Wally's World

The Spoils of Victory

by; s. james ward)

  Is that championship pursuit, pure in motivation and free from the malignancy that drives the common man, worthy of the greatest of sacrifice in it's uncertain end? The truest plight of the gifted athlete is that in which brings forth a goal beyond understanding to most yet defined, on a rudimentary level, by all.  Societies ancient and visited from distance centuries from their reality reflects an honor bestowed upon the day's athletes as those of grandest esteem and celebratory stature. They trained as if the Gods of the day sat in witness, cheering their every step and welcoming, amid the competition, the wreath of victory which crowned the head of those victorious.  That Laurel, that mere circle of flowers, was the ultimate possession of any athlete.  Was their sacrifice worth the Spoils? for there are always sacrifice and always spoils.    

        HOT STOVE

Time to gather around the ole stove and try to chase away the effects of these late Autumn winds whipping up beyond that knotty wood door. Lets talk about baseball there are a few things happening out there to keep up with. Congrats to Minnesota Twins Catcher Joe Mauer on his well deserved MVP win, he is a two times Gold Glove winner and has won the AL batting title 3 more. Did you know he turned down an opportunity to be the Florida State Seminoles starting Quarterback when in college? A gifted athlete indeed. On the other side, National League, it was announce that Albert Pujols has been awarded the leagues MVP an honor,his 3rd, well deserved. A unanimous selection Pujols received all 32 first place votes. Coming in a distant 2nd was Ex-Red Sox presently Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez.

    Organizational Players Of The Year

MLB have selected their top "Minor League Preseason"  prospects for the 2009 season.  Known through-out MLB as perennial front runners in their system development there never seems to be a shortage of talent for the future.

Josh Reddick OF - He was brought up a few times to Boston for a look-see where the 22 year old had some success. The age of these players has dropped dramatically as is evident.  

Stolmy Pimentel RHP - This 19 year old faded a bit in the seasons second half but is still considered a "Rising Star"

MLB Post Season Selections:

Ryan Lavarnway C - A Yale graduate his numbers in the Atlantic League were near a reflection of those posted by Joe Mauer. Needless to say a bright future awaits IF.....

Clay Buchholz RHP - Clay spent sufficient time in Pawtucket R.I. to secure this selection (somehow) but I don't expect him back again. He was an ACE at all levels.

COACHES ROW:

For four years Demario Hale handled his duties as Red Sox Third Base Coach so well that, it's said, nobody knows him. A backhanded compliment? Perhaps, but if one thinks about it the truth is quite obvious. If Hale was sending runners willy-nilly from third only to their ultimate and  repeated demise at home then he would be on the collective tips of the Fenway Faithful Fanatic's tongues.  But as it is Demario is a virtual stranger, well he is going to be replaced! Yes, replaced because he is being promoted as Assistant Coach - Bench Coach - Head Coach (Manager) Francona's first mate! Congratulations Demario Hale and well deserved.  Tim Bogar, formerly first base coach scooted across the diamond to take Hale's place and called up to cover first base is Ron Johnson who has been coaching with the Pawtucket Red Sox over the last half decade. 

Happy Thanksgiving Nation! Red Sox and beyond.. Be Thankful, be safe hold your loved ones in either your arms or your hearts and waste not a moment of this joy called life...

 

Long Nights and Cold Fires

by; s.james ward)

   Thankfully, the long nights could have been longer still if the ambient airs encircling me were more seasonably chilled, instead their somewhat charged particles tend me just fine. For now. The infamous Ole Stove" will kick in when the time arrives for it seems indeed the harbinger of fair heat and light and at just the right time. It's keen perception has always inspired me to seek the center of it's success, that place deep with-in it's charcoaled belly where, first born, the embers explode into flames rich with tantalizing tidbits of fresh air and dance unencumbered they shall, until no further need of they and die slowly-slowly out. But, for now like an old timey meeting house and utmost importance the bill's fare we are called to order and await the flaming furnace     (that is I, seated, and scouring the world of baseball via the local newspaper) Ah the "Ole Stove" So let us see what the paper brings... 

  THE LATEST NEWS / RUMORS   

 Somewhere are reports of the Red Sox having interest in pursuing St. Louis Cardinals Centerfielder Rick Ankiel, puzzling indeed with Ankiel's sagging offensive numbers 11 home runs and 38 rbi's down from the year previous as he belted 25 taters. Still, where would they put him? Even if they cannot sign J-Bay or Matt Holliday Rick isn't or shouldn't be an option. How about Seattle's Adrian Beltre at 3rd base? Are the Crimson Hose thinking of ridding themselves of the fan favorite Mike Lowell? He has lost a great deal of late due to that nagging hip however Mr. Beltre is not the remedy, no way!! 8 homers and 44 RBI and .265 ?   Even in his limited, injury riddled season Mike Lowell beat those stats. I'm wondering if the reported $$$$$ to sign Holliday are accurate--100 MILLION over 6 years? The Agent for Jason Bay reportedly told the left fielder to turn his back on 4 years and 60 Million from Red Sox if true then Greed has climbed to yet another, higher summit. Shame on you all- Agent and Bay himself!

Due to the huge amounts of capital it takes to satisfy the COMMON MLB participant and the subsequent reporting therein, I have a freaking HEADACHE!

Waiting For the Stove to Heat-Up

by; s. tyg-james)

   Standing here chilled at the shore-line as the gray of morning sweeps the cold moist air from atop a restive and isolated deep wood lake. My hands attempt to gain warmth fight in friction yet find relief in their dance but one of vanity. All is indeed quiet, quiet to the point of non-existence and I strain to hear even the slightest sounds of this mornings emergence but discover nothing more than a distant creek or crackle of a settling wood floor. Mid-November, when the renewed spirit of competition at it's greatest peak amid the shadows of baseballs final and ultimate sprint, are now merely memories and ones perhaps to be cherished forever or quickly and painfully dismissed in their haunting. There are other activities and sports to wrest time and/or space if one so desires but certainly, to the fan (fanATIC) MLB is a stove in need of a fire! Nothing, absolutely nothing, is capable of replacing the tranquility here in solitude however in the race of human-kind seldom are there options to keep ones car in so sheltered a place that wear and tear is not a factor of reckoning, so one is forced to somehow compete and when that one is a bless'ed New Englander amid the "Cardiac Kid's" years, well a certain hand of fate has seized (that one!)

A Flicker? Straight from the back burner is George Kottaras, Red Sox back-up catcher, was released and then signed by the Milwaukee Brewers yesterday. Kottaras was used mostly as Tim Wakefield's exclusive and general back-up last year but with the arrival of Victor Martinez and subsequent Jason Varitek role with the team perhaps Kottaras will be suited better to with the Brewers. Good Luck and Thanks George K.  High Fives to Kansas City Royals Super-Starter Zach Greinke for his Cyrus Young Award for A.L.'s Best Pitcher, 

      >> * CY  YOUNG >>>> 

Friday 12:01 am= Sign em if ya got em day! That is the time when free agents are eligible to place their personal "X" on a contract with any other team. The Red Sox are prioritising signing Jason Bay and a solid Short Stop. Bay has made it perfectly clear to all involved he is going to "Go through the process" before signing on and has also remarked that the Red Sox just may be the team but... If, however, he decides to sign elsewhere then Theo Epstein must fill the void and a good target would be Matt Holliday. As far as a Short Stop, Mark Scutaro is still the one, but several others are a possibility. Names like Orlando Cabrera (recall 04?) but he would be expensive as he comes with a price and then Omar Vizquel is yet another. Vizquel is 42 years old and I cannot believe a 42 year old man will be worthy of filling this role. There must be more suitable alternatives, Hall of Fame be damned!
Congratulations to Angels Manager Mike Scioscia on his "Coach of the Year" He is the best candidate without question.

The Stove should be in full fire come 12:01 am Friday when it is legal to sign so stay tuned. The Boston Red Sox WILL be involved. Theo knows the voids he will fill them to the best of his ability, I for one cannot wait.  Just whom will we see at SS and in Left, beneath the eye of that huge Monster Green. 

Criticize Belichick? Not A Word

by: s. tyg-ward)

  The bandwagons have lined up at every street corner as man woman and near human climb aboard in their self deluged and stagnant space kept or unkempt as the case may be. Town Criers started somewhere nigh the midnight-hour have crept and cried through-out light's absence and are greeted hoarse in dawn from coast to shallow coast. Their silence is exchanged for headlines poetically though preposterously arranged word jumbles and disjointed harmonics from frustrated editors looking to sell-sell-sell where most mornings they Don't-Don't Don't! Fans of the New England Patriots awake this day with a huge void the their stomachs knowing it was theirs for the taking after bearing witness to a football game that should have, could have awarded the Indianapolis Colts their first defeat of this NFL season upon posting a pregame record of 8-0. All but for a very unusual, extremely questionable "4th down and 2 yards to go" choice made by Coach Bill Belichick about 2 minutes remaining in the game and the Patriots ahead by 6.

   The reason, the rhyme is beyond the average fan much the same as any other tremendously pressurized aspect of the game, but one thing is certain while on their own 28 yard line and 2 yards to go the unquestionable consensus would have called for a punt and a defensive stoning. What if, listen up now, what if the defense was physically wiped out and Coach Belichick made the decision based on the fact that his offense, one of the most dynamic in the league, stood the better chance in running out the game, after acquiring, of course, those mere 2 yards? This is certainly a solid choice and the fact that the Pat's offense might fail is near zero so why not indeed?

All World QB Tom Brady loved the call and supported it 100% as did several others. The warriors, to the man, were confident of the execution and the out-come. If 1 more second had run off the clock and 1:59 remained (game-time) the play would have been reviewed by the officials and the out come very well could have been altered. Not to mention a "post-play" penalty awarded to the Colts when they appeared to be backed up, Ah but I will not stir the ooze of blame towards anybody the game was spectacular and I believe the Patriots are a very special team who just got a great deal better.The season is just a tad past 1/2 way spent and plenty of gridiron grandeur awaits, enjoy it and get on one wagon and stay put, have some pride in yourself and respect those who are paid to do their job and have the GUTS to try something out-side the norm. Coach Belichick is a proven, certified winner who just exhibited more faith in his players than any coach in recent history. For what it is worth, I am behind you 110%

When Honesty and Pride Collide

by; s. tyg ward)

   All things baseball are not necessarily proceeding smoothly in Boston these days, as the inevitable collision between the Red Sox front office and a beloved member of Boston Red Sox baseball Team has suffered it's awaited face-off. This painful situation was averted somewhat last season when Boston Red Sox signed team Captain Jason Varitek to a one year contract and team/player option for another, the team declined it's 5 million dollar option and "Tek" has until Saturday November 14th, (09) to accept his player option for a 3 million $ 1 year deal to stay in Boston. Jason has played his entire career with these Red Sox after being part of a trade package with Seattle in which he was floundering in their minor leagues. Since day one in Boston he was their future and the rest is a story of success. Always a fan favorite for his quiet, strong and undying leadership Varitek sacrificed life and limb game in and game out with his style of play. To be quite honest, I never thought another catcher could measure up to Carton "Pudge" Fisk but Jason has not merely measured up but surpassed Pudge in many ways. After a decade of service and the erosion of so high tuned skills J.V. has a decision to make; To become a 2nd string-back up to Victor Martinez where he would be an invaluable contributor to a Pitching Staff he actually made or allow the Free Agent market to dictate his future. The facts remain, Jason's bat has lost it's thunder and his throwing arm, never a cannon to begin with, is far less still at this stage of his career. Sentiment if the employ-or would pay him his millions for eternity however the role of Pay-or being Practicality forces a more well tuned wage scale. Alas feelings heal and time goes on..I certainly hope "Tek" stays in Boston, after-all He IS the reason Babe Ruth and all his contributory ghostly factions were escorted to the Exit Gates of Fenway Park, forever!  

There are one or two (or so) free agents floating about out there that would certainly aid the Red Sox in overtaking the (I simply cannot bring myself to add a superlative here as I describe that organization) Yankees the season next. Mark Scutaro @ shortstop : Mark Wagner (resign) in relief: A huge question mark clouding the scene is Jason Bay as he seeks the open market to declare his worth which could be somewhat enhanced to some teams despite having Struck-Out a career high 162 times. That kind of weakness cannot be much of a draw but we'll soon see how forgiving teams are. If Bay signs elsewhere Matt Holliday would fit nicely in left field. A new rumor clogging the air-waves is World Series MVP Hideki Matsui being offered a deal that would land the 35 year old free agent in rival Fenway Park, bad knees and all. Better think that one through, Theo.

We'll bring this piece to post and give it a few days before we venture these fields abandoned to the winters frigid breezes again; perhaps something just may begin to grow in the off-season enough so we can tend it anyway..  Keep in touch Nationites.. This Nation of ours never rests!

 

Its In The Genes, Man.

by; s.james ward}

 
   Although my wife gets quite a chuckle when I say I possess a precious few quirks of character or "pet peeves"  one I do admit to is how people tend to make more of themselves, inflate themselves at the denial of everything about them! For God sake try to comprehend what it is peering back at you in your mirror: That image is very much like anyone of us whom just may choose NOT to spend too much time in it's glaring presence.  Once again, Perception is indeed reality.

   Despite an opinion here    and there to the contrary there I not sufficient evidence to lend credence to the fact that this rivalry,  between those beautiful Boys of Boston and Bums from the Bronx possess the intensity of some maniacal Intergalactic Nuclear Meltdown as exceeding or yet equal to this perennial power struggle. (My brain hurts)  As hard as I tried to find reason to applaud the Yankees for their job well done, I could not. Derek Jeter is an individual worthy of " Cross Party Line" congratulations for his on/off field dedication and class and though try as I might, I just could not do it!  He is, after-all, the only one to single out but then I see another replay of Swisher and Damon walking the "New" confines post game with muscles flexed like some individual FREAK and GEEK SHOW  and my inner soul slides behind the raw nerve acrimony I am reminded of merely by their sight. 

I was talking with my slightly older yet two-hundred fold Wiser, brother, the very one who took me aside and forewarned me of words to live by, ("A hard @8*&  has no conscience")  on the land line yesterday as we rehashed games past and future yet not at all relegated to those aforementioned but to another beloved team, New England Patriots . We danced about the subject of baseball for obvious reason while one by one replayed the offensive action contributing much of the fortunes, and rightly so, upon the 6'5" frame of Tom Brady, our latest of sports heroes in this sports wealthy state and section of the country and universe. He, Brady, is indeed a class individual by all measuring devices and possess, too, such talent... In any event; i came around to the obvious, Hey Row,  (a surviving childhood nickname) why is it, try as I do to find some place within to he happy for the New York Yankees or in the very least Derek Jeter, I just cannot??? Without a shred of guilt or anger or perceptive disappointment I find myself loathing every Pin Striper available and even some long since unavailed. What is it man? I queried rather anxiously? Help me out here brother... "Steven", he says stoically, Row is truly incarnate of the Greek marketplace where Socrates, Plato and the band of Brothers "Non-Knowledge" meet in daily discourse, "It is in our DNA, brother, there isn't a thing you can do about it." All part of who we are" I was rejuvenated indeed, and wanted to scream from a mountain's grandest summit, Hail All Universal..I am a BOSTON RED SOX FAN and a tried and true member from birth of the greatest of all Nations, ~ RED SOX NATION !  I thanked my groovy bro and went about my day ready for next season to get under way..  Finally!    

 

Chess or War, Let the Games Begin!

by; s.tyg-ward}

   The rules are perfectly clear when it comes to the "Free Agent" market; however Theo Epstein was able to make his first move in the rebuilding of the Boston Red Sox for 2010 and beyond by bringing in a once "highly touted"  and versatile outfielder Jeremy Hermida from the Florida Marlins in exchange for two minor league pitchers Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez. Epstein was visible excited to have worked the deal for the 25 year old  who is also sharing equal enthusiasm with the thought of going to The Boston Red Sox and playing beneath that hallowed eye of the Green Monster.   

With the first round of "Free Agents" from Boston having filed; Billy Wagner, Jason Bay, and Rocco Baldelli ,Theo Epstein and the Boston brain trust began their work. Theo said "We're really just in the planning stages, going through different scenarios, trying to get as good a feel for the market as we can," Epstein continued on saying-  "It's a complicated landscape between trade possibilities, the free-agent market. We spend as much time as we can trying to get a really good feel for the landscape and getting a feel for the supply-demand dynamic of this particular off season, and then we can go forward with a strategy in place instead of just going in blind and seeing what presents itself."     
 Theo Epstein is still and shall continue to be the Mr. Wizard of Yawkey Way. With the franchise his canvas another Masterpiece awaits. The challenge for any artist is the pathway to perfection that is visible to only he. Whether it is attained in the length of a brush stroke or a blending of hues his chase continues in quiet frustration until the reflection from those highlights shines back in their perfect harmonies.

The Boston Red Sox for the first half of the 2009 season were indeed nearer perfection than any other however somehow their sheen was lost along the way-side; perhaps his latest Masterpiece isn't as distant as one may think.

Let us see what unfolds over the next month or so as we peek over Theo's shoulder and try to understand his patterns and mixtures. For now, Red Sox Nation and my fellow Nationites.. Enjoy your Off-Season..

 

How is This "The Off-Season"?

by; s.tyg james}    

        I sit on the back porch more these days basically for two (or deux) reasons.Un (or 1) The ambient temperatures now are nearer those that like Mythological Sirens are apt to induce one to their surrender and 2) Such relaxation requires one to move even less than when in Summer-time's sizzling grasp. The deadlines, back in July, were more important than here in November where the word of the day is "soft"
much to the chagrin of the Mrs.... Nevertheless, I read more and write less which IS a bit of a blessing as the words at season's end were of a watered-down stew and my mind a broken ladle. Little by little now I am mixing in new and exciting and source approved words and I am nearing a degree in Phrasiologics (if such a thing exist).. Soon the old tongue will be whet once more, but man, I hope NOT too soon. Here, however, it seems I should come clean and admit that I am not 100% in therapeutic R-n-R. I also toil in the "Wild and Crazy" world of the National Hockey league otherwise exposed as the NHL! Nope, not a Bruin of Boston am I nor ever in their shallow pockets hope to go but choose to fly the season by as a Red Wing from The Joe".

At the crossroads of off-season where Spring training Ave and World Series Way intersect, the traffic is still quite a burden. At one end the activity is sparse but never lulled, the other of celebration, celebration and center stage. On and On it goes... I have seen Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox Center Fielder, on several Talk and Entertainment Programs and continue to be impressed with his integrity and his demeanor; a class-act he is and is not ready to ride the free-fall of his talents as they are now but is quick to admit he has a long way to go..With a core of Ellsbury, Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis and whom-ever they chose to sign in the "Off season" the Boston Red Sox will be ready to make their run one more time! 

So this "Off Season" has not yet begun and believe me the current World Series Show has nothing to do with it because, being a Boston Red Sox from birth, I can never-ever par take in a Yankee sponsored Classic. I do wave a "Phillies Phlag" as to me they are the Boston Red Sox of the National League, and always have been. Now, I would rather lead a chant of YANKEES S^%$@, YANKEES S^%$@ from the Bronx Bleachers than to befriend the Philly Flyers or any other franchise from my ancestors own birth state but for some reason, the Philly's are A-OK!   Ah yes, Ole Willie Penn of the 16th century Quaker Penn's

As you can see there is a resemblance still twixt my photo above and this happy Cat. (Ouch)

I'm Trying to Just Let it Go..

by: s. james ward}

  

   Since our beloved Boston Red Sox bowed out rather meekly to a much hungrier west coast opponent time has become almost stationary. No, Ti's not of sour grapes I react, nor oppressed a glowing monster green and I cannot howl at the moon or curse those wild fates for the season unfolded and fared as was it's design and I do not lament the end. I merely miss the play of baseball by my celestial sanctified, Angellically endorsed and eternal home team. It matters little they failed the standards set by others as well as themselves, for the very theory of competition designates a winner and a loser, alas both entities must be fulfilled, our adopted Boys of Boston showed well and I was complete with pride by their final swing. I was alone during those final innings and through the saddnes a tear escaped and I stood one hand amid the other repeatedly applauding their efforts. Thank you Boston Red Sox; top to bottom the organization and those who spilled each drop of blood, sweat and tears to allow such a pleasing of one spirit to become a part of their sojourn, year to year. Past, present and future I hail. The World series is well underway and I skim oe'r the channel but slow to a crawl for the score must yet be known if nothing else. Good-night to baseball for now I chase it's splendid silence here and then alas, somewhere other, but ever nigh.

Today"s Business-Vision

by:s tyg-Ward}

  Tito Francona and Theo Epstein disgust the painful last days of the Boston Red Sox 2009 season. Neither was prepared for the game 3 loss to L.A. especially the way it came about. But the facts did not change as the night of became the morning after; Jonathan Papelbon is indeed mortal he gave up a couple runs including those very painful winning runs for the opposition. Incidentally those were the first runs yielded by Papelbon in the post season in 26.1 innings. Perhaps in the long run those runs and this failure will be the defining moment of his career, even his life, making him a stronger person one of humility and self substance. I can tell you that no-one in the Red Sox Organization has given up on Papelbon, not even close. Aside from this there is a list of players in which the Organization need to decide upon, either Free Agency or Team Options. Jason Bay is a priority, a healthy Matsuzaka is also and a much sharper David Ortiz is a priority in 10 different directions, no team can afford a D.H. in a slump. 2010 is not as far away as one might think, especially for Epstein and his team.

Team Theo isn't fortunate enough to rely on the equipment of most associated with baseball, no bats or gloves, no snow white hard balls or batters helmets, no not even a jock; For Team Theo they must rely solely on something called "Vision". The ability to see beyond, behind and farther still. Theo Epstein needs to utilize projective thinking almost as if a magician his hat and in the end though accused of slight of hand he stands victorious where most fail, where most falter. If you have ever had the opportunity to watch him, study him during a ball his passion simmers inning by inning and shall spill from time to time though never uncontrolled. I would like see through his eyes, at perspective, at depth and alas perfection while transfixed, he is, upon the end result. Have no fear Red Sox Nation, if there exists a link amid the chain that has endured frail or weaker still it shall face the remedial action required. A genius, remember, first solves the equation in his mind before dispensed to black and white.

When we look at the core of the Red Sox there is not much to alter, however a team wide power outage is something that cannot take place and still imagine victory.

Kevin Youkilis, at 1st or 3rd defensively differs NOT! what does indeed matter is that the Boston Red Sox keep him here as long as he plays baseball, and possibly beyond. Youk is everything any organization would yearn in a player so back-OFF everyone, he is a Boston Red Sox!!

  

 

 

These two Cats need to stay put as well, I see great things from these three and they were born to be Boston Red Sox now and forever! Jacoby needs perhaps another year seasoning and Dustin Pedroia he simply needs NOT to lose an ounce of that passion that drives him and his teammates winners. His confidence and genuine love for the game is unparalleled and NO, nobody will get their meat-hooks on him..

Just whom will end up taking the field next season is the responsibility of Team Theo so we, those of us who profess to know the score, can trust their minds and be prepared ourselves for that First Pitch"  I cannot wait.   Be well Nation, I'll be writing ya...