Drag out the OLD & Ring in the NEW YEAR!

I have mixed feelings about 2008. As a sports fan and a fan of our Boston Sports teams - I feel great. We as Bostonians and New Englanders were treated to one of the greatest years in our history.

I started with the '08 Sox back in Spring training and had an opportunity to view 15 games at Fenway and 3 on the road in Houston. I also saw them clinch a play off spot and the spot to go to the ALDS. The only downer was my visit to Fenway when Wake and the Sox got jocked big time in Game 4 of the ALCS.

Our Sox went to the ALCS. An injured team - beat up at times - always found a way to win. they cam two runs and one game short of the world series as Tampa won a thrilling 7 Game ALCS at home 3-1.

The Sox got rid of a scar on the franchise. Manny did himself in and got dumped at the trading deadline. His antics brought gloom and doom into the club house. His BS about not being appreciated by management was a boring way to send a message that he just did not care for Boston anymore. remember, this man was paid almost $20 million every year to play a kids game. He was loved and well paid. he was sent to the plate every at bat with a standing ovation from fans, who paid him WELL for his services. he left this great city in disgrace. Manny - Being Manny was fun --- but it got smelly like an old pair of sneakers after a while.

The Sox need to accomplish a bit in order to stay in contention in the next five weeks.

1 - The captain must be signed or a TOP back Stop must be found to replace him.
2 - A final decision needs to be made about the future of Julio Lugo in a Sox uniform.
3 - A True #5 Starter must be determined to back up the top 4 men who will lead the Sox to the post season once again. Beckett, DiceK, Lester and Wake are fine.
4 - A strong left and right handed bench bat needs to be found.
5 - Big Pappi and Mike Lowell need get 100% healthy now and into Spring Training.

Otherwise, the Red Sox of 2009 are just fine. They will compete and win 90 to 93 games this year. I see a hot competition for the AL east. Tampa is the team to beat and the Sox are right behind them. NY did make adjustments and added some pop at the plate and mound-stars. BUT, the Yanks have not won anything in years and are stuck in a MONEY RUT that is disintegrating their franchise. I see them as a Wild Card pic at best. Mark the words now!

In all 2008 was a fun year for a baseball fan in Boston.

COUNT DOWN TO THE NEW YEAR!

http://www.timeanddate.com/counters/newyear.html

(CLICK HERE AND SEE HOW MUCH TIME IS LEFT IN 2008.)

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!

Good Day!

It is my hope that all of you enjoy a Happy Christmas and Honukkah!

Today and tomorrow we gather with family and friends to celebrate the warmth and importance of togetherness. Our efforts as a baseball league bring us together in warmer weather - when the sun shines longer and you can see grass. I am sure we all miss those days and pine for spring and the new year.

We in the Yawkey Baseball League in Boston celebrate the brotherhood that brings us together in baseball! As we see the greed and discontent of major league players develop into outrageous proportions -- our love of the game is PURE!

At these times we remember those who we lost this past year. Our beloved Commissioner - Dan Tarpey; our dear friends Steve George and Bill Cunningham all went to their rest in 2008. All of these men will be remembered by our baseball family for their contributions to the league and to the community they loved.

We also celebrate at this time the accomplishments of our new League Champion the Blue Fish Baseball Club! Congratulations to Sean McCarthy and his mates for winning the championship held by Somerville for so long.

Also, I want to take this opportunity to announce the 2008 Yawkey Baseball League Award Winners. It has become a league tradition to announce our winners at Christmas. it is our hope all the winners know how proud we are of their accomplishments. They make our organization stronger by their involvement. Their efforts to promote quality amateur baseball in Greater Boston is much appreciated.

Here are the winners announced by league Secretary - Dave Treska:

OK, for all of those who have been waiting for these they are now ready. My 6 day Jury Duty stint, along with my planned week vacation had pushed this off longer then we had planned. So again thanks for waiting so long and thanks for all of your help with info and voting that made this all happen. All the winners are listed; we have decided to hold off on the "all rookie team" from my email yesterday. We felt that we are rushing it and may not have the best plan to do this in place. At the next BOD meeting we will discuss a plan and get it right. So we are still doing that, just in a few weeks.

So with all of that said, here is the winners for the 2008 season. Congratulations to all of the players/teams for their honors.

Have a Happy Holidays and take care,
David Treska

Gold Glove

P - Shaun Farrrar
C – Andy McAllister
1B – Scott Rodgers
2B – AJ Bucciarelli
3B – Marc DesRoches
SS – Buddy Hanley
LF – Ted Tracy
CF – Jay Shatto
RF – Sal Mendonca

Silver Slugger

P – Max Warren
C – Tony Iafolla
1B – Mike Debiase
2B – Johnny Cunnigham
3B – Marc DesRoches
SS – David Scioli
LF – Bill Reichmann
CF – Chris Santosuosso
RF – Al Becker
DH – Justin Crisafulli

Nokona Offensive Hitter of the Year
Tony Iafolla

Carl Yastrezmeski - MVP
Chris Santosusso

Cy Young - Pitcher of the Year
Adam DelRio

Johnny Pesky - Rookie of the Year
Max Warren and Ned Coffee( tie )

Tony Conigliaro - Comeback Player of the Year
Dan Jalbert

Barbara Medeiros - Manager of the Year
Skip McCarthy

Dan Tarpey - Gentleman of the Year
David Treska

Bill Stewart - Umpire of the Year
Alberto Collata

Franchise of the Year
Bluefish Baseball Club

Steve George Exec of the Year
Kevin George

Take care all and we will meet in early January to set a plan in action for the 2009 YBL Season. Merry Christmas to all and to all a GOOD DAY!!!!

David J. McKay
President - Thomas A. Yawkey Baseball League

Boros = Grinch Who Stole Christmas for Red Sox Nation!

The deal is DONE! Yes -- the Evil Empire did it to US again. Yankees, Marc and Boros became the Grinch Who Stole Red Sox Nation's Christmas tonight. Teixeira signed for the Bronx Bombers for 8 years and a reported $180 Million. YIKES!

Boros is a total unadulterated asshole - who is destroying baseball. The deal the Yanks signed can not be blamed on them. They were in the back ground (as usual) waiting to see what the Sox, O's and Nats would do to sweeten the pot for the talented first basemen.

Boros was there whispering like the Devil in the ear of Yankee ownership as they "other" teams beat each other out of the All Star/Gold Glover.

So, once again -- NYC wins out. Great team on paper. Now these guys must WIN. They are favorites to run the table in the AL East and AL for a 27th World Championship.

BUT, this must happen between the white lines.

MARK TEIXEIRA

A switch-hitter with prodigious power, Mark Teixeira also has impeccable timing. His first foray into free agency coincided with the Yankees' vacancy at first base, and nobody spends like the Yankees. The Bronx Bombers reportedly have agreed to terms with the former Angels slugger who has hit 203 career home runs and won't turn 29 until April 2009.

What Ever Happened to Vick's Dogs

Zip's posse (clockwise from left): Vanessa, Berenice, Jesse, Francisco, Eliana.

Wilson makes sure Sweet Pea has a great new home away from that maggot Vick and his monster Gang of Dog Killers!

BAD RAP's Reynolds and Racer are vetting a family for Grace.

Stirling won Jasmine's trust by climbing into her kennel with her.

Teddles revels in the hands-on attention he gets from his adoptive owner, Cindy Houser.

This happened on Dec 22....way back in time!

1974 --- Boston's Phil Esposito becomes the sixth player in NHL history to score 500 goals.

1980 --- The Red Sox mail Fred Lynn and Carlton Fisk (pictured) their new contracts two days after the Basic Agreement deadline of Dec. 20. Boston's inaction make their all-stars eligible for free agency.

The Grinch Makes a Tommy Point

The Grinch paid a visit to Celtics broadcaster and NBA Hall of Famer Tommy Heinsohn before Monday's Celtics game.

Christmas 1980 -- OHHH I AM GETTING OLD!

WOW -- here is a pic that was posted on Facebook. Yes, the "old man" dressed in red is me. I was a teacher at St. Ambrose School in Dorchester at the time - 1980. We had a Christmas Festival and I was conned into being Santa. The ladies do not look too happy to be there tho. Those were very happy days. I miss the class room and all the great young men and women who I taught over the years. Facebook has brought me back in contact with many of those young people as adults. I am a very lucky man. That picture is a riot!!

Sox Say to Greedy Tex GOOOOBYE!

Henry: Sox 'not a factor' for Teixeira
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com
Red Sox Headlines

Henry: Sox 'not a factor' for Teixeira
Click here for the story

It is official: Tex is Greedy just like the rest of them!

Good Bye and a fond farewell to Mark and his arsehole agent, who destroyed the dream deal of bringing the hard-hitting - solid gloved first baseman to the red Sox. it is OVAH and OUT!

Tex was offered a rich 8 year -- $23 million deal. One would think that is plenty - enough. But not Scott Boros. 10% of that money is a kewl bit of money. Scott and Tex must think their is another lunatic in MLB who is willing to cough up a wild amount of money for the services of the talented young player.

GOOD MOVE -- the TRIO have proven they can not be held hostage by Boros and his greed.

CUMMON MARK -- knock off the Bull Shite!

Red Sox seen in lead in Teixeira derby
Boston may have edge over Angels; O's could increase offer
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com

According to reports, Mark Teixeira has not received a 10-year contract offer from any of his suitors. (AP)

Red Sox Headlines
Red Sox seen in lead in Teixeira derby
Bauman: Red Sox could counter with Tex
Red Sox extend offer to Teixeira
Beckett expected to pass on Classic
Lowe looking to find the right home
More Red Sox Headlines
MLB Headlines
Yanks introduce CC, Burnett to New York
Orioles remain in running for Teixeira
MLB releases Spring Training schedule
Putz formally introduced by Mets
Chipper, McCann join Team USA
More MLB Headlines

The Red Sox are in the lead heading down the stretch, no club is going as high as 10 years and the Orioles could increase their offer.

If the latest reports are accurate, this is where the Mark Teixeira derby stands as the owners and general managers go to their fiscal whips.

In a Boston.com story by Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, a general manager not associated with any of the Teixeira contenders is quoted with the view that the Red Sox are the horse, or team, to beat.

"I think they're in the lead and ahead of where everyone else is right now," the GM said. "I'm not sure who's bidding against them at this point."

Asked if he thinks the race is almost over, the GM replied, "You just never know where Scott Boras and the Red Sox are involved." He added that he didn't think any team would go to 10 years on a Teixeira contract.

Boston's biggest challenges appear to be from the Angels and Nationals at the moment. The Yankees haven't yet gone all in or even extended a proposal to Boras for Teixeira.

The Orioles, meanwhile, could be out of the picture unless Teixeira, a Maryland native, agrees to a home discount from the 28-year-old slugger who grew up cheering for the Birds.

On ESPN.com, Buster Olney has a source who said, "The Orioles are out of it, unless Teixeira really, really wants to play there."

However, Orioles team president Andy MacPhail says that not only does he not consider his club to be out of the running for Teixeira, but there remains a possibility that they could bump up their offer.

"If they came back to us and told us what it would take and we thought that it made sense for us, then [the offer could increase]," MacPhail said.

The Nationals reportedly have an offer of $160 million for eight years on the table, while the Angels extended an eight-year offer at an undisclosed amount at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas for the player they acquired two days before the Non-Waiver Trade Deadline from the Braves.

According to the Boston Herald, the Red Sox will not go to 10 years, Boras' original target.
Principal owner John Henry, in an e-mail response to a question, left that impression when he wrote, "The Red Sox effectively had a 10-year deal with a player determined not to live up to his contract. A lot can change over 10 years, for both sides."

The Red Sox had two option years left on Manny Ramirez's eight-year deal when they sent him to the Dodgers at the Non-Waiver Trade Deadline in a three-team deal that brought Jason Bay to Boston from Pittsburgh.

Ramirez could trigger a turf war between the Dodgers and Angels for his free-agent services if the Angels lose out on Teixeira. But Angels general manager Tony Reagins maintained his stance on Tuesday in an interview with MLB.com that prospects of signing Ramirez are "slim."

Lyle Spencer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

New McKay Club Mascot?!

Halloween can bring out the "wild-side" of many folks. Our rookie left fielder/pitcher out of Emerson College - Peter Karl donned this outfit. Now it seems that every sports franchise in the world has its own mascot. Is PK willing to serve as the McKay club beacon mascot for 2009? That remains to be seen.

I am BAAAAACK from FLA!

THE BOSTON BASEBALL HEAD IS WELCOMED TO THE ANIMAL KINGDOM BY AN OLD PAL - PLUTO!

I am Back from a 7 day junket to that Magic Place in Central FLA. Sea World, Disney and Universal wore me out. Not only did the Theme Parks, but the night-life exhausted the baseball Head. But, I am refreshed and back at work. Snow tonight after wading in the pool in 83deg temps this morning.

ROCKETS POWER DANCERS! Some EYE Candy on a Snowy Boston Sunday

OJ in the Hall of Fame of LOOSAHS!

Football Hall of Fame running back O.J. Simpson after being handed a lengthy sentence when he was found guilty of armed robbery, kidnapping and several other charges. Pay back is a biatch -- JUICE! The Law caught up with you and your lie-filled life. The only pure thing you ever did was on the green fields around the NFL. Now that will be all forgotten as you enter a life in prison. Good BYE!

Jim Rice's 406 total bases in 1978 were the most by an AL player since Joe DiMaggio in 1937.

2009 MLB Hall of Fame Ballot

Here are the names that will appear on the MLB Ballot for Cooperstown in 2009. Click on the name for detail about each of the candidates:

2009 candidates• Harold Baines• Jay Bell• Bert Blyleven• David Cone• Andre Dawson• Ron Gant• Mark Grace• Rickey Henderson• Tommy John• Don Mattingly• Mark McGwire• Jack Morris• Dale Murphy• Jesse Orosco• Dave Parker• Dan Plesac• Tim Raines• Jim Rice• Lee Smith• Alan Trammell• Greg Vaughn• Mo Vaughn• Matt Williams

Jim Rice MUST make it this year or his candidacy goes to the Veteran's Committee. There is a good chance the boston slugger will enter Coopwerstown and follow Yaz and TW as red Sox life-ling left fielders in the Hall.

YES - You can Buy a Red Sox Casket!

Sox Fans Can Now Show Undying Loyalty
(Click on the above link for the full story.)

The first officially licensed Red Sox casket arrived at Rockland's Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home last month, with a suggested retail price of $4,499. (Boston Globe)


Video Logo gear for the die-hard Red Sox fan

Now this is a GREAT IDEA! Death sucks, but if ya gotta go -- ya might as well go in a Red Sox casket. This is not morbid -- it is one of the best ideas i have seen in years. the price is right as well. I am sure there will be many baby Boomers who croak that will be planted in this stylish box over the next twenty to thirty years.