The Boston Red Sox have just 3 days until the exclusive negotiating period with Jason Varitek ends and there hasn’t been anything reported that’s new. I guess maybe as Kennan said yesterday, “no news is good news.”

There was some hardware handed out yesterday by different organizations as Jon Lester was named the recipient of the 2008 Hutch Award and Jacoby Ellsbury won a Legacy Award for steals.

Terry Francona’s bench coach Brad Mills was busy yesterday as he was in Seattle interviewing for the vacant Mariners manager’s opening. Third base coach DeMarlo Hale will have his interview later this week. The good news is that pitching coach John Farrell has declined the Mariners request for an interview.

“I have withdrawn my name for consideration by the Seattle Mariners as they search for a new manager. I wish them well as they move forward. My decision is based on family reasons and being committed to the Red Sox Organization. The working relationship shared with Theo and Tito and the resources provided by John Henry, Tom Werner, and Larry Lucchino create a situation that is both challenging and rewarding.”

San Diego Padres outfielder Brian Giles explained his decision to veto a trade to the Red Sox back in August.

If you’re not doing anything today at 12 PM, head over to Boston.com and chat with Boston Globe scribe Tony Massarotti.

The UConn Huskies men’s basketball team has some minor questions to be answered.

The Huskies have some good depth this year in the back court that gives Jim Calhoun some options.

Kemba Walker said his friend Durand Scott has narrowed his school choices down to Miami and UConn.

Mike Anthony of the Hartford Courant talked with ESPN The Magazine’s Elena Bergeron about the article she wrote last week.

Collegehoops.net has Hasheem Thabeet listed as the second best center in the country.

The Huskies versatility is key until Stanley Robinson returns in December.

Great article here about Maya Moore from her hometown paper in Georgia.

Shea Ralph and the Huskies are adjusting to each other nicely.

Here’s a writing sample that UConn defensive lineman Rob Lunn did for NESN.

Desmond Conner of the Hartford Courant has some notes from yesterday’s Big East football coaches conference call as does Neill Ostrout of the Connecticut Post.

UConn women’s hockey player Cristen Allen was named the Pure Hockey Defensive Player of the Week.

UConn women’s volleyball player Annie Luhrsen was named the Big East Rookie of the Week for a record-tying 6th time.

The University of Connecticut Division of Athletics and its community service program “Husky Reach” instituted a new reading initiative this fall called “Reading Millionaires“.

In the next day or two, I plan to put together something on the former UConn women’s basketball players. Since I’ve been focusing much of the attention on Mel Thomas, I thought it’d be nice to take a look at how some of the other former Huskies are spending their winters overseas.

I am a big baseball fan and know probably more than I should about the sport. But I can honestly say to y’all that this is another award I’ve never heard of until tonight.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury has been named as the 2008 American League winner of the Legacy Award for steals.

The James “Cool Papa” Bell Award is presented by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum as part of their annual Legacy Awards. It is named after the speedy Negro Leagues Baseball outfielder who started his career in the 1920. It is given to the top base stealer in the American and National League.

The awards will be handed out at the Gem Theater in Kansas City, across from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, on January 10, 2009.

I will be completely honest with y’all. I had never heard of the Hutch Award before reading the linked article tonight.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester has been chosen as the recipient of the 2008 Hutch Award. The award is given annually in honor of former Major Leaguer Fred Hutchinson who died of cancer in 1964 at the age of 45.

The award is given annually to a Major League Baseball player who best exemplifies the honor, courage and dedication of baseball great Fred Hutchinson, both on and off the field.

“This is a tremendous honor for me and my family to have been selected for the Hutch Award,” Lester said. “I’m humbled to know that legends such as Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax and Lou Brock have won this award in the past.”

Lester will receive the award at a luncheon at Safeco Field on January 21, 2009.

“Congratulations to Jon Lester on the Hutch Award. Jon handled his adversity with grace and dignity,” said Red Sox Manager Terry Francona. “He is an inspiration to us all, on top of just being a really good kid.”

NESN is airing the Red Sox Hall of Fame ceremony tonight from 8p-10p.  Among the honorees are Mo Vaughn, Bill Lee and Mike Greenwell.

Other inductees are: Pitchers Frank Sullivan and Wes Ferrell, shortstop Everett Scott, scout George Digby and former player development executive Ed Kenney Sr.