1.6.7…

Pretty much the only place .167 is a good thing is if it’s an ERA. And if Sox pitchers had a .167 ERA, we wouldn’t be in this mess…

But after the Opening 6 game road trip, the Sox head home to the Fens 1-5, and with a .167 Win %. There were 3 quality starts (Lester, Doubront, Lester) 3 really crappy starts (Beckett, Buchholz, Bard), a bullpen implosion or 3, and bats that were intermittent at best…

Once again, Jon Lester put in a quality start, just like he did Opening Day, pitching a complete game effort of 116 pitches (74 for strikes) giving up 3 runs on 3 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6. If he could give us this type off outing for the next 28-30, he will certainly have done his job–and will win more than he loses…

That is if this vaunted offense starts doing its part…

A beating by Ricky Romero? Really? The Sox beat the SNOT out of him last year with the exception of the “September Suckage” Guess THAT nasty trend is going to continue…

And the game was play in 2 hours and 13 minutes–and the Sox only had 2 walks TEAMWIDE in the game–what the frig? You guys afraid you’d miss your flight home or something?

So, apparently, Carl Crawford’s elbow thing is “nothing to worry about”–Is that like Josh Beckett’s thumb “nothing to worry about”? Frankly, I don’t care if Carl Crawford ever comes back, the Sox really have no place for him, and I don’t think his psyche is a good fit with Boston…

And, for the record, Justin Thomas (still have NO idea how he got in the bullpen) needs to go to Pawtucket RIGHT NOW, send someone else up–there HAS to be someone better down there–right?

So Tito will not be joining in the 100th Anniversary Celebration next week. While I think that totally SUCKS, as he is the one who helped lead this ballclub to not one but TWO World Series Championships, I totally cannot blame him…He weighs in: “Somebody went out of their way to make me look pretty bad. It’s a shame. I’m sure they’ll have a great event and I was part of a lot of that stuff there, but I just can’t go back there and start hugging people and stuff without feeling a little bit hypocritical.” And apparently, the ownership is disappointed. Well, guess what guys? First rule: If you are going to screw someone, don’t expect them to be all agreeable to anything you suggest–EVER. And ok, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt: maybe none of you PERSONALLY said they crappy things are Terry Francona–But I cannot believe that that story went out without your knowledge and consent…

Tito will, however, be in the broadcast booth on Sunday the 22nd, as it’s an ESPN game…

Just curious: How long do you think the Sox will allow the “Daniel Bard Experiment” to continue? 3 Games? 5? The All-Star Break? I say by June 1 if he hasn’t turned it around, he will be the closer for the Boston Red Sox…

Finally, Congratulations to Ted, Ruben, Lauren, John, JLD, and Tessa for submitting their memories and winning DVD’s as part of Boston Red Thoughts Opening Day Giveaway. Each with receive either Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS, or the 2004/07 World Series Films. Yay!

And there is still time to submit YOUR fan photos on Boston Red Thoughts Facebook Page for your chance to win a copy of Baseball Fantography: A Celebration in Snapshots and Stories from the Fans, by Andy Strasberg. Deadline is midnight tomorrow!

Coming up: Another off day today, and then the Sox head home for their Friday the 13th Opening Day at Fenway Park against Tampa Bay. Josh Beckett takes the mound for the Home Opener, opposed by David Price. 1st pitch: 2:05pm.

Here’s to hoping Josh is 100% more effective than he was last week in Detroit, and that home cooking is the spark this team needs to get it in gear…Pronto…

Don’t forget, Boston Red Thoughts has 2 giveaways going right now. The deadline for submitting your favorite Red Sox Memory has been extended to midnight, tomorrow, Wednesday, April 11th, for your chance to win either: Boston vs Yankees: Baseball’s Greatest Games: 2004 ALCS Game 4, or Boston Red Sox 2004 & 2007 World Series DVD.

The other giveaway has a deadline of Friday, April 13th for a copy of the great book: Baseball Fantography: A Celebration in Snapshots and Stories from the Fans, by Andy Strasberg. Just post YOUR fan photos on Boston Red Thoughts’ Facebook Page for your chance to win!

So, after a weekend where the pitching was ABYSMAL and the Sox were outscored 14-26, my confidence was not too high with regard to how things were progressing…

At least the Skanks were in the same boat, going 0-3 against Tampa Bay this weekend, but it was getting weird listening to the Oreo fans talk about how this year was different, and that their 1st place in the standings was going to be a permanent event…

Uh, No…

Felix Doubront pitched very well, certainly well enough to win, throwing 5 innings, giving up 2 runs on 4 hits, with 6 strikeouts and 3 walks. He threw 101 pitches, 62 for strikes–and most importantly GAVE UP NO HOMERS–Hear that, Joshua? And, equally as impressive is the 4 innings of 1 hit ball the Sox bullpen gave the team, with Atchison striking out 3, and Aceves, with his 1st save, striking out 1…

So now our closer has a 27.00 ERA, as opposed to the 85.00 ERA he had going into this contest…I reallyREALLY hope he gets in a groove… because despite all the panicked clamoring for Daniel Bard to go back to the bullpen and start closing, PRONTO, it’s not going to happen anytime soon, if ever…

And, apparently from now on, “The Laser Show” has been renamed “La Luna”, so please update your records accordingly…

With the Skankees win last night, that leaves Minnesota and Atlanta as the only teams to win a game this season…

Boston.com had a quiz today where you answer a bunch of seemingly random Red Sox questions, and they tell you which Jersey you should own. Since I am still undecided where to go after Mike Lowell (although Jon Lester in definably a possibility), I took the test, and it told me: Daniel Bard. Uh, no. There are about 10 players jerseys I would get before I got a Daniel Bard Jersey…Wish Cody Ross would be around a while–I would like his jersey…

Neato Stat #1: Despite outscoring Toronto 137-77 last year, they were only 10-8 against the ballclub…

Neat Stat #2: Outfielder Ryan Sweeney is currently batting .467 with a double, triple and 2 RBI’s in the last 4 games…

Finally, The Boston Globe will be hosting their Fenway 100 Magazine Launch Party on April 19th beginning at 6:00pm at Game On! Boston, 82 Lansdowne Street.

The night before the Sox take on the Yankees for the 1st time in 2012, as well as celebrate Fenway Park’s official 100 year anniversary, the Fenway faithful are invited to a night of celebration honoring the history of Fenway and a team that defines Boston’s sports culture.

Moderated by Dan Shaughnessy, the program will feature Dropkick Murphy front man Ken Casey, former Red Sox left-handed pitcher Bill “Spaceman” Lee, John Powers (author of the book Fenway 100), and Sports Museum curator Dick Johnson. Refreshments will be served and the Sports Museum will showcase priceless Red Sox memorabilia spanning Fenway Park’s 100 year history.

With proceeds benefitting The Sports Museum, tickets are $40.00 for the 3 hour event, and can be purchased here. If I was in Boston, I would SO be there…

Coming up: The moment we have all been waiting for–sort of. Daniel Bard takes the mound tonight for the 1st start of his major league career. Let’s hope its memorable–in a good way. He is opposed by Kyle Drabeck. 1st pitch 7:07pm.

There have been countless books on baseball, filled with hundreds of beautiful color and black and white photographs, taken by pros all over the world.

But there has never been a book filled with photographs and snapshots taken, not by professional photographers, but by the fans themselves.

Until now.

Baseball Fantography in the ultimate fans book, containing well over 200 photographs that have never been published and likely never would have been, if not for this book. It’s also chock full of stories from fans themselves, about their experiences at the ballpark, and with the players who make the magic happen.

Written by former San Diego Padre Exec Andy Strasberg, the idea for Baseball Fantography was born he came across a picture of him and his childhood idol, Roger Maris, taken at Yankee stadium. When all the memories of that time came rushing back, he knew other fans should have the same experience. He also shares the heart warming story about how he had the chance to meet his idol years later. In addition, it shares a fascinating website where you can see all of the gravesites of the Hall of Famers, including pictures of the graves, here…

Filled with such wonderful chapters such as Hero Worship, Cooperstown, Graves, and Wit and Wisdom of players, Baseball Fantography is chock full of the warm and fuzzy memorabilia you might find buried in your attic. My only complaint is that I wish there were more fan photos of the Red Sox and Fenway Park, but overall, all of baseball is well represented…

And, in honor of Opening Weekend, I have a copy to give away! How do you win? Head over to Boston Red Thoughts Facebook Page, and post your favorite fan photo. A winner will be chosen from random among the entrants. The deadline to enter is Opening Day at Fenway Park, Friday, March 31st. Good Luck!

Available where all good books are sold, Baseball Fantography: A Celebration in Snapshots and Stories from the Fans is a lovely walk down memory lane, and the perfect book to share with a child, or a parent, or even a grandparent. Check it out!

And just because I like to make predictions that more often than not don’t happen (although the ubiquitous “Ryan Kalish will take over RF and have a monster year” prediction I keep making WILL happen!) I am predicting a 98 win season for the Sox–I am just hoping my sanity (not that I have all that much left to begin with) is still semi-intact…

And, in honor of the start of all things Red Sox Baseball, A+E Networks Home Entertainment/MLB Productions has provided me with some excellent DVD-type swag to give away…

Here’s what I’ve got:

Boston vs Yankees: Baseball’s Greatest Games: 2004 ALCS Game 4. Don’t even need to explain this one: THE Steal, Bill Mueller’s hit to tie the game, and Big Papi’s walk off in the 12th to stop the slide, and start the greatest comeback in Baseball history–and the Red Sox 1st World Series Championship in 86 years…For more info, go here….

MLB Fall Classic at Fenway Park DVD: Boston Red Sox 2004 & 2007 World Series DVD. Another DVD that needs no explanation. The World Series Films for both of these mammoth events in Red Sox History. As owner of this one, I don’t have to tell you that it is MONDO good stuff…For more info, go here…

I have 3 copies of EACH.

How do you win? Glad you asked. Leave a comment in a post, sharing your favorite memory of the Boston Red Sox–Any memory will do. Also indicate which DVD you would like to win, and your e-mail address, so I can contact you.

6 Winners will be chosen to receive a DVD–and I will do my best to accommodate your DVD selection–although you totally cannot go wrong with either selection.

You have until Tuesday, April 10th, to enter–and you can enter as many times as you wish–it just needs to be a different memory for each entry.

Good Luck!

After this lost weekend of baseball, I needed a positive spin on the Boston Red Sox. Thankfully, I had just received the 04 and 07 World Series Films earlier in the week for review–and let me tell you: They were JUST what the doctor ordered.

Part 1 covered the 2004 World Series, and was narrated by Denis O’Leary.  Chronicling the 2004 Postseason, starting with the Sox sweep of the Angels in the ALDS, continuing with the indescribable, albeit exhausting, ALCS, it concluded with the 4-Game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals to break the 86 year drought, and bring a World Series back to Boston.

I saw this film a while ago, back when it was released, but you know what? It didn’t matter. The 2004 World Series, and all the postseason games (OK, maybe not the sucky ones) that lead up to it, were infinitely special, memorable, breathtaking, and never EVER gets old. I could watch this frequently, and never tire of the idiots, the bloody sock, THE steal, and Kevin Millar saying over and over “Don’t let us win Game 4, because in Game 5 they get Pedy, Game 6 is Schilling and in Game 7, anything can happen.”

And my most favorite part of the whole experience that was the 2007 World Series? (Besides the win) The fact that the Boston Red Sox did what no other sports team ever did: Came back from 0-3 to win a best of 7 series. And the corollary to that whenever any OTHER sports team ends up at 0-3, you HAVE to mention the Boston Red Sox and how they did the impossible…

Part 2 covered the 2007 World Series, and was narrated by Matt Damon. This also chronicled the sweep (again) of the Angels, the come from behind win of the Cleveland Indians from 1-3, and then the sweep of the Colorado Rockies, making the Red Sox the 1st team to win 2 World Series in the 21st Century.

While it did not have the intensity of the 2004 World Series, (that was a very tough act to follow) the 2007 film brought back great memories that I had forgotten. Like Daisuke’s hit and RBI in the World Series, JD Drew’s Grand Slam in the ALCS, how DOMINANT Hideki Okajima was that whole year, and how young Jon Lester was, a year removed from cancer treatment and pitching game 4 of the World Series…

In 2007, most memorable for me, was how much of a FORCE Mike Lowell was back then. Before he retired, he was so injured, and in so much pain at the end, it was wonderful to see him in the middle of everything as he was in 2007.

Both the 2004 and 2007 World Series films were filled with interviews and commentary from the Red Sox, as well as St. Louis, and Colorado.

The whole DVD/Blue Ray, which releases on September 27th, clocks in at a little less than 3 hours, and includes Bonus Features such as Tito’s hiring Press Conference, all the Celebrations, both World Series Trophy Presentations, and much much more, You can buy it here at A & E.com, or wherever videos are sold.  Its something ever Red Sox fan should own–so check it out!

But before you do that, I have FIVE copies to give away, and all you have to do is tell me, in the comments, below, which World Series was better, 2004 or 2007–and indicate if you want a DVD or Blu-ray… For me, its easy: 2004–for all the reasons above. What’s yours?

Deadline is Friday, September 23rd at 12:00noon. If I get more than 5 Entries, winners will be drawn at random.

Start commenting, and Good Luck!

We all know that Fenway Park will celebrate her 100th anniversary in April 2012, and that, at 100 years, she is the oldest Major League Baseball Park in existence.

Only Fenway and Wrigley Field in Chicago have the manual scoreboards still in operation today, and Fenway Park is still one of the decreasing number of parks that haven’t been co-opted by some big corporation (Minute Maid Park, US Cellular Field, Safeco Field, etc)

And Fenway Park, for me, is the Holy Land…

And what more perfect way to celebrate the Birthday of Fenway, “America’s Most Beloved Ballpark” than with a book of its rich and beautiful history, filled with wonderful pictures of the last 100 years of this magnificent and special place.

Add to that, an in-depth documentary of Fenway Park, narrated by Red Sox catching icon, Hall of Famer, and the only “Pudge” as far as I am concerned, Carlton Fisk and you have Fenway Park: The Centennial

And this is truly a match made in heaven–Both the book and the accompanying DVD are full of stunning photography, a well-researched historical timeline, as well as quotes from folks who have been touched by Fenway Park, like this gem from Duffy Lewis, who played left field before there was a Green Monster, and when it was just “Duffy’s Cliff”:

“I’d go out to the ballpark (during the) mornings and have somebody hit the ball again and again out to the wall. I experimented with every angle of approach up the cliff until I learned to play the slope correctly. Sometimes it would be tougher coming back down the slope than coming up. With runners on base, you had to come off the cliff throwing.”

Or this one from Kevin Youkilis:

“It’s pretty impressive how much energy and adrenaline flows through this stadium. It’s always been that way and always will be for me. Sitting in the same dugout as Ted Williams really makes you reflect and have an appreciation for the game.”

Written by former sports and news correspondent for the New York Post, Feature writer for the Boston Herald, and now a senior publications edition for Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Saul Wisnia is a lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox and of Fenway, and lives exactly 6.78 miles from the Park, today.

Fenway Park: The Centennial – 100 Years of Red Sox Baseball, released today, and can be purchased here, or wherever fine books or sold, and it’s well worth your time and money to pick this book up.

But, before you do that, Boston Red Thoughts is giving away THREE of these books and DVD collections. What do you need to do? Share your favorite memory of Fenway Park in the comments section of this post, and the 3 best will win. Deadline is this Thursday, September 15th at 12 noon, EST. Start writing, and Good Luck!