Mo's Marketplace | April 2007

Reflections on Professional Athlete Travel

In thinking about the passing of Josh Hancock, I was struck by one simple thing. We all know travel is dangerous – according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, in 2003 (the most recent statistics I could find) 44,891 souls left us in travel accidents of some kind: air, auto, pedestrians, etc. of which 42,643 were on our highways; and by air, there were 698. Professional athletes log some pretty heavy mileage over the course of their careers from college and the minors to the majors....

Bloody Sock Right

First the obligatory Matsuzaka haiku: Yankees in last place? Pettite tries to stop the slide Daisuke slams the door I’ve invited Supertramp in to perform tonight’s musical interlude. Hit it boys… “So you think Schilling's phoney I guess Thorne couldn’t see Schill killed the Yankees And brought the Series home to me Sock, it’s a bloody red sock you know you got no right to say Sock, it’s a bloody red sock you know you...

Bizarro Superman & Some Jon Lester Updates

I think I have figured out what the deal is with Alex Rodriguez. He has revealed himself to be Bizarro Superman. I believe this to be true for reasons I will now spell out. According to Yahoo News, scientists have discovered a mineral similar to kryptonite: “A mineral found by geologists in Serbia shares virtually the same chemical composition as the fictional kryptonite from outer space.” Think about it - sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide – is that which cripples Superman,...

Sports Mash Up: Contradictions

I'm disturbed by something. Kristin Chenoweth, a not unattractive actress, is posing nude in Allure magazine. Now, this in itself is not disturbing, however despite her role in one of my all time favorite shows, she also happens to have a role in one of my son's all time favorite shows as "Ms. Noodle." I'm not sure I could withstand the psychic damage it would cause me. Seems like a pretty big contradiction to me...which gets me on the topic of the evening, Contradiction. Torii Hunter...

Cash Cows, HR History, & Jumping Bandwagons

The Red Sox ownership have become masters of building a brand. Want proof? How about Red Sox Diapers? Yes, folks, it is true. Beth Israel Deaconess hospital – the official hospital of the Red Sox – is giving newborns the whole deal. I guess this has it all for everyone. New citizens of Red Sox Nation (Oh by the way, I’ve always seen that as a birthright, I’m not going to pay ANYTHING for “membership” – I’ve paid enough over the years in emotional...

Learning a Few Things

I've learned a few things over the last weekend. First, I learned why Lefties die sooner than righties. I'm left handed, except in all of the things that would be a good thing - pitching, hitting, etc. Me, I throw and bat righty. Anyway, the fine motor skills are handled with the left hand, the gross motor, the right. This is a very useful dichotomy in daily life - I know which hand to pick up a pen with , I know which hand to twist open a jar with. I, however, do not apparently know how to hold...

Daisuke: Talking Talking Talking Dice-K Talk

The obligatory Red Sox Haiku before any discussion of Daisuke Matsuzaka Thank God for domed parks Daisuke goes even if it rains Sometimes dome sweet dome After a weekend seeing incredibly only one game washed out due to the Nor'Easter blowing through Boston, the 7-4 Sox travel north of the border to Toronto to take on the 7-5 Blue Jays. I never thought I would express an appreciation for a domed stadium - most often baseball played indoors might as well be played in a parking garage for...

Sports Mash Up

This is something I could have written in January, but it's a cold snowy day here in New England. Snowing. April 15. Get 65 degrees in February, snow and cold in April. Maybe there is something to this climate change thing. Time to trade in the GMC for a Prius I guess. The Red Sox and Curt Schilling dismantled the Angels (or as some might be tempted to write, the "Angles") last night 8-0, after Friday night's 10-1 victory - so in two games the Sox have outscored the Angels 18-1....

Drew Bledsoe Retires

It is official. Drew Bledsoe is pulling the plug on his NFL Career. While not entirely surprising – Drew is known for a certain degree of pride and he has been clear that if he could not be a starter, he was not going to play – it is a bittersweet day for this New England Patriots fan. Let me explain why. In my opinion, Drew Bledsoe is one of the three most important characters in the history of the New England franchise. He may not be a hall of fame quarterback, but what he did...

Sports Mash Up

Welcome back to Mo’s where we live it up like Diego Maradona. You remember ”The Hand of God” goal? Seems the hand of god is the only thing Diego hasn't been helping himself to. He's been indulging a little too much in wine, food, and cigars…there is no truth to the rumor he has been hanging out at Mo's. As painful as it might be to realize this, but A-Rod is on pace to hit something like 138 home runs and drive in something to the order of 345 RBI after going for...

Sports Mash Up

BASKETBALL Kevin Durant is reportedly making himself available for the NBA draft. This is good news for the Boston Celtics. At the other end of the spectrum, The Mavericks clinched the Western Division home court advantage throughout the playoffs last night with a win over the Clippers. The Mavericks clinched the Western Division home court advantage throughout the playoffs last night with a win over the Clippers. This means, of course, that Mark Cuban will get the opportunity to sit courtside...

Good as the Enemy of Great

I think most people want to be good at what they do. We practice hard at that which is important to us. Where people differ, though, is the level of excellence expected from themselves. When “good enough” becomes the level to which we strive, we prevent ourselves from excelling. We’re not happy when our football team is good enough to reach the playoffs, we love a winner. The men who make their living at a high competitive level strive for excellence. Their locus of control...

Anniversary #6

April 7, 2001. The day we officially became a family. Six years ago. A lot has happened in the intervening years - trips, cars (several!), a house, a dog, a baby. We've come a long way from our little apartment. We've done a lot of things and been through a lot together. There's no one else in the world I would rather make this journey with. The things that brought us together all those years ago remain true. I feel like I've known you for several lifetimes. ...

Darryl Stingley: Dead at age 55

Sad news this morning for Patriots nation, the National Football League in general, and the family of Darryl Stingley. Stingley, known for having been the recipient of a Jack Tatum hit in a 1978 Exhibition Game between the New England Patriots and the Oakland Raiders, passed away this morning at age 55 after having been found unresponsive in his Chicago home. The league ruled the hit legal, but it was doubtlessly a cheap and viscious hit in an utterly meaningless game. The then 26 year old Stingley...

Dana Altman & Reneging on the Job

Dana Altman, recently announced head coach of the University of Arkansas Basketball team, was onboard for all of 24 hours before deciding that he had perhaps made a mistake and that with “deep regret” he was not taking the position. Now, I don’t have a dog in this fight, as it were. I’ve never even heard of “Creighton,” although I do know of the Arkansas Razorbacks. I don’t know a thing about Dana Altman. I don’t follow NCAA Basketball, or really...

Things I've Learned About Baseball from the Red Sox

Good evening folks. After the opening day loss to Gil Meche and the Kansas City Royals (the Red Sox were the only team against which the Royals had a .500 or better record last year) to put things in perspective, I've climbed back down from The Tobin Bridge only to realize John Henry and Tom Werner had constructed a "Red Sox Jumper" toll booth. Cost me $3 to get up there...But, then again, like the ball park itself, I'm sure I'll be back there again... One only recall Tuffy Rhodes...