Hating The Sox Today

We have absolutely nothing good to say about last night – not a damn thing. The better part of last night was spent venting to my man Quikdraw about how much I was hating the Boston Red Sox yesterday – that loss blew up a great sports lottery ticket and cost me $500 big ones. My man Tilt was forced to listen to me vent this morning. To add insult to injury – Red Sox West blew up another ticket of mine.

Getting swept by the Blue Jays, with the lineup they put out on the field was inexcusable; for all you Manny Bashers reading this, public enemy number one now has to be Julio Lugo. Lugo had a chance to change the game with some hustle and gave up on a ball hit to Ray Olmedo and cost the Sox game-tying run when he was thrown out at first.

Before you go blaming Francona – which seems to be all the rage with a faction of Red Sox Nation these days – consider this, he has very few legitimate options. For as good as the starting nine can be – when you have the likes of Eric Hinske and Bobby Kielty on your bench, you’re screwed. If the Sox do end up collapsing, and for the first time since I started writing this page, I really hope they do – the person who should be held responsible is GM Theo Epstein. As I said to Quikdraw last night – Theo Epstein is the Boston Red Sox answer to Harry Sinden. Wondering what that means? Search the name Sinden on the page and you’ll see.

In Europe, Chelsea announced that, by mutual consent, Manager Jose Mourinho was leaving the team. Trouble had been brewing for a while in London and this doesn’t come as a surprise. For fans of the Portuguese National Team it was a day to rejoice – speculation is running rampant that Mourinho will come home to take over the National Team after Euro 2008 – if not sooner the way Luiz Felipe Scolari is managing. I have said time and again that Mourinho, having won every major trophy in Europe except a Euro trophy and a World Cup, would one day return to Portugal to win both and put a cap on one of the greatest managerial careers in football. It’s going to happen – and I’m going to be the first one to say: “SEE???? I TOLD YOU SO”.

WEDNESDAY’S THREE STARS
Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo returned home to Lisbon to play his former team, Sporting Lisbon, and scored the game’s only goal in a 1-0 win. Guys who screw Portuguese home sides never get play here – but Ronaldo is the exception.

Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho stood up to billionaire owner Roman Abramovich and agreed to walk away from the job of manager. Mourinho is a character – some call him brash, arrogant (cocky) and nasty – he makes the world of football infinitely more entertaining. Check out this link on the BBC – “Jose on Jose” and you’ll see why this guy is a champ - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/funny_old_game/7004282.stm

That’s all I’m going with today – I’m angry at the world of baseball today.


THURSDAY THREE PLAY
A decent night, going 2-1 (did I mention that the stinking Red Sox cost me?) and adding $80 to the total for the week, which now stands at + $580 – thanks for nothing Red Sox…there, I’m done venting. Today’s suggestions:

San Francisco over Cincinnati – an ugly game, but you have to think Matt Cain will finally be rewarded for pitching well – he’s been a tough luck loser of late. Remember, “value where you can get it”. Lay $100 on the Giants - $165.

New York over Florida – Dontrelle Willis has been brutal this year – we don’t expect things to change tonight. Lay $100 on the Mets - $140.

Texas over Baltimore – The O’s are sending Victor Zambrano to the mound – that pretty much tells you all you need to know about where they’re at these days. Lay $100 on the Rangers - $150.

That is it for today gang – thanks for taking the time to check in. Have a great one peeps.

Hazel, we hope things are groovy in your world.

I’m Out!