Bunch Of Small Red Sox News

All the big Red Sox stories for this offseason are basically over, but there are 3 small stories that are a little interesting...

1. "According to a source familiar with the situation, the Red Sox have withdrawn their request to the office of the Massachusetts Secretary of State to undergo construction that would bring in the right field fence at Fenway Park as much as nine feet. The move, which would have expanded the width of the Fenway bullpens fro 21 to 27 feet, had to approved by the Boston Landmarks Commission and the Massachusetts Historical Society. The proposal was met with some resistance from the Massachusetts Historical Society (WEEI)."

I have to say I am a little disappointed since we have so many left handers in this Red Sox lineup. Saying that, the idea was kind of stupid, since the field is already so short. When I walked by Fenway a couple weeks back they were doing construction, I am not sure what they are working on, but it seemed somewhat major. I have heard rumors they are getting a new "jumbotron", so maybe that is it.

2. "The Red Sox announced Wednesday that they have claimed catcher Max Ramirez from the Rangers and designated pitcher Matt Fox for assignment. Ramirez, 26, had nearly been acquired by the Red Sox last offseason in exchange for Mike Lowell, but concerns over Lowell’s hip led to deal’s collapse. MLB.com’s TR Sullivan was the first to report the Sox’ acquisition of Ramirez (WEEI)."

What happened to all these Rangers catchers? There was a time when the Rangers had 3 of the top catching prospects in all of baseball with Max Ramirez, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Taylor Teagarden. Now the Red Sox have 2 of them. I am not sure what to expect from Ramirez, but he was pretty damn good in the minors posting a line of .286/.373/.381 last year, and .298/.396/.476 in the minors over his seven-year career. I like what the Sox did here, because it really can't hurt them. Hopefully between Saltalamacchia and Ramirez, one of them turns out to be something decent.

3. Mike Nicotera, the agent for outfielder Mike Cameron, said that his client was excited about the Red Sox' acquisition of Carl Crawford and that, even though Cameron is likely to be a fourth outfielder (barring an injury to Crawford, J.D. Drew or Jacoby Ellsbury), he looks forward to competing for a World Series in Boston.

“Mike wants to be with this club and feels like he will have a significant role with this club,” said Nicotera. “Mike thinks that this can be a very good team and that he has a chance to be a big part of it and that they have a chance to win a championship.

“That’s No. 1 in his mind. No. 2 is that he feels like, ‘Look, I need to show the Red Sox that I’m healthy. I feel great, but I need to go in there and show everyone that I’m healthy [following season-ending surgery to repair an abdominal tear]. When I show that, everything will take care of itself.’ That’s how he’s approaching it. He’s very positive about it (WEEI).”

I wish this statement came directly from Cameron, but it sounds like he will be fine with being the 4th outfielder to start the season next year. It really shouldn't hurt his playing time too much, as JD Drew loves not playing (maybe platoon?), Ellsbury is coming off an injury plagued year, and Francona likes to get his guys rest. So, I feel there will be plenty of playing time for all 4 of these guys. The best part? Every one of the them is a hell of a defensive player, so there will be little to no drop off no matter who is playing.

Celtic Wins at Fenway

It was one of the weirdest looking events I've seen on TV. Maybe that's because Fenway looked backwards from the angle the camera shot the game. Maybe because the field looked 20 yards shorter and 20 yards thinner than a regulation soccer field.

In front of a sellout crowd, Glasgow Celtic defeated Sporting Portugal on penalty kicks (6-5).

I have to say the Sox did a fantastic job putting on this event. The timing was perfect, with the Red Sox out West and playing at 3:30 local time. The World Cup just ended so lots of people who aren't big soccer fans might tune in to see these two European teams play. And they picked a perfect team to come to Fenway. While Celtic aren't one of the elite teams in the world, they have a fanatical following almost everywhere.

I think you'll see the Sox stage another international exhibition game at Fenway next summer.

-The Commodore

Rosters For Bruins Legends Game At Fenway

"The rosters for the Bruins Legends Classic, which will be held on the Fenway Park Rink on Saturday at 2 p.m., have been announced.

Black team: Bob Beers, Andy Brickley, Lyndon Byers, Cleon Daskalakis, Gary Doak, Joel Finley, Mark Finley, Charlie Jacobs, Claude Julien, Neal McDonough, John McKenzie, Rick Middleton, Terry O’Reilly, Bob Sweeney, Don Sweeney, Kiefer Sutherland.

Gold team: Ken Casey, Ken Hodge, Bobby Farrelly, Pat LaFontaine, Denis Leary, Brian Leetch, Ken Linseman, Bob Miller, Jay Miller, Cam Neely, Brad Park, Tim Robbins, Dave Schultz, Rick Smith, Tom Songin, Tom Werner

Tickets for the game are $10-$25, available at BostonBruins.com, by calling 617-624-2327, or at the TD Garden box office (Boston.com)."

If you want to see the rink at Fenway and don't want to spend a ton of money I would check out either this game or one of the college games that will be played there. Anyways, it would be kind of awesome to see these old timers play, plus who doesn't want to see Kiefer Sutherland decapitate Tim Robbins?

Bobby Orr Skates At Fenway

Red Sox Raise Ticket Prices

"The Red Sox raised ticket prices for eight sections of Fenway Park including the popular infield grandstand seats and loge boxes by an average of $3.50.

After freezing ticket prices a year ago in recognition of the national recession, the Sox raised the rates on nearly 50 percent of the park. Infield grandstand seats were increased from $50 to $52. Loge boxes went up $5 to $95. The Green Monster seats now will be $165 with standing room in that section $35, a hike of $5 in both cases. The lower bleachers, right field roof, and right field box seats also were increased by $2. Other nonpremium sections remained the same. No prices were lowered.

According to Team Marketing Report, which tracks industry trends, the average Red Sox ticket cost $50.24 last season. Only the Yankees, at $72.97, had a higher average. The Major League average was at $26.64 (Boston.com)."

It really doesn't matter what the Red Sox charge, because no matter what they are going to sellout. Still, I have to say this is a bit surprising since the economy has been so bad. They froze tickets last year, so I guess they figured they had to compensated for inflation. Anyways, even if the Sox had a new stadium the prices would be higher. I mean look at the price of an average Yankees ticket....THAT IS FUCKING INSANE!!!

Signup For Winter Classic Tickets

People keep asking me when the Tockets for the Fenway Winter Classic are going on sale. Well here is the latest...

"The Winter Classic between the Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers on New Year's Day at Fenway Park is sure to be one of the most anticipated local sporting events of the winter. This afternoon, the NHL released information on how and when tickets will become available to the general public.

Registration for the general public random ticket drawing will begin Tuesday, Sept. 15, at noon online at www.nhl.com/winterclassic. Registration will continue through Monday, Oct. 5, at 11:59 a.m. Registrations received after the deadline will not be accepted. There is no fee. Those selected in the drawing will be notified by Oct. 20 of their opportunity to purchase one pair of tickets (seated together). Prices range from $50 to $350.

Season-ticket holders for the Bruins and Flyers will be notified later this month regarding details on their chance to purchase tickets (Boston.com)."

Sox To Retire Rice's Number

"The Red Sox today announced plans to retire Jim Rice’s No. 14 as a tribute to his exceptional career in a Red Sox uniform and his impending induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place prior to the Red Sox-Athletics game at Fenway Park on Tuesday, July 28 (Boston.com)."

I know I am in the minority, but I didn't think Rice really deserved to be in the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame to me is the best players of an era. Maybe I am wrong but I don't see Rice in that way. Anyways, Rice becomes the seventh player to have his number retired by the Red Sox, joining Bobby Doerr (1), Joe Cronin (4), Johnny Pesky (6), Carl Yastrzemski (8), Ted Williams (9), and Carlton Fisk (27)and The number of Jackie Robinson (42) which is done by whole MLB.

More Hockey Games At Fenway

"According to a Boston Globe source, members of the Boston Bruin's 1970 and 1972 Stanley Cup teams will play a game against a "collection of Bruins alumni." Excited? Well it gets better. They're planning on playing this outdoors, in Fenway Park, near the date of the annual outdoor NHL game, the Winter Classic, which is Jan. 1, 2010. That means the portable ice sheet will be in Fenway for a few weeks, according to the source (ESPN)."

You knew that the Sox and Bruins would cash in on this as much as they can. So is it a good idea? Sure, why not? People will want to see what it looks like to have a rink inside Fenway, but I will say that unless I am given a free ticket I am not going to any of this. The prices are going to be through the roof, and I will definitely have a better view from my couch.

First Visit to Fenway Park Review...Grade: A

Sunday Night May 10th BMack accompanied me to my first game at Fenway park where the Red Sox faced off against those crazy Tampa Rays. We got to the park about 4 hours early but to tell you the truth that turns out to be half the fun. I really like how Fenway has all the bars and restaurants surrounding it instead of having them overpriced and inside the stadium. Obviously the inside is so old and old fashioned that they couldn't fit anyway but it was really cool that we could hit up lunch and booze before the game so early. After hitting up Game On and going across the street to the other place I can't remember the name of, we went and checked out Fenway's newest bar...The Bleacher Bar. The Bleacher Bar is probably the coolest pre-game bar ever. The place itself isn't huge but its the former center field batting cages, so what the bar did is keep the garage door as a huge window into ground level center field. Poundin' back some budlights and watchin' batting practice on the field was rockin. We just stood there and drank for a good hour or so...definitely worth checking out next time you go.

About 15mins to gametime we enter the mob that is the Fenway corridors. It's impossible to hate on the way the stadium is shaped and sized because of how old it is and still I was surprised at how moving around with all those people wasn't difficult. I thought it was pretty awesome how even though your inside the stadium, basically its just a wall and no roof; It felt historic and I appreciated it hasn't been changed. Beers in the stadium run $7.50...not bad. Funny that the Bud Light line was double in length then the Coors light line; and the 'pourers' assume your always getting 2 beers...w/e its all good.

Bmack and I sat in Right Field section 90. After all the talk about how hard and expensive it is to get Sox ticks I guess I got lucky finding these on StubHub for $23 each vs. the Rays? The seats were great. Unlike in my review of the new Yankee Stadium, I was very very happy to be able to see the entire field. Your first view of the Green Monster is pretty sick; looking at it just makes you want to take BP from third base and giggle everytime you can't clear it.

The atmosphere of Fenway is really cool. Its nice being in a stadium that is completely full. Although not a big deal, It was pretty silly sitting in the middle of our row and having to ask 10 people to stand up everytime we needed a beer or to shake the snake. And speaking about the bathrooms...MY GOODNESS. This may sound dumb that I strongly feel the need to point this out but fellas, the clockwork of the guys bathroom gets an A+ in my book. After the numerous beers we took down throughout the night, trips to the john were frequent and we never had to wait more than 10 seconds. In, out, in, out (no homo) the guys bathroom is no joke with its efficiency. Ladies, sorry but your line was out the door, around the corner and up the street...not my problem.

After a scare in the ninth, Papelbon put the game away and to the joy of Red Sox nation it was high fives all around. Besides the group of English people sitting to our right who left in a 7th inning tie game (and obviously know nothing about baseball), about 85% of the stadium stayed until the end of the game. It definitely helps fans stay with the amount of public transportation available post game. We left the game, hopped on the outbound D line along with a couple thousand others (not from lost; which by the way was amazing last night), and got home no problemo. Fenway Grade listed below. I still owe a Citi Field review; I'll be on it soon...some Mets fan I am.

Fenway Park: A "The atmosphere, the packed house, the Green Monster, the transportation, a great time overall"

New Yankee Stadium: D "They messed up...bad"
Old Yankee Stadium: B+ "Fans loved it; history; had a special atmosphere" (Upgraded from "B" in previous review)

Citi Field: A- "Extremely fan-friendly, looks amazing, needs more orange"
Shea Stadium: D- "The stadium sucked but Shea has a place in a true Mets fan's heart...sure, call us gay like that"

Bruins To Play At Fenway

"Bruins fans will have a fun (if frigid) way to spend the next New Year's Day: watching their favorite hockey team play at Fenway Park. According to a source familiar with the negotiations on the players' side, the NHL has given the Bruins the go-ahead to play this year's Winter Classic outdoor game at Fenway Park on Jan. 1, 2010. That same source indicated their opponent could be either the Capitals or Flyers, though no decision has been made (Boston.com)."

I am so pumped about this. Some people don't like the outside game, but I love it, and I think it is going to be amazing to see a rink at Fenway. The Green Monster as a backdrop to the ice. It is going to be great to see either of these teams (Capitals/Flyers), but I have to say i hope it is the Capitals. Seeing Ovechkin playing against the Bruins, outside, at Fenway would just be amazing.

Looking forward to seeing where exactly they will put the ice (yes the pic is fake), but no matter what I think this is great for the Bruins, their fans, and the NHL.

Daily Red Sox Spring Training Update

Twins 7 Red Sox 3

- Penny didn't blow people away, but it looks like he did well enough to get that start on April 12th. Penny went 5 innings giving up three runs and five hits with 3 Ks.

- Jason Bay hit a 2 run HR in the 4th. He batting .263, but has shown very good power, and I think we will be in the running for AL MVP this year.

- Lowrie, and Lowell both had two hits. Lowrie has looked great this spring batting .349, who knows maybe he is another Pedroia in the making. Lowell is also having a nice healthy spring batting .297.

Other Notes:
- Sox have new improvements to Fenway they include 574 new seats and 100 standing room spaces with drink rails to the right field roof box. All field box seats were replaced by seats with cushioned bottoms and cup holders. New food items will be on sale for fans throughout the concessions at the park. They include lobster rolls, pulled-pork sandwiches, burritos, boneless chicken wings, shrimp rolls, and steak tips.

Here is a pic of the new right field roof box:


Sox play their 2nd to last spring training game today against the Mets at 6:10pm.

Want to Own a Piece of the Red Sox?

For Sale - 17.5% stake in New England Sports Ventures (NESV owns the Red Sox, Fenway Park and most of NESN).

Price - $300 million or B.O.

The struggling New York Times Co. is actively seeking a buyer for it's stake in aforementioned holding company in order to shore up its own cash position. For clarity's sake, the Times owns the Boston Globe which owns the stake in NESV. The Times has not specified whether or not they intend to sell the Globe with the Sox stake.

Barclays Capital has assigned a value of roughly 166 million to the stake in NESV so the Times will likely have trouble getting what they would like. As a separate entity, the Globe has an estimated value of 20 million.

As a funny aside, a couple of local millionaires approached the Times a few years back looking to purchase the Globe and the NESV stake for some 600 million. That's more than 3 times what the pair could fetch now. Talk about epic fail on the Times behalf.

More Fenway Renovations

The Red Sox are adding another 560 new seats to historic Fenway Park. I love what the new owners have done to Fenway. I don't want to ever see it torn down, and I actually think it looks a lot better then it did before the new owners came in. Fenway is 96 years old (oldest in MLB), and I hope that the Red Sox play in it for another 96 years, because there is just a special feeling in that park. You just don't have that same feel at a lot of other parks...KEEP FENWAY FOREVER!!!

-BMack