JOSH WON. PAPYBOO SAVED. Oh, and Josh drilled Hernandez just like I predicted he would. He really rocks my world.

Much, much more from the games (last night's heartbreaking blowout and today's Beckett beauty), including my notes on Joshie and lovely photos, when I'm back in Chicago.

In which I highlight noteworthy blogs for you to gather reconnaissance on the Red Sox upcoming opponent. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Rays Index: tons of news and info in a beautifully designed format Rays of Light: covering all the DRays bases- news and game threads DRays Bay: SBN site with daily open game threads and up-to-date news The Heater: insider's blog by sportswriter from the St. Pete Times

This past weekend was my first time at Camden Yards- and I was able to take in both Saturday's 11-5 beating and Sunday's 3-2 Beckett gem. Camden is a beautiful ballpark- with the Fenway-esque Eutaw Street along outside right field, and the restored warehouse, and the yard out behind the tiered bullpens. And the Oriole bird- come on, he's cute.

I don't remember much about Saturday's game- thanks to the unlimited free beer before the game started- which is probably for the best. I do remember that during the seventh inning stretch, they started playing out our favorite "Sweet Caroline" over the park's PA... and then there was a horrific sound of a needle scratching across a record as the song came to a halt. Then they launched into their regular "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" song (which, I don't get at all- what does John Denver or "country" have to do with Baltimore?). Openly taunting the opposing team's fans? Cruel.

And then came Sunday.

I was lucky enough to be down right behind the Orioles' batter's circle, so I had a great view of Josh at work, and into the Sox dugout.

Josh was his normal methodical, measured self- well, at least, the self he's put on display recently. He doesn't really do funny pitching routines, odd windup mechanics, or ritualistic superstititions that I can see, other than: (1) raising his arms over his head before the pitch, to get his jersey to settle down on his body so it's comfortable the way he likes, (2) his chewing, which gets more furious and jaw-clenching at times, and (3) when exiting the dugout and walking to the mound, he never steps on the baseline- he always takes a little leaping hop over the chalk. I find that so endearing, because he shuts himself down to an almost blank slate of all-business when he's on the mound- but he looks like a little kid playing jackrabbit when he bounds over the line.

This is the same Josh I saw in Boston against the Angels, and the same Josh I saw for 80% of the time here in Chicago against the White Sox -- the Josh I saw in New York against the Yankees was nowhere around. There were no displays of emotion on the mound- just that patented Beckett casual stance and insouciant stare (you know, the one that's a cross between a smirk and a yawn), which totally screams, "I almost can't be bothered to strike you out. Give me a reason why I should even waste my time, you chump. I'm just gonna go ahead and strike you out just so I don't have to look at you anymore."

The most emotion I saw from Josh on the diamond was him slowly but deliberately pounding the ball repeatedly into his glove as he stared down at the mound in the 7th-- and, once, a kick to the dirt on the mound that raised up a small cloud of dirt and dust. There was also a dugout flare-up after he gave up the second homerun in the 6th: he slammed his hat onto the back wall behind the bench and yelled out something that looked an awful lot like, "Goddamned motherfucking pitch!" He did, however, get a tiny grin on his face after Varitek caught Hernandez stealing in the 5th, and he pointed to Tek and gave him an actual thumbs up. Battery love!

And, of course, the best part of the Josh's game- drilling the O's catcher Hernandez in the 7th. I knew that would happen- and bet my friends 20 bucks before the game ever even started that Beckett would drill someone in the 6th or 7th, and I bet an additional 10 bucks on top of that that he would drill Hernandez. That was payback for Friday, beotch. And since Cabrera wasn't coming up to the plate anytime soon, Hernandez was the next best thing. Don't mouth off to our dugout, and you won't get smacked around.

Papelbon coming in the ninth was absolutely electric- and I don't throw around that description lightly. As soon as the bullpen wall door opened out in center field, the entire crowd (minus the 10 or 12 Orioles fans) stood up and gave him a standing O, cheering and screaming like there was no tomorrow. And he went right to work, a popup to short, and then... a basehit by Mora. Papyboo looked almost as taken aback as the Sox fans were- probably because he hadn't had a hit off of him for weeks. He brushed off that tiny bump in the road right quick, and got down to dirty business- striking out the next two batters in short order and notching up the S. He was NASTY, in all the right ways.

More thoughts- and photos!- after the jump.

Continue reading »

From a seemingly hopeless 8-1 deficit to a 16-10 victory, the Red Sox offense was in explosive mode tonight. All but one batter in the starting lineup had 2 or more hits- including J.D. Drew who had a homer (!!)- and the only one who didn't was Kevin Cash, who made a number of sacrifice hits to notch up 3 RBI. Four homeruns on the night, and 20 hits for 16 runs. What a difference a day makes from yesterday's 1-0 contest.

But my Baseball Boyfriend of the Day honors have to go to Jacoby Ellsbury, who celebrated his 24th birthday today by going yard with his third major league homer, and knocking in 2 RBI. He's on an 11-game hitting streak, his average is now .373 (!!), and he flings his body around with abandon in pursuit of balls in the outfield. He's a monster. And even though it's his birthday, he gave the birthday present to us when he did this shirtless (!) lockerroom interview snippet with NESN yesterday (EDIT: plus I added the postgame lockerroom interview from tonight as well):

And the best throwaway moments from tonight's broadcast, together in one little clip.

1. Dougie Fresh snuggling up with Beckett on the rail of the dugout in the 6th, while Josh cradles a baseball in his paws. I have a feeling he holds a baseball in his hands during most hours of the day.

2. After J.D. hit his homer, the camera focused on the DRays dugout, and there was a random little kid in Red Sox gear in the background over manager Joe Maddon's shoulder TOTALLY mocking him. Awesome.

I'm also including the J.D. homer in this clip because it's like a precious rarity.

EDIT: 3. Drew and Papi do a weird shimmy-shake dance in the dugout.

EDIT: Reader mouse mused on what Dougie Fresh could have been talking about that necessitated him draping himself on Josh's shoulders. Here is my transcript of their (imagined) conversation:

DOUGIE FRESH: Man, you're not gonna believe the chicken parm recipe I just put together.

JOSH: Great, dude- can you tell me about it without molesting me?

DF: No, man- I'm too excited! I need to hug to express how awesome this fuckin' chicken parm is, man.

J: *stares at baseball nervously*

DF: This chicken parm is gonna ROCK YOUR WORLD, man. You are gonna need medical attention from a doctor or some shit. Or maybe a really hot nurse, like that one nurse I met in Minneapolis that one time who...

J: Hey, Mirabelli- why don't you just email the recipe to me. Oh, and look over there, Tito is calling me... gotta run!

DF: *thinks*

DF: *aloud, to no one in particular* - what is email?

Time for a charitable event break: you can go bowling with Josh Beckett (and a whole host of other random celebrities) tomorrow night, and help out sick little kids at the same time. Josh has picked up the banner previously carried by Nomar with the Nomar Bowl, and has turned it into the first ever Beckett Bowl, which will benefit the Josh Beckett Foundation for the children's hospital in Boston.

For a mere $10,000 donation, you can get your group of friends a lane at the event. Easy enough! And if that price tag is too steep, there's always the afterparty at Rain- which can be yours for the low-low price of $50 a person. Adrian Grenier's band the Honey Brothers will be playing at the afterparty- surely getting to witness that is worth the price of admission alone, right? Or, if partying at a bowling alley isn't your thing, you can always donate directly to Josh's foundation.

As Red Sox Monster noted back in July, Josh really loves him some celebrity bowling tournaments. I'm guessing this is because the Sox front office already turned down his request for a celebrity hunting tourney. ("Josh, just like we told Wakefield and Timlin, you can't kill animals for charity. Sorry.")

Josh talked with Hazel Mae about the even back in August- here's video of that:

Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles 3-2 September 9, 2007 - 1:05pm EST Camden Yards - Baltimore, Maryland W: Beckett / L: Bradford / S: Papelbon PHOTO GALLERY

For my thoughts and notes on the game, and some running commentary on the photos, go here.

I'm about to wax poetic for a teensy bit, so please avert your eyes if you are allergic to sappy emotion.

This 2007 Red Sox team is magic.

I know the 2004 team is the benchmark by which everyone measures this year's group, and all other groups that will likely come after, but I'm telling you... this team is magic.

It's no coincidence that we've witnessed so much special awesomeness surrounding the club all year: the Dice-K hoopla, the Mother's Day Miracle, the Lester comeback, Beckett establishing himself as the #1 ace, the Coco outfield gymnastics, the rookie surge from Pedroia and Ellsbury, the Papelbon mastery, the out-of-nowhere Okey, the Papi clutchness in spite of injuries, the Lowell slugging, the Youk defense, the Clay no-hitter, and now these back-to-back from-behind victories. These things are not just happening all at the same time, in the same season, to the same team at random.

I'm telling you- this is BIG STUFF. 40 years later... maybe it's the scales righting themselves.

I'll say it again: this 2007 Red Sox team is magic.

In which I highlight noteworthy blogs for you to gather reconnaissance on the Red Sox upcoming opponent. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Was Watching: premier Yanks blog with all the latest info, rumors and breaking news Yankee Roundtable: beautiful blog with a sense of humor and great analysis Scott Proctor's Arm: coolest blog name ever- constantly updated with news & stats Yanksfan vs. Soxfan: blow-by-blow news and analysis on the greatest rivalry in sports

Implosion in the eighth. Who was that impersonating Papelbon? He looked as surprised as everyone else at those hits off of him. (and I notice he's polite enough to cover his face with his glove when he screams, "FUCK! GODDAMNIT!" when leaving the field) Okey was serving those high fastballs up like Thanksgiving turkey. And for the first time in, oh, EVER, I was happy to see Gagne out there.

I need a stiff drink. Or twelve.

I have never had less fun watching the Red Sox dismantle the Yankees than I did today. The FOX team, how do I put this politely, SUCKED DONKEY BALLS. Josh Lewin, Tim McCarver & Ken Rosenthal: you are dead to me. I hope to god I never have to suffer through one of your broadcasts again, because that one damn near killed me. AND WE WON. I can only imagine how painful it would have been if we lost.

Biggest sin (other than flat out not knowing what they were talking about): repetitiveness.

# of times Joba's name mispronounced: 3
# of times said if Yanks go to playoffs and get short schedule, Wang will pitch 3rd game: 3
# of times called Jacoby "good-looking" player: 5
# of times referred to "Joba Rules": 6

After Josh pitched a classic 88mph changeup, insinuated the changeup could just have been a fucked up fastball he missed on. I... just.... SPITTING MAD.

About the Yanks hitting the Sox four times this year: "so what, that's just baseball!" Yes, it's just baseball- but just like people get hit, the team that gets pegged gets mad and retaliates. That's also part of baseball. Idiots.

JD Drew is exactly like Trot Nixon. They're basically identical. I don't even know how to respond to that.

After the replay (important to note they had seen the original play AND SEEN THE SLOW-MO REPLAY) of the Ellsbury-Posada collision: "I don't know about that play, Ellsbury might have been out!" How in the hell could he have been out when Posada never tagged him? Please explain that to me. Posada thought Ellsbury was gonna come at him Hinske/linebacker-style, and stayed high on the plate, Ellsbury slid low around him. Posada never even touched Ellsbury with his glove. Even POSADA didn't argue the safe call. Only after a commercial break, when presumably someone with some actual eyeballs in their skull told them to PAY ATTENTION TO THE BALL, were they able to concede that he was safe.

Sox fans overreacted to Youk getting hit. No explanation of what they did that was "overreacting" or reason why what they did is "overreacting"

Started making up conversations between Hinske and Posada during Hinske's next at-bat after his collision with Posada. "It looks like he said are you OK, and Jorge said yes I am. I mean, I don't know what they said or anything." EXACTLY. You don't know what they said. Hinske could have said, "I did that on purpose, bitch." and Posada could have said, "I'm going to kill you in your sleep." They're basically writing Hinske-Posada fanfic in the booth.

And when Hinske was standing on third, "I imagine Posada is thinking about the last time and wondering if there's going to be a repeat of the collision." I can guarantee you Posada isn't sitting behind the plate wondering if Hinske's gonna run into him again. He's concentrating on the batter and running the signs and getting an out. Posada could give fuck all about the baserunner, until it's time to try and tag/throw him out.

Throughout the game, they talked about Pedroia this and Pedroia that. ROTY and everything. And then this statement: "Both teams have done a great job developing talent to pull up and play this year- the Yankees with Kennedy & Joba, and the Red Sox with... Ellsbury." What about the kid that is the odds-on favorite to win ROTY that you went on and on about ad nauseum just a few innings ago? What about the kid that just threw a no-hitter? What about Moss? Lester? It's like they're given an index card with a talking point on it one inning, and then the info flies out of their heads after that. There is no excuse for a national baseball broadcaster to not mention Pedroia and Buchholz when discussing the Sox rookie talent. None.

"Okajima's gotta be a concern." Oh really? Thank you, Captain Obvious. Next you're going to tell me the Yankees fans hope Roger pitches well tomorrow. OH WAIT. YOU DID THAT.

How about this gem: "The Red Sox covered up the center field seats because of the rain. They sure lost a lot of money!" Jesus. Even if they didn't know about the daygame CF blackout at Fenway (which they should know about), they seriously believe a ballpark would cover up some SEATS because of RAIN? Seats that had been bought and paid for? REALLY?

"One of my teammates had a saying, 'Never judge a player by the spring and the fall.' But the Yankees and the Red Sox are doing just that with Joba and Jacoby, judging them by August and September. They're sure going to have bright futures!" WTF?!?! How does the last sentence follow from the first? If the first sentence is what your theory is, then how the hell do you arrive at the third? My brain hurts.

And I'd also like to compliment them on their fine microphone placement, which allowed us to hear that one Yankee woman's piercing shriek multiple times before every Yankee at-bat. That was glorious to listen to for for 9 innings. Why wasn't that mic moved after two innings of eardrum-murdering squeals?

I'm sure there's tons more I missed. These were the ones I noticed. I'm betting Yankees fans probably noticed as many holes in their knowledge on the pinstripes, too.

HOW IN THE HELL ARE THESE GUYS NATIONAL BASEBALL BROADCASTERS? Granted, most of the inane comments were made by Tim, but Josh is just as much to blame because he should jump in and correct misstatements of fact and stupidity.

Now I'm going to post another post on top of this with a happy shiny picture of Josh, to push the insanity of Fox off the top of my page.

I'm also formally registering myself as a Joba hater. What kind of major league douchebag reaches up into the stands to try and steal away a homerun ball from a fan? What a little fucker.

10-1.
19W. 7K's.
Over the Yankees.
Drilled your first baseman.
Embarrassed your Wang.
FUCK YEAH!