Early ALDS News & Notes

With the Rays' first-ever A.L. East division title, we now know that the Red Sox will be traveling to Anaheim to face the Angels in the Division Series. Surprisingly, the Angels have chosen to start the series this Wednesday -- this means that there will be an off day between Games 1 and 2. This allows each team to work on a three-man pitching rotation instead of four. I'm sure the Red Sox are thrilled, since they can now throw their one-two punch of Josh Beckett and Jon Lester twice in the series if need be. Here are the pitching match-ups for the entire series:

Game 1: Josh Beckett (BOS) at John Lackey (LAA)
Game 2: Jon Lester (BOS) at Ervin Santana (LAA)
Game 3: Joe Saunders (LAA) at Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS)
Game 4 (If Necessary): John Lackey (LAA) at Josh Beckett (BOS)
Game 5 (If Necessary): Jon Lester (BOS) at Ervin Santana (LAA)

More information to come in the days to follow.

Posted by Dan Zappulla, VendorBall Columnist.

Yankees 19 - Red Sox 8

Somehow, amidst all the rain and speculation, last night's game was fit in, and all 9 innings, too. The game itself wasn't pretty, with David Pauley, David Aardsma, Mike Timlin, Chris Smith, and Devern Hansack combining to allow 19 runs on 20 hits and 5 walks. But Ellsbury went 4-5 with a double and a homer and Youkilis hit his 29th homerun of the year, knocking in his 115th RBI in his chase for the MVP award (which is now wide open in the AL with Quentin getting hurt).

Due to the weather Ortiz was scratched from his 1B start and Lowell had one AB before bowing out of the lineup. And although the loss forced the Sox into the Wild Card (the Rays lost to the Tigers), there was no reason to take a chance on the health of players who have been hurt this year. Drew was held out of the lineup, too, and Dice-K's start has been moved to this afternoon. Once again, rain threatens to cancel the game, but with no rain having fallen yet, I expect to see some baseball today.

Pitching Matchup: Daisuke "9 walks, 9 strikeouts" Matsuzaka vs. Sidney "How the hell do I keep getting work?" Ponson*

*Sidney Ponson has a career 90-106 record with a 4.96 ERA. No one on the Vendorball staff has any clue to how he keeps on finding a team to pay him money to pitch.



Update written by Kyle Baxter: International Man of Myserious Habits

Baseball Update: Mid-Afternoon Adjustments

As of right now, the Red Sox and Yankees are still scheduled to play this evening. It should be noted, however, that Johnny Pesky's number-retirement-ceremony has been postponed until Sunday afternoon.

Here are the lineups for tonight's game, per Adam Kilgore of Extra Bases:

Red Sox
1. Jacoby Ellbury, CF
2. Jed Lowrie, SS
3. David Ortiz,1B
4, Kevin Youkilis, 3B
5. Jason Bay LF
6. Mike Lowell, DH
7. Mark Kotsay, RF
8. Kevin Cash, C
9. Gil Velazquez, 2B
-- Daisuke Matsuzaka, SP

Yankees
1. Johnny Damon, LF
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Jason Giambi, 1B
6. Xavier Nady, DH
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Chad Moeller, C
9. Brett Gardner, CF
--Alfredo Aceves, SP

That's right, David Ortiz is starting at first base. Interesting. A sign of things to come in the postseason? Perhaps to fit Lowell's bat in there? Or just to get everyone an at-bat or two before the game is called due to weather?

Another note -- the vending for tonight's game has been cancelled. That's not a sure-fire sign that the game will be called off, but it's an early indication.

Posted by Dan Zappulla, VendorBall Columnist.

Here's to You, Number Six.

Tonight, the Boston Red Sox will add a seventh number to the distant right-field facade inside hallowed Fenway Park. Amidst the legendary red numerals of 1, 4, 8, 9 and 27, graced by a blue 42, shall rest another digit that will persevere for countless generations to come.

No, this red 6 will not be honoring Tony Pena or Gary Gaetti. It won't be for the beloved Rico Petrocelli. Not even for the now-forgiven Bill Buckner. This night is reserved for a man who bleeds a deeper shade of red than the rest of us. It is for a man who is a genuine member of the Red Sox family through and through: Johnny Pesky.

The entire VendorBall staff will be lucky enough to be on-hand Friday night to witness the unveiling of Pesky's number thirty feet from the yellow pole that bears his name. It brings to mind my one-and-only meeting with Johnny, some five years ago. I was working as a vendor at Fenway (wonder how we named the blog?) with fellow columnist, Kyle "Don't Call Me Meredith" Baxter. As Kyle and I were sitting in the right-field grandstand about two hours before gametime (we were required to be there quite early), we noticed a small crowd gathering a few sections over. We wandered by, and noticed that all eyes were on none other than Johnny Pesky. He was sitting there, discussing hitting techniques with anyone who would listen. Timidly, I grabbed a baseball from my backpack (we caught several of them during batting practice), fumbled through t-shirts and papers to find a Sharpie, and asked him for an autograph. Not only did he sign the ball, but he did it with a smile. We talked about the team for a few minutes before I let the others around me experience the same joy. I shook his hand, thanked him, and haven't forgotten the moment since.

I've heard many callers on the radio dispute Pesky's resume and dedication to this team. They say his statistics aren't impressive, he hasn't been with the team long enough, and that he's less genuine than he seems. To those who stray on that side of the fence, let me say it plainly so there is no doubt: there has never been an individual more deserving of this honor than Johnny Pesky. That includes Williams, Yastremzski, Doerr, Fisk, whomever you'd like to bring up. This man has lived with a "B" tattooed on his heart for sixty years. I met the man. He is every bit the gentleman that he appears to be. The Boston Red Sox are his life, and this is the perfect way to commemorate his solemn dedication. Congratulations, Johnny -- you've earned this.

Posted by Dan Zappulla, VendorBall Columnist.

Vendor Burns

Here at VendorBall we like to focus most of our attentions on sports and not too much on our personal lives because, hey, I mean who cares about me? However, on the occasion that a funny story intersects in some way with sports, we feel all right trying to entertain without being informative. This story is about VendorBall Writer Kyle Baxter's 4204th Fenway Park injury.*

Kyle Baxter, Fenway Injury #4204: 1st degree burns on top and side of right foot and ankle due to boiling hot dog water from a hot dog bin, likely kicked over by a 10-year old girl. "When it happened I jumped out of the way so the bin didn't fall-fall on me and break a toe and started running up the stairs due to my momentum. By the way, I was one step up from the visiting dugout to the far side where the photographers and Kathryn Tappen set up shop. So I run up and realize, 'Wow my foot is hot'... 'My foot is really hot'... 'My F%*$^# FOOT'. So I rip off my shoe and sock and by this time everyone is looking at this nutty vendor who ran up half of one of these little rows and ripped off his sock and shoe (although most saw me drop the bin, too). So these two boxes of people are looking cocernedly at me, a few asking how I am. I go 'I'm OK! No problem, that was planned,' loud enough for all to hear. Of course, they burst into a round of applause. I'm going "oh no, please, that doesn't make it better, that makes it the opposite of better.' Now, I need to gather up my pride and the full contents of my hot dog bin (hot dogs, condiments, wax paper, buns, and tongs) by hand and go back to the station, clean up and cash out before I can go to the medical place (although I did get to run my foot under water and put ice on it beforehand). Man my life is special."

Although I want to thank everyone from that section who saw me get hurt. Everyone seemed genuinely concerned and were very nice to me in my time of hot-footed need. So in case you were there and are reading this (unlikely as it may be), thank you.


*For those who don't know, Kyle has been working at Fenway park for since the 2002 season. The vendor pictured above is not Kyle Baxter.


Post written by Kyle "Hot Dog Hot Foot" Baxter

Thursday's News & Notes from the Diamond

STILL ALIVE: The Red Sox -- using the bulk of their roster -- grabbed a one-run victory over Cleveland last night. With Tampa Bay's magic number at 1, Boston still has a chance (albeit a slim one) at grabbing the American League East title. Most eyes are, understandably, already focused on the Angels.

BYRD HUNTING: Paul Byrd didn't do much last night to support his case for being the #4 starter in the postseason. He threw 89 pitches over five shaky innings, giving up five runs on eleven hits. He struck out four and walked one batter. This isn't exactly an awe-inspiring line, especially with his playoff life hanging in the balance. The #4 starter's job might now go to veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.

DREW-PERMAN: Apparently back injuries are his Kryptonite. J.D. Drew only played three innings last night, and said he felt "a little stiff" afterward. His playoff status is, obviously, still up in the air. He'll be in the lineup again tonight.

GROWING PAINS: What the hell happened to Fausto Carmona this season? Wasn't he a Cy Young candidate in 2007? He went one -- ONE -- inning last night, giving up four runs on five hits. On the '08 campaign, he's 8-7 with a 5.44 ERA. Talk about a drop-off. Cleveland's rotation might be in trouble next year if he doesn't start making some adjustments.

JOHNNY B. GOODE: Our beloved Johnny Pesky will have his #6 retired by the Red Sox tomorrow night before the series opener against the Yankees. Long deserved, if you ask me. We'll post a piece about this tomorrow.

More news and notes today as they come in!

Posted by Dan Zappulla, VendorBall Columnist

Breaking News -- J.D. Who?

On WEEI's "Dale & Holley" program this morning, Red Sox manager Terry Francona confirmed that J.D. Drew would be in the starting lineup for tonight's game against Cleveland. He said that, though Drew would be starting, he wouldn't necessarily finish.

This is a very good sign for the health of the club going into the postseason.

Posted by Dan Zappulla, VendorBall Columnist.

Papelbon Steals Third.

...and second, and first. Literally. He pulled them out of the ground and handed them over to the Fenway Faithful. Why? Because the Boston Red Sox are back in the postseason for the fifth time six years. That warrants a little vandalism, right?

Nevermind that Tampa Bay has all but locked up the division. Nevermind that the Yankees are officially missing the playoffs for the first time in thirteen years. The defending champs are back in the dance, and the rest of baseball has been put on notice. It seemed only fitting that, through all the injuries and turmoil plaguing this 2008 ballclub, one more giant obstacle stood in the way of a postseason berth: Cleveland lefty and soon-to-be-Cy-Young-winner Cliff Lee. Lee came into the night at a sparkling 22-2 for a team that had already been eliminated from playoff contention. He'd won eleven straight decisions and maintained a season ERA of 2.41. In today's game of baseball, that's nothing short of remarkable. Coming into last night's game, Lee had allowed five or more earned runs only three times all season. After the Red Sox dealt with him, that number would rise to four. Behind an injury-battered offense still missing Mike Lowell and J.D. Drew, the boys from Beantown hammered the eventual Cy Young winner for five earned runs on nine hits over seven shaky innings. Call it poetic justice that Jason Bay, this season's prized acquisition after the departure of Manny Ramirez, knocked in the game-winning run.

And then, the party was on. As Jonathan Papelbon went an inning-and-a-third to secure his 43rd save of 2008, playoff matchups started rushing through the head of everyone in the New England area. The presumptive Divisional Round opponent? The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, champions of the A.L.'s West Division. The obvious stat pops out that the Angels have never beaten the Red Sox in a postseason series. With Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Daisuke Matsuzaka heading up Boston's rotation, many people won't expect a change in that trend.

But that's a topic for another time. The Red Sox are back in the postseason, and that's all that matters right now. In seven days, I'll be whistling a different tune. Hopefully, it'll be "Dirty Water" at the tail-end of another Papelbon save.

Posted by Dan Zappulla, VendorBall Columnist.

Sidestepping the Patriots Loss

Yes, we saw the Patriots get manhandled by the Dolphins. We saw Ronnie Brown (benched in most fantasy leagues this week, to my pleasure) score 4 touchdowns and throw for another one, while mostly out of a formation that professionals do not run because the linebackers are too fast and too smart for this play to work. Yes, we saw it. Some of us watched the whole game wondering to ourselves "Why am I bothering to watch the end of this?" and yet kept the TV on CBS and caught the whole game. Was it because we thought there would be a comeback? No, when your team is getting thoroughly dominated like that, even your deepest fanhood desires squash out any hope of a comeback. Was it because there were no other football games on TV? YES!

During week 3 games started at 1:00 EST, we saw two go to overtime (NYG-Cin & TB-Chi), one game decided by one point (Buf-Oak) and BC alum Matty Ryan torch the Chiefs. Not to mention the Arizona-Washington game was decided by 7 points the Carolina-Minnesota by 10. There are 5 games I'd rather watch during the 4th quarter than the Pats continue to get dominated. And yet, what did we have to watch? The Pats get pummeled. The fact that with a regular cable package we cannot get an alternative to the Pats game is a disgrace. Back in the day (what, three years ago?) we'd get two or three games on regular cable for the 1:00 and 4:00 time slot. One Sunday night game and one Monday night game. Perfect. We can pick our favorite game of the week. Now, being a true Pats fan, I will watch pretty much all of the Pats games, but switch over during commercials to see some other teams in the NFL. Is that a problem?

I consider myself a clever man. I realize the NFL is, at its heart, a business. And the goal of any business is to make money. However, this shallow outlook on businesses really screws over the customer. A hospital is a business, but I'd like to think their goal is to save lives, and not to turn a profit. And so, the NFL, like most other major sporting leagues has lost its way. And if you think I'm wrong about the other major league sports, ask a real Lakers fan about the celebrities that sit on the floor who don't know a thing about basketball. Or ask a young Sox fan how many times he's been to Fenway (or better yet, his dad on how much he spent last time he was there). And as for the NHL: well, did you know they're preseason started yesterday? The NFL's ticket prices have soared like every major sport, and along with it the contracts, merchandise and profits. I'm willing to pay a lot of money for a nice Tom Bra... uhh... Teddy Bruschi jersey. Hell I'm willing to pay nearly $200 just to get good seats at Gillette. But that isn't enough for the NFL.

The TV contracts the NFL receives must be astronomical. The NFL is, I believe, the most watched sport in our country per event (easy now, NASCAR fans). Even teams as hopeless as the Raiders this year will sell a lot of tickets and have a faithful following watching their games. And even I, who has no liking of the Raiders, wouldn't mind catching a few of their games. Is Jamarcus Russell as bad as his stats are? How is this McFadden kid doing? Say, they sure did play the Bills tough! But I didn't see it. I saw the Pats get annihilated. Why? Beacuse if there is only one game on TV, we are forced to sit through the commercials, and companies are willing to pay more to advertise on these games. So kudos to all those big companies who advertise during the Pats game, and thanks for screwing me even more. I'd abandon purchasing their products, but then I'd have no beer to drink or cars to drive.

I am aware I can pay some large amount of money for the NFL package and see all the games I want. Well woohoo to that! I don't want all the games. I cannot possibly imagine trying to flip through eight games at once, or only seeing the scoring plays. I have ESPN to show me all the scores and other crap I don't care about. I want to watch two games, one in its entirety, and another while the other game is boring, in commercial, or a blowout. Three games is optimal, so you can, with high probability, watch an exciting game, but two would be OK. Even when my team is playing, I want another option.

So to NFL Commissioner Roger "Hardass" Goodell, give me two games. Just two, and I'll even deal with the 6-man pregame arguments that turn into white noise. I'll put up with Joe Buck's mediocre announcing. Just give me no less than two games during the 1:00 and 4:00 time slots. Stop the business model, and start taking care of your patients. You can screw us over to turn your astronomical profit into an unfathomable profit, and you're doing just that. But I truly hope you, and all your business partners helping you have a lot of trouble sleeping at night. And if you don't, then I hope the next time you're cheating on your significant other with a hooker you picked up in Vegas, you get a bad case of herpes.


This post written by Kyle "No Talkie About Pats Lossie" Baxter

The Curtain Falls on the Bronx...and No One Notices.

This weekend, on the way to their fifth postseason in six years, the Red Sox have the chance to do something that hasn't been seen since 1992. With a little help from the Toronto Blue Jays, the Red Sox could cement the New York Yankees into fourth place in the American League East. But surprisingly, the Yankees' demise and the closing of Yankee Stadium are not the top stories leading into the final week of the regular season. The buzz of the baseball world eminates from -- get this -- St. Petersburg, Florida, home of the (still) first-place Tampa Bay Rays.

I'm not exactly sure how we've gotten here. All of my baseball know-how and experience tells me that the Rays should've collapsed weeks ago, and the Red Sox should've taken their rightful place atop the division. Experts analyzed their schedule, pitching rotation, seemingly amateur lineup and the effect of life on extended road trips and surmised that Tampa Bay would go through an eventual decline that would see them slip into baseball obscurity once again. But we sit here on September 22nd with the Rays still holding a game-and-a-half lead over defending World Champion Boston. Not only that, they've already clinched a postseason berth. That's right, the Rays are going to the playoffs. No joke. The kickstart, young, vibrant team led by an unproven Joe Maddon -- whose Rivers-Cuomo-glasses make you wait for him to burst out in a chorus of "Say It Ain't So" -- has gone toe-to-toe with the league's giants. They've played the Red Sox six times over the past two weeks -- three in Boston, three in St. Petersburg -- and won each series. They've established an eight-game lead over the mighty bombers from the Bronx. They've positioned themselves to host a Divisional Round series, seeing as how they hold the second-best record in the league. Some pundits -- granted, the same ones who predicted their "inevitable collapse" -- are picking them to reach the Fall Classic. Let that sink in for a moment.

It's not that the Rays are undeservedly stealing this glory. A characteristic of a championship ballclub is resiliency, and these no-name dirt dogs are as resilient as any team in recent memory. In the two aforementioned series with Boston, the Rays took heavy defeats in both opening games. How did they come back from those crushing losses? In Game 2 at Fenway, they sparked a ninth-inning rally against Jonathan Papelbon. Game 2 at Tropicana Field? The Rays overcame eight innings of one-run ball from Sox ace Josh Beckett and won in walkoff fashion against young righty Justin Masterson. These rallies have been led by less-than-household names: Andy Sonnanstine, Eric Hinske, Evan Longoria, Carlos Pena and Dioner Navarro come to mind. They don't exactly strike the same fear as an Alex Rodriguez would. Then again, Mr. Rodriguez will be playing golf this October.

I'm not sure how far this surge of improbable domination will carry Tampa Bay. Logic tells me that the unstoppable Ray-train will run out of coal in the Divisional Round, either against the White Sox or Angels. The furnace can only burn so hot for so long. But the Rays have been defying the odds all season. They were supposed to collapse in July, then August, then September. We're a week away from the end of the regular season, and still waiting. And while one of the most hallowed grounds in all of sports -- Yankee Stadium -- closed its doors last night, the eyes of the baseball world were still glimpsing a bit further south. It shouldn't be this way, right? It seems so surreal that the mighty franchise from the Bronx could be overshadowed by a team that draws less attendance than most Yankee spring training games. It seems so improbable that it borders on preposterous. That's exactly what the Rays have been feeding on all season.

Posted by Dan Zappulla, VendorBall Columnist.