Home

Box Score and Schedules

Yesterday's News

Barks & Bites

Second Page

20/20

Hardball

2 0 0 4

 BACK FOR MORE


First Things
First Baseman

Are we buying or selling?


Bambino's Curse

Baseball Almanac

Baseball America

Baseball News Blog

Baseball Zeitgeist

Baseball Prospectus

Baseball-Reference.com

Bronx Banter

BoSox Club

El Guapo's Ghost

ESPN Red Sox Clubhouse

Fenway Nation

Firebrand of the AL

JohnnyDamon.net

The Joy of Sox

MLB Players Association

RedSox.com

The Remy Report

Retrosheet

Rotoworld.com

Show Me the Money

Sox Prospects

The Soxaholix

20/20

Barks and Bites

Baseball and Football

Bob Lobel Chat

Catching the Bus

Cowboy Up!

The Critical Moment

Dirt Dogs History

Don't Blame Buckner

Edesdropping

Evil Empire

Grady's Defense, pt. 2

Hench's Hardball

Illustrator Answers

The Lucchinos

Millar Time!

The Nation Speaks

Nine Eleven

Sale of the Century

Second Page

Theo Epstein Chat

Theoretically Speaking

Yankees Suck?

Yesterday's News

2002: Strike Out

2001: A Sox Odyssey


Chat and Discussion

MR24 and The Crib

Manny's own Red Sox discussion board

"I like to be fun... life is
too short... I know I'm trying my best... no problem Papi." - Manny

RedSoxNation.net

Join the discussion now

The interview room: Youkilis, Robert Parker, Johnny Pesky, Daubach, Leigh Montville, more.

The Remy Report

Remdawg's board

NYYfans.com

Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer

Sons of Sam Horn

The Nitpicked Venue of
Red Sox Nation

"Slavish" - Sean McAdam

"The Internet geeks are getting all the interviews"
- WEEI's Glenn Ordway


 HEADLINES

2004

May

April

March

February

January

2003

December

November

October

September

August

July

June

May

April

March

February

January

2002

2001


Please email for more information or questions.

Contents Copyright 2001-2004 Boston Dirt Dogs, except logos used in accordance with the Fair Use provision (section 107) of U.S. Copyright Act.

Photographic images posted with permission of Associated Press unless otherwise indicated.




Sun. Feb. 29

Best Performance for a Motion Pitcher

Roll Out the Red Carpet
for Pedro

"Quality of the stuff after that considerable layoff? In the opinion of one trained observer, "ridiculous." Martinez threw 49 pitches from the bullpen late Sunday morning and the results were typically sparkling. "The only word (pitching coach) Dave Wallace used was 'ridiculous,' "said Sox manager Terry Francona." - Pedro precise in session.

Billy Crystal does A-Rod to Yankees bit with disappointed Sox fan in Academy Awards opener.


Right Out of Left Field

"Then there's Manny Ramirez. "Some of the stuff in the offseason bothered me," says Ramirez, who went to the Dominican for three weeks before spring training to get in special hitting and conditioning before reporting in the best shape of his career. "I understand the trade, some of the other stuff. But it hurt me when people say I am a 'cancer' or 'a bad person.' I'm not, my teammates know that. I'm not perfect, but I'm a good person. I just hope to have a big year. You know what I'm proud of? That I've really improved in left field. I want to stay there. Trot Nixon's the best in right. I want to be the best in left."

"Manny can be in la la land," says Martinez. "But he is a great hitter, maybe the best right-handed hitter in the game, and players like him because he is a very nice man. People don't realize that he gets to the park and does his weight work during the season at 9:30 in the morning. He goes home, naps, has lunch and comes to the park to hit at 2. I'll put my hand in the fire for the three hardest working men on our team -- Jason Varitek, Trot Nixon and Manny Ramirez." - Good stuff from Gammons

(And no one said you were a 'cancer' or 'a bad person' Manny, you're just 'a lovable goofball'... who wanted to go to the Yankees last summer)


Deron Snyder Gets His Manny

After years of tracking down the elusive superstar, Snyder gets exclusive while Ramirez stiffs Boston fans and media again, and vows to be silent for another season.

(Here's the scoop, Deron knows Manny from his days in Cleveland)

Manny (and what Manny forgot to say): “I can’t be mad at anybody (John Henry tried to accommodate me as he said many times). I’m happy to be back with the guys (just wish those guys were in the Bronx). What happened in the winter happened, and it’s in the past (I wanted to go to the Yankees, they tried to stick my toes in Texas). In this business you do what you have to do (cash big ass paychecks, take some good swings, call it a day). I’m not going to get down on myself (because I asked out and now I'm stuck here). Being with the guys has always been what I look forward to (and these guys will have to do). I have five years left, and I’d like to stay here and finish my career in Boston (no need to play after 2008 since Duquette emptied out the Yawkey Trust for me). I never thought it was a done deal (like those Dirt Dog bastards). That deal’s not going to happen (Texas wouldn't pay my ridiculous contract either). Me and Nomar have been too good to the Sox for that deal to happen (Alright I'm kidding, they would have sent us packing in a New York minute if there were any takers). My agent called and told me about the waivers (I requested through him). I was a little bit mad (at Steinbrenner for not grabbing me right away). But I said this is a business (so I'll give the Boston writers the business by talking to you, not them and their readers in Boston). Baseball doesn’t need me. I need baseball (Mato wrote that line for me this morning, what do you think?). I’m always happy when I’m hanging around with the guys (I just pretend I don't play for the Red Sox). I’m still the same guy (work hard, take good swings, cash checks, get out of there). There are probably some people who think I’m difficult because I don’t talk that much in the press (but I have no desire to communicate with the fans who follow this team, sorry). But I get along with everybody. I’m not mad at the press (I just enjoy stiffing them like this, maybe I'll go on the internet next just to piss them off more). They have a job to do (but I'm never going to help them do it no matter what Lucchino wants). If I was in that position, that would be my job and I’d do it, too (maybe I'll become a sportswriter in 2009 and give myself an exclusive with me). I’m not mad just because sometimes they write some stuff (hey, it's all true)."
- Ft. Myers News Press Exclusive


Next week, Manny will sit down with the Poughkeepsie PennySaver for a
three-part exclusive interview.

Gordon Edes can just hold his breath.


Trot's Not About the Money

(are you listening Nomar? Pedro?)

"Money's great, but it's not what makes the world turn," Nixon said. "I think a lot of people really believe that it does, but it's not. Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful, the comfort, the stability I'll have for the next three years. The biggest thing is, I want to win a championship here. If other guys aren't looking for that in this clubhouse, then it's time to move on and go elsewhere." - Trot Nixon to Dave Heuschkel of The Courant.


Chasing Millar

Chasing Steinbrenner is the story of two journeys through baseball's most warped division. It chronicles the 2003 season of both the Red Sox and Blue Jays, and the people who run them. A few of the chapters regarding the Red Sox include the Contreras/Millar off-season, following Theo during opening day, and the inner-workings of a trading deadline deal.


"There were suggestions that he might commit suicide if he couldn’t bring Kevin back to Nagoya. The man from Chunichi even asked the Millars for bank account numbers, Kevin’s or his dad’s, to put chunks of Chunichi money into (again, Chuck was tempted). Understanding the Japanese’s end-of-the-world approach wasn’t easily accomplished."

Exclusive Excerpts from Chasing Steinbrenner: 

Now, with these strangers from a strange land putting the heat on, Kevin was being reminded of the family's mantra. "It!" was tattooed on his arm, and it was being ingrained in his brain.

Midway through the group's second meeting, it was Chuck who almost allowed his son's preparation and pre-get-together focus to slide into oblivion.

Kevin's dad initially appeared to be on his game, telling the Chunichi folks that with the impending military action in Iraq he wanted his entire family to be stateside. Chuck still had two sons in elementary school and didn't want them worrying about their big brother's safety overseas.

Team Chunichi said no problem, the team would put the kids up in one of the area's best schools and hire a security detail to protect them. And if that wasn't enough, the Dragons offered Chuck $1 million and a house. That's when the kicking started.

Kevin saw the look on his dad's face, and didn't like what he saw. The son started booting his father under the table, leading the pair to take an impromptu bathroom break. Once in the rest room the Millars just broke into laughter. Chuck was a lab technician who would commonly work two shifts a day, but was on the verge of turning his back on $1 million and a free house. It was all too surreal.

If there weren't going to be laughs, there would be tears … some tears of frustration, but more tears of joy. The kid who didn't even hit cleanup for his youth baseball team was now telling his dad to politely dismiss more 0's on one check than either had thought they would see in a lifetime.

The Millars had come a long way, with a hotel bathroom suddenly serving as the journey's most memorable checkpoint. - Read more of Chasing Steinbrenner and the Millar saga


Sat, Feb. 28

Freeze Frame

Bobby Jones and Pokey Reese Take Baseball Card Photos in Forty Degree Temps


Fri. Feb. 27

JESUS SHAVES!

(just kidding, but wanted to get that headline in...
yes, that's venerable Disco DJ Vinnie Peruzzi)

Pedro 15 minutes late to "How to Deal with the Media" meeting
while Manny cruises in and out :-)


Pedro Sick of "Pedro"

(and WEEI)

2.27.04: Boston Herald, Gerry Callahan: He said some people - he's not sure who - accused him of faking an illness last season to avoid pitching against the Yankees. He said that was bad, but this was worse. He said some people on the radio were making fun of him while he was in a Boston hospital last week caring for his sick, 5-year-old son. He said those people were accusing him of showing up late to spring training this year for no good reason.

"And my son's lying there in bed,'' he said. "How would you feel? The doctors were more upset than I was. They heard about it and they wanted to write a letter, but I said I didn't need that. I'm just tired of it. I'm tired of talking, I'm tired of being the guy everybody comes to. I'm tired of everything.''

When he says everything, he means it. Moments before he lashed back at his stealth critics, Martinez was engulfed in Sox fans, signing autographs and smiling for photographs for hundreds of giddy snowbirds for half an hour. At one point, the crowd broke into a chant of "Ped-ro! Ped-ro!'' It was a nice gesture, but he really doesn't want to hear it anymore.

"I'm tired of my name,'' he said. "Hey, Pedro, Pedro, Pedro. That's all I hear. Pedro, Pedro, Pedro. I want to change my name.''  - Pedro's the man


Schilling Plays Hardball with Bonds

"The balls are softer"

"That's crap"

On Bonds' claim the baseballs are softer lately... "That's crap. We have better young pitchers coming up and some of the hitters are a little smaller lately.

On the Yankees A-Rod addition... "I dropped an f-bomb, like most Sox fans. I know one thing though...one player can't win you a championship. If we don't win the World Series, we can blame anyone but ourselves."

On the Yankees'/Steinbrenner's style... "It's funny how we criticize winning in America. What he's (Steinbrenner) doing is within the rules. They're not cheating. If you look at what they do, they put more of their revenue into their payroll than any team. That's why the are in it every year." - 2.25 - Schilling with ESPN radio's Dan Patrick

"It's clear just seeing his body" - Turk Wendell


Thu. Feb. 26

A Little Scary

Theo looks like he saw a ghost


Walking on Water, Manny being Manny

Jesus Returns

Rain Manny Too!

Devil's haircut?
What Would Johnny Do?

Last one in is fit and trim.
And all ten toes are in Boston

"After Ramirez refused to pinch hit at Veterans Stadium, 10 of his teammates went to Grady Little and told the former manager to bench Ramirez. If you don't do something, they told Little, you are going to lose this team." - Michael Holley, Boston Globe

(And the insane clown posse still blames "the media" for the incident)


BMWhaat?

Schilling BMW .gif courtesy of SoSH's manny25

Shaughnessy Spinning His Wheels

"Schilling's cars have made a big splash in Fort Myers. The white BMW (760) with the spinning hubcaps is nifty, and then there's the vintage Hummer that changes colors depending on where you stand (blue to purple to green to teal)." - 2.21 Globe, Shaughnessy (Look for a correction in the Globe this week)

But It's Not Curt's Car

"Just for clarities sake, and for the sake of good honest reporting, I don't own a "Beemer", nor do I have hubcaps that spin, though my son does on his John Deere Tractor I think." - 2.21 Curt Schilling

Schill Gets Excellent Mileage in Florida

"Just something as stupid as... I don't own a white Beemer, how that got out that I don't... and then when you find out that the guy checked with the clubhouse guy to get his facts, my concern is that if you can't figure out that I'm not driving two cars to the park every day, you know, we're gonna have trouble here in August." - 2.24 CS on D&C WEEI


Wed. Feb. 25

PROS AND CONTRACTS

Not a Happy Camper

"How Would You Feel?"

Nomar News Conference:  The seat still fits. Can you believe after these three months, I'm still here in Fort Myers? That's pretty good. I'm glad. I was like, man, I wonder if the seats are still warm. They're still warm, which is nice.

I'll tell you what, from my standpoint right now, all of this stuff is in the past, at least it's going to be put past me for the next eight months. I'm excited about our team.

I agreed a couple of years ago not to talk about details of the contracts, and I'm still going to uphold that promise on my part. Talks have been going on. There have been some discussions back and forth. Where are they at right now? Where we're at right now is I'm here at Spring Training working out and getting ready to go. I'm going to fulfill that contract (I signed). We assumed we were going to resume the talks at the end of the season. But they were focused on something else. Who knows how its going to go from hereon out. I didn't know what camp I was going to come into this year. Right now all I can look into is one day at a time.

I talked to Kevin, he's probably going to take me out to dinner tonight. All you guys are invited. We put that behind us, and now everything is really good. ...I was probably surprised when I heard about it (A-Rod to NY). I'm not about enhancing my position, that's not what I'm focused on.

On his future in Boston: It's just day to day, 'cause that's all I can go by right now. That remains to be seen and everything and I'm not really worried about that (next contract), and I'll let have someone else kind of focus on that and take care of that for me, cause that's really what I pay them good money to them as well and my job is really to go out there and play the game, that's really what I'm really focused on looking at that when that time comes and it's something that I can really look at, and take serious, then I'll address that issue when it comes. Continued


Gammons says Nomar Negotiations Not Going Well.

The Red Sox look at it like 'well, you know, if you take the numbers, Edgar Renteria is the same player as Nomar Garciaparra, and Cabrera isn't that far down below. I don't know if their willing to go to $16 million, I don't think Nomar is going to be willing to cave in." - Peter Gammons on Nomar

"Nomar understandably isn't real happy. His last meeting with Theo and Lucchino didn't go well, as he felt Henry might well have been there. No hometown discount. Hometown could have been Comiskey Park... The Dodgers are not going to be a $100m team, and Paul DePodesta will be hard to buy on Nomar... He will never make excuses, but I think he had a tired wrist at the end of the season. I am told he is in unbelievable shape, and while his relationship with the club, may be strained, he is up for his best season since '99."

- 2.23: Peter Gammons on TheRemyReport.com

"Nomar will leave treadmarks getting out of Boston next winter. "

- 2.23: Another National Sportswriter


Pedro is in the House
(but is he running for the House that Ruth built?)

"I think the hammer is with Pedro, this (A-Rod to NY) impacts him much more than Nomar, because clearly the Red Sox have become obsessive about the Yankees, and let's face it, the hammer out, their worst scenario is Pedro ending up a Yankee. Which I think Steinbrenner would go for in a heartbeat, if he went out on the market."
- Peter Gammons on Pedro


"I'm just gonna go and compete like I have to. Like a professional, for my year contract, that I have and if they don't want to sign me, that's fine, I'm pretty sure I'll probably get a job with somebody else. But if they do, I'll be more than happy to stay here."
- Pedro Martinez

On expectations:  Game 7 is over, let's move on... I hope it is that we are the team to beat, but I don't want to say it, I want to do it, that's the main role. We have to go out there and prove it, not just talk. Yapping you won't win ballgames.

On he and Schilling to push each other to higher levels: No. I don't expect anybody to push me. I expect to be healthy and push myself. I don't need anybody to push me. I would like to help him and I would like him help me when I need him, if I need any advice or something he can pick up, but I don't think I need an extra push.

Anything different this off-season: I rested a little bit more, I rested for like a month and a half and it paid off because I gained  the 10 lbs. I lost last year and I feel great physically. I actually feel like in those young days when it was easy to pick up a ball and just gas it somewhere, so I hope I can maintain that.

On Zimmer incident and (making up with New York for some reason): I don't need to call him, he doesn't need to call me. I didn't do anything wrong. I was trying to protect the man, and he kind of tried to punch me, so I had to let him go. I was totally aware that I did not want to hurt the man. I did not intend to hurt him or throw him on the ground. I just had to let him go because he tried to hurt me, he tried to punch me and he was very embarrassed and he apologized. I didn't feel like I had to because I didn't do anything wrong, I went out there like everybody does whenever there's a fight, and I would do it again, and this time I hope I don't find somebody like Zimmer and I would do whatever to protect my teammates and I'm pretty sure he understands that, and that's the only reason I went out. I didn't go out there with the intentions to hit Zimmer or anybody. I actually respect him a lot. I respect Joe Torre and the whole coaching staff. When I went to my head like this I just said "I remember" not "I'm gonna plunk somebody on the head." I'm a professional and I know what a life is to a person, so I did not mean to say "I'm hitting you in the head" like a lot of the people in New York actually, put in the papers, I just said "I will remember" in Spanish to Jorge, I remember what you're saying and that he mentioned my mamma's name, in a bad way.

On going into the season without a contract: No that won't bother me, I'm actually aware that it's not up to me to get a new contract, I'm just gonna go and compete like I have to. Like a professional, for my year contract, that I have and if they don't want to sign me, that's fine, I'm pretty sure I'll probably get a job with somebody else. But if they do, I'll be more than happy to stay here.

There are no talks, none. And I'm not expecting it, I'm not looking forward to it. I just expecting to work this year and actually let them make the move. The ball's is in their court. Continued

Tues. Feb 24

On "Dirt Dogs" Gaining Value in the Post Steroid Age

"Absolutely. With the threat of testing last year, no one hit 50 homers. This spring, heads and necks may seem smaller, and we will hear the expression "personal nutritionist" ad nauseum. Good, I want to see the Nixons, Variteks, Millars, Ortiezes, et al do well."

- 2.23: Peter Gammons on TheRemyReport.com


Juice Guy

Orange Juice On the Juice Off the Juice


Mon. Feb. 23

He's Insulted

Steinbrenner's Mad as Hell Over Henry's Remarks

Georgie Porgie will file a grievance with Commissioner

(Hello dummy, let's face it – you put the 'suck' in success you hockey puck of an owner)

Padres owner John Moores: "George is one of the most profoundly selfish people I've ever known. I don't know if Steinbrenner is losing his mind as he gets older. I guess he wants to win 162 games a season. This is one terribly bad deal."


Big Daddy Arrives

Ortizzle Only Spoke to Manny Once this Offseason

"I had a good relationship with Manny and Manny doesn't talk much. I don't know what he's got on his mind right now. Manny's a bagful of news and I just hope everything works out the way everybody expects.... I always say that it's good to love the game but it's not good to get in love with the team that you play for because things happen... Boston is a great place to be," Ortiz said, "but tomorrow you don't know where you're going to be." - David Ortiz 2.23


Sun. Feb. 22

It's a stretch to say "injured" but

Foulke (and Schilling) Tweak Calves in Workouts Sunday

(Schilling ready to go with his Hank Aaron 44 schirt today)


Last Episode of Sex and the City.
First Episode of Sox and the City.

(And parents really need to talk to their kids about Sox.
Much more dangerous than the other three letter word)


CURT'S CORNER

For Sons of Sam Horn and Boston Dirt Dogs readers,
please and thanks

On Getting Through the New Yankee Lineup

First off I am not going to reply in detail, since it's pretty obvious that some folks from the media have decided on their own what to do with the contents of stuff posted here. Even though I asked to keep the text here (SoSH), and on BDD, it seems that was a request they were pissed at, or scoffed at.

Fact of the matter is you don't look at that lineup from the viewpoint you all are taking. The game, in its truest form, comes down to one pitch, one hitter, one out at a time. That was the approach I felt I had to use vs. them in 2001, and I see no difference now, for them or quite a few other teams in this league. When you look at a lineup like that, if you look at the whole picture, meaning, "man I have to get those 9 guys out three times each to win?", you pretty much have lost before you start. I started working with a sports psychologist about 3 years ago and one of the focal points of our concentration work is the ability to narrow my focus down to the pitch I am throwing, and only that one and it's execution. Then the next one. Funny thing is, if you watch the 2001 World Series, after each of the first 6 innings you will see me coming off the mound, looking at the scoreboard, and saying "1 inning done" "2 innings done", I have the ability now to narrow my focus, and concentration to that pitch, that hitter, that out, that inning. I catch myself at times looking at the scoreboard in the 7th, 8th innings and not knowing where the hell the first 7 innings went, that's when I am right.

So ya, it's one hell of a lineup, but so is ours, and it can be pitched to, and beaten. It's just gonna take immense amounts of preparation and concentration for me to do it. Heck it's why I signed here.  - for SoSH/BDD posting


Schilling Gets Schedule Nod as Sox Put Ace
on Calendar Cover

Schilling Wears Sarcasm on His Schirts

He is A-Fraud

"He (Alex Rodriguez) also spent a considerable amount of time, in his conversations with the Sox, telling them how much he hated the Yankees, the industry source said. When Rodriguez first told Texas owner Tom Hicks he would waive his no-trade clause for two teams, the Yankees and Red Sox, he included the Yankees only to give Hicks, and himself, some leverage in dealing with the Sox. - 2.22 Globe, Edes

Saturday Night Live: "The Yankees gave A-Rod something the Red Sox couldn't: a boyfriend. - Jimmy Fallon, Weekend Update, 2.21.04

Queen: Soundtrack of the Red Sox Yankee Rivalry


Let's Party!

Pedro and Manny in Camp on Monday


Open and SoSHut Case on Lucky

John Henry Sets Record Straight on Lucchino:
"Larry wasn't foisted on anyone."

"Larry Lucchino is a scumbag and always has been. Everyone in baseball knows this. Get used to it.

Bottom line: Selig wanted HIS scumbag to run the Sox. O'Donnell had scruples about this frame-up. Henry obviously did not. Now Henry, and us Sox fans, have to live with this ugly reality. The ARod scenario is not the only thing Lucchino has screwed up for us so far, and there will be more of the same. Lucchino is part of the "price" of Henry's getting this franchise and it's a very steep one indeed.

I just hope that Lucky hasn't lost us Nomar for good although I fear he has already."
- Pumpsie, on SoSH


"Tom owned the Padres. He sold the Padres to John Moores and Larry Lucchino. He remained a partner of theirs. Tom witnessed first hand over the years what kind of CEO Larry was.

I also was aware of what kind of CEO he was and I spent quite a bit of time with Larry when I first became involved in ownership, because frankly I thought he provided inspired leadership and ran a team as well as anyone in baseball. He was then and is now a mentor - someone I admire very much (as evidenced by extending his contract out into the long-term).

Tom asked Larry to join their partnership long before I became involved. Again, they had owned the Padres together for several years. The absolute truth is that the commissioner had nothing whatsoever to do with Tom bringing in Larry. Eventually I called Larry and sort invited myself in (to the surprise of the commissioner - when I told the commissioner I had an interest in joining forces with Tom and Larry he exclaimed "What?!" )

What does he bring to this team? I would hesitate to answer for fear of leaving out something. The organization he's built speaks for itself. I get a lot of the credit, but my contributions are small in comparison.

One cannot exaggerate how extraordinary the relationships are within upper management of the Red Sox. Larry, Tom, Theo, Mike (Dee) and everyone else involved love working together and feel privileged to be in our positions. It may sound too hunky dory, but it's how all organizations should function. Communication is easy, frank and passionate (like SoSH!).

From my vantage point Larry brings everything we could ask for in a CEO to this team.
- John W. Henry on SoSH


Grand Marshall Derek Lowe marches to the beat of his own drummer during the 66th Annual Edison Festival of Light Parade on Saturday night.

D-Lowe thinks he'll be marching out of town in 2005.


Friday/Sat Feb. 20, 21

One, Two Punch

Rotation is a Knockout


Thurs. Feb. 19

PEDRO LATE SHOW

Petey to Report Late Due to Son's Operation in Miami.
In Other News, Manny, and His Mother, are Fine

Martinez "has a very legitimate serious family issue that's going to be fine but does require his attention,'' Boston general manager Theo Epstein said Thursday. He declined to give further details, but the situation is believed to involve the health of a family member.

"He's going to do everything he can to get down here, but there's a chance that we might not see him till Monday night,'' Epstein said, ``but we'll know more about that in the next couple of days.''  - 2.19 AP Report

Motorcyclist Killed by Martinez' Driver

As reported here Wednesday, Pedro is distraught after his personal driver and relative killed a man on a motorcycle in the Dominican last week (Pedro was in the states when the accident happened).

WARNING: If anyone overreacts with shouts of "Dominican Diva!," "Prima Donna Petey!" or worse, your ISP will be banned from viewing this site forever. Give the guy the benefit of the doubt will ya? We always do :-) ...(plus, Schilling will kick our ass with his martial arts moves down in Ft. Myers if we pick on Pedro this early)


Tek was on the Table for A-Rod

"It was interesting, the Yankee people were telling me that, I don't know if you guys saw Tom Hicks' press conference, but A-Rod's first... A-Rod asked if they could revisit the Red Sox and that Hicks said after the nights and days of dealing with them, he didn't even want to talk to them again. And it was interesting because the Yankee people were telling me that indeed, Scott Boras was trying to work the Red Sox angle, he was trying to do the same kind of deal, get Manny out of the equation, get a guy that makes $6-7 million and then work it down to the $16 million to make it all palatable, they would have traded Nomar for pitching or whatever and according to the Yankee front office, when Boras tried to do that deal (A-Rod to Boston, but getting Manny out of the equation, a week and a half ago), the player, because it's his client, that was going to go to Texas in exchange for A-Rod, was Jason Varitek, which, as they pointed out, they felt, the Yankee players and front office feel that Jason Varitek is the absolute soul of the Red Sox, but, and I found that interesting, I hadn't heard that, but the Rangers, Buck Showalter loves Varitek, but Hicks didn't want to deal with the Red Sox, according to him, and according to the Yankees." - 2.19 Peter Gammons, ESPN, on WEEI's Big Show


Theoretically Speaking

"If we can make a deal with Nomar that makes sense for both sides, and gosh knows we've tried, and we're gonna try, it'll get done, and that hasn't changed one bit."

2.19 Theo with Dennis & Callahan WEEI - On hearing A-Rod was going to New York: "I probably dropped a four letter word or two, but then you fall back on your... it wasn't totally unforeseen, they did a good job of keeping it quiet to their credit, so we didn't see it coming that day, I first heard the rumblings about it Friday night, as soon as Boone went down, it became a real possibility. And then you just fall back on your approach with regards to the rest of the AL East, and the Yankees in particular, which we take, I just assume every year it's just going to take 100 wins to win our division. Before Boone's injury, when we were walking away from our deal in essence, it was the remotest of possibilities, after Boone's injury, it became much more of a possibility. I remember talking to my baseball operations staff and we kinda just informally made of list of which guys they were going to go after and A-Rod's at the top of the list. Chavez, Alfonso, guys like that, but I didn't think it was a probability, I thought it was a possibility.

No (on revisiting A-Rod at that point), it was done. It was very clearly over, and we had stated publicly that it was over, and it was indeed at the time.

On Nomar getting leverage now. How did it affect relationship: Probably not much at all, you kinda go back and look at my public statements, I think the whole organization's public statements, throughout the whole thing. Our first priority was to sign Nomar to a deal that makes sense for both sides, it's always been the case, and we're not going to discuss negotiations publicly, that's still the case. If we can make a deal with Nomar that makes sense for both sides, and gosh knows we've tried, and we're gonna try, it'll get done and that hasn't changed one bit.

On guys in their last year of contract, will they all be back? Will there be signings opening day? We actually have six guys if you throw in Ortiz and Williamson. I think it's probably unrealistic to expect that each and every one of them to be back, that's going to be very, very difficult if not impossible to do based on our payroll limitations, but I don't know, it's very hard to predict the future, it depends on the player's expectations, the direction of the market, and our ability to reach a deal. I do know this, our goal remains the same, our goal remains take our resources, which are considerable, and do everything we can to build a championship club and that's going to include some of those guys, and it's not going to include some of those guys. But the bottom line is for the guys that don't come back, we just move on, and you have to go to the next generation of talent of Red Sox players.

Every negotiation is unique. The Trot Nixon deal got done for a number of reasons. One, it got done quietly. Two, Trot and his agent through their words, and then again eventually through their actions, demonstrated a real desire to stay here and not max out every last dollar. Market correction or not, and that can turn around on a dime, Trot certainly could have maxed out and played one more year to see of there was one team out of the 29 other teams out there that would pay him more than what we did, but that wasn't the most important thing to him. The most important thing to him was staying here, reaching a deal that made sense, like Curt Schilling, reaching a deal that would allow us to go out and build a competitive team around him, and go out and win, so that got done in a hurry.


The Portentous

Lucchino to Trump: "You're  Fired!"

John Dennis:  If this were the baseball version of The Apprentice, who in the
Red Sox organization would Donald
Trump fire?

Larry Lucchino:  I think that's a silly question John with all due respect. The blame game has gone on too long. I know the media loves to do that. The answer to that is "no one," I suppose what I'd turn do is turn off the television because I wouldn't want to watch Donald Trump make that stupid hand gesture any longer.

2.19.04 Lucchino on WEEI's Dennis & Callahan: I did not talk to Tom Hicks prior to the deal. We had lunch about a month ago at the baseball meetings. I did talk to the commissioner over the weekend to find out what the facts were. Occasionally these things get overblown and reported inaccurately. I called to find out what the actual facts were. It was a call to say what were the details here. Is this thing going to happen. The $67 million transaction was unprecedented. Is it permitted? And what are the standards going forward. Would I have liked the commissioner's office to have found something inappropriate about this deal? Sure, but it was not our position, and we didn't rant and rave and try to throw our bodies over the tracks. This whole issue is being blown way out of proportion, it's time to move on.

By our likes, the differential (on getting A-Rod) was closer to $25-30 million. You can't make all your plans with one eye on the Yankees. Certainly our most hated and heated rival is the Yankees, but we have to deal with the other teams within our division that have improved, and teams in the West.

It's a question of limits. Everyone would like to have a beautiful home on the Cape right on the water, but you have to live roughly within your means, but that's gotten lost in the media frenzy. The blame game has gone on too long.

JD: If this were the baseball version of The Apprentice, who in the Red Sox organization would Donald Trump fire?

LL: I think that's a silly question John with all due respect. The blame game has gone on too long. I know the media loves to do that. The answer to that is "no one," I suppose what I'd turn do is turn off the television because I wouldn't want to watch Donald Trump make that stupid hand gesture any longer.

LL: I think that (Gene Orza/PA) was the major impediment. We had a deal with Alex Rodriguez, we reached an agreement with him at 3:00 in the morning. We had a conference call to celebrate, but he went to the player's association and that's when it got derailed. Will someone on this radio show start recognizing the positive things happening with this baseball team. Stop the self pity, and the blame game. The Yankees got a good player, no question about it. Look at our left side of the infield. We've got a future Hall of Famer and the reigning AL batting champion.

Nomar is fine. He understands that these things are part and parcel of the game.

People think one transaction determines the outcome of the year.

The media sent John Henry dozens of questions and phone calls, he was simply responding to issues put to him. We try to be available.

Green Bay has a much easier time being competitive in the NFL than Milwaukee does in baseball.

I did recognize that it was being overblown (in December), but it was being overblown, but not in a way that was adverse to us.

There's probably more criticism of us because of the national perspective, because of the history here, there's a little more emotional fuel here. I wouldn't change this rivalry for anything. It adds some zest and spirit to life. There's a kind of intensity and competitiveness that adds a spice to life.

(Listen to Lucchino's WEEInterview with Dennis & Callahan here)


A-Who?

Here We Go

Ace is in Great Schape, and Gets Bonus Points for Wearing Our All-Time Favorite, Phil Esposito #7 Bruins Jersey into Camp

(But Dan Shaughnessy says Curt has a "domed belly")

"By the way, I am always amused when a member of the media even thinks of commenting on the physical makeup of an athlete, at least the ones who are in no way shape or form athletic. That being said, I will tell you that what I possess is not a true body, it's a cruel family joke I've had to put up with for 37 years. I am built like my dad, all chest, no legs. Anyway, based on my initial tests at API, compared to my exit tests, I am stronger and more flexible at this point in my career than I ever have been, no doubt in my mind about that and the results from the tests proved that to them, and to me." - 2.19, Curt Schilling - SoSH/BDD off the record.

"I want to be caught up in it (Yankee rivalry). The way I've got it figured, I'm starting that first game against the Yankees the way the rotation falls. I've known about that for two months." - 2.18 CS, AP/media.


Wed. Feb. 18

Steingrabber Slams Henry
Selig Tells Henry Not to Respond

"We are not evil!"

"He chose not to go the extra distance for his fans in Boston"

"We understand John Henry must be embarrassed, frustrated and disappointed by his failure in this transaction. Unlike the Yankees, he chose not to go the extra distance for his fans in Boston. It is understandable but wrong that he would try to deflect the accountability for his mistakes onto others and to a system for which he voted in favor. It is time to get on with life and forget the sour grapes." - 2.18.04 Georgie Porgie statement

Pepsi Calls for Salary Cap on Coca Cola

"To deal with a team that has gone so insanely far beyond the resources of all the other teams. One thing is certain the status quo will not be preserved. There must be a way to cap what a team can spend without hurting player compensation ... without taking away from the players what they have rightfully earned in the past through negotiation and in creating tremendous value. There is a simple mechanism that could right a system woefully out of whack. Baseball doesn't have an answer for the Yankees. Revenue sharing can only accomplish so much. At some point it becomes confiscation. It has not and it will not solve what is a very obvious problem." - 2.18.04 John Henry, Red Sox Owner

(Confiscation: To seize by or as if by authority.)

Kurth '04


Yankees Sheffield Bought From Giambi 'Roid Dealer

Affadavit Names Ego Empire All-Star


Lay Off Lucky!

Multiple sources, including those deep inside the Nomar camp, confirm that Larry Lucchino, who is taking a beating nationally, is actually taking a bullet for John Henry, who botched A-Rod deal.

(But we're giving John a mulligan anyway)


Inside Outspoken

NESN shows Schilling's "Internet" post on A-Rod deal,

Tewksbury Tells Curt to "Be Quiet and Pitch"

2.17.04 NESN's Inside Out - Bob Rodgers: I think he says it well (after reading Curt's SoSH post)

Bob Tewksbury: You know what? Be quiet. That's the job... people that write like that, especially on the internet, are for fans. He's a pitcher, and he's expected to go out and win, so I admire his creativity, and certainly it's well written, but be quiet, go out and pitch.

BR: I think though he makes a good point, people (BT: What? That he wants attention?) No but I'll tell you what, how great will it be too if the Red Sox do overcome the Evil Empire and they beat the Yankees, after the Yankees go through... the one thing this shows me though, more than anything else, George Steinbrenner cares more what happens up in Boston than he cares what happens in New York.

BT: Well, that's true, he certainly has brought attention here, but Curt, you know, will all due respect to him, he's a tremendous pitcher, he's gonna to help this team a lot, he's got to go out... you can talk, all you want, but you gotta back up the talk. I hope he does.

Tewks then Calls Manny Bad Teammate for Being "Unaccountable" by Skipping Yankees Series Last Season.


CURT'S CORNER

For Sons of Sam Horn and
Boston Dirt Dogs readers please

"It's another challenge, but after 85 years did any of you think that getting over this final hurdle and winning it all was gonna be a cake walk? No, it'll be more fun this way. "

On A-Rod to the Yankees

:) Have to laugh at anyone that's even remotely shocked by this. The unlimited payroll bitching is rather old now too. It is what it is, and we'll deal with it. Does it make them better, well I don't know. Does adding a guy that, when he retires, has a legitimate chance to be the best all around player in the games history make you better????? Hell yes it makes them better, offensively, defensively it's not even close, they get much better. Fact of the matter is the ownership of this team chooses to build a team based on in depth talent and character analysis, as well as payroll impact. You can't bitch and moan about the lack of effort on the Red Sox end, they reached for the stars on this, and it didn't fit.

I'm more than ok with that. You can argue this way and that in regards to who's talked to whom, how certain guys were handled and treated this winter. But no one other than the parties involved knows what's really happened and if you look back, most, if not all, of the negative comments directed at the Red Sox fall into this area. They've worked their asses off to make this team a world series contender, and we are, period. A-Rod to the Yankees, if it happens, just makes winning this whole thing that much sweeter IMO, when it happens.
It's another challenge, but after 85 years did any of you think that getting over this final hurdle and winning it all was gonna be a cake walk? No, it'll be more fun this way. This way, when we do win it all, and you all are out there flipping birds back and forth with Yankee fans, you'll be smiling a whole lot wider.
It was gonna be a challenge before this rumor, and with or without A-Rod the Yankees are going to be real real good, so let's move on, let whatever happens happen, and focus on the fact that the best Boston Red Sox team in the last 100 years takes the field in 7 days, for a ride that is guaranteed to be the most memorable of any of our lives over the next 8 months, and enjoy the hell out of it. ...Read more on SoSH


Tues. Feb. 17

Newest Members of the
EGO EMPIRE

See you in Boston on April 16th Pretty Boy


Sports Guy Spanks A-Rod, Yanks

(and gets an earful from Hench who will chime in here soon)

"My favorite phone call came from my buddy Hench, who was attending a wedding back East. When someone casually told him the news, poor Hench was done for the rest of the reception. His legs buckling under him, he stepped outside for fresh air, pacing in 30-degree weather like a maniac, finally leaving a 90-second message on my machine that featured 20 swears, three tirades and a climactic 10-letter expletive about Gene Orza. Happy Valentine's Day." - Don't hand out the rings yet


Posted here Thurs. Jan. 29:

Who Knew?

1.29.04: "The Yankees, finding themselves without a third baseman, somehow jigger their finances, make up some package that is frankly beyond my imagination and trade for A-Rod, who would be more than thrilled to rip the "C" off his mental uniform and switch to third base next to his old pal Derek Jeter." - NY Times, George Vecsey

"I should note that Cashman and A-Rod were sitting next to each other. And, A-Rod talked about how much he loved New York City. I honestly think that Boston, as a state would commit suicide if he came to the Bronx." - Zimmer's Way


Prima Goner

To Boston fans: "Well they'll be able to see us and the Yankees about 15 times a year. I'm so focused on the New York Yankees and where we're going, it makes me smile... I think we're gonna be received all the same (at Fenway), not very warm... I admire the history, tradition, and passion that both cities have and I think this adds to the tradition... I have not, no (spoken to anyone from the Red Sox)."

Post conference interview: "Boston was a factor and I almost felt like I had one foot in a Red Sox uniform, but the Yankees made it happen."


Stinks?

Jinx.


A-Rod Arrives in NYC for Press Conference

Commenting on Boston: "John Henry and Theo Epstein are first class individuals."

Things that make you go hmmm...

12.31.03: "Prior to agreeing to the meeting, I naively assumed that either Nomar or Alex might agree to play second base or third base," Henry wrote by email in response to questions about the meeting by email. "I later learned from Theo that it was not realistic to ask either of these future Hall of Fame shortstops to change positions." - John Henry on negotiating A-Rod deal

"I'm not going to lie. The Sox management dropped the ball on this one. If I was them, I'd just keep my mouth shut and take the lashes. Nothing, and I repeat, NOTHING can be said by any of them to try and make anyone in the RSN feel any easier. They F'ed up, plain and simple." - MTSUD, redsoxnation.net


Steingrabber Plays the Ace Card

(And Makes Plans to Steal Pedro in 2005)


Alex Asked Hicks to Revisit Red Sox Situation. Hicks Said 'Not Interested.'

HICKS STICKS IT TO SOX IN A-ROD PRESS CONFERENCE

"...we had no interest in talking to Boston any more at that time, given what had happened during the 90 days in the fall... This was a deal unlike the Boston deal where owners got involved. This was a classic, professional general manager to general manager negotiation. I want to commend the New York Yankees organization, Brian Cashman, Randy Levine for their professionalism."

2.16.04: Ranger owner Tom Hicks on the history of the A-Rod trade: "... He (A-Rod) said the only two teams he would accept a trade to would be Boston or the New York Yankees. We talked about other possibilities and he made it very clear that day (in October) and future times, we had other conversations that the only two teams he would leave the Texas Rangers for would be the Boston Red Sox or the New York Yankees, and that's a combination of reasons, Alex wants to win, he wants to win now, he's going to be 29 this summer as he reminds me...

With that, on the Sunday after the Yankees lost to the Florida Marlins and their $51 million payroll of good young players (throws in the guy who outbid himself more than that on the A-Rod contract), John and I flew to New York to meet with Larry Lucchino the same day John talked to Brian Cashman of the Yankees. We told both teams we're gonna talk to the two of them about Alex if we could do it in a way that would give us financial relief and good and young pitching. John was told by the Yankees they had no interest in Alex. We entered into at the time, negotiations with Boston that lasted until shortly before Christmas that were highly publicized, highly public, and in the end, did not result in an outcome that we felt would be sufficiently good for our team that would make us better, I think the words we were using at the time were 'better, faster,' ... and uh, so we decided not to do that deal.

Christmas holidays came, vacations came, obviously issues had developed within our organization during that time, so we sat down on January 25th when Alex was getting his MVP award in New York, we had our five hour meeting, we got those issues behind us, we tried to move forward as a team. At that time there was a genuine belief of everyone involved that the reality was independent of Alex wanting to win this year, he was going to be a Texas Ranger for a long time...

Last Sunday, unbeknownst to me at the time, John Hart had been trading Mike Lamb to the New York Yankees and had a number of general manager to general manager conversations in that process and when John told me about it on Sunday afternoon I said not only 'no', but 'hell no,' I had no interest, we just went through all of this internal situation, we were headed in the right direction and that was my decision at the time.

On Monday, when Alex returned to Florida, he was approached by his agent, and I found out later that his agent suggested to him that there might be a window of opportunity if he did want to go to the Yankees, to go to the Yankees, as long as he's willing to change positions. That night, the two of them called me together, Alex said 'Mr. Hicks, I know we've been through all this together, I'm with you, but there is a window of opportunity here for me to go to the Yankees, if you.... it would give your team more flexibility which I think you need, and if you decide you want to do that, and make the right kind of deal with the Yankees, I want you to know that I'll go to third base.' So that evening I told John, I said, I told him what happened. I said Alex has opened this window, um, there are two teams that we knew that were the only two teams that could result in this outcome and we had no interest in talking to Boston any more at that time, given what had happened during the 90 days in the fall.

So John went through a series of discussions. I personally didn't think it was going to materialize because the money wasn't right, and I guess the Yankees starting getting the money right late Wednesday night and Thursday. At that point I took it very seriously, it was a very difficult decision for me to make for all of the obvious reasons. Alex Rodriguez is a great player. I called Grady and John separately and I said I want your professional advice 'Can we win a championship faster doing this deal, or not doing this deal?'... both of them said their opinion, we could win a championship faster doing this deal. We made our decision Saturday. This was a deal unlike the Boston deal where owners got involved. This was a classic professional general manager to general manager negotiation. I want to commend the New York Yankees organization, Brian Cashman, Randy Levine for their professionalism. This needed to be kept quiet if it was going to be successful."


Mon. Feb 16

Sox Odds Slip as Vegas Reacts to A-Rod Deal

Baseball Futures
2004 American League Pennant Odds - Odds to win

New York Yankees -120
Boston Red Sox +300
Anaheim Angels +350
Seattle Mariners +600
Oakland Athletics +650
Chicago White Sox +1000


Did Sox Make Weak End Pitch for A-Rod?

"Multiple baseball sources said the Red Sox reached out to both the Texas Rangers and Rodriguez Saturday. In these discussions, the Red Sox offered to take Rodriguez and his bulky contract "as is" - a stunning reversal from their previous position.

According to a source, a mutual friend of both Rodriguez and the Red Sox approached the All-Star on Boston's behalf. The acquaintance suggested that, unlike in the failed December negotiations, the team might be willing to take on Rodriguez's entire contract. In December, the Red Sox had insisted that Rodriguez take a pay cut.

Saturday, Rodriguez enthusiastically told the go-between, "tell [Red Sox president] Larry Lucchino to **** off!" - A Wild Pitch to A-Rod


Ben Blasts Yanks from Daytona

"You know, George Steinbrenner is the center of evil in the universe, there's no question about that."

"This is emblematic of the way Steinbrenner does business which is just in a mercenary kind of... just like runaway capital Pac Man gobbling up all the talent that he can, that's why they're the Evil Empire. Look at the guys the Yankees have right now, you got Giambi who came from Oakland, Sheffield from Atlanta, Kenny Lofton, these are all... and now they're gonna add A-Rod, it's just a... you know they got Vasquez now, they got Mussina, who's really a guy from Baltimore you know, and there's really one or two guys who came up in that organization, it's mostly the French Foreign Legion... the Yankees are going to have a $240 million infield NOT INCLUDING THE SECOND BASEMAN!! I mean, it's insane! If they had A-Rod, Jeter, Giambi, Posada behind the plate, Bernie Williams what, DH'ing, Matsui, I mean, Kenny Lofton, and Gary Sheffield?!? That reads like an All-Star team. ...We got a great team and we'll be able to compete with them, and if nothing else, I think God will have to be on our side." - Ben Affleck on Pay-Rod Scam

J-Lo Press Conference on trade within the hour...


Sat/Sun Feb 14/15 - VALENTINE'S DAY MASSACRE

A Day in the Life of Red Sox Fans  by PAUL PALIOTTA

I read the news today oh boy
About the lucky man who made the trade
And though the news was rather sad
Well I just had to laugh
I saw the photograph
He blew his cash out on a star
He didn't notice that the times have changed

10 million people cursed and sneered
They'd seen his face before
No one was really sure
Wasn't he on the SOX before?

I saw a film today oh boy
The Evil Army had just won the war
A crowd of people turned away
But I just had to look
Some call the Boss a crook
He thinks the Yanks alre-----eeeeeaaa--ddyyy woooo--onnnnnn

Woke up, got out of bed
Heard the gas bag full of dread
Thought about the trade the Sox passed up
And looking back, the trade wasn't all so great
Found my coat and grabbed my red sox hat
the 0 4 dirt dogs, they still have the bats
They signed an all star ace who doesn't choke
and guy named Foulke, I think this is a dream

I read the news today oh boy
Some major holes in Georgie's pitching staff
And though the holes were always small
This year we get to count them all
So many holes they'll have to score ten runs a game to win the pennant in
the fall
Oh George you haven't wooooo----ooooonnnn!!!!


Gammo a Go-Go

Peter Continues to Blame Lucchino's Pissing Off Orza for Failed Sox Deal

"Red Sox blew it when Lucchino personally attacked Gene Orza, trying to drive a stake between A-Rod and the Union, that made things more difficult... so they just got cold feet and the Yankees don't worry about it."

PG on with WEEI's John Wallach: ...it's like Aaron Bleeping Boone now, right up there with Bucky Bleeping Dent, not only does he hit the home run, but he goes up there for the offensive rebound, tears up his knee and Alex ends up replacing him.

I don't know. Obviously this makes for a great team on paper. They scored 874 runs last year with Jeter, Bernie Williams, and Giambi hurt most of the year. Now they add Sheffield and A-Rod, I mean they could easily break the record of 1,001 runs and I think they're pitching is a little underrated, if you go into a series and you've got Mussina and Kevin Brown healthy, and Vasquez with a team that scores this many runs, last year they were so bad trying to get to Mariano Rivera that Joe Torre spend five months trying to go from starter to Rivera and wore down the starters, and wore down Rivera and now with Quantrill and Gordon they have a totally different bullpen. It's potentially a very good team, but it's still not a very good defensive team (A), (B) There are a lot of very strong personalities here, it will be interesting to see how they meld, and if Joe Torre were left to manage by himself, he might be the only manager in the game that could deal with all this, but that said, if Steinbrenner becomes obsessed with Torre again, and George not wanting Joe to get the credit he's gotten, if they ever fire Joe, I think there could be some chaos.

Hey I give Alex Rodriguez a lot of credit, he was willing to throw $28 million out the window in Texas, where there's no state income tax to go to Boston where I think in Massachusetts we do have an income tax. And in this case he's willing to go from probably the best shortstop in the history of baseball to go play third base. He was unquestionably the best defensive shortstop in the American League last year, and if you like range factor, Jeter was... last (heh). He was hurt obviously, that was a little unfair to Derek... it will be interesting to see how those two egos meld because there's a little bit of competition there.

The Red Sox would like to blame the Players Association and of course they were wrong... and part of the reason that Alex Rodriguez is in New York is Larry Lucchino's infamous blast, personal attack on Gene Orza, and the separation of Alex Rodriguez from the union. There was no chance that the union was going to accept $28 million, they had told Alex that they would negotiate it, but once it got personal, they wouldn't negotiate it to $17 or $18 (million). In the end, the Yankees are saving the Rangers $120 million, the Red Sox it would have been an $80 million saving. It's just a matter of the Red Sox were afraid to take on $4 million a year difference over the contract, average Manny versus A-Rod, and with the givebacks that were allowed, so they just got cold feet and the Yankees don't worry about it, the Yankees, I believe their payroll is going to be 48% higher than the Red Sox. The Braves and Mets combined payrolls are about $15-16 million less than the Yankees.


Yankees Press Conference Tuesday

Bronx Screw

A-Robbed!

Steinbrenner Steals Rodriguez from Rangers

The Rod Squad

Yankees Trade for A-Rod in a New York Minute.
(After Sox Took 90 Days to Come Up Empty)

A Fate Worse than DEAD! for ALIVE! Gang

Who Knew Todd Walker and Andy Abad Would Have Done the Trick for Hicks?

Should Sox Have Sealed the Deal for the Best Player of Our Time for a Few Million More?

After Taking on A-Wad, Yankees Payroll Expected to Exceed One Billion Dollars.

Selig and Orza Smile and Pretend
All is Well with the Game (Guess Again)

In Other News, Harlem Globetrotters Sign Michael Jordan

And Nomar's Price Just Went Cowboy Up


Captain A-Fraud Jumps Ship

"I would like to sign with another team and help dethrone the Yankees -- they've won too much already," Rodriguez said Friday.

The Yankees have been rumored to be interested in signing Rodriguez and moving him to third base because they already have his buddy, Derek Jeter, at shortstop.

Rodriguez isn't interested in that possibility.

"I like playing shortstop and I'm young," the 25-year-old said. "I want to play it until I'm 35 and then I'll study the possibility of being moved." - A-Rod to AP

Creep in the Heart of Texas

"I feel a grand responsibility not only to the Texas Rangers, but to our fans." - Captain A-Rod


Yankees to Round Out Roster This Week

And Tom Hicks to send another letter to happy Texas season ticket holders.


Curse of the Banged Boone Oh

Sox Get Burned in Valentine's Day Love Triangle


Angry Sox Fans Lash Out on WEEI

"We could have gotten a natural leader, instead they were too cheap to spend the four million. They just dropped the ball... they dropped the ball."

"People need to be accountable for this mistake. This is the largest mistake this organization has made. I do not understand how so many people could have been asleep at the wheel. I'm absolutely flabbergasted right now. We could have had both pitching and the offense. I'm so disappointed after what happened in October."


I Read the NY News Today, Oh Boy

"And they can look at Red Sox fans, who have endured so many tortures through the years, Babe Ruth and Red Ruffing and Sparky Lyle, who thought they had Bernie Williams, who really thought they had Jose Contreras, who were so absolutely certain they had Rodriguez two months ago. You keep thinking it has to get better, that 86 years is enough penance.

It's never enough. God help the furniture in Theo Epstein's apartment this morning.

All of this was summed up best by one fan on the "Sons of Sam Horn" Web site, in a message posted at 4:23 yesterday afternoon: "My head says this is a bad deal for the MFYs [a favored term for Sox fans that does not stand for "my favorite year"]. My heart says, ‘I think I am going to throw up.' " - Yankees Make Fantasy Come True

"The mood in Red Sox Nation was dark. On the Web site "Sons of Sam Horn," a writer using the interesting handle Butch Hobson's Elbow Chips wrote, "Just think, the Sox can finish 30 games out now." The sad Saux fan then predicted the projected records of the Yankees and Red Sox. Yankees: 135-27. Sox, 105-57."
 - NY Post, Kernan, print edition.


"Boston president Larry Lucchino is relentless in his task of finding a way to beat the Yankees. A-Rod was a brilliant maneuver that didn't pay off, and yesterday Lucchino told me he was "distressed" over the A-Rod situation.

He may be distressed, but at least the Red Sox are back to doing what they do best: being underdogs to the Yankees, even though there's no doubt they're better than they were last season. Now the Red Sox must sign Nomar Garciaparra to a long-term contact. Nomar is in a walk year and will be at his best, but he has slipped since that wrist injury a Another problem for the Red Sox is Pedro Martinez' declining ability. Pedro has won only four of his last 19 starts against the Yankees, including blowing a three-run lead in the eighth inning of Game 7 of the ALCS. You can't blame Grady Little for all that. - The Pennant Stays Here


"It's hard to say who feels more foolish today: Red Sox president Larry Lucchino, who unsuccessfully tried to drag money out of both Rodriguez and Texas for weeks, or Mets owner Fred Wilpon. The early money is on Lucchino, who in the words of one Rodriguez confidant "got greedy."

Lucchino tried the ultimate squeeze play, an unsightly grab at A-Rod's wallet, and he comes out looking penny-wise, a ridiculous approach for a team with a mammoth bankroll and 85-year streak of going home unfulfilled.

Lucchino sounded as if he were about to faint on ESPN-1050 radio as Tom Keegan read him Newsday.com's report of the agreement at a little past 3 p.m." - George Makes Fools of Mets, Red Sox


"The rich get richer. The Yankees don't care how much anything costs. They don't care that their luxury tax and revenue-sharing costs were more than the Marlins paid for a world championship team. Again: There has never been another economic culture in the history of professional sports where one team can outspend everybody the way the Yankees do and nobody can stop them." - Yanks add to payroll and Boston woes


"Now, however, in what becomes Lucchino's worst nightmare, it is the Yankees who wind up getting A-Rod and winning another offseason player derby. Last winter, when the Yankees outbid the Red Sox for Cuban free agent pitcher Jose Contreras, Lucchino bitterly described the Yankees as the "Evil Empire."

Now, Lucchino said of the trade: "It certainly makes the Yankees more formidable and it makes us even more of a hungry underdog, which is a position we like to be in." - A-Rod's on his way to Yanks


"What makes this news so deliciously depressing to Boston fans is that, if Red Sox executives had the same determination to win as their Yankee counterparts, we wouldn’t be talking about this deal. A-Rod wouldn’t be available, because he’d be a member of the Sox, ready to lead Boston to the World Series.

The deal was done, and all that Boston had to do was swallow hard, open its wallet, and pay Rodriguez his salary. But at that crucial moment, Boston management came down with a case of testicular atrophy.

With dominance of the American League and the world championship the team has been chasing since 1918 on the line, Boston owner John Henry decided A-Rod would cost too much. - New York always does what it must to win — unlike Boston counterparts


Quotes of Note:

“(I'm) a little frustrated, we had a chance to get him for months. I don't know George Steinbrenner very well, but I know one thing about him, if he wants something, he goes and gets it. he was probably very aggressive. He knew what he wanted. It's still almost a shock to see him in pinstripes. We had every opportunity to get him -- a number of times -- but we didn't. And it's even more upsetting to know that he was willing to switch positions and we could have kept Nomar too. Everything that I heard, I thought it was going to get done. I thought he was going to play for the Red Sox. All sides seemed to want that to happen. But I guess it wasn't meant to be.

"I'll tell you what, this rivalry is at an all-time high," he said. "I don't hate the Yankees. And they don't hate us. But when we step on the field against them, the passion we have to beat them is unlike anything else you can experience. Now it's bumped up another notch. But I'm sure they have the same respect for us and some of the changes we made. This rivalry is at an all-time high.”
- Derek Lowe

“The Red Sox gave up on A-Rod over $12 million which is preposterous.”- Ken Davidoff, broke story on NY Newsday

"...It says a lot of things, but it doesn't say who's going to be playing baseball in October." - Larry Lucchino

“I was just as surprised as Yankees fans, and Red Sox fans, when I picked up the paper today.” - President Bush

“I've always said good pitching beats good offense, if New York ends up getting him, they've added some power to their lineup. I'm very surprised. I didn't think New York was interested in getting him. We've still got Nomar, Manny in left. I still like our chances.”
- Tim Wakefield

“He’s never had to lead. You go to New York, you wanna stop Bernie (Williams) and (Paul) O’Neill. You never say, ‘Don’t let Derek beat us.’ He’s never your concern.” - Alex Rodriguez on Derek Jeter in an old Esquire magazine article


Feb. 13

Throw the Book at Him

658*

 

Nothing's Saving Bonds as Steroid Investigation Shows Some Muscle


Steve Kurth Illustration

Sox, Tito Ready to Go

"I've had my bags packed for five weeks... I'll think about what I'm going to say once I get down there. Once you get down there the enthusiasm level goes way up, you've got people here counting down the days to pitchers and catchers, you don't get that when hockey season starts... we're going to play the game the right way" - Tito Francona

Enthusiastic Fenway Francona will get to Fort Myers early to think about what he's going to say to the team. No special treatment for Manny "I'm not concerned with that." All players are created equal.

More from Tito on The Fan


Feb. 12

Umm Derek, the Whiney Awards Were Given Out Last Night

Theo, After Vacation, Please Call Derek. Derek, After You Read This, Please Fire Scott Boras. Problems Solved.

"I haven't talked to them. I think they know I still exist, but I haven't heard a word from them all offseason. They talked to Nomar [Garciaparra]. They talked to Pedro [Martinez]. They got Trot [Nixon] signed. They've never said a word to me. Not one conversation. I think they know I work out, that's about it. But you're in a situation, I'm not going to beg. You're not going to have the people who represent you call and say, 'What about Derek?' They either want me or they don't. Unfortunately, it's that simple. I understand there are decisions to be made. Maybe they've made 'em, maybe they haven't. As for where I stand, I have no idea." - Lowe Waiting for Sign - Gordon Edes, 2.13.04


Baker Waived

And Pierce gives up on the season. Celtics right back at a Len Bias, Sydney Wicks, Reggie Lewis tragedy, wrong ping-pong ball, Rock Bottom State.


The Mouth that Roared

Gets Taped Shut

Millar, Walker Together Again on The Best Damn Sports Show

"It's a tough mentality (in Boston), they're educated fans, but they want you to play hard. I think it's more of a blue collar city, you know you get out there, you run each ground ball out, they don't like anybody dogging out there, but they have the mentality to kind of wait for something bad to happen, but I think last year's team, with the additions of the guys that Theo brought in, you know Billy Mueller, and David Ortiz, Walker, and the post-season he had was phenomenal, but that's the kind of mentality they're getting back to, you know, and you try to feed that and say hey, we're not the old team, this is the 2003 Sox" - Kevin Millar, Best Darn Sports Show, 2.8.04 (hopefully it's the 2004 Sox this time around)


Lucchino Knows What Went Down with A-Rod And What's Up with Nomar

"Now we can sit here in February and say do we think the market's going to go up? Do we think the market's going to go down? Well Nomar and his agent and other players as well can also predict, but they'll be an opportunity in September and October to say 'here's where it is' here's what's happened for the last six months, so you may have even a better opportunity at the end of the year to sign him."

2.8.04 Lobel talks to Larry on CBS-4 Sports Final

Lucchino: "We can't control everything (A-Rod episode), what it shows is that we're not afraid to take some bold steps even if we're unsure if we're going to be successful. I think our fans want the stewards of the Red Sox as aggressive people, as bold people who are willing to do whatever it takes to try to make it happen. Was it worth the gamble? Yes, the aggressive nature of our baseball organization is something we should be proud of.

Lobel: Was it a misstep, was it a mistake, was it too public?

LL: When you're dealing with players of that statue... my old mentor Edgar Bennet Williams had a line that I quote often: "There are no secrets in baseball, only head starts" So we had a little bit of a head start to keep it private, but there are so many moving parts, so many issues involving the Players Association, there was no way given the participants that this thing was going to stay private... I think the impact that some people cite regarding Nomar and others is undeniable, there had to have been some abrasion there, but Nomar's a real professional, he knows how much he's respected in Boston that I don't think they'll be any repercussions.

Lobel: Now you have a player like Manny Ramirez who probably doesn't care what happens, then you have a guy like Nomar, who is probably over sensitive, and now you don't worry about the under sensitive guy, but the over sensitive guy is your problem.

LL: Well he is someone whose feelings and sensibilities we should be concerned. He's a professional, he's intense, he's going to perform at absolutely the highest level he possibly can and he's got extra motivation to do so perhaps to prove something to the world, and I think he understands baseball. I think he's a bright guy who understands that trades and possible transactions are part and parcel of the experience.

Lobel: I guess the worst case scenario is that you get him in his contract year and you lose him for draft picks

LL: Boston Red Sox fans have had some recent experience with players that have walked and with very little coming back in return. I'm not someone who believes that unless you sign a guy in advance of that walk year you won't sign him at all. I believe that during the course of my time in baseball that we have signed people as they're about to go into free agency in October and November and kept them. I don't think that a player's possible eligibility for free agency means that he's leaving and you're only getting draft picks in return. It would be desirable to have it worked out before you get to that stage but there are two windows: one is before spring training, and one the other is right at the end of the season.

Lobel: Tell me about the first window, how realistic is that?

I think there's some uh constructive uh dialogue so we're not going to talk publicly about negotiating with any of the several potential free agents. We have Pedro obviously on his last year, and Derek Lowe, and Varitek, and of course Nomar, and you can Williamson and Ortiz to that list too, players that would be eligible... I think Nomar deserves a certain kind of priority in the hierarchy no question about it, so we're not going to report on chapter and verse as we go along. We're going to talk to him, talk to his agent, and handle it in ordinary course of events.

Lobel: If it becomes obvious to you that you're not going to sign him, it's August, you're at an impass... what do you do?

LL: Well it depends a lot on the circumstances on the season, the kind of year we're having. Is it August and are we two games ahead, or two games behind, are we 12 ahead or 12 behind, so it's impossible to answer that question in the abstract, so I would remind you of that second window that we talked about particularly when you're dealing with players who are unsure about what the market will be. Now we can sit here in February and say do we think the market's going to go up? Do we think the market's going to go down? Well Nomar and his agent and other players as well can also predict, but they'll be an opportunity in September and October to say 'here's where it is' here's what's happened for the last six months, so you may have even a better opportunity at the end of the year to sign him.

Lobel: There's a quote from Brian Cashman which will not let this A-Rod thing go, he says that industry sources say at some point this A-Rod thing will be revisited, it may not be until next winter, but at some point it will be revisited.

LL: Well I suppose anything's possible, it's interesting that Cashman knows something that we don't know but that may be his supposition or suspicion, but listen I've been the one saying for quite a while saying that this thing wasn't going to happen when it went through the Players Association's station (BL: You were pretty upset about that). Well I was disappointed, you we had something...(BL: But you've done battle with this guy before) with the Players Association before we have and we will again. But I know they have a job to do but I said at that point that it was really over and no one seemed to believe me (BL: Well no one wanted it to be over, that's the difference between wanting it to be over) heh heh I understand all that but the fact is that I'm saying now that chapter is closed now. Could it revive itself I suppose anything is possible, but there's absolutely nothing afoot, no discussion going on, there's nothing to suggest that there's any rational basis for that rumour.

BL: One final question, as an ownership now going into its third season, the four of you have been pretty united in everything. The A-Rod thing seemed to divide, there seemed to be some cracks in that (LL: Hmmm), now tell me if I'm wrong, there seemed to be some division and I wonder if there was, how much of a concern is it?

LL: No I don't think there was, there was this notion, there was this false story that somehow I was at the point at one, on the negotiations, and that Tom my role or whatever, that was a tactical judgment we made ourselves after having 10 or 12 conversations with Tom Hicks, I suggested it to Tom (Werner) 'hey Tom, you're a fresh face, a fresh voice, you haven't dealt with him, why don't you try and see if you can crack this issue of cash to the Texas Rangers, so I think there were some roles that we assumed during it, but one of the things that I think is a positive thing for the baseball fans of New England is that John Henry, Tom Werner, myself, Theo Epstein on the baseball side, the various people we have in this organization are all pointed in the same direction and aren't going to be outworked by anyone or be timid as we run the franchise and I think there's a harmony, a common point of view that suggests that real progress can be made.


Feb. 11 - Plenty of good Fenway seats available through $calpers and broker$.

Start Up the Truck


All Vinished?

Baker has more than a dozen reasons to show up tonight,
thirty million reasons to be exact.


Best in Showoff

Big Josh Brings it Home

The Big Dog did not disappoint his fans and blew away the field in last night's final showdown at Westminster. Confident, and somewhat cocky, Josh got vocal with the raucous crowd minutes before the final decision was official, announcing (translated): "This is a 100% DONE DEAL, give me my prize."


DominiCan-Do!

The Big O Celebrates with his Dominican Republic teammates and holds the champions trophy along with Emigdio Garrido, center left, president of Dominican Tigres del Licey baseball team, and fan Hector Lugo, right, after winning the Caribbean Baseball Series at the Quisqueya Stadium in Santo Domingo beating Puerto Rico, 4-3 last Friday.


OH MY JOSH!

Crowd Goes Wild for the Big Dog, Barking Newfoundland Takes Early Lead at the Westminster

And Judge who picked Josh in the working group last year is the
best in show judge this time.

''People are drawn to him because he's a real dog. He's got a heart as big as he is.'' - co-owner Peggy Helming


Feb. 9

Coco Pops

Terrier Has Right Stuff

Late challenge expected from nation's No. 1 show dog,
the perky Norfolk terrier named Coco.

''It's insane, it's chaotic backstage.'' - Delta Burke


Feb 8

Fandemonium in the Hub

"We have finished second six years in a row. We haven't won a championship in 86 years. Given that we have undoubtedly the most ardent fans in baseball, this is our mandate. We can leave no stone unturned. It's a real-life Arthurian quest. It's an epic saga that plays out over every single day, 365 days a year, in Boston."
- John Henry (Red Sox picturing the parade)

"They're a diehard group of people (in Philadelphia). They're every bit as mean and vulgar as Boston fans, which is what makes them your fans. And that's how you want your fans to be. You don't want people to come in and relax and have fun in your stadium. You want them to come in and get their butts kicked and then hurry and get out. They hated the opposition and they loved me as a Phillie. That city was like family. They treated me awesome. That's still the city in which I sign fewer autographs than anywhere else. They don't ask me for an autograph, they ask me how [wife] Shonda is doing, how the kids are doing. They know me there."- Curt Schilling - (Schilling swayed by ballpark figures)

"For one brief moment, it was the Patriots' day," said Regan while sipping a beer at The Fours sports bar near North Station the evening after the parade. "But you know what? Now we're back to the Red Sox. Today was crazy. Today was great. But it wasn't the Sox." ..."What I think it comes down to is that nobody's grandfather went to their grave cursing the Patriots," said Michael Rutstein, publisher of Boston Baseball magazine. "The Patriots just don't go that deep into New England's psyche. ..."It's funny. The Patriots won, and everything is great. But when the Red Sox lose, it just doesn't go away, does it?" - (Sox fans not content with Patriotism)


CURT'S CORNER

"Agents are the ONLY people in baseball that take from the game, and give nothing back."

On Agents

Understand one thing, the player ALWAYS, ALWAYS, has 100% say in every single matter regarding ANY issues the agent is HIRED to oversee. If not, the player can fire the agent at any point in time. Agents work for players. The unfortunate fact is that some agents have made this appear exactly the opposite. As the player in this relationship, I'm the employer, period. My agent says what I want him to say, to whom I want him to say it. He represents ME, at every turn, and in every conversation when talking with anyone about my career. It would be naive to think that we all understand this, because we don't. I certainly didn't early in my career. I looked at these guys with some reverence, these college grad three piece suit wearing lawyers. It's a bit intimidating, especially when they start talking about the major leagues as if they'd spent their whole lives in and around the game. The hard charging ones keep this approach I think, it allows them a lot more leeway on their end, to do their thing during negotiations. I realized very early on that every time my agent(s) opened their mouths in public the fans, the people reading the sports pages, took that quote as if I'd said it, that the agents really did speak on my behalf, regardless of how stupid their comments may have been.

There is no question that as a young player you definitely must have an agent, clubs will take advantage of players that don't have representation at this stage of their careers, especially now with so many foreign players playing in the major leagues. The language barrier is a pretty daunting thing in most cases. But I think at some point there becomes zero need to have an agent represent you. At some point you know the market, if you have an ounce of integrity, pride, you know your place in that market, you know your worth within the sport. The next decision to be made is whether or not you want to get every penny of that worth, or whether settling for "less" is still ok. I retain a lawyer now, who handles the fine print of contract language for me, and I have someone outside handling all the PR things that need to be taken care of. It used to be that agents were one stop shopping for these services but I have found that to be less and less that case these days. My agents used to handle all of my off the field stuff, as well as the normal day to day things like handling finances. As an agencies client list grows, their desire to handle these items diminishes.

So in short, I think players need agents early in their career, but I honestly think that most players could do fine for themselves, and the game by representing themselves later.

That being said, there are some players that just don't want to handle the agent side of things, the contracts, the hassle and stuff. That's what agents are for IMO, they gladly pay their 5-10% off the top to have someone else do it. I can't, I can't justify paying someone that kind of money to do something I could easily do myself, with a lot less headache. It's the main reason I have done my last two contract extensions and was heavily involved in my first contract extension, it's my life, my families future, no one on this planet is going to look out for my family and I with as much concern and I would, or do.

My feeling is that with someone like Boras, the ground rules are laid out as the agent has his reputation to get top dollar that he needs to protect. IF that's what a player is after, top dollar, then that's your guy I guess. I have never liked Scott Boras, nor anything he's done. He represents a lot of players I respect and love to watch play, but I don't think he does the game any service in any way. Anyone think JD Drew was better off sitting out for a full year of professional baseball? I'm not sure what JD thinks but I wonder if he'd do it differently given another chance, how about Tek? I'm curious to know how he feels about the whole situation he went through during the draft situation. ...Read more on SoSH


Feb. 7

DOG HAS HIS DAY

Trot Gets Phat Contract, Staying in Boston was "Top Priority"

Nixon Stays in Office Through 2006!

"Trot and his agent, Ron Shapiro, demonstrated aggressively right from the outset through their words and eventually through their actions that staying in Boston was their absolute priority," Epstein said. "And so we entered a negotiation with them based on their desire to stay here. In the end, they deserve all the credit because they didn't try to max out dollars and didn't try to max out years. They took a realistic approach at a contract that made sense for the player and made sense for the club." - Nixon ready for campaign


Feb. 6 Ecklusive:

EckSPN

No More Tears, But Dennis Interviewed for Bobby Valentine's vacant slot on ESPN's Baseball Tonight Wednesday.


You Can Go Home Again

Old Man Burks is Back in the House He Grew Up in


No Looking Back

Nomar's Ready to Give Free Agency a Test Drive

(But he just sold this ride for $110,000)

This beautiful 1959 Corvette convertible was a custom build for Nomar who planned to give it to Mia on their wedding day. Nomar had the 'Vette custom built to his specifications. A car that they could drive up the coast, with a modern stereo playing and the wind blowing through their hair. All new parts for dependability as a daily driver. The reason for a '59 is that Nomar's jersey number is 5, and Mia's is 9. A match made in heaven. After receiving the car the two were just too nervous to drive it. They signed it and after much deliberation decided they wanted it to be with an owner that would show it off and appreciate the classic. Does this mean the A-Rod trade is ALIVE!? Nah.


Thurs. Feb 5

Ellis the In Man

The "Bad Back" is Baaaaack!

Done Deal. Press Conference at 10:00am.
Theo Makes Up for Lou Gorman's Mistake.


Wed. Feb 4

Beyond SoSHape...

"He says he's in the best shape of his life"

Edes reports Schilling really working out.


Tues. Feb. 3

Quiet Picnic

When compared to the Red Sox 2004
World Series Championship Celebration.

(sorry Gerry Callahan... still a Red Sox town)


Boston fans'
"Manifest Insanity":

Did someone have to die -- to DIE -- so that Pats fans could rage? Reason enough to root against the Red Sox winning the World Series.

DQ'd KO's Boston

"Dan Shanoff's comments (on espn.com's Daily Quickie) are usually fit for a bird cage (at best) but I think we may have seen an all time low. In an age of constant controversy involving athletes and rape, drug abuse, and every manner of corruption under the sun, manufacturing a problem with Tom Brady is patently absurd. However, to then use the death of a college student by a drunk driver to bash the Pats, Boston, and the Red Sox (??!) is simply pathological: "Did someone have to die -- to DIE -- so that Pats fans could rage? Reason enough to root against the Red Sox winning the World Series." This goes beyond -just- being tasteless. You should be ashamed of yourself, Shanoff, and so should ESPN." - Travis S. Delaney - University of Vermont


Kevin Youkilis Feels at Home at Fenway

Kevin learns to deal with the media and the fans of Boston at the
Red Sox Rookie Career Development Program.


Ortizzle Still Sizzles

And His Signing's Official

David Ortiz of the Dominican Tigres de Licey team celebrates after
scoring in the fourth inning against Mexico's Tomateros de Sinaloa during
the first game of the Caribbean Series in Santo Domingo Sunday.


DEAD!

But don't shoot the messenger, it's an Xbox picture from the upcoming MVP Baseball 2004

(although his power numbers look pretty good for Fenway).

"The word in the industry is that, at some point, they'll revisit this thing
(A-Rod/Manny trade). Most likely, next winter, but who knows?"
- Brian Cashman, New York Yankees General Manager


SoSHaring

Outfielder Johnny Damon and hitting coach Ron Jackson joined our friends from the Sons of Sam Horn in making a check presentation for $23,600 to the Jimmy Fund at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute today.

Congratulations SoSH and thanks to all Sox fans who donated on their behalf online during their holiday Jimmy Fundraiser.


Mon. Feb. 2 - Boston signed 3B coach Dale Sveum last weekend

Patriots Day Parade

Pats to Follow Red Sox Wild Card
Parade Route to City Hall Today.


DEJA THROUGH

Cowboy Uprights


Grady Who?

Patriots are Willing and Vrabel

Super Bowl Champs Kick the Cats 32-29

Boston is
Bowled Over

New England Avoids Catastrophe,
Tom Was Terrific in the End.
No Adam and Grieve.

"None of this would be possible without the fans back in Boston"
- Super Bowl XXXVIII MVP Tom Brady


Queen of Pop Top

Timberfake's "Wardrobe Malfunction"

Talent-less half-time show goes for cheap thrills.


CURT'S CORNER

Let's Talk Baseball, Real Baseball

On Player's Salaries: Should it Matter?

I don't think it should matter, but it always has and always will. Salaries are a tremendous weapon for fans to berate, belittle, bemoan certain players. Most arguments on players tend to center on a players "worth" in accordance with his contract.

Fact of the matter is the only person that can take umbrage with a players salary is the guy writing checks to pay that salary. If the player is worth it to that guy, then in the end that's all that really matters I think.

People were waiting in line to hammer A-Rod, the 252 million dollar kid. What's he really worth? Other than Mr Hicks his worth is determined by you in whether or not he's worth paying the price of admission to see him play, which IMO he is.

The world at large has gravitated to the notion that what you make determines how good you are at something and I think a key thing is missed in all this. One person, or a small group of people in some instances, makes that decision in the end.

The difference here, in Boston, is that fans do use and talk about salaries, as in the few other real intelligent baseball communities, as they pertain to the organization, instead of the player. Fans understand that signing Joe Smith for X has a direct impact on one or more players present, and future status on this team, and that that decision can directly effect the competitiveness of the team in future years. Look back on the circumstances surrounding me coming here, so much info was thrown out there regarding how my potential incoming salary would affect Pedro's future, D-Lowe's, and the players coming up for free agency after next season.

The threads here were stating that Pedro was certainly gone next year, D-Lowe maybe even this year. Once everyone heard about my deferred compensation they then rerouted the argument, thinking that deferred money is not actually paid until the deferred year, and that money would now be free to spend on Keith.

Arguing salary is a lose lose for players. Am I worth it? Well in the confines of my workplace it depends on who you ask. Is it right/fair that I make 15 lifetimes worth of teachers, policeman's, fireman's salaries in one year? I can't answer that, though I do know they all deserve to be making a lot more than they currently are IMO. ...Read more on SoSH


One Year at a Time

Like Trot, David Settles for One Year Deal with Sox


Sunday, February 1, 2004

Superfect Team

Pats Skin Cats

Copy Cats: Panthers to be introduced as team today.




Wild Card Wannabees

AL Wild

W

L

GB

Oakland

46

36

---

Boston

45

37

1.0

Anaheim

44

39

2.5

Chicago

42

38

3.0

Tampa Bay

42

41

4.5

AL East

W

L

GB

New York

51

31

---

Boston

45

37

6.0

Tampa Bay

42

41

9.5

Toronto

38

46

14.0

Baltimore

36

45

15.0


Get Everything Red Sox at The Souvenir Store

Right across from Fenway 19 Yawkey Way, Boston


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, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Curt and Shonda will be contributing $25,000 to The ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter, and they are asking fans to contribute as well. All proceeds will benefit research and patient services for those in Massachusetts affected by the disease. Program participants will receive different incentive prizes based on the dollar amount per strikeout that they pledge. Please click here to learn more about the program.

Schilling is Top Good Guy


The SHADE Foundation

The Curt and Shonda Schilling Melanoma Foundation of America welcomes Red Sox Nation to join in their fight to save future generations from melanoma, a potentially preventable skin cancer.


Get a Danny O Fenway Litho, as Seen in the Cooperstown Catalog


Chasing Steinbrenner

Exclusive excerpts on the Kevin Millar signing


Home

Box Score and Schedules

Yesterday's News

Barks & Bites

Second Page

20/20

Hardball