^{JD Drew warms up before a game against the Baltimore Orioles.}

The 2011 season has not been the most remarkable for Red Sox outfielder JD Drew. Just three years after being elected an All-Star in his second season with Boston (2008), Drew has hit a new kind of low, even for him.

Upper management and lasting Drew believers can continue to sugar-coat this guy's fading talent and justify the $70 million deal he signed in December 2006.

^{Adrian Gonzalez stands on first base after singling in a game against the Balitimore Orioles in April}

When Adrian Gonzalez was traded to the Red Sox, the first feeling that came over hometown fans was happiness. Because for two years, Theo Epstein & Co. have flirted with Epstein protégé Jed Hoyer, executive VP and general manager of the San Diego Padres, regarding the availability of a guy Epstein has coveted since before the 2004 season.

With the State Farm Home Run Derby set for later tonight at Chase Field in Phoenix, American League captain David Ortiz looks to carry his squad to victory in what has become a brand-new derby format.

Each league will have one captain -- last year's champion, Ortiz, for the AL and Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder, the 2009 Home Run Derby champion for the NL.

At just $3, there’s no doubt that frozen lemonde (as they call it) is the best buy at Fenway. Not to mention that it’s not exactly something you can sneak in in your shorts. I like to stick one in my pants for a few minutes, cool off, then crush it like a python. Pun intended, but I’m pretty sure that’s not a pun.

That Youkilis home run was just about the most spectacular thing I’ve seen out here in two seasons. Plus I swear a cool breeze blew through as soon as his heater cleared the Green Monster.

In the past two weeks, there have been a lot less tickets on the street. I just scored something decent at a good price, but there’s something fishy going on here. Has Ace Tixx tigtened the noose? Perhaps an investigation is in order.

For the first time ever, I understand why most sane people despise soccer fans. At the Bolocco near Fenway Park - five minutes into the Sox game - and these geeks and assorted international students are watching the USA women’s match. I’m more confused than anything else, really.