Schilling Has a ‘Thorne’ in His Side

Last night Curt Schilling dominated once again as he faced off with Oriole’s flame thrower Daniel Cabrera. Schilling only allowed one run, a Miguel Tejada solo shot, in 7 innings of work, and the Red Sox won the game 6-1. But that’s not the story here.

In the 5^th inning of last nights game play-by-play announcer, Gary Thorne, was reminiscing about Schilling’s courageous performance in the 2004 ALCS against the New York Yankees. Out of no where Thorne states that the “blood” on the sock that the whole nation saw on national television that October night was in fact red paint.

“The great story we were talking about the other night was that famous red stocking that he wore when they finally won, the blood on his stocking. Nah. It was painted. Doug Mirabelli confessed up to it after. It was all for PR.” — 4.25.07, Orioles broadcaster Gary Thorne

Boston Globe reporter, Gordon Edes, was at the game covering it for the Globe. When Edes heard this he immediately made his way to the Red Sox clubhouse to ask Mirabelli if he in fact did disclose this information to Gary Thorne:

“What? Are you kidding me? He’s [expletive] lying. A straight lie. I never said that. I know it was blood. Everybody knows it was blood.” – 4.25.07, Doug Mirabell

Today this was the lead story on ESPN’s Sport Center, and the Baseball media has flooded Camden Yards to get reaction the day after the fact. Doug Mirabelli has probably never had so many microphones and tape recorders shoved in his face in his life. Mirabelli said that he had talked to Thorne about six months after the World Series. Mirabelli recalled that Thorne made a comment about Schillings great performance with the bloody sock and all. Doug remembers saying, “Yeah, we got a lot of attention for that.” Mirabelli adamantly denies that he ever uttered the words “paint” or fake blood in his brief conversation with Thorne.

Thorne also had to deal with the mass of media at the ball park today. Thorne informed everyone that he did not pick up on the sarcasm when he had his conversation with Doug. Thorne said that he and Doug basically had a communication problem, when Doug said one thing and Gary heard another. Thorne was apologetic to Schilling, Terry Francona, and all of Curt’s supporters. Thorne said that he would never report anything that he thought was false, and at the time believed that Mirabelli’s comments were told in sincerity.

So lets just set the record straight, it was not paint, it was not ketchup, it was not toe nail polish; it was real blood that came out of Curt Schillings ankle. For all you bitter Yankee fans and Schilling haters just take a look at this picture if you have any doubt in your mind.

I’ll admit it Schilling is not the most likeable guy in the game; he’s got a mouth that just does not shut, and now fingers that don’t stop typing. And sometimes you just want to tell the guy to shut up and pitch, but for maybe the first time Schilling is the innocent victim of the media. If you remember correctly Schilling got lit up by the Yankees in game 1 of the 2004 ALCS, and he had blood in his sock then. After game 5, the bloody sock game, Schill said, “I did not even know if I could take the ball tonight.” Schilling had to deal with one of the best lineups in baseball that night, and if you think that he had enough time to think about putting some red paint on his sock than you should be committed.

Some people are saying that we need to send in the CSI team to Cooperstown to do some tests on the sock to make sure it is really blood. The sock sits in a class case next to other pieces of memorabilia from the Red Sox World Series run. The red blood has oxidized, and now is more brown that red. If you want to send in the CSI unit be my guest, but you will only add fuel to the fire in Curt Schilling’s mind.

Dr. Morgan sets the record straight.

How Sweep It Is!

This Morning I was able to walk around Quinnipiac University proudly donning my David Ortiz jersey and Sox cap receiving no jeers from any of the many New Yorkers that infest this fine University. What could they say? Last night the Sox swept the Yankees at the Fens for the first time in 17 years.

I was also presently pleased to find that many of my class mates that usually bear a Yankee cap had their hair neatly combed on their hatless heads. That’s the difference between Sox fans and Yankee fans, I wear my Sox cap proudly every day win or lose; hell I even wore it after the Aaron Boon game, New Yorkers leave their caps on their hooks, afraid to be associated with a loser.

Game 1

Lets face it the Sox were supposed to sweep this series, the only real pitching match up in the series occurred in game 1, Friday night when Curt Schilling and Andy Pettite faced off. Both pitchers were great. Schilling really only made two mistakes, both against A-Rod, and both left the ball park. Pettite on the other hand, handed his bullpen a 6-2 lead but the Sox rallied for 5 runs in the bottom of the 8^th to steal one from the Yankees.

I’ll admit it when A-Rod sent his second home run, along with Coco Crisp, into the Sox bullpen I turned the TV off. Later on that night me and my buddy Andy and his family headed to the 99 for some dinner. When the hostess asked us if we wanted to sit near a TV, every one looked at each other and determined that a Sox loss would only make us lose our appetites. But being the loyal fans that we are, we sat down in a booth directly in front of a television.

Then like magic the Sox bat’s came alive. The waiter even brought me my food during the Sox rally, but I refused to touch it due to my ridiculous baseball superstitions. Even Yank’s closer Mariano Rivera could not stop the bleeding, giving up a game tying triple to Coco Crisp, and then an Alex Cora flair that made its way over a drawn in infield that proved to be the winning run.

With Papelbon unavaliable for that night’s game, having pitched in the two games prior to the series, Tito handed the ball to Hideki Okajima to close the door in the 9th. Okijima had to deal with the heart of the Yankees line up. But “Oki” got A-Rod to pop out to Alex Cora at second base, and then struck out DH- David Thomas for the final out.

Could the Red Sox have been affected by the luck of the Irish that night? After all the Sox did wear their Celtic green uniforms that night, honoring the late great Red Auerbach. Or maybe the Sox were uplifted by a great catch that did not happen. Even though Coco did not come up with the ball on A-Rod’s second homer, the guts and determination he showed on that play just might have been enough to turn the tides and give the Red Sox the momentum.

Or maybe it was just karma coming back to bite a certain Yankee fan in the ass. Seconds after Coco crashed into the bullpen I received a text message from my roommate with some choice words about how the Red Sox were playing at the time. After the Sox capped off the come back I handed my phone to my buddy (I hate texting) and told him to send a colorful reply. And by all accounts my roommate deserved it. Friday

 

Game 2

 

Saturday’s game started a lot like Friday’s game. Josh Beckett was on the hill looking to be the first pitcher in the Major Leagues to win his first 4 decisions of the season. Many Sox fans had already put this game in the win column before it even began because Beckett was going up against rookie Jeff Karstens, a virtual unknown. Compared to game 1 and game 3 of this series game 2 was a snoozer. The Red Sox only had to battle back from a two run deficit twice in the ball game. That seemed like a walk in the park compared to what they accomplished the night before.

Beckett gave up two first inning runs on a Giambi blooper. But in the bottom of the first the Red Sox answered right back when Ortiz drove in Lugo and Youkilis with a double. Beckett got into trouble again in the third inning giving up two more runs, but Big Papi was there to bail him out again with a two run blast into the right field stands to knot up the game a 4.

Beckett then settled down and began setting the Yankees down with ease. Beckett left the game after 6 2/3 innings after throwing 106 pitches. It was definitely Beckett’s least impressing start of the year, but was enough to provide the Sox with a 7-4 lead going into the seventh. Beckett allowed only 4 earned runs, and left the game to a standing ovation from the Fenway faithful.

 

Francona preceded to hand the ball to Okijima and Timlin for the 7^th and 8^th inning. Then it was old reliable, Jonathan Papelbon, for the ninth. Papelbon had to deal with the top of the Yankee order in the 9^th. Paps made quick work of former Red Sox, Johnny Damon, by inducing a harmless ground ball out.  He then walked Melky Cabrera on four straight pitches, only Papelbon’s second walk of the season. Papelbon answered by blowing away Derek Jeter, but Cabrera stole second on the strike out. Bobby Abreu stood in the batter’s box, representing the tying run, and A-Rod waited in the on-deck circle representing the go ahead run. A-Rod would not get a chance to be the hero; Abreu gave the ball a ride, but Crisp was there to track it down at the triangle in centerfield to record the final out. Two down… One to go! PHOTOS: Saturday

 

Game 3

 

The hype leading up to game three was palpable. The sun was out, it was a gorgeous day, and the Sox and Yankees were set to square off on ESPN Sunday night baseball in front of the entire country. Every sox fan was breaking out there brooms getting ready to sweep those horrible Yankees out of town, and back to that hell whole they reside in somewhere in the Bronx. It was sure to be a classic; Daisuke Matsuzaka in his first taste of the best rivalry in all of sports would be dueling against, drum role please… Chase Wright?

That’s right the Yankees sent Chase Wright, a single A pitcher making only his second big league start of his career, to the hill to face Boston’s $100 million dollar man, Dice-K. This was going to be fun. The only damper on the night was that I had to listen to Joe Morgan decipher every pitch using the “K-Zone” which apparently ESPN thinks is the greatest invention since sliced bread, but I digress.

The Yankees actually almost got away with sending the green lefty to the mound that night. It’s just something about seeing a pitcher for the first time that must throw the Red Sox off. The first time thought he order Wright actually looked like a big league pitcher; but then the third inning happened. With the sox down 3-0 Manny Ramirez stepped to the dish with two outs.

What happened next will go down as the greatest 4 at-bats in Red Sox regular season history. Manny took Wright’s 2-1 offering and put the ball well over the green monster and probably over Landsdowne St as well. J.D. Drew followed by smashing a ball even further than Manny’s, but Drew’s landed in right-center, just to the right of the triangle.

Red Sox third basemen Mike Lowell then got in on the action by lifting one over the monster. Lowell literally golfed this one out of the park, and it appeared to scrape the moon as it disappeared into the night sky. Then it was the Captain’s turn. Jason Varitek took the first pitch he saw and promptly placed it on Landsdowne St. Unlike the previous 3 blasts Varitek’s homer made a bee-line for the green monster seats, but no fan dared to put their hands in the way of this souvenir as the ball left the park in a blink of an eye.

Back-to-back-to-back-to-back home runs! In the span of 10 pitches Chase Wright and the Yankees went from a 3-0 lead to a 4-3 deficit, all runs by way of the long ball. It was only the forth time that a team had hit 4 consecutive homers, and only the second time that one pitcher had given up four dingers in a row. And with that Wright was chased from the game.

This games excitement was just beginning though. The next inning the Yankee captain, Derek Jeter tied the game up by hitting a home run of his own over the monster. In Jeter’s previous at-bat he was hit square in the back by a Dice-K fastball. Jeter simply said, “You hit me, I hit you.”

In the 7^th inning the Sox found themselves trailing the Yankees 5-4, but that’s when Mike Lowell stepped into the box with men on second and third. I was almost positive that Lowell would put the ball in play and some how get a run home, after all Lowell had only struck out two times the whole season. I was wrong, Lowell did not put the ball the in play, he put it out of play, again blasting one over the green monster. The Sox led the Yanks 7-5 going into the 8^th .

The Sox surrendered one run in the 8^th making it 7-6 and Francona called for Papelbon in the 9^th for the second consecutive night. Papelbon was given the same task as the day before, protect the lead against the top of the Yankees line up. Johnny Damon, the “Idiot,” hit a grounder to short and was easily retired. Jeter continued with his struggles against Papelbon, striking out for the second consecutive night. Again Jeter sulked back to the dugout looking for a hug from manager Joe Torre, but Torre would not comply.

Jeter is now 0-5 with 4 strikeouts in his career against Papelbon. With two down Abreu battled Papelbon and was able to reach first on a well deserved walk. This time A-Rod would not be stranded in the on-deck-circle. Rodriguez dug against Papelbon trying to assume the hero role that he had already filled twice this season for the Yankees. The graphic at the bottom of the screen read, “Rodriguez- Career vs. Papelbon 0-2, 2 K’s” Papelbon would not blow Rodriguez away, he would however retire the superstar by jamming him with an inside fastball, which resulted in a ground ball to third. Lowell scooped the grounder and forced Abreu out at second for the final out of the game and the series.

This was pay back for the 5 game sweep the Yankees gave the Red Sox last season in August. And while the most recent series was only a 3 game sweep by the Sox, Boston travels to New York this weekend for another weekend series. And maybe, just maybe the Sox can sweep that series and win 6 in row against the Bronx Bombers.

Game photos Pick your favorite moment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drew Was A Class Act

Former Patriots Quarterback Drew Bledsoe has officially announced that he will retire from the NFL at the age of 35. The 14 year NFL vet told the associated press, “I feel so fortunate, so honored, to have played this game that I love for so long, with so many great players, and in front of so many wonderful fans.” While Bledsoe retired a Cowboy, he will always be strongly linked to the New England Patriots.

Bledsoe’s NFL career started in 1993, when the Patriots made him the first overall pick out of Washington State. Dubbed the next ‘Elway’ in light of his large stature, and rocket like arm Bledsoe was given the daunting task of rescuing the Patriots from the depths of the NFL.

Drew was handed the reigns of the team right away, and by his second year at the helm Drew was on top of the NFL; leading the league in passing attempts, completions, and touchdowns. Drew was the top Quarterback in the AFC East that year, a division that had Hall of Famers Dan Marino and Jim Kelly playing in it.

Bledsoe spent eight seasons with the Pats, in that time he made 4 Pro-Bowls and helped the Patriots make the post season 5 times. Bledsoe helped the Patriots to two Super Bowls; once as the starter in 1996 when the Patriots lost to Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers, and once as the back up behind Tom Brady in 2001 when the Pats beat the St. Louis Rams.

Although Bledsoe holds almost every major passing record for the New England Patriots the play he will be remembered for is not a long touchdown pass to Terry Glen or Ben Coats, Bledsoe will be remembered for a 5 yard scamper in 2001 against the New York Jets. It was the play that changed Patriots history forever. The play was vintage Bledsoe. Drew broke free from the pocket and made his way for the first down marker along the sideline. Then, BANG! Jets linebacker Mo Lewis crushed Bledsoe sending the QB to the hospital with a multitude of internal injuries. Then enter Tom Brady, and the rest is history; thats a whole other story.

Although Bledsoe was visibly upset, holding a clip board on the sideline, Drew helped Tom Brady with his acclimation to the NFL. Bledsoe could have very easily divided the locker room when Coach Bill Belichick announced that Brady would remain the starting Quarterback. The Veterans on the team would have taken his side, but Bledsoe did not disrupt the team.

Then like a scene out of a predicable Hollywood movie Bledsoe’s number was called when Tom Brady went down with a leg injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2001 AFC Championship game. Patriot’s fans went through deja vu when on the first play Bledsoe scrambled out of the pocket and received a devastating hit as he was running out of bounds. This time Bledsoe popped right back up clapping his hands. Three plays later Drew hit David Patten in the end zone for a touchdown to seal the deal and send the Pats to the Super Bowl.

Bledsoe’s heroics in the AFC Championship game was not enough to give him the starting job in the Super Bowl. Brady and the Pats beat the Rams, and that off-season Bledsoe was traded to the Buffalo Bills for a first round draft pick.

Drew had the right to be bitter when he left the Pats. It’s almost an unwritten rule in the NFL that a Quarterback can not lose his job do to injury. But when the stoic Drew Bledsoe left town he did it with class. Drew took out a full page ad in the Boston Herald and the Boston Globe thanking the fans for their support.

 

Drew was a great Quarterback in the NFL who lost his job to two rising stars (Tom Brady and Tony Romo) and one bust in Buffalo (J.P. Losman). With 44,611 passing yards, Bledsoe ranks 7th all time in NFL history, his 251 touchdowns are good for 13th all time, while his 3,839 completions rank him 5th all time.

Face it, weather you like him or not, he was a great Quarterback. He was a “Dan Marino” on a bad team with the Pats and Bills. If you were to switch Bledsoe with Favre, by putting Bledsoe on the Packers, we may be talking about one of the best Quarterbacks to ever play the game. In my mind Bledsoe is Hall of Fame worthy, but will probably get the shaft. So long Drew, and thanks for the memories.
Bruschi on Bledsoe’s retirement
Bledsoe tails off …

Save The Black Donnellys

This is the first time that I have ever had a post about anything other than sports; but I can’t let this show go down without a fight. I am a re-run type guy, my nightly viewing usually consists of classics like Seinfeld, and Friends, but a couple of months ago when my buddy told me about The Black Donnellys I got hooked. I don’t get into new shows, I don’t watch 24 or Lost, but I was really getting into The Black Donnellys, and after only half a dozen episodes NBC is pulling the plug on the Donnellys, the remainder of season one will air on line on NBC’s website.

The show is about four Irish brothers living in a rough town in New York City, I know Bostonians… New York, but they hardly ever mention the city, so I just pretend it takes place in Southie. The story is being narrated by Joey ‘Ice Cream’ telling the story from a jail cell to anyone that will listen to him. Joey is the long time friend of the Donnellys, but it is not revealed as to why he is telling the story. The brothers (Jimmy, Tommy, Kevin and Sean) were always involved Irish Mafia in town, and become even more involved when the Boss of the neighborhood, Huey, and the Boss of the Italian Mafia, Sal, get whacked in the first episode. The Italians and the Irish had always coexisted in the neighborhood, but now the neighborhood is on the brink of war after the loss of their leaders.

When I heard the show was being pulled off the air I was outraged and surprised. If I had to describe the show in less than 5 words I would tell you, “Sopranos” meets “The Departed.” Just check out this trailer.

The show honestly has everything. Guys if you are looking for action this show will cure your Soprano’s hangover. The show also has many humorous aspects to it as well; Joey Ice Cream, the narrator, is telling the story from behind bars and provides the comic relief needed in this type of show. Jimmy, the oldest brother, seems to always be making enemies for the family, Tommy, a few years younger than Jimmy, is always “saving the day.” Tommy is easily the most intriguing character in the show.

And yes ladies, as you saw in the trailer there is a love aspect to the show as well. Jenny and Tommy are perfect for each other. They both love each other, but Tommy is always to busy saving his brother’s asses for them to have a relationship.

So please give this show a chance. It can no longer be seen on television, but you can watch it online at NBC’s site. It is also one of the most frequently downloaded videos on Itunes. If enough people watch the on-line episodes then NBC will consider bringing it back. If NBC doesn’t bring the show back it is rumored that HBO, FX, or USA may be interested in picking it up. This story can not go untold; the last episode was in my mind the best so far.

Please help save my favorite show, how many episodes of shows like Law and Order, CSI, and Criminal Minds can you watch. These shows have been on the air for years now, and they SUCK! Honestly, its the same story over and over… Dead stripper, dead millionair, kidnapped teen-ager, you’ve seen one you’ve seen em’ all. Take a chance on a show with a real story line you can sink your teeth into. Sit down at your computer one night and watch the first episode of the Black Donnelly’s, and then try not to click on the next episode.

For some reason NBC has taken the Pilot episode off their web site, so here is the ending of the pilot episode if you are interested.

Sign the Save the Black Donnellys Petition

Black Donnelys News Blog

Asante Wants To Be #1

Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel could pull a “Deion Branch” and sit out some of next year’s NFL season, if the New England Patriots do not pony up the dough, or trade him. Asante Samuel had ten interceptions last season; that good enough to be tied for first place in the NFL with All World defensive back, Champ Bailey.

Bailey, the Bronco’s corner, was the highest paid cornerback in the league until the San Francisco 49ers made CB, Nate Clements, the richest defensive player in NFL history by inking the defensive back to an 8 year $80 million deal.

Clements only had 3 interceptions last season with the Buffalo Bills, and returned one for a touchdown. Samuel had 10 picks for the Patriots last season. Asante also has four post season interceptions, three of them were returned for touchdowns, none of them bigger than his interception against Peyton Manning and the Colts in the 2007 AFC Championship game.

This past off-season the Patriots tagged Asante Samuel as their franchise player, meaning that he would get paid the average of the top five salaries at the cornerback position for the entire year. That number is set to $7,790,000. That seems like a nice lump of cash to me, the only problem is that Asante feels that he can get top dollar on the open market; basically he wants Nate Clements money. The Patriots will never make a player on their team the highest played player at his position.

Is Tom Brady the best all around Quarterback? Probably. Is Richard Seymour the best all around defensive end? He is up there. But neither of these guys make top dollar at their position, and they are the cornerstones of the Patriot’s dynasty.

           It’s been no secret that Asante has been eyeing a fat contract for a while now.  Boston Globe sports writer Jackie MacMullan wrote a great piece about Asante Samuel entitled, Payment Due, the article appeared in the Boston Globe on January 7, 2007.  In the article MacMullan describes the rough life that Asante Samuel lived growing up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Samuel and his family were poor.  When Samuel made it to the NFL he got the words, “Get Paid” tattooed across his chest.  The tattoo is reminder that the NFL is a business and he needs to make some money while he can.    The 26 year-old Samuel is in the prime of his career, and if the Patriots don’t act soon Asante will be getting paid by another team next season.