The 2008 Season is over.

The Phillies defeat the Devil Rays in 5 games.

While I obviously wanted the Sox to repeat, I think this is an okay runner-up scenario.

Cole Hamels was named MVP of both the NLCS and the World Series.

Joy of Sox put it best..."The Red Sox are no longer baseball's defending champions."

Upcoming episodes of "The Office"

Next Week:“Employee Transfer.”

Pam (Jenna Fischer) is embarrassed when she is the only person at corporate wearing a costume on Halloween. Holly (guest star Amy Ryan) and Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell) take the long trip to Nashua after they get some shocking news from corporate. Meanwhile, Dwight (Rainn Wilson) torments Andy (Ed Helms) and tries to get under his skin.

Nov. 6:“Customer Survey.”

Dwight (Rainn Wilson) and Jim (John Krasinski) are shocked when they get the results of the annual customer survey report. Pam (Jenna Fischer) and Jim decide they want to spend every minute together using their bluetooth phones. Meanwhile, Angela (Angela Kinsey) and Andy (Ed Helms) pick an unusual location for their wedding.

Nov. 13:“Business Trip”

Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell) is ecstatic when David Wallace (Andy Buckley) decides to send him on a business trip to Canada. Andy (Ed Helms) and Oscar (Oscar Nunez) become unlikely friends when Michael decides to bring them along on the trip. Meanwhile, Jim (John Krasinski) is counting down the days until Pam (Jenna Fischer) gets back from art school.

Red Sox bring back most of staff

The Boston Red Sox will bring back most of their coaching staff for the 2009 season.

First base coach Luis Alicea is the exception; the team said he will not be offered a contract for next year.

Pitching coach John Farrell, third base coach DeMarlo Hale, hitting coach Dave Magadan, bench coach Brad Mills, and bullpen coach Gary Tuck have been asked back, the team said.

Also Wednesday, the team announced that right-hander Chris Smith elected free agency after being designated for assignment. Smith was 1-0 with a 7.85 ERA in 12 appearances with Boston; he also appeared in 37 games for Triple-A Pawtucket last season.

DC Comics January 2009 Solicits

There is a theme here...I just can't figure it out yet.

Titans #9

Justice League of America #29

Detective Comics#852

Action Comics #873

Wonder Woman #28

Batman #685

Supergirl #37

Superman #684

Green Arrow/Black Canary #16

Justice Society of America #23

Wait 'Till Next Year

So they didn't make it. I think I am okay with it. I think that going to bed during game five thinking it was over helped soften the blow. And I think it would have been worse to go to the Series and lose there, to be honest with you. Looking at how far we made it in the condition we were in makes me happy.

I am quite impressed that NO member of the Sox is embarrassing themselves the way John Lackey did when the Angels lost. Look at these quotes:

    "I feel like there's no losers in here tonight," said Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein. "We got beat by a team that's playing great. We congratulate them. I still feel like this was a championship effort this year. [It's] something for the organization to be proud of. It's baseball. You don't win all the time. The effort was incredible. Every guy here left it all on the field." 

and

    "It definitely hurts," said Youkilis. "We battled so hard and had a great year of battling through a lot of adversity and a lot of things. We fell short. I feel like I should have done a little bit more, I think tonight and other parts of the series. I put a lot on my shoulders. I think I didn't carry this team enough tonight when there were some opportunities I could have."

and

    "You get used to a certain level, playing in this Red Sox uniform," said closer Jonathan Papelbon. "I don't think anybody else expected us to lose. It's just, these are the circumstances and it happened. We gave ourselves a chance to win. We fell just a little bit short. Year after year, we're going to put ourselves in a position to win championships. You can't ask for anything else." 

Pretty classy.

And once again.....

It all comes down to this man.....

Did you know??

With the win Saturday against the Rays, the Red Sox are 8-0 in Game 6's when they are trailing 3-2 in a best-of-seven or best-of-nine postseason series.

Year Series Foe Game 6 Series
1903 WS Pittsburgh Won Won in 8
1967 WS St. Louis Won Lost in 7
1975 WS Cincinnati Won Lost in 7
1986 ALCS California Won Won in 7
2003 ALCS New York Won Lost in 7
2004 ALCS New York Won Won in 7
2007 ALCS Cleveland Won Won in 7
2008 ALCS Rays Won ???


The Red Sox are 9-1 in elimination games under manager Terry Francona.

Year Series Foe Game Result
2004 ALCS Yankees 4 Won
2004 ALCS Yankees 5 Won
2004 ALCS Yankees 6 Won
2004 ALCS Yankees 7 Won
2005 ALDS White Sox 3 Lost
2007 ALCS Indians 5 Won
2007 ALCS Indians 6 Won
2007 ALCS Indians 7 Won
2008 ALCS Rays 5 Won
2008 ALCS Rays 6 Won
2008 ALCS Pays 7 ???

Did You Know?

The Red Sox have history on their side.

Under manager Terry Francona, the Red Sox are 8-1 in potential elimination games.

Since the ALCS became a best-of-seven series in 1985, six teams have taken a 3-2 edge into Game 6 with the home-field advantage. Three of those teams won Game 6 to advance to the World Series, one lost Game 6 but then won Game 7, and two teams lost both Games 6 and 7 at home.

The last time...when the Red Sox defeated the Yankees in 2004.

One game, one inning, one out at a time!!!

Not saying who I am voting for here so I will post both Presidential Candidates' appearances at the recent Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner.

Happy Birthday To You!

Happy Birthday To You!

Happy Birthday To You!

Happy Birthday To Nancy!

Happy Birthday To You!

I still say it is do-able....

The Red Sox have a 3-1 hill to climb, but it has been done before. Here are the 10 teams that have come back from a 3-1 series deficit to win a best-of-seven series, including five that closed out the series on the road:

Year Series Team Opponent
2007 ALCS Red Sox Indians
2004 ALCS Red Sox* Yankees
2003 NLCS Marlins* Cubs
1996 NLCS Braves Cardinals
1986 ALCS Red Sox Angels
1985 ALCS Royals* Blue Jays
1985 WS Royals Cardinals
1968 WS Tigers* Cardinals
1958 WS Yankees* Braves (Mil.)
1925 WS Pirates Senators


* Won final two on the road.

Did You Know?

Since 1985, four of the 15 teams that have trailed 3-1 in the ALCS have come back to win the pennant. The Red Sox account for three of those four teams: 1986, 2004, 2007.

Breaking News....

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative government is on track for re-election after polls close, Canadian media project.

Got nothing....

Sorry, I am tired and spent.

Mikey did good.

Some students did not. Nor are the Sox.

But My Sweet Nanny and the kids remain awesome.

More but sleepy.

I know a win is a win...

...but that was cheap.

I just realized....

So I am listening to the game while I am surfing and typing.

I look at my predictions for this Red Sox/Devil Rays series and I predicted the Sox in 6. What I seemed to have forgotten is that means the Sox will LOSE 2 games!

Why can't I get my head around that! Have I been spoiled by the recent success of this team that I love oh so very much!?!?!?

And My Sweet Nanny's birthday is one week away...I ordered her presents tonight.....hee-hee.

The Office: Business Ethics

Jim Halpert: By any chance did you see Battlestar Gallactica?

Andy Bernard: No I did not. Was that any good?

Jim Halpert: Actually not. It was really so-so. [holds up stopwatch to Dwight]

Jim Halper:I mean I like all the crazy monsters and stuff, you know like Klingons and Wookies and all that but-- Sorry was, there something you wanted to add Dwight?

Andy Bernard: Is that anything like the original Battlestar Galactica.

Jim Halpert: You what's weird? It's practically a shot for shot remake.

Andy Bernard: Really? Huh. Cool.

Jim Halpert: The story's kind of bland. It's about this guy named Dumbledore Calrissian and he has to return the ring back to Mordor.

Andy Bernard: [pause] That doesn't sound right...



Originally aired 10-09-08

Game One Thoughts

Wow! That was fun. I don't think I was able to relax at all. Dice-K was impressive, to say the least.

Watching the game with my brother, Justin, was fun. He is a funny guy and I like talking baseball with him. He seems to have put this Yankee season in perspective. And in the 8th inning, he dozed off and his snoring was funny.

Found on FoxSports.com

Odds to Win the 2009 World Series

Boston Red Sox 7/4

Tampa Bay Rays 5/2

Los Angeles Dodgers 3/1

Philadelphia Phillies 13/4

-- Bodog

Championship Series Predictions

I think these are my honest predictions, not just what I hope for...


Red Sox over the Devil Rays in 6.

Phils over the Dodgers in 7.

"Because there's no crying in baseball. THERE'S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL! No crying!"

So you probably have heard about some of the comments the Angels are making after LOSING to the Sox last night.

Things like this:

"It's way different than last year. We are way better than they are. We lost to a team not as good as us. ... The last two days, we shouldn't have given up anything. ... I want to throw somebody through a wall.
...[On Sunday] they scored on a pop fly they called a hit, which is a joke. [On Monday], they score on a broken-bat ground ball and a fly ball anywhere else in America [except in Fenway Park]. And [Pedroia's] fist-pumping on second like he did something great."

It was summed perfectly on PTI tonight. Michael Wilbon called the Angels a bunch of whiners and told Lackey to "shut up!"

Bring on the Devil Rays!!!!!

WALK-OFF FOR LOWRIE (11:31, END 9, 3-2 SOX)

The Red Sox defeated the Angels, 3-2, to win the divisional series, 3-1. Starter Jon Lester threw 7 shutout innings, but the Sox pen gave up a pair of runs in the 8th.

Top of the ninth and Morales hits a double and is replaced by Willits. Kendrick sacrifices him over to third. Then Aybar takes two balls before trying the suicide squeeze. On the third pitch Aybar missed the bunt with Willits halfway to home. Jason Varitek chased him down and tagged him on the rear end. Aybar then bounced to first.

Then comes the bottom of the ninth....

After Drew strikes out, Jason Bay hits a ground rule double with one out. Teixeira grabs Kotsay's laser for the second out. Then Lowrie hits the first pitch he sees through the right side for a game-winning single, bringing the Red Sox out of the dugout and the series to a close.

As Cora just said "Great win. Now let's go to Tampa!"

It all comes down to....

...this man...

No Duh?

From SI.com....

"Red Sox Covet Padres' Peavy"

If Jake Peavy does indeed become trade bait in San Diego, watch the line form out the door for his services. Peavy, 27, is precisely the type of pitcher the Red Sox covet. And considering the close relationship between GMs Theo Epstein and Kevin Towers, don't rule out the Sox. The Padres would want a Dan Haren-type deal, and the Sox have the chips to do it.

Did You Know?

The Red Sox's streak of 11 consecutive postseason wins over the Angels came to an end with a 6-5 loss in Game 3. Now we are at 2-1.

The only time the Red Sox have lost a postseason series after taking a 2-0 lead in their history was in the 1986 World Series against the Mets. It is going to stay that way.

So, in other words, TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT, BABY!!!

Get Well Soon!

According to The Modesto Bee, 87-year old actress, comedienne and icon Carol Channing suffered a fall at her Modesto, California home and broke her hip and both legs a little over two weeks ago.

The fall caused her to cancel her concert that was to kick off "Hello, Carol! A Celebration of Carol Channing," an exhibition on her life and work.

The exhibition is scheduled to run at the Museum of Performance & Design in San Fransisco through March 14.

"It's a painful and temporary setback," Channing said in a statement, promising to return to San Francisco.

More baseball thoughts...

So, the Cubbies were swept by the Dodgers and the Phils took down the Brewers in 4. I hope the ChiSox take the Devil Rays to at least four or five games to wear them down. And I hope I am wrong about the Red Sox losing tonight's game. Things are looking so much better for them since I made my prediction....

I'd write more but I hear Nan upstairs banging on the floor that dinner is ready.

Maybe I'll try to write after dinner when I need a break from writing Progress Reports!

All Division Series at 2 and 0!

ALDS
Red Sox lead the Angels 2-0
Rays lead the White Sox 2-0

NLDS
Dodgers lead the Cubs 2-0
Phillies lead the Brewers 2-0

So all we know is that "Home Field Advantage" hasn't helped the Halos or the Cubbies. Phils are down as I type this against the Brewers 3-0 in the top of the sixth.

And we're sending (what sounds like) a healthy Josh Beckett to the mound tomorrow night at the reasonable hour of 7:17 PM.

His 1.73 ERA in 10 postseason appearances is the third lowest among pitchers with at least 40 innings. The .159 opponents batting average in the postseason is the lowest of any pitcher with 40-plus innings.

Lastly, from all accounts it seems like I should be glad we don't have TBS!!!

The Siegel & Shuster Society

There has been an effort recently to save the home of Jerry Siegel, the creator of Superman. The goal was to raise $50,000 just to work on the outside of the house. Instead, they raised $101,000. Which now means they'll be working on the inside of the house as well.

To celebrate there was an impromtu clean-up at the house this past weekend. Here is a photo from that day:

And lastly is a note from Jerry Siegel's wife and daughter:

We are overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone involved in this massive undertaking. We have great admiration for you and what you are accomplishing with the auction. We deeply appreciate the love and care you put into it. The amount of money that's already been raised to restore Jerry's house is a magnificent tribute to Jerry's memory! We thank you and everyone who made this effort possible for honoring Jerry in this very special way.

Sincerely,Joanne Siegel and Laura Siegel Larson

Up One Game to None

I will always have a soft spot in my heart for any former member of the Montreal Expos. But, Vlad, you are not the speedster you once were....

And Ellsbury continues to impress me, both at the dish and in the field...


And welcome to the post season, Mr. Bay!

Elsewhere, the Dodgers shock the Cubbies, the Devil Rays continue to defy logic and the Phils got one last night and are about to beat CC for number 2!

And no new episode of "The Office" tonight because of the Vice Presidential debate. :(

Red Sox finalize ALDS roster...

Here is the official roster breakdown:

Pitchers (10): Jon Lester; Daisuke Matsuzaka; Josh Beckett; Tim Wakefield; Paul Byrd; Jonathan Papelbon; Hideki Okajima; Manny Delcarmen; Justin Masterson; Javier Lopez.

Catchers (3): Jason Varitek; Kevin Cash; David Ross.

Infielders (7): Kevin Youkilis; Dustin Pedroia; Jed Lowrie; Alex Cora; Mike Lowell; Sean Casey; David Ortiz.

Outfielders (5): Jason Bay; Jacoby Ellsbury; JD Drew; Coco Crisp; Mark Kotsay.