So much.  So much.  So much.  So much to talk about.  I’ve been AWOL these last few weeks, but with good reason.  I had a lot to talk about two weeks ago, but I was so nervous when I heard Mrs. Giro breathe through a contraction that I couldn’t focus on anything but her.  Then that baby came right after Big Papi finished up his Home Run Derby run on July 10.  I’m 32 years old.  I’ve got a wife, a kid, a mortgage and I’m afraid that I’m turning into my….oh screw you Costner!  I missed most of the games prior to the All Star break and it didn’t even phase me.  After hearing that the Sox lost three in a row(versus Tampa Bay!!) I was about to write another tirade in order to reverse jinx them and spark another 12 game tear, but then those contractions kept coming and coming and coming and I stopped caring.  In all honesty would you kill anybody for missing a Tampa Bay series?  Exactly.  So why am I writing now?  Aside from the fact that I owe my loyal fans, all 7 of them, I need to take a look back on my pre-season predictions to see how far off or on I was about the local 9.  If you need any help you can find the original article here.

Look at what I’m writing in this way.  If I were a pro wrestler I would have been buried alive by my archrival in a rundown Connecticut cemetery where it was assumed that I was dead and never to be heard from again.  Suddenly, during a speech by my said rival vindicating the sudden ending of my life my theme music erupts over the loudspeakers and I sprint in to enact my revenge.  Well that’s how I’m envisioning it.

Outfield

Manny Ramirez
Then: “The most consistent player on this team”
Now:  After a slow start has really been on for a few months.  I hate how “Manny being Manny” is said in a negative tone, because in my eyes it’s all good.

Coco Crisp
Then: “Well Coco has had a monster Spring and I can see the Globe and Herald battling over the headline rights to We're All Loco For Coco.”
Now:  I forgot to add the part “then breaks wrist during the second series of the season”, which warrants an incomplete.  However, Coco’s bat is coming around and I’m shocked, because it’s so hard to come back from an injury that drastically effects your hitting ability.  The defense has been outstanding and isn’t nice to see bases stolen with ease?  It’s so refreshing to have such a dangerous weapon on the basepath.

Trot Nixon
Then: “Christopher Trotman Nixon is in a contract year.  Typically that means he's going to have a fantastic season, but I'm not so sure about this…If he struggles too much, my money is Trot is a Washington National come July.”
Now: .305 BA (He’s been slumping a bit as it’s down from .330), and a .405 OBP.  Career BA is .281 and OBP is .369.  There’s nothing like a contract year.  Don’t you wish they went back to 1 year contracts like they had prior to free agency?

Wily Mo Pena
Then: “I can't wait for those Sunday afternoon games when he's in to give Trot a day off and he hits Sam Horn-esque bombs and gets the entire nation buzzing and debating why he doesn't play every day.”
Now: In 37 games this season, including a long stint on the DL, WiMo has A.) already achieved cult status within The Nation and B.) is hitting .330 with an OBP of .382, which means he’s actually taking a few walks.  Sure the OBP can be higher, but the BA means he’s laying off terrible pitches, which has been his glaring weakness up to this point.

Adam Stern
Then: “He's not the next Fred Lynn, but he certainly is going to be a spark off the bench.”
Now:  In Pawtucket, but showed flashes of hustle and excitement that quickly made him a fan favorite.

Misc.  Welcome back Gabe Kapler.  RIP Willie Harris.  FYI Willie, when you can’t hit you need to be a master of pinch running, which you failed to do.

Infield

Mike Lowell
Then: “I hope the team has learned from the Millar debacle last year and has a quick hook on Lowell.  Don't be surprised if they eat the contract and release him.”
Now: Could I have been more wrong about this guy?  For all we know I may have been right about the juice suspicion, but he needed his “off year” like everybody else who went clean or found the same guy who is serving up Giambi-Juice.   Mike Lowell has been everything and more for this team.  His defense has been outstanding.  As good as Bill Mueller was on the corner, Lowell is that much better.  For a guy who can’t move well he knows how to move within his position and that’s all that matters.  I saw a wayyyy out there rumor that the Padres want to trade for him.  Unless the name Dontrelle Willis is involved I will consider trading Lowell, at this point, one of Theo’s worst moves and right now he’s got a few doozies on that list.

Alex Gonzalez
Then: “He's really slick defensively.  If anything I'm excited about a guy who can pick it.  Edgar didn't work out and it actually bummed me out, but everyone knows Gonzalez is an upgrade over Edgar and quite possibly Orlando Cabrera.”
Now: Is anybody pining for Renteria or Cabrera?  I didn’t think so.  Gonzalez has the fastest release of any shortstop I have ever seen.  I get so excited when a ball is hit his way.  He doesn’t have that Ozzie Smith acrobatic style, but he has made so many head scratching plays that you can’t help but be thankful that we have him.  Oh and he’s finally looking like a major league hitter too.  It only took half a season.

Mark Loretta
Then: “He's a steady player with some pop in the bat.”
Now:   The dude started the All Star game and nobody argued.  He also allowed me to witness his first ever walk-off home run on Marathon Monday.  Nothing wins fans faster than a walk-off.  Just ask Big Papi. 
This is the guy we traded Mirabelli for and now even Mirabelli is back.  It’s a win-win.

Kevin Youkilis
Then:  “Don't get too attached to that first baseman's mit.  You won't need it for long.  I'm really interested in seeing Youk for a full season.  I want to know if he's all that he's cracked up to be or just another whiney bitch who doesn't deserve to play.  Anything short of a .300 average, 18 home runs and 80 RBI is not good for Youk's future.”
Now:  I’m going to eat this one right now.  I have no excuse.  I still don’t love the guy, but he’s done very well.  Here’s how his season projects right now.  .287 BA, 17 home runs and 77 RBI.  Is this considered a personal reverse jinx?  Yep, things are looking good for Youk.  The season is wearing on him, but some scheduled time off will help him the rest of the way.

Alex Cora
Then:  “Given injuries and days off there aren't many bench players I'd want to put in there.”
Now:  I was wrong about one thing.  Alex has totally embraced his role as the top flight bench player that other teams hate seeing in a game.  He can play Second, Short and Third as well as anybody and he’s come through with some clutch hits.  There are probably 15 MLB teams he could start for and as we all know that kind of depth wins championships.

JT Snow
Then:  “I should just give him an incomplete…He's Mike Stanley without the professional hitter label.”
Now:  Could I have summed it up any better?  We hardly knew ye JT!

Hee Seop Choi
Then:  “Since he was signed less than a week ago I have no idea if he's going to be on the team.”
Now:  He’s in Pawtucket and he knows how to suck it.

Enrique Wilson
Then: “As long as he's not on the Yankees I'm happy.”
Now:  The man gets an A++++ in my book.  Hooray Enrique.  Hooray Beer.

Catchers

Jason Varitek
Then:  “Is he the best with the bat?  No, but he's damn good.  Is he the best defensive catcher?  No, but he's damn good.  Does he handle pitchers better than anyone else?  Yes.  The only thing that I worry about is seeing him break down from the wear and tear.”
Now:  If I rate Varitek on his defense and his ability to work with this pitching staff, including the insufferable Matt Clement, then Tek remains the king of all catchers.  At the plate he looks lost.  I know he has a nagging back/ass injury, but I’ve never seen him look so unfocused and for lack of a better word, terrible.  He’s been more consistent as of late, but to tell you the truth I don’t care.  The pitching staff is so fragile right now that all I care about is their success and safety.

Josh Bard
Then:  “Yeah folks there is a reason why they are called back-up catchers.  I hate when fans worry about the back-up catcher.  It's like worrying about a back-up quarterback.  Who cares?  It doesn't matter unless your starter sucks.  In our case he doesn't.  Here's hoping that Bard can handle a knuckleball.”
Now:  Exactly.  Sure he is doing well in San Diego, but he never was going to succeed here.

Misc:  We’re all happy Mirabelli is back.  Speaking of back, too bad Wakefield’s isn’t working anymore.

DO

David Ortiz
Then:  “You thought last year was good?  Watch as Papi goes off while Theo makes him sweat the contract extension.  Every home run after 35 this year will produce these words from Papi.  "Tee-O that one just cost you another $500K a year"
Now:  I’m convinced Epstein read this and decided that I was absolutely right, thus resulting in an extension prior to the break.  And in case you’re wondering it’s currently July 21 and Big Papi already has 32 home runs and 90 RBI.  That projects to 55 and 156.  Worth every single penny, peso, ruble, franc, euro and pound that he receives.

Pitchers

Curt Schilling
Then: “Everyone feels the same way.  Which Curt are we going to get?  I'm hoping for a healthy one.  The guy has guts and loves to pitch in big games.  What else can you say?  I'm glad he's on my team.”
Now:  Which Curt did we get?  We got the one that on the inside is praying we play the White Sox in the playoffs just so he can shove whatever is lying around down Ozzie Guillen’s throat.  I love that guy.

Josh Beckett
Then:  “After a few adjustments to the AL the guy is going to tear up.”
Now:  He currently has 12 wins.  He (along with Schilling) is projecting out at 19-20 wins.  There isn’t much to complain about and when his curveball is on he is nothing short of spectacular.  When it, as well as his other off-speed pitches, is off then hitters sit on the fastball and make him look mediocre.  The problem is that his fastball goes straight and you can’t fool too many hitters with that.  He needs a two seamer that moves all over the place.  That is the pitch that made Pedro so successful.  My hunch is that it contributed to his blister pandemic, which forced him to abandon throwing one.  Can somebody please make him some syntetic skin that won’t break down?

Time Wakefield
Then:  “Falls apart when the heavy, humid, air settles in around late June/early July.…For four straight years I have been at the first humid game that Wakefiled pitches in and gets shelled.  If I have a ticket this year I'm giving it up.
Now:  I couldn’t be any more correct, except who could have predicted that falling apart in July meant that his back would go out and he’d be on the DL?  Guess what?  His start, prior to going on the DL lasted only 4 innings and OF COURSE it was the most humid evening of the Summer to date.  I hate myself sometimes.

Matt Clement
Then:  “He lost his mojo and obviously never had a "Talk to me Goose" moment that would have put his confidence back in place…I'm rooting hard for Clement this year, because the crap he's taken has been totally unjust.”
Now:  Do you really think he hurt himself?  I don’t believe it for one second.  I am convinced, via my conspiracy theory riddled mind, that Clement is undergoing psychotherapy at some world-renowned clinic in Belgium.  It’s his last chance for survival.  If not, we’ll be reading about Matt Clement the landscaper battling alcoholism in ESPN The Magazine within 5 years.

David Wells
Then:  “Boomer is colorful and fun to have on your team.  Plus, he's not too shabby when he pitches either.”
Now:  Definitely an incomplete.  Total innings pitched this season equals 8.1.  He’s earned it.

Keith Foulke
Then:  “In about a month when Foulke has 10 saves everyone will forget the Johnny from Burger King comment.”
Now: One part of me is still pulling hard for him to come back and tear it up.  The other part heard this story from Mrs. Giro.  “I was waiting by the players parking lot, trying to get you a Jonathan Papelbon autograph, when Foulke arrived.  One guy decided to start heckling him, which he ignored like a professional.  Then the heckler made a comment about his divorce and Foulke needed to be held back by two security guards while the heckler took off running.”  Foulke’s head is not on straight and he’s ready to explode Spinal Tap style.  Like Stephen Colbert’s list, Keith Foulke is officially On Notice.

Mike Timlin
Then:  “Does he have another year left in the tank?”
Now:  Yes, but with the caveat of “as long as he doesn’t inherit a runner”.

Lenny DiNardo
Then:  “He gets a two month grace period, but who knows since he could become the lefty specialist and hold the title of emergency starter.”
Now:  Two month grace period?  Check.  Lefty Specialist?  No  Emergency starter?  Check.  Lenny is destined to be remembered like Steve Crawford, Sammie Stewart and Jim Corsi; meaning that only diehard fans will remember him in 10 years.

Rudy Seanez
Then: “asked the Magic 8 Ball if Rudy will have a good season.  The answer was very doubtful.”
Now:  Has a Magic 8 Ball ever been so right?

Julian Tavarez
Then:  “When he is on he is very good and when he is off he is a timebomb.”
Now:  This one really pisses me off.  I don’t blame Theo for this one, because Julian has put up solid numbers over the last three seasons.  He has appeared in an average of 71 games and posted an ERA of 3.15.  Timlin, over the same three seasons, has posted an ERA of 3.30 and averaged 76 games.  I know your answer would be “no doubt” if I asked you “Compare the numbers.  Would you sign both guys for this season?”  Now you know why this is disappointing.  Having multiple workhorses in your bullpen is a huge plus and that is what Theo was shooting for.  Now I literally change the channel when he or Seanez comes into a game.

Jonathan Papelbon
Then:  “I fell in love with him hard last season.  There is something special about his make-up that sets him apart from any pitcher that has come up through the system since the mid-80s.  It's been twenty years and I think it's high time a new sheriff rolled into town.  Papelbon is a horse.  He thrived under playoff pressure last season.  He brings some serious smoke and when he develops some complimentary pitches, he's going to be downright nasty.  I'm not even upset that he's starting off in the bullpen.”
Now:  I’m not running around declaring myself the next Nostradamus, but you couldn’t have written a better script for this kid.  He’s got guts.  He intimidates many a batter.  He loves what he does and he’s having fun out there.  PLUS, and this is a huge P L U S, he has embraced his rising stardom like a champion.  You have not lived the Papelbon experience until you watch him come out of the bullpen.  He struts to the warning track.  Stops.  Stares in at the mound.  Waits for the crowd to go haywire and then burts into his jog towards the mound.  It’s so refreshing to see somebody put on a show for the fans, especially when it’s over the top, borderline WWE, behavior.  Speaking of the WWE he was coming out to the Ultimate Warriors theme song (which I don’t particularly love, but it’s serviceable) but on Monday they played Wild Thing, which I cannot support.  Wild Thing belongs to Ricky Vaughn and only Ricky Vaughn.  I just hope it was the music director trying to be funny and not Papelbon’s wish.  Then of course, if this is my only criticism of the guy, then he’s having an amazing season.  Brace yourself when you see how his season projects.  47 saves.  0.54 ERA.  I had to put the zero in just so that you would believe it.  Holy mackerel. 

Misc:  What have I been saying?  Bring up the kids.  They’ll be a rejuvenating force.  They’ll solidify any gaping holes.  Lester, Hansen and Delcarmen.  Love em, love em and love em.  Let them learn on the job and see what happens.  Doesn’t it feel good? 

By the way I heard an interesting tidbit the other day.  After 92 games the Red Sox have posted their best record since 1986.  Sure 1986 makes you clench your buttcheeks, but you have to realize that it was a special year; one that included many incredible memories.  I’ll pass on the gut wrenching World Series loss, but everything leading up to that would be phenomenal.  If Theo lands Maddux at the deadline then start making those Tom Sever comparisons, except the one that left him off the playoff roster.

If you want to see the projections you can find them at ESPN.