Yankee Fan Kills Sox Fan,Sports Violence Spiral Continues

This is a horrendous story, and though the details are still somewhat sketchy, it appears an inebriated Yankees fan killed a Red Sox fan with her car following a rivalry-related argument.

Though some initial reports claim the root of the incident has more to do with other factors outside their hometown teams, the possibility of a bitter sports rivalry leading to someone's death is a scary thought.

A few months ago, a Bostonian Yankees fan was hospitalized after being jumped by four Red Sox fans, simply because the man was wearing a Yankees cap. There is no winning side regarding behavior as despicable as these two incidents.

If a human-being is so demented in his fanhood for a particular professional sports team that he or she resorts to physical violence, their allegiance has become a mental disorder.

Talking some trash to a rival fan is not uncommon or dangerous, but every mentally stable person understands the broad line between ribbing an opponent and resorting to physical aggression. Such behavior gains nothing but prison sentences, embarrassment and some hospital bills.

Get a life outside of baseball, because when your team wins a championship, they won't be sending you a ring.

Prior To The Popes Stadium VisitComes UFC #84

What a great reason to go to a game.

Talking smack to a rival fan is expected. Middle-aged men throwing haymakers is excessive. Both taking place during a baseball game is ex-convict.

[Warning: NSFW]

BoSox Vote To Boycott Japan Trip

UPDATE: "Mike Lowell has told The Boston Globe the team voted unanimously not to take the field for their final spring training game or to board the plane later Wednesday for Japan."

Remember a few weeks ago when Red Sox GM Theo Epstein called Mike Mussina a "bad apple" for complaining about an upcoming trip to play exhibitions in Japan. Epstein said his organization would make no such complaints. Well, according to ESPN, the Boston brigade has threatened to boycott their trip to the Rising Sun if their coaches are not paid $40,000 a piece. Pot, allow me to introduce you to Mr. Kettle:

The sense of international goodwill Major League Baseball was hoping to spread with the Boston Red Sox-Oakland Athletics trip to Japan has been threatened before the plane even leaves the tarmac.

At issue is whether the Red Sox coaches will be paid $40,000 each -- the same as each player will be getting -- for the Japan appearance, which includes two exhibition games as well as two games that will count in the standings.

According to the Boston Herald, the Red Sox will hold a players-only meeting Wednesday morning about the situation. The players are prepared to respond to Major League Baseball with an ultimatum -- if the coaches aren't paid, the Red Sox players will not get on the plane to go to Japan, the Herald reported.

Ok, Theo, we'd like that apology written in Chowder on a Fenway Frank wrapper.

Santana Was Almost A Texan

According to Sports Illustrated, Johan Santana and Torii Hunter were close to becoming Texas Rangers this offseason. Something tells me the Rangers never came quite as close to acquiring the Twins twosome as they lead on.

Several weeks before Santana went to the Mets, the Texas Rangers came very close to making a blockbuster trade for the superstar pitcher, people familiar with those talks say.

The Rangers kept their intentions and progress remarkably quiet this winter, but sources indicate that they were actually the most aggressive early pursuer of Santana, who they viewed him as a rotation-transforming pitcher. Some are suggesting now that they believe the Rangers would have been willing to pay Santana as much or more than the $137.5 million, six-year contract -- or technically, $124 million, five-year extension -- he got from the Mets.

Indications are that Texas' trade discussions with the Twins progressed to the point where there was either agreement or near agreement on the young players going back to Minnesota. At that point, executives involved in the talks believed that the trade was very likely to be consummated if only Santana gave a more enthusiastic response when Twins higher ups quizzed him about whether he'd accept a trade to the Rangers.

Word is, Santana actually thought about the Rangers long enough to have quizzed his long-time Twins teammate Torii Hunter, a free agent, about his own intentions. But it appears that when Hunter, a resident of Prosper, Texas, and close friend of Rangers manager Ron Washington, was noncommittal about whether he'd sign with the Rangers (he eventually signed with the Angels), Santana appears to have followed Hunter's lead.

Also from Jon Heyman's column comes a tidbit on Andy Pettitte in which the SI scribe writes it was Brian Cashman - and not Pettitte - who canceled his last Spring Training start "as a precaution."

Heyman also says "Boston isn't expecting miracles from Bartolo Colon."

Sox Scout Caught With His Pants Down, Literally

This is some sick s***, even for a Red Sox.

A Boston Red Sox scout was arrested, accused of masturbating at the window of his hotel room in front of two women and two underage girls at the swimming pool, records show.

Jesse Levis, 39, faces two felony charges for committing lewd and lascivious acts in front of children under the age of 16.

Two more charges are expected because of the two older women. Port St. Lucie police and U.S. Marshals arrested him at a Fairfield Suites in Melbourne Monday evening, a day after the manager at Port St. Lucie’s Springhill Suites called police and kicked him out of his hotel.

According to an arrest report, the two girls, age 13 and 14, told police they had been swimming at the pool around 7 p.m. Sunday with their father when they saw Levis standing naked and masturbating at the window of his second-floor hotel room, which overlooks the pool.

Two older women, ages 20 and 29, also saw Levis, thinking at first he was just “checking them out,” the report said. Levis had been at the window about 40 minutes, the witnesses told police.

That's got to be pretty embarrassing for Boston. Considering today's news of four Sox fans hospitalizing a lone Yankees fan [and Boston resident], suffice to say this is not a good day for Red Sox Nation, huh Mr. Henry.

Stay Classy Sox Fans

According to the Cambridge Chronicle, a mob of Red Sox fans hospitalized a single man because he was wearing a Yankees hat in a Cambridge bar. The man was out with his girlfriend when the cowardly bunch approached him and started a fight because of the interlocking NY on his cap.

The official start to the 2008 baseball season is about a month away, but the age-old rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox is already getting ugly.

A group of men — some with Irish accents — beat up a 23-year-old Cambridge man and sent him to the hospital after they spotted him sporting a Yankees baseball cap.

Witnesses told police the group of apparent diehard Red Sox fans beat up the victims after an argument inside a Central Square bar. The group then ran away on Mass. Ave. towards Harvard Square.

The Yankees fan was transported to the hospital March 2 at 1:41 a.m. for medical treatment for head injuries, including swelling over his entire face and several facial cuts, according to police reports.

The victim’s sobbing girlfriend told police the couple went to the Cantab Lounge at 738 Mass. Ave. midnight Saturday. The couple was inside the bar for a while when a large group of people came up to them and started arguing with the victim because he was wearing a New York Yankees baseball cap, according to police reports.

Is John Henry going to revoke their RSN membership cards now?

Hankenstein Bashes BoSox, ESPN

From an upcoming magazine interview comes Hank Steinbrenner's jabs thrown at the Boston Red Sox, its fans and ESPN.

"Red Sox Nation?" Hank Steinbrenner said in an interview with The New York Times' Play magazine. "What a bunch of [expletive] that is. That was a creation of the Red Sox and ESPN, which is filled with Red Sox fans.

"Go anywhere in America and you won't see Red Sox hats and jackets, you'll see Yankee hats and jackets. This is a Yankee country. We're going to put the Yankees back on top and restore the universe to order."

Yeah, you're not like your father at all Hank. Not that telling it like it is is wrong.

NY Times Q&A With Gammons. Wow, a whole five questions with Red Sox relic ESPN columnist Peter Gammons. The Boston beaneater made good points on the Roger Clemens saga, Barry Bonds' future and the Yankees young starters. Then, there was this:

Q: The Yankees s New York tood pat in the offseason, while some contending teams like the Mariners and Tigers made drastic improvements. Do you think the Yankees could miss the playoffs?

A: There's a risk because Toronto is going to be really good if A.J. Burnett and B.J. Ryan come back. The AL East is so deep. [If] Scott Kazmir is healthy, the Devil Rays, Jays and [Red] Sox are three teams in your division you don't want to play. I don't think that's true in any other division. I am sure it has Hank Steinbrenner very concerned.

So, according to Gammons, the AL East is going to be good. Where would we be without these Diamond Notes?

Larry Lucifer Won't Retire Clemens Jersey. The man who coined "The Evil Empire" label regarding the Yankees, Larry Lucchino, is reconsidering the idea of immortalizing Roger Clemens in Beantown:

Once an icon in the game, Clemens is now a baseball pariah. Now comes evidence that the Red Sox may be backing off their efforts at rapprochement.

While the organization had spoken in broad terms about holding a special day to honor to Clemens and perhaps even retire his number, those plans are now on hold.

“I seemed to remember some talk about that,” confirmed Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino yesterday, noting that former vice president of public affairs Charles Steinberg spearheaded the discussions. “But since that time, there’s been nothing further. I know there are no plans at this point (to do anything).”

Schilling Gets Shot In Shoulder

The first step of Curt Schilling's rehab program - instead of his doctor's reccommended surgery - occured yesterday when the pitcher received a cortisone shot. While the Red Sox team physician believes the rehabilitation should be successful, Dr. Craig Morgan has not beaten around the bush on the issue:

Curt Schilling received a cortisone shot in his right shoulder on Friday, beginning a treatment plan the Boston Red Sox hope will bring the right-hander back before the end of the season, according to the Boston Globe.

The pain-killing shot would allow Schilling to begin rehabbing an injured shoulder tendon -- the Red Sox' team physician believes the tendon is damaged, not torn, and that rehabilitation gives Schilling his best chance to play this year.

Schilling's physician, Dr. Craig Morgan, disagrees, saying the tendon is torn and requires surgery.

On Saturday, Morgan said he could not confirm that Schilling had received the cortisone shot, but repeated his opinion that the team's recommended course of action is doomed to fail.

He said that within a couple of weeks of the shot, "[Schilling] won't even be able to exercise."

Ouch.

Schilling Needs Shoulder Surgery?

According to the Boston Herald, Curt Schilling may need surgery for what is being reported as a labrum or rotator-cuff injury.

From Rotoworld:

Schilling is done after this year, so we don't see why he'd undergo surgery. Unless he's reconsidering and wants to extend his career beyond 2008, then he'll have to try to pitch through the problem. According to the Herald, the Red Sox are already exploring the possibility of voiding Schilling's contract. They could decide to make a run at Kyle Lohse or take a flier on Bartolo Colon or Freddy Garcia if they don't think Schilling will make it back.

This could be a big loss in terms of losing a veteran stabilizer in the Red Sox rotation. Boston's multitude of young starting pitchers could prove capable of filling in for his innings, though the acquisition of a Kyle Lohse type seems the more likely alternative.

Twins Offer Santana $100 Million

According to WFAN's Mike Francesa, the Twins upped their offer to Johan Santana but he turned down a five year extension worth $100 million. Including the $13 million Santana would make this season, the total value of the contract would work out $113 million over the next six years.

Meanwhile, WFAN contributer and SI columist Jon Heyman believes the Yankees are out on Santana and the Mets remain the frontrunners.

The long-running Johan Santana sweepstakes, which may be coming to a conclusion within days, appear now to be a two-team race between the Mets and Red Sox. While this derby has taken several twists and turns and has been difficult to predict, the Twins appear to be in more regular contact with the Mets in recent days, which could be an indication that they are leading as the finish line approaches.

Some baseball officials believe an agreement on the players could be struck as early as Tuesday. But even if the Twins and Mets agree on player compensation, the Mets will have to lure Santana with a multiyear deal. Santana has a full no-trade clause and the power to veto any deal.

Meanwhile, the Yankees have told the Twins that they will now no longer include young pitcher Phil Hughes in any deal and appear to be just about out of the running now, if not completely out.

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Neal: Twins To Soon Ask For 'Final Answer'

Where's a Regis Philbin joke when you need one. According to Twins rumor mongerer La Velle Neal, Minnesota will soon ask the Yankees, Red Sox and Mets for their final offers on Johan Santana. Neal refutes Buster Olney's report yesterday which declared Jon Lester off the trading table.

Indications from Twins officials are that this is a critical week in the Johan Santana sweepstakes.

The club has not set any hard deadlines yet but may soon tell the teams most interested in Santana -- the Mets, Yankees and Red Sox -- that it's time for them to step up with their best offers for the two-time Cy Young Award winner.

Twins officials over the weekend maintained that all three teams remain interested in Santana. They also disputed reports that lefthander Jon Lester has been taken out of any Red Sox package. Boston still is believed to have different packages under consideration, one led by Lester and the other led by outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury.

The Twins would like a package from the Yankees that includes righthander Phil Hughes and outfielder Melky Cabrera -- an option that some Twins players quietly prefer.

There is always the possibility that the Yankees return their offer based around Hughes and Melky, though that possibility seems to shrink with every day passed.

The question now is whether the Twins and Yankees would be willing to assemble and accept an offer of say Ian Kennedy, Alan Horne, Melky Cabrera and Jeff Marquez. Only Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner can really answer that one.

Walters: Hughes Is Off The Table

Today, Charley Walters of The Pioneer Press echoed Minneapolis colleague, Joe Christenen, in asserting the Mets as the most likely destination for Johan Santana. Unfortunately, until any deal is finalized between Minnesota and a potential trading partner, reports of who's "in the lead" seem fruitless.

For Yankees fans, the most important morsel from Walters' piece are expressed in a mere four words: "No more Phil Hughes." Considering Hughes reported early to Spring Training, purchased a condominium in the Tampa area and has created a weblog with which to engage Yankees fans, all support the idea that the 21 year-old phenom is Bronx bound.

From the article:

The Twins say they're not panicking while holding out for the best deal for Johan Santana. But word within baseball circles is that offers by the New York Yankees (no more Phil Hughes) and Boston Red Sox are diminishing by the week. Best bet now for a trade of the two-time Cy Young Award winner appears to be with the New York Mets in a deal that would not include fast-rising hitter Fernando Martinez.

The Mets completing a trade for Santana which does not include F-Mart has to be seen as a major victory for Omar Minaya and the Mets. For Bill Smith, however, any deal excluding the top Mets prospect would mean defeat for the newly appointed Twins GM.

2004 World Series BoSox Player Used PEDs?

Everyone's favorite pessimist, Steve from WasWatching.com, came across a nice little nugget. Apparently, at the close of the radio show hosted by Kevin Kennedy and Ron Dibble, Kennedy said he witnessed a member of the 2004 Red Sox championship team inject himself with performance-enhancing-drugs.

On the drive home tonight, from work, I caught the very last minutes of The Show on X-Radio (MLB Home Plate) with Rob Dibble and Kevin Kennedy.

At that time, Kevin Kennedy was addressing a caller who had some thoughts on the Mitchell Report.

I was pretty surprised at what Kennedy had to say there. In wanting to make a point about the Mitchell Report not being the all-inclusive bible of naming PED users, Kevin Kennedy said that a current colleague of his, who was with the Boston Red Sox in 2004, told him that he (the colleague) witnessed, for a fact, a member of the '04 Red Sox injecting himself in the buttocks with a needle full of PEDs. Kennedy said that the user is no longer a member of the Red Sox - but, he was a player on the team that won the ring in 2004. As per Kennedy, his colleague said that the "user" was giving a demo (to the "colleague") on how to do the injection.

It's pretty interesting that Kennedy would throw this out there, in the last few minutes of a radio broadcast.

Gee, wonder why this player never appeared in the Red Sox Mitchell Report? Someone will look into this further, but Keith Foulke, Kevin Millar, come to mind and Gabe Kapler would be to easy, right?

If a former player can uncover this much, imagine what a senator not employed by the Boston Red Sox might uncover.

Did I Miss Something?

I know Melky Cabrera moving Johnny Damon to leftfield which subsequently pushed Hideki Matsui to designated hitter meant better outfield defense, but all of the Doug Mientkiewicz scoops in the world would not make me think of the 2007 Yankees fielding as anything resembling superb.

Baseball Musings seems to disagree:

Using six parameters to grade the probability of fielding a ball, the Web site BaseballMusings.com took a look at every batted ball - not counting home runs - and rated the Rays the worst fielding team in baseball in 2007. The Yankees and Red Sox were first and second, respectively.

Names like Julio Lugo and Jason Giambi cannot not be erased, no matter how many doubles Coco and Leche turned into put-outs.

Law: Insincere Sox

Keith Law of ESPN during his most recent chat:

H (Philly): What do you think about my conspiracy theory that Theo has not thought whatsoever of trading for Santana, but keeps throwing names out there and faking interest to try to get the Yankees to up the ante?

Keith Law: I've felt that way since the start. It's seemed a little half hearted to me. If the Red Sox were that serious, wouldn't it be done? Could the Twins be complicit in the conspiracy?

Like most of us have been saying all along, Law agrees Boston's supposed interest in Santana seems to be hollow, at best.

Surprise! Twins May Keep Johan

Johan Santana may be heading nowhere, and for a long time at that. The Pioneer Press reports the Twins front office is seriously considering retaining Santana, though a significant raise from their initial $93 million offer (including his 2008 salary) would be necessary.

The trade talks with both the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are stalemated, however, the President of the Minnesota Twins told the St. Paul Pioneer Press Wednesday the team is serious about keeping Johan Santana in the Twin Cities.

The Twins have offered Santana, who already is guaranteed $13 million for 2008, an additional four years for a guaranteed $80 million. That contract would make Santana the highest-paid pitcher in baseball with a multi year deal.

"That remains our goal, our first choice, and I'm not going to veer from that," Minnesota team president Dave St. Peter said. "We are comfortable with that scenario if that's the best thing for the Twins' organization. Right now, Johan Santana is our opening night starter against the Los Angeles Angels and Torii Hunter, and I like our chances (of winning)."

This is no shock, especially considering the strong possibility the Yankees have pulled Phil Hughes off the table and the Red Sox were only in the sweepstakes to up the ante. Last night, Minnesota columist La Velle Neal described the Santana talks as "dormant," and not just due to the impending holiday.

Barring the Mets offering Reyes or Wright or a huge bundle of prospects - or a mystery team like the Angels sweeping in - Minnesota may shock everyone and actually pony up the money for one of their no longer cost controlled stars.

Unfortunately, the idea that the best move for Twins GM Bill Smith is no move at all is hard to buy. There is certainly the possibility that the Twins are worried they've scared off their best suitors and are using the threat of signing Santana long term to bring them back to the table.

Some resolution to this ridiculous coup would be nice, hopefully it comes early in the new year.

Report: Santana Wants $140 M.

Johan Santana is reportedly seeking a contract no less than $140 million and seven years, says Sid Hartman of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

The agent for Johan Santana has told the Yankees, Red Sox and other teams interested in Twins star pitcher that the price to sign him is a minimum of seven years at $20 million per year, for a total of $140 million guaranteed.

Hardman continues to say the Twinkies want both Jacoby Ellsbury and Clay Buchholz. Seeing as the Sox won't part with a package containing both Ellsbury and Jon Lester, it's obvious they wouldn't pair the centerfielder with Buchholz.

Maybe the Sox can package Ellsbury, Lester and the 29 lap tops Clay boosted from his high school.

Yankees Set Monday Deadline

According to Jon Heyman, the Yankees have told Minnesota if they do not come to an agreement by the end of Monday, the bombers will retract their offer for Johan Santana.

From the SI.com article:

The Yankees have set a Monday deadline for the Twins to respond to their proposed trade of top young pitcher Phil Hughes, center fielder Melky Cabrera and a third prospect for superstar pitcher Johan Santana, SI.com has learned.

So assuming the Yankees strictly stick to their deadline, it is very likely there will be a resolution regarding Santana -- widely considered baseball's best pitcher -- by the end of Monday.

The Red Sox continue to put up their smokescreen, adding Jacoby Ellsbury to the mix, though a Red Sox trade proposal would only include one of Ellsbury and Jon Lester, essentially making their recent trade activity with Santana all the more transparent. Now, more than ever, Boston's hand has been tipped, revealing their sole intention to drive up the price for the Yankees.

Nothing wrong with such an action, as surely the Yankees would operate the same way if it were Boston who desperately needed an ace starting pitcher. However, once the hand is tipped [Red Sox], the potential trading partner [Twins] loses leverage on the other trade partner [Yankees], and considering this situation, Minnesota loses nearly all their leverage. After all, Santana wants to pitch in NY, has a full no-trade clause and is a free-agent at the end of the year.

* Meanwhile, during Hank Steinbrenner's supposed "last interview," the overzealous Lil' Stein was quoted as saying the most important thing he learned watching the Yankees system work in year's passed was "the mistake of trading young pitching."

When asked by Bill Madden why they were willing to offer up Phil Hughes now, Hankenstein responded "There's a big difference, Santana's only 28 and just coming into his prime."

Maybe all three parties realize there is only one legitimate trade-partner for Minnesota to discuss a Santana deal [Yankees] and consequently New York pulls back the current Hughes offer and stamps down a Melky, Kennedy, Horne and Tabata proposal. Take it or leave it.