Another Cheap Trick in Toronto for A-Fraud

Hey Alex, You're All 'Mine' Tomorrow Night
Sincerely, Red Sox Nation

Extra Bases: A Bush League Play from the Tabloid King?

Rodriguez helped the Yankees snap their five-game losing streak by disrupting Blue Jays third baseman Howie Clark on a key popup late in the game. A-Rod shouted while rounding third, causing Clark to back off at the last second and let the ball fall to the turf. The move (A-Rod claims he shouted “Hah,” while the Jays claim he yelled “Mine!”) touched off arguments all over the field last night (Toronto manager John Gibbons called it “bush league”) and on Internet message boards and radio airwaves this morning. -- 5.31.07, Extra Bases, Boston.com

Eric Wilbur: President of Bush-League
Bad News NY: Giambi Out for at Least 3 Weeks
Extra Bases: Runelvys Has Left the Building, Literally

Don't Look Now

But It's Another Rough Night for Tumbling Dice
Sweepless Sox Come Undone in Rare 8-4 Loss
But 2 Out of 3 Ain't Bad

Dirty Dozen: Dice-K Gets Hammered for 12 Hits
Byrd Cages Sox: Cleveland Journeyman Stays in Control
Shoppach's Bag: Former Sox Prospect Lets One Fly at Fenway
Flying Lowell on the Radar Screen: No. 10 Homer for .330 Mike
Keep 'Em Coming: Ho-hum, Youk Hits in 22 Straight
Papi Won't Be a Hero
J.D. Two... Runs Scored

"I'm trying to improve my game overall, and it is a challenge. I'm always keeping in mind that I want to avoid being a burden to my teammates. I hope I can achieve that level of consistency sooner than later." -- 5.30.07, Daisuke Matsuzaka through translator Masa Hoshino

CoC0-for-Series

Is Crisp (.229) Ever Going to Hit in Boston?

The Boston Baseball Heads Show Blog:
100 Innings of Baseball = Baseball Heaven

It's a Whole New Ballgame

Yanks Fall Right Out of the Race in May

Eric Wilbur: A Gold Mine of Dysfunction
Stray-Rod: The Good Times Continue in New York
Survey Gallery: A Tale of Two Cities

Beck and Forth

Josh Picks Up Where He Left Off
Sox Stay Red Hot, 4-2

Beckett's Back, Yankees Just 14 1/2 Back
A Streak of Their Own: 21 Straight at Home for Lowell
The Second Coming: Pedroia Has Hit in Nine Straight, Too
Papless Pen: Donnelly, Lopez, Oka-save-a Get It Done
Still a Threat: 'Tek Takes One Out of the Park
J.D. 0-for-4, and Some Un-Trot-like D

"It's always in the back of your mind. That was one of the things I definitely worked on in the last three or four days, convincing myself that I'm fine, my finger's fine." -- 5.30.07, Josh Beckett said of doubts he might have entertained about how his finger would hold up

Finger Stickin' Good

So Far, So Very Good in Beckett's Return
But Are His Fingers Still a Sticky Situation?
Is that 'Band-Aid Stuff' or Stan's Rodeo Ointment?

Youk En Fuego

21 Straight, Nine Straight Multi-Hit Games
Photo Gallery: 21-Game Salute

Welcome Back Trotter

Fenway Faithful Make Nixon Feel Right at Home
Survey Gallery: The Departed Red Sox

Bob Ryan: Tip of the (Dirty) Cap to a Returning Favorite

"Dirt Dog is what he is. And it was awesome to see someone that deserved the recognition get it. I think he'll always be one of Boston's own no matter where he ends up in his career. Trot was a damn good player. I think people kind of underestimate how good he was. He had a problem with being hurt because of the way he played. He wouldn't have been the special player he was if he didn't play that way, so it was awesome to see and I was glad to see them [fans] acknowledge him, I'm just pissed that he got a hit." -- 5.29.07, Curt Schilling in his WEEI appearance on Trot Nixon's return to Fenway

Kathryn Was Great, Too

Oh Henry: John Henry in a Slump
38Pitches.com: Schill Breaks Down the Win

Split the Difference

Ace Fixes What Ailed Him
Sox Cowboy Up Against Indians, 5-3
Yanks Just 13 1/2 Back

Big Wheels: Youk Hits Full Stride with Inside the Park Homer
Still Showing Signs: Manny Hits HR, May Bust Out
Alex Who?: Pedroia Coming into His Own, Goes 3-3, Batting .298
20/20 Vision: Sox 20 Games Over .500, Youk 20 Game Hit Streak
Not-So-Smooth Save for Paps
J.D. RBI

"It would have saved me a lot of time and effort." -- 5.28.07, Kevin Youkilis, on nearly missing an outside the park home run

Sweep in the Heart of Texas

Sox Mess with Texas All Weekend

Crisp Saves the Day, Sox Come Out on Top, 5-3
'Tekkie Goes Deep to Get Things Started
And on the 12th Pitch, Pedroia Hammers It
Lowell Excels Under the Radar
Piniero Chips In for Big Win
Okajima is Just OK
J.D. Big Hit

He's Back in the Saddle ...

... Again, For Now

Sox Deep 6th Rangers, 7-4
Wake Hangs Around for a Win
Manny and Youk Lead the Way
J.D. Walks Three Times

Feeling Dicey

Dice Not OK, But Gets Win Anyway

Sox Reign Over Texas, 10-6
No Bull: Five Guys Go Four Strong in Relief
Manny Being Spacey
J.D. .230

FARM REPORT by Gary Jacobs

Lester’s Road A Little Shorter

PAWTUCKET, RI | May 25, 2007 -- You’d think there’d be an exciting game at McCoy last night – Jon Lester is on the hill against the Syracuse Chiefs. The Boston media, enticed to The Farm thanks to Lester’s start and an off day for the Big Club, crowds the press box in eager anticipation. Hazel Mae makes an appearance: Farm Report’s heart goes pitter-patter.

But Lester, on a 70-75 pitch count, is so good it’s almost not newsworthy. After two innings he’s mowed down the Syracuse Chiefs in 17 pitches. His evening ends after the fifth, having thrown 65 pitches, 39 for strikes, and giving up one run for a no-decision in an eventual 3-2 victory for the home team.

Jon Lester is going to be back, and when he is, heaven help the rest of the American League.

How did Lester feel after the game?

“Good,” said Lester. “Everything came out well, and the forearm feels fine.”

Lester’s outing clearly positioned him a step or two closer to a return, but the young lefty is not yet circling a date on the calendar. “I don’t really know [when I’ll be back]…I felt good, my legs were under me through the whole five innings. It’s getting better – now I just need to get up to 90-100 pitches and see where we’re at then.”

Lester’s manager for the present, Ron Johnson, saw no downside to his performance.

“Jon’s got good stuff,” the PawSox manager said. “He’s got a good finish on his fastball, commanded pretty good in the upper half of the zone. I think as a hitter, you think you’re going to get to [the ball] and all of a sudden it gets a little giddyup and you get pop flies…he repeated deliveries, he was free and easy – he felt good.”

The only restriction Lester faced was on his cut fastball. His repertoire was restricted to three pitches: four-seam fastball, curve, and change-up. “They [the Sox front office] said we didn’t want to mess around with it,” said Lester. “They think it had an effect on some cramping and fatiguing in there, so they just want me to rely on other stuff right now.”

The one run that Lester surrendered over his five innings actually raised his ERA to 1.62. Over his four starts he’s struck out 13 and walked only five in 16 2/3 innings. At this point, if there were any lingering questions about “if,” they’ve been answered. It certainly seems like the more appropriate question is “when.”

“If it was up to me, I’d have been up there a long time ago,” said Lester. “They make the decisions, they set the schedule - I just pitch.” -- By Gary Jacobs, Boston Dirt Dogs contributor. E-mail Gary

Slappin' the Ace

And the Yanks Get Right Back in the Race
The Blond Blogger Gets Hammered Early and Often
Sox Go Down Easy, 8-3

Contract Up Curt! Another Rough and Tumble Night for Schill
Rapper's Delight: Bombers Bang Out 12 Hits as Curt Misses
Even Ball-Hog Mientkiewicz Loses One During Curt's Schelling
'Pending Developments: Donnelly and Pineiro Shaky at Best
Coco Goes Deep? Yes, It Happened. Stop the Presses.
At Least Youk and Lowell Played Through the Front Nine
Just So You Know Theo: Lugo, 0-5, Batting .236
Newsflash: Johnny Damon is Still a Player
J.D. Sits

"A craptastic finish to what could have been a nice series. I never gave us a chance to even get into this game. I felt great during the day, even better after warmups and then the game had to start." -- 5.23.07, Curt Schilling on 38pitches.com

NY Times: A New Sock for the Sox
Schilling: Location, location, location
Extra Bases: About Last Night

And a Slap in the Face

Joe Perry Leaps Over The Shark by Singing with Sanjaya on Idol
This Would Never Have Happened if Steven Tyler Were Still Alive
Oh, And Sparks Flies

Brushback Mountain?

Or Is A-Rod's Dirty Play on Dustin Just a Mole Hill?

Should Schill Send A-Rod a Message About Elbow Room?
Or Will a Straight Beating Hurt the Yankees More?
Survey: To Plunk or Not to Plunk?

In Full Swing

Man Alive! Ramirez Remembers How to Hit Homers
Sox Bury Moose, Yankees, 7-3

Birthday Oh Boy! Tavarez Gets 34th Win as Starter on 34th B-day
Julian is the Best 5.59 ERA Starter in Baseball. Period.
That's Just Youk and Papi Being Youk and Papi
No Speed Limit: Coco and Lugo Manufacture a Run
Not to Be Left Out: Big Love for Javier López
J.D. Bust

"Maybe they're sleeping together?" -- 5.22.07, David Ortiz joking about why Manny Ramirez has hit three home runs when his friend Julian Tavarez starts

Don't Let This Slide Guys

Dirtbag Hits Dustin with an Ugly Elbow
Forget About A-Rod Coming to Boston Next Year, Too
(We'll Keep Mike Lowell Alive for One More Year)

"He went in late and threw an elbow, but it's no big deal. I know now that when he's going in, my arm slot drops to the floor. Some people play like that, and some people come in with hard, clean slides." -- 5.22.07, Dustin Pedroia on the elbow-throwing Alex Rodriguez

The Shame of It All: NY Media Wins 11th Straight Over Boston
Extra Bases: Tuesday's Game Notes

Tommy Heimlich

Take Five: It's Another Celtics Choke at the Lottery

No Worries, the Celtics Pride of the '80s Should be Back by the Time
Your Great, Great, Great, Grandchildren are Born

"Greg Oden is not walking through that door, fans. Kevin Durant is not walking through that door, and Tim Duncan is still not walking through that door. And if you expect them to walk through that door, they're going to be coming out of the door to the visitors locker room." -- A gray and old Rick Pitino in his long-overdue farewell speech to Celtics fans

If the Phone Don't Ring on Causeway Street Today,
That's New Celtics Season-Ticket Orders on the Other End

Dead Ringers

Seems Like Old Times As Yanks Rake Wake
6-2 and Even More Trouble with
Mussina vs. Tavarez Tonight

Wake's Funeral: Yanks Come Back to Life
May-Rod: He's Back to Being Mr. April
Good Stuff: Giambi's Got the Old Stroke Back
Lugo Stopped: Time to Go Back to Youk at Leadoff?
Damon: Why Can't We Keep Players Like That?
Nice Catch Manny, Where's the Bat?
Don't Worry, Big Papi?
J.D. Disappointment

"I didn't have the same feel that I had in my first seven starts. I tried to grind it out the best I could. Five walks are a lot, and the triple I gave up in the fifth probably was the dagger in our side." -- 5.21.07, Tim Wakefield, now 9-15 vs. Yankees

Oh, My Goodness Gracious!

By George! The Yankees are Out of It on May 21!

Of All the Dramatic Things,
Of All the Dramatic Things Suzyn Waldman Has Ever Seen ...

"OK, hang on everybody. Roger Clemens is still in George's box, he's got his contract, but the Yankees aren't coming back! Oh, my goodness gracious! Of all the dramatic things, of all the dramatic things I've ever seen, Roger Clemens standing right in George Steinbrenner's box with his $28 million contract in hand and the Yankees aren't coming back!" -- Suzyn Waldman, WCBS Radio, after this three-game set at The Stadium

"We don't need to worry about nobody right now.
Everybody needs to worry about us."
-- 5.20.07, David Ortiz, no worries

On the Radio: Why Can't Tito Go Off Like Ozzie?
Surviving Grady: Tavarez Has Papi on His Shoes
Eric Wilbur: Disaster Relief

Eastbound Runaway Train

... But Don't Look Now,
Yankee Clippard Pulls NY Within 10 1/2 Games

Sox Reign Supreme in Baseball After Taking Atlanta By Storm

The Gift of Gabbard

Kason Gets a Win Over Hudson, 6-3

The Youk is on Fire
Take 5: 'Pen Stays in It to Win It

All Smoltz and Mirrors

Get on the Bus Gus: Devern Was Done Early
Big John: Smoltz Beyond Sharp at Fenway Again
Braves 14, Sox 0

Sox Hansacked, Falcons Score Two TD's
Smoltz Unscored Upon in 20 2-3 Innings at Fenway
Crickets...: Just Three Hits for Sox Offense

"It was maybe one of the bigger games of the year. We were staring to slip a little bit in the standings. They were running away with it, so they could play relaxed." -- the Ageless John Smoltz

In a League of His Own

Eight Is Enough for Dice-K
Sox Stomp All Over Braves, 13-3

Lugo, Pedroia, Lowell Lead Massive Offensive Outbreak

"He [Matsuzaka] just moves the ball around so much. He's got so many pitches. Nothing seems to go straight. ... When he got a big lead, you could see he was getting more confident." -- Atlanta's Jeff Francoeur on Matsuzaka

More Baloney from Giambi

The Yankee Cheater Has a New Spin on Steroids Now
(Opening Big Mouth to Back Bonds* Will Backfire, Too)

Now in USA Today: Giambi Says Steroids Didn't Help Him Hit Homers

"That stuff didn't help me hit home runs. I don't care what people say, nothing is going to give you that gift of hitting a baseball." -- Jason Giambi on May 16, 2007

Then on ESPN Page 2: Giambi Wanted Strength of 100 Men

"Jason, which superpower would you want most: the strength of 100 men, the ability to fly, turn invisible or shoot fire out your rear end?

Giambi: I think I can already do the last one. Probably the strength of 100 men.

You're about the first one to say that. Almost everyone else picks invisible.

Giambi: No, strength is more practical. It would be such an advantage in this game." -- Jason Giambi in the summer of 2001

Those Were the Days

Never Forget to Remember the Bronx Robbery

Sox Lost Shot at '03 Series Title as Yanks Cheated to Take ALCS Since Giambi Admitted He Used Illegal Steroids. Will Bud Selig Ever Void Those Two Bogus Homers in Game 7?

Edgar's Back in Town

What About Rent-a-Wreck's Reception?

Will Red Sox Nation Gets Its Money's Worth When Rent Steps to the Plate?
Will Edgar Get the Damon-Pedro-Foulke Fenway Treatment?
(He May Need to Find His Old Hiding Place Tonight)

He Had a Short Stop in Boston

The Rent-a-Wreck Archives:
Excuse Me, Edgar? Mr. Ed Adds Infield to Injury
$marte Move? Sox Pay $11M to Get Out of Rentererror
One and Done: The End of an Error

Eric the Great

Hinske Makes Some Headlines!
Not-Exactly-Everyday Eric Shines in Nightcap

Hinske Homer Leads Sweep Over Toothless Tigers, 4-2 in Game 2
Schill Pitched Just Well Enough to Lose, But Didn't
The Black Donnelly: Two K's and No Walks for the Winner
Steady Understudies: Lopez Plays Okaji; Okaji Plays Papelbon
9 1/2 Weak: Yankees Slip Sliding Away, Roger That

"When you have a team this deep, you can do some pretty special things. Today, with Julian in the first game and the bullpen, and tonight with Hinske taking the team by the horns." -- 5.17.07, Curt Schilling, our own Winston Churchill

Catch of the Day

Did You See That Catch Hinske Made?
(Not Many People Could See It Down in Brunansky's Corner)

Dirt Dog Poster Boy of the Week

"The dirt, was all in my eyes, in my mouth. I was OK. In my mind, unless you've got to carry me off on a stretcher [he'll play]. I don't get the chance to play that often." -- 5.17.07, Eric Hinske on the catch of the day

38Pitches.com: Schilling Talks Sweep
Mnookin: Sox Sprinkled with Gold Dust
Eric Wilbur: Short Hops | Gallery: Future Sox to Watch

Rock Star

Red Sox 2, Tigers 1: Tavarez Pitches Like a Rock Star
... But Wanted to Be a 'Movie' Star as a Kid

That's Rich

Hey, Rich Hill, a Mr. Curt Schilling Would Like a Word
with You About Your Online Reading Habits

"Holy cow ... how does he even know about BDD? He's with the Cubs!"
Could It Be Nomar?
OK, Hill Is From Boston

ChiSox, Danks Spank Yanks, 5-3
Extra Bases: Sox Rained Out Tonight; Beckett Out Friday
Is Magic Cow the Answer for Josh?

Wake Up Call

Justin Time for Tigers
Detroit Reminds Us Who Went to the Series Last Season
Game Maggliover As Ordonez Still Owns Wakefield, Boston
Hot Sox Cooled Off, 7-2

Wake Comes Back to Earth: Hello Longballs, Goodbye Run Support
Thanks Hansen: Verlander Reminds Us Of What Paps Could Have Been
Homer Sweet Homer: Youk Reminds Fans What Sox HRs Look Like
And Yet Another Quiet Night from the Shell of Manny Ramirez
Cora Can't Even Save Sox This Time

"They're one of the best teams in baseball, but hopefully they're feeling the same way about us." -- 5.15.07, Jim Leyland says they're not paper Tigers

J.D. Bruise

It's Back to Reality as Injuries Start to Bug Sox

The Sox May Run Away with It

Survey Gallery: Top 10 Sox Surprises of the Season
Wilbur: Trip Down the '95 Memory Lane

FARM REPORT by Gary Jacobs

Outfield Logjam

PAWTUCKET, RI | May 14, 2007-- Boston, we have a problem. But oh, what a problem to have.

Boston’s outfield is currently stocked with a first-ballot Hall of Famer in left and one of the game’s most gifted (if somewhat fragile) players in right. The only position ever thought of as a liability is center, where even the much-maligned Coco Crisp is, as ever, an electrifying defensive force.

And waiting in the wings in Pawtucket is the most gifted troika of outfielders the farm system has seen in years in David Murphy, Brandon Moss, and Jacoby Ellsbury.

Ellsbury played his first game in Pawtucket on May 4 after ripping it up with the Eastern League’s (Double-A) Portland Sea Dogs. In 17 games in Portland, he batted a jaw-dropping .452, which leads all minor leaguers. He also topped the list for hits and doubles (33 and 10 respectively). Baseball America ranks him as Boston’s No. 1 prospect, a notion seconded by the Baseball Writers Association of America, who awarded him the honor of Red Sox minor league player of the year. In his first nine games in Pawtucket he’s batting .263.

Moss is also spending his first season in Pawtucket, and though his bat has cooled off a little bit he’s batting a respectable .272 with a team-leading seven home runs.

Rounding out this remarkable threesome is the only one of the bunch with any major-league experience: David Murphy, whose hot start in Pawtucket last year earned him a September callup.

Murphy has overcome a slow start to bring his average up to .318 and is among the team leaders in hits, RBIs and OBP, and has demonstrated a newfound patience at the plate by leading the team in walks with 21. “I didn’t feel comfortable at the plate for the first few weeks,” said Murphy. “My swing just wasn’t there, but I made some adjustments and it’s coming around again.”

Of the three, Murphy is the one who is ready now. Should Ramirez, Crisp, or Drew fall to injury, watch for Murphy to be called up. But it’s easy to imagine an outfield of Ellsbury, Murphy, and Moss patrolling the Fenway outfield for years to come.

Farm Notes

Last year’s two most promising pitchers, Manny Delcarmen and Craig Hansen, have struggled this year. They are both sporting bloated ERAs of 5.60 and 6.00 respectively, and have not been able to get it done at all this year.

One pitcher who has been able to get it done is Kason Gabbard, whose 2.74 ERA should turn a few heads if the Big Club needs a spot starter for the recently injured Josh Beckett.

Another hurler that may get a callup some time is Craig Breslow, who enjoyed a cup of coffee with the Big Club after earning Pawtucket’s only spot in the IL All-Star game. In 19 innings pitched he has a 1.42 ERA, walking four while striking out 19. Why Breslow is a minor leaguer is a mystery. In 15 games with San Diego in 2005 he posted a 2.20 ERA with his opposition batting .238 against him, yet was released. He deserves another shot – but with the Boston pen operating at the level it is, it may be a while before he gets it.

The best PawSoxer you’ve never heard of? Bobby Scales, hands down. The talented Scales sports a .311 BA and a gaudy .970 OPS. He plays most infield and outfield positions and can DH. The 29-year old career minor-leaguer is enjoying his best year so far in professional baseball. Look for Scales to help the Big Club as a September callup.

Alex Ochoa’s attempt at a return to American baseball may be falling short. Playing in Japan since the 2003 season after having earned a World Series ring with the then-Anaheim Angels in 2002, Ochoa decided to come back after the 2006 season, after playing all four preceding years for the Chunichi Dragons of the Central League. In 24 games Ochoa is batting .138, with one double, no triples or home runs, and four walks to go with 17 strikeouts.

-- Gary Jacobs, Boston Dirt Dogs contributor. E-mail Gary

The Whole Box and Dice

Complete Feat: Matsuzaka's on Cloud Nine
Red Sox Keep Rolling, 7-1

124Pitches.com: Now That's Something to Blog Home About
The Big Lead: 8-1/2 Game Cushion is Sox Widest Margin Since '95
Drew Suddenly a Mess in Field and at Plate
Sox Go with Coco and Lugo

"I didn't see any reason to take him out. He was better at the end than he was at the beginning." -- 5.14.07, Tito finally letting Dice-K be Dice-K

Full Speed Ahead

Sox Have All the Mom-entum in the 9th
Six Run Rally Derails Orioles Shutout Bid
Best Record in Baseball Boys 6, Baltimore 5

A Rally Nice Day in Boston
Run Forest, Run: Lugo Legs It Out, Two Runs In for the Win
All's Well That Ends Well... Well, Not for Jeremy Guthrie
Bird-brained Mistakes: Sloppy O's Give It Away on D
Beckett Flap: Can't Put Finger on Right Answer for Josh
Stand and Deliver: Wily Mo Gets Big Hit While Manny Sits

"At one point, it seems like we had no chance. In the ninth, 5-0, fly ball, catcher misses it, and that was the difference in the game. Everybody started going crazy." -- 5.13.07, David Ortiz sums it up

Chat Wrap: Edes Q&A | Schilling: Breaks Down Baltimore
Yahoo! Sports: He's Hot to Trot | USA Today: Lester's Drive to Return

Lazy Daze of Manny?

Is Francona Hamstringing Us Along?
Did Tito Yank Manny for Loafing After Millar's Ball?

Perfectly Francona? "He got a little tight [in his hamstring]. I don't think it's anything to worry about. We weren't doing much and, again, you're not mailing it in, but it is a long year. I just told him to go ahead and be ready for tomorrow." -- 5.13.07 Terry Francona on Manny Ramirez

Five Words

May brings us Mother’s Day, which means thinking about Mom. Moms are special, as the sideline reporters catch the ‘Hi, Mom’ and nouveau riche athletes buy mom the dream house she never had. Even if Dad were teaching the fundamentals, everybody knows Mom was the law.

From the time a boy or girl is old enough to crawl, Mom is usually the one who rolls them the first ball. With time and practice, the little one starts to enjoy their first game with the rolling ball, the precursor to chasing some other ball on the diamond, the court, or the field. Mom probably signs them up for T-Ball and Little League, and does more than her share of driving to and from practice. Moms even earn the special moniker of ‘Soccer Moms’, a ‘focus group’ for political parties, a constituency of van-driving, referee-baiting power.

Mom always tried to make a game of everything, Spelling Bee or Math Rounds during washing the dishes before there were dishwashers, and Scrabble or cribbage to sharpen a young mind. She introduced me to medicine, too, with a book called ‘The Great Physicians’ at age 12, where I learned of Galen, and Vesalius, whose grave-robbing exploits revealed the circulatory system, and the wonders of Morton and Pasteur.

Sometimes mothers become the catcher, or the goalie, or the batting practice pitcher. I remember how Mom’s sister was the athlete, who could play ‘catch’ with ambidextrous ease. Still Mom was the one who got dinner out early, and never complained as we wolfed it down to get to practice or games on time. Mom was always my biggest fan.

Mom would make sure the uniforms were clean, and that we had spikes, or cleats, or sneakers, even when money was tight, which it always seemed to be. There was never any question about hustling on the field or on the court; it was very obvious that Mom and Dad hustled to make ends meet. When progress merited it, there were a couple of years where the ‘rents’ scraped up the dough for me to go to Sam Jones’ basketball camp.

I still can’t understand how Sam could put four quarters on the back of his hand, turn it over, and catch them individually, as though he were a machine.

Mom and Dad would make the traveling appearances to watch a game when they could, ‘night games’ mostly, because they worked, and there was only one car anyway. They’d sit on hard bleachers in cold weather to watch their son pitch or hit, or try to field. They never could make it to any soccer games, but tried to go to every basketball game, even when I didn’t really want them there. They came to the “Tech Tourney” games in the Garden, and were rewarded with a photo of their son kissing the Division I North trophy along with his smiling teammates. They came to Wakefield, Winchester, and Waltham in sweltering heat to watch the Inter-City League games, and even after Dad had passed, Mom still came to watch her ‘little boy’ try not to embarrass himself as a forty-year old in the Wakefield Twi-League of twenty-somethings. She smiled a lot, even though she started to feel the pain of advancing age, just like her son the pitcher.

Mom wasn’t perfect. A meticulous housekeeper, she was a neat-freak nightmare beyond any teenager’s belief. She was a domestic tyrant. If displeased, she unleashed a stream of undeleted expletives which let you know where she stood. Those times made it easy for a son to find comfort at the ballpark, the gym, or the library, safe with teammates and books.

She never had a lot of friends, and her outbursts kept those at a distance. Her Irish temper had a volatile and short fuse, and too often she sought refuge at the end of a bottle. But through it all there was a constant, a devotion to her children and their success in making it in a hostile world.

Mom no longer has the inquisitive and sometimes scolding eyes; she sees her world with an indescribable emptiness and often vacant expression.

Her face is kinder now, exposed to a brave new world. Her mind and body dwindle, ravaged by Alzheimer’s Disease and cancer. Her biggest comfort comes from the further mind-numbing effects of pain medication in the nursing home, not from the visits of caring friends and family. Nobody should have to live as she does, and she deserves five words which she hears but cannot remember. So, if you can, tell your Mom “I love you” and “thank you”, while she still knows you care..

-- Ron Sen, Boston Dirt Dogs contributor and founder of Red Sox Reality Check, May 2003 (author's note, Mom passed on in January 2004)

Doing the Oil Can-Can?

Dancing with the Sox Stars of the 80's

Former Red Sox pitcher Oil Can Boyd dances with Lidan Liu, a recent UMass Boston graduate at the Boston Dancing with the Stars at UMass Boston on Thursday May 10. The event raised money for Fields Corner Main Street.

Strand Theatre

Homecoming Parade of Runners Can't Get Home
Sox Leave Bases Full in 1st, 2nd, 7th, Strand 13
Julian 'We Don't Need Clemens' Tavarez

Uh-O's, Baltimore Stays Hot, Sox Not, 6-3
More Wily Moments in the Outfield
Tavarez Knoblauchs a Throw, Too
Mora the Same Sox Killer, Markakis Joins Club

"We had our chances earlier in the game and we didn't take advantage. The kid did a good job, just surviving. He made pitches when he had to and that's why he won the game." -- 5.11.07, Alex Cora on Orioles winning pitcher Brian Burres

Short and Sweep

Wakefield, Lowell Make Quick Work of Jays
They Should Name Towns After These Guys!

Newsday: Schilling Should Keep Talking
Mnookin: All Praise the Wobbly Knuckler

Say It Ain't Sosa!

Paps Wants to Get Game Back to 'Late 1990s'

Closer Chimes in on Schilling, Bonds:
Paps Says HR Chase is Good for Baseball

Papelbon was asked if he will be paying attention as Barry Bonds approaches the all-time home run record.

“Yeah, definitely,” said Papelbon. “He’s doing it for baseball. And I think it’s good for baseball. And I think that he’s going out there and crushing home runs and getting baseball back to where it was in the late 1990s and such that, hey, fans are going to come out and see the home runs, there’s no doubt about it. And fans will come see good pitching. And I think he’s doing great for the game itself, so I can’t complain.” -- 5.9.07, Jonathan Papelbon, Company Man

Back to Baseball: The Future Looks Bright

Dominican Idle?

Will Ortiz Sing Another Tune?

Papi's Peeved About Herald Headline, May Stop Talking
Will We Be Singing 'That's Just Papi Being Manny?'
And Simon Says Kiss LaKisha Jones Goodbye

Edes: Steroids Report Infuriates Ortiz, Francona

"Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, who spoke with the Boston Herald earlier this week about the Giants slugger, was furious about a short story that accompanied the main piece, one that appeared under the headline, 'Papi unwitting 'roid user?' In that story, Ortiz spoke about how he used to drink protein shakes in his native Dominican Republic, but abandoned the practice because he didn't know what the drinks contained. 'I don't know if I drank something in my youth, not knowing it,' he told the Herald.

The national media picked up the story, and Ortiz said yesterday he may stop talking to reporters altogether. "Maybe it's better not to say anything," said Ortiz, frustrated that the story invited unwanted attention.

Manager Terry Francona also was distressed." -- 5.10.07, Gordon Edes, Boston Globe

Roger That!

That's Just Dice-K Being Dice-K

Ho-Hum, Sox Crush Jays Again, 9-3
Timing is Everything: Dice-K's Got Rhythm Again
Jays Lose 8th Straight, Get Right Out of the Race
Shortstop Goes Long: Lugo Shows He's Got Gonzo Power
Old Friend Ohka's No 'Jima, Or Matsuzaka-san
Naturally Papi Steps Up and Makes Headlines with 4 Hits, HR
The $3 Million RF is Crushing The $14 Million RF So Far Theo
Mike Lowell for President

"He [Matsuzaka] just had a better feel. He was more in the zone with all his pitches than his last time." -- 5.9.07, Jason Varitek on a Most Improved Matsuzaka

And now back to Schilling-Bonds-Steroids ... Schilling-Bonds-Steroids ...

An Apology from Curt

Extra Bases: Schilling Says He's Sorry for Bashing Barry

"The only perfect human to walk the face of the earth died a few thousand years ago, that much I know. I am far from perfect and make more than my share of mistakes, which is something I have no problem with because that’s part of being human. However when my mistakes adversely affect other peoples lives, that’s a big deal. It was a callous, wreckless and irresponsible thing to say, and for that I apologize to Barry, Barry’s family, Barry’s friends and the Giants organization, my teammates and the Red Sox organization as well as anyone else that may have been offended by the comments I made." -- 5.9.07, Curt Schilling apologizes to Barry Bonds

Today: Tito to Schill: 'Zip It' | A Giant Story
Canseco: 'Schilling's Your Typical Hypocrite'
Wilbur: Delusions of Grandeur

Dustin the Win

Pedroia Powers Sox Over Jays, 9-2
And Josh Beckett is in a League of His Own at 7-0

Best Supporting Cast: Beckett Gets 55 Runs in 7 Starts
A Bunch of Homers: 4-for-4-'Tek, 3-for-3-Youk,
3-Run-HR-Lowell, 3-Run-HR-Pedroia Go Deep in Dome
He's No A-Gon at the Plate, but Lugo Comes Back to Life
Remember Me? Snyder, Hansack, Romero Make Cameos
Stone Cold Move: Red-Hot Youk Gets Taken Down
Who is Casey Janssen to Hit Kevin Youkilis? Sincerely, Pedro Martinez
J.D. Who?

"He's using his sinker and not trying to overpower guys as much. He's using his curveball and throwing that for strikes, using his change-up and throwing that for strikes. His off-speed stuff is the key to his success. A lot of power pitchers want to throw it by guys. He's finally understanding that off-speed is the key to being a power pitcher." -- 5.8.07, Kevin The Hit Man Youkilis on the undefeated Josh Beckett

In Case You Missed It:
The Most Dramatic Thing Suzyn Waldman Has Ever Seen

Curt Buries Bonds
"... There’s no gray area. He admitted to cheating on his wife, cheating on his taxes, and cheating on the game... And I don’t care that he’s black, or green, or purple, or yellow, or whatever."
-- Curt Schilling on Barry Bonds

Schilling Today: Curt Won't Let Barry Have It His Way at Fenway
A Look Back on Bonds* and BALCO ...

'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
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
Eric Wilbur: 'Shadows' of No Doubt

The NeverEnding Story

Roger's Grab for Cash Remains the Talk of the Town
Clemens Gets His Big New York Payday
But Yankees Keep Fading Away

Callahan: NY Needy, Roger Greedy

"Now the Yankees are just kind of pathetic. These days, their game plan seems to be simple. The Boss is old and getting older. They need to win and win now. Do something, anything, everything. They’ve already used five rookie starters, and that didn’t work. Now they’re turning their lonely eyes to a guy who was a rookie two years before Phil Hughes was born. How desperate are they? This is the baseball equivalent of purchasing a mail-order bride from Outer Mongolia." -- 5.8.07, Gerry Callahan, Boston Herald

More Roger: He's Just No. 22 | Singing About Clemens
Eric Wilbur: Who Makes More? Pavano or Clemens?

He's Quite the Patch

The World's Most Expensive Repair
May Not Be Enough to Save NY from Despair

Gammons: Simply, Yankees Had the Cash
Eric Wilbur: Dollars, No Sense
Schilling: Clemens and Us?

"I would have loved to have him [Clemens], I said so, but the second he chose the Yankees it became a non-factor. This game is hard enough worrying about the things you can control much less the things you can’t. We have a very very good team. I think we have the best staff in the game right now. Can that change? Sure it can but no one here can tell us how when and why it will change. Maybe it won’t. Bottom line is if you are in our clubhouse wishing we had Clemens you are basically telling a teammate you suit up with every day that we’re better off without you. I’ve made that mistake in the past and refused to do it again. CHB can sob all he wants, Rocket coming here gave him something legitimate to actually write about for the next 4 months. Now he can stick to the bitter style he’s perfected and talk about how bad we suck because we failed to get Rocket." -- 5.7.07, Curt Schilling, 38Pitches.com

Rogerk

A Blast From the Past
Rocket Returns to Yankees

What Would the Red Sox Do With Roger Clemens?
Sincerely, Willie McGee
View From New York: Empire Statements
Schilling: Chimes in on Clemens, and Win No. 4
Collegian: Return to NY Was Wrong Decision
Globe: Bronx Bombshell | Old Story New Again
Fan Pulse: Good Riddance Roger
Survey: Did Sox Drop the Ball?
Galleries: Surprise | Through the Years

"Well, they came and got me out of Texas and I can tell you it's a privilege to be back. 'll be talking to y'all soon." -- 5.6.07, Texas Drama Queen addresses the Stadium

Can't Wait for the Comeback Kid
to Come Back to Boston ...

The '03 Standing Ovation is Over

Next Time: Nothing Personal, Just Business

Word on The Street: John Henry's Fund Gets Bloodied

"How bad does it look? You can see the figures at Henry's own Web site, and they are astonishing. Since December 2004, his main investment fund has lost a stunning 36%...

No wonder his company's assets under management are in free fall as clients yank out what money they have left. In three years, assets have more than halved from $2.9 billion to just $1.4 billion by the end of April. And the latest annual report reveals that half of Henry's clients have now actually lost money investing with him over the long term." -- 5.7.07, TheStreet.com

It Takes Two to Tango

He Likes to Watch ... The Red Sox Win
It's Been a Long Time Coming for Manny Ramirez

Manny Still Rounding Bases, But Sox Get the Win 8-7
Mission Control for Dice-BB: Sox Survive Another Matsuzaka Meltdown
Dice-K and His 5.45 ERA: When Do the Free Flights to Japan Start?
Close Open Mike Night: Exit, Stage Left, for JulEo Lugo
Who Knew?: Ichiro Speaks English Better Than Sammy Sosa
Standing-O for Wily Mo: A Four-midable Performance
Committee Adjourned? Donnelly in the 8th, Romero in the 9th
Things That Make You Go Hmmmmmm: Paps Sits Out a Save Opportunity, Just 10.1 Innings Pitched on the Season

"The timing was perfect. He absolutely leaned on it. He hit that ball like a power left-hand hitter. I can see why he probably admired it." -- 5.3.07, Terry Francona on Manny's home run. Ramirez, surprisingly, didn't comment after the game

Coco Better Get It Going Quickly:
Ellsbury Movin' On Up to Pawtucket

Extra Bases: Ellsbury to PawSox
Ask Edes: Bonds, Clemens, and Strike Calls
The Onion: Manny Asks if He Can Work from Home
HBOh No: 'Faithful' Casting Call

Yankee Doodle Brady

Brady Sports a Yankees Cap, Again
And What's That Hanging Under His Right Arm?

You Decide: Is Brady Being a Traitor?

Rob Bradford Tracks Down the Elusive Curt Schilling in Rare Interview:
Bradford Files: Schilling Breaks Silence on Role of Media

6 Degrees of Separation

6-0 Beckett Catches Up to His American Idol
... Could They Be Getting Even Closer This Summer?

Johnny On the Spot

Coco Made That Catch, Again
Sox Get All A's, 6-4

Cy Sterling: Beckett Gets It Done Again
Rookie, No Mistakes: Okaji Does the Honors Again in 8th
Seems Like Old Times: Embree in the 8th, Timlin in the 9th
Do the Right Thing: Only Tito Can Stop Alex Cora
Don't Look Now: Crisp Up to .250
Everybody Hits

Good Company Man

Beckett Had a Legendary April
Now It's Time to Make Hay in May

Extra Bases: Cora Back at Second Tonight
Schilling Blogging: 'Win Some, Lose Some' | Peter DeSpain

PAPELBLOWN

It Happens: Jon Doesn't Get the Job Done
35Pitches.com: It's All Distress, No Success in the 9th

Mayday Call on May Day: "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, This is the S.S. Red Sox, Position 1, 5 1/2 games North of New York in AL East, our closer can't put out small fire, may require immediate assistance, Okaji on board if we need a lifeboat, OVER."

Schill Win Blown, Buck Dents Jon, Sox Go Down in 10, 5-4
Darkman Never Gets Lit Up: OK Still More Impressive Than Dice-K
Mr. Red Sox 1,000: Manny on Fire, Sort Of
It's Just Coco Being Coco in the Clutch
The Cooler: Tito Sits the Hottest Hitter, Must Prove Point with Pedroia
Donnelly Woke Up Too Late, Tagged for Loss
Ballboy Fouls Up, Too

"You're not going to win them all. I'll take that loss on my back and I'll pick up the team again when they need me." -- 5.1.07, Mr. Imperfect, Jon Papelbon

Maybe Stay Mum on All the Money Talk?

They'll Be Time Enough for Counting When the Pitching's Done

“I’ve got a lot of money to be made in this game, whether it’s with Boston or not. My goal is to make sure I’m ready to play every day and to make money, and you can’t make money if you’re sitting on the bench. That’s the way I look at it.” -- 5.1.07, Jon Papelbon in the Boston Herald, who maybe should speak through Dice-K's interpreter next time