Well, Red Sox Nation can now take one giant collective breath: Jonathon Papelbon is back where he belongs.
Closing games for the Boston Red Sox. EVERYONE COME AWAY FROM THE EDGE OF THE CLIFF, ITS OK NOW.
With all the doom and gloom being written and said, you would have thought the boys were destined to finish in last place with the candidates that Theo brought in to try to win the closer's job. Personally, I kinda thought we'd be OK, and that if Piniero or Hansen could not step it up, then Theo would just swing a deal. I knew Pap being put back in was an option: just did not think it would happen this quick.
All that being said, am I glad he's back at the back end of the pen? You betcha: we could be looking at OUR Mariano Rivera for the next 12-15 years. He's got the makeup, the stuff, and attitude to burn: one of my favorite things about last year was Pap coming in and when he'd go into his stretch, that real slow turn of the head, then the Eastwood-esque squint, followed usually by some poor soul flailing away like a blindfolded kid at a pinata. He makes the Red Sox a better team as the closer right now. Maybe one day down the road they find the next Gagne, K-Rod, Rivera, or Papelbon, and he can give starting a whirl.
What I find hilarious is the gnashing of teeth that has gone on for a month now about who the closer would be. Do people not stop and think before going off? Take away the Yankees, the Angels, the Mets, and now the Red Sox. Can you name one team who does not have some type of doubt or question who their closer will be? The White Sox won in 2005 with a rookie named Bobby Jenks as the closer? Take last year: the Cardinals won with their regular closer off getting hip surgery. Play hard, get into the dance, get hot at the right time, and it's anybodies ball game.
All that said, I'm happy The Papelbot is back making like John Wayne at high noon. I'm also thrilled beyond words that Crazy Julian gets the 5th starter role. Number one, I think he'll do just fine. Number two, the entertainment index of a Sox game when he pitches just shot through the roof. You never know when he will punch someone, punch the dugout phone, start pointing at everyone like Manny on crack, and the random biting off of a finger cannot be dismissed entirely. Good times, good times.
On a personal note, me, Matty, and my brother-in-law Keith start the glamorous event known as "The International Home Furnishings Market" in High Point, NC tomorrow. Trust me, it sounds way more exciting than it is: it's basically a trade show where you have to wear a coat and tie and wait for bored buyers to come around and look at your stuff. Plus, High Point, except for the Market area's, is a hell hole waiting to be eaten up by the drug dealers that surround it. Matty is bringing his lap top, and something called "Wi-Fi". All I know is it means I can post without being plugged into everything. So I'll be checking in during the day more than usual, and the "Diary of the Furniture Market" is not beyond the realm of possibility. Down side is I get home late and with the Axis of Evil known as Ciera, Rakes, and Trot, I may not post as much as I'd like.
I'll do my best, but I'm just giving fair warning. Or cause for celebration. Whatever it is, I'll be back in the saddle by Opening Day.
Play Ball!
108 comments:
yay.I am so glad i get to see tavarez start not close.paps do your magic closing again this year.
//I'll do my best, but I'm just giving fair warning. Or cause for celebration//
You not posting is not a cause for celebration if it was scott on the other hand it would be.
Hey Kaylee: yeah, I really don't think I'm all that good at this, but I do think the comment section, especially with Scotty chiming in, is pretty entertaining.
Ted your posting is Great..just accept that.
glad to see Paps back in the Closer! I love watching his "look"
Ted,you do a heck of alot better at it than I do.This blog wouldnt be the same without scott and his comments thats for sure.Okay this is my 10th mountain dew I should lay off.
Is that look not classic Tex? It's like he's deciding whether to throw a strike or should he put one right between your numbers.
I'm pumped he's back.
What did you decide on DirecTV? You getting it, or are you going the computer route? 'Cause I KNOW you will have the games, one way or another.
I ordered DirecTV yesterday. BUT i didnt know i had to have a phone line... now I got to get that arranged first. plus Im traveling the next 2 weeks!!
Damn Straight Im gonna watch the Games!!
Man...its been a long winter!!
I kinda already had Directv so bud,just made it easier to get the games........no more of the stupid mlbtv.
Good for you Tex. I got it hooked up on Tuesday, and I'm pumped. You are gonna love getting the pre and post game on NESN. Just make sure you buy the $12 per month sports pack. You get NESN and YES, which means you can keep an eye on them MFY's.
//which means you can keep an eye on them MFY's.//
You can also watch them lose!!!!!!!!!
wait....i got the mlbxtra innings...i need more??
Yeah Tex: if you want NESN all the time, you need to call back and order the Sports Pack: it cost's $12 dollars per month, but you get NESN along with a million FSN channels. That way you get the pre game and post game on NESN, plus if it's an out of town game, lets say to the Royals. If it runs past the alloted 4 hours on extra innings, you can catch the rest of the game on NESN. They usually block NESN during a game from 7-11 pm. If the game runs longer, you can switch to NESN and catch the rest there.
It's worth it: trust me.
Kaylee , you are starting to remind of my daughters.I don't know if I want to ground you or slip you twenty dollars as you go out. Ted I could have your lawn looking like a freaken garden show for what you spend on Direct insanity. Take it to the bank ,Treenewt will have you blogging on gays bobs home decor site if you let him set up the wango de tango!!!!(can I say gay bob on this site?
Scottie are you the "cool dad"?
Good question. I like to think I am still in the know. But I don't try to be their bestfriend. Does that make sense?
perfect sense. as you may know i was a juvenile probation officer...i was always thought of as cool by most of the kids....until I busted them...they acted surprised..but I asked them..."what did i tell you at the very start?...ive got a job to do...you obey the rules...we're cool...you disobey the rules..Im locking you up.." they remember...and smile...I had many kids come back to the office years later thanking me.
being in that position was hard on my son who went to school with them..
Yes thats a tough role.I've always been involved with kids thru the church and the kids friends but if they think you are soft they will walk on you. I just make a point of "making them like me " even if they don't want to at first. We as adults tend to forget how tough teenage yrs can be and how kids seem to walk a tightrope most of them make it to the other side but for some the smallest puff of wind koncks them off.
Bub. For future referemce. You can say gay bob here. Whatever that means!
//Kaylee , you are starting to remind of my daughters.I don't know if I want to ground you or slip you twenty dollars as you go out//
Scotty,You'd be scared to slip me twenty dollars on the way out you dont know what kinds of things I buy with my extra money.Should i be glad i remind you of your daughters?
$20 doesnt buy much these days in stores or on the streets
Not with what I buy TEX.
Scott's a great dad, and he and my sister are raising 4 terrific kids.
(I'm partial, but aren't aunts supposed to be? :)
Scott, Ted can spend the money on Direct TV or whatever. He lives in the fancy neighborhood where your landscaping and mowing services are provided. I, on the other hand, need your assistance! Bring your ideas for my front yard in July! :)
Oh yeah, Ted, just to touch on the topic of your actual blog, I'm glad Papalbum (whatever) is the closer. If you're happy, we're all happy.
I am a little worried about Tree Newt. He may need counseling after all the grief you two have given him. You know, the baby of the family is not used to that much abuse. :)
wait Matt's the BABY??!! oh Man am I ever gonna have fun with that one
okay I am ready to go tonight:)
Yep Tex: Matty is the baby. Mom let(s) him get away with anything he wanted!
1st day of Market down, 9 more to go. Man, that is depressing to look at.
yeah every family has their baby. I was it till my lil blonde curly haired baby sister was born when I was 4 yrs old. I showed her though....at age 5 I got her to 'play' barbershop with me.....i was too young to realize i needed to hide the evidence. My mom found all the golden locks in the garage...I remember that whooping to this day!
Hand or belt Tex? My Pop used to take his belt off as soon as we got in the car and lay it on the seat!
You being mean to your sister? I HIGHLY doubt that! That's the one you spend Christmas with right?
oh yes I was QUITE the jealous little girl when she was born!! we fought like cats and dogs...but being so close in age...and she babysat my son alot since I had him so young...she and i are really close.
Jello, I will be glad when I go back to work this freetime is killing me. Took 9 teenagers hiking and bolder jumbing today. Sonya and the big girls have gone to Big D thats dallas for you Carolina boys. So Garrison and I are on the loose tonight. I hope you boys didn't have to much wine and chesse at the big market today. Yep Tex Mattie is the caboose of that clan. And spoiled does not began to explain him.
You are making me want Jello now Scotty just what i need sugar.
You, Scotty, are in the midst of a massive mid life crisis! Boulder jumping and rock climbing? What's your next trick, skydiving? A Harley? You are too much.
No wine and cheese: whining and boredom was plentiful.
If Matt's the caboose, I guess I'm the coal car: kinda fitting.
Hey TEDDERS!! Do NOT RAG on Scotty for being adventuresome!!! Age is JUST a freaking number!! old is not a real word.
But Tex, have you not figured out that's like breathing: it's just natural! Plus, my idea of being active is climbing the stairs, so I secretly admire Scott for doing stuff like that.
::just don't tell him, OK.::
//Plus, my idea of being active is climbing the stairs,//
Thats more than my idea of being active:)
all of this affection is making me giddy! Tex has back, if I can just get her to run up to big D and take my credit cards from the girls I would be a happy man. Ted my goal this year is to strech your comfort zone move you out of your recliner, take your finger off of the remote. AGE is just a measure for chesse.
i wish I could put a HUGE smiley face on here! Scotty...Ill be in the Big D on April 6th...not before. its a bit of a drive...and besides...if I met up with your girls...chances are Id be showing them where to spend your money. :)
sides...ive got bigger issues than that
//sides...ive got bigger issues than that //
You aint got bigger issues than me at the moment.
kaylee...at age 15, we ALL thought our issues were major issues. once you get older and face real life problems and circumstances....problems at age 15 are minor compared...im just sayin'
I actually don't sit in the recliner Scott: I "lounge" in the chair and ottoman. But I hear you knockin': I'm just not answering. Exercise sound like a whole lotta work!
OK, against my better judgement, I'll bite: are you 2 going to explain your "issues" or just leave us guessing?
my issue is an old love who i believe is my soulmate...he made major mistake and admits it now.....now wants to get reacquainted....which i have to decide to risk being hurt again...or experience happiness the rest of my life.
there its out there...
At 15 my issues were, as follows:
Girls, sports, girls, sports, girls.
Did I mention girls?
Kaylee, you are a nice kid: but I would not want to go back to being a teenager for all the gold in California.
::anyone appreciate the Gatlin Bros. Band reference?::
I could write to pages on my issues for you ted.......But to put the two biggest ones simply they are my family and my boy.
Wow Tex: that's pretty huge. You have a lot to think about.
Trust your gut Tex: it's usually right.
so Ted you see the relevance of my blog today. he lives close by...the other issue is im still seeing the guy in boston for the last 3 yrs and not willing to end that for a maybe. im not really a player like i say.....this guy is only a few yrs younger and is a cop
Well, you've got a lot to think about and it's definately not something you can figure out in a day or two. But the Tex I've gotten to know will make the right decision. You have 2 degrees, 2 jobs, love the Red Sox,and comment on my blog: makes you the smartest person I know!
Kaylee, I know your issues are very important to you, so take this for what it's worth: I'm 37 and can't remember what the names of the girls I went with in High School. I do know this: from the time I was 13-22, my parents were the dumbest people on earth, and I was amazed at how smart they got when I turned 22-23. Most of the time, they REALLY do know best.
Errrrr...wasn't the post about Papelbon? How did it turn into the Dalton family pecking order? Am I the unofficial whipping boy of this operation, or what? Yes, I'm fully aware that all you first, second, third, and where-ever-you-came in the rotation children think us youngsters were spoiled...but that's just because our parents were so happy we WERE the caboose! No more! After we leave the house, it's party time! It's fate, that's what it is. We had to deal with all the crap our older siblings threw at us, so we get the good stuff from the parents. Serendipity, karma, good fortune, luck, spoiled, whatever. I'm glad it was me.
Tree Newt, signing off
Oat Bran,
Will you PLEASE stop playing the sympathy card! :)
You know we love you and your tree hugging ways: you are just too much fun to pick on. What you need to do is start your own blog and we can start a blogger war!
Wow girls life is never dull. Tex forgiveness is required of us, second changes take some prayer and soul searching Good luck!
Kaylee I've told my girls family is forever boyfriends come and go. Problems seem to work out when you put family first.
//from the time I was 13-22, my parents were the dumbest people on earth, and I was amazed at how smart they got when I turned 22-23. Most of the time, they REALLY do know best.//
okay maybe They do know best.but,its someone else in my family that wants me to be part of his life but,he is on drugs.I just aint sure I want to be involved with omeone like that.
kaylee
family is family...regardless of their problems ... you can be supportive but not enable them. you let them know you care but wont tolerate their behavior...separate the two
GOOD ADVICE TEX!you speak like you have experience.
Kaylee, you don't. Trust me. Be their friend, but stay away.
Scotty, you see Corn Meal made a dash and grab? That boy is like a phantom.
And am I glad you showed back up. I'm not qualified for all this serious discussion: I need a wing man!
//And am I glad you showed back up. I'm not qualified for all this serious discussion: I need a wing man!//
You are the one that asked the questions to get us intop such discussions.
kaylee I do. its not easy but you just have to be up front and honest...say you'll be there to help but not help them do drugs.
its easy to get caught up in confusing behavior with the person...drugs overtake a person's true personality...its sad.
just be there
//Kaylee, you don't. Trust me. Be their friend, but stay away.//
Thats exactly the approach i was leaning toward taking:)
Btw again thanks for the advice guys....I am young and have alot of life left and I just dont want to have someone else that has screwed up there's influence meto do the same with mine.
kaylee
thats what we're here for....to keep you out of trouble. So you can tell your mom that the internet can be your friend
Tex, that was much better advice than mine: will you please answer these type's of things in the future? :)
//So you can tell your mom that the internet can be your friend //
OH I will.
kaylee
when you tell your mom...dont say it like with that tone of "see Im right" ok?
Ted...i can handle these questions...you handle oatbran and outofthebox brotherinlaw
Listen to Tex, Kaylee. She's smart. Take my comments with a grain of salt!
Seriously, you sound like you know what the right thing to do is. Just trust your instinct. The Bible say's to hate the sin, not the sinner. So whoever this is, love them, but let them know you will not be around them or condone their behavior when they are doing this. And if you can, tell an adult you trust what's going on. You would be helping this person in a big time way if you did.
Okay TEX.
//Ted...i can handle these questions...you handle oatbran and outofthebox brotherinlaw//
Will do.
Speaking of, where the heck did them 2 go anyway?
//And if you can, tell an adult you trust what's going on. You would be helping this person in a big time way if you did.//
Yeah I thought about doing that but,I am afraid that if they then approach him.It will backfire on me.
ted the two of them vamoosed cos it got too deep
Wing man here,Jr my statement about getting you out of your chair wasn't about exercise. Its about taking a adventure. Get in the car meet me in St.louie see a game.Put rakes on your back and we hike the smokey mt.Life is a highway I want to ride it all night long! We can let Matt be Wing nut come along and carry the bags. Garrison is ready to go.
Corn meal is back...I just sit and wait.
Ted, if I started a blog, no one would read it! My own brother doesn't even like to talk to me about the stuff I'm interested in! Why would anyone else? Anyway, if this blog is any indication, posters rarely end up talking about the actual blog anyway.
Why not play the sympathy card? It works!
Kaylee, as someone who has hung around with a lot of people that drug me down, I concur with the rest of the Red Sox Nation here: stay away. Love them, be their friend, but don't get involved. Tell them that if they want a closer relationship, things have to change.
These colors don't run Tex, I like it when it gets deep, I swim better than I wade.
//Tell them that if they want a closer relationship, things have to change.//
I would but this person probably wont listen.I guess i just got to lay down the law to him and let hnim choose the route he will take in the end.
And Tex, ask Ted how many times he's had to tell me to shut up when the conversation gets too deep. I rarely stop.
Kaylee, that's exactly right. You stand your ground.
Scott and I think TOO much alike...scary!! ya ted...a road trip!!! i want so bad to go to Atlanta...and St Louis. maybe next year ill do those.
Matt what are you interested in? climbing trees?
Tex, stop it, you're killing me.
I like acorns, and granola, and cars that burn biodiesel, and Al Gore, and tofu...
scott i was just messing...and amazingly you two goofballs show up!!
I believe the blog is going for an all time record high for posts!!
//Kaylee, that's exactly right. You stand your ground. //
Thas exactly what I will do.Okay now that that is solved lets talk about sumething else and I dont mean climbing trees okay matt.
Gotcha Kaylee!
//I like acorns//
What are you a squirrel?
hey im environmentally friendly.
Not climbing Tex: hugging.
Angie is CRACKING up now! You boys are too much.
Tex, I've got to tell Matt to bag it every now and then. I'm about as deep as a paper bag, and he will just go off on these rants.
I find I need to lay down when he does this.
Oh Kaylee, you just lobbed one right down the center of Scotty's plate...thanks...can't wait for the reponse to that comment!
oh youre welcome.I am always here to do stuff like that.
I can think of better things to do than hug a tree. why dont you plant one instead??
Canola oil gets picked on because he is such a nice guy: his older brother, me, lives to rag on him.
Just wait until Baltimore Tex: you are in for a treat!
I will say this Tex, and you can believe it or not: Matty and I talk 2 or 3 times a day on the phone, and not a call goes by with out it ending with the 2 BROTHERS (just in case anyone got the wrong idea) that we don't say "Love you man".
Still don't mean I'm not gonna bust his marbles every chance I get.
Guys, I'm about as deep as a mudpuddle. My brother just shuns any type of conversation that gets into greater depth than "Did you see Dice-K's gyroball?" I get the rap as a tree-hugger because, when on vacation, I love to find a shady spot outside and read, and/or play guitar. Ted's favorite reading spot is the can, and that's coincidentaly the only instrument he's proficient at. You see, it's all relative.
By the way, what are you still doing up Matty? You acted like you were at deaths door today.
Getting your second wind?
ted
alot of people who first get to know me...think im all fun and laughs...so they're alittle taken back when I start my serious discussions and read my poetry..the expressions are priceless
Tex, to answer your plant a tree comment, my wife and I planted 10 at our last house. Saplings. Very sweet and cute. All but 3 died, but hey, I tried.
There...fuel for your furnace, boys. Run with it.
//Ted's favorite reading spot is the can, and that's coincidentaly the only instrument he's proficient at. You see, it's all relative.//
I just had a coughing fit I'm laughing so hard!
Did Scotty fall asleep on us?
Hey the squirrel likes our thoughtful comments thats why he is here:)
\\Ted's favorite reading spot is the can, and that's coincidentaly the only instrument he's proficient at. You see, it's all relative. //
I am rolling off this couch!!!!!!!!!
Teddy, I'm awake because my wife has me paying bills online. She's like a machine!
I'm glad I could bring some joy to the world this fine day. I hate to do it, but I'm signing off for the night. Peace out, Tree Newt.
oH dont you love paying those!
//my wife and I planted 10 at our last house.//
WHERE IS SCOTT? This is too good to be true: you just called a tree "cute"!
i helped an old boyfriend plant hundreds of pine trees and fruit trees on his 160 acre plot...and he wonders why i left :)
//WHERE IS SCOTT?//
He is trying to figure out how to respond back to me and my squirrel comments!
ted
i love how your family is. they crack me up and the love is felt.
enough of parental advice
I think is about time for a new post:)
I have got to say: I have laughed until I cried: Tex, Scott, Matty, and Kaylee, you made my night!
Ted,thats my goal in life to make people happy:)
while being happy myself of course.
Sorry G-man and I are decusssing the finer points of guitar hero .Like who was guns and roses He is 12. Kaylee thank you very much I had matt in the wrong catagory. Matt we now will refer to you as the flying tree squirrel.
night all. working tomorrow so gotta get some sleep
oh youre welcome scott I just said my thoughts when I read that comment about time you came back.
See ya Tex: I'm off as well.
Bub, the Flying Squirrel will hear about all this tomorrow.
Promise!
Scotty:Guitar?I cant play
instruments
I found out that a cat can play the piano better than me yesterday.night TEx.
Post a Comment