Kyle in a Spinners uniform - the best of baseball for me tonight. Photo courtesy of Kelly O'Connor/sittingstill.net and used with permission.
I’m not going to write about the game because I’m genuinely annoyed that Josh Beckett and the Red Sox keep bullshitting us with the “nothing’s wrong” crap. I don’t care if he struck out 9 batters, he gave up 7 hits and 5 runs (4 earned), including 2 home runs, in 6 innings. He hasn’t had a win since August 12th and in the games since that one has given up 12…12 home runs (including tonight’s game) and 24 earned runs in those 4 games. In the win on the 12th, he gave up 2 earned runs on 3 hits including, you guessed it,2 home runs. If there isn’t something physically wrong here what is it? You aren’t just “off” for a handful of games. Luckily, in the 4 games Beckett has pitched since August 12th, the Sox actually ended up winning 2 of them. But how long is Beckett’s luck going to hold out?
I’ve had a sad and trying day, personally, today, so forgive my surly attitude. Losses don’t usually annoy me this much but when they come with our “Ace” on the mound it starts to be a chore to brush them all off.  I shouldn’t place the responsibility of helping me forget my troubles on the baseball team but jeez when they kick you in the teeth with a loss they really do it right, huh?
Tomorrow is yet another day.  Clay Buchholz takes the mound and with a little luck all will be well again by 11pm.
On top of my own issues and the Red Sox coming up short against the Rays, I was greeted (as we all were) with the news that Curt Schilling is considering running for Ted Kennedy’s seat in the Senate. Curt was a real good guy to me while I was at WEEI, in spite of our many and extremely obvious differences, so I don’t want to trash the man. But as a voter in Massachusetts, I’ll just ask this: How does a man who spent almost twenty years doing nothing but playing baseball (and then running a computer gaming company) think he is qualified to be a United States senator?  I get that anyone can run for Senator but why would anyone vote for someone for such an important position who didn’t have some qualifications for the job (aside from meeting the age and residence requirements)? I’m going to need a job soon, maybe I should run?
I can’t write about politics any more…it makes me want to bang my head against a wall. Let me mention the two good baseball-related things that happened today: Kyle Snyder was named the Judge Michael Dillon Comeback Player of the Year by the Buffalo Bisons. According to their press release:
This award is named for the late Judge Michael F. Dillon, who was a three-time Erie County district attorney and served a 14-year term on the State Supreme Court. It recognizes an individual who overcomes injury, personal problems or a rough season and exemplifies the meaning of hard work and dedication.
RHP Kyle Snyder has been the most versatile pitcher for the Bisons this season, making 19 relief appearances and 14 starts with the club. He has pitched the 2nd-most innings for the Herd (104.1) and has provided quality innings while filling in wherever the team has needed him. This is despite the fact Snyder missed almost three months of the 2008 season with a groin injury that landed him on the disabled list twice while pitching in the Boston Red Sox organization.
Overall in 2009, Snyder is 3-8 with a 4.23ERA and one save for Buffalo. However, the veteran has allowed three runs or less in seven of his eight losses and has been the victim of numerous tough defeats. Snyder has allowed three runs or less in 12 of his 14 starts with the Herd.
Snyder set a Bisons season high for relievers with seven strikeouts in 3.2 innings of work out of the pen on May 26 against Lehigh Valley. He also posted an ERA of 3.90 or lower in four consecutive months from May – August. His 74 strikeouts on the season are 4th most on the Bisons pitching staff.
Congratulations to Kyle!!!  What an honor to get that award. He should be very proud. It’s great to see him bounce back from the 2008 season he had. Also, in minor league good news: The Lowell Spinners clinched the Stedler Division title tonight in Oneonta. With the PawSox and SeaDogs out of playoff contention, it’s nice to see one of the locals minor league teams getting to play some extra ball this season.
With the exceptions above, this day, September 2, 2009, has been a monumental day of suck all around. I’m happy to watch it fade away.
Tomorrow HAS to be better.
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