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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
10/02/2009 - 3:23am
For Jason Bay, All of the Questions Have Been Answered
In the final two months of 2008, Jason Bay had to answer question after question. Though he made a transition to Boston with what seemed like remarkable ease, he nevertheless was viewed as a great unknown at every step of his first three months with the Red Sox. 
Alex Speier
10/01/2009 - 3:44am
Five Things We Learned: The Rest of the Red Sox Schedule Means Nothing
The Red Sox have always been a big-picture team, and so it comes as little surprise that team officials were frank in their assessment of the rest of the regular season. Their ticket to the postseason already punched, the Sox felt little need to pretend that any contest will matter between now and Game 1 of the playoffs.
Alex Speier
09/30/2009 - 5:24am
Five Things We Learned: The Red Sox Don't Need to Apologize for Celebrating
For a while, it seemed that everything had vacated the premises at Fenway Park. The buzz, the fans, the players — everything was gone.
Alex Speier
09/28/2009 - 3:29am
Five Things We Learned: The Sox 'Don't Give a [Bleep]' About Seeing the Yankees Celebrate
NEW YORK — As the Yankees streamed onto the field from the clubhouse, the bullpen and the dugout to celebrate their first division title since 2006, several members of the Red Sox remained behind in the dugout to take stock of the festivities.
Alex Speier
09/27/2009 - 9:05am
Five Things We Learned: The Sox Are Ready To Rely On Matsuzaka
NEW YORK – Moral victories are rarely as satisfying as actual ones. Nonetheless, on a day when Yankees ace CC Sabathia proved nearly unhittable in a 3-0 victory, the Red Sox found themselves taking significant satisfaction in the performance that took place opposite New York’s skyscraping southpaw.
Alex Speier
09/26/2009 - 8:28am
Five Things We Learned: The Red Sox Avoided a Disaster
NEW YORK — It wasn't hard to conjure the worst-case scenario. The line drive rang off of the inside of Jon Lester’s knee, and the pitcher instantly crumpled on the pitcher’s mound. The agony was obvious, and suddenly a pitcher who was viewed as a key component of the Red Sox’ path to postseason glory represented a question mark.
Alex Speier
09/25/2009 - 5:00am
Ortiz Returns to the Lion's Den: Slugger Heads Back to New York Unbowed
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — “You know what they say about lions?” After posing the question, Red Sox slugger David Ortiz stands up, bat in hand, to illustrate his answer. With the end of his bat, he draws a circle in the dirt next to the Kauffman Stadium backstop.
Alex Speier
09/24/2009 - 4:50am
Five Things We Learned: Beckett Is a Workhorse
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — When Josh Beckett arrived in Boston, the questions were not about his talent. Instead, the enormous issue that loomed over the pitcher was whether he could stay healthy enough to justify the steep prospect price paid by the Red Sox to acquire him. In his four full seasons with the Marlins, Beckett never pitched as many as 180 innings. At times, it seemed he spent as much time on the disabled list as the active roster thanks to a succession of blisters and shoulder woes.
Alex Speier
09/23/2009 - 5:57am
Five Things We Learned: A Darkhorse Emerges For a Postseason Roster Spot
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — From the standpoint of the Red Sox’ postseason plans, the most important outing of Tuesday night may not have been that of starter Paul Byrd. Byrd, of course, had an interesting tale of two games in the Sox’ 5-1 loss to the Royals (recap). He got shelled for five runs in the first, then shut out the Royals for the next 5-2/3 innings. 
Alex Speier
09/22/2009 - 1:51am
Divided Loyalties: Why One Sox Official Will Find It Hard To Root Against Zack Greinke
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Allard Baird will not be rooting for Zack Greinke to win on Tuesday. It will mark one of the only nights this year that the former Royals general manager, now a member of Boston’s front office, will have anything resembling mixed emotions while watching the Cy Young frontrunner pitch. Greinke, who will start against the Sox, can make a compelling claim to the title of baseball’s best pitcher in 2009. He also happens to be the sport’s best story this season.
Alex Speier
09/22/2009 - 1:50am
Divided Loyalties: Why One Red Sox Official Will Find It Hard To Root Against Royals Ace Zack Greinke
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Allard Baird will not be rooting for Zack Greinke to win on Tuesday. It will mark one of the only nights this year that the former Royals general manager, now a member of Boston’s front office, will have anything resembling mixed emotions while watching the Cy Young frontrunner pitch.
Alex Speier
09/15/2009 - 9:22am
Love Him Or Hate Him, Youkilis Belongs In A.L. Elite
For the second straight season, Kevin Youkilis has performed at a level that should place him in conversations about the top players in the American League. And yet somehow his name rarely gets recognized among baseball’s elite. The subject of American League Most Valuable Player typically revolves around Twins catcher Joe Mauer, Yankees Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter and perhaps Angels first baseman Kendry Morales (all, to be sure, deserving candidates). Youkilis is no more than a second-tier consideration.
Alex Speier
09/12/2009 - 3:49am
Five Things We Learned: Showtime for Daisuke
Knowledge is not water-soluble. Just 12 minutes of baseball were played at Fenway Park on Friday, with Red Sox starter Jon Lester loading the bases with one out in the top of the first before rains washed away the evening. A storm pounded the field for the better part of 2 hours, 20 minutes before the game was postponed to be part of a day-night doubleheader on Sunday.
Alex Speier
09/11/2009 - 11:09am
For Gonzalez, Red Sox Return Went From No-Trade to a No-Brainer
Billy Wagner thought about using his no-trade clause to torpedo a deal to the Red Sox. He agreed to go to Boston only when the new team put in writing that it would decline an $8 million option for the 2010 season. In 2003, Curt Schilling used his negotiating hammer to get a two-year, $25.5 million extension for the Sox (which became a three-year, $40.5 million deal once Boston won the World Series).
Alex Speier
09/09/2009 - 3:55am
Five Things We Learned: Deadline Deals Delivered the Goods for the Red Sox
The Red Sox have endured plenty of criticism for offseason acquisitions that failed to pan out. Most notably, neither John Smoltz nor Brad Penny lived up to the expectations that accompanied their signings. Both pitchers struggling so spectacularly that they were simply released.
Alex Speier
09/08/2009 - 3:40am
Five Things We Learned: Why Beckett Fell Short of Dominance
Even in defeat, the progress was obvious. Though Josh Beckett remained winless for a fifth straight start, that fact reflected as much upon an offense that proved utterly anemic against White Sox starter Mark Buehrle as it did upon the Red Sox starter’s performance.
Alex Speier
09/05/2009 - 3:11am
Five Questions About the Sox Pitching Staff After a Blowout Loss
Paul Byrd’s first outing with the Red Sox was unbelievable. His second bordered on unwatchable. 
Alex Speier
09/04/2009 - 3:48am
Five Things We Learned: The Sox Have the Best Outfield in the A.L.
The hottest hitter on the Red Sox was not in the lineup on Thursday. It didn’t show.  J.D. Drew, a wrecking ball in recent weeks, was on the sidelines with Rays left-hander David Price on the hill. But Boston suffered little for his absence, thanks to the presence of arguably the best fourth outfielder in the American League, a player who helps to make the Sox’ outfield as a whole the most productive in the A.L. 
Alex Speier
09/01/2009 - 3:48am
Southpaw Strikeout King: Lester's Path to the Red Sox Record Book
It’s a small thing, and Jon Lester insists that it does not bother him. But he does notice. When Josh Beckett takes the mound at Fenway Park, ‘K’ cards fan across the center field side of the Monster Seats to record the pitcher’s punchouts during any given start. The same treatment has been afforded in recent years to Daisuke Matsuzaka.
Alex Speier
08/31/2009 - 2:21am
What's Up With Doc? Halladay's Struggles Continue
Because he is Roy Halladay, he is held to a different standard that would seem unfair were it not for the fact that the Blue Jays ace measures himself by a bar that most pitchers cannot reach. As such, a few ordinary starts can serve as cause for alarm in the world of the 32-year-old.
Alex Speier
08/30/2009 - 3:20am
Five Things We Learned: The Essential Buchholz
For the first half of the season, it seemed as if Clay Buchholz might never find a way into the Red Sox rotation. Now, he is a pitcher whom the Red Sox cannot do without.
Alex Speier
08/27/2009 - 4:07am
Five Things We Learned: Wakefield Restores Order In Return
It had been a long, long time coming for Tim Wakefield. When he last took the mound against Oakland on July 8, Wakefield was 42 years old, and putting the final touches on an All-Star first half with a six-inning, three-run, 10-hit effort that earned him his 11th and final victory prior to the break. The win left the Red Sox in first by a game over the Yankees in the American League East.
Alex Speier
08/26/2009 - 9:43am
Five Things We Learned: Billy Wagner Helps Reshape the Red Sox Roster
If Billy Wagner didn’t want to win a championship, Tuesday’s trade to the Red Sox never would have happened. In the end, the left-handed reliever held all the power in the trade that sent him – after the Red Sox claimed him on waivers on Friday – from the New York Mets to Boston, just moments before Tuesday’s 1:30 p.m. deadline to complete a deal. Wagner possessed a no-trade clause that gave him the ability to blow up the agreement between the Mets and Sox, and would have been entirely within his rights to do so.
Alex Speier
08/24/2009 - 4:46am
Five Things We Learned on a Night When Beckett Was Humbled
Since the beginning of May, Josh Beckett had been delivering the types of performances that could only be examined through the perspective of history. On Sunday, that remained the case, but for entirely different reasons. The Red Sox ace, who enjoyed a period of unrelenting dominance from early May through the middle of August, turned in an outing unlike any other in his career, and indeed, in the last half century.
Alex Speier
08/23/2009 - 3:27am
Five Things We Learned: Tazawa Makes A Powerful Case
Brad Penny wasn’t really in a position to talk before Saturday’s game. He simply did not know what his future -- specifically, his place in the Red Sox rotation -- held. “I really don’t know anything,” he admitted.


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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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