Greg Dickerson (filling in for Dale) and Bob Neumeier continued the Antoine Walker trade talk, and also talked a lot of Red Sox. Gabe Kapler was a guest, and after the interview, Dickerson gushed that that was the most impressive and outstanding interview with an athlete that he’s ever been associated with. Kapler could quickly replace Trot Nixon as the media favorite around here…

They also discussed the Sox bullpen issues, and the changes afoot. Is Ramiro Mendoza going to be able to do anything as a starter? Can Kim be the closer they need? Who is available in a trade? Is Nomar going to be traded? One caller said Nomar is the best player in the history of the Red Sox, better than Ted Williams.

My favorite Avatar from the message board:

The AP is reporting that Miami has decided to join the ACC.

A moment of silence is in order for former Brockton Enterprise Sports editor Pete Farley, who passed away last night at the age of 82. Bill Abramson has an extensive remembrance of Farley, who at one time, covered the beats of all four professional franchises in town.

Mike Fine looks at the return of Chad Fox, and the rest of the bullpen issues for the Sox. Bob Buckley looks at yesterday’s win by the Sox, with some members of the team a little testy towards the media’s negativity. Garry Brown says Grady Little is fed up with the Bullpen, just like the rest of us. Alan Greenwood says Gabe Kapler’s debut weekend for the Sox has the trappings of a Robert Redford movie. Fine’s notebook also looks at Kapler.

Clark Spencer looks at the weekend from the Marlins point of view, which shattered most of their dubious club records. Jack McKeon continued to be steamed from Friday night:

Noting the Red Sox had lost ground to the Yankees in the American League East over the weekend, McKeon remarked: 'I'd love to beat 'em today and the Yankees to win, so I can say, `You woke us up you [expletive] -- too bad.' ''

Get over it, Jack.

Russ Conway’s extensive Hockey Notes from yesterday focus on the free agent signing period.

Michael Felger has a Patriots report for The Sporting News website, and looks at Eugene Wilson and competition for David Patten as the # 2 receiver.

Sox bounce right back and make it two out of three over the Marlins. Sean McAdam says there is one thing we know about this team…they can hit. In the next couple weeks, we’ll learn a lot more. Dan Shaughnessy has the game story in the Globe, and focuses on the hitting as well. Michael Silverman says that Ted Williams would be proud of the Red Sox .406 batting average during this homestand. Paul Doyle says that the Sox got over the Saturday night loss pretty quickly. Alex Speier looks at the Kapler fueled win over the Marlins. Bob Ryan looks at the newest Fenway cult hero, Gabe Kapler. John Connolly also looks at Kapler. Art Martone also has a bit on the blooming love affair between Sox fans and Kapler. Tony Massarotti looks at some restructuring within the Red Sox bullpen in hopes of better results. Aaron Harlan examines the Sox six homers from yesterday. Hard Hitting Michael Gee says high scoring Red Sox teams are not historically successful. Connolly also looks at Derek Lowe, riding the offense to his ninth win. Shaughnessy’s notebook looks at changes coming in the bullpen. Silverman’s notebook also looks at these changes, as does McAdam’s notebook.

Lots of talk this morning on Dennis and Callahan about the Celtics looking at trade opportunities for Antoine Walker. Much of the speculation was based on an article from the NY Daily News, which has the Knicks offering Latrell Spreewell. Please no. Mike Fine was a guest on the show. Yesterday, Bill Reynolds wrote in the Providence Journal that trade talk involving Walker is not over. Howard Bryant’s Boston Uncommon column today (pay only) looks at the new face of the NBA, has Larry Lucchino defending the “Smartfan” ticket reselling program and a moment of silence for Hall of Fame baseball and basketball writer Leonard Koppett who passed away last week.

Today is decision day for the University of Miami. Mike Shalin says Miami should do the right thing and stay in the Big East. Ken Davis looks at the decision Miami faces. Joe Burris has a short article in the Globe on the matter.

Tuna Sighting on the coast of Maine: Cowboys coach Bill Parcells was spotting dining at posh Ogunquit restaurant Arrows on Thursday night.

Email note: Please do not send any email to the old “mediawatch” attbi address. It is gone. I will not get the mail. Please update your contact listing for me to the bruce@bostonportsmedia.com address.

ESPN has Cubs/Phillies at 7:00. ESPN Classic has a SportsCentury feature on Bill Parcells at 8:00 & 11:00.

Here’s the Sunday Night sports shows recap.

Gee, maybe if the Sox had tried to run up the score a bit more tonight, they might’ve actually won the game. This is exhibit “A” for the argument that you never stop playing and give “mercy” to the other team. A seven run lead in the eighth inning isn’t enough. Buck and Mazz will probably say tomorrow that the Sox lack the “killer instinct”.

I’ve got to comment on last night’s game and the reaction by some of the members of the media towards the team. Steve Buckley and Tony Massarotti claim the Red Sox disgraced themselves and acted shamefully last night.

Buckley says in his pay column:

Keep in mind, New England baseball fans, that your beloved Red Sox didn't exactly cover themselves in glory last night. They had this game in the bag in the first inning, and then spent the rest of the night taking the extra base, trying to score on close sacrifice flies and, in the case of David Ortiz, doing too much admiring after launching a home run.

When Florida right-hander Blaine Neal drilled Ortiz in the knee in the bottom of the eighth, the only question was why it took the Marlins so long to give the boorish Red Sox some comeuppance.

Tony Massarotti says:

Naturally, the Marlins retaliated, punishing the Red Sox for running ruthlessly by hitting David Ortiz with a pitch on the right kneecap. In baseball, after all, that is what Hammurabi's Code calls for when a team is running up the score.

Unable (or unwilling?) to take their medicine, the Sox shamed themselves further when Hector Almonte threw a pitch behind Andy Fox in the next half-inning. The benches emptied but order was restored, at least as much as possible on a night when anarchy reigned.

``I've seen a lot of guys get hurt because of that stuff,'' said McKeon. ``It's kind of an unwritten rule (that) you don't rub it in because somebody will rub it into them before it's all over.

I’m sick of “unwritten rules” in baseball. How many of them are there? If they’re so important, why aren’t they written? Does any one know all of these “rules”?

Did Buckley and Massarotti knock the Yankees and say they should’ve had “compassion” or “mercy” (two words used by Tony in his column today, implying that the Red Sox should’ve had shown some of those two qualities last night.) when the Yankees pounded on the Red Sox by a 22-1 score on June 19, 2000? No. I went and paid my money and looked through the Herald archives. If there was any shame in that game, it belonged to the Red Sox for their dreadful performance. There was shame to Jimy Williams for embarrassing Tim Wakefield by making him pitch the final part of that game. Nowhere was it implied that the Yankees should’ve shown a little “mercy” or “compassion” to the Red Sox.

Last night, Grady Little used his worst relievers, Rupe, Seanez, Almonte and Sheill. He put Doug Mirabelli at first base. The Marlins complain about the Sox sending runners on shallow drives…two runners were out…by a large margin…at the plate. Talk about a mercy outs. Had that been a close game, I don’t think Walker and Mueller would’ve been sent in those situations.

This business about the Sox deserving the “medicine” of having Ortiz nailed in the knee cap, and supposed to just be sitting there and taking it is equally ridiculous.

The Globe didn’t seem to have a problem with the Red Sox last night. Bob Hohler said the Marlins “could have used a touch of kindness, if not a whole lot of pity” last night, but that isn’t a knock on the Red Sox.

Kevin Gray of the Union Leader says the Sox did show mercy to the Marlins:

In one of the rarest scenes ever at Fenway Park, the Red Sox invoked the Mercy Rule against Florida during an embarrassing first inning for baseball.

The hosts did their best to uphold the integrity of the game, but it got to the point where Boston needed to get itself out to stop the madness. Bill Mueller, sent home from second base on a short single to left field, was thrown out by a mile to end a 50-minute inning.

Funny how media people can see things is such different lights.

Buckley concluded his piece by saying

Damon and the Sox made history last night. They also made asses of themselves.

Sorry, Buck, but I think you and Mazz have that honor to yourselves today. Was last night ugly? Yes. Do the Red Sox deserve to be called “asses” for continuing to play the game for the paying fans instead of just going through the motions for the last eight innings? No.

Celtics get the guys they wanted, after a little maneuvering and drama. After the Celtics selection of Troy Bell was panned by WWZN analysts Sean Grande and Ryan Russillo, Celtic fans on internet groups and mailing lists were calling Danny Ainge stupid and the pick moronic. After the Jones pick at 20, people were apoplectic. When the trade was announced, the WWZN crew declared the Celtics draft pulled from the fire. More fans were happy, while some are steamed that the Celtics didn’t select a European, especially Maciej Lampe, who slid all the way to the Knicks with the first pick of the second round. Lampe reportedly has a very difficult contract to get out of, and may not play in the states for a year or two. He is also said to be a very soft player. But to some, the allure of the European player is too much, and Ainge will be branded a moron from this point on for not taking a foreign player. Chad Ford of ESPN.com had said yesterday afternoon in a chat that if the Celtics picks ended up being Banks and Perkins that he would automatically give them an “F”. (He changed it to a “C” for his official grade.) The local media seems pretty happy with the picks. Bob Ryan says Danny Ainge’s plan “A” seems to have been a success. Steve Bulpett says some cloak and dagger antics by the Celtics upset some other NBA front offices, which has Red Auerbach smiling. Peter May (Let’s give him credit) correctly picked the Celtics selections in his mock draft yesterday, today he has a look at the draft in general with the risers and sliders. Shira Springer looks at the picks of Banks and Perkins. Lenny Megliola gives Troy Bell an assist for helping the Celtics land Banks, but is wary of the Celtics dealing with Jerry West. Mark Murphy thinks this could be a good start to the Ainge era in Boston. Christopher Price has the thoughts of Danny Ainge on Marcus Banks. Carolyn Thornton says the Celtics achieved their aims with the trade last night. Jeff Goldberg says that Ainge and the Celtics knew they’d have to move up to get Banks. Kevin Gray looks at Matt Bonner, as the New Hampshire native was selected by the Bulls and traded to the Raptors last night. Michael Vega looks at Troy Bell, teased by the Celtics, but happy with Memphis. Mike Shalin also has a look at Bell, who might’ve been taken by New Orleans at 18 if the Celtics hadn’t grabbed him for the Grizzlies at 16. Springer’s notebook looks at second round pick Brandon Hunter, who led the nation in rebounding last season. Murphy’s notebook looks at whether Banks can step right in and run the show.

Note: If Eddie Andelman claims credit for the Perkins selection in any way shape or form today after his proclamation earlier in the week that the Celtics should draft a “big high school kid” then a group should immediately be formed to go to the WWZN studios and throw chinese food at him.

Pedro finally gets a win. Bob Hohler looks at a workmanlike game in stifling heat. Michael Silverman says the Sox will hate to see the Tigers leave. Christopher Price has the quick and dirty lowdown from Fenway. Paul Kenyon says every win is important. Tom Yantz also says there is regret that the Tigers are headed out of town. Dan Shaughnessy looks at the effort of Pedro, who avoided the dreaded “reverse lock” theory. He concludes with this:

It was Pedro's 92d career win with the Red Sox. He needs 100 to catch Roger Clemens and Cy Young at the top of the Sox list. With good health, more bullpen help, and another $100 million, it's certainly possible.

I’m trying to figure out if he’s being snide or sincere here. Joe Burris looks at Trot Nixon having fun in the sun yesterday. Steve Buckley looks at Jason Varitek’s homer off the Pesky pole yesterday, and thinks that Troy O’Leary in 1996 was the last player to hit the pole. Michael Gee says Brandon Lyon looked like a true closer yesterday. Alex Speier also looks at Lyon’s two inning save. Gee’s pay column says that the Red Sox free agent class of 2004 all drove up their prices against the Tigers. In Buckley’s pay column, he’s not disappointed that Pedro didn’t pitch a no-hitter yesterday. He’s glad he just got the victory. Aaron Harlan looks at Damian Jackson, who had the wind knocked out of him after a couple ugly incidents in the outfield. In Yantz’s notebook, Jackson’s efforts earned him praise from John Henry. Kenyon’s notebook looks at Little’s theories on resting players. Silverman’s notebook also looks at Jackson’s adventures and also have Kevin Millar looking ahead to the Marlins. Hohler’s notebook has Little proclaiming Varitek an All Star.

Michael Smith looks at Matt Hasselbeck, coming into his own in Seattle.

Bill Griffith exhorts his NESN colleagues to broadcast the Springsteen concert on the cable network. Jim Baker looks at Lisa Guerrero joining Monday Night Football, and has her giving Eddie Andelman and his wife Judi credit for getting her started in the TV business. Maybe we can give Eddie credit for discovering her…

UPN38 has Red Sox/Marlins at 7:00. ESPN Classic looks at the 1986 Celtics at 7:30.

The old curmudgeonly Ron Borges was back in evidence today on an early edition of the Eddie Andelman show. Among his items were that the Patriots will be a middle of the pack team this year and that opposing offensive lineman are not at all afraid of Richard Seymour. Eddie says they have no running game and midget receivers. Both of which are true, but that’s his entire reasoning. Oh well. Dale & Neumy did quite a bit more ACC/Big East talk.

Attention Bill Simmons fans: Word on the street is that the former BSG will be on WWZN between 6:00 and 6:30 to talk about the Celtics draft…

Mike Fine looks at Jason Varitek, who had his day in the sun yesterday. Bob Stern has John Burkett signing the praises of Varitek. Bill Wells reminds us that last night was a close game until that nine run eighth inning last night. Fine’s notebook says Tim Wakefield may not miss his next start.

Jim Fenton looks at what the Celtics might do with their draft picks tonight.

I feel bad for Tigers fans. Detroit used to be a great baseball town. The fans there were as passionate and knowledgeable as in Boston or St. Louis. The team has been bad for more than a decade, and now they’re challenging the ’62 Mets for worst team of all time. If you’ve read “Five Seasons” by Roger Angell, you get a glimpse of the Tigers fans during some glory days. It’s in the early 70’s, and three lifelong friends and diehard middleaged Tiger fans are profiled. They get together for games, go to games, keep stats, remember players as far back as the 1930’s. They hang on every word of Ernie Harwell. When Harwell was retiring last year, I wondered about the three fans from Angell’s book. Were they still alive? Were they still into the Tigers as much as they were 30 years ago? What did they think of the hard fall of the team? Oh well, that’s just me.

Jason Varitek was the hands down star of the game last night. He showed all facets of his game. Steven Krasner says Varitek used it all, bat, hands, arm, leg. Gordon Edes wonders if Pedro will pitch a no-hitter this afternoon. Jeff Horrigan acknowledges the effort of John Burkett, who had another strong outing. Kevin Gray also looks at Burkett’s turn in the rotation. Christopher Price looks at the Sox teaching the young Tigers another lesson. Matt Kalman notes that at least one Tiger has had some success against Pedro. Alex Speier looks at “a perfect night for a catcher.” Aaron Harlan looks at Varitek’s contributions last night. Kalman also looks at Varitek’s key play at the plate. Steve Buckley’s pay column today lauds John Burkett, saying he is not a problem in the rotation, but rather a solution. Joe Burris also has a look at Burkett. Price looks at how David Ortiz beating out an infield hit helped spark the nine rally with two out in the eighth inning last night. Harlan says that coming back to Fenway has rejuvenated the offense. Burris also says that Derek Lowe has finally hit his stride. Jeff Goldberg looks at how different media coverage of the Red Sox was just 25 years ago. Horrigan’s notebook says Gabe Kapler could be with the Red Sox as soon as Sunday. Edes’ notebook looks at Freddy Sanchez adjusting to life in the majors. Krasner’s notebook says Wakefield might not miss his turn in the rotation.

Laura Meade Kirk has a look at the festivities that take place outside of Fenway, on Yawkey Way.

Jackie MacMullan looks at Danny Ainge, who finally gets to call the draft day shots for a team, something he’s done in private for many years. Steve Bulpett says that the Celtics are hoping someone slides to them, and gives out some possible names to look for. Peter May provides his Mock Draft, and has the Celtics taking Marcus Banks and high schooler Kendrick Perkins. May says about Banks:

Maybe there is no ''deal,'' but don't you think it's pretty convenient that Banks shut it down after working out for the Celtics?

I don’t think that’s true. Reports have Banks working out for at least two teams recently, including Orlando last week. Tim Weisberg says a new era starts tonight, and the Celtics are like a kid in a candy store…with just a few pennies in their pocket. Michael Muldoon says the Celtics want a point guard, or best available player…Shira Springer says that after the top three, the rest is anyone’s guess. Mark Murphy has a similar opinion. Carolyn Thornton looks at some possibilities for the Celtics. Ray Duckler wonders if Matt Bonner could be headed to the Celtics. Jim Baker and MacMullan look at Bob Cousy being honored with an annual award in his name. Springer’s notebook reports that Chris Wallace is no longer a GM candidate in Portland.

What a mess BC finds itself in. Bob Ryan says the Big East is now the Big Least. He confuses me with one paragraph:

The ACC did not invite either BC or Syracuse to its league. The ACC will take the Big East's place as a BCS league and BC is left behind in a football conference that has some big-time poseurs but no real runway models.

Isn’t the ACC already a BCS Conference? Michael Vega reports on the official invite of Miami and Virginia Tech. Bill Reynolds says there will be some huge fallout from this mess. Mike Shalin says that Miami might be hesitant to leap now. Here is the official statement from BC on the matter. Mike Grimala gets reaction on-campus.

Luke Meredith looks at the Nomah Rules.

Bill Griffith looks at Lisa Guerrero joining Monday Night Football.

NESN has Red Sox/Tigers at 1:00. ESPN has the NBA Draft at 7:00. TBS has Braves/Phillies at 7:30.

Just in case you missed the resolution of the big teaser that D&C had this morning, which they hyped up as a national network story, and just cannot get any work done until you find out what it was, the news was that Lisa Guerrero has joined Monday Night Football as a sideline reporter. They had her on as a guest.

Lots of ACC/Big East talk on both WEEI and WWZN, with a little Celtics talk going on WWZN as well. Jim O’Brien was on with Eddie Andelman, and part of the conversation involved Kedrick Brown, who O’Brien says they expect big things of next year. He’s a very hard worker, great person and high basketball IQ. O’Brien admitted that he’s a guy who goes with veterans and tries to win everygame, and that Brown would’ve likely developed much quicker on a team that put him out there for 15-20 every game during his first two years.

Tony Massarotti admitted that Grady Little is not in the upper echelon of managers in the Major Leagues. He said he doesn’t think he’s that good of an in-game manager.

Dale thinks the Big East is D.O.A. with the defection of Miami and Virginia Tech.

Bill Simmons pumps up Luke Walton. (By the way, did anyone else hear Gerry Callahan say “I will now light myself on fire” this morning?) Mike Fine previews the NBA Draft for the Celtics. Part one looks at the mindset of Ainge and the Celtics going in. He lists out his Busts and Booms from Celtics drafts of their history. In the part two of his preview, he looks at some possible picks for the Celtics. Jim Fenton looks Danny Ainge’s own experience with the draft and what he is facing now. Rob Bradford also looks ahead to the draft. Scott Van Voorhis says the Celtics are looking for more investors…but it’s not about the money.

Del Jones looks at how critical Derek Lowe is to the Sox success. Bob Stern says the sleeping giant was awoken last night. Alan Greenwood says the Tiger’s downfall started on the first pitch of the night.

If there was any doubt that the early season struggles of Nomar and Lowe are over, David Heuschkel says they should be totally erased now. Bob Hohler adds Kevin Millar into that mix as the bats got hot once again last night. Jeff Horrigan says the effortless dominance of Lowe was the story of the game. Steven Krasner says the Tiger are proving the perfect tonic for the Sox. Brian Fleming provides the Metro Cliff Notes game story. Aaron Harlan says the outfielders might as well sit down when Lowe is pitching well. Tony Massarotti makes the case for Nomar remaining in Boston for his whole career…the park is made for him, the fans appreciate unique talents. Gordon Edes has an interesting article in which he looks at the minor leaguers that have been traded since last year, and how they’re faring elsewhere. Most have struggled, Edes uses these as examples of what Theo will be looking at when he makes a deal in the coming weeks, which will most likely include some of his best prospects. Theo and the Sox have done a good job the last couple years of not giving away phenoms in deals. Michael Silverman looks at Kevin Millar, who continues to pile up the numbers. Millar gets praised now, but does anyone remember the furor over the Sox claiming him over the winter? Eddie Andelman was declaring that Theo could be causing an international incident…and he was serious…baseball experts said Millar was a nice platoon player, but not an everyday type, nor anything special. Harlan also has a bit on Steve Avery, clinging to life in the Majors. Kevin Gray reports on Sox ownership visiting Manchester, NH to announce New Hampshire Day at Fenway. Owner John Henry also addressed many topics concerning the club, including his belief that Nomar, Pedro and Manny will all be here in 2005. Other topics included a trade in the next month, and that the team is looking to add seating at Fenway at the roof box level. Dan Shaughnessy weighs in on the idea of the Bruce Springsteen concert at Fenway, and attempts to connect passages in songs to Boston events and places. Of course, he uses his last line to tell us that the Sox will be out of it in September:

And chances are that by Sept. 6 it'll be time for Bruce to tell us that ''summer's long, but I guess it ain't very sweet around here anymore.''

Silverman looks at preparations being made to protect the Fenway field during that concert. As the Big O calls him, The Hard Hitting Michael Gee says the Tigers are made to face teams in slumps. Krasner’s notebook says that Wakefield might be able to make his next turn in the rotation. Hohler’s notebook looks at the addition of Gabe Kapler. Horrigan’s notebook also reports on Kapler and updates the other injured Sox. Heuschkel’s notebook has similar items.

The NBA draft is tomorrow night and the intrigue continues. Danny Ainge met with the media yesterday Peter May looks at what Ainge and the Celtics could be looking at with picks 16 & 20. I guess Peter doesn’t feel as strongly about anyone this year yet as he did about Tony Parker. Steve Bulpett says no on the roster is untouchable in terms of a trade, including Pierce. Christopher Price reports on Ainge’s session with the media yesterday. Lenny Megliola looks at the Celtics needs, which is just about everything. Mark Murphy runs through a few of the big men the Celtics might be looking at. Bulpett’s notebook has Vin Baker set to play in some games around the country this summer. Shira Springer has Ainge just hoping things fall into place.

Dale & Neumy did talk about the HBO Real Sports segment last night that dealt with Ted Williams and the battle over his remains. Dale got a little mixed up though, when he said the video that showed Ted saying he wanted his ashes scattered with those of his dog Slugger scattered over the Keys was dated six months after the note produced by John Henry and Claudia Williams which said they with their dad wanted to be frozen, in actuality the video came six months after Ted’s appearance at the All Star game at Fenway in ’99. The date of the video was December 20, 1999. The note was dated November 2, 2000. He did correctly mention the caretakers of Ted who said one of them was with Ted for 24 hours a day during the time that the note was supposedly signed by Ted, as he was in the hospital, and that he most definitely did not sign anything during that time…

NESN has Red Sox/Tigers at 7:00. ESPN has Reds/Cardinals at 7:00. ESPN2 has Phillies/Braves at 7:00