(Media Credit/Werner Kunz via Flickr)

This Father’s Day, leave the fishing rods and bottles of Scotch to the amateurs and take your dad out to a Red Sox game or give him a session of man-pampering and a massage at the Langham Boston’s Chuan Body + Soul spa and fitness center (he can tell the guys he went fishing if his manliness comes into question, but his relaxed muscles will thank you).

The Langham  is offering two overnight packages this baseball season, Take Me out to the Ballgame and Cheer from the Bleachers, both awesome gifts for your sports-fanatic dad. The Take Me out to the Ballgame package includes two tickets to the game within the first 20 rows of Fenway’s right field with rates starting from $455. The Cheer from the Bleachers package gets you two tickets to the game within the first 20 rows of Fenway’s center field bleachers, with rates starting from $385.

Both packages also include overnight accommodations at the Langham and the use of the hotel’s fitness facilities and indoor pool at Chuan Body + Soul.

These packages are available until September 21. For more information, call 1-800-791-7761 or go to www.Boston.LanghamHotels.com.

While you’re at Chuan Body + Soul, why not take advantage of the Father’s Day special? The 75-minute A Man’s World treatment includes a back exfoliation, a relaxing massage and a facial. The treatment is $150 throughout the month of June, a $25 savings from the regular price. Bonus? After the treatment, your rejuvenated dad can relax by the pool and sip a free beer!

For more information, to purchase a gift certificate or to make reservations, call 617-422-5108.

I realize I am probably dating myself when I say I couldn’t believe when I heard that Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd wants to pitch again. Some of you Red Sox fans remember him and others that are too young have probably just heard the stories. Just for reference, Boyd pitched for the Red Sox in their heartbreaking 1986 playoff run.

But yes, Oil Can Boyd is 49 years old and wants to pitch in the Bigs for the first time in 18 years.

“Satchel [Paige] being my idol and knowing he didn’t come into the (majors) until he was in his early 40s, that’s always been in the back of my mind,” Boyd told The Boston Globe. “Now, I’ve been given back the fastball I once had. I want to play.”

Boyd’s former catcher thinks he can actually pull it off.

“He looks no different to me now than when I caught him in Texas (with the Rangers). He still has the same passion. I don’t know if he was getting to 90 because we didn’t have a (radar) gun, but he still had the same stuff. The same tight slider, curve, fastball,” said former catcher Mike Stanley.

In a 10-season career with the Boston Red Sox, Montreal Expos and Texas Rangers, Boyd collected a 78-77 record with 799 strikeouts and a 4.04 ERA in 1389.2 innings. In 2005, Boyd tried to come back when he pitched for the Brockton Rox of the independent Can-Am League.

A colorful personality, Boyd was usually known for a good quote, even if it didn’t make sense. After a 1986 game against the Indians was canceled due to fog, Boyd said “That’s what they get for building a park on the ocean.” The stadium is actually built right next to Lake Erie.

Boyd had a few troubles in his past, including admittance to a psychiatric ward in 1986 after a fit of rage driven by the fact that he didn’t make the All-Star team. In 2005, he was indicted by a federal grand jury for threatening a girlfriend and her son.

But all that behind him, the man nicknamed Oil Can for his penchant for beer drinking when he was just 15-years old is ready to get back on the mound just shy of his 50th birthday.

“I have nothing to lose, and all a major league team has to lose is 15 minutes,” Boyd said. “Give me 15 minutes and I’ll show I can still pitch. That’s all I want.”

Brett Pedroia, older brother of Red Sox second baseman Dustin, recently turned himself in to authorities on charges of child molestation. The incident occurred four years ago, but the victim just recently told his parents.

Pedroia is facing two counts of oral copulation and lewd acts with a child under 14.

The 30-year old was booked into Yolo County jail with his bail set at $50,000.

ESPN’s Peter Gammons is reporting that the Red Sox and Kevin Youkilis have agreed to a four-year, $40 million deal.

Youkilis broke out in 2008, hitting .312 with 29 home runs and 115 RBIs.

John Smoltz to leave Atlanta for…the Red Sox?

MLB sources have told Foxsports.com’s Ken Rosenthal that the Boston Red Sox are nearing a deal with long-time Atlanta Brave pitcher John Smoltz. It’s a one-year deal for a reported $5.5 million for the 41-year old pitcher.

The deal is also packed with incentives that would potentially push the deal to $10 million for the year, sources said.

Smoltz, who is coming off shoulder surgery, would give the Red Sox six starting pitchers. He would join Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Tim Wakefield and Brad Penny. Smoltz has been a closer in the past, but the Red Sox already have Jonathan Papelbon, so there is no need for him there.

Smoltz has been with the Braves since 1987.

UPDATE: ESPN says it’s now final.

I wrote this earlier this week and planned on posting it this afternoon. Looks like me and the Sox are too late. Is Manny next? What are the Sox planning on doing now? There are too many questions at this point and all we can do is watch it play out…

When I’m not thinking about the Pats, it’s a safe bet to make that I’m thinking about the Sox, which inevitably means that I’m thinking about the Yankees. I am in no way against buying buyers. People spout off that sports are a business and it’s true. This is especially true with baseballs soft salary cap. The soft cap allows for consumption without a lot of thinking. Do I pick A or B? That is a question that would come up in football. BOTH is the answer of a powerful and wealthy MLB team. Sabathia and Burnett were clearly two of the big names on the market this off-season and so that the fact that they are donning pinstripes before Christmas doesn’t shock me.

Is it scary? Yes, in some ways. The Yankees have improved their rotation ten fold. My take? That is a lot of money to pay a playoff bust and injury prone righty. What about their aging bats? That’s where I worry even more. Reports have been circulating that the Yankees are in the market for Teixeira and Manny.

The Yankees have gotten much better in their first two acquisitions of the year. Maybe I’m biased but I would still take a playoff dominant Beckett over playoff bust‚ Sabathia and a healthy Jon Lester over on the beach Burnett. What makes me nervous is the thought of the Yankees going out and picking up Teixeira (A) or Ramirez (B). Wait- this is the MLB. What about BOTH?

In Theo’s hands the Sox are in a good position. But it is a playoff race from the game one when you play in the AL East. I believe the Sox should, and will, counter with a big offer for Teixeira because clearly Manny ain’t coming back. Sign Lowe to the rotation and I’m confident. Without a big signing of a big bat? I’m not sure where we will be.

We have the homegrown talent, Pedroia, Youk and Papelbon, but now is the time to take advantage that we have the money to sign a guy like Teixeira. We have a good system and hefty funds. Let’s use ‘em- BOTH.

Obama doesn’t think anyone would notice that he supported both teams?

What’s even worse is Palin’s attempt to pander to the local teams. Here are here word-for-word comments on the Rays and Red Sox. She said the SAME EXACT THING to Phillies fans. At least Obama didn’t repeat himself verbatim. Notice in this clip that she checks her notes before telling Rays fans about how they “know how to turn an underdog into a victor.” She is so stupid.

The ALCS gets going on Friday night between the AL East division acquaintances Rays and Red Sox. Why acquaintances? Because you have to be good for more than one year in order to be rivals or foes. Shall we call it a fledgling rivalry? Well, maybe. That is if the Rays continue to be good next year and beyond, which it looks as though they should.

Some early pitching notes as we prepare to kick off (that’s actually a football thing I think):

-The pitching schedules have been announced and Boston will have the $52-million man Daisuke Matsuzaka get things started in Game 1. Was it because he’s the manager’s favorite pitcher on the team? Nope.

“It gives people rest “" not too much rest, not too little,” manager Terry Francona said. “This is probably the best way. We didn’t want one going on eight [days rest], one guy going on regular. Keep everybody somewhat in line. Rest at this time of year is huge. We’ll take advantage of it while trying not to give too much.”

Matsuzaka was 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA in 2008, although his numbers make him sound better than he is.

-On the other side, James Shields gets the nod for the Rays. Manager Joe Maddon wants to stick with the same rotation that he used in the ALDS.

“I like it” said Maddon. “I just like it that way. It’s no different from the first round in a sense. Shieldsy in the first game, because he normally gets a little bit deeper in the game. Kaz in the second game, if he runs into a little bit of a pitch-count problem, you have the bullpen fresher [with a day off following], and then of course the next two guys. And listen, we know about Garza, but Andy has done consistently well the last month or so, so I don’t want to subtract Andy out of the mix, either. You could talk about a three-man rotation, but we really have not set up guys on less than normal rest. We’re not opposed to doing it if we need to, but for right now, theoretically perfect, we’re going to go that way.”

Shields was 14-8 with a 3.56 ERA in 2008 and is a true maverick.

-Here are the rest of the pitching matchups for the ALCS:

Game 1: Daisuke Matsuzaka vs. James Shields
Game 2: Josh Beckett vs. Scott Kazmir
Game 3: Jon Lester vs. Matt Garza
Game 4: Tim Wakefield vs. Andy Sonnanstine
Game 5*: Matsuzaka vs. Shields
Game 6*: Beckett vs. Kazmir
Game 7*: Lester vs. Garza
(*if necessary)

Side note: Why do we still do the * with the “if necessary” disclaimer? Have we as a society not evolved to the point where we comprehend how a playoff series works? Just wondering out loud.

Why do I hate playing the Angels? Could it be because they have been proclaimed the best team in baseball? Nah. It’s because this girl has a full time job and staying up until 1:30a.m. hurts when it comes time to roll out of bed.

But there is no crying in baseball. So I happily joined Red Sox Nation and watched the game, beginning to the very end. It couldn’t have started in a better way. Here are a few things that were good to see.

1. Lester is a game one pitcher. People may have been nervous and still may be with the fact that Beckett will only pitch once. But Lester can pitch away. Dice-K is perfect on the road. Beckett will have the ball in game three at home. Lester has proved himself once again. Did I mention that he is‚ only‚ 24?

2. Jason Bay. Can I tell everyone how sick-and-tired-I-am-of-talking-about-Manny? I hope‚ Bay’s two-run shot shuts everyone up. We do not have Manny and yes, the team will miss his experience and his power, but why worry about him? Let’s worry about him if and when he has anything to do with our game.

3. The grit. Pedroia is known for his do anything attitude and big swings, but I love Ellsbury right now. He is a fan favorite, well with female fans,‚ and although he struggled at times this season, his base stealing, line drives and diving grabs are what October baseball are all about. Remember who helped us win in 2004 and not just Manny, Ortiz and Schilling, but also‚ Dave Roberts who‚ got to second and‚ in turn helped us‚ bring it home.

4. What they brought: an inability to get the runs when they needed them, Vlad’s base‚ running and a praised bullpen that didn’t impress.

It was a good start. I believe in jynxing so I don’t want to get cocky. I’m starting to think that‚ my confidence about the 2008 Pats singlehandly tore Brady’s ACL and then decided for good measure to yank on his MCL.

So it’s the waiting game until tomorrow night. I think I’ll go grab a cup of coffee…

Number 6 is going to be the number of the weekend, according to The Boston Globe. The Globe is reporting, as is the Herald, that the Sox will be retiring Johnny Pesky’s number over the weekend. I checked out the official Sox page and there are no press releases/statements yet, so I’m not sure when it’s going to happen, but the Fenway Faithful will be happy to welcome – officially- Pesky to the right-field facade.

Don Orsillo is a great play-by-play guy and a Northeastern alum. He knows his stuff and never gets too over the top like his more famous other half and color man, Jerry Remy. It’s music to my ears when he calls a big play… Papi swings- wow look at that power- this ball is outta here- there is no chance- it’s gone- Ortiz ties it up and the Red Sox are looking for a victory… Or a double play. Or a strikeout, other team of course. Orsillo is a top notch announcer.

Well lucky for Red Sox fans because someone has regonized his annnoucing genius, again, and he will be bringing his voice and knowledge to playoff action.

Check it out

A busy birthday week- yes the big 22- took me a little out of the huddle. But I’m back. The Patriots won on Sunday as everybody knows and was shocked to hear.

The Pats were the underdog for some godforsaken reason. Wait,‚ what?‚ Compare the two teams. New England is stronger is every aspect. Compare the players in each position. New England wins. Maybe not QB. I am the first to admit that the QB is one of the most important positions on the team- but it certainly isn’t the only one. Cassell isn’t a dead-beat. He knows the playbook. The Jets barely beat the terrible Dolphins. Brett Favre knows 75 percent‚ of the playbook.

I mean the list is so long it would take me two hours to write out. But it doesn’t matter. They won and analysts everywhere wished they had thought once or twice before hopping on the J-E-T-S bandwagon.

Prediction: Jets don’t make the playoffs.

Now let’s talk baseball. With Brady mayhem it seems that we may have forgotten that Boston is a self-proclaimed baseball town. The Sox are back at it. Winning, or demolishing, the Rays last night putting them in‚ tie for first. Beckett is pitching tonight and‚ is pitching to win.‚ 

If they lose, it won’t kill their chances of taking the AL East crown. Not even close.‚ But a win would give them the momentum- the energy they need- to take off and never look back. The elements seem to be in place. With the pitching and‚ hitting (Pedroia MVP?) both in a comfortable place.

Watching the game last night took me out of my Pats frenzy for a few hours. Part of that was because they hit the Rays under the table. It was also because the race is on and the Sox look like they are capable of getting it- again- without too much drama. That happened two months again. Manny anyone?

So here is my‚ medical advice‚ for any Pats fan who may‚ be thinking a bit too much, studying analysis‚ until midnight and scouring rumor websites hoping that it was some kind of Coach B joke.‚ Sit back and watch the Sox.‚ for minute and remember we DO have a playoff team in Boston. The team we all love, but temporarily forgot about as they won games and we were on PatsWatch ’08.

Trust me,‚ it’s the perfect and winning perscription.

There is no need to go‚ into the details because we know what happened- Tom Brady is done for the year. An ACL tear took the superstar out of the 2008 season and now we are looking at a season without last years NFL MVP.

So what’s next?

At this point you have to assume not much. Cassel is their man, for the time being. If he doesn’t produce, we go from there. I would predict that the Pats leave him at the wheel, unless something totally unacceptable happens, until the early bye week. Jets, Dolphins and bye. Then we reevaluate.

Pats fans just have to remember that we have one of the easiest schedules‚ in the NFL and even minus the Brady factor we will have one of the strongest rosters. Remember Randy Moss? Remember Rodney Harrison? It hurts- a lot- but he isn’t our only asset.

No one knows at this point what will happen. But I think Tony Massarotti made a really good point on his new blog at his new home on Boston.com. He says that this may be all up to Bill Belichick.

He says,

Bill Belichick.The mastermind has arguably his greatest challenge. If he can win a title without Brady, he’ll go down as the undisputed Best Coach in History.

I agree and believe it is possible. I also think people are forgetting that Josh McDaniels, the Pats offensive coordinator, has a big task at hand. Cassel knows the system. Rumors have surfaced that the only reason Cassel is around now is because Brady felt most comfortable with him and his knowledge of the playbook. McDaniels job will be to take the playbook and tweak it so it accommodates Cassel. Yes, a Brady playbook may work for Cassel for a game, but it won’t work all season as Cassel doesn’t have the arm or the confidence in the pocket that Brady has.

So we will see. Oh yeah, the Sox are .5 behind the Rays.‚ There is‚ glimmer of sunshine‚ in what seems to be a cloudy New England sky.

I’m not a big fan of over the top introductions. The whole sit in a circle and act like you couldn’t be more excited to tell everyone your NAME and your MAJOR and your FAVORITE COLOR thing has always been my worse nightmare. So I’m gonna skip the big welcome and just say this…

Nothing makes me happier than sports, sports coverage and Sundays in the fall. I grew up in a family who talked sports, played sports and understood sports. I followed their lead. So welcome- officially and with no silly games- to my blog, Girl in the Huddle (GITH.)

It is here where you will get to read my rants, raves, complaints, applauds and everything in between. The boys in red, blue and silver are the loves of my life. Since ’93 when Bledsoe was drafted and I was in the second grade, I have been the ultimate fan. The Sox come in a close second followed by the Bruins. Growing up in Vermont I played ice hockey for many years and one time I took on shot on Bruins’ goaltender Tim Thomas at a UVM event. The Celtics have a spot in my heart too, I suppose, but it’s only a small green dot on a otherwise blue and red organ.

So here I am. Comments are welcome and are only better for furthering the discussion. I’m never wrong, as my family and friends would be happy to tell everyone, but I love a good debate. Plus, it’s way better to debate on a nice forum like this than at a bar where I can’t clearly articulate my thoughts. Trust me, my thoughts are way better in writing.

Welcome to GITH!

P.S. I love Drew Bledsoe. Always have, always will.