All-Star Break Reflection

July 14, 2008 · Filed Under MLB, RED SOX · 1 Comment 

Today we have our first entry from the newest Boston Sports Poster, Stevie K. It comes at a perfect time for the editor since he has been in Western Mass. all week and as we all know, nothing happens in Western Mass. -the goat

bill buckner first pitchBy Stevie K…Top 3 Red Sox Moments from the first half of the season. My thoughts on the season so far.

3. Coco Crisp’s “tete-a-tete but no connection” with Rays pitcher James Shields - I know it probably wasn’t a great “baseball” moment but it was certainly entertaining. I also like that he was sticking up for himself and his team from events that happened prior in the series. Don’t take any crap and get someone back that messes with you, isn’t that a Davisville lesson from back in the day? Plus that has to be one of the best pieces of sports photography I have seen in a while. Great pictures here!

(editors note: for all who don’t know Davisville, it’s an 02536 thing, google it)

2. I really think that one and two are a toss up - so you decide. John Lester’s no no versus the Royals on May 20, 2008. One could argue that the 18th no hitter thrown by a Red Sox pitcher was the most memorable and most meaningful. Coming back from non-Hodgkins lymphoma, was enough of a feat, then he pitches and wins game 4 of last year’s world series, an now the No-hitter.

1. Bill Buckner throwing out the first pitch on opening day - you have to remember 1986 to truly appreciate this one, and it took me a long time to get over the World Series loss to the Met’s. I may have burned the Sport’s Illustrated magazine with Darryl Strawberry’s picture on the cover in my mother’s sink after the game, but I never blamed Buckner. Unfortunately for him many people did. No one should be run out of town over a game….no one. Billy Buck was the consumate Red Sox player, talk about dedicated, and what kid didn’t want a pair of high-top black Nike cleats back then, I certainly did! It was a classy move on the Red Sox part to bring him back, as well as a gutsy move on Buckner’s part as well. I guess time heals all wounds. As of now - to me it’s the highlight of the season for me.

A few random thoughts -

All-Star break - I hate this time of year - No sports because of the all star game - there’s actually a night when there is very little to no sports on TV - it’s a bartender’s worst nightmare - nothing to watch and it makes for a slow evening.

Home-run Derby - juice or no juice - I will never forget he McGwire-Soso homerun derby standoff - it will never be the same for me! I may not even watch.

And last but not least - What the heck is Manny doing with a cell phone in the Green Monster?

(another editor’s note: great article by ESPN’s Jayson Stark about this years Home Run Derby and Gay-Rod’s role if you click here)

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