How to turn your home into a Red Sox shrine using Boston Red Sox home decor, Boston Red Sox furniture, and Boston Red Sox Garden Accessories

Turning your home into a shrine to your favorite baseball team may be extreme, but for real fans, it’s all part of being a baseball fan. Take for instance, my all time favorite team, the Boston Red Sox. Turning a regular boring home into a baseball nirvana will take lots and lots of Boston Red Sox merchandise. Fortunately, you can get Boston Red Sox merchandise almost anywhere, the mall, the memorabilia store, or better yet, online. There are many online Boston Red Sox merchandise stores available, so just choose your preference.

First on the agenda is to get some Boston Red Sox home decor. For example, a Red Sox Mailbox Cover and Flag Kit will signal to everyone passing by that you are a Red Sox fan. Other good examples of Boston red Sox Home decor are Red Sox themed lava Lamps, Red Sox Art Glass Table Lamp, and a Red Sox Desk Lamp. Outside, you can get a Red Sox Half Moon Door Mat to welcome your guests, and for the kitchen, a Red Sox Glass Cutting Board Set. There are more great examples of Boston Red Sox home décor that you can find, so head on to your favorite Boston Red Sox merchandise site or store.

Next up in line to turn your home into a Red Sox shrine is to get yourself some Boston Red Sox furniture. Nothing beats watching your favorite team while lounging on some quality furniture. To start with, there are some great Red Sox video chairs to lounge on from the floor. If sitting sown low isn’t your cup of tea, a combination Red Sox Big Daddy Recliner and Red Sox Cube Ottoman or Red Sox Classic Sofa is a great choice. There are so many good choices when it comes to Boston Red Sox furniture that you will surely find one that suits your taste, or your space constraints.

To complete the look, you should consider adding some Boston Red Sox garden accessories, if you have a garden that is. Adding Boston Red Sox garden accessories, such as grill covers, lighting accessories and placemats, will make it the perfect place for an after-game victory party.

How to find sophisticated Boston Red Sox merchandise online

Boston Red Sox are one of the most illustrated Major League Baseball teams and are a member of the American League Eastern Division. The team's home ballpark is Fenway Park since 1912. The Boston Red Sox have gone though the longest championship droughts in baseball history, which ended in 2004. They have now emerged as one of the most successful MLB teams of the last decade.

Boston Red Sox have seven World Series titles under its belt। The team won World Series titles in 2007, 2004, 1918, 1916, 1915, 1912 and 1903. The long gap in the titles from 1918 to 2007 is said to be the curse of Babe Ruth. A legendary player listed in the Hall of Fame, Babe Ruth played for the Boston Red Sox for a long time. However, in 1919 when Ruth asked for a massive salary hike, Frazee, team's owner back then, sold Babe Ruth to the rival New York Yankees. The ‘BoSox' faced a series of losses while the Yankees won several games because of Ruth. The curse is said to be broken now and Boston Red Sox are out to win titles after titles.

Today, the team has a tremendous fan base. Ever since May 15, 2003 all its home games have been a sold out which is indeed an MLB record. No wonder, the sales of Boston Red Sox are quite overwhelming compared to any other MLB team. If you too are ardent Sox fan, make sure you get Boston Red Sox merchandise especially if you are watching the match in the stadium. You must also get Red Sox merchandise if you are watching it on your TV with friends and neighbors. Sporting stylish Boston Red Sox merchandise is a well-accepted way of exhibiting your love for the team and encouraging players for a win.

Boston Red Sox tailgating and outdoors

Fans hosting or participating in Boston Red Sox tailgating party definitely need to posses some attractive tailgating and outdoor merchandise of the team to exude a style statement or to show how passionately they support the Sox। Browse through an attractive range of Boston Red Sox tailgating and outdoor merchandise online. Many trusted online MLB sports merchandise outlets feature some very impressive merchandise ranging from tumblers, tankard and glass sets, thermos, flask, can coolers, serving sets, barbeque accessories besides a host of garden accessories like lawn figures, pennants and tree skirts.

Boston Red Sox headwear

A whole range of attractive Boston Red Sox headwear is available online। A headwear embossed with the official team logo is one of the most important accessories for an avid Boston Red Sox fan. The headwear helps you to be recognized as a supporter of Boston Red Sox and boosts the morale of the players when they see you root for them. The Boston Red Sox headwear category online features caps, beanies and helmets in various sizes to suit the requirements of men and women. A very special headwear is a ‘Red Sox new era white ladies dug out visor' which has a team logo twilled in bright red color with a black outline.

Boston Red Sox jewelry and gifts

A great way to celebrate Boston Red Sox victory is to send across merchandise gifts of the team to friends and family members. Alternatively, you may also send Boston Red Sox gifts on special occasions such as Father's Day, Christmas, Thanksgiving Day and even birthdays. Popular Boston Red Sox gift ideas include tankard set, coin sets, card box, table clocks, replica helmets, wallets and decorative items. At online MLB sports merchandise stores, you will find an astounding range of Boston Red Sox jewelry items. The collection includes designer wristwatches for men and women besides a whole series of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings and toe rings, pins and pendants. The Boston Red Sox jewelry is available at a very reasonable price and is designed to fit the pocket of young fans.

Boston Red Sox Team Merchandise is Bestseller in Online Baseball Memorabilia Store

The popularity of a mlb team’s merchandise is directly proportional to the size of its fan base. Little wonder that the Boston Red Sox have such a great history of merchandise sales. The team’s fans are legion. Not only are they one of the most successful teams of the decade, having won two World Series Championships in the last four years (for a total of seven as a franchise), they are also one of the teams most steeped in history.

The Red Sox have been in existence since 1901, far longer than any fan can remember. The team was there from the beginning of the league, being one of the eight charter franchises. During those early years, they were the dominant power in baseball. They took the first World Series in 1903 against the Pittsburgh Pirates and again four more times before 1919. However, after that came the longest drought in league history. Oh yes they came close many times, but only in 2004, more than 80 years after their last win did they again recapture the World Series Championships. And of course, they did it again last 2007 and even today figure to be one of the top contenders.

Boston Red Sox Gifts

The enormity of the Red Sox fan base is such that you would certainly easily find someone you know who is a fan of the team to some degree. This enormous fan base has given rise to the manufacturing of many gift items targeted at these fans. Little wonder then that if you do know a Red Sox fan, it’s bound to be quite easy to find a gift item for him or for her. All you have to do is click on an item online and you’re done.

Here are some gift suggestions you can consider as gifts for die hard Red Sox fans:

Topping the list of potential Boston Red Sox Gifts you can buy are memorabilia items such as replica mini helmets and Red Sox team trinket boxes. However, for more serious fans, there are high value minted commemorative coins as well as limited edition photo mints of prominent players, both active and those already in the hall of fame. There are also limited edition commemorative coin sets that celebrate important Boston Red Sox milestones, which are sure to become important and valuable collector’s items in the years to come.

Boston Red Sox Jewelry
Another category that has enjoyed an upsurge in sales is the Boston Red Sox Jewelry category. The section contains a lot of items to choose from, starting with casual wearing silver earrings made in the likeness of the Red Sox Logo, logo shaped pendants, rings, and logo embossed watches.

Boston Red Sox jewelry is best worn casually, especially if you are able to complete a game time ensemble that combines team apparel and matching jewelry. You will surely be the best dressed die hard Red Sox fan at the stadium. However, you can also wear your Red Sox themed jewelry at the office, as some of the bracelets and necklaces, and even watches are so well crafted that they complement office attire pretty well. There are watches of every make, every model, and every size – for men, women, and kids too. There are leather strap watches, chronographs, classic silver strap watches and even Velcro strap models that cling to your wrist no matter how hard you swing a bat.

Wearing team-themed jewelry is a good way to break the monotony of office wear, without compromising dress code. It may even be a way for you to start a conversation among fellow Boston Red Sox fans at the office whom you never knew to be fans.

Boston Red Sox Home Decor

Last of the list of top sellers is Boston Red Sox home décor. There are two possible explanations for this phenomenon. It is either Boston Red Sox fans really just love their team so much that they are willing to populate their home with team-themed furniture, or second, the furniture really just looks great and are comfortable to use. Of course there could be a third explanation – which is that fans do love the team, and the items really are of high quality and are quite comfy too. The sure money is on the third.

You can get Boston Red Sox Home Décor for your living room, bedroom, TV room, - and yes even the bathroom. The living room will look good with a Boston Red Sox video chair or two near the TV, and maybe a red Sox Big Daddy recliner a little to the side. There are also Red Sox kitchen utensils, placemats, salt and peppershakers, and serving trays. The bedroom could even be improved by several Red Sox pillows here and there and maybe a Red Sox headboard, which will surely have you dreaming of more pennants and World Series wins while you sleep.

Red Sox stay the course

By Dan Connolly

The Boston Red Sox watched the rival New York Yankees open the vault this offseason for big-money free agents. They also kept an eye on the division's new threat, the Tampa Bay Rays, and their offensive tinkering.

All the while, the Red Sox stayed on the course that was charted earlier this decade: Stockpile pitching and promote from within.

After falling one game short of the 2008 World Series, the Red Sox have to be considered a favorite -- if not the primary one -- to get there this year.

"I think I found when you think you have too much pitching, go get more," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "We have tried as an organization to have enough pitching where if something goes wrong, it doesn't derail our season."

The Red Sox finished fourth in the American League in ERA last year with a 4.01 mark; no AL starting staff won more games. They have three starters 28 or younger who posted double-digit wins in Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Jon Lester. The bullpen is anchored by one of the game's best closers, Jonathan Papelbon, 28.

And yet the Red Sox bolstered their staff for 2009.

They signed free-agent starter Brad Penny (one year, $5 million) and former closer Takashi Saito (one year, $1.5 million plus bonuses) away from the Los Angeles Dodgers and lured likely Hall of Famer John Smoltz from the Atlanta Braves for an incentive-laden, one-year contract that includes $5.5 million guaranteed.

Smoltz, a 210-game winner, had shoulder surgery in June and is not expected to join the Red Sox until this June. But the right-hander, 41, is already throwing in hopes of returning earlier. Whenever he does, he'll bring his legendary competitive fire.

"I can't wait," Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek said. "All I can say about [Smoltz] is I can't wait."

Amazingly, the Red Sox can wait patiently for Smoltz because their rotation is already six deep. Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield and Penny, who was ushered along slowly this spring because of shoulder fatigue, likely will take the final two spots behind Beckett, Matsuzaka and Lester.

That means Clay Buchholz, who no-hit the Orioles in 2007 and had a tremendous spring, probably will be sent to Triple-A. Justin Masterson, who pitched well in nine starts for Boston in 2008, will remain in an already stacked bullpen.

Francona said he believes it is the deepest staff he has had, "going into a season. But we have thought that before, and we ended up short. So you never know. A season starts and a lot of things happen. That's why we are trying to have depth."

Despite slugger Manny Ramirez's public ouster to Los Angeles in July, Francona isn't worried about his offense. The Red Sox were second in the league in runs in 2008 (though they were just seventh after the All-Star break).

"We didn't have [Ramirez] in August and September. The team we have is basically the team we had," Francona said. "We'd love to be first [in runs scored], but our goal is to win more games than anybody else."

The offensive downside is that the club is counting on players with recent injury histories such as David Ortiz, Mike Lowell, J.D. Drew and Rocco Baldelli. And three of their projected infielders, reigning AL Most Valuable Player Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis and Julio Lugo, missed time this spring with injuries.

But the Red Sox's depth is not limited to pitching. Lugo had knee surgery in March and likely will miss April. Shortstop will be manned in the interim by Jed Lowrie, 24. The Red Sox believe Lowrie, like many of their prospects in the past few years, is ready for prime time. And ready to help the Red Sox get to another postseason.

"I don't know anything else, but I can't imagine it gets much better than playing in Boston, where every pitch there is an ooh and an ah," said Lowrie, a supplemental first-round pick out of Stanford in 2005. "People are passionate there, and they live and die Red Sox baseball."

Boston Red Sox
Manager: Terry Francona
2008 record: 95-67
Estimated payroll: $130 million
Dan Connolly's predicted finish in the AL East: First place

Projected 2009 lineup
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
5. Mike Lowell, 3B
6. J.D. Drew, RF
7. Jason Bay, LF
8. Jason Varitek, C
9. Jed Lowrie, SS

Projected 2009 rotation
RHP Josh Beckett
LHP Jon Lester
RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka
RHP Tim Wakefield
RHP Brad Penny
Projected closer: Jonathan Papelbon

Source: baltimoresun.com

Red Sox bats turn up power with 4 HRs

By Michael Silverman

FORT MYERS - The Red Sox [team stats] put on a power display against the Twins yesterday, combining for four home runs, each impressive for different reasons, in the 9-5 victory.

Jason Varitek [stats]’s left-handed clout off Scott Baker, one of the better young starters in the game, was a no-doubter. The catcher has struggled hitting left-handed, and along with his single off Baker in the third, yesterday counted as an encouraging sign for the extra work he has put into tweaking his stance from the left side.

In the third, David Ortiz [stats] golfed a two-run home run off Baker on an 0-2 pitch. He had driven a long sacrifice fly to center field in the first. It was the most comfortable and confident Ortiz has looked so far this spring.

Jacoby Ellsbury [stats], who doubled off Baker to lead off the first, hit a two-run laser off Matt Guerrier over the right field wall in the fourth. The Sox simply are looking for Ellsbury to get on base this season, but they will take a long ball or two.

And Jason Bay’s blast came last, a two-run shot to dead center.

“I thought looking at all those swings I don’t know that I would characterize them as spring training home runs,” Sox manager Terry Francona said. “Jacoby hit a line drive, really back-spun it, and Bay, he was on his. Jason, David - they were good swings. I know some days you see the way the flag’s blowing and see balls go out in that direction. I thought those were four pretty good swings.”

Beckett bash

Starter Josh Beckett [stats] surrendered his first three runs of the spring, all coming in the second inning. A leadoff double by Michael Cuddyer was followed by three infield singles and a bloop single before Beckett escaped.

“I definitely got my work in in the second inning,” he said. “It’s not good to have a long inning like that but all things considered I thought I pitched all right.”

There was a scare in the fourth when Beckett lunged at a bunt from Carlos Gomez. After an off-balance throw to first for the out, Beckett grimaced. Francona and head trainer Paul Lessard hurried out, but it turned out that Beckett tore off a callous on his foot.

Lugo surgery OK

Julio Lugo [stats]’s right knee surgery was a success. He will be out 3-4 weeks, meaning Jed Lowrie will be the Opening Day shortstop. By the middle of April, Lugo should return, which likely will re-open the matter of who will be the shortstop.

The team was pleased there were no complications or surprises in the arthroscopic procedure performed by team medical director Dr. Tom Gill.

The plan is for Lugo to stay in Boston for the next 5-7 days, beginning two-a-day therapy and rehab sessions with physical therapist Scott Waugh.

With Lowrie now at shortstop, there is a battle for the backup infielder’s job. The candidates are Nick Green, Angel Chavez, Gil Velazquez and Ivan Ochoa.

Second baseman Dustin Pedroia [stats] (strained left abdominal muscle) fielded ground balls and is expected to take BP tomorrow. He could see game action as soon as this weekend.

Minor development

There are no more intrasquad games in minor league camp. Today, minor league games begin, and Brad Penny will start, scheduled to toss two innings. . . .

Sent to minor league camp in order to play regularly were first baseman Lars Anderson, outfielders Josh Reddick and Zach Daeges and pitchers Hunter Jones and Felix Doubront. . .

Right-handed reliever Wes Littleton did not clear waivers. The Brewers claimed him and placed him on their major league roster. In six games this spring, the 26-year-old Littleton with the funky, deceptive delivery was 1-0 with an 18.56 ERA in 5 1/3 innings. He came to the Red Sox [team stats] in a late November trade with the Rangers.

The Good, The Bad, and The Boston Red Sox

By Steve Waverly

First and foremost, I've been an Angels fan long enough to remember that they were once considered to be cursed on a level nearly comparable to the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs (who still are.) It was no laughing matter. Star players were shot and killed, others died in car accidents, others simply crashed and burned the moment they put on a Halo uniform. And there were the epic collapses of 1983, 1986, and 1995, to name a few.

Then came 2002, and the curse was over. I never thought I'd see it in my lifetime. I was there at game six (magical) and game seven, and watched Salmon run around the field with a trophy over his head like a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

It was lifted off mine as well.

But now... I want them to do it again. In fact, Mike Scioscia told me personally they would. Back in the fall of 2004, I was still smarting from the Bosox sweep of the Angels, when I crossed paths with a solid looking guy with his wife and kids on Balboa Island, California. One look and I knew: it was Mike. As I passed him on the sidewalk, I had to say something. So I gently told him that the move to bring in Jarrod Washburn to face Ortiz was iffy (it was worse than iffy, it was a horrible) but that I had been an Angels fan since I was a kid and he had given me a World Series, and I would always be grateful for that. He slowed down, actually turned around to keep talking to me, smiled, and said 'We'll get you another one."

So there it is. The Mike Scioscia guarantee. What he didn't say was when. So, is this the year? Well, here are a few early thoughts:

The good: Escobar (had forgotten about him, but could be the difference;) Abreu (how did that happen?;) Kendrick (please, please, get 500 at bats. The season depends on it;) Arredondo (needs a nickname, but everything else is in place;) the report that players in the Angels system are now being encouraging to take pitches. The 2002 team worked every count like a magician, but since then, nothing but free swingers who think a walk is something you do on the beach. It took only NINE years to get back to where they were. Way to go, Hatch!

The bad: Well, most of the bench. Willits - pop up power. Can't hit it out of the infield with a tail wind. If you want to squeeze, he's your guy. Matthews - clean, sober, and a .260 hitter. And honestly, unreliable in the outfield. One great catch and he's enshrined. The Angels got snookered on that deal. A guy has six mediocre years and one good one and he gets fifty million? Scioscia said Matthews had finally figured it out. What he'd figured out was where to stick the needle. Mathis - a good catcher, but if he's anywhere near home plate with a bat in his hands, game over, and not in a good way.

Then there's that other team. The one I hate writing about. Hate thinking about. And really hate facing. The Boston Red Sox. But there's no getting around it. They're the 800 pound gorilla in the room. Even without Manny. So root for Tampa, root for Toronto, even root for the Yankees, 'cause the Angels kick their butt. But I don't want to see Boston anywhere in the playoffs. Not when the Angels are there.

And they will be there. The Angels are solid, won't win it by 20 games again (mark that down in your lifetime, you'll never see it again. Oakland, Seattle, Texas all tanked at once, Angels rolled... it was a beautiful thing - until the playoffs) but they'll win the west in 2009. Best pitching, plain and simple.

And before we head into the promise of a new season, one last word on the little squeeze that couldn't. I know, it's been talked to death. But let me just say this about whether Scioscia blew it. He didn't. And if you blamed him for that bunt, well, you lose a few points in Angels fandom. Sorry. You just do.

Now, Scioscia is not bullet proof. Not by a long shot. He blows a handful of games every season. Pulls a starter too soon, leaves a struggling player in the line-up too long. But the squeeze was a good call. An obvious call. I knew it was coming - ask my cat, I yelled it at her. The problem wasn't the call, it was the execution. The blame falls on Aybar. And to those who say Scioscia shouldn't have put that kind of pressure on a rookie, I agree. The Angels never should have traded Orlando Cabrera. But they did. And Izturis got hurt. And all Aybar had to do was make contact. And - this is the key - Scioscia called it on the right pitch. Boston knew it was coming, too, so the first two pitches were way out of the strike zone. Scioscia waited patiently, then pulled the trigger on the third pitch. The one Aybar was supposed to bunt. The one that was hittable. And that was the real problem.

Aybar tried to bunt for a hit, instead of for contact. If he squares up correctly at worst he fouls it off. But he didn't follow fundamentals, he made a mistake, and the series was over.

Broke my heart, all I'm sure it did all of yours. But the call was correct. If Aybar gets it down the Angels win. Probably. I mean, who knows what Boston would have done to K-Rod. 61 saves or not, Boston always had his number in the playoffs (which is why I don't mind seeing him on the Mets.)

But that was 2008. This is 2009. And this year is going to be different. Right, Tampa? Right, Toronto? Right, New York?

Do It Today: Boston Pops, Boston Red Sox, David Brenner

by David Warner

Boston Pops. It’s a convergence of matinee idols at Ruth Eckerd tonight. Keith Lockhart is the heartthrob who conducts the Boston Pops Orchestra. His guest stars, Marin Mazzie and Jason Daniely (pictured), are a glamorous married couple with two of the best voices on Broadway, their combined credits ranging from Spamalot and Kiss Me, Kate to Curtains and The Full Monty. They’re also a recording and cabaret duo (they play Michael Feinstein’s club in NYC beginning Mar. 24), and for this gig they help the Pops salute Oscar- and Tony-winning music from the Golden Age of Hollywood and the classics of the Great White Way to the present. Mon., March 16, 8 p.m., Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, $60-$125, 727-791-7400.

Spring training. It’s a good day to check out the champs, present and former. The Red Sox are in Dunedin playing the Blue Jays; the Phillies come to Tampa to play the Yankees; and the Rays host the Pirates in Bradenton. Get your spring training info at mlb.com.

David Brenner w/Joe Bronzi. David Brenner once sat atop the mountain of stand-up comedy, or at least on the seat next to the mountain, a topical comedian with a sharp delivery who still holds the record for the most Tonight Show with Johnny Carson appearances: 158. A frequent guest on Howard Stern’s show on Sirius, he revealed last month that he’s been lying about his age for a half-century. Here’s a chance to catch a comedy giant who also happens to be engaged to figure skater Tai Babilonia. Joe Bronzi opens the show. Mon., March 16, 8 p.m. (doors at 6, dinner at 6:30), Show Palace Dinner Theatre (in collaboration with Ruth Eckerd Hall), 16128 U.S, 19, Hudson, $59 (includes buffet meal), 888-655-7479, showpalace.net. (Wayne Garcia)

Spring training: Red Sox, Lester finalize contract

Baltimore Orioles

The team has shut down RHP Jim Johnson for at least a week so it can try to determine the cause of discomfort in his right shoulder.

Boston Red Sox

Lefthander Jon Lester finalized a $30 million, five-year contract Sunday. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2006, Lester came back to go 4-0 in 2007 and then 16-6 with a 3.21 ERA last year.

• 2B Dustin Pedroia downplayed the injury that sent him home from Team USA at the World Baseball Classic. Boston medical staff diagnosed the injury as a strained left abdominal muscle.

• SS Julio Lugo is expected to have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Tuesday.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Manny Ramirez aggravated his sore left hamstring while playing the outfield for the first time this spring. He was hurt in the fourth inning against Colorado.

San Diego Padres

Reliever Duaner Sanchez agreed to a minor league contract with the Padres five days after he was released by the Mets.

Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox split weekend home and home

In a Spring Training version of the good old hockey home-and-home, the Rays split a pair with the Red Sox this weekend. Each team won on their spring home field – the Rays beat the Sox 15-7 in Port Charlotte on Saturday and Boston won 8-2 Sunday in Fort Myers.

Saturday’s tilt was a classic Spring Training affair. By classic I mean poorly played, strange, and downright ridiculous. The Rays scored 15 runs on seven hits. It was a Spring Training game, so it didn’t count, but if it had been a regular season game, I’m guessing seven hits may be a record for the fewest in a game for any team scoring 15 runs. Somebody needs to look that one up.

How did the Rays manage to pull it off? Well, they had help. The Red Sox made more errors than a half-drunk Eddie Vedder trying to get through "Soon Forget" towards the end of a long show. When it was all said and done on Saturday, the Rays were the beneficiaries of six Boston errors leading to nine unearned runs.

Sunday’s rematch saw the Rays get the same number of hits, but 13 fewer runs. The Rays left a total of 12 men on base and struck out 15 times. The Red Sox also became the first team to find a crack in the armor of Wade Davis, touching him up for six runs on two homers in 2.2 innings of work.

Other news and notes from the weekend:

* There were a total of five hit batsmen in the two games – normally a recipe for fisticuffs between these two teams – but no confrontations developed.
* Jason Bartlett and Evan Longoria are off to hot starts this spring, batting .500 and .533 respectively through Sunday.
* James Shields and Grant Balfour made their spring debuts on Saturday. Shields allowed a run in two innings and Balfour threw one shutout inning.
* Jason Hammel gave up his first runs of the spring on Saturday. He allowed four runs and two homers in three innings. It should be noted that he did not start the game.
* The Rays have now stolen 17 bases in 11 spring games. They led the Majors with 142 steals during the 2008 season.

Best Weekend Pitching:

Dewon Day pitched two no-hit innings on Sunday, allowing two walks and striking out three.

Best Weekend Plate/Field:

Jon Weber went 2 for 2 with a homer, a double and six RBI in Saturday’s win.

Worst Weekend Pitching:

Wade Davis' bad day on Sunday left him with an ERA this spring of 6.48. He entered the game with an ERA of 0.00. It can go downhill fast when you’re only pitching a couple innings at a time.

Worst Weekend Plate/Field:

Morgan Ensberg did a good job of staying out of the double play on Sunday. Too bad he avoided them by going 0 for 3 with three strikeouts.

Monday, the Rays will face brethren small-market success story Minnesota at 1:05 in Fort Myers. Scott Kazmir is scheduled to make his first start of the spring and Joe Nelson is set to make his Rays’ debut as well.

Red Sox | Lowell near spring debut

The Associated Press reports Boston Red Sox 3B Mike Lowell (hip) will probably make his spring training debut Tuesday, March 10, against the Baltimore Orioles as a designated hitter. Lowell, who is recovering from offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip, will likely play third base Friday, March 13, in a night game against the New York Yankees.

Red Sox | Lester lands five-year contract extension

Jeff Passan, of Yahoo! Sports, reports that Boston Red Sox SP Jon Lester has agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $30 million. The deal also includes a $13 million team option in 2014, according to a source close to the team. The deal, which is contingent on Lester passing a physical Tuesday, March 10, would be the largest ever given to a pitcher with approximately two years of service time.

30 Clubs in 30 Days: Boston Red Sox

By Ben Cook

Yesterday, we went north of the border, taking a look at the Toronto Blue Jays. Today, we continue our 30 clubs in 30 days by heading to Boston, home of the AL Wild Card Boston Red Sox.

Boston finished in second place last year, finishing an exciting AL East race with a 95-67 record. Boston then went on to lose to the Tampa Bay Rays in 7 games in the ALCS.

This offense is one of the best in baseball, and it didn’t seem to lose a beat all year, even after Manny Ramirez was traded to the Dodgers. This team scored 845 runs, second most in the AL.

The Sox hit .280 as a team, and led the majors as a team last year in OBP, with an impressive .358. They also showed some speed on the base paths, stealing 120 bags.

This offense should only get better. Dustin Pedroia (.326 AVG, 17 HR, 54 Doubles, 118 Runs, 83 RBI, 20 SB) has made his mark as a franchise player, winning the AL MVP last year.

Kevin Youkilis (.312 AVG, 29 HR, 43 Doubles, 115 RBI) is picking up the the cleanup role nicely, and Jason Bay (.293 AVG, 9 HR, 37 RBI) has been everything the Red Sox have hoped for since trading Manny Ramirez.

David Ortiz (.264 AVG, 23 HR, 30 Doubles, 89 RBI) hopes to bounce back from an injury plagued ’08 campaign.

Boston’s pitching wasn’t bad either. They gave up 694 runs last year with a team 4.01 ERA. Teams hit .250 against the Red Sox’s pitching staff. They led the AL in strikeouts with 1185 K’s, and this pitching staff should only get better.

Jon Lester (16-6, 3.21 ERA, 152 K’s) has made himself known as a front-line type of starter, and Daisuke Matsuzaka (18-3, 2.90 ERA, 154 K’s in 167.2 IP) has shown that the Red Sox’s investment to be a good one.

osh Beckett (12-10, 4.03, 172 K’s) looks to get back to his amazing ’07 form. Jonathan Papelbon (2.34 ERA, 41 SV’s, 77 K’s) continues to look like a pitcher who will close for Boston for the next 10-15 years.

This staff and offense should only get better. Lets see what the Red Sox did in free agency:

Key Additions:
Rocco Baldelli, OF (.263 AVG, 4 HR, 13 RBI in 80 AB’s with Rays)
Brad Penny, SP (6-9, 6.27 ERA in ’08/ 16-4, 3.03 ERA, 135 K’s in ’07 with Dodgers).
Takashi Saito, RP (2.49 ERA, 18 SV’s, 1.19 WHIP, 60 K’s in 47 IP with Dodgers)
John Smoltz, SP (2.57 ERA in 6 games in ’08/ 14-8, 3.11 ERA 197 K’s in ’07 with Braves)
Ramon Ramirez, P (2.64 ERA, 70 K’s in 71.2 IP with Royals)
Josh Bard, C (.202 AVG in 178 AB’s with Padres)

Key Losses:
Coco Crisp, OF (.283 AVG, 20 SB, 55 Runs in 361 AB’s)
Mike Timlin, RP (5.66 ERA, 49.1 IP)
Paul Byrd, SP (11-12, 4.60 ERA)

Lets face it, Boston has reloaded. They also lost Curt Schilling, Sean Casey, and Alex Cora, giving them money to spend this off-season to reload their roster. This team has lots of depth. It starts with the pitching staff. Lets look at the Red Sox pitching staff.

Rotation:
Josh Beckett (12-10, 4.03, 172 K’s)
Jon Lester (16-6, 3.21 ERA, 152 K’s)
Daisuke Matsuzaka (18-3, 2.90 ERA, 154 K’s in 167.2 IP)
Tim Wakefield (10-11, 4.13 ERA, 117 K’s)
Brad Penny (6-9, 6.27 ERA in ’08/ 16-4, 3.03 ERA, 135 K’s in ’07 with Dodgers).
John Smoltz (2.57 ERA in 6 games in ’08/ 14-8, 3.11 ERA 197 K’s in ’07 with Braves

Bullpen:
Jonathan Papelbon, CL (2.34 ERA, 41 SV’s, 77 K’s)
Hideki Okajima, SU (2.61 ERA, 60 K’s, 23 Holds in 62 IP)
Justin Masterson, RP (3.16 ERA, 68 K’s in 88.1 IP)
Takashi Saito, RP (2.49 ERA, 18 SV’s, 1.19 WHIP, 60 K’s in 47 IP with Dodgers)
Manny Delcarmen, RP (3.27 ERA, 72 K’s in 74.1 IP)
Ramon Ramirez, RP (2.64 ERA, 70 K’s in 71.2 IP with Royals)

This pitching staff is loaded. When a guys like John Smoltz, a shoo-in in most pitching staffs in the league, may be used in the bullpen, that is great depth. The Red Sox have the team to be the best in the majors this year, and it starts with their great starting pitching depth.

The bullpen is stacked as well. They have lots of young arms, and they all are experienced pitchers. They also have Clay Bucholz, Wes Littleton, and prospect Junichi Tazawa they can call up, giving this team even more depth.

Speaking of depth, lets look at the lineup:

Lineup:
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF (.280 AVG, 98 Runs, 50 SB)
Dustin Pedroia, 2B (.326 AVG, 17 HR, 54 Doubles, 118 Runs, 83 RBI, 20 SB)
David Ortiz, DH (.264 AVG, 23 HR, 30 Doubles, 89 RBI)
Kevin Youkilis, 1B (.312 AVG, 29 HR, 43 Doubles, 115 RBI)
Jason Bay, LF (.293 AVG, 9 HR, 37 RBI)
J.D. Drew, RF (.280 AVG, 19 HR’s, 64 RBI in 368 AB’s)
Mike Lowell, 3B (.274 AVG, 17 HR’s 73 RBI, 58 Runs in 419 AB’s)
Jason Varitek, C (.220 AVG, 313 OBP, 13 HR’s)
Julio Lugo, SS (.268 AVG, 12 SB, in 261 AB’s)

Bench:
Josh Bard, C (.202 AVG in 178 AB’s with Padres)
Rocco Baldelli, OF (.263 AVG, 4 HR, 13 RBI in 80 AB’s with Rays)
Jed Lowrie, INF (.258 AVG, 46 RBI in 260 AB’s)
Mark Kotsay, 1B/OF (.276 AVG, 25 Doubles, 49 RBI in 402 AB’s)

This lineup is one of the toughest from top to bottom. I expect Julio Lugo and Jed Lowrie to platoon and whoever is hitting the ball better will play.

Lugo was expected to be a guy to lead off for Boston when he was signed, but since he was signed, he hasn’t lived up to the expectations set for him. Lowrie is a young player, and I believe that the would like for him to win the job at short.

Rocco Baldelli is a great addition and depth. He’s a veteran bat who can play anywhere in the outfield, but more importantly, he’s a good power bat off the bench. He and Kotsay will most likely be the bats that are called upon when Boston needs a clutch hitter.

Outlook

The Red Sox were one of the best teams in baseball last year, and nothing says that they won’t be there this year. In fact, they got better over the off-season.

They went out and added key free agents that are going to help this club, both from a talent and a leadership perspective, but more importantly, it will give them the depth they need to withstand injuries.

On paper, this pitching staff looks like it could be the best in baseball. It’s a nice thing when John Smoltz (even at this stage of his career) has to battle for a job in the rotation. No team has a break against these starters, as I believe that they have the one of the best rotations in baseball.

Not only that, they have added bullpen depth that makes this team even more scary. When you have a bullpen that has a good arms that are young, that is a recipe for success. It may also be the bargaining chip used if the club needs to add a bat via a trade.

They also re-built their lineup, and its possible its better than the previous one. The Red Sox do hit home runs, but long gone are the days of them being known for that only.

This team can hit to all fields, has a good balance of veteran and young bats, and can run. Expect to see more hit-and-runs, run-and-hits, and work on the base paths. Working the base paths isn’t necessarily stealing all the time. Watch for them this year to be running the bases hard, from 1-9.

By adding the talent the have, and the depth that they have pitching wise, I think that the Red Sox are too much for the Rays and Yankees.

Though the Yankees made more of splash, they still don’t have the bullpen depth the Red Sox do, and the Rays aren’t consistent enough with the bats like the Red Sox are. Boston has the balance that the Rays and Yankees don’t have.

John Smoltz mentoring Boston Red Sox's young pitchers

John Smoltz is mentoring the Red Sox's young pitchers, including Justin Masterson and Waubonsie Valley's Michael Bowden. He has been especially helpful in trying to help Masterson improve his mind-set as a swingman whose role could change at any time. … The Indians weren't crazy about Shin-Soo Choo's insistence on playing for Korea in the World Baseball Classic. He has been having pain in his left elbow, which required surgery in 2007, and is limited to DH duties. The Indians have him penciled in as their regular right fielder, prompting GM Mark Shapiro to call it "an uncomfortable situation." … Tampa Bay closer Troy Percival appears on track in his recovery from back surgery. … San Francisco's release of Dave Roberts cleared a spot for Eugenio Velez, a hitter without a position. He will move between the outfield and maybe second base, where the Giants are looking at a platoon between Kevin Frandsen and slick-fielding Emmanuel Burriss. … Anybody else watch 21-year-old lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu in Korea's World Baseball Classic opener? He has a big-league future, and 22-year-old teammate Suk Min Yoon might be even better. …

Oakland's signing of Type-A free agent Orlando Cabrera means the White Sox are now on track to draft 23rd, 38th, 61st and 71st in the June draft. The biggest surplus belongs to the Angels, who have five of the first 47 picks after losing Mark Teixeira, Francisco Rodriguez and Jon Garland. … There's less of Brett Myers this year. The Phillies starter lost 35 pounds, which he credited to his off-season diet. "Making smarter choices while you drink beer," he said. "Instead of pizza, eat salad. Play for the tie." … Braden Looper's strained oblique probably will land him on the disabled list to open the season — not what the Brewers were hoping for when they signed him to stabilize a rotation that lost CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets. … With Jayson Werth going 20-for-21 in steal attempts and Jimmy Rollins 47-for-50, the Phillies became the first team in the modern era to have two players with a 90-plus percent success rate for at least 20 stolen-base attempts. First-base coach Davey Lopes, who teaches baserunning, hopes Shane Victorino (36-for-47 last season) can improve into that range. The bet is all of them will go down as opponents focus on stopping the base-stealers.

Boston Red Sox's 2009 Preview

By Bare Knucks

The key to Boston’s success in 2009 is their ability to stay healthy. After an offseason that saw them add onto what is already a stellar bullpen, one can only expect to see the Sox playing baseball in October again.

The Red Sox brought in Ramon Ramirez, Rocco Baldelli, Takashi Saito, Wes Littleton, and Junichi Tazawa to add to what is one of the best rosters in all of baseball. Baldelli should help fill the void left with the departure of Coco Crisp, and Ramirez and Saito will add to what is arguably the best bullpen in the league.

The one "problem" the Red Sox have is too much pitching, which is never a bad thing. A stacked rotation will allow them to bring Tazawa along at a comfortable pace, as well as let young pitching prospects Michael Bowden and Clay Buchholz gain some seasoning in the minors.

As long as J.D. Drew and David Ortiz are able to contribute at the level that they have the ability to, the Red Sox should be able to win upwards of 95-100 games.

Boston Red Sox' Tim Wakefield to speak at YMCA breakfast in Springfield April 8

By GARRY BROWN

After getting longtime Boston Red Sox star Dwight Evans to keynote its fundraising campaign in 2008, what could the YMCA of Greater Springfield possibly do for an encore?

Tim Wakefield.

The Red Sox' knuckleball specialist will serve as guest speaker April 8, when the YMCA launches its 2009 campaign with an 8 a.m. breakfast at Western New England College's Healthful Living Center.

Wakefield, 42, is getting ready for his 15th season as a Red Sox pitcher. He has won 164 games with the Red Sox, third in club history behind Cy Young and Roger Clemens, who have 192 apiece.

The Red Sox will be playing at home that night, but Wakefield can make it because his first start of 2009 won't come up until the following weekend.

The YMCA breakfast, which starts a $250,000 fund drive, will be presented by the Springfield law firm of Pellegrini, Seeley, Ryan and Blakesley. The drive's co-chairmen are Peter Straley, president and CEO of Health New England, and Jeffrey Sattler, president of NUVO Bank.

Wakefield is well known for his work with the Jimmy Fund and St. Elizabeth's Children's Hospital of Brighton. In 2008, he was Boston's nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, which honors major league players for community service.

Funds from the YMCA's campaign provide financial assistance to youth and teen programs, and families in need of day care. They also help health and wellness programs for children and adults.

Information regarding tickets for the YMCA breakfast can be had by calling 739-6951, or visiting springfieldy.org

THAT FOX FAMILY: Two generations ago, Art Fox had an exemplary three-sport coaching career in the Berkshires, first at Adams High School, then at Pittsfield High.

Now, his granddaughter - Stephanie Fox of West Springfield - is doing very well as a basketball player for Simmons College in Boston.

Stephanie, a junior, was selected to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference first team after she averaged 16 points and an astounding 22.1 rebounds for Simmons (17-8), which lost in the first round of the conference playoffs.

NO TIME FOR STU: Bill Thurston, soon to launch his 44th and final season as baseball coach at Amherst College, is nationally recognized as an expert on pitching mechanics and the prevention of arm injuries.

"One thing I have found in recent years is that baseball people have fallen in love with the radar gun," Thurston said. "If a kid isn't throwing in the 90-plus mph range, they're not interested."

What about Northampton native Stu Miller, who used guile and offspeed stuff to make the big leagues?

"Stu? The way it is today, he wouldn't even get signed," Thurston said.

Miller did get signed out of a tryout camp, and pitched in the majors from 1952 to 1968.

Boston Red Sox: Your Kung Fu Is Weak, But Youk Fu Is Mighty

I will admit, when I saw the Red Sox photo day shots a couple of days ago, I was shocked and somewhat appalled to see that The Beard that Should Not Be had been paired down to a simple set of Hivlar-esque biker bars.

I decided to hold off on any judgement until I had seen this new look in action, and last night's game was the perfect opportunity. Needless to say, I loved what I saw.


Youk & Shaq: Separated at birth?

Kevin Youkilis has become the shorter, lighter, whiter version of Shaq. For anyone who saw his conversation with Donny-O (related to Barry -O?) after he was taken out of the Sox' first televised Spring Training game last night, it is undeniable.



The bald head, the Fu Manchu (or biker bars) mustache, and the massive size of his head tipped it off to the point where a slightly intoxicated SMC couldn't stop staring at it. The final straw came when he called his facial hair a "Youk Fu." Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Youkuille O'Neal.

The night did get off on a somber note as a solo Don Orsillo (wearing a NESN polo, not the gaudy Hawaiian shirt we were hoping for) told the millions watching that Remy is out with an "infection." While he was missed, Joe McDonald, Mike Dee, and Sean McAdam filled in nicely. It still won't be spring until we get to hear Remy make some kind of bad joke in an attempt to poke fun at his broadcast partner.


The other revealing part of the evening's festivities (yes, it was a party. We had an indoor BBQ as a celebration of spring, with hot dogs, baked beans, pickles and beer) was the interview of Tito. Showing of his new specs, the manager told Orsillo how great it had been this spring, and took some veiled shots at the old left fielder in the process.

"It's been a professional camp. Guys do whatever you ask," he said.


Coupled with the fact that he looks about ten years younger than he did at this point last year, it's pretty plain to see that the manager is in a good place with one of the large stresses of his job currently unemployed in California. This is why we love Tito.

As for the game, and the earlier one vs BC, there's not too much to report. It was Feb. 25, but Beckett, Buchholz, Masterson, Ramirez, and Delcarmen all looked great, Lopez was an adventure, and Junichi was entertaining. Wake got knocked around a bit but Bard caught the ball. The bats are getting used to facing live pitching and the Sox are down 1-0 in the Mayor's Cup.

But it was Feb. 25, and none of this actually matters.

Really? I can do better?
Really? I can do better?

On The Shortstop Watch: The other day on Dennis and Callahan, Lugo said something that gives me hope for the upcoming season and even, possibly, for Lugo redeeming himself, and Theo for signing him. He said that he feels like he owes the team something, and that he owes the city something because he is a better baseball player than he has been.

Since he is likely to be the starting shortstop come opening day (due as much to the fact that Little Jeddy is a more versatile player who can back up all four infield positions, while Julio can only effectively play short, as anything else) it is nice to know that he doesn't just want to cash a paycheck, but wants to prove that he was brought in for a reason. I like him a little bit more now.

Sox play the Pirates at 1 p.m. today, with Lester, Saito, and Okajima taking the mound. WBC guys will be leaving to join their national teams on Sunday, so enjoy Youkuille, Dusty Pete, Lopez, and Ortiz while you can.

New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox say they're still chasing the Tampa Bay Rays as the team to beat in AL East

TAMPA — With all of the money the Yankees spent and the veterans the Red Sox added to dethrone the Rays and return the division race to its rightful order, there has been some question over which team is the beast of the AL East.

But not Thursday morning along the far wall of the Yankees clubhouse, where Derek Jeter reminds that he had been predicting for years the Rays were going to be good, and now the whole league has had to deal with it.

"You hear people say, 'Who is the team to beat?' They're the AL champs, so they are the team to beat until somebody beats them. That's what you have to say," the shortstop said. "I think everyone pays so much attention to what a team does in the offseason, and I understand that. But the bottom line is we're trying to do what they already did."

Pitching coach Dave Eiland knows as well as anyone in pinstripes how far the Rays came, having spent his last three seasons as an active pitcher, 1998-2000, in Rays colors.

"We're chasing them and Boston, so we've got two teams we've got to jump over," he said. "We feel good where we're at, who we added and what we've got here. But we're still the chaser, not the chasee."

As the Rays get their first looks of the spring at the competition, losing 5-1 to the Yankees on Thursday and hosting the Red Sox this afternoon, manager Joe Maddon maintains the mantra that he's more concerned about his team and not what the others did; that the big-ticket additions are "a way of life in this division."

He did allow Thursday that with the signings of CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, "the Yankees obviously made their pitching staff a whole lot better," but quickly added, "We've countered a bit by being able to hit lefties a little bit better with Pat (Burrell) and Gabe (Kapler)."

And the Red Sox "juggled it around just a little bit. I think they are going to be as good as last year, which puts them right there."

He also says the Orioles have improved and the Jays are still tough, further demonstrating how competitive the division is. And, as a result, how the little things Maddon so covets will be even bigger.

"I know everybody's better," he said. "I think we're better also. I know we're better. It comes down to execution, playing the game right. I believe there's going to be a lot of close games this year decided by either a baserunning play or a defensive play.

"For me, let's catch it even better than we did last year. Let's pitch it better than we did last year. I believe we're going to be better offensively. I'm just preaching execution. I'm preaching the process, and I want us to believe that's how we're going to continue to be good."

Still, the reality is it's going to be harder for the Rays as they have the usual 18 games against both beasts of the East.

"The Yankees made some upgrades, so they're definitely going to be tougher to beat," Rays veteran Carl Crawford said. "Throughout our division, it's going to be a battle all year. … We've got a good team, so there's always a shot. But it's just going to be a little tougher now."

Since the 1994 realignment to six divisions, there have been only three instances (among 90) when three teams in a division had 90 or more wins.

The Yankees and Red Sox both say 2008 could be just the start of things for the Rays.

"They're going to continue to get better as they mature," Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia said. "Obviously, they got to the World Series, being that young with their staff. They're just going to continue to get better and better. The division is definitely getting tougher and tougher every year."

"You could tell they had a lot of great young talent," Jeter said, "and it was just a matter of them getting experience. And they've got that now. I think they're going to be good for a long time."

By Marc Topkin