Michael Vick Dog Chew Toy

Some enterprising person has decided to make some money (actually donate it) on Michael Vick. They have introduced the “Michael Vick Dog Chew Toy.”

Is it different you ask? You bet it is! The Vick Dog Chew Toy is made of state of the art “dog” material. The Vick Toy Doll is so strong and flexible, it will challenge every breed. Especially The Pit Bull.

Unlike Vick, our manufacturer is so sure of its durability they guarantee it against the most playful dog destruction. It Bends. It Bounces. It Flies. It Floats. And best of all, it lasts through the whole season and more!

Anything to make a buck.

Introducing Paw Prints

As you all know Steve has been an excellent addition at SOX & Dawgs. In our various emails for In the Red Zone, Steve thought it would be a good idea to come up with a title for our UCONN news. His first and the only suggestion was to name it Paw Prints. It was something I totally agreed with and decided to make the logo.

New blood is always good for blogs. It gives you a new set of eyes to look at things. It breaks up the monotony. And gives you more perspective on certain things. Plus for me writing about the Red Sox and UCONN Huskies is hard enough by myself. Sometimes I might not see something that Steve has seen and vice versa. As Steve said, he will be the primary contributor for In the Red Zone. I am a Patriots fan and will also be contributing on occasion. Also, Steve may or may not be doing some Celtics news throughout the NBA season. He can elaborate more on that. I am not a big NBA fan but do follow the players that have come out of UCONN. So I might follow the C’s a little closer than I have in years past.

I hope everyone will enjoy our new features here at SOX & Dawgs. If you would like to contribute any tips to us, UCONN Huskies, Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots or Boston Celtics related, feel free to email me at ian[@]ianbethune.com. You will always get the hat tip saying that you sent the link. And always, leave us feedback in the comments, good or bad. We can handle it.

Red Sox News & Notes – 8/7

 

It wasn’t the start that the Curt Schilling was looking for I am sure but he really didn’t pitch all that bad. He had been cruising along in the first 3 innings when in the 4th, he decided to try and barehand a Vlad Guerrero ball up the middle. After that, his splitter was never the same. The ejection of Manny Ramirez in the 3rd inning led to Brandon Moss’ MLB debut and the kid made a few mistakes. In the 4th, he threw to the wrong base (third) instead of throwing to second to keep the double play. The ejection of Manny came as a surprise because he usually so quiet but he must have said the right word to get ejected. With the loss, the Sox lead in the AL East is now 6 games. But before Tim Wakefield goes for his 23rd straight decision tonight, let’s take a look at the headlines and happenings from the Boston and Los Angeles area media on what will be a balmy Tuesday in the greatest nation, Red Sox Nation.

Monkey business hurts [Boston Globe]

Izturis throws a chill into Schilling [LA Times]

Izturis, Halos in seventh heaven [Boston Herald]

Angels beat Boston 4-2 [The Orange County Register]

Unhappy returns [Pro Jo]

Angels triumph in battle of titans [LA Daily News]

Sox Fall Short [Hartford Courant]

Touted pick Harvey not close to signing [LA Times]

Moss thrown in right away [Boston Globe]

Aybar activated from disabled list [The Orange County Register]

October arrives early [Boston Herald]

Halos not in a lather over Sox [LA Daily News]

Kielty’s arrival could be end for Peña [Pro Jo]

Ramirez Gets In The Act [Hartford Courant]

Kevin Youkilis checked in with his first blog entry in 6 weeks.

For more headlines and stories, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Providence Journal, Hartford Courant, LA Times, The Orange County Register and LA Daily News websites.

P.S. – Can someone please beat the Skanks?

Tuesday’s Half Marathon Around The AL

ALCurt Schilling made his return to the mound 7 weeks to the day that he last pitched.

The Angels need a healthy Garrett Anderson to bat behind Vlad Guerrero.

A’s skipper Bob Geren responded to critics that the clubhouse leadership was fractured under his reign.

Blue Jays 1B Lyle Overbay is battling pain in his hand and a slump.

Devil Rays 1B Carlos Peña returned to Comerica Park for the first time as a player on Monday night.

Indians starter C.C. Sabathia wants to win 300 games in his career. He’s at 95 now.

Are the Mariners going to make any trades during August?

The Orioles have 9 days to sign their top draft pick Matt Wieters.

The Rangers also have 9 days to sign one of their first round picks, Blake Beavan.

Mike Sweeney hopes to finish his career in Kansas City.

Gary Sheffield hasn’t returned to the Tigers due to his left shoulder hurting now.

Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson doesn’t think 300 wins will be seen again by a pitcher.

Some of the White Sox players played in a charity golf tournament on Monday.

The Yankees designated Mike Myers for assignment on Monday and called up Jim Brower to replace him.

What Is It Worth To You?

That’s the big question being asked right now in collector’s circles. What is Barry Bonds 756th homerun ball worth to you? Some people put the value as high as $2 million dollars but more realistically it’s probably going to fetch between $500,000 and $1 million.

So if you caught the ball what would you do? Bonds is on record as saying he doesn’t need anymore money and to let whom ever catches it sell it for what they can get for it.

Alex Rodriguez’ 500th homerun ball is also stirring the debate. Walter Kowalczyk, a Yankee’s season ticket holder, caught the ball on ducatsSaturday afternoon in leftfield at Yankee Stadium. He still hasn’t decided what to do with the ball. Rodriguez is said to want the ball so what is it worth to Rodriguez?

In this case the ball is probably worth more to the player than to the team or to the Hall of Fame. Where the Bonds ball is most likely worth more to the Hall because Bonds has a history of not giving many memento’s to the shrine.

It’d be nice to have money, memorabilia or season tickets but I think deep down inside I’d just want the player to have the ball. If they gave me something for it that would be their prerogative.

Angels Spoil Schilling’s Return, Win 4-2

Schilling happy. Schilling sad

Curt Schilling returned to the mound for the Red Sox on Monday night and didn’t pitch too badly. Macier Izturis hit a homerun to lead off the 7th for the Angels and that would be enough for them as they held on for a 4-2 win in the battle of division leaders.

After retiring 8 of the first 9 batters he faced, Angels starter Jered Weaver issued a two out walk to Dustin Pedroia in the 3rd inning. With Kevin Youkilis at the plate, Pedroia stole second. It didn’t really matter as Youk brought him home with a two-run homer. Weaver got out of the inning by getting David Ortiz to ground out to former Sox shortstop Orlando Cabrera.

The 4th inning was an inning the Red Sox would like to forgot. In their half of the inning, Manny Ramirez led off the inning with a strikeout and was ejected by home plate umpire James Hoye. Manny was upset because he thought he had checked his swing but Hoye didn’t agree. Whatever Manny said must have irked Hoye who sent Manny packing for the showers.

Manny was replaced by Brandon Moss in left to start the bottom half of the 4th. The appearance was Moss’ first in a MLB game. Vladimir Guerrero led off with a single that went off the hand of Schilling. Paul Lessard and Terry Francona came out to check on him and decided he was ok to stay in the game. Schilling struggled with his splitter the rest of the inning. Schilling got Garrett Anderson to ground into a fielder’s choice with Vlad forced out at second. Gary Matthews Jr. followed that with a double moving Anderson to third. Casey Kotchman took a hanging splitter from Schill and hit a 2-run single tying the game at 2. Schilling finished off the inning by retiring Izturis and Jeff Mathis.

Schilling ran into some more trouble in the 7th inning. Izturis led off the inning with a solo homer giving the Halos a 3-2 lead. Mathis followed that with a double over the head of Moss in left. The hit chased Schilling from the game. Julian “Yo-Yo” Tavarez came in for Schill to face Reggie Willits. Willits laid down a nice bunt that sacrificed Mathis to third. Chone Figgins brought in Mathis with a sacrifice fly making it 4-2 Angels. Francona came out to protest that Mathis left early because Moss had bobbled the ball but the rule states that a runner may tag up once the player has made contact with the ball. Yo-Yo then gave up a double to Cabrera and then Francona decided to walk Vlad to face Anderson. The move paid off as Yo-Yo got Anderson to strikeout swinging to end the inning.

In his return, Schilling went 6 innings, allowing 9 hits and 4 runs. He didn’t walk anyone and struck out 5.

The Red Sox managed to get two runners on base in the 8th against Scot Shields but were unable to bring the runners home. Francisco Rodriguez pitched the 9th inning for the Halos and allowed Pedroia to reach on a Cabrera error. He also walked Big Papi but he would get Moss to strikeout swinging for his 28th save of the season.

Tim Wakefield will try to get the ship sailing back in the right direction tomorrow night in Anaheim. He will be opposed by Joe Saunders. Gametime is 10:05 ET.

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In The Red Zone – Training Camp News And Notes

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Patriots’ wide receiver Donte` Stallworth started practicing Sunday after his return from the PUP list. He is yet to practice in pads but BFFL's Tom and Donte`he did some one on one drills with QB Tom Brady.

Still awaiting the arrival of Baby Brady. Brady’s former girlfriend Bridget Moynihan still hasn’t gone into labor.

Right tackle Wesley Britt is making a huge impression in camp. Many observers’ felt that the battle was between incumbent starter Nick Kaczur and Ryan O’Callaghan but Britt has jumped into the fray as well.

Running back Sammy Morris is having trouble holding onto the ball. He dropped a pass and then muffed a squibb kick moments later. Morris is a guy the Pats intend on using as a third down back so he better find his hands and quick.

Randy Moss and Kyle Brady missed practice and Asante Samuel is still holding out refusing to sign the franchise tender.

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