Mr. Baseball

By Karlsie

My son is slowly emerging from the second stage of Red Sox fandom (the one where you reject the Sox and baseball because you can't bear having your heart broken by them again) by watching movies like "Mr. Baseball" and the Major League series as well as watching games with me to see what swears the players come out with that aren't audibly broadcast. As I say, he is slowly emerging from the second stage of Red Sox fandom - the one where you reject all things baseball because you can't bear to have your heart broken by them again.

The other thing he did was teach himself Japanese so he could read manga and watch anime in the original. This means he has become particularly adept at the "polite" translations into English the majority of us hear. Which is why I asked him to watch the D-Mat press conference with me yesterday.

As I suspected, his translator is very polite.

I have to admit that I am always amused when someone gives paragraph long answers and the translator says, "Yes, he is excited," and moves onto the next question. You know there was just so much more said and yet...

For example, D-Mat is awestruck by Fenway and Boston given his use of Japanese equivalent of the word "awesome." Particularly in describing the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry. In that particular answer he was using the word to describe the depth and intensity of the rivalry as something he could relate to the Yomuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers - only it wasn't nearly at the level of the Sox - Yanks rivalry. It will be a new experience for him.

It really had that feel of "I'll take care of what comes out of my mouth - you translate the words."

I must say my son has inspired me. I think I'm going to teach myself Japanese the way my son did. If for no other reason than to be in a position to understand the difference between "having a yen to play here" instead of "it's such an honor that he would pay to play here."

Matsuzaka Updates

By Jack Jablin

To update on the story posted earlier, MLB.com is reporting that the deal between Daisuke Matsuzaka and The Boston Red Sox is "all but complete." Earlier claims made by YS.com that Matsuzaka had undergone a physical have been confirmed, and it appears as if the Sox have their new ace.

Cheers,
Jack Jablin

posted 6:55 --

According to sources in Boston, Daisuke Matsuzaka has been offered a contract to his and Scott Boras' liking - the numbers are reportedly 6 years, $52,000,000. That's less than Pettite and Meche got, and more than likely far less than what Zito will get.

More updates to follow.

Posted at 6:30PM, EST:

Earlier today, Japanese Ace, Daisuke Matsuzaka, touched down in Boston for 11th hour negotiations with the Boston Red Sox. At that point, nobody knew where either the Sox or Matsuzaka stood on negotiations.

However, according to sources in Boston, Daisuke Matsuzaka is currently in Mass General undergoing a physical, which could mean that the Japanese Ace will be signing a contract with the Red Sox before the Thursday Deadline.

The Red Sox have already spent 51 Million dollars on the Japanese prospect (who is rumored to throw the Gyroball) last month, acquiring 30-day one-on-one negotiation rights.

We are awaiting further confirmation of this story --

The Sox have until tomorrow at Midnight to strike a deal with Matsuzaka before all teams get negotiating rights.

Why Baseball

By Karlsie

Someone asked me recently: why baseball? It's come up in a couple of different settings recently. It's a question I find myself trying to answer frequently - so let me try again.

Why baseball? It is something that reaches deep into your soul and releases a breathe of fresh air that lifts the spirit. Most people don't understand the poetry in motion on the field - the subtle position shifts and the dance between the pitcher, catcher and batter that makes West Side Story choreography look like amateur hour. Many miss it because the television cameras don't cover it while others miss it because they don't understand.

But I do and I love watching for it.

It's not only about the big guys - it's about the everyday players that people get. It's about guys like Gabe Kapler, Kevin Millar and so many others who are grateful they get to play baseball for a living and it shows.

It's about watching parents teach their kids how to score a game or watch for the shift. It's about the summer and warmth and time when you were a kid and you used someone's sweatshirt for home, the chair pad for first, the big rock for second (no sliding) and someone else's backpack for third. And yet every time you stepped up to that sweatshirt, you were standing at home plate in Fenway or Yankee Stadium or Municipal Park or Candlestick or where ever.

Baseball is about heart and soul and memory filled with the warmth of the sun, the smell of fresh mown grass and a cold beer on a hot day.

My husband grew up admiring the Yankees of Mantle and Maris and others. But when most people speak with that loathing tone of voice about the Yankees, it's really about things like when they sort of bought the KC Royals to use as their advanced farm team or Steinbrenner's open checkbook that has lead to such unprecedented greed that there is no other word than "disgusting" to describe it.

From the day he bought Catfish Hunter (the first free agent) right down to the horrific display of "my checkbook's bigger" with the Sox over D-Mat (and I'm sad to say we won that one).

I still remember when my oldest was little and I used to read Bart Giamatti's "Green Fields of the Mind" to him. One day he looked up at me and said, "If I'm not a starting player for the Sox, maybe I could be the president of Yale. Would tha be OK?"

I had to laugh.. most parents would prefer the president of Yale.

This is the same boy who looked at me when he was 13 and said, "I'm never going to be a great ball player, am I?"

I replied, "No, but I expect you to be a great coach some day when your kids want to play. I expect you to be the guy that teaches the kids more than the fundementals. I expect you to be the guy to teach them that you don't have to be a Manny or a Papi or a Nomar to love the game. You just have to love the game."

So... that's why I love baseball and that's what I teach to anyone willing to learn.