Theory and Practice (game 22 in progress)

"In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is." Yogi Berra

The Sox are testing out my hypothesis about selected road trips. Last night on WEEI, the announcers speculated that excessive nightlife was a cause for the D-Lowe departure after last season. Rumors about Lowe's post-game styling were flying. Of course the Sox elected to replace Lowe with a pitcher picture of decorum, David Wells.

Anyway, although I haven't been to the Arlington area, my guess is that there are plenty of distractions available for young guys with too much money and time on their hands. A quick search of the Internet, er, revealed seven strip clubs in Arlington, Texas. While the home team is enjoying a little quality family time, it takes little imagination to envision American League visitors losing sleep and brain cells out on the town.

Statistically speaking. If I had to be stranded on a desert island with one book, the Baseball Encyclopedia might not be a bad choice (presuming that a survival manual wasn't another choice). Carl Yastrzemski is second in career at bats, seventh in hits, and sixth in doubles. Cy Young has not only the most career wins but the most career losses and career complete games. Pedro Martinez has the highest career winning percentage, and Jim Thome has an astounding percentage of at bats without contact (17 percent walks and 30 percent strikeouts). Mark McGwire has the highest percentage of homers per at bat.

Thus far after 21 2/3rd games, neither Mark Bellhorn nor Kevin Millar has homered. No homers for your fifth hole hitter at this point in the season?

The Sox called up righthanded reliever Tim Bausher from Pawtucket. The Pawsox immediately felt the loss, blowing a five run lead to lose to Scranton 8-6. Denny Tomori is one Japanese import that hasn't done well on his road test, taking the loss.

Meanwhile, the dreaded Norwich Navigators of the Eastern League dope-slapped the pride of Portland, thumping the Sea Dogs 8-0. Chris Durbin raised his average to .373 with two hits and Jeremy West raised his average to .347. Kason Gabbard (3-1) absorbed his first loss of the campaign.

Don Orsillo informed us that the day after Kevin Millar's twins were born, the lottery number came up 1515 (Millar's number is 15).