Why I Love My Red Sox

(image courtesy of: http://media.abc6.com)

I have been asked a'many times as to why I love the Boston Red Sox. As a girly girl fashionista, that keeps up with her celebrity gossip, those who initially meet me group me into the dreaded " Pink Hat Fan" category. College guys I dated questioned how I could love reading Vogue every month and lusted over Jimmy Choos in issues of Harper's Bazaar, while juggling MLB Gameday on my laptop. Impossible, everyone seems to think.

No, no no. Not impossible. Don't get me wrong. I have a vast collection of (what I consider to be) stylish Red Sox hats in multitudes of colors. I indulge in buying player t-shirts from my local Olympia Sports. But, I know what an ERA is and what a RBI is. I know current and past rosters. I loved the Red Sox before they became the popular, winning Red Sox team of today. I sat, 10 months old, in a Red Sox onesie in 1986 as the ball rolled through Buckner's legs in the World Series (we have all since forgiven him). My Dad recalls when him, my mother, and their friends all huddled around the television in our old Gloucester, MA house, champagne in hand, only to be letdown again. My father stood upset and unsettled in 1986, but never let his devotion wain. Let's just say I was bred to be a die-hard fan.

Another person who was devoted? My grandmother. My Grammie. She lived all seventy-something years before she passed when I was in middle school. She loved the Red Sox. Year in and year out. She wore her blue and red (not pink!) hat proudly, and insisted, like the rest of Red Sox Nation before 2004 that, "this is the year." Grammie never got to see the year that her team finally won. Her entire life she watched, rooted for and loved a team that never win. That's real loyalty there. Imagine staying with a guy for seven decades that never allowed you to celebrate. That's how Grammie and the Red Sox lived their life together.

The Red Sox mean a whole lot more than a few World Series wins and Green Monster seats to me. I recently stumbled across this article in the Boston Globe where Julianna Baggott wrote, "'Red Sox fans have steel-lined hearts - completely recession-proof.'" While I'm unsure if the Red Sox helped myself and my family prepare for today's economic downturn, I am sure of a few things. Being a Red Sox fan taught me how to bond with my family, regardless of adolescent tantrums and meaningless arguments. Being a Red Sox fan taught me the personification of determination. Being a Red Sox fan taught me to admire and be loyal, regardless of status. I'd be lying if I said that somehow, being a Red Sox fan somehow didn't shape me into the confident person I am today.

I'd also be lying if I said being a Red Sox fan didn't teach me to be the slightest bit superstitious. But, that's a whole other story...

-M

Just Call Him The Road Runner

(image courtesy of: http://blog.oregonlive.com)

I was lucky enough to be in attendance at Fenway Park last night for the final installment of the three-game series against the New York Yankees last night. Ultimately resulting in a sweep over the Yankees (I don't know when I've ever seen that before), the highlight of the game was the moment in the bottom of the 5th inning when Jacoby Ellsbury (my alternate boyfriend - sorry J), stole home plate. Yes. Home plate. While I'm sure that the replay will be Sportscentered all week long, catch it here to watch over and over again. Beautiful. Just beautiful.

-M

Look Who's Coming To Town...

(image courtesy of: http://sixfourthreeblog.files.wordpress.com)

While all the locals know, for those not in the greater Boston area, newsflash for this weekend. Along with the fantastic heat wave (85 degrees on Sunday afternoon people! Break out the flip flops and shorts!) come the Yankees. 7:10pm tomorrow night, 4:10pm Saturday afternoon and 8:05pm on Sunday night respectively. Catch the games on NESN, Fox and ESPN if you can't nab tickets. Don't feel like watching them all by your lonesome? Head over to watch it on the big screens at the House of Blues Boston directly across the street from Fenway Park on Landsdowne Street, on the projector screens at Cask'n Flagon on the corner of Landsdowne, or (if you can fit in the mouse hole sized bar), the Bleacher Bar - which looks directly out onto the Fenway Park outfield.

With the broad audience that this blog generates, it occurs to me that some readers might not (*gasp*) know the history of this age-old rivalry. Have no fear, we have trusty Wikipedia. Still confused? Just take a walk down Yawkey Way on Saturday afternoon and I'm pretty sure even the densest of baseball wannabe fans can grasp the story behind the rivalry.

-M

Youk's beard speaks!

(image courtesy of: http://www.outincenterfield.com & twitter.com)

Hey Red Sox fans. I know, you're still reeling from the two losses in a row to Tampa Bay. I am too. Heartbreaking. Regardless, this will bring a big smile to your face. Kevin Youkilis's beard now has a Twitter page. I'm addicted to it. Currently the status reads as, "I love it when there is cold pizza left in my whiskers for breakfast in the morning." Um. Ew.

-M

Oh Yes Dice-K, Of Course I'll Marry You!

(image courtesy of me, my Canon Powershot and my Paint program)

Allow me to give my complete belated live blogging (via notes taken on my iPhone application) of my Opening Day 2009 experience here in Boston yesterday. Enjoy.

7:27am: 1st sighting of another person in Red Sox gear heading to work while walking through Cambridge. I get giddy at the fact that Opening Day will actually happen.

7:36am: 1st listen of 'Love That Dirty Water' by The Standells. If you don't know why, then obviously you've never been to Boston (or seen Fever Pitch). For shame.

7:41am: 1st strange look from random girl on the T for my outfit. Beckett t-shirt with a Juicy Couture navy blue long sleeved shirt. Jeans. Green BoSox hat. Red Sox Crocs. Big whoop. She was in a suit, professional? Yes. But there's no need to stare. Rudeness.

1:30pm: Co-worker asking me why I'm still at work. I'm wondering the same at the exact same moment, actually.

1:45pm: Another co-worker sees my feet and asks, 'Are you wearing Red Sox Crocs?!' I begrudgingly say yes, and silently vow to myself to never wear these ugly excuses for shoes out in public ever again.

2:00pm: Out of work! Hallejuah! Walk the 10 minutes to Fenway to meet up with my boyfriend in front of the Kenmore T station.

2:17pm: Quick McDonalds pit stop. I can never say no to a french fry (or fifty).

2:40pm: Walking down Yawkey Way and find an amazing balloon guy that makes a balloon Wally the Green Monster!!!!I turn into a five-year-old and decide that I must have one. While it's being made, I find myself staring at the life-sized Red Sox balloon player standing next to me and the balloon artist. I'm tempted to grab it and run to my apartment and put it in the corner of my room, but resist the temptation.

2:50pm: Walking down Yawkey Way... with my Wally the Green Monster positioned on my head. My boyfriend pretends not to know me (I don't blame him).

3:00pm: In the park and walking around the Grandstand SRO area to snipe a good location to see the festivities. We have bleacher seats, but I have a gut instinct about standing in the Grandstand.

3:20pm: Send my boyfriend off for a round of Sam Adams Summer Ale. I impatiently stand, holding my balloon Wally the Green Monster.

3:25pm: Two women stop and gawk at my balloon Wally. Reinforces the fact that I'm standing there, holding it like an idiot.

3:30pm: Suddenly see a row of Boston police officers lining up by the door directly to my right. Attempt to call my boyfriend because I know something's gonna happen. He doesn't hear it, oh well.

3:35pm: More police officers and security. I start to inch over closer.

3:45pm: The red door to my right opens and a line of white jerseys come walking out. It takes me (and everyone around me) 2.5 seconds to realize that we're staring at Dice-K, Smoltz and Papelbon walking out towards us. I squeal and run over.

3:45:30pm: Standing next to Dice-K. He sees me and smiles. I almost faint. Can a smile be a marriage proposal? Yes? Then, yes I will Dice-K. YES!

3:50pm: Almost forget that Papelbon is standing right next to me too. I contemplate jumping on him like a crazed fangirl, but resist. He looks very much in the game zone. Almost pitbull like. Frightening much? Meanwhile the guys standing next to me are having a full on conversation with Smoltz about playing in the outfield. Cannot.believe.this.is.happening.

3:51pm: Players go on the field. I squeal some more and go back to where I stood before. Boyfriend finds me, Sam Summer Ale in hand. Says he couldn't get through since they (obviously) blocked foot traffic, but he stood right near where Lester, Masterson and Wakefield walked in. Ridiculous.

3:53pm: First pitch with Jim Rice and Ted Kennedy. Won't lie, almost tear up. Poor Teddy Kennedy really isn't looking so good. :(

4:00pm: Jets fly over. So loud. My poor eardrums.

4:08pm: Beckett strikes out the first batter he faces of the season. A good sign for the rest of the year?

4:10pm: Making my way around Fenway Park to get to my bleacher seats. My feet get tired quickly in Crocs. While parting the seas of people waiting for beer, one of my balloon Wally's eyes pop. I almost want to cry.

4:14pm: Pedroia hits a homerun at his first at bat of the season! Definitely a good sign for the rest of the year. The homerun elicits chants of, "MVP! MVP! MVP" from all of Fenway Park. All I can think of is Pedroia's MLP 09 commercials (my personal favorite is this one). During this thought, I realize how cute Pedroia is. Maybe I need to hold off on giving Dice-K a definitive yes to his proposal...

4:25pm: I realize that bleacher seats aren't actually bad, as long are you're within rows 1-20. Sweet view of the bullpen and great atmosphere with other Red Sox fans who have the mentality of hockey parents. Awesome.

5:00pm: 1st Fenway Frank of the season. Best dinner I could ask for.

5:15pm: Double fisting hot chocolate and Legal's clam chowder in an attempt to stay warm.

5:50pm: Varitek hits a single homerun! I can't remember the last time I've seen him hit like that! Hallelujah. I knew it was good for him to sign back on for this season.

6:00pm: My hands are officially cold. Freezing. I forgot how cold Fenway Park gets in April. I remember to bring gloves, a scarf and maybe a blanket for game 2 of the series. I try to think of warm thoughts - like August Red Sox games where it's so hot that I can't stand melting.

6:38pm: Sweet Caroline plays. There's cameras around and I get a text from my friend in upstate New York that says, "I see you." Creepy? Was I on TV? Did anyone else see me singing along to Neil Diamond? I knew I should have put makeup on at Sephora before I left! Damnit!

6:35pm: Papelbon runs onto the field with Dropkick Murphy's blaring out of the speakers at Fenway. Everyone in the entire arena stands and starts clapping and dancing.

6:44pm: Red Sox win! Love That Dirty Water starts playing. I feel so at home as I walk out of Fenway. Yay for Spring!!!

8:30pm: Get back to my apartment after grabbing food at B.Good on Newbury Street. Immediately pull out my Lester t-shirt and jeans and put them in my bag for tonight's game 2. Yes, I am going to two games back to back. Don't judge me because I know you're just jealous.

-M

HAPPY OPENING DAY!!!

(photo courtesy of mlb.com)

So what if it's 1am and I have yet to go to bed before a half-day of work tomorrow? I feel like a child on Christmas Eve (which also happens to be my birthday, so imagine the kind of excitement I'm explaining). It is officially the best day to be a Bostonian (or a honorary Bostonian, I don't judge). It's OPENING DAY at Fenway Park!!! Yes, there is rain in the forecast, and rumors of the game (possibly) pushed till Tuesday, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. For me, I rest assured that tomorrow will be the day. Or at least I can only hope so much.

I will be wearing a red, Beckett (as he is the starting pitcher tomorrow), with dark denim jeans, Red Sox crocs (don't judge me, they are the only pair I own, I promise), a green Red Sox sweatshirt and my favorite Red Sox cap with a navy blue and red Ralph Lauren bag (much like this one).

Cross your fingers for no rainout (how would I explain another afternoon off to my boss?), lots of Sam Adams Summer Ale and Fenway Franks. A and I will be at Fenway and a full report tomorrow night will be posted!

-M

OPENING DAY COUNTDOWN: 10 DAYS!

(image courtesy of: www.yawkeywaystore.com)

I said it in December, and I'm saying it now. M. Fenway Park. April 6th. Opening Day 2009. Thank you to all you fraudulant ticket buyers whose tickets got revoked, and thereby creating another online ticket lottery on redsox.com. Thank you because I now have a pair of Opening Day tickets - AND a pair of Sox/Yankees tickets. Spring smells so sweet.

-M

Farewell Schilling

(photo courtesy of deadspin.com)

My Red Sox news update email just informed me that, yes, Curt Schilling is retiring. As much as Boston still probably isn't over the fact that we paid him in 2008 for a season that he didn't end up pitching in, I'm still grateful for his bloody sock and for all the epic events in 2004. I, for one, will be a member of Red Sox Nation that remembers and appreciates what he did while in Boston.

-M

MVP! MVP! MVP!

(photo courtesy of: http://www.projo.com)

What a difference almost five months make. Boston's favorite MVP stepped back onto the batting plate yesterday looking refreshed going 1 for 3 for the day, and not thinking about his hip. Hallejuah - I swear I just heard Red Sox Nation breathing a huge sigh of relief.

-M

True Fans Watch Spring Training

(image courtesy of bostondirtblogs.boston.com)

Guess what? At long last, spring training is underway and the Red Sox 2009 season is off to its unofficial start. Today the Boston boys beat Boston College in an exhibition game with a score of 7-1. The real fun starts tonight though against the Twins. Watch it on MLB.TV -- or if you're in the Boston area, catch it on NESN.

-M

I love that dirty water....

(image courtesy of boston.com)

Just as a reminder to everyone. Pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers, FL today for spring training! Hallejuah. Let the 2009 Red Sox season start!

-M

In baseball news...

(photo courtesy of Boston.com)

In sorry-I-didn't-blog on Friday news, hallejuah. Praise the baseball gods. The Boston Red Sox have a capable pitcher for the 2009 season. While there is most certainly debate within the city about Varitek's shady almost-exit out of Boston, and yes, okay, his questionable numbers last season, I for one am happily content with the return of not just the veteran catcher, but the captain of the team as well. Wahoo. Only 22 days until the first Spring Training game of 2009!

-M

One Step Closer...

(photo courtesy of Google Images)

...to having our beloved captain and catcher back in the red and white uniform.

I have my fingers crossed. I know you do too.

-M

Red Sox Offseason Checklist

Securing Papelbon for at least this season without going into arbitration? Check.

Signing Youkilis for four more seasons (eliciting cheers of 'YOOOOOOOK!' all over the city of Boston)? Check.

Meeting with Jason Varitek and getting text message verification that he wants to be back in the Hub for this season. Check. (Can we please stop being cheapos and just resign him already?)

A not so subtle note to John Henry and Theo (I-dont-care-if-you-have-a-wife-and-kid-you're-still-hot) Epstein: There's 77 days left before Opening Day. 35 days until the first Spring Training game against BC. Let's get this roster good to go. Okay? Okay.

Varitek, don't break my heart like this...

While reading this article on Boston.com this morning, my heart sank just a little bit. We are under a month away from spring training in Florida. And only 82 days (yes, I just counted in my trusty Coach day planner) away from Opening Day at Fenway Park. Jason Varitek is starting to make me bite my nails. Just a little bit. And we all know that bitten, black nail polished nails are not a good look for anyone. Laugh all you want, but seriously, Varitek is (I refuse to say was, yet) the Red Sox captain. The C. He didn't bat so hot last season, and he's getting older, but for Red Sox fans my age, he's like a Red Sox staple. He didn't bail on us like Damon did for pinstripes and a clean shave. He was with the team in 2004 - one of the few that remain. He's scruffy and the definition of a 'Boston Guy' if I've ever seen one. There doesn't seem to be a market for him anywhere else (otherwise his status as a free agent wouldn't be so prominent still in the Globe) and I can say that he's valued here. We can't enter this 2009 season with three catchers, none of which holds substantial MLB experience.

As if I didn't already dislike Scott Boras (Varitek's agent) after this Texiera debacle, now he could take away the love I have for wearing my green Varitek Red Sox tee. Don't make me hate you more. Please?

It might be December, but in my mind it's March

If you're from the Boston area, unless you've been living under a rock for the past few weeks, you should very well know that Red Sox 2009 tickets start going on sale tomorrow morning at 10am. Consider this post your wake up call. Set your alarms, (I know I will) and log onto redsox.com. Good luck beating me there, because you know I'll be sitting in bed on my laptop at 7am starting to hit 'buy' in hopes I can nab my tickets early.

What I'm eyeing? Sox Pax. Opening Day Pack to be precise. If I'm not there on April 6th at 2:05pm to see the opening day game against TampaFuckingBay, well... scratch that, because I'll be there. Until then, good luck buying tickets and I'll see you at Cask'n Flagon soon enough!

-M

Clinch. Enough said.
-M

I scream, You Scream (and so does Jonathan Papelbon)

I just found this linked off of the Boston Magazine's daily blog. To keep this post on the fast track to the point, please read this ever important passage.

"How does the closer feel about the idea of pitching on Monday?
'Question mark…I’m going to come to the field (Monday) to find out. We’ll see,' said Papelbon, who then asked reporters whether he had chocolate ice cream on his face."

To set the frantic tone of the importance of the initial question. The Sox were up in the series against the Angels 2-0. Best of 5 series. They could have swept it last night, but instead, lost 5-4 in 12 innings. The Sox only beat the Angels once all season long, but maintained some sort of ridiculous string of post-season wins against them. After winning two on the road, they lost at Fenway, made me get not enough sleep, and caused all of Boston to give a melodious groan at 1am last night. Lowell is hurt like an old man, and you know he's not playing tonight. Papelbon threw for two innings again last night, putting him in the 'question mark' status.

The Sox need to pull through tonight, because otherwise, it's game 5, back on the road. We don't want to risk having to win another away game, against a team that kicked our butt for the better part of the season. I dont want to have to stay up for another West Coast game (hello 10pm start time). Please, don't put me through this kind of emotional turmoil.

However, what is on Papelbon's mind? Not the fact that we're a win away from going onto the ALCS. Not tonight. But his chocolate ice cream? Part of it is lovable -- he's just like that college guy you probably had a crush on. Kind of goofy. Good at sports. Nice blonde hair and -- well -- we know of Papelbon's best asset. But seriously though, what was he doing eating ice cream? It was well near 35 degrees outside when the game finally ended last night. Wasn't he cold? Is ice cream what he uses to ease his broken soul after an extra inning loss? Why would he ask reporters if he had it on his face - this is a clear cry for a need for a girlfriend to answer these questions for him, and not the WEEI reporters.

Oh well, I guess. As long as he saves me a bite. I'm partical to sprinkles.

-M

The Most Wonderful Time Of Year

No, not Christmas. Not fall clothing season. Not the impending long Columbus Day weekend. No, no, when you're a girl born and bred in the Boston area (especially as of late), the best time of year happens in early October. Soxtober, to be exact. Red Sox playoff season is here, and it starts tonight. 10pm (EST) vs. the Angels. The roster is set and I am giddier than a little girl on Christmas Eve.

Forget the fact that it's a Wednesday night, and that my alarm will go off at the ungodly hour of 6:45am tomorrow for work. Forget that I am bound to have a few too many Coronas at Cask'n Flagon tonight. And forget the fact that half of those beers will probably be spilled on my new, green, Varitek t-shirt. It's the playoffs, and I finally get to be in Boston for all of it. My Dad would be appalled if I go about the next few weeks any other way. Dad (and Mom, but definitely Dad) raised me to be a Red Sox fan. Yankees are evil, Fenway Park is sacred and the Red Sox are the only team worth being frenzied over.

There are baby photos of me, being held by my Dad, on the not-so-great night of the 1986 World Series (let's not mention what happened that night). I sat -- or more like slouched -- in Dad's lap, hardly 10 months old, in a Boston Red Sox onesie.

Another photo, cerca 4 years old, next to my brother Ryan in a high chair. He wears a baby sized Boston Red Sox cap. I wear a new Red Sox jacket -- I remember wanting that jacket so badly. It looked like one that the players wore, and I knew that made it cool. I lived in it, and wore it to shreads. Until the white and red threads of the Red Sox logo started stringing apart. I cried my eyes out.

In 2004, the Red Sox won the World Series during my first few weeks at UMass. I threw on my pink Red Sox hat, and ran out the door of my dorm to go celebrate with some other 17,000 college undergraduates. My mom thought of my grammie-- afterall, it was her that stayed a fan for her entire life and never saw them win. For Mom, the Red Sox mean something far more than parades and trophies and curses and overpriced tickets.

I flirted with boys in college who started conversation after seeing my baseball made Red Sox bracelet (I wore them way before they were popular, cheap, and at every tourist shop in Fanueil Hall). I went on dates to watch games, wished there were classes I could take on just Boston culture and the Sox, and cut classes last fall to see the celebratory parade. I still don't date men that wear Yankees hats (sorry boys, it's an automatic dealbreaker), and my boyfriend is fairly assured that in the rare occasion that I see Jacoby Ellsbury out anywhere, I'm allowed and obligated to have a hot, steamy tryst.

It's October 1st, and we are once again in post-season games. Excuse me while I try not to smile too much behind my desk at work. Is it 10pm yet?

-M