Soxs on Heels

It has been too long...

2008-11-30T12:59:00.000-08:00

And I don't have much to say because I am in the middle of finals. Instead I will post this awesome t-shirt that I found:

No Way, No How, No Timlin

2008-09-10T20:45:00.000-07:00

I know the Sox ran out of relievers, but how can you use this guy at any point, in any close game at all???? I would rather have them lose by having Lopez through another inning...cause at least you can defend that. But this cannot be defending at all. No more Timlin unless they are up by at least 10. Seriously. No Way, No How, No Timlin.

Love this Guy

2008-09-03T06:52:00.000-07:00

Not sure if most Red Sox fans will be angry about this but...

Amazing! I think it is best to remember that no one, and I mean NO ONE, was more negative about Pedroia at the beginning of last year than Remy. He was constantly talking about how bad Ped's swing was and nightly calling for Alex Cora to be the full time starter. Athletes have long memories and Ped's obviously does not forget.

Awful Announcing

The summer of ThomCarter: A Review

2008-08-19T18:32:00.000-07:00

I am not sure if everyone is aware but my brother dubbed this the Summer of ThomCarter. Why? Because he turned 30, because he went to a lot of baseball games and because, well, he is Thom! So, seeing that today was the first day of classes for me, I will give a review of my summer...Sam's Summer of ThomCarter.

1)After finishing my first year of graduate school at UNC, Amy, Grace and I made our way up to NJ for the summer. We did this so that I could work as an administrative intern at the Hunterdon Health Care System...and so that Grace and Amy could swim all day.

2)On May 12th my internship began and I worked and worked and worked!!

3)A few weeks later Amy, Grace and I went to one of my dads many retirement parties. It was fantastic to see all that he had accomplished in his career through the eyes of his employees.

4)Ron, Rachael and Cadence came down to NJ from Boston to visit for Memorial Day. It was great to see Grace and Cadence play together...they have both grown so much.

5)In June the rest of my family came to visit in the good ol' NJ. First Laura, Sean, Emma and Carter arrived...just in time for my dad to have kidney stones...and Laura and Sean went on a much deserved vacation after 2 gruelings years of business school. Then a very pregnant Kim and her daughter; Brittin, Ginny and Annika, came to! Unfortunately, work made it so Jeff could not come...it is never the same without him there. Laura and Sean came back, so we had just one big party the whole time! After 10 days Kim and her girls left and Laura and Sean never did!!

6)During the summer I went to 5 Major League Baseball Games. 2 in Shea Stadium...Mets v Dodgers and Mets v yankees...1 at Yankee Stadium...The Sox beat up on the yankees...on at Citizens Bank Park in Philly...the Phills had their way with the Sox...and one at FENWAY, where the Sox HUMILIATED the A's. The last one was for my birthday and it was fantastic game to be at the Fens. Oh, and guess how much those tickets cost us??? If you answered $0 you are correct! Thanks Thom!!

7)When we went up to Boston for the Sox game we spent time with Ron, Rachael and Cadence. It was great because we go to the zoo...which was perfect for Grace. We also learned that they would be moving back to Utah, because Ron got accepted to BYU's school of Law. We are sad to see them leave the east, but excited for them (even if won't be getting a good education at the y...I kid, I kid.)

8)In July we went to Angela and Aaron's wedding in Ashville, NC. It was a fantastic day. Angela is one of my classmates who was baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was amazing for us to see how happy they both are and how much joy the Gospel has brought her.

9)We got to be there to see my dad transition into retirement. Which pretty much meant watching him throw away everything. He worked so hard and did so much good for so long, he deserves this time to spend with his family.

10)Grace grew and grew and grew! She no longer walks...she only RUNS! She talks all day long...seriously there are no breaks. She tells everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, that we are on walk and that she just had some juice and that she would like a snack. "Mine" or "My" are her new words of choice. "My Car", "My House", "My TREAT", "My MOMMY!!!!"...pretty much everything is hers. She loves to sing and dance...especially to The Wiggles. She loves to play all day. She mostly loves to give Hugs and pray and read the scriptures. She is a fantastic example!

11)Amy certified to be an Aerobics instructor!! WOOHOO! She put a lot of work into this and she loves this kind of stuff (unlike me...I like to eat and sleep and watch baseball). I am excited for her.

12)I completed my internship. It was fantastic. I cannot say enough about all that I learned, all that I accomplished and the confidence I gained from this experience. Today I described myself to first year MHA as, "A Hospital Administration Nerd...I love the work so much." This was just a reminder for me of the great work that I am going to be involved in.

13)And to end it all, on the last day of Sam's Summer of ThomCarter, my sister Kim had her 4 little girl! Kassandra London Roth. They are doing great and I could not be happier for them.

All in all it was the perfect summer. Good people, good food, good baseball and good people! Yup, lots of good people. It was just a great reminder of how much our Savior loves us and hears and answers our prayers. This summer was what we needed as a family and our Savior knew that. I am so grateful for Him and grateful for the blessings of Eternal Families.

Let the Sam's Fall of ThomCarter begin!

A List:

2008-08-12T19:38:00.000-07:00

Of Current Red Sox who should not be on ANY Major League Roster:

Coco Crisp
Manny Delcarmen (Above blowing another game...get it?? He is blowing out air! HAHA!)
Julio Lugo
Manny Delcarmen
Coco Crisp
Manny DelMannybeingManny
And anyone else named Manny

The End

Happy Anniversary!

2008-08-07T16:28:00.001-07:00

Four Years! Amy and I have been married for 4 years!! What a fantastic four years it has been too! I love you so much!!

How True This is....

2008-08-07T06:42:00.000-07:00

How the Manny Trade Went Down

2008-07-31T20:03:00.000-07:00

Before I give you all my insider information about what took place today when the Red Sox traded Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers, I want everyone to know that I feel good about this trade. It was time for Manny to go. His act was tired, but I will miss Manny. Good luck in your future endevors!
Ok, now to my insider info. This is the actually transcript from his this trade actually happened:

Ned Colletti:"Theo, Hey! This is your buddy Ned! Have I got a deal for you!"

Theo looks confused and goes to hang up the phone.

Ned:"Wait...wait! I am real GM, don't hang up!"

Theo: "Hold on, I got 10 teams on the other line. I am going to have the first 10 team trade"

Ned waits and sings Broadway shows tunes and a little Cher.

Theo: "Crazy. The deal fell through. What ya got for me?"

Ned: (giddy) "I already talked to Pittsburgh, they are willing to send us there top prospects, as long as you send them some top prospects too."

Theo: "Good. Good. At least there are 3 teams involved. Any of these teams from Japan?"

Ned: "Where's Japan? That in Canada? Canada's south of Hawaii, right? I love the country of Hawaii. Beautiful snow fall. What...where am I? Anyway...so then you send us Manny and $7 million. And after you have unloaded all that you get Jason Bay!! What a steal!"

Theo: "Let me consult with Billy Beane...I mean my computer."
He presses some buttons on a keyboard and out comes printout that says, "What Would Paul Depodesta do?"

And he knew what to do at that very second!

Theo: "DEAL!...it is great doing business with you!"

Theo hangs up, lets out an evil laugh and says, "Larry! You can come out of your cage now. Get me my Gorilla suit! we need to hold a press conference to announce the most important trade since Babe Ruth was traded for an off Broadway musical."

Yankees GM Brian Cashman smiles to himself about this crazy trade deadline.

Brain Cashman: "I cannot believe that Ned just called me and offered me Jason Bay for top prospects, $25 Million and AROD. Who would ever make a deal like that?"

For my 100th Post...

2008-07-26T08:44:00.000-07:00

I thought that everyone could use a laugh...

Thanks to Mangum to pointing me out to these guys on youtube! We all need a good laugh!! (Especially Sean and James...Red Sox fans need to laugh right now :( )

I Promised...

2008-07-21T17:03:00.000-07:00

Not to complain about the Red Sox and I am not going to. I am just going to say that I am glad that they have decided to collapse earlier this year than they did in 2006.

Wow

2008-07-16T03:58:00.001-07:00

So, I didn't go to bed. I stayed up for all 15 innings. Pretty stupid seeing that I have to be at work soon, but still worth it. Worth it cause the AL won, but even more worth it cause a Red Sox won the MVP! Congrats to JD Drew, and congrats to all Red Sox fans who can now add this to their list of favorite yankee stadium moments. Fantastic.

On a side note, congrats to Spencer Mangum for picking up the ever important +1 for getting The Wedding Singer reference in recent post. +1 can get you a lot things these days...like one whole Schrute Buck!

I am so glad...

2008-07-15T21:28:00.000-07:00

That I decided not to live blog the all star game. This is long and I have to go to work early. Good night baseball.

I hate Yankee Fans

2008-07-15T20:00:00.000-07:00

Tonight is the night...

2008-07-15T17:29:00.000-07:00

When Wade Boggs officially died in my eyes. I have never been that angry about him playing for the yankees and even watching him ride around the horse after they won. But tonight, oh tonight, when all the Hall of Famers were on the field to start to the All-Star Game he crossed the line. All the former players were wearing the hats they went into the Hall of Fame with: for instance Dave Winfield wore the Padres Hat, not the Yankees hat. But Wade Boggs wore his ugly, nasty yankee cap. He is in the Hall of Fame as a Red Sox. I hope that the Sox never, ever invite him back to Fenway. Boggs, you are officially dead to me and forever a Devil Ray.

Some Great Acting...

2008-07-14T14:39:00.000-07:00

To take everyone into All-Star Break!

Pinch Sitter

2008-07-07T16:36:00.000-07:00

It was nice to see Manny watch the ball go past him 3 times in a row last night. Just what Francona ordered. Here's your new Red Sox pinch sitter!

Happy 4th!

2008-07-05T13:10:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, Thom, Amy and I spent the 4th of July the best way you possibly could. Watching the Red Sox beat the Yankees at yankee stadium. First of all, our seats were fantastic. Thom called in a favor and we sat on the first base side, 3 rows up. Amazing. It started off the slow for the Sox, but as the game when on things started to look up. After Johnny Damon forgot to close his glove to catch the ball (of course he did slam into the fence), the Sox tied the game at 3. Then good ol' Mike Lowell hit a huge 3 run homer and that put them up for good. A beautiful 6-4 victory that helped up to us to celebrate our countries birthday.
Some observations/favorite moments from the game:
1) Johnny Damon cannot read. Atleast not well. Before the game they have taped segments with players of the yankees telling the fans to enjoy the game, not go onto the field and also where they are. (because most yankee fans have no idea where they are at anytime) It was Damon's job to let the fans know they were at yankee stadium. I wish everyone could have seen this, but OH...MY...GOSH! Wow...this could not be a bigger loser.

2)Early in the game and 7 year old boy jumped onto the field to pick up a foul ball. I am serious. Right in front of us, he just jumped onto the field. And he got the ball! And then the security came and took he and his father away because it is kind of against the rules. They did not end up ejecting him,even though derek jeter told the fans over and over again that it was against the rules. How can you not listen to jeter? I mean that guy walks on water, turns water into wine and other blasphemous things. But, it was awesome. That is not something you see everyday.

3) Yankee fans are not smart. And the more they drink, the less intelligent they become. I have a good amount of friends that are great people and very smart. But, for the most part, they make Johnny Damon look like Bill and Ted. (cause you can't make damon look like Socrates or Abraham Lincoln) They continue to wear shirts that they "See you 86 Years" and "Got Rings?" and "Got Melkey?" and "Bahston Suck" and "Why did I fail my GED test?" (the last one is not true, but they should) All I wanted to say to all of them was, "Drink more and drive home." (if you get that reference give yourself a +1)

4)The officials of security for the stadium of the yankees are morons. Seriously. They yelled at people for moving over 1 seat. There was much foul language going on around us, another thing that jeter mc'perfect told us not to do, lots of Red Sox Suck chants and other uncreative things, but when a Yankee Sucks chant started in the 9th (something I did not join, because it is lame) and the security STOPPED the chant! Apparently cap'n derek "never makes a mistake and is the greatest human being to ever live" jeter was only talking about Red Sox fans being vulgar. I love this game!

Anyway, go Sox!

17! 17! 17!

2008-06-17T20:49:00.000-07:00

My favorite sports team is obviously the Red Sox, but my first sports love was the Boston Celtics. We moved to New Hampshire in '86, the year of the greatest Celtics team that I have ever seen. Larry Legend, McHale, Parish, DJ and Ainge. When the Celtics traded for Ray Allen and KG, I just wanted 50 wins and a playoff series win. But, it rejuvenated me when it came to NBA. I watch more games this years, then in years past. And tonight, on June 17th 2008, the Boston Celtics, my first sports love, have clinched their 17th Championship. There was nothing like the Sox in '04, but this win brings me back to my earliest childhood sports memories. Celtics Championship...I LIVE FOR THIS!!

Worst Fans

2008-06-10T15:53:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a lot about fandom in sports. What makes a good fan? What is the worst type of fans? I do not think the worst kind of fans are front runners or bandwagon fans. I think they are the fans that have this stupid sense of entitlement. They feel that their team has to win EVERY year and if they do not win EVERY year then the season was a failure. They are whiny and pathetic, and people cannot stand to be around them. (disclaimer...I am very aware the teams that I root for, the Pats, Sox and Celtics, have many fans that are this way. For most of them it is a new thing and obnoxious. But I promise that I will never be this way...end disclaimer) The amazing thing about these fans is that they are fans of the teams that I hate most: The Lakers, BYU and the Yankees. Some of these "fans" fly hundreds of miles just to watch their team lose in a playoff game. These "fans" find every reason to believe that their team did not lose. The worst part about them is that because they are the loudest "fans" of the teams they "root" for, the teams' entire fan base gets stereotyped as being like them. One of my good friends from UNC is a HUGE Lakers fan and I got a great email from him after game 2. I was expecting him to make wise cracks about poor officiating and how the C's did not win that game without help. But instead this is what I got:

"My boy Leon Powe killed us... and yes, I know him personally from CAL, I was his trainer for 2 years while he was hurt and I know the man has game, but coooooooommmmmeeee onnnnnn LAKERS!!!!!

I was pleased to see the tremendous come back late in the 4th, at the same time I was
mad that Phil didn't have Vujacic in sooner because Radmanovic was F'n things up all night. I'm just frustrated right and hope that we can come out with 3 wins in LA.
Ya'll are looking real good right now, I think our only hope at winning is if your benchcatches the flu or something. Hmmm... I might have my sick cousin walk by your locker room before the game tomorrow night. I'm calling him right now. This is Biological Warfare!!!!"

Now that is a real fan of his team. Not once does he blame it on anyone else, but the team he ROOTS for. If more fans were like that, the sports world would be a better place. Instead, we are stuck with "fans" who have this ridiculous sense of entitlement, who will continue to run sports into the ground.

Things that make me angry during the Red Sox/Rays game...

2008-06-04T17:25:00.000-07:00

So, it has been a very long time since I have blogged. We are in New Jersey this summer for my summer internship with the Hunterdon Health Care System. Because of that I come home tired and I just want to spend time with Amy and Grace. So, I do and I don't blog. BUT, right now I watching the Sox play the Rays on ESPN. I am not even going to rant about how horrible Sutcliffe is tonight, but as I watch somethings on the TV driving me crazy.
First, for about 2 innings ESPN decided that it was a great idea to add something to there bottom line. Even few seconds a breaking news report would come on the screen with this important, earth shattering news: Derek Jeter has surpassed Mickey Mantle for 3rd on the all time Yankees hit list. NOT MLB ALL TIME HIT LIST...NOPE, THE YANKEES HIT LIST! Will there be breaking news when someone becomes the player with the 3rd most hits on the Rays???? Why should anyone care?????????
Second, and this has nothing to do with ESPN. There are a lot of things that drive me crazy about the Cialis commercials, but I noticed something today. The announcer guy said, "Do not drink alcohol in excess when taking Cialis." WHEN SHOULD ONE EVER DRINK ALCOHOL IN EXCESS??? WHEN IS THAT EVER A GOOD IDEA? I want the announcer to say next time, "Do not rob any banks while taking Cialis." Seriously...wow.

If anyone deserved to throw a No-hitter....

2008-05-19T18:59:00.000-07:00

It was Jon Lester! The man who has made a successful recovery from cancer, won the last game of the World Series, has now pitched a fantastic no-hitter! I am not really sure what to write about it. This was just one of those moments that reminds me why I love sports, especially baseball and the Red Sox. Congrats Lester...you deserve it!

On a side note, the irreplaceable Captain Jason Varitek, caught his 4th No-Hitter tonight. Along with his 2 World Series rings, the "C" on his jersey and the way he calls a game behind the plate, this is one many reason that Tek is so great. Congrats Tek...you deserve this too.

How do you know...

2008-05-06T17:33:00.000-07:00

When your Career is going in the wrong direction??

When you used to do awesome things like this...

And now you are doing this...

And another walk off...

2008-04-30T19:28:00.000-07:00

Are you kidding me? If you would have told me that Sox would score 3 runs in last 2 games and would win BOTH, I would think you were crazy. Especially with Lester and Dick-K going...both need solid run support. But, it happened and it happened again in exciting fashion. This time of the bat of the Captain. It is great to see Varitek come through in the clutch for the send time this season. Earlier this year he hit a 9th inning pinch homerun to give the Sox the lead in Cleveland. Then tonight with 2 on and 2 out in the 9th, Tek ripped a single up the middle and with the beautiful hook slide by Manny, the Sox picked up another big win. Congrats Captain.

Dear Bob Costas,

2008-04-30T10:31:00.001-07:00

When I was younger I had a desire to be a world famous sports broadcaster. I watched all of your broadcasts and did everything that I could to study you and what you do. When I received my Eagle Award, I was presented with a picture signed by YOU, congratulating me on this great day. It was a highlight of that day. So, thank you for that.
BUT, after last night, I am done with you. Last night on your HBO show, Costas Now, you had a round table discussion about blogs. The members of this discussion were Buzz Bissinger, author of Friday Night Lights and an award winning writer, Will Leitch, founder of deadspin.com and Braylon Edwards, WR for the Browns. In the past you have, like many other members of the media, have been highly critical of blogs. So, tonight you invited a moron, Buzz LightYear, to verbally attack Leitch and all other bloggers. Not only did you not stop him, but you helped him and even planned in this occurring. Buzz LightYear, who spent most of the time yelling about how disgusting and profane blogs are, was the most disgusting and profane person at the "discussion". And you did not say a word. Bob, you are not better that Bill O'Rielly, who often attacks Jon Stewart for reporting the "fake" news.
This is for all sports media, especially you Bob and Buzz LightYear, get over yourselves.

Sincerely,

Sam

That's the Lester we want to see...

2008-04-29T20:03:00.001-07:00

I am positive that we will not see Lester go 8 innings and only allow 1 hit very often, but he does posses the talent to be a great pitcher. It was great to see him have such a great game tonight and to end the miserable losing streak. Now lets get the bats going!

*The image was taken from Boston Dirt Dogs

My Red Sox frustration is quite high right now....

2008-04-27T14:38:00.000-07:00

So, watch this instead of reading another one of angry rants...

That pitch was thrown 96 MPH! Wow, that is the very definition of pain.

What do you think?

2008-04-21T07:58:00.001-07:00

This weekend 5 people told Amy that she looked like Brooke White from American Idol. Amy and I have not really watched the show, so we had to look her up. What do you all think? Does she look like "that Mormon girl from American Idol"?

Big Papi!!!

2008-04-19T09:59:00.000-07:00

When Big Papi came up with 2 outs and the bases loaded for the Red Sox, I was just hoping to see him come up big so he could snap out of it. You see, Papi is one of the most loved athletes in Boston Sports history. He is always smiling and he always puts on a show. Seeing him struggle has been painful for every Red Sox fan. You knew he would break out of it, but when? And you knew you could not be angry with him or ever even think of Booing him. He means too much to the 2 World Series titles in the last 4 year. So, when the ball cleared the Green Monster last night and Papi finally got to circle the bases last night, it was a sight for sore eyes. Good to see you back Papi!

The other fantastic thing about last night was the fact that 4 of the starters for the Sox last night were drafted by Boston. Youk at 3rd, Lowrie at SS, Peds at 2B and Ellsbury in CF. And they all contributed. The picture up top shows three of them, (Ellsbury, Lowrie and Peds) when they scored on the Papi Slam. Fantastic!

So much for being positive...

2008-04-16T18:41:00.000-07:00

But I absolutely cannot stand the type of game the Sox and the Yankees are playing right now. It is messy, long and not even worth it to stay up and watch.
And on top of that... what the Tavarez???? How long until you are going to take him out?
Actually, I think all things considered, I am relatively positive right now. WOOHOO!

Baseball!

2008-04-16T10:05:00.001-07:00

I am sure that people are wondering why I have not blogged a lot about the baseball season so far. There have been times when I have wanted to rant about the Red Sox already, but I have held myself back. Why? Because they just won their second World Series in Four years! How angry am I supposed to be? Does that mean that I no longer get angry and yell at the TV? Nope, I still get pretty worked up. But I am going to try and blog more about the good things this year...although I am a much better angry writer than a happy one.
So, with the new blogging me...HOW ABOUT THE LAST 2 GAMES!! Those poor Indians can't catch a break against my Sox. Two nights in a row the Red Sox has dramatic 9th inning Homeruns. One by MANNY, MANNY, MANNY!!! And the other by the Captain, Jason Varitek. The last few games have been fantastic. I am not sure how good this team will be, but they are putting a great show right now.

A Beautiful Day for Baseball...

2008-04-08T13:27:00.000-07:00

This is how EVERY season should start....

YOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUK!!!!

2008-04-02T16:37:00.000-07:00

On of my favorite players in all of baseball set a fantastic record today. Kevin Youkilis, the very definition of a Dirt Dog, has now gone 194 straight games without an Error at first base. This breaks Steve Garvey's Major League record. Congrats YOUK! You deserve it!

Why everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY, loves A-Rod

2008-04-01T12:37:00.001-07:00

This article is amazing. It is a good thing that Yankees were able to make such a "sweet heart deal" with AROD. As Bill Walton would say, "UnbeLIEVable!!!

Who is better?

2008-03-27T10:01:00.000-07:00

I am really curious to find out what people think about this. I hear this debate from people who are from Utah all the time. But, I want to know if you all think that Chris Paul or Deron Williams is the better player and then I want to know why you think that. Logic, please, please, please, USE LOGIC! Thank you very much.

I am not sure that I can be more frustrated...

2008-03-25T03:20:00.000-07:00

So, I am up. It is 6 in the morning and I am up. Why??? Because I want to watch the Red Sox start their title defense in Japan. BUT, for some strange reason ESPN2 is BLACKED OUT! WHAT??? Do I have FSN Japan in North Carolina or something?????? Why can I not watch the game? I should go back ot bed, but now I am awake. ESPN...you have made a new enemy.

March Madness Question

2008-03-20T16:38:00.000-07:00

I am finally getting a chance to watch some of the greatest weekend in college basketball and I have a question for all of you...

HOW IN THE WORLD DOES THIS GUY PLAY DIVISION 1 BASKETBALL??? He looks like he would get cut from a church ball team or picked last on the playground, but not only does he play for Duke...HE STARTS! Please, someone tell me how this can be. Thank you.

FOR ONE SHINING MOMENT!!

2008-03-03T18:12:00.000-08:00

After a long, hard fought season...the Health Policy and Administration department is officially Intramural Basketball Champions at UNC!!! UNC has the largest intramural basketball program in the country (or so I have heard) and our co-ed, rec team took home the title! We entered the tournament as the 22 seed and with some last second heroics we made it to the Final Four! All that was standing our way was the #1, #2, and #5 teams! After a solid victory versus the #2 team, we were off to face the 1 won team in the land. (Um, the Land of Intramural Co-ed Rec league, that is.) After quickly taken a 2-0 lead to start the game, we then fell behind for the the rest of the game. With 3 minutes left to go we were down by 8 and all seemed lost! But with some more clutch shooting we tied it up and had the ball with 25 secs left to go. After setting ourselves up for the last second shot, our Captain drove the ball the hole and made an acrobatic layup with 3 seconds left! Time soon expired and HPAA was crowned CHAMPS!!!

Just like the Heels in 2005 - ONE SHINING MOMENT

Graduate School Truths

2008-02-27T16:07:00.000-08:00

Today in The Simpson's, Bart and Marge said something that hit a little too close to home.

Bart (wearing a fake pony tail): I am 30 and I only made $600 last year.
Marge: Bart, don't make fun of Graduate students. They just made a terrible life decision.

Me: HOW TRUE THAT IS!!!!!!

Need a laugh?

2008-02-22T20:31:00.001-08:00

Me too. Hope you laugh and laugh and laugh.

I have an important question...

2008-02-11T17:35:00.000-08:00

I have not really picked a candidate yet, although I am getting pretty close. But, I do have a question...WHY DOES EVERYONE HATE JOHN MCCAIN?? And please don't tell me it is because he is not conservative enough.(I know that someone is going to write that to be funny) That is an awful reason not to like someone. I feel like all we do is complain that we always have a president that is too partisan. "Clinton was too liberal, Bush is too conservative...I want a president who will be an actual moderate." Isn't that was people say? And now McCain is the front runner for the Republican party and people cannot stand him because he is NOT CONSERVATIVE ENOUGH!!! Trust me on this, having Ann Coulter come against is not that bad. It may actually be the reason he is the front runner. Anyway, please give me an actual, logical reason why everyone hates John McCain. I am really curious.

Congrats to the Giants...

2008-02-03T19:04:00.000-08:00

Seriously. That played great and Eli played much better than both Brady this year and his brother last year. I wish the Pats would have finished the season 19-0, mostly to shut up the '72 Dolphins, but they did not deserve it. They played poorly today, but that was because of the Giants. Once again....Congrats to the Giants, you deserved it.

Be a little better...

2008-01-28T04:41:00.001-08:00

As I am sure most of you know, President Gordon B. Hinckley passed away last night. When Amy and I received the call from my Mother last night, it kept us up talking about how much we would miss him. Neither of us personal knew him, but we felt like we did. He is a man of integrity, honesty and love, who taught us all important principles, not just with his words but with his actions. As many of the members of the LDS faith, I am so grateful for his leadership and love. I am especially grateful that he always taught us to be a little better, to do a little more and to stand a little taller. I will always know that if I can be a little better than I was the day before, then that is what the Lord wants for me. I am so grateful for his service and while we will miss him, I am so grateful that he is with his loving wife again. Thank for your years of service and love.

How do you know that you have attended a bad sporting event?

2008-01-10T10:23:00.000-08:00

I am glad you asked, because I have an answer.
Recently about 90% of our Ward here in North Carolina travled over an hour to watch TsDS(which for those of you who don't know stands for BYU-The School Down South) play Wake Forest. At school on Wednesday I asked one of classmates if he took the long trip to watch TDS lose by 17 and he said he did. So I asked him how it was and he responded by saying, "The trip to the game was a lot of fun." That, my friends, is how you know you have attended a bad sporting event.

I need to Rant...

2008-01-08T17:44:00.000-08:00

So, I will. And it is NOT about how much of a Moron Roger Clemens is or how much of a Moron he must think we all are. I mean, COME ON...do you honestly believe that we are going to think that you think that taking steroids gives you a 3rd ear on your forehead???? WHAT??? And you called a guy and taped the conversation after he asked to call his son WHO IS DYING!! I just don't know what to think about this guy. Anyway....I digress a little.

I am not going to rant on how boring the BCS bowls were and how much better we would all be off if they would just grow up and have a playoff system. Nope, I will not rant about how ridiculous and ubsurd this is. I mean every other sport has a playoff and because of some tradition the fan never gets to watch competitive Championships. Nope, we never get to an actual champion. Man that makes me want to rant...but I digress.

I am not going to rant about how sick of the Presidential Elections I am. I will not complain about we have spent the last 1 year getting to know each of the "candidates" that I don't really care who wins as long someone does and their name does not end with Clinton. And how come we still use the word candidate. Isn't the root word Candid, which means, "outspoken; open and sincere." Are these people really candid with us? I wish I could rant on this...but I digress.

I really want to Rant about what took place today as I prepare to start my second semester of graduate school. Today I went and bought my books for school. I remember back in the day when I was young and naïve undergrad at the only University in the state of Utah, I would go and buy my books and think, "I cannot believe that I just spent $300 on 12 books" or "How did I just leave that book store with $400 less?" Boy, was I innocent. Today I went to the Health Affairs Library and left thinking, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" I bought 6 books for $755! That my friends is $126 per book! 6 BOOKS FOR $755! Why does this bother me so much that I feel the need to rant and rant and rant??? Cause I probably won't even read them.

It's the MOST WONDERFUL time of the Year!!!!

2007-12-14T06:46:00.001-08:00

Study Break!

2007-12-11T09:15:00.001-08:00

So I am going crazy studying for my last final and I needed a break! This was just the ticket. I hope you enjoy as much as we do!

Watch Grace Grow!

2007-12-01T11:06:00.001-08:00

I am now obsessed with making movies! This one is longer than the last one, but it is videos and pics of Grace since she turned 1! She is such a great little girl! Hope you enjoy! Here I come Oscars!

Saving Children's Health Care

2007-11-28T17:11:00.001-08:00

So, I made this video for a contest that some of my fellow classmates are having. Don't you think that I am the next Steven Spielberg? Me too!

Curt Schilling and Mike Lowell....Welcome Back!

2007-11-20T07:39:00.001-08:00

I know have use already used this already when Manny came back from injury, but it still works! It is great to have both Schill and Lowell back with the Sox. Both great contracts and both are winners. Is it April yet?

Visit Saving Health Care

2007-11-12T15:43:00.000-08:00

I know it has been a long time since I have posted...and this one is not very exciting! As I have mentioned before, in one of my classes a few of us have started a blog about health care in our country. It is called, savinghealthcare.blogspot.com. It follows that health care plans of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards. We use their websites and youtube clips to help them tell their stories with the hope educating others to find out who will help us save our failing health care system. Please, please, please visit and makes comments about what you read. This will help advance what we are trying to accomplish and ALSO it will help us get a better grade! So, go visit and help save health care!

Return of Stat of the Day...

2007-10-31T05:32:00.000-07:00

World Series RBI Career...Dice-K-2!....AROD-0!!!!

That makes me very happy and I must agree with all the fans that were chanting,"DON'T SIGN AROD!"

Are you World Serious????

2007-10-29T12:38:00.000-07:00

I am still in shock about how things ended for the Boston Red Sox! 2 World Series Titles in 4 years! You have got to the kidding me??? This is the Boston Red Sox...the team that FOUND ways to lose! Now they are not just winning the World Series, but in dominating fashion! I am not sure how many times I said that there was NO way this team would win the World Series...too many to even go back and look for in this blog. But I am VERY happy to say I could not have been more wrong. This was a great team. During the season they never won more than 5 games in row and then when it mattered most they won 7 in a row! That is amazing. This team was built for the post season and built well. Another person that I must apologize publicly to is Theo Epstein. I questioned him all year and I could not have been more wrong. This was his team...he put this team together even more so than the 2004 team. Some of his moves were questionable, but they worked when it mattered most. Congrats to Theo...you have done it again!

So, there we go! The Sox are the Champs! Now I have nothing to write about....but I am sure that ESPN will give me plenty to rant about...they already have. I will get to that later. This never gets old.

WORLD SERIES CHAMPS!!!!!!

2007-10-28T22:33:00.000-07:00

Amazing

2007-10-23T07:04:00.000-07:00

I am not goint to lie. When the Sox went down 3-1 to the Indians I thought they would most likely not come back. I thought they would win game 5 with Beckett on the mound...but after that I was not so sure. But of course we all know the Sox came back and are American League Champions for the 2nd time in 4 years! It was a fanctastic comeback for the Sox in which the out scored the Indians 30-5 in the last 3 games. It was awesome and I am excited for the World Series. The Rockies are a very good team...so we shall see!

I am going to post some pictures of our trip to the beach in the next day for so. You will love the pics of Grace. This I can promise.

Gagne to Lopez...

2007-10-13T22:22:00.000-07:00

BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why would I post this video??

2007-10-10T18:06:00.001-07:00

Because sometimes it is just fun to remember your childhood. Enjoy.

Greatest Sports Weekend Ever

2007-10-08T20:43:00.000-07:00

Because today was Columbus Day and thus National Holiday, I have decided that last weekend was from Friday Night to Monday Night. And because of this it was the Greatest Sports Weekend Ever.

Let's Start with Friday...
Friday nights sports started at 8 with college football. My alma mater, The University of Utah, went to Louisville to play the Big East powerhouse. Well, they were a powerhouse last year...but that does not matter. The U has been up and down this year and their was NO reason to believe the U would win. BUT, after 3 hours of hard fought football the Utes gave Louisville on the road 44-35! Amazing!
BUT, Friday still had much more to it. At 8:37 the Boston Red Sox started game two ALDS with the Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim. This game was about as exciting as it can get. After about 14 hours of baseball the Sox finally finished off the Angles with a walk-off home run by Manny Ramirez. What a Friday.

Now let us move on to Saturday...
Saturday was all about college football when it came to sports. At 12 my current school, UNC, faced long time powerhouse Miami. There was absolutely NO way the Heels could come out with this win. BUT, in the end they did. A fantastic 33-27 upset.
This had very little to do with me, BUT my mom attended Stanford...so their upset of USC was sweet for her and added to this great weekend.

How about Sunday...
First, the New England Patriots continued their absolute dominance of the rest of the NFL. They did what they do and handled the awful Cleveland Browns 34-17. This was never in doubt and they rolled to 5-0.
Sunday sports belong to my Boston Red Sox. On this day they went for the sweep of the Angels and for most of the game it was close. But the bats woke up in the 7th and the Sox scored 7 runs to put the game away. After Gagne recorded the final out the celebration commenced and the Sox just had to sit a wait to see who their opponent in the ALCS would be.

Monday, oh blessed sports, Monday....
Just a few minutes ago the greatest sports weekend EVER was completed as the New York Yankees were officially knocked out of the FIRST round of the playoffs by the Cleveland Indians. Just knowing that they are out is the perfect ending to a perfect sports weekend.

Saving Health Care

2007-10-08T13:01:00.000-07:00

As you all I know I am currently attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and am working on my Masters in Health Care Administration. For my class, Policy and Politics, we are working on a project that has to with the upcoming Presidential Election and the issue of health care. My group has created a blog named savinghealthcare.blogspot.com. On this blog we are discussing the health care views of the 3 main Presidential Candidates from the Democratic Party, Barak Obama, Hillary Clinton and John Edwards. The purpose of this project is to get the attention of the public when it comes to the issue of health care reform in the United States and that is were we need you all to get involved. Please visit this site and make comments about the issues that we raise. No matter your political ideology this site is for everyone to use so that we can find the best way to save the current health care system here in the United Sates.

WOW!!

2007-10-05T23:05:00.001-07:00

Wow! That is all I got...wow! Once again, Laura and Sean were there...amazing! And if you have not seen it here is the walk-off by MANNY!!!

AL EAST CHAMPS!!!!

2007-09-29T07:00:00.001-07:00

After 160 games the Sox clinched the AL East for the first time since 1995! After an impressive 8 innings by Dice-K and some fantastic clutch hitting by the whole team, the Sox had won 5-2. Now they just had to wait to see if the Yanks would lose the O's. It was not looking good as the Yanks were up 9-6 with 2 outs in the 9th. But the O's would rally to tie in the 9th and win it on a bunt in the 10th! You can only imagine how crazy I went...quietly though, Grace was sleeping! After the Yanks loss, the team ran on to the field to celebrate with the thousands of fans that stuck around in the stands to see if the Sox would clinch. Only in Boston! It has been an up and down year for the Sox. They spent from April 18th on in first and had a 12 game lead at one point and it got widdle down to 1 just few days ago. Celebrate and then get back to business. As many Sox players fans said last night...11 more wins to go.

Check out player interviews here.

And the highlight of the clinch here.

And if you get a chance check out the great pictures of Grace from her birthday on the post before.

She is 1!!

2007-09-28T11:46:00.000-07:00

Yup, yesterday Grace turned the big 1!! That's right...for one whole year she has managed to put up with her Crazy father. Amazing, huh? I think so too. Yesterday was a fantastic day for her. Of course she had no idea, but it was filled with cupcakes, presents, friends and then more cake. What a perfect day for her. I am not complaining...I mean I got a whole lot of cake!

Grace is wonderful little girl. She spends her day laughing, crawling, clapping, telling us what she wants by using sign language and then laughing some more. We could not be happier or more blessed to have her in our lives. Amy and I spent a lot of yesterday talking about what the day was like when she was born and all the things that have happened over the past year. As you can imagine, we do not remember what life was like before she was here and we wouldn't change it for the world. We love you!!!

Welcome Back Manny

2007-09-25T19:46:00.001-07:00

This afternoon when I checked to see the Red Sox lineups, I was very surprised to see Manny back! I am not going to lie, just the idea of having him back in the lineup and on the field is music to Red Sox fans heart. And not lame music... when I say music I mean Sweet, Caroline. And then to top it off he singled in his first at bat and walked in his 3rd. A solid 1-2, 1 BB and 1 run scored game. And the Sox won 7-3. It is good to have you back, Manny. Welcome Back, Welcome Back...Welcome Back!

An open letter to Mr. Lugo

2007-09-22T19:46:00.000-07:00

Mr. Lugo,
For the past few months I have been known to call you "the worst everyday player in baseball". After tonights performance I must publicly apologize for my oversight. While your numbers are not stellar, they are improving and tonight your big home run clinched a playoff spot for the Boston Red Sox. You are no longer the "the worst everyday player in baseball". I hope that you can expect my apology and because I am certain you truly are reading this...Lo Siento. Oh, and let me be the first to offically say, "Welcome to the Red Sox."

Sam Carter

p.s. Just so you can watch it again and again, here is your HOMERUN.

Dusty Baker, Mistake Maker

2007-09-21T19:35:00.000-07:00

Where does ESPN find these guys? On baseball tonight they just asked Dusty Baker about whether or not it is important for the Yankees to win the divison. He went on to say that it was more important for the Red Sox to win because, "They have not won the AL East since 1998". First that is just flawed logic. Second, it was 1995! I wish it was 1998, but that year the Yankees won 114 games and finished 22 games ahead the Sox! AND NOBODY CORRECTED HIM!!!!

Literally while I was writing this about Baker, Eduardo Perez, yup the former Devil Ray great, said that Josh Beckett would not win the Cy Young because, "He threw 113 pitches over 6 innings and that will not cut it. He only has 19 wins, he needs more." Once again, flawed very stupid logic, but he has 20 wins now. AND NOBODY CORRECTED HIM!!!! The four letter network strikes again.

On a happy side note...Eric Gagne came in when the Sox were winning and did not allow a run. His stats now when entering the game and Sox are winning... 8 games, 14 runs, ERA 15.75. Much better.

An a Amazing Stat

2007-09-19T11:34:00.000-07:00

I have just taken a quick break from studying, it is nice to have one everyone once in a while, to prove a theory about Eric Gagne. Usually I am wrong when it comes to this stuff, but sadly I am right about this one. What I am about to tell you is painfully true and should NOT be the case for a closer. Are you ready? This is not for the faint of heart...

Gagne pitching in games when he enters and the Red Sox are losing...

7 innings pitched, 0 runs allowed, ERA of 0.00

Gagne pitching in games when he enters are the Red Sox are winning...

7 innings pitched, 14 runs allowed, ERA of 18.00

This guy is a closer...A CLOSER! He is supposed to be able to hold leads and this stat helps us to know that he is worse when he enters with a lead. That is amazing.

FRANCOMA...if a graduate student with a child, who has NO free time, can figure this out so can you! Please STOP using him. I beg off you.

I am done

2007-09-18T18:49:00.000-07:00

That is right. I am done. The Red Sox are awful. I mean it. I do not care that they will most likely make the playoffs. They are awful. The have blown a great pitching performance by John Lester, because Terry Francona does not seem to KNOW what everyone, and I mean everyone, else knows. Gagne is pathetic. NEVER use him again. EVER. He cannot be on the playoff roster and he can not ever wear any Red Sox apparel again. I give up on these guys and move on. They are awful, Francona is awful and everything associated with this team is awful. I am done.

Now, How do I feel...

2007-09-16T20:25:00.000-07:00

Somewhere between....

This has been the most up and down sports weekend I have ever had. I wish the Sox could have put the Yanks away, but they did not. But I am glad they won on Saturday. I am really excited about the Utes blowout of UCLA. That was just the what the doctor ordered after such a slow start. And I glad that the Pats did a number of lDt and the Chargers. Tomlison needed to be shut up after his, "If you are not cheating you are not trying" routine. Their best defensive player was busted for steroid use, which among other worse things, is CHEATING! I guess that is the Charger way. Anyway, glad the weekend is over. It was just too much for one guy too handle. At least this little girl keeps me smiling....

How I feel today....

2007-09-15T19:09:00.000-07:00

and a whole lot of...

How I feel....

2007-09-15T06:33:00.000-07:00

and very

My final comments of CameraGate

2007-09-14T13:58:00.000-07:00

First off, I will let Bill Simmons tell you all how I fell,

"That reminds me, everyone's talking about the other teams and implying they were the victims. What about Pats fans? How did we deserve this? Our favorite team cheated, we lost a No. 1 pick, our coach pulled the football version of the Watergate break-in, our entire mini-dynasty has been tainted according to the outside world. ... Seriously, what did we ever do other than support a perpetually crappy franchise with a bad stadium for years and years and years? Do you think we wanted any of this to happen? All week, I almost felt like I did something wrong just because I rooted for these guys. Well, no more. Call them cheaters, call them villains, call them the evil empire, but it's still my team. You can't disown your team just because it does something sleazy, just like you can't disown a close family member for doing something sleazy. Your team is your team. I hate what happened, I think it has been terribly overblown, we paid the price, and we're moving on."

I love how people hated the Pats before and would say things like, "They have always been good. It is time for someone else." These people do not know much about football history. The Pats record during the time I lived in New Hampshire was 47-80! Does that sound good to you? They were awful, awful, awful. I realize that now they are cheaters and I hate it. I am glad that got caught and I glad they have been punished, but do not give the fans a hard time for this. We suffered through an awful team for years. We do not deserve this. Do not hate us...hate Belichick, but not us.

As for the punishment, I think it was a bit light. But not for the same reason others might think. I am not sure that suspending Belichick would have done any good. He would still be able to coach the team all week and could still draft up the teams plays. The fine for him was just right, because it was the most he could give. BUT, the light part is taking away a first round draft pick. The Pats never really use their first rounders. They always get their big names later. They even trade their first rounders away. This does not hurt them. I would have taken away all of their 2nd day picks. Seriously, that would have hurt them more. And those are my final thoughts.

Just some thoughts...

2007-09-13T05:48:00.000-07:00

With school starting I have not had a lot time to write because I spend all my time reading and when I do have free time I like to play with Grace and spend time with Amy. So, I thought I would write some of things that I have been thinking...

I am completly disappointed in the New England Patriots. They cheated, that is the bottom line. They did not need to and there is no excuse. I hope that they get punished and I hope it fits the crime. BUT, this is NOT worse that Steriods. Steriods is cheating, but the serious issue with steriods is that the health risks. It causes rage and causes death! It killed Ken Caminiti and Lyle Alzado and it will continue kill others. Please do not compare steriods to CameraGate. They are not the same. But, I still am disappointed in my Pats.
School is hard, but I really like it. We have had some great guest lectureres that love what they do and they makes me very excited.
Laura and Sean went to the Red Sox game last night. I would have loved to have been there, but I am glad that if anyone got to be at such an exciting game it could be them. When I got home from serving as a missionary, Laura would tell me all the time that I would love Big Papi. She is right and so she deserved to see this big hit.
Finally, my Dad announced his retirement yesterday. He is great example and I really proud of him for all he accomplished. Last night I googled Gary Carter NJHA, and the 3rd article down was about this retirement. The thing that makes me most proud of is that he talks about being most excited to spend time with my mom and serve in the Church. Thank you Dad. Thank you for always making sure we know what is important in life. We love you very much.

I will be more positive

2007-09-09T07:29:00.000-07:00

GO SOX!!! And Dice-K too! Since I know you read my blog, I apologize for saying you are reason #1 the Red Sox will not win the World Series. You are not reason #1. You just make me mad sometimes. So, I am sorry. And because I am completly certain you read my blog....私は残念である.

Reason #1 the Red Sox Will NOT Win the World Series...

2007-09-08T18:30:00.000-07:00

This is not a good picture, but that is Dice-Homerun, I mean Dice-K. Look, I am not giving up on this guy for the long haul, but he cannot be trusted down the stretch and in the postseason. He has hit a rookie wall, or what we saw last year...the Beckett Wall. He has to adjust to league, with better hitters, who make adjustments and are not is aw of him. He has hurt this team lately and he will continue to do so. I would much rather see Buchholz get some innings starting games and let Dice-K rest. But that won't happen and he will reason #1 the Sox will not win the World Series this year.

Clay has a Day!

2007-09-02T17:59:00.001-07:00

I had to wait a whole day before I blogged on this, because I had to let it sink in. Red Sox Rookie pitcher, Clay Buchholz, threw a no-hitter in just his second major league start and it was amazing. I wish I could have watched it (but we are in the area that gets blocked out of Baltimore games on MLB.com...STUPID!!) but I followed every pitch in aw of what he was doing. This young 23 year old kid mixed his pitches in a way that most veteran pitchers have not figured out yet how to do. He was brilliant and it was exactly what ever Sox fan needed. After a tough week of baseball, Clay literally helped every Sox fan feel better. He did that for me at least and that is saying a lot. He summed it up best during his interview on NESN after the game. After being asked a question the sold out crowd starting cheering and he loooked around and said, "Wow!" Wow is right Clay, wow is right! So thank you very much Clay Buchholz and Welcome to the Sox!

(Here is the highlight of all 27 outs of his no-hitter! It is chicken soup for the Red Sox fan soul.)

Appalachian is HOT HOT HOT!!!

2007-09-01T17:53:00.001-07:00

With what many are calling the biggest upset in college football history, Appalachian State University (A Division 1AA school) is officially HOT HOT HOT!!!! Congrats on the defeat on the previously #5 ranked Michigan Wolverines.

Offensive....

2007-08-30T13:15:00.001-07:00

This song and the Boston Red Sox are offensive. The problem is that the Sox have no offense...NONE!!! Once again Theo has dropped the ball again. Last year he made no trades even though many players were banged up. He proved he had no plan at all. This year he has done the same thing. As mentioned on this Blog, he strengthened the Sox strength and let its weaknesses remain weak. The bench is awful and the offense is OFFENSIVE. For more than a few weeks Manny's back has been hurting him and we all know about Papi's various injuries this year. Most of the logical thinkers out there thought that the Sox needed a back up plan for when they would have to miss games. And now Manny is out for atleast 10 days and ERIC HINSKE(Thats right THE Eric Hinske) is out in left. I am glad that the Sox are still up 5. I still feel confident about winning the division, but this team WILL NOT win the World Series. They just won't. And the fact the Sox have great pitching, Papi and Manny and they still have no chance...is just as offensive white guys rapping about girls who wear Abercrombie and Fitch.

She's Got the Right Stuff...

2007-08-29T18:49:00.007-07:00

Happy Birthday to Amy! I have wanted to post something all day about Amy, but it turns out that her birthday happened to be on my busiest day of school. So after a long 9-5 day hitting the books, I have gotten to spend some time celebrating my favorite holiday with my best friend!!! I love her so much and I am so grateful for all that she does for me and Grace. We could not be luckier or more blessed to have her. Thank you for everything Amy! You do have the RIGHT STUFF...oh oh oh oh oh!

Today I am the "Greatest American Hero"...

2007-08-23T19:53:00.001-07:00

Why you ask? Well after surviving my first week of graduate school I had to go a pay the rest of my tuition bill. The other day I found out that for some reason I still owed UNC $.04! 4 lousy cents!! So, I walked over to the cashiers office with a friend of mine so that I could give them our last little bit of money! When we got there I told them that apparently I still owed 4 CENTS of my tuition. They all laughed and then looked it up and they could not believe that I actually owed 4 CENTS!! I then commented that I did not think we had to the money to pay this much and my family would have to go without food and maybe they could take out a collection. They laughed and then one of the cashiers took out a book and paid the rest of my extremely large tuition bill. I believe that pulling off that small miracle makes me today's "Greatest American Hero!"

Stat of the Century

2007-08-21T20:08:00.000-07:00

This Stat blows my mind. On Tuesday David "Big Papi" Ortiz had a triple and an infield single! IN THE SAME GAME! As you can see they don't call him Big Papi for nothing. While I cannot prove it, I believe this has to be a first for him and I am going to guess it will be the last too. Congrats, Big Papi, Congrats.

Perfect...

2007-08-19T17:36:00.001-07:00

The other night Amy and I stayed up looking up TV shows on youtube. One of us would look for the a show and the other would have to guess what the show was by the intro. Let me tell you, this was good times. And because I know all of my readers will enjoy it, here is the the Intro to the Classic show...PERFECT STRANGERS!!! (there will be more shows to come in the future!)

Whenever Baseball makes me mad...

2007-08-18T11:58:00.000-07:00

this girl reminds me what is important! This last week has been orientation for my masters program and it has been fantastic! The professors and my fellow classmates are great and I am really looking forward to school starting. The highlights of this week have to do with Grace though. On Wednesday we had a potluck dinner at the director of my programs home and of course we brought Grace a long with us. At one point she got a little frustrated because no one was paying attention to her. So, naturally she screamed at the top of her lungs. Everyone, and I mean everyone, turned around looked at her, which was quite embarrassing for Amy. As soon as Grace noticed she had their attention, she smiled, laughed and screamed a little bit more. Later on that night one of the professors came up to talk to Grace. As she said hello, Grace immediately reached out and grabbed her glasses right off of her face! This was Classic Grace! As you can see in the picture she had a great time eating blueberries for breakfast this morning and felt that the it would be fun to put them all over her body! Thank goodness for our little Grace, who reminds me what is important everyday!

Designate Him for Assignment

2007-08-17T19:12:00.000-07:00

On this very blog I wrote that I felt that the Sox had to go get something at the trade deadline. I felt that getting Eric Gagne would completely change every game and after the 6th inning every game would be over. This has not been the case. I have now watched Gagne lose 3 games for the Red Sox all by himself. The Sox offense has given him EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO HELP THEM WIN GAMES, but he has blown them all. 3, not 1, not 2, but 3 games he has blown. He is personally the reason the Red Sox are NOT 8 games up right now. Even though the trade made sense at the time, it is the single worst trade in hind sight that I have ever seen. When I said that they should trade for him, I had obviously not done any research. During the Month of July Gagne posted a 4.35 ERA. He had not pitched since July 24th, because they used him in both ends of a doubleheader. I did now know this, but Theo had to have know this. For that he should lose his job. And if the Computer Geek did not know this, then he should lose his job. 3 GAMES! I just got off the phone with Sean and we talked about how they need to use him in mop up duties ONLY. But I have changed my mind. Get him off the team and call someone who wants to help a team win up. Let Buchholz do this or Pauley or anyone else. This guy has got to go. He is hurting the team in every way you can. Designate him for assignment now and let's move on.

I do NOT condone drinking...

2007-08-16T13:12:00.001-07:00

BUT I do condone laughter!! Here is some real men of genius ads for your to laugh at from Mike and Mike. Trust me, you will think this is awesome.

Seriously, I give up...

2007-08-12T14:15:00.000-07:00

I am done. The season is over. I know I know...4 games. The Sox have an easier schedule, blah, blah, blah. This team is awful.

When Amy and I got back to Carolina our TV remote control was not working. We could turn on the TV from the TV itself and all that stuff, but the pleasure of sitting back and changing the channels was not there. So, what did we do? We got new batteries and the problem was gone. We fixed the problem. We did not call the cable company or a TV repair man. That would be stupid, the TV was not the problem. What does this have to do anything? Well, the Red Sox have a problem, they have had it all year. It was not their bullpen. They had this Delcarmen/Timlin, to Okjima to Papelbon working great. So, they decided to fix that. The problem was their offense. NO ONE is hitting for power...NO ONE! Only 3 guys have hit over 15 homeruns and NONE of them have over 20. No one is knocking in runs...NO ONE! They get on base a lot, they work the count a lot, but they do not score enough runs. But they decided not to fix that. Theo and his brain trust (his Gorilla suit) fixed the TV and not the remote. I give up.

i give up

2007-08-10T19:45:00.000-07:00

I do I really do. I give up. And these idiots are why....

Seriously, WORST EVERYDAY PLAYER IN BASEBALL

2007-08-07T20:39:00.000-07:00

The Sox took a 4-2 lead and look great. Then after some awful pitching by the always streaky and unrealable Tim Wakefield the Angels made it 4-3 and had runners on 1st and 2nd. A ROUTINE groundball gets hit to the smiling moron and he makes the an error. $9 MILLION FOR THIS! Now it is atleast 5-4 with no out. Francona, if you are a reading this....STOP PLAYING HIM!! HE IS LITERALLY THE WORST EVERYDAY PLAYER IN BASEBALL.

There's no need to fear....

2007-08-05T21:29:00.000-07:00

This past week Amy and Grace took me to Boston for my birthday. It was a fantastic trip. We had dinner at Legal Seafood and walked the streets of my favorite city. On Thursday Amy got us tickets to go see the Sox beat the O's 7-4. It was a great game that was highlighted by Grace cheering, clapping and booing as she watched her dad go a little crazy throughout the game. It was great. The day we left we went a bought some Red Sox t-shirts with the players name a number on the back. I was having a hard time deciding whether I should get a Kevin Youkilis #20 or a Dustin Pedroia #15. These are my two favorite Red Sox, not Papi or Schill or Manny. Nope. I love those guys, but for some reason these are my guys. I have a Trot Nixon jersey hanging in my closet because the whole time he was a Red Sox he was my favorite player. I love these guys and Amy recently asked me why. I told her it is because I love the guys that come up through the Sox farm system. All of these guys were drafted and eventually made their way up to make a key contribution to my favorite team. But as I thought about it more this was not the reason at all. The reason why Youk and Pedroia are my favorite Sox is because I feel like we have something in common...we are underdogs.

Both Youk and Pedroia are fantastic players, but they are not blessed with any special physical gift. Both do not have professional athlete bodies and neither really looks the part. Youk spent most of 2004 and 2005 riding the shuttle between Pawtucket and Boston, never sure how long he would be in either place. After the Sox decided to part ways with 3rd basemen Bill Mueller in the 2005, it appeared that he would have a permanent spot on the Sox. But then they traded for Mike Lowell and Youk once again was left to wonder what would happen next. They placed him at first and during the whole off season their were still rumors that the front office was trying to find another 1st basemen to fill the spot. They signed JT Snow because the felt they would need him to fill in defensively and you have to believe that Youk once again felt if he had a place.

Dustin Pedroia is a different story. He was always a favorite of the front office in Boston. He quickly moved through the minors and hit a every level. This season he won the job in spring training and appeared ready to be the everyday 2nd basemen. There a few problems though. One, in a late season call up on 2006 he was awful. He hit just .192 and had an OPS of .561. Most people, including Bill Simmons, thought he was over matched and the Sox had made a mistake. His second obstacle was the first month of 2007. Once again the only word to describe it was awful. He hit .182 and had an OPS of .544. He was getting worse and Alex Cora was putting up Big Papi type numbers(.360/ OPS 1.007) Everyone and I mean everyone, was calling for Pedroia to be benched and Cora to be the Sox 2nd basemen.

But things changed for both of these players. Youk gained value as a lead off hitter and played everyday. He mastered the art of playing first base, not his natural position, and is key part of this 2007 team. Pedroia never lost his job and has made the Sox very happy for the decision to stick with him. In May he hit .415 and had an unbelievable OPS of 1.072 and is now permanently sitting a top the Sox lineup. Both of these guys overcame the notion that maybe they were not cut out to make in the Majors and are both proving that not only do they belong, but they are key parts to the team with the best record in baseball.

Now, this next part is going to get quite cheesy but it must be written anyway. How does this apply to me? When I started out at the University of Utah I was an awful student. When I finished my first semester my grades were high enough to keep me off academic probation, but low enough that I got put on academic warning. I spent the next almost 3 years serving as missionary in both Brasil and Washington, learning what it takes to succeed. I returned home and went right back to school needing to prove that I belong. I had no critics around me, my family all believing that I could do it, besides myself. Over the next 3 years my study habits got better and I graduated by making the dean's list 2 of my last 3 semesters. I had proven myself wrong. This fall I will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to obtain a Master of Health Care Administration. When I applied to UNC I did not believe I had a chance of gaining admittance. I would tell people that I did not think I would even go if I got, mostly to protect myself so when I did not get in I could just say I would not have even gone. I was surprised when I was asked to interview and then could not believe who I was interviewing with. The other students there attended schools like Harvard, Yale and Stanford and I felt intimidated, like I did not belong. How could I be in a room with students of that caliber? A few weeks passed and to my surprise I was accepted and a few weeks later we decided that would be were we would attend. Once again I am my own worst critic. I feel like I am entering a school were I do not belong and very soon others will know it. I feel like an underdog, but this time an underdog who knows he can do it.

Amy found a way for me to get both the Youk and Pedroia shirts. These guys are my reminder what underdogs can accomplish.

Congrats to Slappy McBlue Lips

2007-08-04T17:21:00.001-07:00

Today Arod became the youngest player to ever reach the 500 homerun mark. Seriously, congratulations. That is quite the achievement. This guy will make the Hall of Fame and there is a very very good chance he will break the homerun record that Barry Bonds is about to set. He will go down as one of the greatest to ever play...so once again congrats. BUT let us not forget who AFraud really is....
This is the ARod we all know and will always remember...no matter how many records he breaks. Thank you for the memories.

worst everyday player in the Majors

2007-08-03T21:56:00.000-07:00

Made the trade, but...

2007-07-31T17:01:00.000-07:00

It does not matter if Julio Lugo is still playing shortstop. I am not sure what to call what he just did...some sort of half-slide/dive that allowed 2 runs to score. Then Beckett broke everything in the dugout. I guess they do not plan on having a lead to hold until after Gagne gets there. I will write more about this trade later...but I am happy about it.

Just a little update...after Wily Mo Pena actually walked Lugo hit into a double play. Loved the trade, made the team better...remember that...made the team better.

More updates...Lugo strikes out looking with the bases loaded and two out, on a low pitch. Was it borderline...yes. But with 2 strikes and you always swing at anything close. This guy is pathetic. And he just made what should be an error. $9 Million...wow. Way to go on that one Theo. Atleast you got Gagne!

This guy continues to lead off and he has a .291 On base percentage. Ya know what? I do not even blame Lugo for being so awful...I blame Francona continues to hit him lead off. If I were him I would want my first 2 hitters to get on base at a high percentage so that Papi and Manny have someone to hit in. I would suggest hitting Pedroia first, .391 OBP and Youk second, .403 OBP. More runs would score because more men would be on base for the big 2. That would make sense though and one would not want to do that.

5-3 loss and now the lead is back to 7. The Sox had runners on 1st and 2nd with one out and up came Lugo. He just barely missed grounding into a double play and the game ended on the next pitch. The Sox had 4 hits and Papi had 3 of them...2 for homeruns. Oh well. It was good to see Papi hit for some more power at Fenway today. 7 games is still the biggest lead. I believe it would be larger without the WORST EVERYDAY PLAYER IN BASEBALL...JULIO LUGO.

KG to my Celts...and what it means for my Sox

2007-07-31T07:46:00.000-07:00

I was gone most of yesterday and had no idea what was going on in the sports world. I believed it to be a slow day because my Sox were not playing and what could possibly happen. So you have to imagine my surpise as I turned on the computer and went to boston.com/sports and saw that is slow day had really turned into what could be a huge trade for the basketball franchise I have always cheered for, but has been awful for the longest time. Kevin Garnett was coming to play in Boston? I still cannot believe it. 3 all-stars, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and KG, on one team? I was not sure how to feel about this at first, but then I thought about it some more and came to this conclusion...bring on the NBA season. I am not sure if I have even thought that since the early 90's. My next thought was very simple...Kevin McHale was always my favorite player on the Celtics when I was growing up. I loved the way he played and I loved the size of his heart. Now, he is my favorite GM. I cannot believe he would give up such a talented player for nothing...but I won't go into this because Bill Simmons already has. Instead I will link this is some way, as I probably always will, to my beloved Red Sox and what this means as the trade deadline fast approaches.
This next sentence is going to sound completley and utterly ridiculous...Theo Epstien could learn from Danny Ainge right now. Before you stop reading because you think I have lost my mind let me make my argument and then you can tell me how stupid I am. Trading for KG will do one of two things, make the Celts a Contender or do absolutely nothing and they will continue to be medicore. I believe this will make them a contender, but mostly because the East, especially the Atlantic Division, is awful. BUT no matter what happens to the Celts in the end, this was a trade that Ainge needed to complete and he knew it. Most of the players he gave up were awful, but he did give up a future star in Al Jefferson. Most people, especially baseball people, are very much against the idea of giving up young, promising stars for known commidities. This why the Mets never got Manny because they were afraid to give up players that MIGHT become all-stars. This has never made any sense to me. I am not saying that one should mortage their future for an aging star, but does it not make sense to trade for something you know will work and all you are giving up is something that could possibly work? Danny Ainge has done this. For better or for worse he has put his job in the line and my respect for him as GM increased. In 2004 my respect for Theo Epstein as a GM was at the highest point it could possibly be and this is not because that was the year the Red Sox pulled off the greatest comeback in the history sports and went in the win the World Series. It is because he put his job on the line and made one of the toughest trades you could possibly make. I remember driving in the car with Amy as it was announced the Sox had traded Nomar, the face of the franchise. I was so angry I turned off the radio before we even heard who the Sox had gotten back. Eventually I heard about the 3 players the Red Sox had gotten, OC, Mienkvetasdaz and Dave Roberts. None of them were all-stars, but as I looked at the 3 players I felt a little better about what had happened. Theo did not know these 3 players would help the Sox win, but he did not feel they could win with type of team they currently had. The facts are the facts, the Sox did went on to win the World Series and they would not have without these 3 players. Theo took a chance, put his job on the line and helped the Sox twin the Series. Now he sits back in his cushy office, on his chair made of money, wearing that ridiculous Gorilla suit and makes lots of phone calls with little action. The Sox have been liked to both Jermaine Dye and Eric Gagne, but nothing has actually happened. I think he needs to sit down and look at the options and pull the trigger. Dye would give the Sox a righthanded hitting outfielder, who is a pull hitter-perfect for Fenway, that can spell Drew, Crisp, Youk, Lowell, Manny and Papi. He would help them not miss a beat when he is in the game and give the Red Sox a much better bench. Gagne would help turn every Red Sox game into a 6 inning game. Whether or not he is the closer the Red Sox could pitch Okijima, Paps and Gagne at the end of the games. This would be mean that almost every lead would be safe. Theo has to do this, he just has to. Make guys like Ellsbury and Buchholz untouchable, but after that do not be afraid to give up unknowns for knowns. Go get the guys that have done it in the past and WILL do it for you in the future. Take a page on out Ainges brand new play book and take a chance. And if you does not work, you can take your chair made of money and gorilla suit with you to another team.

Shut your MOUTH, Steve Phillips

2007-07-23T18:26:00.000-07:00

Right now Amy and I are watching the Red Sox v. Indians games on ESPN. This is unfortunate because if we could watch it on NESN then we could listen to Jerry Remy actually analyze a game. Instead we are forced to listen to the bumbling fool, Steve Phillips. Let me give a little bit of an introduction to why it is the World Wide Leader in Sports would hire this man as an analyst. Steve Phillips was a Career minor leaguer who never, ever showed any promise. In 1997 the New York Mets foolishly hired him as General Manager and he went to throw tons of money at Mo Vaughn who played a total of 166 games with 29 Homeruns and and 87 RBI. I believe they are still paying that ridiculous contract. Pretty much Phillips has never excelled at ANYTHING in his baseball life.
Ok, now that we got that out of the way let me tell you some of what the genious analysis has given out tonight. Early in the game Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia grounded out and he seen angrily talking to himself because he had gotten out. Steve Phillips goes on to give us this nugget, "This is why Pedroia is a great major league hitter, because he yells at himself and he is angry." He continued to tell us why a player who yells at himself is better. WHAT!?!?!? It has nothing to do with the fact that Pedroia has a great batters eye, who hits to all fields, who practices at his craft and who at every level as hit???? No, my friends, it is because he yells at himself.
Later in games Manny Ramirez thought he had a Homerun and did not run it out and ended up with deep single. This would lead to JD Drew hitting into a double play. Did Manny make a mistake? You bet he did. BUT is it something that should be talked about 3 innings later? I am going to go with HECK NO! Does a double with noone out mean an automatic run? You do have a good chance of scoring, but it does not automatically mean you will score. Well our resident mastermind thinks so, "Manny being Manny(by the way noone says this anymore except the four letter network) strikes again. By not hustling there he did two things. Cost them a run and creates problems in the clubhouse. He would have scored there and now noone wants to talk to him at all. (Cameras show dugout as Manny jokes with several players). That is not Championship Caliber baseball." Unless Manny was going to hit an inside the park homerun he did not cost them a run. What he did was stupid but he did NOT cost them a run! How does this cause problems in the clubhouse? Do players really care about this stuff? I am going to go with not so much. By how much the players were talking to him and joking with him right after the play and 3 innings later, I am going to guess they do not care about this stuff as much as Phillips, a former professional farm hand, swears they do. Also, Manny does not play "Championship Caliber Baseball"???? REALLY?!?!? REALLY!?!?! The ring on his finger and the World Series MVP trophy on his mantle tell me and every other knowledgable baseball that he does.
There are many more stupid things that Phillips has said in this game and will say throughout his illustrious career and I give you my word that I will keep you updated on his nauseating remarks.

And Scene...

2007-07-23T13:53:00.000-07:00

As of today both Amy and I have finished the final Harry Potter. It was fantastic. Soon I plan of writing all of my opinions about what took place, but I know that many people are not done yet. If you are not done, you will love it. If you have not read any of them start now. They are all great and this final installment is in a word...magical.

Now I will retire to my study...

2007-07-21T11:24:00.000-07:00

Book 7 is here!! Book 7 is here! That is right the final Harry Potter has arrived and I am ready to read! Am I huge dork? yes! Do I care?? NO!!!! Time to read!

Live from Fenway...

2007-07-20T16:38:00.000-07:00

Or my house...JD Drew just hit a 3 run homerun that the Umps decided was not a homerun. It was tough call, sure, but this is what you get paid to do. In the real world you get fired for being this incompetent. Oh well, it is just 1-0 instead of 3-0. Why do I love sports?

One inning later the ChiSox Jim Thome hit a 3 run homerun...3-1. Should be 3-3. I love being a Red Sox fan.

And the Red Sox win 10-3. Should have been 12-3, stupid umps! Nice win. Hopefully something happened to get them going.

And Breathe...

2007-07-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

That feels much better. I am not so angry today, but that might just be because the Red Sox have not played yet today. But for now cooler heads have prevailed, ie. my wife, and I am breathing again. Don't get me wrong I still think this team stinks, but I am not going to to explode because of it right now...

Stat of the Day
$103.1 Million, 14 Pitches-12 for balls
That is how much the Red Sox paid for Dice-K, the Japenese phenom to walk 3 batters on one of the most impatient teams on the league. The ChiSox have a .319 On base percentage as a Team...that 25th our of 30 teams! OK, so I am still alittle angry.

Remember...Go Sox(I really do cheer for them) and Rah, Rah Carolina, lina

So angry that I cannot even come up with a title...

2007-07-19T20:11:00.000-07:00

At this point I have no idea how the Red Sox game will end, but I have had it. This team is pathetic. From top to bottom, they are pathetic. Sure many of players are having fantastic years, sure they will be still be up atleast 7 games...but they are awful, dreadful and (in the spirit of the last Harry Potter book coming out) GHASTLY! I cannot believe it. A $160 million payroll and not one player with who plays with any fire. In April and May they seemed to care and their play showed it. Best record in the majors and an seemingly insurmountable lead. They even had me praising Terry Francona's amazing coaching ability. Now you will not hear a word of praise. I written it on this page before and I will write again...THIS TEAM CANNOT AND WILL NOT WIN A WORLD SERIES AS PRESENTLY CONSTITUTED. They need to make a change, ruffle some feathers...do something. Something like Theo Epstein had the guts to do in 2004. Now he is so afraid of his own shadow that he signs the likes of JD Drew and Julio Lugo. Ever since he stormed out with his blanky in one hand and rattle in the other and got what he wanted, gained more control over operations, the team has been awful to watch. I have never been a fan of Larry Lucchino (like most Sox fans), but ever since Theo gained more of Larry's power the team has gone to pot. Lucchino is the one who said it was time to get rid of Pedro and Damon...not Theo. Theo pushed for deals signing Carl Pavano and Javier Vazquez and was bailed out time and time again by the Yankees Brain Cashmen. Wonder Boy? How about Dunder Boy? I am not even sure if that makes sense, but I am so angry that it will have to make sense for now. Am I saying that in order for the Red Sox to turn around 2007 they will have to fire Theo...NO I am not. Firing the GM will not change the direction of a team. What I am saying is make a move before the trade deadline. Do something BIG. The Sox need more than a better bench...they need more pitching and hitting. They need to address the holes and FIX THEM ALL. Have some guts...make a change. I know the Sox won the Series in 2004 and I know there is grace period, but I cannot take it anymore. I am so angry...Can you tell?

Annika Jumps IN

2007-07-17T18:12:00.001-07:00

Here is another video of one of my nieces jumping off the diving board. Annika is 3 and does NOT do a belly flop! This was great though because it took her a few days to have the courage to do it...but once she did she could not stop!! It was fantastic!!
Right now I am too frustrated with the Red Sox right now to write anything about sports, but it is boiling inside of me and about to come out. Soon I will be writing a long post about the FranCOMA, clutch hitting and how this team will NOT win the World Series this year. Anyway...

Remember...Lets Go Sox and Rah Rah Carolina, Lina

Ginny Flops and so do my Sox

2007-07-16T08:30:00.001-07:00

This is my little niece, Ginny. This is one of the funniest things that I have ever seen. I think you all enjoy wathing her attempt at a dive!
Opinion of the Day
Watching the Red Sox split a home series with a not very good Blue Jays team has me very worried. I know they are still up 9 games to the Yanks and I know that many of the Red Sox are starting to play better, but what is going on is too reminiscent of last seasons disaster. Papi, Youk, and Tek are all banged up. Schill is also hurt and because of that 2/5ths of the rotation is Taverez and Kason Gabbard. Early on the Sox were winning close games and now they keep finding ways to lose winnable 1 run ball games. In yesterdays tough 2-1 loss to the Jays, the Sox had 11 hits! 11 HITS and ONE RUN!! WHAT IS THAT!?!?!? This worries me...which is what makes me a Red Sox fan. I even woke up the morning after the World Series victory and was convinced it was not really over. We shall see. Oh the life of Red Sox fan!

Remember...Lets Go Red Sox and Rah Rah Carolina Lina

New Jersey Days

2007-07-14T09:02:00.001-07:00

So we have been in Jersey for a a week and are having a great time. There is nothing more important than family. It has been nice to relax, swim and enoying each others company. Good times.

Stat of the Day:
Even after the Red Sox disappointing loss last night, I can still find joy in Yankees signing of Roger Clemens. In fact, I think that is why I have a blog.
This is his line for the season so far:
2-4, 4.20 ERA, 8 starts, 9 games pitched...The Yankees are 3-5 in games he starts and 3-6 in games he pitches in. I know he pitched well against the Twins and Angles, both good teams and very impressive preformances, but last night he ATTEMPTED to pitch against the AAAA Devil Dogs. And once again got hammered. $840,000 a start for this????? WOW. Congrats to the Yankees for making sure the Sox did not make the same mistake. (Just like they did with Jose Contreras, Javier Vazquez and Carl Pavano...that Brian Cashman sure knows how to evaulate pitching, huh?)
Anyway, one day I will clue you all in to why I dislike Clemens so much.

Remember...Go Sox and Rah Rah Carolina, lina