Boston Red Sox

Only two days away from now is an ALCS rematch; the Rays square off vs. the Red Sox at Fenway Park on Opening Day.

Since I don't get to see the Sox play too much, I really did jump up and down for a minute when I found out this game was getting picked up by ESPN2.

The Red Sox have been praised by many this off-season for adding a whole lot of "depth" to their team.

They have done this by bringing in Brad Penny, Takashi Saito, John Smoltz, Ramon Ramirez, and Rocco Baldelli.

I just saw Adventureland last night. Fantastic movie. It’s going to remind you a lot of Superbad, with Jesse Eisenberg playing the Michael Cera character to a tee. The only problem is that it came out the same weekend as Fast and Furious.

Case in point: I went to a midnight showing of F & F, and the theater was packed. I mean, seriously, I was in the second row, and my friends and I walked in 25 minutes early. And it was in the big theater.

A couple summers ago, I thought I'd score some big points with my step son, Dakota. I promised him I'd build him and the neighborhood kids a fort in our back yard. I slaved for literally hours. I sat down and drew out plans. I used a T square and a triangle and designed a mansion that looked like it came from Newport, RI.

The steroid era is finally over. It leaves with an Alex Rodriguez whimper after a Jose Canseco roar. 

Now we can get back to b-a-s-e-b-a-l-l. 

The teams that do that the best will be the best. 

No more artificially enhanced Giants bashing baseballs for game ending home runs.

No more curiously powerful shortstops gaining 50 lbs in two years and becoming number three hitters. 

The new game will be remarkably like the old game. The game we grew up playing. A game of skill and strategy and speed and defense and beauty. 

In economics, the Misery Index is calculated by adding the inflation rate to the unemployment rate. The Sports Fan Misery Index, developed by the Boston Sports Group, calculates the financial pain experienced by a devoted team follower when he watches his club lose at home.

Using research available from Team Marketing Report, the Sports Fan Misery Index is computed by adding three numbers: 1) the cost of an average ticket (premium seating is not included in this calculation); 2) the cost of parking; and 3) the cost of consolation, or two small beers.

Let's just clear the air. I have NO issue with Daisuke Matsuzaka. I've been a member of Bleacher Report for a year, and it has been a very enjoyable experience. Whenever I hear someone say a player is overrated, at least one commenter says, "you're just a hater", and if a writer says a certain player is underrated, one commenter - at least - says, "you're just a homer." Let me get this straight to you - I have no problem with Daisuke Matsuzaka. He's a great pitcher. That shows in his 18-3 record and 2.90 ERA in 2008.

All indications were that Brad Penny simply needed not to implode in his final spring training outing Thursday against Minnesota in order to secure the final rotation spot on the Red Sox. He did not disappoint, allowing three runs in five innings in the Sox's 7-3 loss.

Michael Cuddyer did most of the damage, driving in all three runs on a triple and a double. Penny struck out three and walked none, facing 19 batters and exiting with the game tied.

Josh Beckett was shaky in his final spring training start before the Red Sox's season opener against Tampa Bay this Sunday, allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk with just one strikeout.

This start was mainly a final tune-up for Beckett, nothing major. But the Sox's opening day starter takes every start as seriously as he would during the regular season.

Baseball begins this weekend, and I am in a fantasy league.

Played fantasy baseball for the first time last year, and think I finished last..or pretty darn near it.

I expect to keep that going this year.

MY fantasy team :

SP: Brandon Webb - Dude has been solid...one of my top players probably.
SP: Clayton Kershaw - Kid is a stud. Future ace...hoping he's ready now.
SP: Hiroki Kuroda - I have no idea what to expect from him.