SB Nation Boston - The Hub

David Ortiz Says Media Needs To 'Take It Easy' On Josh Beckett Golfing

2012-05-16T16:54:42Z

David Ortiz defended the indefensible on Tuesday, saying the media should take it easy on Josh Beckett following his ill-advised golfing trip.

"You guys need to take it easy, man," Ortiz said. "We are human here. We come and play the game. We try to do the right thing, but we have a personal life too. We are human just like everyone else."

Yes, baseball players are humans and have a personal life too. But -- just a suggestion -- when a player is scratched from a start one day with a sore lat, he probably shouldn't be spotted the very next day playing a round of golf. And when he is spotted playing golf when he should probably be getting treatment on his sore lat, he should probably be apologetic rather than combative in the aftermath.

For video of Ortiz' comments on Josh Beckett, watch below.

For more Boston Red Sox coverage, visit our team page and blog, Over The Monster.

TV Schedule, May 16: Celtics Travel To Philadelphia, Red Sox Face Rays

2012-05-16T11:00:42Z

Wednesday's TV schedule, complete with channels and times, customized for the Boston sports fan. Click on highlighted teams' names for complete schedules, scores, and previews, plus an active community devoted to your team. All times ET and approximate.

NBA

Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers - 7 p.m. (TV: TNT) The Boston Cetlics travel to Philadelphia to face the 76ers in the third game of their second round playoff series. The Celtics dropped the second game of the series Monday night, 82-81.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder - 9:30 p.m. (TV: TNT)

MLB

Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays - 7 p.m. (TV: NESN) The Boston Red Sox are in the midst of a five game winning streak after an impressive 5-0 win Tuesday afternoon against the Seattle Mariners. The Red Sox go on a quick jaunt to Tampa Bay, where they have two games against the second place Rays. Clay Buchholz gets the start for the Sox, while right hander Jeremy Hellickson (3-0) takes the mound for the Rays.

NHL

Eastern Conference Final, Game 2: New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers - 8 p.m. (TV: NBC Sports Network)

TV Schedule, May 15: Red Sox Play Late Afternoon Game At Fenway

2012-05-15T15:37:41Z

Tuesday's TV schedule, complete with channels and times, customized for the Boston sports fan. Click on highlighted teams' names for complete schedules, scores, and previews, plus an active community devoted to your team. All times ET and approximate.

MLB

Boston Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners - 4 p.m. (TV: NESN) The Boston Red Sox face the Seattle Mariners in a rare 4 p.m. weekday start. Coming off a masterful performance by Jon Lester on Monday night, the Sox will start Josh Beckett (2-4). The Mariners will send right hander Blake Beavan (1-3) to the mound.

NBA

NBA Playoffs: Second Round

Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat - 7 p.m. (TV: TNT)

Los Angeles Clippers at San Antonio Spurs - 9:30 p.m. (TV: TNT)

Hockey listings after the jump!

NHL

Western Conference Final, Game 2: Los Angeles Kings vs. Phoenix Coyotes - 9 p.m. (TV: NBC Sports Network)

International Hockey

United States vs. Switzerland - 1 p.m. (TV: NBC Sports Network)

Bill Russell Legacy Project: Artists Selected For Celtics Legend's Sculpture

2012-05-15T14:00:56Z

Antonio Tobias "Toby" Mendez and Matthew Oudens have been selected as the artist team to design and create the Bill Russell Legacy Project sculpture, honoring the Boston Celtics' legend center. The sculpture will be located at City Hall Plaza in Boston.

"This is such a great honor to be chosen to create the Tribute to Bill Russell," Mendez said. "Russell is such a transformative person in so many aspects of his life; in his career on the court as a player and later as a coach, his contributions to human rights and in his dedication to mentorship programs that will guide our children into the future."

"I am very pleased by the selection of a team that will work to represent Bill Russell as one of the greatest champions of all time, on and off the basketball court, and particularly as an advocate for our young people, and for the adult mentoring programs that help so many of our youth," said Boston mayor Tom Menino.

An image of the sculpture can be seen here.

For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit our team page and blog, CelticsBlog.

VIDEO: BC's Chris Kreider Scores Goal In Rangers' Game 1 Win Over Devils

2012-05-15T12:30:13Z

When you're good, you're good. If you watched Boston College hockey in the last year or so, you'd know that Chris Kreider is good. If you didn't, well, shame on you. Kreider, a member of the 2010 and 2012 BC NCAA National Championship teams, scored his second goal of the postseason for the Rangers during Monday's 3-0 win over the Devils.

Kreider's goal capped off a two-point night for the rookie left winger, as he also assisted on the game-winning goal from Dan Girardi just 0:53 into the third period. Kreider now has two goals and three points in 12 postseason games.

Kreider played three seasons at Boston College and capped off his brilliant collegiate career with 23 goals and 22 assists in 44 games during the Eagles' national title run last season. Kreider scored 51 goals in three years at BC.

For more Boston College Hockey coverage, visit our team blog, BC Interruption.

TV Schedule, May 14: Celtics Face 76ers In Game 2, Red Sox Host Mariners

2012-05-14T13:49:04Z

Monday's TV schedule, complete with channels and times, customized for the Boston sports fan. Click on highlighted teams' names for complete schedules, scores, and previews, plus an active community devoted to your team. All times ET and approximate.

NBA

Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers - 7 p.m. (TV: TNT) The Boston Celtics host game two of their second round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, after winning the first game Saturday night by just one point (92-91.) The Celtics will look to avoid the deficits they had to overcome several times on Saturday with a more consistent effort throughout the game.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder - 9:30 p.m. (TV: TNT)

MLB

Boston Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners - 7 p.m. (TV: NESN) The Boston Red Sox begin a home series against the Seattle Mariners on Monday evening. Jon Lester takes the mound for the Red Sox, who are in the midst of a nice three game winning streak. The Mariners start 4-2 left hander Jason Vargas.

More listings after the jump!

Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals - 7 p.m. (TV: ESPN)

NHL

NHL Playoffs, Eastern Conference Finals: New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils - 8 p.m. (TV: NBC Sports Network)

Daisuke Matsuzaka Rehab Update: Bobby Valentine Crtical Of Pitching Mechanics In Start

2012-05-13T17:37:07Z

The progression of pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka making his return to the Boston Red Sox starting rotation will soon come to an end. On Sunday, Boston reported Matsuzaka, who's rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, will make two more minor-league starts with the Pawtucket Red Sox before returning to the big leagues.

Most would admit that's a good thing for the Red Sox, however, manager Bobby Valentine spoke to the media Sunday and voiced concerns about Matsuzaka's latest outing, which came Saturday.

"I watched the game. I didn't think he was as good as he should be," Valentine said. "His mechanics [weren't] very good at all, I think. But he's throwing pain-free, so that's good."

Matsuzaka tossed only 5 1/3 innings allowing five runs on seven hits Saturday, but felt no pain in the 90-pitch outing.

"I've been watching him," he said. "Right now he's worried about his strength and his ability to endure pitches and things like that."

For more on the Red Sox make sure to check out the SB Nation blog Over The Monster.

TV Schedule, May 13: Red Sox Close Out Series With Cleveland

2012-05-13T13:42:13Z

Sunday's TV schedule, complete with channels and times, customized for the Boston sports fan. Click on highlighted teams' names for complete schedules, scores, and previews, plus an active community devoted to your team. All times ET and approximate.

MLB
Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians - 1:30 p.m. (TV: NESN) The Boston Red Sox have turned their fate around, winning their past two games against the Cleveland Indians. This afternoon, the two teams finish their series in a Mother's Day Sunday matinee, where Daniel Bard will pitch for the Red Sox and former Red Sox pitcher Justin Masterson takes the mound for the Indians.

Atlanta Braves vs. St. Louis Cardinals - 2 p.m. (TV: TBS)

Los Angeles Angels vs. Texas Rangers - 8 p.m. (TV: ESPN)

NBA

NBA Playoffs

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies - 1 p.m. (TV: ABC Channel 5) Round 1, Game 7

Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat - 3:30 p.m. (TV: ABC Channel 5) Round 2, Game 1

NHL

Western Conference Finals, Game 1: Phoenix Coyotes vs. Los Angeles Kings - 8 p.m. (TV: NBC Sports Network)

Golf

The Players Championship - 2 p.m. (TV: NBC Channel 7)