Red Sox

So, standing O for Garciaparra tonight?

Well, he's had sixteen and a half years to prepare for July 14th in St. Louis. Tim Wakefield's solid 10-3 record has placed him tied for the lead in wins in the American League and deservedly gotten him into the All-Star Game.

Of course, he wasn't going to be allowed in to his first All-Star Game without a little rookie hazing from Francona in the clubhouse today. Joining Wakefield at the All-Star game are 5 other players, making the most from any one club this year: Jonathan Papelbon, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay, and Josh Beckett. Congrats to the Red Sox, but congratulations most of all to Tim Wakefield.

11th inning, 2 out, Sox down 7-5, and I just ate a couple of scoops of:

[img]http://www.hphood.com/uploadedImages/Products/Ice_Cream/Hood_Red_Sox_Singles/comeback%20caramel%206oz.JPG?n=7094[/img]

While I was typing, Kottaras hit his 1st ever HR, Drew singled, but then Pedroia grounded out to 3rd.

The Sox were winning 10-1, right?

David Ortiz is opening a steak place in Framingham, called, big surprise, Big Papi's. Will also serve seafood and burgers, so they've gotta get Dennis Eckersley out there to analyze the serving of the first burger:

That thing's got some serious cheese on it! Hairy cheese! With paint!

OK, maybe not.

Paul is loving the plucky shortstop:

... When you root for a team with some of the deepest pockets in baseball, players like Green are some of the most fun to watch. Congratulations, Nick. Keep surprising us.

Can't trade him, demote him or cut him.

Mike Giardi cannot believe some PawSox fans booed Clay Buchholz during his last start.

No big deal, unless you happen to live next door to Jason Varitek.

Red: What a Night for Baseball Fans and Beard Enthusiasts.

I dunno, I suddenly feel like doing some sweeping.

Beth tells us what happened through the seventh.

Red: Yankees Successfully Re-apply for Position of Red Sox' Favorite Chew Toy:

I want to go on record right now: If the Red Sox don't win the 2009 World Series, but manage to go 19-0 against the Yankees in the regular season, I'd be fine with it.

Because there's something outlandishly awesome about watching the bloated, five-hundred million dollar circus roll into town, unload the high-priced talent on our field, fumble aimlessly for a couple hours, then leave like a pack of waterfront hobos, scuffling for the last remaining bits of their pride, with Youkbacca's cleat stuffed up their collective South 40. ...

Tells WEEI he really is 33.

Beth reviews the evidence after last night's game.

Peter: I sat there with my mouth open half the time:

... It was a fun game to watch as the outs mounted and the tension grew. ...

One of them is a much beloved player who's cost the Red Sox games and the other one is Julio Lugo.

Fitzy: Seriously, my Tyco remote controlled cars had better range than Lugo does. My Fisher Price walkie talkies had better range.

Controversy was news to him.

Via Daigo Fujiwara.

Bill Simmons reluctantly gives up on Big Papi:

... I still watch every Ortiz at-bat thinking, This is the one. When he belted his first bomb of the season, I clapped like everyone else and pumped my fist. Yes! He's back! The Fenway crowd cheered as if it were Game 7, demanded a curtain call and showered him with love. This was the single strangest sports moment I've ever seen: Fans going absolutely bonkers for something that once was a routine act. Turned out, it was Papi's only homer of the first eight weeks. So it really was a curtain call. By May's end, Francona had dropped him to sixth in the order. Barring a miraculous return of bat speed, he'll be benched or released soon. It'll hurt, and I'm going to feel bad. I already do.

Red Sox secret weapon: Code-name: Rocky.

They buy their daughters Boston Red Sox Watermelon Scratch-n-Sniff Child's Caps.

Via Fitzy Fitzgerald's Twitter feed (hey, if Remy has one ...).

A brief audio message from the President.

Pentaphobia.

Onion: Manny Ramirez To David Ortiz: 'Road Trip'.

Somebody out there is walking around with a Sox 'B' tattooed on the corner of his eye.

MLB Adjusts Drug Policy To Allow David Ortiz To Take Steroids.

Sadly, the story is now out of date, which anybody who follows batting averages will notice.

It's clicking again, a Sons of Sam Horn contributor posts.

Via Joy of Sox.