'Fenway Fanatics' Book Is Great Dad's Day Gift

You'll pardon a little self-promotion, but a new Red Sox book by Greg Pearson features your own FenwayNation Editor-In-Chief (who also wrote the Foreword to the book). The book, 'Fenway Fanatics: 50 Boston Red Sox Fans Tell Their Stories' also chronicles the stories a few other Sox fans who are a bit more famous than your humble scribe. Like Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart, Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne, University of Connecticut men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun and even Babe Ruth's granddaughter! We're absolutely sure your Dad will love reading it! Order it for him on Amazon HERE.

Carl Crawford Joins Josh Beckett On 15-Day DL

 Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

Two former Red Sox players involved in The Great Punto Trade have landed on the disabled list. After Josh Beckett was disabled (groin strain, tingling in his fingers), Carl Crawford was placed on the 15-day with a left hamstring strain. Crawford had been on fire, hitting .301 with five HRs and nine stolen bases. He is expected to miss up to two weeks. Bobby Valentine could not be reached for comment.

Yankee Fan Brutally Assaulted At Camden Yards

Matthew Fortese

We joke a lot on this site about the Yankees and their fans. But, when rooting for a baseball team spills over into violence, it crosses a line. On May 29th, a Maryland man, who happens to be a Yankee fan, was brutally assaulted at an Orioles-Nationals game at Camden Yards. Simply because he was wearing his Yankee hat, two morons decided to throw a beer at 25-year old Matt Fortese and his date. Then, these same two rocket scientists proceeded to attack Fortese and throw him over a railing to a 5-foot drop below. Fortese was quickly attended to, but was unconscious for almost a full minute before being revived. He suffered a skull fracture and was sent to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center. He is in stable condition in intensive care. The two assailants have been arrested and charged. It's incumbent upon all baseball fans to condemn this kind of mindless violence—no matter who the victim may be. This a game, people.

High MLB Draft Pick Tests Positive For Adderall

University of Oklahoma pitcher Jonathan Gray (a possible #1 pick in Thursday's draft) tested positive for the drug Adderall—without having a valid prescription for its use. In addition, Marshall University pitcher Aaron Blair also tested positive for the same drug. Adderall is often prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but it's also rumored to be the 'drug of choice' for many seniors during exams week. It's unclear how this will impact the upcoming draft order—although it could force some teams ahead of Boston (who picks at #7) to scoop some guys the Red Sox covet—like OF Clint Frazier or 3B Colin Moran.

Scant Details On Death On John Henry's Yacht

WBZ-TV, Christina Hager

As of this morning, no further details have been released by Boston Police surrounding the death of a man on board Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry's yacht. First, there has been no official declaration of the manner of death (although rumors have circulated about a suicide). Second, authorities have still not said who called emergency responders from the 164-foot Iroquois. Third, the victim has not yet been identified—only that he was between the ages of 28 and 30. Oddly, WBZ-TV reporter Christina Hager snapped a photo of Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis on board the yacht yesterday afternoon (see pic). Expect to hear a lot more about this bizarre incident in the near future.

Official Statement By Sox On Henry Yacht Death

CBS Boston Photo

The Red Sox issued an official statement regarding what was an apparent suicide on board the yacht owned by the team's Principal Owner John Henry. The 164-foot Iroquois was docked at 30 Rowes Wharf near the financial district on the Boston waterfront. The dead man—a crew member on the yacht—was reportedly in his late 20's or early 30's. No name has been released. In part, the team statement read as follows: "Earlier today, a crew member on the vessel, M/Y Iroquois, apparently took his life aboard the vessel docked at 30 Rowes Wharf. Mr. Henry and the members of the Boston Red Sox are saddened by the news and send deepest condolences to his family. Apparently only crew members were on board the vessel when the incident occurred."

Man Found Dead On John Henry's Yacht

According to a report in the Boston Globe, Boston Police are investigating the death of a man on board Red Sox owner John Henry's yacht, Iroquois. Reports are circulating that the individual may have been working on the 164-foot vessel that was docked at Boston's Rowes Wharf. Additional reports suggest the death may have been a suicide. Stay tuned for further information.

David Ortiz Leads DH All-Star Balloting

Photo by Brad Mangin

David Ortiz leads all candidates to be the designated hitter at July 16th's All-Star Game at Citi Field in Flushing Meadows. Dustin Pedroia is running in third position for the second base spot, and Mike Napoli also trails two others to start at first base. If he continues to lead the balloting, this would be Big Papi's ninth All-Star appearance. In 39 games this year, Ortiz is hitting .333, with 10 HRs and 36 RBIs. He has a .405 OBP and an OPS of 1.023. You can still vote on-line HERE.

Red Sox Move Up To #5 In Power Rankings

According to USA Today's MLB Power Rankings, the Red Sox have moved up two positions to the number five spot this week. Their next opponent (the Texas Rangers) are the only American League team ahead of Boston—moving down a spot to number two on the list. The new number one is the St. Louis Cardinals—who continue to feed their major league roster with blue-chip prospects. The Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves round out the other teams in the top five.