April 2008 Archives

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."

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.”

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.

The Red Sox activated Mike Timlin from the disabled list before tonight’s game. Timlin had lacerated the ring finger on his pitching hand during spring training. He made two rehab starts at Pawtucket, pitching two scoreless innings.
To make room on the roster, reliever Bryan Corey — to no one’s surprise — was designated for assignment. Corey is out of options and has to be placed on waivers before he can be sent to the minors. Corey had no record in six appearances with the Red Sox but had a 14.54 ERA.

Jason Varitek turned 36 today.

J.D. Drew has hit safely in all seven of the games he has played this season, going into tonight’s game against the Yankees. Drew has a 12-game regular-season carryover hitting streak dating back to last season, during which he has hit .465 with 3 homers and 14 RBI.
Manny Ramirez has reached base safely in all 10 games this season, hitting safely in nine of them. Ramirez is a .316 career hitter against the Yankees with 52 homers and 152 RBI. His RBI total is his best against any team, and his homers are second to the 54 he has hit against the Blue Jays. Over the last four seasons going into tonight, Ramirez has pounded Yankees pitching at a .366 clip with 24 homers and 62 RBI in 66 games.

The Red Sox just placed third baseman Mike Lowell on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left thumb. Infielder Jed Lowrie, who batted .328 as a Lowell Spinner in 2005, was promoted from Pawtucket to take Lowell's place on the active roster.

Not surprising, Mike Lowell is not in the Boston lineup for tonight's game against the Detroit Tigers. Lowell was scheduled to have an MRI before the game on his sprained left thumb. He suffered the injury in the first inning on Wednesday night. Lowell played through this same injury for much of last season.
Kevin Youkilis will start at third base tonight. Sean Casey will start at first. Alex Cora was out early taking ground balls at third base before feeling a twinge in his right elbow.
The Red Sox starting lineup for Thursday:
1. Julio Lugo ss
2. Dustin Pedroia 2b
3. David Ortiz dh
4. Manny Ramirez lf
5. Kevin Youkilis 3b
6. J.D. Drew rf
7. Coco Crisp cf
8. Sean Casey 1b
9. Kevin Cash c
SP: Tim Wakefield
With left-hander Nate Robertson starting for Detroit, switch-hitter Crisp gets the start in center field. Cash is in there to catch knuckleballer Wakefield.
Probable pitching matchups for the Yankee series
Friday (7:05): Clay Buchholz (0-1, 5.40) vs. Chien-Ming Wang (2-0, 1.38)
Saturday (3:55): Josh Beckett (0-1, 9.64) vs. Mike Mussina (1-1, 3.09)
Sunday (8:09): Daisuke Matsuzaka (2-0, 1.57) vs. Phil Hughes (0-1, 5.00)

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said after the game that Mike Lowell’s thumb was “pretty tender” and the club would know more tomorrow about the extent of the injury. But Francona added: “For him to come out of a game, you know he is hurting.”
Francona also reported that Bartolo Colon, who strained a side muscle in his first start for Pawtucket, underwent another exam earlier today and that the report was encouraging. “He had a good exam,” Francona said.

With Mike Timlin getting close to coming off the disabled list, the competition for the last seat in the bullpen between David Aardsma and Bryan Corey is heating up, and it’s beginning to look like Corey will be the one left out in the cold.
Aardsma pitched 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief against the Tigers tonight. He retired the first four batters he faced before issuing consecutive walks to Gary Sheffield and Magglio Ordonez but got out of the inning by retiring Miguel Cabrera on a pop-up.
In four appearances for the Red Sox, Aardsma is 0-1 with a 2.08 ERA. In 4 1/3 innings he has allowed just two hits and struck out six, although he has walked four.
Corey, who turned a 4-2 deficit into a 10-2 disadvantage in his previous outing in Toronto, helped turn another 4-2 deficit into a 6-2 one tonight after replacing Aardsma in the eighth inning. He walked Carlos Guillen, the first batter he faced, then gave up a single to Edgar Renteria. After a sacrifice bunt, Brandon Inge ripped a two-run single to make the score 6-2 and chase Corey, who was replaced by Julian Tavarez.
In 4 1/3 innings over six appearances, Corey has a 14.54 ERA and has given up nine hits.

Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who has been sidelined by a strained quad for several days, may be healthy enough to return to their lineup on Friday when they begin a three-game series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell sprained his left thumb diving to stop Ivan Rodriguez’ sharp grounder to open the game, and he left the game in the bottom of the second inning. X-rays were negative, and Lowell is listed as day to day. Sean Casey pinch hit for Lowell in the second, singled, and scored.
Casey stayed in to play first base, and Youkilis went to third where he was immediately tested on a hot grounder off the bat of Brandon Inge to start the third. Youkilis made the play and threw Inge out.
Youkilis was momentarily stunned in the second inning when, while holding Miguel Cabrera on first base, Carlos Guillen hit a one-hop rocket that struck Youkilis in the chest and knocked him backward. Youkilis recovered the ball in time and touched the bag for the out.
Down in Pawtucket, Mike Timlin made his second rehab appearance and pitched a perfect inning against Lehigh Valley, throwing just 10 pitches, seven of them for strikes. He got three groundball outs.

Thursday night’s game between the Red Sox and Tigers will be shown on NESNplus because the Bruins-Canadiens playoff game will be carried on the regular channel. Local Comcast subscribers can view the Red Sox game on CN8 ... The Tigers are supposed to have one of the most vaunted offenses in baseball this season, but going into tonight’s game their starting lineup had combined for 10 RBI, and ninth-place hitter Brandon Inge, had 40 percent of them. The Tigers scored just 15 runs in their first seven games this season, all of them losses ... Going into the game, Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis owned a .369 lifetime average against the Tigers, his top mark against any team ... July 4 is Independence Day, but July 4, 2006 was Dependence Day for Youkilis. That was the day the dependable first baseman began his major-league-record errorless streak, which was at 197 games going into tonight’s game ... Meanwhile Tigers’ second baseman Placido Polanco, whose major-league-record 186-game errorless streak ended on Tuesday, now has a streak of two consecutive games with an error after booting what should have been an inning-ending double-play ball in the second inning that led to a pair of tainted runs ... Sox right-fielder J.D. Drew took a 10-game carryover regular-season hitting streak into tonight’s game, during which he has hit three homers and knocked in 12 runs.

Baseball writers and baseball players often have disagreements. But Dustin Pedroia’s American League bretheren obviously agree with the Baseball Writers Association of America’s choice of Pedroia as the AL Rookie of the Year last fall.
Pedroia received the Players Choice Award as the league’s outstanding rookie in 2007 in a pre-game ceremony tonight at Fenway Park. The award was voted on by members of the Major League Baseball Players Association.
Pedroia set a major-league record for rookie second basemen with his .317 batting average last season, and he also led all rookies in doubles with 39 and was second in on-base percentage.
Red Sox Gold Glove first baseman Kevin Youkilis, a member of the MLBPA’s Executive Board, presented Pedroia with the award.
The Major League Baseball Players Trust awarded a $20,000 grant in Pedroia’s name to his hometown Little League in Woodland, Calif.

The Pats have made plenty of transactions since the stunning Super Bowl loss to the Giants, but other than DB’s Tank Williams and Fernando Bryant, I can’t see any of them stepping in and contributing anywhere but in special teams. If most of these guys play significant minutes due to a rash of injuries, the Pats “D” is in serious, serious trouble. Williams and Bryant, on the other hand, were good signings who, while not making up for the loss of Asante Samuel, will at least help.

In my mind, the signing of LB Vincent Hobson was the best move of the off-season thus far. The 5-year veteran is young enough to assist an aging group, yet experienced enough to play in a Belichick system that apparently is much too complex for rookie linebackers to pick up. (How else would you explain the reluctance to use any early round draft choices on the position?) Hobson played for Eric Mangini, who no doubt runs some of the same schemes he learned from his former mentor-turned-arch enemy, so the transition should be relatively smooth. And judging by the stats, this is no Monte Beisel (I’ve been a special-teamer but now I’m ready to be an integral part of the defense) signing.

That’s the view from here…how do you see things? How would you rate the Patriots off-season thus far? Best move? Worst? What are they doing draft day? Or, what SHOULD they do?

In a minor-league deal today, the Red Sox traded former Lowell Spinners shortstop Christian Lara to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for righthanded pitcher Eric Hull. Hull, 28, had been designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Mar. 31. Hull was placed on the Sox' 40-man roster and assigned to Pawtucket, although he will report to the Red Sox' extended spring training program in Fort Myers for conditioning purposes. Hull was 4-3 with a 2.74 ERA in 49 games at Class AAA Las Vegas last season. He pitched five games for the Dodgers in September.
Lara played for the Spinners in 2004, hitting .277-0-10 with 10 steals and 21 runs in 32 games after being called up from Fort Myers of the Rookie Gulf Coast League in mid-season. Lara was called up when Dustin Pedroia, the Sox' top pick in the draft, was slow to sign. Pedroia had been slated to begin his career in Lowell. But after Lara was called up and played well, Pedroia began his career at Augusta in the Class A Sally League.
Lara was playing for the Lancaster JetHawks of the Class A California League this season.

It's all over at Fenway. The Red Sox defeat the Tigers 5-0 in the home opener. The much-hyped Tigers fall to 0-7, remaining the only winless team in the majors.
Strong outings by Dice-K (6 2/3 ip, 4h, 0r, 4bb, 7k) and Manny Delcarmen (1 1/3 ip, 1h, 0r, 0bb, 2k).Hideki Okajima pitched a 1-2-3 ninth (2 strikeouts).
Kevin Youkilis was 3-for-3 with an RBI double and a sacrifice fly.The Red Sox are 4-4. The crowd of 36,567 was a Fenway Park Opening Day record.

Daisuke Matsuzaka left with a 5-0 lead after 6 2/3 innings today at Fenway. Dice-K allowed four hits, walked four Tigers and struck out seven while throwing 108 pitches (62 strikes). He lowered his ERA to 1.47 and will likely improve to 2-0.
Kevin Youkilis is 2-for-2 with a walk and 2 RBI (RBI double, sacrifice fly).

Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff

...well, technically, the winner of the second annual SunBlog Madness Hoops Hysteria contest is Gary Wright (team name garyfavre) of Chelmsford, MA, who actually finished 5th in the entire country. Unfortunately for Mr. Wright, he’s a Lowell Sun employee and therefore ineligible to win any prizes other than lifelong bragging rights and a guest stint as a college basketball expert on next year’s SunTalk Live March Madness preview show.

As a result of the payee on Gary’s paycheck, our grand prize winner of two Red Sox tickets is Brian Desruisseaux of Dracut, MA. Brian, congrats. I’ll be in touch with you soon and get the Red Sox tickets out in the mail shortly.

Our second place winner of 4-Lowell Spinners Tickets is Lowell’s Mike Grillakis. Third place, and 2-Spinners tickets go to Michael Houston of Dracut. Well, at least I think that’s what his name is, since the entry wasn’t followed up with contact info. So Mike, you need to get in touch with me, verify your identity and let me know how to get you the prize.

Congrats to all the participants and thank you for entering. It was a lot of fun on this end…hope you can say the same!

Manny Ramirez looked like he was sort of thinking three bases when he trotted out of the box in the third inning, not assuming he had an easy four. He tripled to center field, sliding head first into third base as Detroit second baseman Placido Polanco's relay throw bounced into the Detroit dugout. Manny leisurely lifted himself and trotted home to give the Red Sox a 2-0 lead.
The error by Polanco was his first since July 1, 2006. He had gone 186 straight games without committing an error, a major-league record for second basemen.
Coco Crisp had knocked in the Red Sox's first run with a sacrifice fly in the second.
Daisuke Matsuzaka has cruised through four innings.
So when are the Tigers supposed to start hitting?

Bill Buckner is scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch today at Fenway Park.
Yes, that Bill Buckner.
This should just about put the final burial touches on the curse.

For the second time in four years, Boston’s home opener will be preceded by Red Sox players receiving World Series rings.
But baseball marches on. Seven games into a new season in which the Red Sox already have traveled 16,000 air miles to Japan and Canada and back, the reigning champs are in last place in the American League East (3-4). Still, they have earned the right to push aside their present bullpen difficulties and reflect on 2007.
“Part of the joy that I get (from) today is watching how the players do react (to receiving their rings),” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona during his pre-game press conference. “I know that the day is scripted. But you can't script your emotions or how it affects you. I'm sure it affects people differently. I don't want the players to not enjoy this. They have earned the right. It’s an honor.
“You like to say it will happen every year. And you certainly strive for that,” added Francona. “But it's hard to do … We talk all the time about moving on and paying attention and staying in the present. But today is a very special day.”
For the same baseball reasons the Red Sox figure to soon get rolling, Francona is wary of the Detroit Tigers’ 0-6 start. Detroit’s fearsome lineup does not figure to remain quiet for much longer.
“When it's all said and done, every team will be where they are supposed to be ... ourselves included,” Francona said. “They're going to be a great team. I hope we don't see it.”
Here is what Francona had to say on whether the Red Sox being swept in Toronto this past weekend was due to exhaustion: “When we went to Oakland (after the Japan trip), everybody was kind of clamoring how cohesive we are and how we're handling all this. Then we go to Toronto and everything goes the other way, and it's now ‘they're out of gas, they're not doing that.’
“We didn't play very good baseball. And that adds up to losses sometimes. I don't think anybody ever claimed that it was going to be an advantage to go over there (to Japan). I don't think anybody ever said that. But you go where you're supposed to go. You go when they tell you. You play who you're supposed to play – and hopefully you beat them.
“Toronto outplayed us. I'm sure for the next three or four months, every time we do lose, or every time we make an error, I'm going to have to answer: ‘Did Japan do it?’"

The starting lineups for the Red Sox's home-opener today against the Detroit Tigers:
RED SOX
1. Dustin Pedroia 2b
2. Kevin Youkilis 1b
3. David Ortiz dh
4. Manny Ramirez lf
5. Mike Lowell 3b
6. J.D. Drew rf
7. Jason Varitek c
8. Coco Crisp cf
9. Julio Lugo ss
SP - Daisuke Matsuzaka (RHP)

TIGERS
1. Edgar Renteria ss
2. Placido Polanco 2b
3. Gary Sheffield DH
4. Magglio Ordonez rf
5. Miguel Cabrara 3b
6. Carlos Guillen 1b
7. Ivan Rodriguez c
8. Jacque Jones lf
9. Brandon Inge cf
SP - Kenny Rogers (LHP)

Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

A release from the folks over at the Celtics:

The Boston Celtics and Miller Lite will host a Road Rally at The Sky Box Restaurant and Sports Bar in Tewksbury for the team’s game on April 12. Fans 21 years of age and older are invited to watch the Celtics take on the Atlanta Hawks at a special viewing party. The Road Rally will feature multiple giveaways, including Celtics gear and autographed Celtics merchandise. Fans can sign up for a Celtics license plate and receive a limited edition Kevin Garnett t-shirt. In addition, there will be trivia questions and a best dressed fan contest to find out who has the most Celtic pride.

Special appearances will be made by Celtics legend Dana Barros, Celtics Dancers and mascot LUCKY. Party starts at 6:00 p.m. Tip-off for the game is 7:00 p.m. Must be 21+ to attend.

Remember that old advertising campaign from the Bourque-Neely-Janney days? Well, not to say this year’s Bruins are anywhere near as good as that Stanley Cup finalist squad, but I think they might have just as much heart, if not more. And you know how rarely I throw around compliments when it comes to the team Jeremy Jacobs owns.

The Black and Gold could very easily have mailed it in at any number of points. Over the second half of the season, they lost two games by a score of 8-2 and suffered another 10-2 drubbing. They endured a rash of injuries to some of their most important pieces, injuries that would have given them every excuse in the book to call it a season. Under Dave Lewis, they would have. Under Claude Julien, not only did they not freefall, they came back from each defeat to play an inspired run of hockey.

They also played their best hockey of the season down the stretch, when even one little slump would have left them on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. Washington and Philadelphia caught fire down the stretch, keeping constant pressure on the B’s to keep adding points to the total. Perhaps they didn’t look pretty doing so, but they did so.

Back in October, I thought the Bruins needed to win a playoff series for the season to be considered a step forward. I don’t think that anymore. What they’ve overcome just to get to the Cup chase is more than enough to build on in the future. Win or lose, the Black and Gold have already overachieved.

So now their old nemesis, the Montreal Canadiens, stand in the way. All signs point to a blowout: #1 seed vs. #8…8 Habs wins in all 8-games against Boston this year…11-wins in a row overall against the Bruins. No reason to watch, is there?

Don’t be so sure. The last two times they’ve faced them, the B’s have given the Habs fits. They’re playing their best hockey of the season. They bounce back from defeats pretty well, a pre-requisite for any playoff team. And they’re tough…very tough.

I’m not going to go out on a limb and call for the upset. I’ll say Canadiens in 7. But I won’t be shocked if there’s second round playoff action at the new Garden.

That's the view from here...how do you see it? B's have a chance against the Habs? Is the season already a success, or do they need a playoff victory to satisfy you?

Former UMass Lowell catcher Matt Tupman must wait for another opportunity to make his big-league debut. The Kansas City Royals on Saturday optioned Tupman back to Triple-A Omaha. Tupman. 28, of Concord, N.H., spent four games with the Royals but did not appear in any games. He was on KC’s active roster as its backup catcher while Miguel Olivo served a four-game suspension stemming from a fight last season. So for now, Mike LaValliere, a catcher with four teams from 1984-95, is still the only UMass Lowell product to have played in the big leagues.

Bartolo Colon made his case for a starting gig in Boston’s rotation by pitching 5-shutout innings of one hit ball in Pawtucket last night.

Not that he needed to be THAT impressive to get recalled. Barring an injury setback, the portly right-hander was all but guaranteed a return to the majors at some point before May. However, he looks ready to help now, and if the Sox are intent on limiting Clay Buchholz’ innings, they might as well make the roster switch now and find out what Colon has left once and for all.

Personally, I think the Colon signing was a perfect gamble…very little risk, potentially sky-high reward. His performance this spring has done nothing to change that opinion, and I’d rather ride him early in the season than Buchholz.

Of course, that means more time in the minors for the former Lowell Spinner with a no-hitter already on his major league resume. There’s also an argument to be made for finding out what Buchholz can do in the majors over the long haul, and the longer it takes to find out, the longer it’ll take to find out if he can be an asset in the playoffs. I realize that’s putting the cart before the horse, but hey, that’s what bloggers do.

Of course, an injury to someone else on the staff would make this entire discussion moot, but I’m wondering what YOU think the Sox should do…promote Colon and demote Buchholz? Wait till the last possible minute before making a decision on Colon? Send Wakefield or someone else to the bullpen? Maybe send Buchholz to the pen in order to limit his innings?

The expectation is that former UMass Lowell catcher Matt Tupman will be optioned back to Triple-A by the Kansas City Royals after their game tonight in Minnesota. Tupman, 28, of Concord, N.H., is on Kansas City’s active roster as its backup catcher while Miguel Olivo serves a four-game suspension. Olivo’s suspension ends after tonight’s game. Tupman is still waiting to make his major-league debut. He saw no action during the Royals’ season-opening three-game sweep of the Tigers in Detroit. Hopefully a situation arises tonight where KC manager Trey Hillman can give Tupman an at-bat. We’ll keep you posted.

Once again, caution pays off for the Red Sox.
Recently I noted how fortunate the Red Sox were that Nomar Garciaparra turned down a five-year, $60-million offer from the club during spring training of 2004, and that they traded him in mid-season that year. Since then Garciaparra hasn’t come close to putting up the kinds of numbers he did for the Red Sox.
It looks more and more like they also made the right decision when they let Pedro Martinez walk after winning the World Series in 2004. The Red Sox and Mets were offering roughly the same money for his services, but the Mets were willing to go to a fourth year, and the Red Sox weren’t.
Since signing with the Mets for four years and $52 million, Pedro has made just 60 starts and won 27 games (27-17). He missed most of last year while recovering from rotator cuff surgery, and now, after one start this season, he’s out for four to six weeks with a pulled hamstring.
The Red Sox do spend a lot of money — although they have only the fourth-highest payroll in baseball this season, but you have to give them credit. They do spend it wisely.