CENTER FIELD :: Gameday Open Thread: Athletics 3/26

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Gameday Open Thread: Athletics 3/26

Red Sox vs. Oakland Athletics
6:05 am
Tokyo Dome - Tokyo, Japan
SP: Jon Lester vs. Rich Harden
tv/radio: NESN - MLB.TV - WEEI

This whole "2008 baseball" thing is already old hat for us. We're already knee-deep in the season. The Red Sox magic number is 162 (it's never too early to start counting)- and Jon Lester will try and lower that down to 161 against Rich Harden and the A's.

For everyone crazy enough to be up (again) at the crack of dawn, here's your open thread to talk about the game. These open threads have been fun so far - so I'll keep 'em up as long as y'all are interested in having them.

Comments (97)

[ Liza ] says:
on March 26, 2008 4:09 AM

Woohoo--who else is crazy enough to be awake again?

I think I've gotten around 25 collective hours of sleep over the last 5 nights. I am absolute toast. But I am here. :)

[ Ian ] says:
on March 26, 2008 4:23 AM

Morning everyone.

I'm here but won't be back until the start of the game. Yesterday killed me. I passed out at 7 PM and woke up when the alarm went off at 4:58 AM.

I've got the lineups posted. Coco is in the lineup for Jacoby today in a move that was pre-planned.

[ Liza ] says:
on March 26, 2008 4:33 AM

And Moss is back in--because they don't want to aggravate JD's back before the 9-hour flight back to the USA, apparently.

I must say, the Remy-in-Tokyo thing just--it's painful to watch. Hasn't-he-ever-heard-of-differing-cultures part two, starring Jerry Remy... although I almost laughed myself into a coma when he said he left his air guitar at home (and then asked where he could buy one).

[ Meghan ] says:
on March 26, 2008 4:51 AM

Just woke up to see the woman writing on the paper with paint. I need to get more than four hours of sleep tonight...

[ Liza ] says:
on March 26, 2008 4:55 AM

Awwww. Dice-K looks so sad.

Lugo's hilarious, though. He ran down that line with his limbs flailing every which way.

I think I failed to realize how many ex-Sox pitchers are on the A's yesterday... DiNardo, Foulke, Embree...

[ Liza ] says:
on March 26, 2008 4:58 AM

Whoa--what's with the blond pop singers? They're frighteningly off-key during those harmonies.

The look on Geren's face was perfect. It was a mix of totally bewildered "WTF" and cheesy "I love my country".

[ Ian ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:02 AM

Swing batter batter batter Swinggggggggg.

Since when has Boston gone country.

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:05 AM

I can't believe I got up for this again. One must wonder about my sanity after this.

I think I've gotten less than ten hours of collective sleep this week...

[ Meghan ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:07 AM

I thought that was funny with the bullpen too....Foulkey looked good! I was surprised.

[ megan ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:08 AM

good morning from a mets fan crazy enough to be up again :)

[ jenny again ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:08 AM

GOOD MORNING! best part so far: dustin pedroia's fabled sullivan tire commercial! bwee!

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:10 AM

His commercial was on? NOOOO! (kicks Pennsylvania for not getting NESN)

[ Liza ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:13 AM

I didn't see it! Nooo!

Two quick outs... cmon, Papi...

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:18 AM

Did anyone here know Mike Lowell is psychic? Apparently he predicted Brandon would homer yesterday...

[ Ian ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:19 AM

You can watch his commercial when ESPN has their next commericial break.

Dustin Pedroia Sullivan Tire Commercial

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:22 AM

Yay, thanks! Rural Pennsylvania ought to pick up NESN. There's not much to do out here and even less good TV...

[ jenny again ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:24 AM

i like lester's 3/4-length sleeve look!

apparently i am shallow at 6 am. ;D

[ Ian ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:25 AM

No problem at all. Happy to help. Texy are you awake yet or is DirectTV having problems again.

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:25 AM

Don't worry - at least you haven't openly admitted you think a Minor Leaguer's dorky elbow pads are really, really cute.

I miss Jed a little right now.

[ Meghan ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:25 AM

The super quiet stadium makes me think it is 6 am there too:-P I didn't notice it yesterday cause I was at a bar.

[ Ian ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:26 AM

Nice inning of work by Jon boy

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:28 AM

Yeah, Lester looked very good through that first inning. Much more control than...well, yesterday.

[ megan ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:28 AM

that commercial was hysterical. i so wish we got NESN in NY.

[ Liza ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:31 AM

Could someone tell me what happened to Lowell? I'm trying to keep a scorecard as long as I can (aka until 7)... stupid distractions.

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:32 AM

Mike flew out to Travis Buck in right.

[ Ian ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:33 AM

Harden is dealing today. The bats better do something before we all fall back asleep.

[ Liza ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:36 AM

Thanks, 1863. :)

Harden is ON. Two flyouts, four strikeouts (all swinging), and a walk. Let's go, Red Sox...

[ Bethie ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:36 AM

Morning all! I'm stuck at work, so I'll be checking in to get the play by play! Woo hoo! So glad baseball is BACK!!

[ jenny again ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:38 AM

oof. LASER down the line by crosby. c'mon, jonny. ::hearts::

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:39 AM

Lester was the one starter I got to see in person last year. He was absolutely Houdini-like in his ability to get out of jams and whatnot.

(I would've seen Clay Buchholz in relief had I gone one day earlier, though. But I'm not complaining.)

[ jenny again ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:41 AM

much less dramatic sunrise trying to happen here in western massachusetts this morning. this morning baseball thing IS old hat now. ;D

... are we having communication troubles, tek?

[ Liza ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:42 AM

Cmon, Tek, get him back in there. Cmon, Jon, throw strikes...

Strikes, I said...

GOOD. Wow. That was a great pitch. Yer ouuuut!

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:42 AM

Nice strikeout from Jon there. Good job, Houdini.

[ Liza ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:44 AM

Jenny Again, we are having a beauuuutiful sunrise over here in Boston. It's all orange and pink.

Strikes, Jon! Good. That was good. 3-1 to Suzuki...

[ jenny again ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:44 AM

randomly: did i hear fall out boy for brandon moss's AB music?

nice work striking out hannahan! v. pretty.

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:45 AM

Yes, you did hear Fall Out Boy as Brandon's at-bat music. In my live-blog yesterday, he became Emo!Brandon.

[ Meghan ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:46 AM

Shit. C'mon Jon.

[ Liza ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:46 AM

Oof. Denorfia.

Come ON, Jon. Strikes, strikes, strikes.

[ Liza ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:48 AM

Well, I think Buck's was Sandstorm. If it was, I love him a lot.

Seriously, though? Fall Out Boy? Brandon...

[ Liza ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:48 AM

YES. Good, Jon.

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:49 AM

Lester bounced back well there.

Yeah, Brandon surprised me, too - I never would've thought he'd go that way. (And on loving Travis Buck - I like that kid because he and Pedroia were college teammates at ASU.)

[ jenny again ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:52 AM

HELLO JED LOWRIE ON THE BENCH! more shallowness: lowrie's hair looks amazing!

... maybe i need more coffee?

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:54 AM

ESPN's feed is apparently a world feed. Hmmm.

That explains all the Daisuke, doesn't it?

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:54 AM

I MISSED JED? WHAT?

(brutally murders ESPN)

...is Jed's hair sticking up funny at weird angles? I think it's adorable when it does that! And is he dressed as a civilian?

[ jenny again ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:58 AM

jed's in a sox warm-up jacket, and he's rocking some sort of old-school movie star hair wavy-ness. it's awesome.

c'mon, sox. let's get something going here!

[ megan ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:58 AM

oh my god espn, does it always have to be about arod?

[ Liza ] says:
on March 26, 2008 5:59 AM

1863: I positively LOVE Jed. I got to see him at the Rookie Development signing--he was so sweet. I'm too lazy to insert a link so you can click on my name and see the picture.

But anyway. He was the first in the line, so I was totally starstruck (starstruck to meet a minor league player--yep, that's me). I was like, "H-h-hey." He was just all, "Hey." And he had the cutest smile and I was flipping out. And I was kind of in front of Chris Carter when I just turned around to Jed and went, "Um, I hope you don't get traded." He just laughed and went, "Aw, thank you." It was so sweet.

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:00 AM

The mental images are absolutely killing me. He never fails to get that dorky look going...and it's adorable.

I know! ESPN going right back to A-Rod really annoyed me. C'mon, I don't want to hear about him at seven in the morning...

[ Liza ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:00 AM

Uh-oh. What has he done now? (A-Rod, that is)

[ jenny again ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:01 AM

nice wheels, lugie! DRIVE HIM IN, YOUK

oh. youk walked. DRIVE THEM IN, PAPI!

[ megan ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:01 AM

steroids and canseco's wife, apparently.

[ Liza ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:03 AM

Oh god. Not that again. Canseco's book came out this weekend or something, right? I read something about A-Rod being implicated (but not accused) in it...

NICE PLAY BY HANNAHAN. Wow. That was great. Too bad he got Papi out...

Crap. I've gotta get to school now. Let's go Sox! =D

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:03 AM

...you met him. My God.

I'm actually planning a trip up to Pawtucket to see him this year. I'm going to go and see BP, but I don't think I'll be able to try to talk to him - I'm too shy. I did order his player shirt yesterday, though - that might help a little.

He's a total sweetheart from what I've heard. And that screencap is adorable...I wish I lived in New England so I could go to these things! (But I'd probably chicken out upon meeting him. I'm pathetic like that.)

[ megan ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:05 AM

steroids and canseco's wife, apparently.

[ Ian ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:06 AM

I feel old with y'all saying you have to go to school.

[ megan ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:06 AM

sorry, bad connection.

[ starr4 ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:06 AM

Liza, just go to any sports site and you'll read more than enough about that man. Don't make me think about him at 7:04 AM.

Is there a history between Harden and Lugo, cause their whole exchange seemed heated?

Go Lester!!!

[ megan ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:08 AM

sorry, my connection's terrible.

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:12 AM

Uh-oh. C'mon, Jon.

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:12 AM

Double uh-oh.

[ mermaidmarian ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:12 AM

Oh crap!

[ Ian ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:12 AM

Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit that was crushed.

[ starr4 ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:13 AM

Ah, shoot.

[ jenny again ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:13 AM

RUH ROH

oops.

i was not hoping for 4-0 A's at 7:15 am ...

[ Meredith ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:13 AM

Who's in the bullpen to replace Lester?

[ starr4 ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:16 AM

Lester looks pretty good. That blast won't help his line but overall, for this phase of the season, he's awright.
Tho' Remy's right, he's got to get some more zing going.

[ Meghan ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:16 AM

Tavarez, Aardsma and MDC all didn't throw yesterday....

[ Kim ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:17 AM

It's way too early for me to be spazzing like this!

[ starr4 ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:17 AM

Oh, did you see those telephones in the dugout??? If you call, does an anime character come out to save the day?

Gotta get ready for work...darn it. Love the work, hate to miss the game in real time.

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:19 AM

I'd imagine those phones let you use Mihashi Ren as a reliever.

Aardsma in the pen, though.

[ starr4 ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:21 AM

Yes, he with the Lowrie-like hair.
Good call, pun intended.

Come on, Jon!!!!

[ jules ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:21 AM

Checking in on the west coast. Getting up at 3 yesterday was killing me by mid-afternoon. Worth it, tho!

Time for coffee.

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:22 AM

I love Ookiku Furikabutte. I cosplayed Mihashi at a convention about a month or so ago...and four whole people recognized me. Yay!

Finally out of that inning! Phew!

[ jenny again ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:30 AM

man, harden looks goooood this morning. eep. baseball. SIGH. i wish i got to see more of certain pitchers NOT making my team look silly.

nice sharp single by lowell there. kind of a bittersweet half-inning, though. SILLY RICHIE HARDEN.

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:32 AM

By certain pitchers, are you referring to this fellow here?

Just curious.

[ jenny again ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:32 AM

c'mon, lester. three up, three down. let's get through this before i have to leave for work!

[ jenny again ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:35 AM

steph- hi, huston. no, he can pitch to us. ;D we made HIM look silly yesterday. ONE GAME, ONE BLOWN SAVE.

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:36 AM

I think for the rest of the year I'll be looking forward to playing the A's, if it means we might catch a glimpse of Huston. He's very, erm...entertaining, and as an extra bonus our team finds his stuff hittable.

[ jenny again ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:38 AM

biscuits. worktime. bye all! happy wednesday! GO SOX.

[ Bethie ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:39 AM

Have fun at work Jenny!

I'm guilty, I was excited when I saw Huston was pitching yesterday. :)

Is it still 4-0?

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:40 AM

To my knowledge, yes, it's still 4-0, but Lugo just got a base hit to bring up Dustin.

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:42 AM

...aaaand Dustin hits into a double play, so that's that.

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:45 AM

Aardsma in.

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:48 AM

Aardsma looking good so far...(knocks on wood)

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:54 AM

About time, Manny! NICE!

[ jules ] says:
on March 26, 2008 6:55 AM

MANNNNNY! Of course I missed it. That's when the dog decided to wake up and need to go out.

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 7:05 AM

Javy Lopez in to face Cust. (crosses her fingers)

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 7:24 AM

Manny Delcarmen in now.

[ Ellen ] says:
on March 26, 2008 7:29 AM

I think Remy and DO have lost it giggling over all the shots of Daisuke.

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 7:50 AM

Bryan Corey. How many pitchers are we putting in this game?

[ megan ] says:
on March 26, 2008 7:55 AM

c'mon lowell

[ megan ] says:
on March 26, 2008 8:02 AM

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 8:03 AM

Ugh.

Tito's speech was nice, though.

[ megan ] says:
on March 26, 2008 8:05 AM

it was a nice touch. it's been real, peace sox fans.

[ Liza ] says:
on March 26, 2008 7:35 PM

Sorry for the extreme delay...

1863, it was SO awesome. I got to meet him, Chris Carter, Devern Hansack, Michael Bowden, Dusty Brown, Jon Van Every, Justin Masterson (who I mostly unabashedly love), Bubba Bell, Aaron Bates, Dustin Richardson, and Hunter Jones--AND CLAY BUCHHOLZ. It was amazing.

[ 1863_project ] says:
on March 26, 2008 8:54 PM

No worries on the delay - as a student myself, I fully understand. (Paps came this close to keeping me from my college classes the other day!)

I saw the blog post you did on Justin, actually. He and Jed are my two favorites in the farm system right now...and since I'm a huge prospect geek, that's saying a lot. (I put their interview on my iPod!)

This is why living outside of New England when you're a Sox fan is not fun. I severely need to get up there so I can go to those signings and whatnot...

[ Liza ] says:
on March 27, 2008 11:31 AM

Yep. I barely absorbed anything from my classes on Tuesday because I got a friend to give me minute-by-minute updates on the game from his Sidekick.

Oh, haha. Thanks. I love both of them, too--and Kottaras. And Joe Thurston. :D

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