I give. The Pedroia family's awesome is too much to be contained. Dustin's parents are cute as buttons, and now his older brother (Brett, 30) reveals that the family has a honest-to-goodness Dustin shrine in their tire shop in Woodland, CA.

They should charge admission - turn it into a moneymaking museum venture. They could be an exhibit where you rub authentic Pedroia dirt on your clothes, and get your picture taken while you holler "Fuck, yeah!" at the camera (with a giant wad of dip, of course). Surefire winner.

One customer who'd show up for sure? Matt Damon.

Three weeks ago, Matt Damon, of the Bourne movie fame and a well-known Boston Red Sox fanatic, stopped by Radial Tire Wholesale in West Sacramento. The topic of conversation? Baseball and wheels, and definitely in that order.

That story from Dustin's hometown newspaper has more sweet details about the Pedroia popularity in Woodland.

At a park near Woodland High School on Tuesday, Ryan Lewis, 11, was taking grounders with his father, Ron. The young fielder had a Red Sox T-shirt. The name on the back? Pedroia.

"Everyone wants to be like Dustin here," said the younger Lewis.

Just before it was announced he was the MVP, Pedroia called his parents, Debbie and Guy, brother Brett and lifelong friends. Everyone, it seemed, was more excited than the player himself.

"Oh, goodness, I didn't sleep at all," Debbie Pedroia said, half out of breath from her Woodland home. "He called me and I asked, 'Did you win it?' and when he said, 'yes,' I started crying, then screaming - 'He won it!' It's just so exciting for all of us."

Bobby Hawke, a Pedroia teammate from their Little League days, spent the weekend with Pedroia in Arizona.

"I saw him Monday, and he was pretty relaxed for being the next MVP,'' Hawke said. "Here I am, one of his best friends, and I am more anxious and nervous than he was."

The article also had a fantastically "vintage" photo of high school-aged Pedroia.

Bitchin' threads, Pedey.

The Red Sox are set to officially announce in 10 minutes that Coco's heading on down to Kansas City - so it's time for the old "picture send off" to mark the end of the Coco era in Boston.

And, of course, the conversation with Royce Clayton about tacos:

video courtesy of FOX

UPDATE: The trade has been confirmed by both SI's Jon Heyman and the Globe's Nick Cafardo.

A Kansas City radio station (WHB 810) is reporting that the Red Sox dealt Coco Crisp to the Royals for 27 year-old relief pitcher Ramon Ramirez.

Neither the Red Sox nor the Royals have officially confirmed the trade yet, and (per MLBTR) Red Sox exec Ben Cherington was on XM's MLB Home Plate radio station saying "the report is premature." The Globe has more on the story from folks in KC:

[D]uring an on-air interview a few moments ago, Royals senior adviser Mike Arbuckle would not confirm that the deal was complete.

"I would say Coco is a good player and we're always interested in getting good players," said Arbuckle, who recently joined the Royals after working in the front office of the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies.

Arbuckle politely declined a request from the hosts to evaluate Crisp as a player, saying, "Well, at this point, he's still under control of another organization. I wouldn't want to get into a tampering charge."

The deal was first reported on the station by Brian McRae, a former Royals outfielder. When contacted via e-mail and asked if there was anything to this rumor, Kansas City Star columnist Joe Posnanski gave a one-word reply: "Yes."

Per MLB.com, Ramirez went 3-2 with a save and a 2.64 ERA in 71 games for Kansas City this year, including 3-1 with a 2.33 ERA after the All-Star break.

In honor of the reigning MVP: a video from a guy who seems to know very little about Dustin Pedroia cracks a very original joke about Dustin's height. It's amazing someone hasn't picked up on the whole short thing before now!

Now, this is officially the end of the joke. Can we all cease talking about his height every single time Dustin's name comes up now? In fact, I double dog dare every journalist out there to refrain from using any of the following words in a Dustin Pedroia story:

short
wee
small
tiny
5'9" (wink!)
little
little big man
little engine that could

I doubt they'd make it a week.

First a Gold Glove, then a Silver Slugger and now the MVP.

Congratulations go out to Dustin Pedroia who was selected today as the 2008 American League MVP (a/k/a the "Kennesaw Mountain Landis Memorial Baseball Award") - earning himself yet another bauble for what is surely becoming a crowded trophy room at home.

Dustin is the first Red Sox player to snag the award since Mo Vaughn back in 1995. He joins an illustrious group of Sox MVP players, including Vaughn, Roger Clemens, Jim Rice, Fred Lynn, Carl Yastrzemski, Jackie Jensen, Ted Williams and Jimmie Foxx.




Kevin Youkilis also finished a very respectable third place in the voting, behind Minnesota's Justin Morneau. Here's how the final vote tally shook out:

Player, Club	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th	9th	10th	Points
Dustin Pedroia, BOS	16	6	4	1							317
Justin Morneau, MIN	7	7	6	3	3	1	1				257
Kevin Youkilis, BOS	2	4	4	9	2	4	1	2			201
Joe Mauer, MIN	2	8	1	3	4	3	3	2	1		188
Carlos Quentin, CWS		1	4	8	4	4	4		1	1	160
Francisco Rodriguez, LAA	1	2	6	1	6		3	2		2	143
Josh Hamilton, TEX			2	2	3	7	3	2	4	3	112
Alex Rodriguez, NYY					1	1	4	1	4	7	45
Carlos Pena, TB			1		2		2	3	2	3	44
Grady Sizemore, CLE						2	1	5	6	1	42
Evan Longoria, TB						2	2	5	2	1	38
Cliff Lee, CLE				1	1	1	1		1		24
Miguel Cabrera, DET						1		1	4	1	17
Vladimir Guerrero, LAA							2	2	1		16
Jermaine Dye, CWS					1			2		2	14
Aubrey Huff, BAL						1			2	3	12
Milton Bradley, TEX						1	1				9
Jason Bartlett, TB					1						6
Mike Mussina, NYY								1			3
Raul Ibanez, SEA										1	1
Ian Kinsler, TEX										1	1
Ichiro Suzuki, SEA										1	1
Mark Teixeira, LAA										1	1

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the Kiss Cam ain't nothin' but trouble.

Although I despise its presence at a ballpark, I suppose it's slightly more palatable at a basketball arena. But only slightly. I have to think Jason Varitek hates the Kiss Cam even more than I do.

Friday night, Jason was at the Celtics-Nuggets game at the Garden, sitting courtside and doing the "hold-the-ball-for Lucky" publicity stunt at halftime. Tek was perfectly happy to be a part of all that. He was not, however, so thrilled to make a return appearance on the jumbo screens inside the Garden a little later in the game.

During a break in the action, the Celtics video people fired up the trusty ol' Kiss Cam. Typical nonsense ensued- random people mugging (and mugging down) for the camera. But then those crafty folks focused on Jason and a lady sitting next to him (who tried desperately, but unsuccessfully, to scoot out of the frame). Jason was not pleased. Everyone cheered and hollered for him to kiss her, but Jason was unmoved. He sat rock still and stonefacedly stared ahead until the cameraman finally panned off of him. AWKWARD!

So word to the wise: Jason Varitek is not really interested in performing an onscreen kiss for the unwashed masses at the Garden. At least he'll give a half smile to the camera, though!

It had been two weeks since the folks at Fremulon Insurance had posted any updates. I thought maybe they just had a post-Series hangover. But we're all going to have to wait a lot longer for more FJM posts.

[insert somber, funeral procession appropriate music here]

R.I.P. FJM.

The Red Sox offseason trophy cabinet has a few shiny new additions.

Jon Lester was awarded the 2008 Hutch Award, given annually to the ballplayer who best exemplifies the honor, courage and dedication of baseball great Fred Hutchinson (who died from cancer in 1964 at age 45), both on and off the field. Jon bested the field of ten finalists to win the award, including Rocco Baldelli, Ken Griffey Jr., Aaron Rowand and Lance Berkman.

The Award is even more special for Jon, who is also a cancer survivor and a native Washingtonian, who was actually treated in Seattle by the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, the treatment arm of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (the group, founded by Fred Hutchinson's brother in Seattle). He'll receive the Award at a luncheon on January 21, 2009 -- actually out on the grass at Seattle's Safeco Field -- and legend Tom Seaver will be the guest speaker.

"Congratulations to Jon Lester on the Hutch Award. Jon handled his adversity with grace and dignity," said Red Sox Manager Terry Francona. "He is an inspiration to us all, on top of just being a really good kid.

And from Jon:

"This is a tremendous honor for me and my family to have been selected for the Hutch Award," Lester said in a statement released by the Fred Hutchinson Center. "I'm humbled to know that legends such as Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax and Lou Brock have won this award in the past."

Next up: Jacoby Ellsbury claims the James "Cool Papa" Bell Award - a Legacy Award presented by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City to the AL stolen base leader. He'll get to pick up his honor at a banquet in KC in January, along with all the other Legacy Award winners.

Jacoby also finished a strong third in the AL Rookie of the Year voting, behind the unanimous winner Evan Longoria and the second place vote-getter Alexei Ramirez. Why MLB.com chose to memorialize the occasion with a photo that looks like Jacoby is taking a dump, I do not know.

In any event: Congratulations to both Jon and Jacoby!

The Red Sox official uniforms always seem to remain (largely) unchanged over the years. As trends (teal! purple! aztec prints! funky lettering!) come and go, the Sox unis hold fast

So it would cause a minor ripple if the Red Sox road uniforms are changed in 2009, as this photo posted to Flickr (by wally1912) and discovered by Red Sox Monster seems to suggest might happen.

There's been no news about any possible changes floating around as far as I can find, and the Flickr picture page contains no details about the source of the photo or the probability of that design being adopted, beyond a note that it is a "proposed design for the 2009 Boston Red Sox road uniforms".

By contrast, here is the current road uni:

The new uniform adds red trim along the neckline and button placket seams, and adds a second red trim on the sleeves. Most significantly, though, this uniform reverses the nearly set-in-stone combination of red letters with blue trim, to blue letters with red trim (although, curiously, the player name is left red with blue trim). The photo also shows a possibility of taking away players' last names from the back of the uniforms.

This photo may be a total pipedream, and nothing may ever come of it - but it's fun to contemplate the possibility.

Brad Mills, Sox bench coach, former Tito college roommate and current Papi hug-recipient extraordinaire, is in Seattle today interviewing with the Mariners for the manager slot that's currently empty.

John McLaren, hired by the Mariners in 2007, was fired by the front office back in June of this year - and Seattle's bench coach Jim Riggleman temporarily assumed the helm for the remainder of the 2008 season. Mills is the first of eight candidates to interview for the manager position, and Seattle's new GM Jack Zduriencik (hired just a few weeks ago) is expected to see most - if not all - of the candidates in a revolving door interview process this week.

Congratulations to Kevin Youkilis and his brand new wife Enza, who tied the knot yesterday after a year-long engagement.

The couple wed in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with 120 family and friends present - including David Ortiz, Mike Lowell and Dustin Pedroia. More from the Globe (not a word from Inside Track- looks like they got scooped):

Enza, who briefly dated Ben Affleck back in the day, wore Vera Wang. (Youk favors sweatpants, but we trust he cleaned up for this occasion.) It's Enza's second marriage and the first for Youkilis, who'll turn 30 in March. A Newton native and former BC student, Sambataro is the CEO of Youk's charity Hits for Kids, which raised $1 million last year for children's charities and medical research programs in New England and Cincinnati. The couple will spend the off-season in Arizona, where Youkilis is again working out at the Athletes Performance Institute.

As eagle eyed (eared?) tipster Karen noted, the clues were out there.

When Pedey got his gold glove, I listened to the conference call and he said he was planning to go to Cabo San Lucas with some friends. And then there was the photographer Youkilis has used for past charity events, who just happens to be in Cabo San Lucas with a wedding party. I knew it was coming soon.

Up next: Jon Lester, who is scheduled to wed in January.

Last year I joked that the only reason Josh Beckett stages his annual Beckett Bowl event for charity is because the Red Sox front office turned down his request for a celebrity hunting tourney. ("Josh, just like we told Wakefield and Timlin, you can't kill animals for charity. Sorry.")

Either the joke is on me, or he reads the blog, because that is exactly what Josh is doing.

This Sunday, November 9th, through the 11th, Josh and his regular huntin' buddy Rusty Baker are hosting his first annual "Celebrity Invitational Hunt for Charity" at Josh's Herradura Ranch in Cotulla, Texas.

All of the meat harvested from the hunt will go to Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry, and the proceeds from entry fees and sponsorships will go to Show of Support and other charities. Perennial Beckett buds Kevin Fowler and Roger Creager will be there as well, and will provide a "campfire acoustic singalong". I assume there will be lots of Bud Light involved.

Naturally, Jon Lester will also be there to partake in the fun.

Rusty Baker (middle) and Josh pose like rockstars with a private jet... and some random dude.

And so I present to you the Huntin' Josh action figure, complete with camo gear, boots and optional cowboy hat and dip can.

Congratulations go out to Dustin Pedroia for nabbing his first Gold Glove award.

Although the official announcement is not for another 45 minutes, eagle-eyed SoSH folks spotted the Rawlings press release on the news wire. The Globe cites an unnamed "baseball source" rather than just pointing to the wire release- but WEEI credits the sports wire and notes that Dustin has acknowledged receiving the honor.

"I really didn't think about it," he said of winning the award. "I take pride in my defense, it's a huge part of my game. In fact, my biggest (priority) is defense. I need to be extremely important to our pitching staff. I put in a ton of time with Luis Alicea and Alex Cora from Day One. It's only my second year playing second base. I took extra ground balls every single day and it definitely paid off."

"I got a lot faster in the offseason," he said. "I put in the time, did all the cardio workouts, speed work, and agility. That really paid off where my range got a lot better and my arm strength got better. I'm not the biggest guy in the world but I can make up with effort in the offseason."

Kevin Youkilis did not repeat at first base; that honor instead went to Tampa's Carlos Pena (who also beat out Youk in the Fielding Bible awards).

Here's how the full slate shakes out in the American League:

P - MIKE MUSSINA - YANKEES
C - JOE MAUER - TWINS
1ST - CARLOS PENA - RAYS
2ND - DUSTIN PEDROIA - RED SOX
3RD - ADRIAN BELTRE - MARINERS
SS - MICHAEL YOUNG - RANGERS
OF - TORII HUNTER - ANGELS
OF - GRADY SIZEMORE - INDIANS
OF - ICHIRO SUZUKI - MARINERS

Tony Gwynn signed on to stay another three years as the head coach of the San Diego State baseball team just yesterday, but he's not spending his time talking about his contract. He wants to talk about Justin Masterson.

After starting his college career at tiny Bethel College in Indiana, Justin transferred to SDSU and pitched for the Aztecs in Tony Gwynn Stadium, under head Aztecs coach Tony Gwynn. And Tony hasn't forgotten Justin.

"He's the type of guy that doesn't want to shake your hand, he wants to give you a hug," Gwynn said. "He's absolutely the same guy, and you can't help but love those type of guys because he really does it the right way. He does it with a great attitude. He does it with a smile on his face. And you know what? He's competitive as heck, but you'd be hard pressed to know that if you met him off the field."

And, of course, HOF'er Tony had praise for Justin's skills as well.

"At the college level, like most guys his size [6-foot-6], he could just overpower hitters. And with his stuff, he was able to do that for the most part. But now he's learned to pitch and it looks like he's trusting his stuff, and it looks like he's having fun. It looks like he's really enjoying himself and really trying to understand how to get guys out, and it looks like he's really paying attention and doing a good job.

"When he was here, I think you could see that he had that kind of stuff where he would be successful at the big-league level, and I think he's just scratching the surface."

And with the trade rumors constantly swirling this time of year, Tony also thinks that Justin will find a place to fit with any club, but that the Red Sox are particularly suited to his style and development as a pitcher.

"[T]he Red Sox are kind of the perfect club because they have enough of everything, where they can kind of take the time to figure out where exactly he best fits. But I think they found out this year that he fits. Somewhere in those 11, 12 guys he's a guy that definitely will fit into whatever role they want to put him in."

Today is like Christmas in early November for GMs across the land: super swell nice guy Scott Boras delivers the magical "book" he has created for each of his clients. Theo can relax: that means the Jason Varitek book will be in his hot little hands any moment now.

That also means today officially kicks off the insanity that this offseason is surely to bring - an insanity I like to call the "Varitek Conundrum".

Boras is already fueling the fire by insinuating Varitek deserves a Jorge Posada-like contract (4 years, $52 million). The key difference between them (other than Yankee front office stupidity)?

Jorge Posada's 2007 line: .338 .426 .543
Jason Varitek's 2008 line: .220 .313 .359

Posada also didn't help shore up Varitek's case by getting hurt the very next season and missing most of the year. And if Boras thinks the Red Sox, or anyone else, are going to pay Jason Varitek over $13 million a year when he's 40 years old, he is going to be severely disappointed (no matter how much he tries to make Tek into Carlton Fisk).

The facts are these: Jason Varitek has unquestionably been a pivotal key to the Red Sox success, and in particular to the success and development of the pitchers he works with. He is the captain of the team. There is not a person in baseball who speaks of his leadership and clubhouse skills with anything short of reverence, except maybe A-Rod's face after being smashed with Tek's glove. Jason Varitek also is getting old, his stats are in a steady decline since his all-star days (sharp decline, based on this year's horrific cliffdive), and his agent is going to want ridiculous money. He can barely hit at all, he certainly can't hit for power, and he's not even able to get on base with any regularity. It is logical to assume that the numbers will only decline as he nears the big 4-0.

In (my) ideal world, Tek would stay on in a kind of modified mentor role for two years while the Sox brought in a new catching prospect for Tek to tutor -- and someone who could shoulder the majority of the catching duties to give Tek more days off. Of course, since that means the payday would not be in Borastratosphere levels, I don't know if Jason will be willing to take the ego and paycheck hit.

But no matter what, the Varitek Conundrum means there's going to be a bumpy road ahead through to Fort Myers in February. Baseball is a business - and it ain't always easy.

The offseason hot stove always seems to simmer to a boil during the annual GM meetings, going on right now in Dana Point, California at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort (not to be confused with the winter meetings, to be held in Las Vegas from December 8-11). If you were a GM, you'd be here right now:

So it's only fitting that the first major news to arise out of the GM meetings for the Red Sox involves the GM: Theo Epstein re-inked another contract extension with the Red Sox. Although Theo would not reveal the exact terms of the contract, his last extension netted him $4.5 million over three years.

People are still jumping all over a rumor that's already been denied, posting like crazy. But just to put it to rest: both the Red Sox and the Padres have denied the report from the Tacoma News-Tribune (always my go-to source) that the clubs talked about a Coco Crisp-Khalil Greene trade. I'm not sure what interest the Sox would have in a career .248 (.213 last season) hitting shortstop when they already have Jed Lowrie and Julio Lugo (who is playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic this year). Although, Nick Cafardo says there is some interest in Julio Lugo from the White Sox and the Mets- though it would likely require the Sox to eat some money to shed him. Mazz has a great column up about the SS position.

The Sox might have an interest in re-signing Sean Casey... just not anytime soon. Understandably, Theo has much bigger holes to fill before turning to the utility role that Sean serves.

"We'll keep our options open and look around, see what happens," said G.M. Theo Epstein. "Sean is probably going to do the same. I wouldn't rule anything out with respect to him."

By contrast, Nick Cafardo's report in the Globe says:

Epstein also said he's informed Sean Casey that the team would address more pressing needs, which likely means Casey won't be returning.

The starting rotation for the Sox still has a hole to be filled. Paul Byrd is still a possibility, despite that he filed for free agency. Alex Speier reports that Theo said Paul will "have a lot of options" to consider. Of course, even if Paul does sign with the Sox, there's no guarantee he'll slot into the starting 5.

Other candidates for an offseason starter acquisition? If reports are to be believed, not Jake Peavy: he has no interest in playing for Boston. The only AL teams he'd consider are the Yankees and the Angels. A.J. Burnett may be a viable possibility- his agent indicated Burnett will opt out of his current contract with the Jays and become a free agent. The Sox are one of the clubs being bandied about as a possible landing place - but there are reportedly many suitors for his services. The White Sox are shopping Javier Vasquez, and Nick Cafardo says the Sox have been linked to him as well (possibly as part of the aforementioned interest in Julio Lugo). And, of course, there's always Derek Lowe, who regularly sends love letters to Theo proclaiming his love for the Sox. Of course, he still wants to get paid a lot of money, but it appears he's pining for the Fens.

Meanwhile, Jason Bay suggested (or, rather, his agents suggested) that he'd like to sign a long-term deal to keep him on the Sox past 2009 (when his current contract expires).

"It's a situation where he's loving Boston. It's a great club and a great organization," said Nez Balelo of Creative Artists Agency. "He's a quality player, and I'm sure (the Red Sox) recognize that. Whatever they want to do, I'm sure that we're all ears."

According to Balelo and fellow CAA agent Joe Urbon, the Sox have not yet been in contact about a long-term deal.

No new specific news, but superstars Mark Teixeira and Matt Holliday are both still on the Red Sox' radar as well.

And closing on the international front, the Red Sox are spending a lot of time focusing on 22 year-old righty hurler Junichi Tazawa from Japan -- who already has a major league contract offer from Atlanta, and is going to receive another from Seattle soon as well. Nick Cafardo also notes:

The Sox also have interest in Kenshin Kawakami, a 33-year-old righty for the Chunichi Dragons who went 9-5 with a 2.30 ERA last season. Kawakami is a Hiroki Kuroda-type pitcher with a cut fastball and good curveball who could man the No. 4 or 5 spot in the Sox rotation.

All signs point to the end of the Boston careers for Mike Timlin and Curt Schilling.

Yesterday, at the GM meetings in California, Theo Epstein discussed the "extensive conversation" he had towards the end of this season with Mike Timlin about Mike's future with the Red Sox.

At that time, Timlin was leaning towards returning for another season in 2009, though the pitcher and Epstein reached "a mutual understanding that Boston probably wouldn't be the best fit for him going forward, that there would be other places with greater opportunities."

"But what a career that guy had in Boston," Epstein said. "He was really the staple down there for us-very reliable, very effective, a big part of two World Series teams. We should not let the offseason go by without tipping our cap to him."

And Curt Schilling's future is uncertain in baseball in general. In addition to blogging that he's "likely retired", Curt has also given some insight on his future on Facebook:

Although with Curt Schilling, as we're all aware, you just never know.

Doesn't matter who you vote for, just get out there and VOTE!

It's November, so you know what that means... yes, it's time for the first of what will be many Hot Stove Updates during the offseason. Free agency, arbitration and plain 'ol trades are all heating up as potential moves for the Sox over the next few months.

Before diving into the rumors, speculation and innuendo (Teixeira, anyone?), this first post will focus on the basics of which current Sox players are pieces in the offseason chess match this year.

In what is easily the most no-brainer move the Red Sox will make this offseason, the front office kicked things off right by exercising Tim Wakefield's club option for 2009 on Friday. At the (relatively) paltry price of $4 million, it was a bargain. Per the terms of his contract, it also sets up another club option for 2010 at the same price. Next year will mark Wake's 15th consecutive year pitching in the Boston home whites, a club record.

Next up: free agent extravaganza! So far, seven Red Sox players have filed for free agency: Sean Casey, Bartolo Colon, Alex Cora, Mark Kotsay, Dave Ross, Curt Schilling and Jason Varitek. Paul Byrd and Mike Timlin are also eligible to file for free agency, and it is likely they will file soon as well. The Red Sox have an 15-day window after a player files for free agency during which they are exclusively allowed to negotiate with him. The players (and their agents) are allowed to talk to other teams during that period, but they are not permitted to discuss financial terms.

The Red Sox also have four team members eligible for arbitration this year: Kevin Cash, Javier Lopez, Jonathan Papelbon and Kevin Youkilis. All four players are Third-Year Players; the Red Sox do not have any Super-Twos this year. (Some notable Super Twos this year are Brian Bannister, Melky Cabrera, Cole Hamels, Russell Martin, B.J. Upton and Jared Weaver.)

The Red Sox will also be free to offer arbitration to any of their free agents who do not sign a contract with another ballclub. The Elias Sports Bureau rankings were released to the clubs on Thursday, and Jason Varitek netted a Type A ranking, and Paul Byrd netted a Type B ranking- meaning the Sox would get two and one compensatory draft picks, respectively, if they offered arbitration and Tek/Byrd do not accept. For everything you wanted to know about arbitration but were afraid to ask, see the Arbitration Primer I put together last year.

Now that the basics are out of the way, our next installments will dive into the all the latest news and tidbits about potential moves the Sox might make. Hang on, as always, the hot stove season is gonna be a bumpy ride.

Plus: a Halloween special Dugout, starring Jonathan Papelbon and the brothers Young!

Plus: a random weird video starring (not) Jonathan Papelbon, courtesy of Walkoff Walk!

Big congrats go out to the other boys in red, down Philly way, for shutting down the American League fish and claiming the 2008 World Championship.

Congrats to MVP Cole Hamels, the very definition of an ace. Congrats to the unsung heroes - Geoff Jenkins, Eric Bruntlett, Carlos Ruiz- who prevailed in tonight's game. Congrats to Philly big names Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard. Congrats to Slowcamotive Pat Burrell and his sweet ass. And most especially congrats to Brad Lidge, who erased the specter of 2005 with the final out of 2008.

If it couldn't be the Sox, I'm damn happy it was the Phils.

(But don't get too comfortable, we're coming for you in 2009....)

Just in time to wipe the smarm off the top of the page, it's Sox And Celtics! This is part 549732450 of a continuing series wherein our heroes (the Red Sox) visit their athletic neighbors (the Celtics), often while wearing green and/or drinking beer.

In last night's episode, Mike Lowell and Kevin Youkilis visited the World Champion Celtics home opener to watch the World Champion Celtics get their World Champion rings. Also, Youk did the old hold-the-ball-for-the-mascot-to-dunk thing.

Mikey LoLo was apparently too shy to be caught on camera, but he did talk to the Herald:

Lowell, who was sporting his honkin' World Series bling, said he thought the Green Team's new championship ring was "really elegant."

"I think they did a really nice job," the third baseman told the Track. "But, really, is there ever a real ugly championship ring?"

The answer is no.

Brett Myers hates Boston, and never wants to pitch here again.

"I did not want to play Boston," says Myers, 28. "If Boston had beat Tampa, I would have gone to (manager) Charlie (Manuel) and told him, 'I don't want to pitch in Boston.'

"I don't ever want to pitch in Boston again."

Well, guess what, buddy? The feeling's mutual.

"I know there are people out there that think I'm a jerk. There are people out there who think I'm a wife-beater. That will never change," says Myers, alluding to a 2006 incident in which he was arrested and charged in Boston with assaulting his wife, Kim.

"But you know what, I really don't care what people think about me. ... If people don't like me, they can deal with it. This is who I am."

And then this:

When Myers pitched the next day in Boston, he was alone. He heard the vicious chants. He says he was pelted by plastic beer bottles and trash when he warmed up in the bullpen.

"What happened to me that day in Boston, on the field, I wouldn't wish that on nobody," Myers says. "It wasn't just the boos and the things people were throwing. It was just what people thought about me. I didn't have a chance to explain. My lawyers told me not to, so I couldn't talk.

"For me to even pitch that day was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in life."

Poor wittle Brett Myers! How HARD it must have been to endure people calling him a wife-beater, when he had just been arrested for, you know, being a wife-beater! Forget overcoming cancer, forget pitching with one arm, forget fleeing a dictatorial regime that made you fear for your life. Brett Myers is the TRUE HERO, y'all.

Look, it's not like the Sox are spotless. (I'm looking at you, E-6.) But it is absolutely ludicrous that Brett is trying to turn this into a sob story in his favor. "Those meanie Boston fans! They said mean things THE DAY AFTER I WAS ARRESTED FOR PUNCHING MY WIFE IN THE FACE. How could they? They don't even know me!" Not to put too fine a point on it, but: shut. the. fuck. up. Brett. Seriously.

Just when I think I've been able to move past this thing, and accept Brett (not like, accept) because I think he must've learned his lesson, he has to go off and prove that he hasn't learned a single thing.

Congratulations go out to Kevin Youkilis, who was selected by baseball fans as the 2008 Hank Aaron Award winner for the most outstanding offensive performer in the American League. I may be delinquent in recognizing you, Youk, but I did not forget you.

Youk and Aramis Ramirez (the National League winner) received their awards before Game 4 of the World Series in Philadelphia - just like Prince Fielder picked up his trophy before the Sox-Rox Game 4 in Denver last year. (Alex Rodriguez won for the AL in 2007, but didn't show up to collect the trophy -- netting him a cascade of boos from the fans in Denver.)

From the Herald:

"When I heard I got the award, I said, 'That's great.' When I heard that I had to go to the World Series, I said, 'Oh, that's not good.' "

Youkilis wanted to be picking up his bat last night, not some hardware. And if the Sox starting rotation and some of the other members of the lineup had performed to their ability, he would have been.

And from the Globe:

Youkilis wasn't going to stay for the game, which he said would be too difficult, but rather he was heading for dinner at his favorite Mexican restaurant in town and was to return to Boston. He said he plans to rest for the next four weeks before beginning his grueling offseason routine at Athletes Performance Institute in Arizona.

Of course, Bud Selig never turns down an opportunity to join a photo op!

And here's video of Youk talking with MLB.com's Harold Reynolds about the award.

My, how time flies. Seems like just yesterday.

Maybe the tidal wave of rain in the greater Philadelphia area was our chance to hold on to the World Championship for just one more day.

I know I should be overwhelmed with sadness looking at that photo, grieving for the 2008 title that did not arrive... but I just can't do it. I'm giddy as hell with happiness at the two championships in four years (!) and even more giddy at the prospect of what's to come.

Damn, it's an exciting time to be a Red Sox fan.

Sometimes you get to finish your (potentially) clinching Game 5 of the World Series, and sometimes you don't.

Although Bud Selig wouldn't come out and actually confirm a start time during his press conference, there are already signs outside Citizens Bank Park indicating that the game will resume at 8 pm tomorrow night... weather permitting.

Hilariously, Philly Comcast is reporting that the Rays already checked out of their hotel in Philadelphia earlier today... and now the hotel is booked solid. I'm sure you can crash at Chase Utley's house, guys!

For when Baby Sox pictures just aren't enough... there are fake yearbook photos! And you can thank commenter mhc and yearbookyourself.com for this awesome insanity.

Student Council President - vote for Masterson!

once a troublemaker, always a troublemaker

unanimously voted Teacher's Pet

More - many, many more - after the jump...

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Philadelphia Phillies vs. Tampa Bay Rays 8:00 pm Tropicana Field - Tampa, FL SP: Brett Myers vs. James Shields

As we get ready for the second game of the World Series to start in just over an hour, I realized something important (albeit not very revolutionary): we survived. Red Sox fans did not simultaneously combust after Sunday night, nor curl up in a corner weeping uncontrollably, nor go on rampages throughout New England burning cars and getting in fights. I'm not sure why, but most folks expected the whole of Soxdom to fall apart... and yet.

We're, surprisingly, dealing just fine thank you very much. Disappointed, nostalgic and a tad wistful - but not angry, and not heartbroken.

How and why is it that this year everyone seems to be dealing with the whole "on the brink, and then oops you're eliminated"? Commenter Maggie thought about that question, and earlier this week put together her Top Ten Reasons I Will Survive a World Series without the Red Sox.

What are your reasons? (top 10 or otherwise)

Hit it, Maggie!

I've recently started getting questions about how I will react now that the Sox won't be participating in the World Series. Coming up with this list does not mean that I love the Red Sox less or make me a lapsing Sox fan - I named my cat "Pedey" after a small, scrappy, hairy 2B! El Caballito don't give up that easily! - but really just a realistic one.

So in thinking about my reaction, I would like to share with you my Top Ten Reasons I Will Survive a World Series without the Red Sox:

1. The Tampa Bay Rays are fucking good. They are the hottest team in baseball, hands down. They came out of nowhere, their fans (all 10 of them) were hoping for .500 ball this year, and they've shocked everyone with how consistent they are. They've made history by winning 30+ more games this year than last year. They've been in the bottom for so long that they've gotten the first pick in the draft for many years in a row. This rise was inevitable. Whether it's sustainable is a different story.

2. The Red Sox are beat up and bruised. Yes, there was a chance that the Sox could have come back. History could have repeated itself. However, it would have been much more likely if we had a healthy Mike Lowell & JD Drew, or if Big Papi were making contact with the ball that didn't end in a pop-up, or Jason Varitek had more than one postseason hit (sorry Cap'n).

However, I'm still REALLY PROUD of my boys. Had they gone down in Game 5, I would have been more heartbroken, because it felt like they were out-matched and giving up. But that almost impossible (.06% chance!) comeback followed by two stellar pitching performances by Beckett and Lester made me feel like they really took it one-day-at-a-time, executing one (fucking) pitch at a time. There has been no fighting, no bitterness, no John-Lackey-esque "we were better than them!" sentiments; they lost the Series without losing their pride, grace or dignity.

3. Philadelphia is a hungry city. As much as I complain(ed?) while living in Philly, I really enjoyed my 3 years there, and some of my fondest memories were spontaneous trips to the Vet to see Pat Burrell and J.Roll. I can only imagine how crazy that city is going right now, with the Phillies going to the World Series for the first time in 15 years ... and it will be much easier to cheer for my National League team roots if they are not playing against the only team I love more.

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