rician blast

Gotta say when the boos rained down, especially on Francona, I just laughed and thought about how bad the fans were making themselves look and how pre-occupied they seem to be with the Sox. It was about then I really wished that Paps hadn't said a word because I don't like giving any motivation to the Yankee fans that choose to act like idiots...or giving them what they might, in their twisted f***ing heads, consider an excuse to be *******s.

I think Ken Phelps and Dante Bichette are available too, FWIW.

I hate to admit it but I think had it been the other way around (in other words a complete reversal of careers, stadium history, etc) and a Yankee slighted a Sox player, there'd be some dumbass writer stirring the pot and a portion of the Sox fan base up in arms. How does that saying go? "There are ****stains on both sides"...or something like that? Not sure if the outrage would have been quite what was displayed in the Bronx though.

The article doesn't exactly make one want to buy a bleacher ticket and hang with those "fans" though, does it?

Everyone is wired differently and guys with big mouths flap their lips for any one of several reasons, including, but not limited to, not thinking before they speak, wanting to create controversy or draw attention, simply getting over-emotional/caught up in a situation or just not being very smart to begin with. Paps is a confident/cocky guy who speaks what's on his mind at the time. Personally I'm not convinced even HE believes what he says all the time...I think he runs the mouth without forethought and what comes out comes out. The boy would be best served by shutting his trap. Players who invite trouble with the fans in the Bronx are left with a ton of s*** to deal with, especially with the way the media leads the charge. Let us not forget the "They're my Daddy" comment by Petey or Schilling's comments about wanting to "shut up 55,000 fans." Of course, Schilling pretty much did exactly that, which I'm sure still burns some Yanks fans asses.

OK, the above is your direct reply to my calling for restraint before claiming the Sox are a shoe-in for the WS? What exactly is you're point? That despite my call to exercise some restraint in proclaiming the Red Sox a WS participant, you are convinced that it's a done deal?

Wow. That's a shame.

This thread has included a number of comments such as the one above. I'd suggest remaining cautiously optimistic about the Red Sox chances to go deep into the playoffs, and refraining from proclaiming them a WS participant at this point. They're still in a battle to make the playoffs and comments like the one above set you up for dissapointment...not to mention ridicule at the hands of the trolls if the Sox happen to falter.

Lighten up, Francis.

The $$ Tex is purported to command are, IMO, not representative of his last 2 or 3 MLB seasons. Those $ would come in handy, however, if the Sox were to considering landing certain 2009 FA pitchers, i.e. Sheets, Harden (not sure if he was already extended as part of the trade) or, on a lesser scale, Burnett (who some here thought would have been almost as valuable to Boston as Beckett). Now if Manny is not resigned AND Ortiz has some sort of lingering problems...it's a whole different ballgame and I don't believe the FA horizon is that attractive in terms of big bats. Perhaps Manny is sitting pretty right now.

I think you've nailed this issue. I like Tex but I've always thought there was a little too much hype surrounding him, especially in recent years.

Where I stand... Love the Red Sox and root for the name on the front of the uni. These guys ain't my heroes, role models, or friends and they certainly don't pay my bills, while I suppose you could argue that I help pay their's. They're grown men fortunate to have been blessed with skills that allow them to play a kid's game for a very lucrative career. A game that I'd gladly play for a fraction of what they make. As such I reserve the right to support them or bash them as I see fit.

Of Posada: "We plan on him being a catcher," Girardi said. "We signed him as a catcher, but he had an injury this year and that's something we have to deal with." We plan on him being "A" catcher. Why did he not say "THE" catcher, or "OUR" catcher, or state that "HE WILL" be catching?

Uh, yeah, sure, against the right opponents, with run support and strong BP efforts it might be possible, although I'd say it's highly improbable. A look at his most basic stat lines ain't pretty. 3-2, 6.86era, 54 hits and 8 dingers allowed in 40 innings, 1.70 WHIP, .380 OBA, and opponents slugging .512 against him. What's more likely...him ripping off 4-5 straight victories or him hitting the DL with a strained vagina? The smart money is on Pedro's ****.

I sort of have this sneaking suspicion that those who get outraged over the lack of punishment were probably the kind of kids that always wanted to get other kids on trouble..you know: "Danny pulled my hair" "Billy hit me with a stick" "Joey's making faces at me" I simply do not understand the degree to which folks care how the FO handles this thing. The act speaks for itself and personally I'm experiencing a loss of respect for Manny...but I really don't need to see some sort of punishment to be appeased.

Last year Ellsbury hit .360 in post-season play, but somehow I don't place much stock in his post-season performance last year. IIRC, a good number of his "big hits" were bloops or part of weak looking at bats. I'm not sure what the hitting charts show, but what I recall seeing doesn't seem to be in line with the numbers he put up. JMHO.

True. When that incident occurred, one particular replay clearly showed Garcia coming in late, when the groundskeeper was pinned, and throwing shots. The groundskeeper was clearly not a threat at that point. I can understand cutting him a little slack for "the heat of the moment" but still, Garcia's involvement was essentiallyt thuggery.

Kazmir tonight, Pettitte tomorrow. Kazmir, we know, is tough on the Sox...Pettitte has won his last 4 starts.

Marvin Hagler...god I loved that guy and when that bitch Sugar Ray ran away from him all fight, only to steal rounds in the last 30 seconds, it drove me nuts. I watch the replays of that fight whenever they're on, and it conjurs up the same old feelings. Sugar Ray couldn't have hurt Hagler in that fight even if Hagler stood with arms at his side...but I suppose he might have "outpointed" him...like a lame Olympic games' fight.

:dunno: Didn't they also acquire Daryl Strawberry sometime after the following incidents: - On January 29, 1987, Strawberry's wife, Kyle Weaver, filed for a legal separation from him in a Los Angeles court. She also accused him of breaking her nose after a game the previous October. - On April 7, 1989, Strawberry was sued in Clayton, Missouri by Lisa Clayton (not to be confused with his wife, Lisa Watkins) claiming that he is the father of Clayton's son. On January 10, 1990, blood tests proved that Strawberry was indeed the boy's father. - On January 12, 1990, two days after blood tests proved he fathered another woman's child, Strawberry was arrested in Los Angeles for allegedly slapping his wife, Lisa, and threatening her with a pistol. On March 9, attorneys announced that no charges would be filed. - On September 17, 1993, Strawberry was arrested for hitting his girlfriend, Charisse Simon, who was three-months pregnant at the time. - On April 5, 1994, Strawberry failed to show up for an exhibition baseball game with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, (then known as the California Angels) and was not found until that night. The next day, the Dodgers announced that he had a substance abuse problem. Four days later, Strawberry began five weeks of rehabilitation in the Betty Ford Center. - On December 20, 1994, Strawberry and his agent were indicted for failing to report more than $300,000 of income from autograph and memorabilia shows. On April 29, 1995, Strawberry was ordered to repay $450,000 in back taxes and sentenced to six months of home confinement. - On February 13, 1995, Strawberry was suspended for 75 days by Major League Baseball after testing positive for cocaine. He was released by the San Francisco Giants on the same day. Sounds like a pretty tolerant organization to sign this guy, no? Let's drop all the holier than thou crap.

Thanks for proving my point. Edit: In 1977, George Brett tripled and slid hard into third base. Greg Nettles kicked him in the face, sparking a brawl. Heat of the moment? Not by 26's definition...Nettles would be appropriately labeled a bitch, I guess.

Ever been in a fight or other potentially physical confrontation? Did you have the presence of mind, at the time, to do exactly what you determined should have been done after having a chance to think about it later? Adrenaline and emotion are big factors...so Jeezus H., get a grip and be honest with yourself...s*** happens. BTW, those so appalled by Pedro's actions are likely those who cry about Varitek not removing his mask during the ARod altercation. They just don't get it or refuse to admit the truth in order to paint someone in a bad light.

Despite the fact that Zimmer admitted fault and later didn't blame Pedro for chucking him down since it was the Gerbil who went after Petey with a right hand ready to fly, some Yankees fans still see it very differently. If you look at pic 2, you'll see Pedro was saying "come here ya big lug" and just wanted to give him a kiss on the forehead, but things spiraled outta control.