Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

Paul Pierce has released a statement through the Celtics about the "menacing gesture" he made towards the Atlanta Hawks bench in Game 3. He received a $25,000 fine from the NBA. Some have also likened his gesture to a gang symbol.

Pierce's Statement:

"I don't want to take focus away from the playoffs. In sports, emotions run high. After playing for 10 years in Boston, I think Celtics fans know that I am a passionate player.

I 100 percent do not in any way promote gang violence or anything close to it. I am sorry if it was misinterpreted that way at Saturday's game.

In fact, through my Truth Foundation I am committed to giving back to youth groups and making sure young people have opportunities to succeed in life. I am extremely proud of the work I have done through the foundation to provide positive influences and safe havens for inner city kids."

Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff

I was getting ready to post something about the Celtics-Hawks series. More specifically, I was going to morph back into my anti-Doc Rivers personality from last year.

However, in a comment to a previous post (non-Celtics related), a regular contributor brought up the subject, so I figured I’d put it out there and let you folks throw it back and forth, kind of like Doc throwing his rotation back and forth. (Damn, I almost made it through the post without criticizing the C’s coach!)

Here’s what T2 asked:

“Anyone care to talk about how Doc Rivers' coaching might cost the Celts an early exit from the playoffs? The guy just loses all perspective in the playoffs! Deer in headlights! Celts are not going to get out of the EAST with Doc at the helm during the playoffs!”

Well said, T2. Well said!

Here's an even scarier thought: if Rivers can't figure out a way to stop Joe Johnson, imagine what LeBron and Kobe are going to do!

Third baseman Mike Lowell, the Red Sox’ MVP in 2007, returns to the starting lineup tonight after being activated from the 15-day disabled list, where he had been with a sprained left thumb. The Red Sox designated reliever Bryan Corey for assignment to make room for Lowell on the active roster.
Although Lowell is back in the lineup tonight, the Red Sox still aren't putting what could be termed their best everyday lineup on the field because Coco Crisp is starting in center field instead of rookie Jacoby Ellsbury. The Red Sox have not played their arguably best nine players since April 9, the day Lowell sprained his thumb. That was 18 games ago.
Tonight’s starting lineup against the Blue Jays: Crisp, cf; Pedroia, 2b; Ortiz, dh; Ramirez, lf; Youkilis, 1b; Lowell, 3b; Drew, rf; Varitek, c; Lugo, ss; Lester, p.
The Blue Jays lineup: Rios, rf; Eckstein, ss; Rolen, 3b; Wells, cf; Hill, 2b; Overbay, 1b; Stewart, dh; Lind, lf; Zaun, c; Halladay, p.
The Red Sox did not collect an extra-base hit in either of their last two losses in Tampa Bay. The last time the Sox went consecutive games without an extra-base hit was June 18-19, 2003, in Chicago against the White Sox.
Manny Ramirez leads the AL in batting (.347), total bases (63), extra-base hits (16), and slugging percentage (.643). Ramirez’ 54 homers and 140 RBI are the most all-time by an opposing player against the Blue Jays.
Roy Halladay, the Blue Jays’ ace who is starting tonight, is only 10-10 with a 4.81 during his career against the Red Sox. Jon Lester is facing the Blue Jays for the first time in his career.
The Jays have beaten the Red Sox seven straight times dating back to last September, including a three-game sweep in Toronto earlier this month.

Red Sox right fielder J.D. Drew left tonight’s game in the fourth inning, complaining of tightness in his left quadricep while running out a groundball in the second inning. Brandon Moss replaced Drew in the lineup.

Third baseman Mike Lowell, the Red Sox’ MVP in 2007, returns to the starting lineup tonight after being activated from the 15-day disabled list, where he had been with a sprained left thumb. The Red Sox designated reliever Bryan Corey for assignment to make room for Lowell on the active roster.
Although Lowell is back in the lineup tonight, the Red Sox still aren't putting what could be termed their best everyday lineup on the field because Coco Crisp is starting in center field instead of rookie Jacoby Ellsbury. The Red Sox have not played their arguably best nine players since April 9, the day Lowell sprained his thumb. That was 18 games ago.
Tonight’s starting lineup against the Blue Jays: Crisp, cf; Pedroia, 2b; Ortiz, dh; Ramirez, lf; Youkilis, 1b; Lowell, 3b; Drew, rf; Varitek, c; Lugo, ss; Lester, p.
The Blue Jays lineup: Rios, rf; Eckstein, ss; Rolen, 3b; Wells, cf; Hill, 2b; Overbay, 1b; Stewart, dh; Lind, lf; Zaun, c; Halladay, p.
The Red Sox did not collect an extra-base hit in either of their last two losses in Tampa Bay. The last time the Sox went consecutive games without an extra-base hit was June 18-19, 2003, in Chicago against the White Sox.
Manny Ramirez leads the AL in batting (.347), total bases (63), extra-base hits (16), and slugging percentage (.643). Ramirez’ 54 homers and 140 RBI are the most all-time by an opposing player against the Blue Jays.
Roy Halladay, the Blue Jays’ ace who is starting tonight, is only 10-10 with a 4.81 during his career against the Red Sox. Jon Lester is facing the Blue Jays for the first time in his career.
The Jays have beaten the Red Sox seven straight times dating back to last September, including a three-game sweep in Toronto earlier this month.

Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff

Apparently, Ricky Gervais isn’t the only one running around Massachusetts telling lies. However, unlike the British actor/director, Patriots coach Bill Belichick isn’t trying to score beautiful movie starlets. He’s trying to keep gridiron stars from scoring on him.

In case you missed it, when asked if the Pats specifically targeted defense in the 2008 NFL draft, here’s the whopper New England’s football fabricator told the media masses:

“No, we went into it open minded. We really did. We certainly wanted to get younger and faster on defense, but I have been saying that for the six years. This has been really since the 2001 season. We just had some opportunities here the way things fell that there were players that fell into that category. Whether it be linebackers or defensive backs.”

Sure coach. The check’s in the mail, too, right?

Belichick asking us to believe he drafted defense strictly by chance is like a film director telling us the movie ending wasn’t known until it evolved naturally from the actors’ dialogue. We’re supposed to believe the man who leaves nothing to chance on the gridiron went into this past weekend without an ending in mind? Puh-lease. The Patriots draft plan was more scripted than a presidential candidate during a televised debate.

In desperate need of youth and speed at linebacker and cornerback, the Pats traded down and took Linebacker Jerod Mayo in the first round and Cornerback Terrence Wheatley in the second. New England’s final draft tally reads 3-LB’s and 2-CB’s out of seven selections. As if that isn’t enough proof, they actually traded UP in the third round to nab Michigan linebacker Shawn Crable.

Nah, no conscious effort to draft defense at all. Purely coincidental that every one of them was the best available player on the board at the time.

Hey, I may have been born at night, but it wasn’t last night. I’ve seen Belichick and Scott Pioli grab the best available player in the past, even when that player happens to play a position there doesn’t appear to be a need at. Anybody remember April of 2004? That’s when New England’s two first round picks were used on defensive lineman Vince Wilfork and tight end Ben Watson, despite defensive lineman Ty Warren being the first round selection in 2003 and tight end Daniel Graham in 2002.

Sorry coach, what you did this year wasn’t coincidence. It was strategy. Good strategy (at least I think so), but strategy nonetheless.

Which brings up my second point: I hope Belichick was more truthful with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell when asked to come clean about his videotaping exploits. Because if Matt Walsh produces any film whatsoever of the St. Louis Rams in New Orleans circa February 2002, there might be a new guy coaching those new draft choices.

Mind you, I ‘m not sure such a tape exists. Perhaps its wishful thinking or naiveté, but if Walsh had taped the Rams pre-Super Bowl walkthrough, my hunch is we’d have seen a clip by now.

What I do know for sure is that if such a tape exists and the Patriots claim their former video assistant did the filming without authorization from above (which is what they appear to be setting up with this whole Walsh secretly taped conversations with Pioli thing), there isn’t a person outside New England who’s going to believe them.

Not even Jennifer Garner or any other residents in the mythical movie town where nobody lies.

What are your thoughts on the Patriots draft or what will come of Matt Walsh’s meeting with the commissioner?

Posted by David Pevear, Sun Staff

Posted by David Pevear, Sun Staff

The Patriots in the fifth round (153rd overall) drafted UCLA wide receiver/defensive back Matthew Slater, the son of Hall of Famer Jackie Slater, who was a Ram offensive lineman from 1976-1995. At the time of his retirement, Jackie Slater had played in the most games (259) of any offensive lineman in NFL history.
The Patriots traded with Tampa Bay to move up seven spots and select Slater, a burner who as a backup safety at UCLA this past season made his greatest impact as a kick returner. He returned three kicks for touchdowns.
"The thing that sticks out most in me is the way he worked," Slater said about his father. "It wasn’t necessarily the games; the games were great and you get to see that and everybody sees that on Sunday. But I saw the things about my dad that people didn’t see: the blood, sweat and tears that he put into this game and how he prepared and the respect that he gave to the game of football. I think that’s something he has passed on to me."
Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Slater's strength is returning kicks. "We'll see how that develops," said Belichick. "But he does have some flexibility. He played on both sides of the ball, so we'll see how that goes. We list him as a receiver. But that may or may not end up being the way it is."

Posted by David Pevear, Sun Staff

The Patriots in the fourth round (129th pick overall) selected Auburn cornerback Jonathan Wilhite, an injury-prone 5-foot-9, 185-pounder who intercepted only three passes in three seasons at Auburn.
The Patriots to this point have drafted two linebackers, two cornerbacks and a quarterback.
The Patriots’ picks:
1st round: LB Jerod Mayo, Tennessee
2nd: CB Terrence Wheatley, Colorado
3rd: LB Shawn Crable, Michigan
3rd: QB Kevin O’Connell, San Diego State
4th: CB Jonathan Wilhite, Auburn
The Patriots are scheduled to make three more selections: fifth round pick acquired in a trade today with the Chargers (160th overall), sixth round (197th) and seventh round (238th).

Posted by David Pevear, Sun Staff

The Patriots in the third round of the NFL Draft today selected Michigan linebacker Shawn Crable (78th overall) and San Diego State quarterback Kevin O'Connell (94th).
The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Crable has an exceptionally long reach and is projected as a 3-4 rush linebacker. He is the second linebacker added to New England's aging LB group this weekend, joining first-round pick Jerod Mayo of Tennessee, who is projected more as an inside backer.
Crable lived in the foster-care system from age 5 until the Ohio native headed to the University of Michigan.
About his foster mom Ella Kirkland, who took in Crable when he was 11, the linebacker said, "She is an angel. She got me on track. I was a little rough around the edges before I got with her. She took the time, nurtured me and got me on the track to where I thought I could do something in college."
The drafting in the third round of the 6-foot-5, 225-pound O'Connell, who passed for 3,063 yards last fall and also led his team in rushing (426 yards, 11 TDs), does not bode well for Matt Cassel.
The Patriots earlier traded their first pick in the third round (69th overall) to the Chargers in exchange for a second-round pick next year and a fifth-round pick today.

Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff

…the New England Patriots select…..A TRADE DOWN!

Pats send that pick to New Orleans. The Saints will take the highest rated player left, Defensive Lineman Sedrick Ellis.

I like the move. They only drop down 3 spots to #10 (for now), get an extra selection in the 3rd round (also gave up a 5th in the deal). They don't need another DL. They can still draft a linebacker that they need or defensive back without paying as much as they'd have to at #7. My prediction of Derrick Harvey is still alive.

Never mind...Jaguars trade up to #8 and grab Harvey. Shows how much I know!

Finally, with the 10th pick in the 2008 NFL draft, the New England Patriots select...Linebacker Jerod Mayo from Tennessee

Love the pick. If this Junior is all he's hyped up to be, one of the team's weaknesses looks a lot better. Mayo makes the linebacking corps deeper and younger. He's supposed to be intelligent and versatile, exactly the kind of guy Belichick and Pioli value. Plus, there's an extra third round draft pick to look forward to. Not that it is ever wise to question BB on draft day (he has a great track record), but you have to love what he's done already.

Other random draft thoughts:

The Bengals turned down two #1’s for Chad Johnson, one year after Randy Moss (a far better receiver) only returned a 4th round pick. Now you understand why some teams stink forever!

How comical is it to see Jets fans so excited about Vernon Gholston. Me? I'm always leery of these workout wonders. Give me a guy who can flat out play, any day of the week and twice on football Sundays.

Atlanta made a very wise choice. Matt Ryan is going to be a better QB than Matt Hasselback, which will make him a darned good NFL signal caller.

Kevin Youkilis, who extended his major-league record of consecutive errorless games at first base to 201 today, received his Rawlings Gold Glove before the game as the AL’s best defensive first baseman in 2007. David Ortiz also received his AL Silver Slugger Award as the league’s top designated hitter, the fourth straight year he has won the award.
Dustin Pedroia extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a third-inning single today ... Red Sox hitters have hit just one homer off a lefthanded pitcher this season, and that was by Ortiz ... Jed Lowrie, another former Spinner, has hit safely in all six games he has batted since being called up to the Red Sox.
Red Sox manager Terry Francona said that Josh Beckett looked comfortable when he threw on the side today. He expects Daisuke Matsuzaka to make his next scheduled start on Tuesday but is leaving him behind when the Red Sox play a weekend series in Tampa Bay. Matsuzaka is recovering from the flu.
Francona is worried about the virus knocking out even more players, and he didn’t want Matsuzaka in crowded quarters on an airplane with the healthy members of the team.
“Some of these guys, we’re trying to put them somewhere in the back of the plane (so they don’t infect the others),” Francona quipped.
Matsuzaka will remain in Boston and do his scheduled between-starts throwing at Fenway.

Justin Masterson, who went 3-1 with an 0.85 ERA in 14 games for the Lowell Spinners in 2006 and was picked as a reliever on Baseball America’s Short-Season All-Star Team, made his major-league debut for the Red Sox today, less than 20 months after throwing his last pitch in a Lowell uniform. Masterson, the Red Sox’ second-round pick in the 2006 draft, was placed on the fast track and has made a meteoric rise through the system.
Called up from Class AA Portland, where he was 1-0 with an 0.95 ERA in four starts for the Sea Dogs, Masterson pitched six innings against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, allowing just two hits and one run to a team that is second in the league in hitting and third in runs. He walked four and struck out four and got 15 of his 18 outs on groundballs or strikeouts. The only run he allowed came on a 1-2 pitch to Mike Napoli in the fifth that was slammed into the center-field bleachers.
“I’m impressed and proud,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. “He handled himself just like I hoped, and that’s what I wanted to see from a kid coming out of Double-A. He competed, he had composure, he knew what he wanted to to, and he did it.
“He knows his strengths. He’s going to be a pretty good pitcher.”
Masterson, summoned because the Red Sox rotation has been in disarray for three days because of injuries and illness, was sent back to Portland after the game. Reliever Bryan Corey was brought up from Pawtucket.
Masterson thought Portland pitching coach Mike Cather was kidding when he was told he was going to the big leagues.
“He said: ‘Are you ready for your start tomorrow?’ I said yeah, but wondered why he was asking me that. Then he told me I was going up,” Masterson said. “I thought maybe I was going up to Pawtucket. When he told me Boston, I didn’t think he was serious.
“After about 10 minutes, I asked him: ‘Am I really going?’ And he said yeah.”
Masterson said that having already pitched at Fenway when the Spinners played the Oneonta Tigers in the Futures at Fenway game in 2006 helped his confidence. But he said he wasn’t nervous at first.
“I got through the first inning, and then I realized I had to go out and to it again,” he laughed. “That’s when the nervousness set in.”
His parents flew in from Ohio to see him pitch today. Some close friends also flew in, and his wife, Meryl, was also in attendance.
He knew he was going back to Portland after the game.
“When the time comes again that I’m needed,” he said, “I think I showed I’m ready to go.”
Masterson became the 34th player developed by the Spinners to appear in the major leagues. He is the first member of the Red Sox’ Draft Class of 2006 to make it to the majors.

Former Lowell Spinners pitcher Justin Masterson has been called up from Class AA Portland to start tomorrow afternoon’s game against the Angels. Masterson, who pitched for the Spinners in 2006, will be the first member of the Red Sox’ 2006 draft class to appear in the majors. Masterson is 1-0 with an 0.95 ERA in four starts for the Sea Dogs this season. The righthander has allowed only 14 hits and 5 walks in 19 innings while fanning 23 batters. He will be the 34th player developed by the Spinners to play in the majors.
Craig Hansen was optioned back to Pawtucket after absorbing the loss in tonight’s 6-4 setback to the Angels.
David Ortiz passed Rico Petrocelli on the all-time Red Sox home run list with his 211th tonight, giving him sole possession of ninth place. Next on the list is Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx with 222 ... All three of Ortiz’s homers this season have come in clutch situations, either tying the score or putting the Red Sox ahead .. The lefthanded-swinging Ortiz, incidentally, has the only Sox homer off a lefthanded pitcher this season ... The two homers by Gary Matthews gave him 100 for his career ... Dustin Pedroia ran his hitting streak to 12 games with an infield single in the fifth ... Red Sox pitchers ended Chone Figgins’ hitting streak at 13 games as he went 0-for-5 ... Hansen, who hadn’t given up an earned run at Pawtucket this season, was burned for a homer by Casey Kotchman, the third batter he faced tonight.

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

Hawks head coach Mike Woodson didn't realize his point guard had so much to say, but he's not going to let it bother him too much, even if his comments wer ill-advised.

“That’s what your teammates are supposed to do when you put yourself out there like that,” Woodson said of Bibby’s comments forcing the rest of the Hawks to step up. “I think our guys, hopefully, will come out ready to play. We can’t start the game like we did the other night.”

That being said, the Hawks probably won’t be endorsing the idea that Bibby make daily proclamations similar to the ones he made this week.

Woodson said he hadn’t known about the comments until he heard them on the news after waking up from a nap.

“I don’t think you add fuel to the fire, but hey, I didn’t get to him and he made his comments. We’re just going to have to go out there and play. You still got to win a game if you want to get out of this series,” Woodson said.

Woodson recalled a similar situation during his days as an assistant with the Detroit Pistons. Rasheed Wallace predicted victory in the next game right after a loss in the Eastern Conference championships. The Pistons did win that next game.

The flu is doing what 13 clubs in the American League cannot do these days: beat the Red Sox.
Daisuke Matsuzaka became the second straight Red Sox pitcher to miss a start when he was scratched 90 minutes before gametime tonight when he came down with the flu bug that has already rendered Jason Varitek incapable of playing for four days and had Josh Beckett under the weather between scheduled starts. Beckett recovered from the flu in time to have made last night’s start but was then scratched because of a stiff neck that may have been related to the illness.
Jon Lester started against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim tonight on three days’ rest.
David Pauley, who was summoned from Pawtucket to replace Beckett last night, was returned to the Class AAA club today. The Red Sox did call up reliever Craig Hansen, who has struggled since being the club’s second pick in the first round in 2005 but has been lights out for the PawSox this season.
Hansen, who discovered he suffered from sleep apnea during the off-season and is being treated for it, had given up just one unearned run in 12 1/3 innings over eight relief appearances at Pawtucket. He allowed just three hits and four walks while fanning 13 batters.
When tonight’s crowd is announced, the Red Sox are expected to have played to their 400th consecutive sellout at Fenway Park dating back to May 15, 2003. The streak is the second-longest in major-league history behind Cleveland’s sellout streak of 455 games a decade ago.
The Red Sox are 18-8 against the Angels at Fenway Park since the start of the 2003 season ... Dustin Pedroia went into the game as the AL’s leading hitter with a .364 average ... Manny Ramirez is tied for the AL lead in homers (6) and RBI (20) ... Jacoby Ellsbury leads the AL in runs with 19 ... Ellsbury’s perfect 17-for-17 in steals is the best at the start of a career since Tim Raines was successful on his first 27 attempts in 1980-81.

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

The war of words shifts into gear for Game 2. Atlanta Hawks guard Mike Bibby’s comments about Boston fans, and the Boston Celtics’ reaction have ignited a somewhat entertaining back forth.

Bibby characterized Celtics fans as “bangwagon jumpers” earlier in the week, and Celtics forward Kendrick Perkins reacted in today’s edition of the Boston Globe, saying, “"If you had a 2-for-10 night shooting, you'll say something like that, too. You're bound to say anything.

“We have the best fans in the world. We don't expect players from other teams to like our fans. That's not what they're supposed to do, anyway."

Prior to taking the court for warm-ups tonight, Bibby answered Perkins by saying he doesn’t know where Perkins’ tough streak all of a sudden came from. The Hawks point guard also stated that Perkins’ stat line was probably as bad as his own from Game 1.

When told of those comments, Perkins said he didn’t have a comment.

“Man, I’m still going to go to sleep tonight,” Perkins said, attempting to put an end to the banter.

Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff

Time to put up or shut up for former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh.

The NFL has announced that Walsh will meet with Commissioner Roger Goodell on May 13th and will hand over all materials pertaining to, and belonging to, the New England Patriots. For their part, the Pats have guaranteed that Walsh will not be sued. Senator Arlen “I don’t have anything more important to do” Specter will also meet with Walsh at some point after the Commissioner chats with him. The Patriots released the following statement today:

The New England Patriots are pleased to learn that Matt Walsh is finally willing to come forward to meet with the NFL. We are eagerly anticipating his honest disclosures to Commissioner Goodell next month and the return of all the materials he took during his time of employment. We fully expect this meeting to conclude the league’s investigation into a damaging and false allegation that was originally levied against the team on the day before this year’s Super Bowl. It is important to note that there has never been a confidentiality agreement restricting Matt Walsh and no legal protections were ever necessary for him to speak to the NFL, to media outlets or to anyone else regarding his employment with the Patriots. He demanded to be released from responsibility for his statements, and after a frustrating and lengthy negotiation period, a settlement has finally been reached. Walsh has been granted a significant number of privileges through this agreement, none of which the Patriots or the NFL were obligated to give. At all times, we cooperated fully with the league’s investigation and stand by our initial public statement from Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008: “The suggestion that the New England Patriots recorded the St. Louis Rams’ walkthrough on the day before Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002 is absolutely false.” The Patriots’ organizational focus at this time is on the NFL Draft and preparing for what we hope will be an exciting 2008 season. We will have no further comments regarding Matt Walsh at this time.

So sit tight…in a couple of weeks, we should finally know whether there is one more hammer waiting to drop on Bill Belichick. Either that or we can finally move on from this garbage and get back to the business for talking about football games.

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

UMass Lowell announced the full roster of committee members charged with finding a new men's basketball coach.

The candidates to fill Ken Barer's shoes figures to be long and varied. UMass Lowell Director of Athletics Dana Skinner said yesterday that he would co-chair an exploratory committee along with UML Hall of Famer and former point guard Bobby Licare.

The rest of the group members was named today. Another former basketball player, Matt McCafferty (class of 1979), will also be part of the 10-person panel. Click here to view the press release.

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

Boston Celtics fans are simply “bandwagon jumpers” according to Atlanta Hawks guard Mike Bibby.

"They were kind of loud at the beginning,” Bibby told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "But a lot of these fans are bandwagon jumpers trying to get on this now. I played here last year, too. And I didn't see three fourths of them. They're for the team now and they might get a little rowdy but that's about it."

The Bibby fan bandwagon wasn’t likely to be taking too many newcomers following Sunday night’s performance. The Hawks point guard, who is also the brother-in-law of Eddie House, went 2-for-10 from the field in Game 1, and he recorded more turnovers (two) than assists (one).

He wasn’t the only Hawks started who a sub-par showing in the opening game of the playoffs. Joe Johnson needed 22 shots (7-of-22) and six free throwns (2-of-6) to score his 19 points.

Marvin Williams and Josh Smith combined to go 5-of-17 from the field.

Horford is Hungry

Al Horford came off the board third overall in last year‘s NBA Draft, but he was the first of the University of Florida foursome that won back-to-back national championships.

His 20 points and 10 rebounds in game one against the Celtics were certainly no fluke.

The 6-foot-10 245-pound Atlanta Hawks center started 77 games as a rookie. He also averaged 10.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game while shooting 49.9 percent from the field.

Horford came into Game 1 averaging 15.7 points and 9.7 rebounds against the Celtics this season.

Horford, the son of former NBA player Tito Horford, may not have been the media attention darling that Joakim Noah was in college, but his play and energy has earned the admiration of Celtics head coach Doc Rivers.

“He’s just, he’s a tough kid,” said Rivers prior to the start of the series. “He brings talent number one. Then you match the talent with (the fact) he gives max effort on every possession. We were charting how many times he didn’t run down the floor. It was zero. That’s impressive. That really is for bigs. I always tell our bigs if we get the defensive rebound and you sprint the floor every single time, you’ll get six points a game because three times the other big is not going to do it. Well, Horford doesn’t fall into that category. He does it every single time.”

Never too much information

A couple hours a day, that’s how much time Rajon Rondo said he spent going over the pages and replaying videos provided by the coaching staff in preparation for the Atlanta Hawks.

While Rondo may be a diligent studier, Rivers isn’t going to lose sleep over his players study habits.

“We give it them and if they open it, they’ll probably find $100 dollars on one of those pages,” Rivers joked. “We watch film, we go over the books. Some guys do, some guys don’t. We just want to be ready to play at the end of the day. Sometimes half that stuff will screw them up anyway. We’d rather they just focus on playing basketball. We give it to them because some guys do like reading it.”

Rivers added that you can never have too much information, saying that having scouting reports and tendencies should set the players free.

Rondo was set free to the tune 15 points, nine assists, six rebounds, and no turnovers.

Posted by David Pevear, Sun Staff

Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell took batting practice today for the first time since being sidelined April 10 with a sprained left thumb. Lowell felt great and looked great, according to Red Sox manager Terry Francona.
Lowell is eligible to come off the disabled list on Friday. He will likely rehab for two games in the minors. The Red Sox are 10-2 without Lowell in the lineup.
"I was waiting for him to kind of nurse the bat through the (hitting) zone," said Francona after watching Lowell take BP. "(But) he looked great."

-- Lineups for Red Sox-Angels game tonight:
Red Sox (14-7)
1. Ellsbury cf
2. Pedroia 2b
3. Ortiz dh
4. Ramirez lf
5. Youkilis 3b
6. Drew rf
7. Casey 1b
8.Cash c
9. Lugo ss
SP: David Pauley (0-0, 0.00)

-- Josh Beckett was scratched from this start with a stiff neck. Catcher Jason Varitek and reliever Manny Delcarmen are suffering from the flu and unavailable. The Red Sox just re-signed reliever Bryan Corey to a Pawtucket contract.

Angels (12-8)
1. Figgins 3b
2. Matthews dh
3. Guerrero rf
4. Anderson lf
5. Hunter cf
6. Kotchman 1b
7. Izturis 2b
8. Mathis c
9. Aybar ss
SP: Jered Weaver (1-3, 3.60)

Posted by David Pevear, Sun Staff

Red Sox ace Josh Beckett has been scratched from his start tonight against the Los Angeles Angels due to a stiff neck. David Pauley has been called up from Pawtucket to start in Beckett’s place. Utilityman Joe Thurston was designated for assignment.
Beckett in recent days has battled the flu-like virus that has ripped through the Boston clubhouse. He showed up Tuesday afternoon with a stiff neck.
"Whether it's related (to the virus), how do you know?" said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "We're not going to run him out there and have him potentially hurt his shoulder because he has a stiff neck."
Pauley is 1-1 with a 1.17 ERA at Pawtucket. His most recent start was April 15 at Indianapolis where the 24-year-old right-hander allowed 1 earned run on 4 hits over six innings.
"He was pulled out of his start the other night (in Pawtucket) in case we had a problem with an illness," said Francona. "David has pitched here before (0-2, 7.88 ERA in three starts for Boston in 2006). This move was in place just in case."
In 2006, Pauley was a fill-in at Yankee Stadium and allowed 2 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks over 6 2/3 innings of a 2-1 loss to Chien-Ming Wang.
With Jason Varitek sidelined for the third straight day by the flu, the Red Sox will play tonight without a backup catcher. Kevin Cash will start. In an emergency, Dustin Pedroia would go behind the plate.
“Pedroia says he can be the backup catcher,” said Francona, “and at this point, that’s good enough for me.”

It’s not the MVP (yet), but I’m guessing Kevin Garnett might be equally as proud of his Defensive Player of the Year Award as he would be of the Most Valuable honor.

Personally, I think KG deserves the big honor as well, and this here award shows why. Garnett came to a team with no concept of defense, and through the sheer force of his talent and will, molded them into the best defensive unit in the NBA. The stats tell the story: first in field goal percentage allowed, 3-point field goal percentage and scoring differential, while ranking second in points allowed. None of those are possible (in fact, they aren't even a pipe dream) without KG in Celtic Green) The Big Ticket also becomes the first member of the C's selected for the award, handed out annually since 1983.

So what do you think gang? Will Garnett bring home the MVP trophy, too? Does he deserve to, over Kobe, LeBron and Chris Paul? How about the other honors? Doc for Coach of the Year? Rondo for Most Improved Player? Ainge for Executive of the Year?

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

Ken Barer, the winningest men’s basketball coach in UMass Lowell history, decided today that he will leave his post to pursue other professional options,

UML Director of Athletics Dana Skinner made the announcement.

Barer complied a record of 136-75 (.645) in seven seasons since he took over for Gary Manchel following the 2000-01 season. Barer passed Manchel for first on UMass Lowell’s all-time wins list this season.

The River Hawks reached the 20-win plateau four times in the seven seasons under Barer. Barer’s squads set program records for victories (28) in the in the 2002-03 as well as 2003-04. The 2002-03 team also set records for winning percentage (.848), consecutive wins (14), fewest losses (5).

The National Association of Basketball Coaches named Barer the Northeast Regional Coach of the Year in 2002-03.

UMass Lowell swept both the Northeast-10 Conference regular season and tournament championships in back-to-back seasons in 2002-03 and 2003-04. The River Hawks also made the NCAA tournament four times under Barer, including two trips to the Elite Eight and one appearance in the Sweet Sixteen.

Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff

Watching the torrid April performance of one Manuel Aristides Ramirez, I’ve realized what a wonderful motivational tool the contract year is.

Before you go reading this as a typical Manny media rip job, be advised that #24 in your Red Sox media guide could not have a bigger supporter in the fourth estate than yours truly. I firmly believe Ramirez is the best right-handed hitter of my lifetime (Alex Rodriguez may have something to say about that someday). I also firmly believe David Ortiz owes a good chunk of his success to the man who has his back in Boston’s batting order. Remember, Manny was a Hall of Fame caliber hitter long before Big Papi became a citizen of Red Sox nation. The same can’t be said of the inverse.

I’ve even defended Ramirez when he’s taken his annual sabbatical. Think of all the great power hitters generally mentioned in the “best of this era” discussion. Other than A-Rod, most of them become 1B/DH types long before they’ve reached Ramirez’ age, which will be 36 on May 30th. There’s a reason Ken Griffey continues to break down. Had Junior shifted to first base or DH before the rigors of the outfield took their toll on his body (or had he taken the shortcuts so many others took), we might not have had to suffer the indignity of Barry Bonds as Major League Baseball’s all-time home run king. So if Manny Ramirez needs a few days here and there to recharge the batteries, I’m not going to rip him for it, and neither should you. Unless you’re prepared to ask David Ortiz to play the field while Manny DH’s a fair chunk of the year.

All that said, one can only wonder how astounding Ramirez’ career numbers might be today had he played under a one year contract these last five years. Not that he’s been terrible, mind you. He’s still a first ballot Hall of Famer. (He is Chaz, isn’t he?) But by his lofty standards, Manny has been a bit pedestrian the last few regular seasons, especially in April.

So why such a great start to 2008? Well, the only thing I see different is the approach to spring training and the offseason. We’ve always heard how tireless a worker Manny is in the batting cages from the time he arrives in Fort Myers. Problem is he never really arrives with the rest of his teammates, at least not until this year when he “not so coincidentally” has a pair of $20-million dollar contract options he’s hoping the Sox pick up.

And by all reports, Money…I mean Manny…also spent his winter training like a madman. Rather than washing and waxing luxury cars for auto shows, Ramirez spent the off months preparing to put on batting practice shows. No wonder he’d already blasted six home runs in ’08 by the same date he’d cracked his first of ’07.

So it’s with a bit of disappointment that I root on one of my favorite Red Sox players of all-time, wondering what might have been. I realize superstars playing for a contract every season of their careers is a dream world only NFL general managers get to live in. But Theo Epstein might want to pick up only the ’09 option on Manny’s contract, leaving Ramirez another January and February offseason to hone his sweet swing and work to keep his body from failing in his time of need. The proof is in the stats pudding.

The New Testament preaches that “love of money is the root of all evil.” It’s apparently also the root of all MVP seasons.

What are your thoughts on Manny Ramirez' fast start to the 2008 season? Is money or professional pride the motivating factor? Should he be given another multi-year contract or be made to play out his extensions one year at a time?

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

Doc Rivers won’t be letting the Atlanta Hawks off the hook because they are the eighth seed.

The Celtics are heavy favorites in tonight’s opening game of the best-of-seven first round Eastern Conference playoff series at the TD Banknorth Garden. Still, the Celtics head coach isn’t buying into the theory that Atlanta has nothing to lose.

“Yeah they do,” Rivers says of the Hawks. “They have the series to lose. They have the same thing to lose that we do. I love when people say they have nothing to lose. That’s a bunch of (crap). They have just as much to lose as we do. If they lose this series, they’re going to really be disappointed. If we lose this series, we’re going to be really disappointed.”

Rivers speak from experience. He coached the Orlando Magic in 2002-03 when the eighth-seeded Magic lost a seven-game series to the top seed Detroit Piston after taking a 3-1 series lead.

This year, the Celtics not only bring the NBA’s best record into the series (66-16), but they’ve also beaten the Hawks in each of the three games between the teams this season.

The Boston reserves put came through in the most recent game on April 12, in Atlanta. The Celtics won 98-88. Sam Cassell led the bench brigade with 20 points (15 fourth-quarter points), and Glen Davis had a game-high 10 rebounds. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen each played 30 minutes of less in the game.

The Hawks could have clinched a playoff berth at the time with a win.

Boston also holds the edge in playoff experience. Ten Celtics have prior playoff experience (eleven if you count the injured Scot Pollard). Atlanta guards Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson, a former Celtics draft pick, are the only active players for the Hawks who‘ve played in the postseason.

That hasn’t stopped some of the younger Hawks from expressing confidence about the series.

“We feel like it's a great matchup for us," Josh Childress told the Atlanta Journal Constitution this week. "I don't think there's any position where you can say we are severely undermanned against them. We don't feel like it's a situation where you can say it won't be a competitive series, because we've played and played well against some of the best teams in the league."

Kevin Youkilis, who moved from third base to first base in the eighth inning tonight after Sean Casey was removed for a pinch runner, recorded two putouts and has now extended his major-league record of consecutive games at first base without an error to 200. The former Lowell Spinner has handled 1,661 regular-season chances without a miscue, 39 shots of the major-league mark set by the Red Sox’ Stuffy McInnis in 1921-22.
The Red Sox have scored five or more runs now in seven straight games, their longest such streak since a 10-game run in June of 2006 ... Manny Ramirez, whose two-run homer in the eighth provided the winning margin in the Sox’ 5-3 win over the Rangers, has driven in the winning run in six of the Sox’ 12 victories this season ... The Sox have come from behind in eight of their 12 wins, four of them in the seventh inning or later.

Major League Baseball suspended Yankees reliever Troy Farnsworth today for three games for throwing a pitch behind the head of Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez after he had hit two home runs off Mike Mussina on Thursday in New York. Farnsworth is appealing the suspension.

David Ortiz’s grand slam against the Rangers on Friday night was his 210th homer in a Red Sox uniform, tying him with Rico Petrocelli for ninth on the team’s all-time list. Next on the list is Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx with 222 ... Going into tonight’s game against the Rangers, the Red Sox have banged out 10 or more hits in six straight games, their longest streak since a seven-gamer last July ... The Sox have also scored five or more runs in six straight games, their longest streak since a 10-gamer back in June of 2006. Their best streak of five-run games last year was four several times ... The Sox led the AL in runs scored heading ito last night’s game.

When the Red Sox were playing hardball with two-time All-Star and free agent Rich Gedman during the 1986-87 off-season, John Harrington, who was handling the finances for the club then, wasn’t concerned about the club’s catching situation for the upcoming season.
“We’ve got John Marzano, a first-round draft choice,” Harrington reminded the inquiring media. “We think he’s going to be a good player.”
Gedman declined arbitration in January and became a full-fledged free agent, forfeiting any chance to rejoin the Red Sox until May. But it was the time of collusion between the owners. Gedman received no worthwhile offers from other clubs and ended up being forced to re-sign with the Red Sox. His career was never the same after that, although he did receive a healthy six-figure settlement from MLB some years later after collusion had been proven.
As for Marzano, he never became the star Harrington and the Red Sox thought he would be.
Marzano was never better than a back-up catcher during his 10 seasons in the majors from 1987-98 with the Red Sox, Rangers, and Mariners, hitting .241-11-72 in 301 games.
Marzano died today in Philadelphia at the age of 45. He fell down the stairs at his home, apparently after suffering a heart attack. He had been working as an on-air personality at MLB.com.
Marzano was the Red Sox’ first-round draft pick, the 14th choice overall, in 1984 out of Temple University. He also played for the U.S. Olympic Baseball Team that summer.
The Red Sox held a moment of silence for Marzano before tonight’s game against the Rangers.

Rookie Jed Lowrie had a sterling debut at shortstop for the Red Sox tonight. He wasn’t spectacular — he didn’t need to be — but he looked smooth as the Rangers repeatedly tested him. Lowrie, who played third base in his major-league debut earlier this week, handled all nine of his chances in the field.
The former Spinner also had a good night at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a single, double, sacrifice fly, and a run scored.
The Red Sox drafted Lowrie as a second baseman out of Stanford in 2005.
“I don’t think there was anybody here who didn’t think he couldn’t play the position,” said manager Terry Francona. “He did a nice job.”

Former Lowell Spinners outfielder and erstwhile No. 1 Red Sox draft pick David Murphy (2003), now playing regularly for the Texas Rangers, received his 2007 World Series Championship ring from the Red Sox before tonight’s game. Murphy played only two games for the Red Sox last year, going 1-for-2 with a triple, before being dealt to the Rangers at the trading deadline for reliever Eric Gagne. Murphy went into tonight’s game hitting .304 with 7 doubles, which ties him for second in the league. Murphy, who is still a rookie, leads all American League rookies with 18 hits, 28 total bases, and his 7 doubles.
After 17 games a year ago, Manny Ramirez was hitting only .226 with 2 homers and 9 RBI. He went on to have his least productive season in a Red Sox uniform, finishing at .296-20-88. Going into tonight’ game, Ramirez was hitting .343 with 5 homers and 18 RBI through 17 games. He was tied for the AL lead in RBI and also leads the league in extra-base hits (13), total bases (47), and slugging percentage (.701).
Former Spinner Jed Lowrie (2005), who celebrated his 24th birthday yesterday, started at shortstop last night in place of Julio Lugo, who was rested.
Former Spinners Player of the Year Kevin Youkilis (2001), who has played a major-league-record 199 consecutive regular-season games at first base without an error, has been flawless at third base since moving there after Mike Lowell went on the disabled list. Going into tonight’s game, Youkilis has handled 30 chances (including a couple of highlight-reel plays) without an error in seven games at third.

Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff

Hold off on those tee times Bruins fans…the Black and Gold aren’t dead yet!

I’m not going to say for sure if the B’s can complete the comeback against the Canadiens, but I really like the vibe coming out of Montreal after the 5-1 Game 5 victory. I’m a huge believer in sports symmetry, where things that come around go around. And this year’s series bears a striking similarity to the #7 seeded Habs comeback from a 3-1 series deficit to beat the #2 seed Boston back in 2004. In fact, the pattern has been so similar, it's eerie, like something Rod Serling might be narrating.

Back in 2004, the B's took Game 1 by a 3-0 score (Habs won Game 1 this year 4-1, same 3 goal difference)...Game 2 was a 2-1 overtime victory (Sound familiar? It should. 3-2 in OT this year )...Game 3 was won by the Habs to get back in the series, 3-2 (again, a one goal differential just like this year's turnaround)...The B's took Game 4 in double overtime (Montreal won 1-0 in a game that had an overtime, first score wins, feel thoughout most of it)...And to really spook you, the road team (Montreal) won Game 5 by a 5-1 score. (insert Twilight Zone music here!) Projecting this scenario out, look for the B's to win Game 6 by 3 goals (5-2 in '04) and Game 7 by two (2-0)

As stated before, this Bruins team is tough. They’re not intimidated by their rivals. They took the Canadiens’ best shot and bounced back to punch them in the face when most of the hockey world thought they were ready to scream no mas.

I can’t wait for Saturday night!

What do you think gang? Can the Bruins complete the comeback or did they just prolong the inevitable another day?

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

Rajon Rondo will sit out tonight’s season finale against the New Jersey Nets at the TD Banknorth Garden. James Posey will also sit this one out. Eddie House will return to action.

Neither player will sit due to health concerns, instead getting a night off from Celtics head coach Doc Rivers.

“I wanted to give him one day off, and I wanted it to be the last game,“ Rivers said of Rondo. “That gives him a little more rest because he’s going to have play with an amazing amount of energy. Posey, I just gave him a night off.”

House will play for the first time since Apr. 9 against Washington. He has been resting a groin injury.

The Nets plan to play their starters against Boston’s first group, according to head coach Lawrence Frank. The amount of minutes for Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson, and Devin Harris may be scaled down a bit.

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

It’s official. The Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks will meet in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Indiana Pacers’ loss on Monday night locked up the eight seed for the Hawks.

The quick and dirty on Atlanta:

* The Celtics defeated the Hawks in each of their three games this season.

* The Atlanta Hawks (37-43) give up 99.6 points per game to opponents, but the Hawks average five and a half blocks per game, good enough for fourth-best in the NBA. Atlanta forward Josh Smith (2.8 blocks per game) is the league’s second-leading shot blocker behind Marcus Camby.

*Smith, Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Mike Bibby, Josh Childress, and Al Horford are the only six players averaging more than 16 minutes per game during the regular season.

* Bibby is the most experienced player on Atlanta's roster with 10 NBA seasons and 51 playoff games on his resume.

* Joe Johnson is a former Celtic (10th pick in 2001 draft out of Arkansas). He played 48 games with Boston in 2001-02 before being traded to the Phoenix Suns along with Randy Brown, Milt Palacio and a first-round pick, in exchange for Rodney Rogers and Tony Delk.

Johnson was a member of the Suns from 2002-03 through 2004-05. He has played in Atlanta since 2005-06, and he has been elected to the All-Star team twice. He led the Hawks this season with 22 points per game. He also dishes out 5.8 assists per game and hauls down 4.6 rebounds per game.

Tuning in

The wins have not only raised moral, national notoriety, and expectations for the Celtics, victories have also helped ratings skyrocket this winter.

Through 69 telecasts, Comcast SportsNet reported that Celtics games are averaging a 3.5 rating (80,500 households) versus a 1.7 rating through 69 games in 2006-07. During the 2007-08 campaign, Comcast SportsNet has achieved ratings of 5.0 or higher five times and 4.0 or higher 24 times. No Boston Celtics telecast surpassed a 3.9 in 2006-07.

Comcast SportsNet’s single game high rating was a 5.7 (131,000 households) for the Celtics-Pistons telecast on March 5, 2008.

Comcast SportsNet earned four Emmy nominations from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Boston/New England Chapter, including a 16th consecutive nomination for its Boston Celtics telecasts.

Mike Gorman and Tom Heinsohn are wrapping up their 27th season as the voices of the Green and they along with Greg Dickerson, Steve Reagan, Jim Burgoyne, Paul Lucey, Andrew Levine, Jeff Grice, James Edmonds, and Barry Alley were nominated in the Sporting Event/Game-Live/Unedited category. Comcast SportsNet’s Celtics telecasts took home the Emmy in the Sports Play-by-Play category in 1997, 1999 and 2002.

Also nominated for Comcast SportsNet were Mohegan Sun Sports Tonight and Celtics Pre-Game Live in the Sports Series category and The 2007 Head of the Charles Regatta Special in the Sports One-Time Special.

Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff

A few observations while wondering what it would REALLY be like in a world where nobody lies (I imaging Bill Belichick wouldn’t be long for such a world):

I love all the speculation regarding who the Patriots might select with their draft pick a week and half from today. Will they trade down? Will they stay at #7? If they stay there, who will they take? Will it be Ohio State Linebacker Vernon Gholston? How about USC LB Keith Rivers? Or will they go with one of the many Defensive Backs rumored?

As I say every year around this time, the player Belichick tabs as the next Patriot will more than likely be one that nobody is talking about. But since I’m in the business of making a fool of myself (some would say I’ve struck it rich), I’m going to throw the name Derrick Harvey out there. Harvey is projected as a Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, and we know how the Patriots value versatility. Plus I’m thinking BB’s ties with the University of Florida program might tilt the draft wheel in Harvey’s favor.

Gotta hand it to the Red Sox and Yankees. They sure know how to get maximum publicity out of the most inane little thing. At least the David Ortiz uniform burial caper will help raise money for a worthy cause, but I’m left wondering; did planting Big Papi’s jersey in the cement at the new Yankee Stadium curse the Red Sox slugger and not the intended victims, the Bronx Bombers? If Ortiz breaks out of his slump now that the uniform has been uncovered, we’ll have our answer.

It was amusing all those years to hear folks talk about how the FleetCenter, or the “New Gaaahden” as it’s now called, was a sterile environment that wasn’t as loud as the old building. Funny how having two successful teams as tenants changes that perception, isn’t it?

Game 3 of the Bruins-Canadiens series was a perfect reminder of how great a hockey town this is when the rabid Black and Gold minions have something to cheer about. The game itself was out of this world and the already frenzied fans fed off that. It sent chills down my spine just watching it on television…can’t imagine what it must have been like in person. Just wait till the Celtics advance to the NBA Finals!

While Micky Ward waits for the movie on his life to begin filming, the Lowell boxing legend is prepping for Hollywood by working for the current flick being shot in the Mill City. Irish Micky, a Teamster’s member from his days paving roads, was asked to be part of the crew for “This Side of the Truth,” the major motion picture that has downtown Lowell all abuzz. “The Mick” is driving one of the vans shuttling folks back and forth from the soundstage on Bolt Street. Ward happily reports the shuttle van handles much smoother than his usual union vehicle, a steamroller.

Hitless in his last 17 at-bats and batting .070 (3-for-43) this season, David Ortiz is being given the night off against the Yankees at Fenway Park.
"I just think it's the right thing to do," said Red Sox Manager Terry Francona. "He came (into the clubhouse today, knowing it was a day off) with a little bounce to his step, a little more lighthearted than he's been. He'll have a good work day. Then he can take a little bit of a mental (break). Because I think it's gotten to the point where he needs a break."
Francona does not believe Ortiz's struggles are related to his right knee that required off-season surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
Red Sox first baseman Sean Casey duly noted, "David has been one of the best hitters in baseball for the last so many years. At the end of this year, I promise you, he will be one of the best hitters in baseball this year. He will be what he is, when all is said and done."
-- Lineups for tonight are:

Red Sox
1. Ellsbury lf
2. Pedroia 2b
3. Drew rf
4. Ramirez dh
5. Youkilis 3b
6. Casey 1b
7. Varitek c
8. Crisp cf
9. Lugo ss
SP: Matsuzaka (2-0, 1.57)

Yankees
1. Damon cf
2. Cano 2b
3. Abreu rf
4. Rodriguez 3b
5. Matsui lf
6. Posada dh
7. Giambi 1b
8. Molina c
9. Gonzalez ss
SP: Phil Hughes (0-1, 5.00)

-- Francona said closer Jonathan Papelbon is not available to pitch tonight. Papelbon pitched 1 1/3 innings in each of his last two appearances – including following a 2-hour, 11-minute rain delay on Saturday – and in three of his last four. He pitched 1 1/3 innings in only four of his 59 appearances last season.

David Ortiz, who is battling the worst slump of his glorious Red Sox career, may be destined for a seat on the bench. If not tomorrow, then perhaps on Monday when the Red Sox go to Cleveland.
Ortiz went 0-for-4 against the Yankees today, still doesn’t have a hit on the homestand, and is now 0-for-17 and 1-for-29. His .070 batting average is the worst among qualifiers for the AL batting title. Ortiz has just three hits this season and has grounded into a league-leading five double plays.
Red Sox manager Terry Francona admitted after the Red Sox’ 4-3 victory that he may sit Ortiz down for a day to let him collect his thoughts.
“That is actually a possibility,” Francona said when asked about it.

The grounds crew had emptied the tarp of water and was preparing to roll it up when a second wave of heavy showers struck Fenway Park. The latest delay is expected to last about 45 minutes. If correct, the game should resume somewhere around 8:30 p.m.

Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon had just reached the mound to begin his warmups when it started to rain and the umpires halted play. Papelbon entered the game to protect a 4-3 lead with two outs in the eighth after Hideki Okajima was chased following a two-out walk to Melky Cabrera and a single by Bobby Abreu.
Alex Rodriguez was scheduled to be the first hitter Papelbon faced.

With his homer and a two-run double accounting for the first three Red Sox runs today, Manny Ramirez has now driven in more runs against the Yankees than all but two players in the last 50 years. The three RBI gave Ramirez 155 against the Yankees during his career. Only Al Kaline (157) and Carl Yastrzemski (163) have knocked in more in that half-century stretch.

Manny Ramirez’ fourth-inning homer off Mike Mussina was his 53rd against the Yankees during his career, moving him out of a tie with Carl Yastrzemski and into a tie with Hank Greenberg for the most homers ever hit against the Yankees.
Mussina has been a favorite target of Ramirez’. The only pitchers he has hit more homers off are Jamie Moyer (10) and journeyman reliever Tanyon Sturtze (8).

Manny Ramirez’ fourth-inning homer off Mike Mussina was his 53rd against the Yankees during his career, moving him out of a tie with Carl Yastrzemski and into a tie with Hank Greenberg for the most homers ever hit against the Yankees.
Mussina has been a favorite target of Ramirez’. The only pitchers he has hit more homers off are Jamie Moyer (10) and journeyman reliever Tanyon Sturtze (8).

J.D. Drew has hit safely in all eight games he has played this season and has hit in 13 straight regular-season games dating back to last September at a .457 clip with four homers and 15 RBI. His .429 batting average going into today’s game would have given him a share of the AL lead with the Orioles’ Luke Scott and the White Sox’ A.J. Pierzynski, but he doesn’t have enough plate appearances yet to qualify.
Meanwhile, among qualifying hitters, David Ortiz has the worst batting average in the league at .077. He was hitless in 13 at-bats and had just one hit in his last 25 at-bats.
Things got worse for Ortiz in his first at-bat today. With a 3-and-1 count, he hit a checked-swing comebacker to Mike Mussina, who turned it into a double play. Ortiz now has just three hits this season while grounding into five double plays.
The Red Sox have lost seven of their last eight meetings with the Yankees dating back to last year and 11 of the last 14.
With a 5-6 record going into today’s game, this is the furthest the Red Sox have gone into a season with a losing record since 1997, when they finished the year with a 78-84 record.
Of the five players who have hit the most career homers against the Yankees, four have worn Red Sox uniforms. Jimmie Foxx (70), Ted williams (62), Hank Greenberg (53), Carl Yastrzemski (52), and Manny Ramirez (52) have hit the most homers against the Yankees. Only Greenberg never played for the Red Sox.

Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff

Know how you can tell if a scandal has “made it” into American folklore? Yup, that’s right…when it’s been lampooned in a South Park episode!

This week’s show (Warning: the language is somewhat adult in nature), which originally aired April 9th, takes a little potshot at the Patriots big shot. I haven’t seen the entire episode yet, but I have seen the clip where Bill Belichick is mentioned. It involves Cartman (of course) telling his students they can’t quit cheating on their tests now, because if they do, they’ll suffer the same fate as the Patriots when Belichick finally told them they’d try to win one honestly for a change.

I love South Park, but honestly, the segment wasn’t particularly funny. The BB mention was probably the most interesting part of it, though I’m sure most of Patriots Nation won’t find it as amusing as the rest of the country.

The Red Sox set another post-World War II attendance record at Fenway Park tonight, drawing a crowd of 37,624 to break the record of 37,612 set the previous night against the Tigers. It was the 392nd consecutive sellout at Fenway as the Sox close in on the all-time major-league record of 455 held by the Cleveland Indians.
The all-time record for a crowd at Fenway is 47,627 on Sept. 22, 1935, Babe Ruth’s last game at Fenway. There were no fire laws regarding attendance in those days.

Veteran reliever Mike Timlin’s return to the Red Sox was not a pleasant one. He gave up a home run to the first batter he faced, Jason Giambi, allowing the Yankees to break a 1-1 stalemate in the seventh inning. He then gave up a double to Jose Molina before being relieved after Alberto Gonzalez put down a sacrifice bunt. Timlin was charged with another run when Melky Cabrera greeted Hideki Okajima with a sacrifice fly, putting the Yankees ahead 3-1.
The Red Sox had hoped Timlin would settle down their bullpen, which took a 5.91 ERA into last night’s game and had allowed 47 baserunners in 32 innings, including four of the eight homers surrendered by Sox pitchers this season.
The Red Sox bullpen has already blown four leads and ties this season. Sox relievers didn’t blow their fourth last year until June 2.