The Red Sox still lead the Yankees in World Series wins for this millenium!

Opening Day

Opening Day @ Fenway?

Fans are wondering, will it be rained out?
Hope not.

Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays
2:05 PM
NESN / ESPN2 / MLB.TV

Who really cares, Manny?

Many versions of this Manny Ramirez tale

Manny Ramirez was surprised by the “backlash” from fans and the media when he sat out two games - including one with archrival Yankees - with an alleged sore knee last season and felt his teammates betrayed him in the ensuing blowup.

So says “Becoming Manny,” the new authorized biography of the ex-Red Sox slugger by UMass-Boston psychology prof Jean Rhodes and former Lawrence Eagle Tribune reporter Shawn Boburg, who had exclusive access to Ramirez in the days leading up to his trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“On the Sunday before the trade, with his mother cooking in the kitchen . . . he sulked in his Boston penthouse apartment, gently tossing a soft baseball to Manny Jr.,” they write. “He had done his best to ignore the headlines despite his mother’s insistence on laying out the Boston papers each morning.

“He explained: ‘I’m private and I don’t let nobody penetrate my space. I go play the game, go home and that’s it. I don’t read about what people are writing about me, that’s not my style.’ ”

Manny, they said, felt betrayed by teammates who had “distanced themselves” from him in the days leading up to the trade.

Boston Herald - Full Story

Rice finally gets Hall call

Red Sox legend Jim Rice was elected to the Hall of Fame on his 15th and final time on the ballot today. Former Sox player Ricky Henderson was voted in as well.

Power-hitting Red Sox outfielder Jim Rice, in his 15th and final time on the Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot, was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Monday along with Rickey Henderson, baseball's all-time stolen bases and runs scored leader. They will be inducted into the Hall July 26 at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Rice, 55, spent his entire 16-year big league career with Boston. The 1978 American League Most Valuable Player finished in the top five of the AL MVP voting five other times, finishing second to teammate Fred Lynn in the 1975 AL Rookie of the Year voting. He led the American League in homers three times, hit .300-or-better seven times and was selected to eight All-Star Games. He is the only player in history to post three straight seasons of 35-plus home runs and 200-plus hits. He finished his career with a .298 batting average, 382 home runs and 1,451 RBIs.

Players must be named on 75 percent of ballots submitted to be elected. This year, 405 votes were required. Rice was listed on 412 ballots (76.4%) and becomes the third player elected by the BBWAA in his final year of eligibility, following Red Ruffing (1967) and Ralph Kiner (1975). Rice received seven votes more than the minimum needed for election.

Red Sox unveil new club logos and uniforms

It's still not clear how many new faces will be on the Red Sox roster next season, but we now know what they'll be wearing.

The Red Sox tonight unveiled new team logos, uniforms, and caps that will make their debut on the field at the start of the 2009 season.

There will now be four uniform options – primary and alternate home uniforms, and primary and alternate road uniforms. All uniforms will feature lettering in the same font, which is also used in the new “Circle Sox” secondary logo. According to a team press release, the lettering will have the appearance of hand-cut felt, reflecting the strong connection to the ballclub’s history and tradition.

The Red Sox will wear a new gray primary road uniform. These “retro roadies” will feature the word “BOSTON” in blue lettering across the chest and will include a “Hanging Sox” patch on the left sleeve. The new alternate road uniform will be a combination of gray pants and blue jersey with “BOSTON” in red lettering across the chest. Both the home and road alternate uniforms will now feature new alternate “Hanging Sox” logo hats. No changes have been made to the primary home uniform.

Boston Globe - Full Story

Varitek, Byrd reject Red Sox salary arbitration

BOSTON—Boston Red Sox say free agent catcher Jason Varitek and righthanded pitcher Paul Byrd have declined the team's offers of salary arbitration.

Free agents had until Sunday to accept arbitration offers.

Still, the Red Sox retain the right to negotiate or sign a contract agreement with the free agents. There are no deadlines.

If Type A free agent Varitek signs with another team, the Red Sox will receive two compensatory picks in the 2009 amateur draft.

Byrd, a Type B free agent, would net Boston a "sandwich" draft pick between the first and second round.

Boston.com

Arbitration works for Jason Varitek and the Red Sox

A strong argument could be made that it makes sense - for both sides - for Jason Varitek [stats] to accept the Red Sox [team stats]’ offer of salary arbitration. That doesn’t, however, mean it will happen.

Varitek - like all other free agents - has until midnight tomorrow to decline or accept the offer of arbitration. If Varitek accepts, he’ll be bound to the Red Sox for at least one more season. If they wish, the catcher and the Sox could then continue to work toward reaching a multiyear deal.

For Varitek, the promise of salary arbitration would guarantee that he would be paid no less than the $10 million he earned last season, the last year of his four-year, $40 million contract with the Sox. A veteran player almost never sees his salary reduced in the arbitration process, and despite a poor offensive season (.220 batting average, .359 slugging percentage), Varitek might even realize a modest raise for himself.

Boston Herald - Full Story

Spring Training Tickets go on sale December 6th

Start planning to warm up from winter with the Red Sox at City of Palms Park in Ft. Myers, FL. Spring Training tickets go on sale on Saturday at 10 a.m. EST.

Boston will open the spring schedule on Wednesday, Feb. 25 with split squad games, hosting Boston College at City of Palms Park and traveling across Fort Myers to take on the Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium.

Overall, Boston will play 18 home games at City of Palms Park, and 2009 marks the third time in four years that ticket prices for Spring Training games have remained unchanged.

For ticket info

Pedroia signs extension with Red Sox

The Red Sox announced today they have agreed to terms on a six-year contract with second baseman Dustin Pedroia. The deal includes a club option for the 2015 season. Terms were not disclosed by the club, but the deal is reportedly worth $40.5 million.

The 2008 season was just Pedroia's second in the Major Leagues. He was named the American League Most Valuable Player by the Baseball Writers Association of America in November. In 2007, he was named the American League's Rookie of the Year.

In addition to the MVP, the 25-year-old also took home Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards at second base this year, becoming just the eighth player in AL history to garner all three honors in the same season. Pedroia joined Ryan Howard (2005-06) and Cal Ripken Jr. (1982-83) as the only players ever to capture the league MVP one season after being named Rookie of the Year.

For Sox fans, eternally

A season finale to die for

ROCKLAND - For years, lifelong Red Sox fans wanted their team to win the World Series so they could finally go to the grave in peace. Now, they can do it encased in the team's logo as well.

Yes, the officially licensed Red Sox casket has arrived. The team logo is embroidered on the soft velvet of the lining and pillow, each of which is as white as a home uniform on Opening Day. The logo also appears on the exterior of the casket, which is made of high-gloss 18-gauge steel accented with baseball bat-style wood, tassels, and polished chrome - more Cadillac than bullpen car, headed for the hereafter.


Boston.com-Full Story

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Pedroia Named AL MVP

BOSTON -- Boston Red Sox Dustin Pedroia has been named the Baseball Writers' Association of America's Most Valuable Player for 2008.


Pedroia is the first Red Sox player to win the AL MVP award since Mo Vaughn snagged it in 1995.

Minnesota's Justin Morneau finished second, and Pedroia's teammate, Kevin Youkilis, finished third.

Ticket prices to remain the same

The Red Sox announced this morning that it is holding prices at 2008 levels for all existing seats and standing room tickets available to the public at Fenway Park for the 2009 season.

It is the first time in 14 seasons the club has not raised at least some ticket prices.

“We have been listening to fans, friends, and family about the challenges they are facing in light of the current adverse economic conditions,” said Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino in a press release. “We are also grateful for the unwavering faith and support our fans have shown us year after year and we hope our ownership’s decision to hold prices for the upcoming season will in some way help ease the burden on Red Sox Nation.”

The last time the Red Sox held ticket prices across the board was 1995 -- the season following the damaging strike that led to the cancellation of the '94 World Series.
(Boston Globe-Full Story)

Boston Red Sox 2008 Roster Picture Slideshow

Set to "State of Massachusetts" by the Dropkick Murphys.
Adjust your volume, it gets loud.

Red Sox retaining Wakefield

The Red Sox confirmed yesterday what everyone knew to be true. Even after getting shelled in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, Tim Wakefield remains a bargain too good to pass up. (Boston.com-Full Story)

Red Sox, Lee County OK new spring training complex plan

The Red Sox and the executives from Lee County Florida agreed this morning to a deal that will keep the Red Sox’ spring training site in Lee County, but move it from its current home at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers.

Earlier this week, the Lee County Commissioners presented the Red Sox with a plan to build an $80 million spring training complex in south Lee County. The two sides reached agreement on a pact this morning and a deal is expected to be announced later today, sources said. (Boston Herald - Full Story)

2008 Red Sox Hall of Fame Induction Gala

Reserve your spot today! Simply fill out the form on the website or call 617-226-6440. (click here to go to website)

Individual tickets are $350 per person. For more information about corporate sponsorships, please contact Gena Borson at 617-226-6440.

OctoberPhest! Phils win World Series

PHILADELPHIA -- They warmed by sheer numbers, ignoring the clouds that formed with each frozen scream. They added to the chilly night by waving white towels.

The City of Brotherly Love waited two days longer than expected, but after a wait that had entered its 28th year, what's another few days? After a delay announced at "an even 46 hours," the electrified crowd began simmering with celebratory dreams.

The Phillies delivered a 4-3 Game 5 win over the Rays on a 44-degree Wednesday night, completing a five-game triumph to award the franchise its second World Series championship in its 125-year history. (Full Story)