Given everything that’s happened with him health wise over the summer, it probably shouldn’t come as a surprise that UConn Huskies men’s basketball coach Jim Calhoun is going to announce his retirement.

According to a report on NBC Connecticut, Calhoun will announce his retirement on Thursday at Gampel Pavilion. In the report, it states that Calhoun wants to meet with his players before any official announcement.

“Don’t be surprised by anything, even this week,” Calhoun said.

It is a matter of Calhoun and his agent “dotting the ‘i’s’ and crossing the ‘t’s’,” according to the source.

A second source said Calhoun wants to meet with his players in person before any announcement is made.

We usually go through this each year with Calhoun but the bike accident may have forced his hand. One of the things Calhoun had wanted was to announce Kevin Ollie as the coach-in-waiting.

And by retiring one month before the 2012-13 lameduck season ends, Calhoun may have forced the hand of new AD Warde Manuel. It’ll be hard for Manuel to find a suitable replacement on short notice and Ollie seems to be ready.

He’s had a heavy hand in getting some of the better players in Storrs since he joined Calhoun’s staff. If he’s not going to be the coach, it could affect the decisions recruits have made.

UPDATE: It looks as though Ollie will be named as the successor to Calhoun.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credit: hartford courant

After walking off with a win last night, the Boston Red Sox look to make it two in-a-row in the middle game of a three-game set with the New York Yankees at historic Fenway Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Yankees television market, you can catch the game on YES.  And if you don’t live in either market you’re in luck as the ESPN will have coverage of the game (outside of Red Sox and Yankees television markets). The game will also be available online and for your mobile device (where available) on WatchESPN. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Aaron Cook looks to turn his dismal season around in his 15th start of 2012. In his previous 14 starts, Cook is 3-9 with a 5.17 ERA. He suffered the loss in his only start of 2012 against the Yanks after allowing six runs in four innings of work back on July 27th. He’s made just two career starts against the Yankees and is 0-2 with a 10.24 ERA (11 ER/9.2 IP). This will be the first time Cook has faced the Evil Empire at the Fens.

David Phelps makes his sixth start (28th appearance) for the Yankees tonight. In his previous 27 appearances (five starts), Phelps is 3-4 with a 3.55 ERA. His three career appearances (one start) against the Red Sox have come this season. In those, Phelps is 0-1 with a 4.26 ERA (6 ER/12.2 IP). His lone Fenway appearance came on April 21st when he allowed three runs in four innings of work.

Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the overnight and day if you’re on the home page.

Here are today’s lineups:

79-62		64-78
1. Derek Jeter	SS	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Curtis Granderson	CF	2. Pedro Ciriaco	3B
3. Alex Rodriguez	DH	3. Dustin Pedroia	2B
4. Robinson Cano	2B	4. James Loney	1B
5. Nick Swisher	1B	5. Cody Ross	RF
6. Raul Ibanez	LF	6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
7. Eric Chavez	3B	7. Daniel Nava	LF
8. Ichiro Suzuki	RF	8. Scott Podsednik	DH
9. Chris Stewart	C	9. Jose Iglesias	SS
David Phelps	SP	Aaron Cook	SP

And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:

NOTES: Scott Atchison has been activated from the 15-day disabled list.

REFRESH OR CHECK BACK OFTEN AS MORE LINKS WILL BE ADDED BEFORE GAMETIME IF/WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AND WILL BE BOLDED

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

How David Ortiz wants to help fix the Red Sox [rob bradford – weei.com]

Red Sox look to make their misery contagious [csn new england]

Red Sox to celebrate Pesky’s life at Fenway Sept. 23 [csn new england]

Bobby V: I think I’ll be here in ’13 and beyond [espn boston]

Saltalamacchia returns to lineup [espn boston]

Pedro Ciriaco: Scourge of the Yankees [extra bases]

Valentine’s WEEI appearance more cordial this time around [extra bases]

Podcast: Spoilers allowed [extra bases]

Atchison returns to roster, Salty to the lineup [extra bases]

For big spenders, it’s money for nothing [tony massarotti – boston globe]

Jerry Remy ‘Wouldn’t Be Surprised’ If Bobby Valentine Returns Next Season [nesn.com]

Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia Batting for Red Sox’ Future After Picking Off Yankees With Timely Hits [nesn.com]

Dustin Pedroia’s Second Half Performance Has Been One of Few Bright Spots in Red Sox’ Tailspin [nesn.com]

Red Sox Can Repay Years of Yankees Misery, Redeem Poor Season With Well-Placed Wins [nesn.com]

Dustin Pedroia Leads Charge With Yankee-Killer Pedro Ciriaco Looking to Continue Spoiler Ways [nesn.com]

Pedro Ciriaco Credits Training With Robinson Cano for Yankee-Killing Reputation, Career Year [nesn.com]

Junichi Tazawa Has Evolved Into Reliable Reliever After Long Road From Tommy John Surgery [nesn.com]

Leiter: “Same cauldron” for ’12 Sox as ’02 Mets [projo sox blog]

Bryce Brentz could be on the Will Middlebrooks track [projo sox blog]

Valentine says he expects to be back in 2013 ‘and beyond’ [projo sox blog]

Saltalamacchia returns to Red Sox lineup [projo sox blog]

Atchison activated [projo sox blog]

Healthy and throwing hard, Tazawa justifying what teams saw in him in Japan [projo sox blog]

Ciriaco handling third without a problem [projo sox blog]

Five questions with Nomar Garciaparra [touching all the bases]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credits: getty images, getty images

Well how about that. The Boston Red Sox actually won a game. And it was a game that mattered. Well for the New York Yankees it did.

They entered Tuesday night’s game with a one game lead over the Baltimore Orioles. And when they walked on to their team bus after the game, they were once again tied for first with the O’s.

And it was all thanks to the birthday boy Jacoby Ellsbury, who was celebrating his 29th birthday.

With David Robertson on the mound for the Yanks in the bottom of the 9th, Yankees killer Pedro Ciriaco reached on a one out single. Mike Aviles followed with an infield single setting the stage for Ellsbury’s walkoff single that set the real Fenway faithful into a frenzy. It was Ellsbury’s 4th hit of the night.

Like I said, it’s been a while since we’ve been able to feel this way. And what better time than against the biggest rivals the Red Sox have.

It almost wasn’t to be though.

Jon Lester had an un-Jon Lester like night.

He lasted just 5.1 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and a career-high seven walks. He did strikeout five and those five strikeouts put him atop the Red Sox franchise lead for strikeouts by a lefty.

The walks are disconcerting though. It’s not like he wasn’t around the strikezone, because he was. There may have been one or two times where he got squeezed by the home plate umpire. And usually when he did, he lost his cool and that hurt him.

If Lester ever wants to be a true ace which he can be, he needs to harness his emotions. Sure it’s great to see it. But when it starts to affect his pitching then it becomes a problem.

After a close pitch in the 3rd inning to Robinson Cano was called a ball giving him his second walk to start the inning, Bobby Valentine came out and basically gave Lester the business. While Valentine did yell it loud enough for the home plate umpire to hear as well, his message was well received by Lester. He bounced back to strike out the next two batters and got Curtis Granderson to end the inning.

It was nice to see the Red Sox play spoiler last night. Let’s just hope they could keep doing it going for the final 20 games (17 of which are against teams in a playoff fight).

We’ll be back later with today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day.

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England,  ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the ESPN New York, New York Daily News, New York Post, New York Times and The Journal News websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, NYY Stadium Insider.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Football links

UConn offense leaves D hanging [andrea adelson – espn.com]

UConn moving on from NC State loss [jim fuller – new haven register]

Tuesday presser — UConn-Maryland, the IQ test [john silver – journal inquirer]

It’s not just any other game: Why UConn cannot beat Randy Edsall and Maryland by enough [the uconn blog]

Edsall’s ungraceful departure no longer hot topic with Huskies [ct post]

As ex-coach Edsall awaits, UConn works on fixing mistakes [ct post]

Masters Says UConn’s Offensive Line Better Than It Has Shown [hartford courant]

Edsall Wishes He Told Players About Maryland Job Face-To-Face [hartford courant]

Edsall Has One Regret [hartford courant]

Guarded Edsall shows remorse for how he left UConn [new haven register]

Huskies’ Maryland natives ready for reunions [new haven register]

Pasqualoni wants the Huskies to focus on Saturday’s game [the day]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Ryan Boatright Asserting His Leadership Skills [dom amore – hartford courant]

Notes from Gampel Pavilion [kevin duffy – ct post]

Other UConn related links

W. Cross Country. Lauren Sara Named BIG EAST Cross Country Athlete of the Week [uconnhuskies.com]

General News. Costanzo Named Executive Director Of Recreational Services [uconnhuskies.com]

WTIC New Talk 1080 To Remain Flagship Of UConn-IMG Sports Network [uconnhuskies.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

After being swept by the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend, the Boston Red Sox will finish up the six-game, seven-day homestand with the first game of a three-game set against the New York Yankees at historic Fenway Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Yankees television market, you can catch the game on MY9.  And if you don’t live in either market you’re in luck as the MLB Network will have coverage of the game (outside of Red Sox and Yankees television markets). If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Jon Lester makes his team leading 29th start for the Red Sox. In his previous 28 starts, Lester is 9-11 with a 4.99 ERA. He’s made three starts against the Red Sox and is 1-1 with a 4.67 ERA (9 ER/17.1 IP). Lester has made 20 career starts against the Yankees and is 9-4 with a 4.23 ERA.  Eight of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 2-2 with a 5.11 ERA.

Hiroki Kuroda is also making his 29th start of 2012. In his previous 28 starts, Kuroda is 13-11 with a 3.14 ERA. He’s made three starts against the Red Sox this season and is 1-0 with a 3.74 ERA. Kuroda has made four career starts against the local nine and is 1-1 with a 3.45 ERA. Two of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 0-1 with a 5.45 ERA (8 ER/12.2 IP).

Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the overnight and day if you’re on the home page.

Here are today’s lineups:

79-61		63-78
1. Derek Jeter	SS	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Nick Swisher	RF	2. Scott Podsednik	DH
3. Alex Rodriguez	DH	3. Dustin Pedroia	2B
4. Robinson Cano	2B	4. James Loney	1B
5. Russell Martin	C	5. Cody Ross	RF
6. Steve Pearce	1B	6. Ryan Lavarnway	C
7. Curtis Granderson	CF	7. Ryan Kalish	RF
8. Andruw Jones	LF	8. Pedro Ciriaco	3B
9. Jayson Nix	3B	9. Mike Aviles	SS
Hiroki Kuroda	SP	Jon Lester	SP

And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:

NOTES:

REFRESH OR CHECK BACK OFTEN AS MORE LINKS WILL BE ADDED BEFORE GAMETIME IF/WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AND WILL BE BOLDED

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

Dice-K to make next start; Franklin Morales likely shut down [clubhouse insider]

Bobby V on remembering 9/11: ‘I don’t think it’ll ever be the same’ [clubhouse insider]

Notes: Matsuzaka to pitch again; Morales most likely done [csn new england]

Ortiz: ‘Probably won’t be able to play this year’ [csn new england]

This Sox-Yankees series can be beaten [espn boston]

Red Sox 3B Will Middlebrooks gets cast off wrist [espn boston]

Jarrod Saltalamacchia out again with back spasms [espn boston]

PawSox go for Governor’s Cup glory [espn boston]

Valentine: “I’m the best man for the job’’ [espn boston]

Valentine says baseball helped after 9/11 [espn boston]

Doubront, Dice-K not done yet [espn boston]

Matsuzaka stays in Red Sox rotation [extra bases]

Valentine: ‘I’m the best man for the job’ [extra bases]

Bobby Valentine reflects on the anniversary of 9/11 attacks [full count]

Derek Jeter Remains Hot, Hopes to Lift Slumping Yankees Over Red Sox [nesn.com]

Bobby Valentine’s Heart Still Aches for Those Affected by September 11th Attacks [nesn.com]

Daisuke Matsuzaka, Felix Doubront to Stay in the Red Sox Rotation Despite Recent Struggles [nesn.com]

From the Journal Files: When last the PawSox won the Governors’ Cup … [projo sox blog]

Matsuzaka to start again Friday in Toronto [projo sox blog]

Valentine remembers 9/11 [projo sox blog]

Morales likely done for season; Doubront to go Thursday [projo sox blog]

Saltalamacchia still sidelined [projo sox blog]

Lester gets first crack at altering Yanks’ plans [redsox.com]

‘Bucks’ tests out-of-towners in 12th episode [redsox.com]

Middlebrooks eyes batting practice [alex speier – weei.com]

Bobby V: ‘I’m the best man for the job’ [alex speier – weei.com]

Daisuke to start again; Morales likely done [alex speier – weei.com]

These Red Sox are lousy, but not the worst [touching all the bases]

Emotional 9/11 Tribute Before Yankees Game [tmz]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credits: getty images, getty images

Color me shocked that Boston Red Sox skipper Bobby Valentine wasn’t fired yesterday. It was the perfect time to do it.

There’s no way he’s going to be back next season so with the Red Sox off yesterday before the New York Yankees come to town, it was a good time to do it. But nope, it DID NOT happen.

It makes you wonder what kind of dirt that Valentine has on the Red Sox ownership group/front office. There’s no reason for him to be at the helm anymore.

Everytime you see him, he looks defeated like a child when he/she loses his/her favorite stuffed animal. The words that come out of his mouth in his pre and post-game press conferences don’t make sense. Whether jokingly or not, last week he threatened to punch Glenn Ordway of WEEI’s “The Big Show” in the mouth for a question he asked.

It’s time for him to go.

The Red Sox do have the opportunity to play spoiler as 18 of their final 21 games come against their AL East brethren that are involved in the playoff race (Yankees, Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays). But with the way they’ve looked lately, it’s unlikely that’ll happen.

I do hope it does because it’s way past not being fun to watch these guys play.

We’ll be back later with today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. So for now, let’s take at look at the overnight links from the media by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

Slumping Sox may find pick-me-up in pinstripes [boston globe]

Fenway Park brings out best in Podsednik [boston globe]

Spoiler alert: Yankees in peril [boston herald]

Rebuilding of rotation atop Red Sox’ to-do list [boston herald]

Hiroki Kuroda’s one that got away [boston herald]

Where has all the power gone? [boston herald]

MLB investigating Sox waiver wire leaks [rob bradford – weei.com]

You think the Sox are innocent? [csn new england]

Brentz, Hazelbaker thrown into the fire [espn boston]

Taking the measure of a man, not the job [espn boston]

Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester talks about life without Josh Beckett [espn boston]

Castiglione advances in Frick Award voting [extra bases]

Potential Red Sox first-round 2013 draftees: Arkansas pitcher Ryne Stanek [full count]

Ryan Lavarnway Stresses Importance of Building Relationships With Red Sox Pitchers (Video) [nesn.com]

David Ortiz Hopes Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Helps Heal Injured Achilles [nesn.com]

Fading Red Sox don’t even look much like spoilers [projo sox blog]

A Series Matter: PawSox Style! [projo sox blog]

Ticket prices plunge for Sox-Yanks at Fenway [projo sox blog]

PawSox reliever Fields picks perfect time for breakout season [projo sox blog]

Chance to play spoiler could energize Red Sox [redsox.com]

Regrouping Red Sox can focus on development [redsox.com]

A new wrinkle in the rivalry: How Red Sox are trying to be like the Yankees [alex speier – weei.com]

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England,  ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credit: getty images

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Football links

Big East weekend rewind: Week 2 [matt fortuna – espn.com]

Sneak peek at the week ahead [matt fortuna – espn.com]

Could injuries open door for former Huskies? [jim fuller – new haven register]

Randy Edsall Playa’ Haters Club [the uconn blog]

From The Archives [Jan. 3, 2011]: Randy Edsall Leaves UConn For Maryland [hartford courant]

Coach Paul Pasqualoni: ‘Coach Edsall’s not playing in this game’ [washington post]

Maryland Terrapins-UConn Huskies First Look: The Edsall Bowl Cometh [testudo times]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Auriemma’s whirlwind summer includes a visit to Danbury [ct post]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

UConn to visit Rathan Mayes Wednesday [kevin duffy – ct post]

Meet Omar Calhoun [uconn huskies basketball]

Other UConn related links

Field Hockey. Bolles and Mansfield Sweep BIG EAST Weekly Awards [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Soccer. Max Wasserman Named To BIG EAST Honor Roll [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Soccer. Less than 200 Tickets Remain For Men’s Soccer vs. St. John’s and Notre Dame [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Soccer. Schulmann Named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week [uconnhuskies.com]

M & W. Swimming. Swimming Takes Part In “Swim Across America” [uconnhuskies.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

UConn Huskies head football coach Paul Pasqualoni has released his depth chart for the game on Saturday against the Maryland Terrapins otherwise known as the “Randy Edsall Bowl”.

This week’s depth chart features zero changes from last week’s depth chart against NC State.

Given how the offensive line played against State, I’m surprised there were no changes. But of course things can change during the week of practice leading up to the game on Saturday so take this for what is.

For a full look at the UConn Huskies depth chart for the Maryland Terrapins game, please click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

OFFENSE

LT: 72 Jimmy Bennett (RSr., 6-9, 309)
78 Dalton Gifford (RFr., 6-5, 297)

LG 69 Steve Greene (RJr., 6-5, 309)
60 Tyler Samra (Fr., 6-3, 250)

C: 73 Alex Mateas (RSo., 6-3, 293)
50 Tyler Bullock (RJr., 6-4, 302)

RG: 63 Adam Masters (RSr., 6-4, 298)
65 Gus Cruz (RSo., 6-2, 306)

RT: 77 Kevin Friend (RJr., 6-6, 295)
75 Xavier Hemingway (RFr., 6-4, 262)

TE: 89 John Delahunt (RSr., 6-3, 243)
94 Ryan Griffin (RSr., 6-6, 247)

WR: 6 Michael Smith (Sr., 6-0, 201) OR
31 Nick Williams (Sr., 5-10, 184)
84 Tebucky Jones (RSo., 6-0, 185)

FB: 47 R Reuben Frank (RSo., 6-3, 239)
36 Michael Osiecki (RSo., 6-2, 228)

QB: 10 C Chandler Whitmer (RSo., 6-1, 191)
18 Johnny McEntee (RSr., 6-3, 208)

TB: 43 L Lyle McCombs (RSo., 5-8, 166)
25 Martin Hyppolite (RJr., 6-0, 214)

WR: 85 Geremy Davis (RSo., 6-1, 214)
8 Shakim Phillips (RSo., 6-1, 200)

DEFENSE

DE: 48 Trevardo Williams (Sr., 6-2, 233)
51 Tim Willman (RJr., 6-4, 270)

DT: 53 R Ryan Wirth (RSr., 6-3, 271)
97 B.J. McBryde (RSo., 6-5, 301)

DT: 90 Julian Campenni (RF r., 5-11, 281)
56 Angelo Pruitt (RSo., 6-3, 296)

DE: 91 Jesse Joseph (Sr., 6-3, 259)
45 Elijah Norris (Fr., 6-4, 230)

OLB: 3 Sio Moore (RSr., 6-2, 229)
32 Jefferson Ashiru (RFr., 6-1, 227)

ILB: 33 Yawin Smallwood (Rso., 6-3, 235)
46 Marquise Vann (RFr., 6-0, 224)

ILB: 28 Jory Johnson (RSr., 6-1, 227)
52 Ryan Donohue (Sr., 6-0, 242)

CB: 5 Blidi Wreh-Wilson (RSr., 6-2, 190)
29 Taylor Mack (Jr., 5-9, 170)

S: 16 Byron Jones (RSo., 6-1, 192)
22 Andrew Adams (RFr., 6-0, 186)

S: 15 Ty-Meer Brown (RSo., 6-0, 193)
39 Jordan Floyd (Fr., 6-1, 205)

CB: 7 Dwayne Gratz (RSr., 6-0, 198)
12 David Stevenson (RFr., 5-8, 173)

SPECIAL TEAMS

K: 13 C Chad Christen (RJr., 6-1, 202)
17 Bobby Puyol (Fr., 6-0, 170)

P: 86 C Cole Wagner (RJr., 6-2, 211)
13 Chad Christen (RJr., 6-1, 202)

HL: 86 C Cole Wagner (RJr., 6-2, 211)
17 Blaise Driscoll (Sr., 6-1, 189)

KR: 31 Nick Williams (Sr., 5-10, 184)
29 Taylor Mack (Jr., 5-9, 170)

PR: 31 Nick Williams (Sr., 5-10, 184)
29 Taylor Mack (Jr., 5-9, 170)

LS: 67 A Adam Mueller (Jr., 6-1, 225)
66 Dominick Manco (RFr., 6-0, 239)

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook.

According to a press release on the UConn Huskies website, UConn men’s basketball point guard Shabazz Napier has undergone surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot.

Here’s the release:

STORRS, Conn. — University of Connecticut junior guard Shabazz Napier (Roxbury, Mass.) will be out of action for the next several weeks as he recovers from surgery on his right foot to repair a bothersome stress fracture.

Napier, the Huskies’ most experienced returning player, had a right fifth metatarsal internal fixation performed Friday at John Dempsey Hospital at the UConn Health Center, basically meaning that a screw was inserted to promote healing of the fracture.

The fracture has been causing Napier discomfort for a few months and was the reason Napier decided to leave the Puerto Rican National Team after making the squad last spring. Rather than play hard on it all summer and possibly jeopardize his upcoming college season, Napier returned home for treatment.

According to the UConn medical staff, conservative treatment did not improve Napier’s condition, leading to the decision for surgery. Doctors said the operation was successful and Napier is expected to make a full recovery. He will be in a walking boot for a few weeks, but should be 100 percent healed by the time official practice begins on Oct. 13.

Napier played in all 34 of UConn’s games last season, starting 31, and averaged 13.0 points, 5.8 assists, and 35.0 minutes per game. In his two-year UConn career, he has scored 761 points and handed out 322 assists.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credit: bettina hansen – hartford courant

It turned out to be the worst case scenario for the Boston Red Sox this weekend. Be swept by the Toronto Blue Jays and occupy the AL East basement all by yourself.

Yes folks that’s how far the once mighty Red Sox have fallen. Or as Steve put in a post on Sunday, “From Champions to Laughingstocks“.

The Red Sox had a chance to win this one but one bad inning from Clay Buchholz turned out to be the difference in the Jays 4-3 win in front of announced sell out crowd of 37,226 at historic Fenway Park. There was definitely not that many people there though as it was also the opener for the New England Patriots and judging by the crowd shots through out the game, most were home watching it.

Yes the Red Sox are now playing second fiddle to the Patriots during a month where they used to share the spotlight. Now no one even seems to care about the Red Sox (yes I watched the Patriots game while flipping to the Red Sox at commercials until the Pats game was over).

I know I’ve said it before but they aren’t even fun to watch even when a guy like Buchholz is having a good game.

I don’t think any of us ever expected this from the Red Sox. After all, the ownership group when they took over promised us good teams and championship baseball. I’m pretty sure they weren’t talking about winning the basement championship.

There’s a lot of clamoring on Twitter for them to fire manager Bobby Valentine, myself included. It’s obvious that he won’t be here in 2013 so why even let him finish the season. I figured if they were swept by the Jays (which we know happened) that the Red Sox would use this day to can Valentine and let Tim Bogar finish out the song.

As of right now, there’s nothing brewing on that front yet. But the day is the young so we’ll see what happens.

Anyways, the Red Sox are off today before they welcome the New York Yankees to town. The Yanks are in the fight of their lives for a playoff spot right now and it would be great to see the Red Sox have some fun against them in this three game set.

We’ll be back in a a bit with the pitching matchups for the Yanks series.

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England,  ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the Toronto Star and Toronto Sun websites.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credit: ap photo