For the first time, the Red Sox hired a full-time scout to seek out and evaluate ‘Negro talent’… they hired Ed Scott, an outfielder with the former Indianapolis Clowns of the old Negro Leagues.

ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick grades the off-season moves of the five AL East teams:
Red Sox: A
[Adrian Gonzalez] should be a lock to hit 40-plus homers provided his surgically repaired shoulder is healthy. As a bonus, he’ll make a mere $5.5 million this year — or $500,000 more than shortstop Marco Scutaro.
Blue Jays: A-
Orioles: B
Rays: B-
Yankees: D+
When the offseason highlight is general manager Brian Cashman rappelling down the side of a 22-story …

I am in the midst of a series examining the relative strengths and weaknesses of the teams in the AL East, on a position-by-position basis. The players at each position are being ranked in relation to their peers within the division, with each team being assigned points based on where their player ranks in comparison to the other players. Today, the series continues with a look at the third basemen.
The …

The Red Sox have signed left-handed reliever Dennys Reyes to a minor league contract. The well-traveled Reyes has played for 10 teams in 14 seasons (none in the AL East, though) and will turn 34 in April.
Alex Speier remembers when the Red Sox made a 4/52 offer to free agent Andy Pettitte after the 2003 season. Pettitte did leave the Yankees that winter, signing with the Astros. … Meanwhile:

Vladimir Guerrero …

The Red Sox were due to open Spring Training on March 5th, but Ft Myers homeowner Angela Grome refused to move from her house because she was unsatisfied with the $55,000 being offered by the city for her home. She was one of 173 families that were displaced by the city during construction of City of Palms Park (and its associated facilities)… her home sat on the proposed location …

Two pictures taken at the Polo Grounds, before the first game of the 1912 World Series. Boston’s Smoky Joe Wood held on for a 4-3 victory over the Giants, striking out the final two batters of the game, with the tying run on third, and the winning run on second.

Don’t forget to vote for JoS! (Once you get signed up, you’ll be taken right to the poll in subsequent visits.)

I am in the midst of a series examining the relative strengths and weaknesses of the teams in the AL East, on a position-by-position basis. The players at each position are being ranked in relation to their peers within the division, with each team being assigned points based on where their player ranks in comparison to the other players. Today, the series continues with a look at the third basemen.
The …

I found the following in the July 1945 issue of Baseball Digest.
I know nothing more about this game. If accurate, it’s in serious contention for the Greatest Linescore Of All Time (aka GLOAT).

In a startling turn of events, those weather people are calling for more snow/sleet/ucky stuff coming this weekend–AND on Truck Day! This is not even remotely amusing anymore…
Speaking of Truck Day, if you are looking for something to do, and if you are planning on being at Fenway anyway (wish I was…) stop on over Jerry Remy’s Sports Bar and Grill (), where, starting at High Noon on Tuesday, February …

In a morning press conference at Yankee Stadium, NYY southpaw Andy Pettitte announced his retirement to the assembled media and to a national television audience (courtesy of MLB Network).
Pettitte said that, as recently as two weeks ago, he thought he would return for another season, but ultimately determined that the desire and drive he needs “to compete the way I want to compete” just wasn’t there. He said: “my …

During the course of the next two weeks, I’ll examine the relative strengths and weaknesses of the teams in the American League East, on a position-by-position basis. The players at each position will be ranked in relation to their peers within the division, with each team being assigned points based on where their player ranks in comparison to the other players. Today, the series continues with a look at the …

Members of the 1916 world championship team received special watches engraved with the names of all the players. The players who had been fined $100,000 for barnstorming at the end of the season, however, were informed they would only receive their watches after their fines were paid.

Andy Pettitte is retiring later today.  As a Sox fan I’m thrilled, of course, because of the huge, gaping hole it leaves in the center of the Yankee rotation.  C.C. is clutch up front, but after that things are a bit looser.  It was hoped in the Yankee’s front office that Pettitte would be there to stabilize things toward the top of the rotation.  Phil Hughes is an 18-game winner, …

The wire services are reporting that southpaw Andy Pettitte will announce his retirement from baseball during a Yankee Stadium press conference tomorrow. Forgive me if I don’t believe we have seen the last of Pettitte, as I suspect he will seek to return to baseball later this year, in the same way his one-time close friend (and fellow PED-user) Roger Clemens did in 2006 (with Houston) and 2007 (with New …

Joy of Sox is the running for Best Red Sox Blog in the second annual New England Sports Blog Awards.
You can vote once a day until February 14. So go vote — and tell your friends.
Here is a picture of a snowman and a puppy:

Jonathan Papelbon, Ryan Kalish, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Daniel Nava and Lenny DiNardo are already working out at the Red Sox complex in Fort Myers, Florida.

Brian Bonner was laid off last month from his job as Champ, the mascot for the Yankees’ AAA team (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre). He has brought a lawsuit against the team, claiming that it violated worker protection laws, classifying him as a “marketing and community relations manager” to avoid paying …

So, after the snow and ICE STORM of the last few days (thankfully I have 4WD) baseball and the (hopefully) accompanying warm weather seems oh so far away….
But, like everything else, it will be here before we know it–and we’ll be complaining its too hot and the like, just like we do every other year…
And, in 5 days, On February 8th, unless we get some more crappy weather, THE Truck, …

Truck Day is next Tuesday. Pitchers and catchers report on Sunday, February 13, and hold their first workout two days later. Position players are expected in camp on Thursday the 17th. Opening Day is eight weeks from tomorrow.
The Red Sox have invited the following non-roster players to spring training:
LHPs: Rich Hill, Andrew Miller, Randy Williams
RHPs: Jason Bergmann, Brandon Duckworth, Matthew Fox, Tony Pena Jr., Jason Rice, Clevelan Santeliz, Kyle Weiland, …

Over the next two weeks, I’ll examine the relative strengths and weaknesses of the teams in the AL East, on a position-by-position basis. The players at each position will be ranked in relation to their peers within the division, with each team being assigned points based on where their player ranks in comparison to the other players. Today, the continues with a look at the first basemen.
The best player will …

Fred Lynn, the 1975 AL Rookie of the Year and MVP, was born in Chicago, IL. He was the first player ever to win both of those awards in the same season (Ichiro Suzuki replicated the feat in 2001).
Lynn was inducted into the Red Sox HOF in 2002.