Paw Prints – The Daily Roundup – 9/3

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

With the UConn Huskies football season starting on Saturday, the game previews will begin tomorrow. As always, the game preview will be posted the day before the game. Also be on the look out later today for a Q&A that I did with some of the beat writers for the UConn football team.

UConn Football links

Live chat Thursdays at the Runway [Ramblings from the Runway]

How Much Media To Athens And Who Pays? [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Two TV Questions Answered In One [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

How Many Tickets Did UNC Take? [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Football Preview Weekish: Offensive line [TheUConnBlog.com]

Big East football notebook [Connecticut Post]

At last, Frazer ready to rise with UConn [Connecticut Post]

Todman Well-Prepared To Take Over In UConn Backfield [Hartford Courant]

Todman Up Close [Hartford Courant]

Husky Tracks: Looking Ahead To Saturday’s Game [Hartford Courant]

UConn’s Kanuch knows time to shine dwindling [Waterbury Republican-American]

UConn out to prove skeptics wrong [Big East Blog – ESPN.com]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Signing A.J. Price Next Task For Pacers; T.J. Ford Dials Up Fans [Indy Cornrows]

Mailbag question, 9/2 [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Mailbag question, 9/2 [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

RTC’s 2009-10 Impact Players – Northeast Region [Rush the Court]

Other UConn related links

Men’s Soccer: First Career Goals by Ponce, Watson-Siriboe Lift Huskies Over St. Peter’s 2-0 [UConnHuskies.com]

Men’s Soccer: Huskies roast Peacocks [The Daily Campus]

ABSOLUT® Boston Tiles for Auction

Absolut Boston tiles

I had meant to get this posted earlier especially with the auction ending tomorrow.

Inspired by the design and spirit of the bottle, ABSOLUT® VODKA created a free-standing Wall of Pride to celebrate the launch of the new flavor. The city’s most beloved personalities memorialized their favorite Boston moments on the wall, reflecting upon the very core of Boston’s legendary pride – iconic sports figures, historic monuments, delectable dining and more.

All auction proceeds go the Charles River Conservancy – a nonprofit dedicated to the renewal and stewardship of the Charles River Parklands.

You bid by going to the EBay auction page. And if you’re in Boston, you can see them on display at Bolyston Plaza.

Patriots vs Jets Charity Ticket Raffle

Alpha Omega Council’s Pats / Jets Raffle

Win 4 Tickets to the New England Patriots Game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium!

Drawing Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Entry Deadline:
11:00 AM EDT, November 18, 2009

Enter the Alpha Omega Pats / Jets Raffle and help Alpha Omega to promote Hellenic-American interests and establish, maintain, and aid religious, charitable, scientific, literary and educational activities.

$2.00 / ticket (minimum purchase of 5 tickets)

Order Raffle Tickets (You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a ticket; if you are under 18 years of age, please have a parent, legal guardian, or trusted adult order tickets for you by using the systems Gifting feature when ordering)

GRAND PRIZE:

  • Winner will receive 4 premium tickets (Section CL30- Fidelity Clubhouse) to the New England Patriots / New York Jets Game on November 22, 2009 at Gillette Stadium (4:15 Kick Off)
  • Winner will receive a VIP Parking Pass to Gillette Stadium
  • Winner will receive an Old Neighborhood Food’s Tailgate Cooler filled with Old Neighborhood Sausages and Franks
  • Winner will receive a cash prize in the amount of $281.90 to mitigate the Winner’s tax liability that results from winning the raffle. This prize is withheld and paid, on behalf of the Winner, directly to the IRS ($232.97) and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ($48.93)

Help Alpha Omega in their efforts to promote Hellenic – American interests and to establish, maintain, and aid religious, charitable, scientific, literary and educational activities and, in return, you could win this great New England Patriots experience. Tickets start at just $2.00 each and decrease for orders of more than 5 tickets. Alpha Omega is utilizing the Celebrities for Charity Foundation (“CFC”) and netRaffle.org’s patented concepts and technologies to conduct this raffle and tickets are only available online at this web site. Enter online today and rest assured that CFC never stores your credit card information and utilizes secure routers and IBM Servers, professionally managed, to ensure that your information is secure and that your order is accurately processed with the utmost efficiency.

In addition to this, you should also rest assured that CFC values your generosity and netRaffle.org’s patented concepts and technologies are designed to deliver the utmost efficiency and unprecedented results. Direct Expenses amount to approximately 8.5% of Gross Revenue and decrease to 5% (or less) of Gross Revenue as more tickets per order are sold. In addition to Direct Expenses, a 5% Gaming Tax is paid to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. After the Direct Expenses and the Gaming Tax are paid, the yield to charity is a minimum of approximately 86.5% of Gross Revenue for a minimum purchase of 5 tickets ( $10.00). This increases to approximately 90% of Gross Revenue for a purchase of 20 tickets ( $25.00), And the yield percentage continues to increase as more tickets per order are purchased. These proceeds will benefit Alpha Omega and the many charities supported by the Celebrities For Charity Foundation.

While you must be 18 years of age, or older, to purchase a ticket, which the Entrant will need to prove prior to being certified as the Winner, CFC’s ordering process and rules allow the Entrant to Gift their tickets to another person, which may or may not be a minor. However, it is important to note that regardless of whether or not the Entrant gifts his or her tickets to another party, the Entrant will still need to prove that he or she is 18 years of age, or older, prior to the ticket holder being certified as the Winner. Furthermore, you should also note that neither the Entrant nor the Gift Recipient, if tickets are gifted, need to be present at the Drawing to win; the Winner will be notified. Also, although this experience of a lifetime is priceless, the value of the tangible prizes (e.g., as applicable in any given raffle, hotel, travel, meals, tickets, taxes, etc.) is $931.90.

Red Sox On Demand From Comcast: “Push for the Playoffs”

Red Sox on Demand by Comcast

With MLB playoffs around the corner, Comcast announced the release of a special new collection of playoff-related programming on Red Sox On Demand, the popular On Demand feature providing exclusive fan access to the Red Sox video library unveiled earlier this season. Designed to provide even more of what fans with digital cable service from Comcast have come to expect from Red Sox On Demand: Access to a wide selection of Red Sox news and entertainment programs any time they want, for no extra charge, with the click of their remote control.

The new “Push for the Playoffs” segments now available exclusively in Red Sox On Demand’s “Season Recaps” folder include:

  • 2007 Regular Season Montage: shows the great moments as David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and company lead the team on another great push to the playoffs.
  • 2004 Season Recap: narrated by Curt Gowdy, this comprehensive highlight reel features the players who exclaimed “Why Not Us?” and pushed through a challenging regular season to end their team’s 86 year World Series drought.
  • Tessie: tells the story of the Royal Rooters and the quest to break the “Curse of the Bambino.”
  • 2008 Regular Season Montage: reminds fans of last year’s winning regular season performance.
  • Regular Season Recaps of 1986 and 1988: brings fans back to these exciting regular seasons.
  • Remy as President of Red Sox Nation: continues the celebration of Jerry Remy’s return to the broadcast booth (this feature will be found on Red Sox On Demand as part of the “Red Sox Nation” folder).
  • Pap Demonstrating his MLB video game savvy: here’s a preview: http://www.redsox.com/comcast (full show in the “Latest Red Sox News” folder on Red Sox On Demand).

Like the vast majority of the more than 10,000 On Demand programs available every month, Comcast’s digital cable customers can watch all Red Sox On Demand programs for no additional charge. Fans can watch this programming anytime – day or night – and can pause, fast forward or rewind their selections. Red Sox On Demand can be easily accessed from the On Demand menu by selecting “Get Local” and then “Red Sox On Demand.”

The Next Senator From Massachusetts, Curt Schilling?

Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling throws out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 5 of the American League baseball championship series in Boston, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008. Schilling, who turns 42 next month, missed the entire season with a right shoulder injury. He had surgery on it in June. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

Could former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling be the next Senator from the state of Massachusetts?

It is something that Schilling is entertaining after being approached about possibly running for the open seat after the passing of Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy last week. Schilling left these comments on his blog at 38 Pitches.

While my family is obviously the priority, and 38 Studios is a priority, I do have some interest in the possibility. That being said, to get to there from where I am today, many many things would have to align themselves for that to truly happen. I am not going to comment further on the matter since at this point it would be speculation on top of speculation.

My hope is that whatever happens, and whomever it happens to, this state makes the decision and chooses the best person, regardless of sex, race, religion or political affiliation, to help get this state back to the place it deserves to be.

A special election will be held on January 19, 2010 to fill the vacancy. In the meantime, the seat will be left vacant unless the Massachusetts legislature passes a bill that allows Mass. Governor Deval Patrick to appoint someone on an interim basis.

Schilling is a registered independent but did support Republican Senator John McCain’s failed bid for the presidency won by now President Barack Obama.

Afternoon Red Sox Delight – 9/2

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett watches his team play against the Texas Rangers in the sixth inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Arlington, Texas July 21, 2009. REUTERS/Mike Stone (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)

The Boston Red Sox hadn’t had much luck against the Tampa Bay Rays or at Tropicana Field this season. With a quality start from Jon Lester last night, they were able to put it behind them for one night. Tonight, they look to do it all over again.

Tonight’s game will start at 7:08 PM and will be covered on the NESN in the Red Sox television market. In the Tampa area, you can catch the game on Fox Sports Florida. And if you aren’t in either market, you can catch the game ESPN. If the television isn’t your cup of tea, You can also catch the game on the radio on one of the many affiliates of the Red Sox Radio Network.

Josh Beckett looks to put a miserable August by his standards behind him tonight. He’s made 26 starts this season and is 14-5 with a 3.80 ERA. He’s made three starts this season against the Rays and is 1-1 with a 5.60 ERA. He’s made thirteen career starts against them and is 6-4 with a 3.63 ERA. In five career starts at the Trop, Beckett is 1-3 with a 3.58 ERA.

Matt “I turn into Cy Young against the Red Sox” Garza starts for Joe Maddon tonight. Garza has made 26 starts this season and is 7-9 with a 3.95 ERA. He has made four starts this season against the Red Sox and is 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA. In ten career starts against the Red Sox, he is 5-1 with a 2.93 ERA.

Sox looking for return to form from Beckett [RedSox.com]

Francona: Varitek behind plate tonight [Extra Bases]

Reddick recalled [Extra Bases]

Pregame notes [Extra Bases]

The new Dave Roberts meets Dave Roberts [Extra Bases]

The legend of Joey Gathright [Full Count]

Terry Francona on Dale and Holley [Full Count]

Papelbon is now locked into playoff mode [Hacks with Haggs]

Papelbon Problem [Hit and Run with Dan Roche]

Pap in Pinstripes? [Hit and Run with Dan Roche]

Sox-Yankee game on Sept. 27 switched to 1 p.m. because of Yom Kippur [Projo Sox Blog]

Bard is 1 of 12 MLB pitchers to hit 100 mph this season [Projo Sox Blog]

Francona gives so-so report on Wakefield’s progress [Projo Sox Blog]

Reddick headed to Boston [Projo Sox Blog]

Wakefield could start Saturday, if not surgery possible [Projo Sox Blog]

Surging Lowell out tonight, in tomorrow [Projo Sox Blog]

A convincing argument from the closer [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

Billy Wagner Building the Perfect Bullpen Bridge [NESN.com]

David Ortiz Brings Big Bat and Big Heart [NESN.com]

Ellsbury Leading the Way for the Red Sox in Wild-Card Race [Heidi Watney – NESN.com]

After Six-Out Save, Papelbon Primed for October Dominance [NESN.com]

Tampa Bay wears out its pen; big deal for rest of series? [Batter-up with Bruno]

Here are tonight’s starting lineups:

Boston Red Sox77-54

Tampa Bay Rays71-60

1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF 1. Jason Bartlett SS
2. Dustin Pedroia 2B 2. Carl Crawford LF
3. Victor Martinez 1B 3. Ben Zobrist RF
4. Kevin Youkilis 3B 4. Carlos Peña 1B
5. David Ortiz DH 5. Pat Burrell DH
6. Jason Bay LF 6. Evan Longoria 3B
7. J.D. Drew RF 7. Gregg Zaun C
8. Jason Varitek C 8. Akinori Iwamura 2B
9. Alex Gonzalez SS 9. B.J. Upton CF
Josh Beckett SP Matt Garza SP

And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers:

Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays batter/pitcher matchups

Paw Prints – The Daily Roundup – 9/2

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

UConn Football links

Edsall Talks About Ohio And More [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

UConn Coach Randy Edsall Opens His Weekly Media Day Press Conference [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Frazer Talks Mechanics And Rivals Ranks All 120 QB Tandems [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Tuesday presser [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

Four days to O-hi-o [Ramblings from The Runway]

A little more from Tuesday [Ramblings from The Runway]

Football Preview Weekish: Rutgers [TheUConnBlog.com]

State of the Big East: Week Zero [TheUConnBlog.com]

Football Preview Weekish: Defensive backs [TheUConnBlog.com]

Football Preview Weekish: West Virginia [TheUConnBlog.com]

Football Preview Weekish: Running Backs [TheUConnBlog.com]

Media Day: Week 1, Ohio [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]

Week 1 words of wisdom [Neill Ostrout – Connecticut Post]

Orlovsky expected to play more for Texans Friday [AP via Connecticut Post]

Junior hungry for debut with Huskies [Connecticut Post]

UConn Can’t Look Past Ohio [Hartford Courant]

Husky Tracks: Looking Ahead To Saturday’s Game [Hartford Courant]

UConn QB Frazer Set To Drive New Offense [Hartford Courant]

Last chance at catching on [Journal Inquirer]

UConn’s Todman won’t be asked to fill Brown’s shoes [New Haven Register]

UConn football notebook: Edsall right on with practice time [Waterbury Republican-American]

Motivated Hicks a fixture on the line [Waterbury Republican-American]

UConn Secondary A Place For Young And Old [New London Day]

Hernandez joins Southington football coaching staff [Bristol Press]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Mailbag question, 9/1 [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Remember the name: Kyrie Irving [UConn Huskies Basketball]

New England Basketball Hall of Fame Inductees Announced [UConnHuskies.com]

Other UConn related links

Fine Line Between Breaking NCAA Rules and Playing Winning Football [Rob Lunn – NESN.com]

Men’sSoccer: Cascio Named to the College Soccer News Unsung Players Watch List in 2009 [UConnHuskies.com]

Gov. Rell Declares Friday “College Colors Day” [UConnHuskies.com]

Men’s Soccer: Men’s Soccer Ready for Season Opener Against St. Peter’s [UConnHuskies.com]

Hard To Cheer This UConn Spirit Change [New London Day]

UConn’s players change, but high standards still there [The Daily Campus]

Husky Soccer Kicking Off The Season [NBC Connecticut]

INCH’s A to Z: Connecticut’s Marcello Ranallo [Atlantic Hockey Online]