Mike Aviles: It’s easy to forget that Mike Aviles was fighting for a job back in March, but he earned the starting spot and has been a pleasant surprise for the BoSox thus far. He’s shown some power (9 HRs, 22 doubles) and while his average has taken a hit due to his recent slump (.260), it hovered around .270 or .275 for much of the first half. Maybe the nicest surprise has been in the field, however; Jose Iglesias’ big draw is his stellar defense, but Aviles has flashed some leather of his own. He’s made his fair share of mistakes (7 errors, .982%), but shown that he has good range and can make the tough plays, for the most part . Not a whole lot was expected of Mike Aviles at the beginning of spring training, but if he can get hot again, he’ll be a really important piece of this Red Sox lineup in the second half.
Grade: B

Adrian Gonzalez: It’s been made painfully obvious by fans and media alike that Adrian Gonzalez is not putting up the kind of numbers we all expect him to. If I had a nickel for every time I heard ‘even so and so has more home runs than Adrian Gonzalez,’ I’d probably have enough to pay my rent. And while the criticism isn’t unwarranted (he has only hit 6 homers, tying him for 6th on the team, below guys like Salty, Middlebrooks, and even Mike Aviles), but he’s tied for 1st on the team with 96 hits, only 15 behind the league leaders in the category. He’s batting an impressive .372 with RISP and .359 in that situation with two outs. Lately he’s been hitting the ball hard but not far enough to muscle one out, and instead has been hitting a lot of two-baggers (he’s tied for the league lead with 27). His lack of home run power is disconcerting, since the Sox aren’t stacked with a lot of power hitters in their lineup, but Adrian Gonzalez’s season hasn’t been quite as bad as many people make it out to be.
Grade: C-

Will Middlebrooks: Middlebrooks had been slumping a little bit before he missed two whole series due to injury, but he’s got a lot of pressure on him, becoming the heir to third base, previously occupied by Kevin Youkilis. But his numbers over the course of the first half are pretty ridiculous for a rookie. His 10 home runs are 4th on the team after Ortiz, Salty, and Ross, and he’s racked up 11 doubles and driven in 37. His average had been over .300 for much of season, but he ends the first half with a .298/.335/.538 line. The Sox need him to get healthy after the break, and hope that a nagging hamstring injury won’t be an issue down the stretch, but provided he’s feeling good, he should be able to handle the pressure of being the starting third baseman and get back into the hot streak that earned him the spot.
Grade: A-

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July 6, 2012 at 6:32 pm ET

By Katie Morrison

The injury news out of Fenway tonight is both good and bad, as Dustin Pedroia, Will Middlebrooks, and Carl Crawford each provided updates about their status

Pedroia said he’s officially been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a thumb injury, though a different injury than the one that kept him out of the lineup for 6 days last month. The new injury to his right thumb, being called a “hyperextension” accoring to a Red Sox press release, requires a cast, which he showed off to reporters in the clubhouse earlier today. Pedroia says he’s seeing another doctor today, but says he expects to be back soon after his DL clock is up later this month. He assured WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford that he heals quickly, and that he promises to be a contributing member of the lineup soon. The Sox have called up infielder Pedro Ciriaco from Pawtucket. Manager Bobby Valentine says Ciriaco will start in at least one of the two games tomorrow.

The news for third baseman Will Middlebrooks was a bit better, however. Middlebrooks told ESPN’s Joe McDonald that he’s at about 75 percent right now, in regards to his nagging hamstring injury. Bobby Valentine said that pinch-hitting tonight was a possibility for Middlebrooks, who took BP on the field today and has run the last two days. Will seemed optimistic about his chances of being in the lineup for at least one of the two games tomorrow.

Outfielder Carl Crawford was in the clubhouse today after playing a few games for the AA Portland Sea Dogs earlier this week. Crawford says that his elbow still isn’t at 100%, but maintains that he plans to come back after the All-Star break.

Read more: Carl Crawford, Dustin Pedroia, Will Middlebrooks
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July 2, 2012 at 10:22 pm ET

By Jon Rish

Carl Crawford is ready for the next step in his rehab. Crawford checked out ok in Boston this weekend and tomorrow he’ll be in the line-up for AA Portland. Today Sea Dogs broadcaster Mike Antonellis caught up with Crawford.

Carl Crawford w/ Mike Antonellis

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June 30, 2012 at 6:53 pm ET

By Jon Rish

RHP Anthony Ranauso was a sandwich pick in the 2010 draft. The Red Sox selected him 39th overall out of LSU. His final season with the Tigers was slowed by injury, but he pitched very well for Brewster in the Cape Cod League in 2010 before signing with Boston. Ranaudo pitched for both single A Greenville and high A Salem in 2011. Combined he made 26 starts, pitched to a 3.97 ERA and finished 9-6. This season Ranaudo has started 8 games for the AA Portland Sea Dogs. The record is 1-2 and the ERA is 6.23. Ranaudo has allowed 34 hits, walked 26 and struck out 27 in just over 34 innings. The 22 year old from New Jersey recently sat down with Portland broadcaster Mike Antonellis.

Anthony Ranaudo w/ Mike Antonellis

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May 18, 2012 at 10:51 am ET

By Jon Rish

23 year old outfielder Bryce Brentz was taken 36th overall by the Red Sox in the 2010 draft out of Middle Tennessee State. Brentz split his second pro season at A Greenville & A+ Salem, where he combined to slash .306/.365/.574 with 30 homers. He’s at AA Portland this season and so far in 35 games with the Sea Dogs Brent has hit .289/.333/.430 with 3 HRs. One area the power prospect is working on is his strikeout rate. Last year in Salem Brentz struck out nearly 25% of the time and so far this season he’s K’d over 28% of the time. Brentz has been hot as of late and earlier this week he sat down with Portland broadcaster Mike Antonellis.

Bryce Brentz w/ Mike Antonellis

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May 10, 2012 at 2:16 am ET

By Jon "Bernie" Albanese

When I arrived at the studio today to get ready for the rubber game of the Red Sox/Royals series in Kansas City I figured that if I heard any bad news, it would be about either a last-minute lineup change, or something about a delay in Jacoby Ellsbury’s return to the Red Sox.   Instead I heard of a lineup change…but not the one anyone expected.  I was informed that Carl Beane, a staple of Fenway Park since 2003 as the Red Sox’ PA announcer, had passed away earlier in the day. 

Back in 2009, I heard that there was a Boston vs. New York Media game at Fenway Park (& Yankee stadium) every year.  I wanted in real bad, so I asked Joe Castiglione how I would be able to get involved.  He told me that he’d ask Carl Beane, the team’s manager for me.  The next day, I was on the phone with Joe talking about that night’s broadcast and he happened to be standing next to Carl…Joe turned to him, asked him about the Media game and Carl (with his booming pipes) said  ”no problem, have Jon be at Fenway on the day of the game at 8:30am.” 

Meeting Carl in person was surreal, as I had heard his voice over the radio and over the PA at Fenway when I went to games for years…his voice was totally unique and instantly recognizable.   I had the honor of talking with him at length a few times about baseball, broadcasting and his love for the Red Sox and I, along with anyone else who had the privelage of meeting with, speaking and listening to Carl instantly came away with the feeling of kindness, comfort, and that he loved what he did & wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.

During tonight’s broadcast, Joe Castiglione asked listeners to text in their remembrances of Carl…here’s some of the responses we received:

-So lucky-met Carl Beane twice. He was SO proud of being from Western MA. Spoke 2 Amherst Baseball banquet great stories let everyone wear his WS ring.

-John in Warren Ma. My favorite Carl Bean memory was from July 2005. Carl annonced my twin sons Little League Tournament in Holland Ma as if the players were in a Major League game @Fenway. That day he also let anyone that wanted to wear his World Series Ring wear it and take pictures. A thrilling day for players and parents. A very nice man.

-Makes sense that Carl Beane loved his role with the red sox, he had the perfect voice for it. He will be hard to replace and he’ll be missed by all of us

-I never thought anyone could replace Sherm Feller. But Carl Beane, with that familiar voice, stepped perfectly into the role and left his own huge mark on Sox history. He will be greatly missed. From: Kirk, in New Jersey

-God must have needed a voice in heavens ballpark GOD BLESS YOU CARL Paul in Waterford CT

 -I met Carl years ago when I used to work at a TV station very humble always willing to talk to you and one of the nicest people I’ve ever met

-I feel very sad Carl Beane. He was my favorite announcer. E. V. E. R

-Carl had a very warm welcoming velvet voice to the Fenway faithful & Red Sox line-​up

-Lost a huge part of our nation today. My heart goes out to his family.

-I wouldn’t know Carl if I walked by him but I would recognize that confident soothing voice anywhere. My condolences to all. –​Joe

-loved Carl’s voice! I thought they made a great choice when they gave him the job in 2003. I will miss him. Rest in peace Carl. Andy from South Hadley

 

Carl, your kindness allowed me to live out a kid from Boston’s dream: stepping foot on Fenway’s sacred soil….a place you called home.

Your voice will never be silenced. 

We’ll miss you, Carl.

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