Who's your Daddy?

Sox take first 5 of 6, and keep Yanks in the basement. The spanking continued on Sunday with the Sox getting the better of Wang and the overused bullpen. The Yanks are a Tampa Bay like 6 1/2 games out in April, yes April. And by the way, Tampa Bay is looking down on you...

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The Sox have the major's best record and 3rd in pitching. The Yanks boast second in runs, but are sitting way back in 27th in pitching. We'll take pitching thank you. The Yanks now take their 3-8 road record - on the road.

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It's an April to remember for Sox fans. It's too bad we don't see the Yanks for 3 more weeks. Back to Yankee Stadium for another whoopin, can wait...

Yanks reeling, lose 4th straight to Sox

It doesn't get much better if you're a Sox fan. The Yanks are in an absolute freefall and its not even May. Let's see if we can put together a top ten list for the Yanks...

10) In the middle of a 7 game losing streak.

9) They trail the Sox by 6 1/2 games.

8) Only KC has less wins - in the MAJORS!

7) They are looking up at Tampa Bay

6) Mariano Rivera has an Era over 12 and 2 blown saves!

5) Only team in the majors without a save, and lead the majors in bullpen innings

4) The Daily News has dubbed them "The no fight club"

3) Damon is headed to the DL - for the first time ever

2) Torre may be sent walking by Steinbrenner

1) Carl Pavano

Ouch. They better start putting police details on the bridges around NY. Yanks fans are going to start jumping any day now. They NEED to take the next 2 vs the Sox but its not going to happen. It really feels like a sweep coming...

The pitching woes continue and no one has been able to step it up. When they really needed Pettite, he stumbled. They've gambled with Philip Hughes who pitched OK for his first start but couldn't go 5 innings. Back in Spring Training, Torre stated 2 reasons why they wouldn't rush Hughes to the bigs - Kerry Wood & Mark Prior. He said they were rushed and blew out their arms. Well, it's April and here he is. Scary stuff.

The Sox look to continue the beatings today with the best record in the majors. If they put the hammer down on the next 2 games, the Yanks may not be able to claw back. From an 8 1/2 game defecit in April, Clemens better have a twin. But if you're Clemens looking for a ring, why would you even think about joining a team that far back?

Might be time to start dusting off the golf clubs in NY...

Schilling Sock Scandal?

A "prominent" Baltimore O's play-by-play broadcaster Gary Thorne (also NHL announcer) said on the air (during last nights broadcast) that he had been told by Red Sox catcher Doug Mirabelli that the substance on Schilling's sock was paint, not blood.

He was of course referring to game 6 of the 2004 playoffs vs the Yanks. Here's the exchange:

"It was painted. Doug Mirabelli confessed up to it after. It was all for PR. Two-ball, two-strike count."

So matter of fact isn't it? Here's Mirabelli's response after the game:

"What? Are you kidding me? He's [expletive] lying. A straight lie, I never said that. I know it was blood. Everybody knows it was blood."

So who is the donkey here? We have a hard time believing Mirabelli would say that even if it were true. Others are saying that Thorne would never just make something up. Why hasn't this "news" ever been reported before? Is it reasonable to believe that a 9 inch suture started to bleed from an area that moves with every pitch? Yup. Sounds like a big load of crap and Thorne should feel some pain for making such an unproven statement.

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All that aside, it does not and never will take away from what Schilling did to get ready for that game. Is there another athlete on the planet that would risk that kind of surgery? Doubtful. Throw in the size of the stage and the performance, and you couldn't have written a better script. It's one of the best sports stories of all time. It eclipses Carlton Fisk & Kirk Gibson's homers put together. He was gutsy and heroic. It's a moment that will never be forgotten or unappreciated.

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The point is it doesn't matter about the sock. It's all about what's behind it. For all of you naysayers, call CSI...

Fireworks at the Fens complete the sweep...

Well Yanks fans, how you feelin? While it is only April, it's nice to put the Yanks a comfortable 4 games back. The MLB tying 4 back to back homers was a nice exclamation point - especially against your bitter rival. How sweet was that? Surprisingly, it was the Sox bats and not their arms that took the series.


For those of you thinking it's not that bad for the Yanks right now, where would they be if A-Rod was not laser hot? At least 3 games worse - which is still in last place (hee hee). What an amazing start for him. We may never see this type of performance again.


The Yanks do get Wang back this week, but Mussina and Pavano still remain on the shelf. It must be frustrating having a guy like Pavano on your team. Now it also appears that Cashman is being forced to rush Hughes to the majors. He better hope that some rough performances won't ruin his pshyche.


By the way what's up with Colter Bean, aka Baby Huey? Schilling is in better shape & he's almost twice his age. Strange body style for a pitcher. Even David Wells has raised an eyebrow.


The season is still in it's infancy, we know. But it's nice to pound your rivals - especially with a sweep. Can the Yanks rebound from the beating? Not unless pitching gets much better. It will improve with Wang, but with 3 rooks in the rotation how much are you expecting? When is Mariano going to get out of his funk? Will Damon be able to overcome back issues and his .250 BA?

This weekend? Now that the Sox bats are getting some life, the Yanks should still struggle to get 1 win. Torre probably doesn't even know what the rotation will be yet.

The Yanks always seem to be able to stay in the race. It looks different this year with their staff. Their bullpen is already overworked because their starters can't go 5 innings, with Pettite already making 2 appearances. If they fall back too far this early, there may be too much ground to make up. They don't have the horses even when healthy to be a dominant staff, and they'll need to be dominant to catch up. Don't think there is panic in the NY Offices? This thing could be over by July. Get out your healing prayer books, or it could be a long summer in NY and a relaxing one in Boston...

Round 1 begins...

It would be nice if the scheduling folks at MLB would wait at least until May before these teams get together...

But here we go. The teams are separated only by a game (shocking) but they have been winning by very different means. The Yanks have been riding the hot bat of A-Rod and winning in late inning fashion. The Sox have been riding their pitching staff. We think it's great that A-Rod is getting all of those HR's and RBI's out of his system in April. Just in time for his arrival at the Fens. We'll stick with pitching thank you very much.

The Sox expected to have a good rotation, but the entire staff has been outstanding yielding a 2.58 Era (second in the majors). The Yanks lineup is also dominating, leading the league in runs. But we all know what wins come Sept.

The Yanks have also been bitten by the injury bug. Injuries to the pitching staff have been overcome (to this point) by their bats. How long do you expect that to continue? Pavano is out again (big surprise there), Mussina has a nagging hammy, and Wang has just started rehab. How long before Pettite goes down? Don't be shocked to be sitting in 3rd or even 4th place if things don't improve...

The Sox have to be very pleased at this point. Pitching is strong and the bats haven't even come around yet. Manny is hitting .200 and finally hit his first HR of the season. It's only a matter of time before he gets into a groove. New acquisition JD Drew is leading the charge offensively and looks to be earning his pay. Our new Gun from the Rising Sun has looked good, only suffering losses while giving up 3 and 2 runs. He's the real deal. The Yanks will find out this weekend.

While you can only take so much away from the first 15 or so games, things are looking good in the Nation. The Yanks are hanging in for now, but they always seem to find a way. While the Yanks may be fortunate to sneak into the playoffs, the Sox are looking at a special season. If the offense gets hot, look out.

The Yanks will be lucky to take 1 of 3 from the Sox this weekend. But it's only round one baby. See you in round 2...

Where is Spring? Weather is keeping teams in training…

Well it’s been a week of frigid temps across most of the country. How many games can you remember EVER being called on account of COLD? Just odd. The Sox opener was 80 degrees, followed up by 30’s and 40’s, to a threat of snow in Texas. Someone get Al Gore on the phone. Where’s the warming?

You folks in NY better hope that the weather is the reason NONE of your starters have lasted more than 5 innings, and only one has actually completed 5. Despite some last inning heroics by A-Fraud, you’d be looking at an AL worst 1-4 record vs. Tampa and Baltimore. You can just feel the panic settling in over the Bronx. Does Pettite leaving after 4 and then making an appearance out of the pen alarm you? How about the starters 36 hits allowed in 21 innings or their ERA just under 10?

While the first week isn’t usually a litmus test for the entire year, it still must be tough being a Yanks fan right now. Cashman is not sleeping well these days. Matsui is down and Damon is ailing already. Your beacon of hope is facing Ponson later tonight.

The Sox are showing signs of life however. Papi finally started to hit, Papelbon is awesome once again, and Schill bounced back tossing a gem. Matsuzaka is a budding star and the #5 spot will be in limbo (Tavares/Snyder) awaiting the return of Lester. The rotation is looking very solid, and the pen should be better once Timlin is back later this week. Drew is off to a great start and Pedroia has been a nice surprise.

Will anyone remember week one later this year? No. Some teams have reason to be more optimistic than others, but it’s very early. Numbers don’t mean much right now, but they will soon. Stay tuned – things are looking interesting right now!

Agony on the way to 755: Starring “B Cubed”…

Can you ever remember anyone approaching a milestone or record that had an overwhelming consensus wishing it didn’t happen? The closest is probably when Roger Maris broke the HR record, but that was mostly Yankee fans up in arms. Everyone likes when a record is broken – especially the big ones.

Now it’s the complete opposite where Giants fans are the only ones that are rooting for him to break it. That makes you wonder what would happen if he was on your favorite team. Would he still be booed in your home stadium? You’d like to think so, but just give that some thought before passing judgment on those San Fran fans. What would they have thought about him if he went to an AL team as a DH? Might not be as rosy a picture…

Regardless, we are going to be deluged with Bonds HR or non HR games. With only 21 homers left to go, it’s easier just to concede he’ll get it done at some point this year. Let’s hope it’s quick. It’ll be less painful if it doesn’t drag on. Any legal attempt to keep him out of the game has fallen short. Only a major injury will derail him at this point. Get your voodoo dolls out & start sticking pins in those knees.

While we would never really wish an injury on anyone, we will be rooting against him getting the record. It’s really hard to pull for a guy who cheated. Being a despicable person makes it easier to root against him. Even if an asterisk is put next to his name in the record books, it won’t matter 10 or 20 years from now. That’s the shame. But is justice served if he’s not voted into the Hall? You could easily argue he would be in even without his “power surge” late in his career. Nevertheless, it's a painful journey with no good ending in sight.

We’re going to dub his quest as the “B Cubed” Tour:

The Barry Bonds Band-aid Tour

It’s just like pulling off a band-aid that you know is going to hurt. It kills while you pull it off and stings when you’re done. So, pull it fast Barry…

Season starts off with a thump… It’s a Royal Meche…

It’s a marathon, not a sprint. That’s the mantra this time of year – especially when your team stumbles out of the gate. Do you remember how your team performed last opening day or the ones before? Does it matter now or then? Nope.

So for all of you Yanks fans showering us with email about your beating of the mighty Rays, thanks. Take advantage of your fortunes while the skillet is hot. It’s starting to cool off already. We won’t even mention the 3 Yanks errors from yesterday. Whoops!

While Schill looked awful at times with his flat fastball, Pavano certainly didn’t make a case for himself. Schill has faced adversity and has overcome it. Pavano hasn’t even been able to just stay on the field since his arrival. Who’s going to have a better record & stats at year end? Is there really an argument over who you would pick in a heartbeat? Puhleease…

Regardless, it’s finally baseball season. Another 161 regular season games to go. So many possibilities, rising stars, surprising teams, and great stories to come. It’s all just starting to unfold. Even the KC’s, Rays, and all of the NL feel like they have a chance right now - however remote.

And yes, the ribbing has already begun… Enjoy the season folks!

Only 18 days and counting until the first square off…