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Friday, November 27, 2009
Will he stay or will he go?
For the foreseeable future, the Boston Red Sox will always be a big player in the free agent and trade markets. As much as Red Sox fans hate to admit it, their team exhibits a lot of the traits they used to decry about the Yankees.
When they see a player they want, they make an effort to get him, sometimes at all costs.
And that’s why, for as long as he’s a prospect in the Red Sox organization, Portsmouth’s own Ryan Westmoreland will continue to be mentioned in possible trades.
So when we hear that the Red Sox plan to take a shot at trading for Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay, don’t be surprised if Westmoreland’s name surfaces as part of a potential deal, as it did when Toronto shopped Halladay last season.
The same goes for any other major trades the Red Sox might pursue. Clearly they value Westmoreland, as evidenced by the $2 million signing bonus they’re paying him, but sellers in the trade market love prospects. And as far as prospects go, few in the Red Sox organization are as promising as Westmoreland.
I’m sure most of Portsmouth is with me in hoping that he stays put and, eventually, makes his major league debut in a Red Sox uniform.
(Although if he were traded to the Brewers, that would be my second choice.)
But the reality is that baseball is, above all, a business, and if the Red Sox see dealing Westmoreland as a solid business move, they’ll pull the trigger.
Unfortunately, for as long as Westmoreland is a pro baseball player, he and his family and friends will have to deal with the stress and uncertainty that goes along with being potential trade bait.
When they see a player they want, they make an effort to get him, sometimes at all costs.
And that’s why, for as long as he’s a prospect in the Red Sox organization, Portsmouth’s own Ryan Westmoreland will continue to be mentioned in possible trades.
So when we hear that the Red Sox plan to take a shot at trading for Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay, don’t be surprised if Westmoreland’s name surfaces as part of a potential deal, as it did when Toronto shopped Halladay last season.
The same goes for any other major trades the Red Sox might pursue. Clearly they value Westmoreland, as evidenced by the $2 million signing bonus they’re paying him, but sellers in the trade market love prospects. And as far as prospects go, few in the Red Sox organization are as promising as Westmoreland.
I’m sure most of Portsmouth is with me in hoping that he stays put and, eventually, makes his major league debut in a Red Sox uniform.
(Although if he were traded to the Brewers, that would be my second choice.)
But the reality is that baseball is, above all, a business, and if the Red Sox see dealing Westmoreland as a solid business move, they’ll pull the trigger.
Unfortunately, for as long as Westmoreland is a pro baseball player, he and his family and friends will have to deal with the stress and uncertainty that goes along with being potential trade bait.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Middletown beats Portsmouth
Ace reporter Josh Krueger, who is on the road to New Hampshire for a Thanksgiving feast, just informed me that the Middletown football team ended its 13-year losing streak to rival Portsmouth with a 19-13 road victory.
Details to follow ...
Hope all are having a nice Thanksgiving.
Details to follow ...
Hope all are having a nice Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Rogers loses 26-20 in overtime to St. Raphael
Trevor Vasey scored on a quarterback sneak from a yard out to lift host St. Raphael Academy to a 26-20 win in overtime over Rogers in Pawtucket on Wednesday night at Max Read Field.
Damion Rodrigo had two touchdowns on 1-yard runs and Christian Savage romped 51 yards for the Vikings' other touchdown in the Division I pairing.
Rogers piled up 355 rushing yards, with Savage amassing 193 yards on 32 carries.
Rogers finished its season at 2-9 overall, 2-6 in Division I.
Damion Rodrigo had two touchdowns on 1-yard runs and Christian Savage romped 51 yards for the Vikings' other touchdown in the Division I pairing.
Rogers piled up 355 rushing yards, with Savage amassing 193 yards on 32 carries.
Rogers finished its season at 2-9 overall, 2-6 in Division I.
Thanksgiving updates
Not going to tonight's Rogers-St. Raphael game in Pawtucket? Not heading out to Portsmouth or Tiverton on Thanksgiving morning? Check back here for updates after the games.
Any predictions?
Portsmouth has beaten Middletown in 13 straight years, but the Islanders have perhaps their best team in recent years. The Patriots, meanwhile, are coming off a loss to Rogers, which lost 36-6 to Middletown in the season opener.
The Vikings are hoping to keep that momentum alive tonight against the Saints at Max Read Field. St. Raphael is having a tough go of it, just 1-6 in Division I.
Before Tiverton and Central Falls meet at midfield for their postgame feast, the Tigers are seeking their 11th straight win the the rivalry. And coach Bob Murray insists his team isn't looking forward to Tuesday's playoff opener.
Any predictions?
Portsmouth has beaten Middletown in 13 straight years, but the Islanders have perhaps their best team in recent years. The Patriots, meanwhile, are coming off a loss to Rogers, which lost 36-6 to Middletown in the season opener.
The Vikings are hoping to keep that momentum alive tonight against the Saints at Max Read Field. St. Raphael is having a tough go of it, just 1-6 in Division I.
Before Tiverton and Central Falls meet at midfield for their postgame feast, the Tigers are seeking their 11th straight win the the rivalry. And coach Bob Murray insists his team isn't looking forward to Tuesday's playoff opener.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Heart of the Lions
Who could have guessed Browns-Lions would be, arguably, the most entertaining game in Week 11? Two one-win teams took the field battling for, well, pretty much nothing.
Admittedly, I didn't watch the whole game. Why would I, especially when my Packers were playing at the same time? But I did see the end, and I'm glad I switched over.
Down to their last play, or so we thought, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford ran around behind the line of scrimmage for, seemingly an eternity before hurling a pass in the end zone while taking a nasty hit.
The pass fell incomplete, but the Browns were flagged for pass interference, giving the Lions one play from the 1-yard line with no time on the clock.
After taking the afforementioned hit, Stafford stayed down, and eventually was helped off the field, grimmacing in pain while his left shoulder hung at his side. Backup Daunte Culpepper came on to the field to lead the Lions on the final play.
Stafford, however, was able to re-enter the game thanks to a Browns timeout (nice call, Mangenius) and threw a touchdown pass, his fifth of the day, to tight end Brandon Pettigrew.
An extra point later, Lions win 38-37.
It was quite the enjoyable game for me on two fronts. Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, a proud member of my Disgruntled Goat fantasy football team, caught seven passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. And, more importantly, I picked the Lions to win, unlike Scott Barrett, who for the second straight week was on the wrong side of a one-point game. So, I now boast a three-game lead over Scott in our friendly Daily News competition, and Rick McGowan moved into second place, one game ahead of Scott.
What a game!
Admittedly, I didn't watch the whole game. Why would I, especially when my Packers were playing at the same time? But I did see the end, and I'm glad I switched over.
Down to their last play, or so we thought, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford ran around behind the line of scrimmage for, seemingly an eternity before hurling a pass in the end zone while taking a nasty hit.
The pass fell incomplete, but the Browns were flagged for pass interference, giving the Lions one play from the 1-yard line with no time on the clock.
After taking the afforementioned hit, Stafford stayed down, and eventually was helped off the field, grimmacing in pain while his left shoulder hung at his side. Backup Daunte Culpepper came on to the field to lead the Lions on the final play.
Stafford, however, was able to re-enter the game thanks to a Browns timeout (nice call, Mangenius) and threw a touchdown pass, his fifth of the day, to tight end Brandon Pettigrew.
An extra point later, Lions win 38-37.
It was quite the enjoyable game for me on two fronts. Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, a proud member of my Disgruntled Goat fantasy football team, caught seven passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. And, more importantly, I picked the Lions to win, unlike Scott Barrett, who for the second straight week was on the wrong side of a one-point game. So, I now boast a three-game lead over Scott in our friendly Daily News competition, and Rick McGowan moved into second place, one game ahead of Scott.
What a game!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Just win, baby!
The Raiders pulled out an improbable win today against AFC North leader Cincinnati, which means the Patriots could be in line for a bye in the first round of the playoffs. They're both 7-3 on the season. The San Diego Chargers, who have won five straight, are also 7-3 and lead the AFC West.
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