Boston Sports Then and Now

BSB will be held on Sunday, March 28th at Jerry Remy's at Fenway.

An idea is just that unless others share your passion for the concept. Well the Boston Sports Blogapalooza(BSB) Express is rolling down the tracks and people are jumping on board.

BSB has only been on the drawing board for about two weeks and everything is coming together beyond my expectations.

My idea to put together a tweet up for Bruins fans morphed into something even bigger. I thought to myself, why not get all the Boston sports bloggers together in one place?

These Social Media Outlets for Sports (bloggers) can finally meet, trade social media tips, and talk shop in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Then I thought why not incorporate the Boston media, local companies, and music.

Media of both types (social and traditional) could mingle and discuss all the hot topics on the Boston Sports Scene.

Local companies could network with bloggers about their products and services. Partnerships between these companies and social media outlets would be agreed upon right at the event.

Bloggers can help promote and build a buzz about their partners’ offerings.

In return, bloggers would generate revenue through these cross promotions.

Everyone one wins!

Boston Sports Blogapalooza was born.

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Dustin Pedroia

Dustin Pedroia has not been in the major leagues long, but he has certainly made a name for himself throughout the first four years of his career. This youngster seemed to come out of  nowhere and fit right in with the powerful Red Sox lineup.

His baseball career began in Woodland, California, where he played high school ball. During his senior year, Pedroia batted .445 and was the league’s MVP.

After high school, Pedroia went to Arizona State University, where he battled Ian Kinsler for the shortstop position. Kinsler eventually transferred to the University of Missouri, allowing Pedroia the opportunity to have shortstop all to himself.

In the three years he spend at Arizona State University, Pedroia never missed a game. In fact, he hit an average of .384. In order to help ASU recruit better pitchers, Pedroia relinquished the last two years of his athletic scholarship.

In 2004, Pedroia was drafted by the Red Sox with the 65th pick overall. While he was in the minors, Pedroia started to play second base as well. A couple of years later, he replaced second basemen Mark Loretta.

To start the 2007 season, Pedoria hit a dismal .172 through the first month of play. By the end of the season his average was .317 as he earned the AL Rookie of the Year Award. Pedroia then helped the Red Sox win their second World Series in four years. Read the rest of this entry →

After giving the fans of the Black and Gold a few days to ponder picks #10-#6 of the best goaltenders in Boston Bruins history, here are the top five.

Make sure your pads are on tight and your mask is snug, it’s shoot out time!

Let the debate begin.

In case you need to refresh your memory, here is the link to picks #10 – #6.

#5 - Eddie Johnston

5. Eddie Johnston – Johnston came to Boston in 1962 after stints in the

Quebec Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. Johnston is the last goalie in NHL history to have played in every minute of every game. In the ’63-’64 season, he posted a record of 18-40-12 in 70 games.

In his first five years in the league, the Bruins were not a competitive club. They missed the playoffs every year. However in 1967 with the arrival of expansion, the Bruins began to build a dynasty.

After Orr and Esposito joined the club, the team began to flourish. Johnston served as the back-up to Gerry Cheevers during the Big Bad Bruins days of the 1970’s.  Cheevers and Johnston backstopped Boston to two Stanley Cup titles in 1970 and 1972. Johnston had his best statistical season in ’70-’71 when he won 30 games and posted a 2.53 goals against average.

Johnston won 180 regular season games which is good for fourth all time in Boston Bruins franchise history. He played 11 seasons for Boston before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

#4 - Gilles Gilbert

4. Gilles Gilbert – Gilles Gilbert came to Boston via Minnesota to replace legend, Gerry Cheevers. Cheevers bolted for the fledgling WHA and Gilbert became the Bruins primary goalie during the ’73-’74 season.

No one replaces Cheevers, but Gilbert made Bruins fans forget him a little. Gilles won 34 games and led the Bruins to Stanley Cup Finals that year. He won ten playoff games, but Boston lost to Philadelphia, four games to two.

During the ’75-’76 season, Gilbert set a record which still stands for most consecutive wins with 17. He would finish the season with 33 wins and a GAA of 2.90.

Gerry Cheevers returned to the NHL and the Bruins during the ’76-’77 season. Gilbert and Cheevers would share goal tending duties for the next four seasons. Who knows what numbers Gilbert would have put up if he was the primary goalie?

Both goalies had career years in the ’79-’80 campaign where they both finished as runner ups for the Vezina trophy.

Gilbert would be shipped to Detroit following the season. Gilbert had 155 regular season wins (fifth all time) and 17 playoff victories (fourth all time) in his career with the Boston Bruins.

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Nobis jumps for joy while playing last season in Sweden

“LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and my life is fleeting away……. Psalm 119:19

That’s the Psalm that Boston Breakers’ forward Jennifer Nobis has posted on her Facebook page. Ironically, the saying not only speaks of her philosophy of life but also coincides with the number she wears on the back of her blue and white Breaker jersey.

Though (Lord willing), Nobis, age 25, still has a long time left on earth in her future, her life as a professional soccer hit a speed bump after she suffered a complete tear of her right ACL.

After trying to appear optimistic during a February 3rd Twitter session (“It could be worse…Positive thinking..MRI tomorrow”), Nobis realized her worst fears 24 hours later when she tweeted, “Out for the season.”

“It is what it is,” explained the affable Breakers’ star, who scored two goals in her eleven games last season with Boston. “I had all my weight on my right leg and I was jogging. I just went to shift my weight and my left knee popped and gave out on me. It was so weird! But I knew immediately what I did!” Read the rest of this entry →

Brian Gionta breaks Bruins fans hearts,

“We wound up in a shootout and we shouldn’t have gotten there.“ Boston coach Claude Julien told reporters after Boston’s loss.

The Bruins scored early and put up 47 shots but Jaroslav Halak and the Montreal Canadiens left Boston with the victory as the Bruins lost their ninth straight game.

Once again Boston outplayed their opponent, getting the better scoring chances and at times dominating in the offensive end. But pucks are rarely crossing the goal line despite all their good chances.

“Well, that is what happened.” Bruins center Patrice Bergeron to Boston’s official site. “Is it hard to believe? We have to stay positive and do the same thing, you know?”

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The Breakers are loading up with international talent.

While all eyes were on Thursday’s WPS Dispersal Draft, The Boston Breakers snuck two guests in the back door with their signing of International star forward Laura Del Rio and the re-signing of Brazilian forward Fabiana.

The Breakers agreed to terms with Del Rio after her negotiating rights were acquired from the Los Angeles Sol for a third round draft pick in the 2010 WPS Draft. The 27-year-old Spanish forward joins the Breakers after playing for FFC Frankfurt in Germany’s Frauen-Bundesliga league, where she has notched six goals this season.

No stranger to the American pitch, Del Rio played for FC Indiana of the W-League for the past two seasons. In 2008, Del Rio was FC Indiana’s top scorer with 15 goals and 13 assists, leading her team to the W-League Central Conference Championship. Read the rest of this entry →