Blogging BLOHARDS

NJ Guapo: Garces Joins Pride, Faces Jackals In June

Former Red Sox Fan Favorite Rich "El Guapo" Garces and his new team, the Nashua (NH) Pride of the independent Can-Am League, face-off against the New Jersey Jackals for a three-game set starting on Friday June 1st at Yogi Berra Stadium on the campus of Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ.

According to the Pride's website, the 250 lb. Garces joined the team on May 25th. In his first relief appearance the following day, he allowed one hit and struck out one, over two innings. His arrival in New Hampshire was held up until visa issues with his native Venezuela were resolved.

In addition to Garces, the Pride also features former Red Sox player and manager Butch Hobson. Hobson, manager of the Pride since 1999, has been immortalized as a bobblehead which can be ordered from the team's online store.

Tickets and more information on the games this weekend are available on the Jackal's website.

Get Well Jerry - Update

Our friend Jerry Casale is in good spirits and recovering at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ. He may soon be ready for a move to rehab, after a few difficult days, according to an update we received yesterday.

In the meantime, cards can be sent to Jerry at: The Valley Hospital, 223 N. Van Dien Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450.

Thanks to Red Sox Executive Grandmaster Dick Bresciani for the update!

Get Well Jerry

Our thoughts and prayers are with friend, BLOHARD, and former Red Sox pitcher Jerry Casale who is recuperating from a stroke, according to a report in today's Boston Globe. Casale, who for years operated the popular Pino's restaurant in mid-town Manhattan, is recovering in New Jersey. We'll post more info as soon as we receive it.

More Space, Man

7/10/06 email release: If you haven't heard, the World Television Premiere of "Spaceman: A Baseball Odyssey" will be this Wednesday night, July 12 at 8pm est on NESN. For those of you who don't have NESN, or want to own a DVD with ten additional minutes of great Spaceman footage, we are now taking preorders on our website, spacemanincuba.com. Filmmakers Brett Rapkin and Josh Dixon want to thank you for continued interest and support. As the Spaceman himself says, "Please keep arms, legs and head inside the vehicle at all times and Enjoy the Ride."

Join us at: www.spacemanincuba.com and at our Blog.

Spaceman In The Hall Of Fame

During my annual pilgrimage to Cooperstown yesterday I learned that Bill "Spaceman" Lee had been in town recently. Despite living in Vermont, Lee personifies the meaning of the word BLOHARD in ways too numerous to mention; but I digress. On the first floor of the Hall, beyond the Bullpen Theater, I came across the re-released paperback of The Wrong Stuff. I subsequently learned that Have Glove, Will Travel: Adventures of a Baseball Vagabond has also recently been released in paperback. So yes kids, Bill Lee is indeed in the Hall of Fame... Bookstore!

Vote For Pedro

NY dailies are loving it...

NY Times: Love Him, or Love Him a Lot (Registration required.)

NY Post: Sox Appeal - Martinez Still Loves Boston Fans

NY Daily News: Meet The Met

Welcome Back Petey

Graziano: Pitchers wary when returning to former home parks

Pedro Martinez returns to Boston this week for the first time since he helped lead the Red Sox to the 2004 World Series title. (Star-Ledger)

It's A Job Johnny

Publicity-starved Johnny Damon will ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange this morning. (The Journal News)

Photo: DVDBeaver

When Old Friends Come To Town: Bronson Arroyo

Walking into Shea yesterday afternoon, Bronson Arroyo felt a different vibe from what he usually gets at other ballparks. It was a similar feeling to what he got when he came to the city as part of the Red Sox-Yankee rivalry, when every night was electric, every game a mini-season. (Anthony McCarron; NY Daily News)

Armstrong: Rocket Wimped Out by Shunning Sox

Return to Beantown Would Have Made Waves