Fenway (I)

The great thing about coming back to New England is not only a chance to see old friends while make new ones, but to come back to the area where my career essentially began. Though it was college radio (internet, I might add), I caught the media bug here and I am forever grateful to meet up with the people who aided in my pursuits.

It's even better to know that those people never ever stop looking out for me despite not being near.

One of those people was able to get me in to the last regular season game at Fenway Park today as the Red Sox finish the 2009 campaign against Cleveland. Not since the season opener back it 2004 (when Pedro Martinez was rocked mercifully by the Baltimore Orioles) have I been able to go to a game here and not once have I taken a photo. So for those of you who know about the ballpark videos from the last two years, this legendary (but hanging by a thread, to be honest) field gets the Scribe treatment.

The video and photos will come rather late this evening while en route back to the Boroughs. In the meanwhile, if you have yet to check out previous videos, it'll be easier for you to click the 'ballpark visits' label below and check out clips of the past two years.

Overlooked

Every season, Roy Halladay's name is thrown in the trade rumor mix and like clockwork, members of the major baseball media proclaim how underrated and unheralded the Toronto Blue Jays pitcher is.

There's no doubt of his tremendous gifts on the mound and how greater his profile would be had the Jays been a perennial contender over the last decade. Yet, it's a little tough to be appreciated when your stock photo is faded behind the Yankees' CC Sabathia and Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Geez, even on ESPNews (part of the AL East media, as some of you may believe) this team is in a distant third place. To further the point, Keith Law had to speak more about the breaking news of Donald Fehr's retirement as head of the MLBPA than updates of the three faces above. Imagine which two hurlers were discussed immediately afterwards.

Tsk, tsk. Overlooked again.

Variety

Yes, pitchers and catchers voluntarily report in a few days. Yet, as baseball fans gear to come out of hibernation (those who don't watch basketball, hockey, golf or tennis), there is another year of change to prepare for.

There have been six different champions since 2000 and only one franchise to have claimed two titles. That said, Scribe wants to start a little dialogue about any or all of the teams that have participated in the World Series this decade. Some were appreciated for the moment rather than the play. Some got no respect. Some were flat out dominant and some left you wondering how they got there. Please share thoughts (agreements, disagreements, additions, randomness other than 'rulez' or 'sux) and questions.

2001
Arizona - Buck Showalter is the unluckiest man in baseball.
New York - Who could Yankee fans blame? Anyone?

2002
Anaheim - You can thank the Angels for those annoying thundersticks.
San Francisco - Uh... what about Barry Bonds' playoff failures? Say what you will about the man, but .471, four homers, six RBI and thirteen walks in the World Series is nothing to completely dismiss.

2003
Florida - Strike zone, meet Josh Beckett.
New York - See 2001.

2004
Boston - The beginning of the sports apocalypse, right, America?
St. Louis - They played in one of the most underrated NLCS in history, but the juggernaut above couldn't be slayed by Phat Albert alone.

2005
Chicago - The most unappreciated champion in all of sports this decade (ask the '95 Atlanta Braves).
Houston - This still amazes me, yet, it's hard to think it's some sophisticated plot of discrimnation.

2006
St. Louis - Yadier Molina should have been NLCS and World Series MVP

Detroit - PFP (pitcher's fielding practice).

2007
Boston - I'm disappointed in Jonathan Papelbon. His Irish jig at the parade needed some oomph... maybe more celebratory booze... something!
Colorado - Eight day layoff killed them and even the Red Sox knew it.