mvp 78

Yeah Mike's isn't the best (which I noted in my post) but what's the point in talking about places outside of Boston if he won't be driving a car? RSFFL, just bring your walking shoes and wander around. You'll find more thsn enough fun things to do.

When it's raining and gloomy, don't come whining to me. Every year I here "it's never this cold and rainy in June." It's like that every f'n year. Weather doesn't get nice for good until July. Too many off and on days to plan a vacation for then.

Hicks blew up the market then cried poor a few years later and complained about rising salaries. To me, he is the lowest of the low.

cough cough Tom Hicks Arod contract cough cough

Just to clarify: Copley, Back Bay and Newbury/Boylston is all relatively the same place. For visiting purposes, it's the best place to have a home base (lots of food, short walk to Fenway).

Seats near the dugout would be great too. There are a bunch of great places to eat. The North End is filled with awesome Italian food and pizza. Chinatown is ok, but nothing special. There are a ton of places on Boylston/Newbury St that you could check out (burgers/pizza/American fare). Lots of good Indian food as well. Not too many worthwhile TexMex spots though. I'd skip all the burrito joints too. People typically grab a duck tour, walk the freedom trail, go to Harvard Sq, go shopping on Newbury, Fanueil Hall (sp?), go to the aquarium and other touristy stuff. You'll have a lot more fun coming with another person unless you don't mind wandering around by yourself. Boston is a very walkable and fun to explore around by foot. If I was going to show someone around, I'd do breakfast at Mike's Diner, wander around Newbury, walk to the Boston Public Gardens, do the freedom trail, get dinner in the North End and dessert at Mike's Pasteries (though there are better spots). The next day, I'd take the T out to Harvard Sq for lunch and shopping, walk down Mass ave through Central and back over the bridge, get dinner at the Pour House and ice cream at JP Licks. If you were 21+ (you aren't) I'd send you to some other spots too. The Fenway/Kenmore Sq area is ok to wander around, but it has lost a lot of the more fun stuff over the past 15 years.

Great, then you won't be mad if the Sox don't extend Ellsbury?

The weather sucks in June, wait til July. Nearly all hotels in Boston are walking distance from Fenway (Boston is a tiny city). Wait til a few days before and get a good last minute deal. There's a ton to do in Boston. What kind of stuff are you into? The best seats are behind home or either baseline. Just don't get RF grandstand seats. CF bleachers are a good deal. Maybe get standing room for Moster seats?

You meant to say " copyright VA Sox Fan " right?

Impressive for being Lackey and Wake's personal catcher actually...

Or Salty is worse than last year and he's up around the ASB.

Lavrnway is way too slow to play RF at Fenway. There's a reason they switched Manny over to LF when he was signed. Lavarnway just needs more innings catching.

Trade Ellsbury and others for a #1. Sign Beltran on a short deal. Sign 2-3 more bullpen arms. Entertain a trade for Youk.

Lavarnway needs more time to develop his catching skills. He won't do that playing every fifth game. His hitting is there, but Ortiz's hitting is far superior. If you're pissed about missing the playoffs last uear, you should prefer Ortiz crushing it at DH than inserting a rookie with minimal experience. If Lavarnway has a respectible game #162, there would have been a one game playoff. He wilted under the pressure.

Fenway by Peter Golenbock is a great read for learning about Sox history up until the 80's. Dynasty by Tony Massarotti is a quick read about how the 04 and 07 teams came to be. Skip the Dan Shaughnessy books.

I'm not in the least worried about the offense. Definitely need pitching depth, but it would be stupid to restock the A's farm system with what Beane is asking dor Gio. Gio isn't worth that haul.

I have no problem with other people's opinions. I just think some people have a fundamental misunderstanding about how the offseason works. A 25 man roster isn't created overnight. Also, the whole "other board" gag is getting old. Let's stop posting about it please. Also also, not to speak for VA but I believe her problem is with the attitude not the opinion.

Kings are allowed to complain about fascism?

Well I was talking about this on the other site and blah blah blah blah blah... When is truck day this year? I'm looking forward to real baseball talk not this negative conjecture BS.

I don't see why people are worried about the Sox picking up a bench player. The team won't be filled with 25 AllStars.

Aceves should be slotted in there too. I don't buy him as a starter. Morales also pitched well down the stretch. He's decent for a middle reliever. With better conditioning and a more even workload, Albers could pitch well for a full season. I'm not counting on Jenks for anything, but stranger things have happened.

-1 Last offseason most of you pencilled him as an above average starting shortstop.