Dispatch from St. Louis

I made it to St. Louis today despite having neglecting to pack until this morning and having a bit of a late night.

We landed in a monsoon but thanks to the rain there was a four-hour rain delay at the futures game so I was able to get to Busch Stadium in time to catch Red Sox prospects Junichi Tazawa (on the bench and not pitching after warming up before the delay) and Casey Kelly (in action).

These are two of the most hyped guys in the system. Tazawa got a lot of press after skipping pro ball in Japan completely to sign a $3Million contract with the Sox and has been pitching well for Double A Portland. Kelly is a blue chip shortstop who happens to have such nasty stuff the Sox can't help but use him as a pitcher. After his first pitch of the game today he fielded a hard grounded with as much grace as, well, a shortstop.

Anyway, pretty sweet view from 22 floors up...more All Star week pics coming soon

Sox Swipe One from Oakland Last Night

Jacoby was actually caught in a pick off before stealing second base here...I love the expression on Orlando Cabrera's face in the second image.
Still one game up the Yankees as we inch closer to the All Star break.

Moody Weather at Fenway

But at least the rain is holding off...

Nomar's Return (& My Return to Blogging)

It's been a couple of weeks since my last blog post, and even longer since my last Sox-related blog post, so my apologies for the delay.

Last night was the first time Nomar had been back at Fenway since getting traded in the middle of the 2004 season. Everyone around here knows what a huge deal it was at the time, and everyone anywhere knows what happened at the end of that season. Shoot, it was such a big deal it even made it into a best man's speech I gave (believe me, it was relevant).

The fans gave him a minute-long standing ovation and as I was photographing it through a 400mm I could see him getting choked up. I was glad that the fans did that because what is the point of holding a grudge?

Another Change of Pace

While everyone was focused on the US Open this past weekend I was in Rhode Island shooting a different golf tournament-the CVS Caremark Charity Classic. I was hired by the tournamentr and picked up the gig as a freelancer. It was nice to shoot something non-baseball related as a change of pace. And I discovered Natalie Gulbis and therefore have a whole new appreciation of golf. There was some other big name golfers there who were not taking part in the US open, Davis Love III (pictured above) for one. Sadly the weather was pretty brutal, although I'm getting pretty used to shooting in the rain.

For Dad

Happy Father's Day!

UGH

Sitting at my desk...waiting for them to either call this game or let me go home. OR let me go to the bar and get a drink. Yes. A stiff drink.

500 and going strong

Last night the Red Sox sold out their 500th consecutive home game which extends their record and is significant because...well...it's a nice round number. They handed out these postcards to fans at the gates with one of my photos that had a message from the ownership on the back (and a photo credit thankyouverymuch). Just now Larry Lucchino literally slapped me on that back and said that it was a big hit. So, I've got that goin' for me! That sorta thing is good for moral, you know?

I'm happy that tonight is 501 and I can concentrate on the baseball and not so much the hoopla.
Just hoping the rain holds off...

Ortiz...back?

Last night Big Papi hit his third home run of the year. What is significant, however, is that it was the first home run he has hit that was JACKED deep. On his next at bat he was so pissed when he popped out and I take that as a really good sign. I mean...look at the picture. That is some emotion. I think he is starting to expect to hit the long ball now.
Im predicting a comeback and expect more long balls to come...he's gotta at least hit the 20 mark before the regular season ends!

Two Hit Wonder

Wow I thought I was about to witness my third no hitter in three years tonight! Then Michael Young had to go and screw it all up (photo directly above)
But I'll take the complete game two hit shutout and toss in another Ortiz home run to boot (I'm still really rooting for Big Papi, I'd hate to see him go).
A great night of baseball tonight...looking forward to many more this upcoming month.

I booked trips to Cooperstown for Jim Rice's induction ceremony, St. Louis for the All Star game and the DR for a Red Sox baseball camp. Stay tuned for pictures of all these things over the next month...plus Yankees back in town next week.