Clean Sweep
 caption info
(BDD Photo Illustration / Meir Weinberg)

Jays Make It Easy for Sox to Get Back on Track

Boston 2, Toronto 0 | Les is More
Lester Turns It Up to 11... Strikeouts... Sox Now 11-11
Run DMc Keeps on Producing: McDonald Scores One, Drives in Another
So What We've Got Is an Adrian Beltre That Hits... But Just Not Home Runs
Papelbon Does His Best Ramon Ramirez Impression: A Clean 13 Pitch Save
Seems Like Old Times in Toronto... Is Ricciardi Still in Charge Up There?

"Once we get on a bit of a roll it's hard to stop us. If we keep putting games together like that, pitching and hitting when we need to, things will take care of themselves."
-- Jon Lester, back to being his old self


Lesterrific!

Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester throws against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning of their American League MLB baseball game in Toronto April 28, 2010.
(Reuters)

The Big Lefty Finally Gets It Right


They're Baaaaaack ...

BDD Photo Illustration / Nick Brown
(BDD Photo Illustration / Nick Brown)

They're Making a Fortune and They're Finally Back to Playing .500 Baseball

Clay Pigeons
Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz throws to first against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Toronto April 27, 2010
(Reuters)

Buchholz Has Right Stuff to Ground Blue Birds
Big Effort By Sox Best Performing Righty

Boston 2, Toronto 1 | Sox Win Rare Low Scoring Affair, 2-1
Mike Lowell Just Keeps On Finding Ways to Contribute to Wins
David Ortiz, Pinch Hit for Again, Thanks Tito
Wait, What Was That? An 11 Pitch Clean, One Inning Save?
This Just In: Buchholz Will Be the Sox Starter Going to the All-Star Game
Ortiz-Beltre-Hermida Manufacture a Big Run

"I was glad I was able to go deep in the game today. It doesn't happen like that all the time. You've got to be thankful when it does." -- Buchholz, who threw a career-high 117 pitches


Who Is That Unmasked Man?

Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek is congratulated by teammates after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 13-12 in a baseball game in Toronto on Monday April 26, 2009.
(AP)

The Old V-Tek Just Kicked In, Sox Win Singles Slugfest

Boston 13, Toronto 12 | Beckett Bad, Sox Batters Better
Pitching and Run Prevention, Again: 25 runs, 34 hits, 13 pitchers
What Was the Rush on that Beckett Contract, Again?
Let Us Guess, He Wasn't Executing His Pitches and Was Missing His Location
4 RBI Captain Is Still Crunching the Ball. Will He Be Back Behind Plate Soon?
Doubles Down Jays: All Those Runs on Just 4 Extra Base Hits

"That was not the way we drew it up. I think I've said that a few times this year." -- Terry Francona, deja-vu all over again

Doom and Gloom

Red Sox owner John Henry and CEO Larry Lucchino may have messed up big with Teixeira
(Barry Chin / Boston Globe Staff)

Gammons: Henry, Lucchino Blew Teixeira Deal
Now Sox Franchise Dealt a Permanent Blow

PG: What If Sox Owners Had Allowed Theo to Close Out Teixeira Deal?

"[Theo] Epstein and manager Terry Francona visited the Teixeira family, and to hear Tex and agent Scott Boras tell it, the deal could have been done the next day for $180 million. Oh, there was posturing for ways to make it a 10-year contract, but that could have been worked around. Then something happened when principal owner John Henry and CEO Larry Lucchino went to visit Teixeira, and the player had soured on the Red Sox.

The future directions of both teams were altered. Teixeira is now a major franchise piece of the defending World Series champions. Instead of having Teixeira at first base and Kevin Youkilis at third for years, Boston now is trying to deal with an aging process that is uncomfortable. At the end of this season, the Red Sox will have to look at another uber-contract, perhaps for either Carl Crawford (if he isn't already on the Cross-Bronx Expressway) or Jayson Werth, or empty the farm system for Adrian Gonzalez, whom the Padres don't have to trade." -- Peter Gammons, MLB.com columnist

Wake's Funeral

Tim Wakefield of the Red Sox tips his cap tot he crowd during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on April 25, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts.
(Jim Rogash / Getty Images)

Bullpen Doesn't Exactly Pay Last Respects to Fallen Starter

Baltimore 7, Boston 6 | Tejada They Fall
Theo Prays the Bruins and Celtics Stay Around for a While
Mike Lowell's Only Hitting 120 Points Higher Than Ortiz Right Now
It's a Chokajima Sunday Mr. Atchison: 'Pen Fails to Write Winning Script
Yes, You Can Put This Loss Squarely on the Back of the Gum-Chewing Manager
Why Can't We Get Relievers Like Cla Burned-By-Tito Meredith?
Bright Side: Youk Stays Red Hot, J.D. On Fire... Sort Of

"I don't have any." -- Tim Wakefield sharing his thoughts about going to the bullpen


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

Saturday Night's Alright for Some Fight

Jonathan Papelbon, Marco Scutaro, Kevin Youkilis and Mike Lowell congratulate each other after they defeated the Baltimore Orioles 7-6 in a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Saturday, April 24, 2010.
(AP)

Sox Get the Power Stroke Plugged In Late

Boston 7, Baltimore 6 | Scutaro, Youkilis HRs Do Trick Against O's
Jonny Drama Papelbon Saves Himself from Himself
Lack Good Enough To Get Back on Win Track
So Is It Time to Reinstate the Captain Behind the Dish?
Can We Take a Look at the Other Ramon Ramirez Now?
UZR = UGLY for Sox in the Field


Check Is In the Mail

Julio Lugo, right, catches his bat after striking out to end the game as Boston Red Sox catcher Victor Martinez points upward during a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Friday, April 23, 2010.
(AP)

Julio Lugo, The Best Out Our Money Can Buy

Boston 4, Baltimore 3 | No Easy Wins, Even Against Bad Teams
Welcome Back Lugo, One of the Sunk Cost Gang, Whiffs to End It
People Will Forever Talk About the Night They Witnessed Adrian Beltre Walk
Did Theo Consult with the Orioles on How to Build a Bullpen?
Adam Jones Was Packin' for Bard
Still Worried About Lester? You Should Be
Papelbon Shows Why Save Stats Are Silly
David Ortiz, HR No. 1 and Counting


Good Thing No One Saw It

Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, left, sits on the bench and listens to teammate Mike Lowell, who replaced Ortiz in the line up as DH, during the first inning against the Texas Rangers in a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston,
(AP)

Clay Slays Rangers, But Wilson Bewilders Sox

Texas 3, Boston Zip | Celtics, Bruins, Draft Hide Punchless Sox
And C.J. Wilson Is the Latest to Turn Into Cy Young in Boston
V-Mart the Star of the Night with 2 Hits
No Drama, Just a Bad Ending
Old Friend Darren Oliver Gets His Revenge
Old McDonald? To the Farm

Better Late Than Never
 Kevin Youkilis is mobbed by teammates following his 12th inning game winning hit that gave Boston an 8-7 victory over Texas. The Boston  Red  Sox take on the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park
(Jim Davis / Globe Staff)

Sox Show Off Walkoffense Again
Youk Comes Through in the 12th

Boston 8, Texas 7 | Another Walkoff Win
And It All Happened Because of Marco Scutaro's Scoot to Second
Youk Can Do It: Kevin Drives In the Winning Run Off the Wall
This Just In: Theo Epstein's Job Is Safe for Another Day
McLovin' Just Keeps on Serving Up Homers, Hits, and Has An Arm (Sort Of)
Holy McNumers Batman: Run DMc Is Still Rappin': .600/.714/1.800
Wonder If Beckett Ends Up Being Another Sunk Cost Contract in a Few Years?
Can Anyone Find That Article About the 3 Aces on the Sox Staff Again?
Sit Tight David, We've Got Mike From Accountemps Handling Things at DH
What Will Happen First? Matsuzaka Earns His Paycheck or Beltre Homers?
Sox Tighten the Defense: Just 3 SBs for the Runnin' Rangers
Major Props to the Pen: An Efficient Papelbon, Bard Back to Being Bard
Nippert Got Lit Up Just Like Al Nipper There at the End
And It's the Old Okajima!
J.D.... Whew!

"I'd rather get beat up than beat myself up in the dugout. I've been in a little bit of a rut lately." -- Kevin Youkilis back in the saddle again

McLovin' at First Sight
Red Sox Darnell McDonald celebrates with teammates Jonathan Papelbon (left) and Dustin Pedroia after his game winning hit against the Texas Rangers during 9th inning action at Fenway Park on Tuesday April , 20 2010.
(Matthew J. Lee / Boston Globe Staff)

Welcome to McDonald's Late Night Drive-Thru Walkoff Win

Boston 7, Texas 6 | A Star is Born
Billions and Billions in Red Sox Nation Were Served Last Night
The Sox Deserved a Break Today, and Got One with a New Addition
While You Are Reading This, The Texas Rangers Stole Another Base
If This Keeps Up, David Ortiz May Be Working at McDonald's in June
Is It Time for Tim Wakefield to Play the Johnny Pesky Good Ambassador Role?
Hot Topic Du Jour: Who Should DH, McDonald or The Mess That Is David Ortiz?
A Fast Food Win: Looked Good Goin' Down, Don't Feel So Good This Morning
Shocker of the Night: The Boston Red Sox Did Not Make an Error
Mike Lowell Can Still Walk, and He Drew Two Bases on Balls
Adding Injuries to Insults: Ellsbury Joins Cameron on the DL
Still Looking for Papi in the Celebration Pile...
Do You Want Fries with That, Texas?
Some McTrouble with Steroids

"I wanted to be the hero tonight. I wanted to come through. I know the team has been struggling a little bit. When I came up here, any opportunity I got, I wanted to be a spark. I didn�t think it was going to happen like this." -- The venerable Darnell McDonald


Green Monster Now Renamed 'McDonaldland'

BDD_mcd_meir_4.20.10.jpg
(BDD Photo Illustration / Meir Weinberg)

And the Addition of the McDonald's Sign Makes It One Billion Advertising Messages You Will Be Exposed to On a Nightly Basis at Fenway Park


Sign of the Times Next Week

Boston Dirt Dogs
(BDD Photo Illustration)

On the Mountain Top

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

Playoffs? Playoffs?!?

Boston Dirt Dogs -- Bridge
(BDD Photo Illustration)

Looks Like 2010 Really Is a Bridge to Nowhere

Rays Finish Off Sox on Patriots Day, 8-2
Today Reminds Us That Manny Really Was a Gold Glove Outfielder in Boston
Hapless Sox Haven't Had Worse Start Since '96
Longest Losing Streak at Fenway Since 12 Straight in '94
Sox Hitless in Last 32 At-Bats With Runners in Scoring Position
We Knew V-Mart Couldn't Catch-and-Still-Hit. Sincerely, The Cleveland Indians
Looks Like We Got the 8-Home Run Adrian Beltre... If We're Lucky
Really. The Sox Haven't Held the Lead for 48 Innings and Counting
When Was the Last Time Kevin Youkilis Was Batting .217?
Not Exactly Manny and Papi: Ortiz Hitting .158, J.D. Getting Old at .146
Is Fred Lynn Available to Be Flown In to Play Center Tomorrow?
Hall Pass: The Guy's Just Not An Outfielder Anymore
Designated Hermida Taketh Away, Giveth Some Back
Big John Gets the Early Morning Mulligan
Neimann Marked Us


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

Yuuuuuuuuuuk!

Kevin Youkilis disagrees after he is called out on strikes against Minnesota Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano during the first inning of a baseball game in Minneapolis, Thursday, April 15, 2010. The Twins beat the Red Sox 8-0.
(AP)

How's That Balanced Offense, Tight Defense, and
Run Prevention Plan Going So Far?

Minnesota 8, Boston 0 | Twins Blank Hapless Sox
Regarding Wakefield, How's Dice-K Coming Along These Days?
Et Tu, Hermida? 0-for-3 for Everybody's Favorite New Ortiz Replacement
Liriano Won't Be the First Lefty to Own the Sox Lineup This Season
This Just In: Wakefield Would Like a Do-Over at the Old Metrodome
As an Outfielder, Bill Hall Makes a Tremendous Shortstop
Mike Lowell Gets a Start, and It Makes No Difference
Every Day Is the Same, Our All-World 2B Shows Up to Play
How Come the Godawful J.D. Drew Gets a Pass? Sincerely, David Ortiz
Even Our Oldest Friend, Ron Mahay, Can Handle This Offense

"It was a very ugly game and it started with me." -- Tim Wakefield, 10 hits, 5 earned runs in 5 1/3 innings

Run of the Millsy

Manager Brad Mills of the Houston Astros walks off the field during pregame against the San Francisco Giants on Opening Day at Minute Maid Park on April 5, 2010 in Houston, Texas
(Chris Graythen / Getty Images)

In Houston, He Has a Problem

The Sons of Brad Mills Fall to 0-8 to Start Season
I'm Available If They Need Me Down There. Sincerely, Grady Little
Little Going Right for Francona's Old Friend Early On
Wade Regrets Firing Mills... Tito, Not So Much


Wake Up Today

Red Sox starting pitcher Tim Wakefield pitches to Kansas City Royals' David DeJesus during the first inning of a major league baseball game Friday, April 9, 2010, in Kansas City, Mo.
(AP)

One of the Five Takes the Hill at 1:00

43-Year-Old Looks for Win No. 190
Cameron Out, Hall In, Lowell Too vs. Liriano
Marco... Polo... Marco... Lugo...

Designated Hermida

Jeremy Hermida hit a bases-clearing double in the Sox win today
(AP)

Sorry Papi, But It's Time to Take a Seat
Hermida Has to Stay in the Lineup

Hermida Does It Again, Leads Sox to 6-3 Win Over Twins | Box
With Ortiz and Lowell on the Bench, the Sox Will Have Just $25M in DH Reserves
Lackey Lackluster in First Sox Win, But He'll Take It
Bard Hit Hard Again, But He Doesn't Blow It
Just Can't Get a Clean Inning Out of Jonathan Papelbon
Pedroia Right Back in the Saddle as AL's Best 2B
Or Does Cameron Sit? Ellsbury Back to Center, Hermida in Left?
Is Putting $14 Million J.D. .182 on the Pine the Answer?
The Obvious Report: Ortiz Told He Will Not Be in Lineup Thursday vs. Lefty Liriano
The Designated Survey: Who Should Start for the Sox at DH?

A-Ring Stings

Alex Rodriguez shows his 2009 World Series Championship ring at a news conference following the Yankees 7-5 win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, April 13, 2010.
(Reuters)

Alex Rodriguez and the Steinbrenner All-Stars Get Their Rings

It's a Big Day in the Bronx As Sox Rivals Get Their Championship Bling
Unctuous A-Rod: I'll Wear Ring Every Day
Jeter, Girardi Give Georgie His $201,449,189 Million Ring
Bright Side: A-Rod Has No Homers So Far This April
This Just In: Bay Gets First RBI for Mets; Manny Goes Deep


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

Looks Like Only 80 Percent of Sox Fans Want to See Lowell Get a Shot at DH

Target Practice

David Ortiz throws his bat after fouling out to Minnesota Twins third baseman Nick Punto during the ninth inning of their American League home-opening baseball game at Target Field in Minneapolis April 12, 2010.
(Reuters)

Sox Offense Comes Up Small
Twins Win in The Great Outdoors

Field of Dreams for Twins | Minnesota 5, Boston 2
Here We Go... Is David's Left Wrist Hurting Him?
Carl Pavano Outpitches Jon Lester? Is Brian Rose Taking Down Lackey, Next?
Good to Know Scutaro Can Handle the Top of the Order... Just Forget Stealing
Is Being Behind the Plate Catching Up with V-Mart's Bat?
Just for Fun, Let's See If Hermida Plays Himself Out of the Left First
Put the B-Team in Again! Sincerely, Jason Varitek
So That's the KKameron They Told Us About
J.D. Drew... .182

"I just stunk. Didn't make pitches, and I really don't know what else to say." -- Jon Lester, 'Nuff Said... Maybe there's an opening in the rotation for Daisuke after all?

Contract Up!
Beckett's gotta pitch like an Ace tonight
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff)

Signed, Sealed, and Time to Deliver
Show Me the Money, Josh!
SHOW
ME
THE
MONEY!

Bottom Line:
The $162.4 Million Team's Ace Has to Beat the $70.1 Million Team's Ace
Sun: Boston 8, Kansas City 6 | Sox Take Series in KC
Does Pedroia Have Room for Another MVP Trophy?
And Once He Homers, Beltre Will Have Arrived
Buchholz Will Just Keep Getting Better
KC and the Sunshine 'Pen: Bard in the 8th, Papelbon in the 9th
Hitting Bottom and Digging Deeper: 4K's for DO
Sat: Boston 8, Kansas City 3 | Beckett Steps Up, Okajima, Ramirez Save It Out
Brushback for Beckett: Line Drive Just Misses Nailing Josh on the Noggin
Captain Fantastic: 'Tek Belts Two in Debut, Hermida Homers, Too
Youk Gets Off the Schnide; Pedroia Gets No. 2 Out of the Way Early
That's Five, Count 'Em, Five Homers for Embattled Sox Offense
This Just In: Mike Lowell Can Still Make Plays at Third Base


It's Been a Bard Day's Night

Hideki Okajima, left, is taken out of the game by manager Terry Francona, right, during the eighth inning of a major league baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Friday, April 9, 2010, in Kansas City, Mo.
(AP)

And They've Been Playing Like Dogs
Okajima, Rifleman Blow It This Time

Kansas City 4, Boston 3 | 'Pen Can't Finish Off Royals
Oh Sure, The Offense Is Just As Good As Last Year, Probably Better...
Wake Should Still Be One of the Five. Sincerely, Daisuke Matsuzaka
What's Eating David Ortiz? Tossed for Arguing Correct Call
J.D. Drew Comes Through for Two
Take Out Wrenched Ankiel

"Thought I made a decent pitch 2-0, trying to go in with a fastball. It was in. Broke his bat, but it carried over the infielder�s head. That�s baseball." -- Daniel Bard, taking a hard loss

He Hate Me
Manny  Ramirez watches the final out of the ninth inning from the dugout during a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Monday, April 5, 2010.
(AP)

And You, and You, and All of Us in Boston
June 18 Can't Get Here Fast Enough, My Manny

LA Times: Manny Speaks, and He's Full of... Surprises

"He hates Boston more than any other city, wants to live in Florida, and we're talking to Manny Ramirez here, so why bother telling him that's exactly where Manny Ramirez lives?" -- T.J. Simers, Los Angeles Times... who spoke to Emanuel Ramirez, the jockey, not the ballplayer, but June 18 can't come fast enough.

Stinko Ocho
Pitcher Jonathan Papelbon  of the Boston Red Sox leaves in the 10th inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on April 7, 2010 in Boston
(Jim Rogash / Getty Images)

But Papelbon's Gonna Use The Videotape for Motivation All Day
Mamma Said There'd Be Losses Like This for Theo's Bridgemen

Game 3: Store-Bought Bombers 3, Boston Bridgemen 1
Globe: Yanked Away | Cafardo: Now the Closer Left Open to Questions
The One Hit Wonders: No One on Sox Offense Can Muster Two Hits
Tough Luck No-Win for New Red Sox Staff Ace, No. 1 Starter,
Cy Young Candidate, and Future Hall of Famer and US Senator John Lackey
Papelbon Gets Pounded All Day Through Friday, But Bard Blew the Save
Paps May Be Expecting Any Day, But We Expect Him to Hold a Tie at Home
That's The Papelbon We Remember. Sincerely, The Orange County Angels
Just What the Bronx Globetrotters Needed... The Addition of Curtis Granderson
Ortiz 2K Drives in the Only Run, But FanBus Will Run Him Over Again Today
Fenway VIdeo / Survey: Fans Take Sides on David Ortiz vs. Mike Lowell
Pettitte or Forget It?... Youkilis Still Getting Plunked By Yankee Pitchers
And You Still Can't Find Any Adrian Beltre T-Shirts at Fenway
Does J.D. Drew Still Play for the Red Sox?
Wilbur: Sit and Spin

"I liked the way I mixed my pitches. I broke some bats. I was able to throw some first-pitch splits to Granderson and Swisher. I felt I had good command. I felt my legs were underneath me. If I can duplicate the way I felt tonight for the rest of the season, I�ll be extremely happy with that." -- Jonathan Papelbon... umm, so what about that game-blowing homer pitch out over the plate to Granderson?

"Someone inside the Red Sox organization needs to request that everyone look themselves in the mirrors. Yes, they lost 2 out of 3 to the Yanks at the start of the season and no one should overreact over that. Especially considering the start to the '09 season.

"What bothers me is the nonchalant approach to baseball this team has. I doubt I'd ever get under their skin, but I've never seen such poor FIGHT in a team that has the second highest payroll in the league. 162 game season sport or not, you fight and claw for everything. Boston has not done any of that. Not this year and not last year.

"If the Sox do indeed look themselves in the mirror, they will need to solve the Ortiz and J.D. Drew problems immediately. They will stop looking at certain seasons, especially by admission, as bridge years to the future and play to win every year. Prospects have too many questions and rarely make an immediate impact. Find and trade for the best players who fit your profile, don't try to develop the limited." -- Alan S., Red Sox Nation


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

Marco... Oh No!

Red Sox SS Marco Scutaro made the key error last night
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff)

Pitching, Defense, Run Prevention, and Professional Umpiring?
Screw 'Em!

Game 2 Box: New York 6, Boston 4
Sox Tossed for a Loss: Scutaro, Okajima Throw Away Game 2
And Just Like That, Jon Lester Is No Longer the Frontrunner for the Cy Young
Was Scutaro Shaking Hands with Nomar Before the Game or Something?
I Didn't Think the Throw to Youkilis Was That Bad. Sincerely, Julio Lugo
David @*#%! Ornery .000rtiz Not Expected to Be Benched, Yet
Bright Side: Ellsbury, V-Mart, and Beltre Came to Work Ready to Play
So are Schilling and Pedro, You Know, Available to Pitch In Case This Keeps Up?

"You guys wait till [expletive] happens, then you can talk [expletive]. Two [expletive] games, and already you [expletives] are going crazy. What's up with that, man? [Expletive]. [Expletive] 160 games left. That's a [expletive]. One of you [expletives] got to go ahead and hit for me." -- David Ortiz, miles from being Big Papi

"So the Sox lost on basically two bad calls by an umpire and an error. Can we finally start talking about the absolute necessity for accountability (and potentially replay) for all umpires in this game. ...The Sox still are NOT aggressive enough to win. They don't have a KILLER instinct. I don't see anyone saying 'This is out year and we're going to get this done.' Rather, I see players just thinking, 'Well if things fall my way I'll be fine and things will maybe work out.' " -- L.D., Red Sox Nation

Just Roaming Around

Lugo, Johnny, Manny, and J-Bay get back at it.
(AP and Getty Images Photos)

And Checking in On Some of Our Old Friends

T.J. Simers Turns on Manny: 'The Clown Now Replaced By the Frown'
J-Bay Cool in Mets Debut; Citi Field Triple, Fenway Single?
Still Motoring: Johnny Damon Alive and Kicking In for Tigers
Not a Model Citizen: Michelle Damon's Already Making Friends in Detroit
Our Money Well Spent: Lugo Says He Expects to Play for Orioles
A Shaky D-Lowe Grabs an Opening Day Win for Braves
Pedro's Full of Praise for Sox, Boston
Photos: Old Friends, New Places

Simers on Manny: "With the season lost now, it appears all that's left to be determined is where Manny Ramirez might end up next year. He's already pronounced his career over in Los Angeles after this season, and so be it, but is Ramirez already finished as a big-time baseball player? ... He's already climbed back into his Boston shell, doing what he did there when he knew he was on his way out. He's no longer the leader in the clubhouse. Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp have taken over, and now there's some suspicion that for the first time in his career he's been hit hard by self-doubt." -- 4.5.10, Los Angeles Times


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

Dustin Time
Dustin Pedroia reacts after hitting a two-run home run against the New York Yankees during the seventh inning of the first American League baseball game of MLB's 2010 season at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts April 4, 2010.
(Reuters)

Wake Up the Bambino, It Was 7th Heaven on Easter at Fenway
Rare Pedroia Late Shot Ties It, Sox Rally Back to Win Opener

Opening Box: Boston 9, New York 7
Back-to-Back Beckett Didn't Look So Good, So Good... But His New Contract Does
The People Complaining About the 5-Year Old's Language in The Speech? ...Screw 'Em
The Ellsbury Move to Left is Working Out Well, Sincerely, Carl Yastrzemski
Lineup After Leadoff Looks OK: Pedroia and Youkilis Beef up the Middle
Mike Cameron and Marco Scutaro Nicely Round Out the Bottom
And Right Now at Fenway, Pedro Martinez Is Still Taking Bows to An Empty Park
Neil Diamond Sounded So Good, No? Steven Tyler Looked So Good, No?
Yes, Virginia, There's Still Some Offensive Punch in the Boston Lineup
Lowell and Behold, Papi's Swinging the Slowest Bat in Baseball
Last Night Showed Why the Sox Kept Shoeneweis Around
Bard Still Throwing Hard; Pap Gets the Easy Save
And a Hat Tip to Hideki Okajima

"We all have faith in ourselves. It's good to get a win opening night. It's good for the city. It's good for the fans. It's good for the players. It's good for everyone. ... But it's still just one game." -- Kevin Youkilis, who should be named co-captain along with Dustin Pedroia immediately

Photos: The Scene at Fenway | Video Scene

Let's Do This
Sox Will Crush the Yankees in Opener
(Boston Dirt Dogs / Jamison Odone Illustration)

Sox Set to Crush Yanks in Opener

Theo Epstein's Offense Will Shine Like the April Sun Tonight
The Boston Defenders Will Catch Every Ball That's Hit in Play
CC's Certainly Not Ready for Prime Time; Yanks Can't Even Spell Repeat
Always an Ace Josh Beckett Gets Set to Lock Up His Gazillion Dollar Deal
The Sox Are in First Place, Another 95 Wins on the Horizon
It's 75 Degrees, It's Opening Day, Happy Easter
Beloved Fenway to Return to 1912 Conditions
John Henry and Linda Pizzuti Are Expecting!
All Is Perfect in Red Sox Nation Today
The Globe's 2010 Baseball Preview

Wally's Out!
Red Sox lergend Luis Tiant gets a hug from outgoing mascot Wally the Green Monster
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff)

B D D   E X C L U S I V E:

Lack of Interest and Slow Ticket Sales Force Sox to Lay Off Longtime Mascot Wally the Green Monster

Wally's Got to Get on Monster.com This Morning As the Red Sox Have
Shocked the Nation and Relieved No. 97 of His Duties at Fenway
This Is a Travesty of a Mockery of a Sham. Sincerely, Former Celtics Mascot Lucky

Boston Dirt Dogs has learned today that longtime Red Sox mascot Wally the Green Monster was relieved of his duties this morning. In a statement released to BDD, Sox owner John Henry said he was saddened by the decision but given today's continued uncertain economic climate, lack of buzz surrounding the 2010 team, and record low ticket sales, even among the Red Sox official scalping partners, the hard choice of cutting Wally's salary had to be made. Sox GM Theo Epstein reportedly fought to keep Wally on the roster but was overruled by team president Larry Lucchino, who sources say accused Wally of leaking team secrets to the press over the last 12 years. Lucchino plans to fill in for Wally, greeting fans at the gate and dancing on the dugout in the seventh inning, on an interim basis.

The fate of Lefty and Righty, the alternate mascots introduced by Dr. Charles Steinberg in 2003, was unknown at the time of this report.

Wally is expected to address the media in a press conference at Jerry Remy's Sports Bar & Grill once the fired mascot scrapes up enough coins for the $500 Personal Seat License owed to the President of Red Sox Nation and NESN broadcasting legend.

* -- Oh, and while you are digesting this story, don't forget to check the calendar. And look back at Sox news on this date in 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004...


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