The Diatribe * net

It has been a hell of a few weeks. For the record, there is no more Future Mrs. Larby: There is only Mrs. Larby. For the record, Anthony’s Pier 9 in New Windsor, NY puts on a hell of a party, replete with fireworks and desserts galore. For the record, Hawaii—any island, any time of the year, any day of the week—is the most spectacular place one could imagine. And for the record, being away from work for two weeks is good for the soul, but it doesn’t make getting up at 6 a.m. any easier.

The Holiday Season is in full swing. Most people are shopping…music, movies, books, clothes and whatever else may be on a loved ones wish list. Most people are shopping for friends and family. Red Sox Brass, on the other hand, are shopping for relief from a disastrous playoff run and a (thus far) tumultuous offseason. Let’s face it, baseball is business. Players come and go and despite the fact that fans get attached, we have to deal with it and cut the apron strings. But still, sometimes it just plain hurts. And that, dear readers, brings me to the loss of Doug Mirabelli.

Never before has a backup catcher inspired so much devotion from a varied fan base as Dougie. Last year, when he was ROBBED of his 10th home run of the season, I thought there was going to be a revolt against the umpiring crew. Tim Wakefield, veteran and anchor of the current Red Sox crew, virtually broke into tears when he heard the news of Mirabelli’s departure. And the fans, we cannot forget the fans and how much time Dougie spent responding to their unrelenting devotion. I mean, check out this exerpt from a letter Dougie sent to one fan inquiring as to why he doesn’t wear batting gloves: “Hey P*ssy, I don’t wear batting gloves because they are for p*ssies like your boyfriend Nomar “. Wow, you can feel the connection between Dougie and his fans just pouring off of the page.

Baseball is business. But for the record, everyone here at the Diatribe will miss Douglas Anthony Mirabelli.