Is there a Red Sox blog in existance that has not posted this picture this morning?

Coco Crisp was the star of the night, offensively and defensively, as the Red Sox completed a sweep of the Mets for their 12th consecutive win. Bunting his way on base, Crisp showed off his electric speed by stealing second and advancing to third and eventually home on a couple of perfectly executed sacrifices.

On the other side, the Sox tied an MLB record with their 16th straight errorless game, and this one featured a handful of supurb defensive plays from Youkilis, Lowell, and, of course, a miraculous 8th inning diving grab by Crisp.

From beginning to end, it was easily the best and most well-played game of the year. While Coco might be the topic of conversation this morning, last night we saw flawless performances from every single member of the team, from Schilling to Papelbon, from Youkilis to Gonzalez.

And so, where do the Red Sox stand? It's June 30 and the Sox are 4 games up on the Yankees. We'll tread carefully here, because we understand the implications with assuming anything too early. It's only June, and we all know what the Yankees are capable of, even if they do resemble a high quality AAA team.

It is probably safe to say, however, this the last few weeks have been incredibly fun; hell, even Shaughnessy is enjoying himself. We've had brilliant starting pitching, breathtaking defensive plays, and Papi walkoffs. No one is advocating going in for a ring fitting quite yet, because we all know that things in baseball can change quicker than you can say "Rudy Seanez." But games like the one last night are the reason that we rush home from work each night. They're the reason we tune in to the games, day in and day out. They're the reason we came right back, without hesitation, after Aaron Boone played the role of hero in 2003. And they're the reason that we still live and die with the team just like we did before 2004, when the national media guaranteed a World Series championship would create indifference in Red Sox Nation.

As Tim McCarver might say, it's been eye-boggling baseball. So cue the Standells, sit back, and enjoy the ride. Because even though heroes are made in October, memories are made all summer long.

"This guy's got a ton of work to do, and I think it's ok that he's Jewish."

Brilliant.

Pedro may call Shea Stadium home these days, but there are still pieces of him all over Fenway. The K Crew, the World Series banner, and the smiles on the faces of so many fans who knew only heartbreak before Petey came to town: those are the legacy left behind by the greatest pitcher in Red Sox history.

Tonight Petey returns to Fenway for the first time since his departure after the 2004 season. As he takes the mound in the bottom of the first, there's no doubt that he'll be met with the standing ovation he very clearly deserves. Don't believe the hype: no matter what you see in the New York Times or on that not-worth-naming website that still considers itself relevant in the minds of Red Sox fans, Pedro Martinez will always be loved in the city of Boston.

In honor of the homecoming and in anticipation of first pitch, I spent most of the morning drowning myself in all things Pedro. So enjoy a few of my favorite Petey video clips, quotes, and photos, and if you find things getting a little dusty, well, you're not alone.


NESN videos - Highly recommended are: Pedro Press Conference/Pedro is back in Boston; Pedro reacts to fan reception; Pedro/Beckett duel on tap

Yesterday's post on Touching All The Bases is a must-read.

The Herald writes about another side of Pedro.


"I don't believe in damn curses. Wake up the damn Bambino and have me face him. Maybe I'll drill him in the ass, pardon me the word." - After a 2001 loss to the Yankees

"If I didn't pitch inside, I'd be at home, pitching to my nephews." - Pedro defending his aggressive pitching style

"I think one of these days that little ground ball that went through Bill Buckner's feet will probably be caught. I wasn't born those years they went through all those things. But I know everything can change. When it's meant to happen, it's gonna happen. Believe me. It's gonna happen." - Pre 10/27/04

"Georgie-Porgie... he may have the money to buy the whole league, but he doesn't have the money to buy fear to put into my heart." - On Yankees owner George Steinbrenner

He did it again. It's an amazing thing about David Ortiz. He's not considered the best player in baseball. Most wouldn't even consider him the best player on his own team. He lost handily in last year's MVP voting to A-Rod, a player known for his inability to come through with the game on the line. But ask almost anyone who they'd want up at the plate in a tie game with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, and I can't imagine they'll name anyone other than David Ortiz.


If Papi is our Savior, than A-Rod truly is the anti-Christ.

Nothing, in the recent history of sports, was as predictable as that was yesterday.

It's been entirely too long between posts, I know, but long hours at work, a visit from the parents, a wedding, and birthdays have kept me from the world of blogging. But thanks to a nasty cold, I'm stuck on the couch for the weekend. So between World Cup soccer, boxes of tissues, and neverending pots of tea, I figured I'd fit in a bit of blogging.


I'll obviously be cheering for the USA in their next World Cup game, in which they'll need a win to advance, but it will be hard to cheer against Ghana after this:



John Pentsil, a Ghanaian who plays for Hapoel Tel Aviv in Israel, held up an Israeli flag after their upset win over the Czech Republic. The uproar in Ghana over this minor incident seems silly when you consider that after Hapoel Tel Aviv won the championship, Pentsil waved a Ghanaian flag.

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It's mid-June and the Red Sox have a closer with an ERA of .26.




Our closer has an ERA of .26.

I just thought that might bear repeating.

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The NHL Stanley Cup finals are the best thing on TV that no one is watching. Edmonton vs Carolina might not sound exciting, but the games sure have been. My loyalties are evenly divided, so I'll end up feeling sorry for whoever loses tomorrow night's Game 7. On one hand, I'd love to see former Flyers Rod Bind'Amour, Mark Recchi and Justin Williams win a Cup in Carolina. On the other, the Edmonton fans are some of the best in the league, and it's been too long since Canada won a Cup. Regardless of who wins, it's been a fantastic series, though it stings a bit that the Flyers are not involved.

Speaking of the Flyers, let's make sure we're all up to date. The Flyers, who were the on-paper favorite to win the Cup before the seaason began, finished a disappointing year by being ousted in a fairly one-sided first round series by the Buffalo Sabres. Their season was marred by injuries and the realization that many of Bob Clarke's offseason signings were not a good fit with the new NHL. Oh, and they're also expected to be without center Peter Forsberg until January.

Logically, it seems like a good time for the Flyers to announce a hike in ticket prices, which they did this week. One can only hope that the additonal cash goes to the signing of a quick-skating defenseman.

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You are truly missing out if FX's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia isn't on your TIVO's Season Pass list. The brilliantly funny, spectacularly offensive series was renewed after a 6-episode stint last year and will preimere on June 29th. But, you know, if you don't really enjoy things like laughing until you cry, then you'd probably be happier watching something like Who Wants TO Marry A Former American Idol.

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If you live in the Dallas area, odds are good that you've been to Fry Street and more specifically, The Tomato, in Denton. It's one of the best pizza places in the city with what is hands down the nicest owner, and due to the recent sale of a dozen properties on and around Fry Street, the future of The Tomato is in jeopardy.

For more on the historical relevance of Fry Street and more on what you can to do help, check out Save Fry Street.

I hate Disney. I mean, I really hate Disney. But there's nothing that can keep me from seeing this movie.

link