Ortiz Says He Feels "100%", Works Crowd Into a Tizzy

Yeah, I took it from my camera phone…

The David Ortiz traveling road show made it’s first stop in Portland Monday, and by all indications and results things went very well. Ortiz finished 2-3 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored in the Sea Dogs 8-2 win. He left the game in the 6th for a pinch runner after blooping a single to right. Ortiz put the crowd in a tizzy from the moment he first appeared (tizzy was used as a tribute to a conversation with NESN’s Jayme Parker in the press box. NESN made a great choice sending her up here as she and her camera man John were tremendous), and he certainly did not disappoint the capacity crowd. When he was on third base in the first inning, he got a standing ovation just for tipping his batting helmet to the crowd on the third base side. It was quite an atmosphere, to say the least. In the post-game press conference, in which the media managed to brave a small family of skunks who hang out by the bullpen, Ortiz said he felt “100%” and was really using this time to “see more pitches and get my timing right” for Friday’s Fenway return against the Yankees. It was quite a big-league atmosphere Monday night, good work by the Sea Dogs Media Relations (Chris Cameron and Jessica Johnson specifically) putting this together fairly smoothly, in spite of the weather and the wildlife.

I will be in Foxwoods the next couple of days, but quick-hitters will be posted just like normal. Also all of the recent podcasts, namely Saturday’s interview and Sunday’s WJZF simulcast, are online and uploaded. Thanks to Talkshoe for working though the technical difficulties.

Saturday Morning Quick Hitters

Tid bits from around that didn’t get included in round one (it’s too hot to be outside today)

David Duval realizes it’s not 1999.

David Ortiz, please save some for Hadlock Field! Papi helps send Klinger home crying again.

New England Native, Kevin Hench, puts together a nice Top 10 list of MLB Jerks for the 1st half of the year.

Ravens make yet another mistake at QB and ink a $30 MIL contract with Joe Flacco.

New Portland Pirates parent club, locks up Ryan Miller to long term deal.

Friday Morning Quick Hitters

Somewhere, Klinger is crying…Papi homers in his PawSox debut, contributing to the rout of the Toledo Mud Hens. Papi vows to play entire rehab stint, in related news loud unidentified exhale sound comes from Portland, Maine.

Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano, dominating in AAA, wonders why he is not back in MLB, considers grievance.

Hideo Nomo retires….apparently the LA Times thinks it only warrants a blog entry.

The Utah Jazz lock up one of the best players in the game, Deron Williams.

David Wright’s late heroics ties game, Delgado singles home Beltran to beat the Reds and pulls even with the Phillies.

PSLs (Personal Seat Licenses) for the new home of the NY Football Giants and the NYJ to range from $1000 for the upper deck to $20,000 in the lower bowl….OUCH!!!

Dallas Mavericks say no-no-no to Josh Howard for Ron Artest deal.

Monday Morning Quick Hitters

James Posey decision near?

BIG PAPI IS COMING…BIG PAPI IS COMING…Restaurants better stock up….BIG PAPI IS
COMING

Gilbert Arenas takes comfort over cash. Lets face it, Arenas can still feed his family on $111 Million and leave his team room to sign a role player….we’ll see how that works out!?!

Apparently, ESPN is now covering charity games.

2 MLB Teams going in VERY different directions….the New York Mets and the Tampa Bay Rays

Red Sox Fans may need to learn how to pronounce Che-Hsuan Lin

The Phirst Place Phillies

Chase Utley is so hot right now he can’t stand in front of a refrigerator without spoiling the food. He hit a homerun in his 5th straight game last night, helping the Phillies beat the Reds 5-4. His defense also ended the game, so this is not your typical one way player. Barring injury, Utley is goig to be the MVP this year, write it down and keep it, that’s a freebie. The Phillies are now a game and a half ahead of the Marlins in the NL East, and they won’t give this lead up again this season.

David Ortiz is out at least a month with a bad wrist, and that’s not good. Wrist injuries are notoriously lingering (ask Derek Lee), but keep in mind when a hitter like Ortiz loses his wrist, he is not the same for a while. It will be interesting to see how this affects the Red Sox lineup, and they start a three game series tonight with the first place Tampa Rays in Fenway tonight with Justin Masterson on the mound.

Kyle Farnsworth proved that he is still Kyle Farnsworth last night, and proved that the Yankees bullpen minus Joba the Hutt(who makes his first start tonight in case you haven’t heard) is in big trouble. I wonder if the Brian Fuentes rumors will have any legs to them (or Damaso Marte).

The Penguins stayed alive with a goal with 35 seconds left in regulation, and then managed to ride Marc-Ande Fleury’s zone to a win in 3 overtimes. This was a long game and I watched it from the start of the first overtime, there is nothing like watching one team keep it’s season alive and knowing that if they give up one goal the season is over.

The Lakers and Celtics series is still slated to start on Thursday. I just wanted to point out how stupid it is to wait this long.

Remember the Sports Vortex has another show tonight, a Celtics/Lakers preview and as always news from around the Major Leagues courtesy of MLB Extra Innings. If you can’t get their live (8:30 PM tonight) remember you can always listen to the show here on the CMSPLOG (upper right hand corner). All the shows are archived.