Tickets For Select 2009 Red Sox Home Games And Popular “Sox Pax” Go On Sale Dec. 13

Here is a press release from the Boston Red Sox.

Boston Red SoxFans invited to enjoy a weekend of events including 6th annual Christmas at Fenway presented by Stop and Shop and inaugural Great Fenway Park Yard Sale; Online registration for the chance to attend Christmas at Fenway and the Great Fenway Park Yard Sale starts Dec. 3

BOSTON — Tickets for the 2009 season will go on sale on December 13, 2008 both online at RedSox.com and at the 6th Annual Christmas at Fenway presented by Stop and Shop, which will be held the same day from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Fenway Park. Fans who go online or attend the event will have the first shot at purchasing 2009 tickets through the always popular “Sox Pax”, which are four-game ticket packages with a variety of seat options, or by electing from 15 games in April and May. Tickets will continue to be on sale as long as supplies last.

As in the past several years, due to the ongoing Year VIII Fenway Park Improvements, the Red Sox are unable to accommodate a large number of fans at the ballpark. Single-game ticket sales will primarily be handled online at www.redsox.com beginning at 10:00 a.m. on December 13th. Fans who do not have internet access or who require ADA accessible seating may also call 1-877-REDSOX9. Hearing impaired fans may call the Red Sox TTY line at (617) 226-6644.

In addition, the first-ever Great Fenway Park Yard Sale will take place the following day on Sunday, December 14th from 10:00 am to 5:00 p.m. The Yard Sale will give fans the opportunity to purchase Red Sox memorabilia, collectibles and souvenirs that can become their own cherished keepsakes and unique holiday presents. The selection of items will include physical parts of the ballpark such as authentic Fenway Park bricks and signage along with other items such as game-worn paraphernalia, game programs and other miscellaneous items. Additionally, fans attending the Yard Sale on Sunday will be given a unique online code that will guarantee them the ability to purchase tickets for the 2009 season online at www.redsox.com.

The online registration processes for both events will begin at noon tomorrow, Wednesday, December 3, 2008, and will continue through noon on Monday, December 8, 2008 on RedSox.com. Fans must register for each event individually and selections will be made separately for Saturday and Sunday event admittance; however, a selection of Yard Sale items will be available for sale on Saturday for fans selected to attend Christmas at Fenway presented by Stop and Shop.

For both events, the attendees will be selected and contacted from a pool of registrants and winners will be invited to come to Fenway during a selected time frame. Each winner will be sent an email confirmation, which includes their pre-selected arrival time. This confirmation must be presented at check-in with a photo ID for admittance to Fenway Park.

Christmas at Fenway presented by Stop and Shop will give randomly selected fans a chance to enjoy the festivities at the ballpark and a guaranteed opportunity to purchase tickets for the 2009 season. The list of ten different “Sox Pax” available for sale, all of which feature at least one game against the Rays or the Yankees, is attached. The single games that are available for sale include the Rays games on April 8 and 9, the Orioles games on April 17, 18 and 19, the Twins games on April 21 and 22, the Indians games on May 6 and 7, the Rays games on May 8, 9 and 10 and the games against the Blue Jays on May 19, 20 and 21. There is a maximum limit of two Sox Pax packages per customer of up to four tickets per package for a total of 32 tickets. Fans can also purchase a maximum of eight tickets from the single game sales with any combination of games.

The inaugural Great Fenway Park Yard Sale will take place in the Third Base Concourse and Absolut Clubhouse. On Saturday, fans who attend Christmas at Fenway presented by Stop and Shop will have an opportunity to view and purchase a selection of items, including authentic Fenway Park bricks and other miscellaneous furniture and items that previously resided in the ballpark. On Sunday, a full complement of Yard Sale items will be available for sale. Fans will be able to purchase a shopping bag, which will include two authentic Fenway Park bricks. They will then be invited to fill the bag to capacity with items that fit in the bag such as game programs, pictures, schedules, etc, subject to availability. Large items such as completely intact ballpark seats, authentic jerseys and bats, large posters and signage and other high-value items will be sold separately.

Patriots Host Colvin; Put Webster on IR

ColvinWith it unknown how badly hurt at this time LB Pierre Woods is, the New England Patriots hosted one of their own free agent LB Rosevelt Colvin at Gillette Stadium today.  Unconfirmed reports say Woods may have broken his jaw in the game against Pittsburgh on Sunday.  After he was hurt, the team said he wouldn’t return with a mouth injury.

Colvin, who left after last season as a free agent, signed with the Houston Texans and was released after training camp.  A few other teams looked a Colvin but no one offered a contract as there is still some concern over the foot injury he suffered that put him on the IR last season.

Colvin signed with New England before the 2003 season when he left the Chicago Bears as a free agent.

The team also placed CB Jason Webster on the season ending injured reserve with an ankle injury.  Signed by New England as a free agent in the off season and released in training camp, Webster was resigned on November 5th and played in three games before being injured.

UConn RB Andre Dixon Suspended Indefinitely

UConn Huskies backup running back Andre Dixon has been suspended by Randy Edsall indefinitely after Dixon was pulled over and cited for driving under the influence of alcohol according to Desmond Conner of the Hartford Courant.

Andre DixonAccording to the report Dixon, who was at the UConn mens basketball game last night, was arrested on a DUI charge at 1:43 a.m.at North Eagleville Road and North Campus Road.

He was charged with following too close and operation while under the influence requiring a $500 bond.

According to the report, an office was traveling eastbound on North Eagleville Road when when a vehicle operated by Andre J. Dixon began to follow too close behind the officer’s vehicle. Dixon was subsequently stopped. With the further investigation the officer suspected Dixon may be intoxicated.

Also, according to the report, Dixon was subjected to a series of standardized field sobriety tests, which he failed. Dixon was subsequently arrested.

He has a court date set for Dec. 15.

I definitely DO NOT CONDONE drunk driving at all but to me this isn’t really a big loss at all. Dixon has had little to no role with the Huskies this season.

It’s sad because he has all the talent in the world and it’s a shame one little mistake could cost him his scholarship at UConn.

Who Is Josh Pecker?

I don’t watch Boston Legal on ABC but Red from Surviving Grady does as well as Texy From Center Field. They happened to catch this little clip from the beginning of the show last night in which Bill Shatner refers to the best Boston Red Sox pitcher as “Josh Pecker” instead of Josh Beckett. And wait til you hear how he describes David Ortiz.


video courtesy of ABC

Hat tipto Red from Surviving Grady and Texy from Center Field for the video.

Paw Prints – The Daily Roundup – 12/2

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

UConn Huskies point guard Renee Montgomery’s performance in Sunday’s game is earning rave reviews.

The UConn women are back to being an unanimous No. 1 selection in the AP Poll.

The UConn women showed their potential in Sunday’s blowout win over Oklahoma.

Oklahoma head coach Sheri Coale was impressed with UConn’s transition game.

Here’s a look at the numbers so far this season for the UConn women’s basketball team.

Renee Montgomery spent her Friday morning at Circuit City with all the early shoppers.

Is there room for one more in the UConn women’s big three? Caroline Doty is making the case to make it the Fearless Foursome.

Lorin Dixon was impressed with the play of Renee Montgomery.

Jim Fuller of the New Haven Register has some day after thoughts about UConn win’s on Sunday night against Oklahoma as does Rich Elliot of the Connecticut Post.

John Altavilla of the Hartford Courant has 10 nice things to say about the Huskies.

Gavin Edwards made the most of his opportunity last night in a breakout performance.

Stanley Robinson is confident that he’ll be ready to join the Huskies on December 14th.

The UConn men used the press to their advantage in last night’s win over Delaware State.

David Borges of the New Haven Register has some postgame notes from last night’s win as does Matt Stout of the Norwich Bulletin and Mike Anthony of the Hartford Courant.

David Gillett says UConn’s win last night was not pretty but effective.

Brian Bennett of ESPN.com has a look at where the teams of the Big East might end up in the bowls.

Rob Lunn checks in with a look at the “mustache” over at Thoughts From A Fat White Guy.

Could the Huskies end up playing in the Sun Bowl?

Pittsburgh has had trouble with UConn at Rentschler Field.

UConn women’s hockey player Monique Weber pulls in Hockey East Mission Rookie of the Week Award.

UConn men’s hockey player Marcello Ranallo was named Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Week.

The UConn women’s volleyball team signed 3 recruits for next season.

Could Donald Brown Jump To The NFL?

This may be a first for the UConn Huskies football program. A player and a coach talking about leaving early for the NFL.

It's quite possible that Donald Brown could jump to the NFL after this season.

It's quite possible that Donald Brown could jump to the NFL after this season.

During yesterday’s Big East coaches conference call, head coach Randy Edsall talked about the possibility of running back Donald Brown leaving early and making himself eligible for the 2009 NFL Draft.

“As a coach, it’s my responsibility to sit down with him and take a look and see where he might be projected,” Edsall said Monday. “I don’t think Donald wants to leave, but the opportunity is there.”

Edsall and Brown will sit down after the season is over to discuss whether or not he should declare for the NFL Draft. They will evaluate all of the information given to them including his potential draft position before making a decision.

I think for Brown it’s all going to depend on his projected draft status as well as what other running backs will be in the draft as well. I’d hate to see Brown go but he has to do what is best for him and his family.

Editor’s note: I didn’t want this to get buried in the morning UConn roundup.

In The Red Zone – 12/2

In The Red Zone

The New England Patriots were staring at a golden opportunity to improve their playoff standing and chances with a big win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday but the team came up flat and empty and got routed in a turnover laden loss at Gillette Stadium.  Now the team will try to once again break out of it’s win one/lose one run as it travels west on Friday to face the Seattle Seahawks this weekend at Qwest Field.  The team will then stay on the West Coast as they prepare to face the Raiders in Oakland the following Sunday.  Hopefully this two week western swing works out better than the last one as they really need wins in both games.

Let’s start where we always do on Tuesdays and that’s with head coach Bill Belichick’s Patriots Monday visit on WEEI.

In case you want to see some highlights from the Steelers game here is the video package from NFL.com

The loss could be even costlier though as we still do not the extent of any injury Wes Welker suffered after the brutal hit by Pittsburgh’s Ryan Clark.  I’m pretty sure Clark is going to have to defend his actions in front of someone at the NFL office this week for the hit that brought a flag for hitting a defenseless receiver.  Personally I think Clark gets fined and suspended for a game.  The hit brought back too many memories of Darrly Stingley for long time Patriots fans.  And get this, Vince Wilfork said on Dale and Holley on WEEI on Monday that Bill Belichick warned his players specifically about Clark and his penchant for late,feet leaving hits.  He even showed them video of several hits by Clark that were similar to what he did to Welker.  Wanna bet those clips go to the league offices?

The NFL announced on Monday that the Patriots and the Buccaneers will play in London next fall.

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Huskies Sting The Hornets 79-49

The Delaware State Hornets came into their matchup with the No. 1 UConn Huskies at a serious disadvantage in just about all areas of the game. And to make matters worse, one of their top players, Arturo Dubois, sat out the game for disciplinary reasons.

The Hornets did their best to try and stay in the game early on but the Huskies were able to use their height to their advantage in a 79-49 win in front of 9,734 at Gampel Pavilion.

Connecticut's Gavin Edwards scores two of his team-high 17 points against Delaware State during his teams 79-49 victory in their NCAA college men's basketball game in Storrs, Conn. - AP PhotoGavin Edwards came off the bench to lead the Huskies (7-0) with a career-high 17 points. Jerome Dyson added 15 points and Jeff Adrien chipped in with 12 points and 6 rebounds. Hasheem Thabeet added another double-double as he had 10 points and tied his career-high of 17 rebounds. He also blocked 4 shots. Kemba Walker just missed double digits with 9 points and added 4 assists. A.J. Price had an off night with just 3 points but added a team-high 5 assists.

The Hornets (1-9) were led by Donald Johnson’s game-high 25 points on 6-of-11 shooting from 3-point land. He was the only one in double figures for Delaware State. Frisco Sandidge added 6 points and 9 rebounds before fouling out.

Johnson did everything he could to keep the Hornets close in the 1st half as his third 3-pointer of the night cut the UConn lead to 14-11. Then the game really changed in Huskies favor as they went on a 26-5 run and next thing you know it was 40-16 Huskies. Adrien finished off the first half with a nasty dunk to give UConn a 44-18 lead. By the way, Johnson had 16 of the Hornets 18 points.

Delaware State started the second half with a 9-2 run led by Johnson and actually held UConn without a field goal until Thabeet threw down an alley-oop with 15:29 to go in the game. The Huskies continued to dominate as the Hornets tried to slow the game down and also packed their zone in but it didn’t work. A 14-4 run would give UConn a 27 point lead at 69-42 with 3:38 to go in the game.

Next up for the Huskies is their first road game of the season as they head to beautiful Buffalo, NY on Thursday night to take on the Buffalo Bulls. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM and the game will be covered locally on My-TV9. It will be the Huskies final game before they take an 11-day break for final exams.

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Celtics Keep On Rolling

The Boston Celtics rolled to their ninth straight win a 106-88 victory over the Orlando Magic Monday night at the TD Banknorth Garden.

 Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket in a game against the Orlando Magic on December 1, 2008 at the TD Banknorth Garden.  NBAE PHoto. The Magic came into the game having won their last four overall and the last six on the road.  But when you take on the defending NBA Champs in their own building you better bring your A-game because you are going to need it if you plan on winning.

Orlando decided to go with a short bench tonight and a seven man rotation for Stan VanGundy’s boys and after being down 10 after the first quarter they climbed back into at the half down only 2 points at the break.  It looked like it might just work but once again a strong third quarter and a solid forth as well for the Green led to another victory in front of full happy house in Boston.

Boston (17-2) was led by Paul Piece who had 24 points and 7 boards, Ray Allen had 21 points, Rajon Rondo had a double-double with 16 points and 12 assists and Kendrick Perkins had 13 rebounds and 8 points.

Orlando (13-5) got 30 points from Rashard Lewis and 19 points from Hedu Turkoglu in the loss.  Dwight Howard had a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds.

There were 9 technical fouls called tonight and only one was a defensive technical.  Orlando mustered three plus the defensive call, while Boston had five including Perkins 9th of the year and two called on Sam Cassell while on the bench.  He may just be the first player in NBA history to be thrown out of game this far into the season without having played a minute the entire year.

The Celtics stay at home to face the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday at the TD Banknorth Garden.

Red Sox Offer Arbitration To Varitek, Byrd

Boston Red SoxThe deadline to ask for arbitration on free agents is midnight tonight and the Boston Red Sox have decided to offer arbitration to just two of their free agents, Jason Varitek and Paul Byrd.

Varitek is a Type A free agent and Byrd is a Type B free agent. This means that if Varitek declines arbitration and signs elsewhere, the Red Sox will receive two draft picks in the 2009 draft. The same thing goes for Byrd except that if he declines and signs with another team, the Red Sox will receive a supplemental first round pick in the draft.

Both players have until December 7th to accept the offer of arbitration from the Red Sox. It is expected that both players will not accept it.