Nope, not a post about Yoko and John Lennon, but rather touching base after the Red Sox blowing their chance to sweep the Orioles. Here is my game summary:
Innings one through seven: F@%# Eric F@%#*** Bedard! F@%# Eric F@%#*** Bedard! F@%# Eric F@%#*** Bedard! F@%# Eric F@%#*** Bedard! F@%# Eric F@%#*** Bedard! F@%# Eric F@%#*** Bedard! F@%# Eric F@%#*** Bedard!
Yes, the kiddos were once again introduced to the proper usage of profanity in context to a baseball game where the pitcher you had stole off of waivers when he was 4-0 and proceeded to go 0-2 and give up 13 runs in 13 innings for you until you released him (I desperately needed infield help what with injuries and no DL spots open), and the Eric F@%#*** Bedard goes out and shuts down the Sox, giving up two hits and one run in seven innings.
Of course, after Big Papi gave us hope with his bomb off of Chris Ray (I bet Chazer was agonizing over that at-bat: the beloved Red Sox or his beloved fantasy league closer? Of course, Chazer, bless his former accountant number-crunching, French horn playing heart, was rooting for Chris Ray to mow down the Sox and pick up the save, some strikeouts and improve his team ERA and WHIP.), I had to spend the next twenty minutes (yes, the kids were asleep at this point) muttering F@%# Willie F@%#*** Harris!
Of course, seeing Willie Harris get thrown out stealing second base to end the game brings two thoughts to my head:
1. Imagine if Dave Roberts had been thrown out against the Yankees in game four of the ALCS in 2004;
and
2. Babe Ruth ended the 1926 World Series by being thrown out stealing second base in the ninth inning of game seven down by one run. Can anyone even fathom that? I remember reading that as a kid and thinking how horrible it must be to end a season that way. Of course, Ruth erased it from the collective memory of baseball fans everywhere by hitting 60 home runs the next season and redeeming himself by hitting .625 in the 1927 World Series. Somehow I doubt Willie Harris is going to do that anytime soon.
In fact, speaking of Willie Harris, exactly why is he even on the roster? I would rather Bob Zupcik or Chico Walker was coming off the bench.
* * *
DH NONSENSE:
I hate that everyone is so concerned that the Red Sox have no DH in the interleague games in National League parks. Last I checked the fielding stats used by the big guns (Baseball Prospectus, SABR, Bill James, and Rob Neyer), David Ortiz was actually an upgrade in the field over Kevin Millar. Lest anyone forget, Big Papi gunned down Cardinals pitcher Jeff Suppan at third base during the 2004 World Series when Suppan made his ill-advised base-running blunder that officially gave the Sox all the final momentum they needed.
Big Papi may be rusty, but he is not a liability like Millar was at first base.
* * *
MY FANTASY:
Since I blab so much about my fantasy teams, I figured I would post them here to allow them to be mocked and ridiculed by all (Hey, I am equal opportunity when it comes to mocking and being mocked!).
This team is in what I refer to as the Rickles League, actually named Manny Being Manny. It is a Yahoo, non-keeper, head-to-head weekly with 5x5 scoring. Right now I am in seventh place of the twelve team league with a 24-30-6 record.
Pos-Batters
C-J. Mauer-(Min - C) - I love Mauer. I had him his rookie year when he had a great game, tore up his knee, and went on the DL for four months. The plus side was that I picked up Javy Lopez that year.
1B-C. Tracy-(Ari - 1B,3B,RF) - Yeah, pitiful, but Derrick Lee, my first round pick , is on the DL.
2B-D. Uggla-(Fla - 2B) - Ugg says it all. I did have Craig Counsell here, and can move Soriano if I can find an outfielder who can hit once in a while.
3B-Mi. Cabrera-(Fla - 3B,LF) - I have drafted Cabrera every year since I picked him up his rookie year. I think he is the most over-looked superstar out there right now.
SS-J. Hardy-(Mil - SS) DL - I just released his injured ass this morning. Picked up the blond mullet, Khalil Green of San Diego. His average sucks, but his power numbers are decent for the position.
LF-A. Soriano-(Was - 2B,LF) - I picked up Jason Giambi on waivers in the second week of the season, and since I have a strict No Yankees rule for my teams, I sent him to my Yankee Fan brother-in-law, Mike, for Soriano. That is the definition of win-win and getting something for nothing.
CF-J. Pierre-(ChC - CF) - This is the LAST year I ever draft someone entirely for stolen bases. Pierre is horrible.
RF-B. Wilkerson-(Tex - 1B,LF,CF,RF) – Somehow this chump is on both my teams. Kathy had him one year on her fantasy team and LOVES him now. Me, all I know is I wastched the Yankees game during commercials during the Red Sox game last night and saw Wilkerson strike out twice.
Util-A. Ramírez-(ChC - 3B) - Some guys get the big contract and do nothing. Oh look, Aramis Ramirez.
BN-L. Berkman-(Hou - 1B,LF,RF) - My MVP so far this season. He is only on the bench because Houston had an off day.
Bitmap BN-G. Atkins-(Col - 3B) - A pleasant surprise, but I would like to get more power out of 3B, move Cabrera to LF, and move Soriano to 2B.
DL-D. Lee-(ChC - 1B) DL - GET WELL SOON, BIG GUY!
Pos-Pitchers
SP-R. Dempster-(ChC - SP,RP) - The Dumpster has been lights out for me.
SP-C. Young-(SD - SP) - I love National League pitchers. LOVE EM!
SP-B. Zito-(Oak - SP) - Zito was drafted a little high and he really has not been the ace I hoped for him to be in a contract year for him.
SP-K. Wood-(ChC - SP,RP) DL - Finally healthy, I can finally see if this bum at least gets me a few strikeouts.
RP-B. Fuentes-(Col - RP) – The crappiest closers for the crappiest teams. That is my motto for the bullpen.
RP-D. Báez-(LAD - RP) - Safe to say, I was dancing when Eric Gagne went down. May his recovery take twice as long!
P-D. Weathers-(Cin - RP) - Just here to get me some low WHIP and ERA.
P-F. Rodney-(Det - RP) - Ditto, although I wish he would steal some saves for me.
BN-T. Wakefield-(Bos - SP) - I need him to get hot so I can trade him.
BN-T. Glavine-(NYM - SP) - My Cy Young for the pitching staff. Took a flyer on him in the late rounds and he has been my rock.
BN-G. Chacín-(Tor - SP) DL - Somehow, Chacin went undrafted. Another favorite of Kat, as he did well for her team last year, so I scooped him up just in time to see him go down with an injury.
BN-C. Capuano-(Mil - SP) - Yup, another National League starter.
BN-B. Myers-(Phi - SP) - Another guy I draft every year for every team I have rounds earler than anyone else waiting for that breakout season.
BN-N. Robertson-(Det - SP) - I have no idea why Nate the Great is here. Seriously. I assume I grabbed him off waivers at one point, buy I do not remember why or what I was thinking at the time.
Later, I will touch on my other fantasy team, aka the Dan League, where I am in third place in a fourteen team league.
* * *
HOCKEY?
Not to bring up a sore spot, but to everyone in San Jose: welcome to our world. We emphasize. Game seven for the San Jose Sharks, and who forgot to show up? Jumbo Joe! Much like his time in Boston, Joe Thornton decided to have ZERO impact with the season on the line. Not to bash on Big Joe, but this is what we saw all those years in Boston: great skills, great talent, but never a clutch performance. Just call him the A-Rod of the NHL.
* * *
Innings one through seven: F@%# Eric F@%#*** Bedard! F@%# Eric F@%#*** Bedard! F@%# Eric F@%#*** Bedard! F@%# Eric F@%#*** Bedard! F@%# Eric F@%#*** Bedard! F@%# Eric F@%#*** Bedard! F@%# Eric F@%#*** Bedard!
Yes, the kiddos were once again introduced to the proper usage of profanity in context to a baseball game where the pitcher you had stole off of waivers when he was 4-0 and proceeded to go 0-2 and give up 13 runs in 13 innings for you until you released him (I desperately needed infield help what with injuries and no DL spots open), and the Eric F@%#*** Bedard goes out and shuts down the Sox, giving up two hits and one run in seven innings.
Of course, after Big Papi gave us hope with his bomb off of Chris Ray (I bet Chazer was agonizing over that at-bat: the beloved Red Sox or his beloved fantasy league closer? Of course, Chazer, bless his former accountant number-crunching, French horn playing heart, was rooting for Chris Ray to mow down the Sox and pick up the save, some strikeouts and improve his team ERA and WHIP.), I had to spend the next twenty minutes (yes, the kids were asleep at this point) muttering F@%# Willie F@%#*** Harris!
Of course, seeing Willie Harris get thrown out stealing second base to end the game brings two thoughts to my head:
1. Imagine if Dave Roberts had been thrown out against the Yankees in game four of the ALCS in 2004;
and
2. Babe Ruth ended the 1926 World Series by being thrown out stealing second base in the ninth inning of game seven down by one run. Can anyone even fathom that? I remember reading that as a kid and thinking how horrible it must be to end a season that way. Of course, Ruth erased it from the collective memory of baseball fans everywhere by hitting 60 home runs the next season and redeeming himself by hitting .625 in the 1927 World Series. Somehow I doubt Willie Harris is going to do that anytime soon.
In fact, speaking of Willie Harris, exactly why is he even on the roster? I would rather Bob Zupcik or Chico Walker was coming off the bench.
* * *
DH NONSENSE:
I hate that everyone is so concerned that the Red Sox have no DH in the interleague games in National League parks. Last I checked the fielding stats used by the big guns (Baseball Prospectus, SABR, Bill James, and Rob Neyer), David Ortiz was actually an upgrade in the field over Kevin Millar. Lest anyone forget, Big Papi gunned down Cardinals pitcher Jeff Suppan at third base during the 2004 World Series when Suppan made his ill-advised base-running blunder that officially gave the Sox all the final momentum they needed.
Big Papi may be rusty, but he is not a liability like Millar was at first base.
* * *
MY FANTASY:
Since I blab so much about my fantasy teams, I figured I would post them here to allow them to be mocked and ridiculed by all (Hey, I am equal opportunity when it comes to mocking and being mocked!).
This team is in what I refer to as the Rickles League, actually named Manny Being Manny. It is a Yahoo, non-keeper, head-to-head weekly with 5x5 scoring. Right now I am in seventh place of the twelve team league with a 24-30-6 record.
Pos-Batters
C-J. Mauer-(Min - C) - I love Mauer. I had him his rookie year when he had a great game, tore up his knee, and went on the DL for four months. The plus side was that I picked up Javy Lopez that year.
1B-C. Tracy-(Ari - 1B,3B,RF) - Yeah, pitiful, but Derrick Lee, my first round pick , is on the DL.
2B-D. Uggla-(Fla - 2B) - Ugg says it all. I did have Craig Counsell here, and can move Soriano if I can find an outfielder who can hit once in a while.
3B-Mi. Cabrera-(Fla - 3B,LF) - I have drafted Cabrera every year since I picked him up his rookie year. I think he is the most over-looked superstar out there right now.
SS-J. Hardy-(Mil - SS) DL - I just released his injured ass this morning. Picked up the blond mullet, Khalil Green of San Diego. His average sucks, but his power numbers are decent for the position.
LF-A. Soriano-(Was - 2B,LF) - I picked up Jason Giambi on waivers in the second week of the season, and since I have a strict No Yankees rule for my teams, I sent him to my Yankee Fan brother-in-law, Mike, for Soriano. That is the definition of win-win and getting something for nothing.
CF-J. Pierre-(ChC - CF) - This is the LAST year I ever draft someone entirely for stolen bases. Pierre is horrible.
RF-B. Wilkerson-(Tex - 1B,LF,CF,RF) – Somehow this chump is on both my teams. Kathy had him one year on her fantasy team and LOVES him now. Me, all I know is I wastched the Yankees game during commercials during the Red Sox game last night and saw Wilkerson strike out twice.
Util-A. Ramírez-(ChC - 3B) - Some guys get the big contract and do nothing. Oh look, Aramis Ramirez.
BN-L. Berkman-(Hou - 1B,LF,RF) - My MVP so far this season. He is only on the bench because Houston had an off day.
Bitmap BN-G. Atkins-(Col - 3B) - A pleasant surprise, but I would like to get more power out of 3B, move Cabrera to LF, and move Soriano to 2B.
DL-D. Lee-(ChC - 1B) DL - GET WELL SOON, BIG GUY!
Pos-Pitchers
SP-R. Dempster-(ChC - SP,RP) - The Dumpster has been lights out for me.
SP-C. Young-(SD - SP) - I love National League pitchers. LOVE EM!
SP-B. Zito-(Oak - SP) - Zito was drafted a little high and he really has not been the ace I hoped for him to be in a contract year for him.
SP-K. Wood-(ChC - SP,RP) DL - Finally healthy, I can finally see if this bum at least gets me a few strikeouts.
RP-B. Fuentes-(Col - RP) – The crappiest closers for the crappiest teams. That is my motto for the bullpen.
RP-D. Báez-(LAD - RP) - Safe to say, I was dancing when Eric Gagne went down. May his recovery take twice as long!
P-D. Weathers-(Cin - RP) - Just here to get me some low WHIP and ERA.
P-F. Rodney-(Det - RP) - Ditto, although I wish he would steal some saves for me.
BN-T. Wakefield-(Bos - SP) - I need him to get hot so I can trade him.
BN-T. Glavine-(NYM - SP) - My Cy Young for the pitching staff. Took a flyer on him in the late rounds and he has been my rock.
BN-G. Chacín-(Tor - SP) DL - Somehow, Chacin went undrafted. Another favorite of Kat, as he did well for her team last year, so I scooped him up just in time to see him go down with an injury.
BN-C. Capuano-(Mil - SP) - Yup, another National League starter.
BN-B. Myers-(Phi - SP) - Another guy I draft every year for every team I have rounds earler than anyone else waiting for that breakout season.
BN-N. Robertson-(Det - SP) - I have no idea why Nate the Great is here. Seriously. I assume I grabbed him off waivers at one point, buy I do not remember why or what I was thinking at the time.
Later, I will touch on my other fantasy team, aka the Dan League, where I am in third place in a fourteen team league.
* * *
HOCKEY?
Not to bring up a sore spot, but to everyone in San Jose: welcome to our world. We emphasize. Game seven for the San Jose Sharks, and who forgot to show up? Jumbo Joe! Much like his time in Boston, Joe Thornton decided to have ZERO impact with the season on the line. Not to bash on Big Joe, but this is what we saw all those years in Boston: great skills, great talent, but never a clutch performance. Just call him the A-Rod of the NHL.
* * *
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