Wet Blanket
BDD_MC_steelers_11.30.08_bg.jpg
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff)

Steelers Walk All Over Door-Matt, Patriots

Pittsburgh 33, New England 10
Steeler Defense Does In Pats
Foxborough Is Turnover City on Sunday
Cassel Just 231 Yards Shy of Third Straight 400-Yard Game
Steeler Nation Just Leaving the Stadium Now
Moss Had a Terrible Case of the Gaffneys
Are You Ready for Some Hockey?

Randy Moss: "I didn't play good today. I'm not blaming it on the weather." (He didn't play well, either.)

Sox Turn Japanese, Again

Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa arrives at New Tokyo International Airport, in Nairta, east of Tokyo, Monday, Dec. 1, 2008.  Tazawa moved a step closer to signing with the Boston Red Sox after rejecting offers from three other major league teams.
(AP)

Sox, Tazawa Have a Deal in Place

The Worst Kept Secret in the Far East:
J-Taz Is Boston Bound

Black Saturday

Boston Bruins David Krejci, second from right, of the Czech Republic celebrates his third-period goal with teammates Dennis Wideman (6), Matt Hunwick (48), and Blake Wheeler as Detroit Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood, left, looks on during the Bruins 4-1 win in a hockey game in Boston Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008.
(AP)

Bruins Stay Red Hot, Dump Detroit, 4-1

Globe: Bruins Serve Early Notice
Say Hello to the Best Hockey Team in the East
The 'B' Stands for Believe
Bob Ryan: Bruins Have Look of a Winner

Zdeno Chara: "We can beat anybody in this league. We can play with any team in this league. But we haven't done anything but beat a few teams. We've got to keep going and keep pushing forward. We can't be satisfied with the results we have. We've just got to keep going forward and keep playing the way we are, and the results are going to take care of themselves."


That's Your First Base Coach

Houston Astros first baseman Tim Bogar (left) wears a fake goatee as he stands with teammate Jeff Bagwell (right) during a workout at their spring training camp in Kissimmee, FL February 23. Several Astros glued on the fake beards to mock Bagwell during the practice.
(Feb. 28, 2000, Reuters)

... On the Left

Bogar Named Sox First Base Coach

Heidi Thanksgiving

At Thanksgiving, Heidi Watney Puts the Hot in Hot Stove

Tom Who?
Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel leaps into the end zone on a second quarter touchdown run, beating the Dolphins safety Yerimiah Bell  (37) in the process, and putting New England ahead 10-7
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff )

Is Matt Cassel the New King in New England?

Globe: Cassel, Patriots Feast on Offense
Survey Said: Brady or Cassel -- Pick the QB of the Future
It's the Younger, Faster, Stronger Upstart vs.
the Aging Post-Surgery Star with the Infected Knee

BDD - Frank Galasso illustration

There Will Be Blood

Florida Panthers defenseman Nick Boynton, right, throws a punch during a fight with Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic during the second period of their NHL hockey game in Boston, Friday
(AP)

Friday Night Fights: Lucic Drops the Gloves
And Boston Is Bleeding Black and Gold Again

Boston 4, Florida 2: Focused Bruins Tend to Business
Kessel, Bergeron, Savard, and Krejci Put the Puck in the Net
Cam Neely-Lucic Knocks Around Old Friend Nick Boynton
And the Goon Squad Might Be Coming Out in Montreal Tonight

The Biggest Fish

BDD -- Manny caught on tape
(BDD Photo Illustration)

The Next FBI Tape Will Show a Soon-to-be-Named
Shameless Team Owner Handing Cash to Manny
in Exchange for Tanking His Way Out of Boston

To Die For?
The world's first officially licensed Red Sox Casket for sale at the Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home.
(John Tlumacki / Boston Globe Staff)

Now the Seriously Over-the-Top Die-Hard Members of Red Sox Nation Can Really Take Their Passion to the Grave

Globe: The Red Sox Caskets Are Ready | Discuss

Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home co-owner Bob Biggins: "It's been a labor of love for that company and it finally came through. Funerals now have really become about celebrating life... It's not beyond the realm of possibility that you could one day see a Patriots or Bruins logo on a casket."

Kansas City Here He Comes

ALCS game 6 Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays - 10/18/08 - St. Petersburg, FL - Red Sox center fielder Coco Crisp readies to play a fly ball to center int the 7th inning Saturday night at Tropicana Field.
(Jim Davis / Globe File Photo)

Coco Is Going to the Royals

Confirmed: Crisp Heading to Kansas City
Midwest Not the Best: Coco Can Kiss the Postseason Goodbye
Ken Rosenthal Is Licking His Chops Now That the Sox Kicked Coco Out of Town
Evan Grant Is Thrilled to Have the White-Hot Spotlight Off Him for a Second Day
Gammons: Market for Crisp Was Surprisingly Small
We'll Never, Ever Forget Coco's 10-Pitch At-Bat in Game 5
Extra Bases: The Ramon Ramirez File | Coco Photos
Will Ramon Ramirez Wear No. 24 for the Sox?

Peter Gammons: "The Red Sox surveyed what was a surprisingly small market for Crisp -- Cincinnati was the other club with the most interest -- and decided that with Jeremy Affeldt starting out the 2008 free agent market by signing a two-year, $8 million deal with the Giants that it likely will be easier to find another outfielder than to secure a low cost power reliever."


This Just In ...

NESN commercial for Red Sox Nation card sales

(BDD 2006 / NESN Screenshots)

Loyce Crisp Is Now a Proud Member of Royals Nation

Dustin The Win!

MVPedroia By a Landslide... And Manny Can't Believe It
Mazz: For Pedroia, Size Mattered
Schilling on the Blog: Congratulations You Little #@!$!
Hey, Evan Grant... Gotta Get Away?

9.23.08: Dustin Pedroia (right) celebrating on the field with teammate Mike Lowell (left) after the Red Sox defeated the Indians to clinch a playoff berth.
(Jim Davis / Globe File Photo)

Evan Grant: 'My MVP Vote'
Grant Retreats on WEEI: When Merloni, Sheppard, and Ordway Attack
Shocking Revelation: Grant Spent 12 Hours a Day Covering the Texas Rangers

The Envelope Please

BDD: There Can Only Be One
(BDD Photo Illustration)

And the Winner Is ... And It's Not Even Close ...

Dustin Pedroia is shown dancing at Mike Lowell's fund raising event Dancing With The All Sta
(AP)

Dustin Pedroia Has Been Named the Boston Dirt Dogs
Most Valuable Player for the 2008 Season

And Who's the MLB MVP? Make Your Pick
Cafardo: Who's in First | Mazz: Take Your Pick
Rob Bradford: Pedroia Stepped Up When It Was Close and Late
AZ Republic: At Times Like These, Pedroia Thinks of Barry Bonds
WBZ-TV: Dan Roche on the Scene with El Caballito in Arizona
ESPN.com: There Were Other MVP's Like Pedroia
Eric Wilbur: Valuable Concern

Papi Knows Best: "If I can only pick one, I gotta give it to Pedroia. He did something that . . . it's just not normal. The guy carried this team for, I would say, since Day 1 all the way to the end . . . With Pedroia, it was day in and day out, putting this team on his back and made sure that his teammates were ready to go, too. I never saw anything like that before."

And We're Guessing the Writers Came Up Big for the Little Pony as Well
When the MLB AL MVP Is Announced at 2 p.m.

Washed-Up Superhero?
BDD Photo Illustration / Meir Weinberg
(BDD Photo Illustration / Meir Weinberg)

While a Nation Is Arguing About 'Tek's Worth
Theo's Waiting for the Price to Be Right

Chad Finn Writes: It's Time for Jason Varitek to Get Out of Town
Happy Birthday Schill Fires Back: You Don't Know What 'Tek Went Through


No Country for Bill's Men

No Country for Old Me
(No Country for Old Me)

Kicked Out in OT

Foxborough, MA - 11/13/08 - New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss No. 81 shows he made the reception in the closing moments of the 4th quarter to tie the game at 31-31 and force overtime.
(Barry Chin / Boston Globe Staff)

Pats Catch New York in Final Minute
But It's J-E-T-S for the W-I-N

Big Comeback for NE, But It Was Keller at Large in OT
New York Jets 34, New England Patriots 31, Feeley Field Goal Wins It

Do You Know Who I Am?
Milan Lucic, Mike Komisarek

Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic, top, throws a punch while fighting Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Komisarek during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Boston, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008.
(AP)

Lucic 'Em

They're No Longer Hapless vs. Habs,
Make Room for the First-Place
Big Bad-Ass Boston Bruins

B's Hammer Canadiens 6-1, Skid Ends at 12
Notes and Recap from Matt Porter at the Garden

There's a Hockey Team in This Town

Get Lowe
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Derek Lowe celebrates in the club house after sweeping the Chicago Cubs to win Game 3 of their MLB National League Divisional Series playoff baseball game in Los Angeles, October 4, 2008.
(Reuters)

How About Running Our Stars
Back Into Town for a Change?

It's Time for Our Boy D-Lowe to Come Home. Period.
The Buzz: Sox Make the First Move and Contact You-Know-Who
Archives: In 2004, D-Lowe Delivered More Than We Could Have Ever Imagined

Mazz: "A major league source has confirmed that the Sox have inquired with agent Scott Boras about Lowe, interest deemed sincere enough that Boras has equipped the Sox with one of his famed marketing portfolios, or 'books,' on the player's value."
-- 11.12.08, Tony Massarotti, Boston.com

Pass the Grey Poupon

Red Sox Ticket Prices Will Remain Sky High

Bottom Line: Red Sox Ticket Prices Will Remain Sky High
'We Do Not Want to be the Ballpark of the Rich and Famous'
(HAAAA... Haaaaaaa.... Haaaaaaa.... HAAAAA... Haaaaaa)

"The Red Sox are interested in 2 things: making money and fielding a competitive (and hopefully winning) team. This crap about being sensitive to the economic hardship of the fans is just that - a lot of crap. First of all the great majority of seats are corporate purchased because fans can't afford them anymore. Secondly, it's a bit comical if not condescending, to say to your loyal fan base: Since you are now paying for the most expensive tickets in baseball, we'll be really good guys and leave it that way for 2009. On the surface it gives the team some nice PR, but please don't assume we are all that stupid..." -- 11.13.08, BobLit in the Globe's reader comments

Economy is in the Tank, Families Can't Find Nor Can They Afford Tickets,
Sox Drop Millions in Payroll, but Fenway Prices Remain the Highest in Baseball
More Good News: All Red Sox Scalping Partners, Holding Most of the Tickets Already, Are Expected to Hold Prices at Just 400% Over Face Value for 2009
Shaughnessy: Sox Make a Good Call on Freezing Fenway Ticket Prices
USA Today: Revenues Up as Analysis Ranks Red Sox as the No. 1 MLB Franchise

"Don't want to be the team for the rich and famous?? You already are! I went to Fenway for the first time in 15 yrs. and was appalled. All those poor, hot, sweaty people with standing-room tickets looking miserable up on the walkway. It was a disgrace. Reminded me of the peasants at the Coliseum trying to get a glimpse of the gladiators."
-- 11.13.08, cheezwhiz in the Globe's reader comments

So Manny Problems

David Ortiz speaks to the news media about his charity golf tournament in the Dominican Republic
(David Kamerman / Boston Globe Staff)

The Sun Comes Up, The Sun Goes Down, and David Ortiz
Is Whining About Getting Another Big Hitter

Ortiz Offers Up More on Manny, and Picks Pedroia Over Youk for MVP
Papi Wants Another Power Bat Around Him Next Year
Meanwhile, Sox Fans Are Hoping Papi Can Still Get Around on a Fastball
Next Thing You Know David Will Be Complaining About Balls and Strikes
And the Desire to Speed Up the Games... Hey Wait a Minute...

"I'll tell you one thing, if you get the opportunity to get a guy that can hit 30 homers and get 100 RBI, I bet you will find a position for him, guarantee... it can be in the outfield, it can be anywhere. As long as you provide guys that put up numbers like, let's say Manny did, we're gonna be [a contender] ...we're talking about a third guy [in addition to himself and Jason Bay]." -- 11.12.08, David Ortiz can't get it done with just J.D. Drew, Jason Bay, Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, and Company

Newlywed Game On

Oct. 20: Red Sox Kevin Youkilis Hits for Kids Celebrates it's First Year, he raised over 800,000 dollars, the event was held at Avila Restaurant in Park Sq. (left to right) are Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek with Enza Sambararo and Red Sox First baseman Kevin Youkilis.
(Bill Brett / Boston Globe Staff)

It's the Enza the Line for the Bachelor:
Youk Ties the Knot with Affleck-Ex

More Importantly, Youk's Heading Back to API for the Winter
Globe Archives: Confessions of a Future Baseball Wife


Spaceman's with Manny

Former Boston Red Sox player Bill Lee, right, addresses the media on Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, in Boston. The Red Sox Hall of Fame inducted Lee and seven new members in the Class of 2008.
(AP)

Lee's Fit: Sox Would Have Won World Series with Ramirez

Former Sox Lefty Lee Let's Loose on Sox-and-Manny Saga

Bill Lee: "You pick up the traveling secretary and you dust him off. You're going to see his (Ramirez's) number on the wall sooner or later. He's the greatest I ever saw... I'm not saying anything bad about Jason Bay or Canadians, because I married two of them, but there's no doubt you beat the Phillies" with Ramirez, Lee said." -- 11.7.08, Lee at the Red Sox Hall of Fame induction dinner

Gold Love
Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia dives and makes a nice grab of a one hopper off the bat of the Indians Travis Hafner in the 8th inning. He got up and threw him out, but got a little banged up on the play.
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff)

Dustin the Win.

Pedroia First Sox 2B Gold Glove Winner Since Doug Griffin in '72

Tip of the cap to SoSH: AL Gold Glovers reportedly include P Mike Mussina, C Joe Mauer, 1B Carlos Pena, 2B Dustin Pedroia, 3B Adrian Beltre, SS Michael Young, OF Torii Hunter, OF Grady Sizemore, OF Ichiro Suzuki

BDD / Illustration by Frank Galasso

How Much Money for Manny?

Manny Ramirez walks back to the dugout after a grounding out in the fourth inning against the Philadephia Phillies in Game 5 of Major League Baseball's NLCS playoff series in Los Angeles,
(Reuters)

Dodgers Make Manny an Offer He'll Probably Refuse
A-Rod Would Still Be No. 1. Ramirez Is No. 2

Dodgers Make Ramirez an Offer
Mazz: Handicapping the Field on Manny
Boras: Manny Was Never Comfortable In and Around Boston

Nick Cafardo: "According to sources, the deal was 'two or three years' in length and contained an option year... A major league source indicated the Ram�rez offer is worth between Johan Santana's average of $22.9 million per year and Alex Rodriguez's $27.5 million." -- 11.6.08, Boston Globe

An Historic Night

Sports agent Scott Boras is the center of attention as he is surrounded by the media upon his arrival at Major League Baseball's general managers meetings Tuesday Nov. 4, 2008 in Dana Point, Calif.
(BDD Photo Illustration)

Boras Upstages Obama Speech By Saying the
Most Incredible Things About Jason Varitek

Agent Pinocchio Tries to Use Posada As a Starting Point for The Shell of 'Tek

"You aren't going to have many catchers with those performance levels -- a 60 percent winning percentage on a franchise which has won two championships, caught four no-hitters. I can go on and on... The idea of it is there aren't many players in the marketplace who lead a team like Jason Varitek can, and that's got to be his value... I'd have to take exception to the ["down year"] terminology based on his assignment, which was 70-80 percent defensive. The Red Sox won 60 percent of their games when he caught." -- 11.04.08, Scott Boras with a straight face, but a very long nose

Survey: Do You Think 'Tek is Worth 4 Years at $52 Million?
If You Thought Boras's Speech Was Good, Wait Until 'The Book' Comes Out


This Just In ...

BDD -- Barbara Gets the Bad News
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe File)

Schilling Shares the Election Results with Barbara Bush ...
And Breaks It Down for the Rest of Us

BenJarvus Green-Ellis Meet ...

Patriots wide reciever Jabar Gaffney (much to the delight of the Colts fans) is alone and down on the turf (as well as himself) after he couldn't come up with what appeared to be a catchable pass in the fourth quarter near the goal line.
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff)

Yankee Doodle Manny

BDD -- Manny to the Yankees
(BDD Photo Illustration)

He Might Be Dropping By Nine Times Next Year
Works for Us, It Will Make Johnny Damon's Return
Seem Like a Quiet Picnic

Mannyfest DestiNY: Hank May Be Wooing The Free Man

"And personally, I like Manny. He's one of the greatest hitters in the history of the game. He's a free spirit for sure, but he knows how to win. We like some of the other guys, too. We just don't know yet." -- 10.31.08, Hank Steinbrenner

Say Sayonara to Siesta Key Beach: Sox Staying in Fort Myers Forever
No Brainer at Bargain Prices: Sox Retaining Wake
The Buzz: Beyond the Wake Move
ZZZzzz Macha-rina in Milwaukee

BDD is a feature of Boston.com. All posts are by Steve Silva unless otherwise indicated.

Boston Globe:

Rodriguez looks like the steal deal > Despite effort by Rodriguez, Red So fall > Tazawa has come a long way, on and off field

Boston Herald:

Lauber: Eduardo Rodriguez showing Red Sox he's special > PawSox start looms large for Masterson

ProJo:

Rodriguez gem wasted > Chili Davis doesn't want to turn Red Sox into free-swingers > Red Sox draft catcher in third round

NY Post:

How Mariano Rivera has influenced Yankees' top pick > Why starting rotation could be a big Yankees' strength

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