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?
on September 4, 2007 11:11 PM
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.