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Legendary Patriots Linebacker Calls It Quits

As you all have probably heard by now, Tedy Bruschi and the New England Patriots are holding a press conference this morning to announce the veteran linebacker’s retirement from the NFL after thirteen seasons.

It goes without saying that his number 54 will someday adorn the rafters at Gillette Stadium. The most renowned, respected and beloved player in franchise history has left a mark on New England untouchable by any player that follows in his path.

It’s hard to pinpoint which moment will define Bruschi’s career. He was victorious in three Super Bowls, a participant in five. He suffered a life-threatening stroke and wreaked havoc on the football field less than a year later. To me, the defining aspect of Bruschi’s career wasn’t a singular moment at all: it was his never-ending, undying passion to do whatever it took to help the New England Patriots win football games. He was a role-player at heart, and he played his role with the greatest of energy and pride.

Did he have the swagger and star-power of Tom Brady? No. The big-play potential of Randy Moss? No. The Sportscenter-highlight-material of Ty Law? No. Tedy Bruschi never needed to. He had heart, determination, and the will to win. Put the Bradys, Bledsoes, Browns, Laws and Vinatieris aside. Tedy Bruschi is the greatest player in New England Patriots history.

Backup QB O’Connell Cut By Patriots

In a surprising move, the New England Patriots released quarterback Kevin O’Connell on Sunday in the midst of a back-up quarterback competition.  O’Connell was thought to have the inside track on the number two spot in the depth chart but Bill Belichick and company thought otherwise and released the two-year player.

O’Connell impressed the Patriots coaching staff in his two-years in New England after being selected in the third round of the 2008 draft out of San Diego State.  O’Connell was cut tby the Patriots a month after the Pats cut ties with Matt Gutierrez.  The 6-foot-5 quarterback is the third quarterback to leave New England in the past year, joining Gutierrez and Matt Cassel.  

With O’Connell now out of the picture, Andrew Walter looks to be the back-up to Tom Brady. The release of O’Connell must mean that Belichick likes the look of Brian Hoyer, a rookie out of Michigan State, who was recently signed by the Patriots.    

Boston Trades For Speedy Outfielder

The Red Sox acquired minor league outfielder and former Tampa Bay Rays prospect Joey Gathright from the Baltimore Orioles for a player to be named later.  Gathright has played for the Rays, Royals, Cubs, but never played a game for the Orioles after being traded by the Cubs for Ryan Freel in May.

The 28-year-old will most likely be used in the same way Dave Roberts was used in 2004. Gathright will bring lots of speed and defensive to relatively slow team other than lead-off hitter Jacoby Ellsbury.        

Sox Roll Thanks To A Few New Faces

The Boston Red Sox advanced to 6-0 against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park this season on the arms of some not-so-familiar faces.  Paul Byrd stood on the Fenway mound Sunday, for the first time in 2009 after pitching last for the Sox in September.  Byrd pitched well for the local nine, going six innings deep, striking out one and while walking three.  Another unfamiliar face impressed in his Fenway debut, as Billy Wagner struck out the side in the eighth inning, leaving the field to a standing ovation from the Fenway faithful.

Oh sweet Caroline.  

The Boston Red Sox defeated Roy Halladay and the Blue Jays 7-0 on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep and with the win, stake a 3.5 game advantage over the Texas Rangers for the wildcard.  Rocco Baldelli went deep for the Sox in the second as Boston scored a run in each of it’s first four innings and added three more runs in the seventh to secure the victory.  

Even with a strong performance from the 38-year-old Byrd, the Red Sox Daisuke Matsuzaka made a rehab start for Double-A Portland on Sunday and could be back up with the Sox in early September, so Byrd may only be keeping a seat warm in the starting rotation for Dice-K but that could all hinge on the health of Tim Wakefield.  The Sox have a day off tomorrow before they        Tampa Bay on Tuesday to face the Rays.

(AP Photo)

Daniel Bard Makes It Look Easy

(AP Photo)

Daniel Bard reached 100 mph on the radar gun on Friday night, a rarity in Major League Baseball but almost a certainty every-time Bard toes the rubber.  The rookie right-hander has been very impressive this year, his first year in the big leagues, for Terry Francona and the Red Sox as Bard pitched 1.2 innings on Friday striking out three Blue Jays and giving up only one hit.  

Bard has pitchd 41.1 innings this year, giving up 33 hits and 17 walks while striking out 55.  He has a 3.48 ERA and more importantly, seven holds which has contributed to the success of this year’s Sox bullpen.

Now, he is just a rookie and his body of work is still unfinished but one can’t help but wonder if the Sox decide that Jonathan Papelbon isn’t worth the money in two years, that Bard may be waiting in the wings to take over for cinco ocho. 

Sox Captain Protects The Plate, Preserving Victory

The Boston Red Sox hoped that Josh Beckett could regain his ace like form on Friday night by shutting down the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park.  Beckett struck out nine Jays but gave up two long-balls and lasted only five innings, throwing 108 pitches, as the Boston right-hander walked five hitters in route to an early exit to the showers.  

Luckily for Beckett and the Red Sox, the bullpen pitched four innings of scoreless relief, thanks in large part to a stellar play by Jason Varitek, blocking Travis Snider and the Blue Jays from taking a one-run lead in the eighth inning as the Sox eventual went on to win by the final of 6-5.

Casey Kotchman drove in David Ortiz in the bottom of the eighth on a fielder’s choice as Jonathan Papelbon loaded the bases in the ninth before striking out Rod Barajas and Snider to register his 31st save of the season and the Red Sox 74th victory in 2009.  Hideki Okajimi tallied his fifth win of the year as the Sox look to take the middle game of this series with clay Buchholz squaring off against Ricky Romero on Saturday.

(AP Photo)

Red Sox Release Struggling Starter Brad Penny

With left-handed reliever Billy Wagner set to join the Boston Red Sox on Thursday, the Sox released Brad Penny on Wednesday night to open up a roster spot for Wagner.  Brad Penny, according to Buster Olney of ESPN, asked for a release on Wednesday and was granted it by the Red Sox.

Penny impressed Sox fans early on in the season, fairing well and pitching an impressive six inning win against the New York Yankees.  But things went sour fast for Penny, going 1-6 in his past 11 starts.  Penny (7-8) has a 5.61 ERA but claims that he feels good and is glad to be healthy.  Once he clears waivers on Monday, Penny will have the opportunity to sign on with any team that needs help with their starting pitching.  

Buyer beware, however, as the 230 lbs. Penny has looked awful the past two months, relying heavily on his fastball and lacking any command on his off-speed pitches. Another one of Theo Epstein’s reclamation projects failed to pan out but luckily for the Red Sox help is on the way in the form of Dice-K and Paul Byrd.

(AP Photo)