Where Are They Now: Keith Foulke

Keith Foulke was the Red Sox closer in 2004 when they won their 1st WS in 86 years. Foulke won 1 of those games and saved the final game as he tossed the ground ball he fielded to Doug Mientkiewicz. After allowing 1 little run in 11 postseason games that year, knee surgery the next year hastened his downfall. He retired before 2007 due to injuries, and came back to work the next year in the Oakland A’s bullpen, albeit just another arm rather than closer. His cell phone has been quiet ever since.

Foulke finds himself in Newark, NJ this year closing for the Newark Bears of the Atlantic League where he has a 2.41 ERA and 9 saves. He is 36 years old and looks across the river where the Yankees have an aging, yet still effective 40 yo closer and says that he doesn’t want to retire yet.

Fenway West wishes him good thoughts and good luck on his quest to hook up with a major league team as the trading deadline surfaces on yonder horizon. A tip of the cap to Star Ledger sports columnist Steve Politi for asking if Rivera is done, and pointing out that Foulke is pitching just 5 miles from Yankee Stadium.

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Where Are They Now: Dave Roberts

Every real Red Sox fan knows who Dave Roberts is. Just the mere mention of his name makes a Sox fan giddy with glee.

Roberts spent 2 seasons with the Padres, hitting .293 and stealing 49 bases in 2006. He then signed a lucrative 3 year contract with the Giants, but only managed to play in 166 games for them in two years. Sadly for Roberts, in the Giants pursuit of youth, he was released yesterday in a move that may cost the them over 6 million.

While this move may cost the Giant's some long scratch, it does give Roberts time to hook up with another team. However, should this not come to pass, this scribe thinks it would be a most befitting honor were Theo to sign Roberts to a 1 day contract. It has been suggested that Theo is not a GM prone to give out such deals, but this is Dave Roberts we're talking about! His name will live on in Red Sox history forever, with or without such a contract. He changed the course of Red Sox history. If he decides to hang up his cleats, his last game without a doubt should be in a Red Sox uniform. Give him one more chance, one last chance to steal one last base. Against the Yankees.

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