Tuesday, April 21, 2009

2 more players added to 2009 CVS/Caremark Classic

By: Frank Carpano

The 2009 CVS/Caremark Charity Classic has has just added another team to this year’s event. Nick Price is returning to the Classic and will be teamed with Retief Goosen who is making his first appearance in the event. The event is scheduled for June 21-23 at Rhode Island Country Club.

Posted by Frank Carpano on 04/21 at 09:17 AM
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Monday, April 13, 2009

Interesting twist to 2009 CVS/Caremark Charity Classic

by: Frank Carpano

I just returned from attending the news conference to kick off the 2009 CVS Caremark Charity Classic. The annual event returns this June 21-23 to the Rhode Island Country Club in Barrington, RI for the 11th straight year..

What’s news this year is a new co-ed team format. There will be several men-women teams and other men-men teams.

Tournament co-host Brad Faxon said today that he will team with Juli Inster. Other co-ed teams announced this morning include; Morgan Pressel-Davis Love III, Helen Alfredson-Billy Andrade and Natalie Gulbis-Peter Jacobsen. Faxon also announced that Brett and Dana Quigley will return as a team and Carmelo Villegas and Bubba Watson will defend their title.

A total of 20 golfers will participate and compete for a purse of $1.55 million dollars.

The event outshines regular PGA Tour events in the charitable giving department. In it’s first 10 years, the event has raised and distributed over 12 million dollars for hundreds of New England area charities dedicated to helping children and families. Last year alone, $1.8 million was distributed to charity.
Considering the economy and how local non-profits have struggled along with everyone else, the tournament gives area charities quite a shot in the arm.

Faxon also had some interesting things to say about the current state of his professional golf career. That interview will air Sunday at 11:15pm on NBC 10’s Sports Extra.

Posted by Frank Carpano on 04/13 at 12:57 PM
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Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Baldelli makes 1st start tonight for Red Sox

by: Frank Carpano

Cumberland, Rhode Island native Rocc Baldelli makes his first regular season start in a Red Sox uniform tonight. He’ll take J.D. Drew’s place in rightfield. He’s one of those athletes you can’t help but root for. A great player who has had more than his share of health issues, I hope this is the start of a long great season for him

Posted by Frank Carpano on 04/08 at 04:22 PM
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Monday, April 06, 2009

Red Sox Season Opener postponed

By: Frank Carpano (portions also submitted by Red Sox PR)

I give the Red Sox alot of credit. They postponed today’s season opener at approximately 10 this morning. Heavy rain was forecast for 2pm when the first pitch was to be thrown. And how many times have you seen teams, under similar circumstances, allow fans to come to the ballpark and pay for parking, food and drink at the concession stands, only to call the game after you’ve spent alot of money.

I think the team scored big points with the fans today

I have to admit, I was surprised the Sox called it so early. I’m not usually a cynic, but….

Here’s the official announcement:

TODAY’S RED SOX OPENING DAY GAME POSTPONED
Game To Be Made Up on Tuesday, April 7 at 4:05 p.m.

BOSTON, MA – Today’s Red Sox 2009 Opening Day game at Fenway Park has been postponed due to the forecast of heavy rain throughout the afternoon and evening.  The game is rescheduled for Tuesday, April 7, at 4:05 p.m. to better accommodate fans who must reschedule.  Opening Day festivities now will take place on Tuesday.  Gates will open at 2:05 p.m.

The forecast provided by the Red Sox weather service, Meteorlogix, indicates heavy rain, strong winds and possible thunderstorms will begin during the early afternoon hours and continue throughout the evening. 

“After consulting with our weather service and other professional meteorologists, it became apparent it would be extremely unlikely, if not impossible, that we could get a complete game in today so the decision was made to postpone until Tuesday,” said Larry Lucchino, President/CEO.  “Our fans look forward to this unofficial Red Sox Nation holiday each year, and we want to make sure that they are able to enjoy the full experience including both the special pregame ceremonies and a full nine innings of play.  We reserved an alternate rain date for tomorrow for just such adverse circumstances as present themselves today.”

It marks the first Red Sox home-opening postponement since 2003, when the game was called because of rain. 

Tickets for Monday’s opener will be good on Tuesday, April 7.

NESN, WEEI and SBN (WWDJ 1150 AM) will carry the rescheduled 4:05 pm game. 

The Red Sox and Rays are scheduled to play the second game of the series on Wednesday at 7:10 pm at Fenway Park.

The Red Sox Foundation Welcome Home Dinner Presented By Covidien will take place as scheduled at the House of Blues Boston. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the program begins at 6:00 p.m.

—- RED SOX—-

Posted by Frank Carpano on 04/06 at 11:30 AM
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Sunday, April 05, 2009

Great Red Sox Opening Day Stats

Frank Carpano (Stats courtesy the Boston Red Sox)

If you’re a baseball fan in general or a Red Sox fan in particular, you’re gonna love some of the facts and figures the Red Sox PR department emailed me regarding Opening Day. Enjoy!

OPENING DAY: The Sox begin the 2009 regular season on Monday, the first time the club has opened at home since a 12-11 loss to Toronto on April 1, 2002.

► It is the 2nd time Boston has started at home since 1996 and the 39th overall. The Red Sox are 21-17 all-time when playing the first game of the regular season in Boston, including an 18-17 record at Fenway Park. Overall, the club is 52-55-1 on Opening Day (excluding the 2nd game of doubleheaders in 1903, 1948, 1982).

► Monday marks the 2nd time the Red Sox have played the Rays on Opening Day, the first since March 31, 2003, a 6-4 walk-off loss at Tropicana Field. Boston also played Tampa Bay in the 2001 home opener, an 11-4 victory on April 6.

► Boston last hosted the defending American League Champions at Fenway Park in an Opening Day game on April 18, 1950 when they fell to the New York Yankees, 15-10.

BECKETT TAKES THE HILL: Josh Beckett starts on Opening Day for the 4th time in his career…Each of his previous 3 starts came as a member of the Florida Marlins from 2003-05…Beckett is 1-1 with a 1.72 ERA (3 ER/15.2 IP) and 16 strikeouts in those contests, the last coming on April 5, 2005 vs. Atlanta.

► He is the 60th different pitcher to start the first game of the season for Boston, the 50th righthander…Since Pedro Martinez’s 7-year run as Red Sox Opening Day starter from 1998-2004 ended, 3 other hurlers have taken the hill for Boston in the opener: David Wells (2005), Curt Schilling (2006-07) and Daisuke Matsuzaka (2008).

► Pedro Martinez was the last Red Sox pitcher to start an Opening Day game at Fenway Park, receiving a no-decision against the Blue Jays on April 1, 2002…Beckett will attempt to become the first Red Sox pitcher to start and win on Opening Day at Fenway Park since Aaron Sele beat Minnesota, 9-0, on April 26, 1995.

OPENING DAY LEADERS:  Among players on Boston’s current roster, Jason Varitek ranks first with 9 Opening Day starts, all at catcher…That is the most ever by a Red Sox backstop, and tied with Mike Greenwell, Frank Malzone and George Scott for 10th all-time…Wade Boggs and Dom DiMaggio are next on the list with 10 starts each.

► David Ortiz has made 5 Opening Day starts as the designated hitter, the most ever by a Red Sox player at that position…Other notables on the active roster include Mike Lowell with 3 at 3rd base and Kevin Youkilis with 3 at first base.

Most Red Sox Starts by Position:                  Most Red Sox Opening Day Starts

RHP         Roger Clemens, 8                       22         Carl Yastrzemski

LHP         Mel Parnell, 4                           17         Dwight Evans

C             Jason Varitek, 9                       14         Jim Rice

1B           Mo Vaughn, 7                           13         Bobby Doerr

2B           Bobby Doerr, 13                                     Ted Williams

3B           Wade Boggs, 10                         12         Rico Petrocelli

SS           Everett Scott, 8                         11         Harry Hooper

LF           Carl Yastrzemski, 15                     10         Wade Boggs

CF           Dom DiMaggio, 9                                   Dom DiMaggio

RF           Dwight Evans, 13                       9           Mike Greenwell

DH           David Ortiz, 5                                       Frank Malzone

                                                                    George Scott                                                                                                           Jason Varitek

PREGAME CEREMONIES: Three-time Grammy Award winner Seal will sing the U.S. National Anthem prior to the start of the Opening Day game of the 2009 Boston Red Sox season…The internationally-renowned artist, who has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide, is in Boston as part of his current North American tour…His newest album, SOUL, is his latest chart-topping record and has sold more than two million copies worldwide over the last six months.

► Maestro Keith Lockhart and members of the Boston Pops will perform “God Bless America” and “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” during the Opening Day 7th inning stretch…Both pieces are featured on the Boston Pops Orchestra’s new recording, The Red Sox Album, which will be released on April 6…The CD was produced in conjunction with the Boston Red Sox and Major League Baseball, and includes new arrangements of Fenway’s traditional fan anthem “Sweet Caroline” and the Dropkick Murphys’ “I’m Shippin’ Up to Boston”.

ROTATION SET: Starting pitching match-ups for this year’s opening series against the Rays are: RHP Josh Beckett vs. RHP James Shields on Monday, April 6 (2:05 p.m.); LHP Jon Lester vs. LHP Scott Kazmir on Wednesday, April 8 (7:10 p.m.); and RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka vs. RHP Matt Garza on Thursday, April 9 (1:35 p.m.).

YESTERDAY’S ROSTER MOVES:  The Red Sox yesterday made six roster moves, optioning RHP Clay Buchholz to Triple-A Pawtucket and placing the following five players on the disabled list: RHP Miguel Gonzalez was played on the 15-day DL retroactive to March 27 with right elbow surgery…OF Mark Kotsay was placed on the 15-day DL retroactive to March 27 with back surgery…SS Julio Lugo was placed on the 15-day DL retroactive to March 27 with right knee surgery…RHP John Smoltz was placed on the 15-day DL retroactive to March 27 with right shoulder surgery…OF Jonathan Van Every was placed on the 15-day DL retroactive to March 27 with a right ankle sprain.

SPRING TRAINING WRAP-UP: With a 9-3 win yesterday against the Mets at Citi Field in New York, the Red Sox finished their spring schedule at 20-14, 5th place in the Grapefruit League, 4.0 games behind the New York Yankees (24-10)…Boston posted 20 spring training victories, the club’s most since going 20-8 in 1998…It was the club’s 3rd 20-win spring since 1973, done also in 1991 (22-11).

► On March 28, Red Sox clinched the 7th Mayor’s Cup title in club history and 3rd in as many years with a 9-4 win over the Twins at City of Palms Park…The club’s other Mayor’s Cup wins came in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2007 and 2008…The 3-year winning streak is Boston’s longest Mayor’s Cup reign since winning 3 straight from 1997-99…The Twins hold a 10-7 advantage in the yearly series since it started in 1993 with a 53-44-1 edge in those games overall.

LEADERBOARD: Several Red Sox players finished among Grapefruit League leaders including: Chris Carter – TB (T2nd, 50), HR (T3rd, 6), H (T4th, 27), SLG (6th, .658), AVG (T9th, .355); Jed Lowrie – 2B (T4th, 8), SLG (7th, .657), RBI (T7th, 16), TB (T8th, 44); Jason Varitek – HR (T5th, 5), RBI (T7th, 16).

Red Sox Spring Batting Leaders                           Red Sox Spring Pitching Leaders

Average             .355, Chris Carter                       Wins               2, 6 players

Hits                 27, Chris Carter                         Saves               2, Hunter Jones

Runs                 16, Nick Green                           Games             12, 4 players

Home Runs         6, Chris Carter                           Innings             27.2, Josh Beckett

RBI                 16, Lowrie, Varitek                     ERA               2.52, Clay Buchholz

Doubles             8, Jed Lowrie                           Strikeouts         20, Jon Lester

Stolen Bases         2, Ellsbury, Kalish

PACKING ‘EM IN: Boston finished its home spring training schedule on March 31 vs. Tampa Bay before a crowd of 7,862…The Red Sox have sold out 88 straight Grapefruit League (non-exhibition) games at City of Palms Park since March 16, 2003.

► In 18 total home games (including 3 vs. non-major league teams) a total of 134,570 fans passed through the turnstiles at City of Palms Park in 2009…It is the highest spring total in the history of the ballpark, surpassing the mark set in 2007 of 131,590, a difference of 2,980…It is the 6th straight season that Boston has sold out every Grapefruit League home game.

► The March 23 game between the Red Sox and Tigers attracted a paid crowd of 8,278, the largest in the 17-year history of City of Palms Park…The previous mark of 8,249 was set on March 5, 2007 vs. the Dodgers.

DEFENSIVE INNINGS (“A” Games): Ambres – 117.2 (OF); Anderson – 43 (1B); Apodaca – 1 (C); Bailey – 83.1 (59.1 OF, 24 1B); Baldelli – 48 (OF); Bard – 19 (C); Bay – 94 (OF); Bell – 4 (OF); Borowiak – 5 (3B); Brown – 63.1 (C); Carter – 147 (92 1B, 55 OF); Chavez – 102 (79 3B, 15 2B, 8 SS);  Corsaletti – 5 (OF); Daeges – 51 (OF); Danielson – 1 (OF); Dening – 4 (OF); Dent – 5 (SS); Diaz – 54 (SS); Drew – 80 (OF); Ellsbury – 109 (OF); Engel – 3 (OF); Exposito – 13 (C); Federowicz – 1 (C); Fernandez – 3 (OF); Garcia – 4 (SS); Green – 153 (85 2B, 33 3B, 22 SS; 13 OF); Jimenez – 7 (3B); Kalish – 19 (OF); Khoury – 14 (7 3B, 7 2B); Kottaras – 56.2 (C); Lin – 10 (OF); Lowell – 72 (3B); Lowrie – 129 (102 SS, 23 3B); Lugo – 30 (SS); Mailman – 7 (OF); Maldonado – 10 (C); Marks – 3 (OF); McAnulty – 78 (43 OF, 35 1B); Nava – 4 (OF); Navarro – 6 (SS); Negron – 7 (4 2B, 2 SS, 1 3B); Ochoa – 104 (66 2B, 36 SS, 2 3B); Pedroia – 73 (2B); Place – 5 (OF); Reddick – 68 (OF); Reza – 3 (2B); Rizzo – 7 (1B); Segovia – 1 (SS); Sheely – 1 (OF); Suarez – 8 (3B); Tejeda – 2 (SS); Van Every – 53 (OF); Varitek – 103 (C); Velazquez – 130 (74 3B, 37 2B, 19 SS); Wagner – 32 (C); Wilkerson – 77 (41 1B, 36 OF); Youkilis – 58 (1B)

2009 SPRING TRAINING RESULTS/SCHEDULE

DATE                     OPPONENT               SITE                   RESULT       RECORD       WINNER           LOSER         ATTENDANCE

Wed., February 25       Boston College (SS)    City of Palms         W7-1 (7)      —-              TAZAWA             Prohovich             5,707

Wed., February 25       Minnesota Twins (SS)    Hammond Stadium   L2-5           0-1             Perkins (1-0)        WAKEFIELD (0-1)      7,849

Thur., February 26       Pittsburgh Pirates       City of Palms         L2-3           0-2             Yates (1-0)        LENTZ (0-1)          7,286

Fri., February 27         Tampa Bay Rays         Port Charlotte         L4-12           0-3             Niemann (1-0)      BOWDEN (0-1)        6,629

Sat., February 28       Northeastern (SS)      City of Palms         W14-0         —-              JOHNSON           Lloyd                 5,202

Sat., February 28       Cincinnati Reds (SS)    City of Palms         W16-5         1-3             BUCHHOLZ (1-0)  Masset (0-1)          7,395

Sun., March 1             Minnesota Twins         Hammond Stadium   W2-1           2-3             PAPELBON (1-0)    Guerrier (0-1)        7,868

Mon., March 2             Baltimore Orioles         Fort Lauderdale       L3-5           2-4             Waters (1-0)        MILLS (0-1)            6,285

Tues., March 3           Cincinnati Reds           City of Palms         L8-9           2-5             Owings (1-0)      RAMIREZ (0-1)      7,621

Wed., March 4           Off Day

Thur., March 5           Team Puerto Rico       City of Palms         L5-9           —-              Matos               ZINK                 5,772

Fri., March 6             Florida Marlins           City of Palms         W5-3           3-5             OKAJIMA (1-0)    Tankersley (0-1)    7,527

Sat., March 7             Tampa Bay Rays         Port Charlotte         L7-15           3-6             Shields (1-0)        WAKEFIELD (0-2)      7,147

Sun., March 8             Tampa Bay Rays         City of Palms         W8-2           4-6             MASTERSON (1-0) Davis (1-1)          7,920

Mon., March 9             Pittsburgh Pirates         Bradenton             W15-14 (10)  5-6             LITTLETON (1-0)    Mateo (0-1)          6,040

Tues., March 10         Baltimore Orioles       City of Palms         L1-5           5-7             Liz (1-0)            JOHNSON (0-1)      8,232

Wed., March 11           Off Day

Thurs., March 12         St. Louis Cardinals       Jupiter                 L2-4           5-8             Kinney (1-0)        MCBETH (0-1)        8.306

Fri., March 13           New York Yankees     City of Palms         W8-4           6-8             WAKEFIELD (1-2)  Wang (0-1)          7,755

Sat., March 14           Baltimore Orioles         Fort Lauderdale       L8-9           6-9             McCrory (1-0)      GREEN (0-1)          8,269

Sun., March 15           Baltimore Orioles       City of Palms         L6-2           6-10           Waters (2-0)      RAMIREZ (0-2)      7,915

Mon., March 16           Toronto Blue Jays         Dunedin               W6-4           7-10           D. BARD (1-0)      Halladay (0-1)        5,697

Tues., March 17         Minnesota Twins         City of Palms         W9-5           8-10           BECKETT (1-0)    Baker (0-2)          8,064

Wed., March 18           Off Day                  

Thurs., March 19         Cincinnati Reds           Sarasota               W9-1           9-10           LESTER (1-0)        Arroyo (0-2)          7,530

Fri., March 20           Pittsburgh Pirates       City of Palms         W11-4         10-10           BUCHHOLZ (2-0)  Karstens (0-1)        8,090

Sat., March 21           Florida Marlins           Jupiter                 W4-3           11-10           CABRERA (1-0)      Tucker (0-1)          8,131

Sun., March 22           Philadelphia Phillies     City of Palms         W3-0           12-10           BECKETT (2-0)    Myers (1-1)          7,894

Mon., March 23           Detroit Tigers           City of Palms         W7-6           13-10           SAITO (1-0)        Rodney (0-2)        8,278

Tues., March 24           New York Yankees       Tampa                 L1-7           13-11           Ramirez (2-0)      DELCARMEN (0-1)    11,113

Wed., March 25           Cincinnati Reds           Sarasota               W2-1           14-11           OKAJIMA (2-0)      Bray (0-2)            7,498

Thurs., March 26         Off Day

Fri., March 27           St. Louis Cardinals       City of Palms         W11-8 (10)    15-11           MAXWELL (1-0)    Gonzalez (0-1)        8,078

Sat., March 28           Minnesota Twins         City of Palms         W9-4           16-11           PENNY (1-0)      Liriano (1-2)          7,914

Sun., March 29           Philadelphia Phillies     Clearwater             W3-1           17-11           LESTER (2-0)        Blanton (1-1)          9,918

Mon., March 30           Atlanta Braves           Lake Buena Vista       L4-3           17-12           Cruz (1-0)          COX (0-1)            10,824

Tues., March 31         Tampa Bay Rays         City of Palms         W8-7           18-12           MASTERSON (2-0) Balfour (0-1)        7,862

Wed., April 1             Pittsburgh Pirates         Bradenton             W4-3           19-12           PAPELBON (2-0)    Haigwood (0-1)      5,004

Thurs., April 2             Minnesota Twins         Hammond Stadium   L3-7           19-13           Ayala (1-0)          DOUBRONT (0-1)      8,095

Fri., April 3               New York Mets           Citi Field, NY           L3-4           19-14           Parnell (3-0)        DELCARMEN (0-2)    37,652

Sat., April 4               New York Mets           Citi Field, NY           W9-3           20-14           MATSUZAKA (1-0)  Perez (2-1)          38,695

Posted by Frank Carpano on 04/05 at 10:14 PM
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