Red Sox Fanatics

2012 Season is upon us

2012-02-07T11:40:00.001-07:00

OK Sox fans. Time for us all to put the disappointment from the Patriots behind us and focus on the upcoming Red Sox season.

Spring training is just around the corner, with pitchers and catchers reporting in just over a week.

Stay tuned for regular updates.

Time to Roll the Dice.....K

2011-04-06T15:14:00.000-06:00

After a very disappointing start to the season, the Red Sox look to finally pick up the first win of the season tonight against the Cleveland Indians.

The Red Sox were swept in Texas by the Rangers, who look as powerful as they did in 2010. Then they were defeated by the Indians yesterday. Jon Lester had a rough outing, John Lackey, Clay Buccholz, and Josh Beckett have been unable to get it done. The ball now goes to the Red Sox number five starter, Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Dice K pitched a lot of innings this spring, but also posted a high ERA of 4.79. Against the youth of the Indians, however, he should be able to use his veteran status to control the Indians lineup.

The Red Sox offense also is trying to make adjustments. Coach Terry Francona has been shuffling the lineup to try to find the right fit for this team. Carl Crawford has been moved up and down.
Will the Sox be relying on speed or power to break out of the season starting slump? Tune in tonight to find out.

And it all Begins

2011-03-31T11:54:00.000-06:00

The Major League basbeall season is upon us. Some teams, like the hated New York Yankees, kick off their regular season today (weather permitting, as New York is forecasting snow). Others, like our beloved Red Sox, begin the season on the road tomorrow as they take on the defending American league Champion Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas.

Most pundits are predicting lofty things for the 2011 Boston Red Sox, with 42 of 45 ESPN analysts predicting that the Red Sox will at least make the World Series, if not win it all. Thier is one natinoal hold out, however. Paul White, writing for USA Today, predicts that the Red Sox won't even make the playoffs this year. What is this guy smoking?

Red Sox Peg Jon Lester with Opening Day Honors

2011-03-21T20:01:00.002-06:00

The Boston Red Sox have chosen lefty Jon Lester to be their opening day starting pitcher for the 2011 season. This is the first time in his career that he has had this privilege. With the vast following of Red Sox nation, and the high hopes that fans, the media, and team management have for the 2011 Red Sox, this honor is a testament in the faith the Sox have that Lester can be the anchor for the rotation.

Lester was chosen over veterans Josh Beckett, John Lackey, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and fellow youngster Clay Buchholz.

Lester is already rumored to be a leading candidate for the Cy Young Award this year, awarded annually to the best pitcher in both the National and American Leagues.

In 2010, Jon Lester led the Red Sox with a 19-9 record,posting a career high in wins. He also had a 3.25 ERA in 208 innings pitched. He averaged 9.7 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched, and a had a walks to hit ratio (WHIP) of 1.202, the lowest in his career.

Lester made his first appearance as an all star in 2010, and finished fourth in Al Cy Young voting.

$100 million man up for grabs

2011-03-13T12:42:00.000-06:00

The Boston Red Sox are reportedly looking to trade Daisuke Matsuzaka. After paying $50 million just for the rights to talk with Dice-K, and then signing him to a $52 million contract, the Red Sox have had enough.

In four years with Boston, Matsuzaka has started 98 games, compiling a 46-27 record in that span, with an ERA of 4.18. His best year was in 2008, when he went 18-3. However, since then, he has battles injuries and a high ERA, posting a 4-6 record in 2009, with a 5.76 ERA, and going 9-6 in 2010, with a 4.69 ERA.

The Red Sox had high hopes for Matsuzaka after he came over from Japan, however, he has never been able to establish himself as a dominant force in the major leagues, as he was in Japan. His famous "gyroball" has been nonexistent.

Boston may have trouble peddling him though, as Dice-K has a $10 million contract for 2011 and 2012, and more importantly, a no trade clause.

Sox sweep two in Split Squad games Tuesday

2011-03-08T17:41:00.000-07:00

Though Stolme Pimentel had a rocky start today, allowing 5 hits, 1 walk, and 2 earned runs in 1.2 innings, the Red Sox defeated the St Louis Cardinals 8-7. Jacoby Ellsbury had three hits in a leadoff role. Ryan Lavarway also blasted a two run homer to pace the Red Sox.

In their other game, Josh Beckett led the Red Sox to a 3-2 win over the Houston Astros. Beckett pitched 3.2 innings today, allowing 3 hits, 1 walk, and striking out four. He allowed 1 earned run. Jonathan Papelbon also pitched an inning in relief, allowing no hits, while striking out one.Ryan Kalish and Jarrod Saltalamcchia paced the offense for the Red Sox.

Agon Goes live

2011-03-06T15:35:00.000-07:00

Adrian Gonzalez is getting in the swing of things, literally. Today he took live batting, taking about 75 swings at City of Palms Park. This is all part of his recovery from shoulder surgery he had on his right arm.

Manager Terry Francona sees no reason to rush Gonzalez into the lineup, and will allow Gonzalez to completely rehab before inserting him into the lineup. The Red Sox expect Gonzalez to make his Spring Training debut sometime this week.

Even with his limited time swinging, Gonzalez shows glimpses of why the Red Sox signed him, hitting a few balls over the fence. With the bats of both Gonzalez and David Ortiz, the Red Sox have a formidable combination in the middle of the batting order.

It may be spring training, but the Sox still beat the Yankees

2011-03-04T21:59:00.000-07:00

Fielding a lineup comprised completely of back up players, the Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Yankees 5-3 today. McDonald, Lin, Kalish, Lowrie, Tejeda, Esposito, Nava, et al combined for only 2 hits against Yankees starter Bartolo Colon, but when they yankees brought in their younger pitchers, the Sox made it count, getting 3 runs in the seventh.

Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz looked impressive in his second outing so far, allowing 1 hit over 3 innings, while striking out three.

In typical Red Sox-Yankees fashion, this game lasted over 3 hours.

I Love It When You Call Me Big Papi

2011-03-02T18:43:00.000-07:00

Daivid Ortiz continued his great spring training with three hits against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday in the Grapefruit League. He singled home Jacoby Ellsbury in the first for Boston's only run, and and added tow more singles to up his average to .625 early on in exhibition season. In addition, he also added a stoled base in the fourth. Yes, Big Papi stole a base.

Sox fans hope this carries into the regular season, where Ortiz has had notoriously slow starts.

John Lackey also made an appearance today, allowing one run on two hits on two innings of pitching. Lackey also struck out one and allowed a home run.

In other Sox news, John Beckett will miss his scheduled start on Thursday. Adrian Gonzalez took about 75 swings off the tee today, and should be ready for full batting practice shortly.

Red SOx home game tickets are still available. Get yours here: http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/ticketing/singlegame.jsp?c_id=bos

Red Sox blank Twins on Tuesday

2011-03-01T20:26:00.000-07:00

After splitting their first two games with the Minnesota Twins, the Red Sox too the third game behind the starting pitching of Jon Lester. Lester pitched two strong innings, striking out one, and allowing one hit and and one walk, before giving way to the bullpen so they could get in some work.

Jonathan Papelbon also pitched an inning in relief, allowing no runners.

At the plate, Marco Scutaro got an extra base hit, as did Juan Linares, the rookie out of Cuba. Josh Reddick also had a hit and picked up his fourth RBI of the exhibition season.

The Sox improved to 2-1 in Grapefruit League play.

Meanwhile, Josh Beckett was back in the clubhouse today, a day after getting hit in the head during batting practice. Beckett was scheduled to start on Thursday, but will probably be pushed back by manager Terry Francona.

On Wednesday the Red Sox play host to the Atlanta Braves, who be making their first appearance with a new manager.

Sweep Start to the New Year for the Red Sox

2011-02-27T15:59:00.000-07:00

The Red Sox started their Spring training slate with a doubleheader sweep of Boston College and Northeastern their annual exhibition games against colleges in the Boston area.

In the early game, the Sox held Boston College to only one hit in 7 innings, blanking the Eagles, 6-0. Kevin Youkilis started off the year with a bang, with a 2 run homer in the first inning. This game was a showcase for some of the younger players in the Red Sox system to strut their stuff. Stolmy Pimentel got the win for the Sox, pitching two innings, and recording two strikeouts.

In the nightcap, the Red Sox blasted Northeastern 13-2. the two runs for Northeastern were their first against the red Sox since 2006. The split squad lineup featured Jacoby Ellsbury and Mike Cameron in outfield for the Sox, with the rest of the lineup featuring minor leaguers.

The Sox face their first major league team on Sunday when they take on the Minnestoa Twins.

How will the Red Sox fare in 2011

2011-02-25T08:12:00.000-07:00

Many people are saying the Red Sox are the team to beat this year in the American League. Just how many games will they win, and what will it take for them to win the East?

In 2010, suffering from a rash of injuries forcing them to add names like Daniel Nava and Ryan Kalish to the lineup, the Red Sox finished the season 89-73, for a third place finish in the American League East, and missing the playoffs. This year the Sox are starting the season healthy, and with the additions of Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford, the Red Sox are posed to be the beast of the east, with hopes of knocking the Yankees off their perch atop the east.

In 2010 the Red Sox finished 7 games back of first, and many people attribute to the injuries that were plaguing the team throughout the year.

Even with the lineup they had to use in 2010, as late as July 3rd the Red Sox were only 1/2 game out of first. however, after the All Star break they were never able to get closer than 4.5 games back, and that was on August 27th.

Were the injuries really to blame, or could there have been another reason for the red sox demise in 2010?

Looking back, we can see that closer Jonathan Papelbon really had a lackluster year in 2010. A 5-7 W/L record, a 3.90 ERA, and 8 blown saves were pivotal reasons for the Red Sox disappointing finish last year. Papelbon needs to really improve this year and show that he is worth the $12,000,000 salary he will be earning in 2011. If he has a season like 2010, look for Terry Francona to turn to either Bobby Jenks or Daniel Bard to be the closer.

At any rate, with the depth that the Red sox now have in the bullpen, I would look for at least a ten game improvement in the win column this year, and would not be surprised if they are able to break the 100 Win mark in 2011.

Li'L Papi hard at work in Spring Training

2011-02-24T08:30:00.000-07:00

Li'l Papi, aka D'Angelo Ortiz, has been one entertaining little fellow down a Red Sox Spring training. Evidently he has mastered the art of impersonating current Red Sox players.

I have included a link where you can check out the little guy right here.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2011/02/lil_papi_has_be.html

Red Sox gear site of the day

2011-02-23T23:03:00.000-07:00

Ok Sox fans. Here is today's Red Sox site of the day to get Red Sox gear.

Chowdaheadz.com. As they say, "Wicked Pissah Stuff" really great T-Shirts and stickers available here.
I really like the "Peace. Love. Sox" shirt. they also have a great selection of Celtics, Bruins, and Patriots gear.

DISCLAIMER: I am not compensated by chowdaheadz.com. I simply like their site.

technorati test

2011-02-23T21:52:00.002-07:00

This post is for technorati verification: E8M85VJW4FVE

Games start soon

2011-02-23T20:54:00.000-07:00

Spring Training games are getting ready to begin. The Red Sox start the season with their annual exhibition game against Boston College on Saturday February 26. Look for all the starters to play an inning or two, and then Tito will get in a lot of the reserves and minor leaguers to get some game day action.

Crunch Time in spring training

2011-02-22T09:39:00.000-07:00

Players get in a workout at red Sox training in ft Myers, Florida. (photo courtesy Jim Davis - Boston Globe)

Adrian Gonzalez playing tee ball

2011-02-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

Adrian Gonzalez cleared to hit off of tee | redsox.com: News

New Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez getting into the swing of things.....sort of.

A little Red Sox history

2011-02-21T09:05:00.000-07:00

The Boston Red Sox have been in existence for 109 years. That's a whole lot of history.

The Red Sox have played 17,135 games since 1901. There have been 1,618 players that have called Beantown their home. Boston has scored 79,470 runs over the last century and change.

Fenway Park circa 1910

2011-02-20T19:53:00.000-07:00

This photo is courtesy of the Library of Congress, and was taken sometime between 1910 and 1915.

Geat article about Jason Varitek

2011-02-20T14:18:00.001-07:00

Check out this article on NESN.com about Jason Varitek still contributing to the Red Sox.
http://www.nesn.com/2011/02/jason-varitek-prepared-to-catch-tim-wakefield-once-again.html

Live BP

2011-02-20T13:41:00.002-07:00

OK Sox fans, today is the first day that the batters face live pitching, tune into NESN and you can catch all the action from Spring Training in Ft Myers.

Also, please share this blog with your followers on twitter and facebook.

Jon Lester looks to improve

2011-02-20T09:37:00.001-07:00

Jon Lester had an outstanding 2010 campaign. 19-9, 3.25 ERA, and 225 K's in 208 innings. However, Jon sees room for improvement: WALKS. Lester said he had too many of them last year, allowing 83 walks. He says that there were too many two out free passes, and looks to cut that number in 2011. If he is able to do this, will a Cy Young award be far behind?

JD Drew Update

2011-02-19T20:37:00.000-07:00

JD Drew took to the field today for his first full workout. Looks like his hamstring problems may be easing up. If he can stay healthy, look for him to build on his 2010 production of 22 home runs and 68 RBI's. Since he is also entering the final year of his contract with the Red Sox, it is important for him to have a great year if he plans on prolonging his career. At the age of 35, he may not have many more opportunities ahead.

Spring Training 2011 Has Started

2011-02-19T20:13:00.000-07:00

It's a new year for Red Sox Nation, and there is much excitement in Fort Myers with the arrival of the team. with the addition of Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford, fans are hopeful that this year's team has great things in store.

Josh Beckett is looking to get back on track after an injury plagued 2011, and John Lackey is striving to form after a less than stellar first season in a Red Sox uniform. John Lester, Clay Buchholz, and Daisuke Matsuzaka complete what should be a very strong starting rotation.