Ah, thank GOD for NESN coverage.

Looks like I'm the first one here...throwing some dinner together with ESPN (ugh) in the background. Will return after awhile.

Lucky you, Jennifer!

Howdy peoples.

Dear Dice-K,

Please do not walk half the ball park tonight.

Thank you,
Red Sox Nation

GO SOX!!

Yes! i have NESN!

Hi folks! I'm back to hang with you after my weekend adventures.

Lucky me indeed. I feel like I"ll be able to breathe again. Yesterday I think my blood pressure rose rather high, despite the fact that we were winning.

Gotta love Dice-K's fielding.

Hey everyone!

He sets himself so he'll be able to field after a pitch...gotta love it.

Note to ESPN announcers: That was Izturis, not Figgins. Geesh.

It is just me or is this site loading slowly this evening?

Nice inning, Daisuke!

Did Weaver just write something in the dirt???

Poada is going to have season ending surgery

Yeah, my typing still sucks. That was supposed to be Posada.

I'm still revelling in the Dawg and DO.

Let's gooooo DiceK.

Sure is quiet tonight.

Daisuke... honestly, we don't need full counts and loaded bases to keep ourselves entertained.

Well it could have been worse.

My computer is acting a little slow, otherwise I'd be posting more. That and watching in the other room.

I must say, some of our opponents have nice posteriors. /shallow

JD kept the damage minimal with his catch.
He also possesses a fine posterior his own bad self.

They do indeed, ecl!

That was a lovely catch by JD.

Ooooh, Manny had some major fire in his eyes after that K. Simmer down, kiddo.

Cathy..... ;D

All this talk about Manny makes me sad for some reason

I love Manny. I really do. But I agree with Remy on this. He is so gone after this season.

I'm so torn about the whole Manny situation. I really am. But even Remy and DO think he's going.

Still hating ESPN and the flagrant redundancy. GAH.

And how awesome is it that El Bencho hit a 3-run tater off Mussina? I love Millah. Love, love, love.

Aww, look at Cora getting all cute with Dustin!

I agree, it's a very good possibility we won't see Manny in a Sox uni again next season. He's always been one to push limits, but I think he's stepped over them this time. The Sox will miss him big-time as a hitter, though.

Dugout sweetness. Can never get enough.

I'm with you, Jennifer...and Erin, too. It makes me sad, and I'm pretty conflicted about it as well. I really do like him a lot (although I'm still a mite tad peeved with him at the moment). Would hate to see him swinging a bat for someone else.

And...late thought...I wonder if this is curtains for Posada as a catcher. He's not getting any younger.

I knew Manny was gone after this season when he botched that play in Anaheim. I have NEVER seen Theo look so pissed as he did then.

I'm just trying to figure out what happened to make Manny act like this. I mean I know he's demanded trades in the past but it never seemed to be this bad.

I do believe you're right about Posada, Ecl. He's been injured more often than not this season.

*crosses everything available that Tek doesn't get hurt*

Guess I'm gonna have to pony up for some other Sox shirts if Manny gets gone. My collection is pretty small. Time for a Papi shirt and a Lowell shirt, and and and...

...I don't want Manny to leave. :(

But you never know what happens. If Manny keeps playing and plays a big part of (*ahem*) possible success in the future, would the Sox just let him walk?

I wonder what Boras has been saying to Manny. He doesn't get a part of Manny's option if The Sox pick it up, but he does get a percentage of Manny's pay if he gets a new contract. I am thinking that he has something to do with Manny's new attitude.

Ecl - I still need a Tek shirt with the captain's 'c' - the one I have is at least 7 years old and is incredibly faded and ragged from being washed countless times.

Oh Cathy, I read the "Poada gets season ending surgery" link really fast and thought it was "Pedroia" at first. That was scary.

Speaking as a former NYY fan, Posada has nothing to be ashamed of. He's had a heck of a career. I hate to see him go out on an injury, but maybe it's better than being a dinosaur in the lineup and getting basically canned, as happened with Bernie Williams (who was a longtime favorite of mine back when I was still on that side of the fence).

Erin, I think he's scared and uncomfortable and impatient about his contract and is acting out.

Niiiiiiice play, Pedey!
And thanks, we needed something positive to discuss.

Melissa, I have a few old shirts like that. Amazing how long they hold up, though, if you take good care of 'em.

Sorry for scaring you, Lulu. I guess I need to proofread more carefully.

Lulu, I think whether Manny stays or goes is going to depend primarily on his attitude for the rest of the season. If he settles down after the trade deadline and plays nicely (I mean off the field), I think there's still a chance that we'll see him back next year.

Cathy- yeah. On WEEI they were talking about how Manny literally listens to ANYBODY for advice. It's better for Boras if the Sox don't pick up Manny's options, and he could be convincing Manny of that.

Season-ending surgery for Pedroia? I bet that kid would even play for a month or two with a broken bone.

I hate Boras, with a passion. I think he's a money-grubbing, power-hungry weasel. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to hear that he was nudging Manny toward another team.

Oooh, heya Tek!

I'm hoping that having his two best buds back (Papi in the lineup and Lugo rehabbing in the dugout) will be a positive influence for Manny. I think they know him well enough to keep him in check more than most.

Damn fouls. Get me all worked up.

That person in the white t-shirt next to the person who caught Pedie's foul ball was super drunk.

Hey everyone!

I just got home and turned the game on. I see they have a run on us. I'd love to win this game!

I missed DO & Remy's comments on Manny. I'd be really surprised to see him back next year. It's a far cry from him wanting his number retired as he said at the beginning of the season ;-(. Gammons said that Manny's missed games have been against some harder pitchers. Didn't follow up on that, but if it's true--ugly.

Oh, Thank God in heaven for NESN! Remy's voice is medicine for the soul after a weekend of Fox and ESPN.

I have never met a baseball fan who actually does like Boras.

I agree. I think Papi being on the DL and in rehab has probably contributed to the extent that Manny is melting down more than usual.

Oh yeah...hi....~~~~~~

The comment above about Boras' possible impact on Manny's behavior is interesting. I wish he'd take his money and just GO AWAY (take A-Rod, too ;-).

I cannot stand Boras, but you have to admit that he is damn good at his job.

GAH. My mother stole the TV to watch "Foyle's War." So, when I finally have NESN...can't watch it.

Boras is evil.

ecl - I think you are probably right about the acting out. Most of the observations about what drives the "Manny being Manny" antics over the years relate to more anxiety and insecurity than I would have imagined someone in his position would have. The switch in representation to Boras seems to support the theory that he was stressed about his future.

Boras should be damned to hell.

I hope Ortiz coming back has a positive effect on Manny. Don't they have lockers next to each other? Too bad Tavarez isn't here anymore.

FC- that's why I was so alarmed about seeing Pedroia having season-ending surgery. I couldn't begin to imagine what could have side-lined him.

Papi! Atta boy!

Yay Papi!

Manny!

And this is why I don't want Manny to leave.

Know what, Manny? Just keep doing THAT. And shut up. But thanks.

Weaver's reaction? Priceless.

Is the bullpen band playing in the background?

weaver's reaction was amazing!

Yay bullpen band! They are really loud.

That's the bullpen band for sure. I hear Masterson has officially joined - but, um, I can't imagine he's got any rhythm, if you know what I mean.

Do they have a mic in the pen, do you think, or are they really that loud?

**Tangent Alert**

So...I was switching back and forth from the game to this seriously bad movie (started during the rain delay), "Black Dahlia". And it got me to wondering.....

Has anyone ever seen Josh Hartnett and Josh Beckett in the same room together? Just wondering and all....

I love Justin!

They are that loud - but of course now we're getting the camera'd and mic'd presentation.

They are pretty loud.

Justin's actually got rhythm, from what I've seen/heard. Granted, they always start the new guys out with a small bit.

They must be a major trip to hear in person!

Nice half inning, guys. I had a big smile on my face. It got even bigger with all the Papi dugout shots. That man could melt glaciers wth that smile.

The bullpen band is awesome. Best reason for sitting along right field, for a line-of-sight. Well, except maybe for JD's posterior.

It's pretty awesome hearing the Pen live. Priceless, actually.

I was sitting along the 3rd base line last year, and I could hear the band.

I would put JD's posterior right behind Lester's, Masterson's and Joe Mauer's.

We were sitting in the third base area when we saw the Sox in Oakland this year. Seeing Youk's batting stance from that angle was hysterical. Bounce-bounce-wiggle-wiggle. heeheehee

It's amazing that you can hear them no matter where you sit. I heard them when I was there in June, sitting behind the on deck circle.

You would never believe they are that loud.

Cathy, you paint an interesting picture.

TEK!!!!!!!!!!!

LOVE seeing the Captain hitting.

TEK! I see you found your bat again today!

It looks like Tek is coming out of his slump!

I was anonymous.
Tek always throws me.

Nice job Jacoby.

No hits yet for Pleats? He's slacking...

I am at work, and can see the lights of Fenway from out my office window. Earlier, I could see the stands - now, it's a little too dark.

TG, it must be quite a view. :::jealous:::

Is that the bullpen band i hear?? Oh how I've missed them

Yes, but can you hear the bullpen band? ;)

oh no...focus Dice-K!

Crap!

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Dammit.

FUCK

Geez, I thought JD was going to fling himself into the bullpen.

Stop sucking, Dice!

Crap.

Get.Him.Out.Of.There.Now.

Lame

MAKE IT STOP

Fuckit!!!

Oh for Christ's sake Dice-K.

Fucking hell.

FUCK. what just happened?!

Good lord what happened to Dice-K?

Dice-K implosion.

W.

T.

F.

Make it stop D:

An out!

That was a Wake-like meltdown.

My god, are we even playing anymore??

I need a fucking beer.

So Dice.

The fuck was that??

That was ugly. Nice job by Masterson in limiting the damage.

Bats, we need you yesterday.

FUGLY.

Phew the inning's finally over. Please Lord please help us now

They cannot let Weaver beat them! I demand runs to be scored right now!

OK, this is something. More please.

It's getting to the point where Jacoby can't hit the broad side of a barn.

I feel badly for Jacoby. Poor kid. It's not like he's not trying...

He's buckling his front ankle. I'm convinced that's why he can't do anything.

That's my totally viable and professional theory, anyway.

he will come out of his slump eventually, and pitchers will fear him.

NO NOT HANSEN!!!

That anon was me.

Someone should give Orel a fashion makeover. He is such a geek! Not that that's a bad thing, but still...

Well, if it makes anybody feel better the Yankees are losing to Baltimore by 11

Rays just lost to the Jays 3-1.

Angie, you took the words right out of my mouth. And TB just lost.

Liza beat me to it. I'm so slow tonight! :slaps self:::

GODAMMIT

Well that sucked.

Well crap.

What is this?

Also, can I just mention how much I love that Futures game commercial?

God Bless you, JD Drew.

The commercial that gets me is the one where the young man gives the baseball to the little kid with the big eyes. Awwww....

DREWWWWW doing his part.

That one looked good of his bat... (Jed's, that is.)

Jacoby! That's more like it!

JACOBY! That's how we do it!
And that's worth another DREWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

Do my eyes deceive me, or did Jacoby just get an RBI?

Good start guys...and we get Papi-Manny next inning.

Jed is a lot of fun to watch at the plate. About the only time he doesn't seem to smile.

This game sure went south, didn't it? Two more outs...good thing I poured another glass of wine.

Mannnnnnnyyyy! I just wish some guys were on base, but it helps.

HOLY SHIT MANNY!
But will it be enough?

MANNY!

dammit. I was hoping we'd beat these guys. We'll get them tomorrow.

Damn.

I so thought that was back to back.

That was......nice. *eye roll*

On to tomorrow. Night all.

The good news is that the AL East standings remain the same since everyone lost. Nice to see Manny add to his HR totals and Papi up his BA a little more.

Aw, Mikey, way to break my heart.

Damn. I so thought that was B2B!

Yeah, I did too. :::shrugs:::

Tomorrow is another day. See y'all...

I was at the game tonight. Not too much fun. My seats sucked ass and they lost. I thought I was going to tomorrow's game...I kinda wish I did now.