Captain Crunches One

V-Tek Kicks In, Sox Win Again, 5-3

Kevin is Cash, but 'Tek Was Money Last Night
Deep 6: Wake Pitches in with a Needed Quality Start
Rookie was a Rock: Lowrie Stepped Up to the Big Time
Bat, Glove, and Wheels: Is Jed the Real Deal?
The Hitting Machine: Ortiz Comes Through with 1-for-5
Say It Together: Aardsma in the 8th, Okajima in the 9th

"I can't even describe it. It's one of those moments in your life you are always going to remember." -- 4.15.08, Jed Lowrie, Jacoby Ellsbury du jour, on his 2-RBI first MLB hit for the Comeback Kids in Cleveland

Pinstripe Pitch Slap?

Doc Thinks Curt Could Pitch for New York Next Year...

Dr. Craig Morgan Made More Remarkable Remarks on the Radio

4.15.08, Dr. Craig Morgan on WEEI's Dennis and Callahan: "He (Schilling) called me when he was angry about a month ago and was having recurrent pain, and said 'Listen, I want to pitch again next year,' and the possibility of the New York (Yankees) option, he would consider. He didn't say he was going to do it, he didn't do any of that. I think it was in part of anger... Oh that's definitely possible. He told me, despite this thing, he doesn't think he's done and he wants to pitch next year. And if you read between the lines, that's (pitching for the Yankees) definitely a possibility. I don't think he's going to pitch for Royals next year, if he pitches at all,""

4.14.08, Dr. Craig Morgan on ESPN radio in Philadelphia: "It's my opinion that he's (Schilling) angry enough that it's entirely conceivable, even though he's 40 years old, it's entirely conceivable that he will have the operation, rehab, and pitch for the Yankees next year."

But Schill Still Says No Pinstripes for Him...

4.15.08, Curt Schilling WEEI's Dennis and Callahan: “The first word that popped into my head, is a word that I think is new to the English language, but everybody understands what it means is ‘misrember,’ Schilling said. “I talked to doc probably within the last week. He’s called me a couple of times during my rehab, but I’m not really sure how he got to some of the conclusions he got to. But I think you guys know me well enough to know that me wearing pinstripes, regardless of what point of the season or my career it would have been, is not an option. I can’t remember how or think back to having that conversation specifically or… it’s not an option. Never has been an option. And I’m not really sure where he’s drawn from a conversation standpoint, but from a rehab standpoint, I’m probably as surprised as anyone how well it’s gone and where I’m at.”

2007 archives, Curt Schilling on the possibility of finishing his career as a Yankee: "It wouldn't be in New York. No. I could not make that move." | “That’s not a place I think I could finish my career after what’s happened here." | "When it ended and Boston had become the new team, in my mind, growing up a baseball fan, I had made a choice there was no going back on. I liken it to the Hatfields and the McCoys, once you pick a family, you are in, for life."

Schill Says No Pinstripes; Doc 'Misremembers'

Homecoming King Dinger

Sox Break Free on Ramirez Homer No. 493

Comeback Complete in Cleveland, Sox 6, Indians 4
Big Bloopi: Ortiz Is Back... with a Couple of Well-Placed Singles
The Hits Keep on Coming for Youk, and Now a Home Run
Not Your Average Slow: Joe Borowski Can't Blow One Past Manny
Bunting His Way to the Top: Coco Had Cleveland on the Run
Has Lester Lost It? Another Long Short Stint for Jon
Tip of the Cap to Tavarez: Julian Had a Ball Last Night
Shortstop Spark Plug: Lugo Lit the Fire in the 9th
Papelbon, Indians Gone, Grab a Coffee

"It was fun at the end. There's something to be said for perseverance. Tavarez did a great job. If he stumbles anywhere, we're in trouble, but he gave us a chance." -- 4.14.08, Terry Francona

Papi's Coming Back ...

But No Word Yet on His Bat

Bob Ryan: Written Out, Not Off
Ch. 7 Video: Ortiz Talks About Slump, and the Offday Trip to NY

"You know, just trying to figure things out for a minute so I can go back to being Big Papi." -- Slumping Sox slugger David Ortiz

Curse of the Fan Gino Over

Unless Gino Reversed the Curse on Ortiz

Yankees Unearth Buried Ortiz Jersey from New Stadium
But the Search for the Hitter Formerly Known as Big Papi Continues
Saturday: Gino Talks About Burying Papi Shirt in Stadium | Photos

"I hope his co-workers kick the (stuffing) out of him" -- 4.13.08, Hank Steinbrenner on Red Sox lover and construction worker Gino Castignoli

Happy Hour

Actually, It Was More Like a Happy Four Hours
Sox Go Up Big Early, Finish Off Yankees Late

Sox 8, Yankees 5: The Game May End Any Minute Now
Sox Nickle and Dime Yanks with Stinging Singles
It Takes Two These Days: Jacoby and Coco Make Sox Go
The Nibbler Is Back: Dice-ZZZZZzzzzzzzz Puts Nation to Sleep Early
Hold on a Minute...or a Couple of Hours: 'Pen Seals Win
It Was Old Outside: Home Run Mike Timlin is Back

"It was a long, cold night, but it turned into a long, cold good night." -- 4.14.08, Terry Francona

Kudos for Coco

While the World Is Rooting for Jacoby,
Coco Just Keeps Playing Ball

But Is Crisp Getting Ready to Head Out West?

"Red Sox center fielder Coco Crisp has purchased a $3 million getaway in a gated Rancho Mirage, Calif., community. The home in the Palm Springs area has four bedrooms and seven bathrooms in 8,500 square feet, with a pool, a spa, a waterfall, a two-room master-bedroom suite, his-and-her bathrooms, a wet bar, a media room, three fireplaces and an air-conditioned garage." -- 4.13.08, Hartford Courant

The Rainmaker

Manny Made His Point: HR, Double Does In Yanks

Sox 4, Yankees 3: Sox Earn Win Via Decision
A Better Start for Beckett... for 5 Innings Anyway
Top of the Order to You: Ellsbury Gets Sox Started
0-for-4: Ortiz Struggles Continue, Down to .070
Mouse Must Protect This House: Pap Hangs Around to Close It

"I thought they were going to pitch around him, trying to get him to chase, but Manny came out on that first pitch and drove it into the gap. I'm sure that's not the way they wanted it to happen... It was definitely a great at-bat. Manny smells those RBIs, and they come in bunches." -- 4.12.08, Dustin Pedroia on Manny Ramirez

Wang ...

Bang.

Sox Take One on the Chien-Ming Wang
Just Two Hits for Still-Japan-Jet-Lagged Offense

Wang Allows Two Hits in Going the Distance in Yankees 4-1 Win
Big Night for Buchholz is All But Forgotten
Earth to Tito: It Was a Terrible Time for Timlin
J.D. Drew Can't Do It All for the Next Four Years
Is Manny Still Going for that MVP?
Coco! or Jacoby!? ... Is Not the Problem

"It was terrible, absolutely terrible. I came back and pitched terribly. -- 4.11.08, Mike "Not ready for prime time" Timlin

Shaughnessy: Lowly Ortiz is Hitting Rock Bottom

In the Big Innings ...

The Sox Tamed the Toothless Tigers

Red Sox 12, Tigers 6: Sox Hang Tough, Break Loose
Tim is Timeless: Wake Goes Five Solid to Get the Win
Casey's Not Bad at the Bat; Youk and Drew Come Through, Too
Sign of the Times: Manny Just Keeps on Running
More Pen Problems: That's Just Julian Being Julian
Popular Papi Mired in 0-for-10 Slump
Saving Paps for a Tight Yankees Game Tonight? Nope.
Thumbs Down, Lowell on the DL

Red Sox Gear Buried Under New Yankee Stadium

Belichick Gets a 'Toon Up

Cartman Blasts Pats Coach for Cheating
on Last Night's South Park

More Clips: 'I Misinterpreted the Rules' | 'Let's Win One for Real'

“Just before the last Super Bowl, Bill Belichick gathered his football players and said let’s win this one for real… Just this one time.. Let’s not cheat. You know what happened? They lost. Even if you feel all eyes are on you, you can't give up on cheating!” -- 4.9.08, Cartman, South Park

Bradford: Cora Hurts Arm | Tonight's Sox Lineup

Astronaughty?

Should a Pooped Papi Have Flown to New York City to Shoot a Spot for Vitaminwater on the First Day of Rest Back Home?
Do We Have a Watered-Down David on Our Hands?

Buckley: Just Say No

Boston Herald, Steve Buckley, 4.10.08: “I just don’t want the Red Sox to come to me and tell me what I can do and what I cannot do,” Big Papi said. “That’s why I don’t even want to talk about it. . . . I don’t want them to think that if I struggle, it’s because of that.”

For Ortiz, it comes down to this: Throughout his tenure with the Red Sox, he has been in the “yes” business. Whether it’s been community outreach activities (speaking with kids, posing for pictures, etc.) or personal for-profit endeavors (such as TV commercials), Ortiz has been able to do it all while maintaining his status as one of the game’s top offensive performers.

As he put it yesterday, “I’ve been doing this for years. I don’t want people to get the wrong idea.”

But when the story of this season is written, it’s now going to be tough for Red Sox players to complain about the burdensome trip to Tokyo, Los Angeles, Oakland and Toronto when one of their own - indeed, one of their marquee attractions - tacked on an extra trip in order to be in a television spot.

Asked about the New York trip, Ortiz said, “Whenever you sign a contract, you’ve got to do it.”

From the Perfect Timing Department ...

Ortiz Sends a Personal E-mail to Sox Fans This Morning

Would David Share Some Thoughts on His Slow Start?
Or a Batting Stance Tip That Will Turn Up His Power?
Nope, Guess Again ...

Forget the Water, Is There Too Much on Papi's Plate?

Does David Need All Those Commitment$?

Too Many Hands on His Time? David Ortiz steps up for fans, charities, "wrote" a book with Tony Massarotti, is featured in advertising for Vitaminwater, Nokona bats, ESPN's SportsCenter, D'Angelo sandwich shops, XM radio, has introduced a new shoe for Reebok ... and even had a plane ...So is all the off-field activity dragging down David's numbers or not?

Bradford: Early Slump Gets Papi Down

McAdam: Time for Sox to Raze the Big Top at Fenway

Sean McAdam, Providence Journal, 4.10.08: On Bucker: "To think that Buckner was, until Tuesday, regarded by Sox fans as some sort of villain is to display an ignorance of the very fans they otherwise venerate. Talk about a tin ear."

On Diamond: "And when Werner was shown raising his arms and swaying to the music, the thing became laughable."

On Red Sox Nation: "Expanding the brand is one thing; relentlessly harping on the team’s appeal is quite another. (It should be pointed out this was not the most egregious co-opting of the Red Sox Nation concept. That came last month when the Henry and Lucchino had Supreme Court justice Stephen Breyer swear in broadcaster Jerry Remy as the make-believe president of a nonexistent fan club)."

On the Green Monster Auction: "But the Green Monster auction was something else entirely. Effectively sold out for the season, the move smacked of greed, which is hardly becoming of the group."

Crouching Edgar,
Hidden Tiger

Did Someone Tell Rent-a-Wreck 'All Is Forgiven,' Too?
Lester Takes the Loss, Tigers Get Their Win, 7-2

Sox Lost Without Extended Introductions, Pomp, and Circumstance
Too Happy to Be Home: Sleepy Sox Offense Hit the Snooze Button
4th of Goodbye: Thames Takes Lester Deep in 39 Pitch 4th

Old Friend Todd Jones Nearly Kept Tigers Streak Alive
Good News: No More Talk of 'United States Win Streak' for Sox
Bad News: Lowell Has a Bum Thumb
Did Japan Jet Lag Kick Back In?

Buck Yea!

'Behind the Bag' is Finally Behind Him
Why Was It Ever In Front of Him?

Buckner's Appearance Marks End of an Error
Video: Buckner's Ovation | Discuss: Your Thoughts on Buckner

Game 6 was gone before Buckner's blunder: "...the game was tied and essentially lost at that point. Blame Clemens, McNamara, deer-in-the-headlights Schiraldi, Gedman, or Stanley, but not Buckner, who if not for him, the Sox would not have even been there, he had a fabulous year in '86." -- July 2001, Boston Dirt Dogs

Buckner Aside, Rotten Roger Was the Real Game 6 Goat Anyway

Maybe Rocket Needed Some B-12 to Finish Off the Mets in '86
Or Maybe McNamara Just Misremembers What Was Said ...

''Roger said he just had enough,'' Sox manager John McNamara on Oct. 25, 1986

Another story Clemens can't get straight: 1986 Clemens gave himself the hook in the game, telling manager John McNamara, “That’s all I can pitch.” Clemens later informs the press: “My blister was at a point where I couldn't finish off my slider. I didn't want to hang my slider and jeopardize the team. But I thought I did my job.” ... 1988 McNamara gets fired. Suddenly, Clemens reverses his story, throwing his old skipper under the bus and saying he never wanted to leave Game 6 after all. -- Esquire feature: The Wonderful, Despicable Life of Roger Clemens

Eric Wilbur: Buckner Was the Scapegoat... Not the Goat
Jon Keller Can't Forgive | Roche: Get Over It

Eye of the Tiger

When Matsuzaka Attacks His Spots, the Sox Can't Miss

Homecoming Kings Breeze Past Tigers 5-0
MacMullan: Matsuzaka Was Brilliant, in Every Facet
Busted to Bustin' on Basebaths: Manny Gets a Hustle Homer
Inspired by Buckner, Youk Makes No Errors at the Plate
Coco's Got Sac: The Other Kid Manages to Stay in the Picture
Early Warning: Papi's Starting Slower Than the Tigers
Sox-Tigers Box | Pregame Ceremonies | Scene at Fenway

Bird Watching: The Hawk Was Back with a Mouse in Its Mouth
Not-So-Hot August Night: Neil Diamond to Play Fenway This Summer
Oh, And the Sox Picked Up More Jewelry Yesterday ...

And Mirabelli, Leskanic, and Daubach Make Triumphant Returns to Boston

First Things First ...

Is One of These Guys Throwing Out the First Pitch?
Or Will Someone Else Tingle Fenway's Spine Today?

Barks and Bites: Sox chairman Tom Werner was on sports radio WEEI this morning and spoke a bit about the Fenway Opening Day ceremony. On the surprise "goosebumps" guest that is expected to throw out the first pitch, Werner revealed that it would be "somebody who has not been to Fenway Park recently, and who will be a very nice homecoming ..." Some of the suggestions sent into 'EEI included Bill Buckner, Barack Obama, Mo Vaughn, Dave Roberts ... Werner also said that "a special rock star guest would be performing God Bless America" today. It sounded like he said rock star singular, so that may leave out the reborn New Kids on the Block. Werner revealed an interesting tidbit on the just-unveiled 2007 World Series rings: The rings have a picture of the trophy on the side and the 8 players from the '04 championship team will get special rings with two trophies on it." Schilling also called in to WEEI's Dennis and Callahan show this morning and talked a bit more about how the trip to Japan affected the team and how he's not sure what the benefit to baseball was. "We were dragging ass a little bit. ... Are more people now baseball fans because we played in Japan for a week? I don't think so. The people who came to see us are baseball fans. They're not going to like the game any more of less because we played over there as opposed to over here, but I guess in some ways it had to be good for the game, I'm hoping. ... The hardest part to me about the trip is the short timeframe, that seven days is just not enough. It's enough to just start to get yourself acclimated, but the second you're acclimated, you've moving 16 hours again back to California ...". Werner's take: "The fact is we're 2-0 in the United States and we're playing most of our games in the United States going forward. I will say this, it was a great trip but we will be gracious and let somebody else go on the trip next year. ... All of us have to do things in life that's good for the business that you're in. This was good for Major League Baseball and it was good for the Red Sox because we showed our flag in Japan. I wish that our relief pitching had been a little bit better in Toronto, I don't know if that was affected by the long trip or not. In retrospect, I'm glad we went. ... We were fascinated with the warm toilet seats... a couple of players were trying to find out who manufactured them. ... The Commissioner asked us (to go to Japan)... the players voted for it, and I go back to the fact if we had one of those games in Toronto we wouldn't be having this conversation."

Boston Sports Blog: The Mystery Guest Is ...
Opening Day Notes | The Rings