Pay attention only to the real issue

Originally posted by FreakyKBH
I, too, was a long-term Sox fan. But when they turned into the Boston version of the Yankees, payroll-wise, I figured I'd had enough. It's hard to root for the underdog when the mutt turns into a purebred.

That leaves me rooting for the now-hometeam, the Cleveland Indians. Sure, I could have converted back to the Mariners, but it's a pretty safe bet t root for this generation's pure sportsman, Grady Sizemore? Lots to love with this team!

fine. always liked Cleveland. just because I'm a Red Sox fan doesn't mean I dislike other teams. well, there is one exception, of course. but I always want the Yankees to field the very best team they can afford and for them to be truly talented and awesome as individual players, as I like some of them. But I feel this way only because if the Yankees aren't reallly good, they aren't worth hating.

I cannot convert to being a fan to any other team any more than I can pronounce the number that comes after 3 in fewer than 2 syllables or stop broadening my "r"s that come after A's. Not even living in New Joisey for some years fixed it. Besides, the guy who wrapped his arms around me when I was quite young and taught me how to hit a baseball was Ted Williams, himself. I learned to field from Jimmy Piersol. I went to a summer camp where these two would show up now and then and spend some time with us kids. Williams' daughter, Bobby Jo, was my age and we were friends when we both were about 10. A line drive broke my finger one summer and she was impressed at how it looked as we were both on the bus to go to the ER that day with the usual camp-caused kid injuries. Mine was the day's prize winner, though. I'll say this, Ted was one hell of a grouch.

Originally posted by Scriabin
fine. always liked Cleveland. just because I'm a Red Sox fan doesn't mean I dislike other teams. well, there is one exception, of course. but I always want the Yankees to field the very best team they can afford and for them to be truly talented and awesome as individual players, as I like some of them. But I feel this way only because if the Yankees aren't ...[text shortened]... Mine was the day's prize winner, though. I'll say this, Ted was one hell of a grouch.

Those are some amazing, priceless memories. And to think that I thought I was the bees' knees when my dad humbled himself to play catch with me one day!

Originally posted by FreakyKBH
Those are some amazing, priceless memories. And to think that I thought I was the bees' knees when my dad humbled himself to play catch with me one day!

now, Ted Williams taught me to hit a baseball -- I was a poor student, for although I was better than the unschooled and untrained, I still was lousy. I was far better at being a catcher -- I gave up pitching as a kid when I realized I was never going to be tall enough to really do it well enough. But I had a good, if not terrific arm, so being able to throw people out at 2nd base from behind the plate turned out to be the right position for me. besides, I got to wear all that neat stuff and no more line drives in the stomach.

btw, Boston Red Sox tonight completed a 10-game winning streak, sweeping all 9 games at Fenway and all of the last 3 against the Yankees. Boston also managed a straight steal of home plate, the first for the Sox in 10 years.

Andy Petite, a leftie, didn't look at 3rd so he had his back to the runner -- the NY catcher failed to look as well, so he didn't stand up to make the pitcher throw a fast ball and Petite completed his breaking ball, so the steal wasn't even a close thing.

The Yanks look like they need some changes.

Boston didn't even use its A list bullpen pitchers - making due with a rookie, a minor leaguer up temporarily, and a 39-yr old Japanese closer who has seen his best days and then some. Yet, these guys retired 10 Yankee batters in a row w/o a hit or a walk.