FINALLY! Baseball is back in Boston!

BOOMSTICK!

When I originally started this blog, it was more Bruins centric – but everyone knew my love for that other hometown team. With that said, how great was last night?

I was ready for baseball after Saturday’s final spring training game against the Washington National(excuse me, ‘Natinals‘) and watching the Mariners and Giants battle it out in the rain, didn’t seem to fill the void. I kept checking the time yesterday, hoping it was closer prime time.

Now I know a lot people were unhappy with the starting time of the game. Well, sorry – it’s NOT ABOUT YOU. I know it’s a shocking statement, but it’s true. I could careless when it happened, I just wanted baseball back in Boston and I think we’re all better for it. Don’t worry, I’m not going to be turning my back on my beloved Bruins because the Sox are in season – its times like that, where I’m glad God created picture in picture TVs.

The Boston Red Sox always knew how to throw a party and last night was not exception. Now I know most people think I’m a heartless bastard, but deep down inside I’m a stupid girl and moments can make me misty. Like the cheers that Mike Lowell received when he was announced. After two winters of your team trying to get rid of you and then finding out you’re going to be riding the pine the majority of the season, Lowell has been nothing but class personified. A lot of players would go into the season screaming about how they’ve been disrespected and do whatever they can to alienate themselves enough so they can get a one way ticket out-of-town(*cough*JAY PAYTON*cough*). Not Lowell, he took his lumps like a man and has accepted his roll on the team. I hope they keep him, but I don’t run the team.

When Amalie Benjamin announced Pedro would be throwing out the first pitch last night, I thought it was too good to be true or a cruel, belated April Fool’s Joke. But I was pleasantly surprised.

Pedro Martinez was probably one of the most exciting pitcher I’ve ever/will ever see in my life time. He’s a legend. He’s a future hall of famer and he’s a lunatic. But he’s our lunatic. He did it with style and made life interesting. Watching Pedro pop up from under the flag and watching him smile & wave to the crowd just made me want him back in Boston. Ok,  I’m sure you’ll think I’m crazy – but I want Pedro to retire in Boston. You never know what will happen during the the season, maybe we’ll need some help on the hill? The only thing I wish that was different, was that Pedro threw out the ceremonial Don Zimmer instead. Ahhh….memories. *sigh*

The game itself was a classic Red Sox game. Just when you think all help is lost, the Red Sox find a way to pull it out. “Just when I thought I was out… they pull me back in.” We’re going to ignore the Josh Beckett’s performance. In fact, let’s blame those first few innings on Cla Meredith? Remember when Tito threw him to the wolves and was a big ol’bucket of fail? I’m going to say he pitched last night. Tito has an evil sense of humor.

For a team that is known for it’s stacked pitching, it was the bats that kept the Sox in the game. Dustin Pedroia went 2-4 and helped tie up the score in the 7th with a home run. Kevin Youkilis went 3-4 and had that huge triple that gave the Red Sox the lead and inevitably, the win. I know the Red Sox purists are trying to spin that the Sox didn’t win opening day in ’04 or in ’07 – but they won THEIR home opener in ’07. So suck it. All hope isn’t lost, there’s still 161 games to go.

Now sure Neil Diamond made an appearance at Fenway to sing “Sweet Caroline”, a more than likely high on something, Steven Tyler(sans Aerosmith) sang “God Bless America” and even Keri Hilson did a bang up job singing the National Anthem. But if there was anything that got Red Sox Nation ready for last night’s game, it was 5-year-old, Joshua Sacco.

The YouTube sensation took a break from re-enacting Herb Brooks’ Miracle speech on Ellen & for the Minnesota Wild to do a Red Sox version of the speech. Whoever it was who thought was a good idea to get Sacco to do that epic speech should get a raise. This kid rocks. Even Dice-K got into it! Look at his reaction to when Joshua says “Screw’em!” He loved  it! How could you not? If you don’t, you’re a heartless communist with no soul and no appreciation of anything good in this world. Too much?

But the lights at Fenway will be dim for the next 24 hours. Kind of anti-climatic, huh? It’s a bummer we can’t watch baseball again until Tuesday. But hey, thank God there’s a Bruins game tonight. Go get’em, boys!

So Good! So Good!

Thanks to Ian @ SoxAndDawgs.com for posting.

Thanks, Beautiful!

This morning, Nomar Garciaparra resigned with the Boston Red Sox. Now don’t get your hopes up just yet! During the press conference at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Florida – one of Red Sox Nation’s favorite sons announced his retirement from baseball.

Nomar played with the Red Sox from 1996 to 2004, you know when Theo traded Nomar for a couple no names and a World Series Championship. Who knew that was going to work out? Towards the end of career in Boston, times were a little tougher for the short stop. Between battling injuries and constantly being scrutinized by the media in Boston, a change is what he needed. It was sad to see him go, but deep down – we all knew he would be back.

During his time in Boston, Nomar was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1997, won two batting titles, was second in MYP voting in 1998 and had a career average of .323, 178 homers and knocked in 690 RBI’s with the Sox.

So now what? Nomar will be joining ESPN’s Baseball Tonight and hopefully he’ll be in town opening night when the Red Sox take on the Yankees. I do have one question, can we see a commercial like this for Nomar? I think it’s only fair that Mia returns the favor.

Thanks, mister!

How Child Abuse Made Me A Team Canada Fan

Now, I maybe born and raised in the US of A – but the majority of my mother’s family hails from the great white north. My Nana, Celeste, not to be confused with Mama Celeste and her delicious microwavable treats, was a product of Prince Edward Island. She loved where she was from and would tell me about her life growing up on the farm and her summers she spent on the beach.

Celeste was a classy lady(unlike me who’s a heathen) and enjoyed the finer things in life. She was the type who never let her hair get wet while swimming (besides the time I flipped her & inner tube over in the pool by accident) and was always impeccably dressed. Sporty she was not, but she loved watching them.

For whatever reason, she hated Roger Clemens with a passion(she must have been clairvoyant) – but loved the Sox, she blushed & turned into a school girl when she would talk about the time she met Red Auerbach and she would be sitting right next to me cheering on the Bruins when I was little. She loved sports and she especially loved the Olympics. Now granted, she had left Canada when she was 19 – but she still considered it home and was very proud to say she was from there.

She was so proud – that whenever the Olympics were on,  the two of us became Team Canada loudest cheerleaders. So how did Celeste get me to share her love for America’s hat? By beating it into me. See, Celeste used the fear technique to get me to support her native land. If either my grandfather or I showed the slightest bit of patriotism or support for the US during the Olympics or some international sports competition - 9 times out of 10, someone was going to get smack and let me tell you, homegirl had some power behind that punch.

So after a few shots to the head, I learned my lesson and  was all about the Maple Leaf. I know it’s weird to think that child abuse is the reason behind me throwing my support to Team Canada, but for me it makes sense and honestly? I’d feel guilty switching sides now.  Celeste was awesome and I wouldn’t be the broad that I am today if it wasn’t for her. I wouldn’t have a dent in my forehead either, if it wasn’t for her – but that’s not that point. The point is, is that I’m afraid I’m going to get clocked by a rogue shoe(thanks to her ghost) if ever start rooting for Team USA. Plus,  Phil Kessel is on Team USA and whenever I see him on tv – I have the urge to throw something at him.  BUT I’M NOT BITTER! It’s just another reason for me to root against the US.

So out of support of my Nana, I’m Team Canada this year. Even though their national cheer is LAME.

WELCOME ABOARD, SWEET CAROLINE!

Hey everyone! I wanted to welcome aboard a new member – well, second member of CameronFrye.com, SweetCaroline04! Besides being a an obvious Red Sox fan, she’s a huge Bruins fan and she’ll be helping me out covering practices(when she can) and whatever else her little heart desires!

So give the lady a big welcome and I hope you enjoy her posts! If you’re interested in joining in on the fun, shoot me an email!

Throwing Red Paint Is Passé

Ingrid Newkirk is a harsh mistress and you know she had something to do with it.

That new Red Sox [team stats] hurler John Lackey’s bride, Krista, may be rethinking her decision to urge her hubby to move to the Hub. Because when Lackey and his lovely wife – a Maine native and University of New Hampshire grad – were in town last week, they popped into a Kenmore Square boite for a bite. Krista put her fur coat on a chair, where, we’re told, an inebriated patron puked on it!

Inside Track, Boston Herald 22 December 2009

**I probably should have used faces of Red Sox players – but this just felt right.

Help me throw my money away!

So for those of you who may not know, I’ll be going to Vegas next week. Now as someone who suffers from an addictive personality – I’ll be staying far away from the tables. BUT, I figure since I’ll be down there – I might as well, make a couple stupid bets.

Now, of course I’m going to put money on the Sox going all the way and winning the World Series in the near future and the possibility of seeing the black & gold raise another banner and cup. But I’m looking for suggestions on what I should throw my money away on.

So submit your suggestions.

Squirts Illustrated

If you haven’t already, take a jaunt over to Deadspin and read Alan Siegel‘s  ‘Dark Side of the Lockerroom’ submission. It’s a must read. Jonanthan Papelbon, everyone’s favorite Irish dancer turned playoff goat is his subject and I won’t lie – I’m not surprised by the story.

FYI: Might not be NSFW…..

An Open Letter To The Nation From Cameron Frye

Well, that sucks....

Dear Red Sox Nation, (continued….)

If you’re going to the Sox game tonight….

Kelly Clarkson will be singing ‘God Bless America’. This won’t be Clarkson’s first time at Fenway:

***Your challenge – if you choose to accept it: If you can get a picture of Kelly Clarkson holding a CameronFrye.com sign – I will buy you a case of beer of your liking. If you’re under 21 or don’t drink, you get the cash.