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Main page March 31, 2008
Blue Jays-Yankees postponedNEW YORK (AP) - The beginning of the end will have to wait. The final opening day at Yankee Stadium was postponed because of rain Monday, pushing back New York's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. The game was rescheduled for 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, previously an off day in the series. Chien-Ming Wang had been slated to pitch for the Yankees on his 28th birthday against Toronto ace Roy Halladay. New York owner George Steinbrenner showed up around noon for the 84th opening day at Yankee Stadium, but history was put on hold by a steady rain that washed away batting practice and the planned festivities. The tarp remained on the field until the game was called at about 2:30 p.m. after a delay of approximately 85 minutes. Players never were introduced. Next year, the Bronx Bombers will move into a $1.3 billion new Yankee Stadium, under construction just across 161st Street. "You see the new stadium, but it still seems like that's years away, even though it's only one," Derek Jeter said. "Just 100 yards away? That's not too far for the ghosts to go." The rain also delayed Joe Girardi's debut as Yankees manager. Girardi is taking over this season from his mentor, Joe Torre, who spent the past 12 years in charge. Torre guided New York to the playoffs every season from 1996-2007 and won four World Series rings in his first five years. He walked away in the offseason when the club offered him just a one-year contract with a pay cut, then quickly was hired to manage the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Yankees have won 10 consecutive home openers, the best run in franchise history and the longest active streak in the majors, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. "There's so many memories here that go beyond baseball," Jeter said. The rainout means there still has never been a regular-season game in March at Yankee Stadium, christened by Babe Ruth's homer before 74,200 fans on opening day in 1923. The Yankees played at Shea Stadium, home of the Mets, from 1974-75 while Yankee Stadium was being remodeled. Notes: Shannon Stewart was penciled in to start in left field for Toronto instead of Matt Stairs, who has a left hip flexor. Stairs was supposed to be available off the bench, and the Blue Jays said they don't plan to put him on the disabled list. "He feels really well right now so we'll see how he feels after he takes batting practice in the cage," general manager J.P. Ricciardi said. "Just go day to day right now." Stairs, who tested his sore hip during the team's workout Sunday, also had a hip problem last season. "This one might be a little bit more intense than the one last year," he said Sunday. "I just want to get that little clicking out of there that's catching when I run sometimes. It doesn't bother me on any swing, just running and lifting that leg up. You get a pinch once in a while." ... The Yankees have won 15 of their past 16 home openers and 21 of 24.
Posted by Mike McDermott Baseball Today: Monday, March 31
CLAY PIGEON: If you're looking for something to worry about heading into the season, we have two words: Clay Buchholz. The young right-hander, whom Red Sox Nation has such high hopes for in 2008, struggled yet again yesterday in an 8-0 loss to the Dodgers that closed out the exhibition season, getting lifted with no outs and two on in the fourth and already trailing, 4-0. Sean McAdam quotes Buchholz -- 1-3 with a 10.13 ERA in the games-that-don't-count -- as saying that "overall, every outing except maybe one this spring was a positive one for me." But the Herald's Tony Massarotti points out that the Sox' unwillingness to part with Buchholz is the reason they don't have Johan Santana and because of that "the expectations for Buchholz [are] stratospheric." So far, the results are subterranean. With Bartolo Colon knocking on the door -- McAdam has the details of his impressive Friday night showing -- Buchholz could wind up in Pawtucket very soon. WILL BOBBY KIELTY BE THERE IF HE DOES? On Saturday, Kielty said he would accept an assignment to the PawSox while he waits for the Sox to trade Coco Crisp. But now McAdam reports another team has apparently come calling, and Kielty may leave the organization. MEMORIAL NIGHT: The highlight of the weekend in Los Angeles was Saturday night's game at the strangely configured Los Angeles Coliseum, which attracted a record 115,300 fans. McAdam tells all about the goings-on before, during and after the Sox' 7-4 win over the Dodgers. Tim Wakefield pitched well in the victory. QUOTE OF THE DAY: From Joe Torre on playing the Red Sox at the Coliseum: "It's a privilege to share this with the Boston Red Sox. Excuse me -- the World Series champion Boston Red Sox. For some reason, that doesn't bother me anymore." ANOTHER JAPANESE SIGNING: McAdam reports the Sox have brought aboard Japanese pitcher Terumasa Matsuo. TOUGH ROAD AHEAD: McAdam takes a detailed look at the very demanding April schedule of the Red Sox . . . and that's not even considering the Japan trip. WIZARDS OF WALL STREET: The Wall Street Journal has unveiled a detailed statistical system of rating managers that puts Terry Francona 16th overall, well behind such people as Ned Yost, Charlie Manuel and Willie Randolph. IF IT WERE ME . . . In answer to a fan's question on his blog, Jim Rice says he'd play Coco Crisp over Jacoby Ellsbury. Ellsbury, incidentally, was the subject of a profile by Neil Swidey in The Boston Sunday Globe Magazine. I LIKE MIKE: While answering fans' questions on Peter Abraham's LoHud Yankees blog, Brian Cashman says his biggest regret as Yankee GM was the Mike Lowell trade . . . not just because of the player Lowell became, but because the team received almost nothing in return. DOWN ON THE FARM: Thanks to Seth Mnookin for pointing out old friend Alex Speier's comprehensive piece on the Red Sox' farm system in the Manchester Union-Leader. OPENING SALVO: How's that for a first game in a new stadium? The Nationals get a two-out, walkoff home run from Ryan Zimmerman in the bottom of the ninth and beat the Braves on national television. (espn.com) FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal thinks it's fitting, since Zimmerman is the face of the franchise. NOW OR . . . ? Jeff Blair of the Toronto Globe and Mail thinks this could be a make-or-break season for Blue Jays GM (and Worcester native) J.P. Ricciardi, who's starting his seventh year with the team. ONE LAST TIME: Today is the last Opening Day the old Yankee Stadium; next April, the Yanks will be opening across the street at their new, state-of-the-art palace. The Daily News' Mike Lupica says the only fitting way to send the old girl out in style is with one last World Series championship. But colleague John Harper talks to scouts who think, to quote whatever song it was Kitty Carlyle sang in Radio Days, Yankee pitching is either too young or too old. And, while the long-term future is bright, four of the six scouts Harper spoke to said the Yankees won't make the playoffs this year. The two who think they'll qualify both said they don't have the pitching depth to win the World Series. FOREVER 39: The Daily News' Filip Bondy says the Bleacher Creatures in Section 39 not only will miss the old stadium more than anyone, and some of them aren't sure they'll make the move to the new place. LET'S LET BYGONES BE BYGONES: Joe Girardi had a nasty parting with the Marlins and owner Jeffrey Loria in 2006, but they made their peace yesterday. (New York Post) ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN: The Mets are ready to start the Johan Santana Era, though they'll be doing it in Miami. (New York Post) But the Times-Herald's Michael Geffner warns that last year's Amazin' collapse is something the Mets still have to deal with. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD: The Marlins take the field with a $21 million payroll, which the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Mike Hyde thinks is an insult to the fans. COULD IT BE? The Detroit News' Bob Wojnowski says, yeah, the Tigers will be good, but they'll have to be better than good to get where everyone thinks they can go. TWENTY-YEAR ITCH: The Baltimore Sun's Roch Kubatko talks to people who says the Orioles may not be 1988 bad -- that was the year they finished 54-107 -- but they could be close. IT'S NOT GOING AWAY: According to a New York Times/CBS News poll, baseball fans "say that it matters to them if players use performance-enhancing drugs and that the news media are more diligent about covering drug use in baseball than they are in football." (New York Times) UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: I missed this when it first came out, but Pat Jordan -- author of the withering Jose Canseco piece on Deadspin that we linked to a couple of days ago -- related his experiences watching Roger Clemens work out under the eye of Brian McNamee for Baseball Analysts on the day of Clemens' 60 Minutes interview with Mike Wallace. (It was for a New York Times Sunday Magazine story entitled Roger Clemens Refuses To Grow Up that ran in 2001, a story that so enraged Clemens he convinced the Yankees to ban Jordan from their clubhouse during his time with the team.) Jordan, in the Baseball Analysts post, makes an interesting comparison between the careers of Clemens and Tom Seaver. He notes Seaver had more wins than Clemens through the first 12 years of their respective careers (a 219-117 record for Seaver, 192-111 for Clemens). After that, however, Clemens -- who began his 13th season with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1997, the year he left the Red Sox -- left Seaver in the dust; he was 162-73 over the next 11 seasons, while Seaver went 92-78 over eight years before retiring. "While Seaver struggled with that declining fastball in the latter stage of his career, Clemens kept throwing hard," writes Jordan, who later adds: "It goes against the laws of nature, although I suspect that a case can be made that Clemens' incredible late career success could be attributed to the strict diet and fabled workout routine of his former trainer and friend, now his adversary, Brian McNamee." THAT ABOUT COVERS IT: SI.com's Richard Deitsch saw Jose Canseco as "equal parts oily, smug and desperate" on his Nightline appearance last week. THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY: The real reason Canseco is mad at Alex Rodriguez? Because A-Rod wouldn't let Canseco and his brother, Ozzie, be his agents. (SI.com) GOOD QUESTION, RICHARD: The Houston Chronicle's Richard Justice acknowledges Woody Williams was pitching poorly and deserved to be released, but wonders why Astros fans attacked him so personally over the Internet. BEGINNING OF THE END? The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel believes this could be Ben Sheets' final season with the Brewers. And Francisco Rodriguez himself thinks he'll be leaving the Angels at the conclusion of the year. (Los Angeles Times) No one really knows if this is C.C. Sabathia's swan song in Cleveland, but the Plain Dealer's Bud Shaw says Sabathia knows the benefit of staying put. HOW RUMORS START: According to the Tampa media, Eric Hinske has not only made the Rays' 25-player roster (Tampa Tribune), but he's going to be their Opening Day right fielder. (St. Petersburg Times) But all it took was a throwaway line at the very bottom of a Los Angeles Times column -- "Tampa Bay's Eric Hinske is also reportedly on the market" -- to get the blogosphere (Rays Anatomy, DRaysBay) humming. Why he would be offered for trade now is unfathomable, and Hinske himself obviously doesn't think he's going anywhere; he tells the Bradenton Herald he's looking forward to getting some at-bats this year after an enjoyable, but mostly idle, stint in Boston. HERE AND THERE The Toronto Sun reports Alex Rios has until today to accept the Blue Jays' six-year, $65 million offer, or there'll be no more talks until after the season . . . It looks likes Wes Helms will be staying with the Phillies, at least for now (Allentown Call) . . . Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan is contemplating legal action against a St. Louis radio station after he said they put him on the air without his permission (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) . . . The Orioles ate an $11.9 million meal when they released Jay Gibbons (Baltimore Sun) . . . Juan Pierre's not out of a job; he's just out of a starting job with the Dodgers. (mlb.com) OLD FRIENDS: The Rockies are interested in Jorge De La Rosa, who was designated for assignment by the Royals last week (Kansas City Star) . . . The Cubs are getting inquiries about Matt Murton, who no longer fits into their plans (Chicago Sun-Times) . . . Scott Hatteberg will get the Opening Day start at first base for the Reds (cincinnati.com) . . . Andy Marte made the Indians' 25-player roster and is relaxed and looking forward to the season (mlb.com) . . . The blog Red Reporter thinks the release of Mike Stanton is a sign Cincinnati is serious about winning this year. -- ART MARTONE
Posted by Art Martone March 30, 2008
Final: Red Sox 7, Dodgers 4BY SEAN McADAM LOS ANGELES -- Somewhere in there -- hidden behind the pomp and circumstance and the ceremony and the strange field configuration -- was a baseball game Saturday night at the Los Angeles Coliseum, one in which the Red Sox pounded the Los Angeles Dodgers, 7-4. Playing in front of the largest crowd -- 115,300 -- ever to watch a baseball game, the Sox spotted the Dodgers a 1-0 lead, then scored the next seven runs before the Dodgers responded with three runs in the late innings. "It was really a pretty special night,'' said Terry Francona. "I don't think any of us knew what to expect. But everybody involved did a great job. It ended up being a great night all around.'' Tim Wakefield pitched into the sixth, allowing a single run -- unearned -- on five hits and recorded the win, a signficant feat for a flyball pitcher in a ballpark where the left-field line was just 201 feet from home plate. "I thought Wake did a great job of not letting things get in the way of his preparation,'' Francona said. "He threw strikes and did well.'' "He's been really good every game since I've started catching him,'' said catcher Kevin Cash. "It's not easy to maintain your stuff every time out, but he has. He's definitely in a good spot with his mechanics.'' Cash gave his batterymate some support with a three-run homer in the second. Kevin Youkilis added a two-run shot in the third. "That was pretty cool,'' said Cash of his homer. "I would rather it be in a regular-season game, but if it has to come in an exhibition game, I'm glad it was this one.'' Bryan Corey pitched two innings and allowed a run. Hideki Okajima tossed a scoreless eighth and Jonathan Papelbon closed it out, touched for a two-run homer with two out in the ninth by Blake DeWitt. Cash and Francona said the football lights -- higher than usual for a baseball setting -- and a tough hitter's background made it difficult for batters to see in the first few innings. "But once they got going,'' said Francona, "they had fun with it.''
Posted by Sean McAdam Photo: Kareem takes his shot
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the former Los Angeles Lakers basketball great, grew up as a Dodger fan in Brooklyn, and always said one of his greatest sports memories was when the Dodgers won their first World Series, finally beating the Yankees in 1955. (He brought up the comparison when the Lakers beat the Celtics in the NBA Finals, after losing to them so many times, in 1985.) Saturday night he was asked to throw in one of the first pitches, as many former Dodger players stood behind him. When he wasn't satisfied with his overhand pitch, he took the ball back and showed everyone his classic "sky hook" shot that he was known for on the basketball court,
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photos: Getting ready for the game
Bench coach Brad Mills and Manny Ramirez (top photo) head onto the Los Angeles Coliseum in preparation for Saturday night's exhibition. The Sox do their stretching exercises (middle photo), watched by the fans (bottom photo).
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: I got it!
The left-field fence at the Los Angeles Coliseum was only 201 feet from the plate, so a high net was put in place to replicate a wall. Still, fans were able to collect a lot of drives hit over the net during batting practice and the game.
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photos: Short left field
The Red Sox and Dodgers played at the Los Angeles Coliseum Saturday night in a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the team moving to the West Coast. (The Dodgers played their first four seasons in L.A., from 1958-61, at the Coliseum while Dodger Stadium was being built.) The field was squeezed into the space at the since-reconfigured Coliseum, allowing only a 201-foot left-field line (top photo). Both teams played their left fielder toward left center and the shortstops and third basemen covered short left-field area. In the bottom photo, Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo fields a grounder that caromed off the left-field wall.
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: Record crowd at the Coliseum
The crowd of 115,300 at the Los Angeles Coliseum was a world record for attendance at a baseball game. Dodgers pitcher Esteban Loaiza warms up before the game surrounded by fans in all the seats.
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Sox make it 7-1LOS ANGELES -- An RBI double from Bobby Kielty and a run-scoring single from Alex Cora have upped the Red Sox lead to a comfortable 7-1 in the top of the sixth. Tim Wakefield is coming out for what is presumed to be his final inning of work. To date, he's been superb, allowing just three hits through the first five innings. -- SEAN McADAM
Posted by Sean McAdam March 29, 2008
Home runs put Sox aheadLOS ANGELES -- Given the dimensions here, we hesitate to call them long balls, but the Sox got a three-run homer in the second from Kevin Cash -- to left center, a little over 300 feet away -- and a two-run shot from Kevin Youkilis, who went over the screen in left for a two-run poke in the third. Sox 5, Dodgers 1, bottom 3 -- SEAN McADAM
Posted by Sean McAdam Dodgers grab Arena Baseball League leadLOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers have scored first here. Rafael Furcal singled to left, took second when Tim Wakefield's errant pickoff throw got past Kevin Youkilis, advanced to third when Russell Martin flied to deep right and scored on a sacrifice fly to left -- even though left fielder Bobby Kielty was almost in dead center when he caught the ball. Dodgers 1, Red Sox 0 after one. -- SEAN McADAM
Posted by Sean McAdam Colon sharp in Sox' loss to DodgersBY SEAN McADAM LOS ANGELES -- Bartolo Colon is not yet ready to help the Red Sox, as evidenced by the fact that the next time he pitches, it will be for Pawtucket and not Boston. But if Friday night is any indication, Colon's return to the major leagues may not be far off. Opening the Red Sox' weekend's worth of exhibition games here, Colon pitched four innings and gave up just one run on three hits in a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. He walked just one while striking out four and consistently threw his fastball in the low 90s. "I think we're all pleased . . . and he is, too,'' said Terry Francona of Colon, who declined to speak with repoerters after the outing. "He commanded both sides of the plate and his breaking ball had some depth to it. I think the more he gets into shape, the better he's able to throw the ball down in the (strike) zone.'' "Compared to his Florida (spring training) starts,'' added pitching coach John Farrell, "he threw the ball down in the zone more consistently, which is what he needs to do. There are indications that he's getting into better shape. He's able to hold his stamina.'' Colon will start the season opener for Pawtucket Thursday, when the Sox hope to increase his pitch count to 75 or so. He threw 60 pitches last night, 36 of which were strikes. "Ideally,'' said Farrell, "we'd like to see all our starters get stretched out to 80-100 pitches. That's kind of the framework.'' Colon will remain with the team for a few more days and will throw his side session either Sunday or Monday before heading back East in time for the McCoy Stadium opener. The Dodgers pushed across two runs off minor-league reliever Lincoln Holdzkom in the bottom of the eighth to snap a 1-1 tie. Massachusetts native Mark Sweeney laced a double into left-center for the go-ahead run and James Loney then added a bloop single to right to score the second run. Following Colon's outing, Julian Tavarez added three shutout innings, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out one over 54 pitches. The Sox collected just three hits on the night and none until the fifth inning. Jacoby Ellsbury and Julio Lugo singled in the fifth, with Ellsbury scoring on a fielder's choice by Dustin Pedroia. The only other Boston hit came from Sean Casey, who singled in the sixth.
Posted by Sean McAdam Timlin placed on disabled listBY SEAN McADAM LOS ANGELES -- In explaining the decision to place veteran reliever Mike Timlin on the 15-day disabled list -- retroactive to March 20 -- the Sox said they were being particularly careful with the laceration on the reliever's right finger. "We're sitting on him a little bit,'' said Terry Francona. "We're going to make sure he's ready to pitch.'' Timlin cut his finger when he was struck by a comebacker on March 19 and still has stitches in the finger. Those must be removed before Timlin can resume his throwing program. Francona said after Friday night's game that the stitches will ''hopefully (come out) the next couple of days. It's up to the medical people."
Posted by Art Martone March 28, 2008
Photo: Colon Pitches in LA
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo:Bubble Time
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: Back to Spring Training
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: Old Friends
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Multimedia: Projo SoxTalk with Sean McAdam, from Los AngelesClick the play button below to hear Sean's comments, recorded this morning. He discusses the rocky first outings by Daisuke Matsuzaka and Jon Lester in Japan, Manny Ramirez's new attitude, and Saturday night's freak-show exhibition game at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
Posted by Mike McDermott Baseball Today: Friday, March 28
BACK TO NORMAL: It was only an optional workout at Dodger Stadium, but most of the Red Sox -- like Mike Lowell (above) -- were there yesterday, anxious to resume their normal routines after a week in Japan that was anything but . . . well, routine. Sean McAdam was on hand, as well, reporting on the workout and other items, such as J.D. Drew's improving back and Mike Timlin's still-injured finger. PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE . . . that the Red Sox plan to stress when it comes to their young players. In conversations with our own Joe McDonald, both Theo Epstein and Terry Francona say they'll give Clay Buccholz and Jacoby Ellsbury the same sort of support they gave Dustin Pedroia, who struggled both in his two-month stint with the Sox at the end of '06 and in the first month last year, and will try to manage unrealistic public expectations of people who don't realize that, as Epstein says, "Development isn’t a linear thing." CASE IN POINT: Like, for instance, the Boston Herald's Gerry Callahan, who tears into Francona for not handing the center field/leadoff job to Ellsbury.
'YOUR AVERAGE BACKYARD WHIFFLE BALL GAME': That's what the Boston Globe's Eric Wilbur thinks we'll see Saturday night when the Sox and Dodgers face off in the L.A. Coliseum (above), with its 201-foot left-field fence. 60-MINUTE MAN: 60 Minutes will profile the Red Sox' Bill James on Sunday night, and cbsnews.com's report on James includes a couple of video clips. THAT'S OUR GUY: Emil Brown's front-and-center performance -- both good and bad -- in the Sox-A's series in Japan has Joe Posnanski remembering Brown's days in Kansas City -- both good and bad. LOOKING AHEAD: Anybody can pick an MVP or Cy Young winner after the season. FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal gives out these awards before the year starts, and he selects Terry Francona as Manager of the Year and Clay Buchholz as the A.L.'s Breakout Player. The baseball team at yahoo.com does the same thing; one of them picks Jon Lester as the breakout player. NOT ACCORDING TO ME: John Dewan doesn't have Buchholz or Lester on his list of players who may have breakout years based on their spring-training stats. (actasports.com) To be fair, though, Dewan only looked at hitters . . . though there were no Sox on that list, either. One Yankee (Robinson Cano) made it. ASK 14: Sullivan Tires has started a blog for Jim Rice in which he answers readers' questions. Today's inquiry: Whether or not Buchholz will stick with the Sox. (Jim says yes.) RAY GUNS: Writing for SportingNews.com, David Pinto says Tampa Bay has a better starting rotation than either the Red Sox or Yankees. RACE TO THE ALTAR: Hideki Matsui got married Wednesday, enabling him to win a bet with Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu over who would take his vows first. But Jeter -- as you'll see if you get to the bottom of the story -- isn't ready to concede just yet. (New York Times) NO DEAL: Hank Steinbrenner denies reports that the Yankees are for sale. (New York Daily News) GOOD CAUSE: The blog River Ave. Blues is holding a season-long pledge drive to raise money for The Jorge Posada Foundation, which provides emotional and financial support to families with children affected by craniosynostosis. Posada's son suffers from the disease. GETTING CLOSER: The New York Times reports MLB and the Players Association are moving towards an agreement on the Mitchell Report’s recommendations on performance-enhancing drugs, which would include an amnesty on discipline for any players mentioned in the report but would also install "year-round drug testing and other measures" moving forward. THE STORY THAT WON'T GO AWAY: As Brian McNamee was in the Boston area yesterday, telling kids not to make the mistakes he made (Boston Herald), Jose Canseco started blasting away at him as he defended his friend Roger Clemens. (New York Daily News) Canseco, of course, identified Clemens as a steroids user in his new book, though now he's backtracking from his own words and claims 'ol Rog is clean as a whistle. PASSING THE TASTE TEST: The blog Bleacher Banter gives a thumbs-up to the food at the new Nationals Park. SHORT STUFF: Orioles manager Dave Trembley threatens to "put a size 11 1/2 where it don't shine" -- jokingly (we think) -- if Nick Markakis doesn't stop taking grounders in the infield during batting practice. (Baltimore Sun) WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL? The blog Outs Per Swing: A Tampa Bay Rays Blog doesn't see why sending Evan Longoria to the minor leagues is such a bad thing. THE OTHER TRIP: Eric Neel has a fascinating look at the visit to China by Joe Torre and the Dodgers earlier this month. (espn.com) HERE AND THERE: It looks like Scott Rolen's broken finger will sideline him until May (mlb.com) . . . Another third baseman, the Dodgers' Tony Abreu, will also start the season on the DL (Los Angeles Daily News) . . . The Padres and Rays have expressed interest in Mariners outfielder Jeremy Reed. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer) OLD FRIENDS: We don't think of baseball players having tattoos, mainly because not much of them is uncovered when they're in uniform, but Joe Haggerty reports ex-Sox reliever Rudy Seanez "had the fiercest body art ever seen in Fenway’s home clubhouse" (Hacks With Haggs blog) . . . Wily Mo Pena is recovering faster than expected from his strained left oblique (mlb.com) . . . Freddy Sanchez still hopes to be ready by Opening Day (mlb.com) . . . Bronson Arroyo had quite a spring (rotoworld.com) . . . Eric Hinske will be the Rays' fifth outfielder. (St. Petersburg Times) THE REAL WORLD, PART ONE: We all love baseball and have fun with virtually every part of it, but sadness is part of the package, as well. ESPN's Jeff Pearlman profiles Jami Dawn Kennedy four months after the shocking death of her 27-year-old husband, big-league pitcher Joe Kennedy, because of hypertensive heart disease. THE REAL WORLD, PART TWO: According to Baseball Musing's David Pinto, Peter Gammons is reporting that the Diamondbacks' Doug Davis has thyroid cancer. No word yet in the mainstream media on Davis' condition. -- ART MARTONE
Posted by Art Martone March 27, 2008
Big Papi Hits One Out
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: Varitek Gears Up
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: Crack Shot Cora
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: Jacoby Stretches It Out
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: Red Sox at Dodger Stadium
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photos: Farewell Tokyo, hello L.A.
Posted by Mike McDermott Baseball Today: Thursday, March 27
YOU SAY GOODBYE, AND I SAY HELLO: They've returned to the United States, the first part of the endless journey complete, and the Red Sox are recuperating from their week in Japan, which ended yesterday with a 5-1 loss to the A's. The stories from the game, which have been on the site for about 21 hours now, need no rehashing today; instead, we now go back to the future -- which is to say, the resumption of spring training -- and get ready for the three games in Los Angeles, which will be highlighted by Saturday night's appearance before 115,000 people at the Los Angeles Coliseum. (si.com) THE SAME . . . BUT DIFFERENT: Last year, you may recall, Jordan's Furniture had a unique promotion: Anything you bought at one of their stories in April would be free if the Red Sox won the World Series. About 24,000 people took advantage of the offer, and received rebate checks after the Sox swept the Rockies last October. Jordan's is back with another offer this year, but it's not quite as generous: The Red Sox have to sweep the Series for customers to collect, and it only applies to "sofas, sectionals, dining room tables, beds, mattresses, and rugs." (Boston Globe) Still, it's amazing Jordan's could find an insurance company to underwrite this year's offer; last year's must have cost millions. ENOUGH! There are Yankee fans convinced ESPN hates the Yanks, and Red Sox fans convinced ESPN hates the Red Sox. Kevin Modesti of the Los Angeles Daily News thinks both those groups are certifiably insane, as, from a West Coaster's point of view, he asserts ESPN's baseball coverage consists of "18 games between the Red Sox and Yankees and 160 editions of 'Baseball Tonight' previewing or rehashing games between the Red Sox and Yankees." COVER BOYS: Jacoby Ellsbury and Clay Buccholz are two of six players on the cover of Sports Illustrated's baseball preview issue (Boston Dirt Dogs), but SI picks the Sox to finish behind the Yankees in the A.L. East. NEW YORK STATE OF MIND: But the New York Post's Joel Sherman says the Red Sox will win the A.L. East. AUTHOR, AUTHOR: With the release date of his book Vindicated: Big Names, Big Liars and the Battle to Save Baseball imminent, Jose Canseco is back in the public arena, talking steroids. The big name he's accusing this time is Alex Rodriguez, though he admits he "cannot bet my life" that A-Rod took steroids and further clouds his accusations by refusing to provide any evidence ("The timing's not right") to substantiate his charges. (New York Post) In an interview with ABC's Nightline that will air tonight, Canseco also backs off claims in his book that Roger Clemens is a user. (New York Daily News) JOSE WHO? A-Rod's strategy is to ignore the whole thing, not even issuing as much as a non-denial denial. (New York Daily News) But former Yankee bullpen catcher Mike Borzello -- who says "Nobody in the last four years, including his wife because she wasn't on the road, spent more time with Alex than I did" -- tells the New York Post there's "no way" Rodriguez did steroids. IF I CAN ADD MY TWO CENTS . . . You knew Hank Steinbrenner wouldn't stay silent on this topic for very long. Three guesses as to who he sides with in this dispute, and the first two don't count. (Bergen Record) 'A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALLY CARE': Magglio Ordonez shrugs off the fact that Canseco also accused him of steroids use in the latest book . . . though he, too, never comes out and denies it. (Detroit Free Press) THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION: Yahoo.com's Tim Brown, while admitting that Canseco "has been right, a lot, and too often to be little more than a vindictive jerk swinging wildly at baseball icons," sides with A-Rod on this one. 'CHASING JOSE': Beware the NFSW aspects of this piece -- in every regard -- but, if such things don't give you the vapors, read Pat Jordan's account on Deadspin of trying to track down Canseco for a magazine piece he'd agreed to. Baseball Musing's David Pinto puts it best after reading this unbelievable piece: "I need to go disinfect myself now." DEPENDS ON WHAT 'DECENT' IS: Joe Girardi believes Chien-Ming Wang's four runs-in-five innings performance yesterday was his "best day" of the year, and felt Wang -- who finished the exhibition schedule with an 8.04 ERA -- had a "decent spring." (New York Daily News) TAKING THE ROLL: 97-year-old Bob Sheppard, the public-address announcer at Yankee Stadium since 1951, won't be on hand for Opening Day as he continues to recover from health problems that forced him to miss the playoffs last year, though he vows he "will be" back on the job sometime this year. (Newsday) But Bobby Murcer, who continues recovering from a brain tumor, says he'll be there. (New York Post) AD MEN: The Tao of Steib has a YouTube clip of some pretty clever Blue Jays promotional spots for the coming season. AGE IS JUST A NUMBER: Tom Glavine may have turned 42 earlier this week, but he feels he can give the Braves 200 innings this season. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) ACED: The Mariners were counting on Erik Bedard to anchor their rotation this year, so they have to be a little worried that's he's allowed 23 earned runs in 24 innings this spring. (yahoo.com) "THE BALLPARK HAS BEEN DE-BONDSED": The San Francisco Chronicle's Scott Ostler reports the Giants have removed all signs that Barry Bonds ever played for them in whatever they're calling their stadium these days. When asked if they planned any sort of visible tribute to Bonds, Giants president Peter Magowan answered simply, "No." HERE AND THERE: If the Cardinals are auditioning Anthony Reyes, as is rumored, he helped his trade chances with six shutout innings against the Nationals (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) . . . Juan Gonzalez has abandoned his comeback attempt, but the Cardinals say they'll keep the door open if he wants to try again. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) MEDICAL REPORT: Kelvin Escobar says his shoulder injury could be career-threatening (Los Angeles Times) . . . Moises Alou, recovering from hernia surgery, thinks he'll be back playing for the Mets sometime in April. (New York Daily News) OLD FRIENDS: Jorge De La Rosa, a key figure in Red Sox history in that he was part of the package of players who went to Arizona in the Curt Schilling deal, has been designated for assignment by the Royals (Kansas City Star) . . . Good news, bad news from the Pirates: They've released Byung-Hyun Kim and Hector Carrasco, but are keeping Doug Mientkiewicz (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) . . . The last time Jay Payton wanted to be traded or released, he threw a preplanned tantrum in the dugout in the middle of a game to force the Red Sox to get rid of him. Sounds like the Orioles better get ready for Act Two (Baltimore Sun) . . . The Phillies may have interest in calling the Reds about Mike Stanton (delawareonline.com) . . . Luis Mendoza will open the season on the disabled list for the Rangers (Dallas Morning News) . . . Johnny Damon is battling the flu (mlb.com) . . . The Marlins would like to see less speed (i.e., stolen bases) and more power from Hanley Ramirez (mlb.com) . . . Pedro Martinez wrapped up his spring with six innings of work in an intrasquad game and says he's ready to start the season (Newsday) . . . Chris Reitsma is headed home and apparently contemplating retirement after he left the Mariners' camp upon being told he wasn't physically ready to make the Opening Day roster . . . Rudy Seanez said he'd retire if he didn't make the Dodgers. Well, he didn't (rotoworld.com); let's see if he decides to follow through on his decision . . . Matt Murton is the odd man out in Chicago, and the Cubs say they'll try to trade him. (Chicago Tribune) Pinto expects Billy Beane to grab him for the A's. -- ART MARTONE
Posted by Art Martone March 26, 2008
Baseball Today: Wednesday, March 26
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER: We're a few hours past our deadline for posting this, but it couldn't be helped: Sean McAdam and I were working feverishly throughout the morning to get today's report online. (Sean had very little time to write after the game, as everyone had to catch the bus to the airport after the game.) Here's what we have from today's 5-1 Red Sox loss to the A's: -- Game story: Rich Harden was the difference as the A's won, earning a split of the two games in Japan. -- The trip is complete and, all in all, the Red Sox say they enjoyed their time in Japan. -- Coco Crisp replaced Jacoby Ellsbury in center field for the second game of the series, but Terry Francona says he can't tell Crisp exactly how he'll be used this year because he doesn't yet know himself. -- J.D. Drew missed his second straight game because of back spasms . . . -- . . . which means Brandon Moss played again. But after the game, he was shipped to Pawtucket. -- David Aardsma did his part to avoid joining Moss on the Fenway-to-McCoy shuffle by pitching 1 2/3 scoreless innings Wednesday. -- Bartolo Colon's scheduled to pitch Friday night in Los Angeles and other notes. -- And finally, the A's felt like they were treated as the Red Sox' poor cousins during their time in Tokyo. ONE MORE TIME: And in case you missed it, here's a quick list of all Sean's stories from Tuesday's 6-5 Red Sox victory over the A's: -- Manny Ramirez gets off to his quickest start in years with a pair of two-run doubles, including a two-out shot in the 10th that breaks a 4-4 tie, and leads the Red Sox to a season-opening win over the A's. -- Daisuke Matsuzaka overcomes a rocky start to pitch five solid innings and leaves the game with a 3-2 lead. -- The red-hot J.D. Drew can't answer the bell, as a bad back forces him to the sidelines. -- A complete list of postgame notes. -- Commissioner Bud Selig attends the game and is non-committal on whether or not punishment will be meted out to players named in the Mitchell Report. He also has little to say about the Sox' threatened boycott of the Japanese trip, concluding, "All's well that ends well." -- Prior to the game, Sean accompanies representatives of the Red Sox and A's to a reception at the home of Thomas Schieffer, the U.S. Ambassador to Japan. "They'll let anyone in here, I guess,'' jokes A's general manager Billy Beane when he spots Sean. NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Japan's a nice place to visit, but Kevin Youkilis, to quote the Beach Boys, can't wait to get back to the States. SORRY: Daisuke Matsuzaka apologized to the Japanese fans for lasting only five innings on Tuesday. (Boston Herald) THE TURNING POINT: SI.com's Tom Verducci has a fascinating piece about how both the Red Sox and Yankees shifted their focus to player development in 2005, and the benefits they've derived from that decision. NOT SO FAST: ESPN's Jonah Keri says the Red Sox may not be the dynasty-in-the-making they're being described as in many circles. THE WISDOM OF CROWDS: On the blog Fire Brand of the American League, Tim Daloisio is trying an interesting experiment. Quoting a book that says "in the right situations a crowd can produce decisions and answers to questions that are more accurate in average than all but a very few of the individuals that make up that collective intelligence," Daloisio wants to test the theory, and has set up forms for people to fill out trying to determine how Red Sox players will perform this season. DON'T WORRY: Andy Pettitte says he'll be back in the first week of the season. (New York Post) NOTHING FUNNY ABOUT IT IF IT'S TRUE: Humorist Joe Lavin claims to have found an early copy of Jose Canseco's new book and says Canseco accuses Magglio Ordonez, Roger Clemens and Alex Rodriguez of steroids use. (joelavin.com) ELEPHANT MAN: The Republicans on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform release a statement defending Roger Clemens and claiming the Democrats produced a report that was a "prosecutorial indictment" of Clemens. (New York Times) WAITING FOR AN EXPLANATION: David Scott promises to pass it along when he gets one from ESPN regarding what could be, at its best, an unexplainable gaffe or, at its worst, a very cruel inside joke regarding the late Cory Lidle. (shots.bostonsportsmedia.com) TWO PLUS TWO EQUALS . . . When Brian Roberts was scratched from yesterday's Orioles' exhibition game before batting practice, speculation immediately started that he'd finally been traded to the Cubs. But it was just a bad back. (Baltimore Sun) HERE AND THERE: There's been a change at the top at the Hall of Fame (bloomberg.com) . . . The Angels' Kelvin Escobar (shoulder) joins John Lackey, Scot Shields, Chris Bootcheck and (perhaps) Gary Matthews Jr. on the sidelines (Los Angeles Times) . . . The Giants' Kevin Frandsen will miss the season after suffering a torn Achilles' tendon (San Francisco Chronicle) . . . The Astros' new second baseman, Kaz Matsui, will miss at least the first two weeks for an injury that I really don't want to recount here (Houston Chronicle) . . . The Rangers have named C,J. Wilson as their closer. (Dallas Morning News) OLD FRIENDS: It looks like Trot Nixon will stick with the Diamondbacks (East Valley Tribune) . . . The Cardinals placed both Matt Clement and Joel Pineiro on the disabled list, though neither move was a surprise. (rotoworld.com) -- ART MARTONE
Posted by Art Martone A's 5, Red Sox 1: One-stop wrapup for all eight stories from TokyoA quick list of all Sean McAdam's stories from Wednesday's 5-1 Red Sox loss to the A's: -- Game story: Rich Harden was the difference as the A's won, earning a split of the two games in Japan. -- The trip is complete and, all in all, the Red Sox say they enjoyed their time in Japan. -- Coco Crisp replaced Jacoby Ellsbury in center field for the second game of the series, but Terry Francona says he can't tell Crisp exactly how he'll be used this year because he doesn't yet know himself. -- J.D. Drew missed his second straight game because of back spasms . . . -- . . . which means Brandon Moss played again. But after the game, he was shipped to Pawtucket. -- David Aardsma did his part to avoid joining Moss on the Fenway-to-McCoy shuffle by pitching 1 2/3 scoreless innings Wednesday. -- Bartolo Colon's scheduled to pitch Friday night in Los Angeles and other notes. -- And finally, the A's felt like they were treated as the Red Sox' poor cousins during their time in Tokyo.
Posted by Art Martone Sox option Moss to PawtucketBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- Well, that didn't take long. Immediately at the conclusion of Wednesday's game against the A's, the Red Sox -- as expected -- optioned outfielder Brandon Moss to Pawtucket (International League). Moss played in both of the games here against Oakland in place of the injured J.D. Drew and hit a game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Tuesday's opener. The Sox now have 26 players on the active roster.
Posted by Art Martone Red Sox lose to A's, 5-1 as Lester faltersBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- It began in a familiar way -- an early deficit resulting from a struggling starter. But this one did not have the same happy ending for the Red Sox that Tuesday's opener did. Handcuffed by Oakland A's starter Rich Harden, the Sox' offense was checked on five hits and fell to the A's, 5-1, Wednesday for a split of their season-opening series at the Tokyo Dome. The two teams will resume their series next Tuesday in Oakland. Boston got five innings of quality relief from four different relievers, but the four runs the A's managed off Jon Lester were enough to stand up. The Sox' lone run came on a majestic solo shot from Manny Ramirez in the sixth, giving him five RBI for the first two games. The rest of the heart of the Sox lineup, however, was feeble. David Ortiz was 0-for-3, Mike Lowell had two singles and Brandon Moss, in his second inning of fill-in duty for J.D. Drew, couldn't continue the magic, fanning in three plate appearances. Even Ramirez produced nothing beyond his homer, striking out three times. He wasn't alone -- the Sox went down swinging (or looking) a total of 13 times. Of the Sox' five hits, three were singles. If the Sox thought that getting Harden out of the game after six was going to open the offensive spigot, they were wrong. In the eighth, an error by Bobby Crosby on a sharp one-hopper by Kevin Youkilis gave the Sox some hope and Youkilis moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. But former Sox reliever Keith Foulke retired Ortiz on a flyout to right and then slipped a called third strike on the outside corner past Ramirez for the final out. In the seventh, Santiago Casilla had allowed a two-out double into the right field corner by Coco Crisp, but Crisp was stranded there when Julio Lugo grounded meekly to short. Oakland added a solo run in the eighth off Bryan Corey. A two-out double by Kurt Suzuki and a single to center from Mike Fiorentino produced a cushion that the A's wouldn't need. Yet another former Sox reliever, Alan Embree, turned back the Sox in the ninth. A leadoff single from Lowell was wiped out when pinch-hitter Sean Casey rolled into a double-play. Jason Varitek then fanned for the final out. Blanked for the first five innings by Harden, the Sox finally showed some life in the sixth as Ramirez drove a deep drive into the seats in left for his first homer of the season and career shot No. 491. Ramirez stood and admired his handy work, watching the ball soar and land before he began his home-run trot. When Lowell followed with a long flyout to left, that was end of the night for Harden, but he had stifled the Sox offense, limiting them to a single run over six innings while recording nine strikeouts. Like Daisuke Matsuzaka the night before, Lester had some long innings in the early going. A one-out double by Crosby in the second and a two-out walk to Suzuki gave the A's the first scoring threat of the night and former Wheaton College standout Chris Denorfia cashed in, singling to right to deliver Crosby. Lester limited the damage by catching Travis Buck looking at a called third strike. But the A's went right back to work against him in the third. A leadoff walk to Mark Ellis and a one-out single from Mike Sweeney set the stage for Brown, who ran into an out representing the potential tying run in the ninth inning Tuesday night. This time, Brown more than made up for his baserunning gaffe, taking Lester out to left with a booming three-run homer. Lester then settled down, retiring the side in order in the fourth, but his struggles in the second and third came back to cut his night short. After four, having thrown 83 pitches -- just 47 of them strikes -- Lester was through. The Sox got little done off Harden in the early innings, held hitless through the first three. The hard-throwing A's starter, limited to just 13 starts over the previous two seasons, had some command problems, but the Sox were unable to capitalize. He fanned two in the first, two in the second and one in the third. He issued a one-out walk to Julio Lugo in the third and a two-out pass to Dustin Pedroia in the same inning, but got Ortiz to pop to third for the final out, stranding two. Not until Lowell singled sharply to left with one down in the fourth did the Sox collect their first
Posted by Sean McAdam Photo: You've never seen this at Fenway
Posted by Peter Phipps Photo: Manny gets Red Sox on The Board Manny Ramirez -- who else? -- has produced the first run off Oakland's Rich Harden, hammering a homer deep to left, a solo shot, with two out in the sixth.
Posted by Sean McAdam Lester out, Aardsma inTOKYO -- Jon Lester is through for the night, having gone four innings, allowing four runs -- all earned -- on five hits with three walks, four strikeouts and one homer. David Aardsma is in to pitch the bottom of the fifth. Oakland still leads 4-0.
Posted by Sean McAdam Oakland grabs 4-0 leadTOKYO -- The A's lead 4-0 in the bottom of the third. Emil Brown, whose baserunning gaffe in the ninth inning helped sink Oakland in the first game, just clobbered a 1-and-1 fastball from Jon Lester and deposited into the left field seats for a three-run homer. The A's had nicked the Sox for a run in the second on run-scoring single from Chris Denorfia, scoring Bobby Crosby who was on with a one-out double. Oakland starter Rich Harden looks locked in, with five strikeouts and no hits allowed through three. -- SEAN McADAM
Posted by Sean McAdam Notes: Colon to pitch Friday in L.A.BY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- Bartolo Colon will start Friday's exhibition game against the Los Angeles Dodgers and is scheduled to throw anywhere from 60-75 pitches. "It depends on the workload and how his innings are,'' said Francona. Josh Beckett, who enjoyed an excellent side session Tuesday, could join the Sox in Oakland even though he's not eligible to come off the disabled list until April 3 when the Sox are enjoying a day off in Toronto. *** A group of about 12 players from Single A Lancaster will join the Sox in Los Angeles for the exhibition weekend against the Dodgers. The Lancaster team had to fly from Fort Myers to California anyway, so the Sox will take advantage to provide some depth for the series. Joining the Sox: pitchers Lincoln Holdzcom, Hunter Jones, T.J. Large and Jose Vaquedano; infielders Lars Anderson, Argenis Diaz and Joe Thurston; and outfielders Reid Engel and Jason Place.
Posted by Art Martone A's grumble about second-class statusBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- Though they haven't complained publicly, the A's privately are feeling like second-class citizens here. Officially, the A's are the home team, wearing the home uniforms and batting last. But somehow, the Sox were given the home dugout and the home clubhouse, which is significantly roomier with additional trainer's rooms. The fans have been solidly behind the Sox, unsurprising perhaps given the presence of Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima and the team's standing. But the playing of "Sweet Caroline,'' the Red Sox' unofficial them song, in the middle of the eighth inning may have sent the A's completely over the edge.
Posted by Art Martone Crisp gets his first start, Ellsbury banged upBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- Boston made one lineup change for its second game, inserting Coco Crisp into the starting lineup, replacing Jacoby Ellsbury. Ellsbury banged hard into the center field wall robbing A's outfielder Emil Brown of extra bases Tuesday, but Francona said that wasn't a factor in his decision and added that he had planned to play Crisp all along. "With our schedule,'' said Francona, "we want to get as many players in (the lineup) as soon as possible. And with a hard-thrower like (Oakland starter Rich) Harden (pitching Wednesday), we wanted to get Coco (a good fastball hitter) in (Wednesday) rather than (Tuesday).'' Francona still hasn't been able to tell Crisp what to expect in terms of his role and use. "I told him to be patient,'' said Francona. "I can't promise him anything yet because I'm not sure we have all the answers.'' When Francona was asked if Ellsbury, a left-handed hitter, would play against righties and Crisp, a switch-hitter, against lefties, the manager dismissed the scenario. "I really don't envision that,'' he said. "There are ways to get good players into games.'' More likely, Crisp will continue to see playing time against hard-throwing starters.
Posted by Art Martone Ramirez, Crisp and Moss in the outfieldBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- J.D. Drew remained out of the lineup for the second straight game Wednesday, sidelined by a sore lower back. Brandon Moss, the unlikely hero of the opener, was back in right again. "It didn't get worse,'' said manager Terry Francona of Drew's condition, "but as far as playing, no. We don't want to take a step backwards.'' Drew first felt a twinge during batting practice before Tuesday's game. "It had tightened up and he was able to swing (before gametime),'' said Francona. "But he just couldn't run.'' The Sox are concerned about the upcoming 10-hour trip to Los Angeles, which they'll begin immediately after the game ends, and the effect it will have on Drew's back. "I don't know that that is the best thing for it,'' said Francona, "but we'll do what we can.''
Posted by Sean McAdam Lineups For Game 2BY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- Just one change for the Sox, with Coco Crisp taking over for Jacoby Ellsbury in center field. BOSTON Dustin Pedroia 2B
Travis Buck RF
Posted by Sean McAdam March 25, 2008
Colon, Thurston headed for LABY JOE McDONALD FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Red Sox pitcher Bartolo Colon and utilityman Joe Thurston will leave Florida on Thursday and join the team in Los Angeles for the exhibition games against the Dodgers. The addition of Thurston maybe a precautionary move because of the back problems experienced by J.D. Drew in Japan and the nine-hour flight to the West Coast, but the Red Sox have not confirmed that.
Posted by Joe McDonald Red Sox 6, A's 5: One-stop wrapupA quick list of all Sean McAdam's stories from Tuesday's 6-5 Red Sox victory over the A's: -- Manny Ramirez gets off to his quickest start in years with a pair of two-run doubles, including a two-out shot in the 10th that breaks a 4-4 tie, and leads the Red Sox to a season-opening win over the A's. -- Daisuke Matsuzaka overcomes a rocky start to pitch five solid innings and leaves the game with a 3-2 lead. -- The red-hot J.D. Drew can't answer the bell, as a bad back forces him to the sidelines. -- A complete list of postgame notes. -- Commissioner Bud Selig attends the game and is non-committal on whether or not punishment will be meted out to players named in the Mitchell Report. He also has little to say about the Sox' threatened boycott of the Japanese trip, concluding, "All's well that ends well." -- Prior to the game, Sean accompanies representatives of the Red Sox and A's to a reception at the home of Thomas Schieffer, the U.S. Ambassador to Japan. "They'll let anyone in here, I guess,'' jokes A's general manager Billy Beane when he spots Sean.
Posted by Art Martone Red Sox 6, A's 5: Postgame notesBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- With Daisuke Matsuzaka gone after five innings, the Red Sox got a chance Tuesday to look at a number of relief pitchers they're evaluating. Some fared well; others didn't. Kyle Snyder gave back the lead almost as soon as the Red Sox got it in the sixth, giving up a single to the first man he faced (Bobby Crosby) and a two-run homer to Jack Hannahan. But Javier Lopez faced two hitters and struck one out and Bryan Corey added a spotless eighth inning. Also, home-run historian David Vincent notes that Moss became only the third Red Sox player to hit his first major-league home run in a season opener and the first since 1945. The last to do was Ben Steiner on April 17, 1945. Tom Winsett also did in on April 14, 1931. Vincent also discovered that Moss is the 10th Red Sox player to hit his first homer as a member of the Red Sox in a season opener. Among those to do so were Don Baylor (April 7, 1986), Jack Clark (April 8, 1991), Tony Clark (April 1, 2002) and Mike Lowell (April 3, 2006). -- For all the interest in Matsuzaka and his first start in Japan since joining the Red Sox, the crowd reaction was almost as loud for teammate Hideki Okajima, who entered the game in the ninth. Okajima received a huge ovation, having been a member of the Yomiuri Giants, the team which ordinarily calls the Tokyo Dome home. -- The Sox faced a couple of familiar faces in the Oakland bullpen. Keith Foulke, the closer on the 2004 World Series team who took last year off, pitched the eighth and retired Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez in order. Both Youkilis and Ortiz took good swings, however, with Youkilis sending Ryan Sweeney to the warning track in center and Ortiz stinging a liner to left that was caught. Later, after the Sox beat up closer Huston Street, Lenny DiNardo came in and walked a batter before getting Moss to fly out. -- Jacoby Ellsbury made the defensive play of the game, robbing Emil Brown of extra bases in the eighth, leaping before the wall to make a terrific grab. Ellsbury banged into the wall hard and was wearing an ice pack on his back and shoulder, but appeared fine. -- Tuesday was only the fifth time in franchise history that the Sox had played extra-innings and the first time they came out on top. Before Tuesday, not since 2001 had the Sox been pushed beyond nine innings in their season opener. -- Julio Lugo was the first repeat opener at shortstop on Opening Day since Nomar Garciaparra in 2002-2003. -- Jason Varitek started his ninth straight opener, the most Opening Day starts for a catcher in club history. It's the longest streak for any Red Sox player since Mike Greenwell started nine in a row from 1988 through 1996. -- Until Tuesday, the Sox had lost six of the previous seven season openers.
Posted by Art Martone Red Sox 6, A's 5: Selig takes in the openerBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- Taking in the action of the Red Sox-A's season opener Tuesday was commissioner Bud Selig, who had also been on hand to watch the two previous season openers in the Land of the Rising Sun (Met-Cubs in 2000 and Yankees-Devil Rays 2004). "Not only do I feel like I'm watching history,'' said Selig during the game, "but we're doing what we set out to do. Baseball has never been more popular (in America) and our goal is to take the game internationally.'' Selig was unsure when MLB when again have a season-opening series here, but revealed that the sport is looking for an opportunity to stage a season-opening series in Europe, too. "We want to open in other places, too,'' he said. "But we'll be back here.'' Asked when he might be ready to announce some disciplinary measures against players and others named in the Mitchell Report last winter, Selig was non-commital. "We're still reviewing on a case-by-case basis,'' he said. He boasted that baseball's drug-testing program was "toughest testing program in any sport,'' but vowed to strengthen it further by working with the Players Association to implent some recommendations from the Mitchell Report. "We're more than satisfied (with the progress being made),'' he said, but noted that MLB is helping to fund a study on human-growth hormone at UCLA. Selig didn't wish to comment much on last week's potential boycott of a Grapefruit League game by Red Sox players who were angered to learn that coaches wouldn't be getting their promised stipend for the trip here. "It got handled and it got handled well,'' he said. "There were some misunderstandings, but all's well that ends well.''
Posted by Sean McAdam Red Sox 6, A's 5: Drew forced to back out of starting lineupBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- Following a blistering weekend in which he hit two homers and knocked in seven runs in exhibition game against Japanese teams, J.D. Drew couldn't wait for the season to start. Then, when it did, Drew couldn't. Drew experienced some lower back soreness during batting practice and when he tried to run on the field to get loose minutes before pregame introductions, found he couldn't get comfortable. The Sox tabbed Brandon Moss to replace Drew and Moss responded with a go-ahead RBI single in the sixth and a solo homer to tie the game with one out in the ninth. With one more game left here, it's unlikely Drew will play Wednesday, especially since the Sox then have a nine-hour flight to Los Angeles immediately after the game.
Posted by Sean McAdam Red Sox 6, A's 5: Matsuzaka recovers from rocky start and pitches five strong inningsBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- Earlier this week, in a quote sheet distributed to the media, Daisuke Matsuzaka expressed the hope that he would pitch "long innings" in his season-opening assignment against the Oakland A's. The phrase was the result of some of poor translation, of course. What Matsuzaka was trying to say what that he wanted to pitch deep into the game. But Tuesday, pitching in his native land, the prodigal pitcher almost took himself too literally. He needed 60 pitches to get through the first two innings and displayed poor command, walking four, hitting a batter and throwing a wild pitch. "I think he a little over-amped,'' said manager Terry Francona. "He was jerking pitches clear across the plate.'' The A's took advantage of his wildness to score two runs in the first, but Matsuzaka bailed himself out of further trouble in the second when he fanned Jack Cust to leave the bases loaded. That seemed to serve as a turning point for Matsuzaka. Thanks to his high pitch count in the first two innings, Matsuzaka lasted only five. But over his final three innings he was nearly perfect, retiring 9 of the last 10 hitters he faced. He did not allow another hit and issued just one more walk. "I didn't feel that anxious in the early part of the game,'' he said. "But I think I was a little overly cautious because of my tendency to start slow. For my next start, I would like to be a little more assertive.'' Matsuzaka said that, despite the improved results, he didn't make any significant adjustments after the second inning. "I didn't approach the game any different,'' he said. "I was given the opportunity to start on Opening Day and I did feel a little nervous. I felt my calf muscle tighten up a little in the second, which turned out to be a good thing actually. It helped me relax after the first inning on.''
Posted by Sean McAdam Game story: Red Sox 6, A's 5, 10 inningsBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- It's uncertain, even as he suddenly has turned loquacious, whether Manny Ramirez is determined to prove any sort of point this season. If he is, he's traveled a very long distance to do so. But the same hitter who has mostly sputtered through the first two months of the last two seasons wasted no time getting into gear for 2008. He smacked two two-run doubles Tuesday to help the Red Sox outlast the spunky Oakland A's, 6-5 in 10 innings, as the Sox successfully opened defense of their world championship a half-world away. "I'm ready to go,'' said Ramirez after his second double, a two-run belt to right-center off Huston Street, gave the Sox a two-run lead in the top of the 10th. "I'm hungry -- hungry to get 600 (career homers).'' Ramirez didn't move that needle with his two doubles, but he did make the Red Sox offense go in the opener. Earlier, his first double -- slashed down the left-field line, just inside the third-base bag in the sixth -- had erased a 2-0 hole Daisuke Matsuzaka had dug for himself in the first inning. If Ramirez was uncharacteristically hot in the first game, the Sox' other offensive hero didn't even think he would play until minutes before the first pitch. Brandon Moss was literally a last-minute substitute for J.D. Drew, who experienced some tightness in his lower back during batting practice and then couldn't get loose in time to be cleared to go. Instead, the Sox tapped Moss as his replacement, both in right field and in the sixth spot in the batting order. "Straight up,'' said a smiling Terry Francona, relating that he had no time to re-arrange the batting order when choosing Drew's replacement. Moss had given the Sox their first lead of the game when he followed Ramirez's first double with an RBI single to right. Then, after Kyle Snyder gave the lead back in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run homer to Jack Hannahan, Moss tied the game in the top of the ninth with a solo homer to right off Street, the first home run of his major-league career. When the Sox return to the U.S. and have to get down to 25 players on the roster, Moss will almost certainly be optioned back to Pawtucket. But Tuesday was, quite unexpectedly, his day to shine. Moss conferred with hitting coach Dave Magadan and teammate Sean Casey, trying to find what to expect from Oakland starter Joe Blanton. Casey told Moss that Blanton had a habit of throwing changeups to left-handed hitters, and in the sixth Moss pounced on one, driving it to right. In the ninth, Street had fooled Moss badly with a changeup of his own. But when he tried to throw him another on 2-and-2, Moss drove it into the seats in right, bringing the Sox even. "It feels great on a personal level, because we won,'' said Moss. "But if they have their mind made up (about having him start the season in Pawtucket), I don't think one game is going to change it.'' Still, there was no denying his euphoria, however temporary. Ramirez, of course, has had many days like this. But not many have come in April in recent seasons. Last year, it took him 10 games to accumulate the four RBI had collected Tuesday in two at-bats. The year before, it wasn't until the 14th game of the season that he had amassed four RBI. No one associated with the Red Sox has an explanation for why Ramirez has begun slowly the last two seasons. "But once he gets locked in,'' said Francona earlier this week, "he's ready to go.'' His slow starts weren't on his mind in the 10th inning Tuesday. As the inning unfolded with a leadoff infield hit by Julio Lugo, a sacrifice from Dustin Pedroia and a two-out intentional walk to David Ortiz, Ramirez told Alex Cora that he was hoping to face Street. Why so eager to hit against one of the league's better closers? "He's nasty,'' said Ramirez with an almost sheepish grin. "I like those challenges.'' Even after Ramirez rose to the occasion, the Sox had a scare in the bottom of the 10th. Closer Jonathan Papelbon seemed out of sync almost from the beginning, walking leadoff man Daric Barton. After fanning Jack Cust, Papelbon yielded a run-scoring double to Emil Brown. But here, too, Moss factored in. He made a strong throw to Pedroia, the cutoff man, and the Sox caught Brown making too wide a turn around second, nailing him in a rundown between second and third. Two more singles followed, putting the tying run in scoring position and the winning run at first, before Papelbon got Kurt Suzuki to ground out to end it. "I feel like I'm obviously better than I showed today,'' said Papelbon. "But I made some pitches when I had to. It's still early for me. I had to keep battling.''
Posted by Sean McAdam Photos: How the game was won
Posted by Mike McDermott Final, in extra inning: Sox 6, A's 5BY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- Jonathan Papelbon was far from efficient -- allowing four of the the first five hitters of the season to reach against him -- but he closed out the Sox win, 6-5 over Oakland in 10 innings. One down, 161 to go. More details and updates throughout the day.
Posted by Sean McAdam Photos: Manny's double, Jacoby's catch
Posted by Mike McDermott Manny strikes again, Sox up by 2TOKYO -- A two-run double in the top of the 10th by Manny Ramirez has given the Sox a 6-4 lead over Oakland. Ramirez doubled home Julio Lugo (infield single) and David Ortiz (intentional walk) to give the Sox the edge. -- SEAN McADAM
Posted by Sean McAdam 9th-inning heroics, Moss ties the gameTOKYO -- With the Sox down to their final two outs, Brandon Moss just launched a solo homer into the seats in right, tying the game 4-4. Moss, a last-minute replacement for J.D. Drew in right, has knocked in two of the Sox' four runs. The homer was his first in the big leagues.
Posted by Sean McAdam Photos: Dice-K's day, he's a fan favorite
Posted by Mike McDermott Sox' lead doesn't last long; A's homerTOKYO -- Not long after the Sox took a 3-2 lead, Kyle Snyder gave it back. Taking over for Daisuke Matsuzaka ( 5IP, 2R, 2ER, 2H 5BB 6K), Snyder allowed a leadoff single to Bobby Crosby and a two-run homer to Jack Hannahan, giving the A's a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the sixth. -- SEAN McADAM
Posted by Sean McAdam Photos: A different kind of pregame
Posted by Mike McDermott Sox pull ahead on hit by MossTOKYO -- A run-scoring single to right by Brandon Moss with two out in the sixth inning has chased Oakland starter Joe Blanton from the mound and given the Sox a 3-2 lead, their first edge of the season. Moss's single delivered Manny Ramirez from second. Ramirez drove a two-run double down the left field line two batters earlier, tying the game at 2-2. Former Sox reliever Alan Embree has relieved Blanton.
Posted by Sean McAdam Baseball Today: Tuesday, March 25
IT'S ON: The Sox and A's are playing as we speak, and you can find the results elsewhere on this blog and on this page. So, in these unique circumstances, we'll focus on things other than the game on hand . . . RIGHT ON, SETH: When I first read this in the Maple Street Press Red Sox 2008 Annual, I was hoping Seth Mnookin would eventually post it to his site. Well, he has, in two parts, and it's required reading: "Overfeeding The Monsters: Entitlement And The Continuing Evolution of Red Sox Nation." It's about the morphing of Red Sox fans from "stoic, loyal, and intelligent" (compared to the "obnoxious, self-entitled, uninformed, drunken louts" of Yankee Universe) into an "immensely unappealing, I-deserve-what-I-want-and-I-deserve-it-right-now" crew, a transformation I've noticed -- to my horror -- myself over the last few years. You can read Part One here and Part Two here. And, if it applies to you: Take heed. HIS OWN HALL OF FAME: Did you know there's a Dice-K Museum in Wakkanai, Japan? ESPN.com's Jim Caple does, and he visited it. FAVORED NATION STATUS: ESPN.com's Jayson Stark writes that "Unless you're older than Eddie Joost, older than Dom DiMaggio, older than Zsa Zsa Gabor, you've never lived in a world like this. You've never lived in a world where a baseball season was about to begin and the Boston Red Sox could be described with a word millions of New Englanders were once completely unfamiliar with: Favorites." FAVORED FOR WHAT? After 10 straight years of picking them to win the A.L. East, Chad Finn picked the Red Sox to finish second last year . . . and you know what happened. So, this year, he's picking them second again, albeit with a chance for "another suspenseful and very possibly joyous autumn." (touchingallthebases.com) YOU GOT IT, CHAD: According to the Replacement Level Yankees Weblog, Diamond Mind Baseball also has the Sox finishing second. Also picking Boston to finish second: Baseball Musing's David Pinto. CAMPAIGN SLOGANS: ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick comes up with one for every team. The Sox': "Workers of the World, Unite". You'll have to click the link to find out why. FLY ME TO THE MOON: When the Red Sox play at the Los Angeles Coliseum Saturday night, they'd do well to follow the lead of Wally Moon, who made his name taking advantage of the short left-field fence while he played there. (Los Angeles Times) WHO ARE THOSE GUYS? For all the hoopla surrounding the Red Sox' visit to Japan, there's been a corresponding lack of enthusiasm for the Sox' opponents, the Oakland A's. "Perhaps they aren't quite the Washington Generals of the Tokyo Dome, but the A's open the season Tuesday night as the anonymous foil to their opponents, the Boston Red Sox," writes the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser. "That has been abundantly clear since Oakland arrived in Japan last week." A-SURPRISE: The normally guarded Alex Rodriguez lets his hair down in an interview with the New York Daily News in which he says the biggest mistake he ever made was deciding to sign with the Rangers instead of the Mets in 2000 -- "I went for the contract when my true desire was to go play for the Mets" -- and that was at the base of his decision to stay with the Yankees . . . and to break with Scott Boras, whose first, last and only concern is chasing the very last nickel wherever it may be. "So to make the right decision just feels really good," Rodriguez said, "versus being taken down a road [by Boras] where I'm like, 'Oh, my God, where am I? Oh, $400 million to play in some place I hate? Great, I'll blow my --- head off.' I wanted to remain a Yankee and for once I put my money where my mouth was." BACK OFF: Andy Pettitte may miss his first start because of back spasms. (New York Post) THE SCOUTING REPORT: Foxsports.com does its detailed breakdown of the Yankees. LOOKING AHEAD: The New York Post reports the Yankees and Mets are trying to buy their old ballparks before the arrival of the wrecking balls "so they can plunder them for lucrative memorabilia to peddle to fans." BUT I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS CASE SO LONG! That's Rusty Hardin's argument to requests by Brian McNamee's lawyers to remove Hardin from the defamation case that Roger Clemens' legal team filed against McNamee in January. (New York Daily News) McNamee's lawyers argued that Hardin had at one time represented Yankee pitcher Andy Pettitte, who admitted to using HGH after he was named as a user by McNamee in the Mitchell Report. NOT HAPPENING: The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Bud Selig is unlikely to discipline players cited in the Mitchell Report. Talks on changes in the drug agreement between players and owners are continuing. (AP via projo.com) Q AND A WITH . . . Mark Fainaru-Wada, one of the authors of Game of Shadows. (sportsmediaguide.com) IT'S NOT ABOUT THE MONEY: That's what the Rays are saying about their decision to send third-base prospect Evan Longoria to the minors, but no one -- least of all the players in their clubhouse -- believes them. (St. Petersburg Times) "If I say I commit to winning, he's on my team for sure," said Tampa Bay outfielder Jonny Gomes. The blog Rays of Light "can’t help but feel we were lied to by the Rays." LOCAL BOY: Chris Iannetta, now hitting .344 this spring after a 3-for-3 performance Monday (rotoworld.com), is starting to draw some attention from the Colorado press. He was the subject of recent features in the Longmont Times-Call and the Casper Star-Tribune. REVISIONIST HISTORY: In the old days, baseball people could say things -- any things -- and we all shrugged and figured, well, they're probably right. But now the facts are a click of the mouse away. So when Dusty Baker says he was protective of his young pitchers' arms in Chicago, it doesn't take long for Redleg Nation to determine "Dusty’s insane on this one." MAKE OR BREAK TIME: That's what SI.com's John Donovan thinks the Giants' Barry Zito is facing these days. HERE AND THERE: The Blue Jays' B.J. Ryan will start the season on the disabled list (Toronto Star), and Scott Rolen, who has a broken finger, may miss all of April (mlb.com) . . . No word on the future of Kris Benson, who has an opt-out clause in his minor-league deal with the Phillies that he can exercise today (Philadelphia Daily News) . . . The Rangers have picked up former Nationals starter John Patterson (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) . . . The Angels' Gary Matthews Jr. suffered a sprained ankle in yesterday's game against the Padres (mlb.com) . . . Another player with a bad back: The Cardinals' Troy Glaus (mlb.com) . . . The sore-shouldered John Smoltz, who a few days ago said the pain was so minor that he'd have pitched through it if it was the regular season, is likely to start the season on the disabled list (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) . . . If he does, he'll be joining Phillies closer Brad Lidge (Philadelphia Inquirer) . . . It looks like Juan Pierre may be losing his job, and it also looks like he's not too happy about it. (Riverside Press-Enterprise) MONEY LINE: The Brewers are contemplating making multiyear contract offers to Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) . . . The Blue Jays are close to reaching a long-term agreement with Alex Rios (Foxsports.com) . . . It's four years, $47 million for the Twins' Joe Nathan. (Minneapolis Star-Tribune) WHISPERS: The Washington Post reports the Nats are trying to trade Felipe Lopez . . . The Rays may be interested in the recently released Reed Johnson and Jeff DaVanon (St. Petersburg Times) . . . The Cubs are beginning to look elsewhere in their search for an outfielder, but the Dallas Morning News says a Marlon Byrd-to-Chicago swap is unlikely . . . SI.com's Jon Heyman says Dodger manager Joe Torre is pushing the front office to pursue Brandon Inge and Joe Crede as they wait for Nomar Garciaparra to recuperate from his latest injury . . . It doesn't look as if Marcus Giles is going to stick with the Rockies (Denver Post). The Dodgers were rumored to have some interest in Giles, but Joe Bick, Giles' agent, says a deal is unlikely (Los Angeles Times) . . . The on-again/off-again Brian Roberts-to-the-Cubs talks are off again. (foxsports.com) OLD FRIENDS: Kason Gabbard is having a miserable spring in Texas (rotoworld.com) . . . David Murphy, the player dealt with Gabbard to the Rangers in the Eric Gagne trade, is doing much better (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) . . . The Cardinals' Joel Piniero appears to be on the road to recovery (mlb.com) . . . Doctors say Freddy Sanchez has no structural damage in his shoulder (mlb.com) . . . Longoria's demotion means Eric Hinske will probably stick with the Rays (rotoworld.com) . . . Kevin Millar, who needed stitches after being hit on the left pinkie by a pitch last Friday, is just about ready to return to the Orioles' lineup (Baltimore Sun) . . . Jason Johnson didn't make the Dodger staff. (Orange County Register) -- ART MARTONE
Posted by Art Martone Manny ties the score with a 2-run doubleTOKYO -- Manny Ramirez slapped a double down the left field line, scoring Dustin Pedroia (double) and Kevin Youkilis (walk) with one out in the sixth. It's 2-2. -- SEAN McADAM
Posted by Sean McAdam Not the best start for the Sox and MatsuzakaTOKYO -- Daisuke Matsuzaka is struggling mightily in his native land in the Red Sox' season opener. Oakland leads 2-0 heading into the third inning. Matsuzaka has thrown 30 pitches in each of the first two innings. He yielded a solo homer to Mark Ellis for one, then, after loading the bases with two walks and a hit batsman, allowed another to score on an infield out. He's walked five in two innings. The Sox, meanwhile, have singles from Dustin Pedroia and Mike Lowell. -- SEAN McADAM
Posted by Sean McAdam Meanwhile, back in Providence...
Posted by Mike McDermott Lineups for season openerBOSTON Dustin Pedroia 2B OAKLAND Travis Buck RF
Posted by Sean McAdam Drew, battling lower back tightness, a late scratchBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- The Red Sox were just introduced here and there appears to be a last-minute lineup change. J.D. Drew had been in the original lineup -- in right field, batting sixth -- but Brandon Moss was just introduced in that spot as the teams took the field here at the Tokyo Dome. Now comes word that Drew was scratched because of lower back tightness. Drew had a monster weekend in exhibition play, hitting two homers and knocking in seven RBI.
Posted by Sean McAdam Casey active, after allBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- Sean Casey, who had been expected to be one of three inactive Red Sox players for the two-game series here, is on the 25-man active list after all. Casey has been hampered by a severely stiff neck, incurred during the 17-hour flight here last week. To make room for Casey, the Sox optioned Dusty Brown to Pawtucket. The Sox wanted to have three catchers here in the event of an injury. Brown will remain with the team today and tomorrow. In the event that something should happen to either Jason Varitek or backup Kevin Cash, the Sox could option Brandon Moss to Pawtucket and call up Brown.
Posted by Sean McAdam Embassy sweets (and other lunch items)BY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- I just returned from a ceremony and lunch at the residence of Thomas Schieffer, the U.S. Ambassador to Japan. Ambassador Schieffer, who once was the president of the Texas Rangers when President George Bush was the club's managing general partner, welcomed representatives of the Red Sox and Oakland A's, assorted baseball officials and a small group of reporters to his home. "There is nothing that unites (Japan and the U.S.) like baseball,'' he said in his remarks. "Baseball is the best export the U.S. has ever made to Japan and it still pays dividends.'' Schieffer spoke in a room where Gen. Douglas McArthur first met with Emperor Hirohito, and where, a decade earlier, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig were once honored. Commissioner Bud Selig spoke and noted that the season opener between the Sox and A's served as "a great testament to what (baseball) is doing internationally.'' Both the A's and Sox presented Schieffer with signed jerseys. Red Sox chairman Tom Werner, who said the Sox were honored to be here, joked that he hoped the ambassador would wear his Sox jersey over the Oakland one. Representing the Sox: pitchers Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Tim Wakefield, Terry Francona, Larry Lucchino, Theo Epstein and John Henry -- among others. Billy Beane, the general manager of the A's, conducted a double-take when he spotted me. "They'll let anyone in here, I guess,'' said Beane. "No wonder so much takes places in embassies all over the world.'' Food was delicious -- roast beef, scallops in ginger sauce, crab cakes and tuna steaks in tomato salsa -- and everyone agreed that it was a nice change to be offered forks with which to eat.
Posted by Sean McAdam March 24, 2008
Multimedia: Projo SoxTalk with Sean McAdam, Monday, March 24Click the play button below to hear Sean's comments, recorded today from Tokyo. The topics include the Red Sox' decision to bat Dustin Pedroia leadoff, Mike Timlin's health and what it means for the bullpen, and some lasting memories of Japan.
Posted by Mike McDermott Multimedia: Sound and pictures from Red Sox vs. Yomiuri GiantsClick the play button to see photos and audio by Bob Breidenbach from Sunday's Red Sox exhibition against the Yomiuri Giants.
Posted by Mike McDermott Baseball Today: Monday, March 24
VIVA LA DIFFERENCE: My WeatherBug temperature read 22.8 degrees when I awoke this morning -- and, having been outside to get the newspapers, I can testify to its accuracy -- but tomorrow at that time, we'll be watching baseball that counts. The Red Sox and A's are now less than 24 hours away from the season's first pitch at The Big Egg (a.k.a. the Tokyo Dome) after four days in Japan that have allowed them to adjust to the time and cultural differences. Sean McAdam contemplates those differences -- cultural, not time -- in a fascinating piece contrasting Japanese baseball against its American parent. Our own Denise Bass, writing on her blog, gives a personal view of the Far East fan experience. (Beer girls with kegs strapped to their backs??) Bob Breidenbach is sending back tons of pictures -- which we've been turning into slideshows, such as the ones you can find here and here (with more to come today) -- to give you a further feel for what it's like across the world. GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS: In the end, though, these games count no matter where they're played, and the Sox -- who, reports McAdam, are excited to start the season (here are tomorrow's probable lineups) -- got ready for them with a pair of exhibitions over the weekend. On Saturday afternoon Tokyo time/Friday night local time, Clay Buchholz struggled but David Ortiz and J.D. Drew homered in a 6-5 win over the Hanshin Tigers. Then, Sunday night Tokyo time/Sunday morning local time, Drew continued his hot hitting with a grand slam as the Sox routed the Yomiuri Giants, 7-2. McAdam has the details on both games. It's all in preparation for a season that McAdam previews here, with the concluding line: " If injuries don’t derail these Red Sox, it would seem little else can." CAREFUL DOWN THOSE TRACKS: But injuries, as we know, have been a problem this spring, and the biggest has been the back woes of Josh Beckett. Back in Fort Myers, though, Joe McDonald reports Beckett appears to be on the road to recovery, even if that road won't reach Boston in time for Opening Day . . . either in Tokyo or next week in Oakland. BACK TO THE ORIENT: The pitcher who'll replace Beckett as the Opening Day starter is Daisuke Matsuzaka, and McAdam relates first-hand what Dice-K Mania in Japan is like. Kevin Youkilis, incidentally, writes on his blog that he enjoyed Matsuzaka beef at a recent dinner. "I guess Matsuzaka is a city or a region in Japan," he writes, adding: "No, the beef is not named after Dice-K!" PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER: The first domino in the game of Who Makes The Team? fell yesterday, as the Indians, reports McAdam, claimed Craig Breslow on waivers. (The Cleveland Plain Dealer explains why.) That's one less bullpen competitor for Bryan Corey, the subject of this McAdam profile. McAdam also contemplates the roster decisions that will be made for the two games here, which will probably include putting Beckett on the disabled list and leaving Mike Timlin (finger), Sean Casey (stiff neck) and Tim Wakefield (because he won't be pitching) on the inactive list. LOOKING AHEAD: On his Joy of Sox blog, Allan Wood tries to figure out the pitching rotation through April 13, though it's just a guess until we know Beckett's return date. SORRY TO SEE YOU GO: While he wasn't a candidate for the major-league roster, it was still sad -- if you're a local -- to learn of the release of East Providence's Barry Hertzler, which McDonald broke Friday afternoon. CHATTY CATHY: For years, reporters couldn't get him to talk. Now, as McAdam notes, Manny Ramirez won't stop. THE BEST-LAID PLANS . . . Jacoby Ellsbury hasn't had much of a spring (mlb.com), and you wondered if at some point it would start to concern the Sox. Apparently it has; McAdam reports Ellsbury has been dropped to seventh in the batting order . . . and, judging by Terry Francona's comments, it doesn't sound like he's going to get back to the leadoff spot anytime soon. COCO CRISPY: At least Ellsbury will play. It doesn't look like Coco Crisp will, and McAdam notes Crisp appears to be chafing a bit at his current circustances . . . which weren't helped by the groin strain that sidelined him for most of spring training. PLUG TIME: Come to projo.com tomorrow for in-game updates by Sean McAdam, photos by Bob Breidenbach, a pitch-by-pitch account of the game from our Associated Press score service, and a complete postgame report immediately following the final pitch. And if you're complaining about the 6 a.m. starting time, it could be worse; the game begins at 3 a.m. in the home of the Sox' opponent, the Oakland A's . . . and the San Jose Mercury News' Mark Purdy is one crusty curmudgeon on that topic. LOOKING AHEAD: McDonald was impressed by last year's No. 1 draft pick, left-hander Nick Hagadone, in a recent intrasquad game at Fort Myers. He talks to plenty of folks, including Jon Lester, about him. MORE FROM THE FORT: Bartolo Colon, writes McDonald, looked good Saturday pitching in an exhibition game for Single-A Lancaster. GET READY: McAdam has the details on the 2009 World Baseball Classic, which were unveiled today in Tokyo. ONCE MORE, WITH FEELING: On his Hacks With Haggs blog, Joe Haggerty reports on Peter Gammons' appearance on 890 ESPN in which he discusses the Red Sox' near-boycott of the Japanese trip: "I talked to the Yankees and their coaches and players and I talked to the Phillies and they all thought it was a great thing because Major League Baseball and the Players’ Association don’t care about anyone unless they’re making millions . . .They just don’t care . . . [The Sox] did a great job and they are heroes within baseball, I can tell you that . . . I’ve been with Major League coaches, players, clubhouse guys and the Yankees clubhouse guys were saying, ‘You know what? [The Sox] are the best group of human beings in the game.’ They were really proud of them, and they’re the best acting, the best behaved and the tightest team, and I thought it was great that they pulled together." BROKEN BAT: They call it "The Bat" -- a huge statue of a baseball bat that stands directly in front of the main entrance to Yankee Stadium -- and Newsday reports that not only are there no plans to transport it across the street to the new stadium, but Yankee officials have no idea what's going to happen to it. UNSUNG HERO: The blog Dugout Central says Robinson Cano is better than you think. KNOW WHEN TO HOLD 'EM, KNOW WHEN TO FOLD 'EM: The blog Baseball Hot Corner hopes the Yankees don't fall in love their prospects to the point that they hold onto them beyond their peak trade-value point. HALO EVERYBODY: Matt Hurst, the Angels' beat writer for our Belo cousins in Riverside, gives an interview to the blog SportsHubLA in which he calls this year's team ''the most complete and balanced Angels team in my [four years] on the beat." IF GOOD CATCHING IS SO HARD TO FIND . . . as Brewers manager Ned Yost says (Wisconsin State Journal), then why are the Rangers even thinking of sending Jarrod Saltalamacchia to the minors? (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) NOW THAT'S A CURSE: The New York Sun's Tim Marchman notes that this is the 100-year anniversary of the Cubs' last World Series championship. A LITTLE HELP: The blog Can't Stop The Bleeding would like the Mets to assist their former organist, 92-year-old Jane Jarvis, who was displaced when her building was damaged by last week's crane collapse in New York. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: The Washington Post reports the Nationals' new ballpark will be ready on Opening Day, but the neighborhood surrounding it will be a construction-caused mess. FROM THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE: Blue Jays third baseman Scott Rolen will miss Opening Day -- at least -- after suffering a fractured finger (Toronto Globe and Mail) . . . Brewers left-hander Chris Capuano will need to undergo Tommy John surgery for the second time (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) . . . The Braves' John Smoltz has a sore shoulder, though he says it's nothing serious (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) . . . The Tigers' Curtis Granderson is sidelined because of a broken hand (AP via projo.com) . . . Andy Pettitte (back spasms) may miss the start of the season (New York Daily News) . . . But the Phillies' Brad Lidge, still recuperating from knee surgery, claims he'll be ready by Opening Day. (Philadelphia Daily News) HERE AND THERE: The Blue Jays have released Reed Johnson (Toronto Globe and Mail) . . . Miguel Cabrera got his mega-contract from the Tigers (SI.com) . . . The Twins' Joe Nathan could be next (Minneapolis Star-Tribune) . . . Vlad Guerrero isn't too keen on the notion of serving as the Angels' DH (Los Angeles Times) . . . Albert Pujols looks ready to start the season. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) AND FINALLY . . . Newsday's Neil Best found this YouTube clip of the opening of NBC's broadcast of Game Four of the 1973 World Series. The talk was all about Charlie Finley's attempts to "fire" Mike Andrews, and that's pretty interesting in an of itself. But me, I just love to see how the broadcasts have changed so dramatically: -- ART MARTONE
Posted by Art Martone Probable lineupsBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- Neither Terry Francona nor his counterpart with the Oakland A's, Bob Geren, offered an official lineup for Tuesday's opener yesterday, but here's an educated guess at the likely batting orders RED SOX OAKLAND A's
Posted by Sean McAdam Sox eager to get startedBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- Excitement ran high during the workout Monday as the regular season opener drew near and helped players overcome some lingering jet lag and lingering sleep issues. "I'm excited," said Dustin Pedroia. "I can't wait for the games to count. In some ways, it seemed like a short spring training, and it was, but in other ways, it was long. I'll be nervous. There's nothing like starting the season and going out, trying to win game No. 1." "I'm definitely excited," added Jacoby Ellsbury, who will be experiencing his first Opening Day. "I especially want to see how (the fans here) welcome Daisuke (Matsuzaka). It should be special. It's a great place to start the season, with Daisuke on the mound (in front of his native fans). I think we're all acclimated and ready to go." Here and there
Posted by Art Martone Crisp: 'I know I'm 100 percent'BY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- Coco Crisp, who missed the majority of spring training because of a slight groin strain, grew slightly irritated when asked to assess his readiness. "This is the last time I'm going to talk about this," he said today. "I know I'm 100 percent." Because he played so little, Crisp never had much of an opportunity to compete for the center-field spot. As of this morning he hadn't been told of his status, though it's clear that Ellsbury will play more. Early in spring training, he had express a desire to be traded elsewhere if he wasn't going to play every day. "I'm taking it day-by-day,'' he said. "We'll see how it all plays out." It's believed that while A's manager Bob Geren would like to have a more accomplished and experienced center fielder, GM Billy Beane isn't interested in Crisp because of his salary. Crisp stands to make $11 million over the next two years, more than the rebuilding A's want to pay while they finish near the bottom of the A.L. West.
Posted by Art Martone Ellsbury dropped to seventh in batting orderBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- Manager Terry Francona is planning to go with a slightly different batting order that anticipated. Jacoby Ellsbury will get the majority of playing time in center field over incumbent Coco Crisp, but for now, Francona is leaning toward having Ellsbury hit lower in the order -- seventh, most likely -- with Dustin Pedroia hitting first and Kevin Youkilis hitting second. It had been presume that Ellsbury would hit leadoff with Pedrioa second and Youkilis sixth or seventh, but Francona wants to bring Ellsbury along slowly to start the year. "It's certainly not a lack of confidence," said Francona of Ellsbury not being put in the top spot. "He did it in the World Series. But Pedey's done it (hit leadoff) and you put a young guy (leadoff), you place him a little bit at risk. We can always move him up later."
Posted by Art Martone Roster decisions: Beckett to DL; Timlin, Wakefield and Casey inactive for games vs. A'sBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- After several weeks of spring training and exhibition games -- both in Florida and here -- the Red Sox roster for Opening Day went right down to the wire. Though the Red Sox didn't have to determine their final choices -- a 25-man roster with a three-man inactive squad -- until hours before the season opener with the Oakland A's, all signs pointed to the following developments: -- The intends to put pitcher Josh Beckett (back), who is still at the Fort Myers training base in Florida, on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 19. That would make Beckett eligible to come off the DL on April 3, when the team has an off-day between Oakland and Toronto. -- The following players will be inactive for the games here with Oakland: first baseman Sean Casey, pitcher Mike Timlin and Tim Wakefield. Casey has been slowed by a stiff neck, incurred during the 17-hour flight here last week. Timlin received stitches on his right ring finger last week and hasn't appeared in a game in since last Tuesday. And Wakefield, who pitched Sunday night in the final exhibition game and won't work in either game against the A's, was being made inactive to give the team additional flexiblity. -- The "extra'' players, who can't be in uniform during the games, will be infielder Jed Lowrie and outfielder Bobby Kielty. Both came to camp as non-roster invitees. Lowrie will be the starting shortstop at Pawtucket, while Kielty is the odd-man-out as the team's fourth outfielder until Coco Crisp can be dealt elsewhere. When Kielty signed his minor-league contract over the winter he received an "out" clause that allows him to elect free agency at the end of spring training if he doesn't make the 25-man roster. But Kielty also knows that a spot will become available eventually and doesn't intend to act on the clause. -- The club will purchase the contract of catcher Kevin Cash, the backup catcher who came to camp on a minor-league deal. All those moves would allow the Sox to have three catchers -- Cash, starter Jason Varitek and reserve Dusty Brown -- eligible for the two games here. The Sox wanted to have three catchers on hand in the event that something happened to either Varitek or Cash, leaving them thousands and thousands of miles from catching reinforcements. The Sox now have these two games and three more in Los Angeles to continue to make decisions on its final bullpen choices. For now, David Aardsma, Javier Lopez and Bryan Corey are competing for the final spot, with Corey seen as having the edge. It's conceivable the Sox will eventually need to place Timlin on the DL -- they could backdate him, the way they did Beckett -- but that's a decision they don't have to address until after their weekend series of exhibition games with the Dodgers in Los Angeles. For now, he's merely inactive and unavailable for the first two regular-season games here.
Posted by Sean McAdam March 23, 2008
2009 World Baseball Classic detailsBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- The second World Baseball Classic, to be staged in March of 2009, will be conducted under a new format and in contested in cities that weren't hosts in the inaugural tournament in 2006. At a press conference here this morning, it was announced that alll first-round sites will take place outside the continential United States. First-round sites will feature Toronto, San Juan, Mexico City and Tokyo. Second-round sites, as well as the sites for the semifinals and finals will be announced within a few weeks. The United States will compete in Pool C, along with Canada, Italy and Venezuela. Those games will be played at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, home of the Blue Jays, from March 8-12, 2009. Pool A, consisting of Japan (the inaugural WBC winner), China, Chinese Taipei and Korea, will take place in Tokyo from March 5-9. Pool B, featuring Australia, Cuba, Mexico and South Africa, will compete in Mexico City March 8-12 and Pool D, with Puerto Rico, Netherlands, Panama and the Dominican Republic, will be played in San Juan from March 7-11. "This is truly a world event,'' said MLB President Bob DuPuy, "and the sites represent its scope and growth.'' "If you think the 2006 WBC was exciting,'' vowed Gene Orza of the Major League Baseball Players Association, "as we say in the United States, 'You ain't seen anything yet.' " The 2009 WBC will feature an altered format, with double-elimination in the first round rather than round robin pool play. Also, the tournament will feature cross-over play in the semi-finals. Those changes were implemented to eliminate complicated tie-breakers and to eliminate the possibility of two teams meeting three times in the first few rounds. Red Sox DH David Ortiz, one of a handful of players on hand for the announcement, looked forward to playing for the Dominican Republic again. "It was an honor to represent my country," he said. "I think it was a great idea and I'm pretty sure the second one is going to be as good as the first one." Red Sox captain Jason Varitek termed his experience "a phenomenal time. The excitement was far beyond what we had imagined as players . . . I would encourage any of the American players to play." Alex Cora, the Red Sox infielder, said having San Juan a first-round site would be beneficial for his native Puerto Rico. "Baseball in Puerto Rico has been fading," said Cora, noting that there was no winter-league baseball there this off-season for the first time in more than 70 years. "Having the tournament again next year is going to be huge for our country to show its passion for the game." It's expected that the semi-finals and finals will again he held somewhere in the southern California.
Posted by Sean McAdam Breslow claimed by IndiansTOKYO -- The Red Sox' overcrowded bullpen picture got a little less populated today with the news that left-handed reliever Craig Breslow has been claimed on waivers by the Cleveland Indians. Breslow was out of options and the Sox were trying to get him through waivers and get him to Pawtucket when the Indians interceded. He was back in Fort Myers, having not been part of the Red Sox' 30-man travel squad here. Breslow spent all of 2007 at Triple-A Pawtucket and had a 2-3 record and a 4.06 earned run average in 49 games. He was 0-1, 6,75 in five “A” appearances with the Red Sox this spring. -- SEAN McADAM
Posted by Sean McAdam Photo: Job Well Done
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: What's For Dinner?
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: Kevin Cash Plays Small Ball
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: Coco Takes a Nose Dive
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: Papelbon Reaches Out
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: Two Hats Are Better Than One
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: J.D. Slams One Home
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: Checking Out the Bling
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: Where's Dice?
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Josh Beckett updateBy Joe McDonald FORT MYERS, Fla. _ After the PawSox completed their camp day intrasquad game this morning at the minor-league complex, manager Ron Johnson was quite impressed with rehabbing Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett. The right-hander worked two innings and threw 35 pitches, but it wasn’t his on-field presence that caught the eye of Johnson, it was Beckett’s approach to the rehab start that was impressive. “He approached it like he was pitching at Fenway Park,” said Johnson. “He was high-5ing the guys in the dugout, and it’s a good thing for the younger guys to take notice.” It was Beckett’s first game action since he suffered back spasms prior to his scheduled start against the Marlins on March 8. In the meantime he’s been throwing bullpen sessions. He was quick and efficient today. “There were no problems,” he said. “The back is healthy and I’m still day-to-day. I’ll come in [Monday] and hopefully I’ll feel good so I can do normal Day One stuff.” IEven though he looked and felt good during his brief outing today, Beckett still wants to be cautious. “It’s just one of those things where you go out there everyday you feel good and progress yourself back,” he said. “I think [Sunday] was a good mental hurdle to get over to prove to yourself that your back’s not hurt. I got past that and now I get into the building-up stage.” His next scheduled start will be Thursday and he could increase his workload to 50 pitches, depending how he feels between now and then. Even though Beckett does not know when he’ll rejoin the club, manager Terry Francona said the other day in Japan that it’s likely Beckett will start the season on the disabled list. “Absolutely it’s a possibility,” he said. “I think it’s been a possibility the whole time. I think that’s what everyone was preparing for – it is what it is. There’s nothing we can do about it. This thing happened and as frustrating as it is, I don’t think it’s something that I can control. I’m just focusing on what I’m trying to do. I can’t worry about missing a couple of starts. The most important thing for me, and for the team too, is for me to be healthy in July. Obviously we don’t want it to take that long, but if that’s how long it took then that’s what we need to do. There’s no sense going out there and killing yourself to get back for an April 1 start when you’ve only thrown seven innings.” Beckett said he needs another 14 more innings in Florida and then he’ll be prepared. There’s no doubt the 27-year-old is older, wiser and more mature than he was after his first World Series championship as a member of the Florida Marlins in 2003. It was during that Fall Classic when he turned in a legendary performance by beating the Yankees with his complete-game five-hit shutout on just three days rest in the decisive Game Six of the Series. For his efforts he was named World Series MVP. The following season he struggled a bit and faced a little more adversity than he was used to. Plus, he wasn’t alone as most of the Marlins seemed banged up both emotionally and physically from the World Series victory. Beckett said he’s seeing the same kinds of things with the Red Sox this spring. The difference between the 2003 postseason and the 2007 postseason was the length of the playoffs. In ’03 the Marlins were done with the celebrations and already resting at home on Oct. 15. Last season the Red Sox didn’t get home until Nov. 5, making the offseason a rather short one. “That’s not much of an offseason,” said Beckett. “You take a couple of weeks off and you’re right back out. I really can’t compare the two [offseasons] but after 2003 I remember there were a lot of knick-knack injuries in ’04 with the guys coming back off the World Series during spring training. It’s just enough time for you to go home and relax for a couple of minutes, but you really don’t get to mentally relax because you know you’re starting your workout two or three weeks later. In ’04 we had a lot of knick-knack injuries, just like we had this year.” Since coming to Boston via trade prior to the 2006 season, Beckett has thrown back-to-back seasons of 200-plus innings for the Red Sox. It is the only two times during his major league career he’s reached such a plateau. There’s also a possibility his latest injury had something to do with his workload last season, including the short offseason due to the World Series victory. “I think that definitely could have played a role in it,” he said. “The only reason I say that, and I’m not using it as an excuse, but I remember in ’04 when we came to spring training there were some guys who were banged up. During the course of spring training you get little aches and pains, but most people still end up starting the season with the team. I threw a lot of innings in October last year, and I threw a lot of innings in ’03, and ’04 wasn’t exactly a healthy year for me. I’m not saying this year is going to be like that, but you have to prepare a little bit different because you don’t have that full offseason to work out.” Is that why you’re being more cautious this time around? “This is such a freak deal for me because I’ve never had back issues at all,” he said. “I’m older now, so I’m a little wiser. I know the most important thing isn’t my April 10th start. It’s later on down the road and I have to be healthy once I get back with the big-league team, you need to be healthy for the rest of the time and not a stint here and a stint there. That’s doesn’t help the team and it doesn’t help you. It’s very hard to go out and pitch every fifth day when you’re going through a knick here and a knick there.” Basically, Beckett doesn’t want to keep his teammates hanging. He wants to be there for them come October, just like he was last season.
Posted by Joe McDonald Matsuzaka and Okajimi at home on the road for SoxDaisuke Matsuzaka will become only the second Japanese pitcher to pitch a season opener for his team Tuesday. Hideo Nomo did so three times -- once with Detroit in 2000 and twice with the Dodgers in his second stint with the team (2003 and 2004). Matsuzaka will also be just the second pitcher --excluding American-born pitchers -- to start a season in his native country. Canadian-born Ryan Dempster opened the season for the Florida Marlins in Montreal in 2002. Hideki Okajima, who pitched Sunday, took his bullpen mates to a traditional Japanese restaurant, where they dined on a number of exotic menu choices, including beef tongue...Boston's season opener with the A's Tuesday night -- March 25 -- will represent the earliest start in major league history...It will mark the sixth straight time and 12th time in the last 13 years that the Sox have opened on the road, though never, obviously, this far from home...The last time the Sox and A's met to open the season was in 1998, which marked Pedro Martinez's first regular season appearance for the Sox.
Posted by Peter Phipps Timlin could start season on Red Sox disabled listThe Sox will talk with players today to check on health, but more and more, it appears as though Mike Timlin will, like Josh Beckett, start the year on the disabled list. Timlin has some stitches in his right ring finger, the result of a comebacker last week in Fort Myers. ``We'll let him have a little say in the matter,'' said Francona. ``But being realistic, I don't think he can pitch (Tuesday and Wednesday).'' Putting Timlin on the DL will allow the Sox more time in determining how to handle their numerous bullpen candidates. If the Sox attempted to get their many relievers through waivers without options this week, they would run a greater risk of losing them to a claim by another team. If the team waits until next week, when teams have already established their 25-man rosters, there's less of a chance that teams will claim them, since they'll have no available roster spots. Among the Sox' relievers out of options: Javier Lopez, Bryan Corey, David Aardsma and Craig Breslow. Increasingly, it seems like Corey, who has spent parts of 10 seasons in the minor leagues, will claim the final spot in the bullpen, joining Jonathan Papelbon, Manny Delcarmen, Hideki Okajima, Julian Tavarez, Kyle Snyder and, eventually, Timlin.
Posted by Peter Phipps For J.D. Drew, signs look promising for the Red Soxby SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- The season doesn't begin until Tuesday, but surely, J.D. Drew wishes it had begun already. While most of the attention in the last week has been direction to Daisuke Matsuzaka, last night, Hideki Okajima found himself in the spotlight. Tim Wakefield was sharp in 5 2/3 innings. allowing two runs -- just one earned -- on five hits.
Posted by Peter Phipps Lester ready to pitch game 2 for SoxJon Lester threw a side session in anticipation of his start here Wednesday, the second game of the season.... First base Sean Casey has been battling a stiff neck since the long flight here...Coco Crisp started in center and went 1-for-5 with a run scored. Asked to evaluate Crisp's running following a long absence because of a slight groin strain, Francona said: ``Pretty good. He's pain free. But his burst isn't what it could be -- or will be.''... The Red Sox Destinations' Charter arrived here yesterday, bringing approximately 200 fans from Boston to the game.
Posted by Peter Phipps Game: Lowery homers, Sox up 7-2TOKYO -- A solo homer from Jed Lowery and a two-run single from Brandon Moss have opened up the game for the Sox, who lead 7-2 in the bottom of the eighth.
Posted by Sean McAdam Game: Drew's grand slam puts Sox ahead, 4-2 For the second time in the last two days, J.D. Drew has homered -- and this time, with the bases loaded. Scoring ahead were three pinch-runners: Brandon Moss, Jacoby Ellsbury and Jed Lowery.
Posted by Sean McAdam Game: Giants push their lead to 2-0 TOKYO -- The Giants have a 2-0 lead now, with Seung-Youp Lee scoring the second run. He singled, took second on a single by Shinnosuke Abe and advanced to third when J.D. Drew bobbled Abe's single in right. Lee then rode home on an infield groundout.
Posted by Sean McAdam Game: Yomiuri Giants score in the first
Posted by Sean McAdam Easter Morning Baseball, Anyone?Here's the Sox lineup for the game with the Yomiuri Giants: Dustin Pedroia 2B We'll provide periodic updates that you can check in between seaching for the hidden Easter eggs....
Posted by Sean McAdam March 22, 2008
Colon updateBy Joe McDonald FORT MYERS, Fla. _ Red Sox pitcher Bartolo Colon threw three scoreless innings for Single-A Lancaster this morning at City of Palms Park. The game was called in the top of the fifth inning due to rain. The veteran right-hander allowed four hits with two strikeouts. He threw 34 pitches (23 strikes), including five first-pitch strikes. "I thought overall it was a very good outing," said Red Sox GCL pitching coach Goose Gregson. "He warmed up extremely well, he elevated a few fastballs that There was no radar gun on Colon during his outing, but Gregson said he showed plus velocity with a good two-seam fastball. The uncle of Red Sox pitcher Julian Tavarez was in attendance and spoke with Colon for several minutes after the game. Frank Rodriguez said Colon, and his arm, felt good. Colon will leave Fort Myers on Thursday and meet the Red Sox in Los Angeles to pitch one of the exhibition games against the Dodgers. "He's going to do all right," said Rodriguez. Added Gregson: "You have to be encouraged by the arm strenghth and his
Posted by Joe McDonald Saturday wrapup from Japan: Sox beat Tigers, Ramirez speaks, Beckett and Timlin may start season on DL, other notesGood morning! And good night to the Red Sox, who are winding down their Saturday in Japan. As we were sleeping, here's Sean McAdam's overnight report: -- David Ortiz and J.D. Drew homered, but Clay Buchholz was a little shaky, as the Sox edged the Hanshin Tigers, 6-5, in their exhibition game. -- A suddenly talkative Manny Ramirez says he plans to play six more years -- all with the Red Sox -- and the sky's the limit as far as what he can accomplish. -- Bryan Corey knows he's on the bubble as far as making the Red Sox bullpen is concerned, but he's not worried about it. -- There's a chance both Josh Beckett and Mike Timlin could start the season on the disabled list. -- McAdam's notebook has items on Jacoby Ellsbury being dropped to eighth in the batting order, Bartolo Colon's next start and more.
Posted by Art Martone Photo: Safe and Secure
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: Cheering On the Tigers
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: A Kiss For the Lady
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: Enjoying the Win
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: Out at First
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: Glove Head Fans
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: Taking a Bow
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: A Hug From Manny
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: Baseball Fans Go Fishing
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Photo: Red Sox Nation Goes International
Posted by Bob Breidenbach FINAL: Red Sox 6, Hanshin Tigers 5BY SEAN McADAM The Sox rode the long ball in the first inning, getting an oppostie-field solo shot from David Ortiz and a three-run belt from J.D. Drew to grab a 4-0 lead in the first inning. The lead grew to 5-0 in the top of the second when Kevin Youkilis delivered the first of two run-scoring singles. But the Tigers took advantage of some mistakes by starter Clay Buchholz and answered with four runs of their own in the second. Norihiro Akahoshi had a two-run double and Keiichi Hirano later provided a two-run single. "Overall,'' said Buchholz, "I thought it went pretty well. I left a couple of pitches up over the plate and that hurt. I thought I was able to keep the ball down most of the time.'' "I thought he was up with some pitches,'' Terry Francona said in evaluating Buchholz. "He didn't command his fastball the way he probably will when he gets into a rhythm. It's still March 22. With him, it comes down to his fastball command.'' The Sox collected nine hits, but seven of them came in the first two innings. "We came out early and swung the bats pretty well,'' Francona said. "Any time you hit the ball with power the other way (as Ortiz and Drew did), it's a great approach.'' "Last time,'' said Ortiz, "it was toward the end of the season. I'm glad I hit this one to start the season.''
Posted by Sean McAdam Notes: Ellsbury dropped in batting order, Colon may start next Friday, moreBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- In something of a surprise, Francona had Dustin Pedroia leading off and Kevin Youkilis hitting second despite the presence of Jacoby Ellsbury in the lineup. Ellsbury hit eighth. It had been assumed that Ellsbury would hit leadoff if he claimed the center-field job. "We'll see,'' said Francona. "We can hit Ellsbury toward the bottom (of the order) and if he wants to get hot, we can always move him (to the top).'' Francona reminded reporters that Pedroia hit toward the bottom of the order last April before being elevated as the season wore on. It's likely that the Sox don't want to put any additional pressure on Ellsbury early in the season. Ellsbury has struggled this spring, hitting only .209 (9-for-43) with a .271 on-base percentage. --- When Francona was a sophomore at the University of Arizona, the Tigers came over for an exhibition tour against some U.S. college teams. Francona said that while it was only an exhibition game "but it was something different. We had never seen anything like it.'' --- ---
Posted by Art Martone Ramirez: 'The sky's the limit'By SEAN McADAM Ramirez, who said he's adjusted to the time difference well and enjoying the plentiful sushi, said he anticipates playing for some time to come even though, at age 35, he's entering the final guaranteed year of his landmark eight-year deal. "I know what lays ahead,'' he said. "I’m going to get two more years here" -- the Sox hold options for the 2009 and 2010 seasons -- "and then I’m going to get [a four-year contract, either with Boston or on the free-agent market], so it’s going to be six years . . . I’m ready to play. I’ve prepared myself good to play the game. I’m going to go have fun, play the game and that’s it.” Ramirez is confident that four-year contract after the 2010 season will come from the Red Sox. "I’m going to finish my career here," he said. Ramirez heads into this season needing just 10 homers to reach 500 for his career, but he has no plans to stop there. "I’m going to get to 600 [homers],'' he said. "Why not? The sky’s the limit. There’s no limit. I’m going to play six more years and there’s no doubt I can do it." Ramirez was asked if 700 homers could be within his reach. "Like I say, the sky is the limit,'' he said. "I want to be like Julio Franco and play until I’m 50.I’m ready to go. I’m happy. Like I tell them, I’m going to get two more years, than sign a contract for four years and that will be six years. I’m going to finish here. I feel like a baby now.” Ramirez read the book The Secret, an ode to the power of positive thinking, this spring and it seems to have had some impact. "Like I told you, the sky’s the limit,'' he said. "There’s nothing impossible in life. If everybody in [the Red Sox clubhouse] gets the same thoughts and we’re thinking right, there’s no way [we won't do well]. We have the same group of guys that won last year so there’s no doubt that we can do it again. Nothing is impossible.''
Posted by Sean McAdam Corey on the bubbleBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- Bryan Corey is among a handful of Red Sox relievers who finds himself out of options -- and perhaps out of time with the Sox. Invited on the trip here -- along with David Aardsma and Javier Lopez -- Corey is in a sort of no-man's land. If he doesn't make the Sox' 25-man roster, he can't return to Pawtucket without first being exposed on waivers. It's likely he would be claimed by another team, which would then have to put him on its own 25-man roster and a spot on a big league staff. With days to go before the season opener here, Corey is unsure of where he stands. "Right now,'' he said, "I think no news is good news. I'm just trying to stay focused on the task at hand and not get too far ahead of myself.'' Though he could be claimed by another team if the Sox don't make room for him, "I really want to stay on this team. I don't want to go anywhere. But I also know what happens if I don't make this team.'' Then again, the knowledge that his lack of options makes it more likely he will pitch in the big leagues somewhere has been a source of some comfort. "That scenario has caused the least amount of stress that I've ever had in an offseason,'' he said. "I just told myself to come into spring training and pitch the way I can (and know) that it will work out.'' Corey has been with the Sox since 2006, when he was obtained from Texas at the trade deadline for pitcher Luis Mendoza. He appeared in 16 games with the Sox in 2006, then spent all of last year at Pawtucket until September, when he earned an end-of-season promition to Boston when rosters expanded. He made the most of his call-up, going 1-0 in nine games with a 1.93 ERA. Manager Terry Francona sympathized with Corey's feeling of limbo. "But we can't tell someone what we don't know,'' said Francona. "We just told those (bullpen guys in contention) that they were coming here and they know when we leave here, some moves have to be made.''
Posted by Sean McAdam Game update No. 2: Red Sox 5,Tigers 4 in 3rdBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- The Sox now hold a 5-4 lead heading into the third. They padded their lead to 5-0 in the top of the second when Kevin Youkilis singled home Julio Lugo (double). But the Tigers answered with four runs in the bottom of the second off Clay Buchholz, with all four of the runs coming after two were out. Leadoff hitter Norihiro Akaboshi provided the big hit with a two-run double. Keiichi Hirano later supplied a two-run single.
Posted by Sean McAdam March 21, 2008
Beckett, Timlin could start season on DL BY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- It now seems likely that Josh Beckett will begin the year on the disabled list -- and Mike Timlin could possibly join him. Beckett, who has missed the last two weeks because of a lower back strain, threw off the mound Friday in Fort Myers and is progressing. But with no need to rush him for the games in Oakland on April 1 and 2, the Sox could backdate him on the DL and have him eligible to come off on April 3. Such a move would buy the Sox more time in determining their roster. It would allow them to keep an extra reliever on board for the first week of the season. The Sox have a number of pitchers battling for the final spot in the bullpen -- Bryan Corey, Craig Breslow, Javier Lopez and David Aardsma -- and each is out of options. That means the Sox would have to expose three to waivers before getting them to Pawtucket. It's more likely that the Sox make a minor deal for one of them rather than lose them for nothing. As for Timlin, who received a cut on his finger that required stitches last Tuesday, his availability is in question. Manager Terry Francona said Timlin was ''a little stiff . . . tender'' on Saturday. Timlin will probably get the stitches out Monday or Tuesday, but the Sox could keep him out of the two regular-season games here Tuesday and Wednesday without having to send him to the DL. When the Sox leave Japan, however, if Timlin isn't ready, he'll have to go on the DL. That, too, would provide the Sox with addtional evaluation time for their bullpen moves.
Posted by Sean McAdam Game update: Red Sox 4, Tigers 0 in 1stBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- Proving that power is the same on either side of the world, the Red Sox flexed their muscles in the first inning against Hanshin and took a 4-0 lead Saturday afternoon. David Ortiz got things going with an opposite-field solo shot off Tigers starter Yuya Ando. Following a walk to Manny Ramirez and a two-out single from Mike Lowell, J.D. Drew continued the power display with a three-run homer to left-center.
Posted by Sean McAdam Sox release R.I.'s Barry HertzlerBY JOE McDONALD FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Red Sox released pitcher Barry Hertzler this morning. The East Providence native was selected by the Red Sox in the 11th round (324th overall) in the 2003 draft and spent five seasons in the minor-league system. The right-hander pitched for the PawSox in 2006 and in 2007. In 186 minor-league games in the organization, he compiled a 24-15 record with a 4.26 ERA, mostly working out of the bullpen.
Posted by Joe McDonald Josh Beckett updateBy Joe McDonald FORT MYERS, Fla. _ Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett (back) went through his normal rehab routine this morning at the minor league complex and he says he feels good. The right-hander played long toss and then threw a 45-pitch bullpen session and said it went great. The reason he didn't throw more today is because he's slated to pitch in an intrasquad game on Sunday. He's been able to progress slowly since first feeling the spasms in his back on March 8. "There are still some peaks and valleys," he said. "That first week I felt better every other day, and then every other day I felt worse. Now I'm at a point where I can do every thing I need to do in between starts or bullpens. I've progressed, but it's only been in the last week where I can start to put a time table when I can get on the mound." Even though the Red Sox are in Japan, Beckett, pitching coach John Farrell and trainer Mike Reinhold set up a plan before the team left last Wednesday.
Posted by Joe McDonald More photos from Red Sox visit to Camp Zama
Posted by Mike McDermott Multimedia: Sean McAdam's projo SoxTalk from JapanClick the play button below to hear Sean's comments, recorded today from Tokyo.
Posted by Mike McDermott Baseball Today: Friday, March 21
WELCOME TO JAPAN: As we slept, Sean McAdam (and photographer Bob Breidenbach) worked. The Sox arrived in Japan around midnight Friday Tokyo time -- 11 a.m. Eastern time Thursday -- and McAdam posted a travelogue yesterday afternoon. (Ignore the time stamp on the story; it was on the site at about 3 p.m. yesterday.) The Sox were up and about Friday morning in Tokyo, just about the time we were going to bed. McAdam was with them, and he reports the following: -- The Red Sox say it's an honor to open the season in Japan. -- Not everyone's all that happy. Bobby Valentine, the long-time big-league skipper who's now managing in Japan, is upset that the Sox-A's series will distract from the Japanese league season openers. Daisuke Matsuzaka, for one, thinks Valentine has a point. (Yahoosports.com's Jeff Passan has a nice profile of Valentine, whom he calls "a made-for-Tokyo marvel, the kind of cult of personality onto whom the Japanese love to glom.'') -- Bryan Corey, Curt Schilling, Mike Timlin and Tim Wakefield took the time to visit a U.S. Army base in nearby Kanagawa. Schilling has more about the visit on 38pitches.com. -- McAdam calls the Tokyo Dome -- a.k.a. The Big Egg -- a cross between Tropicana Field and the Metrodome . . . which doesn't seem like a flattering comparison to me. -- Guess we all look alike to the Japanese. McAdam also has some team notes: Coco Crisp (groin strain) will have some availability in the two exhibition games over the weekend, Mike Timlin (cut finger) may not, and a look at how the players passed the time on the long flight over. As our day begins, the Sox' ends . . . but they'll be back before we sleep. They play the first of their two exhibition games, this one against the Hanshin Tigers, at noon Saturday in Tokyo, which means the first pitch will be delivered at 11:07 p.m. tonight Eastern time. It won't be on TV -- though it will be on radio. Check back here often; Sean and Bob will be filing to the blog as news happens. BEEN HERE, DONE THAT: Some players have been to Japan before as part of the frequent MLB tours. Mike Lowell's also making his second trip to Tokyo . . . but his first came 25 years ago with a Little League team. (Boston Herald) A FAN IN JAPAN: Also heading to Tokyo, on her own dime, is Journal staffer and Sox fan extraordinaire Denise Bass. She has an amazing story: While attending the Sox' 10-1 win over the Yankees last September 15 with her husband Greg at Fenway, they struck up a conversation with a Japanese gentleman sitting next to them. His name was Rui Ishido, and by game's end they were fast friends. They stayed in contact during the offseason, and several weeks ago he informed them he had tickets for the Sox' games in Japan if they were interested in coming over. Were they! (Well, as Denise admits, "they" may be poetic license; she describes Greg as "a good husband who tolerates my baseball obsession." But he always wanted to see Japan, so he agreed to go.) Before she left, she put together an interactive feature called Fan To Fan in which Rui answers questions about Japanese baseball. She's also set up her own blog and will be filing to it once they arrive tomorrow. A FAN IN AMERICA, TOO: If you're questioning Denise's props as a true fan, check out the outstanding slide show she put together last year on the 1967 Impossible Dream team. AND SPEAKING OF AMERICA . . . Some members of the Sox are still there, in Fort Myers, and Joe McDonald is still with them. Jon Lester stayed back a day to get in some work in preparation for his Game Two start against the A's, and McDonald reports on the five perfect innings he threw in a Double-A intrasquad game. Lester leaves for Tokyo today. McDonald was also impressed with the Sox' No. 1 pick last year, Nicholas Hagadone, in that game, and will have more on him this weekend. MORE MINOR-LEAGUE TALK: Baseball-Intellect calls Jed Lowrie the second-most underrated prospect in baseball. THE MAYOR: Before the team left for Japan, McDonald talked to Sean Casey, for whom playing in Boston is a dream come true. CASH POOR: Chad Finn warns that Doug Mirabelli -- while he's hardly sorry to see him go -- is "Johnny Bench at the plate compared to the salami bat [Kevin Cash] who is replacing him." DIFFERENT KIND OF STRIKES: Metrobostonnews.com reports that J.D. Drew says bowling is helping to ease his chronic back pain. Funny, it always exacerbated mine. HE'S NO DOCTOR, BUT HE PLAYS ONE ON THE INTERNET: Projo.com's fantasy columnist, Michael Salfino, says not to worry about Josh Beckett's back, at least as far as fantasy leagues are concerned. WE SPOKE TOO SOON: Yesterday we noted that Schilling hadn't weighed in on the strange happenings on the last day of camp in Fort Myers. But he did once the team arrived in Tokyo, giving a very detailed account of the players' point of view. His conclusion: "I am proud as hell to be a part of a group of men who were absolutely 100% willing to not step on this plane and make this trip, knowing full well we would be in violation of our contracts, we’d potentially be forfeiting games and much much more, to stand behind a group of people that have very few supporters. Yes you could argue that doing that would have been disrespectful to the game, and fans, but we disagreed. In our minds anyone who had in mind to do what was right would have make the exact same decisions we did." TAKE THAT, HANK: The New York Observer, in China for the recent Dodgers-Padres exhibition series, reports "traces of Yankees influence were hard to find on this side of the Pacific. Among the expats at the game, Boston hats outnumbered Yankees hats by a wide margin." LOST IN NEW YORK: Red Sox TV reporter Tina Cervasio, who left NESN when her contract expired this month, has landed a job with the MSG Network, which is closer to her New Jersey home. Old friend David Scott reports NESN is still searching for her replacement as Red Sox sideline reporter, and says a) it will be a woman and b) the Sox hope to have someone in place for the home opener on April 8. WHOA! Our old friend The Baseball Crank, using Established Win Shares Level as a basis for anaylsis, predicts the Red Sox will finish 88-74, 13 games behind the Yankees. Before you dismiss it as the numbers-twisting of a Yankee lover, know that the Crank, a Mets' fan, is an honorary member of Red Sox Nation when it comes to Yankee Antipathy. In fact, he's labeled them "The Hated Yankees" in his lead-in. WHAT A JOBA! BY JOBA! Sorry, but I couldn't get that absurd Sterling-ism out of my mind after Joba Chamberlain made a triumphant return to the bullpen yesterday. (New York Post) GET READY TO BE BOMBARDED BY THE MYSTIQUE-AND-AURA CROWD, SHAUN: Dugout Central's Shaun Payne looks at the numbers and concludes "the idea that the Yankees wouldn’t be anywhere near the same team without [Derek Jeter] seems somewhat overblown." That's mainly because, he concludes, baseball "is not a game in which an individual can often impact. Clearly one player does not a great team make." WHAT?!? The Reds have sent uber-prospect Jay Bruce back to the minor leagues (mlb.com) Baseball Musing's David Pinto is the reasoned voice of the statistical community, while Voros McCracken is more visceral; needless to say, they don't approve. DOUBLE WHAT?!? The Rays, as noted here earlier, may make the same decision on Evan Longoria. Raysindex.com reacts about the same way as Pinto and McCracken. I DON'T SEE IT: Foxsports.com's Tracy Ringolsby listens to people talk about the A's as the model for small-market franchises and can't help but disagree. THE SPORTS RADIO LEADER: WEEI suddenly finds itself in the middle of the Roger Clemens mess -- sort of -- as the New York Times reports Jose Canseco, who would hurl steroids accusations without hesitation during his frequent appearances on the station, suddenly began refusing to go on 'EEI once Clemens' name was mentioned in the Mitchell Report. While Canseco denied that Clemens had anything to do with his not accepting the station's invitation, the appearance of impropriety is impossible to avoid when a) Canseco hung up the phone after the Times reporter asked if Canseco had ever spoken to Clemens' lawyers and b) Clemens' lawyers and agents did not respond to phone messages or e-mails asking if they had talked to Canseco. AND AT THE OTHER TABLE . . . : Brian McNamee passed out while driving and crashed his car into a bus in Far Rockaway. (New York Daily News) Thankfully, no one was hurt. HERE AND THERE: Roberto Alomar says he wants to go into the Hall of Fame as a Blue Jay (Toronto Globe and Mail) . . . Kenny Lofton is still looking for work, though he's not likely to find any if he keeps turning down offers like the one the Rays made (foxsports.com) . . . The White Sox now think a Joe Crede trade is unlikely (Chicago Sun-Times) . . . Juan Uribe apparently was claimed on waivers Thursday, so the White Sox pulled him back in order to facilitate a trade. (Chicago Sun-Times) But with Danny Richar now sidelined four to six weeks, they may have to keep him. . . Fernando Rodney thinks he'll be back sometime in April. (Detroit News) OLD FRIENDS: The White Sox apparently have been talking contract extension with Orlando Cabrera (Chicago Sun-Times) . . . The Dodgers have expressed interest in Mark Loretta now that Nomar Garciaparra is sidelined (foxsports.com) . . . The Tigers' Edgar Renteria is suffering from back spasms (mlb.com) . . . Kevin Millar will be batting cleanup for the Orioles. (mlb.com) -- ART MARTONE
Posted by Art Martone Photo: Daisuke Takes a Bow
Posted by Bob Breidenbach Red Sox in Japan: Sox brass say it's an 'honor' to open season in JapanBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- Red Sox owner John Henry, manager Terry Francona and general manager Theo Epstein took part in an introductory press conference Friday afternoon and all proclaimed that opening the 2008 season here is a great honor. "We're excited about starting our season here," Henry said. "We want to express our appreciation for the graciousness that's been shown to us," added Francona. "and we hope to play the kind of baseball that's expected of us." "It really is an honor to represent the Red Sox and Major League Baseball," said Epstein. "These days, it's impossible to fully appreciate baseball without seeing it on an international level and especially here in Japan."
Posted by Art Martone Red Sox in Japan: Bobby Valentine upset that Sox-A's series may distract from Japanese league openersBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- There's a budding controversy here over scheduling and the controversy has been ignited by -- surprise! -- Bobby Valentine. Valentine, the outspoken manager of the Chiba Lotte Marines, is angry that the two regular-season games here Tuesday and Wednesday between the Sox and A's is threatening to distract from the opening of the Pacific League on Thursday. "I hope the Red Sox and A's have a great time here and I'm sure everyone will enjoy it but it's ludicrous that our games will be going on at the same time," Valentine said. "The timing is a mistake and I guess that's something that slipped through the cracks when they were planning the schedules." In a press conference on Friday afternoon, Daisuke Matsuzaka, who began his career in the Pacific League, seemed to agreee that Valentine had a point. "It would have been better if the two games could have been scheduled on separate dates," he said
Posted by Art Martone Red Sox in Japan: Four Sox pitchers visit U.S. Army baseBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- Four Red Sox pitchers -- Bryan Corey, Curt Schilling, Mike Timlin and Tim Wakefield -- toured a U.S. army base in nearby Kanagawa on Friday, arriving by helicopter for a 45-minute visit with U.S. troops. The four signed autographs and posed for pictures in a gym for a crowd of a couple hundred people, including soldiers and families.
Posted by Art Martone Red Sox in Japan: First look at the Tokyo DomeBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- On first inspection, the Tokyo Dome (local nickname: The Big Egg) looks like a cross between St. Petersburg's Tropicana Field (lots of concrete, though, mercifully, no catwalks) and the Metrodome in Minneapolis (with a billowy off-white roof backdrop). The new ballpark mania that has hit the U.S. in the last 15 years or so has not been replicated here. Many of the ballparks are domes and antiseptic in nature without a lot of character. The foul territory here is immense, which should make the Oakland A's feel right at home. Their Network Associates Coliseum has more foul ground than any American ballpark. Another unique feature: there is netting down the first- and third-base lines, ostensibly to protect fans from foul balls, not unlike what the NHL installed a few years ago behind the goals.
Posted by Art Martone Red Sox in Japan: Um, he retired in 1983BY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- First "Lost in Translation" moment: a Japanese reporter mistook Charles Celluci, the head of the Red Sox security detail, for Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski. "That," said an amused Celluci, "is a first."
Posted by Art Martone Red Sox in Japan: How they killed time on the planeBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- In order to pass the time on the long flight here, staff member Don Kalkstein organized cribbage tournaments. Jonathan Papelbon, meanwhile, conducted his own poker tournament. The players also filled out their NCAA tournament brackets.
Posted by Art Martone Red Sox in Japan: Injured finger may force Timlin to the sidelinesBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- Reliever Mike Timlin, who pitched in a minor-league game Wednesday, suffered a cut on his right ring finger on a comebacker that required stitches. Timlin may not be available for the two exhibition games. "It may not hold him back," said manager Terry Francona, "but I'd be surprised if it didn't hold him back some." If the Sox don't activate him for the two regular-season games Tuesday and Wednesday, they will not need to place him on the disabled list. Timlin can simply be one of the inactives, thanks to the special rules provided for the Sox and A's for the series.
Posted by Art Martone Red Sox in Japan: Crisp available . . . sort ofBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- Manager Terry Francona said outfielder Coco Crisp, who missed most of spring training because of a slight groin strain, is available, but probably will be used somewhat sparingly here. "He's probably rusty," said Francona, "but we'll probably have him active (for the two regular-season games Tuesday and Wednesday)."
Posted by Art Martone March 20, 2008
Lester shinesBy Joe McDonald FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Jon Lester just completed his last spring training start here at the Sox minor league complex. The left-hander worked five hitless innings in a intrasquad game against Double-A players and struck out eight. He threw 58 pitches during the game before finishing his work in the bullpen. He threw a total of 80 pitches, his highest this spring. He will fly from here to Dallas to Japan on Friday and is scheduled to arrive in Tokyo at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. “I guess it served it purpose, more or less,” said Lester. “I was able to get my pitch count up, got the innings and got my work. I would have liked to have been on the plane with the team, but it’s alright. Now that I’ve got my pitch count up I don’t have to worry about anything. There are no limitations going into the season and I’m ready to go.” As he leaves for Japan he’s right where he needs to be. “As far as I know,” he said. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a normal spring training. . . I feel good, healthy and strong. Everything went without a hitch this spring.”
Red Sox first-round selection in last June’s draft, Nicholas Hagadone, was outstanding in the intrasquad game. The powerful southpaw reached 95 MPH on the radar gun and showed a nasty slider, complement by a devastating change-up. “He looked good,” said Lester. “That’s the first time I’ve seen him. He’s young and still learning. He threw a lot of strikes, and whatever his out pitch was, it was effective and he got a lot of guys out on bad swings. He throws the ball hard and he’s left-handed, which always helps. He looked smooth, like he wasn’t trying to throw 100.” If today's performance was any indication, Hagadone will be a phenomenal pitcher for the Red Sox.
Posted by Joe McDonald Discovering JapanBY SEAN McADAM TOKYO -- The Red Sox charter landed about two hours ago in Tokyo and I thought I would catch you up a bit on the team's long day's journey into night . . . day . . . then night again. Some highlights from the journey, which took about 18 hours from departure in Fort Myers to arrival here. Ordinarily, most beat writers -- myself included -- make our own travel arrangements and fly commercially, dealing with the same airport, traffic and security issues that everyone else experiences. This was a completely different -- and more convenient -- way of travel. Traffic actually came to a standstill on Interstate 75 as the Sox' motorcade got on the highway, creating a snarl of backed-up cars. At the airport, the buses went directly onto the tarmac, where we exited the buses, went through an ad hoc security checkpoint and boarded the plane. -- The charter plane the Red Sox used was a 747 with an upstairs cabin. Players, team officials and support staff -- and some family members -- had use of the main cabin, which featured an expanded first-class section, many business-class seats and a mostly empty coach section. Upstairs sat the media -- print, radio and TV people -- along with Red Sox public-relations officials. During the course of the flight, a few curious members of the Sox traveling party came upstairs to inspect our accomodations. Wandering through were Jason Varitek, Alex Cora, Terry Francona and principal owner John Henry. Standing in the aisle, Henry gave his view of the current recession, how long it might last and what might happen as a result. Naturally, much of this was completely over my head, but I listened politely. -- The Japan Air Lines staff couldn't have been more helpful or solicitious. Throughout the flight, they offered refreshments and a seemingly endless array of food choices -- some Japanese and some Westernized choices. We had a brief stayover in Chicago as the plane changed crew and spent an hour in a hospitality lounge at O'Hare, where still more food was offered and everyone got a chance to walk around. It seemed incredible that, as we re-boarded shortly after 9 p.m Central time, we still had another 13 or so hours of travel time before arriving in Tokyo. -- As the night wore on, some in the traveling party took brief naps. Red Sox staff internist Larry Ronan had advised players and team personnel to sleep as little as possible to help with the jet lag and to ease the adjustment to Tokyo time when we landed. I slept a little more than three hours, which seemed like the right amount -- enough to rest, but no so much that I threw my body clock out of whack. Dr. Ronan also passed out special socks which are designed to help circulation. The key, he added, was to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration; I lost track of the number of bottled waters I went through. -- The plane had a special feature on the video screen that enabled us to watch the takeoff and landings, thanks to a camera mounted somewhere on the nose of the plane. If you so chose, you could also watch that on a smaller screen in the seatback directly in front of you. -- Manny Delcarmen and his wife brought their six-month-old son on the trip. I think a few players were a bit concerned about the being seated near an infant on an 18-hour trip, but by all accounts, the baby was remarkably well-behaved and quiet for most of the flight. -- Upon arrival in Tokyo, we were herded rather quickly and efficiently through customs, then sent outside to board buses for the trip to the hotel. Needless to say, it wasn't hard to determine when Daisuke Matsuzaka went through the door. The camera flashes made it seem like high noon when it was actually just after midnight here. The Japanese media took pictures and filmed the Sox coming out of the airport and boarding the buses and a small group of fans called out for autographs from players. -- Following a 30-minute bus ride to our downtown hotel, everyone scattered in the hotel lobby and checked in. The hotel was prepared for the arrival, with security and extra help on hand, making the process quick and painless. -- In the morning, some Sox players will be touring a nearby U.S. military base and doing a meet-and-greet with American soldiers stationed here. Then, it's on to the Tokyo Dome for a press conference and a workout, the details of which we'll bring you. For now, it's off to sleep.
Posted by Sean McAdam Photos: The Sox arrive in Japan
Posted by Mike McDermott Red Sox still in FloridaJust because the big club is just about to land in Japan, it doesn't mean Red Sox baseball isn't being played in Fort Myers. I'm at the club's minor-league complex right now waiting for Jon Lester to make his final spring training start in a Triple-A game for the PawSox. Lester will leave for Japan after today's work. I'll post a complete entry when he's done.
Posted by Joe McDonald Baseball Today: Thursday, March 20
So how was your day yesterday? Let's compare it to the Red Sox'. Theirs started with the threat of a boycott of their Florida exhibition finale against the Blue Jays. The boycott was going to be on behalf of, among others, their coaches, who appreciated what the players were doing for them. One of those players, Curt Schilling, explained it all in detail. Then word came down that the Sox would also refuse to fly to Japan if the coaches didn't receive the same $40,000 compensation they were getting for the Japanese trip. Confusion reigned, and then the Sox refused to take the field when the game was scheduled to begin, a move which was met with boos from the fans. Jason Varitek explained the team's position, quickly and then in more detail. After 10 minutes or so, the Sox raced into the clubhouse for a meeting. That started a waiting game, the end result of which was anybody's guess when police and security took the field. But then back they came, followed soon by annoucements that the game was on and so was the trip to Japan. I don't know who was busier: The Sox, or Joe McDonald and Sean McAdam, who blogged all that during the course of the morning and early afternoon. In the end everybody was satisfied, and McDonald tied it all together in a piece that explains the issues, the timeline and the resolution. (As he was writing it, McAdam -- and Journal photographer Bob Breidenbach -- were on their way to the airport to catch the Sox' charter flight to Japan; they'll be reporting from there for the next week.) And attention can turn back to the Japanese trip (mlb.com), which is finally upon us. Interesting -- to me, anyway -- was the interpretation of/reaction to yesterday's events. Since the Sox were doing it not for themselves but for the support staff (coaches, trainers, etc.) who weren't included in the original agreement, they generally received praise for their actions. YahooSports.com's Steve Henson called the Sox' stand "refreshing". Baseball Musing's David Pinto, because the issue shed light on MLB's business practices, wrote, "Kudos to the Red Sox players for bringing that to our attention." Mike Rutsey of the London Free Press, on hand because the Sox were playing the Blue Jays, said, "You get a warm and fuzzy feeling over the fact 25 players who will earn a combined $146 million this season alone, would stand united over $500,000 worth of chump change -- not for them, but for others." And it wasn't just media members. White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said, "God bless Terry Francona and the players to take that step to make a statement." (Chicago Sun-Times) But it wasn't unanimous praise, and perhaps -- given the Hatfield/McCoy nature of the relationship -- it's not surprising that the main theme out of New York was derision. Peter Abraham called the Sox "a disgrace to the game," and Newsday's Wallace Matthews said the Sox' actions were "a grubby little move . . . a shakedown." And they both compared it to the Yankees' playing an exhibition game at Virginia Tech the day before for the benefit of the school that was shaken by gun violence a year earlier. The comparison, needless to say, did not favor the Red Sox. The arguments are absurd, for any number of reasons. First and foremost, the Red Sox -- with their decades-long association with the Jimmy Fund -- take a back seat to no one when it comes to charitable work. Secondly, these two events are Webster's definition of an apples-to-oranges comparison. One has absolutely nothing to with the other. It was wonderful, absolutely wonderful, what the Yankees did Tuesday at Virginia Tech. They helped raise money, and spirits, at a place that needed both. The Red Sox players, conversely, took a stand on principle for someone other than themselves. And these two things are comparable . . . how? One can be judged better than the other . . . how? It's like deriding someone for helping a child with their homework because someone else jumped into a lake and saved a life. The players did what they thought was right. There was nothing more noble about it than that. Terry Francona explained it during his in-game interview with ESPN. (video via bostonsportz.com) And if it wasn't as noble as what the Yanks did at Virginia Tech -- and it wasn't -- it doesn't come anywhere close to making them a "disgrace to baseball." THE OTHER GUYS: Lest we forget, there's another team going to Japan, too, and they also were affected by all this. But the San Jose Mercury News reports the A's coaches will be getting additional compensation, as well. The San Francisco Chronicle has a more detailed report. FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTHS: Curt Schilling had no comment on his blog; the last entry is still a tribute to Doug Mirabelli. Kevin Youkilis put up a post yesterday, his first since last November, but it was all about the trip to Japan with no mention of the controversy. HEADING CROSS TOWN: Because they couldn't afford to have him miss a start, the Red Sox shipped Daisuke Matsuzaka to the minor-league complex to get his work in when it looked as if the game against the Blue Jays wouldn't be played. McDonald reports Matsuzaka had a strong outing against the Twins' minor-leaguers. ALSO . . . McDonald reports that Josh Beckett may start for the PawSox on Sunday and Bartolo Colon was assigned to the minor-league camp. "FOR A BASEBALL-MAD CITY, LIFE DOESN'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THIS": That's the concluding line of FoxSports.com's 2008 preview/scouting report on the Red Sox. OPTIONLESS: The Red Sox have four players -- David Aardsma, Kyle Snyder, Craig Breslow and Bryan Corey -- who are out of options and can't be sent to the minor leagues without clearing waivers. (mlbtraderumors.com) CENTER OF ATTENTION . . . AGAIN: Remember when Larry Bigbie was traded to the Red Sox (projo.com) . . . and then he wasn't? (boston.com) He's in Japan now, rebuilding his career after admitting to Mitchell Report investigators that he took steroids and also naming names of teammates and friends -- like Brian Roberts and Jack Cust -- who allegedly did, as well. Yahoo.com's Jeff Passan, calling Bigbie "baseball's Sammy Gravano," has a nice piece on the veteran outfielder, who says he only confirmed what the Mitchell people already knew and admitting that he's upset about the broken friendships with Roberts and Cust. NO SURPRISE: As expected, the Yankees will start the season with Joba Chamberlain in the bullpen. (New York Daily News) But Newsday's Ken Davidoff says that while Chamberlain may start there, it's fairly certain he'll end up in the starting rotation. WHAT, ME WORRY? Phil Hughes says he "felt pretty good out there except for a couple of things." One of those things, no doubt, was the fact that he allowed seven runs in four innings against the Pirates. (New York Daily News) ON THE PROWL: The Yankees' quest for pitching has led them to inquire about the A's Rich Harden, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The newspaper says Oakland's asking price will start with Ian Kennedy and escalate from there. AND WHY DO THEY NEED PITCHING? Our own Michael Salfino, writing on SNY.tv, provides some of the answers in his analysis of the Yankee staff. EVER HEAR OF THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT? No one expects anything from the White Sox this year, but both general manager Ken Williams and manager Ozzie Guillen think their past success should at least make people think they have a chance. (SI.com) OH, YOU GUYS: Cubs strength coach Tim Buss was stunned when he saw his car, a 1995 Nissan Sentra, destroyed by a bunch of baseballs and bats, and furious when he thought the players had done it. Well, they had . . . but only so they could give him a brand new Nissan Xterra SUV. "They're great guys," said Buss, who was nearly in tears. (espn.com) MEDICAL REPORT: The blog Beyond The Box Score wonders if Barry Zito's ghastly spring numbers are indicative of an arm problem . . . The recuperating B.J. Ryan has elbow soreness, but the Blue Jays say it's not related to his surgery; just normal spring aches and pains. (Toronto Globe and Mail) We shall see . . . The Brewers say Chris Capuano is "day to day" because of inflammation in his elbow (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) . . . The Cubs' new apparent closer, Kerry Wood, is sidelined because of back spasms. (Chicago Sun-Times) WHISPERS: The Marlins' reluctance to name an Opening Day starter is fueling speculation that a trade is in the works (mlb.com) . . . The White Sox are rumored to have placed shortstop-turned-second baseman Juan Uribe on waivers to gauge trade interest (Chicago Tribune). If they have, it's news to Uribe (Chicago Sun-Times) . . . The Mets, who are on the prowl for an outfielder, say they're not interested in the Angels' Juan Rivera. (New York Daily News) OLD FRIENDS: In a blind item with no attribution, the San Francisco Chronicle mentions the possibility that the Giants might trade Dave Roberts . . . Byung-Hyun Kim continues to struggle in the Pirates' camp (rotoworld.com) . . . Turns out the bruise on Nomar Garciaparra's hand is actually a microfracture, and he may miss Opening Day. (AP via projo.com) -- ART MARTONE
Posted by Art Martone March 19, 2008
Youkilis speaksRed Sox player rep Kevin Youkilis spoke just a little while ago about today's events, concerning the compensation for the coaching staff. He said an allotment of money has now been set aside for the 15 Red Sox personnel in question, including coaches, training staff and clubhouse attendants. Youkilis didn't point any fingers, he just said there was a lot of miscommunication on behalf of Major League Baseball, MLBPA and the Red Sox on this matter. It was resolved early yesterday afternoon and now the Red Sox just boarded a bus to the airport for their trip to Japan.
Unity was a big theme at City of Palms Park today. “We have a lot of different personality and a lot of different players from around the world, but the one thing we have is unity on this team,” said Youkilis. “We stick together and we try to set our personal differences for the good of the team, and that’s what we did [yesterday].”
Posted by Joe McDonald Sox assign Colon to minor-league campBartolo Colon was one of three players -- infielders Keith Ginter and Joe Thurston were the others -- assigned to the minor-league camp by the Red Sox after the game today. That would seem to ensure Colon will at least start the season in the minor leagues, probably at Pawtucket. Two players on Boston’s major-league roster, right-hander Josh Beckett and left-hander Craig Breslow, remain in Florida and did not make the trip to Japan.
Posted by Art Martone More photos from a crazy day at the Fort
Posted by Mike McDermott Red Sox will go to JapanFORT MYERS, Fla. -- A resolution has been reached between the Red Sox players, Major League Baseball and MLBPA in regards to the compensation for the coaching staff. As a result the team will travel to Japan. Red Sox player rep Kevin Youkilis will address the situation later this afternoon and we'll have more as it becomes available. -- JOE McDONALD
Posted by Joe McDonald Indications are Sox are satisfied with settlementBY JOE McDONALD FORT MYERS, Fla. -- There's no official word as to the substance of the agreement that got the Red Sox back on the field today, but, before the game, both Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek -- speaking separately, nearly an hour apart -- were adamant that the Sox would not play unless the coaches were compensated by Major League Baseball at the same level as the players for the trip to Japan. The fact that they're playing the game would indicate they're satisfied with whatever settlement was reached.
Posted by Art Martone Game is on; 1:10 p.m. startFORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Red Sox just announced today's game will be played. It will start at 1:10 p.m. and David Aardsma will pitch. -- JOE McDONALD
Posted by Art Martone Here come the SoxFORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Sox have just emerged from the dugout with bats and gloves, and are starting to stretch. So now the tea leaves look as if they'll play today . . . and perhaps the issue has been resolved. -- JOE McDONALD
Posted by Art Martone Police and security take the fieldFORT MYERS, Fla. -- Six Fort Myers police officers, along with stadium security, are now surrounding the warning track at the perimeter of the dugouts, so an announcement may be imminent. -- JOE McDONALD
Posted by Art Martone Still waiting . . .FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Reporters have been removed from the field, so there's no immediate news to be had. The Sox are still in their clubhouse. We've passed the 12:30 p.m. deadline when the team announced players would be signing autographs for the fans if they weren't playing the game.
Posted by Art Martone More on VaritekFORT MYERS, Fla. -- More on the conversation Red Sox captain Jason Varitek had with reporters earlier . . . ''We have to make a stand because that’s part of our unit,'' said Varitek. "It isn’t just players, it’s staff members, too.'' Are you going to Japan? "We’ll see, don’t know yet,'' said Varitek. On playing today? "It all depends on how long [MLB] will wait,'' said Varitek. "It depends on how quickly we get a decision and depends on a lot of things. [Toronto] may be ready to go home. There are a lot of different factors, but the first factor is, and we hate to put [Toronto] in jeopardy and the fans, but in our viewpoint this is a needed thing." When asked if the Blue Jays understood the Sox' position, Varitek said, "My understanding is they do." -- JOE McDONALD
Posted by Joe McDonald Sox race out of dugout into clubhouseFORT MYERS, Fla. -- Red Sox players who had been in the dugout, chatting and signing autographs as they waited for a resolution of today's controversy, have just raced into the clubhouse, leaving the dugout empty. More in a moment . . .
Posted by Art Martone Announcement of delay; Matsuzaka sent to minor-league camp to pitchFORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Red Sox just made an announcement over the PA system here at City of Palms Ballpark, telling fans that the start of today's game -- scheduled for 12:05 -- will be delayed "because of a dispute between Red Sox players and the Major League Players Assoctiation and Major League Baseball." Predictably, that was met with a chorus of boos from the fans, who were unaware of the dispute which arose this morning. The Sox have announced that if the game doesn't start by 12:30, the players will be available to sign autographs for the the fans in attendance. Subsequently, the Sox made a decision to send starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka down the street to the minor-league complex on Edison Ave. and pitch in a minor-league game against the Minnesota Twins. -- SEAN McADAM
Posted by Sean McAdam Varitek: Sox will not play until MLB straightens out issue; trip to Japan is up in the airFORT MYERS, Fla. -- Jason Varitek just said the Red Sox are not going to play today's game until "MLB gets this straightened out." When asked if the club would be going to Japan, he replied: "We'll wait and see." -- JOE McDONALD
Posted by Art Martone Start of game is delayedFORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Red Sox have not taken the field for the start of today's exhibition game against the Blue Jays, meaning the -- at the very least -- the first pitch will be delayed. -- JOE McDONALD and SEAN McADAM
Posted by Art Martone Pedroia and Crisp are sprinting; a sign the game will be played?FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Jonathan Papelbon just emerged from the Red Sox clubhouse and walked over to the Toronto dugout to speak to Vernon Wells. When he returned, he told reporters: "I can't say anything right now." Dustin Pedroia and Coco Crisp have started to sprint, which could indicate the Sox are going to play the game. -- JOE McDONALD
Posted by Art Martone No confirmation of report Sox are threatening to boycott trip to JapanFORT MYERS, Fla. -- We just talked to Mike Lowell, who said he couldn't speak to the media at the moment because the team was still meeting. He said he would have more information ASAP. Boston media are reporting that the Sox are threatening to boycott the trip to Japan, but that cannot be confirmed at this point. -- JOE McDONALD
Posted by Art Martone Photos: Tension on and around the field in Fort Myers
Posted by Mike McDermott Multimedia: Sean McAdam talks about the controversy on coaches' payClick the play button below to hear Sean's comments, recorded today from Fort Myers.
Posted by Mike McDermott Schilling's take on trip controversyBy SEAN McADAM and JOE McDONALD FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Curt Schilling just spoke with reporters minutes ago about the players' stance to boycott today's game unless the Sox and Oakland A's coaches are paid for their particpation. "Some of the things that have been promised to us have already been taken away,'' said Schilling. "From the players' standpoint, we all felt the same way. This can't happen.'' Schilling recalled a phone call last October that involved Red Sox veteran players and Major League Baseball. "They (MLB) wanted this trip to happen so badly, a lot of promises were made and they're falling by the wayside time and again,'' said Schilling. "(The coaches being paid) is something we were adamant about at the time and we've reiterated it multiple times.''
Posted by Sean McAdam Coaches' reactionBy SEAN McADAM and JOE McDONALD FORT MYERS, Fla. -- As the Red Sox came off the field from batting practice this morning, several coaches expressed their appreciation for the players' decision to boycott today's game unless Major League Baseball addresses the issue of coaches' compensation on the Japan trip. "It means a lot,'' said hitting coach Dave Magadan, who was unaware until this morning that the coaches weren't getting the same $40,000 payment that the players are due. "It's nice to get some recognition from the players.'' "Anytime there's this sign of support,'' added pitching coach John Farrell, "it's a reflection of how (the players) view the situation and understand that it's a combined effort, for whatever task we face -- whether it's preparing for an opponent or something like this. It's a recognition of the relationships that are built (between players and the staff). It's the reason we were able to face so many challenges last year because there's a feeling of unity. It's very much appreciated.''
Posted by Sean McAdam Red Sox threaten to boycott today's game unless coaches' pay addressedBy JOE McDONALD
The controversy arose Tuesday morning when manager Terry Francona found out that the coaching staffs from both Boston and Oakland would not be paid the extra $40,000 that the players and managers will get for traveling to Japan. There has been a lot of confusion between Major League Baseball and MLBPA in the last 24 hours, and Francona is still waiting for answers. “I was promised some answers yesterday and I didn’t receive them,” said the manager. “We’re trying to get ready to play a game and I spent the morning apologizing to the coaches and being humiliated. The players are pretty adamant that something be done. “This is a touchy situation for me,” added Francona. “It’s a big deal. I don’t appreciate that coaches are [viewed as] second-class citizens. That has never sat well with me. We’re over there representing Major League Baseball, and we’ve talked about doing it with class, but this is disheartening. This is hard to understand. We were told [they would be paid] and the players believed it to. I double-checked on this this winter. This isn’t something I take for granted.” Blue Jays shortstop David Eckstein said his teammates would understand if the Red Sox did not take the field. "They have to do what they have to do. They are one [united] team," Eckstein said. Francona said he is embarrassed by the entire situation. The Red Sox players are, too. “I’ve seen a lot of stuff in this game, but this is unbelievable,” said Red Sox player rep Kevin Youkilis prior to the team meeting this morning. “It was brought to my attention (Tuesday) and it was something I thought would never even be a problem. To have this as a problem is embarrassing. For what these coaches do for baseball, I mean, the players play but in order to have order and run these teams, they put all the hardest work in. They deserve as much as much as the players. . . For them not to be getting paid for this trip is a disgrace. It’s a disgrace to the game.” No matter if the issue is resolved before the team leaves this afternoon, Youkilis said the coaches will be taken care of internally by the players. “But for Major League Baseball not to step up . . . this is unbelievable,” added Youkilis. “It’s wrong. We all get a per diem and all that, but I thought we were all under the same thing.” Youkilis is also under the impression that when the Yankees and Rays made a similar trip to Japan to start the 2004 season, players voted on who would be compensated and he believes everyone was, including the coaching staffs. “This time around it’s not like that,” he said. “We didn’t know that, so for us it’s very tough. We had meetings about going over there, and obviously [MLB] is not living up to their word. I don’t know who exactly is not living up to their words, but the players’ association can’t intervene in matters like this.” The MLBPA does not represent coaches other than pensions and postseason compensation. Youkilis talked to the players this morning. If MLB doesn’t settle the situation, then the players would take care of it in house. “This isn’t a good thing,” he said. “We’re going to Japan and we don’t want to deal with all of this. We’ll make it work because we have great players.”
Posted by Joe McDonald Baseball Today: Wednesday, March 19
PENNY FOOLISH: While you'd think that the billions of dollars in revenue that Major League Baseball generates annually would be enough for everyone to share, that's not the case. Joe McDonald and Sean McAdam report today that the Boston and Oakland coaches -- like pitching coach John Farrell (above) -- will not be receiving the $40,000 stipend that managers and players are getting for making the trip to Japan. The $300,000 it would cost to write checks to the coaches is like you or I having to write a $5 check, yet MLB has chosen to draw the line on the lowest-paid group of people who wear uniforms at the major-league level. Everything is relative, of course -- this isn't a life-and-death, real-world matter, since the coaches are well-compensated in relation to the general public -- but that's no reason for them not to be able to share in the booty . . . especially since the $50,000 would be a significant chunk of their season's salary (unlike the players, who'll barely notice the extra cash). "The only reaction I have is one of bewilderment,'' said Brad Mills, the Red Sox bench coach. I can think of a different reaction. LET'S GET IT OVER WITH: David Ortiz admits he's not happy about the trip to Japan, but says he's determined not to let it affect his performance. (Boston Globe) WE'RE GOING: Even though they've been battling injuries, Coco Crisp and Bobby Kielty will accompany the Sox to Japan. Jon Lester, however, won't be joining them until Saturday. McDonald has both reports. HERE AND THERE Other nuggets from McDonald: Jonathan Papelbon and Hideki Okajima both received the Ted Williams World Series Award last night . . . The PawSox will once again be part of Futures at Fenway, with this year's game slated for Aug. 9. ALL OR NOTHING AT ALL: Terry Francona knows the physical toll that lies ahead, but says he can't help it; managing the Red Sox is an all-consuming task that affects his health. (Boston Herald) NOT SO FAST: The Giants selected Jose Capellan from the Red Sox in the Rule 5 draft last winter, but decided he wouldn't make their team. However, when they placed him on waivers to return him to Boston, Capellan was claimed by the Reds (mlb.com) even though, according to the story, "The Red Sox value Capellan and would like very much to have him back in their fold." IF ONLY HE COULD STILL PLAY: Newsday's Neil Best provides a highlights wrap of a YES Network discussion show hosted by Don Mattingly. The most interesting nugget to me was Mattingly's description of Tony Clark as "a total leader . . . He will stand up, he will say what needs to be said, he’s not afraid to speak up, he does the right thing; this guy’s a leader.'' That's what we heard about Clark during his season with the Red Sox, as well. If he hit as well with Boston or New York as he had earlier in his career with the Tigers, he might still be with either club. UPS AND DOWNS: As part of an interview he gave to the blog Brock For Broglio, Voros McCracken discusses his time in the Red Sox front office. JUST TRYIN' TO CAPTURE THE SPIRIT OF THE THING: I know the news of Craig Hansen's demotion is a day old, but if Steve Silva is going to re-post his classic Hansen Brothers photoshop then I'm going to link to it. (Boston Dirt Dogs) NOT THAT CUCKOO FOR COCO: Toward the ends of a notes column, FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal says the A's remain interested in Coco Crisp but won't "break up their emerging young core program to acquire one player.'' LOOKING GOOD . . . EVENTUALLY: No one expects much this season out of the A's. But scout.com says Oakland's long-range outlook is bright. TIP OF THE HAT: The Yankees deserve all the credit they're receiving for their exhibition game yesterday at Virginia Tech, which may help ease the healing after a deranged gunman killed 32 people on campus last spring. (New York Post) FOR THIS, WE SET ASIDE OUR DIFFERENCES: Two long-time Red Sox fans -- Virginia Tech baseball coach Pete Hughes, a Boston native who also coached at Boston College, and Theresa Walsh, a student in one of the classrooms under fire last year -- look at the Yankees a little differently today. (New York Daily News) Hughes also told of a text message he received from Terry Francona before the game: "Good luck. Pound Jeter inside. Go get 'em." IF I CAN CAST ASIDE THE CLOAK OF MODESTY FOR JUST AN INSTANT: Johnny Damon tells the Boston Herald he still thinks he's a ''pretty tough person to replace.'' HALL OF FAME OWNER: Reggie Jackson thinks George Steinbrenner deserves a spot in Cooperstown. (Newsday) BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR . . . Peter Abraham lists the 10 types of people he hates to sit near at the ballpark. Anyone who's ever been to a game can relate. (LoHud Yankees Blog) HE DOESN'T PLAY FOR US: MLB has sent a cease-and-desist order to a Web site offering T-shirts touting the presidential candidacy of Barack Obama that were designed to look like baseball teams' uniforms. (thesmokinggun.com) LET THE INVESTIGATION BEGIN: The Major League Baseball Players Association plans to examine if collusion charges should be filed over the fact that no one's signed Barry Bonds. (New York Post) Collusion conspiracists will have a field day with the answer A's assistant GM David Forst gave when asked why Oakland wasn't interested in Bonds, since he would seem to fill a very specific need for the A's. (espn.com) (NOTE: After I wrote that piece, I found that Baseball Musing's David Pinto agrees with me.) Bonds himself says he has no intention of retiring and would be willing to sign a contact in midseason. (mlb.com) ANOTHER CASE? St. Petersburg Times columnist John Romano admits Evan Longoria is ready for the major leagues, but says the Rays should send him back to Triple-A anyway, even if only for a month, so he won't reach free agency until 2014, rather than hitting it in 2013 as he will if he sticks with the team on Opening Day. That could be seen as a form of collusion as well, and the MLBPA may fight it. The Tampa Tribune also thinks Longoria will open the year at Durham. BESIDES, HE'S THE EARLY FAVORITE FOR ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: That's what FoxSports.com's Dayn Perry thinks. Perry also believes "[as] strange as it sounds, it's time to take the Tampa Bay Rays seriously.'' SORRY, MARK: I have a friend who planned to make Josh Hamilton his sleeper pick in his upcoming fantasy draft, and he was upset I linked to a sportsline.com story last week in which a scout expressed the opinion that Hamilton might be the best player in baseball. But, judging by the report in Jon Heyman's Inside Scoop, it looks like the secret is out. (SI.com) MOVE OVER, YANKEES-RAYS, HERE COMES BREWERS-ANGELS: The long-simmering spring feud between Milwaukee and Los Angeles of Anaheim -- while not spilling over to the players on the field -- shows no signs of abating. (Los Angeles Times) NO RELIEF: The Tigers may have a devastating lineup and strong starting pitching, but their depleted bullpen hardly looks championship caliber. (SI.com) OH: A Japanese doctor explains Ichiro Suzuki's secret for success: "Ichiro has a very fine prefrontal cortex." (Seattle Times) THE QUEST CONTINUES: Scout.com is the latest site to try and figure out if spring numbers actually mean anything. WELCOME TO THE BLOGOSPHERE: The newest member is Diamondbacks director of player development A.J. Hinch. I've always admired Hinch for his honesty in addressing baseball's steroids problem in Howard Bryant's excellent book Juicing The Game; you can read the excerpt regarding Hinch here. (espn.com) WHO SAYS THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A GYROBALL? The Rangers C.J. Wilson says there is, and he plans to start throwing it. (sports.aol.com) LOCAL BOY: The "gentlemanly" Chris Iannetta -- that's a direct quote from the story -- has been showing more fire in the Rockies' camp, at the team's urging, and the Rox still think he may develop into "a special player." (Denver Post) HERE AND THERE: The Reds are looking for a catcher (Cincinnati Enquirer) . . . The Cubs plan to drop Alfonso Soriano to the No. 2 spot in the batting order (yahoo.com) . . . Orlando Hernandez' first spring appearances, in a simulated game against minor-leaguers, featured "neither high velocity nor pinpoint location nor great results" (New York Post) . . . Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez thinks Dan Uggla is starting to build a Hall of Fame resume (Miami Herald) . . . A broken fingernail has forced A.J. Burnett to come up with a changeup since the injury is preventing him from throwing his curve (Toronto Star) . . . The Orioles' new closer is George Sherrill. (Baltimore Sun) OLD FRIENDS: Stop us if you've heard this before: Eric Gagne surrendered a run on three hits in one inning yesterday and has an 11.25 ERA so far this spring for the Brewers (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) . . . Wilfredo Ledezma has only allowed one run in eight innings as he fights for a spot in the Padres' rotation (rotoworld.com) . . . Lenny DiNardo may be headed to Oakland's bullpen (rotoworld.com) . . . Andy Marte's chances of sticking with the Indians are being hampered because, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, "he seems to have forgotten how to play third base.'' -- ART MARTONE
Posted by Art Martone March 18, 2008
Red Sox announce Japan rosterThe Red Sox just announced the travel roster for Japan: PITCHERS (13): David Aardsma, Clay Buchholz, Bryan Corey, Manny Delcarmen, Jon Lester, Javier Lopez, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Hideki Okajima, Jonathan Papelbon, Kyle Snyder, Julian Tavarez, Mike Timlin, Tim Wakefield. CATCHERS (3): Dusty Brown, Kevin Cash*, Jason Varitek. INFIELDERS (8): Sean Casey, Alex Cora, Mike Lowell, Jed Lowrie*, Julio Lugo, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis. OUFIELDERS (6): Coco Crisp, J.D. Drew, Jacoby Ellsbury, Bobby Kielty*, Brandon Moss, Manny Ramirez. 60-DAY DISABLED LIST (1): Curt Schilling. *Non-Roster Invitee
Posted by Joe McDonald Crisp and Kielty going to JapanFORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Red Sox announced today that outfielders Coco Crisp and Bobby Kielty will be accompanying the team to Japan. They will play in the exhibition games this weekend, and their status for next week's against Oakland -- which are regular-season games -- will be determined then. -- JOE McDONALD
Posted by Art Martone Baseball Today: Tuesday, March 18
IT LIVES: Spring training or not, end of the Curse or not, all visual evidence to the contrary (above) or not . . . doesn't matter. David Ortiz can clown around with Alex Rodriguez and Reggie Jackson all he wants and it won't erase the fact that Red Sox-Yankees, writes Joe McDonald, still doesn't ''have the feel or atmosphere of a spring-training contest.'' (projo.com) The New York Daily News' Bill Madden agrees. So -- if they choose -- the Yanks can take heart, and the Sox can squrim, over yesterday's 8-4 New York win, notable mostly for a ghastly performance by Bartolo Colon that the Sox, predictably, claim they're not worried about. (projo.com) Everyone else probably is, and Terry Francona knew that; before the game he wryly noted ''If [Colon] gets the Yankees out today, half of this group [of reporters] will want to anoint him. If he gets banged around, the other half will want to release him.'' (Boston Globe) Since Colon didn't get out of the first inning, no one's anointing him, that's for sure. But, as Francona pleaded for people to recognize: "It's his second spring training game. He's getting his legs under him." Perspective? Terry, please. This is Red Sox-Yankees. "THEY DON'T GET TO CHANT '1918' ANYMORE": Derek Jeter says he understands the Red Sox-Yankee rivalry has changed for the fans -- Yankee fans in particular -- but "if we don't win, it doesn't make it better if the Red Sox don't, either.'' (New York Post) YOU'RE ON: With his son having arrived at a convenient time, Daisuke Matsuzaka was officially named the Opening Night starter in Japan. McDonald has the details. The Boston Herald's Rob Bradford reports Matsuzaka passed out cigars in the Red Sox clubhouse to celebrate his second child. BACK TO NORMAL: The man Matsuzaka's (temporarily) replacing at the top of the rotation, Josh Beckett, had a good day yesterday, reports McDonald. IN OTHER NEWS . . . McDonald notes that Coco Crisp and Bobby Kielty are recovering from their respective injuries and Craig Hansen took his demotion to the minor leagues in stride. OVER AND IN: The blog Squawking Baseball: Wall Street analysis of Major League Baseball's player market sets the over-under number for Red Sox victories this year at 93.5 and predicts they'll go over. The choice is "under" for the other two teams at 93.5, the Yankees and Tigers. THIS WAS A HORROR STORY? Our old pal Red Sox Monster has found a video that presents the 2007 Red Sox season as "one long Stephen King movie.'' IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, TRY AND GET A TICKET AT FENWAY: The Reds have decided to cash in on the passion of Red Sox Nation by forcing fans who buy tickets to Boston's games there this June to also buy tickets for three other, non-Red Sox games. (consumerist.com) And if you don't? No Red Sox tickets for you. A Sox living in Cincinnati who complained about the practice says he was told by a Reds' employee ''that since I am a Red Sox fan originally from Boston, I should be used to paying these prices for baseball games''; then he was advised to "scalp'' the tickets he didn't want. Our friend (?) The Tao of Steib applauds the move as an effective countermeasure to ''an invasion of their home park by the Most Obnoxious Fanbase in the World (TM).'' MOUTHING OFF: In the there's-no-connection-to-the-Red Sox-too-distant category, the Truro Times reports on a local dentist who's supplying Manny Ramirez with what's said to be an innovative mouthpiece. QUOTE OF THE DAY: The New York Post notes that when an American League "talent evalutator" was told the Yankees were "wary" of their starting rotation, he replied: "They should be." But the Post adds that Andy Pettitte's performance yesterday helped ease a little of the angst. PENNED IN: Joba Chamberlain won't lessen that wariness since it looks like he's starting the season in the bullpen. (New York Daily News) MAN OF DISTINCTION: Our friend Seth Mnookin profiles Alex Rodriguez in Men's Vogue. Peter Abraham calls it a "paint-by-numbers" story, but absolves Seth because A-Rod "never lets anybody inside.'' (LoHud Yankees Blog) Peter also makes this very interesting observation: In 2022 or so, Alex will get into the Hall of Fame. Will 10,000 people load up the RVs and pack the kids into the car to drive up to Cooperstown to cheer him? Or will they say “Yep, damn good player” and flip the channel? PROUD TO BE A YANKEE: A-Rod says he ''didn't think about'' signing with the Red Sox during his brief period of free agency last fall because "I wanted to be a New York Yankee.'' (Newsday) MOMENT TO REMEMBER: Abraham says the Yankees, who normally are "corporate as corporate can be," are doing a great thing by playing an exhibition game at Virginia Tech tomorrow. MEMORIES . . . The Eliot Spitzer scandal reminds the New York Daily News' Bill Gallo of the Fritz Peterson-Mike Kekich wife-swapping episode of 1973. REPLAY OF A NIGHTMARE: When the Dodgers left Brooklyn in 1957, the announcement of the move hadn't been made when the team played its last game at Ebbets Field. But even though the Ebbets finale wasn't officially the end of the Dodgers' time in New York, everyone knew . . . and the atmosphere was like a funeral. So it was yesterday in Vero Beach, where, as tears flowed and sadness reigned, the team played for the final time -- probably -- at Dodgertown, its spring home since 1948. (Los Angeles Times) In all likelihood the Dodgers will move their spring base to Arizona next year. Read more from mlb.com and espn.com. YES, HARD FEELINGS: The Nationals' Paul Lo Duca hasn't forgotten, and he hasn't forgiven, the fact that the Mets didn't want him back. (New York Times) THE FULL RHODE ISLAND: Smithfield's Jim Salisbury remembers that the Phillies, the team he now covers, almost took Cumberland's Rocco Baldelli over Chase Utley in the 2000 draft. (Philadephia Inquirer) AND AFTER ALL THAT . . . A new study now indicates HGH may actually worsen athletic performance. (AP via si.com) YOU'LL BE SORR-EEE: The Chicago Sun-Times' Jay Mariotti says the Cubs will live to regret choosing Kerry Wood as closer over Carlos Marmol. NO, I WON'T: SI.com's Jon Heyman says the Cubs have a clear path to October. WHISPERS: The Orioles continue to talk trade with the Cubs about Brian Roberts and maintain their interest in old friend Mark Loretta, now with the Astros (Baltimore Sun) . . . In case you've missed any of it, The Cub Reporter has a timeline on the Brian Roberts-to-the-Cubs trade rumor . . . Lou Piniella, incidentally, thinks all this trade talk is unsettling to the Cubs' younger players (Daily Herald) . . . The Phils' Wes Helms is on the trading block (Philadephia Daily News) . . . The newest Giant, Aaron Rowand, doesn't think old teammate Joe Crede will be joining him in San Francisco . (Chicago Tribune) HERE AND THERE: The Tigers are talking long-term contract with Miguel Cabrera (Detroit Free Press) . . . Yahoo.com's Jeff Passan has a profile of White Sox closer Bobby Jenks, whose career took off when he slowed his off-the-field shenanigans . . . Neck pain may spell the end of Jose Valentin's career. (New York Daily News) OLD FRIENDS: Chad Fox, attempting a comeback after two years on the sidelines, will probably start the season at Cubs' extended spring training (Chicago Tribune) . . . It looks like Gabe Kapler has made the team in Milwaukee. (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) -- ART MARTONE
Posted by Art Martone March 17, 2008
Colon updateRed Sox pitcher Bartolo Colon didn’t seem fazed by his sub-par performance against the Yankees today. The newly-acquired right-hander allowed four runs on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts in 2/3 of an inning of work. He threw 41 pitches (21 strikes). In his first start against the Rays on March 13, Colon worked two solid innings, allowing one run on two hits with one walk and one strikeout. He said the game that he actually felt stronger yesterday, it was just his command that was off. Francona strongly agrees. “That’s exactly what we saw,” said the manager. “We got to a point in the first inning where we started to worry about leaving him out there. We wanted to get him to 50 pitches, but not in the first 10 minutes of the game. His arm strength is good and his attitude is outstanding.” Colon will remain in Florida when the team heads to Japan and pitch a minor-league. He will join and pitch for the Red Sox in Los Angeles when the team returns from Japan for a set of exhibition games against the Dodgers.
Posted by Joe McDonald Hansen, others optioned to PawtucketReliever Craig Hansen was optioned to Pawtucket following today's game. Francona said he wanted to see the hard-throwing right-hander pitch again this spring because pitching coach John Farrell has been very impressed with Hansen’s mound presence. “We’ve got a kid who has had his ups and downs,” said Francona. “We think the ups are on their way. . . He’s going to be the Manny Delcarmen of this year; he’ll go back do great and then come back and help us.” Hansen took the news rather well today. “They told me they were proud of what I did this spring training,” Hansen said. “I came in here ready to compete, and they were proud of that. When I get to minor-league camp I just need to continue what I’ve been doing.” Also optioned to Pawtucket was catcher George Kottaras, infielder/outfielder Chris Carter, and pitcher Lincoln Holdzkom.
Posted by Joe McDonald Fans set recordThe 11,036 in attendance today set a new record at Legends Field. The previous mark of 10,972 was set on Sunday against Cleveland.
Posted by Joe McDonald Coco/Kielty updateCoco Crisp (groin) and Bobby Kielty (calf) both participated in a pair of minor-league games today in order to get some much-needed at-bats. Terry Francona said Crisp felt “very good” but the team still doesn’t know if he'll will be able to make the trip to Japan. Crisp went 1-for-5 and Kielty went 1-for-4 during their at-bats, three in a Triple-A game and two in a Double-A game at the team’s minor-league complex in Fort Myers. The Red Sox have Tuesday off, so both will play in a camp game and face left-handers at the minor-league complex.
Posted by Joe McDonald Colon finishedRed Sox pitcher Bartolo Colon was scheduled to work three innings against the Yankees today in Tampa, but the newly acquired right-hander was just given the hook with two outs in the bottom of the first inning with New York leading, 4-0. He threw 41 pitches and allowed four runs on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Julian Tavarez is now in the game.
Posted by Joe McDonald Today's lineupsBOSTON NEW YORK
Posted by Joe McDonald Good morning from TampaIt's another beautiful day in Florida. The Red Sox just arrived in Tampa for their game against the Yankees at Legends Field. With the amount of media outlets here today, one might think it was a regular-season game. Francona just finished his daily scrum with the local guys and actually had some news this morning. Francona announced that Dice-K will officially be the team's Opening Day starter in Japan. Jon Lester will pitch the other regular-season game against the A's over there. Tim Wakefield and Clay Buchholz will start the two exhibition games. Ailing center fielder Coco Crisp (groin) will play for the PawSox today in a rehab appearance. He's scheduled to get in at least four at-bats. Francona said this morning that Crisp had a good morning and now there's a chance he could make the trip to Japan. It's also possible he could play in the team's final spring training game in Florida on Wednesday against the Blue Jays. Pitcher Josh Beckett (back) played long toss this morning at 120 feet. Francona said the right-hander felt good. Beckett, who will not travel to Japan, will likely make a rehab start for the PawSox in Florida. After the birth of his second child over the weekend, Dice-K returned to the spring training facility this morning and threw 58-pitch side session in preparation for his start in Japan.
Posted by Joe McDonald Baseball Today: Monday, March 17
SIMPLE ENOUGH: On his Hacks with Haggs blog, Joe Haggerty has a conversation with Peter Gammons. Gammons' answer when asked why the Sox cut Mirabelli: "They just didn’t think he could play anymore.'' YOU WOULDN'T RECOGNIZE HIM: The Hideki Okajima who's returning to Japan with the Red Sox next week is far different than the one who left last year. (Boston Globe) ONE, BUT NOT TWO: The Newark Star-Ledger's Dan Graziano says he's hearing that the Cubs will pull out of trade talks for Coco Crisp if they acquire Brian Roberts. THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE: Say what you will about Johnny Damon, but he's always been the most honest of ballplayers. So it's not surprising to hear his self-assessment of his defensive skills in light of the Yankees switching him to left field: ''I'm probably [a] middle-of-the-pack [center fielder] now . . . I would say I'm probably an above-average left fielder now." THE NUMBERS DON'T WORK: The Daily News' Bill Madden says that, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, there has never been a World Series team with two rookies making a minimum of just 25 starts apiece. Since the Yanks plan to start the season with Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy in the rotation, how this applies to them is pretty obvious. OF MICE AND MEN: Hank Steinbrenner said being criticized by Jonathan Papelbon ''is like being attacked by a mouse.'' (New York Post) Papelbon's response was classic Papelbon . . . and, in fact, classic, period: ''Whatever, dude.'' (Hartford Courant) Our pals at Red Sox Monster think it's a case of ''Papel-Mouse winning again.'' C.C. OF DISCOURAGEMENT: Free agent-to-be C.C. Sabathia couldn't have pleased those New York folks who have him fitted for pinstripes next year -- a group that includes just about all of Yankee Universe -- when he answered, "It's all right,'' when asked if he liked New York. (mlb.com) GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS: The good news is Chien-Ming Wang struck out seven in 4 1/3 innings against the Indians. The bad news is he wasn't particularly effective while doing so. (New York Daily News) MORE OF THE SAME: The New York Post's Larry Brooks says the Yanks' allowing Jim Leyritz, who facing a felony DUI manslaughter charge, to visit their clubhouse is another reason why their reputation as a class organization is slipping. LIKE SON, LIKE FATHER Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan, father of the Yankees' Shelley Duncan, a) doesn't see anything wrong with his son's waist-high, spikes-first slide into the Rays' Akinori Iwamura and b) is pretty upset with those who do. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) The Rays are among those who do, and the Post-Dispatch points out that St. Louis and Tampa Bay are interleague opponents this year. THE CLOSER YOU LOOK . . . Baseball Musing's David Pinto says, more and more, Shelley Duncan comes off ''a typical meathead with the jock sense of entitlement.'' This is the guy, remember, who wrote "Red Sox Suck" when signing an autograph to a 10-year-old Red Sox fan. APPEALING: Duncan and Melky Cabrera are appealing the suspensions they received for their actions in the brawl that followed Duncan's slide. (New York Post) I DON'T SEE ANY OF THESE SEATS GOING EMPTY, THOUGH: The Biz of Baseball points out that a box seat which cost $3.50 at Yankee Stadium in 1967 is now going for $250, even though $3.50 in 2007 dollars is only $22.14. That's an inflation rate of 1,029%. THE REST OF THE STORY: The New York Times' Murray Chass looks at the chances of the Blue Jays and Rays to break the Red Sox-Yankee stranglehold on the A.L. East. The Orioles? Fugheddaboutit. SWAP, DON'T BUY: With Rocco Baldelli out, the Rays are more likely to trade for a fourth outfielder rather than sign a free agent. (Tampa Tribune) BASEBALL'S VERSION OF WESTERN UNION: It looks as if the Twins are trying to send a message to Alexi Casilla as they've shipped him to Triple-A Rochester because of what the St. Paul Pioneer-Press calls his ''lack of attention to details in the field.'' THE WORST TRADES ARE THE ONES YOU DON'T MAKE: FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal thinks the Angels may regret not pursuing Alex Rodriguez and Miguel Cabrera this offseason. REPLY HAZY, TRY AGAIN: Joe Posnanski says the annual Baseball Prospectus is his version of the Magic 8 ball, and he shakes it to try and get some answers. (One of the questions: "Will Dustin Pedroia continue to be the same kind of player he was in 2007?") WHY WOULDN'T I BELIEVE HIM? White Sox GM Ken Williams says Ozzie Guillen was "probably serious" when he said the White Sox could tear up his contract if the team struggles again this year. (Chicago Sun-Times) THE NEVER-ENDING STORY: SI.com's John Donovan reports on the latest Dusty Baker move that's sure to have heads spinning in the sabermetric community. ORIENT EXPRESS: Yahoo.com's Steve Henson reports on the Dodgers-Padres trip to China. HERE AND THERE: Jeff Conine apparently will sign a contract with Florida and then announce his retirement, so he can retire as a Marlin. (mlb.com) Question: Does anybody remember who a player retired with? . . . Scott Kazmir may start the season on the disabled list (Tampa Tribune) . . . Juan Pierre may be losing his job with the Dodgers (Orange County Register) . . . Kerry Wood is emerging as the favorite in the competition to be the Cubs' closer (Chicago Sun-Times) . . . The Braves' Jeff Francoeur escaped serious injury in a beaning by the Cardinals' Todd Wellemeyer (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) . . . The Orioles' Ramon Hernandez says he was injured last year, not fat and out of shape like his critics claimed, and he's ready to prove them wrong (Baltimore Sun) . . . The Angels' John Lackey will be sidelined for at least a month. (mlb.com) OLD FRIENDS: The New York Post reports Pedro Martinez had a "dazzling" spring debut for the Mets . . . Hideo Nomo is no longer in the running for a starting job with the Royals, but could still make their bullpen (Kansas City Star) . . . Tony Armas Jr. finally showed up in Mets' camp. (Newsday) AND FINALLY . . . Congratulations to Chad Finn, whose excellent Touching All The Bases blog is moving uptown. -- ART MARTONE
Posted by Art Martone March 16, 2008
More on Wakefiled's perfect outingRed Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield worked five perfect innings in a minor league game for the PawSox this afternoon. Since Boston released his personal batterymate, Doug Mirabelli, last Thursday, the team felt it would be best to have Wakefield and catcher Kevin Cash worked together in a minor league game instead of traveling to Bradenton today. Wakefield struck out three and threw 64 pitches (48 strikes). "Today was as good as I have ever seen him pitch," said Cash, who also caught Wakefield last season when Mirabelli was on the DL. "I don't care who he's facing, when he's down i nthe zone, he's hard to hit." The PawSox played to a 1-1 tie with Louisville.
Posted by Joe McDonald Wakefield perfectBuddy Steve Hyder, the PawSox' broadcaster, just called from Fort Myers with an outstanding report on Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield. The knuckler, starting for the PawSox today in order to get comfortable with new batterymate Kevin Cash, tossed five perfect innings. He threw 63 pitches (47) strikes. Doug who? I'll have more later. . . Thanks, Steve.
Posted by Joe McDonald Beckett updateRed Sox manager Terry Francona just made it oficial that Josh Beckett will not travel to Japan with the rest of the team on Wednesday. Instead, the right-hander will stay in Florida to continue to rehab his ailing back. "He will not go to Japan, which I think we're using common sense," said Francona. "We're trying to do things in the correct order, and he completely understands." Beckett played catch with pitching coach John Farrell back in Fort Myers this morning and Francona said the pitcher felt no pain. Beckett played catch at 60 feet and then progressed to 75 on flat ground with "no concerns." "He did fine," said Francona this morning from Bradenton where the Red Sox will face the Pirates. "He had no concerns and that's what we were shooting for. He'll ramp it up a little more (Monday)." Beckett will play long toss on Tuesday, and best case scenario, he'll throw a side session on Thursday. Farrell reported to Francona and told the manager the ball came out of Beckett's hand good. There's still no timetable on his return at this point, but the Red Sox will use caution and progress slowly with this. While the Red Sox are barnstorming around the globe, Beckett will remain at the spring training facility. The team is trying to figure out which members of the medical and training staff will stay behind to work with Beckett at City of Palms Park. There was some discussion about sending him back to Boston, but the team decided it was best to keep him in Florida, probably for the warm weather. If he continues to progress, there is a possibility he could make a minor-league rehab start.
Posted by Joe McDonald Sunday lineupsThe Red Sox are in Bradenton to face the Pirates today. BOSTON
Posted by Joe McDonald March 15, 2008
Beckett will throw SundayRed Sox pitcher Josh Beckett will return to action as the ailing right-hander is scheduled to play catch on flat ground on Sunday morning. Beckett has been sidelined with back spasms for a week. He was scratched from his scheduled start on March 8 after throwing just a few warmup pitches and he’s expected to throw at 60 feet at City of Palms Park today.
Posted by Joe McDonald Wakefield speaksBy Joe McDonald FORT MYERS, Fla. _ Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield isn’t too thrilled about the team’s decision to release Doug Mirabelli, but the knuckleball pitcher broke his silence yesterday and said he’s turned the page. The Red Sox gave Wakefield’s personal batterymate his unconditional release on Thursday to the surprise of every player in the clubhouse. “Shocked,” said Wakefield yesterday morning at City of Palms Park. “Very shocked. I don’t know what else to say about it. . . I’m saddened by the whole situation, but it’s a business decision on their part. I feel like (Kevin) Cash can do a really good job, but I’m going to really miss Doug, not only his professionalism and the way he handled me, but also his friendship.” Wakefield wouldn’t elaborate on his conversation with Mirabelli, but did say his former catcher was also caught off guard by the transaction.
Posted by Joe McDonald Today's lineupREDS RED SOX
Posted by Joe McDonald Dice-K's a dad!Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka and his wife, Tomoyo, welcomed a baby boy into the world this morning. Both mom and son are doing well. The child, whose name is not being released, weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces. He's the couple's second child. Dice-K is expected to be back in camp in the next couple of days and now it appears he'll be able to make the trip to Japan with the Sox next week.
Posted by Joe McDonald Good morning from Fort MyersMy wife just called to tell me it's snowing in Rhode Island. When I got off the phone I had to laugh because I've been down here just over a week now and today is the best day of weather to date. It's sunny and very warm at City of Palms Park where the Red Sox are working on the drills this morning. A couple of quick notes from a quiet morning here: Terry Francona said injured center fielder Coco Crisp (groin) is getting frustrated with his lack of baseball activity, which is a good thing. Julio Lugo (back) is back in the lineup today for the first time in about 12 days. He's scheduled to play a few innings today and will DH tomorrow. Josh Beckett (back) is getting better not worse, according to Francona. That's pretty much it this morning. Enjoy the snow!
Posted by Joe McDonald March 14, 2008
Game called: Boston wins, 7-4*Today's Red Sox game against the Orioles was called in the top of the seventh due to inclement weather. Boston won 7-4.
The right-hander admitted, however, that he has tendinitis in right knee, something he said he’s had since last season, and every once in a while it flares up. It began to rain at City of Palms Park in the sixth inning and it picked up in the seventh. Delcarmen made a fine defensive play on a chopper back to the mound, and assisted on the out at second base. After the play, Francona sprinted to the mound followed by head trainer Paul Lessard to check on the reliever, who has been very impressive this spring. As Delcarmen left the field and Craig Breslow came in from the bullpen, Francona signaled to the grounds crew, calling for some Quick Dry. At that point the tarp was placed over the field and a few minutes later the game was called.
Posted by Joe McDonald Schilling lauds Mirabelli in blog entryIn a blog entry entitled "Doug" on 38pitches.com, Curt Schilling calls Doug Mirabelli one of only two teammates he's ever had whose "presence in the clubhouse carried onto the field." Click the link to find out who the other one was, and to read more laudatory Schilling comments about Mirabelli.
Posted by Art Martone Early morning happenings: Manny takes Dougie's locker**The Red Sox have already started to pack for their trip to Japan next Wednesday. In the corner of the clubhouse here at City of Palms Park, there are five large boxes of gum that are all ready to go. **It didn't take long for Manny Ramirez to change lockers. Catchers always have the biggest stalls because of all the equipment, so after Doug Mirabelli was released on Thursday, Manny moved into the larger living quarters. **Second baseman Dustin Pedroia still can't believe Manny bought him a $10,000 Rolex watch for winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2007. Ramirez told Pedroia this spring that if he hits .300 this season then he'll buy him the matching bracelet. "Heck, if he's going to continue this, I'll hit .300 for the next 20 years," said Pedroia. "By the time my career is over I'll look like Mr. T."
Posted by Joe McDonald Lugo updateRed Sox shortstop Julio Lugo was scheduled to play today, but he's not in the lineup. He's been bothered with a lower back injury, and with the team leaving for Japan on Wednesday, it appears Lugo may not be going. The Red Sox have told rookie shortstop Jed Lowrie to be prepared to go on the trip. BTW: It's a beautiful day here at City of Palms Park.
Posted by Joe McDonald Talk Red Sox baseball today with Joe McDonaldJoe McDonald will be online from noon to 1 p.m. from Fort Myers to take your questions about the team as it gets ready to depart for Japan and the early start to the regular season. You can send in your questions now: go to projo.com/chat, click launch chat, choose a display name (you don't need a password) and enter the red sox chat room. Remember not to press enter or click send until you have finished typing your question. Questions will display to the room as Joe answers them.
Posted by Mike McDermott Baseball Today: Friday, March 14
GOOD NEWS OR BAD NEWS? Word that the Red Sox had released Doug Mirabelli (above) could be taken one of two ways: That the Sox were cutting ties with an experienced veteran and simultaneously taking Tim Wakefield out of his comfort zone, or that they had a younger, better player ready to step into that role. After internal discussions, we went with Plan B. Joe McDonald talked with Kevin Cash, the Sox' new No. 2 catcher, as the thrust of the main story. Not that Cash is a hot stud young prospect, but Mirabelli -- who, as I wrote today, ''hasn’t hit higher than .228 since 2005 . . . [hasn't] had more hits than strikeouts in a season since 2003 . . . fanned in about one of every three plate appearances [last year] . . . [and the] piano he’s been lugging on his back around the bases has turned into a Steinway Grand'' -- had degenerated into near-uselessness. Wakefield declined comment yesterday, and I'm sure we'll hear the obligatory hate-to-see-Dougie-go testimonials from him and others today. The fans, judging by the reactions we're hearing, aren't so broken up. LOOKS LIKE THE AMERICAN LEAGUE CAN BREATHE A LITTLE EASIER: The blog Dirty Watah ran into Mirabelli -- "just as cocky in person as he sounds in the papers'' -- last Sunday in Vero Beach. They quoted him as offering up the following self-appraisal: ''Looking real fit. I fear for the American League this season!'' TALKING ABOUT LOOKING FIT . . . Bartolo Colon may not seem like he's in shape, but his arm is better than the Sox thought it was. McDonald reports they're optimistic after yesterday's two-inning stint against the Rays. SEE YOU IN SIXTY: At least that's what Curt Schilling's hoping after the Sox placed him on the 60-day disabled list. (projo.com) CHATTERBOX: After eschewing the media for lo these many years, suddenly Manny Ramirez is feeling talkative. Both Sean McAdam and Joe McDonald say that Ramirez is more accessible this year -- Joe, in fact, got a great story from Ramirez about his giving a watch to Dustin Pedroia for winning the Rookie of the Year award -- and in the last two days Manny has given interviews to Maureen Mullen of MLB.com and Howard Ulman of the Associated Press. (projo.com) A CONVERSATION WITH . . . Chris Carter, via Joe Haggerty's Hacks with Haggs blog. DIFFERENT COAST, DIFFERENT WORLD: After some lean times in San Diego, Tom Werner is enjoying life in Fat City, a.k.a. Boston. (AP via projo.com) DEAL OR NO DEAL The Sox' brass had a sitdown with Coco Crisp yesterday, "largely to ensure that the club and player were on the same page," said the Boston Herald. Fox Sports.com's Ken Rosenthal thinks the Cubs, one of Crisp's rumored trade destinations, should forget about him and stick with Felix Pie in center field. SCOUTS' HONOR: The Red Sox have a few players in scouts' evaluations of players with the best physical tools. (mlb.com) GRUMBLE, GRUMBLE: An apparent point of contention between the Red Sox and A's has been settled in Boston's favor with the news that the teams' April 2 game in Oakland will begin at 12:35 p.m. Pacific time. (San Francisco Chronicle) The A's wanted it to be a night game, and all their schedules list it as such, but the Sox -- who will have flown from Florida to Japan and then from Japan back to California in the previous two weeks -- were facing yet another cross-continent flight after the April 2 game, this one to Toronto, and didn't want to be making it in the overnight hours. The A's, judging by the comments in the story, aren't too happy since they've already sold tickets for it as a 7:05 start. But the Red Sox presumably dug in their heels -- in fact, I remember Larry Lucchino telling reporters weeks ago that MLB had been accommodating on the schedule and specifically mentioning that this getaway game in Oakland would be played in the afternoon -- and you know who's winning that fight in the commissioner's office. PET SOUNDS: As the Boston Herald reported yesterday, and was duly noted on this very blog, Clay Buchholz is dating 2008 Penthouse Pet of the Year Erica Ellyson. (AOL Sports Fanhouse) MAYBE BUCHHOLZ CAN HELP YOU OUT, DEREK: When asked by a female reporter on a conference call hyping the Yankees-Virginia Tech exhibition game if he'd "finally be able to find a girlfriend here," Derek Jeter responded: "If you have anyone in mind . . . let me know." (LoHud Yankees Blog) THE FALLOUT: The New York Daily News reports that both Yankee manager Joe Girardi and Rays manager Joe Maddon may be suspended for Opening Day because of the teams' brawl on Wednesday. COOL IT: Some of the veteran Yankees are telling Shelley Duncan to tone done his act. (New York Post) MR. THURSDAY AFTERNOON: Billy Crystal enjoyed his moment in the sun as the Yankee leadoff hitter, even though he struck out. (New York Daily News) The Daily News' Bill Madden thinks baseball's first owner-showman, Bill Veeck, ''is roaring with laughter . . . at what he would consider the hypocrisy of the lordly Yankees for conceiving such a stunt.'' Our friend Steve Silva is having plenty of laughs himself. (bostondirtdogs.com) OH, YEAH, THE GAME: Mike Mussina threw five perfect innings. (New York Daily News) But that's not a good thing, says the New York Observer's Howard Megdal. POSITION BY POSITION: Projo.com's own fantasy writer, Michael Salfino, looks at the Yankee lineup. (web.sny.tv) I'M GOOD: The New York Post's Kevin Kernan tracked down Dwight Gooden, who was rumored to have fallen back into the drug-and-alcohol abyss. But Gooden says he's clean and sober, and has dropped out of the baseball world because he needed to spend time with his six children and grandson. SAD NEWS: Joe McDonald gets reaction from Maddon and ex-Ray Julio Lugo on the illness of Rocco Baldelli. WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN? Rotoauthority.com looks at spring stats and tries to glean some insights into the upcoming season. On sportingnews.com, David Pinto looks at team records and tries to do the same thing. WHAT?? The blog Seamheads.com has uncovered a 1984 quote in which Bill James seems to support decisions over which statheads are skewering Dusty Baker. IT'S OBP, STUPID: New Royals manager Trey Hillman calls on-base percentage ''a no-brainer'' in evaluating a player. (Kansas City Star) LET THE STARS SHINE: According to the New York Post, the Mets may host the 2013 All-Star Game in their new stadium. SILENCE IS GOLDEN: The Indians call Travis Hafner their silent assassin. (espn.com) BEST PLAYER IN BASEBALL? One scout thinks it might be the newest Ranger, Josh Hamilton. (sportsline.com) GET WELL SOON: Former Cubs star and current ESPN analyst Rick Sutcliffe has been diagnosed with what's being called ''a treatable and curable form of colon cancer.'' (espn.com) HERE AND THERE: As was speculated after Joel Piniero began experiencing arm problems, the Cardinals signed Kyle Lohse (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) . . . The Giants are reportedly interested in Brandon Inge (San Francisco Chronicle) . . . The Reds may be the latest team to make Arizona their spring home (Dayton Daily News) . . . The Marlins will be without Sergio Mitre until about late May (South Florida Sun-Sentinel) . . . Woody Williams may be the odd man out in the battle for a spot in the Astros' rotation (Houston Chronicle) . . . Scott Kazmir may pitch Sunday for the Rays (Tampa Tribune) . . . The Tigers don't expect Fernando Rodney to be ready by Opening Day. (mlb.com) OLD FRIENDS: Gabe Kapler is having a good spring with the Brewers (rotoworld.com) . . . Not so Byung -Hyun Kim with the Pirates (rotoworld.com) . . . The Nationals' Wily Mo Pena has a strained oblique muscle (Washington Post) . . . Freddy Sanchez should be back playing for the Pirates next week. (mlb.com) -- ART MARTONE
Posted by Art Martone March 13, 2008
Colon updatePitcher Bartolo Colon made his Red Sox spring debut today and looked good during his two-inning, 26-pitch outing. He allowed one run on two hits, including a solo home run to the Rays' Jon Weber. The Sox signed him to a minor-league contract at the start of spring training and the club feels he could be a diamond in the rough. Colon loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the first inning, but retired the next three batters to end the inning unscathed.
Colon said he was pleased with his velocity. “I’m thrilled with the way my arm has been responding,” he said. “I don’t know how hard I was throwing, but it felt very good.” Even though he feels strong and confident, he doesn’t want to place a target date on a return, he’ll let the Red Sox make that decision. “I feel great and the trainers have done a great job with me,” he said. “I’ve seen a great improvement from where I began [spring training] to where I am right now.” The one-time Cy Young winner (2005 for the Angels) has battled injuries the last few seasons, but he's hoping he can return to form in 2008. “The past two years have been tough,” he said. “But it’s that more gratifying to see the results finally starting to pay out. More than anything it’s great to be able to go out on the mound, even for a brief stint, and have some success. It’s very rewarding and shows that the hard work is paying off.”
Posted by Joe McDonald Colon finishedBartolo Colon just completed his first outing with the Red Sox and looked good. The right-hander threw 26 pitches (18 strikes) and allowed one run (solo homer) on two hits with one walk and one strikeout. He retired the first two batters he faced in the second inning before surrendering a solo homer to the Rays' Jon Weber, who crushed the first offering over the right-center field wall. Tampa leads 1-0. Kyle Snyder will replace Colon in the third.
Posted by Joe McDonald Colon makes Red Sox debutRight-hander Bartlolo Colon just completed his first of two innings of scheduled work for the Red Sox. He threw 20 pitches (13 strikes) in the first inning, looked good and threw hard. After allowing a lead-off single to the Rays' Akinori Iwamura, Jason Bartlett reached on an error by Sox shortstop Alex Cora. Colon then walked Carlos Pena before striking out B.J. Upton. Colon got Jonny Gomes to pop out to catcher Dusty Brown and then Colon showed his range when he covered first on a ground ball to the right side and recorded the final out of the inning on John Rodriguez. Colon will work one more inning.
Posted by Joe McDonald Mirabelli releasedThe Red Sox have placed catcher Doug Mirabelli on unconditional release waivers. Tony Massarotti reported on his blog earlier that he saw Mirabelli leaving City of Palms Park in street clothes. The Journal has just confirmed the veteran receiver has been placed on waivers. Tim Wakefield's personal catcher was originally in today's lineup to catch Bartolo Colon. That leaves George Kottaras, Kevin Cash and Dusty Brown backing up Jason Varitek in camp. Cash was called up from Pawtucket last season when Mirabelli was placed on the DL and proved he can handle the backup role. Cash, 30, can catch the knuckleball and manager Terry Francona has always liked him. In fact, Cash crushed a three-run homer Wednesday against the Twins. He has worked with minor-league knucklers Charlie Zink and John Barnes. Cash has 126 games of major-league experience with Toronto, Tampa and Boston. Cash also caught Wakefield last August when he tossed 22 consecutive scoreless innings. Brown, 25, can also catch the dancing doozy and has also impressed management this spring. It doesn't appear the Red Sox are in the midst of making a trade for a backup at this point.
Posted by Joe McDonald More roster moves for the Red SoxThe Red Sox made a few more transactions this morning. Right-hander Devern Hansack and outfielder Jonathan Van Every were optioned to Pawtucket. The club assigned right-hander Lee Gronkiewicz and left-handers Jon Switzer and Michael Tejera to the minor-league camp. Just in case you missed it earlier today, Curt Schilling was placed on the 60-day DL. And, the Sox signed right-hander Lincoln Holdzkom to a major-league contract and placed him on the 40-man roster. With all of today's moves, Boston has 40 players in major league camp.
Posted by Joe McDonald Where's Mirabelli?Tony Massarotti of the Boston Herald just reported on his blog that backup catcher Doug Mirabelli just left City of Palms Park in street clothes. He was originally scheduled to play today. . . We'll have more as it becomes available.
Posted by Joe McDonald Today's lineupsTAMPA BOSTON
Posted by Joe McDonald Talk Red Sox baseball tomorrow with Joe McDonaldJoe McDonald will be online from Fort Myers on Friday to take your questions about the team as it gets ready to depart for Japan and the early start to the regular season. Joe will be online from noon to 1 p.m. You can send in your questions now: go to projo.com/chat, click launch chat, choose a display name (you don't need a password) and enter the red sox chat room. Remember not to press enter or click send until you have finished typing your question. Questions will display to the room as Joe answers them tomorrow.
Posted by Mike McDermott Buchholz' new PetThe Boston Herald's Inside Track has the details -- first spilled on WZLX Radio by Buchholz' father -- that Clay Buccholz is, as they say, keeping time with Penthouse Pet of the Year Erica Ellyson. Get all the details here.
Posted by Art Martone Schilling placed on DLBY JOE McDONALD FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Not surprisingly, Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling has been placed on the 60-day DL today with an arm injury. The veteran right-hander has been rehabbing at the club’s spring training facility here early in the mornings and then leaves. As a result of Schilling's departure from the active roster, the Red Sox signed right-hander Lincoln Holdzkom and placed him on the 40-man roster. He split time between Portland and Pawtucket last season. He was a six-year free agent at the end of last season, and was picked up by the Phillies in the Rule V draft. Philadelphia then offered him back to Boston, and because of that, he had the option to become a free agent. He decided to sign with the Red Sox.
Posted by Joe McDonald Baseball Today: Thursday, March 13
THE REAL WORLD: Every so often reality intrudes on the fantasy land of sports, and yesterday it barged in with a sobering thud. Rhode Island's Rocco Baldelli told the Tampa media in a morning press conference he would be sidelined indefinitely because of a rare, and as-yet untreated, condition called metabolic and/or mitochondrial abnormalities, which causes severe fatigue and muscle cramping and has been at the root at his constant string of injuries over the last three years. Later he had a phone conversation with Joe McDonald in which he elaborated on the topic. Interestingly, Baldelli said it was his interview with McDonald on Saturday -- recounted in this Sunday story -- that prompted him to go public in far more detail yesterday. The unburdening, he said, was a relief. "When I wake up [today], I’m going to feel a lot better than I did [yesterday],'' he told McDonald. But there's still no conclusive diagnosis (and thus no real treatment), and when asked if the condition was life-threatening, Baldelli said, "It’s difficult for me to comment on that. I’m not worried about it being extremely serious and I don’t like to use the term [life threatening]. Doctors are fairly certain this is not serious to that point. It’s a problem, a serious problem, but not something I’m worried about.'' It's so rare for an athlete this young to be facing a condition this dire that few can process it. I think the St. Petersburg Times' Gary Shelton has an excellent column in which he acknowledges that most people, because of his long string of idleness, ''are no longer able to feel [Baldelli's] pain.'' That point of view can be summed up pretty succinctly: The Rays have been without Baldelli for a long time now, they have plenty of other good young outfielders, they're a team on the rise, and if they have to rise without him . . . well, so be it. If the Rays were the Red Sox, and the outfielder was from, say, Montana and not Rhode Island, we'd probably feel the same way around here. And it's somehow symbolic of that lack of empathy and understanding that the Baldelli news in the Tampa area got trampled by the Rays-Yankees nonsense (more on this below). But Shelton's point is that the conclusion to Baldelli's saga -- and that's what yesterday felt like -- ''should not come without a trace of sorrow.'' More than a trace, in this view. Godspeed, Rocco. Get well soon. BACK TO BASEBALL: As for the on-field news yesterday, Clay Buchholz pitched well as the Sox won the Mayor's Cup with a 12-7 victory over the Twins. The up-and-down saga of Josh Beckett was up yesterday, though there's still no word as to whether or not he'll make the trip to Japan. And Curt Schilling, while seen, continues not to be heard from in the Sox camp. (All stories from McDonald on projo.com) THE GLOBAL VILLAGE: Little did we know the misfortune that befell McDonald's laptop the other day in Port St. Lucie would be chronicled by a sports celebrity gossip site and Deadspin. WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND: The blog River Ave. Blues -- don't really have to tell you where they're coming from, do I? -- is chortling about the Red Sox' trip to Japan. REDUCED SPEED: Scouts sat Francisco Liriano's velocity, once as high as 95 mph, is in the 88 mph range these days. (St. Paul Pioneer Press)
To me, the most interesting part of the whole thing was the reaction of Yankee fans. They long chafed under the Yanks' refusal, under Joe Torre, to retaliate when their batters would be hit by pitches, particularly against the Red Sox. So after Duncan's play -- probably the best description would be a direct, if politically incorrect, phrase used by Bill James in a different context: "A Zulu warrior stunt to avenge the paisan" -- I jumped to Peter Abraham's blog to see what the fans were saying. Most of them loved it. ("This is awesome, so sick of the Torre era turning the other cheek. Time for some payback.'' . . . "The 77 and 78 Yankees would be proud" . . . "At least we know its not a turn-the-other-cheek team this year. That’s a positive.") It's not surprising, since most fan bases, including Boston's, would react exactly the same way. But Abraham jumped into the comment section a couple of times and tried to tell them that baseball isn't that kind of sport and they were being foolish; very few listened and a few shouted him down. In the end, Abraham made another blog post, titled Let's Try Not To Get Carried Away, in which he laid out the reasons why this incident shouldn't be regarded as a call to arms by The New Yanks. Whether it actually is or not, only time will tell. But it sure livened up spring training. THE REAL NEWS . . . is that Andy Pettitte had to miss a start because of a cranky elbow. (New York Daily News) The Yanks say it's nothing serious. Over at The Replacement Level Yankees Weblog, SG takes a look at how Pettitte likely will perform in 2008. 'DESIGNATED HEBREW': That's how Billy Crystal, who'll actually play for the Yanks against the Pirates today, is describing himself. (New York Post) NOTHING BREWING: The Associated Press reports that, since MLB hasn't even talked to any of the players mentioned, suspensions for individuals mentioned in the Mitchell Report are unlikely, at least before Opening Day. (projo.com) HERE WE COME: In its season preview of the team, Fox Sports says the Blue Jays have a sense of optimism for 2008. But that optimism may have been tempered a bit by yesterday's news that Casey Janssen will miss the 2008 season. (Toronto Globe and Mail) The Tao of Steib, however, isn't ''freaking about this nearly as much as we might have imagined''. THERE THEY GO: Over on Baseball Analysts, Rob Neyer and Joe Posnanski look at the A.L. Central. I'VE HAD IT: The Baltimore Sun's Peter Schmuck is giving up on Daniel Cabrera. RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES: A South Coast League team in Georgia is planning to hold a Elliot Spitzer Night on June 13, in which anyone named Eliot, Spitzer or Kristen, the alleged call girl, will get $1 off admission. The team also plans to give out a one-night stay at Washington, D.C.'s Mayflower Hotel, where Spitzer's alleged misdeeds are said to have happened, and -- since Spitzer was described as "Client No. 9" in FBI documents -- the ninth fan will get a prize. So will the 871st fan to buy a ticket, because that's supposed to have been Spitzer's Mayflower Hotel room number. (AP via wfrv.com) Now that's a minor-league operator. HERE AND THERE: Rotoworld.com points out that by not non-tendering Horacio Ramirez, whom they released yesterday, last December, it cost the Mariners $460,000 . . . The Indians are taking care of Juan Lara, the relief pitcher who was critically injured in a November car crash. (AP via projo.com) OLD FRIENDS: Keith Foulke made his exhibition debut for the A's, allowing a run (rotoworld.com) . . . The Marlins' Hanley Ramirez is hitting .394 this spring. (rotoworld.com) -- ART MARTONE
Posted by Art Martone March 12, 2008
Baldelli breaks silenceBY JOE McDONALD FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Rocco Baldelli has gone public. The Rhode Island native decided it was time to reveal the serious health issue that has kept him sidelined for much of the last few seasons. The 26-year-old Rays center fielder said he has metabolic and/or mitochondrial abnormalities, which causes severe fatigue and muscle cramping. After dismissing rumors about him having MS or a rare blood disorder, and denying that he was a steroids user, in an interview with the Journal last Saturday, Baldelli decided to discuss his health issues publicly in an attempt to stop all the speculation. He met with the Tampa-area media this morning and, in a phone interview this afternoon, said he was relieved he was able to finally talk about it. ''When I wake up tomorrow, I’m going to feel a lot better than I did today,'' he said. ''It’s been difficult for me not knowing what the problem is, and having to hear other people speculate. That was frustrating.'' What remains frustrating is that doctors still don't have a specific diagnosis . . . or a specific treatment plan. ''I still don’t have a specific diagnosis,'' he said. ''I wish I did, because I would feel better knowing exactly what it is,” he said. ''It’s causing me fatigue and muscle cramps to a point where I can’t function as a ballplayer, so I’ve decided to put my health No. 1 and step back.” He will be placed on the disabled list indefinitely and he said he’ll stay on the DL until something changes, or he learns something new. When asked if this was a life-threatening issue, Baldelli was cautious with his answer but believes that it is not. “It’s difficult for me to comment on that,” he said. “I’m not worried about it being extremely serious and I don’t like to use the term [life-threatening]. Doctors are fairly certain this is not serious to that point. It’s a problem, a serious problem, but not something I’m worried about.” He visited numerous doctors around the country during the offseason searching for answers. He wanted to know the stem of his medical problems because he knew something was wrong. ''My muscles weren’t functioning like they were supposed to,'' he said. ''I was pulling muscles and having cramps, and I wanted to figure out where this general feeling was coming from.'' Baldelli has no plans on retiring because he said he still loves the game and wants to play again. His contract expires at the end of the 2008 season, and indications are the Rays -- who must exercise a 2009 option by April 1 -- will not extend the contract. ''While on April 1 we may decline the option, when the time comes we'll do anything and everything to make sure he's part of this organization," said the Rays' executive vice president of baseball operation, Andrew Friedman. ''I’m not even worried about that,'' said Baldelli. ''I don’t know necessarily what I’m going to be doing as a player right now. I don’t know what my function is going to be whether I’m going to be working out (in Tampa) or back at home. The only thing I’m going to be worried about this season is trying to figure out what’s going on health-wise, and that’s all I’m worried about. ''It helps when my team, everyone from the manager (Joe Maddon) to the training staff to everyone on the club, is behind me and trying to help me health-wise. They have put everything else aside and said this is their No. 1 priority, which is very good for my sake.”
Posted by Joe McDonald St. Pete Times on BaldelliThe St. Petersburg Times has a longer story on Rocco Baldelli's press conference today, in which it was announced the Rhode Island native would start the season on the disabled list. The highlights: -- Baldelli has ''some type of metabolic and/or mitochondrial abnormalities,'' which leave him feeling extremely fatigued after just a brief workout. -- There been no exact diagnosis, but the consensus of several experts led them to believe he has a rare condition that limits the ability of his muscles to recover. -- He will not retire, and said ''it's not something I'm overly worried about as far . . . [it bothering him on] a long-term basis right now.'' -- Executive vice-president Andrew Friedman said the Rays will work diligently to find a way to get him back on the field.
Posted by Art Martone Today's lineupsBOSTON MINNESOTA
Posted by Joe McDonald Video: Be careful what you wish forBecause, according to "Roger Clemens Presents" on Saturday Night Live, a steroids-free playing field might not be so hot.
Posted by Art Martone Back to work: Beckett stiff after workout, Kolb sent to minorsAfter having my computer shattered by a foul ball Monday at Port St. Lucie, the IT guys at the Journal did a tremendous job getting me a brand new one. It arrived in Fort Myers this morning so I'll be able to blog and work once again. A couple of quick notes: Pitcher Josh Beckett (back) did some rehab work on Tuesday and arrived at work this morning "a little stiff" according to Terry Francona. The stiffness is due to the exercises Beckett was put through on Tuesday, but the manager said he's doing ok. "We talk every morning when he comes in," said Francona. "The big thing I stress to him is that there's no timetable (on a return). It's when he's healthy and that's all I want him to worry about. He understands that." There are still questions regarding Beckett's availability for the Japan trip. There is a very good possibility he could remain in Florida when the team leaves next Wednesday.
*The Red Sox assigned right-hand pitcher Dan Kolb to minor-league camp. *Shortstop Julio Lugo hit in the cage this morning and took some ground balls, too. He should be able to play soon, and if that happens and suffers no set backs, he should be able to make the trip to Japan. If he's not ready, or even close to it, he will remain in Florida. *Center fielder Coco Crisp is still being bothered by a groin injury, but he's been able to hit in the cage. Francona said this morning when the switch hitter bats from the right side that's when the groin bothers him most. Crisp has been spending most of his time in the training room. *Curt Schilling can be seen around the clubhouse, but he hasn't been heard from much this spring. The veteran has a serious arm injury in his biceps and there's a chance he may not be able to pitch this season. Or at least until later in the summer. He wants to make the trip to Japan with the team, but Francona said this morning that's still up in the air. "Our thinking is what's in his best interest," said the manager. "That's what we care about. The appearances are secondary to what we're tyring to do here, and we're trying to remind people that. He wants to go, but again, we need to sit down and talk to everybody."
Posted by Joe McDonald Baseball Today: Wednesday, March 12
GATOR: He had a strange career, Mike Greenwell did. He arrived relatively unheralded but was a .300 hitter almost from the get-go, and quickly wrestled the left-field job away from Jim Rice. He finished second in the MVP voting to Jose Canseco in 1988 and seemed poised to . . . well, if not live up to the Williams-Yastrzemski-Rice tradition of Red Sox left fielders, at least not disgrace it. But his game never progressed from that point, and as the Sox slid under .500 in the 1990s he was seen as part of the problem and not part of the solution. His eventual departure in 1996, bathed in the controversy of he and Roger Clemens cleaning out their lockers in the final week of the season while the team was still in postseason contention, soiled his reputation, as did his sniping at then-general manager Dan Duquette. He's been gone for a long time now, and it didn't seem like he was missed. But time really does heal all wounds. There's been some fence-mending in recent years, culminating in Greenwell's recent election to the Red Sox Hall of Fame. And yesterday he returned to what he calls "the family.'' Joe McDonald recounts Greenwell's visit to City of Palms Park and his candid and frank comments on many things Red Sox, including the possibility of steroid use by his ex-teammate and (we assume) still-friend Roger Clemens. And he had many candid and frank comments about himself, including his internal debate as to whether or not he should use steroids. He'll be at Fenway this season for the first time since that controversial final week in September of '96. It'll be good to have him back. THE DAILY UPDATE: McDonald reports Josh Beckett's ailing back felt better yesterday, but the Boston Globe thinks it's unlikely Beckett will make the trip to Japan. STOP MAKING A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL: Chad Finn would be more worried if Beckett had a blister. (touchingallthebases.com) THIS YEAR'S BECKETT: Beckett, as the saying goes, took his game to another level in 2007, and it's one of the reasons -- maybe the main reason -- the Red Sox won the World Series. SI.com's Tom Verducci identifies five pitchers who might make similar improvements this year. No 2 on his list: Daisuke Matsuzaka. ELSEWHERE ON THE MEDICAL FRONT . . . McDonald reports Julio Lugo and Coco Crisp are making progress, Lugo moreso than Crisp. SUN RISES IN EAST, DOG BITES MAN . . . and Jonathan Papelbon looks impressive. (projo.com) LOOKING AHEAD: Jason Varitek can't catch forever -- it just seems like he can -- so McDonald talks to Theo Epstein and Terry Francona about the Sox' plans for the post-'Tek era. THERE'S MAGIC IN THE AIR: Today's the final spring meeting between the Red Sox and Twins and the Mayor's Cup is on the line. (projo.com) NOT HAPPENING: The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that the Brewers shot down an "Internet rumor" that the Sox were interested in Chris Capuano. HAPPENING? SI.com's Jon Heyman quotes an unnamed GM as saying the Red Sox will be one of the teams lining up for free-agent-to-be Mark Teixeira. PHASE TWO: The performance-enhancing drugs scandal, which baseball hoped would end with the issuance of the Mitchell Report, could have a second act. New names may surface in an investigation whether a California doctor illegally wrote prescriptions for patients, including major league baseball players. (New York Times) BEEN THERE: On his Hacks with Haggs blog, Joe Haggerty links to McDonald's story on Rocco Baldelli and says he sympathizes with Baldelli. Several years ago Haggerty contacted Lyme Disease and knows what it's like to have an ailment that doctors can't identify. CLEARING THE AIR: The St. Petersburg Times reports Baldelli ''is expected to provide clarity on his playing status and reveal at least some details of his mysterious medical condition today.'' The story also says Baldelli will announce today that he won't be ready to start the season. ROUND TWO: The Yankees and Rays meet today for the first time since their war of words last weekend, and the question is: Will hostilities resume? Newsday says no. The New York Daily News says maybe. The St. Petersburg Times' Gary Shelton says he hopes so. WELL, HE DID ALWAYS SAY HE WAS AN AN IDIOT: Everyone feels the Rays are poised to take a giant step forward in 2008, though how big a step they can take in the fast lane of the A.L. East is an open question. But Johnny Damon probably went one step too far when he declared Tampa Bay ''may be the team to beat in our division.'' (St. Petersburg Times) NEW TEAM, NEW HOME: SI.com's John Donovan reports on the Rays' attemtps to build a new ballpark. GO AHEAD: Speaking of ballparks -- old ones, not new -- ESPN.com reports the Yankees have no problem with the NHL hosting the last athletic event to be held at the current Yankee Stadium. Peter Abraham, however, disagrees. FIGHT THE MADNESS: Abraham also rails against those -- like Mike and The Mad Dog -- who think Joba Chamberlain should stay in the bullpen because he pitched so well in those 24 innings of relief last year. Chamberlain, he writes, ''was brilliant as a starter in the minors last season. Not good, brilliant . . . You need to get 27 outs to win a game. You want him on the mound for 21 of those or three?'' SAME OLD, SAME OLD: Besides, the Yankees are covered at the back end of the bullpen. (New York Post) BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR: A lot of them couldn't wait for the team to fire him. But now that they actually have to go to battle without him, some Yankee fans are wary about life after Joe Torre. (New York Sun) IF ONLY 'OL BLUE EYES WERE HERE TO SEE IT: Torre and his new team, the Dodgers, are headed to China for an exhibition series with the Padres. Some of the squad, however, is hanging back in Florida and 80-year-old Tommy Lasorda will manage the holdovers in seven games this spring while the varsity is away. His first one was yesterday, and he gave the fans their money's worth. (yahoo.com) MIDSEASON ANGST: The Tao of Steib knew things were going too smoothly for the Blue Jays. A REAL NUMBERS GAME: Every day, it seems, there are stories about the statistical revolution in baseball. The Boston Globe profiles Bill James, whose Baseball Abstracts in the 1980s were the catalyst for the movement, and more and more we see traditional baseballists responding to the Brave New World. Like the Mets' David Wright, who says ''I don’t even know what half the stuff is, but whatever.'' (New York Daily News) Like Braves manager Bobby Cox, who warns that Brewers manager (and ex-Brave) Ned Yost ''is into the stats . . . look out.'' (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) ESPN.com's Tim Keown examines the landscape between the pro- and anti-stats folk and concludes ''neither side thinks much of the other. Sides have been taken and courses have been stayed. We're looking at a long battle.'' NOT THAT LONG, IF THIS SKIRMISH IS ANY INDICATION: As long as the pro-stat side has the folks at Fire Joe Morgan on their side, they're well-armed. FJM took a look at the the pro-Dusty Baker/anti-stat analysis screed in the Cincinnati Enquirer the other day and blew it into a thousand pieces. RUN THAT BY ME AGAIN: Ichiro Suzuki is 0-for-21 this spring, which is strange enough. But he compounds it by claiming that it's ''kind of fun . . [It's] something I haven't experienced this time of year, and I get to experience that right now. That is something that is great for me." (Seattle Times) THE RIGHT MOVE: Mike Hargrove, who resigned as manager in midseason last year, is spending a week with the Mariners as a special instructor. And he says he has absolutely no regrets about his decision to retire. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer) ON THE MONEY: Lenny Dykstra, investment adviser? (Philadelphia Inquirer) What's next? Bobby Knight, international diplomat? STILL, IT'S NOT AS MUCH AS A-ROD AND MANNY GET: The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports Bud Selig was paid $15.06 million for the fiscal year ending Oct. 31, 2006. HEY, THEO, I THINK HE'S TALKIN' ABOUT YOU: Tigers first-base coach Andy Van Slyke hates the rule that mandates helmets for base coaches and opines, ''I guess some of the new general managers, the Ivy League ones, believe it solves something.'' (Detroit News) GOING GREEN: MLB wants its teams to be more enviornmentally conscious. (mlb.com) WHISPERS: Now that teams are getting a feel for their strengths and weaknesses, trade rumors are becoming more prevalent. Our Belo cousins, the Riverside Press-Enterprise, reports the Angels have been fielding lots of calls but nothing interests them yet . . . The Mets have asked about Blue Jays outfielders Shannon Stewart and Reed Johnson (New York Post) . . . A Yankee scout watched Joe Blanton's last start (San Francisco Chronicle), though the New York Post blog says the scout wasn't there just for Blanton . . . The Rangers are turning down inquiries for Gerald Laird. (mlb.com) OLD FRIENDS: Johnny Damon has a bruised right foot (New York Daily News) . . . Bobby Howry is pitching away his chance to be the Cubs' closer (rotoworld.com) . . . The Mets declared themselves to be ''ecstatic'' after Pedro Martinez' four-inning simulated game on Tuesday. (New York Daily News) Martinez, incidentally, says he has no qualms about relinquishing the No. 1 spot in the rotation to Johan Santana (New York Post), a move he wasn't as happy about when Curt Schilling joined the Red Sox in 2004 . . . The Tigers' Todd Jones, who has a 24.55 ERA so far this spring, is working on building his arm strength (mlb.com) . . . A sore shoulder has put Joel Piniero's availability for Opening Day in question (St. Louis Post-Dispatch), and prompted the Cardinals to inquire about Kyle Lohse. -- ART MARTONE
Posted by Art Martone March 11, 2008
Photo: Greenwell throws out the first pitch at Fort Myers
Posted by Mike McDermott Mannybeingmanny: A roundup of recent Ramirez newsWelcome back to the Mannybeingmanny sub-blog, in which we provide a roundup of news concerning the Red Sox' superb and enigmatic left fielder. Manny may be a bit player in some of the items, or he might be the star. But in either case, he's always being Manny. As Joe McDonald reported here last week, Ramirez had a special gift last week for second baseman Dustin Pedroia, congratulating Pedroia for winning last year's American League Rookie of the Year award: He presented Pedroia a Rolex watch. Ramirez's name is one of 40,000 added to Massachusetts' list of abandoned property. Ramirez apparently has $10,000 in a dormant bank account. ESPN.com's Gene Wojciechowski has a feature about Gregg Forwerck, whom Wojciechowski calls the Annie Leibovitz of sports trading card photographers. One of Forwerck's strangest works, apparently, is a Bowman rookie card of Ramirez, who is seen sporting a striped shirt and posing in front of the chapel at Duke University (Ramirez was in Durham with Cleveland's farm team to play a Triple A game). According to Jeff Horrigan of The Boston Herald, one of the more intriguing sights of the Red Sox clubhouse recently was Ramirez reading the self-motivational book The Secret with a highlighter in hand. This one will make you cringe. AP writer Gregg Bell has a feature on Seattle Mariners infielders Yuniesky Betancourt and Adrian Beltre, who tempt fate by declining to wear protective cups on the field. Beltre does this despite knowing the story of Josias Manzanillo, an unfortunate relief pitcher who was not wearing a protective cup in 1997 when he found himself on the receiving end of a low liner from Ramirez.
Posted by Mike McDermott Photos from Fort Myers
Posted by Mike McDermott Greenwell: Clemens belongs in Hall of FameBY JOE McDONALD FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Mike Greenwell says former teammate Roger Clemens "deserves to be in the Hall of Fame" but admits that the current performance-enhancing drug scandal "does cast a shadow of doubt" over Clemens' career. Greenwell, recently elected to the Red Sox Hall of Fame, is at City of Palms Park today, where he will throw out the first pitch before the Sox' exhibition game against the Mets. He's had little contact with the Sox since his contentious departure from the team in 1996, but the ownership team has been attempting to mend fences with player who were estranged from the organization due to problems with the previous administration. "It's good to be back in the family," said Greenwell. Greenwell was questioned extensively about Clemens, whose tenure with the Sox (1984-96) almost completely paralleled Greenwell's (1985-96). "He was the hardest worker I've ever seen," marveled Greenwell. "He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. People like (Jose) Canseco, (Mark) McGwire, (Sammy) Sosa, they all deserve to be in because of their numbers." Greenwell said he "never saw anything" that would lead him to believe Clemens used steroids or human-growth hormones while he was with Boston. The allegations of PED use that have been made against Clemens all stem from his post-Red Sox days. Greenwell said the use of steroids was gaining a foothold in baseball during the latter days of his career, but he resisted the temptation. "I never did it," he said. "I thought about it. But my wife is a nurse, and she would have killed me." Greenwell blamed his acrimonious department on former general manager Dan Duquette, whom he says "ruined the organization . . . and I'd say that to his face."
Posted by Art Martone Today's notes from Fort Myers: Beckett feeling better todayThis just in from Joe McDonald in Fort Myers, Fla., who is dealing with some computer problems today: -Josh Beckett said he was feeling much better today. Manager Terry Francona acknowledged that Beckett was doing better, but said the team still plans on taking it slow for precautionary reasons; there was no date given for Beckett's return to baseball activities. Francona said that Beckett is "more comfortable" today. When asked about the right-hander making the trip to Japan next week, the manager said that's still premature to make a judgment at this point. -Julio Lugo (lower back) said this morning that he's feeling much better. He was scheduled to hit in the batting cage and play catch this morning. Coco Crisp (groin) still is not ready to get on the field, but francona feels that he may be able to return to baseball activies soon. -Second baseman Dustin Pedroia is sick with the flu. Francona told him to take today off, but the second baseman was here this morning, walking around the clubhouse drinking Pedialyte. -Red Sox slugger David Ortiz is not in the lineup for today's exhibition game against the Mets. Francona said that Papi is continuing to strengthen his legs, and will work on conditioning today. Ortiz had offseason knee surgery and has shown no ill effects this spring. -Today is the scheduled day for Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez to throw, but he did not make the three-hour trip from Port St. Lucie to Fort Myers. The Red Sox lineup for today's game: Jacoby Ellsbury, cf
Posted by Mike McDermott Baseball Today: Tuesday, March 11
SURVIVOR TO SAVIOR? That was the headline Joe McDonald composed over his blog entry on Jon Lester yesterday and it told the story so well that we used it in the newspaper today. With the news on Josh Beckett not good -- "I was a lot more optimistic (Sunday) than I (was Monday),'' said Beckett (Boston Globe) -- the Sox are suddenly in the market for an Opening Day starter. Lester staked his claim for the job with a superb four-inning, two-hit, one-walk, five-strikeout showing at Port St. Lucie in a 1-1, 10-inning tie with the Mets. That he did it against Johan Santana, the ace for whom he was almost traded over the winter (projo.com), provided some sort of symbolism, though I can't say I know what, exactly. With Daisuke Matsuzaka also uncertain for the Japan trip because his wife is about to give birth, the Herald's Steve Buckley writes that a one-two Tokyo duo of Lester and Tim Wakefield (or Wakefield and Lester) is Plan C. THAT'S NOT ALL, PART ONE: Lester wasn't the only Sox pitcher to fare well yesterday. McDonald notes Hideki Okajima turned in two solid innings. THAT'S NOT ALL, PART TWO: And Beckett isn't the only injured Sox. McDonald reports on the health status of Julio Lugo and Coco Crisp. YES, IT'S TRUE: This is confirmation that Dan Shaughnessy's report on the destruction of Joe McDonald's computer is accurate. ("I didn't even get the ball," said McDonald.) We're working to get it fixed in time for today's game. DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW: While the Sox fixated on Lester's strong performance, the Mets were joyous about Johan Santana. (New York Post) IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Nothing really new in this SI.com profile of Jacoby Ellsbury, but it's noteworthy in that Ellsbury continues to draw national attention. Meanwhile, the Miami Herald lists Ellsbury among 10 athletes ''most likely to become cultural touchstones over the next decade''. DETAILS, DETAILS: Old friend Steve Silva says everything is just peachy with the Sox except for the complete lack of pitching and hitting. (Boston Dirt Dogs) UH OH: Medical News Today reports that only ''45 percent of baseball players were able to return to the game at the same or higher level after shoulder or elbow surgery.'' NOT SO MAHVELOUS: The news that Billy Crystal would play in an exhibition game for the Yankees (New York Daily News) was reported thusly by the New York Post's George King: ''On the night the Yankees and commissioner Bud Selig made a farce out of the game by signing all-time foof Billy Crystal to a ludicrous one-day contract and foolishly announcing he will play in an exhibition game Thursday, the club found time to watch two-thirds of Generation Trey pitch last night against the Reds at Legends Field. Perhaps Crystal, a legendary jock sniffer, will stop by Joba Chamberlain's and Ian Kennedy's locker to hang out. More likely, he will tie up the massage table, something he has done in past visits to Legends Field , an act that ticked off the real players.'' EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROSES: Alex Rodriguez couldn't have been more upbeat -- about being with the Yankees, his relationship with Derek Jeter, you name it -- in his appearance on Mike And The Mad Dog. (Newsday) NOW THAT'S MORE LIKE IT: Joba Chamberlain was back on track yesterday against the Reds. (New York Daily News) SURPRISE! When asked which veteran Yankees helped him out when he first joined the team, Mariano Rivera praised Steve Howe. (New York Times) THE BLUEPRINT: A Super Bowl championship moved Tom Coughlin from the firing line to Easy Street. The New York Post's Joel Sherman says Willie Randolph should take heed. HEART HEALTHY: The Cubs' Mark DeRosa tells yahoo.com's Jeff Passan the story of his irregular heartbeats, and how the surgical procedure performed recently makes a recurrence unlikely. 'I REALIZE VERY WELL THAT I COULD REGRESS TO THE MEAN': While we can't imagine those words coming out of the mouths of Ducky Medwick or Hill Billy Bildilli, that's a direct quote from the Royals' Brian Bannister, who's a student of sabermetrics. (yahoo.com) REGRESS TO . . .WHA'? THE MEAN? HAH? Dusty Baker continues to make the stat geeks' heads explode as he tells Adam Dunn and Joey Votto to stop taking pitches and be more aggressive. (Cincinnati Enquirer) At the other end of the spectrum, the Twins' Denard Span may be winning the center-field job by developing more plate discipline. (St. Paul Pioneer Press) Meanwhile, Joe Posnanski, as only he can, points out that "there are NO stats more convoluted and manufactured than the basic statistics that baseball has been built around for more than 100 years.'' SIGN OF SPRING: Old pal Alan Embree has a 15.75 ERA, but says he's not worried. ''In the regular season, I have a different game plan,'' said the A's reliever. (San Francisco Chronicle) My question: Does a pitcher with a 15.75 exhibition ERA ever admit to being worried? OH, SHADDUP: Twins manager Ron Gardenhire isn't a fan of the new practice of having managers and players talk to radio and TV broadcasters during games. (St. Paul Pioneer Press) VOICES OF EXPERIENCE: John McLaren, who spent a season on the Red Sox' coaching staff in the 1990s, felt like "I had to earn my respect every day" during his many years as a coach because he never played in the big leagues. So when he got the Mariners' managing job, he loaded his own coaching staff with men who have tons of major-league playing and managing experience. (Foxsports.com) NOW HERE'S WHERE SPYGATE COULD COME IN HANDY: On his Mets Blog, Matthew Cerrone notes that Mike Pelfrey may have been tipping his pitches last year and asks why the team the pitcher plays for is the last to find out. LOCAL BOY: Pawtucket's Chris Iannetta wants to stick in the big leagues with the Rockies, and he hopes the team feels the same way. (Denver Post) HERE AND THERE: Randy Johnson was pleased with his first spring outing, even though he allowed a three-run homer to the aforementioned Iannetta (Arizona Republic) . . . FoxSports.com's blind item that the Dodgers are interested in Esteban German is news to German's current employer, the Royals. (Kansas City Star) Or so they say . . . John Lackey thinks he might be able to make his Opening Day start, after all (Los Angeles Times) . . . The Orioles and Angels are interested in Rockies infielder Clint Barmes (Denver Post) . . . The Rangers will be without Brandon McCarthy, who has a strained forearm muscle, for four to six weeks (Dallas Morning News) . . . B.J. Ryan will pitch in a 'B' game today, his first action since undergoing Tommy John surgery last year (mlb.com) . . . The Phillies are optimistic about Brad Lidge's return after watching him throw on Monday (Philadelphia Daily News) . . . A happy Noah Lowry is eyeing a mid-April return to the Giants' rotation (AP via projo.com) . . . Kris Benson has been a surprise in the Phillies' camp. (Philadelphia Daily News) OLD FRIENDS: Nomar Garciaparra, who still has swelling in his right wrist after being hit by a pitch last Friday, won't accompany the Dodgers to China for their exhibition series (mlb.com) . . . The recuperating Mike Maroth pitched a 'B' game Sunday and is about to rejoin the Royals' exhibition rotation. (mlb.com) AND FINALLY . . . Best wishes to our many friends at The Score, whose 10 1/2-year run as Rhode Island's only all-local sports talk radio show came to an end yesterday. Good luck to one and all; click here for producer John Crowe's classy and upbeat goodbye. -- ART MARTONE
Posted by Art Martone March 10, 2008
Lester outstandingIt may only be a spring training game, but Jon Lester is pitching more like it's a meaningful regular-season game in September. The Sox’ lefty is completely dominating the Mets this afternoon at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie. Lester was the last player off the team’s bus early yesterday morning and it was clear he was definitely in the zone. It translated into his third start this spring. He completed four innings of work he has allowed just two hits with five strikeouts and one walk. He threw 66 pitches (42 strikes). More to come. . .
Posted by Joe McDonald Sneak peekThe Red Sox just faced Mets pitcher Johan Santana in the top of the first inning here in Port St. Lucie. The left-hander allowed a lead-off single to Jacoby Ellsbury before striking out Jed Lowrie. Jason Varitek reached on an error, Kevin Youkilis struck out and Brandon Moss popped out to left field. Santana threw 17 pitches and looked good. Obviously, the Red Sox were top contenders in the Santana sweepstakes during the offseason before he was traded from Minnesota to the Mets.
Posted by Joe McDonald Lester: Survivor to savior?By JOE McDONALD PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Jon Lester is already a key factor for the Red Sox’ starting rotation for the upcoming season, but his role could become a little more important with questions surrounding the ailing Josh Beckett. Team physician Dr. Thomas Gill arrived in Florida on Sunday, probably to exam Beckett first-hand, and manager Terry Francona said this morning that the right-hander was pretty sore Sunday night and again today. ''He had a good day (Sunday) but a tough night," Francona said. While the Red Sox are in Port St. Lucie to play the Mets, Beckett was back in Fort Myers getting treatment. ''He's resigned himself to do the right thing and not something silly," said Francona. ''We'll be ok, we just have to get [Beckett's back] calmed down.'' Beckett was scheduled to start against the Marlins on Saturday, but felt the spasms after throwing just one warmup pitch and let the field. Francona said the right-hander will not resume baseball activities until the spasms go away. Now that he's had a little bit of a setback, Beckett's availability for the Japan trip is in question. ''There's no reason to make that assessment today," said Francona. "It doesn't make sense. We just want to get him better.'' Facing a 19-hour flight to Japan in just nine days would be difficult for someone with a back issue. Francona said the team will use caution with this. ''We’re going to do what’s in the best interest of our ballclub – short term and long term,” Francona said. “We always do. I can’t imagine a 17-hour flight is good for anybody.” By now everyone in the baseball world, and beyond, knows Lester’s story of successfully beating cancer and winning the clinching game of the World Series last October in Denver against the Rockies. With this latest situation with Beckett, it’s very possible Lester could be the Sox’ Opening Day starter. ''We viewed him as an innings eater for a lot of years,'' said Francona. ''He’s a big strong kid. He’s durable and he’s got a good delivery. If he pounds that strike zone those 100-pitch five-inning games will turn into the seventh inning because his stuff is plenty good. There are a lot of good things going in his favor.'' Today is just another interesting facet to Lester’s career as he's facing the pitcher he was almost traded for in the Mets’ Johan Santana. All throughout the offseason the Red Sox were a major player in the Santana sweepstakes, but in the end GM Theo Epstein decided the price was too high and didn’t want to sell the organization’s top prospects in order to acquire Santana. During the winter Lester was asked time and again about the possibility of being traded, and time and again he would say he wanted to stay in Boston and if he was traded then he would show up to work for his new employer and give 100 percent. After the Mets acquired Santana from the Twins, Lester was quite thrilled to remain in Boston. At this point, the Sox are fortunate, too. Lester has learned to live with the stamp of ''cancer survivor'' and every time the Red Sox visited a new ballpark where the left-hander is pitching, he’s always asked about his successful battle against the disease. The Red Sox do their very best to downplay the inspirational story, too. But it’s easy to get emotional when hearing just what the last two years have been like for Lester. ''It was an unbelievable story,'' said Francona. ''I think our guys like him already. They already cared about him, and what we’re looking for, and he had a good grasp of this, is once you get on the field you have to win. For a young kid, |
AP Photo
AP Photo
