We win.

That’s right, folks. Starting today the d-bag mailbag is going back to a weekly posting schedule, not the bi-monthly exercise in free speech suppression that comrade Bradford instituted following the football season.

Of course, Mr. Hairy Bush-face has done his best to muddy the waters, claiming with no apparent shame that cutting back on the bag was my idea. Rob, Rob, Rob. Come now. You’re not dealing with Batting Stance Guy here. Next time, you’ll need to do better than that. The people have spoken.

So it’s back to doing what I do best — throwing out annoying accusations and getting yelled at by baseball people. It’s my comfort zone, and I’m not leaving it. Talk to you next week, kids!

Cue the jugglers….

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Felger,

It’s scaring me how much I agree with you lately. Keep up the good work.

Jeff

York, Maine

A: Jeff didn’t specify exactly what he felt I was right about, but did he have to? I mean, there’s so much to choose from.

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Subj: It’s amazing you have a job in sports

Felger,

You amaze me....Need I remind you who is considered the current most successful franchise in baseball? Do you remember the name of the only team to win two or more World Series in this decade? As Gammons said when he bitch slapped you, watch the game Michael....Stick with something you know (yet to be determined).

I don’t know who knows less about sports you or Butch Sterns. I think it is time for a Tom Verducci bitch slap....By the way, are you done crying about that? Was he wrong? You are commenting about a book that you did not yet read, and then you complain like a school girl when you are called on the carpet for it. You are a clown, but in the circus of dumb sports people you are in a neck and neck race with Sterns and Burton. Run hard for the finish line.

Adam

A: Thanks to Larry Johnson for the contribution. By the looks of it, I’m in third place. Does that mean that Sterns and Burton are more clown-worthy, or that I’m the biggest clown? Don’t answer that….

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Mr. Felger,

I just finished reading your article about David Ortiz incessant complaints over the loss of his little pal and JD Drew’s apparent total and complete disconnect from any sense of reality....I know that you are going to catch some heat from the local sycophants and Manny lovers so I thought that I would send you a note telling you that I really enjoyed your article.

I found JD Drew’s comments absolutely stunning. My interpretation of them was that he started spring training by stating that he’s no intention of playing any time soon, feels no real obligation to the fans or management to play, is not going to make any special effort to see that he plays, and he has no confidence in his ability to perform at a high level when he is forced to play.

As far as David Ortiz is concerned, he needs to stop whining about how oh so very hard his life is and take some action. Personally, I think that he dedicate some time to becoming a proficient bunter. I know that bunting is not nearly so sexy as trying to rip the head off of some poor schmuck whose sitting 30 rows back in the right field bleachers. But, watching Ortiz try to beat one out is wonderfully amusing. His doing so on a regular, somewhat successful basis would also force teams to modify their defensive strategy against him.

I Beck

A: Was it just me, or did anyone else notice how Ortiz and JD both seemed to undergo attitude adjustments last week? On Day 1, they were both whining. But by last Friday Ortiz was OK with the lineup and JD’s back was fine.

Start with Ortiz. On Monday, he said the following: “I always talk to Tito and Theo and they ask me questions, and I tell them straight up. Look at the problem we’re facing right now. J.D. has back problems — still. If we had another slugger in here we wouldn’t worry so much as we have to now.”

But by Friday, during his interview with us on Comcast, Ortiz had changed his tune. “We good right now,” he said. “We have what we need. We need to stick with this. And I’m pretty sure a lot of us are going to step up and get it done.”

Did someone get to Ortiz? Maybe. I thought the worst part of his original comments was that they showed a lack of faith in his teammates, particularly guys like Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay and Mike Lowell. Drew isn’t in the lineup enough to earn the same respect, in my opinion, but even if you take Drew out of the equation, a Youkilis-Bay-Lowell combination isn’t too shabby, as far as protection goes. Yet Ortiz still felt the need to say the team needed another slugger, which was bad form. At least he came off it.

Same with JD. No need for details here. The day he showed up in Ft. Myers he had a bitch-fest about his back. Then, Francona came out the next day and said he was fine, and JD followed suit. Drew has since missed some time in camp because of discomfort in his catching hand (oy vey), but the back has held up.

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Subj: Hey DB

You whine all the time! Lay off, Papi! He’s got a (expletive deleted) hitting behind him in JD Drew. Just watch, Drew will be hurt all season.

HAD

A: That’s not Drew’s M.O., Mr. HAD. Drew typically misses only portions of seasons, not entire ones. If he can battle through that painful catching hand injury, I say he’ll be good for around 125 games this season.

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Mike,

Your article on David Ortiz is dead nuts on. Here’s my memo to Mr. Ortiz: Stop whining, ``dude.’’ Manny is gone (thank God) and yes you will be cheered when you hit homers and help the Sox win, but guess what, you will be occasionally jeered when you strike out and show us that maybe Big Papi is looking more and more like Big Poppy. You’re right Dave, 33 is not old, unless you don’t take care of yourself or have the genes to suggest otherwise. Wake up, ``dude,’’ your only role on this team is to hit batters in and hit liners over the wall. Nobody ahead of you or behind you is going to do that for you. Man up, quit complaining and don’t turn into another Mo Vaughn.

John

New Hampshire   

A: Another surprising thing to me about the Ortiz story was that no one in the baseball media down there (other than this clown) called him on it. I mean, if Tom Brady showed up to training camp one year, and, on the first day, said the Pats needed to get better players around him, wouldn’t that raise a flag? (Okay, bad example. Tom can say anything he wants. And he’d never do that in the first place. Come to think of it, he had a perfect chance in 2006 and didn’t. So, once again, he’s the example of how it’s done). Anyway, you get the drift. I thought Ortiz’ quotes were glaring. But I was apparently alone on that island (shocker). Or maybe it just wasn’t the time for criticism. That first week in Ft. Myers felt like a big blow-fest to me. ... Nothing like our critical, hard-edged Celtics coverage on Comcast Sportsnet.

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Felger,

I thought you were right on target as far as Ortiz whining about no protection. Time to get over Manny and focus on driving in some runs, Papi. As for JD, his value is plummeting by the day. We need to get more than 1/4 of a season from this guy. I know he produces in the postseason, but we gotta get there first.

James Flannery

A: Here’s the crazy thing about my Drew abuse: I still think he’s an incredible all-around player, a natural, and I like him in this lineup. I love the fact that he almost never gives away at-bats. And, as you said James, I feel even better about him in the playoffs, primarily because I don’t think pressure reaches him like it does other guys. That doesn’t mean he always comes through (see Game 7 at Tampa), but on balance I think he’s a value-add in the postseason.

Here’s another thing that doesn’t bother me about Drew: His demeanor. I don’t care that he doesn’t show emotion. Makes no difference to me. In fact, in pressure situations it probably works to his benefit, so he can be as flat-lined as he wants to be. I think most fans would agree. The writers who cover Drew like to lump that into the reasons why he’s not a fan favorite here, but it misses the mark. I mean, who give’s a rat’s ass if he throws his bat or pumps his fist? No one I know of.

Our issue with Drew is a singular one: He doesn’t play hurt. And almost everyone else on that team does. Too often, Drew puts whatever little soreness he’s feeling ahead of the team. That makes him a hard guy to root for.

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Hey Mike,

This team is a house of cards to a degree and this season could wind up being very much of a letdown.

Start w/ JD. He’s still hurt, or more to the point, not 100 percent. That’s his kryptonite. Not being 100 percent. So he plays what, 80 games this year? That’s question mark #1.

Question #2: Julio/Lowrie/Lowell. Basically the left side of the infield. One giant question mark. Will Lowe’s hip be ok, will Julio suddenly play, well like someone who can actually play the position? Julio can’t hit and he can’t field. I just hope he’s continues to have quad problems. Will Jed be a full time player, or can he be? Is it that Jed is going to be more a career bench guy?

Question # 3: Pitching. Penny. Will he be healthy and if so, will the switch from the AAA NL West to the Beast of the AL East prove him to be just a mediocre or bad pitcher? Same for Smoltz. He’s a HOF, but the NL East, for all those years, was not the AL East. Becket’s health is still an issue as well.

Question # 4: Will Ellsbury blossom and adapt to getting pitched inside, or just be a so-so player?

Question # 5: Ortiz. Will he ever shut up and play? He looks thinner, but it’s a long season of buffets after the games.

I’m sorry, but this team is built on hope. And I’m just not hopeful.

Bernie

Malden

A: You can play that game with nearly every team in the league and come away with questions like that. The issue is whether the Sox have fewer questions than the competition, and I think they do. Especially when it comes to the pitching. They’re really deep, Bernie. Seven legit starters — Beckett, Lester, Matsuzaka, Wakefield, Penny, Smoltz, Buchholz (yes, I think Buchholz is legit). Four legit candidates to set up — Okajima, Masterson, Saito, Ramirez). Youth — Lester, Buchholz, Masterson, Bowden. Big-game experience — Beckett, Matsuzaka, Smoltz, Paplebon, Okajima. One of the best closers in the game. Top to bottom, I don’t see another staff that complete in major league baseball. You’re right that Beckett’s health is always an issue, but I don’t think the Sox’ fortunes begin and end with him. I believe the Sox would be far better positioned to contend without Beckett than the Yankees would be without Sabathia, for example.

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Michael,

I was watching you the other night when you had Theo on Comcast. You asked him if he knew or was aware  that the Yankees were pursuing Mark Teixeira. Theo’s answer was yes. However, the next morning on the Dennis and Callahan show, Larry Lucchino said they had ``no idea’’ the Yankees were pursuing Teixeira.

What the (expletive) is going on here, Michael?

Thank you,

Octavio Bizarro

A: An excellent question, Mr. Bizarro. Either Theo and the trio are on different pages, or Theo is just playing nice with Boras because he knows he has to deal with him in the future. Either way, in another era, this is something we’d probably hammer the team over. Confusion between management and ownership. Presenting different messages. Letting contract negotiations become personal, etc. This feels like something the old Red Sox would do.

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Hey Mike,

I was wondering what your prediction was for the Red Sox in 2009.

Scott

A: I think they’ll be better than last year. Call it 98 wins, first place in the East and another trip to the ALCS.

--

Mike,

Jason Taylor is owed $8 million for this upcoming year and Washington must be attempting to re-negotiate that down at this moment. Taylor refuses to re-negotiate, leaving the Skins no choice but to cut him. What a surprise, he comes to the Pats, even willing to wait for the Pats to trade Cassel, to clean up the cap room, so he can sign a deal that’s all about a big push for a ring this year.

Bill

A: I would have loved — LOVED! — for this scenario to play out. Unfortunately, Taylor’s agent said this week he plans to return to the Redskins and that the team hasn’t made his $8.5 million salary in 2009 an issue. Too bad. I know Taylor loves everything about the Pats would be a great guy to take a one- or two-year flyer on. He’d impact the pass rush immediately and improve the Pats’ horrid third-down defense overnight. He’d be the quintessential player to bring in to win a ring. Apparently, it’s not in the cards.

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Mike,

I’m going on the presumption the Patriots will trade Matt Cassel. Ideally, when would the Patriots like to trade him by? Realistically, when will they trade him by?

Andy

A: Ideally, they trade him five minutes into the new league year — 12:05 a.m. on Friday. That way, they get their $14.6 million in cap space back and have the flexibility to sign other guys, whether it be their own (Wilfork) or free agents in the market. As I’ve said before, I don’t see the Pats being big-money players early in free agency this year for a variety of reasons (the economy and the looming CBA battle, to name two), so it’s not like getting that money back is a huge priority. But I do think they’d rather have it than not. So, ideally, they’ve already laid the groundwork and have a few things in the hopper around the league. I don’t see any reason why it can’t be done quickly, say within a week or two. I’d be surprised if Cassel were here past the draft at the latest. And if I’m the Pats, I do the trade no matter what the story is with Brady. He’s going to be back eventually. Sell high with a guy you drafted in the seventh round and didn’t really believe in prior to the season anyway, and then use the picks to build your defense. The Pats have been handed a rare opportunity, and they should take advantage of it.

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Felger,

Cassel should have worked out a deal for a multi-year contact to stay Brady’s backup. If Brady isn’t ready, then the team would be Cassel’s. Cassel should have done like a four- of five-year deal to stay here instead of going to a bad team like KC or Detroit. If the Patriots send Cassel to KC they should get Larry Johnson and a draft pick.

I will keep following New England sports on Comcast Sports Tonight and it would be cool if you can something about me and how I live in Hollidaysburg, PA, and am a huge fan of all the New England Sports teams during one of your shows on Sports Tonight.

Thanks

Tim Peterson

A: I sincerely hope you’re 12 years old, Tim. As for your first point, even adults have mentioned this before and I don’t get it. What makes you think that Cassel would accept backup money for the next four or five years when he’s got starter money staring him in the face elsewhere? It makes no sense for him. If he remains here on anything other than the franchise tag, I’d be stunned.

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Mike,

I believe franchising Matt Cassel is a big mistake. Unless the Patriots make a trade (immediately), having Cassel on the cap will affect going after free agents. We both agree that the Patriots need to upgrade the defense. They are roughly $5 million under the cap. If they trade Cassel, they will be $20 million under the cap. I am all for the draft picks, but they need a balance with established players as well. The Chiefs released Damon Huard this week. He would be a great insurance policy while we see what happens with Tom Brady. Do you stand by your thought on franchising Matt Cassel?

Russ

Walpole

A: I absolutely stand by it, Russ. Again, what makes you think the Pats are in the mood to splurge this year? You’re telling me that if Cassel weren’t on the books we’d be looking at another Adalius Thomas signing on Saturday? I don’t buy it. I wish that were the case, believe me, but I don’t think it is. Besides, if the Pats trade Cassel quickly, they can get right in the mix with whomever they want. And Huard can back up here whenever he wants as far as I’m concerned. I love that guy.

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Felgy,

One thing I like about you is that you tell it like it is. But Peyton Manning as your second-best quarterback? You forgot to put your critical thinking hat on for that one. His players hate him, especially his offensive line who he likes to throw under the bus when he sucks, and he’s as much of a cry baby as Danny Ainge was in his prime. Yes, he can throw, and yes, he’s a good athlete. But the guy is simply a self-absorbed moron who doesn’t quite get the leadership thing. Good thrower?  Yeah. Egotistical? Yeah. Good stats? Yes. Inspiring? Not at all. Motivating? Nope. Team guy? Definitely Not. Likeable? Not in any way whatsoever. Ass like Larry F? Kind of, but only you would care or notice.  Peyton sucks. I’d rather be a teammate of Ryan Leaf.

I’d like you to reconsider your ranking.

John

A: For those of you who missed it (it was two weeks ago, after all), I attempted a power ranking of the top quarterbacks in football (Brady No. 1; Cassel No. 15). John represents one of the multitude of Peyton-haters out there. And you know what? I find it hard to argue with many of his points. At the same time, there is no one else who deserves to be ranked ahead of him. I don’t think Eli is anywhere near as good as his brother. I think Ben Roethlisberger has some tremendous intangibles (winner), but he isn’t a great passer. Drew Brees is soft. I like Philip Rivers, but better than Peyton? No way. I thought Carson Palmer would be the next big thing, but injuries killed that one. Bottom line: I don’t think you can make a compelling case for anyone over Manning other than Brady.

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Hi Michael,

Last week, Charlie Weis held a presser to announce coaching changes and assignments at Notre Dame for 2009. One of the issues that was discussed in the Q&A follow-up had to do with coaching from the press box, as he did with great success against Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl victory. While he resorted to that action because of his medical situation, the question was asked, ``Do you plan on continuing to call the plays from the press box?’’

In discussing this issue with a fellow Subway Alumnus, we could not agree as to whether or not he did this during his days with the Patriots. Could you confirm or contradict this?

Les Taylor

A: I couldn’t tell you what specific games it happened in, but, yes, there were a few times where Weis and/or Crennel went up to the booth. I believe it happened more earlier in the run (call it 2000-2002) than later.

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Mike,

I saw a notice that the NFL rules committee will be looking at their overtime procedures. I suggest that once each team has had the ball once, we’re in the old fashioned sudden death.

One other question. I loved David Ortiz’ suggestion that all players be tested three or four times a year, then be banned a year if the test is positive. I am, however, shocked, appalled, whatever else, that not one single other player has endorsed this, and even more shocked that no player has even talked about it. Why didn’t Jeter pick up on it at his press conference the next day?

Thanks,

Gene Devita

A: I’m in favor of your overtime proposal, Gene. Sudden death begins on the second possession. If the team that gets the ball second matches the opponent’s score (field goal or touchdown), there’s another kickoff and we play on. Simple as that. And you’re absolutely right about those Ortiz comments: Shouldn’t that have been a rallying cry for clean players around the league? If these guys are off the juice, why aren’t more players calling for tougher testing?

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Felger,

My mind tuned out on this repetitive drug talk around two weeks ago. It’s just the same old tired arguments repeated by new voices. There just has to be something more compelling for sports talk radio that would actually interest people who like sports. You’re a pretty smart guy. Get creative.

Richard Hunt

RI

A: Here are your other options, Rich: MILFs; cougars; Happyland; Madonna; Randy Moss; the taste of Tom Verducci’s ass; the size of Larry Fitzgerald’s ass; peeing in the pool; and Rob Bradford’s man-gina.

Maybe we should stick with steroid talk....

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Subj: Hall of Fame voters just don’t get it

Mike,

I have felt the same way as you since the Bonds witch hunt began....Steroid guys don’t have to be big and strong. They can do it to gain quickness and speed too, without looking like body builders. Even the skinny guys are doing it.

Allan

Topsfield, MA

A: One of the things people don’t seem to get is that a lot of times it’s the small guy who is more likely to juice than the big guy, because without it the smaller player might not even be in the league. He needs the stuff just to have a job. For the big guys, steroids could be the difference between being an all-star or not. For the little guy, it could be the difference between Triple A and the show. There’s a lot more at stake for those guys.

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Hey guys:

I heard Felger’s theories on Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken. Ted Williams hit .388 in 1957 at age 38.  This was a jump of 43 points over the prior year.  He also jumped from .344 to .406 in 1941, 62 points. I guess this means we should take a look at him too. Did it ever occur to you that sometimes players just have great years?

Holden

A: Sure. It occurred to me. And when they have great years in their late 30s at the height of the steroid era, and the league isn’t even testing, and their teammates are filthy, then I reserve the right to be skeptical. Again, Jack, the players of that era could have ended the speculation by agreeing to just a small measure of testing. They don’t deserve the benefit of the doubt.

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Felgy,

The deeper down the rabbit hole we get with steroids the more I think we need to find a compromise. Without any medical knowledge of HGH, I feel that there is very little evidence that the stuff has long lasting side effects like steroids do. What if instead of wondering who is on it and who isn’t, why doesn’t MLB and the MLBPA come to an agreement that a player has a choice of whether to use HGH or not.  Two reasons 1. If it is made available and supervised to all players it makes things a little more even then before. 2. Players will be able to play more and owners will get their moneys worth, healthy, quick healing, strong players is what everyone involved wants..

Legalize it, just do it, allow everyone in the league a choice. I only hate performance enhancers because not everyone uses them, and I feel like Josh Beckett should have the same advantages as Roger Clemens in a critical playoff game with the season on the line (Beckett has not been implicated right?)

Geoffrey

Derry, NH

A: My understanding is that HGH alone doesn’t give guys nearly the turbo boost steroids do. (HGH plus a little bit of steroids is more the ticket, I’ve heard). But what HGH does do is dramatically speed up recovery from injury and keep you fresher on a day-to-day basis. I think this is part of the reason the leagues haven’t done more to convince the players to undergo blood testing for HGH — it hasn’t negatively impacted the games or the record books. If guys were hitting 73 home runs on the stuff I think the leagues would be working harder on it.

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Subj: Lou’s fantasy world; your’s too?

Mike’s mailbag,

On Thursday, Feb. 12, on the Comcast broadcast, Lou Merloni said to you about steroids, quote, ``it wasn’t banned at the time.’’ Not true. Baseball did rule that PEDs were illegal long before that. Even without testing. It was against the rules and against the law. But of course it’s not the players fault. Next thing you know the players will be saying Bud shot them up against their will. Give me a break. Do you have the stones to correct the record or are you the young Larry King/Peter Gammons? Clean it up and put in the mailbag.

Tom

Mashpee

A: Next time I see him I’ll be sure to bring it up. Speaking of Merloni, Bradford would do well to take a page from Lou in terms of goatee maintenance.

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Subj: I’m not saying....

You’re a troublemaker for the sake of attention. You name-drop for effect throughout the (Hall of Fame voters) piece -- the effect being to a) piss people off and b) get attention for yourself. And, with a decent editor, you could have said all this in half as many words and had the same effect.

Here is your story: HOF voters are making decisions on assumptions, opinions, and group-think, not facts. Here are some players that played with or trained with or hung out players who we know did steroids. Don’t you think they probably did, too? Here are some one-year stats that should make you suspicious of those ``clean’’ players. Now, I’m not saying, but, yes, I actually am saying. Don’t be unfair. Vote on the basis of facts and data, not appearances or assumptions. Stop playing favorites or using the junior-high class president voting rationale: he’s cool, he belongs in the HOF.

This could have been a much more interesting and powerful story if you simply stopped lecturing. But then that’s your thing.

Tim B

Hollis, NH

A: So you’re saying you agree with me, right?

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Subj: King James and steroids

Hey, with all the talk of steroids by baseball players like a-rod, and bonds why not LeBron James? Look at him. He’s a freak, and he’s playing with top level players and he’s killing them. I can’t sit in my living room watching him blast thru the paint jam after jam without thinking he’s just to good. Like A-rod too good and Bonds too good.

David

Rhode Island

A: Here’s my stock answer to questions like this: There is not a player in pro sports who, if they were outed as a steroid user, would surprise me. Again, I’m not saying that I think 100 percent of them are on something. I’m just saying I’m past the point of being shocked. So when it comes to James, I’m not saying....

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Felger,

First off, your story has no factual basis to it so it is more Blah, Blah, Blah. You do have a point about the voters guessing who is clean and who is not. I had the list emailed to me by a friend in Arizona who will remain anonymous. Seeing (name redacted) on the list tells me most people voting have keen perception, however seeing (name redacted) on the list blows my mind -- and now what do you do that he has been voted into the Hall? McGwire should be elated and he can get his speech ready now. Here is the list (attached). I am going off facts, perhaps you should in your articles. I have to think the list is factual. However, it could be a fraud.

Cheers

Komish 

A: Komish attached a PDF file with the alleged 103 players who failed the survey round of testing in 2003. His names all make sense. Specific drugs are listed for each player (Methandrostenolone, Deca Nor 50, Equidren, etc.). The pages have “confidential’’ stamped all over them. The whole thing looks kind of legit. Then again, Komish is most likely an eight-year-old in Hartford taking a break from SpongeBob reruns by playing with his word processor. I’m saving his list just the same, and if the names match up to the 103 who failed the test (that info will come out eventually, right?) then we’ll genuflect at the alter of Komish.

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Felger,

On A-fraud, put me in the camp that fails to see how his mea culpa ``took him a lot of guts’’ (quote courtesy of Kevin Youkilis). He was caught with his hand in the cookie jar. I’ll respect one of the 103 guys (especially one that was taking something but got lucky and didn’t test positive) that admits to cheating BEFORE the names are released.....crickets chirp as we wait for those admissions to come rolling in.

Even though A-fraud is a douche, I can’t see what the big deal is. Players did what they were allowed to do. With no rules, what can you expect? Blame the people that failed to make the rules.

Also, it’s interesting that everyone seems so convinced that PEDs are cheating. The line is gray and very wide here. I’m reminded of an article I read a few years ago about the long-term physical harm being done to football players (mostly linemen) asked to fatten up like geese before slaughter. These guys bulk up on FOOD and play at sometimes more than 100-pounds over what they weigh a few years after retirement. Food in this instance is dangerous to health but gives some players an advantage; those that won’t partake are at a competitive disadvantage. Sound familiar?

Last point on your being Verducci’ ed. What a self-righteous jerk. Both of you. Made for great radio. Too bad his wittle feewings got hurt.

TB

A: I say we start testing for food, and I reserve the right to be skeptical of everyone (especially Wilfork, Brad Penny and Ortiz).

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Felger,

I thought it was pretty interesting how The Globe’s report on Larry Izzo’s scheduled testimony in Bonds’ criminal trial failed to mention that Tom Brady also had a connection with Greg Anderson a couple of years ago. Apparently, it was too much of a leap to question whether Brady, a Bay Area native who is clearly a good friend of Izzo’s both on and off of the field, may have been the one to link up Izzo with Anderson or may have been connected with Anderson by Izzo in order to obtain similar PED assistance. The Brady/Anderson connection was swept under the rug when it first arose and it looks to remain there now. It’s funny how some of your colleagues pick their spots when doing their jobs.

DR,

New Bedford

A: A tremendous point, DR. To refresh: When agents seized the cell phone of Anderson in 2002, they went through his call log and found a number belonging to Brady. Tom later admitted to making contact with Bonds’ guy, saying he had heard Anderson was a good trainer and was worth looking up when he was back in the Bay Area in the offseason. Brady said he had one conversation with Anderson and the relationship never went any further. Of course, everyone believed Brady, and that was the end of the story. Something tells me we would have talked a lot more about this had that been Peyton Manning’s number in Anderson’s call log, not Brady’s.

Anyway, the Izzo story has also received strikingly little buzz around here. According to the reports, Izzo is going to testify in Bonds’ perjury trial that he not only received steroids from Anderson in 2003, but he submitted urine samples to him, presumably so he could be “pre-tested” against the NFL drug czars. Izzo also received instructions and a schedule of how to administer the drugs. In other words, he was counseled on the full Victor Conte “program,” the same one that Bonds and dozens of other baseball players and track athletes were on.

That’s a pretty big story, folks. Either Izzo is guilty as the stories imply (in which case he’s headed for a pretty sizable suspension), or he has been able to make a case to the league that he never took the drugs obtained from Anderson. Government filings didn’t specify whether or not Izzo admitted to using the drugs. He’s certainly cooperating with the government on a substantial level, and in other cases that’s meant some dramatic things. Remember, super agent Jeff Novitzky got Mets clubhouse guy Kirk Radomski to flip on dozens of players, and also coerced Brian McNamee to turn against Rogers Clemens. Izzo’s role should be interesting, and anything is possible. We should find out more at Bonds’ trial starting next week.

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Hey Felger

If you consider Howard Stern a professional journalist then I would say that by those standards you are a professional. We know the shtick, and you’re good at being the ``shock jock’’ of Boston sports who will do and say anything to get a reaction, and that’s your gig. Your argument with Verducci was really weak at best since it came down to I’d rather do a (crappy) job where I’m unprepared at three jobs than do one well, and I’ve got to say you’ve been a success at that. I guess being able to say you are working three jobs makes you fell superior, but what would make you better than you are is being less spread and providing something other than Morton Downey Jr. garbage.

Bill Crowther

Northampton, Ma.

A: If I’m a “shock jock,” then Boston is even more lame than we thought.

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Mike,

I couldn’t even get through the mailbag (two weeks ago) without getting myself David Banner hulked out angry.

Who the F are these people to tell you that you can’t have questions about Verducci’s book unless you read it cover to cover? Do they realize that the book was released one full day before the interview? So you had one day to read the whole thing before interviewing him? 

First off, let me call out Meter: Bull-(crap) you read the book! You skimmed it at best and got the rest of the cliff notes from John Dennis, and then out and out lied to Verducci so that you wouldn’t get Felger-ed....One word -- typical.

Second: Make no mistake, Verducci is on your radio station to SELL his product. The words he was looking for should have been, ``thank you for the opportunity to peddle my wares.’’ If he called all the little stops on his book fair ahead of time, do you think any of them told him, ``Oh we’d love to have you on to peddle your book, but one of our hosts has not read it yet so we will have to postpone?’’ You think Verducci’s people come back and tell them, ``absolutely, we don’t want to come on and sell a book your hosts haven’t read yet?’’  If that happened, he’d have to cancel half his promotional spots GUARANTEED!

Listen up everyone and turn up your volume: IT DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY!! Not everyone reads the works of those who they are going to have on their show promoting.  They don’t all use the products they shill for.

John and Gerry interviewed a Dr. Jean Rhodes who wrote a book entitled “Becoming Manny” and were calling out this PhD for everything from making excuses to enabling Manny’s behavior. That interview was last week, the book is NOT EVEN OUT YET!?!?! Is that unprofessional?

You think Meter, John, Gerry, Michael and Dale eat a Dunkin Donuts Egg white sandwich every day? No. Well, that’s unprofessional! You think Glenn refinished his entire vacation home with products from Grossman’s bargain outlet? No. Well, that’s unprofessional!

My point is that people on that station make statements and give their opinions educated or otherwise all day long.  It should be a red flag in your head when you ask a person a question, and instead of answering the question on its own merits, they take the tact of discrediting the questioner as though its validity has anything to do with who is asking it. Unprofessional but completely true would have been if when he called you unprofessional, you answered by telling him he is a coward for not answering the question.

I’ll take you one further: YOU DO NOT NEED TO READ THE BOOK to ask a question about its subject matter. If the question seems off base, Tom, then why don’t you educate me? Ohhhh, you mean you’re not interested in doing that? Yeah, that’s what I thought. I didn’t read the owners manual to my Bose stereo, but the manufacturer didn’t verbally slap me down when I called them to ask about a couple of features on it.

Bottom line: I hate this entitled-ass baseball crew who thinks that they are such experts that they are beyond question. Financial gurus play the same game of, you can’t do what I do because I have a special skill set and access to information you couldn’t even dream of. Yup, you used to, and then Al Gore invented the Internet and gave us ALL instant access to data and tools your little boys club couldn’t even dream of while they were busy washing the balls of entitled pricks like Barry Bonds, Manny Ramirez and Randy Johnson. They are the skull and bones secret society of sports writers and I am tired of their holier than thou, pompous boys club bull-(crap). Listen up clowns, I am here to tell you we can see the arrogant little prick pulling the levers of the great and powerful Oz.

Verducci obviously felt empowered by Peter Gammons backhand of you a few years back and realized the best defense is a good offense. (Since Gammons has gone on in future interviews and editorials to call Manny one of the greatest right handed hitters of his generation I have to assume his verbal abuse of you in that instance was simply to belittle someone who is outside baseball’s inner sanctum and not so much because he disagreed).   These baseball writers are like scumbag cops with there secret codes and horse-(crap) to make themselves more important than they are. After all Mike, they are infallible and who are you to question them?

Lock them all in a basement and let them fight it out until there is one last writer standing....then hit that guy with a shovel over the head cause they are all dinks.

Regards

Jake Scott

A: The most beautiful, awe-inspiring email ever sent to the d-bag mailbag (sorry, Mike in Attleboro). Tears in my eyes, Jake. Tears in my eyes….

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WEEI,

Felger once again demonstrated his objectivity, and his ability to admit fault on last Saturday’s show with Rob Bradford.  The specific instance I am referring to was the caller who attempted to point the proverbial finger at the media, including Sean McAdam, on the steroid issue. Felger was able to understand the caller’s point, agree with it, and move on. Bradford immediately put his gloves on, got defensive, and ran to hide from placing any blame on the media. I am writing this email to commend you on your objectivity. Bradford is a coward.

The Great BHL

A: And have you noticed that thing on his face, BHL?

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Felger,

I hope you give me the opportunity to respond to Gary....Or, as Jules in Pulp Fiction would say, ``allow me to retort!!! Gary and Donny said that the Celts missed Scal against LA. His reasoning was that he could cut off Gasol’s drives to the basket. How did that work out against Utah (Scal 6 fouls in 12 minutes)? I guess if Scal was available against LA we could have looked forward to a bunch of fouls against Gasol. Please pass this on to GT. Maybe his ball-washing is on vacation in Ft. Myers.

Erik Barry

Ottawa, IL (by way of Methuen)

A: Actually, Gary and his ball washer have returned. It’s all yours Gare-Bear…..

GT: You got me, Erik. I don’t have an answer right now.

MF: Wow! Tanguay just backed down faster than Felger against an angry baseball writer.

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Subj: Dead vs Springsteen?

Not even close....you saw 60 shows and not one was the same. Bruce, U2, etc...they’re all the same, rehearsed performances. I saw U2 Zoo TV Tour in Foxboro, first night was a good show. Unfortunately I got tickets to the next nights’ show....same exact thing.. I’ll take Jerry over Bruce (or Bono).

Pigpen

A: Do you agree, Pig, that the Dead got better after you passed away?

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Michael,

You are the second best (a compliment) sports personality in town. I love how you get everyone so riled up they want to take your head off. You remind me so much of my favorite sports guy (Ron Borges). Why isn’t Ron on air at WEEI or your Comcast show? He stirs the pot like no other, has great connections and would be great next to you as a guest. I’m so tired of all the suckups on WEEI. You used to have a show with yourself, Borges, Don Banks and Russ Francis. Is Ron so controversial that no one wants to touch him? Continue what you do best and please get Borges on your show.

Thanks

Mike Sullivan

Scarborough, Maine

A: Ah, Dr. Evil and Mini Me. Thanks for reminding me.

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Dude,

Last email bag/douche bag was a riot! I laughed out loud a few times, and threw up once when you answered the Verducci ass tastes Question (MF: that would be salty). This needs to be once a week. I agree with the batting stance guy email, enough is enough. That act is like frank from Gloucester, old and tired!

Stephen Ciaccio

A: No, no, no, Chach. We need MORE blog posts from Ft. Myers letting us know if the grounds crew is cutting the grass east-west, or north-south — not less. How about another Mike Lowell story? It’s been about 14 seconds since we last posted one. This just in: Javy Lopez arrived at the training complex and is unpacking his bag! Check back later for a video of the clubhouse dog licking himself.

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Hey D-Bag,

If Bradford has a 70 styles fu-man chu on his face, isn’t it impossible for him to be a “Bald-faced liar”?

Dicky Skidz

A: Where were you when I needed you, Dicky?

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Subj: Another word for man-gina

Hi Mike,

Perhaps a better term for Rob Bradford’s man-gina is ``prison (kitty cat).’’

Thanks,

John

Nashua, NH

A: That’s filthy. Speaking of which….

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Felger You DB!

I honestly can’t believe the temerity of Gary Tanguay and Lou Merloni. To try make the hardest working man in Boston sports media look like CSN’s version of JD Drew when he has obviously been disabled by the most virulent of influenza strains is simply an attack that is usually reserved for the invertebrate members of the animal kingdom. How dare they question the toughness of a man that courageously battled through a vicious case of pink eye and made a miraculous comeback from a sand bucket related compound ear infection that would have felled most mortal men for a month at least. Would Tanguay have been able to cover the Bruins in the face of imminent bodily harm at the hands of Pat Burns?  Would Merloni have been able to carry Nomar’s luggage if he had deal with an ear canal filled with more sand that the pot bunkers at Royal Birkdale? Not likely.  Soldier on Mikey, and always remember that no matter what Gary and Lou say, your still tougher than LaDainian Tomlinson, and the “ouch-less” band-aids are in aisle 7 at CVS. 

I see that you are celebrating the triumphant return of the D-Bag Mail Bag by taking a well deserved victory lap. Rob’s jihad against the bag was doomed to failure from the get go. If Tom Verducci, Larry Fitzgerald’s ass and signal strength weaker than A-Rods apology couldn’t bring you down, surely Rob didn’t believe he could derail the triumph of truth, justice and the Felger way! And I’m sure copyedit Kirk won’t mind. If it’s a choice between proofing our semi-coherent rants over spell checking Sean Grandiose’s pregame Iambic pentameter, I got to think it’s the bag in a runaway.  

So on the all-time scale, Mikey, how uncomfortable was the A-Roid press conference? On the historical scale I’d say it was more cringe worthy than Rocky and Apollo frolicking in the surf during Rocky III, but way less disturbing that seeing KG give a spastic Greg Dickerson a champagne money shot. Honestly, anytime A-Rod opens his mouth now I ask myself, doesn’t he have a friend to let him know how stupid he sounds? An over-the-counter substance? Yeah Alex, I roll down to Rite - Aid and I see the Primobolan right there next to the Rolaids and Cough Drops all the time. Please, you can’t even get real Sudafed over the counter anymore. If you buy more than 2 bottles of Robitussin the Feds show up at your house with the drug dogs. And I guess I was out of the loop but I didn’t know Rafael Palmeiro was A-Rod’s cousin. Small world. God, didn’t someone tell him that crap didn’t work for Ty Law years ago? And I loved the tearful thanks to his teammates who were clearly forced to be there. Oscar winning stuff right there. Alex, next time if you want to summon up some fake tears think about how much coin Madonna cost you in divorce court. Bottom line, this press conference hit levels of awful that, to date, only Bill Cosby movies have managed to reach. And it will only get worse when that book comes out. But at least there is some good news. Now New York fans can finally say that A-Rod is a true Yankee. I think a ten minute opening day standing ovation and three curtain calls are in order.   

Mike

Attleboro

A: Yes, Mike. I battled through a flu bug that would have sent JD on the shelf for two months, not the two days I missed, and still Gary and Lou had to poke fun. Very hurtful. I’m still not well, either. Next time I reach for the Primobolan down at the CVS.

Talk you next Thursday, Rob. And thanks again, LJ.

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Felger can be seen nightly on Comcast Sportsnet and reached at mfelger@weei.com.