Republicans Assist Red Sox Playoff Bid

If the Boston Red Sox are to make the postseason, which it looks like they are because they’re up 5.5 games in the Wild Card, and only 3 games behind the Rays for the AL East, they owe a lot of gratitude to the Republicans. Because of Republican National Convention, the Minnesota Twins have been on the road since August 21st, playing a total of 14 road games in those days with a record of 5-9. The McCain/Palin ticket has down more in the past two weeks to help the Red Sox than Julio Lugo has done in two years. In the meantime the Red Sox have gone 9-4 since August 20th, almost completely ensuring that they will be in the playoffs this season. The hat tip goes to the Republicans for completely wiping out the Twins and allowing the Red Sox to gain some much needed breathing room, and it has also allowed them to rest some of their injured veterans. If only the Democrats had their convention in Tampa Bay it would have been a win/win for the Sox. If the Sox are to repeat this season, they certainly owe a lot of that to the timing of the Republican Nation Convention.

Artie Lange Is Definitely Not A Mets Fan

The Howard Stern sidekick, and professed lover of the New York Yankees, has no love for the Yankees crosstown rival Mets. While in the past, Lange has referred to the Mets as “gay” or “a bunch of fags”, but his best ever line describing the first place team in the NL East came yesterday:

“You know there used to be a magazine called Assholes & Pussies? All it showed was close-ups of assholes and pussies.”

“Well… it was about the Mets.”

Thanks to The Fightins

Florida Marlins Attendance Is Umm Hurting

It looks like more people attend Bee Gee’s comeback concerts than attend Florida Marlins games. They’re perhaps a young and upcoming team, but their stadium is about as crowded as the hairs on Tony Kornheiser’s head. Case and point- Marlins pitcher Joe Nelson counted 584 fans at the time of first pitch, the media counted 589 fans. What did the Marlins announce the attendance was ? Drum roll please……11,211. Now that is for paid attendance, but I’m thinking they’re math is a bit off. Some how I think the paid attendance number is somewhere near the 2,000 mark, not 11,000. More for the Miami Herald:

Pitcher Joe Nelson and some other Marlins were busy counting fans before Wednesday afternoon’s game against Atlanta.

”We came up with 584 at the first pitch,” Nelson said to some members of the media who had counted 589 at Dolphin Stadium for the first pitch.

”You guys might have been counting ushers,” Nelson joked. “Maybe you guys had a better view.”

Wednesday’s small crowd, which was announced at 11,211 (the paid attendance), is any indication, most of South Florida already has counted the Marlins out of the race.

”We would like to have more, but I’m thankful for the people who did come out,” Nelson said. “They supported us, and we heard every single one of them.”

Manny Serves Dual Duties For Dodgers

AJ Burnett

From Ken Rosenthal:

The Red Sox are planning a major push for Blue Jays right-hander A.J. Burnett, according to a rival executive. Burnett, 31, is almost certain to opt out of his contract and become a free agent at the end of the season. Since joining the Jays in 2006, he is 4-0 with a 2.70 ERA in six starts against the Red Sox. Yankees owner Hank Steinbrenner already has revealed his team’s interest in both Burnett and CC Sabathia . . .

Who Hasn’t Done This ?

I think there comes a time in everyone’s life that they have claimed to once be someone that they weren’t. Certainly people do it when they have a bit too much to drink, hey I was told a group of gals that I was Elton John. There is nothing wrong with it. It may not be socially acceptable, but at times its expected. However, its difficult when you claim to be a member of the New York Yankees. That was Ryan Ward’s big mistake. He told people at a bagel shop he was Joba Chamberlain to get free food. Smart move, but he bragged about it a bit too much. That is why it resulted in his arrest. Next time tell people you were a member of The Real World, or Survivor, it’ll save you a night in jail.  The Coaster.net reports:

An Asbury Park man has been cited by police for impersonating Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain at several places along the shore.

Ryan Ward, 29, was reported to Belmar Police Aug. 1 after telling workers at Belmar Bagels that he was the famed pitcher and accepting free food from girls working at the shop.

According to Captain Thomas Palmisano, Ward showed the girls a picture from a newspaper of Chamberlain and said he was the pitcher.

“The girls asked for his autograph and gave him free food,” Palmisano said.

Ward, pretending he was Chamberlain, told the girls not to tell anybody he was in town.

“He must look close enough because he’s been pulling this off,” Palmisano added, but said police do not have Ward’s picture.

Palmisano said similar stories about Ward have been reported in Spring Lake and other towns, including the Sunrise Deli in Lake Como.

“He’s been thrown out of bars,” he said.

Palmisano said there is an outstanding warrant out of Belmar for Ward for impersonation and theft of services.

“He took the bagels and didn’t pay,” Palmisano said.

Pedroia Calls Out Remy

Play Of The Year

Is that Willie “Mays” Hayes ?

Thanks to Awful Announcing

Alicia Sacramone At Fenway!!!!

Boy, oh boy, is my girl Alicia Sacramone looking hot or what ? Hopefully someone told her to becareful of Jason Varitek. One day I hope to have her dance on my pummel horse.

Red Sox May Sign Another Japanese Pitcher

According to reports, the Red Sox may sign Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa:

Sponichi is reporting that the Boston Red Sox have signed are looking to sign amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa from Eneos Oil of the Industrial Leagues. Tazawa is a 22 year-old righthander with a fastball that reportedly reaches 97 mph, and is widely considered a top amateur going into this year’s NPB draft. All 12 NPB teams, as well as the Braves and Mets had been watching Tazawa in addition to Boston.