Still having a hard time accepting the casual cruelty that Curt Schilling inflicted upon former teammate Tim Wakefield for what turned out to be his last three days on earth. Just rotten beyond words. He lacked the decency to allow him to die on his own terms.
Sean McDonough didn't mince words on WEEI broadcast after Mookie Betts homered. "It's a trade that can never be defended and a stain that will never be erased, the trade of Mookie Betts by the Red Sox."
Since Chris Sale's 5-year, $145 million extension took effect in 2020 he has:
* Made 11 starts
* Posted a playoff ERA of 8.00
* Missed nearly 2 years to Tommy John
* Contracted COVID
* Broken a rib throwing a pitch
* Broken a pinky on a liner
* Broken a rib falling off a bike
Couple of Tim Wakefield stories. 1. In 2017, I was hosting a weekend show on WEEI and we asked for callers' most beloved Boston athlete -- not the best, but the guy they most respected. Wake won in a surprising landslide. My phone buzzed. "Thx," he wrote. "That's really nice."
Oh man did Better Call Saul deliver a finale worthy of the entire Breaking Bad universe. Who could've known the tale of Jimmy McGill would rival that of Walter White? Each man orchestrated exactly the ending he deserved. Here's to 14 years of greatness.
No one makes the Red Sox watchable, regardless of the product on the field, like Dennis Eckersley. He's every bit as enthusiastic about the game in person as he is on the screen. Just a massive loss for Red Sox fans.
Marcelo Mayer attended the same high school as Adrian Gonzalez. He's a five-tool shortstop. This is stunning. It's like the Red Sox actually had the first pick in the draft.
I am trying to recall any team in any sport making this kind of turnaround within a season without dramatically altering the roster. The Celtics were unwatchable and now they're unstoppable.
Dear idiots: Please stop shopping in pairs. One of you can stay home and the other will manage. Whole Foods and Market Basket aren't date night. They're Walking Dead supply runs--get in and GTFO. Quit dawdling at the granola. If you make me sick, I swear to Christ I'll find you.
He threw out the first pitch to Eck only three weeks ago, and even with an oxygen tank, he still had that twinkle. What a sad day. What an institution. Red Sox broadcasts will never be the same.
NewsCenter 5 has learned that beloved
#Boston
Red Sox broadcaster and former player Jerry Remy has died. He was 68 years old and in the middle of his 7th cancer battle. Rest in peace, Jerry. 💔
#RemDawg
#RIP
#RedSox
#baseball
#MLB
Biggest leads by game in Eastern Conference Finals:
Game 1 -- Celtics, 14
Game 2 -- Celtics, 17
Game 3 -- Celtics, 20
Game 4 -- Heat, 12
Game 5 -- Celtics, 19
Tell me why they can't win this.
I'm all for whatever gets a deal done, but can we take just a moment to acknowledge the absurdity of 14 teams making baseball's playoffs? You play 162 games so half of the league can advance?
In his last 10 games, Jayson Tatum has won head-to-head matchups with Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Ja Morant, and now Kevin Durant. Throw in Trae Young, too. That's a lot of either MVP candidates or past winners or both.
@sepinwall
Me: "WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!?"
My wife, a casual viewer: "Tony just got killed. Remember how they said you never hear the one that gets you?"
Me: "No! He's not dead! The cut just signifies the end of this particular story! It's a moment in time!"
Her: "Yeah, no, he's dead."
Well, that was fun. After 20 years in morning drive, I did my last show on WEEI this morning. Thanks to all who listened. Unfortunately, this ain’t a movie. Sometimes the bad guys win. Much more to come.
So much for momentum. You let your players get to free agency, this is what happens. I do not blame the Red Sox for not matching that deal. I do blame them for effing this up royally in April. Great deal for Bogaerts, sad day for Red Sox fans.
If Rafael Devers and Red Sox are only $80 million apart, as Jon Heyman reports, then there's no reason deal can't get done. It means Red Sox have made a legitimate offer. First encouraging news of offseason.
Worth noting that Hosmer attended the same high school as Red Sox prospect Triston Casas (American Heritage in Plantation, Fla.) and has worked with the youngster since he was a teenager.
I'm conflicted on whether we should write about the Wakefields, even after the team's statement. They've requested privacy over an intensely personal matter that has only become public because an ex-teammate lacks basic decency.
I'm gonna throw this out there for no particular reason, but the Astros swept the middle three games in Washington during the 2019 World Series to take a 3-2 lead and then lost Games 6 and 7 at Minute Maid. Just sayin'...
First they cheer for a baby, now Red Sox fans are singing along to Mr. Brightside by The Killers. How the hell does the whole park know all the lyrics!?! This is just turning into a big party.
Red Sox have won five in a row. They're 18-14 despite playing eight series against teams either in first or second place in their respective divisions. I freely admit I did not see this coming.
I don't know when Theo will really make his impact felt on the Red Sox (it won't be in the next 2 weeks before spring training), but it will happen. He is the 1 voice capable of piercing Henry's bubble and convincing him to spend again. This is a good day if you're a Red Sox fan.
When I wrote about Red Sox pitchers drinking beer during games in 2011, the rotation froze me out. Beckett was obsessed with finding "the snitch." I thought it was going to be a problem, but Jon Lester didn't let it. He knew that he had screwed up, not me. Showed real character.
Kevin Plawecki was a good teammate, but Red Sox players need to stop moping over personnel decisions and look in the mirror. If they'd played better, their buddy would still be here. Bloom's an easy target, but there's been way too much whining this year.
The NESN broadcast is so much better with Lou Merloni. Dave O'Brien mentions that lightning struck a tree in his yard and says he'd welcome the help if anyone in Salem, NH has a chainsaw. "Are you asking if anyone in New Hampshire has a chainsaw!?" Lou asks. Give him every game.
Has anyone noticed that Dave O'Brien is getting more pointed in his commentary on NESN? A much-needed injection of reality for the broadcast. The only analyst who offers any criticism is Framingham Lou.
I haven't thought about Julio Lugo in years, but the news of his death sent me rummaging through my attic in search of a reminder of a small, long-ago act of kindness.
Red Sox who have seriously exceeded expectations: Verdugo, Winckowski, Wong, Duran, Crawford, possibly Yoshida. They're quickly becoming the team no one wants to see. If they prevail tomorrow, they'll equal last season's win total vs. Jays.
Andrew Bailey arrived with ideas of how to improve the Red Sox rotation, chief among them throwing strike 1 and dominating the first 3 pitches of every at-bat. I'd say the message is taking, because over 4 games in Seattle, Red Sox starters walked just 1 batter total.
What a great call by Sean McDonough. The voice cracking is reminiscent, if you're old enough, of Tom Brunansky's sliding catch off camera to clinch the 1990 AL East title.
We have officially reached the "ignoring the arrows on the aisles and shopping any damn direction I please" phase of the pandemic, which means we're gonna be locked down again by October.
What I'll think of when I think of Marcus Smart: wheeling my daughter into Children's with a broken ankle almost exactly two years ago and being greeted by this. He dedicated himself to the community in ways that mattered.
Tim Wakefield gave so much to Boston and the Jimmy Fund. No one walked the walk like he did when it came to charity. Just a crushing loss for the city. Rest in peace.
Tony Mazz announces he won't be back on Red Sox games with NESN this year. It's a shame, because he had a chance to be a compelling voice on the air, but it's clear the station was never comfortable letting him be himself.
Red Sox open Grapefruit slate against NU today. Imagine if they had fielded this lineup:
RF Betts
3B Devers
2B Bogaerts
DH Martinez
LF Schwarber
SS Story
1B Casas
CF Rafaela
C Vazquez
It was entirely possible, and for a reasonable price. You can cry now.
Can't argue with move to DFA Jackie Bradley Jr. based on his numbers, but Red Sox did him no favors by constructing a roster that forced him to start. He should've been a fourth outfielder who played some vs. RHPs, not the everyday right fielder.
The Warriors pretended to respect the Celtics, but they clearly didn't mean it, and they still don't get it. They think the 4th quarter of Game 1 was a fluke, which proves they don't understand what the C's are about at all. But they're about to learn.
It's great that the Red Sox value versatility, but perhaps sticking an infielder in right field and an outfielder at first base is not the best use of their considerable resources.
Including 2019, Dustin Pedroia is owed $40 million through 2021. I have a hard time understanding the vitriol towards the deal. Not only did he already earn the money, he has suffered what might be lifelong damage while playing here. Why should he leave a penny on the table?
If Red Sox win upcoming series against the Orioles -- as they should, but who knows? -- they're guaranteed to gain a game on either the Yankees or Blue Jays, who square off next. Boston still owns easiest path to playoffs, not that anyone wants to hear that now.
As Red Sox try to find next new-school GM to combine analytics with biomechanical systems blah blah blah ... consider Dave Dombrowski, who is decidedly old-school: built core of '94 Expos, WS-winning Marlins and Red Sox, best Tigers team since '80s, and today's exciting Phillies.
The death of Stacy Wakefield just months after her husband, Tim, is devastating. A power couple in local philanthropic circles, and now they're both gone. Thoughts to their two children amidst this unspeakable loss.
You will not meet a nicer, more respected writer. We bonded over our shared experiences covering the Patriots and Red Sox, and I'm not alone in saying you knew he was in your corner. We lost a great one today, and my heart breaks for his family and coworkers.
Rondo, when asked on TNT what he thinks when he plays in Boston: "Home, where it all started. Danny believed in me from Day 1, and my career probably wouldn't be the same if I went anywhere else."
I'm not just saying this because I used to work with him and genuinely like him, but I actually believe
@TonyMassarotti
will do the best job of the three names floated to join Dave O'Brien in the NESN broadcast booth, per
@AlexReimer1
.
Nobody in Boston takes themselves less seriously than Gary, which is why he'll probably hate all the tributes pouring in. Sports fans need you. Random drum kits in Guitar Center need you. New England-based movies looking for a baritone broadcaster need you. Get well soon!
David Ortiz not happy w/Mike Fiers. "Oh, after you make your money, after you get your ring, you decide to talk about it? Why didn't you talk about it during the season when it was going on? Why didn't you say, 'I don't want to be no part of it?' So you're looking like a snitch."
Kneel for the anthem and you're an ungrateful son of a bitch who should maybe leave the country. Kneel for Putin, and you're a strong leader who trusts the KGB over the CIA.
I hadn't thought of Julio Lugo in years, but news of his death sent me rummaging through my attic in search of a reminder of a small long-ago act of kindness.
Remember when none of us (justifiably) wanted to see David Price start another playoff game? To his credit, this is one of the few times an athlete can legitimately play the "no one believed in me" card.
Dug this out of a box of HS stuff: a Trinity Rep playbill for a 1989 production of Joe Turner's Come and Gone starring none other than 2021 Oscar nominee
@violadavis
. Turns out she's been performing August Wilson for a long time.
The great Dennis Eckersley on why he wasn't particularly close to teammate Fred Lynn back in the day: "When I played with him in '78, I was a *maniac*. Are you kidding me? I was single and just livin' hard."
Matt Dermody defended his use of the N-word in an old Twitter post only five days ago, and he's still in the Red Sox organization. This whole mess is calling Chaim Bloom's leadership and judgment into question.
Strangest part of David Price ripping Eckersley was his contention that Eck isn't popular with former teammates. He remains friendly with Rick Manning, who stole his wife, and he threw out a first pitch to Kirk Gibson, who could've ruined his career. Who doesn't like Eck?
Kyrie defection will look awful for 3 months when he plays his ass off and beams in every highlight while marveling at how freeing it is to be home. But let's see what happens after the honeymoon, when he's moody and miserable again, because maintaining the facade is exhausting.
Tom Brady could've demanded Alex Reimer's head. Instead he showed compassion. It served as a reminder that Brady has conducted himself with decency for 18 years here.
Love the Sale trade. By moving on, Craig Breslow removes a constant source of uncertainty from his rotation, and even lands a second baseman with some potential in Grissom. I will say this about Sale: He wasn't some layabout cashing his checks, but his body simply let him down.