Josh Beckett’s Beckett Bowl 2011

2011 Beckett Bowl

WHAT: Boston Red Sox All-Star pitcher Josh Beckett will throw strikes of a different kind on August 29, when he hangs up his cleats and ties on a pair of bowling shoes at the 5^th annual Beckett Bowl, a star-studded bowling tournament. All proceeds benefit the Josh Beckett Foundation and Children’s Hospital Boston.

The Josh Beckett Foundation will also host the Beckett Bowl Ultimate Jeep Raffle presented by AFTER FX CUSTOMS.

WHO: Beckett Bowl has continuously attracted some of Boston’s top professional athletes and celebrities, including Beckett’s Red Sox teammates Jacoby Ellsbury, Jonathan Papelbon, Kevin Youkilis, Jon Lester, David Ortiz, Jason Varitek, Clay Buchholz, and Tim Wakefield; HBO’s Entourage star Adrian Grenier; performer Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of legendary hip-hop trio Run DMC; stand-up comedian, actor, stuntman and performer Verne Troyer (aka “Mini-Me”); country music stars Pat Green and Jason Aldean; Boston Celtics 2008 Finals MVP Paul Pierce and teammate Glen “Big Baby” Davis; Patrice Bergeron and Milan Lucic of the 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins; current and former New England Patriots Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Adalius Thomas and Steve Gostkowski; New England Revolution stars Matt Reis and Taylor Twellman; and many more.

TICKETS: A limited number of tickets to attend the bowling event and are available for $250 at beckettbowl.com or by calling 617-338-2766.

WHEN: Monday, August 29, 2011

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Red Carpet appearances at Jillians/Lucky Strike Lanes Boston (free, open-to-public)
7:00 pm: Welcome by Josh Beckett and Celebrity Introductions at Lucky Strike Lanes
7:15pm – 8:45pm: Celebrity Bowling event
8:45pm – 9:15pm: Live Auction and Awards Ceremony
9:15pm – 9:30pm: Bowling Event Closing

WHERE: Lucky Strike Lanes | 145 Ipswich Street | Boston

About The Josh Beckett Foundation

The Josh Beckett Foundation is a charitable organization established in 2007 by Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett to support community-based programs that strive to improve the health and well-being of children, especially children that are seriously ill, disabled, poor, or otherwise disadvantaged. The Foundation provides Beckett with an opportunity to have a direct and permanent impact on the lives of children throughout New England.

Breaking News: SWAT Surrounds Home of former Patriot Corwin Brown

In this handout image provided by the NFL, Corwin Brown of the New England Patriots poses for his 2010 NFL headshot circa 2010 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Early Friday afternoon sometime around 1 p.m. CT, police in Granger, IN were called to the home of former New England Patriots safety and coach Corwin Brown for a domestic dispute. According to media reports other family members present in the house left safely sometime around their arrival.

After repeated attempts to get Brown to respond, there was a report of shots fired from within the house. It was at that time the police called for the specialized SWAT team.

Local media is reporting that SWAT has surrounded Brown’s home and is calling out “Corwin” to him over a bullhorn. There has been no response from inside the home.

Brown, a 1993 4^th round pick of the New England Patriots out of the University of Michigan, played safety for the Patriots from 1993 to 1996 before moving on to the New York Jets to join his former coach Bill Parcells. He played in New York through 1998 when he signed as a free agent with the Detroit Lions where he spent two seasons finishing out his playing career.

In his career he had 177 tackles, 3 INT’s and 3 forced fumbles.

Brown then went into coaching joining one of his former coaches Al Groh as a special teams coach at the University of Virginia from 2001-2003. In 2004 he joined the Jets coaching staff as the defensive backs coach before moving to Notre Dame with Charlie Weis as the defensive coordinator from 2007-2009. In 2010 he was a defensive backs coach for the Patriots but at some point in the season he went missing in action for several days which eventually led to his dismissal from the staff at years end.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

This report was culled from information from the Detroit Free Press, WSBT-TV, the South Bend Tribune and irishenvy.com

Photo credit: Getty Images

Red Sox News & Notes – 8/12

Jonathan Papelbon #58 and Jarrod Saltalamacchia #39 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate a win against the Minnesota Twins on August 8, 2011 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Red Sox defeated the Twins 8-6.

The Boston Red Sox enjoyed a day off on Thursday in Seattle as they get ready for this weekend’s three-game set with the Seattle Mariners. After playing for 20 straight days, it was some much needed rest, especially for the back end of the bullpen.

The lack of rest for Matt Albers, Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon may or may not have cost them Wednesday night’s game against the Minnesota Twins. Had they been available who knows what would have happened. But because they weren’t able to pitch, we saw what happened.

And that just goes to show you despite how good this Red Sox team is, there’s still some flaws.

For the most part the bullpen is solid. Right now though, there’s no solid, consistent lefty down there. Andrew Miller is in the bullpen for the time being but he’s going to be the long reliever and could possibly be making a spot start in the upcoming doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Red Sox sent Randy Williams back to Triple-A and Franklin Morales‘ outings are like a yo-yo. They’re up and down.

While there is still 19 days go to make a waiver deal, it’s highly unlikely the Red Sox could find some lefty bullpen hope on the trade market. They could possibly get help from Felix Doubront who returned from the Triple-A disabled list last night.

Whomever it becomes, the Red Sox need a lefty to step up in the bullpen. It would definitely help them out in the long run.

We’ll be back later with this evening’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. But for now enjoy the overnight links from the media by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

Lackey is shipshape for Seattle [Boston Globe]

This season, bullpen a relief [Boston Globe]

Finally, John Lackey proving his worth [Boston Herald]

Minor call-ups could be major [Boston Herald]

Josh Reddick rewarded for maturity [Boston Herald]

Red Sox afforded some long-overdue rest [CSN New England]

Nation STATion: My one-run game [CSN New England]

Vitek, Brentz, Ranaudo improving in High-A Salem [CSN New England]

September options [ESPN Boston]

Lavarnway, Middlebrooks headline Red Sox prospects in Best Tools survey [Full Count]

The 2011 goal for Ryan Westmoreland: An at-bat [Full Count]

Jonathan Papelbon ‘Needs to Be Told he Stinks,’ Has Been Fueled by Doubters This Season [NESN.com]

John Lackey, Alex Rodriguez, Adrian Beltre Among American League X-Factors in Playoff Chase [NESN.com]

John Lackey Looks for Continued Success Against Mariners in Red Sox’ Series Opener in Seattle (Video) [NESN.com]

Numbers game forces Miller to wait for another opportunity [Providence Journal]

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.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 8/12

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

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 some of the other sports. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

Zach Rugg (PA) Lineman Commits To UConn [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Put away your grills, here’s how UConn will fare [Lee Lewis – The Republican-American]

Live From Storrs, It’s Football Media Day! [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn Has Big Holes To Fill At Linebacker [Hartford Courant]

Connecticut returns to Big East with UConn [AP]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Drummond fallout [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]

Player Profile: Enosch Wolf [UConn Huskies Basketball]

Look Out, UConn, NCAA Finally Focusing On Stronger Academic Standards [Hartford Courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Doty not expected to play during European trip [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Freshmen get early introduction to life under Geno [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Maya Moore Says Hello [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Caroline Doty Likely Not Ready For Italy [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

More From Geno Auriemma On UConn And USA Basketball [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Auriemma To Be A Guest At Jimmy V Dinner In NYC [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Geno Auriemma’s Busy Summer [Hartford Courant]

Tina Charles playing like a WNBA MVP [Norwich Bulletin]

Other UConn related links

Field Hockey. Field Hockey Picked to Win BIG EAST; Five Huskies Selected to Preseason Team [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Track. Women’s Track and Field Named as 2011 Division I All-Academic Team [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Soccer. Women’s Soccer Defeats UMass in Home Exhibition Game 3-2 [UConnHuskies.com]

Destination Red Sox Nation – 8/12

Destination Red Sox Nation

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 by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

Minor call-ups could be major [Boston Herald]

Vitek, Brentz, Ranaudo improving in High-A Salem [CSN New England]

September options [ESPN Boston]

Lavarnway, Middlebrooks headline Red Sox prospects in Best Tools survey [Full Count]

The 2011 goal for Ryan Westmoreland: An at-bat [Full Count]

Pawtucket Red Sox

The PawSox scored all their runs in the 1st inning and held on for a 3-2 win over the Charlotte Knights.

PawSox Don’t Get Caught in Charlottes’ Web [PawSox.com]

Three runs in first enough for victory [Providence Journal]

2011 International League Playoff Preview [PawSox.com]

Pawtucket Red Sox @ Charlotte Knights 8.11.11 box score [MiLB.com]

Pawtucket Red Sox 2011 Roster

Pawtucket Red Sox stats

International League standings

Pawtucket Red Sox website

Portland Sea Dogs:

The Akron Aeros got eight runs in 6th and 7th for a 13-5 win over the Sea Dogs.

Drennen, Aeros Down Sea Dogs 13-5 [PortlandSeaDogs.com]

A snapshot of the season as Dogs beaten by Akron [Portland Press Herald]

Akron Aeros @ Portland Sea Dogs 8.11.11 box score [MiLB.com]

Portland Sea Dogs 2011 Roster

Portland Sea Dogs stats

Eastern League Standings

Portland Sea Dogs website

Salem Red Sox:

The Kinston Indians spanked Salem 11-1.

Britton’s woes continue as Salem Red Sox fall to Kinston [Roanoke Times]

Indians Rout Red Sox 11-1 [OurSports Central]

Kinston Indians @ Salem Red Sox 8.11.11 box score [MiLB.com]

Salem Red Sox 2011 Roster

Salem Red Sox stats

Carolina League standings

Salem Red Sox official blog

Salem Red Sox website

Greenville Drive:

The Drive’s rally fell short in a 5-3 loss to the Savannah Sand Gnats.

Drive Lack Timely Hits in 5-3 Loss to Sand Gnats [MiLB.com]

Greenville Drive @ Savannah Sand Gnats 8.11.11 box score [MiLB.com]

Greenville Drive 2011 Roster

Greenvillle Drive stats

South Atlantic League standings

Greenville Drive website

Lowell Spinners:

The Spinners lost the completion of the suspended game 5-3 to the Hudson Valley Renegades. They then lost the regularly scheduled game 6-5.

Spinners Swept as Slide Continues [LowellSpinners.com]

Lowell Spinners @ Hudson Valley Renegades 8.10.11 box score (completion of suspended game from 8/10) [MiLB.com]

Lowell Spinners @ Hudson Valley Renegades 8.11.11 box score (regularly scheduled game) [MiLB.com]

Lowell Spinners 2011 Roster

Lowell Spinners stats

NY-Penn League Standings

Lowell Spinners Blog

Spinners website

gulf coast red sox Gulf Coast League Red Sox

The GCL Red Sox and GCL Rays split a doubleheader. The GCL Red Sox won the first one 7-3 and lost the second one 2-1.

GCL Red Sox @ GCL Rays 8.11.11 game 1 box score [MiLB.com]

GCL Rays @ GCL Red Sox 8.11.11 game 2 box score [MiLB.com]

GCL Red Sox 2011 Roster

GCL Red Sox stats

Gulf Coast League Standings

Gulf Coast Red Sox website

Patriots Set Preseason Points Record; Beat Jaguars 47-12

Stevan Ridley #22 of the New England Patriots scores a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of a preseason game at Gillette Stadium on August 11, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

The best thing that happened to the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium was that they won the coin toss.

Then they had their first two drives stall and had to settle for field goals and a 6-0 early lead against the New England Patriots. After that it wasn’t very pretty as the Patriots pasted the Jaguars, 47-12 Thursday night in Foxboro.

Then it was all Patriots. Rookie running back Stevan Ridley, a third round pick out of LSU, had 3 TD’s scoring on a pair of one yard runs and corralling a 16 yard pass from fellow rookie QB Ryan Mallett.

Second string quarterback Brian Hoyer started in place of NFL MVP Tom Brady and showed that that they are in good hands as he played a solid steady first half. He took the team on three scoring drives, which included him tossing an 11-yard TD pass to Taylor Price in the 2^nd quarter.

Kicker Stephen Gostkowski added a pair of field goals from 46 and 53 yards as he recovers from a torn quad muscle last season. At the half it was still close as the Patriots lead 19-9.

Mallett, the draft pick from Arkansas, took over in the third quarter and he was on autopilot. He lead the Patriots on four scoring drives as Ridley added his second and third TD’s of the game and rookie free agent RB Richard Medlin had a pair of 2 yard runs for scores.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Offensively the Patriots, minus a lot of stars looked impressive, as they scored a team record 47 points in a preseason game eclipsing the old mark of 45 set in 1977 against Washington.

They were 11 for 19 on 3^rd down and 4 for 4 on 4^th down. Hoyer and Mallett combined were 27 for 40 for 335 yards, 2 TD’s and 0 INT’s. There were no sacks of either Patriots signal caller.

The only real offensive negative was fumbles; they had three, losing one by Aaron Hernandez on their first offensive play.

Ridley (16) and Medlin (14) had the most carries as they had 64 and 54 yards respectively and each had two rushing TD’s.

Receiving wise the big guns were Hernandez with 6 catches for 68 yards, Price 5 catches for 105 yards and a TD and Ridley had 7 grabs for an additional 47 yards and a TD.

Defensively the team had some nice stops holding Jacksonville to four field goals 3 by Josh Scobee of 41, 31 and 29 yards and a 40 yarder by Sam Swank.

They held the Jags to only 3 of 13 on 3^rd downs and allowed only 193 total yards while getting one INT and 4 sacks.

Buddy Farnham had the INT, while Darius Butler, Dane Fletcher and Brandon Meriweather led the squad with 5 tackles each. Darryl Richard had two sacks, and Jermaine Cunningham and Landon Cohen each had one.

Overall it was a good effort for a short camp and a game that saw the teams big stars such as Brady, Chad Ochocinco, Vince Wilfork, Albert Haynesworth, Jerod Mayo, Wes Welker and many others sit out.

NEXT WEEK

The Patriots visit the Tampa Buccaneers on Thursday August 18^th at Raymond James Stadium at 7:30 p.m. You can catch all the action on the Patriots Preseason Television Network and along the Patriots Radio Network.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

Photo credit: Getty Images

A Deeper Look At Some New Patriots Contracts

In the last week the New England Patriots have had a flurry of signings. Among them were Logan Mankins, Matt Light, Albert Haynesworth and Andre Carter.

New England Patriots Over time the numbers that the team doesn’t release end up being made public by either the league or the union.

As we told you yesterday Haynesworth’s deal was restructured. Scheduled to make $5.4 million this season it is now a $1.5 million base. Originally we had information that there was no bonus but that isn’t the case. Haynesworth has play percentage bonuses written in for this season for every snap he is on the field it helps him get more money. If he plays between 20% and 65% of the defensive snaps for the year he can earn as much as $5.8 million with his base and the bonus. He will earn roughly $400,000 for each 5% increment of the seasons play percentage. He is scheduled to make $6.7million in 2012 with an additional $400,000 roster bonus.

Andre Carter’s new deal is one-year for a $4.175 million base with a $500,000 signing bonus and an additional $500,000 in incentives. Fellow free agent signee Shaun Ellis is also on the books for one year. His base is $1.5 million with a $750,000 signing bonus and $1.75 million roster bonus.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Mark Anderson, yet another free agent defensive lineman has a one-year contract for $1 million and a $375,000 signing bonus. Tackle Matt Light has a one-year deal worth $1 million. He will also receive a $6 million signing bonus.

All Pro guard Logan Mankins just got a new 6-year contract that will no doubt take to the end of what is a Hall of Fame career in the making. His contract is for $51 million with $30 of it guaranteed which includes a $20 million signing bonus.

In addition Mankins will get an additional $250,000 workout bonus for each of the six seasons. His base salaries including the workout bonuses for the six years are $1.5 million in 2011, $3 million in 2012, $6 million in 2013, $6.5 million in 2014, $7 million is 2015 and $7 million in 2016.

He is the highest paid offensive lineman in the NFL and according to Vince Wilfork’s wife, on her Twitter account worth every penny. She says, “Congrats to Logan whatever $$ he got he sure as hell deserves it great guy, great player!!”

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

Boston Red Sox @ Seattle Mariners Pitching Matchups: 8/12-8/14

Boston Red Sox @ Seattle Mariners matchups

Friday, August 12^th @ 10:10 PM

John Lackey, RHP (10-8, 6.14) vs Blake Beavan, RHP (3-2, 2.83)

TV: NESN, MLB.tv

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Gameday Audio

Saturday, August 13^th @ 10:10 PM

Josh Beckett, RHP (9-4, 2.17) vs Felix Hernandez, RHP (10-10, 3.31)

TV: NESN, MLB.tv

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Gameday Audio

Sunday, August 14^th @ 4:10 PM

Tim Wakefield, RHP (6-4, 4.92) vs Charlie Furbush, LHP (2-4, 4.46)

TV: NESN, MLB.tv

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Gameday Audio

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Red Sox News & Notes – 8/11

Joe Mauer(notes) #7 and Joe Nathan(notes) #36 of the Minnesota Twins celebrate a win against the Boston Red Sox on August 10, 2011 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Red Sox 5-2.

How does the old adage go? “Oh well, you can’t win them all”.

Well despite coming back from a 2-0 deficit last night, the Boston Red Sox fell to the Minnesota Twins 5-2 at Target Field. Even with the loss, the Red Sox took the series from the Twins.

The bad news though is that the New York Yankees won last night. That means the Red Sox lead in the AL East has shrunk to 1.5 games over them.

Nick Blackburn did a great job of shutting the Red Sox offense down last night as it looked as though they were already enjoying their off day in Seattle today. They managed just six hits off of him with two of them coming off the bat of Mike Aviles.

The only serious threat they managed to mount against Blackburn other than the run they scored in the 7th was in the 4th inning. They had runners at first and second with one out but Blackburn got Carl Crawford to fly out and he struck out Jarrod Saltalamacchia looking.

The run in the 7th came when Aviles walked with two outs and went to second when Jacoby Ellsbury reached on an error. Marco Scutaro brought him in with a single to cut the lead Twins lead to 2-1. Glen Perkins came in and got Adrian Gonzalez to fly out. Perkins would give up the tying home run in the 8th though when David Ortiz blasted one off of his former team.

But with Daniel Bard, Matt Albers and Jonathan Papelbon not available for the Red Sox, skipper Terry Francona had to stick with Jon Lester a little longer than he wanted too. And it might have cost him the game.

Lester started the bottom of the 8th with the score tied at 2. He gave up a leadoff walk to the babealicious Joe Mauer and it ended up costing him. After Michael Cuddyer moved him up to second on a groundout, Jim Thome brought in the eventual winning with a double that chased Lester from the game. Alfredo Aceves came in and gave up a RBI double to Danny Valencia and two batters later gave up another single that provided the final margin.

Off the five walks that Lester gave up, four of them came back to hurt them. None was bigger than the 8th though. Overall, Lester didn’t pitch too badly. Unfortunately for him, the offense must have thought he was Josh Beckett.

The Red Sox are off today so we’ll be back in a short while with the pitching matchups for the upcoming series with the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. But for now enjoy the overnight links from the media by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

Lester, Sox lose control [Boston Globe]

Reserving judgment on bench moves [Boston Globe]

Some rest for Pedroia [Boston Globe]

Good start goes bad for Sox [Boston Herald]

No shame in this defeat [Boston Herald]

Power outage for Adrian Gonzalez [Boston Herald]

Twins rally this time, win it 5-2 [CSN New England]

Notes: Lester loses back-to-back games [CSN New England]

Red Sox allowed some long-overdue rest [CSN New England]

Pedroia — .376 last 2 months — gets day off [ESPN Boston]

Rapid reaction: Twins 5, Red Sox 2 [ESPN Boston]

Jon Lester doesn’t get much help in loss to Minnesota Twins [ESPN Boston]

Pedroia puts up fight but gets night out of lineup [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Red Sox bats fall flat in 5-2 season finale loss to Twins [Full Count]

Video: Andrew Miller’s Future in Rotation Unclear, But Lefty Gives Red Sox Insurance Down Stretch [NESN.com]

Red Sox Stretched Thin, Can’t Overcome Fatigue in Series-Ending Loss to Twins [NESN.com]

Video: Jon Lester Struggles With Command, Lack of Run Support in Loss to Twins [NESN.com]

Heidi Watney Tours Target Field, Discovers Ballpark Filled With Minnesota’s Heritage [NESN.com]

Lester gives Minnesota a pass in series finale [Providence Journal]

Red Sox getting plenty of production from bottom of the order [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Pedroia takes breather while getting is good [Providence Journal]

Fueled by doubters, Papelbon having big year [RedSox.com]

Red Sox Have Shown Ability to Win Road Games, But Earning Home-Field Advantage in Playoffs Still Important [Tom Caron – NESN.com]

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and St. Paul Pioneer-Press websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, Twins Target.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Photo credit: Getty Images