Big Payday?

ESPNdesportes Report: David Ortiz is close to signing a $50 million
contract extension with the Red Sox, reportedly earning an
average salary of $12.5 million per season from 2007-2010

Edes: Ortiz Denies Report of Done Deal

Eric Wilbur: Guesstimated Forecast

There's a New Sheriff in Town

With George Mitchell Coming Under Fire for Red Sox, Disney, and Bud Selig Ties, BDD Hires Detective Vic Mackey to Conduct an Independent Steroid Investigation

NY Post: Baseball's Weak Hack
Hohler: Mitchell Says Probe Will Be 'Thorough, Fair'
Mitchell Criticized, Won't Resign as Red Sox Director

Steroids Prohibited in MLB Since 1991
So MLB Will Investigate Back to 2002

"The probe launched Thursday initially will be limited to events since September 2002, when the sport banned performance-enhancing drugs, but Mitchell has the authority to expand it." -- 3.31, Chief of Steroids Probe Criticized

MLB's 1991 Drug Policy

"The possession, sale or use of any illegal drug or controlled substance by Major League players and personnel is strictly prohibited... (and those players involved) are subject to discipline by the Commissioner and risk permanent expulsion from the game... This prohibition applies to all illegal drugs and controlled substances, including steroids..." -- Francis T. Vincent, Jr., Commissioner of Major League Baseball (1991)

Schilling Wants to 'Wipe Out' Cheaters' Records
Globe Archives: Selig Says He Never Saw Signs of Steroids

Ten Years Too Late...
the Investigation Begins!

Major League Baseball to Launch Steroids Probe

Red Sox Director George Mitchell Will Lead Investigation;
Former Senator Vowes to Drag Out Steroid Scandal into Summer;
Mitchell Hires the Best Man for the Job: Chief Inspector Clouseau

"It won't be easy, that is why I have always failed where others have succeeded."
-- Inspector Clouseau

USA Today: Reasons for Bonds* Bad Image

Inviting E-mail from Henry:
Sox Owner Thought You Were 'Long Suffering' Before 2004 Series Win
Eric Wilbur: The Odds Have Spoken -- Sox are 10-1
Rob Bradford: The Rise of David Ortiz
The Onion: Steinbrenner Names Damon New Yankee Scapegoat

Curse of the Arroyo?

Reds 4, Red Sox 0: Bronson Mows Down Sox for 7
Tavarez Suspended for 10 Days

Dead Heat

Schilling Feels Good. Fastball Looked Bad.

"Didn't feel like I had a lot of life today on my fastball... Today was probably as bad a fastball physically as I felt I had all spring." -- 3.29, Curt Schilling in Extra Bases

Box: Red Sox 3, Pirates 2

Now Clement's Got That
Fighting Spirit

Another Home Run Trot Gets a Sox Pitcher Hot

"The homer he gave up last night came on a cutter to David Ross. Ross, the Reds' backup catcher, hit a towering shot down the left-field line and watched it soar. Clement appeared to exchange words with him, but he wasn't as hot as Josh Beckett at Ryan Howard two days earlier, or Tavárez Monday.

'''I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, that he thought it was going foul,' Clement said. 'We've had enough going on the last couple days. If he was trying to watch it and show me up, if that's what he needs to do, he can do that. In the regular season it'll be a different story. But there's no reason to create any controversies.'" -- 3.29.05, Boston Globe, Red Sox Notebook

Clement Tagged for Six Runs in Sox 10-5 Loss to Reds
Delcarmen, Lights-Out Hansen Optioned to PawSox

Graffanino-more: Who's In and Who's Out on the 25-man Roster
Graff Riff: 'I Think They Screwed Me, Basically'
Julian Jab: 'I'm Done with the Media. No Mas'
NY Post: Big Unit Gets Stingy with Love Child
NY Times: Selig May Tap Sox Director Mitchell for Steroid Probe
NY Magazine Damon Update: And an Idiot Shall Lead Them
Eric Wilbur: Time Bomb Town

Julian Being Julian Slideshow: How it All Went Down
D-Rays vs. Goliaths: Rivalry Revisited
Audio: Tavarez Speaks

The Fighting Franconas
Are at It Again
Tavarez Throws, Lands One

Julian Tavarez winds up and connects on a punch to the chin of Joey Gathright today

The Latest: Rays accuse Tavarez of 'Sucker Punch'
Tavarez Punches Gathright | Teams Have a History | Last Dustup
Tavarez Track Record: It's Just Julian Being Julian
The Feisty Bunch: Photos from the Incident
Boomer in the Broadcast Booth?: Wells Plans to Retire After Season
Box(ing) Scorecard: Sox Win Knock-Down, Drag-Out, 12-11
Wells Gets Whacked Around

Fists Flying in Fort Myers!

"Gathright placed his hand on Tavarez's left knee and attempted to push it away, at which point Tavarez cocked his right fist. Gathright was still on one knee when Tavarez threw a roundhouse right, catching Gathright in the area of his chin and knocking his batting helmet off. Tavarez can then be seen pulling back his arm and throwing another punch, which appeared to glance off Gathright's shoulder... "-- Gordon Edes, Extra Bases

Back in Boston:
A Nation Waits Patiently for Johnny Damon
to Comment on the Recent Events

Eric Wilbur: Seasonal Adjustments

Red Sox Fantasy Primer: Sox Hitters, Sox Pitchers
Joan Vennochi: Owners Hurl Opening Pitch
Anything to Help Pay Manny: Sox to Gamble on Mass. Lottery Tickets

Oh My Josh

Beckett Blows a Gasket over Howard's End

Good Thing Josh Won't Have to Watch Manny and Big Papi Hit Long Drives Off Him

"Beckett spoke his piece and, Howard said, 'For me it was over. I really wasn't thinking about it anymore.'

"But, when Howard went out in the top of the seventh to play first base, Beckett, standing in the dugout, kept hurling words his way.

'''That's where I handled it wrong,' Beckett said. 'That's probably where I should have been a bigger man. I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's my fault.'

"Howard, on what he heard Beckett yell: 'He's like, 'Fly ball.' He threw in some curse words and called me a couple names. I was like, 'It's over,' but he started popping back off.'" -- 3.27.06, Chris Snow, Boston Globe

Yesterday's News:
Sox Improve to 7-16-1 on Spring with Rare 3-2 Win
Choi Picked Up off Waivers, Schilling Goes Deep, Curt's Quotes
Graffanino Placed on Waivers, Foulke Feels Great
Keith Will Close, Papelbon in 'Pen, Hop on Pap

And Those Twins

I Love Losing the Mayor's Cup
Kyle Lohse Was Too Much
My Team Never Wins
Against the Twins

Twins 4, Red Sox 3

Wily Mo Goes Deep

But the Canadian Babe is the Show in Sox 5-4 Loss to NY

Stern Goes 3-for-5 with Homer
Damon Gets First Hit Against Sox as Yankee
Papelbon Settles Down After Early Struggles
Riske Business Not Looking Like Wise Investment
Sturtze Starting Trouble Again by Plunking Lowell

'Game of Shadows': Bonds* Sought Protection from BALCO Scandal; Giambi* Did It for Dad; Sheffield* Injected Testosterone and HGH

Here We Go: Pedro Expects to Miss Opening Day

Reunited, and It Feels So Good

Love is in the Air for Manny and Johnny

The Team of '04 Is Shown the Door

Photo Gallery: Where Did They Go? Whom Do You Want Back?

El Neuvo Dia: Juan Gone Going to Oakland Now
Absolutely Fabulous: The Red Sox are Eating $17.25 Million in Player Contracts
Ask Edes Mailbag: Pena Possibilities

Partners in Crime

Adam Bomb: Vinatieri Bolts to Colts
And the Comparisons to Johnny Will Pour in
from the 'Woe-is-Me' Fans

The Great Escapes

They All Lived the David Wells Dream

Free (Swingin') Wily

Bombs Away: Pena Pounds the Ball in Batting Practice Today
Rays 9, Sox 7: Wily Mo Was Up in 9th as Tying Run and... He Walked
Eric Wilbur: Pena in the Neck

Arroyo: 'I Don't feel Like They Betrayed Me or Anything Like That'
Edes Chat Wrap: Gordon Touched on Bronson, Wily Mo... and Soriano

Say Hello to Wily Mo

Edes: This Raw Material Hints at Lode of Talent

'''Wily Mo was taking batting practice, and everybody came out to watch -- Ken Griffey Jr., everybody,' a scout who was there said yesterday. 'The balls he hit were still rising as they cleared that big scoreboard in center field in Legends Field. He has as big a power as anybody in the game.'" -- 3.21.06, Gordon Edes, Boston Globe

Time for Bronson to Get His Motor Running ...
Head Out on the Highway ...

And Grab a Copy of 'Who Moved My Cheese?'

File Under 'Yawn': Arroyo Cries Foul Over Trade
Rock Stars Unite: Johnny Breaks Silence on Bronson Trade

"'They have their plans, and they have their computers, and they believe that's right,' Damon said. 'Unfortunately, computers don't judge a person's heart.'" -- 3.21.06, Don Amore, Hartford Courant (Johnny hasn't seen the new Red Sox computers obviously)

Mo' Better Sox

Papi Awed by Pena's Power

Pena Has Potential To Be Great
Gammo: There's a New Mo in Boston

"And while Wily Mo Pena is a .303 career on-base guy who sometimes plays out of control, he is still only 24, and about to begin learning the game with David Ortiz. Boston is not usually a tools-oriented organization, but one thing they lack through the minor leagues is right-handed power, and Pena is a project whose skills are worth the effort to hone.

"Right-handed corner power bats are hard to find, and Pena has awesome power and remarkable speed. The Red Sox were looking for a right-handed hitting outfielder, and Pena can platoon with Trot Nixon; Pena had an .881 OPS against left-handed pitching last season (Mike Sweeney and Andruw Jones were .877, Manny Ramirez .885). He can fill in for Coco Crisp and Ramirez, when necessary." -- 3.20.06, Peter Gammons, ESPN Insider Blog (Subscription Only)

Extra Bases: Theo Talks About Wily Mo Pena's Potential
And Said Bronson Had No Guarantees

In the future, Pena has the potential to be a legitimate middle-of-the-order power hitter. He strikes out a lot, and has not had a traditional development curve. The track record for players this young with this power is pretty good. If he hits his potential, he’s got a chance to be an impact guy but there is risk involved with this skill set. -- 3.20.06, Theo Epstein on Wily Mo Pena

Ronald and Me

Goneson to Reds: I'm Lovin' It

Boston.Com Survey: Did Sox Do Arroyo Wrong?
Eric Wilbur: A Few Mo' Questions
Photo Gallery: Recapping Bronson's Time in Boston
WEEI Audio: Theo Talks About Wily Mo

ROCK STAR TAKES HIS
SHOW ON THE ROAD

Bronson Arroyo Has Been Traded to
the Reds for Outfielder Wily Mo Pena

Career Stats: Bronson Arroyo | Wily Mo Pena
Dayton Daily News Archive: Was Wily Mo Thinking Over 30 HRs?
Globe Archive: Against Agent Advice, Arroyo Signs for 3 Years

'''We continue to move closer toward a discounted deal that Bronson is providing to the Boston Red Sox because he wants to do anything he can do to remain a Red Sox for not only these three years but the remainder of his career,' Clifton said last night. 'He's saying, 'I know this is a discounted deal, but I want to remain here. How do I get a chance to do this forever?'

'''While we do not support him in his decision to provide a discount, we hope the Boston Red Sox will not take advantage of Bronson's loyalty and use a potential discounted deal to trade him.'

"Sox co-general manager Jed Hoyer, when reached by phone, declined to comment last night." -- 1.19.06, Chris Snow, Boston Globe

Bronson's Swan Song

There Are No Guarantees in Life for Guitar Boy

Talk Among Yourselves:
What Do You Think About the Arroyo-Pena Trade?

BDD Taking the Chair on CN8's Sports Pulse with Ed Berliner at 10pm Tonight

Johnny Pesky Breaks Bone in His Leg | Arroyo, Wake, and Schilling Strong on Sunday
Dustan Mohr Scouted by Phillies | Report: Sox Talking to Reds About Wily Mo Pena
Extra Bases: Papi's On the Way | Byung-Hyun Kim Coughs Up Another One

Coming, Coming, Gone!

Is Juan Gone a Good Find for Sox?

El Nuevo Dia:
Juan Gonzalez to Report to Red Sox Camp on Monday

English translation of El Nuevo Dia report: Juan 'Igor' González finally obtained the chance he has been expecting for so long.

On Saturday, González received an invitation to the Red Sox training camp, his agent Alan Nero confirmed.

“Some time ago we arrived at a verbal agreement with the Red Sox and Juan will be reporting to training camp in Fort Myers Monday (tomorrow)”, said Nero, an agent of the firm MCSG Sports, in a telephone interview with San Juan, Puerto Rico, newspaper El Nuevo Dia.

Nero explained that his client will be going to try and win a spot on the Red Sox roster.

“It’s a minor league contract. Juan is only going to have 10 days before beginning the season to try to make the team, and because of that a high possibility exists that when the season starts he’ll remain in extended spring training or go to Triple-A (Pawtucket) until the team determines that he is ready for play in the big leagues. But Juan has worked very hard and he is in great shape," said Nero.

“Juan will have the opportunity to make $1 million. It all depends on how much time he is in the big leagues,” Nero added.

González, the greatest Puerto Rican home run hitter in the majors and ninth among active players with 434 home runs, has missed 462 games with a variety of injuries over the past four seasons. Last year, a tear in his hamstring limited him to one at-bat with the Cleveland Indians.

“This is a good opportunity for Juan. What he has to test is that he is healthy. Ten days is very little time to gain a roster spot, but we do not we want to put pressure on him. Therefore, the possibility exists that he will spend some time in the minor leagues,” maintained Nero.

González, 36, has been training for several weeks in the municipal park of Toa Low.

He was evaluated there last month by the Cubs and this week by the Rangers and Red Sox.

Must-See MTV

HAS WELLS OVERSTAYED HIS WELCOME?

Well, Well, Wells

A Tired Act to Follow: Boomer Calls His Manager an 'Idiot'
(And Not in the Johnny Damon Way)

"'What went on in that office should have stayed there in that office and it shouldn't have come out to you guys,' Wells said. 'So he's the idiot for saying that like that, not me, because I didn't interpret it like that.'

"Francona, who never breaches confidentiality with players, revealed too much in Wells' eyes.

"'I try to speak in generalities because I don't want to ever communicate through the media,' Francona said. 'I think he felt like maybe I did that a little bit. I certainly don't ever want to do that.'" -- 3.18, Dave Heuschkel, Hartford Courant

Stern Shines in Sox 8-4 Win Over Jays

Pesky Injured by Foul Ball

"Red Sox great Johnny Pesky was injured by a foul ball Saturday when he insisted on sitting in foul territory during a college game at the Red Sox training facility at City of Palms.

"The line drive struck Pesky, 86, in the leg. He was bleeding, but was treated by Red Sox trainers and was resting in the clubhouse.

"'I should have had it,' Pesky said." -- 3.18.06, Nashua Telegraph

Green Day

The Nation's Eyes Were Smiling as Papelbon Shined
Sox-Marlins Tie One On, 5-5
St. Patrick's Day Photos

Trade Winds Blowing in March? Pirates Eye Matt Clement
Can You Hear Me Now? Sox Look to Move Radio Broadcasts to WBOS FM

Grace in the Hole?

Not Exactly

Wells Not Happy About Being
Odd Man Out to Start the Season

'''Right now it's too early to really speculate on that. If they still feel the same way after a few more outings, we're definitely going to have to sit down and talk. I don't see myself sitting until the 15th to wait to pitch. I just don't see it at all.'

"Francona said, 'We came to camp respecting his wishes [to be traded]. Things change. And I'm happy they changed. At the same token, I'm not going to take the four pitchers I've talked to . . . '

"He halted mid-sentence, changed direction, and said only, 'Sometimes you have to be a little flexible.'

"Wells, informed of this, said if his earlier wish to be moved closer to a West Coast team will be held against him, 'They can grant that first wish.' -- 3.17.06, Chris Snow, Boston Globe

Is He Just Joking Around? Or Throwing it Out There?

"Wells also revealed that he jokingly lobbied Francona to start Beckett ahead of Schilling Opening Day at Texas.

'''I said, 'Why doesn't the young guy come in and start? Why's it gotta be Curt?' Wells said. 'He goes, 'Well, I've known him longer.' I said, 'Oh, we've got to play that game, huh? The I've-known-you-longer game.' We were just joking around.'" -- 3.17.06, Chris Snow, Boston Globe

The Last Idiot Standing?

"'Am I an idiot at times? You're damn right I am,' Wells said Thursday in an interview with The Courant. 'Do I say stupid things? Absolutely. But at least I'm man enough to apologize when I'm wrong or if I say something out of context, which I did. I shouldn't have called him a piece of [expletive]. I shouldn't have said that.'" -- 3.17.06, Dave Heuschkel, Hartford Courant

Doom and Gloom on the Horizon?

"'But after the bizarre Gorilla Suit offseason, while the organization may be more united and directed than ever before, the Red Sox are one of baseball's most unpredictable teams. Here at spring training, where 2,000 folks show up for the first workouts, there is none of that 'is this our year?' hysteria, no 'bleep the Yankees' passion. It is as if the 2006 theme song is the Holmes Brothers' 'We Meet, We Part, We Remember' -- with essentially only Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, Trot Nixon, Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield remaining from the central cast of the team that lost the heartbreaking Game 7 in Yankee Stadium.

"'The 2006 Red Sox could be 95-wins good. They also could be a third-place team that is a lot closer to the Orioles than the Yankees. This is reality. They knew it was coming.'" -- 3.15.06, Peter Gammons, ESPN Insider blog (subscription only)

Uncle Slam: Stunned US KO'd by Mexico in WBC

Eric Wilbur: State of the Nation (and a Gratuitous Bud Slam)
The Edes of March: Wearin' of the Green
Bradford: How Schill is Using His Heart Rate to Get 240 Innings

Last Call for Clemens?

Rocket Pitches Tonight to Keep US Alive

Roger 3.16

'''He's more like Jesus than I thought,' said Chipper Jones, when asked about the legend of Roger Clemens. 'There will be guys talking smack in the clubhouse and Roger walks in and . . . it's like the parting of the Red Sea. He's like E.F. Hutton; when he speaks, people listen.'" -- 3.16.06, Nick Cafardo, Boston Globe

Clemens the Class of Classic

'''When Roger says, 'Let's get it on,' you know he means business. It's time for all of us to get serious,' [Chipper] Jones said. 'It's going to be a great honor for me to play third base [against Mexico] with Roger on the mound. It'll be one of those things I can tell my grandchildren -- that I played with Roger Clemens. Just being able to throw the ball back to him and the possibility it might be his last start, just thinking about that gives me chills.'" -- 3.16.06, Nick Cafardo, Boston Globe

Rocket Man Burning Out His Fuse Tonight ...
And I Think It's Gonna Be a Long, Long Time ...

It's All Fun and Games for Curt

Schilling Signs Endorsement Deal with Sony Online Entertainment

Extra Bases: Wells Looks Good Against Minor Leaguers
Split Squad Today: Red Sox Lose to Rays 7-2, Lester Struggles Again,
Beat Twins 4-3, Big Day for Beckett

Sox Upended Again

Mora the Same
Baltimore, Sox Less: 3-1 | Photos

It Would Be Nice to Get Into the Habit of Winning Soon
(Like We Say at the Blackjack Table: Winners Win When They're Winning)

Edes Mailbag: Catching Concerns

Uh-Oh, There Goes Pedro!

It's Looking Like a $53 Million Nightmare for Minaya, Mets
(And You Thought Edgar Renteria at 4/$40M Was the Worst Contract Money Could Buy)

Daily News: Pedro Tip-Toes Around Knife

"Pedro Martinez asked reporters yesterday why his every move is documented, and why every update he utters causes headlines."

"'Right now, maybe I should (have surgery),' he [Pedro] said before the Mets' 11-4 win against the Orioles. 'But it's not that bad for me to go out there and say, 'Hey, give me surgery.' That would be the last resort.'"

"Martinez also revealed that he received a cortisone shot to lessen the discomfort in his toe as far back as the 2004 playoffs with Boston, and that he considered getting another shot when the pain resurfaced last June.

"'The doctor didn't want to give it to me last June or July because there's not enough cartilage there to keep giving cortisone, cortisone and cortisone,' Martinez said. 'It will mess up your cartilage and eat your cartilage, and then pretty soon they will be shaving your bone, and that's what we don't want. [Surgery], that's not where I want to go.'"

"'I just hope it can last three more years.'" -- 3.15.05, New York Daily News

Mar-toe-nez Faces Live Hitters Today

Lowell Connector?
No So Much.

It's Been a Belowell Par Performance for Mike So Far

"Mike Lowell is 3 for 21 and his bat looks slow. He went 0 for 5 against the Dodgers Monday and had two ground outs and a walk in yesterday's 9-7 loss to the Reds. It's only spring training, but things could be tough on Lowell if he struggles at the start of the season. He batted only .236 with 8 homers and 58 RBIs in 150 games in 2005, and it was shrugged off as simply a bad season." -- 3.15, Boston Globe, Red Sox Notebook

First Things First: What's the Backup Plan at Third?

"With Opening Day less than three weeks away, scouts watching the Red Sox say the team should be concerned about third baseman Mike Lowell, 32, and first baseman J.T. Snow, 38.

"Lowell, in the words of one scout, has 'lost his body quickness.' Snow also lacks athleticism. Kevin Youkilis, 27, can't play both first and third — and after hitting only one homer in 79 at-bats last season, he might lack sufficient power to be a corner infielder for a championship club.

"The Red Sox have a starting pitcher to trade — left-hander David Wells, right-hander Matt Clement or right-hander Bronson Arroyo — and they're also shopping second baseman Tony Graffanino. But it seems doubtful they would address first base or third before the start of the season." -- 3.15, Ken Rosenthal, FoxSports.com

Did Wells Take Off on Tito?

No. He Was Just Supporting Tico.

BDD has learned that David Wells was not missing on Monday. Boomer was at the Tico Torres (legendary Bon Jovi drummer) Classic charity event Sunday night at the Four Seasons Palm Beach resort. No doubt he was hobnobbing with Donald and Melania Trump, honorary chairmen of the event. Yes, it's just a coincidence that Krispy Kreme doughnuts is one of the sponsors.

Speaking of charities... If you are in the neighborhood, please be sure to attend the St. Patrick's Day Sox Bash, March 17, 5-8 pm, at the Fort Myers Ale House in Fort Myers, Fla. Thanks to hundreds of generous supporters, the good folks behind this event are hoping to raise $10,000 to support the Jimmy Fund, the fundraising arm of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH BRONSON?

Arroyo Rocked Again, Gives Up 5 Runs in First Inning to Reds

More Dough for Tito

Congratulations Terry...
FRANCONA GETS NEW 2-YEAR DEAL

Unhappy Camper?

Courant: Where's Wells? It's Anybody's Guess

Is Tito Ready to Bump Heads with Boomer?

"'It wasn't a one-on-one conversation,' Francona said Monday. 'We were in there with all the pitchers and I kind of explained to him because he wants to know what day he's pitching. I just kind of told him, I said, `David, as of the fourth of March, you wanted to be traded. Now all of a sudden you want to pitch second.' It's not going to happen.'"

"'He's going to have to be able to be a little flexible,' Francona said. 'That's all he has to do, just be a little flexible and we'll make this work. But again, if there's not flexibility on his part, too, we're probably going to bump heads a little bit.'" -- 3.14.06, Dave Heuschkel, Hartford Courant

WBC: Johnny's Shoulder Hurting, Clemens Must Stop Mexico

He's Out of This World

Papi Hits One Out of the Park in Dominican Win Over Cuba

He's Up Off the Matt

Clement Throws Four Strong Innings Against LA
Dodgers Down Sox 7-5 in 10

Take it Easy Trot ...

It's Only March (Don't Hurt Yourself Dog)

Should Bonds* Retire? Only 91% Surveyed Say "Yes"
Dave Matthews Band Confirms Shows at Fenway
on July 7, 8 with Sheryl Crow

Extra Bases: Sox Make First Round of Roster Moves

'Belli Coming Back to Boston?

Herald: Dougy Could Catch On

"The Red Sox are believed to be on the lookout for a veteran backup catcher and may have set their sights on reacquiring Doug Mirabelli, according to a National League scout." -- 3.13.06, Jeff Horrigan, Boston Herald Notebook

Twins Bomb Jon;
Mayor's Cup Gone

Twins 6, Red Sox 3
Is There a Globe Magazine Jinx?
Are There 10 Reasons to Root for the Twins Over the Sox?
Are the Sox Too Tight without Damon and Millar?
Did Schill Add Insult to Injury?

A-ROD SAVED US

Power Hitter

Schill Was Sharp Until Duffy Got Drilled
Photo Gallery: Pirates 10, Sox 7

"The bottom line is that ball should not have hit him. You've got to be able to get out of the way of that pitch... I'm not trying to hit anybody in the head. Everybody I've ever played with and teams I've played against know that I play the game on the field the way it's supposed to be played." -- 3.11, Curt Schilling

Rocket Fuels American Expedition

Mercy Killing: It's a Rout for US, 17-0

"A lighter moment came when Johnny Damon broke his bat as he lined out to shortstop. As he made his way to the dugout, he spotted a youngster with a Red Sox cap and slipped him the broken bat as a souvenir." -- 3.11, Nick Cafardo, Boston Globe

Home Run Trot

Nixon, Murphy Drive Sox Past Phillies, 9-4
Sox-Phils Photos

WEEI D&C Audio: Fay Vincent Calls for Independent Investigation into Bonds*
Act of Congress?: Rep. Waxman Says Baseball Must "Get to the Bottom of This"
Jon Friedman: The Media Enabled Barry Bonds* Too
Quick Shots Survey: Should Bonds Walk Away?

Walking around the Bronx with an oversized sign from Kinko’s
trying to reverse a non-existent “curse:” $480.00

Reliving the horror show of Game 6 in a movie theater
20 years after the fact: $10.50

Re-upping to become “an official member of Red Sox Nation” and
adding the “ULTIMATE fan pack” for the “opportunity” to purchase
$27.00 right field grandstand seats that face Trot Nixon: $59.95

Laughing your rear-end off at the absurdity displayed
by over-the-top Red Sox fans?
Priceless.

Blue Sox Beat Up Red Sox

Our Man D-Lowe Has His Head on Straight
While 'Tired' Bronson Gets Rocked Again

If This Van's Rockin', Bronson Can't Get No Sleep In

Maybe Sleep at Night? No Rest for Weary Arroyo
Photo Gallery: Reunited and It Feels So Good

Video: Boomer Calls for Paul Beeston to Replace Selig as MLB Commissioner
For Bonds* Apologists: Steroids Were "Strictly Prohibited" in MLB in 1991
Extra Bases: Selig Has No Reaction to Boomer's Rant
Eric Wilbur: Little Change in Grady

I Got You Babe

Boomer's Got the Bambino's Back

Wells Doesn't Want Bonds* to Pass Ruth

"If you're guilty and you got caught, come clean. I think you can get a lot more respect from people than [by] lying." -- 3.8.06, David Wells

David Keeps Pummeling Bud

"He's [Selig] putting it on Congress. He's putting it on the players' union and passing the buck ... He's doing what he does best." -- 3.8.06, David Wells

Selig to Review 'Game of Shadows'
Giants Fans Disappointed by Bonds* News
BDD: Bonds*, Shamed Bonds*

Hanley Being Hanley

Ramirez (3-for-3) Gets Revenge on Sox in 12-1 Marlins Romp
Andy Marte (4-for-4) Leads Indians Over Blue Jays

Why Can't We Keep Prospects Like That?

Oh, Adam Stern!

Old Time Baseball: Team Canada Shocks USA 8-6
Stern Was the Show as 'Tek Slam Not Enough for Uncle Sam

Boomer and Bud

Bizarro Boomer: Wells Comes Unglued Again,
Goes Off on Selig and Defends His Bud Steinbrenner

He Hate Him: Wells Rips Selig Over 'Yankess' Sign Removal Request

"'Bud Selig needs to resign. That's what he needs to do,' Wells said. 'He needs to resign and bring someone in who's capable of communicating with the players association and the owners, as well as the players, because there's so much hatred against Bud right now. It's a joke. Nobody likes him...'"

"'This [WBC sign removal request] is just something where Bud is bored. He has no clue. He's clueless,' Wells said. 'If you say something derogatory toward Bud, he wants an apology. My question is, why is he even wasting his time on something like that? What's the purpose? Does he have to let people know that he's there? Tell him to come talk to me. I've had issues with him the last few years. He said, `Oh, we need to talk.' He said, `I'll take you to dinner when I come to Boston.' Has he done it? [Heck] no. He's a piece of [expletive]. And you can quote me on that...'"

"'He worries about what people say about him and he Googles himself. I'm sure he's going to Google [his name] tomorrow and say, `Oh, there's Dave talking about me.' You know what? Be a man of your words. He's ducked me for two years.'" -- 3.8.06, Dave Heuschkel, Hartford Courant

Not Just Trot: Every Player Should Get a 'Dirt Dog' Tattoo
Edes Mailbag: Will Clement Be Dealt?
Rocket May Retire ... So Expect Him to Play

Baseball's Neverending Story

Did the Green-Eyed Monster Make Him Do It?

Bury Bonds: Will The Latest Dirt Finish the Job?

Ratto: It Will Be Business as Usual for Barry
Gammons: Bonds Embodies Best, Worst of Era

"In many ways, baseball fans have already put Bonds in their rearview mirror. Bud Selig stays awake at night hoping that if Bonds does catch Ruth, he will do it in San Francisco or face the black eye of having one of sports' great achievements greeted with a shower of boos. If he passes Aaron, rest assured, the greatest record in sports will no longer be the career home run champion." -- 3.8.06, Peter Gammons, ESPN Insider Blog (subscription only)

Doctor Conte's Orders

'Take 20 Pills and Hit Two Home Runs in the Morning'

Steroids. They're Not Just for Barry's Breakfast Anymore

The Un-Natural: Latest Revelations Seal Deal for Bonds' Legacy
Eric Wilbur: Just Walk Away, Barry

Boo Hoo: It Was All in Rent-a-Wreck's Head
Deadspin: Four Tiny Tidbits on the Red Sox
John Gone: Flaherty Knuckles Under and Retires

Dominican Dynamite

Big Day for Papi in Dominican Win Over Venezuela
WBC Photo Gallery

It's Manny Being Manny Again

Manny, Coco Lead Sox Over O's

Bonds*, Shamed Bonds*
"Around the Giants, they took to referring to Bonds as 'the Incredible Hulk.'"
-- Game of Shadows

The Incredible Bulk is Busted Again in New Book

'Shadows' Details Slugger's Steroid Use

"Depending on the substance, Bonds used the drugs in virtually every conceivable form: injecting himself with a syringe or being injected by his trainer, Greg Anderson, swallowing pills, placing drops of liquid under his tongue, and, in the case of BALCO's notorious testosterone-based cream, applying it topically.

"According to the book, Bonds gulped as many as 20 pills at a time and was so deeply reliant on his regimen that he ordered Anderson to start "cycles" -- a prescribed period of steroid use lasting about three weeks -- even when he was not due to begin one. Steroid users typically stop usage for a week or two periodically to allow the body to continue to produce natural testosterone; otherwise, such production diminishes or ceases with the continued introduction of synthetic forms of the muscle-building hormone.

"Bonds called for the re-starting of cycles when he felt his energy and power start to drop. If Anderson told Bonds he was not due for another cycle, the authors write, Bonds would tell him, 'F--- off, I'll do it myself.'" -- 3.7.06, Sports Illustrated, Bonds Exposed

Three's Company

SF Chronicle: Book Traces Bonds' Steroids Use to McGwire-Sosa HR Race
Eric Wilbur: 'Shadows' of No Doubt

SF Chronicle Archives: What Barry Told BALCO Grand Jury
Recording: Trainer Says Barry Used Steroids in 2003
Bonds* 'Explodes' in MVP Conference Call
Bonds* Comes Completely Undone

SUICIDE BONDS: IN EXCESS

Don't you know what you're doing?
You've got a death wish

Suicide Bonds, Suicide Bonds
Suicide Bonds, Suicide Bonds
Suicide Bonds is the discolored millionaire
He's a cheap distraction
In the cheating affair
We knew he was finished
When his story began
Something tells me he lost his fans

Babe Ruth is safe now
Suicide Bonds
No Aaron devastation
Suicide Bonds

Go meet your maker
Suicide Bonds
No salvation for
Suicide Bonds

He'll been ripped as a cheat
But will his clothes stay on?
White lights everywhere
No more home run king
Finally brought to his knees
A mad, sad moment
Bid him adieu, bid him adieu, say a prayer

Got some revelation put into our hands
Our game is in misery
Like rain across the land
Don't you see
The colour of deception
Turning our world around again

Baseball's big faker
Suicide Bonds
Permanent vacation
Suicide Bonds

No records to break here
Suicide Bonds
No ESPY admiration
Suicide Bonds
That's the story
[repeat till he fades away]

Most Valuable Phony Headed for Hall of Shame

Barry Before	Bonds* Later

Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett Dies at 45

Mo and Kirby

Buckley: Baseball Loses Great One in Puckett

Oh My Josh: Beckett Takes Blame for Rocky Debut
Damon Update: Johnny Was 'Disrespected' By Red Sox

Best Performance for a Motion Pitcher

Wells Steals the Oscar with Sunday's Act

Wells: "God, I wish I knew how to quit you!"
Theo: "Well, why don't you?"

Manny's Agent Greg Genske Won the Award for Best Supporting Actor for His 'Manny Never Wanted to Be Traded' Speech

Survey: What Will Wells's Reversal Mean for the Rotation?
CBS4 Video: Wells Talks About Players Being Hassled in Boston
They Want to Be Left Alone: Manny Wants the Garbo Treatment Too

ENCORE!

Well, Well, Wells

One More Time for Boomer in Boston: 'I'm Staying'

Out-of-Control Fanboys, Aggressive Autograph Hounds, and Camera Crazies Still a Problem for Players in Boston

"The lack of privacy 'is the worst I've ever seen,' said Wells, who has pitched with seven other teams but said he only went out after games three times last season. 'I almost got in a fight on one of those times because ... I wouldn't take a picture with (someone) or whatever.'"

Why Can't Red Sox Fans Act Like They've Seen a Ballplayer Before?

"We can't enjoy a good meal, a good night out with family and friends... I want to enjoy myself... I like to go out." -- 3.5.06, David Wells to CBS4's Dan Roche

Sorry Tito, Boston University Does Not Have a Baseball Team.
Sox Fall to 0-3 in Grapefruit League Play, Down 2-0 in Mayor's Cup

'Yankess' are Not WBC Team Players

Classic Move: Bombers Apologize to Fans

Is the WBC Turning Into a Circus?

In Other WBC Breaking News: Pedro Martinez is Still Not Pitching for the Dominican Team

Johnny Speaks!

Damon Breaks Silence on Leaving Red Sox | Photos: Damon in Pinstripes

'''There was nothing to gain for me with the ad,' he said. 'Whatever fans decide to do, cheer me, boo me, I didn't do it to change that. It was just to say, 'Thanks.' Unfortunately, in this game players move on. Life doesn't stand still, life keeps going. As much as we wanted to hang on to the 2004 championship, it was a time for many players to go.'"

"How much would it have taken to keep Damon in Boston?

'''Probably $11.5 million' a year, he said, or $46 million, the midpoint between the Sox' offer ($40 million) and the Yankees' ($52 million).

'''They set a value on me, and I respect that,' he said. 'They didn't want to go over that threshold. But it's $3 million a year, and with that $3 million, I could help out so many unfortunate people.'" -- 3.5.06, Chris Snow, Boston Globe

The Bucs Rock Here

Bronson Gets Knocked Around in First Outing
Pittsburgh 7, Sox 6 | Game Photos

"I'm not disappointed at all. It's the first outing, man. If I were to give up 100 runs I'd go home and get a good night's sleep and come back tomorrow." -- 3.4.06, Bronson Guitar Arroyo

Gonzo's Not Going

Sox Shortstop Is Out of the WBC

Big Man on Campus

Schilling Named ACC Player of the Week

Curt Mows Down Boston College

"The two big things that come out of this game today for me that I wanted from an approach standpoint were how I felt and my velocity. I thought when I wanted to cut loose it was every bit the same way I used to cut loose in spring training in my first couple of starts." -- 3.3.06, Curt Schilling

Sox vs. BC Game Photos | Epsteins and Oscar Meet Again

Graffanino, Pressley Lead Sox Over Huskies in Nightcap

Johnny Who?

It's a Crisp Night in Fort Myers as New Center Fielder Shows Some Snap, Crackle, and Pop

Coco Goes 3 For 3, HR Shy of Cycle
Twins Drop Sox 6-3 To Get Jump on Defending Mayor's Cup

Damon Has Strong Debut for Yanks
Graffanino Expects to Go
First Things First: Nomar's Got Glove
Pedro's Toe = No Go in WBC

We're Not All in the Same Family Anymore

Yes, Those Were The Days Johnny. But Get Over It.

Boy the way Bill Mueller played
Rolling Rally was a parade.
Idiots, we had it made,
Those were the days.

And you knew who we were then,
Papi up, Sox win again
Theo we could use some men
Like Lowe and Petey again.

Nomar shipped to a new state,
Cowboy should have lost some weight.
Gee our old Schilling pitched great.
Those were the days.

Johnny Knows Best?

Damon Says Manny Wants Out of Boston

"It is no secret that Ramirez still wants out. His former teammate, the Yankees' Johnny Damon, said Ramirez never expected to return to Boston this season.

"'He thought for sure he was going to be gone,' Damon said Tuesday. 'Unfortunately for him, he's not. He's been there for five years. He just wants a change. He knows how good he is. It's just an unfortunate situation.'" -- 3.2.06, Tyler Kepner, New York Times

Yanksfan vs. Soxfan: You Talk Too Much, Johnny

Edes Mailbag: Smiling for the Cameras?

Ask Wednesday?

(Don't Ask)

Wells Cuts Q&A Short After Simple Question
Wells Being Wells

Pap on Tap to Start Spring Opener | Agent Thinks Manny's Happy

Heeeeeere's Manny!

Ramirez Arrives, Sidesteps Questions

Manny Happy Returns?

"I like to do this and that but I gotta represent Boston and the Red Sox in every way that I do outside this game. ... Like I said I get paid to play baseball no [matter] where I go to play I still gotta go and perform even if I like it or not." -- Manny Being Manny

"Oh yeah you know I’m back, I guess people want me to come back and my main focus is baseball right now and trying to help this team win and let me get this straight, I don’t want no question about the trade rumors about the winter this and that. You guys want to talk about baseball or whatever, you know I’m open to talk. We could talk all day.

"I’m here. I don’t live in the past, I live in the present and that’s it. This [is] a new year, I’m here. People want me to come back. People want me here so we’re just gonna move on. I’m just gonna come, do my job, I get paid to play baseball. That’s [why] I’m here. That’s it. What else can I say?"

Are you happy to be playing for the Boston Red Sox?

"I’m here. I’m here."

Are you going to play in the World Baseball Classic?

"Nah. I’m not playing. My main focus is getting prepared for the season. That’s my goal right now and that’s what I’m gonna do."
-- 3.1.06, Manny Ramirez (Read the complete comments from Manny's media Q&A)

Scenes from Manny's Arrival