Once
again another leak has been let out, and with it two names released off a list
of one hundred four names that tested positive for any type of PEDs
(performance enhancing drug) in 2003. One name, the famed Manny Ramirez a
former Sox slugger, who now plays in LA and just finished a fifty game
suspension and David ‘Papi’ Ortiz.  I am almost
speechless at this new information, David Ortiz and PEDs shouldn’t even be used
in the same sentence except for when talking about how much he is against them.  He even said that any player who tested
positive for PEDs should be banned from the MLB for a year.  So, where does this leave Papi, well it seems
he is as confused as the public.  He
claims that he doesn’t even know what he tested positive for and he is planning
on finding out and has nothing to hide. 
But what should we believe the little voice in our head telling us that
we knew this was coming and in this day in age we shouldn’t trust any
power-hitter or do we trust Papi who has led the Sox to, two Red Sox world
championships and whose heart and dedication has kept the clubhouse alive and
well, even when he wasn’t playing at his best? I’m at a crossroads I want to
believe Ortiz so I’m going to, but I hope he doesn’t have to eat his words he
said in spring training: “I think you clean up the
game by the testing.  I know that if I
test positive by using any kind of substance, I know that I’m going to
disrespect my family, the game, the fans and everybody, and I don’t want to be
facing that situation.  So what would I
do? I won’t use it”  It won’t be
long before Papi can (hopefully) clear his name and set things straight, maybe
I’m being too optimistic but I don’t care. But, until we hear more about Papi
we have wonder when we will finally know all the names on this ‘oh so private’
list.

Where to be begin, it has been a very busy few days in Boston
and no one is complaining. The Sox have acquired two players Adam LaRoche and
Chris Duncan, they lost Lugo and a few good minor league players, they snapped
a losing streak, cut Kotsay from the roster to make room, and are getting ready
for Jim Rice’s induction into the Hall, and cut down the Yankees lead over the
Sox.  First, two new players LaRoche who
was put right on the roster and Duncan who is trying things out in Triple-A, both
were welcomed with open arms especially LaRouche who was reunited with past teammates
in Smoltz, Bay, Green and  Drew.  In gaining LaRouche Lugo was lost, I do not
consider that a disappointment but a step in the right direction. Kotsay, a
player who always seems to step up his game when he is needed  was cut from the roster due to his injury
which added a perfect opportunity for adding Adam LaRoche to the roster.  Despite all the roster drama the Sox had a
win tonight against the Baltimore Orioles with a final score of three to one
and with nine hits and one stolen base (Ellsbury) it wasn’t a bad effort on
Boston’s part.  With tonight’s win the
Sox cut the Yankees lead to two and a half games instead of three and lets not
forget, if the Yankees can come back from a three game deficit so can the Sox!
Lastly, a big congratulations to Jim Rice because on Sunday he will become
apart of The Hall of Fame which holds so many great legends and stories that is
only fitting for a deserving Rice to be a member.  I can’t forget to also congratulate Mark
Buehlre for a perfect game his second no- hitter.

–KellyM 

Here we go again…
the Red Sox can never make it easy, they had a three game lead over New York
just days ago and now New York is sitting on top of the AL East with a one game
lead to show for it thanks to the Red Sox loss against the Texas Rangers last
night. Who is to blame for the losses are the pitchers slacking or are the
hitters not producing?  I am going to
have to blame this one on the hitters, sometimes we can get on base but the
challenge is getting the runs in. Four out of the nine guys in the lineup are
hitting under .250, Papi who has been having problems all season but is slowly
improving and he did get a base hit last night, Tek who rarely has a high avg.
and was able to leave three men on base last night, Lowrie who just got back,
so we cannot blame him especially since he did have a base hit last night which
is more than we can say for J.D. Drew who is also hitting under .250 who along
with Tek left three men on base last night. When it comes to pitching I am
rather impressed, I think we have one of the best bullpens in the league even
with Wakefield going on the DL and Smoltz struggling.  Despite that I don’t think we have any holes
when it comes to pitching great starters in aces like Lester and Beckett, and
there are no problems in relief with Delcarmen and Bard and perfection when it
comes to closing with Saito and none other than Papelbon. Let’s not forget the
pitchers cannot do it by themselves the hitters need a little improvement.  But we can’t lose hope yet, the Yankees have
been unable to win a series against the Sox all season. We can hope for a win tonight
against the Rangers with Bucholtz starting and pray that the Yankees lose to
the Orioles.  As I look ahead I can
already tell it will be another fight for first, but like every time this
season the Sox like to get us worried and play it close.

–KellyM

To state the obvious Julio Lugo was a mistake, the free
agent signing, the four year deal worth thirty six million dollars, yes, definitely
a mistake. Even Theo Epstein has admitted to his mistake knowing as we all do
that Lugo’s presence on the field is no longer, if it ever was, successful.  Despite the fact that Epstein flushed a good
thirty six million dollars down the toilet, I’m not worried ” In Theo I trust”
, the Sox can bounce back with Jed Lowrie coming back and Nick Green still tremendously
filling the void it will be a close race for the spot of shortstop in the
coming weeks and next season.

Yet to be honest, the proof is in the pudding, game
after game countless errors -sixteen to be exact- and stupid mistakes without
reason.  It is quite clear to anyone who
has recently watched Lugo play that his game is not quite up to snuff, whether
it was the pressure from the fans or the inability to get through some simple
plays, or maybe Lugo is just tired let’s not forget Lugo is a thirty four year
old man who was playing shortstop for the Sox …. What did we expect? Even
though Lugo wasn’t the greatest shortstop he did what he could despite the
constant booing and bad plays, I can only wish him success somewhere else in
the future and hope for the Red Sox a better permanent pick for shortstop in
Jed Lowrie or Nick Green and for the organization to be a bit more prudent when
making contracts.

–KellyM

With the help of hits from Bay and Youk – and
spectacular catch by Tampa Bay’s own Carl Crawford – the AL edged out the National
League for a thirteenth consecutive win, with a score of four to three.  In Jason Bay’s fist American league All-Star appearance
he was able to load the bases in the first inning, and Kevin Youkilis pinch hit
for Papelbon for a single.  Papelbon didn’t
have a bad night either he raked in a win, coming in, in the bottom of the
seventh where one run could have changed the game due to the three to three
score; thanks to Crawford’s robbing catch Papelbon was able to set up a save
for the New York Yankee’s Mariano Rivera. 
Another AL win came with another magical All-Star game; with veterans like
the forty-two year old knuckle baller, Tim Wakefield (even though he didn’t
pitch), Derek Jeter and President Obama throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.  Even though the home run derby not might have
gone as expected for the St.Loius fans since Pujols didn’t win, but either way
a great show and an even better accomplishment for Prince Fielder. As the All-Star
break comes to an end and the season moves on we must wonder who will take it
home…

KellyM