Apologies for the lack of posts the past few days – we’re having technical difficulties that have kept us from keeping Fenway Fatales breathlessly updated.

But, what an update we have: the Red Sox maybe, sort of, kind of appear to almost be… getting on a roll?  They lit up the fireworks for a 15-5 win over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night, and then pulled out a hard-fought 6-5 win over Miami last night.

With the two wins, the Sox finally pulled out of last place (like I said last time – take THAT, Toronto Blue Jays!), and over .500 again.  Hopefully, this time it will last.

David Ortiz has made some news the last few days – first, with a grand slam on Wednesday night, the 396th home run of Papi’s career.  The Sox hit four home runs that night, chasing Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco in just 3 1/3 innings.  Off the field, Ortiz caused an even bigger explosion, when he went off on the Boston media and its strange obsession with why one of the most talented and highly-paid teams in baseball has trouble staying above .500 (funny, that):

It seems every day there is something new about players. People need to leave us alone and let us play ball. It’s becoming the [expletive] hole it used to be.  Look around, bro. Playing here used to be so much fun. Now every day it’s something new not related with baseball. People need to leave us alone, man. Play ball and do what we know how to do.

Ortiz was responding to an ESPN report that described an absolutely toxic atmosphere, and relayed that a lot of staff was already shipping their resumes to other organizations.  I understand Ortiz’s frustration, but still: the media SHOULD be questioning why the Sox are mired in such a prolonged slump this year.  It’s not fair to expect the media to sit back and applaud the good, while not asking about the bad.  Part of the deal of playing in Boston is that the fan base here is very involved and very invested – the media needs to answer questions for the fans, and Ortiz getting annoyed at that doesn’t make him look any better.

The other big news the last few days: it looks like Kevin Youkilis is on his way out of Boston.  The aging corner infielder is clearly being Wally Pipped by the young, dynamic, impressive third baseman Will Middlebrooks, and there’s no way Adrian Gonzalez and his contract are going to play right field for too long.  No substantiated rumors have crossed my Twitter feed yet, but here’s a question: what do the Red Sox need, and what can the Red Sox realistically expect to get for Youkilis?  I say, trade him for two legit pitching prospects and (maybe) a bench player, and call it a day.

Currently, the Red Sox are supposed to be opening up a series against the Atlanta Braves at Fenway.  But, I can tell you with utmost confidence that the game won’t start anytime soon – it’s currently raining in Boston, one of those booming thunderstorms that always follows a three-day heat wave.

Well, not really. Even though you like to say you live and die with the Red Sox, that’s not really the case, is it?

But I’m not going to lie, when Will Middlebrooks left the game in the 2nd inning with what is being called “a tight left hamstring”, I sort of had a minor heart attack. Seems he’s the only bright spot in the line up these days. Also seems he’s a bit of a wuss. Throw some Ben-Gay on that thing and get your butt back out there. Looks like it’s not too serious and he’s hoping to be back in the line up tonight.

So the Red Sox lost to the Royals 6-4. When I fell asleep it was 4-3 Sox and I was furious when I awoke to my ESPN alert telling me they lost. WTF? They’ve now lost seven of their last nine games. Luckily both Baltimore and Tampa Bay lost so the deficit is still 6.5 games. Still, it’s going to be a pretty steep climb trying to chase down the rest of what is turning out to be an extremely good AL East this year.

I can’t be bothered to talk about the offense because there really wasn’t any. The Red Sox scattered four runs on nine hits in a lackluster performance. Dustin Pedroia had two RBI and Adrian Gonzalez had two hits. *yawn* Boring. I almost wish I had been watching Josh Hamilton put on a freaking clinic against the Orioles last night – WOW! He only went 5 for 5 with four home runs, eight RBI and 18 total bases.

Daniel Bard was just ok. I’m tired of using those two letters to describe this pitching staff but really, that’s the best any of them have been so far this season. Just ok. Despite his complete meltdown in the 2nd inning where he had two balks (one of which was responsible for KC’s first run) and a wild pitch, he pitched pretty efficiently. Going into the top of the 8th inning, Bard had thrown just 86 pitches.

I’m sure Bobby Valentine was thinking his bullpen is getting some much-needed rest, right? Wrong. Bard started the 8th and walked the first two batters, obviously tiring late in the game. Matt Albers came in with two runners on and promptly gave up a three-run home run to Billy Butler. Game over. Bard takes the loss.

After the game, Bard told the Boston Globe:

“There is a fatigue that sets in. It’s about learning how to pitch with that little bit of fatigue,” Bard said. “It’s not my arm; my arm felt great. It’s your whole body, your legs, your lower back, everything.

“You’ve got to learn how to pitch in those conditions. That’s kind of where I’m at right now, trying to learn how to finish games and get through that 100, 110 pitches strong all the way through the end.”

*sigh* Am I the only one that thinks this pitching staff lacks heart? There’s no drive, no spark, no competitiveness we’ve seen in past seasons. Are they all pissed there’s no more beer and chicken in the clubhouse? If that’s the case, get over it and do your job!

Here’s the link to the box score, courtesy of the Red Sox. It’s a quick read. Tonight, the Red Sox will try to take the rubber game behind Jon Lester. First pitch is at 8:10 EST.

In any other situation, this would make me weep.

I know I promised I was never going to speak of the Red Sox propensity for drinking in the clubhouse again, but I thought this latest news at least warranted a mention. Finally, the Red Sox organization has stepped up to the plate and banned beer — and pretty much all alcohol consumption — in the clubhouse. Hale-freaking-lulljah!

My hope is that this ban puts a little more focus on the playing of the game of baseball and less on the playing of drinky-drinky while I eat my bucket ‘o chicken. There aren’t many employers that allow drinking on the premises. (Unless you work at my office… where we have an in-office happy hour every Friday, but that’s beside the point.)

It’s not as if the Sox are setting a precedent by banning alcohol — out of the 30 teams in the major leagues, over half (19) have some sort of rule keeping liquor out of the clubhouse. It’s definitely important for player safety — just ask the St. Louis Cardinals who banned alcohol in 2007 after a player was killed in a drunk driving accident. No fan wants to have to live through that again.

David Ortiz appeared to be heavily in favor of this decision. In the Boston Herald article today, he was quoted as saying:

“We’re not here to drink. We’re here to play baseball. It ain’t no bar.”

Bobby V was asked by ESPN about any other rules he discussed with the team in today’s meeting.

Valentine said, “Not to embarrass themselves or the team, the community, their teammates, themselves. I don’t think that’s a new rule. It’s a long-standing rule of life.”

I agree, Bobby. Evidently many of the players were not aware of such a rule last year.

Well hello, Crash.

There are certain movies out there, like Forrest Gump or Steel Magnolias, that I can sit down and watch every time they’re on television, no matter where I pick it up. Even better if I know that movie is going to make me cry like a baby. I’m weird like that. Baseball movies have the same power over me. They make me laugh, cry, cheer, boo, and most importantly, they make me happy. Sure there may be ups and downs, but in the end, you’re usually treated to a victory of some sort.

Let the countdown begin!

#5 – Field of Dreams: How many times have you heard someone say it? “If you build it, they will come.” Years ago, ESPN compiled a list of the top 100 sports movie quotes – this was #11. When I hear it, I immediately picture a young Kevin Costner, hacking away at his cornfield to begin erecting his very own baseball diamond. What happens next kind of made me want to build my own baseball field. Give me chills just thinking about it. Come to think of it, it’s been too long since I last saw this one. *runs off to Netflix queue*

#4 – For the Love of the Game: What can I say? It’s got baseball, it’s got romance, it’s got Kevin Costner. What’s not to love? I’m just a sucker for all of it. And I’m especially a sucker for a nail-biter of a ballgame with the possibility of not just a no hitter, but the holy grail for all pitchers – the perfect game. If I had any complaints about his movie, it would be Kelly Preston. She’s just not one of my favorites.
» Continue reading “My Top 5 Favorite Baseball Movies”