Here’s one for all the Sox fans in the house !!! Even though I’ll admit to liking the Sox (as my AL team of choice), this video is pretty hilarious !!

Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon was talking smack Wednesday night and clearly indicated that the Red Sox don’t believe their differences with the Tampa Bay Rays are a thing of the past. I’m really not certain why Papelbon is running his mouth at this point in the season, especially when he’ll likely be facing the Ray’s offense several more times during the year. Perhaps Red Sox manager Terry Francona needs to carry a roll of duct tape for Papelbon and use it to keep him from instigating the Rays.

Tempers flared between the Rays and Red Sox last week after Boston outfielder Coco Crisp made a hard slide into second baseman Akinori Iwamura. The following night, Coco Crisp was hit in the right hip by pitcher James Shields in the second inning. Crisp rushed the mound to confront Shields, ducked a wild right by Shields and mayhem ensued.

Papelbon was quoted as saying, “In my opinion, it is a bunch of bull what they did,” in reference to the incedent between Crisp and Shields that turned into a brawl. All I got to say is what comes around goes around, man.”

Later in the show Papelbon added,, “In my opinion, and the way I feel right now, this thing isn’t all settled and done, we still got to play them a few more times and I know when we go into Tropicana things will be a little different than when went in there last time.”

Major League Baseball issued the Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays eight suspensions totaling 38 games for the incident. The video of Coco Crisp charging the mound and the ensuing melee that followed is shown below for those of you haven’t already seen it.

Ken Griffey Jr. finally got his 600th home run tonight but unfortunate for him, it was an away game down in Florida at the empty orange seat ghost town known as Dolphins Stadium. A mere 16K fans turned out in Miami to see the legendary slugger accomplish the feat of a lifetime, that only five other players have accomplished before him.

Here’s a blurb from the AP Article by Charlie McCarthy…

MIAMI (AP)—Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 600th home run on Monday night, completing his long ascent and becoming the sixth player in history to reach that milestone. The Cincinnati outfielder homered off Florida lefty Mark Hendrickson in the first inning of the Reds’ 9-4 victory against the Marlins. Griffey joined Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Sammy Sosa. The 38-year-old homered with Jerry Hairston on third and one out. The left-handed swinger launched a 3-1 pitch 413 feet into the right-field seats. Griffey received a standing ovation from the crowd of 16,003 and responded by coming out of the Reds dugout and waving his helmet to the fans. The game was the last one of an eight-game road trip for the Reds, who will return home Tuesday night to play the St. Louis Cardinals.

What’s up with the city of Miami and their disdain for their sports teams? At least when Ken Griffey Jr and the Reds were up here in Philly last week, Citizen’s Bank Park was packed with diehard fans hoping to catch a piece of baseball history. However, true to his humble yet dedicated nature, Griffey didn’t wait until he was back on home turf tomorrow and he got the job done, leading the Reds to a victory over the Florida Marlins who have been playing tag with the Phillies for the lead in the NL East.

…and only 16K fans present ??? I think this is a sign that it’s about time the Marlins relocated to Central Florida, preferrably Orlando, where at least they and the sport of baseball are appreciated.