Welcome to the house that Ruth built

This weekend's party continued Monday, Dear Roxy. We managed to get Abreu, and added Craig Wilson today! I must admit I know very little, ok, nothing, about Wilson, but it seems like we got a good bat. We had to let go of Chacon, but that's okay because we also got a good arm in Cody Lidle, who I know very little about too. Very content about the trades the Yankees made. They didn't trade any big names which makes me feel GOOD.

Not so good for you and Nixon. He's off to the DL. Sorry! Maybe not. And who does Ben Affleck thing he is? A baseball player? Trying to catch a foul ball. Luckily Kendrick got the out instead!

Hey, Ben! Just because you're a movie star doesn't mean you can interfere with a play. Funny thing is, there was a sign right in front of his seat saying that if you interfered with a play you could be thrown out of the game! Good thing he didn't; would've been funny seeing Affleck get scorted out... yeah, like that's gonna happen.

So, Schilling lost his first game at home. Nice.

Ooohh, Happy belated Birthday, AROD!

Ok, off to see SportsCenter.

-Criss

Blog Hog: Trading Pains and Down in the 3rd

I'm hurting, Dear Criss - aching because:
1) My idiots are losing and Schilling is daydreaming while pitching. (And that AL East lead against you is way too close and dwindling.)
2) Nixon left injured.
3) The trade rumors are messing with me. Note to Theo and Tito: DO NOT TRADE Lowell, Loretta or Nixon. (The announcers will not relent on this matter.) DO TRADE Wily Mo & Tavarez. NOT MY THREE guys above. I can never forgive it. AND NOT FOR JULIO LUGO OR ANYONE ON TAMPA BAY!!!!!!!

That's all for now. At least Ben Affleck is showing his face at the games again. Let's hope these fools can turn it around by the time I wake up in the morning. Let's start off Monday just right, guys.

Roxy

Trotting Along

You know I'm not a fan of your troubled player, but I think it's been a bit out of control. I can't ever see them trading him either. Listen, these are your fans. Your people. But the moment you start feeling sorry for another player/team, is when you risk getting beat. So, you deal with his problems.

As for Lester, Dear Criss, he's 22!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, not so much younger, but...

Okay, while today did not result in a sweep of the A's, I just want to salute Trot and Varitek's efforts yesterday that resulted in some funny highlights of Tek bringing in three runs and Papi huffing and puffing it in with Manny, seriously, rrrright behind him, mentally saying "Hurry up, man!" Oh man. Those two are clowns, but you can't do anything but love them. I know how much you do.

There's nobody I'm excited about in the trade rumors, but I'll swap someone for Wells. Francona said something like he's a freak of nature and can roll out of bed, have a BEER and pitch well. Okay, Terry, did you hear yourself?!! Somehow, I don't think that's Schilling's technique, but call me crazy.

Roxy

Photo: Reuters

Feeling for A-Rod

Before anything else, I must congratulate Alex Rodriguez for his 2,000th hit and 450th homerun. Talk about killing two birds with one stone, Dear Roxy! He is now the youngest player to have hit the 450 mark!

We now move on to Texas and hope for a better series since the North of the Border series nearly killed us. I did see you guys lost yesterday so it's still 2 1/2.

The latest trade rumor involved Varitek. What's up with him getting traded to the Giants? Maybe Varitek and Bonds can now share juice... You must be inconsolable. JK

That Lester character looks kinda cute. Just like that other young pitcher you guys have. What's up with all that eye candy? Nice ;)

Off to eat ice cream cake!

-Criss

Lookin' Good, Lester

You're just lucky I stuck to three pictures of Varitek. Lucky.

Okay, so I'm getting nervous about this trade deadline. Eight days, Dear Criss. On my side, we're talking about Wily Mo and Tavarez. How about you? I've heard about Soriano back to the Yanks (blech), too, but think it may go another direction. But you can keep on hoping. Oh, and now Damon is your favorite?!! I have no comment. No gloating yet. 2 1/2 ahead, and hopefully 3 1/2 tonight, but I hold my breath every time. Your Blue Jays score was - I'm not sure how to descibe it.

So, I don't know how the Sox can go from batting practice against the Mariners (with JVar getting in a home run, too), to hitting the Seattle scene and kinda forgetting about the game. We'll say the Mariners just wanted to give it to them. TONIGHT, our darling 16-year-old-looking Lester (Actually 22, gasp. I feel old when I'm older than pitchers!), will pitch and hopefully make his old hometown area proud with a win. He's good and makes me incredibly nervous when he loads the bases, but I'm sticking with him. GO LESTER!

Did you get to see that catch Schilling made against the Rangers? Wow! Skill, experience or luck?! Nice. I know I'm late, but I saw this pic and had to bring it up. Looks like he's trying to dance.

Roxy

AP Photo, Charles Krupa
Boston Globe, Jim Davis

Yankees in the Outfield

Geez, talk about wallpapering a blog, Dear Roxy.

Note to self: Putting up 10 pictures of one player is within the rules.

Ok, back to the blog. As soon as I posted our 1/2 game behind the Red Sox, what happens? We lose two in a row. This is a tough job I tell you. I have to be careful on my future postings. No celebrating until October! Fully noted.

I forgot to mention in the previous blog about Damon's first stint on first base. My newly favorite Yankee can do it all.

And great news from Japan: Matsui will most probably be joining the Yanks in the outfield in mid-August!!! Whoo-hoo!

I heard this rumor that's been swirling around my head for a while now. Could it be true that Soriano might be a Yankee again?
Please don't tease me.

And my happy-belated Congrats to Mariano! He's only 1 of 4 closers to reach 400 saves. But the only difference is that he is, in fact, the BEST!!!! Last night was just a fluke ;)

-Criss

AP/Julie Jacobson

Varitek, Varitek and How 'bout More Varitek

"When Varitek came out to catch the sixth, the scoreboard flashed the news of his passing Fisk, which brought the crowd to its feet and caused Varitek to wave his hand this way and that to acknowledge the ovation before quickly dropping into his crouch.

"'You're very humbled, almost uncomfortable to a point,' Varitek said. 'But it's very appreciated. I was very honored to have the response that I had from my fans.'"

Boston Globe, 7/19/06

Okay, Dear Criss, today, endure my late celebration of Varitek breaking Carlton Fisk's (Rachael Ray's favorite) record for having caught the most games for the Red Sox. Of course, being out-of-market, I had to settle with the highlights. A one-minute standing ovation. I mean, if I were in charge, a marching band would have come out and bagpipers and the baton twirlers and country star Martina McBride, followed by Tim McGraw. That would have been my ovation.

Did you see the highlights with Will Farrell throwing out the first pitch the other day? Papi STEALING second?! Manny and Youk totally making fun from the dugout?! This is my mini-Red Sox Week in Review. Love it it when we sweep series we should be sweeping.

My deepest apologies to dearest Varitek for mentioning this in a post specifically celebrating his dignity. What is the deal with A-Fraud? I know you New Yorkers haven't quite embraced him, but.. PTI was asking, Should he be traded? I dunno; is there more to this that I'm not aware of 'cause I don't pay attention to your goons?



Okay, I won't talk about this now, but how Wakey has bruised ribs or whatever, I don't know. If it's from hunting or playing with the kids on the Slip 'N Slide, he better start taking care of himself, 'cause the last former goon I wanna see is Wells.

Giddy Sox fan,
Roxy

1) AP Photo: Elise Amendola
2 -3) Boston Globe Photos

Closer

As of 12:38 am it's 1/2 a game, Dear Roxy. That's right!
Got Melk had his first game-ending homerun. The youngest, at 21, to hit one since Mantle.

And the Make-A-Wish story was amazing. Steven Castro, not only got to spend time with Jeter, but with every Yankee, including the Reggie Jackson. What a character! And I didn't know Damon was so funny too. I like him now ;p
I missed the Bruschi one too. Go figure!

Yankee fans are the greatest, but can they please back off just a bit with all the A-Rod booing? The guy is hitting over .300 with 20+ homeruns. Give the guy a break!

Any other sports happening?

Missing it all.

-Criss

Photo: Barton Silverman, New York Times

Hoping for the Best - Soon. Well Okay, Now

Okay, Dear Criss, I am so embarrassed to even write about this, but since supposedly we're friends, I'm gonna go ahead. I can't believe we have lost three straight games. One extra innings loss that kept my hopes up through the 19th inning with the White Sox (that should've been a win for us), and two losses against Oakland - one of which was also an extra innings game. I don't like this and currently, we're only ahead of your jerks by 1 1/2 games. Unacceptable.

Okay, so apparently, only your team does charity?! Whatever. What do I need to do, be the PR person for the Sox and whip out a list for you? Forget it. ;) But yes, I saw two of those Make-A-Wish segments and it was very nice. I missed Bruschi. Was a little upset about that.

Now, I am not going to panic yet. Not completely. But I sure do hope Theo is actively panicking and carefully choosing some new pitchers. And please, no more 15-3 blowouts.

Roxy

Photo: AP, Charles Krupa/YahooSports.com

Tune in

While reading the Sun-Sentinel, I found out that Jeter is gonna be featured in one of the Make-A-Wish Foundation stories ESPN has been doing as of late, Dear Roxy. I've been watching some of those stories and I think they're wonderful. I am oh-so glad that Jeter is doing that too. It goes to show that it's not all fun and games for these people; there are many that care about the children too. So tune in Tuesday evening, I know I will :)

Enough... You're are sooo jealous of my Fabio Cannavaro photo collage. If you want one of ugly VTek, just ask! Don't hate!

And yes, Little Papi is cute... Nothing like the father and that's a good thing.

I did watch some of the game. I must admit it was pretty boring though. But it sure got better in the ninth! I think the NL is still crying about that one. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you close a game... with Mariano on the mound!

-Criss

Photos: Sun-Sentinel/John L. White

Little Papi Says: Don't Mess with Big Papi

Oh my gosh. What's the deal with the wallpapering of that guy all over this blog?! Whoa. Restraining order.

So did you watch the All-Star game? Me neither. But I watched some of the Homerun Derby for Papi of course. I think every other ball hit the water. P.S. Little Papi is a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e. You have to agree. Well, the ever elusive SI article has been found by this one. Finally, I got to read it, so I can calm down and be normal again. Um, did you notice Papi's Elvis sunglasses? Yeah, well, I guess the man could pull off rain boots with stripes, too. Although, he'd never be caught wearing them, actually. And I couldn't help but compare Papelbon to Varitek in the interview category. Last year, they were seriously feeling some uncomfortable silence with Varitek and this year with Papelbon, it was like a crazy family Thanksgiving dinner. It was great. He's Mr. Too-Many-Sweet-Tarts, but I love it.

Ready for football - or at least the return of the normal baseball schedule,

Roxy

AP Photo: Gene J. Puskar

Viva Italia

Yes, Italia won!!!!
Cannavaro, Totti, Buffon, Grosso, De Rossi, Del Piero, Materazzi and Company can now breathe a sigh of relief after winning the World Cup, Dear Roxy, and honestly, so can I. Whoo-hoo!!! Italia!!! The game was pretty darn good. I thought my heart was going to come out of my chest when they went to penalty kicks. But luckily Italia won it all and I'm all good. What can I say, I am super.

Can I just add how hot these Italian players are.

I just want to start and end with Fabio Cannavaro, Italia's captain. No words can describe that smile. I could make a collage with that smile. OK, maybe I did. I am smitten ;p

It's a shame how Zimedine Zidane, France's captain and one of the best players to have played this sport, ended his last game. I just can't believe he did that. The question everyone is asking themselves is why. Why?!?!

I hope, however, that this incident doesn't overshadow his great career. He is a great player and hopefully he'll be remembered that way.

Anyway, the pre-game show was good too. Toni Braxton sang with Il Divo, and Shakira shook her hips with Wyclef. Overall, great performances and dancers...

But the best thing was the game itself. I am so in love with this sport. And as you should know, everyone else in the world is too. After all, it's the BEAUTIFUL GAME. I'll just have to wait 'til 2010. I'll see you in South Africa, my friend.

Ok, enough for today.
Time to Google Fabio.

-Criss

Photos: AP/Luca Bruno; AP/Michael Sohn
AP/Michael Sohn
AP/Andrew Medichini
Reuters/Jerry Lampen

Blog Hog: Not so Shabby

Okay, Dear Criss, after 19 innings, the White Sox broke the stupid tie and won by a run. We almost had a sweep. It was torurous - almost like watching the World Cup (or the few minutes I saw). But, overall (I'm trying to stay very positive), we had a great showing against the White Sox. 2-3. But, man, it would've been a great highlight reel for the Red Sox. I daydreamed several scenarios in my head.

So Italy, won. Finally this thing is over. I saw a highlight of the French dude randomly head-butting the Italian dude in the chest. Hello? And my mom tells me the French coach took off his medal and stuck it in his pocket. Come on folksies. Geez.

Anyway, I'm blog hogging, so I'm gonna run off now. It's my first day back to work from vacation tomorrow, so I gotta get some sleep to be alert. Hmm, I'm thinking I need to schedule my next vaca tomorrow. Is that too fast?

Roxy

Photo: Reuters

Busting Out of Tampa Bay - as Quickly as Possible Please

So, apparently, it is my turn to write, according to Dear Criss, who waited for the moment that I brought up the Devil Rays at lunch today to rub in the fact that we lost three to them. Well guess what? There was no sweep. We beat them 12-5, which frankly should have happened every night. Not only are those announcers jerky ("What's [Youk] crying about?") but they also take to making fun of older couples in the stands, specifically the gentleman's beard. The world truly does not miss out on Devil Ray broadcasts. Excuse me, the Rays; I know they're trying to drop the "devil."

Anyway, did you catch the extremely edited highlights? What really happened was a Manny two-run HR, a Papi two-run HR, a Papi GS, a Mirabelli HR and other assorted delights.

On that note, I will leave it all alone, b/c we gotta deal with the White Sox next. Let's hope Boston was saving their home runs to go up against them. Thanks Wakey for avoiding the sweep.

Roxy

Photo by Doug Benc, Getty Images

Stars & Stripes

Happy 4th of July!

Criss & Roxy

(Apologies to Dear Criss. I was in a rush and could only get this picture up. So much for unbiased, I know. But I swear, if this was a panoramic view, you could see the Yankees off to the side. Hee, hee. -Roxy)

Photo: Boston Globe

At work :(

I must admit I had a great time Friday night, Dear Roxy. I'm just happy the Marlins won that night. I don't think I could've handled all of those Red Sox fans after a team win. I was a little scared with the big, furious man sitting on my left. I thought he was gonna jump me everytime I rooted for the Marlins. And at least Big Papi didn't get the big homerun this time around; I would've cried.

The Yankees couldn't make any ground on the Red Sox, but at least we didn't lose any either. Last night's game was exciting and a late-nighter! I couldn't turn it off either. A-Rod is looking a lot better at the plate. It showerd when he hit a grand-slam and a three run homerun as well. But, I really liked the second baseman, Nick Green. He had a great night too, hitting a homerun of his own. Congrats to him.... He's making the best of it since Robinson Cano is out. And he's kind of dreamy ;P

Brazil is out! I'm kind of glad they are. It's time to give someone else a chance to win the World Cup. Pretty sad England's out. I hate to see grown men cry.

Italia is still there. Whoo-hoo! I get to see the match tomorrow.

And I'm stuck at work!


-Criss

Photo: AP Bill Kostroun

What a Day for a Daydream

Um, who made that great catch? Coco.

You know, sometimes, Dear Criss, you nail my emotions right on the head with your post titles. I feel pretty good after this weekend. I think the Sox pretty much took it easy on Fri., then picked it up to get 2-3 from the Marlins. This series shouldn't have been like a playoff series, so I wouldn't expect anything less than 2-3. And still...

But come on! We had fun. Granted, everyone was tired from work, but we had an ecclectic group and had a good time. And Mike Lowell getting an ovation. Nice. He said he's never been in a situation like that and enjoyed it. Was gonna watch it later 'cause his mom taped it.

Today, I enjoyed watching my first live, in-person Varitek homerun. It was like they were giving away free Ben & Jerry's, it felt so good. The man is pure muscle. He ran the bases and not a tiny piece of fat wiggled on those legs. Nothing. Then, as luck would have it, my sister and I sat in front of Beevis and Butthead. They were sooo annoying and sounded like them, mocking every Sox player. Anyway, after a few runs, they quieted down and mysteriously left before we all did. We had the two cutest little boys in front of us who warmed up our section to do Red Sox chants and one yelled at the ump like he would take him down - that is, until his dad pulled him down by his shirt.


Good times. Oh yeah, it was so disgustingly HOT. Worse than Friday. And did I mention our seats were SO AWESOMELY GOOD?! Mirabelli looked human sized in the bullpen, as did the rest of the team. Everyone successfully got Francona to bring out Papelbon after a few chants. It was great and we won. Hanging out with the Red Sox Nation Family rocks.

Roxy

Tek, Papi: AP Photos, Steve Mitchell; Lowell: AP