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All stories originally published at Saves and Shutouts, at shutouts.wordpress.com. Only full pieces are included here.
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Requiem for a shortstop: Marco Scutaro
Finances led the Red Sox to trade Scutaro away to the Colorado Rockies before the 2012 season, so I spent 500 words mourning the departure of a true ballplayer. Jan. 23
Let the A's move to San Jose
Why haven't the A's been allowed to move 45 minutes down the Bay? Because of a territory claim by the Giants that has them stuck in a near-impossible situation. It's un-American. Dec. 29
In defense of Yuniesky Betancourt
I understand the reasoning behind heavy, statistical based analysis in baseball writing. But a big part of me wishes more writers and fans could see the simple beauty in Yuniesky Betancourt returning to Kansas City, Dec. 22
Shoppach signals the end of the Jason Varitek era
It was bound to happen, but the Red Sox signing of catcher Kelly Shoppach likely means that Jason Varitek's 15-year reign behind the Boston plate is coming to an end. Dec. 15
For many, call to the Hall long overdue
I think it's mandatory for every passionate baseball fan to have their Hall of Fame snub cases, and I'm no different. I lay off Dwight Evans in this one, but Luis Tiant and a few others are highlighted as Hall-worthy players. Dec. 8
Pedro Martinez calling it a career
Certainly, hearing that Martinez would soon announce his official retirement wasn't a surprise. But it did cause me to take a moment and look back on one of my favorite players. Dec. 5
Red Sox losing sight of priorities, via Valentine
Continuing their overreaction from losing too many games in one month of a six-month season, the Red Sox went with the big splash in hiring Bobby Valentine as manager. Nov. 30
Justin Verlander, fighting the good fight
I was predictably happy to hear that Verlander had won the American League's MVP award. So much so, that I wrote a quick thing and made a graphic. Nov. 22
Tebow, Horn and standing up to reality
I noticed a little parallel in Tim Tebow winning games despite having none of the tools of a typical NFL quarterback with Sam Horn, who for one summer in 1987 carried the Boston Red Sox. Nov. 19
Toronto comes back with a winner
The Blue Jays, like the Orioles, righted some uniform and logo wrongs, switching up their logo and jerseys to recall a time when they were the best team in the league. Nov. 18
No, really, pitchers are valuable
The idea that pitchers shouldn't win the MVP, ever, is ridiculous. Sometimes, a pitcher has a season that's too good to ignore, and 2011, Justin Verlander had such a season. Nov. 17
The smiling Oriole returns
I have a not-so-secret wish to have every baseball team return to whatever look (and city) they had in the 1980s. The Baltimore Orioles threw me a bone by jumping back to the smiling bird. I never thought I'd see the day. Nov. 15
Papelbon takes the next logical step
Jonathan Papelbon leaving the Red Sox via free agency was the least surprising event in the history of baseball. But I still had a few thoughts on a pitcher who had always been interesting, and always been a favorite. Nov. 11
Freese, October legends and late nights
This entire story was borne out of me wanting to document how it felt to watch the greatest World Series game I've ever seen. My World Series watching goes back to about 1988, but not seriously until 1992 or so (in case you're trying to pin down my age). Oct. 28
Baseball, rock and the order of things
After the Red Sox were wiped from the baseball season in sudden, horrifying fashion, I stepped away from the game for a bit into my other passion, music. And then they intertwined. Life is funny, right? Oct. 25
Francona the first to fall?
Not only did the Red Sox miss out on the playoffs, it looked like they'd lose their manager in the aftermath. Shortly after writing this, the option years on Terry Francona's contract were declined by Boston. Sept. 30
With a bang and a whimper
The drama and calamity present in the Red Sox finishing a historic September slide, coupled with the Rays' rise through the standings, was amazing, pathetic and all too much for a diehard to take. Sept. 29
Ryan Lavarnway and 162
Keeping the Red Sox in a dead heat with the Tampa Bay Rays was, in game no. 161, a rookie catcher making his first start behind a major league plate. And hopes were high for this writer entering the final game of the season. Sept. 28
Losing bringing out the worst in Red Sox fans
Somehow, listening to whining Red Sox fans is much more annoying than watching them lose their grip on the season. Sept. 26
Teddy Ballgame's Greatest Hits
Wasting time on the LIFE archives turns into making a list of Ted Williams' greatest achievements on the field. And on his birthday, no less. Aug. 30
Mike Flanagan remembered
One bit that surprised me when writing this was how angry I was feeling by the time the last words were near. For a healthy persion, suicide is a selfish, stupid option. Aug. 26
Carl Yastrzemski: Powered by infinity
I have a lot of nice things to say about a player who retired when I was a year-and-a-half old. And another graphic! Aug. 23
Remembering Tony C.
I got hung up on an anecdote from a Fred Lynn radio interview, and wound up finding a random pinch-hitting performance by Tony Conigliaro. Aug. 18
Reddick, Drew and aging gracefully
Whether or not Josh Reddick is the Red Sox' right fielder of the future, J.D. Drew's time is running out. Both have handled that pretty nicely. Aug. 8
Rooting for Dontrelle Willis
Coming home from a trip on a Sunday night, I was pleasantly surprised to see Willis pitching for a contender in prime time. July 25
Red Sox, Rays play a marathon, keep me up late
There's little as memorable in baseball's regular season as games that seem like they'll never end. Also, Dustin Pedroia is amazing. July 18
An unlikely realignment plan
What fun is having a baseball blog if you can't spout off your ridiculous plans for a league that doesn't even employ you? Exactly. July 14
Trot Nixon, never an All-Star
A tongue-in-cheek look at the disturbing fact that Trot Nixon, the original Red Sox dirt dog, was never named to the American League All-Star team. July 12
Stop pretending the All-Star Game counts
This piece was inspired by some holier-than-thou hand-wringing over Derek Jeter skipping the All-Star Game, and one of my favorite quotes in the annals of sports. July 11
The brutal art of blocking the plate
The catcher blocking the path of the runner to home plate can be cruel, cringe-worthy and exciting, and it's a part of the game of baseball. July 7
Summer, baseball and your Bay State options
Coming off the excitement of the Bruins' Stanley Cup run, getting back into baseball was a little difficult. This also includes my Bay State Dreams graphic. July 3
Cliff Lee and greatness
Great pitchers are artists, and even if he's shutting down my beloved Red Sox, watching Cliff Lee in his element feels like an honor and a privilege. June 29
Looking back on an artist
Continuing Pedro Week, my thoughts on the most dominating force I've ever seen on a diamond. May 27
Pedro works and works through the Angels
I can vividly recall sitting in my cubicle and watching this game on the sports desk. I still get giddy and nervous, too. May 26
The Year of the Pitcher
When Pedro Martinez tore through the American League in 1999 ... I'm sorry, I just got flustered. I've never seen anything like it. May 24
An unknown Dodger
The first full post of Pedro Week, which was a project that popped in my head when I remembered that Pedro Martinez was awesome. No, really. May 23
Adrian Gonichiro?
Two amazing baseball players in one, apparently. May 19
The chronicles of Ichiro
The best part about going to Fenway Park is usually the Red Sox, unless Ichiro is in town with the Mariners. May 2
Dodger blues dragging down baseball
There have been many, many embarrassing folks associated with Major League Baseball through the years, and the McCourts have taken their place among them. April 21
Jed Lowrie, destroyer of worlds
The Red Sox shortstop got very hot for a while there. April 20
Adventures in baseball cards: 1988 Topps
A random gift gave me the chance to indulge my inner child for a few days. April 18
Beckett blows through the Yankees
Early in the 2011 season, Josh Beckett found his mojo. April 11
Goodbye, Manny
Manny Ramirez: talented, charismatic and, ultimately, disgraced. April 9
That felt pretty terrible
The Red Sox got off to a horrible start in 2011, and getting picked off to end a game is a bad way to keep a losing streak alive. April 7
Ranking the American League uniforms
Same as the previous, except for the Junior Circuit. Pretty self explanatory, right? April 6
Ranking the National League uniforms
What can I say? I enjoy making lists and obsessing over the minor details of a child's game. April 5
Chronicles of the eternal optimist
I know it's obvious, but when baseball teams play 162 regular season games, losing the first three or four is not critical. That is obvious, right? April 4
Another Opening Day for the Captain and Wake
I'm nothing if not sentimental, so it makes me feel good that Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield are still on the Red Sox in 2011. April 1
2011 Red Sox by the numbers
This is not a look at relevant numbers like OPS or strikeouts, but the ones the players wear on their backs. March 31
The glorious disaster that is the New York Mets
Whenever the Mets are good, it feels like an abberation. They are always entertaining, though, and that's usually because they're bad. March 28
The Red Sox' radio cure
Who needs cable when I have a radio and my imagination? Also, radio is free. March 25
The Gator leads off
Mike Greenwell hitting leadoff in 1996 is still funny to me. March 23
The Red Sox One-And-Done Team
This is a look at players who flashed through Fenway Park like a comet, leaving a trail of RBIs and highlight catches in their wake. March 21
Recalling favorites
Simply, looking at my favorite infield, outfield and pitching sets of Red Sox past. March 19
Everything you'll need for Opening Day
I don't know if I'm ever a bigger baseball fan than in March, so assembling a story listing everything that gets me excited for the next season seemed natural. March 16
Spring Training-fueled randomness
Just some thoughts while watching the Red Sox play a game that didn't matter. March 15
A little fun with lineups
As Spring Training gets underway, I take a look at what the Red Sox might look like in 2011, in different configurations. Feb. 26
Thoughts on the Bruins as theoretical champions
In my last hockey piece before I switched Saves and Shutouts to be baseball-only, I looked at some recent moves the Bruins made and wondered if it was safe to believe they could win the Stanley Cup. Also, hahahahahahahahahahHAHAHAHA!!! Feb. 22
Tim Thomas just stopped four shots, a bank robbery and a train
Tim Thomas is a good goalie, and better than every other goalie. That is all. Jan. 3
Mark Recchi's time machine
The fact that Recchi can play in the NHL at all is amazing. But to play at this high a level at his age is on another plane. Dec. 29
An ode to absurd stats
Looking at what Wayne Gretzky and Barry Bonds did at their peaks makes me dizzy sometimes. Dec. 11
Five things to ... whatever, here are the Bruins
Hockey's back! And I jumped in with a critical look at my favorite team. Oct. 9
Through three, the MLB playoffs
Some thoughts on baseball's first round, including Rocco Baldelli, Dennis Eckersley and The Freak. Oct. 8
Thanks, Mike
Mike Lowell played his last game in the major leagues at Fenway Park for the Red Sox. He was a classy guy, and he'll be missed. Oct. 2
This is the end, beautiful friend...
The penultimate nail in the Red Sox' 2010 campaign came in the form of a bases-loaded walk in the 10th inning in Yankee Stadium. But, hey, sometimes, them's the breaks. Sept. 27
Tim Wakefield' standing ovation
Random acts of kindness by a fanbase really makes me happy, as when Sox fans gave Tim Wakefield a standing ovation as he entered a blowout loss to the Blue Jays. Sept. 17
Good luck, buddy
Jon Couture capped off eight years with The Standard-Times by pooping on the editor's desk. No, actually, he went out with total class, and took the time to get his desk ready for the next staffer. He's the man. Sept. 14
Manny Ramirez, and other thoughts
Houdini has nothing on Manny Ramirez's ability to weasel out of situations he's not entirely happy with. I used to love this guy. Misplaced love, obviously. Aug. 30
So much for Damon's encore
For about 24 hours, the thought of Johnny Damon back in Boston was as exciting as anything. Then he said no. Alas. Aug. 25
The downward spiral of Roger Clemens
Clemens has lived a lifetime as a bully, and that will only get you so far. I think (obviously) that you get what you've earned in this life. Aug. 20
Our long national nightmare is over
Oh, Dustin Pedroia, please make the last six weeks of the season a real race and not just a recounting of all the ways the Red Sox blew their chance. Aug. 17
What a terrible way to go
Chipper Jones might have played his last game for the Atlanta Braves, and I feel for their fans on that one. Aug. 13
Upon further review, Scutaro's cool
I couldn't have been more against the signing of Marco Scutaro in the offseason. Happily, he has proven me wrong. Not that that's new, of course. Aug. 8
Mike Lowell answers the call
Lowell has had a terrible season, and it could be his last as a Major Leaguer. So it's been great to see him make the most of another chance to play. Aug. 3
Sticky and mashed: A collaged love letter to baseball
Here, I got to interview my friend Cee, who created a fantastic collage of baseball cards on a canvas. Very impressive (her work, not mine. Mine is OK, I suppose). Aug 3
Whatever happens, what a season!
It might have been the most exciting Red Sox game of the year at that point, and I got to spend it on I-495 in my car. Still, I have a feeling I'll keep the memory of listening to that game for a long, long time. July 31
Angels fans are just as stupid as anyone
Undeserved booing makes me almost unreasonably angry when it comes to sports, so when the Angels booed Red Sox pitcher John Lackey on his return, I became upset. July 28
The Hawk and the Hall of Fame
Congratulations to Andre Dawson. His career intersected with my fandom when he was forced to limp around the diamond, but I admired him anyway. July 26
Amazingly, Jed Lowrie returns to the Sox
Lowrie went through a ridiculous number of ailments that I was sure was going to stop his baseball career cold. It hasn't, and thank goodness for that. July 23
The good folks at Fenway Park can do no wrong
I got to see Sporting C.P. take on Celtic F.C. at the "Football at Fenway" event. Needless to say, they need to have more soccer games there. July 23
The most un-Daisuke Daisuke start ever?
Daisuke Matsuzaka has to be the most frustrating pitcher the Red Sox have had since Matt Young. But at least he's effective, and lately, he's been very effective. July 20
Unveiling the Red Sox Top 100
This was a fun little project for me. I ranked from 1 to 100 my favorite Red Sox players, not in the order of how good they were, but how much I liked them. Hence Mike Greenwell ranking higher than Ted Williams. That link goes to the post, but the actual list is here. July 17
Overused sports cliches
Sportswriters, as a group, can be incredibly lazy. It takes a few fantastic writers (Joe Posnanski, for example) to lift up the entire group. The rest write things like this. July 15
The lonliest sports day of the year
The Wednesday after the All-Star Game is always horribly boring. It takes a lot of effort to make it not so. July 14
Till next time, Boss
I say goodbye to George Steinbrenner, who ruled the Yankees with an iron fist and occasionally made life miserable for the Red Sox. July 13
World Cup 2010: Spain deserved it
Oh, it killed me to see Spain win the World Cup. But I found the bright side of the situation in keeper Iker Casillas' reaction to the whole thing. July 11
The inevitable LeBron post
Is LeBron James a self-centered jerk? Maybe. But here, I detail all the reasons why he was within his rights to go to Miami. If you're from Cleveland, be warned: I slam your city quite a bit in here. July 9
Collecting cards as I inch closer to 30
Baseball card collecting has sort of been creeping back into my life for a few years, but this summer, it really blew up. I try to figure out if that's embarassing or not. July 6
Rooting for Kirk Gibson
My adopted National League team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, are kind of a mess. So here's hoping that the fiery Kirk Gibson, who was promoted to manager after A.J. Hinch was fired, can do something about that. July 3
Did Jason Varitek just nail the coffin shut?
A day after assembling my Red Sox All-Disabled team, Varitek went and broke his foot. And I wondered aloud if this would be the third time in his career that an injury of his would sink a Sox season. July 2
The Red Sox All-Disabled Team
These guys would kill the Tigers All-Disabled Team, I'll tell you that right now. Ellsbury leading off, followed by Pedroia, Victor Martinez and Mike Lowell? Josh Beckett leading the rotation? I'll take my chances. July 1
Bruins shaking things up for the better?
Here, I look at some of the off-season moves the Boston Bruins made in an effort to get deep into the Stanley Cup playoffs. June 27
You win this round, Giambi
Jason Giambi, now a pinch hitter for the Colorado Rockies, resumed his old role of terrorizing the Boston Red Sox during interleague play. Oh, memories... June 24
World Cup 2010: Donovan seals the deal
Landon Donovan was already the greatest U.S. footballer ever before this tournament. His goal against Algeria was a thing of beautiy. June 23
Dennis Wideman traded to ... who cares, he's gone
Shadanfreude (shad · en · freu · de): Satisfaction or pleasure at one's misfortune. In this case, Wideman being shipped off to Florida. I will forever go on record as believing he is the worst Bruin I've ever seen. Good riddance. June 23
Woe is the Arizona Diamondbacks
It's been rough going for the Snakes since I left Phoenix. I'm pretty sure that's not the reason, though. No one gets that broken up over me. June 22
World Cup 2010: Portugal goes off, and other records
Watching Portugal score seven times against North Korea was probably my favorite part of the South Africa tournament. And it inspired me to look into some other World Cup record performances. June 21
Ignoring Manny Ramirez
Sometimes, the Boston sports media loses its mind in a very calculated way, like when Manny Ramirez came back to Fenway Park for the first time. I try to tune that stuff out. June 20
World Cup 2010: Cameroon's heartbreak
I was not expecting Cameroon-Denmark to be as entertaining as it was. And I got a kick out of how badly I wanted Cameroon to win after only watching for five minutes. June 19
World Cup 2010: Deco, Portugal as the home team
It's World Cup time! Which can only mean it's time to start rooting for Portugal until they inevitably collapse in some horrifying fashion. June 19
Every peak has a valley, and so on
Looking back at this (in August), this is my favorite piece on Kick Saves and Shutouts so far. A look a the high of watching the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup while I was in Chicago, coupled with coming home to watch the Celtics fall in Game 7 against the Los Angeles Lakers. June 18
Remembering the Mickey Mantle of the '90s
I was caught a little off-guard by how much Ken Griffey Jr.'s retirement meant to me. Mostly because I didn't like him much during his Seattle heyday. June 3
Baseball, the internet, 1993 and moments of discovery
This is a dumb little tribute to how scattershot my brain can be sometimes. I jump from Fan Graphs to Carlos Pena to Mark Langston to Cito Gaston to my Toronto Blue Jays baseball cards. June 2
In which I wax poetic on the greatest pitcher alive, Roy Halladay
Halladay throwing a perfect game seems fitting, since it seems like he should every time he takes the mound. Thanks for taking that to the National League, buddy! May 30
Being for the benefit of Big Papi
In terms of individual performance, little has made me as happy as the resurgence of David Ortiz. And oh, how the Red Sox needed it. May 27
Clay, Cardboard Gods and a ridiculous night at Fenway Park
This was, far and away, the greatest baseball game I've ever been to. I met Josh Wilker, watched Clay Buchholz toss another gem, got to sit in the second row next to the Minnesota Twins dugout, saw Daniel Bard throw 100 mph about five feet from my face, and it had great company. This wil not be topped. May 20
Ten greats I never saw
A little tribute to those who came before me, anchored by Carl Yastrzemski, who Bill Lee once said was powered by infinity. May 15
For better or worse: Live blogging Game 7
2010 Stanely Cup playoffs, Boston Bruins vs. Philadelphia Flyers. No further comment. May 14
The Bruins are trying to kill me
Needless to say, after David Krejci went down, I could see the writing on the wall for the Boston Bruins. Ouch. May 13
Fondly misremembering Steve Rodriguez
A tribute to a middle infielder who played six games for the 1995 Red Sox and hit .125. May 11
The joy of the blowout
What's a good way to break out of an early season slump? Well, beating another team into submission can do the trick. May 3
Marc Savard returns: Like a big middle finger to Matt Cooke
Looking back, Savard's game-winning goal in overtime of Game 1 against the Flyers would be the highlight of the Bruins' year. It was a fun moment, to be sure. May 1
Clay Buchholz in a vacuum
Buchholz grew up a tremendous amount in 2010, and vaulted into my good graces. He's probably my favorite pitcher the Red Sox have had since Pedro Martinez left. Not that he's the best, mind you. I just love watching him. April 29
Tim Thomas' story unmatched
Tim Thomas is a great goalie who struggled through injury and lost his job to Tuukka Rask. That happens in sports. What shouldn't happen is the Bruins fans acting like a bunch of entitled little jerks. April 28
Loveably bad: My mediocre Red Sox
My favorite bad Red Sox of the early 1990s, in lineup form. Herm Winningham and Bob Zupcic, come on down! April 27
When the Bruins were more idea than a team
My first real sports writing of any kind since Super Bowl XLII, and I'm trying to find my feet here. So here's a thing I wrote about being a Bruins fan to get that out of my system. April 27