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08/17/2009 - 9:12pm
Red Sox sign ninth-rounder Volz for $550,000

As first reported by Baseball America, the Red Sox signed ninth-round draft choice Kendal Volz for a bonus of $550,000. Volz, a right-handed pitcher from Baylor, was considered a likely first-round draft choice entering this draft season on the strength of dominating performances for Team USA last summer. But the junior struggled this year, and showed a decline in velocity. He had thrown a sinking mid-90s fastball, but he became more hittable this year as his fastball lost some zip and movement. Even so, the Sox were intrigued sufficiently by the potential to draft him and then to commit a bonus in line with the slot recommendation for a mid-second round pick to the right-hander.
 
"I saw him real early this year and he threw very well that night. It kind of tapered off very quickly for him," Red Sox scouting director Jason McLeod said of Volz earlier in...

08/17/2009 - 3:49pm
Red Sox put Smoltz on release waivers

According to a major-league source, the Red Sox have put pitcher John Smoltz on unconditional release waivers for the purpose of making him a free agent. Presuming that Smoltz clears waivers -- a near certainty -- he would become a free-agent, able to sign with any club for a prorated portion of the major-league minimum (roughly $100,000).
 
While the Sox will be off the hook for the amount Smoltz receives in a major-league contract that he signs with another club, the team will be responsible for almost all of the remainder of his $5.5 million salary. All told, between that salary, his $125,000 activation bonus, and the $35,000 a day that the team paid Smoltz during his time on the active roster in Boston (which ran from June 26-Aug. 7), the Sox will have paid Smoltz just over $7 million for his tenure in Boston, even when factoring in the off-set the team will receive from whatever team signs the pitcher.
 
Smoltz went 2-5...

08/17/2009 - 1:10pm
Report: Vikings Players Expect Favre to Play

According to a report from Jay Glazer of FoxSports.com, several members of the Vikings anticipate that Brett Favre will sign to play in Minnesota in the coming weeks.
 
"I'm telling you it's already done," Glazer quoted one Viking of saying about a deal between Favre and the team. "I don't think anyone here doesn't think that."


08/17/2009 - 1:05pm
NHL Winter Classic at Fenway ticket draw begins Sept. 15

The much-anticipated 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on New Year's Day at Fenway Park has sparked huge interest from fans yearning for tickets, and the NHL announced Tuesday afternoon that a ticket drawing for the general public will take place on Sept. 15 at noon. The drawing, which will randomly pick lucky fans as ticket winners, will come to a close three weeks later on Oct. 5. Winners will be notified by Oct. 20 and allowed to buy a pair of tickets -- with prices ranging from $50-$350 depending on the seats chosen at Fenway. The ticket drawing will be hosted exclusively through NHL.com, but stay tuned for more details concerning ticket prices and availability at the winter Fens moving forward. Season-ticket owners for the Bruins and Flyers will receive notification in late August concerning the process of buying Winter Classic tickets...

08/17/2009 - 11:44am
Pats deal Smith to Denver, pick up RB Taylor

The Patriots announced this morning they have sent defensive lineman Le Kevin Smith and a 2010 seventh-round draft choice to Denver for a fifth-rounder in 2010. In addition, they have picked up running back Chris Taylor, released defensive back Mike Richardson and placed wide receiver and Navy grad Shun White on the military reserve list. For more updates, check out our blog, "It Is What It Is."


Audio On Demand

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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.

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

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John Farrell pregame befo…

John Farrell pregame before the last game of the Minnesota series

Dave O'Brien talked to John Farrell before the end of the Twins series. The Sox skipper said that Big Papi's success is no surprise given his work ethic.

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.

Dale and DJ Continue Thei…

Dale and DJ Continue Their Preview of Bruins/Rangers and Discuss the Power Play on Sports Sunday

Dale and DJ roll on with their puck talk and chat some more about the goalie matchup in this series, as well as the lack of a quality power play for both of these teams. In fact, DJ says the Rangers are even worse on the PP than the B’s! The guys also get into the resurgence of Milan Lucic and his deceptive speed and grit. Dale and DJ talk about the similar styles of play for these teams and look forward to Game 2.

Dale Arnold and DJ Bean Discuss Claude vs Tortorella, Tyler Seguin and more About Bruins/Rangers

Dale and DJ get into the two coaches and their polar opposite styles and demeanor. Both teams play a similar style, but the coaches certainly convey their messages in a different way. Dale isn't buying the Tortorella hype and thinks he's a little overrated. DJ thinks he's a good coach, but isn't a fan of anti-media stance. The guys also talk about Jagr and how he has not lived up to the hype. They weren't expecting him to light it up or be the savior, but DJ says he wasn't prepared for just how slow the aging veteran is. Another big topic for B's fans this season is the play of Tyler Seguin and why he has yet to become the superstar everyone anticipates he will be. This leads to Claude Julien's style and if he does actually have something against the younger players. That Iginla trade shows its ugly head again as well.

It's a Black and Gold Sports Sunday -- Dale Arnold and DJ Bean Preview Game 2 of the Bruins/Rangers Series

WEEI.com's DJ Bean joins Dale in studio for Sports Sunday to discuss the Bruins playoff run. Game 2 is later today and the guys discuss the results of the first game of the series. They get into the construction of the lines for the B's and if they would make any changes. DJ has a few ideas for the lines today. The boys also discuss the two goalies - Tuukka vs Henrik Lundqvist and wonder why people automatically think the Rangers have the edge at goalie. Finally, they get into the legacy and the decisions of Claude Julien and Peter Chiarelli.

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…

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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

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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…

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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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