For Immediate Release

May 7, 2010

 

RED SOX ANNOUNCE MOTHER’S DAY EVENTS AND INITIATIVES FOR SUNDAY

Club will collaborate with Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Major League Baseball to raise Breast Cancer Awareness;

MLB-selected ‘Honorary Bat Girl’ to be honored as part of pre-game ceremonies;

Mother’s Day Walk in the Park presented by Red Sox Banking only at Bank of America to take place on Sunday morning

 

BOSTON, MA – The Boston Red Sox announced various events and initiatives for Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 9, 2010 at Fenway Park, including a Walk in the Park in the morning and evening activities to raise breast cancer awareness.  During pre-game ceremonies prior to the 8:05 p.m. game vs. the New York Yankees, the club will recognize a number of individuals who have been affected by the disease personally or have family members who are battling and/or surviving breast cancer.   The Red Sox are proud to be a part of The Mother’s Day “Going to Bat for Breast Cancer” initiative, a joint effort between Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Major League Baseball.

 

The announced events and initiatives are:

 

Mother’s Day Walk in the Park:  The Walk in the Park presented by Red Sox Banking only at Bank of America, will take place on Sunday, May 9 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.  This free-of-cost event gives fans an opportunity to bring their mothers to the ballpark and take a leisurely stroll on the warning track at America’s Most Beloved Ballpark.  Fans can have their photos taken with the 2004 and 2007 World Series Trophies and Wally the Green Monster who will be accompanied by Mama Monster.  Red Sox Alumni Bob Montgomery (9:00 – 10:00 a.m.) and Luis Tiant (10:00 – 11:00 a.m.) will also be present for autographs and photos as will Red Sox outfielder/infielder Bill Hall (10:00 – 11:00 a.m.).  Additionally, a face-painter and balloon artist will be at Fenway to provide entertainment to children and all mothers will receive carnations as they leave the park.  The entrance to the ballpark will be through Gate C.

 

Player Participation:  Red Sox players will join MLB players throughout the league on Sunday in sporting a pink ribbon on their home white uniforms to help raise breast cancer awareness.  Various players will also use pink wristbands and players who use Louisville Slugger bats will also be using customized pink bats stamped with the MLB breast cancer logo for a portion of the game.  Dugout lineup cards will also be pink.

 

Honorary Bat Girl:  Bridget Spence was chosen by Major League Baseball as the club’s Honorary Bat Girl for the game, and will be honored during pre-game ceremonies.  Spence was selected as part of an initiative to recognize incredible baseball fans who have “Gone to Bat Against Breast Cancer” in their daily lives where MLB chose one exceptional individual for each of the 30 teams.  Spence has been battling Stage 4 breast cancer for five years and is about to embark on clinical trials after conventional chemotherapy and surgery failed to slow down the aggressive growth of the tumor. 

 

Other Pre-Game and In-Game Activities:  20 individuals who are all breast cancer patients or their family members will make up a “pink zone” at Fenway Park on Sunday.  The Red Sox donated these game tickets to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, who invited these brave women and men to the game.   The group, which will be outfitted in special pink t-shirts, will also be recognized on the field during the pre-game ceremonies.  One of these individuals Angela Dias from Malden, MA will be delivering the Ceremonial First Pitch while another, Peter Devereaux from Andover, MA will say ‘Play Ball’ before the game.  Additionally, Gisela Johnson, daughter of an 11-year metastatic breast cancer survivor, will be performing the National Anthem and God Bless America.

 

A Komen-produced awareness video and important facts regarding the disease will run on the scoreboard throughout the game.  “Happy Mother’s Day” messages taped by Red Sox players will also be played on the centerfield videoboard during the game.

 

According to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, excluding cancers of the skin, accounting for more than 25% of cancers diagnosed in US women.  Breast cancer occurs in men as well, accounting for 1% of all breast cancer diagnoses.  Massachusetts has the 4^th highest incidence rate in the United States.  For Latina women breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths in Massachusetts.  Currently, there is neither a cure for breast cancer nor any known way to prevent it, making early detection key to survival.  Early detection can be an extremely effective tool: if breast cancer is found and diagnosed while still confined to the breast, the 5-year relative survival rate is 98 percent.

 

                                                       –RED SOX–

For Immediate Release 

April 5, 2010

  

RED SOX SIGN RIGHT-HANDED PITCHER JOSH BECKETT TO FOUR-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION

 

BOSTON, MA–The Boston Red Sox today signed right-handed pitcher Josh Beckett to a four-year contract extension through the 2014 season.  Terms were not disclosed.

 

The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Theo Epstein.

 

Beckett led the Red Sox staff with 17 wins in 2009 while posting a 3.86 ERA (91 ER/212.1 IP).  Named an All-Star for the second time last year (also 2007), the 29-year-old right-hander finished among American League leaders in winning percentage (2^nd, .739, 17-6), complete games (T-3^rd, 4), wins (T-4^th), strikeouts per 9.0 innings (5^th, 8.43), strikeouts (6^th, 199), innings (9^th, 212.1), opponent batting average (9^th, .244) and fewest walks per 9.0 innings (9^th, 2.33), and set career marks in innings, strikeouts and complete games.  At Fenway Park in 2009, he was 10-1 with a 3.59 ERA (43 ER/107.2 IP), finishing tied for the Major League lead in home wins.

 

Acquired by the Red Sox from the Marlins on November 24, 2005, Beckett signed a three-year extension in July of 2006 which included a club/vesting option for the 2010 season.  He has compiled a .657 winning percentage (65-34) in 123 starts with Boston since the start of the 2006 campaign, the fifth best mark in club history among hurlers with at least 70 decisions.  He ranks third in the American League with 724 strikeouts since 2006, fifth with 796.2 innings and tied for sixth with 123 starts while posting a 4.08 ERA (361 ER).  In that time, he is also second in the Majors with 34 wins on the road, one behind Carlos Zambrano.  Beckett earned 2007 Red Sox Pitcher of the Year honors from the Boston Chapter of the BBWAA after he led the Majors with 20 wins.

 

Originally selected by Florida in the first round (second overall) of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft, Beckett has posted a 106-68 record, 3.81 ERA (595 ER/1,405.2 IP), 1,331 strikeouts and 429 walks in 229 Major League appearances (226 starts) over parts of 10 seasons with the Marlins (2001-05) and Red Sox (2006-10).  He is sixth in the Majors with 1,194 strikeouts since the start of the 2003 campaign and joins Javier Vazquez as the only hurlers in baseball to record at least 150 strikeouts in each of the last seven seasons from 2003-09.  His 80 wins since 2005 are third in the Majors during that span.

 

In 14 career postseason games (13 starts), Beckett is 7-3 with a 3.07 ERA (32 ER/93.2 IP).  Among pitchers with at least 80.0 career postseason innings, he ranks with the leaders in opponent batting average (3^rd, .198) and on-base percentage (4^th, .253), base runners allowed per 9.0 innings (4^th, 8.84), and winning percentage (10^th, .700).  He has tossed three complete-game shutouts in the playoffs, tied with Mordecai Brown (1906-10) and Whitey Ford (1950-64) for second most all-time, one behind Christy Mathewson (1905-13).  Beckett was named MVP of the 2003 World Series with the Marlins and earned 2007 ALCS MVP honors with the Red Sox.

 

Beckett was honored by Children’s Hospital Boston with the 2009 Champions for Children Award and unveiled the Josh Beckett Treatment Room at Children’s Hospital in early 2009.  He has hosted the Beckett Bowl each of the last three years, benefitting the Josh Beckett Foundation and Children’s Hospital Boston.

 

— RED SOX —

 

The “Big I” (our official team photographer for those of you who aren’t familiar with Mr. Ivins) is fresh off the plane from Florida, and gave me these great shots to share with you.  Enjoy!

 

Ellsbury 7

Pedroia 4

Martinez dh

Youkilis 3

Beltre 5

Scutaro 6

Cameron 8

Hall 9

Brown 2

Lester 1

For Immediate Release

March 10, 2010

RED SOX SIGN SHORTSTOP NOMAR GARCIAPARRA;

GARCIAPARRA ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT

 

FORT MYERS, FL–The Boston Red Sox today signed shortstop Nomar Garciaparra to a minor league contract. Immediately following the agreement, Garciaparra announced his retirement.

 

The announcements were made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Theo Epstein and Garciaparra.

 

“From the first day I had the thrill of putting on a Red Sox uniform and playing in front of all the great fans at Fenway Park, I have felt at home in Boston,” said Garciaparra. “While I had the privilege of playing with other legendary teams, I always saw myself retiring in a Red Sox uniform. Today I am honored to live that dream thanks to Mr. Henry, Mr. Werner, Mr. Lucchino, Theo, and this wonderful organization. I thank my family, friends, teammates, fans and all who have supported me throughout this wonderful journey.”

“Nomar will always hold a special place in Red Sox history and in the hearts of Red Sox Nation. His accomplishments on the field and in the community place him among the greatest players to wear a Red Sox uniform,” said Principal Owner John Henry. “We are very appreciative that Nomar is ending his career where it began.”

 

“It was always special to watch the fans cheer when Nomar came to the plate. He gave us some of Fenway’s greatest moments and will forever be a special part of the team’s history,” said Chairman Tom Werner. “We wish Nomar, his wife Mia, and their twin daughters all the best as they enter the next chapter in their lives.”

 

“We are pleased that Nomar Garciaparra feels such an enduring pride in, respect for, and connection to the Boston Red Sox and Red Sox Nation. I believe I can speak for our entire organization and our passionate fan base and say those sentiments are mutual; we feel the same pride, respect, and connection to Nomar,” said President/CEO Larry Lucchino.  “Welcome home, Nomar.”

Garciaparra, 36, owns a .313 (1,747-for-5,586) batting average, 229 homers and 936 RBI in 1,434 career games over 14 Major League campaigns with the Red Sox (1996-2004), Cubs (2004-05), Dodgers (2006-08) and Athletics (2009). During his nine seasons in Boston he compiled a .323 (1,281-for-3,968) batting average, 178 homers and 690 RBI in 966 games. He is fourth in club history in career batting average and fifth in slugging (.553) among players with at least 1,500 at-bats. Garciaparra also ranks among Boston’s top 15 in career doubles (9^th, 279), extra-base hits (9^th, 507), home runs (11^th, 178), total bases (11^th, 2,194), runs (12^th, 709) and hits (14^th, 1,281).

 

The right-handed hitter finished among the top 10 in American League Most Valuable Player voting five times with Boston, including four straight from 1997-2000. He is one of six players in Red Sox history to earn AL Rookie of the Year honors after hitting .306 (209-for-684) with 122 runs, 44 doubles, 30 homers, 98 RBI and 22 steals in 1997. He was voted onto six All-Star teams including five with Boston and started at shortstop in the 1999 contest at Fenway Park.

 

He joins Wade Boggs (1985-88), Carl Yastrzemski (1967-68) and Ted Williams (1941-42, 47-48, 57-58) as the only players in Red Sox history to earn AL batting titles in consecutive seasons, doing so in 1999 (.357) and 2000 (.372). His .372 average in 2000 is the fourth highest in club single-season history. Garciaparra owns the 19^th-highest career batting average in Major League history among players with at least 200 career home runs.

 

He ranked second in the AL with a .325 (1,210-for-3,725) batting average from 1997-2003, including a league-best .337 (791-for-2,349) mark over the first four years of that span. During his time with Boston he tallied 100 runs six times, 100 RBI four times and 25 homers 4 times, including a career-high 35 in 1998.

 

Garciaparra appeared in 32 playoff games over the course of his career, batting .321 (36-for-112) with seven homers and 24 RBI. He hit .323 (31-for-96) with seven homers and 21 RBI in 25 postseason contests with Boston.

 

He was originally selected by the Red Sox with the 12^th overall pick in first round of the 1994 First-Year Player Draft out of Georgia Tech. He was dealt to the Cubs as part of a four-team trade on July 31, 2004.

 

—RED SOX—

Scutaro 6

Pedroia 4

Martinez 2

Youkilis 3

Ortiz dh

Drew 9

Cameron 8

Hall 7

Sanchez 5

 

Beckett

 

Here’s our lineup for this afternoon’s game (1:05pm).  We get our first game-action from Mike Cameron who’ll be in centerfield, and we’ll also see JD Drew take some cuts as the DH.

Good stuff!

“The Voice of the Nation”

 

23           Mike Cameron                   CF

22           Bill Hall                              RF

41           Victor Matinez                   C

7              JD Drew                            DH

12           Jed Lowrie                          2B

78           Lars Anderson                    1B

92           Ryan Kalish                        LF

96           Yamaico Navarro               3B

76           Jose Iglesias                      SS

 

31           Jon Lester                          SP

 

Along with seeing the 2010 take on Major Leaguers for this first time this spring, tonight also marks the first game of the all-important Mayor’s Cup.  Go get ’em boys!!

All the best from Inside the Front Office,

“The Voice of the Nation”

For tonight’s game against the Twins (7:05pm)…

Jacoby Ellsbury – LF

Dustin Pedroia – 2B

David Ortiz (L) – DH

Kevin Youkilis – 1B

Adrian Beltre – 3B

Marco Scutaro – SS

Jeremy Hermida (L) – RF

Josh Reddick (L) – CF

Dusty Brown – C

Starting Pitcher – Josh Beckett

 

Granted, it’s against a college team, but still great to see the Sox get back on the field today.  Get ready for Round 2 vs. the BC Eagles tonight at 6:05pm.  Boof Bonser is the starter for that game, which will include Marco Scutaro, Pedroia, Tek, Youk and others…

YEAH YEAH YEAH!!!  Baseball is back!

All the best from inside the Front Office (in Boston – sadly not in Ft. Myers),

“The Voice of the Nation”

2 days ahead of it’s actual release to the general public, my good friends here in the Red Sox Publications department of the Front Office decided to offer a free preview of the magazine to fans starting today.

Check out www.redsox.com/magazine when you get a chance.  You can actually flip through 12 pages of the magazine and see video from the cover shoot with Tek and Victor (if you ever thought there might be some unpleasantness between the two, I think you’ll see by their interaction, that they’re just fine).

Enjoy!

“The Voice of the Nation”