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!!