(Note to Gordon Edes (who wrote the above story): the 1998 Yankees did not go 11-0 in the post-season. They lost two ALCS games. No team has gone 3-0, 4-0 and 4-0 since the three-round format began in 1995, though the 1999 Yankees and 2005 White Sox both went 11-1.)
General manager Theo Epstein says the team is set with the regular lineup and starting pitchers and will turn its attention to the bullpen and bench.
Daisuke Matsuzaka: "As a team, [winning the World Series] was the best. But as for personal accomplishment, it was not up to my standards. I feel that my command was something I need to improve."
2008 is the final year on Terry Francona's contract and the team hopes to sign him to an extension before spring training.
This is why bloggers like myself and Jere will never clutter our sites with ads for ticket brokers. Since this is specifically against Red Sox policy, the front office should make a serious effort to permanently revoke the season tickets of anyone found selling tickets this way.
The small town of Madras, Oregon held a parade for Jacoby Ellsbury.
When he spoke in the gym at Madras, Ellsbury referred to his big-league debut [June 30], how he was so nervous he almost threw up ("by far the most nervous I've ever been in my life for anything") and how Josh Beckett, who was pitching that night, approached him with a message: "Don't screw it up."
Later, he was asked if Beckett was just kidding with him.
"I didn't get any joke out of it," Ellsbury said, unsmiling. "Maybe if you ask him, maybe he'll say, 'Yeah, I was just joking,' but he didn't give me a wink or a smile or something. It was, 'Don't screw it up.'
"He came up to me and said, 'Is this your first game?'
"'Yeah.'
"'Is this your debut?'
"'Yeah.'
"'Don't screw it up.' That's what he told me, right before the game."
Ellsbury went 12-for-22 (.545) in eight Beckett starts, hitting safely in all but the 8th game.
ReplyDeleteHe batted .309 (29-for-94) in games not started by Beckett.
it was his first game ever. Beckett could have given him a wedgie. I certainly hope lyndon's feelings aren't hurt.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great story on the LBJ parade.
ReplyDeleteThe 'running the table' mistake notwithstanding, that was a pretty good article by Edes. Although the idolization of artifacts is kind of creepy, to me.
ReplyDeleteAnd it reminded me of a great book I read a couple of years back. Underworld, by Don Dellilo. It's a very long, multi-charactered and -plotlined book that goes through the entire last half of the 20th century in the US, but one of the main plot lines is about the Thomson ball. A great read, very recommended.
I agree re Underworld.
ReplyDeleteI have my hardcover copy signed by both DeLillo and Brooklyn left fielder Andy Pafko. He was at a signing event with former Yankee Bobby Shantz near where I worked in Manhattan in April 1999 (a promo card is still in the book (my mind is not that sharp!)).
I asked Pafko if he knew about the opening of the book (which first appeared in Harper's in a slightly different form and was later published as a stand-alone book "Pafko At The Wall"). He said yes and signed the book.
I can't recall if he said he read it, though. I should have asked him how often someone has wanted a copy of Underworld signed. Probably a few.
I would love to get Ralph Branca and Bobby Thomson to sign it also. They still do shows together.
Lowell perhaps gets another nickname: "Clooney". ("'My brother told me my nephews think Mike Lowell is George Clooney, [Matt] Damon said.")
ReplyDeleteThat continues the medical theme.
ReplyDeleteLowell is Dr. Doubles.
On ER, Clooney was Dr. Ross.
I like the Beckett/Ellsbury story--it has that WTF quality reality so often does and rahrah sports stories so seldom do.
ReplyDelete