Steroid Scandal Hits Hub

Seth Mnookin: Players Union Fights for Right to Drive Bus Off Cliff
Globe: Crawford Said It Was Everywhere
Herald: Wakefield Reacts to Crawford's Clubhouse Culture Charges
Alex Speier: Steroid Scandal Lands at Fenway

"Though Crawford’s former teammates said they were unaware of his use, they were unsurprised to hear that a Red Sox tried to gain an edge with illegal substances. Already, the franchise endured other incidents in which their players were tied to the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Police found steroids in the car of former infielder Manny Alexander in 2000, and minor-league pitcher Felix Romero was suspended and subsequently released after failing a test for PEDs last year. Former Sox player Jeremy Giambi (brother of Jason) told the Kansas City Star last year that he used steroids throughout his career. Jose Canseco boasted of his steroid use throughout a career that included a stint in Boston in 1995-96." -- 6.21.06, Alex Speier, Union-Leader

Thank God He's a Country Boy

"Shoot, why not? I'm just a country boy; I didn't even think twice."
-- Paxton Crawford, to ESPN The Magazine

Life on the Sox farm was kinda laid back
Ain’t much an old country boy like me can't hack
But I was late to rise, a couple pitches that I lacked
Thank God I’m a country boy

Well a simple kinda life never did me no harm
I had a good family, but wastin on Boston's farm
They said the stuff I took wouldn't do me no harm
Thank God I’m a country boy

Well I got me a fine vial I got me a needle
HGH kickin in I’m back in the saddle
With juice in the veins this game isn't such a riddle
Thank God I’m a country boy

When the pitchin’s done and I’m out with my bros
I'd pull out my needle keep juicin on the go
Jimy doesn't sleep gotta keep it kinda low
Thank God I’m a country boy

I’d throw really hard all day if I could
But the lord and my stuff didn’t make me very good
So I needle when I can, pitch when I could
Thank God I’m a country boy

Well I got me a fine vial I got me a needle
HGH kickin in I’m back in the saddle
With juice in the veins this game isn't such a riddle
Thank God I’m a country boy

Well I would’ve traded my life for diamonds and jewels
Acting like one of them money hungry fools
I shoulda tossed that needle, grabbed my farmin tools
Thank God I’m a country boy

Yeah, superstars drivin in a black limousine
A lotta minor leaguers thinkin that’s mighty keen
I told ESPN exactly what I mean
Thank God I’m a country boy

Well I got me a fine vial I got me a needle
HGH kickin in I’m back in the saddle
With juice in the veins this game isn't such a riddle
Thank God I’m a country boy

Well, the needle was my buddy till the day I retired
I fell on a glass and cut my back open wide
Shoulda lived a good life and played the game with pride
And thank God I’m a country boy

[Name blacked out] taught me young how to insert the needle
Taught me how to cheat and how to fool all the people
Taught me how to lie, give reporters just a little
Thank God I’m a country boy

Well I got me a fine vial I got me a needle
HGH kickin in I’m back in the saddle
With juice in the veins this game isn't such a riddle
Thank God I’m a country boy
Thank God I’m a country boy

Eric Wilbur: See No Evil

Sox Sign 1st Round Draft Pick Jason Place

10-4 Good Buddy

10 Strikeouts for Lester; 4-Run Bomb for Papi
Sox Convoy Keeps Rolling On, 9-3

More Les the Better: Second Win for Koufax Jr., Call Cooperstown
Sox Bats Batter nAAAtionals' Pitching Again
Grand Papi: Ortiz Slam Ends Game in a Second
Hot to Trot: Nixon Goes 3-for-5, .333, Yada, Yada
Gold Bust Twins [Thanks Bob Lobel] In: Seanez, Tavarez Give It Up

"What I thought he did so effectively was that he made them respect all of his pitches. The slow breaking ball, his cutter, his fastball, his four-seamer. You can't sit on one pitch, and he threw them all for strikes. Looks like his fastball has got a little bit -- whatever it registers on the gun -- it's got that last couple feet that it keeps going, and when it's getting to the hitter and Tek [catcher Jason Varitek] it's got a little finish on it. It looked like to me the game slowed down for him a little bit tonight, and that's good." -- 6.21.06, Tito Francona on Lester

Feeding the Monster: A Look Back at the Sox Sale to H/W/L
(Seth Mnookin Chat, Wed. July 12 at Noon)