Super Blog Hog: Marco 2010 - And I Don't Mean the Politician

So next time you see a Marco 2010 bumper sticker on the road, Dear Criss, think of Marco Scutaro who hit a grand slam against the Angels. Second one of his career. Maybe I can get one of those bumper stickers and use a sharpie to write "Scutaro" on it. Hm.

Well, apparently you must have gone fishing in some remote part of the country and don't have Internet access. (Where are you?!) I wonder what your thoughts are on Ocho Cinco and T.O. being together. Or should Tom Brady have held out of training camp until he had a new contract (I hate that holding out stuff)? Will I recognize any of the Red Sox players when I go to see the game? (Pedroia may need six weeks out, instead of five.) Will Jacoby be back in time to help us from getting slaughtered by your stinkin' Yankees?

All pressing questions.

Roxy

AP photo

Blog Hog: Earth to Criss

Um, hello?! Where are you, Dear Criss? We have things to discuss, like do you think the NFL season should expand to 18 games? I don't. No way; too many injuries as is. I think 16 weeks is more than enough. If they keep adding games, it'll take away from the excitement. It'll turn into the MLB or NBA season - long and never-ending.

Hey, we're also approaching the NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony. You better watch Jerry Rice shed some tears. I wonder who will present him. Steve? Joe? None of the above?

So Martinez is back in the lineup. My folks are slowly healing. But will Varitek be there when I visit? Oh my gosh, if he's in Pawtucket, I'll cry ... and you'll laugh.

Roxy

Photo: The Boston Globe, Yoon S. Byun

Quickly Slipping Away

Well, I only hope your people would be as nice to mine in a similar situation.

Oh, the dream is fading. I know the dream was unrealistic, but we're not even putting up a fight. Dusty, Jason, Jacoby, Victor, why did you do this to us? Our pitching is so bad that the other night I was watching a Cincinnati game and wondered why we ever let Arroyo go. Sigh.

So on to football. Looks like our teams need to figure out the Brady-Manning contract situations. How dramatic do you think it's gonna get? Initially, I was thinking they'd give Brady a three-year deal. But now I'm wondering if they'd do five. I'm sticking to three for now.

Roxy


Photo: Getty Images

Back to Good

What a nice tribute by the Red Sox nation, Dear Roxy. I have to admit I was a bit shocked by it, but very appreciative. And thank you for your kind words, too!

In all of the bad news surrounding the Yankees, I forgot to mention a big Congratulations to Spain for winning the FIFA World Cup! I can't believe I have to wait four more years to be fully happy again! It was great while it lasted...

Yankees start the second part of the season by playing the Rays, who happen to be on our toes in the division. Let's win some games for The Boss and The Voice of God, boys! Let's leave Tampa and Boston in the rear view mirror. Here's to a great second half!

-Criss

Elsa, Getty Images

Quite the Week

Sorry about your sports week, Dear Criss. A sad one for you, I can see. I wish I had something nice to say, but I think you covered things well.

I'm not sure how to transition here, so I'll just jump right in. Did you see the home run derby tonight? Texas embarrassed the Red Sox. Oh, what a way to start the second half of the season. We're five behind you. Everyone needs to take their cortisone shots and get back playing. Well, no, because that doesn't make them better; it's just temporary. At least Papi won the real Home Run Derby. Now if he could just continue that for this last stretch. Listen, I know there's no World Series for us this year, but I'd like to keep some kind of dignity.

Finally, what's this about T.O. and the Steelers in the same sentence?

Roxy

Photo: AP

Sad Week in Yankees Sports

Two Yankees greats have passed away... two days from each other, Dear Roxy.

First, the "Voice of God" Bob Sheppard passed away Sunday at the tender age of 99.

And now Yankees owner, George Steinbrenner. The Boss passed away this morning. He was 80.

No matter how you look at George Steinbrenner, Yankees fan or not, he brought a struggling team to greatness. His heart and desire to win made him one of the most influential owners in sports. He will be surely missed in the Yankees community.

And what can you say about Bob Sheppard? The most recongnizable voice in Yankees history. Today, in 1951, he began his tenure with the Yankees on Opening Day.

Two Yankees legend gone but certainly never to be forgotten.

May they rest in peace.

-Criss

Bill Kostroun, AP; ESPN.com Illustration

Bienvenidos a Miami

Oh Rox, not only do the Heat keep Dwayne Wade but they also gain Chris Bosh and LeBron James! Even I am excited about the prospect! Basketball just got interesting for me, Dear Roxy. I might even go watch them play!

Welcome to Miami, boys! Hope your stay is as pleasant as possible. But remember, you're not playing in South Beach... SoBe is about 5-10 minutes away from the arena.

And in baseball, our own Nick Swisher is making his All-Star debut, defeating your Kevin Youkilis in the fan voting. Sweet victory! He will join Jeter, Cano, Arod and other greats on Tuesday! Woohoo. Enjoy it, Swish!

The World Cup final is set - Spain and the Netherlands. One of these two teams will win the Cup for the first time ever. This is history in the making. May the best team win!

I'm so excited and sad at the same time. No more WC play for another four years. Boo.

- Criss

Jeffrey Boan, AP

Blog Hog: We Interrupt This Program ...

Let's talk about golf and tennis today. Okay, just kidding, I know the big talk is about LeBron James, Dear Criss, but I'm a little over-saturated with such news. I literally barfed last night. Well, maybe not because of him, but it sure is a coincidence. Okay, clearly too much information.

So he picked the Heat. When the local news went around town showing how excited people were, it was humorous. There was little excitement. A few people here and there cheering, a few more later in the night, but mostly the usual unsportstownlike atmosphere. The seats may fill up one season, but I'll be surprised if they can keep them filled consistently and for consecutive seasons. Why is South Florida like this? Dunno. When the new Marlins stadium opens, it'll be the same thing. We don't commit to sports here. But nevertheless, I wish LeBron well. I know it was a hard decision he didn't take lightly. He kinda looked like he was going to puke. He'll do just fine.

Back to tennis for a moment. I do feel terrible for not even mentioning Nadal winning Wimbledon last week. He's a champ. Here's to many more years of success.

Roxy


AP photo

Start Fighting to Win

Can we ever hold a lead long enough to win? We had the game in our hands last night. What happened, Dear Criss? The usual happened. And Youk left the game for a "right ankle pain," the Rays announcers just said. What?!

Sigh. Another night playing Tampa Bay. When's the All-Star Break? My guys need some time to recoup. Some guy called Doubront is pitching. Apparently Gabe Kaplar coached him in the minors. (I'm just learning a whole bunch from these Tampa announcers tonight.) I don't even know who's on my team anymore. There's a new guy everyday. I can't watch. The only thing that makes me feel 10 percent better is that Jacoby may travel to Toronto with the team, according to The Boston Globe.

So how much longer until the World Cup is over? I don't hear much about it anymore - which is fine. I'm not complaining.


Roxy


Photo: Richard Phibbs for Men's Vogue

Independence Day

Happy Fourth of July!

We love our troops and wish them well!

-Sporting Gals

Photo: Elsa, Getty Images

Soccer, soccer, soccer

The US team was eliminated Saturday from the World Cup, Dear Roxy. The comeback kids couldn't quite come back from this one, but they played one hell of a cup. They dealt with controversy and adversity and should hold their heads up high. I congratulate them for making us all root for them and for giving us a little bit of hope every time they played. Here's to four years from now! I will surely miss Bocanegra, Donovan, Dempsey and Findley among others.

Now in the quarter finals, the games keep getting better and harder. Brazil, one of the favorite ones coming in, has been eliminated thanks to the mighty Dutch. Who's next? All I know is that I cannot stop watching these games. You should get on the bandwagon.

In baseball, the Yankees lost two against the worst team in the AL West but managed to salvage the series with a "W." And as we speak, we are tied in the 11th inning against the Blue Jays. Oh boy.

-Criss

Getty Images

Oh No.

I wasn't happy, Dear Criss, that Martinez got injured, but it was nice to see more of Varitek. Until recently when he decided to break his foot for six weeks. Noooo! Why?! What was he thinking? The Broken Limb Cloud needs to pass. It's just awful. Right when we were catching up with you. The Sox re-acquired Kevin Cash, who once backed Varitek up. My initial thought to Varitek being out was, There goes the season, but maybe Cash can hold things together a little bit.

Finally, on the LeBron/Wade/Bosh front, I'd like to say that I'm sick of hearing about it. I don't care if they all go to play for the 76ers, just move on to other news already.

Like Wimbledon. Nadal is still in! What happened to Federer? Who cares. Go Rafa.

By the way, did you know the Nike campus had things like these? Very cool. Check out these pics my West Coast friend sent me. Whoever made these images forgot to see what the real Stockton and Rice look like.

Roxy


AP photo