No More Manny

Wow.

I thought about this day for a long time - for many years. I've laughed at his nonsense, and I've balked at it. But in recent weeks, I have given up on his antics. I think I was sadder to see Johnny Damon go. I've had more lead time to contemplate Manny leaving. At least he didn't go to the Yankees. But I'll never understand the weird attitude, the comments to ESPNDeportes, ignoring the third base coach, shoving down an older man, coming at Youk, fooling around in the outfield - it goes on and on.

Why did it have to be this way? I hate it. I still have a soft spot for him, but I know it was the right decision. And I truly believe that we'll start winning again. There's been a black cloud of bad vibes with this situation. I feel a little lighter. Undoubtedly, Tito and Theo feel the same. I know Papi's gonna be sad, but what are we going to do? Live on with this uncomfortable scenario?

Yeah, that other night (why did we lose two out of three against you, Dear Criss) the commentators were a little annoying, but they usually are like that.

So we move to the next chapter of Red Sox history. What will it hold?

Now who's this Pirates guy?

Roxy

Photo: Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

Pudge Blog Hog

The Yankees have acquired Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez from the Tigers, Dear Roxy! I'm very happy for this trade. After hearing that Jorge was having season-ending surgery, this is a bit of a relief. Pudge is a great catcher, and hopefully will be a great addition to the team. Sorry to see you go Farnsworth, but I did have mixed feelings about you.

And back to Posada, please get better! We need you either way!!!

Wow, Manny has been in the news as of late. Here's my deal - listen up, Manny!

Leave Boston! Although you are a horrible team player (you don't hustle, you go inside the Green Monster everytime you can to have a cafesito, etc...), you put up great numbers. I have a feeling they haven't noticed those. And those dirty and filthy fans booing you... how dare they?

BUT, wherever you decide to go, do not, I repeat, do not go to the Florida Marlins! Why, you might ask? Well, here's why - They're a great, young team with a lot of chemistry. Trading for you (crazy, I know), means they have to give up three (at least!) great players (even crazier) to get you and only you. Doesn't quite add up.

So Leave Boston but not to Florida... Plus, it's humid and hot, too. Your hair wouldn't take it.

-Criss

Photo: Gary Cameron, Reuters

Almost

I will take the 2 out of 3 games from your stinky and dirty Sox, Dear Roxy. What a great two games they were... it's too bad we couldn't complete the sweep.

But how annoying were the commentators last night? Seriously, they couldn't shut up about Manny being Manny. I'm sure you were tired of hearing the same thing over and over again, Rox. I even had to change the channel because I was getting aggravated. I must have seen his quote a thousand times! Enough with Manny already! Eew.

The Marlins didn't do too bad either. They split a 4-game series in Chicago...

And Congrats to the Goose for being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Well deserved!

Olympic gold metalist Paul Hamm will miss the Olympics. What a shame. I love watching him in gymnastics.

The saga continues with Favre... WWBD?

-Criss

Photo: Brian Snyder, Reuters

Keep it Coming, 'Tek!

So Varitek goes to work when he can only see out of one eye. How he wasn't in the military, I don't know. I think his kids are bringing home crazy germs, because he's been out with the flu, had an eye infection and who knows what else. Can you imagine catching a game looking at Matsuzaka with one eye shut, Dear Criss? Okay, I think you got the picture.

I'm happy today because my boys swept Seattle. And Varitek threw in a two-run homer. I like that. It's good to see a semi-smile on his face. He's been looking too glum. We needed some wins and have to keep it going against the dirty Yankees this weekend. Enter Big Papi. If I have to hear one more peep from the security guard at work about this series, I'll puke.

Roxy

Photo: Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images

Way Past Due

I know the game was last week, Dear Roxy, but I'm still bringing it up.

What a game it was! Yankee Stadium put up a show. And since it was the last All-Star game ever at the Stadium, what a better way to say good bye then to play a few extra innings?

I must admit I watch those late innings with one eye opened, but I watched it... til the end! I'm sure going to miss that Stadium and its glory. And off to the new one!

And speaking of off we go, good-bye Jason Taylor! I can't believe this it. We will miss you. [tear tear]

Back to baseball. While Johnny, Jorge and Hideki continue to rehabilitate in the DL, the Yankees keep playing good ball. May the trend continue. Watch out, Rox!

Brett Frave is back from retirement? Or trying at least. I love it when players realize they have a few years left in them. Too funny. Maybe he can play for us!

-Criss

PS: Yeah, that video with Papelbon and co. is a bit scary... just like them.

Photo: Brendan McDermid, Reuters

Blog Hog: How Many Dancing Analogies...

Jason Taylor made it out of Miami! Well, I had hoped for the Pats or Dallas, but I'm happy for Taylor. I can't picture him in a Redskins uni. Hm. But hey, he must be so happy, so good for him. What do you think, Dear Criss? I could barely believe the saga was over.

Now, we need a new home for Favre.

Roxy

'Cause the Rain Don't Care

This is the "Blame it on the Rain" video I was telling you about, Dear Criss. Check out Pap and Delcarmen looking really embarrassing.

So as I write this, the Sox are getting ready to play the Angels and avoid a sweep. What's wrong with that sentence? I mean, I know the travel thing throws you off, and the West Coast is far, but how many years have we been doing that trip? It's nothing new. I need some more winning like Christopher Walken needs some more cowbell.

And no, I didn't see the All-Star game, but how about my boy J.D. Drew? Mr. MVP. I don't know why this season is starting to feel long. I think I'm a little annoyed by people we've already discussed. I'm annoyed by the same mistakes. I'm annoyed by silly sweeps. I could just be in a bad mood. Excuse the interruption - Peter Gammons just said Dustin Pedroia looked like a "stuffed toy from FAO Schwarz." I get really annoyed when they keep picking on Dusty's size. It's like, We get it. We've heard every "cute" comment and comparison in the book. Stop trying to take away from his manhood, people! And my boy just hit a double. Nice.

Roxy

SNL skit photo

Homerun Derby

I really like this kid. What he's been able to overcome says a lot about him. He's one to watch, Dear Roxy. Although he didn't win last night, he took over the whole show! Kudos!

The final All-Star game in Yankee Stadium will be played in a matter of hours. Tears to be shed!

Lots of blogs to come... but before I go, I wanted to congratulate Jeter for hitting his 200th homerun Saturday! Who-hoo!!!!

And on a sad note, we say goodbye to Bobby Murcer. Thanks for the great memories. We will miss you.

Enjoy the game, Rox.

- Criss

PS: JETER hit his 200th homerun on Saturday. Woo-hoo!!!!

Photo: Mike Segar, Reuters

Blog Hog: Yoooooouk

Grand slams? Youk? Oh my. And now today, we're half a game above Tampa Bay, Dear Criss.

On the other hand, I have to say, I have been a little worried about Papelbon. I mean I'm not scared to the Delcarmen point, but I do look away a little bit when he's pitching. He let Baltimore score in the ninth, but I greatly feared worse. Maybe the All-Star Game break will be good for him. You know, I don't really look forward to the All-Star Game. I kinda think it's boring. Shhhh. But I do want the AL to win for obvious reasons.

Okay, so when does football start? Didn't you bring this up? I was driving around and kinda felt it in the air today.

Roxy

AP photo, Winslow Townson

Lost in Space

There's a Red Sox Nation rap. It's funny, check it out, Dear Criss.

What's the deal with Manny? The funny factor is wearing out real fast with me, as is the "Manny being Manny" saying. Anyway, I'm just glad we're winning again. Now we're playing Baltimore, so let's see. Buchholtz tonight, baby.

As for Brett Favre ... oh my. What will he do next? He wants back, and I don't think the Packers want him. Now he's asked for an unconditional release from the team, and as Steve Young said, there is no way the Packers want to do that. Brett will go to the Bears (The Dolphins? No way.) and destroy the Pack. I miss Steve.

Okay, apparantly we both took the week off from sports. And we didn't even cover one Yankee tabloid scandal. Let's not even. I think we can both agree on that. You're so right, what an overload.

Are we back in business now?

Roxy

Boston Globe photo

Sports Sunday

I'm tired from all the sports I watched Sunday, Dear Roxy. I think I'm done with sports for about a day or two.

The tennis match, the Red Sox-Yankees game, and the America of Cali "futbol" team were a little too much for one day.

Let me start with the Federer-Nadal Match! I mean, I was exhausted from watching the longest, most exciting and unbelievable match ever! They didn't even seem tired from playing all those hours. I couldn't believe the tie breaks and final and fifth set. No words.

With that said, Congrats to Nadal on his Wimbledon win! Well deserved!

I also watched my beloved America of Cali (Colombia) team lose in the finals to Boyaca Chico in penalties. I guess there's always next year.

But things got better as the night went on. The game wasn't all that exciting, but I was relieved to see the rookie Gardner hit a nice single through the middle in the 10th to win against your ugly Sox. We needed that win more than ever.

We play a 2-game series against the Rays starting tomorrow. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Congrats to Jeter, A-Rod and Mariano, as well as Uggla and Ramirez for making it to the All-Star Game. I can't wait to see them play the last ASG at Yankee Stadium. Should be a memorable one.

And the Brewers just got better with CC Sabathia.

-Criss

Photos: Ryan Pierse, Getty Images & Uli Seit, New York Times.

We're Turning Into the Blog for Spain

Wow, you and I have Spain coverage under control, Dear Criss. My boy, Rafa Nadal, is the 2008 Wimbledon champ. Not too shabby. I didn't need the commentators to tell me this was the longest match ever. I don't think I can watch anymore tennis for about a year. There was way too much Federer love, however. I almost thought John McEnroe was going to cry - but McEnroe was my first tennis favorite, so I'll let it go. He was very nice to Nadal, too. The best moment: Nadal climbing over to the royal box after checking in with his fam.

Um, yes, getting swept by Tampa Bay was unpleasant. Since when do they have so many diehard fans? (Since the fight.) I was psyched to have NESN in the hotel - and they have "Breakfast with the Sox" so you can see the game again in the morning, if you missed it. Wow! Does it get any better? I soaked up as much coverage as I could get. Even when I lived there, I never had cable, so this was all new to me. Mmm. Post-game interviews?! Who needs other channels?!

So Trot Nixon is on the Mets? I had no idea he was sent down to the minors before that, but that's no place for him - hello! As long as he doesn't go to the Yankees, I'm cool.

Tonight, you and I face off again for game 4:4. Hopefully we can win 3:4. My boys have to get back the number-one spot.

Roxy




Photos: Clive Brunskill, Getty Images (Nadal)
Allsport, via ESPN.com (McEnroe)
San Grossfeld, Boston Globe (Trot)

Spain Reigns

It's been a few days but congratulations to España on their 2008 Euro Championship Win! They definitely deserved it.

How about those first place Rays beating on your boys of summer, Dear Roxy? You must be enjoying every minute of it, especially since they've been airing the games on the local sports channels. Oh, wait, I think you're in Boston. Even better!

In the meantime, my Boys are getting their butts kicked too... by the Rangers! I guess I've seen crazier.

Although the Marlins lost last night, they had two-ninth-inning-come-from-behind-wins the previous two nights. Hanley Ramirez has hit three homeruns in his last three games. Keep it up, boys!

It's going down this weekened, Rox, as the Red Sox and Yankees play! I smell blood!

-Criss

Happy 4th of July!