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Thursday, June 7
Tuesday, April 24
Saturday, June 24
Just re-running this in light of the coming Pedro at Fenway saga. Hope people do the right thing. This is from just after he'd signed with the Mets.
Pedro Martinez Boston Red Sox 1998-2004
Pedro Martinez is family. Family makes mistakes, family does stupid things. Pedro made some mistakes, and Pedro did some stupid things. You always love your family though. I'll always love Pedro.
Most of baseball for me is science and not emotion- scaffolding and not skin. But Pedro pierced through that for me, and I'll never forget it. I've said it to many people that know me, and I'll say it again- Pedro Martinez was my "Mickey Mantle." I'll forever be telling people how I watched him at his peak for my favorite team, and on three occasions I saw the man ply his trade and win, convincingly.
People make mistakes, but what Pedro never did was give in. Sure, he was beaten, and yes, he didn't always have his best stuff. But over 216 starts in Boston, Pedro Martinez was 117-37, and in 1999 and 2000, he produced two of the singularly great seasons for a pitcher in baseball history.
In 1999, Pedro went 23-4 in 213.3 IP. With a 2.07 ERA, Pedro was 145% better than his peers, logging an ERA+ of a staggering 245. He struck out 313 batters while walking only 37. He gave up only 9 HR. In the 1999 All Star Game in Boston, Pedro started for the AL, and in succession struck out Barry Larkin, Larry Walker, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, later getting Jeff Bagwell on a 3-2 curveball that frightens me to this day. Pedro won the All Star Game MVP, and eventually, the 1999 AL Cy Young, the 2nd in his career.
Later that season, in New York City, Pedro Martinez pitched a game that was easily the best I've ever seen thrown- a one hit, 17K performance against the defending (and soon-to-be) Champion Yankees. It was literally miraculous- fastball, changeup, curveball, slider- nothing could be touched. He shut them down in their house, and it was stunning to watch.
In the 1999 playoffs, Pedro, injured, stormed out of the bullpen in Game 5 to pitch six innings of no-hit baseball against the Indians to keep Boston in the postseason. It is, to this day, one of my three favorite moments as a baseball fan. He was carried off the field. He would later lose the regular season MVP to Ivan Rodriguez because he was left off two ballots for "not being a pitcher." By any qualitative analysis, he was the 1999 AL MVP- in fact, he received more 1st place votes than Rodriguez, and still placed 2nd.
In 2000, Pedro went 18-6 with an even more miniscule 1.74 ERA, this time making him 185% better than his AL peers, with an ERA+ of 285- astonishing. Throwing 217 innings, Pedro struck out 284 and walked only 32. 2000 is arguably his greatest season, and one of the greatest on record.
In arguably my personal favorite Pedro game of all time, in August of 2000, Pedro pitched one night at the Trop in Tampa Bay. Pedro started the game by hitting Gerald Williams- there was some latent history between the two, and Williams took exception. Playing "dead" by calmly walking halfway up the line, Williams got himself far enough away from Varitek and Daubach at 1B, and charged Pedro, landing a few shots. The benches cleared, and play resumed. These teams were very, very pissed at one another.
I remember seeing Pedro not long after the fight, and seeing him with a slight smirk. They were officially in for it- Pedro was almost glad it happened, as it gave him a prime excuse and opportunity to reign hell down on the Tampa hitters. In the process of going nine innings, striking out 13, and surrendering no walks, Pedro took a no-hitter into the 9th inning, where with 2 outs, John Flaherty finally broke up the bid. Pedro took shit from no one those days, and his performance that day was ruthless.
Pedro was just what I loved about baseball players- he was a pitcher, he threw hard, he had a devastating curveball, he played for the Red Sox, and he had a swagger. He was like that old adage- it's not the size of the dog in the fight... Pedro Martinez was John Wayne and Indiana Jones, but a quarter the size. Pedro was built like my mom, but when he roared back and let fly a fastball exploding off the spiders he called appendages, striking out a batter and ending an inning, he did this thing, this stalk...
He would flip his arm back up in the air, and never moving his head from the original target, he would slowly pace towards the dugout. He walked deliberately and with the presence of someone ten times his size- with the presence of someone not human- slowly moving his head as he shifted laterally, like those eyes in a painting that follow you around the room. Pedro was a gunfighter in an accountant's frame- unbelievably inspiring and lovable, someone we, Red Sox fans, could puff our chests over.
In those brilliant years- 1998-2000, 2002 and parts of 03, he was it- as sure of a sure thing as anyone in baseball history. I remember in southern CT when I was younger not getting to see many Pedro games, but I'd sign on to AOL to the rinky-dink update section, a slight tan and dark maroon color, trying to get news on the Sox. On Petey days, it wasn't if he won- it was what number was preceding "teen" in the strikeout count. He WAS the Red Sox those years, and almost completely carried them wherever they went. Nomar was great, and hitters came and went- but every spring, it seemed our fates rested tentatively on his beautiful, miraculous right shoulder.
He was unfathomable- a perfect pitcher that had power, finesse, game theory and instincts. He was intimidating- an attractive quality- and he was dominant. Hard not to love. You'd be in the throes of worry over a big inning, and after Pedro made legs into jelly adding another "K"- sauntering off the mound like he'd just won a duel- you absolutely COULD NOT help it...
You had to smile. It was unavoidable.
On his off days too, he was magnetic. Laughing, joking, enjoying Fenway Park. Getting taped to dugout walls by teammates. Tying string to baseballs and teasing fans behind the dugout, finally coming out and signing the ball. Dancing, the hair, the quotes."I'm sick of the damn Babe. Wake up the Bambino, have me face him- maybe I'll drill him in the ass!"
"Georgie-Porgie... he may have the money to buy the whole league, but he doesn't have the money to buy fear to put into my heart."
"Who is Karim Garcia?"
Not only was he a genius, an artist with the baseball (this is something I used to say about him constantly)- he was a character, a genuine eccentric that was enjoyable to follow. No buttoned up cliches and tired appearances- Pedro was an icon, and he was different. He was... Pedro.
There were bad moments, too. The injury in 2001 that was deeply forboding, there were no-shows at team pictures, late arrivals at spring training and meetings, extra time off for the Alls Star breaks, an expectation of seperate behavior. It's part of his time as a Red Sox, but isn't part of his legacy. What Pedro did, he did on the field, and when he was on the field, as Jason Varitek grew fond of saying,
"Believe in the man."
I'll always love Pedro, the guy that made me move from a love of baseball to a preternatural worship and obsession with it. I have a Pedro Martinez away Red Sox jersey, and I will ALWAYS have a Pedro Martinez away Red Sox jersey, just like I will always have the years he spent here, hurtling his tiny body and wire fingers at home plate, bending and firing and stalling. I can honestly say that few things in this world make me as happy as a Pedro Martinez changeup.
He's gone on now, and I'll wish him all the success in the world. From the Broseph--
Thank you for never being sorry for the things you said.
Thank you for giving me something to bragg about to my Yankee fans. "You can have all the pitchers in the world, but you don't have Pedro"
Thank you for game 3 of the WS.
Thank you for making my family so happy.
Thank you for not going to the Yankees.
Thanks for wanting to beat the Yankees just as much as the fans do.
Thanks Pedro, you will be missed.
He helped bring us a World Series title, and he did it by pitching beautifully in Game Three, a game that I will always cherish- my favorite player's first time in a Series game. He was terrific, earning the win.
It makes me sad to think I'll never get to have that feeling- Pedro's pitching tonight. Unless you were a Red Sox fan at the height of Pete's powers, you'll never understand what that truly, truly meant. You were watching greatness- you knew it going in, you knew it while it was happening, and you revelled in it afterwards. You felt special, privileged, honored- he was this brilliant, and he was this brilliant for us. He told us how much we meant to him, and we always cheered him hard.
I'll tell my kids about Pedro, in vivid detail, and I'll tell them not to believe everything they read about him either, because he was a godsend when he was in Boston red.
It makes me sad, too, to close the book on Pedro as a Red Sox, but he's family. I'll visit him in Flushing Meadow, and though family does things to make you upset, you always forgive them, and you always love them. Best of luck, Pedro- and thanks for all the amazing, amazing memories.
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Saturday, May 27
So it's been a weird couple days since last I posted- especially Thursday. I was already jealous of Erin because she'd taken the day off to take Wanda to an Old Navy casting call (no joke- it's some national campaign they're doing to find a dog mascot; Wanda is already the BSM mascot, however), and I just didn't want to come out of the beautiful weather and spend it at work. Teh suckola.
So I get there, and after beeping in with my ID pass, I noticed in my building lobby- which is your typical big company nice lobby- streaming water in steady flow from a number of different spots. Normally I'm in a pretty dazed mood that early, so it took me a long time to then notice the MASSIVE line snaking all around the lobby and out the door. Since my elevator bank was cordoned off, I figured I was destined for the line, so I followed it out, starting midway between 5th and 6th Ave, extending out along 45th St. around the corner and down 6th Ave. Basically, this was an entire 35 floor building of employees standing in line to go up in like, 5 people groups up the service elevator. Ridiculous.
So, I broke off the line to wait it down and read in the nice little plaza next to the place. Seriously, I don't know if any NYC'ers remember as far back as Thursday, but that was an absolutely gorgeous day.
Eventually, the line subsides a bit and I hop on, ultimately getting into the part 
of the line that was extended in through the lobby, about 30 people behind the ultimate destination of the service elevator. As this was happening I started to think- "if the only way out of this building is the fucking service elevator, how do I get out for lunch and shit? 10 floors of stairs? Effing ponderous, man." I felt like I was in an amusement park line, but, you know- suckass version.
Just as I was thinking this however, the main security guard basically shut off the service elevator and started fairly ominously evacuating the lobby. I'm telling you, I can smell a day off. Things were falling into place. We went outside into the lobby area adjacent to the building, and I sat there watching not only the lobby inhabitants but the entire building. It was about 1045 at this point, and I couldn't really see a scenario where we could all get the elevators fixed and back up the stairs. It was looking good.
So, I sat outside reading some more until my fellow cubicle warrior Ed told me I could go home, and that I was getting paid. I told you- I can smell a day off.
Off I went into the nice weather. Totally worth it. After running around and doing some shit, I actually decided to head indoors to see a movie- Poseidon, because I was curious. I'll spend about as much time reviewing it as they did in making it a viable "movie"- it fucking sucked on every level possible. Snore.
I got out at 1 PM on Friday for Memorial Day however, and X-Men 3 saved the day for my cinema watching weekend. It was really, really good. Just a ton of fun- I don't read comic books or anything, and I hated the first one, mildly enjoyed the second one, and loved this one. I mean, if you're a superfan, don't go by me though, because I don't really have a stake in this race. I just thought it was a fun movie.
I will say, however, that being seated directly next to a guy in the crowded theatre gave me a nice peek into how fanboys will react to it. This guy was clearly an 
X-men geek (which I think he'd have been glad to admit), as evidenced by his pointing tons of clearly obvious shit out to his girlfriend and anticipating lines, and naming characters as they came on the screen. Anyway, he was full-on nerding out during the entire third act of the movie. He was so excited he was laughing at everything that happened in the big finale. Not joking.
THEN, he implored the jam pack theatre to wait because, "there's more after the credits!" Sitting next to him, I felt bad not taking his advice, and liking the movie, I was curious too. So yea, there's another scene after the credits. It's pretty fucking cool, too actually. So stay through the credits.
Couple quick notes about baseball last night- the long delay and ultimate Giambi double play to end the Yankee game was HIGHLY entertaining. A lot more than I thought it'd be too, considering the opponent.
As of yesterday, the Royals were on pace to win 36 games. That'd be good for a 36-126 record, worst in baseball history, and in fact, were it not for their 5-1 record against the far superior Cleveland Indians, they'd be even worse off. I really think they're the worst team I've ever seen (worse than the 2003 Tigers), and it's just tremendously sad that Allard Baird has a job after wasting a ton of cash on Reggie Sanders, Doug Mientkiewicz and Mark Grudzielanek. I mean- maybe one of them. But three? Fucking jackass.
Also, given the matchup, I had the Sox game as a likely loss last night. Kazmir's been one of the ten best pitchers in baseball since about July of last season, and Wells was just coming off the DL. But, Wells looked fantastic through four, and we eventually really got to Kazmir- really a first for the Sox. So that was good. We're beating up on nemeses now, it's on. I'm looking at you, Ted Lilly.
Really, really too bad about Wells. Early reports have it as a "deep contusion," which is more promising than "shattered/ exploded knee joint," which is what it looked like. In fact, when the camera was on his face as he lay belly down on the infield grass, I could have sworn I could make him out to have said "I swear I broke it..."
Anyway, there's a realistic chance that those were the last pitches David Wells ever throws, especially given the state of his knees. I'm rooting hard for him to get back, but if he doesn't- he's had an absolutely tremendous career. I always liked David- even when he was a Yankee. He said what he thought, and it was often stupid, 
but he's always been an interesting, engaging guy. I always loved how he approached pitching, his style of pitching, and the fact that he never walks hitters. Control pitchers are my favorite, I'll admit. If there's a silver lining here, it may be that Clemens sees this as an opportunity to "rescue" the Red Sox rotation which, he could absolutely do. So cross your fingers.
Also, Foulke struggled again, and as pure and tremendous evidence that Boston Red Sox fans suck complete dick sometimes, some total mouthbreather stood up behind the Sox dugout- in a Red Sox uniform- and laid into Foulke hard enough to garner a response. This happens more than it seems, too- in every game I went to last year, Foulke was booed as he came into the game. Grrreeeatttt fans.
BUT- great win last night, and the Royals getting just one from the Yankees is more than you can ask for. Hey, maybe they'll steal another.
Schilling going for 200 wins tonight.
Don't hold your breaths for the LOST post. It's coming, but I have to re-watch it, and the fact that I have about 4 months to write it doesn't help my motivation. I WILL post on it though...
Yes, I noticed that Clay Buchholz made a start yesterday- just skipping an update this week. I'll update Buchholz/ Pedroia/ Lester next time around. In the meantime, David Murphy was promoted to AAA Pawtucket yesterday, and started his AAA career with a 2-4 game; a HR, 2B and a deep fly robbed of a HR.
Murphy got off to an awful start, but over his last 23 games in Portland, Murphy's hit at an 857 OPS. Still a long way away from creating a level of optimism, but he's now shown two long, pronounced stretches of great hitting- the other being at the end of last season. So we'll see.
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Wednesday, May 24
So, that Inaugural Button Contest went over like a lead fucking balloon. Not counting myself and Erin, only two (very awesome) people entered! Erin tells me it's because I made you do "research." Well, I don't want to strain anyone. 
Anyway, Lee and wincheck can have a pin, they can have a sticker- whatever. Up to them. Guys- email me your mailing addresses and preferences. Totally up to you.
Now, after re-approaching the drawing board...
It's trivia time! Everyone loves trivia!
OK, here goes. What position player was elected to the Hall of Fame with the fewest number of hits to his MLB resume? This group does NOT include pitchers, or people voted into the Hall for reasons other than their playing careers (for example, Connie Mack is in as a manager, but played and had 659 career hits).
First one to get it right gets the pin. Try not to look it up- it's more fun to guess. I'm not going to be a nazi about it though. You can guess as many times as you want, but let's keep it to one guess a post. I'll come around to confirm/ deny periodically.
Again, winner gets either the Atlanta Braves 1B/ 3B Bob Horner pin, or can pick from a list of other ones I'm offering up if they'd prefer. I'll throw in a BSM sticker too, since I love you all so very dearly.
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Jon Lester made his 9th trip to the mound last night in Pawtucket against the Louisville Bats. Jon got his 3rd win of the season in a tight game, which was a nice sign. First, let's look at his season to date first.JON LESTER | SP | B:L T:L | 22 YO | AAA PAW.
__________ERA______SO______BB______H______IP______HR
2006_____3.13______37______17_____33_____37.1______4
As I mentioned, Jon got his 3rd win of the season last night in what was a very successful start for him results-wise.
His line: 5.0 IP, 3 H, ER, 4 BB, 3 K (84 pitches; 47 strikes)
OUT DISTRIBUTION
GB: 7
FB: 4
SO: 3
The good news- he kept the ball on the ground for the most part, limited what the damage in the jams he got into, and allowed only the one run, putting his team in a great shape for a victory.
The bad news- poor command, fewer strikeouts, more inefficiency with his pitches, 
and apparently was very wild in the strike zone. Jon has not made it out of the 5th inning this year, despite routinely getting around the 90 pitch mark his last few starts.
smastroyin, a moderator at SoSH, was at the Bucket last night, and gave a great rundown of Lester's performance. Here it is:Note that my seat tonight was at an angle to the plate which means I had to go by the speed to distinguish between the slider and the cutter. The slider typically clocks in in the mid-80s and the cutter is in the high-80's low-90's. They look almost the same from more than 100 feet and especially at the angle I was at.
First inning. He started off using the cutter and quickly got a weak ground ball from Bergolla. He then started Olmeda with a curveball that didn't break and sailed out of the zone and followed up with a couple of fastballs, one close, one not close at all. On the not close at all one, he actually fell off the mound at the end of his delivery. He got a strike on the cutter but then walked Olmeda on a pitch that was very high and tight. Denorfio took a ball then popped a high slider to shallow RF for Machado. Lester quickly got ahead of Gutierrez, threw a beautiful 0-2 curve that was called a ball, and then Gut/ grounded weakly to Enrique Wilson at 3B. In total 13 pitches, 7 for strikes.
Second inning. Lester threw a fasball by Andy Abad with the first pitch of the inning then switched to all offspeed stuff out of the strikezone to run the count 3-1. Another FB which may have been out of the zone but that Abad fouled off, and then Abad hit a line drive right off of Lester. Hard to tell where it hit him, but I think it may have been the glove hand. He then walked another old friend, Earl Snyder, getting only a consolation call on a 3-0 cutter. He was visibly frustrated during this at bat and threw the rosin bag to the ground after the walk and took a little trip around the back of the mound. He then sacked up and got Bannon and Kata on swinging strikeouts, one of the slider, Kata on a curveball way out of the zone. 20 pitches, 10 for strikes.
Third inning. He started Sardinha looking foolish on a cutter and a 95 mph FB then on 0-2 threw a flat curveball right over the heart of the plate. A major league hitter would have put it over the Green Monster - from Pawtucket. Sardinha roped a double that would have likely been caught if the Sox outfield weren't playing so much to the opposite field. Lester then got a gift out on a sac bunt (in the 3rd inning with the leadoff guy? who is managing Louisville?). He fielded it cleanly and could probably give Lenny DiNArdo a quick lesson on properly throwing the ball to first base. Next up Ray Olmeda who was obviously frustrated by walking in the first and swung at everything near the plate. Honestly he could have walked on four pitches again. Instead the count got to 3-2 and he managed to foul off a few more pitches before whiffing on either a fast curveball or a heavy moving slider. After the K, Lester walked Denorfio on four pitches maybe one of which you might say "aw come on ump." Gutierrez then hit a soft one hopper to short for the final out. 20 pitches, 11 for strikes.
Fourth inning. The sun had gone down by this point and it was cold in the park. About 50 degrees with a decent wind. Abad hit a towering fly ball that ended up about 10 feet behind the infield but seemed to take 5 minutes to get there. Earl Snyder looped a 1-0 pitch to the second baseman, and after falling behind Bannon 3-0, Lester came back to retire him on a well hit fly to left field. 12 pitches, 6 for strikes.
Fifth inning. Kata, who had looked foolish before, walked on 5 pitches and the strike was another gift swing at a ball well out of the zone. Lester's frustration at this point was evident enough that I took note of it. Huckaby visited the mound. Sardinha then got his second hit when he looped a single to RF on a 1-1 cutter that stayed in the middle of the plate. Again a sac bunt saved Lester some pitches (seriously, this is the leadoff hitter in the fifth inning. I would fire a manger for this) Another long battle with Olmeda swinging at just about everything resulted in a short pop to left field that couldn't score the runner from third. However, Denorfio took a 1-0 fastball and drilled it on the ground through the left side of the infield for a single, however Durrington made a nice throw to gun down the runner from second ending the inning, and Lester's night. 19 pitches, 10 for strikes.
On the night he threw 5 innings, faced 21 batters, walked 4 and struck out 3, all swinging. He gave up 3 hits and the lone run. But he also needed 84 pitches to get through 5 innings and only threw 44 of those for strikes. Note that of 15 outs recorded, three were gifts - two sac bunts and a runner thrown out at the plate.
I am thinking from the pattern of pitches that he is still on a program because he really didn't use the fastball enough considering it was his best pitch and the only one he had consistent command of. The Red Sox must (understanably) want him throwing the cutter and slider more to get better command of them and they seem to be keeping him from throwing the curve too much...
A lot of what I recorded as a slider could have been the change with movement. I basically try to identify the cutter as breaking in on RHB and the slider the opposite, but I'm no scout. He wasn't throwing a straight change earlier in the year, but he may be now. I think the change is one of the harder "cold weather" pitches because of the difficulty of maintaining a change up grip while keeping fastball mechanics.
Here's another firsthand account, for some balance.
I think this tells us a couple things- first, that Lester isn't quite as far along as people hoping for a stop in Boston late in the year are thinking. But, it also seems that Lester may be on a regimen that's leading to some struggles by getting him to focus on his weaknesses. This was something mentioned in reference to Hanley Ramirez last year who, while struggling nearly the entire season in AA, was 
supposedly being instructed to work solely on hitting the ball up the middle and shortening his stride. Whether that's true or not a highly debatable, but it's something definitely worth considering. Lester is still in a development stage, the enthusiasm for his potential notwithstanding.
As I've mentioned before, Jon has a prospect journal at Baseball America. He hasn't updated it since my last Lester entry here, from which I quoted, but just including the link, because it's a pretty interesting set of reads.
Here is the PawSox game story, from Projo.com- seems Lester would concur with the scouting report from last night.PAWTUCKET -- Jon Lester didn't think so, but his manager thought the young left-hander gave the Pawtucket Red Sox five strong innings last night against the Louisville Bats at McCoy Stadium.
Lester, rated as the top pitching prospect in the Boston organization, threw 84 pitches (47 strikes), allowing just three hits while walking four, striking out three and giving up one run in a 2-1 PawSox victory.
"Jon developed tonight," said PawSox skipper Ron Johnson. "There's nights when you take your real good stuff out there, but tonight he didn't have his command (and) his stuff got him through. After he came out (of the game), he was kind of disappointed, but you know what, that was an outstanding outing.
"He fell behind a lot of hitters and he had to stay mature and composed. I was very pleased with that tonight."
Lester's next start is at home on May 28th against the Norfolk Tides, the Mets AAA team. There he'll face one of his old Eastern League opponents, top prospect Lastings Milledge, who is off to a 286/ 437/ 448 start as the starting CF. Norfolk isn't a terribly strong offensive team, though 2B/ SS Anderson Hernandez has hit very well since coming off the DL for the Tides (after starting the year at Shea). He's batting at a 333/ 388/ 422 line. Watch out though, Jon- lurking as a utility IF is old friend... Jose "Hothands" Offerman. THE HOSE!PREVIOUS mL UPDATES
Tuesday, April 4th
Friday, April 7th
Friday, April 14th
Wednesday, April 19th
Thursday, April 27th
Tuesday, May 2nd
Sunday, May 7th
Wednesday, May 10th
Tuesday, May 16th
Thursday, May 18th
Monday, May 22nd
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Monday, May 22
Just a heads up: the pins are in, and tomorrow around 3:30 I'll have the first "contest" up, and I'll announce what pin it's for (unfortunately, it won't be for Eddie). Whatever it will be- obstacle course, feats of strength, trivia contest, an order from on high to make me laugh in some fashion- speed will be your friend. Please- consider this.
So... limber up.
Check back on this post around that time, and we'll start the proceedings.**UPDATE**
OK, here's the dilly.
Go to the Dugout Archives. There's a ton of them. You can sort by player, date, team- whatever. Find the funniest one. Link it in the comments section.
I decide who's pick is the actual funniest. They get the pin- Atlanta Braves 1B/ 3B Bob Horner! (Or, if that's for whatever reason totally objectionable to you, you can pick from a list)
If nothing else, this will get you reading The Dugout. Now, go! Posting CLOSES at noon tomorrow. Run like the wind...
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First of all- I watched Trainspotting last night on a whim starting at about 1 AM, and I apparently had forgotten how absolutely tremendous a movie that is. Just unbelievable in about every respect. The music- which was well documented at the time, with a soundtrack that, if I recall, sold really well- was just perfect. My favorite is the scene was "Nightclubbin'" by Iggy Pop. Everybody mentions the "Perfect Day" scene too, which is great- the carpet blinders being an oddly perfect touch- but I think I got "used" to that scene, so "Nightclubbin'" stuck out this time around.
I remember when I first saw it I seriously could not make head or tail of half of what they were saying- the accents are just ridiculously thick. I'd seen it a couple times after, and now years later, it's pretty easy to pick up. Begbie, though, to this day, is absolutely inscrutable. I still don't know what half his lines were. One thing I'd never noticed was that Tommy- the one who dies from toxoplasmosis- was played by Kevin McKidd, now seen as the lead on Rome. That should tell you how long it had been since I'd seen the movie- I didn't even notice him when I watched Rome.
The scene where Renton dives in the "worst toilet in Scotland" for the anal suppository is still genuinely disgusting. That penultimate shot is still 
devastating as well- the pan around the room to all the mates, sleeping, finally settling on Spud, who's wide awake and looks horrified.
Remember when that movie came out, and there was a huge hullabaloo about how heroin was becoming too "popular" and how it was permeating the culture too much? Then there was a "heroin chic" joke on Seinfeld (when Jerry points out that Elaine's makeup is all smudged and she's wearing the same clothes from the day before- because of Dave Puddy- and she says "Oh no, it's the new look- heroin chic..."). Then I remember reading an article on heroin culture in USA Today. For two months it was like everyone was a smackhead but me. Everyone kept bringing up Janis Joplin and Kurt Cobain too like they were relevant to the point in 1996.
Great, great movie.
Also, this weekend, I went bowling. Erin and I hung out with some friends for a birthday, and one of the "activities" was bowling. It was at Leisure Time Bowl in Port Authority, which is just truly the crown jewel of the island of Manhattan. How tremendously appropriate it is that so many of our visitors are left to feast on that visual treat as they enter our wonderful city. Man, I LOVE Port Authority.
So yea, I was throwing ROCKS [that night]! (I said this no fewer than 15 times, for 
you Lebowski-ites) We played two games, and I bowled the rare consecutive 113 game scores (that's a nice shot of my ass directly to the right- as I pick my weapon of choice). Dominating. I'd also point out that Erin was shellacked TWO games in a row by her natural arch-rival Nicole. Erin's excuses included "I let her win," and "Oh those Ohio people- all they're good at is bowling," and "whatever- it's BOWLING." Truly, truly sad.
I also saw Mission: Impossible: III on Friday, and I must say- if you'd like to sit in a theatre and be entertained for two hours by explosions, PS Hoffman as a bad guy, and a genuine lunatic pretending to be a normal, run of the mill CIA agent- this is your movie. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a fun diversion. Plus, Maggie Q is an effing fox.
I know I said I'd have one of the usual long LOST posts, but I'm going to skip that this week. Most of what happened was setup for Wednesday's 2-hr finale episode anyway, and I've had a lot of other stuff goin' down.
To me, the biggest things from this episode were:
but more or less corroborates everything Claire remembers happening in the "Maternity Ward" episode.
Also- prediction (no spoiler, just a guess)- that sailboat they all see at the end of the episode, at the funeral- is Desmond-related.
I don't know if I've ever been as excited for an episode of a TV show as I am for this finale Wednesday.
I'll definitely have a breakdown of that for those interested.
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Update time...DUSTIN PEDROIA | 2B/ SS | B:R T:R | 22 YO | AAA PAW.
_____________BA_______OBP______SLG_______HR_______BB_______SO______SB
2006_______.241______.336_____.339________1_______16________14_______0
Pretty rough week for Pedroia, which saw his BA/ OBP both drop by around 20 pts. each. He's not making any consistent contact, and isn't driving the ball. There is some hope, however, at the start of a new update- Dustin's best game came yesterday in Scranton/ Wilkes Barre, where he went 2-for-5 with a 2B, a 3B, a run scored and 2 RBI in the PawSox win.
No new word on Lowrie in extended Spring Training- mL injury updates are real tough to come by.CLAY BUCHHOLZ | SP | B:L T:R | 21 YO | MID-A GVL.
__________ERA______SO______BB______H______IP______HR
2006_____3.29______29_______8_____28_____27.1______3
Clay's 6th start of the season came Saturday in West Virginia against the Power, a game the Drive lost 13-4. Clay had his second straight poor start of the season, getting roughed up even worse than last outing.
Clay's line: 4 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR
OUT DISTRIBUTION
GB: 5
FB: 2
SO: 5
Hard to say if this is just a struggle, or maybe a dead arm period- or if it's recurrence of injury. That being said, his BB and HR rates are (naturally) up over the last two starts, and his K rate is lowering. After two starts, not anything to be overly concerned with, but hopefully he can rebound in his next start to get back on track.
Clay's next scheduled start is May 25th at home against the Greensboro Grasshoppers, The Florida Marlins Sally affiliate. Greensboro's big offensive star is IF Gabriel Sanchez, leading the team with a 1.109 OPS. OF Jeffrey Van Houten (awesome name) and C Andrew Jenkins are the other offensive standouts, with OPSs above 800.
Keep in mind- the Red Sox have scheduled skipped starts during the season that are unrelated to injury. Clay may be in line for one- I'm not sure of their methodology for when they get implemented.PREVIOUS mL UPDATES
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Thursday, May 18
Mr. #1 Prospect threw last night. I'm gonna keep up with Jon this season. It's settled. Don't everyone cheer at once. It was his 8th start of the year, and while he's not getting decisions, he is starting to get consistent results. His K rate, K/BB rate, and WHIP are all very strong even when factoring his first few appearances. His HR allowed have plummeted as well.
As well as he's thrown, he's still a ways away from Boston. But moving towards mastering AAA is a great step. Let's take a look.JON LESTER | SP | B:L T:L | 22 YO | AAA PAW.
__________ERA______SO______BB______H______IP______HR
2006_____3.34______34______13_____30_____32.1______4
Lester picked up right where he left off last start by throwing 5.2 excellent innings last night in Buffalo for what ended up being a Pawtucket loss.
Jon's line: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K (92 pitches)
OUT DISTRIBUTION
GB: 5
FB: 7
SO: 5
Jon also gave up two unearned runs.
Remember- Baseball Prospectus for one was a little more down than most on Lester because of his gb/fb ratio. If it tilts below average in the minors, even despite some success, it can end up being a bad indicator for the long run. I don't think we're there yet, though, and the only realistic issue anyone could have with this outing was that he wasn't as efficient as you'd like him to be with 92 pitches.
But right now, Jon's pitching really, really well. It's a great sign, adapting to both early struggle, and a level jump. I'm really pumped about this player. Consider this as well- here are Jon's numbers since his 60-pitch count was removed:20.2 IP, 1.31 ERA, 5 BBs and 19 Ks
In an older article in The Globe, we get a look at how routine-oriented Lester is, and how much of his success often banks on this.Lester, being the creature of habit he is, appeared thoroughly unsuited to relieving. In his debut, in Bradenton, he was told before the game he'd follow Schilling. But when Schilling was done, Lester wasn't sufficiently warmed up, so the club pitched Edgar Martinez an inning. When Lester did come in, he threw eight of his first nine pitches for balls.
He's pitched in relief only a couple of times in his minor league career, and, he 
said, ''It didn't work out for me. I never knew when I was going in. I kind of need to have a routine. If I don't have that routine, everything's off."
Reminds me of Mike Mussina. That's not a great trait to have, honestly, and his inability to be broken in as a long man in the Boston bullpen will probably delay his arrival time, frankly. But, this can also be used to put his start to this season in a bit more context.
Here's the PawSox game story from ProJo (reg. req.):The Bisons took the lead in the bottom of the third with a pair of unearned runs off Pawtucket starter Jon Lester. Both scored with two out when Jason Dubois' low liner to right hit the glove of Allen and bounded away.
Jon has been doing a "Prospect Diary" for Baseball America. Here's the archive. Jon has recently updated on May 10th and May 17th.I'm finally starting to get the hang of things here in Pawtucket. The game is starting to slow down and I am able to control the tempo a little more easily. Before when things weren't going all that great, I was unable to control what my tempo was and control what I wanted to throw.
My last outing was a great example of controlling the tempo. Up until the fourth inning things were going pretty well, until a couple of errors that allowed a run, and a possible rally. But I was able to control my thoughts and tempo and put a stop to the rally and possible big inning...
During spring training I was able to form a relationship with Curt Schilling. He was very helpful with the mental side of the game. We discussed a lot about what has helped him in the past with the ups and downs of a major league season. We still talk every now and again about different things regarding every angle of pitching, and it's always good to have a brain like that to be able to pick.
Jon's journal is definitely worth checking out. He usually has at least one very revealing/ insightful point about his season and progress in every entry.
Jon's next start looks to be scheduled May 23rd at home against the Louisville Bats, Cincinatti's AAA affiliate. OFs Cody Ross and Chris Denorfia lead the team in OPS. Note that his start may get shuffled around with all the makeups possible to get squeezed in for the PawSox.PREVIOUS mL UPDATES
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Tuesday, May 16th
Couple quick notes- I'll have a little LOST entry up tonight, and if you've got time, check out James Wrona's work online, especially if you like zombies. If you don't, start liking zombies. They're zombies, but they appreciate warmth just like the rest of us.
They'll still eat your genitals, though, among other things. Just pointing that out. May turn you OFF to zombies, but I'll only point out that they're conditioned to eat flesh and need it to "live" (heh heh). They especially like brains, so- yea. They'll eat those too.
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