• My First Time Getting Knocked OUT
• Undefeated Champions
• What a save! Wait…he’s not the goalie!
• The Fumberception
• The One Man Tackling Army
• 46 -6

Read the full post at Sports Fan 4 for all the historic details.

For everyone like me who couldn’t make it out there, check out this video of Franklin Street from the Daily Tar Heel.

Here’s a time-lapse of the spot on Franklin Street:

Honestly, it does like like this year’s celebration was just a tad bit wilder than the one for their 4th championship (which I was at). Though my perspective for that celebration wasn’t from this nice online ariel view, but rather right from the streets. Similar to what Wayne Sutton was seeing last night:

In either case, congratulations North Carolina Tarheels! Way to be Tarheels, way to be champions yet again!

Oh, and by the way, of course I predicted that UNC would win it all!

• UNC beats Syracuse
• Duke beats Pitt
• UConn beats Missouri
• MSU beats Louisville

So that leaves us with a Final Four of:

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Duke University
• University of Conneticut
• Michigan State

I then having UNC beating UConn for the national championship in a game for the ages.

And just for fun, here’s a few upsets in round one:

• USC over BC
• N. Iowa over Purdue
• Utah State over Marquette
• Maryland over Cal
• Morgan St. over Oklahoma
• American over Villanova
• Wisconsin over FSU

Now that all that’s out of the way:

What are your Final Four picks?

The A-Roid Cocktail: It Had To Happen and Here

The A-Roid Cocktail at Bonfire

The A-Roid cocktail is a shot of El Mejor tequila served with a syringe filled with a spicy, smoky tomato juice (hehe, juice, get it?) made from house smoked tomatoes, tomato juice, lemon juice, Tabasco sauce and jalapenos. Yes, it’s as delicious as it sounds and I’m here to bring you the world exclusive first review of Bonfire’s A-Roid cocktail!

Let me start off by thanking the excellent staff for making this cocktail for me, as they are NOT currently selling it (April 6 is its official debut). The staff went above and beyond the call of duty, not just by making the A-Roid cocktail but also in recommending a superb dinner (choice of four tacos for $12, the spicy tuna tartar taco is a must try) and all around doing everything possible to ensure we had a good time. Thank you for making my first trip to Bonfire a pure delight. You will see my face there again!

The A-Roid cocktail will make its official appearance on Red Sox opening day, April 6, 2009. However, as my former sales manager at Vector Marketing would put it, I used “the ol Pieniazek charm” to coerce gently persuade the staff to pour me a sneak preview, which basically boiled down to me shooting off my sad puppy dog eyes at the bartender. Nevertheless, you can’t argue with results and simply put you cannot pass up this drink if you’re a Red Sox fan. Heck, if you’re a fan of any baseball team, besides the New York Yankees, you owe it to yourself to try this drink.

Hmmm, cheap, delicious tacos

Technically, the drink I had was not quite the A-Roid cocktail as they do not yet have the El Mejor tequila in stock (so don’t ask until April 6!) but a substitute premium tequila was used and did not affect the presentation at all. Besides, the tequila is simply not the major attraction here. That’s right, an alcoholic beverage where the actual alcohol comes second. This cocktail is all about the experience and the souvenir syringe filled with juice. I know what you’re all really here to read about, and that’s the juice.

The smoky tomatoes and supplemental spicy ingredients complement the tequila perfectly. You can drink this cocktail anyway you wish, but I chose a traditional process, putting a pinch of salt on my tongue, shooting the tequila, sucking the lime, followed by injecting the delicious tomato juice into my mouth (careful not to get it in your eyes, it is hot and will burn). Normally, I’m not a huge fan of tequila, but the tomato juice so cleanly chased the tequila that I became a quick convert.

After downing the shot and injecting the juice, I felt on top of the world and ready to conquer all. Minutes later, I felt my iPhone vibrating and after a quick conversation, was offered a contract to play for the New York Yankees. Of course, as a lifelong, born and raised, Bostonian and Red Sox fan I succinctly declined, with the obligatory Yankees Suck, Let’s Go Red Sox thrown in for good measure. Sorry, I’d rather continue my career as a struggling writer than join the ranks of A-Rod and the rest of the evil empire. Besides, pinstripes make me look too skinny.

In the interest of avoiding a libel suit from the evil empire, let me note that the entire preceding paragraph was false (aside from the Yankees Suck and pinstripes bit).

I then proceeded to go outside and hit 500 foot dingers while a crowd gathered around me in awe.

For fans wishing to only drink Red Sox beverages, rather than anti-Yankees drinks, there’s also the Matsusake, which is TyKu junmai ginjo sake, shiso, cucumber & sour mix served with crushed ice. My buddy and I agreed, it was a very tasty drink. The cucumbers match the smooth rice wine well and if you’re not careful this concoction can get downed quickly.

The Bonfire's Matsusake

There will also be a Red Sox food menu, developed by Executive Chef Robert Bean, which will include: Francona’s Franks, Pedroia Sized Buffalo Chicken Bites, Truffled Papel-Corn, and Guinness “Big Frapi.” Sounds yummy!

My final verdict?

The A-Roid cocktail’s fine tequila, spicy tomato injection, and overall presentation deserve and get a 11/10, A++, a game ending grand slam. This type of alcoholic ingenuity is a big part of why I love the City of Boston. It’s literally the best theme drink, ever. Period. End of argument. Way to be Bonfire!

Put it on your calendar, April 6, 2009, opening day for the Boston Red Sox and the official launch of the A-Roid cocktail. Join me at Bonfire for A-Roid cocktails and hopefully a big Red Sox win. If you stop in, make sure you let Heather, the exceptionally creative bartender responsible for the genius A-Roid cocktail, know that Adam P referred you! Oh, and if you have a dog and would like to treat him or her, check out Heather’s The Collared Canine site to order a comfortable yet classy collar for your pup!

P.S. Make sure you sign up for Only The Internet’s Best Reviews’ post feed (or head to OTIBR.com to sign up for e-mail updates) for the latest reviews, including a comprehensive review of Bonfire’s drinks and food (coming soon).

Let’s end this review with a resounding:

Let’s go Red Sox! Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap. Let’s go Red Sox! Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap. Let’s go Red Sox! Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap.

1. The team has something to prove, again.

The Bill Belichick Patriots love one thing above all else, proving people wrong. The world doubted them against the St. Louis Rams, and the Patriots relished in the scrappy underdog team role against the flashy group of superstars. For the first time in six NFL seasons, the world again heavily doubted these New England Patriots. They’ve taken that criticism to heart and have scraped together a 7-4 record that could easily be 9-2. They still have a long way to go and face a tough schedule for the rest of the season with big games against the Steelers, Cardinals and Bills still remaining.

2. Belichick will have to return to his roots and coach a simple but solid game-plan.

The limitations of Cassel’s arm (at least compared to Brady, who could launch the the pigskin 70 yards on target) have also forced Belichick to abandon the “All Streaks” play from Madden that he loved to run last year (e.g. the everyone go deep, Tom throw the ball to Randy play). It’s created a stronger team that can run and pass the ball very well in the short to medium ranges, with rare chances to connect deep too provided by the defense being lulled via the short game.

3. The games will be closer, the crowd will be livelier.

It’s not Foxboro and it never will be but it seems the fans have stepped up a little bit over the past few weeks. There is still a ton of room for improvement here though. Perhaps I’ve just gotten used to the deafening decibels at the Garden but I think many of the diehard fans finally got priced out of Gillette.

4. Everyone will try even harder.

Did you see the fight between Matt Light and Channing Chowder? There’s a lot to say on the negative side about the fight (possible suspension) but I love the passion and fight these Patriots are showing. They got taken down a notch last year and got a gut check to start this season and transformed themselves from last year’s glitzy team to the gritty team we see this year. Honestly the less glitzy more gritty persona fits them much better and is a return to the roots of their first three super bowl championships. They’re playing like a team again instead of a collection of superstars.

5. They will lose regular season games.

Or four or five of them. Looking at the last five games the Pats really need to win at least three of them to guarantee themselves a playoff spot. There is still a lot of regular season left, hopefully the remainder will be filled with more wins than losses.

6. Matt Cassel will have a relatively easy schedule to ease himself into the starting role.

Check. In my original post I replied to a comment that


I’m not expecting Matt Cassel to set records or carry the Pats, rather I expect him to make mistakes, learn, and eventually end up managing the game well and making a few plays here and there.

Well, it turns out Cassel proved me wrong and is setting records and even carrying the Pats. Look, I thought he’d be good, but he’s been wicked good! I won’t say great because great players are born in the playoffs, not the regular season. It doesn’t necessarily mean the Pats have to win the Super Bowl for me to consider Cassel great, but he does have to help the Pats make it to the playoffs and play well there.

Meanwhile, the AFC East is proving itself as the toughest division in football, with all four teams sporting wining records at this point. Yesterday one of the announcers for the Dolphins-Patriots game mentioned the players were fighting (literally) like it was a playoff game and I’d agree. The rivalries in the AFC East are amongst the fiercest in the league and the big game experience Cassel and the other young Pats are getting from these games will be extremely valuable come playoff time.

So far, my predictions are right on track.

::pats self on back::

Seriously though, even I would not have predicted that Matt Cassel would perform this well.

You can barely see it but there’s a banner outside the arena too.

Once inside, the atmosphere was buzzing with Celtics fans ready to see another banner raised to the rafters. As if being at opening night for the World Champion Celtics against Lebron James and the Cavs wasn’t enough, they were also handing out free t-shirts! I love me some free t-shirts (who doesn’t) and the back is particularly sweet as it’s just a big ass banner.

If you weren't jealous of my tickets, check out this free shirt!

As we waited for the championship ceremony to begin, the crowd got very lively with the first wicked loud “Let’s Go Celtics” chant of the night and the season. My section (313, the best section in The Gahden) lit up with appreciative smiles at the decibel level of the chant. Our corner of the arena started it so we were proud that it got so loud.

The ceremony began with a video of last year’s highlights that got the crowd even more pumped (check in tomorrow or Friday for videos from last night). Then, NBA commissioner David Stern (who contrary to some reports did get booed as he was introduced) tried to give a speech, but the crowd got another wicked loud “Let’s Go Celtics” chant going that completely drowned out his words and forced Stern to simply sit down and shut up. It was one of the highlights of the nights.

This gap would be empty for only a few more minutes.

Then they began handing out championship rings to the Celtics staff. Danny Ainge got a big cheer and Doc Rivers got a huge, huge response from the crowd. Then, they started announcing the players. Huge responses for all the players but especially Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and last but certainly not least, Paul Pierce. After the rings were handed out, all the players walked over to the right side of the court, where a spotlight slowly illuminated a giant green and white championship banner. All the players grabbed a piece of rope and began lifting the banner in unison to the rafters.

The Celtics raise the banner the same way they earned it, with teamwork.

To the rafters!

Aaaah, now I can truly die a happy Bostonian sports fan!

After the ceremony, the starting lineups were announced, and then Paul Pierce came out onto the court for a special message. He began by telling the crowd that last season, up to tonight with the culmination of raising that championship has been a dream come true. With tears swelling in his eyes, Paul thanked the fans for sticking with him through the tough years and his friends and family for giving him support when he needed it most, and he ended it by thanking his mom and saying he loved her. Goosebumps traversed the entire arena and it got quite dusty all of a sudden.

Ahem.

Then there was a basketball game between the World Champion Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Lebron Jamesiers.

Tip-off.

Ray Allen shoots…

The Celtics dancers tearing up the court.

Paul Pierce wins the game and the match-up against Lebron James.

Overall, it was a great night. Paul Pierce scored 27 points, with Lebron scoring only 22 points, which proved to be the difference as the Celtics beat the Cavaliers 90 to 85. The C’s defense of the title started off great, hopefully it ends just as well! Check in either tomorrow or Friday as I post some videos from last night, including some of the introduction video and championship ceremony. In the meantime, you can check out all the pictures from last night in my photos section.

Here’s a hint:

#17 will be unveiled

Yup, that ticket is awesome. Getting to see championship banner #17 hoisted up to the rafters almost makes up for not being there in person when they won it (I had tickets to Game 7). Yeah, that ticket is twice the size of a regular ticket (not counting the left side, which rips off). Normally I don’t keep my tickets but this one will be preserved.

Gonna be a great night!

2008-09 Celtics Season Tickets

Bam…those are some shiny tickets!

We season ticket holders certainly deserve some of our own bling for cheering the C’s on to their 17th banner last year. Hopefully this year ends up in some more playoff tickets arriving at my door next year.

#18 coming soon?

Aaarrgh this suck this sucks, this fracking sucks

For once, I did not feel the same way. In fact aside from being slightly cold I did not feel much at all. As I’m sure at least some of my readers are aware, the Boston Red Sox lost yesterday to the Tampa Bay Rays, who just one year after denouncing the Devil (from their name) find themselves in the World Series. Though I’m a Bostonian born and raised, I’m quite OK with it. If we had not won the World Series in 2004, I’d probably be devastated right now, but the truth is baseball was simply not even on my list of priorities this year.

The world series win in ’04 literally freed a lot of us from our own fanaticism. That’s all any of us ever really wanted, just one world series in our lifetime. Heck, the Sox were still working off their five year championship grace period when they went and extended the grace period by winning another one last year, which was such a non-event I did not even blog about it!

Including the ALCS and the few games I attended, I probably saw less than 15 games this year (if not even fewer) which is an almost impossible number for a Bostonian resident. Sure I’m still and forever will be a Red Sox fan, but it’s just a game now. Thanks to the Sox for making the transition into the miserable cold winter slightly more bearable and entertaining. Damn it actually feels good, the Sox just lost a chance to get to the World Series and I honestly don’t care. Such words would not have ever been uttered by a Bostonian just a mere 4 years ago.

So Red Sox players, fans and organization members, do not pay attention to the ridiculous Boston media. It’s actually OK. You fought damn hard to repeat and made a very respectable comeback attempt in defense of your championship. For once, we can be proud of our loser baseball team!

You know what, usually we only do this after victories but screw it! Cue the music!

I’m gonna tell you a story
I’m gonna tell you about my town
I’m gonna tell you a big bad story, baby
Aww, it’s all about my town

Yeah, down by the river
Down by the banks of the river Charles (aw, that’s what’s happenin’ baby)
That’s where you’ll find me
Along with lovers, fuggers, and thieves (aw, but they’re cool people)
Well I love that dirty water
Oh, Boston, you’re my home (oh, you’re the Number One place)
Frustrated women (I mean they’re frustrated)
Have to be in by twelve o’clock (oh, that’s a shame)
But I’m wishin’ and a-hopin, oh
That just once those doors weren’t locked (I like to save time for
my baby to walk around)
Well I love that dirty water
Oh, Boston, you’re my home (oh, yeah)

Because I love that dirty water
Oh, oh, Boston, you’re my home (oh, yeah)

Well, I love that dirty water (I love it, baby)
I love that dirty water (I love Baw-stun)
I love that dirty water (Have you heard about the Strangler?)
I love that dirty water (I’m the man, I’m the man)
I love that dirty water (Owww!)
I love that dirty water (Come on, come on)

Lyrics to Dirty Water by The Standells

Damn it feels good to be an ex-champion.

1. The team has something to prove, again.

I’ll let Rodney Harrison answer this one [via ESPN.com]:

To come in here, to this hostile environment, and win when everyone picked you to lose, is great,

Experts, media and even some fans doubting the team can do it without Tom Brady serves as a huge motivator for this group, who take any sleight, perceived or not, and turn it into a war.

2. Belichick will have to return to his roots and coach a simple but solid game-plan.

Now, I did not watch the game. OK, I lied, I watched one play (first play I’ve seen this year), which was the sole Jets touchdown, after which I promptly turned off the TV (not due to disgust, but due to the odd correlation between how many plays I saw and how many touchdowns the Jets scored, which again was 1 to 1) and checked the score every now and then via ESPN.com.

Still, judging from the box score and from what I’ve heard from people who did see the game, Bill has returned to his formula from the 2001-02 season and is calling a simple, fundamentally sound football game. Screen passes, screen passes, screen passes and short ins, outs, and slants that pick up a few yards consistently are crucial to any offense, especially one with a new quarterback.

3. The games will be closer, the crowd will be livelier.

Well, it was an away game but the game certainly was closer.

4. Everyone will try even harder.

Again, I did not watch the game so I can’t really comment here. Instead, here’s a quotation from Jets safety Kerry Rhodes [also via ESPN.com]:

They kept it simple…They didn’t want [Cassel] to lose the game, so they did a lot of screens and safe passes. They tried to keep it safe for him.

Note the emphasis on everyone around Cassel playing well so that he did not have to perform any heroics.

5. They will lose regular season games.

OK, so it’s only been one game so we can’t really judge this prediction but they will lose, especially as I keep jinxing myself by writing these post game analysis instead of keeping my mouth shut!

6. Matt Cassel will have a relatively easy schedule to ease himself into the starting role.

Well, their first two opponents are now a combined 1-3 and their next three opponents are a combined 1-5. Obviously they’re not playing the best of the league at the start of this season.

So far so good. The media acted shocked that the Patriots could win without Brady while Belichick reminded everyone how we won our first Super Bowl, with solid defense and basic, sound offense.