It was an ugly night at Fenway Park as boos and rain poured down equally hard upon the field.
The target of the boos was Josh Beckett, who has become, fair or not, the symbol of everything that is wrong with the Boston Red Sox.
Beckett was removed from the game in the third inning after feeling back spasms. As he left the field, the fans remaining at the soaked ballpark booed loudly. The moment felt like it was bigger than Beckett, as it was the fans making a general statement about the state of the team, and the failure of the front office to make sweeping changes to a team that most people removed from Yawkey Way feel has absolutely no chance to turn things around permanently anytime soon.
Have we mentioned yet that the Red Sox actually got the win last night? (A rain-shortened 4-1 victory) And that it was their fourth straight?
Callers to sports radio this morning have been absolutely brutal towards Beckett. I realize these people are not representative of all fans, but I’ve rarely heard this kind of vitriol aimed at a local athlete .
The situation is right in Dan Shaughnessy’s wheelhouse, and he performs as expected this morning. He makes it about himself – referencing this incident where Bobby Valentine walks behind him and says he’s not trying to get fired and Shaughnessy was making it up – and brags about John McNamara hating him more.
Red Sox, Rangers talked blockbuster – Rob Bradford has a half-report. He says the Red Sox talked to the Rangers about a package that included Beckett, Jacoby Ellsbury and Kelly Shoppach, but has no idea who the Rangers might’ve been sending to Boston.
Red Sox stuck in limbo at trade deadline – Sean McAdam looks at the Red Sox lack of a big move yesterday, noting that they might’ve been bold just by standing pat.
Team’s bold idea: Stick with roster – Michael Silverman has more on the team’s approach.
The Patriots continue to slog through training camp, and yesterday had a visitor, as former Giant Carl Banks, who played with Pepper Johnson under Bill Belichick both with the Giants and Browns, was at practice, decked out in Patriots grear.
Banks will apparently spend a few days with the Patriots, working with the linebackers. What’s interesting is that Banks is also the color analyst for the radio broadcasts of the New York Giants.
While I think it’s great to have someone of the level of Banks working with the young linebackers of the Patriots even for a few days, can you imagine if the situation was reversed, and someone with the Patriots broadcast team was working with the Giants in training camp. Knowing this area, I think a big deal would be made of it by someone.
Update: Apparently some people do think it is a big deal: Carl Banks doesn’t understand the uproar over Pats visit (ProFootballTalk)
Sackful of hope for new-name ‘D’ – Karen Guregian looks at the new faces on the Patriots defensive front, and whether they will be able to make up for the loss of Andre Carter and Mark Anderson.
Spikes happy to be back on field for Patriots – Shalise Manza Young has a look at the third year linebackers getting a full run at practice.
Spencer Larsen found his mission in life – Jeff Howe’s notebook looks at how a Mission to Chile shaped the fullback/linebacker into what he is now.
Fanene adds girth to team’s defensive line – Young’s notebook looks at the role that the team’s top defensive free agent target of the offseason might play.
Get all the coverage at PatriotsLinks.com.
It seems like the experiment of ESPNBoston Radio is over. The show, hosted by Adam Jones said goodbye yesterday as Mike Reiss was the last guest and closed things out.
