It's Iggy's World and We're Just Living in it

Take that Vlad Guerrero, Dice-K, and the hundreds of other atheletes that either refuse to, or think it's too hard to learn English.

So what does Iggy do?  He requests an English interview with the God of baseball, Peter Gammons.  See how much he poured?

This kid has been here for a year, and according to mulitple sources, when he's not in the gym, he's studying English and US history.  Have I mentioned I'm a fan of his? 

(ITM note:  I really need to scoop up his jersey T, before Ft Myers).

Oh, and did I mention that Iggy went 2 for 3 with three RBI last night (true, it was against Northeastern, but by now you understand I'm hardly raitonal).

Pedroia: "We're gonna kick BC's Ass,"

I swear Pedroia can do no wrong in my book, and this one is right in my wheelhouse.  Just saying what everyone else in Boston is thinking. 

Even if he was a terrible second basemen, I'd need him on our team....the golden quotes continue.

Get fired up boys, baseball is on its way, and Pedey is here to kick ass and take names.

Happy Monday: Arriba Bitches

What better way to start the work week than taking a look at the beautiful hitting mechanics of our newest Bostonian: Adrian Gonzalez (thanks to Sons of Same Horn for the video)....





Arriba Bitches.


Also, insert creepy line from John Henry here....

Seriously though, can he get anymore creepy/scary looking? Way to ruin the pic for the rest of Red Sox Nation John, you couldn't just let us bask in the joy that is Gonzo?

Lackey's Second Half - Searching for a Silver Lining

Watching the start of the 2010 baseball playoffs has reminded me of two things:

1) I love playoff baseball, it truly is a completely different game. Without the Sox in the mix, it allows me to more thoroughly enjoy the game.

2) I hate that the Red Sox are not in the mix.

Anyways, most media outlets (ITM very much included) have pointed part of the finger of blame at John Lackey in 2010. So much so, that when I saw the headline of a recent NESN.com article saying "Lackey Will Build on a Solid 2nd Half", I immediately dropped F bombs until ITM Gal told me she wouldn't make dinner if I kept it up.

But to my surprise, they almost have a point. Almost. Sure, Lackey's overall numbers in 2011 were an extreme disappointment, but I think I was so pissed at him, that I was blind to his somewhat improved second half (I'm searching for silver linings here, roll with me):

Lackey finished the second half with a 3.97 ERA, almost a run less than his piss poor first half. After the mid Summer classic, he had 88 strikeouts compared to just 26 walks...which is certainly more "Lackey like". Prior to the midsummer classic he struck out 68 and walked 46. Lackey ended the season by going 2-0 with a 2.18 ERA over his last three starts.

Lackey called the 2010 season "a learning experience". I'd say that's soft, but perhaps fair.

I'm not softening my stance on the big ass Texan, far from it, he needs to feel the heat all off season to make sure he never feels it again......but I'm just trying to point out the only bit of optimism I have for a guy who's number have been declining each year of late.

ITM note: We may have grossly overpaid for what we thought was inning-eating "ace", but I still would love to crush beers with this guy. I mean, he looks like he could drink team under the table and then drive his pick up truck home, but I bet he's a great drunk. (see George W.)