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About Alex Speier

Before he joined WEEI.com, Alex covered the Red Sox for several New England and national publications, including the New Hampshire Union Leader, Boston Metro, Boston Herald and Baseball America. Alex graduated from Harvard, where he served as the captain of the debate team, an experience that has been of surprisingly little use in press boxes across the country.

 
COLUMNS
Alex Speier
12/08/2011 - 4:50am
The Waiting Game: For Red Sox, no rush to make moves
DALLAS – Eager to find out what the Red Sox will do this winter? Too bad.
Alex Speier
12/07/2011 - 5:00am
Dare: Red Sox challenge David Ortiz to bet on his own future
Alex Speier
12/05/2011 - 8:59am
No big splash in Big D? Why the Red Sox might not have money to burn at winter meetings
DALLAS -- For the last several years, the Red Sox consistently have spent more aggressively than any team in the majors save for the Yankees.
Alex Speier
12/02/2011 - 9:56am
The unveiling: Reality displaces perception as Bobby Valentine is introduced
Now, the process that led to the hiring of Bobby Valentine is unimportant. The perception and preconceived notions of the new manager of the Red Sox likewise fade into irrelevance, as do any assumptions he might have had about his team.
Alex Speier
12/01/2011 - 10:45am
V is for Victory (Now): How Bobby Valentine became the Red Sox' manager
Make no mistake: The Red Sox’ managerial search ended in a very different place than where it began.
Alex Speier
11/28/2011 - 5:00am
Are you experienced (and does it matter)? Age, experience and the Red Sox managerial search
There are times when five weeks can seem like a very long time.
Alex Speier
11/24/2011 - 12:41pm
The value of letting them walk: How the Red Sox have done by letting free agents leave
At first glance, it seemed uncertain whether the Red Sox would offer salary arbitration to free agents David Ortiz and Dan Wheeler on Wednesday.
Alex Speier
11/22/2011 - 9:53am
The Meaning of Bobby V.: What Valentine's interview says about Sox' managerial search
The atmosphere was simply … different.
Alex Speier
11/15/2011 - 7:22am
With Papelbon gone, how will Red Sox approach replacing him?
MILWAUKEE – What do you do when you watch your longtime All-Star closer become the first high-profile free agent to switch teams? If you are the Red Sox, then in all likelihood, you dig in and begin what could be a protracted waiting game for his replacement.
Alex Speier
11/10/2011 - 9:05am
What we've learned and what remains in the Red Sox managerial search
Three candidates down, two on the horizon and none planned beyond that.
Alex Speier
11/09/2011 - 9:21am
Money in the ninth: Ryan Madson deal raises bar for Jonathan Papelbon, closer market
Well, that didn’t take long. The starter’s pistol for free agent closers went off on Tuesday, and teams in the market for free agent closers were floored when it did so. The Phillies and closer Ryan Madson were reportedly nearing a four-year, $44 million deal that also included a $13 million vesting option for a fifth year.
Alex Speier
11/08/2011 - 8:55am
Dan Duquette's Red Sox draft record reconsidered
As Dan Duquette gets ready to re-enter Major League Baseball after a hiatus of nearly 10 years, it is worth reconsidering one contentious area of the new Orioles general manager’s track record in Boston.
Alex Speier
11/03/2011 - 2:00am
History suggests Dale Sveum can clean up a mess
There is little question that the next manager of the Red Sox will face a challenging yet potentially highly rewarding task.
Alex Speier
11/02/2011 - 7:37am
Golden Boy: The defensive transformation of Jacoby Ellsbury
On Tuesday night, the baseball world recognized Jacoby Ellsbury as one of the defensively elite players in the game.
Alex Speier
10/31/2011 - 9:00am
Why Dale Sveum is a candidate to manage the Red Sox
It didn’t take long. Already, the Red Sox’ managerial search has produced some raised eyebrows. After Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin interviews on Monday, the next man in the queue will be one whose name comes with a degree of infamy in Boston: Dale Sveum.
Alex Speier
10/28/2011 - 1:10am
No time to get chippy: Why Red Sox are unlikely to trade Kevin Youkilis
There is no doubt that the 2012 Red Sox will be a reconfigured team. Already, the team knows it will be without John Lackey next year, leaving two vacancies in the rotation.
Alex Speier
10/26/2011 - 2:46am
Epstein, Cherington inspire emotional tale of two cities for Red Sox
CHICAGO and BOSTON -- It was a day unlike any other in Red Sox front office history, one that -- emotionally and geographically -- was all over the map. For those who have worked with both Theo Epstein and Ben Cherington, the two men who were inaugurated to their new posts atop the baseball operations pyramids of their storied franchises, it was a day of transition.
Alex Speier
10/25/2011 - 12:00am
Game-Changer: What Theo Epstein's tenure meant to the Red Sox and baseball
In the days that have passed and the days to come, plenty of space has been and will be devoted to the legacy of Theo Epstein in his time as general manager of the Red Sox. And rightly so.
Alex Speier
10/21/2011 - 8:54am
What now for David Ortiz? How market shapes up for slugger
It was a day when Major League Baseball could celebrate David Ortiz as both a player and a person.
Alex Speier
10/19/2011 - 9:08pm
Cubs prospect Trey McNutt tries to make sense of Red Sox rumors
At first, the idea seemed comical to Cubs right-hander Trey McNutt. Minor leaguers learn to live with the reality that they might be traded. But few can brace themselves for the notion that they might be sent to another franchise as part of a compensation package for a general manager.
Alex Speier
10/15/2011 - 9:26am
Can the Red Sox fix their rotation? A look at options for 2012
The horrific performance of the Red Sox rotation in 2011 has been well-documented. Nonetheless, in case you forgot . . .
Alex Speier
10/13/2011 - 8:00am
Forget the wrecking ball: Red Sox unlikely to blow up roster in light of revelations
The perception is that the greasy-fingered dysfunction of the Red Sox clubhouse represented a black hole from which hope could not escape.
Alex Speier
10/12/2011 - 6:27am
Heir apparent: How Ben Cherington emerged as Theo Epstein's likely successor
It was a time when general managers had suddenly been turned into the iconic faces of franchises.
Alex Speier
10/07/2011 - 11:00pm
AL East still a beast? Taking stock of a division that is watching the rest of October
The American League Championship Series begins on Saturday, and it will be as notable for the teams that are not participating in it as those that are.
Alex Speier
10/06/2011 - 7:26am
From Billy Beane to Theo Epstein, life comes full circle for Red Sox
The scenario is strikingly familiar: A new owner of a storied but star-crossed franchise seeks an established general manager to serve as the architect who will end an incredible championship drought.


Audio On Demand

Pete Prisco Tim Tebow can…

Pete Prisco Tim Tebow cant play

Pete joined the show to discuss Tebow's signing with the Patriots. He said that Tim Tebow cant play and that he has trouble learning NFL playbooks.

It Is What It Is Cast, Jeff Howe

On this episode of the It Is What It Is Cast, Chris Price talks with the Boston Herald's Jeff P Howe about the Patriots offseason, Rob Gronkowski's back surgery, Danny Amendola replacing Wes Welker, and how this seasons team will stack up against last seasons.

It Is What Is Cast: Injury Expert Will Carroll

In the latest edition of the It Is What It Is Cast, Chris Price talks with Will Carroll. Injury expert and lead writer for Sports Medicine, Bleacher Report. They talk about the injury to Rob Gronkowski and what his back surgery could mean for his season.

Jeff Van Gundy on Doc and…

Jeff Van Gundy on Doc and the Celtics

Jeff joined the show to discuss the rumors of Doc heading to the Clippers. Jeff said that he will not discuss his future but that his brother would be a great candidate anywhere.

Stephen A. Smith on Doc to the Clippers

Stephen A. joined the show to discuss the status of trade negotiations between the Clippers and the Celtics. Stephen said that it is a 50-50 proposition that Doc ends up in Los Angeles.

"Celtics Summer Cooler" With Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell - Hour 2

Grande and Max take more calls on the Celtics and discuss what lies ahead for Doc Rivers with Steve Bulpett.

Red Sox Manager John Farr…

Red Sox Manager John Farrell with Salk and Holley

We check in with Red Sox skipper John Farrell for our weekly Sox update and get the latest on the injury to Clay Buchholz, and a whole lot more.

John Farrell postgame press conference

John Farrell postgame press conference

Jonny Gomes postgame with Joe & Dave after the second Rays game

Joe & Dave talked to the Sox outfielder, who pounded the ball out of the park to win the second game of the doubleheader against the Rays.

Shawn Thornton on D&C: St…

Shawn Thornton on D&C: Still anybody's series

The Bruins have looked quite good taking a 2-1 lead on the Blackhawks, but Shawn Thornton says the team is not getting ahead of itself. Thornton also talks about what makes Patrice Bergeron such a great player and teammate. He also squeezes in a few shots at his friend Keegan Bradley.

Pierre McGuire, NBC Sports, on the Stanley Cup Finals

Pierre McGuire joins Mut and Merloni after a Bruins win and discusses the play of Rask and the defense, the Hossa injury, and Jagr.

Tony Amonte, CSNNE: on Hossa injury

Tony Amonte calls out Marian Hossa for missing Game 3 and recaps the Bruins win.

A punch drunk D&C

A punch drunk D&C

A sleep deprived crew opened the show flipping through the Herald and seeing Mut and Merloni's cake highlighted on page two.

Shawn Thornton on D&C: Still anybody's series

The Bruins have looked quite good taking a 2-1 lead on the Blackhawks, but Shawn Thornton says the team is not getting ahead of itself. Thornton also talks about what makes Patrice Bergeron such a great player and teammate. He also squeezes in a few shots at his friend Keegan Bradley.

Keegan Bradley joins D&C live at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut

Keegan Bradley hopped on the set in Connecticut with D&C to talk some golf, but seeing as how he's a big Boston sports fan, the interview covered a lot of ground. You can hear Keegan talk about the Bruins' Cup chances, the Doc Rivers deal that almost was, and Shawn Thornton's lacking golf game.

LB talks Bruins Blackhawk…

LB talks Bruins Blackhawks in studio

LB joins Mut and Merloni and discusses the Stanley Cup Finals and takes phone calls from listeners.

Mut and Merloni respond to the Boston Herald

Despite many other important newsworthy items, the Boston Herald decided it was appropriate to put a story about Mut and Lou sending a vulgar cake to a Chicago radio station on the front page of today’s paper. Mut and Merloni respond, make it clear it was just a good natured joke and not meant to offend anyone.

Buster Olney, ESPN, on the struggles of Andrew Bailey

Buster joins the program to discuss the problems of Andrew Bailey, what closers are available in the market, the Buchholz injury, and the latest in the biogensis scandal.

Aaron Hernandez questione…

Aaron Hernandez questioned in murder probe: Is the 'Patriot Way' a thing of the past?

We talk about the developing Aaron Hernandez story line and look at it from the context of 'the Patriot Way', the theory that the Patriots only deal with high character athletes. Is that Patriot way gone? Did it ever even exist? We discuss.

An hour with Jack Edwards: Blackhawks will not go down without a fight

We check in with Jack Edwards live on location for an hour of Stanley Cup preview. Jack warns us all not to get overconfident, the Bruins haven't won anything yet.

NHL Network's Kathryn Tappen with Salk and Holley

We talk pucks with the lovely and talented Kathryn Tappen of the NHL Network and preview game 4 of the Stanley Cup final and beyond.

Bernie Carbo

Bernie Carbo

Mikey gets a surprise call from Red Sox legend Bernie Carbo. They talk about old-time baseball and Bernie's new book.

Tom Bean and Luke Poling, producers, writers and directors of 'Plimpton!'

Mikey talks with Tom and Luke about their new movie, "Plimpton!" and finds out what it was like to try to encapsulate everything George Plimpton accomplished during his life.

Daily Planet, Friday May 31st

Today on the Daily Planet, the Red Sox and Yankees face off in the Bronx, Claude Julien doesn't want players wasting energy, and Dwight Howard and free agency.

Salk and Holley's Answer …

Salk and Holley's Answer the Question - 06/19/13

You ask us, we answer it. Or you ask Jack, he answers it.

Salk and Holley's Answer the Question - 06/17/13

You ask, we answer. Today featuring NESN's Jack Edwards.

Salk and Holley's Answer the Question - 06/13/13

The new way we end the show. You ask, we answer.

SI's Michael McCann break…

SI's Michael McCann breaks down the Aaron Hernandez situation

Legal expert Michael McCann joined D&C to take on the topic of the day: Just what exactly is happening with Aaron Hernandez? McCann addressed Hernandez' lack of cooperation in the investigation so far, and how that may play out as the case moves along.

More from this show

Don Cherry on the Stanley…

Don Cherry on the Stanley Cup

Don Cherry joined the show to discuss the Cup finals. He said that he still thinks the Bruins will win the series over Chicago. Grapes added that he would not give Evgeni Malkin a dime and called him a loser.

More from this show

It's SAUCE, SAUCE-MAN, JO…

It's SAUCE, SAUCE-MAN, JOHN SAUCIER... AND MORE SAUCE!

John Saucier has his first hosting gig today and gets things started with some background on how his Sauce-man style has been wrecking things on the Boston airwaves

More from this show

Pierre McGuire of NBC Spo…

Pierre McGuire of NBC Sports analyzes the Stanley Cup finals

Pierre McGuire joins Mut and Merloni after a Bruins win and discusses the play of Rask and the defense, the Hossa injury and Jagr.

More from this show

Shawn Thornton on D&C: St…

Shawn Thornton on D&C: Still anybody's series

The Bruins have looked quite good taking a 2-1 lead on the Blackhawks, but Shawn Thornton says the team is not getting ahead of itself. Thornton also talks about what makes Patrice Bergeron such a great player and teammate. He also squeezes in a few shots at his friend Keegan Bradley.

More from this show

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