. No chance...not this time.

OK, enough weather stuff. Please click on the title of this post for the Globe's report containing the very latest on the incompleteness of the Mitchell report, from the man himself, Sen. George Mitchell. So have fun, go Pats...beat dem Jets. Be safe, my readers. Thanks for stopping in. As always.

The Reason Why I Do This...Thanks Keith!

It's Saturday morning, a day that will be known as the calm before the storm. There's a Nor'easter heading our way, but right now it looks like the track of the storm will be too far inland to lock in the cold air and give us an out and out blizzard. So this is what the forecast looks like for inland north central Connecticut.....snow will start in the wee hours of Sunday morning and quickly change to sleet, freezing rain, and eventually ALL rain. A close call, but it looks like strike three for the snowlovers...me included.

I wanted to share an email I received yesterday from a reader known as Keith. Keith, YOU MADE MY DAY!! Here it is.....

"Peter,
I, for one, love to read your blog. So don't think nobody's out here
just because it's the off season.And isn't it great not to see Varitek on that list? And shocking not to see A-Rod on it? I mean, come on.
I'm embarrassed to say this, but I'm 59 and didn't discover baseball until shortly before last season. I'd watched the World Series the year before, for some weird reason, when the Cardinals won, and I found that I loved it. It totally threw me since I'd never paid attention to baseball in my life.
When last season started, I had to pick a team and quickly settled on the Red Sox. I just loved every one of them (well, okay, not Drew). Being on disability, I was able to watch every Red Sox game this year. Seeing the whole thing floored me. Pedroia coming from nothing to killer ball-player, watching Youk in those dynamic early months, seeing Lowell come through steadily again and again (except for that short, dry spell), watching that wonderful night of four home runs in a row, seeing Ellsbury hop in with his engine running full-out, watching Buchholz pitch the no-hitter, watching Manny come back in the late part of the season, and seeing Papi really pull it together at the end, and then having them go all the way to the World Series and win it! I was on the floor, literally. Best year of my life, and I cannot wait for the new season to begin. (The only thing I'd change is please give us more drama in the final games. It was far too quick).
Having a site like yours to visit, on and off season, is just great. So thanks from me for all you do."

Keith

Peter here. Keith, thank you for your kind words and thoughts. And watch out! The Red Sox quickly grow on you until curiosity turns into a genuine love not only for the game of baseball itself, but for that team from Boston who plays in a little bandbox called Fenway Park, Boston, Mass. Red Sox Nation, Red Sox International. USA. A letter like yours makes writing every word worthwhile, and I wish you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season. Forever.

FIT TO BE TARNISHED: THE MITCHELL REPORT

Well, Senator George Mitchell submitted his report on steroid and HGH abuse among major league baseball players, and the list of retired AND active players is an extensive one. That list is highlighted by Barry Bonds, of course, and teammates,training partners and Yankee players Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens. Maybe now we know the secret of his longevity. Maybe we don't. I was listening to WFAN, the leading sports radio station in the New York City area, and a couple commenters, not terribly bright ones, questioned why there were so many Yankee and Mets players and former players on the list, and the idiot talk show host and some of the callers said that Mitchell has always been anti-Yankees and anti-Mets. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is from a great Friday column by Hartford Courant sportswriter Jeff Jacobs, my favorite sports scribe. The entire article is available when you click on the title, but read on...

"Without former Yankees strength coach Brian McNamee and former Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski, the Mitchell Report would have been long on perspective and short on any, ah, real juice.
Radomski gave up the canceled checks, mail orders, shipping receipts and telephone records that document involvement. In McNamee's case, well, he claims he stuck the biggest name in the butt himself with a needle full of Winstrol in 1998 and Sustanon 250 or Deca-Durabolin in 2000.
Mitchell landed his big fish in Roger Clemens. He got the name that would make America stop and listen for a snowy day. For good measure, he landed the big fish's buddy, Andy Pettitte, too."

Peter here, and I know sports talk show hosts AND callers are sometimes a little biased, mistakenly using truths based in fallacy, but that one takes the cake. At least for now. This much we know.....Roger Clemens' illustrious legacy will be dimmed by these allegations. Andy Pettitte is pitching next year for the New York Yankees. I'm sure he won't back out of his current contract and retire. Not at this point. But he is sure to hear the boos and taunts whenever and wherever he takes the mound next season. And the only active, now ex-Red Sox player, was "Mr. Clutch'.....Eric Gagne. Right now, since he's a Brewer and sucked last year, I COULD CARE LESS. But Mo Vaughn was on that list....was his use of "something" a contributing factor to his many injuries and weight problems? We'll never know.

Hey, thanks for being here, and for the entire superlative Jeff Jacobs' Hartford Courant column, just click on the title, and then leave me some comments, if you can. It's the off-season, and I can tell by the numbers of comments. I'll respond to every one of them. Have a wonderful weekend, Constant Readers, and just for the record, we ended up here in Farmington with 11 inches of beautiful, light and puffy snow. Beautiful, that is, if you weren't on the roads yesterday afternoon and evening. 30 minute trips took 4 hours! Gotta go.....be well. Be safe. Forever. Read that Jeff Jacobs column....sportswriting at its best. Promise!

I'm Back....A First Flake, Just One, And Then........

...and then, it's already hard to see my backyard. I changed the radar link, so click on the title of this post for the Brookhaven, Long Island, New York animated radar. I LOVE this!

Schilling And Pettitte On Johan Santana

In an interview on WEEI radio, where he has been known to voice his opinion, Curt Schilling had some good things to say about the prospect of Johan Santana wearing a Red Sox uniform in 2008. Here is a little bit of it.....

"I just know that once you leave the winter meetings, things don't go on the same schedule," Schilling said, "but I really think it's going to happen."
Schilling talked about what the Red Sox rotation would be like with Santana in the mix.
"That just seems to me to be a potentially unfair setup, in a really cool way," Schilling said of a potential fantasy rotation of Josh Beckett, Santana, Schilling, Daisuke Matsuzaka and one of Tim Wakefield, Jon Lester, or Clay Buchholz.
He joked, "I'm looking at being a spot-starter No. 5 guy, which I'm entirely OK with because I see us having trouble not winning 120 games."

I'll take 100, Curt! And Andy Pettitte of the New York Yankees had this to say about HIS team and the Minnesota lefty....

"If you add one of those guys (Santana or Haren), that would be great. I mean, they both have unbelievable arms and they’re unbelievable pitchers," Pettitte said Wednesday. "But to say that we need that to be successful, that’s going to be hard for me to sit there and say, because I think that we have the talent to be able to contend."

OK Andy, but remember this...you can never have enough pitching. The baseball season is a long and ardous one, and injuries can take their toll. We'll see what 2008 brings to the rival Yankees and Red Sox soon enough. And I can't wait!

In non-baseball news, we're expecting 8 or 10 inches of snow here in interior Connecticut from a storm that is racing west to east and right now is in western Pennsylvania. It will be cold enough to stay ALL snow here too, and with about a half inch of liquid precipitation, it will drop a light and fluffy snow that, once it starts, will accumulate at a rate of up to an inch and a half to two inches per hour. It will start turning white outside around 11 AM, and it will all be over by 10 or 11 PM. A hard hitting and quick duration storm is pretty much guaranteed. Most schools have decided to go to half day schedules or just remain closed....already! And that's just part one of a double-barreled punch in the meteorological gut...this weekend will prove to be verrrry interesting! Have a great Thursday, and I'll be back when the first flakes start to fall. The live radar picture loop out of Albany, New York is available when you click on the title of this post. Later on, I'll change it to the Brookhaven, LI, NY loop. Be safe, be well. And be happy.

A&E's Boston Red Sox 2007 World Series Collector's Edition DVD Set Review

The UPS driver knocked on my door yesterday with a real treat! It's the A&E Red Sox 8 disc DVD Collector's Edition of the 2007 World Series. I have been able to watch parts of all the discs....to watch the whole set would take so many hours and would delay this very review. And that's something I did not want to do. Here's what the beautiful boxed set contains.....

Games 5, 6 and 7, in their entirety, of the American League Championship Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox, each game on their very own disc, with every fact about each game peppering the individual cases. The same treatment continues for all four games of the Red Sox-Rockies World Series. That's seven games on seven discs. Each features a stunningly crisp and clean 16 x 9 widescreen picture (I watched them on an HDTV, with a DVD player ramped up to 1080i, and they looked great! But they will look great on ANY TV and ANY DVD player...promise) and wonderful sound. And there is an eighth disc of bonus features that includes the clubhouse celebration, the trophy and MVP presentation, Manny's ALDS game 2 walk-off home run and the last out of Clay Buchholz' no hitter. And that's naming just a few of the wonderful bonus features. The total running time of this boxed set is (get this!) 20 hours and 5 minutes. What a Christmas present for that baseball fan loved one, or just for yourself! When you click on the title of this post, you will be directed to the A&E ordering page, and I'm sure you can handle it from there. I want to thank Janice Cupice of A&E television for giving me the chance to review this one-of-a-kind boxed set, and for sending it to me in the first place. Thank you so very much, Janice.

My readers, I would not steer you wrong. And the price is discounted for the holidays, too!! 20 plus hours of greatness for less than $56.00. WOW! Are you suffering from Red Sox withdrawal like I WAS? Are you looking for that perfect XMAS or Chanukah gift? Click on the title....you'll be very happy. I know I am!!! ENJOY!!

Sox Trophy Coming To Hartford

For those of us in Connecticut, the 2007 World Series National Championship trophy will be in Hartford and New Haven on Thursday, December 13, 2007. Fans in or near New Haven will be able to see it from 10-11 AM at New Haven City Hall. And for those of us up in the Hartford area, it will be on display from 2:15-4 PM on the first floor of the State Capitol. Finally! Full details are available in the Hartford Courant. Come one, come all....beat the mid afternoon snow, and bring your cameras and little ones. Great job, Red Sox!

Twins And Red Sox Still Talking Santana....

Good Tuesday morning! This is from the Tuesday Hartford Courant. I'll be back with a few comments after you read this....

"Santana update: The Twins have picked up where they left off last week and continued exploring potential trade options for lefthander Johan Santana, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported.
While no deal is imminent, there were indications that they are focused on the Red Sox's package of center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, shortstop Jed Lowrie and righthander Justin Masterson, with the sides haggling over a fourth player.
The report said talks with the Yankees are dormant."

Peter here. Interesting stuff, especially the last sentence. I always thought the Yankees would swoop in when the talks died down and steal the show, but with the Red Sox and their package of Ellsbury (ouch! Coco will be happy), Lowrie and Masterson, and another undetermined player who will NOT be a major leaguer, Minnesota has to jump in and close the deal. Logic prevents me from believing anything else. That leaves Jon Lester safe and sound, but the rotation will swell to seven. So expect a trade of some kind, maybe for the bullpen help that is still needed. With Delcarmen, Okajima and Timlin setting up for Papelbon, another arm will be needed for that specific role. Theo will get him-of that I am certain. With Jacoby's maybe departure, another outfielder will be needed to join Manny, Coco and JD. Of course, these moves are all dependent on the Sox and Twins pulling that mutual trigger. I have to think this is something that's going to happen. Sooner or later. Minnesota does not want to be stuck with a draft pick when Santana files for free agency, not when a replacement centerfielder the likes of Jacoby Ellsbury can become their starter out there.

Click on the title of this post for the Boston Herald's Rob Bradford's Red Sox Notebook. It mentions everything from Mike Lowell's invitation to the White House to the ongoing Minnesota talks, and more. So just click on the title, and have a great Tuesday. There is a ton of snow in the short and long range forecasts for interior Connecticut and most of southern New England, with a maybe "super storm" for the weekend. It bears watching, and I'll keep you up to the minute with all the ifs, ands and buts, in my own meteorological style, of course. Snow, NO ICE, please!

My Constant Readers, be well. And thanks for stopping in yet again on this eleventh day of December, the day AFTER my birthday, a day which is always a blue one for me. Oh well, never mind about that. Do you have anything to say about the prospect of another starter added to our great as it is rotation? I'd love to read any and all comments, and I will respond to each and every one. Until then, make the most of your day. Sometimes that's easy, sometimes it ain't. Gotta go!!

You Say It's Your Birthday? It's My Birthday, Too. Pats Win Again!!!

Yes, another year come and gone, seemingly in a flash. I swear to God that time is moving quicker and faster with each passing day. My last birthday seemed like it was 2 or 3 months ago. Oh well. Time waits for no one, and it won't wait for me, to quote an old Stones song from the wonderful album STICKY FINGERS.

In the slim to none Red Sox news, Eric Gagne has signed a one year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. For $10 million!!! Too bad....a National League team who we won't be playing during the coming regular season, with no chance to extract a little revenge for all those anxious and awful moments of 2007, when he continually snatched defeat from the jaws of victory over and over again. To be blunt, HE SUCKED! This is from the Boston Herald....

".....the right-hander was a huge disappointment (for the Sox), posting a 2-2 record and a 6.75 ERA in 20 appearances. He struggled with his command for nearly his entire stint with the Red Sox, and it eventually became apparent he could not be trusted in close and late situations. (AMEN to that!)
Because he declined the Red Sox’ offer of arbitration and signed elsewhere, the Sox will gain a pick in the supplemental round, which falls between the first and second rounds of the amateur draft."

Peter here, and I guess all's well that ends well. We gain a pick AND he disappears into the heart of the netherlands of the National Baseball League. So we're almost good to go. Two (or so) more arms for the 'pen, a new contract extention for 'Tek, a contract for manager of the year (to me) Tito Francona, an answer to the outfield dilemna, with Coco not wanting to play second fiddle to Jacoby Ellsbury, and a World Series repeat. That's all. It's not too much to ask, is it?

Click on the title for the Hartford Courant's very own Jeff Jacobs' article about yesterday's Patriot revenge victory. He's a SUPERB sportswriter, as you will see when you click on this post's title. I recomment it highly. 13-0....6 to go!! Click on that title, and enjoy. That's what I do best.

Gags Going? Bedard Coming? Tick, Tick, Tick...

Eric Gagne and the Milwaukee Brewers have been cooking up a possible deal...he wants to be a closer again, and the Brewers need one. May I say in all seriousness to the Milwaukee club, "Good luck!" PLEASE!! TAKE HIM! Nervousness and genuine excitement is guaranteed in your upcoming ninth innings.

And the Red Sox, our Red Sox, are more than interested in Baltimore lefthanded starter supreme Eric Bedard. When he pitched against us last year, I was fascinated with his talent, his control, and just about everything about him. His past has been a checkered one, with Tommy John surgery, but it seems that he has bounced back quite nicely. His ERA last year was a wonderful 3.16, and that's in a hitter's ballpark, whatever THAT is. Good defense turns a hitter's ballpark into a pitcher's playground, and the 2008 world champion (I have to type those two words as often as I can) Boston Red Sox will have a great defense. Bedard also averaged 10.93 strikeouts per nine innings. He is deceptive and cunning, and if the Sox pull the trigger, our rotation, which is bulging already, will be far greater. Also, I've learned through Ethan's ROYAL ROOTERS blog, a new addition on my link list, and a fine baseball blog, that Santana and the Red Sox are still talking, even though the winter meetings in Nashville have finished. I guess the Twinkies don't want to be stuck with zero when he becomes a free agent. And I hope the Sox DO NOT GIVE UP ELLSBURY, because Coco and his agent have stressed ONE thing. And that is this...Coco does NOT want to be a fourth outfielder, looking over his shoulder at young Jacoby, future phenom. Who can blame him? Can you say "bye bye," Coco?

Oh, one more thing. I watched the MLB 2007 World Series DVD, and I was floored. From a technical standpoint, the widescreen video presentation was absolutely STUNNING, with crispness and vibrant images and detail abounding. And this is a standard, not a Hi-Def DVD. Wow! The audio quality was also remarkable, with discrete channel seperation enveloping me IN everything! Also, Matt Damon did a fantastic narration job. I only wish it was longer...the running time listed on the DVD box said plus or minus two hours, with extras, and plenty of them. But the running time of the feature itself is approximately one hour and fifteen minutes. But that's one plus hours of sheer pleasure, and I haven't even had a chance to watch the extras. Today sounds good to me! I can't wait for the NESN presentation of the 2007 Red Sox season, due in the mail in about a week or so. Go back a couple posts and there will be a link with all the information I have about it, and all you'll ever need until it arrives in your mailbox. I know it will be wonderfully enjoyable, and I will review it....right here!

Hey, have a great Sunday, and click on the title for the entire Boston Herald article with all the latest news about the quest for Bedard. Be safe, be well, and be happy. For me. Forever.

To John.....

***Today marks the 27th anniversary of the death of John Lennon. Here is my open letter to John, who was shot 4 times in the back, severing all the major blood vessels
leading to and from his heart. There was nothing the
doctors could do on that night 27 years ago, December 8th, 1980. He was 40 years old. Too young. Far too young.***

Dear John. Wow, it's been 27 years. Hard to
believe, huh? You were walking into your apartment at
the Dakota in New York City when a crazed idiot
stepped out behind you, and while you were walking
away from him, shot at you five times using a two handed "shooter's" grip, hitting you four
times in the back. At point blank range. I hope you didn't feel much pain,
but I know better. When the two policeman put you in
their car (an ambulance would have made no difference...
the damage was done even if the shooting had happened INSIDE a
21st century trauma room), one of them asked you if
you knew who you were, and you nodded and sputtered
out the word yes, with blood pouring out of your mouth. You suffered and died quickly.
In fact, the last word you ever said was YES in response to the cop's question.

John, oh how you meant so much to me. I was mesmerized by the Beatles'
music. You gave me so much joy. It was always the music that helped me
through my awkward years of 11-16, and some of them
were not happy ones. And then in the 70's, at least
the first 5 years, your music still flowed, while it
seemed everyone clamored for a Beatles reunion. And
then in late '79, when your newly born son Sean was a
little older and your doting period ended, you came
back to your music, music more alive and vibrant than
it had been in the past decade. And then THAT night.
It was a Monday. I remember because I was watching
Monday night football, and Howard Cosell said that he had
just learned of a terrible thing, and he announced to
the country, and the world, the few facts known about your violent
death. I cried. I called my parents and friends, and was
stunned. As I write this, I feel exactly the same way. The tears will always be too close.
As they are right now, rolling down my cheeks.

But your music will live forever. You said, in a
song named INSTANT KARMA...
"And we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun.
Yes we all shine on,
On and on and on and on."

When I looked up at the sky tonight, I knew you
were right. You were so right about so many things. The
world would have been a different place with you, at
67, still demanding peace. Insisting on it. I miss you John. I love
you. As you said, "Come together, give peace a chance,
all you need is love." We should have listened. We should have listened.
We're still waiting for your voice to shine on. And I'll keep on waiting.

Peter Naboicheck. I'll never forget you.

SSSHHH!! This Is The Link To The A&E World Series Boxed Sets....

I will review this 2007 set as soon as it comes to my door, but CLICK ON THE TITLE, if you care to order. There are two different boxed sets available, and I'm sure BOTH of them will relieve the winter doldums as you enjoy the world champion Boston Red Sox, OUR team, winning it all yet again, without losing a Series game! Eight in a row....without the nervousness, the hand holding, the pacing, but with all the fun of seeing it again! In full widescreen pleasure. Click on the title, and thanks go out to Janice from the Arts and Entertainment Network. She's the best. A full review will follow...remember that.
And to you, my Constant Readers, those thanks are from my heart. Go Red Sox. Forever. And don't forget the link imbedded on my earlier Friday morning post.......NESN magic. Now have a wonderful Friday!

No Nashville News Is Good News****NESN World Series DVD Link!!

No news WAS good news at the winter meetings in Nashville. Our team is intact, although still in need of two arms for the bullpen and an extention for 'Tek and a contract for Tito. The bullpen needs bother me a little, but I know that Theo and company will address the lack of an extra arm or two for those important 6th, 7th, and 8th innings. It also has been said that Coco is still very likely to be moved and Gagne might be back (no, please, NO!!!!) with the team. But all in all, I like our 2008 Boston Red Sox, and you should, too. I have great confidence in the lineup from top (Ells and Peds) to bottom, the rotation of Beckett, Schilling, Matsuzaka, Buchholz, Lester and Wakefield, and with the bullpen, anchored by the incomparable Jonathon Papelbon. As Lisa would say, "We're going to be great!" And we will.

And just in to my email inbox this early Friday morning....NESN has announced all the details of it's very own 2007 World Series DVD, and it looks wonderful. I know many of you were lucky enough to go to the Boston premiere of the MLB baseball movie, which is available NOW. I just received mine in the mail yesterday, and I will be screening it this afternoon, on this, my birthday weekend. And remember, in 2004, NESN managed to do a better job than MLB, as they put together a stirring and emotion filled video and audio presentation. As soon as I received my NESN email, linked with the title of the post with all the information about the DVD and the phone number to call, my credit card was ready in the palm of my hand, too hot to handle. And the ordering service answered the phone at 6AM!! It's $19.95, but with taxes and shipping, it comes to roughly $27.00 But when you see the details of what's included on this magic DVD disc, you'll order it as quickly as I did. They said it would be here within two weeks, and that's just fine with me. Well before Christmas. So, and I will put this in capital letters, CLICK ON THE TITLE OF THIS POST TO BE DIRECTED TO EVERYTHING YOU NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NESN 2007 World Series DVD. Have a great Friday, and a wonderful weekend. And coming up in about a week will be my review of A&E's (Arts and Entertainment) 2007 complete World Series DVD set. Every second, every minute of every game, in a widescreen format. It doesn't ship until the 12th of December, and until then, of course, I cannot review it. But as soon as I get my hands on that coming package filled with delights, you'll read about it, with my honest opinion AND a link to A & E's order information. Everything is right here at Peter's Red Sox Forever! Please, click on the above title for the details and the magic of the NESN-produced DVD, with all the home audio feeds we missed during the games, and a TON of extras, including the ENTIRE ninth inning of Clay Buchholz' no hit masterpiece. So until tomorrow, be well, and be safe. Any comments? I live for your comments, and I will respond to each and every one. Click on the title!! Please!!!!!!!!!! And THANK YOU NESN, our Boston Red Sox network. FOREVER!

Plenty Of Nothing. (Nothing's Plenty For Me!)

That's what the Minnesota Twins and the world champion Boston Red Sox have accomplished these last few days down in Nashville at the almost completed winter meetings. And Billy Smith thinks nothing will get done. But other teams, namely the New York Mets and the Seattle Pilots...oops....Mariners, might try to sneak in. Good luck to them! And NEVER count the New York Yankees out. NEVER! This quote is from Johan Santana's agent, Peter Greenberg.....

"We're just waiting and watching 'SportsCenter' and reading what you guys are writing," Santana's agent Peter Greenberg said. "Everything seems to change on a daily basis. I thought it would have been done already. I think everybody did. I guess Bill hasn't gotten what he feels is fair value." The Red Sox operated this week from a position of strength, not needing to add Santana to a quality rotation. And once the Yankees dropped out of the race, the Red Sox had even less incentive to give away valued prospects."

Peter here, and we ALL thought it would be done by now, for the winter meetings are drawing to a close. I hope Theo and the powers that be remember that two arms are needed for the bullpen, Tito needs a contract and 'Tek needs an extention. Bullpen arms are a MUST. If Santana goes somewhere OTHER than the Yankees, good luck to him. But I, and all of us, have no idea. Mets, Yankees, Mariners? Moe, Larry or Curley?? The Red Sox? OR the Twins. I'm dizzy with all the possibilities. But as the Nashville hours dwindle down to absolute zero, and that's cold, it seems more and more that the Twinkies will not part with Johan without raping another team. Hey Smith, it ain't gonna be us!! No way, no how, not even in your sweetest dreams, you money chasing chahser (a Yiddish word meaning a selfish bast*rd).

Click on the title of this post for the Boston Globe's Gordon Edes' look at the state of the Sox in these last waning hours of the 2008 winter meetings. It's a very special piece, and I would recommennd taking two minutes to read it. It's essential. And Theo, don't forget our immediate needs...the bullpen, especially.

Thanks to every one of you, my Constant Readers. You make my writing worth it!! And I thank every one of you for that, straight from my heart. Have a wonderful and safe Thursday, a morning with the frost crusted so high and thick on the leaves and the grass, with the temperature hovering nearer 10 degrees F. than 20! So stay warm, and be well. Forever.

The New York Yankees Say "ENOUGH!"

Hank Steinbrenner has told the Minnesota Twins that enough is enough and his Yankees have bowed out of the negotiation talks with the Minnesota Twins for the services of ace lefthander Johan Santana. If the Twins decide to part with him, and that is still an "if," the Red Sox seem to be his destination. This is from the Hartford Courant....

"Obviously Minnesota was asking for a lot," Steinbrenner said by phone of negotiations with the Twins. "At the end, they negotiated in good faith. ... It's something that we couldn't do."
"The bottom line is that this was our plan going in," Steinbrenner said of the Yankees' current roster. "We have the four veterans back that we wanted, including Andy [and Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada, and the three young pitchers [Hughes, Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain], along with other young pitchers coming. We're loaded for pitching in the minors. Getting Andy back was huge."

The Red Sox have two possible deals on the table. First of all, Clay Buchholz has been declared untouchable, and that's good. Deal number one features Jacoby Ellsbury (ouch!) and the other includes lefty Jon Lester and center fielder Coco Crisp. In both deals are minor league infielder Jed Lowrie and 6-6 righty Justin Masterson. If I had a choice, I would take deal number two (thank you Monty Hall), for I want Jacoby Ellsbury to be our center fielder for many years to come. But I fear that's the way the Twins feel, too. There is still a chance, as the days in Nashville roll by, that the Minnesota club will not trade him at all. Much ado about nothing, as Will Shakespeare said long ago. Time will tell. It could be days, it could literally be minutes. It could have happened while I am typing this. If so, get ready for another rapid post!

Click on the title for a Boston Globe article containing all the details, and keep your fingers crossed on this cold Wednesday morning. Be safe!

ESPN...As Of 1:20 PM EST......

Or, who knows what the Twinkies and their front office's thought processes are. If any!? But right now, this is what I read.....

"While Hank Steinbrenner set deadlines and publicly lusted after Johan Santana, the Red Sox just bided their time and stayed in the game.
And what do you know? As Monday night turned into Tuesday morning at the winter meetings, suddenly it was the Red Sox who loomed as the favorites to pull off a deal for the best pitcher in baseball.
ESPN the Magazine's Buster Olney reported early Tuesday that the Twins asked the Red Sox for permission to review the medical records of pitcher Jon Lester, amid indications a Red Sox-Twins trade could go down sometime during the early-morning hours.
If the Twins were satisfied with Lester's medicals, it's believed they would accept a swap of him, Coco Crisp, shortstop prospect Jed Lowrie and either highly regarded pitching prospect Justin Masterson or another player.
Or if the Twins reversed field and decided they wanted center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury instead, it's believed that would be a 3-for-1 trade -- with only Ellsbury, Masterson and Lowrie going to Minnesota.
However, the Red Sox apparently remained adamant that while either Ellsbury or Lester was available, they would trade one or the other -- but not both."

PETER here....and hey! I think the "best pitcher in baseball" is our guy Josh "Baseball" Beckett. But I think the Twins are being much too much full of themselves. So may I say this? "F" them! We'll see what happens...and I meant what I just typed!!!! I'll keep you posted, as my complete disgust grows for that team from Minnesota, and their rich owner who only relies on the Minnesota taxpayers to fund all his bills! What a dork!! And I think the Sox are playing this charade exactly just RIGHT!!!!!!! Silent and effective. Stay tuned!! And thanks for sticking around.......minutes seem like hours. It might all be worth it, because the Twinkies are painting themselves into a corner, an inescapable one. POUNCE, THEO. And the Sox will!!!

Are We Close?? There's Bedard Out There, Too!!

The Twins and the Red Sox appear to be getting closer to an agreement for a trade to land Johan Santana. The Twins seem to be mad at the Yankees for their imposed deadline that expired last night, and, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, were considering filing a tampering grievance agains the Pinstripers. You see, it's against MLB rules to openly discuss a player under contract to another team. So the soap opera continues. This is from today's Boston Globe....

"It was after midnight in the Music City, and the Red Sox and Minnesota Twins were exchanging medical information on pitchers Johan Santana and Jon Lester, indicating that the clubs may be closing in on a deal for the two-time Cy Young Award winner.
The Sox and Twins were locked in negotiations after the Yankees refused to include another top prospect, pitcher Ian Kennedy, in a package that already included top pitching prospect Phil Hughes and center fielder Melky Cabrera.
It was uncertain whether the Sox also were including center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury in their offer."

Peter here, and I don't understand how the Twinkies could pass up a deal that included both Lester AND Ellsbury, although I hope it doesn't come down to that. Having the one-two punch of Josh "Baseball" Beckett and Johan Santana in the Sox starting rotation would make the Boston Red Sox prohibitive favorites to repeat as World Champions. Wouldn't that be nice? And this is from the Washington Post, from Tuesday.....

"Around Bedard, however, the momentum continued to build. There are few teams, if any, who would not want a 28-year-old lefty who looked like the AL's Cy Young winner until his season was cut short by a minor arm injury in August and who is still two years away from free agency, at a relatively bargain cost of perhaps $17 million over the 2008 and 2009 seasons."

Santana...Bedard....who knows? Click on the title of this post for the entire Boston Globe article. I'll be back as the news warrants. So keep your ears near a radio or your eyes on the computer, for maybe sometime today, sometime today.......

Pettitte To Return To The New York Yankees For 2008

Yes, the Yankees DO have a number one starter, a lefty named Andy Pettitte....this is from the Boston Globe....

"With agent Randy Hendricks indicating this morning that Andy Pettitte will pitch for the Yankees again in 2008, it suddenly makes the Yankees' position on Johan Santana a little bit stronger than yesterday.
While the Yankees are still in desperate need of a No. 1 starter, they can stick to their guns on their package for Santana."

Peter here...that's good news for the Yankees, but the Johan Santana mess still looms large for both teams, as I hope you read in my previous post. Thanks to each and every one of you for stopping by. It makes me so happy. And needed. And that's a wonderful thing. The entire Globe article is available when you click on the title.

Oh, I've NEVER appreciated electricity more than I do RIGHT NOW! It went down to 55 degrees F. before the power returned! Brrrr.....

An Offer To The Twins, Incomprehensible To Me!!

Ok, Ok. Maybe NOT incomprehensible....but including Jacoby Ellsbury on the "offer sheet" for the services of the great lefthander Johan Santana makes no sense to me. None at all! This is from the Monday Boston Globe....

"Yankees owner Hank Steinbrenner, vowing "not to be played" by the Red Sox, said publicly the Minnesota Twins must make a decision on whether to accept New York's offer by today, or it will be withdrawn.
The Sox, who so far are prepared to offer pitcher Jon Lester or center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury but not both as part of their package to acquire the two-time Cy Young Award winner, placed Ellsbury back on the table, which would cause a reshuffling of the players who would have gone as part of a Lester deal (Coco Crisp, Jed Lowrie, Justin Masterson). An Ellsbury deal almost certainly would include either Masterson and/or Michael Bowden, but Clay Buchholz was not in play as of last night. The Sox have not set a deadline on their offer."

Peter here. We had a freezing rain outbreak last night, but right now it's approaching 32 degrees F. at 8:57 AM EST. And that's good news...we lost power at 4:10 AM EST, and it just came back, much to my utter delight. And now, back to the Santana mess, for that's EXACTLY WHAT IT IS. Of course, that's just my opinion. I NEVER thought the Red Sox would put Jacoby's name on that dreaded list of players who might be moving westward, but right now, it seems that the future of his Red Sox career might indeed be a too short one. MUCH too short! I do not want the Yankees to have that lefthanded ace as part of their rotation, but I also don't want to part with our future star centerfielder. And that, of course, is Jacoby Ellsbury. So we shall see. The Yankees have demanded the Minnesota decision no later than the end of Monday's business day. I have no idea what will transpire, but I am appalled that Ellsbury is dangling out there in no man's land. It's a veritable shame. As Ned Martin would say, "Oh Mercy!"

Click on the title of this post for the entire Boston Globe article, co-written by Amalie Benjamin and Gordon Edes. It explains all of the Nashville details as of right now. Have a great Monday...it's so great to have the power back. Any comments? I'll answer each and every one. And if there's any news, power willing, I'll be right here for each and every one of you.

Nashville Bound

That's right. Most baseball executives planning to make their way to Nashville for major league baseball's winter meetings will be doing so today, Sunday, December 2nd. And the stakes for the services of Johan Santana are high. This is from today's Boston Globe....

"Twins GM Bill Smith was already on his way to Nashville yesterday, but with the Yankees having elected to include prize pitching prospect Phil Hughes in a package that also includes center fielder Melky Cabrera, there were indications that Smith was planning to give the Sox one more chance to include either center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury or pitcher Clay Buchholz in the package the Sox would be willing to exchange for Santana."

Peter here, and a rotation headed up by number one Josh Beckett and number two Johan Santana would be a formidible one indeed. And that is why I must say this....if the Red Sox add Clay Buchholz into the mix of Crisp, Lester and the minor leaguers, and THAT will nail the door shut on the New York Yankees' hopes and dreams of adding the all-star lefty to their somewhat average looking rotation, DO IT! Just DO IT!! Jacoby Ellsbury is as untouchable as anyone on ANY team could be, so don't worry about him. He will be our starting centerfielder and most likely lead-off hitter for many years to come. Many HAPPY years. He's an everyday player, and he's going nowhere. If the Sox can be assured of Johan approving a multi-year deal to stay in Boston, it's a deal that cannot NOT happen. And don't forget Oakland's Dan Haren if the Johan talks go the pinstripe way. But first things first. The winter meetings are five days of organized mayhem, and I'm ready to go. And so are Theo and company. You'll read about it right here at Peter's Red Sox Forever (PRSF). So get ready for December's "week of dreams fulfilled, and those lost."

Click on the title of this post for Gordon Edes' Boston Globe look at the Red Sox and the moves they've made in past winter meetings. The Sox have continually made some monumental transactions in years past, and it's all there in Edes' article. Just click on that title. Have a wonderful Sunday, as the clouds increase on this very early Sunday morning and everyone gets ready for some snow. The forecasts have downgraded the possible 3 or 4 inches down to snow of the cosmetic variety...nice to look at but not severe enough to disrupt any Sunday or Sunday night activities. As long as there's enough snow to whiten the ground and make it LOOK like December, I'll be a happy guy. Be well, and as always, thanks for reading. Your comments are always welcome....do you think the Sox should add Clay Buchholz into the Johan mix? I'll respond to every comment submitted, as I always try to do.

The Red Sox Bullpen Just Improved!! Impossible? Read on.....

Thanks to Cyn, who writes the great blog "RED SOX CHICK" (listed on my link list--go there!!!), I have learned that Mike Timlin, an indispensable one inning late guy for the Red Sox, WILL be back for 2008, as our team, the world's best Boston Red Sox, defend their WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP.

P.S. I just love typing those two magical words. Thanks Cyn, and also Matt, from FENWAY WEST (whose blog is also on my link list). And to all my Constant Readers, thanks again for stopping by my little corner of the internet, or as some call it, the "BLUE NOWHERE." I love each and every one of you! Enjoy this cold but so bright Saturday, and think Sox. FOREVER!!

Yankees Against The Sox Yet Again!

The battle for the services of Johan Santana's left arm just keeps getting more and more heated, as the two teams that truly dislike each other in the American League, the New York Yankees and the world champion Boston Red Sox, seem to be the numbers one and two contenders. Who is number one and who is number two changes as each day slips by. This is from the Saturday Boston Herald, just the latest about the ever-changing chess match that the two teams are engaged in....

"In a development that could help Johan Santana wind up in pinstripes, there were indications last night from a major league source that if the Yankees were to include Philip Hughes in a deal with the Twins, it would be enough to make the trade happen.
The Yankees have offered starter Ian Kennedy and outfielder Melky Cabrera to the Twins but so far not Hughes, their best young starter. A report on ESPN.com last night said the Yankees front office is beginning to accept the premise of trading Hughes.
The Red Sox understand that were they to include both of their top prospects - starter Clay Buchholz and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury - that they probably would be able to land Santana. But indications are the Red Sox are extremely reluctant, if not vehemently opposed, to part with both."

Peter here, and including BOTH Ellsbury and Buchholz is completely out of the question, an absurdity based on pure conjecture, and it will never happen. I doubt if either Clay or Jacoby will be going anywhere, and I've said exactly that since the very beginning of this story. You see, the Red Sox rotation, as it stands now, is a strong one, as good as anyone in the league. The Yankees are not as fortunate, for their number one starter, Wang, can't be counted on to shine in the postseason like Beckett can. Just look back at last October and you'll know what I mean. They (the Yankees) are in desperate need of a number one starter. It seems now that the only way that's going to happen is if they include the much-talked about Hughes. I believe they will be forced to do it to stand ANY kind of chance. In fact, I hope the Twins hold out for as much of those vaunted young pinstriped arms as they can get. Other reports say that if Santana had to choose between the two rivals, he'd opt for the Yankees. If that's the case Johan, don't let the door hit ya where the Lord split ya.

I hope each any every one of you has a great weekend, one to be remembered. And click on the title of this post for Michael Siverman's complete Boston Herald article. If there is any news on the Johan front, I've have it here as soon as I can. But if you ask me, this is something that will be decided face to face, at the winter meetings next week. A KO or not, those meetings are only two fleeting days away. Be safe, be well.....forever!