When she feels like crying she starts laughing

More glory days are ahead for Clay. Photo courtesy of Kelly O'Connor/sittingstill.net and used with permission.

In early 2007, some time in May, Kelly O’Connor introduced  me to Clay Buchholz.  Not really, I mean we didn’t meet in person, but he was pitching for Portland and the game was being shown on NESN while we were at a gathering at the the Cask ‘N’ Flagon.  After watching pieces of a couple of innings, I was hooked.  Clay officially became one of the ‘pups’ that I followed.  I watched his progress that season and had high hopes he’d become something special for the team.

Fast forward to August of 2007 when Clay made his major league debut against the Angels.  My dear friend Pam had been given a pair of field box seats as a gift for that afternoon game and generously invited me to join her.  I was in the park for his second MLB stint on that fateful September night when he threw his no-hitter against the Orioles thanks to a last-minute invite from KellyO.   I find it interesting that I witnessed his first two major league starts not only in person but sitting next to someone I knew given how many games I usually attend sitting in a single with my friends sprinkled throughout the park.  Getting to experience those two games with friends with whom I could discuss Clay and his pitching made both games much more memorable (coming from someone with a Swiss cheese memory!) and special for me.

I guess it is safe to say that Clay is a binky of sorts for me (borrowed occasionally from KellyO!) and I get defensive on his behalf when the right reasons arise.   I know he has struggled since that no-hitter and, by his own admission, a lot of  the struggling had to do with where his head was during that time.  But he’s been pitching much closer to expectations after the terrible season he had in 2008 – although many still choose to want to tear him down.  He still isn’t perfect (but last night’s effort by Josh Beckett should be proof to folks that NO ONE is perfect) but I continue to have high hopes for him.

Clay is pitching tonight in Toronto against Roy Halladay.  Given how the Sox tend to play in Toronto (honestly, I’m thrilled they won the game but JEEZ could last night’s game have been any MORE painful – short of them losing it?) it’s an uphill battle for Clay before he even takes the mound  – but that doesn’t mean I don’t think he can pull out a win here – I think he can and I look forward to watching it.

No live blog tonight – I’ll be watching the game from the comfort of an air-conditioned sports bar – but I DO plan to live blog the first in the Yankees series on Friday.  (I’ll be at Fenway on Saturday and Pawtucket Sunday afternoon and in no shape to live blog an ESPN game!)

So send Clay the positive vibes, folks.  Can’t hurt, can it?