Oops, I Forgot!

I'm living in La-La Land and forgot to write this week. Oh my! So what's up? How about Jason Varitek's batting average? After you roll your eyes, Dear Criss, really think about this: He hit two home runs today (and got thrown out with Francona for arguing a call). If you compare his total home runs from last season (13) to where he is right now (10), it's an impressive improvement, come on!

So thinking about when Varitek retires as a Red Sox player - but not thinking too hard - I wondered about Joe Mauer, Minnesota. The Boston Globe did so recently, too, curiously. Well, maybe not curiously, because we just played them, so a lot of people were probably also thinking about the possibility! Let's not rush this. I'm just saying it's interesting.

NBA finals are boring me. Is there anything interesting going on out there? I guess there's the spelling bee that ESPN was pushing real hard on SportsCenter today. Wayne Gretzky even got quizzed. I like spelling bees. Yes, I was in one and painfully came in fourth place! I will forever remember the "ding."

Roxy


AP photo

Memorial Day Weekend

Yes, I'm back! Thanks for dirtying our blog while been gone, by the way...

As far as DWTS, I was rooting for Gilles but didn't mind either of the three finalists, Dear Roxy. I thought they were all great in their own way. I wasn't too sad to miss it. How can you be when you're out of the country enjoying yourself?

And speaking of been gone, I should leave more often. The Yankees played great while I was gone! I actually caught the ending of one of the weekend games. The one in which A-Rod hit the game-ending homerun! What a wonderful thing to see.

I'm just glad they continue to play fantastic. Keep up the good work, boys!

On a sad note, I'm sorry for Joba. I hope his injury is not too serious. We need all our men healthy!

So, I hadn't heard the rumors, but were people saying that the reason Big Papi wasn't hitting was because he wasn't doing steroids anymore? Funny! I guess he's back on the juice. jk!

Have a great weekend and hope to see you Monday.

Happy Memorial Day, everyone. And please don't forget what Memorial Day is all about.

-Criss

PS: Of course I was rooting for the Magic. The Celtics won last year and I rooted for them then. It's time for a new team, preferably the Cavs. I'm with you on that one :)
And I can't stand the Lakers, so I'll root for whoever is playing them!

Super Blog Hog: The Big Man is Back!

Um, I didn't expect you back so soon, Dear Criss. So I wallpapered this thing with all my favorite topics. ... But honestly, look at what's going on:

Big Papi breaks through the slump with a big homerun. He gets hugs from everyone, the crowd rises to their feet and offers him the cheers he so needed and deserved tonight. Give the man a chance! He'll turn it on again. Look.

Varitek hits TWO home runs in one night. You know he has a tendency to hit them on May 20. Weird.

Youk is back.

Millar was back in town (and hits a home run).

I love it. The good times are starting to roll again. And, yes, Shawn Johnson won last night on DWTS.

Roxy


AP photo

Blog Hog: Boring Sports Week

So the Celtics are out, Dear Criss. I think I'm rooting for LeBron now. Not really gonna be watching, but it would be nice for him to win a championship in his career. How did the Celtics lose by that margin at home? It's like they gave up early. I know there was no KG, but at least lose by a smaller margin.

Speaking of losing, my Sox always struggle a little on the West Coast. Varitek got a homerun out of the trip. I'm feeling for Papi. It's lousy to be benched, but maybe he needed some quiet time. I think it's all in his mind, and I'm not buying the steroids talk. Call me stupid. Everyone trashing him doesn't help either. Players go through slumps! It happens. Let's hope he turns it around. Toronto next. Oh brother.

Jason Taylor's back with the Dolphins? I thought for sure he'd end up with New England, which, come on, you have to admit might have been a little cool for him. But if Miami is where he wants to be, good for him. He'll probably retire a Dolphin.

You're totally missing the finals in Dancing with the Stars. I'm going for Shawn Johnson. She is a human energy drink. I'm sure you would have been against my choice.

Roxy


Photo: ABC.com

Sneaky

Don't think I didn't notice your choice of pictures, Dear Criss. Jason Taylor helping Tom Brady up? Nice. Doesn't matter. He's a Yankees fan anyway.

When you get back, this blog will be aaaallll Red Sox.

Did you see the Celtics blow game 6 tonight? Don't tell me you're going for Orlando!

Roxy


Photo: The Boston Globe, Barry Chin

Speaking of been bumped, how about this Leonardo DiCaprio photo, Dear Roxy? I don't think he'll be suing though.

Yankees lost Tuesday but mustered a win last night. But now Jeter is day-to-day with a sore oblique. Argh! Come on, Jeter. We need you healthy.

In other baseball news, how about Philadelphia's Jayson Werth stealing 4 bases two nights ago, including home? This is far more exciting than your Red Sox guy stealing home against the Yankees. This one was a rare feat!

Guess who's back in a Dolphin uniform? Your favorite DWTS contestant! Yes, Jason Taylor has decided to give the Dolphins another try. He said "forget it about it" to those losers in New England and decided to come back where he belongs. LandShark Stadium awaits your homecoming, Jason, and we couldn't be happier.

I'm off for a long, awaited weekend away.

See you soon.

-Criss

PS Totally sports unrelated, but the band Kings of Leon rocks! I have their latest CD and went to their concert last week at UM, and they're insanely talented.

Photos: Reuters; EPT MLB Experts, Herald Staff.

At Running Back ... Glen Davis

Glen "Big Baby" Davis. 289 pounds. Game winning shot. Put those words together, and you have a fascinating outcome. Did you see that, Dear Criss?! I mean, the Celtics have been exciting during these playoffs with their stressful playing and buzzer-beating overtime escapades. And now some fan is probably gonna sue for being bumped. When you're pretty much on the court, that close to the players, and standing up, there's a chance of contact. Who's the big baby here?

And my Sox escaped a loss to the Rays. Thank goodness we won two out of this series. Beckett pitched well. (I don't know what I think of Manny. I'm just not gonna talk about it anymore.) Jason Bay: Give him a raise.

On a sad note, basketball lost Chuck Daly. It's weird to lose people that we've watched growing up. I didn't know he spent time coaching at Duke and BC. Besides his days in Detroit, let's not forget this guy coached the Dream Team. Imagine the stories he had from that. I think I can say we both wish his family well.

Roxy

Photos: Davis - The Boston Herald, Matt Stone
Daly - AP, Associated Press

And she's back!

Where have you been, Dear Roxy? I was going to start looking for smoke signals. Did security guard at work kidnap you after you trashed-talk the Yankees?

Ha, your boy looks like a shrimp next to Jeter. Yes, we got re-swepted. I have no idea what's happening with my boys. I mean, get it together! They play horrible against your guys and the Rays. They need to get that straighten out. We're playing both teams about 15 times more so they better figure it out soon!

Maybe ARod can help. He is back and talk about being back. First pitch, out of here! You can't blame the steroids on this one.

Now Manny... Hmm, what can I say about him that I haven't said before? Nothing. Manny being Manny, right? Oh, yes, you said that. I have a new one: Manny Blah Manny.

James and the Cavs are playing outstanding. I don't think Atlanta is coming back from this one. On to the next team, Cavaliers.

And congratulations to LeBron for winning the NBA MVP award. I had my heart set on Wade, but this guy is definitely the clear winner.

-Criss

Photo: AP

Manny Being Manny - Part 352,489

Oh my gosh, Dear Criss! Sorry for the drought. So what's been going on? The Celtics advanced to play Orlando. Who knew Orlando was even in this? The Red Sox ended the streak. They also got beat up by Tampa Bay, re-swept NY, A-Fraud is back in the news, and Boston toasted the fact that they got rid of Manny.

What's up with Manny? Since it is him, you know there's some dumb reason involved in him getting suspended for 50 games. I don't believe he was trying to bulk up or anything. Really. Why does he have to be so complicated? Now I'm not defending him. You know he has given me enough headaches. I'm sure someone will leak something with more details tomorrow.

And I'll start complaining about pitching. What's going on with Beckett? He's unpredictable. I don't know what to make of it. Matsuzaka needs to remember who he is. Okajima needs to set the jitters aside. He's more than capable. Papelbon, shaky. Sigh. We can do better than this.

Hey! Tell your guy not to touch my boy! And what's with slapping former-Heat-player Eddie House?

Roxy


Tek & Saito: Jim McIsaac, Getty Images
Get your hands off Dusty: Getty Images
Slap: Matt Stone, Boston Herald

Yes, ma'am!

I did it, Dear Roxy! I ran my first Corporate Run! It wasn't exactly a 5k; it was a little bit less than 3.1 miles, but I ran it all. And it was a runner's high as you said. So exciting to know that I finally did it. Had you asked me 8 weeks ago if I'd be running a 5k I'd be laughing in your face. Well, joke is on me because I did. And I'm not done though. I'll be running an official 5k on May 24th! Join me!

I had heard horror stories about how crowded it gets, and how you can't run because there are too many people, and this and that, so I was a little worried. And yes, it was crowded but I was able to run without coming to a complete stop. You obviously can't get into a rhythm since other runners get in your way, but I think I did good for my first time.

My official time was 37:01. But from the time I crossed the start line to the time I crossed the finish line was 29:30. I brought my own stop watch.

And back to reality. Yes, your team won the battle, but not the war. I think we meet up about 2,345 more times before the end of the season. And, heck, remember we said no tight games, no blow outs... well, we had it all this series!

A little about the Marlins. I mentioned last time they had to get into another streak since snapping their 7-game win streak. Well, they went into a LOSING streak after that. Geez, win streak people. Win streak.

In basketball, the Heat are on the verge of elimination! I hope they pull it off tonight. A lot of players have to step up. Wade can't do it all, especially injured. Black is back tonight! Keeping my fingers crossed for a Miami win.

And another series that I'm following is the Bulls-Celtics series, Rox. I know you're rooting for Boston but Chicago is giving them a run for their money. Three of 5 overtime games in the series! Crazy! Go Bulls!

And what's with the new A-Rod allegation? Geez. Stop it already!

-Criss

Photos: Marsha Halper, Miami Herald