I'm imagining that the guilt that I feel right now is akin to an absentee parent not spending enough time with their child...I have been abandoning the blog -- due to a hectic schedule and a fierce instinct for procrastination -- but Hacks with Haggs will be abandoned no longer with my sincere apologies for being such a lazy ass.

Anyway, still have the transcript of the Trey Hillman interview which I'm just waiting to put up (as well the interview with Clay Buchholz) but I wanted to acknowledge some comments from readers...I was first amazed that there are a few readers and even more amazed that some were moved enough to register some key strokes. A great development for my self-esteem I assure you.

So, the first was one from loyal reader Jeb and I mention this one because Kevin Youkilis had an issue scooping and/or stopping an errant Mike Lowell throw night...so there is certainly some legitimacy to the question.

Here's Jeb: First, what Youkilis is doing with the bat in incredible. That said, his fielding concerns me. I know, I know- he has zero errors at 1st base (1 at 3rd).This guy has a serious issue scooping (or even knocking down) any throw in the dirt. Its been going on all season. He physically crumbles on anything thrown short of the bag.

There isn't too much to complain about this season for Sox fans, but if Youk even knocks down Lowell's throw in the 5th inning last night, its an entirely different game.

I've been lucky enough to watch the pre-game routines of the Sox and several other teams this season and I recently noticed something. I've regularly seen 1st basemen (Swisher, Huff, Casey) taking fungo shots in the dirt from coaches (the hitter positions himself around second base ad hits short hops to the 1st baseman, who is behind the screen.) I haven't seen the Sox do this. Have you? I keep reading and hearing concerned reactions to Mike Lowell's defensive play at third, but plays like Lowell's error in the 5th last night can be avoided/minimized with better play around the 1st base bag.

Youk is pretty decent at ranging to his right, but this stuff around the bag is becoming an issue."


Interesting theory from Jeb...I'll have to ask Youk about it.

Also this from Fudd, who has unearthed some interesting stuff about Bergen Record scribe Bob Klapisch. You all know him -- the guy that used a Boston media member's head for batting practice in the New York/Boston media game several weeks back and sparked a ridiculous psuedo brawl on the field...

On with the Fudd (Can I tell you how happy I am that a guy named Fudd is dropping some knowledge here for me):

Klapisch has at least one other media game dust-up on his record. About twenty years ago I recall Mets' announcer Bob Murphy and Ralph Kiner discussing how Klapisch threw his all-out fastball to a then 65+ year-old Kiner. Mention of the incident and Kiner's reaction during the game made the New York tabloids.

My question to you Fudd is whether your name is Elmer-inspired, or there's another story behind it...feel free to share as I'd love to know.

And finally this from Alyssa, who was tuning in to NECN the other night when Mike Giardi and I were discussing who we missed from the 2004 Red Sox team.

When Giardi asked you that, I actually answered Bronson Arroyo out loud..

They still miss you Bronson...be back in a bit.