Who would have figured? The Red Sox had a group of new owners taking over, a new manager, a new GM, and a whole new group of guys in the clubhouse and the Sox still have the best record in Major League baseball. I love what John Henry has done with the club. He has completely revamped the mentality of the clubhouse and the front office. As much as I liked Dan Duquette and even though I stuck by him till the end, he had to go. The way he dealt with players, key players I may add such as Pedro and Manny, didn’t go too well with the other players. One example is when he cut Mike Stanley last year. I know, Stanley wasn’t the best DH and wasn’t very productive, but come on, everyone liked him and he was a great veteran player to have in the clubhouse. But don’t forget fans, our good buddy Dano was the one who brought in Johnny Damon, not Mike Port (where the hell did this guy come from anyway?) and not the new owners…. It was Duquette. And anyone who says he didn’t love the Sox and Boston is an absolute idiot and should be tested for drugs cuz’ he has no idea what he is talking about.

Enough of this early slump crap with Tony Clark. He sucks and can’t hit for garbage. And he isn’t that good of a fielder either. I don’t know why Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo say how good of a fielder he is. Okay, I do watch Sox games and I have seen some good plays by Tony at first so I am not completely ignorant as some fans are. But, the guy can’t even pick a ball out of the dirt one out of 3 tries. That’s absurd. He needs to go and let’s keep that rookie Nelson up. He’s 28 and has bounced around in the minors so I would like to give him a chance and see what he’s got. The people at Frosted Flakes should change what their character Tony the Tiger says to “Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Sux!”

I said in my last column back in April that the advertising going on in Fenway was absolutely ridiculous. After going to a Sox game on my birthday, I have seen with my own two eyes that it is getting out of hand. Everyone, especially those who don’t believe me or think I’m over exaggerating ‘cuz I have nothing better to write about, have you realized that there’s a freakin half gallon of milk bottle on the top deck in right field? What the hell is this? This is baseball, not a market for advertising. And I mean, when someone goes to a Sox game and sees that, does Garelick Farms (I believe that’s the milk company) think someone is going to buy that milk just because they saw the bottle in right field at Fenway? Give me a break. I’m dying over here. I’m getting sick just talking about. Memo to John Henry: get some guts and put a stop to this nonsense. People come to see baseball games, not advertisements all over the damn place. I couldn’t turn my neck one way at the game without seeing some (explative deleted) advertisement. It’s ridiculous and sad of what baseball has come to be.

Has anyone checked out the new show Extra Innings on NESN after the Sox games? The show isn’t bad; it has its good points and bad points. They give good behind the scene interviews in the clubhouse after the games and have some good guests in the studio after the game also. Bob Rogers always does a solid job, BUT and I mean BUT, the guy who sits next to Bob is a complete idiot and a fat bum. Does the name Jim Corsi ring a bell Sox fans? Yes fans, that’s the same Jim Corsi who played for the Sox a couple years back as a relief pitcher. He is so ignorant about the Sox that it makes sick to my stomach when I watch him. His comments are stupid and unintelligent. He speaks like a two year old and most of the time I can’t even understand him because he rumbles out stupid crap. And when they have fans call in, Jim always cuts the person off just to say something stupid like, “Hi Mark, how you doing?” Memo to Jim: shut the hell up and just let the damn caller express his opinions. This isn’t a talk show or a friendly gathering. We call in to get into debates, not to be friends. I wouldn’t even call in anyway. What could Jim possibly know that I don’t? He’s a moron. But, my brother has tried several times to call in but it’s ALWAYS busy. NESN: get some more lines open. They’re so welfare that they probably only have one phone line. My God, I need a new topic now.

Other memos… Ricky Henderson: you’re the man and you are playing solid ball, but buddy, I mean sir, you’re freakin 42 years old. You could be my father for Christ sake, so take it easy and play as Grady wants. You’re not going to be an everyday player. Those days are long gone buddy…Nomar: hang in there. Your swing is going to come around. What am I talking about? It seems like Nomar is dong nothing but the guy is batting .317…Manny: I don’t care what anyone says. That was a great slide into home. That’s the way to hustle and give yourself up for the team. I don’t get it. People always say give yourself up for the team, but Manny does it and gets hurt and is out 4-6 weeks, and they bitch and say it was a stupid play. (Explative deleted) it, with Sox fans, players can never win.

Until next time, take care of yourself and watch those Celts? Yes, Celts. Did anyone know they’re in the Eastern Conference Finals? You better believe I did.

Matto85@aol.com