Sunday, December 02, 2007

Lowell and Lowell

Incredible though it may be, I didn't blog about the return of Mike Lowell to the Sox. Like most Sox fans, I couldn't be happier. The man brought stability, confidence, energy and excitement to nearly every game. Here's hoping he can bring another stellar season in '08.

Now we all get to sit in wonderment waiting to find out if the Sox will be making a deal for Johan Santana, a two-time Cy Young award winner from Minnesota. When a proposed trade included Lester, Crisp, and any two additional prospects, I was feeling quite sanguine about stockpiling yet another ace on our team. But today ESPN is reporting that the Sox have included Jacoby Ellsbury in the deal. This is a deal-breaker as far as I'm concerned. Yeah, it's Johan freakin' Santana. But I don't care. We need a base-stealin', taco-eating Native American on OUR team. Just say no, Theo. N-O.

The Surviving Grady group had a special outing this past Friday night: the Lowell Spinners Alumni Dinner. The Single A farm team for the Red Sox throws this dinner every year to honor a former player who has made it big in the major leagues. This year's guest? Our own Jonathan Papelbon!

Other assorted guests included former Red Sox outfielder Gabe Kapler, first base coach Luis Alcea, Joshua and Jeremy Papelbon (two younger brothers of Jonathan who are also signed to pro ball contracts). Despite a most horrific rubber chicken dinner, we also were able to get our photo taken with the 2007 World Series trophy - a religious experience of its very own. (When the picture arrives, I'll share it here.)

Here are some photos of our group, along with a Papelbon family portrait with the world series trophy. (We were lucky enough to be in the viewing area when they stopped by. Needless to say, we didn't mind waiting.)


Gabe and JET



Gabe and Nancy



The Papelbons

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