Frustration at Fenway

Oh My Josh! Beckett Goes After the Buckets
As Cheap Hits Cost Him a Win

Bitter End to a Nice Day:
Millar Helps O's Dump Sox, 5-3; Yanks Romp
That's More Like It, But Papi Can't Do It All
Is Manny Playing Too Shallow in Left Again, Tito?
Gagne Wouldn't Have Made a Difference
But Maybe Jermaine Dye Would Have
Given Some Life to a Soft Sox Offense
More Good News:
Schilling Strong in Third Rehab Start
KG's Going to Break Out the Sox Hats
And Throw Out the First Pitch Tomorrow

Sox Get Gagne

Boston Gets a Closer to Set Up
Are the Sox Set Up for Success?

Gabbard, Murphy, and Beltre Gone
Shaughnessy: A Day to Remember
Extra Bases: Surgery for Donnelly
Sox May Win It All, But Won't Dye Trying
The Buzz: Dye Deal Dead

Who's Getting All the
Buzz in Boston?

Are the Sox Still the Talk of the Town?

The Local Nine Looks Like They're Headed for a Pennant
The Rock-Solid Pats Just Rolled Out the Randy Moss Show
The Bruins Will Have a New Man Behind the Mask
And Now the Celts Are Gonna Get Garnett

Survey: Which Is the Hottest Team Now?

To Dye For

Deal Dye-ing Down
Edes: Price Still Too High for Dye

Is J.D. Drew Through as a Starter?
Will Sox Give Up Delcarmen or Masterson?
Cafardo: Dye Has Tools Sox Need

No Tex for Sox: Braves Set to Acquire Teixeira

Will C's Punch The Big Ticket?

Will the Green Trump the Sox at the Trading Deadline?
Will the Sox Fall to Third Place on the Boston Buzzmeter?
Will the Bruins Try to Land Sidney Crosby Next?

So Lonely ...

... at the Top for the Sox

At 8 Games Back, Yankees Don't Stand So Close to Me
Bombers Need to Send an S.O.S., Because Sox Can't Stand Losing

Dome Sweet Dome

Sorry Yankee Fans, But the Sox Have
Too Much Tampa Left on Their Plate

The Sox Do What They Do Against D-Rays, 7-1
Mr. Automatic: Wake Just Can't Lose at the Trop
A Power-Hitting 1B? Youk Looked Like One Last Night
Not to Be Forgotten: Coco, Belli, and Drew Come Through
The Real Deal: Is This Delcarmen Thing Going to Hold Up?

"They took the lead... We've got the confidence that we're going to come back. When you're on the other side, you don't know if you're going to come back. It's tough. I think those guys, right now, they're just overmatched." -- 7.27.07, Julio Lugo can go home again

Ace Returns to Race: Schilling to Return Aug. 5 or 6
Catching Up with Bryce Florie
El Guapo Blows Save on Bobble-Belly Night

Not What the Doctor Ordered

Dr. Charles's Worst Nightmare Comes True
New England Fans Gather Moss

Patriots Marketing Machine Kicks Into Gear Today
Dice is Nice, But Sox Aren't Really Star Attractions
Quiet Manny's Not Even Being Traded This Year
J.D. Drew Doesn't Exactly Fire Up the Fans
Coco's Getting Dressed in Hallways
Papi Can't Be More Overexposed
And The Team is in Tampa

Two Manny, Too Much

Manny's On, Decks Two; Cleveland Rocked, 14-9

Gabbard's Stock Tumbles Like the Dow
Long Ball: Silent Manny's Homer Was Third Longest at The Jake
Once in a Blue Moon, Four Balls Will Find Wily Mo's Bat
'Tek, Coco, and Lowell Step Up in 17-Hit Attack
Tito's Slow Hook: Tavarez in a Little Too Long
Okajima in the 8th, Lopez in the 9th

"No thank you." -- Manny's response to reporters attempting to get a quote from him for his fans

Schill Toiling in Triple-A; Toledo Tops PawSox

Brady Added to Bunch

Extra Bases: Sox Make a Minor Move
Clark Joins PawSox; Ellsbury on DL

Brady Clark Stats

Now It Gets Interesting:
Bonds* Responds to Schilling, Costas' HBO Comments
NY Times: Chemist Says Sheffield, Bonds* Used Drugs
WEEI Audio: Canseco Rips Schill, A-Rod and Promises
His Next Book, 'Vindicated,' Will Be a Blockbuster
Globe: Canseco Rips Schill

He Can't Take the Heat

It's Another Postgame No Show for Coco as Crisp Gets Dressed in a Hallway and Avoids the Tough Questions

Globe: Duel Doesn't Go Sox Way

“But he [Crisp] slowed down, just steps from the plate. Why? Not sure. Crisp walked away from reporters after the game, choosing to put on his shirt in a hallway. Catcher Victor Martinez, who applied the tag, also didn't stick around in the Indians clubhouse.

" 'I knew I had no play at first base,' Barfield said. 'I was watching Coco all the way. I just made the throw to the plate.'

"And got him. Or not, depending on your viewing of the replay, or which of the 29,614 in attendance you asked. What is clear, though, is that Crisp had enough time to make it home before the tag. What is also clear is that Manny Ramirez was not close to home plate to indicate to Crisp whether to slide. That, though, is not out of the ordinary for Ramirez." -- 7.26.07, Amalie Benjamin, Boston Globe

Johnny Damon Never, Ever, Ever, Ever, Never Hid From Reporters After a Game or
Ducked the Tough Questions for Four Years in Boston.

Sox Burnt to a Crisp

Slowco Stops to Jog While 'Running' Home with Tying Run And Slides a Mile Short of the Plate. Why Ever Slow Down in a 0-1 Game? Why Ever Slow Down When Trying to Score?

“Now for some reason, Coco Crisp is going hard until he comes to within 10 feet then he slows up, now where’s the on deck batter [Manny]?, he’s nowhere to be found… The way Barfield comes up with that, it’s almost like he didn’t expect Crisp to go, and it seemed to take him a while to get rid of that baseball, and Coco would have been safe had he been running hard. … and one more look at Crisp as he’s running hard, now he slows up, and that costs him at home plate, but again there’s nobody there to tell him, well, to run hard and slide.” -- 7.25.07, Jerry Remy, NESN analyst on Coco’s play in the 6th inning

Tito Missed the Boat on the Play of the Game
Manager Doesn't Mention Coco's Run, or Missing Manny

“David hit the ball with the shift, and they’re so deep, and it took that extra hop, and Coco had a chance, if it goes to either side of the plate he’s safe. Victor [Martinez] did a good job blocking the plate, in a game like that you have to take that chance to go ahead see if we can get a run, to tie that game. It just didn’t work. With Jason on first, that’s my fault, I didn’t communicate that very well, I’m gonna have to take that one.” -- 7.25.07, Terry Francona, or is was it really Francoma tonight

Thanks for the Help, Manny

While Coco Stops and Goes Coming Home
On-Deck Manny is Hanging Back By the Dugout

From Bad to Worse: 'Tek Gets Hung Up in No Man's Land
When Cora Takes on the Hit-and-Run in Disastrous 8th
Lugo Gets Thrown Out at Second to End the Inning
Cleveland, Carmona Shut Down Sloppy Sox, 1-0
One Bad Ball from Josh Bleeped-on-NESN-Again Beckett

Red Sox Connecting with Their Cut-off Man
Meet the Simpsonized Sox

El Guapo Shows His Pride

Rich Garces Opens Up On His Time with the Sox, Weighs In On Food and Playing in Nashua, Reveals His Sadness During the '04 Series, and Talks About What It Takes to Make a Comeback in the Can-Am League

The Dirt Dogs El Guapo Chat Transcript

Hi Rich! I was wondering if you paid attention to the Red Sox during the World Series run. You played with a lot of those guys and were only a few years removed from Boston. Did you watch at all, and what were your thoughts?

El Guapo: "I was a little sad because I was there for seven years because I worked hard all those seven years I was there. I deserved something like that. I went through injuries, pulled muscles, hamstring, groin, tendinitis in my arm... I went out there and pitched a couple of times like that... I wanted to be there. I was watching from home and it was so sad because I was not there when it happened."

The Dice is Right

Matsuzaka Gets His Game On, Puts on a Show
Indians Come on Down, But Don't Get a Prize

High Five: Matsuzaka Outduels Sabathia, 1-0
Lowell and Behold: Mike Big Swing Scores Big Run
Getting Defensive: Youk and (gulp) Wily Mo Flash the Leather
Hitting Machine: 14 in a Row for Lugo
It's a Wrap: Oki in the 8th, Cinco Ocho in the 9th

"I'm grateful for the one run that my teammates were able to score against him [C.C. Sabathia]." -- 7.24.07, Daisuke Matsuzaka on his run support

The Real McCoy
Schill Still Won't Play for Yanks
And Can't See A-Rod Coming to Boston

The Goodell, the Bad, and the Ugly

Ookie's in the Doghouse While Waiting for the Big House
NFL Fiasco: Goodell Bans Vick from Training Camp

NBA Nightmare: Stern to Discuss Point Shaving Scandal Today
MLB Misery: Bonds* Still Stuck Behind Aaron; Commish Stays Away
And Barry's Ex-Mistress Will Appear in Playboy
And the NHL ... Would Kill to Have Any of the Above Problems

Les is More

6-2, and Even a Better Night Than
Anyone Could Have Hoped for from Lester

Lesterrific: Jon Goes 6 Strong, Just 2 Runs, 5 Hits, 6 K's
Coco Keeps It Going at His Old Home
Manny Hits in His Old Town, Too
Old Timlin Just Keeps Going, and Going
Lopez Will Make You Forget Pineiro and Romero, Sincerely Theo
Just My Mannys Being Mannys, Sincerely Dan Duquette

"This isn't even about baseball. It just doesn't get any better the way a guy like that comes back to us. It's about family. The big thing is he's a great human being and that makes it an even better story. That wasn't your run-of-the-mill DL stint." -- 7.23.07 Curt Schilling on Lester’s return to form

BRADY IN YANKEE CAP, AGAIN
38Pitches.com: Schill Breaks Down PawSox Outing
(And Will Break His Silence with Bob Costas Tomorrow Night)
WBZ-TV: Ortiz Shows How Much He Can Move His Arm

Back in the Saddle

It's More Than a Game When Lester Returns Tonight
Welcome Back Jon

Shaughnessy: Happy to Deliver Good News

"Lester was 7-2 with a 4.76 ERA when cancer put his life in danger and his talent on the shelf last season. He returns to the big leagues intent on showing he belongs, breaking out of the glass bottle that's been home for 11 months. He takes the ball representing the Red Sox and millions of families who've been touched by cancer.

" 'It's the ultimate human interest story and he deserves good things to happen,' said [Red Sox GM Theo] Epstein.

"Tonight all of us are Red Sox fans." -- 7.23.07, Dan Shaughnessy, Boston Globe

Gallery: Lester's Journey
Survey: So Who's the Fifth Starter?
Wilbur: The Right Time
WBZ-TV: Roche Goes 1-on-1 with Lester
Buckley: Lester Makes It Matter

Gonna Fly Now?

Will Homers Be the New Theme from Manny?

BoSox 8 ChiSox 5: All the Right Notes
BoSox 11 ChiSox 2: Big Factors in Romp
Weekend Photos: AL East Leaders Make a Strong Statement

Here We Go, Lugo,
Here We Go ...

Lugo's Going to Beat the Curse of Orlando Cabrera
By Playing Just Like Him!

Sox Rock and Roll on Friday Night, 10-3

They Got It Wrong

Umps Blow Easy Call on Drew Home Run Turned Double

Tito Tossed From Game, 3-0 Lead Taken Away
McClelland Simply Didn't Do His Job, But Offers This ...

"We all know that umpires make mistakes, not many, but they do happen. You have to understand that we have one chance to get it right, and I was calling it from three stories below. With runners on base, we were all looking in different directions." -- 7.20.07, Tim McClelland offering the lamest of excuses on one of the easiest home run calls ever... it's the bounce, stupid. By Gary Brown, Springfield Republican

Mike Port Says Umps Don't Have an Angle Out There?!?
And No Suspension for Tim McClelland, Mr Port?
After Tito Took the Time to Teach Him About the Wall?

"The replay indicated they did not rule correctly, but the replay is from an angle that people on the field don't have." -- 7.20.07, Mike Port, Theo's old boss, who as supervisor of umpires, makes an excellent assistant GM

Breaking News: Lobel Withdraws from RSN Prez Race

"I withdraw. A vote for me is a wasted vote. If elected I will not serve." -- 7.20.07, Bob Lobel to BDD, withdrawing from the Red Sox' Red Sox Nation's presidential race

Don't Worry About the Losing Streak
The Sox Have It All Under Control ...

... The Red Sox Announce New Candidates for
the Team's Red Sox Nation Presidential Election

More Than 100 Fans Toss Hat in the Ring

RSN Prez Election Update: The Red Sox are rolling ... on the election front anyway. “It’s exciting to see that so many fans are immediately declaring their candidacy,” Red Sox President Larry Lucchino said in a statement released today. “We seek those who demonstrate a love of the Red Sox, whether they are celebrities, media members, business leaders, or our heart and soul, the regular fans.”

The team released an updated list of "celebrity fan" nominations today, and it includes: Jerry Remy, Joe Castiglione, Jon Meterparel, Don Orsillo, Peter Gammons, Mike Barnicle, Bill Simmons, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Bob Lobel, Alberto Vasallo, Mike O’Malley, Denis Leary, Amalie Benjamin, Natalie Jacobson, Bill “Spaceman” Lee, Dennis Drinkwater, Butch Hobson, and Sam Horn.

“Regular Fan” nominations include: Rob Crawford – Brookline, Ted Morse - Warren, Conn., Gary Vincent- Fat Face Fenner’s Fishack, Hermosa Beach, Calif., Rick Swanson – “The Fan’s Commissioner,” Jon Sobus – Columbus, Ohio, Eric Schlechte – Boise, Idaho, Ian Baddeley – Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom, Jason Kempen – Kaukauna, WI, David Furbish – Lakeside, Calif., Larry Winer – Lynn, Dave Welsh – North Providence, R.I., Scott Whicker – Shelby, N.C., Nancy Beyer – Orange Park, Fla., Luis Cosenza – Harrisburg, Penn., Laura Schiffer – Brockton, Cathy Mitchell – Sheridan, Wyo., Carole Joyce – Phoenix, Ariz., Jeffrey L. O'Connor – Tulsa, Okla., Kenneth J. Nornhold – Hummelstown, Pa., Joshua Marc Broekstra – Meridien, Conn., David A. Dillavou Sr. – Nashua, N.H., Timothy Walls – Rochester, N.Y., Jared Carrabis – Saugus, Ricky Benedetto – Brooklyn, N.Y., Adam Desautels – North Troy, Vt., Dan LaFleur – Derry, N.H., Brian Polito – New York, N.Y., Ryan McCain – La., Harry Murphy – New Jersey, and Joshua Valk – Texas. Apparently Jessica Biel's application is still being reviewed.

Fans accepting the nomination for president must submit a written or videotaped response to the following questions: A) As President, what would be your first act? B) As President, what would your advice be to John Henry, Tom Werner, and Larry Lucchino? C) As President, what would your advice be to Commissioner Selig?

Fans may vote online on a date to be announced. According to the team, this initial polling will help narrow the field to 25 finalists. The votes and applications will be reviewed by the Red Sox’ fan services department, whose decision is final.

In addition, a panel of celebrity judges will narrow the list further, after debates, to be followed by the ultimate voting period, which will be open to all fans, whether you purchased a membership or not.

Simmons Rips RemDawg in Podcast

Candidate Bill Simmons responded to Jerry Remy's rant against his platform letter in his podcast today. Transcript courtesy of Dan Lamothe at Red Sox Monster. Bill Simmons today:

"Remy has not been this uspet since the Store 24 in Malden* told him they were not going to be carrying Marlboro Reds anymore."

"You know what, Jerry Remy? Normally, I don't feud with retiring second basemen unless they have a career OPS over .660. In this case, I'm going to make an exception.

"Originally, I had planned to bow out of the race and throw my support behind the great Peter Gammons, who really should be Red Sox Nation president. But screw that. I'm going to stay in the race, I'm going to win the presidency, and you know what my first act's going to be? I'm going to push the Red Sox to ban all smoking in Fenway Park.

"You're screwed, Remy. You're going to be announcing Red Sox games with a two-foot nicotine patch on your right arm, and every time the Sox are putting together a rally, you're going to frantically be chewing seven pieces of Nicorette at the same time. Eventually, you're going to need Jim Rice to carry you out of the press box, like he did after you blew out your knee in '83.

"So, I'm coming for you, Jerry Remy. I'm coming after you and I'm coming after your lungs."

Another One Bites the Dust

The '07 Watered-Down Offense Comes Up Short, Again, 4-2
Too Bad Their Bats Don't Slam the Ball
as Hard as They Slam the Ground Lately