Sports - The Boston Globe

Alex Cora makes no excuses for this miserable Red Sox season

“To be honest with you we were a big disappointment,” the manager said, while also noting he has a plan already in place for 2023.

Chad Finn

Dennis Eckersley and the entire NESN crew walked out of the press box to pose for a group photo before Wednesday's game.

‘You never realize how blessed you are.’ NESN’s Dennis Eckersley retires after 50 years in professional baseball.

Eckersley announced in August that this, his 20th season as part of NESN’s broadcast team after a Hall of Fame 24-year playing career, would be his last.

red sox 6, rays 3
Red Sox take their time securing one final win to cap 2022 campaign
Pivetta needed 103 pitches to get through four innings, but he held Tampa Bay to just two runs while Martinez hit two homers in a game for the first time in nearly two seasons.

Box score: Red Sox 6, Rays 3MLB scoreboard

red sox
Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez said goodbye to the Fenway faithful Wednesday. Will it be for the final time?
Bogaerts said he hasn’t talked to the Sox front office in recent weeks about a new contract and Martinez hasn't had any real conversations with the team about his future. 9:23 p.m.

ben volin | on football
Film review: Bailey Zappe showed enough that he should move up the depth chart
The rookie played with poise, made a few nice throws, and proved he can keep the Patriots competitive if he has to substitute for Mac Jones.

Patriots
Mac Jones takes reps at Patriots practice, but Brian Hoyer is absent
Jones is making progress in his rehab from a high ankle sprain, said coach Bill Belichick. Hoyer, meanwhile, is making his way through concussion protocol.

RAPTORS 125, CELTICS 119
Jaylen Brown leads, Sam Hauser stays hot, and other observations from the Celtics’ preseason loss
Once the first five took a seat late in the third quarter, the Raptors went on a run and eventually prevailed in overtime. 2 hours ago

Box score: Raptors 125, Celtics 119NBA scoreboard

Chad Finn
Signs are hopeful for Celtics, but can Joe Mazzulla be stern with them when needed?
Ime Udoka, who played in the NBA and coached under Gregg Popovich, commanded players' respect, but the new coach doesn't bring those credentials.

Preseason: Bruins 5, Rangers 4
Czech trio showing plenty of chemistry as Bruins eke past Rangers in penultimate preseason game
Pavel Zacha, David Pastrnak, and David Krejci, playing together for the first time, combined for eight points Wednesday. 9:42 p.m.

Box score: Bruins 5, Rangers 4NHL scoreboard

Bruins
The loudest kid at his Montreal hockey camp. A man who put his life back together. Meet Jim Montgomery, who is ready to lead the Bruins.
Whether it was a junior A team in Ottawa, or at Maine, Montgomery knew how to help the players around him succeed. “He said the right things,” a former coach said. “He brought out the best in people.” Now, he'll have to do it with the Bruins.

red sox notebook
Alex Verdugo tops Alex Cora’s list of Red Sox players who can make a leap next season
"He’s getting to that area in his career, where [you ask] who is he going to be?" Cora wondered, noting he can improve his base-running and defense.

bruins notebook
Bruins’ lines remain in flux, particularly regarding Jake DeBrusk
It looks as though DeBrusk will be paired with Patrice Bergeron — but he will be on right wing or left wing?

women's college hockey notebook
NEWHA takes important steps as women’s college hockey continues to grow
The conference has added a team in Stonehill and for the first time will enjoy an automatic NCAA bid for its champion.

Red Sox

Eckersley pats his heart as fans applaud following a tribute video Wednesday at Fenway.

Watch: Red Sox, Rays pay tribute to NESN’s Dennis Eckersley

Between the top and bottom of the fifth inning, a lengthy video tribute to Eckersley was shown on the screen, one that included several highlights from his Hall of Fame career.

Patriots

Six things to know about Patriots practice squad quarterback Garrett Gilbert

If Brian Hoyer is unable to play this weekend, Gilbert could back up Bailey Zappe.

MLB

Fans reach for a foul ball hit by Aaron Judge before Judge hit his record-breaking 62nd home run.

Cory Youmans, the fan who caught Aaron Judge’s 62nd home run ball, could be in for a big payday

Judge said:" It would be great to get it back, but that’s a souvenir for a fan. He made a great catch out there, and they’ve got every right to it.”

mlb notebook

After a down season in 2021, Jeff McNeil bounced back to make his second All-Star team and win his first batting crown.

Mets’ Jeff McNeil, Twins’ Luis Arraez clinch batting titles on final day of regular season

McNeil finished with a major-league best .326 average after Freddie Freeman flew out to center in the fifth inning for the Dodgers.

NFL notebook

Tom Brady took a hard hit on his throwing shoulder when sacked by Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed last Sunday.

Tom Brady and coach Todd Bowles absent from Buccaneers practice

Brady took a hard hit on his throwing shoulder when he was sacked last Sunday, while missed practice for a personal reason and is expected back on Thursday.

bruins

David Krejci (left) is back on the roster and will be skating at center with David Pastrnak on his right wing.

What can we expect the Bruins’ forward lines to look like on opening night?

A lot depends on the availability of Taylor Hall, who is week to week with an upper-body injury, but here is an educated guess at the lineup.

LATEST HEADLINES

Girls’ soccer: There’s little wonder why No. 11 Methuen is off to an 9-0 start — it’s the stalwart play of goalkeeper Sam Pfeil

Girls’ volleyball roundup: Sam Driend records 1,000th career kill for Methuen (10-2) in sweep of Dracut

Jaylen Brown leads, Sam Hauser stays hot, and other observations from the Celtics’ preseason loss

Czech trio showing plenty of chemistry as Bruins eke past Rangers in penultimate preseason game

Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez said goodbye to the Fenway faithful Wednesday. Will it be for the final time?

Stan Grossfeld

It was better that fans at the Red Sox' on-field photo day faced away from the Green Monster, where the standings showed their team in last place.

Photos: One last look back at the 2022 Red Sox season

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But if you had to describe the 2022 last-place Red Sox season in one word for a family newspaper — no expletives, please — what would it be?

GIRLS' SOCCER NOTEBOOK

Goalkeeper Sam Pfeil has been a stalwart in net for the 11th-ranked Methuen girls' soccer team (9-0), having benefitted from the tutelage of fourth-year coach Kayla Camara.

Girls’ soccer: There’s little wonder why No. 11 Methuen is off to an 9-0 start — it’s the stalwart play of goalkeeper Sam Pfeil

Under the tutelage of fourth-year coach Kayla (Grover) Camara, a former keeper at Haverhill High and Bridgewater State, the 5-foot-10-inch Pfeil has posted shutouts in five of the Rangers nine games thus far this season. 1 hour ago

HS scoreboardGirls Soccer Top 20

GIRLS' SOCCER | PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

King Philip's Ella Pisani (right), taking a a shot on goal in front of Hingham's Claire Murray, had an eight-point week for the Warriors to headline the EMass girls' soccer Players of the Week.

EMass girls’ soccer: An eight-point week from King Philip’s Ella Pisani headlines top performances

The senior compiled eight points, willing the Warriors (7-1-1) to three Hockomock League wins. In a 7-2 win over Sharon, the Fairfield University commit accumulated a goal and four assists before tallying a goal in a 2-0 victory over North Attleborough on Friday. Pisani then scored twice in a key 3-0 victory vs. Canton on Monday.

Complete HS coverage

MIAA GYMNASTICS COMMITTEE

As a sophomore last winter, Devin Hazen was third in the all-around at the MIAA boys' gymnastics championship competing for Burlington High.

Is the future of high school boys’ gymnastics strictly an individual pursuit?

The 2021 MIAA boys' championship featured four teams and 45 athletes. And now the future of programs at Burlington and Lowell are in doubt.

red sox

Dennis Eckersley is retiring from the broadcast booth at the end of the season.

Watch: Globe reporter Alex Speier shares touching tribute to retiring Dennis Eckersley

Speier, who covers the Red Sox for the Globe, shared an anecdote about Eckersley's words in a video at the Baseball Hall of Fame. The ex-Sox pitcher was clearly touched.

Peter Abraham | On Baseball

Nate Eovaldi may have made his final start for the Red Sox at Fenway Park on Tuesday.

With his future in Boston unclear, the Red Sox’ Nate Eovaldi wanted the ball, as he always has

Eovaldi's value and best use could be up for debate, but no one could ever question his willingness to take to the mound, regardless of circumstance.

Red Sox Notebook

Garrett Whitlock's season was hampered by hip issues, but he should be ready to go well ahead of spring training next season.

With hip surgery out of the way, Red Sox’ Garrett Whitlock looks ahead to 2023 — likely as a starter

Whitlock's second half was hampered by hip issues, but should be ready to go for spring training.

Celtics notebook

Rookie point guard JD Davison signed a two-way contract with Boston last summer.

Celtics rookie JD Davison’s marching orders? Talk to Marcus Smart.

Davison is eager to learn from the veteran point guard Smart, reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Patriots

Patriots throwing it back this weekend with return of ‘Pat Patriot’

New England will be wearing its throwback uniforms for Sunday’s home game against the Lions, the classic red jerseys with the familiar logo on the side of the helmet, created by Phil Bissell in 1960.

Ben Volin | On Football

Saquon Barkley (right) had 146 of the Giants' 262 rushing yards in their win over the Bears.

NFL Week 4: Across the league, teams have hit the ground running this year

Five teams rushed for at least 200 yards this week, and all won. The league average of 4.44 yards per carry is the highest in history through four weeks.

Patriots

Patriots are bringing back quarterback Garrett Gilbert to their practice squad

Gilbert was with New England in 2014 and again briefly in 2021 before he was plucked off the practice squad by Washington.

christopher l. gasper

Rookie Bailey Zappe had his moments against Green Bay, but it may be a reach to expect a lot out of him at this point.

With Patriots in soft part of the schedule, is Bailey Zappe the QB who can take advantage?

The Patriots simply must seize the opportunity presented by the next five games, but they find their quarterback situation in flux.

Sunday notebooks

When it comes to MLB free agents, cost and value don’t always run in tandem
There were 19 players who inked contracts worth at least $50 million before this season. From team perspectives, there are more regrets than celebrations so far.

Maybe the Dolphins did wrong by Tua Tagovailoa, but the NFL’s concussion protocols have loopholes
Last Sunday, the quarterback missed just three snaps after sustaining what was deemed a back injury. On Thursday, he was carted off after suffering a concussion.

Other scandals kept Kevin Durant and the Nets out of Media Day spotlight. But don’t think the drama is gone in Brooklyn.
Kevin Durant's demands, Ben Simmons's health, and Kyrie Irving's contract were the talk of the league . . . until the Suns and Celtics grabbed all the attention.

From UMass to the Avalanche, Cale Makar had a plan and never veered off course
The No. 4 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft committed to UMass before its 2016-17 five-win season but never wavered, transforming the program before leaping to NHL superstardom.

sports betting

Sports betting is finally coming to Massachusetts. Here’s what you need to know.

It's unclear when you can begin to place bets, and you won't be able to bet on in-state colleges (except in tournaments). All three casinos and seven online outlets will be allowed to take bets.

NEWSLETTERS

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Exclusive analysis and insight on the Patriots and the NFL, delivered to your inbox three days a week.

At a glance

Bill Lee collapsed on the baseball diamond. It didn’t slow him down.

The iconic Red Sox pitcher’s heart stopped during a game with the Savannah Bananas in August. By September, he was back on the diamond in New Hampshire. “I always thought I’d die on the field,” he said, “but not in the [expletive] bullpen.”

The iconic Red Sox pitcher's heart stopped during a game with the Savannah Bananas in August. By September, he was back on a baseball diamond in New Hampshire. “I always thought I’d die on the field," he said, "but not in the [expletive] bullpen."

Zdeno Chara retires

Interactive

24 seasons of defensive dominance

Zdeno Chara — Big Z, and he was belovedly known in his time with the Bruins — is hanging up his skates. Let's take a look at the stats that made the difference.

Baseball Hall of Fame 2022

Interactive

David Ortiz hit 558 regular-season and postseason home runs.

David Ortiz's long drives to Cooperstown

David Ortiz is in the Hall of Fame. Explore all 558 home runs that helped get him there.

⚾️ Hall of Fame 2022: Learn more about David Ortiz’s induction →

BEST OF GLOBE SPORTS

red sox

A conversation with Chaim Bloom on the state of the Red Sox ahead of a pivotal offseason

The Red Sox chief baseball officer dived into every celebration in last year's playoff run. A year later, Bloom’s ability to build a team is being questioned.

patriots

Rhamondre Stevenson knows he has ‘a very special story.’ It’s time to tell it.

Six years ago, the running back found himself working at Wal-Mart, his dream to play football derailed. Hard work and a supportive family helped him find his way to the Patriots.

Rodman Arena is located on Providence Highway in Walpole.

youth sports

Despite SafeSport bans, youth hockey organizations slow to remove coaches accused of abuse

The ongoing involvement with children of two Massachusetts coaches has struck some as another troubling example of USA Hockey and Mass Hockey falling short in rooting out offenders.

Even the great Wilt Chamberlain (right) had his hands full with the formidable Bill Russell (left).

Bob Ryan

Bill Russell was unparalleled on the basketball court, uncompromising off it

As an athlete, he was far ahead of his time. As a man, he was a role model and an inspiration. He was a truly Great American.

In Tampa, Tom Brady will be reunited with offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich (right) — but Bruce Arians will not be the head coach.

ben volin | on football

A secret plan, a bombshell lawsuit, and a soccer match: Inside Tom Brady’s un-retirement

If Brady had his way, he would have been running — and potentially quarterbacking — a Patriots division rival. Instead, a series of unforeseen events led him back to Tampa.

David Ortiz (right) was shot in June 2019 in his native Dominican Republic. Findings from an investigation by former Boston Police commissioner Ed Davis say he was targeted by drug kingpin César "The Abuser" Peralta (inset), who was extradited to Puerto Rico in December.

DAVID ORTIZ SHOOTING

David Ortiz was targeted by drug kingpin in 2019 shooting, according to Ed Davis’s findings

Ed Davis, the former Boston police commissioner hired by Ortiz, said César Peralta came to feel disrespected by Ortiz, prompting Peralta to sanction the ragtag hit squad that tried to kill the former Red Sox player.

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Alex Cora makes no excuses for this miserable Red Sox season

‘You never realize how blessed you are.’ NESN’s Dennis Eckersley retires after 50 years in professional baseball.

red sox 6, rays 3Red Sox take their time securing one final win to cap 2022 campaign Pivetta needed 103 pitches to get through four innings, but he held Tampa Bay to just two runs while Martinez hit two homers in a game for the first time in nearly two seasons.

ben volin | on footballFilm review: Bailey Zappe showed enough that he should move up the depth chartThe rookie played with poise, made a few nice throws, and proved he can keep the Patriots competitive if he has to substitute for Mac Jones.

PatriotsMac Jones takes reps at Patriots practice, but Brian Hoyer is absentJones is making progress in his rehab from a high ankle sprain, said coach Bill Belichick. Hoyer, meanwhile, is making his way through concussion protocol.

RAPTORS 125, CELTICS 119Jaylen Brown leads, Sam Hauser stays hot, and other observations from the Celtics’ preseason lossOnce the first five took a seat late in the third quarter, the Raptors went on a run and eventually prevailed in overtime. 2 hours ago

Chad FinnSigns are hopeful for Celtics, but can Joe Mazzulla be stern with them when needed?Ime Udoka, who played in the NBA and coached under Gregg Popovich, commanded players' respect, but the new coach doesn't bring those credentials.

Preseason: Bruins 5, Rangers 4Czech trio showing plenty of chemistry as Bruins eke past Rangers in penultimate preseason gamePavel Zacha, David Pastrnak, and David Krejci, playing together for the first time, combined for eight points Wednesday. 9:42 p.m.

red sox notebookAlex Verdugo tops Alex Cora’s list of Red Sox players who can make a leap next season"He’s getting to that area in his career, where [you ask] who is he going to be?" Cora wondered, noting he can improve his base-running and defense.

bruins notebookBruins’ lines remain in flux, particularly regarding Jake DeBruskIt looks as though DeBrusk will be paired with Patrice Bergeron — but he will be on right wing or left wing?

women's college hockey notebookNEWHA takes important steps as women’s college hockey continues to growThe conference has added a team in Stonehill and for the first time will enjoy an automatic NCAA bid for its champion.

Watch: Red Sox, Rays pay tribute to NESN’s Dennis Eckersley

Six things to know about Patriots practice squad quarterback Garrett Gilbert

Cory Youmans, the fan who caught Aaron Judge’s 62nd home run ball, could be in for a big payday

Mets’ Jeff McNeil, Twins’ Luis Arraez clinch batting titles on final day of regular season

Tom Brady and coach Todd Bowles absent from Buccaneers practice

What can we expect the Bruins’ forward lines to look like on opening night?

LATEST HEADLINES

Girls’ soccer: There’s little wonder why No. 11 Methuen is off to an 9-0 start — it’s the stalwart play of goalkeeper Sam Pfeil

Girls’ volleyball roundup: Sam Driend records 1,000th career kill for Methuen (10-2) in sweep of Dracut

Jaylen Brown leads, Sam Hauser stays hot, and other observations from the Celtics’ preseason loss

Czech trio showing plenty of chemistry as Bruins eke past Rangers in penultimate preseason game

Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez said goodbye to the Fenway faithful Wednesday. Will it be for the final time?

Photos: One last look back at the 2022 Red Sox season

Girls’ soccer: There’s little wonder why No. 11 Methuen is off to an 9-0 start — it’s the stalwart play of goalkeeper Sam Pfeil

EMass girls’ soccer: An eight-point week from King Philip’s Ella Pisani headlines top performances

Is the future of high school boys’ gymnastics strictly an individual pursuit?

Watch: Globe reporter Alex Speier shares touching tribute to retiring Dennis Eckersley

With his future in Boston unclear, the Red Sox’ Nate Eovaldi wanted the ball, as he always has

With hip surgery out of the way, Red Sox’ Garrett Whitlock looks ahead to 2023 — likely as a starter

Celtics rookie JD Davison’s marching orders? Talk to Marcus Smart.

Patriots throwing it back this weekend with return of ‘Pat Patriot’

NFL Week 4: Across the league, teams have hit the ground running this year

Patriots are bringing back quarterback Garrett Gilbert to their practice squad

With Patriots in soft part of the schedule, is Bailey Zappe the QB who can take advantage?

Sunday notebooks

When it comes to MLB free agents, cost and value don’t always run in tandemThere were 19 players who inked contracts worth at least $50 million before this season. From team perspectives, there are more regrets than celebrations so far.

Maybe the Dolphins did wrong by Tua Tagovailoa, but the NFL’s concussion protocols have loopholesLast Sunday, the quarterback missed just three snaps after sustaining what was deemed a back injury. On Thursday, he was carted off after suffering a concussion.

Other scandals kept Kevin Durant and the Nets out of Media Day spotlight. But don’t think the drama is gone in Brooklyn.Kevin Durant's demands, Ben Simmons's health, and Kyrie Irving's contract were the talk of the league . . . until the Suns and Celtics grabbed all the attention.

From UMass to the Avalanche, Cale Makar had a plan and never veered off courseThe No. 4 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft committed to UMass before its 2016-17 five-win season but never wavered, transforming the program before leaping to NHL superstardom.

Sports betting is finally coming to Massachusetts. Here’s what you need to know.

NEWSLETTERS

Get the best breaking news, opinion, and features from Globe Sports

🏀 Sign up for Court Sense, our Celtics/NBA newsletter

Sign up for 108 Stitches, our Red Sox/MLB newsletter

Sign up for Point After, our Patriots/NFL newsletter

At a glance

Baseball

NFL

NHL

NBA

High schools

College football

MLS

Golf

WNBA

red sox 6, rays 3
Red Sox take their time securing one final win to cap 2022 campaign
Pivetta needed 103 pitches to get through four innings, but he held Tampa Bay to just two runs while Martinez hit two homers in a game for the first time in nearly two seasons.

ben volin | on football
Film review: Bailey Zappe showed enough that he should move up the depth chart
The rookie played with poise, made a few nice throws, and proved he can keep the Patriots competitive if he has to substitute for Mac Jones.

Patriots
Mac Jones takes reps at Patriots practice, but Brian Hoyer is absent
Jones is making progress in his rehab from a high ankle sprain, said coach Bill Belichick. Hoyer, meanwhile, is making his way through concussion protocol.

RAPTORS 125, CELTICS 119
Jaylen Brown leads, Sam Hauser stays hot, and other observations from the Celtics’ preseason loss
Once the first five took a seat late in the third quarter, the Raptors went on a run and eventually prevailed in overtime. 2 hours ago

Chad Finn
Signs are hopeful for Celtics, but can Joe Mazzulla be stern with them when needed?
Ime Udoka, who played in the NBA and coached under Gregg Popovich, commanded players' respect, but the new coach doesn't bring those credentials.

Preseason: Bruins 5, Rangers 4
Czech trio showing plenty of chemistry as Bruins eke past Rangers in penultimate preseason game
Pavel Zacha, David Pastrnak, and David Krejci, playing together for the first time, combined for eight points Wednesday. 9:42 p.m.

red sox notebook
Alex Verdugo tops Alex Cora’s list of Red Sox players who can make a leap next season
"He’s getting to that area in his career, where [you ask] who is he going to be?" Cora wondered, noting he can improve his base-running and defense.

bruins notebook
Bruins’ lines remain in flux, particularly regarding Jake DeBrusk
It looks as though DeBrusk will be paired with Patrice Bergeron — but he will be on right wing or left wing?

women's college hockey notebook
NEWHA takes important steps as women’s college hockey continues to grow
The conference has added a team in Stonehill and for the first time will enjoy an automatic NCAA bid for its champion.

When it comes to MLB free agents, cost and value don’t always run in tandem
There were 19 players who inked contracts worth at least $50 million before this season. From team perspectives, there are more regrets than celebrations so far.

Maybe the Dolphins did wrong by Tua Tagovailoa, but the NFL’s concussion protocols have loopholes
Last Sunday, the quarterback missed just three snaps after sustaining what was deemed a back injury. On Thursday, he was carted off after suffering a concussion.

Other scandals kept Kevin Durant and the Nets out of Media Day spotlight. But don’t think the drama is gone in Brooklyn.
Kevin Durant's demands, Ben Simmons's health, and Kyrie Irving's contract were the talk of the league . . . until the Suns and Celtics grabbed all the attention.

From UMass to the Avalanche, Cale Makar had a plan and never veered off course
The No. 4 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft committed to UMass before its 2016-17 five-win season but never wavered, transforming the program before leaping to NHL superstardom.