Da Plane, Da Plane

Video: Papi Got a Plane Today

Not to Be Outdone...

Boomer Got One Too

Sox Need to Be Aggressive,
Be Be Aggressive

...with Wang on the Mound Tonight

"H-G-H... H-G-H*"

All the Cool Kids Will Be Chanting It at Fenway Tonight.
Spread the Word.

(*How Giambi Hits)

Not Dead Yet!

The Sox Are Staying Alive as the Big Guns Fire Away
Down 4-1, Def Champs Rally for 5-4 Walkoff Win

Don't Worry, Big Papi

Señor September: Ortiz Smacks Huge Homer and a Little Walkoff Single
Manny Makes it Happen: Ramirez Brings Sox Back with Big Bomb
Matt's Lament: Starter Struggles Through 5 (But Makes a Nice Flip Home)
Bonafide Big Leaguer: Jonathan is a Cool Breeze with the Heat On
Captain Crunch: 'Tek Breaks Horrific 0-for-34 Fenway Slump
Mike Myers Gets His Four Lefties (And the Lead Runner at Second)
More Good News: Damon is Healthy and Hitting; Stolen Base Shades of Dave Roberts?

"The best thing that ever happened to this team was winning this game tonight. Everybody was on their toes. Everybody had attitude. You see Pookie, our clubbie, Pookie was out there, just like punching people and everything. That's fun. That tells you we're trying." -- 9.29, MVPapi

Yankee Killer?

Sox Pick Up Stanton for the Weekend

Is Millar the Backstabber?

And Should He Be Benched Anyway?

Smoking Gun?
Millar Ripped Tito to the Herald's Howard Bryant Previously

"The one thing, and I thought about this a lot, and I saw Howard Bryant's (July 6 article, which quotes an unnamed player on the Red Sox who said that it was Francona's responsibility to put his own guys on the All-Star team), with Kevin Millar ripping the manager (about not selecting Matt Clement and Mike Timlin), we all know who it was, so, which I thought was uncalled for considering what the manager's done for him." -- 7.7.05, Peter Gammons, WEEI's The Big Show

Who Said It?: "When he comes into the game, people cheer him like he's the Pope?
You think they'd let Pedro get away with this? Why does he get a free pass?"
-- Anonymous Red Sox player on Curt Schilling

Tomase Fingers Millar: Schilling "complained in a Boston Globe story that he believes at least one of his teammates wants him to fail. Schilling didn't name the teammate, but it should be noted that after recording a 3-1 putout (Tuesday) night, Schilling ignored Kevin Millar's raised glove and started the traditional around-the-horn himself, firing directly to Tony Graffanino at second without acknowledging Millar." -- 9.28, John Tomase, Lawrence Eagle Tribune, echoing what the ProJo's Sean McAdam also alluded to on WEEI yesterday

More Clues Point to Millar
"Someone's Who's Not Wired Right," Check.
Someone Who Would Throw Around "Pope" and "Snowman" References, Check.
Someone Who's Been Booed at Fenway, Check.
Someone Who Wants to "Feel Better" About Their Season, Check.
Made "#&@! Everybody" T-Shirts, Check.

Survey: Who Do You Think is Talking Trash About Schilling?
Discuss: Backstabbing and Pennant Race Ramifications

Into the Wild?

Chewbacca Should Have Started Because
the Evil Empire is Now Han Solo in First Place
While the Sox May Be Looking at the Wild Card

Sox Can't Afford to Lose but Do Anyway 7-2

Bronson's Swan Song?

Guitar Boy Gets Hammered
Across the Street from Avalon

Song Sung Blue for Bronson
Jays Still Own Sox While Lilly's Being Lilly Against Them Again
The Inning Ender: Cowboy Pop Leaves Five on Base
Reed 'Em and Weep: Johnson Robs 'Tek in Outfield
Edgartown: Rent Hits Homer No. 8 (But Nomar Has 9)
A Big 0-for-4 from Ramirez (Nixon Too); Ortiz Bunt Backfires
What a Relief: DiNardo Did OK; Manny, Myers Can Pitch In

"We'll try to wipe this one away as quickly as possible. I only threw 79 pitches, so I feel like I'll be healthy for the Yankees. ... You always hope for the opportunity. So, we'll see." -- 9.28, Bronson Arroyo after his awful outing

Francona's Finishing Touch

Boo Who?

Get Over It. Curt Has.

Schilling doesn’t think his teammate’s negative comments
about him are a big deal

9.28, Curt Schilling on WEEI's Dennis and Callahan show

Gerry Callahan: You always struck me as a guy who was thick skinned and can handle criticism. I was surprised by how much this anonymous teammate affected you.

Curt Schilling: "I think the reason you were surprised was because I think (because of) the editor of the newspaper and a lot of other people, this got taken to be much, much more than it was, than it was intended to be. The gist of the interview, the article that I did with Bob (Hohler) was kind of a look back on the season, how rough it’s been and in the manner of a 15-minute interview, this conversation on this topic lasted about 45 seconds. It really was not and is not the issue it’s being made out to be in my mind. This kind of sniping and back office kind of talk stuff goes on in every place in America, the clubhouse even more so. It’s something that came about, something I found out about, something obviously I don’t think anybody would feel good about it.

"But it kind of ends there. I didn’t go out to the mound or get ready for yesterday’s game with this in the forefront of my mind and having an effect on me, it happens. And it’s something I wasn’t happy about but unfortunately it got made out to be a much, much larger issue than it is to me."

On whether Curt knows who made the negative comments

CS: "I know (who it is) yeah, and I said that. I thought the article (said that). I’m not going to elaborate on that (if he’s still in the clubhouse) part of it because it doesn’t do anybody any good. It smacks of New York media trying to dig under that part of it. No (he hasn’t talked to him about it). He knows I know. It’s done. It’s a done deal. It was said. I commented on how I felt about what was said and I moved on. Unfortunately no one else has moved on.

"It’s hard to elaborate on this one (understanding why he gets a “free pass”) because… we’ve talked about this all year long. I’m in that clubhouse, I’m a part of that team. I see how fans reactions affect my teammates. And again, I’m incredibly appreciative of the fact that I’ve been given one. I certainly didn’t expect or feel like I deserved it based on how I performed this year. But obviously I’m a lot happier not being booed than if I am. I’m no more or less responsible than Mark Bellhorn who hit three home runs in three consecutive games or Keith Foulke who, as I’ve said in the past, was the MVP of that postseason. Unfortunately off the field, the people that write and talk about what we did, a lot more emphasis was placed on some things that happened in the postseason than others. And I feel good about the fact that I’m not getting my ass booed off the field ‘cause Lord knows I’ve deserved it. But it’s a tough situation. I’ve already spent a lot more time talking about it than I have been thinking about it the last couple of days. It’s something that’s happened, it’s done, and I’ve got to move on."

The Mother of All Missed Opportunities
Sox Fit to Be Tied After 7-5 Debacle

That's Just Tito Being Grady
Sticks and Stones: Schilling Struggles Again, Left in Two Batters Too Long
High Rent District: Edgar Delivers, Now 'Tek Can't Get a Big Hit
Bradford Does Job, But Overstays Welcome in 8th
Can Francona Make it Any Harder on Hansen?
Would It Have Killed Wake to Finish the Easy Win?
Did the Manager Have to Burn Both Pap and Timlin in Game 1?
Could They Have Both Come Back in Game 2 Anyway?
Is Theo to Blame for the Harville, Gonzalez Crunch Time Choices?

"I’m just not pitching well and it’s been a long time... It’s frustrating... I had two three run leads... I’m pitching horribly... Leaving balls out over the plate... My fastball command has been just horse (crap)... We've got a winnable game sitting there with the chance to be in first place all alone with me on the mound, and in my mind that's a lock. And it hasn't been." -- 9.27, Curt Schilling on his disappointing performance

Few Lineup Changes for Nightcap

Sweet 16

When Bush Comes To Shove,
Sox Serve Toronto Knuckle Sandwich
Def Champs Take Jays 3-1 in Game 1 on Strong Wake

Tim Finally Gets a Win for His Efforts, No. 16
Damon, Rent Jumpstart the Offense
RBI Machines: Papi, Manny Drive 'Em Home
More Professional Defense from Mueller
Papelbon, Timlin Nail it Down
(Not Even Going to Mention ER Error No. 30)

Big Pap Holds the Line

"I love it. I wouldn't want it any other way. It's making me better as a player and it's making our team better and it's giving me valuable experience at the same time... This division is a battle day in and day out. It's the best of the best, this stretch run we're going to have to bear down and get the job done." -- 9.27, Jonathan Papelbon on the pennant race

Mets Still in Hunt, But Pedro Won't Pitch Tonight

Sniping Sox?

"When he comes into the game, people cheer him like he's the Pope?
You think they'd let Pedro get away with this? Why does he get a free pass?"
-- Anonymous Red Sox player on Curt Schilling

Curt's Hurt By Teammate's Criticism

"Somebody on this team wants me to get booed to make them feel better, and that really bothers me a lot. Those are the kinds of things that really make me look at this game and understand that when I'm done in the game, I'll be done with the game." -- Curt Schilling on "somebody who's not wired right" in Bob Hohler's Boston Globe story

Theo's Not Surprised

"Not really (surprised by reading that teammate criticized Schilling). If that person is going to speak anonymously to a writer and address it that way, you have to kinda discount it because I don't give that source that much credit. I don't think that person can be a major influence in our clubhouse if that's the way he's trying to address it. No, I'm never surprised, when you have 25 guys living together for spring training, six months in a season, and the offseason, you're never going to have 25 guys to get along perfectly. There's always going to be some conflict and we do a pretty good job in avoiding that and our guys do care about each other." -- 9.27, Theo Epstein on WEEI's Dennis and Callahan

Howard's End: Teammate Talks to the Herald

”He seeks the spotlight, a charming personality trait at 21-6. It's not so adorable when your ERA is three full runs above your career mark and you have an ankle that requires rigorous rehabilitation, yet show up to spring camp, as one player said, ‘looking like Santa Claus.’ … During the last homestand, one player asked, ‘Since when did he anoint himself lord and master of the 617 area code?’ A visiting player wanted to know if it is true that Schilling actually calls in to talk radio shows and lurks on the Internet to make his points (yes, it is). One manager listens intently that Schilling is immune because he delivered the Big Prize.

‘I sort of disagree with that,’ the manager said. ‘Schilling was big, especially psychologically, but to me the difference in that team last year was Keith Foulke. Foulke made it hard to come back against those guys. And he hasn't been spared a thing.’" -- 9.21, Howard Bryant, Boston Herald (subscription only)

Hey Anonymous Teammate: Schilling Gets a 'Free Pass' Because of This and This, While Pedro was Being Pedro

"Still, added Schilling, it was difficult to ignore Martinez's absence in Yankee Stadium for Game 6 of the ALCS. Martinez stayed behind in Boston, ostensibly to work on his own in preparation for a possible appearance in Game 7.

'We were in the middle of the greatest eight-game run in the history of baseball and he wasn't there,' Schilling said. 'What does that tell your teammates? But that's just the way it was.'"
-- 12.18.04 Providence Journal

Johnny Rotten: 'Now There's No Hometown Discount'

"You know, it wasn't up to me to wait all this time. I said I always wanted to be back. The ownership just had their own agenda about how they take care of things. That's fine. They're entitled to wait, they own the team. Now there's no hometown discount. They do their own thing, so once the offseason comes, I guess I have to do it, too. I had to play the year with the risk of [being] hurt. I've been banged up all year. I know it could be [my last days with the Red Sox]; I don't want it to be. We'll just have to see about winning these last seven games, and get back to the playoffs and win the World Series and then I can write any ticket I want to write... They even told me to buy a home this offseason and I did. Now I'm kind of torn in between whether or not to put the house on the market, because I bought more than my means because they said I was going to be here for a long time." -- 9.27, Damon to NY Post

Fantasy Camp

Update: 9.29: Shop.MLB.com had AL East Championship T-shirts on a live link on their site, even though they weren't actively linked via Shop.MLB.com. The Yankees shirt page said "Show your support for the 2005 AL East Division Champions, the New York Yankees! This Authentic Collection Youth Raglan T-shirt from Lee Sport has team color sleeves and division champions graphic screen printed at center front chest. Congratulations to the Yankees!"

But since one of BDD's contacts found the shirts, MLB has now taken them down.

There'll Be Nothing Authentic About the 'New York Yankees 2005 AL East Division Champions Authentic Collection Youth Raglan T-shirt'

Rainout Scratches Schilling-Johnson Showdown

Steroids Update: The baseball players' union says it would agree to increase the penalty for a first positive steroid test from 10 days to 20 games

Edes: There's No Place Like Home

Sox Fan's Words Led to the Real Birth of The Nation
(a.k.a. Why the Team Should Rename Their Discount Cards)

Adam and Leave: Pats Show Their Mettle Against Steelers in 23-20 Win

Broomer

King of Pain Keeps Sox Tied for Top

Sox Lower the Boom on Birds in 9-3 Sweeper
Big First Inning Batters Baltimore

Wells Far Go: The Sox Kneeded David to Come Up Big and He Did
Manny Gets Sox Off and Running with No. 41
Johnny Deep: Damon Shoulders the Load with Long Ball
Bradford Not So Bad; The Other Chad Can Hang Around Too
Mueller's Batting Like a Champion Again: 3 Hits, 2 RBI, .301 Ave.
Sense of Urgency: 'Tek Rambles in from First on Olerud Single
Rent and Trot Stay Hot as Sox Head into the Home Stretch

"This place has been very good to our team. A bunch of our fans cannot get tickets in Boston. For them to come down on a weekend and take part in this, that says a lot." -- 9.25, Johnny Rock on the Fenway South Faithful

Break, Even

Resurgent Sox Pull Even with Yanks on Rent's Broken-Bat Hit
Boston Bounces Back for 4-3 win in Nailbiter at Fenway South

The Rent was Due and the Orioles Paid the Price
Nixon, Graff, Damon Set the Table for Edgar's Endgame
Clement Being Clement: Six Walks, Four Hits, No Runs
Who's on First? Millar Flashes Some Leather for a Change
Yes, Tito Told You So (And So Did Gammo): Hansen Doesn't Have His Slider, So Mora Got Lucky, But the Rook Still Has the Right Stuff
Get Craig Back in Soon 'Cause The Nation Gave Him a Mulligan on That
Papelbon Jovial: Big Jonathan Gets Another W; Myers Gets His Man
D-E-F-E-N-S-E: A Strike-'Em-Out-Throw-'Em-Out
and a Key Outfield Cutoff By Manny Saves a Run
Ryan's Express Derailed: Sox Get the Better of B.J.
Timlin Outs: Mike Makes it Interesting Again
The Under Appreciated Bill Mueller Says Hello

"A lot of teams lose that game. We're not a lot of teams." -- 9.24, Manager of the Defending World Series Champion Boston Red Sox Terry Francona

Shocker: There's Only 45,000 People in Red Sox Nation
And Some are Willing to Pay $557 for a Couple of Glorified Bleacher Seats

Alive and Kicking

Manny Shows Some Hustle, Flexes Muscle
Sox Keep Pace with Yanks in 6-3 Win

Change of Pace: Manny the Gamer Had a Full Head of Steam
Tejada Had a Little Too Much B-12 on Long Throw from Short
Trot Stays Hot: Nixon Delivers Two-Out, Game Winning Double
Another Renteria Revival? Three Runs, Two Hits, No Errors
Near Death Wish: Bronson Was on the Brink of Disaster Early,
But Guitar Boy Played His Good Stuff in the Second Set
Rested Development: Myers, Big Pap Hold the Line in Strong Setup
Inherit the Win: Old Man Mike Finishes Fine
Just FYI: MVP Talk is Cheap; Sox Need to Keep Eye on the Prize

"(If) I don't get Surhoff out I don't finish that inning. DiNardo's in the game." -- 9.23, Arroyo on his early inning struggles

Graffanino Hopes to Play; Stern to Have Surgery
Edes Mailbag: Don't Write Off Clement

It's All Over for Raffy the Rat

Orioles End Palmeiro's Year

"The abrupt end to Palmeiro's season came one day after it was learned that he cited a vitamin he received from teammate Miguel Tejada as possibly causing the positive steroid test. The Orioles said Major League Baseball absolved Tejada of any wrongdoing."

Foulke on Friday: I'm Done for Season

“We talked about it (taking care of the knees at the end of last season). I think both sides kind of dropped the ball. If anything it’s one of those deals, we definitely should of… I wish I would have agreed to have done it on the first day of spring training.”

“My feeling on this whole season is it’s almost a relief now that it’s over, the last year of my life has pretty much been the worst year of my life, off the field, on the field, it’s one of those deals that I’m glad it’s over… (2005) was the worst pitching performances of my career, I’m embarrassed, but I went out there and tried, it didn’t work, now my focus and all my thoughts are going towards February 15 of next year.” -- 9.23, Keith Foulke on WEEI

Sweet Home Arizona: Transcript of Foulke's WEEI Interview

Sox Not on the Same Spin Cycle

On Friday afternoon, Francona said Foulke is seeing another doctor and then they'll make a determination if he can help out the team this season.

A Hard Look at Sox Plan for Fenway
Shocker: Pedro's Mailing it In and Shutting it Down

Yanks Spank O's

New York Widens East Gap; Indians Extend Wild Card Lead

Why Has Tito Been Clowning Around
with the Old School Bullpen?

Because He's Afraid to Pull the Trigger on the Young Guns

9.22: Peter Gammons tells WEEI that Craig Hansen doesn't have his slider after the long layoff (and would have needed it to get Gomes out last night), has a Dominican arm -- "so loose, quick," with two fastballs, but has let in 1.000 percent of inherited runners (1 of 1 in Portland), Timlin should be able to get four outs, and Wakefield should have been allowed to finish the eighth inning after getting the double play because he is the best clutch pitcher they have and only had thrown 92 pitches.

Hit the Road, Jerk

(And Don't You Come Back No More)

"Keith Foulke would apparently like to call it a season, but the Red Sox aren't so willing to give up hope that their beleaguered closer can salvage something from his trying year."

"Foulke flew to Boston yesterday to have his aching left knee examined by Sox medical director Dr. Tom Gill and made indications, according to several sources, that he wouldn't pitch again this season. The team, however, didn't necessarily agree with the self-assessment and has arranged a meeting with the pitcher, Dr. Gill and general manager Theo Epstein to reach a conclusion on the matter. Results of the medical examination weren't released."

"There were indications last night that the Red Sox were counting on Foulke to be at Camden Yards tonight for the first of three games vs. the Baltimore Orioles." -- 9.23, Boston Herald

"A source told me that (Foulke) was completely infuriated after Friday's interview on WEEI and that he is absolutely fed up with the media, the fans, and city of Boston in general. My source went as far to say that Foulke has essentially closed the book on this year's season and simply wants his Boston nightmare to end." -- 9.19, Jeff Guinee, Beantown Chattah -- FSN New England

Serving Up a Whopper