ESPN announced on Thursday morning that ESPN’s College GameDay will be coming to campus in Storrs, CT for the Syracuse Orange vs UConn Huskies game on February 25, 2012.
The game will begin at 9 p.m. that night while the GameDay crew will broadcast live at 10 a.m that morning and again at 8 p.m.
The GameDay crew that will be on hand are Rece Davis, Jay Bilas, Digger Phelps, Hubert Davis and Bob Knight.
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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
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Charlotte Knights got three in the 8th to take an 8-5 win from the PawSox.
Knights Snap PawSox Win Streak [PawSox.com]
Charlotte uses long ball to drop Pawtucket [Providence Journal]
Pawtucket Red Sox @ Charlotte Knights 8.10.11 box score [MiLB.com]
International League standings
The Akron Aeros had two solo home runs in their 3-0 win over the Sea Dogs.
Aeros Pitching Staff Grounds Sea Dogs’ Offense [PortlandSeaDogs.com]
Sea Dogs done in by Aeros’ pitching [Portland Press Herald]
Akron Aeros @ Portland Sea Dogs 8.10.11 box score [MiLB.com]
Salem Red Sox:
The Potomac Nationals walked off with a 6-5 win over Salem despite being outhit 14-4.
Opportunistic Nationals edge Salem Red Sox [Roanoke Times]
Fourteen Hits Not Enough for Salem [OurSports Central]
Salem Red Sox @ Potomac Nationals 8.10.11 box score [MiLB.com]
The Drive picked up their third straight win as they beat the Savannah Sand Gnats 7-2.
Drive Pull Closer to 1st Place Following 7-2 Win Over Sand Gnats [OurSports Central]
Greenville Drive @ Savannah Sand Gnats 8.10.11 box score [MiLB.com]
South Atlantic League standings
Lowell Spinners:
The game between the Spinners and Hudson Valley Renegades was suspended in the 3rd inning with the score tied at 2. The suspended game will start at 4:05 p.m. followed by a 7-inning game at 7:05 p.m.
Spinners Suspended (Rain) in Hudson Valley [LowellSpinners.com]
Gulf Coast League Red Sox
The game between the GCL Rays and GCL Red Sox was rained out.
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Another day and another wide receiver has decided to transfer from the UConn Huskies football program. This time around, it’s redshirt sophomore Malik Generett.
He joins former Huskies Leon Kinnard and Gerrard Sheppard who have left the program in the past two weeks. Dwayne Difton left the program at the end of the spring semester earlier this year. They are also without Michael Smith who is academically ineligible this year.
While Kinnard and Sheppard have transferred to Towson State, Generett told Desmond Conner of the Hartford Courant that he won’t be going there but somewhere closer to his daughter.
Update: Dez just noted on Twitter that Generett is heading to FCS school Tennesee-Martin where he’ll be eligible to play right away.
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Photo credit: Tia Ann Chapman – Hartford Courant
Patriots owner Robert Kraft met with the media today and spoke on a number of topics including his late wife Myra, Colts center Jeff Saturday and the CBA and new Patriots Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth.
He wore a “MHK” lapel pin as he spoke about his late wife, reflecting on his loss of his partner for 50 years. Choking back tears he thanked the media for the respect they have shown him and his family in the last few weeks.
“It’s been a different kind of time. And…our fans have been great. We have gotten letters and people supporting us from all over the world. I am committed to read every tweet, email and letter.”
“The reach of my sweetheart is unbelievable. And I am happy to say as of this moment, the Myra Kraft giving back fund has raised over $3 million, the bulk of which has come from people we don’t know who’ve given $10 and $20 gifts.”
Tomorrow night will be his first Patriots game without his wife.
To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
On Saturday he was asked what it was like to receive such high praise from a rival. Kraft revealed he had gotten a personal letter from Colts president Bill Polian thanking him for his work in the labor agreement. He then waxed poetic on Saturday:
“The NFL and the NFL players and owners are lucky there was a guy like Jeff Saturday in the league. Players are passing through, but he took the role of a principal and he made every negotiating session. The reason we don’t have double practices, he put so much time and effort…without Jeff Saturday, there wouldn’t have been a deal.”
Kraft added, “It’s hard to like to center for Peyton Manning, but I really like the guy.”
On Ochocinco: “Well, first of all, gotta love him. I have people emailing me who would like to host him. I’m not sure I want the responsibility, except someone prominent here in Foxboro has offered to be his host.”
Kraft wouldn’t identify who that might be.
On Haynesworth: “I met with him and I like the guy. He didn’t come here for the money. He came here to be part of a team and win, and I think in some ways improve his reputation. I found him to be genuine and sincere. Now I hope he gets on the field and does his thing.”
Sounds like the feeling is mutual.
Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem
The New England Patriots signed All-Pro G Logan Mankins to a new six-year contract today terms were undisclosed.
Mankins, who just a week or so ago signed his franchise tender for $10.1 million for 2011, now has a long-term deal in place that will keep him for his career. He is now the highest paid interior lineman in the NFL.
Mankins a 2005 first round draft pick is a three-time Pro Bowl player and a three-time NFL All-Pro. He is a huge key in the protection of NFL MVP Tom Brady.
Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem
The New England Patriots announced that recently acquired WR Chad Ochocinco and DT Albert Haynesworth both restructured their contracts.
Ochocinco was scheduled to make $6 million this season and he will now make $1 million in 2011, and $3 million in both 2012 and 2013. In addition in all three seasons he is to get a prorated $1.5 million roster bonus.
Haynesworth was scheduled to make $5.4 million this season but he restructured it down to a $1.5 million base with no bonus. He is scheduled to make $6.7million 2012 with a $400,000 roster bonus. It appears with his potential hit to the cap Haynesworth may only be a one-year project but that remains to be seen.
Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem
After yet another comeback win last night, the Boston Red Sox go for the sweep of the Minnesota Twins tonight at Target Field in the finale of a three-game set.
Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. and will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Twins broadcast area, you can catch the game on Fox Sports North. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.
After picking up the loss his last time out, Jon Lester looks to rebound in his 22nd start of 2011. In his previous 21 starts, Lester is 11-5 with a 3.23 ERA. He has not faced the Twins in 2011 and was 1-1 with a 3.21 ERA (5 ER/15 IP) in two starts against them in 2010. Lester has made six career appearances (five starts) against the Twins and is 1-2 with a 4.67 ERA. He’s made three starts in the Twin Cities and is 0-2 with a 6.61 ERA. In his lone start at Target Field, he is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA (4 ER/5 IP).
Nick Blackburn makes his 24th of 2011 for free falling Twins. In his previous 23 starts, Blackburn is 7-9 with a 4.58 ERA. He’s made one start against the Red Sox this and received a no decision after allowing one run in 6.1 innings back on May 9th. He’s made five appearances (four starts) against the Red Sox in his career and is 2-1 with a 4.00 ERA. Two of those career starts have come in the Twin Cities (Metrodome) where he was 2-0 with a 3.46 ERA. In two of his last three starts against the Red Sox, he’s been matched up with Lester (went against Josh Beckett at Fenway this year).
Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day if you’re on the home page.
Here are this evening’s lineups:
 72-43 |
 51-65 |
||
| 1. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF | 1. Denard Span | CF |
| 2. Marco Scutaro |
SS | 2. Ben Revere | RF |
| 3. Adrian Gonzalez | 1B | 3. Joe Mauer | C |
| 4. Kevin Youkilis | 3B | 4. Michael Cuddyer | 1B |
| 5. David Ortiz | DH | 5. Jim Thome | DH |
| 6. Carl Crawford | LF | 6. Danny Valencia | 3B |
| 7. Jarrod Saltalamacchia | C | 7. Delmon Young | LF |
| 8. Josh Reddick | RF | 8. Trevor Plouffe | 2B |
| 9. Mike Aviles |
2B | 9. Tsuyoshi Nishioka | SS |
| Jon Lester |
SP | Nick Blackburn |
SP |
And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:
Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
Primed for a payday: Where Papelbon stands in the free agent market for closers [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
Why J.D. Drew is confident he can still contribute to Red Sox [Clubhouse Insider]
Papelbon dominant since spring scare [CSN New England]
Notes: Pedroia finally gets night off [CSN New England]
Jed Lowrie Will Have to Once Again Work to Earn Starting Job With Red Sox [Don Orsillo – NESN.com]
Playoffs come early this year–Sept. 30 [ESPN Boston]
The two faces of Terry Francona [Extra Bases]
The Red Sox are on a historic pace [Extra Bases]
Jerry Remy on D&C: Erik Bedard ‘will be a huge addition’ [Full Count]
Transcript of Terry Francona on The Big Show: Erik Bedard’s peformance ‘exciting’ [Full Count]
Red Sox Mailbag: Josh Reddick Has Earned Right to Stay in Right Field If and When J.D. Drew Returns [NESN.com]
NESN Debates: Who Is the Red Sox’ MVP of the 2011 Season So Far? [NESN.com]
Will Ryan Kalish Make an Impact With the Red Sox Down the Stretch? [NESN.com]
Red Sox Team Home Run Race Could Yield Sideshow in Final Weeks of Season [NESN.com]
J.D. Drew takes 35 swings in the batting cage [Projo Sox Blog]
Albers enduring first sustained slump of season [Projo Sox Blog]
Lester, Red Sox set sights on sweep of Twins [RedSox.com]
Last Night’s NESN Pre-Game Show, If I Wrote the Script [Surviving Grady]
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Photo credits: Getty Images, AP Photo
The college basketball recruiting world had been abuzz the past few days, when one of the top 2012 recruits in the country Andre Drummond was going to make an announcement about his future.
Most of the speculation centered that he may decide to reclassify and come to Storrs, CT to play for his home state UConn Huskies or maybe even head to Kentucky to play for John Calipari. But folks that is not the case at all.
His big announcement was the fact that he’ll go to prep school for another year but it won’t be at St. Thomas More. Instead he’ll do his fifth year at Wilbraham & Monson in Wilbraham, MA.
Now the big question remains whether he’ll turn pro after this season or head to college for what would probably only be a year. His top five schools are UConn, the aformentioned Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville, Georgetown and West Virginia.
The general consenus out there seems to be that Drummond will never set foot on a college campus as far as playing in games and will turn pro after this season as he would be eligible for the draft. Of course depending on how long the NBA lockout lasts, his decision could be affected by that.
But for now, he’ll remain a “kid” and continue to dominate prep ball for another year.
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Photo credit: John Woike – Hartford Courant
With Tim McClelland’s strike zone tighter than a painted on dress, it looked like it might be a long night for Erik Bedard and the Boston Red Sox. But Bedard stuck to his guns and settled down.
And thanks to the shortest hit of David Ortiz‘s 2011 season, a 45 foot infield single, scored Dustin Pedroia in the 7th inning to give the Red Sox a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Twins. That win, coupled with a loss by the New York Yankees, extended the Red Sox lead in the AL East to 2.5 games.
The story though was McClelland’s strike zone.
Bedard was getting squeezed so much that if he were throwing oranges instead of baseballs, he would have made a lot of orange juice. Bedard needed 37 pitches to get through that fateful bottom half of the 1st inning in which he ended up walking four batters, including the Twins second run of the game. The first run had come on a Michael Cuddyer sacrifice fly.
But after that Bedard settled down, made some adjustments as he allowed just two hits the rest of the way while striking out four. Had Bedard not been able to stay calm under pressure, things may have been a whole lot different.
Bedard would leave the game with a 3-2 lead thanks to the help of some of the “role players”.
Darnell McDonald‘s two-run homer in the 5th scored Jason Varitek who had walked to start the inning off of Francisco Liriano. And it would be Varitek who delivered the go-ahead run at the time with an RBI single that scored Jed Lowrie after he had walked with one out in the 6th.
Now I hate to call Varitek a “role player” but that’s exactly what he is these days. But when he’s been in the lineup, he’s been getting the job done most of the time. His ability to call a game is unmatched and on a night where the strike zone is as tight as it was, having him behind the plate can only help the pitching staff out.
The nice thing about the bench players for the Red Sox too is the fact that when they’re in the lineup they usually produce.
McDonald had struggled earlier on in the season because he wasn’t seeing playing time. But after a stint on the DL and a rehab assignment, he’s seen a little more playing time since then. And for the most part, he’s been able to provide some results at the plate.
At 35-21, the Red Sox now have the best road record in all of MLB. Their 72-43 record is tops in the AL and trails the Philadelphia Phillies by 3.5 games for the best in all of MLB.
But what gets me is the fact that since starting the season at 2-10, the Red Sox are 70-33 since then. An absolutely amazing stretch of baseball especially considering the fact that they’ve battled through injuries with the pitching staff.
It just goes to show you how important those “role players”, whether a pitcher or a position player, really have been.
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
Ortiz excels at small ball [Boston Globe]
Filling the final holes [Boston Globe]
Reddick is getting familiar [Boston Globe]
Erik Bedard pitches in [Boston Herald]
Dustin Pedroia takes cover [Boston Herald]
Jonathan Papelbon better than ever [Boston Herald]
David Ortiz gets small hit [Boston Herald]
A healthy bet on Jed Lowrie’s impact [Boston Herald]
Sox come ahead late again, win 4-3 [CSN New England]
Notes: Bedard stays cool and collected on mound [CSN New England]
Papelbon shows his worth again [ESPN Boston]
David Ortiz finds creative ways to add to his RBI total [ESPN Boston]
Closing Time: Darnell McDonald, Jason Varitek keep things right for Red Sox vs. lefties [Full Count]
Erik Bedard Overcomes Early Issues, Takes Positive Step Forward in Second Start With Red Sox [NESN.com]
Darnell McDonald Part of Continued Red Sox Success Against Lefties, Clearing Up Preseason Concern [NESN.com]
Red Sox Mailbag: Josh Reddick Has Earned Right to Stay in Right Field If and When J.D. Drew Returns [NESN.com]
Infield hit by Ortiz drives in winning run [Providence Journal]
Red Sox have three legit MVP contenders in Pedroia, Gonzalez and Ellsbury [Providence Journal]
Red Sox journal: MLB gives in to Ortiz on RBI [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.
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 credits: Getty Images, Getty Images
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
Big East QB battles [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]
Quarterback superlatives [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]
The Big East’s best: No. 15 [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]
Day one in pads, fighting and another transfer [Chip Malafronte – New Haven Register]
Soggy Notes And Quotes From Tuesday (Aug.9) Practice [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]
Pads go on, tempers flare [Ed Daigneault – The Republican-American]
Tuesday quick hit [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]
Cincinnati game will start at noon, be on ESPN/ESPN2 [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]
Huskies hold spirited workout, resulting in one ejection [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]
Football Hosts Open Practice; Single-Game Tix On Sale [UConnHuskies.com]
With UConn’s new defensive coordinator, it’s ‘light your hair on fire and go’ [CT Post]
UCONN NOTEBOOK First fight ends in ‘suspension’ for Kenney [CT Post]
Despite Losses, Huskies Have Depth At Receiver [Hartford Courant]
First practice turns physical [New Haven Register]
UConn Women’s Basketball links
Marketing Maya Moore [The Day]
Other UConn related links
W. Soccer. Women’s Soccer Picked Third in BIG EAST Preseason Poll [UConnHuskies.com]
