Kuzul

A week after ending the longest sellout streak in baseball, the Red Sox helped fill their fans' hearts with pride after one of Boston's darkest days. Then they continued their own shocking revival. Nobody could have predicted the horrific events that struck the city on Marathon Monday and few could have anticipated the start that has quickly reestablished the Sox—at least for now—as a viable force in the American League. Timely hitting, near-historic starting pitching and a new attitude infused by new manager John Farrell has resulted in the AL's best record (13-6, tied with Texas) out of the gate. Even more surprising than the speed with which Farrell seems to have turned around the clubhouse mojo is how quickly the Red Sox have regained the respect of fans disillusioned by the woeful 2012 season and the calamitous reign of Bobby Valentine. It is still too early to compare this ...

New Red Sox manager John Farrell has his work cut out for him as he tries to pick up the pieces from last year's horrendous showing under Bobby Valentine. He's been tasked with patching up the leaking holes that led to the Red Sox' worst season in nearly 50 years—and then some.If he can take anything away from his predecessor, it's a long list of don'ts.When thinking about all of the things Farrell should approach differently this year than Valentine, the short answer is everything. But here are five crucial lessons to be learned for a guaranteed turnaround in 2013.Begin Slideshow

The Boston Red Sox need a leader.This isn't breaking news. This isn't going to change your day. Heck, it definitely didn't even phase you to read that.That doesn't change the fact that if it doesn't happen now, the Red Sox will be headed toward a colossal meltdown that stretches beyond missing the postseason three seasons in a row. If things don't turn around, they could be looking at a snowballing stretch of misery that spans at least a decade or more.Dustin Pedroia, it's time to step up.After being dubbed the "de facto captain" following the 2011 departure of catcher Jason Varitek, 'C'-sporter since 2005, Pedroia failed to initiate the kind of order in the clubhouse that was necessary after the chaotic way last season ended.Needless to say, the tall order shouldn't fall on one man's diminutive shoulders and Bobby Valentine was expected to be the broom to Pedroia's dustpan, but ...

President Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, "The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office." Taking that a step further, Merriam Websters Dictionary defines the term "integrity" as a noun, meaning an unimpaired condition. In an article published today by Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan, the unadorned captain of the Boston Red Sox came across as anything but an individual with integrity. In fact, the excerpts surrounding Dustin Pedroia made him look downright childish. There is no question that Pedroia was the member of the team that was most affected by the front office's decision to move on from its previous manager Terry Francona. Their friendship was no secret.  In his 2008 book titled Red Sox Rule: Terry Francona and Boston's Rise to Dominance, writer and local Boston radio host Michael Holley chronicled their relationship in great depth, ...

It doesn’t seem too long ago that I was standing among a mass of Red Sox fans in the streets of Boston at the 2007 World Series Championship parade. What I will never forget from that day, aside from Jonathan Papelbon’s horrible Irish step-dancing, is the unwavering support that was shown to former Sox third baseman Mike Lowell.People may forget, but it was that offseason that Alex Rodriguez opted out of his contract with the Yankees, making it possible for Boston to try and pursue him. Now there is no question that A-Rod’s talent far outweighed that of Mike Lowell. But for Sox fans, it was not about that. It was about the character that Lowell had shown on a consistent basis that made him the guy that Boston fans wanted as their everyday third baseman. Chants of “Re-sign Lowell” rang down upon the famous duck boats, and it ...

Well, you can now add Dustin Pedroia to the growing list of injured Boston Red Sox players.On the Memorial Day matchup against the Detroit Tigers, Pedroia exited the game after making a diving catch. Pedroia was held out of tonight's game against the Tigers with a jammed left thumb, according to the Boston Globe's Michael Vega.According to the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo, the Red Sox are still unsure of what to do with the sidelined second baseman. Pedroia torn abductor muscle in thumb. Hopes to play through with splint and avoid DL. Team is still discussing DL. — Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) May 30, 2012 Losing Pedroia is a huge blow to the Red Sox, as they don't really have a true second baseman to replace him in the field or in the lineup.Here are five potential replacements during Pedroia's absence, whether it be short term or long term. Note: All statistics are through May ...

There are always arguments over who is the best at a certain position, but not many are as controversial as second base.First, I would like to say that I am sorry to players like Ian Kinsler, Chase Utley, Brandon Phillips, Ben Zobrist, Howie Kendrick, Rickie Weeks and Dan Uggla, but by far the best second basemen in the majors are Dustin Pedroia and Robinson Cano.Now that we have narrowed it down to two players, which is better? The only way to do that is to compare them head-to-head. To do that, we need criteria and those criteria are simple: batting average, plate discipline, extra base hits, power, speed, defense, arm and playoff performance.Let's begin.Begin Slideshow

This picture pretty much says it all. This is the attitude the Red Sox will have to have about the year 2011 and everything that came with it. It was a roller coaster-type year for the Sox in 2011, but unlike most coasters, the biggest drop off came at the end of the ride, as opposed to the beginning. Going 7-20 in September was the biggest free-falling coaster in MLB history—not to mention all the drama that followed! Begin Slideshow

The Boston Red Sox have the best offense in baseball and it's not close. They hold the top spot in runs scored, average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. With the best offense in baseball, you'd expect the Red Sox to have a player in the MVP conversation, but not three.Adrian Gonzalez, who leads baseball with a .353 average, was pegged as an MVP candidate from the moment he arrived in Boston in the offseason.Few expected the Red Sox to have two other MVP candidates, but that is the case.Joining Gonzalez in the MVP conversation are Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia, both unexpected after both losing the majority of the 2010 season to injury.In the end, the three will end up taking votes away from each other, but of the three whom is the most deserving candidate?The case can be made for all three but Ellsbury has been a step ahead of his ...

It's been 93 years since the Cubs played in Fenway Park. I bet they wish it was longer.  On the first night of the week without rain, Boston poured it on the Cubs starter Doug Davis with eight hits and seven runs in 3.2 innings. The barrage continue with relief pitcher Scott Maine immediately giving up a two-run bomb to Kevin Youkilis. Maine lasted one-third of an inning while giving up two home runs, five hits and three runs, all earned. Lefty reliever James Russel came on and put the fire out for three innings, allowing only two hits. If only he could have finished things up for the Cubs. Righty reliever Jeff Samardzija finished things off giving up five runs, three earned with two walks.Boston starter John Lester scuffled some, allowing 12 hits and five runs, with two walks and five K's. Scott Atchison pitched the three perfect innings ...