Opening Day - 2014

Somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;

Bands are playing somewhere, weather's warm, and hearts are light.

Baseball season's starting; it's the first game of the year.

Somewhere fans need sunscreen at the ball park, but not here.

Here the rain is falling and, at times, it's mixed with sleet.

Not the kind of day for watching baseball teams compete.

Red Sox are in Baltimore with Lester on the mound:

Tuesday at the White House, 2 more games, then homeward bound.

Friday is their Opener at Fenway...  If you hold

Tickets for that game, then bundle up. It will be cold.

I have gone to Openers when they're predicting snow.

Fenway can be freezing when those ocean breezes blow.

That will not stop Red Sox fans because we're Boston Strong.

When they wave the banner and start singing Tessie's song,

Even if the sun is shining warmly down elsewhere,

It's the kind of moment Fenway's Faithful want to share.

A Weird World Series

Photo/Michael Ivins/Boston Red Sox Collection: Getty Images Sport

This has been the weirdest Series I have ever seen...

Sometimes I could not believe my HDTV screen.

Both games in St. Louis finished with the strangest plays.

Baseball sports gods must be working overtime these days.

Game 3's controversial call; obstruction at 3rd base.

Salty threw to Middlebrooks, who landed on his face.

As he tried to get back up he blocked the runner's path.

Game was tied; the call was made at home...  You do the math.

Was the call correctly made?  The experts say it was.

Not mad at the ump for that - was mad at him because

His strike zone kept changing; seemed he had a favorite team.

Red Sox' strikes called "balls" so often ...  Made me want to scream.

Game 4 had a shocking end as well; a play at 1st.

Runner had a tiny lead but got his feet reversed.

Koji turned and threw him out.  Game over. Boston wins

Thanks, in part, to Jonny Gomes. Henceforth, absolved of sins.

Game 5 is a rematch and Jon Lester gets the call.

In Game 1 he was accused of doctoring the ball.

Who knows what will happen next but - something else that's weird -

Cards are growing whiskers now... They've learned to fear the beard.

The Boston Red Sox - Fear the Beard.

Somewhere over the rainbow.  (Photo/Red Sox)

Last night, when Jon Lester got the start and took the mound,

Game 1 of the Series played on Fenway's hallowed ground,

Pitching was amazing; held the Cardinals to 1.

Red Sox hitters came alive to score us 8...  We won!

My B hat is blue and red and yet, at heart, it's pink...

And, since I am superstitious, I've begun to think

Part of why we're winning is connected to the beard.

Yes, I know that's crazy but we Boston fans are weird.

I look at the evidence; the balls that bounced away,

Watched as umps reversed a call - don't see that every day -

Saw a pitcher call a ball and then just stand and stare.

Pretty clear to me; the sports gods must like facial hair.

The Boston Red Sox - Countdown to Opening Day

Verlander (0-0) vs Lester (0-0)

Here it comes - that time of year - the baseball season starts;

When we'll have a chance for mending last year's broken hearts.

Red Sox play the Tigers in Detroit to Open up.

Do I think that Verlander will give us problems? Yup.

Still, I'm optimistic that the Sox will pull it out.

Even if the Tigers win I don't intend to pout.

Sports gods tend to favor those with Openers at home;

Teams have an advantage when they do not have to roam.

That's okay 'cause, pretty soon, they'll be on Yawkey Way.

I don't start to count until we meet with Tampa Bay.

As for now, I'll put my trust in Bobby Valentine...

I like what I've seen this Spring. I think that he'll do fine.