FOX25 led off Sports Sunday

FOX25 led off Sports Sunday with a recap of the last three “Family Days” at Fenway. (two Carl Everett explosions and the brawl today) The first segment of highlights was of course from the Red Sox/Orioles game today and Butch Stearns thinks that this Red Sox team has the same feeling of togetherness that the Patriots had last season. Derek Lowe saying he initiated the whole thing and said something he shouldn’t have to provoke it wasn’t a smart move. Highlights from the Angels game as well as the Yankees followed, as well as Ozzie Smith’s Hall of Fame induction speech today invoking the Wizard of Oz. Stearns didn’t understand the reference. During the Patriots training camp highlights and soundbites from the weekend, Tom Brady said they’re gunning for the rest of the league, and Otis Smith was incorrectly identified as Roman Phifer.

Tour de France highlights led off the second segment, Stearns said if Tiger Woods was a cyclist Lance Armstrong would crush him. A recap of the Vin Baker/Shammond WIlliams introductory press conference followed. Chris Wallace said that being able to make this deal without disturbing the nucleus of the team and without giving up draft picks was very appealing to them. A brief look at the B.C. Football team focused on whether they can beat Miami.

FleetBoston Classic highlights were the intro in the third segment. Rob Nickoleski had a segment from earlier in the week, when he caddied a round for Andy North. Things like having the right number of clubs in the bag, the importance of giving the golfer a good estimate of yardage, cleaning the club after each shot, and wiping the ball once on the green, are essential aspects of the caddie’s job.

A tribute to Ned Martin was up next, Sean McDonough feels he should be in the Hall of Fame. Jerry Remy recalled breaking into the business with Martin. Clips from Martin’s radio days followed. Fred Lynn’s 10 RBI night, Yaz being ejected covering home plate with dirt, Bill Lee shutting out the Yankees, Sox beating the A’s in the ’75 ALCS, and Fisk’s HR in the ’75 series were among them. The Last Blast was a thought, Stearns didn’t really know Martin, but felt that he did. He’s one of the nicest men he’s ever met.

Mike Adams hosted NECN’s Sports Late Night. Only Adams can introduce Robin Ventura’s grand slam against the Rays today by noting that Ventura once got his “head beat in by Nolan Ryan”. He also pulled out his Joe Castiglione voice to give some information on Lance Armstrong.

Adam’s former WEEI partner Dick Radatz joined him in studio to talk how players were much tougher in the old days. Radatz, as he did on WEEI this afternoon, made fun of Manny, mocking — Did he even know there was a fight? Did he know he got hit? After saying that players were tougher in the old days, he mentioned how they never threw at the head like they do today, unless they meant it. Radatz then recalled a story from his playing days when he hit Bert Campaneris in the head throwing at him while he was diving backing into first base. Campaneris had bunted with a huge lead and taunted Radatz while running down the line.

WBZ’s Sports Final was hosted by Steve Burton. First roundtable talked brawl with Steve Buckley, Michael Felger, and Nick Cafardo. Burton says that’s just how Erickson is, he’s gonna hit him. He then yelled during the footage of the brawl “Where’s Manny??” Someone thought he spotted Manny, and a voice said sarcastically, “I doubt it”. Another chance to pick on Manny, I guess. Felger likes this, he asked Buckley if this team would’ve fought for each other last year, Buckley says no. Cafardo recalled Greenwell getting hit and no one coming out of the dugout in ’89. (Except for one pitcher, Joe Price) Talked about the upcoming trip. Big trip, says Buckley, the panel doesn’t expect any suspensions from the brawl. Except maybe Cloninger.

Antowain Smith talked about failing the conditioning test, he hopes to pass it the second time, and said he didn’t come into camp as in good shape as he wanted to. He feels a little guilty about it, not getting the reps in practice. It’s a lot easier to practice then to do the test. Everyone watches the test, and don’t exactly cheer on. The segment was amusing, but Felger isn’t amused by his failing the test. Cafardo tried to cover for Smith by saying he’s got a fullback body. Felger doesn’t feel anyone should fail the test at all and it isn’t a good sign for the team that 3 guys failed it, they should’ve all worked hard during the offseason.

A taped panel discussion with Bob Lobel, Dan Roche, Harry Manion and Memorabilia collector Phil Castinetti focused on the Ted Williams saga. They examined the note that surfaced this week. The signature was compared to one sent to the Jimmy Fund six months earlier and it looked different. William’s caregiver George Carter talked to Dan Roche, and gave examples of John Henry Williams asking his father to sign things, and not explaining it, and Ted getting upset and throwing the pen across the room. Manion raised the point for at least the fourth time that I have seen in the last couple weeks that if Ted wanted this, why didn’t he get his lawyer involved. He calls this a “fraud on the court”. He talked about handwriting analysis, and that it is more of an art than a science. Likely a Judge will appoint an independent expert, likely a former FBI agent to analyze the samples. He said if it is a fake, there will be “dire consequences”, including criminal action. Roche revealed that Bobby-Jo is having legal defense fund issues, and will likely be asking for assistance. Castinetti says there is no doubt that this is all about money for John Henry Williams. He’s all about money money money. Roche said he’s still trying to give John Henry Williams the benefit of the doubt, but didn’t elaborate. Nothing too new from Manion in this segment. All stuff that has been repeated elsewhere ad nauseam.

Next segment was what they believe is the last interview that Ned Martin did, after the ceremonies on Monday night. Martin didn’t really expect to be there, he was there basically there because Yaz was there, he again mentioned they were joined at the hip. Martin said Boston is the best baseball town in the country. He saw Williams play when he was a kid in Philadelphia in the 40’s, and later in Washington while he was working there. Ted was beautiful to watch. Asked about what memories being back in Boston brought for him, Ned included seeing guys like Frank Malzone, Jerry Remy, Ken Coleman.

WHDH’s Sports Extra hosted by Joe Amorosino, and had a segment with Troy Brown by Gary Gillis. Brown got his contract redone this weekend. Brown talked about being a champion, the fact that the Steelers are still talking and being on the team now without Drew Bledsoe and Terry Glenn. They had Antoine Walker saying he loves the Baker trade. Gives them in inside presence, he had a great playoff against Tim Duncan and the Spurs and he thinks he’ll do well close to home. He mentioned the C’s not having a true point guard, he looks for his own role to change.

Michael Holley joined Amorosino to talk about the brawl, Sox, possible trades (not gonna get Colon) and Patriots. Holley likes the improvements at the tight end position. He also really likes Donald Hayes. They replayed a bit of the Walker clip talking about losing Kenny, and that the Luxury tax is “killing us”. Holley says the reason they made the trade bothers him more than the trade itself. Gaston has gotten some breaks recently, saving money on Pitino, added revenue from playoff games, and yet he wouldn’t pony up for Rogers, and went the cheaper short term route. Holley does think Baker can do well in Boston, but it was a huge gamble. A segment on Carlos Baerga was the last segment.