[Cambridge]

Well, winter is finally behind us and another season begins -- a season with great expectations. Game One is this afternoon amid much fanfare and ballyhoo.

This time next week? Based on my observations over the years, it will be either, "This team is bound for glory" or "Doom. Gloom. Suckitude," in the eyes of many. Reactions will be over-reactions in spades.

All of that said, I believe the time to get excited is nigh.

[SoxAroundTheWorld]

Lester and Crawford suck. Panic time.

[rominer]

Abner Doubleday might not have invented baseball, but he was still an asshole.

[roidrage]

Red Sox record after 1 game:

2004: 0-1
2007: 0-1
2011: 0-1

Make room for another pennant, bitches.

[BigSlick]

roidrage, on 02 April 2011 - 07:34 AM, said:

Red Sox record after 1 game:

2004: 0-1
2007: 0-1
2011: 0-1

Make room for another pennant, bitches.

Opening day means squat. The Pirates have won on opening day 5 years in a row.

[The Ghost of Ned Martin]

BigSlick, on 02 April 2011 - 08:52 AM, said:

Opening day means squat. The Pirates have won on opening day 5 years in a row.

Yes but they have been forced to wear yellow shirts. Have you factored that in?

Here is what I learned during game one:

1) The Sox will not go 162-0 this season.

2) Jon Lester in not superman and will have bad outings. I think I already knew this but by the end of this season will have forgotten again because he will be virtually unhittable on many occasions throughout the Summer and Fall.

3) Daniel Bard - see#2 above.

4) Jacoby Ellsbury owned one of the toughest lefty-on-lefty starting pitchers in the American League. I expect Dreamboat to have a great year.

5) Nolan Ryan is a fat hog.

6) Fishcake is a Belly Dancer.

7) Opening Day is still my favorite sports moment of the year.

8) SoxAroundTheWorld is one dedicated Red Sox fan.

9) Adrian Gonzalez' at bats are going to be "must sees" much like Manny's were.

10) Baseball makes me happy in my special place.

[rominer]

11) Tim McClelland's strike zone late in games is about the size of a Dodgers fan's penis.

[SoxAroundTheWorld]

The Ghost of Ned Martin, on 02 April 2011 - 11:01 AM, said:

8) SoxAroundTheWorld is one dedicated Red Sox fan.

Aw, shucks. I suppose the fact that I dozed off in my chair in about the sixth inning changes things a bit...

[BigSlick]

Apparently Tito has chosen to panic.

Carl Crawford is batting 7th today.

In the opening day game thread I posted that I never wanted to see Crawford bat against a lefty again, but I am just an emotional a-hole posting on a message board. I certainly would give him more than 2 games if I actually was the manager of the Boston Red Sox.

[coloradojack]

I'm back from my adventures. All is good.

[Hail Cesar]

Yeah, I'd say it's about time that MLB checked the Rangers' bats for cork. Just the look on Buchholz's face at the end of the game said it all... he looked like he couldn't believe that te Rangers were continuing to launch balls off the Sox.

Hopefully Cleveland doesn't have cork in their bats.

[Scruffy]

They're all juicin' i tells ya, JUICIN'

[BigSlick]

According to Gordon Edes the 1998 Yankees started off 0-3 and won 114 games.

[SoxAroundTheWorld]

BigSlick, on 03 April 2011 - 11:09 AM, said:

Apparently Tito has chosen to panic.

Carl Crawford is batting 7th today.

In the opening day game thread I posted that I never wanted to see Crawford bat against a lefty again, but I am just an emotional a-hole posting on a message board. I certainly would give him more than 2 games if I actually was the manager of the Boston Red Sox.

Tito is a genius. Crawford has zero hits out of the 3 hole, but bats (lefties, no less) at a 500 clip from the 7 slot. Way to be flexible, Tito!

Tito is an idiot. Gonzalez is 5 for 9 hitting 5th, and 0 for 4 hitting third. Way to make things worse, Tito!

Maybe the third spot is cursed or something.

[Hail Cesar]

SoxAroundTheWorld, on 03 April 2011 - 10:40 PM, said:

Tito is a genius. Crawford has zero hits out of the 3 hole, but bats (lefties, no less) at a 500 clip from the 7 slot. Way to be flexible, Tito!

Tito is an idiot. Gonzalez is 5 for 9 hitting 5th, and 0 for 4 hitting third. Way to make things worse, Tito!

Maybe the third spot is cursed or something.

Brings up an interesting question... even if it is laden with sarcasm... after 3 games is it possible that the best lineup is Ellsbury, Pedroia, Papi, A-Gone, Youk, Crawford, Salty, Drew, and Scutaro? I really don't think that hitting is the issue so far (I'm sure I'm not alone there). Might take some time for the pitching staff to get more comfortable with Salty and Curt Young.

[Hail Cesar]

BigSlick, on 03 April 2011 - 09:22 PM, said:

According to Gordon Edes the 1998 Yankees started off 0-3 and won 114 games.

Okay... that makes me feel a little better, I guess... they only gave up 3 homeruns in those games, though... there's something crazy about the Ballpark at Arlington.

Quote

1 April 1 Yankees 1–4 Angels, W: Finley, L: Pettitte, S: Percival.
2 April 2 Yankees 2–10 Angels, W: Hill, L: Wells.
3 April 4 Yankees 3–7 Athletics, W: Chacin, L: Cone.

Courtesy of http://en.wikipedia....season_game_log

This post has been edited by Hail Cesar: 04 April 2011 - 07:52 AM

[VoteRiceIn]

A scheduled off day after a 0-3 start = stupid

It should be noted that in 1996 the Sox also lost the first 3 games played to open the season vs. Texas. Further, the season opener was also played on April 1st. Texas scored 25 runs in the 3 game set back in 1996, this time around they scored 26!!! The Sox wound up with a record of 7-19 for the month of April back in '96.

Conclusion #1 = we're doomed!
Conclusion #2 = I hated 1996

edit: this is post # 1918 for me!!! ARRGGHHH!!!!!!

This post has been edited by VoteRiceIn: 04 April 2011 - 09:17 AM

[MrNewEngland]

Trade for prospects.

[Hail Cesar]

MrNewEngland, on 04 April 2011 - 10:22 AM, said:

Trade for prospects.

Trade who for prospects? Crawford? Papi? Paps? Tito? The entire organization? Your mom?

Inquiring minds need to know!

[Mike LansWho]

Now would be a good time to announce the Adrian Gonzalez extension. A little good news would be nice.