Port, Steinberg, Delcarmen, Papelbon, Castiglione, Randall, Casale and Beam Form Mighty Constellation at BLOHARD lunch!
Affair marred by disquiet amid Yankee ineptitude, Powers' ringlessness;
Burdened with $80 million payroll advantage, can Bombers sustain rivalry?
If "Beloved Helmsman" doesn't merit a ring, who does?
New York, May 27, 2005: The second ever communion of the BLOHARDs with the world champion Red Sox occured at mid-town's storied Yale Club on Friday September 9. As is traditonal, cocktails were served promptly at noon and festivities commenced as scheuled, 15 minutes late, at 12:45.
BLOHARD President-For-Life (at least) James Beston Powers kicked off the ceremonies with a few well-considered and judicious remarks on our "rivals" (to use the term loosely) from the Bronx. Observing that, in the course of spending $208 million in wages this year, the Yankees have had no fewer than four players employ the number 39, Powers speculated that the Yanks might have had a $500 million payroll but for all their retired numbers. Being magnaminous above all, the "Beloved Helmsman" departed from his prepared remarks in declining to note that Fenway's post-Stones yellowed sod would have given the Yanks an unfair advantage in their games in Boston by rendering their third baseman invisible. As always, our leader's discretion was unreproachable; funny as it may have been, it would be unworthy of a BLOHARD to make such an observation. We will not do it. (An unexpurgated version of the Chairman's remarks may be read here.)
Next up were Sox rookie sensations Manny Delcarmen and Jonathan Paplebon. Skillful interviewing by Joe Castiglione revealed both to be poised, articulate, and thoughtful students of baseball. Among the highlights of their presentation was the observation that Jeremi Gonzalez is, inadvertently, the funniest member of the bullpen. Evidently his enthusiasm for insulting his fellows in the pen exceeds the capacity of his English, resulting in meandering and hilarious strings of non-sequiturs and malaproprisms. While not mentioned in their remarks, the two are evidently subjected to rookie hazing of one sort or another. Papelbon was observed trudging in from the bullpen after Sunday's game at Yankee Stadium dragging what appeared to be a "My Little Pony" totebag.
Subsequent speakers included former Sox pitcher Jerry Casale, now welcoming diners to the highly-regarded Notaro restaurant at 635 Second Ave. He offered Messrs. Delcarmen and Papelbon hard-won advice about trusting your skills and challenging hitters. Also speaking were long-time BLOHARD favorites Ed Randall and Mike Port. The latter, a former acting Sox GM and winner of the Roland Hemond Meritorious Service Award has recently been appointed Vice President in charge of Umpiring by Major League Baseball. Having recovered from a life-threatening heart attack last year, Port was in great spirits and, apparently, great health.
At some point a basket began to circulate in which contributions to victims of Hurricaine Katrina could be placed. $300 was raised which has been forwarded to the Red Cross.
Even by his exacting standards the final scheduled speaker, Sox EVP for public affairs Charles Steinberg, was in rare form. Having heard the impassioned plea of one BLOHARD that Johnny Damon be resigned to a contract similar to that offered to Jason Varitek, he summarized the comments by saying "So, you think we should give him $40 million or so for 4 years?" Told , yes, that that was exactly what the pleader had in mind, he placed an immediate cell-phone call to Sox President Larry Luchino to convey the suggestion. At this writing there have been no further developements. Steinberg also provoked gales of laughter by describing an imaginary ad campaign to answer the question of just what Manny Ramirez has been doing in the Wall between pitches. In the ad, Manny would duck into the Monster, revealing a paneled library complete with antique chess set. On one side of the board, in a satin smoking jacket perhaps, would be Dwight Evans considering his position. Manny would stride to the board wordlessly, move a piece, and return to the field, leaving an obviously flummoxed Evans in his wake.
As festivities wound down amid a wave of respect and affection a plea was made that the BLOHARD's "Farseeing Father" be granted a well-deserved 2004 World Series ring. The membership spontaneously rose as one to endorse this proposal which so moved Mr. Steinberg that he offered his own ring. Occupying a station considerably more august than, say, the President of Russia, and cognizant of the consequent need to be selfless at all times, Mr. Powers declined the offer.
You can read what Globe columnist Alex Beam had to say about the lunch here.
PHOTOS FOLLOW:
Jonathan Papelbon, Manny Delcarmen,Joe Castiglione. Powers with the ladies in his life. 
Petitioners plead the Chairman's case for a ring. Our fondest hopes are realized? It's not to be as Powers graciously declines the proffered ring. 
Delcarmen with a couple of young fans Jerry Casale Rookie Card
Burdened with $80 million payroll advantage, can Bombers sustain rivalry?
If "Beloved Helmsman" doesn't merit a ring, who does?
New York, May 27, 2005: The second ever communion of the BLOHARDs with the world champion Red Sox occured at mid-town's storied Yale Club on Friday September 9. As is traditonal, cocktails were served promptly at noon and festivities commenced as scheuled, 15 minutes late, at 12:45.
BLOHARD President-For-Life (at least) James Beston Powers kicked off the ceremonies with a few well-considered and judicious remarks on our "rivals" (to use the term loosely) from the Bronx. Observing that, in the course of spending $208 million in wages this year, the Yankees have had no fewer than four players employ the number 39, Powers speculated that the Yanks might have had a $500 million payroll but for all their retired numbers. Being magnaminous above all, the "Beloved Helmsman" departed from his prepared remarks in declining to note that Fenway's post-Stones yellowed sod would have given the Yanks an unfair advantage in their games in Boston by rendering their third baseman invisible. As always, our leader's discretion was unreproachable; funny as it may have been, it would be unworthy of a BLOHARD to make such an observation. We will not do it. (An unexpurgated version of the Chairman's remarks may be read here.)
Next up were Sox rookie sensations Manny Delcarmen and Jonathan Paplebon. Skillful interviewing by Joe Castiglione revealed both to be poised, articulate, and thoughtful students of baseball. Among the highlights of their presentation was the observation that Jeremi Gonzalez is, inadvertently, the funniest member of the bullpen. Evidently his enthusiasm for insulting his fellows in the pen exceeds the capacity of his English, resulting in meandering and hilarious strings of non-sequiturs and malaproprisms. While not mentioned in their remarks, the two are evidently subjected to rookie hazing of one sort or another. Papelbon was observed trudging in from the bullpen after Sunday's game at Yankee Stadium dragging what appeared to be a "My Little Pony" totebag.
Subsequent speakers included former Sox pitcher Jerry Casale, now welcoming diners to the highly-regarded Notaro restaurant at 635 Second Ave. He offered Messrs. Delcarmen and Papelbon hard-won advice about trusting your skills and challenging hitters. Also speaking were long-time BLOHARD favorites Ed Randall and Mike Port. The latter, a former acting Sox GM and winner of the Roland Hemond Meritorious Service Award has recently been appointed Vice President in charge of Umpiring by Major League Baseball. Having recovered from a life-threatening heart attack last year, Port was in great spirits and, apparently, great health.
At some point a basket began to circulate in which contributions to victims of Hurricaine Katrina could be placed. $300 was raised which has been forwarded to the Red Cross.
Even by his exacting standards the final scheduled speaker, Sox EVP for public affairs Charles Steinberg, was in rare form. Having heard the impassioned plea of one BLOHARD that Johnny Damon be resigned to a contract similar to that offered to Jason Varitek, he summarized the comments by saying "So, you think we should give him $40 million or so for 4 years?" Told , yes, that that was exactly what the pleader had in mind, he placed an immediate cell-phone call to Sox President Larry Luchino to convey the suggestion. At this writing there have been no further developements. Steinberg also provoked gales of laughter by describing an imaginary ad campaign to answer the question of just what Manny Ramirez has been doing in the Wall between pitches. In the ad, Manny would duck into the Monster, revealing a paneled library complete with antique chess set. On one side of the board, in a satin smoking jacket perhaps, would be Dwight Evans considering his position. Manny would stride to the board wordlessly, move a piece, and return to the field, leaving an obviously flummoxed Evans in his wake.
As festivities wound down amid a wave of respect and affection a plea was made that the BLOHARD's "Farseeing Father" be granted a well-deserved 2004 World Series ring. The membership spontaneously rose as one to endorse this proposal which so moved Mr. Steinberg that he offered his own ring. Occupying a station considerably more august than, say, the President of Russia, and cognizant of the consequent need to be selfless at all times, Mr. Powers declined the offer.
You can read what Globe columnist Alex Beam had to say about the lunch here.
PHOTOS FOLLOW:BLOHARD President-For-Life (at least) James Beston Powers kicked off the ceremonies with a few well-considered and judicious remarks on our "rivals" (to use the term loosely) from the Bronx. Observing that, in the course of spending $208 million in wages this year, the Yankees have had no fewer than four players employ the number 39, Powers speculated that the Yanks might have had a $500 million payroll but for all their retired numbers. Being magnaminous above all, the "Beloved Helmsman" departed from his prepared remarks in declining to note that Fenway's post-Stones yellowed sod would have given the Yanks an unfair advantage in their games in Boston by rendering their third baseman invisible. As always, our leader's discretion was unreproachable; funny as it may have been, it would be unworthy of a BLOHARD to make such an observation. We will not do it. (An unexpurgated version of the Chairman's remarks may be read here.)
Next up were Sox rookie sensations Manny Delcarmen and Jonathan Paplebon. Skillful interviewing by Joe Castiglione revealed both to be poised, articulate, and thoughtful students of baseball. Among the highlights of their presentation was the observation that Jeremi Gonzalez is, inadvertently, the funniest member of the bullpen. Evidently his enthusiasm for insulting his fellows in the pen exceeds the capacity of his English, resulting in meandering and hilarious strings of non-sequiturs and malaproprisms. While not mentioned in their remarks, the two are evidently subjected to rookie hazing of one sort or another. Papelbon was observed trudging in from the bullpen after Sunday's game at Yankee Stadium dragging what appeared to be a "My Little Pony" totebag.
Subsequent speakers included former Sox pitcher Jerry Casale, now welcoming diners to the highly-regarded Notaro restaurant at 635 Second Ave. He offered Messrs. Delcarmen and Papelbon hard-won advice about trusting your skills and challenging hitters. Also speaking were long-time BLOHARD favorites Ed Randall and Mike Port. The latter, a former acting Sox GM and winner of the Roland Hemond Meritorious Service Award has recently been appointed Vice President in charge of Umpiring by Major League Baseball. Having recovered from a life-threatening heart attack last year, Port was in great spirits and, apparently, great health.
At some point a basket began to circulate in which contributions to victims of Hurricaine Katrina could be placed. $300 was raised which has been forwarded to the Red Cross.
Even by his exacting standards the final scheduled speaker, Sox EVP for public affairs Charles Steinberg, was in rare form. Having heard the impassioned plea of one BLOHARD that Johnny Damon be resigned to a contract similar to that offered to Jason Varitek, he summarized the comments by saying "So, you think we should give him $40 million or so for 4 years?" Told , yes, that that was exactly what the pleader had in mind, he placed an immediate cell-phone call to Sox President Larry Luchino to convey the suggestion. At this writing there have been no further developements. Steinberg also provoked gales of laughter by describing an imaginary ad campaign to answer the question of just what Manny Ramirez has been doing in the Wall between pitches. In the ad, Manny would duck into the Monster, revealing a paneled library complete with antique chess set. On one side of the board, in a satin smoking jacket perhaps, would be Dwight Evans considering his position. Manny would stride to the board wordlessly, move a piece, and return to the field, leaving an obviously flummoxed Evans in his wake.
As festivities wound down amid a wave of respect and affection a plea was made that the BLOHARD's "Farseeing Father" be granted a well-deserved 2004 World Series ring. The membership spontaneously rose as one to endorse this proposal which so moved Mr. Steinberg that he offered his own ring. Occupying a station considerably more august than, say, the President of Russia, and cognizant of the consequent need to be selfless at all times, Mr. Powers declined the offer.
You can read what Globe columnist Alex Beam had to say about the lunch here.
| | |
| Jonathan Papelbon, Manny Delcarmen,Joe Castiglione. | | Powers with the ladies in his life. | | | |
| Petitioners plead the Chairman's case for a ring. | | Our fondest hopes are realized? It's not to be as Powers graciously declines the proffered ring. | | | |
| Delcarmen with a couple of young fans | | Jerry Casale Rookie Card |