Category Archives: Articles

Retirement Party at Age 36??

Unless you are a professional athlete, you aren’t having a retirement from work party at the age of 36. Most people have retirement parties after the age of 50 (if they’ve taken early retirement), in their 60’s and maybe even in their 70’s depending on their circumstances.

Mike Lowell #25 of the Boston Red Sox reacts to the applause after he was replaced by a pinch runner in the fifth inning during the first game of a doubleheader against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park October 2, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. Lowell will retire after the 2010 season. So if you’re wondering what some of the Boston Red Sox players are doing on Saturday night, the day before catchers and pitchers report to Ft. Myers, they are currently in Miami Beach, FL celebrating the retirement of former Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell, who turns 37 in 12 days.

Lowell retired after the 2010 season, a season that saw him without a position for a good part of the season. And in case you’re wondering if Mikey LOL has a Roger Clemens or Brett Favre retirement in mind, I’m sorry folks but that’s not going to happen.

Earlier in the week, Lowell told WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford that he is definitely retired and actually has to undergo another surgery on his hip.

“I went to New York last weekend, got an X-ray and they told me it has gotten progressively worse, so I got another cortisone shot and I think I might have to have a resurfacing surgery around September,” explained Lowell, who underwent surgery on his torn hip labrum following the 2008 season.

“Without medication or pain management I don’t think I can run 50 yards right now, I know I can’t. I don’t want to be taking meds to go about my day-to-day life. I feel like my quality of life is going down a little bit. I want to teach my kid how to run the bases in Little League instead of just standing there. It seems trivial but it bothers me that I can’t do it.”

Lowell was a true professional in 2010 and handled the situation with the utmost grace and respect. And from the sounds of it, it appears he’s enjoying retirement as well.

Best of luck Mikey LOL in whatever you decide to do in retirement.

Video: Thank You Mike Lowell

Video: Mike Lowell’s Final MLB Hit

Video: Mike Lowell Talks About Ceremony, Red Sox Career

Video: Mike Lowell Montage

Video: Mike Lowell Talks With Peter Gammons

Video: Mike Lowell Mic’d Up For Thanks Mike Ceremony

Video: Former Teammates Wish Mike Lowell The Best In Retirement

Photo credit: Getty Images

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Red Sox Reach Out to the Far East Again

The Boston Red Sox have had some moderate success when looking for talent in the Far East. Daisuke Matsuzaka, Takashi Saito and Hideki Okajima have had their good and bad moments as did Hideo Nomo when he was a member of the Sox.

Itsuki Shoda And it appears, they are doing it once again.

According to NikkanSports.com (link in Japanese), the Red Sox have signed 29 year-old Itsuki Shoda to a minor league deal. According to the article, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein expects everything to be done in time for Shoda to report to minor league camp.

Shoda was a the Pacific League Rookie of the Year in 2002 and has spent the past two seasons pitching in the less competitive Chinese Professional Baseball League.

Photo credit: Taipei Times

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 2/12

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

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 some of the other sports. 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.

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

My apologies for this being late today. Firefox froze on me and I lost everything I had done earlier in the day. Unfortunately, it takes more time to redo the post since I have to find everything. But you don’t want excuses, you want your UConn links. So on we go.

It’s game day for the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team as they head to Alumni Hall in Providence, RI to take on the Providence Friars. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m. and the game will be televised locally here in Connecticut on CPTV. The game will also be carried online at Hoop Streams for a fee. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the WTIC/UConn Radio Network.

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

UConn Women’s Basketball links

More info on SNY’s profile of Geno Auriemma [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Quick Hits On UConn Vs. Providence [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Geno Auriemma On Maya Moore’s Play As A Post [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Right Now Auriemma’s Vote Goes To McGraw [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

ESPN To Have A Camera On Moore Monday [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Faris Has Rediscovered Her Rhythm For Huskies [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

SNY Spotlight To Feature Geno Auriemma [UConnHuskies.com]

WTIC Women’s Basketball Pack the House Promotion [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn’s Faris, out of slump, back to being a major contributor [CT Post]

Bria Hartley Tries To Shake Injury [Hartford Courant]

Hartley keeps on ticking [Journal Inquirer]

Sharing is caring, and winning, for Huskies [New Haven Register]

Huskies get back to work [The Day]

Faris works to live up to Geno’s early pledge [The Republican-American]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Walker Still in the Running? [David Borges – New Haven Register]

UConn’s Last 10 At MSG (3-7) [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Tri-State Dominance [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

After Big Loss, Huskies On Their Heels [Hartford Courant]

Friars in town? Best say a prayer [Journal Inquirer]

Huskies in the zone, and that’s not a good thing [New Haven Register]

UConn has lost its touch [The Day]

Overachieving over, Huskies stuck in a bad slump [The Republican-American]

Big East might be too big for own good [NY Post]

UConn Football links

Big East Friday mailbag [Brian Bennett – ESPN.com]

University and Donor Put Differences Aside [UConn Today]

Differences Settled: Thoughts From Fat White Guy (Rob Lunn) [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

UConn FB team adding Clayton White as assistant coach [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Other UConn related links

M. Ice Hockey. Huskies Drop Sacred Heart, 4-2 [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn’s Joe Pavone out for the Season [College Baseball Daily]

The UConn Huskies are a Top 10 team … in baseball [Masslive.com]

The Laser Show Arrives in Ft. Myers

It didn’t take long for Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia to make his presence known at the Red Sox Player Development Complex as Terry Francona already started with the shots at him. And of course Pedroia responded back quickly.

On Terry Francona referring to him as Giovanni Ribisi after letting his hair grow: “I don’t know what Tito’s starting. He’s a tool. He poured water on himself today to pretend he was working out. He didn’t do (expletive). I might kick his ass before we get started.”

On his hair again: “Sick, huh? … The jokes are cool when I’m 20 and I’m losing my hair. But I’m a grown-ass man now. I think it looks solid. My wife likes it.”

Of course, he talked a little smack towards Carl Crawford who hasn’t arrived in Ft. Myers as of yet.

Carl Crawford told USA Today he can’t wait to play with you. What’s your reaction? “What a shocker (laughs). I’ve worked with Carl for three or four years (in Arizona). I put some whuppings on him in ping-pong and talked a lot of trash to him. I’m glad he’s on our team. It’s a pain in the butt playing against him. He’s running wild. It’s going to be fun having him on our side.”

During his interview with the assembled media, Pedroia also talked about the health of his foot, the offseason additions, the lineup and many other things.

Clay Buchholz also arrived in at the PDC on Friday which means the entire Red Sox rotation is in camp ahead of schedule. And speaking of Buchholz, Brian MacPherson takes a look at Jered Weaver‘s losing his arbitration case and what it means for Buchholz.

We’re about a day and a half away from all of the pitchers and catchers reporting. Spring is in the air, I can feel it.

Photo credit: Facebook.com

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 2/11

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

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 Women’s Basketball links

Moore closing in [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Three UConn recruits to play in McDonald’s All-American game [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Hartley getting back into the swing things [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Moore Reason To Admire Miss Maya [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Bria Hartley Hasn’t Got Time For The Pain [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Not Lacking Confidence, Hartley Back Fully At Practice [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Maya Moore On Cusp Of Setting Big East Scoring Record [Hartford Courant]

Auriemma dresses for success as Big East teams prepare to get in the (pink) zone [The Day]

Five Questions with Bria Hartley [The Day]

With injuries mending, Hartley aims to fix her shot [The Republican-American]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

St. John’s Wart [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Where’s the defense? [Gavin Keefe – The Day]

Some Thoughts On UConn-St. John’s [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Huskies hammered at the Garden again [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Steamrolled [UConn Huskies Basketball]

Hardy, St. John’s smoke UConn [CT Post]

For UConn, the beginning of the end? [CT Post]

Kemba Walker vs. Dwight Hardy [CT Post]

St. John’s Rolls Past UConn, 89-72 [Hartford Courant]

Big East Schedule Takes Toll On Huskies [Hartford Courant]

UConn Notebook: Offense Remains In A Funk [Hartford Courant]

St. John’s blows Huskies out of MSG [New Haven Register]

Wheels come off for UConn [New Haven Register]

Nightmare at the Garden for No. 10 Huskies [The Day]

Celtics’ Ray Allen breaks record for for NBA 3-pointers [The Day]

Garden party for the Red Storm vs. UConn [The Republican-American]

UConn Football links

Sixteen Huskies Named To BIG EAST All-Academic Football Team [UConnHuskies.com]

McEntee a passing fad, truly [Chattanooga Times Free Press]

The Big East’s best: Postseason re-ranking [Brian Bennett – ESPN.com]

Other UConn related links

W. Soccer. Annie Yi Earns BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete Award [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. Perfect Game Top-25 Ranks UConn at No. 16 [UConnHuskies.com]

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Manny Delcarmen Could Have a New Home in Seattle

After a really poor four months with the Boston Red Sox in 2010, Manny Delcarmen was sent to the Colorado Rockies for Chris Balcom-Miller. Of course The Pride of Hyde Park wasn’t any better with the Rockies and found himself non-tendered when contracts were being issued for 2011.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Manny Delcarmen is taken out of the game against the San Francisco Giants in the sixth inning of an interleague baseball game in San Francisco, Saturday, June 26, 2010. With spring training getting ready to start in just a few days, MDC will find himself heading to spring training once again but this time around in Arizona as he has signed a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training by the Seattle Mariners. Delcarmen can stay under the control of the Mariners until 2012 as an arbitration-eligible player.

MDC had been a fixture in the Red Sox bullpen since the 2006 season and had struggled at times during the last two seasons. During the 2010 season, Delcarmen has made 48 appearances and has a 3-2 record with a 4.70 ERA. In six seasons with the Red Sox, MDC was 11-6 with three saves and a 3.89 ERA.

He made nine appearances for the Rockies where he went 0-2 with a 6.48 ERA in nine games. In his debut for the Rox, he allowed a home run to Jayson Werth and was charged with four runs while recording just one out.

Photo credit: AP Photo

Daniel Bard Hoping For A Lighter Load in 2011

The scoreboard registers a 100 mile per hour fastball by Boston Red Sox pitcher Daniel Bard during the eighth inning of game two of a baseball doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park in Boston Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010.

Given the state of the Boston Red Sox bullpen last year, skipper Terry Francona had to rely on Daniel Bard a little more than he may have liked. He made 73 appearances last year and 49 in his rookie year (2009).

After all, Bard was the most consistent and effective reliever the Red Sox had in 2010. And while some young pitchers may be frustrated with the additions to the pen in fear of losing some appearances, Bard is completely the opposite. In fact, he welcomes the help as he hopes it will make him stronger in the stretch run.

“Hopefully it will lighten my load,” he said. “If I could cut my appearances by five, that would be huge by September and October.”

Bard also spoke with Rob Bradford of WEEI.com about maybe going back to being a starting pitcher like he was during his days in college as a member of the North Carolina Tar Heels baseball team.

“I kind of would like to try it. It’s something I would like to do,” said the Red Sox’ reliever. “It would kind of challenge myself. You’ve never proven yourself, but I know I can do the reliever thing for myself, just as a personal challenge, (starting) would be cool. Sometime down the road if we’re in need of a starter it might come into play, and I would definitely be open to it, but right now it’s not even an issue.”

Given the fact that Bard throws three pitches right now, he could probably make the transition. He’d probably have to work a fourth pitch in at some point but as he says he doesn’t have to worry about it. Plus with the starting rotation intact for the next few years, Bard definitely won’t have to think about it.

He can just focus on throwing his fastball by hitters as part of the bridge to Jonathan Papelbon.

Photo credit: AP Photo

4/5 of Red Sox Starting Rotation in Ft. Myers

Right now, the only member of the Boston Red Sox starting rotation that isn’t at the Red Sox Player Development Complex in Ft. Myers, FL is Clay Buchholz. Jon Lester arrived a few days ago while Josh Beckett, John Lackey and Daisuke Matsuzaka all showed up on Thursday morning.

Clay Buchholz #11 of the Boston Red Sox reacts to the third out of the Los Angeles Angels during the seventh inning at Angel Stadium on July 26, 2010 in Anaheim, California. Also in Ft. Myers is Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein who met with the media after the players worked out. Here’s what he had to say about most of the starting rotation being in camp already.

“I think [the fact so many starters arrived early] indicates they’re highly motivated and feel good about the winters they’ve had,” Epstein said. “Usually the guys who are 15-to-20 pounds overweight and didn’t pick up a ball yet are early arrivals because they’re kind of embarrassed.”

“The guys who had really good winters and want to show off the shape they’re in, the progress they’ve made, they show up early. It’s nice to see these guys out here. Every single one of them [the starting pitchers] appears to be in improved condition, which is nice.”

Theo also talked about Beckett’s down year in 2010:

“Josh certainly can do better than he did last year and he knows that,” Epstein said. “It looks like he went out and had a really strong winter, getting in great shape. The big thing is he didn’t hide from the year he had. He took accountability for it. He knows there’s more in there. I wouldn’t bet against him at all.”

Epstein also offered updates on the injured players as well as the New Zealand softball player they signed.

Scott Atchison and Kevin Youkilis also made their arrivals at the Red Sox PDC on Thursday. Pitchers and catchers aren’t due in until Sunday with their first workout scheduled for Tuesday (Feb 15th). The position players are due in next Thursday (Feb 17) with their first full workout scheduled for the 19th.

I think it’s great that the players are reporting early as they clearly see how good of team Epstein assembled during the offseason. The hard work they put in during spring training will go a long way towards helping the Red Sox return to the playoffs with the ultimate goal of winning a third World Series title.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 2/10

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

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

It’s game day for the UConn Huskies men’s basketball team as they are in NYC for a Big East matchup with the St. John’s Red Storm at Madison Square Garden. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be nationally-televised on ESPN. The game will also be available online at ESPN3.com. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the WTIC/UConn Radio Network.

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

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Young Lamb [David Borges – New Haven Register]

News from practice [Gavin Keefe – The Day]

Ray Allen Closing In; To Be Honored At Gampel Pavilion [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Jeremy Lamb Floating Toward Top Of Big East [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Huskies get ready for Johnnies [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Know Your Enemy: St. John’s [UConn Huskies Basketball]

Calhoun keeping outlook upbeat for young Huskies [CT Post]

UConn Back In The Garden To Face St. John’s [Hartford Courant]

No. 10 Huskies to take on St. John’s at Garden [New Haven Register]

Former UConn star on verge of record [Norwich Bulletin]