MLBPLAYERS.com I didn't even know until recently that I was nearing my 1,000th career game. I've always been the type of player who takes things day-by-day, but I guess those days add up after a while. When I first broke into the big leagues, I was very

By Ian Browne / MLB.com SEATTLE -- The latest clash between the Red Sox and Yankees will start with a big test -- for the radar gun. There will be no easing into this rivalry weekend showdown between the perennial American League East powers. The Red Sox

By Mark Remme / MLB.com BOSTON -- Ah, now this is a little more like what we're used to. Through much of this 2008 campaign, the American League East has looked a bit turned upside down. That is, Tampa Bay, at times, was perched at the top by a

By Tom Singer / MLB.com Everyone out there who doubted, deep down, that it would come to this, raise your voice. Hear that? Deathly silence. Late July. Fenway Park. The Yankees and the Red Sox, front and center and in the thick and heat of another

By Ian Browne / MLB.com BOSTON -- For just a few fleeting moments, slumping outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury was moved from leadoff to the ninth spot in the batting order on Friday against the Yankees. 'Jacoby is going to be a leadoff hitter,' Red Sox manager

By Mark Remme / MLB.com BOSTON -- Reliever Manny Delcarmen left Friday's 1-0 loss against the New York Yankees with a muscle cramp in his right forearm after facing just one batter in the eighth inning. Delcarmen came into the contest with one out in the

By Ian Browne / MLB.com BOSTON -- His giant presence has been missed, be it at the plate, in the clubhouse or just in general. In some ways, the summer of 2008 has had a bit of a void in New England because David Ortiz has not been a part of it. And that

By Mark Remme / MLB.com BOSTON -- The Yankees arrived at Fenway Park on Friday night looking to creep a little closer toward the top of the American League East standings. The walked out having done just that. In the process, they didn't allow the Red

By Ian Browne / MLB.com BOSTON -- It was a subplot that could have faded quietly into the night, Joba Chamberlain's perplexing habit of throwing baseballs that land high and tight on Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis, or behind him. But in the bottom

By Ian Browne / MLB.com BOSTON -- Just when Red Sox manager Terry Francona had the pleasure of putting one big bopper back into his lineup for the first time since May 31, the other one was scratched a few hours before Friday night's contest against the