Yanks Offer Job To Girardi

While most of New England and Red Sox fans everywhere bask in the glow of the teams second World Series title in four seasons, the New York Yankees refuse to go away.

It is being reported that the New York Yankees have selected Joe Girardi to be their new manager replacing Joe Torre, who left after 12 years earlier this month. The Yankees have said to have offered Girardi a three-year deal for $6 million. Girardi

Girardi’s only managerial experience came in 2006 when he won the NL Manager of the Year while guiding a very young and inexperienced Florida Marlins team to a 78-84 record. Girardi was fired after that season because he didn’t get along with the Marlins upper management.

The Yankee job came down to three people. Girardi, who spent the season as an analyst on the Yankees YES network, Yankees bench coach Don Mattingly and Yankees first base coach Tony Pena. Both coaches are not expected to return.

Girardi, who wears his hair like Sgt. Hulka, played 15 major league seasons with the Cubs, Rockies, Cardinals and Yankees and played on three World Series winners in New York.

It is unknown how Girardi’s in your face, my way or the highway style will play with the Yankees. This may very well be another reason or Sox fans to celebrate today as Girardi’s style is sure to alienate the veteran leaders on the Yankees.

Red Sox/Rockies World Series Notes – 10/29

Boston Red Sox - 2007 World Series Champions

I am still at a loss for words right now but I will say this, THE BOSTON RED SOX ARE WORLD CHAMPS AGAIN!!!! The Red Sox will land today at 3:30 PM at Logan in Boston and then head to Fenway. Will we see the Papeldance with Beckett then or will we have to wait for the parade. Speaking of the parade, no word on the exact day yet. I do want to say one thing though which gets overlooked during these situations. Congratulations to the Colorado Rockies organization. It was a magicial run for them to get to where they were at and none of them should have their heads down. They have the pieces to do it again with their group of rookies and veterans and could be there again next year facing the Red Sox again 😀 .

Now on to the headlines from the Boston area and Denver media as well as Kevin Youkilis and Curt Schilling on this World Series Championship morning in Red Sox Nation.

World Series champs! [Yooooouuuuukkkkk]

2007 World Series Champions [38 Pitches]

After it all, a celebration uncorked [Boston Globe]

Nothing can erase joy of ride [Denver Post]

A win for humanity [Boston Herald]

It was still magic while it lasted [Rocky Mountain News]

Lester Helps Shut The Door [Hartford Courant]

It’s never been better than this for Sox fans [Pro Jo]

Sox are kings of the diamond [Boston Globe]

Rox feel pain, not shame [Denver Post]

Faithful go wild in Denver [Boston Herald]

Rockies’ impossible dream comes to sour end [Rocky Mountain News]

Youth Takes Lead Role [Hartford Courant]

Flamethrower Papelbon leaves Colorado in the cold [Pro Jo]

For more headlines and stories, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Hartford Courant, Providence Journal, Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News websites.

Boston Red Sox Are Your 2007 World Series Champions

Red Sox win Red Sox win

Bobby Kielty’s pinch-hit home run in the 8th was the difference as Jonathan Papelbon came in and closed the door on the Rockies magical season as the Sox defeated the Rox 4-3 to win their second World Series in 4 seasons. Jon Lester was outstanding for the Red Sox tonight as he gave them 5 2/3 scoreless innings.

Jacoby Ellsbury doubles to start the gameJacoby Ellsbury got things started in the 1st of Rockies starter Aaron Cook as he doubled leading off. With Garrett Atkins in at third,Dustin Pedroia grounded out to him allowing Ellsbury to get to third. David Ortiz brought in Ellsbury with a RBI single to give the Red Sox a 1-0 lead. Cook got out of the inning as he got Manny Ramirez to ground into a 5-4-3 double play.

Jon Lester was on the hill tonight making his first start of the postseason. He had worked in relief in the Cleveland series. He had a very easy 1-2-3 inning. He got Kaz Matsui to pop up to him, Troy Tulowitzki to strikeout and Matt Holliday grounded out to Pedroia.

Cook had no troubles with the Sox in the top of the 2nd as he got Mike Lowell to ground out for the first out. J.D. Drew was the second out as he popped out. Cook finished it off by getting Jason Varitek to ground out.

Jon LesterTodd Helton got the first hit of the night for the Rockies as he doubled to start the 2nd. Atkins was unable to move Helton over as he grounded out to third. Lester then got Spilborghs to fly out but it was deep enough to move Helton to third. Brad Hawpe worked a 2-out walk to give the Rox runners on first and third. Lester was able to escape the jam as Torrealba grounded out to shortstop.

Cook found his groove in the 3rd inning. He made quick work of the Sox as he got three groundball outs off the bats of Julio Lugo, Lester and Ellsbury.

Lester got Cook to fly out for the first out in the bottom of the 3rd. Matsui stroked a double to deep left giving the Rockies a runner in scoring position again. They were unable to bring him in though as Lester got Tulowitzki to strikeout for the second time tonight and then he struck out Holliday to avoid any damage.

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Pats Continue To Roll, Rout ‘Skins

Maroney breaks free

The Result

The New England Patriots took one of the NFL’s top rated defense’s and made them look like a Pop Warner team as they routed the Washington Redskins 52-7 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro MA on Sunday afternoon.

The all-American boy Tom Brady threw for 3 TD’s passes and ran for a pair of scores in the win. One of Brady’s TD tosses went to Mike Vrabel, a linebacker playing tight end, in the second quarter. It was Vrabel’s 10th career catch, all 10 have been for touchdowns.

The defense chipped in as well, yielding only a late TD to Washington after forcing 4 turnovers by rookie quarterback Jason Campbell (3 fumbles and 1 INT).

This was the Patriots first win over Washington since 1972.

Scoring Plays

Washington 0 0 0 7 7
New England 7 17 14 14 52

1st Quarter

  • NE – Brady 3 yard run – kick good – 7-0 Patriots

Celebrating Vrabel's TD2nd Quarter

  • NE – Brady 2 yard pass to Vrabel – kick good – 14-0 Patriots
  • NE – Gostkowski 36 yard FG – 17-0 Patriots
  • NE – Brady 6 yard pass to Moss – kick good – 24-0 Patriots

3rd Quarter

  • NE – Brady 2 yard run – kick good – 31-0 Patriots
  • NE – Colvin 11 yard fumble return – kick good – 38-0 Patriots

4th Quarter

  • NE – Brady 2 yard pass to Welker – kick good – 45-0 Patriots
  • NE – Cassel 16 yard run – kick good – 52-0 Patriots
  • WAS – Campbell 15 yard pass to Cooley – kick good – 52-7 Patriots

Offensive Player of the Game

Laurence Maroney had 14 carries for 75 yards on the ground and caught 2 passes for another 37 yards.

Defensive Player of the Game

Mike Vrabel had 13 tackles, 3 sacks and 3 forced fumbles plus for good measure he even caught a touchdown pass.

Turning Point(s) of the Game

Patriots once again score on their opening drive putting the Redskins in an early 7-0 hole.

Patriots force Redskins QB Jason Campbell to fumble in the second quarter and end up with a FG to increase the lead to 17-0.

Offensive Leaders/Notes

In addition to Maroney, Wes Welker had 9 catches for 89 yards and a TD and Tom Brady was 29 of 38 for 306 yards and 3 TD passes plus he ran 4 times for 14 yards and 2 TD’s.

RB Laurence Maroney went 11 yards on the Pats first play. Then went 14 yards on the second play. He ran well all game and even caught passes for large gain out of the backfield.

Patriots moved the ball very effectively on the first drive with a nice mix of pass and run going 90 yards for a score.

Tom Brady ran out of the pocket on third and goal from the 5 and got into the end zone. As he broke free Randy Moss became open on the end line but it was too late to thrown. It was his first rushing TD of the season and once again the Pats scored on their opening drive of the game.

The Patriots just continue to operate at will on the Redskins D in the second quarter.

Patriots LB Mike Vrabel was once again left wide open in the end zone resulting in his 10th career TD catch.

Moss catchMoss couldn’t pull down a 3rd and six pass forcing the pats to kick a FG.

Brady fumbled on the first play after the Samuel INT

Patriots get their 3rd TD of the game after they recovered the second Campbell fumble Brady threw 9 yards to Moss. It set a new career high for Brady with 29 TD passes.

Patriots had 19 first downs in the first half.

Maroney went 9 yards after reversing direction as he was nearly wrapped up at the line of scrimmage.

TE Marcellus Rivers dropped a pass in the end zone on 1st and goal from the 2.

Brady went with a keeper from the 2 on 3rd and goal for his second run of the game.

Brady went 35 yards to Randy Moss down the sideline in the 4th quarter.

Once again the offensive line did a great job of protecting Brady and opening holes for the running backs.

In the red zone in the fourth quarter the Pats had two motion penalties one by Moss which is inexcusable for a WR.

Brady goes two yards to Wes Welker for his 30th TD pass of the year and third of the game. He now has at least 3 TD passes in all 8 games.

Matt Cassel replaced Brady with 9 minutes left in the game.

Cassel hit Jabar Gaffney for a 21-yard gain on 4th and 2 from the 37.

Cassel runs 16 yards for a TD. It was his first rushing TD in the NFL.

Matt Gutierrez replaced Cassel at QB with 3 minutes left in the game.

The offense had a season high 486 yards.

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Red Sox vs Rockies – World Series Game 4 Lineups

Red Sox vs Rockies - Game 4 Lineups

Here are your lineups for tonight’s World Series Game 4 at Coors Field. The only change in the lineups tonight besides the pitchers is that Ryan Spilborghs is playing center field in place of Cory Sullivan who played there last night. Spilborghs will bat 6th.

Red Sox

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, 1B
4. Manny Ramirez, LF
5. Mike Lowell, 3B
6. J.D. Drew, RF
7. Jason Varitek, C
8. Julio Lugo, SS
9. Jon Lester, P

Rockies

1. Kazuo Matsui, 2B
2. Troy Tulowitzki, SS
3. Matt Holliday, LF
4. Todd Helton, 1B
5. Garrett Atkins, 3B
6. Ryan Spilborghs, CF
7. Brad Hawpe, RF
8. Yorvit Torrealba, C
9. Aaron Cook, RHP

Here is how the players on each team have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers in their careers. No one on the Rockies has ever faced Lester.

Sox vs Cook

Will the Red Sox clinch tonight or will Josh Beckett be the one to propel the Sox to another ring tomorrow night? Tune into FOX at 8:00 PM EDT tonight to find out. It should be a great game.

Lineups courtesy of Amalie Benjamin from the Boston Globe.

Batter/Pitcher numbers courtesy of the Red Sox game notes.

Paw Prints – Gridiron News

SOX & Dawgs - Paw Prints

The polls are out and UConn has cracked the top 25 in the AP Poll at #16 and the USA Today Poll at #20. The BCS Rankings aren’t out yet but as soon as they are out I will post an update here. The BCS rankings are out now at 8:00 PM and UConn has amazingly jumped 10 places from #23 to #13. This will put a lot of pressure on the Huskies now. The complete rankings are available after the jump.

Here is the highlight video of yesterday’s HUGE win over South Florida. A big thanks to Jared Nuss for taking the time to make these highlight videos. When you click on his name, it will take you to all the videos he created for UConn Football.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgWM9krLinU[/youtube]

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Paw Prints – Women’s Roundball

SOX & Dawgs - Paw Prints

UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma was hoping to fill out one of the best recruiting classes he’s had in years with Chelsey Lee. He already has received oral commitments from Elena Delle Donne, Heather Buck, Caroline Doty, and Tiffany Hayes.

Instead, Lee has decided to join C. Vivian Stringer’s Rutgers team. Stringer has already received an oral commitment from April Sykes who is the second ranked prospect behind Delle Donne. Lee and Sykes are former AAU teammates.

Since the Big East coaches think that UConn and Rutgers will be the next big rivalry in women’s basketball and the Big East, it’s only fitting. Rutgers already has a good recruiting class for the 2008 and this makes it better, almost as good as UConn’s.

It should be a fun four years watching these young basketball players develop and bring the women’s game to another new level.

Red Sox/Rockies World Series Notes – 10/28

A tale of two Papelbons

Saturday night’s 10-5 win for the most part was about the Red Sox rookies, Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia and Daisuke Matsuzaka. Ellsbury and Pedroia led the way with 7 hits and 4 RBIs between while Dice-K gave the Red Sox 5 1/3 solid innings of work. He even chipped in with a 2-out 2 RBI single of his own in the 3rd inning to help his own cause.

The Rockies did end up battling back and making the game close at 6-5. But those pesky rookies, Ellsbury and Pedroia, got the Red Sox back up for good as Jonathan Papelbon finished the game off for the Red Sox.

Today’s starter features a battle of two survivors as Jon Lester was a cancer survivor and Aaron Cook overcame blood clots in his lungs. No matter who comes out on top between the two, both of them are winners in the game of life. The Red Sox can either set off the biggest celebration in Boston’s history with a Game 4 win or the new Mr. October can do it for them on Monday.

Either way, it will be great but I’d rather see the Red Sox finish this off tonight. So while we await the start of tonight’s World Series Game 4, let’s take a look at the headlines from the Boston area and Denver media as well as Kevin Youkilis on this Soxtober morning in Red Sox Nation.

Not getting ahead of ourselves [Yooooouuuuukkkkk]

First things first: Ortiz answered the call [Boston Globe]

Rox have choked in Series [Denver Post]

Tito’s moves pay off [Boston Herald]

Fogg fails to live up to his nickname [Rocky Mountain News]

Ellsbury Hits The Ignition Switch [Hartford Courant]

Sox took the Rockies’ best punch and stood tall [Pro Jo]

Fisk ready to start Game 6, if necessary [Boston Globe]

Holliday’s HR lights a brief spark [Denver Post]

Remarkable Ellsbury like nothing this club has seen [Boston Herald]

Rockies’ Game 3 was too little, too late [Rocky Mountain News]

Lester Not One To Pitch His Medical Story [Hartford Courant]

I can tell you, it really ain’t over ’til it’s over [Pro Jo]

For more headlines and stories, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Hartford Courant, Providence Journal, Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News websites.