Former UConn Huskies baseball player George Springer, who was called up by the Houston Astros on Wednesday, recorded his first hit in his first MLB game.
Afternoon Red Sox Delight – 4/16
After losing their third straight game, the Boston Red Sox look to get back on track tonight in the middle game of a three-game set with the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field on the South Side of the Windy City.
First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. The game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the White Sox market, you can catch the game on WCIU. And if you can’t catch the game on television, you can always listen on the 2014 Red Sox Radio Network.
Clay Buchholz make his second road start and third start overall in 2014. In his previous two starts, Buchholz is 0-1 with a 6.97 ERA (8 ER/10.1 IP). He picked up the win in his lone start of 2013 against the Chisox when he went seven innings allowing one run. He’s made six career starts against the South Siders and is 2-2 with a 4.29 ERA. Three of those starts have come at U.S. Cellular where he is 2-1 with a 3.50 ERA.
John Danks is also making his third start of 2014. In his previous two starts, Danks is 1-0 with a 4.15 ERA (6 ER/13 IP). He took the loss in lone start of 2013 against the Red Sox after allowing six runs (five earned) in five innings of work. He’s made nine career starts against the visiting nine and is 3-6 with a 5.37 ERA. Six of those starts have come at home where he is 1-4 with a 6.11 ERA.
 5-9 |
 8-6 |
||
| 1. Dustin Pedroia | 2B | 1. Adam Eaton | CF |
| 2. Xander Bogaerts | SS | 2. Marcus Semien | 2B |
| 3. David Ortiz | DH | 3. Conor Gillaspie | 3B |
| 4. Jonny Gomes | RF | 4. Jose Abreu | 1B |
| 5. Grady Sizemore | LF | 5. Adam Dunn | DH |
| 6. A.J. Pierzynski | C | 6. Dayan Viciedo | RF |
| 7. Daniel Nava | 1B | 7. Alejandro De Aza | CF |
| 8. Ryan Roberts | 3B | 8. Alexei Ramirez | SS |
| 9. Jackie Bradley, Jr | CF | 9. Adrian Nieto | C |
| Clay Buchholz | SP | John Danks | SP |
NOTES:
Here is how the hitters have fared against the starting pitchers during the regular season over their careers.
More links will be added if/when they become available so please check back often.
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Beer in the Shower [sox & dawgs]
Mike Napoli absent from Red Sox’ lineup with ‘definitely tender’ dislocated finger [clubhouse insider]
Dustin Pedroia ‘feels good,’ returns to Red Sox lineup [clubhouse insider]
John Farrell fined after ejection, critical comments about instant replay [clubhouse insider]
Who’s the odd man out upon Victorino’s return? [csn new england]
Is MLB’s replay system a complete failure? [csn new england]
Napoli out of lineup with dislocated finger [csn new england]
Sox ‘pressing’ with runners in scoring position [csn new england]
Red Sox notes: Good news for Pedroia and Uehara [csn new england]
Top to bottom, Red Sox lineup is scuffling mightily [extra bases]
Where has it gone wrong for Red Sox? [full count]
Buster Olney on M&M: Dustin Pedroia’s wrist injury ‘a concern’ [full count]
John Farrell on Dale and Holley: No fracture/ligament issues for Mike Napoli; Dustin Pedroia to lead off [full count]
Sports Illustrated unveils ‘Boston Strong’ magazine cover [providence journal]
Dustin Pedroia returns to starting lineup [providence journal]
Mike Napoli is “tender;” Koji Uehara, Shane Victorino getting closer to return [providence journal]
Red Sox getting first-hand look at Jose Abreu [providence journal]
Pinch-hitting especially tough in April [providence journal]
Buchholz taking aim at first victory while making third start [red sox]
Xander Bogaerts is Enduring His First Real Slump — Both Offensively and Defensively [touching all the bases]
photo credits: getty images, getty images
Patriots Tab Three Finalists for The Hall
The New England Patriots have announced the finalists for The Class of 2014 to be inducted into The Hall at Patriots Place this fall.
Returning as a finalist again is former head coach Bill Parcells. Parcells led the Patriots to Super Bowl XXXI before leaving for the New York Jets after a dispute with owner Robert Kraft over who should get to pick the team’s players.
Parcells took over in 1993 when he decided to return to coaching and leave the broadcast booth. He had retired in 1991 after leading the New York Giants to their first two Super Bowl victories. With New England Parcells was 32-32 and coached the team to one Super Bowl appearance (XXXI, lost to Green Bay) after winning the AFC East in his final season with the franchise. Under his tutelage the team went to the playoffs twice in his four seasons.
In his four years in Foxboro the team brought in several players who helped turn the fortunes of the team around under the leadership Parcells and the new ownership of the Kraft family. Among those drafted were QB Drew Bledsoe, LB Corwin Brown, WR Troy Brown, LB Chris Slade, LB Willie McGinnest, CB Ty Law, LB Ted Johnson, RB Curtis Martin, WR Terry Glenn, S Lawyer Milloy and LB Tedy Bruschi.
Parcells was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
The second finalist is former Patriots CB Ty Law, who, as stated above, was a Parcells draftee in the 1st round out of Michigan in 1995. Law played 10 of his 15 NFL seasons for the Patriots.
In 10 seasons in Foxboro he played in 141 games, starting 133 of them. He had 4 sacks, 36 INT’s, 6 of which he returned for TD’s and he defensed 45 passes. He is credited with 542 solo tackles and 96 assisted tackles for a total of 638 tackles in his New England career. As a Patriot he made 5 Pro Bowl teams and was twice a 1st Team All-Pro selection and has a chance at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He played in 4 Super Bowls (XXXI, lost to Green Bay) and was a three-time Super Bowl champion (XXXVI beat St. Louis, XXXVIII beat Carolina, XXXIX beat Philadelphia). He played on 6 playoff teams and for 3 head coaches as a Patriot.
The third finalist is former Patriots CB Raymond Clayborn who was drafted by the team in 1st round of the 1977 NFL Draft out of Texas. Clayborn played 13 of his 15 NFL seasons in Foxboro as a Patriot.
In those 13 years he is credited with 36 INT’s one of which he returned for a TD. He earned 3 Pro Bowl selections as a Patriot and was on the franchise’s very first Super Bowl team (XX, lost to Chicago) in 1985 under Raymond Berry. He played on 4 playoff teams and for 5 different head coaches as a Patriot.
You can vote for your selection for The Hall by visiting the team web page by May 15.
American Athletic Conference Partners With Cure Bowl
April 16, 2014 (Orlando) Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and leaders from the Orlando Sports Foundation (OSF) announced the creation of the Cure Bowl, a postseason NCAA football game with strong ties to charitable organizations working to find a cure for breast cancer. Teams from the American Athletic Conference and the Sun Belt Conference (SBC) will take to the field in the inaugural Cure Bowl set for December 2015 at the newly renovated Citrus Bowl.
“We were committed to enhancing the Citrus Bowl so we could attract more events to Orlando,” said Mayor Dyer. “Adding another postseason bowl game to the schedule will draw more people to our City benefiting our local economy.”
While most NCAA bowl games make contributions to charity, few include the name of their cause in their title.
“The Cure Bowl is the first of its kind to combine the passions of college football with the importance of supporting breast cancer research,” said Myra Biblowit, President & CEO of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation who took part in the announcement. “The funds raised through this exciting partnership will enable critical research investigations that are bringing us one step closer to finding the cure.”
Alan Gooch has led the volunteer team behind bringing the Cure Bowl to reality since 2008 as Executive Director of OSF. Gooch and OSF will provide management of the event and day-to-day operations of the bowl. “The Orlando Sports Foundation is excited to provide the student athletes of the American Athletic Conference and the Sun Belt Conference an opportunity to play in a post season bowl here in Orlando,” said Gooch. “Partnering with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation gives both organizations a national platform to help fund cancer research at the highest level”.
Commissioners from the American Athletic Conference and Sun Belt Conference were on hand for today’s announcement.
“We are pleased to partner with the Cure Bowl and commend the organizers for their dedication and commitment to such a worthy cause while also supporting youth organizations in Central Florida,” said Mike Aresco, Commissioner of the American Athletic Conference. “By adding the Cure Bowl to our already strong bowl lineup, we continue to meet our goal of providing a competitive game and a desirable destination for our student-athletes, coaches and fans.”
Added Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson, “The Sun Belt Conference and its member universities are enthusiastic about partnering with the Cure Bowl, the American Athletic Conference and the Orlando Sports Foundation. The growth and strength of the Sun Belt Conference continues as evidenced by this announcement. In addition to being an attractive bowl game and a positive step forward for the Sun Belt, the mission of the Cure Bowl is something that everyone should be able to get behind and support. We are honored to participate in an arrangement where a goal of the organization is to put an end to breast cancer.”
The Cure Bowl promises to be more than just a great football game as its goal is to raise community awareness and support for breast cancer research.
“We are seeking a broad base of volunteer and financial support from not only those organizations currently leading the fight against breast cancer, but also from the greater Central Florida community,” said Megan Dowdy, OSF Board President. “This is not just a football game; this is a battle to protect our grandmothers, mothers, aunts, sisters, daughters, nieces and best friends. Together, we can tackle this!”
According to Florida Sports Foundation President John Webb, “Sports are an extremely important sector to the state’s economy generating $44 billion each year. It is great to welcome the Cure Bowl to the continually growing list of world class events that take place in Florida!”
Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 4/16
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 the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis.
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 Football links
With Diaco, Whitmer getting a 2nd chance [ct post]
UConn OC Mike Cummings Talking Positive About Offense [hartford courant]
UConn Women’s Basketball links
UConn’s Breanna Stewart Named Honda Sports Award Winner For Basketball [sox & dawgs]
Mystics’ Thibault keeps Dolson, Hartley together [carl adamec – sny uconn]
A Mystical Night For Those Who Value UConn Players [john altavilla – hartford courant]
With 15 WNBA first-round picks, UConn Sits At The Top [rich elliott – ct post]
UConn Not Expecting A’ja Wilson To Announce She’s Bound For Storrs [hartford courant]
Connecticut Sun say Tina Charles in charge of trade [new haven register]
Charles returns home to play for Liberty [norwich bulletin]
UConn Men’s Basketball links
Video: UConn Men’s Basketball Coach Kevin Ollie On CBS This Morning [sox & dawgs]
UConn Men, Women To Be Honored At Fenway Park April 22 [dom amore – hartford courant]
Ray Allen’s Camp Coming To East Granby in August [dom amore – hartford courant]
Puerto Rico eyes Huskies star [business mirror]
Other UConn related links
Baseball. Former UConn Baseball Player George Springer Called Up By Astros [sox & dawgs]
Baseball. Astros To Call Up George Springer, Will Join Mike Olt In Majors [uconn huskies]
NCAA allows unlimited snacks [john silver – sny uconn]
M. Tennis. Huskies Face USF in Opening Round of AAC Championship [uconn huskies]
W. Tennis. UConn Women’s Tennis Draws Cincinnati in AAC Tournament [uconn huskies]
Field Hockey. Two Former Huskies Headline International Field Hockey News [uconn huskies]
Destination Red Sox Nation – 4/16
Destination Red Sox Nation is our look at how the minor league teams of the Boston Red Sox fare each night. Game story and box score links as well as links to team rosters, team stats and league standings can be found below.
If you would like to listen to any of the Red Sox minor league affiliates’ games, MiLB.com offers them for free.
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
Pawtucket Red Sox
The game betweeen the PawSox and Rochester Red Wings was rained out. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Thursday.
International League 2014 Standings
Portland Sea Dogs:
The game between the Sea Dogs and Binghamton Mets was rained out. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader on May 21.
Salem Red Sox:
The game between the Salem Red Sox and Carolina Mudcats was rained out. It’ll be made up as part of a doubleheader tonight beginning at 5 p.m.
Carolina League 2014 standings
Greenville Drive:
The Charleston RiverDogs pounded out 15 hits in a 6-2 win over the Drive.
Drive Fall to RiverDogs, 6-2 [greenville drive]
Charleston RiverDogs @ Greenville Drive 4/15/14 box score [milb]
South Atlantic League 2014 Standings
Lowell Spinners:
The Lowell Spinners 2014 season kicks off on Friday, June 13 when they’ll host the Vermont Lake Monsters.
Final Lowell Spinners 2013 Roster
Final Lowell Spinners 2013 stats
Final NY-Penn League 2013 Standings
Gulf Coast League Red Sox
The GCL Red Sox kick off their 2014 season on Friday June 20 when they’ll host the GCL Twins.
Beer in the Shower
It’s a beer in the shower kind of morning.
Seriously, what is it with this baseball season? I know that you know exactly what I’m talking about. The tension is so thick that you could poke it with one of A-Rod’s used steroids needles. And its only mid-April. There’s five and a half months of regular season baseball left before the postseason begins.
This tension is being felt throughout baseball, not just in Red Sox Nation – though it’s certainly bad enough here. Since writing a post titled “What, we worry?” on April 10, which urged us to take early season baseball with a grain of salt, here is what’s happened with the Red Sox: they’ve gone 1-5, Dustin Pedroia and Koji Uehara got MRIs and we wondered if they would spend a significant amount of time on the disabled list; John Farrell got ejected after the team got screwed on two instant replay calls in New York; and last night, we saw Mike Napoli dislocate a finger on his left hand.
Ready to breathe yet? Or are you afraid of what might come next?
A day before publishing “What, we worry?”, the Red Sox celebrated a 4-2 victory over the Rangers. We weren’t even allowed to breathe during that game until David Ortiz hit a homer that gave the Red Sox the lead in the 8th inning. Then, after a quick sigh of relief, we saw Edward Mujica warming up in the bullpen instead of Koji. And we all collectively reached for our heart medication, if we’re lucky enough to have some.
As for the rest of baseball, John Farrell’s ejection highlighted two issues that are rapidly rising to their boiling points: the umpires suck and they’re blowing calls despite being able to use instant replay; and nobody knows what a catch is anymore. But if a player, coach, or manager dares to speak out publicly about these issues, Joe Torre (whose name may be legally changed to “Joseph Torre Goebbels” before this season is over) has said they will be fined and, perhaps, suspended. Torre made a point out of Farrell somehow not getting suspended when announcing that he will be fined.
The new definition of a catch goes beyond the Napoli/Cervelli replay that got Farrell ejected, where the debate centered around whether Napoli caught the ball when it hit his glove or when he closed his glove. Now we don’t even know what a catch is on a simple outfield fly ball because of the asinine new transfer rule.
David Schoenfield at ESPN has a good rundown of the new transfer rule and the problems it has already created. Dave Cameron at Fangraphs goes beyond the problems already created by the new transfer rule and theorizes that it’s now legal for an outfielder to catch a fly ball, run to the infield, “drop” the ball out of his glove to invalidate the catch, then toss the ball to a base where there’s a force out and maybe even tag out another runner to get a double play.
That, technically, could be a legal play now. Seriously.
So, to summarize: the Red Sox have already given us 10 million heart attacks, nobody knows what a catch is anymore, and it’s only April 16.
Stock up on whiskey now and make sure there’s a beer in the fridge for the morning, baseball fans. There’s snow on the ground and the temperature will barely scrape the 40’s today, but don’t be fooled: October is a long way off.
Video: UConn Men’s Basketball Coach Kevin Ollie On CBS This Morning
UConn Huskies men’s basketball coach Kevin Ollie played professional basketball for 11 teams in 13 seasons and has now replaced legendary coach Jim Calhoun at the University of Connecticut. Ollie sat down with Gayle King of CBS This Morning to discuss studying the game and coaching the successful college team.
Video: Bogaert’s Throwing Error Gives White Sox 2-1 Win
The current road trip the Boston Red Sox are on right now is turning into a nightmare after another loss, this time to the Chicago White Sox.
Xander Bogaert’s throwing error in the bottom of the 9th allowed Alexei Ramirez to score the winning run in a 2-1 win for the South Siders.
Jake Peavy got the start against his former club and was solid over six innings allowing a run on three hits and four walks while striking out eight on a 40 degree night in the Windy City. The run he allowed came on a home run off the bat of his good friend, Adam Dunn.
The Red Sox run came on a Daniel Nava home run in the 4th inning off of White Sox starter Erik Johnson. Mike Napoli and Jonathan Herrera had the other hits for the visiting nine.
PC/MOBILE/TABLET LINK (full game recap)
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.
And if you must check the enemy news, check out the Arlington Daily Herald, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune and CSN Chicago websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, Grab Some Bench!.
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
photo credit: getty images
Former UConn Baseball Player George Springer Called Up By Astros
The Houston Astros wanted to wait to start the clock on former UConn Huskies baseball player George Springer‘s time in the big leagues. Apparently, they’ve decided they can’t wait any longer.
According to the Houston Chronicle, the Astros have called up Springer who will start in right field on Wednesday night.
Springer, who was rated the 18th best prospect by Baseball America before the season, was hitting .353/.459/.647 with three home runs, nine RBIs and five stolen bases in 13 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City. He had three hits, including a grand slam on Tuesday night.
Had Springer started the season in the big leagues, he would have been eligible for free agency in 2019. But now since he spent two weeks in the minors, he’ll be eligible in 2020. Springer also rejected a seven-year, $23 million dollar contract from the Astros in the offseason despite never playing in the big leagues.
photo credit: getty images