Ringing In...

For someone who co-authored a second book on the Red Sox you would think I'd've spent more time blogging about them. Two trips to Fenway during a championship season sans family, but not a peep out of me. My whole crew did make it out to Citifield, and I can't wait for everyone to get a wee bit older for a fuller appreciation of the games. A) We will stay later than the fifth inning & B) the kids will be able to get from place to place on their own. The Mets-Tigers game was a nice treat. I thought we were seeing the eventual champs little did I know I had seen them already in New England. Baseball has really become a 365/24/7 deal with their own network and constant array of tweets. I've made it a point to introduce as many nephews as I can to games like strat-o-matic or Cadaco baseball, while I intermittently waver in enthusiasm for WIS. This year was the first since I was under ten that I didn't play a softball game. I might've even missed out on wiffleball. Hmmm. Can't let that happen in 2014. Honestly not a day goes by without thinking about baseball. Whether it's on a website, Baseball Digest, HBT, etc. Looking forward to more wild finishes and explaining the game to my two beautiful kids.

Wild About 2013

This season I saw two games at Fenway and two games at CitiField. My family and I managed to catch 2012 Triple Crown winner and 2003 World Series winner Miguel Cabrera swat #42, but we missed Travis d'Arnaud launch his first career homer. During a trip to Boston Rit, Jon, and I caught Big Papi swat one into the stands. Right now I've got the Rangers-Rays play-in on the set as I dwell on another season go by. This year it was enjoyable to have many games on and have Cyrus fall asleep. At times he preferred to watch 'golf balls' but he was usually content to watch some baseball as long as we saw some Umi Zoomi or more recently 'Pup Control.' As always there were surprises and status quo. I didn't blog nearly as much as I should've considering I had my second book published so I'll try to make up during playoff baseball. Here are my thoughts on each team for the 2013 season...
Boston Red Sox (97-65) What a difference Bobby Valentine makes?! A memorable season for Bostonians from the appalling events of the Boston Marathon to Daniel Nava's homerun a week later to a return to the top of the AL East. Grand Theft Ellsbury led the majors in steals, while John Farrell resurrected Lester, Lackey, and Buchholz. Koji Uehara was a revelation as a closer and he made everyone forget the previous #19.

St. Louis Cardinals (97-65) Matt Carpenter's breakthrough season made second Albert Pujolsless season a success. The Cards haven't missed a beat or the playoffs since Pujol's departure. Yadier Molina was the first half team MVP as he builds on what I feel is a Hall of Fame type career.

Atlanta Braves (96-66) One Upton earned his paycheck, while the other was below the Mendoza line. But defense wins championships and Andrelton Simmons will most likely win his first of many Gold Gloves. Will they suffer the same fate as many of those 90s era Braves squads or will the city of Atlanta finally enjoy its second World Series championship.

Oakland Athletics (96-66) The 27th highest payroll proves that Billy Beane is at it again. Yoenis Cespedes best performance was at the Homerun Derby, but Bartolo Colon proved Cy worthy while avoiding more suspension time. Is a first World Series appearance since the Bash Brothers in the books or will my brother's heart be broken again?

Pittsburgh Pirates (94-68) The Buccos enjoyed their first winning season since I was in college with a Wild Card berth. While the Steelers are playing like the Pirates and the Pirates playing like The Family, Pittsburgh is once again a baseball town. Get the Shark tank ready as one of baseball's finest stadiums finally gets to host a playoff game.

Detroit Tigers (93-69) Arguably the best team in baseball with two(!?!?) Cy Young winners, two MVPs, and one Prince Fielder. But about that closer?!They were no-hit on the final day of the season, but are looking for the last hit and final say on the 2013 post-season.

Cleveland Indians (92-70) Swishaliscious and Giambino surface in 'Cleaveland' and everyone is all smiles. Okay, it helped that Terry Francona is in the dugout. The reward for such a fine season? A Wild Card game with the winner heading to Fenway.

Los Angeles (92-70) Don Mattingly went from nearly fired to manager of the year candidate. An historic summer run led by Cuban non-all-star Yasiel Puig had everyone loving LA as Kobe mended his Achilles. Will the curse of the Donbo continue in the World Series?

Texas Rangers & Tampa Bay Rays (91-71) Rays are up 3-1 right now. Rangers had a fine season minus Josh Hamilton. Yu Darvish struck out close to 300 hitters and most likely 100 Astros, but an early September collapse landed them in the play-in game. I've long stated the Rays were the best of the AL East, however they probably called up Wil Myers to late to prove my point.

Cincinnati Reds (90-72) A few weeks ago I picked the Red Machine to win it all based on the fact they have yet to have a great run yet. Plus I think Bronson Arroyo is the coolest ever and would love to see him match up against the Sox in the World Series. 1975 anyone?!?

Baseball Card Day 2013

These photos are actually from February but I've been a really lame blogger this season. I guess the good news I've been busy with life and doing less documenting. Second book arrived in the spring of a successful school year. Afterwards, Cy and I thoroughly enjoyed another EWD summer. A very rewarding 2013 with more still to come!

How the Red Sox Explain New England Arrives!

Whenever we are at the bookstore and we track down copies of I Love the Red Sox, I Hate the Yankees Cyrus shouts out, "Your book!" And that never gets old. Well today our author copies of How the Red Sox Explain New England from Triumph Books arrived! Cyrus was positively excited! He wanted to "write" his book, so I gave him a copy which he proceeded to write in and sign. This will of course be a really cool keepsake. I'm so glad the kids are growing up in a world where writing a book is part of the routine. As for the 2013 Sox I hope they play well so when we go out on our book tour (which is shaping up to be fairly extensive) there is some excitement for the book. Right now it looks like Yanks and Sox might battle for 4th and 5th place. We're just hoping the Yankees suffer through a season the likes of which the Sox recently became too familiar with recently. Thank you to Jon Chattman who got me into writing books with my bro Rich. Jon also supplied me with chances to meet Leslie Feist and James Iha. Jon rocks! Thanks to Shira for coping with me at all stops. Juniper and Cyrus are lucky to spend their days with you! My family and friends have always been supportive and many of them can't wait to see this finished piece. Fenway Forever!