Remember

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

We remember today's soldiers and our heroes from long ago.

-Sporting Gals

Getty Images, Elsa

Futbol Fever!

The Yankees seem to be on the longest bad streak of the year. Obviously, it doesn't help that have the players are injured and in the DL, but come on!

These guys can’t buy a run! And even though they’ve won the first two games against the Twins, they did it with 4 runs! Somebody –anybody - needs to start hitting, scoring some runs and giving the pitching staff a bit of a break!

I know I’m a bit late, but my condolences go out to Jose Lima’s family and friends. His enthusiasm on and off the field made him one player to watch. Truly a great pitcher, and an even better human being. RIP, Jose.

In basketball, the Suns and Magic have made it a series! Good luck to both teams. I can’t never root for the Lakers and the Celtics won last year. So there it is…

And the World Cup is only a few weeks away! Yay! I cannot wait. Soccer fever is here to stay!

-Criss

Photo: US Soccer Stud & Mark J. Terrill

Super Blog Hog: Still Alive

Jon Lester's Resume
4 Yawkey Way, Boston, MA 02215

Experience Includes:
-No-hitter
-One-hitter
-World Series

The kid is impressive. And it worked to shut-out the Rays. Keep it going, guys!

Okay, Dear Criss, get ready for a very cold Super Bowl XLVIII in NY/NJ. Oh my gosh! It's going to be a lot of fun. I'm hoping for SNOW! Just like those Pats playoff games a few years back. Hope Vinatieri is still playing then, because whatever teams go will need him! (I love this pic.)

And, as predicted, the Celtics will drag out this series.

Roxy


AP photo

Blog Hog: NBA Playoffs

Well, apparently I have free reign over this blog now, Dear Criss! My Sox kept some of their dignity against NY, NY got beat up by the Rays and Mets, and my boys did pretty well against Minnesota and Philly. I'm very surprised. I am still a little sad that Matsuzaka missed out on his no-hitter. Ahem, who was catching the game? Varitek would be mad if he heard me, but I'm a supporter, not a hater!

Speaking of tonight, the Celtics are playing. Now, Boston sports history leads me to believe that instead of winning this series tonight at home, they will lose to drag it out to the last possible minute. The Suns made a comeback (ever so slightly), and the Lakers were previously chanting their desire for the Celtics last week. If the Celtics are going to play the Lakers just to lose, they better lose now against the Magic, because we're talking about a historic pride check if it comes down to Boston-LA. Apparently, I'm sorta interested, but only because the Celtics are involved and the Red Sox are struggling.

Roxy


AP photo

All I've Got are the Celtics

I'm so sick that - shock - Papelbon blew it after we worked so hard to come back and lead last night, Dear Criss. I can't even handle it. I need some time off, but I'll write a little anyway.

Um, and what's with Hanley Ramirez? Why must baseball be so dramatic sometimes? (I won't even begin to talk about Mike Lowell.) I feel for the Marlins' manager, because when you go through years of Manny, you understand these things better. I'm not saying that Ramirez and Ramirez are twins, I'm just more sympathetic.

Go Celtics. (And, yes, Rasheed Wallace wearing a Flyers cap is insulting. But I know going into that is a waste of time; it's just that Mike & Mike were talking about it this a.m.)

Did you know Pedroia has an action figure? It looks NOTHING like him. My sister bought it for me!

Roxy

Action Figure: McFarlane Toys

I'm back!

I get back to the States only to hear the most amazing news, Dear Roxy. Not only did the Yankees win against the Red Sox, but they did it in grand style... walk-off homerun! Wooo-hooo!!!

I know nothing more about sports. Give me a few days to catch up.

-Criss

Photo: AP

Jason Varitek = Lombardi Trophy

Please don't get started on soccer. Please, Dear Criss. I'd rather watch a whole Lakers game followed by golf. And while we're at it, maybe if your boys would lay off of hitting Pedroia, you wouldn't be complaining about your little bruises. Walk it off.

The Braden story was very touching. And his grandma is one funny lady ("Stick it, A-Rod!"). By the way, I support him 100 percent for calling out A-Fraud crossing the mound, recently.

Now, I've got one for you: Boston's mayor making Varitek an even greater Boston legend when he confused him with Vinatieri. I really don't believe that he doesn't know the difference. I don't know what happened, but I think it even made him chuckle.

Roxy


AP photo

The Almost Boston Massacre

The Yankees were scoring runs left and right during Friday and Saturday’s games but decided to take Sunday off. Go figure, Dear Roxy.

But I am more than happy with our Boston Massacre. Texeira became the only Yankee since Lou Gehrig to hit three homeruns in one game against the Sox, while Phil Hughes is the youngest Yankee to win his first four decisions of a season as a starting pitcher since Whitey Ford! Love this old Yankees-new Yankees comparisons.

And tell your men to lay off mine! They’re already bruised and injured; we don’t need your dirty boys hurting mine.

Congrats to Kevin Russo for his major league debut during Saturday’s game, although the broadcasters mentioned it was yesterday. Tiny mistake, I guess. Welcome to the Big Leagues, Kevin! Make us proud.

And congrats to the A's Dallas Braden for his perfect game. Even though he's had some beef with Arod, it's still nice to see such a feat. Only the 19th ever in this old sport... unbelievable. The photo with his grandmother on Mother's Day (and his back story) is very touching. Congratulations once again, Braden.

I’m really not paying ANY attention to the NBA playoffs, except for maybe the Boston-Cavaliers series, but I like what the Suns did with their jerseys to show support to the Hispanic population in Phoenix. Way to go, Los Suns!

What else is happening? Oh, yes, futbol!!!! The FIFA World Cup is among us... I can hardly wait!

-Criss

Photos:Getty Images

Super Blog Hog: There's a Carole King Song ...

"Well, it's too late, baby, now. It's too late, though we really did try to make it."

I can hear Carole King singing in my head. I'm trying to block it out until after the All-Star Game, but it's hard. If we get swept tonight, by your stinkin' Yankees, Dear Criss, there's little chance for an October run. While there was no doubt that we would not make it to the World Series, I thought the team would lose with a little more dignity, not break down after week one.

Sigh.

Let's be positive for a moment. Nomar had a lovely afternoon when he was honored by the team on Wednesday. He was there with his wife, Mia Ham Garciaparra. What a darling pair. Varitek caught his action pitch, and Trot Nixon was there for it all.

Roxy


Photo: Jim Davis, The Boston Globe

Blog Hog: Holding on to a Lead? What's That?

It's the seventh inning, and the Sox are leading 17-4. Now that doesn't mean anything necessarily because I've been through this before. I'll go to bed, wake up in the morning and somehow the other team would have won. Why? Because we're the Red Sox. That's what we do.

But it's a Boston kinda night. The Celtics are leading. The Bruins won game two. Let's keep the good times rolling.

And we need to root for Dave Roberts, who's battling lymphoma. Let's all think healthy thoughts and send some prayers his way. To the hero of the 2004 ALCS: We're rooting for you!

Roxy


AP photo