Not to be Left Out

BY BEN BARKER
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS

The Boston Red Sox filled a giant hole in their lineup when the pulled of the Blockbuster deal of the off-season to acquire Adrian Gonzalez.

A-Gon will provide a TON of power from the left side of the plate, and his inside out power stroke will absolutely abuse the Green Monster.

 But even after sticking Gonzalez into the middle of Boston’s star-studded lineup, one question still looms over Beantown. Who the hell is going to play left field?

The Sox have more than a few options; let’s take a look.

1. Magglio Ordonez:

The Red Sox have always like the idea of bringing Magglio Ordonez to Boston, and now they finally have a chance.

The ex-Tiger was a key member of the potential Alex Rodriguez-Manny Ramirez-Nomar Garciaparra trade that fell through back in 2004.

Ordonez has spent the past six seasons in Detroit where he’s had great offense production. While he only played in 84 games last season, he still hit at a clip of .303. In 2007 Ordonez won the batting title with an amazing .363 average.

Of course, the Sox couldn’t expect a season even close to that out of the 37-year-old outfielder, but an incentive filled 2-year deal might be enough to draw Ordonez to a team with a great chance of contending for the World Series.

An Early Christmas Present for Red Sox Nation

BY IAN TASSO

EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS

Few things wake me up at 10-o’clock in the morning on a Saturday. 

A text message from my father that reads “OMG Gonzalez to Sox” is one of those things.

Few notes here. One, the fact that this message was the only thing in my inbox on a Saturday morning is nothing short of good news. This means no felonies were committed last night. Or at least nothing big. Or nothing big that I was directly involved with.

Two, I was in my own bed. That might not mean much to most people, but to a college student, given the alternatives -- my own couch, someone else’s couch, my floor, someone else’s floor, the sidewalk, or not at all -- this is quite a moral victory.

And lastly, at 10am, a sentence like “OMG Gonzalez to Sox” can be enough to ensure heart-failure. Or at the very least, an immediate return to unconsciousness. My dad should realize these things and hold off on texts like that until at least past noon.

Alas, the old man had not, and now I was stuck in a pickle.

More than anything, I was shocked for multiple reasons. First off, my eyes were actually open at 10:00 in the morning, and that doesn’t happen too often. Second, I had both my socks on - which may not sound like much to you, but that’s usually the first indication that I didn’t have to run away from anything the night before. Third, my dad had just used “OMG” in a text - pretty hilarious in and of itself. And lastly, Adrian Gonzalez might actually be headed to Boston.

After a minute of weighing my options, I then closed my eyes and went back to sleep. That’s a lot of pressure to deal with at ten in the morning. I’d handle those questions at a much more comfortable wake up time. Like noon. Or 12:30.

Or 1:30.

So here’s what I got for you. Adrian Gonzalez is 99% headed to Boston, barring a failed physical -- or a “Sturm,” as I like to call it -- and this is what it all means:

Who is he?

A former number one overall pick in 2000 by the Florida Marlins, Gonzalez was plucked right out of high school - along with a $3 million signing bonus -- making him the first infield position player taken first overall since Alex Rodriguez in 1993.

Stove Heating Up for Sox

BY BEN BARKER
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS

With Victor Martinez heading for Detroit, the Boston Red Sox are turning up the heat on their pursuit of free agent outfielder Carl Crawford.

Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein and Manager Terry Francona met with Crawford and his agent earlier this week in Houston, Texas. It seems as though Boston has become more serious about turning every Sox fan’s dream into a reality.

Crawford will be seeking a deal in the 6-7 year range worth just around 120 million dollars. Just last off-season, Matt Holliday raked in a 7-year 120 million dollar contract from the Cardinals. Crawford is considered at least equally as talented as Holliday, and his contract will most likely be for similar figures.

The Red Sox are publicly against giving out contracts exceeding 4 years, and rightfully so. The last three deals that the Sox have shelled out for 5 years or more have been to JD Drew, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and John Lackey. Crawford, however, may prove to be worth the risk.

Even with the Crawford talks heating up, the Red Sox aren’t forgetting about Jayson Werth.

Just days after meeting with Crawford in Houston, Epstein and Francona met with Werth and super-agent Scott Boras in Chicago. It has been almost assumed that the Sox would end up with Werth for the start of the 2011 season, and this is just another step in that direction.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have been rumored front runners in the Crawford sweepstakes, and if they drive the price too high for Boston’s liking, the Sox could end up with an outfield of Werth, Ellsbury, and Drew. Werth would prove to be a cheaper fix for the Sox, and his power from the right side would fill the void left by potential ex-Sox Adrian Beltre and now Detroit Tiger, Victor Martinez.

Oh, The Places They'll Go

BY BEN BARKER
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS

The top five MLB Free Agents in 2010, and where they’ll play in 2011:

#5 Adam Dunn

Chicago White Sox

Adam Dunn has made it very clear that he doesn't want to be a full time DH at this point in his career.

Chicago will probably re-sign Paul Konerko, but even if they do, Dunn and Konerko could split time at first and DH.

This would be key for the White Sox, as they need some more power in the middle of their order. Konerko went off last year, but will need some help in 2011. Dunn has been offered arbitration by the Nationals, but will certainly decline and sign elsewhere.

Look for him to land in the windy city with a 3-4 year deal hovering around 10 million annually.

#4 Adrian Beltre

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Nobody is smiling more this off-season than Adrian Beltre.

This guy looked to be circling the drain as a legitimate power hitter in the MLB … and then 2010 happened.

Last year Beltre battled through injuries and almost single-handedly propelled the Red Sox into the playoffs. Brandon Wood didn’t work out for the Halo’s last season, and they’ll look for an external replacement for 2011. Nobody fits that mold better than Beltre, a guy who can do it with his bat, and his glove.

Beltre has made it clear that he’d like to return to the West Coast, and I can’t think of a better fit than the Angels.

You Can't Win 'Em All

Editor's Note: This article was originally featured in Emerson College's The Berkeley Beacon: http://www.berkeleybeacon.com/

BY IAN TASSO
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS


The stadium was tense.

Over 42,000 stood together on their feet, their towels flapping in the air as they poured down thunderous cheers like rain from a blackened cloud. 

As their closer came to the set, he held more than just a stitched baseball in his glove. He held the hopes of a city; the dreams of a generation. 

Almost in slow motion, San Francisco's hero exhaled, his pulse thumping in tune with the hundreds of thousands watching. And then, like the ticking hand of a grandfather clock, he made his first movement, beginning his wind-up, one that seemed to take longer than the game itself. 

As he released the ball, time seemed to slow, every rotation bringing the fans closer to a dream that had been held on ice for weeks. Like a tiger eyeing his prey, the batter's eyes widened as the ball approached, his grip tightening around the bat. 

And then it all went silent-a stadium full of fans holding their collective breath for an instant.

His swing seemed to last a lifetime, thousands of eyes glued to the action, thousands more looking away. But as the ball slammed into the catcher's glove, the sound of popping leather acted like a starter's gun at a track meet, signaling a celebration that bordered on pandemonium. 

With a Giant exhale, the stadium erupted in cheers. 

Fireworks and fists shot through the air like synchronized beacons of hope, the intervals between the booming explosions filled in with excitement and screaming. 

Red Sox Obituary

BY GABE SOUZA
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS

The 2010 Boston Red Sox, who, until recently, held hope that they would win the Wild Card and make the World Series, died the night of Tuesday, Sept. 29, in the aftermath of huge battle victories for the Rays of Tampa Bay and Yankees of New York. The Sox team was eight months old.

Until recently, the deceased spoke of beating up on Marino Rivera in the ninth inning, watching the Laser Show return to the field and being scared by a large first baseman’s manly beard. But, a slew of injuries derailed the Sox and ultimately led to their death.

A family spokesman said that a wake will be open to the public and will take place at Fenway Park in Boston at the close of the Major League Baseball season. Doctors said the deceased had been vibrant and "full of life" as recently as the morning of Sept. 26, clinging to statistically teasing possibilities of making the playoffs.

The false hopes instilled in the Sox by a number of positive preseason predictions led to great disappointment in recent weeks. The numerous injuries weakened and made vulnerable to attack the once invincible soul.        

Sox Slipping into Baseball-Coma

BY GABE SOUZA
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS.

It may not be time to reach for the Pepto Bismol just yet, but queasy feelings of indigestion about the Boston Red Sox season should be settling in right about now.

Watching the bullpen’s abysmal performance against the Seattle Mariners this past weekend, an unwieldy case of heartburn took hold and I have worries it may not lift for the rest of the year.

The Sox have five days before the trade deadline. ESPNBoston’s Gordon Edes is reporting Manny Delcarmen and Ramon Ramirez could be potential bait in an attempt to land Toronto lefty Scott Downs.

Recent struggles by “the other” Japanese pitcher, Hideki Okajima, have made the Sox bullpen anything but a sure bid. The eighth and ninth innings are locks with young fireballer Daniel Bard and fearless veteran knucklehead Jonathan Papelbon taking the reins. Journeyman Scott Atchinson has actually provided steady relief with a 3.79 ERA through 21 games. But past that, who else is there?

Ramon Ramirez has a 4.69 ERA, Manny Delcarmen stands at an even 5.00 and Okajima is, well, anything but okey-dokey at a whopping 5.81. Beyond those, the bullpen is filled with hardly recognizable names: Scott Schoeneweis, Dustin Richardson et all.

If they do land Scott Downs (4-3, 2.41 ERA, 46 games), it will give them four reliable arms in relief, just enough to squeak by. Maybe.

Unfortunately for the Sox, the bad chili they ate for defense is coming back to bite them.

Red Sox Midseason Questions: 1-5

BY IAN TASSO
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS

Since I last left you, Daniel Nava has been sent back to the minors, John Lackey has taken a no-hitter into the 8th inning, and both Marco Scutaro and Adrian Beltre have gone deep. Not bad for the first set of predictions.

Then again, Bill Hall continued to make the worst of his $8.5 million a year contract, booting a possible inning-ending double-play, that eventually forced the Sox into an extra-inning loss.

Thanks a lot Bill. This is what I get for sticking up for you. Hey, at least he can play seven other positions, right? 

Right...


Well, in any case, I might as well keep rolling while the getting's hot. Four out of five 'aint so bad. Hell, if we're playing baseball rules (and, we are, because I said so), that's an .800 average. 


I mean, damn. Move over Teddy Williams, there's a new sheriff in town. Without further ado, here are the final five questions you've all been asking, and the rest of you have been thinking. 

From David Ortiz to the Yankees, all the way to our beloved Dice-K Matsuzaka, I leave no stones unturned.


So let's start turning.

5. What can we expect from Big Papi moving forward? Will the Derby effect his swing? (Markus, Boston, MA)

Doubtful.

I know we’ve seen it in years past, specifically with Josh Hamilton two seasons ago, but in reality, this whole “Derby Curse” is just about as believable as the Madden one.

Look, these guys are professional athletes. I’m supposed to buy that they get, what? Tired? After swinging a bat really hard for a few hours? I mean isn’t that their job? Isn’t that what they do before every game they play - all 162 of them?

Red Sox Midseason Questions: 6-10

BY IAN TASSO
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS

Well, it’s about that time.

July is almost through, baseball’s in full swing, and naturally, the Sox have questions – and plenty of them.

Will the rebound from the injuries? Will John Lackey rebound from whatever’s wrong with him? Will Dice-K ever have two similar starts in a row? 

No, seriously. For good or for bad - at this point, I really don't care which it is. Two great starts in a row, or two horrible ones - just anything that slightly resembles the last, at all, would be great, thanks Dice-man.

They’re the burning questions that everyone’s asking, as the Red Sox lace up the cleats for the second half of what is turning out to be a very difficult baseball season in Boston. How will it all end up?

Check out for yourself below, as the first half of the top 10 Red Sox Questions are answered, numbers 6-10:

10. Have the Red Sox finally found a capable shortstop in Marco Scutaro? (Steve, Springfield, MA)

I can’t say that I was fully on board with the Scutaro signing before the season began.

In fact, I was a bit skeptical that after all their troubles at the shortstop position, the Red Sox would expect a 34-year old, .266 career-hitting journeyman (who had spent time with the Athletics, Blue Jays, and Mets) to be the knight in shining armor to their fire-breathing dragon of a problem.

After all, 2009 was his breakout year, where he slugged a whopping .282, popping 12 homers to go along with 60 RBI. An absolute monster breakout. Right. And Lou Bega is a top 10 recording artist.

July 18; MLB Power Rankings

BY DARREN GROVE
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS

Limping to the Halfway Mark

BY GABE SOUZA
EDITORIAL - PHOTOS BY AP NEWS

As we approach the MLB All-Star game, looking for any semblance of consistency or predictability in the Boston Red Sox’ season is as fruitless as trying to figure out what goes on inside Manny Ramirez’s head.

The Sox currently sit in third place, a comfortable two games behind the beleaguered Tampa Bay Rays and a reasonable striking distance of five games back from the New York Yankees.

But the contributions have come from the most unlikely, from guys who, when Spring Training started, hadn’t the slightest dream of playing underneath the shadow of the Monster at Fenway.

So far, the two outfielders with the most games played – by a wide margin – have been J.D. Drew and Darnell McDonald.

Wait, what?

That’s right. The crybaby whose oft-chipped toenails, pulled hamstrings or hurt feelings usually left him wallowing in his own misery on the bench, has led the Sox outfield with 78 games played, a .275 average and 10 home runs.

Meanwhile, the unheralded 31-year old journeyman too-old-to-be-a-minor-leaguer McDonald has shown shades of former unlikely BoSox hero Brian Daubach.

Cowboy Up?

by Gabe Souza
Editorial. Photos by AP News

Something’s missing.

Things are slightly awry in Beantown, and though things might be turning the corner, the bottom line is that Theo Epstein’s Red Sox are off to a stumbling fourth place start.

It’s been a confusing go so far for the Sox. One night the vaunted pitching and defense looks like it could win you a championship. John Lester has been nearly unhittable in his last seven starts, including the only Sox win over the Yankees a few weekends ago.

At other times, however, it’s been atrocious at best. Josh Beckett has an abysmal 7.29 ERA and supposed slick fielder Adrian Beltre is looking more like the reincarnation of Edgar Renteria – though he might finally be coming through.

These aren’t the Boston Red Sox that won the World Series just three years ago and they certainly aren’t the Idiots that broke the curse in 2004.

Last Call's Hub Hot Spots

Last Call's Ian Tasso broke down and ranked Boston's Top Sports Bars…check it out:

"Hub Hot Spots"

State of the Nation - Stumbling Start

May 2, 2010

Tasso, Herman

A Good Ol' Fashioned Beantown Slugfest

by Gabe Souza

Editorial. Photos by AP News

There’s no doubt Beantown has seen its fair share of sluggers through the years.

From Babe in the ‘10’s, to Teddy Ballgame in the ‘50’s, to Manny being Manny in the ‘00’s - the hometown team has always had at least one guy in the starting nine popping dingers over the Green Monster and onto Lansdowne Street.

Many of them have even earned a place in Cooperstown.

But what about those that have yet to hang up the cleats? As crazy as it sounds, Kevin Youkilis, Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia all have a chance to be remembered in the annals of Fenway.

But before we figure out where they rank, let’s take a look at the throwbacks, the guys who paved the road for the current gang in the Hub.

Babe Ruth:

Way back in the 1910’s, George Herman “Babe” Ruth roamed the confines of the relatively new Fenway Park. The young pitcher/ right fielder was scouted as being a below average fielder, but it was the big lefty’s bat that made all the difference.

After a relatively quiet first five years with the BoSox, Ruth broke out in 1919. In 130 games, Ruth hit .322, belted an unheard of at the time 29 home runs and knocked in 114 runs. But that offseason, Ruth was traded to…well, we won’t go there.

Last Call MLB Playoff Predictions: Preseason

Three of a Kind

BY IAN TASSO
EDITORIAL - PHOTOS BY AP NEWS


He held his hat towards the sky as his teammates hoisted him on their shoulders, beaming at the crowd, the phrase “2003 World Champions” glowing on the scoreboard in the background.

There he sat, both fists held high in the air as the cheers poured on him from the stands. He was only a sophomore in the league, having appeared in just 50 major league games before now. But more importantly for the 23-year-old Josh Beckett, he was a World Series champion, creating history with his fingertips.


Or rather, reenacting it.


That’s because just one year earlier, Beckett himself watched as a fan of baseball – a fan of history - while a flurry of firework explosions sent John Lackey, a 24-year-old Angels’ rookie, charging towards the pitcher’s mound with both fingers pointed to the sky, his glove a long-gone afterthought as it soared through the air.


And as the deafening cheers drowned out the booming red and white pyrotechnics, Lackey himself joined more than just his teammates in a jubilant mob on the pitchers mound – he had joined Babe Adams of the 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates as the only rookie in baseball history to start, and win, game 7 of a World Series.


And Beckett had seen it all.

“I knew he was from Texas, so that was kind of cool to me,” said Beckett of watching his new teammate win the final game of the 2002 World Series. “I think earlier on in life, you always dream about that situation. That was my first full year in the big leagues was the year he did that. So obviously I watched the World Series and I watched all the playoffs and everything - and it came true in 2003.”

Opening Day: Back with a Bang

by Ian Tasso

Editorial. Photos by AP News

A five-year old Herb Brooks. The Father of Rap. The Anti-Zimmer. The Bloody Sock. Sweet Caroline AND Sweet Emotion.

For Christ’s sake, part of me is surprised President Obama and the goddamn Grinch weren’t there. I mean everybody who was anybody was there. LeBron James was there. Jay-Z. Snoop Dogg. Heidi Watley (yes, I realize she’s there every game. But still…have you seen her?)

There were fireworks, explosions, rocket ships, F-22’s. And on top of that, it was a Sox comeback win. What more could you ask for?

Wait, what? Some people are complaining it was a little over the top?

You’ve got to be kidding me. Those are probably the same people who still use Blockbuster. Dude. It’s called Netflix. Or the ones who played Magic the Gathering instead of Pokemon – you know, the kids who always brought Cheese-Doodlez for lunch, snack, recess-snack, mid-snack, and probably had them for breakfast and dinner. Disgusting. Have you seen those things?

C’mon people. The program - get with it.

It was The Opening Day of baseball – the entire sport. It was The Yankees versus The Red Sox. At The Fenway Park. What did you expect?

Dealing With Aces

by Ben Barker

Editorial. Photos by AP News

As I watched Josh Beckett struggle to find the plate against the Yankees on opening night, I jokingly stated that he would be smart to accept the Red Sox four-year extension before he hit the showers.

Well, he did it.

Ok, so maybe not that soon, but the very next day Beckett and the Red Sox extended their partnership until at least the 2014 season. While the deal followed one of his worst outings as a Red Sox, the nation should be in a state of bliss.

Heading into the 2010 season, many called the Sox rotation the best in the majors. That’s great, but before Monday, it was a short-term statement. On opening night, the Red Sox were certain to have one year of Beckett, Lester, and Lackey. Now, they have at least four.

Red Sox Nation; we dodged a bullet.

Beckett’s four-year deal is worth $68 million dollars. That breaks down to $17 million a year. Now I know this sounds like an enormous deal, but Theo may have made like McDonalds and gotten more for his money.

If Epstein would have followed his past strategies and waited until the end of the season to make a bid for Beckett, he may as well have packed Josh’s bags for him. Yes, $17 million is a nice chunk of change, but in free agency, there is not doubt that someone would have showed him $20 million. For those who say he would have stuck with Boston regardless; I bet you said the same about Pedro, Damon and Bay didn’t you?

Locked and Loaded

by Ian Tasso

Editorial. Photos by AP News

And after five long months of awkward tension and dick measuring, the battle is back on. 

All winter, Yankee and Sox fans have been hurling shit at each other, some of it factual, most of it not; anything from Rex Ryan fat jokes all the way to ‘who’s your daddy’ chants.

But all that is finally over. Enough is enough. At last, the battle can now return to the base paths – where it belongs.

And both teams are ready, too.

Because while the fans have been spending the winter trying to decide what’s better, spending an absurd amount of money or only winning once in ten years while spending an absurd amount of money, both Boston and New York’s front offices were hard at work.

The Yankees, fresh off a World Series Championship, rather than sitting at home and shining their trophy went out and landed Curtis Granderson in exchange for top prospect Austin Jackson. And then, in what can only be described as a blackout-drunk Fantasy Baseball trade, swapped a 12-pack and a pair of shoes for NL strikeout runner-up, Javier Vazquez.

Meanwhile, after being eliminated in the first round of last year’s playoffs, the Red Sox took a long, hard look in the mirror, and decided it was time for some changes - big ones.

Enter John Lackey, Adrian Beltre, Mike Cameron and Marco Scutaro.

Yeah, I know. Those four names don’t exactly strike fear into your heart.

But it’s not just the players that have changed. You have to step back, and realize that everything about the Red Sox battle plans have changed – no longer will they go about war with the Bombers by fighting fire with fire. No, outslugging the Yankees proved to be a futile effort last season.

Instead, Boston will fight fire with water – which, if you think about it, makes a hell of a lot more sense than fighting it with fire. To be quite honest, I don’t even really understand that saying. But maybe that’s because I was raised on Pokemon.

It’s like this: if the dude you’re facing has a Charmander, why would you even think about using your Growlithe? Growlithe is a complete pussy compared to Charmander anyway. It makes no sense. Especially when you could just water gun his ass with Squirtle, who, though comparatively, looks like a bitch, in fact holds such an advantage it’s not even funny.

That’s what the Yankees are, though, at their core – a team full of Charmanders. A bunch of big, huge, scary and sometimes mustached (Giambi) Charmanders. And you know the Yankees are that kid who has a level 65 one before they even reach Mt. friggin’ Moon, just because they’ve ONLY been using Charmander all game. So what’s the solution? Jason Bay? Matt Holliday?