Sportzine/Hot Club

PATS TRUSS UP BUCCANEERS 23-3 AND FANS TOO     SEPTEMBER 24, 2013
If you were there for the start of the game (I wasn’t), you’d have witnessed one of the poorest 1st quarters the Pats have ever played. On their first three ‘drives’, the Pats ran 4 plays (Brady sacked on 3rd down), 5 plays and 3 plays. Meanwhile their defense was letting the Buccaneers slice and dice them. The Bucs went 8 plays and then NE had a little luck when Rian Lindell missed a 38-yard FG. TB then went 13 plays and got a FG.  The score should have been 6-0, and could have been 10-0, before the Pats found rhythm.

The reason that I missed the opening 10 minutes of the game was that it now takes 45 minutes plus to get through security. In the two home games, the wait has been intolerable and needs improvement fast. There are just not enough personnel with wands (all pockets empty and hat uncovered) to make this process work efficiently. And we were in the ‘no bags’ line. It is a disservice to season ticket holders. While I know that this fiat came down from the NFL, it needs fixing fast.

Having that many fueled up fans crowded together and confined with little room to move, as well as frustrated by a long wait  - that is an accident waiting to happen. The throng of so many fans pressing together in a small space will lead to fights and if one crazy decides to try and push through, you could have a serious situation with people getting trampled. Mr. Robert Kraft must do something to remedy this situation.

Think it can’t happen? When the Boston Marathon celebrated its 100th anniversary, on Patriots Day, April 15, 1996, there were so many people in a small space (where I was) that when several punks started pushing past people, it got very ugly. Scary ugly.

When I did make it to my seat, the Pats were starting to perk up. Tom Brady took time to wake up as he threw some poor passes including a bouncer and later the INT that would have salted away the game.

Last week I noted that the Pats were missing a TE to make a few catches and a RB to take swing passes. The return of Brandon Bolden proved beneficial in the passing game. The very first play was a swing pass to Bolden for 11 yards (I listened on the radio). Bolden contributed 5 catches for 49 yards. And while 6’7” TE Zach Sudfeld returned, it was Hoomy that caught a couple passes, including one grab in which he evaded a tackler (Barron, I think) and got 16 yards. While short of a 1st down, it led to a 46-yard FG. And while Sudfeld had 2 targets but no catches, at least someone had to cover him.

The Patriots are starting to run better -156 yards against the Bucs, who had the #1Defense against the run last year. Bolden helped there too (3 carries for 51 yards). Ridley had 11 carries for 35 (7 in the 1st half) as the Pats went more to ex-Buc LeGarrette Blount who chipped in with 14 carries for 65.

If that running game is in gear, it takes tremendous pressure off of Tom Brady because the opponent must respect the run (I’m yelling ‘delayed draw’). Those RBs also need to protect Brady on blitzes and that was missing early.

Even so, the Pats took command from the 2nd quarter on, and deep-sixed the Buccaneers. The turning point came when Josh Freeman didn’t eat the ball and go to half down 14-3. Talib’s interception with 11 seconds left to the half got the Pats 3 more points on a 53-yard Gostkowski kick and a momentum crushing 14 point lead.

The Falcons await in Atlanta. The Pats’ rookie receivers made great strides Sunday. Thompkins had 3 catches but 2 were TDs. Dobson (not ‘Dropson’ as seatmate Bill said) made as many catches (7) as Edelman (44 yards) and for 52 yards. Get that running game going, control the clock. The Defense keeps up a steady attack. I can smell a ‘W’.   

POINTS AFTER
Gamebook notes show that the Pats started with 4 receivers (Boyce was in), 1 back (Bolden) and no TE. It soon changed to 3 receivers, a back and a TE (per Mike Reiss).

Mike Williams (5 for 64 yds) was making catches all over the field until Alfonzo Dennard hit him (beginning of 2nd quarter). Williams returned but wasn’t the same. Vincent Jackson (3 for 34 yds. and one very bad drop) was hurt early in the 3rd quarter (per Reiss) on a Brandon Spikes hit. Those injuries badly hurt the Bucs’ passing game.

Dont’a Hightower covered Doug Martin on a long pass down the sideline. Super job.

Steve Gostkowski booted all 5 of his kickoffs deep or out of the end zone for no returns. With Matthew Slater, their best special teams player out (wrist), that was important.

The Pats had 3 sacks – Mayo, Jones, Ninkovich ½ and Kelly ½. They had 8 QB hits: Kelly and Jones 2 each, Mayo, Nink, Bequette and Buchanan. Nice to see Bequette help.

Mike Reiss has the offensive and defensive snap counts. Arrington played 34 of 71 snaps only 3 in the 2nd half. Injury? Wanting to look at rookie Logan Ryan who had 20 snaps?
Whereas Michael Buchanan came in playing a lot, he had 19 snaps, Jaime Collins 18.
Kenbrell Thompkins had 69 of 73 snaps, Edelman 68. Dobson was in for 55. Boyce and Sudfeld only had 17.
Per Reiss the Pats rank 2nd in the NFL in points against (11.3). They are 6th in turnover differential (plus 3). NE needs to work on that 32nd in red zone efficiency.
More Reiss: of Dobson’s 7 catches 4 were for 1st downs, and he drew an interference call.
BULLETS
● HardballTalk just reported that when the Dodgers celebrated their division win in Arizona and some players jumped into the Chase Field pool, one or more peed in it.
● ProFootballTalk said that Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf owe at least $84M in a NJ fraud case. Some Vikings fans would say that their team is a fraud.
● The same site stated that suspended Broncos LB Von Miller tried to get a urine collector to change things so that he tested negative. 

   






THE HOT CLUB
In a conversation with Roy and the Sky Pilot, the subject of the old RI Auditorium came up. Captain Sky said that he took pictures at the Cream concert and when Jimi Hendrix played there. A photographer in our midst.

So it wasn’t totally surprising when Captain Sky had a white Fuji instant camera at the HC recently. It was a fat little camera with a flash and is called an Instax. It takes pictures like the old Polaroids, but these are much smaller, about 3” by 2”. Sky says it costs $15 for 20 shots. The quality was very good. The ladies seemed to like their pix.

I was talking about losing some childhood Pawtucket mainstays - the Darlton Theatre on Newport Avenue (now a bank parking lot) and the demise of the old Leroy Theater on Broad Street (a Walgreens and parking lot). The Darlton used to have a room upstairs that was soundproof and mothers could bring their babies and young children without disturbing those around them.

The last person in concert that I saw at the Leroy Theater was Tom Rush. At one point some ceiling tiles fell on the stage nearly hitting Rush. He made a comment about the place falling down – which it was.

A woman was walking the HC deck with brown suede boots that were studded with spikes. The Dangerous Type! Don’t get too close.

The Hot Club is being spruced up. I actually saw some jade plants on the tables.

ANSWER TO LAST WEEK’S QUIZ 
Who was it that did a duet with Jimi Hendrix, backed up early Elton John, and sang with Richard Carpenter and the Pet Shop Boys? Why Mary O’Brien, better known as Dusty Springfield. Dusty died of breast cancer (3/2/99 at age 59). She died on the day she was scheduled to go to Buckingham Palace to receive the OMB (Order of the British Empire). Her assistant was given permission to give Dusty the medal in the hospital.
According to Wikipedia: “Springfield was cremated and some of her ashes were buried at Henley, while the rest were scattered by her brother, Tom Springfield, at the Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland.”

THIS WEEK’S QUIZ
This producer/singer/songwriter worked with the Byrds, the Beach Boys, Paul Revere and the Raiders, and the Mamas and the Papas. He was in a group that had a Top 10 hit. Name this person.
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Sportzine/Hot Club

 

WAITING FOR GRONK AND REINFORCEMENTS           SEPTEMBER 17, 2013
Driller Killer, young Matthew and I witnessed the wretched and wrenching win over the hated J-E-T-S. Wins don’t get much uglier. A TD (Thompkins’ ‘catch’) is overturned just before half and the 43-yard field goal is missed. 13-3 at half. I thought the missed 3 might prove large later. It almost did.

Back on June 25th, I wrote: “The Pats will have to rely on passes to backs like Vereen and the running game to offset this huge loss of firepower. This may be the year that the Defense will step up and win some games in which the Pats don’t score a lot of points. If Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels find a way to produce scores from this group, they deserve the Hall.”

The defense was the difference in this win. The offense never scored in the 2nd half. Shut out. The Jets defense is good but not that good. However the Pats Defense rose up after the Jets closed to 13-10 at 5:08 of the 3rd quarter. From that point on, the Jets had 5 possessions. They went 3 and out on two of them and the Pats had 3 interceptions on the other three (Talib, Dennard, Talib).

In the Bills game, the Defense had no sacks and 4 QB hits. In this game, the D had 4 sacks (Jones 2, Kelly, Buchanan) and 9 QB hits (Jones 3, Buchanan 2, Kelly, Wilfork, Ninkovich and Hightower). That’s an improvement, especially against the Jets OL. The D was not as good against the run (129 yards) with Ivory (52 yards on 12 carries) and Powell (48 yards on 13 carries) regularly gouging out chunks of real estate.

Any Patriots fan would shudder at the thought of what would have happened had NE played a powerhouse team (say Peyton/Broncos or Ryan/Falcons. The Broncos will come later (11/24) but the Falcons are right around the corner (9/29 at Atlanta).

The Pats have time to recover some walking wounded before then. Gronkowski would be huge (pun intended). What was noticeable vs. the Jets was that the Pats lacked a back to receive a screen pass and a tight end to catch a ball. They had no TE catches and were using LT Solder as a blocking TE with Cannon replacing him. A return by Zach Sudfeld would help, as would a healthy Leon Washington. The latter is perfect for those halfback passes that can go for big yardage. Washington was targeted once (0 catch) and 1 carry. Plus Washington could return punts and minimize risk to Edelman, the only veteran end.

The Kiddie Korps will have to step up. While Dobson and Thompkins took turns missing balls, they were open much of the time, including on some long passes. Better routes and better hands (Biletnikoff stick’em?) would have produced more points. Fans thought it
PUT SOME

SOUTH

IN YOUR MOUTH














was going to be easy when the first pass to Dobson went for a TD. He was targeted 9 more times and caught 2. Thompson was targeted 7 times with 2 catches. Josh Boyce did not play (probable injury). If they don’t get better, the offense suffers until Gronk is back.

Next up is Tampa Bay, which found a way to lose to the Jets and then New Orleans at home. The Buccaneers will be desperate for a win. The good news is that QB Josh Freeman is struggling. One wag already suggested that rookie Mike Glennon might be QB soon. It is fortunate that the Pats scrimmaged TB and played them in pre-season.

Coach Belichick will have a plan and maybe more bodies to execute it and Tampa Bay.

E-MAIL
Jim: Group with a hit 50's to 00's --> Impressions (Also considered - Kingston Trio. The Stones 60 - 00's, but not 50s. Another guess for the group... The Clancy Brothers?
B Shea
Some good guesses re the quiz but incorrect. Two of my compatriots at the Hot Club whom I saw last nite were also stymied. No one has the answer yet (No one got it). – Z
Agree with your thoughts on giving up Iglesias to acquire Peavy, especially with the questionable health of Buchholz.  That said, it sure is tough to see Iglesias on the Sportscenter Web Gems every other night.
Andrew J. Wright
Andrew,
Iglesias is the best SS I've ever seen come thru Pawtucket. He would make a highlight reel play every game. He is the best at getting to Texas Leaguers.
Peavy will allow the BoSox to avoid using the Dumpster or Doubront as starters in the playoffs. And he's a bulldog.
The Sox knew they had Bogaerts to play SS as well as Deven Marrero. However neither will be as good defensively as Iglesias. -   Z

Jim,                                                                                                                                Cal Worthington (and his dog "Spot") just passed away at the age of 92; a SSC icon and immortalized by Johnny Carson in many a skit.                                            
Sox close out their season, I think, at Coors Field.  It will be deserted by Rockies fans and I think that Red Sox fans will dominate the stands. Catch a flight and you'll have your choice of seats; meet'cha there.
It's Broncos time in D-Town and nothing, but nothing, supercedes the Donkeys. Me?  I'm gonna get tickets for the Avalanche/Canadiens game on November 2nd...Patrick Roy coaches against his hall of fame franchise for the first time!!!!   THAT alone will be worth the price of getting in.  There will be Frogs all over the Pepsi Center that night; charter flights from Montreal and Quebec Province with drunken canucks.   What a show!!!                                   Bill LaPlante                                                                                                               Yes I saw that obit re Cal Worthington: Come on down to Cal's Corral. Whenever I visited LA, you always saw his ads.
By the time the BoSox play the Rockies, the lineup will include mostly PawSox and Portland players. Good!
The Broncos will be very tough this year and now have Wes Welker. They play in Foxboro this season.
Would definitely root for the Avalanche over Montreal. BTW, did you see that the Bruins signed Subban's brother who is a goalie?   -   Z

BULLETS                                                                                                                ● With 11 games left, the Red Sox are 92-59. The Athletics have 62 losses and the Tigers 63. It’s a fine balance between resting key players and winning enough games to get home field advantage. That would be a huge asset for the BoSox as they have the best home record in the AL at 50-25. Only the Atlanta Braves (52-22) have a better home record (this one is for Braves’ fan ‘Section 8’ Ted).
● The Pats have scored 36 points and given up 31. The Bears are the only other team with a 2-0 record and a smaller differential at 55 PF and 51 PA.

● The NFL’s biggest differential: Denver (vs. Ravens and Giants) at 90 PF and 50 PA. The Giants have given up the most points 77 followed by Washington at 71. Seattle has given up the least: 10 (vs. Carolina and SF). KC is next with 18 (Jags and Cowboys).

● In the Sports Illustrated of 9/16, Albert Chen has an article called Wizards Like Oz. The Braves’ Andrelton Simmons is compared to Ozzie Smith, but it is mentioned that one scout said that the only shortstops better defensively than Jose Iglesias were Ozzie Smith and Omar Vizquel. Chen says that Tiger teammates call Iglesias Candelita or Little Fire. 

● In the same SI comes the figure 25, which is the number of runs the Yankees scored (8,8,9) against the Red Sox last week. It is the first time NY has scored 8 or more runs in 3 consecutive games without a win.

● The New York Times (9/17) has a story The Speed Limit (by Barry Bearak) about pitchers who throw with the greatest velocity and the injury risk factor (as the Mets’ Matt Harvey just learned). The article states that 46 MLB pitchers are averaging 95 mph and above. The Reds’ Aroldis Chapman has thrown 17 of the 20 fastest pitches recorded since 2008 by Pitch F/X (installed in all 30 MLB parks). The fastest:105.1 by Chapman. 

● Congratulations to the PawSox for winning their division and then beating Rochester in the playoffs. The Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay) beat them for the IL championship. The Bulls are playing the Omaha Storm Chasers (PCL champion) for the AAA championship.

● According to Kevin Paul Dupont (Globe – 9/15), Buffalo’s football team is called the ‘Bills’ because ‘Billy’ is slang for a male bison (Bet Buffalo Steve knew this). 

● Ben Rohrbach (weei.com – 9/17) noted that the Celtics saved $21M on the 3 years left on Doc Rivers’ contract. They are paying Brad Stevens $22M for 6 years.
     Sportzine is also available at jimdawsonsports.com (Thanks to Buffalo Steve)


        THE HOT CLUB
WHERE HEARTS ARE ON FIRE
       BUT IT’S NEVER TOO HOT
  FOR THE DEVIL MAY CARE 
 575 South Water Street, Prov.    







THE HOT CLUB
The Hot Club as Hotel California: Good to see Patti Quimby at the HC last Friday. She was excited about her new job. She had also been to the recent Graham Nash gig at Cranston’s Park Theatre. Patti said that while Nash was good, he tended to be way too political in his presentation. Our House is a very, very fine House.

And who else was in the House but Bags who was accompanied by a female friend. I introduced myself to her and she said her name was Joyce. Bags warned her not to say anything to me as I write the Hot Club section. Joyce said to Bags, “Oh you mean like that you’ve got a date? That should be on the front page.”

Charlie Clancy said that BoSox fans should honor Mariano Rivera in the same classy manner that the closer has always carried himself. Charlie said that if he could have been at Fenway for the tribute to Mariano, he would have tipped his cap to the great reliever.  

Mike Module brought up the subject of AL Manager of the Year. Mike reminded us that he had been saying early on that it should go to the BoSox’s John Farrell. I suggested that Cleveland’s Terry ‘Tito’ Francona deserved to be in the mix. Mike added that the Yankees’ Joe Girardi deserved consideration for holding together that team. I agreed with the Module that John Farrell deserves the honor. He lost two closers (Hanrahan and Bailey) and his best lefty reliever (Miller), and the Red Sox have the best record in MLB.

I was explaining to Pal Al about how our cat Foggy captured a vole while we were on Swans Island. I told Al that a vole is like a field mouse. Just then the Masked Marvel appeared and pointed out that a vole is different from a mouse in that it has almost no tail. A Wikipedia check shows that voles are sometimes called meadow mice or field mice.

Kelley knows that I really enjoyed the Bohemian Pilsener that her boyfriend Sean Larkin brewed up for Narragansett as a limited edition (8.6% alcohol). So Kelley showed me on her smart phone that Narragansett was coming out with the Bohemian Pilsener in 16 oz (5.2%) 6 packs. I found that University Heights had it. The latest from Kelley is that it will be on tap at the Hot Club soon. They had it in cans last week. Try it you might like it.

LAST WEEK’S QUIZ
The only music group to have a hit song in Billboard’s Hot 100 in 6 consecutive decades (’50’s, ’60’s, ’70’s, ’80’s, ’90’s and ’00’s) was the Isley Brothers.
THIS WEEK’S QUIZ 
This great performer did a duet with Jimi Hendrix, backed up Elton John on early songs, sang with Richard Carpenter and even recorded a song with the Pet Shop Boys. Name?

Sportzine/Hot Club

ALMOST BUFFALOED IN BUFFALO (23-21 PATS)           SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

The palms were sweaty and the throat getting dry when Tom Brady did his usual magic with considerable help from Danny Amendola, who made an acrobatic catch on 3^rd and 8 to keep the game winning FG drive alive. Oh and thank Buffalo’s coach Doug Marrone, who didn’t stop his hurry up offense with a lead which might have put time on his side.

This game was not what Patriots fans expected though the Bills often play the Pats tough, especially in Buffalo. Stevan Ridley’s fumble led to a 74-yard TD and a momentum change. Until then, the Pats had been in control with a 10-0 lead and in field goal range when Ridley tried to reverse field and left the rock on the ground. His ‘rock’ led to the bench and made it 10-7, inspiring the Bills and their fans.

Leading 17-7, the Pats tried to add more with minutes left until the half. Brady tried to hit TE Sudfeld, who had the ball go off his hands and was intercepted. It was the last time Brady threw to him. It led to a TD and it was 17-14 when it should have been 17-0 or more at the half.

With Ridley benched, Shane Vereen stepped in and stepped up at both running back and receiver. 101 yards on 14 carries and 7 catches for 78 yards. Now Shane Vereen is out with a wrist fracture, needs surgery, and must be replaced. I liked the re-signing of Leon Washington even before Vereen got hurt.

Ridley will be back versus the Jets Thursday, but had better hold onto the ball like it was his last possession or it will be for a while. While I can see Leon Washington taking swing passes out of the backfield in Vereen’s place, the Pats will need to get Brandon Bolden back or get more from LeGarrette Blount (7 carries for 15 yards). If Vereen is out for a long stretch, the Pats might consider bringing back George Winn, if he’s available.

As for the receiving corps, they’d better all stay healthy or this could be a long season. Unless the Defense plays lights out and that hasn’t happened in quite a while. What if Amendola did not come back after that groin strain? Think the Pats would have won?

New England clearly missed #17 Aaron Dobson, who seems to be the best possession receiver of the young’uns. Also runs routes well, something Kenbrell Thompkins seemed to forget in his first NFL game. That and getting enough space to come down with the ball in bounds. Kenbrell was targeted 14 times and had 4 catches. Amendola was targeted 14 times and had 10 catches. Rookie versus savvy veteran. Kenbrell will get better.

Thankfully the Bills contributed to their own demise (a common theme that Buffalo Steve would acknowledge). They had 10 penalties for 75 yards, many at inopportune

			PUT SOME SOUTH IN YOUR MOUTH

 

times. One came with Buffalo clinging to a 21-17 lead for too many men on the field which gave the Pats 5 yards and an extra 2^nd down goal to goal. The Bills Defense stiffened and the Pats had to settle for a field goal that made it 21-20 Bills.

On the very next series, Stevie (All World Mouth) Johnson had a ball got off his fingers on 3^rd and 1 with room to roam. Had he made the catch, Buffalo could have taken more time off the clock. There was 8:54 left in the game. Why didn’t Marrone run the ball?

Buffalo’s coaching also contributed to the close loss as they stayed with the no huddle even on their last two possessions. Taking time off the clock would have helped them.

On the last Bills series (with 5:51 left), the Bills did not use Fred Jackson opting for a CJ Spiller run (no gain) and 2 passes. Runs would have reduced time left in the game. They punted to the Pats at 4:31 so they took only 1:20 off the clock. Thank you, Coach.

Fred Jackson is a certifiable Patriots’ thorn. Jackson had 13 carries for 67 yards, and a 5.2 yard average vs. Spiller’s 2.4 average (17 carries and 41 yards). And Fast Freddy caught 4 passes for 41 yards to Spiller’s 5 for 14 yards. Glad Jackson wasn’t used more.

POINTS AFTER 

New punter Ryan Allen had a mixed day. He shanked one punt that went 19 yards. (beginning of 2^nd quarter). On another he kicked it 35 yards to the Pats 42 (end of 3^rd quarter). However he did hold on points after and all three successful field goals, including the game winner. And on the 48-yarder (1^st quarter), it appeared that he handled a bad snap, which went thru despite being a low line drive kick.

Kyle Arrington stripped CJ Spiller of the ball that led to an Edelman TD. Arrington then took the ball away from receiver Marquise Goodwin that also resulted in another Edelman TD. Arrington also had a near miss of an interception.

On the negative side, Alfonzo Dennard had an unnecessary roughness penalty and Jerod Mayo also was called for unnecessary roughness, which took Buffalo out of poor field position. Coach Belichick won’t like that.

On one Buffalo punt, a charging #91 (Jamie Collins) almost blocked the kick.

On Ridley’s and Vereen’s runs, they got great blocking from the offensive line plus Hoomy, Develin and Sudfeld. At one point #77 Solder was used as a blocking back.

On a 3^rd and 1, new DL Joe Vellano #72 stuffed CJ Spiller forcing the Bills to punt. Vellano also got #60 (Kraig Urbik) called for a hands to the face penalty, which changed a 3rd and 1to a 3rd and 11. The Bills didn’t make and had to punt.

The Pats defense did OK, stuffing some runs (the Bills still had 136 yards rushing), and holding them to two TDs scored by the offense. However at times receivers were wide open and coverage was poor on Robert Woods’ catch in the end zone. 

The pass rush was mostly non-existent. The Pats used newcomer Michael Buchanan off the right side with Chandler Jones taking an inside rush. The Pats had no sacks, and only 4 QB hits: Kelly (2), Ninkovich (1) and Jones (1) had them.

Conversely the Pats gave up 2 sacks and 7 QB hits. Some of those can be attributed to new receivers trying to get open, and Brady holding the ball.

Defensively the team was led by Mayo who had 12 tackles/3 assists (15), Gregory 7/2 (9), Ninkovich 5/3 (8) and Kelly 2/5 (7).

RED SOX

So far the BoSox have handled every challenge. They beat the Dodgers 2 out of 3 ending an 18 game streak of non-losing series. They caged the Tigers, winning 2 of 3 and stopping Max Scherzer, who was 19-1. They outslugged the Yankees and won 3 of 4. When’s the last time Mariano Rivera had two blown saves in one series?

Now they take on the Rays in Tampa for 3 and then the Yankees for 3 at Fenway. After that there is only Baltimore, Toronto and Colorado (2 away). Call me a pessimist but I’m not celebrating until the Red Sox have mathematically clinched 1^st place in the AL East. They have a 6 game lead in the loss column so they just need to avoid any sweeps.

Ben Cherington deserves kudos for bringing in Shane Victorino, Jonny Gomes, Mike Karp, Mike Napoli, Stephen Drew and Koji Uehara among others. The kids from Pawtucket (and Portland) have been tremendous. RHP Brandon Workman (6 games) and lefty Drake Britton (1 game) spent little time with the PawSox before filling important bullpen roles. Steven Wright and Alex Wilson have also helped.

The PawSox have sent more positional reinforcements that have had a positive effect than any year I can remember. Jackie Bradley, Jr., Jose Iglesias, Brock Holt, Brandon Snyder, Ryan Lavarnway and now Xander Bogaerts have all made contributions.

Let me interject here to say that Shane Victorino has played the best right field at Fenway since Dwight ‘Dewey’ Evans. He is one of the best defensive outfielders that the Sox have ever had. And he’s a clutch hitter.

Let’s enjoy the ride and see where it all goes. While I didn’t like losing Iglesias, the BoSox desperately needed Peavy. And should they make the playoffs, I’d rather see him as one of the starters than Dempster or Doubront.

This collection of beards, not seen since the Smith Brothers, has Sox fans stroking their chins in amazement. Hair raising wins. Let it all hang out.

  

        Sportzine is also available at jimdawsonsports.com (Thanks to Buffalo Steve)

			THE HOT CLUB WHERE HEARTS ARE ON FIRE        BUT IT’S NEVER TOO HOT   FOR THE DEVIL MAY CARE    575 South Water Street, Prov.

 

THE HOT CLUB

On the movie front, Amanda suggested checking out This Is The End, which she liked a lot and found to be a hoot. Dave also liked that movie. I asked Adam about a British sci-fi movie – Attack The Block. Yeah he liked that.

The Hot Club as Hotel California: It was good to see Maye back from the West Coast recently. She is involved with making a movie short in Glendale, CA. Word is that she was back for brother Bernard’s wedding.

Mr. D. said that when he was in California, the El Segundo waste management workers were on strike. Mr. D. wanted to tell the workers to make up signs that said: ‘They Treat Us Like Shit.’

Roy was wearing a shirt that said Knot Funny, so you know he spends some time on the water. The guys were joking (Captain Sky was) about Pave the Bay instead of Save The Bay. That made me think of Joni Mitchell’s line about ‘They paved paradise to put up a parking lot.’ (Big Yellow Taxi). Like they did with the RI Auditorium.

Young bartender Stephanie (Debbie’s daughter) was off for the evening when she spotted The Wizard. Said Stephanie to The Wizard: “Your hair looks bigger than usual tonight.”

The Wizard saw my tribute to JJ Cale and suggested that I check out his CD with Eric Clapton called Road to Escondido. Fleet Feet Pete also recommended it.

Charlie Clancy and Fleet Feet Pete came up with a scenario where the Cleveland Indians play the NY Yankees in a one game playoff with the Indians winning. Then in the first playoff game between the Red Sox and the Indians, they get Bobby Valentine to throw out the first pitch.

Last week was Renee’s birthday and CJ’s too. Happy belated birthday to both of them.

LAST ISSUE’S QUIZ ANSWER

The question was what was the shortest rock song ever to reach #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, and who sang it. The answer: Stay by Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs. Though their label, Herald Records, listed it at 1:50, it actually was 1:38. It was #1 on 11/21/60.

TODAY’S QUIZ

Name the only music group to have a hit song in Billboards’ Hot 100 in 6 consecutive decades (’50’s, ’60’s, ’70’s, ’80’s, ’90’s and ’00’s).