As of Super Bowl XLIII the Patriots are one of seven NFL teams to win consecutive Super Bowls. Which of the following NFL teams has not won back-to-back Super Bowl titles?

a) Denver Broncos
b) Green Bay Packers
c) Miami Dolphins
d) New York Giants

Next Score Wins

The Patriots currently own a 17-19 lifetime record in overtime games. New England played 17 different teams in their 36 career overtime games. What NFL club has faced off against the Patriots for overtime in the most games?

a) Buffalo Bills
b) Indianapolis Colts
c) Miami Dolphins
d) New York Jets

Is There Such A Team, Or Maybe Not?

Has any current active NFL team yet to lose when playing a regular-season game against the Patriots in Foxboro?

a) Carolina Panthers -- In their only visit to Foxboro, on October 29, 95, Carolina beat the Patriots, 20-17, on a John Kasay 29-yard field goal with 7:52 remaining in overtime. Tha Panthers travel to Gillette Stadium on December 13, 2009, giving the Patriots an opportunity to complete the "victory against every other NFL team at your home field since the 1970 NFL merger" sweep. Currently just over half of the NFL (17 teams; Jets, Bills, Bengals, Steelers, Titans/Oilers, Jaguars, Texans, Raiders, Broncos, Giants, Cowboys, Redskins, Vikings, Falcons, Saints, Buccaneers, Seahawks) own victories in all the other NFL cities.
b) Green Bay Packers (2-3 lifetime in Foxboro against the Patriots)
c) Houston Texans (0-1 lifetime in Foxboro against New England)
d) every active NFL team has lost at least one regular-season game in Foxboro

Easy Pickings Against The Guys From New England

Which quarterback has the best lifetime winning percentage in career starts against the Patriots while wearing a Miami Dolphins uniform?

a) Bob Griese -- (13-7, .650)
b) Earl Morrall -- (4-0, 1.000)
c) Dan Marino -- (17-13, .567)
d) David Woodley -- (5-1, .833)

As of Monday, November 9, 2009, the Miami Dolphins own a 49-39 (.557) lifetime record against the Patriots, including a 1-2 (.333) playoff record against New England.

No Matter What, Avoid This Stadium, At All Costs

In franchise history, there are 10 stadiums/fields/venues where the Patriots played at least one regular-season/playoff game yet haven't won any games at the site. Which location is on this list?

a) County Stadium, Milwaukee, WI -- until 1995, the Green Bay Packers played at least one regular-season game each season in Milwaukee. On October 9, 1988, the Patriots traveled to the Suds City, played the Packers and lost, 45-3, in their only appearance at County Stadium. On February 21, 2001, County Stadium was demolished. Most of the stadium site is now covered with parking for Miller Park; however, the site of the old infield was converted into a Little League Field and home plate is the original plate from County Stadium.
b) Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL
c) Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, MN
d) Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

Let's Play All Our Games On This Field

In franchise history, there are 10 stadiums/fields/venues where the Patriots played at least one regular-season/playoff game yet haven't lost a game at the site. Which location is on this list?

a) Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, CA
b) R.F.K. Stadium, Washington, D.C.
c) Stanford Stadium, Stanford, CA
d) Yale Bowl, New Haven, CT -- On 9/22/74, New England traveled to New Haven and defeated the New York Giants, 28-20, at the Yale Bowl, in the only NFL regular-season game the Patriots ever (so far) played in the Nutmeg State. Due to a remodel project at their home field (Yankee Stadium), the Giants were forced to play all home games during 1973 & 1974 at the Yale Bowl, and the 1975 home season at Shea Stadium. Beginning with the 1976 season New York played all home games at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

The Last To Go

In franchise history the Patriots have dressed at least one player, in at least one regular-season game, with every uniform number, from #1 through # 99. What uniform number was the last to be worn for the first time (i.e., #16 was first worn in 1971 by Jim Plunkett, #39 was first worn in 1973 by Sam Cunningham, #69 was first worn in 1971 by Julius Adams)?

a) #5 (first worn in 1983 by kicker Fred Steinfort)
b) #9 (first worn in 1993 by kicker Scott Sisson)
c) #95 (first worn in 1983 by linebacker Ed Reynolds)
d) #99 (first worn in 1985 by nose-tackle/defensive end Ben Thomas)

BTW -- "tragolimia 69" is currently in first place, to win the November contest for a complimentary copy of Patriots Bits & Pieces: From Day One, with two correct answers. Lets go everyone, get your answers in, pronto, don't miss out on the fun. The first five people to give an answer for each question every day, for the remaining of November will get a 50% discount for the purchase of a Patriots book, plus a free copy of The Heartache Years, my Red Sox, written last fall. Good luck!!!!!

Must Be A Mistake In The Box Score

In franchise regular-season history, only two different Patriots players, each with the same last name both scored a touchdown in the same game. This duo accomplished this feat twice, with both games in the same season. Name the two players?

a) Corwin (DB/1996-95) and Troy (WR/1993-2007) Brown
b) Bethel (WR/2003-05) and Ted (LB/1995-2004) Johnson
c) Antowain (RB/2001-03) and Otis (DB/1996, 2000-02) Smith -- in 2001, game # 3, at Foxboro vs. Colts, Antowain scored twice (4 yd & 2 yd rushes) and Otis returned an interception 78 yards for a TD; and in game #19, at Carolina vs. Panthers, Antowain rampled 32 yd for a TD and late in the fourth quarter Otis returned a pick 76 yards for a TD.
d) Adalius (LB/2007-present) and David (TE/2006-08) Thomas

Even Websites Can Get Days Confused

See Wednesday (below) for Friday's/today's question, thank you.

Reminds Us Of His Dad - Just Like A Chip Off The Block

Which father/son tandem was the first to each score a touchdown against the Patriots?

a) Bob (Dolphins) and Brian (Broncos) Griese - (only father/son tandem to both score and throw a TD pass against the Patriots)
b) Jack (Bills) and Jeff (Rams) Kemp - (Jack threw 12 TD passes/scored 11 TDs against Patriots, Jeff, nothing) c) Archie (Saints) and Peyton (Colts) Manning - (first father/tandem to both throw a TD pass against the Patriots)
d) Terry (Cardinals) and Eric (Falcons) Metcalf -- Terry scored three TDs against New England on 11/2/75, the first on a 69-yard punt return (Patriots lost, 24-17). Eric caught a 33-yard TD pass from Jeff George on 10/01/95 against the Patriots (Atlanta won, 30-17).

Finally Beat One Of The Big Guys

After the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, of the 16 NFL teams involved, who was the first team to lose a regular-season game to the Patriots?

a) Baltimore Colts -- after 10 consecutive losses to teams originally from the NFL, on 12/19/1971, the Patriots defeated the Colts at Memorial Stadium/Baltimore, 21-17. With less than 3:00 in the game, Jim Plunkett connected with Randy Vataha on an 88-yard TD reception to give New England a 21-10 lead. Johnny Unitas' 13-yard TD with 0:26 remaining put the Colts back in the game however, Patriots DB Don Webb recovered Jim O'Brien's on-side kick and New England had their first-ever regular-season victory against an original NFL team.
b) Detroit Lions (first victory against Lions, 24-17, on 10/7/79, at Foxboro)
c) New York Football Giants (first win against Giants, 28-20, on 09/22/74, at the Yale Bowl [CT])
d) St. Louis Football Cardinals (first win against Cardinals, 09/10/78, 16-6, at Busch Stadium)

I'll Get Em' Twice; On The Field, On The Sidelines

Who is the only individual to return an interception for a touchdown during his playing career, and record a regular-season victory as an NFL head coach, each against the Patriots?

a) Bill Cowher
b) Tony Dungy
c) Jeff Fisher
d) Marty Schottenheimer -- Against New England, Marty Schottenheimer posted a 7-3 lifetime regular-season record and 0-1 in playoffs (his last NFL game as a head coach). Playing for the Buffalo Bills, against the Patriots at Fenway Park, on December 9, 1967, he picked off a Don Trull screen pass intended for Jim Nance and romped 45 yards for the only touchdown in his six-year AFL/NFL career. Schottenheimer finished his playing days with Boston (1969-70) and played on the first Patriots NFL team. His only two career kickoff returns were as a Patriots (1969 for 13 yards against the Dolphins [I was at this game], 1970 for 8 yards against the Colts). With 200 lifetime regular-season victories during his 21-year career as an NFL head coach (Cleveland/1984-1988/44 wins, Kansas City/1989-98/101 wins, Washington/2001/8 wins, San Diego/2002-06/47 wins), Schottenheimer still holds the record (during the Super Bowl era, 1966-forward) for the most career wins by an NFL head coach without ever leading a team to the Super Bowl.

Better Than A Heisman Trophy?

The Sammy Baugh Trophy is awarded annually to the nation's top college passer. The trophy has been given out by the Touchdown Club of Columbus (OH) since 1959. What ex-Patriots quarterback is the only player to win this award twice?

a) Doug Flutie - Boston College
b) Vinny Testaverde - Miami (FL)
c) Don Trull - Baylor -- won the Sammy Baugh Trophy in 1962 and 1963. He played for the Patriots only the last 7 games of the 1967 season (1964-midway 1967, 1968-69 with the Houston Oilers). He posted a 33.3% completion rate, with 1 TD pass (41 yards to TE Jim Whalen), 7 interceptions thrown, 442 yards passing, for 16.4 yards average per catch, leading to a 20.7 QB rating overall during his brief Patriots career. Trull started three games during this stretch, Boston was 0-3 and the team was outscored 100-40 in the 3 games.
d) Marc Wilson - Brigham Young University

Will Make A Great Tour Guide For His Teammates

What current Patriots player was born in Oxford, England?

a) BenJarvus Green-Ellis
b) Samuel Morris, III -- born March 23, 1977; his dad, Samuel Morris II, was a stafff sergeant in the United States Air Force.
c) Adalius Donquail Thomas
d) Matthew Wilson Slater

Get Smart; Agent 86 to Agent 99

Bob Dee played defensive end for the Patriots from 1960-67. In 1993 he was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame. Dee scored the first touchdown in AFL history, in a preseason game against Buffalo, on July 30, 1960 after recovering a fumble in the Bills end zone. Dee wore #89, no other Patriots player has worn his number and it is officially retired. Who was the first Patriots player to wear a uniform number in the 90s' (higher than #89)?

a) Ike Lassiter
b) Mel Lunsford
c) Steve Kiner
d) George Webster -- playing linebacker, he wore #90, while playing for the Patriots, from 1974-76.

This One Flew South

What former Atlanta Falcons head coach once served as an assistant coach for the Patriots?

a) Marion Campbell -- served as Assistant Coach/Defensive Line during the 1962 and 1963 season; he was the Falcons Head Coach from 197-76 and again, from 1987-89, posting a 17-51 record.
b) Jim Hanifan
c) Dan Henning
d) Jim L. Mora

Copy Cat

Tom Brady's first regular season touchdown pass and Drew Bledsoe's last regular season touchdown pass while wearing a Patriots uniform were both caught by the same player, who is this individual?

a) Troy Brown
b) Terry Glenn -- on October 14, 2001, Brady connected with Glenn, good for a 21-yard TD pass at Foxboro Stadium against the San Diego Chargers; on December 24, 2000, also at Foxboro Stadium, against the Miami Dolphins, Glenn hauled in a 16-yard scoring pass from Bledsoe.
c) David Pattern
d) Jermaine Wiggins

Only The Beginning

On September 19, 1971 Patriots quarterback Jim Plunkett was the first player to throw a regular-season touchdown pass in the history of Schaefer Stadium, who was the receiver?

a) Carl Garrett
b) Jim Nance
c) Ron Sellers -- a 33-yard TD in the third quarter and the Patriots defeated the Oakland Raiders, 20-6.
d) Randy Vataha

Picked The NFL Over The Patriots

What quarterback did the Boston Patriots draft, in the early 1960s', in the 5th round of the AFL Draft (he opted for the NFL)?

a) Roman Gabriel/North Carolina State/Rams
b) Don Meredith/Southern Methodist/Cowboys
c) Norm Snead/Wake Forest/Redskins
d) Fran Tarkenton/Georgia/Vikings

Keep This Date Open

In the 50 seasons of playing in the AFL/NFL, one September date has served as the Patriots opening game day a total of seven times. What is the most frequent September date the Patriots opened their regular season schedule?

a) September 5th
b) September 9th -- 1960/home vs. Denver Broncos (lost, 10-3, in the first regular-season game in AFL history); 1961/home vs. New York Titans (lost, 21-20); 1990/home vs. Miami Dolphins (lost, 27-24); 2001/away vs. Cincinnati Bengals (lost, 23-17); 2002/home vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (won, 30-14); 2004/home vs. Indianapolis Colts (won, 27-24); and 2007/away vs. New York Jets (won, 38-14, in the "Camera-gate" game).
c) September 12th
d) September 15th

Like Son, Like Father

Who is the only player to post a regular season touchdown reception for New England, after his dad previously posted a regular season touchdown reception against the Patriots?

a) Daniel Graham
b) Jabar Gaffney -- on December 17, 2006, Gaffney caught a 6-yard TD from Tom Brady, in Houston against the Texans; and on December 9, 1979, Jabar's father, New York Jets wide receiver Derrick Gaffney, caught a 13-yard TD pass from Jets QB Richard Todd at Shea Stadium.
c) Dante Stallworth
d) Ben Watson

No Favorite Receiver

Name the Patriots quarterback that holds the franchise career record for most different teammates, 35 players, to catch at least one regular-season touchdown pass from him (through the end of the 2008 season)?

a) Drew Bledsoe
b) Tom Brady -- in 2001, first TD pass to Terry Glenn (1), Jermaine Wiggins (3), David Patten (16), Troy Brown (15), Kevin Faulk (9), Marc Edwards (2), Antowain Smith (3), Charles Johnson (1), and Patrick Pass (1); in 2002, to Christian Fauria (13), Donald Hayes (2), Deion Branch (14), Cam Cleeland (1), Daniel Graham (17), and Mike Vrabel (8); in 2003, to David Givens (12), Larry Centers (1), Bethel Johnson (4), and Dedric Ward (1); in 2004, to Corey Dillon (2); in 2005, to Tim Dwight (2), Ben Watson (14), Andre' Davis (1), and Tom Ashworth (1); in 2006, to Chad Jackson (3), Doug Gabriel (3), Heath Evans (1), Reche Caldwell (4), Laurence Maroney (1), Jabar Gaffney (6), and David Thomas (1); and in 2007, to Wes Welker (8), Randy Moss (23), Donte Stallworth (3) and Kyle Brady (2). (Total TD catches from Brady inside bracketts of each player.)
c) Steve Grogan
d) Vito "Babe" Parilli

Twice Removed Relative

Ex-Patriots placekicker Adam Vinatieri's bloodlines are interesting and intriguing. His great-great grandfather, Felix Vinatieri served as bandmaster in Lt. Col. George Custer's regiment but was left behind in camp during the Battle of Little Big Horn. Vinatieri's third cousin is who?

a) Game show host Bob Barker
b) Newscaster Tom Brokaw
c) Daredevil Evil Knievel
d) Baseball slugger Roger Maris

Ninety-Five Yards And Zero Points

Who holds the Patriots team record for the longest kickoff return, 95 yards, without scoring a touchdown on the play?

a) Raymond Clayborn
b) Kevin Faulk -- at Foxboro Stadium, against the New York Jets, on November 15, 1999. c) Ellis Hobbs
d) Bethel Johnson

Who Did All This Madness Start With

In celebration of the Patriots comeback victory over the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football and their quarterback's clutch performance let's give this one ago. Tom Brady's two touchdown passes to Ben Watson last night was the 23rd time Brady tossed multiple scoring strikes to the same receiver in one game. Who was the first Patriots player to catch two touchdown passes from Brady in a regular season game?

a) Troy Brown
b) Kevin Faulk
c) David Patten -- on October 21, 2001, at Indianapolis against the Colts, caught a 91-yard and 6-yard touchdown pass from Brady. Patten also ran 29 yards for a touchdown and tossed a 60-yard touchdown pass to Troy Brown; he is he only Patriots player to pass for a TD, run for a TD and catch a pass for a TD in the same game.
d) Jermaine Wiggins

Picture Perfect Placekicker

Name the Patriots placekicker to convert the most extra-point kicks in team history without missing any PAT attempts?

a) Matt Bahr -- 73-73
b) Charlie Gogolak, 42-42
c) Scott Sisson, 15-15
d) Mike "Superfoot" Walker, 15-15

Lucky Seven

What New England receiver hold a club record, for catching at least one touchdown pass from seven different Patriot quarterbacks during his career?

a) Troy Brown
b) Ben Coates
c) Irving Fryar -- first touchdown catch, in 1984 from Tony Eason (10); in 1985, from Steve Grogan (14); in 1987, from Tom Ramsey (1); in 1988, from Doug Flutie (3); in 1990, from Marc Wilson (2); in 1990, from Tommy Hodson (2); and in 1991, from Hugh Millen (6). (Total TD passes caught from each QB in brackets.)
d) Stanley Morgan

No More Room In This Row

Heading into the 2009 regular season where does the consecutive sell-out games streak stand for New England Patriots home games (regular season and postseason)?

a) 74
b) 77
c) 80 -- beginning with thier first home game (openning day) of the 2000 season.
d) 83

First Member Of The Big Time Group

Who was the first Patriots player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

a) Nick Buoniconti
b) Gino Cappelletti
c) John Hannah -- in 1991
d) Mike Haynes

Hang Time...Over Six Seconds

A make-up question for the past three days of no posting.........Who holds the Patriots franchise record for the longest punt in team history?

a) Rich Camarillo
b) Lee Johnson
c) Shawn McCarthy -- 93-yard punt, at Buffalo against the Bills, on November, 3, 1991
d) Luke Prestridge

Patriots Winners Of The Pretigious College Trophy

Name the five Heisman Trophy winners who played in at least one regular season game for the Patriots?

Joe Bellino (1960/Navy); John Huarte (1964/Notre Dame); Jim Plunkett(1970/Stanford); Doug Fluite (1984/Boston College); and Vinny Testaverde (Miami [FL]/1986).

Half A Football Field

Who was the first player to kick a 50 yard field goal against the Patriots?

a) Jim O'Brien -- at Schaefer Stadium, October 3, 1971, for the Baltimore Colts
b) Jan Stenerud
c) Jim Turner
d) Garo Yepremian

Sweet Sixteen

Which player holds the team record for consecutive seasons played, with 16 consecutive years in a Patriots uniform?

a) Bruce Armstrong
b) Troy Brown
c) Steve Grogan -- 1975-90
d) Steve Nelson

One Number Is The Loneliest

Who was the first Patriots player to wear a single digit number uniform in a regular season game?

a) Charlie Gogolak
b) John Huarte -- #7, in 1966
c) Mike "Superfoot" Walker
d) Tom Yewcic

Middle Man

What is Tedy Bruschi's middle name?

a) Carroll
b) Lacap -- born June 9, 1973 in San Francisco, CA.
c) Seth
d) Troy

Home At Last

Name the first team who the Patriots hosted for a postseason playoff game?

a) Buffalo Bills
b) Houston Oilers -- on December 31, 1978, and the Patriots lost, 31-14.
c) Oakland Raiders
d) Pittsburgh Steelers

Can You Top This One On The Next Play?

Name the only Patriots quarterback to complete a pass for a touchdown on his first NFL regular season passing attempt?

a) Michael Bishop -- to wide receiver Tony Simmons, on the last play of the first half against the Colts, at Foxboro, on October 8, 2000.
b) Tony Eason
c) John Friesz
d) Scott Zolak

The Ball's Down....The Kick's Up....It's Good

When Adam Vinatieri kicked a 48 yard field goal, leading the New England Patriots, to win Super Bowl XXXVI, who was the holder?

a) Tom Brady
b) Damon Huard
c) Lee Johnson
d) Ken Walter

The Motherload of Crowds

The third regular season road game for the New England Patriots this year, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will be played on Sunday, October 25th, at 1:00 PM ET, at Wembley Stadium, in London, England, in front of an expected crowd of over 86,000. What is the all-time single game record attendance for the Patriots (no matter whether the game was home, away or neutral site, or preseason, regular season or postseason)?

a) 73,916
b) 88,936
c) 93,251
d) 106,424 -- in the 1988 preseason against the Dallas Cowboys in Mexico City

Finally In The Playoffs

What stadium was the site of the first Patriots playoff game in team history?

a) Balboa Stadium - San Diego CA
b) Fenway Park - Boston MA
c) Schaefer Stadium - Foxboro MA
d) War Memorial Stadium - - Buffalo NY, in 1963

No Passing Thoughts At The Razor

Which Patriots back-up quarterback never threw a pass during a regular season game at Gillette Stadium?

a) Rohan Davey
b) Matt Gutierrez -- threw just one NFL regular pass while wearing a Patriots uniform, on 10/21/2007, at Dolphins Stadium. The pass was completed, to Dante Stallworth, for a 15 yard gain.
c) Damon Huard
d) Kevin O'Connell

All This Running For Nothing

Which two Patriots players share the club record for the longest non-touchdown run from the line of scrimmage?

a) Sam Cunningham & Jim Nance
b) Corey Dillon & Curtis Martin
c) Larry Garron & Carl Garrett
d) Robert Weathers & Ron Burton/each has a 77 yard run without scoring

Starting Off On The Right Foot

Who is the only head coach in New England history to win at least one opening day game without losing any Patriots opening day games?

a) Bill Belichick/5-3
b) Raymond Berry -- 5-0 in season openers
c) Pete Carroll/2-1
d) Ron Meyer/2-1

Working Overtime

The Patriots lost their first ten NFL overtime games before securing the franchise's first overtime victory, 10-7, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Who kicked the winning field goal for New England?

a) Charlie Baumann
b) Greg Davis
c) Tony Franklin
d) Jason Staurovsky -- a 27-yard field goal, on December 12, 1988. It was eleven years and two months plus after the first Patriots overtime game ever (9/26/1977, in just their fourth appearance ever on Monday Night Football. The Patriots lost to the Cleveland Browns, 30-27, in OT, on a 35 yard field goal by Don Crockroft, a straight on/non-soccer style kicker. Here's the trivia within the trivia, the Patriot's first OT victory is still their only 10-7 final score win in franchise history.

The Science of Human Movement

What Patriots player graduated from college with a degree in Kinesiology?

a) Kevin Faulk -- from Louisiana State University
b) Stephen Gostkowski/majored in exercise & sport science
c) Logan Mankins/majored in agriculture education
d) Richard Seymour/majored in housing & consumer economics

Let's Christen The Endzone

In the inaugural regular season game of Gillette Stadium, on September 9, 2002 vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers, name the first Patriots player to score a touchdown?

a) Cam Cleeland/never scored a TD at Gillete
b) Christian Fauria - - 4- yard pass from Tom Brady, 1st qtr
c) David Givens/first Gillette TD, 2003/game 16
d) David Patten/first Gillette TD, 2002/game 3

Anyone For a Game of Catch???

What major league baseball team drafted Tom Brady, as a catcher in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB draft The Montreal Expos, with the last pick of the 18th round selected Brady, and with the second to last pick of the 20th round, the Yankees drafted Mike Lowell ?

Long Range Super Plan???

Name the individual who served as the Offensive Line coach for the Boston Patriots in 1960 and 1961, who would later lead another one of the eight original American Football League teams to their first Super Bowl berth Robert "Red" Miller, who went on to become head coach of the Denver Broncos in 1977 and in his first year guided the Broncos to Super Bowl XII (Denver lost to the Dallas Cowboys, 27-10) ?

Let's Get Ready For The Patriots, and The 2009 Season, Their 50th Anniversary

In celebration of the New England Patriots 50th season, Read Us For Fun will post a daily question on this blog, pertaining to the Patriots & thir 50 years of history, for our readers to answer. At the end of each full month, beginning with September 2009, through January 2010, the entry with the most correct answers for each time period will win a complimentary copy of my soon-to-be-released publication, Patriots Bits & Pieces;From Day One. Email your answers to mking426@msn.com

Today's question (three part):
Including preseason, who was the first American Football Team to play a game in Massachusetts against the Boston Patriots Dallas Texans, on August 14, 1960 ? Where was the game played Nickerson Field/Boston University, Dallas beat the Patriots, 24-14 ? After this game, in what two Massachusetts cities/towns did the Patriots play their remaining 1960 preseason games Worcester (Patriots beat Buffalo, 21-0) and Amherst (Patriots beat Oakland, 28-14) ?

Showdown In Gotham

How important is this weekend's Red Sox - Yankees four game series? Does the current 8-0 record Boston currently owns against New York for this year give the Sox any type of psychological edge? Will the BoSox take advantage of the launching pad, aka, the new Yankees Stadium? Did Terry Francona and John Farrell do a good job of situating Boston's pitching rotation for the showdown. If the Bronx Bombers sweep the Old Towne Team, the Patriots could be the number one story right through the New Year?

How About a Round of Golf, for 205 Holes???

Last Thursday, July 30th, at noon, Needham Golf Club pros Richie Hasenfus and Harry Rose set out for a casual round of golf, under threatening skies. By 9:00 pm, with 90+ holes on the books, Richie needed to cut his round "short", due to a prior commitment. Harry continued on throughout the entire evening, despite a steady downpour, which made Seattle's worse rainy day look like a light drizzle. Thanks to a day-glo golf ball, a plastic bag for a top, and a determined & strong will, Rose was able to carry on all night, into the mornings, without missing a beat. As luck would have it, about 11:30 am, with just thirty minutes left in his casual round of golf, the rain stopped and the sun began to sneak out from behind a few lingering gray clouds. Coincidently, at about the same time, the sunshine began to brightly glow within Rose's heart, as his nine-year old daughter, Abby, joined him for the final two holes of the round, # 204 and # 205. Is there a better way to end a casual round of golf than walking down the fairway, with your arm around your pride and joy of life, I don't think so?????

Why the lengthy round of golf? For these golfers it was simple, to raise money for a few worthwhile charities. The Jimmy Fund and the Walker School of Needham are the winners on the "fund raised" tally sheet for this golf marathon however, you too can be a winner, just like Harry & Richie, and give a little something of you, for the cause.

Anyone wishing to make a donation, for the efforts of Harry & Richie, please send a donation, check payable to "The Needham Golf Club Charities", to, Needham Golf Club, Attention: Harry Rose, 49 Green Street, Needham MA 02492.

Thank you for your support.

Michael Vick's Second Chance????

After an individual serves their time from a prison sentence and is released, isn't everything meant to be back at even? Does Michael Vick deserve the opportunity to once again play in the NFL? Dante Stallworth served less hours behind bars than Michael Vick served months in prison.........what's wrong with this picture???

Substance usage of Ortiz

At R.U.F.F. we believe one is innocent until proven guilty. How does this viewpoint impact Red Sox fans in light of the latest news about David Ortiz?

American League Most Valuable Players, via the Red Sox

In 1931, the Baseball Writers of America Association (BBWAA) began selecting, via a vote of all members, a Most Valuable Player for both the American League and the National League. Over the first 78 years, the Boston Red Sox are the only team in major league baseball to have at least one player, in each decade, win this prestigious award.

In 1938, Jimmie Foxx won his third AL MVP (he won back to back MVP awards with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1932 & 1933). Foxx, who hit 534 career home runs, is the second youngest, at 32 years 336 days old, to reach the 500 home run mark (Alex Rodriguez is the youngest, at 32 years 8 days old).

Ted Williams won the MVP award in 1946 and 1949. He also won Triple Crowns (home runs, runs batted in, batting average in 1942 and 1947, yet did not win the MVP in either year).

In 1958, Red Sox right fielder Jackie Jensen won the MVP while playing right field. In 1948, while playing running back at the University of California, Jensen finished fourth in voting for the Heisman Trophy won, which was won by Doak Walker of Southern Methodist University.

To cap off The Impossible Dream season and winning the Triple Crown, Carl Yastrzemski won the 1967 AL MVP award. While playing basketball at Bridgehampton High School on Long Island NY, Yastrzemski set scoring records previously by former Cleveland Brown great Jimmy Brown, who attended Manhassett High School.

In 1975, in addition to winning the AL Rookie of the Year award, Sox center fielder Fred Lynn captured the AL MVP. When his name was engraved on the MVP trophy, his first name, Frederic, was misspelled Frederec.

Jim Rice won the 1978 AL MVP, after accumulating 406 total bases, a total no AL players have reached since. Another remarkable feat from Rice in this year, he became, and still is, the only player in major league history to led the majors in triples (15), home runs (46) and runs batted in (139).

Roger Clemens was selected as the AL MVP in 1986 and also won the his first of six Cy Young Awards, thanks to a 24-4 record, a 2.48 ERA and 238 strikeouts.

In 1995, Sox first baseman Mo Vaughn won the AL MVP. In 1996, Vaughn bested all his numbers from the 1995 MVP season, 44 HRs vs. 39 last year, 143 RBIs vs. 126 last year and a .326 batting average vs. .300 last year, yet finished fifth in the the 1996 MVP voting. Moe Vaughn was the last Red Sox player to wear #42, before major league retired the number in honor of Jackie Robinson.

Dustin Pedroia, in 2008, was voted AL MVP, and for the first time in 49 years (Nellie Fox, from the Chicago White Sox, in 1959) was the last second baseman to win the AL MVP award. While attending Arizona State University, Pedroia renounced the last two years of his scholarship, to enable the Sun Devils coaching staff recruit much needed top-notch pitching candidates.

Jim Rice follows in the footsteps of Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski, as a great Red Sox leftfielder, and now as a fellow Hall of Famer

Congratulatons to Jim Rice, in recognization for his induction, on Sunday, to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Looking at Rice's outstanding career, all 16 years in a Red Sox uniform, let's have a little bit of fun.

First and last major league pitcher, against Jim Rice, to allow a;

First / Last
Official at-Bat - Jim Kaat / Rod Nichols
Single - Wilbur Wood / Brian Holton
Double - Larry Gura / Pete Harnisch
Triple - Lerrin LaGrow / Scott Bankhead
Home Run - Steve Kline / Melido Perez
Run Batted In - Jim Kaat / Brian Holton
Sacrifice Fly - Jim Kaat / Shawn Hillegas
Strike Out - Wilbur Wood / Gregg Olson
Walk - Ross Grimsley / John Farrell (currently the Red Sox pitching coach)
Intentional Walk - Bill Singer / Paul Gibson
Hit By Pitch - Terry Forster / Nolan Ryan (fellow Hall of Famer)

Tim Blackwell / Sam Horn were the first / last players Jim Rice were to pinch hit for.

Cecil Cooper / Randy Kutcher were the first / last players to pinch hit for Jim Rice.

The only time during his career when Jim Rice entered the game as a pich-runner was on September 18, 1976. Rice replaced Carl Yastrzemski, in the top of the 3rd inning, to pinch-run for Carl Yastrzemski, who had singled off Tigers relief pitcher Jim Crawford, who had just replaced Vern Ruhle!!!!

Before Ruhle broke Jim Rice's hand witha pitch in September 1975, Rice had three hits in eleven career at-bats, good for a .272 BA with three RBIs. After Rice returned in 1976, when facing Ruhle, for the balance of his career, Jim Ed was nine for 24, good for a .375 BA with two HRs and 5 RBIs.

Red Sox placement of Mark Kotsay

What do fans think about the the Red Sox decision today to place Mark Kotsay on waviers to make a roster spot for new acquired Adam LaRoche?

Read Us For Fun

Coming October 26, 2009 (give or take, no more than seven days).......

PATRIOTS BITS & PIECES; FROM DAY ONE

Read Us For Fun Publishing is excited to announce the release of this 375 page perfect bound book. GUARANTEED to be the GREATEST and MOST unique New England-Boston Patriots book ever published. Make your reservations now for this limited time Commemorative Edition honoring the Patriots upcoming 50th anniversary year. Register to win your free copy.

Welcome to our blog. Read Us For Fun Publishing is proud to present unique, fascinating, "oh wow" and never-to-forget anecdotal stories & facts. Although R.U.F.F. specialty is sports, and the Boston teams specifically, there is not a subject off our radar screen. Thus far we have published a Red Sox book, The Heartache Years, a 165 page book, guaranteed to bring a smile to the face and a twinkle to the heart, of just about any Red Sox out there. Within a 60 days, Patriots Bits & Pieces; From Day One, a 300 plus page publication, will be ready and available for any Patriots fans wanting to own the greatest, most thorough, comprehensive and enjoyable book ever, about your own New England Patriots.

We interested to learn any interesting stories you may want to share with our readers in reference to the major Boston sports teams. Or how about, any strange twist, "oh wow", not your "run of mill" fact, about just almost anything? How about this one...........during filming of The Wizard of Oz in 1938-39, each actor who had the role as a Munchkin was paid $50 per week. There was another, named Terry, earning $125 per week. At one point during filming, Terry was involved in an accident. He had collided with one of the Wicked Witch's guards. This mishap resulted in Terry having to take a two week break from filming due to a bruised leg. Scenes involving Terry were put on hold but Terry continued to collect his $125 weekly salary. Among the other films Terry starred in were movies with Shirley Temple and Spencer Tracey during his brief Hollywood career. Terry was born in 1936 and passed away at the age of 63, in 1945. How is this possible, nine years doesn't equal 63 years, unless you're Terry, who was cast in The Wizard of Oz as Dorothy's dog Toto!!!!!

Welcome aboard, we look forward to having fun with our readers!!!