Kull's World

Unbelievable!

In case anyone missed it, the Red Sox won the World Series last night.  Second time in 4 years, a far cry from the "See you in 2090" headline the Daily News printed after 2004. 

I just watched some of the post game interviews that I had DVR'd last night.  Some things that impacted me, not exact quotes, but you get the idea:

• Dustin Pedroia on Jon Lester's performance/battle with cancer: I am so proud of him and his family.  They are such great people and to see him accomplish what he did and perform tonight, it was special. 
• Mike Timlin interrupting Tim Wakefield's on field interview:  I just want to say one thing (staring into the camera, arm around Wake), this win tonight is because of this man.  He made a very difficult decision to take himself off the roster due to his injury.  He was not on the 25 man roster, but because of his decision, Jon Lester was able to perform tonight...you could see the tears welling up in Wake's eyes.
• Mike Lowell on his impending Free Agency:  I have never hid the fact that I love playing here, but I just want to celebrate and enjoy this right now with my teammates.
• Julio Lugo on his disappointing statistics in his first year with the Sox:  Everyone keeps asking me how I feel about my numbers this year and all that, I'll take that every year if the season ends like this!
• Unbelievable x 50:  I think every player's first word when asked the question "how does it feel?" or "describe your emotions" started with unbelievable.

As fans we watch these guys night in and night out and expect the best in every single pitch, at bat, defensive play, etc.   Sometimes you forget that behind their enormous paychecks, they are just normal people playing the game they love for a living.  They are often friends and spend more time with their teammates then they do with their families for the better part of 8 months.  So it is refreshing to see guys generally in awe of what they have just accomplished.  Even the guys that won in 04 with the Sox or previously with another team, you can still see the look in their eyes, this is what they play for.

2004 was an amazing time in and around Boston when the Sox won for the first time in 86 years.  This one is definitely different and hopefully a sign of things to come.  What made this one special is a lot of the players are "home grown" through the farm system.  And Theo & The Trio's master plan is taking place, 2004's title might have been bought...this one is different but we'll all enjoy it just the same.

"I still like our chances."

I went on record immediately after the Sox lost Game 4 in Cleveland by uttering those words to my father in law, who was at my house watching the game with me.  I really felt going into Game 5 with Beckett, we had a good chance of getting it back to Fenway, where Schilling would step up and the bats could come alive.

On Friday I predicted that Game 6 would be a nail biter but Schilling would pitch well enough to win and the bats would explode in Game 7 and take the pressure off of Dice K early.  Obviously I was wrong but still very happy with how it turned out.  Of course if one sees the final score only of last night's game, it would seem my prediction rang true.  Not so much, there were some really stressful innings last night.  I swear my head hit the family room ceiling when Blake grounded in to that 5-4-3 double play after the Indians did not send Lofton home.

Wow...great series.  Can't wait for Wednesday.

I wonder what all the crazy sports radio callers that thought the only way to win the series would be to pitch Beckett on short rest in Game 4 are saying now?  Now he is ready for Game 1 of the WORLD SERIES on normal rest.

Kenny Lofton is a dick!

This Day in History

Four years ago today, I had the nervous sweats in front of 60 friends and family as I said "I do" to Kristin.  Then we all had a REALLY good time celebrating at Treasure Island.

Three years ago today, the Red Sox won two games in one day to start their miraculous comeback from an 0-3 deficit against the Yankees.

Two years ago today, umm....not sure, I probably got Kristin a sappy card and said I love you.

One year ago today, damn...I am not too good at this.  Oh, on or around this time we got a new window for our family room.  Yeah, that was the romantic anniversary celebration for new homeowners!

And today, yep...Sox are down 3-1 to the Indians.  And I still like the Sox chances with Beckett going tonight, sending it back to Fenway.  Maybe the hits start falling today, and the ball starts bouncing the Sox way.

Photography 101

   

Back in high school, I took a photography class.  The teacher was some guy named Kullman, he was a good teacher, and he gave me an A for my efforts.  Which I feel, despite the fact that we shared the same last name, I deserved.  I took the class in my senior year, and I was the only guy in the class, something like 16 girls and me and my Dad.  Kinda funny.

I'd imagine photography classes in high school today are way different, probably never seeing a roll of film or a dark room.  Which is kind of a shame really.  But I digress. 

Anyway,  I am really proud of this picture.  Just seems like one that I would be putting on the first page of my portfolio to hand in for class back in high school!

Ben enjoying the newest addition to the family

Ben enjoying the newest addition to the family
Originally uploaded by JAKULL.

Nuff Said.

Smashing Pumpkins

DSC_0036.JPG
Originally uploaded by tlg847.

Take a look at the joy on the kid's face in this photograph. He was so proud to finally be able to pick the pumpkin with his Mom that they had watered all summer long, a huge pumpkin patch yielded only one pumpkin, but it was a beauty. We picked it Saturday, I put it on our front steps yesterday (Sunday).

This morning, it is at the end of our street in dozens of pieces.

Fortunately for us, I think Kristin was more upset then Ben was, he hadn't quite realized yet.

I'm not gonna lie, I stole and smashed pumpkins as a teenager. I didn't get into a whole lot of havoc as a kid, but this is something I did on at least one occasion. Maybe it was peer pressure, not quite sure but it seemed fun at the time. Until that is the night we got caught and the "official" that responded explained that getting a call about pumpkin shenanigans was not what he wanted to hear because just the day before he had to explain to his 5 year old kid why the pumpkin he hand picked from an orchard was smashed on the road in front of their house. We paid for our mistakes.

And now, about 16 years later it's all come full circle. 14-15 years from now Ben could be stealing and smashing the pumpkins (much to his mother's chagrin) of the kids of the kids that smashed his last night...wouldn't that be something?