Miles from Fenway: The Reason I Got Cable ...

... Ok, so there are many reasons I finally caved and signed up for cable. I could finally afford it. I'd worn all my dvds out. Netflix can only be your lone source of television for so long. But this? THIS? CLEARLY THE BEST REASON!

What is it you ask? It's the fact that I am currently watching Tim Wakefield throw to Jason Giambi during a Spring Training game. And I'm not at the bar to do it. No, I am sitting on my bed, sporting my Papelbon t-shirt, waiting for my dinner to be ready.

God this is great.

Some notes on the game (and I am sure I will add to this as it continues):
* Tim Wakefield will turn 41 this season. I could care less. Tim's always going to be my guy, as irrational as that may be. But the age thing wouldn't bother me regardless or my irrational love for the knucleball. It just doesn't take as much for Wake to throw as it would a fastball pitcher.
* Ok, I was going to continue with that point, but terrible tag attempt by Mirabelli there. Top of the first, hit that gets past Youks but that Pedroia knocks down. His throw home was on line, but Mirabelli's tag was halfhearted and in the middle of the plate. Breathe deep, Finy. It's spring training. Middle first, it's 3-0 Yankees.
* I really need to make it down to the City of Palms Park at some point in my life. The Welshman has gone down there three times, and I've been taunted every single time via text messages and picture texts. But to see it in photos and on television, it really does look like a fantastically relaxed way to watch some baseball.
* So I've started reading this blog called Why Don't We Get Drunk and Blog, this guy is just hilarious. Why is this relevant to the game? He recently wrote a post about Carl Pavano's girlfriend, who just pitched a scoreless bottom of the first. Check out the picture. Her breasts defy gravity!
* Wakefield gives up a lead-off tripple in the top of the second. So many extremely high numbers playing in this game. Apparently this kid's name is Basak. That lends itself to a nickname that is just too easy. But the Sox get out of the inning without allowing anyone to score. Still 3-0.
*After Manny strikes out looking, I get my first actual look at JD Drew in a Sox uniform. He lines out to center but it was well hit. Still not used to thinking of him as a member of the team, but that's what spring training is for.
* Oh God, even during Spring Training the Yes announcers suck. They're talking about the "dividing line" in CT that divides Red Sox Nation and Yankee territory. I want to punch them.
* Oh dear lord, two batters later and they're still talking about the damn dividing line.
* Ah, the first time I want to revoke someone's tickets for sitting behind the batter, talking on the cell phone, and waving at the camera. These people should be escorted from the park and never allowed to attend an MLB-related event ever again.
* Mirabelli makes up for the lazy tag earlier by doubling into the left-field corner bringing in two runs (Crisp and Lowell). 3-2 Yankees. Bottom 2.

* Is this getting boring for anyone yet? Probably. Fuck it, I don't care, I'm having fun.

* Top third passes with the only real interesting thing being that Jason Giambi almost hit two homeruns. But instead just flied out. But I am going to admit something I probably shouldn't. Unless I see them pitching, or can see the numbers on their backs ... I can't really tell Matsuzaka and Okajima apart yet.
* There are far too many Yankees fans in the park tonight. We were all just treated to a "Let's Go Yankees" "Let's Go Red Sox" back and forth chant. Hey Sox fans! Stop being so damn polite. Don't chant in time with them so that you're yelling when they're not. Drown them out damnit!! End of three, score still the same.
* Bottom four, Rasner replaces Pavano. Yankees up 4-2 now. Hit to third base (no, I suck and didn't see who hit it. Lowell maybe, since Crisp came up next?). Seriously though, this third baseman's name is pronounced "Bay-sack". I'd feel bad for him if he wasn't a Yankee.
* Donnelly in for the Sox now. He gets out of the top of five giving up a hit but no runs. Is anyone else worried about our pitching situation? Oh wait, everyone I know is. Nevermind.
* Just googled why Pedroia wears number 64, a typically high number for a guy that is set up to be a starter this year. This is what I found from the Red Sox official site.

Another thing that has made Pedroia good is the useful chip that he carries on his shoulder. He uses it for motivation and it has gotten him this far. Perhaps that's why he is keeping No. 64 -- a number typically used for September callups -- on his back for now.

* Ok, I've officially run out of interesting things to say. And I am willing to bet that most of you don't think that any of that actually WAS interesting. So let's just leave it at ... I'm really excited to be watching baseball again. Go Sox.

Labels: Boston, Red Sox

posted by FINY @ Monday, March 12, 2007

4 Comments:

At 3/12/2007, Esther said…

I got all excited about a new post, perhaps about fun things at the new job, and saw baseball things I don't understand instead...alas. I suppose I should get used to it. The season has begun!
At 3/13/2007, Peter N said…

FINY, how nice is that! With the cable company providing us, the consumers, with the right stuff?? Well, it's just great. Have a wonderful season of 2007.
At 3/26/2007, Michael Leggett said…

I've suggested hanging Michael Kay & the rest of the YES crew from the top of the Green Monster by the Ankles:

Or, even worse yet, from the top of the light tower, above the Shea Scoreboard;

Am I sadistic or what!
At 3/26/2007, Michael Leggett said…

Ditto, Lord Bud, the Commissioner of MLB!