Varitek gets invitation to camp

Count Mark Melancon as one of the many excited for baseball season to start. The new Red Sox reliever reported to Fort Myers a couple of days early and spoke about the "wide-open" closer competition, how excited he is to be playing in Boston this year after being traded from Houston and much more. Oh, and he also detailed his time swimming with sharks in New Zealand. Check...

One of the most beloved players in the history of the Red Sox has decided to call it quits today, but after 17 years in Boston, Tim Wakefield has left Boston fans with many memorable moments. Wakefield announced his retirement today after 19 seasons in the major leagues. The knuckleballer leaves behind a unique legacy that few players could ever hope to match. The durable, kind-hearted...

Here is a video of Jarrod Saltalamacchia talking about how he is preparing for Spring Training and the season, whether or not Jason Varitek is there or not. It looks like Salty is preparing to take over that leadership role in the catching department, which is a good good thing in my opinion. Click here to read the accompanying article with the video written by Mike Petraglia.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) -- Tim Wakefield is retiring after pitching the last 17 seasons for the Boston Red Sox.

Shortstop Jose Iglesias is such a magician with the glove that if he could ever show hitting prowess or even consistency, he could add an instant spark.

Tim Wakefield is retiring after pitching the last 17 seasons for the Boston Red Sox. The 45-year-old knuckleballer planned to make the announcement at the team's spring training facility at a news conference Friday evening. After two seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the right-hander signed as a minor-league free agent in April 1995.

Theo Epstein and his supporting cast in Chicago are busy installing the "Cubs Way" with his new team. Don't ask him to explain it in a few words, either. It's not that simple for the former Boston Red Sox executive hired to guide the Cubs out of their role as baseball's loveable losers.

DeMarco: If anyone can get the Red Sox back on track, it's Bobby Valentine. But in a tough AL East that now includes the Blue Jays as contenders, a finish as low as fourth isn't out of the question.

Carl Crawford is one of 12 players who need to dust themselves off in 2012.

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