Twitter-Mania!!!

As I’ve mentioned before, I joined Twitter, but only to follow Red Sox news (and a few other people/groups). It seems to be the fastest way to get information today, so I caved and joined. As one of my brothers told me this past weekend, since I don’t “tweet,” I’m a lurker and a creeper. So be it then!

Honestly, I don’t find any thrill in broadcasting over the internet/phone every little thing that happens in my life. I probably only post on Facebook 2-3 times a week, and one of those times is on the weekends when I link up the blog to Facebook. But, on the other hand, I have no problem reading “tweets” from other people!

(Just on a side note, I found out recently that the Twitter bird logo’s name is Larry. As in Larry Bird.)

So, for a fun, Friday post, I decided to repost some of the tweets regarding the Red Sox. As a note, not all players are on Twitter. Without further adieu, here are this week’s tweets:

Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
#Tigers averaged 8.7 runs first 3 games against #RedSox. In 16 games since, 3.3. Seventh in AL, behind Bos, Tex, NYY, Cle, TB, Tor.

MLB @MLB
The Red Sox broadcasters spent about a minute last night debating whether mittens have fingers: atmlb.com/JKaq1k

MLB @MLB
Felix Doubront went for the hug. Jarrod Saltalamacchia went for the handshake. Awkward: atmlb.com/lvsUQ4

Red Sox Tweets Info @RedSoxInfo
Middlebrooks earns Player of the Week nod- MLB.com, atmlb.com/IwAyr2 #RedSox

David Ortiz @davidortiz
Good morning everyone beautifull day in Chicago ready to start a 4 game serie with the WS here we go again...go sox34 (*I did not make those typing errors.)

Kelly Shoppach @ShopHouse10
Lou Brown: “If we win one today, that’s two in a row. If we win one tomorrow, that’s
called a winning streak. It has happened before…”

Jacoby Ellsbury @JacobyEllsbury
Nice win to start road trip! 2 huge home runs from @IamCodyRoss

Kevin Millar @KMillar15
Sully from Godsmack enjoying a day off at the house #boysclub #voodoo pic.twitter.com/iHhS7BTG(Yes, I am a Sully Erna/Godsmack fan. I find it interesting that Millar is wearing a Cubs shirt though- Sully is representing Boston though. Here’s the pic:)

Ryan Sweeney @RyanSweeney12
Man it’s great to be back in the Midwest in chi town and hang out with our friends. Family is coming in tomorrow can’t wait! (**Ryan Sweeney did not start in tonight's game.)

Adrian Gonzalez @adriangon28
Great win for us tonight, before I forget tmorrow, just want to wish the Bruins another game 7 series win.

And my favorites of the week:

Mike Aviles @Themikeaviles
So I get in the cab to the field and the cabbie asks me how to get to US Cellular? Should be a fun ride! #adventure (***Before Thursday's game)

Mike Aviles @Themikeaviles
So yesterday I thought I'd get in the cab, I was wrong its today we get lost!!  How hard is it to know the city you're a cabbie in?

Happy Easter... Some Positive Tidbits

Happy Easter!  Since it's Easter, I'm not going to dwell on the ugly game from yesterday.  Instead, I wanted to give a few, positive things that have come from the Red Sox over the past few days:

* Carl Crawford is getting closer to playing in extended Spring Training games.  He is currently taking batting practice on the field; and when he does start in games, he'll start as a DH and work his way to playing in the field.  He would then go to minor league games.  The prognosis was originally that Crawford would make it back to Major League games in May, but it could be within the next two or three weeks.

* Lefthanders Rich Hill and Andrew Miller started rehab assignments in Single-A yesterday.  Rich Hill is recovering from Tommy John surgery that he had in June (if you don't recall, Hill pitched eight scoreless inning last year before needing surgery).  Andrew Miller strained his left hamstring in Spring Training.  When these two are ready for the Majors, they will both be welcomed additions to the Club.

* Ryan Sweeney is leading the team in batting average with .571 (he's 4 for 7).  He hit a game-tying triple on Opening Game in the 9th inning. 

* By 10:00 this morning, both Adrian Gonzalez and Darnell McDonald had tweeted that the Sox needed to win today.

I apologize for the lack of posts the past few days and for this short post.  It is the Easter weekend though, and I've been spending time with my familly.  If I don't do another post again today, enjoy the day and hopefully the Sox can pull out a win today.

Ryan Sweeney, a Fellow Iowan

When the Red Sox traded Josh Reddick and two minor-league prospects for to the Oakland A’s over the winter for Andrew Bailey and Ryan Sweeney, I admit I was a little sad. Reddick was always one of those players I enjoyed watching and felt like he was on the verge of something, much like I felt with Justin Masterson before the Sox traded him to the Cleveland Indians for Victor Martinez. I liked Reddick, and I’m still a little sad to see him go.

When I look at the Reddick for Baiely and Sweeney trade, I keep scratching my head because I had no idea what Billy Beane was trying to accomplish here. Really, I’m not understanding many of Beane’s moves this year. I was convince when he traded away Bailey, Gio Gonzalez, and Trevor Cahill, I thought it was to get young talent, rebuild, basically continue doing what the A’s do. But, then they signed CoCo Crips to a 2 year/ $14 million deal, Cespedes to a 4 year/ $36 million deal, and Manny Ramirez to a 1 year, minor-league deal. Huh?

Anyway, when the Reddick- Bailey and Sweeney trade took place, I immediately looked up Ryan Sweeney on the internet. I knew I had heard that name before, and I was right. He was from Cedar Rapids, Iowa and graduated high school in 2003, same as me. I have a cousin who is my age, was drafted by the Kansas City Royals, and went to high school in Solon, Iowa… not too far from Cedar Rapids. I quickly texted his sister and asked if she remembered Ryan Sweeney from the Cedar Rapids team. Long story short, my cousin played against Ryan Sweeney in high school.

Fast forward to last week, and I was at my grandparents house trying to get their Blu- Ray player hooked up to watch MLB.TV. My grandpa started telling me how Ryan Sweeney could never hit off my cousin, in high school or while they played Rookie-ball in Arizona. I haven’t been able to back up that claim with the stats, but it’s interesting to think about.

This past weekend while I was doing some cleaning, I cam across the newspaper article that listed Iowa players drafted by Major League players in 2003, again because my cousin was drafted this year by the Royals. It showed that Ryan Sweeney was drafted in the 2nd round by the Chicago White Sox. If the opportunity ever comes up, I think it would be kind of cool to have Sweeney sign this.

While was I was trying to find that stats on Ryan Sweeney and my cousin, I came across and interesting article from The Globe Gazette about accomplishments and selected teams of the high school players in 2003. If you’re interested in it, here’s the link:

http://globegazette.com/sports/article_88432cf3-162d-5e77-a5a3-56555feb8822.html?print=1

Ryan Sweeney was named the player of the league in his respected class, 3A, and was named the captain of the squad. He hit .489 as a senior for Cedar Rapids Xavier. This article was published on August 6, 2003. I also have to note something interesting as I scrolled through this article. Jeremy Hellickson, who is now in the Rays rotation, made the second team, 4A team as a sophomore for Des Moines Hoover. He was 6-1 with a .63 ERA. Last year with the Rays, Hellickson was 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA and a 1.145 WHIP. Iowa has talent.

In 2007, Ryan Sweeney was listed as the Chicago White Sox top prospect, as ranked by Baseball America. In 2008, he was traded along with Gio Gonzalez and Fautino De Los Santos to the A’s for Nick Swisher. This year, Sweeney is said to be platoon-ing with Cody Ross in Right Field.

Sweeney’s career stats in six years in the Majors are: .283 BA, .342 OBP, .378 SLG, .720 OPS. I think given the chance, Sweeney could emerge as one of the good, surprise stories of the 2012 Red Sox. I always try to root for the Iowan (except for when they play against the Red Sox- like Hellickson- but I still want them to do well), and I think it’ll be fun to watch someone with ties to Iowa strive on the Red Sox.