Get Ready For It
If it wasn't for Game One of the NBA Finals you'd hear and read all about it non-stop for the next few weeks.
Manny Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis in a heated argument in the Red Sox dugout during Boston's "brawling" win over Tampa on Thursday night at Fenway Park.
We haven't seen this behavior publicly in a long time on the Red Sox side of things. And, a huge credit for that goes to manager Terry Francona. Francona always, always has been able to keep things "in house".
Arguments happen all the time in baseball. Teams are together 24/7 from February to November. They are family. They have their squabbles.
You see it erupt on a football field or in a hockey rink all the time.
However, this one happened in front of cameras. It will be splashed all over the ESPN's and YouTubes over and over again.
It happens.
I'm sure Manny Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis have already worked things out. Jason Varitek declared it will stay "in house" and the Captain has made sure of that for a long time here in Boston.
It is not that big a deal. These things happen all the time. Trust me.
And move on...
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Ortiz Scary
June 4, 2008
David Ortiz has to be as nervous as can be these days. Sure, he was smiling and acting like things were cool Tuesday when he spoke to us in the Sox clubhouse.
However, deep down inside he's got to be afraid of the future.
If the torn sheath around the tendon in his left wrist doesn't heal with rest, he could face season-ending surgery. And if he has that, who knows how effective a power hitter he will be in the future.
With one mighty swing of the bat David Ortiz may have put an end to his days as "Big Papi."
Now, I am certainly hoping that he comes back fine and looks back on this as a minor bump in his road. I'm praying that's the case. Having Ortiz in that Sox clubhouse and on the Fenway field has been an honor and a pleasure to watch.
I would hate to see him have to struggle the rest of his Sox career.
Keep your fingers crossed.......
Ortiz Concern
06/02/08 8:11 AM
When I first saw the injury I immediately had bad, bad thoughts go through my head.
I have never seen a wrist injury on a "full" swing. I've seen a wrist injury occur countless times on a "check swing" where guys just can't hold up and the wrist gives way. Call it a sprain, wait for it to heal, and move on.
This one worries me.
I am usually the "ultimate optimist" when it comes to injuries, baseball, and day-to-day life. There's too much negativity in life to get "up in arms" about baseball matters.
However, this one is different. I am concerned for David Ortiz's future. I really am. This is one of the worst injuries a hitter can have. Nomar has never been the same. You lose your "hands" (or wrist in this case) and you lose everything as a hitter. Same thing for a golfer.
Now I will say that I am no doctor, so maybe I'm exaggerating. I will allow myself some time to get more info from Dr. Gill and the Sox medical staff. Perhaps they can make me feel better about this. I hope they can. I don't want to see David Ortiz struggle. It's been too much fun watching and covering this guy.
Let's simply hope for the best...
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Memorial Day Thoughts
05/26/08 10:18 AM
Went for a jog/walk this Memorial Day morning here in Auburn Hills, Michigan (covering Celts-Pistons) and was thinking about how we should all pause and think about those that laid down their lives for us.
Not just those that fought in wars (and continue to do so), but also those that protect us on a daily basis...from police officers to firefighters to teachers.
Just want to say thanks to all of you.
Also, I'm sure all of Sox Nation is praying for Jon Lester's Dad. That family has been through the "highs and lows" of life in the past few years, eh?
Jon is one of the nicest kids I've ever met in my life and continues to be an inspiration to us all.
Meanwhile, I met his Mom and Dad on the plane ride home from Colorado following the Sox win in the WS over the Rockies. Sure, they were proud of their son and extremely thankful to the Sox organization and all they had done to help during Jon's battle with lymphoma. But (and I've laughed about this with Jon) what struck me the most from the conversation was how much his Mom and Dad "loved" flying on John Henry's plane. They could not stop talking about how cool it was! Of course, Mr. Henry had given it to the Lesters to fly from Boston to Seattle during Jon's "cancer treatments". Just one of those funny things.
Knowing the Lester family, everything will be ok. That's just how strong they are.
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Don't Miss Interview With Lester, Buchholtz
May 24, 2008
Be sure to catch my interview with Jon Lester and Clay Buchholtz Sunday night on TV38 at 10 p.m. They sit down to chat with me about their no-hitters.
