The Boston Sports Nut

Red Sox interested in Marlon Byrd

2011-12-31T10:31:00.000-08:00

ESPN's Buster Olney believes that the Red Sox and Nationals could have interest in trading for Marlon Byrd.

The Cubs are in a rebuilding mode, and Byrd is entering the final year of a three-year contract that will guarantee him $6.5 million this season. Olney mentions that Byrd could be used as one piece of the Theo Epstein compensation with the Red Sox, but that is not considered likely to happen. Coming off a disappointing season, he would satisfy a short-term need for the Nationals stats

Sox sign Hill to Minor League deal

2011-12-31T10:10:00.000-08:00

Rich Hill's minor league contract has a prorated salary of $725,000 in the majors.

Hill was non-tendered earlier this month, but Boston decided to bring him back even though he underwent Tommy John surgery in June. He is not expected to be available until the middle of the 2012 season, or later. stats

Buckner returns to Cubs organization

2011-12-30T22:16:00.000-08:00

CHICAGO -- Bill Buckner is back with the Cubs.

Buckner, 62, was officially named the Class A Boise hitting coach on Friday. He returned to coaching last season as the manager of the Brockton Rox, and led the team to a 51-42 record in the independent CanAm League.

Buckner replaces Desi Wilson, who was named the hitting coach for the Cubs' Class A Daytona team.

Buckner rejoins the Cubs for the first time since playing for the big league team from 1977 to 1984. He won the 1980 National League batting crown and earned a spot in the 1981 All-Star Game. A 22-year veteran, he was the White Sox hitting coach in 1996 and 1997, and also was a hitting coach in the Blue Jays' Minor League system.

Buckner played for the Dodgers, Cubs, Red Sox, Angels and Royals, hitting .289 with 174 career home runs and 1,208 RBIs. He played in two World Series: 1974, with the Dodgers, and 1986, with the Red Sox.

Tony LaRussa calls it quits

2011-10-31T09:14:00.000-07:00

ST. LOUIS -- Tony La Russa retired as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, three days after winning a dramatic, seven-game World Series against the Texas Rangers.
The 67-year-old La Russa announced his retirement at a news conference at Busch Stadium.

The World Series win over Texas was the third of La Russa's 33-year career. The manager guided the Cardinals to the championship despite being 10½ games behind Atlanta on Aug. 25 for the final playoff spot in the National League.

La Russa retires third on the all-time wins list, 35 behind second-place John McGraw. In addition to this season, he won championships in Oakland in 1989 and St. Louis in 2006.
"Other than some of personal attachments, I feel good," La Russa said. "I feel good that this is the right decision."

La Russa said there wasn't a single factor that led to his decision, but he began having doubts about returning for 2012 midway through the season. In late August he told general manager John Mozeliak and other team officials.

click here to read more

Red Sox pick up option on scutaro

2011-10-30T18:35:00.000-07:00

As expected, the Boston Red Sox on Sunday picked up shortstop Marco Scutaro's $6 million team option for 2012.

Scutaro, who had a $3 million player option if the Red Sox had passed, hit a career-best .299 for the season with seven homers and 54 RBIs. He also posted a .358 on-base percentage and a .423 slugging percentage, both career highs.

He was one of the few Red Sox players to step up their game during the team's 7-20 September slide. Scutaro hit .387 in the final month of the season, third best in the American League. Over the last 10 years, only Manny Ramirez (.396 in 2002) and David Ortiz (.396 in 2007) have posted a higher September average for Boston. The strong final month gave Scutaro a .781 OPS that rivaled his final season in Toronto, which is considered to be the best of his career.

"Scutaro had a really good year and we believe he'd be very coveted this offseason if he got into the market," general manager Ben Cherington said at his introductory press conference last week.

to read more please click here

Pedroia goes for a ride at Disney

2011-10-26T19:49:00.000-07:00

The Red Sox are apparently a bunch of beer-guzzlin' goons. But here's wholesome second baseman Dustin Pedroia, enjoying a ride at Disney with his buddy, Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier.
Pedroia and Ethier were college teammates and remain good friends. Their families often vacation together. This does not necessarily mean Andre will play for the Red Sox someday. But it doesn't hurt.

Ben Cherington takes over

2011-10-25T13:33:00.000-07:00

New Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington: 'There will be changes'

Three hours after the Cubs introduced former Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein as their new team president, the Red Sox today introduced Ben Cherington as the team's 11th general manager in a press conference at Fenway Park. Cherington takes over during a trying time for the Red Sox organization, but he also takes over for one of the most successful executives in team history.

"We've let our fans down in some important ways recently," said Cherington, who sat on the podium next to Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino. "The last few weeks have been painful and difficult. But what I'm left with is an incredible conviction that the Red Sox will be the best organization in baseball."

Cherington wished Epstein well and said it would be his job to balance what the Red Sox already do well with a need to move forward from a troublesome year.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2011/10/red_sox_to_intr.html

Lackey to have Tommy John surgery

2011-10-25T13:24:00.000-07:00

BOSTON—John Lackey will undergo reconstructive elbow surgery and miss the 2012 season, the latest setback in his rough year with the Boston Red Sox.

General manager Ben Cherington made the announcement Tuesday during a news conference at which he was introduced as the successor to Theo Epstein, who left to become president of baseball operations with the Chicago Cubs.

Lackey, a right-hander, was 12-12 with a 6.41 ERA in the second year of a five-year, $82.5 million contract. The Boston Globe reported after the season that he and fellow starters Josh Beckett and Jon Lester drank beer and ate fried chicken in the clubhouse during games in which they were not pitching.

Cherington said the Tommy John surgery would be performed, probably by noted orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum, but he did not know when. Lackey had elbow soreness during the season and had an MRI in May or June, Cherington said. He had another one after the season and was examined recently by Yocum in Los Angeles.

"John Lackey pitched through circumstances this year that I don't think any of us in this room can fully understand," Cherington said, "and he got beat up for it a little bit along the way. This guy was dealing with some stuff both on the field and off the field that were really difficult.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2011/10/25/red_sox_rhp_john_lackey_to_have_tommy_john_surgery/

Dwight Gooden too high for parade

2011-10-19T22:10:00.000-07:00

While his 1986 New York Mets teammates basked in the glory of millions during a ticker-tape parade to celebrate their World Series title, Dwight Gooden sat in a drug dealer's apartment, too high and paranoid to join them. Talking about his career and life, Gooden told ESPN's E:60 (airing Wednesday, 8 p.m. ET) that that's how his celebration of the World Series went after the star right-hander became hooked on cocaine during that season.

"After that game was over, we're celebrating and everything at the ballpark, in the clubhouse, and me and some of the guys went back out on the pitcher's mound and we had the big bottles of champagne. Then once everybody said we're going to this club in Long Island to hang out for a while, it was like, 'OK.' ...

"Well, my ride to the club I called a guy who I got drugs from, had him meet me there, was drinking, started using drugs. Then when the party started winding down, for myself a lot of times I get to a certain point of using drugs, the paranoia sticks in. So I end up leaving the party with the team, going to these projects, of all places in Long Island. Hang out there.

http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/7122534/dwight-gooden-missed-new-york-mets-1986-parade-doing-drugs

Padres Praying for Lackey.

2011-10-19T18:30:00.000-07:00

Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the Padres have internally discussed the possibility of trading for John Lackey.

There's a connection between Lackey and Padres manager Bud Black, as Black was the right-hander's pitching coach for a number of years in Anaheim. Perhaps Black thinks he can help turn Lackey around after the Red Sox hurler posted a 6.41 ERA over 28 starts this season.

To read more, click here http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/3492/player?r=1

Adrian's two blasts pave the way to 11-4 win

2011-08-23T21:24:00.000-07:00

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Adrian Gonzalez homered twice, Jacoby Ellsbury made an immediate impact in his return to the lineup and the Boston Red Sox finally won a game in Texas with an 11-5 victory Tuesday night.

Ellsbury led off the game with a single, stole second base and scored on the first homer by Gonzalez, putting the Red Sox ahead to stay. The All-Star center fielder had missed three straight games after getting hit in the back with a pitch. click here to continue

Isotope Manny

2009-06-23T22:31:00.000-07:00

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez was welcomed back to baseball with rousing cheers. In the minor leagues, anyway.

Ramirez, easing back into playing shape after a 50-game drug suspension, suited up for the Albuquerque Isotopes as they beat Nashville 1-0. Ramirez wore No. 99 for the Dodgers' top farm club.

click here to read article

MY TAKE ON THIS. If you are suspended, you shouldn't be allowed to get into shape on a Minor League team. Let's get real, MLB.

Keep it up, Arod.

2009-06-23T06:23:00.000-07:00

Benched for alleged "fatigue," slumping New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez partied until 2:30 a.m. Saturday in Miami Beach. He then disappeared into the tropical night with actress Kate Hudson in the back seat of his chauffeured Maybach. Click here to read rest of the story. I know this is a few days old, but what the heck.

MY TAKE ON THIS: ARod has been slumping the past several weeks. Nice. Has to be that his mind is not on baseball? Great. And Texeira's hitting has tailed off also. The Sox have now managed to extend their lead to 4 games heading into Washington. Could there be disarray in the Yankee's Clubhouse? Stay tuned.

Ortiz: 'Just put down 'Papi stinks''

2009-05-14T18:49:00.000-07:00

from WEEI:

David Ortiz hit what might be his lowest point of the season in the Red Sox' 12-inning, 5-4 loss to the Angels, at Angel Stadium Thursday afternoon, going 0 for 7 while stranding 12 runners. It was the most runners left on base by one Red Sox hitter since Trot Nixon equaled the total in 2003. The Sox as a team left 17 runners on base. After the game, Ortiz would only say, "Sorry guys, I don't feel like talking right now. Just put down 'Papi stinks'." Ortiz is currently hitting .208 with no home runs.

MY TAKE ON THIS: Got to move him down in the order and move Bay to #3 and when the Youk comes back, put him cleanup. Papi will have to bat#8. Sure has gone a long stretch without a home run. I think that they should send him down to Pawtucket to take some pressure of him. Can this be the beginning of the end for the Big Papi?

Where have you gone, Dom DiMaggio.

2009-05-08T15:44:00.000-07:00

Former Red Sox great Dom DiMaggio died at age 92 in the early morning hours on Friday in his Marion, Massachusetts home. A center fielder and leadoff hitter for the Boston Red Sox, DiMaggio played 10-plus years alongside teammates Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr and Johnny Pesky.

The Red Sox plan to pay tribute to DiMaggio with a moment of silence prior to Friday night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. "You talk about Dominick, he was close to Bobby and Ted and Me," Pesky said. "We had that corner in the clubhouse and we spent a lot of time together. We talked a lot about baseball and life. We stayed great friends through the years." "Dominick is what you call the perfect player," Pesky said. "He ran very well, threw very well, he was a good hitter and a class guy -- very quiet, easy going."

DiMaggio still holds the team's consecutive-game hitting streak record of 34 in 1949. He is the younger brother of New York Yankees Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio, who holds Major League Baseball's consecutive-game hitting streak of 56. click here to read more

Red Sox score 12 in 6th inning

2009-05-08T15:24:00.000-07:00

BOSTON -- The Red Sox rounded the bases at a rapid rate and broke an 84-year-old AL record.
Twelve batters came up and all 12 scored before Boston made its first out more than a half hour into the bottom of the sixth inning of a 13-3 win over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night.

click here to read more

June 27, 2003 Sox score 14 in first

2009-05-08T15:20:00.000-07:00

Red Sox set or tie records in 25-8 romp

BOSTON (AP) -- The Boston Red Sox were enjoying a record-breaking performance when a hush fell over Fenway Park. Boston set a major league record by scoring 10 runs before making an out and cruised to a 25-8 victory over Florida on Friday night

To read more and see boxscore, click here.

A-Rod book lacking in substance

2009-05-06T14:37:00.000-07:00

A new book by journalist Selena Roberts says Alex Rodriguez used steroids while in high school and as a Yankee, but the evidence is largely circumstantial. To read the article, please click here

Jose Canseco to make MMA debut

2009-05-01T17:10:00.000-07:00

Former baseball slugger Jose Canseco is trying his hand at mixed martial arts, with seven-foot-two South Korean Hong Man Choi his first opponent.

The Canseco-Choi matchup will take place on the Dream 9 card May 26 in Tokyo, Dream said on its website. But Dennis Holahan, Canseco's Los Angeles-based lawyer, said the announcement was slightly premature.

"I think they have (jumped the gun) and I don't have any problems with them doing that because I don't anticipate any problems but it's just not confirmed yet," Holahan said.
"It probably won't be a sure thing for another week or 10 days," he added.
Holahan confirmed Canseco was training "very hard" in MMA.

Choi, a 29-year-old former kick-boxer, is 1-2 as an MMA fighter, with losses to Fedor Emelianenko and Mirko (Cro Cop) Filipovic. The fight is part of Dream's eight-man open-weight tournament.

Canseco, 45, does have some celebrity combat experience. The six-foot-four 240-pounder fought former child star Danny Bonaduce to a draw in a celebrity boxing match in January in suburban Philadelphia. The bout featured only three one-minute rounds. Canseco was soundly beaten by former Philadelphia Eagle Vai Sikahema in a previous celebrity bout last year.
Canseco, the 1988 AL MVP, was a home-run hitter who has stayed in the limelight with tell-all books like 2005's "Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits, and How Baseball Got Big," and 2008's book, "Vindicated: Big Names, Big Liars, and The Battle to Save Baseball."

He also appeared on Season 5 of "The Surreal World," a reality TV show.

Selig Speaks

2009-05-01T10:24:00.000-07:00

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig said Thursday he will withhold comment about any possible disciplinary action against Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez until he has read A-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez, a soon-to-be published book that details how Rodriguez tipped opposing hitters about what pitches were coming.

“I’m not going to respond until I see the book,” Selig told SI.com. “I just heard about it.”
When asked in general if giving pitches to an opposing team would subject a player to possible disciplinary action for striking at the integrity of the game and violating a contractual obligation to the “high standards of fair play,” Selig maintained his refusal to comment in detail. “I need to see the book and go over it,” the commissioner said. “I need to see the book, for goodness sake.”

Pitch Tipping

2009-04-30T07:31:00.000-07:00

• A-Rod "pitch tipped" when he played for the Rangers by letting opponents at the plate know which pitch was coming in lopsided games. A-Rod expected players he helped would reciprocate when he was having an off night and needed to get his batting average up.

MY TAKE ON THIS: What else is new? I wonder how many other players are involved in pitch-tipping, not just with AHole. I'm talking about the whole freaking Major Leagues. Probably rock your socks off. I guess the most likely would be 3B and 1B, huh? Take a look at the statistics from ball games and see occurences when each team's Third or First Baseman are both having exceptional days at the plate. Find a couple and go back on the boxscores and see if there is a consistency there. I just checked through the past two years of Yankee's box scores where AHole has had multi-hit games and compared his stats with the opposing 3B and 1B and I didn't see anything that would indicate pitch-tipping on a consistent basis.

A-Rod used steroids since high school

2009-04-30T05:26:00.000-07:00

Barry Rodriguez on Steroids?

Relaying details from an upcoming book on Alex Rodriguez by Sports Illustrated's Selena Roberts, the New York Daily News reports today that Rodriguez may have started taking steroids as early as high school and is suspected of continuing his use of performance-enhancing drugs with the New York Yankees.

Brad Penney

2009-04-28T17:52:00.000-07:00

Sucks. Bring on Smoltz or Bucholz.

Yankee Hater

2009-04-23T20:37:00.000-07:00

THREE YANKEES I TRULY DESPISE: Johnny Demon, Joba The Hut Chamberlain, Mark Curseira. Three that I really don't mind and it's hats off to them and they don't make me vomit: Derek Jeter, Hideki Matsui and Mo Rivera. Perhaps my two favorite players of the past 10 years could very well be Pedro and Manny. even though the two of them pretty much 'deserted' the Sox, but when Pedro pitched, I stopped what I was doing. When Manny batted, everbody stopped to watch him.

Joba's Big Papi Speaks

2009-04-23T10:41:00.000-07:00

With the Yankees and Joba Chamberlain coming into town, Dave Ortiz had a few words about Joba Chambertlain.

With Chamberlain scheduled to start for the Yankees in the opener of a three-game series against the Red Sox, David Ortiz yesterday said the talented right-hander should avoid using Kevin Youkilis' head as a bull's-eye.

"None of that, man -- just play the game the way it's supposed to be, and that's about it," Ortiz said, referring to Chamberlain. "This is a guy, as good as he is, the next step for him will be to earn respect from everybody in the league. He's not a bad guy, but when things like that happen, people get the wrong idea."

click here to read more

MY TAKE ON THIS: Over and under on a bench-clearing incident. 2 innings. Should Lester throw the first brush-back in the first inning so Joba can't do the same without being tossed. That way Chamberlain will be hesitant to work close? Crazy thinking of mine. Maybe Papi or Youk is going to get brushed back early in the game. ROUND ONE. Friday, Apri, 23 New York Yankees vs the Red Sox.

Eric Dampier - Professional Village Idiot

2009-04-21T18:28:00.000-07:00

The NBA has commenced a review of Dallas Mavericks center Erick Dampier's postgame comments Monday in San Antonio that could result in an official penalty from the league office -- most likely in the form of a fine -- before Thursday's Game 3.

NBA spokesman Tim Frank confirmed Tuesday night that Dampier will be interviewed by league security officials about his statements after vowing to put San Antonio's Tony Parker "on his back" with his first foul in Game 3.

Parker shredded Dallas' defense for 38 points Monday night to spark San Antonio to a 105-84 triumph that evened the long-standing Texas rivals' first-round series at 1-1.
"Parker got into the teeth of our defense and caused problems," Dampier told The Dallas Morning News after the game. "Every time he drives the lane, we have to put him on his back. The first foul has to tell him he's in for a long night. My first foul Thursday night is going to put him on his back. I guarantee it."

To read more, click here

Surgery for Lowrie?

2009-04-17T15:52:00.000-07:00

Red Sox shortstop Jed Lowrie will visit a specialist in Arizona in the coming days to determine the best course of action for his return from a slight left wrist fracture, which could be season-ending surgery, Lowrie said today. Lowrie planned to meet with Dr. Tom Gill today to have some questions answered.

please click here to read more

Dice-K goes to Disabled List

2009-04-15T14:02:00.000-07:00

The Red Sox are preparing to place pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder fatigue. Matsuzaka lasted just one inning Tuesday night and needed 46 pitches in allowing five first-inning runs to Oakland in the Sox’ 6-5 loss. Matsuzaka had alerted the team in Anaheim that his shoulder was feeling weak but assured them that he was well enough to make Tuesday’s start

The Sox attempted to get Pawtucket reliever Hunter Jones to Oakland-Alameda County Stadium in time for this afternoon’s game after depleting their bullpen with 11 innings in relief of Matsuzaka Tuesday night. But Jones is experiencing travel delays and will not be here for gametime.

The Sox plan to have Justin Masterson take Matsuzaka’s spot in the rotation. Masterson was stretched out as a starter for most of spring training and contributed four innings in Tuesday’s
loss.

MY TAKE ON THIS: WBC. Would be nice if the Sox did not allow their players to go next year. I expect Hunter Jones to be around until Beckett's scheduled start on Sunday when he could be replaced with Bucholtz. Currently Clay has a hamstring injury, so that move might be questionable. I am assuming that Beckett is suspended and not awaiting an appeal?

Dice-K gives up 5 runs in first inning

2009-04-14T19:49:00.000-07:00

Oakland, CA. Matsuzaka was spotted a 3-run lead over the A's. He responded by throwing 43 pitches in the bottom of the first, allowing the A's to tally 5 men across the plate. Very strong winds tonight. 30-40 miles an hour...almost as fast as Dice-K's fastball, which was lacking in velocity in the first inning. I think the WBC took it's toll on him and he'll be DL'd soon. He has not looked good in either of his two starts this season. Welcome home Clay Bucholz.

UPDATE. Justin Masterson pitched 4 1/3 strong innings after relieving Dice-K. Something is really wrong with him and I truly believe that Masterson will take Dice-K's spot in the rotation for a few starts. As for Bucholz.... perhaps they will bring him up to spot start him in Beckett's place this weekend and he'll be around for a couple weeks if Dice-K is disabled. Think about it.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH PAPI?

Josh Beckett Suspended for 6 games

2009-04-14T12:41:00.000-07:00

Josh Beckett has been suspended for six games and fined by Major League Baseball, which determined he intentionally threw a pitch near the head of the Los Angeles Angels' Bobby Abreu last week.

Beckett also was cited for "aggressive actions" after the pitch that led to the benches clearing Sunday, according to Bob Watson, vice president for discipline in the commissioner's office.

If Beckett appeals, any penalties would be delayed until after a hearing.
Angels hitting coach Mickey Hatcher was suspended for one game and fined, and he was to serve the penalty Tuesday night. In addition, Watson fined Angels manager Mike Scioscia and players Torii Hunter and Justin Speier

MY TAKE ON THIS: Obviously we have a running feud here between Josh and Abreu, but I can't offhand recall anything happening in the past. Having been a Yankee is bad to begin with. The commish took it easy on the Devils, I mean Angels because they are 'in mourning'. No further comment.

Lowrie on 15-day DL

2009-04-13T19:14:00.000-07:00

Red Sox placed shortstop Jed Lowrie on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 12, with a left wrist injury.

Lowrie, who suffered a non-displaced fracture in the wrist last season, is returning to Boston to be examined. Nick Green will have a little short-term value in AL-only leagues until Julio Lugo returns and takes over the job on a regular basis.

Kill the Yankees

2009-04-13T17:20:00.000-07:00

2nd Inning. Tampa Bay 9 YANKEES 0. Nobody out in tbe second inning. KILL THE YANKEES. Wang shelled. Carlos Pena hits grand slam. He has 6 RBI's already. Wang's ERA 29.23. Wow. Will take him a long time to get under 4.00. Let's dig into the bullpen.

Sox playing the A's in Oakland. Would be nice to sweep, but....... We've got to start hitting. Only players hitting are Youk and Tek. Let's get rolling.

Manny wants to come back......

2009-04-13T16:47:00.000-07:00

to Cleveland. Manny Ramirez will be back in Los Angeles Monday to renew his love affair with the city, but before his career ends he hopes to be reunited with his first love: the Cleveland Indians.

"I would like to play for Cleveland one more time, to go back where I started," said Ramirez, with the Dodgers playing their home opener Monday against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. "I have so many good memories there, why not? click here to read rest of story

MY TAKE ON THIS. Manny being Manny. Good riddance.

Mark Fidrych dies at 54

2009-04-13T16:20:00.000-07:00

Former All-Star pitcher Mark "the Bird" Fidrych was found dead Monday in an apparent accident at his farm. He was 54. Worcester County district attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. says a family friend found Fidrych about 2:30 p.m. Monday beneath a dump truck. He appeared to be working on the truck, Early said.

The colorful right-hander was the American League rookie of the year in 1976 when he went 19-9 with a 2.34 ERA. He spent all five of his major league seasons with the Detroit Tigers, compiling a 29-19 record and a 3.10 ERA. His career was cut short by injuries.
Fidrych attempted a comeback in 1983 with the Red Sox and went to their Triple A team in Pawtucket, R.I. But he never pitched in the majors after 1980 and retired in 1983.
The Worcester, Mass., native later owned a trucking business. To read more, click here. Stats

He went 19-9 with a league-leading 2.34 ERA. Three times he pitched six straight complete games, and he won eight straight games at one point. He was chosen to start the All-Star Game, which he lost. He hurled a two-hitter, a four-hitter, and five five-hitters. Fidrych was a distant second to Jim Palmer in Cy Young voting, but was named AL Rookie of the Year.

On June 28, 1976, Mark Fidrych came to the attention of baseball fans worldwide. For the first three months of the '76 season, Fidrych was pretty much a local phenomenon, even though he was 8-1 with eight complete games. But Fidrych's performance against the New York Yankees on June 28 changed all that. His salary in 1976 was $16,500. Just imagine, his salary today could be 1000 times what he was making back then.

Here's a great You Tube video of an interview.

Sox rained out.

2009-04-06T08:47:00.000-07:00

Red Sox have been rained out in Boston. As we all know, early April weather can be brutal at times. Heavy rains and winds today. I was all set to make some Philly cheese steaks today. Would have had to pick up some fresh rolls this morning. Philly Cheese Steaks are not part of Boston tradition, but I just wanted to have my favorite food on opening day.

Every so often, we'll cook up some Italian Sausages and load em up with onions and peppers during the games... reminding us of those great sausage sandwiches a number of food vendors sell outside 'Fenway Pock'. They smell so delicious. I guess that I'll get stuck watching the Yankees this afternoon and rooting against them, of course. True Red Sox fans really despise the Yankees and I am no exception.

Quite a battle

2009-03-13T10:18:00.000-07:00

Looks like we have quite a battle for the last playoff spot in the NBA east. Milwaukee has that spot right now, but there are 5 other teams in the running- Chicago, Charlotte, New Jersey, Indiana and New York. It looks like 38-39 wins will get you in.

However, in the West it looks like 50 wins gets you in and the race is all but done. Only 3 1/2 games separate numbers 2-8 and teams will be scuffling for position, each trying to get that first round home court advantage.

Clemens injected

2009-03-12T15:10:00.000-07:00

Report: McNamee injected Clemens at hot tub

NEW YORK (AP) Brian McNamee says he injected Roger Clemens with drugs at the Yankee Stadium hot tub and that among the needles he gave government investigators was one he used to inject the pitcher in 2001, according to the Web site sportsimproper.com.

A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., is investigating whether Clemens lied when he told a congressional committee last year that he didn't use illegal performance-enhancing substances. McNamee, Clemens' former personal trainer, testified before the same committee and said he repeatedly injected Clemens with steroids and HGH.

"One of the needles I gave the government was used to inject Clemens with steroids in either July or August of 2001," McNamee was quoted as saying by sportsimproper.com in an item posted Wednesday. "The place was his high-rise apartment, which is located off the corner of 90th Street and First Avenue in Manhattan. ... click here to read more

Papelbon calls Manny a 'cancer'

2009-03-12T06:32:00.000-07:00

He tries to get out, but they keep pulling him back in.

Manny Ramirez can't seem to stay out of the headlines in Boston.

In the latest go-around in Mannyland, Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon takes some shots at Manny and even breaks out the "C" word to describe him in an interview in the April issue of Esquire magazine. In the article, he touches on many Manny topics, including Ramirez's suspicious injuries and the physical confrontation with Red Sox traveling secretary Jack McCormick.

"It just takes one guy to bring an entire team down, and that's exactly what was happening," Papelbon was quoted as saying in the interview with Esquire's Chris Jones. "Once we saw that, we weren't afraid to get rid of him. It's like cancer. That what he was. Cancer. He had to go. It sucked, but that was the only scenario that was going to work."

Papelbon said Ramirez wasn't on the same page as the rest of the team.
"The beautiful thing about our team is, we don't let anybody get above the team," Papelbon said. "He wasn't on the same train as the rest of us....We got rid of him and we moved on without him. That comes from the manager, and it comes from guys like Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield and David Ortiz. "

"So Manny was tough for us. You have somebody like him, you know at any point in the ball game, he can dictate the outcome of the game. And for him not to be on the same page as the rest of the team was a killer, man!" Ramirez recently signed a two-year deal with the Dodgers worth $45 million. It will be interesting to see if he responds to Papelbon's comments.

MY TAKE ON THIS: I always said that he was a cancer and hoped that he could change his funky attitude. Somedays we had 'Super-Manny' playing and other days it was 'Manny being Manny'. Just like Cracker-Jax.... surprise in every box, you never know what you're going to get. The 'c' word? First time I ever heard that expression. Pap's is right, but he shouldn't speak for others because the Sox players will eventually get tired of this routine. Just speak for himself without mentioning anybody else's name. I am certain that the Red Sox have sessions on how to deal with the media, etc., and it looks like he is going to need some remedial training. Great, great pitcher, but he should just let his arm do the talking.

Lester Getting Locked in for 6 years.

2009-03-09T22:04:00.000-07:00

Jon Lester's fairy-tale story appears to have reached new heights.
The left-hander has agreed to a five-year, $30 million extension with the Red Sox, according to a Yahoo! sports report on Sunday. Boston reportedly holds a $13 million option for 2014.

Lester was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma during his rookie season in 2006. He was declared cancer-free later in the year. He returned in 2007 to appear in 12 regular-season games. The 25-year-old was on the postseason roster and ended up getting the win in the World Series-clinching Game 4 in Denver against the Rockies.

Lester broke through last season, going 16-6 with a 3.21 ERA in 33 starts. He surpassed 200 innings and, more importantly, his velocity returned to his pre-cancer mid-90s mph level.

On May 19, Lester's feel-good story became more dramatic when he threw a no-hitter against Kansas City at Fenway Park. Lester would not confirm the report to The Boston Globe on Sunday, but he knew that talks had intensified between his agent, Josh Yates, and the Red Sox.
"I know that the past couple days have been pretty good," he said, according to the newspaper

NOMAH to sign with As?

2009-03-03T10:49:00.000-08:00

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that Nomar Garciaparra is close to signing with the A's.

Rosenthal reported last week that it would either be Oakland or retirement for Garciaparra, and apparently he's decided to keep playing. Nomar will get a one-year deal and serve as the backup to Eric Chavez at third base, perhaps pushing Jack Hannahan off the roster

AROID Trying to delay meeting with MLB

2009-03-01T10:27:00.000-08:00

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is hoping to push back a meeting with Major League Baseball that, according to sources, was planned for Sunday in Tampa, Fla., MLB.com reported Saturday.

The New York Times reported the meeting will take place Sunday.
Despite that, Rodriguez traveled with the Yankees to Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Fla., for an exhibition contest Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds. Rodriguez, who was in the starting lineup, didn't talk to reporters after taking batting practice before the game.

Rodriguez admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs from 2001 to 2003 while he was with the Texas Rangers. MLB wants to speak with Rodriguez regarding security issues and his past involvement with performance-enhancing drugs. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Rodriguez would like to push back the date of the meeting. Sunday was to be Rodriguez's final game with the Yankees before he reports to the Dominican Republic squad for the World Baseball Classic.

click here to read the article

Manny

2009-02-26T09:17:00.000-08:00

The Dodgers have reportedly offered Manny Ramirez a two-year, $45 million contract.
The reported deal would pay Ramirez $25 million in 2009 with a $20 million player option for 2010. The Dodgers are expecting a response from Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras.

MY TAKE ON THIS. I think he's going to sign very shortly. He doesn't like 'long' Spring Training camps anyhow, so I would expect him to make an appearance at their camp in about 10 days. Actually, I sometimes wish that the Red Sox would resign him, but that is out of the question. Most of the players on the Sox never want to see him set foot in the clubhouse after what he did to us. They'd probably turn off the lights and beat the heck out of him and that is what he deserves.

I know after Manny went to the Dodger's we all were checking the boxscores....looking for a 3 or 4 in the 'so' column and for zeroes's in the 'h' column. But unfortunately, it didn't happen that way. We certainly were not hoping that he did well in LA. Gosh, if he had done that hitting for us, many Sox players would now have 3 rings on their fingers.

NESN 2009 SPRING TRAINING GAMES

2009-02-25T16:31:00.000-08:00

Here's the games that NESN plans on broadcasting. Let's hope there are more. The Mayor's Cup series starts today. OPENING DAY IN THE GRAPEFRUIT LEAUGE!!! Like Johnny Pesky says.....'LET'S PLAY BALLLLLLLLL'

DATE .............................................Game .........................TIME
Wednesday, Feb 25.....Minnesota at Hammond Stadium....7:00 PM
Sunday, March 1..........Minnesota at Hammond Stadium....1:00 PM
Sunday, March 8..........Tampa Bay at Fort Myers................1:00 PM
Tuesday, March 17......Minnesota at Fort Myers..................1:00 PM
Saturday, March 21.....Florida at Jupiter...............................1:00 PM
Tuesday, March 24......NY Yankees at Tampa.....................7:00 PM
Saturday, March 28.....Minnesota at Fort Myers.................1:00 PM
Sunday, March 29........Philadelphia at Clearwater...............1:00 PM
Friday, April 3..............NY Mets at Citi Field.........................6:00 PM

Joe Girardi and AROID

2009-02-25T12:38:00.000-08:00

Manager Joe Girardi said he planned to talk (steroids) to Rodriguez during the short bus ride from Tampa to Dunedin, where Yankees fans arrived early and gave A-Rod a polite reception. There were some boos mixed with cheers during pregame introductions and again when he strolled to the plate for the first time.

MY TAKE ON THIS: I guess a minute or two should clear things up, huh? That's about how serious they are taking this thing on ARod admitting to steriods. But then again, what can they say?

KG out for Road Trip

2009-02-20T16:22:00.000-08:00

SALT LAKE CITY -- Kevin Garnett was headed back to Boston to have an MRI exam after straining his right knee in the Celtics' 90-85 loss to Utah on Thursday night.

Garnett will stay in Boston for the remaining three games of the Celtics' West Coast trip, Danny Ainge, the team's executive director of basketball operations, told ESPN NBA analyst Jackie MacMullan. The Celtics' road trip continues with a game against the Suns in Phoenix on Sunday. Boston returns home next Friday to play Indiana. Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss said Garnett was traveling Friday, and his right knee strain was expected to be examined by Dr. Brian McKeon on Saturday

click here to read rest of story

Garnett hops off court with knee strain

2009-02-19T22:05:00.000-08:00

Thursday, February 19. C's struggling in 4th without KG. Will the sun set when we head to Phoenix?

SALT LAKE CITY -- Boston forward Kevin Garnett was injured late in the second quarter of the Celtics' game at Utah on Thursday night and went hopping on one foot toward the locker room.
The Celtics said he strained his right knee and would not return.

Garnett injured his right leg while going up for an alley-oop late in the first half. He landed gingerly and motioned immediately to the bench for a substitute, then hopped on his good foot toward the locker room.

There was no immediate word on how serious the injury was or whether Garnett could return to the game.

2009-02-17T07:38:00.001-08:00

Jim Ray Hart

2009-02-16T11:18:00.000-08:00

I was attempting to do some research on the Springfield (MA) Giants of 1959-65 (NY and SF franchise minor league affiliate.

I came across information that Jim Ray Hart who played for Springfield and of later 'fame' with the parent club is living on the streets of Newark, NJ. Very difficult to get info on this. Sad story if it's true. 30 percent believeable to me. Must not have much of a pension.

It would be nice for some of these cheaters in baseball that have made millions upon millions of dollars from their drug-inflated stats to donate to some kind of 'homeless fund' for ball players who are barely living off their 'savings' or have little income from signing autographs and making appearances.

How about it Barry? Mark? Rafael? Alexia? Roger Rabbit? Those guys played their butts off for peanuts and you guys.... well.... it just makes me sick. Cheaters should never prosper, but unfortunately they do in virtually all sports.

J.D. Drew still with back problems

2009-02-15T11:47:00.000-08:00

FORT MYERS, Fla. _ The first official day for position players to report is Monday, but all ready J.D. Drew is dealing with back issues. The Sox' right fielder missed 33 games late ilast season with a herniated disk and it didn't get any better during the offseason.

"It's not bad," he said. "It's still pretty stiff. I've fought it all offseason. It's been one of them injuries that has kind of lingered. I've been able to hit, run and all that stuff, but some days I wake up stiff and some days it doesn't seem to be too bad. I'm in the maintenance stages and worked during the offseason to keep it strong. Everything is well enough to play. I just need to isolate it and try to keep it from flaring up too bad."

He had a MRI taken after the season was over. He said Sunday afternoon the herniated disk is causing the stiffness. click here to read ProJo story

History of A.G. Spalding - Sporting Goods Manufacturer

2009-02-15T11:33:00.000-08:00

(I decided to revise this post I did on July 9 last year)

Many years ago, my dad worked for Spalding's in Chicopee, MA and I guess he retired around 1976 or so and moved to Florida. Can't recall the exact year; I've been in California myself since the early 70's. He passed away in 1981.

I guess you'd refer to him as a 'laborer' and I remember that one of the positions that he held had something to do with the production of golf balls and he worked around some kind of big drum. from what I can recall him telling me. I don't think it was really the best job in the world, but it was employment.

Back then - the 60's - Spalding was a major manufacturer of a number of sport items, including baseballs, footballs, golf balls, golf clubs, bats, etc. and we ended up with a lot of their products. I remember going to their Christmas parties and getting a lot of 'freebies' along with what I considered a nice gift. I really looked forward to this every year. I remember my dad bringing home the latest catalog from Spalding's and we would be excitedly looking through it picking out things we wanted.

He was always bringing home golf balls and he actually constucted a miniature golf course in back of our house that was located on South Street in Holyoke, MA, perhaps 6-7 miles from the factory he worked in. It had something like 7-8 holes and was really neat. I now wished that I would have learned how to play the sport. My interests stopped right there. I think that if my dad had taken me down and gotten me a set of clubs (instead of a couple putters) and introduced me to the local courses, I would have taken up the sport. But an athlete, he was not. He was great working with his hands nonetheless, but we'll leave that topic.

I can recall my brother heading over to Wyckoff Park in Holyoke to play some golf and he caddied over there. I remember dad bringing home these small 'practice golf balls' - the tiny plastic round 'balls' which had holes in them. We used them to play 'pee-gee', which was actually another form of whiffle ball but the ball didn't travel as far and the ball did not crack any windows. Much harder to hit though, but it sharpened your batting eye becasue it was so much smaller than a whiffle ball or an actual baseball. I spent much of my younger days playing various forms of baseball along with 'pee-gee'..... played a lot of 'pickee' (sp?). Anyhow, never amounted to much of a ballplayer.

Enough of the preliminaries. Now we are going to take a trip down Memory Lane to look at the rise and fall of this one-time sports giant. Hopefully, I will post more on the history of Spalding's at a later date. But for right now, I guess we'll begin with the day that they theoretically died........ April 18, 2003.

Spalding selling product names Sports goods company aims to narrow
Oakland Tribune, Apr 18, 2003 by Adam Gorlick, Associated Press

CHICOPEE, Mass. -- Spalding Sports Worldwide is giving up basketball, football and other sports to focus on its golf game. In a $65 million deal announced Thursday, the nation's oldest sporting goods company is selling the Spalding name for all products - - including basketballs, volleyballs, footballs and soccer balls -- to athletic wear maker Russell Corp. Spalding officials say the move will let them focus on developing and marketing their Top-Flite, Ben Hogan and Strata golf products, which account for about 70 percent of sales. "We become a stand-alone golf company with those three brands," said Spalding president and CEO Jim Craigie.

"It gets Spalding down to a core business and the part of their company they're most successful in," Doyle said. "And it's a good fit for Russell, which will have a strong equipment name tied to a strong clothing name." Russell, which is based in Atlanta, will continue operating the Spalding sporting goods business in the Springfield area. Most of Spalding's inflatable balls are made either in Asia or on the West Coast, and Craigie said the sale won't impact the manufacturing and distribution of Spalding equipment.

Spalding, which will likely rename itself after one its golf ball brands, will continue producing the Top-Flite, Ben Hogan and Strata balls at its Chicopee plant. The company has about 1,000 employees. Spalding was founded in 1876 by A.G. Spalding, a star pitcher for the Boston Red Stockings and later the Chicago White Sox. He retired from the mound to make baseballs.
It also was the nation's first manufacturer of basketballs after the game was invented in neighboring Springfield in the 1890s.

New Witness Comes Forward vs Bonds

2009-02-15T09:43:00.000-08:00

Barry Bonds' former personal shopper, Kathy Hoskins, is expected to testify that she saw trainer Greg Anderson inject the former Giants slugger with steroids back in 2003.

Bonds entered a "not guilty" plea Thursday on charges he lied to a grand jury and will face trial on March 3. Prosecutors are also expected to call former MLB players Jason Giambi, Jeremy Giambi, Benito Santiago, Armando Rios, Randy Velarde, Marvin Benard and Bobby Estalella to the stand. Feb. 14 - 8:36 am et

Rocco Not Ready to Rock?

2009-02-15T09:31:00.000-08:00

FORT MYERS - Even after all this time, all the rehab work and the all the visits to specialists, Rocco Baldelli still is uncertain what to expect from himself this season.

Baldelli, who signed an incentive-laden, one-year deal with the Red Sox last month, has been battling channelopathy, an affliction that causes muscle fatigue. Since last fall, he’s been taking a new cocktail of medicines, but until be begins the rigors of spring training and the regular season, he won’t know how his body will respond (rest of story)

It's a Dunn Deal

2009-02-11T16:27:00.001-08:00

The Washington Nationals have agreed to a preliminary deal with 29-year-old free agent Adam Dunn, a signing that would fulfill their offseason-long search for a left-handed power hitter. Two independent sources have told the Post that Dunn will sign a two-year deal, possibly announced as early as tomorrow.

Is Brad Penney ready to pitch?

2009-02-11T10:40:00.001-08:00

It looks like JUNE to me!!!!

This Day in Red Sox History

2009-02-10T09:18:00.000-08:00

February 15 1989: Roger Clemens signs a 3-year, $7.5 million contract with the Red Sox. He becomes the highest paid player in baseball, but loses that distinction the following day when Orel Hershiser re-signs with the Dodgers for 3 years at $7.9 million.

February 14 1963: John Marzano is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

February 13 1976: Brian Rose is born in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

February 12 1981: Carlton Fisk is declared a free agent, ending his 11-year tenure with the Red Sox.

February 11 1918: The Red Sox name Ed Barrow manager. He succeeds Jack Barry, who had managed the Sox to a 2nd place finish in 1917.

February 10 1923: The Red Sox trade pitcher Al Russell and catcher Muddy Ruel to the Washington Senators for catcher Val Picinich and outfielders Howard Shanks and Ed Goebel.

February 9 1953: The Red Sox trade Vern Stephens to the Chicago White Sox for Hal Brown, Marv Grissom, and Bill Kennedy.

A-Rod on Steroids

2009-02-10T04:26:00.000-08:00

As most of us had suspected all along, the word is out on AFraud. Yes, he is a user of steroids. I am not going to dwell on this particular issue because I really don't give a darn about this player, or should I say 'cheater.'

What concerns me is that there were 120 players that tested for steroids back in 03 or whatever. That averages out to 4 players per team. I don't want to point my finger at any Red Sox whom I suspect of taking steroids, but I am going to let you do it. Face the facts people, we do have individuals on our beloved Red Sox who have taken steroids in one form or another.

Just look at players who have produced over the years and then they are possesed by frequent injuries and of course, their productivity diminishes. Of course, players whose vital statistics increased dramatically over their normal years' prior could be highly suspected especially if they have 'tailed off' in the recent years. Might be 'the years' are catching up with them, but suspicions are aroused. You know, I have at least 3 players in mind on the 'Sox that I have suspected for several years but I am not going to give any more specifics because I do not want to believe it myself and it would be sacriligious to do so.

End of Hiatus

2009-02-10T04:24:00.000-08:00

Hi People. Haven't been posting much over the winter... took a brief hiatus from the blog. Anyhow, I will no be posting regularly as we approach another exciting baseball season and hopefully, the Sox will prevail once agin.

MLB Network

2009-01-06T20:06:00.000-08:00

Nice to see Hazel Mae on the new Network. Not nice to see that new Yankee guy...what was his name?

'I'm going to be a Yankee, I'm going to be a Yankee,' he's thinking. Overwhelmed. "The Yankees are the greatest organization in professional sports". Yeah.... sure. Him and Boras totally duped the Red Sox on this deal. We never stood a chance in getting him. I'll bet Mike Lowell is breathing a sigh of relief.

They said that Texeira is a slow starter and he might be struggling the first couple months of the season. Hopefully. A $180 million flop? Wishful thinking. Good pitching will stop good hitting..... I hope.

Eliza Dushku

2008-12-30T22:07:00.000-08:00

MY COMMENT ON THIS: No comments necessary, Brad.

Eliza Dushku Naked in Nobel Sun

2008-12-30T21:55:00.000-08:00

Some great news today out of Hollywood. Apparently Eliza Dushku will be taking her clothes off in the indie movie Nobel Sun coming out on Friday (3 weeks ago). Dushku has long been a favorite of ours, but she’s even more exciting these days as she prepares to star in Joss Whedon’s new show Dollhouse, which starts up this coming February.

We’re sure some photos will pop up on the net. But until then here is one of our favorite Eliza Dushku pictures:

Eliza is the girlfriend/former girlfriend of newly acquired hurler, Brad Penney for the Red Sox.

Red Sox Meet With Teixeira

2008-12-18T18:05:00.000-08:00

BOSTON (AP) Red Sox officials are meeting with free agent first baseeman Mark Teixeira Thursday, WBZ's Dan Roche learned. However, the two sides aren't close to getting a deal done. Boston hopes to lure the 28-year-old switch-hitter with an offer and the numbers out there Thursday were somewhere in the neighborhood of 8-years and 180-million dollars. However, nothing is expected to be "conclusive" following their meeting and that the two sides are apart on the money terms. Although, these things fluctuate and perhaps a deal could get done in the next few days.

Longest NBA Win Streaks

2008-12-17T21:22:00.000-08:00

Here are the longest winning streaks in NBA history.

1 Los Angeles Lakers.......33..........11/5/71- 1/7/72
2 Milwaukee.....................20...........2/6/71-3/8/71
3 Los Angeles Lakers.......19...........2/4/99-3/13/00
4 Boston.............................18.......... 2/24/82-3/26/82
4 Chicago...........................18.......... 12/29/95-2/2/96
4 Knicks.............................18..........10/24/69-11/28/69
7 Boston.............................17..........11/28/59-12/30/59
7 San Antonio................... 17..........2/29/96-3/31/96
9 BOSTON.........................16.........CURRENT
9 Milwaukee.....................16.........10/24/70-11/25/70
9 Los Angeles Lakers......16.........12/11/99-1/12/00
9 Portland.........................16..........3/20/91-4/19/91
9 Boston............................16.........12/19/64-1/22/65
9 Los Angeles Lakers......16......... 1/9/91-2/5/91

C.C. does a No-No; chooses Evil Empire

2008-12-10T07:45:00.000-08:00

It appears the prize of the free agent market has chosen where he wants to pitch.

The New York Post reported early this morning that pitcher CC Sabathia decided to join the Yankees after GM Brian Cashman met with Sabathia at the lefty’s home in San Francisco on Tuesday. ESPN reported the sides are very close to a preliminary agreement on a 7-year, $160 million contract -- the richest deal ever awarded to a pitcher. The Yankees’ original offer to Sabathia was for 6 years and around $140 million.

According to both ESPN and the New York Post, only minor hurdles remain before the deal is finalized and a source told ESPN there are "zero major road blocks" standing in the way.
Cashman left the winter meetings in Las Vegas on Tuesday and traveled to the San Francisco for his third meeting with Sabathia in three days.

Teixeira meets with the Yankees

2008-12-05T18:02:00.000-08:00

The New York Times reported this morning on its website that New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman met with Mark Teixeira in Washington. Agent Scott Boras was present.
Tyler Kepner sums up the Yankees' current free agent stance:

The Yankees’ priority is pitching, and Cashman met with Teixeira at the request of the agent Scott Boras, who also represents starters Derek Lowe and Oliver Perez and outfielder Manny Ramirez. Boras was present at the meeting with Teixeira, who was visiting family in Maryland.
The Yankees would love to add Teixeira, a switch-hitter with power who has won two Gold Gloves. But it is unlikely they could sign both Teixeira and Sabathia, to whom they offered a six-year, $140 million deal on Nov. 14.

Red Sox sign RPH Junichi Tazawa

2008-12-04T16:21:00.000-08:00

The Red Sox announced today the signing of right-handed pitcher Junichi Tazawa to a three-year Major League contract extending through the 2011 season.The 22-year-old joins the Red Sox organization after a four-year amateur career with the Nippon Oil ENEOS of the Japan Industrial League. With the addition of Tazawa, Boston now has 39 players on its Major League roster.This past season, Tazawa was 13-1 with 5 saves and a 0.80 ERA in 21 games/11 starts. He struck out 114 batters and walked just 15 over 113.0 innings pitched.

In November he led the ENEOS to the semifinals of the league's corporate championship and in his last start of the competition, a quarterfinals matchup in Osaka on the 21st, Tazawa allowed just four hits and struck out 10 in a complete-game shutout, one of four during the 2008 campaign.In September, Tazawa helped Nippon Oil win the 32-team Intercity Baseball Tournament for the first time in 13 years. He appeared in all five of the ENEOS' games from September 1-9, and earned the event's Most Valuable Player award going 4-0 with one save and a 1.27 ERA. He tossed 8.0 innings or more with double-digit strikeouts in each of his first two tournament appearances, including a complete-game, five-hit effort on September 4.

Red Sox sign Pedroia to $40.5M extension

2008-12-03T09:22:00.000-08:00

The Red Sox rewarded their newest MVP with an extension Wednesday.

Second baseman Dustin Pedroia has signed a six-year, $40.5 million extension with Boston through 2014 with a club option for the 2015 season. Generously listed at 5-foot-9, Pedroia has quickly piled up a huge stack of hardware. Besides being named the AL's MVP, he also won the Gold Glove and the Silver Slugger this offseason. He was the 2007 AL Rookie of the Year and capped off that season with a World Series ring.

"I had to overcome a lot of things to prove people wrong, and so far I've done that," the 25-year-old Pedroia said on a conference call from his home in Arizona after he won the MVP award. "I have to find a way to have that edge." Pedroia led the AL in hits, runs and doubles in helping the Red Sox win the wild-card berth. He batted .326 with 17 home runs and 83 RBIs and also stole 20 bases.
Pedroia became a fan favorite at Fenway Park with his scrappy approach. In a lineup depleted by injuries to David Ortiz, Mike Lowell and J.D. Drew and the midseason trade of Manny Ramirez, Pedroia took his hearty hacks wherever needed -- while he usually batted second, he also hit leadoff and cleanup.

Tim Lincecum wins NL Cy Young Award

2008-11-11T17:27:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK -- Tim Lincecum was a big winner on a woeful team, which fit him perfectly.
Firing 97 mph fastballs from his miniature frame, the National League Cy Young Award recipient is an anomaly in almost every way. Lincecum joined Mike McCormick (1967) as the only San Francisco Giants to win the Cy Young, taking home pitching's highest honor by a comfortable margin Tuesday following his second major league season.

"I was definitely surprised. I thought it was going to be a lot closer," Lincecum said.
The slender kid with the whirling windup received 23 of 32 first-place votes and 137 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Brandon Webb of the Arizona Diamondbacks got four first-place votes and finished second with 73 points.
Listed at 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds, tiny by today's standards for a big league pitcher, Lincecum defied detractors -- and the laws of physics -- by overpowering one hulking slugger after another.

"I don't remember anybody in my time who had that style of pitching, who put that kind of torque on his body," McCormick said on a Giants conference call. "I think that article in Sports Illustrated that called him a freak probably sums it up." Lincecum was 18-5 with a 2.62 ERA and a major league-best 265 strikeouts, remarkable numbers for a fourth-place club that finished 72-90. In fact, Steve Carlton was the lone Cy Young winner to pitch for a team that was worse. The Hall of Famer was an incredible 27-10 with a 1.97 ERA for the 1972 Philadelphia Phillies, who went 59-97.

Red Sox Number One Franchise

2008-11-11T10:09:00.000-08:00

Analysis ranks Red Sox as the No. 1 franchise in the majors

BOSTON — Combining a resilience the field and a vision for excellence in the front office, the Boston Red Sox have brought unbridled joy to the ever-growing population of Red Sox Nation in the past five seasons. In 2004, there was literally dancing in the streets of Boston when the franchise stunned the New York Yankees by rallying from a 3-0 deficit in the American League Championship Series on the way to its first World Series title in 86 years. Three years later, a second generation of champions, led by high-stepping closer Jonathan Papelbon, danced in celebration on the Fenway green. To read the rest of the article, click here USA TODAY

Will Red Sox Host 2012 All Star Game

2008-11-08T07:36:00.000-08:00

The Red Sox will celebrate Fenway Park's 100th anniversary in 2012, and they are hoping to commemmorate their landmark ballpark's birthday by hosting one of baseball's signature events: the All-Star Game.

"We have made a request to [Major League Baseball officials] to have another All-Star Game at Fenway Park in light of the 100-year anniversary and all of the changes that have taken place," Red Sox president and chief executive officer Larry Lucchino said Thursday.

Lucchino confirmed the franchise's request to host another All-Star Game -- preferably during 2012 -- during a media availability session in which he discussed the changes that are being made at Fenway Park during the offseason. Since the ownership group of John Henry, Tom Werner, and Lucchino purchased the team in 2002, the Red Sox have made upgrades to the ballpark each winter. The work is scheduled to be completed before the start of the 2012 season.
The 2009 All-Star Game is slated for St. Louis, and in 2010 it will be played at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. Sites have not been determined for 2011-2013.

The All-Star Game has been played at Fenway Park three times, most recently in 1999. That particular Midsummer Classic was a rousing success

Jason Bay interested in remaining a Red Sox

2008-11-06T07:46:00.000-08:00

Jason Bay’s agents suggested that their client would be receptive to discussions of a long-term deal to remain in Boston beyond the 2009 season. Bay is due a salary of $7.5 million in 2009, the fourth and final year of an $18.25 million deal he inked with the Pirates prior to the 2006 season.
Bay, who turned 30 in September, excelled after arriving in Boston, hitting .293 with a .370 OBP and .897 OPS while hitting nine homers and driving in 37. He also hit .341 with three homers, nine RBIs and a 1.105 OPS in his first playoff experience.

“It’s a situation where he’s loving Boston. It’s a great club and a great organization,” said Nez Balelo of Creative Artists Agency. “He’s a quality player, and I’m sure (the Red Sox) recognize that. Whatever they want to do, I’m sure that we’re all ears.”

Scott Boras' Clients

2008-11-04T07:49:00.000-08:00

Here ya go. A listing of players represented by Scott Boras. This list may or may not be complete.

Red Sox players: Alex Cora..... J.D. Drew..... Jacoby Ellsbury
Craig Hansen .......Daisuke Matsuzaka .....Jason Varitek

Tony Abreu...,,,,,,,,,,,... Rick Ankiel.............. Josh Barfield
Carlos Beltran.............Adrian Beltre ...........Chris Bootcheck
Joe Crede.............. Johnny Damon .......Chris Davis
Stephen Drew ............Prince Fielder......... Eric Gagne
Carlos Gomez............ Jeremy Guthrie..... Runelvys Hernandez
Luke Hochevar......... Matt Holliday......... Andruw Jones
Jair Jurrjens............. Ian Kennedy ..........Byung-Hyun Kim
Gerald Laird............ Kyle Lohse ..............Felipe Lopez
Rodrigo Lopez .........Derek Lowe......... Greg Maddux
Kevin Millwood........ Zach Miner................ Xavier Nady
David Newhan .........Magglio Ordonez..... Micah Owings
Corey Patterson... John Patterson ..Mike Pelfrey
Carlos Pena .............Oliver Perez ..........Guillermo Quiroz
Manny Ramirez ...Anthony Reyes .....Alex Rodriguez
Ivan Rodriguez... Max Scherzer......... Scott Schoeneweis
Bobby Seay............. Julian Tavarez... Willy Taveras
Taylor Teagarden... Mark Teixeira .....Ron Villone
Jarrod Washburn..... Jeff Weaver....... Jered Weaver
Brad Wilkerson ....Barry Zito

Theo the Thinker

2008-11-04T07:31:00.000-08:00

DANA POINT, Calif. - Theo Epstein may have been one of the last to arrive at baseball's general managers' meetings yesterday, but it wasn't because he was slacking off. Epstein spent the day watching Clay Buchholz in an Arizona Fall League game, then showed up at the St. Regis Hotel, where his No. 1 priority will be the Red Sox' catching situation.

Toward that end, he will meet with agent Scott Boras over the next couple of days to discuss where the team stands in re-signing team captain Jason Varitek. Epstein spoke on a lot of topics upon his arrival, one of which was the multiyear extension he reached with the Sox - a deal that had been reported on for months but without his stamp. "That's done," he said. "It was taken care of a while back." Esptein would not reveal the length or financial terms of the deal but talked about his reasons for staying on with the Sox.

"When you sit back and think about being a general manager, this is exactly the type of organization you'd want to work for," he said. "Great fans, great ownership, and a tremendous foundation of our scouting and player development, which if we don't screw it up will lead to long-term success. "We're all in this game to work with good people and to try and win a World Series."

Iverson traded to Pistons

2008-11-03T15:20:00.000-08:00

The shakeup promised by Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars after last season's Eastern Conference finals has materialized just two games into the new season.

The Pistons and the Nuggets have finalized a trade that sends guard Allen Iverson to Detroit and Pistons mainstays Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess to Denver. "We just felt it was the right time to change our team," Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars told The Associated Press. "Iverson gives us a dimension that we haven't had here and we really think it's going to help us."

Dumars put the entire Pistons roster on notice after they lost to Boston in the East finals, saying that there "are no sacred cows" on his team and vowing to consider trading anyone -- even a major contributor to the Pistons' 2004 title run like Billups -- in addition to firing coach Flip Saunders and replacing Saunders with the untested Michael Curry. The Pistons could not find a workable deal over the summer after talking with numerous teams -- Denver included, according to NBA front-office sources -- but it emerged then that Billups, MVP of the 2004 Finals, was the most likely Piston to be dealt.

• Allen Iverson has the third-highest scoring average in NBA history.
• Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess have both been with the Nuggets previously. This would be Billups' second stint in Denver and the third for McDyess. McDyess is expected to be bought out by the Nuggets.
• Iverson's scoring average has decreased significantly since averaging a career-best 33.0 points per game in 2005-06.
• Iverson has the most points of any active player who has not won an NBA title.
• Billups ranks fourth in Pistons history in assists behind only Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars and Dave Bing.

Highest career scoring averages

PPG
Michael Jordan.......30.12
Wilt Chamberlain...30.07
Allen Iverson..........27.7
Elgin Baylor............27.4
LeBron James........27.3

Most career points, active players, who haven't won NBA title

Points
Allen Iverson............23,044
Dirk Nowitzki...........17,047
Tracy McGrady.......16,798
Vince Carter.............16,633
Stephon Marbury....16,209

Red Sox not high on Jake Peavy's list

2008-11-03T10:15:00.000-08:00

DANA POINT, Ca. - San Diego general manager Kevin Towers has been working hard on the Atlanta Braves trying to put together a package for right-hander Jake Peavy.
Towers still believes the Braves are his best match for a deal. Towers has spent a lot of time speaking to Braves' special assistant Jim Fregosi about what the Braves would deal, but for the time being the Braves are still unwilling to part with some of their top young talent though it appears they would give up shortstop Yunel Escobar, who is coveted by San Diego.
Where do the Red Sox stand in all of this?

Peavy is still making it clear that he wants to stay in the National League. While he hasn't ruled out Boston it would be far down the list after the NL teams like Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles and Chicago.

Theo Epstein will arrive in time for tonight's GM dinner. Most of the GM's have scattered until then as their presence isn't required at the arbitration meetings which are going on right now. Most assistant GM's or the financial folks who put together the arbitration cases are required at those meetings

Boston Celtics retired numbers

2008-11-02T13:42:00.000-08:00

Bill Russell - #6 - (Number retired March 12, 1972)

Regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Russell anchored the Celtics teams that won nine, eight in succession, NBA world championship titles in 1957 and from 1959 through 1966, and two more in consecutive seasons in 1968 and 1969...A five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965)...A 12-time NBA All-Star in his 13-year career, missing the team in his rookie year (1956-57)...Was the 1963 NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player...Is the Celtics all-time leading rebounder with 21,620 rebounds (an average of 22.5 per game), and led the NBA four times in this department...Was on the All-NBA first team in 1959, 1963 and 1965, and the NBA All-Defensive first team in 1969...Named to the NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1970; 35th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1980 and One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996...Was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975...Declared the Greatest Player in the History of the NBA by the Professional Basketball Writers' Association of America in 1980...Was Head Coach of the Celtics for three seasons, 1966-67 through 1968-69, finishing with a record of 162-83 (.661) and two world championship titles in 1968 and 1969.

JoJo White - #10 - (Number retired April 9, 1982)

JoJo White was the point guard who led the Celtics offense and propelled the 1974 and 1976 teams to NBA World Championship titles...Was a member of the gold-medal-winning U.S. Olympic Team in 1968...Played for the Green and White from 1969-70 to the 1978-79 season...Named to the 1970 NBA All-Rookie team...Named to the All-NBA second team in both 1975 and 1977...Was a seven-time NBA All-Star...Was the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player in 1976, which featured him playing 60 minutes in the famous triple-overtime Game 5, 128-126 triumph, over the Phoenix Suns at the Boston Garden.

Sox sign agreement to stay in Fort Myers for 30 years

2008-11-01T20:38:00.000-07:00

BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox will keep their spring training home in the Fort Myers area for 30 more years after signing an agreement on Saturday with Lee County, Fla.

The Red Sox have played in the 7,290-seat City of Palms Park since moving from Winter Haven in 1993, selling out 73 straight spring training games there. The team had a buyout that would have allowed it to leave in 2010, and it talked with Sarasota about moving to the Cincinnati Reds' former home.

Instead, the Red Sox and Lee County will work together on a new complex that would open in 2012. The Lee County Commissioners approved the plan this week.

Remember Refrigerator Perry?

2008-11-01T10:40:00.000-07:00

Refrigerator Perry fights serious illness

Could it be that 23 years have passed since William "The Refrigerator" Perry burst onto the "Monday Night Football" scene as a 350-pound defensive lineman who also could run and catch passes for touchdowns?"Yes, it does seem that long ago," Perry said Monday from his home in Aiken, S.C. "It even seems longer than that, trust me."Perry, 45, remains good-natured despite suffering the sometimes life-threatening effects of Guillain-Barré syndrome, which affects the peripheral nervous system and causes progressive weakness. He was hospitalized for five months and is using a wheelchair as he rehabilitates."I'm doing fine," Perry said. "I'm walking a little bit and rehabbing and doing what I'm supposed to. Tell everybody that I'm doing a whole lot better. It just takes time. I hope to be up and about in a walker real soon."

On Oct. 21, 1985, Perry became a national folk herowhen Bears coach Mike Ditka deployed him in the backfield. Perry took a handoff and scored on a 1-yard plunge against the Packers."I remember mainly playing on special teams that night, running up and down the field with guys like Ron Rivera and Jim Morrissey," Perry said. "I was also blocking for Walter [Payton] in the backfield. Then all of a sudden coach Ditka gave me the go-ahead and got me the ball to score a touchdown."Perry scored three touchdowns as a rookie, one on a 4-yard pass from Jim McMahon against the Packers

This day in Red Sox History

2008-11-01T07:18:00.000-07:00

November 1 1995: The first Red Sox Hall of Fame induction ceremonies are held, with Tony Conigliaro, Dom DiMaggio, Frank Malzone, Johnny Pesky, Jim Rice, Smokey Joe Wood, Jean R. Yawkey, Joe Cronin, Babe Ruth, Bobby Doerr, Carl Yastrzemski, and Ted Williams gaining admittance.

October 31 1916: Ken Keltner is born in Milwaukee. He would go on to play the final season of his career with the Red Sox in 1950.

October 30 1922: The Red Sox trade Del Pratt and Rip Collins to the Detroit Tigers for Howard Ehmke, Babe Herman, Carl Holling, and Danny Clark.

October 29 1920: Ed Barrow, manager of the 1918 World Champion Red Sox, becomes the Yankees' general manager. He leaves the Sox because he's upset over the sale of Babe Ruth the previous year.

October 28 1961: Bob Melvin is born in Palo Alto, California.

October 27 2004: At 11:40 pm, Edgar Renteria of the St. Louis Cardinals grounds out to Keith Foulke for the final out of the World Series. The Red Sox win Game 4, 3-0, and capture their first World Championship in 86 years.

October 26 1934: The Red Sox trade Lyn Lary to the Washington Senators for Joe Cronin. Cronin goes on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Sox.

October 25 1986: Despite leads of 2-0, 3-2, and 5-3, the Red Sox are unable to finish off the Mets in Game 6 of the World Series.

2009 Baseball Odds

2008-10-31T11:21:00.000-07:00

Kind of early for this, but they have already put this out and I thought we could take a look at the odds to win the World Series. Definitely not a good time to put $$$ on the Sox at 3-1. Of course these should change as free agents are signed and players are traded.

it's never too early to wager on next year's champion. Free agency starts in 15 days? Winter meetings still more than a month away? No matter. The Red Sox, at 3 to 1, are your early favorites to win the World Series. Here is the full list, courtesy of BetOnline.com:

Boston Red Sox 3/1
Chicago Cubs 5/1
LA Angels 5/1
Philadelphia Phillies 6/1
New York Yankees 6/1
Tampa Bay Devil Rays 10/1
Chicago White Sox 10/1
New York Mets 12/1
Milwaukee Brewers 15/1
Minnesota Twins 15/1
LA Dodgers 15/1
Toronto Blue Jays 20/1
Detroit Tigers 25/1
Florida Marlins 30/1
Houston Astros 30/1
St. Louis Cardinals 30/1
Cleveland Indians 30/1
Atlanta Braves 30/1
Arizona Diamondbacks 40/1
Colorado Rockies 40/1
Texas Rangers 50/1
Cincinnati Reds 50/1
Oakland Athletics 50/1
San Francisco Giants 80/1
KC Royals 100/1
Baltimore Orioles 100/1
Seattle Mariners 100/1
San Diego Padres 100/1
Pittsburgh Pirates 200/1
Washington Nationals 300/1

Sox may be after Junichi Tazawa,

2008-10-31T09:10:00.000-07:00

Japanese starter Junichi Tazawa, whom the Red Sox have scouted extensively, was passed over in yesterday’s draft of amateur players in Japan, and is now available to Major League Baseball teams.

Tazawa is bidding to become just the third Japanese-born player to play in the majors without playing pro ball in his native country. He asked Japanese teams to bypass him in order to more easily sign with an MLB team.

The Sox and Chicago Cubs were among the most interested teams scouting Tazawa when he pitched Nippon Oil to the corporate championship. His fastball is said to touch 97 mph, though some scouts believe that to be an exaggeration.

One baseball executive noted while Tazawa is now free to sign with any MLB team, there were “unspecified issues” at play that will prevent him from signing anytime soon.

Tim Wakefield coming back?

2008-10-31T09:01:00.000-07:00

The Boston Herald reports that the Red Sox will exercise their $4 million option on Tim Wakefield for 2009.Under the terms of the contract Wakefield signed in 2005, the Red Sox essentially have a perpetual $4 million option that can be picked up within five days of the World Series each year. This season will be his 15th in Boston.

The Manny Ramirez Sage

2008-10-30T10:44:00.000-07:00

Yankees may be in market for Manny Ramirez
Nothing concrete here, just mere speculation. Today's New York Post suggests the New York Yankees may be in the market for Manny Ramirez. For those wondering whether Manny Ramirez ties in with Brian Cashman's goal of building a younger team, the Post writes.

Manny Ramirez doesn't fit the New York Yankees ' desire to get younger and more athletic, but several industry sources believe the Yankees will make a serious push for the free agent to play right field next year.Though GM Brian Cashman says the top offseason priority is starting pitching, he did not rule out interest in the 36-year-old Ramirez.The Dodgers have offered Ramirez $60 million over two years, but according the Post it's likely he'll seek out something around the $80 million mark.

Boston Celtics Retired Numbers

2008-10-28T17:06:00.000-07:00

Here we go again. Another season is upon us and we have a good possibility to repeat. We need to keep away from serious, long-term injuries.

The C's have a total of 22 players with retired numbers and I will highlight about 6-7 each week, starting with #1, Walter Brown.

Walter Brown - #1 - (Number retired October 17, 1964)

The founder and first owner of the Boston Celtics franchise...Owned the Celtics from 1946 through 1964...Passed away after suffering a heart attack at his Cape Cod house on September 7, 1964...Born on February 10, 1905...Also was the owner of the Boston Garden-Arena Corporation, and President of the Boston Bruins hockey team...was instrumental in the creation of the first NBA All-Star Game in 1951, which was played in the Boston Garden.

Arnold 'Red' Auerbach - #2 - (Number retired January 4, 1985)

The number signifies the fact that Auerbach is second only to Walter Brown as the most significant person in the history of the Boston Celtics organization...Was Head Coach of the team from 1950-51 through 1965-66, winning nine NBA world championship titles, that included eight straight from 1958-59 through 1965-66...He went on to serve as President and General Manager, leading the Celtics to an additional seven NBA championships...Named NBA Coach of the Year in 1965...Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1968...Named the NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time team coach in 1970...NBA Executive of the Year in 1980...Was selected as the "Greatest Coach in the History of the NBA" by the Professional Basketball Writers' Association of America in 1980...Was named one of the Top 10 Coaches in NBA history in 1996...passed away on October 28, 2006.

Dennis Johnson - #3 - (Number retired December 13, 1991)

"DJ" played for the Celtics for seven seasons, from 1983 through 1990...He helped lead the Celtics to a pair of NBA world championship titles in 1984 and 1986...Was also a member of the Seattle SuperSonics world championship team in 1979, and earned Most Valuable Player honors that year in post-season play...Was named to the All-NBA second team in 1980...Was named an All-NBA first team member in 1981...Was named to the NBA All-Defensive first team five consecutive seasons (1978-79 through 1982-83) and again in 1987...Was named to the NBA All-Defensive second team three straight years (1984, 1985, 1986)...Was a five-time NBA All-Star 1979-82 and 1985...Was an Assistant Coach for the Celtics from 1992-93 through 1996-97...Passed away on February 23, 2007.

Sporting News All Star Team

2008-10-26T07:48:00.000-07:00

The Sporting News announced their All-Star team for the American League late last night and the Boston Red Sox have one member of their team, Dustin Pedroia, who was named to the team.

On the season, Pedroia hit .326 with 118 runs, 54 doubles, 17 homers, 83 RBIs and had 20 stolen bases.

This is how the American League team stacks up:

C - Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins
1B - Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins
2B - Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox
SS - Derek Jeter, New York Yankees
3B - Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees
OF - Carlos Quentin, Chicago White Sox
OF - Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers
OF - Grady Sizemore, Cleveland Indians
DH - Aubrey Huff, Baltimore Orioles
SP - Cliff Lee, Cleveland Indians
RP - Francisco Rodriguez,

Dodgers offer Manny $60 for 2 years

2008-10-25T09:15:00.000-07:00

The Dodgers have offered Manny Ramirez a two-year deal worth $60 million to remain in Los Angeles.

But are the Dodgers serious about having Ramirez return or mollifying their fans?
According to a person familiar with the Dodgers' thinking, the offer was designed to appease the team's fan base rather than actually retain Ramirez, who saved the Dodgers' season with two sizzling months in which he batted .396 with 17 homers and 53 RBIs in 53 games and continued to mash in the postseason, batting .520 with four homers and 10 RBIs in eight games.
According to the person, the Dodgers know the 36-year-old and his agent, Scott Boras, are looking for a long-term deal - at least four years - and will certainly reject the two-year offer.
By having the offer leak out, the Dodgers hope that fans who fell quickly in love with Ramirez would believe the organization was making an extreme, good-faith effort to sign him, and that Ramirez and Boras simply wanted too much to be retained.

Josh Beckett's injury

2008-10-24T07:19:00.000-07:00

Josh Beckett wanted to keep it a mystery. It’s the same thing I kept telling the coaching staff, the training staff,” said the Red Sox starter following his team’s elimination from the American League Championship Series, “I just said, ‘Terrific.’ It was what it was.”

There were those words, and then there was the reality. And that, despite the best efforts of Beckett, he admits was almost impossible to completely disguise. Everybody,” said Beckett, referencing his teammates, “knows what I’ve gone through.” This much became evident after the question marks were cleared …

Beckett was planning to fight off his lingering oblique injury and pitch in the World Series, albeit with more ‘help’ than he had been administered prior to his American League Division Series outing. “I would have made my next start, although it would have been done through chemistry,” he said, referencing the kind of cortisone shot he received after initially injuring his oblique. “And I know I would have needed more chemistry than I had last time.”
When Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein describes Beckett’s five-inning performance in Game 6 as “borderline heroic” it is with good reason.

Beyond the fact that he had to adjust his game to the point of throwing nearly 40 percent off-speed pitches because of the ailment, there was the immense obstacle that the pain presented.
Even with the assistance of pain-relieving medication following the ALCS win, Beckett still struggled to put his shirt on just before getting exiting the Tropicana Field visitors’ clubhouse.

Bill Buckner

2008-10-24T06:45:00.000-07:00

Of course, we all remember him. He's now selling cars in Emmett, Idaho and has a pretty decent looking website. On this website he has a game similar to CONCENTRATION where you try to match up the cars. Kind of difficult.

http://www.billbucknermotors.com/memory_challenge.php

This day in Red Sox Histoy

2008-10-23T17:21:00.000-07:00

October 25 1986: Despite leads of 2-0, 3-2, and 5-3, the Red Sox are unable to finish off the Mets in Game 6 of the World Series.

October 24 1973: The Red Sox trade Marty Pattin to the Kansas City Royals for Dick Drago.

October 23 1973: The Red Sox trade Ben Ogilvie to the Detroit Tigers for Dick McAuliffe.

October 22 1923: The Red Sox name Lee Fohl manager. He replaces Frank Chance, whose Red Sox finished last with a 61-91 record that year.

October 21 1975: The first World Series night game at Fenway Park is played. Carlton Fisk's shot off the foul pole in the 12th inning wins a dramatic Game 6 for the Sox.

October 20 2004: Johnny Damon has two home runs including a grand slam, and Derek Lowe pitches a gem on two days' rest, as the Red Sox complete their ALCS comeback with a 10-3 Game 7 victory over the Yankees. They become the first team in baseball history to trail 0-3 in a seven-game series and come back to win.

October 19 1986: Dave Henderson and Dwight Evans homer as the Red Sox pound out 18 hits to beat the Mets 9-3 and take a 2-0 lead in the World Series.

October 18 1975: The Boston Globe reports that the distance from home plate to the Green Monster down the left field line is not 315 feet, but only 304. It was calculated using aerial photography. Many years later the reported distance was officially changed to 310, but that number is still not accurate.

Brady has more procedures for infection

2008-10-23T16:48:00.000-07:00

Doctors are aggressively fighting an infection in Tom Brady's surgically repaired left knee.
Brady recently acknowledged on his Web site that doctors went in "to clean and to test the wound" on Oct. 15 because of the infection. The New England Patriots quarterback has had two more similar procedures since then.

The story was first reported by the Boston Herald and confirmed by ESPN's Wendi Nix.
The Patriots, as an organization, are upset with the situation because they were clear that they wanted Brady's surgery done under the direction of doctors of their choosing in Boston, sources told ESPN.

Instead, Brady opted to have the surgery in California by a doctor his family preferred, and now there are major problems. Brady was supposed to be back in New England by now, but a timeline for his return remains unclear. A person close to Brady told ESPN: "Tom is looking at months, not weeks, to fix this."

According to the Herald, Brady is on a six-week course of intravenously administered antibiotics, and is still having follow-up exams at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, where the surgery took place. If the infection is not brought under control, the patellar tendon graft used to replace Brady's anterior cruciate ligament could become compromised, according to the Herald's report. If that happens, he will have to undergo another surgery on the ACL. That would reset the clock on his rehabilitation.

Brady had surgery on Oct. 6 -- 29 days after he was injured in the Patriots' season opener -- on a hit by Kansas City Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard. Brady reportedly tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in the knee.

Lowrie reportedly played with wrist injury

2008-10-23T03:00:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

The Boston Red Sox's Jed Lowrie slumped down the stretch and in the playoffs this season, and an injury might have been partly to blame. In an e-mail to the Boston Globe on Wednesday, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein revealed that the infielder played since May with a sprain and a small non-displaced fracture in his left wrist. Lowrie underwent an MRI on Tuesday, and the injury has already begun to heal itself. According to Epstein, three weeks of rest will heal the wrist. Lowrie finished ...

Dice-K to pitch in March World Baseball Classic

2008-10-23T02:50:00.000-07:00

Manager Terry Francona said Tuesday that Daisuke Matsuzaka will likely pitch for Japan in the World Baseball Classic.

"I know he’s very excited about it also. I don’t know how to get around it," Francona said. Matsuzaka was MVP of the WBC in 2006 before signing with the Red Sox. Ichiro Suzuki is also expected to play for Japan.

MY TAKE ON THIS: A great opportunity for Matsuzaka, of course. He deserves to go there. However, one must wonder if this trip will take a toll on him...at the beginning of the season AND in September when we make our run for the pennant.

The Manny Ramirez Saga

2008-10-23T02:35:00.000-07:00

Dodgers may show Manny the money, but years are another story

According to SI.com's Jon Heyman, the Dodgers are motivated to meet Manny Ramirez's salary demands, but only as part of a short-term deal.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Dodgers appear willing to meet or come close to superstar free agent Manny Ramirez's annual salary target but are strongly disinclined from acceding to his wish for a deal of five or six years, people familiar with the club's thinking tell SI.com.

One person who's spoken to Dodgers people suggested that the team is considering proposing a contract that may come close to matching Alex Rodriguez's record $27.5-million average annual salary but on a much shorter term, perhaps only two years. That person hinted he could see the Dodgers even exceeding A-Rod's salary, as long as the length of the deal was to their liking.

Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said he didn't want to say too much about their thinking until after the team had a chance to meet with Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras. But Collettti did say, "We don't have too many six-year deals,'' a reference to Ramirez's own public proclamations that he is shooting for a six-year deal. The Dodgers actually have no six-year deals; but they don't have any other players like Ramirez, either.

The Phillies, Yankees, Blue Jays, Mets, Orioles and Rangers are all seen as potential suitors for Ramirez, who hit .396 with 17 home runs and 53 RBIs in 53 games with the Dodgers and .332 with 37 home runs and 121 RBIs overall in the regular season. Ramirez has proven to be one of the game's two or three most dangerous hitters, and perhaps its most clutch hitter (he was otherworldly in the postseason, hitting .520 with four home runs and 10 RBIs even though opposing teams were pitching around him)

World Series record for most hits in game/series

2008-10-22T19:27:00.000-07:00

Most hits game—5, Paul Molitor, Milwaukee A.L., first game vs. St. Louis N.L., 1982.

Most 4-hit games, series—2, Robin Yount, Milwaukee A.L., first and fifth games vs. St. Louis N.L., 1982.

Most hits inning—2, held by 17 players.

Most hits series—13 (7 games) Bobby Richardson, New York A.L., 1964; Lou Brock, St. Louis N.L., 1968; Marty Barrett, Boston A.L., 1986.

6 game series - 12 Most recent Roberto Alomar 1993 (tied with 3 others)

5 game series - 9 Derek Jeter, Paul O'Neil, 2000 (tied with 10 other)

4 game series - 10 Babe Ruth (1928)

Most Strikeouts by hitter in World Series

2008-10-22T19:22:00.000-07:00

With Ryan Howard striking out 199 times this season we can expect him to approach the record, unless he gets on his horse and starts hitting!!!

Most strikeouts, series—12 (6 games) Willie Wilson, Kansas City A.L., 1980;
11 (7 games) Ed Mathews, Milwaukee N.L., 1958; Wayne Garrett, New York N.L., 1973;
9 (5 games) Carmelo Martinez, San Diego N.L., 1984;
7 (4 games) Bob Muesel, New York A.L., 1927; Ken Caminiti, San Diego N.L., 1998.

Canseco regrets

2008-10-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

Canseco regrets naming names in his book about steroids.

Jose Canseco, whose book "Juiced," which focused attention on the use of performance-enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball and led to congressional hearings on the subject, now says he never should have written the book and named names of alleged steroid users.
During the A&E Network's one-hour documentary, "Jose Canseco: The Last Shot," Canseco said he "regrets mentioning players [as steroid users]. I never realized this was going to blow up and hurt so many people."

During the program, the 44-year-old Canseco said he "wanted revenge" on Major League Baseball because he believed he had been forced out of the game. The book was his means of getting even, and he named names "to show I was telling the truth" about steroids in baseball, he said.

Canseco last played in 2001 and retired in 2002 with 462 career home runs, a .266 batting average, 1,407 RBIs and 200 stolen bases for eight major league clubs. Among the players Canseco named in "Juiced" as alleged steroid users were Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro and Sammy Sosa. All three addressed the March 2005 congressional hearing on steroids, with McGwire's testimony damaging his chances of being voted into Cooperstown, and Palmeiro's unequivocal denial of steroid use haunting him when he later tested positive and was suspended.

Red Sox after Jake Peavy?

2008-10-22T06:57:00.000-07:00

According to the Boston Herald, the Red Sox will make a run at dealing for Jake Peavy this offseason.

The asking price is going to be monstrous, but Boston certainly has enough young arms to swing a deal. Peavy, 27, has said he prefers the National League, though industry sources believe he won't veto a trade to an AL power. The Padres are thought to be asking for two pitchers and a position player, most likely an outfielder.

MY TAKE ON THIS: I don't think that any one of us are that enthused about giving up any of our established kiddie Korps...Lester, Masterson, etc. Outfielder? Probably Coco Crisp, even though he finished very strong. I don't think we'll give up on Ellsbury, since he is pegged as our future center-fielder but had a very disappointing finish.

Here we go - Deja vu all over again

2008-10-19T07:59:00.000-07:00

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Now look who's one win away from the World Series.
The Boston Red Sox, playing like the defending champs they are, came out swinging and beat Tampa Bay 4-2 Saturday night to force a Game 7 in an AL championship series the Rays all but wrapped up two days earlier.

Slumping Jason Varitek hit a tiebreaking home run in the sixth inning as Boston evened the ALCS at 3-all. No late drama needed by the Red Sox this time -- they rallied from seven runs down with only seven outs left to win Game 5.

Now Jon Lester starts Game 7 for the Red Sox on Sunday night against Matt Garza in a rematch of Game 3, won by the Rays 9-1 at Fenway Park. Last year, the Red Sox trailed Cleveland 3-1 before winning three in a row, then sweeping Colorado for their second Series title in four seasons.

"It's great to get to Game 7, to battle like this," said Kevin Youkilis who homered and drove in two runs. "We went out there and played like it was our last game. It was awesome." Red Sox ace Josh Beckett, who struggled in his first two starts of the playoffs, allowed two runs and four hits in five innings despite reduced velocity, and Hideki Okajima, Justin Masterson and Jonathan Papelbon combined for hitless relief.

"It's probably pretty appropriate. We come down to the last game, and whoever plays better gets to move on," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. B.J. Upton tied an AL record with his seventh home run of the postseason. After Boston went ahead 2-1, Tampa Bay tied it on Jason Bartlett's fifth-inning homer. But the Rays didn't get another hit, and the Red Sox improved to 9-0 in ALCS elimination games under manager Terry Francona.

Joba the Drunk for President

2008-10-19T07:38:00.000-07:00

Yanks' Chamberlain held for DUI, speeding; formal charges due Monday

LINCOLN, Neb. -- New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence, speeding and having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle. Nebraska State Patrol spokeswoman Deborah Collins said Chamberlain was stopped for speeding on U.S. 77 near his hometown of Lincoln at about 1 a.m. Saturday. Collins said Chamberlain was taken to the Cornhusker Place Detox in Lincoln, which she said is the normal protocol.

Chamberlain was lodged at the center on charges of driving under the influence, having an open container of alcohol and speeding. Collins said the county attorney likely would file formal charges Monday. An e-mail sent to Chamberlain's agent Saturday was not immediately returned

MY TAKE ON THIS: Can't be a slow day for baseball news. I guess this will be blown out of proportion and looks like some sportswriter just wants to upstage the Red Sox. Kind of funny though especially the part about emailing his agent. Should have emailed his mother,

Largest comebacks in Playoff history

2008-10-17T00:46:00.000-07:00

The Sox have won eight straight elimination games, and nine of their past 10. … The Sox comeback was the second largest in postseason history; the only larger one was Game 4 of the 1929 World Series, when the Philadelphia A's rallied from an 8-0 deficit to beat the Cubs 10-8. … The Rays lost for the first time this season in 39 games when leading by five or more. … It was Boston's 11th postseason walkoff win. … David Ortiz's homer ended a 15-game, 61 at-bat postseason drought. … 2B Akinori Iwamura has reached base in all nine postseason games.

Most Home Runs by team in Playoff series

2008-10-17T00:44:00.000-07:00

With three more homers Thursday, the Rays ran their total to 13, the most for any AL playoffs series. The Red Sox hit 12 in seven games against the Yankees in the 2003 ALCS.

The Rays have 19 homers overall in the postseason, matching the 1995 Braves for sixth most. The overall record for postseason homers is 27, by the 2002 Giants.

The major-league record for one playoff series is 14 by the Astros, in seven games in the 2004 NLCS. The record for a five-game series was 10 by the 1996 Yankees.