The bigger picture

Rider on Green Line:
This from Francona says it all for me, "This guy's one of the premier starters in the game and he runs in here and says he'll go to the bullpen. I'm on board with that." Hell, yeah, me too!

 

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Bill:
Yeah, that's my emotional gut reaction, too — But when I step back and really consider this move, something doesn't feel right.

 

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Rider on Green Line:
C'mon, dude, trust in Theo: "We're doing this because, physically, it gives him the best chance to be Curt Schilling."

 

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Bill:
Sure, I'm down with the whole "not sure that Curt Schilling-lite will help the club," so this is the best alternative deal, rathah it's the sense there is no long range plan. How long is "temporary"?

 

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Rider on Green Line:
Well, Foulke's out 4-6 weeks …

 

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Bill:
Right, plus rehab time, so we're looking at months not weeks. And what if Foulke's problems this season aren't cured with the arthroscopic procedure? What then? The club will still need a stahtah and a closah …

 

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Rider on Green Line:
Dude, it's these unknowns that make the unfolding of the season so awesomtastic. You know that.

 

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Bill:
Yeah, don't mind me today. The intrusion of the real world is making me dour and cynical. You know some of the most fervent Red Sox fans I've encountered on the web through postings and emails live in London?

 

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Rider on Green Line:
I know. These blokes stay up until the wee hours of the morning watching the satellite feeds of Red Sox games. Total die hahds an ocean away.

 

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Bill:
Absolutely. Today our thoughts and best hopes are with you, London branch of Red Sox Nation.

 

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Comments

[da kine]

Time was we'd automatically assume this business in London was the work of my cousins, but nowadays you'd have to guess it was jihadists or maybe even anti-globalisation whackjobs.

[SawxSince67]

Der Spiegel Online--German National news--attributes the quote below to a known al-Qaeda website:

"The heroic mujahedeen has undertaken a blessed attack in London..."

I'm speechless. And quite angry.

Just like previous attacks; explosive devices set off in the midst of citizens minding their own fucking business and dragging their asses home from work...worrying about the mortgage, happy for their children, excited for Arsenal, West Ham, Man U or whatever...it's just ungodly cowardice.

[h.b.]

Yeah, fuck Al Queda.

And not to make light of the attacks or those that have died of been injured, but is that the best they can do?

That's like a flesh wound to London, a city that has weathered far, far worse with heads held high and defiant.

[Sir Winston Churchill]

"We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire. Neither the sudden shock of battle nor the long-drawn trials of vigilance and exertion will wear us down. Give us the tools and we will finish the job."

[Follower of Tito]

The Brits have been down this road before. They are made of sterner stuff that any group of wack-job religious extremist group anywhere. As far as I am concerned all religious extremists, reguardless of which religion, are dangerous to those of us who just want to live our lives, do our jobs and raise our families.

Churchill's words still ring true today.

"We will have no truce or parlay with you, or the grisly gang who work your wicked will. You do your worst - and we will do our best."

Enough said.

[RonF]

For these guys, no one is innocent. Either you swear allegiance to their brand of Islam, or you are their enemy and any action they take is legitimate and serves their concept of God. As far as these guys are concerned, there's no such thing as civilians; just people to be either converted or killed.

[NV in SD]

Politics and religion are two things that I try to avoid whenever possible, as people tend to have the strongest of reactions to them. As is the case, don't take this as a comparison of real life to sport, but just as my way of looking at it.

I have been refered to as a "fanatic", "zealot", "crazed lunatic", etc. as I'm sure all of you have at one time or another, and I'm not even religious. The thing about those fuckers is you root for their team or die. We have the ability to step back, especially when things like this happen, and put it all in perspective. They also have the same basic ability, but are blinded by their faith. That's the scary thing, it that it's all or nothing with them. All I can hope for is that our efforts overseas are actually working towards making sure this, and actions like it, never, ever happen again. Unfortunately, I'm not holding my breath.

[scott12xu]

HB: don't taunt the cowards. Who knows what they have planned (whether they can carry it out is another story).

Just another sad reminder how vulnerable we all are to those who feel they have "god" on tehir side (i.e. Timothy McVeigh, The Inquisition, etc.). That relates to RonF's comment in a way. I hate religion - the testoterone of the mind.

Too bad it ruins what would have been a post on two excellent games by the Sawx Tuesdaya nd Wednesday nights. I hypothozied (sp?) to my wife that since Foulke is far faaaaar away from the Sox roster, a small grey cloud of doom has maybe been lifted and the players responded accordingly.

Got my fingers crossed for the 4-game series against the slumping MFO's.

BTW, anyone see the pic of Jeter, Posada and Giambi at the Baltimore Hooters after the Tuesday game was rained out? Giambi looks like EVERYTHING expanded sideways - what a freak.

[AJM]

Our London office is apparently not that far from where the bus exploded. I checked in with my friend there first thing, and fortunately she and everyone else there were okay, but they weren't letting them leave for awhile for their own safety...and of course there's no transportation home anyways tonight.

Thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of these cowardly attacks, and their families.

[scott12xu]

Here is the link to the photo of the 3 MFYs at the Baltimore Hooters. Shouldn't be too hard to miss Giambi.

http://www.collegehumor.com/?image_id=164605

[scott12xu]

Here is the link to the photo of the 3 MFYs at the Baltimore Hooters. Shouldn't be too hard to miss Giambi.

http://www.collegehumor.com/?image_id=164605

[NYSoxfan]

Fuq Al Qaeda... and bless the Sox who allowed us to forget about the war on terror for a little while during those few blissful weeks in October.

re: Bellhorn: I love this guy. The thought of Bret Boone in a Red Sox uniform makes me nauseous. But watching him bat yesterday, I had to wonder -- what if he batted from the left side vs lefties and the right side vs righthanders? Would it screw with the pitchers? would he see the ball any better? grasping at straws I know but no Boones in Boston, puleeze!

[NV in SD]

Has anyone seen JD's rantings about the bullpen/ Schill/ Sox "panic", etc. in the Globe? Seriously- shut the F up.

Also, I heard Gammo say on BBTN that Millar is as good as gone. Isn't he Manny's binky? Can't say that would help team chemistry...

[SawxSince67]

"The Red Sox today reportedly designated backup outfielder Jay Payton for assignment, meaning they have 10 days to either trade him, release him, or send him to the minors."

Boston.com

Trade him for an arm?

Who plays CF tonight?

[h.b.]

I think there is a some serious shit in the works regarding trades.

Meanwhile, I was listening to Morrissey just now and I realized the British people are so resiliant that even the gay guys are tough in their own right. Look at Morrissey who has made a career out of singing about getting the shit kicked out of him but never backing down. And Oscar Wilde went to jail to protest sodomy laws.

[DS]

As a card carrying member of the London branch of Red Sox nation (who regularly stays up all night to watch the NESN broadcast via satellite) I am grateful for your concern.

I was at Kings Cross this morning when terrorists made war on the people of London. I can assure you that the people of London were not terrorised. We reacted as always by flipping them the finger and carrying on our lives with good humoured defiance. We grieve for our lost countrymen but won't ever be cowed by these vermin.

[NV in SD]

Thoughts and well wishes to you and yours who have been afected by this tragedy, DS.

Payton's been designated, Vasquez is in Pawtucket and ineffective when he's in Boston.

What exactaly did we get in return for Dave Roberts?

[SawxSince67]

Best wishes for you and yours, DS...

"We reacted as always by flipping them the finger and carrying on our lives with good humoured defiance..."

The Tradition Continues.

Blitz of London
September, 1940 to May, 1941

Written on the boarded-up windows of shops throughout the city: "Business as Usual"

[SawxSince67]

"What exactly did we get in return for Dave Roberts?"

At this point: Alex Cora (for Ramon Vazquez) and "TBD" (for Jay Payton--they won't just release him)...in addition to RHP David Pauley (???) and $2.65 million in cash.

Dave Roberts--I'd wash the man's car and bring the beer...

[da kine]

Gammons said on Baseball Tonight last night that Millar is looking to get traded. If he wants out then fuck him. I like me some Olerud with a side order of Youkilis. He's had a few good weeks but screw that. Have fun on the Rangers or whatever other shitty team you end up on, Kentucky Fried Whiskey Drinker.

[da kine]

Gammons said on Baseball Tonight last night that Millar is looking to get traded. If he wants out then fuck him. I like me some Olerud with a side order of Youkilis. He's had a few good weeks but screw that. Have fun on the Rangers or whatever other shitty team you end up on, Kentucky Fried Whiskey Drinker.

[NV in SD]

That's one of the good things about being where I'm at SS67- I can walk down to PetCo and thank Mr. Roberts on a near-nightly basis for last October.

Alex Cora? Cant say I know much about him aside from the mini-blurbs I've heard on SC and what I read on redsox.com. Hopefully he's an upgrade, because Vazquez wasn't doin' shit. Definitely can use a backup middle infielder though.

[Tman]

Nice to see h.b. keeping things in perspective. I'm as fanatical as the next guy about the Bosox, but it is just a game.

And then I click over to Soxahlix and the first comment is by da kine.

Couldn't be any more fitting.....

[Tman]

Nice to see h.b. keeping things in perspective. I'm as fanatical as the next guy about the Bosox, but it is just a game.

And then I click over to Soxahlix and the first comment is by da kine.

Couldn't be any more fitting.....

[GaryGeiger]

To Johnny Damon: God love ya Johnny, you're having a great year and are an integral part of the team, but please shut the fuck up and play ball. If it weren't for your God-given abilities, you'd be carrying a leaf blower for a living.

To DS & all in the UK: All the best thoughts coming your way.....give the fucks a collective moon job, a la Braveheart....

[GaryGeiger]

To Johnny Damon: God love ya Johnny, you're having a great year and are an integral part of the team, but please shut the fuck up and play ball. If it weren't for your God-given abilities, you'd be carrying a leaf blower for a living.

To DS & all in the UK: All the best thoughts coming your way.....give the fucks a collective moon job, a la Braveheart....

[GaryGeiger]

To Johnny Damon: God love ya Johnny, you're having a great year and are an integral part of the team, but please shut the fuck up and play ball. If it weren't for your God-given abilities, you'd be carrying a leaf blower for a living.

To DS & all in the UK: All the best thoughts coming your way.....give the fucks a collective moon job, a la Braveheart....

[Boston Fan in Michigan]

I'd rather channel my 'aggression' and 'belief' into a bunch of guys playing a silly game for ridiculous amounts of money than a religious system that believed in zealously blowing other people up any day. Hooray sports.

And Alex Cora isn't bad... he's not going to walk or slug much above his batting average, though. Hard to tell whether he just looked good this year because he was on that resurgent Indians squad or what.

[NV in SD]

Not your daddy's lineup tonight...

Welcome to the big club Adam Stern! Let's see if you've been worth the wait...

Welcome to The Champs Alex Cora! Let's see if you're better than Vazquez at bacvking up Rent(and maybe give Bellhorn a run for his money at 2nd?)

the "movie poster" on the dirtdogs' website- frightening.

[NYSoxfan]

I second that emotion on Adam Stern. The kid was playing real well down in Pawtucket and deserves a shot to be the low-budget Kapler. He was hitting like .300 They say he's got wheels too. Guess we'll find out. As for Millar, well there happens to be another guy down in R.I. who deserves a shot to fill his roster spot -- Roberto Petagine. A legend in Japan, a left-handed power hitter who plays a mean first base. C'mon Theo, this guy has paid his dues. Give him a shot. The hard part, of course, is finding a taker for Mr. Millah. how about trading him straight up for Kapler? Sayonara Kev.

[da kine]

I like the idea of sending Millah to Japan to get Kaplah back. He'd surely be able to play on a daily basis and the amount of alcohol flowing over there is like a waterfall of spirits. Kampai, Millah-san! Sake wa oishii desu yo!

[h.b.]

there is like a waterfall of spirits. Kampai, Millah-san! Sake wa oishii desu yo!

Fantastic line. This weeks winnah.

[bd]

my two cents is this: The team needs a closer. One that can ACTUALLY close games. Moving Timmy or Brandon from their current setup and starter spots respectively endangers the chemistry and success that those individuals have enjoyed in their current positions. Essentially, it’s purposefully invoking the Peter Principle and jeopardizing the rest of the staff by moving far too many successful parts into new positions at a crucial point in the season. Additionally, placing Schilling back in the rotation, where, granted, he has pitched for the entirety of his long career, would be disrupting the flow of the other guys that are already there, especially Brandon, who despite a few foibles and games missed due to suspension, has been having a breakthrough year as the Sox 5th starter. The mere fact that Schill has volunteered to go to the ‘pen, a completely foreign concept to this point for him, shows both his desire to help the team in any way he can, his selflessness in giving up a spot in the rotation, one that he could easily demand back if he desired, to the guys that have landed the Sox in first place thus far, as well as his own reticence return to a starting role after a few lackluster starts in the minors, despite his intense desire to return to Boston. This guy, as if it was in any doubt after last October, is a true gamer and one that the Red Sox and the city of Boston are damn lucky to have. Johnny Rockstar and the rest of the Whiner Line need to shut their traps and enjoy having an elite player and teammate like this around. IMHO, anyway.

[bd]

my two cents is this: The team needs a closer. One that can ACTUALLY close games. Moving Timmy or Brandon from their current setup and starter spots respectively endangers the chemistry and success that those individuals have enjoyed in their current positions. Essentially, it’s purposefully invoking the Peter Principle and jeopardizing the rest of the staff by moving far too many successful parts into new positions at a crucial point in the season. Additionally, placing Schilling back in the rotation, where, granted, he has pitched for the entirety of his long career, would be disrupting the flow of the other guys that are already there, especially Brandon, who despite a few foibles and games missed due to suspension, has been having a breakthrough year as the Sox 5th starter. The mere fact that Schill has volunteered to go to the ‘pen, a completely foreign concept to this point for him, shows both his desire to help the team in any way he can, his selflessness in giving up a spot in the rotation, one that he could easily demand back if he desired, to the guys that have landed the Sox in first place thus far, as well as his own reticence return to a starting role after a few lackluster starts in the minors, despite his intense desire to return to Boston. This guy, as if it was in any doubt after last October, is a true gamer and one that the Red Sox and the city of Boston are damn lucky to have. Johnny Rockstar and the rest of the Whiner Line need to shut their traps and enjoy having an elite player and teammate like this around. IMHO, anyway.

[Aaron]

Could someone explain to me why, in the final series before the All-star break, with a chance to bury the slumping second-place team for good, Francona chooses to sit FOUR regulars? Especially now, when Manny is on an absolute tear. Does he pull his starting lineups out of a hat?

[Jason Powers]

The 4-6 weeks for Foulke's surgery IS the rehab time. The surgery itself was already done, and as long as the doctor doesn't leave a scalpel or pocketwatch in there, the recovery is pretty routine.

No guarantee of a return to dominance in that timeframe.