Sorry, had to steal the Herald’s game-story headline for Second Cup this morning. When something is just too good, something you just have to give props. So props to you, Herald editors. That’s some solid work there. Now, here’s some more, in “best of today’s papers” form:
You know, he may only be hitting .200, but Eric Hinske sure does seem to fit in with the Sox, doesn’t he? It doesn’t hurt when he launches home run bombs, either.
BOSTON HERALD
Far from done at age 41 - Look, I’ll admit it: Steve Buckley can get on my nerves. But this is a terrific piece detailing all that is brilliant about Tim Wakefield. You may be surprised by just how much there is.
Shaken Ortiz has crossed that bridge - It’s only a couple graphs, but Jeff Horrigan’s piece about Big Papi crossing the now fallen Minneapolis bridge is almost haunting in it’s brevity and poignance.
Doerr opens for Pedroia - Another nice Buckley piece, this time about Bobby Doerr’s affinity for Dustin Pedroia. Who knows, maybe I’m just really sappy today, but I thought this was solid, too. Buck’s getting to me.
PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
Mirabelli saved face, and maybe game, for Sox - Joe Donaldson writes an impressive feature on the travails of being Doug Mirabelli. Now that would be a great sequel to that Malkovich flick, wouldn’t it?
Crisp got Sox off and running in 7th - Steve Krasner takes an interesting tact by leading the notebook with Coco Crisp, though he also hits on Jay Payton, Kevin Millar and other fascinating topics.
It’s Gagne time! You know what that means? Game OVER!!
BOSTON GLOBE
A stop-and-go win - I was leaning toward posting a game story from the Globe (sometimes you just want a good gamer, you know?) before the terrific headline, which of course alludes to Mirabelli’s running gaffe. After that, there was no question. Amalie Benjamin does a nice job of surrounding what has to be one of the more surreal instant redemption moments in recent Red Sox history, all within the threads of a strong existing piece.
It’s going to start seeming generic pretty soon, but I can’t watch Tim Wakefield get a win without feeling like I’ve just watched a throwback game.
Grrrrrrrrrr. Lauren Bacall; not too hard on the eyes, is she?
Maybe it’s because he’s old as the hills. Maybe it’s because the only products he officially endorses are A) A mortgage company and B) a hair coloring (gratuitous aside warning: seriously, is there a combination of endorsements that’s less hip than hair coloring and mortgages? If we put an erectile disfunction pill in there could we call it the post-midlife crisis trifects?).
Maybe, as all of these factors point out, it’s because Tim Wakefield has become a classic. He throws with rapid pace and relative abandon. He throws lots - looottttsss - of innings. And he’s sported the exact same look since he first got to Boston. Scraggly half beard, close-cropped G.I. hair, slight paunch in the 35 waists. It’s absolutely uncanny.
So, when Wake gets a win, he deserves a classic. And after an afternoon matinee like yesterday, he earned himself a Lauren Bacall. The Big Sleep? Dark Passage? How to Marry a Millionaire? Seriously, how fabulous is Lauren Bacall?
I’ve got your answer. She’s as fabulous as a 41 year-old knuckleballer tossing a seven inning gem on his birthday. She’s as fabulous as a Sox win in which Big Papi, Dustin Pedroia and - shock of all shock - Doug Mirabelli all came through with big hits. She’s as fabulous as Eric Gagne coming in in a non-save situation, and blowing down two batters with fastballs and coming within a bad third-base side play by Dr. Double (gratuitous side note No. 2: Is anyone else extremely concerned that Mike Lowell has become a strict singles hitter here? Where is the power? Could he still be stung in that wrist?) of finishing the game 1-2-3.
It turns out Bobby Doerr is really into Dustin. In a platonic way of course. Sheesh, the guy’s like 90. Give him a break!
And, perhaps most apropos, she’s as fabulous as Bobby Doerr celebrating the 50th anniversary of Bobby Doerr day at Fenway Park with a speech extolling the virtues of all things Pedroia, then watching his Sox beat the Orioles in his final afternoon at Fenway Park.
Hi everyone. Sorry for this morning’s delay, but the fabulous Sox Nest admin site was getting some cosmetic surgery last night, but kept us from a TMA (The Morning After) post this morning. Crushing I know. But have no fear, we’ll work the Sharon Stone photos in some other evening (you know that was a Sharon Stone win. You know it.). But, we couldn’t go the day after a trade without acknowledging some of the best contributions in the local press. So, away we go:
Eric Gagne looks good in red, doesn’t he?
BOSTON GLOBE
Papelbon approves of move - Gordon Edes has been all over the Eric Gagne trade like a hyena around spoiled lunch meat. Today he talks about the role Jonathan Papelbon played in encouraging the move, and how excited he is to have a fellow uber-closer in the pen.
Winning move by Gagne - Daniel Malloy covers the Gagne press conference, and may have the vocab word of the year so far when a drops a “patois” on us in reference to French in the clubhouse.
BOSTON HERALD
Red Sox stage uprising - Game story of the day? Has to go to the Herald’s Michael Silverman, who meshes Kevin Garnett’s first pitch with Kevin Youkilis’ great play.
Pedroia shifts into third gear - Steve Buckley didn’t just seem to write four articles for today’s Herald, he did write four articles. The best of the bunch is this short of Dustin Pedroia, which is why the diminutive second baseman is rapidly approaching Trot Nixon status with the fans.
PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
Gagne says waiving no-trade clause easy - Still haven’t had enough Gagne? Try some Carolyn Thornton on for size. It’s not Malloy’s piece, but it’s not bad, either.
She’s not young, but Tina Turner can still occasionally turn heads. And she packs a punch.
The Sox struck back for 14 - count ‘em, 14 - runs at the Jake last night. And they did it against the remarkably average named Cliff Lee who was, well, remarkably average. Manny “Being Manny” Ramirez drilled two homers. Wily Mo Pena finally found a crop of pitchers dumb enough to throw him fastballs. Even the guys who weren’t en fuego - Dustin “Mighty Mite” Pedroia, for one - got at least one base knock (Pedroia went 1-for-6).
And after a night in which they were thoroughly silenced last night was an almost violent response. Like Tina Turner taking a slap from Ike, then kicking his ass with a shoe.
We also learned that Kason Gabbard may not quite be ready to roll yet. At least we learned that he’s having a hard time getting through the fifth inning on the road. Stiffler looked good through three, got through the fourth, then combusted in the inning he needed to get through to earn the win. Comfort came via Julian Tavarez (bet you didn’t think you’d read that so quickly, huh?), at least for two innings. Then the Big Lebowski started rolling up softballs, the Tribe hit some and suddenly Francona was turning to Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon to turn in two straight spotless innings. It’s always nice to see the Okie-Paps connection come through, but when you score 14 runs, it almost feels like a waste, doesn’t it?
MBM was himself last night, to the tune of two monster bombs out of the Jake.
Almost as much of a waste as Tina Turner’s talent, which was always overshadowed by her image. Not that there’s anything particularly wrong with that, at least in her heyday.
- The nightly mass packaged, psuedo chocolate granola bar (Kudos) goes to: MBM, whose two monster shots were outright stunning. Think Manny’s had a good time hitting back in the Jake? It’s hard not to give a nod to ol’ Wily Coyote, but hey, when you crush a ball almost 500 feet, you’re the player of the game.
Did anyone catch Josh Beckett’s post game comments? Oh yeah, that’s right, last night was a game at the Jake. So much for a potential sweep on the road, eh?
Another night, another loss without run support for Beckett.
BOSTON GLOBE
This duel doesn’t go Sox’ way - Amalie Benjamin’s game story leads with a clever tie-in from the night before. Hope you were keeping tabs. But Benjamin wastes little time before getting to the costly miscues, which is probably the biggest story after all.
Schilling’s words bring response from Canseco - Nick Cafardo goes a step beyond the story, tracking down steroid user and accuser Jose Canseco to get his take on Curt Schilling’s steroid shots at Barry, Balco, etc.
Team is interested in Devil Rays’ Wigginton - Benjamin and Cafardo combine to write a notebook completely unique from the one used in other papers, revealing players the Sox have confirmed interest in - according to sources - and also catching Doug Mirabelli in a ranking of “stuff” among the Sox pitchers.
Wily Mo is almost certainly on his way out of the Hub. But will he finally catch that damn roadrunner?
Fresh start is Pena’s biggest potential - Cafardo weighs in on Wily Mo Pena, saying it’s now time to move the Coyote, perhaps to a place where he can finally find that final “L”.
Pitching to online gamers - Chris Gasper contributes to Hiawatha Bray’s Red Sox debut, a feature about Schilling’s video game company “38 Studios” and its planned 2010 game that may compete with Warcraft and other fantasy games.
PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
Real down-and-outer - Joe McDonald’s gamer touches on what could have been, as Cleveland stole a win out of a Josh Beckett start behind, Fausto Carmona? Yeah, that was our thought, too.
A few days ago, Pineiro was getting the final out at Fenway. Now he’s in Pawtucket.
For Youkilis, money is secondary to winning - McDonald leads his gamer with an interesting note on Kevin Youkilis’ approach to playing for the Sox: that winning now is more important than a current payday. He goes on to note Joel Pineiro accepting a demotion to Pawtucket, the stunning rise of Double-A pitching prospect Justin Masterson and the ongoing recovery efforts of Brendan Donnelly.
BOSTON HERALD
Beckett, Sox lose duel - The shining point of Jeff Horrigan’s gamer - and they’ve been strong of late - is the quote from Jason Varitek calling last night’s Beckett performance one of his best.
Former Indian Coco Crisp came closer than any other Sox to scoring last night, but he was caught, too.
Sox path blocked - Rob Bradford writes a post-game sidebar on Boston’s close-but-no-cigar miscues, including Alex Cora beating up on himself for missing a hit-and-run sign.
New start for Pineiro - Horrigan’s notebook focuses on the surprising move of Joel Pineiro accepting a demotion to Pawtucket, where he’ll suddenly become a starter again. There’s a twist for you, no? Also, quick notes on Curt Schilling’s start in Toledo today and a potpourri of oddities to close the piece.
If it seems like the last two starts for Kason Gabbard have been a little bit hard to believe, it’s probably because they have. In fact, it’s hard to believe that Gabbard really trusts them himself.
Yes, I think Sox fans could handle a free Rebecca Romijn, don’t you?
Still, we better get used to him. The way he’s pitching, he’s like a new incarnation of Bronson Arroyo, minus the funky leg kick. He even wears the same number. His rise has been so precipitous, that given the physical similarities he shares with pseudo movie star Seann William Scott, his most recent bedeviling performance on the mound should be honored with the appearance of another pseudo movie star: Rebecca Romijn.
OK, like Scott, Romijn can’t act. But she’s so smokin’ she’s going to keep landing parts. Probably until she’s 40. Maybe later.
And the way the Sox are hitting, Gabbard isn’t the only one worthy of pseudo stars, or better. Julio Lugo is near .500 over the past 11 games. Yes, I said Julio Lugo. And guess who’s almost as hot as he is? That’s right, everyone’s favorite cereal boy. Coco Crisp had 7 - count them, 7 - RBI yesterday. Seven. That’s ridiculous. Add in J.D. “Umm, sure, I feel ok today, let’s play” Drew, who even showed a flash of being able to hit somewhere besides leadoff yesterday, and suddenly Boston has the lineup everyone thought it would back in April. Not to mention the unexpected addition of the littlest big man, Dustin Pedroia, who is among baseball’s top 10 hitters for average. Raise your hand if you saw that coming. If you’re raising your hand, you’re a liar.
Romijn: Not even dingy body paint can keep her down.
Gabbard looks like he’s going to keep throwing until he’s almost 40. Yes, he’s only five starts into his most recent trip through the AL rotation. And yes, this is only his second go-round in a Sox uni. But would anyone else be surprised if he somehow forces Boston’s hand, and is a foregone conclusion in the No. 4 or No. 5 slot of the rotation next year? In an interesting, and somewhat ironic way, the guy he may be hurting the most is the man he’s supposed to be filling in for: Curt Schilling (who had 3 innings of work in Pawtucket yesterday, with 6 strikeouts). Who needs a $13 million per year, perpetually-gimpy Schilling giving up 3 runs per game, when you could have a $350,000 young Gabbard alternating shutouts and 3 or 4 run performances. That seems like a no-brainer, doesn’t it?
Almost as much of a no-brainer as casting Romijn in body paint. Those X-Men producers knew what they were doing, didn’t they?
There’s no way anyone can actually say that they predicted the Sox would lose this series with Kansas City. That being said, they lost it. So, how did Boston drop two of three to the pereniall AL Central doormats … AT HOME? Here’s how the papers saw it:
Julian Tavarez may have plenty of time to contemplate what might have been … while sitting in the bullpen and watching Jon Lester in his starting spot.
BOSTON GLOBE
Slide step - Like others, Gordon Edes leads by comparing Boston’s .500 ball to the surging Yankees. But unlike some stories, Edes’ gamer seems to focus on the team’s struggles - and Yankee comparisons - throughout the piece.
Lugo not likely in leading role - Edes starts the notebook with Tito’s assurances that Julio Lugo won’t return to the leadoff role … yet. But he also hits on the Astros’ reluctance to trade closer Brad Lidge, as well as Jon Lester’s latest Pawtucket start and the sudden surge of Mike Timlin.
Getting it right in left? - Globe intern Daniel Malloy’s latest installment is a piece on the struggles of left fielder Manny Ramirez, who seems to make as many errors as saved runs by playing so shallow in left. The topic is clearly simmering in the minds of Sox fans, and Malloy’s piece is a nice check on that pulse.
Tavarez is still at a loss - Malloy also covers being Julian Tavarez, which last night meant being a pitcher who blows a lead … and can’t last five innings.
BOSTON HERALD
Red Sox losing grip - The title of Jeff Horrigan’s game story clearly underscores the concern of so many Sox fans, and maybe secretly the Sox themselves. Suddenly the Yankees have made this a true AL East race, but Horrigan focuses mostly on the dismal downspin of Tavarez, and how he may have pitched his last Red Sox start.
Bullpen maintains usual strength - According to Michael Silverman, amidst the Sox struggles, the Boston bullpen remains one of baseball’s best, with the sudden surge of Mike Timlin and Manny Delcarmen combining with Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon to form an almost unequalled group.
Sox dealing with reality - Tony Massaroti reminds fans that if they Sox made a deadline deal, they may have to give up a lot to get it done, a cost which - given the strength of the Boston farm system - may make it a crippling move a year or more down the road.
Tito takes offense - Horrigan’s notebook focuses on Terry Francona’s vigorous defense of his team’s sputtering offense which, while hitting for better average, is now struggling to knock in base runners.
PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
Tavarez, Red Sox falter again - Joe MacDonald spells Steven Krasner to write the ProJo gamer, focusing - take a wild guess - on the struggles of everyone’s favorite full-time pitcher/part-time bowler.
The only thing they’re hitting is the skids - Sean McAdam writes of the Sox’s sudden struggles, drawing the parallels to the 2006 team’s stumbles and highlighting their lack of offensive production.
Even Wally’s flag waving is drooping a bit, isn’t it?
Lefties getting it right against Ortiz - What, you thought just because Krasner didn’t write the game piece, he wasn’t at the Fens? Instead, the ProJo beat man writes the notebook, focusing on Big Papi’s struggles with southpaw relievers sent in to shut him down specifically. He also has an eclectic mix of other notes: Manny’s fielding struggles, the Royals as free swingers and some frustration for Dustin Pedroia.
Don’t expect Dye to switch Sox - McAdam and MacDonald combine on another potential trade piece, claiming that a source is saying Jermaine Dye wouldn’t accept a trade to Boston, because he wouldn’t be in the everyday strarting lineup. So much for the Wily Mo Pena and a pupu platter trade to land the slugger.
HARTFORD COURANT
Royal visit no treat - Jeff Golberg’s gamer goes where others have boldly treaded: with struggling Sox and booming Yankees.
Just not coming through - Golberg’s notebook focuses on the team’s inability to hit with runners in scoring a position, a problem that is truly becoming conspicuous.
Editor’s note: OK, so Sacha Baron Coen has been an absolute ass, and his agents have blown off a few (cough, cough 42) phone calls to get him to actually do this segment for us here at SoxNest. So, instead I’ve found another local stand-in to study the art of being Ali G, then interview Sox players as Ali himself. Or at least steal the answers that Sox players provide to NESN’s Hazel Mae in the weekly Ultimate Red Sox show. So, here comes a train wreck, starting with a guy so small he’s definitely going to be run over, Dustin Pedroia:
Ali: Big fan of Dustinn Pedhoya.
Ali-G: Bedebynow! Check dis, I is ere in butiful Fenway Pahk, kickin it wit my main man, Dustinn Pedhoya. He be de second base bloke for the Rhed Sox. Wicked. It’s a funny name you got innit it?
DP: Thanks
Ali: What wuz your parents tinking? Did they do it in a place called Dustin?
DP: I’m from California, so I don’t know.
Ali: If me and me Julie had a son, we’d have to name him West London shoppin’ mall. Or KFC at de West London Shoppin’ Mall. I really like dat chikun. What do you like to grub?
DP: I can cook. Spaghetti.
Ali: Spaghetti? Dat’s pasta innit it? Why would you eat sometin’ like dat? Dere’s so much 40’s and chikun here. And dere’s so much bassball. I don’t get dis baseball stuff, so wat else do you do?
DP: I watch a lot of TV series. You know, Prison Break, 24, Lost. I get ‘em on DVD and then watch them all in like three or four days. Really exciting life, I know.
Ali: Do you use dem to get jiggy wit your bitch’s babylons?
Ali sez it’s impotant to hunderstand sex … and know how to ghet it like Dustinn.
DP: My wife and I watch a lot of movies, too.
Ali: She must be like posh to smack on since you be de fit ball playa. But she’s small because you’re like dat mini me bloke.
DP: Wow. Well, my favorite actress is Catherine Zeta Jones.
Ali: Innit she de one who Michael Douglass is in? Why would you be on a geezer like dat? Me boyz say dat bitch be brick layin in a diaper wit her minge in dere.
DP: What was that?
Ali: Has you ever been in a ruk ere?
DP: We almost had a fight here earlier this season, but it didn’t happen.
Ali: Wicked! Dis be your turf, aiight? Watch you Warrior in dere.
DP: Sure, no problem.
Ali: Aiight, big up yourselves. Dis be Dustinn Pedhoya, and he be fit ball playa ere in de Fenway Pahk, and he be wantin’ to say to all you dat you better not come in on dis turf cuz dis de turf of Fenway Massive. No mo natterin’ wit’ des peeps, increase da peace, Westside!
While still wondering why, exactly, Josh Beckett didn’t admit to being pissed off by not getting a win yesterday, here’s the morning headlines to clear it all up. Or at least try to clear it all up:
The wind had Julio Lugo and Manny Ramirez dancing around Fenway to chase pop ups.
BOSTON HERALD
For once, bats don’t help Beckett - Jeff Horrigan’s game story focuses on Beckett blaming himself for the loss. Seems like a stretch, but as we see as the story evolves, everyone seemed to want to blame themselves last night.
Absent from drama class - Columnist Tony Massaroti writes about the lack of late-inning theatrics provided so far by the ‘07 Sox. Yes Pat Sajack, I’d like to buy a “Mother’s Day Miracle” please!
Hardly a breeze for OF - Rob Bradford writes about the stiff Fenway wind, and how it created havoc for the Sox and Jays outfielders, making everyone look bad.
‘Tek takes a seat to lick wounds - Horrigan’s Sox notebook leads with the absence of Jason Varitek after a two contact night catching Daisuke Matsuzaka, then goes on to lay out a potential Curt Schilling rehab schedule and look at the injuries to J.D. Drew and Dustin Pedroia, who was sitting out to get over lingering sickness.
Trainer likes look of Beckett - Bradford tracks down Josh Beckett’s personal trainer, in the stands on a trip from Spring, Texas, to touch on Beckett’s strong bill of health this year.
PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
The big bats are showing signs of waking up - Steven Krasner leads a ProJo game story from a 2-1 loss with - brace yourself - the optimistic signs of an offensive resurgence? Can’t say I understand that tactic, but everyone should judge for themselves.
Dougie didn’t go deep, but he did get to catch Beckett for a change.
Mirabelli or Varitek? An easy choice - Krasner’s notebook focuses on the decision to start Doug Mirabelli over Varitek, touching on the effect that had on the lineup.
BOSTON GLOBE
All gusts, no glory - Amalie Benjamin’s prose in this Globe game story is almost as precise and clever as the headline. Perhaps her best of the season, she captures the atmosphere and subtle frustrations perfectly. An impressive piece, and a perfect complement to the panoply of photos from that game that formed a veritable collage themselves.
Beckett is lone star - Correspondent Daniel Malloy writes the piece on Beckett’s isolation, and frustration in only himself after the loss.
Varitek gets thumbs down - Benjamin’s notebook leads with Varitek’s sit-out, but also touches on the hot-hitting David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, as well as Beckett’s 100th strikeout and an even more intricate play-by-play of the windswept afternoon.
News and Notes from the area scribes about last night’s Boston beauty:
BOSTON GLOBE
That foul off the knee had Big Papi feeling tender after the win. Growing pains - Old reliable Gordon Edes writes the Globe’s gamer, leading with the Manny-Ortiz combo’s success, the immediately delving full bore into the extent of Papi’s knee injury. A slightly different take than the other local scribes, as per usual.
Wrong kind of a tear - Globe columnist Jackie MacMullan writes about the growing concern over Big Papi’s knee in another typically smooth read. Wakefield: It’s his decision - Edes’ notebook leads with Wakefield’s uncanny knack to earn a decision in each start, no matter which side of the ledger it ends up on. Like the ProJo’s Krasner, he spends more time on Manny’s impressive assist on Thomas and the impending readyness of Joel Pineiro and improvement of Schilling, which combines with his gamer for a nice, well-rounded package.
Lugo now walking a fine line - In a brief reprieve from his near constant Foxboro duty, Chris Gasper writes that Julio Lugo, finally above the Mendoza line again, is feeling better about his swing.
Jays a singing a different tune - Malloy writes that despite last night’s setback, Toronto is suddenly healthy and optimistic about the season, a far cry from the start of the year. It’s an interesting piece if for no other reason that the fact that it’s waaaaayyy ahead of the curve. Evidently the Jays think they can get back in the AL East and Wild Card races, though their 11 and 9 games back. A solid read, and if Toronto surges back in, whoever told Malloy to write it, and Malloy himself, will look awfully smart.
BOSTON HERALD
Forget the first half, Manny’s power was back last night, and every writer - and Sox fan - seemed to notice.
Papi, Manny show clout - Jeff Horrigan writes the Herald’s gamer, leading with David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez before touching on Wakefield’s 10th win of the season.
Drew gets a little extra cushion - Horrigan rides again, telling us that J.D. Drew, quite literally, has more cushioning along the right field wall.
Small problem for Big Papi - Rob Bradford exposes Ortiz’s meniscus tear in his right knee, delving into timetables and injury schedules.
Sox should buy into this insurance policy - Going so far as to call the evolving Manny Delcarmen-Hideki Okajima-Jonathan Papelbon connection the “nouveau nasty boys”, Tony Masarotti continues to heap huge praise on the Boston bullpen.
Ortiz not in testy mood - Guess who’s writing the Red Sox Notebook? That’s right, Horrigan chimes in a third time, telling us that Ortiz won’t undergo testing on his wounded knee, Curt Schilling is back on a throwing program and Joel Pineiro is getting closer to a return.
PROVIDENCE JOURNAL Big bats come out of the gate swinging - Steven Krasner writes the ProJo’s gamer, leading with the big boppers just like Horrigan. I seem to be noticing a trend …
Forget his size, Pedroia immense at plate, in field - Well, this is different. While the Globe and Herald have already produced long-form Dustin Pedroia features, the ProJo gets in the act today, with a nice piece by columnist John Donalds.
Ortiz says knee was hurt in 2006 - Krasner’s notebook leads with Ortiz’s knee injury dating from last year, a point in which the Journal was a date late and dollar short of the Globe and Herald on. But he does do a terrific job of noting Manny’s terrific gun down of Frank Thomas, as well as progress made by Brendan Donnelly in addition to the Herald and Globe’s notes.
