Relay for Life!

Tomorrow night (Friday) I will head to the Trinity College ice rink (it's ice free right now) and walk all night in support of cancer research. That means there's only a little time left for donations! I know what you're thinking: who does this girl think she is, asking for money on a Red Sox blog, but I think cancer research is a cause we can all get behind.

I've written before about how my mother, who passed away in August, became a Red Sox fan for my benefit, so I won't reiterate that story. However, I do have another story of one of Red Sox Nation's own being claimed by the terrible disease.

Karen O'Neil was a teacher at my elementary school (the one I attended as a child, the one my mother worked at, and the one I substitute at now), and though I never had her, she was known schoolwide as the resident authority in all things Red Sox. Mrs. O'Neil had a cardboard cutout of a contemporary Sox player in her classroom every year, along with various posters, pencils, and coffee mugs. She wasn't shy about arguing for the supremacy of her team, and she was one of the only people I spoke to who really believed that the Sox would pull it out that Sunday morning in October 2004, when we found ourselves down 3-0.


Last summer, Mrs. O'Neil offered me a pair of tickets to an early May game (as a season ticket holder, and schoolteacher, she couldn't make a lot of the early games). Though the Red Sox lost (to the Rays, on a Lugo error), it was one of the most enjoyable games I ever attended, and I bought Mrs. O'Neil a Red Sox mug in thanks. I should have known she already had two of them, but nevertheless, she was thrilled with the gift: she was never one to be dissappointed with something associated with the Red Sox.

Karen O'Neil passed away earlier this year, after a long battle with cancer. I like to think she's somewhere in heaven, questioning Tom Yawkey, chatting up Ted Williams, and needling Babe Ruth.

I am walking tomorrow in memory of my mother, of Karen O'Neil, and of Melinda Puglisi, my second-grade teacher. I'm sure all of you know someone who is either fighting or was claimed by cancer, so if you have any money to spare - even if it's just $10 - please donate!

Some Non-Partisan Love for Obama

First let me say this has NOTHING to do with politics. This is not a forum for discussion about anything happening on Capitol Hill... Until they start talking baseball.

The New York Yankees headed to Washington this week in the customary visit to the White House, and their Assistant GM, Jean Afterman, committed a delicious faux pas.

When the leader of the free world picked up the Yanks' World Series trophy, Afterman quipped "Let him hold it. He may never get another chance again." Ummm, that's the PRESIDENT you're talking to, and even if you don't like him, you owe him a modicum of respect.

But no worries, Red Sox Nation, Obama's not a famous orator for nothing, and he had the perfect retort up his sleeve:

"And you wonder why the other teams don't root for you."

Maybe he can't throw, but he dissed New York... Hell, that alone has to help his approval ratings.

LOVE it. No one roots for New York because that is the attitude they project, not only through blunt comments like Afterman's, but in the entitled lifestyle exhibited by their management, fans, and players.

So if you're a Red Sox fan, put down your political leanings for a day. Embrace Obama, if for no other reason than his schooling the Yankees... On an offday, there's not much else you can do.

*****
Also, I just want to apologize for being MIA lately. We're pushing toward the finish line this semester, and work has been piling up. A few more weeks, and I'll be much more devoted. PROMISE.

Excuse me, please...

The Red Sox head off to Toronto tonight, and I have to admit being less than enthused. Firstly, I won't get to watch, and I always enjoy watching Beckett pitch, even when it's in Rogers Centre.

Second only to the Trop in ugliness!

But more than anything, this team is not what I expected as a fan. Now, hear me out, because this isn't going to be a whiny, "Go out and pay too much for Adrian Gonzalez/Prince Fielder/Hanley Ramirez/MC Hammer" rant, but a story of polite bewilderment.

This team is better than they are playing. Yes, the injuries are hurting them early (a hernia and cracked ribs? Seriously?), but the Sox of years' past made it past those difficulties - hell, last year's version had Nick Green, the third shortstop on the depth chart, starting 74 games (but the man did have a 0.00 ERA).

Think he's available for the 'pen?

Something's gotta give. One home run notwithstanding, David Ortiz is struggling, and JD Drew is positively anemic - even his generally rock-solid OBP is under par. The defense is making stupid mistakes, and the bullpen is downright laughable. No offense to Baltimore, but when the Red Sox have provided a third of their wins thus far, we have a problem.

I don't know what the answer is, and I suspect the players and coaches are just as confused; it seems like the Sox are hardly showing up for some games, and that's way more worrisome than a few slumping sluggers. Maybe Daisuke Matsuzaka's impending return to the rotation will help (did I really just write that?), or perhaps Tim Wakefield's veteran presence will jumpstart the bullpen.

Save us! ... Daisuke?

And if not? If all is really lost, and the alarmists are right? Well, I'll be able to get into Fenway a lot more this summer... And you know what else? Last time the Red Sox missed the playoffs (2006, for the newbies), they won the World Series the following year. If that's the tradeoff, count me in.