Red Sox 1994

Well the season has been over for quite some time now. As I'm sure you have probley herd the Sox finished in last place, their worst season since 1966. While this was not my favorite Red Sox team all time, (not by a long shot) It made me think what are my favorite Red Sox teams. So I made a list of 10 Red Sox teams that I followed since I became a Sox fan (1992 or so). So roughly that last 20 years. Interesting teams I came up with. Lets start with #10 today. 10. 1994 Red Sox 54-61 17 GB NYY Why you might be wondering why is this sub .500 Red Sox team #10 on my list? Good question. This was the team that sort of started it all for me. Expectations were high for the Sox that year. After a dissapointing 80-82 1993 season the Sox added speedster Otis Nixon and backstop Dave Valle. The Sox coming out of spring training had pitching depth in the rotation. It included a healthy Roger Clemens (who went 6-0 in the spring) Veteran lefty Frank Viola who went 11-8 with a 3.19 era in '93, Danny Darwin also had a solid '93 season which included 15 wins and a nifty 3.26 era. The staff rounded out Aaron Sele a rookie in '93 went 7-2 with a 2.74 era and veteran lefty Joe Hesketh was the number 5 starter. The bullpen was anchored by closer Jeff Russell and setup man Ken Ryan who both had career years in 1993. To open the season Dave Valle and free agent signee from Seattle was the starting catcher for the Sox in '94. He did not last however he was traded to Milwaukee in June for OF Tom Brunansky. Valle hit a whopping .158 for the Sox in 30 games. He would be replaced by Damon Berryhill and Rich Rowland. At first was a young slugger named Mo Vaughn. Vaughn hit .310 and hit 26 homers that season. Vaughn a fan favorite still a season away from being an MVP of the American League. It second was veteran Scott Fletcher. Fletcher hurt for a lot of the season, a scrappy infielder a good '93 season was hurt a lot in '94 would be replaced a lot for utility infielder Tim Neahring. John Valentin was the shortstop in '94 who on July 8th make history turned a unassisted triple play in the 6th inning of a game vs the Mariners. Valentin also did it with the bat hitting .316 with a .400 OBP. It was appearing the Valentin was becoming one the better shortstops in the league. Rounding out the infield at third was the Sox lone all star in '94. Scott Cooper an all star also in '93 took over third for the departed Wade Boggs a few years earlier. A good player (hit .282 in '94) never really lived up to the potential in his career. He never quite developed the power the Sox had hoped though was a good doubles hitter. ( In fact hit a key double late innings of the '94 All Star Game in Pittsburgh) But injuries took a toll on him while out Tim Neahring filled in at third and did a fine job. Cooper was later traded after the season to St. Louis. Neahring became the Sox starting third baseman and became later known as a "dirt dog" for his aggressive play not afraid to get his uniform dirty style play. Out in the outfield Mike Greenwell patrolled left field. After hitting .315 in '93 in 144 games "The Gator" as he was known hit a dissapointing .269 in '94. While a stint on the DL late in the strike shorted season didn't help some wondered if he was going to ever fill the potential that he strived for. A bright spot in the season was leadoff hitter and speedy centerfielder Otis Nixon. Acquired from Atlanta by via free agency during the off season Nixon hit .274 but stole 42 bases for the Sox. Un-herd off for a Sox team to steal bases. But that is what Nixon provided along with a solid glove in center with a lot of range. He was however traded during the '94-'95 off season to Texas for slugger Jose Canseco but we'll get to that one later. In right field the season started with veteran Billy Hatcher (who was best known for stealing home in '93) he was however at the end of his career he ended up in May being traded to Philadelphia for Wes Chamberlain. Hatcher hit .244 for the Sox in '94, Chamberlain hit .256 for the Sox that season. Chamberlain was mearly a back up outfielder in '94. In June the Sox traded catcher Dave Valle to Milwaukee that brought back outfielder Tom Brunansky. Bruno as he was known provided much needed power and clutch hitting the Sox needed. While only hit .230 8 of his 10 homer either tied or put the Sox ahead in games. Also played a sold right field. (Ok Im a little biased, he was my first favorite Sox player at the time but it was great to see a favorite back in a Sox uniform) The dh that year was future hall of famer Andre Dawson. Dawson near the end of his great career once a 5 tool player was no more. Too many knee surgeries took the toll on a great hitter and outfielder. Twice on the disabled list in 94 The Hawk still managed to hit 16 homers. But he was let go after the season and finished his career in the National League with the Florida Marlins. Few highlights of the season included Scott Cooper hitting for the cycle vs Kansas City on April 12. July 8 John Valentin turned a triple play vs the Mariners. (1st AL unassisted in nearly 25 years) A personal highlight for me on July 10 my dad took me to my 1st ever Sox game vs the Mariners. Sox won 9-2. Roger Clemens pitched 2 two hitters vs Oakland. April 20th was a 2 hit shutout at Fenway and then July 14 he pitched a 2 hit complete game winning 2-1 in Oakland. While the Sox finished a dissapointing 4th place in the AL east the season was wiped out on Aug 12 when the strike began which would wipe not only the rest of the regular season but the entire postseason too. Baseball would come back in late April 1995 but would take a long time to regain the public trust.

The Boss in Boss-ton

March 26 2012, Well for the first time since 2009 Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are back on the road. With the new Wrecking Ball album out in the beginning of March they hit the road with additions of a few members to the band. With the passing of sax player Clarence "Big Man" Clemons Bruce added a 5 piece horn section to the band. Jake Clemons, Clarence's nephew takes over on sax duties for the band. Well the day started out picking up my buddy Gary. He would accompany me for this concert. So we trecked down to Boston parked the car at Government Center. We got there about mid afternoon, so we had time to kill. After walking around Faneuil Hall walking around shops and store we were getting hungry so we ate at Cheers. Not the real Cheers but the replica at Faneuil Hall. So after that it was time to get to the Garden. After about an hour we got to out seats at 7:15 or so. Now the waiting game. Finally at 8:10 the lights went out and Jimmy Ruffins "What become's of the broken hearted" was playing while the band was filing on stage. The crowd was delirious at this point! After is Apollo Theater self intro he and the band slammed into "We Take Care Of Our Own". It was on!!! After that "Wrecking Ball" was next on the set. In the "giants play the game" line the crowd started to boo. Or corse the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in the super bowl the previous month. But Bruce took it like a pro, he had a big grin on his face as if to say "yup that's right". But a great moment. Next came "Badlands" has to be my favorite Springsteen song live. Strange not seeing the Big Man nail his usual sax solo but Jake killed this one and though out the show. He's clearly a crowd favorite. I mean how do you not route for this guy? After "Death To My Hometown" and "My City Of Ruins" came "Thundercrack". This was the bands original show stopper in the early 70's before "Rosalita". This does not get played a lot any more so seeing this one is person was a real treat. I can only imagine what it was like seeing the band 1972 through 1974 in those little clubs and theaters play this one. After the main set ended with "Thunder Road" came "Rocky Ground" wasn't sure how this would go over live but it really works well. After that the new version of "Land Of Hope And Dreams". Next up the lights went up came "Born To Run". I don't care how many times I've herd this one it never gets old! After "Dancing In The Dark" came "Raise Your Hand" an Eddie Floyd cover. Peter Wolf for the J Giles Band joined Bruce and the band on stage with this one. Ending the show came the iconic "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out". At the stage of the line where Bruce sings "A change was made uptown and the big man joined the band" the band stopped and for 3 and a half minutes the crowd yelled and cheered and went crazy in tribute for the late Big Man Clarence Clemons. After the song concluded and a 2 hour 55 minute show no one wanted to leave. But the show was over and it was time to drive home. But what a night it was! They will be back however I will be at Fenway Park on Tuesday August 14 and again at Gillette Stadium at August 18th. Can't wait!

I am back!

Well I am back after several months of laziness I am back to contribute to my blog. Here is a list of topics that I will cover the next few days. March 26 Bruce Springsteen concert 2012 MLB Picks- Its July 7th right now but we'll see how will I picked in March June 7 Sea Dogs Game June 30th Trip on the Penobscot Bay June 30th Sea Dogs Game As usual I will post lots of pictures, and possibly YouTube videos. Now with the price of gas and everything else not seeing as many baseball games but will post reports on trips, concerts, and what ever else is interesting going on. So stay tuned!