Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

From Harley and Eveyone at BDD

Ryan's Hope

"Here's what John Henry should know.

"His fans are dazed, confused, and more than a little annoyed that the front office seems to be under some sort of Bronx-cast spell. They see a team adrift, and they are very unhappy..."

"But get somebody -- not Larry Lucchino -- out front. The fans aren't buying the Ben Cherington/Jed Hoyer thing. It makes them nervous. So, John Henry, stop with the Fantasy League prep for five minutes and take care of business here." -- 12.31.05, Bob Ryan, Boston Globe

Burn Baby Burn

WWJDFD?*
*What Would Jilted Damon Fans Do?

Burn Baby Burn: Damon Inferno is Sweeping the Nation

(We Don't Know What They're Thinking Either)

"3 Johnny Damon t-shirts = $60.00
Cooking Pot = $9.99
Gasoline = $2.75
Burning Johnny Damon shirts on Christmas Eve? ...Priceless!"
-- Deidre Straley

Wilbur: Birds of a Whether
Marlins Sign Pokey-Woulda-Had-It
The Gotham Baseball Guys and Their Rumors Just Won't Quit

Disgruntled Shortstop Miguel Tejada
is 'More Upset' with Orioles

Cowboy: Grow Up

Cowboy: Grow Up

Millar Thinks Talk Shows Influenced Theo's Thinking; Blames WEEI for Breakup of World Series Sox

'We didn't give a (expletive) what people thought.' -- Kevin Millar

"'Where's the loyalty? Mark Bellhorn hits two of the biggest home runs in franchise history, but, sorry buddy, WEEI (850 AM sports talk radio) is wearing you about striking out, so you've got to go.'

'One thing I will never understand is how in Boston a radio station can control what a team does,' said Millar. 'We had something working, but then there was the constant pressure from talk radio.'"

"'I have been watching it from the get-go. I watched it with Derek Lowe. I saw it happen with Nomar (Garciaparra). I saw it happen with Pedro (Martinez). I saw it in 2004 when everybody was saying we needed a defensive first baseman. That is probably part of the reason they don't win. That's what made our group so special, because we didn't give a (expletive) what people thought.'" -- 12.29.05, Rob Bradford, Lawrence Eagle-Tribune

Seattle's Best Offer?

"An East Coast source said the Mariners are offering pitcher Gil Meche as well as center fielder Jeremy Reed, in an effort to obtain one of Boston's prized pitching prospects, Jon Lester (a Puyallup native) or Jonathan Papelbon, in a trade." -- 12.29.05, Seattle Times
(12.29.05: "It simply won't happen" -- Rob Bradford, Eagle-Tribune on WEEI)

Can Sox Get Shorty?

Orioles Sign Burnitz; Set to Keep Tejada?

"'There is absolutely no deal we find acceptable to trade this very special player to another team,' an Orioles official said." -- 12.28.05, Orioles sign Burnitz

ESPN Rumor Central: "The Orioles are seriously weighing a proposal from the Red Sox of Manny Ramirez and Matt Clement for Miguel Tejada, ESPN's Peter Gammons reports. Baltimore will weigh other discussions -- Philadelphia, the White Sox and Houston are also in on Tejada -- and decide early next week which way to go. They want a star in return for Tejada. Ramirez is better suited for Camden Yards. Tejada's agents are pushing for Boston so he can be united with good friend David Ortiz."

Can Sox Get Shorty?

Tale of Two Tejada Trades

Will the O's Take Clement and Manny?

Even with Clement and Manny, Tejada Remains a Long Shot: "The Red Sox, according to one source, have made one of the most intriguing offers - outfielder Manny Ramirez and starting pitcher Matt Clement for Tejada - but several high-ranking Orioles officials remain opposed to trading the team's best player within the American League East.

"The Cubs, who are offering a package anchored by ace right-hander Mark Prior, are believed to be the most aggressive suitor for Tejada at this point, but the two teams still haven't come close to reaching an agreement on any deal, according to sources. The Orioles are believed to prefer Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano over Prior, and they also are reluctant to part with left-hander Erik Bedard in the deal." -- 12.28.05, Baltimore Sun

Manny to Mets in Four-Way Deal?

'Tis the Season for the Four-Way Trade Rumors on the Internet (File Under: Not Happening): "Multiple independent baseball sources have told GB that the Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Devil Rays are working on a four-team megadeal that would send -- eventually -- Miguel Tejada to the Red Sox, Kris Benson and Julio Lugo to the Orioles, Aaron Heilman and prospects to the Devil Rays, and Manny Ramirez to the Mets.

"We've been able to piece together some aspects of the deal, but they are subject to change as the teams continue to communicate with one other.

"Mets would send Heilman and (Kaz) Matsui (and $5 million) to Tampa Bay for Lugo. Then New York would send Lugo, Kris Benson, Brian Bannister and Victor Diaz to Baltimore for Tejada, and then send Tejada to the Red Sox for Manny Ramirez." -- 12.28.05, GothamBaseball.com Rumor Mill

Wilbur: Roger on the Rebuild
Wilbur: Blue Thunder
Mets Sign Chad Bradford

Rough Outing for Reardon

Rough Outing for Reardon

UMass Alum and Former Sox Reliever Charged with Robbery
(Get Well Soon Jeff)

Millwood? Sox Wouldn't

Millwood? Sox Wouldn't

Sox Won't Go Past Three Years; Millwood Goes to Texas
(Turns Out He Can't Play Center, Short, or First Anyway)

Jacoby's Ladder

Rush to Judgment in Center?: "If I were the Red Sox, I’d take Jacoby (Ellsbury) to (major league) training camp in February. If he’d get 50 at-bats during spring training, they’d find he is a lot closer to being big-league ready than they thought. He’d probably hit .250 and steal some bases and play well defensively and they’d go, ‘Wow.’" -- 12.27.05, OSU Coach Pat Casey

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the Nation,
We were angry that Johnny gave in to New York’s temptation;
Our Red Stockings were hung when Damon took the dare,
(After Manny told him to get the hell out of here);

The GMs were nervous all snug in their beds,
While visions of an irate Larry Lucchino danced in their heads;
Praying for the return of Theo and their fleeing stars,
Window lights were left on; the doors were ajar;

When down in the Crown Royal room there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed as it must be some pressing matter;
Away to the tube, turning NESN on in a flash,
I saw the whole GM committee, Charles trying to make a big splash;

Larry stands up to speak, no time for hello,
He’s reporting “Manny to the Mets” is finally a go;
We get a No. 1 prospect, that’s the whole deal,
Now there’s a hole in left field, this all seems unreal;

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But that getaway gorilla and John Henry in the rear;
He stepped out of his costume, looked ready to attack,
This is the big moment, Theo Epstein was back;

More rapid than Roberts his ops guys they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

"Now, Kapstein! now, Hoyer! now, James and Cherington!
On, Lajoie! on Shipley! on, Jauss and O’Halloran!
To the top of the list! Time to make some calls!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

Players leaving in droves, after the Series flag fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, they take to the sky,
Can Theo trade Wells and poor Matt Clement?
Losing faith in our genius? And his money well spent?

More holes than Swiss cheese, and no idea how to fill ‘em
The fans upset, and miss Manny, Mueller, and Damon;
So down to spring training to Ft. Myers they flew,
With the roster full of boys, and old free agents too.

And then, in a twinkling, he came to the mound,
The prancing and pawing of this new throwing hound,
Laying his finger aside of the seam,
No blisters now thanks to Stan’s Rodeo Cream

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
He went into his windup; then turned with a jerk,
As he threw out his hand, and was coming around,
Down towards home plate, the ball took off with a bound;

He threw like the old Rocket, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment, Beckett was starting to click;
His heater’s mid-nineties, the curve ball has bite,
Let’s mark him down for nine innings a night!

With some new guy in center, A fill-in at short,
A no-name at first, forget run support
But then just like before, Papi let the ball fly,
‘Tek threw out base stealers, hit long drives through the sky,
Lowell had the old stroke back, when he hit ‘em they flew,
They all batted around, Alex Cora too;

I sprang to my feet, to the team gave a whistle,
They circled the bases, Josh threw another missile;
The good times were back for our rebuilt ballclub,

"NO MATTER WHO LEAVES BOSTON, PENNANT FEVER STILL GRIPS HUB"

Damon Got Scrooged

Damon Got Scrooged

Sox Brass Blew It with Three-Year Offer

"According to Damon, that realization hit in November, when Boston made its first offer, which Boras confirmed to be three years and $27 million.

"'I knew I became a free agent after I got the three-year offer,' Damon said.

"Boras echoed that sentiment, saying, 'I don't think he ever considered leaving before receiving that offer'"

"The Sox' only apparent action on the matter this past week was to impose a deadline of Christmas Eve for Damon to accept their offer or watch it expire. Damon said he got that news at about 7 p.m. Tuesday, a few hours before committing to the Yankees, and 'it didn't sit well with me.'

"At that point, he knew $40 million 'was their last offer . . . I thought I was more important there. I know to the fans I was.'

'''I think there was, there could have been, division [within the front office],' Damon said. 'That's what brings me here today. These guys know what direction they're taking, [they] know exactly what's going on.'"

"Cashman phoned Damon over the weekend.

'''At that point,' Cashman said, 'he was disgruntled with how the process had gone with the Red Sox negotiation for whatever reason, but he was also honest in the fact that he had a very strong bond with that fan base. Separating himself from that Red Sox Nation -- and I thought this from the very beginning -- was going to be more difficult than getting him away from the Red Sox team. That was the biggest hurdle.'" -- 12.24.05, Chris Snow, Boston Globe

Manny Shooting His Way Out of Town: Tells Damon to Go to NY
"Manny said, 'You should go to New York,' Michelle Damon told The Post." -- 12.24.05, NY Post

Father Knows Best?

"Mark it down: It's going to be another Babe Ruth. They sent Johnny off just like they sent off Babe Ruth. It's going to be another big, big mistake. They made the biggest mistake of their lives. The Yankees are going to win it with Johnny in there. I think Boston will always remember the day they let him leave." -- 12.22.05, Jimmy Damon (Johnny Damon's father)

Rock Star Talk Was Cheap Trick

Johnny Cash
Walks Over the Line

And Enters the Ring of Fire

Johnny Dapp

Clean-Cut Damon Puts On the Pinstripes
Photo Gallery: Heeeere's JohnNY!
Damon Talks About Being a Yankee

"There are some upset players over there (in Boston)."

Rock Star Talk Was Cheap Trick

Damon: 'There's no way I can go play for the Yankees'

Red Sox Fans Feel Betrayed by Damon
Sox Fans Begrudge Gift to Yankees
A Hairy Predicament for Sox Fans
Damon Departure All the Buzz
End of the Love Affair

Will it Be Stern in Center? Cora at Short?
Pioneer Press: 'Forget About Hunter Going to Red Sox'
Sun Times: Sox Talking to Cubs About Patterson

The Latest Buzz: Sox Keep Movin' on Wells
Talking to Dodgers About Pitchers Yhency Brazoban or
Duaner Sanchez, 3B Willy Aybar, and 1B Hee-Seop Choi
or SS Cesar Izturis in Possible David Wells Deal

New York's Fair-Haired Boy

Yankee Clipping

He's New York's Fair-Haired Boy

It's Johnny's Bad Hair Day

Clipped Johnny is Now on the Spot
In the Bronx, Johnny Be Good
Photo Gallery: Damon in New York

Sox Strike Back at Empire!

Boston Steals Backup Catcher John Flaherty

Johnny Appleseed

Johnny Appleseed

He'll Take Manhattan

Good Riddance Johnny

Sung to the tune of Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day

Another long drawn out Scott Boras episode
George grabs him by the wrist, directs him where to go
So take the cash and defect to the other side
It's not a question, because we know the reason why

Johnny left for the money, his agent by his side
I hope you had the time of your life.

The Damon photographs now cost $1.99
Cardboard cutouts are half off for a limited time
No more Michelle hosting NESN's show "In Style"
We'll watch you fade and then get old in those pinstripes

Johnny left for the money, his agent by his side
I hope you had the time of your life.

-- BDD lyrics / Jared Pellegrini

Damon Shirt on the Hot Seat:
'My Sensible Reaction to Johnny Damon Signing with the Yanks'
CBS4 Video: Dan Roche Talks to Johnny About Leaving Boston
CBS2 Video: One-On-One With Johnny Damon in New York

Damon to the Dark Side

Damon to the Dark Side

Hench: Good Riddance Johnny
'I hope you had the time of your life'

"Good riddance, Johnny Damon, self-proclaimed American idiot.

"Though I suppose it was hardly unpredictable that the New York Yankees would overpay a star player as he heads into the decline phase of his career, I guess I thought Damon might be the one guy who could resist the siren call of Delilah.

"But no, just as Samson was seduced and betrayed by that treacherous woman, so, too, has Damon capitulated to the overtures of the dark side. Delilah had to coax Samson to sleep in her lap before she had a Philistine shave off his strength-inducing locks. Damon, presumably, will willingly submit to George Steinbrenner's shears as he joins Goliath — after helping slay that particular Philistine in 2004.

"Samson's hair had been a symbol of his covenant with God. Damon's hair had been a symbol of his covenant with good in its unending opposition to the Evil Empire. After being shorn, Samson awoke to find that both God and his strength had left him. Will Damon suffer the same fate? (For the sake of Red Sox Nation, he must.)

"Sapped of his strength, Samson was captured, blinded and sent to grind meal in the prison house at Gaza. Damon — blinded by Steinbrenner's millions and Scott Boras' wild exaggerations — has now also been captured, pulled in by the Death Star's tractor beam..."
-- Kevin Hench, continued at FOXSports.com

Sox Left Hanging

Damon Chokes Up

Johnny Puts Sox on the Spot: "I know fans are upset. I’m sorry. It wasn’t even close and obviously the money looks like a huge factor, but the fact that they wanted me real bad, they courted me. There was a 6-year offer for more money than the Yankees. I’m walking away from $25 million from another team, so I can play for four years in New York... It was difficult with many other people gone... trainers, players, Millar screaming at the top of his lungs ... (chokes back tears) ... that’s the stuff I’m going to miss," Johnny Damon told CBS4's Dan Roche Wednesday night from his home in Orlando, Fla.

"I was just trying to get the best offer," Damon said.

On NESN's "Red Sox Now," Damon said the Yankees came back with a five year offer and another team offered six years and more money. They (Damon and Boras) decided a four-year deal was better as it offered more guaranteed money, “I’ll be 37 (at the end of the contract), a lot of 37-year-olds are getting (nice) 2-3 year contracts… they (Yankees) kept everything quiet, possibly came in and stole me… After the last contact with the Red Sox (Tuesday night), it wasn’t going to happen… even teammates for the Red Sox all felt like this was the right decision… I tried last offseason (to get a deal done), for part of the season up until the All-Star break, I tried, up until yesterday… I wish them the best. John, Tom, and Larry…Those owners are great people… hopefully they can get on track (on Yawkey Way).”

Sox Left Hanging

Sox Lose Damon to Yankees:
Lucchino, Cherington, and Hoyer Face the Nation

Christmas Leave: Sox Set Deadline to Pull Offer

How did this transpire? Did you guys pull your offer, a four year, $40 million deal, off the table?

Lucchino: We did not. What we did do was to say that we wanted this thing to be resolved by Christmas (Eve.) and it would expire at that time if we weren't able to reach an agreement, and we were talking about the offer that we made on Dec. 6.

The offer that you made to Scott Boras in Dallas. Did you ever make a subsequent offer or was that the last offer?

Lucchino: We... I think it's fair to say that we left the door ajar for a subsequent formal offer. What we did in Dallas was a formal written offer. We never sent another formal written offer.

Did they ever make a counter proposal back?

Lucchino: This is what we were hoping to avoid wasn't it Jed? In and out and this and that... There's a danger if we get into this that it leads to kind of an editorial comment on how they conducted the negotiations or how we conducted the negotiations. As Jed said earlier, we don't see that to be fruitful at this stage.

Just to clarify, for the Christmas (Eve) deadline, was that just for the offer you presented on December 6th?

Lucchino: It was. But there was a suggestion that we were eager to sit down and talk further and do that by the end of... by Christmas Eve.

You needed an answer one way or another?

Lucchino: No, no... we said we wanted... it was an invitation to have further discussions in hopes of getting that done by Christmas Eve.

Did they ever respond to that?

Lucchino: Not to me they did not.

Is this something that is done? Setting a deadline like that?

Lucchino: I think it happens with some frequency and again it was not for arbitrary reasons, it was because we had an offer out there for several weeks and we needed to know and Christmas time is not an illogical time before baseball shuts down for a week or 10 days as it always does to have a sense of whether you have a deal or don't have a deal. -- 12.21.05, Red Sox president Larry Lucchino

Sox GMs Caught By Surprise

Co-incidence?

Sox Co-GMs Caught By Surprise

The Great Unknown

Red Sox co-GM's Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherington spoke to the media Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. via conference call, just a few hours before the news of Damon's departure broke.

Where are you guys at with Johnny? Waiting to hear from him?

-- Jed Hoyer: “As far as where the ball is on the court right now, I’d say we never really talk about how that process is going. I think it is a negotiation. It’s ongoing. But I think that obviously now with him rejecting arbitration that puts a bit of a deadline on it. So, there is a deadline to the negotiation but I think that things are still progressing well. We’re still having a lot of conversations with Scott and at least from our vantage point, those are very productive."

-- "The dialogue… we’ve had a lot of dialogue with Scott. I think that I would expect that dialogue will probably pick up a little bit as we get closer to the deadline… there are more teams that have traded for or signed center fielders, so the market in some ways is clearer. There are more knowns now than unknowns. As far as the actual negotiation, I still think that something that’s sort of between the Red Sox and Scott and Johnny so I would hesitate to talk about how that impacts the negotiation but sure obviously the further we go down this road the more things become known and the fewer things are unknown."

-- "Our absolute priority is to bring Johnny back and have him in center field next year but it would be irresponsible if we just sat back and didn’t explore alternatives in case we cannot make that happen, so yeah we’re always working on both fronts and there’s no question that as the winter goes on some of these fronts go away. It is a very delicate balance, it’s something we face in some way, shape, or form every offseason."

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Here's JohnNY!

The Pinstripes Pinhead

"We're going to be tough to beat... Our policy with the Yankees is to go out there and win... Our job is to try to win another American League East title and hopefully we can go back to the World Series and bring another championship..." -- 12.20.05, Johnny Damon

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

"We were notified at 11:55 tonight that Damon had accepted an offer from the Yankees."
-- 12.20.05, Red Sox president Larry Lucchino in an e-mail to The Associated Press

ROCK STAR SHOCKS SOX;
JED&BEN LET JOHNNY DAMON
SLIP AWAY TO THE YANKEES

Angry Nation Stunned and Chagrined;
There's Another Big Hole in Our Sox
Johnny Damon has agreed to a 4-year, $52 million contract with the Bronx Bombers

Edes/Snow: Damon Jumps to Yankees
Shaughnessy: For Sox, A Little Off the Top

"This signing will polarize the Nation. Most fans will paint the current Sox bosses as buffoons and there's good evidence to support the charge. But others will see Damon as a traitor, a mercenary ballplayer no different than Messrs. Clemens or Boggs. Damon went to the Yankees because they offered him $52 million over four years while the Sox offered $40 million over four." -- 12.21.05, Dan Shaughnessy, Boston Globe

Survey: Who's to Blame in the Damon Debacle?
Photo Gallery: Possible Replacements in Center
Your Turn: Sound Off on the Sox Losing Johnny Damon to the Yankees

Johnny Pleads His Case

12.20.05: Johnny Damon spoke to television station CBS4 Boston on Tuesday night:

"It was a very tough decision but New York came after me aggressively and that's what sealed the deal. They showed that they really wanted me, and I tried with Boston for them to try and step up but unfortunately they didn't and now I'm headed to New York, something that I wasn't quite sure would happen but I'm very excited. The players were calling me and trying to recruit me. They did a heck of a job doing it. It's with mixed emotions. I'm very happy to be starting a new career and sad to say bye to some of the greatest fans in the world. Unfortunately they had to see this day but it's time for me to move forward.

"We know George Steinbrenner's reputation. We know George Steinbrenner’s reputation. He always wants to have the best players, and I think he showed that tonight. He and Brian Cashman came after me hard and now I'm part of the Yankees and that great lineup and we're going to be tough to beat. They've been bolstering their team, making their bullpen better. It's a little different but I'm very excited."

“No, (the Red Sox did not match the offer), I made contact with them. I talked to Tito (Francona) and I told him they need to really get going because if not, I'm going to be on another team... I actually thought it would be tomorrow or Thursday when we agreed in principle and we were actually able to hammer things out tonight. Unfortunately Boston had other plans. I'm not sure if they knew that I meant it but now I'm a Yankee and hopefully now they can go off and get one of the center fielders they've been courting for the past month or so.

"Without a doubt (he'll cut his hair and shave his moustache). Mr. Steinbrenner has a policy and I'm going to stick to it. Our policy with the Yankees is to go out there and win and we're going to try to bring another championship to them. They haven't had a championship since Chuck Knoblauch was there, when they had a great leadoff hitter. I think the leadoff role has been underappreciated over the years but I think with the teams that have won lately, Scott Podsednik this year, myself last year, Juan Pierre the year before, a good leadoff man is tough to find, and I think that New York just found the best leadoff hitter in the game.

“My message to Red Sox fans is I tried, I tried everything in my power to try to come back. Unfortunately I know they are going to be upset but I'm always going to have a strong feeling about them. I'm always going to remember the great times. The World Series. The three out of four years we made the playoffs. I just want them to know that I appreciate them and I tried and that's the least I can do. I know they're going to continue to root for the Red Sox which they should and I'm going to win another World Series. That's what I have to do now. I'm going to be a member of the New York Yankees and our job is to try to win another American League East title and hopefully we can go back to the World Series and bring another championship to them."

Johnny Judas?

Will He Keep Pitching Those "Red Sox Nation" Cards To Us On TV?

Yankees Bloat

The Best Team An Obnoxious Amount of Money Can Buy

New York Stories

NY Post; NY Daily News; Newsday; NY Times

Big Apple Circus

Johnny Damon Has Arrived
(But He's Not in New York Yet)

Longtime Damon Fans Livid

Disciples Remain in Disbelief

Time for Another 'Queer Eye' Makeover

Get Carson on the Phone

Here Comes the Clean Shaven Damon

He's in a New York State of Mind

Nobody Did It Better

The Real Cost of the Damon Loss:
NESN Must Find New Host for "In Style"
Will Juliana and Manny Ramirez Be the Next Couple to Go?

New York Monkey Business

Another Rudy Awakening

Chad Bradford, Wade Miller Not Offered Contracts;
Keith Foulke to Regain Closer Role

Another Rudy Awakening

It's Official: Sox Sign Rudy Seanez to One-Year Deal

Johnnymania?
Is "The Dangerous Damon" Ready to Wrestle in the WWE Next?
But Not Our Problem: Toe Jam -- Pedro's Health Still a Problem

Thanks to John DePetro WRKO 680 AM for Naming BDD "Boston's Best Local Website"

Manny Needing Money?

Manny Needing Money?

Ramirez Gets Cold Cash for Emptying Sox' Closet
(Is He Setting Up That Charitable Foundation with the Extra Dough?)

File Under: When $160 Million Is Not Enough
(Whose Stuff Is It Anyway?)

"I talked to people at the ballpark and they said every night he (Manny) would put stuff aside." -- 6.20.05, Sportsworld's Phil Castinetti on WEEI

2006 Season Going Down the Tubes?

2006 Season Going Down the Tubes?

Beckett, Blisters, and Bull-Riding

"'It' is a brown, gooey substance that just might be the difference-maker in Boston's quest for a fourth straight playoff appearance. Applied religiously, and correctly, Beckett's blisters appear to be no match for the stuff, a welcome notion for those Sox fans who have already lived through former Red Sox Derek Lowe's battles with the ailment." -- 12.20, Rob Bradford, Eagle-Tribune

Thanks Blue-tiful

Thanks Blue-tiful

Nomar Says He's Not Injury Prone
... Alrighty Then

"Despite having played in only 21 big league games in 2001, 81 in 2004 and 62 last year, Garciaparra maintained he's not injury-prone.

"'No, not at all,' he said."

So, will there be a new red-tape boundary for reporters
in the Dodgers' clubhouse now?

"They (fans) don't believe in us, they all think we're just a bunch of spoiled millionaires who are all juiced up on steroids." -- 6.18.03, Nomar Garciaparra

'Tis Their Season

'Tis Their Season

They've Been Good for Goodness Sake

Masterful Class of '97 at UMass
CBS4: 'Seanez a Red Sox'

California Signin'

Beach Bum

Nomar Agrees to One Year Deal with Dodgers

California Signin'
Sung to California Dreamin' by the Mamas and the Papas

L.A.’s his new town -- Nomar’s brand new town
At first he will play -- Was he on eBay?
Will he walk the walk -- Or just talk the talk
On a summer’s day -- With Grady making hay
He'll be safe and warm -- He'll be safe and warm
Now that he’s in L.A. -- Finally in L.A.
California signin' -- California signin'
Where’s Nomar’s big payday?

Married Mia in a church
In Californ-i-a
Well, he got down on bad knees -- Got down on bad knees
And he began to pray -- He began to pray
You know Boston fans are cold -- Boston fans are cold
We knew he’d go away -- Afraid of East Coast play
California signin' -- California signin'
Does Coco go away?

When Nomar left our town -- Nomar left our town
We didn’t have to pay -- $60 million to save
He still won't take a walk -- He won't take a walk
Or do what Grady say -- Or do what Grady say

If he would have signed here -- If he would have signed here
For two more years we’d pay -- Worse than the Edgar mistake
California signin' -- California signin'
Poor Nomar's at first base
California signin' -- California signin'
Poor Nomar's at first base
California signin' -- California signin'
Poor Nomar's at first base

"Sun, beach, what else is there?" –- Nomar Garciaparra, circa 2002

It's a Whole New Ball Game
The Bat Man

Loco for Coco?

Are the Sox Loco for Coco?

Report: Sox May Be Looking to Get Crisp from Cleveland
for 3B Prospect Andy Marte and Reliever Guillermo Mota;
But it May Depend on Where Nomar Ends Up

"According to two major league baseball front-office sources, the Red Sox went into last night primed to pull off a deal with Cleveland which would send newly-acquired third baseman Andy Marte and relief pitcher Guillermo Mota to the Indians for outfielder Coco Crisp.

"The trade is reportedly partly contingent on the Indians' ability to sign Garciaparra, a free agent, with the purpose of putting the former Red Sox shortstop in right field. The move would make the 26-year-old Crisp expendable, helping Boston fill a need in either left or center field, depending on the return of Manny Ramirez or Johnny Damon." -- 12.16.05, Rob Bradford, Eagle-Tribune (Rob also walked in Wally's shoes)

WEEI: Lucchino Finally Speaks to D&C
Extra Bases: Roger Clemens Loves Boston

Thank You Mr. Bill

Thank You, Mr. Bill ...

... For Being the Consummate Professional

Shaughnessy: Mueller Leaves an Enduring Mark with Sox

Billy Ballgame Turns Dodger Blue

Dan Roche, Right Again (Like Chris Collins on Tedy Bruschi)
When You're Right, You're Right

Excuse Me Edgar?

Newsday: Torre pitches to Damon, Nomar
Photo Survey: You Make the Moves
Wilbur: In Short, It Won't Be Nomar
News from the North Pole: Two Fans Want Nomar Back,
and They Both Started Web Sites

Excuse Me, Edgar?

Mr. Ed Adds Infield to Injury

Dirty Trick: Brave Blames Fenway
for His Big Time Sox Flop

Our $22 Million Dollar Mistake is Suddenly
Making Excuses for His Horrible Showing in Boston
Rent-a-Wreck Blames Fenway's Infield for Errors
and a Bad Back and Legs for Lousy Season

Rent Wanted Out Like Manny and Wells
Did He Even Bother to Get in Shape for His New Club, Con-tract?

"Edgar Renteria last night acknowledged that he 'wanted out of Boston,' but not because of the Boston fans (he called them 'more demanding' than those in St. Louis but said he came to appreciate it) or his comfort level with the American League (he said it was increasing). Rather, he cited the Fenway infield, which he said contributed to his major league-leading 30 errors.

"'It's one of the main reasons why I didn't feel comfortable,' he said, speaking in Spanish yesterday when reached by phone in Miami.

'''I worked a lot last year to feel comfortable and just couldn't. It's one of the reasons why I wanted out of Boston.'"

"The 30-year-old shortstop also confirmed last night that he dealt with back and leg injuries this season, which he said limited him to '50 to 60 percent' at times, though he didn't say how much of the season he spent coping with those injuries.

"Renteria said he 'pulled [his] lower back and leg' catching a ground ball, though he wasn't specific as to when that occurred. He was clear in that it handicapped him.

"'It was really uncomfortable,' he said. 'It is not the same thing to play at 100 percent than at 50 or 60 percent. But I think that God doesn't let his children get roughed up.'" -- 12.12.05, Chris Snow and Luis Andres Henao, The Boston Globe

But He Made 14 Errors on the Road to Go with 16 at Fenway
And the Infield Was Brand Spankin' New to Boot

"So this offseason, the Red Sox owners did something even more fundamental to shore up their defense than signing Gold Glove shortstop Edgar Renteria.

"They ripped up the old field and rebuilt it.

"For the first time since the major league’s oldest park was built back in 1912, the playing surface has been dug up, down to as much as two feet, and completely reconstructed. And even though the dimensions of the park will be exactly the same, the field will definitely look different. Especially the infield.

"It’ll be flat. There will be no blade of grass in the Fenway infield any higher or lower than the one next to it. The old Fenway infield was crowned, to encourage water to drain off. They were playing baseball on a hill. The grass around the base of the mound was as much as eight inches higher than the foul lines. So a ground ball to first or second might bounce or roll a little to the right, and one to short or third might head a little left. Or it might not. Not great for your team fielding percentage."

"The infield of Joe Cronin and Bobby Doerr and Nomar, and the outfield once patrolled by Tris Speaker and Ted Williams and Yaz, is gone, dug up and replaced down to its roots. Head groundskeeper Dave Mellor, who planned and supervised the work, said “I thought about all the people who played out there, the impressions that field made on so many peoples lives. It was a great privilege, but also a lot of responsibility. Nothing this major had ever been done. It’s probably the most antiquated field in baseball.”

"And subsurface soil packed down more in some spots than others after 92 years of use. That old mess has been replaced with a 3-inch layer of gravel specially manufactured so all the grains are uniform in size, on which is laid a grid of perforated 6-inch drainage pipes, and a modern automated irrigation system.

"On top of all the pipes, they laid nine inches of USGA-certified sand (the kind approved for use on golf courses). Then they laser-leveled everything, to make sure it’s REALLY flat. Actually, there will still be a slight crown, but only in the outfield. About 40 feet past the infield dirt things will slope off slightly toward the outfield wall and the foul lines, to help with drainage. It’ll barely be noticeable."

“Next to my daughters being born and getting married, the Red Sox winning the World Series and being part of putting in a whole new field are my biggest dreams come true,” Mellor said. He declined to say how much this new field of his dreams cost to build. One source suggested it was several million dollars, the going rate for a No. 3 starter these days. If it helps reduce some of those excruciating unearned runs and turns a bunch of games from Ls to Ws, it could be one of the best offseason acquisitions the Red Sox have made." -- 1.25.05, David Ropeik, Boston.com

Truth Be Told: He Never Blamed the Field Before; Said He Was Healthy

"Renteria claims that he's simply made physical mistakes in the field, that the burden of a new city and a pennant race are not affecting him. He also claims that nothing is wrong with his body. The fact that he dives so rarely gives the suggestion that he might be injured, but that, he said, is not the case." -- 9.15.05, Chris Snow, The Boston Globe

"'It's been different,' he (Renteria) said of finding his way with the Sox, 'but when you're struggling, it doesn't matter if you're here or the National League or Japan.' -- 5.2.05, Gordon Edes, The Boston Globe

"'I'm going to show Tony that I can play here.'

"How about the booing during the series with the Braves last weekend? 'That doesn't bother me one bit,' said Renteria, who went 1 for 13 against Atlanta. 'If you're not doing the job, people have the right to boo you. If I don't give them a reason to cheer for me because I'm doing good, what can I say?'

"'I know the fans in Boston are the best in baseball. When you perform the way you're supposed to, they're behind you. When I play the way I'm supposed to play, the Boston fans will be behind me.'

"Renteria, who signed a four-year, $40 million deal, isn't denying that he has a lot to live up to. He wants nothing more than to justify the faith of Terry Francona and Theo Epstein, in particular, who went to ownership over the winter and sold them on Renteria.

"'All I can do is try to work my way out of it,' said Renteria. 'I work every day with Papa Jack [hitting coach Ron Jackson]. Mike Barnett has helped me, too. Everyone is trying to get me going, but I have to go out and do it myself. I know this will come because I know myself. I know how hard I work at it.'" -- 5.25.05, Nick Cafardo, The Boston Globe

Lucchinote: Don't Hire These Guys for Co-GMs

"'Edgar is a guy who's going to hit .300 and win a Gold Glove,' Ramirez said. 'He's a guy who will do a lot of special things, be a runner, get a big hit, that's part of his game.'"

"'He's pretty much Jeter, without that notoriety,' Johnny Damon said. 'He's that solid of a player.

I got asked last year, `Who is the most underrated player in baseball?' " said Sox reliever Matt Mantei, Renteria's Florida teammate in '97 and '98. 'I said, `Edgar.' He hits .300 every year, plays great defense, is one of the best clutch hitters in the game, doesn't get a lot of recognition. He's quiet, laid back, plays for his team. He's awesome. He hasn't changed a bit.'" -- 4.11.05, Chris Snow, The Boston Globe

"'He doesn't have to say anything,' Clement said, when asked if Renteria apologized to him (for a costly third-inning error, allowing an Alex Rodriguez two-hopper to carom off the heel of his glove into the outfield). 'When I was on the Cubs, that was the one shortstop I wanted to play with. He's going to make a lot of plays that will over shadow that one.'" -- 4.6.05, Chris Snow, The Boston Globe

"David Ortiz told Renteria, 'you've got two different jobs. If you're not hitting, then you've got to do the job with the glove. He's a smart player. We're going to see a very good player there.'" -- 4.9.05, Nick Cafardo, The Boston Globe

"'We've known all along that Edgar is a great player,' said manager Terry Francona. 'When you sign a four-year deal and come to Boston, you're supposed to be a great player on Day 1. Edgar's smart enough. He didn't panic. Hopefully, we can get him on a roll because we need him. We know he's going to be good. He had a big impact on the game. That's going to happen a lot.'"

"'In September, Edgar is going to be right where we think he should be with his numbers,' said Nixon. 'This guy has a proven track record. He's done the job year after year. This guy can play. He doesn't have to prove anything to us. We all heard of him and his reputation before he came in this locker room and he's lived up to it.'" -- 4.15.05, Nick Cafardo, The Boston Globe

"Jason Varitek also is optimistic the Red Sox and Renteria will turn it around. 'I just know,' he said. 'Guys will start getting their hits. [Renteria] is working his butt off. He wants to be the player we know he is capable of being. We all have a ton of confidence in Edgar. He is going to do well for this team. We need him to do well for this team. He's been a very clutch player everywhere he has been and he will be here, too.'" -- 5.22.05, Paul Harber, The Boston Globe

The Renteria Regimen

Get the Edgar Renteria Offseason Dominoes-Workout DVD
Act Now and Get a Renteria Commemorative Error
Holiday Tree Ball:

Playing at Fenway... For Now

Now Playing at Fenway

Going Straight to DVD?

Thanks Bountiful

Thanks Bountiful

NY Post: 'Just Say Nomar'
Yanks Looking at Garciaparra for First Base

Callahan: Henry Offered Theo Pres. of Baseball Ops Job
Wilbur: Trump: The Game
Bradford: Beattie Down, But Not Out

Super Santa

Now That the Excitement of the Co-GMs Conference Has Died Down
We Can Focus on the Pats for a Second

New Sheriffs in Town

Just Say Co!

New Sheriffs in Town

Sox Name Hoyer, Cherington Co-GMs
(But Offer Nothing Official on Theo)
Extra Bases: Press Conference Transcript

Red Sox Apprentice: Sox Go for Co-GMs

Ben and Jed... and Theo?

Gammons: Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherington to be Co-GMs
Wilbur: Curtain call for Epstein

Report: Gammons and Wally Out of
Sox GM Hunt as Surprise Pair Emerges

'Restructuring' Decision, Details at 3:30 p.m. Today

Red Sox Apprentice: Former GM candidate Peter Gammons reports today that the Red Sox will name in-house staffers Ben Cherington and Jed Hoyer co-GMs, with a possible return of Theo Epstein also on the horizon.

With that announcement, the two Apprentice finalists, Gammons himself, the former Boston Globe scribe now nationally known major league baseball writer, analyst, and commentator, and Wally the Green Monster, longtime Red Sox baseball operations foot soldier, were rumored to have been have told by Lucchino that they are both out of the running for the GM position.

Both Gammons and Wally were still agressively campaigning in the past week to win the job outright. Gammons' man-on-the-street efforts paid off with the fans, as he won the meaningless popular vote survey. Wally worked his in-house liasons and media contacts to get his plans out in a public forum.

A source familiar with the late night GM debate said the team was still deadlocked in a midnight vote between Gammons and Wally, so out of the blue, they decided to give the job to a pair of in-house employees vowing to "figure it out as we go along." Lucchino, not exactly a favorite of Gammons and vice versa, voted for Wally along with Tom Werner, Ben Cherington, Bill James, Dave Jauss, and Zach Scott. Red Sox principal owner John Henry voted for Gammons along with Bill Lajoie, Jed Hoyer, Craig Shipley, Brian O'Halloran, and Jeremy Kapstein.

More details to follow as they become available...

Survey Said: Sox Fans Go for Gammons

NY Times: Epstein May Return to Sox

"How the new structure will work is unclear. Lucchino would not confirm Epstein's role, but he said in a telephone interview: 'The door has been left ajar for some time. That's obvious to everyone. So we'll see what happens over time.' Was he saying that the door had been left ajar for Epstein to return? 'We haven't replaced him yet and he hasn't taken a position yet, so by definition it's been left ajar,' Lucchino said." -- 12.12.05, Murray Chass, The New York Times

You Can Go Home Again

You Can Go Home Again

Sox Looking to Bring Back Clemens

"'We had an internal discussion,' said Sox CEO and president Larry Lucchino, 'and concluded we should make an initial call to let the Hendricks brothers know we were open to discuss Roger's return if he should have interest in the Red Sox in 2006.'" -- 12.11, Nick Cafardo, Boston Globe

Making Roger's Return a Reality Isn't Rocket Science

The Real Cy Young Award is Still Up for Grabs
Red Sox Career Wins:
Cy Young -- 192
Roger Clemens -- 192

He's Still the Same Old Roger

(...Hopefully No. 21 hasn't been given to Beckett yet. Could be a deal-breaker.)

Lucchino Speaks: 'Restructuring' Announcement This Week
Red Sox CEO Talks about Theo, The Gang of Four, Beckett, Renteria, Manny...
and Palace Intrigue

GM in the Spring for Theo?

"Epstein's new title may not be permanent, however, with some indications pointing to his return to the organization's general manager position as early as spring training. The switch will largely depend on redefining the duties of president/CEO Larry Lucchino, whose role in the organization continues to be revamped in order to pave the way for Epstein's re-emergence."

"At one point, outside consultation was brought in to analyze Lucchino's role within the organization."

"Insiders suggest that Epstein sided with a group of Red Sox executives who were leaning against the Josh Beckett trade."

"Overpaying for center fielder Johnny Damon is also reportedly a concern of Epstein and his supporters, who seem to be targeting trades for Seattle center fielder Jeremy Reed and Cleveland's Coco Crisp as a backup plan. Lucchino, meanwhile, has been spearheading the Damon negotiations." -- 12.11.05, Rob Bradford, Eagle-Tribune

Henry: Lucchino Not on the Outs

Is Theo Walking Through That Door?

Globe: 'Sox Work on Return of Epstein'

"Red Sox ownership is working to bring back former general manager Theo Epstein in a consulting/advisory position, according to team sources.

"Epstein would advise Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherington, the members of the Sox' baseball operations team who are expected to serve as co-general managers for the 2006 season, barring a last-minute reversal by ownership. It is not known whether Epstein, who on Oct. 31 declined a three-year, $4.5 million contract offer to remain as GM, has been formally approached yet by the team's principal owner, John W. Henry, or team chairman Tom Werner, but Henry and Werner have made their intentions known internally, the sources said." -- 12.10.05, Gordon Edes and Chris Snow, Boston Globe

Shaughnessy: 'Would Lucchino Quit if Epstein is
Brought Back Against His Wishes?'

"The Red Sox might bring Theo Epstein back into the fold in some capacity soon, and it could be causing some problems upstairs. We all know that Henry loves Theo like a son and was devastated when Epstein resigned. Team CEO Lucchino took the fall and has since admitted making mistakes in the Epstein contract negotiations. With the possibility of Epstein returning in some capacity, Henry and Lucchino could be in the midst of their first major showdown. The guy with the billion-dollar bank account always wins that one. Ben Cherington and Jed Hoyer are expected to be named co-general managers, possibly as early as this weekend. That wouldn't rule out Theo coming back as an adviser. But would Lucchino quit if Epstein is brought back against his wishes? No one was saying much on the record yesterday. " -- 12.10, Dan Shaughnessy, Boston Globe

Gammons on 'EEI: Is Theo Still Pulling the Strings?

Larry Johnson: If Theo were still running the show, do you think he would have operated the same way in terms of endorsing...

Peter Gammons: You don't think he is?

LJ: I'm sorry...

Gammons: You don't think he is?

LJ: I don't know, is he?

Gammons: (four seconds of silence) Umm, yeah, he definitely would have operated the same way.

LJ: Do you think he still has some contact with them with input?

Gammons: Yes. I don't think there's any question... of course he talks to them, he's very good friends with them all.

Glenn Ordway: You're not giving the impression, because it's been thrown out there, Buster Olney's thrown it out there, that he still believes there's a chance that Theo's gonna come back in that position. You don't believe that's gonna happen do you?

Gammons: (three seconds of silence) Yeah. I think there's a chance. I mean, there's certain things you couldn't script and they're all laughing about this today. There are things that are very funny and I'm not being cruel about it but one of the funniest things, and the thing we in Boston have been laughed at most, is people actually saying and writing that Jerry Kapstein is gonna be the general manager. That is the single funniest thing... it's become the laughing stock of the United States... He's a wonderful guy. He's a terrific guy but he hasn't been in baseball a long time... he's a very well meaning, terrific person... I don't know where it's all going. There's always contact because he's friends with those guys. This thing has gone on a long time. There is nobody on the general manager horizon. I could see maybe they would do it, although (Bill) Lajoie reiterated today that he doesn't want to be the general manager, I could if there were no way Theo came back, I could see them continuing this group. But there's no one there right now that they've interviewed who's a candidate.

Ordway: But with everything that's happened, how would Theo come back and take that role?

Gammons: John Henry never wanted him to leave in the first place and Larry never wanted him to leave. I think that. There are things that I always believed could be cleared up. Larry Lucchino wants the team to be really good. And by the way, he did a phenominal job down here with the whole Scott Boras negotiations with Damon... Right now, I'm not sure it could happen, but I don't really see what else they will do... they've made no move to go in another direction... they're all adults (and can clear up past problems). I'm not saying it's happening. I just think it can happen... it seems strange to me that 37 days (after Theo left) there would be nobody on the horizon to replace him... If you knew Theo Epstein, one of the things you would understand that one of the things he's best at is saying 'you know what, I'm wrong' and moving on (as he would have done on Renteria)."

Gammons Archive: 'Lucchino Wants Epstein Back'

"Some in the ownership group hold out hope that Epstein can resolve his differences with Lucchino and return as the GM. Contrary to some reports, Lucchino has not rejected that idea, and wants Epstein back."