Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 3/21

Here’s a press release from the Boston Red Sox on the progress of minor league outfielder Ryan Westmoreland after his brain surgery earlier this week.

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Red Sox today received an encouraging report on the condition of Minor League outfielder Ryan Westmoreland.

According to Dr. Robert Spetzler, Westmoreland’s neurosurgeon and the director of Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Ryan has been moved out of the Intensive Care Unit and into the hospital’s Neuro Rehabilitation Unit, where he will undergo physical and occupational therapy.

“Ryan is right on track and we expect progressive improvement,” said Dr. Spetzler.

“We are thrilled for Ryan and his family that the surgery went so well,” said Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein. “While we recognize that the recovery process is long and complicated, we are excited that all of the early indications are so positive. On behalf of the Westmoreland family, we thank everybody who has expressed concern and support for Ryan.”

The Red Sox request that the media please continue to respect the Westmoreland family’s privacy and refrain from contacting them until later in Ryan’s recovery.

Late Afternoon Red Sox Delight – 3/19

The visit to Bradenton wasn’t very kind to Josh Beckett and the Boston Red Sox on Friday afternoon as they fell to the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-7 at McKechnie Field.

Beckett seemed to be feeling the effects of the flu bug that caused him to miss his last start. He wasn’t particularly sharp as he gave up four runs on six hits and two walks with a strikeout in 3 2/3 innings of work.

The key for Beckett though is that he got his work in:

“It would’ve nice to take 70 pitches a little further than 3-1/3, but I think we got our work in. Obviously, the numbers don’t look good, but the most important number for me today was 70 pitches. You miss a start during spring training, it’s pretty tough. But I knew I had to do something. There was no way I could’ve pitched the other day. I was basically bed-ridden for four days. You try and get what you can in, but today was definitely moving in the right direction. “I don’t think [Opening Night] will be a problem. We’ve got two or three more starts. Hopefully, I feel good enough tomorrow to go in and get a full week [of workouts] in this week.”

Scott Atchison allowed a two runs (one earned) on two hits and walk in 1 2/3 innings while Brian Shouse gave up a hit in his inning. Jorge Sosa took the loss as he allowed two runs on four hits with a strikeout. Junichi Tazawa gave up a run on a hit in his inning of work.

David Ortiz continues to swing a hot piece of lumber has he went 2-for-3 including a two-run homer. Jeremy Hermida also added a solo shot. The Red Sox did have 14 hits on the afternoon and Josh Reddick was the only one besides Big Papi to have two hits.

The Red Sox return to action on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. at City of Palms Park when the Baltimore Orioles come to town. Tin Wakefield will make the start for the Red Sox.

Tomorrow’s game will be shown on NESN in the Red Sox television market and will also be available via the radio on WEEI 850 AM.

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

Youk’s diary: All about the Mayor’s Cup [Kevin Youkilis – ESPN Boston]

Matsuzaka to pitch in game on Sunday [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Beckett says he’ll be ready for opener (updated) [Clubhouse Insider]

Lowell takes his hacks [Clubhouse Insider]

Red Sox notes: Beckett struggles in return [CSN New England]

Sources: Cubs, D’backs interested in Boof Bonser [CSN New England]

Red Sox have Hall on their short list [CSN New England]

Scout wowed by Ortiz [ESPN Boston]

Scouts will be out in force for Lowell [ESPN Boston]

Beckett: Out of bed is progress [ESPN Boston]

Checking in with Francona [Extra Bases]

Lowell on 1B, hitting [Extra Bases]

Red Sox fall to Pirates [Extra Bases]

Tom Verducci on D&C: Yanks have rotation edge on Sox [Full Count]

Lowell: ‘You never know what’s going to happen’ [Full Count]

Red Sox Friday Notes: A bench with bling [Full Count]

Beckett anticipates being fine for Opening Day [Full Count]

Depth to be tested in coming days [Projo Sox Blog]

Beckett pleased with pitches, not results [ProJo Sox Blog]

John Farrell’s son gets a hit against Red Sox [ProJo Sox Blog]

Dice-K set for Minor League start Sunday [RedSox.com]

On the mend, Beckett labors through start [RedSox.com]

Jason Varitek and Journey Forward Spring Training Raffle

Do you want a chance to win to go to dinner with Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek and go to two spring training games? If you do, Celebrities for Charity Foundation is doing a raffle to benefit Journey Forward.

Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek looks at fans as they seek his autograph at baseball spring training on the first day of pitchers and catchers workout, in Fort Myers, Fla. , Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010 - AP Photo

Jason Varitek is once again holding another raffle to benefit Journey Forward. Journey Forward is a non-profit gym dedicated to helping people who have had spinal cord injuries. The raffle includes the following:

Winner and a guest will enjoy 2 tickets (1 each) to the Boston Red Sox March 27, 2010 Spring Training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Field in Sarasota, Florida AND 2 tickets (1 each) to the March 28, 2010 games against the Minnesota Twins at Palm Park Field in Fort Myers, Florida (Game times 1:05 PM)
Winner and a guest will enjoy dinner with Jason Varitek in Florida
Winner will receive $1,500 for travel and other expenses
Cash payment of $816. 75 to mitigate the Winner’s tax liability for winning the prize (paid directly to the IRS and Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Tickets for this raffle are available on Celebrities for Charity. The tickets are only $2 with a minimum purchase of 5 tickets. This way every fan has a chance to win this awesome prize. The deadline to enter this raffle is March 22, 2010 at 11 AM, the drawing for the winner will be held that same day.

Carl Everett’s Crazy Hall of Fame 2009/10 Class

It’s time for yet more names to be added to the shrine known as Carl Everett’s Crazy Hall of Fame. This time around we have a veteran’s committee addition, these are people who have been long known for their antics and being batshit crazy on the field of play in their sport, and we also have the enshrinement of three college athletes, two of them being female.

Without further adieu…

The Class of 2009/2010:

It’s not often, in fact never, have we be able to say that one of the enshrinee’s to the Carl Everett Crazy Hall of Fame has run for President of the United States and has been a popular author, public speaker and sucessful business man but we can say that about former Boston Red Sox and Montreal Expos pitcher Bill Lee. Lee who is known for his support and use of marijuana claiming it made him immune to the Boston bus fumes while he jogged to Fenway, his own “Leephus” pitch, his criticism of management (he named Don Zimmer “The Gerbil”) or his offbeat politics, is just as well known for being the center piece in one of the most famous Red Sox-Yankees onfield fights as well as once threatening to the bite the ear off of an umpire during a game. And just for good measure, the late Warren Zevon once wrote a song about him called “Bill Lee”.

In November of 2009 University of New Mexico Lobos women’s soccer player Elizbeth Lambert was suspended by her school and the the Mountain West Conference,the league in which they play, for her actions during the league tournament game against Brigham Young University in which she punched players in the back, the face or in he back of their head, pulled the hair of an opponent while yanking her to the ground, kicked an opponnent while she was on the ground, pushed another to ground and had several cases in which she tripped multiple Cougar players. She was reportedly upset after being elbowed in the ribs by a BYU player and then she became a one person wrecking crew not seen since Sly Stallone in the movie “First Blood”.

On March 3, 2010 Baylor Bears freshman women’ basketball sensation Brittney Griner was ejected and suspected for two games (one by Baylor, one by the NCAA) after thowing a closed fist punch to the face of Texas Tech’s Jordan Barncastle breaking her nose in retaliation for a foul.

No sooner had the Oregon Ducks lost to Boise State in the 2009 season opener than Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount created a firestorm when he punched Broncos player Byron Hout after seemingly being provoked. Blout, who was walking off the field, was approached by Hout who grabbed him and said something prompting BSU coach Chris Peterson to restrain and yell at Hout. While this was happening Blount leveled Hout with a punch to the chin. Then while leaving the playing field he tried to enter the stands to tangle with the Boise State fans but was stopped by teammates and security. This prompted Oregon AD Mike Bellotti and head football coach Chip Kelly to suspend Blount for the entire season. He was reinstated to the team after 10 games and played sparingly in a season in which Oregon played in the Rose Bowl.

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 3/19

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

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UConn Football links QB Frazer: Receivers Got Better In Offseason Workouts [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Practice 2 Notes [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

It’s Time For Frazer To Lead [Hartford Courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

From The Courant Archives: March 26. 1994 [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

NCAAs Never Get Old/ Doty Has Eyes On the Point [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Doty, Hayes carry UConn’s backcourt hopes [CT Post]

UConn-Tennessee? ESPN Would Love It [Hartford Courant]

7-For-7: Story Lines For 7th National Title [Hartford Courant]

UConn Fans: Tips If You’re Heading To Norfolk [Hartford Courant]

Huskies bad for women’s hoops? Hardly [ESPN.com]

Here’s hoping UConn keeps on winning [ESPN.com]

Inside Women’s NCAA Basketball | Tournament preview: UConn the favorite to remain undefeated [Tufts Daily]

Obama picks UConn, who’s your winner? [Jayda Evans – Seattle Times]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Hokies excited to play UConn in NIT [Washington Post]

Hokies hope to handle Huskies in second round of NIT [Virginia Tech Collegiate Times]

Other UConn related links

Women’s Lacrosse: Lacrosse Hosts Final Non-Conference Opponent of the Season on Friday [UConnHuskies.com]

Softball: Huskies Play In Final Regular Season Tournament Of 2010 [UConnHuskies.com]

Early Afternoon Red Sox Delight – 3/19

Both the Boston Red Sox and myself enjoyed a day off on Thursday and now on Friday, we’re both back in action.

Today, the Red Sox travel up I-75 to Bradenton to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The game will start at 1:05 p.m. and will be available on MLB.com’s Gameday Audio package if you have the MLB.tv or Gameday Audio package. If you’re already a member of Red Sox Nation, you get the Gameday Audio for free. You can also catch it on the MLB At Bat app for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

After missing his last start due to illness, Josh Beckett will be back on the mound for the Red Sox. He’ll be followed by RHP Scott Atchison, LHP Fabio Castro and RHP Ramon A. Ramirez. Paul Maholm will start for the Pirates and he’ll be followed by RHP Brendan Donnelly, RHP Vinnie Chulk, RHP Evan Meek and LHP Brian Burres.

And before we get to the lineups, a congratulations is in order to Daisuke Matuszaka and his wife Tomoyo, who gave birth to a baby girl last night. The baby girl weighed in at 6 pounds, 9.5 ounces.

Continue reading for lineups and links.


1. Mike Cameron	CF	1.Andrew McCutchen	CF
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. Ronny Cedeno	SS
3. Victor Martinez	1B	3. Akinori Iwamura	2B
4. David Ortiz	DH	4. Garrett Jones	DH
5. Jason Varitek	C	5. Ryan Doumit	C
6. Jeremy Hermida	LF	6. Lastings Milledge	LF
7. Bill Hall	SS	7. Jeff Clement	1B
8. Tug Hulett	3B	8. Andy LaRoche	3B
9. Josh Reddick	RF	9. Delwyn Young	RF
Josh Beckett	SP	Paul Maholm	SP

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

Overlooked superstar: The perception of Kevin Youkilis [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Scutaro, Pedroia blending in well [Boston Globe]

Buchholz is making gains [Boston Globe]

Six degrees of Marco Scutaro [Boston Herald]

No minor feat for Clay Buchholz [Boston Herald]

Morning notes: Ellsbury’s back, Velazquez is out [Clubhouse Insider]

Quick turnaround for Daisuke [Clubhouse Insider]

Who am I? And what is up? [Clubhouse Insider]

Buchholz throws; Sox complete trade [ESPN Boston]

Patience pays for Scutaro [ESPN Boston]

Guessing The Roster, Version 2 [Extra Bases]

Red Sox acquire RHP to complete trade [Extra Bases]

Injury updates [Extra Bases]

A look at new Sox minor leaguer Celestino [Full Count]

Tough break for Velazquez [Full Count]

So far, signs positive on Westmoreland [ProJo Sox Blog]

Kelly likely to start year in Portland rotation [Projo Sox Blog]

Infielder Gil Velazquez breaks thumb [Projo Sox Blog]

Starting nine: David Ortiz [Projo Sox Blog]

Daisuke Matsuzaka a father again [Projo Sox Blog]

Four innings the target for Beckett [Projo Sox Blog]

Helping young players part of Cameron’s game [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Kelly will pitch in AA-Portland [Providence Journal]

Atchison trying to stick with Red Sox [RedSox.com]

Putting Nomar’s health into perspective [RedSox.com]

For Francona, life is good [RedSox.com]

Buchholz stays on schedule to earn job [RedSox.com]

Hall comfortable at almost any position [RedSox.com]

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 3/18

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

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UConn Football links

Kijuan Dabney: Presently Playing And Looking Ahead [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Marcus Campbell Is Glad To Be Back [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Campbell Ready To Make Impact [Hartford Courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Auriemma a Naismth finalist [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Geno A Naismith Finalist [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

By Executive Decree, Huskies best team in sports today [Roger Cleaveland – The Republican-American]

Hayes’ UConn Tweets Make News [Hartford Courant]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Mike Anthony answered about 10 questions or so in his mailbag [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Know Your Enemy: Virginia Tech [UConn Huskies Basketball]

Husky rewind: UConn turns fear into ally [CT Post]

Oriakhi Helping UConn Men Move On [Hartford Courant]

Calhoun says Dyson trying too hard [New Haven Register]

Dyson’s heart never in question [Norwich Bulletin]

Huskies to visit Virginia Tech next [The Day]

Little reason to think UConn can win NIT [The Republican-American]

Scott Burrell Podcast: The Timeouts Before Tate George’s Shot Felt A Lot Worse Than Waiting For His Shot To Fall [Lost Letterman]

Other UConn related links

Baseball: Baseball Site Changes for Weekend [UConnHuskies.com]

Softball: Huskies Drop 1-0 Game To Quinnipiac In Northeast Opener [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn Men To Face Virginia Tech In 2nd Round of NIT

With the Virginia Tech Hokies beating Quinnipiac Bobcats by twenty points on Wednesday night, the UConn Huskies have now found out their second round opponent in the Postseason NIT.

The game is scheduled for Monday, March 22nd at 7:00 p.m. It will be nationally-televised on ESPN.

Late Morning Red Sox Delight – 3/17

After falling to old friend Brad Mills and the Houston Astros in a split-squad game, Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona and pitching coach John Farrell got into a car and drove from Kissimmee to Port Charlotte. Something tells me they may have just wanted to go back to Ft. Myers instead.

Despite Felix Doubront extending his scoreless innings streak during spring training to seven innings, the Red Sox fell to the Tampa Bay Rays 7-0 on Tuesday night.

Doubront allowed just one hit over three innings with a walk and a strikeout. Boof Bonser wasn’t so lucky as he was tagged for three runs on three hits and two walks with two strikeouts in two innings of work. Joe Nelson struck out one in his inning while Jorge Sosa allowed a run on three hits with two strikeouts. Junichi Tazawa was rocked for three runs on four hits with a strikeout in an inning.

Like in the game against the Astros, the Red Sox managed just four hits off of three Rays pitchers. David Ortiz had two of those hits while Mike Cameron and Nate Spears managed the others.

This afternoon, the Red Sox will host the New York Mets in a St. Patrick’s Day matchup at City of Palms Park.

The game will start at 1:05 p.m. and will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you can’t watch the game on television, it will be broadcast on WEEI 850 AM. It is also available on MLB.com if you have the MLB.tv or Gameday Audio package. You can also catch it on the MLB At Bat app for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

John Lackey will make the start for the Red Sox and he’ll be followed by Jonathan Papelbon, Hideki Okajima, Ramon Ramirez, Manny Delcarmen and Daniel Bard. Mike Pelfrey gets the ball for the Mets and will be followed by Tobi Stoner, Bobby Parnell, Kiko Calero and Jenrry Mejia.

Continue for lineups and links.


1. Angel Pagan	LF	1. Marco Scutaro	SS
2. Alex Cora	SS	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Gary Matthews	RF	3. Victor Martinez	C
4. Daniel Murphy	1B	4. Kevin Youkilis	1B
5. Fernando Tatis	3B	5. David Ortiz	DH
6. Frank Catalanotto	DH	6. Adrian Beltre	3B
7. Omir Santos	C	7. Jeremy Hermida	LF
8. Fernando Martinez	CF	8. Mike Cameron	CF
9. Ruben Tejada	2B	9. Josh Reddick	RF
Mike Pelfrey	SP	John Lackey	SP