Also New on NESN



Theo Epstein and the Holy Grail
... Starring the 2010 Boston Red Sox as
the Black Knight Guarding the 'Bridge'

Also, On a Very Special 'After the Game', You'll Get to See How Nickel and Dime Starters John Lackey and Josh Beckett Spend Their Excess Millions
Gerry Callahan: Lackey, Beckett Co-star in Red Sox Flop
Dan Shaughnessy: It's Official, Sox Are a Done Deal
Holy Uri Berenguer Highlights, the Hits Keep on Coming for Sox Fans:
NESN's New Gameplan

"Look you stupid bastard, you've got no arms left! Yes I have. Look! It's just a flesh wound." -- King Arthur and Black Knight, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, 1974


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

Can You Hear Her Now?

BDD / Frank Galasso illustration

As We Head Into September, The Song Remains the Same

It's All Unofficially Over as Sox Drop Two of Three in the Trop
Sunday: Tampa Bay 5, Boston 3 | Rays Send Sox Packing
John Lackluster Pitched from the Josh Beckett Script Perfectly
Did You Know? John Lackey Is French for Jeff Suppan
Sox Close Out the Season Quietly in Last Three Innings
Even Shields Owns This Lineup Now
Saturday: Tampa Bay 3, Boston 2 | Sox Drop the Ball
Streak Over, Clay Buchholz Is His Own Worst Enemy
Victor Steps Up Again, But It's a Killer Setback for Sox
Red Sox for $500 Alex... 'Who Ended the 2010 Red Sox Season?'... Dan Johnson
Thanks for Over-managing Tito. Sincerely, Daniel Bard's Fresh Young Arm
Add J.D. Drew's Brain to the Disabled List
Friday: Boston 3, Tampa Bay 1 | Lester Outpitches Price
V-Mart Blue Light Special

"We've got a lot more games than that. I'm not a math whiz, but I think it's doable." -- John Lackey needs a new calendar


Now Available On iTunes

 caption info
(BDD Photo Illustration)

Season Over, But Record Will Keep Playing

Split the Bit
Red Sox DH David Ortiz howls in disbelief after he scalded a shot to leftfield with two on and two out in the bottom of the eighth inning, but it was caught to end the inning and the Boton threat.
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff)

Sox Don't Have the Horses to Take Two

Seattle 4, Boston 2 | Boston 5, Seattle 3 | Sox Shine in Day, Fall at NIght
Fill In Wake Falls to 3-10, Rookie Ump Takes Bat Out of Sox Hands
Don't Choke on That Beckett Burger, But Josh Got Win No. 4
More Bad News: Felix Closing on on Clay for Cy Consideration
In Game One, the Sox Nava Quit

"I didn�t do nothing. Why are rookies behind home plate when we�re trying to freaking win a pennant race here? We have to play against the players and against the umpires now. It�s 25 against 26... We have to start gaining some ground because this is getting kind of late.��-- Adran Beltre tosses out the truth of the matter

Johnny Rotten
The scene this afternoon at the Red Sox minor league facility looked more like a rock concert than a sporting venue, and at no time did it more so than when Red Sox centerfielder Johnny Damon came out of the clubhouse and made his way to the field.
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe File)

And He Can Kiss That Standing Ovation in Boston Goodbye

Free Press: Damon Will Stay in Detroit | Detroit News: Damon Not Jumping Ship

"I think it sends the wrong message to say, 'Well, here's an opportunity to jump ship. I'm not going to do it, not to these guys. ... I love Detroit and I love the fans. The tough thing is, there's no guarantee where I'll be next year. As much as I'd love to be back here, that's something the team doesn't really decide until the offseason. And I'm OK with that." -- Johnny Integrity


Get Over It and Grow Up

May 1, 2006
(2006 BDD File Photo)

Are You Really Hurt About a Few Idiots at Fenway
That Can't Even Spell Traitor, Johnny?

Is the Idiot Just
Jerking Us Around?

Tigers designated hitter Johnny Damon
(Reuters)

Or Is Johnny Boston Setting Us Up for the Most
Dramatic Return in the History of Earth?

The Detroit News: Damon Torn About Whether to Face Red Sox Fans Again
Nick Cafardo: Johnny on the Spot | Eric Wilbur: Idiots for Dummies
Do the Sox Think This Will Fix the Mistake Of Going with Coco?
Will Damon Stay Away Because of a Few Dirtbag Yahoos Who Booed Him?
I Think It's a Great Move to Bring Back a Superstar. Sincerely, Manny Ramirez
Photos: Damon Through the Years | Discussion/Survey | BDD: All Time Favorite
Will Daisuke Give Him His Old No. 18 back? Both Boras Clients...
If Johnny Won't Come, Can We at Least Get Michelle Back?
Looking Back: Damon Got Scrooged in Boston

"That's my feeling right now [block the deal to Boston]. and I don't want to go home tonight and talk to my agent and talk to everyone who's involved and change my mind. I'm definitely leaning towards staying. That's the fortunate thing, having until 1:30 (p.m.) on Wednesday.

"Obviously they claimed me to go out there and play left field and lead off for them," Damon said. "They have a lot of big games with Tampa Bay coming up. They have six more games with New York coming up. That's why they're trying. What a scene that would be, playing for the Red Sox while the Yankees go there, and everybody there hates me. That's the craziness that's involved.

"What we had in Boston -- I stress had, from 2002 to 2005 -- we had a special bunch of guys," Damon said. "And after the 2004 season, guys started leaving. And in 2005, how (Mark) Bellhorn left, how Alan Embree left, how Kevin Millar was being treated there. That's something that sticks with you. It was a totally new team.

"I know they have a very good team, possibly the best rotation around. They inched a game closer today. (Jason) Varitek knows what I brought to the table night in and night out. (David) Ortiz does, and (Tim) Wakefield. So obviously I know they want me. But I love it here in Detroit, and I love my teammates here." -- Johnny Damon, last night


Sox Go with Marco

Tek pats Scutaro on the head after win
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff)

No Big Deal But Sox Beat SeAAAtle

Boston 6, Seattle 3 | Scutaro Makes His Mark
The Single Reason the Sox Won? Seattle Stinks
Lackey Always Looks Good Against AL West Scrubs
Are the Sox Calling That the 614th Straight Sellout with a Straight Face?
Fister Didn't Have Enough Punch for M's
Ryan K-lish?

"The first six innings is probably the best I've felt this season." -- John Lackey, who may finally have some wind behind him

Standings Still
Bill Hall (left) and Ryan Kalish (right) leap in celebration following Boston's 5-0 victory, but they gained no ground in the standings, as both the Yankees and Tampa Bay won earlier (scores at left).
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff)

Cy Buchholz Pours It On Jays
But Yankees, Rays Rain on Sunday Parade

Boston 5, Toronto 0 | No Clay Delay
Who's the Ace? AL-Best ERA -- 2.26 for the Lowest Paid Starter
David Ortiz: New Triple Threat; HR Hall: He's Just a Bill

"There's a couple of times (I wanted) to go home, just chalk it up for a season and head into the offseason and forget about that year. But now I feel like if I make a mistake I can come back and readjust. ... It's definitely a big confidence thing." -- the ever impressive Clay Buchholz


11th Heaven
Red Sox shortstop Jed Lowrie was in the center of the Boston Red Sox celebration after his walk off homer in the eleventh inning.
(Globe Staff Photo / Barry Chin)

Sox Hang Tough, Stay Alive with a Walkoff
Lowrie Has His Nava/McDonald Moment

Boston 5, Toronto 4 | Jed Led
Victor Martinez Gets It Done on Both Sides of the Ball
Scutaro Gets in the Mix

"A walk-off can certainly get us on a roll." -- Daniel Bard, future closer


Adding Insult to Injury

It was an early exit for Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester
(Globe Staff Photo / Barry Chin)

When You Least Expect It... Lesterrible, Pedroia Lost

Toronto 16, Boston 2 | Overbay, Jays Punish Punchless Sox
Pedroia Needs to Be More Like Jacoby

"He just didn't command really anything. It was a tough go right from the beginning." -- Francona on Lester's failure


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

Need Someone to Blame This Summer?

Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett looks out from the mound after giving up a 3-run homer to Hideki Matsui in the 6th inning as Matsui heads home
(John Tlumacki / Boston Globe Staff)

Look No Further Than Josh Beckett

Disneyland 7, Boston 2 | Not Much Offense for Sox
I Wish the Game Would End After 5 Innings, Too. Sincerely, Dice-K
Hey, 19 Has Given Up 19 Runs in His Last 3 Outings
It Was a Very Bad Year. Sincerely, Frank Sinatra
Bright Side: Ortiz

"He hit his spots all night and then he missed three or four consecutive hitters. Sometimes you need a break, maybe a foul ball. It just happened. He was very good up until that point. It was nothing physical and then he came back and got the hitters after that." -- Tito, being creative, and kind, to Beckett

Nava Ending Story

Red Sox left fielder Daniel Nava makes a diving catch of a line drive by Los Angeles Angels' Maicier Izturis in the eighth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010.
(AP)

Nice Grab Daniel My Brother, But They Are Nava
Going to Catch Anyone in the Pennant Race

Boston 7, The OC 5 | Rally Good Times Roll
It's Nava Over Until Daniel Takes One for the Team
Papelbon Doesn't Blow Lackey's Win This Time Around. Sincerely, Toronto
Beltre Continues to Blast Homers at Fenway on His Farewell Tour of Boston
No Truth to the Rumor That Pocket Change Will Be Replacing NESN Daily
Hands Off Pink Hats: Suddenly the Fans Are Back Into the Game
Yes, Papelbon Set Some Sort Of Record, But Nava Gets the Save
So Now It's Tito Calling Out the Tough Guys in the Media
I'll Have Whatever Bill Hall is Having
Welcome Back Victor Martinez
Shocker: Ellsburied, Cameroff

"It's a do-or-die play. That ball gets by him, they probably take the lead. That's a play you've got to take a chance on. You've got to give it all you've got. That's what he did." -- Red Sox Captain Bill Hall on the Nava catch ...

Gumshoe Reporter?

Just Something to Chew on at Lunch
Heidi's Going to Ask Pedroia a Question Any Second Now ...

And The Answer Is: 105 Times... Heidi Chewed Her Gum While Dustin Waxed On
Looks Like She's Daydreaming About the Next Episode of NESN Daily

Kalishious!
Ryan Kalish (second from left)) is greeted at the plate by teammates J.D. Drew, David Ortiz and Mike Lowell following his fourth inning grand slam. The Boston Red Sox take on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Fenway Park.
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff)

But the Sox Are Just Grandstanding as Yanks, Rays Win, Too

Boston 6, Anaheim 0 | Home Cooking
Ryan Kalish Still Thinks This Is All a Dream
Did You Know? You Can't Spell Clay with a CY
Pedr0-for-4 in Return, But Good to Have the Heart and Soul Back
Darnell Call 1-800-54-GIANT McDonald Smashes a Toyota Windshield
Nava Say Nava Again: Daniel's Back in Boston

"Whoever's car it was, I'm sorry. Don't get mad at me. It got up in the wind... hopefully they've got Geico." -- Darnell McDonald

Panic in the Streets

Rich, last name withheld, holds tickets for sale to the Boston Red Sox vs. the Detroit Tigers game at the corner of Yawkey Way and Brookline Ave. Jerry Remy pitches aftermarket tickets for Ace Tickets
(Barry Chin / Boston Globe Staff | Ace Ticket commercial)

The Scalpers Are Suffering! The Scalpers Are Suffering!

Eric Wilbur: Ace in the Hole... The Scam on Sox Fans Continues
Sox 'Sellout Streak' Also Continues... Plenty of Good Seats Available Tonight
Globe: Losses Are Piling Up, Even for Red Sox Official Scalping Partner Ace Ticket
Sox and Cops Continue to Let Scary Dirtbags Confront Fans Outside Fenway
And Why Are The Sox Making the President of the Nation Pitch Marked-Up Seats?

"The scalpers have different theories for why things have gotten so bad. Some blame Ace Tickets, the secondary ticketing company that set up an office on Brookline Ave. five years ago. 'Ace Tickets, they�re the real scalpers,' the silver-haired man in the Red Sox jersey says." -- The Boston Globe, Losses piling up for scalpers

Now Playing

BDD_DP_laser_6.20.10.jpg
(BDD Photo Illustration / Meir Weinberg)

And the Birthday Boy Shall Lead Them Back to Second Place

Sox Plug into Pedroia | Teammates Psyched for Dustin's Return

"We don�t need to prove anything to anybody. We�ve had guys fight through it all year. Frankly, we don�t give a $#@! what anybody thinks. We�re trying to win games. That�s the attitude we have. Jump on the wagon now. It�s going to be a fun ride." -- Pedey talkin' the talk

Manny DelTimlin

David Murphy, Julio Borbon, left, and Elvis Andrus, rear, congratulate Michael Young, right, on his three-run home run off of  Manny DelTimlin in the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010, in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers won 7-3.
(AP)

Manny Melts in the Heat, Arlington Road Is a Dead End

Texas 7, Boston 3 | Another Road Trip
Delcarmen Does a Spot-on Impression of Tim Wakefield in Relief
Same Old Story, Young Facing Manny Was a Big Mistake
C.J. Wilson's War Wasn't Much of a Battle Against Boston, Again
First Time for Everything... Matsuzaka Deserved Better
It's the Missing Red Sox Offense, Stupid

"The problem wasn't Dice, it was how the other guy pitched." -- Tito needs to look at the offense, too


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

Don't Look Now!

Red Sox second baseman Bill Hall, right, celebrates with Red Sox left fielder Ryan Kalish, left, after hitting a two run homerun against Toronto Blue Jays starting pitch Shaun Marcum during fourth inning of their baseball game in Toronto on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010.
(AP)

But If the Rolling Red Sox Keep on Winning
People Are Going to Start Watching

Boston Bashers 10, Same Old Toronto 1 | Sox Raise a Rukus at Skydome
Bill Do-It-All Hall Has to Stay in the Lineup When Pedroia Gets Bac... F-T DH?
No That's Not a Typo, the Replacement Red Sox Offense Actually Scored 10 Runs
No Truth to Rumor That Steven Slater Will Do Interview With U-Ber On NESN Daily
They're Gonna Win 11 of 16 And Get Right Back in the Race. Danny from Quincy
Mike Lowell Continues to Do a Spot-On Impersonation of Kevin Youkilis
Cl-Ace Buchholz Owns Jays, Now 13-5, Still Firing Away Into the 8th
This Just In: Hall Is Even Turning Double Plays Now
Shhh... J.D. Drew Is Quietly Getting Into a Groove
Is This Thing On? Sincerely, The Pennant Race

�Don�t sleep on the Sox. We have something good going on." -- Run DMc, a.k.a. Darnell McDonald

Eat Pray Dice

Red Sox starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka  is taken out of the game by manager Terry Francona in the sixth inning of their American League MLB baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto August 10, 2010.
(Reuters)

But Sox Survive and Stay Alive on Lowell Blow

Wild Card Warriors 7, Toronto 5 | A Three-Dimensional Win
Take Your Time Pedey, Jed Lowrie Is Second to None
And That's the Version of Dice-K We Know and Hate
Bottoms Up for Ellsbury, Felix Deserve an Oscar
Welcome to the Season Jonathan Papelbon

"That was a really nice win. Winning the first game of the series is always pretty good but the way we did it tonight was extra satisfying." -- Red Sox MVP Mike Lowell

It's a House of Cards

SportsPropaganda.com

But Two Aces Is Always a Good Hand in New York Hold 'Em

Boston 2, New York 1 | Lesterrific, Sox Split
Prime Rib: Jacoby Swipes 4 Bags, Ties Record By Someone Named Jerry Remy
Make That 3 Aces, If You Go the Bard Way
An Honest to Goodness Save for Papelbon

"That was one of the funnest days of baseball." -- Tito, who deserved a break today

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

Josh-K Drives Another Nail in the Coffin,
But Reeling Rays Keep Sox Hopes Alive

New York 7, Boston 2 | Beckett Bombed in the Bronx
Die-Hard Members of Red Sox Nation Will Still Take Their Passion to the Grave
Bright Side: Beckett Found a McDonald's Still Open After His Outing
More Good News: Now We Know How to Pronounce Bel-TRAY
This Just In: John Shellacky's Free Ride on BDD Is About to Come to a Bitter End
Theo Tell Us Again How You Deftly Closed the Deal with Beckett on April 4
Beating a Dead Horse: How Does Dustin Moseley Outpitch the $68 Million Man?
Bill Hall Can't Do It All, But He Can Throw Away the Ball
You Knew J.D. Drew Would Step Up in Crunch Time... Not
D'Ellsbury Must Really Be Missing Arizona
Sox Go Broke with Cash

"I just thought I threw too many balls over the fat part of the plate. The ball was finding the barrels." -- Josh Beckett... too bad our money isn't finding his bank account

Head Start?

Don't touch Beltre's head
(Barry Chin / Boston Globe Staff)

Now Exiting Splitsville, Sox Stay Alive

Boston 6, Cleveland 2 | Matsuzaka, Beltre Lead the Way
Beltre Was Grandstanding, Sox Still Standing Still
Sox Ace Du Jour... Daisuke Matsuzaka

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

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

It's Not the Heat,
It's the Futility

Scutaro, Lester can't take the heat
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff)

Sox Bats Cold on a Hot Summer Night
Lesterrible Again, Too

Indians 9, Ortiz 1 | Cleveland Steamrolls Sox
Oh Baby, Jon Lester Is Cramping Our Style and Just Can't Win
O-Watered Down: Jacoby Gets a Few Cheers, Then Goes 0-for-5
Why Can't We Wait 5 Years for Guys Like Andy Marte?
The Run Prevention Defense Rears Ugly Head Again
The Savage Revenge of Justin Masterson Continues

"You're not used to pitching in these conditions. I'm in a funk right now. Weird things are happening. I've just got to keep working. Am I throwing the ball the best I can? No. But I've just got to keep grinding it out." -- Lester not as ornery after another loss

For Real?
arod_lie.jpg
(BDD Photo Illustration)

Of Course Not. But for Some Strange Reason,
New York Is Celebrating A-Roid's No. 600* Today

"My cousin would administer it to me. But neither of us knew what we were doing." -- 2.17.09, Alex Rodriguez

A-Rod Hits Fake Home Run No. 600*
Boli, Boli... Boli, Boli, Boli... Was Injected Twice a Month... For at Least 3 Years
... But the Last Time A-Fraud Has Been Clean May Have Been Junior High School
I'll Believe It When He Looks Me in the Eye and Tells Me. Sincerely, Katie Couric
I Knew You Had It In You the Whole Time. Sincerely, Jose Canseco
Does This Mean I Get a Raise? Sincerely, A-Rod's Cousin Yuri
Bright Side: Hank Aaron Is Still the Home Run King at 755
But It Was a Loosey-Goosey Time, Right Alex?
A Look Back at A-Roidgate

Alex Rodriguez to Peter Gammons: "I was young, I was stupid, I was naive, and I wanted to prove to everyone that I was worth . . . being one of the greatest players of all time. I did take a banned substance and for that I am very sorry and deeply regretful."


No. 600* Is Just Another Slap in the Face

arodslap_BDD_mh.jpg

(BDD Photo Illustration / Mike Hansen)

Cowboy and Indians

Josh Beckett and  Indians pitcher Jensen Lewis scream at each other at center right restrained after a tight 8th inning pitch.The Boston Red Sox take on the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park.
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff)

The Big Texan Goes Battty, Sox Fight for a Win

Boston 3, Indians Farm Team 1 | Sox Scrape Up a Win | Photos
Lowell and Behold: Everybody Likes Mike Gets Right Back in the Swing of Things
Oh Wait, That Was Cleveland's Major League Team Out There Last Night...
Now That They're Playing Out the String, The Good Beckett Is Back
This Just In: Indians Pitchers Couldn't Hit the Side of a Barn Door
Papelbon Has Now Pitched Over 45 Innings This Year... Wow
Bigger Surprise Than Beltre? Bill Hall Has 12 Homers
Future Hall of Famer Ryan Kalish: .538/.533/.615
How Much Caffeine in That Tea, Tito?

"It was definitely more [Fenway applause] than I expected. I don't remember too many ovations like that. I was glad I could come through as quickly as I did." -- Mike Lowell, not just raking in $12M for sitting around anymore


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

Oye It's Ova
Ryan Kalish slams into Carlos Santana
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff)

Cleveland Rocked, But Sox Not So Smooth

Cleveland 6, Beltre 5 | Bad Tidings
Non-Breaking News: Santana Gets Unplugged by the New Dirt Dog Captain
Tim Bogarrgh! Won't Be Coming Down to Coach Third Next Year
Good Thing 76% of Sox Fans Were Watching The Bachelorette
Big Game John Takes Two Steps Forward, Then One Step Lack
And It's Many More Days in Third Place
Too Bad D'Ellsbury Wasn't Ready Yet

"The first three innings I had some of the best stuff I've had all year. In the sixth inning I lost the feel and pretty much stunk." -- John eventually got shellackeyed

Last Minute Men

Scutaro scores the game winner
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff)

Papelblown Makes It Interesting Once Again

Boston 4, Detroit 3 | Another Walkoff in the Park
Clay Victory Blown Away, Papelbon Grabs the W
Sox Win 7 of 10, But Will They Be on the Outside Looking in Come October?
Not One Boo for Johnny Damon This Weekend
Run DMc with a Big Run

"It�s exactly what I wanted to throw. I shook off the heater away and got it up and in. He bailed out a little bit, looking in a little bit more than I expected. He�s hitting pitchers� pitches. Not much you can do about it.��" -- Papelbon, of the 5 blown saves, on the Cabrera at-bat.

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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