Blog details :: Drunken Bleachers Blog

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Babies & Blogs

Okay, so posts over here haven't been too uhmm...frequent. We have a new baby boy who generally doesn't like to sit quietly while I ponder the trials and tribulations of Red Sox Nation. (Too bad he didn't come equipped with a pause button.) Here's my favorite photo of the bugger taken by my sister in law:

Anyway...I want to point out that my pal Greg has a fantastic new Red Sox blog: Red Sox Links Daily (http://soxlinks.wordpress.com/) and he does post good thought-provoking Sox stuff...daily. He promises free beer for life if you subscribe to his RSS feed. Check it out when you have a chance!

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Woo Hoo!

Friday Random YouTube: "My favorite baseball player is..."

What's the deal with the allegiances of these Walpole, MA little leaguers?

Hat tip Deadspin.com

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"Coma Guy" gets my vote

I haven't splurged for the $14.95 "official" Red Sox Nation citizenship so I'm not sure if I'm allowed to vote for "president," but there is a candidate who has caught my eye: 'Coma Guy!'

From the Boston Herald:

"Steve Manganello, the 42-year-old Red Sox fanatic known in Sox lore as the ?Coma Guy,? has two driving passions: to be Red Sox Nation president and to witness a Red Sox World Series championship.

The hard-luck fan...slipped into a 17-day coma at the start of 2004 playoff season after getting smashed by a taxi traveling 50 mph while he was crossing a street in Japan.

Though he came out of the coma in time for the four-game comeback against the Yankees, Manganello spent a month in a persistent haze, barely conscious and unable to remember much about the first Red Sox championship in 86 years."

Yikes...that was a bad time to be comatose. Manganello deserves to be president. As he said in his speech at a presidential event Tuesday at Game On, "It's been 89 years for me."

For what it's worth, if Manganello proves to be unelectable for any reason -- skeletons in his closet, overly zealous campaign speeches, relatives who are Yankees fans -- El Guapo would be my second choice. Garces promised that his first action as president would be "to give each member of Red Sox Nation 'El Guapo' bobble-bellies. Like a bobble-head, except the belly shakes." What could be better?

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Buchholz to make his Red Sox debut Friday

The Globe is reporting that "phenom," Clay Buchholz, will make is Major League debut in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the LA Angels. Exciting stuff.

Here is what soxprospects.com has to say about Buchholz:

"Scouting Report: Buchholz has a low-to-mid 90s four-seam fastball, a two-seam fastball with decent movement, a slider, a hard 12-to-6 curveball, and a change-up.

In 2006, Buchholz actually let loose towards the end of the season, when his fastball was sitting around 96 mph. However, over the course of the season his fastball typically sits around 91-94 and tops out at about 97 mph. His plus change-up is generally a straight change that sits around 78-82 mph; he also throws a circle change. His curveball, the best in the organization, sits between 76-81 mph with a knee-buckling bite. On any given night, Buchholz's curve or change can be unhittable, and he tends to rely on whichever is on as his out pitch throughout the game. His slider, while average to above average, is a bit behind his other secondary pitches and sits in the low to mid 80s. Mixes in all of his pitches phenomenally.

Good demeanor on the mound. Pitches well under pressure, pitching coaches have said he has ice water running through his veins. Nice pick-off move. Struggled with consistency early in his pro career, but otherwise has ace makeup. Might need to add and maintain some weight to endure a full major league season."

I've read a ton about Buchholz in the media, but haven't actually seen him pitch. It will be fun to see what he can do at Fenway Friday.

Go Sox!
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"Maybe I'll Have Some Moose Jerky"

Just in case you missed the "Moose incident" yesterday at Safeco Field, Barstool Sports has posted this YouTube video of Coco Crisp's run in with the Mariner Moose.

Had he been hurt, I'm 100% sure that Coco would have been instantly added to ESPN's All-Bizarre Injury Team. What could be more bizarre than an injury caused by a collision with a Moose on an ATV? Here are a few quotes about the incident (from the Seattle Times):

Coco Crisp: "I believe avoiding that moose was the most athletic thing I did all day today. I mean, I didn't even see him. I just heard the loud vroom. I jumped back and kind of just rolled with the punch...Maybe I'll have some moose jerky."

Terry Francona: "I was told it looked like something from 'Naked Gun."

JD Drew: "How many times a day do you have to go out there and check for traffic? Coming out of the dugout, you have to look left and look right? I mean, it's not like you're crossing the highway or jaywalking or anything."
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Sunday Links: Home Run Charts, Steinbrenner and El Guapo

Here are some links for Sunday afternoon. Let's hope that Beckett and the Sox can win the rubber game of the series in Seattle today.

Paths to the Top of the Home Run Charts (Interactive!) [New York Times]

In case you missed it, Conde Nast and the NY Post (among other publications) ran stories this week about the deteriorating health of George Steinbrenner. I don't usually poke fun at the poor health of 77 year old men, but the thought of Steinbrenner as a "befuddled, bloated old man in dreadful shape" who responds "Great to see ya" to every question he is asked is just too much.

Sean O's Guide to Fenway: Seating [Fire Brand of the American League]

El Guapo could be making a comeback! [Boston.com]


Trading Places: Red Sox Have Become the Yankees [NY Times]
Don't read this article if you have high blood pressure. Yanksfan vs Soxfan and Joy of Sox have posted great criticisms of the article if you are in need of relief.

Why do sinking fastballs cause groundballs? [The Hardball Times]

An ad, ad, world [Boston Sports Blog]

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What happened to Red Sox Nation?

According to this map which outlines the borders of the "United Countries of Baseball", Red Sox Nation doesn't extend quite as far as we thought.

(From Strange Maps via Deadspin)

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Best. Giveaway. Ever.

Add this to the top of the list of Best Minor League/Independent League Promotions of 2007:

To celebrate "El Guapo Night" on July 26th, the Nashua Pride of the Can-Am Independent League -- current team of former Red Sox cult hero, Rich Garces -- gave away El Guapo Bobble Belly dolls. The giveaway was dubbed "The First Bobble Belly in Baseball History." Awesome. Of course they are up for sale on ebay. The current bid is about $27. Got to get one. Don't bid against me.

BTW: Does anyone remember the Dunkin' Donuts Nomah Summah Sippah? We found a few languishing in our closet. I wonder if they are worth anything. Probably at least 10 cents.

(via The Fanhouse and Home Run Derby)

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Larger than Life

Who knew that there exists a living human who can make Big Papi appear...uhm...small? Jeez. (Photo from Boston.com)

KG throws out the first pitch at Fenway [Boston.com]

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Holy Bullpen

Okay...so when one such blogger (me) has found herself on extended summer hiatus from general blog updating, it takes a major event be jarred back to the blogosphere. I'm "jump up and down" psyched that Eric Gagne is now a proud member of the Red Sox bullpen. Look at our pen: Papelbon, Okajima, Gagne, MDC, Timlin, Tavarez, Snyder and Lopez. Deep! Solid.

On the other hand, I am not disappointed at all that the proposed trade for Jermaine Dye fell through. Of course this might be tied to an unfounded hope that Wily-Mo Pena will eventually develop into a quality player. If the big guy could just lay off those outside breaking balls...

Go Sox!

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(Photo by Flickr user Timmer82)

Links!

Photo by mattie b

Even this can of Budweiser looks tempting right about now. It's wicked hot out here in Seattle -- 98 degrees ahh! Anyway, here are a nine links to tide us over 'til baseball is back tomorrow:

The Yankees are still America's favorite baseball team according to a recent Harris Poll. Eeew. The Red Sox pulled in at #3.

There was one classic All-Star game face-off that Joe Buck and Tim McCarver did not actively discuss last night. [The Sports Hernia Blog]

I had a conversation eerily similar to this with my fantasy baseball team today. [McSweeny's]

It is a work-in-progress, but Joy of Sox has created the ultimate Red Sox nickname glossary.

Matt Ufford has a great piece over at AOL Fanhouse: How to Give Blogs Credit: a Handy Guide for the Mainstream Media. [Hat tip to The 700 Level]

Red Sox 16 year old uber prospect, Michael Almanzar, participated in his first scrimmage as a member of the Red Sox organization.

Baseball Prospectus looks ahead to the second half of the MLB season.

The NY Daily News "experts" dream up a team for the new Yankee Stadium in '09. Hint: there are lots of overpriced, aging free agents.

The Boston Bruins 2007-08 schedule is here! Besides our new goalie, we pretty much have the same team that was 35-41-6 last year, don't we? Sigh.

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Back...Back...Back Challenge

An individual with an extremely high threshold for pain compiled these audio highlights of Chris Berman's home run calls from the Home Run Derby Monday night.

Here's the challenge: See if you can get through the entire 1:42 seconds of the clip without turning it off or putting on earmuffs. (Your sound must be turned on!) I made it through 51 seconds which I think is pretty darn impressive.

Hat tip to Awful Announcing for the link.

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Sox Prospect Interview

Blogger, Sox1Fan has done an exclusive interview with Red Sox uber pitching prospect, Clay Buchholz. Check out Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of the interview over on his site. Good stuff!

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Swept

My hubby snapped this photo on our way out of Safeco Field Wednesday. Yikes -- Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched a gem and we were still swept.

One thing I noticed at the park yesterday is that Seattle Mariners fans are developing a strong animosity for Red Sox fans. Since the M's don't have a close local rival, fans are not used to having Safeco inundated by fans of the visiting team. When I moved here four years ago, there were plenty of Red Sox fans, but Mariners' fans didn't hate us. It wasn't unusual to get a consoling pat on the back by a Mariners' fan after their team beat the Sox. Yesterday I had multiple brooms stuck in my face and I heard things like "Go home Red Sox fans, get out of our city!" Times are changing I guess.

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Seattle

Friday Random YouTube: The Steal

Here is some (raw) video footage of The Steal in honor of Red Sox hero Dave Roberts' return to Fenway Park this weekend as a member of the San Francisco Giants. Goosebumps!

Where were you at that moment?

Welcome back to Fenway Dave Roberts!

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7 1/2

Here we have the current A.L. East standings:

The Sox division lead is down to 7.5 games. Should we be concerned or is this just a mini June swoon? We can't blame it every loss on Julio Lugo, can we?

David Ortiz offers an appropriate summary: "It?s not good, man. We haven?t been hitting for [crap], so hopefully it?ll get better."

Yes, hopefully. Go Sox!

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Schilling's Gem

Of course, the important thing is that the Sox won the final game of a tough series in Oakland, but it was heartbreaking to watch Schil lose the no-hitter with two outs in the ninth. Sigh. So close!

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7:05 pm

Did I mention that it is fantastic to have the Red Sox playing out here in the Pacific Time Zone for a few days? Baseball at 7:05 pm? Amazing!

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Meltdown

I wonder what it would take for Terry Francona to have a meltdown like this one by Braves minor league manager, Phillip (un)Wellman. I've seen a manager cover home plate with dirt. I've seen a manager cover an umpire with dirt. I have never seen a manager slither up to a pitchers mound, grab the rosin bag and throw it at an umpire. Wow.

Sunday Links: Boggs, Youk and the $7 Brewskie

Here a whopping ten links for your Sunday afternoon:

Lowell: NY was my school of hard knocks [Boston.com]

Boggs and current Sox first baseman share perspectives [Nashua Telegraph]

Youk has a blog! [Yooooouuuuukkkkk]

Curt Schilling blogs about his outing Saturday. [38 Pitches]

Memories of the Impossible Dream Season Part One and Part Two [Peter's Red Sox Forever]

The $7 Ballpark Brewskie [The Hardball Times]

Leveraging Ballparks [Fire Brand of the AL]

Johnny Damon might play some first base for the Yankees. Yikes. [ESPN]

Roger Clemens won't start for the Yankees Monday. [ESPN]

If Only War Reporting Were More Like Sports Reporting [Washington Post]

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Friday Random You Tube: Bush League

A-rod is just lame. Really lame.

It is not hard to believe that this play has already been added to the Wikipedia page for "Bush League." (Thanks Chris.)
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Wow.

Let it be known that I am in no way gloating --- but I took a quick peak at the MLB standings before I head off to bed and I noted that there are only four teams in baseball with less wins than the New York Yankees: The Kansas City Royals, the Texas Rangers, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Cincinnati Reds. Wow. This salary vs. performance visualization is fun to look at too.


So...whose head will roll this week? Cashman? Torre? The new trainer?

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Friday Random YouTube: Rem Dawg Air Guitar

This video needs no introduction:

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