By: Dan Podheiser, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
There have been several great third basemen in Red Sox history.
Since 1901 (when the franchise was called the Boston Americans), there have been 46 different everyday third basemen.
Wade Boggs was easily the best. Boggs made eight straight All-Star teams from 1985 to 1992, and won the silver slugger at third six times in his Red Sox career.
In recent years, two fan favorites — Bill Mueller and Mike Lowell — have made great impressions at third base. Mueller won the AL batting title in 2003, and Lowell had a great 2007 season that culminated with a World Series MVP Award.
There was also George Kell — a Hall of Famer more well-known for his years with the Athletics and Tigers — who made an All-Star team playing the hot corner for Boston in 1953.
But in 2010, Adrian Beltre’s stats are quickly becoming one of the best in Red Sox third base history. Unquestionably Boston’s most consistent hitter all year, Beltre has had a career resurrection at the right time for the injury-plagued Red Sox.
So, without further ado, here are the top 10 seasons for Red Sox third basemen in franchise history.

By: Dan Podheiser, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
It was the one that got away.
In a Red Sox season filled with ups and downs, a depleted roster that takes up an entire hospital wing and gutsy performances from the most unlikely suspects, the entire thing could come down to one horrible inning.
Carrying a 5-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning in Toronto on Thursday, Boston was set to sweep the Blue Jays and head into its tough series in Texas just three games behind the Rays in the wild card and four and a half back of the Yankees in the division.
Instead, Jonathan Papelbon decided to employ his Jekyll and Hyde act again — something Red Sox fans have seen far too often in 2010 — and the Sox ended up losing on a walk-off sacrifice fly, 6-5.
The Red Sox gave up a full game in the race, something they can’t afford to do when they’re chasing the two best teams in baseball.
As for the Rays, who lead Boston by a comfortable four games in the wild card race — they got to look forward to a nice three-game set at home over the weekend against the last-place Orioles. And while [...]

By: Dan Podheiser, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
Red Sox GM Theo Epstein did not make any big moves at the trading deadline.
Shipping reliever Ramon Ramirez to the Giants, bringing in once-promising minor league catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia from Texas and acquiring Eric Patterson from Oakland way back in late June were all shrewd moves by Epstein.
But they weren’t earth-shaking. They weren’t the kinds of moves that catapult a team that trails the two other best teams in baseball by over five games into first place.
All that said, Epstein believes that his current roster — which will eventually be healthy — has the ability to make a run at the Yankees and Rays for an AL playoff spot.
I have a tough time following that mindset. Boston is riddled by injuries, so much so that it’s been forced to call up minor leaguers like Ryan Kalish and Daniel Nava well before they probably should be.
So far, you have to give props to Epstein, Terry Francona and all of the Red Sox reserves in 2010 for the tremendous job they’ve done. With a win over the Indians on Tuesday night, Boston improved to 61-45, the sixth-best record in baseball. And that’s with a team that’s made [...]

By: Dan Podheiser, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
I pulled off the impossible Friday night.
My girlfriend is the biggest Red Sox fan I’ve ever met. She worships Bill Mueller, owns about 37 different Sox “player T’s” and even has a Dice-K poster that reads “The Gun from the Rising Sun.” She’s dedicated.
But like anyone who has followed the Red Sox this year, she has absolutely no confidence in their bullpen.
And on Friday night, with Boston leading 2-1 heading into the ninth inning and Jonathan Papelbon on his way into the game, something very weird happened.
Her: “I bet you [Papelbon] blows it.”
Me: “OK, you’re on. Loser buys a six-pack.”
Her: “Deal. Get ready to pay up.”
I actually got my girlfriend to root against the Red Sox — with beer on the line.
But can you really blame her? After all, once you get past Daniel Bard — who has 21 holds and a 1.71 ERA — in the Sox bullpen, the game essentially becomes a free-for-all.
Thursday night was the perfect example.
John Lackey was pitching his best game of the season, and one of the best of his career. He had a no-hitter through seven and two-thirds, and left the game after eight innings with a 6-1 [...]

By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Editor
At Thursday nights Red Sox game, I was reminded why I love this city and its fans.
The Sox were down 6-0 by the end of the first, 7-0 by the end of the second. Man, when Wakefield’s off, he might as well just start throwing underhand.
It seemed like it was going to be a long night. But then, enter wasted, stereotypical Red Sox fan. I love it.
This guy made it his sole mission of the night to start the wave. Now, from left field, this is a difficult task, because you somehow have to get the people on the Monster to participate. (see picture. he’s not happy with them). I don’t know why they think they’re too good for the wave, but it seems to be the case.
There is no possible way he had a voice the next day because he didn’t give up. “1, 2, 3, WOOOO! AGAIN. 1, 2, 3 WOOOO! THE WAVE GUYS! 1…” He even tried the reverse wave, which I don’t think has ever been done before, and was even less successful. Now, the eighty year old lady behind me plugging her ears did not enjoy this, but I think she [...]

Congratulations to Big Papi for killing it at the Home Run Derby, hitting 32 homers. I think the big guy needed it. I also think it’s finally safe to say, that he’s got his swing back. No, not just because he hit all those BP balls out of the park, but because he really has come back from the dark months of April and May when he found himself even getting benched. He kept telling us he’d figure it out and now he’s up to .263 and has hit 18 homers, tied for eighth in the AL, tied for first with YOUKK (who once again got screwed on the All-Star cut) on the Sox. Well done.
BUT, if his decision to participate in the derby screws up his swing and he slumps again, this congratulations might be withdrawn.
Also, Papi needs to chill. Now he wants an extension? Does he realize that he’s about to be 35? Does he realize that the last time he hit over 50 homers was in 2006? That the last time he hit over 30 was in 2007? Boston loves their Teddy Bear, but there’s still half a season left, and he needs to prove he’s worth [...]

Okay, so I’m still pissed that Youk got beat out by freaking Nick Swisher for the All-Star team. I mean, nothings worse than getting beat out by a Yankee, but this is just wrong. Youk is the most consistent player the Sox have this season. And stats don’t lie. Let’s recap: