Marco! ... Scutaro...
Marco! ... Scutaro...

BDD Photo Illustration
(BDD Photo Illustration)

It's a Shallow Pool at Best, But Theo May Be Getting
Closer to Locking Up Shortstop No. 18

Scutaro's Top Two: Sox and Dodgers
No Matter What Happens, You Can Pencil in Tug Hulett... Tickets On Sale Soon
Was That Ozzie Smith or the Shell of Alex Gonzalez Who Just Left Town?
Too Bad You Can't Call in Dr. Phil and Get Orlando Cabrera Back
More Good News: Scutaro Will Be Pushing 40 When Theo's Done Paying Him
Let the Hanley Back to Boston Nonsense Begin

New York Daily News: "Now it also looks as if Hanley Ramirez won't ever see that new stadium in a Marlins uniform as the Red Sox, who let incumbent Alex Gonzalez go, are reportedly engaged in talks with Florida about reacquiring the All-Star shortstop."


BDD / James MacLeod Cartoons
(BDD / James MacLeod Cartoons)

Roy? Wonderful!

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay pitching against the Red Sox
(Barry Chin / Boston Globe Staff)

Theo Epstein Is Alive and Well and Making a Push for
Roy Halladay to Be the Sox New No. 1

NY Daily News: Sox Trying to Beat Yanks in Trade for Halladay
That's Just Theo Being Theo Looking for Pitching at Thanksgiving
Sun Archives: Trading Halladay Within Division Not a Problem for New Jays GM
Casey Kelly We Hardly Knew Ye. And Thanks for the Memories Mr. Lindsay Clubine
Will Theo Be Heading to Odessa, Fla.,Turkey in Hand, Tomorrow?
File Under: Curt Schilling Pursuit, Part Deux

Daily News Report: The Red Sox are "putting on a full-court press" to acquire Roy Halladay, according to a source, and are hoping to add the former Cy Young winner to the top of their rotation to go with Josh Beckett and Jon Lester. "They would love to get it wrapped up before the winter meetings (beginning Dec. 7)," the source said of the Red Sox, who made a big push to deal for Halladay last summer.

Sign of the Times

BDD Photo Illustration -- Trade Mike Lowell
(BDD Photo Illustration)

Everybody Loves Mike Lowell But the Red Sox Have to
Get Him Gone If They Hope to Go Anywhere in 2010

Report: Sox shopping Lowell
More Sunk Costs on the Horizon for Theo and Co.
as Sox Set to Eat Half of Mike's Money

�A sunk cost is a sunk cost." -- Theo Epstein, July 2009

Is He Holding All Our Cards Again?

Sox had to deal with the devil again
(BDD / Jonathan Blazon Illustration)

Herald: The Red Sox Have Discussed Outfielders Matt Holliday
and Rick Ankiel, Reliever Mike Gonzalez, and 3B Adrian Beltre
with You Know Who

It's the Most Wonderful
Time of the Year

Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick Sings Your Favorite Christmas Carols!

This Is Old News

BDD: Old Time Baseball in Boston Photo Illustration -- Rembrandt, Head of a Bearded Old Man Wearing a Fur Cap, ca. 1630, Isabel and Alfred Bader / Handout.
(BDD Photo Illustration)

Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia Are the Only Returning
Red Sox Starting Players Under the Age of 30

... And to Celebrate that Fact, Ellsbury Is Switching His Number from 46 to 2
Speaking of 46 Going on 36, How's Mike Lowell Looking as Your
Power-Hitting Third Baseman for Another Year?
Another Kick in the Dentures: MLB Blows Off Fenway 100 and
Picks Kansas City for 2012 All-Star Game


BDD / James MacLeod Cartoons
(BDD / James MacLeod Cartoons)

And When Exactly Is That Grand Jury Going to Throw the Book at the B12 and Lidocaine Abuser?
And Will Roger Still Be Running from the Truth in 2012?

Are You Sitting
Down for This?

Seats for sale at just $800 a pair at Fenway Park
(Bill Greene / Boston Globe File)

Because the Red Sox Are Still Trying to Reach Into Your Pockets

They Sure Know How to Generate Revenue Down on Yawkey Way
But Did They Remember They Are Supposed to Spend It on the Baseball Team?
It's the 2009 Fenway Seat Sale... a.k.a. Just Give Us Another $800 Bucks and Like It

E-mail to Red Sox Season Ticket Holders:

Dear Season Ticket Holder, While the home team is no longer playing, there is still much work to be done at Fenway Park as we approach another ambitious renovation schedule planned for this offseason. Each year since 2002 we have made offseason improvements to �America�s Most Beloved Ballpark.� This offseason will continue this tradition. A component of the 2010 improvements will be replacing the red Dugout, Field Box and Loge Box seats. We are pleased to provide our loyal season ticket holders with the first opportunity to own these authentic and historic Fenway Park seats. They are the same seats that have held fans witnessing the exploits of Yaz, Rice, Evans, Lynn, Clemens and Ortiz, not to mention the stunning performances of the 2004 and 2007 World Series.

Last year we were overwhelmed with the response to the 2008 seat sale. We hope that you will take advantage of the opportunity to own these vintage pieces of Fenway Park.

The seats will be packaged and sold in pairs (2 seats). While we would like to be able to offer you a specific seat location, the removal process does not allow us to preserve a significant portion of the seats. However we will attempt to provide you with seats in your desired section. This year�s seats are being removed from sections 27-33. Seat removal will commence after the �Frozen Fenway� events this winter.

For a limited time only, season ticket holders will have the opportunity to purchase a pair of seats for $750. This �first chance� sale will conclude on Monday, November 23rd at 5pm. Thereafter, sales will open to the general public and a pair of seats may be purchased for $795.

If you are interested in purchasing, please reply to this email at [red sox e-mail address] with your full name, day & night time phone numbers or call [number] to speak with one of our sales representatives. We will be in touch to secure payment and your part of Red Sox history. Thank you once again for your ongoing loyalty and support of the Old Town Team.

Sincerely,

The Boston Red Sox

Where's the Fire?

BDD cold stove
(BDD)

No Theo Walkout, No Beckett Blockbuster, No A-Rod Hunt,
No Matsuzaka Mania, No Manny Drama, No Teixeira Chase...
This Promises to Be Boston's Coldest Hot Stove Season Ever

The Free Agent Season Begins on Friday... The Burning Questions...
Will the Sox Use Their $tockpile to Overpay for Jason Bay or Matt Holliday?
With Alex Gonzalez Turning 50 and Jed Lowry Back in Pawtucket,
Will They Sign Marco Scutaro or Miguel Tejada?
Will Jeremy Hermida Make It As the Fourth Outfielder Next Year?
Yo, Theo... How's Trying to Steal Adrian Gonzalez from San Diego Going?
So When Exactly Does David Ortiz Leave for API in Arizona? Or Is He Still Too Busy?
More Good News: Christmas at Fenway Is Right Around the Corner...
Get Ready to Sit Online for Three Days and Empty Your Savings Account

At What Price Fenway?

Boston Dirt Dogs
(BDD)

Try $165 for One Ticket, to One Game,
in the Bleachers on the Left-Field Wall

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH FOR RED SOX FANS, THE RED SOX
RAISE THE SECOND HIGHEST TICKET PRICES IN BASEBALL

Did You Know? The $130 Field Box Seat Cost Just $35 Back in 1999
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 2010
Taking More Money from the Hard-Working Fans at Fenway Is the Way to Go. Sincerely, Gordon Gekko
This Just In ... Sox Brass Spin It To Win It

"More Crapola, If your lucky enough to get tickets at these prices, you are truly special. Most of us have to pay the 200-300% increased ticket prices passed on by the so called brokers. So much for the Fenway 'No Scalp Zone'. The scalping is done by the 'white collared' criminals." -- BiggestHank

Where Egos Dare

(BDD Photo Illustration / Jonathan Nathan)
(BDD Photo Illustration / Jonathan Nathan)

While the Patriots Were Beating the Colts,
Bill Belichick Turned into a Horse's Behind

Colts 35, Patriots 34: Read It and Weep
Pats Blow 17-Point 4th Quarter Lead
I Give the Call Two Thumbs Up. Sincerely, Grady Little

�We tried to win the game on that play. I thought we could have made that yard. I thought we had a good play. We completed it. I don�t know how we could not get a yard on that completion, but I guess we didn�t." -- Bill Belichick, looking for a yard when he needed two

Glasses Half Full

BDD_DM_glasses_111209.jpg
(Sanspo.com Photos / Daisuke's arrival in Japan)

We're Eyeing a Big Bounce Back for Daisuke in 2010

Look for Matsuzaka to Focus on Fitness This Offseason and Expect to
See Clear Improvement in Next Year's Numbers
Rob Bradford: Dice-API Discussions Begin for for New Offseason Regimen
Peter Abraham: The Matsuzaka Plan Takes Shape


Will It Be a December to Remember?

say.jpg
(BDD / The Sports Hatch.com Illustration)

The Buzz: Who's on the Hot Stove Radar?
The Latest: Sox Doing Due Diligence on Lackey
Wedding Bells for Buchholz and Clubine

Fair-Haired Roy?

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay pitching against the Red Sox
(Barry Chin / Boston Globe Staff)

The Halladay Shopping Season Has Begun
Are the Sox Looking for Roy to Be Their No. 1?

Daily News: Sox, Yanks Both Shopping for Roy Halladay
Globe 10.0: Should Sox Trade Beckett? | What Should Theo Do?
Sun: Trading Halladay Within Division Not a Problem for New Jays GM

Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos: "If we get the right package, we'll make the trade. It would be awfully narrow thinking of me to turn down the best offer because of the fact it came from within our division. Now, if we had a strictly apples and apples offers for Halladay, one from Boston, one from another team, it would not be Boston. If we made a deal we owe it to our fans to obtain the best deal possible."

V
BDD / James MacLeod Cartoons
(BDD / James MacLeod Cartoons)

... Is for Veteran

C You Later
Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff)

Varitek May Be Coming Back, But the Captain Is Surely Gone

Does Youkilis Have a Little Captain in Him? Pedroia?
Theo at GM Meetings: V-Mart to Be Full-Time Catcher
NESN.com: Varitek to Exercise Player Option, Will Return in Limited Role
Sox Re-Sign Wakefield for Two More Years

"There's a school of thought that says [Varitek] would be better with a bit more rest. If he does pick up the option, there would be an opportunity to rest more next year with Victor catching more." -- Theo on the catching change


BDD / James MacLeod Cartoons
(BDD / James MacLeod Cartoons)

A-Gon Baby Gone?

Red Sox shortstop Alex Gonzalez
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff)

Is Theo Finally Going to Get Serious
About Getting an Everyday Shortstop?

Sox Decline Option on Alex Gonzalez
Theo Fails to Make a Deal for Hardy
Economic Crisis Hits Home: First The Sox Don't Spend Manny's Salary Savings,
Now John Henry Cuts the Hedges
Good News: Sox Expected to Finish Within 10 Games of the Yankees in 2010

K-Hud for MVP

Chris Sessa holds a sign with a picture New York Yankees' Alex Rodriquez and Kate Hudson during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, in New York.
(AP)

Was There a Parade in New York Today Or Something?
OK, Fine, Congratulations to the New York Yankees
on Winning World Championship No. 27
... But You Owe It All to Kate Hudson

Take That Yankees: Sox Make the Move for Hermida... Tickets On Sale Soon

"This is the greatest event of my life. It's nine years in the making and we owe it to Kate Hudson." -- Chris Sessa, holding sign at the big parade today


BDD / James MacLeod Cartoons
(BDD / James MacLeod Cartoons)

Johnny Damon points to fans from a City Hall window before the start of a ceremony celebrating the Yankees 27th World Series championship
(AP)

That's the Point


More Scenes from the Parade

BDD
(BDD Photo Illustration / Don. D.)

Yes, Virginia, You Can Buy the World Series!

New York Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner of the New York Yankees celebrates with the trophy after their 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City.
(Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The Steinbrenners Get What They Paid For

The Globetrotters Win! THEEEEEEEEE GLOBETROTTERS WIN!
Japan's Hideki Matsui, The Indians' CC Sabathia, Texas Rangers' Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira, Toronto's A.J. Burnett, and Boston's Johnny Damon Lead the Way
And For Just $423.5 Million in Long-Term Free-Agent Spending, And a Few Million More to Round Out the $206M Roster, You Too Can Be a World Champion
We Won 95 Games Last Year in a Very Competitive Division. Sincerely, Theo Epstein
We'll Always Have NASCAR, Yachts, and Real Estate! Sincerely, John Henry
And Where In the World Is Larry Lucchino While the Evil Empire Eats His Lunch?
At Least Tom Werner Put Out a New Hit Show with Kelsey Grammar... Oh, Nevermind
Playing the Role of an Over-matched Grady Little Tonight Will Be Charlie Manuel
Did The Phillies Know There Was a Game to Be Played Last Night? Just Awful
Theo's Got Numbers That Prove Alex Gonzalez is a Better Player Than Alex Rodriguez
The Royals Have Got to Be Feeling Good About Their Chances Next Season
And They Did It By Cracking the Shell of the Pitcher Formally Known As Pedro
The Movement Starts Here: Bring Back John Damon! Bring Back John Damon!
Oh The Things You Can Do With a Billion Dollar Stadium Full of Money Launderers
Read It And Weep: New York Post | Daily News | Newsday

"Hey Dirt Dogs... %$#! &%$! %$#! &$#! &%$#! &%! &%#! and %$#! &%$!"
-- E-mails from all the Yankee fans, apparently happy about winning title No. 27*


BDD / James MacLeod Cartoons
(BDD / James MacLeod Cartoons)

And Red Sox Fans Are Finally Going to Get Restless ...

"Theo, Tito, and John Henry (and mainly John Henry): Well, you got your work cut out for you now. You used to be BOLD, and no one has seen it in 5 years. The Yanks just out DID everyone here and you were left in their wake. Now, it's up to you to go out and be BOLD once again. Your NATION is requiring it of you. Failure will be on you and no one, especially you, should accept it. Be aggressive! Stand tall and do the most for your team. Find the right blend of excellence and personality and bring it to Boston. We can no longer depend on low risk high reward players like Smoltz. We all saw how (not) well he did this year. Go out and Get it!!!" -- Jack H., Red Sox Nation

The Impromptu Bostonian

Starting pitcher Pedro Martinez of the Philadelphia Phillies comes out of the game in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees in Game Two of the 2009 MLB World Series against at Yankee Stadium on October 29, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City.
(Getty Images / Chris McGrath)

Pedro Wants to Do It for Us Because He's One of Us

Pedro Before Game 6: 'I Am a Part of Boston'

Q. Would it amuse you to hear that every Red Sox fan is rooting for you to beat the Yankees?

PEDRO MARTINEZ: No, it wouldn't. It wouldn't surprise me at all. I know that they don't like the Yankees to win, not even in Nintendo games. (Laughter). And knowing that I am part of Boston, I consider myself a Bostonian, as well, too, I've been a Montrealer, a Bostonian, and now a New Yorker, and somehow I might become a Philadelphian now. But I've only been there for a short period. It's something that's a work in progress, and I'm pretty sure that every Boston fan out there can feel proud that I'm going to try to beat the Yankees, and I'm going to give just the same effort I always did for them. They're special fans, and they will always have my respect.

BDD - Mr. Punchy
(BDD Photo Illustration / Mr. Punchy)

Some Six Sense

BDD / James MacLeod Cartoons
(BDD / James MacLeod Cartoons)

Mazz: For Pedro, Present Is a Gift from the Past
Shaughnessy: A Night at the Theater
Callahan: Pedro Is No Goat
Buckley: Can't Take Our Eyes Off Pedro

BDD / Mike Valerio
(BDD Photo Illustration / Mike Valerio )

Who's Your Editor?

New York Post
(11.4.09, New York Post back cover)

Speed Damon

Johnny Damon runs to third base chased down by Philadelphia Phillies Pedro Feliz during the ninth inning in Game 4 of the 2009 Major League Baseball World Series in Philadelphia, November 1, 2009
(Reuters)

Damon Leads the Way as Yankees Steal a Page
from the Red Sox Old Playbook

Was That Dave Roberts or Johnny Damon on the Basepaths?
New York 7, Philadelphia 4 | Yankees on the Verge of Winning Series

"I have never had a bigger hit." -- Alex Rodriguez, Mr. November (just awful)


David Ortiz Sure Doesn't Want to Talk About the Past, Or Look for Answers
Game 5: THEEEEEEEEEEE YANKEEEEEEEEES LOSE!!!!!!
Vote for Pedro to Find the Magic One More Time
In Case You Missed It: A-Rod's Really a Horse's Behind

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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