This Just In ...

'It's a Formidable Scent... It Stings the Nostrils.'

Jeter's New Fragrance: It Takes a Special Person to Wear It

NO DEAL

Wilbur: Futures Game | Extra Bases: No Moves for Sox | Nixon on DL
Survey: Should the Sox Have Made a Deal? | Discuss

"We came close on a lot of things … countless opportunities we were pursuing …We have a long term plan and as much as we desperately wanted to do something to help our big league team, it would have been short-sighted to sacrifice that long-term plan. It just wasn’t worth it.

"Very disappointing [not being able to make a deal]. We have a lot of people in the front office and scouts that worked very hard to get things done.

"In the end, we gathered around everybody, thanked them for their hard work. We’re proud of the process, and proud of the results… There’s always an opportunity for waiver deals." -- 7.31.06, Theo Epstein on the trade deadline

Kip, Kip Hooray? ...

No Way.

Edes: Sox Pass on Kip Wells
Edes: Sox Inquire About Kip Wells
Edes: Andruw Jones Is Not On the Table
The Buzz: Will Coco, Hansen, Lieber, Clemens, Lowell, Lugo,
Linebrink, or Shealy Be On the Move Before 4?
What Should the Sox Do? | Discuss Potential Deals
Extra Bases: Clemens Watch | Wilbur: A Deadline Delusion?
Mnookin: What's the Deal with Abreau, and CoCo

Empty Schill

ErraticSchillingPounded,Nailed
For Three Third-Inning Bombs, Gone After Five

Bad-News Bearers: Nothing Good Going On at Fenway, Angels 10, Sox 4
Time to Trade Up for Offense: David Ortiz Can't Do It All at the Plate
Permanent Stop in Pawtucket: Pack the Van Buren and His 10.80 ERA
He Won't Get No Relief: Tavarez Must Really Enjoy All That Booing
Taking One for the Other Team: Affleck Fails at Foul Play
Imagine That: Gonzo's Hitting 20 Points Higher Than Coco
In Other Bad News: Back Scratches Foulke

"It was mistake after mistake. It's disappointing. One thing I have always expected of myself is to give this team innings. ... Five innings is just not good." -- 7.30.06, Curt Schilling on his horrific outing Sunday night

Dog Days of Bummer

Is This The Beginning of the End for Trot?

Anyone Going to the Beautiful South?

Get the Latest on Wily Mo, Coco, Who Stays, and Who Goes ...

Extra Bases: Check EB for Any Late Breaking Deadline Deals

Stick Shift

Papi Changes Gears, Sox Pass Angels at the Finish Line

Small Papi! That's Just David Being David
Saturday in the Park, Sox Win in 11, 7-6

Throwing It Out There: Manny's Got a Gun
Real Captain Intangible: You Won't Find 'Tek's Big Stick in the Box Score
Between the Lines: Mike Double-Trouble Lowell Plays the Field
Papi Plays Big Too: MLB Leader Cranks HR No. 35, RBI No. 99
Not Feeling 14: Beckett Gives It the Old Six Inning Try
The Hansen-Timlin Show Should Have Been Blacked Out on Direct TV
Papelbon's ERA Could Crawl Under a Snake's Belly with a Top Hat On
All Kidding Aside: Tavarez Pitched a Scoreless Inning for the Win

"I don't like to play extra innings... The guy was throwing a hard sinker. If I try to pull it, it's a ground ball to first. I go the other way. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. In a situation like that you want to try it." -- 7.29.06, David Ortiz on making the right call

Whaddaya Say We Get Off Julian's Back for a Bit?

"The only thing I did was go to the mound and get my boos. Boo. It kind of [stinks], huh? We're in first place and your fans are still booing. 'You [stink]. Boo.' It's unbelievable. I got used to it. Every time I go on the field to pitch and for BP. It's OK. They pay for the tickets. They can say whatever they want to say." -- 7.29.06, Tavarez Takes Notice of the Fenway Faithful

Pain Delay

Seven Is Heaven for Angels
LAA Pours It On Sox Late, 8-3

A Loss for Les: Jon Gets Into One Jam Too Many
Who's Howie Kendrick and How Did He Browbeat the Red Sox?
Manny Being Lousy: Delcarmen Can't Deliver the Goods in the Bad Inning
Lowell Foulke Festival: Keith Pitches Perfect Inning Elsewhere

"Tough to ask Jon Lester to hold that offense to one run. They made adjustments the third time around, but they weren't crushing the ball off him." -- 7.28.06, Mike Lowell trying to make less of Lester's performance

``Once Manny [Delcarmen] gives up the two runs there, it got away from us." -- 7.28.06, Straight talk from Tito Francona

Extra Bases: Sox Ask for Buehrle, Get Turned Down

Extra Bases: Wells Returns to Face Indians at Fenway

Wilbur: A Foul Coincidence

Sox Staying Idle?

Or Going After Lidle?

Cafardo: Red Sox Eyeing Cory Lidle

More Cafardo: Sox Looking at Willis? | Wilbur: Pitching Price Gouge
Real Estate: Former Sox Homes on the Market

Buster Olney's ESPN Insider Blog: "Anybody who has struck rock while using a shovel could relate to the next trade tidbit. Heard from two talent evaluators yesterday that Boston is very active in trying to come up with a large and creative deal, involving more than two teams. Smart thinking, one of them said, if it all works. Crazy stuff you wouldn't normally think of, said another. An executive with an AL team reports that he's heard that a scout was rushed off his area coverage to go scout Boston minor leaguers.

"But here's where the rock-striking part comes into play. I don't know if this is just a pebble of thought on the part of the Red Sox, or if this is a larger trade boulder, like the huge Nomar Garciaparra trade Boston hit on a couple of years ago, with all those moving parts. The Red Sox are looking for pitching, and they've talked about Julio Lugo in the past.

"Red Sox executives are mum; execs from other teams say they are very active.

"Take it for what it's worth." -- 7.27.06, Buster Olney, ESPN Insider Blog (subscription only)

Ha-Ha-Haren

Oakland Gets Last Laugh, 5-1

Nolan Haren Dominates Get-Away Gang for Seven Innings
Sox Had Their Bags Packed, But Couldn't Get On the Bags All Day
Five Inning Shadow: Snyder Comes Undone Again and Could Be Finished
Not Toast Yet: Thomas Can Still Bring the Hurt and the Pain
The Game Was Over But Van Buren and Hansen Finished Fine
Who Else Dad? Coco Drives in Boston's Only Run

"If we keep it in the park, it's a different ballgame. Two big blasts. When [Frank Thomas] gets his arms extended, he's a strong guy." -- 7.26.06, Terry Francona, Captain Obvious

Extra Bases: Gabbard Gone; Lowell Foulke Festival
The Buzz: Linebrink, Burrell, Lugo Rumors
Eric Wilbur: Rocket Relaunch on Tap... Again?

Big Apple Circus

Kings of the Road

Sox Flex More East Coast Muscle Out West
Oakland Blown Away, 13-5

The Hit Parade: Sox Turn 18 and Kick Some A's
Big Manny on Campus: Ramirez Remains on a Tear
Home Run Trot: It's Been a While Old Friend
Feelin' Groovy: Schilling Catches Beckett with Win No. 13
Sacrificial Lambs: Sox Drive in Four with Fly Out Runs
He's a Grown Manny: Delcarmen Steps It Up with Two Big K's
Breaking It Open: 'Tek Cracks a Bases Clearing Double in the Great 8th
Even a Tavarez-Seanez Combo Can't Blow This One

"I'm going to be more aggressive at the plate. I'm trying to find a good stroke. It's important to get out there and get my timing back down." -- 7.25.06, Trot Nixon, present, and future, right fielder of the Boston Red Sox

Extra Bases: Wells on His Way | Eric Wilbur: Hitting the Wall

Reynolds Rapped

Popular Analyst Harold Reynolds Is Out at ESPN
Deadspin: Why Harold May Have Gotten the Axe

West Coast Rappers

'Manny Ortez' Mashes A's, Zito, 7-3

MLB Chart Toppers: Papi Hits No. 34, Beckett Wins No. 13
Manny on Fire: HR No. 27, RBI No. 76 for the Aloof Slugger
A-Gon Goes Deep Again (While Poor A-Rod Struggles in the Bronx)
Nowhere to Go But Up: Crisp Hits 12th Double, Gets RBI No. 18
Hansen Comes In, a Nation Gets Nervous
Two K's But No Save for Pap

"They turn the page and they play. They don't have the hangover effect." -- 7.25.06, Terry Francona, the greatest manager in baseball today

Extra Bases: Wells Is Doing Well

Are the Sox Ready to Dive In?

Gallery: Eight Potential Trading Partners for Sox
Survey: What is Boston's Biggest Need as Deadline Approaches?
Wilbur: Rookie Dilemma for Papelbon Candidacy
Mnookin: Rookie Pitchers and Minor League Talent
Brian Fox Video: 2006 First Half Review
Hot Stove, Cool Photos

Cereal Killer

Did You See That Catch Coco Didn't Make?

That's Just Coco Being Manny, and Manny Being Coco
Sox Give One Away in Seattle, 9-8

Edgar Crisp: Is It Deja Vu All Over Again for a Newcomer?
Just Throwing It Out There: Does Coco Have a Tool Beyond Speed?
More Manny Mulligans: One Kick, One Swat, No Errors
Need More from Les: Five Innings Is Not the Right Number for Lefty
On the Offensive: Top of the Order Provides Thunder, Sox Still Go Under
Manny Being Manny? Delcarmen Gets Hit Hard in Relief
Captain's Crunch Goes Soggy: 'Tek's Best Effort Lost in Loss
Opposite Sexson: Timlin In, Ball Goes Out, Game Over

"I went where I thought it would be, I took my eyes off it for a few seconds. I was going to rob him, but it landed right behind me... I saw him [Manny] pointing. I didn't know what happened. I guess he was in the right position, it just caromed off him. I was just picking it up and throwing it in the direction I thought it should go. It happened so quick, I threw it as hard as I could, but the guys were lined up a little more to the left of where I'm facing... We almost had him, but I've got to hit the guy who was closer [Gonzalez]." -- 7.23.06, Coco Crisp, proud card-carrying member of Red Sox Nation, on the mess with Manny in the outfield

Not Scared, Stifler

Separated at Birth? Kason Gabbard and Seann William Scott

Sox Get Gift of Gab

But Seattle Wins the Prize, 5-2
Mariners Take Advantage of Fielding Mistakes

Major League Delivery: Gabbard Did It the Hard Way
Say It Ain't So: Perez Gets the Best of Gonzo
Bag Job: Ump Holds Papi's Feet to the Fire
Dropping In: Did You See That Catch Coco Didn't Make?
No Ill Will: Lowell Belts 13th Homer; Three K's for Manny
Surprise, Surprise: Just-Go-Away-Julian Walks Three
Seattle's Best: Gotta Hand It to Hernandez

"The only play for me was to third base -- but the runner didn't slide. I made a perfect throw." -- 7.22.06, If you say so Gonzo

West Coasting

High Five
Five Strong for Snyder, Five Long Balls, Five Straight
Homer-Happy Sox Slaughter Seattle, 9-4

Ortiz Hits No. 33, 26 for Manny
Not to Bragg But Jamie Moyer is Finally in the Twilight of His Career
Hansen Gets Hit Hard But Delcarmen, Timlin Lock It Down
Gravy Train: Gonzo Hits His Seventh Homer
Sloppy D Results in Two More Errors
'Tek, Youk Join Way Back Brigade
Even Crisp Breaks 0-for-15 Skid

"I'm the greatest, that's all I have to say." -- 7.21.06, David Ortiz joking Muhammad Ali style

Wilbur: Wild Pitch: Pads, Peavy, and Mike Lowell
Trip Breakdown: West of the Story | Gallery: Sox This Week
Yanksfan vs. Soxfan: Is Schill Rethinking Retirement?

"Even if I didn’t retire after next year I just can’t imagine jumping to the other side of this rivalry. Financially this game has taken care of me, so the next contract would be the same as this one in that we’d end up where we wanted to live and in a scenario we were familiar with. When all is said and done if I didn’t retire after next year I couldn’t imagine playing anywhere but Boston anyway to finish my career." -- 7.21.06, Curt Schilling, YF vs. SF Q&A

Makeup Sox

Tito's Team Fights Through Tough Homestand,
But It's All Good in the End, 6-4

Mark Goes Sour on the Bases, But Sweet Loretta Leaves Fans Satisfied
Face the Music: What If... Schilling Doesn't Stop that Line Drive to the Head?
Bronson Who?: The Big Wily Mo Goes 2-for-3, Hitting .330
Youk Stops the Bleeding at the Plate While Coco Goes 0-for-5 at Leadoff
Right on the Manny: RBI No. 69 for Ramirez
Schill Is Good Enough to Be 12-5, 8-0 at Fenway
Delcarmen Among Boys in the Bullpen, Mike Saves the Day
Do We Need to See More'a Alex Cora?

"It was a win. A good win. A 5-3 homestand after losing three out of four to Oakland, regardless of who it's against, is a good homestand for us." -- 7.20.06, Curt Schilling on the bottom line

Can't Catch This

Hammer Time: 'Tek Drives Home Insurance Run

'Feeding' Outtake: Wake on Ownership, Chemistry, and His Deal
Extra Bases: Sox Rangers Roundup
Wilbur: He Should Be the Mark

Shea Goodbye

Jays Are Done Monkeying Around with Hillenbrand
Shea Hey Kid Gets Tossed Out in Toronto

"Sources have said that Hillenbrand and other players had taken turns attempting to write humorous messages on a clubhouse chalkboard. At one point, Hillenbrand is said to have written: 'This is a sinking ship' on the board...

"Hillenbrand added that the manager told him he was a 'cancer' in the clubhouse whose teammates thought of him as a joke. He said he verbally abused him once again in front of the entire team on Wednesday night in a pre-game players' meeting, calling him 'a cancer' and 'a coward' and challenging him to hit him and start a fight." -- 7.20.06, Geoff Baker, Toronto Star

The Horse and the Horse's Behind Are On the Road Again

He'll Have to Just Grin and Bear It

Where's Noah's Ark When You Need It?

So Long Shea!
And Yes, We've Heard of Jeff Bagwell.

It's a Win-Win

Beckett Gets the Upper Hand

Josh Flushes Royals from Fenway, Then Seals the Deal
Sox Win Another 1-0 Pitchfest

Josh Beckett Got His Groove Back
And Papelbon Does His Thing Too

He's Da Manny

Manny Giveth to Sox and Taketh Away from KC

Good News, Bad News

Go