Watching The New England Sports Media
A lightning strike yesterday on a line outside my house has left the internet and phone service fried. What’s up with this weather, anyway?
In lieu of the morning links, I send you over to David Scott who has a look at the local coverage of the first day of Patriots training camp.
One last thing…I just don’t even have the words for this:
After being swept down in Anaheim by the Angels, the Red Sox returned the favor on the Seattle Mariners, finishing off a three game sweep with a 6-3, 12 inning win at Safeco Field.
Gordon Edes has the Sox putting in a long days work to finish the job. Michael Silverman has the Sox bullpen finally writing a happy ending in a game. Sean McAdam says that maybe, just maybe, the Red Sox have turned the corner. Jeff Goldberg has the Sox ending the trip on a strong note.
Dan Shaughnessy says now the true pennant race can begin on Friday at Fenway Park. Tony Massarotti says that while the bullpen finally came through yesterday, will it hold up, or do the Sox need to make changes?
Kevin Cullen lectures us on the premise that it is time to retire the “Yankees Suck” chant. I’m pretty sure the media coverage of Manny has officially jumped the shark this week. Massarotti has Mike Lowell coming up with the big hit yesterday. Rob Bradford has David Ortiz’s wrist feeling good, and the slugger ready to rejoin the big club. Dan Hickling has Ortiz finished with his rehab, and ready to help the Red Sox.
Edes’ notebook reports on Manny’s injury. Silverman’s notebook also reports on Manny’s mystery injury. McAdam’s notebook has more on Ortiz ready to rejoin the Sox. Goldberg’s notebook has Justin Masterson passing his first bullpen test.
On Patriots Daily, Dan Snapp looks at the Patriots reconstruction of their linebacking corps during the offseason.
Bill Burt scores an exclusive interview with Bill Belichick, exploring such topics as the Super Bowl hangover, his relationship with Robert Kraft and a number of other items. Christopher L. Gasper examines how well Bill Belichick uses training camp to prepare his team for the rigors and situations of the NFL regular season. Karen Guregian highlights six main issues facing the Patriots as camp begins. Shalise Manza Young says that the Patriots start camp today with an attitude of having unfinished business to take care of.
Mark Farinella looks at the Patriots defense, which he says is still a work in progress. Young assesses the safety and linebacker positions for the defense. David Brown comes up with a day-by-day review of the offseason for the Patriots. Christopher Price has the Patriots getting back to work this morning at Gillette. Eric McHugh has more of the issues and questions facing the defending AFC Champs.
From this morning’s Reiss’ Pieces blog, Gasper reports that the Patriots have signed first round pick Jerod Mayo. This changes the information in the notebook items below….
Gasper’s notebook has first round pick Jerod Mayo getting closer to a deal, but still remaining unsigned as camp begins. Guregian’s notebook has more on Mayo’s status.
Frank Dell’Apa has a newly re-signed and healthy Tony Allen hoping to land a larger role with the Celtics next season. Rich Thompson says that Allen’s health was key to the new deal. Lenny Megliola has the Celtics brass enjoying the fruits of their success.
Fluto Shinzawa has the Bruins locking up Dennis Wideman with a new deal while waiving Glen Murray. Douglas Flynn has more on the new deal for Wideman. Steve Conroy has reaction from Murray’s agent.
Adam Reilly on his Media Log blog talks with Boston Herald sports editor Hank Hryniewicz, who has the following to say about his paper’s posting for an NFL writer:
“That posting is for Rob Bradford’s spot,” Hryniewicz tells the Phoenix. “I reserve the right to change my mind, of course, but the best guy I see out there to replace Rob on the Red Sox beat is John Tomase.
Patriots fans will be happy with the move, what about Red Sox fans?
Reilly asserts that going from the Patriots beat to the Red Sox beat is a better job, and that Tomase seems to have been rewarded for running with his factually false taping story.
Daisuke Matsuzaka only needed 99 pitches to make it into the eighth inning last night, a sharp contrast to some of his previous starts. J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell helped power the offense, and the result was a 4-2 Red Sox win in Seattle.
Michael Silverman has the trio above straightening themselves out and getting the Sox the win. Gordon Edes has the Red Sox starting pitching shutting down the Mariners’ offense for the second straight night. Jeff Goldberg has Matsuzaka making amends for his last outing in Seattle. Sean McAdam has Matsuzaka getting deep into the game, making the load lighter for the bullpen once again.
Tony Massarotti wonders if the Red Sox are better off just keeping Jed Lowrie at shortstop even when Julio Lugo is ready to return. Dan Shaughnessy also has a look at Lowrie, who was back home in the Pacific Northwest last night, enjoying the time in front of his family. Lenny Megliola says that the Red Sox position is tenuous right now.
Jon Couture says that the save stat has led to an overvaluation of the closer role, making multimillionaires out of otherwise mediocre performances. This is all thanks to Chicago sportswriter Jerome Holtzman, who invented the save stat. Holtzman passed away earlier this week. Joe Haggerty looks at which relievers the Red Sox might target before the trade deadline. Silverman says that the key for Clay Buchholz tonight is getting a clean first inning. McAdam has more on the first-inning barrier for Buchholz. Massarotti notes that Matsuzaka’s effort was the latest in a series of games in which the starting pitching has been able to go deep into the game.
Dan Hickling reports on David Ortiz’s latest rehab appearance.
Silverman’s notebook has Terry Francona talking about the strict jaywalking laws in Seattle. Edes’ notebook has more on Francona’s reaction. Goldberg’s notebook also says that the key for Buchholz tonight is the first inning. McAdam’s notebook says that the price for bullpen help may be too steep for the Red Sox.
The Patriots start training camp tomorrow down in Foxboro. Scott Benson has a quick five questions on the last day of school. Mark Farinella says that it is time for the lies to begin on a daily basis down in Foxboro. Rich Garven says that the Patriots have moved on from the Super Bowl loss.
Mike Reiss has a mini-feature this morning inside the world of Randy Moss, who is in a different, better place this season than he was a year ago. The questions about his skills and work ethic are no longer there, and he’s happy to be able to just focus on football. Jim Donaldson says that it is time for the Patriots to help us put the Super Bowl nightmare behind us.
Christopher L. Gasper has a look at 10 issues and storylines for Patriots camp. Chris Kennedy also has a few issues and topic confronting the Patriots. Farinella previews the offense, a unit with few question marks for the Patriots. Eric McHugh has part 2 of his NFL training camp preview. Shalise Manza Young has a look at the D-line and cornerbacks. Karen Guregian has a look at some of the areas of competition in camp.
Jonathan Saltzman and Andrew Ryan report on Patriots offensive lineman Nick Kaczur taking a plea deal on his drug possession case.
Gasper’s notebook has a look at the signing of Wheatley. Guregian’s notebook also reports on the signing of the second round pick.
Something to keep an eye on is the status of the Herald’s John Tomase and whether he remains on the beat. The Herald has been advertising for a NFL writer to cover the Patriots and with Rob Bradford heading over to WEEI.com at the end of the month, it would be very easy for the Herald to slide Tomase over the Red Sox coverage in Bradford’s slot.
While doing the approval ratings, I was dismayed at how many times I’d put someone up for approval, and a wave of WHO???? would roll through the comments.
Maybe because I read, listen to and observed all their work almost each day, all the names I put up were very familiar to me, and I thought would be to most observers of the Boston sports scene.
This was part of the reason the approval ratings were discontinued, more and more it was becoming difficult to put up a name that I could be assured that most readers would be familiar with and thus be able to give a valid approve/disapprove. We went through around 75 media people, so that was certainly a good start.
Periodically, I’m going to spotlight some of the media types who didn’t make the approval ratings list. Hopefully this will increase their exposure to you a little bit so that you can be on the lookout for their work, or know a little something about them as you review something that they’ve done.
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Today we’re going to spotlight longtime Quincy Patriot Ledger writer Mike Fine. If you don’t know who he is, you definitely should.
Fine’s time with the PL dates back to 1968 when he landed a co-op with Northeastern. He started with high schools, and then colleges before landing on the Boston Celtics beat in 1977. His first year was also the rookie year of Cedric Maxwell, and it was the last year for John Havlicek.
He was on the beat full time for 21 years, until the PL was sold, and the new owners switched to only home coverage of the team, which he has done for the last 10 years. All told, Fine has 31 years on the Celtics beat.
In the offseasons Fine would serve as a columnist for the paper, and would also do quite a bit of Patriots coverage.
Since 1999 Fine has also covered the Red Sox for the paper. Before the advent of WEEI, and shows such as Sports Final and Sports Xtra, Fine did a lot of radio and TV interviews, and did pregame reports on WRKO.
Since Gatehouse Media purchased the Patriot Ledger, the paper’s status has fallen immensely. Once boasting a sports staff of 18, the paper has now dropped all road coverage of the local teams, though Fine was in Detroit to cover the Eastern Conference Finals this season. He was not sent to Los Angeles to cover the NBA Finals, however.
If you’ve only been following the Boston sports scene for the last 15 years or so, you might have no idea who Mike Fine is, or how extensive his experience and background are.
Hopefully now you have a little better idea.
Jon Lester and Jonathan Papelbon combined for the shutout last night, as the Sox finally picked up a road win, 4-0 over the lowly Seattle Mariners.
Gordon Edes has Lester stepping up his game in front of his home town fans – a place he had struggled at in the past. Michael Silverman has Jason Varitek providing all the offense Lester would need, with his two run homer. Sean McAdam looks at Lester benefiting from the offense of the bottom two spots in the batting order. Jeff Goldberg has Lester finally pitching well near home.
Dan Shaughnessy is ready to anoint Dustin Pedroia as the new Pete Rose – without the betting slips. Tony Massarotti taps relief pitching as the reason that the Red Sox have struggled so mightily on the road this season, and believes it could hold them back from defending their title. McAdam says that the Red Sox are likely not going to reach for help in the bullpen before the trading deadline.
Silverman examines the struggles of Jacoby Ellsbury and how it impacts the entire offense. Joe Haggerty believes that Hideki Okajima may have gotten his groove back. Massarotti looks at Jonathan Papelbon going a season high five outs to get the save for Lester last night.
Dan Hickling reports on another productive night for David Ortiz in the minors, this time for AA Portland. Bill Burt has Ortiz outshining John McCain in Maine last night. Jarrod Ulrey has Michael Bowden struggling in his first AAA start.
Edes’ notebook reports that Jason Varitek recently played through a severe eye infection. Silverman’s notebook has Ortiz on track for a Friday return against the Yankees. McAdam’s notebook has the Sox sticking with Ellsbury despite his slump. Goldberg’s notebook has Ellsbury hitting the rookie wall.
Rich Thompson and Frank Dell’Apa report on Eddie House and Tony Allen agreeing to new two year contracts with the Celtics. Tim Weisberg says that these signings show that the Celtics are serious about winning another title. Scott Souza has the loss of James Posey as the key to getting House and Allen re-signed. Jeff Howe says that these signings were a surprising twist in a pretty ho-hum offseason.
Thompson has Posey talking about leaving for New Orleans, calling it one of the toughest decisions of his career. Marc J. Spears reports on Team USA’s preparations for the Olympics.
Scott Benson has a look at the second quarter of the Patriots schedule over on Patriots Daily.
Shalise Manza Young has a look at the wide receivers and offensive line positions for the Patriots. Mike Reiss has Jason Webster looking to grab a key role in the Patriots secondary this season. Young also reports on the Patriots signing two rookies, including QB Kevin O’Connell and two free agents yesterday. Eric McHugh looks at training camp stories from around the NFL.
Periodically, we’re going to look back in Boston Sports Media history and revisit some of the more infamous moments that this group has foisted upon the general public.
The left fielder of the Boston Red Sox is a brilliant hitter, with few peers in the history of the game. However, he hasn’t always cooperated with the media, and has been known on occasion to perhaps not go all-out on the field. Often categorized as “aloof” or “immature”, his accomplishments at the plate seem to be overshadowed by these characteristics. Some are sick of his act, and decry the negative example he sets for our youth.
We’re talking of course about Ted Williams.
Williams was a particular target of Boston Record columnist Dave Egan, who ripped Williams with a style and frequency that would make Dan Shaughnessy blush.
In 1952, Williams was headed to Korea for his second tour of combat duty with the Marines. It was his last game before heading out, and many showed up at Fenway Park to pay tribute to him. They were well aware that this might be the final game of his brilliant career, he could be injured or killed in the war, and no one knew how long the war might continue. By the time it was over, Williams might be too old to continue playing.
It was under these circumstances that Egan took aim at Williams for being a poor example for America’s youth. (Excerpted from the Ted Williams Reader
… Swings left-handed like Williams. Wears his pants long, like Williams. Plays the outfield, like Williams. And will not wear a necktie even when the occasion insists upon a necktie, simply because the great man will not wear a necktie.
The skies will not tumble down upon us, whether a boy wears a necktie or not, but I have the right and the duty to ask where Ted Williams is leading this boy. Does he also refuse to tip his cap, does he feel that even the most indecent gestures will be overlooked, so long as he can hit a baseball with a piece of wood? Is he a rebel against conformity, simply because the man after whom he models himself has successfully rebelled, and may he expect to be honored by the municipal big wheels at a later date, if he follows the pattern set by Williams?
It seems disgraceful to me, that a person such as Williams now is to be given the keys to the city. We talk about juvenile delinquency, and fight against it, and then officially honor a man whom we should officially horsewhip for the vicious influence that he has had on the childhood of America…
Williams has stubbornly and stupidly refused to recognize this responsibility to childhood. The kid has set a sorry example for a generation of kids. He has been a Pied Piper, leading them along a bitter, lonely road.
So on the day that Williams was leaving to serve his country and put his life on the line, Egan rips him because he prefers not to wear neckties. He’s worried that America’s youth will be tarnished because Ted Williams will not wear a tie.
Manny’s got it easy.
Not exactly the start they wanted for the second half of the season.
Gordon Edes has the details of yet another late inning bullpen meltdown dooming the Red Sox. Searching for a positive, Michael Silverman points out that no one got hurt for the Red Sox during the series. Sean McAdam has Tim Wakefield and the Red Sox unable to hold on yesterday, and falling to the Angels 5-3. Jeff Goldberg has another road series ending in disaster for the Red Sox.
Dan Shaughnessy says that the Red Sox couldn’t get out of Orange County quick enough last night, and notes that the team has been swept on the road far too many times this season for a World Series defender. Tony Massarotti says that the Red Sox desperately need to find someone who can pitch the eighth inning. Bill Ballou says that the Red Sox have Manny reasons to ditch Ramirez at the end of the season.
Massarotti looks at tonight’s starter, Jon Lester, who should benefit from the extra rest the Red Sox got him around the All Star break. Alex Speier had a profile on Mike Timlin yesterday, who went to the same high school as Mike Stanton, and would like to eclipse the lefty’s number of appearances before he’s done.
Edes’ notebook has Jacoby Ellsbury’s slump forcing Terry Francona to shuffle some things in his lineup. Silverman’s notebook has Justin Masterson being recalled to help out in the bullpen. McAdam’s notebook has Manny Delcarmen once again failing to make the eighth inning his own. Goldberg’s notebook has more on Masterson getting called up.
David Scott has Bob Lobel hitting a new low with his statements on Manny and the Red Sox during a fill in performance on WEEI Friday.
Jim McCabe reports on Irishman Padraig Harrington winning his second straight British Open Championship, while the story of the weekend, Greg Norman struggled down the stretch yesterday. George Kimball says that with the defense of his title, Harrington confirmed his greatness. McCabe’s notebook has Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els finding silver linings in their disappointing performances. Kimball’s notebook has Englishman Ian Poulter firing up the crowds with his charge yesterday.
The ACC held its Football Kickoff this weekend, and the BC Eagles look to surprise some people this season. The Eagle in Atlanta blog went behind the scenes at media day yesterday, offering some observations and getting some photos of Boston sports media members hard at work.
Mark Blaudschun has the new-look Eagles looking to fill the leadership void left by Matt Ryan. Steven Conroy has the BC defensive line looking to step up this season. Blaudschun’s notebook has senior tight end Ryan Purvis setting his team goals high this season – a BCS Bowl game. Conroy’s notebook has Purvis already very familiar with new QB Chris Crane.
Shalise Manza Young says that Bill Belichick will be concentrating on fine-tuning his team’s focus as the season gets underway. Ian M. Clark looks at the few questions that an 18-1 team can have going into the season. Young looks at a few key positions for the Patriots as camp approaches. Mike Reiss has a snapshot of the cornerback position this morning.
Hello once again. Ken from Fang’s Bites and it’s time for the Friday megalinks today. Lots of stuff to get to and so little time. Let’s do the Weekend Viewing Picks first.
Weekend Viewing Picks
The Open Championship and baseball dominate our viewing this weekend.
TNT and ESPN/ABC combine for weekend coverage of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. TNT provides early 3rd round coverage Saturday morning starting at 7. ABC joins in at 9 .m. Then on Sunday, TNT begins very early at 6 a.m. and ABC takes the coverage to the conclusion starting at 8. We’ll see if Greg Norman can win his third Claret Jug or if he’ll find a way to fade.
The AL East leading Red Sox are back in action after the All-Star break and they’re on the West Coast meaning a lack of sleep (and complaining by Dennis & Callahan that they won’t be able to watch the games). The Sox take on Anaheim in a weekend series. NESN has tonight’s game starting at 10. Then Fox25 and Fox 64 carry Saturday’s game at 3:55 p.m. with Thom Brennaman, Eric Karros and Ken Rosenthal with the call. Then on Sunday, ESPN has the series finale at the early time of 6 p.m. If you’re wondering, ESPN is showing some silly awards show that I refuse to acknowledge or link to at 9 p.m. My wish is that the Red Sox-Angels game goes until 11 p.m. forcing the Alleged Worldwide Leader to move that show to another channel and scrapping its broadcast. But I digress.
In other baseball action, WGN has the White Sox hosting Kansas City, Saturday night at 7 and the Cubs visiting Houston, Sunday afternoon at 2. TBS’ Sunday afternoon telecast will have the Yankees at home taking on the Oakland A’s at 1.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup series takes the week off, but the Nationwide Series will be in full swing with the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 which ESPN2 will air Saturday night at 9:30.
The IndyCar Series travels to Ohio for the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio on ABC this Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
The Formula 1′s German Grand Prix will be shown on tape Sunday at 1 p.m. on Fox.
Versus shows the Tour de France this weekend on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. then on Sunday at the early time of 7 a.m.
The USTA’s US Open Series has begun with the first tournament finals on Sunday. ESPN2 shows the Indianapolis Tennis Championships men’s final at 1 p.m., then the women’s Bank of the West Classic final at 5 p.m.
If you’re into Beach Volleyball, the Brooklyn Open will be shown on NBC both Saturday and Sunday starting at 2:30 p.m.
Now to the links.
National
Michael Hiestand of USA Today writes that because ESPN is not an Olympics rightsholder, it has to resort to creative ways in covering the games in Communist China.
Kathy Orton of Newsweek says ESPN’s Rick Reilly chose some strange words about atheists while Josh Hamilton was hitting during the Home Run Derby.
The Sports Media Watch has some random news and notes including an NHL season opening doubleheader in Europe.
East and Mid-Atlantic
David Scott lists the winners and losers in the WEEI.com re-launch. And David was part of a podcast hosted by young Alex Reimer over at Mysportsradio.com.
Nancy Marrapese-Burrell of the Boston Globe says even without Tiger Woods, the Open Championship is still Must See TV.
Eric McHugh of the Quincy (MA) Patriot-Ledger profiles Red Sox announcer Dave O’Brien.
Boston.com’s Extra Bases Red Sox blog recaps former WBZ-TV anchor Bob Lobel’s statements on WEEI today in which he said the Red Sox fined Manny Ramirez six figures for his shove of Jack McCormick and then alleged Manny purposely did not swing during an at-bat at Yankee Stadium earlier this month.
Newsday’s Neil Best writes about ESPN’s special on the 100th anniversary of “Take Me out to the Ball Game”. And Neil says MSG Network will carry the WNBA outdoor game between the New York Liberty and Indiana Fever this Sunday.
The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman says the Yankee Stadium crowd at the All-Star Game did not know how to react to George Steinbrenner’s appearance (if this is the best Raissman can do, I may have to drop him from the megalinks).
The perpetually angry Phil Mushnick of the New York Post is mad at MLB for scheduling the Yankees last home game on September 21 for ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball and making the first pitch for the All-Star Game at 8:45 p.m. ET. Of course, Phil does not take into consideration that MLB delays the first pitch so fans on the West Coast can be home in time to watch.
Also from the Post, Justin Terranova talks with NBC Sports golf analyst Gary Koch about the Open Championship. And Justin has five questions for Philadelphia Phillies announcer Tom McCarthy.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says the New York Jets’ exhibition games will be seen on local TV for the first time in over a decade.
Dafney Tales of the Philadelphia Daily News reports that alcohol was a factor in John Marzano’s death.
Laura Nachman’s Philadelphia TV and radio blog mentions that a sports radio WIP host was auditioning for a TV gig this week.
Ray Frager of the Baltimore Sun talks about Bob Papa going to the NFL Network and Billy Packer’s departure from CBS Sports and Raycom among other things.
Tim Lemke of the Washington Times looks at the All-Star Game ratings and the selling of Brett Favre’s jersey.
South
Doug Nye of The State would have preferred an earlier starting time for the All-Star Game.
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says the MLB Network is preparing for launch on New Year’s Day and unlike the NFL Network, will have a wide distribution.
Dave Darling in the Orlando Sentinel writes about a new Amazing Race-like program that debuts on Golf Channel this Tuesday.
David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says FSN Houston is going through a retooling to show more local programming in the fall.
Ray Buck of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says the Open Championship will have plenty of drama even without Tiger Woods.
From the Daily Oklahoman, Mel Bracht talks about Tom Watson joining the ESPN on ABC booth for the Open Championship. Mel likes two major broadcast changes coming up for the NFL and college basketball seasons. Mel has some college football news in his media notebook. And Mel provides his weekend viewing picks.
West
Jay Posner of the San Diego Union-Tribune says the local Fox affiliate will do sports on its newscasts only when events dictate. Here are the ratings from last weekend in the always classy San Diego market.
John Maffei from the North County Times says San Diego State did not really solve its problem by lacking a color analyst on its football radio broadcasts.
Jim Carlisle in the Ventura County Star writes that the Open Championship faces an uphill battle for ratings.
John Scheibe writing in the Los Angeles Times that Dodgers fans can see plenty of archival pictures of the team at the library.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says a reinvigorated DodgerTalk program has given fans another chance to talk about the games. And Tom has more on DodgerTalk in his media notes segment of his blog.
Midwest
George M. Thomas from the Akron Beacon Journal talks about former Ohio State Buckeye Clark Kellogg becoming CBS Sports’ #1 analyst for college basketball.
Michael Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press says Billy Packer is not the only polarizing announcer.
Paul Christian of the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin says Tom Watson might be pulling double duty at the Open Championship this weekend.
Blogs
The 38Cliches blog heard through a third party that the son of former Red Sox announcer Jerry Trupiano has visited the site.
Awful Announcing has the MLB announcing schedule for the weekend.
Deadspin has the Ashley Harkleroad nude Playboy layout pics.
SportsbyBrooks says Ashley’s boyfriend did the negotiating for the Playboy layout.
Joe Favorito tried to take advantage of the quietest day in sports.
That’s going to do it for us today. Enjoy your weekend.
Big Papi hit Pawtucket last night, drawing a huge crowd to see the Red Sox AAA affiliate. Ortiz did not disappoint, hitting a home run in the fourth inning to reward those who had come to see the Red Sox slugger in his first rehab appearance.
Baxter Holmes has Ortiz happy to be able to swing the bat the way he used to. Peter Gobis impressed with the fans that showed up to see him. Jay Miller has Big Papi rewarding those fans with his laser beam home run. Jim Donaldson has Ortiz up to his old tricks with the PawSox. Steve Buckley also has Ortiz happy that he can swing the bat normally. Paul Jarvey reports on the fireworks in Pawtucket last night.
Rob Bradford has five things that must take place in the second half for the Red Sox to repeat as World Series champs. Nick Cafardo has Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell assessing his staff. Jon Couture looks at some keys to the second half of the season for the Red Sox. Jeff Goldberg says that despite the obstacles the Red Sox have faced this season, they’re still in a good spot right now. Garry Brown wonders if there are any trades on the Red Sox horizon. Alex Speier is curious as to whether the Red Sox will kick the tires on some relief pitching.
Bill Ballou says that the Red Sox need to pick up their play on the road. Lenny Megliola looks at another tough year in Boston for Julio Lugo. Buckley had Ortiz calling for an end to the Manny-Henry feud.
Gordon Edes reports on the Sox signing their first round draft pick, pitcher/shortstop Casey Kelly. Bradford’s notebook has more on the signing of Kelly.
In her minor league notebook, Amalie Benjamin creates an All Star team of Red Sox prospects. Jeff Horrigan looks at the top performers in each level of the Red Sox farm system. Brendan McGair has a look at Ortiz going to bat for friend Sandy Madera and convincing the Red Sox to take a flyer on his friend.
David Scott breaks down the winners and losers of the recent events involving the new WEEI.com.
Frank Dell’Apa and Scott Souza each have a look at the newest Celtic, 7 footer Patrick O’Bryant. Rich Thompson says that O’Bryant will provide needed depth at center. Desmond Conner says that the NBA should drop the age limit rule.
Bob Ryan weighs in on the messy Brett Favre saga in Green Bay. Christopher L. Gasper has the Patriots signing fourth round pick Jonathan Wilhite.
Jim McCabe reports on The Open, while Nancy Marrapese-Burrell says that even without Tiger Woods, there are plenty of reasons to watch the British Open.
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