"I would like to look up in the stars one night and say, 'Goddamnit, we did it.'"

That was said by Theodore Samuel Williams, who would have been 90 years old today. He came two years short of seeing his beloved Sox win it all. I was thinking about Teddy Ballgame and some other Old Timers today while watching the Major League debut of Michael Bowden. Let me emphasize that any time you can replace David Pauley's spot start in your major league rotation, it's a good thing. Bowden is one of those young kids like Jed Lowrie who just lives for the game of baseball and respects the game so much. I think Ted Williams would be proud of him.

He pitched all right -- nothing spectacular -- but good enough to get the win. Bowden features a four-seamer, curve and changeup. He's got a really funky delivery that looks like torture on the elbow. Today Orsillo or Remy (can't remember which) commented that he was under strict orders to pitch what Tek told him to pitch. So he mostly stuck with a fastball in the 91-94 mph range. His pitch fx charts are here, in case you're a nerd like me. The highlight of the night was definitely watching him talk to Sean Casey in the dugout while Okajima finished the game. He had this radiant smile on his face. I can't imagine what must have been going through his head as he realized that he was really about to get his first major league win. I hope there are many more to come.

Coco decided to spread the flu around the clubhouse, so in Youkilis' absence, Pedroia was moved down to cleanup. I fall more in love with Dustin Pedroia every single night. He was 4-for-4 tonight with an IBB, double and two runs. And in one of the funnier moments of the season, he slid into second base headfirst on the double and probably should have been out, but he averted the tag and was correctly called safe. Francona and Ozzie Guillen both ran out of the dugout instantaneously to argue the call, but Francona hadn't realized that he was actually called safe. He immediately turned around and walked back with a sheepish look on his face, prompting Jerry and Don to go into one of their patented laughing fits. Pedroia also went 4-for-4 last night with three runs, a walk and two stolen bases. He's now been on base in 10 consecutive at-bats. I know that hardware means nothing these days given the idiots who still have votes (Joe Morgan?), and he won't win the AL MVP award, but I hope he does get his fair share of votes. He and Youkilis are both putting up incredible offensive seasons.