AGENT SCOTT NORTON COMMENTS ON HORTON TWEET

Scott Norton, the agent for Flyers forward Tom Sestito, tweeted Saturday that Bruins forward Nathan Horton should “stay out of [Sestito's] way next time,” a reference to the concussion Horton suffered last season on a seemingly blindside hit from Sestito.

In retweeting a story from ESPN Boston’s James Murphy saying that Horton is currently healthy, Norton wrote “Good news! Stay out of @TomSestito23 way next time.”

Horton suffered the concussion, which proved to end his season, on Jan. 22 on a hit from Sestito that was not penalized and was deemed legal. The agent reiterated the official stance in defending his tweet, adding that “no one likes to see injuries” but that “hockey is a rough sport.”

After a heavy response from Bruins fans over the tweets, Norton tweeted, “If #Bruins fans vented this much on their owner, maybe #lockout would come to an end! #Jacobs 1 of owners leading their charge,” and, “Gonna go do some work. Wanna thx #Bruins fans + remember – [Milan] Lucic, [Zdeno] Chara, [Wayne] Cashman, [Terry] O’Reilly, [Stan Jonathan], etc have never hurt anyone in a game.”

(Reprinted from WEEI.com)

LOCKED OUT REFS MAY BE BACK IN THE GAME

According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, the NFL and the NFL referees association have agreed in principal to a deal that could end the lockout of the league’s referees and have them officiating Week 4 games.

Writes Mortensen:

The NFL and the NFL Referees Association made enough progress in negotiations Tuesday night that the possibility of the locked-out officials returning in time to work this week’s games has been discussed, according to sources on both sides.

An agreement in principle is at hand, according to one source familiar to talks.

The NFL has been using replacement officials since the preseason and has seen controversial results throughout the first three weeks of the season.

(weei.com)

TWELLMAN, REVS TEAM UP FOR FUNDRAISER

Revolution teams up with Taylor Twellman for bartending fundraiser

Revs’ Benny Feilhaber, Matt Reis, A.J. Soares and Chris Tierney to serve drinks for charity at GEM on Sept. 6

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – In two weeks, New England Revolution stars Benny Feilhaber, Matt Reis, A.J. Soares and Chris Tierney will be joined by Revs legend and current ESPN soccer analyst Taylor Twellman at a special off-field event to benefit a cause close to Twellman’s and the Revs’ heart.

On Thursday, Sept. 6, Feilhaber, Reis, Soares, Tierney and Twellman step off the field and get behind the bar at GEM (42 Province St., Boston, Mass., 02108) where they will mix and serve drinks as celebrity bartenders while raising money for charity.

All tips received by the players and Twellman will being donated to Twellman’s own charity, Think Taylor (www.thinktaylor.org), which supports education, fundraising and awareness of concussions and sports-related brain injuries. He launched the non-profit shortly after being forced to leave the game of soccer in 2010 following a head injury suffered during a game in 2008.

The star-laden event will begin at 6 p.m., with the players’ bartending skills on display between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The Rev Girls will also be in attendance.

There is no cover charge for the event, and fans are encouraged to come out and support Think Taylor and the Revs.

PEDROIA OUT OF THE LINEUP TONIGHT

Pedroia injured

 

During Monday’s afternoon game with Detroit, Dustin Pedroia was pulled out of the lineup after making a diving stop in short right field. It appeared that Pedroia jammed his hand.

Pedroia is not in tonight’s lineup. Nick Punto has been inserted in the lineup.  On paper, no big deal. But rumors are leaking out of Yawkey Way that Pedroia may be injured significantly with some reports having him miss up to 30 days.

The Red Sox have not released an official statement as of this time. Manager Bobby Valetine did confirm during his press conference this afternoon that Pedroia did have an MRI but the results were not back.

ESPN host Karl Ravech tweeted on Monday that there’s “nothing official yet but hearing Pedroia likely to miss a month.”  Ravech and Valetine have developed a great friendship since the two were working together on ESPN Baseball Night. I’ve got to believe that Ravech may know more than he’s tweeting at this time.

KEVIN HARRIMAN

BOSTON SPORTS DESK PUBLISHER

MLB ANNOUNCES PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

Major League Baseball today announced the schedule for the 2011 Postseason, which will open on Friday, September 30th.  Game One of the 107th World Series is scheduled for Wednesday, October 19th in the ballpark of the National League Champions.

The Postseason will begin on Friday, September 30th, with the opening of both American League Division Series.  This year will mark the first time since the 1915 World Series that the Postseason will begin on a Friday.   Both National League Division Series will begin on Saturday, October 1st, a full slate that includes the Game Twos of both A.L. Division Series.  The Game Fives of both A.L. Division Series, if necessary, are scheduled for Thursday, October 6th, while the Game Fives of both N.L. Division Series, if necessary, are slated for Friday, October 7th.  All Division Series games will be covered exclusively for the fifth consecutive year by Turner Sports on TBS and its sister networks, when necessary.

The American League Championship Series, to be covered by FOX Sports, will begin on Saturday, October 8th and a Game Seven, if necessary, is scheduled for Sunday, October 16th.  The National League Championship Series, to be covered by TBS, will start on Sunday, October 9th and a Game Seven, if necessary, is scheduled for Monday, October 17th.

Game One of the 2011 World Series is scheduled for Wednesday, October 19th.  Game Three of the 2011 Fall Classic will move to the city of the American League Champions on Saturday, October 22nd.  A Game Seven of the World Series is scheduled for Thursday, October 27th.  Friday, October 21st and Tuesday, October 25th are the scheduled off days during the World Series.  In its 16th season as the official network broadcaster of Major League Baseball, FOX Sports will present exclusive live telecast coverage of the World Series.

ESPN Radio will provide live national radio coverage of MLB’s Postseason.

The complete 2011 Postseason schedule, subject to change, is as follows:

 

DAY	DATE	SERIES	NETWORK
Friday	September 30th	ALDS A, Game 1	TBS
Friday	September 30th	ALDS B, Game 1	TBS
Saturday	October 1st	ALDS A, Game 2	TBS
Saturday	October 1st	ALDS B, Game 2	TBS
Saturday	October 1st	NLDS A, Game 1	TBS
Saturday	October 1st	NLDS B, Game 1	TBS
Sunday	October 2nd	NLDS A, Game 2	TBS
Sunday	October 2nd	NLDS B, Game 2	TBS
Monday	October 3rd	ALDS A, Game 3	TBS
Monday	October 3rd	ALDS B, Game 3	TBS
Tuesday	October 4th	ALDS A, Game 4	TBS
Tuesday	October 4th	ALDS B, Game 4	TBS
Tuesday	October 4th	NLDS A, Game 3	TBS
Tuesday	October 4th	NLDS B, Game 3	TBS
Wednesday	October 5th	NLDS A, Game 4	TBS
Wednesday	October 5th	NLDS B, Game 4	TBS
Thursday	October 6th	ALDS A, Game 5	TBS
Thursday	October 6th	ALDS B, Game 5	TBS
Friday	October 7th	NLDS A, Game 5	TBS
Friday	October 7th	NLDS B, Game 5	TBS

 

 

 

DAY	DATE	SERIES	NETWORK
Saturday	October 8th	ALCS Game 1	FOX
Sunday	October 9th	NLCS Game 1	TBS
Sunday	October 9th	ALCS Game 2	FOX
Monday	October 10th	NLCS Game 2	TBS
Tuesday	October 11th	ALCS Game 3	FOX
Wednesday	October 12th	ALCS Game 4	FOX
Wednesday	October 12th	NLCS Game 3	TBS
Thursday	October 13th	ALCS Game 5	FOX
Thursday	October 13th	NLCS Game 4	TBS
Friday	October 14th	NLCS Game 5	TBS
Saturday	October 15th	ALCS Game 6	FOX
Sunday	October 16th	NLCS Game 6	TBS
Sunday	October 16th	ALCS Game 7	FOX
Monday	October 17th	NLCS Game 7	TBS

 

 

 

DAY	DATE	SERIES	NETWORK	SITE
Wednesday	October 19th	The 107th World Series, Game 1	FOX	N.L. City
Thursday	October 20th	The 107th World Series, Game 2	FOX	N.L. City
Friday	October 21st	OFF DAY
Saturday	October 22nd	The 107th World Series, Game 3	FOX	A.L. City
Sunday	October 23rd	The 107th World Series, Game 4	FOX	A.L. City
Monday	October 24th	The 107th World Series, Game 5	FOX	A.L. City
Tuesday	October 25th	OFF DAY
Wednesday	October 26th	The 107th World Series, Game 6	FOX	N.L. City
Thursday	October 27th	The 107th World Series, Game 7	FOX	N.L. City

All Times are TBD.

Italics                            indicate If Necessary

SOX-YANKEES GET BIG NUMBERS

The clash between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox for first place in the American League East generated strong viewership numbers for FOX, ESPN and MLB Network this week.

Saturday’ FOX broadcast was the most watched non-prime regular season MLB telecast on the Network in more than three years with 4.10 million average viewers. Most of the country saw Yankees vs. Red Sox while parts of the country watched last year’ NLCS participants, Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants, square off. The last FOX non-prime regular season telecast to record higher numbers featured Boston and New York and the Cubs vs. St. Louis on July 5, 2008. For the season to date, FOX Saturday Baseball is averaging 2.97 million viewers, which is +5% versus last year’ 2.83 million viewers after 19 weeks.

ESPN’ Sunday night telecast of the Red Sox vs. Yankees was the most watched ESPN baseball game in more than four years with 4.72 million average viewers. The last time ESPN attracted a larger audience for baseball was for the Yankees vs. Red Sox on June 3, 2007 with 5.30 million average viewers. For the season, ESPN’ nationally exclusive telecasts are averaging 2.53 million viewers, which is +9% versus last year’ 2.32 million viewers after 19 weeks.

MLB Network’ Friday night telecast of the first game of the Yankees at Red Sox series was the network’ highest-rated game of 2011, averaging 563,000 viewers, second only to MLB Network’ telecast of Stephen Strasburg’ MLB debut in 2010 as its most-watched game ever. The telecast helped deliver MLB Network’ highest primetime audience ever and a 25th consecutive week of viewership growth since pitchers and catchers reported. The Yankees at Red Sox telecast on MLB Network was blacked out in the Boston and New York home television territories.

KEVIN HARRIMAN

ESPN CONFIRMS HAYNESWORTH DEAL TO PATRIOTS

Report: Pats trade for Haynesworth
According to a report from Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Patriots have acquired defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth from the Redskins in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Haynesworth was an two-time All-Pro for the Titans (2007, 2008) before signing a seven-year, $100 million deal with the Redskins in February 2009. His two years in Washington were a major disappointment, as Haynesworth suffered a severe drop in on-field production and was also suspended by Mike Shanahan in December 2010 for conduct detrimental to the team.

For more Patriots news visit weei.com/patriots.

PICTURES FROM ESPN’S BOXING CARD

Elvin Ayala vs Joe Gardner

 

Photo by Christin Murphy

 

Body shot by Ayala sends Gardner to a knee. (Photo By Chisrtin Murphy)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lundy vs Lopez (Photo By Christin Murphy)

BIG EAST WEEKLY WRAP UP

The Weekly Big East Wrap Up

Rivalry Week on ESPN kicks off with the most-played rivalry among BIG EAST members as Pittsburgh visits West Virginia at 7 p.m. Eastern. Monday’s game will be the 181st meeting between the schools, with West Virginia holding a 95-85 series lead. Pittsburgh has won 15 of the 25 BIG EAST regular-season meetings, while the teams have split a pair of games in the BIG EAST Championship. Monday’s telecast is the first of 10 BIG EAST games that will be on either ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU this week. The BIG EAST will have at least one nationally televised game each day this week, with the exception of Friday, which is an off day in the conference.

BIG EAST Player of the Week
MARSHON BROOKS, Providence, G, Sr.

Brooks averaged 33.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in two games last week, including a 43-point, 10-rebound effort in an 83-81 loss at Georgetown. He had 24 points and seven rebounds in a 68-63 win against USF. The scoring total against Georgetown ranks fifth on the all-time BIG EAST single-game chart and lifted Brooks’ average to a BIG EAST-leading 24.1 points per game in conference games. 

 

 

BIG EAST Rookie of the Week
JEREMY LAMB, Connecticut, G, Fr.

Lamb earns BIG EAST Rookie of the Week honors for the second straight week after he averaged 16.0 points in a 1-1 week for the Huskies. He had a team-high 22 points in a 66-58 loss to Syracuse and added 10 points in a 61-59 win at Seton Hall. Lamb has hit for double figures in seven consecutive games.

 

 

 BIG EAST Honor Roll
Chris Wright, Georgetown, G, Sr. Averaged 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in a 2-0 week. Scored 24 points in a 62-59 win against Louisville and had 16 in an 83-81 win against Providence. 

Ben Hansbrough, Notre Dame, G, Sr. Averaged 24.5 points, 4.5 Notre Damerebounds and 4.0 assists in a 2-0 week. Scored 24 points in an 83-58 win at DePaul and had 25 in a 76-69 win against Rutgers. 

Ashton Gibbs, Pittsburgh, G, Jr.  Matached his career high with 25 points on 7-of-11 shooting in a 71-59 win against Cincinnati. Went 5-of-5 from 3-point range.

Rick Jackson, Syracuse, F, Sr. Averaged 17.0 points and 12.5 rebounds in two road wins. Had 13 points and 13 rebounds in a 66-58 win at Connecticut and added 17 points and 12 boards in a 72-49 win at USF. Registered his 15^th and 16th double-doubles of the season.

Corey Fisher, Villanova, G, Sr. Averaged 16.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists in a 2-0 week. Scored 17 points with six assists and four steals in a 75-70 win against Marquette and had 16 points and five assists in a 66-50 win against West Virginia.

RED SOX ANNOUNCE HOME GAME TIMES

RED SOX ANNOUNCE 2011 HOME GAME TIMES

 

 

 

BOSTON, MA – The Boston Red Sox today announced the start times for their 2011 home games at Fenway Park.  The Red Sox 2011 regular season general ticket on-sale begins this Saturday, January 29 at 10:00 a.m.

 Boston’s 2011 home opener will take place at Fenway Park against the New York Yankees on Friday, April 8 at 2:05 p.m and will be broadcast on the club’s television rightsholder, NESN.  That series will continue with two nationally televised games, a 1:10 p.m. start on Saturday, April 9 on FOX and an 8:05 p.m. contest on Sunday, April 10 on ESPN.

 The Red Sox will play six Saturday day games at Fenway Park during the 2011 regular season and, in addition to the home opener, Boston has eight weekday afternoon contests scheduled, including Patriots Day, Monday, April 18 against the Toronto Blue Jays at 11:05 a.m. 

 The Red Sox will host the Chicago Cubs in Interleague Play from Friday, May 20 through Sunday, May 22.  The Friday and Saturday games will begin at 7:10 p.m., with Saturday’s contest being televised on FOX.  The Sunday, May 22 matchup between the Red Sox and Cubs will be featured on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball with an 8:05 p.m. start time.  Additional Red Sox Saturday home games scheduled to air on FOX include May 7 vs. the Minnesota Twins at 1:10 p.m. and August 6 vs. the Yankees at 4:10 p.m.

 All week night and Saturday night games at Fenway Park are scheduled as 7:10 p.m. starts while Sunday day games are slated to begin at 1:35 p.m.

 To purchase tickets beginning on January 29, fans can log on to www.redsox.com or call the automated ticket line at 888-REDSOX6.  Fans will be able to purchase tickets to all games at Fenway Park, with the exception of all games with the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs for which a special random drawing will be held at a later date.  Tickets for the Green Monster and Budweiser Right Field Deck will also be sold via the random drawing.  Fans who require accessible seating can call 877-REDSOX9.  Hearing impaired fans may call the Red Sox TTY line at (617) 226-6644. 

 The Red Sox open the 2011 season on the road with a three-game set against the Texas Rangers beginning on Friday, April 1 at 4:05 p.m. ET at the Ballpark in Arlington.  Boston’s complete 2011 home and road schedule is attached.  All times included in the attached schedule are Eastern Time and subject to change.  All regular season games are televised on NESN (with the exception of FOX Saturday and ESPN Sunday Night Games) and broadcast in on WEEI 850 AM and network affiliates. 

 KEVIN HARRIMAN