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Mary J. Blige Singing the National Anthem at the World Series is the Most Underwhelming News Story of the Century
(Source) “Major League Baseball better get ready for a world-class performance!
Yahoo Music can exclusively reveal that Mary J. Blige has been tapped to sing the national anthem at Game 1 of the 2013 World Series on Wednesday, when the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals take the field at Fenway Park.
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to perform the National Anthem,” Blige, who has sold more than 50 million records, including eight multiplatinum albums, nine Grammy Awards (plus 29 nominations) and four American Music Awards, dished. “I’ve conducted countless performances across the globe throughout my illustrious career, but performing the anthem at Yankees Stadium during the 2009 World Series was beyond a thrill, and so I’m looking forward to again being a part of baseball’s great history.”
While she’s clearly a fan of America’s favorite pastime, Blige has also been busy working on a grandslam of her own: her new holiday album, “A Mary Christmas,” which she released October 15.
Baseball fans are surely in for a treat since Blige is known for belting out powerhouse performances. We’re sure she’ll knock this one right outta the park. The question is: will she be rooting for the Sox or the Cardinals?
The 2013 MLB World Series airs on Fox, with Game 1 launching at 7:30 p.m. ET.”
I don’t hate Mary J. I actually think she’s great, but I don’t want her singing the national anthem at Fenway for game 1. Would it be so hard for the Sox to get a singer/ band who’s actually from Boston to perform? Aerosmith, James Taylor, Dropkick Murphys are just a few names that come to mind. Instead they go with a native New Yorker and longtime Yankee fan. Smart move. I really think we should all stop kidding ourselves and get George Michael a one way flight to Boston and get the entire stadium sobbing uncontrollably.
– Ryan
Another Day Closer to the Parade – The Red Sox Are in the World Series
Can you believe it? Through all the beard jokes, grand slams and insane comebacks, the Boston Red Sox are American League champions. They open up the World Series Wednesday night at Fenway Park after beating the Tigers in six games Saturday night. I’ll save the world series preview for Wednesday, and leave you with this video from Fenway. Another day closer to the parade.
thanks to Mike for the video
– Ryan
Meet The Chief, Jake Peavy’s Good Luck Charm
It’s been clear to me for awhile now that Jake Peavy is insane. Not serial killer insane, but yell at yourself on the mound/carry around a native american statue with a fake beard insane (not sure which is more troubling). Peavy brings “The Chief” everywhere the Red Sox go, shades of Pedro Martinez’s little friend Nelson that accompanied the Sox on their 2004 world championship run. This team is full of characters, and it looks like Peavy might be driving the crazy train with two feet on the gas. Whether it’s “The Chief”, the beards or a perfect combination of skill and luck, these Red Sox are sure as hell fun to watch. Another day closer to the parade.
– Ryan
Red Sox/Tigers ALCS Preview
The Tigers come to town tonight to begin what should be a fantastic ALCS. The MLB implemented new rules for this postseason, including a wild card play in round, but it looks the best 4 teams survived to make the league championship series. Here are the pitching matchups for the first four games and some keys to victory for the Sox:
Detroit: Game 1. Anibal Sanchez; Game 2. Max Scherzer; Game 3. Justin Verlander; Game 4. Doug Fister
Red Sox: Game 1. Jon Lester; Game 2. Clay Bucholz; Game 3. John Lackey; Game 4. Jake Peavy
Kind of goes without saying that Detroit has the pitching advantage in this series. We all know about Scherzer and Verlander, but Sanchez had a 2.57 ERA this year. We also shouldn’t have short term memory loss either. All anyone could talk about before game 1 of the ALDS is how Matt Moore and David Price had dominated the Red Sox all year. Two games and 19 runs later we had a 2-0 series lead. I trust our starters, especially Lester and Bucholz at home. Lackey has found renewed self confidence this year, and I’m pretty sure Peavy could pitch a good game with the field on fire. The chances of us beating Scherzer and Verlander back to back are slim, but if we beat one of them and take games 1 and 4, then I love only having to win one of the next three games.
Keys To Victory
1. PLAY JONNY GOMES – Gomes is the sparkplug for this team, no doubt about it. I love Nava, but Gomes brings an unmatched intensity to each and every game. There’s a reason they scored 19 runs in his two starts and 7 runs in his two non starts.
2. Beard-lieve – Yes it’s weird. But I believe the truly great teams hitch their wagons to an off the field activity and use it bring each other closer together. The 2013 Red Sox just so happened to pick beards. I’ve never seen a team so tight knit, and I’m loving every moment of it. If the beards are helping the Sox win, keep it growing (see what I did there).
3. Trust. John Farrell has a lot of Terry Francona in him. Remember when everyone wanted Francona to bench Pedroia in ’07? Guess that worked out OK. Same thing here with Farrell, as he’s stuck with Napoli and Salty when they’ve struggled, and they’ve always come through. Nap had an awful ALDS, and besides game 1, so did Salty. I expect them to both have a big ol’ ALCS.
A side note on the trust theme: Farrell trusts every single guy on this roster (except Kendrick Morales). From Ellsbury to Pedroia to Gomes to Boegarts, Farrell knows if he calls on a guy to do a job he’ll do it. So understated yet so important.
I really like this Red Sox squad against any team, and I think they’ll fare well against the Tigers. I want to say Sox in 5, but it’d be nice to see them celebrate at Fenway. Sox in 6 bitches.
– Ryan
– Ryan
Another Day Closer to the Parade: Red Sox Advance to ALCS
The Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays last night 3-1, thus securing a spot to play for the American League pennant vs the winner of the Detriot, Oakland game tomorrow night. Another day closer to the duckboats. But for now, let’s enjoy the party.
Teammates gotta hug!
Shirtless Napoli and Jake Peavy enjoying a champagne shower.
Sergeant Gomes ready for combat
Napoli shirtless and in a bathing suit 10 minutes after winning the game. This guy knows how to party.
Big Papi brings his own custom goggles for times like this. Gold chain swag.
And finally, a team that shotguns beers together, wins world series’ together.
— The Average Nobodies (@AverageNobodies) October 9, 2013
