Boston Red Sox News

Red Sox Lowrie has mono
Comment
March 17
Boston Globe
 
"Time for everyone to keep their cups to themselves. That mystery illness that has afflicted Jed Lowrie? That would be mononucleosis. "He can play as tolerated," Terry Francona said. "There's a reason he was feeling rundown last week. He was on the bike yesterday. I don't think he's going to feel like he has a ton of energy for the next week or two, but he can do physical things as tolerated. So we'll monitor him."
Adding Mike Lowell would be smart move by Florida Marlins
Comment
March 17
Miami Herald
 columnist Greg Cote
"Some things make sense all sorts of ways, weighing in as pragmatic to the rational mind and feeling gut-instinct right to the sentimental heart all at once. The Marlins have one of those situations this spring and should jump on it. Bring back Mike Lowell. For sure, it has to make sense for the Marlins first -- has to be a business decision that enhances the team's playoff chances in 2010 -- and it passes that essential test. The rest of it wouldn't be enough if it didn't make Florida a bigger, better team, but the rest of it is a nice bonus that bears noting. Lowell is one of us. Raised in Miami, of Cuban heritage, right off the campus of FIU and, of course, a popular player with the ..."
Westmoreland has surgery
Comment
March 17
Boston Globe
 
"Ryan Westmoreland, the Red Sox' 19-year-old outfield prospect, underwent successful surgery yesterday in Phoenix to remove a cavernous malformation in his brain. According to a release by the team, Westmoreland remains in the intensive care unit after the five-hour procedure, but "has come through the surgery well.'' "Due to the complexity of this surgery, Ryan will face a difficult period initially before beginning his recovery,'' the release read. Dr. Robert Spetzler of the Barrow Neurological Institute performed the surgery at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix."
Making connections
Comment
March 17
Boston Globe
 
"They play the game with such ease and grace, and sometimes without emotion, and because of that, we think of them as almost invincible or robotic. But yesterday, the realization hit that even though they make millions of dollars and are playing a game for a living, they are just like us, because life gives them those precious moments you can't put a price on — and throws those horrific, tragic times at them, too. Anyone who has lost a parent or dealt with a serious illness remembers vividly those trips to the hospital and bedside vigils, sitting for hours hoping for a miracle. Jason Varitek has been going through this for a couple of weeks. He missed a week to be with his ailing father, ..."
Red Sox remain calm under pressure
Comment
March 17
Boston Herald
 
"As we reach the midway point in Camp Tranquility, now's a good time take stock of some of the issues that were expected to face the Red Sox this spring. Some - like who would assume the fifth starter's spot - have at least temporarily been solved by injury. Others - like what will happen to Mike Lowell - remain to be determined. Herewith, a look at where we stand: 1. Who's in the rotation? The notion of having too much pitching is usually proven laughable during the season, but this time the myth didn't even survive until Opening Day."
Surgery a success for Ryan Westmoreland
Comment
March 17
Boston Herald
 
"Red Sox prospect Ryan Westmoreland underwent successful brain surgery in Phoenix yesterday, but it's too soon to say if he's completely out of the woods. Westmoreland had a cavernous malformation removed from his brain during a five-hour procedure at the Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Arizona, the team announced last night. He remains in intensive care, however, and faces what the team described as "a difficult period initially before beginning his recovery." Still, the team said he came through the surgery well. ESPN.com has reported that the malformation - an abnormal group of blood vessels that can hemorrhage - was located in his brain stem, ..."
Marlins Check Out Mike Lowell
Comment
March 17
Miami Herald
 
"Mike Lowell made his Grapefruit League debut on Monday for the Boston Red Sox and the Marlins were among those with a scout on hand in Fort Myers to see the long-time third-sacker try his mitt at first base for the first time. Lowell's name has come up in discussions within the Marlins organization, but it's unclear what their interest level is in the former Fish. And there would be a number of issues -- financial and physical being two of the primary ones -- that would need to be resolved before any serious thoughts of a reunion could be put into action."
Marlins Check Out Mike Lowell
Comment
March 16
Miami Herald
 
"Mike Lowell made his Grapefruit League debut on Monday for the Boston Red Sox and the Marlins were among those with a scout on hand in Fort Myers to see the long-time third-sacker try his mitt at first base for the first time. Lowell's name has come up in discussions within the Marlins organization, but it's unclear what their interest level is in the former Fish. And there would be a number of issues -- financial and physical being two of the primary ones -- that would need to be resolved before any serious thoughts of a reunion could be put into action. However, the corner infield situation for the Marlins is not etched in stone. The only certainty is that Jorge Cantu will man one ..."
Former scout's case dismissed
Comment
March 16
Boston Globe
 
"After two painful years out of the game, Jesse Levis is hoping he can return to baseball and resume what he thought was a dream job. A former Red Sox scout who in 2008 was charged with two felony counts of lewd and lascivious behavior, Levis learned in late January that all charges were dismissed. Prosecutors declined to appeal. "It was a huge relief,'' said Levis, 41. "This has been a long process for me. I maintained from the start that I was innocent.''"
Finally swinging into action
Comment
March 16
Boston Globe
 
"David Ortiz was amused to find a small group of reporters around his locker after yesterday's exhibition game against the Baltimore Orioles at City of Palms Park. "What is all this for?'' he said, already knowing the answer. Ortiz had two hits and a walk in three trips to the plate including a two-run home run. After seven games of frustration, there was finally a glimpse of the player the Red Sox hope can anchor the middle of their lineup."
Matsuzaka's neck feels a little better
Comment
March 16
Boston Globe
 
"The Red Sox post the daily assignments for every player on the clubhouse bulletin board during spring training. Daisuke Matsuzaka's duties were highlighted in yellow yesterday, as though to make sure he knew exactly what was expected. Back field, 40 pitches of batting practice, 11:30 a.m. But what the Sox hope Matsuzaka will do is not always what happens. Instead of throwing batting practice, the righthander threw 19 pitches in the bullpen to Jason Varitek. The BP session is now scheduled for tomorrow."
Not bad at all for first try
Comment
March 16
Boston Globe
 
"Even before a successful debut at first base, Mike Lowell politely declined interview requests, preferring to string together a few performances before he's ready to comment about playing again. Being the most accessible Red Sox player of the last four years, he's built up much goodwill. And the fans gave him a roaring ovation when he was introduced and another when he first stepped to the plate in the Sox' 8-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles yesterday. Suffice to say, this hasn't been an easy spring training for Lowell."
Good first impression
Comment
March 16
Boston Herald
 
"Mike Lowell now officially can call himself a first baseman. Well, a spring training first baseman, anyway. During yesterday's 8-4 loss to the Orioles, Lowell made his first appearance there since his days as a Yankees farmhand in 1998. He cleanly handled two throws, didn't have a ball hit his way, and also went 1-for-2 at the plate with an opposite-field single in his spring debut. Lowell didn't stick around to talk afterward, but his teammates had plenty to say on his behalf."
David Ortiz takes stance
Comment
March 16
Boston Herald
 
"Imagine Allen Iverson's "practice" rant, except sub in the words "spring training." Now you know how David Ortiz feels about his supposed slump this March. Even before homering and singling in yesterday's 8-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles to break a 1-for-19 start to the Grapefruit League season, the Red Sox designated hitter wasn't sweating his rough March. The spring is about the process, not the results, Ortiz said, and he believes his process is sound. "I've got nothing to prove," Ortiz said. "The season, of course, is different. The season is the season. On April 2, who gives a (expletive) what you did in spring training? How many guys have you seen struggle in the spring and then ..."
Lowrie undergoes tests after experiencing accelerated heartbeat
Comment
March 15
Providence Journal
 
"Shortstop Jed Lowrie -- who has been sidelined for several days after doctors noted an accelerated heartbeat -- had a stress test this morning, and could resume baseball activities soon assuming that comes back normal. Manager Terry Francona said that Lowrie had the test around 9:30 a.m."
No BP for Matsuzaka
Comment
March 15
Boston Globe
 
"Stunning news here from Fort Myers. Daisuke Matsuzaka will not throw batting practice at 11:30. He did throw 19 pitches in the bullpen to Jason Varitek. So that us some progress. No word yet on when the BP session will be."
Demotions not a downer
Comment
March 15
Boston Globe
 
"It was at 8:44 a.m. yesterday when Red Sox assistant equipment manager Pookie Jackson paused in front of the locker that had been occupied by Casey Kelly a few moments before. Jackson tore off the red-and-blue nametag that read "Kelly'' and threw it into a nearby garbage can, where it came to rest atop a pile of paper plates and what looked like abandoned scrambled eggs. It was an inglorious end to Kelly's first stint in major league camp as he and 11 other players were demoted. But if the 20-year-old righthander develops as the Sox expect he will, Jackson may regret not saving that nametag to sell on eBay someday."
Concern evident for Sox' Westmoreland
Comment
March 15
Boston Globe
 
"Red Sox players friendly with stricken prospect Ryan Westmoreland said the 19-year-old outfielder learned of his rare brain condition after experiencing a series of headaches and other symptoms while working out at the minor league camp last month. The team announced Saturday night that Westmoreland has a "cavernous malformation'' of weak blood vessels in his brain and would have surgery tomorrow in Phoenix. ESPN reported that the malformation is located in Westmoreland's brain stem, which could complicate the procedure and leave severe neurological damage."
Jed Lowrie checks out OK
Comment
March 15
Boston Herald
 
"Infielder Jed Lowrie is OK after undergoing a battery of tests following a rapid heartbeat and a bout of exhaustion last week. According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Lowrie checked out fine and shouldn't miss an appreciable length of time. "He had a thing the other day when we were over in Port St. Lucie," manager Terry Francona said after the Red Sox beat the Minnesota Twins, 6-4, yesterday. "He wasn't feeling really good, so we had him checked out with the doctor. "We wanted to run him through some tests before we get him back on the field. We've been doing that the last couple of days but with the weekend it kind of slowed things down a little bit. They're all ..."
Player X targets Bill Hall, who wants to know why
Comment
March 15
Boston Herald
 
"Bill Hall would like to have a word with Player X. That's the pseudonym of the anonymous big league star who writes a behind-the-scenes column for ESPN the Magazine, and who relayed an unflattering secondhand story about the Sox player in the most recent issue. In a column about the grind of spring training, the mystery player wrote he "heard a story" that Hall wasn't focused when he arrived at spring training in 2007 with the Milwaukee Brewers, fresh off a new $24 million contract that was the result of a 35-homer '06 season. "Word of his partying made the rounds and guys predicted he was due for a slump," Player X wrote. "Sure enough, his RBI total dropped to 63, he hit only 14 homers ..."
Ryan Westmoreland concern
Comment
March 15
Boston Herald
 
"Mike Lowell and Jon Lester have been there. The Red Sox players faced the uncertainty, the fear, the dread. They've wondered if their time was up. So while they may not know exactly what top prospect Ryan Westmoreland is going through as he prepares for brain surgery tomorrow in Phoenix, they can at least provide some insight into what their lives were like after being diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. "I can relate to his feelings of uncertainty," Lowell said yesterday. "When I got the initial news, I was crushed. It was a 45-minute drive home from the hospital. I had dark glasses on and I literally cried the whole way." Lester's response was no less visceral. "For me, ..."
Red Sox ace sidelined with undisclosed illness
Comment
March 14
MLB.com
 
"Josh Beckett will not be making his scheduled start on Sunday against the Twins, his turn scratched because of illness.No details about the nature of his illness were available this morning. The Red Sox ace was slated to make his third start of the Grapefruit League season."
Brain surgery for OF
Comment
March 14
Boston Globe
 
"Outfielder Ryan Westmoreland, one of the Red Sox' top minor league prospects, has been diagnosed with a rare vascular irregularity in his brain and will undergo surgery in Arizona Tuesday. Westmoreland, who turns 20 next month, has a "cavernous malformation'' that was discovered March 5 at Massachusetts General Hospital. Following a series of consultations, Dr. Robert Spetzler of the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix was selected to perform the surgery. The malformation, according to information from the Mayo Clinic, is not a form of cancer but can cause bleeding within the brain because of dilated blood vessels. Some cases cause no symptoms, but others can lead to paralysis or ..."
In '02, Cameron wielded his clout
Comment
March 14
Boston Globe
 columnist Bob Ryan
"The Seattle Mariners had lost the first two games of a three-game series against the White Sox in Chicago, so skipper Lou Piniella decided to fool around with the batting order. He moved Bret Boone, who had been hitting third, to the second spot. He also moved Mike Cameron, who had been hitting sixth, to the third spot. The move had a good effect on Boone, who hit two home runs in a 10-run first inning. The move had a good effect on Cameron, too. He also hit two home runs in the first inning. And one in the third. And another one in the fifth. Yes, on May 2, 2002, Mike Cameron became the 13th man in major league history to hit four home runs in a game (Shawn Green and Carlos Delgado have ..."
No infield dirt around third base
Comment
March 14
Boston Globe
 
"His first question, when he received the call from agent Scott Boras, was, "What about Mike?'' The Red Sox had called Boras about Adrian Beltre this offseason, inquiring about signing the free agent third baseman, and Boras was passing along the interest. But Mike Lowell was already in Boston, established as the third baseman even with the hip and thumb injuries he sustained over the past few seasons. Beltre didn't know what to say. He didn't know how to react. "I know Mike is good,'' said Beltre. "I know what type of guy, what type of player he is. I ain't any better than Mike Lowell, I know that.'' There were assurances that Lowell wasn't going to be the starter in Boston, whether or not ..."
Dan Duquette doffs cap to Nomar
Comment
March 14
Boston Herald
 columnist John Tomase
"Dan Duquette was the conquering hero summoned to revive a moribund franchise when he took over as Red Sox general manager before the 1994 season. Considered a miracle worker with the Montreal Expos in the early '90s, he arrived with the reputation of someone who could build through the draft and develop a farm system capable of producing big league talent. As such, his first draft was hugely symbolic. The Red Sox owned the 12th overall selection in the 1994 draft and almost immediately set their sights on a skinny shortstop from Georgia Tech who would go on to become one of the greatest players in franchise history."
Ryan Westmoreland on leave
Comment
March 14
Boston Herald
 
"Ryan Westmoreland, the Red Sox' No. 1 prospect, will undergo brain surgery in Phoenix on Tuesday and has been placed on medical leave. The 19-year-old outfielder has been diagnosed with a cavernous malformation in his brain and has left minor league camp to seek treatment, general manager Theo Epstein announced yesterday. "The entire Red Sox organization stands in support of Ryan as he courageously deals with this issue," Epstein said in a statement released by the team. "Ryan is a remarkable kid and a talented player, and we understand that many will be concerned about his health. He is getting the best medical attention the world has to offer, and we will have more information soon. ..."
Big Papi of little concern
Comment
March 14
Boston Herald
 
"David Ortiz went 0-for-2 with a strikeout yesterday in the Red Sox' 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at City of Palms Park, dropping his spring average to .063 (1-for-16). Under a microscope following his uneven 2009 season, Ortiz isn't sweating the slow start. "Why should I?" Ortiz said. "You know what? This is my 14th spring training. I've never seen my spring training numbers on the back of my baseball card. Have you? Then I don't have to worry about this (expletive). I'm getting ready for the season and that's it." Manager Terry Francona was asked about how Ortiz has looked so far. "It's funny, we go on a road trip and I've had people go up to me and go 'Gosh, David looks good,' " ..."
Daisuke Matsuzaka a no-go for BP
Comment
March 14
Boston Herald
 
"The Red Sox promised that their surplus of starting pitching would take care of itself before the regular season started, and yesterday's development appears to have proved them right. A stiff neck prevented Daisuke Matsuzaka from throwing his first live batting practice session, setting back his already delayed spring training even further and virtually ensuring that he will not break camp with the big league club. Starters are expected to have at least 25 innings under their belt in the spring. Matsuzaka hasn't thrown a pitch this preseason, and Opening Day is three weeks away. The fact that the Red Sox don't need a fifth starter until mid-April made it unnecessary for the team to rush ..."
Boston Red Sox starting rotation should give the New York Yankees reason to worry
Comment
March 14
New York Daily News
 
"For a moment, Terry Francona was caught off guard by the question. The discussion in the visitors dugout at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter was about the new-look Red Sox - in particular the left side of the infield, shortstop Marco Scutaro and third baseman Adrian Beltre - and Francona was asked how many different shortstops he's had in his seven years as Boston manager. "Oh wow, let me see," Francona said, before beginning to rattle off the names of Nomar Garciaparra, Orlando Cabrera, Edgar Renteria, Alex Gonzalez, Alex Cora, Jed Lowrie, Julio Lugo and Nick Green. "I don't know. A lot. What I do know is, this spring, I've got six proven starting pitchers that I like, even though it ..."
Red Sox Westmoreland on medical leave
Comment
March 14
Boston Globe
 
"This release from the Red Sox: Red Sox minor league outfielder Ryan Westmoreland has been diagnosed with a cavernous malformation in his brain and has taken medical leave from minor league camp to seek treatment. General Manager Theo Epstein made the announcement. "The entire Red Sox organization stands in support of Ryan as he courageously deals with this issue," Epstein said. "Ryan is a remarkable kid and a talented player, and we understand that many will be concerned about his health. He is getting the best medical attention the world has to offer, and we will have more information soon. Until then — out of respect for Ryan's privacy and at the request of the Westmoreland family — we ..."
Sore neck further delays Matsuzaka
Comment
March 14
Boston Globe
 
"The Red Sox had resigned themselves to Daisuke Matsuzaka starting the season on the disabled list when he reported to camp a month ago with a sore back. But the hope was he would be ready to take his place in the rotation two weeks into the season. Now that is in jeopardy, with the righthander unable to throw a batting practice session yesterday because of a sore neck. Matsuzaka threw only five warmup pitches before telling pitching coach John Farrell he would not be able to continue. It is now uncertain when Matsuzaka will pitch his first game of the exhibition season. That had been planned for Wednesday."
Bard is given room to grow
Comment
March 13
Boston Globe
 
"The vast difference between this year and last year for Daniel Bard was evident in a passing comment by manager Terry Francona. While going over the pitching machinations forced by yesterday's rainout against the Cardinals, Francona said, "[Hideki Okajima] and Bard . . . we're not trying to see them about making the team.'' Bard's performance after his May call-up last season guarantees him a spot on the major league roster. He is no longer worried about his spot, focusing on perfecting his changeup and making sure his fastball is working. "He's come a long way,'' Francona said since seeing Bard in an instructional league game three years ago. "You start giving young kids responsibility ..."
Wrist watch continues for Lowrie
Comment
March 13
Boston Globe
 
"Taking a look at the names and numbers remaining, it's difficult for Jed Lowrie to see himself on the big league roster. Barring injury or trade, it appears Mike Lowell, Bill Hall, Jeremy Hermida, and Jason Varitek will be on the Red Sox bench this season. That would leave Lowrie, still working to return from the wrist problems that have hindered him each of the last two seasons, on the outside — and in Pawtucket. "I feel like I'd be wasting my time,'' Lowrie said of doing roster calculations. "There's no question that you look around and there's a lot of good players here. But this is the Boston Red Sox. So what I do is I focus on what I can do, and for me that's to get healthy right now, ..."
Wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round,
Comment
March 13
Boston Globe
 
"It is amusing to watch veteran players try and squirm their way out of long spring training road trips. Some of the trips in Florida can take three hours and no bus, no matter how nice, can make that palatable. A decent portion of the muscle pulls and back aches you hear about at this time of the year are calculated. But managers have little choice but to make their best players ride a bus once in a while. MLB policy is that visiting teams must bring at least four "regulars" with them to preserve the integrity of the game. Otherwise you'd have sellout crowds watching 21-year-old kids who will be playing in Class AA. Credit Kevin Youkilis for trying. As the rain came down this morning, he ..."
Washout forces mound tinkering
Comment
March 13
Boston Herald
 
"Weather forecasters do get it right sometimes. But yesterday, when dawn came with rain and the forecast called for more heavy rain, Red Sox manager Terry Francona still could not place his total faith in meteorology when Kevin Youkilis called bright and early, wondering if he should make a three-hour bus ride from Fort Myers for a game likely to be called off. "Youk called me at 7:30 and I was dying to say, 'Don't go' but on the odd chance that we play, it would have been a (expletive) thing for me, so I told him he could have first choice of sandwiches," said Francona. "There's worse things." The game against the Cardinals was called off about 20 minutes after the Red Sox' bus rolled up ..."
Hall of Fame lock? No-mar
Comment
March 13
Boston Herald
 columnist Steve Buckley
"Five full baseball seasons will be in the books before Nomar Garciaparra's name appears on a Hall of Fame ballot. Yet the debate already has begun: Is Nomar worthy of Cooperstown? It's a fascinating question. It's also a question that wouldn't have inspired much debate had it been posed when Garciaparra and the Red Sox [team stats] were entering the 2001 season. The Sox were commemorating the 100th anniversary of their entry in the American League, and they chose four iconic players from the past and present to grace the cover of their media guide. Representing 1901 were manager/third baseman Jimmy Collins and pitcher Cy Young, and representing 2001 were pitcher Pedro Martinez . . . and ..."
Return of 'Dirt Dog'
Comment
March 13
Boston Herald
 
"As a senior, Ryan Kalish went through the entire season without ever swinging and missing at a single pitch at Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic High. Since being drafted by the Red Sox in 2006, Kalish's full-throttle style of play has earned him constant comparisons to Trot Nixon's "Dirt Dog" persona. The combination of hand-eye coordination, offensive potential, good defense and attitude has resulted in the 21-year-old becoming one of the more closely followed prospects the Red Sox have in camp this spring. Kalish and the Red Sox see a natural progression from what the left-handed hitter did in high school to what he is doing now. "My game then was really different than it is now; I was a slap ..."
Lackey shuts down Mets
Comment
March 12
The Journal News
 
"John Lackey is off to a nice start with the Red Sox. The right-hander threw three shutout innings in Boston's 8-2 victory over Jason Bay and the Mets on Thursday. Lackey allowed three hits and has yet to allow a run in five innings over two outings this spring. The former Angels star joined the Red Sox in December when he finalized an $82.5 million, five-year contract. He finished his day with 12 pitches in the bullpen before rain moved in and caused a 30-minute delay after the fourth inning. "I'm down in the zone," Lackey said. "I threw a lot of strikes, and I'm happy with the number of ground balls I got." Bay, playing in his first game against his former team, went 0 for 2 before ..."
Beckett, the Sox and simple math
Comment
March 12
Boston Globe
 columnist Tony Massorotti
"Josh Beckett has made it quite clear that he will not negotiate with the Red Sox beyond Opening Day, which might have been considered a threat once, at a different time and under different circumstances. In this case, that is far more time than the Red Sox and Beckett should need to finalize one of the easiest contracts in history. The Red Sox open the season against the New York Yankees on Easter Sunday, which currently stands as a fitting deadline for the Red Sox and their 29-year-old right-hander. After all, this one really should be a bunny. In the last 15 months, four comparable right-handers all have signed contracts that could serve as some standard for the Beckett talks, and the ..."
Healthy Delcarmen homed in
Comment
March 12
Boston Globe
 
"Manny Delcarmen was only trying to live by The Code, the one in which every jock in every sport has been indoctrinated for at least 150 years. You gotta play hurt. Sounds great. You gotta play hurt. And so Manny Delcarmen kept pitching, even as his ERA rose dramatically from month to month: April, 0.00; May, 3.00; June, 4.00; July, 4.66; August, 5.25; and, finally, September, 14.14. People were asking, "What's wrong with Manny? Why has he no sizzle on his fastball?'' The answer was simple. Delcarmen's shoulder was killing him. But he's no star. He's replaceable. When you're replaceable, you really think you need to abide by The Code, and so he said nothing. He played hurt. When it was all ..."
Lackey as right as rain
Comment
March 12
Boston Globe
 
"It was unfamiliar to John Lackey, the lengthy bus ride, the rain delay. That just doesn't happen in Arizona. Fortunately for Lackey, he coped with the former by listening to country music and falling asleep. The latter? It wasn't a problem either, given how swiftly he completed his outing. As the Red Sox righthander gets used to his new spring training home, complete with three-hour bus trips across Florida and downpours that interrupt games, he has had no trouble with the one place he knows well: the mound. Lackey has yet to allow a run in two starts, and has not even threatened to do so. "I like the humidity over here,'' Lackey said after yesterday's 8-2 win over the Mets. "That's one ..."
Meet the Met: Bay is fitting right in
Comment
March 12
Boston Globe
 
"Polite as always, Jason Bay made one thing clear as he sat down to talk to the Boston media: "If you've got any offseason questions, I'm done talking about it. I'll talk about anything else, but health-related or anything like that, I'm taking the fifth. I'm trying to move on.'' Far from brushing off the questioners, it appeared that Bay was simply stating a fact. He is done with Boston, ready for something new (though the cup of Dunkin' Donuts coffee in his hand perhaps undermined his statement). He has said what he wanted to say, made his transition back to the National League with the Mets. Now, he believes, it's time to look forward. "Once I signed here, kind of got integrated a little ..."
This makes no sense
Comment
March 12
Boston Herald
 columnist Ron Borges
"Tim Wakefield [stats] has seen a lot of baseball in the 16 years and six days he's spent in the big leagues, but even he can find himself baffled at times by the things that go on. Yesterday morning was such a day. Sitting at his locker at City of Palms Park preparing to do his daily USA Today crossword puzzle, Wakefield was told of a discussion now going on among members of a 14-person special committee for on-field matters appointed by Commissioner Bud Selig. According to Tom Verducci, the venerable Sports Illustrated baseball writer, one thing the committee is considering to improve competitive balance is to knock everything out of balance. As problem solving ideas go, it seems more ..."
John Lackey does well with V-Mart
Comment
March 12
Boston Herald
 
"Two things happened to John Lackey yesterday that were more important than the three scoreless innings he threw against the Mets. One was that he got his start completed an inning before torrential rains halted for an hour what turned into an 8-2 Red Sox victory. Second, he got to throw to catcher Victor Martinez for the first time. All in all, in a spring training where success is measured in baby steps, Lackey had a good day. "That worked out nice, glad I got it in and be able to move forward," said Lackey. "I got what I needed to get done, to be sure. I'm on time, I'm not getting too far ahead of myself. My two-seamer was pretty good today, I was happy with that, I got a lot of ground ..."
No ill will with Jason Bay
Comment
March 12
Boston Herald
 
"Drama is not something Jason Bay seeks or creates. When he replaced Manny Ramirez in the middle of the 2008 season, he stepped into the wake of a player who dripped drama. All Bay did was go about his job with quiet professionalism, consistent production and a pleasant demeanor. A sizable contingent of Red Sox fans booed the new Mets left fielder pretty loudly in his first at-bat, but that was about as bad as it got for him yesterday. When the inevitable first group encounter with the Red Sox media took place in the morning, Bay right away defused the possibility of taking any shots at his former team. Over the winter, Bay did express displeasure with the stark differences in opinion the ..."
A final tug for Garciaparra
Comment
March 11
Boston Globe
 
"Farewells have not come easily for the Red Sox in recent seasons, the departures of Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon, and other notable players tinged with far more rancor than nostalgia. Nomar Garciaparra, one player whose departure was particularly painful, asked for the chance to do it again and the Red Sox granted that wish yesterday, signing their former star shortstop to a one-day contract before he announced his retirement from baseball. "Nomah'' was back where he started, all forgiven if not forgotten."
In historically bad taste here
Comment
March 11
Boston Globe
 
"Great player. Total fraud. Welcome home, Nomie. I hate to be the fly in the punch bowl here, but yesterday's lovefest involving Nomar Garciaparra and the Red Sox was truly nauseating. If Nomar had been hooked up to a polygraph, the machine would have exploded."
Very few had a swing like his
Comment
March 11
Boston Globe
 
"Never saw anybody hit the ball that hard, that often. Nev-ah. Talkin' 'bout the young Nomar Garciaparra, the 1997-98-99-2000-01-02 Nomah of legend. That guy coulda/shoulda been convicted of cowhide abuse. "I note line drives on the scoresheet with an 'L,' '' says Joe Castiglione, who broadcast every one of Nomar Garciaparra's 966 games with the Red Sox. "One time Jimy Williams said to me, 'Would you see how many of those outs with L's you've got?' I had more than 50.''"
Julio Lugo positive about negative Red Sox stretch
Comment
March 11
Boston Herald
 
"Julio Lugo had a suggestion. "Write something good about me," Lugo, the former Red Sox shortstop and current Cardinals backup infielder, said yesterday. Here's something: It's a good thing Lugo is no longer with the Sox. Due to a string of injuries and an overestimation of his talents when the Red Sox signed him to a four-year, $ 36 million deal prior to the 2007 season, Lugo's tenure took a fatal twist one year ago when he required knee surgery. When the Sox recalled him in late April from Triple-A Pawtucket after three games there, Lugo said he was not healthy. "When they called me up, I wasn't ready. They never asked me if I was ready or not," he said. Lugo wound up playing in 37 games ..."