Shoppach Traded to Mets

This is a post I hoped I would never have to write.  Former Red Sox catcher Kelly Shoppach was placed on waivers and picked up by the New York Mets on Tuesday.

I have delayed blogging about this in hopes of answering any and all questions readers would have for the unofficial fan page of Shophouse.

The trade on Tuesday was to exchange Shoppach for a player to be named later, adding to the list of completely unnecessary moves that the Red Sox organization has made since the season began.  But with the recalling of Ryan Lavarnway, there was just no room for Shoppach on the roster, which by the way, I don't understand.  Lavarnway has had great numbers in Triple-A, yes, but for a backup catcher, Shophouse was hitting .250 with five home runs, what more do you really want?

The biggest question is, will this page remain the unofficial fan page?  Absolutely.  That sweet rookie card picture isn't about to leave the right side of the screen, and being traded to the National League means he won't be belting lasers off of the Red Sox miserable pitching.

So here's to you, House, still my favorite player on the Sox this season.  As soon as I find out what number you'll be taking on the Mets, I'll be purchasing one of those blue player tee's.  Good luck out there.

Josh Thole Apparently Has a Hole In His Glove

Kind of a slow day so far, so we'll dissect this play during the Padres and Mets game.

Mets catcher Josh Thole uses a slightly bigger glove when catching R.A. Dickey because of the knuckleball Dickey tosses.  I guess the bigger glove doesn't make it easy to hang onto the ball, though.

Watch the video in that link.  There are a number of things going on here that should be addressed.  First, the throwback uniforms.  Awesome.  The Mets stirrup socks and thick stripes down the side of the pants can't be beat.

Second, keep an eye at the top of the video at the 0:15 second mark.  Yonder Alonso completely wipes out going around second base.  Classic.

But now to the play at the plate.  Thole catches the ball up in front of the plate and turns around on one knee to block the plate.  Bad move.  Buster Posey was on a knee when his ankle shredded.  Thole has plenty of time to turn and just apply the tag, but instead nearly gets his head ripped off.  Lucky for him, Carlos Quentin seemed to be aiming for the glove and not Thole's chest protector.