Collector of Braun's Sample Refutes Mishandling Charge

Dino Laurenzi has collected more than 600 urine samples from MLB players. It was Friday around 5 PM when he collected 3 samples from 3 players on the Brewers. One of the samples was from Ryan Braun. No UPS store was still open at that hour. Therefore, Laurenzi kept the samples refrigerated, as per protocol, in his basement fridge.

The samples were shipped to Montreal for testing on the following Monday. The seal on each tube was still in tact & unbroken. There was no tampering with the evidence.

This poor lab tech has come under fire for doing his job as a professional. Too bad it's the little guy who always gets the short end of the stick. Braun should be sitting out the first 50 games this season - period.

Tito: No Alcohol a PR Move

I guess the gloves are off & Terry Francona is speaking his mind these days. Not long after commenting that Manny Ramirez was one of the worst human beings he ever met, Tito is now saying that the Red Sox ban on alcohol in the clubhouse is nothing more than a PR move.

Bobby Valentine defends the recent move by management & mentioned that 20 other clubs have similar policies in place. So it can't all be about PR.

I guess we won't play nice after all. Think Tito is still a little upset about the way things ended in Boston?

No Snitching This Year

ESPN Boston has an article about snitching on clubhouse antics by the pitching staff last year. It basically says there was a trust broken & some players, like Beckett, are still miffed over it. And the unspoken rule of what goes on in a clubhouse stays in the clubhouse may have to be addressed by Bobby V.

I get it. Yes, it was wrong for some discontented player to rat out teammates. Any player should be able to say & do things in the safety of the clubhouse that will not get out to the general public. I know I saw & heard a lot of things by players in my time as a player & a coach that will go down with me. No one needs to know.

But that's not the world we live in now. Every facet of life gets posted instantly to Facebook or Twitter. The sanctity of the clubhouse is just the next thing to go. There is no more privacy with social media. Everyone's most private matters become food for the public domain.

Why should this shock anyone?

Varitek to Retire

It's a good thing when a player can retire with his head high. And that's what Jason Varitek will do on Thursday.

Tek has caught more games than any other Red Sox catcher. He has the distinction of catching 4 different no hitters. And on & on.

Varitek helped Salty get acclamated to everyday catching duties in 2011. Tek is known primarily for his preparation before games & his knowledge of opposing batters. He was Josh Beckett's private catcher for a long stretch & helped bring along Buck & Lester earlier in their careers.

Jason Varitek was a iron man behind the plate. Like his counterpart in pinstripes, it was time for he & Posada to both retire this year after playing their entire careers with just one team.

Congrats to Jason on a great career! I'm sure he will stay around the Red Sox in some capacity.

Henry Apologizes to Crawford

Maybe John Henry was right to oppose the huge financial offer made to Carl Crawford last year. Henry & the Red Sox certainly didn't get their money's worth in year 1.

But it was wrong of Henry to come out against the signing once Crawford was a member of the team. He apologized to Crawford last week & Crawford accepted it.

OK, back to baseball now.

No Alcohol in Clubhouse Per Bobby V.

As David Ortiz said, "it ain't a bar."

Say what you want about Bobby V., but he is slowly bringing law & order, sensibility, whatever you want to call it back into the Red Sox clubhouse. Everyone rides the bus to practice. He watches workouts to be sure players are doing their work. And now no alcohol in the clubhouse.

I'm surprised the MLBPA hasn't filed a grievance yet. How dare someone make players work hard (which they should be personally motivated to do anyways) & actually earn their overinflated paychecks!

Keep going, Bobby! I love it. Maybe the talent that is on the field will show up for a full 6 months this year.

Ryan Braun Acquitted of PED Use

A positive test for PED's on NL MVP Ryan Braun was thrown out. The test sample was kept in a refrigerator over a weekend. I'm not sure how the fridge changed the results, but it was enough of a technicality for Braun to get off.

Did his NL MVP award have anything to do with it? Maybe. Braun is the first player to successfully fight the results of a positive drug test & a mandatory 50 game suspension. Look for everyone else who gets caught now to do the same thing.

Only Ryan Braun knows the truth.

A Word of Caution About Spring Training

Hope springs eternal as Spring Training begins in 2012. As workouts continue & games begin, true fans live & breath on every pitch, every hit, every play made in the field.

Please, please, please remember that Spring Training results have nothing to do with the results of the regular season. I remember J.D. Drew hitting the cover off the ball in Florida a few years ago before settling into a nothing year up north. There is no carryover into the regular season.

Pitchers & position players are there simply to get their work in & to get ready for the regular season. The best result is to have players get 6 weeks of work in without injury & be ready to start the season on game day #1. Remember Beckett getting hit in the head playing catch last year?

Maybe the pitchers will throw more innings after slow starts by Beckett & Lester each of the past 2 season. Maybe the regulars get more at bats than in the past to avoid a start like last April. But it's just fine tuning to be sure each player is ready to go.

Don't get crazy - please - over any game results, good or bad. We've been here before.

Ortiz: I'm No Babysitter

David Ortiz, Big Papi, spoke to the media the other day about the September collapse. He said his leadership style is not anything more than one employee talking to another employee. Big Papi is not a babysitter.

Is that leadership? I can remember coaching a college team with 2 seniors as co-captains. They were fantastic. If AP & Hooch are out there, you did a great job. They kept everyone going in the right direction & made the coaches jobs so much easier.

I'm not buying the "I'm no babysitter" comment. You are if you want to win. Man-up!

Where's Oswalt & Jackson?

Pitchers have reported to Spring Training & started workouts this week. No sign of free agents Roy Oswalt & Edwin Jackson, though.

Oswalt met with the Rangers, but he may be too expensive for Texas after they signed a big check to get Yu Darvish. The Sox don't seem to enough cash to interest the lifetime NL pitcher.

Edwin Jackson is an intriguing guy. He pitched in the AL East for the Rays in the past, but he too may be too expensive for teams at this point.

It's a poker game. With pitchers now in camp I look for Oswadt & Jackson to lower their asking price & blink first.

Sox Get Chris Carpenter for Theo

The Red Sox completed a trade with the Chicago Cubs to end their compensation war of 4 months over the transfer of Theo Epstein.

Per the Sox website Chris Carpenter, 26, is power pitcher who may be useful to the Sox as another bullpen arm. The Sox will also get another player to be named later, as well as send a player to be named later to the Cubs. It's a 2-for-1 deal.

Bobby Jenks goes on the 60-day DL to make room for Carpenter on the 40-man roster. Not a good sign for Jenks. But I like the fact that the Sox got a young arm with potential.

Manny Signs With the A's

Get ready. Act II of Manny-world is returning to California.

Manny Ramirez signed a minor league contract with the Oakland A's this week. He will get $500,000 with incentives if he makes the big team. That's down quite a few pay grades from his $20 million a year salaries with the Red Sox & Dodgers. And he still needs to serve a 50-game suspension, knocked down from 100, for violations of the MLB PED policy.

Good luck, Billy Beane & Co. You must be really hard up to put fans in the stands by signing the freak show that is Manny Ramirez.

A.J. Exiled to Pittsburgh

In another curious move - which was similar to the Cubs moving Zambrano to Miami earlier this year - the New York Yankees traded A.J. Burnett to the Pirates in exchange for 2 minor leaguers. The Yankees will also eat the majority of Burnett's remaining $33 million contract.

How bad an influence was A.J. to warrant being exiled to a last place team? It must have been pretty bad. It's no secret that he & Joe Girardi were not on the best terms with each other.

It's been a weird off-season for the pinstripes. Even though they acquired 2 new pitchers in Kuroda & Pineda, you would think that they would keep Burnett since established pitching is so hard to find. Earlier in the off-season, they traded their best prospect, who was previously untouchable, for an unproven pitcher in Pineda.

I still say if 290 lb. CC goes down, the whole team goes down with him.

Beckett & Lester Admit Fault for September

It's finally in the open. And it's finally over. Rest in peace, September 2011.

Both Josh Beckett & Jon Lester admitted that they were not at their athletic best last September - either on or off the mound. Their apology to fans & teammates will put an end to a miserable ending to the 2011 season.

Have things changed? Both reported early this year. Both are ready to make amends with a better effort in 2012. Only time will tell. At least it's a fresh start.

But, make no doubt about it. They know all eyes are watching them this year.

It's Time for Lester & Buchholz to Step Up

It's fun to watch baseball broadcasts get started again. There is always an excitement to the start of Spring Training at this time of year. Pitchers & catchers report tomorrow.

As I watched my first few sports shows, most question marks in 2012 for the Sox are not about who will play short or who will play right. It's about whether or not our starting pitchers on the Red Sox can match up to the competition from New York & Tampa Bay.

In my opinion they can, but I am assuming that this is the year that Jon Lester & Clay Buchholz become the 1-2 punch in the starting rotation. It's their time. Josh Beckett had his time in 2007. John Lackey had his time in 2009 with the Angels. And Dice-K had his time in the World Baseball Classic.

Jon Lester needs to stop walking people when he can't throw his cutter for a strike. He has a plus fastball & a plus curveball to get batters to 2 strikes. Try the cutter when you are ahead in the count. Use another pitch to get the out. And don't try to strikeout every batter.

Clay Buchholz just needs to stay healthy. He has great command of 4-5 pitches, none more lethal than his changeup. (Maybe he can teach the change to Lester.) In 2010 I remember an interview where Buck stated that he is not trying to "K" every batter anymore. He would rather fool the batter early in the count & get a weak ground ball or fly ball, saving his pitches to keep his count down & go deeper into games.

Move over Beckett & Lackey. It's time for Buck & Lester to lead the way on the mound in 2012.

Wake Calls It A Career

It was time. And Tim Wakefield knew it.

Tim Wakefield retired yesterday as the 3rd winningest pitcher in Red Sox history. He played 19 seasons in the big leagues & retires at the age of 45.

It's a hard thing to know when it's time to hang up the spikes. Maybe he should have done so a year ago before the start of 2011 in many opinions (including mine). Maybe it's a different outcome last year if it doesn't take Wake 8 tries to win #200. But it's over now.

Wake will be remembered as the guy who gave up the home run to Aaron Boone in 2003. But I'll remember 2004 & seeing Wake stand in Yankee Stadium victorious this time around. It was sweet revenge.

Nice career, Wake. Maybe a little too long, but nice career.

Gary Carter Dead At 57

I turned 60 earlier this year. My daughter asked me if I felt any different. I said I feel like each day now is a bonus.

Hearing the news that Gary Carter passed away at 57 reminded me of that. Watching all the clips of his sports career, including the '86 World Series against the Red Sox, showed what a force Gary was on the baseball field.

Carter's passing brought up memories for me of Mike Flanagan's demise last year. Mike was only 59. It's hard to picture these guys who were so full of life & enthusiasm not to be with us any longer.

What's that t-shirt saying? Life is short, play hard. Unfortunately, sometimes it's true. Rest in peace, Gary Carter.

Tougher Spring Training This Year

Bobby Valentine believes that there are too many lazy people in Spring Training, per an ESPN article. His pre-season regimen at Jet Blue Park will be more intense than others in recent years under Terry Francona.

There is much evaluation of players needed, so Valentine is in favor of adding a few more games. Some players may not like the change (I know, shocking!), but the article quotes Clay Buchholz & Adrian Gonzalez as saying they like the new focus.

The fun starts in another week or so. Let's see who becomes the first sour apple.

A's Open Checkbook for Cespedes

The Oakland A's, a team known for moneyball & low payroll, shelled out $36 million over 4 years for Cuban sensation Yoenis Cespedes. The deal is subject to Cespedes getting a visa & passing a physical.

Who would have thought the A's? Miami Marlins were the rumored favorites to land Cespedes over several other MLB clubs. But, oddly enough, Billy Beane & Co. ponied up the most cash at $9 mil a year. Cespedes will also be an unrestricted free agent in 2015 when his contract expires.

It certainly hasn't been the typical year of Red Sox & Yankees outbidding each other for the best & brightest free agents. Nice to see some other teams enter the fray - Angels, Rangers, Marlins, Tigers & now the A's. Let's see if their deals work out any better over time.

Big Papi Avoids Arbitration

The Boston Red Sox & DH David Ortiz had a meeting of the minds just hours before his arbitration hearing. The Sox website says the club & slugger met at the midpoint for a 1-year, $14.575 million deal.

Good news for both sides. Big Papi could have gotten less via the arbitration hearing. And the Sox could have paid $2 million more.

Drama over for this year.

Red Sox Today

Monday, April 13th has a few things going on for the Red Sox.

I believe that David Ortiz is scheduled to have his arbitration hearing today. Big Papi will be the only Red Sox player going to arbitration if a compromised is not reached before his hearing. If it goes to arbitration, it means that the Red Sox have not extended Ortiz as he wished & that 2012 may be #34's last year in a Red Sox uniform.

Also, tonight on the MLB Network is an hour long conversation between Bobby Valentine & Bob Costas. You might say both Bob's have little man disease & make up for it with big personalities. Bobby V. has been criticized by many of the press, & even family & friends of mine, for his past antics as a manager. I say give him a chance. He's older & perhaps wiser now. Don't we all mello with time. The interview should be fun to watch.

Anyways, it should be an interesting day for the Red Sox.

Time for Wakefield & Varitek to Retire As Red Sox's

A few years ago Curt Warner, quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, had led his team to a Super Bowl appearance. Warner was in the twilight of his career in Arizona & he already had one Super Bowl ring with the St. Louis Rams - the greatest team on turf.

The following year was injury-plagued for the 40-ish year old. Warner was not able to put up numbers like in his past years. He still had one more year remaining on his contract worth $12 million.

Unlike any other pro athlete I remember in recent times, Warner walked away from another $12 million payday & retired. He said he did not feel he could play up to his standards any longer & he did not feel right about saddling the team with his contract or taking up a roster spot.

I think there is a lesson to be learned here for both Tek & Wake. Retire with dignity. Retire as a Red Sox.

Xander Bogaerts Versus Jose Iglesius

A prospect I hadn't heard of caught my attention - Xander Bogaerts. He is listed as one of the Sox top 20 prospects. And while it has taken Jose Iglesius longer than expected to get his offense together, watch for top prospect Xander Bogaerts to push Jose for the future job at shortstop for the Sox.

Unlike Iglesius who is 5'9" at best, Bogaerts is 6'3".

Iglesius is from Cuba. Bogaerts is from Aruba.

Unlike Iglesius who struggles on offense, Bogaerts has "an advanced bat & raw power" per the Sox website.

Unlike Iglesius who is a defensive specialist, Bogaerts is working to improve his defense.

Too bad we can't clone the 2 of them & come up with a Nomar in his hayday. But I'm glad to see that the Sox have an option to Iglesius in the system.

Where's the Truck?

My brothers get excited, like a lot of Red Sox fans, when the big truck leaves Fenway Park for Fort Myers. I understand that the truck may be leaving tomorrow.

The start of Spring Training signals the end of winter. This year, though, it's been mild & no snow. But New Englander know better to count out 1 or 2 big storms yet.

Let's move that truck!

Ortiz Wants to Settle & Avoid Arbitration

I thought that this was a nice title to an article on the website of the Red Sox. I'm thinking - great - Big Papi will sign for a year where he makes between $12 - $16 million.

But no. This is like watching a TV commercial where they offer you something "free." Have you seen Free Credit Report? It's free alright - after you sign up for 2 years of some service. If you here the word free in any ad, run the other way as fast as you can.

And the same is true here. Papi wants to avoid arbitration alright. But he wants to do so only if he gets a multi-year deal. There's the kicker.

Don't do it, Ben. Ortiz is benefiting enough from the arbitration offer - which you didn't need to do. Let him make more than a fair salary this year, then cut him loose. It's time to move on.

Gisele Rant Media Fodder

Emotions run high after any big game, especially by the losing team. The Super Bowl qualifies as a big game.

I can remember watching a high school playoff game that my daughter's soccer team lost on a penalty kick. I thought the call by the ref for a penalty kick was bogus & I let the ref know about it after the game. Things happen in the heat of the moment. I'm sure you can recall your parents or friends sticking up for you after a tough game.

But the media will run wild with Gisele's comments, even though it has already been said that she was baited by a Giants fan. One of the problems is that she is right - receivers let Brady & the team down. Welker, Branch & Hernandez would be the first to say that they could have performed better.

So let the press have their fun. It's what they do.

Giants Are Super Again

It's like deja vu. The New York Football Giants beat the New England Patriots for a 2nd time in the Super Bowl 21-17. This was a great game with momentum shifts by each team. But, in the end, the Giants outperformed & outplayed the Pats down the stretch. They were the better team & they deserve the Super Bowl ring. Gosh, that's hard to say...

When the first offensive play from scrimmage for Tom Brady results in a safety, you know it is going to be a long day. Brady came back to engineer a beautiful 96 yard drive with a TD toss to Danny Woodhead before halftime to give the Pats a 10-9 lead. Another TD pass to Aaron Hernandez would build the lead to 17-9 before the Giants would kick 2 field goals & cut the lead to 17-15.

The Pats offense would sputter on their final 2 possessions. Brady delivered catchable balls to Welker, Hernandez & Branch that were all dropped. Manning & the Giants, however, made good their final drive which was highlighted by a picture perfect throw & catch from Manning to Hicks for 50 yards. An inadvertant score by Bradshaw, making it 21-17 Giants, gave the Patriots another chance to win the game. But the final play was a Hail Mary in the end zone that was tipped away. Game over.

Say what you want, but Eli Manning delivered & can now show big brother Peyton 2 rings to his one. Who's the better QB in the family now?

And a season that no one thought would see the Patriots return to the Super Bowl ended one win short for the memory of Myra Kraft. The Patriots gave it all they had.

Football is over for another year. It's onto baseball now.

Super Sunday Almost Here

Are you tired of the hype yet? I've never seen so many reporters come out of the woodwork. I saw Jim Rome on a set with 3 other guys yesterday.

If you can put aside the hype, a re-match of the Patriots & Giants, Boston vs. New York, is a great Super Bowl XLVI. If the Patriots defense could have gotten off the field, if the catch by Plaxico doesn't get made, if Eli gets sacked before throwing up his hail mary, we would have won the previous meeting. A lot of coulda, woulda, shoulda's. But the Giants did win.

I would expect another tight game that comes down to each team's last possession in the 4th quarter. I look for veteran guys like Brady, Welker, Branch, Wilford & Faulk to make a difference. My prediction is 20-17 Patriots. We even it up this time.

Ortiz Arbitration Ends Free Agent Signings

No more Cody Ross signings. Forget about Oswalt & Jackson.

The Red Sox must consider the possibility of losing arbitration with David Ortiz & the need to "pony up" more money for the coming year. The Red Sox offered $12.5 million. Big Papi wants $16.5 million. That $4 million spread cleans out the barrel of money left for additional player signings.

I never understood why the Sox offered Ortiz arbitration in the first place. There was no real market for him outside of Boston. They could have offered #34 one more year at his current salary of $12 - $13 million. I don't think another team would have offered him that much.

Maybe arbitration is payback for services previously rendered & a way to finish up the team's duty to an aging slugger in a respectful way. Regardless, Ortiz will empty the pot of money set aside for further signings this year. Other than a late trade, & we don't really have trading pieces left, the roster now is the roster for spring training.

Super Bowl Hype Continues

If you are already sick of the analysis, get ready for 4 more days of non-stop blah, blah, blah. Then you get another 6 hours of pre-game blah, blah, blah on Sunday. It is the Super Bowl way.

What shouldn't get overlooked is the game itself. Like the 2 earlier championship games between the Giants & 49ers & the Patriots & Ravens, it should be one helluva game. First half feeling each other out. Second half opening it up. 4th quarter coming down to the last possession.

Brady & little Manning. Belichick & Coughlin. Cruz & Welker. Jacobs & Green-Ellis. It has all the makings of a novel. The NFL couldn't have asked for a better finale to a year that started with a lockout.