seabeachfred

Simply put, if you really thought Pena was going to come through in that situation you are on the crack pipe. Psycholgically we were spent after that strikeout; nothing like one to blunt a rally. And if you expect Pena to come through with a big hit with a game on the line you are not only a fool but a damned dumb one as well.

What were you feeling Red when you saw Pena step toward the plate? Did you read strikeout loud and clear. Many of us did and the guy once again sucked the life and energy out of a potential rally, even though neither Lugo or Youk have hit much in the clutch lately. Of course you knew Pena would strike out. I'll bet most of us did.

Pettitte has a 13-5 lifetime record against us and he probably thinks he can beat us again. We have to divest him of that idea and tonight is the night to do it. I'm anxious to see who steps up against the Yankees and who craps out. I have always judged Red Sox players by how they do in this rivalry. The pressure is intense and those with the heart, guts and balls are the ones who will lead us to success. The others are fit mostly for the scrap heap, mean as that sounds.

I know they were kidding Jackson. I was referring to you with that post. You tried to make it sound like he might actually be worth a gamble, but I guess I had better rework my comedy routine. Well, how is this for some humor. Three dead bodies turn up at the mortuary, all with very big smiles on their facaes. The coroner calls the police to tell them what has happened. The coroner tells the Inspector: "First body is a 72 year odl Frenchman. He died of heart failure while with his mistress. Hence the enormous smile. "The second body is an Irishman, 25 years of age. He won a thousand dollars on the lottery and spent it all on whiskey. Died of alcohol poisoning, hence the smile. The Inspector asked, "What of the third body? "Ah, says the coroner, "This is the most unusual one...Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, 66, struck by lightning." "Why is she smiling then?" inquires the Inspector. "She thought she was having her picture taken."

I was being facetious. Stop taking yourself so damn serioiusly and get with the program. I was responding to what Jackson wrote about have lefty will travel. Nice to know, though, that you enjoy reading my posts.

I was hoping before the season Kilo that Farrell would have some autonomy with the pitching staff and if he is the reason for this pleasantly surprising turn of events more power to him and the Red Sox for making it so. They say starting pitching wins titles; I hear that from Joe Morgan, Tim Kurchian, Buster Olney and all those sages on the baseball shows, and if so, then let's start making that work for us like starting tonight. Wouldn't it be terrific is we actually could win the game tonight without having to call on Jonathan Papelbon? It would be great to just win the game. Give Schilling some batting support and let him pitch like he has the past two games and it ought to get done.

Since I live in So Cal I have to get my ass over to Lancaster and see these guys for myself. I'm intrigued by Aaron Bates but I think it is more than a little premature to start comparing him to anybody who has already established themselves. Besides, I thought Lars Anderson was the guy we were hopeful to groom to be our regular first baseman for 12-15 years or so. The problem I have seen the past two years is that our prospects have a good first year and then regress badly. I saw with Corsaletti, Natale, Moss, and Lowrie the past two seasons. Somewhere the progress of our young players is breaking down. I certainly hope this is reversed as they move up the ladder.

Very interesting posts guys and I am glad that I am on the sidelines in these exchanges, but the crux of all this written verbiage is what happens the next three days on that mound at Fenway. We have been getting great pitching up to now but this time we go against our arch enemies and it will high noon for Schilling, Beckett and Matsuzaka to either crap or get off the pot. Crude as that sounds that's the way it is. To me a lot will be validated if they go out there and stop the Yankees cold. If not, we might be back to square one for another round he's better, no he's not, he got it together, no he doesn't. Again, I expect our team to win two of three. I want nothing less than that.

Everyone seems to remember how lousy Timlin was the second half of last year. Very very true, but there was an oasis in that disastrous summer. In the four game Yankee series in September Timlin saved three straight games for the Red Sox. I was there, thank God, instead of in Boston for that five game debacle. If Timlin can pitch effectively, we have him Okajima, Donnelly and maybe Romero for a pretty good bullpen corps. At least now our pen has thrown effectively. Just the same I would love to see a complete game or two the next three days.

Wos Crespo, we totally agree on something. Pedroia has to have the crappiest luck placing his hit balls, but this is no time to give up on the guy. Cora? Used wisely once or twice a week he seems to do a very good job, but we saw last year what happens when he gets exposed over a long period of time. He just doesn't get the job done. Still, I would hope that Dustin starts finding some holes. One good point. Last year he had some big hits against the Yankees in that four game set at the Stadium. In fact, he got the game winning hit in one of them.

Tito did a pretty good job today of running the team from where I sit. The only thing I would have done, and you have to believe me on this, was when he threw that wild pitch to Wells it was time for Francona to come out and get Taverez. Maybe even before he pitched to Wells. First of all, it looked like Julian was starting to lose it and, secondly, I have noticed some in the past that when Taverez throws a wild pitch or hits a batter bad things happen to us. Anyway, a great two wins the past two days. It takes a little sting of that loss on Tuesday when we couldn't give Dice K any run support and we won the game today when Toronto threw their best pitcher. A nice way to enter the Yankee series. Cora, used wisely, is a good reserve player and, well, I might catch hell for this, do any of you notice that when Crisp hits first of second, he seems to do better? Just a thought.

A little off topic Adam, but to answer your question, Okajima and most of our bullpen have performed very well so far. Now if we can get some consistency from our hitters we might have the makings of a real good season.

Right BoNat. I get frustrated with some of the moves our manager makes but with our hitters being so inconsistent this year it was a way for force the issue. If we had been a run or two ahead we wouldn't have had to do it. Let the hitters start doing their part and we won't have to worry about Francona all that much.

Trying to shift my character from yesterday, don't say things like that. Tonight come hell or high water we get a win.

Let me put some new colors in your paint box my friend. The word fan comes from the word fanatic. I AM a fanatic, have been in everything I've done in my life whether it was pursuing a career (history teacher, by the way), pursuing the girl of my dreams (got her---37 years this August 1. Remember to send be contratulations), baseball coach in three programs (800-145 over 30 years and 39 league league and tournament titles), and being a father and good husband. As I told you once or twice or three times, I am relatively a late comer to the Red Sox and am trying to make up for some very lost time. I wear my love to the team on my sleeve and that upsets you I would suggest you bypass my posts. There is nothing bi-polar about it. As for being shocked that I was a teacher be advised that many of my former students and ball players I coached are among my closest friends today. One even happens to be West Coast Scouting Director for the Devil Rays.

No links with them but you can check with Boston's Channel 7. The interview took place on Monday night around ten p.m. and aired around 11:15. I never saw it because I was out on Lansdowne Avenue cavorting with mainly college students like yourself who I seemed to hit it off better with than I am with you. NESN? Someone told me that was the other station, but, frankly, I am going by their word. I didn't even know who was interviewing me until someone told me. I was too busy trying not to freeze my ass off. As for being a college student, no I didn't know you were but now that I do I wish you very best and best of luck in your studies. The word bandwagon jumps upsets me something awful. I am anything but. I live and die with every game and right now I'm still stewing from last night's game. My mentioning of my trips were merely to let you know that I am anything but a bandwagon fan. At any rate, enjoy your college years. They are some of the best years of your life. Since I was a teacher-coach for 35 years I am a strong supporter of education. Good luck to you. Hopefully from here on in we will have a better relationship.

Schill, I will tell you what a positive would be for me. That would be to snap back and win the next two in Toronto, then take care of the Yankees two out of three at Fenway. I think we need to take advantage of the good pitching we're getting.