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

Good News: Beckett Gets 3-Year Contract Extension
Bad News: Wakefield Has a Fractured Rib
But It's All Systems Go for Boomer

Eric Wilbur on Josh Beckett: Hyde and Seek
More Wilbur: King's Ransom | Dating Game | Ode to Hazel

Lesterrific!

Jon is One-Hit Wonderful

Lester Was Great for Eight in 1-0 Win
Feet on the Ground: Lester Gets 15 Ground Ball Outs
Give It to Me One Time: Gonzo, 'Tek Combine for a Big Run
Keep On Papelbon: Jonathan Racks Up Save No. 28

Congratulations Captain

'Tek Passes Carlton By Catching Team-Leading 991st Game

"I'm honored to be able to play my whole career in one place... I couldn't ask for a better place to be. It [the ovation at Fenway when the game was official] gave me a lot of chills. I'm very thankful for the response. I'm just very thankful for the opportunity I've had here" -- 7.18.06, Red Sox captain Jason Varitek on passing Carlton Fisk as the all-time Sox leader in games caught

Tito's Take on Wake

"We don’t really have anything to announce... we're going to give him some time... how he feels will determine how we’ll proceed.” -- 7.18.06, Terry Francona on Tim Wakefield

Red Hot Rookies

Christmas in July

Cafardo: Ball Debate Goes Round and Round

Gravy Baby

But Which One is Meatloaf?

Extra Bases: Wake Has Bone Scan; Not Going on DL Yet
Pena, Van Buren Up; Harris, Lopez Down
Alex Speier: Could Papi Reach 60?

Fire in the Belli

Sox Stop Slip and Slide with Rally Big Comeback, 5-4

Doug Digs In: A Walk Is Not As Good As a Hit ... Or a Homer
Sacrificial Man: Ramirez Gets the Winning Run Home on the Fly
Back Against a Wall: Wake May Be Latest Old Body on the DL
No Bull: Delcarmen, Hansen, Timlin, and Papelbon Pitch In for Win
Royal Tease: Was That Luke Hudson or Tim Hudson on the Hill?
Big Wheels Churning: Harris and (Gulp) Papi Show Off Their Speed
Outstanding Defense Makes a Cameo Appearance
Hot Coco: Crisp Heats Up at the Plate
Sox Still the One in AL East
Nice Game for Tito

"I had no idea what he was going to throw there. It's nice any time I can add to the offense. It takes a little pressure off the big guys." -- 7.17.06, Doug Mirabelli on his 3-run bomb

Ballgate Swings Open

Extra Bases: Ball Games Irk Mientkiewicz
Will the World Series Ball Hog Get Booed Tonight?

Eric Wilbur: Greed with Envy
BDD Archives: Foulke Wants Ball | Sox Play Hardball | A Look Back on Ballgate
Ballgate Open Again | The Verdict is In: Mink Stole
'I Think the Whole Thing is Disgusting' | Mientkiewicz Agreed to Give Ball Back
Million Dollar Baby Returns | Caught Red-Handed

Go Gammo Go

Gammons Moving from Hospital to Rehab Facility

Extra Bases: Hazel Stay | Bradford: Inside Dope on Greenies
Mnookin: Beckett Learning How to Pitch

You Don't Know Jack ...

But Jack Knows the Sox ...
Former GE Head Forcasted, Broke Down, and Analyzed
the Fifth Starter Fiasco on the Welch-O-Meter Last Week

Say It Ain't So!

Average Joe Blanton Blows Away Boston's Not-So-Big Bats
Not-So-Light-Hitting A's Hammer Sox Again, 8-1
New York Is Knocking at the Door

Wardrobe Malfunction: Sox Play Dead in Red Softball Shirts
The Third Degree: Manny's Feet Fail Him on the Bases
Pouring Gas on Fire: Tavarez Is a Perfect Match for A's Offense
Something Positive: 'Tek Heats Up in Hot Weather
Short Story: Gonzo Locks Up Gold Glove

"It's one of those games where we couldn't put the ball in the right spots. They made some nice plays, but we hit some balls hard." -- 7.16.06, Coco's view of things

False Starter

Snyder Fails in Another Fifth Man Tryout

"I ran into some trouble, left a couple balls up, gave up a couple of base hits. The hit batsman cost me that inning. Under the circumstances, they were looking to give me an out with the sacrifice bunt. I hit him and wind up with the bases loaded with nobody out. Just not the best inning." -- 7.16.06, Kyle Snyder's remark

Stick a Fork in New York?
Not So Fast As Yanks-Sox Tied in Loss Column

'Feeding the Monster': Bill James on Sox and Steroids

Big Schutout

The Stopper Puts an End to Losing Streak, 7-0
Curt Puts Up Winning Numbers to Improve to 11-3

Sleeping Papi Wakes Up with Homer, 3 RBIs
Double Trouble: Lowell Goes for Two More Than Once
Call of the Game: 'Tek Gets Popped and Gets Props from Schilling
Accidents Will Happen: Swisher Gets Nicked, Ticked
That's Just Milton Being Milton
In the Near Future? Delcarmen in the Eighth, Hansen in the Ninth

"I'm aware of what's going on and how things are going. We got clobbered last night and our bullpen's taxed a little bit and I know that's what they pay me to do. They pay me to go out there and, on nights like this, give our offense a chance to put pressure on." -- 7.15.06, Curt Schilling earned his paycheck

FARM REPORT by Gary Jacobs

DiNardo’s Days of Uncertainty

JULY 14, 2006 | PAWTUCKET -- - Just when the Sox need him most, Lenny DiNardo’s future is as murky as it ever was.

Big Sloppy

LorEtta

All-Star 2B Commits Killer Error as Red Sox Turn into Choakland
Defense, Baserunning Blunders Rear Ugly Heads in 5-4 Loss in 11

Speed Kills Too: Willie Embarrass Gets Caught in No Man's Land
Lester is the Wild Child Again, But Avoids First Loss
Nixon, Lowell, Papi Pick Up Where They Left Off in First Half
In the 11th Hour: 'Tek Shot is Not Enough to Win It
Not Ready to Close: Hansen Is Good for an Inning
He Can't Repeat Last Performance: Julian Just Can't Win
Time to Get Him Gone? Boo Birds Turn Attention to Tavarez

"I took my eye off it and it was gone. It was more a mental lapse than anything." -- 7.13.06, Mark Loretta on The Error

Extra Bases: A's Top Sox in 11, 5-4
Today's Gordon Edes Chat Transcript
Eric Wilbur: A Star is Scorned
Photos: From the Maniacal One ...

High Time for Breslow

Extra Bases: Cameo for Breslow

Edes Archive: Breslow -- From Yale to the Red Sox

Click Here to Listen to 'Come to Papi'

Running the Risk
at RemDawg's

Globe: Young Fans Sneak Into Fenway Old School Style
Photo Gallery: Fenway for Free

Fenway Borders Need Better Patrolling
Who Will Head the Department of RemDawg's Security?
Time to Call in the Red Sox National Guard?

"Kids sneak in all the time. Night games are the easiest. You'd be surprised to see what people would do to see a Red Sox game." -- 7.13.06, Edward Polanco, who works at RemDawg's

Young American

Same Old Story for NL as AL Comes Back to Win Again, 3-2
Manny's Off the Hook as Michael Young Gets to Old Man Hoffman
to Give Sox Home Field Advantage in Series

Ex-Sox Shortstops Renteria, Sanchez, Eckstein, and Garciaparra Non-Factors for NL
Big Papi Showed No Pop But Flashes the Leather at First
PaplebonStar Gets a Night Off, Loretta 0-for-2

"I'm not going to lie. This is a pretty big highlight in my baseball career. We're all aware of how important this game is." [Except Manny of course] -- 7.11.06, AL MVP Michael Young

Hot Stove, Cool Music Update:
Tonight's Concert Will Take Place Rain or Shine at Fenway
as the Stage and Most of the Seats are in Covered and Under the Right Field Roof
Doors Open at 5:00 p.m. and the Furvis Goes Onstage at 5:30 p.m. (not 6:00 p.m.)
Get the Hot Stove, Cool Music Official T-Shirt Here

Tentative Band Order: 5:30 - Furvis, 6:00 - The Gentlemen, 6:40 - Click 5, 7:10 - Kay Hanley, 7:50 - Cowboy Mouth, 8:25 - Ayla Brown, 8:55 - Howie Day, 9:20 - James Taylor,
10:00 - Buffalo Tom followed by the All-Star Jam

Chat Transcript from 'Feeding the Monster' Author Seth Mnookin
Midseason Report: Grade the Red Sox First-Half Performance

A Star is Born

Papelbon Arrives on the Red Carpet

SI On Campus: Q&A with Craig Hansen
Bradford: For Cooper, This Was Meaningful

More Budslinging

Extra Bases: Selig Still Upset About Missing Manny
Will Carroll: 'Manny Has Small Tear in the Medial Meniscus'

Warning Track Papi

Globe: Papi is Always a Big Attraction

For the Third Straight Year, Ortiz Can't Get Out of Second Round in HR Derby
But He Put on a Big Show the First Time Around

More Days in First Place

Johnson Waxed

Another One Bites the Dust
Johnson Demoted to the Minors

Papelbon Doesn't Expect to Pitch in All-Star Game
Ortiz Not Worried About Taking Extra Swings

THEO EPSTEIN CHAT TRANSCRIPT: Theo Epstein checked in with Boston.com on the Red Sox and his upcoming Hot Stove, Cool Music concert.

'Feeding' Frenzy
Mnookin: Joe O'Donnell and WEEI | Listen: Joe O Slams 'Feeding'
Outtakes: Tito on Theo, Damon, Foulke, and the Attention in Boston
Edes: Epstein's Issues, Manny's Mouth, and Scaring John Henry
Globe Magazine: The Breakup: All About Theo and Lucchino
Sneak Peek: Boras Orchestrates Damon’s Move
Globe Review: John Henry Would Love It
Seth Mnookin Chat Wed. at Noon

19th Hole

Sox Lose Sweep Over It As Seanez Succumbs in 19th

Long Story, Bad Ending: White Sox 6, Red Sox 5
Win Blown City: Papelbon, Timlin Can't Close in Chicago
Rumor Has It Tiant Was Warming Up in the Pen
Way Back When: Schilling Pitched a Nice Game, Delcarmen Delivered
5th Starter Material? Tavarez Goes the Extra Mile Perfectly
Star Shines: Loretta Did What It Takes to Win
Nice Catch Nixon with the Ugly 0-for-9 Line
Let It Be Noted: Jason Varitek is Hitting .232 at the Break
Time to Move Hot Coco Back to Leadoff?

"It was mentally and physically exhausting trying to concentrate for that many pitches. It's grueling. It's emotionally draining. It becomes really an endurance match after a while. ...It's deflating when you have a lead and they come back a couple of different times." -- 7.9.06, All-Star 2B Mark Loretta on the Longest Game

The Big Red Sox Machine
Is Firing on All Cylinders

Everybody Hits As Boston Batters Chicago Again

Sox Escape Big Trouble and Show Chicago Who's Boss in the AL, 9-6
In the Big Inning: Lopez Strikes Out Thome, Hansen Gets Konerko, Dye
Four More Years: Nixon Takes His Gold Glove Show on the Road
Cora Leads the Two-Out Rally Brigade
Ortiz is Hot, Hot, Hot: Big Papi Pounds No. 31
Coming Up Clutch: Mirabelli Gets Into the Act Too
All-Star Effort: Man-knee Has a Better Than Average Afternoon
Summer of 62? Will Beckett Give Up More Homers Than Maris Hit?
Another Four-Out Close: Papelbon's On His Game

"I can't say enough of those guys [relievers Javier Lopez and Craig Hansen] coming in and getting out of that situation without giving up any runs. That's phenomenal to come in with no outs and Jim Thome, Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye coming up. That's unbelievable." -- 7.8.06, Beckett on his Big Bad Bullpen

Kid Rocks

The Les You Know the Better
Jon Works His Way Out of Jams Again to Get a Win

Red Sox Roll Over World Champs, 7-2
Rookie Move: Lester Socks It to Ozzie's Bunch, Goes to 4-0
Summer of 62? Papi Belts 30th Homer; Is Maris's Record in Jeopardy?
Three Cheers for the 'Pen: Delcarmen, Timlin, Tavarez Chip In for the Win
Crisp Breaks 0-for-23 Skid with Bloop Single, Homer
Manny Goes 0-for-5, Should Gonzo (4-for-4, .284) Bat Cleanup?
Steady as They Come: Mike Lowell

"I was just fortunate enough to get out of there with one run each time. With the lineup they have, it feels good to get a win and do halfway decent against them." -- 7.8.06, Rookie sensation Jon Lester

So Manny Questions

Extra Bases: Manny Is Officially Out of All-Star Game

Should Manny Be Playing in Pittsburgh for the American League?
Will the Hot-Hitting All-Star Sit Out Sunday with His 'Bad Knee'?
What If the Sox Lose Home Field Advantage in the Series?
Should Manny Be on the Ballot Next Year?
Do All-Star Voters Deserve Better?
Did Selig Go Along with This?
Does Anyone Care?

Late Show with
David Numberman

AVG .277 | HR 29 | RBI 82 | OBP .384 | SLG .605

He Done Done It Again, Sox Win 12-5
We Kneeded It: Manny, Belli Hit Big Dome Runs
Back in the Win Column: Sore Wake Grinds Out a Victory
Gonzo Now Hitting .272 with All the Defense Too
'Pen Sans Seanez, Tavarez Hangs In

"I just figured that hitting the ball up there, no way they can catch it. They've really been playing some extreme defense, so I've got to stay where the ball is and try to hit it as hard as I can." -- 7.6.06, David Ortiz, King of Pain

Nomar Starciaparra: Fan Favorite Returns to Star Status
Hip Check: Pedro Goes on 15-Day DL, First Time With Mets

Big Carry

(Boston Dirt Dogs / Frank Galasso, cartoonist -- Big Papi = AL MVP Image / Brian G.)

Extra Bases: Peter Gammons is Improving
Feeding the Monster: Nomar on His Achilles, Soccer, and the Sox
Eric Wilbur: Deja Review

Vote Yes for Nomar

Let's Give Our Boy the Loretta Treatment
And Give Him a Late Push to Pittsburgh
Voting Ends at 6:00 p.m.

Home Invasion

Crawford, Rays Pull a Fast One
Is the Sky Falling in the Dome?

Flop in the Trop: Sox Drop Third Straight, 5-2
Also-Ran? The Immortal Tim Corcoran Runs Through Sox Lineup
Pleading the 5th Starter: Johnson Makes Clement Look Like Pedro
When the Heat Is Off, Julian Tavarez Becomes a Flamethrower
Youkidding Me? The First Baseman is in a Batting Slump
And the Center Fielder is Hitting .261 with 3 HR, 13 RBI
'Tek Goes Deep But His Average (.244) Has Taken a Dive Too

"I said it's going to be do or die. I'm going to take this chance right here. If I'm out, I'm out. If I'm safe, everybody will be happy about it." -- 7.5.06, Carl Crawford on his home run

Omen 2006: The Annual Conflict

You cannot just stick a fork in them and think that will do. No, they must be lured to sacred ground, and there be pierced by the seven Daggers of Megiddo. Not haphazardly mind you, but in specific regions of the corpus and in an exact order as prescribed to Gregory Peck's character in bringing an end to Damien.

Killing the Evil Empire was never supposed to be easy, but enough is enough.

After ripping off 14 wins in their last 15 interleague games, the Red Sox took occasion on what figured to be a little rest-and-relaxation break in St. Petersburg to lift their goggles, glance back, and gauge the separation they've created between themselves and the persistent Yankees: Four games, a five-game improvement from the deficit they found themselves in before interleague play began. Nowhere near enough, given that the supply of National Leaguers is exhausted and Orioles dates are running low.

The Yankees were cast from the American League East cockpit on June 18 and it was the Red Sox' thumb that depressed the ejection button. Yet the Bombers still remain tethered to our chassis by the thinnest of whipcords in vintage Indiana Jones fashion and it will again take a summer's labor to sever that lifeline.

After a fortnight of revelry around The Hub, a look to October was tempting despite the painful lesson we learned last year. On Aug. 10, the Red Sox held a season-high 5½-game lead over the Yankees with 49 to play. Fans officially pronounced the American League East closed for the season. It was as if 1978 never happened. Though Boston closed with a respectable 29-20, New York kicked it into another level altogether with a 35-14 run that carried them to their clincher on the final Saturday of the season.

Last year's Yankee comeback was brought about by the confluence of New York sorcery and Boston mediocrity, both of which conspired to grant the Empire its eighth consecutive division title. To avert a repeat, the Sox may do well to employ those seven daggers.

The first should be used to sever Randy Johnson's second half. It's hard to believe the Old Unit is having a more productive season this year. Through Independence Day, he is 9-7, albeit with a 5.25 ERA, compared to 7-6 and a 4.24 ERA one year ago. But last July 5, RJ's season turned around with a 12-3 win over Baltimore that began a 10-2, 3.32 ERA run and gave the Yankees their ace for the second half.

Johnson is but one head of the Yankees' big salary Hydra, and no dagger is sharp enough to cut George's purse strings. With so much capital invested in a 25-man roster, one superstar is always stepping up when another falters. Even with three everyday starters out, six current or former All-Stars still fill the lineup card.

This year, the Yankees are 24-14 with at least two of their three stud $13 million outfielders in the lineup, but 22-21 with only one. However, neither Gary Sheffield nor Hideki Matsui is due back until September, vesting the onus for production in the bats of Jason Giambi and Alex Rodriguez. To date, the former is delivering consistently, the latter only in blowouts. But if last week's walkoff homer should awaken the sleeping dog within A-Rod, no dagger may do.

Another is needed to cut through the smoke and mirrors, which are particularly thick and illusory in the Bronx. They can make Tony Clark appear an MVP first baseman or Tanyon Sturtze a shutdown middle reliever. Last year's illusions were Aaron Small and Shawn Chacon, one a 34-year old minor leaguer, the other a lifetime 24-45 pitcher. They combined for a 17-3 record that lifted a Yankees rotation reeling from the absences of their big-name acquisitions.

But this year, there is no veteran pop off the bench. Sturtze is out for the season, Small has been designated for assignment, and Chacon has been ineffective. However, with the trade deadline about four weeks away, there is plenty of time for more of GM Brian Cashman's wizardry.

Next, how about cutting off the supply lines from Trenton and Columbus? Turns out the Cashman farm system is not as bad as Baseball America and media pundits have led us to believe. We've heard for three years how the Yankees have no trading inventory or reinforcements in the minors. Yet last year, Robinson Cano came up to hit .297 with 14 homers in 132 games, while pitcher Chien-Ming Wang went 8-5 in 17 starts.

This year, Cano has been joined by Melky Cabrera and Andy Phillips, and the threesome has combined for a .289 average and .335 OBP through Tuesday. Wang is 8-4 and newcomer Scott Proctor makes nightly appearances out of the pen.

Into a second month of injury relief, the gold dust has yet to settle. Cano hit .398 in June before going on the DL, although his power and production (4 HRs, 27 RBIs) are on a fractional pace with 2005. Cabrera has cooled to .227 over his last 31 games, but Phillips is an even .300 over his last 35. Wang has only four quality starts in his last nine outings, but not a day passes without mention of the name Phillip Hughes. Not bad for MLB's 17th-best farm system.

No one owns the Yankees the way the Yankees own others. Among their portfolio is Minnesota, from whom they garnered 23 wins in 27 games and two ALDS victories between 2002 and 2004, and Oakland, who provided 14 wins in 18 tries over 2004 and 2005. A dagger must be dedicated to shredding these deeds.

So far, so good. Minnesota has won five of its last nine against the Bombers, while Oakland capped a 6-3 season with a three-game sweep in Yankee Stadium earlier this month. If hands could only be laid on that Orioles title, the division would be secure.

The next dagger is for killing those pesky Yankee rallies in which everything seems to fall just right. Last year, there was Cleveland, the Mets, back-to-back games against the Angels, and a five-run ninth against Kansas City in late August. They've collected a few this year, 14-13 over Texas in mid-May after trailing by nine runs, and the improbable 5-4 comeback engineered off Mets closer Billy Wagner four days later after striking for four runs in the ninth. But karma may finally be retaliating against them, as in their recent loss of a seven-run lead in Washington. There will have to be less of the former and more of the latter to avert another Yankees divisional title this year.

The last dagger is for their intestinal fortitude. It is the toughest of the evils to kill and can only be approached once all others have been extinguished. In fact, this prerequisite is part of the final killing. For, without the $16 million pitchers and $13 million outfielders, without the parade of over-performing youngsters and journeymen, without subservient American League clubs, it's hard to maintain that drive to take three straight from a Tigers team that had won 15 of its last 17, or back-to-back wins against the Marlins, winners of 10 of their last 11.

In the end, the real dagger may once again be the Red Sox themselves. They were an integral part of last year's 5½-game squander. It's too early to speculate on whether and for how long the Sox will keep this year's East open.

Despite a recent run against National Leaguers, June 11 remains the last date Boston beat an American League team. After its top two starters surrendered six home runs in last-place Tampa, the Sox have now lost six straight to AL teams and are only 34-29 overall. Take Baltimore out of the equation and it's a sobering 26-28.

So, the longing in Red Sox Nation for the companionship of our brethren from the Bronx continues. Bidding them adieu seems akin to saying goodbye to summer itself. The Yankees linger. The Sox enable.

It will be an uphill battle for New York to run another 35-14 table, but with Boston holding all the daggers, the Yankees won't be finished until October. And no incidental slice from the blade will fall this demon. After all, this is baseball, not the movies.

-- Bob Ekstrom, Boston Dirt Dogs contributor and writer at Sports Central

Crunch Tyme

Schill Comes Up Short as Wiggington Goes Long Again

Losing Streak at Two After 9-6 Drubbing by D-Rays
Stuck in the Middle: Another Three-Homer Day for Big Curt
Kap Pops on the 4th: Gabe Hits Homer, Goes 3-for-4
Too Little, Too Late: 'Manny Ortez' Homers Again
Timlin Ensures Comeback Falls Short

"You can say what you want about being the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, but that's not the expansion Devil Rays any more. That's a very, very good offense top to bottom, an American League offense. I would put that lineup against a lot of lineups in this league. When they get pitching, they're going to win games." -- 7.4.06, Curt Schilling on the Tenacious Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Feeding the Monster: Schill on Signing with the Sox

Casey Possum

Sox Bats Play Dead for Casey

Extra Bases: No Word from MLB on Manny
Edes Mailbag: Tough Time for 'Tek
Eric Wilbur: Left Hook

Kazmanian Devil
Dogs Sox Again

Hey Now, He's an All-Star ... And He's 5-2 Against the Sox

And All That Kaz: Devil Rays 3 Runs, Sox 2 Hits
Fit to Be Tyed: Wigginton Takes Beckett Deep Twice
Yikes! Josh Has Given Up 23 HRs in 104 Innings

"They always say solo home runs are not going to kill you. In a game like this, they will. He's pitching great. That was just the bottom line. He pitched better than me. That's why they won and that's why we lost." -- 7.3.06, Josh Beckett breaks down the reasons why

Oh, What a Relief It Is

Pap, Pap Is, Is

Sox Win a Squeaker, 4-3
Timlin the Win, Delcarmen Holds, Papelbon Appetite No. 25
1-2-3 Punch: Youk, 'Tek, 'Tiz Get Sox Out of the Gate
All-Star Production: Loretta's Fly is the Biggest RBI
Thank You Tavarez, Sincerely, Jon Lester's Win

"You've got to make your own breaks. We put ourselves in a bind a couple times, but we battled out of it. If it was easy every day, there'd be a team that wins 140 games a year." -- 7.2.06, Kevin Youkilis on winning baseball games

Papelbon, Manny, Ortiz, Loretta named All-Stars; Schilling snubbed
('Net Vote Puts Sox 2B On the Team)

2 + 2 = 9

'Manny Ortez' Does the Math (4 HRs, 9 RBIs Combined)

Saturday Night Fish Fry: Sox 11, Marlins 5
Dominican Dynamite Explodes at Dolphin Stadium
The Error of Their Ways: Belli, Gonzo Gaffes End Streaks
More Runs for Wake: Tim Improves to 6-8

"I just got the ball on the end of my fingers. It's going to happen." -- 7.1.06, Alex Gonzalez on committing second error this season

Friday, 13th?

Jason Lives, Streak Dies.

Whatchoo Talkin' 'Bout? Willis. Marlins 5, Sox 2
Johnson Wasn’t Randy as Eight of First 11 Batters Reach
Boo Who? Road Sox Nation Lets Johnson Have It Right Off the Bat
Make No Mistake, Sox Play Error-Free for 17th Great Game
Gonzo and Lowell Overcome Ovations, Get Hits
And Win What Pedro Calls the ‘Most Important Game’
Manny Keeps Pounding Away

"I had a lot of adrenaline in the first couple innings. I was throwing too hard and trying to impress. The last couple of innings I settled down and threw the ball where I wanted to." –- 7.30, Jason Johnson on his horrific streak-stopping start

Audio Slideshow: Dominicans Root for the Home Team
Extra Bases: By the Numbers | Gallery: Streaking Sox
Eric Wilbur: Lowell Homes In | Gallery: Sox-Marlins Connection
Feeding the Monster: Look Back at the Schilling Signing