Tag: Boston Red Sox

Categories
MLB General

AL East To Be Dogfight

by Matt Wells

So, baseball is around the corner, as we all know.  We’ve got our fantasy baseball teams lined up and we’re wearing our team colors to work, school, etc. (I’m not, but I know some die-hard baseball fans who will).

Just like at the beginning of every season, we all make predictions.  A-Rod will hit such-and-such amount of homers, Johan Santana will get __ wins in his new Flushing digs, Team X will finish with 80+ wins, etc.  There is one thing that I know for sure, though.  This year, the American League East will be a dogfight.

Continue reading “AL East To Be Dogfight”

Categories
MLB General

ALDS preview

So, it’s October time. Yanks vs Indians, Red Sox vs Angels. Alex Ferguson looks at the runners and riders…

Continue reading “ALDS preview”
Categories
Boston Red Sox

Strike Three on Cancer

Jon Lester stood tall upon the mound at Jacob’s Field Monday night to battle the Cleveland Indians, but in reality, the battle has already been won. Different emotions running through his mind, Lester tightly gripped the ball in his left hand, knees shaking, ready to capture the moment. Butterflies in his stomach, Lester starred down at his catcher Jason Varitek, took a deep breath, and fired his first pitch.

    Strike one. The voice of the umpire calling that very first strike had been echoing in Lester’s mind for almost 11 months. The young south paw had his rookie year cut short after being diagnosed with a treatable form of lymphoma. Lester’s doctor informed Red Sox nation that this disease was life threatening, but could also be cured if treated correctly.

Continue reading “Strike Three on Cancer”

Categories
MLB General

Ranking the MLB’s World Series Contenders

It’s the halfway point of the major league season, and the elite teams are starting to separate themselves. Many clubs, such as the Brewers, Red Sox, and Angels, are already running away with their respective divisions. The Mets, Tigers, Indians, Padres, and Dodgers are facing greater competition in their divisions, though they all should make the playoffs. But which of these teams has the best shot at winning the World Series? It’s a loaded question, but I gave my best shot at ranking them. Here are the eight teams that can win the World Series.

Continue reading “Ranking the MLB’s World Series Contenders”
Categories
General Sports

Legends of the Fall: Part V of V

It had been a competition, and circus all the same.

And now, the 2003 American League Championship Series would be decided on one game, on one night.

 Pedro Martinez had his legacy to protect, damaged in Game 3.

Roger Clemens had his dignity to fight for. It was common knowledge that Clemens would dive into retirement immediately following the ’03 season. He couldn’t be remembered as a loser, defeated by his successor.

Continue reading “Legends of the Fall: Part V of V”

Categories
MLB General

Legends of the Fall: Part IV of V

  The fourth contest was washed away by rain, leaving the tabloid vultures to pick at the carcass of Game 3.

 Everyone would have a say.

 There was New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, suggesting that Pedro Martinez, now known as an enemy of the elderly, would have been arrested if he pulled his shenanigans at Yankee Stadium.  

There was Pedro, the man himself, maintaining his intent to gently push Zimmer aside.

There was Red Sox manager Grady Little, displaying little tact in declaring the Series a battle upgraded to war.

Continue reading “Legends of the Fall: Part IV of V”

Categories
MLB General

Legends of the Fall: Part III of V

The A’s had fallen, tortuously, in the playoffs once again. The defeat offered zero consolation. There were no moral victories.

In their shattered clubhouse, Billy Beane lost it, railing about the payroll disparity separating the two teams.

But on the field, they had been so close.

So close…

As the Red Sox raucously celebrated that night, ready to challenge the New York Yankees, ready to spit in the face of history, one lingering, exhausting thought couldn’t have been far from their minds.

 They had survived.

Continue reading “Legends of the Fall: Part III of V”

Categories
MLB General

Legends of the Fall: Part II of V

 Spring bowed to summer before summer submitted to autumn, and the most marvelous postseason in Baseball history postseason began.

 In the American League, the 101 win Yankees, champions of the American League East, were matched with the determined Minnesota Twins, a team consumed with reaching the World Series after falling one step short against Anaheim a year prior.

Continue reading “Legends of the Fall: Part II of V”

Categories
MLB General

Legends of the Fall: Part I of V

Sports couldn’t exist without opposing forces. Here is the story of two teams destined for no greater glory than to define each other. Here is one legend of the fall, among many others.

Continue reading “Legends of the Fall: Part I of V”
Categories
Boston Red Sox

Boston: Bean- Beer- and a Buffalo

“I have just returned from Boston. It’s the only thing to do if you find yourself up there.”
-Fred Allen, (1894-1957) comedian

I don’t eat New England clam chowder or Boston éclairs. I don’t wear the color red at all during baseball season. I weasel out of business trips that involve a Massachusetts destination. The city of Boston, to me, is no different than mint chocolate chip ice cream, margaritas, or “The Lord of the Rings.” I don’t care how universally popular they are: I’ve tried ’em, and I hate ’em.

Continue reading “Boston: Bean- Beer- and a Buffalo”