April, 2013

[Truck Day to Duck Day is the name of a website that I created in that year to chronicle the events that occurred in Boston between February and October, 2013. While its basic structure is tied to the baseball season, the subject matter more broadly describes the dramatic events that took place in Boston that year. As a lifelong Bostonian (despite my residence in Vermont), this was the richest period in the region’s history during my lifetime. It was a time Beyond Baseball. I created this as a note pad for a book that I probably will not get around to writing one of these days. You’ll see more installments in future Digests. SB SM]

https://truckday2duckday.wordpress.com/

April 1 (April Fool’s Day)

Jackie Bradley Jr. is the great black hope of the Red Sox future according to the scribes. Hope springs eternal, especially on April 1.

April 2

Annie Dookhan starts becoming a household name as the state chemist is facing charges that she mishandled thousands of cases.

“The findings, in a confidential report by the attorney ­general, add fuel to defense lawyers’ arguments that virtually all drug tests done there since 2003 are suspect, expanding the number of cases that could be affected by the scandal from the 34,000 handled by Dookhan to the 190,000 cases processed by the entire lab.”

AT LAST … Opening Day … Sox beat Yanks 8-2. All cylinders were working. Lester worked five, relievers (Miller, Uehara, Miller, Bailey, Tazawa, Hanrahan) shut it down. Jackie Bradley Jr. dazzles. The character players performed … life good.

April 3

Jaromir Jagr added to Bruins roster to help in Cup run.

Clay Buchholtz prepares for Yankees while Stephen Drew finally cleared to resume spring training.

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April 4
RIP Chuck Fairbanks, former Patriot coach.

Buchholtz shines as Sox down Yanks, 7-4.

Scribe Shaughnessy, ever the opportunist, jumps onto the bandwagon:

“NEW YORK — They may never lose.

They may never trail.

Worst to first. Two games into the season, this is the theme of the 2013 Red Sox.

And is it possible for Jackie Bradley Jr. to be the Face of the Franchise after only two games in the big leagues?

Pump some air into the Duck Boat tires. Get going with the 2013 commemorative bricks. Maybe the phony sellout streak will live longer than we thought.”

April 5

Seals invade beach at Monomoy Island.

RIP Roger Ebert, film critic.

Yankees avoid sweep, taking Sox 4-2, Andy Pettitte over Ryan Dempster.

April 6

John Farrell returns to resounding boos, but Mike Napoli’s two run homer helps the Sox to defeat the “juggernaut” Blue Jays 6-4.

April 7

John Lackey leaves the game with a strained bicep. Jays shut out Sox 5-0.

April 8

The towns of Ashland and Hopkinton both want to lay claim to being the birthplace of the Boston Marathon

Sox whup Jays 13-0 with Will Middlebrooks hitting three home runs.

April 9

RIP Margaret Thatcher

RIP Annette Funicello

Daniel Nava’s three run home powers Sox over Orioles in home opener.

April 10

Wade Boggs thinks his number 26 should be retired. He’s probably right, but here’s why it isn’t:

Clark “Rockefeller” guilty. Faces 27 years for 1985 murder.

Lowell claws way into Frozen Four.

Sell-out streak ends. Hanrahan blows lead in ninth as Sox bow to Orioles 8-5.

April 12

Lowell eliminated by Yale in Frozen Four. Lowell’s euphoria proves short-lived.

Bullpen blows it, Sox fall 3-2 to Orioles.

April 13

Sox rained out. Microscope focused on Jackie Bradley Jr., hitless in last 14 at bats and now portrayed as “overmatched” against big league pitching. How quickly the worm turns.

April 14

Menino breaks leg. Not running for mayor or in the Marathon.

Shane Victorino drives in Jacoby Ellsbury in 10th to give Sox 2-1 win over Rays.

Dan Shaughnessy is positively ejaculatory: ” The Sox are off and running. The Celtics and Bruins are readying for the playoffs. Tiger is in the hunt at the Masters. And Monday is the marathon.”

According to Team Marketing Report, Fenway Park is the most expensive day at the ballyard in big league baseball. A family of four can expect to fork over $337.80 for four tickets, two beers, two sodas, four hot dogs, parking, two programs, and two hats.

April 15 (Tax Day)

Runners start carbo-loading at pasta dinner in preparation for 117th Boston Marathon. The Ethiopians are favored once again. Greg Meyer, Joan Benoit Samuelson recall their victories in the ’83 marathon, 30 years ago.

Tiger fades to 4th in Masters.

Clay Buchholtz no-hits Rays through 7 as Sox prevail 5-0.

April 16 (Patriot’s Day)

Mike Napoli scores Dustin Pedroia with a ninth inning double as Sox sweep Rays.

Three killed, scores injured as bomb blasts rip through crowds at Marathon finish line. Chaos and confusion reign.

Patriot’s Day … morning baseball … 117th running … Heartbreak Hill. The joy of a uniquely Boston day has been forever spoiled.

April 17

Stories abound of tragedy, heroism, and irony in wake of bombing. Fear and anger are everywhere as grim hunt for answers begins.

Sox top Tribe 7-2 behind Doubront in first meeting with ex-skipper Terry Francona. Yankees pay tribute to Boston victims. Jonny Gomes suggests rallying behind phrase “617- Boston Strong.”

April 18

RIP Boston University graduate student Lingzi Lu, 23, who was from the northeastern Chinese city of Shenyang.

Police identify suspect.

Grief, defiance, unity, anguish … stories abound.

Mike Carp and bullpen lead Sox past Indians.

RIP Frank Bank, who played “Lumpy” on “Leave It To Beaver”

April 19

Boston is in full-blown lockdown mode. After an MIT policeman is killed, an early morning shootout takes place in Watertown in which suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, is killed. Manhunt ensues for younger brother Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, a 19 year old college student. Drama ends at 8:45 when suspect pulled from his hiding place in a boat parked behind a house on Franklin Street.

Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev is described by most of his classmates as a likable, good-natured guy.

Boston breathes a sigh of relief.

Red Sox complete sweep of Indians, 6-3 behind Jon Lester, have now won 6 straight.

April 20

Back story begins to be filled in. Fallen MIT officer, Sean Collier, 26, remembered as loving husband and father.

The local boxing community was stunned to learn of Tamarlan’s involvement:

“In the ring, he could knock a man out with one punch,’’ said Gene McCarthy, founder of the Somerville Boxing Club. “But when he sat at a piano, he could play classical music like you wouldn’t believe.’’

Red Sox vs. Royals game postponed due to the manhunt. Life interferes with baseball.

April 21

Aftermath of a tragedy. The gamut of human emotions.

Neil Diamond shows up in person to sing “Sweet Caroline.” and Daniel Nava hits a three run homer in the eighth to key a 4-3 Sox victory. A veneer of normalcy begins to appear.

April 22

Pieces of the puzzle continue to fall into place, profiling Tamarlan as an increasingly militant immigrant.

Red Sox drop doubleheader to Royals.

April 23

Charges formally filed. Evidence emerges that links Tamarlan with triple homicide in Waltham in 2011.

RIP Richie Havens, 72, who performed opening set at Woodstock.

Sox back on track as Napoli hits grand slam in 9-6 win. Napoli leads majors in RBIs.

April 24

Russian officials warned the U.S. about Tamerlan’s increasing radicalization.

Athletics rout Sox 13-0 in rain (mercifully) shortened game. Celts now down 2-0 to the Knicks.

April 25

Surgeons continue to work overtime on scores of amputees from Marathon bombing.

Jon Lester improves to 4-0 as new closer Andrew Bailey strikes out the side in the ninth.

April 26

Amazing story breaks of “Danny” a 26 year old Chinese entrepreneur whose car was carjacked by the brothers. Several important gaps in the time line are filled in.

Red Sox best Astros 7-2. Ortiz hits first home run. Buchholtz 5-0.

April 27

RIP George Jones, country singer

Red Soc beat Astros 7-3. First victory for Dempster. 2 home runs for David Ross.

April 28

Bob Ryan dubs the Red Sox “The Redemption Team.”

Boston Muslim community besieged by scrutiny following bombings

Whitey Bulger is back in court, facing his new judge for the first time.. He has shaved his beard and looks thin. His lawyer is claiming she has to reverse the previous judge’s decision not to let Whitely testify to the immunity he was supposedly granted by a deceased Federal prosecutor.

Felix Doubront sharp; team beats Astros 8-4. Celtics down 3-0 to Knicks.

April 29

John Lackey wins first game in 614 days as Sox sweep Astros.

April 30

First day that the headlines have not been about the bombing.

NBA’s Jason Collins comes out as gay. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief.