I'm Sick

I'm sick. I feel great, but I'm sick. I am sick of the attitude, sick of the feeling like just because everything is not going the way I want it, there is no hope. I'm sick of the blame game. I'm sick of the Celtics. Why in the world do they come out and smoke a team twice, make us think they will run away with the series, and then, when they need to win the most, crawl into the Ted Williams Tunnel and don't come out the entire game 7. Congrats Larry and your Pacers. We need someone like you to teach this team how to win.

Red Sox Notes: The Red Sox have taken the first game of the day 6-3. Wade Miller makes his first start of the season in game 2 of the doubleheader.

Patriots Notes: The Patriots released Keith Traylor a few days ago.

Suspensions, Fines, and Fine Play

Sometimes it takes a fight, brawl, or some other extra-curricular activity to jumpstart a team. Such is the case for both the Celtics and the Red Sox this weekend, as suspensions were handed out as results of the fights/arguements in the Celtics vs. Pacers series, and the Red Sox vs. Devil Rays "Lou Pinella is a crazy guy" battle of the bean ball (I don't really think Lou is crazy. I actually like him, he talked to me once when I was at a Red Sox vs. Mariners game. He addressed me...it was surreal). For the Celtics, Antoine Walker was suspended 1 game for "removing" the referree from his "no wake zone". After being awarded his 2nd technical foul of the night, Walker exploded and pushed one ref away to get to the other. Paul Pierce and the Celtic corp trounced Indiana by 31 with an incredible, emotional victory, which takes back their homecourt advantage (games 5 and 7 are in Boston)

As for the Red Sox, Trot Nixon (1 game), Bronson Arroyo (6 games, A.K.A. 1 start) , and Terry Francona (3 games) were each suspended for their altercation in the bench clearer in Tampa Bay. Despite a tough week, after hearing of the suspensions, Nixon and Arroyo each had their part in taking 2 of 3 from the Texas Rangers. Arroyo had an incredible start on Saturday, and Nixon hit well to put the Red Sox in 2nd place in the AL East to start May.

Thats About It.

Until Next time

It. Is. On.

Keep the Faith & Keep it Real

~Ryan

Schilling, Wells decide to keep it on the DL.

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the official start of the 85 year grace period of your Boston Red Sox! There is a lot to be frustrated about right now. Not only are our supposed number 1 and 2 starting pitchers heading to the Disabled List (Schilling with bone bruise above spot he had surgery on, Wells with a sprained right foot), but we our also having problems relying on our bullpen. Keith Foulke has not pitched the way we know he can. However, I am not entirely worried. He is always a slow starter. He relies on the fastball and changeup to get batters out, and with the way closers are used in spring training, he sometimes has to just get used to his pitches in the regular season. Now if Kevin Millar would start hitting...

Celtics News:
Tonight is the 3rd game of the best of 7 series between the Celtics and the Indiana Pacers. With the series tied 1-1, the C's are looking to come out strong and regain their homecourt advantage. The game starts at 8:30 Eastern, and will be played in Indiana. Look for the Celtics to try to utilize Al Jefferson and Marcus Banks (Gary Payton continually gets beat on the high picks) a little more tonight (like the first game).

Patriots News:
Troy Brown and Ty Law still do not have a place to play. Here's to hoping something happens to at least bring one of them back to New England. Saturday and Sunday was the 2005 NFL Draft, and the Patriots really did not impress or disappoint. Scott Pioli and Bill Belichick gave us Pats fans an overall boring day, picking people that will work very well with the NE system, but no big names. Here is a list of their picks:

RD Pick (Overall) Name Position School
1 32 (32) Logan Mankins OG Fresno State
2 20 (84) Ellis Hobbs CB Iowa State
3 36 (100) Nick Kaczur OG Toledo
4 32 (133) James Sanders S Fresno State
5 34 (170) Ryan Claridge OLB Nevada Las Vegas
7 16 (230) Matt Cassel QB USC
7 41 (255) Andy Stokes TE William Penn

New England Patriots Clubhouse (Draft Picks)
Thanks to ESPN for the list

Thats about it...

Keep the Faith

~Ryan

p.s. Congrats to the Boston Bruins on their first undefeated season!!! ;)

EDIT: Links and Injuries to Schilling and Wells, notes on Payton

Back Again

Sorry for the delay. I have been busy lately...Mostly college stuff. It is a hectic time, but I have made my decision. Anyways... The Red Sox are playing OK. Not stellar, but not like the Yankees either (haha). Celtics are 1-1 against the Indiana Pacers; and the N.E. Patriots had another boring draft which results in just what we need to win another championship. I am in a rush, but I wanted to post something. Adios

Back to Old Form

It seemed just yesterday when Jason Varitek jumped on top of Keith Foulke as the Red Sox were declared World Champions. Though I never wanted the offseason to really end -- hoping to hold onto that championship forever -- I know that it is time to move on. And today was a great day to do so. For 9 innings, the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins battled it out in Boston's first spring training game of the season. Matt Clement started for the Red Sox, and gave up 1 run in his 2 innings of work, and the Red Sox gave up a total of 3 runs combined, but that was not enough to keep the Red Sox from winning. Kevin Youkilis helped contribute with a bases loaded single to score Jason Varitek to break the 1-1 tie, and Shawn Wooten homered in the 8th to put the sox up 4-1. The Twins scored 2 in the ninth (one unearned), but they were mearly just "fun runs" (okay I just made that term up, but it sounds pretty catchy).

One note before I go: Nomar Garciaparra was 1-1 in his first spring training game as a Chicago Cub. Nomar looked good in his first appearance; singling to right in his first at bat, then turning a nifty double play with Todd "Mr. Clutch 2003" Walker. But in his second trip to the dish, Nomar was plunked...guess where...yup, the wrist. He was taken out for a pinch runner, but said he is fine and that his wrist can sustain a bruise or two.

Alright. That is all for me tonight. Here are the links to the two stories I just discussed from mlb.com.

Red Sox

Nomar

Until Next time,

It. Is. On.

Keep the Faith and Keep it Real

~Ryan

Patriots Update

The 2004 Sports Year made New England the sports capital of the world with the 6 small states bringing in 4 Championships (MLB - Boston Red Sox, NCAAB - Connecticut Huskies, NCAAW - Connecticut Huskies, NFL - New England Patriots). New England sports fans have already parted ways with many favorites from the Boston Red Sox, and wished the graduating classes from UConn well; but as of tomorrow, Wednesday, March 2, 2005, the fans will have to say good bye to some of their New England Patriots friends, as free agency officially begins. The Patriots, a few days after reporting that they were releasing Pro-Bowl CB Ty Law, reported that they would be releasing veteran LB Roman Phifer, and would not be picking up the option for 2005 on WR/CB Troy Brown's contract, making him an unrestricted free agent. Personally, I will miss both of these guys. They were great Patriots, and they carry themselves so well on and off the field. Hopefully there will be some way for them to return for less money or another situation which could have them end their careers as Patriots.

Nothing much is happening on the Red Sox front. They will be playing their first spring training game in a little over 2 days!

Though the Celtics traded Gary Payton for Antoine Walker, it appears he will be returning to the Celtics, and might be suited up as early as the game Wednesday against the L.A. Lakers. The Hawks bought him out, which put him back on the market. More information can be seen on Boston.com.

That's about it for Tuesday's version of MurrDogg's Sox and stuff blog. I hope you enjoyed some brief news on the New England sports teams. Until next time.

It. Is. On.

Keep the Faith & Keep it Real

~Ryan

Walkah!!!

A wise man once told me that it doesn't matter if you win by an inch or a mile; winning is winning. Okay so the man is not that wise; after all, he is Vin Diesel...but I guess the saying applies here. The Boston Celtics became the first team from the east to win in Pheonix, last night in a 120-113 defeat of the Suns. Antoine "I'm happy to be back in Boston" Walker put up 32 shots, and though he did not make most of them, he still came up with 33 points and 13 rebounds to put the C's on top.

Nothing new from the Sox, other than Kevin Millar has reportedly been talking with the producers of Cable Station "Bravo" about an appearance on "Queer Eye For The Straight Guy". Millar would get his style changed, while they also renovated a little league field which was destroyed by the hurricanes.

I have been up since 4:45 AM, and I will be continuing this pattern for the next 3 days! I am extremely tired. I hope you are glad I shared this with you. Okay, I need a nap.
Good Night Everybody!

It. Is. On.

Keep the Faith & Keep It Real

~Ryan

p.s. Bring on March, baby!