Talking Points

(Photo from Boston.com)

This may very well be the first time I've used a picture of JD Drew.

A few things:

Thing 1) Curt Schilling was not about to let that little fireballin' punk Beckett out-pitch him. One time he even did it on a leg held together with airplane glue and bailing twine. Maybe you've heard about it. Has Beckett ever done that? Schilling sure as shit doesn't think so.

Thing 2) I have never been so glad to be wrong about a player. I promise not to rag on JD Drew for at least, oh, three days. Not only is the bobblehead facing forward, it's also earned a spot of honor on the coffee table.

Thing 3) Oh hey, offense. There you are.

Thing 4) I cannot fully express my love for Jacoby Ellsbury. I mean, I could try, but it's not altogether coherent, nor it is entirely decent. I'm just sayin', Jacoby Ellsbury is totally ready to spearhead the Era of Badassery in Fenway's center field.

Thing 5) Now we know the benefit of Kevin Youkilis having a head shaped like a Milk Dud (tm Kevin Millar).

Thing 6) Amy and I were talking about whole cakes when JD Drew hit the grand slam. As in, "Did you know you can order whole cakes from Pizza Republic?" We then decided we had to talk about whole cakes every time Drew came to bat despite the fact that a) I don't like cake and b) "Are you sure that's what you want to be talking about when the apocalypse hits?" per Greta.

Thing 7) Apparently Bill Mueller threw out the first pitch. My love for Buelly knows no bounds. Especially when you just know that he and Theo had a really affectionate man-hug reunion and that David Ortiz squeezed him so hard, his head nearly popped off. Can Beully stay forever?

Thing 8) Amy: (on the blond cameraperson following the players as they score) "Does Manny have a blond woman following him around?"
Me: "Yes."
Amy: "Do you think sometimes he wonders if she's real?"
Me: "Yes. Actually, I was wondering that myself."
Amy: "Is that because we think too much like Manny?"
Me: "That's a terrifying thought, But...yes."
Amy: "This is going on the internet isn't it?"
Me: "Yes."

Thing 9) DID WE ALL HEAR THE THING ABOUT MIKE LOWELL AND DUSTIN PEDROIA BRINGING MEXICAN FOOD TO THE FANS WAITING OVERNIGHT TO BUY TICKETS AND IS THAT NOT THE NICEST THING EVER AND HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE MIKE LOWELL AND DUSTIN PEDROIA AND THAT IS SERIOUSLY THE NICEST. Ahem.

Thing 10) Here we go again, kids. Strike up the band. And someone make sure Beckett is ready, even if he has to personally drag Matsuzaka bodily from the mound.

Thing 11) Strap in. Bring it on.