SoxSpace News

The Byrd Is The Word by Jared Carrabis
"Maybe I can get that World Series ring."

With one day remaining in the month of August, a pair of ringless 38-year-old veteran pitchers made their 2009 debuts for the Boston Red Sox.

With one common goal in mind, winning a World Series, the return of Paul Byrd to the Red Sox organization and the unveiling of Billy Wagner in a Red Sox uniform sent a more than promising message to the fans of Boston, as well as the teams looking to compete with this team for a playoff spot down the stretch.

Byrd, who had originally retired from the game of baseball unless the right opportunity presented itself, signed a minor league deal with Boston back on August 5. Well, that opportunity presented itself and Byrd made the most of his return on Sunday.

The crafty right-hander shared his secret to staying in big league shape to the media, while wearing a blue hat with an "R" on the face. "This is the Georgia Roadrunners [hat]," said Byrd. "This is my 13 [and under] team. My son, Grayson, is on that team and my other son, Colby, who i...READ MORE!

Published on August 30, 2009 See Comment(s)

Kick Save and a Beauty by Jared Carrabis
"That was the play of the game if you ask me."

Tonight, around 1:10am on Saturday morning, my Nana passed away.

As hard as it is for me to write about this game tonight, she was one of the strongest people I ever knew, and I know deep down that she wouldn't want me to take a night off from doing what I love to do. She had been waiting for my book to come out since I first started writing it back in December of 2007. Tonight, she passed away with one of the first copies by her pillow. Inside I wrote, "I hope I made you proud, I'll love you always." She lived a long and very happy life, leaving us at the age of 98, and would have turned 99 next month.

She never gave up, and neither will I. So, for her, I will write tonight.

As the Red Sox came off a convincing series, taking three of four from Chicago, Boston now turned their focus to a three-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays with September just four days away.

Josh Beckett took the mound, looking to recover from an abysmal outing, which saw five Yankee home runs leav...READ MORE!

Published on August 29, 2009 See Comment(s)

One Fan's Story: If This Hat Could Talk Now On Sale! by Jared Carrabis
Jared Carrabis' debut book hits the online store today!

Here it is folks, the long awaited, 352 page book by Red Sox Massachusetts Governor Jared Carrabis. 2 years in the making, we're proud to finally offer it for sale to the fans of Red Sox Nation. Foreword by Jerry Remy! Pick one up and support Jared's efforts today!

Each ordered book will ALSO receive a FREE 12"x18" full color poster of the book's cover!

Want Jared to sign your book? Want a short inscription written to someone by the author himself? Write your one sentence or less inscription copy in the comments at checkout, and Jared will personally inscribe and sign your book!

Teaser:

One Fan’s Story is just that – the story of one Boston Red Sox fan, Jared Carrabis – but it’s everybody’s story, really. Through Carrabis’ experiences we get to live out our fantasies as a fan of the Sox, the game of baseball, and even the game of life. From the first time the author walks up that ramp as an eight year old boy and gets his first view of the green grass and th...READ MORE!

Published on August 28, 2009 See Comment(s)

Take A Penny, Leave A Penny by Jared Carrabis
Red Sox grant Penny's wish of being released

Late Wednesday night, the Boston Herald reported that the Red Sox granted right-hand pitcher Brad Penny his outright release from the club.

"I asked for my release and I got it," Penny said.

With the return of Tim Wakefield on Wednesday night (7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 3 SO, ND) and Junichi Tazawa proving his worth after shutting out the Yankees, Penny soon found himself to be the odd man out in Boston's starting rotation. When word had leaked that the Red Sox had designated Penny for assignment, I immediately assumed that there was something fishy about that considering that the rosters expand next week.

As it turns out, Penny wasn't a fan of the idea that the plan moving forward was for him to join Boston's bullpen, so instead, the Red Sox released the burly right-hander at his request in order to create a roster spot for newly acquired left-handed, Bill...READ MORE!

Published on August 27, 2009 See Comment(s)

King Of Clutch by Jared Carrabis
"A guy like me, I don't like to play extra innings."

In his first year on the job, newly appointed Red Sox general manger Theo Epstein inked a left-handed slugger to a 1-year deal worth $1.5 million.

On July 26, 2003, that left-handed slugger introduced himself to Red Sox Nation by drilling a walk-off double in the bottom of the ninth that crashed off the Green Monster to defeat the New York Yankees by a 5-4 score. Red Sox fans far and wide got a small sample of what was in store for them in the years to come while watching a man by the name of David Ortiz perform in the city of Boston.

As the 2003 season went on, the Red Sox were in the middle of a fierce battle for the American League Wild Card. On September 23 with the Baltimore Orioles in town, the Red Sox trailed 5-2 entering the bottom of the ninth. With a little bit of Fenway magic, Todd Walker blasted a three-run shot to tie the game at five. In the bottom of the tenth, Ortiz strolled to the plate and began his legacy here in Boston by cranking a solo home run into the Mo...READ MORE!

Published on August 27, 2009 See Comment(s)

Wild Card Mania by Jared Carrabis
It doesn't matter how you get in, as long as you get in

The following is Jared Carrabis' debut column for the Saugus Advertiser.

Saugus - If you’re a GM, manager or on the roster of a team that calls the American League East “home,” then you thank God every day that the Wild Card was introduced to Major League Baseball in 1994.

Since Wild Card mania hit the game of baseball 15 years ago, a winner has emerged from the American League East 10 times.

The Wild Card was created with the intentions of giving a team from both the American and National Leagues with the next best record in their respective leagues that failed to win a division title a spot in the postseason.

Since 1994, the Boston Red Sox have claimed the American League Wild Card as their entry into October postseason baseball more than any other club.

Boston’s six Wild Card finishes stand tall over those in the National League, as no team has ever won it more than twice.

Winning it first in 1998, the Red Sox were bumped in the American L...READ MORE!

Published on August 26, 2009 See Comment(s)

Grand Theft Ellsbury by Jared Carrabis
Ellsbury breaks stolen base record, Bay wins it with HR

As the final days of August dwindle into the final month of the season, your Boston Red Sox stared adversity in the face and came out on top.

It is said that every championship team is relentless; they never quit, never say die. On Tuesday night, Boston got a brilliant pitching performance from Jon Lester on a night where the recently powerful Red Sox offense had somewhat of a night off.

Lester trotted out to the center of the diamond, flanked by his teammates, and retired the first three batters consecutively, complete with a strikeout of Carlos Quentin. In the bottom half of the frame, Jacoby Ellsbury knocked a ground-rule double to right-center to lead off the game.

With a 1-1 count to Dustin Pedroia, Ellsbury turned on the jets and cruised into third base so fast that he nearly over-slid the bag. Fortunately, AJ Pierzynski lost his grip on the baseball and no throw was ever made. The stolen base was number 55 on the season for Ellsbury, a new Red Sox single season record...READ MORE!

Published on August 26, 2009 See Comment(s)

No Way, Jose by Jared Carrabis
Sox continue dominance of Contreras, get Buchholz off the hook

In the two games that the RemDawg has been back in the booth, the Red Sox have scored 23 runs. Coincidence? I think not.

Coming off a disappointing series loss to the Yankees, the Red Sox looked to turn their fortunes around, as they welcomed the Chicago White Sox to Fenway Park for a four-game series.

In his previous three starts, Clay Buchholz had pitched like the number three starter that he had become by default. Posting a 1.89 ERA in 19 innings against the Yankees, Tigers and Blue Jays, Buchholz proved his worth to this Red Sox team, which may have had a great hand in why he still dons a Red Sox uniform in August. The high hopes that Red Sox baseball executives have for Buchholz paid off in high dividends over his last three starts, but as Monday night reminded us all, the young right-hander is still developing.

Buchholz last faced the Chicago White Sox on August 10, 2008. A game in which the right-hander got torched for five earned runs on seven hits, three of which we...READ MORE!

Published on August 25, 2009 See Comment(s)

A willing Wagner VS. a pretentious Papelbon by Mike Ghika
Pap's need to speak has become a problem

The music cues as the bullpen door swings open. The Dropkicks overtake the sound system at Fenway. Our beloved (“The Legend”) Detective Billy Dunn holds out his fist for the traditional pound. Next, closer Jonathan Papelbon gets the loudest ovation that any Sox player in fact receives on a nightly basis as he heads to the mound.

By all means, there is bevy of benefits in having Papelbon as the Red Sox’ closer. He is a competitor. An intimidator. A proven winner. A World Champion. But at the same time, although I’m not sure how many members of the Nation even recognize it, Jonathan Papelbon can at times be a problem. Let’s face it, the Mississippi native isn’t exactly known as a class act.

And with the most recent development in the Sox trade market – one in which GM Theo Epstein has a chance to acquire the best left-handed closer ever – Papelbon has stated in his clear opposition to the idea. The deadline for the decision is tomorrow, so we will soon know whether or not relieve...READ MORE!

Published on August 24, 2009 See Comment(s)

Bombs Away Beckett by Jared Carrabis
Yanks tag Beckett for 5 HR, take series 2-1

Oh, so thaaaaat's why they're called the Bronx Bombers, gotcha.

It was a bizarre night on the bump for John Wasd--excuse me, Josh Beckett. The marquee match-up of Beckett versus CC Sabathia was shaping up to be just as advertised. In Beckett's most recent start against New York, the right-hander tossed seven shutout innings of four-hit baseball with seven strikeouts. The very next day, Sabathia hurled 7.2 shutout innings of two-hit baseball with nine strikeouts.

Boston and New York fans alike were drooling over this series finale pitching match-up prior to both teams taking the field, but after the dust had settled, it was Red Sox Nation who were held with their mouths hanging open with no drool to be mustered.

The first pitch of the game out of the hand of Beckett was hammered to the opposite field and into the Red Sox bullpen off the bat of Yankee captain, Derek Jeter. Stunned, Sox fans looked on, as they hoped for the long ball to have been a mere fluke. Disappoint...READ MORE!

Published on August 24, 2009 See Comment(s)

What Goes Around, Comes Around by Jared Carrabis
Sox spank the Yanks, Youk leads the charge

After the New York Yankees handed the Red Sox a 20-11 stomping on Friday night, Boston's 8-0 start against the Bronx Bombers seemed like a distant memory from a season far ago.

On Saturday, the Red Sox offense reminded their fans what that 8-0 start was all about; domination. When the Sox banged out eight consecutive wins against their rivals, the team wasn't just "getting by" on a nightly basis; this Red Sox team was beating the Yankees in all aspects of the game. Their starting pitching was better, their hitting was better, they ran the bases better, they played better defense and their bullpen was unstoppable.

Over their five-game skid against Joe Girardi's squad, the Red Sox's offense had vanished, their bullpen was unreliable and the team's momentum had more than run dry.

With all the pre-game hype leading up to Saturday's match-up of AJ Burnett Vs. Junichi Tazawa, the fans of New York and media alike saw this head-to-head battle heavily in favor of the men in pinstripe...READ MORE!

Published on August 23, 2009 See Comment(s)

Bring On The Yankees by Jared Carrabis
Sox complete sweep of the Jays, bring momentum to Fenway

Raise your hand if you can't wait for this weekend series...

I'm guessing that if you're reading this blog that you are also raising your hand. Mark Teixeira and company are sure glad that they'll be missing Jon Lester in the upcoming three-game set at Fenway Park this weekend, because he was straight dealing. Lester played a practical joke on Red Sox Nation when in the bottom of the first, the left-hander allowed a single, a double, a walk and an earned run.

However, the joke was on the Jays, because after that, it was lights out time. After Lester had allowed a single my Marco Scutaro to lead off the game and a double by Aaron Hill in the next at bat, the left-hander went on to dominate Toronto the rest of the way. After giving up two hits in the first, Lester gave up just one hit the rest of the way, as he tossed eight innings of one-run ball. Among the league leaders in strikeouts, I guess you could call a five-strikeout night an "off-night" for Lester.

"He's a go...READ MORE!

Published on August 21, 2009 See Comment(s)

Short Straw, Big Win by Jared Carrabis
Buchholz gets the better of Roy Halladay

For the third straight start, Clay Buchholz drew the short straw.

First it was CC Sabathia, then came Justin Verlander, and on Wednesday night, Buchholz had to try his luck against one of the best pitchers in the past decade, Roy Halladay. Although Buchholz may have been 0-2 in his previous two starts, the right-hander pitched brilliantly, but his offense was nowhere to be found to support his efforts.

Despite being up against one of the top arms the game has to offer, Buchholz had the advantage of his offense swinging the bats really well as of late. However, Halladay can make any hot offense go cold in a hurry.

Regardless of how dominant Halladay may be, the Red Sox had the advantage of being in the same division as the right-hander. If you see a certain pitcher enough times, nothing is guaranteed anymore (ask Mariano Rivera). In the top of the second, David Ortiz came to the plate for the 89th time in his career against the Doc.

Dating back to his days with Minnesota, ...READ MORE!

Published on August 20, 2009 See Comment(s)

Wild Win In Arlington by Jared Carrabis
Sox rally in the ninth to stay atop the Wild Card

When the season is all said and done, file this game under: Most important win of the 2009 season.

With the New York Yankees seemingly destroying everything in their path, the Red Sox have found them in a tough position in the American League East. While their chances are still far better than the biased New York media claims they are, Boston needed to turn into October-mode against the Texas Rangers on Friday night, who have had their way with the Sox this season.

I don't want to over-exaggerate on this, but anytime Jon Lester is on the mound in a game against a team whom you're competing for a playoff spot against, it is imperative that you win that game; no excuses. Lester has pitched brilliantly for the Sox in the past few months, and one of his best starts came against this very team in which the left-hander tossed a complete game, two-hitter.

However, two batters into Friday night's contest, the power-hitting Rangers had a 2-0 lead after a two-run shot off the b...READ MORE!

Published on August 15, 2009 See Comment(s)

Another Day, Another Shortstop by Jared Carrabis
Theo still can't shake the Curse of Nomar

Since being named the Red Sox general manager in 2003, taking the place of Mike Port, Theo Epstein has brought his team to postseason play all but once, winning two World Series titles in that time.

Of his six seasons as general manager, the teams that he has assembled have made it to the American League Championship Series four times and have gone unbeaten in their two World Series appearances. The boy wonder hasn't given Red Sox Nation much to complain about. He's turned other teams' trash into a Red Sox treasure, for example, by signing David Ortiz to a 1-year, $1.25 million deal. But, the chinks in Theo's armor are shown vividly when you take a look at his track record at the shortstop position.

Since the monumental trade that sent Nomar Garciaparra to the Chicago Cubs and sent shockwaves throughout New England, the Red Sox have fielded an eye-popping eighteen shortstops since number five's departure.

With the exception of maybe two of those eighteen, none of the ...READ MORE!

Published on August 14, 2009 See Comment(s)

Tough Luck Buch by Jared Carrabis
"I'm picking the wrong pitchers to throw against"

Poor Clay; we know it's not easy being matched up against the likes of CC Sabathia and Justin Verlander in back-to-back starts.

"The last two guys have been as good as I've seen, so you can't read too much into it," Buchholz said. "The small steps that I've been taking to get better are working. It's proven that it's working, but it's hard to win games when you've got guys throwing like that."

In his previous start in the Bronx, Buchholz tried his luck against Sabathia, who tossed seven and two-thirds of two-hit, scoreless innings with nine strikeouts. Buchholz held his own by turning in six innings, keeping the Yankee offense to just two runs on six hits while striking out three. Sabathia's outing was arguably his best of the season, aside from the complete game shutout that he threw in Baltimore, but I mean, come on; it's the Orioles.

"Clay's run into a buzzsaw the last two starts facing the other team's ace, but he's pitched well against good teams and good offenses. I d...READ MORE!

Published on August 13, 2009 See Comment(s)

Cy Beckett by Jared Carrabis
Josh Beckett wins Major League-leading 14th game

If the season ended today, I would bet my Red Sox Nation Governorship on Josh Beckett winning the American League Cy Young Award.

I'll let you in on a little secret of mine when it comes to writing for SoxSpace: when I'm giving you the pitching match-up for the next game, I do all the stat digging it takes to provide you with a stat to give the reader optimism. It doesn't matter how great a season a pitcher may be having, there's always a stat out there to provide some optimism. Now, if I were covering another team and I needed to find a stat to provide optimism when facing Josh Beckett, it would be impossible.

He's unbeaten after a Sox loss, he's unbeaten at 8-0 at Fenway Park, opponents are hitting just .231 off of him and he ranks fifth in the American League with 145 strikeouts. Did I mention that he leads all of baseball with fourteen wins? I won't even say that with a little luck he'd have sixteen if Jonathan Papelbon didn't blow a save against the Mets or if the offense ...READ MORE!

Published on August 13, 2009 See Comment(s)

Hot Bats & Hot Heads by Jared Carrabis
Sox win again, Lowell goes deep twice, Tazawa wins first

They say home is where the heart is, and so far, home is also where the wins are. Read on and I'll tell you how heart led to wins at home.

Looking to continue their climb back to the top of the American League East, the Red Sox turned to a young arm from the far east; I mean realfar. Tuesday night was the very first Major League start for 23-year-old, Junichi Tazawa. When he took the mound at 7:10pm, he became the second youngest Japanese-born pitcher to start a big league game in major league history.

In his first inning of work, Tazawa loaded the bases on a pair of singles and hitting Miguel Cabrera on the hand, which ultimately led to his leaving the game. On a potential double play ball, Nick Green committed a throwing error, which allowed a run to score. Three runs in total would score in the top of the first, only one of the three runs were earned.

Just a night prior, Miguel Cabrera was drilled by a Brad Penny fastball. Later in the game, Edwin Jackson pl...READ MORE!

Published on August 12, 2009 See Comment(s)

Home Sweet Home by Jared Carrabis
Boston bats come alive at Fenway, snap streak at six

When I was searching for a cure after suffering from post-traumatic-Yankee Stadium-syndrome, I found it tonight at Fenway Park.

Walking through the gates of Fenway was like bathing in the Fountain of Youth. I don't take our beloved ballpark for granted, but never before had I ever appreciated the friendly confines on Fenway Park more in my life. The fans were talking with Boston accents, the employees behind the counters were all familiar faces and even better, they weren't dressed like business executives like you'd find at George Steinbrenner's $1.4 billion five star hotel--excuse me, baseball stadium.

When I sat in my seat, it was among the most relieving of feelings to know that everyone around me was going to cheer loudly for the things that I wanted to cheer for. That big green wall had never been so beautiful before in my life. Call me crazy, but when I sat down in my red seat and there wasn't a cushion underneath me, I felt at home.

When my team's lineup was announce...READ MORE!

Published on August 11, 2009 See Comment(s)

From Bad To Worse by Jared Carrabis
Sox go 0-6 in their most crucial 6-game stretch

When the Red Sox were faced with their most crucial six-game stretch of the season, it seemed as if though everything that could have went wrong, went wrong for Boston.

I had the unfortunate experience of being at Yankee Stadium for the first game of this four-game embarrassment, and believe me, it was no prize. Things started off well when Dustin Pedroia hit a home run to the opposite field for the first time in his life, but the excitement was short-lived. Even when Casey Kotchman chipped in with his first home run in a Red Sox uniform, the Yankees stormed back to add on more runs and then some. The Sox would ultimately end up losing that game by a one-sided score of 13-6.

When I was walking out of Yankee Stadium that night, I was taunted by the classy fans of New York. One fan actually asked me if I wanted to "take it outside", but I kept my mouth shut. I didn't want to be arrogant, because I could have easily have said, "Congrats on beating the Red Sox for the first time on...READ MORE!

Published on August 10, 2009 See Comment(s)

Little Trop Of Horrors by Jared Carrabis
Sox lose in extras, drop to 2-12 at the Trop in last two seasons

Remember the good ol' days when Tropicana Field used to rise to their feet to give Red Sox pitchers a standing ovation after a great outing? I sure do.

Those, of course, were the days way back when the Sox fan to (Devil) Rays fan ratio was about 12:1. Oh, how things have changed. Cowbells and all, Jon Lester took the mound looking to keep pace with the division leading Yankees and to drive the Tampa Bay Rays further down in the AL East.

Boston's second ace in their deck pitched brilliantly and well enough to guide his team to victory. The innings weren't what we're used to seeing out of Lester, but after 110 pitched, 10 K's, three hits and an earned run over six innings, it was time to call it a day. When the Sox' southpaw walked off the mound on Tuesday night, he left with a 2-0 lead, which was provided by solo jacks off the bats of Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia.

It was Hideki Okajima to come in from the pen in relief of Lester, but he would allow his one inherited runn...READ MORE!

Published on August 05, 2009 See Comment(s)

Triple Threat by Jared Carrabis
Sox go deep three times in post-deadline victory

On the most exciting day of the regular season, the Red Sox made some noise in the front office and just hours later, they made some noise with their bats.

Making the trip down to Fenway South, Red Sox starter John Smoltz had a lot to prove. Not only to himself and to his teammates, but to the fans that support the name on the front of his jersey. Making his seventh start for Boston on Friday night, Smoltz had not only failed to win more than one game, he hadn't turned in a single performance worthy of being filed under a quality start.

Unfortunately for the veteran pitcher, that streak would continue. Smoltz had completed six innings just once for the Sox and aimed to do so against the worst team in the AL East, which he did. The only problem was that over the course of those six frames, the Hall of Famer-to-be served up two long balls (almost three) and departed from the game after allowing five earned runs.

"I feel like it's a blessing I haven't gone crazy yet," said Smol...READ MORE!

Published on August 01, 2009 See Comment(s)