NESN made kind of a big deal last night about how John Lackey was received, but I didn't hear much beyond the kind of mixed reception I'd heard for Manny at Fenway. Apparently Chone Figgins was well-received when he returned, and he went to another team in their division, so it's not as if they boo indiscriminately there. It's pretty obvious this is something of a Johnny Damon equivalent for Orange County. And Boston fans booed the hell outta Damon the first time he came back, regardless of his World Series contributions in the past.
It makes sense. They hate the Red Sox. I can deal. I can even understand why. (Though I draw the line at the whole "East Coast bias" thing, and I disavow any and all conspiracy theories.)
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Jeremy Hermida! Mike Cameron! And V-Mart, glorious V-Mart! It's like Christmas!
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I saw Jacoby interviewed by Heidi on Red Sox Report before the game got started. He seems to be rehabbing down in the Gulf Coast League. There is, I hate to say, something vaguely A-Rod-ish about Ellsbury when he talks. I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe it's just a similar speech pattern.
But then they showed him running the bases, and that uncomfortable thought was easily swept back under the rug. He obviously wasn't even going 100%, but Jesus, that kid can just fly.
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Yay, they won, and stuff (I'm convinced it's because my dad is at the games right now on his annual baseball trip, and is acting as a good luck charm). Great to see Jed Lowrie contributing, too. He really does seem to be the sweetest person -- I remember him being so touchingly excited when people recognized him at Fan Appreciation Day, and last night he made sure to politely greet both home plate umpire and catcher before digging in for his first at-bat. He's the kind of person I want to see do well.
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Right now, I really just miss the Red Sox. I miss the hell out of Dustin Pedroia. I miss Ellsbury's speed on the field. I miss seeing Varitek every so often. And most of all, I miss coming home from work and getting dinner started while the pregame show is on. I miss sitting down and filling those primetime hours with the Red Sox. They need to come home, already.
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