In a recent Sirius XM radio interview, Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon admitted that he will sign “not only the Bronx, but anywhere, I think anywhere is a possibility,” in 2011 if the Sox choose not to retain him over the long haul. While hearing this may send shivers down the spine of Red Sox Nation, don’t be too quick to dismiss these words unleashed by the talented fireballer.

Wade Boggs was a legendary member of Boston baseball, until he was seen riding a horse at the end of the 1996 World Series celebration in New York. One of the greatest pitchers of all time made his name (and nickname) in Boston, but then Roger “Rocket” Clemens was getting fitted for a World Series ring in the Bronx. And worst of all, no one ever thought that team catalyst and primary spark for the 2004 Curse-killing Sox would ever don the pinstripes, but look where Mr. Johnny Damon is now. It’s gotten to the point where everyone almost expected Manny Ramirez to head back east and join the Yanks. (more…)

Earlier in the week, COED took a look at the “Top Five Future Superstar Hitters Of The MLB,” and now it is time to preview the future of the sport on the mound.  With Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez, Mike Mussina, Greg Maddux, and Tom Glavine sipping on some tea, kicking back and counting retirement money, we’ll take a look at the top five starting pitchers that are 25 years or younger who are sure to be the next generation of staff aces.

(Note: We are ignoring any pitchers who haven’t been around for at least one full season, so sorry David Price fans!)

5.  Felix Hernandez – Seattle Mariners – 23 years old

King Felix came up to the Big Show back in 2005 at the age of 19 and has shown flashes of brilliance ever since.  While his 43-38 career record may not turn heads, consider that fact that he’s been playing for an awful Seattle team that has shown penchant for losing more than 90 games.  His stuff dominates at times, as evidenced by his career 8.11 strikeouts per nine innings ratio.

4.  Zach Greinke – Kansas City Royals – 25 years old

Greinke was supposed to be the next big thing when he came up as a 20 year old in 2004.  However, he struggled with injuries and emotional problems and never fully realized his potential for super stardom. Now, he is building on his positive 2008 season and has been as strong as they come this year.  In his first 7 starts, he has a 6-1 record, a 0.50 ERA, 4 complete games, 2 shutouts, and 59 strikeouts in only 53 innings.  His one loss was a 1-0 complete game loss in Anaheim.  Wow.

3.  Jon Lester – Boston Red Sox – 25 years old

Jon Lester is quickly becoming the staff ace for the Boston Red Sox. His journey began in 2006 where he posted a respectable 7-2 record, but was later diagnosed with lymphoma.  Two years later, he pitched a no-hitter against the Royals, won the final game of the 2007 World Series, and has been dominant with a career 29-11 record.

2.  Cole Hamels – Philadelphia Phillies – 25 years old

If you want to look at the one person who was most responsible for ending the championship drought for the city of Philadelphia last year, look no further than the lanky lefty California native, Cole Hamels. Hamels was electric in the postseason, being named MVP of both the NLCS and the World Series to go along with his perfect 4-0 record.

1.  Tim Lincecum – San Francisco Giants – 24 years old

Tim Lincecum won the 2008 NL Cy Young award in only his second year, becoming the first to do so since Dwight Gooden and Bret Saberhagen accomplished the feat back in 1985, a year after he was born. Lincecum is nicknamed “The Freak” for his long stride, crazy mechanics, and ability to wear out the radar gun despite his small frame.  He led the majors in strikeouts in 2008, posting an 18-5 record to go along with his 265 strikeouts.  This year, he is continuing where he left off with a 3-1 record and 58 strikeouts in his first 44 innings.

Honorable Mention:
Josh Johnson – Florida Marlins – 25 years old
Chad Billingsley – Los Angeles Dodgers – 24 years old
Joba Chamberlain – New York Yankees – 23 years old
Francisco Liriano – Minnesota Twins – 25 years old
Edison Volquez – Cincinnati Reds – 25 years old

Since trading Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers, there has been one man who has missed “Manny Being Manny” the most – David Ortiz.  Without Manny hitting behind him, Ortiz has regressed back to his normal mediocre
self and is no longer carrying the big stick as the folk hero he has become since going to Boston.

David Ortiz was nicknamed “Big Papi” for continually coming up big in clutch situations, especially during the postseason.  While many will argue that Ortiz has been the most valuable player of the The Post-Curse Era Red Sox, perhaps that is only because of the man with dreads and baggy pants that used to wear number-24. (more…)

As October rolls in so too do the MLB Playoffs. After 162 games 8 teams remain for a chance to make it to the World Series. Below are the divisional series which begin today. But as always, just sports isn’t enough, so we’ve put together a ton of hot fans to help guide you through the action. Because, really, if you’ve got sports and babes, what else do you really need?

Check out MLB Playoff Preview: Hot Fans Edition after the jump! (more…)

Ballsy, right? Just who am I to give advice on how to get laid in Beantown?

If I can follow these ridiculous tips (without taking them too seriously) and increase my chances of following a hot-enough Bostonian to her BoSox-adorned apartment, so can you.

Have I ever tried these personally? Of course not – but that shouldn’t stop you from reading and being slightly entertained. And isn’t that the point, to read one story a day that makes you go, “Oh…ok. That was marginally fun. That was pretty good, I guess – I think. It wasn’t great by any means, but I didn’t hate it, either. I don’t care about it enough to hate it. Grade: C-” (more…)

It has been 2 weeks since George Mitchell released his scathing report that accused Roger Clemens (and many others) of juicing. Today, “The Rocket” speaks.

Is Roger Clemens Guilty?

The Red Sox won the World Series. The Yankees are in shambles and so is the college football Top 25! Kobe is out of LA and Chad is out of NY. Joe is coaching the Dodgers and Joe is coaching the Yankees!

Sports is moving at a mile a minute and to make a legitimate educated guess as to where the sports world will be 365 days from now would be near impossible.

This is why we turn to the readers and find out what they think will go down over the next year. Some predictions are logical, others a brilliant and the rest are completely retarded.

Check out the predictions and leave a comment with what you’re thinking!

Rory M: The New York Knicks will fire Isiah Thomas then make the playoffs, AND the College football championship is going to be an awful game with one (or two) of the teams not being the defined number one (or two), therefore forcing the league to go to a playoff format sometime in the future.

Rob B: A 5-foot Asian guy will win the NBA slam dunk contest (at half the cost of an American player) and US Mens Soccer team will make the World Cup semifinals.

Rory M (Round II): There will be a huge steroids scandal that will force the 2007 Red Sox to give up their title, and Tiki Barber will be involved in a crazy sex scandal. (more…)

After a 86-year freezeout, the curse of the Bambino lives no longer, as the Boston Red Sox won their second World Series in four years last night against the Colorado Rockies (final score 4-3).

Is this the beginning of a new era for the Sox and their fans alike?

The Colorado Rockies, a great team in their own right, were stomped by the Red Sox, swept in four games without a remote possibility of coming back from behind (one possibility if you count last night’s final inning scare). The Red Sox outmatched the Colorado Rockies both in pitching and batting, dominating the series.

Even Rockies fans watched in awe as the BoSox battered their hopeful team to a pulp.

With Terry Francona at the helm the Red Sox are primed and ready to usher in a – dare I say it – dynasty, not unlike the Sox squad of 1903 -1918. Some may scoff at the comparison, but there’s no team in baseball worthy to go toe-to-toe when the Red Sox are running on all cylinders…like the New York Yankees of the past decade.

Now, if only the Chicago Cubs would clean up their act and make like Boston…

What happened yesterday in sports news?

Barry Bonds: “Marc Ecko is a stupid idiot.” (Ballsiest)

Andy Pettitte Leads Yanks to 2-1 Win, Yanks Cut AL EAST Lead to 1 1/2 Game (Yanks Talk)

Brett Favre is the leading QB in NFL history. Check out the “Brett Favre Touchdown Database” to get info on every TD this stud has ever thrown. (JSOnline)

GM plans on revealing the new 2009 Corvette ZR-1 at the Detroit Auto Show in January, but here’s the best photos we’ve yet seen of the new ‘vette sporting the big 6.2-liter 650 HP supercharged small-block V8 engine. Final price hasn’t yet been set – but word on the street is it’ll be in the $100K range, and they’ll only make between 1000 and 1500. (Jalopnick)

Given the revelations last week that resulted in unprecedented punishment for the New England Patriots’ three-time Super Bowl-winning coach, Bill Belichick paranoia is running rampant among NFL coaches. (USA Today)

Vomiting quarterbacks held to a higher standard? (Flatusyahu)

No matter how die hard of a fan you are for your home team, no matter how much you hate a certain team, or now matter how badly you want to see a player fail, there are a few players you must respect. Currently it seems hard to have respect for major leaguers at the end of what is known as “The Steroid Era.â€? Players have tarnished the game by using illegal enhancements, taking away from the beauty of America’s sport, which was previously all about alcoholism and womanizing.

There are still a handful of hard working players that have natural megastar talent and will shine for years to come without the use of drugs. I hate the Yankees, but as a baseball fan, I find it impossible to hate Alex Rodriguez. (more…)