Triple The Fun
Josh Beckett? Pitches 8 full innings, notching up only 3 earned runs and getting 7 K’s en route to becoming the first pitcher in all of major league baseball to get 17 wins. Best part, though, was Joshie whizzing a 96mph fastball right past Alex Rios with his last pitch to end the 8th. He was still throwing hard heat well past 115 pitches on the night.
Jacoby Ellsbury? Went 3-for-3, including a triple and his 2nd MLB homerun, and knocked in two runs. And did anyone else catch that giant gleeful grin on Jacoby after popping the triple? Or the teeny-tiny little “YES!” air fistbump as he watched his tater clear the fence? I think he’s settled in just fine, thank you very much.
Jonathan Papelbon? After “begging, begging, begging” (his words) Tito to let him pitch for the third night in a row, Papyboo goes 3 up, 3 down in the 9th and notches his 33rd save of the season. We also got a classic gigantic Papyboo celebration off the mound after that 3rd out in the 9th- always love to see that. His splitter was a thing of majesty tonight.
My three favorites (sorry, Brandon, Dusty P, Tek & Mikey!) rocked it out tonight- and for that, I’m giving away a three-way Baseball Boyfriend of the Day to all three J-Boys.
Post-game press conference with Josh was GENIUS. We get the rare treat of Beckett talking about Papelbon (rather than the other way around)- and Josh states the obvious with a tiny grin “He’s pretty good, idn’t he?”. And then, a bigger shit-eating grin when he says “Who’da thought a little dumb redneck from Mississippi would be that good?”
I find it charming that when talking about Papelbon, Josh’s southern accent gets thicker and thicker- I do the same thing when I’m talking to or about other Southerners as well (or when I’ve had a beer or three).
They also asked Josh about his particular fondness for fellow East Texan Clay Buchholz, and asked what is it about Texas pitchers (ANSWER: TEXAS RULES, Y’ALL)- and Josh actually kind of downplayed the Texas thing, and mentioned that he’s the same with Lester as with Clay, a kind of mentor.
And how about that postgame Papelbon interview with Tina Cervasio?
I wonder if Josh is aware of the irony of him calling someone else a redneck. Or is there a distinct difference between Mississippi rednecks and Texas rednecks that I should know of?
That was definitely one of his better post-game media sessions. It’s rather rare that he actually smiles or jokes when the camera’s on. I wish he’d do it more often, but eh…whatever. At least he finally gave Papelbon a little payback for those jabs on the “Friendly’s Scoop.” That was priceless.
Mouse, there is definitely a pecking order to rednecks, just like in everything else. There are trailer trash rednecks, hunting rednecks, tractor-owning rednecks. There are rednecks who are very successful (like Beckett) who hunt and have their own hunting leases and lots of gear, etc.
Redneck is definitely not a socio-economic phenomenon, but there is a bit of a caste system. And being from Louisiana, we ALL look down on Mississippi rednecks. Ha!
And Josh and the rest of us Texas rednecks look down on the whole lot of y’all!
But Radioman is right- down South, there are whole layers and strata of redneckian folks. Hick redneck is probably what I’d call Josh- from the relative boonies, likes to hunt and fish, drives a truck (I’m guessing), wears boots and wranglers on occasion but not exclusively, lots of items of camo clothing, traditional conservative, drawl of an accent and likes country music.
Papelbon is actually probably pretty close to the same (minus the boots and wranglers and with the addition of Mississippi frat boy trappings) – but since he’s from Louisiana (by birth) and Mississippi (by college), he’s below Josh on the redneck scale. Which is funny, because Papyboo went to college and Josh did not, and yet…
I think that’s why Papelbon harps on Josh when he screws up words or spelling- that’s one area Papyboo can josh Josh about (hee). Otherwise, Josh (I’m sure) just endlessly razzes Papelbon for being a dumb redneck.
Thanks for the clarification Radioman and TG. I’m only familiar with New England hicks, and I know they aren’t the same as the southern variety. I honestly didn’t know there were actual pecking orders amongst southern rednecks, though. Seriously, that’s fascinating.
You learn something new everyday!
Mostly it’s just a product of Texans thinking they’re better than everyone else. Which we TOTALLY ARE. (hee!)
isn’t jonathan from louisiana?
re posting of video: you. rock.
At least NESN was smart enough not to go live this time.
“A [expletive] changeup down the [expletive] middle,” said Beckett, who tends to be at his crudest after games in which his pitching has been its purest.
Beth he was born in Baton Rouge, LA, went to high school in Jacksonville, FL and went to Mississippi State. And from what I can find he still lives in Florida in the off-season.
Yup- he’s a Baton Rouge boy originally- he’s from Louisiana (by birth) and Mississippi (by college). It’s not surprising Josh latched on to the Mississippi part, though– as I bet it’s pretty common for those guys to self-identify by where they went to college, and Papyboo’s wife is from Mississippi, too (I think).
And I’m sad we didn’t get cussing Josh on the press conference. GODDAMNIT! (hee!)
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