I picked up an official Mark Loretta jersey at the team store after he hit his walk off homer on Patriots Day. I was drunk. Very drunk. That's what happens when you and your buddies start drinking for an 11:00am game at 7:00am.

IH, I agree with you 100%. The impact on the troops is essentially the same though, that's the only point my brother was making. Trust me, he's not some war machine programmed by the Marines, he's a critical thinker, which is honestly rare in the enlisted infantry ranks.

Just spoke to my brother again and here's some new info... He obviously has friends still in the service, most of them in Iraq/Afg. He spoke to a buddy of his in Iraq and things are not good. The reaction of the US citizens is not being missed by Islamic extremists in both countries. They all knew that when and if OBL was killed at the hand of the US military there would be consequences, they were all prepared for that. However, the reaction of the citizens is making it worse and frankly, this is exactly what the terrorists wanted. It makes their sales pitch against us better. Now here is the real irony, I know most liberal leaning people don't believe this, but I'm inclined to believe my brother. This is having the same impact as widely reported anti-war protests, it's only making our enemy stronger by demonstrating a weakness or a shortcoming of our moral character and our resolve as a country. Liberals and Conservatives need to both consider the very real impact their actions have on our military in active combat, especially now that everything is blown out of proportion in the ever connected media. 1. "All of America is reacting to OBL's death the same way, they are truly evil. See, it's right there on TV!" 2. "All of America is against this military action, more dead soldiers and we will break their political spirit to continue the fight. See, it's right there on TV!" Don't shoot the messenger and if there is a higher power, please look after our troops in this much more dangerous world for them.

Quick note on OBL... As some of you know because I have brought him up from time to time over there years here, my little brother was a Marine and he served two combat tours in Iraq, including the initial invasion. Politics of the Iraq war aside, he certainly has a unique perspective on these matters. I texted him last night asking how he felt about the celebrations because I also had mixed feels. His response was pretty simple. "It's disgusting." We spoke today briefly and he basically said what a lot of people are saying, this makes us no better than the fanatics we're fighting and we should be better than that.

One huge upside to the losing, just got $99 dollar tickets for $50 for the game today, loge box behind the Red Sox on deck circle!!!

Jesus SF, you're killing me. What if? What if this team plays to the mathematical probability based on their collective talents and history? Get off the bridge, or call in to WEEi. John, the QU line was gold!

I guess we understand why Drew was leading off today. So I snuck out of the office and headed to the bar to watch the game, so this might be the Stella talking, but I'm very confident in this team, despite the start.

I want to punch a kitten.

No chance Tek gets to that.

Wait, wait, wait... This is what video games look like now? Holy crap. Regardless, even though this was a video game, it was still a Red Sox baseball game that I didn't know the outcome of and it got me really, really, really excited for tomorrow.

Congrats Brad!

Hey old friends... First things first, I would like to call Paul out on this: "That's the brainy way of looking at things. Others of us would rather just squint hard and throw darts at a newspaper..." Nice try at the common man, but you're a stat dork 100% and we love you for it. Second, Red Sox will take the division by 5 games or more. Third, I don't care if Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is comercial crap, read it on the plane back from China and loved it. Lastly, PLAY BALL! Second, I'm

I agree that it's a good idea, but adoption will be impossible. The best bet would be to start using them as a requirement in high school and college now. Pros, especially pitchers, use the same brand of socks their entire careers, no chance they will add new equipment that doesn't directly make them better.

Paul, so... You're going to keep doing this, right? Right?

Count me amount the group that not only doesn't mind if my team's setup/closer guys are angry drunks, I actually prefer it.

I don't know what you're talking about, NY does a bang up job with snow removal! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt_r-jO3lKE&feature=player_embedded

Way to not waste any time Paul, great to have you back. I've been gone too, kept checking the site every day, but there was only so much AG could do. He's been doing a hell of a job despite no support from the other writers here. To the good old days!!!

Quick question, and don't get me wrong AG, you're a terrific author here, but did all the other authors here retire? Did I miss something?

My condolences Yankee Fans. The guy loved his team and went to the ends of the earth to please the fans.

I'm more upset about this than any blown call, almost ever, when my team gets a blown call against them I can usually tell my self that these things happen, there were lots of chances they didn't take advantage of, etc. Not this, this is almost criminal. The ump needs to lose his job, period. Selig needs to step in and reverse his call. I'm so angry about this it's bordering on irrational.

Radar looks clear, what's the story? Field too wet?

It's got to be a "wrist" or "knee" issue that sends him to the DL for a while. They can't release him and we can't waste the roster spot having him on the bench. I'm going to the miss the big guy and for damn sure will never forget the joy he brought me over the years.

Andrew, for the record, you can get hit by a bus and live, your odds just aren't that good. Is this guy a new regular around here? He sounds like a certain person who shall not be named, by any of the many names he posted here with after every time he got banned. Paul, if you don't think Hal is arrogant than I don't know what to tell you man. You're so off base on that attack it's silly. Also, I understand why love Obama, if I lived in a dump of a town like Waltham, I would want all the handouts I could get too.

It's my new favorite, everyone started using douchenozzle so I had to move on.

For the record, I don't support either political party/Bush or Obama, I think they are all crooks that only serve their corporate masters, they just happen to be from different industries. Man, I'm away from this site for a little while and you guys are letting chumps like Paul from Waltham run wild.