“Fuck this place.”

That was what Anaheim pitcher John Lackey said this afternoon, in the first of two games today in Fenway, as the game started to slip away from him in just the first inning. Boston’s No. 8 hitter, Doug Mirabelli (usually knuckeballer Tim Wakefield’s specialty catcher, but getting the start so that Varitek could catch Beckett in tonight’s game) lofted a towering fly ball to left field. It was only the first inning, and Dougie’s fly ball scored the inning’s fifth run (the Sox would have six when all was said and done). In any other ballpark, that fly ball would have been out number three. In Fenway, it was a wall-ball double. As the camera cut to Lackey for his reaction, his lips were clearly readable.

The Red Sox might end up wishing Mirabelli had flied out—as he rounded the third base bag (when No. 9 hitter, bench warmer Alex Cora lined another double), he injured his calf and ended up limping across home plate and promptly into the clubhouse. Varitek was squatting behind the dish when the second inning opened. This could end up being a day of even crazier roster moves than originally anticipated—Wily Mo Pena was dealt this morning to the Washington Nationals for cash and a player to be named. (Ouch. That’s what 450-foot homers will get you when you can’t play defense and have no plate discipline.) That made room on the roster for this afternoon’s starter, Clay Buchholz, who was then going to be sent back to Pawtucket after the game to make room for centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who would play tonight. Ellsbury, it was rumored, would then be sent down to make room for Bobby Kielty, who would play tomorrow’s game. But if Mirabelli is seriously injured, what do the Red Sox do? In the short term, it could be a very long day for Jason Varitek.

What will the Sox do if they need a catcher ASAP? Even if they asked for a catcher from Washington, players-to-be-named aren’t usually known for their caliber. Their catcher in Pawtucket is George Kottaras, hitting .233 with 6 homers this season. Last season he did well enough in single A to earn a mid-season promotion to the double A club. He’s not renowned for his defense but he does have experience catching knuckleballs—which, in Boston’s point of view, is the single most important quality in any backup catcher. Anyways, for now I’m keeping my fingers crossed the Dougie just tweaked his calf and can play in tonight’s game, or possibly tomorrow’s.

But the story of the first half of today’s doubleheader was supposed to be Clay Buccholz, a 23-year old righty among the gems in Boston’s farm system making his major league debut today.  He has a good fastball (which he still needs to remember to keep down from time to time) that tops out at about 96 or 97, but which he usually throws at about 92 or 94. But don’t be fooled. His real strength is with his breaking stuff. His curveball has generated some heavy drool in the greater Boston area—its 12-to-6 motion is so big that it sometimes ends up outside the strikezone. But it’s his changeup that helped him out today. It’s about 15 mph slower than his heat, but he throws it with the same intensity and arm-action. Nasty.

In the spirit of hot prospects, the text of last week’s Metro GameDay column on the subject is after the jump. (For the “Futures at Fenway” game, where the double-A Portland SeaDogs play the single-A Lowell Spinners at Fenway Park; GameDay is Metro’s free baseball program distributed at Fenway before every home game.)

And for those of you who hate Julio Lugo (which seems to be most folks here at UmpBump) here’s today’s GameDay piece.

Read the rest of this entry »

I’m kicking myself for contributing to all the sawks/yanks rivalry and hype. It’s overblown, over rated, and it was so over in ‘04.

Still, I can’t help but wonder how it was possible for Mirabelli to do the whole superman-changing-in-the-back-of-the-police-car-escort thing. Not to mention, making it in time for the 7:13 p.m. start after landing at Logan International at 6:48.

It kinda makes me wonder if Maribelli’s day had any of his common daily goings on — including three visits to the shitter. [Google cache in case the link disappears]

It also makes me think that the cops in Boston must not have enough to do. Here are the requirements for a Mass. State Police officer (with some - uh added) responsibilities.

State of Massachusetts
Massachusetts State Police
470 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01701
(508) 820-2290

Minimum Requirements:

1) Possess a High school diploma or G.E.D.

2) Be able to obtain firearms permit.

3) Be least 19 years old on the date of the examination.

4) Be able to swim.

5) Be a United States citizen at appointment.

6) Be less than 35 years old upon appointment to the State Police Academy.

7) Not smoke.

* update: 8 ) Be able to drive “tha ‘Belli” from Logan International to Fenway Park in less than 20 minutes.

Benefits: Recruits are paid a weekly salary of plus benefits while training at the State Police Academy. Individuals must graduate from the State Police Academy before being appointed a Trooper. From time to time, specially when the Sawks play da bombers, you wil lbe asked to drive an important player to Fenway park. Disregard any obstacle (be it human, road, or otherwise). By all means, you must make it in time for Wakefield to toss his warm up pitches or you will be fired.

Selections: To gain entry into the State Police, all applicants must take the written entrance examination. You will also be tested on the Mass. Turnpike to see if you can drive at 100mph while avoiding traffic.

Recruits must successfully complete approximately six months of training at the State Police Academy in New Braintree. Recruits live at the Academy Monday through Friday during this period. You must also be devoted Red Sox fans.

From Copcareer.com (with a small addition on my behalf).

I’m sure the citizens of Boston are proud that the $51,263 a year (or roughly $170 a day) in median Boston police salaries are put to such good use.