Doubleheader Day

Doubleheader day wasn't quite the sweep we were looking for but Victor Martinez telling me Josh was dominant and mentioning his cutter and curveball is always a good thing.

The idiot rookie ump who had Beltre thrown out in the 2nd inning of last night's game really should have some consequences heaped on him but we all know that that won't happen because umps think they are infallible. Peter Gammons was quite worked up about it on the post-game show. For the record, I adore Peter Gammons and would love to have him over to watch a game with me and do some commentary while we watch. I'll provide beer and snacks Pete! If he were accompanied by the Surviving Grady guys, even better.

Day off today and then on to Tampa Bay where we have a chance to really make a play at the wild card. It is almost too much for me to bear watching but you know I will be.

Josh Beckett Pitches in a Game! and the Red Sox Finally Make it to All-Star Break

Yesterday I went to see Josh Beckett pitch in a rehab start in Pawtucket and it was everything I had hoped it would be. First off, let me say that if you haven't been to McCoy Stadium you should go. The tickets were cheap, parking was free, and the park was really, really nice. I got there early and watched Josh warm up in the pen. Then he pitched 4 innings and let me tell you, there is nothing better in baseball than watching Josh Beckett pitch.

That being said, I did promise an unbiased report of his pitching so I can say that although he looked good, he did look like a guy rehabbing after almost 2 months of being on the DL. He let guys get ahead in the count more than I would have liked. He let this one guy (Boomer was his name) foul off it seemed like a dozen pitches before getting him out, the outfield saved him from a couple of hits that I was worried about, and he did give up a homerun. However, for his first rehab start I was impressed.

In other news the Red Sox won against Toronto yesterday but Adrian Beltre was felled in the effort. He went down with a hamstring issue that may affect his ability to play in the All-Star game. I don't think I've ever been more relieved to see the All-Star break. I want to send them all home to go to bed for the next three days so they can rest up.

Deals With the Devil Never Really Work Out

The other day I was talking to my brother-in-law and in jest told him that I thought the Yankees must have made a deal with the devil, similar to Led Zepplin's deal, in order to be so dominant. Well, I have amended my theory. I think perhaps Beltre has made a deal with the devil in order to have a dominant season, the kind of season none of us expected him to have. The price for this, however, is steep because the devil is exacting payment in terms of his teammates health. At this point, Beltre may be regretting his deal (because everyone does eventually). After all, now he knows these guys and likes them and if it keeps up they could lose their chance to make the post-season. But you know how it goes with deals with the devil. There's no return policy.