Happy Thanksgiving, Red Sox Nation!

All too often this blog has become a place for rants and complaints: mostly because none of my friends or family really care about the Red Sox (at least, not like I do), so this is a somewhat healthy way to vent my frustrations. However, in spirit of today's holiday, I thought I would post a list of Red Sox-related things for which I am thankful:

• 2004 and 2007: Seven years ago, we were coming off the biggest heartbreak since 1986. We still claimed lovable loser status, and there were people who swore that the Cubs curse would break before ours. Then, seven years ago today, our own Theo Epstein made a trek to Curt Schilling's Arizona home for Thanksgiving, and a deal was eventually done. The rest, as they say, is history.
• An 89-win season: Fully two-thirds of MLB teams finished behind Boston this season, and this despite the 2010 Parade of Carnage that saw SIX Opening Day starters spend an extended period on the disabled list, not to mention the grab bag of injuries to bench players and pitchers beyond Opening Day starter Josh Beckett.
• The chance to cheer for prospects: The Red Sox have had a fantastic farm system, and despite Theo's ill-fated "bridge year" comment of yesteryear, we got to see some fantastic things this season. If I had proclaimed, this time last year, that we would soon be cheering on Daniel Nava, Darnell McDonald, Ryan Kalish, Felix Doubront, and Josh Reddick on a regular basis, you all would have had me committed. The kids, as they say, are all right, and they certainly proved themselves this season.
• My proximity to Boston: Sure, I'm three hours away at home, and two when I'm at school, but the fact is that I can drive there any time I wish (so long as there's not a blizzard or something). There are fans all over the country, and all over the world, who have never set foot in Fenway Park, have never been to the the East Coast of the US, and so are constant minorities in their baseball-rooting interest. I'm thankful that there are thousands of Fenway Faithful all around me, that Red Sox hats abound (more in NH than CT), and that people around here are generally so passionate.
• Dustin Pedroia: You had to know this was coming. However, it's not just my favorite player for whom I am thankful, but all of his home-grown teammates, especially those who are still under Red Sox control, pre-arbitration, and those who took wallet-friendly deals to stay with the Sox. Players like Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, John Lester, Clay Buchholz, Daniel Bard, Jed Lowrie (remember him!?), and yes, even Jacoby Ellsbury.
• The wallet of John Henry, et al: Yes, yes, I know all of RSN is claiming that Henry's acquisition of the Liverpool Football Club is the reason that VMart is now a Tiger, but I'm going to go on record as skeptical of that theory. The fact is, Henry is fabulously wealthy, and he bankrolled the second-highest payroll in MLB last year. I know it's difficult to keep perspective on how lucky the Sox are financially when the Yankees are outspending King Midas 200 miles to the south, but please try to remember: we are very, VERY lucky to have an owner who is willing to spend when his GM thinks it's appropriate.
• Theo Epstein: Speaking of the GM, we happen to have one of the best. I know people's opinions are tainted right now because of the Victor Martinez debacle, but the fact is that Theo always knows what he's doing (except, apparently, with shortstops). Do you recall the offseason a few years back (I believe this was pre-Martinez, but perhaps not) when all of RSN was howling at Mr. Epstein to go out and get a new young backstop? Jarrod Saltalamacchia was near the top of the wish list, and Theo managed to acquire him for peanuts. Theo has a plan. Chill.
• You! Yes, dear reader, I am thankful for you. When I started this blog nearly two years ago, I never expected to get more than a few reads, if I got any at all. Really, this was going to function more like a journal for me to get out my Sox thoughts, since no one in my life particularly cared to discuss baseball 24/7. The audience I have now blows me away, and I'm extremely thankful to be able to write for such a passionate group of fans.

Did I forget anything? Do you disagree? Feel free to add your imput in the comments section, and have a very happy Thanksgiving! [And to my non-American readers, have a happy Thursday!]

Five Minute Musings

What a game last night! Instead of repeating what I'm sure everyone has already read (a game recap), I've decided to go with five quick points that are somewhat related.

1.) Who's ready for October?These guys are ready for October. I'll admit it. I thought our cause was lost at several junctures last night. However, I did not turn off the television, and sure enough, the Home Town Team did not disappoint. Paul Byrd started that game, in case you forgot (and I can't say that I would blame you). He gave up three runs in 5.1 innings, which is essentially all we can expect of him, and the bats did the rest. Once again, this was a game that lacked both V-Mart and Youk, and Drew made his first appearance in the late innings. I don't know about you, but I feel pretty good right now.

2.) Most of you know that I spend most of each game on Twitter (LoveSox15), conversing with my fellow Sox Nation members about the game. Yesterday's discussion between myself and Gabs10272004 led to a Postseason poster plan to end all Postseason poster plans. If either of us can get tickets (fingers crossed), we're making a sign that says: "Hey, @John_W_Henry: #signjasonbay" ... Hopefully the Twitterspeak will get us a mention from MLBonFOX (as much as I hate them) and the ownership group will get the picture. [If you're not into Twitter, disregard this, you won't get it.]

3.) My favorite Tweet from last night surrounds the Heidi Watney/Nick Green controversy... after Nick Green's game tying walk, and Gonzo's game winning blooper, Don Orsillo was seen on the field interviewing players postgame... in other words, doing Heidi's job. Someone wondered where Ms. Watney was, so I shared my prediction: "LoveSox15 RT @BoSoxMas Where's Heidi at? --> Taking off Nick Green's clothes."

...Awkward...

4.) I'm beginning to be a little worried about the State of the Youk. "I don't like to ice," he reportedly told Adam Kilgore of the Globe. He also says he has these back spasms about once a season, and they only sideline him for one series or so. While I would have picked the upcoming series against Kansas City, or perhaps the one against Baltimore, I figure if the boys can beat the offensively dangerous Angels with Youk on the bench, no one can stop us. Here's hoping #20 feels better, and soon.

5.) Josh Beckett is on the hill for us tonight. This is a HUGE start. He went out last time and threw a CG... however, it was a rain-shortened game, so his line went something like this: 5 IP, 4 hits, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4K, all in 78 pitches. How he goes about this start will tell us if that was him getting back to his Ass-Kicking October self, or simply a fluke. As for me? I leaning toward the former. I mean, how could he have been watching that game last night and not be fired up? [Here's another theory about Heidi Watney's absence: in a fit of excitement, Beckett punched her in the face - accidentally-on-purpose, of course - and she's still recovering.]

Let's see THIS guy tonight. Captain Badass, your skills are needed.

O Captain! My Captain!

According to the Boston Globe, Jason Varitek has requested a one-on-one meeting with Sox owner John Henry this weekend. Take that to mean that (A) Henry doesn't want to see Scott Boras right now or (B) Varitek is miffed at Bors for advising him to decline arbitration [therefore giving up $10-$12 million] or (C) both.

I think I'm going to go with (C). John Henry is not happy with Scott Boras right now, something else we can thank Mark Teixeira for. Henry made as much clear earlier today: when asked about his relationship with the agent, he sarcastically asked "What relationship?" and declined further comment.

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The meeting will take place "tonight" near Varitek's off-season residence in the Atlanta area, and will undoubtedly be more productive with Boras' absence. Hopefully this meeting will accomplish something. I always pictured Varitek as a realist, so hopefully he knows his market value, even if his agent is publicly delusional [Jorge Posada money? Please.]. As such, the Captain must know that, at this point, in this off-season, the Red Sox are really the only team that can use him. I can't imagine any other teams paying Varitek more than the Sox will and giving up a first round draft pick.

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This gives the Red Sox all the chips, which is their favorite way to "negotiate." With all the uncertainties [rehabbing players] the pitching staff has this year, it would be nice to have some continuity in the catching situation, and Varitek is unarguably adept at calling a game. Don't get me wrong, I think Jason Varitek is definitely on the downside of his career, but I also believe that his personal problems [he got divorced during the 2008 season] affected him more than he was willing to admit, and if nothing else, I doubt that he will get significantly worse in 2009.