On last night’s episode of Saturday Night Live, Tina Fey once again was back playing Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin. Only this time around, Palin herself was on the show.
For Those Who Blog We Salute You – 10/19
Since I didn’t have time to post this yesterday, here are some links to enjoy before the start of Game 7 tonight.
Guts [Center Field]
OMG Celeb Dramz! [Yankees Chick]
Breaking news: Pedroia’s kinda short, says SI [Red Sox Monster]
This Could Be The Last Time… [Surviving Grady]
The Cowbell Kid Goes into Panic Mode [Fenway West]
Derek [Depth of Field Photo]
Giada! [Fang’s Bites]
Blah Blah Bonds [Babes Love Baseball]
Nasty Boy Brian Knobbs got thrown out of Fenway [Home Run Derby]
Scoop Jackson Would Like To ‘Clarify’ His Idiocy [Rays Index]
FJM takes on Jerry Manuel [The ‘Ropolitans]
The Phillies are hiring [Ump Bump]
VIDEO: Madonna is Ernie to A-Rod’s Bert [Bugs & Cranks]
Dodger Fans Throw Beer On Cops, Feel The Wrath [Busted Coverage]
Wait, There’s Someone In The Sports World Who Doesn’t Know Who Erin Andrews Is? [Awful Announcing]
Lou Holtz is a Michigan-Baiter [The Big Lead]
GETTING PUNCHED IN THE FACE IS FUN [With Leather]
Video: Bobby Bowden Works Referee Over In Front Of Erin Andrews [You Been Blinded]
Saturday with the cards-gone but not forgotten: Oakland Seals [CCWW]
Red Sox vs Rays ALCS Game 7 Notes and Lineups
It comes to a point where there really isn’t much left to say but again the Boston Red Sox will try to get the World Series for the second straight season. The eerie thing about it is that last year in the 2007 ALCS, they were down 3 games to 1 to the Cleveland Indians and this year they were trailing 3 games to 1 to the Tampa Bay Rays. And we all know what happened.
In order to get to the World Series, the Red Sox will need Jon Lester to bounce back from his performance in Game 3. In that loss, Lester allowed 5 runs (4 earned) on 8 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7 in 5 2/3 innings.
Rays skipper Joe Maddon gives the ball tonight to his ALCS Game 3 winner in Matt Garza. In that game, Garza allowed 1 run on 6 hits and 3 walks while fanning 5 in 6 innings of work.
Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe previews Game 7.
Adam Kilgore of the Boston Globe looks at the Red Sox’s chances tonight.
Dan Roche of WBZ-TV is ready for Game 7.
James Stewart of WEEI.com wants to know is there anything better than a Game 7.
Extra Bases has video and the transcripts of the pregame press conferences of Terry Francona and Joe Maddon.
Dan over at Red Sox Monster has video of the most terrifying Red Sox fan ever.
Fenway West says the Red Sox don’t want to face the wrath of Gary Tuck.
Texy over at Center Field wants to make sure you’re psyched up for Game 7.
Lineups and batter/pitcher matchups after the jump.
In The End, There Can Be Only One!
GO RED SOX!!!!
What Happened To The Red Sox And UConn News?
My sincere apologies for those who have stopped by today looking for the Red Sox and UConn news that’s normally published in the morning.
I woke up this morning feeling like crap and still feel like crap so I’ve been spending most of the day resting because there’s something important (Game 7) going on tonight.
I will do my best to bring you the notes & lineups for tonight’s Game 7 and will make up for things on the UConn side of it tomorrow.
Dennis Eckersley’s Had A Rough Week
Much like Charles Barkley has been during the NBA on TNT, Baseball Hall of Famer and NESN anaylst Dennis Eckersley has been the whipping boy during the TBS Sports postgame shows during the ALCS.
First it was Ernie Johnson throwing Eck under the bus then it was them picking on Eck on the 20th anniversary of him giving up the home run to Kirk Gibson during the 1988 World Series. And now after Game 6 of the ALCS, it was once again time for Eck to get picked on during the EJ’s Neat-O Stat of the Night portion of the telecast.
The Digital Conversion
As you all know in February 2009 all over the air television signals will be broadcast in digital. Analog sets will no longer be able to receive the OTA signal unless you have converted the television. The Federal Government has released a helpful, easy to follow, handy dandy video explaining how to do the simple conversion.
Well How About That! We Got Ourselves A Game 7
Jason Varitek broke out of his slump with a go-ahead solo home run and the Boston Red Sox got just enough from Josh Beckett as they went on to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 in front 40,497 at Tropicana Field to force a Game 7 in the ALCS Sunday night at 8:07 PM.
Josh Beckett gave the Red Sox just enough to force a Game 7.
Beckett had struggled in his first two starts of the postseason but started to show glimpses of the October Beckett that we all know and love. He went 5 innings allowing 2 runs on 4 hits while walking 1 and striking out 3. Hideki Okajima followed with 2 strong innings of relief walking one and striking out 1. Justin Masterson hit a batter in his inning of work and also struck out 1. Jonathan Papelbon struck out 1 in the 9th to pick up his second save of this ALCS.
Varitek’s lone hit of the night was the home run while Kevin Youkilis had a solo home run of his own and knocked in 2 on the night. Coco Crisp had another big night at the top of the lineup with a 3-for-4 night including a walk. David Ortiz had 2 hits and knocked in a run while J.D. Drew continues to swing a hot stick as he added 2 hits to the winning cause for the Red Sox.
The start of the game was not shown on TBS as they were experiencing some technical difficulties.
Coco got things started off in the 1st with a bunt single off “Big Choke James” Shields but Shields picked him off first. Dustin Pedroia popped out and Big Papi struck out to end the top half of the 1st.
Beckett’s night looked good to start as he struck out Akinori Iwamura but B.J. Upton continued his long ball prowess with a home run off the catwalk in left field to give the Rays a 1-0 lead. He then walked Carlos Peña but got a 6-4-3 inning-ending twin killing off the bat of Evan Longoria.
The lead didn’t last too long though for the Rays as the Big Choke gave up a leadoff home run to Youk. Drew followed with a single but Jason Bay grounded into a fielder’s choice. A Mark Kotsay single moved Bay up 90 feet but Jed Lowrie and Jason Varitek flew out to Upton in center.
Pedroia reached on a 1-out walk in the 3rd and Big Papi followed with a double. The Red Sox took a 2-1 lead when Youk grounded out to short. Shields then walked Drew and Bay but Kotsay flew out to center field.
The game was delayed for 15 minutes at the top of the 4th when home plate umpire Daryl Cousins had to leave the game after taking a foul ball off the bat of Varitek. Cousins ended up having a bruised collarbone and Tim McClelland took over for him. They ended up working with a 5 man crew and didn’t have an umpire stationed in left field.
Dioner Navarro led off the 5th with a single off of Beckett. Ben Zobrist came into pinch-hit for Gabe Gross and flew out to center. With Jason Bartlett at the plate, Varitek picked Navarro off first base. This would be huge as Bartlett crushed a home run into the left field seats to tie the game at 2.
Tom Brady Issues A Statement
The reigning NFL MVP, New England Patriots QB Tom Brady issued a statement on his website regarding his knee surgery.
“I would like to thank everyone for the well wishes and support you have given me throughout my career. It has been particularly helpful during these past six weeks. It is great to know you are all behind me, not only during the good times, but also during the challenging times. On October 6, I had surgery to repair my knee from the injury that took place four weeks earlier in our season opener.
“The surgery went well and my doctor described my knee as “rock solid.” Unfortunately, in the week following the surgery, I developed an infection. The infection is very treatable and, through a course of antibiotics, it will be knocked out of my system. We were proactive with the infection and the doctors went in for a second procedure this past Wednesday to clean and to test the wound. The results of the tests have all been positive and we are very thankful. I am excited to begin rehabbing my knee and will continue preparing for 2009. I’m looking forward to supporting my teammates throughout the rest of this season, as we strive to achieve the goals we set as a team months ago. Thanks again for your letters and well wishes. The support has meant so much to me during these past few weeks.
“I encourage all of my young fans to keep your bodies and minds as fit as possible and to deal with whatever challenges you may face. We never know what life is going to throw us. The best offense is to be prepared whether for the next school test, the next game, or for an unexpected challenge.
“Thanks again -TB.”
Aye, Aye, Aye, Aye I Am A Fat, Drunken Nebraskan
New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain was busted early Saturday morning for a DUI charge in his home state of Nebraska. The not so bright righty was stopped for speeding.
When the officer approached the vehicle it was determined that there was a smell of alcohol and then an open container of alcohol was found in the front seat.
Chamberlain was arrested for driving under the influence, having an open container of alcohol and speeding.