Fenway Park has gone from among the most fashionable places to be seen to just another ballpark, and the timing could not be worse for a Red Sox administration that might have been planning for another lean year ... Seriously, might not that be, above all else, the reason the Sox put in a claim for Johnny Damon? The Sox lack star power. The Sox lack appeal. The problem now is not solely that there are better teams (plural) in the American League East, but that there are more exciting ones, too.
More photos » ... Elise Amendola - AP ... 5 days ago: ... Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona yells at the umpires after being ejected for arguing a strikeout call on Adrian Beltre, between the second and third innings of the second baseball game of a day-night doubleheader against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park in Boston on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010. Both Beltre and Francona were ejected from the game. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) ... Browse more photos » ... You can't expect much when
Mike Stobe - Getty Images ... 2 days ago: ... SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 07: The draft board is seen prior to the start of the MLB First Year Player Draft on June 7, 2010 held in Studio 42 at the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey ... (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) ... View full size photo » ... Take the best talent available, with heavy considerations for potential and not so much on organizational needs ... Thanks to the benefits of a deep and fruitful farm system in recent years, the Red
More photos » ... Elsa - Getty Images ... 7 days ago: ... BOSTON - MAY 06: Kevin Youkilis #20 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with teammates in the dugout after he scored in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on May 6, 2010 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts ... (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) ... Browse more photos » ... I just wanted to give you a quick update on something very important: ... Kevin Youkilis is back to kicking ass again ... After batting just .270
This week, however, I think the biggest story is a team that doesn't yet figure in the "on paper" leaders: the Red Sox ... After a disappointing month of April, the Red Sox surged last week in the rankings, gaining 52 TPI points and eight spots in the power rankings ... While they are still 5.5 games back in reality, the power rankings show their team performance to be just a hair shy of the Rays to this point in the season, and fourth-best overall among all teams ... Here's the interesting
More photos » ... Elsa - Getty Images ... 2 days ago: ... BOSTON - MAY 12: Manager Terry Francona #47 of the Boston Red Sox argues a strike call made by home plate umpire Dale Scott in the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 12, 2010 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The Blue Jays defeated the Red Sox 3-2 ... (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) ... Browse more photos » ... It was Dale Scott's day today ... Not familiar with the name? Well, he doesn't play for either club.
More photos » ... Steven Senne - AP ... 6 days ago: ... Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett, left, talks with Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek, right, on the mound after giving up runs to the New York Yankees in the sixth inning of a baseball game at Boston's Fenway Park, Friday, May 7, 2010. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) ... Browse more photos » ... Josh Beckett will miss his Friday start with back spasms, according to multiple Tweets from Boston beat writers ... Beckett isn't expected to miss a lot