Still a few hours left till the trade deadline. The Yankees got their big trade made with 24 hours to go. Now they can sit back and watch the rest of the American League scramble. The Yankees and the Phillies made a deal sending four minor leaguers, class A Carlos Monasterios, 21, and Jesus Sanchez, 18, a triple A shortstop, C.J. Henry, (the 20 year old was the the top draft pick in 2005), and pitcher Matt Smith, 27, to Philadelphia. The Yankees in return get Bobby Abreu and pitcher Cory Lidle. Everyone has heard of Abreu, the lefty hitting outfielder, has averaged 25 homers a year for the past 5 season. This year he has just 8 but has an on base percentage over .400 and that right field porch in Yankee Stadium should increase his home run production. Cory Lidle, I think is going to be the best of the trade. The righty is 8-7 but has won his last 4 in a row. One of his losses came against the Yankees. It sounds like he will move into the 4th spot in the rotation, getting his first start Thursday. I wonder how much input 3rd base coach Larry Bowa had in this trade?
Murphy, this is for you. Was that 3 home runs in the top of the third that Schilling gave up? Boston's lead in the AL East fell to just a half game with a 10-4 loss to the Angels Sunday night.
Nothing went right for the Sox as their star pitcher was beaten like a red headed step child on ESPN's Sunday night game for all the world to see. Part of his uniform was bloodied after this outing but this time it wasn't his sock . Schilling gave up one in the first; two in the second and then three, yes 3, tres, trois, drei, big dingers in the third. The beantown boys tried to make things interesting but with two down and two on, Mike Lowe couldn't sell that he had been hit by the pitch to the home plate umpire and weakly(like a girlyman) struck out on the next pitch ending the inning, and the rally. You know things are going the wrong way when Mr. Red Sox, Ben Affleck, sitting in the front row with his wife, Jennifer Garner, lets the
Angels firstbaseman lean into the seats to catch a pop up. Ben, bring a glove to the game. (Jeffrey Maier ring a bell?)

Division Notes Meeting Thursday night. Our chieftain is working on the agenda.
Turning Point Parade, Sunday Aug. 6
Anyone willing to help with the Commodore Barry diner Sept. 9 please contact me.
Evening @ the Races Friday Sept. 1
The annual Golf Outing will be held on Sept. 24 for more info see Paul Maguire after the meeting.

Work, work, work. The first week back from vacation and I made it, without asking for any time off and working two hours of over time on Wednesday. At least when you return from time away from work of any kind you have stories to tell. That got me to about 10am on the first day, after that it was the same old same old. Only 8 years, 11 months, 3 weeks to go till retirement. (but who's counting.)
Giants camp opened at U Albany, I still don't get it. Are people that bored that they want to go and sit and watch practice? I hated practice when I was playing, why would I want to go and watch someone else do it. Spring training baseball is a bit different. Not that it means anymore but at least as you sit home on a cold, late February or early March day, you get to see what summer will bring. Even spring training games get people nuts, I work with a woman who is a Yankee fanatic, was almost in tears when the lost the first game in Florida in February. I just don't get it.
Samantha went back to the stadium last night with her friend Erin, cap night. The first 18,000 fans 21 and over get a free Yankee cap. Seeing that she is 19 and got a free t-shirt ( all fans 14 and under) last week, I wanted to see how this would work. Not only did she get one ( Erin had to plead for one), she found another one on the way out. Last week in the nose bleed seats this week in the bleachers, I have to get her some good seats, anyone not using a pair?
Traded e-mails with our chieftain, Division meeting this Thursday and he is working on an agenda. I will post more information when I get it. Pass on the news to those you know to be members in good standing. I always wondered about that, am I supposed to check someone's dues card before I tell them anything?
" Hey, did you hear what happened to Murphy? First let me see your card. HMMM, a bit behind on your dues, guess I can't tell you."
If we stuck to that rule and the one about not saying anything bad about a fellow member we might as well pack up our tents and go.
Talk to you all soon and see you at the meeting Thursday.







Who wants to carry the flag at the next parade?

What's a little rain.

Ok, so the weather wasn't the best, but we made due. Rob turned his garage into a nice pub for the afternoon. Complete with his prized kegerater ( which we kicked and had to get a second keg) the Yankee game on the radio and a music session. Kids were the theme of the day and we had a gaggle of them. During the breaks in the rain the kids played outside with the older ones keeping an eye out and pushing the swings.



When it was time to eat, we were treated to a professional cook, manning the grill. Mike may have been rained out of work, but stepped up and took over at the picnic.

Our version of tenacious D

Mike and Liam

So the weather didn't stop us, a good time was had by all.

The Yankees lose, THHHHHHEEEEEE Yankees Lose.
I'm sure that's not how John Serling ended the game yesterday, but in fact they did lose. Randy Johnson pitched one of his best games of the year, 8 innings, 11 strikeouts and only allowed 3 runs, but that was enough for a 3-2 Mariners win. It was a great day with the kids. We left at 9am, we wanted to get to the stadium early to see monument park. Traffic slowed due to construction on The George Washington Bridge so by the time we got to the stadium it was too late. We went right to our seats, well I did stop and buy two Fosters on the way. Sam, who by choice is a Bud Lite girl, was not impressed with the way they say beer downunder. Her next five or so rounds came from the Coors lite vender. After the game we made our way to the parking lot, we hung out for about a half hour eating cold pizza and wings in a bit of a tailgate dinner. About 10 after 5 we started to leave. 45 minutes, yes you read that right, 45 minutes later we were at the George Washington Bridge. At that point we were in the left lane heading north and the majority of the traffic were gridlocked in the right two lanes heading to the bridge, so we were able to get up to speed, or so we thought. We cruised along until the Tappen Zee Bridge, when just on the down side of the bridge we were slowed to a crawl, and that is how fast we drove for the next 10 miles. Sam woke up and asked how much longer, The good news, after two hours we were at Harriman getting our ticket for the Thruway, the bad news; we still had a two hour drive. Four hours to get home from New York. We ended the night with ice cream at Ocean Blue, were Mike works. His supervisor went to school with Sam so they were glad to see each other and Mike liked to show off his family in front of his co-workers. Alright, I embarrassed him, a bit, we did do the nose , but that's my job, and I do it well. The whole day was fun with the kids, Jack sitting on my right, talking baseball and explaining things about the stadium to him. Sam on my left downing beers and getting the fans to join in on Melky cheers. Mike on the end making sure his sister could make it to the ladies room, a few times. Thanks guys for a great birthday.



Picnic Saturday! Picnic Satrurday! Picnic Saturday! PICNIC SATURDAY!!!
are you getting this, Or do I have to get Sam to start the cheer?

It's my Birthday.

what better way to celebrate than a trip to the big ballpark in the Bronx. We want to be early as to see batting practice and for Sam to meet a future husband, watch out Andy Phillips, and to go to Monument park. The only thing stopping us may be last night's game. With 2 outs in the ninth and the game tied at 4 apiece, the tarps were put on the field for a 1 hour 58 min. delay. When the game resumed at a few minutes past midnight, the game stayed tied until the bottom of the 11th when Melky Cabrera ended it with a home run. So because of the late finish and today being a day game we won't know until we get to New York if they are still going to have BP. Anyway the weather looks fantastic, and this is Michael and Jack's first trip to Yankee Stadium. I'll let you all know the outcome tomorrow.



Melky ending the game with a solo shot in the 11th inning











AOH DIVISION PICNIC ON SATURDAY JULY 22

Picnic Saturday. Be There.
A couple of photos from past picnics to let you see the fun we have.

Celtic Women were in town last night, and as most of you who know me should know, I was there. What could be better than great Irish music performed by five very beautiful women. I am a bit of a snob when it comes to Irish music, I like it best when it is in it's basic form. The music of the people. A small venue, like a pub or someone's home. This, in my opinion, is how the music was written. This is how news and stories of Ireland were spread throughout Ireland and the world. That being said, if you clean up the music and polish it brightly, what better why to play it then on a stage such as SPAC by women in evening gowns.



the show opened with the group together on stage singing "Orinoco Flow" followed by each member doing solos. The show comes alive when blonde nymph Mariead, fiddles her way around the stage. You could feel the excitement in the crowd every time she came on stage. From slow airs to the wild, "The Contradiction" with it's dueling bodhrans.




Other highlights from the show included "Caledonia", "Danny Boy", "She Moved Through the Fair", " Spanish Lady", "Somewhere". The show ended with the entire cast, including the eight backup singers in a tremendous version of "You Raise Me Up".

Reminder. Saturday is the Division Picnic. As in the past it will be held at Rob
Przedwiecki's home, 31 Old State Rd., Saratoga Springs. If you need directions call myself or Rob or e-mail us. Remember this is a pot luck picnic so bring something to share.

A capacity crowd at the meeting last night. The talk was of the convention in Boston. Our Kilted foursome of Dave, Dick Nelson, Murphy and Chris Kelly took beantown by storm. All were on their best behavior, according to them, and made the division known to brothers from all over the country. The Division has been invited to parades in Philadephia and South Carolina. They were also told that we will be first on the invatation list for the next convention in 2008 in the Big Easy. Get ready Emeril, the Saratoga boys are commin to N'Orleans.

Dates to remember for the summer and on.

July 22 Division Picnic. As in the past Rob is hosting the Division picnic at his home on Saturday July 22. This is a family event and everyone should try to make this annual party. Rob is supplying the beverages and the members are asked to bring a covered dish to share. Horseshoes, volleyball, and bonfire are always on the schedule.
July 28 & 29 Dick Nelson strongly suggest you attend The Great American Irish Festival at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds. The day and a half festival provides some fine music including Cathie Ryan, the Glengarry Bhoys, Natalie MacMaster and our own The McKrells. For more information check the web site at www.greatamericanirishfestival.com.
Aug. 3 Monthly meeting. 7pm at the K of C. Please try to bring an application for a new member so we can have a big group to enter at the Sept. meeting.
Aug. 6 Turning Point Parade. again we will march in this parade in Schuylerville, sign up and more at the Aug. meeting.

Always ready to parade

Sept. 1 Day at the Track. According to NYRA on Sept.1 they are going to try twilight racing so the first race will go off at 3pm. This might be a fun way to start off your Labor Day weekend. Join your brothers as they throw away their money on the ponies.
Sept. 7 Monthly meeting. We have a few new members being sworn in so this will be a formal meeting. Jackets, ties ,kilts, you know the drill.
Sept. 16 Irish 2000 This annual festival bills itself as the largest one day festival in the country. It's a great time every year. See their web page at www.irishfest.com

Why I like Irish 2000

Sept. 24 Golf Outing. Brother Paul Maguire is putting together another golf outing for the division. A day of fun as always.


Murphy on the links

Sports update. As predicted on this site, Italy wins the World Cup. No one could have seen the way it finished, no, I'm not talking about Zinedine Zidane being red carded for a head butt to the chest of an Italian defender in the waning minutes of overtime, I'm talking about Italy midfielder Mauro Camoranesi having his pony tail cut off by the rest of the team right on the field after the win. If you are not a fan of soccer, just look at this and maybe you will give the sport a try.

Now you know why in Brazil it's called the beautiful game.

Yankee's hanging tough at the break. Just 3 games back at the All Star break the Yankee's have signed pitcher Sidney Ponson. The ex Oriole and Cardinal will try to bolster the pitching staff of Mike Mussina, Chien-Ming Wang, the old guy and the two guys that stink. Should be a great second half.

Well I've kept your attention long enough, till next time.

Welcome to Steve's blog. Today is the first day of my vacation and I wanted to do something constructive. This sure beats fixing the sink, but that will come later. This blog is for an update on the Saratoga Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Curran family, sports, and anything else I happen to be thinking about. So let's start with the AOH.
The national convention was held last week in Boston. Dave, Murph, Mr. Nelson and Chris Kelly represented the division. As of Sunday morning no call for bail so I guess we can all assume that no one was arrested. Good job boys. Looking forward to a lively report at the meeting Thursday night. Remember the division picnic is July 22 at Rob's estate. This is a pot luck picnic for the whole family and friends of the division and Dick Boland. If you know someone who might want to join, bring them along as your guest. More to come about the picnic as the date gets closer.
Sean is moving this weekend. Sean has been living with his girlfriend Sara and her two roommates for a few weeks now but this weekend they have moved into an apartment of thier own in Ellicott City MD. Check his blog to see how life is going as an adult. Michael has found a job. Mike has been cutting grass this summer for pocket money but as of tomorrow he will be working at the mini golf on Geyser Rd. Let's see how long this last.
Yankee's still 3 games back but hanging tough with the Sox. Mets still out in front. The big story of the day is ............No not the men's final at Wimbledon, it's the final of the world cup. Italy /France in a show down of two teams with great soccer history. It's hard to get too excited the US played like crap and were knocked out early and Ireland didn't make the tourament but since my kids are Shamwops I guess I rooting for Italy.
Well that's about all for a first entry, check back for exciting updates.