Dice-K Strikes Back

Sox Get Past A's in Opening Day II, 2-1

"I had asked my teammates to hang onto the game ball, but I guess the message didn't get through." -- 4.1.08, Daisuke Matsuzaka, who wanted the game ball as a souvenir for his newborn son

Dice-OKKKKKKKKK: 9 K's, No Walks in 6 2/3 Strong Innings
Sox Offense Evaporates But Clutch Hitting Makes a Difference in Nailbiter
Back on the Juice? That's the Question When Jack Cust Goes Deep
Living Up to the Overhype? Jacoby Gets Job Done, Drives in Key Run
The Umpire Strikes Back: 'Tek Homers! ... But They Call It a Double
It's Early, It's Early: That's the Bright Side of 0-for-11 Ortiz
Born Again in the U.S.A.: Paps Got His Groove Back, Enter 4-Out Save
Box Score: Youkilis 2, A's 1

First Ballot Hall-of-Famer Bob Lobel Is Leaving Channel 4
Say It Ain't So: Lobel 'Sad, Excited' to Say Bye to 'BZ
Buckley: Lobie's Still at the Top of His Game

Barks and Bites: Cue up Journey and fade to black… Bob Lobel won’t be coming down for the 6 and 11 sportscasts on WBZ-TV much longer, and local sports will never be the same. Steve Buckley lays out the Lobel era best in his piece today. Lobel was a friend of BDD from the get-go in July 2001, holding up the Dirt Dogs T-shirts during his sportscasts when the Red Sox won, as he promised when he introduced himself outside of Fenway Park. Through the years, Lobel would share BDD headlines with ‘BZ viewers from time-to-time and BDD was happy to share the off-the-cuff thoughts of Lobel received via e-mail… hopefully we’ll be able sharing Lobie’s thoughts here from time to time as he sets out on his next course.

Major league leftovers: Old friend Pedro Martinez made his 2008 debut for the Mets last night and “screamed in agony” when he strained his left hamstring in the fourth inning in Miami. Wonder if Petey and his 10.80 ERA will be talking extension with GM Omar Minaya today? The other New York team won its home opener last night over the Jays, and leadoff hitter and left fielder Johnny "Or-Is-It-Billy-Crystal" Damon managed to eke out a triple. Also leading off is local hero Dave Roberts, for the Giants, who lost to a solid D-Lowe and the Dodgers last night. Lowe took a line drive off his ankle during the game but is expected to make his next start. More left fielders from the past: David Murphy went 2-for-4 with a double. From the Inside Track: The Senior Bachelor, coming to ABC this spring… John Henry and his posse partied at the Playboy Mansion while in LA. In case you missed it, Boras has Manny appearing in some Macy’s ads. Bradford's got some fan Q&A with Curt Schilling. Alex Spier has the fourth of six part-look look at the Red Sox player development machine. Stop the presses: Curt Schilling called Jose Canseco a "skanky, dirty, scumbag" yesterday and the author called Schill a "hypocrite, liar ... pathetic human being" (video) ... yawn. New York Post headline of the day: ALEX TAGGED MY EX-WIFE: JOSE. In other New York news, the Daily News reports that Brian McNamee is selling all his relics with Roger's name on them. Not sure if the syringes are on the block. How 'bout those Minutemen! Is anyone watching here?

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Ace in the Hole: Beckett Throws Five Strong Innings in Fla.