The Red Sox took a 7-4 win in Chicago last night, as Franklin Morales, standing in for Josh Beckett, struck out nine Cubs in an impressive start. While Boston has won their last two series, in Miami and Chicago, and gotten back to .500 on the season, Buster Olney says that the Red Sox are a team deep in dissension right now. No real specifics are given, but Olney calls the clubhouse “toxic” and says that if the Red Sox don’t make the postseason, all of the exasperation and frustration is going to spill out spectacularly.
Not Surprising: Curt Schilling On Leave From ESPN – Ken Fang has a quick post on the former pitcher taking some time off from his analyst position at ESPN to focus on his legal issues.
The making of Franklin Morales: His path to the Red Sox and effectiveness – Alex Speier looks at the lefty finally showing the spectacular stuff that has always teased observers of his career. More on Morales from Peter Abraham and Gordon Edes.
Time for a Sox youth movement – John Tomase is ready to scrap everything and play the kids.
After whirlwind day, Kalish comes through for Sox – Sean McAdam has the young outfielder giving the Red Sox a boost after his callup. More on Kalish from Nick Cafardo and Brian MacPherson.
Josh Beckett smart to ignore media – Kirk Minihane notes that Beckett has absolutely nothing to gain by talking to the media.
What we learned this spring: 2012 Patriots starting to come into focus – Christopher Price looks at what we can glean from the Patriots’ spring workouts.
Belichick doesn’t alter gameplan for anybody – I’m not even sure where to begin on this one.
LaDainian Tomlinson will announce his retirement today. LT is a guy who certainly made an impression among New England fans, whether it was describing himself as “classy” or berating the Patriots for dancing his teammates dance on HIS field, sulking on the sideline in his parka and helmet while his QB played on a torn ACL, saying that if the Patriots aren’t cheating they aren’t trying, or leading the Jets in a “we physical, they finesse” before the Jets lost the Patriots 45-3.
Others have different Patriots/LT memories:
Will never forget LT taking over vs New England in 06 playoffs … One of the best individual performances I’ve seen in person. Unstoppable.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) June 17, 2012
That was a loss, of course, so it’s fitting.