Boston Red Sox

In 2004, Dave Roberts was made famous in Boston for the "stolen base heard 'round the world." He helped begin the surge that was the best comeback in professional sports history. On Monday, Red Sox fans will welcome Roberts' return to Boston.

When Roberts stole second base against the New Work Yankees in 2004, he forever cemented his place in Boston history. On June 15, 2007, Roberts, as a San Francisco Giant, returned to Fenway Park for the first time as a player since 2004. He received a standing ovation every time he came up to bat.

Okay, so here you are, you Red Sox fans. Another blown game by your manager Terry Francona, who some misguided fans have come to trust as the great hero of the game who can not be questioned.

But I do.

He simply makes mistake after mistake, and I have been following him for years. Not only is he NOT a great manager, but his tobacco chewing and spitting on the steps of the dugout reflects more as a guy who hangs around the corner liquor store.

Before I get started, hat tip to Todd Civin for giving me the idea for this one. I was suffering a particularly bad case of writer's block. Now I feel like I'm on a springboard back to spewing out four or five articles a week, nothing out of my ordinary.

This is something I have pondered on my own but not until now decided to write about. How much does Boston owe to (the great) state of Minnesota? I mean, seriously.

Casey Kelly is one of the more unique players in the Red Sox farm system. He was a highly touted high school quarterback, who played football at Tennessee before choosing baseball.

Now, he juggles positions on the diamond as a pitcher and shortstop. Kelly is aiming to pitch near 100 innings this season, while also spending time turning double-plays.

High school

My daughter, Kaitlyn, came home with her mid-term progress report the other day. Not sure why the teachers pick on her so.

Last time I checked 66, was not a C as she has been telling us since September. And she did do well in Music, Art and Gym. I'm sure that will get her into an Ivy League school.

In any event, her poor with an occasional gust to fair grades, has whet my appetite to grade the Red Sox at the end of the first month of the season.

Boston Red Sox veteran John Smoltz, still recovering from June shoulder surgery, will avoid batting practice (again) this Thursday.

In fact, he’ll likely sit out of all baseball-related activities for the next week or so, according to manager Terry Francona.

Julio Lugo returned to the starting lineup tonight, marking the end of Wes Welker's stint as starting SS for the Red Sox. Welker filled in admirably for Jed Lowrie when the starter went down with a wrist ailment and later settled for surgery. Hitting in the nine-spot, Welker was able to maintain a .298 average with seven RBI and seven runs scored.

The Boston Red Sox organization was unbearably quiet this last off-season, while the New York Yankees roared thunderously a number of times.

The talking heads on every sports network in America, both local and national, said the Yankees' signings of AJ Burnett and CC Sabathia had brought their rotation even with the Red Sox'. Some (mostly in the NY-NJ area) even said that they had surpassed the Sox with their pitching.

The past 11 games have been nothing short of amazing for Red Sox Nation.

The Red Sox, who at first couldn't buy a win, won every way possible.

Pitcher's duels? Check.

Yesterday, the teams in Cleveland saw a 0-0 game go into the ninth inning. On Sunday the 19th, Jon Lester turned in a gem, striking out nine as the Red Sox beat the Orioles 2-1.

Offensive blowouts? Check.

The emergence of a new Jedi.

From the small stage in Indiana, to the spotlight in Boston, Justin Masterson proves the force is strong within him.

Justin Masterson is a "righty killer" from the island of Jamaica. Growing up a devout Christan and the son of a youth minister, Masterson developed in to one of the best young arms in America.

He is a big 6'6", 250-pound pitcher with a three-fifths arm slot and slinging delivery. His weaponry includes a slider and changeup but the sinker Masterson throws—it's deadly. His teammates call him, "Jedi."