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NBA: Celtics Lose in Overtime

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MEMPHIS – Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant scored 29 points and added nine assists to lead the Grizzlies over the visiting Boston Celtics, 132-126, in overtime Monday. Morant hit three of four free throws in the closing seconds of OT to preserve Memphis’ third win in four games.

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Playing without two of their top three players –  Jayson Tatum, who sat out due to an illness, and Kemba Walker, sidelined due to left knee injury management – the Celtics dropped their fifth game of seven since returning to action following the annual NBA All-Star break.

Jaylen Brown scored 20 of his 27 points in the second half and finished with nine rebounds and five assists for Boston while reserve Jeff Teague, who started for Tatum, had 26 points and six assists.

Jonas Valanciunas contributed 16 points and a game-high 19 rebounds as the Grizzlies secured a split of the two-game season series against Boston. Dillon Brooks scored five of his 24 points in overtime to help the Grizzlies outscore Boston 15-9.

Red Sox Spring Training Notes (Mar. 23)

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FORT MYERS – In yesterday’s 10-4 win at Tampa Bay, four of Boston’s eight hits went for extra bases, including Home Runs by Christian Arroyo, Michael Chavis, and Bobby Dalbec. In the 3rd inning, Arroyo and Chavis homered on consecutive pitches.

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Dalbec and Chavis each hit their sixth HR of spring training yesterday, the most in the Grapefruit League and tied with LA Dodgers slugger Corey Seager for most in the majors.

The Red Sox are 8-3-1 in their last 12 games of Grapefruit League action. There are only nine days left until MLB Opening Day. Boston leads the Grapefruit League in runs (121), AVG (.271), HR (32), doubles (40), OBP (.356), and SLG (.498)… They have hit 8 more HR than any other team in the Grapefruit League.

Today marks the seventh of nine scheduled Grapefruit League meetings between the Red Sox and Atlanta Braves (currently tied, 3-3). The clubs will close out their spring training schedules against each other on 3/29 in North Port and 3/30 at jetBlue Park. The Sox and Braves will play each other 4 times in the regular season, with 2 games at Fenway Park (5/25-26) and 2 at Truist Park (6/15-16).

 

Red Sox: Spring Training Notes: Mar 22

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FORT MYERS – The Red Sox dropped a 9-4 decision to the Pittsburgh Pirates and have lost their last two games, after going 7-1-1 in their previous nine outings. The Sox are 8-2 at jetBlue Park and 2-6-1 on the road.

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Today marks the seventh of eight Grapefruit League meetings between the Red Sox and Rays (Boston leads, 4-2). Only three of the Sox’ first 72 games will be against the Rays (4/5-7 at home), as well as only six of their first 106. From 7/30-9/8, 13 of the Sox’ 36 games will be against Tampa Bay.

Including today, the Sox have four home games and five road games remaining in Spring Training as the 10-day countdown to opening day begins.

Notes: Red Sox manager Alex Cora and Rays manager Kevin Cash were teammates with the Red Sox in 2007 and 2008, helping lead BOS to the postseason in each year…The Sox won the World Series in 2007. … Cora was major league teammates with six current MLB managers: Cash, Aaron Boone (CLE, 2005), Craig Counsell (LAD, 1999), Gabe Kapler (BOS, 2005-06), Dave Roberts (LAD, 2002-04), and David Ross (BOS, 2008).

 

Red Sox: Spring Training Update (Mar 21)

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FORT MYERS, FLORIDA – The Boston Red Sox had their 3-game win streak snapped on Saturday with an 8-2 loss at Atlanta. The Red Sox are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and 10-5-1 since beginning Spring Training 0-2. Boston has 10 games remaining in spring training before opening the regular season at home on Thursday, 4/1, against the Orioles.

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The Red Sox lead the majors in OPS (.854) and lead the Florida Grapefruit League in runs (107), AVG (.272), HR (29), doubles (35), OBP (.354), and SLG (.501).

The Red Sox have 35 active players remaining in Major League Spring Training camp, including 29 members of the 40-man roster and six non-roster invitees. In addition, LHP Chris Sale (60-day IL) and OF Franchy Cordero (COVID-19 Related IL) are on the injured list. Opening Day rosters must consist of 26 active players and must be submitted to MLB by noon (EDT) on Thursday, April 1.

Eleven members of the Red Sox’ 40-man roster/IL were not in the organization during the 2020 season and an additional five players on the 40-man were acquired in August 2020 including, Christian Arroyo, Nick Pivetta, Hudson Potts, Jeisson Rosario, and Connor Seabold.

Sox Manager Alex Cora announced that Eduardo Rodriguez will make his 1st career Opening Day start this season (4/1 vs. BAL). After missing the entire 2020 season with myocarditis, Rodriguez is 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA, .195 opponent AVG, and 0.69 WHIP in three starts this spring.

Two Bruins Games Postponed

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BOSTON – (From Official News Release) – The National Hockey League announced, that as a result of four additional Boston Bruins Players entering the NHL’s COVID Protocols, the team’s game Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres and Tuesday versus the New York Islanders will be postponed. Pending test results in the coming days, it is expected that the Bruins will be able to re-open their facilities for practice on Wednesday, March 24. The decision was made by the League’s, NHLPA’s and Club’s medical groups.

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The Bruins’ organization has, and will continue to follow, all recommended guidelines aimed at protecting the health and safety of its Players, staff and community at large as set by the NHL, local, state and national agencies.

Bruins Follow NHL Protocol

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BOSTON – (Official News Release) – Following subsequent testing in Buffalo, the Boston Bruins traveled back to Boston Friday evening, March 19, and are expected to self-quarantine through Tuesday per NHL COVID protocols.

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Players who entered the COVID-19 protocol did not travel with the team. After communication and cooperation with the League and NHLPA, all of those players have safely returned to Boston.

The Boston Bruins will continue to work with the NHL and medical experts to follow all recommended guidelines in place to protect the community, players and staff.

Boston players currently in the NHL’s COVID-19 Protocol include: Jake DeBrusk, David Krejci, Sean Kuraly, David Pastrnak and Craig Smith.

 

Red Sox Trim Roster

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FORT MYERS – (Official News Release) – The Boston Red Sox made the following roster moves:

  • Right-handed pitcher Tanner Houck was optioned to the Alternate Training Site.
  • Seven players were reassigned to the minor leagues: catcher Kole Cottam, right-handed pitcher Daniel Gossett, left-handed pitcher Stephen Gonsalves, first baseman Josh Ockimey, first baseman/third baseman Triston Casas, outfielder Jarren Duran, and infielder/outfielder Yairo Muñoz.
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Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

The Red Sox have 35 active players remaining in Major League Spring Training camp, including 29 members of the 40-man roster and six non-roster invitees. In addition, left-handed pitcher Chris Sale and outfielder Franchy Cordero are on the Injured List.

 

Celtics “Earn” a New Uniform

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BOSTON – The Boston Celtics unveiled their 2020-21 “Earned Edition” uniform, designed exclusively for the 16 teams that qualified for the 2020 NBA Playoffs. This uniform set, which was worn on March 19 vs. Sacramento, marks the team’s fifth and final combination for the 2020-21 season.

While this season’s Earned Edition uniform carries over a series of notable components from various uniforms throughout the team’s collection, including the traditional ‘Celtics’ wordmark, standard shamrock on the belt buckle, and the Vistaprint jersey patch on the left shoulder, it also features an enhanced version of the franchise’s iconic color scheme. Three separate shades of green are projected through the uniform body and trim, marking the first time the team has ever featured three shades of green on a single uniform. As an additional nod to the team’s pursuit of an NBA championship, the Earned Edition uniform is adorned with special silver insignias including a silver Nike swoosh on the top left front of the uniform, a silver Earned Edition jocktag on the bottom right front, and a silver NBA logo on the back, above the player’s name.

The Earned Edition uniforms will be available to fans at retail beginning on Thursday, March 18, 2021.

Brown, Tatum Named NBA All-Stars

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ATLANTA – (Official News Release) – Boston Celtics forwards Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have both been named Eastern Conference All-Stars, the league announced today. It is the first career All-Star selection for Brown, and the second consecutive All-Star honor for Tatum, as the duo becomes the second pair of Celtics teammates to both receive All-Star honors prior to the age of 25 (Cousy/Macauley, 1953).

Brown, 24, has produced a career-high 25.5 points, to go along with 5.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.5 blocked shots, and 33.7 minutes in 28 games (all starts) this season. The Marietta, Ga. native has also recorded high marks in shooting from the field (49.7%), beyond the arc (40.9%), and from the free throw line (76.6%), and is one of five NBA players averaging 25.0 points while shooting at least 49.0% from the field and 40.0% on three-point field goal attempts in 2020-21.

In addition to increasing his previous career scoring high by over 5.0 points per game (20.3 ppg; 2019-20), Brown has already matched his career high of six 30-point games through his first 28 contests this season. He has produced the two highest scoring totals by any Celtics player in 2020-21, both of which were career-high 42-point outputs against Memphis on Dec. 30, and at Philadelphia on Jan. 22.

In 25 games played this season (all starts), Tatum has posted career highs in points (26.0 ppg), rebounds (7.1 rpg), and assists (4.6 apg), while leading the team with five double-doubles and eight 30-point games. The fourth-year forward is one of four NBA players averaging 26.0 points and 7.0 rebounds, while shooting at least 39.0% from beyond the arc this season.

Tatum opened the 2021 calendar year with 13 consecutive games of 20+ points and 4+ rebounds, good for the longest such streak by any Celtics player since Paul Pierce in 2002-03. He was rewarded with his second career Eastern Conference Player of the Week honor on Jan. 11, after producing 33.0 points on 52.2% shooting (52.0% 3-PT), 5.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists during an undefeated three-game week from Jan. 4-10.

This is the second career All-Star selection for Tatum, who last year became the second-youngest Celtics player selected to an All-Star Game (Antoine Walker – 21y, 180d).

 

Red Sox Personnel Moves

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BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox announced personnel moves in the Player Development department, as well as 2021 field staffs for their minor league affiliates.

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Ben Crockett has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Baseball Operations. Currently in his 15th year in the Red Sox organization, the Topsfield, MA native has worked as Vice President, Player Development (2016-20); Director, Player Development (2012-16); Assistant Director, Player Development (2010-11); and Advance Scouting Coordinator (2008-09) after spending 2007 as an intern in Baseball Operations. The Harvard University graduate was selected by the Red Sox in the 10th round of the 2001 June Draft, but he did not sign. The former right-handed pitcher spent five years in the Colorado Rockies organization (2002-06) after being selected by the club in the third round of the 2002 June Draft.

Brian Abraham has been promoted to Director, Player Development. The Worcester, MA native previously worked as Director, Minor League Operations (2018-20); Assistant Director, Player Development (2015-18); and Major League Staff Assistant (2013-14). Prior to joining the Red Sox organization, the College of the Holy Cross graduate and member of the baseball team spent six years with the Toronto Blue Jays (2007-12), primarily working in advance scouting and video operations on the Major League staff.

Chris Stasio has been promoted to Manager, Baseball Development. In January 2020 he was hired as Assistant Coordinator, Baseball Development, returning to the organization where he worked in player development and advance scouting roles in 2014, 2016, and 2017. The Northeastern University graduate began his career in baseball as an intern with the New York Mets in 2014 and most recently served as a professional scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018 and 2019.

Harry Roberson has been hired as Coordinator, Player Development and will be involved in various player development programs while engaging with on-field staff, focusing on practice planning and skill development. The Amherst College graduate most recently worked in baseball operations for the Toronto Blue Jays (2019-20) following a season as Hitting Coach for Eastern Connecticut State University (2019).

Shawn Haviland has been promoted to Senior Coordinator, Pitching, after spending the 2020 season as the organization’s Pitching Coordinator, Performance. The Middletown, CT native and graduate of Harvard University was originally hired by the club as Pitching Performance Coach prior to the 2019 season. A former right-handed pitcher, he played nine minor league seasons after being selected by Oakland in the 2008 June Draft, including two stints in the Red Sox organization with Triple-A Pawtucket in 2015 and 2017.

Julio Rangel has been hired as Pitching Coordinator, Performance. For the past two seasons, the Panama native served as the major league pitching coach for the Texas Rangers. Following a seven-year playing career in the New York Yankees minor league system (1994-2000), Rangel began his coaching career with the Tampa Yankees in 2001. He spent 11 years in the Cleveland system as a Cultural Development Coordinator (2007-08), Mental Skills Coordinator (2009-10), Lower Level Pitching Coordinator (2011-15), and Assistant Field Coordinator (2016-17). In 2018, Rangel served as the San Francisco Giants’ Minor League Pitching Coordinator.

Kirby Retzer has been promoted to Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coordinator. The Florida Gulf Coast University graduate is in his sixth season with the Red Sox organization, having spent the last two as a strength and conditioning coach with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Red Sox, also working with players on rehabilitation assignments.

Paddy Steinfort has been promoted to Senior Mental Skills Coordinator following two seasons as a mental skills coach with the organization. He has also spent time in similar roles with the United States Army (2019-present), Philadelphia 76ers (2018-20), Toronto Blue Jays (2016-18), and Philadelphia Eagles (2015-16).

Adan Severino has been promoted to Latin American Mental Skills Coordinator following three seasons as Mental Skills Coordinator (2018-20). Prior to his time with the Red Sox, he spent time as a behavioral health professional and correctional officer in the state of Florida. The University of Miami graduate played three seasons (2008-10) as an outfielder in the Minnesota Twins’ system and in the independent Frontier League.

Gabriela Alfonso joins the organization as Minor League Sports Dietician and will be based out of Fort Myers. In addition to other experiences in the industry, the Miami, FL native has spent time in athletics as a sports nutrition graduate assistant and nutritionist with the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (2015-17).

Worcester (Triple-A, International League)

Billy McMillon enters his 14th season in the Red Sox organization, his third as Manager for the club’s Triple-A affiliate. The 2021 season will be his ninth as a minor league manager, having also served in that capacity for Single-A Greenville (2010-11), High-A Salem (2012-13), and Double-A Portland (2014-15). Bruce Crabbe will remain on the staff as an additional coach for the eighth consecutive season, extending his tenure with the organization to 17 years (2005-21). Rich Gedman will continue as the club’s hitting coach for his seventh year in that role and 11th with Red Sox minor league clubs. A Worcester native, Gedman was selected to the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2020.

Paul Abbott returns as Pitching Coach for the Red Sox’ Triple-A affiliate for the second consecutive season, his 11th in the organization. Abbott previously served as Pitching Coach for Short-A Lowell (2011-12), Single-A Greenville (2013-14), High-A Salem (2015-17), and Double-A Portland (2018-19). Michael Montville, hired prior to last season as an additional coach for the Gulf Coast League Red Sox, joins Worcester in the same role. David Herrera enters his third season as Athletic Training Coordinator, his 14th with the organization (2008-21). Ben Chadwick joins Worcester as Strength and Conditioning Coach following two seasons in that role with Portland.

Portland (Double-A, Eastern League)

Corey Wimberly joins the Sea Dogs as Manager, having previously managed Short-A Lowell (2018) and High-A Salem (2019-20) as well as been a member of Greenville’s coaching staff (2017). In 2019, Wimberly led Salem to the Carolina League Northern Division title, as the club went a league-best 42-28 in the season’s second half. Lance Carter returns for his second season as Portland’s Pitching Coach. It will be his seventh season in the organization, having previously worked with Short-A Lowell (2015-17) and High-A Salem (2018-19). Lance Zawadzki also returns for his second season as Hitting Coach. He joined the organization with Lowell in 2018 before serving as Salem’s hitting coach in 2019.

Joining the Sea Dogs staff as an additional coach is Ako Thomas, who most recently spent time on the University of Michigan’s staff as Volunteer Assistant Coach (2020) following a four-year playing career with the Wolverines (2016-19). Entering his sixth season in the Red Sox’ system, Scott Gallon will continue as the Sea Dogs’ athletic trainer after moving into that role in 2017. Jeffrey Dolan joins Portland as Strength and Conditioning Coach, having most recently worked in a similar role with the Phoenix Suns (2019-20).

Greenville (High-A, Carolina League)

Iggy Suarez returns for a fourth season managing Greenville, marking his seventh season in the organization and his sixth as a minor league manager. Entering his 23nd year in the Red Sox organization, Bob Kipper will return as Greenville’s pitching coach, having also served in that role with the Drive from 2005-06, 2008-09, and 2018-20. Also returning to the Drive staff is Hitting Coach Nate Spears, who after serving as a coaching assistant with Greenville in 2016 spent four years as a hitting coach for Short-A Lowell (2017-20).

John Shelby III returns for his second season with the Drive coaching staff after joining the organization in 2020 following a stint as Assistant Baseball Coach at the University of Kentucky. Athletic Trainer Nick Kuchwara joins Greenville following time in the same role with High-A Salem (2016-20). Also joining the Greenville staff is Strength and Conditioning Coach Joe Hudson after two seasons in the same role for Salem (2019-20).

Salem (Single-A, South Atlantic League)

Luke Montz enters his first season managing Salem after serving in the same role for Short-A Lowell (2019-20) and serving as a coaching assistant for Double-A Portland (2018). In 2019, Montz led the Spinners to the Stedler Division title and a 42-34 record in the regular season. Veteran hitting coach Nelson Paulino will return to the staff in his 24th season coaching in the organization (1998-2021), having previously worked with Salem in 2013, from 2016-18, and in 2020. Nick Green, who joined the Red Sox organization in 2015 and most recently spent three seasons as Pitching Coach for Lowell (2018-20), joins the Salem staff to serve in that same role.

Frankie Rios, who played in the Red Sox system in 2017 and 2018, will join Salem’s staff as an additional coach after spending the 2020 season coaching in Portland. Bobby Stachura, who joined the organization as an intern in 2017, will serve as an athletic trainer following two seasons in that role with Single-A Greenville (2019-20). Michael Hernandez also joins Salem staff as Strength and Conditioning Coach after working with Greenville in 2020, his first season in the Red Sox organization.

Fort Myers Complex

Tom Kotchman will spend 2021 as a manager at the Fort Myers complex after spending seven seasons as manager of the Gulf Coast League Red Sox. Kotchman has spent 40 total seasons as a minor league manager and scout. Serving as a hitting coach in Fort Myers is Josh Prince, who joined the organization in 2020 as Hitting Coach for Single-A Greenville after spending the 2019 season as a player/coach for the Sugar Land Skeeters in the Atlantic League. Junior Zamora also will serve as a hitting coach, following six years in that capacity for the Gulf Coast League Red Sox and seven years as a bench coach for the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League Red Sox.

The Fort Myers complex will feature three pitching coaches, including Dick Such, a veteran of the Gulf Coast League. Brett Merrittwill also work at the complex after serving as a pitching coach for High-A Salem (2020) and the College of Central Florida (2018-19).Jason Blanton joins the organization, having previously worked as a pitching coach in the Cleveland Indians (2017-20) and Seattle Mariners (2014-15) systems.

Mickey Jiang, who has been coaching in the Red Sox’ system since 2009, returns as a coach and translator. Bianca Smith joins the organization as a coach at the Fort Myers complex after most recently serving as Assistant Athletic Director as well as Assistant Coach and Hitting Coordinator at Carroll University (WI). Smith, who has also spent time with the Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers organizations, becomes the first African-American woman to coach in professional baseball history. Also joining the organization as a coach in Fort Myers is Chris Hess, who has spent time as Assistant Coach at the University of Rhode Island, his alma mater, following three seasons playing in the New York Yankees organization (2017-19). Hess also played for Hyannis of the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2016.

Taylor Boucher will serve as Athletic Trainer following two seasons in that role with Short-A Lowell (2019-20). Richard De Luna, who joined the organization in 2018 as a minor league strength and conditioning coach after serving in the United States Marine Corps (2012-17), will serve as Strength and Conditioning Coach, a role he held with Greenville from 2019-20.

Dominican Republic Academy

Jose Zapata will return for his 15th season as the Red Sox’ Latin American field coordinator. Ozzie Chavez and Sandy Madera return as managers at the Dominican Republic Academy, after they both made managerial debuts in 2019. Madera’s first year working in the Red Sox organization was 2019, while Chavez began his coaching career in 2015 as a hitting coach for the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League Red Sox. Serving as hitting coaches at the academy will be Eider Torres, who joined the DSL Red Sox last season, and Danny Ortega, who has coached in the Los Angeles Angels (2018-19) and Houston Astros (2010-17) organizations, including a stint managing the Greeneville Astros in 2017.

Oscar Lira and Humberto Sanchez will continue as the academy’s pitching coaches, with Lira entering his 10th season in the role and Sanchez beginning his fourth. Also returning to the staff are Juan Hernandez, Claudio Sanchez, Carlos Vallejo, and Leonel Vazquezas additional coaches. Joining the academy as International Instructor is Amaury Garcia, after spending 12 years with the Washington Nationals organization, including serving as Hitting Coach for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (2016-20). Garcia played in the Florida Marlins (1994-2000) and Chicago White Sox (2001) organizations, appearing in 10 major league games for the Marlins in 1999. Guillermo Hinojosa will return for his 12th season as athletic trainer, while Jharvyn Velazquez will return for his second. Antonio Diaz and Danny Gutierrez will resume their roles as strength and conditioning coaches at the academy.