Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Star-Spangled


My friend Wendy Roy is singing the National Anthem before tomorrow night's Red Sox game against Tampa Bay at Fenway Park.  This isn't her first time in the majors (haha) - that's her in the picture.

Awesome, right?

Perhaps even more awesome is the song about Boston that she wrote and performed... you might have heard it at Fenway.  Check it out!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

On the Road

This week the Sox went from so-close-you-can-almost-taste-it to so-close-to-being-swept by the Rockies this week. They haven't lost three games in a row since May 15-17 against the Tigers and Yankees (thanks Extrabases for that stat).

I'll will be listening to the game on the car radio with the babe as we make our first solo trip to CT for the weekend. She's in her Red Sox onesie ready to pass out in her car seat, so this is just a quick post while daddy loads our bags in the car.

During last nights game John Lackey tried to bunt with two strikes. This is weird becaue Lackey is a pitcher but also normal because Lackey is a pitcher. The Rockies are in the west division of the National league where pitchers take a turn up at bat. Players don't normally bunt with two strikes because if it goes foul it counts as strike number three.*

But when there is a runner on and less than two outs, a pitcher will bunt with two strikes because they are usually not great hitters. Pitchers bunt to try to advance the runner. Darnell MacDonald was on first, so Lackey bunted (his best chance for a hit), but hit the ball foul.


Gotta go. Let's hope the Sox keep the (no more than two loses in a row) streak going.



Dave told me that a bunt is the only situation where you can strike out on a foul ball. I just realized that I have never talked about foul territory on the blog... or the dimensions of different fields, or the history of baseball. This last one I actually wrote one weekend when I didn't have internet access, but did have an old reference book about baseball. Somehow it never got posted. As I have got to get on the road, these topics will have to wait for another night.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Fatigue

Now I know why there is an all-star break.

It's for the bloggers.

I have still been watching every Red Sox game. Yesterday we went to Cambridge Brewing Co. to eat and watch the game. I was definitely chatting with our friends (New York-based Sox fans), enjoying my beer, and making sure the baby didn't choke on her green beans, so I'll admit my mind wasn't completely on the game. But most games I'm just sitting on the couch, eyes on the TV.

It's the blogging that's killing me.

For example, I really should have posted on Friday about Manny. Manny Ramirez played for the Sox from 2000-2008. He was there for the 2004 and 2007 World Series wins, but there was a bit of controversy around his being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers (in a three-way trade that scored the Sox Jason Bay from the Pirates). If anyone would like to know more about the controversy, email me and I'll have Dave call you. He seems to really enjoy talking about it, although, unlike many, he has unflagging support for Manny.

The Dodgers (and Manny) were in Boston this weekend, and it would have been a really great subject for the blog. Friday afternoon pre-game: will the fans cheer or boo? Friday post-game: they cheered for the most part. Saturday during the game: Did you see Manny's homerun? Tonight: Can you believe the BS about Manny that is coming out of these commentators' mouths?

But I am experiencing some blogger fatigue. I have to learn more about this All-Star Break. For now I'm blissfully picturing it as a week or two. In the tropics. With a beach. And a book.

And no blogging.


NOTE: I am sure this is just a phase, and in no way means I don't appreciate each and every reader and the time they spend with me each day (or every few days as I try to get out of this blogging fatigue). XOXO, Alli

Thursday, June 17, 2010

La pregunta del dia

See if you can guess the question of the day.

Huge sportsfans, as well as those with only a faint inkling of the momentous occassion ocurring tonight, have been asking me it.

All. Day. Long.

Oh yeah, this question is bigger than coke or pepsi? Dunk your Oreos or not?

It doesn't seem to matter that the Sox moved the game to 6:10pm so that we could watch both, everyone wants to know which I'll be watching.

Red Sox or Yankees?

As if I have a choice! I'm watching or listening to every Sox game this season. In retrospect I should have inclded a clause. Every game... unless the Celtics are playing the Lakers in game 7 of the NBA Finals.

Whoops. I guess I'll miss the first inning of the Celtics game. I hope they score lots of goals. Do you think Magic Johnson will get any playing time tonight?*

Honestly, go Celtics! I hope you win. And watch out, I just might start following basketball.

Next year.


*Just to be clear, I know that basketball has quarters and you score baskets. There are five (maybe) players on the court at a time. Kobe Bryant plays for the Lakers and we hate him. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen play for the Celtics. Magic Johnson does not. Kisses, Pinkhat.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Religious Experience

I may have my issues with the Catholic religion,* but here is something I do like. No matter where you travel or what church you attend, it’s always the same. In this hectic life where stress often gets the best of me, there’s something calming about all the ritual.

Fenway gives me a similar feel.** No matter what team they’re playing or how the Sox are faring, the program is always the same. Announce the visiting team the Red Sox, the umpires. Color guard marches onto the field, the anthem is sung, “Play Ball!”

Ahhhhh.

Tonight I was lucky enough to be on the Green Monster selling 50/50 raffle tickets for the Red Sox Foundation when David Ortiz hit his home run. Not sure what the church equivalent of that is. Being in the choir loft when Moses walks in?

Holy sacrilege! With that, goodnight. (I'm off to say my prayers for that one.)



*Don’t you hate when pinkhat gets all political?
** Don’t you hate when pinkhat compares religion to baseball? See http://www.pinkhatbluehat.com/2010/04/indoctrination.html

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Bookclub

I caught the beginning and end of last night's game against the Cleveland Indians on the radio.

The middle of the game I followed using my iPhone MLB.com app that gives the play-by-play. Let me tell you, play-by-play is not the same as listening to commentary or watching the game. It's way slower for one, and when pitchers Boof Bonser and Joe Nelson face 14 batters in one inning, you'll swear someone's tapped into your phone to play a practical joke.

It also kills the battery on the iPhone. Unfortunately I learned this when I really needed the maps app to find my way home from bookclub.

Yes, bookclub. I used to have real hobbies before committing to watch or listen to every Red Sox game this season. Not that we ever talk about the book.

Would you call complaining about men and gossiping about sex a hobby?

Anyway, perhaps as punishment for keeping one eye on the iPhone all meeting, the bookclub ladies gave me a rude awakening. "I used to be able to follow what you were talking about," one said. "You used to explain everything."

"Now you sound like a guy," said another.

Okay, I'm trying to become a bluehat - not a guy - and I wouldn't mind bringing a few pinkhats with me. Plus, I would like to stay true to my roots. My biggest gripe with baseball is how the rules and lingo make it inaccessible to people who haven't always been immersed in it.

I'll do better, promise. With the Sox going from uh-oh to woo-hoo, I got a little caught up in the day-today activity of the game. Look forward to reading more on my baseballucation in the coming weeks.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Amateur Night

Don't be confused, this draft has little to do with amateurs. Last year's number one pick of Stephen Strasburg by the Nationals came with a year of negotiation and, ultimately, a 15.1 million dollar price tag. In an unprecedented amateur draft event, the Nationals had the first pick again this year. They chose 17-year-old hitting-wonder Bryce Harper who is likely to request a similar wage through agent Scott Boras, who is also Straburg's agent and according to Dave "everything that is wrong with baseball."*

I don't know what I was expecting. Perhaps a compilation of the try-out scene from "A League of Their Own", the draft-day episode of the sitcom "The League", and amateur comedian night at Maui Taco. Alas, there were no ooh and ahh moments as sexy women hit over the fence. And no one called anyone else a dickwad... at least not on TV. More about Maui Taco below.

The Sox did have some prospects visit Fenway. Francona reported that Kolbrin Vitek was excited to meet all the Sox... and in a Francona awarded dork-of-the-year moment called Dustin Pedroia a "cool guy". I don't see what is wrong with that. Shouldn't an amateur get excited to meet his favorite player?

The Sox picked up Vitek, a likely-third-basemen, possible-center-fielder, in pick 20. They also got right fielder Bryce Brentz in pick 36, and pitcher Anthony Ranaudotha (another Boras "advisee") in the 39th pick.

Day Two of the draft, Rounds 2-30, starts today at noon, and Day Three starts tomorrow at noon. The Sox have pick numbers 57, 110, and 143.

Maybe days two and three will be a little more like amateur night at the Maui Taco, a Mexican joint in NYC that serves pre-packaged cheese whiz with your nachos and real amateurs. Like one lady Susan who hated her mother and complained (really complained, not funny complained) about her life for 15 minutes. Her punchline was "Bill [the organizer] told me I didn't have to be funny. I just had to pay my five dollars."

Forget the big shots and the big bucks... wouldn't it be more inspiring (funny?) to let people like Susan try out.... comedy is definitely not her thing and it would help pinkhats get more involved in the sport if they knew even bipolar women in their 50s might catch a break in the majors.



*I think this (Scott Boras not my husband) warrants its own post... although if the beef with Boras is being exposed, perhaps Dave deserves a little dirty-laundry-airing too. Dave, remember that time...

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Baseball Weekend

This was quite a weekend for baseball.

The BoSox went 2-1 in a series against the Baltimore Orioles. Especially good considering the Yankees lost the first two games in a three-game series against the Toronto Bluejays, and first place Tampa Bay Rays lost two the Texas Rangers.

There were a few things that were even more exciting.

Friday night demonstrated there could be four or more outs (sort of) in an inning- good to know in case I'm ever on a game show like "Stump a Pinkhat". Orioles pitcher Mark Hendrickson struck out Bill Hall, but catcher Matt Wieters missed the ball (committed a passed ball) and Hall took off for first. In this type of situation the pitcher is credited with a strikeout, but the out isn't recorded on the scoreboard.

Saturday night Dave and I planned to drink a mint mojito or two, watch the game, and get a decent nights sleep. Our baby has a sense of humor, afterall. The later (and more tipsy) we go to bed the earlier she wakes up.

Couple problems with that plan. One, we've never made mojitos before, so it took a few "practice runs" to get it right. Yes, we drank the rejects. Two, our landlords had the game projected on the big screen (the garage), and after the Sox game ended, they flipped back and forth between softball championship playoff games. I took the opportunity to learn a few things about softball from a longtime coach, and Dave took the opportunity to drink our neighbor's beer. And my mojitos, although he left more than enough for me.

Sunday, following what I'm sure you can imagine was a rocky start for me and Dave, the game was interrupted by a huge clap of thunder followed by heavy winds, lightning, and torrential rain. A huge branch of a tree fell across the street right in front of our house. Once the storm was over we went for a walk to, as Dave said, "view the carnage". There were trees split and uprooted everywhere.

I missed an extra inning and a half, but returned home to see the Sox lose. Checking out the neighborhood after the storm was more exciting than that... but all and all it was a great weekend for baseball.

Particularly if you're a Sox fan... and lover of mint mojitos.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Heartache

Dave must have noticed something in the ticker on the bottom of the screen. He frantically searched the TV guide using the remote and then switched channels. "Watch this," he urged, knowing I would protest any deviation from my Sox-watching.

Not exactly a "where were you when Kennedy was shot?" question, but I feel like Dave helped me witness some history.

Or did he? We switched channels to the Cleveland Indians-Detroit Tigers game. Top of the ninth and Armando Galarraga was maintaining a perfect game (and his cool). Not only would it be Detroits first perfect game, it would be the first time in one season there were three perfect games thrown.

One out, two outs. Then Cabrera hits an infield groundball. The first basemen Miguel Cabrera fielded the ball, throwing it to Galarraga who had moved to cover first. The routine play was executed excellently- according to every announcer, player, and bluehat I've heard describe the play.

Umpire Jim Joyce said Donalds was safe. Until he watched the replay. It is clear that Galarraga stepped on the bag at least a full step before he reached home.

Galarraga handled it with more grace than anyone involved.

Including me. As I watched that moment in history- a moment that until now I might not have had any interest in, or even understood- I held my breath as the pitch was thrown, cringed until the first basemen threw the ball to Galarraga, and groaned and cursed when Joyce made the safe call.

My heart actually hurt for Galarraga. For that moment I think I was every bit a bluehat.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Red Sox Foundation 50/50 Raffle

Nope, I didn't take a job at Home Depot. Or just finish running a marathon. Next time you see someone at Fenway wearing one of these fashion-forward orange aprons (and sweating from running around under the stands and climbing all those stairs) consider purchasing tickets from them for the 50/50 raffle.

50% of the proceeds go to Red Sox Foundation programs such as tutoring and college scholarships for inner-city students. The other 50% just might go to you. Tonight we sold nearly $6k in tickets, which I'm told was a really slow night.

Way to go Red Sox Nation!

Karma

Tonight I'm volunteering at Fenway for the 50/50 raffle, which benefits all the great programs sponsored by the Red Sox Foundation. Two New Year's Eve's ago, I resolved that I would volunteer more... a vow that fizzled once I learned I was pregnant.

With the success of this year's resolution to watch or listen to every Sox game, I decided to make good on both resolutions by.... volunteering while I watch the Sox.

Could karma be kicking in before I even arrive at Fenway? Apparently pinkhatbluehat.com was listed on Boston.com.

So, welcome new readers. Check out some of my favorite posts:

You Gotta Be Kidding ME
Indoctrination

Sabernonsense

We took a trip back to the Middle Ages (home) where I guess I should be happy there is a color television with NESN, if not a computer or Internet access. While I upheld my commitment to watch or listen to every game, I was not able to follow the baseball buzz or blog about what I learned.

Back in the 21st Century (Boston), I spend the early morning catching up. As I drink my early cup of coffee and catch cheerios being thrown off the highchair tray by my daughter, I read the latest baseball news- go Roy Halladay with the perfect game! Every so often I turn to wikipedia to refresh my memory- what is a perfect game again?

Did you hear that among designated hitters David Ortiz has the highest OPS? For the season. Not just for May when he's been on fire.

In fact, at .929 his OPS is higher than it's been since 2007, when it reached 1.066.

Great news... but what is an OPS?

OPS stands for on-base plus slugging percentage. Now I could break down on-base percentage and slugging percentage and how they combine to form OPS, but I don't feel like doing algebra this morning. Basically OPS takes into account hits, bases on balls, times hit by a pitch, at bats, sacrifice flies, and total number of bases. Thanks, Wikipedia!

Pinkhats, think of it as a measure of hitting awesomeness.

Bluehats, think of it as another measure you invented to confuse us pinkhats.

According to Wikipedia, OPS is part of Sabermetrics, which has an even less self-explanatory acronym than OPS. Sabermetrics are baseball statistics driven by information from the Society for American Baseball Reference-the SABR, hence SABeRmetrics. The term was coined by Bill James, who also pushed it into popularity and wrote it's manifesto.

I will have to learn more about this Bill James fellow. For now, I blame you bluehats for allowing this nonsense, unless some of you can explain the importance of Sabermetrics and the need for a manifesto.

The more I learn about baseball, the more appealing it sounds to move to Amish Country North (home), where they might not play baseball with a stick and stone, but they don't have Wikipedia to ruin your morning cup of coffee.