Columnists
RSS Feed  RSS
Weei » Columnists » Alex Speier » Alex Speier Archive
ArchivesBlog
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
06/16/2010 - 5:11am
Red Sox lineup continues to outpace expectations
It was just another night of pinball for the Red Sox.
Alex Speier
06/14/2010 - 11:42am
Healthy outlook? Sox doc discusses controversies
It has been an unusual string of events for the Red Sox medical team. For years, the Sox have felt that their medical infrastructure has given them an edge over other clubs. The comprehensive operation that is overseen by medical director Dr. Thomas Gill, who supervises the training staff’s efforts to provide both care for injuries and injury-prevention programs, has typically received strong reviews for its ability to keep players on the field.
Alex Speier
06/12/2010 - 3:23am
Last hurrah for Lowell as a Red Sox?
It was a rare highlight moment for Mike Lowell.
Alex Speier
06/09/2010 - 11:44am
Sox draftee Ranaudo mulls his future
Anthony Ranaudo, the star pitcher from Louisiana State, had heard the same thing leading up to the draft as everyone else.
Alex Speier
06/08/2010 - 7:18am
Back to school: Red Sox seek impact college players on Day 1
This was a different sort of start to the draft for the Red Sox.
Alex Speier
06/07/2010 - 9:20am
A day to shape a franchise: How one draft changed the Red Sox for years
It is, in the words of many of the industry’s executives, the most important event of the baseball calendar. Each year, the amateur draft can dictate an organization’s shape and success for years to come. Over the coming three days, there will be 50 rounds of selections and over 1,500 players drafted. The vast majority of those will never walk onto a big league diamond. But if a team hits on even just a couple of its lottery tickets, the shape of an organization can be changed indelibly over the next decade.
Alex Speier
06/06/2010 - 2:44am
A Bard's answers to the makeup questions
BALTIMORE – They were, quite simply, the biggest outs of the game. And there was no question about who the Red Sox wanted to have in the game to handle them.
Alex Speier
06/05/2010 - 11:03am
Going, going, Gonzo? Why Adrian Gonzalez is unlikely to land with Sox
BALTIMORE – Don’t expect to see Adrian Gonzalez in a Red Sox uniform anytime soon.
Alex Speier
06/05/2010 - 3:05am
For Buchholz, dominance now comes easily
BALTIMORE -- Clay Buchholz was back at the scene of the crime. It had been just over 10 months since the pitcher’s worst outing of the 2009 season took place at Camden Yards.
Alex Speier
06/03/2010 - 12:15am
Making sense of Matsuzaka, 'The Magic Man'
Forget for a moment the Tilt-A-Whirl that is a season of Daisuke Matsuzaka’s starts.
Alex Speier
06/02/2010 - 4:00am
The unexpected force: Beltre emerges as key lineup member
Entering the 2010 season, several Red Sox players were viewed as potential engines for the offense.
Alex Speier
06/01/2010 - 4:00am
Powerful statement from Red Sox prospects
Through the early paces of 2010, it has been a different sort of season in the Red Sox farm system.
Alex Speier
05/30/2010 - 3:44am
Buchholz leaves Sox without regrets
In South Florida, history was happening.
Alex Speier
05/28/2010 - 5:00am
The Matsuzaka mystery won't go away
Daisuke Matsuzaka is now more than halfway through the six-year deal that he signed with the Red Sox prior to the 2007 season. And yet, somehow, he remains the source of absolute befuddlement.
Alex Speier
05/24/2010 - 4:47am
Things We Learned: Red Sox proving resilient amidst key stretch
It was defined as a potentially pivotal portion of the season. The Red Sox were staring down the barrel of one of their most challenging stretches of 2010, facing a run of five straight teams that had emerged as early postseason contenders.
Alex Speier
05/22/2010 - 11:01am
Things We Learned: Lackey's struggles have a familiar feeling
Those looking for reassurance amidst John Lackey's struggles need not look far.   In 2009, Lackey had a 2-3 record and 5.06 ERA (nearly identical to his 2010 mark) through his first nine starts. Opponents were hitting .317/.371/.462/.832 against him.
Alex Speier
05/21/2010 - 4:18am
Things We Learned: Ellsbury set to punctuate key week for Red Sox
Perhaps this is the week that will be viewed as the turning point of the season for the Red Sox.
Alex Speier
05/20/2010 - 4:00am
Things We Learned: Buchholz is a fixture, not a chip
On the two-year anniversary of Jon Lester’s no-hitter, Clay Buchholz paid appropriate homage to his teammate’s accomplishment.
Alex Speier
05/17/2010 - 2:38am
Things We Learned: Red Sox aren't preventing much of anything
You might have heard something about the Red Sox’ run prevention blueprint this offseason. Thus far, it is failing in startling fashion.
Alex Speier
05/15/2010 - 5:54am
Things We Learned: Softball slugging is working for Red Sox
During spring training, one American League executive took stock of the growing interest in run prevention. He noted that it represented less a sea change in the game than an ongoing quest for bang for the buck.
Alex Speier
05/13/2010 - 3:00am
Things We Learned: Ortiz 'getting closer and closer'
Day after day during the Red Sox’ 10-game homestand, the image would be repeated.
Alex Speier
05/12/2010 - 3:58am
Things We Learned: The Captain will not rebel
The question was meant to be harmless, amidst a slew of other inquiries about Daisuke Matsuzaka’s outstanding outing.
Alex Speier
05/11/2010 - 4:44am
Things We Learned: A late-inning force returns to Red Sox
A year ago, the Red Sox’ season came to an abrupt halt because Jonathan Papelbon could throw just one pitch for a strike, and the Angels knew it. Papelbon lost his postseason air of invincibility when he blew a save against the Halos, getting hit hard en route to a three-run yield. The Angels sat on nothing but fastballs, and Papelbon complied.
Alex Speier
05/08/2010 - 4:00am
Things We Learned: Beckett mystifies Red Sox
Josh Beckett could not recall an outing like it in his career. Nor could pitching coach John Farrell conjure such a meltdown by a pitcher with whom he has worked for four seasons.
Alex Speier
05/06/2010 - 3:43am
Things We Learned: Francona observes milestone with patience
After 1,000 games as the Red Sox manager, one would think that there would be little to learn about Terry Francona. Apparently, that assumption is flawed.


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.

John Farrell postgame pre…

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.

John Farrell postgame press conference

John Farrell postgame press conference

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bruins take Game 3, contr…

Bruins take Game 3, control of the series: Response and reaction

Salk and Holley break down a big Bruins win over the Blackhawks in Game 3 at the Garden.

An hour with Jack Edwards: Bruins look to take control of Stanley Cup finals

We talk all Bruins, all the time with the man himself, as Jack Edwards from NESN gets us ready for Game 3 and beyond.

Salk and Holley's Four at Four - 06/17/13

Four guys, four topics we haven't yet touched upon today. T.O. visits Ocho, Bob Costas has enough smarm for us all, stupid beauty pageant contestants and more.

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 - 06/17/13

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.

Salk and Holley's Answer the Question - 06/11/13

You ask, we answer... anything!

Stephen A. Smith on Doc t…

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.

More from this show

Shawn Thornton on the Gam…

Shawn Thornton on the Game 2 win

Shawn joined the show to discuss the Bruins' OT win in Chicago. Shawn said that there was a heated discussion during the first intermission Saturday night in Chicago after the team's poor first period.

More from this show

Is Doc a goner?

Is Doc a goner?

The guys opened the show discussing the rumors regarding Doc Rivers being part of a deal between the Celtics and the Clippers.

More from this show

Minor Details Ep. 55: Xan…

Minor Details Ep. 55: Xander Bogaerts and Anthony Ranaudo

Both Xander Bogaerts and Anthony Ranaudo punctuated their strong 2013 seasons with head-turning events on June 13. On that day, Bogaerts, the Red Sox' top prospect, was promoted from Double-A Portland Pawtucket, with the 20-year-old becoming one of the youngest position players in the affiliate's history. On that same day, right-hander Anthony Ranaudo punched out 13 batters for Double-A Portland, the most strikeouts by a Red Sox minor leaguer since Jon Lester in 2005. They joined Minor Details to discuss both those accomplishments and their seasons to date.

More from this show

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

Weei Writers