Since the season is shot and there's really nothing to be happy about regardless of what happens for the rest of the year, I guess I'll just continue to be negative, at least for a few more days.

I'm glad 'the streak' is finally over, but the less encouraging thing about it was that we did it against some of the Tribe's second stringers. Both Kenny Lofton and their biggest bat of the year Jim Thome, started the game on the bench, the Indians also had a rookie catcher behind the plate as well. So considering who was missing and the fact that they still scored seven runs, leads me to believe we may be talking about double digits today had all the regulars been playing. Oh, well...

I do try to find the 'light at the end of the tunnel' so to speak in situations like this, and I believe I have found it. You see above a Red Sox hat, a brand new one at that. I've had this had since last Christmas and it's just now beginning to break in, the reason, because I only allow my self to wear it while I am home. When I leave the house my old tattered, torn, and very dirty hat goes on my head, and the reason is because and old worn-out hat means a real fan, someone who shows their colors no matter what the situation.

A new hat on the other hand, to me anyway, signifies a bandwagon fan, one who only purchased the item because the team is doing well, especially at this time of year. So that is why I wait until any new Sox cap is well worn in before I go out in public with it. The only exception is our current situation, with the team in shambles and the season all but over, nobody but a real fan is going to go out in public with any sort of team paraphernalia on their back (or head in this case). So at least my hat will be ready for public use a little quicker.

Wow, that was sad...

Oh, there was a game last night wasn't there? Guess I should say a few things. Trot was the story of the game, going 4-4 with 4 runs, 4 RBIs, and a HR. He's pretty much been the only bright spot of the second half and has reached career highs in both homers and RBIs with 25 more games yet to play.

This next note is to those who want to lock up Casey Fossum for the next twenty years. We do this all the time with young pitchers, they have one or two good starts and then we think this guy may be the next Pedro, OK not Pedro but you get what I mean. I'm not saying that Fossum won't be a good pitcher, at this point it's impossible to tell, but you have to use a larger sample size than just one or two starts to try and predict. The real test for young pitchers is the second time they face teams, last night was the second time Fossum met up with the Tribe, and we all know what happened. So don't be too quick to give him the bank and allow him a good 100 innings pitched or so before trying to size him up.

Last game against the Indians for the year tonight, I'll be there, though I'm not sure that's a good thing.

paul@redsox2000.com