The Celebrity Couple Otherwise Known As McFreed

In Baseball the Underdog Always Gets the Heart...

nobody@vox.com(Sean & Stefan) — Wed, 14 May 2008 07:18:01 -0700

Sean says...

I have to say first off that since 1986 I have rooted for an loved the Boston Red Sox through bad times and two World Series sweeps. But, with the combined factors of family loyalty and major underdog status I am becoming a "frontrunner" fan for the underdog Tampa Bay Rays. Of course, I have to mention that Stefan's brother Andy does a great job with his on-air partner Dave Wills in calling of of the Rays games on WHNZ 1250AM and the Rays Baseball Radio Network. Beyond the love of family though is the power of underdog status; and this year even the most die-hard fan of any team has to be amazed at the great start the Rays are forging.

Tampa Bay Rays

Mature in some areas but raw in others, Manager Joe Madden and General Manager Andrew Friedman (and his front office) have really made something special. Whether it lasts into the playoffs or not is both too "Pollyanna"-ish to specualte about and beyond predictability at this point in the season. In fact, the pundits on ESPN, Fox Sports, and Sports Illustrated are treating this surge with kid gloves because no one knows where this new level of play is going to take the fate of this season's team. But all of this is making me enjoy baseball even more from a fan level rather than my normal commitment to the famed Red Sox.

Listening to Andy and Dave call of May 13, 2008's game versus the New York Yankees (spits and grumbles to the side) was just incredible for the emotional milestone it was. The Rays scored against both the incredible steamroller that is Chien-Ming Wang and the venerable Darth Vader of Yankee pitching and true Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera in the same game using small ball is amazing to begin with! But with Edwin Jackson pitching 7 innings of shut out baseball against the Evil Empire is just a huge cherry on Tampa's cake. Troy Percival's 2nd blown save in the 9th not withstanding (come on dude!), the game couldn't have ended better with the huge surge of emotion that could be heard on the radio and seen in the TV clips after the game winning single by Gabe Gross to bring in Jonny Gomes in the 11th. And with that the Rays capped a moment that in a way killed their own curse of not being contenders in the toughest division in baseball and surged into a 1/2 game lead in a divison brutal in its history to those not from Boston or New York. The reaction of fans and players made it seem like they HAD won the World Series just then! And in their minds I bet you they felt they did win something. The Rays are reaching a summit at a time where even they didn't think they would make it too. Remind me of the Colorado Rockies of last year and the heart they truly brought to baseball. All the emotion was a great thing to experience even if it is fleeting or not... you don't want to jinx things you know!

So go Rays... just don't beat the Red Sox!

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Big Papi's Grand Slam!

nobody@vox.com(Sean & Stefan) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:44:29 -0700

Sean celebrates...

David Ortiz

The Boston Red Sox's David "Big Papi" Ortiz has been a horrible slump since the beginning of the 2008 MLB Season. Tonight (April 18, 2008), he broke the jinx with a GRAND SLAM against the Texas Rangers at Boston's Fenway Park!!!

Congrats Big Papi! Welcome back!

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Confessions of a Red Sox Memorabilia Addict

nobody@vox.com(Sean & Stefan) — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 15:08:29 -0800

Sean says...

Red Sox Logo

My Boston Red Sox fan mania has gone out of control this year. 2004 was a great year and I celebrated hard like the rest of Red Sox Nation. Unfortunately, the memorabilia I had from that year was "gifted" away. So this year something got under my skin and I have come back with a vengeance only seen on Antique Road Show! eBay, MLB.com, and Beckett.com (a baseball card marketplace) are feeling my presence a lot lately.

I have picked up a lot of 2007 stuff (including ALL full tickets to the ALCS and World Series!!!) but sadly 2004 stuff is alluding me since it was a few years ago... but I will not be deterred and Stefan has been warned about a Red Sox wall in my new study in our new house (whenever that is bought... projection 2009)!

I know I am nuts about this (and dvds of course) but it is what calms the voices. (smirk)

Please pray for Stefan as this hunger for baseball continues.

So far the bounty (or booty) collected is:

2004 and 2007 Boston Globe Newspapers celebrating both victories.
Sports Illustrated Nov 5, 2007 edition celebrating the Red Sox 2007 World Series victory.
Waiting For Game 3 Ticket

2007 World Series Tickets for Games 1 (with lanyard), 2, and 4 - Game 3 is elusive at the moment! UPDATE: GAME 3 WON ON eBAY NOV 11!!!!!
2007 American League Championship Series Tickets (ALCS) for Games 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 - Game 6 is elusive! UPDATE: GAME 6 WON On eBAY NOV 20!!!!
A 2007 American League Division Series ticket.
Four professional photos of the 2007 World Series - Game 4 Team Celebration, Mike Lowell rounding the bases in Game 4, Jason Varitek warming up in Game 4, and the Jonathan Papelbon & Jason Varitek immediate celebration in Game 4.
A matted presentation of two official photos (one signed) capturing Dave Roberts important stealing of 2nd base in Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS.
All rookie baseball cards for the 25 men on the roster for the 2004 World Series.
All but two rookie baseball cards for the 25 men on the roster for the 2007 World Series. Alex Cora and Julio Lugo are outstanding although I have a full pack from the Boston Globe commerative pack with their 2007 Upper Deck cards in it. Oh and yes I have a Jacoby Ellsbury rookie card!
Rookie baseball card of Manager Terry Francona.
2004 and 2007 World Series programs.

And my biggest prize?????

My Piece of Fenway Park's Green Monster

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RED SOX WIN!!!!!

nobody@vox.com(Sean & Stefan) — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 21:46:29 -0700

Mike Lowell rounds the bases in 2007 World Series Game 4

The Boston Red Sox won their 2nd Major League Baseball World Series in four years tonight!!! Congrats Red Sox!!!

And my favorite Red Sox all season 3rd baseman Mike Lowell won MVP!!! Great going Mike!

RE-SIGN LOWELL!!!!

The whole thing was best summed up by Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester (who pitched 5 2/3 innings in WS Game 4) last night, "I got beer dripping down my butt and I got this thing in front of me," he said, lifting the WS trophy. "This is great!"

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Go Red Sox!!!!!

nobody@vox.com(Sean & Stefan) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:11:35 -0700

Sean says...

My Boston Red Sox start another World Series tonight against the Colorado Rockies. A great Cinderella team the Rockies, but gotta pull for my Red Sox! Good luck guys and break a leg!

Red Sox Logo

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