His Knee's Still All Foulked Up
Red Sox blog - Boston.com: "Here's the scoop on Keith Foulke as we know it. The reason he's been held back in spring training is because he's been undergoing two weeks of 'injections' to his knees. "
-Mother Foulker Hub

Sox Turn Down Deal Involving Bronson Arroyo For Alfonso Soriano
"According to a team source, the Nationals have already approached the Red Sox about a trade involving second baseman Alfonso Soriano, whom the Nationals acquired in a December trade and are trying to persuade to accept a move to left field, but the Red Sox showed very little interest."

-Red Sox Spring Trading Rumor Hub

1901: The Birth of Red Sox Nation -
As hard as it may be for their partisans to believe today, there was indeed a time when the Boston Red Sox did not exist. This flaw in the national culture was corrected in 1901.
(Props to redsoxnation.net and redsoxdiehard.com)

ContraCostaTimes.com -02/24/2006-Good times for Garciaparra, Hamm:

Nomar Flat Out Denies Steroid Use

"Last April, however, Garciaparra heard the Boston drumbeat in another way. He tore his right groin coming out of the batter's box at Wrigley Field and did not play again until August. Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan, reacting to this latest injury, wondered in print if Garciaparra's physical development and subsequent breakdowns represented a telltale sign of steroid use.

'Let's see,' Garciaparra said with a hint of agitation. 'I hurt my wrist when I was hit by a pitch, I was hit in batting practice and injured the Achilles, and I had an abdominal condition I wasn't even aware of that contributed to the groin injury. Steroids? That's as absurd as saying I faked the Achilles injury.'

He's Sticking To It
For the record, however, Garciaparra said he never asked to be traded, never used or faked the Achilles' injury in an attempt to force a trade, never expressed a desire to play on the West Coast, never would have bought a multimillion-dollar home there in 2003 if it wasn't his thought that he would play out his career with the Red Sox, never turned down a $60 million offer from the club in which all aspects had been fully negotiated or which did not include a significant portion of deferred dollars.


Was there any relief when finally traded?
"Not at all," Garciaparra said. "I cried. I was crushed. The city and the fans meant that much to me, and they still do. I played for those fans, my teammates, the history of that franchise. It was hard to take the way it went down, but the thing I'm proudest of from my time in Boston is that we raised more than $1 million for charity and there is still a playground that has my name on it."

"Not one thing I heard said about Nomar that season or read about him truly described him. I always felt it better described the person who was saying it or writing it. I mean, the furthest thing from the truth is to say he is selfish or greedy or inconsiderate or doesn't care. We've talked about it and I'm sure there were times in Boston when he could have answered a question a little better or more fully or reacted in a better way. But at no time did any of that come from a bad place."
-Mia Hamm-Garciaparra on the misperception of her husband in Boston

-Red Sox Icon Hub

Handshake Deal, Or Is Adam Kicked To The Tuna?

Vinatieri, who was franchised last season, stood to make $3.01 million if the Patriots tagged him again, a raise of 20 percent. That’s $500,000 more than the $2.468 million averaged by the top five kickers.

“It just didn’t feel like the right thing to do,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. “We considered all our options and decided not to tag anybody.”

Brady did not play in the NFL Pro Bowl on Feb. 12. The 28-year-old quarterback was at the Super Bowl on Feb. 5 in Detroit, where he was part of the opening coin toss.

"There are indications that Red Sox manager Terry Francona could receive a contract extension soon. Rather than exercise its option for 2007, the team may sign him to a multi-year deal."
- The Hartford Courant

Jamal Lewis And Corey Dillon On The Patriots?
Dillon's contract makes cutting him cost prohibitive, but a dedicated Jamal Lewis, not even 27 years old, is intriguing.

"Lewis envisions a 'fresh start' in free agency, saying he would be interested in playing for the Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots or division rival Pittsburgh Steelers."

-Patriots Hub

Eric Mangini Breaks Law
"They also declined to exercise their option on Law, a five-time Pro Bowler who had a career-high 10 interceptions last season. The option, which would've triggered the next three years on his contract, required the Jets to pay him an $11 million bonus. That's an amount the cap-troubled team obviously was not willing to pay."

Law has put on a few pounds, as he was unable to train as intensely as he is accustomed last offseason due to the healing foot. A larger Law would make a nice fit at safety for the Patriots-He would have to accept that his dreams of a cornerback sized payday are over. The best example of the player that triumphantly made such a transition is Rod Woodson, who became an All-Pro at the safety position after being cut by the Steelers.

-Patriots Hub

Roberto Petagine Era Ends In Boston
Mariners sign Petagine to minor-league contract: "The Mariners have signed free-agent first baseman Roberto Petagine to a minor-league contract. Petagine, 34, was with Boston last year, hitting .281 with 9 RBI with the Red Sox and .327-20-69 at Class AAA Pawtucket. "

SIDE SHOW MANNY STRIKES AGAIN

Get In My Mirabelli as a Padre...

Youk NOT In Pawtucket...

SI.com - More Foulke

"''I'll never be channeled toward baseball,' he said. ''That's just not going to happen. I'm not a baseball fan. I actually find baseball kind of boring. It's not my life. Pitching is something I enjoy doing. I'm probably going to get a lot of people that are a little chapped at me for saying that, but just don't take it the wrong way. I can't sit around and watch nine innings of a baseball game. The reason why I play this game is that I love the camaraderie with my teammates and I love to pitch. All the downtime of baseball is what I don't like."

And Here Comes The Modesty:

Oh, and one more thing. What about the final out of the '04 World Series? What about the infamous baseball Doug Mientkiewicz put into the vault? Does Foulke ever wish he'd taken that Edgar Renteria comebacker and run it over to first base himself?

''Yeah," he said. ''I'm not gonna brag, but I think I did a pretty good job in that Series and I'll be selfish. Yeah, I think I do deserve that ball. I know I did a good job. The team won. And all the other [stuff] -- [who was] MVP and the bloody sock -- you guys can have that. I made myself happy and I'm the toughest guy to please."


Hey Keith, we didn't particularly enjoy your BP fastball in 2005 either. Do yourself a favor: Stay out of the media, out of the bars(Want to see the photos?),off the radio, and on the mound, and you will get through your salary drive 2006 season.

-Foulkey Fries With That BP Fastball Hub

Nomar Was Destined To Play At Home In Southern

California At Some Point...

Nomar Reportedly Has Been Alternating His Shortstop Mitt At

First Base As A Teaching Tool That Helps Him Get Lower On The Ball...

Nomar And Grady Look Like They Have Found "Brokeback Mountain"

How Do Rumors Get Started??

The Newglove Sox Are Certain To Need Need Some Righty Pop

Added To Their Offensively Challenged Infield Come June...

'Embarrassed' Guillen apologizes to A-Rod
But Crazy Train Still Owes Nomah A Sorry-
On Friday, Guillen said he was just joking about Garciaparra. "I think it was funny."

Big Stein Tells Ozzie To "Shut Up."
For once, we actually have to agree with the big guy.

-Goin' Off The Rail On A Crazy Train Hub

For Red Sox Nation, Spring Starts Today!!
Our blizzardly thoughts begin to thaw-faster than Ted's Head-

as Red Sox equipment makes its way to Fort Myers

Big Dog Bites Pirate: No. 1 Connecticut 99, Seton Hall 57:
Huskies Set Their Big East Record For Margin Of Victory
"The Huskies ran their record to 22-and-one with a 99-57 win over the Pirates in their most lopsided Big East win ever. UConn's previous largest margin in a Big East game was an 86-to-49 win over Boston College on February 11th, 1989."

Lowell Spinners Work To Exterminate The Yankees
"The Spinners, the Red Sox' Class-A minor-league team, offered Wednesday to replace the uniforms of youth sports Yankees teams who change their name to Spinners. The Spinners would also pay to replace the team jerseys, and let the team play at Edward A. LeLacheur Park before a Spinners game this summer. "
-Red Sox Hub

Rocket Agent , Red Sox Preparing For Rocket Re-Launch
The Red Sox finally seem to have figured out that it doesn't pay to blab to the media when in the middle of negotiations; Clemens is in no hurry to make a decision, so this thing could drag out into the World Baseball Classic.

"Did John Henry and Larry Lucchino meet with Roger Clemens in Houston this week to discuss his possible return to the Red Sox, or to advance an offer, or show him the glitzy new video they have prepared?"

Hendricks has been trying to monitor the reaction of Red Sox fans to a possible return for Clemens. A Boston.com poll has run about 70 percent to 30 percent in favor of Rocket's return.
-Red Sox Hot Stove Trade Rumor Hub

Defending "The Texas Con Man"

Some said that winning the World Series would take away our identity, the heart and soul of what made us Red Sox fans, and perhaps Puritanical New Englanders. Well, it is with mixed feelings, and yet a perverse comfort that I can report that all is dysfunctional. We, the citizens of Red Sox Nation, continue to punish ourselves with a rich mix of guilt, fear, insecurity, and an overwhelming inferiority complex. Why else would we want to sabotage what should be a storybook ending. The greatest pitcher in franchise history left the ball club in 1996. As is usually the case with the Olde Towne Team, it ended very badly. Now, the Rocket has expressed interest in coming home. This is a great opportunity for for the franchise, the player, and the fans, to make things right. Instead, those ingrained Puritan traits are rearing their ugly heads, trashing the Rocket for his performance, and his work ethic as a Red Sox, now a decade into history. And, of course, all is not forgiven for his departure as a free agent, regardless of whether the facts actually point to a Damonesque situation back in 1996. We all remember the late Wil McDonough dubbing Roger "The Texas Con Man", claiming that he appeared out of shape in his final 4 seasons in Boston. Well, as we know, appearances can be deceiving, and by all accounts,(which will be discussed later), this was the classic Boston media treatment, based more on guesses than on fact, for another star that didn't exactly have a love fest with the local scribes.

Like the current Sox regime and Pedro, Damon etc., the Duquette regime misread the marketplace, blundered by not locking Clemens up before 1996, and paid dearly. As is always the case with the departure of all stars from the Red Sox, it ended badly for the player. Believe it or not, Lucchino an Dr. Charles didn't actually invent the art of the spin; It was alive and well in Red Sox Nation a decade ago.

The Duke and the Caretaker's offer to Clemens was of a strategic, face saving nature; Enough for the average fan and a certain columnist to point to and blame another greedy player on the way out("The Texas Con-Man" moniker was clever, i'll give you that), but not enough to really ever be considered signable. Like Damon, Clemens tried to get the Sox to play ball, but they had already made a decision to moved on. As usual, honesty would have been a better policy.

Roger was never the sharpest tool in the shed, but by most accounts from players and managers he was always one of the hardest working players on his team. His offseason workout routines are legendary. He has a Ryan/Seaver-like delivery, relying on tremendous leg strength and mechanics that takes the stress off of the arm and results in durability and longevity. Actually, it was fairly easy to predict that Clemens was far from finished. Management teams in Toronto, New York, and California made offers that prove they saw not a pitcher in decline, but a durable ace on the market.

Clemens is a "freak of nature", but at age 43 he "gets his freak on" by putting himself through grueling workout regimens that players half his age simply can't, or won't dedicate themselves to. His old Red Sox manager Kevin Kennedy talks about this all the time. Hardest working pitcher he has ever seen. Schilling credits Clemens for turning his career path around, getting him to dedicate himself to working hard all year long, when Schill was a Young Astro and worked out with Clemens in Houston during the 1990 offseason.

I agree that, towards the end, Clemens was bitter towards Sox management and appeared rejuvenated and in even better shape when he signed with Toronto. As I mentioned in my last column, he battled injuries in 1994 and 1995, which affected his velocity and training intensity and contributed to his mortal performances in those 2 seasons. But why, before the 1996 season, would he take it easy before a salary drive season? The numbers, personal performance, and common sense, simply don't support this premise. Clemens was a staff ace in 1996 on a bad team; 214 innings and 257 K's. There was definitely a con going on, but it was executed by the Red Sox and the Boston media, not the Rocket. This hot stove season should be one of positivity and promise, as the curse is debunked and the pitching, led by the acquisition of Josh Beckett and a deep bullpen, may be the best Sox staff ever. This is supposed to be the new Red Sox Nation, self confident and still basking, barely into February of 2006, in the warm New England embers still glowing of a 2004 World Series Championship. It is time to make things right. Clemens is 8 Wins away from 200 in a Sox uniform. A retirement ceremony for #21 would now meet club criteria (Players must finish their career as a Red Sox and be in the Baseball Hall Of Fame). The Rocket belongs in Boston.

-Red Sox Hot Stove Trade Rumor Hub

OPERATION SLAP SHOT

Buffalo News - Betting scandal gives NHL a potential crisis

JUST THE FACTS:

They've named names:

The New England Sports Connection

Rick Tocchet, former Bruin

Travis Green, current Bruin

Jeremy Roenick, local guy

Wayne Gretzky's wife, B-movie actress Janet Jones, bet $1.7 million over a 40 day period, including $500K on this year's Super Bowl.

The great one has been caught on a wire tap tape discussing the gambling ring.

The mob is involved; The FBI is investigating the extent of this relationship.

Tocchet has openly socialized with a known Philly mobster, who bet heavily on hockey based on information provided by the former Bruin.

If this was football or baseball, it would be a National crisis in the United States...It is telling for the state of hockey that U.S. fans and media don't seem to be paying the proper proportion of attention to to this story; Gretzky is the Babe Ruth of Canada.

-New England Sports Hub

Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing your 2006 Red Sox Shortstop

Sox Shortstop Alex Going Gonzo In Venezuela; wins Caribbean Series title
Good news for Red Sox Nation, as it looks like his power stroke is back after a subpar, injury riddled 2005.

The "Game"

Was Actually Over Following The Coin Toss...

Where, For A Brief Moment,

Tom Brady Was Once Again The Center Of

Attention At The Super Bowl...

In Patriot Nation, we moved from our friends and wives in

the kitchen to the empty couch...to see the commercials

-We're Just Doin' The New England Sports Hub Super Bowl Shuffle