Kazmanian Devil

Here's the Real Inside Pitch:
Kazmir Has Learned How to Beat the Sox
Rally Comes Up Short, Road Hogs Drop 7 of 10 with 5-4 Loss

Today Was the Day We Needed 133 Pitches from Schill
Downtown Hall: Toby Takes Schilling Deep (Sox in Deep Trouble)
Bases Empty Again: Big Papi Puts Up Another Solo Effort
Lowell and Behold: Mike Gets a Hold of One But It's Not Enough
Alexcellence: Gonzalez Gets Hit and Raises Average to .186
Wily Mo Power Surge: Pena Passes Arroyo in Homers
Another Rudy Awakening: Tito Was Asleep at the Switch with Seanez

"That was the game. I went 0-2 and I rushed the pitch. I knew what I wanted to do. I threw the pitch thinking about how the inning was going to progress instead of being focused on making the pitch. Just a horrific mistake." -- 4.30, Schilling takes the blame needlessly

Bill James Named to the 2006 TIME 100 World's Most Influential People

Sports Figures in the 'SCIENTISTS AND THINKERS' category: BILL JAMES, Statistician: “When I asked our general manager, Theo Epstein, what he thought about James' impact on the game, he said, 'The thing that stands out for me is Bill's humility. He's like somebody outlining the Internet in the '80s and watching silently as it comes to pass,'” writes John Henry, principal owner of the Boston Red Sox since 2002. “What I call Jamesian principles infuse our thinking with a perspective that is objective rather than subjective.”

They Shall Overcome

V-Tek Just Kicked in Yo! Captain Steps Up in the Clutch
Sox Come Back Big Time and Time Again, 9-6

First Things First: Youk Kicks Off Comebacks
Manny, Trot, Lowell, and Wily Mo in the Mix
Going, Going, Gonzalez? How Long Can Alex Last?
Saving Grace: Papelbon is a Relief Ace

''We battled back, especially to get back in the game, lose it, get back in the game, lose it -- we had to. It was a good job." -- 4.29, Jason Varitek on the comeback win

RUN MANNY RUN!
Lollygagging Ramirez Turns Homer into Triple
Why Does the Manager of the Boston Red Sox
Allow Manny Ramirez to Stay Home and Admire Fly Balls?

Struggling Loretta to Ride Some Pine Tonight

Sox Flop in the Trop

Rays Run Around the Bases While Sox Walk into a Dead End
Casey Koufax Shuts Down Pathetic Offense
as Tampa Bay Coasts to 5-2 Win

Will It Get Worse Before It Gets Better?
Remember the Days of Clutch Hitting and Comeback Wins?
Lenny DiNardo (gulp), a Nation Turns It's Angry Eyes to You
This Would Never Happen if Theo Epstein Were Still Alive

Clement Returned to the Mound at the Trop for the First Time Since...

Catch All the Excitement of Red Sox Baseball in April

Pitching-Thin Sox May
Have to Go to the Matt

If DiNardo is Needed Tonight, Matt Ginter Starts Tomorrow

Jonathan Papel-box

Sox vs. Yanks Already Underway

As a preview to the upcoming Sox-Yankees matchup at Fenway on Monday, Jon Papelbon strapped on the Xbox Live headset and challenged Yankees reliever Kyle Farnsworth in a virtual match up playing MLB 2K6 on Xbox Live.

Gaming from Cleveland, Papelbon opted against starting Curt Schilling or Josh Becket, handing the ball to knuckleball specialist, Tim Wakefield. Back in New York, Farnsworth went with Randy Johnson.

Farnsworth had the Big Unit's pitches working early, breezing through the first three batters, which earned a compliment from Papelbon who said, “Man, that splitter is nasty.”

Johnny Don't-Boo-Me Damon led off the bottom of the first with a base hit and with two outs, juice guy Jason Giambi knocked a triple off the wall in right center, scoring Damon.

The Sox got on the board in the top of the second when Manny Still-Slumping Ramirez scored on a wild pitch, but the Yanks broke the tie in the bottom of the inning when Jorge On-Dirt-Dogs-Fantasy-Team Posada hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Hideki Matsui.

Both teams put up zeros in the third, but the Yanks were dealt a huge blow in the top of the fourth when Giambi left the game due to an "abdominal strain" after diving into the stands to catch a foul ball. Possibly rattled by Giambi’s sudden injury, Farnsworth unleashed a 98-mile-per-hour heater with cyber Randy, almost taking off David Ortiz’s head. “That got me off the plate, but you better not come in again,” said Papelbon who then proceeded to drill a line-drive base hit with Big Papi.

After advancing on a wild pitch and a single by Mike Lowell, Dirt Dog Trot Nixon stepped up to the plate with runners at first and third with two outs. Trot pounded a Johnson changeup into the right field corner, scoring Ortiz easily. Playing the ball off the wall, Gary "Chris House Is Back at Fenway" Sheffield threw a strike to virtual Yankees 2B Robinson Cano as Lowell rounded third attempting to score. Cano got the ball out of his glove quickly, firing a bullet to Jorge Posada who applied a quick tag on Lowell for the out, ending the top half of the fourth inning with the teams tied 2-2.

Shutting each other out in the fifth and sixth innings, Farnsworth came to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning on a mission. “Get a pitch up in the zone, come on Bernie,” Farnsworth shouted as the Yankees DH, Bernie Williams, took to the plate. After belting a solid single off Wake, Papelbon decided to make a pitching change and brought in Iron Mike Timlin who proceeded sit the next three Yankee batters down in order.

With the score remaining tied at two heading into the top of the ninth, Farnsworth made an interesting move –- passing over himself to bring in Worcester's Own Tanyon Sturtze. Sturtze made the biggest mistake of the game on his very first pitch, leaving a belt high fastball over the plate to Manny Ramirez who crushed it 500 feet, landing in the back row of the bleachers in right center. Adding insult to injury, Jason Varitek nailed the very next pitch over the wall in center, putting the Red Sox ahead 4-2.

Up by two runs heading into the bottom of the ninth, Papelbon brought in himself to shut the door naturally. “I know this guy can bring it,” Papelbon said of himself jokingly. After retiring the Yankees 1-2-3 in the ninth for the Red Sox win, Papelbon proclaimed that the Yankees should expect the same outcome when they hit the field for real on Monday night. (Information courtesy of Alan Taylor Communications)

Schilling to Retire After 2007!... as Reported in Feb. 2005
In Other Breaking News, Generalissimo Francisco Franco is Still Dead

Schill's Read on Roger

“ 'I find the whole thing about him coming back to Boston almost a comedy in and of itself. That there are people in Boston who would hate this guy and not know this guy has never cheated anybody in his life or not know how hurt he was the last two years he was here, how much crap he had to pitch through.

“ 'And then, for a guy like (former Sox general manager) Dan Duquette to call him out and say he’s on the back end of his career. That was the biggest middle finger ever given to a player from the front office. You know, I laugh at (stuff) like that.' ” -- 2.28.06, Curt Schilling to Steve Buckley, Boston Herald (subscription only)

Josh Pit

Beckett Gets Slammed
Indians Rake at the Jake, 15-3

Beckett Disrespects the Game and Screams at Himself
That Sound You Heard Was Johnny Damon Booing from the Bronx
On Second Thought: Roger Clemens Says Thanks But No Thanks
It's Offensive: Time for Coco to Rip Off the Splint and Grab a Bat
Maybe Manny Ramirez Should Pitch and Manny Delcarmen Should Bat
Ben Hurt: Theo Should Have Held Out for Broussard

Coco Knows Best

“I think he’s gonna get a lot of cheers, you’re gonna have your boo-birds, kinda get drowned out by a lot of applause because he's done so much for this club.” -- 4.27.06, Coco Crisp to CBS4's Dan Roche on Johnny Damon's triumphant return to Fenway on Monday

Video: Delmon Young Throws Bat at Umpire

Now Foulke Wants to Take 'The Ball' From the Fans

And He Wants His Shoes Back!

"Foulke said he still believes he deserves to have the ball. A teammate, who did not want to be identified, agreed.

" 'It's not on my mantel where it should be,' Foulke told the Hartford Courant Wednesday...

" 'As far as I know, I've never heard of a team wanting the ball so badly,' Foulke said. 'It's one of those deals where I got the last out. I think that's kind of the common practice in baseball [to give the ball to the pitcher on the mound].'

"Foulke said he had asked Mientkiewicz for the ball over the winter following the World Series but was turned down. Now that it's in Cooperstown, Foulke knows he has no chance to get his hands on it.

" 'Speaking of the Hall of Fame, do you know where my shoes are?' Foulke asked. 'I'm still looking to get back our stuff that went in after last year. We've got to find it. They said they're only keeping it for a year. I would imagine the White Sox got their display in there now. I want my stuff back.'" -- 4.27.06, Hartford Courant

And Now 'The Ball' Is Speaking Out About Minky's Abuse

" 'I know that the ordeal is over now, and I'm aware that this sort of thing happens to baseballs every day, but Doug Mientkiewicz took a part of me that I will never get back,' said the scuffed, dirty ball, which will be restored to its original condition by trained professionals in the coming weeks. 'Mr. Mientkiewicz absconded with me, and brought me into a world of lies and deception for his own petty financial gain. He locked me inside a small box for months at a time for what he called 'safe keeping.' I can tell you, there is nothing safe about darkness.' " -- 4.27.06, The Onion

Ball Game Over: '04 Series Ball Heading to Hall

Wallace to Have Surgery; Hansen Promoted to PawSox
Gordon Edes Thursday Chat Transcript

When Johnny Comes Flying Home Again

Don't Be a Hater, 'Cause He's Not a Traitor
If You're Going to Fenway Monday, Do the Right Thing
and Show Johnny What We're Made Of

"I just hope the fans there remember the good times we had together... I don't know what's going to happen when I get there, but I know I gave them everything I had... I don't want them to hate me. I don't want them to think I'm a traitor. We have enough hatred in the world without this... I don't understand some people, using biblical terms to criticize me when this is just a game. People saying some stupid things about me: 'I'm a traitor. All I care about is money. I'm not grateful.' It's crazy. People have the right to say what they want, but as long as I can go to bed at night and look myself in the mirror, I'll be all right. I know who I am. And I know I'm a good person." -- Johnny Damon: 4.26.06, USA Today Sports Weekly

"I certainly hope he will be greeted fondly for all of the contributions he made here to our success. I think that is appropriate initially, and then he's on his own." -- Red Sox President Larry Lucchino: 4.26.06, USA Today Sports Weekly

"I would be more upset for Coco Crisp if they booed me. The fans should be happy about having him, and I know he's happy about being there. I was happy about being there, too. If they boo me, it's just showing displeasure for how the team is being run and that they don't like the player they have." -- Johnny Damon: 4.27.06, The Sporting News

Video: Johnny and Michelle Cook with Martha Stewart
Your Turn: Would You Cheer Johnny on Monday?

Angst Lee

Cliff Lee Gives Sox Fits
Bats Quiet Again for Tim in 7-1 Slaughter

Wake Hangs a Fastball to Peralta, Game Over
Shocker: A Lefty Shuts Down Red Sox Lineup
Give No-Hold-Bard a Break, It Ain't Easy. Maybe 'Tek Should Step Up?
Wily Mo Ties Bronson Arroyo with Second Homer

"He's [Bard] not the reason we're losing -- I am. So get off him." -- Tim Wakefield, the No Luck Knuckleballer

Time to Buy Your Roger Clemens Red Sox T-Shirt?

Nip on Roger's Return | Sox No. 1 Choice | Wily Mo in Center?
Old Friend Bronson Arroyo Goes to 4-0 with One Hit Win
Lefty, Righty, Awful | More 'Tessie' Torture | High on Lowell

Stand and Deliver

He Likes to Watch... the Red Sox Win
Comeback Kids Aren't Fit to Be Tied, Indians Get 8-6'd

A Hot Manny is Good to Find on a Cold Night in Cleveland
They Were Caught in No Manny's Land: 'Tek, Ramirez Run into Outs
DeMarlo Sveum? Plays at the Plate Too Close for Comfort
Schill Win Blown: 7 Wasn't Heaven for Curt Tiant and His 311 Pitches
Get Your Mota Running: Former Sox Sauerbeck and Mota Ignite Rally
'Pen Props: Foulke Looked Sharp, Timlin Gets Super Sizemore Strikeout
Ho Hum, PapelVaughn Keeps Rollin' On with Ninth Save
Willie or Won't He?... Replace Harris on the Roster

Extra Bases: Wake, Beckett to Face Yanks

Clemens Not Too Far Out of Shape | Ask Edes: Chin Music
Eric Wilbur: The Twilight Zone

Spectacular Effort

Third Annual 100 Innings of Baseball Spectacular in the Books
Final Score: Team Stamina 69, Team Endurance 66

The Boston Men’s Baseball League completed their third annual “100 Innings of Baseball” game at Fitton Field in Worcester last weekend in windy, rainy, and cold conditions. The game aims to bring awareness and raise funds to help eliminate Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. In a remarkably close contest, Team Stamina outlasted Team Endurance by a score of 69-66. The game was tied as late as the 97th inning.

(Shonda Schilling with umpire Walter Bentson and Brett Rudy, Event Coordinator from Boston Men’s Baseball League)

The first pitch was thrown at 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning and the game was played with no stops through the night -- finally finishing up on Sunday afternoon around 4 p.m., some 30 hours later. More than 120 local amateur players suited up to raise funds over the course of the event. Twenty-two “Iron Men” were in the lineup for the full tilt -- a new record.

Walter Bentson, a local umpire battling PLS (primary lateral sclerosis -- a neuromuscular disease in the same family as ALS), successfully completed his mission of being on hand for all 100 innings. Though his doctors urged him to just umpire one symbolic inning, Walter’s determination found him behind the plate for over two-thirds of the game, including the first and 100th innings.

(Shonda pitching a scoreless 94th inning)

Shonda Schilling made a relief appearance in the 94th inning for Team Endurance. The marathoner retired the first two batters on easy ground balls. Then, taking a page from Curt’s book to work the inside part of the plate more, she threw a high hard one that plunked the next batter. She immediately received a “warning” from umpire Bentson. She then showed off more of that Schilling heat, allowing one hit in her appearance.

Proceeds from the game are benefiting the ALS Association MA Chapter and the Curt’s Pitch for ALS Program -- the initiative started by the Schillings. The 2006 total is still being tallied, but the event will have brought in over $300,000 for the battle against ALS in three years time. Donations are still being accepted and can be made by visiting www.100innings.org.

Just Say Yesmar!

High 5: Garciaparra Injures Astros with Grand Slam

Not Your Typical Garciapopup as Media Darling Hits a Big Dinger
(No Reports of Nomar Injury on the Swing or Trot Around the Bases)

Whole New Board Game: Make Fenway Monopoly's New Boardwalk

What a Relief!

Keith Foulke Has a Whopper of an Outing
Sox Stop Streak, Avoid Sweep, Beat Toronto 6-3

Jays Look Weak-Kneed: Keith Finally Shows Some Teeth
Sox Control Towers While Clement Kept Boston in the Game
Papi Shifts Gears: Toronto Punts, So He Bunts (and Homers)
Where's His Contract Extension? Nixon Hits, Runs, and Catches
Another Double for Lowell While Gonzo Stays Above .200
Jon 'Wild Thing' PapelVaughn Takes Care of Big Guns for 8th Save

Coco Glass?

"A May 15 return, coincidentally, would place Crisp back in Baltimore, where he was injured April 8 awkwardly sliding into third base. If he were to return on that date, he will have missed five weeks and 33 games. Despite the reckless abandon with which he played, Johnny Damon, in his four seasons with the Sox, played in all but 51 of 648 possible games." -- 4.24, Chris Snow, Boston Globe

Ball Game Over: '04 Series Ball Heading to Hall

DiNardo Disaster

No Drama, Just a Savage Beating Right from the Start
Sox Drop Third Straight, 8-1

Lenny's Lineup Takes a Holiday Against Halliday
Trot Stays Hot, Hitting .385 While Ump's Out Call Was Cheap
The Pawtucket Shuffle: Van Buren Goes Down, Delcarmen Coming Up
Time to Close the Deal on Clemens

Something Wild for Papelbon

Hair Do's and Don'ts: It's a Close Shave for the Closer

6-2... and Jays Get Even

Beckett Blew It, Tito Too

Josh Ignites Jays Rally in Extra Painful Loss
Sox Give Away a Win: Toronto 7, Boston 6

Stupid Is as Stupid Does: Beckett Decides to Hit Hill, Sox Go Downhill
The Real Kiss of Death: Going to Timlin in the Eighth in a Tight Game
Blame Tito: Francona Afraid to Let Papelbon Get a 5-Out Save
That's My Manny: Ramirez Finally Wakes Up and Goes Deep
A.J. Burnett Packs Bags for the Keith Foulke Alabama BBQ Tour
No Foulke Implosion, But the Ump Was a Chump on Strike Three
Overbay and Out: Another Rudy Awakening, Say Sayonara to Seanez

"I know I didn't end up with the 'L' beside my name, but it's totally my fault. I can't explain it. I'm quite embarrassed about it... I made some bad pitches and just one of those deals, I guess. That's what big league hitters do when you don't execute pitches. They hit them hard. It's a tough lineup over there. It was just one of those things. There's got to be some kind of deal you learn from this." -- 4.21, Josh Beckett on blowing the game

Mayday, Mayday: Not Having Crisp Is Starting to Hurt
Coco's Attempt to Steal Third Base in the Third Inning of Fifth Game of the Season Worked Out Well

Is Roger Getting Ready to
Return to Boston?

Boston Dirt Dogs has learned that the Red Sox may now be the frontrunner in the Roger Clemens sweepstakes. Clemens reportedly said Wednesday he'd like to put No. 21 on his back and finish his career where he started. The Yankees are supposedly his second choice even though owner George Steinbrenner hasn't yet made Roger an offer; however, Roger expects him to at some point. The Astros may have moved up to Roger's third choice while the Texas Rangers, who made a great presentation, are not generating any real excitement in the Clemens camp.

According to MLB.com, Clemens said Wednesday that physically, his body feels pretty good, and that his arm is "not too far away" after working out with son Koby, an Astros prospect playing at Class A Lexington, for five days recently. Clemens also said he is enjoying retirement and isn't ready to think about pitching again at this point. "I understand the Red Sox side of it, the history with New York and I understand what's happened here [in Houston] the last few years," Clemens said on Wednesday. "Again, that's just not something I'm thinking about just yet. I'm going to pass on those questions right at this point. I've not decided to go there there just yet. I'm getting updates and calls from the other three teams. They're very flattering. If I decide to go in that direction, I'll get myself mentally prepared for that."

In his ESPN Insider blog, Peter Gammons writes today "There is a growing feeling in Houston that even though the Astros have three rookies in their rotation that owner Drayton McLane would rather not spend the coin for Roger Clemens, and would rather have him sign with the Yankees or Red Sox and paint him as a mercenary. The Yankees-Red Sox bidding war is a Hendricks Brothers' dream. Then it will come down to Clemens' reverence for Joe Torre versus seeing his No. 21 retired in Fenway as he passes Cy Young."

Kazmir Makes Sox Soft

Lefty Has the Right Stuff Against Boston Again
Sox Lose Easily 5-1

Kazzz Puts Sox Bats to Sleep
We Need Mohr of That: Dustan Homer Not Enough
Run Away from Gomes: Two Homers from Jonny Hurt
Bats Won't Wake Up: Another Tough Luck Loss for Tim
Room .222: Can We Talk About 'Tek's Slump Yet?
Oh My Bard: Will There Be Better Days Ahead?

Extra Bases: Fenway Updates on a Down Night
Some Minor Matters | TC: A Stern Grasp | Wilbur: Plus/Minus April
ESPN.com Projects Schilling Will Go 43-0

Fat Cat Still Playing Like a Dog

Will the $20 Million Manny Step Up Soon?

Return of the Idiots?

Since When Did Fenway Become Loserville?

Security Blanket: A Member of the Sox Security Staff Brings Down a Clown Who Disrupted Last Night's Game and Was Hopefully Sent to Jail
(Belichick Should Take Note of the Open Field Tackle Technique)

Gem Dandy

Stern Grabs Ball, Some Wall, and Sox Catch Fire

Ho Hum, Schilling Dominates Again, Sox Win 9-1
Old Man Winner Improves to 4-0 on 'Young' Season
It Had to Be Youk: Kevin Hits One Out, Batting .354
Dirt Dogs Barking: Nixon, Lowell, Loretta Keep Getting Better
The Other Bullpen: Seanez, Tavarez, Foulke Pitch In
Manny in Midst of Longest Homerless Drought to Start a Season

Adam and Leave

Glove Conquers All

Youk Can Do It: Sox Win Again 7-4
Kevin Comes Up Millarge in Late Inning Rally
The Song Remains the Same: Papelbon Hangs On for Another Save
Right on the Manny: Ramirez Comes Alive with 3 RBI
Seventh Heaven: Good Start for Clement
Timlin in the Eighth: Not Much to Like About Mike Last Night
Six Men Out: Ortiz Shift Can't Stop Papi

'''I'm not a role player anymore,' said Youkilis. 'I'm a starter and my job is to help us win in any way possible. I don't have to go 5 for 5, but in a situation like that, to be able to get a big hit, that's huge. That's my job. That's what I'm paid to do.'" -- 4.19, Boston Globe

Breaking News:
Manny Ramirez Has His First Extra Base Hit of the Season. RBI Double.

Everything's Coming Up Roses for Papelbon

Signs of the Times

The TV Show Seems to Be Helping Bonds

Trainer May Have to Testify About Bonds
Fan Throws Object at Bonds in Phoenix

Buckley: Loretta is a Dirt Dog
Washington Post: Remembering the 33 Inning PawSox Game
WEEI Audio: Schilling On His Early Success, Papelbon, and Beckett
RBI Baseball Bonanza: Lastowka Revisits Game 6 Video
Eric Wilbur: Devis Made Them Do It
Photo Gallery: Bad Blood Between Sox-Rays
Closing Time: Papelbon Has Already Picked a New Song

Extra Bases: No Coco in Canada

Loretta Swat

Mark Mashes One Out

Sox Win 7-6 on 9th Inning Walkoff Home Run
Sweet Loretta Hits One Seattle Can't Get Back

Hustle and Flow: It's a Sprint Not a Marathon for Youk in 9th
No Holiday for Ortiz: Papi Puts Sox in a Position to Win
Back in the Saddle: Nixon Is Double Trouble for Seattle
All Wells and Good: DiNardo Keeps Sox in the Game
Close But No Cigar: It Wasn't Everyday Eddie's Day
Crazy for You: What's the Point of This Carl?

"I've never experienced it before at any level -- Little League, high school or college level. Just complete euphoria. You kind of have to take a step back and think `is the game really over?'"
-- 4.17, Mark Loretta on his first walkoff game winner

Wily Mo Leather

Pena May Have Found the Cure for His Curious Defense
(Not Sure How to Fix His Lollygagging)

Cheers to Loretta!

Red Sox Nick Mariners on Loretta Bombshell

Sox Blast Ms in Fenway Battle

Papelbon's Not Diving Into Drowning Pool
Gotta Go with Super Bon Bon by Soul Coughing

"Move aside, and let the man go through. Let the man go through... Some hand is motioning to rise, to rise, to rise... Chump, change, and it's on, super bon bon Super bon bon, Super bon bon." -- Song: Super Bon Bon, Artist: Soul Coughing, Album: Irresistible Bliss

As the Old Saying Goes: Schilling and Beckett and Pray for Rocket

Amazing Ace

Beckett Pulls a Fast One on Seattle

Sox Win Another Throwfest, 3-2
98 Degrees: Beckett Brings the Heat and Goes to 3-0;
Now It Can Be Told: Wily Mo Plays a Solid DH
Silver Lieing: Manny's Best Offense is His Good Defense
Banjo Boys: Gonzo Blooper the Big Hit
Ho Hum, Papelbon Records Another Close-Game Save
Not Too Close to Call: Chump Ump Helps Dump M's

'''Your [pants] are on fire, because there's a guy on third base with less than two outs,' Beckett said. 'Builds a lot of character: Get yourself into that situation and get yourself out.'" -- 4.16, Chris Snow, Boston Globe

Manny Is Killing Us

It Is What It Is: .205, 0-2B, 0-3B, 0-HR, 4-R, 2-RBI, 15-K,
and 2-for-22 Streak

Sox Get Zero Off Pineiro, Ms, Lose 3-0
Ramirez Can't Rescue Light Hitting Lineup
Ferris Francona's Day Off Replacement Hitters Whiffed
Oh My Josh! Bard's Passed Balls Costly
Say It Ain't So: Wily Mo's Outfield Adventures Continue
You Complete Me: Wake Deserved Better

"It's frustrating. I'm disappointed with the way that today went, but I'm going to keep working hard and I'll get this thing figured out." -- 4.15, Catcher Josh Bard on His Passed Balls

DAVID WELLS

PokerStar to Play Hold'em

Sox Place Boomer On Disabled List Again
...Roger That

"If somebody goes down, or something like that, and I really feel like
I can help and get out there and contribute, I might decide to do it."
-- 4.3.06, Roger Clemens on a Possible Return to the Majors

These Are Not Your 2004 World Series Champion Red Sox:
Today's Starting Lineup: 1. Stern, CF, 2. Cora 2B, 3. Ortiz, DH, 4. Manny, LF,
5. Youkilis, 3B, 6. Snow, 1B, 7. Pena, RF, 8. Bard, C, 9. Gonzalez, SS

The Comeback Curt

Cy Old Looks Like a 'Young' Man
Schilling Goes to 3-0 With a Great Friday Outing

“I feel healthy and I feel like I’m better now than I’ve ever been from a performance standpoint.” -- 4.14, Curt Schilling, 3-0

Sox Win Another 2-1 Throwfest
Bottoms Up: Lowell, Mohr, Alex are a Big Hit
Gonzo-a-Go-Go: Will Shortstop Make Us Forget the OC?
Closer Call: Papelbon Dominates in the 9th Again
These Games Count: Manny's Slump is Getting Ridiculous
Duquette Says Moyer in Twilight of Career Now

Bonfire Burns in Boston

Name That Caption ...

"No way can you hit Affleck from here, with wind and atmospheric pressure factored in, you’ll give that family of four a Skoal shower." -- Submitted by Poopaphone

The Lighter Side: Submit Your Caption

Shea Doesn't Appreciate
Beckett's Monkey Business

Bradford: Hillenbrand Says Beckett Should Be Embarrassed

"He should be embarrassed of himself to represent the Boston Red Sox and the fans in that fashion. That's not what the team and the league is made of." -- 4.14, Shea Hillenbrand on Josh Beckett

Bradford: Tavarez Same as He Ever Was
Extra Bases: Manny Being Ready to Hit Tonight?

Lilly Hammers Sox

And Matt Lament Gets Nailed in Second Start
(From Clement to Clemens? Roger We Have a Rotation Spot)

Losing Streak at Two: Comeback Falls Short, 8-6 Jays
Left Said Ted: Lilly Had the Right Stuff Again
Welcome Matt: It Was ALDS Game One Start All Over Again
Just Sayin': Manny Could Have Used Another Week of Spring Training
Ho Hum, David Ortiz Hits Another Home Run
Lowell Bat Speed Watch: Is It Slowing Down Again?
Jays Bats Have Punch: Tavarez Gets Slapped Around a Bit
Foulke Nails Down the Loss with Two Strong Innings

Striking Resemblance

To the Red Sox, They're the Same Guy

2005: Lilly Livered -- Jays Lefthander Dominates Timid Sox
2004: Red Sox Lulled by Lilly

Chasing History: Grand Jury Investigating Bonds
Extra Bases: Mohr of the Same Lineup

The Sting

Newman Owned

Paul Newman Was Led to Believe He'd See a Good Effort from the PokerStar Last Night

Oh Wells, Same Deal Last Year

BDD Archives: Wells's Early Return May Have Cost Sox '05 Division

"He’s 42 years old. There comes a time when that great athleticism may not support that Olympian’s body." -- 4.13, ESPN's Peter Gammons on WEEI's Big Show Talking About David Wells

Eric Wilbur: Swing and Miss -- Wily Mo Mea Culpa

Booooooooomer

He Spit the Bit
Wells Was a Not-Ready-for-Prime-Time Player
(Maybe He Needed a Couple More Dinner Reservations in Pawtucket?)

It Was Over Before It Started, Sox Lose 8-4
Give Me Some Mohr: Dustan Goes Deep in Debut
Wily Mo Power: Big Man Looks Good, Bangs One Out
Ho-Hum, David Ortiz Hits Another Home Run
Manny Being Lousy: Regret Taking Him With No. 4 Fantasy Pick
What a Relief: Lenny DiNardokay, Seanez Says Hello
How Comfy Were the $275 EMCeats for Tonight's Game?

"You name it, I just didn’t have it. Everything I threw up there they put a good swing at it… We all have bad nights and I started off with a bad night… The thing to do is just try to keep the team in the ballgame, it worked for two innings then the wheels came off.... I thought they were saying ‘Boomer’ (when fans booed him)… I thought that’s what they were saying, I really did. They were quick to do it, that’s fine." -- 4.12, David Wells after his first loss

Time for John Henry to Fire Off an E-mail to Roger Clemens

Laughing All the Way to the Bank

More Dough for Coco: Crisp Gets 3-Year Extension

Extra Bases: Riske Goes on DL to Make Room for Boomer
Eric Wilbur: Wells's Turn

WEEI Audio: Schilling Says There Were Doubters; Fans May Know More Than Media
Tito Talks About the Hot Start, Using the 'Pen, Outfield Changes and Beckett's Fire

"My name is Joshus Hotheadis Beckettus, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Fenway Legions, loyal servant to Tito Franconius. Obsessed with playing the game right, I have a very short fuse and tend to overreact. And I will have my vengeance, in the next game or the next. My name is Gladiator."

Tito: 'Maybe the Other Team Will Have to Take a Lump or Two'

“Beckett’s very emotional, I found that out in the seventh inning when we took him out, he almost knocked my arm off. But, and that’s the thing, he’s our guy, and if we have a couple of things along the way where he offends somebody, well you know what, he’s still our guy and he wants to go out and win 20 games, again, he’s our guy, so we’re gonna back him up. If that’s the way he’s good, you know what, that’s the way he’s good. So maybe the other team will have to take a lump or two, that’s just the way it is. He’s emotional, that’s part of the way he gets good, is by kind of putting himself against the world. There’s different ways guys do it and again, I don’t want to take it away from him.” -- 4.12.06, Red Sox Manager Terry Francona on WEEI's Dale and Holley

Beckett's a Hottie

“'Our pitching coach had him, said some stuff about him,' Hillenbrand said. 'I know what he’s about. That stuff’s in-house, but he gave us some history, especially after (the Howard incident) happened.'

"Beckett admitted he may have overreacted, though he didn’t appear to say anything to Hillenbrand at the time. Hillenbrand said he didn’t even know Beckett was upset until teammates mentioned it after the game.

“'I was mad at myself and probably let my emotions get the best of me,' Beckett said.

"Hillenbrand, who prided himself on playing hard with the Red Sox, dismissed Beckett’s broadside.

“'I’m going to make my living regardless of what he says or does,” Hillenbrand said. 'I’m just trying to win a ballgame. I’ve never even met the guy. If he’s going to do that, he’s just making himself look bad.'” -- 4.12.06, Boston Herald, John Tomase

Picture Perfect Day: Pregame Scene | Game Photos

Homecoming King

Home Delivery:
Beckett Goes Seven Strong Again in 5-3 Win
Extra Bases: Catch of the Day

Super Bon Bon: Papelbonfire Saves Another One
Contract Up! Papi Hits a Solo Homer
Lowell Connector: Four Hits for Iron Mike
Coco Who? Stern Double Puts Sox on Top
Nixon Free Ride Zone: Trot's Out 5-7 Days with Groin Strain

Bronson Woulda Had It

Eric Wilbur: Wily Mo Woes Continue
Doin' the Waveland: Arroyo Goes Deep Again

New Home Owner

Snow: Beckett Won't Have Any Opening Jitters

''I keep telling the new guys. Wait until you play your first game at Fenway. You might need a diaper." -- Newly Extended David Ortiz

Extra Bases: Coco on DL, Mohr Up; Changes Aplenty
Lineup: Youk leadoff, Stern 8th | Ask Edes: Path for Papelbon?
Terry Cashman Not Singing National Anthem
NECN: Chris Collins Talks to Coco Crisp

Heeeeeere's Johnny

Late Show: Damon on with David Tonight

Former Sox Icon Makes Rare Public Appearance Since Leaving Boston for New York

What's going to happen the first time you go back to Fenway Park? "I don't know but the fans are going to do exactly what they want, but in the end, they're going to be very happy with Coco Crisp." -- 4.11.06, Johnny Damon on the Late Show with David Letterman

No Go for Coco

Baserunning Blunder
COCO CRISP HAS FRACTURE, FINGER IN SPLINT
NO TIMETABLE GIVEN FOR RETURN
Coco Being Manny: It's Deja Vu 2002 All Over Again

Bob Ryan, Boston Globe: "Has the organization put in a policy that says absolutely no head first sliding?"

Theo Epstein, Red Sox GM: "It's absolutely been discussed, it gets covered in drills, but (his sliding is) it's instinct, Manny is trying to get there as quick as possible. Trust me, we were scared when we heard the report."

Bob Ryan: "When will they teach these guys in Gulf Coast League that it's not OK to do this. When will they be taught to slide right."

Theo Epstein: "Well.... it's starting already. We're working on it." -- 6.19.2002, 1510 The Zone

52 Million Reasons to Smile

Big Payday
Ortiz Agrees to 4-Year Extension for About $52 Million

Birds in the Hand

Road Warriors Sweep Orioles as Nation Worries About Coco

Wake Gets in a Groove in 4-1 Win
Small Ball Pays Big Dividends
Oh My Josh: Bard Could Be a Solid Backup
Up and Adam: Stern Steps In and Steps Up
'Pen Writes Perfect Script
Don't Boo Foulke on Tuesday
Boston's Best and Brightest Make Us Proud in Baltimore

Sox Get Caught Letting Coco Steal
Green Light May Put Red Light on Winning Streak

Finger May Keep Crisp on Sideline
CBS4 Report: Crisp Could Be Out 6-8 Weeks

Boo-Boo for Coco

Coco Crisp is out of today's game with a jammed finger. Crisp jammed the finger sliding into third base during Saturday night's game. Adam Stern will get the start in center field today.

Old School Schilling

Ace Had the Hot Hand on a Cold Night
Sox Win Another Throwfest, 2-1

Seems Like Old Times for Schill
That's All Foulke: Papelbon Remains the New, New Thing
Baserunning Blunders Don't Come Back to Bite Boston
Gold Glover: Manny Wasn't Kidding About His Catching
'Tek Takes Charge with His Bat
Lowell, Gonzo Down to .235
Slo Start for Wily Mo

24/7 Rock

Sox Go on the Offensive Against O's
A Walk in the Yards Win, 16-8

Trot and Manny Lead the Charge in Camden Yards
Going Places with New Faces: Lowell, Loretta, CoCo Stay Hot
Coming Up Millarge: Youkilis Lets His Bat Do the Talking
Looks Like We Got the '03 Red Sox Version of the Rudy Awakening
$7.5 Million Mop-Up Man Looks Sharp in 9th

Wells Slammed for Seven Runs in Pawtucket

Eric Wilbur: Propping the Clutch | Clutch Reaction
Closer Situation Open | Quick Closer Survey

From Pitching Ace to Dragon Slayer

He's a Gamer

Curt Schilling attempts to slay the dragon Hurricannus while playing EverQuest II on Thursday.

Beckett Has Red Sox Nation Optimistic

04.07.06: "If the discontented winter was like a no-holds-barred fight between a married couple, the summer looks like it's shaping up to be one long, amorous make-up session. If part of the internal battle for the soul of the team was the tension between GM Theo Epstein's desire to create a deep, healthy organization and team president Larry Lucchino's insistence on contending every year, the Sox appear to be having it both ways. They've gotten younger by acquiring Beckett, 25, Coco Crisp, 26, and Wily Mo Pena, 24, while keeping rising star Jonathan Papelbon, 25. And anyone who watched the Sox take two of three in Texas knows that the team remains a serious contender, if not the early favorite." -- Beckett Has Red Sox Nation Optimistic, Kevin Hench, FOXSports.com

Heavy Hitter

Petey and the Mets:
Pedro Throws at Guillen Twice; Benches Clear

Steroids Scandal: Judge Reports Bonds' Help for Sheffield
Rent-a-Wreck? Not So Much:
The Best Shortstop Our Money Can Buy is 7-for-17

Yankees Try to Strong-Arm Sox

New York Checks In with Another Obnoxious Payroll Advantage

Josh and Jon Get Their Game Faces On

Papelbonfire

Joke's On Foulke
Enter Jon. Texas Gone. Case Closed.

Let's Try Foulke in the 8th, Papelbon in the 9th
(Stick with It Tito)

“I don’t wake up in the morning and go to the grocery store and celebrate that I’m a closer. I’m a Boston Red Sox. I want to win a World Series. That’s all I’m here for… We’re working on stuff… the other day I felt better. I was lacking a little control… we’re just gonna keep building… I’m going to play the hand I’ve been dealt, just going to deal with it… I’m not going to put that much thought into it. I just bust my tail every day, keep improving… oh well.... [Francona told me] I could be throwing the ball better. Papelbon is throwing the ball great. Do as you’re told… Team comes first. We've got to do what’s important for the team, not for me.” -- 4.5.06, Keith Foulke

“We talked to Foulkie before the game. This is probably the only way we would have done that. If Josh went seven, Timlin pitches the eighth... I wasn’t comfortable having a game of consequence and not having one of the guys who’s probably throwing as good as anyone in game have a say so in the outcome… I think Foulke is going to be outstanding. I don’t think right now he’s [Foulke] at 100 percent, throwing his pitches where he needs to and part of my responsibility is to get him there. And also win games at the same time. And we’ll do that.” -- 4.5.06, Terry Francona

Beckett's Legit

Josh Just Got Better as the Game Went On
Sox Tip Texas 2-1 Behind Young Guns

Loe Blow: Home Run Trot Saved the Day
Timlin Rusty But Sox Get Lucky in 8th
Manny Relay Knows How to Play Left But Needs to Get His Bat Right

When Will ESPNdesportes Report on Trot Nixon's Contract Extension?

Arroyo Goes Deep

Bush League: Is He Working Schilling's Side of the Street?

Home Runs: Bronson Arroyo 1, Wily Mo Pena 0
And Hanley Ramirez Had 4 Hits, 3 RBI on Tuesday

Air Fenway

.406 Clubbed: The New Open Air Seating Is Ready for the Opener
Photo Gallery: Fenway Improvements Unveiled

10-4. Roger That.

'Roger? It's Theo. Listen...'

Clemens Gets NLCS Ring, Future Uncertain

Texas Game, Saw Massacre

It's a Rude Awakening as Sox Fall to .500
Wake Gets Whacked Around in Arlington
Rangers Jump All Over Sox Early, Win 10-4
Francona Decision to Slot Tim No. 2 Backfires
Bard Baffled by Knuckleballer
Offense Taking Night Off
DiNardo Not DiAnswer
Riske Business in the Red

Must-Win for Beckett on Wednesday

The Steroids Sideshow Circus
Bonds TV Debacle Debuts with Talk of Steroids
Selig Defends Choice of Sox' Mitchell
Jesse Jackson Checking In

Familiar Faces in Different Places

Some Days Are Better Than Others

D-Lowe's Double Bad Day
Johnny Was Spot On for the Yankees
Millar Makes Some Noise in Baltimore
It Was Over Before It Started for Nomar

Eric Wilbur: For Openers...
Edes Chat Wrap. Ask Edes Mailbag.
Extra Bases: Cora Gets the Start at Short Tonight

Frame That 'Toon

Think You're Funny?
Submit Your Caption Suggestion Here.

Schilling Would Wear a Tutu To Get Roger Back

Curt Schilling this morning made his weekly appearance on WEEI's Dennis and Callahan program. Here are some excerpts: "I actually shook hands and said hello [to Clemens before the game] and didn't realize it until after the game. ... He said 'I don't want to bug you, I know you're getting ready for the game. I just wanted to wish you luck.' And I said 'OK.' No, we didn't chat."

Did you get the sense that he's going to seriously consider coming to Boston and will you try to campaign for that?

"Yes, and yes. I think the x-factor is going to be Debbie [Clemens]. I think she's going to have a lot of input, not that she wouldn't anyway. But I think she's going to have a lot of say in what he ends up deciding to do and what he ends up wanting to do. And I think Debbie likes Boston. And I think Boston is going to be one of the two spots he's going to consider coming back [along with Houston]."

So he's not going to consider New York in your mind?

"I don't think so."

"I think there's a lot of sentimental value [on Clemens coming back to the Red Sox]. I think he's sold, and was sold a long time ago, on the fact that this is not your ‘90s Red Sox. People in Boston are still pissed at him for what they feel like he did when [he left Boston] ... [but] there's not a man alive that would have stayed here and played for [Dan] Duquette after the idiotic and stupid things that he did and said."

"I've always been a fan of his (Clemens) to the point where I'll get verbally beat on by teammates because I'm a big Clemens fan."

Do you have a (Clemens) throwback jersey?

"I'm not a stalker, I'm a fan."

Would you make a recruiting phone call if asked?

"I'd wear a tutu. There isn't anything I wouldn't do, potentially, if the thought or the possibility that he wants to come back here. In all honesty, I think he's way past it and I think he's retired, mentally. But I think there's a part of him that's charging up for a three-month run with somebody."

Fans Needle Bonds

You Stay Classy, San Diego

It's Clear: The Steroids Scandal Won't Go Away Until Barry Does
Not on His Silly Show Tonight: Bonds Suffers Wrath of San Diego Crowd

OPENING SLAY

Big Man on Texas
Papi Starts Strong in Opener with Homer, RBI Double
as Sox Roll Over Rangers 7-3 | Box

Schilling Sharp for Seven

Ace Has a Big Outing in Arlington

'Tek Drives in Two Runs on Double in 4th
Loretta Doubles in Coco in 5th
Papi Hits 2-Run Shot Off Pole in 5th
Blalock Homer Gets Rangers on Board in 6th
Papi Double Drives in Coco in 7th
Mike Lowell's Quick Bat Produces HR in 8th
Papelbon in the Eighth, Foulke Hit Hard in the 9th
Game Log

He's Quite the Catch

Johnny Who? Plays Tonight

Clemens Coming Home?

Or Is Rocket Just Driving Up the Price?
Clemens Meets with Red Sox in Texas

Bradford: Clemens Flies in for Sox-Rangers Opener

Extra Bases Update: Clemens Sounds Off

It's Baseball Season:
Nomar Pulls Muscle in Ribcage, May Go on DL
GM Ned Colletti Says "Freakish Thing" Happened to Him

The 2006 Retool Box

Sox Open Fire:
1. Coco Crisp CF
2. Mark Loretta 2B
3. David Ortiz DH
4. Manny Ramírez LF
5. Trot Nixon RF
6. Jason Varitek C
7. Mike Lowell 3B
8. Kevin Youkilis 1B
9. Alex Gonzalez SS
P—Curt Schilling

Extra Bases: Opening Day Tidbits
Eric Wilbur: Opening Might

Schilling Would Wear a Tutu To Get Roger Back

(BDD Photo Illustration)

Curt Schilling this morning made his weekly appearance on WEEI's Dennis and Callahan program. Here are some excerpts: "I actually shook hands and said hello [to Clemens before the game] and didn't realize it until after the game. ... He said 'I don't want to bug you, I know you're getting ready for the game. I just wanted to wish you luck.' And I said 'OK.' No, we didn't chat."

Did you get the sense that he's going to seriously consider coming to Boston and will you try to campaign for that?

"Yes, and yes. I think the x-factor is going to be Debbie [Clemens]. I think she's going to have a lot of input, not that she wouldn't anyway. But I think she's going to have a lot of say in what he ends up deciding to do and what he ends up wanting to do. And I think Debbie likes Boston. And I think Boston is going to be one of the two spots he's going to consider coming back [along with Houston]."

So he's not going to consider New York in your mind?

"I don't think so."

"I think there's a lot of sentimental value [on Clemens coming back to the Red Sox]. I think he's sold, and was sold a long time ago, on the fact that this is not your ‘90s Red Sox. People in Boston are still pissed at him for what they feel like he did when [he left Boston] ... [but] there's not a man alive that would have stayed here and played for [Dan] Duquette after the idiotic and stupid things that he did and said."

"I've always been a fan of his (Clemens) to the point where I'll get verbally beat on by teammates because I'm a big Clemens fan."

Do you have a (Clemens) throwback jersey?

"I'm not a stalker, I'm a fan."

Would you make a recruiting phone call if asked?

"I'd wear a tutu. There isn't anything I wouldn't do, potentially, if the thought or the possibility that he wants to come back here. In all honesty, I think he's way past it and I think he's retired, mentally. But I think there's a part of him that's charging up for a three-month run with somebody."

Just for the Record...

Sox Pitching Didn't Look So Hot in Florida:
Boston Finishes Spring Slate at 9-20

Lowell and Behold: Mike's Bat Speed Suddenly Quickens;
Sox Lose Another One 9-5

Manny Being Retired!

BDD Has Learned Manny Ramirez Will Retire to Brazil Before the
2006 Season Rather Than Suffer Any More Hardship in Boston

Renowned Red Sox slugging savant Manny Ramirez told a source close to BDD that he will retire from the game of baseball, effective immediately, in an attempt to avoid the publicity and restaurant harrassment that comes with playing and living in Boston. Red Sox GM Theo Epstein, who called this move a minor setback, is expected to make an official announcement this afternoon.

Ramirez, who sources say made the decision yesterday while deciding he didn't want to fly to Texas via Philadelphia, is expected to spend a year with his family in Brazil before coming back to the States to become a commentator on ESPN's Baseball Tonight. Wily Mo Pena is expected to take Manny's spot as the starting left fielder.

While most Red Sox will miss Manny's presence and right-handed power, some players privately said they had had enough of the "Manny being Manny" phenomenon that the media ate up hook, line, and sinker. David Ortiz, who will miss Manny's lineup protection the most, reportedly is not happy with the possibility of being walked 200 times this season. ... Oh, and while you are digesting this story, don't forget to check the calendar.

Your Unofficial 2006 Clip-and-Save Red Sox Calendar