Touching All the Bases

Mike Carp: The new Brian Daubach?

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:42:56 GMT

Carp's emergence as an unlikely offensive star is reminiscent of Brian Daubach's breakthrough 14 seasons ago.

Three stars aren't nearly enough after Bruins' stirring Stanley Cup Game 3 win

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:35:13 GMT

Dennis Seidenberg was honored by his teammates with the coveted Army Ranger jacket, but the Bruins had so many more stars and standouts than just the steady defenseman in Game 3.

Bruins get a few bounces, make a few breaks, and they're back at even strength

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 13:10:14 GMT

By Chad Finn, Boston.com Columnist CHICAGO -- One break. One bounce. One hustle play that ended with the red light aglow, one whistled wrister that resulted in triumphant arms raised skyward. One shot off the post that finally rang true....

Blackhawks aren't the '11 Canucks, and Bruins can't afford to go down 0-2

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 17:56:20 GMT

The Bruins cannot afford to lose Game 2 Saturday night. They can't, at least not without greatly enhancing their degree of difficulty in their quest for a second Stanley Cup in three seasons.

Thirteen thoughts on Bruins/Blackhawks

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:30:51 GMT

By Chad Finn, Boston.com Columnist ... while having to constantly remind myself that Game 2 is Saturday, not Friday. Feels like it should be tonight, doesn't it? 1. The Bruins' first line of Nathan Horton, David Krejci and Milan Lucic...

Chat sports, media and Stanley Cup at 2:30 p.m.

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:00:14 GMT

Be sure to stop by our Friday chat live from the United Center in Chicago, during which we'll discuss the state of the Bruins heading in to Game 2 and also talk a little Red Sox, Doc Rivers, and the...

Bruins lament lost chance, but it won't be their last chance

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:00:00 GMT

By Chad Finn, Boston.com Columnist CHICAGO It's perhaps the cruelest irony of a meaningful missed opportunity: Once the moment is gone, it's with you forever. The regret is instant, and the memory of what slipped from grasp becomes permanent....

Bruins are built to be champions, again

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:32:24 GMT

It took seven games two years ago. It will again this time around. But like the beloved Orr-led champs of 1970 and '72, the city will have two hockey titles to celebrate in a span of three seasons.

Team concept, on and off ice, carries Bruins to Stanley Cup Final

Sat, 08 Jun 2013 01:13:51 GMT

For for the city, for themselves, for their hobbled buddy Gregory Campbell, the Bruins want the Cup. Of course, so did Jarome Iginla. The difference is that the Bruins have a real shot after sweeping away the Penguins. Iginla? He blew his in March.

Thirteen former Red Sox first-rounders, and what scouts had to say at the time

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 19:25:40 GMT

Using the Baseball Hall of Fame's addictive Diamond Mines scouting data base, I went back and looked at what scouts said about past Red Sox first-round picks at the time they were drafted or shortly after they began their professional careers.

Red Sox power rankings: May

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:16:53 GMT

By Chad Finn, Boston.com Columnist Welcome to Volume 2, Edition 2 of Red Sox power rankings, a wide-ranging excuse to write about the best and worst performers of the previous month as a new one begins. The only rule of...

Chat sports and media at 2:30 p.m.

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 00:22:33 GMT

Be sure to stop our always Jagr-riffic Friday chat, during which we'll discuss the Bruins' unforgettable win over the Penguins in Game 3, what to expect for Game 4, and plenty of Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots and media chatter as...

Five thoughts on Bruins-Penguins Game 3

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:16:36 GMT

The brilliance of Rask, the toughness of Campbell, and the Jagrness of Jagr, among other items.

Five thoughts on Bruins-Penguins Game 2

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 01:35:38 GMT

With thoughts on Nathan Horton's incredible playoff plus/minus, the Penguins' problems in goal, some strong comments by Tony Amonte on Sidney Crosby, and more.

Jose Iglesias and the mirage of progress

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 18:39:12 GMT

I'm with you in marveling at his glove. I hope he can hit .250 with a .310 OBP and wins a half-dozen Gold Gloves at shortstop. But I look at his numbers -- not just in the big leagues this season, but the entire big picture -- and I can't yet convince myself his bat will justify a daily spot in the lineup.

Five thoughts on Bruins-Penguins opener

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 01:28:59 GMT

Thoughts on Tuukka Rask, David Krejci, and Andrew Ference, if you can read them without being distracted by Sidney Crosby's whining ...

Red Sox, Yankees exceed expectations

Fri, 31 May 2013 04:24:55 GMT

Right now, the Red Sox are a legitimately good team, and the Yankees have pieced it all together improbably to play like one so far. On June 1, that's a fine place to be. Here's to raised expectations, and the faith that one of these rivals will continue to exceed them.

Chat sports and media at 2:30 p.m.

Fri, 31 May 2013 02:06:55 GMT

Be sure to stop by our always balky Friday chat, during which we'll discuss whether the Bruins-Penguins series will begin before Jarimir Jagr turns 50, the State of Gronk, the steady Red Sox, and the usual media matters. Check in...

Media column: Bradford, Simmons, WEEI ...

Thu, 30 May 2013 21:27:53 GMT

By Chad Finn, Boston.com Columnist This week's media column, which leads with a chat with WEEI.com's Rob Bradford about how he has approached filling in for the ailing Jerry Remy on NESN's Red Sox broadcasts, can be found here. Other...

In deep field, Bruins have fighting chance

Thu, 30 May 2013 17:04:25 GMT

Perhaps the enhanced degree of difficulty this time around will make it all the more sweeter should the Bruins emerge as the champion among champions.

Seventeen players who began their careers at a position we forgot they ever played

Wed, 29 May 2013 17:30:47 GMT

Featuring third baseman Tim Wakefield, shortstop Miguel Cabrera, and a certain coach just because.

RadioBDC: Red Sox keep on rolling

Tue, 28 May 2013 22:23:27 GMT

In this week's episode, host Adam 12 and yours truly look on in horror as Steve Silva hits Jonathan Papelbon with a verbal folding chair. (Also: Much calmer takes on Jacoby Ellsbury, Alfredo Aceves, Terry Francona, and Beloved Fan-Favorite John...

Sox still don't have closure on Papelbon

Tue, 28 May 2013 01:00:26 GMT

Playing nine innings while enjoying John Lackey's subtle climb to fan-favorite status ... 1. The sentiment that the Red Sox should have done everything they could to keep Jonathan Papelbon has grown stronger in the two years he's been gone....

Bruins move on, and now so should fans

Sun, 26 May 2013 00:02:02 GMT

With their reassuring five-game victory over the Rangers, it's well past time for Bruins fans to forget about what happened against the Flyers three seasons ago.

The good, bad and ugly of Game 4

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:13:10 GMT

By Chad Finn, Boston.com Columnist Beware: It's going to be a busy day for those among us who find satisfaction in harping on harbingers. You probably knew that. But an extra warning never hurts in matters such as trying to...