After Almost ¼ of the 2010 Boston Red Sox Season

Well it’s not as though I know anything more or less about the Olde Town Team than I did in Spring Training. The word was out and was shouted loud and often that this edition of the Boston Red Sox would focus on ‘run prevention’ with great pitching and outstanding defense. Just ask Theo Epstein who got the word out early. To this end the front office signed the best free agent pitcher available, Los Angeles Angel John Lackey as well as gold-glovers Mke Cameron and Adrian Beltre.

So, with the signing of Lackey there emerged what many thought was the best starting pitching in all of baseball, Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, John Lackey, Clay Bucholtz and Tim Wakefield with the rehabbing Daisuke Matsuzaka waiting in the wings. Lackey was numero uno starter for the Angels and as a result the Sox were said to have three #1 starters, Beckett, Lester, Lackey – an embarrassment of riches. But something happened as the first 38 games of the MLB season unfolded.

Josh Beckett after a very good opening day win against the New York Yankees was uncharacteristically wild in his next starts with a 7:00+ ERA and posted no further victories. Jon Lester got off to his usual slow start but has improved and is now 3-2with a respectable 3:91 ERA and 54 K’s. John Lackey got off to a fast start but was shaky in his last outing as he comes in at 4-2 with a 4:86 ERA. He has walked more batters than usual. Clay Bucholtz remains a conundrum – dominating one time, knocked around the next. Presently he is 4-3 with an ERA of 3:46 but with 22 walks and only 28 strike outs. Innings eater knuckleballer, Tim Wakefield, off to a poor start with an 0-2 record and an ERA of 5:63 was relegated to the bullpen when Dice-K was ready to start for the big club. After three starts Matsuzaka is 2-1 with a decidedly not pretty 6:35 ERA.

The bullpen thought to be a major strength of this club has been erratic and undependable. The closer, Jonathan Papelbon, has not blown a save but is only 1-2 with an ERA of 1:47 after 16 IP. Daniel Bard has been up and down. Hideki Okajima was given a week off when he experienced a slow start and some health issues. Manny Delcarmen may be coming around but Ramon Ramirez has not done well and newcomer, Scott Schoeneweiss is a bit of a disaster. So, you see that the pitching is a ‘work in progress.


Now to the vaunted defense – gold-glovers Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis have been steady on the right side of the infield. The Sox signed Adrian Beltre and Marco Scutero in the off season. Scutero had some early trouble going to his left and Beltre has been anything but the gold-glover the Red sox thought they were getting. He has 7 errors and often looks uninterested. It’s alarming how he fails to cut off balls headed for shortstop. As for the outfield, Mike Cameron has been injured and out of the line-up for over a month. When he was in there he wasn’t getting good reads on balls hit toward him in centerfield at Fenway. Jacoby Ellsbury was playing in his sixth game when a collision with Beltre resulted in four fractured ribs. Cameron is rehabbing with AAA starts and Ellsbury had his first rehab start today in Pawtucket. J.D. Drew has been his usual dependable self in right field.


So there you have it between the lack of quality starts, and the lack of a dependable bullpen the Red Sox sport a mediocre record of 19 wins and 19 losses. As of May 3rd their fielding percentage was the second worst in the American League although it has been better in recent days. The feeling of confusion about what we can expect, injuries aside, from this team may be answered shortly as they face a tough schedule of games with the Yankees, Twins, Phillies and Rays in the next ten days. Personally I’m finding it hard to accept that the 2010 Boston Red Sox may be no better than a .500 team. Time will tell…

Raspberries To:

Underwire bras which set off airport security requiring a full body search to indeed verify that one is not wearing a weapon of mass destruction~

Fridays when the Bruins, Celtics and Red Sox all lose~

Photo discs made on a Mac which can't be played on a PC~

Mean people~

People who don't listen~

MLB pitchers unraveling~

NBA teams not playing defense~

Those who neglect to show appreciation - even with a simple thank you~

Hall of Fame football players accused of rape. Does the name Lawrence Taylor, former New York Giant, ring a bell?

The Vatican which is in the process of too little too late with regard to 'predatory priests' - can this old boys club ever come into the 21st century with regard to equal treatment of women?

Hilarious

~In Brookline~

April 20, 2010

I must say that I have always had a soft spot for the Town of Brookline from the fine school system to the priceless mansions to the vast array of restaurants and most importantly to the best doctors anywhere. That said, last Friday I got a parking ticket while I was at The Coolidge Corner Theatre. A fantastic movie The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo was playing there. Subtitles and all it was as good as the amazing book. Anyhow, I had dutifully put my coins in the meter and knew that I had three hours. Imagine my surprise after the film ended when I spotted the yellow ticket torn and wet on my windshield.

With a little detective work my mistake became clear. I had put my money in the meter facing front and not the one to the left, the correct one. I wonder if others have erred in this way. Anyhow I went directly to the police station to explain my blight only to discover the next hearing to dispute a ticket would be held on Tuesday morning April 20th. Of course I made my way to Brookline today and after about a 30 minute wait a very nice sergeant heard my story. The good news is that he reduced my ticket from $25.00 to a $5.00 fine which I paid immediately. I felt satisfied with the result.

To celebrate I decided to go right around the corner to one of my favorite places, Matt Murphy’s where they have the best shepherd’s pie this side of Ireland. It’s made the proper way with lamb, real mashed potatoes, carrots and turnip. I placed my order to go and waited the 10 minutes in the Pub. A very caring waitress brought over a cup of tea with milk and raw sugar. I was so taken aback at her thoughtfulness. Irish hospitality is alive and well at Matt Murphy’s. Oh and by the way the shepherd’s pie was every bit as good as I remembered it. Just another reason to love Brookline!

Worthy of Praise

Kudos To:

The imaginative young priest at St. Anthony’s Shrine in Boston who quoted Bono’s lyrics from a U2 song during a Holy Week sermon~

Jessie the sweet, gentle, funny lady who celebrated her 97th birthday this month~
All those who love baseball and follow their team obsessively – that means you Red Sox Nation~

Sister Nancy and her staff for their tireless efforts at Casserly House~
The Fontbonne Academy class of 1960 as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of their high school graduation~

Fontbonne’s first principal an amazing woman of wisdom and grace, Sister Flavia, who died last Christmas Eve.

Those who are careful not to litter as well as those whose job it is to clean the inevitable litter~

A certain puppy who has brought so much joy to a wonderful family~
A loving niece and her selfless generosity~

The novelist, Pat Conroy, whose book South of Broad is beautifully written poetic prose~

The Ledge Restaurant in Lower Mills Dorchester – terrific food, tasty drinks, attentive service and a lively atmosphere~

Heathrow Airport for shutting down operations due to the danger posed by volcanic ash from Iceland~

The Library of Congress for acquiring the entire Twitter archive with 50M tweets a day that’s a lot of 140 or less characters~

John Lackey for the ease with which he has assimilated himself as a member of the Boston Red Sox~

The first woman, Katherine Bigelow, to get an oscar for best director for the phenomenal movie The Hurt Locker~

Carrie Fisher whose blog can always make me laugh~

To those who care enough to research and preserve the memory and accomplishments of their ancestors~

All who make kindness a priority in their daily interactions with others~

A New Day In Massachusetts - Remembering Senator Edward M. Kennedy

It has been some time since I sat down to blog. File under past due! I got very side tracked chronicling every Red Sox game at www.dak126-sox09.blogspot.com during the 2009 season. I had wanted to honor Senator Edward Moore Kennedy with some heart-felt words when he died August 25, 2009. But I didn’t know where to start and so I didn’t. After the special election last Tuesday I began to think it’s time. The election saw the seat occupied by Ted Kennedy for nearly 47 years go to a little known but tireless campaigner Massachusetts Republican State Senator, Scott Brown.

Needless to say it was a staggering blow to those who believed in Kennedy’s life-long ambition that good and decent health care be made available to all Americans including low income people as well as those with pre-existing conditions. The Democratic candidate, State Attorney General Martha Coakley, seemed to take her election as a given, failed to connect with the people and generally speaking wasn’t a very good ‘candidate’. These factors plus an angry electorate tired of the tight job market, the bank bailouts, the big bonuses, the perceived out of control spending and the rancor of Washington politicians all contributed to the 5% triumph of our new Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown, the first Republican elected to that office since Edward Brooke in 1972.

On an emotional level it’s a strange irony that the man who will succeed Senator Kennedy will now have the 41st vote which effectively blocks the health care legislation currently before Congress. My hope is that both sides of the aisle will put aside partisanship and really work together to accomplish what the American people are looking for among other things more jobs and a better economic climate.

To honor Edward M. Kennedy and his service to our country I begin with his very own words:

“I grew up in a large Irish Catholic family as the youngest of nine children. By their words, their actions, and their love our parents instilled in all of us the importance of the ties that bind us together – our faith, our family and our love of this great country.”

Ted Kennedy spent his whole career in public service working for the underdog, for those less fortunate, for those in need often giving voice to the powerless. To recount but three of the senator’s accomplishments I start with the fact that today there are 1200 community health centers in all 50 states giving low income Americans access to quality primary care due in large part to Senator Kennedy’s vision and inspired work.*

Next, in the words of Reg Weaver, the immediate past President of the National Education Association:

“Every major education law passed since the 1960’s has borne Kennedy’s imprint, from Head Start to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. He has proven himself, time and again, to be a fighter for children and educators.”

Finally, Senator Kennedy has always been a leading Congressional advocate of a fair minimum wage. Fittingly, he saw the minimum wage increase 16 times during his years of service in the United States Senate.

Countless words have been spoken about the senator and how he was the master of compromise enabling him to get the people’s business done. Even more words of praise were spoken during the period of mourning after Edward Moore Kennedy died last August 25th. The public wake at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum saw folks standing in a line half a mile long for many hours to pay their respects. In a classy gesture, Vicki, Ted’s wife and other members of the family spoke to those waiting in line and thanked them for their presence and support.

Ted Kennedy was an outstanding and devoted senator. His friends and colleagues, both Republican and Democratic, gave memorable tributes at his funeral. But the most emotional and moving words came from his son, Edward Kennedy Jr. Losing his leg to cancer and battling the disease as a child Teddy spoke about how his father’s love and determination to help him made all the difference in his young life. Family man, loving husband to Vicki, father to the children of his assassinated brothers, John and Robert, tireless legislator, and advocate for those in need are just a few ways to describe this amazing man.

Was he a perfect man? No, far from it but he knew enough to change his harmful behaviors and to address his destructive ways. He was a man of faith who was humble and sorrowful enough to write to Pope Benedict XVI shortly before he died of a malignant brain tumor to ask for prayers and to seek forgiveness for any wrong-doings.

It goes without saying that I have long admired the Kennedy family, their service to America often at a great price, their willingness to stand up for and with common folks, their dedication to serving in the military, their closeness as a family and most of all the help given to the many with no fanfare or sought for recognition.

An accomplished sailor Ted found great solace and renewal in his closeness to the sea and especially those beautiful waters of the Atlantic Ocean at his beloved Hyannisport, MA home. Rest in peace, Teddy, the ninth and youngest child of Joseph Patrick and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy you always seemed to renew my optimism in what was possible.

I will close with a thank you to Senator Edward M. Kennedy for his kind and generous heart and for all that he did to make the lives of ordinary Americans better. You are missed beyond imagining…

*Source: http://kennedy.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Kennedy%20Accomplishments.pdf

Late Afternoon Seaside Images

Every year Labor Day brings with it the ‘unofficial’ end of summer. For me it’s a chance to reflect on a recent day at the beach. No question the best time of day by the ocean is very late afternoon. Once last week I arrived later than usual at 4:40 PM and the images I saw as well as the words I heard gave me pause and were much appreciated. Sometimes depending on where your beach chair happens to land you may be subject to overtired, unhappy children, grumbling adults, 'language challenged' teens, and any manner of obnoxious annoying sights and sounds. All this when you just want to have a refreshing swim, peacefully read your book or just enjoy the rejuvenating powers of the sun, sand, air and water.

No negativity on this particular day only lovingly beautiful images. First a family of three settling in to my left mother, father and son James about 12 years of age. It was a pleasure to observe this young boy so obviously kind and respectful to his parents even though he wanted them to go in the water and they preferred just to sit. At one point the Dad took some photos of his son with the ocean in the background. Even though the boy urged him to hurry when the ‘photo session’ was over the son gave his father a big hug.

The second image was directly in front of me as patient, loving grandparents were completely attentive to their 2-3 year old grandson, Dylan. They played with him digging holes in the sand, going into the water, offering cookies, and completely enjoying precious time at the beach with this beautiful little child.

About 5:15 PM I observed image number three as a father arrived with his three children ages ranging from a few months to six to maybe eight years of age. Perhaps the Mom was at work or maybe taking a break at home. In any event this family headed right for the water splashing happily, riding the boogie board, playing and having fun. Again you could feel joy and the love.

Final image is of a young mother with a new-born making her way to the water’s edge with another young woman perhaps her sister or friend. They spoke in a foreign tongue and made sure that the infant enjoyed the beauty of the seashore.

As the sun gets lower in the sky earlier and earlier I am reminded that these wonderful beach days will soon give way to the Fall and early darkness. I plan to enjoy as many of them as the summer has left with this day being a definite highlight. I’m thankful for the beauty of these seaside images as they will surely remain with me as will the sun glistening on the water, the warm ocean breezes, the refreshing swim in the ocean and the graceful sailboats gliding through the water. All this along with a compelling book to read will be much missed as the days get shorter, the weather cooler and summer comes to an end.