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 position rankings: Special teams [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Big East coach rankings [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Big East preseason ballot [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

Watch BIG EAST Football Media Day Live Free on BIGEAST.tv [BigEast.org]

Evaluating A UConn Football Position: Defensive End [Hartford Courant]

Looking At A UConn Football Opponent: Syracuse [Hartford Courant]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Kemba at the ESPYs [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Kemba Walker honored as a role model [New Haven Register]

From Calhoun to Jordan: Speakers Have Nothing But Praise for Kemba Walker, Who Talks About His Future [Patch.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Championship and XL Center Seeking Millionth Fan [BigEast.org]

Some thoughts on Big East/XL Center press conference [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Regional Business Came To Bat To Keep Big East In Hartford [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

A Misconception, A News Item And Future Musings From Big East/XL Center Press Conference [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Hartford Must Keep Proving Itself As Host Of Women’s Big East Tournament [Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

M. Ice Hockey. Men’s Ice Hockey Announces 2011 Recruiting Class [UConnHuskies.com]

Here’s the release from the UConn Huskies athletic department announcing that Kendall Reyes and Moe Petrus have been named to the watch list for the 2011 Rotary Lombardi Award. Upon examining the list, I noticed that the press release doesn’t include any notes on Mike Ryan who was also on the watch list.

HOUSTON – University of Connecticut senior defensive tackle Kendall Reyes (Nashua, N.H) and senior center Moe Petrus (St. Laurent, Qu.) have both been named to the Official Watch List for the 2011 Rotary Lombardi Award. This is the 42nd year that the Rotary Lombardi Award has named the nation’s college lineman of the year.

Eligibility for the Rotary Lombardi Award is limited to down linemen, end-to-end, either on offense of defense, who set up no farther than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball, and linebackers who set up no farther than five yards deep from the line of scrimmage.

The candidates earned a place on the Official Watch List by earning All-American honors last season, by being named to their respective all-conference first team last season as selected by the conference’s head coaches, by being projected to be an All-American or first team all-conference player for the coming season, or by nomination approved by the nominations committee.

Reyes has played in 37 games over the past three seasons with 29 starts. He was a First Team All-BIG EAST selection last season and a team captain who started all 13 games alternating between end and tackle and started final three games at tackle. He tied for third on the team with 10 tackles for a loss and also had 2.5 sacks.

He has already been named to the Watch List for the Outland Trophy and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

Petrus has started 39 consecutive games for the Huskies and the past 26 at center. Last season, he started all 13 games and was a second team All-BIG EAST pick. Petrus has started 26 straight games for UConn at center dating back to 2009 and started all 13 games in 2008 at left tackle for his 39 straight starts. He is a member of the 2010 BIG EAST All-Academic team.

Petrus was also named to the Watch List for the Outland Trophy.

The 42nd Rotary Lombardi Award will be held on December 6-7, 2011 at Reliant Center, Houston, Texas. For more information, visit http://www.rotarylombardiaward.com/.

For a full loook at the 2011 Rotary Lombardi Award watch list, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

2011 Rotary Lombardi Award watch list:

BOSTON, MA – The Red Sox Foundation today announced eleven auction items for the 2011 Picnic in the Park fundraiser presented by Ace Ticket, and have opened the auction to proxy bids from fans unable to attend the event in person. Picnic in the Park is the annual charitable fundraiser hosted by the Red Sox Players and their wives benefiting two of the Red Sox Foundation’s charitable programs, the Red Sox Scholars and Red Sox RBI and Rookie League inner city youth baseball programs.

Fans who submit a bid by proxy can still win the items they bid on, even if they are not able to attend the live auction in person. A bid by proxy is possible on any of the donated items, including three that are available for online bidding on redsox.com/picnic, including:

• A VIP set visit to the hit TV show Mad Men
• Hitting Lesson with Red Sox First Baseman Adrian Gonzalez
• A lounger autographed by the Red Sox 2007 World Series team

The online auction for the above three items will close at noon (EDT) on Friday, July 22. At that time, the top three online bidders for each item will be contacted by phone and email by the Red Sox Foundation and offered an opportunity to participate by phone in the final live portion of the auction on Sunday, July 24.

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

Additional Red Sox player experiences are also available for proxy bidding through the Red Sox Foundation by sending an email to picnic@redsox.com or over the phone by calling 617-226-6440. Proxy bidders submitting bids by email or by phone will be asked to submit their highest bid and will be represented at the live auction by a member of the Red Sox Foundation who will bid on their behalf up to their maximum limit. Specific instructions on submitting a bid via email or phone are available on redsox.com/picnic. Additional auction items include:

• Pitching Lesson with Red Sox Pitcher Clay Buchholz
• A lounger autographed by the Red Sox 2007 World Series team
• Batting lessons with Red Sox outfielder Darnell McDonald and an opportunity to be part of the Fenway Park grounds crew before a game
• A 90-minute massage by the Red Sox players massage therapist Russell Nua at Fenway Park and tickets to a regular season Red Sox game in 2011-2012.
• Meet and greet with Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford, including 4 Grandstand tickets to the game
• An opportunity to play video games with  Red Sox Closer Jonathan Papelbon
• Meet and greet with All-Star first baseman Kevin Youkilis, including 4 Grandstand tickets plus one autographed Red Sox Youkilis jersey
• A personal voicemail recording for your phone by Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek
• A 30 minute personal fielding lesson with Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia

Picnic in the Park will be held one hour after the conclusion of the Sunday, July 24^th Red Sox-Mariners game. Fans enjoy a BBQ picnic on the field at Fenway Park, a chance to get autographs from current Red Sox players, as well as the opportunity to bid on the unique items and experiences during the live auction. Tickets are still available on redsox.com/picnic.

About the Red Sox Foundation:

The official team charity of the Boston Red Sox, the Red Sox Foundation harnesses the power of Red Sox Nation to support select programs serving at risk children and families across New England. The Foundation’s efforts are primarily focused on our cornerstone programs including the Red Sox Scholars Program, which provides tutoring, mentoring, enrichment programs and a college scholarship to academically talented but economically disadvantaged Boston public school students and the Red Sox Foundation’s RBI and Rookie League youth baseball program serving more than 2,000 inner city teens each summer. The team charity also supports the new Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with combat stress disorders and traumatic brain injury, The Dimock Community Center in Roxbury and The Jimmy Fund.

A 501c3 nonprofit, the Red Sox Foundation raises most of its funds through special events and charitable donations. Founded and initially funded by Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry, Chairman Tom Werner, President/CEO Larry Lucchino and their partners, the Red Sox Foundation has won numerous awards for the impact of its innovative programs. Last year, the Red Sox Scholars program was recognized by Major League Baseball with the first-ever “MLB Commissioner’s Award for Philanthropic Excellence.” In 2009, the Red Sox Foundation was also honored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Sports Philanthropy Project with the Patterson Award as the nation’s “Best Team Charity in Sports.” The Executive Director of the Red Sox Foundation is the team’s Vice President for Corporate Affairs, Meg Vaillancourt. For more information about the Red Sox Foundation, please visit www.redsoxfoundation.org.

Just when it looked like Boston Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez might win the 2011 MLB Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game in Phoenix, AZ, New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and his father stole the show.

Gonzalez and Cano had both made it to the finals with Gonzo getting first crack. He would put up 11 in the finale giving him a grand total of 31 home runs on the night. Of course the finals aren’t cumulative so that wouldn’t matter. With his father throwing to him, Cano got hot in the finals and put on a great show. Actually they both did.

But with three outs to spare, Cano blasted his 12th home run of the final round to take the 2011 MLB Home Run Derby honors. The AL had already easily won the team competition as three of their four sluggers made it to the second round.

To me, if it weren’t for Gonzalez and Cano in the first round plus David Ortiz, Prince Fielder and Matt Holliday in the bat-off, it might have gotten boring. While Fielder hit some majestic home runs including the longest of the night, it was really Cano and Gonzalez who kept the fans in it.

It was definitely fun seeing those two go at it. Sure it might have a Red Sox-Yankees rivalry thing but they made it worth watching.

In case you missed it, here’s the highlights of Gonzo’s final round:

In Red Sox news, Terry Francona set his rotation for the first three games after the break against the Tampa Bay Rays. Andrew Miller, John Lackey and Josh Beckett will pitch in those three games.

We’ll be back later today with the lineups, news and notes from the 2011 MLB All-Star Game but for now enjoy the overnight links 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

Is there life after David Ortiz for the Red Sox? [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Right now, Ortiz has a bright future [Boston Globe]

Star in fixed position [Boston Globe]

Cano turns on the power [Boston Globe]

Gonzo is just out of this world [Boston Globe]

Elite agree: Adrian Gonzalez great [Boston Herald]

Sox look like fall guys [Boston Herald]

Carlos Beltran would be cool with deal to Red Sox [Boston Herald]

Home Run Derby: Robinson Cano powers past Adrian Gonzalez [Boston Herald]

Life without Big Papi? [Boston Herald]

Boras doesn’t expect to talk Ellsbury contract until after season [Clubhouse Insider]

Cano tops Gonzalez in Home Run Derby [CSNNE.com]

Reddick’s All-Star break more enjoyable this year [CSNNE.com]

Source: Nothing to Garza trade rumors [CSNNE.com]

Beltran, Cuddyer possible Red Sox RF targets [CSNNE.com]

All-Star notes: Beckett good to go if called upon [CSNNE.com]

Red Sox Report Card: Mid-year review [CSNNE.com]

Lester: Sox will make sure I’m OK for October [ESPN Boston]

Youkilis: Gregg’s view of Sox not widely held [ESPN Boston]

Video: Sox talk about being All-Stars [ESPN Boston]

Beckett: Weaver deserves to start [ESPN Boston]

For this, Beckett, Lester willing to make nice [ESPN Boston]

Ethier on Pedroia snub: He’ll play better [ESPN Boston]

Video: State of the Nation from Arizona [ESPN Boston]

Wilson predicts a Red Sox-Giants series [Extra Bases]

Ethier on Pedroia: ‘Relax and Laser Show’ [Extra Bases]

Video: Ellsbury honored to be All-Star [Extra Bases]

Gonzalez had a blast in Derby [Extra Bases]

Video: David Ortiz on Home Run Derby [Extra Bases]

Red Sox pitching prospect Pimentel demoted to Salem [Full Count]

A look at breakthrough campaign of diabetic Red Sox prospect Chih-Hsieh Chiang [Full Count]

Ron Washington says Josh Beckett was next in line to start All-Star Game [Full Count]

Beltran: Accepting trade to Red Sox ‘a no brainer’ [Full Count]

Scott Boras on Jacoby Ellsbury: ‘We’re seeing what we expected’ [Full Count]

Heath Bell keeping a close eye on Jonathan Papelbon’s situation [Full Count]

Remember when Justin Upton was going to be a Red Sox? [Full Count]

Adrian Beltre really thought he was going to remain with the Red Sox [Full Count]

Andre Ethier talks reunion with Dustin Pedroia … with the Diamondbacks [Full Count]

How Manny Acta ended up helping Adrian Gonzalez to the finals [Full Count]

Larry David Doesn’t Hate the Red Sox As Much as He Used To, Will Feature Bill Buckner in Upcoming Episode of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ [NESN.com]

Video: Mike Lowell Misses Competitive Nature of Baseball, Says Challenge Now Is Entertaining His Kids Every Day [NESN.com]

Jacoby Ellsbury’s Power Surge, Adrian Gonzalez’s Historic Pace Stand Out Among Key Red Sox Stats From First Half [NESN.com]

Video: Heidi Watney Hangs Out by Chase Field Pool Before Home Run Derby [NESN.com]

After tough start, Red Sox live up to expectations [Providence Journal]

Minor-league notebook: Doubront’s making strides [Providence Journal]

If baseball’s All-Star Game matters, then stars should have to play [Providence Journal]

Red Sox’s All-Stars shine brightly in Phoenix [RedSox.com]

What we learned on Home Run Derby Day [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNE,  ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.

Photo credit: 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 Men’s Basketball links

Life is Good for Jim Calhoun [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Lamb Leads Team USA In Scoring At FIBA U19 World Championship [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn Freshmen DeAndre Daniels, Ryan Boatright Try Out Pro-Am [Hartford Courant]

Kemba Arrives At Halftime, Scores 32 In Greater Hartford Pro-Am Game [Hartford Courant]

UConn’s Kemba Walker Honored By Middlesex Chamber Of Commerce [Hartford Courant]

Jim Calhoun has plenty of reasons to smile [New Haven Register]

It’s Jeremy Lamb’s time to shine at UConn [Diamond Leung – ESPN.com]

Highest Paid Players per NCAA Colleges –  2010-2011 NBA Season [Dollars for Ballers]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Bird honored by WNBA [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Fernandes named assistant coach at Fairfield [The Westerly Sun]

Big East women’s tournament extends stay in Hartford [CT Post]

Big East To Extend Relationship With XL Center For Women’s Tournament [Hartford Courant]

UConn Football links

DC answered a couple of questions in his mailbag [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

No Huskies On This Watch List: Jim Thorpe Award (Best DB) [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

The evilest ice cream flavor ever: ‘Rockin’ Randy’ [The UConn Blog]

UConn Football Player In The Spotlight: Kicker Dave Teggart [Hartford Courant]

Teggart: tarp-puller, mascot, kicker [The Day]

Other UConn related links

Field Hockey. Field Hockey Inks Seven for 2011 [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Volleyball. Esposito Named New Haven Register Female Athlete Of The Year [UConnHuskies.com]

After what transpired at Fenway Park on Sunday afternoon, there’s absolutely no way that Kyle Weiland forgets about his MLB debut for the Boston Red Sox against the Baltimore Orioles.

Weiland’s afternoon started by seeing him retire four straight batters. He then walked Matt Wieters and made his first mistake of the afternoon when he left a fastball over the plate for Derek Lee who crushed it for a two-run homer to tie the game up at 2. Looking a bit rattled, he gave up a ground-rule double to Mark Reynolds and then an infield single to Nolan Reimold.

After that he gave up three more runs that inning on single, two of them of the infield variety. They weren’t hard hit balls by no means, those had come earlier in the inning. They just happened to find the right spots.

Weiland settled down though for the next two innings although he did hit Reynolds and walked Robert Andino. The 5th inning though was a much different story.

Adam Jones led off the inning with a triple. Weiland then hit Vladimir Guerrero and was promptly ejected due to the fact warnings had been issued earlier in the game after Jeremy Guthrie had hit Kevin Youkilis on a changeup.

Now I’ve never seen Weiland pitch before so I can’t compare his stuff from the minors to his big league debut yesterday. But from what I’ve read about his stuff, you can see that he has what it takes to pitch in the big leagues. It may not have been the debut he was looking for but he did show his resolve after settling down. Where he fits in going forward is anyone’s guess but there’s no doubt he may be able to help the club down the stretch.

Weiland can thank the offense though for keeping him in the game and actually giving him a chance to win before his ejection.

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

Trailing 6-2 entering the bottom of the 2nd, the Red Sox offense exploded for four runs against Orioles starter Mitch Atkins on three home runs.

After a J. D. Drew groundout, Marco Scutaro got the party started with a solo home run. Then after Jacoby Ellsbury flew out, Dustin Pedroia hit a solo shot in the Monster seats. Adrian Gonzalez followed that with a double and then Youk chased Atkins from the game with a two-run homer that tied the game up at 6.

In the 4th inning, Pedroia doubled with one out and went to third on a Gonzo single. Guthrie then hit Youk with the changeup that prompted the warnings. There was definitely NO intent by Guthrie to hit Youk but given what had happened over the past few days, home plate umpire Marty Foster felt otherwise. After that happened, Guthrie would walk David Ortiz to force in the eventual winning run.

The Red Sox would add another run in the 7th on an Ellsbury single.

Enough can’t be said about the job that the Red Sox bullpen did on Sunday afternoon, especially Alfredo Aceves.

Aceves came in for Weiland after his ejection with the runner on third in Jones. All Aceves did that inning was strikeout Wieters and Lee then get Blake Davis to fly out. Aceves then set down the side in order the following two innings as well before giving way to Daniel Bard, who threw a 1-2-3 inning in the 8th.

Jonathan Papelbon came on in the 9th and worked around a two-out walk to J. J. Hardy by striking out Nick Markakis for his 20th save of the season.

If anyone thought the whole beanball incident was over on Sunday, Michael Gonzalez made sure to let everyone knows the Orioles weren’t happy. Sure Weiland had hit Reynolds and Vlad but there was no intent there just like when Guthrie hit Youk. But what Gonzalez did was uncalled for and should get him suspended.

Gonzalez had come in and struck out the first batters he faced. Then with Big Papi at the plate, he got the first strike on a foul ball. Gonzalez then decided he was going to try and send Big Papi and the Red Sox a message by throwing behind him. Of course this got him ejected from the game. I guess the funny part of it all is that he couldn’t even hit Big Papi.

I’m sure the Orioles were frustrated but doing something stupid like that is what causes injuries. I could see that happening if there was intent earlier in the game but their clearly wasn’t. Instead of moving forward with it all, the Orioles didn’t and to me that just shows the class of their organization. And right now there is none.

If you want me to rub some salt in the Orioles wounds, here ya go. The Orioles are now 18 games behind the first place Red Sox. The win yesterday did allow the Red Sox to enter the All-Star break with the second best record in MLB and they maintained their one-game lead over the New York Yankees.

One more final note in this long-winded post. During the game yesterday, Jon Lester was added to the AL All-Star roster as a replacement for Felix Hernandez. But with Lester on the DL, he was replaced by Ricky Romero. Lester will go to Phoenix though and be a part of the pomp and circumstance.

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

It’s happened before: Why Ellsbury’s amazing return is not entirely surprising [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Rally caps Red Sox’ first half [Boston Globe]

A tossed salad for Weiland [Boston Globe]

This honor gets him going [Boston Globe]

Middlebrooks has the will, finding way [Boston Globe]

Playing it forward [Boston Globe]

Kyle Weiland tossed, but Red Sox rally to win 6th straight [Boston Herald]

Studs and Duds: Plenty of ups and downs at halfway point [Boston Herald]

Star turn for Jon Lester [Boston Herald]

Red Sox still can hit historic highs [Boston Herald]

Players hit break, speed away [Boston Herald]

Umpire’s plate full as tensions bubble again [Boston Herald]

Theo Epstein on Red Sox at break: ‘I think we’re in good shape’ [Clubhouse Insider]

Jason Varitek to Orioles: ‘Kiss my rear end’ [Clubhouse Insider]

Sox sweep O’s, 8-6 [CSNNE.com]

Varitek: ‘Orioles can kiss my rear end’ [CSNNE.com]

Weiland learns the hard way in MLB debut [CSNNE.com]

Nation STATion: All-Staroids [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Weiland’s debut ejection first since ’08 [CSNNE.com]

Red Sox Report Card: Mid-year review [CSNNE.com]

SoxProspects: HR-hitter Brentz finding groove [ESPN Boston]

Rapid reaction: Red Sox 8, Orioles 6 [ESPN Boston]

Lester gets All-Star nod [ESPN Boston]

Francona on pitch to Ortiz: Somebody could get hurt [ESPN Boston]

Tito was right: Weiland’s debut memorable [ESPN Boston]

Despite setbacks, 2011 Boston Red Sox have lived up to preseason hype. [ESPN Boston]

The Globe’s Michael Vega on the Red Sox’ sweep of the Orioles [Extra Bases]

Sox-Yanks collision course? [Extra Bases]

Terry Francona just wants to get away… to Mohegan Sun [Full Count]

Closing Time: Red Sox 8, Orioles 6 [Full Count]

Terry Francona is just a little suspcious of Mike Gonzalez [Full Count]

Middlebrooks making a powerful statement [Full Count]

Jason Varitek: We have young players, too so ‘kiss my rear end’ [Full Count]

Ex-Sox prospect Fuentes: Being traded for Gonzalez ‘was huge’ [Full Count]

These Calls Make You Wonder [Hartford Courant]

Video: Adrian Gonzalez Happy Red Sox Are in First Place Going Into All-Star Break, But Knows There’s Still Work to Be Done [NESN.com]

Umpire Marty Foster Overreacts in Ejecting Kyle Weiland From Major League Debut, Shows Lack of Feel for Game [NESN.com]

Red Sox Put Exclamation Point on Wild First Half With Come-From-Behind Win Over Orioles [NESN.com]

Video: Terry Francona Surprised Warnings Were Issued When They Were Against Orioles, Says Pitch Behind David Ortiz ‘Makes You Think’ [NESN.com]

Boston closes out first half on a high note [Providence Journal]

Weiland’s debut is one for the history books [Providence Journal]

Umpires were out of control in Sox-Birds tiff [Providence Journal]

For minor-league players, eating healthy is hardly easy [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Shopping smart at the trade deadline [Providence Journal]

Break comes at a good time for Red Sox [RedSox.com]

Red Sox, Rays to start second half with key battle [RedSox.com]

While on course, Red Sox still had their share of pleasant surprises [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNE,  ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the Baltimore Sun website. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, the Oriole Post.

Photo credit: Getty Images