The Red Sox Hen, not the Red Sox.

Cyn here again - Noni is on her way back from her unexpected road trip to Florida.  She should be back in Boston in time to see Jon Lester pitch against the Blue Jays tonight.

Baseball provides a nice distraction from things for her.  Although she'd be appreciating the distraction more if they'd actually win a game or two.

Speaking of distractions, not only is Lester pitching tonight, but Mike Lowell is most likely coming back from the DL.  That will most certainly bring a smile to her face.

Photo of Mike Lowell from the PawSox website.

Hi folks, it's Cyn.  Noni is on an unexpected road trip for the next few days and asked me to check in here once in a while to keep the place current.  So here I am.

Before she got the word that she needed to travel, Noni was calling me to rant about the bullpen blowing Justin Masterson's fabulous debut.  Readers of the Red Sox Hen know that she's leery of rookies, and she had pretty much written off the game and just hoped Justin didn't implode on the mound.  So she was thrilled with his outing (as we all were!).  It's just really too bad that the entire freaking bullpen couldn't keep it together.  Oh well.

Today my mother (with my dad) celebrates her 43rd wedding anniversary.  She can't be with my dad today, but they'll be back together soon.  I'm not sure if she'll get a chance to check in here but in case she does I just want to say "Happy Anniversary!!!".  Love you, Non. :)

Because most of our guys are down with the flu, and boy can I sympathize with them, I thought I would just post a few of my favorite pictures.

And of course "Mike"!  Boy am I missing him!

(photos by Getty Images)

Hopefully this will teach them not to spit all over the dugout.(germs)

Afternoon game today, not sure who is pitching? Guess it depends on who isn't sick.

Noni

I have tried really hard not to get attached to Jacoby, but what the hell, when a rookie plays like this guy, how can you not like him?

I have never been a huge fan of rookies.  I think they really need to prove themselves, and not in just a couple of games.

Okay, he has more than passed that mark.

And speaking of rookies (I know he's really not a rookie anymore)  Dustin said if something happens to Cash he will catch.  I really think I would like to see that.  Especially with someone like Wakefield.  :)

Hopefully the team is feeling better,  especially Tek...and let's hope no one else get the damn bug! 

Noni

(photos from BostonHerald.com)

Was there really a need to keep Manny out of the game yesterday after having Sunday off. Okay he really didn't have the day off, but it ended up that way, after getting tossed out for fighting with an umpire.  So he should have been fresh as a daisy on Monday and hit at least one more home run.  We really want him to get his 500th home run at Fenway

.(photo's from boston.com)

And how about Big Papi!  Another great game. Slump, what Slump!

The Sox will be wearing a green logo for Earth Day today.  I have to make sure my granddaughter sees that.  They were studying Earth Day in school last week and she wanted to know if everyone knew about it?  Well, at least the Red Sox do.

Noni

Great weekend series against Texas, of course that is because we won three out of four games! (With one more to go this morning!)

The highlight of yesterday's game for me was Papi running down to first and beating the throw.

Then coming home on a double by Pedroia!

From that point on it was nothing but good!

Sour point of yesterday's game:  Manny getting tossed out for yelling at the umpire.  What's up with Manny, thats two games where he argued with the ump?   Not really his style.  Manny's always been kind of quiet. 

I love the new Manny, but, let's keep it down to a whisper.  We don't want you thrown out of any more games.

Today is Patriots Day in Boston, and an afternoon game at Fenway.  It's Texas again, with Buchholz on the mound.

Hopefully I'll be home early enough to see some of the game.

Noni

 

Do you think Manny told Big Papi to get out the scruffy batting helmet and the black and red gloves?  I mentioned this a few days ago in one of my blogs.  As you can see Manny has the scruffy helmet on, and hasen't cut his hair. (This photo was from a Yankee game and Papi couldn't get a hit, while Manny was knocking them all over the park)

 Last night when Papi came up to bat with the bases loaded he was wearing his old helmet and his red and black gloves.  We all know what happen next.  Papi was back! Grand Slam!  Woo Hoo!(photo from boston.com)

Better than that when he got back to the dugout the guys ignored him for a few seconds, then they just pounded him. 

Great game, okay it was a blow away, (and I always feel bad for the pitcher getting blown away) but, It was so good to see Big Papi smiling again.

Noni

Can we ever get tired of this picture?  Not me.  Manny is Unbeliveable this year.  As long as he does not get hurt.  Speaking of getting hurt, what was Farnsworth thinking? Aiming at Mannys head. 

I read a Blog at MLBLOGS that a Yankee fan had written just yesterday, the title was "STOP PITCHING TO MANNY RAMIREZ EVERY AT BAT..........HIT HIM".  Well maybe Farnsworth was reading too.  Stupid move.  And really just proves that Yankees AND their fans are afraid of Manny.  Just makes bad blood worse.  Luckily we did not retaliate.

Hopefully the team just lets it go.

Thanks to the Yankees for donating the buried big Papi shirt to Dana Farber, the bids are already up to $30,000.  That's amazing.

I'm really starting to miss seeing Mike Lowell on Third base.

(photo from getty.com)

Dice K tonight!

noni

 

I watched some of the game last night only to be really disappointed this morning.  When I went to bed we were winning, not the same story when I got up this morning. Oh well, tonight is another game.(photo from yahoo.com)

Big Papi is using a new batting helmet, (check out Manny's old helmet) New gloves. And a new haircut.  I think it's time to dig out the old helmet, the old red and black gloves and stop cutting his hair for a while.  Hay it can't hurt.

Having a terrible day at work, I really need Josh to be ready. 

Noni 

I have never thought one way or another about Jason Varitek.  My husband walks out of the den when Tek comes up to bat, I never felt that way.  I always thought he was a great catcher, ( and I think that's one of the hardest positions to play ) as a hitter, well, sometimes he follows through and sometimes not.

This year that seems to have changed.  When Tek comes up to bat, well, look what he did last night.  I may have to add him to my favorite list yet.

A friend was buying redsox tee's last week and called and asked me who's # I would like. After trying for #25 Mike Lowell,or Manny, which was sold out, I said " whatever they have is fine". well she got me a Tek shirt. Good MoJo, I think so.

On to New York tonight for 2 games.  The office has already started, " They should have saved the  good games for tonight and tomorrow", " You know the Yankees will take them down". Well I don't believe any of that. By friday we should have 2 more wins under our belt!

I hate working with non believers!

Noni

How happy is everyone that Big Papi is back in the groove!  2 Hits last night! 

 He's back.

493 and counting, Woo Hoo! I hope Manny is at Fenway when he gets 500.

I love the new Manny, he seems so happy, and relaxed.  And it shows in the way he has been playing. Sweet!

Great ending to the game last night.  Jon Lester can really "give me fits".  When Tavarez came in my husband walked out of the room.  Not me, I have faith.  Good Job Julian.

Coco, Lugo, Papi, Manny. This team is nothing if it isn't exciting.

Glad to hear Kyle Snyder is coming back to Pawtuckett. Good luck Kyle and hopefully we'll see you back at Fenway soon.

Noni 

Who believes in Curses? Not the Red Sox!  According to the Yankees last week when this story first broke they didn't either.

Well seeing that Steinbrenner had them dig it up, someone believes in Curses.

Now they want to press charges. Really, what is wrong with these people.  How about the chewing gum Sox fans spit into the cement?  How about coffee cups, Sox fans tossed into the cement?  Maybe they should tear the whole thing down and start over.  This time "Corey" the workmen and make sure non are Red Sox fans.

How about that "Manny being Manny".  He is really looking great.  I think he should take Big Papi to a few Yoga class with him.  Papi just needs to mellow out like Manny, can't hurt.

How about that rain delay Saturday night?  Fox irritates the He11 out of me, first the game has to be late afternoon, early evening.  What ever happen to Saturday afternoon games?

Then, because it was played so late, they missed the beautiful sunny day, and then rain delay.  They said it wouldn't be very long.  Well I went food shopping, came home and put all the grocerys away during the delay.  Sat back down to enjoy the end of the game. 

Top of the ninth, Paps on the mound, two down and what happens?  Fox switches to NASCAR. (Because I guess a Red Sox, Yankee game are not important enough, or maybe they figured the viewers got tired of waiting and went out for the evening)

 I had no idea what happen to the game.  I had to call someone who was at the game to find out what happen.  I was not happy, and I am sure I am not the only one who is displeased.  I think an email to Fox is in the works.

Noni

Thank you Wake for the win, it could have been a little embarrassing to go into a series with the Yankees if we had lost two out of three to the Tigers. 

And is anyone else thinking they made a bad move sending Kyle Snyder away.  Should have thought that over.  Did you see Tavarez try to give the game back last night?

I'm a little upset Mike is on the disabled list for 15 days.  It must be more than a little sprain.  I hate not having him on third with the Yankees coming to town.  (photo by Yahoo.com)

Tonight it's Clay.  Makes me a little nervous, but were home, the guys are pumped, and hopefully the rain will hold off at least through game time.

Noni

 

(photo from getty photos) Isn't this a great picture of Mike!

Lester gets the loss and Lowell might be out for a few days.  Not a great game.  But it is still early in the season.

Right now I am listening to this "Person" that works with me, complain about how bad the sox are doing and "did I know the Yankees are coming to town", and of course we will lose all those games too.  If this keeps up, I'm going home early before I hurt him.

I am not worried.  Papi is in a bit of a slump, he will get over that.  Josh has only pitched one game, and of course Wakefield will be pitching one of the games.  They will be fine.  It seems they always start slow. 

I just hope the weather holds off ( rain all weekend) and they get those games in this weekend.

Noni

I got home in time to see a little of the Ring Ceremony, and the First Pitch!

I watched Buckner walk across the field, tears in his eyes (and mine) to the pitchers mound, and throw the ball to Dewey.  Probably one of the Best First Pitch at Fenway I have ever seen. 

We watched the entire Ring Ceremony last night and I cried through that.  My 86 year old father and my 6 year old Grandaughter were watching with me.  How incrediable is that.  My dad never thought he would see one Ring, never mind two!

Dan Ventura from the Boston Herald headlined his column with "All is Forgiven!"  What the h*11, did he not see Buckner play ball?  He was one of the reasons the Sox were even in the 86 Series!

That's some Bling!

And to add a little icing to the day Dice K got the win. 5 to 0.  Welcome home guys, it's been a long winter.

noni

(photo from bostonherald.com)

It's Opening Day in Boston! Finally!

The sun is shinning, The banner is hung. It's time to Play Ball!

I was not a huge fan of Dice K's last year, but I think I've changed my mind.  He has worked very hard and looks real good.  I'm glad he gets to start the home opener.

Today is also the Ring Ceremony!  I don't think I'll be home in time to see it.   I heard Dougie Mirabelli was going to be there.  I hope every player that had anything to do with winning the series will be there. (Kyle where are you?) Hopefully someone thinks to tape it for me.  I know it will be freezing at Fenway, but it certainly would be worth it to see the Ceremony in person.  Maybe next year.

Noni

Manny is looking pretty much the way I feel.  But we have to put it behind us and move on. Okay Toronto swept us, so lets move on.  We are coming home for Opening Day at Fenway, and a Ring Ceremony!

I know quite a few people going to Opening Day.  They had better bring plenty of warm clothes.It may be Sunny, but sitting at Fenway in 45 degrees is just a little too cold for me. 

On another subject, Kyle Snyder was designated for assignment after Saturdays game.  I really feel pretty bad about that.  I know baseball is not a personality contest, but I really liked Kyle.  I saw him last year at a Charity Event and was really impressed with him.  Taking pictures and signing autographs with the kids from the boys and girls club in Chelsea.  Then giving interviews to the media.  It was a cold windy day and we were in a warehouse, he had on a Red Sox Tee Shirt and must have been cold. ( I was freezing)  He never lost his smile, and didn't seem to be in a hurry to get out of there.

 I'll miss him.  I hope he goes somewhere in the National League, I wouldn't want to see him playing against the Sox.(photo from yahoo.com)

Good Luck Kyle.

Noni

Tim Wakefield starts tonights game in Toronto.  The good part is, it is on the East Coast and it will not be a problem watching the game.  The bad, it's cold out there.  Right now in Boston it is 36 degrees and raining.  I'm sure Toronto is a little colder even if it isn't raining.

Toronto does have a dome cover, but another blogger told me last night they like to play with Wake's head and keep it open.  I guess he prefers to pitch with it closed.  Well, that's okay, because they are going to be just as cold as him. 

I'm kind of looking forward to seeing Cash catch Wakefield.  I am still upset they let Dougie go, but I guess I have to give Cash a chance.  And Wake seems to like him.(photo from bostonherald.com)

It's Friday, opening day is next week in Boston.  It doesn't get much better than that!

Noni

Got to give Jon his due.  He really went out there to win, and he did. Great game, and even better that it was an afternoon game and I got to watch most of it.

Good job Jon!

(photo's from boston.com)

Big Papi came through again. He's back, and looking real good. And Tek had another home run, maybe this is going to be his year.

The game was great, no heart pumping plays.  Thank God, I had an awful day at work and didn't need to get stressed over the sox, I didn't.  It was just enjoyable.

Noni

Yes I know we played two games in Japan.  It is still difficult for me to think of that as the opening of the Season.

Last night Dice K went 7 and we won!
I have to admit I did not see the game, didn't even know they won until 4a.m this morning on my way to work. (Thank you Tek)

The west coast games kill me, I have to get up much too early to stay up and watch them, unless they are on the weekend.

But the results.......well, it starts my day off with a smile.

Haven't seen many new pictures in the press of Mike Lowell, haven't hear too much about him either. So I will have to attach an oldie, but definetly a goody, (thank you Beth)

Soon they will be on the East Coast and we can really start enjoying them.

Noni.

This is what I'm waiting for, the #3 and #4 players in the starting lineup.  It doesn't get much better than that!

Most sports writers are picking the Sox again this year.  Why not?  Our guys don't just play the game well, but they have a good time too.  They like the game, the fans and most of all each other.  That makes them a damn good team.  I see them going all the way again this season.

(photo of Big Papi and Manny (being Manny) from boston.com)

Noni