Sunday, April 29, 2007

The Loveable Kookiness of Julian Tavarez


* Picture from the Boston Globe*
If a picture tells a thousand words what does this one say? Eyechart hits a slow roller down the first base line, Julian grabs it, and instead of stepping on first, he stops. Mientkiewicz looks shocked, Youk looks peeved, and Tavarez looks like a phsycopath.

Thankfully, Julian's knee did not collapse and Youk didn't deck Minky, which from his words and eyecharts reaction, was a very real possibility.



Bottom line? Red Sox win 7-4, led by home runs from Papi, Manny, and lil' Alex Cora, who added a triple for good measure. Tito has a real dilemma on playing Cora or Pedroia: obviously Munchkin is the future and the only way he'll get better is by playing everyday. But Cora has been great at the plate this year and is a heady, steady glove in the field.

As for Tavarez, he is now 1-2 for the year, and the way he pitched today has probably given him at least one more start and a little more time for Jon Lester to get back to full strength.

Pitching box score for the Sox today:
Tavarez: 5IP, 3H, 3ER, 2BB, 2K
Okajima: 2IP, 1H, 0ER, 0BB, 4K
Timlin: 1IP, 2H, 1ER, 0BB, 1K
Paps: 1IP, 1H, 0ER, 0BB, 1K


Plus, Papelbon gets his 8th save in as many chances. He's getting close to Rivera territory, where you pretty much can take it to the bank: last one out hit the lights please. If the Red Sox continue to get pitching like this, they are going to be very tough to beat.

AL East Standings as of today:
Boston 16-8
Toronto 12-12 4GB
Baltimore 12-13 4.5 GB
Tampa Bay 10-14 6.0 GB
NY Yankees 9-14 6.5 GB


I know, I know: it won't stay that way I'm sure.

But isn't it pretty to look at.

61 comments:

  1. Wow! 1st poster! Whoo Hoo!

    OK, I know I said I would be perfectly happy with 2 out of 3..but I am not--we should have swept them this weekend...:-(

    But I am glad that Julian got the win (he is bugsh*t--he really is) But I will be even more glad when Jon Lester comes back--I thought his stuff was electric last year, and really enjoyed watching him pitch..:-)

    Hope you are well!

    Go Sox!

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  2. Christine,

    I'm well and so is the family.

    And I'll agree: Julian is Bat***t crazy. There really is no doubt.

    But he did his job and the Sox took 2 of 3 from the MFY's so all is good. And I'm just as ready for Jon's return as you are. I've got to see him pitch in person in the ATL and I'm ready for him to be back at Fenway.

    And we SHOULD have swept them: the way Wake pitched with only giving up 3 runs, the bats should be ashamed.

    Day off tomorrow, so we'll see how they do on Tuesday.

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  3. i love batshit! i mean norm. watching Casino Royale...new post will have to wait till tomorrow

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  4. Tex, go ahead and turn off the tv. Bond gets the girl!

    Jr.I hope I don't hear back from you so I will know you have gone to sleep. You gotta chill a little bit.

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  5. WHAT???!!! now SCott you gone and ruined it for me??? :)

    hey you give anymore thought to Saturdays game on Memorial weekend?? it's at 3pm on that sat...2 tickets for only $28 a piece...right next to the bullpen

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  7. nice win hopefully I can see a good game tuesday:-)
    when I am back I will admit I am grounded from the computer til then there I told the truth scott.in the meantime gotta go get the history grade up:)

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  8. Haven't seen today's game yet but will rerun it on MLB.tv just to see Snor Tavarez blocking first base. He's one of a kind!

    Looking at the series, te Sox were probably the width of the unfortnate Karstens' leg from the sweep.

    Igawa, with no time to get psyched about a start pitched a gem. Tip your hat, Tim. Good job he (Timmy)is a philosopher.

    Hope you're well.

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  9. Scotty, not much better: up every 30 minutes or so. Maybe it's just carryover from the Yankees series! And how could you ruin a Bond movie for Tex?

    Horsham, I'll agree with you: Lugo misses his leg, and Igawa never comes in. And you are right: he pitched so well because he had no time to think about it. I'm good and wish the same for you.

    Have a great Monday everyone.

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  10. and Scottie boy..you were WRONG!! Bonds did NOT get the girl this time...

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  11. Now I know why you call him "Crazy Julian." I think Alex Cora is the man; he plays some tough ball.

    The standings look really good; enjoy the Stankees being in last place while it lasts.

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  12. Tex I am really looking to see if I will able to go. I will let you know this week!

    Jr. Did you have a better day?

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  13. It may be early, but it's still good to see the Sox at the top, and with a pretty nice little cushion. It makes it even sweeter that the Stankees are cellar-dwelling.

    I hope you ain't on here late, bro. I hope you sleep like a baby.

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  14. //I think Alex Cora is the man//

    NO stacy. munchkins better...dont argue that or forever hold your peace:-)

    i am so gunna regret being on the computer while being grounded later.but,at least i aint sneaking out of the house.

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  15. //I hope you sleep like a baby.//

    babies dont sleep to well:D

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  16. Kaylee, some babies do.

    Good job obeying your parents, btw.

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  18. tree quirrel,haha I know,I know,I shouldnt be on here but,she aint home......some babies? which,ones? yours? my brother dont.he sleeps about 4 hours in the whole night!

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  19. Kaylee if I talk to you, then I am aiding a Juvie. I know Tex wont talk to you while you are on house arrest!

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  20. Kaylee, my little girl doesn't quite sleep all night every night, but she sleeps more than Ted does right now.

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  21. Hello everyone!

    Can I just say that days off...SUCK...:-( I feel like they are huge momentum breakers...;-(

    How are you doing on the non-caffeine thing, Kaylee?

    Hope everyone is well!

    Go Sox!

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  22. Well Mattie I guess I can talk to you over here. Garrison and I are diggin the spider man 3 previews.

    So you are saying Caroline is sleeping thru every night now, thats great!

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  23. NO not every night, but she does pretty good.

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  24. Christine, What are you a Wallstreet stock broker. Don't like days off?

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  25. house arrest? what the heck? i never said a thing about that. scott you are scaring me now .christine the no caffeine thing is going great.

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  26. i wake my brother up thats why he dont sleep more than 4 hours a night:D

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  27. Going so great her mouth got her in trouble!

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  28. no,no scott not my mouth my grades got me in trouble the F's in history and english.

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  29. I TOLD MY MOTHER SHE BETTER GET USRED TO THE LOW ENGLISH GRADE!

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  30. I like days off for ME, not my baseball team...

    WISH I was a stockbroker! LOL

    Glad to hear you are doing so well Kaylee...told you once you got through the 1st few days, you would feel better..:-)

    Another F Kaylee? you should probablt spend less time talking to us, and more time studying...;-D

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  32. i KNOw CHRISTINE ITS JUST SO HARD TO FOCUS ON THE SCHOOL WORK:D its only high school.

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  33. i should get off the mother i due backsoon:-)

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  34. I know Kaylee, but if you totally tank HS you will not get into a good college... and now THAT would suck!

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  35. i know,i know i told my mother they will be A's by the end of the quarter got til MAY 24th!

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  36. Well, Kaylee's breaking her moms rules, Bub is accusing Christine of being a stock broker, and everyone hopes I'm in bed.

    'Fraid not: insomnia is alive and well. Just got done watching Jack save the world and am settling down for a little Dodger/Dback action.

    Christine, I'm right there with you: I hate it when the team is off, though the way Drew has played lately combined with Lester could use a few more days, is good enough for me.

    Oakland for 2 starting tomorrow.

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  37. TED,
    i break em cause they are stupid i mean would you grond your child for that?

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  38. * ground, i cant spell tonight i better go study or do sumthin else.

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  39. Oh Kaylee...you've given me so much ammunition...I'm going to have mercy and abstain from hitting those fastballs out like Papi at Fenway.

    Jr., please don't stay up watching a west-coast game. The Angels/Mariners roadtrip will come soon enough.

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  40. glad i could help you in that department Mattie.the dbacks better win or I am gunna do something to MR. luis gonzalez.

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  41. Raisin Bran, it's not the Angels/Mariners I'm worried about, it's the Angels/Red Sox.

    I look like Rocky the Racoon on a 3 day bender as it is.

    I'm thinking about taking some of Angie's muscle relaxers.

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  42. Kaylee i believe i would have a little more experience on this subject, ie 4 kids. F's in two classes. Give me your cell phone, no computer except for school work. I will hold the keys to the car I BOUGHT you. and your social life comes to a halt . But I am kinda easy on my kids!

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  43. EASY on your kids? dont sound like it SCOTT.glad you aint my father:D

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  44. Ted I believe this calls for a little Kaopectate

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  45. I blame it on the teachers not myself!

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  46. Bubba,

    How goes the fleecing? I need some adult talk.

    As I'm starting to look like Chris Rock in "New Jack City".

    Amazing you can achieve that without smoking crack, but I'm living proof!

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  47. You see Kaylee, none of my kids have ever got an F. The rules are clear up front. If you can't do the time don't do the crime.

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  48. So much for your wife getting your undivided attention on a off day huh Ted? LOL

    How is she feeling, BTW?

    Cannot believe I am saying this, Kaylee, but you'd be grounded from the computer until your grades came up if you were my kid..:-)

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  49. Jr, Today was not bad for a monday. It rained a little bit, but was in the 70's. Mon. we straighten up from the weekend and get ready for some new stuff. But I tell ya,my partner pushs my buttons a little bit. I am ready to bring you out west!

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  50. Oh no, Kaylee's Mom must have come in the room!

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  51. Christine, she got the attention until 10, when she crashed!

    And she is feeling much better, thank you. Still sore, but tons better.

    Bub, you say the word and I'm there: the furniture business, well, is in the proverbial crapper, to say the least.

    I'd be more than happy to leave it to Oat Bran and The Rev if you asked.

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  52. Well, folks, I am beat....loooooong day today...

    See you tomorrow!

    Go Sox!

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  53. Night Christine:

    Sox game tomorrow, so at least we've got that to look forward too.

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  54. The Rev.HE HE HE , marbles! Lets see how spring shakes out and talk real #'s

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  55. All right man: I'll hold you to it.

    I'm as fit to be tied as I'll ever be.

    MEANWHILE, did you know the Red Sox are 16-8 with a 4 game lead in the AL East?

    You like apples?

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  56. WHOOOOOAHHH!! Ted, ain't no way I'm in this business without you, bro! I'm heading to OKC, and YOU'RE coming down east to work!

    In regards to the Angels/Mariners comment, I meant when the Sox go out west to play them. Dude, you need some sleep.

    And I'm with Bub...Kaylee got busted.

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  57. Wait a minute little brother: only one of us can channel Al Pacino, and it ain't you!

    Eastern NC? Isn't that like Beirut?

    And for once, I'll agree with you: I need sleep. Any idea's on how I can find it?

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  58. Get off this thing and go to bed. There's an idea.

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  59. New post corn muffin.

    And when I get off this thing, I'll stare at the ceiling for the next 4 hours.

    So Vin Scully is my new best friend.

    I wish NESN would run Sox games 24/7. That would at least help.

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