Three Red Sox Players Bring Home the Gold

After all the drama that the Red sox have occurred so far this off-season I feel like some good news is finally in hand. Yesterday the Rawlings Gold Glove awards were given out to three of our very own.

For those of you who may not know but the Gold Glove is. It is given out to the best defensive player at each position on the field and this year’s award winners from the Red Sox were Adrian Gonzalez at first base, Dustin Pedroia at second, and Jacoby Ellsbury in centerfield winning his first.

For Gonzalez this is his third Gold Glove but his first in the American League. Gonzalez had a .997 fielding percentage in 2011, a career high, with only four errors on the season.   

Gonzalez was on ESPN at the time the awards were given out.

"It feels great. It’s pretty awesome hearing Dustin won as well. It’s pretty awesome playing along side him. Being able to win in both leagues I’m pretty grateful to everyone who voted for me," he said.

"I always say pitching and defense is what’s going to win championships. I take a lot of pride in it. I try to be a complete player. You can always go into offensive slumps, but defense is something that should never leave you."

Pedroia is taking the award home for the second time since his 2008 MVP season. In 2011, he had a .990 fielding percentage with seven errors, the most of his career.

Ellsbury has had an amazing season in 2011 after such a poor season in 2010 after only playing in 18 games due to injury. Ellsbury was named last month as the 2011 American League Comeback Player of the year he was also named to his first All-Star team. He has put up numbers that many feel could win him the AL MVP award which he will probably fall short of due to the Red Sox not making the post season.  While he was doing amazing things with the bat this past season he is being awarded for his defensive play as he had a perfect year in center field win zero errors and a 1.000 fielding percentage in a 154 games played at the position.

Kevin Youkilis was named a finalist for the Gold Glove at third base in his first full season back at the hot corner. Youkilis played in 112 games at third with .967 fielding with nine errors on the year. He fail to the guy he replaced Adrian Beltre who also played in 112 games at third with a .965 fielding with 11 errors.

The next awards to be given out will be the Silver Slugger awards which will be awarded on November 10^th and a couple of Red Sox players will probably take him this hardware as well just have to wait and see.

What's New with the Sox?

A quick post to let you know that Clay Buchholz has began throwing today as he was medically allowed to begin. Buchholz tossed a ball around for about ten minutes. The goal is to get him back before the end of the season and to get him to come out of the bullpen to help the team in the poster season.

Kevin Youkilis and J.D. Drew will be making a rehab start tonight for Pawtucket in Rochester, NY. This is probably a sign that Drew will be returning the team's roster expand on Thursday and Youkilis is able to return on Friday when his DL stint is up.

Drew will be battling for his spot in the line up as Reddick has began to slump in recent times.

Injury sends Youkilis to DL and Lavarnway get's his shot at the Bigs

Say it ain't so! It looks like injury bug has bit the Red Sox again. The Red Sox have placed Kevin Youkilis on the disabled list with a sore back that has been nagging him off and on for weeks. Also Red Sox DH David Ortiz has injury as well coming before the double header this past Tuesday with a bursitis on his right heel that has him sidelined for up to a week. So with the Sox down two bats in the line up they have went to their minor leagues and pulled up a slugger by the name of Ryan Lavarnway.

Many people had wondered what kind of shot Lavarnway would get being a catcher and with us being set at the position. But as Tito always says a position will open and the way he has been swinging the bat it has. Lavarnway has been called up to play the DH spot for the Sox

A little back story on Lavarnway he was the 2010 Offensive Co-Player of the Year and this season he has just went off. He started the season in double A Portland and was called up to Pawtucket in a hurry playing a combined 55 games for both clubs. During that time he hit .293 with 30 home runs and 85 RBI.

This is Lavarnway's big shot at the majors because if Ortiz injury continues he will be taking the bulk of the at bats for him until his return to the line up. This is also his audition for next year with both Ortiz and Jason Varitek becoming free agents at the end of the season. If something happens with one of these guys and the Sox can't sign them Lavarnway could be an option to feel their shoes.

This is first shot at the big leagues so lets give him a welcome and see how he fits with our program while the injury bug runs its course.

Red Sox Join It Gets Better Project

Today the Red Sox put out a very important video that I thought I would share with you guys today. The Red Sox have joined on to support the It Gets Better Project. This is a project against bullying of any time. This is a video of encouraging thoughts to help prevent teen sucide. In this video you see Kevin Youkilis, Jason Varitek and Terry Francona including members of the Fenway staff. It is really important campagin and I thought that I would do my part to help stop bullying by passing along this video.

Beckett Throws a Gem and The Bruins Win the Cup

Ok guys so I know it’s been awhile but I’m back now. It’s been an exciting time for Boston sports fans as you should know by now. Last night the Boston Bruins took home the Stanley Cup for the first time in 39 years. That was the majority of New Englander’s and Boston fans around the country’s attention was including mine.

It was very special for me to see the last of my favorite teams to bring home the championships. I have got to see my University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball team bring home the championship twice in my life, I have saw my Pittsburgh Steelers bring home the championship twice, got see my favorite sports team of all time the Boston Red Sox bring home the championship twice, The Boston Celtics bring it home once and now my Bruins. It is an exciting day to be a sports fan for me.

But while everyone was watching the Bruins bring home the Cup to Boston, something special was happening in Tampa Bay. Josh Beckett tossed a one hitter and faced one batter over the minimum of a perfect game in a full game shut-out. Just to think at the beginning of this season Beckett was considered the fourth starter of this rotation and now he has worked his way back into becoming the “Ace” that he was in 2007.

Beckett came short of the perfect game by a hit that almost rolled foul; he pitched what I consider his best performance of the year. He struck out six of the Rays in this gem and not walking a batter. This amazing performance on the mound has lowered his ERA to a 1.86, which is the lowest in the major-league.

All the offense from this gem came off the bat of a certain third baseman by the name of Kevin Youkilis as he knocked a three-run homer in the seventh inning. This was Youkilis’ 10^th homer of the year.

After last night’s win the Red Sox remain in first place in the American League East now one game ahead of the New York Yankees.

Last but not least the Red Sox have moved their game on Saturday from 1:05 to 7:05 against the Brewers due the Bruins rolling rally parade with the Cup.

Red Sox Are Going Streaking!!!

Well the Red Sox are finally on a streak winning their past three in a row. Today was the annual Patroits Day game for the Sox and it was a big one as they went on to defeats the Blue Jays 9-1.

The heroes of the day were Daisuke Matsuzaka and Superman Jed Lowrie. Dice-K pitched a gem tossing seven innings of shutout baseball only allowing one hit and one walk. While Lowrie continues his hot streak going 4-for-5 today with four RBI and a homerun. Lowrie is considered the hottest hitter in the MLB with a .516 average.

"I understand [how hot I am]," said the hot Jed Lowrie. "Who cares? It's April 18, long season. I'm just going to keep my head down and keep grinding."

There were several other great performances from guys who needed a lot of confidence. Kevin Youkilis who came in batting less than .200 had a big day at the plate. Youkilis knocked a double off the bullpen fence that if it was a half inch farther would have been a home run and came up again later in the game and actually hit a home run. On the day Youkilis went 2-for-5 with a strike out. Carl Crawford also had something to be proud of as he got a double off the monster. This was the first hit he had received in over a week so hopefully this will get things going for the sox.

"At this point, I didn't feel [any] hits coming," Crawford said. "I definitely felt better about my at-bat."

"Everybody in the dugout [was thrilled]," said Terry Francona. "I was happy to see the ball he hit before, because it's a good approach, but then you certainly want to see somebody rewarded for it."

Jacoby Ellsbury also had a good day hitting his second home run in two days. Ellsbury leads the team in home runs which is a surprise because coming into the season the Red Sox expected him to be the leadoff man. Looks like that could be part of Ellsbury struggles this season with a .200 batting average. I’m starting to think he is Willie Mays Hayes in the Major Leagues because he isn’t supposed to be swinging for the fences.

Speaking of leadoff men, I believe the Red Sox may have found their guy. Francona put J.D. Drew in the leadoff spot today trying to give Carl Crawford some help. This may have been the best decision of the game. Drew went 5-for-2 with a walk and scored a run in the first inning. This is something I never thought of but Drew makes perfect since as he has such a high career OBS and OPS which is perfect for the lead off. If the Red Sox continue winning I can see Drew in the leadoff spot for games to come.

Today results from today is what many Red Sox fans was expecting out of them since the signing of Crawford and trade for Adrain Gonzalez. If the Red Sox offence continues to play this way they could save the pitching staff several games. The Red Sox are streaking now so watch out because here we come.

It Makes Me Physical Sick to Lose

I have been in the bed all day with a Migraine and after this most recent lose by the Sox I feel like everything is getting worse. So if I go to the doctors and he ask what is wrong I am going to tell him the Red Sox can't win a game and they are killing me.

Last night the Sox lost to the Blue Jays 7-6 in a game we could have won. Clay Buchholz had a 3-0 lead going into the top of fifth. Dustin Pedroia had just put a laser show on a knocked a solo home run into the stands at Fenway followed by a two-run homer for Kevin Youkilis. With one out Buchholz walks two start batters to bring Corey Patterson up to the plate with two on with men on second and third hits a bases clearing triple to get the ball rolling for the Jays.

After Buchholz had been roughed up in the fifth he gets the ok to back on the mound for a sixth well that was a poor idea. He gives up a lead off walk and a single before Tito says enough is enough. Brings Alfedo Aceves from the bullpen thinking he can control a win well he is unable to and allows Adam Lind to score giving another earned run to Buchholz.

With the game tied Bobby Jenks comes to the mound he has been a soild pitcher so far this season but just not last night. Jenks comes to the mound and gives up the lead off walk to Jason Nix than a single to Yunel Escobar. As if this wasn't enough to he gives up not one but two more hits each for an RBI to make the game 5-3. At this point you think the fish hook has to be coming well instead a mound visit its sweet of the pitching coach to make the long trip to the mound to do nothing because he left Jenks in long enough to give up not one but two more runs!

The Sox are down 7-3 in the bottom of the eighth when a ray of light comes to Fenway. I think I may have even saw some kid in the outfield waving his arms like an angel was there but that could have been the migraine. But the bottom half starts with a ground out by Gonzalez followed by a walk to Youkilis and a walk to David Ortiz. With J.D. Drew at the plate he stikes out swinging. Jed Lowrie comes up to the plate to pinch hit for Jarrod Saltalamacchia, which was the best move Tito made all night. Lowrie singles which scored Youkilis and puts Ortiz at third and starts the rally. Marco Scutaro hits a double down the left field line for a double scoring both Oritz and Lowrie. With a chance for the win Jacoby Ellsbury comes up to the plate and flies out to end the inning.

The Red Sox would not score again to give the game the final score of 7-6. This has been a rough season so far that has left several people sick including myself. Fans are physically, mentally and emotional sick of the Red Sox losing and it is hard for this blogger to be possitive in times like this. I love the Red Sox but to quote Fever Pitch "You love the Sox, but have they ever loved you back?" I know the Red Sox have loved me back in the past but this years group needs to show fans some love quick and start winning some games. They are currently the worst team in baseball and it breaks my heart.

Red Sox Lineup vs. Twins 3/1/11

Today the Red Sox take on the Twins at 1:05 in hopes gain a lead in this years Mayors cup.

Starting Lineup for Boston

Marco Scutaro SS

Jed Lowrie 2B

Mike Cameron DH

Kevin Youkilis 3B

Ryan Kalish CF

Darnell McDonald LF

Jarrod Saltalamacchia C

Josh Reddick RF

Drew Sutton 1B

John Lester SP

Relief Pitchers in this order

Alfredo Aceves

Jonathon Paplebon

Randy Williams

Rich Hill

Red Sox defeats Boston College in a one hitter

Today the Red Sox started spring training play. The Sox took on Boston College this morning and defeated them 6-0 in a one hit game. The only hit of the game come in the seventh inning by BC’s Jim Laufer.

The Red Sox carried a no hitter into the final inning using six different prospect players. Laufer’s hit came off of lefty Randy Williams, he hit a soft line drive hit and was thrown out at second trying to stretch a single into a double.

If you are looking at the Red Sox line up you would think this was going to be a regular season game as you have four regular season starters in this game. Those guys include Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Marco Scutaro and David Ortiz. The reason for putting these guys in action against a college team is to give them some extra at bats as all of the guys except Ortiz are coming off an injury pelage season.

In Youkilis’ first game as the full time third baseman for the Sox he was controlled the first inning. Youkilis had to test his ability to play third as BU’s Garret Smith hit strong hit that had the potential to be an extra base hit but Youkilis made an amazing diving play to throw him out at first. Then later in the inning Youkilis knocked out a three run homer into right field.

The starters only played only played three innings and the game also brought several familiar faces in Darnell McDonald, Ryan Kalish, Lars Anderson, and Josh Reddick

The Red Sox and Boston College first started playing each other in 1916 and this was this is the 21^st meeting and the 19^th straight year playing between the Red Sox and BC and the start of play for the year for the Sox.