Dave Pauley, cheerful even between laps.

Brandon Moss, one of today's heroes, shares a laugh with one of the college players.

Manny Delcarmen.

Even Mike Timlin smiles!

Javier Lopez, Kyle Snyder, and Bryan Corey make light work of shagging BP flies.

Jacoby Ellsbury.

Jason Varitek--not an easy smile to catch!

Julian Tavarez, whose inclinations toward on-field massage will have to be chronicled separately, and an amused Hideki Okajima.

Kyle Snyder, deserving of a second look!

Clay Buchholz, who was laughing as MDC teased the fans with a ball.

Jed Lowrie. (I can't put all my smiling photos of Jed here; I'd run out of room.)

Finding himself between two of the best smiles on the roster--Coco Crisp and Justin Masterson--I'm sure Joe Thurston had no chance at all to stay solemn.

You can just barely see Bobby Kielty's smile, I suspect it's a mirror of Ron Johnson's!

Jon Lester and Craig Hansen.

Justin Masterson, after a good pitch.

It seemed like a pretty good bet that Beckett wasn't hurt too badly, since he left a lot of smiles in his wake!

Nick Hagadone appreciates the fun of the parachute run!

Sunday, January 6 marked not only the eve of the Red Sox Rookie Development Program but the annual Hot Stove concert at the Paradise.  In years past players have appeared, but this year we made do with some Sox brass

Theo Epstein.

Sox-connected commentators

Peter Gammons.

prominent Sox fans...

Bill Janovitz.

and one former player!

Bronson Arroyo.

On Saturday, January 12, the Jimmy Fund held their third annual New Stars for Young Stars fundraiser at Jillian's, right down the street from Fenway.  Gabe Kapler, now signed by the Brewers, appeared in something of an elder statesman's role, while Dustin Pedroia and Jon Lester represented the 2007 World Series Champions.  A selection of Sox prospects--Justin Masterson, Michael Bowden, Jed Lowrie, Bubba Bell, Ryan Kalish and Nick Hagadone--rounded out the bill.  It was a delight to meet Bowden and Masterson in particular, and Jed Lowrie's long been a favorite of mine. 

Justin Masterson.

Michael Bowden.

Bubba Bell.

Nick Hagadone and Ryan Kalish.

Jed Lowrie and me, photo by the Red Sox Chick. Thanks!

Next up was the benefit for the Red Sox Foundation at the Team Store on Yawkey Way, featuring the twelve players selected to take part in this year's Rookie Development Program.  Since last year's event I've suspected that while this is a treat for the fans and a nice fundraiser, it's also an illustration for the rookies of the invigorating but potentially oppressive lunacy of Red Sox Nation.  This year my suspicions were confirmed...

Meg Vaillancourt, executive director of the Red Sox Foundation, was happy to help the future stars try to get accustomed to the intensity that is Red Sox Nation.

"This teaches them what to expect when they get here, how to handle being bombarded by fans, sign autographs and how to deal with having a sore hand afterward."

Even Clay Buchholz and Jed Lowrie looked a little apprehensive as they walked in

but they seemed to relax a little as they figured out that none of us were actually dangerous.

Bubba Bell, Clay Buchholz, Justin Masterson.

Hunter Jones.

Devern Hansack.

Thursday night brought the biggest event: the Boston Baseball Writers Association of America awards dinner at the Westin Waterfront.  Judging by audience reaction Mike Lowell reigned as king for the evening, though his court included Dustin Pedroia, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Theo Epstein, Dave Magadan, and John Farrell at the head table while the rookie development pups sat at tables right up front.

John Farrell and Theo Epstein.

Dustin Pedroia and Clay Buchholz gaze as Jon Lester points out something in the yearbook.

(Whatever it was, it must have been pretty good!)

Mike Lowell.

Dave Magadan, Mike Lowell, Dustin Pedroia.

Jon's about had it with his tux, I think!

Saturday, January 19 it was time to celebrate the minor leagues, as the PawSox held their Hot Stove party in the inner sanctums of McCoy Stadium.  Showing no signs of flagging enthusiasm, Justin Masterson, Michael Bowden, Jed Lowrie, Dusty Brown and Jonathan Van Every joined PawSox manager Ron Johnson in greeting fans and signing autographs!

Jonathan Van Every.

RJ and Justin Masterson.

Jed Lowrie and Michael Bowden.

Dusty Brown.

What I enjoyed most about this series of events, aside from spending time with baseball friends and acquaintances, was getting a chance to meet the young men on their way up in the Sox organization.  I often cite Theo's statement that to become Red Sox GM he had to give up being a fan, and I know that in some ways my belief that the Sox should hang on to Lester, Masterson, Lowrie, Bowden et al. is indeed that of a fan.  But this is a remarkable group of prospects, in talent and in character, and I have to say that if I had a vote, I'd hang on to every last one of them.

Photos above are just a sample of what I took; please see full photo pages linked below.
Hot Stove Cool Music
New Stars for Young Stars III
Team Store Signing
BBWAA Dinner
PawSox Hot Stove Party

Friday I had a loge single way out in left field--quite a challenge even to get into the section!  It was quite a good game--good pitching from Daisuke, quality offense, and a satisfying win.  Not to mention a quick one!  I'd spared a few glances at the scoreboard, enough to see that the Yankees had a pretty good lead on the O's.  But I was still delighted when, a few bars into "Dirty Water," the PA cut out and the Yankees/O's game was suddenly on the scoreboard.

About two weeks earlier I'd had a thoroughly wonderful evening at Fenway... on an off day.  The Red Sox Chick had invited me to a benefit for the Angel Fund, a charity supported by Mike and Dawn Timlin.  The benefit was terrific; getting winked at by Mike was even better.  But perhaps best was going on a brief tour of a dark Fenway and sneaking off to the far end of the Monster to gaze over the mysteriously unlit park, and later eating dinner perched in the Pavilion over home plate, again, gazing into a familiar home seen literally in a ddifferent light.

So I thought of all that as the fans sitting around me left and I settled in to watch the televised game.  The Orioles threatened in the bottom of the eighth, but failed.  Many of the fans who did stick around headed out.  I looked in toward home, and seeing that many who were left had clustered around the Sox dugout, I moved down to the first row between the visitors' dugout and home.

The O's held the Yankees in the ninth, and then the fun really started.  I hadn't dreamed I'd hear an enthusiastic "Lets go Orioles!" chant at Fenway--let alone that I'd be participating!  Jay Payton came through with the stunning tying triple, and I started to think that maybe this could happen after all.  In the tenth, we screamed our hearts out for Millah, but it was Melvin Mora who came through with the bunt and sealed the clinch for the Red Sox.

I hadn't allowed myself to think about it, but I got out the camera...

Kevin Youkilis.

Coco Crisp.

Mike Timlin with his new tee!

Josh Beckett.

Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Beckett watches Dustin Pedroia.

Jon Lester on the receiving end of a cold beer down the spine.

Clay Buchholz.

Jason Varitek, who had left the park, returned after the clinch, and received an extra-thorough dousing as a result!

Mike Lowell.

Jonathan Papelbon points to Alex Cora up in the PA booth.

Lots more photos on this page. Enjoy!

Clay Buchholz stretches...

... and throws.

Devern Hansack.

Announcing the changeup.

Kyle Snyder.

Two fingers means...

... well, in this case it meant "I'm going to throw it past you and scare the daylights out of the fans." Note Clay is laughing.

Josh Beckett was the first to see the descending alien mothership.

Never hard to pick out a hatless Bobby Kielty.

Tek with a wistful look back. "Are you sure he wasn't out?"

Clay acknowledges his admirers as he returns to the dugout.

September 27, 2006

and again at the New Stars for Young Stars event to benefit the Jimmy Fund.

January 6, 2007.  After the signing he had a pretty serious game going against Kason Gabbard!

I finally got to see him pitch on a magical day last March when we went to the minor league complex at Spring Training after the big club had decamped but the full-on games hadn't yet started up.

Had to follow Clay at a distance for a while after that, though we were lucky to see some games televised (including his start on Memorial Day).  He went up against Clemens and outpitched the Rocket.  His numbers in Portland made it clear he was ready for Pawtucket.  And off I went to see him...

July 22, 2007.

July 22, 2007.

And then came the call to Fenway, and I scrambled to get a good seat!

I have to be honest here--as I scrambled to get a better seat for his debut, I fantasized about a no-hitter. Unlikely, sure, but dreams usually are...

I'd had a good pair of tix for Saturday, September 1 in hand all season.  Even a few days before the game I hadn't asked anyone to go.  If Clay got the call, I was thinking I'd see if any of the guys who follow him over at soxprospects (an invaluable site for following the minors) wanted to go.  But Tavarez got the call.  I knew that my great friend Cyn, the Red Sox Chick, was awaiting Mike Timlin's 1000th appearance, which he might or might not see Friday night, so Friday afternoon I offered her the ticket.  In about an hour, Wake was scratched, Tavarez was moved up, and Clay got the call.

And, perhaps not incidentally, the Sox took a tough and injury-laden defeat.  They, and we, were reeling.  A good night to go with friends (not just Cyn but fellow fans Nancy and Brenken!) whose passion for the Sox is steeped in support and, yes, love for our team!

How to talk about a no-hitter?  I'd been close once before; Chris Young took a no-hitter to the first out of the ninth at Petco last September 22.  The night before Clay's start I'd actually turned away from the Red Sox game to watch Scott Baker try for a perfect game.  I think I first had the thought in the third.  By the fifth I was starting negotiations with the Powers That Be for a large charitable donation if he got through the game unscathed.  In the seventh the Powers came back with a counter-offer, which I had no choice but to accept.  Anything to do with Pedroia's magnificent play?  You'd have to ask the Powers.  (Having seen both Buck's press conference, in which he described knowing at that moment that something was going on, and having seen the replay, where you can clearly see that epiphany in his expression, well, I'm typing through my tears right now.)  And Coco, Coco, throughout making exceptional plays we are coming to take nearly for granted.

And this is where going with Cyn--and having good fans all around us--comes in.  Cyn and I didn't talk of the no-hitter.  We talked of Brian Roberts' range of interactions with Sox players at second base (less flirtatious with Lowell than with Drew, for example).  As the runs mounted--but the time dragged out, and we were thinking of Buck in the dugout, waiting for his next opportunity to look destiny in the eyes, we decided Joe West was being far too stingy in calling strikes on Coco.  Great offense, but it seemed to take forever until Clay took the mound again.

But he finally did.  And he seemed calm, though he took that extra moment to compose himself.  Tek, I may never have appreciated you so much as I did watching Clay look to you for the signs, for instructions on how to make history.  I'll never forget Fenway, already in a frenzy from the seventh on, all on our feet, screaming as one.  I'll never forget that pause before Joe West rang up Markakis.

Congratulations, Clay.  Congratulations.

Clay walks in with John Farrell.

Composing himself before the first pitch.

Nothing to be worried about, son...

... a message that was clearly imparted.

Nice pickoff move to first that busted Brian Roberts.

Gazing in at Tek in the ninth.

… and on that note, I'll talk about a great night at the park this week.  McCoy Stadium, to be specific!  Tuesday night was poster and autograph night—every fan got a free team poster, and from 5:00pm to 6:00pm fans could walk from table to table around the warning track and get autographs from the players.  Tailor-made for a woman clutching a folder of 8x10s!  (Click thumbnails below for full photos!)

Had Hansen sign this one:

since, as I told him, I didn’t get to see him pitch all year!  Glad to hear that his recent injury sounds more like a bump on the arm and less like impending Tommy John surgery!

All the good pictures I have of Brandon Moss

feature him goofing off, which he readily admitted.

I really loved this shot of Bobby Scales

and so did he!  (He warned me as he handed it back—"You be careful with this picture—it's hot!")

I told Ed Rogers I’d waited a long, long time to get this spring training shot

signed!  This was from a Spring Training game against the Mets.  Mets fans had infiltrated City of Palms, and the home team had some catching up to do... Ed's walkoff grand slam made it happen. What a smile! 

Went back to Spring Training for my shot of Clay Buchholz

who looked younger off the mound than he does on it, and who was very gracious and fan-friendly.

But I only went back a few weeks for Jed Lowrie

and Jacoby Ellsbury

who were seated next to each other, much to my delight!  Told them how much I appreciated both Jed's home runs at the last game I'd seen and Jacoby's brilliant smile as he circled the bases.  Jacoby in turn was amused that I'd caught him running with his tongue out!

Got to tell Travis Hughes that playing baseball or playing hacky-sack, he’s the fiercest competitor I've seen.  Craig Breslow, seated next to him, was only slightly mollified that I then awarded him second. "Well, you had to say that…"  (But it's true.  You expect it from Hughes—he's a big guy.  If you could envision the buddy  you'd want to come back you up in a bar fight, well, he looks the part.  Breslow's fierceness is more unexpected.  Although, given that he was miffed to come in second even in my rankings, I may need to reconsider!)

Not sure who Joe McEwing ticked off, but he got to sit with Paws and Sox!

Went with a classic shot for George Kottaras

but when it came to Dusty Brown, well... I hadn't run a print from Futures at Fenway, so I just traded in all my baseball credibility and, well, had him sign my arm.

Many thanks as well to Abe Alvarez, Jeff Bailey, Devern Hansack, Javier Lopez, Edgar Martinez, and David Pauley, who also signed photos for me, and  to Mike Burns, Lincoln Holdzkom, and Junior Spivey, who accepted gracefully that I didn't have good pictures of them!  Kudos as well to the PawSox staff for a well-run and really fun evening.  (Special thanks to Brandon Moss for his two home runs in the game!)

Congratulations, Clay!  May it be only the first of many, many wins.

Clay Buchholz smiles in the pen...

... and snarks a little (nicely) at the catcher.

One of the dancers in the Dominican celebration.

Knuckleballer Charlie Zink.

Jacoby Ellsbury trots the bases, beaming. Why is he beaming?...

... because he was on first base when Jed Lowrie clocked a home run, that's why!

That was worth the wait!

Jed was a little less successful next time up.

I'm not sure Ellsbury's allowed to be so athletic, talented and handsome...

... though young Jed is no slouch there either. (Gotta be the sunglasses.)

Hey, look! Jacoby's loping and smiling again! Could it be...

... that Jed has clocked another 2-run blast?

I think it could!

Great game for the PawSox, who won 6-4. Zink was terrific, and in addition to Lowrie's power Ellsbury went 3-3 with a stolen base (photos of Jacoby in flight to come!). All in all a very satisfying Sunday afternoon at the park!

I'll admit that when it comes to trades I'm very, very conservative, and maybe a little possessive. ^_^  Birds in the hand, and all that.  As a result, I've been grateful to hear that Clay Buchholz

July 22, 2007.

and Jacoby Ellsbury

July 4, 2007.

are not on the table.

But some of the names that have been coming up make me worry.

Craig Hansen has had a July resurgence--just as Manny Delcarmen found consistency and confidence, Hansen may just now be coming into his own.  I worried earlier in the year that he might need a fresh start like the one Cla Meredith got in San Diego, but now I'd hate to see him go just as he gets it together.

March 3, 2007.  (I have yet to see Hansen pitch this year...)

And what of Delcarmen?  Possibly expendable if the Sox go after Gagne?  No, please.

I'd like to see Manny in the bullpen here, thanks.

And then there's Wily Mo.

June 20, 2007.

By all rights, Wily Mo should be traded, to a team where he could play every day without the pressure he has in Boston.  But... but my heart wants to keep him here.  He came to Boston under a dark star, but he has the character to play in Boston, letting the boos and sarcastic cheers roll off his back.  He works hard.  He can hit hard.  And...

May 13, 2007.

... and, well, Papi loves him.

Five hours and change to go...

You've looked for something greater than this
I promise you it doesn't exist
And I wouldn't trade places for what I know

Those page links will take you to a few shots from each series, though I'm a long way from being done picking out photos!

Here's a few samples for now:

Tek in Atlanta.

Julian ropes in Wily Mo for a new bizarre stretch.

National League rules are stranger than I thought. Kyle Snyder and Wily Mo.

Tavarez and his unusual batting stance.

J.D. shares his knowledge of Petco with an attentive Dustin Pedroia.

How can you not love Papi?

"I'm not Daisuke. He's over there."  (Poor Okaji--I wish I were kidding, but I don't think I am!)

Coco.

Can't miss Mikey with his hat off.

An iPod ad, or Manny in Seattle?

Daisuke