Major League Baseball ToDay

The Boston Red Soxs have been in the spotlight alot lately. With the contract extension of of Francona, a trip to DC to be honored by President Bush,  a visit to Walter Reed Medical Center and Thursdays doubleheader game with Boston College and Northeastern University the Soxs have been busy to say the least.

According to Ian Browne (MLB.com), “A day after their whirlwind trip to Washington, D.C., the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox had a mixture of awe, perspective, laughter and indelible memories to put in their mental scrapbooks.”

It must have been an incredible experience to visit the White House, personally meet the President of the United States and visit with some truly great military heroes at the Walter Reed Medical Center.

Here is what Curt Shilling had to say about the visit, “For me, it’s a chance to truly acknowledge them and tell them, ‘I’m not just telling you it’s an honor to meet you, it really is an honor to meet you.’ These guys, a lot of them are Red Sox fans. When they’re sitting there and they’re missing both legs and they’re in a wheelchair and they’re trying to get something signed for the buddy that saved their life that is still over in Iraq, it’s like, ‘OK, how bad are my problems?’”

I was so impressed with the patriotism and humility of what Curt said I just had to repeat the above quote he gave in an interview with WEEI-850 AM radio. 

The St. Petersburg Times reported Monday that the Tampa Bay Rays have had internal discussions about certain veteran un-signed agents, such as, Kenny Lofton, Mike Piazza and Barry Bonds.

Manager Joe Maddon, admitted he knew very little officially about what was going on.  He called the newspaper article a “no-story”. However, he did admit that “some thought” and “minor discussions” had been given to  Bonds.  Maddon did not give an straight answer when asked in the interview how he thought Bonds might fit with the Devil Rays program.

In my opinion, Barry Bonds would be an asset to their team. Wonder what Tampa Bay fan think?

Kyle Kendrick, the Philadelphia Phillies pitcher, I wrote about yesterday who was “punked” by convincing him he had been traded for a player named Kobayashi Iwamura (who doesn’t exist). Kendrick was told there was an immediate trade and he had to leave for Japan the next day. 

Who was in on it? Brett Myers, also a pitcher who has a locker right next to Kendrick; manager, Charlie Manuel; Ruben Amaro, Jr. , Kendrick’s agent and the other Philly players also in the video.

Kendrick has become an overnight celebrity because his viral video has been email and blogged about around the globe. Yes, even in Japan.

Kendrick hopes 2 things to come from the prank. First of all, he would like to be recognized for his pitching ability and build off what he was able to accomplish last year. In past performances, “he pitched well against the White Soxs.  And then he won our only game in a series against the Mets. And then we’re like, ‘Boy, he ain’t bad,’” according to Manuel his agent.

The second thing, when the timing is right, payback to Myers, who masterminded the video idea. Kendrick said, “And when I do, everyone will know.”

Personally, I think we will be hearing alot more from this story. It ain’t over and Brett Myers need to be looking over his shoulder or he might have his own video on the net. This is just too funny.

Watch this video of Kyle Kendrick, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher, as he is being traded to a Japanese League. You can check it out at Yahoo Sports MLB Video…

Raw Video: Phillies pitcher victim of prank.

The look on Kyle’s face is hilarious. I hate to see what they will do on April1st!

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/ver/251.7/popup/index.php?cl=6508758

Terry Francona, Boston Red Sox manager,  gets 3 year contract extension that goes to 2011.  At the age of 48, Francoma is starting his fifth season as manager.

Red Sox fans will always remember winning the title in 2004 and the win against the Colorado Rockies last year.

I think this was a wise move on the owner and general manager to make the extention now.  Francoma leadership has produced 2 World Series Championships in 4 years and I know that both Red Sox fans and players don’t want to lose him.