Wed. 12.31

Mon. 12.29, Tues 12.30

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Just a Little Bit.

Alex Who?

Savvy pickups of Dauber and Pokey Reese, and Cone of Silence at Yawkey Way, make Nation forget all about A-Rod.

And the Red Sox.

Pats Cover Spread Again

But if you didn't go to the wedding, don't go to the funeral.

Super Seed

14-2 = #1
Pats Say 'Bye' to Buffalo
Belichick Mate, 31-0

Game Over Before it Started

Bills Paid Back

No Gillette Down
for New England as
Defense Gets to Drew

The Big Payback

James Brown, but not the one on Fox

Hey! Gotta gotta pay back!! (The big payback)
Revenge!! I'm mad (the big payback)
Got to get back! Need some get back!! Pay Back! (the big payback)
That's it!! Payback!!! Revenge!!!
I'm mad!!

Get down with my old friend, That ain`t right!!
Hollarin` cussin`, you wanna fight
Payback is a thing you gotta see
Bledsoe do any damn thing to me

Lawyer sold us out, for chump change (yes he did!!)
Told us that they, they had it all arranged
You handed me down, and that's a fact
Now he's punked, You gotta get ready; For the big payback!!
That's where I am, the big payback (the big payback!!)

Lawyer Settles

"Lawyer Milloy is Forever" - Lawyer Milloy

Buffalo Soldier

Buffalo Soldier, on Bledsoe’s Rostah:
There was a Buffalo Soldier broke heart of the Patriots,
Stolen right from under us, right to our nemesis,
Fighting a new rival, fighting for survival.

I mean it, when I analyze the stench -
To me it doesn’t make a lot of sense:
How the All-Pro Rock Star is now the Buffalo Soldier,
And he was taken right from under us, right to our nemesis,
Fighting a new rival, fighting for survival.

Said he was a Buffalo Soldier, on Bledsoe’s Rostah
Buffalo Soldier broke heart of the Patriots.

If you know your history,
Then you would know where he’s coming from,
Then you wouldn't have to ask me,
What the 'eck I think of it.

He’s just a Buffalo Soldier broke heart of the Patriots,
Stolen right from under us, right to our nemesis,
Said he was fighting on arrival, fighting for survival;
Said he was a Buffalo Soldier fight the war for Bills now.

Dreadie, Lawy yoy yoy, Lawy yoy-yoy yoya,
Lawy yoy yoy yoy, yoy yoy-yoy yoya!
Lawy yoy yoy, Lawy yoy-yoy yoya,
Lawy yoy yoy yoy, yoy yoy-yoy yoya!
Buffalo Soldier troddin' through the strange land, wo-ho-ooh!
Said he wanna ran out, He didn’t wanna holdout,
Troddin' through the strange land, yea-hea, yea-ea.

Said he was a Buffalo Soldier in the war with the Patriots;
Buffalo Soldier, on Bledsoe’s Rostah,
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival;
Driven from the homeland to a team in our Division.

Singing, Lawy yoy yoy, Lawy yoy-yoy yoya,
Lawy yoy yoy yoy, yoy yoy-yoy yoya!
Lawy yoy yoy, Lawy yoy-yoy yoya,
Lawy yoy yoy yoy, yoy yoy-yoy yoya!

Troddin' through Albany in the arms of new team;
Troddin' through the Upstate, now a Buffalo Soldier
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival:
Buffalo Soldier, on Bledsoe’s Rostah.

Lawy yoy yoy, Lawy yoy-yoy yoya,
Lawy yoy yoy yoy, yoy yoy-yoy yoya!
Lawy yoy yoy, Lawy yoy-yoy yoya,
Lawy yoy yoy yoy, yoy yoy-yoy yoya! /fadeout/

Georgie Porgie Faints

But Manny's Mom is OK.

Sun. 12.28

Donato at Point on the Power Play?

Bruins Can't Win.

Do These Guys Have What it Takes to Take the Lakers?

Celtics Try to Beat LA Tonight. (Nope)

Sat. 12.27

'Twas the Night After Christmas

'Twas the night after Christmas, when all through Patriot Nation,

Fans cry "No respect," focus on Sox caused frustration;

Bob Kraft and the players know how much they care,

And hope the country might notice they've been on a tear;

They felt bad for the Bills led by our old friend Bleds

But now visions of a Super Bowl dance in our heads;

With Brady as sheriff, and a defense that don't nap,

Could this be the year, we beat the Cinderella team rap?

Then during my sleep there arose such a clatter,

It was down at Gillette, something was the matter,

Away to the highway, I flew like a flash

Did they score a TD, a Brady 15-yard dash?

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

But two penalty flags, "The worst call of the year!"

The tension was thick, Bledsoe was on fire

The Pats and Bills had gone down to the wire

Fourth down was upon us, it came fast, it came quick

We need a big play - a long pass, a flea-flick

When more rapid than eagles, the blitz - they all came

Brady called an audible, he called players by name

"Now Antowain, Now Ward, Now Branch and Givens

On Brown, On Fauria, on Faulk and Graham"

Run as fast as you can, then look for the ball

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!

So down towards the end zone, fly patterns they flew

But no sign of the ball, at least not from my view

And then, in a twinkling, I saw a ball in the sky

Tom threw the ball long - 60 yards - let it fly!

Givens ran for the corner, head turning around

Down past the goal line, he came with a bound

A touchdown was scored, the ball spiked to the ground!

"We're the number one seed," the fans they were Merry

Haven't been this happy since they got rid of Terry

The good times were back for our forgotten football club

"THIS IS THE YEAR, SUPER BOWL FEVER GRIPS HUB"

Have A Very Brady Christmas

Patriots Know How to Seal the Deal

Number One Seed in Sight for Pats.

The Anti-Grady

Coach Bags Bills Today

Fri. Dec. 26

Blink 180°

LA Times: "Red Sox Blink and Miss Out"

"Hicks eases financial demands, but Boston still lets Ranger owner's deadline pass, nixing a Rodriguez-Ramirez deal with no strings attached."

By Ross Newhan, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer, 12.24.03

"Is it possible that this was the deadline to end all deadlines?

Is it really conceivable now that after almost two months of an on-again, off-again story line, the plot of this complex and high-finance baseball soap has gone nowhere?

Time will tell, skeptics were saying Tuesday, but the cold reality seemed to be that a potentially historic trade was finally in need of a coroner.

In a strange and potentially final twist, working against a deadline imposed by Texas Ranger owner Tom Hicks, sources familiar with the situation said the Boston Red Sox suddenly blinked.

The result? The Red Sox failed to take advantage of the fact that the Rangers had removed a major financial impediment at the 11th hour.

In the process, the Red Sox seemed to have forfeited what may have been the last chance to acquire shortstop Alex Rodriguez for outfielder Manny Ramirez.

With holiday shopping in mind, Hicks enforced his mid-afternoon deadline and said in a statement it was "time for the Rangers to look forward to the 2004 season with Alex Rodriguez as our shortstop and leader."

Is that it for sure?

Said Scott Boras, who represents Rodriguez: "Tom Hicks has indicated he will not consider a trade [involving Rodriguez] in the immediate future. I take that to mean Alex will be back with the Rangers next season.

"There was nothing more he or Tom Hicks could have done [to facilitate the trade with Boston]."

Boras refused to discuss specifics.

However, sources said he was clearly referring to two aspects of the negotiations:

• Trying to make it easier on the Red Sox, Rodriguez had already agreed to move $13 million of the $179 million remaining on his contract, the maximum allowed by the players' union under the bargaining agreement.

• The Rangers, attempting to get out from under the Rodriguez contract in a last-ditch compromise, agreed to drop their demand that the Red Sox contribute to the $97.5 million remaining on Ramirez' contract. Texas initially asked for $25 million, or $5 million a year for five years. That was lowered to $15 million, then dropped to zero on Tuesday, sources said.

In other words, satisfied with the $81.5 million they would be saving through the exchange of contracts, the Rangers agreed to a simple trade of Rodriguez for Ramirez and pitching prospect Jon Lester, who was agreeable to the Red Sox.

Still, Boston balked, and there was no explanation." LA Times, 12.24

"Merry Christmas Boston"

- Arn "Cha-ching" Tellum, Gene "The Grinch" Orza, Scott "Parting Shot" Boras, Cynthia "10% to get to 170%" Rodriguez, Alex "Union Jerked" Rodriguez,
Nomar "Free Agent Man" Garciaparra, Manny "Wha' Happened?" Ramirez,
George "Luxury Taxaholic" Steinbrenner, and Jeff "Pinocchio" Moorad

"Here's what I do know: I just wish somebody would give me the last two weeks of my life back... What a waste of time and energy."

- Bill Simmons, ESPN Page 2, 12.24.03

Wed. 12.24

86 the A-Rod

"So the winning guy is at second base, with 2 out,
3-and-2 to Tom Hicks... little roller up along first...
BEHIND THE BAG! IT GETS THROUGH HENRY!
THERE GOES A-ROD, AND THE RANGERS KEEP HIM!"

Results of the Annual Sales Contest Are In

Tom Hicks, our winner, you've won a shiny new Cadillac. John Henry, for second place, you've just won a lovely set of steak knives. Larry Lucchino, third place, you're fired.

ABC!

"Always Be Closing" - Glengarry Glen Ross. Apparently Theo Little should have pulled Larry Lucchino in the eighth. Then predictably Tom "11th Inning" Werner
gives up the game winner.

Sox to Spin City

Note to Angry Nation, if you have any ideas on how to spin this debacle, please call Larry Rasky or Joe Baerlein of The Rasky/Baerlein Group at 1-617-443-9933. Yes, they're working today.

Captain Curt Goes On the Record

"Don't let people make something out of nothing"

"Hey folks, on the record, don't let anyone tell you anything in regards to this clubhouse other than a player. The media has no idea what the state of our clubhouse is, or isn't. Anything printed to the contrary is false, unless it contains a quote from a player saying the clubhouse is in shambles, which it isn't. Bottom line is through this entire situation, debacle, fiasco, whatever you want to call it, members of the media, not all, but some, have tried to interview quite a few of us, and most wanted to or did get to the question of "Who would you rather have on the team?" at some point." Schill on SoSH, 12.24.03

Hicks, Henry Send Out Letters to STHs

Hicks letter:

December 23, 2003

Dear FirstName,

Very shortly, it will be announced that the proposed trade of Alex Rodriguez to the Boston Red Sox will not occur. Given the importance of this issue, I wanted to "speak" to you, our valued season ticket holders, directly and prior to the announcement.

The Texas Rangers Baseball Club is committed to creating a championship-caliber team on the field. As such, we are constantly exploring ways to achieve those ends. When contemplating the potential to trade Alex, the one constant was that we would only finalize an agreement if it would make our team better faster. At the end of the negotiation process, we felt what was offered in return did not satisfy that threshold.

When Alex signed to play for the Texas Rangers, we felt privileged to have the best player in baseball as a part of our team. We believed we could build a championship-caliber team around Alex. That sentiment has not changed, nor has the commitment.

We are well on our way to accomplishing that goal. Mark Teixeira, Hank Blalock, and Michael Young, along with Alex, form arguably the best infield in baseball today. Their future together has the potential for even greater success. We continue to see accomplishments at all levels of our minor league system confirming the vision of future success that John Hart and Grady Fuson created. In addition, we plan to augment this young core with appropriate free agent activity, which should begin taking place over the next several days, and/or trades. Buck Showalter is the embodiment of a Major League manager, and the Rangers are confident in his ability to lead our young, talented group to future playoff games.

Your support as a season ticket holder is instrumental in allowing us to build these future successes. I want to personally thank you for your loyalty and assure you of our commitment to reward your investment. The Rangers look forward to seeing you often at the beautiful Ballpark in Arlington in 2004. Please join me in welcoming Alex back to The Ballpark.

Best regards,

Thomas O. Hicks
Chairman, C.E.O. and Owner

Henry letter:

December 24, 2003

Dear FirstName,

Yesterday, it was announced by Tom Hicks that the proposed trade of Manny Ramirez to the Texas Rangers will not occur. Given the importance of this issue, I wanted to "speak" to you, our valued season ticket holders, directly and after his announcement.

The Boston Red Sox Baseball Club is committed to creating a championship-caliber team on the field. As such, we are constantly exploring ways to achieve those ends. When contemplating the potential to waive, then trade Manny, the one constant was that we would only finalize an agreement if it would make our team better faster. At the end of the negotiation process, we felt what was offered in return, the best player in the game, did not satisfy that threshold.

When Manny signed to play for the Boston Red Sox, Dan Duquette felt privileged to have one of the better right-handed hitters in baseball as a part of our team. He must have believed he could build a championship-caliber team around Manny. That sentiment has changed, so has the commitment.

We were well on our way to accomplishing that goal. Pokey Reese, Bill Mueller, and Kevin Rodriguez-Millar, along with Nomar, form arguably an OK infield at Fenway today. Their future together has the potential for even greater success, or maybe not. We continue to see accomplishments at all levels of our minor league system confirming the vision of future success that Theo Epstein and Ben Cherington created. In addition, we plan to augment this young core with appropriate free agent activity, which should begin taking place over the next several months, and/or trades. Tito Francona is the embodiment of a Major League manager, and the Red Sox are confident in his ability to lead our old, yet talented group to future playoff games.

Your support as a season ticket holder is instrumental in allowing us to build these future successes. I want to personally thank you for your loyalty and assure you of our commitment to reward your investment. The Red Sox look forward to seeing you often at the beautiful Park at Fenway in 2004. Please join me in welcoming Manny and Nomar and Kevin back to Fenway Park.

...Enough already, who am I kidding. We screwed this one up royally folks. And we're still trying to figure out how to spin our way out of it. Stay tuned as our PR guys are hard at work over Christmas.

Best regards,

John W. Henry
Chairman and Owner

(wink for those who need one)

Generalissimo Francisco Franco
Is Still Dead

And Managerissimo Tito Francona is Dead Now Too with Fractured Clubhouse of Nomar, Manny, and Millar.

But A-Rod Deal is Very Much Alive (for Next Season now). Nothing is Done Until Nomar Signs a Contract But...

Bah-Humbug!

You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch. This One Was a Cinch.

TEXAS MESS
"Oh Lucky! You Gotta Lotta 'Splainin' To Do"

The Red Sox Would Not Embarrass Their Fans Like This

"Come on now. Don't start to waver on us. It's the holidays. Be of good cheer! It's going to be just a great, exciting season. Hang in there."
- John Henry 12.16.03 4:26am, SoSH

We're Wavering. And We're Fretting John. You Should Have Figured this Out in the
Dress Rehearsal. Boo. Hiss.

Did John Henry Fold Like a Cheap Accordion?
Say it Ain't So John, Say it Ain't So.

Scott Boras: "Alex gave up a lot financially...
but the Sox walked away from this deal."

  Same results as a boston.com poll.

Getting the Deal Done
Would you trade Manny for A-Rod and move Nomar now?	Yes, get A-Rod to Boston then get what you can for Nomar No, stand pat with Manny and try to sign Nomahh
	Current Results

Tue.. 12.23

SOX TO CLOSE IN ON A-ROD AGAIN

They See Texas, and Raise Them,
in Another High Stakes Hand.

Deadline Passes. Deal Alive.

"Straight Swap" Story Inaccurate

Report that John Henry Dragged Everyone Through the Mud for Months on This and Let Tom Hicks Kick Him in the Teeth Over Jose Offerman Money Are Inaccurate as Well.

Right John?

Sox Brass Upset that Deadline Deal Passed?
Boo Hoo. This Simply Can't Fall Through.

Boston-Texas Inch Closer to New Agreement as Dumb Deadline Passes. Trade Talks Will Accelerate on Monday.

Slip Up? Sox Should Have Said "Deal is Dead"

"There is nothing further to report relating to the consummation of a transaction between the Boston Red Sox and the Texas Rangers involving Alex Rodriguez. No further discussions regarding this transaction are planned." - K. Shea

Remember: Some Things
are Worth Waiting For

Brass Knuckles Down Texas with Hardline Stance

(Some fans can't stomach the wait, think they're resigned to the fate of Hicks' deadline, Nomar walk year, and ManNY)

Are You In?

High Stakes Poker Continues.
This Game Could Go On for a Year.

The Gambler

On a warm winter evenin' Tom Hicks bound for nowhere,
He met up with the gambler; they were both too wired to sleep.
So they took turns a starin' out the window at the darkness
'Til "dead deal" overtook us, and he began to speak.

He said, "'Sons', I've made a fortune out of readin' people's faces,
And knowin' what their cards were by the way they held their eyes.
So if you don't mind my sayin', I see Hicks is out of aces.
For his waste-of-money contract, I gave him some advice."

So I handed him my spreadsheet and he scrubbed down my last number.
Then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light.
And the night got deathly quiet, and his face lost all expression.
Said, "If you're gonna play the game, Tom, ya gotta learn to play it right."

You got to know when to Tellem, know when to sell him,
Nomar will walk away so know when it's done.
You never count out Alex when I'm sittin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.

Now Ev'ry gambler knows that the secret to survivin'
Is knowin' what to throw to Gammons and knowing what to keep.
'Cause ev'ry hand's a winner and ev'ry hand's a loser,
And the worst thing that can happen, is you sign Nomar cheap.

So when he finished speakin', Hicks turned back towards the window,
Crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep.
And somewhere in the darkness the gambler, he broke even.
But in his final words I found an MVP that I could keep.

You got to know when to Tellem, know when to sell him,
Nomar will walk away so know when it's done.
You never count out Alex when I'm sittin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.

You got to know when to Tellem, know when to sell him,
Nomar will walk away so know when it's done.
You never count out Alex when I'm sittin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for gloatin' when the dealin's done.

Little Bummer Boy

He'd come they told me
pa rum pum pum pum
A new Sox King to see,
pa rum pum pum pum
The finest gifts we'd bring
pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before our King
pa rum pum pum pum
rum pum pum pum
rum pum pum pum

Dough to honor Him
pa rum pum pum pum,
when will he come?

Little Nomie
pa rum pum pum pum
He is a sore boy now,
pa rum pum pum pum
When Nomar's phone don't ring
pa rum pum pum pum
That's coin to give our King
pa rum pum pum pum
rum pum pum pum
rum pum pum pum

Shall I get played for you!
pa rum pum pum
are we dumb?

Manny nodded
pa rum pum pum pum
Tom Hicks and Hart kept time
pa rum pum pum pum
John played his bluff for Him
pa rum pum pum
I played my best for Him
pa rum pum pum pum
rum pum pum pum
rum pum pum pum

Then He smiled you see
pa rum pum pum pum
He will soon come.

Schilling to Touch Down on Bledsoe's Bungalow

Shocker: #SoSH has already moved in.

Mon. 12.22

'Twas the Fight Before Christmas

'Twas the fight before Christmas, when all through Red Sox Nation,

We pray a blockbuster trade could end 86 years of frustration;

John Henry and Theo know how much we care,

And that we want a frickin' end to this Rodriguez L'affaire;

Our Red Stockings were hung when Grady left us for dead,

But now visions of a Series dance in our heads;

With Schilling as sheriff, and A-Rod’s new Red Sox cap,

Could this be the year, we close New York’s 26-to-5 gap?

Then during my sleep there arose such a clatter,

It was down in Ft. Myers where something was the matter,

Away to the airport I jumped on a plane,

After spending the winter just waiting in vain;

Soon came the warmth of the Florida sun,

The Red Sox were back for another serious run,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But Pedro Martinez, who hadn’t pitched for what seemed like a year;

And then, in a twinkling, he was back on the mound,

The prancing and pawing of the top throwing hound,

Laying his finger aside of the seam,

He gave me a nod, this was my impossible dream;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

He went into his windup; then turned with a jerk,

As he threw out his hand, and was coming around,

Down towards home plate, the ball took off with a bound;

He threw like the old days, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment, Petey had his old kick.

More rapid than eagles came the Opening game,

At the top of the dugout, Tito called them by name;

"Now, ALEX! now, KEITH! now, ORDONEZ and NIXON!

On, WAKE! on DEREK! on, MUELLER and DAMON!

From the very first pitch! Hit it over The Wall!

Now swing away! Swing away! Let’s play ball through late fall!"

And just like before Ortiz let the ball fly,

Jason threw out base stealers, hit long drives through the sky,

Millar had the old stroke back, when he hit ‘em they flew,

They all batted around, Pokey Reese too;

I sprang to my feet, to the team gave a whistle,

They circled the bases, Pedro threw another missile,

The good times were back for our little ballclub,

"THIS IS THE YEAR, PENNANT FEVER GRIPS HUB"

ANGRY SOX FANS RIP INTO MLBPA

"Posted and backed by bostondirtdogs.com, a Red Sox fan website, the rally had hoped to feature former Red Sox pitcher Bill Lee and a large group of fans chanting "Here we go A-Rod, here we go" and "Let's go Red Sox."

"The union's the biggest joke going," Jonathan Brolin, a 30-year- old equity analyst from Manhattan, said. "A-Rod lifted everyone's salary and now they're punishing him..." - MIKE FORDE. New York Post. New York, N.Y.: Dec 19, 2003

Sun. 12.21

HE'LL BE HOME
FOR CHRISTMAS

His Home, Not Ours.

A-Rod Sells
Dashing through the dough
Yes John Henry will pay
New deal looks like a go
Laughing all the way (to the bank);
Done on Christmas Eve
making spirits bright
What fun it is to buy and bring
An MVP tonight (oh)
A-Rod sells
A-Rod sells
A-Rod all the way!
O what fun it is to pencil him in
batting third Opening Day

Grrrrciaparra?

"You've got to count on your teammates, when I saw that on Sports Center I said 'oh man'...Kevin Millar's a great player but I'm sure Nomar couldn't have been happy."

— Tom Brady on Kevin Millar saying he would take A-Rod over the combination of Nomar and Manny on ESPN's Sports Center - WEEI 12.22.03

Neumy Mole: "Nomar still wants to play for the Red Sox"

Tuesday Deadline By Texas Seals the Deal

"On Sunday night, Rangers owner Tom Hicks said he wants a conclusion on the proposed trade with the Red Sox for Manny Ramirez -- one way or the other --
by 4 p.m. (CT) Tuesday or the deal is officially dead."

P-A-T-S

PATS, PATS, PATS

Time to Get Behind the Awesome Patriots

Sat. 12.20

Don Cortheone Sends Fredo Lucchino Packing

CEO Sent to Pittsburgh for "Family Business"

"The high-stakes poker game for Alex Rodriguez continued yesterday, though the Red Sox seat previously shared by principal owner John W. Henry and CEO Larry Lucchino is occupied by the third principal member of the ownership group, team chairman Tom Werner, who has been dealing with Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks the last three days. Lucchino, who had declared the deal dead on Thursday after commissioner Bud Selig closed the window on direct negotiations between Rodriguez and the Sox, flew to Pittsburgh yesterday on family business." - Gordon Edes, Boston Globe, 12.20

"Never take sides against the players union again"

The Chickens Go Home to Roost

No talks on Saturday as Boras went home early.
A-Rod leaves Sunday.

Monday, Monday

Final talks on new A-Rod/Manny deal will start again tomorrow.
Like apples and oranges, the new deal will also get done.

Sleigh-Rod Still Possible Before Christmas, Nation Screams "Just Pay-Rod!"

It's Only a Flesh Wound

Black Knight Deal Battles On

Merloni Doing the Mockerina Again

No need for Sancho Panza with Nomar going.

"Outta here! Loner Garciaparra won't be missed in Sox clubhouse"

Pretty much everyone shared something with someone else. But one player typically sat alone, fastidiously snipping the labels off his batting gloves or whispering into a cell phone. He exchanged pleasantries with a passerby or two, but the conversations didn't typically last very long.

While it's going too far to say Nomar Garciaparra's teammates ignored him, they didn't exactly embrace him. - Tomase is at it again