Patriots prepare for preseason opener vs. Ravens

Posted by Boston.com -- New England Patriots news August 5, 2008 (3 weeks ago) at 7:20 pm The New England Patriots play their preseason opener Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium, a game that will begin auditions for the few contested spots on the team's 53-man opening day roster.

Tigers Finally Get One

Posted by Bruce April 10, 2008 at 8:06 am

After losing their first seven games of the season, the Detroit Tigers finally got a win last night, knocking off the Red Sox 7-2 at Fenway Park.

Jeff Horrigan notes that after a crisp opening day shutout victory, the Red Sox appeared to slip into a midseason malaise last night at Fenway. Gordon Edes has the Red Sox already suffering some early bumps and bruises after getting through last season mostly healthy. Carolyn Thornton has the Red Sox losing an early two run lead last night in the loss. Jeff Goldberg says that the Red Sox gave the Tigers a helping hand to their first win of the season. Lenny Megliola has the Tigers clawing out their first win of the season. Garry Brown has the Tigers finally finding a way to win a game - at the Red Sox expense. Paul Jarvey says that the Sox just weren’t sharp last night. Joe Haggerty also reports on the action from Fenway.

Steve Buckley is critical of David Ortiz for flying down to New York to film a commercial on Monday. Sean McAdam feels that the Red Sox ownership needs to ease up a bit on the “self-aggrandizing, over-the-top displays that have become a little too common of late.” Amen, Sean. Rob Bradford has Coco Crisp talking about the attempt to share the centerfield load with Jacoby Ellsbury and whether the arrangement can work. Mike Petraglia also looks at how Terry Francona is trying to balance the playing time of the two. Bradford also observes that despite the loss, Jon Lester is showing progress and pitched better than his line would indicate last night. Haggerty has Kevin Youkilis starting the season in style. Buckley has Edgar Renteria enjoying the boos at Fenway last night.

Nick Cafardo has Jon Lester and others from the Red Sox and Tigers offering support for Arizona’s Doug Davis, who underwent surgery for thyroid cancer last night.

Ira Kantor looks at the unveiling of the Yaz statue at the Museum of Science yesterday. Dan Lamothe reports on a man who won $1 million on a Red Sox scratch ticket. The Patriot Ledger has the New York Mets thinking of adopting “Sweet Caroline” as their own eighth inning sing-along song.

Edes’ notebook says that Bill Buckner didn’t need to be forgiven by the fans. Horrigan’s notebook examines Mike Lowell’s thumb injury, and has an update on Bartolo Colon. McAdam’s notebook has more on Lowell’s injury, which forced him from the game last night. Goldberg’s notebook has more on Lowell’s thumb. Jarvey’s notebook has injury updates and notes that both centerfielders are struggling - perhaps a sign that the platoon isn’t working out so well. Bob Stern’s notebook has more on the injuries.

Celtics

Still playing must-win games for playoff positioning, the Wizards became the only team to beat the Celtics three times this season with their 109-95 win over Boston at the Verizon center last night. Marc J. Spears has the Celtics seven game winning streak coming to an end at the hands of Antawn Jamison and company. Mark Murphy notes that the Wizards will be someone’s postseason nightmare.

Spears’ notebook has the friends of Red Auerbach still getting together on Tuesdays for lunch and discussions at a Washington area Chinese restaurant. Murphy’s notebook says there is no rush for Sam Cassell to get back out on the floor.

Bruins

The Bruins return to the postseason tonight as they travel to Montreal to take on the Canadiens in their first round series. The Bruins even bump the Red Sox off NESN tonight (The Sox will be on CN8). Douglas Flynn has the Bruins attempting to slay their personal dragon - a team they’ve lost to 11 straight times. Stephen Harris says that the Bruins have their work cut out for them. Bud Barth has the Bruins relishing the underdog role.

Fluto Shinzawa examines the players who have filled in at center for the Bruins during the injuries to Patrice Bergeron and Marc Savard. Steve Conroy looks at the surprise that Vladimir Sobotka has been for the Bruins this season.

Mick Colageo says that we can look for a few surprises in this series. Kevin Paul Dupont reminds us that not everyone from Canada is a Canadiens fan. Harris also offers 5 keys to beating the Canadiens. If you’re a hockey dummy like me, you might need some help knowing who’s who on the Bruins. I offer you a few Bruins thumbnails for your assistance.

Harris’ notebook has Marc Savard ready to get back in action. Shinzawa’s notebook has Savard hoping to play tonight. Conroy’s notebook has Canadian fans feeling a bit cocky going into this series.

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Opening Day has nice ring to it

Posted by Mike Petraglia April 8, 2008 at 9:13 pm From DHL's early-morning delivery of the rings at Fenway to the hanging of another banner to one of the most emotional ceremonial first pitches in team history, Tuesday was a day that will long be remembered by Red Sox players, coaches and fans.

One first baseman to another

Posted by Projo SoxBlog April 8, 2008 at 8:54 pm

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON _ Kevin Youkilis made it a point to quickly make his way through a crowd of players because he wanted to shake Bill Buckner’s hand. The current Red Sox first baseman – a winner of two World Series Championships – wanted the former Red Sox first baseman – the goat of one World Series defeat – to know how impressed he was of his Opening Day actions.

Boston invited Buckner to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park yesterday, and after much thought, he accepted. He walked out from under the Red Sox championship banner in left field to the mound to a standing ovation from the 36,567 in attendance, along with players from both teams.

The emotion of the moment was long overdue for everyone involved and Youkilis was blown away with the event.

“To be honest,” he said. “I have almost never been close to tears for someone else on a baseball field. But that was the most unbelievable thing. It shows how great of a man Bill Buckner is. There aren’t too many people who can do what he did today. He faced thousands of people who booed him, threatened his life and did horrific things towards him. When they think of his name, they think horrible things.”

Youkilis recently set a new major-league record for 194 consecutive games at first base without an error, surpassing Steve Garvey. Buckner’s career will forever be remembered for his one miscue during Game Six of the 1986 World Series.

“For a man to step out there on the field, it shows how much of a man he is,” said Youkilis. “I tip my cap to him and I just wanted shake his hand because that’s a true man in life. . . He’s been through some tough times in his years.”

Youkilis said it’s a funny thing to hear fans talk about overpaid athletes who just play a game. He thinks that’s simply not true and yesterday was a perfect example of that.

“I think if you ask Bill Buckner, part of his life wasn’t a game,” Youkilis said. “People threatened his life over a game. Sometimes this is more of a game. It’s life here in Boston. To me, it was awesome. I was literally almost in tears for the guy because for Bill Buckner to come out here and throw out the first pitch it says a lot for the man.”

Youkilis wasn’t the only one touched by the moment. Every Red Sox player, including manager Terry Francona thought Buckner deserved it.

“That was one of the most special things I think I’ve ever seen,” said Francona. “To watch his reaction and to watch the fans reaction was very special. I was happy for him. I was thrilled for our fans. I was happy for the organization. I thought it was a very special moment. It actually lasted more than a moment, which I think is also appropriate.”

Youkilis was impressive himself yesterday. He continues to be an offensive force this early in the season, including his 3-for-3 performance with two RBI yesterday. He has now hit safely in six of seven games this season with 2 doubles, 2 triples and three RBI. It’s becoming familiar territory for Youkilis to begin the season strong, but he couldn’t really answer why he always seems to get off to a fast start time and again.

“I’m basically just putting some good at-bats together,” he said. “I’m having some balls fall in for me, but right now I’m just trying to concentrate. I play the game the same way every day from Game One to Game 162. Sometimes it just falls my way.”

Yesterday was his second three-hit game this season.

Homemade Dice

Posted by Ian Browne April 8, 2008 at 7:34 pm Daisuske Matsuzaka -- pitching an Opening Day for the third time in as many starts this season -- held down the frigid Tigers and led the Red Sox to a 5-0 victory on a sunny, chilly and memorable afternoon at Fenway Park.

Has Sox Nation forgiven Buckner?

Posted by NECN - Sports April 8, 2008 at 7:27 pm

(NECN: Boston, Mass.) - It's Opening Day for the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. The team kicked off the home opener with a ring ceremony and a blast from the past.

The first pitch was thrown out by Bill Bucker and the crowd seemed happy to see him. Does this mean Red Sox Nation has forgiven him for that infamous error?

Boston Globe sports editor Joe Sullivan joins NECN for this "Talk Around the Globe" segment.

Sox get rings, hang donut on Tigers

Posted by NECN - Sports April 8, 2008 at 5:59 pm

(NECN) - Daisuke Matsuzaka, Manny Delcarmen and Hideki Okajima combined on a five-hitter, and the Boston Red Sox pounded out 12 hits en route to a 5-0 Fenway opening day shutout of the stumbling Detroit Tigers.

The Red Sox picked up the win after raising the 2007 World Championship banner and an emotional first pitch from former Sox star Bill Buckner, who got a chance to exorcise the ghosts of his infamous 1986 World Series error. Buckner wiped away tears on the way to the mound, and again in the post-pitch news conference.

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The Buck sobs here…

Posted by Ted McEnroe April 8, 2008 at 4:09 pm

Say what you will, break out the 22-year-old highlights, but watching Bill Buckner tearing up on the field as he walked to throw out the first pitch was one heck of a moment. Afterwards, Buckner teared up again in the press room as he talked about the events today, and the last 22 years since um, that play.

While the game was going on, Buckner shared his thoughts on what was a great, and bittersweet, day.

Emotional Buckner talks about first pitch

Posted by NECN - Sports April 8, 2008 at 3:47 pm

(NECN) - 22 years. It probably felt like 200. But Opening Day at Fenway Park may have been the most poignant for the one Red Sox player who wasn't there to get a ring.

Bill Buckner got something else - an ovation.

"It was probably about as emotional as it could get," Buckner said, even getting emotional again as he talked to reporters. "I appreciate the thought behind it. It was hard to do. I had to forgive not the fans of Boston, per se, but in my heart, I had to forgive the media for what they put me and my family through. I have done that, I'm over that."

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Collins: expect to see some familiar faces

Posted by Ted McEnroe April 8, 2008 at 12:44 pm

Chris Collins senses some familiar faces will be out on the field this afternoon…

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