First of all what is with teams changing their names?  They have always been the Devil Rays, and anyone old enough to know the team will probably continue to call them that.

Okay we lost 2 out of 3, but the one we did win was Dice k, his first win since he came of the disabled list.  And it was beautiful!

On to Florida ( have I mentioned lately how much I dislike Florida).  I am really glad Coco isn't playing in this series.  We don't need anymore trouble for him, and I think it's too soon for him or the team to be over the last meeting.

noni

Tonight it's the Astros, Dice K against Hernandez.  8:00 game.  The rest of the weekend isn't too bad either, 7:00 on Saturday and 2:00 on Sunday.

Lazy day, just thought I would put up a few of my favorite pictures.

(photo's from yahoo.com)

I'm reading Mike Lowell book right now, and must say, I'm loving it!

Noni

It really feels good when the "old man" of the team does so well!  Just 2 hits in 7 innings. Enjoy it Wake, you deserve it!

And nice going to Kevin Cash, I really miss Dougie, but Cash looks like he is fitting in just fine.(photos from bostonherald.com)

Noni

I know people (my brother in law) who do not care for Jerry and Don, but I love listening to them announce the games.  (The only announcer I liked better was Ned Martin.) Jerry got a car from NESN and a Win from the Sox! 

20 years of Jerry Remy announcing, could I be that old : (Mike tied the game up

Captain Jason won the game!! I couldn't be happier.  My husband does not like Jason, and every time he comes up to bat my husband has something negative to say about him, well, Tek showed him last night! Kudos Tek, Good Job!

Tonight it's Tim Wakefield against Randy Johnson. Two of the oldest if not the oldest starting pictures in the Major League.   

With Wake pitching, that means Kevin Cash catching tonight. 

Noni

We could blame the weather, it rained off and on all day and early night in Boston, Maybe waiting to start (half hour delay) and wet out field attributed to the loss last night, or maybe the lack of help Josh got from his fellow players, or maybe Danny Haren is a better pitcher than Josh Beckett? 

It's no secret Danny is one of my favorite ball players, has been for a few years.  I really didn't want to see him come to Boston, I didn't want him beating our Red Sox.  But with that game behind us, lets get on with it and beat them the next two games.

Curt had his surgery yesterday, and believe me I feel his pain.  I had shoulder surgery last September. I still can't pick up anything that weighs more than 5 lbs. and the thought of even tossing a ball makes me cringe.  I understand the surgery.  The pain, and lack of sleep will make you do anything to make it better.  In my case it's a good thing I don't need that arm to earn a living.  The shoulder will never be the same and even though it dosen't hurt quite as much, there is still constant pain.  I hope things work out better for Curt.  Despite what some people feel about him, I always admired him and would love to see him come back at least for another year.

PV's Curt!(photo from boston herald.com)

Noni

Okay so we stopped the sweep, and what a game. 13 innings. We planned supper at 4:30 thinking the game would be over, wrong, first a rain delay, then extra innings. 

We kept leaving the dinner table to check the score.  Then just said forget it and sat down to watch the rest of the game.  My husband paced in and out of the den yelling at the TV, Tito drives him crazy.  Dustin bunting with bases open and no one out.  What the He77 is that.  To quote my husband " bad managing". " if they lose the pennent it will be Tito's fault!".

Youk got the game winning home run.  How happy does he look?  Maybe he should hit more home runs, it could do wonders for his personality.

Speaking of Personality, check out these two!

Noni

There will be a Celebration honoring the Boston Celtics tonight before the game begins.  Haven't heard (or read) if they will be wearing the green uniform jersey.  It would be nice if they did.

Is this a great picture?  This picture was taken a while ago, before Papi got hurt. Hopefully he will be at the park to greet them tonight.

Dice K will be back tomorrow as starter against St. Louis.

Manny will be back and Tito said Coco will be playing.

And of course the Celts are going to bring Wakefield luck tonight!

Noni

JD has turned into a hitting machine

Coco being Coco has turned into a good thing!

What's to say about Mike! Got to love him.  (check out those feet, not even touching the ground!(caption on photo: Hey get out of there!)  I just liked this photo.

(photo's from yahoo.com)

Day off today after another good series (2 out of 3). Home tomorrow night, woo hoo!

Noni

I remember when Danny Ainge was my youngest daughters favorite Celtic,(she cried when he was traded) now he's the Celtic's general Manager. 

 There was a time I loved Basketball more than I love Baseball. (I know hard to believe) But now with Doc Rivers at the helm, and a Championship under his belt I could easily become a big fan again!  Congratulations Celtics!

What a great game for Lester! 

And, Coco helped with his 2 run home run!

Just a really great night for Boston sport fans!

noni

I know he expected to do better, It's not easy playing interleague ball.  The pitchers are not use to coming up to bat.  Look at Wang.  Looks like he will be out until September.  Hopefully Colon will be okay in a couple of days.

Mike Timlin had a rough time last night, hope he is okay.  I know some people think age is a factor, but I don't. It was just a bad night all around.

Big Papi got his hard cast taken off yesterday. 

 And Dice K is doing well In Pawtuckett. Hopefull they will be back with the team soon.

Tonight it's Jon Lester. After last night I think we should be ready to play some good baseball.

And a picture of Mike, just because it makes me happy!

(photos from yahoo.com)

Noni

Our H. R. person says the one safe thing to talk about in work is sports.  (Boy she has not sat at my desk).  She say's "Start your day with How about those Red Sox?", it gets every one talking and in a good mood. 

It's why I write in this Blog, it makes me feel better.  Especially after this weekend. 2 out of 3 are not bad at all.  The games were great. What a way to spend Fathers Day!

My deepest condolences go out to the Russert family. Tim, the moderator for Meet the Press, for the past 17 years, passed away suddenly Friday at the age of 57.

I don't really know why this is affecting me like it is, perhaps because I lost a brother just a month ago at a young age.

After watching a special on Tim last night, I know he was a person I would have love to have known.  May God Bless his family at this awful time.

Noni

Mike hit his second Grand Slam of the Season.  Actually it was kind of funny, They walked Manny to pitch to Lowell and set up the double play.  As we all saw, that didn't work out to good for them.

JD is still Hot!

My favorite Baltimore player Kevin Millar got hurt last night by hitting a foul ball off his knee.  Hope he's back playing tonight.

The Sox are on their way to Cinncinatti.

Great game by the Celtic's last night.  When I fell asleep they were losing.  I really wasn't too upset because they are coming home.  But I was pleasantly surprised when I got up and checked the score.  Celtic's 3 games to 1.  Nice!

Noni

Big Papi at the swearing in ceremony, to become a citizen of the Unite States!

Youk being Youk!  Some say I am too judgemental, but I hate it when Major League BallPlayers act like this.  Quite a few of them on the Red Sox do it.  It is not setting a very good example to kids who play ball.  If you watch the Little League World Series you will see kids acting like this, and they think it's okay because the Red Sox Players do it.

I think you should get fined every time you throw a piece of equipment or swear when you are called out.  Jeeze, get over yourself, just go sit down and figure out what you did wrong.

When your teammates have meetings because of your behavior, you are out of hand.

Great Game last night by Colon'.  He's looking pretty good for someone no one really wanted.

Noni

I work with this person ( i use the term loosely) who lives to make me miserable.

I came in (at 4:00a.m.) just to listen to him about the Celtic's and Red Sox. "Boy you must be really upset, both your teams lost last night, and the Yankees won".  " You know the Yankees are catching up". "next thing you know they will be in first place and the sox in last".

I hate people that talk about things they know nothing about!

Good night for Manny.  The award for hitting 500 home runs, and hitting another homerun!

Love these pictures of Papi.

Looking good at a benefit for Children's Cardiac Care.

The Celtic's will come back, too early to worry.

Noni

Tonight the Red Sox, at Fenway Park will Honor Manny Ramirez for his 500 homerun milestone!

Boggs, Fisk, Eckersley and Dorr are suppose to be on hand.

Congratulations to Ken Griffey Jr. for reaching 600.  Hopefully Manny will be with the Red Sox for that Milestone too!

The game is starting at 6:05 tonight and Thursday because of the Celtics game.

Noni

JD just keeps on trucking!  I know some people knew he had it in him, but I doubted.  No more, He is showing he can definitely pick up the slack.  Coming through when we need him!

Woo Hoo, JD

Papi supporting the Celtics.

Mike just looking "Good"!

Noni

I didn't know J.D. had such a great smile!

I have probably said this before but I hate Florida.  The State that is.  It's hot, It's flat, I don't find the people over friendly or helpful, but that's me.  It looks like JD loves the (Florida) Rays.  With Papi out, JD has just jumped right in. Hitting, fielding, batting in runs! I have never thought to much about him, but the past two games he has looked great!

And how about Coco?  I have been a huge fan ever since he came to the team.  Now that he is playing more he is showing them just what he can do.  Keep up the good work Coco!

(photo's from yohoo.com)

And to make things that much sweeter we are in FIRST PLACE!

Now all we have to do is win tonight to stay there.

Noni

"Manny can be Manny" any time he wants.  It brought tears to my eyes when he came up for bat at Fenway for the first time since he hit "500".  The fans went wild.  It's nice to see Manny give a tip of the hat to the crowd.

 Don't you love this picture?  I do

Great game last night.  I really love the Sox being home.  They play well, and we get to watch the games.(photo's from bostonherald.com)

Speaking of playing well, it doesn't look like Joba is going to be a starting pitcher.

Noni

Wakefield looked pretty good last night.  Last game of the series in Baltimore and we tied it up.  Next thing I know were winning and it's the 8th inning.  Figured it was safe to get ready for bed.  Bad move. By the time I got to bed Oki was pitching and we were losing.  Wake just can't catch a break.  No matter how good he pitches, either the guys aren't hitting or the relief pitching isn't much of a relief.  It's still nice to see Tim pitching so well.

We're back to Boston tonight, Lester(I just read) Justin Masterson is on the mound.  People in my office are singing the praises of the Devil Rays.  We have to come home and kick some A**!  I am getting tired of having to defend a team that is one half game out of first place to people who don't even know the names of the players.

Noni

Finally, Manny got his 500th home run Saturday Night, in front of an awful lot of Red Sox fans.

It's amazing how many people go to Baltimore to see the Sox.  This time it was great, so far 3 wins, and Manny's 500th home run, Baseball doesn't get much better than that!

Now Manny can stop worrying about it. ( so can the rest of us)

Great games in Baltimore. I think maybe a certain Chick is bringing them luck!

Manny got another home run yesterday, along with my guy Mike

Papi came home last night to get an MRI on his wrist.  Hope all is well.

Noni