All We are Saying, Give Them a Chance

(This column, and many others, appear on my two sites ... DigitalSortsDesk.com and DigitalSportsDesk/SportBlog.com)

By TERRY LYONS

BOSTON - April 12, 2016 — Today is game No. 7 of the brand new 2016 baseball season, jammed with 162 games for the Boston Red Sox and their American League rivals. It’s time to hit the “Panic Button.” As I’m reading it today, the boo-birds are already flocking and the sky is falling over Fenway Park.

Sox ace David Price was mowing down Orioles early in his Fenway Park debut in a home team uniform on a day deemed so special that the two greatest players in NBA and NHL history, Bill Russell and Bobby Orr (apologies the The Great One) were on site to pay tribute to the Sox. Then, the roof seats caved in as Price was responsible for five runs, all earned, as he allowed more than three earned runs in a start at Fenway for the first time in his career. 

While the ace faltered, the Red Sox offense rallied to tie the home opener at six apiece before newly acquired closer Craig Kimbrel came in to mop things up in the top of the ninth. The sequel? Hit the Panic Button II.

Kimbrel was making his first appearance at Fenway as a member of the Red Sox, of course, and allowed a three-run blast off the bat of Baltimore’s Chris Davis in the top of the ninth inning. It was the first time the million dollar arm reliever had ever surrendered a home run with multiple runners on base. The Sox lost their first hope game for only the sixth time in the last 24 seasons and only the second time in the last dozen years. Cue the boo-birds.

But, seriously.

One game does not a season make. The 3-3 Sox will face the undefeated Orioles again today and tomorrow. There’s a long way to go. However, in this “cheap shot via twitter” universe we live in, it’s so easy to take a swipe at those who suffer in the MACY*S window that is sports.

Build-up PGA phenom Jordan Spieth and prepare to crown him “the next great player, PGA Tour Player of the Year and “back-to-back” Masters champ and see what you get? An epic meltdown, yes, but a choke? No. Jordan Spieth has many a major ahead of him and he will stand in the winner’s trophy presentation spotlight more than his fair share of times. He is not a “choker” and will never be. He is a champion.

In these United States, we just love to build up our heroes, then we love to mock them as we tear them down. It is as American as political chicanery. 

Which brings me to the boo-birds.

We read the snarky twitter comments and heard the boos come raining down on Pablo Sandoval as the Red Sox masterfully produced their opening day ceremonies and introductions. Pablo’s belt buckle quickly became a Giphy sensation, right alongside of the “cryin’ Michael Jordan” memes. A week into the season and fans who consider themselves loyal and knowledgable are all too quick to bury the Panda.

I’m not sitting here, like a cheerleader or team spinster. I’m just wondering why?

Is it the contract? Is it the weight? A weight he carries around on his Mack Truck frame or is it the far heavier weight of expectations and pressure he carries everyday as he drives to the park or stops in a store?  At those times, he’s being adored and asked for autographs with smiles and a “you can do it” front.

Do fans snark and boo only when the fans, in vast obscurity with 31,159 others at the park, armed with Twitter and a gif-maker?  Or is it the more dangerous fan in a more camouflaged setting in their living rooms, kickin’ it back in their PJs on the coach, who become the slayer of Panda?

All we are saying? It’s G7 of the 2016 baseball season. Give them a chance.

Opening Day Brings Hope at Fenway Park

BOSTON, April 11, 2016 -- Another Arctic front dropped three or four inches of a wet, cement-like snowfall on the front walks of New England homes and the plow operators earned time and a half last Monday night just as the Villanova kids were whooping it up in Houston or out on the Main Line. Shoveling snow in April is not what Abner Doubleday or Rob Manfred had in mind, as chilly winds, wintry mixes and outright cold weather was the cause of seven games being postponed in the season of the year 2016 in Major League Baseball.

It took eight days on the road for the Boston Red Sox to compile a 3-2 record to start a season which has lofty expectations. Today, two games back in the American League East standings, the Sox will crack the bats in their 2:05pm home opener against the division-leading Baltimore Orioles as the Massachusetts faithful crack open a few Sam Adams and school kids cut-out early, citing an appointment with Dr. Lansdowne. Suffice to say, Cold Snap has yet to yield to Summer Ale, but that is quite okay today because hope can go down pretty nicely with a lager.

Opening Day brings life to Boston. It brings hope of brighter days to come this year. Opening Day in Boston is better than New Year’s Day because the resolutions today are only promises of a pennant or, at least, a wild card. Opening Day at Fenway Park brings light.

It starts with planning your day around the 2:05pm start time. The Sox home opener requires careful planning. Securing tickets is a part of that, yes. But, more importantly, it is planning to weave the Red Sox into the fabric of your life. That is what this baseball team requires if you live in Massachusetts. Like no other team in the land, the Red Sox are Boston.

Yes, the Cubs have their friendly confines and their own long-suffering fans who love the ivy of Wrigley Field more than anyone could imagine. Yes, the Cardinals capture the mind and spirit of St, Louis and some of southern Illinois. Yes, the Dodgers have Vin Scully and Chavez Ravine and even the Blue Jays sell some tickets in an igloo in Toronto, but the Sox have Fenway.

Fenway Park! Say no more. It is the chapel of all-time, well, aside from the Sistine version, I guess?

At 4:45am on Opening Day, Fenway Park is alive. It’s lights are on and its motor is running.

New crews are setting up shop for the day, all scouring the renewed Fenway neighborhood looking for the perfect place to do dozens of live-shots for the eye-opening broadcasts right up until the Noon news. On Landsdowne, fans who camped out for tickets are playing wiffel ball in the brisk dawn sunshine. Bar-owners are rejoicing because the boys are back in town.

The Celtics will be hosting some NBA Playoff games over by North Station while the Bruins clean out their lockers after a disappointing season of more downs than ups. But the fabric of life in New England revolves around the Sox and baseball, not any other sport, including that American Football game that does pretty well in the tv ratings game.

Baseball has its place. It has its tradition and New Englanders love that fact.

Contrary to the death-knoll forecast by thought leaders of the Millennial generation, Red Sox baseball holds up. Generation after generation after generation have flocked to Fenway Park, oldsters and youngsters hand-in-hand. High school friends still meet in the same places. Families take the day off and trek in to Kenmore Square on the Green Line. Yawkey Way is closed down for a money-making festival of summer. And, it’s all good.

It’s good as long as the Sox starting rotation can step up. It’s good as long as Hanley Ramirez performs up to his high capabilities at first base. It’s all good if David Ortiz can continue his “Big Papi” role while knocking in runs and doubling about 35 or 40 times. It’s good if the Price is Right and free agent ace David Price wins 20 games and contends for the Cy Young Award. It’s good if Sox captain Dustin Pedroia stays health and bats .300 or better and if Brock Holt plays nealry every day of the year at a different position than the day before.

You see, the hopes of Opening Day come with expectations in Boston. Fans expect to win and they’ll still turn-out if those expectations aren’t met. After all, bagging tickets to see the Sox is a challenging sport in itself. Sox tix come with very hefty price tags, limited availability, and a secondary ticket mark-up scheme if you’re heading to the guys at Ace Ticket or the Sox new season-ticket holder recycling plant, called Reply, to grab a pair behind the plate or up on the famed Green Monster. But, if the Sox aren’t about 10 games over .500 by June, those faithful citizens of Yawkey might be calling for Hanley’s bat or Manager John Farrell’s job.

The cold fact of life on Opening Day is that Major League Baseball whacks up the wins and losses and gives each team one after every single game. Half win and half lose in the cold, cruel world of professional sports. Rising up, way over .500, is what it takes to win titles. Avoiding injury and getting some good, old-fashioned luck doesn’t hurt. But, on Opening Day at Fenway, cold beer will be served as hope springs eternal, at least until Clay Buchholz takes his next turn in the rotation.

Lester's Dazzle & 97mph Fastball, Gomes Smarts, Earn Red Sox G1 "W"

(Be sure to see DigitalSportsDesk.com for full American League Divisional Playoff Series coverage) - Here's a clip of tonight's lede story ...

Jon Lester with G1 gem (Getty Images)

BOSTON, October 4, 2013 -- Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester worked 7 2/3 strong innings and his catcher, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, drove in three runs as Boston took Game 1 of the American League Division Series from visiting Tampa Bay Friday night at Fenway Park. Lester (1-0) allowed two runs on three hits and struck out seven while utilityman Jonny Gomes doubled in two runs and shortstop Stephen Drew singled in the go-ahead run during a five-run fourth inning for the Red Sox, who were playing their first postseason game since 2009.

"I think what we've seen during the course of the year is Jon has ironed out his delivery to where, when he's got added adrenaline or emotion, he's still able to channel it in the right way and not sacrifice location with his stuff," said Boston Manager John Farrell in a packed playoff interview room inquiring about Lester's 97-mph first pitch of the day. "That first inning was powerful. I know he was more than ready for today's start.

"We've seen a number of starts in the second half, where once he settles in and he creates such good rhythm and balance in his delivery is what allows him to sustain the power throughout his game when he's out there. It's made his cutter more effective and his change-up got some swings and misses because of the increased velocity to his fastball. He was in a good place today."

Tampa's Sean Rodriguez and Ben Zobrist each homered but starting pitcher Matt Moore (0-1) was knocked around for eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings as the Rays lost for just the third time in 13 games dating back to the regular season. Moore did not allow a hit through the first three innings but got little help from his defense in the fourth. David Ortiz’s fly to the track in right with a runner on first turned into a ground-rule double when rookie Wil Myers inexplicably pulled away from the play, and Rodriguez got too close to the “Green Monster” on Gomes’ drive off the wall and had it jump over his head to allow the first two runs to score.

"From what I was told," said Tampa Manager Joe Maddon, "he (Wil Myers) kind of saw Desmond (Jennings, CF) coming through the corner of his eye and just backed-off. (It was) really a routine play. Very unfortunate."

Gomes took off on Drew’s slow roller to the right side and scored the go-ahead run all the way from second when Moore was late to the bag covering the play, and Will Middlebrooks followed with an RBI double to left before a passed ball on a third strike allowed Jacoby Ellsbury to reach ahead of Shane Victorino’s run-scoring single. Saltalamacchia’s two-run double to left was also misplayed by Rodriguez and highlighted a three-run fifth before Boston put it away with a four-run eighth.

"(Jonny) Gomes is a smart baseball player," noted Farrell. "In some ways with some guys, you can take numbers and put them aside. Jonny is one of those. Whether it's inside of a rally, which he's been a big part of late in the game when he's had some big hits for us. Today, in that (key) inning, with the double... the two-run double off the wall - today was the reason Jonny chose to come to Boston. He demonstrated why this is where he wants to play. He fits what we do so well. That is the way he goes about the game and it rubs off on other players in our clubhouse."

GAME NOTEBOOK: Victorino was hit by a pitch and stole second base in the first inning, marking the Red Sox’s 40th straight successful stolen-base attempt. Ellsbury made it 41 in the eighth. … Three of Tampa Bay’s four hits went for extra bases, including Kelly Johnson’s pinch-hit triple in the ninth. … Tampa Bay ace David Price, who pitched a complete game to beat the Texas Rangers in Monday’s tiebreaker, will get the ball in Saturday's Game 2, opposed by Red Sox RHP John Lackey.

L.L. Bean and Fenway Tarp for the One Fund in Boston

Great job ...

Pressure ...

Pressure is...

Standing over a 12-foot birdie putt on "18" at Augusta National tied for the lead against Tiger,

Returning serve in fifth set tie-breaker at the US Open against Federer,

Taking the mound in the bottom of the ninth of a 2-2 tied world series game at Fenway with the bases loaded, two outs and a 3-balls, no strikes count,

Heading to the line for two shots, down 71-70 at the NCAA Final Four, no time remains on the clock.

Standing at center ice, women's Olympic ice skating finals, you have a lock on the silver, but the gold is within reach... the music is about to begin and you need to skate the performance of your life,

Final turn at Daytona 500, and Jeff Gordon has just bumped your rear fender but you're still in the lead, heading about 210 mph towards the held checkered flag,

Your the goal-keeper, score is tied in the Stanley Cup Finals and you're facing a penalty shot with :03 left in the game.

You are 8 years old and you're about to take the stage at the Met for Cavalleria Rusticana and you are dressed in a long holy communion gown with a burning candle in your hand.  You stare out at the capacity audience for the first time and you have to walk up the steps of the church, an extraordinary set built to scale.  Your stage Mom leads you to the first step and you begin your walk.

You have no money and you need to feed your family, pay the rent or the mortgage.

Pressure.

Not so pretty in pink?

I admit, I have a lot to learn about Fenway and the Sox. That said, I made my first trip to Fenway in 1977 and enjoyed a trip or two nearly each year since. My oldest daughter saw her first Sox game in person on Saturday, July 8, 2000 - a month and a few days before her 3rd birthday. I saved the ticket stubs and some great photos, knowing she would be a lifelong Red Sox fan, just like her Mom.

My youngest made her first trip to Fenway on Auguest 13, 2005 when the four of us enjoyed a hot summer night, sitting behind the plate to witness a 7-4 Sox win over the Chi. White Sox.

All of that is a long-winded way of getting to an article that I saw on Boston.com (my favorite website). It seems some Sox fans are turning up their noses at other Sox fans, claiming that some are better than others by virtue of their long-standing suffering before the successes of recent years.

I don't buy it.

Since when does a fan get to decide that one fan is better than another?

Read on:

Why is this pink hat so hated?
Fans say it's a fashion statement. Naysayers counter that anyone in a Sox cap this color is a poseur.

By Kate M. Jackson, Globe Correspondent

Anne Houseman was never into baseball, but after moving here in 2002, she became a devoted Red Sox fan. To pledge her allegiance to Red Sox Nation, she bought a pink Sox cap and wore it proudly around town and to Fenway Park. For a while, the convert shared a peaceful coexistence with lifelong Sox fans. But something changed in late 2004, after the Sox won the World Series.

Houseman, 28, soon found her pink hat was about as welcome here as an A-Rod shirt in the bleachers. Rather than a sign of support, the pink hat somehow outed her as a poseur, a bandwagon fan.

"I was watching a game on TV with a girlfriend of mine and the camera zoomed in on a female fan in a pink hat," she said. "My friend went on a five-minute tirade about pink hats and how people who wear them are not real fans."

Later, Houseman threw her pink hat into the back of my closet. "I had no idea how unwelcome it was," she said.

Next to Yankees caps and Giants jerseys, the pink Red Sox cap has become the most polarizing piece of clothing a Bostonian can wear. Fans of the hats think they're simply a cute way to show their love for the Sox. Haters say pink-hat owners are latecomers who only support the Sox because it's suddenly cool - even fashionable - to do so. Pink-hat wearers haven't suffered sufficiently, they reason. No one suffers in pink.

If local sports blogs, fan sites, and talk radio are any indication, the sniping is approaching fever pitch, now that the Sox have two recent Series wins to their credit. Message boards at local sites like Barstool Sports fill up with vitriolic comments - most of which are unfit for publication - on both sides of the issue whenever pink hats are mentioned. And now, even new Celtics fans are dubbed "pink hats."

"I believe this is the year that Red Sox fans - the pink-hats and the die-hards, who have been eyeing each other suspiciously for five years now - finally have it out with each other," Randolph native Eric Gillin recently wrote on the national sports blog Deadspin. "This is the season where what it really means to be a Red Sox fan finally bubbles to the surface."

The squabbling is about more than fashion, clearly. It's about the gentrification of Fenway and rising ticket prices and chicken Caesar wraps where Fenway Franks once reigned, unchallenged. Fans in pink hats are just the icing on the cake.

"When a team is winning, you're going to see more fans climbing aboard, creating more supply and demand," said Shawn McBride, vice president of sports marketing for Ketchum, a public relations firm. "It happened with the Patriots, it's happening now with the Celtics. But with the Red Sox, it's an even bigger phenomenon. It's not so much a bandwagon as a caravan."

Don Martelli of Revere not only dislikes pink Sox hats, he thinks anyone who wears them should be banned from Fenway Park.

"Pink is not a part of the Red Sox palette," he said. "And while we're at it, ban the green ones and the camouflage ones, too. Those aren't the team's colors."

Martelli has banned pink hats and any other untraditional Red Sox garb from his own home, much to the dismay of his two young daughters, who love anything pink.

"Am I saying everyone in a pink hat isn't a fan? Of course not," he said. "But in my experience at Fenway, whenever I see someone talking on a cellphone, not watching the game, it's usually someone in a pink hat or some other color."

For some, it's not so much the pink hats as what they represent. In fact, the whole "nation" concept reminds some people of that other team.

"I don't want us to become like the Yankees," said Matt Trocchio, 27, of Brighton. "When they were winning, you'd see people all over the country wearing Yankees hats and shirts. That's what I think about when I see pink hats. I hate that."

Gillin believes that anti-pink hat sentiment is likely the result of an identity crisis, the growing pains of a fan base trying to redefine itself.

"Some of the problem is the old calculus: To be a true Sox fan, you have to suffer. Generations of fans have to suffer. Now, as a winning team, we have to find a new way to suffer, and we're doing that by blowing small things - like the color of someone's hat - out of proportion," he says.

Hierarchies are seen in most subcultures and Red Sox Nation is no exception, says Michael Ian Borer, a sociologist and author of the new book "Faithful to Fenway: Believing in Boston, Baseball, and America's Most Beloved Ballpark." Longtime fans may see themselves as the keepers of the flame. But the support of newer fans, he says, is just as valid.

"The pink hats are simply another way of expressing one's devotion to the team, not a lesser devotion to the team," he said. "They're an article of faith, like the green hats for St. Patrick's Day, or the Puerto Rican or Dominican flags worn on some hats. All fans are different, so it makes sense that not everyone worships in the same way."

Some believe that singling out pink hats for scrutiny is really about gender stereotypes, and speaks to bigger issues in the culture surrounding women and sports. Making assumptions about someone's devotion based on what she (or he) is wearing is just plain silly, they say.

"I think everyone needs to take a deep breath and relax with regard to the whole pink hat thing," said Sara Faith Alterman, 28, an on-air personality with WFNX-FM (101.7) and correspondent with the Boston Phoenix. "If pink is your thing, then you should be able to support your team with pink. What's the big deal?"

Maggie Magner, a lifelong Red Sox fan, started the web site GirlSoxNation.com specifically to quash the notion that women can't be both sports-savvy and feminine.

"We were tired of all these stat-wielding bullies saying real fans don't wear pink. Who decides what a real fan is anyway?" Magner asked. "Women represent half of the ballpark attendance today and are buying more merchandise every year."

Magner's site has taken heat for its "Pink Hats" section, which features discussions about ballpark fashion and invites readers to send in photos of themselves with Red Sox players.

"We were dismayed to find on various blogs that people were 'skeptical' about the site because of the Pink Hats section," said Magner, who doesn't own a pink hat but says she reserves the right to buy one should the mood strike her. "It's meant to be fun and whimsical and is geared toward women fans who don't take the entertainment of baseball too seriously - even though they are real fans."

Magner said she's taking the pink hat backlash as a challenge to support female fans of all hat colors. As for Anne Houseman, she's starting a backlash of her own: She's brought her pink hat out of retirement.

"I like pink. I like the Red Sox," she says. "I'm going to put on my hat and wear it proudly."

Ramble On ...Blogging on the Boston to NYC LimoLiner ...

(Warning: Typos do not count in this blog... it was a bumpy ride and my computer bounced all over the map.)

4:00pm - Prompt departure from Back Bay. The bus was idling directly in front of the Sheraton Hotel (across the street from the Hilton). The LimoLiner is advertised as "Hilton to Hilton" service. The destination is the New York Hilton on Sixth Avenue and 54th Street in Midtown.

4:07pm - The LimoLiner chugs past Fenway Park on the Mass Pike and works its way through minor traffic at the Mass Pike toll by Cambridge. First stop and only stop, hopefully, will be Framingham, Mass. where a bus park and ride provides a haven for the western suburban Bostonians who do not have to drive into Boston proper and pay big bucks to park.

To quickly set the scene. My Dell Laptop is plugged into a normal AC outlet and I am connected to wireless to access the internet. The bus has two wireless routers, one for the front and one for the back.

The bus looks like a typical "Hampton Jitney" or a rock n' roll band heading out on the concert trailways. Nice cushy seats, single seats on the right and double seats on the right.

CNN is on the 15-inch AQUOS flat screen which is mounted two feet in front of my eyes. It is playing off a Direct TV feed, just like Jet Blue but with fewer channel choices. Cheap, uncomfortable headphones have been distributed to everyone on board. Next time, if there is a next time, I will bring my Ipod or even the Bose noise cancelling headphones which I chose to ignore when I packed lightly for this three-day business trip to Boston.

4:15pm - The LimoLiner slows for some traffic by the Mass Pike toll but I've already been handed a nice cold Diet Coke in a plastic cup complete with straw and lid, like a kids' drink at the local diner.

I'm noticing that it is very difficult to type as every bump on the highway sets off my built in mouse and the cursor bounces madly to points in my story. I will not be responsible for typos in this post.

4:30pm - Traffic on the Mass Pike moving along, but we have not reached the dreaded Framingham pit stop yet. I am going to "Save Now" on the blog and surf the net or read my Sports Business Journal, Boston Globe and Boston Herald.

Ed, the driver, makes an announcement, like a pilot preparing his aircraft for landing. Ed reminds us to be sure none of the items we have out (like my Dell Latitude ATG D630) bounce off the little tray table.

4:32pm - We zip through the Framingham toll booth with our EasyPass. Let's see how long it takes to get back on the Mass Pike?

Filling some time now, I'll note that I am expecting to do a courtesy interview with a young journalist from the Britain who has been reading my column on "Basketball 24/7" - yes, a self-serving plug for column and the link to said column is inserted HERE.

I will write a bit about our conversation when he calls.

4:41pm - We pull out from the little bus depot/park and ride. Only three or four people boarded and there are about 12-15 people on board the 22 person capacity bus. Justin, the attendant, gets on the PA system and he tells us that StarDust is on Channel 2.

4:45pm - We're back on the Mass Pike, doing about 72 mph. I'll check back later.

4:47pm - Whoops, not so fast. We hit traffic and the LimoLiner comes to a crawl, but, it's not too bad. A little 495 junction traffic and by 4:51pm, we're cruisin' bigtime and Ed, decked out in his New Era 5950 Red Sox cap, is honking his horn at slow moving traffic and notching a strong 75 mph.

5:32pm - My new correspondent Drew dialed in and we spoke for about 38 minutes on all sorts of NBA basketball topics, mostly the playoff news as he was seeking insight to the Utah Jazz and Jerry Sloan, Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer and company. Drew also asked pertinent questions about Kobe, the New Orleans Hornets, Luol Deng and the Chicago Bulls.

We spent a few minutes discussing the GB national team, the USA national team and Jason Kidd's role as a leader, as well as Kobe's tremendous USA contributions to teamwork last summer and hopefully onward towards Beijing.

In the middle of my call, the LimoLiner had to pull over after paying the exit toll on the Mass Pike to fix the audio on the movie. A quick and easy fix and we were on our way again.

As the phone call from the UK ended, I looked up and we were cruising on the LimoLiner past Hartford, pushing 70 mph. Drew will have to be careful with his international phone bill.

6:10pm - An e-mail from home says there will be pizza awaiting. Yes!

6:15pm - I wish I could hook up my MLB.TV Mosiac for some games, but they all start at 7:05pm. I'm going to give it a try for some MLB pregame action or the Baseball Channel. Be back later.

6:21pm - The MLB games seem to be ready to stream nicely and the Baseball Channel is coming in clearly. That bodes well for a little Sox vs. Rays at 7:05pm. And, from the LimoLiner traffic report, a major jam at Exit 26 of I84 West and CT 70 (Cheshire). We're approaching ESPN territory. Where's Pete McC, Howie and Tim/Maureen when I need 'em, as we could be b-b-q'ing tonight.

6:25pm - A lone car, broken down in the left lane was partially to blame for the traffic but it doesn't look good as I gaze down the highway. That said, Gwenyth Paltrow is looking pretty sharp on the AQUOS.

6:49pm - A couple quick IM chats with my sis-in-law in Boston and my guy, James, the creator of Basketball 24/7. Pretty cool as I am zipping along on I84 and he is working the computer in the UK.

7:00pm - Three hours in transit and we are at Exit 7 near Trumbell, CT merging towards the Merritt-Wilbur Cross Parkway on I91 South and heading towards I95, the worst road in creation of mankind, aside from the Belt Parkway in Queens and Brooklyn.

I'll be dialing up the MLB game shortly as New Haven is in sight. Ed, the Red Sox fan driver, is estimating an 8:30pm arrival in NYC. Not bad.

7:24pm - The MLB Mosiac curse is upon me. Error messages abound and they say, streaming video error. I checked a few scores on CBS Sportsline and the site loaded slowly. So much for the high tech ride. But, I can't blame the LimoLiner as the Internet wireless seems to be working fine on the blog.

7:27pm - I hit Save Now just to be sure. Whew.

7:28pm - Stamford never looked so good. The sun setting to the west. Ahh, it smells like "victory." Take that Sugar Hill SG blogger.

7:29pm - Ed the Driver glances up and catches me spying on his speedometer. He didn't smile. Justin comes by with some snacks. Choices are Lays classic chips, good Snyder prezels - sticks and nuggets, Famous Amos chocolate chip cookies and some raisins and candy. I go wih the pretzel nuggets. In seat 1-A, you get first crack at everything except the on board lav.

The TV has CNN Headline News as the movie ended a while ago. I will ask for ESPN to see if they have it? It should be NBA pregame show time.

7:38pm - Oh Justin, where art thou?

7:39pm - Ed the Driver says we're one hour out from the Hilton on Sixth Ave, traffic permitting. He warns about the rough NYC roadways. Typing is now hazardous to my health. The typos will abound. Help.

No Justin in sight.

I am holding on to "Donald" Dell laptop for dear life.

CBS Sportsline says Rays 1-0 and Yanks 1-1.

7:40pm - The CNN feed went to commercial and Direct TV was promoting some upcoming prizefight. Sign of the Times is on the screen. I want my ESPN.

7:46pm - Seeing AutoSave at 7:46pm is better than the message 'could not contact bogger.com Saving and publishing may fail.' Ahh.

Lots of red tail lights as we pass the Hutch and head towards the 95 merge. It just amazes me how the stress kicks in the second you hit the NYC line.

From Tremont (Boston) to E Tremont (Bronx) has been about four hours.

7:51pm - Whoa? A bump just took out a whole entry that I had typed for 7:49pm. It was good too. I am logging out for a bit. See you later.

***

I'm back... but the rest was typed on my Blackberry.

7:56pm - Ed the Driver turns towards home and I can spot the Chrysler bldg and the city skyline.

8:03pm - We cross the bridge and hit Manhattan soil at Second Ave. They say it is 30 minutes to the Hilton but we'll be cruising right by my joint. A Bummer, as they should consider one quick UES stop.

8:06pm - Ed the Driver throws the switch for the cabin lights as nightfall is upon us. I wave at Famous Rays and Nick's at 94th St.

8:12pm - Ed the Driver blasts his horn at a NYC cabbie. Justin offers everyone a chocolate candy mint wafer. I pass. We are at 65th and Second.

I realize that I am wasting about 45 minutes going from UES to midtown in Friday night traffic only to turn around and return to the UES. Major flaw with the LimoLiner. They need a stop at Second and 86th Street. Period.

8:17pm - Ed the Driver is in the middle lane, heading south on Second Ave and now hooks a hard right onto 49th Street for his Crosstown venture. Right past The Grill. He blasts the horn once more at a slow car or pedestrian.

8:19pm. - The Direct TV cuts out and its has the usual warning about normal vehicle movement.

FDNY sends two fire trucks past us blazing, a bumpy 49th Street also has garbage trucks loading demolition. The noise is killing me and I am not even back for five minutes. My NYC patience/tolerance level is already shot. I know, I know.. It's the greatest city in the world.

Besides, Boston's better.

8:22pm - Ed the Driver nails his horn for the fourth time since we reached Manhattan. We're approaching Sixth Ave at 49th St. Radio City is all decked out for the NFL Draft.

8:23pm - Ed the Driver blasts his horn again to wake-up a driver at a red light. Ahh, the Direct TV just came back on.

8:26pm. - We pull to a stop at the Hilton.

8:37pm - After a quick stop at Chase, I jump a cab at 56th and Sixth as I am tired and didn't feel like dealing with the M31 bus. Midtown is better than the Amtrak at Penn Station for hailing cabs, although the comp was steep coming off the Hilton area.

8:41pm - The cabbie turns right on 70th and a quieter, gentler Manhattan comes to light.

8:44pm - The computer tv in taxi has ESPN story about Josh Howard. Holy smokes.

8:49pm. - Paying taxi. Good night.