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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
08/07/2012 - 8:13am
It's on the players: Red Sox redirect responsibility for 2012 from manager's office to the field
Ultimately, it’s not about Bobby Valentine. Terrible managers have won the World Series, as have some who were loathed by their teams. Great managers, wildly popular in their own clubhouses, have failed to do so.
Alex Speier
08/05/2012 - 7:08am
David Ortiz' injury may be the straw that broke the Red Sox' back
The injuries had piled up to such a degree that it was easy to view it as just more of the same.
Alex Speier
08/02/2012 - 3:50am
A catching conundrum: Red Sox have decisions to make behind the plate
What to make of the Red Sox catching situation at a time when uncertainty surrounds it?
Alex Speier
07/31/2012 - 8:04am
He's no Manny: The complexity of trying to deal Josh Beckett
Of course Josh Beckett is scheduled to be on the hill on Tuesday night. You expected someone else to serve as the face of the trade deadline for the Red Sox?
Alex Speier
07/27/2012 - 8:13am
Stacking up the chips: What the Red Sox have to deal (and why their most untradeable prospect might not be the one you expect)
Alex Speier
07/26/2012 - 8:16am
Sox in a box: Slipping Red Sox in a bind as trade deadline nears
Alex Speier
07/25/2012 - 8:18am
The improbable success story of Mike Aviles
The natural temptation was to bail out. The slider from Joe Nathan is a pitch that makes right-handed hitters weep, that looks like it will do them harm before sweeping back over the plate and clipping the outside corner. But Mike Aviles is not into bailing out at the first glimpse of adversity.
Alex Speier
07/24/2012 - 7:55am
Reality check: Why the Red Sox must look beyond 2012 at the trade deadline
There’s one week left before the trade deadline, and the Red Sox find themselves in No Man’s Land.
Alex Speier
07/21/2012 - 7:32am
Making sense of Josh Beckett and the state of the Red Sox rotation
The red flags about Josh Beckett are everywhere this year. His latest performance -- a six-inning, five-run (four earned) yield in Friday's 6-1 loss to the Blue Jays, will do little to mollify those whose anxiety about him is sky high.
Alex Speier
07/20/2012 - 3:34pm
Understanding an epic struggle: Why prospect Shaq Thompson's slump is no laughing matter
It is a statistical line that is uncomfortable to contemplate. Players are expected to struggle in their pro debuts. But few ever have endured the stretch that Shaq Thompson, an outfielder whom the Red Sox took in the 18th round of the 2012 draft, experienced in his first taste of professional baseball.
Alex Speier
07/20/2012 - 2:13am
No bull: Cody Ross and the lifelong quest to be a hero
Three things drew Cody Ross to what he considered a dream profession as a child: athleticism, danger and the potential for heroism. But the venue where he daydreamed of demonstrating those traits was not a baseball field. Ross wanted to be a rodeo clown.
Alex Speier
07/19/2012 - 8:07am
The return of 'the real Adrian Gonzalez'
It started modestly with a few 1-for-4 games that featured a single a night in late June. But the drumbeat soon picked up, a 2-for-5, a 2-for-3, a 2-for-4, a 2-for-5.
Alex Speier
07/17/2012 - 8:01am
Why a Ryan Dempster deal doesn't make sense for Red Sox
It’s that time again. The trade deadline season typically takes on a bizarre life, in which information and misinformation are ladled in equal measure, usually with something as simple as an adverb or adjective. So it was on Monday night.
Alex Speier
07/16/2012 - 7:10am
What's the deal? A 'blow it up'-free primer to the Red Sox and this year's trade deadline
With just over two weeks remaining before the July 31 trade deadline, the Red Sox are in very foreign territory as to how to proceed.
Alex Speier
07/10/2012 - 8:38am
Lack of star power keeping 2012 Red Sox mired in mediocrity
KANSAS CITY – David Ortiz seemed lonely.
Alex Speier
07/09/2012 - 3:37am
Why Red Sox prospect Xander Bogaerts would love to follow in Derek Jeter's footsteps
KANSAS CITY -- Xander Bogaerts served as the designated hitter for the World team at the All-Star Futures Game on Sunday. But it didn’t necessarily have to be that way.
Alex Speier
07/05/2012 - 7:54pm
Forget a raise, what about a pay cut? Why David Ortiz and the Red Sox could confront a challenging negotiation
It didn't take long for the halo from David Ortiz's 400th career homer to disappear. 
Alex Speier
07/03/2012 - 8:10am
Was this the end for Daisuke Matsuzaka?
There was a fascinating symmetry to the setting.
Alex Speier
06/30/2012 - 6:27am
No regrets: With Cody Ross flourishing, Red Sox getting better end of trading Marco Scutaro
Cody Ross is having the career year that no one is noticing. In the process, he is doing his best to demolish the logic behind the criticisms of the Red Sox’ most controversial roster move of the offseason.
Alex Speier
06/26/2012 - 6:54am
As he defies age and history, can David Ortiz hit 500 homers?
Three years ago, when David Ortiz was enmeshed in a staggering slump to open the season, his relationship with his age and time started to assume an ominous prominence. Was time catching up to him? At 33, was he done as an elite hitter?
Alex Speier
06/24/2012 - 8:00am
A quest fulfilled: In Middlebrooks, Red Sox found their homegrown power hitter
It would be a mistake to say that the Red Sox have failed to draft and develop their own homegrown power hitters.
Alex Speier
06/22/2012 - 8:09am
Making it work: How Will Middlebrooks is making the most of a complicated situation
Let’s get this out of the way first: Everyone wants resolution.
Alex Speier
06/20/2012 - 8:10am
Breaking the cycle: Why Felix Doubront's emergence is a very big deal for Red Sox
The 2012 season has been, by and large, one of disappointment thus far for the Red Sox. Even as the team once again has popped its head above .500, it has spent most of the season enduring mediocrity, suggesting more questions than answers.
Alex Speier
06/18/2012 - 6:58am
The making of Franklin Morales: His path to the Red Sox and effectiveness
Alex Speier
06/17/2012 - 8:45am
How history almost never happened: David Ortiz recalls the uncertain start of his Red Sox tenure
CHICAGO – An organization’s best moves are often the least noticed.


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

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

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

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