I had a pretty good 31st birthday celebration this weekend. Megan put together a surprise party with a bunch of my friends from work and from the running club. She said we were just going to go have dinner on the beach and SURPRISE!!! There were balloons, hot dogs, sausages, potato salad, some other goodies and of course a cake! There was a fire and the sunset was awesome; the weather was perfect too!
Saturday wasn't too eventful, especially with the Red Sox getting slaughtered. We went to the Sea Otter Classic, a big bike expo but seeing as I don't have a bike it wasn't that exciting. If I was into that scene it'd be a pretty cool event. That night though was the Volunteer Gala event at work which was fun. One of my volunteers in the seahorse gallery was being awarded for his services. He doesn't just work with us he is also a sea otter diver and a volunteer guide (gives tours to guests).
Sunday, my actual birthday I got up and we eventually made it to breakfast. We went to the Old Monterey Cafe where I had my usual Ken's Pancake Sandwich with blueberry pancakes, sausage, eggs, and a biscuit...DELICIOUS! After breakfast I watched the Bruins beat the Caps in OT (yay Seguin!) Around 4:00 or so we went down to the beach for a bit to enjoy the sunshine and then came home and chillaxed the rest of the night.
Thanks to everyone that made this birthday a very special weekend; and thanks for my presents! Here's to another great year of my life!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
100 Years of Fenway Park
April 20th, 1912; 5 days after the sinking of the Titanic the Cathedral of Boston was unveiled. Fenway Park was supposed to open earlier but due to a couple of rain outs it was pushed back to the 20th. John F. Fitzgerald threw out the first pitch to a crowd of 24,000 fans and the Boston Red Sox took on the New York Highlanders. With names like Tris Speaker and Duffy Lewis the Sox defeated the Highlanders 7-6 in the 11th inning with a game winning hit by Tris Speaker. The Red Sox were a powerhouse that year with the trio of Speaker, Lewis and Harry Hooper in the outfield and eventually went on to win the pennant and the World Series defeating the New York Giants in 8 games.
I have been lucky enough to see a handful of Red Sox games over the last 25 years, more than I can possibly count and/or remember. I started going to games with Little League Baseball when I was probably 6 or 7 and we would go every summer. When I got older I of course started going with friends and family and now when I can make it home I usually try to schedule my trips around their games. It's been an amazing part of my life and I'm extremely privileged to have taken part in so many games there. I've been trying to remember some of my favorite memories at Fenway and it's been hard because there are a lot to try and remember but I'll list a few that stick out (no particular order).
Mother's Day - Ted Williams Day: Hottest day of the year and I don't think Mom has been back to Fenway since!
Father's Day 2009: Sox beat the Braves 6-5 with a Nick Green walk off homer around Pesky's Pole! Went with Dad, my buddy Mike and his dad. Amazing!
Opening Day 2009: Josh Beckett strikes out 10 and the Sox beat the Rays 5-3. Got tickets off Craigslist because the original opening day had been rained out and the game was pushed back a day. Went with a few friends from high school; it was absolutely freezing out but we had fun.
Sox vs Yankees (circa 1998?): Can't remember the exact year but went to two Sox/Yanks games back-to-back with my buddy Mike from high school and my sister and one of her friends.
All little league games...ice cream, wooden bats, bleachers.
Manny's return to Fenway Park: Took my cousin Brian to go see Manny come back to Fenway as a Dodger. He got a pretty good standing ovation at first but by his 3rd at bat he was getting seriously booed.
Winter Classic 2010: Didn't get to see the Bruins play but Brian and I went to see BU play BC. The girl singing the National Anthem was from BC and she actually got booed from the BU fans...classic!
Tom Glavine vs the Sox: Glavine was lights out. I can't remember watching a more dominant pitcher and it really made the game boring from the Sox stand point. No runs for the BoSox but I think 8 for the Braves.
April 26, 2009: Sox vs Yanks; Jacoby Ellsbury steals home plate!!! I couldn't believe it. And I watched it happen. It wasn't as if I turned away and he scored, I watched as he creeped down the line and bolted. I still remember screaming, along with everyone else, "He's going!" And then his little hesitation before he slid...friggin amazing. AND I almost caught a foul ball but definitely didn't happen. Had sick seats too right near Pesky's Pole only rows up from the field...good job Kristin!
August 30, 2005: Went to the game with my sister and cousin Brian. Sox vs Rays; Rays were up 5-0 and lost 7-6. I think this was the first time I had seen Brian since he turned 21 so it was a good night and it was my 1st time at Cask n' Flagon!
Wade Boggs sighting: Wade was my favorite player growing up until of course he turned to the dark side...but one game we were so close to the third base wall that I had asked the umpire if he could get me his signature. He said no but then there was a ball that went passed Wade and he ran up to the wall...that was the closest I ever got to him. Oh well.
Mo Vaughn sighting: We saw Mo in the parking lot after one game and he was massive!!! He didn't sign any autographs though.
June 1, 2007: Sox vs Yankees and a day that will live in infamy. Got tickets for me and my buddy Mike. We met up with some friends beforehand and when the Sox were getting destroyed we actually left the game early. This is the ONLY game I have EVER left early. We left and it was 9-3, Sox lost 9-5. The rest of that night changed my life forever...but that's another story.
May 18, 2003: Sox vs Angels; I graduated from college on May 17th and my Aunt Rita got me 3 tickets to the Sox game the day after (that was a rough ride). I went with my buddies Mike and Pat and we had the best seats I've ever had at Fenway. We sat right behind home plate, maybe 10 rows from the field. Sox win 5-3. I ended up having an interview for the job in the Keys on the way home and that trip lead me to where I am today!!! I turned 27, 28, and 29 at Fenway park. I've brought buddies, girlfriends, and family members with me to enjoy it. I've sat through the coldest days, the hottest days and some of the rainiest days. I've even had tickets to two games that got rained out; one in 2004 and one in 2010. My sister ended up getting the tickets to the make-up game in 2004 and my friends went to the one in 2010.
I've been to so many games, most with my dad and they've all been amazing experiences. I got some good practice and preparation for high school by learning how to score the games at a young age. Dad has taught me a lot about the game at Fenway and I've taught him a lot about the history of the park!!! I've gone on at least 3 tours of Fenway, seen Theo Epstein outside of Fenway, gotten autographs (thank you Carlos Quintana) outside the parking lot, eaten God only knows how many hot dogs, been to 3 games in one week, at least 8 games in 2009 and if I could I'd go to every game played there. I've seen some of the greatest Sox players play the sport they love! Being inside Fenway, for someone who truly loves the history of the sport is an unforgettable experience, no matter how many times you've been and I look forward to going to many more throughout the years.
GO SOX!
I have been lucky enough to see a handful of Red Sox games over the last 25 years, more than I can possibly count and/or remember. I started going to games with Little League Baseball when I was probably 6 or 7 and we would go every summer. When I got older I of course started going with friends and family and now when I can make it home I usually try to schedule my trips around their games. It's been an amazing part of my life and I'm extremely privileged to have taken part in so many games there. I've been trying to remember some of my favorite memories at Fenway and it's been hard because there are a lot to try and remember but I'll list a few that stick out (no particular order).
Mother's Day - Ted Williams Day: Hottest day of the year and I don't think Mom has been back to Fenway since!
Father's Day 2009: Sox beat the Braves 6-5 with a Nick Green walk off homer around Pesky's Pole! Went with Dad, my buddy Mike and his dad. Amazing!
Opening Day 2009: Josh Beckett strikes out 10 and the Sox beat the Rays 5-3. Got tickets off Craigslist because the original opening day had been rained out and the game was pushed back a day. Went with a few friends from high school; it was absolutely freezing out but we had fun.
Sox vs Yankees (circa 1998?): Can't remember the exact year but went to two Sox/Yanks games back-to-back with my buddy Mike from high school and my sister and one of her friends.
All little league games...ice cream, wooden bats, bleachers.
Manny's return to Fenway Park: Took my cousin Brian to go see Manny come back to Fenway as a Dodger. He got a pretty good standing ovation at first but by his 3rd at bat he was getting seriously booed.
Winter Classic 2010: Didn't get to see the Bruins play but Brian and I went to see BU play BC. The girl singing the National Anthem was from BC and she actually got booed from the BU fans...classic!
Tom Glavine vs the Sox: Glavine was lights out. I can't remember watching a more dominant pitcher and it really made the game boring from the Sox stand point. No runs for the BoSox but I think 8 for the Braves.
April 26, 2009: Sox vs Yanks; Jacoby Ellsbury steals home plate!!! I couldn't believe it. And I watched it happen. It wasn't as if I turned away and he scored, I watched as he creeped down the line and bolted. I still remember screaming, along with everyone else, "He's going!" And then his little hesitation before he slid...friggin amazing. AND I almost caught a foul ball but definitely didn't happen. Had sick seats too right near Pesky's Pole only rows up from the field...good job Kristin!
August 30, 2005: Went to the game with my sister and cousin Brian. Sox vs Rays; Rays were up 5-0 and lost 7-6. I think this was the first time I had seen Brian since he turned 21 so it was a good night and it was my 1st time at Cask n' Flagon!
Wade Boggs sighting: Wade was my favorite player growing up until of course he turned to the dark side...but one game we were so close to the third base wall that I had asked the umpire if he could get me his signature. He said no but then there was a ball that went passed Wade and he ran up to the wall...that was the closest I ever got to him. Oh well.
Mo Vaughn sighting: We saw Mo in the parking lot after one game and he was massive!!! He didn't sign any autographs though.
June 1, 2007: Sox vs Yankees and a day that will live in infamy. Got tickets for me and my buddy Mike. We met up with some friends beforehand and when the Sox were getting destroyed we actually left the game early. This is the ONLY game I have EVER left early. We left and it was 9-3, Sox lost 9-5. The rest of that night changed my life forever...but that's another story.
May 18, 2003: Sox vs Angels; I graduated from college on May 17th and my Aunt Rita got me 3 tickets to the Sox game the day after (that was a rough ride). I went with my buddies Mike and Pat and we had the best seats I've ever had at Fenway. We sat right behind home plate, maybe 10 rows from the field. Sox win 5-3. I ended up having an interview for the job in the Keys on the way home and that trip lead me to where I am today!!! I turned 27, 28, and 29 at Fenway park. I've brought buddies, girlfriends, and family members with me to enjoy it. I've sat through the coldest days, the hottest days and some of the rainiest days. I've even had tickets to two games that got rained out; one in 2004 and one in 2010. My sister ended up getting the tickets to the make-up game in 2004 and my friends went to the one in 2010.
I've been to so many games, most with my dad and they've all been amazing experiences. I got some good practice and preparation for high school by learning how to score the games at a young age. Dad has taught me a lot about the game at Fenway and I've taught him a lot about the history of the park!!! I've gone on at least 3 tours of Fenway, seen Theo Epstein outside of Fenway, gotten autographs (thank you Carlos Quintana) outside the parking lot, eaten God only knows how many hot dogs, been to 3 games in one week, at least 8 games in 2009 and if I could I'd go to every game played there. I've seen some of the greatest Sox players play the sport they love! Being inside Fenway, for someone who truly loves the history of the sport is an unforgettable experience, no matter how many times you've been and I look forward to going to many more throughout the years.
GO SOX!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
0-2
Can't say much about the game today. I was listening to it online and couldn't get past the third inning. Beckett really sucked it up giving up 5 home runs in just over 4 innings, 4 of them to Cabrera and Fielder getting 2 each. When he left it was 7-0 and the offense was yet again no where to be found. Sox lose 10-0. 2011 all over again! The Bruins won and so did the Celts and don't forget that Boston College hockey won the NCAA Championship! Just a few higher notes to help everyone forget the Red Sox at the time being.
Game 3: 4/8/12 1:05ET Buckholz vs Scherzer
Game 3: 4/8/12 1:05ET Buckholz vs Scherzer
Happy Easter
Happy Easter everyone! I will be spending it at work. Last year I was lucky enough to spend it down in San Diego because it was the same weekend as my birthday but this year I will be stressing out mightily! Monday I leave for Chicago so tomorrow I need to get a whole bunch of stuff done. I got a very nice Easter basket from my family this evening filled with candy! I'm surprised they didn't have a kite in there somewhere but I'll eat all the candy fo sho.
I never got to mass this year and haven't been to mass on Easter in a long time. It's somewhat disappointing to think about how much I've changed when it comes to my religion. I used to be very strict on myself about going to church, at least on important holidays such as Easter, the most important. I'm learning to live with it and know that if I truly wanted to be there I would be.
Anyway, last night we watched the Passion. I had never seen it before and I'm pretty sure it's the only movie we've watched that Megan had seen and I hadn't. I don't really know how to react to the film. It was extremely graphic and I was saddened by the possibility that that is truly what happened to Christ before he died. But again, it is just a movie. Right now I am watching the Ten Commandments and even though it's an old movie I still like watching it. The special effects are incredibly cheesy but back in the 1950s this was top notch Academy Award winning stuff!!! And of course Charlton Heston is the man as Moses.
That's about all I have for my Easter blog...let it be written! Enjoy the holiday, chocolate, ham, and your hunt for eggs!
I never got to mass this year and haven't been to mass on Easter in a long time. It's somewhat disappointing to think about how much I've changed when it comes to my religion. I used to be very strict on myself about going to church, at least on important holidays such as Easter, the most important. I'm learning to live with it and know that if I truly wanted to be there I would be.
Anyway, last night we watched the Passion. I had never seen it before and I'm pretty sure it's the only movie we've watched that Megan had seen and I hadn't. I don't really know how to react to the film. It was extremely graphic and I was saddened by the possibility that that is truly what happened to Christ before he died. But again, it is just a movie. Right now I am watching the Ten Commandments and even though it's an old movie I still like watching it. The special effects are incredibly cheesy but back in the 1950s this was top notch Academy Award winning stuff!!! And of course Charlton Heston is the man as Moses.
That's about all I have for my Easter blog...let it be written! Enjoy the holiday, chocolate, ham, and your hunt for eggs!
Friday, April 6, 2012
0-1
Close but no cigar...
With a record selling crowd for opening day at Comerica Park in Detroit the Red Sox looked to make a statement and start off the season on a higher note than last year, keep the naysayers hushed, and get win number one for new manager Bobby V. Well unfortunately for them the Tigers wanted to show that sell-out crowd that they are for real, they've got some serious talent, and that last year's near World Series trip was no fluke.
John Lester up against Justin Verlander seems like a dream matchup that I'm hoping we will see again in October. By October though I'm hoping we have a closer. Lester did great allowing only 1 run over 7 innings but Verlander did even better by not giving up any runs in 8 with 7Ks. Lester went up against the best pitcher in baseball and held his own and Lester isn't exactly known to be sparkling in April.
The offense was a bit cold but again they were going up against the best. In the 9th though the offense came back from a 2-0 deficit to tie the game after Valverde blew a save; something that I don't think has happened since 2010. Going into the bottom of the ninth, tied at 2 the Sox had to rely on their shotty bullpen in it's first test. Epic Fail. Melancon gave up a couple of hits and then after he was pulled Aceves, who's supposed to be the official closer hit a batter to load the bases for Austin Jackson. Jackson hit a single up the third base line to win the ball game. Tigers get their first win, Sox get their first loss.
The reminders of game 162 from 2011 came glaring into my mind and the "here we go again" thoughts start clouding my brain. But in perspective this game was a good start against a great team. Unfortunately for the Red Sox though we need some serious help on the bullpen side of things. I'm not sure how far they'll wait and how many losses we as fans are going to endure until they realize they need to make a move but who knows, maybe Aceves will calm down, learn from his mistakes and take charge of the pen.
Game 2 is Saturday, 4/7/12. Josh Beckett vs. Doug Fister
The reminders of game 162 from 2011 came glaring into my mind and the "here we go again" thoughts start clouding my brain. But in perspective this game was a good start against a great team. Unfortunately for the Red Sox though we need some serious help on the bullpen side of things. I'm not sure how far they'll wait and how many losses we as fans are going to endure until they realize they need to make a move but who knows, maybe Aceves will calm down, learn from his mistakes and take charge of the pen.
Game 2 is Saturday, 4/7/12. Josh Beckett vs. Doug Fister
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
MLB 2012
And so it begins...the 2012 Major League Baseball season has officially begun. The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Miami Marlins to open the season with a 4-1 victory in Miami. I don't think it is exactly how the million dollar Marlins wanted to start the new season in their new stadium with their new high-money lineup! And tomorrow the Red Sox start their season in Detroit against the Tigers.
John Lester takes on reigning MVP/Cy Young award winner Justin Verlander in the Tiger's home opener at 1:00 ET, unfortunately 10:00AM here. The Tigers are boasting a pretty good lineup this year with the addition of Prince Fielder and should be a decent threat for most throughout the year. As some of you may remember the Red Sox are coming off a horrible season that was capped off by a horrendous collapse. And I'm sure we will always blame the beer and chicken wings but they just sucked. Watching Papelbon blow the save in the 9th against the crappy Baltimore Orioles was something I'd like to forget but unfortunately know I'll always sadly remember.
With that disappointing end to the 2011 season constantly on my mind it has been extremely hard to get excited for this upcoming season. What has recently sparked my interest is knowing that nobody expects them to do well. It's the fact that out of 50 ESPN baseball sportswriters only one of them picked the Red Sox to win it all; most not even picking them to make the playoffs! This is exactly what they need. They need the media and the public to doubt that they cannot win, that they don't have the pitching, they don't have the defense, they have a narcissistic coach and blah, blah, blah...
No we do not have a proven closer (thank you Andrew Bailey), or a shortstop, 4-5 pitching rotation questions, and outside of Ellsbury a questionable outfield (at the moment). But we do have an incredible offense and our defense really isn't going to be THAT bad. Ellsbury, Pedroia, Papi, Gonzalez, Youk, Crawford (out till May)/Ross, Salty, Sweeney, Aviles...I can deal with that lineup. And when Crawford comes back he will hopefully be back to the old Crawford of old.
It's a new era in Red Sox history. It's one without a 2-time World Series Champion manager or a GM that made a bold decision in late-July of 2004 to trade the most popular player on the team in order to reverse the curse. There's no captain behind the plate or knuckleballer on the mound. It's a whole new vibe in Boston and one that wreaks of pre-2004 where you weren't sure what was going to happen but you were absolutely certain you'd be extremely disappointed by the time October came around.
I obviously do not wish for this to happen and I expect the Red Sox to be playing in October this year; whether it's from one of the two wild cards or by taking the division I'm sure they'll be there. And once they're in it's on like Donkey Kong! So cross your fingers, start saying your prayers, and have faith in Red Sox Nation that this is our year!!!
Go Sox!
(All pictures used here were courtesy of boston.com) http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/gallery/2012/predictions?pg=10
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