Not looking forward to this year at all. Bronson Arroyo spoke out saying:

" “It’s just disappointing, man — it seems like the fricking wheels are falling off,” said the 28-year-old pitcher. “Personally, I want to stay with the Red Sox but this could mean that I’m the pitcher who would have to go to another team if they need another center fielder. I’m just hoping we can get (outfielder) Dave Roberts (of San Diego) for David Wells to alleviate that.”

Oh well, we'll always have 2004.

Sox may finish no better than third in the AL East this year.

They won't make the playoffs. Too bad, because I was thinking that Mike Lowell might help them make a playoff run, but now they seem to have lost too much around him...

maybe we can get a road trip going for guys to come to Boston for a Sox game?

I'm game! I'd love to catch a game at Fenway. My first game was in Montreal, not very American. I've also been to a game in Atlanta.

I would love to see one of our great old ballparks.

According to Peter Gammons at ESPN INSIDER; For most -- if not all -- of this offseason, the perception has been that the leadership of the Red Sox is in a state of disarray. But the reality of the situation is that's just not true according to Gammons.

The Red Sox are now two months removed from Theo Epstein's King Kong escape from Fenway Park, six weeks from the reporting of pitchers and catchers. They have gained a starting pitcher (Josh Beckett), third baseman (Mike Lowell) and second baseman (Mark Loretta), deepened their bullpen, enhanced their future (Andy Marte), lost Johnny Damon to the Yankees, and now have ideas for shortstop and center field.

Even Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan, the most reasoned voice in the city, begged Red Sox owner John Henry to replace Larry Lucchino as the face of management and was dismissive of co-general managers Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherington. Buster Olney, without malice, stated that Lucchino had mishandled the three most significant human negotiations of his tenure as Red Sox CEO -- Alex Rodriguez, Epstein and Damon.

Sigh...

Rob

I get the feeling that Gammons is a Boston suckup to the extreme.

Didn't used to think so; but certainly has his nose way up managements butt this time doesn't he?

R

Red Sox just picked up JT Snow to platoon at 1st Base? Cool! We're going to miss him here in SF. He's a fantastic team member and an absolutely first class 1st Baseman, one of the best. Too bad his hitting is so mediocre.

Red Sox fans are going to like his contribution to the team.

Very Cool

I like Snow, He has always seemed like a straight shooter to me and a real team player.

R

He's back.....Associated Press reports that Theo Epstein is returning to the Red Sox in some capacity (selling programs in front of Fenway, perhaps? wink )

~Adam

What a train wreck this is becoming. Theo leaves, is replaced by 2 people for 80 days. Theo returns and will be in "some capacity, but not GM" Now today, he's GM, and the 2 co-GM's that were there have new job titles....This is gonna be a bad year I'm afraid, but god I hope not!!!

It seems the Red Sox have an awful lot of people in the front office, but I think if Theo was really the one responsible for the Red Sox winning, then it's good for the team that he's back in charge. I don't know why they had to go through all this. What a bunch of drama queens. wink

Ugh....he is just so stupid...... This was in Today's Boston Globe.


[Post modified to comply with Outsports' photo policy - Outsports moderator]

[ February 22, 2006, 05:27 PM: Message edited by: m1 ]

Who? Johnny? Theo? I liked it. I appreciate that he really cherished his Boston experience.

Tempers flare between Beckett, Howard as Red Sox top Phillies

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) -- Josh Beckett's pitches were as nasty as his demeanor. With one start left before Opening Day, he already appears in midseason form.

Beckett allowed two runs and struck out six in six innings and Tony Graffanino homered, leading the Boston Red Sox to a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday.

Benches and bullpens emptied before the seventh inning, minutes after Beckett had words with slugger Ryan Howard. Beckett thought Howard took too long to admire his long fly ball to center that was knocked down by the wind and caught in front of the warning track. Beckett yelled at Howard, but nothing happened during the inning.

Beckett looked back into the Phillies' dugout as he walked off the field following the sixth. After Howard ran out to his spot at first base, he threw his glove down, looked into Boston's dugout, talked back to Beckett and walked toward him. Beckett was restrained before he stepped back onto the field and no one threw any punches or shoves.

"I'm about respecting the game. Even if it is a home run, I don't think it's the right thing to do," Beckett said. "It's not like I wanted to fight the guy, but I wanted to make the point that you look like an idiot when you do that and it's an out. It was my fault. I should've let it go. He didn't do that last year when he was hitting a bunch of homers. I guess one season changes you."

Howard, the NL Rookie of the Year last season, struck out his first two at-bats against Beckett. He has a team-record 10 homers this spring.

"I just hit the ball and didn't see where it went, so I kind of hesitated and looked up to try to find the ball," said Howard, who isn't known for showboating. "For me, it was over. I really wasn't thinking about it anymore. But I go over there and he's like, 'Fly ball.' He threw in some curse words and called me a couple names. I was like, 'It's over,' but he started popping back off."

Phillies starter Cory Lidle pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing three runs and seven hits.

Dustan Mohr put Boston ahead 2-1 with an RBI double inside the first-base line in the fourth. Alex Cora made it 3-1 with a run-scoring groundout.

Pat Burrell's RBI single in the sixth cut it to 3-2. Chase Utley doubled, went to third on Howard's long fly and scored on Burrell's liner to left.

Graffanino hit a solo homer in the first.

Tavarez, Gathright ejected in BoSox-Rays brawl

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) -- Boston reliever Julian Tavarez punched Tampa Bay's Joey Gathright on Monday, and both were ejected after a brawl that began with a close play at home plate.

Gathright was sliding into home in the eighth inning when he was tagged out by the often-hot tempered Tavarez, who stepped on the outfielder's right arm. Gathright, still on the ground, then used his left forearm to push Tavarez's left knee.

Before Gathright got up, Tavarez struck a blow in the area of Gathright's left jaw, and players flocked in from the benches and bullpens. No other players appeared to throw punches, and order was restored after a few minutes.

Gathright began the play at second base, and Julio Lugo singled to left field, scoring Greg Norton. Lugo was caught in a rundown between first and second and, when Gathright broke from third base to home, second baseman Zach Borowiak threw to Tavarez.

Boston went on to win the exhibition game 12-11 with two runs in the ninth.

The Red Sox and Devil Rays have been involved in several brawls and instances in which batters were hit by pitches in recent years. Tavarez is in his first season with Boston.


Well, at least Tavarez is hitting something...

R

[ March 28, 2006, 09:00 PM: Message edited by: ITJock ]

Winning the opener....PRETTY GOOD START!!!

They have lost the 5 previous openers. Schilling looked like he is back in full swing (or full pitch) Papi had a nice 2 run HR, Tek got a nice hit. Crisp saved a Foulke F'up (C'MON KEITH, KNOCK IT OFF)

And...most interestingly, Clemens watch the game, talked for a bit with Theo Epstein, and is planning a trip to Boston to talk more!!!!!

I moved to Boston post Clemens. What are the opinions of the long time Bostonians?

Damn, both sterlingman's and orsino's Tek pic looks hot!!!! LOL

I got into the Sox in '99, also post Clemens, others (fenwayguy, BoSoxRudy, etc) may be able to shed more light.

I think he was liked when he was here, but then Duquette got rid of him thinking he was past his prime. But then when he signed with the Yankees (post Toronto) the Sox/Yanks rivalry stuff kicked in.

[ April 04, 2006, 09:10 AM: Message edited by: Chill-Trick ]

Josh Beckett pitched seven innings to win his Boston debut and Trot Nixon hit a two-run homer in the Red Sox's 2-1 victory over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night.

After taking 2-of-3 games in the opening series, the Red Sox have Thursday off before three games in Baltimore this weekend. Their Fenway Park opener is Tuesday against Toronto.

GREAT Game guys - keep up the good work!

R

Rob, are you keeping up online with the stuff, or do yo have MLB TV?

I didn't know where this should go...Red Sox or Dodgers, so I put it in Red Sox with a link in Dodgers.

D. Lowe's Ex Wants World Series Ring

Sorry Trinka, Derek is a boozer, and a jerk for cheatin' on ya, but I gotta side with him on this one.

She has no claim to that ring, it was given to HIM for HIS accomplishments. I hope she doesn't get it.

Red Sox Sweep Orioles Behind Wakefield
BALTIMORE (AP)

"Tim Wakefield got his knuckleball to flutter at just the right time against the overeager Baltimore Orioles, who flailed away with little success when it mattered most.

Wakefield pitched six perilous innings without allowing an earned run, leading the Boston Red Sox to a 4-1 victory Sunday and a three-game sweep.

Adam Stern drove in two runs for the Red Sox, whose 5-1 start is their best since 1999. Boston outscored Baltimore 20-10 in the series and has won eight straight against the Orioles dating to September.

For the Red Sox, the best part about their good start is that it occurred on the road. Boston plays its home opener Tuesday against Toronto.

''I think Fenway will be jumping. It's a great way to go home,'' Boston manager Terry Francona said.

Wakefield (1-1) retired the side in order only once. The right-hander twice worked out of bases-loaded jams and stranded 10 runners before leaving with a 4-1 lead.

''He's tough when he's got that thing moving, so as an offense you have to start trying to get base hits and not overswing,'' Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo said. ''Sometimes we get a little too anxious. We needed to take what he gives us.''

Wakefield gave the Orioles plenty, but not when it counted. Despite allowing five hits, two walks and hitting two batters, he lowered his ERA from 17.18 to 6.52 following a horrible season debut.

''You always want to get back out there. I had pretty good stuff in Texas, almost too good,'' Wakefield said. ''I couldn't control it and I couldn't throw it for strikes. When that happens, you start walking guys and it leads to really big innings. Today I felt more comfortable.''

And that made the Orioles very uncomfortable. Baltimore went 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position, including 2-for-10 against Wakefield.

''I played with him for three years and faced him a lot,'' Orioles first baseman Kevin Millar said. ''It's a 50-50 thing when you're facing a knuckleballer. You just have to keep battling and take your hacks.''

Mike Timlin worked the seventh, Keith Foulke pitched a perfect eighth and Jonathan Papelbon got three outs for his third save, the second in two days. With runners at the corners and one out in the ninth, Jay Gibbons and Millar fouled out.

Ramon Hernandez had three hits for the Orioles, who left 14 runners on base. Baltimore has lost four straight after starting 2-0.

''You're always worried when your team doesn't hit well and doesn't pitch well,'' Perlozzo said. ''We need to start clicking a little bit better in all areas.''

Boston went up 4-1 in the sixth, scoring two runs with two outs after Orioles starter Rodrigo Lopez walked the bases loaded. Stern got an RBI single on a grounder that handcuffed Millar at first, and Mark Loretta chased Lopez (1-1) with a single before John Halama retired David Ortiz on a grounder to first.

In the bottom half, a double by Hernandez and a single by Chris Gomez put runners at the corners with no outs. Wakefield then capped his gritty performance by striking out Corey Patterson, David Newhan and Luis Matos.

''You just try to minimize the damage and you get your concentration down to one hitter at a time, in and out,'' Wakefield said. ''I was fortunate enough to get three strikeouts there and get us out of the inning.''

Wakefield threw 93 pitches, 63 for strikes.

The Orioles got an unearned run in the first inning. After Newhan's grounder to second base went through Loretta's legs, Newhan stole second and scored on a single by Miguel Tejada.

''Early on, we made it hard on (Wakefield),'' Francona said. ''He made some real good pitches, stranded some runners, gave himself a chance to settle down.''

Baltimore loaded the bases with two outs in the fourth before Wakefield got Matos to hit into a fielder's choice.

Boston then took a 2-1 lead in the fifth. Two singles and a sacrifice bunt preceded an RBI single by Stern, and a throwing error by second baseman Gomez enabled another run to score. It was

the first error by a Red Sox opponent this season. Notes:@ The Red Sox made two errors, twice as many as they had in their first five games. ... Since 1999, Boston is 44-18 at Camden Yards. ... Hernandez is batting .688 and has reached base in 14 of 20 plate appearances."

Strangely enough all the ESPN 'Insider' functions and everything on the Red Sox Team page were down this weekend, so this was all I could find out about the game. I even tried to play the webcast MLB.TV (I always do on Sox games) and could not connect this weekend. They both say they are trying to fix the technical problems whatever they were.

Rob

Red Sox Win on Loretta's 2-Run Homer

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: April 18, 2006

Mark Loretta wanted to feel the whole celebration, even the fun-filled pounding that comes from teammates at the plate after a game-ending home run.

Loretta hit a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning yesterday and the Boston Red Sox, saved by Kevin Youkilis's hustle, rallied past the Seattle Mariners, 7-6, in the annual Patriots Day game.

As he rounded the bases after his first game-ending homer, Loretta thought about taking off his batting helmet to lessen the number of players who would jump on him. He decided against it.

"Having it being my first time, I thought I wanted the total experience," Loretta said. "I've never experienced it before at any level — Little League, high school or college level," he said. "Just complete euphoria. You kind of have to take a step back and think, 'Is the game really over?' "

Mariners reliever Eddie Guardado struck out the first two batters in the ninth. Youkilis then hit a grounder up the middle and second baseman José López made a diving stop, but his throw to first was a shade late.

David Ortiz homered twice for Boston, which improved to 5-0 in one-run games.


R

Off to see the Red Sox tonight here at Rogers Centre. Seats 4 rows from the field directly behind home plate - should be fun.

Look for the roof to be closed all weekend here with showers expected to move in by game time tonight and hang around all weekend. Tonight AJ Burnett makes his first home start for the Jays vs Beckett for the Sox. Should be a good one.

Go Jays Go!

Wow - there must be thousands of Red Sox fans in town for their series against the Jays. Last nights game - which was a thrilling 12 inning come from behind win for the Jays was a blast to be at. There must have been 4000 or more Sox fans who cranked up the volume at the sometimes sedate Rogers Centre.

They had losts to cheer about too until the top of the 8th - building a 6-2 lead, but then Beckett blew it. He had been great until then but on his first pitch of the 8th he intentionally hit Jays Aaron Hill in retaliation for a hit Sox batter in the top of that inning. That woke up the Jays (and their fans). The Jays belted out 3 home runs that inning to force the extra innings and eventually the win in the 12th before one of the louder Jays gatherings in years. And it sounds like the visting Red Sox faithful did not have anything to cheer about today, as the Jays scored four in the first and cakewalked to an 8-1 win.

Jays go for the sweep tomorrow.

[ April 22, 2006, 01:20 PM: Message edited by: Travelpat ]

The Sox brought back Mirabelli from San Diego to catch for Wakefield. Good news! He's available for the series against that other team.

I never really understood why they got rid of him in the first place.

I would have thought Red Sox fan would be pumping his chest over his team beating the Devil Rays over the weekend... Oh wait! wink

Keep up that talk Kenny, and I won't share my naked pics of Rocco Baldelli. (yeah, I wish LOL)

I'm am so psyched for Dougie's return!!!!! It's gonna be a great game, I can't wait for the "boo's" to surround Damon!!!!!

I thought I collected all of those! Oh wait, thats my choc lab (named after the hottie Baldelli!) :cool:

That's so funny...my choc lab's name is Javy Lopez! I thought I was the only psycho fan around.

Maybe I should get a chocolate lab and name him Tek

Ha! Best dog ever!

Ha! Best dog ever!

excerpt from ESPN online article:

Enter the police, who arrived with a squad car and Mirabelli's No. 28 uniform and spikes. With lights flashing and sirens blaring, Mirabelli dressed in the backseat during the 10-minute drive from Logan Airport to Fenway. He sprinted through the gates and arrived in time to catch Tim Wakefield's first warmup toss.

Asked later if it was the first time he'd ever been in a police car, Mirabelli smiled.

"First time naked in a police car,'' he said.

It makes you wonder what kind of reception Mirabelli might have gotten if he had a career average higher than .240.


Am I the whole one who would kill to have seen a naked Mirabelli in the backseat of a police car? My mind is reeling with the possibilities... eek!

Nope...you're not. Cool story, his return. Good end to the game too. I wish I could have watched the game, but I had a tennis match last night.

Niner, if his average was higher than .240, he would've gotten the exact same reception that he did get, which was a standing ovation, and a defeaning audience applause fest. He's a good guy who shouldn't have been traded in the first place and Sox fans know how valuable he is to Wakefield and the team.

I think there would be a line forming to see the contents of the car!! WOOF!

I'd be right in front with a couple cameras rolling and my tongue a draggin'

Whats up with David Ortiz, hitless for the second consecutive game? Manny Ramirez was the only other batter in the starting lineup without a hit.

Boston had 12 hits -- three by Youkilis.

And does anyone have a clue why the Red Sox optioned Hee-Seop Choi to Pawtucket after activating him from the disabled list?

Am I the only one who thinks this is nuts?

Rob

Can't believe no one has mentioned anything about the Sox since the beginning of May!

Anyway...The Sox picked up Lopez as expected. Though Lopez has been (in my estimation) under used in Baltimore, I believe he will be a gret addition for Boston while Tek is out injured. Lopez can still call a great game and can get the respect from the pitchers that will make the lose of Varitek just a little easier to take.

Great move by Boston, and I am happy for Javy that he is finally going to be used by a team instead of warming the bench.

But he doesn't seem to be helping Boston, neither did getting swept by the Royals (!). Sure, they're only 3 games behind the Yankees and a a nice little win streak would help immesureably but they gotta be worried a bit. Things haven't look good for this team since the trade deadline. Guess they should've tried harder to make those deals after all.

Anthony

Anthony

Hell - its August; we're Red Sox fans...

We EXPECT them to be three games down.

R

Particularly troubling for the Red Sox is the recent losses to teams that should have been gimmes for the vaunted Sox--losing to Tampa Bay and being swept by KC. After all, their schedule come September gets much tougher.

~Adam

Not to worry, just a little August "thing"... :cool: They'll be fine.

Met Dennis Leary at the Detroit game yesterday at Fenway.

Never knew he was such a big fan.

Actually a very pleasant guy - not the total ass**** I had thought.

Very knowledgable about Baseball, he knew his stuff.

He did some sort of honorary thing with the Fire Dept just before the game to honor the local Firefighters.

BTW - Come on guys! Polonco was injured, and you still sucked yesterday. Monroes Pop up should never have occured - or given them the game. OK - you guys have had your silly time - now lets get back in the race.

Rob

[ August 15, 2006, 11:24 PM: Message edited by: ITJock ]

Yeah, the Red Sox really need to pull it together. They really have a golden opportunity to make some ground and even pull head going head to head with the Yankees for 5 games over the weekend. I'm hoping they do it... though the Yankees are better than the last time these teams met... and the Red Sox aren't.

Anthony (got my fingers crossed)

yeah - this is definately crunch time for them - either they will take some games back from the Yankees lead, or they will end up dropping way down the list.

Personally I don't think there is any reason why they should not give the Y's a spanking. But the way they have played lately I am not holding my breath (just crossing my fingers).

R

Those bizarre losses to the Royals (the Royals, of all teams) truly loom large now that the far tougher Yankees completed the five-game sweep of the Red Sox.

~Adam

A FIVE game sweep? To the Yank'mes?

Another Boston Massacre?

Enough to make me hide my head in shame.

New York took a season-high 6½-game lead in the AL East with the 2-1 victory over Boston on Monday. The Yankees have never squandered a lead that large, and they hadn't swept Boston in five games in more than half a century.

Kevin Winter said Sunday's Red Sox loss ended their season.

Seems hard to dispute from here.

The very best we can hope for this year would be a wild card birth.

Rob