Two events that are unrelated but maybe shouldn't be

(You can tell football season is sneaking up because of so many posts, right?)

Two unrelated events that maybe should be related:

1) WR David Patton retired today.  You may remember him as one of the 'no-name' wide receivers from the pre-2007 Patriots era -- you know, like back when they won Superbowls.

(This is not saying anything about our new wide receivers.  I love you Randy and Wes.  But bring home the ring!).

2) Wakefield gave up two runs in a relief outing last night.

(How are these connected?  I truly feel like Wakefield is done.  He's contributed a great deal to the Red Sox over the years, but it's time to face facts.  This season he is getting steadily worse instead of better.  It's sad to see, but that's the simple truth of it).

Tom gives an interview

"Q: There’s also a lot of speculation about whether or not you are unhappy. How would you describe your mood as it relates to the business side of things?
TB: My personal feelings are my personal feelings. I don’t want to express them with anyone except for a very few people. It doesn’t do any good. It really doesn’t. It doesn’t help this team. It doesn’t help the organization. It just really gets in the way. Everyone’s situation is different. I’m only commenting on my situation. Everyone’s got a different situation, a different approach, and they have to do what works for them."

Yay.  I love a real team leader.  (Here's the rest).

Today was a fun day to be a sports writer

First off, T.O. missed his flight to Cincinnati so that he could start at Bengals' training camp.  But the fun didn't end there.  We also learned that T.O. attended a movie last night (via Twitter) and that he can't spell 'Cincinnati' yet.  I personally wonder if he mastered 'Buffalo' last season.

Then, Miguel Batista, a pitcher for the Washington Nationals, insulted Miss Iowa.  Hilarity ensued.  I especially like the comments on this story, but not nearly as much as I like the Photoshopped picture (above) that accompanied it.

And then there was today

I decided to spend the afternoon partaking leisurely in watching the Red Sox game.  My plan was going perfectly well right up until the 7th inning, when Bard took the mound.  At that point, the Sox were up 2-1.

My question at that very second was, 'Why Bard?  Isn't he more of an 8th inning kind of guy?'  He did just fine in the 7th and they brought him out for one batter in the 8th.  Said batter got a hit.  Bard was done.

Then they brought in Okajima.

Now, it might have been okay if Okajima had had an off-day.  But this was more of an off-day.  This was an off-day when he couldn't even pick up a bunt and throw someone out at first.  Youkilis got so jumpy that he was running across the entire diamond trying to get plays in case Okajima missed them (including one that Okajima blew because he cut Youk off).  Youk will get hurt if he keeps doing this and that we do not need.

Okajima gave up three runs in the 8th and the Mariners went on to win 4-2.

Good grief, Charlie Brown.  It was a pretty sad effort.

Time to bring out the 'Red Sox Annual Collapse' label.  And I was so optimistic yesterday!

Saturday Afternoon Thoughts

(Note: I did a run this morning in 95% humidity with a 78F dew point.  So my brain is maybe not operating so well right now).

I have two thoughts on this lovely -- albeit hot -- Saturday afternoon:

1) Despite the fact that I love Robert Kraft and everything that he has done to create what is undoubtedly the best football team I will ever see in my lifetime, I am not agreeing with the lack of signing Tom Brady.  Now, I don't want to say that TB is the linchpin that holds the Patriots together, but I don't want to say that because it is, in fact, an understatement.  There are three things that made the Patriots team of the decade:

•  Bill Belichick and various other coaching genii around him (although then they leave and become much less genius-like)
• A strong, solid defense (or else you'd just be the Colts and fizzle out year after year)
• Tom Freaking Brady (see: Brett Favre in numerous pressure chokes, Tony Romo, etc...)

Now, I know that Cassel did not play shamefully when he was put on the spot, but he was still no Tom, as the games against equivalent/better teams showed (see: Pittsburgh [it still makes me wince]).  There is no other Tom in the entire game and may never be.  So sign him!  Now!  Do it!

I had mostly been ignoring this story on the grounds that it was probably another fruitless media hunt against the Patriots ('Belichick neglects to say 'Bless You' to woman sneezing in restaurant'-type material).  But more and more is surfacing to show that he is not happy.  Now I will continue to be in happy denial.  Pass that Foxborough Kool-Aid.

2) I like the Red Sox's chances.

Yes, really.

You never thought that you would read that here, did you?

Now, it has been a trying season.  In fact, that's an understatement.  This has been one of those seasons where you actually start to see why Red Sox fans mention the Tobin Bridge so often as a jumping point.  Remember when Papelbon blew two saves in a row?  Or when we came back against the Yankees, then lost it in the bottom of the ninth (due to A-Rod no less)?  Or when Bard came in against Cleveland and was a disaster zone?  Or the countless injuries that we've had to endure (Buchholz pulls his hammy running the bases)?  Or Bill Hall at the start of the season?  Or Papi being on-again-off-again?  Or....or....or....  The list goes on and on and on and on.

But, one thing we did see after the hideous start is that this is, in fact, one of the best teams in baseball.  Run prevention-schmrum prevention.  They can hit, pitch, and even have dramatic moments from guys just called up from Triple A (Daniel Nava, Darnell McDonald).  And they did have one of the best records in baseball through May-June.  Here is my logic: if we get people back off the DL (Pedroia, Martinez, and the pitchers, who are getting off the DL), then we could make a run for it.

Conversely, the Yankees and Rays will probably slump.  So we just need to time this for when they are.  I feel like the Yankees are evil mutant robots who never tire or get injured in a big way, so I'm thinking it might be the Rays.  Either way, I -- of all people -- have not given up hope.  So neither should you.