BOSTON — On opening day the past 10 seasons, Jason Varitek and Mike Lowell could plan on being in the starting lineup. Those streaks ended Sunday when Victor Martinez started as the Red Sox catcher and Adrian Beltre as the third baseman. All of Varitek’s 10 starts had come with Boston, tying him with Wade […]
Kevin Thomas
Kevin Thomas does not always write about baseball. It just seems that way, starting with his early days covering spring training for the St. Petersburg Times, to his current role of bi-locating at both Hadlock Field and Fenway Park, reporting on the Portland Sea Dogs and Boston Red Sox. In the off-season, he still writes about baseball, while venturing to hockey rinks and basketball arenas, especially when it comes to the University of Maine and local colleges. Thomas has received awards for his work, but his greatest prize is home, which includes one patient wife, nine children and an aging chocolate Labrador.
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Maine in-laws see ex-Angel in a new light
John Lackey, married to Sanford High grad Krista Clark, earns home field edge by joining the Sox.
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Red Sox Preview: Teetering on greatness
The Red Sox have a lot of elements that, if they come together, will make this a summer to remember. If they don’t come together … well, how long to football season?
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Sea Dogs brimming with talent
Portland’s season-opening roster includes several of Boston’s top prospects, and many familiar faces.
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On Baseball: Bard can write his own ticket
FORT MYERS, Fla. — We watched Daniel Bard become a dominant reliever at Hadlock Field in 2008. Two years later, Bard appears ready to make a dominant impact with the Boston Red Sox. “I’ll tell you what, he’s pretty good,” Red Sox Manager Terry Francona said. Bard, 24, had been cruising this spring, allowing one […]
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On Baseball: Back in Portland, but not that far from Fenway
FORT MYERS, Fla. – In terms of traveling to Fenway Park, McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I., is about 60 miles closer than Hadlock Field in Portland. But for Felix Doubront, the distance is no big deal. He figures he can get to Boston from Hadlock just as quickly. Doubront, 22, the Portland Sea Dogs’ pitcher […]
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Sea Dogs’ roster starting to take shape
FORT MYERS, Fla. — While the final Portland Sea Dogs roster is expected to come out Friday, a good portion of it was put together Wednesday with a series of moves at the Red Sox minor league complex. When pitcher Felix Doubront, outfielder Ryan Kalish and infielder Ray Chang were moved to Double-A, the current […]
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Red Sox Notebook: First baseman gets a shot and hits a shot
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — After the Boston Red Sox coaches put together their daily rosters for spring-training games, they contact the minor-league directors and ask for extras. For Tuesday’s game, Manager Terry Francona requested a first baseman. Anthony Rizzo was summoned, even though he’s never played above Class A. “The organization loves this kid,” Francona […]
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Kevin Thomas: Tons of poise and likely on the way
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Casey Kelly says he’s on the Portland Sea Dogs team for now. “I’ll keep pitching and whatever bus they tell me to go on, I’m going to get on,” Kelly said. However Kelly travels out of Florida next week — bus, plane or automobile — he can only be headed to […]
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Reddick opening eyes with strong spring
– KEVIN THOMAS Staff Writer FORT MYERS, Fla. – Josh Reddick knew coming into spring training that he had no chance of making the big league club. Still, his numbers this spring — a .383 average with seven doubles, a triple and a home run — can’t help but inspire confidence that he’ll be ready […]