Sonoma County really is the Western Home to Red Sox Nation!

A little quick history- I am a member of the San Francisco Red Sox Meet-up group, but since this group was always meeting in San Francisco, a good 35 miles from where I used to live, and about 70 miles from where I now live, I started up this little yahoo discussion group to try and find other Sox fans north of the Golden Gate Bridge. I had been living in Marin County, but always had my eye on moving furthur north to Sonoma County, hence the name Red Sox Sonoma. I finally made that move this summer, and quite coincidentally, found myself living about 5 miles away from Mr. Fenway West himself, Matt O’Donnell. It was through this little yahoo group that I met Matt. With a new server hosting FenwayWest.com, I decided to change my profile name from Red Sox Sonoma to Sonoma Dave, as having Red Sox in my name on a Red Sox blog seemed redundant. I try to write my own pieces most of the time, but on occasion I sometimes post links to other previously written articles and add my own perspective and comments about it. I have a blog with just my posts from Fenway West, as well as my posts from the Ken Rosenthal Watch blog. On rare occasion I do post blog entries to my Red Sox Sonoma blog that do not appear on FW or KRW.

During the move to Sonoma County last summer, several times I passed the Sequoia Drive-In Restaurant that proclaims it serves ‘Boston’s Best Clam Chowda.’

(Coincidentally, I had the good fortune to spend a summer in Sequoia National Park working for the National Park Service many years ago.) I finally checked it out last week, and not only does the little clam shack have ‘Boston’s Best Clam Chowda,’ the owner, Bruce Monaghan, is a Braintree native and former proprietor of The Mug & Muffin. He relocated to the left coast about 6 years and purchased Sequoia Drive-In about 3 years ago. Once inside the tiny confines you realize that he is also a huge Red Sox fan. Red Sox memorabilia and photos of Fenway bombard you as you walk in the door! He even sponsors Little League teams with the name Red Sox. Turn ‘em into Sox fans early, I say! It really feels like one of those little seaside clam shacks that board up for the winter. You walk in and place your order at one window, and then take in all the Red Sox goodness while you’re waiting for your order. Once your order is ready, there are several picnic tables for you to chow down on; a couple out front, and a few more under the covered patio in the back.

It’s always good to have Red Sox fans as your friends and neighbors for watching the Sox on the tube, whether at home or at a sports bar, or dining at a clam shack that also has burgers and fries voted best in Sonoma County by The Bohemian, the local free weekly newspaper, so if there are any Sox fans reading this who are near West Sonoma County, let us know!

As I am writing about another CA Red Sox establishment, I want to remind our local readers about the best Red Sox bar in San Francisco, The Connecticut Yankee. (Yes, odd name for a Red Sox bar, but there is an explanation in the first of those two links.)

Sequoia Drive In 1382 Gravenstein Hwy S Sebastopol, CA 95472

Now if we could only get a wide screen TV in the back for next year to watch Sox games! The only other back east comestibles and libations we could use would be some Green Monsta Ale and Fenway Franks for the games!

Fenway West 11.23.09

Off Season Funnies- Jimmy Kimmel on Sammy Sosa

Sammy Sosa is still tied to the whipping post, as Jimmy Kimmel administers his lashes.

Guillermo Interviews Sammy Sosa

Jimmy Kimmel live MySpace Video

Fenway West 11.14.09

Reminder: Fenway West has recently moved

Please check your bookmark and if it directs you to http://fenwaywest.blogspot.com/, we here at Fenway West would greatly appreciate it if you would change it to http://www.fenwaywest.com/. The old blogspot host redirects you to the new address, but we would much prefer our readers to not go through blogspot. Thank you in advance for checking/changing your bookmark.

Should the Sox pick up 'Tek's option?

I read that the Sox will not pick it up for 2010. I say they should pick it up. 'Tek has been with the Sox for his entire career, since '97, and has been the Captain since 2004. If 'Tek is not ready for retirement, then the Sox should do the right thing and keep him for one more year. The $2 million difference between the Sox option and 'Tek's option is pocket change. In 'Dirty Water', 'Tek had a prominent role in the opening chapters, while the book mentioned 'honoring the brand.' Having 'Tek finish his career in a Sox uni is the right thing to do, if 'Tek is still wanting to play. (Remember when 'Tek blew out his knee the day after the trading deadline? The team fell apart starting that day.) Not picking it is kin to the low-ball offer that the Steinbrenner's offered Torre. 'Tek's value to this team over the years is most definitely worth the $2m, whether he is the starter or the back-up. Martinez has proven that he can handle Wake's knuckleball.

Theo- do the right thing, honor the brand.

Fenway West 11.09.09

RI Yankee fan gets a Red Sox goat

This falls into the 'Ever wonder what goes on in your old hometown?' department.

A Bristol, RI Yankee fan received an anonymous gift of a goat wearing a Red Sox hat tied to a tree in his front yard, according to an article in the Bristol Phoenix. It has been determined that the unnamed Yankee fan is not my father.

Did I hear something about the yankees?

Did I hear that the yankees won the World Series in some godawful high number like 6 games? Meh. Come back and talk to me the next time they win 8 straight World Series games. Come back and talk to me the next time they break an 86 year, or 88 year, (or even more years if you're a Cubs fan) World Series title drought.

Not only did Lee slay the beast...

… he did it with the greatest of ease. His bid for a World Series complete game shut-out was dashed when Jimmy Rollins’ throwing error in the bottom of the 9^th allowed the lonesome Yankee run.

Not only did he toss a complete game masterpiece, he also had two web gems, taboot.

And off in yonder distance...

... the devil rears it's ugly horns.

This is just wrong

This is just so wrong on so many levels, you'll have to read it for yourselves.

Clarification

From Wikipedia:

The 21st century is the current century of the Christian Era or Common Era in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. It began on January 1, 2001 and will end December 31, 2100.

As of yet, the Yankees have not won a World Series in this year, decade, century, or millenium. If they should do the unspeakable, they still will not have won 2 World Series in this decade, century, or millenium.

So there.

Wake's sugery a success

According to a Red Sox spokesperson, Tim Wakefield underwent surgery today to address a herniated disk which was a major factor in Wake's limited post-All Star Game appearances. The surgery should not affect his return to the Sox spring training. Theo Epstein has said that Wakefield is in the Sox plans for 2010, but wanted to wait and see how the surgery went before sitting down to negotiate the recurring $4 million dollar option that they have on him.

Ronan Tynan's "joke" stretches too far

Ronan Tynan, the Irish tenor who belts out "God Bless America" during the 7th inning stretch at Yankees home games, pulled a Mel Gibson when a real estate agent who was showing an apartment to a potential buyer saw him and said, “Don’t worry they are not Red Sox fans,” to which Tynan replied, "I don’t care about that, as long as they are not Jewish." He now claims he was joking. The New York Yankees cancelled his appearance in the ALCS game Friday night.

OK, move along, the show's over folks

And just like that, it was over. Just as the 2005 Sox were swept out in the first round, so were the 2009 Sox. As much as I wanted the Sox to go all the way winning 11 postseason games, I had a feeling that the Sox wouldn't be able to shoot downthe Halosafter owning them in the postseason for how many games now? How many years?

The way it ended this year was quite unsettling. The Sox jumped out to a 5-1 lead by the end of the 4th. It was looking like that bats had finally been found. Kazmir had thrown only 90 pitches when Mike Scioscia went to his bullpen for the final three frames and this time their bullpen did the job while Boston's faltered at a most untimely moment. Buchholz in his 1st postseason appearance ever,made it into the 6th inning allowing only 2 runs. Bard pitched 2 scoreless before Wagner came in. Somebody must have spiked his Gatorade with Eric Gagne's sweat, as he gave up 2 runs in his 2/3rds of inning, allowing the Angels to close in within 2 runs, 6-4 at that point. Exit Wagner, enter Papelbon for a 4 out save. Pap couldn't wiggle out of another 9th inning jamthis time, though. Gagne's stink followed him, too. He gave up a 2 run lead, exiting on the short end of a now 7-6 Angel's advantage. Okajima came in to get the 3rd out on 3 pitches.

Angel's sometime sketchy closer Brian Fuentes came in for a 1-2-3 bottom of the 9th, and just like that, it was over.

Sox Lose 6-7 BOX SCORE

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
LA Angels	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	2	3	7	11	0
Red Sox	0	0	3	2	0	0	0	1	0	6	7	1

Book review: Theology

In two words: Don’t bother. There’s very little in this biography of Theo Epstein that we haven’t already read in newspapers and Internet blogs. John Frascella landed this job with Cambridge House to write this puff piece despite the objections by Theo Epstein and the Red Sox. Cambridge House already had the project on the shelf when Frascella interviewed there, before landing this assignment.

Matt O’Donnell had an opportunity to interview Frascella last month about his book.

There are a few glimpses into Theo’s private life, from childhood to the present, but most of the book is just rehashing Theo’s involvement with the Orioles, Padres, and Red Sox. Frascella is an informed baseball fan, but his writing style wavers to and fro; from writing like a formal sports writer to informal blog style writing, from informed to dumb down. It's not a bad book, but in my opinion, it's nothing special, either.

If you must know the few details of Theo's private life, save your $15 and get it from the library.
Fenway West- The Western Home to Red Sox Nation http://www.fenwaywest.com

FENWAY WEST HAS MOVED

Check out the new site at http://www.fenwaywest.com/

Please update your links, this site will stay up for archive purposes.

Note- I did not write this post, but am including it here for any lost souls who may be looking for home.

Sox and Dawgs to return

On September 18, Ian Bethune shut down his popular blog, Sox and Dawgs, leaving a semi-cryptic message on a blank white page. Today, he twittered that he will be returning to blogging soon.

I have never met Ian, but I do know that Matt O'Donnell, founder of Fenway West, has thanked him publicly for numerous links from his site to Fenway West.

For more about Ian Bethune and Sox and Dawgs, read Batter-up with Bruno.

Is this the same team that beat the Yanks 22-4?!

Dice-K hurled 104 pitches in 6 innings, giving up 5 hits, 3 walks, 2 runs, while striking out 7 Indians in his final tune up before the ALDS begins. Since returning from the DL, his record stands at 3-1 with a 2.22 ERA.

Ellsbury swiped #69 (3B no less) and was caught on his 2nd attempt at stealing third. The Sox had most of their usual starters in the lineup today after getting the day off yesterday. Only Drew and Papi were out today, with ‘Tek behind the dish, V-Mart at 1B, Youk at 3B, and Lowell at DH. 8 hits brought in 6 runs.

The Chinese New Year’s Bullpen Dragon was manned by Wagner, Ramirez, Bard, and Saito: 3 IP, 3 H’s, 1 BB, 0 R’s (total for the crew.) No position players pitched for the Sox today.

Sox Win 6-2 BOX SCORE

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Indians	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	2	8	3
Red Sox	1	0	3	0	0	0	2	0	0	6	8	1

One other score of note: TBY 13, NYY 4 BOX SCORE
At first I thought that NY was resting all their regular starters, but no, that was not the case. Why couldn't Sabathia pitch like that last week. Grrrrr............

Halladay flattens PawSox

Today’s Sox line-up looked more like the Pawtucket Red Sox starting 9 than Boston’s normal starting line-up. All the regular position starters except for Papi and Gonzie had the day off to rest, as the Sox have qualified for the playoffs. Halladay had a no hitter going through the fifth when Joey Gathright singled. It took Halladay all of 100 pitches to dispense the Sox, allowing three piddly hits, walking two, and striking out six in his shutout performance. His opponent on the mound for the Sox was the elder statesman Tim Wakefield, who did not fare so well. In his shortest outing of the season, Wake gave up 7 hits and 5 runs.

Auditions were being held for the postseason bullpen roster: Cabrera, Richardson, Delcarmen, Jones, Okajima, and Brown. Wait a minute- Brown? Brown who? Catcher Dusty Brown was the third position player to be used as a relief pitcher this season by the Sox, Nick Green and Jonathan Van Every preceding him, setting a record in the process. Brown actually made it through the 9th inning allowing only 2 hits and 1 run, which was better than Francisco Cabrera and Manny Delcarmen. Cabrera gave up 3 runs in his 1 inning, Delcarmen gave up 3 hits and 2 runs. Yes, another disaster for MDC, but will it spell doom for Manny’s playoff spot? And what of Wake’s poor showing in his last game of the regular season as well? These are questions that won’t be answered until the last playoff spot has been determined (Twins or Tigers) and New York decides which playoff schedule they prefer.

The glowing embers of tonight’s Roadhouse burning down include Richardson and Jones who each pitched scoreless innings, and Joey Gathright. Gathright went 2 for 4 and made a diving catch that would make Coco Crisp and Jacoby Ellsbury proud.

PawSox Lose 0-12 BOX SCORE

Sox & Yanks '09 matching postseason caps

Thanks to Lisa Swan of The Faster Times for pointing out that the Red Sox and the Yankees postseason caps are nearly identical, except for the 'B' on the Sox caps and the 'NY' on the evil caps. The only other difference is the Yankees hat says 'Division Champs' and the Sox caps read 'Wild Card Champs'. But as you learned in my previous post, it don't mean a GD thing until you win 11 more games after the first 162.

No worries

Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald says the Sox' slide means little, everything gets reset back to zero. He tells of the last weeks and mediocre performances of previous World Series' winners, including the 2004 and 2007 Sox World Series winning teams. He says "hot doesn't mean squat"; and cold doesn't necessarily equate with mold.

The Red Sox aren't worried, just the fans and the bloggers, I guess.

The cork is stuck!

Somebody go find a corkscrew that works so we can open the champagne! Is somebody from da Bronx slippin’ some SUCK into the Sox’s Gatorade or what?

Buchholz gave up 5 home runs, and 8 runs, 4 of them in the 1st inning. Tonight’s bullpen conga line consisted of Ramirez, Saito, Wagner, and Papelbon were mostly effective in slowing down the runaway train that Buchholz unleashed- 4 IP, and only 1 run. Y’see, the BJ’s took off to an 8-2 lead by the time the bottom of the 8th inning arrived when the Sox mounted a 5 run attack which brought them to within 1 run of tying, hence Papelbon’s appearance in the top of the 9th inning. The Sox had men on 1st and 2nd, 2 outs, with Youk at the plate. You can’t write a better script. Unfortunately the author of this drama must have been Canadian. Youk looked at a called 3rd strike.



Sox Lose 7-8 BOX SCORE

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Blue Jays	4	1	1	0	1	0	1	0	0	8	11	0
Red Sox	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	7	14	1

Fernando Cabrera Gets Called Up to Boston, v. 2

Fernando Cabrera has been recalled up to Boston again for the final week of the season, as reported by Chad Finn of Boston.com.

Cabrera was the closer for the Pawtucket Red Sox after Daniel Bard got called up. In 52.2 innings, he compiled 22 saves, a 1.71 ERA, and a 1.18 WHIP. In his previous stint with the parent club, he pitched 4 innings in 4 games, allowing 2 runs.

I had a chance to meet with Cabrera back in July when I was back east. You can read the interview with him here.