Gene_Lavanchy's Blog

I know I've talked about this before, but it still grinds my gears. Sure, its' great the Red Sox won a dramatic series against the Angels, and now it's off to the ALCS. But my beef is with what happened after the game. The Sox were in the clubhouse, pouring champagne and beer all over themselves like they just won the World Series. Didn't they just do this a couple of weeks ago after the Wild Card clincher (what happened to those T-shirts)? This is a tradition, I simply don't get. I realize it goes back years ago, before they were any playoffs. Teams would win their league title and go right to the World Series--which prompted the big celebration. Then, MLB added divisional playoffs--what we now know as the ALCS and the NLCS. This brings us another round of the winners pouring booze all over each other. Then MLB adds the wild card round. So now, you have teams partying like its 2099 after clinching a playoff spot, even the wild card (go crazy boys, we finished SECOND!!!). Then you win the division series (more champagne please), the league championship series (do we have any champagne left?), and the World Series (geesh, can I just have a Diet Coke this time?). It's overkill and over the top. Some people complain about the message it sends to kids. I tell my kids, pay no attention to what those guys do. You can admire their talent and ability to hit/throw a ball--but otherwise, for the most part, don't emulate anything else they do. Can you imagine if the Celtics followed the same course of the Red Sox on their road to the NBA title? After beating Atlanta, and Cleveland and Detroit--it's champagne celebrations that would make the boys at Delta House proud. We would ridicule them--but with baseball, we say--hey, it's tradition, and boys will be boys. I say enough is enough--go crazy when you actually win the big one, otherwise, act like you've been there before.

Big doings in the Big Apple Sunday. The Yankees said goodbye to Yankee Stadium, the House that Ruth built is going dark after 85 years. Even Red Sox fans have to admit, this place was one of the most hallowed stadiums in the world. The Yanks will christen a new stadium next year. It leads me to wonder if Fenway should be next. I know there is a big issue about where to build a new ballpark, and how much cost the state and city will be asked to absorb, but let's put that aside for a moment. Fenway Park was built in 1912, and has served as home of the Sox ever since. I give the current ownership huge props for renovating the park (monster seats, new roof seats, wider concourse,etc.). But the fact remains, it's still not a comfortable place to watch a game (try sitting by the Pesky Pole!) The seats are small, leg room is worse than on your typical airline, the visiting locker room is an embarrassment, and I won't ever start about the parking. My guess is the Red Sox are going to make a big deal out of the 100th anniversary of Fenway in 2012. After that, let's hope they build a new ballpark. I know a lot of folks love Fenway, and will rip me for even suggesting the Red Sox find a new home. If you could visit Camden Yards in Baltimore, or Jacobs Field in Cleveland, or Petco Park in San Diego, or even PNC park is Pittsburgh, you'll likely find yourself saying--"Hey, why can't we have something like this in Boston". I know Fenway is historic and a national treasure, but so is Paul Revere's house, but I don't seen anyone living there anymore. When the Sox move to a new home, and they will someday, maybe they can leave home plate and part of the Wall standing, and turn into a public park or something. Like it or not, Fenway 's days are numbed, that is a fact. Trust me when I tell you, when a new ballpark is built, and done the right way, very few of you will wind up missing Fenway all that much.

So it's now official. Chad Johnson has changed his name to Chad Ocho Cinco.  We remember when he had Ocho Cinco replace Johnson on his name plate on the back of his uniform as a goof.   Ocho Cinco, or 85, is his uniform number, and it's a goof no longer, it really is his name now.  Not even Johnson knows why he did it..  But it's done, and the Begals will list him as Chad Ocho Cinco on the roster now.  With this in mind, there are some other folks who could steal a page from Mr. Ocho Cino, and go with numbers in Spanish instead of their name.  For example:

Alex Rodriquez to go with CERO.  This marks the number of World Series rings he owns.  I realize the Yanks don't have names on their uniforms, but maybe they could make and exception for Mr. Cero.

Barry Zito:  His new number could be CINCO QUATRO CINCO.   That's 545 to you and me, which also happens to be Zito's ERA.

Julio Lugo:  How about  DIECISEIS.? (16)    That's the number of errors Lugo had before landing on the DL with an injury.   He could also go with UNO which is the number of home runs he had in the 82 games he played before getting injured.

Prince Fielder: TRES DOS SEIS (326)  Which is my guess at  his weight, have you seen this guy lately?

John Blutarsky : CERO POINT CERO  (0.0)--he has no grade point average!

Dustin Perdroia: CINCO SIETE (5 7)--It's his height--amazing when you think about how big this guy plays!

Tom Brady: BUNDSHEN OK, so it's not a number in Spanish, but it would be a riot for Brady to put a tribute to his supermodel gal-pal on the back of his jersey.

Kim Carrigan :DIEZ (10) ..because Kim is a 10 (so what if I'm sucking up!!)

It's the best I can do for a Friday for now---do you guys have any?

Jason Bay wore #38 with the Pirates.  Curt Schilling has apparently said he is willing to sell his #38 to Bay, with the proceeds going to Schilling's charity.  If Bay really wants #38 for free, he should just wait until next year when Schilling is out of the picture. 

Here are numbers they should be willing to give him.

#5--Hey, Nomar's been gone for 4 years now, he's not going to the Hall of Fame.  While he was an excellent player here, there is no need to wait any longer--put #5 back out there.

#21--What will the Sox do with this number?  Roger Clemens has been gone for a long time now, and with his recent performance in Congress and his reputation in tatters, will the Sox still someday retire this number in his honor?  I thought it would be a lock that #21 would be retired for the Rocket, now I'm not so sure.

#24--Retire this number--not for Manny, but for Dwight Evans!

#7-Get this number off J.D. Drew's back and retire it for--Rick Burleson!!!

#45 Do you still love Pedro?  Leave this one alone, and put it to the Rafters for Petey.

And if the Sox retire the numbers of all Hall-of-Famers, when is Wade Boggs day at Fenway?  He's in the Hall of Fame, sporting a Red Sox cap, what's the deal?  They did it for Carlton Fisk!  Since Boggs left Boston, #26 has been worn by no less than 11 guys, including Wes Chamberlain, Lee Tinsley, Lou Merloni, Ramiro Mendoza, Chris Snopek and Sean Berry.

Numbers available:  11, 32,  39 (still belongs to Kyle Snyder---another #39 in left, like Mike Greenwell?)  There is also #43 and #44, now that Moss is gone.

I'm curious to know what you guys think----

 

As I write this, its T-Minus 7 hours and counting until the trading deadline hits, and the Red Sox are presumably still working on a deal to move Manny Ramirez.  Up until last night, I really didn't think the Sox would trade him.  But after Manny made his comments to ESPN Deportes saying; "Boston doesn't deserve me," it's clear Manny is trying to shoot his way out of town.  

If the deal being dicussed comes through, then the Sox will do very well for themselves.  The hot rumor has Manny going to Florida as part of a 3-team deal, which would bring Jason Bay from Pittsburgh to Boston.  Bay's numbers are just about identical to Manny's---he turns 30 in September--Manny turns 37 next May.  Manny's salary is $20 million (Florida's total payroll is $22 million), Jason Bay makes $7 million, and is signed through the 2009 season.  So in Bay, the Sox get a younger player, who can hit with power and will knock in runs galore in Boston, plus he has a very affordable contract.  Even with the Sox picking up Manny's salary for the rest of the season (about $7-million), it's still a good move. 

Ramirez is a distraction, he's seems to be ungrateful to the organization and appears to be a lousy teammate.  If he isn't traded, he'll likely sulk his way through the rest of the season and will do more harm than good.  If they can't get someone like Bay in return, I still say you still move Manny.  It's the old addition by subtraction--and while you might only get 50 cents on the dollar for Ramirez--you must remember, the dollar with Manny's face on it has been sinking in value like you read about..

If you are even a marginal sports fan, a player, parent or coach, then you've had to deal with the rules of the game. Seeing that it's baseball season, we thought we would launch a new segment, "Ask the Ump."

Ed King has half-a-century of umpiring experience. I got to know him while attending various baseball games, and we would quiz each other on rules and odd situations that have surfaced in baseball games. For example, how can a player get credited with an unassisted triple play without ever touching the baseball?

So we decided it might be fun to bring all of this to the FOX25 Morning News and myfoxboston.com. To start with, Ed came up with the most misinterpreted rules in youth baseball, rules most people get wrong or simply don't understand. We taped 4 segments with the help of some Walpole Little Leaguers.

We want you to send along your questions about the rules, or things you've seen--and Ed will address the rules and/or your attempts to stump him. We already have a few questions that have been submitted. In terms of the unassisted triple play question, give it some thought, and we'll have Ed explain the answer down the road.

Click here to watch "Ask the Ump."

What's with all of these grown men crying of late? Emotions are running wild these days---with Bill Buckner wiping away tears as he walks to the Fenway mound. Brett Favre crying like a school girl who just lost her Hannah Montana tickets. Did you see Dick Vitale? He was a PTC'er, baby (Prime Time Crier) upon learning he was voted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. I remember Dennis Eckersley tearing up when he retired.

Do you recall when Michael Jack Schmidt--the Phillies Hall of Fame third baseman, one of the toughest guys ever to play the game, looked like a human water park when he held his retirement press conference. How about Mark McGwire, having to stop and gather himself after crying uncontrollably--but it wasn't when he retired, he was simply announcing the formation of a charitable foundation for children.

Now, you might expect me to rip these guys--suck it up, be a man, grow up, get it together! But you would be wrong. I actually have lots of respect for these guys, who aren't afraid to show some emotion. The common theme with these people is passion--they have passion about what they do.

When guys retire, I fully understand the emotion--something that's been a huge part of their life is now over, done, gone forever. And yes, there is a double standard. When Hillary broke down on the campaign trail, she was a soft, emotional mess. Of course, there is a big difference between a retiring athlete and someone who might have their finger on the button---one can get away with being emotional--the other you can't.

Maybe you feel the same--maybe you don't--but ask yourself how you might respond in the same situation. Pass the Kleenex!

He's gone where few Red Sox managers have ever gone. In fact, he's the only living human being who can say he managed the Red Sox to a World Series title. Terry Francona's done it twice in four years!

If you're a Red Sox fan, either pro or anti-Francona, you have to read Michael Holley's excellent new book about the Sox skipper. "Red Sox Rule" will give you some insight about the man, his background, and why he's become the most successful manager in the game. You will especially enjoy the chapter about his days managing Michael Jordan when Jordan played Double-A ball in Birmingham, Alabama.

Holley is becoming a prolific author, as he follows up his best-selling books "Patriots Reign" and "Never Give Up," the book he wrote with Tedy Bruschi. Red Sox fans will love it, Terry Francona fans will feel vindicated, and for those few who still can't give the manager his "props," you will come away with an appreciation and respect for the man.

You will probably still second guess him (hey, we do that with every manager), but now you'll do it with a little more understanding. Check out my interview with the great Michael Holley!

When the Celtics pulled of the remarkable this off-season, and brought Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to Boston to join Paul Pierce, there were doubters. "There aren't enough shots to go around? Who will spell them off the bench, they're too old and will tire easily," are just a few of the doubts floating out there.

Well, somehow these guys have all managed to get their shots. Danny Ainge built a great bench--with Eddie House and James Posey added to the mix. While Allen and Garnett have missed time, it didn't hurt the team at all--everyone else was able to pick up the slack.

Other concerns--"Rondo's too young, he can't get it done. Plus, who backs him up?"

Both those questions have already been answered--Rondo's legit, and Sam Cassell was a huge pickup. Oh, and can the team win on the road? They've roared through Texas, snapping the Rockets 22 game winning streak, they own the NBA's best road record (26-8), they've owned the mighty Western Conference (23-4),. They were the first team to clinch a playoff spot this year. They've beat all of the "good" NBA teams, and smoked the teams they were supposed to smoke. They have really had only one bad night (the Jazz last week) all season. It's time to accept the following: THE CELTICS ARE ONE OF THE FAVORITES TO WIN THE NBA CHAMPIONSHIP.

They have answered every question and concern this season, they win at home, they win on the road, they win with offense, they can win with defense, they get help off the bench, and they have 3 superstars who have perfected the art of playing together.

It's time to stop the questions, put the concerns to bed, and enjoy the ride! A ride, by the way, that should provide us with great entertainment all the way through June!

Click here to check out our Celtics Headquarters.

He could be joining the likes of Rosie Ruiz, Ben Dreith, and Larry Barnett as the most loathed people in New England sports history. His name is Matt Walsh, and he claims to have some Spygate evidence that would prove to be embarrassing to the Patriots. Walsh worked as a Pats' video assistant, and hinted the Pats may have taped the Rams walk-through prior to the 2002 Super Bowl in New Orleans. Bill Belichick finally addressed the issue in the Boston Globe, telling Mike Reiss he never authorized anyone to tape the walk-through, and never tapes his own walk-throughs and couldn't pick Matt Walsh out of a lineup.

If Walsh has some videotape evidence, let's see it. To quote Dean Wermer from Animal House "Out with it son!" Show us what you've got. If you have something that's worth seeing, you'll get to extend your 15 minutes, so stop dragging this thing out, already. Where were you when this thing first broke in September? That would have been the time to speak up, instead of waiting until Super Bowl week, which of course gets you more attention.

The Pats claim they let you go because you were secretly taping conversations between yourself and Scott Pioli. Your lawyer says those charges are false, and part of the Pats smear campaign against you. So prove it, show us the tape, show us what you have! The NFL will get you the legal protection you want.

So share the goods, it's the only way this story goes away, or if you're to believe Matt Walsh--it makes the story a whole lot worse.

So Arlen Specter wants to call NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in front of a Congressional Committee to talk about "Spygate." Our elected officials have officially lost their minds. Spygate was an NFL incident. No laws were broken. The Patriots never even saw the tape. It has no effect on anyone outside the league. Little kids aren't going around videotaping other teams, leading to a nationwide epidemic of unauthorized videography! Who cares if the league destroyed the tape?

What, did Specter want it in the Hall of Fame. In fact, if he watched FOX, he would have seen a lengthy clip of the tape. It was really fascinating seeing those Jets coaches flash their signals.

Steriods, yes, Congress has a role. Steroids are illegal and dangerous to young athletes. But spygate? The Patriots were given the harshest punishment in NFL history. The NFL policed itself, and did so in a swift, thorough and unprecedented fashion. How is this any business of anyone in Washington, other than the Redskins?

I guess everything else in the country is running fine; no issues with the economy, oil prices are under control, immigration reform is progressing nicely. Specter seems to be saying, "Sure, we might be heading to a recession, the housing situation in the country is a disaster, we're involved in a war overseas, we have a massive deficit, but don't bum me out man---I MUST GET TO THE BOTTOM OF SPYGATE." Move over Drew Peterson and Britney Spears--make room for Arlen Specter at the table of those bizarre wackos who we waste our time talking about.

I'll never forget the Patriots run to Superbowl XX over 20 years ago. Some incredibly remarkable playoff wins had New England buzzing about football for the first time ever. We were going to the Super Bowl against the mighty Bears!! We were all giddy, excited, how do we act? We've never been to a Super Bowl! Sure, we had some experience in the World Series and Stanley Cup Finals, plus the Celtics made a living in the NBA Finals, but this Super Bowl stuff was new and we were all wrapped up in it.

I think of this because Saturday, January 26th marks the 22nd avnniversary of that first Super Bowl. I'll always remember that day, because the Pats fortunes mimicked mine. The game with the Bears was over quickly, and it was the ugliest Super Bowl loss at that time. By halftime, I was so bummed I couldn't think.

It was at that instant, my girlfriend at the time told me she had something "going on" with another guy at her school. Talk about kicking a man when he's down! To make it worse, I was a senior in college ready to cruise through my final semester. Two days after that disastrous day, I was informed I was short a science credit, and needed to take a science class in order to graduate. Of course, the only one available was "The Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing." Hardly basket-weaving 101! It was brutal class, and after flunking the first test, which I never bothered to study for, and regularly blowing off the class--graduating was now in doubt.

The professor cut me a break, saying if I showed improvement and started showing up for class, she would overlook the first test. WIth this in mind, I really applied myself, and studied hard for the final. But that studying was interrupted by another big sporting event. I happened to peek at the TV, only to see some kid named Roger Clemens blowing away Seattle Mariners at will. It was April 29, 1986--and Clemens set a new major league record that night by striking out 20 guys in one game. Alright! Things were looking up! Clemens' effort inspired me and lifted me out of my daze. I passed the final and finished the class with an 87 and graduated!

Oh yeah the girlfriend thing worked out too---she's now my wife! It's funny how you look back, remember one day, and how it connects to so many other things in your life. If you have a similar story, I would love to read about it!

It's Superbowl time again!  The Patriots remarkable run this season will wind end in Arizona at Superbowl 42.   There will be a ton of hype over the game, coverage galore!  We need to act like we've been there before--with this in mind, I'm calling for a boycott of the following phrases/sayings/story lines from now until February 3rd:

"This never gets old!"

"Brady Bunch"--or any form there-of.

"Spygate" 

"The Patriots are cheaters!"

"Are you surprised which Manning brother is here?"

TV reporters should be banned from saying "Gee, I hate to tell you how nice the weather is here while you're getting pounded with snow back home!"

"I't's just great to be here!"

"We have a chance to be part of ever" Junior Seau is now using this quite frequently--what does that mean, exactly?

"It doesn't get any better than this!"

"Where else would you rather be?"

It's two weeks until the Superbowl, this list will grow.  If you have any you would like to add, please have at it!

 

Come clean, Roger!

The former Red Sox ace and former first ballot Hall-of-Famer Roger Clemens continues to deny using steroids or HGH. When the Mitchell report first came out, there were plenty of people close to the game calling the report bogus. "It's all hearsay" some would comment. "There is really no proof in there," others claimed. What's interesting is many of those whose names were brought up with what some considered to be the flimsiest evidence have now stepped forward to admit their guilt (Brian Roberts, exhibit A). Some of those guys are claiming to only having "used" once or twice, but that's another story for another day.

The Mitchell report had pages on Clemens alleged use of 'roids. The Rocket is calling his chief accuser, his former trainer, Brian McNamee a liar. Keep in mind, McNamee is the same guy who "outed" Andy Pettitte. The Yankees lefty now admits, he took HGH. So if we're to believe Clemens, McNamee told the truth about Pettite, but not Clemens?

Roger should realize, we're a forgiving nation. Instead of the denials, he'd be better off coming clean, admitting his guilt and moving on. It's another five years before he's eligible for the Hall of Fame anyway, and an apology now will help take the bite out of all of this a half-decade from now. After all, if Pete Rose would admit guilt and apologize, he'd probably be in the Hall right now. Clemens should learn from Rose--it's the only way the Rocket will be able to re-launch toward the Hall.

We might as well plan the parade, for the Patriots that is! The Pats embarassed a Washington team that allegedly had a good defense. Please! All of the discussion on various websites, blogs and sports talk radio is about the Patriots running up the score. I say, so what? This isn't youth football, it's the NFL, professional sports. You are supposed to keep playing hard until the whistle blows. Do you want the Pats to take a knee with 8 minutes to go in the game? Unless the NFL invokes a mercy rule, where if you lead by 35 points in the 4th quarter the game is over, then you have to keep playing.

A note to all of those opposing players crying about the Pats running up the score, here is some advice: try stopping somebody! Make a tackle, get to the quarterback, cover the recievers, quit turning the ball over (that means you, Jason Campbell). It looks like Bill Belichick has a burr in his saddle, and is going to make sure his guys play hard on every play of the game, and never take the scoreboard into account. Maybe this is the Pats answer to "Spygate." You think we cheated, then take this!! Next week, they will do the same to the Colts. Payback may be coming someday down the road--way down the road. Until then, the Pats should keep playing until the game ends, and if other teams can't stop them and quit at halftime, boo-hoo for them. For me, I'm marking my spot for the Pats Rolling Rally in February.