July 4th Walk-Off

Fisher Cats RHP Sam Dyson has been called up by the Blue Jays following an INCREDIBLE night here with the Fisher Cats and Sea Dogs. Players are pretty pumped up for Dyson, who has been throwing 92-96-mph and touching 97 and 98 with a few pitches. Packed house in Manchester: 8,544, the largest attendance of the season and fifth-largest in franchise history. Kevin Howard belted a first-pitch fastball in the 11th inning to beat the Sea Dogs, 11-10, capping the incredible walk-off win. New Hampshire rallied for three runs in the ninth to force extras. Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford had hits, and Red Sox prospect Jackie Bradley, Jr., went 4-for-6 with knocks against Chad Jenkins and Scott Gracey. Postgame interviews with the Red Sox All-Star outfielders. Oh, and Ryan Sweeney is also playing for the Sea Dogs on Thursday.

Happy July 4! The Keene Swamp Bats of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, fittingly, defeated Great Britain, 33-0, on the diamond last night. As part of the Independence Day festivities, Keene took on the Great Britain U-23 national team. Once again, we crushed the Redcoats.


Looking forward to tonight's Fisher Cats-Sea Dogs game in Manchester. Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury are joining Double-A Portland, but the best outfielder in the game will be Jackie Bradley, Jr., a lightning-quick 22-year-old who recently was promoted to Portland. My UL story on the series here.


Fisher Cats RHP John Stilson, a Blue Jays prospect and Texas A&M legend (too strong?), will pitch on Friday. The 21-year-old has gone 2-1 (3.18 ERA) in four starts at Double-A, giving up one earned run in his past two starts. "It's been a learning experience. I'm trying to locate my fastball better and not spray everything over the plate," he told me after yesterday's bullpen session. I've been working on trying to stay back over the rubber and not lean forward so much, which causes my arm to drag behind." 


Stilson's fastball has been sitting in the low 90s and occasionally touching 95 and even 96 on radar gun. There's more in the tank, too, he said. "I'm very satisfied with (the velocity). I just need to get my mechanics straightened out. Right now, I can’t really give it everything because my fastball command isn’t quite there yet.”

Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury are both joining the Portland Sea Dogs on the start of their three-game trip to Double-A New Hampshire. Crawford made his Eastern League debut last night at Hadlock Field, going 1-for-2 with an infield hit and a pair of walks. He also fouled a pitch off his right knee in the third inning, falling to the dirt in obvious pain. He hobbled to first base and stayed in the game, eventually exiting in the 7th. Here's more on Fenway North in my story in today's Union Leader.

Lots of buzz today about Jacoby Ellsbury joining the Portland Sea Dogs for a rehab stint in the Eastern League. If you had tickets for Sea Dogs-Fisher Cats series, looks like you're a winner! Red Sox manager told the media in Seattle that Ellsbury could be joining Portland on Tuesday. That means the World Series champ/All-Star/Gold Glover could be playing against the Fisher Cats in the three-game series beginning Wednesday, weather permitting. I talked to Ben Cherington today, and he said Ellsbury will spend Tuesday in Florida with the Gulf Coast League. No decision on his next stop. In April, Ellsbury went down with a shoulder separation. He has been working his way back to the majors, making his first rehab stop in the Gulf Coast League. Kevin Thomas of the Portland Press Herald was all over this on his blog earlier today ... Would be cool to have Ellsbury playing the outfield with Jackie Bradley, Jr., who I wrote about yesterday.

Rainout? Max Sullivan and KG will entertain you -- in the most bizarre way possible

So I'm sitting in the press box having a conversation with Max Sullivan, a kid/blogger/relentless inquisitor of how to cover the Fisher Cats, and things get out of control. Turns out Max can shred a guitar. Turns out he played at Murphy's Taproom in Manchester the other night -- in front of some Fisher Cats relievers! A girl requested he play "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus to which Fernando Hernandez replied, "Party in Cuba!" Now, let me back up for a minute. As Max is telling me this story, he is soaking wet. Why? He locked his keys in the PT Cruiser and stood outside while waiting for the tow truck. Max kills me. He writes stories for FutureJays.com (we think) but nobody has any proof because there is a monthly fee to read his stuff. He once referred to the bullpens as "those things" and had no idea what they were actually called. But these are all reasons we like him.

3rd No-Hitter in Fisher Cats History

MANCHESTER -- Brett Cecil led the way, pitching 5-2/3 innings, and Danny Farquhar and Ron Uviedo combined on a no-hitter as the New Hampshire Fisher Cats muzzled the Portland Sea Dogs, 6-0, in the series opener Monday night. Boxscore here. There was a buzz in the ballpark as Red Sox No. 1 pitching prospect Anthony Ranaudo (five earned runs) took the mound, but Cecil stole the show by taking a no-no into the sixth inning. At that point, we knew there was little chance of "Squints" (86 pitches) pitching much longer. He made only two previous starts since returning from a groin injury. Cecil struck out eight and walked three. Brian Bocock made a great play in the at 2B in the eighth inning. My game story here ... Portland manager Kevin Boles penned an all-righty lineup against NH. Cecil was hitting 87-90-mph and struck out Kolbrin Vitek three times. "His stuff was crisp. He worked both sides of the plate and changed speeds," Blue Jays minor-league pitching coordinator Dane Johnson said ... Brian Jeroloman, who was behind the dish for Kyle Drabek's no-hitter on July 4, 2010, has now caught both no-nos at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. Video of the final out made by Bryce Brentz, who grounded to Ryan Goins at shortstop:

Postgame interviews with all three pitchers:

The full 9th inning, courtesy of Bus Leagues Baseball:

Adam Lind Bonus DVD

Oh, nothing, just some postgame sound bites from Adam Lind in 2009 that crack me up. I also posted this because one of the questioners is Carl Beane, a long-time reporter and voice of the Boston Red Sox, who died today from an apparent heart attack and car crash. Carl was the manager in our annual Media Game. RIP, Skip.

Beer & Wings: Bobby Jenks busted for DUI

A year ago, we were talking fantasy baseball with Matt Bonner of the Spurs, and I recommended he pick up Red Sox reliever Bobby Jenks. Now if this were only a keeper league, and you earned points for "Getting Busted for DUI," that would be a helluva late-round pick. Extra points for leaving the scene of an accident? Jenks, on Boston's 60-man disabled list, was booked at 3:43 a.m. in Lee County, Fla., and released later this morning after paying bond. Property damage is among the multiple charges ... The Red Sox released a statement this afternoon: "We have been made aware of a situation regarding Bobby Jenks and take such matters seriously. We are gathering information and will refrain from further comment at this time."

Lee County Sheriff's Office photo

Random Brad Emaus update

Forgive me if Brad Emaus seemed a bit out of place on a practice field at Red Sox spring training, in the afternoon, grinding it out while big leaguers were done for the day -- already fishing or golfing. After all, Emaus was the opening day shortstop for the Mets last season. Didn't quite work out, though. Today he's looking for a minor-league infield job with the Sox ... "Brad's a good offensive player," Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said. "For whatever reason, he's was running out of opportunity. We got him into camp, and we'll get a chance to know him better this spring. We're hopeful he can help us, more likely, at the minor-league level to start. He's a guy that's always hit. We'll see if that translates to Boston."

Red Sox minor leaguer Brad Emaus takes infield in Fort Myers, Fla. Kevin Littlefield/Staff photographer

More on Emaus and ex-Blue Jays Jesse Carlson in my baseball column for the New Hampshire Union Leader. Cherington on Carlson: "He had one really good year in Toronto (in 2008). He's mostly a matchup-lefty. Low arm angle and good slider. He gives lefties fits when he's going well."

Huskies hanging with the Red Sox today

Sophomore center fielder Connor Lyons of Bedford, N.H., is playing center field and batting ninth today against the Red Sox ... Younger brother Sean Lyons replaced his brother in the sixth inning at JetBlue Park ...“It’s really unbelievable just seeing these guys and being in front of them. You don’t know what to think at first. You’re and you’re excited at the same time,” Connor said. “I can’t believe how far and hard these guys hit the ball with such little effort. It looks like they are just barely swinging and they’re hitting the ball 400 feet."

Lineup card as penned by Northeastern head coach Neil McPhee, in his 27th season, today at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Fla. The Red Sox won, 25-0.

Jason Varitek, a great captain, retires

Jason Varitek will officially retire Thursday in Fort Myers -- and the Green Monster is already prepped. Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine on the former captain: "From afar, he was everything you want in a guy who wore the 'C.' He was a man's man. He was a big hitter when needed He was the leader of the pitching staff. He was able to beat up Alex (Rodriguez). All that stuff is good stuff. He was exactly what he was supposed to be."

Kevin Littlefield/Staff photographer

Just another New Hampshire angle ...

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- This is big for The 603: Minnesota Twins pitcher Terry Doyle finished his Wednesday workout at the team's spring-training complex and received some great news from pitching coach Rick Anderson: “You’re starting against the Red Sox.”

Doyle, a Salem (N.H.) native, will be the first visiting big leaguer to take the mound at JetBlue Park. Boston’s official opener of the Grapefruit League will be televised Sunday on NESN at 1:30 p.m.


The big righty went 7-5 (3.24 ERA) and threw a pair of complete games for Double-A Birmingham last season. Doyle, 26, made a big impression on the Twins during the Arizona Fall League. They scooped him up during baseball's winter meetings in the Rule 5 Draft ... In other news, Lars Anderson is still a fascinating guy to talk with:

Bobby Valentine: "Jeter was out of position."

The Red Sox were working on relay throws and cut-off situations today, leading to a question about the famous Derek Jeter play from the 2001 American League Division Series.

Watch out for Jesse's curve

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Former Blue Jays reliever Jesse Carlson is once again throwing pain-free after spending all of last season recovering from rotator cuff surgery. He signed a split contract with the Red Sox and has a good shot at winning a bullpen job.

“I know what I can do when I’m healthy. I think here with the Red Sox I’ll actually be used how I should be used,” Carlson said. "There (with Toronto), it didn’t matter if we were winning, losing. If we were up 10 or down 10, it was kind of like, ‘Let’s put Carlson in.’ That’s fine. I’m not going to complain. I’m there to pitch. I did everything I could to help the team. I just think, being that we have so many good guys in the (Boston) bullpen, I think each guy will have specific roles. I think my role will be to get left-handers out.”

The slender Carlson is loaded with tattoos on his upper body, including a "good vs. evil theme" on his arms. In 2009, he was involved with a bench-clearing brawl at Yankee Stadium that started after Jorge Posada gave him a forearm shiver while crossing home plate.

Spring Training Day 3: Familiar faces

On every road trip, I always seem to find someone from New Hampshire, and try to mention them in a story, but yesterday took the cake. Just some of the folks from The 603: fans David T. Segal and son Benjamin of Bow, Nicole Pappas of Nashua, Nick Mourgenous and family from Dover, Red Sox GM Ben Cherington of Meriden, Red Sox minor-league coach Ralph Truel of Wolfeboro, Red Sox psychology coach Bob Tewksbury of Concord, WTPL Radio crew of Concord, and I'll even include ex-Fisher Cats Jesse Carlson and Brad Emaus. 

Spring Training first stop: Fort Myers

The coolest thing about JetBlue Park is how it looks and feels like the 100-year-old Fenway version in Boston -- and today it was 87 degrees. Hello from Fort Myers, Fla., where the Red Sox unveiled a $78 million player development complex and ballpark, funded with tourist taxes. I'm loving the $5 tickets for a lawn spot beyond right field, and an interesting Green Monster with seats in the middle of it. 

The new Pesky Pole at JetBlue Park is already Fenway-esque.

Everyone here is happy, except for Josh Beckett, who apparently hasn't turned the page on last year's Beer and Chicken Controvery, a symbol of the epic September collapse. Beckett told WEEI today that someone in the clubhouse was a snitch and made up those reports of Beckett and others playing video games and crushing KFC during the late innings at Fenway Park.


"Somebody made that stuff up, just like somebody made up that we were doing stuff," Beckett said in the interview. "This is stupid. I don't understand what the big deal is. Somebody was trying to save their own ass, and it probably cost a lot of people their asses. The snitching [expletive], that's [expletive]. It's not good."


I caught up with ex-Blue Jays reliever Jesse Carlson, who'll be pitching in Thursday's "B game" against the Twins. The lefty threw live batting practice today and looked terrific. He said his shoulder is back at 100 percent, and he's looking make a big impact in Boston's bullpen.


Bobby Valentine is beginning to grow on me. Seventy percent of voters in a poll (right panel) believe Bobby V is a "blowhard" and won't work in Boston. He keeps asking everyone questions and is trying to learn something new about the Red Sox every moment of the day.

More audio excellence from Matt Bonner

We decided NBA veteran Matt Bonner, who lives outside of San Antonio, needs a ranch. Doesn't he? Come on, Red Rocket, buy a ranch. Tim Duncan must have a ranch.


"Nobody has a ranch. That’s something to have if you’re from Texas, like Josh Beckett. He has a ranch," Bonner said on our radio show this week. "Who wants to take care of a ranch?"


You hire people for that. 


"Yeah, but then you have to watch them. It all seems like a big headache to me. No, thanks. I’m from New Hampshire, where we grow up shoveling and raking. That’s enough. I don’t need to be shoveling livestock manure."

Hello, my name is ...

Who am I, you say? After being featured in the National Post -- and providing a feast for all my haters -- maybe I should tell you a little more about myself. Here is some info from the Gray Matter Bonus DVD: I was the New Year's Baby in the town of Plymouth, N.H. Yes, I made headlines when I was a day old ... My first byline came at age 15, writing a story about our backyard Wiffle Ball League ... I covered the Red Sox for the New Hampshire Union Leader from 1998-2004 and now mostly cover the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats during the baseball season ... Season ticket holder for the Fisher Cats, every year. If you want tickets, just ask me, and I will probably give you my seats that I have paid for ... Currently have $9,000 in credit card debt ... Love "Gold Rush" on Discovery Channel. "No guts, no glory," says Jack Hoffman. Never watched the Kardashians, but I have interviewed Lamar Odom ... Drive a 1999 Honda Accord, but it's an EX, brah ... The most interesting Fisher Cats/Blue Jays to cover? Travis Snider opened up about his mom's health struggles and death and his own personal challenges with anger. Ricky Romero lacked confidence and swag in the minors, and it really showed, but he was always cool. He still owes me from losing a bet when the Celtics beat the Lakers in the NBA Finals. Eric Thames went to Pepperdine and partied with Pam Anderson, and photo Kevin Littlefield always brings that up when we see Tank. We always told RHP Ismael Ramirez, "You're going to pitch in the big leagues," but he never did ... I coach AAU baseball and have a serious passion for hitting -- and teaching hitting. In 2007, Fisher Cats manager Bill Masse challenged me to a game of Home Run Derby at the park. I hit two homers over the LF wall. Bill hit none. If my life depended on winning one baseball game, I would want Masse managing my team ... In a 2002 Media Game at Fenway, a pitch from Steve Buckley struck the barrel of my bat and the fly ball soared over the Green Monster and into the netting.

One of my favorite pics! Taken after a Media Game at Fenway Park. Nothing like taking a walk on that diamond with your pride and joy!

My favorite national writer is Tyler Kepner of the NY Times, who pitches in the Media Game. Favorite broadcaster, Dan Shulman of ESPN. Favorite Toronto beat writer, Shi Davidi of sportsnet.ca ... I feel connected with Blue Jays fans and enjoy the tweets and emails, but I've never been to Toronto. Got a passport for the first time last week ... For the past 8 seasons, I have co-hosted a radio show with Matt Bonner of the Spurs and Chris Ryan of WKXL Concord. The Red Rocket calls in every week, and we have a blast ... In 2008, the Manchester Millrats pro basketball team invited me to play in a game, and it was awesome ... Currently reading "Born to Run" by Christopher MacDougall. In 2009, I ran the Boston Marathon with a blistering time of 4:44 ... Been married almost 15 years. She loves the Blue Jays and dislikes the Red Sox ... The name "Gray Matter" came from my mother, Diane, who named my first-ever column. She died from lung cancer in the spring. Miss you, mom. 

Yu The Man!

The Blue Jays reportedly entered a "monster bid" approaching $50 million and won the Yu Darvish sweeps, according to reports. Yu nearly broke Twitter Friday night after George King of the New York Post reported the Jays were the front-runner. If the Nippon Ham Fighters formally accept the offer, Toronto has 30 days to negotiate a major-league contract with Darvish, a 6-foot-5 sensation with a career 1.99 ERA.


"We'd become a 95-game winner overnight," a long-time member of the Blue Jays organization told me today. "We'd be in the playoffs."

It's looking like a sweet day for Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos, who's gone hard after international free agents, winning some (Adeiny Hechavarria) and losing some (Aroldis Chapman). Darvish is considered a more polished pitcher than his Japanese predecessors. My quick scouting report based on these video highlights and discussions from the experts: What stands out is the athletic body and power arm. Throws 93-95-mph with an array of off-speed stuff. Imposing, aggressive. Really mixes the speed of his pitches and sets up hitters with a plan of attack. He's still rather lanky and will add some muscle and sustain velo ... However, let's not mold a plaque for Cooperstown just yet. Remember Dice-K mania and his so-called "gyro-ball" that had everyone so excited? Well, the Red Sox paid $51.1 million on Dice's posting fee and rolled craps. Not sure you could find many Red Sox fans who believe the 100-plus million now spent on Dice-K was financially worth it.

Red Sox part ways with Varitek

THE CAPTAIN took a kick in the gut when the Red Sox reached a contract agreement with Kelly Shoppach today. Just like that, Jason Varitek's 15-year playing career with the Red Sox was over. It has to hurt. I mean, Shoppach can't hit -- and Varitek can do that. 'Tek played 1,488 games behind the dish, the most in club history, and had the fourth-longest interrupted Red Sox career behind Yaz, Ted Williams and Jim Rice.


Varitek wants to continue playing, but it's not looking promising. The Blue Jays and Tigers needed backups but signed Jeff Mathis and Gerald Laird, respectively. Varitek, who turns 40 in April, really fought the laws of life at the end of  2011. His knee was killing him, and he ended up throwing out just 14 percent of base swipers ... Email me if you want some free swag, graymatter11@aol.com. That's right, old-school AOL.