May Day! May Day!

Crawford wrist issues continue
(Jim Davis / Globe Staff)

The $142 Million Left Fielder Won't Start the Season Until May
At the Earliest ...

Cherington: Red Sox Knew About Crawford's Wrist Issues
Gammons Paints Gloomy Picture on Crawford: 'You Just Don't Know'
Bobby V, Day 1 of Camp: 'Look at Him, He's Already Throwing Out There!'

"One of the biggest negatives would be, Carl Crawford's wrist. It's fine to say he's going to play in May, but you just don't know. Mark DeRosa had virtually the same injury [and] had three operations, it's taken more than two years to come back, so you just don't know on that. I think that's a disappointment."-- Peter Gammons on Carl Crawford on WEEI's Mut & Merloni show

Did Theo's Investigation Uncover This? "I had dealt with the pain for the last four or five years. That's how long I had been getting shots in it." -- Crawford comes clean on being damaged goods

"We didn't do anything. How could I get tired?" -- Carl Crawford on Terry Francona's spring training

A Schill Wind Blows

4/16/06   Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett getting a hand shake from Curt Schilling after Beckett pitched 7 innings against the Mariners at Fenway Park on Sunday April 16, 2006. Matthew J. Lee, Globe staff
(Globe File)

Those Were the Days My Friend, We Thought They'd Never End

And Beckett Fires Back

"I haven't seen him around here where he would know that much. [You talk to him?] ... No." -- Josh Beckett hasn't seen Curt Schilling snooping around for snitching opportunities

Friday: Schilling Breaks Silence, Calls Into Big Show to Keep Story Line Going
Josh 'I'll Take the Limo' Beckett Rips ESPNSchill for Ill Will
The New and Improved Josh 'Henny Youngman' Beckett Pops Up on The Big Show
Image Control Alert! For the First Time in 6 Years, Beckett Returns to the Airways
Finn: Schilling Does an About Face from Playing Days

"Absolutely zero chance of this ever happening, less than zero actually." -- Curt Schilling to BDD when asked if he would consider a stint in the media, e.g. Baseball Tonight, after retirement, July 9, 2007

"I haven�t seen [Schilling] around this year. Is he one of our pitchers? I haven�t seen him around this year. I didn�t know he was going to be one of our pitchers. [WEEI's Glenn Ordway: He's gone to the dark side] That�s fine. I haven�t seen him around here. I�d think if somebody knew that much they�d probably be a little bit closer to it... Game�s a lot easier from over there [at ESPN]. As far as [Schilling] speaking about how things are being run here? I haven�t seen him around here to where he would know that much." -- Beckett on Schilling on WEEI's Big Show


Things That Make You Go, Hmmmm

Josh Beckett - Stop Snitching
(BDD Photo Illustration)

Who's Snitching to Schill?

Schilling's Big Slam on Bobby V: 'It's Going Bad Quicker Than I Expected'
And Congratulations to Schilling on the Red Sox Hall of Fame Nod

"There's a lot of things I think that are happening not just from his perspective, but when you talk to these guys -- and I'm still talking to some of these guys -- I don't think this is going well. And I think it's going bad quicker than I expected it to." -- Schilling on WEEI's Mut & Merloni show

Schilling: The big story yesterday was that Josh Beckett took a limo home from the game [from Bradenton], ... but the first week of spring training, Bobby V said that everybody has to take the bus... -- Schill throwing Beckett under the bus [cough] on ESPN last week

"Schilling was here [in Florida]? When? ... Nevermind." -- Peter Gammons on Schilling on WEEI

Kind of a Drag
Red Sox rookie Jose Iglesias leaves the clubhouse wearing a rookie hazing costume after the second game of a baseball double-header against the New York Yankees, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, at Yankee Stadium in New York.
(AP)

Jose Iglesias Gets Demoted, Aviles Is Your Shortstop
The Bitter Battle Between Ben and Bobby V Continues #Lazy
Anderson Window Closed, Again

Accountability Lacking
John Lackey
(Barry Chin / Boston Globe Staff)

Lackey Is Too Chicken to Talk About Pitchers of Beer

"I guess. Sure." -- John Lackey goes in depth in acknowledging mistakes were made

Shaughnessy Catches Up with Lackey at JetBlue
Lack Would Rather Blame the Media than Step Up and Accept Responsibility
Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word... The 'R' Word? Not So Much
Schilling Rips Lackey for 'Who He Is' on EEI

"It was tough for a couple of us that got kind of thrown out there. You kind of wonder where those kind of things come from, first of all. It got blown out of proportion pretty big. I saw Josh a few times during the offseason. What can you do? Even talking about it right now is stupid, because it's just bringing it back up. ... All you're doing is re-hashing it. It kind of went away until you, right now. ... Guys having a beer after their start has been going on for the last 100 years. This is retarded. It's not like we were sitting up there doing it every night. It�s not even close to what people think. ... They [media] just see how far they can go..." -- John Lackey... will go to his grave blaming the messengers

September in March?

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

Red Sox Collapse Continues in Grapefruit League Play

They're Making a Fortune and They've Fallen to .500
So That Was the Good Daniel Bard?
Anyone Know If Bobby V Has Bought Any Furniture, Yet?
Breakdown Lane: Youk's Bad Back Scratches Him from Start
Bradford: Crawford's Been Damaged Goods for '4-5 Years'
Craw Throws Francona Under Bus for Lame Spring Training Prep
Great: John Williams Cans a Pompous 'Fanfare for Fenway'
Big Game Hunters: Bryce Brentz Bags a Big Boar ...
But Can He Play Short, Right, or Be the No. 4 or 5 Starter?

Did Theo's Investigation Uncover This? "I had dealt with the pain for the last four or five years. That's how long I had been getting shots in it." -- Crawford comes clean on being damaged goods

"We didn't do anything. How could I get tired?" -- Carl Crawford on Terry Francona's spring training


Afternoon Dell Light

Is It Live, Or Is It NESN Teasing and Spoonfeeding Us J.D.?

Like Jimmy Fallon Replacing Conan... She'll Get Better Every Day

FREE JENNY
NESN's Jenny Dell at JetBlue Park
(Boston.com photo)

Our Long, National Nightmare Is Over
Jenny Dell to Make Her NESN Debut on Saturday

Chad Finn Reports That Jenny Dell Will Make Her TV Debut on NESN Tomorrow
8-6-7-5-3-0-9 Waited 35 Long Days Along with the Rest of Us
NESN: A Day in the Life of Jenny Dell

Boltin' Joe
Joe Girardi left the Red Sox high and dry after nine
(J. Meric / Getty Images)

Apparently a Little Courtesy Would Kill the Yankees Manager

Bobby PeeVed, Throws a Fit to Be Tied After Nine
Classless Joe Girardi Makes Fuss Because Pinstripe Prima Donnas Had to Ride Bus
Clayton Mortensen's Road to Cooperstown Derailed By Needless Warmup
Orel Hershiser Still Explaining Bobby's Squeeze to Pedroia's Cribbage Buddy
Curt Schilling Throws Beckett and Bobby V Under the Bus on Baseball Tonight
Positive News: Pedroia's X-Rays Negative
Thanks Theo! Bobby Jenks D.U.I....
This Is What Happens When You Ban Drinking in the Clubhouse
Jenks Expected to Blame Red Sox Docs for This, Too
Bobby J: I Got You Babe's

"They had plenty of pitching. Probably too long of a ride. They could have known that going in. It was regretful that [Clayton] Mortensen warmed up though and then we were told that they weren�t going to play extra innings. I didn�t think that that was very courteous. The umpire came over and said we couldn�t play. I don�t care about not playing. Why do I have to warm up my pitcher who�s trying to make a team? Come in in a tie game against the Yankees and maybe help him make a team, and instead he has to walk off the mound and take a shower. That�s just not very courteous." -- Bobby Peeved

"The big story yesterday was that Josh Beckett took a limo home from the game [from Bradenton], but the first week of spring training, Bobby V said that everybody has to take the bus." -- Curt Schilling throws Beckett and Bobby V under the bus on ESPN's Baseball Tonight

Ready?
Jose Iglesias
(Jim Davis / Globe Staff)

Is Ben Blocking Bobby from Starting Jose Iglesias at Short?

Valentine Says Iglesias Is Ready, But Probably Won't Play
Wait, What?
Speier: What's the Deal with Iglesias?

"I think his ability is good enough. Whether it�s his time is the question, with all the other contributing factors. Mike Aviles is doing great. There�s been a lot of guys who have been somewhere else waiting for their opportunities." -- Bobby V, making us read between the lines


Or Not?
Daniel Bard
(Jim Davis / Globe Staff)

Is Bard Heading Back to the Bullpen?

Are the Sox Looking at Aceves and Doubront in the New Rotation?
McAdam: Some Are Doubting Daniel

"One Red Sox staff member has told others outside the organization that, when all is said and done, Alfredo Aceves and Felix Doubront will have spots in the rotation, with Daniel Bard returning to the bullpen." -- Sean McAdam, CSNNE.com

Getting NerVous?

Bobby Valentine
(Reuters)

Is Bobby the Ripper Worried About What He's Bringing
to the Table in April?

Edes: Jabs from Bobby V
Bobby Brings the Hammer Down on Melancon, Doubts Doubront, Exposes Iglesias,
And Blames Himself for Bumbling Bullpen As Sox Continue to Free Fall
Jenny Dell: Jenny Dell Striving to Achieve Her Goals. By Jenny Dell
Video: Bailey and Sweeney are Sexy and They Know It

"I�m not really happy with any of the relief. I�ve said attitude filters down from the top. I�m a bit confused with the whole bullpen situation only because we haven�t been able to fit any pieces together. I think that confusion is filtering [down] and now everyone is something other than settled. That�s where we have to go from here." -- Bobby V, Red Sox bashing

Francona Never
Built a Fence

Terry Francona leaves Fenway Park in a black SUV after getting das boot
(Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe)

Just Another Reason Why That No-Good-Bum
Got Bounced Out of Boston

Justice: Bobby Built a Fence... AND a Deck
Which Is Precisely Why V Will Lead Us to the Promised Land

"They said it couldn't be done. I used a three-four-five pythagorean theory to square that corner. I still remember that. I couldn't get that sucker square." -- Bobby V., who built that fence and deck, all by himself, in the sun, early in the morning, late at night

Felix the Phat
Felix Doubrant delivers a warm-up pitch before the start of their spring training baseball game against the New York Yankees at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla,. Tuesday, March 13, 2012.
(AP)

Bobby V Discovers the Fifth Element with Yankee Killer Doubront

BOS 1, NYY 0, Bobby Sox Take First of 20 Against Yanks
Felix-and-Stones Takes Care of Leigh Teixeira's Husband with Game on Line
Keeping His Hat in the Ring: Tip of the Cap to Padilla
Is the Michael Bowden with the 2008 Potential Back?
So, What Do We Have in No. 77 Pedro Ciriaco?
Peter Gammons, Right Again

"Felix was outstanding. I thought he had really good control of his changeup, which is a devastating pitch for him. He had good control and command of his fastball. His breaking ball was good. His composure was good. He pitched four good innings." -- Bobby V... who somehow managed to stay out of trouble in Tampa

Bailey's on the Rocks

Andrew Bailey delivers against to Miami Marlins Chris Coghlan during the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game in Fort Myers, Fla., Monday, March 12, 2012.
(AP)

Paying Homage to Old Friend Jon Papelbon
The Closer Gets Creamed in JetBlue Debut

But the Red Sox are 6-2 and Even Better Than We Thought
And Hopefully Bailey's Heard of Aerosmith, Boston, The Cars,
The Neighborhoods, The Del Fuegos or The J. Geils Band
And Won't Copy Pap by Using a Drop Kick Awfuls Song at Fenway
Donna Summer: Let's Dance the Last Dance... Perfect
Cafardo: No Pain, Some Gain for Bailey
Showtime: Bobby V Gives Ozzie the Wave. Ozzie %*&# Responds

"Obviously with the little lat thing, it was kind of frustrating. But it�s good that it happened when it did, in the early part of spring. And hopefully I don�t have to vertical jump next year." -- Andrew Bailey... taking a shot at the Sox training program?

Pap Goes the Weasel

Jonathan Papelbon with the Phillies
(Jonathan Ferrey / Getty Images)

Jonathan Papelbon Says Fans in Philly Know Baseball
Better Than Fans in Boston ... Well, We Know This Baseball:



And Unfortunately, We Know This Baseball:
Papelbon Blown Save at Fenway Sends Angels to 2009 ALCS
... So We Know That Baseball, Jon
And Here's 14 Reasons Why Philly Has the Worst Fans in Sports


Separated at Birth

Calvin Schiraldi and Jonathan Papelbon
(Jim Davis / Globe Staff | Boston Globe File)

Stinko Ocho Was Calvin Schiraldi with a Better Entrance Song

Papelbon Takes Shot at Red Sox Fans on Philly Radio
Not Holding Our Breath for the Papelbon 'Thank You Ad' in the Globe Anytime Soon
Pap Says He Would Have Signed with Yankees, Too
Listen for Yourself
Pap Also Plans on Meeting Some Philly Fans, and Going to Philadelphia Someday

Jonathan Papelbon from Philly: "The difference between Boston and Philadelphia, the Boston fans are a little bit more hysterical when it comes to the game of baseball. The Philly fans, I think they tend to know the game a little better, being in the National League, you know, the way the game is played. I�ve had a guy take of his prosthetic leg and throw it in the bullpen in Boston...

You hate �em [Yankees] when you play in between the lines. But there's a fine line here. That hate and that passion to beat them was in between the lines, and that was it. I would have definitely entertained the decision to go to the Yankees if that was there, but obviously it wasn't."


Real Man of Genius

Boston Dirt Dogs
(BDD Image)

Mr.-Bud-Light-Box-on-His-Head Thinks We're Stupid

Wrist Watch Is On

Crawford wrist issues continue
(Jim Davis / Globe Staff)

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Nomah!
Will Fans Rush to Judgment Now That Craw Rushed?
Did the Red Sox 'Rather Be Sorry Than Safe' with Carl?

For Openers, He's Out for the First Game
Is This Bobby's First Big Blunder?
That's the $142 Million Question

Punt?

"More than likely Opening Day's out of the picture, we just hope to have Carl back as soon as he's ready." -- Ben Cherington on NESN on Crawford

Bunt?

"Valentine is an idiot. Why does he have Crawford bunting (or anyone for that matter), the first week of March? He's coming off wrist surgery... I get that he wanted to work these guys hard, but there's a difference between, smart, and stupid. It's a 6 month season. Crawford is hurt because the brain trust in Ft. Myers rushed him back." -- Sam B. on FB


Deja Vu All Over Again?

Reminds us of Nomar
(BDD Photo Illustration)

Boston, We Have
A Problem

NESN showed
(NESN broadcast replay of Queens Park Rangers vs. Everton instead of the Red Sox Grapefruit opener... Awful, awful)

'New England Sports Network'
Is Now 'England Sports Network'

If You Spent Sunday Watching Bruins-Rangers, Celtics-Knicks, or Rory-Tiger,
You Wanted to Watch Beckett Pitch the 2012 JetBlue Opener Sunday Night
Like You Used To Be Able To Do On NESN Since the Beginning of Time.
But Sunday Night, NESN Broadcast a Meaningless Soccer Game Repeat from England
Not Even Liverpool, But a Lousy Replay of Queens Park Rangers vs. Everton
Thanks John Henry for Ruining Sunday for Boston Red Sox Fans
And Trying to Ram Futball Down Our Throats Yet Again,
In Lieu of Red Sox Baseball... Shame on You
Reminder: It's Your Hobby... NOT OURS!

Your baseball team's org chart
(BDD Photo Illustration)

Meet the New Docs

Boston Dirt Dogs
(BDD / The Three Stooges)

Same As the Old Docs

8-6-7-5-3-0-9
NESN's Jenny Dell at JetBlue Park
(Boston.com photo)

Jenny, Jenny, On NESN When We See You
Give Us Something We Can Tune Into

We Know You Think We Liked The Other Before
Forgot Her Name and Number Back in the Fall...

Fever Pitch

They're Sexy and They Know It
Jimmy Fallon and The Boss Hit Another Home Run

JFDD.jpg
(Boston Dirt Dogs Photo)

FantasTek Voyage Ends
Jason Varitek says goodbye to baseball
(Jim Davis / Globe Staff)

C Stands for Class as Jason Varitek Goes Out in Style

Edes: Unmasked, Unforgettable
Shaughnessy: Varitek Leaves Lasting Image
Video: Varitek Says Goodbye


Just Let Him V

Free Beer
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff)

Bobby's Sox Are Going to Be Just Fine

More Swings and Misses at the Manager:
Post Tries to Compare Bobby to Rex
'Boston Fans That Hate Rex, Forced to Embrace Bobby V'


JetBlue Getting Ready for the Games

BDD - Taste of Fenway
(BDD / A. Bergeron)
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

Following feed provided by
Subscribe to Dirt DogsWhat's RSS?

Please e-mail us thoughts, images, attachments here.

The "Curt�s Pitch for ALS" program is a joint effort by Curt and Shonda Schilling and The ALS Association Mass Chapter to strike out Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig�s Disease.

Support SHADE!

The SHADE Foundation thanks Red Sox Nation for joining in their fight to save future generations from melanoma.
Hot Stove, Cool Music
Get the CD. Support Paul and Theo Epstein's Foundation to be Named Later.