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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
07/21/2011 - 1:52pm
Counting the chips: How the industry views Sox prospects for trades
Few events crystallize perceptions of a farm system like the trade deadline.
Alex Speier
07/20/2011 - 5:44pm
Andrew Miller walks the unusual line
BALTIMORE -- It is the sort of line that a team encounters a few times a decade, if that. Andrew Miller walked six batters, a recipe for disaster. Yet when in the strike zone, his stuff was so good that he still managed to toss 5 2/3 shutout innings in which he allowed just two hits and struck out three. It was an outing in which he was mostly dominating, with a couple of hiccups in which he and the Red Sox managed to escape disaster en route to a 4-0 victory over the Orioles.
Alex Speier
07/20/2011 - 7:13am
Seven years later, Sox rejoin Beltran sweepstakes
BALTIMORE — And so it would appear that the Red Sox are deep into the Carlos Beltran sweepstakes. Again.
Alex Speier
07/19/2011 - 7:20am
Red Sox in comfortable position as trade deadline looms
BALTIMORE – So, yes, it is the final two weeks before the trade deadline, and the inevitable debates will occur with increasing passion.
Alex Speier
07/18/2011 - 12:11pm
Reddick vs. Drew? For the Red Sox, there's no dilemma
It is inevitable.
Alex Speier
07/14/2011 - 12:00pm
Kevin Youkilis remains the unnoticed All-Star
PHOENIX – It has been easy to overlook the season of Kevin Youkilis.
Alex Speier
07/12/2011 - 8:10am
Is there life after David Ortiz for the Red Sox?
Alex Speier
07/11/2011 - 4:25am
It's happened before: Why Ellsbury's amazing return is not entirely surprising
PHOENIX — At the start of 2010, plenty of people were ready to jump on the Jacoby Ellsbury bandwagon.
Alex Speier
07/10/2011 - 12:12am
Kyle Weiland's long road to the Red Sox rotation
The scouting and development process that led to this point – in which Kyle Weiland will make his big league debut as a starter for the Red Sox on Sunday – began more than a decade ago, when the right-hander was about 10 years old.
Alex Speier
07/07/2011 - 6:00am
Jacoby Ellsbury continues his powerful statement in 2011
It was approximately three hours before the start of Wednesday’s game, and Jacoby Ellsbury was talking with Red Sox traveling secretary Jack McCormick about his ticket requests for the All-Star game.
Alex Speier
07/06/2011 - 2:36pm
Why Jays ace Ricky Romero is rooting for a Red Sox draftee
Alex Speier
07/06/2011 - 7:29am
What Jon Lester's injury means for the Red Sox
Jon Lester had been little short of masterful through four no-hit innings on Tuesday night, and so when he did not emerge from the dugout for the fifth inning, and was instead replaced by Matt Albers, confusion followed by concern spread quickly across New England.
Alex Speier
07/05/2011 - 7:29am
The dangers of the deep end: Lackey, the Sox and the high cost of free agency
It was Dec. 16, 2009, and though Fenway Park was in the process of being converted to an icebox to host the Bruins, baseball had reasserted itself in Boston for a day.
Alex Speier
07/02/2011 - 7:43am
In the presence of greatness: Andrew Miller's night with baseball royalty
Not all paths to success are identical. That is a message that was reinforced in unusual fashion for Andrew Miller during an unforgettable dinner conversation.
Alex Speier
06/23/2011 - 8:06am
Is there hope for John Lackey?
Perhaps the most notable image of Wednesday’s game did not involve a player.
Alex Speier
06/22/2011 - 3:00am
Ready for Reddick? Why outfielder may need more playing time
Forget the platoon. The Red Sox have been engaged in an outfield timeshare with Carl Crawford on the disabled list. Manager Terry Francona has described it as a mix-and-match approach.
Alex Speier
06/21/2011 - 4:00am
Andrew Miller begins his fight against history
It is a siren that has ruined the career of many a promising prospect. A team drafts a young pitcher and instantly proclaims that his stuff has brought him to the cusp of big-league stardom. His time in the minor leagues is little more than a lillipad that serves as a springboard to a big league destination.
Alex Speier
06/19/2011 - 3:00am
How Adrian Gonzalez became the biggest bargain in baseball
It’s coming.
Alex Speier
06/18/2011 - 7:00am
The Achilles' heel? Sox reminded of a vulnerability on Friday
Right now, the good ship Red Sox is steaming along, with Boston having flattened its opponents en route to the best record in the American League.
Alex Speier
06/15/2011 - 2:59am
For Red Sox, Miller 'dilemma' is a luxury
For the Red Sox, it is arguably less significant what they decide to do with left-hander Andrew Miller than the mere fact that they have a challenging decision to make.
Alex Speier
06/13/2011 - 9:30am
Prime time: Why current Red Sox run may just be the start
For the Red Sox, the current run of exceptional play likely comes as much as a source of relief from anxiety as it does as cause for excitement. And for the rest of baseball world, the run is daunting beyond its implications for the 2011 season.
Alex Speier
06/12/2011 - 8:00am
We've seen this before from Dustin Pedroia
Ho-hum. The storyline has been heard before. In retrospect, perhaps the most surprising thing about it was simply the fact that there was surprise at the trajectory being taken by Dustin Pedroia’s season.
Alex Speier
06/11/2011 - 2:36am
For Red Sox, all is right against lefties
As they prepared for the 2011 season, most observers considered the Red Sox a strong club that possessed an obvious flaw.
Alex Speier
06/07/2011 - 6:00am
The new prospect crop: Sox hope first day of draft yields impact
A year ago, the Red Sox went to the Cape to see if their much-hyped draft pick Anthony Ranaudo once again looked like a top college pitcher. What they saw was a hurler who looked very much like he was rounding back into his top-of-the-rotation form…and an opponent who was even more dominant.
Alex Speier
06/05/2011 - 7:00am
J.D. Drew's final Boston chapter
J.D. Drew came to the Red Sox as part of an ambitious offseason makeover that was expected to help a team that missed the playoffs renew its pursuit of World Series.


Audio On Demand

It Is What It Is Cast: Ex…

It Is What It Is Cast: Examining the New England Patriots offseason

In the latest edition of the "It Is What It Is" podcast, Chris Price and CSNNE's Mike Giardi take a look at the Patriots offseason on both sides of the ball, try and get a handle on which new guys will make an impact first, and whether or not the Patriots have altered their style when it comes to drafting and developing wide receivers.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk on Tebow's release

Mike Florio joined the program to discuss the Jets decision to release Tim Tebow, he said the situation is as disaster all around for the Jets and that the problems begins with owner Woody Johnson. Mike also said that he was disappointed with the Pats moving back in the first round.

Mike Petraglia, WEEI.com, Sits Down with Butch Stearns to Help Break Down the Pats Draft

One of the hardest working men in the biz, Mike Petraglia aka "Trags", sits down with Butch Stearns live in Foxborough to help break down all the latest Pats moves. He discusses his reaction to the trade in Round 1 and the guys those picks produced. Also, the boys talk about the decent trade the Pats made in acquiring LeGarrette Blount from Tampa Bay for Jeff Demps and a 7th rounder.

Celtics President Danny A…

Celtics President Danny Ainge with Salk and Holley

We check in with Danny Ainge for our first talk to him since the Celtics season ended last weekend. We talk about the future of the team, KG, Pierce, Doc Rivers and more, as Danny directly answers the rumors being floated by ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.

Jackie MacMullan, ESPNBoston.com: "Gut" tells me Doc will stay

Jackie Mac joins the show to discuss the trade rumors swirling around Paul Pierce, KG, Doc Rivers and the Celtics. She also discusses the future of the Celtics head coach.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith on his rumored Celtics Clippers trade

Stephen A. joined the program to discuss the trade rumors he has reported regarding a possible trade including Doc Rivers and the Clippers. Stephen A. also told the guys that he has heard that Danny and Doc may be tiring of working together.

John Farrell postgame pre…

John Farrell postgame press conference

John Farrell postgame press conference

David Ortiz after the second game in Minnesota

Joe Castiglione and Dave O'Brien talked to David Ortiz after the Red Sox beat the Twins 12-5. Big Papi said that team chemistry is great, that the new guys see the Sox way of doing things.

John Farrell pregame before the middle game of the Minnesota series

Joe Castiglione talked to John Farrell before the second game against the Twins. The manager said that the Sox can win with small-ball or with big-ball.

Matt Bartkowski, Bruins D…

Matt Bartkowski, Bruins D: Coaches and teammates have made him comfortable

Bruins rookie defenseman Matt Bartkowski has emerged as one of the young stars of the team and he joins Mut and Tom Caron to discuss his role on the team, why he's confident, and the trade that almost sent him to Calgary.

Andy Brickley, NESN: Keep Bartkowski in lineup

Andy Brickley joins the show to discuss the Bruins Game 1 win over the Rangers, the play of the three young Bruins defensemen, and the fatigue Jagr has shown on the ice.

Pierre McGuire, NBC Sports, on Game 1 Bruins Rangers

Pierre McGuire joins Tom Caron and Mut to discuss the Bruins young defensemen, the intensity and energy level in the game, and the Rangers offense.

Shawn Thornton on his mes…

Shawn Thornton on his message to Seguin in Game 7 against the Leafs

Shawn joined the program to discuss another overtime win for the Bruins. When asked about Game 7 against Toronto, Thornton said that he would like to keep his specific comments in the dressing room private, but acknowledged that he encouraged Tyler Seguin to up his play and it paid off in overtime.

NESN's Barry Pederson on Bruins Rangers game one

Barry joined the guys to help breakdown the Bruins overtime win last night in game one. Barry said that he has rarely seen a team dominate as much as the Bruins yet be forced to an overtime.

Rangers superfan Boomer Esiason on the Bruins game 1 win

Boomer joined the program to discuss the tough loss for his beloved Rangers. Boomer told the guys that Lundqvist will be better in game two and predicted a seven game series.

Matt Bartkowski, Bruins D…

Matt Bartkowski, Bruins D: Coaches and teammates have made him comfortable

Bruins rookie defenseman Matt Bartkowski has emerged as one of the young stars of the team and he joins Mut and Tom Caron to discuss his role on the team, why he's confident, and the trade that almost sent him to Calgary.

Kevin Millar, Former Red Sox 1B, on Sox struggles

Millar joins the show to discuss the recent Sox slide, Jacoby Ellsbury's lack of power, and hitting in the big leagues.

Andy Brickley, NESN: Keep Bartkowski in lineup

Andy Brickley joins the show to discuss the Bruins Game 1 win over the Rangers, the play of the three young Bruins defensemen, and the fatigue Jagr has shown on the ice.

An hour with Jack: Breaki…

An hour with Jack: Breaking down the Bruins OT win over the Rangers with NESN's Jack Edwards

We talk all things game one with Jack Edwards of NESN, and get to hear a little from Jack's Finnish protege as well.

Salk and Holley's Four at Four - 05/17/13

We tackle four topics we haven't yet touched upon today.. Joe Thornton and disappointing former Boston athletes, parking in Boston, buying jersey numbers and more...

Yo Soy Traction! Rob Gronkowski now may need back surgery in addition to his 4th surgery on his injured wrist.

We talk about the report that Rob Gronkowski may now be a candidate for back surgery with a disc problem. Is Gronk just an injury prone guy? Or is he not rehabbing proberly? Can the Pats build an offense around a guy who is so inconsistently on the field? We discuss.

Daily Planet Thursday May…

Daily Planet Thursday May 9th

The Bruins have almost finished raking the Leafs, the Red Sox struggle from the mound, Miami Heat fans show their level of class.

Daily Planet Wednesday May 8th

Daily Planet Wednesday May 8th

Daily Planet Tuesday May 7th

Today on the Daily Planet the Bruins take a 2-1 series lead, the Red Sox get a run-off win, and we hear about cannibals and bible thieves.

Buster Olney, ESPN: Ellsb…

Buster Olney, ESPN: Ellsbury play will hurt him in free agency

Buster Olney joins the show to discuss the muddled AL East, the average play of Ellsbury and how that will affect him in free agency, and Tropicana Field.

More from this show

Linda calls in to describ…

Linda calls in to describe the scene on Dexter St in Watertown

Linda explains how the shootout transpired in Watertown during the early morning hours. She saw the first suspect mortally wounded and police beginning the manhunt for the second suspect.

More from this show

Boston bombing hero Jeff …

Boston bombing hero Jeff Bauman: "He's dead and I'm still here"

Jeff Bauman, a victim of the Boston Marathon bombing, joined the show to give the guys an update of his condition and a first-hand account of that terrible day. Jeff told the guys how he wrote the description of the bomber as soon as he could. Mr. Bauman added that he is aided every day with the knowledge that he is alive and the terrorist that detonated the bomb is dead.

More from this show

It Is What It Is Cast: Ex…

It Is What It Is Cast: Examining the New England Patriots offseason

In the latest edition of the "It Is What It Is" podcast, Chris Price and CSNNE's Mike Giardi take a look at the Patriots offseason on both sides of the ball, try and get a handle on which new guys will make an impact first, and whether or not the Patriots have altered their style when it comes to drafting and developing wide receivers.

More from this show

Rangers superfan Boomer E…

Rangers superfan Boomer Esiason on the Bruins game 1 win

Boomer joined the program to discuss the tough loss for his beloved Rangers. Boomer told the guys that Lundqvist will be better in game two and predicted a seven game series.

More from this show

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