New Fans

In this day and age of the dawning of a new nation - that is a reformed Red Sox Nation, it is hard to seperate both the long been fans (I'm talking at least 7 or 8 years here folks) and the bandwagoners (anyone from 2003 or beyond). Now here's the thing, being a bandwagoner is not a bad thing. If, and only if, you like the team for the right reasons, but you must face the facts and come to terms with the truth that you did start liking the Sox when they were a lot better than they were in 2000.

At one point in time everyone has to be a bandwagoner, because truth is, we all were new fans at some point in time. Yet, for new fans to feel some kind of claim to significance in Red Sox Nation is completely wrong. True, we want as many fans as we can get, but at the same time, learn the GAME and love it.

Now, for some much needed props: my hallmate. A brand new sox fan as of this year. Her interest in the team came not from their victories or their players, but because she had a blast at the game I went with her to and she wanted to learn more. Since Friday, April 7th she has learned about curveballs, sliders, fastballs, knuckleballs, obp, er, r, era, gidp, gp, gs, and every other imaginable stat category of mixed up letters. She supports the Sox, but is not over the top. She roots, she cheers, she listens, and learns. Perhaps even some of us older fans could do the same at times. But I know for sure that the other new fans need to take a page out of her book.

Ties are Impossible and they Certianly Don't go to the Runner

Ties are impossible. No not the ones around your neck, or the double knot in your shoe. Heck, I'll even receed the end of the game Spring Training or All-Star Game circumstances. (Though clearly one team PLAYED better and we could declare them the winner... just a thought...)

What I am claiming is - there is no such thing as the throw and the runner "tying." Pretty much one HAS TO BEAT the other. Ahh, well if its close - the "tie" goes to the runner. Right? WRONG.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Thats right folks, all my reading has led me to another beautiful discovery. The tie does NOT go to the runner.

In fact Major League crew chief Tim McClelland, a 20 year umpiring veteran, hailed as the best ball and strike man in baseball by many (yes even me) spoke to this.

"There are no ties and there is no rule that says the tie goes to the runner. But the rule book does say that the runner must beat the ball to first base, and so if he doesn't beat the ball, then he is out. So you have to make the decision. That's why umpires are paid the money they are, to make the decision on if he did or if he didn't. The only thing you can do is go by whether or not he beat the ball. If he did, then he is safe."

Official rule book: section 6.05 A batter is out when (j) After a third strike or after he hits a fair ball, he or first base is tagged before he touches first base.

Source

So there you go girls and boys - some new information for you - supported boy Tim McClelland, Major League Baseball, Theology of Sox, and Lowie. Anyone else care to support?

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*Go Rec Softball team SaNdLoT!!!*

Francona is an idiot

What the ****. Why did he pitch David Wells - he gave up 7 FREAKING RUNS IN PAWTUCKET.... HE CLEARLY IS NOT READY FOR THE SOX AGAIN.



God what a f***ing incapable moron.

6-1 sounds real nice

6 and 1 folks. Thats right, you can say it again 6 and 1. The Boston Red Sox are 6-1 while only having 4 starting pitchers. Heck at this rate, I'd rather play with 4 than with Wells as the 5th. Now if only Foulke gets it together and Pap (Jon Papelbon) can start again...

(Jonathan Papelbon - a starter this spring has taken over the closers role for the time being while Foulke continues to settle in. He has recorded 3 saves in 3 oppertunities so far this April.)

First they took 2 of 3 from the Rangers. Then a sweep of the O's. And already are looking to take the series with Toronto after a solid outing from Josh Beckett - who gives up one run in the first before settling down and taking over the game. (Think I'm kidding? He has given up 2 runs this year both in the first inning - one in each of his starts).

If things keep up like this and the bullpen settles down - the Sox could be right there in the thick of things come October, contrary to ESPN, contrary to FOX, contrary to Sports Illustrated. But... not contrary to TheologyOfSox; for this team is greatly improved.

Concern does exist for Coco Crisp who broke a bone in his hand and is now out for 10 days. Either way, 10 days off out of the year, for a lot less than Damon? Well ... just look at the numbers... it's worth it to me:

We could have had Damon for 10 times the money.... yet Crisp is just as solid offensively... and will only get better playing in Fenway; a hitters park.

Plus who can say no to Coco's defense? Hey he can at least throw to second without the ball hopping. So here's to a healthy Coco in 10 days. We love you Coco!!!! I think I need one of the Coco's Better tee-shirts...

All I have left to say is GO SOX.... ITS TIME TO

yeah pretty much some sweep pictures

The Soxaholix Take

Yet again I look like a genius:

Bill:All my life I've watched Red Sox manager's take the NASA approach to baseball. You know, waiting for shit to blow up before fixing it …

Doug:Yeah, and you need look no fahthah back than Francona last season when he kept wheeling Foulke out there on the bring out your dead caht night aftah night …

Bill:Which is why I nearly had a haht attack when Francona went all proactive on our asses in skipping Foulke and going with Paps.

Doug:You know, I saw it and I still can't believe it.

www.soxaholix.com

Sox take first series

Yesterday, the Red Sox won the first series against the Rangers taking both the game and series 2-1.

After a routing against Wakefield on Tuesday, the Sox played well Wednesday, winning 2-1 on a seventh inning Trot Nixon two run home run. The first 6 innings looked scary as 15 of 18 outs were ground ball outs. But the Sox stuck with it, and the underrated Nixon went yard to put the Sox ahead.

Timlin put a few on in the 8th, but, as usual, he worked his way out of it. And then came the ninth. The nation held their breath.

He couldn't. Coma couldn't. Could he? Thank god he didn't. That is - he didn't turn to Keith Foulke with the miniscule lead, rather, he put the ball in the hands of Jon Papelbon who stepped up to the plate for a solid 1 2 3 inning.

"He was electric," said Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek. "His ball had some serious giddy-up on it. He gave us a 1-2-3 [inning] and we were able to shut the door."

Papelbon is great. Thank God he closed it out. But he should be more than a closer - but he's happy with his role whatever it may be, as long as he's playing.

Who knows, maybe we only will need 2 pitchers a game? And 3 when the young gun is tired. Either way - be glad Coma made an adjustment - something he did not do last year.

Opening day - Win 7-3

Schilling pitched well. The offense was hot. Papelbon threw a scoreless inning. Coco had defense like you couldn't believe.

Looks like a great season right?

Wrong. Why? One reason; Keith Foulke. Every pitch he threw was pounded like batting practice. Coco bailed him out and sure the Sox won 7-3 but it is pretty sad when you are uncomfortable with a 7-2 lead. He wasn't fooling anyone out there and it will be a long, long, long year if the Sox do not fix the closer situation.

Closing a game puts the finishing touch, the finishing punch to the other team. Foulke gave each and every person hope. If he continues the season like this the Sox need to reevaluate their options because they have plenty at this point in the year. Perhaps Timlin can close again as Papelbon takes over that 7 8 inning streatch. Heck Jon could close. Not to mention Seanez and Willy and Riske and DiNardo...

Either way - Foulke needs to shape it up or shape it out. Either way, its going to be an interesting year.

A very long interesting year.