BoSox

[wonatthewire1]

How big has Bay come up for the BoSox in the postseason?

Great to see a guy go from last place to the LCS and do well...

[BombsAway Bob]

Now, if we could get a manager with a pair of :( :( 's to take out Beckett when he doesn't have his stuff! What a freakin' stiff Terry is!

[Marshall Bennett]

They should have gone with Wakefield tonight . After watching 90+ mph fastballs yesterday , follow with a 65 mph knuckleball tonight .

[dylbert]

Been watching biggest sporting event in Florida, LSU v. Florida game in Gaineville! Just flipped to TBS and see that score is 8-7. Did they start using aluminum bats tonight?

Hope Rays even ALCS up tonight!

[njcurveball]

Now, if we could get a manager with a pair of :( :( 's to take out Beckett when he doesn't have his stuff! What a freakin' stiff Terry is!


MAN you are so right! WHY did they get rid of Grady Little? Us Yankees fans were fine seeing them get to the post season and then losing. Even when they came back against Oakland in 2003, no one believed they could win it all. And sure enough Aaron Boone sent them packing and Little to the Unemployment line.

But then they hire that stiff, Terry Francona! MAN the guy knows nothing about baseball at all! They even trade Nomahhhhh! Now we (Yankees fans) knew the team had another 50 or so years of losing, right?

And this STIFF Francona has ONLY won two of the last four World Series! What does he know? He couldn't even make the playoffs in the National League!

I am right behind you man! I hope they fire him and quick! Bring back Grady Little and the string of Managers who couldn't win! :ThmbUp:

Jim

[njcurveball]

They should have gone with Wakefield tonight . After watching 90+ mph fastballs yesterday , follow with a 65 mph knuckleball tonight .


MAN I like your thinking! That Beckett is such a stiff! So what he won the MVP in the 2003 World Series and so what he won the MVP in the championship series two years ago. And so what he has something like a 1.00 post season ERA and so what he has a 6-2 record in the post season!

Wakefield is the choice us Yankees fans would have made! :ThmbUp:

[rastajenk]

Why are Red Sox games so bleepin' long? Do they ever get one in on normal time, which these days is about three hours?

[BombsAway Bob]

MAN you are so right! WHY did they get rid of Grady Little?
But then they hire that stiff, Terry Francona!
MAN the guy knows nothing about baseball at all!
They even trade Nomahhhhh! Now we (Yankees fans) knew the team had another 50 or so years of losing, right?
And this STIFF Francona has ONLY won two of the last four World Series! What does he know?
He couldn't even make the playoffs in the National League!
I am right behind you man! I hope they fire him and quick! Bring back Grady Little and the string of Managers who couldn't win! :ThmbUp:
Jim
Tito knows his Double Bubble... But he waits for opponents to kick the extra point vs. his starter before slugging out to the mound for a change of arms. I've been watching the same non-action for years. You have had almost a week off...you have Sunday off...use your pitchers.

[BombsAway Bob]

Mike Timlin?... Boston must have a 2AM flight out of Florida...:eek:

[DanG]

Now, if we could get a manager with a pair of :( :( 's to take out Beckett when he doesn't have his stuff! What a freakin' stiff Terry is!
Wow… :eek:

I’m with NJCurveball here 1,000%...Please by all means…fire Francona and give the rest of the division a leg up. :ThmbUp:

He is the PERFECT fit in a town that changes its opinion 162+ times a year. If Beckett gets through the 5th he had his pen set up to take that game by the balls. It’s the same old song in baseball (all sports) the opponent is NEVER credited, it’s always the rooting interests fault.

To the original thread:

You have to feel good for Bay; it’s the baseball equivalent of getting out of purgatory and into the ‘Field of Dreams. It seems the Sox uniform alone = a 20% rise in offense with most players. I’ve never seen a team take EVERY SINGLE at bat like their life depended on it. Just a brutal team to pitch to in every way.

BTW: I would love to know who the Pirates asked for to nix the Rays getting Bay in the 11th hour…If it was David Price or Wade Davis I understand…but if not?

[wonatthewire1]

To the original thread:

You have to feel good for Bay; it’s the baseball equivalent of getting out of purgatory and into the ‘Field of Dreams. It seems the Sox uniform alone = a 20% rise in offense with most players. I’ve never seen a team take EVERY SINGLE at bat like their life depended on it. Just a brutal team to pitch to in every way.

BTW: I would love to know who the Pirates asked for to nix the Rays getting Bay in the 11th hour…If it was David Price or Wade Davis I understand…but if not?


Bay is a very nice guy too if you have the chance to meet him - do so - very humble. It was interesting for me to see him in a decent line-up and he hasn't disappointed.

Pirates were apparently asking for SS-R.Brignac, SP-J.Niemann, and Wade Davis.

Pirates did pick up 4 in the trade - Moss, Hansen, LaRoche, and Morris. All are raw, best of the bunch could be Morris - a pitcher out of the Dodger system who had arm surgery in 2007.

[DanG]

Pirates were apparently asking for SS-R.Brignac, SP-J.Niemann, and Wade Davis.

Pirates did pick up 4 in the trade - Moss, Hansen, LaRoche, and Morris. All are raw, best of the bunch could be Morris - a pitcher out of the Dodger system who had arm surgery in 2007.
Thanks WAW…I never heard the exact players.

Wade Davis is the guy who killed that one on Tampa’s end. Price is untouchable, but Davis is held in very high regard. Brignac has tremendous upside, but he fell on his face when brought up this year; a nervous wreck although not unusual for a 1st time starter.

To any fan of Colorado…

Expect the Rays to offer some combination of good prospects and one of the current starting-5 for Matt Holliday this winter. They need to fill a void in RF, reduce the 40 man roster and plug Price into the rotation for many years.

[GaryG]

Dan, you have to be careful dealing with the Rockies. Those Coors Field Aided stats can be misleading. Vinny Castilla anyone?

[DanG]

Dan, you have to be careful dealing with the Rockies. Those Coors Field Aided stats can be misleading. Vinny Castilla anyone?
Good point Gary.

PLEASE don't bring up Vinny C!!! :bang:

Holliday always struck me as a player who thrived on pressure and I think he would be a good fit in this atmosphere. His payroll hit is probably a dream, because the Rays have several contracts that rise next year. They may be up to 20% of the Yankee’s when Hank completes his expected Blitzkrieg!!! :eek:

[cj]

I thought they have been using a different, or differently treated, ball at Coors the last few years. The numbers have certainly dropped off and pitchers are doing better than in the past.

[DanG]

I thought they have been using a different, or differently treated, ball at Coors the last few years. The numbers have certainly dropped off and pitchers are doing better than in the past.
I believe they “refrigerate their balls” and honestly…what man hasn’t tried that? :eek:

A serious fantasy player could give the real impact at Coors, I would just be guessing.

You would hope baseball GM’s would have an accurate set of ballpark variants to equalize the statistics. I know the sabermetrics crowd does, but sometimes I wonder if all the GM’s do. I know the agents / arbitrators seem to only recognize ballpark variants when a hitter is sentenced to San Diego, or a pitcher plays for a launching pad.

OK…Maybe “sentenced” to San Diego is a little harsh. :blush: It’s only one of the top-5 areas on the planet! :ThmbUp:

[rgustafson]

Tee Hee, a laugher. Francona's fault again. I suppose.:lol:

[OTM Al]

Wakefield better through a perfect game tomorrow because otherwise we are going to see a track meet on the bases. I see a lot of small ball in the offing for tomorrow unless the Tampa starter gets ripped early

[DanG]

Wakefield better through a perfect game tomorrow because otherwise we are going to see a track meet on the bases. I see a lot of small ball in the offing for tomorrow unless the Tampa starter gets ripped early
Good point Al;

If they get on…their off!!! Wakefield was invincible to the Rays for years and only this year they got to him a little.

BTW: From the start of the game today that was the quietest Fenway playoff crowd I’ve ever heard. :confused:

[njcurveball]

They should have gone with Wakefield tonight . After watching 90+ mph fastballs yesterday , follow with a 65 mph knuckleball tonight .

You are my pick to manage the Red Sox next year! I think all Yankee and Rays fans need to campaign to get you the job! :ThmbUp:

I hope Wakefield pitches the next 3 games too! :ThmbUp:

[Marshall Bennett]

You are my pick to manage the Red Sox next year! I think all Yankee and Rays fans need to campaign to get you the job! :ThmbUp:

I hope Wakefield pitches the next 3 games too! :ThmbUp:
:mad: ............ I did however pick the rays 4 - 2 to take the LCS .

[OTM Al]

Its not over yet, but its awfully close. The way the Sox have looked, I'd give the Dodgers a better chance to overcome their deficit than the Sox, and I really hope that doesn't happen, as this morning I won the ticket lottery for the Phils and was able to buy a couple tickets for WS game 4!

Bay has been very good but with Ortiz obviously not right and no one else hitting at all to go around the offensive black hole that Jason Varitek has unfortunately become (might be a Yanks fan but I have to respect that guy) the Sox look DOA right now. Maybe the day off will help, but I kinda doubt it.

[Marshall Bennett]

The Rays are a young hungry bunch that are playing in another hemosphere . I don't see them taking the route the Indians did last year . Wouldn't surprise me to see them close the deal tomorrow . The Sox are reeling ... badly !!

Like the Phillies chances . If Howard would lay off the low breaking pitches he would get on base more often . Thats all they throw him , and seldom over the plate . Let him walk a few times and they'll mix in more heat , thats his bread and butter . Beleive a Rays / Phillies series would be interesting .

[OTM Al]

Very interesting and an absolute ratings nightmare. But being a baseball fan above all other sport, I'll just say they won't know what they're missing.

[DanG]

Very interesting and an absolute ratings nightmare. But being a baseball fan above all other sport, I'll just say they won't know what they're missing.
Good points Al / Marshall…as this SI article (Rick Riley) tried to spell out saying the Rays have personality and play an entertaining style but…”Their bad for business.”

Oh well, so be it…

Of course living here and loving the sport I’m prejudice, but it has shocked me how many who cover the game close are just finding out what type of team this is. You don’t bluff your way through the AL east. It’s the Breeders Cup of baseball and could field an All-Star team and compete well vs. the rest of both leagues imo.

Agreed; the Phil’s / Rays would be very interesting. When the Phil’s bats are going well they play AL-East style ball and Cole (3 times?) will give the Rays fits. I’m saying this knowing you have to drive a stake through a Champions heart and the Red Sox are obviously all of that.

BTW-Moving Kazmir up to game-5 is brilliant strategy imo. He is clearly the weakest link in the rotation at the moment and if the Sox did beat Shields in game-5 they could regain confidence knowing Kaz was pitching game-6. If they manage to win game-5 (With Prices help btw) they will be set up perfectly for the WS. / If they lose...its their top-guns waiting for game 6 & 7.

BTW-II: As “WonattheWire1” said when he started this thread referring to Jason Bay; the same applies to Carl Crawford. This guy has busted his tail since he came here and NEVER felt sorry for himself in a terrible situation. You have to feel good for him just getting healed in time to play / and play well. :ThmbUp:

BTW-III: People refer to the Rays as over a decade of misery…while that’s technically true; this franchise is only 3 years old to the locals. The previous ownership (Vince Namoli, :rolleyes: still a minor partner) was only rivaled by another local legend…Hugh Culverhouse :rolleyes: in how NOT to run a business.

This is a brand new expansion team in every sense and I pray they burn that lease / come north and build a stadium in Tampa. You don’t know how many locals Namoli pissed off :mad: and as long as he has a share many businesses will not commit to season tickets.

[OTM Al]

Sports personalities who talk about ratings automatically go to the bottom of my list. Back when I would listen to Mike and the Mad Dog (and I'm not sure why I did as I never really liked them....) they would always spend a segment on guess the ratings every monday. I know the networks care, thus my jab at them. They make me listen to McCarver, then they deserve to be punished.

The new sportscster move that is really starting to get on my nerves is the contemplative sigh whenever they are asked a question. You know what I'm talking about. Now when this was Peter Gammons' affectation that was fine. That was his move, but now they are all doing it like they've just been asked some deep philosophical question instead of "Do you think the Cowboys can now in the East after all their players have been jailed..."

So my sportscaster hate list now runs:

1. McCarver
2. McCarver (because I dislike him that much)
3. Brett "Folks-y" Musberger
4. Ratings obsessed sportscasters because if no one wants to watch that game, they aren't keeping their job anyway.
5. Sportscasters who talk gloriously about golf beyond its value as weather porn
6. That guy that wears the jacket and asks dumb questions when McCarver is broadcasting (though I'd probably hate him less if I didn't have to hear McCarver)
7. Any sportscaster who goes by the name "SportsGuy" or "Mad Dog" or some variation there of
8. Sportscasters who judge that yelling loudest makes you knowledgable of what you are talking about on shows named something like "Loudmouths"
9. Sighing, contemplative sportscasters, other than Peter Gammons cause that's his move.
10. Sportscasters who giggle non-stop during football games.

I'm not sure who's left to like......

[rgustafson]

Al and Dan, I love it when the Series is a "ratings nightmare". The only ones this hurts are the sponsers and the network bigwigs who want to stretch this thing out as far as they can with their often idiotic scheduling, and why should the true baseball fan care about that.

[Marshall Bennett]

Musberger always seems biased towards one team or another , especially with college football . Don't care for him at all .

[Bubbles]

As a TV/R major in college with a sports studies minor, I gotta say that even now, with no pro football experience whatsoever, I would do better on TV than Joe Theismann in that role. I cannot stand his know-it-all demeanor and general attitude of "I played in the NFL and you didn't, so I'm better than you."

My dislike of him is so strong that during the Cardinals/Bears game a few years ago when Chicago came back from the dead (sparking the infamous Dennis Green "THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE!" rant), I almost fell out of my chair laughing when he, for the first time in recorded history, admitted he was wrong. I don't remember the subject matter or context, but I doubt anyone has EVER heard those words out of his mouth since.

[DanG]

I can’t resist with the announcer theme…

Johnny Miller in golf makes my skin crawl. :bang: :bang:

In all sports: Whenever possible I turn the sound down and put on the local radio simulcast of events assuming it’s close to being in sync.

Who wouldn’t have enjoyed the great Vince Scully and Harry Kalas alternating innings in the NLCS?

BTW: I heard clips recently of Harry Caray and Jimmy Piersall doing a game. I envy anyone who heard them full time. Two real novel concepts in sport…fun and honesty. Why in the world we need political correctness in sports and the illusion of “fairness” to both teams is beyond me in local broadcasts.

I would pay serious money for live audio of sporting events completely uncensored. (Similar to what NASCAR has with spotters etc) Put a delay on it so game strategy wouldn’t be compromised, but for those who have sat field side in sports, it’s a blast. :ThmbUp:

[OTM Al]

Dan, you have no idea what the Caray-Piersall experience was like. Absolutely nuts. Harry was pretty much in the bag by the 5th inning and Piersall was insane. I still remember a game when they nearly came to blows in the booth. They certainly were entertaining though and to go along with Veeck in charge of the White Sox, you never knew what was going to happen next. My all time favorite broadcaster though was Bob Uecker and I only got to hear him a few times. As bad as the Brewers were back then, he still left the listener with a smile on his face.

[DanG]

Dan, you have no idea what the Caray-Piersall experience was like. Absolutely nuts. Harry was pretty much in the bag by the 5th inning and Piersall was insane. I still remember a game when they nearly came to blows in the booth. They certainly were entertaining though and to go along with Veeck in charge of the White Sox, you never knew what was going to happen next. My all time favorite broadcaster though was Bob Uecker and I only got to hear him a few times. As bad as the Brewers were back then, he still left the listener with a smile on his face.
Thanks for that Al, I love that kind of announcing! That’s what gets me about the Tim McCarvers of the world when they try and remove all the fun from the game.

I was watching a NY race not long ago and Durkin when into his “Arrrrrr” call when he won. I got a phone call not long after that saying how “unprofessional the call was and Saratoga should be above that”. :rolleyes: I just don’t get it…don’t we have enough heavy lifting in our lives without freaking out if Harry is ordering a ‘cold beer between innings?

Bring back the FUN!!! :jump: :jump:

Speaking of which…I know every generation thinks their past was superior to the present, but the difference in going to games when I was a kid to now is remarkable. I never once heard children discuss player’s salaries or what an autograph is worth on E-bay as I have in the last decade.

I realize through evolution we become a little more jaded, but there is certainly a disconnect between the years where Yogi Berra was literally bagging the groceries of the fans in the off season to the current adversarial relationship between the public and player.

[headhawg]

Dan, you have no idea what the Caray-Piersall experience was like. Absolutely nuts. Harry was pretty much in the bag by the 5th inning and Piersall was insane. I still remember a game when they nearly came to blows in the booth. They certainly were entertaining though and to go along with Veeck in charge of the White Sox, you never knew what was going to happen next. My all time favorite broadcaster though was Bob Uecker and I only got to hear him a few times. As bad as the Brewers were back then, he still left the listener with a smile on his face.So true about Caray/Piersall, but the White Sox were a pretty brutal team in those days. I thought it was great entertainment, so I'm gonna side with Dan on this one. Harry did know his baseball, and I remember him fondly from his White Sox days. The few times I heard him do Cubs games was...well...not pretty. A shell of the broadcaster that he was in his heyday.

[Marshall Bennett]

In his last few years of broadcasting , Harry often fell asleep in the booth . Steve Stone would go solo for a while , didn't have the heart perhaps to wake him up . :D

[ddog]

As a TV/R major in college with a sports studies minor, I gotta say that even now, with no pro football experience whatsoever, I would do better on TV than Joe Theismann in that role. I cannot stand his know-it-all demeanor and general attitude of "I played in the NFL and you didn't, so I'm better than you."

My dislike of him is so strong that during the Cardinals/Bears game a few years ago when Chicago came back from the dead (sparking the infamous Dennis Green "THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE!" rant), I almost fell out of my chair laughing when he, for the first time in recorded history, admitted he was wrong. I don't remember the subject matter or context, but I doubt anyone has EVER heard those words out of his mouth since.



Lots of jocks are that way, they normally couldn't get to the top of a very tough sports gig without a ton of ego.
It takes a pair to play NFL or step to the plate or mound in the 9th in the bigs.

I think most of them have two strikes against them before they hit the booth.
The only one I can recall wanting to listen to (there are others I am sure) was The Dandy One, Don Meredith.

I think that's why the Ueckers of the world may be better at the announcer gig than the "super" star types??? They got an ego adjustment while playing.


On the other side, the "non-bigtime jock" booth guys who make everything seem like life and death turn me off as well.

For me, Harry and the Cardinals was what baseball on radio was meant to be.

[OTM Al]

Oh, I'm not saying Harry wasn't great. Absolutely one of the very best. I've always believed that came from having to learn the ropes on radio first. Teaches the broadcaster to quickly and acurately describe what the audience can't see. That allowed him on TV to let the picture do part of the talking and gave him time to be Harry as he only needed to focus on details since the picture showed the story. He wasn't the same after the stroke, but then again he wasn't partying like he did before either. The man drank a lot. However to know what kind of guy he was to the fans one only has to hear that his last act on earth was to stand up to give a fan an autograph while he was out to dinner with his wife.

[Pace Cap'n]

What fun summers were back then--we were either playing baseball or listening to baseball, and sometimes both at once.

I hardly missed Harry call a Cardinals game from 1955-1965. In the evenings we would be out and about on our bicycles and you could ride from one end of town to the other and not miss a play--everyone was out on the porch with the radio in on tracking those Red Birds.

I recently ran across a website selling recordings of the great broadcasters--Uecker, Kalas, Caray, Buck--sounds like a deal...

www.baseballvoices.com/ (http://www.baseballvoices.com/)

[cj]

I recently ran across a website selling recordings of the great broadcasters--Uecker, Kalas, Caray, Buck--sounds like a deal...

www.baseballvoices.com/ (http://www.baseballvoices.com/)

No Chuck Thompson? I'm boycotting the site until he is there.

[DanG]

The heart of a Champion Red Sox nation… :ThmbUp: :ThmbUp:

See you for some more fun in Tampa / St Pete.

[OTM Al]

I actually managed to stay up to watch the end of that one. Proves why baseball is the best sport going in this country. No lead is insurmountable because there is no clock that can be run out. Still think Tampa has the advantage beyond the 3-2 lead, but its not over yet.

[ddog]

Pulling for Rays, but end it in 6 or :eek:

[DanG]

Good point’s men;

You know Lester would love a shot a game-7.

The game aside which was classic; does point out an issue with the modern game that is sad imo.

So many of the most dramatic moments happen after kids (and many adults) are a sleep. Tough to sell a game to the next generation when they watch it through the back of their eye-lids. :(

BTW: I would question Maddon’s bullpen rotation last night, but I’ve disagreed with him 549 times this year and the score is 548-1 in favor of him. :) Hats off to Boston for pure guts…again. :ThmbUp:

[cj]

I wouldn't want to be one of those many fans that headed for the exits after the double to put the Rays of 7-0. Apparently, some of the fans don't have near the heart of the players.

[OTM Al]

That was pretty weak I thought. Especially when we got to see those famous breaklights coming on in the Dodger lot in 88 in all the recent 20th anniversary highlites. Even the Dodger fans showed up on time and stuck around much more than usual this year. The pregame guys mentioned how few fans were in the park early as compared to past years, though against that, there had been some rain.

[Marshall Bennett]

Can't imagine with the price of tickets , parking , food , ect . anyone but a spoilded rotton brat would leave a LCS game with 3 innings to play . A seven run lead at that point in the game is anything but a given , especially at Fenway Park . Go Rays !!

[rrbauer]

Did anyone get the impression that Madden froze? I know the guy has a stoic demeanor, but there were some points late in the game on Thurs that a trip to the mound and a left-hander from the bullpen was in order and the guy just stood there. Even his assistant coaches kept looking over at him. Was he in shock or a coma?

FWIW I started betting the Sox a couple years ago when they were 0-3 to the Yankees and kept betting them until they played no more. This morning I took +400 for the Sox to win the WS; and, +133 for them to win on Saturday. Up until now I have been a Rays fan all year, but I haven't bet on any games. It's just a feeling but all of the Rays production is coming from the 1st four guys in their lineup and if a couple of them chill in the last two games and Beckett/Lester come back strong from regular rest then we should have some good games. Also, a Phillies fan and I have a bad feeling about them too!

[DanG]

Did anyone get the impression that Madden froze? I know the guy has a stoic demeanor, but there were some points late in the game on Thurs that a trip to the mound and a left-hander from the bullpen was in order and the guy just stood there. Even his assistant coaches kept looking over at him. Was he in shock or a coma?
Agreed, but I’ve 2nd guessed this man so many times I kept my mouth shut (almost :)).

Strange bullpen strategy aside many called him a fool for starting Kaz and he pitched his butt off. The Boston headline was “Ray of Dope” on his starter selection.

Who knows how they will react and at the same time the adrenaline through Boston must be tremendous. Having said that; every time this team has been challenged they fight and play smart. If Boston comes down here and takes both it is incredibly impressive in my eyes.

If they do manage to win one and move on…they will look back on that Boston game as a blessing to concentrate regardless of the score.

I've been staring at the tickets all day...Can’t wait!!! :jump: :jump:

[rgustafson]

Dan.

I know hindsight is 20-20. but why take Kaz out? The guy is cruising along with a two hitter. Madden knows the Red Sox comeback history in the post season. Of course, you never expect your pen to give up eight runs, but we all have seen this happen before with our own hometown teams with smaller leads. I think it gives the trailing team a boost mentally. They haven't done squat against the starter and now a new pitcher gives them a new outlook. Where are your seats. Why not bring a sign that says. "I have a pace advantage". maybe it will get you on television.

[OTM Al]

Wasn't he up around 110 pitches? They'd already gotten so much more out of him than anyone expected. It was right to take him out at that point. I think the whole club got tense, but just a little luck and they would have gotten out with a win. Now they've been there once and had some time away. I think they finish it tomorrow.

[DanG]

Dan.

I know hindsight is 20-20. but why take Kaz out? The guy is cruising along with a two hitter. Madden knows the Red Sox comeback history in the post season. Of course, you never expect your pen to give up eight runs, but we all have seen this happen before with our own hometown teams with smaller leads. I think it gives the trailing team a boost mentally. They haven't done squat against the starter and now a new pitcher gives them a new outlook. Where are your seats. Why not bring a sign that says. "I have a pace advantage". maybe it will get you on television.
I think Al is about right on the pitch count. Remember the inning before was 30+ minutes on a cool night and they have ALWAYS been very protective of Kaz given he is not the biggest guy and it makes you wonder how sound he really is.

Bullpen: The timing and Sox lineup just didn’t make sense. If you hand Price a 7-0 lead and say I need X outs…I wish any team all the luck in the world. Then you have your three best in the pen to get the remainder and you can match up accordingly. All 20-20 as you say…

My seats are 3rd row up, 2nd level about 10 degrees left of Longoria. Signs…LOL…I don’t think so, but if I did promoting PA would be the right thing. :ThmbUp:

A note to people who do bring signs to sporting events. (MANY at the Trop this year BTW) When play is on…PLEASE PUT THE SIGN DOWN!!! c:bang:

All the strategy aside both teams have thrown haymakers and neither side is backing down. The Sox didn’t need to validate their heart…but they have once again. The Rays kids who were supposed to shrink are raising their game. It’s a very interesting contrast to watch imo.

BTW: If you want to see a Rock Star in town…Watch the women when Longoria shows up at a local club and or sporting event. This guy needs three body guards just to keep from getting clawed to death! There must be something about being a handsome star athlete / millionaire and have a winning personality that attracts female attention…I don’t get it. :D

[rrbauer]

I've been staring at the tickets all day...Can’t wait!!! :jump: :jump:

Me too. They say the Symphony Orchestra performance starts at 7:30!

:bang: :bang:

[Suff]

I wouldn't want to be one of those many fans that headed for the exits after the double to put the Rays of 7-0. Apparently, some of the fans don't have near the heart of the players.

Starting after the first World Series , Red Sox Nation went Hollywood. Its like the LA Lakers crowd now. Go to be seen & being seen cost $1500 and up.

Its the natural flow of things.

Working class Red Sox fans have been priced out. 456 consecutive sellouts.

We need a couple of 70 win seasons to weed out the hangeron's so Baseball fans can go to Baseball games.

[wonatthewire1]

Starting after the first World Series , Red Sox Nation went Hollywood. Its like the LA Lakers crowd now. Go to be seen & being seen cost $1500 and up.

Its the natural flow of things.

Working class Red Sox fans have been priced out. 456 consecutive sellouts.

We need a couple of 70 win seasons to weed out the hangeron's so Baseball fans can go to Baseball games.


That's why I'll go to the minor league games regularly, even do a couple of road trips in the summer to catch some games. AA are my favorites and we have the Eastern League relatively close by

I grew up a Pirates fan (Mom is from there) and we'd get Strohman's bread bags to take to 3 rivers for $1.00 bleacher seats - still have a ball that Stargell slammed during batting practice. In those days, they ran autograph tables between doubleheaders and I had the ball signed by Willie and Al Oliver. That bruise on my chest lasted a long time!

Last time I was to a ML game cost me $300/seat at Yankee Stadium - if it wasn't my nephew's first baseball game and they came up from NC - I wouldn't have gone

[BIG RED]

You just have to love this game :ThmbUp:

[DanG]

This is the way it had to be. :ThmbUp:

Selfish sad part…I can’t go tonight and someone told me TBS blew the 1st :30 minutes or so live. If that happens tonight I’m storming their Atlanta headquarters with a wiffle ball bat!!! :bang:

May the best squad move on and both have done themselves proud.

BTW: I don’t know if TV picked up on it but Josh Beckett looked VERY sore between certain pitches and really sucked it up. Upton also looked like he hurt his shoulder on an outside pitch and that would kiss his recent power stroke goodbye if that’s the case. (PS: I am NOT a doctor and only play one on the internet :D )

Enjoy!!!

[pktruckdriver]

I didn't think I needed to say this, but, if I did not even try I would feel bad.....if they lost, so here goes


Go Tampa Bay

Hooorah , no Yankee's this year too:jump:

[Marshall Bennett]

Could be the best game of the post season . Go Rays !! 7 - 5 ...

[headhawg]

I didn't think I needed to say this, but, if I did not even try I would feel bad.....if they lost, so here goes


Go Tampa Bay

Hooorah , no Yankee's this year too:jump:Yeah. No offense to the good people here who are also Red Sox fans, but they are getting as sickening to see as the Yankmees. Not just because of the playoffs, but the Eastern Seaboard Programming Network doesn't think that sports exists west of Pennsylvania.

Go Rays. Low payroll and they play the game right. That team needs a better market though. Senile citizens leaving in the 5th inning to beat traffic....

[BIG RED]

Red Sox have a winning streak of 9 post season elimination games in a row (has to be a record?), and I see the 10th a'cum'n. Am I bias ~ U-Bet, but feel a descent game by Lester and the bats of the Sox waking up big!

9 - 3

headhawg, I agree with these ridiculous times we have to put up with.

[rrbauer]

My wife became a big Rays fan this year. Only one reason: Red Sox have replaced the Yankees as the "team to hate".

[DanG]

A plea to Tampa / St. Pete.


If the Rays lose tonight they have earned a standing ovation and any "fan" who doesn’t give it to them has their baseball privileges revoked for three years. I don’t care if they get no-hit and commit 19 errors (OK…maybe 18 errors :D )


A REMARKABLE year in every way.

If the Rays do win, you don’t need to be reminded.

Got it my fellow Floridians…Win or lose its…thank you for the ride. :ThmbUp: :jump: :ThmbUp:

[BIG RED]

Great game.....excellent.

Go get'm Tampa :jump:

[DanG]

Great game.....excellent.

Go get'm Tampa :jump:
Don’t you guys in Boston ever kick a ground ball or lose one in the roof Red?

Everything the Rays got was like getting blood from a stone. Sox are an incredibly tough team mentally and friggin Pedroia has the heart of 10 men. :ThmbUp:

All sports have a common theme come playoff time. In baseball most years it comes down to power pitching. For the most part; the guys who survives all year with a salad shooter struggle when the intensity rises.

Lester is world class and if Beckett’s elbow was 100%...the Champagne might be tasting like New England chowder about now.

Well played!

[BIG RED]

.....and friggin Pedroia has the heart of 10 men. :ThmbUp:


It's guys like these that teams go places. A real skruffer.......can be a member of my Marine squad any day.....got a lot of entertainment this year from the Sox, which made me happy. To bad they didn't get to go to the big dance, but I have no qualms, very happy, and go Tampa! (I hope we didn't burn them out)

[Pace Cap'n]

Any way we could un-ban SQ764 just for the World Series?

[OTM Al]

What good would that do. Never could figure out if he liked the Yanks or Red Sox more, but with neither in the playoffs....

[Pace Cap'n]

I thought the was a big Phillies fan.

[cj]

I thought the was a big Phillies fan.

Phillies/Red Sox/whoever happens to be winning at the time. Oh, and he was a really good hitter in beer league softball.

[pktruckdriver]

I do not think that replacing the Yankee's as the team to hate will be much harder that winning a few World Series, and their streak is amazing




Red Sox have a winning streak of 9 post season elimination games in a row (has to be a record?), and I see the 10th a'cum'n. Am I bias ~ U-Bet, but feel a descent game by Lester and the bats of the Sox waking up big!


I am glad I got in my Go Tampa Bay, before it was too late, and will hold against the Phillies until I think it is needed, we will see.....




Congrats TB