They Worked Hard
For the Money

The Boston Red Sox celebrate a victory over the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on May 17, 2012 in St. Petersburg, Florida.
(Globe Photo)

Toot-Toot, Hey, Beep-Beep
Big Win for the Dirty Bad Boys of Summer

Boston 5, Tampa Bay 3 | Dim All the Lights in the Trop
Heaven Knows Fouls and Batting Practice Pops Are Not Home Runs...
No Wonder Adrian Gonzalez Has Become Just a Banjo Hitter in Boston
Gonzo Takes It Hard After Faux Guarantee: 'Give Me Some Moore Please'
I Feel Love for Dustin Pedroia, That's It. Sincerely, Fenway Faithful
No More Tears -- Enough Is Enough -- Sox Turnaround Starts Now
This Time I Know It's For Real: Cody Ross HR, 4 RBIs
Rumor Has It Middlebrooks Goin' Down to Pawtucket
Love to Love You Baby: Doubront Wins 3d Straight
Hot Stuff: Mike Aviles Loses His Cool After K
On the Radio: Bobby V in Yankee Town Today
Aceves Aces Last Dance for Save No. 8

"I was going after this game tonight. The guys really wanted this game, and I was just going to do everything we could to win it.... Guys had complaints tonight and I was with them. We've got to fight through it, that's for sure. We're trying our hardest, and I think they're trying their hardest, too." -- Bobby V... not playing the role of a Stepford Wife for once

"Is this the World Series?" -- Don Orsillo on a hot mike after a Bobby V pitching change


This Just In
bdd_ag_god.jpg

God Has Different Plans for Adrian Tonight

Gonzalez Guarantees Home Run
God to Red Sox Nation: Let's Pump the Brakes on the Predictions Here
Ghost of Babe Ruth Seen Pointing to Second Baseman with AG at the Plate
Curt Schilling's Betting the House on A-Gon

"I'm seeing something closer to 1-for-4 with a run scored, but no, no home run tonight for Adrian Gonzalez." -- God responds to Adrian Gonzalez's bold prediction

Shallow Grave
Tampa Bay Rays' Matt Joyce, left, scores ahead the throw to Boston Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 16, 2012, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Joyce scored on a sacrifice fly by Luke Scott.
(AP)

Cody Loss Play in Right Left Sox for Dead

Tampa Rays 2, Red Sox 1 | Sox Stumble, Tumble in the Trop
Sox Balk the Balk, Go Wild, Bounce Around, Hit Batters
Bright Side: Buchholz Was Not His Usual Horrendous Self
What the Hellickson Is Going On with Adrian Gonzalez?
More Good News: Bullpen of Steel Has Strong Outing
Youk Looks Ready, Time to Ship Down Middlebrooks
Rhymes With Scary

“ I tried to break my stride down and kind of tripped over myself and had to reach back and grab it... I lost my footing. I almost rolled my ankle, it felt like, when I was breaking my steps down. I pushed forward and had to reach back. ...Just a lot of stuff going on in that play. It was awful. It ended up costing us the game.” -- Cody Ross, graceful as an elephant in the outfield

Beck in the Saddle Again
Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett waits while the umpires review a call in the second inning of their MLB American League baseball game against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts May 15, 2012
(Reuters)

He Was the Texas On Man Today

Boston 5, Seattle 0 | Candle in the Win for the Birthday Boy
Redemption Song? Happy Birthday to You
Beckett's Bottom Line: 7 IP, 4 Hits, 0 Runs, 9 Ks
Stop the Presses: 4 Straight Games Under 3 Hours
Big Papi Gives Mariners the Run-Around, Two Ways
Sox Outscoring Opponents 34-8 During 5-Win Streak
Hold the Applause: Bobby Should Have Taken Him Out Mid-Inning
And It's the 732nd Consecutive Sellout to Boot, No Really
Ichiro? He Plays for Seattle. Sincerely, Jimi Williams
So What Do We Have Here with Mr. Daniel Nava?
The 0-drian Gonzalez Watch in On Again
Aviles's Bat Comes Alive in the 9-Hole

"That's his saddle and he looked pretty comfortable in it." -- Bobby V, postgame

"I don't think I was trying to make a statement." -- Josh Beckett, on his early velocity

Lesterrific
Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester celebrates with teamates after throwing a complete game victory. Cody Ross at right.
(Globe Staff Photo / Bill Greene)

Finally, Jon Lester's the Complete Package

Boston 6, Seattle 1 | Four in a Row for the Red Hot Red Sox
Master and Commander: Lester Effort Helps Right the Ship
Just Sayin' Dept.: Josh Reddick, 9 HRs, Adrian Gonzalez Has 2
Water Seeks Its Own Level. Sincerely, Mike Aviles
Deep Threats Nava, Shop Homer in Easy Win
Streak Over for Dustin Pedroia at 14
Best Park: Game Time: 2:25

"When you're working fast, it's a good thing to be able to pitch and not think about anything. Sometimes you have nights like this where things are going your way." -- Jon Lester on being the anti-Josh Beckett


MAGUIRE
(BDD / MAGUIRE)

Nice W-W-Weekend

Boston Dirt Dogs
(Globe and Wire Photos)

After Beckett Blow Up, Sox Bounce Back Against Tribe

Friday: Boston 7, Cleveland 5 | Buchholz Stays Off Bus to Pawtucket
Captain Pedroia Stays Red Hot with 3 RBIs
Another Not-So-Clean Save for Aceves
Saturday: Boston 4, Cleveland 1 | Doubront Does It Again
Ross Puts Game Away with HR No. 6
Another Day, Another Save for Aceves
Sunday: Boston 12, Cleveland 1 | Mother of All Blowouts
Salty Shakes Up the Offense, Willowbrooks Homers Again
Hot Nava: Little Left Fielder Gets Right in the Flow
Bard's a Little Shaky, But It Doesn't Matter

Double Bogey
Josh Beckett
(BDD Photo Illustration)

Beckett Finds the Rough Against the Indians
Then Buries Himself in the Trap Postgame

EVERYBODY HATES JOSH:
Beckett to Bradford: 'No One Else Wants You Here Except for Your Teammates'
Mazz: Beckett's the Second Coming of the Texas Con Man... Roger Dodger
Passan: Beckett's Golf Round Further Proof Red Sox Aren't His Top Priority
Wilbur: Beckett Needs to Go for Good of the Franchise
Tomase: Beckett Off Course | Light 'Em Up, Bobby V
Edes: Defiant Beckett Doesn't Get It
Video: Beckett Defends Golf Outing

"I don’t want to be part of a reality show. If I wanted to be part of a reality show I would move to LA. That’s not what I’m here for. I’m here to win baseball games and we’re not doing a good job of that. Am I part of the solution or am I part of the problem? I want to part of the solution, not part of the problem..."

"It sucks because it seems nobody else wants you here except for your teammates. What are supposed to do? What am I supposed to do? Am I supposed to go home and pout and take that home with me. That ain’t happening. That’s not me. Like I said, if I wanted to be part a reality show I would go to LA. I’m not into that." -- Josh Beckett to Rob Bradford

Boston Dirt Dogs
(BDD Photo Illustration)

"They took the beer out of the clubhouse, but nothing changed. They switched the man in the manager's office, but he's no better. The rot in the Boston Red Sox organization runs too deep for cosmetic upgrades, and nobody better personifies it than Josh Beckett, the clueless, defiant egomaniac who's poisoning another Red Sox season." -- Jeff Passan, Yahoo Sports

"We get 18 off days a year. I think we deserve a little time to ourselves... I spend my off days the way I want to spend them... My off day is my off day." -- Josh Beckett, off base again

"It doesn't look good." -- Bobby V on Michael Kay show today... no wonder he was ill prepared for his press conference with the Boston media




BDD Photo Illustration / Steve Garberg
(BDD Photo Illustration / Steve Garberg)

1. Change 'Didn't Execute' to 'Flat Pitches'
2. Cash Weekly Check for $302,884.00
3. Nod Whenever Valentine Speaks
4. Ask Wife How Baby Is Doing
5. Work On My Short Game


BDD / James MacLeod Cartoons
(BDD / James MacLeod Cartoons)

From Bridge Year to
Year of the Bagman

bdd_bagman_0512.jpg

It's BYOBag at Fenway Again Tonight

Meet Bag Man, the New President of Red Sox Nation

Time for Fenway Fans to Tee Off on Beckett

Josh Beckett - Stop Snitching
(BDD Photo Illustration)

While Josh Spends All His Time Putting Around
For The Wollaston Whisperer

"But I'm sure that Josh wouldn't do anything that's going to jeopardize his team or his season. I know that." -- Bobby V, the comedian

Beckett Hung McDonald Out to Dry Sunday, But He Hit Long Drives on Thursday
Josh Couldn't Pitch in the 17th, But He Had No Problem Playing 18 Holes
Yes, Hitting Long Drives All Day Long Is the Best Remedy for a Bad Back
Every Game Counts, Every Game... Every Game... Especially Golf


He's Got the World on a String

BDD_JA_beckett_10.24.07_sga.jpg
(BDD Photo Illustration / Steve Garberg)

Beckett Keeps Doing Whatever He Wants, Whenever He Wants
And No One in the Red Sox Organization Will Stand Up to Him

"If that was the case [that Beckett played 18 holes], I would say that was less than the best thing to do on that day off." -- Bobby V yesterday

"I've never seen a pitcher get hurt playing golf." -- the shell of the puppet that is Bobby V today... after they got to him

Sights for Sore Eyes

BDD - Derek Lowe Returns
(Globe File and Wire Photos)

And Some Cheers for Our Ears

Oct. 20, 2004: Johnny Brings Down the House that Ruth Built
(Oct. 20, 2004: Getty Images Photo)

Now More Than Ever, the Red Sox Could Use
A Couple of Likable Guys That We Loved to Love
Welcome Home Derek Lowe and Johnny Damon

Oct. 20, 2004:
Home plate umpire Randy Marsh, New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada, and Johnny Damon of the Red Sox watched Damon's second inning grand slam home run during the seventh and final game of the American League Championship Series between the Sox and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
(Oct. 20, 2004: Boston Globe Staff Photo / Jim Davis)

Give It Up Tonight for 2 Special Members of 'The 25'

Oct. 6, 2003: Damon gave a wave to the fans as he was put into an ambulance after colliding with Damian Jackson in Game 5 of the ALDS.
(Oct. 6, 2003: Boston Globe Staff Photo / Barry Chin)

Thanks for the Memories Johnny and D-Lowe

Feb. 22, 2005: The scene at the Red Sox minor league facility looked more like a rock concert than a sporting venue, and at no time did it more so than when Johnny Damon came out of the clubhouse and made his way to the field. With his hair flowing out of his hat, he was surrounded by screaming fans on his left, some young, some old, some male, some female.
(Feb. 22, 2005: Boston Globe Staff Photo / Jim Davis)

A Look Back at the Life and Good Times of Johnny Damon

Johnny Be Good
(Boston Globe Advertisement )

No, Really, The Pleasure Was All Ours

"Coming in here, you kind of get these old vibes that are fresh in your mind. We had a lot of good memories here, and I have a lot of fond memories of the players. It's a great place to play, too." -- 6.19.09, Derek Lowe makes a Brave return

Beane Town Mourns



Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls
Fenway Park Won't Be the Same Without 'The Voice'
Rest in Peace, Carl Beane

Finn: Beane Dies While Driving
Petraglia: Beane Was Much More Than the Voice of Fenway


MAGUIRE
(BDD / MAGUIRE)

Remembering Beane Ball

CarlBeane.com Photo: Sox Announcer Restrained
(CarlBeane.com Photo)

Sox Announcer Held Back After Benches Clear in 2007

'Now Being Restrained for the Red Sox Media Team, Carl Beane'

"New York pitcher Bob Klapisch of the Bergen Record and ESPN.com drilled Red Sox broadcaster Uri Berenguer (Spanish Beisbol Network) with a fastball in the helmet. Berenguer collected himself off the dirt before saying a few words to Klapisch, who approached home plate with more adult words. Both players were restrained. Benches emptied. Red Sox [media team] manager Carl Beane got into the action, which featured plenty of pushing and shoving." -- -- 6.4.07, Kevin Gray, Union Leader Blog

Butler Did It
Billy Butler of the Kansas City Royals rounds the bases after hitting a 3-run home run during the 8th inning of the game against the Boston Red Sox on May 8, 2012 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
(Jamie Squire / Getty Images)

Royals Rally in the 8th for Win, Sox Season Slip Sliding Away

Kansas City 6, Boston 4 | No Finishing Touch for Red Sox
Gonzo Hits Just Enough to Get Everyone Off His Back for a Day
Vaunted Red Sox Offense Puts up Goose eggs from the Sixth Inning On
Middlebrooks Cramp Puts Damper on Fast Start for Youk's Replacement
Will He or Won't He Be Able to Stay in the Lineup the Rest of the Way?
Hey, Hey, Hey, It's Matt Albers Blowing the Save

"I thought [Bard] was in complete control of the game." -- Bobby V... wrong again

Let's play the player game:

Player A is Dustin Pedroia. He's the third best hitting second baseman in Major League Baseball (.309/.384/.504), 4 home runs, plays flawless defense, 14 walks against 15 strikeouts, makes $8 million this season.

Player B is Adrian Gonzalez. He's the 12th best hitting first baseman in Major League Baseball (.280/.343/.390), 2 home runs, 12 walks against 24 strikeouts, makes $21 million this season.

Middlebrooks Robinson
Will Middlebrooks of the Boston Red Sox runs to first after hitting a three-run home run against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium May 7, 2012 in Kansas City, Missouri.
(Ed Zurga / Getty Images)

Could This Be the Second Coming of One of
The Last Great Third Basemen?

No. 64's Season Is Starting to Look Like Brooks Robinson's MVP Year in '64
2 Home Runs, 10 Total Bases for the Red Hot Red Sox Rookie
Youk Can Take All the Time He Needs. Sincerely, Bob from Accountemps
Cold School Hamels Would Like to Welcome Will Middlebrooks to the Big Leagues
I Don't Think It's Fair for Youkilis to Lose His Job. Sincerely, Drew Bledsoe
Kevin Youkilis Will Now Be Known as the Greek God of Pinch Hitting
Where There's a Will There's a Way...
The Weary 11, Kansas City 5 | Road Sweet Road
16 Hits After 17 Innings Gets Hapless Sox Back on the Winning Track in KC
The $173,186,617 Team Beat Up on the $60,916,225 Team, Thank You Bud Selig
Under the Radar: Pedroia Hitting .343 Over the Last 15 Games
Doubront Was Decent, Which Means Excellent to Bobby V
Strand Theater: V-Pad Saves Sox

"Just wanted to help the team win." -- Will Middlebrooks, who may have inherited the Adrian Gonzalez personality gene

"It shouldn’t be mathematically possible for me to run that far." -- Kelly Shoppach on his first career triple

MAGUIRE
(BDD / MAGUIRE)

Coming Soon to a Rotation Near You

bdd_dicek_samurai_soxnation.jpg

Matsuzaka's Still a Wild Man, and He's Added a Bad Elbow to His Repertoire
So It's Time for Bobby V to Make Room for Dice-K

It's Not McDonald's
Kind of Place

Darnell McDonald
(Matthew J. Lee / Boston Globe Staff)

Adam Bomb Sinks Sox in 17
Orioles Lower the Broom at Fenway

Baltimore 9, Boston 6 | Stinko de Mayo Party Rocks On at Fenway
Wilbur: Gonzalez the Perfect Face for These Free-Falling Sox
Byrd Doesn't Exactly Fly Around the Bases, Does He?
Ain't Life Grand? Middlebrooks Likes to Watch
Maybe Clay Buchholz Could Be Mr. Mop Up Man?
Curse of the Andino: 3-Run Blast By the Sox Killer
You Thought Josh Beckett Would Pitch In? Haaa
Gotta Get Away? Jarrod Saltalmacchia Does
And It's the Greek God of Walking Programs
More Days in First Place for Dan Duquette
More Bad News: Liverpool Loses FA Cup
Baltimore 8, Red Sox 2: Sox Cooked Early in Stinko de Mayo Matinee
Baltimore 6, Boston 4: Friday, the 13th. Horror Show at Home Continues

“I thought I had it. They just made a great play. Great throws. I thought I had a good jump and thought I could make it." -- Marlon Byrd, who ran around third slower than Milan Lucic skating through water

A Beautiful Night
For a Sellout

Fenway Park. Sold out again
(Yoon S. Byun / Globe Staff)

Just Ask the Red Sox

Globe: Fenway Sold Out, Plenty of Good Seats Available
So Why Do They Sell the Standing Room Seats in December Again?
Nah. The Sox Don't Profit from the 400 Percent Markups at Ace Ticket Either
Survey: 85 Percent of the Fans Aren't Buying What the Sox Are Selling
On WEEI: Sam Kennedy's Knee-Jerk Reaction and Talking Points:
1. The Red Sox Were Using This Fuzzy Math Before We Got Here
2. Everybody Else Cheats, Too

"We have a [sellout] definition that is tied to this metric which the team has used for a long, long time and again it's based upon the seating capacity at Fenway, and that goes back to if there are more standing room tickets sold, that's how you can exceed that seating capacity. It's a metric and a definition that's been used here for decades, and by other professional sports teams in town." -- Red Sox COO Sam Kennedy, dealing with the faux-sellout mess on WEEI's Mut and Merloni show

Say It Ain't Mo!

BDD / James MacLeod Cartoons
(BDD / James MacLeod Cartoons)

It Might Be the End of the Road for the
Closer Sox Fans Loved to Love

So Is Papelbon Now The Heir Apparent As He Claimed for So Many Years?
Cashman Can Only Dream of Stealing Mark Melancon Away From the Sox Now
Lupica: Mo Might Not Be Able to Save Career
Sherman: One Sad Ending

"At this point, I don’t know. Going to have to face this first. It all depends on how the rehab is going to happen, and from there, we’ll see.” -- Mariano Rivera, sounding like he's going to retire

Bench Time for Gonzo?
Adrian Gonzalez yells and tosses his bat after striking out and leaving the bases loaded in the seventh inning against the Oakland Athletics in a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Wednesday, May 2, 2012.
(AP)

How Low Can Adrian Go Before He Takes a Seat?

Oakland 4, Boston 2 | It's McCarthy's Park
Is Adrian Gonzalez 'Tired' From Counting All The Money?
Pathetic Numbers: .697 OPS, 7 Extra Base Hits, 20 Strikeouts
Fair Trade? Even Anthony Rizzo Is Having a Better Year Than Gonzalez
Carl Crawford Has Carried the Team More Than A-Gon Since Arriving in Boston
So Much for Daniel Bard's Upward Trajectory Every Game He Pitches
There's No Place Like Home... Where the Sox Have Lost 7 or 8
The Tiny Market A's Have a Better Record Than the Sox
Middlebrooks, Mortensen Just Fine at Fenway
And Beckett's Cooked Already?

"This game is all on me. I had two great opportunities and I didn't come through. It's one of those things that I'm going to make a definite point to not let that happen again." -- Adrian Gonzalez, making promises he can't keep

"I think he's just tired. He's played the entire time and his timing and recognition of the strike zone is just a little off." -- Bobby V, trying to sell us that the $154 million superstar needs a day off in May

Oil Caine Boyd

From the Fenway 100 Cutting Room Floor:
Oil Can Used Cocaine Every Day in '86

"I can remember going and locking myself up in the bathroom and smoking some dope right there at the ballpark [in Oakland]. I was afraid that they knew and that the clubhouse manager had smelled it, he was gonna tell on me. So I gotta get rid of it.

"I had it under the bib of my cap, inside the crease inside of the cap. And when I was warming up in the ballgame -- third, fourth inning -- it fell off my head." -- Dennis Boyd to ESPN's Buster Olney in a not-so Can did conversation

ESPN: Oil Can Discussed Drug Use... With Dr. Pappas, Too
The Latest Dennis Boyd Fenway Fantasy Is That He Was
Growing Cocaine in the Outfield Between Starts
Next We'll Hear That Josh Beckett Drank Lone Star and
Ate Popeyes Fried Chicken Every Day in 2011

Dennis Oil Can Boyd - Boston Globe
(Oct. 10, 1986 / Globe File Photo)

Sheee's Baaaack!

Boston Dirt Dogs -- Miss Remembered
(BDD Photo Illustration)

Now Pettitte Says He May Have Misunderstood Clemens

Yankee Doodle Andy Crumbles Under Cross Examination

"I'd say that's fair." -- Andy Pettitte when asked by Clemens' lawyer if it was fair to say it was "50-50" that he misunderstood the conversation with Roger

"Andy Pettitte is my friend. He was my friend before this. He will be my friend after this and again. I think Andy has misheard. I think he misremembers." -- Roger Clemens, after testifying to Congress in February 2008

Felix the Can't
Felix Doubront
(Bill Greene / Globe Staff)

Doubront Can't Handle Triple-A's

Boston 3, Oakland 5 | Sox Offense Fizzles in the Drizzle
For All the Accolades, Dubront Is Carrying a 5.19 ERA
Sox Hitters Make Jarrod Parker Look Like Roy Halladay
Did Papi Sneak Some Rice and Beans Into His Dinner?
Guess God Had Different Plans for 0-drian Gonzalez
Wasn't AG Supposed to Be Some Sort of Superstar?
Will Cherington Trade for Closer Jordan Norberto?
Was Youk's Back This Bad When He Was Single?
More Good News: Crawford Got Paid Yesterday
Bright Side: Rich Not-Over-the-Hill
Noodle-Bat Iglesias to the Rescue

"We're down 5-1. It's very easy to fold, get three quick outs and take it to the house. It's cold weather, nasty weather, but I think it just shows a lot about the team. We came back and we tried to give it a little fight." -- Iron Mike Aviles

Good Old Fashioned A's Kickin'

Punto, McDonald, Aviles
(Jim Rogash / Getty Images)

... Until Buchholz Fell Apart in the Seventh

Boston 11, Oakland 6 | Sox Make It Interesting Against Awful A's
More Good News, Buchholz Stays in Boston, Lowers ERA to 8.69
Breaking: Birth Certificate Reveals David Ortiz Is 26 Years Old
Looks Like the A's Got the Best of that Reddick-Bailey Deal
Was Shoppach Another Mistake in Bobby V's Lineup Card?
It's Mike Aviles's World, We Are Only Taking Up Space In It
The A's Would Have Been Better Off Starting Sam Malone
No-Name Offense Strikes Again: Run DMc, Byrd Fly High
And They Did It With A-Gon and C-Ross Going 0-for-8
Should the Sox Punto and Call Up Middlebrooks Now?
Just Give Pedroia the 2012 Gold Glove Already


MAGUIRE
(BDD / MAGUIRE)

"David’s a star of stars right now. It’s hard to throw a strike by him. He’s using all fields, he’s seeing the ball extremely well. I know it’s the old cliche, but he gets two balls, no strikes, and it doesn’t even bother him to take because he’s very confident in his swing. His swing is as good as I think it can get." -- Bobby V on the Star of David

Does Buch Stop Here?
Clay Buchholz
(Getty Images)

Or Is Clay on His Way to Pawtucket?

8.87 ERA Clay Takes on the Immortal Tommy Milone Tonight
Will a Little Home Cooking Kick Start Buchholz Against Oakland?
Or Does the New Recipe Call for Aaron Cook in the Rotation?
Everybody Looks Like Wade Boggs vs. Buchholz: .340 BAA

"It's a struggle when you're out there throwing pitches and guys are putting it in play. It has to change." -- Clay Buchholz after getting tagged for a season-high 10 hits in Minnesota


Red Sox Get Their Show on the Road

Alfredo Aceves
(Reuters)

6-1 Trip Puts AL East Basement Dwellers Just 3.5 Back

Chicago 4, Boston 1 | Sox Not Disheartened After Dropping Finale
Killer Elite: Gavin Floyd Is the Pitching Version of Mike Napoli
He's No Stink Floyd: Righty Is 7-0 with a 3.21 ERA vs. Boston
Bad Start Beckett Proves He's Not an Ace Again
Just 2 Runs in 17 Innings for Bobby V's Bullpen
Another April Sore Back for Kevin Youkilis
Boston 1, Chicago 0: Lesterrific, Aceves Better
Boston 10, Chicago 3: Star of David Shines

"That's a pretty tough hole to put your team in, especially against a guy who has pitched well against us in the past." -- Beckett says all the right things, but can't get it done to start

"We feel good. We had a great road trip. We pitched great; we swung the bats real well. We’re pretty excited to get back home and play good ball." -- Dustin Pedroia puts in all in perspective

It's Beginning to Look
a Lot Like Nomar

bdd_operation.jpg

Except You Can't Trade Crawford for Orlando Cabrera

Reports That Crawford Ripped Achilles Walking Out Of Dr. Andrews Office
If You're Keeping Track at Home: So Far No CC Production on $39.5 Million Spent
Tale of the Trainer's Tape: Looking Back at Carl Crawford's Red Sox Career:
2011: Hamstring Sends Crawford the DL, Drops Ball to Send Sox Out of Playoffs
2012: Comes to Camp With Secret Wrist Injury, Stays Down South With Bad Elbow
In a Perfect World, Crawford Coulda Been the Next Lee Tinsley
Mazz: Crawford Isn't Aging Well


Hammer Time

Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Junichi Tazawa, Kevin Youkilis and Adrian Gonzalez of the Boston Red Sox celebrate their win over the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field on April 26, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. The Red Sox defeated the White Sox 10-3.
(Brian Kersey / Getty Images)

Boston Bombers Humble Humber

Sox Box: Boston 10, ChiSox 3 | Salty, Youk Lead the Power Surge in Chicago
Slow Starting Sox Offense Has Scored 43 Runs in Last Five Games
Who Had David Ortiz Leading the League in Hitting on April 27?
He Wants No Meddling from Middlebrooks: Life's Grand for Youk
Salty Pours Two Homers on White Sox Wounds
And All That Taz

MAGUIRE
(BDD / MAGUIRE)

"I look at it as long season and you’re going to go through stuff. Hopefully the bad at-bats are in the past." -- Kevin Youkilis, among the living again

The Return of the Cardiac Kids

Boston Globe Design
(Boston Globe Design)

Maybe They Will Kill Bobby V Before This Season Is Over

Sox Box: Sweepers 7, Minnesota 6 | Red Sox Hang On to Sweep Twinkies
Does Bobby Have Too Much on His Plate if He Can't Get Left/Right Straight?
If Salty Can't Hit, He Can Always Fill Out the Lineup Card for Valentine
Another Day, Another 3-Run Homer for Magnificent Mike Aviles
The Buck Doesn't Stop Here for 8.87 ERA Clay
At Least V Got the Bullpen Right Last Night

"I looked on this [mobile phone] and there was no history on him. It had his name, and 'against left-handed hitting.' My fault. That's why you make these lineups out early enough." -- Bobby V on his latest blunder

"Did Bobby think the 'R' stood for Republican?" -- Gerry Callahan on WEEI's Dennis and Callahan Show


He's The Heart Attack Closer

Maguire Design
(BDD / MAGUIRE)

Crawford's Heading South

Dr. James Andrews
(AP File)

Carl DL Crawford Is Going to See the
Dreaded Doctor of Doom James Andrews

Crawford Seeking Answers on Injured Elbow
It's Officially The Worst Signing in the History of Baseball
Theo Chicago Should Be Very Proud of His $142 Million Blunder

Smells Like the East River

Yankees frangrance

Or Billy Crystal's Dirty Laundry

Pompous Yankees Introduce Their Own Cologne
Rivera and Granderson Will Embarrass Themselves By Pitching Scent
Red Sox Expected to Respond By Selling Own Brand of Bathroom Air Freshener
Just In: Oakland A's Expected to Follow Suit with Bartolo Cologne

"New York Yankees fragrance captures a sporty and confident attitude, creating a timeless, masculine scent that contains fresh wood tones, an invigorating blend of sparkling bergamot, coriander and cool blue sage. The fragrance also evolves to reveal a fusion of crisp ivy leaves, orange flower and geranium, enhanced with rich earthy patchouli, smooth sandalwood and suede.

New York Yankees for Her is an alluring and flirty scent that captures a more playful spirit. This sparkling gourmand scent begins with a juicy blend of fruit notes that provides a playful vibrancy to the introduction. Drenched water lily and rich tiare flower enhances the femininity of the fragrance while creamy sandalwood, delicious vanilla and sensuous musk creates an instantly addictive quality that lingers on skin throughout wear." -- The Cloudbreak Group introduces the official fragrance of the New York Yankees

"It smelled like a knockoff to me." -- Mets fan from the Bronx

Aviles is More
<strong>Mike  Aviles celebrates in the dugout after his solo home run off Minnesota Twins pitcher Matt  Maloney in the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 24, 2012, in Minneapolis.
(AP)

Jose Who?

Sox Box: Boston 11, Minnesota 2 | Ortiz, Aviles are Right on Target
Only the 'Rejuvenated' Derek Jeter Leads Iron Mike in AL Shortstop Hitting
Mendoza Line Reached: Mr. Brady's Sister's Husband Is Now Hitting .200
Stop the Presses: Kardashian and Kanye Were Seen Holding Hands! OMG!
Thanks Again Theo: Crawford Seeing Dr. Andrews for His Bad Elbow
NY Times: Crawford's Replacements Are Doing Just Fine, Thank You
Could Scott .190 OpBA Atchison Be the Next Great Red Sox Closer?
I'll Have What David Ortiz Is Having... Or Not Having... for Dinner
Even the Overrated Adrian Gonzalez Is Starting to Heat Up
Beckett's Never Going to Be an Ace Again, But He Battles
Is This the Same as Beating a Major League Team?
Byrd Gets Off the Ground, Too

"That's [expletive] five outs!" -- Josh Beckett to the vision-challenged home plate umpire Adrian Johnson

"He was into it. I haven't seen Josh like that." -- Bobby V calling out Josh Beckett, Youkilis style.... now waiting for Dustin Pedroia to run his mouth and rip his manager again

Winnesota!
Boston Red Sox' Cody Ross celebrates his two-run, game-tying home run off Minnesota Twins pitcher Jason Marquis in the seventh inning of a baseball game Monday, April 23, 2012, in Minneapolis.
(AP)

The Boss Man Cometh Up Big for Boston

Sox Box: Boston 6, Minnesota 5 | Twin Killing Not Killing Bobby V
Dirt Doggy Cody Homers to Left and Right for the Tie and the Must-Win
A Bard Day's Night for the 'Pen as Daniel Chips in for Win
But After 11 Pitches, Bard Won't Go Back-to-Back for 'Health Reasons'
When Hearts Attack: Alfredo 'The Replacement Killer' Aceves Picks Up Third Save
Was Bobby V Right About Youk? 3B's Brady Was Expecting, Now Married
Lester: More Enigma Than Elite

"I asked [Aceves] if he was trying to kill me." -- Bobby V to his closer on the mound

It's a Washout

Frank Galasso Illustration
(Boston Dirt Dogs / Frank Galasso, cartoonist)

2012 Is an Unmitigated Disaster
Let the Rebuilding Begin

Daily News: Players Confronted Bobby V Over 'Ugly Scene' with Mike Aviles
'Fast-Growing Clubhouse Resentment Toward Valentine'
Lundblad: Red Sox Pitching Staff's Horrific April
Bobby V Gives Himself an 'F' Grade
Lupica: Blame Tito and Theo, Not V

"It happened quickly and it was hard to believe." -- Bobby V on Saturday's amazing loss... and maybe his career as Red Sox manager

"This is not a 14-game problem. This is 41-game problem (dating back to last September). Our pitching has been terrible over the last 41 regular season games." -- John Henry to Sean McAdam after meeting with V


BDD Photo Illustration
(BDD Photo Illustration)

Until the Great John Lackey Returns Next Season ...


BDD / James MacLeod Cartoons
(BDD / James MacLeod Cartoons)

Yankees 6, Red Sox 2: Party Pooper Buchholz Blows Up Birthday Bash
Yankees 15, Red Sox 9: The Worst Loss in the History of Earth


Or Is This 4-10 Start Just a Flesh Wound?

Boston Dirt Dogs
(Monty Python and the Holy Grail Photo)

And the Mighty $170M Red Sox Fight on in Minnesota?

Dirt Napoli
Mike Napoli of the Texas Rangers celebrates his two-run home run with teammate David Murphy in the fourth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park April 18, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts.
(Getty Images)

Reeling Red Sox are Dead and Buried in Last Place

Sox Box: Texas 6, Bustin' 3 | Rangers Rap Red Sox Again
The Worst Team Money Can Buy Has Been Outscored 25-5 in the Last 3 Games
Red Sox 6.20 Team Pitching ERA Is Worst in MLB, 2 Runs Higher than AL Average
The Days of Dazed and Confused: Captain Slow-Hook Blows Another 'Pen Move
Franklin Morales Will Still Be on the Mound During Today's FREE Tour of Fenway
Did Theo 'Bad Contract King' Epstein Ever Think of Trading for Mike Napoli?
Beckett's Just Thrilled That the Target's Off His Back for Another Week
Looks Like There's a Method to Bobby V's Madness: Youk Homers
The Least of Their Big Problems: Salty's Hitting .080
#FireBobbyV Movement Picks Up Steam

"I didn’t think he’d get that many hits in these two games.” -- Bobby V after Mike Napoli shows him how things are done around here

A Bitter Pill for the Red Sox to Swallow

Terry Francona returns
(Reuters)

Tito Calls an Audible and Turns the Table on Lucchino
The Terry Francona Show Will Preempt Fenway 100 Party

Francona Will Steal Fenway 100 Thunder in Triumphant Return on Friday
Revenge Is a Dish Best Served with a Wild Standing Ovation for the Fired Manager
Tito Plans for a Huge Bear Hug with Youk and Pedroia to Stick It to Bobby
Wonder If Tito Gets a Plus One with His Invite?
Will the Snitch Be In Attendance?

"Former Boston Red Sox manager and current ESPN analyst Terry Francona has changed his mind and says he will be attending the Red Sox's 100th anniversary celebration of Fenway Park on Friday afternoon." -- ESPN report

Texas Game Saw Massacre
Rangers rout Red Sox
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe)

Rangers Dismantle Red Sox, Season on the Brink of Disaster

Sox Box: Texas 18, Boston 3 | Nightmare on Lansdowne Street
Lesterrible! Lefty Has One of the Worst Starts in the History of Earth
Josh Hammer-ton's 469 Foot Bomb to Be Replayed During Fenway 100 Celebration
Still Counting How Many Different Rangers Homered Off Red Sox Pitching
Bobby V's Japan-Style Motivation Speech Did Wonders for Youkilis
Good News: The Red Sox Have Put Green Balloons All Over Town
And Mark Melancon Wanted to Be Our Latex Salesman?
Is That How Things Are Done Around Here, Pedey?

"I thought Jon [Lester, yes the one that pitched last night] had great stuff tonight, down and away. They were fouling some tough pitches off. Jon just kept battling..." -- Bobby V, getting more delusional by the day


BDD / James MacLeod Cartoons
(BDD / James MacLeod Cartoons)

Groans, Groins, and Golden Sombreros


Bobby Falls Into Booby Trap

BDD Photo Illustration / Mr. Punchy
(BDD Photo Illustration / Mr. Punchy)

Will Bobby's Mouth Go South After Youk Gaffe?

Misdirection: "It seems misdirection comes from all sides, players with an entitlement mentality, absentee ownership, and a manager struggling to imprint his brand on a wayward ship.

Even the hero in our story, Dustin Pedroia, reduces himself saying "that's not the way we do things here." In fact, that's exactly how we got to this disturbing place, players dismissing the manager, and ownership bringing a 'task-oriented' manager instead of a 'relationship oriented' skipper.

We hear how players are concerned about 'snitches'. In other words, professionalism matters less than protecting each others' reputations.

Nobody likes to be criticized. And worse than criticism of performance, impugning one's attitude or "commitment" gets our attention.

The manager's job is to get the best performance out of the players. No doubt that a great "process" is required to get the best outcome. But a seven win September last season argues that the laissez-faire, 'boys will be boys' approach no longer worked.

The question (for a team with a bloated payroll and several seasons of underachievement) becomes what approach will work?" ... continued." -- Ron Sen, BDD contributor and founder of Red Sox Reality Check

The Roosevelts: Remember When Babe Ruth Was on the Red Sox?

Why Can't We All
Just Get Along?

Valentine and Pedroia - Jim Davis / Boston Globe
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe)

Red Sox Clubhouse Is Coming Apart at the Seams, Again

Bobby Bashing Continues in Boston Where V Stands for Villain
The Bobby V Show Premiere Causes Clubhouse Chaos and Leaves Many Cliffhangers
Will Dustin Pedroia Be Benched and Suspended for His Total Disrespect of Valentine?
Was Everyone Behind Valentine Until He Sheepishly Apologized for His Honesty?
Was Youk Sulking After Being Benched for the Third Game of the Season?
Should Bobby Take Pedroia to the Woodshed for the Gratuitous Japan Jab?
Will Both Bobby and Pedey Each Have the Letter 'C' Sewn on Their Jerseys By June?
I Know How We Go About Our Stuff Around Here. Sincerely, The 2011 Collapse
Is Youkilis Schilling's Snitch, Or the Fried-Chicken-and-Beer Whisperer?
Ben Cherington's Bumper Sticker: Don't Blame Me, I Voted for Sveum
After the FA Cup Final May 5 at Wembly, Sox Owners Are Going to Look Into This
Is Schilling's Grin Wider Than His Waistband Right Now?

"There were tons of things going around where guys had questions. No [he wasn't singled out by Beckett], I mean, there were things people questioned, stuff like that, normal stuff going on." -- Kevin Youkilis to Gorden Edes on the Thickening Plot

Patriots' Day Sox Box: Boston 0, Tampa Bay 1
And Now Bobby V's Blowing It On the Field, Too
Too [Grady] Little, Too Late to Take Bard Out
V-Youk-Pedroia Marathon Keeps Running

BDD is a feature of Boston.com. The site is not produced by the Boston Globe sports dept.

Boston Globe:

Sox held in check > Ross could return sooner than expected > Why is Ortiz upset? > Ground to cover in outfield > Should Gonzo be an outfielder?

Boston Herald:

Red Sox earn break > Bard admission key pitch > Shoppach turns ire into fire > Lin's catch a game-saver

ProJo:

Red Sox 6, Orioles 5: Bottom of Boston's order rises to the top > Bard is struggling to find his true self > Lin showed up just in time > Bard's control struggles begin with his fastball

NY Post:

Bat Men: Alex & Co. turn power back on in Yakees win > Ageless Pettitte comes through again > Robertson may not get closer role back > Bats do just enough

Following feed provided by
Subscribe to Dirt DogsWhat's RSS?
Name
E-mail
Comment

Please e-mail any images or attachments here.

The "Curt’s Pitch for ALS" program is a joint effort by Curt and Shonda Schilling and The ALS Association Mass Chapter to strike out Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Support SHADE!

The SHADE Foundation thanks Red Sox Nation for joining in their fight to save future generations from melanoma.
Hot Stove, Cool Music
Get the CD. Support Paul and Theo Epstein's Foundation to be Named Later.