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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
03/20/2010 - 8:33am
Why trading Jason Bay didn't work out like the Pirates had hoped
BRADENTON, Fla. – Ordinarily, deals that involve the movement of superstars in exchange for prospects require years to analyze.
Alex Speier
03/19/2010 - 2:26am
Overlooked superstar: The perception of Kevin Youkilis
FORT MYERS, Fla. – He has become the best player on a team that is typically one of the best in the game. His numbers rival those of nearly anyone in the game, putting him on the short list for the American League MVP Award in two straight years.   But the spotlight does not shine on Kevin Youkilis.  
Alex Speier
03/18/2010 - 11:05am
Radar love: Delcarmen looks to regain velocity
FORT MYERS, Fla. – In most cases, the work of veteran relievers in spring training games represents little more than an exercise in going through the motions and building up arm strength towards the season.
Alex Speier
03/17/2010 - 7:00am
Doubront joins line of Sox pitching prospects
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Add one more to the ranks of both Red Sox pitching prospects and rotation options.
Alex Speier
03/17/2010 - 1:43am
A day of anxiety and relief about Westmoreland
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – It was a long, anxious day on which baseball seemed nearly irrelevant.
Alex Speier
03/16/2010 - 7:06pm
Red Sox wait anxiously for Westmoreland news
UPDATE: The Red Sox issued the following statement on Tuesday night about outfielder Ryan Westmoreland's surgery:
Alex Speier
03/16/2010 - 10:16am
Split decision: Why Sox prospect Younginer was rooting for the Orioles
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Madison Younginer did not hide his divided loyalties.
Alex Speier
03/16/2010 - 2:25am
For Lowell, the test begins
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Thus arrived the first day of the rest of Mike Lowell’s career.
Alex Speier
03/15/2010 - 12:49am
Ellsbury faces uphill battle for Gold in left
FORT MYERS, Fla. – When the Red Sox talked to Jacoby Ellsbury about moving to left field for the 2010 season, the team wanted to make clear to the 26-year-old that it wasn’t a demotion.
Alex Speier
03/07/2010 - 11:04am
Bowden's progress comes without a hitch
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Michael Bowden’s entry into Saturday’s game waited on John Lackey to finish his outing, as the young right-hander was left to piggyback the Red Sox’ star offseason pitching addition. There was something apt about that structure, since Bowden’s big league future also may have been delayed by the arrival of the former Angels star.
Alex Speier
03/05/2010 - 7:53am
Kalish shows animal instincts on the diamond
FORT MYERS, Fla. — It all happened in an instant.
Alex Speier
03/05/2010 - 7:26am
Being Like Mike: Cameron recalls Jordan's influence
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Mike Cameron had worn the No. 25 for each of the last four seasons, but with Mike Lowell in possession of that number upon the outfielder’s arrival in Boston, another set of digits was in order.
Alex Speier
03/04/2010 - 7:44am
Five Things We Learned: Glimpse of a phenom
FORT MYERS, Fla. — In its own right, the outing by Casey Kelly offered little obvious meaning beyond the opportunity to overcome any stage fright that he might have had this spring.
Alex Speier
03/03/2010 - 8:33pm
Knuckleball life comes full circle for Wakefield
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The echo was undeniable, even if faint.
Alex Speier
03/03/2010 - 2:30am
Red Sox spring storylines to watch
FORT MYERS, Fla. – It is popular sport to disparage spring training, especially for a team such as the Red Sox that would appear to have almost all of its roster set.
Alex Speier
03/02/2010 - 8:09am
Sox caught with uncertain future behind plate
Alex Speier
02/24/2010 - 7:03am
Why Lowell might stay: Deal may not be in cards
FORT MYERS, Fla. — In his session with the media on Tuesday, Mike Lowell said that the Red Sox front office had not approached him about the possibility of remaining in Boston and contributing in a reserve role.
Alex Speier
02/23/2010 - 8:17am
Crossroads moment for Ortiz: Past and future loom over slugger
FORT MYERS, Fla. — David Ortiz did more than arrive at spring training on Monday.
Alex Speier
02/22/2010 - 8:13am
Spring projects: What Sox pitchers are working on this spring
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The bullpen sessions that are a staple of spring training can seem monotonous. But for John Farrell, they represent an opportunity.
Alex Speier
02/19/2010 - 7:22am
The Lackey Effect: Newcomer's impact on the rotation
FORT MYERS, Fla. — John Lackey would represent a substantial upgrade to any rotation in the majors. Yet at the beginning of the offseason, it was common to question why the Red Sox would channel tremendous resources to address an area of apparent strength.
Alex Speier
02/16/2010 - 11:39pm
Papelbon fueled by playoff collapse
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The great ones emerge stronger.  
Alex Speier
02/05/2010 - 4:43am
Checking in at the V-Mart: A look at Victor Martinez' value
Victor Martinez is one of the best hitting catchers in major league history. Yet it remains to be seen whether the Red Sox — or anyone else — will pay him like one.
Alex Speier
01/29/2010 - 3:03am
Glimpse of the future: The unlikely path of Ryne Miller
There were few surprises among the list of participants in the Red Sox’ Rookie Development Program.
Alex Speier
01/21/2010 - 1:11am
Glimpse of the Future: Casey Kelly
The Red Sox currently are conducting their annual Rookie Development Program. The program typically includes some of the top prospects in the organization who the club believes could make their big league debuts in a 12- to 18-month time frame.
Alex Speier
01/20/2010 - 12:24am
The Money Mailbag: Trying to make sense of MLB's luxury tax
"Money often costs too much." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson, The Conduct of Life The offseason Red Sox storylines have been numerous and fascinating: the saga of Jason Bay, the sudden and decisive move to sign John Lackey, the winter-long uncertainty of Mike Lowell, the team's defense-first sequence of signings meant to overhaul run prevention.


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.

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.

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.

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

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