Pulling Ahead

You're too funny with that Sarah McLachlan stuff, Dear Roxy. Like I told you before, if I start listening to her, thoughts begin to turn to suicide and that's no fun! JK everyone.

And it's not 61/2, it's more like 8! I love the fact that we're doing much better than you guys. I do feel bad for the sick bug your guys have. Hope Big Papi gets better. But he should go on some bed rest too; he shouldn't push it.

Did I tell you? I'm going to the FSU-UM game Monday night! I don't know how I'm gonna start my work week the next day, but I'm going!

And wish me luck, another semester starts NOW :(

-Criss

Adia I Do Believe I Failed Youuuu

Wow, you pretty much summed up the West Coast situation, Dear Criss. It's so sad. Listen, if they keep playing like this, I'm going to have to pull out some Sarah McLachlan music. That's serious.

Well, should I even bother looking at the standings? 6 1/2. Did you realize the Mariners, who swept the Sox, are in LAST PLACE? I just read that. I wonder if they can pull it off when Varitek gets back. I wonder if they'll have it in them. Maybe they need to hand out money at home plate for every run. In honor of P, Carvel cakes in the dugout. I'm trying here.

Is it bad that I've had thought of wanting to see "Talladega Nights"? Should I not admit that?

Forget it. Pull out Sarah McLachlan. Now.

Roxy

Photo: Sing365.com

West Coast Hater

Seattle wasn't as good as I expected, Dear Roxy. Hopefully LosAngeles of Aneheim will. Los Angeles of Aneheim is such a dorky name. Pick one and stick with it! Geez.

I hate the West Coast games! I hate going to sleep without knowing how my beloved Yankees played. For the past two days, waking up to games in the 'loss' column hasn't been too joyeous.

Thankfully we still have a good lead coming into this new series. Let's hope we keep it that way!

What else is going on? I've been kind of out of it, and will be for two more days since I'm heading out to the Keys this weekend!

Gotta run.

-Criss

Tell Me Something Good

Oh, you are HORRIBLE, Dear Criss.

You know when you check in to see your favorite show and realize it’s a re-run. Then you check the next week and the next week until it no longer fazes you that it’s a re-run? That’s how I feel about the Red Sox. After the game 5 results against the Yankees, it didn’t even bother me anymore. I just went, Oh, they lost.

I’m hoping, that like with my/our favorite TV show, there is a new episode and it’s good and worth the wait. And you forget about the bad weeks, the re-runs, the pointless guest appearances, ’cause now the show is turning around for the best – and the season finale – perfect.

The New York Times wrote regarding Varitek, “‘He’s a huge part of this team, but you can’t use that as a crutch if you want to win,’ Epstein said.” Thanks, Theo. Plaster that in the locker room. That’s exactly what I’m saying. I just can’t comprehend this. It makes me so mad, but as the Yankee security guard at work said - after I ranted on about how I would yell and scream at these folks - they’re already down on themselves, so you can’t yell at them. I’m not 100% sold on that, but I do have a heart. Sheesh. Do you want it? That's all I'm saying - everyday.

Anyway, I’m not up for a whole Varitek blog today. I need some comfort food, i.e. a tub of ice cream.

Roxy

Photo from Film, "Anchorman"

Sweep Dreams!

In the Series that Never Sleeps, the Yankees came out on top and SWEPT your beloved Red Sox, Dear Roxy! I couldn't be any happier! This may not be a sign of things to come, but I'd rather be 6 1/2 games up then 6 1/2 games down! Woo-hoo!

You must know what they're calling it right? Boston Massacre 2! Yeap! Or so I hear! If not, you can always see the pictures.

Sorry about all the bragging, but hey, we just SWEPT YOU GUYS! Plus, I'm pretty sure you would be doing the same thing.

Friday's Game 2 was painful too. I was literally watching that game with one eye open. Especially after setting a new record for the longest 9th inning game at 4 hours and 45 minutes.

One last thing: Big Papi was too funny after last night's game. Something about not been fair and the Yankees needing to let the Sox win one to make things more interesting. Needless to say, things are more interesting with a bigger lead.

And as far as I'm concerned, nothing else in happened in sports.

-Criss

AP Photos: AP/Elise Amendola

Shake it Off

Enough with Randy Johnson, Dear Criss. ENOUGH!!! Now that you've finished working on my new myspace site, I suppose it may take me a few days to figure out how to put a link on this blog to your "Criss Luvs Varitek 4-Lyf" site. The e-mails from fellow Varitek fans are pouring into you, so you better start catching up.

Look, I'm not gonna pretend this weekend has been a walk in the park for me, but I'm not ready to give up. On Friday, I was calling the security guard at work (he has a TV) asking him the score every few minutes, until I start hearing double digits from the Yankees.

I have updated my Whatever List:

1. Josh Beckett
2. Wily Mo Pena
3. Josh Beckett
4. Terry Francona (pull them out earlier and yell at them in the locker room, please)

I won't yell at Lester. I still like him, I just think he needs Varitek. But PEOPLE, DON'T JUST CRUMBLE WITHOUT VARITEK!!!!!!! I know we all love him, but try. Try to try. (P.S. "Sox manager Terry Francona today didn’t rule out a possible Sept. 1 return for Jason Varitek, who has been on the disabled list with a knee injury since Aug. 1. He added that the captain will travel to the West Coast for the Sox' series against the Mariners, Aug. 25-27." Boston Globe 8/20/06)

Next time I'll do a whole post on Varitek: Count Down to the Captain's Return.

I need to see some effort from people. I feel like I write this same post a lot lately. Anyway, let's hope Curty can pull things around tonight. So far so good. Rain delay go away.

Roxy

Photo: Boston Globe, Charles Krupa

Done

It took me five days to do your page, but you now have a "I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THE YANKEES" page on MySpace, Dear Roxy. Your sister helped picked out the pictures too.

A huge congrats to Randy after his 4,500th strike out! That's a lot of Ks.

Did you catch SportsCenter? Two 18-inning games played last night. Crazy.
Or how about Pudge getting the last out in last night's game as a second baseman? Looking good.

There's a HUGE HUGE HUGE series coming up this weekend. It'll be crazy up in Boston. Five games! Five playoff-atmostphere games at Fenway! Crazy I tell you.

-Criss

Photos: Reuters/Ray Stubblebine

Late Breaking News: Red Sox Win Game!

First of all (first of all, how many times do I have to start out saying "first of all" to address your nonsense), I would like to say that the moment you put me up on myspace is the day you have a Dear Criss myspace site dedicated to your love of the Red Sox - favorite things: "Anything Jason Varitek," will read your profile.

Second, the Red Sox finally won a game. It has come to this. I was daydreaming on my way to work (and a little at work) about what kind of motivational speech I would give. Said a co-worker, "You'd be a mean coach." It's not mean, it's motivation. Someone's gotta give it. I'm channeling "Miracle" and "Glory Road" (Did I tell you to see it? It's good. Maybe you told me to see it.). I'm thinking roll the 2004 videos, call Millar, anything. I got a great NFL Films soundtrack that's a real motivator. I highly recommend it.

How cool and relieving was it to be eating dinner and see Tom Brady playing on t.v.? Again, I 'm looking for anything positive here.

Roxy

P.S. Don't hit my players. I'll send a mad Youk after you. I will now practice self-control.

AP Photo, Charles Krupa

Sweeping the Sox

How does it feel to have been swept by the Royals, Dear Roxy? The Royals! And because of those losses, the Yankees didn't lose any ground on those hated Red Sox. Come to think about it, we gained a few games on you.

And then Schilling allowed nine doubles!!! I believe that's a new record... One that I wouldn't want to have under my belt.

A big Congrats to Randy Johnson for his no-hitter through six innings a few nights ago. So he lost it in the seventh, but the good thing is that Randy seems to be back. He's been pitching good as of late, and that's the most important thing. Good job.

I hear Matsui might be back soon. I can't wait to have his power back in the lineup. It'll be great.

And because you want to post a thousand of Varitek's photos on the blog, you now have a page on MySpace.

Hahaha
-Criss

I Changed the Password

Okay, Dear Criss, you joked the other day, but I totally changed the password of the Sporting Gals blog on you. No more "tamely" nasty commentary, as if you were the good guy. No more basking in my baseball misery from the privacy of your own house and computer. I'm taking over. Red Sox pictures every day. Endless Varitek pictures. AND DON'T THINK I didn't see your little comment about Javy taking over #33's place. Oh, I don't even have something nasty back for you. Kansas City > Detroit > New York, I believe is the sched. Sigh.

Show some inner fire, boys!! Show us that you want it!! (Um, you do, don't you?)

Roxy

P.S. Did you see Big Papi's Sunday Conversation?

Photo: Boston Globe, Jim Davis

Thanks!

All caught up now, Dear Roxy. You are definitely hurting on that side of town. But I don't care for your Red Sox tears, especially after getting Javy. Aren't you afraid he'll forever take Vtek's place? Things to ponder about. There's something wrong with my comp so I can't hit enter. Weird. I will now have a long paragraph, just like my previous posting. Since you mentioned walk-off home runs, how about the one hit against the Red Sox yesterday? Want to talk about that one? I'm still hoping Landis can clear his name. That comeback was a great one. But these days no one knows for sure. OK, gotta go, this comp is getting on my nerves. Promise to make more fun of you some other time ;) Criss

Real Positive Attitude

Catch you up? Oh, let me think...

-Mirabelli went down injured (ankle)
-David Wells still needs to go, particularly after he blew it against the stupid Rays
-Beckett is getting close to making it on my Whatever List for similar acts (I don't care if he's a cover boy)
-The cyclist dude tested positive again (although I'm still holding out for a good explanation)
-The old person I loved to despise made it into the NFL Hall of Fame (Aikman, with Moon, Reggie White, Madden and two more that I'm not familiar with, my apologies)
-You still have a pact with the devil and lost maybe one game only recently


On a positive note...

-We got Javy Lopez
-There was a huge, blowout sale at Bloomingdale's (50% off already marked down shoes)
-Other players have decided to take charge, such as Mark Loretta with a stunning walk off late last week (Did I already talk about that? I'm just holding on here to whatever I can.)
-Varitek's surgery went well - because I said so (six weeks, but you know he's gonna be super-freak and come back sooner)

So anyway, life is good. And we have to play the Tigers soon. I mean, I'm feeling sooo good, I gotta just keep telling myself how good I'm feeling. You got it?

Roxy

AP Photos: Chris O'Meara, Steven Senne

What's happening?

I have been soooo busy at work, I no longer have time for me, Dear Roxy! LOL. How dare they not give me time to write my blog! On a serious note, this campaign is kicking me a**. I've been so busy I just get home, get in my bed, and do nothing else. I feel lucky if I get to have lunch! I haven't even had time to make fun of the fact that Vtek is on the DL. Sorry, Rox. OK, maybe not. This is the opportunity the Yanks needed to gain some ground on the East. It is tight, but I feel good about our chances. Well, at least this week. Abreu has done pretty good with the Yanks since the trade. It seems like a good fit. Jeter is doing great too. His batting average is up there. Whoo-hoo! Watch out! What else is going on? I feel so left out in the world of sports. Please update me.

Criss

Blog Hog Moment: JASON, WHYYYYY?!?!

Where are you, Dear Criss? I'm in torment here, and you're all busy with work. Well, so am I, but I mean, we're talking, JVar here. Tek. The Captain. Out for a month! Get well faster, faster, Jason. Maybe back in time for playoffs. Okay, I am asking EVERYONE on the team to seriously step it up and do it for The Captain. No one else is allowed a bruise, scratch, pain, etc. Nothing. No complaining. Did you see Curt Schilling complaining in 2004? No, he played bleeding!!!!

Hey, ESPN magazine: Josh Beckett on the cover. I'll save a copy for you. ;)

Scared to think about the rest of the season, but not giving up to your jerks,
Roxy

How 'Bout the House Papi Rocked

First I want to say that after a post like your last one, I am reminded of how I have no idea how we are friends, Dear Criss.

Before I find a moment of joy, I have to sit here and CRYYYYYYYYYY because my Varitek, team sources have said, will need surgery on his kneeeeee. (Insert dramatic slap with a white glove across the face.) Currently, he's on the 15-day DL, but is that code for "Tomorrow we're really gonna slap you with 'won't be back this season'?" I am so not feeling good right now. Trot's out for like 3 weeks, but this is like the doctor saying, you cannot have ice cream for the rest of the year. I'm gonna be hopeful.

Don't you laugh. All I have to say is Jeter + Avon + cologne. What?! Yeah, your player.

On a lighter note, which was supposed to be the lead, did you catch last night's highlights? I saw the whole game and was going nuts at the end. Big Papi had a wild look in his eye at that at-bat. Then he hits that walk-off, and I was jumping in the air!!! He's ker-azzyyy.

Let's all make these games a sucess for Varitek, guys. Please, doctor, bring us some good news. Don't go sizing your World Series ring yet, my friend.

Roxy

Photo: AP, Mary Schwalm