Sox Institute Curious 'New' Policy On Toradol

The Red Sox announced a 'new' policy toward the anti-inflammatory drug Toradol. We think. The vaunted Boston medical staff (and we use that term advisedly) will still administer the drug to pitchers—just not all the time. I can hear the late, great Rodney Dangerfield now: "Hey, they've cut out some drugs altogether!".  While Toradol is classified as a legal drug by MLB, there was some controversy over its ubiquitous use. You may recall the disclosure that former Sox trainer Mike Reinold injected pitchers routinely—even though he is not a physician. Both Curt Schilling and Jonathan Papelbon acknowledged that they had used the non-steroidal drug routinely as members of the Carmine Hose. So, basically, all the Red Sox are saying is that they'll use it less often—and only when recommended by a doctor. Bully for them. We guess.

FN FILM REVIEW: 'Knuckleball!' A Hardball Treat

'Knuckleball!'
A film by Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg

Over the next several days, we will be giving away DVD copies of 'Knuckleball!". The film's producers—Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg—have managed to make a documentary film about the wackiest of pitches that is both informative and entertaining. That's because it's not just about the knuckleball—it's about the struggles of those very few men who have tried to master it in the big leagues. Just as the pitch itself is unpredictable, so were the careers of Tim Wakefield, R.A. Dickey, Phil Niekro, Charlie Hough and Belmont's own Wilbur Wood. The film primarily focuses on Wakefield and Dickey, but it also tells the tale of a camaraderie among all knucklers. This is more than a baseball movie, it's a movie about not giving up. As Niekro told Wakefield early in his career, "Accept your losses, but never accept defeat." We know the winners of our FenwayNation Trivia Contest will love the movie. For everyone else, you can order it online HERE.

MLB Should Have Known Of 'Anti-Aging' Scam

The recent revelations about professional baseball players obtaining performance-enhancing drugs from bogus "anti-aging" and "wellness" clinics in Florida was portrayed by some as something of a 'new' phenomenon. Once the news broke, MLB seemed to take it seriously and proceeded with its own investigation. Moreover, they are pressuring various media sources to give them information on the scandal. But even a cursory examination of the MLB-commissioned Mitchell Report—produced over five years ago—showed that the sport was warned of this issue even then. In the "Summary and Recommendations" section at the front of the report, we find the following: "Separately, a number of players reportedly purchased human growth hormone through “anti-aging” centers using dubious prescriptions written by physicians who never examined, or even met, the customers for whom they were writing prescriptions." Interesting, isn't it? Another interesting sidelight of the Mitchell Report was a 2000 incident involving then-Red Sox player Manny Alexander. Massachusetts State Police stopped a vehicle owned by Alexander (and loaned to some Red Sox employees). Steroids (addressed to Alexander) and syringes were found in the car. After negotiations with the union and a belated test, no charges were ever filed against Alexander. In some quarters, George Mitchell is criticized for not calling out Red Sox connections on this issue because of his relationship with the Boston owners. However, the Alexander disclosure clearly contradicts this view.

Sox Mulling Taking Bradley North With Team

Kim Klement /USA TODAY

Three things are forcing the Red Sox brass to seriously consider adding Jackie Bradley, Jr. to the Opening Day roster. First, and most important, the kid is playing his way onto the team. Even after an 0 for 1 yesterday, he's still hitting .444. Second, the increasingly likely scenario of having no David Ortiz or Stephen Drew by Opening Day. If Jonny Gomes becomes the DH, the team will need a left-fielder. Hello, Jackie! Third, the hue and cry of The Nation to let Bradley play and at least give fans something to look forward in this upcoming dismal season. So, all of this stacked against the 'downside' of a slightly earlier free agency date (2018 instead of 2019) makes for a no-brainer. If Bradley is going to be as good as we think, they'd have to extend him before free agency anyway. Or, they could send him down to the minors for at least 20 days this year to push free agency to 2019. Either way, the team has got to end its inane tradition of keeping talent in the minors too long. Bradley needs to be on this team. Now.

Teixeira Injury Mean Season-Ending Surgery?

Getty Images

The AARP Yankees got more bad news over the weekend. The injury to first baseman Mark Teixeira turns out to be much more serious than originally thought. The previously diagnosed 'wrist strain' morphed into a 'partially torn tendon sheath'—which could mean season-ending surgery. So, without Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson and Teixeira for a good stretch of time, the AL East might actually have a team worse than your 2013 Carmine Hose. Not to mention that fact that near-pensioners Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera are coming off serious 2012 injuries. Things could be a lot of fun at The Concrete Bunker On 161st Street.

Lester Is 'Pitcher Perfect' For 6; Sox Win, 5-1

AP Photo/Elise Amendola

Jon Lester has not yet been officially named as Boston's Opening Day starter—but you can pencil him in anyway. Yesterday, Lester hurled six perfect innings, dominating the Rays with his full array of pitches. The Red Sox ended up beating Tampa, 5-1. On the Spring, Lester is a dazzling 3-0, with a ridiculous 0.90 ERA. In 20 innings, the lefty has yielded just six hits, with opposing batters hitting just .092. And his strikeout-to-walk ratio is 4 to 1.
Offensively, the stars of yesterday's game were Jonny Gomes (3-3, 4 RBI) and Will Middlebrooks (two Wall doubles).

FN Trivia Contest: Earliest Sox To The Majors

We Have A Winner—Brad From Colorado!

Correct Answers:

2004: Ellis Burks (Debut on 4/30/87)
2007: Curt Schilling (Debut On 9/7/88)


Name the two players—one on the 2004 Red Sox and one on the 2007 Red Sox—who were the 'first to the majors' on their respective teams.

Sox Top Rays, 9-2; Aceves Starts Another Fued

Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images

The Red Sox pounded out 15 hits and Lyle Overbay, Ronald Bermudez, Blake Swihart and Mauro Gomez had two RBIs each as Boston spanked Tampa, 9-2 on Saturday. But the real fireworks came when 'Punch-O-Cini' Alfredo Aceves almost caused another brawl by plunking Sean Rodriguez. Aceves claimed it was a mistake, but kept jawing with Rodriguez as he reached first. The benches cleared and Aceves and Rodriguez had to be separated, but, in the end it made no difference. Aceves got his second win of the Spring. Also of note is the fact that Jose Iglesias went 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

Coming Soon! New FN Trivia For 'Knuckleball!'

Thanks to FilmBuff asnd MPI Media, FenwayNation can offer our readers the opportunity to win a DVD copy of the acclaimed documentary, 'Knuckleball! starring Red Sox great Tim Wakefield and NL Cy Young Winner R.A. Dickey. Also appearing in the film are Charlie Hough, former Sox pitcher Wilbur Wood, Jim Bouton, Tom Candiotti and Hall Of Famer Phil Niekro. We will challenge readers with three separate trivia questions over the next several days and each winner will get a copy of the film. So, keep checking in every day for your chance to win!