Clay Nation
Clay Buchholz
(Getty Images)

The AL Pitcher of the Month Will Receive a Specially Designed Trophy, Suitably Engraved, for His Accomplishment

Boston 10, Toronto 1 | You Can't Spell Clay Without Cy
Hey Mediocre Morris, You Don't Know Jack About Buch
Did You See Those Home Runs Hacksaw Hit?
Middlebrooks Gets Over Mendoza Line
Stephen Drew on the Rise
Everyday Mike Carp?
Yes, Pedroia Singled

"A lot of those guys knew what was coming and still couldn't hit it." -- Red Sox catcher David Ross on Clay Buchholz

Tazawahhh!
 caption info
(AP)

Bullpen Snatches Defeat From the Jaws of Victory

Toronto 9, Boston 7 | Lesterrible From The Start
Records Weren't Meant to Be Broken, But Sox April Record Is Still Pretty Good
Bard About To Pass Hanrahan in the 'Pen Pecking Order
Will Mike Carp Make Us Forget About John Olerud?
Two More Singles for The Laser Show
Ump Was Chump But Salty Stumped
Don't Blame Me, I Voted for Ortiz
Ells Thinking About Contract?
Gomes Dome Run

‘"It was one of those nights for me from pitch one. I just wasn’t able to repeat the ball down in the zone, and that’s big. Curveballs just kind of rolled in there and I didn’t have a very effective changeup." -- Jon Lester looking and sounding like the 2011-12 Jon Lester


Why Not Us?

 caption info

Just Don't Let Them Win Tonight ...

Lack in the Saddle Again
John Lackey
(Jim Rogash / Getty Images)

Arm and Hammer:
Lackey, Ortiz Lead Sox to Sweep of Hapless Astros

Boston 6, Houston 1
As Expected Since February, Red Sox Have the Best Record in MLB on April 29
Everyone in the Media Had the Sox Tying a Club Record for Wins in April
Best Team Ever?

"It feels good. It's been a long time. It's been a lot of hard work to get back to this point and hopefully we can keep it rolling forward... The elbow's fine. I was relieved probably to know I'm going to get my next start, just to come out of it healthy more than anything." -- John Lackey on getting his first win since Aug. 23, 2011


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

Feat of Clay
Clay Buchholz
(AP)

Move Over Pedro, Roger, and Josh, Another Ace
Is Having a Monster April in Boston

Boston 7, Houston 2 | Houston, You Have a Big Papi Problem
Red Hot Sox Have Won 10 of 13

"Last couple of years I've been a slow starter, so it feels good to be out there and have a little bit of confidence early on, and that helps a lot. Guys are playing well behind me. Things are going right." -- Clay Buchholz, starting like the '07 Beckett

Candrew Spirit

Andrew Bailey
(Barry Chin / Globe Staff)

And We Officially Have Ourselves a Closer Controversy

Boston 6, Oakland 5 | Sox Are Out There Grinding
Looks Like Papelbon, Throws Like Papelbon, Is He The Next Papelbon?
The Embattled Stephen Drew Gets Iglesias Mob Off His Back for One Night
Will David Ortiz Hit .500 All Season Long? No, But He Might Homer Soon
Not Exactly a Walk in the Park for Lester. Wait, Actually It Was
How Low Can Middlebrooks Go?
Red Flag? Victorino's Bad Back

"When you look at him, he looks like he’s pitching with his hair on fire, but he’s out there with a definite plan and he’s able to execute it." -- Red Sox John Farrell

"I work, man. I work. I'm old enough to know what I need to do to stay there. Right now I'm not where I want to be, so I'm not trying to juice some balls. I'm trying to stay with what they give me. You see how they pitch me. I got to be patient." -- An F-bomb-free Big Papi

A's Pour It On Alfredo

Boston Dirt Dogs
(Yoon S. Byun / Globe Staff)

On the Bright Side, Lack Will Be Back Sooner Than Later

Boston 0, Oakland 13
Aceves Took On Water While Looking for the Bats to Bail Him Out
The Newest and Most Improved Bartolo, Looks Like the Colon Of Old

"It's hard to figure out what you're going to get out of Alfredo on a given day." -- Red Sox manager John Farrell... yeah, but still, file under the Satan Eyes You Know...

Nap Time
Maguire Art Design
(BDD / MAGUIRE)

Sox Slam A's and Get Back in the Win Column

Boston 9, Oakland 6 | Napoli's Fourth Is Good For Four
Pedroia Streak Over But So Is Middlebrooks Slump
Bailey Locks Up Closer's Job
Jacoby Strong

"I've been feeling good on the road, too, but I just love hitting here. You've got the wall right there and you can get away with some stuff that you don't necessarily have to hit it so good. Sometimes you can hit a pop fly that would be an out at some other parks and it goes off the wall." -- Mike Napoli

Sweep Caroline

Jacoby Ellsbury
(Matthew Lee / Globe Staff)

Royals Flush Sox In Two

Kansas City 4, Boston 2 | Ortiz Returns, But 7-Game Winning Streak Ends
Dempster Can Do Everything But Get a 'W' and Iglesias Would Have Had It
KC 5, Boston 4 | But Webster Doesn't Get Tangled Up in Debut
Miller Picked a Fine Time to Lose Control
Et Tu, Uehara? Butler Did It
We'll Always Have Saturday

"I know that right now, the way I'm throwing the ball, guys are going to work counts and see pitches. I got to be more aggressive in the strike zone and I'm not doing it." -- Red Sox lefthander Andrew Miller

Positive Momentum

Mo
(Mo Vaughn supports Boston in Globe ad)

A Strong Message From Mo Vaughn

We're All on the
Same Team Today

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

Our Thoughts and Prayers Are With the Innocent Victims

You'll Never Walk Alone
Dodgers-Padres brawl
(Jim Davis / Boston Globe Staff)

... Unless Adrian Gonzalez Is Your Late-Arriving First Baseman

Time to Play Brawl for Dodgers-Padres
Sox Bats, Bullpen Soft In Thursday's Loss to O's in Front of 27,704

"Their guy charges the mound being an idiot, and our guy's out for however long. And their guy'll probably be playing in three days. It's a joke." -- Don Mattingly on the Padres-Dodgers brawl

Con Manrahan?

Joel Hanrahan
(AP)

Can Sox Let AL East Keep Goat-Teeing Off On The Closer?

Baltimore 8 Boston 5 | The Mother of All Blown Saves for Hanrahan
The Sun Comes Up, The Sun Goes Down, and Nava Homers
Suddenly the Glass Is Half Empty, And So Is the Park
Is Bailey Ready? Better Yet, Uehara?

"That's the life of a reliever. One day you're a goat, the next day you're a hero. It's just kind of how it goes."-- Red Sox closer-for-the-moment Joel Hanrahan after a horrendous blown save

Hells Yeah!
Boggs
(Globe File Photo)

26. Retire It.

Boggs Believes It's Time to Put '26' On the RF Facade
Oil Can Boyd Gives '26-on-the-Facade' Two Thumbs Up
In Other News: Iglesias Goes Down, Drew In, and Lack on DL

Daniel Boom

Daniel Nava home run
(Jared Wickerham / Getty Images)

Home Sweet Home Opener for Red Sox

Boston 3, Baltimore 1 | One Swing of the Bat Beats O's in Opener
Daniel Nava Senior 3-Run HR Steals the Show, While JBJ Takes a Seat
Buchholz Goes 7 Strong, Works Out of Jams, for Second Straight Win
Bailey's Nails, Hanrahan Gets Save No. 3

"It was special just because it was opening day. I wasn't trying to hit a home run. It just worked out like that but to contribute and get us a lead in a tight game after Buck pitched well is something that I think anyone who stepped in the box in (that) situation was looking to do." -- Daniel Nava postgame


Dumpster Diving for Nava HR Ball

Nava Home Run Ball
(Steve Silva / Boston.com Staff)

Maguire Art Design
(BDD / MAGUIRE)

Will Power
Will Middlebrooks
(AP)

It's a Home Run Threepeat for Misslebrooks
And a Nightmare for Toronto's Dream Team

Boston 13, Toronto 0 | Lesterrific and The Will Middlebrooks Show
Ho Hum, Just Six Home Runs for the Murder's Row Red Sox
Red Sox Remain Optimistic on Lackey's Latest Recovery
Edes: Fenway Should Be Scene of Hardball Revival
Follow All the Opening Day Shenanigans Here
Middlebrooks Robinson for MVP?

“Three homers, two streakers and about seven paper airplanes on the field. It was a crazy day all around." -- Will Middlebrooks postgame comments on WEEI

Dream Come True

Napoli Goes Deep
(AP)

Sox Finally Power Up, 'Pen Mightier, Again

Boston 6, Dream Team 4
Rise and Shine: It's Nap Time: The Meatball Goes Deep for Boston's First HR
Farrell Really Shaken Up By Nasty Chants and Signs ... Keep Dreamin' Jays Fans
Jackie Bradley Bumbles: So What's the Math on That 2019 Thing Again?
Could Stephen Drew Be Booed By Default on Opening Day?
More Little Big Things from Victorino, 'F-YEAH!' Gomes
When Will Farrell Name Koji Uehara Captain Already?
Ciriaco the Super Sub, Again

"Anytime you get this kind of atmosphere at home or on the road, this is what guys thrive on. To have that kind of atmosphere, we'll take it every night. I think anybody in a gray uniform was going to take it in some form or fashion." -- Red Sox manager John Farrell not the least bit fazed by the fake fan fury in Toronto

"Friend says watching a game in Toronto is like watching baseball with subtitles. So when Jays fans booed Juan Nieves, was it because they don't know the difference between Juan and John, they never forgave Nieves for signing with Brewers over Jays when he graduated from Avon Old Farms in '83 or they don't yet know for whom to cheer?" -- Peter Gammons peels back the onion on Blue Jay Nation

Old Yankee Tickets Number Now a Sex Chat Line ...
Tom Werner to Staff: 'Why Didn't We Think of That?!?

Old Schooled

Andy Pettitte
(AP)

Pettitte, Rivera Shut Down Powerless Sox

New York 4, Boston 2 | | Yankees Can't Lose 'Em All
The Curse of Lyle Overbay Comes Back to Haunt Sox in Series Finale
Victorino the Latest Addition to the Great Hesitations in Red Sox History Reel
Hip, Hip... But No Hooray: Napoli's Slugging .143 On the Young Season
No Patience With Pettitte: Yankee Doodle Andy Throws Just 94 Pitches
Hop, Hop, Hooray: David Ross Guns Down Two at Second
How They Drew It Up: Red-Hot Iglesias To Get Demoted
Bard Can Easily Do What Mortensen Did Last Night
Ryan Dempster Pitches Just Well Enough to Lose
Frozen in Time: Jackie Bradley Jr's 9th Inning
Bright Side: Game Over in 2:38
Fenway Stinks

“He really knows what he’s doing.” -- JBJ on Mariano


The Red Sox Could Use a Man Like
Manny Right About Now



Why Can't We Get Announcers Like That?

Trump/JBJ in 2016?

Donald Trump and Jackie Bradley, Jr.

Now, That's the Ticket

Jackie Bradley, Jr. Is The Celebrity Apprentice
Boston 7, Old York 4 | A Tremendous Feat of Clay
With Two Outs, Sox Have Yanks Right Where They Want Them
Playing Nava and Batting Him 2d in Game 2? Genius
Will JBJ and His .167 AVE Be Sent Down? Nope
Hey Satan Eyes, You're Messing Up the 'Pen
The Forgotten Youngster: Jose Iglesias, Sr.
Middlebrooks Will Eventually Get a Hit
Is Vernon Wells The Real Steal?
Any More Hanrahan Questions?
Sox 2-0, Can You Trump This?

"The last two years still are fresh on everybody's minds, so definitely feels good to come out and win the first couple of games. Especially here, because it's made such a big deal for us to play here and open up here." -- Red Sox 1-0 starter Clay Buchholz

LA Story

The Good: Adrian 'The Cooler' Gonzalez Batting Just .111
The Bad: Carl 'Crybaby' Crawfraud Has An OPS of 1.267
The Ugly: Same Old Beckett, 0-1 With 4.50 ERA

Print the World Series Tickets Right Now

Red Sox postgame
(Elsa / Getty Images)

Red Sox Run Past Yankees for Opening Day Win in the Bronx

Red Sox 8, Yankees 2 | Sox Cruise to Victory at The Stadium
JBJ Does Everything Imaginable... Except Get a Hit | Shaughnessy on JBJ
Fever Pitch: 102 Temps Buried Middlebrooks, But What's Napoli's Excuse?
Finn: Just the Way the Sox Drew It Up | RadioBDC Opening Day Replay
Edes: JBJ's Mom and Dad Saw This Coming
Shane Victorino Surprises with His Bat
Photos Of the Win in the Bronx Here
How 'Bout That Bullpen?

"Twenty or 30 years from now, I can say ‘When I opened up, we got a win,' That’s pretty good. It’s definitely special to be able to contribute on your first day." -- Jackie Bradley Jr., postgame


CC You Later Yanks!

Gomes
(AP)

"How you saw it today is how we can win a lot of ballgames... it was kind of all there really." -- Jonny Gomes on the win

Let's Roll
Sox Will Crush the Yankees in Opener
(Boston Dirt Dogs / Jamison Odone Illustration)

Sox Set to Crush Yanks in Opener

Cherington's Offense Will Shine Like the April Sun Today
The Boston Defenders Will Catch Every Ball That's Hit in Play
CC's Certainly Not Ready for Prime Time; Yanks Are Older Than Dirt
Always an Ace Jon Lester Gets Set to Battle for a Cy Young Award
The Sox Are Already in First Place, With 95 Wins on the Horizon
All Is Perfect in Red Sox Nation Today

By Bob Ekstrom for Boston Dirt Dogs

Opening Day. The jewel of spring. A metaphor of hope that will turn to fool's gold in many baseball towns before the iris blooms. In a sense, it's an occasion well-suited for permanent residence on April Fool's Day, yet this is only the fourth time in MLB history the two have coincided.

This year's convergence of baseball and foolery seems particularly appropriate in Red Sox Nation. Against the backdrop of epic collapses the last two seasons, the baseball gods will find us an abundant source of merriment, entirely predisposed to be taken in by their pranks. They'll exploit our longing for discount beers, get-one-free hot dogs, and a return to the green fields of 2007, and tantalize us with a prognostication that by summer will have proven too good to be true. Today, all we have to do is believe and winter can be spring.

But in the believing comes a claim on our souls. The realist in each of us knows there's no column for faith in won-lost standings. Our team simply swings the bat and tries to hit it where they ain't more than the other guys do. Nevertheless, we'll churn every ounce of rationalism into baking this Sox edition into contenders. That's our end of an implicit contract in which Yawkey Way pledges to forever again abstain from uttering the phrase 'bridge year.' We call it feeding the monster, and where are we in the end? Inevitably, at the front end of another cold winter.

That's when Opening Day is born. It starts as a fleck of light in deepest January, as if shone through the pinhole of thick construction paper, but it steadily grows into a fiery sun unto itself. It makes us ask ourselves, what if this time is different? What if we're not the butt end of an annual joke?

This Sox squad could be the ringing telephone whose earpiece is not covered in shaving cream. Worst-to-first has certainly been done enough to make us want to answer it. Look no further than the 2007 Chicago Cubs or the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays. Last year's Red Sox were the previous year's Orioles - 69 wins and dead last. Is it unreasonable to expect this more-talented team to go at least as far as a wild card entrant?

Opening Day is a svelte John Lackey. It's a healthy Will Middlebrooks. Stolen glimpses of the form that brought Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz to no-hitter fame. A warm hello to Jackie Bradley Jr. and a farewell tour for Jacoby Ellsbury, the last rookie to garner this much attention and who is with us today by the grace of some forethought back in 2007 that is being vilified in 2013.

Baseball writer Red Smith once likened Opening Day to crepes suzette for breakfast or a circus that opens with the tigers uncaged. George Vescey says it gives him the sense of beating back the forces of darkness. For Mark Newman, it's a shiny mirror in which to look at ourselves and see how much our lives have changed.

In New England, there is change this spring. Opening Day is the return of a team with on-field focus and off-field passion that has been missing in The Fens for a very long time. They are again the lean, hungry mass whom success has not yet jaded. They are Rocky I, the Josey Wales Clint Eastwood, Whiskey A Go-Go Jim Morrison before his lounge act sound on L.A. Woman.

Today is a knock on the door. Sure, it's April Fool's Day, and there very well may be a flaming bag of dog feces at the step with John Henry, Larry Lucchino, and Tom Werner crouching behind a bush somewhere, holding back the giggles. But there may also be a bright spring day waiting on the other side.

After this long winter, I'm willing to take that chance.

Chip Benson: The Monster That Ate Fenway

Sox Finally Sour on 'Sweet Caroline'



B D D   E X C L U S I V E:

Brian Evans' Song 'At Fenway' Will Replace 'Sweet Caroline' as the Eighth Inning Sing-a-Long at Fenway Park Starting on Opening Day

Neil Diamond 'Irate' About Decision to Replace Longtime Fenway Fan Tune
Werner, Steinberg Look Forward to 'Hitting a New High Note' With Red Sox Nation

April 1, 2013: With the start of the Red Sox season just hours away, Boston Dirt Dogs has learned that the Neil Diamond cult hit 'Sweet Caroline' will no longer be the song blaring from the speakers during the eighth inning break at Fenway Park this season.

'At Fenway,' a tribute to Fenway Park by Haverhill native Brian Evans, a.k.a. The Crooner, will take the baton at America's Most Beloved Little Bandbox, beginning next Monday during the Red Sox home opener against the Orioles.

“At Fenway,” which was coincidentally released last week on video, was recently included in the library at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. And just like the case was with "Sweet Caroline," "At Fenway" will play before the home half of the eighth inning no matter what the score of the game is.

The Red Sox brass behind this effort, specifically Tom Werner and Dr. Charles Steinberg, are reportedly hoping fans sing this part of the chorus aloud: "Gonna spend the day, over at Fenway. Gonna see them hit that ball ... a mile high. No matter where you sit. You’re in heaven for a little bit. It’s gonna be a great day, At Fenway."

In addition, William Shatner, who stars in the video above, is expected to throw out the first pitch when the Red Sox take on the Orioles in the home opener next Monday at 2 p.m. And while you are digesting this story, don't forget to look back at our Red Sox news on this date in 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004.

Jim Rice and Brian Evans

Jackie Bradley Major

Jackie Bradley Jr.
(Matthew J. Lee / Boston Globe Staff)

He's Sexy and the Red Sox Know It
2013 Opening Day Roster Set, JBJ Will Be in Left Tomorrow

Henry Forced to Stick 2019 In His Wallet as JBJ Forces His Way Into 2013 Lineup
Finally, the Official News We've All Been Waiting for... Mike Carp Makes the Team!
Mannywood, Pt. 2: Manny ... and Johnny Cueto... Are Already Big Hits In Taiwan
As An Outfielder, Jonny Gomes Makes Manny Ramirez Look Like Willie Mays
Buster Olney: JBJ Looks Like He's Going To Be Boston's Derek Jeter
Wilbur: Song Remains the Same for Red Sox: Insult Our Intelligence
JBJ Gets Free Chicken for a Year: Chick-fil-A Has a 'JBJ Special'
Just Read the Comments About the Red Sox April 'Sale'

Cherington Also Expects JBJ on the NY Bound Plane

"I think things are looking good for Jackie. Expect him to come north. Barring anything unforeseen, I think there is a good chance he'll be in New York with us... The plane leaves tomorrow, and I'd expect him to be on it." -- Red Sox GM Ben Cherington to Tony Massarotti on 98.5 the Sports Hub's Baseball Reporters show talking about Jackie Bradley Jr.'s chances to make the major league roster for Opening Day on Friday

The Future Is Now

Jackie Bradley, Jr.
(AP)

And 2019 Is a Million Years Away So #StartJBJ

Update: Moving Bradley to the Left Is the Right Thing to Do
The Sun Comes Up, The Sun Goes Down, and JBJ Goes 2-for-4
Jonny Gomes Puts the Brakes on Jackie Bradley Jr. Mania
Has Anyone Told Victorino He's Moving Over to Left Field, Yet?
Survey: Where Should JBJ Start the Season?

"Farrell said Thursday he does not see Bradley playing left field, which means if he sticks, the Red Sox would have to be prepared to shift Shane Victorino from right to left, a position he played last season for the Los Angeles Dodgers but had not been ticketed to play for the Sox, especially in Fenway Park." -- ESPNBoston.com

Can't Take the Heat?

The James Gang: John Henry, LeBron James, Tom Werner
(BDD Photo Illustration)

Then Step Away from John Henry and Tom Werner's Kitchen

Fenway Sports Group's Kingpin Too Much for Boston Celtics

"There are very few sportsmen who can match his global reach, appeal and iconic status... We’re going to be able to focus on how to create opportunities for LeBron." -- Red Sox chairman Tom Werner

"What FSM does for Roush Fenway, Liverpool and the Red Sox, we will now do for LeBron James... This represents the next step in our evolution, to represent one of the most recognizable athletes on the planet." -- Red Sox COO Sam Kennedy

Worth a Roll?
Dice-K
(BDD Photo Illustration)

If the Red Sox Need Starting Pitching Depth,
Who Better to Answer the Bell Than The Japanese Treasure?

Can John Farrell Work His Magic With Dice-K After June 1?
We Really Love Our $51,111,111.11 Toilets. Sincerely, The Seibu Lions

"In Japan, he's known as the national treasure. Here, he will be known as Fort Knox." -- Scott Boras, agent for Daisuke Matsuzaka, Dec. 11, 2006

Happy St. Fatrick's Day

BDD - Steve Garberg Illustration
(BDD Photo Illustration / Steve G.)

... From the King of Beer Bellies

"In Boston, it was different, but it was a fun different. It doesn't get much better than 7 o'clock to 10 o'clock in Boston, the fans, and everything like that." -- Josh Beckett... "everything like that" is code for having a couple of cold ones from the best field seats at Fenway

Beckett Bringing It in LA: 0.96 ERA, 11 K, 3 BB, 4 Hits in 9 1/3 Innings
In Happier News: Another Encouraging Outing from John Lackey

Happy St. Patrick's Day!...
Here’s to a long life and a merry one
A quick death and an easy one
A pretty girl and an honest one
A cold beer – and another one!

This Just In
590_schillingpope_bdd.jpg

Source: Curt Schilling the New Favorite to Be Next Pope

BDD has learned through someone unfamiliar with the thinking of the papal conclave that Curt Schilling, a favorite of the baseball and gaming press, is now the frontrunner to become the new pope after three rounds of voting, an indication of disagreements about the direction of the Catholic church following the upheaval unleashed by Pope Benedict XVI’s surprise resignation. ... Stay tuned to BDD, your Black Smoke headquarters, for more late-breaking developments

Manny Being Rhino

Manny the Rhino
(AP)

Some Far East Movement for Manny Ramirez

Let the Long Road Back to Boston Begin
Manny Signs with Taiwan Rhinos

"I don’t think about the money and contract. I just think it is a great opportunity for me and the fans." -- Manny Ramirez of the Taiwan Rhinos

#KEEPJBJ
Jackie Bradley, Jr.
(AP)

You Gotta Play JBJ, MLB Everyday, From Day 1

A Home Run, 3 Hits, and Two More RBIs, for JBJ and His .519 AVG
But Fish Walk Off With Win and Red Sox Fall Under .500 on GFL Season
Waiting in the Wings | Nurse Jackie?

Crawfraud Exposed

Boston Dirt Dogs - Carl Crawford
(Boston Dirt Dogs)

The Theo Epstein Detective Agency Uncovers the Source of the Negative Coverage of Carl Crawford in Boston

The Crawford Diaries Made Carl Crawful Look Gutless! ...
By... Wait For It... Carl Crawford, ESPNBoston.com
Shaughnessy: Crawford Was Treated with Kid Gloves Compared to The Kid
The Powder Puff Boston Media Lodge Kissed CC's Behind from Start to Finish Here
So Naturally He Blames Them for Being One of the Most Miserable Players in History
Hey Carl, Don't Forget, Tomorrow's Puff, Puff, Pass Tuesday. Sincerely, Snoop Dogg
At the End of the Day, Carl Crawford Was Lee Tinsley with a $142M Contract
And Forget Disabled David Ortiz and the 2013 Bridge Sox, Liverpool Is Up to No. 6!

"Unfortunately, we did not get on the roll we were hoping for after Friday's victory. Ortiz said recently he thought we should panic. I try not to panic at all. But as you're coming to the end of the regular season, you definitely get a little worried. You definitely have to worry a little bit. We have a team like the Rays who wants our spot. At this time of year, they're a real dangerous team because they're young and they're playing with the house's money. It's like if they lose, they'll say they weren't supposed to win. If they win, then they say 'Look what we did.' They get to play real relaxed that way. Either way it goes, it's a win for them, that definitely makes a team dangerous, especially when you have young and talented players like that.

crawford_diary_134.jpg "Why can't we be consistent? I don't know. This time of year it gets hard and guys are banged up. All kind of little things are happening. I wish I had the answer to that. Maybe we'll win seven in a row. Be good to get that rolling when we go to Yankee Stadium...

"I want to end the diary saying something to the fans of Boston. I just want to say I'm sorry for the year I've had. You guys have been really supportive and I appreciate that. Hopefully when we get into these playoffs, I can be the real Carl Crawford that I know I am. We'll see." -- Carl Crawford, The Crawford Diaries, ESPNBoston.com


OK, Fine, There Was Some Other Evidence of Negative Media Coverage Uncovered by the Theo Epstein Detective Agency ...



And Then There's This, But Hey, Lack and Dice Finished Ahead of Him

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

Boston Globe:

Bullpen a success story > Sox sweep Twins > Drew sits out again > Ortiz haunts Twins > Farrell's patience rewarded > Ellsbury day off

Boston Herald:

Rain delay can't put damper on Sox > Pedroia's game for everything > Lackey scripts feel-good comeback > Farrell: Sox never lost focus during delay

ProJo:

Gomes happy to have home base with Sox > Drew again forced to sidelines > Bailey declares himself ready to return > Struggling Ellsbury gets rest day

NY Post:

After Yankees washed out, Romine hopes for more time to prove worth > Sabathia glad he didn't have to waste start > Brignac eager for Yanks debut

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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.

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