15 Seconds of Fame
Before we get to the Sox-Yanks series this weekend, let’s take a quick look back at the Mariners series over the weekend. Not because you’d need Mr. Peabody and his wayback machine to remember the last time the Sox swept a series on the road, but because you might have been lucky enough to listen to the games on XM. If you did, you got to hear the great Dave Niehaus, who finally was immortalized in Cooperstown today. Congrats Dave, it’s about time!
While we’re on the subject of great broadcasters, thank you to Jon Miller for the wonderful shout-out during tonight’s Sunday Night Baseball game. In the top of the 2nd, Jon was kind enough to quote from one of my posts and put it up in a much more attractive graphic than I could have created. I’m guessing one or two of you noticed, which explains why you’re here. To say I was surprised would be a complete understatement. As a blogger, it’s hard to beat getting to write about your team winning the World Series, but this is a VERY close second place, especially since it’s the one game Joe Morgan WASN’T on. Although next time Jon, please, make my blog the throw away comment in the 9th and put up the graphic for Dave. He deserves it just a tad more.
Here’s the audio from ESPN:
Going into tonight’s matchup, it was probably the biggest game of the season so far for the Sox. If they lost and got swept at home, the Sox would suddenly be sitting in third place behind the Devil Rays and MFY. If they salvaged the series by winning the last game, they’re in second place, a game behind first place and two ahead of the third-place MFY. On top of all that, we have a new chapter in the Manny Being Manny saga and Emperor Palpatine (aka Brian Cashman) has once again used The Force to brainwash another GM to acquire their star players (Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte) for 3 bats and a couple of hot dogs.
As for the game, Sir Sidney, meet “regression to the mean.” I’m glad that the Sox realized that a 6-1 record and a 4.02 ERA don’t match. They quickly supported Lester with seven runs in four innings, punctuated with a Big Papi 2-run blast to finish the fourth. (For comparison, the Sox had scored a total of 8 runs in their last 4 games.)
On the other side Lester looked like the 2008 Lester we’ve come to love, at least for the first four innings. However, in the fifth, he suddenly reverted back to the 2006 Lester. He couldn’t find the strike zone, and suddenly had allowed 2 runs and still had the bases loaded with nobody out. But, just like the 2006 Lester, Jon managed to limit the damage and get out of the inning without giving up anything else against A-Rod, Nady and Cano. Then he retired the next six in order. Sounds like what a stopper should do.
The The Angels Angels of Anaheim come into town starting Monday. Let’s hope for some Sox payback for last week.
(Thanks to Paul Kafasis from Rogue Amoeba for the audio.)
I totally found you bc of the pitch and I’m stoked to have a blog to read about all my fav boys. I hope this does great things for you and your site. How bout that win tonight, eh? (premature but it’s top of the 9th and I have faith.)
love from the bayou,
legs.
Comment by Legs — July 27, 2008 @ 8:44 pm
yeah i found your site bc of the pitch also. i checked it out on my laptop as sloon as they said it…glad i did bc this is some good stuff.being one of like five sox fans in the pittsburgh area(the buccos might suck but give there fans respect they sure dont quit even when their management trades away their team at the deadline every year) i enjoy these blogs and stuff bc i have no one to talk to about the red sox except my uncle(the reason why im not a buccos fan…thank you!!!) keep up the good work
Comment by phil from pittsburgh — July 27, 2008 @ 10:12 pm
So I was reading your site and I’m glad to have learned about this show called Sunday Night Baseball. I turned on my television, and there it was! Thanks!
Comment by Soxlosophy — July 27, 2008 @ 10:40 pm
Yup, totally found you through SNBB episode and info re Jon Lester. Also a lefty (and cancer survivor), I just love this kid! And also love anything having to do with the Sox, Keep up the good work!
Comment by socalsoxgirl11 — July 27, 2008 @ 11:32 pm
Matt,
Congrats on the national exposure. I love it! Bloggers are getting more and more notice in the mainstream these days. I hope this is just the beginning of more recognition for your work.
I’m adding a link to your blog on mine.
Comment by Steve T — July 28, 2008 @ 4:36 am
I visited your site for the first time last night after the game. I’m glad that ESPN credited your website.
I’ve enjoyed reading your posts and look forward to many more.
Comment by ljhord — July 28, 2008 @ 6:09 am
congratulations on the ESPN shout out last night. that must be a bloggers dream come true. here’s a suggestion – use the publicity to parlay and get some advertising revenue on here, step up your game and start competing with dirtdogs. the nation needs a good sox news site that isn’t so mainstream and run by the globe writers.
Comment by ryan — July 28, 2008 @ 7:17 am
I got here via your Dad’s blog and now I come here daily. You’re writing is great! It’s a pleasure to read.
Comment by addy — July 28, 2008 @ 8:05 am
Congrats on the shout out on ESPN, my friend. Am I envious, you bet! That’s the kind of pub any blogger dreams about. Just 15 seconds? I bet the traffic to your site has exploded since last night. You’ve got a good site here, as I’ve been here before.
It was also a great post they quoted. Keep up the fine work.
Comment by TheOmnipotentQ — July 28, 2008 @ 8:40 am
cool site glad I found it, first good thing I’ve gotten from the world-wide leader in a while
Comment by Chris — July 28, 2008 @ 9:07 am
I’m not TOO proud. Well deserved recognition.
Comment by Met fan — July 28, 2008 @ 11:53 am
Congratulations on having part of your post broadcast on ESPN!
I’m a diehard Red Sox fan behind enemy lines. As such, I visit Dirty Watah very often. I’ve noticed that you have a feature containing links to other great Red Sox sites and blogs. I’d like to announce my new Red Sox blog, Boston Soul (www.bostonsoul.wordpress.com). I started the blog from scratch on May 13, 2008, and it has since accumulated more than eight hundred hits. I post almost daily, writing about and analyzing the games and the team from the perspective of a Boston fan in Yankee country. Boston Soul contains links concerning all things Boston and is comprised of five pages that are updated constantly: the home page (containing my posts), “About” (containing a blurb about myself), “Books” (containing reviews I’ve written about sports literature I’ve read), “Cool Stuff” (containing news and information that’s quirky, funny, and entertaining), and “Golden Moments” (containing videos of historic Red Sox milestones, such as Carlton Fisk’s ‘75 homer, Buchholz’s no-no, and the World Series victories). I would be most grateful, appreciative, and honored if you would add a link to Boston Soul to your “Sox Blogs/Boards” feature. Thank you very much.
Comment by bostonsoul48 — July 28, 2008 @ 2:00 pm
Whoh, 13 comments? You ARE Big Time. Since the graphics coordinator had to build that graphic it certainly was a big deal.
Nice going my friend.
Comment by Ryan Leong — July 29, 2008 @ 12:55 am
Congrats on the shout out the other night. WTG! You have great blog. I will be back to read it more often now that I know it’s here.
For now though, I am paralyzed here hitting the refresh button waiting to the final word on the Manny trade…
Comment by Jen — July 31, 2008 @ 10:32 am