Tito set for first All-Star Game

BOSTON -- Red Sox manager Terry Francona never got to be part of a Major League All-Star team as a player or a coach, but he'll get the chance to manage the American League squad on July 12 in Detroit. The All-Star game is always managed by the skippers of the defending American and National League championship teams.
In preparation for that responsibility, Francona met for a couple of hours on Wednesday with Phyllis Merhige, the senior vice president of club relations for Major League Baseball.

Francona is happy with the format that was instituted in 2003, in that it lessens the burden on the manager.

For many years, the manager was in charge of selecting all the reserves. But the bulk of that responsibility is now handled via the player ballot.

"The staff has four pitchers and a position player to choose at the end," said Francona. "That's all it is. It's not as simple as that, because you have to have a representative [from every team] and factor in a lot of things, but it's not like it was in the past, which I'm [happy about]."

The Sox have several regulars who are doing well in fan balloting, including Jason Varitek, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, all of whom are leading at their respective positions.

One of the most interesting candidates from the Sox is 15-year veteran Mike Timlin, who has never been on the All-Star team. While Francona wasn't about to directly discuss Timlin's candidacy this early in the process, the skipper did say he is not opposed to a setup man being on the team. Timlin entered Wednesday's game with a 1.45 ERA.

In recent years, Yankees manager Joe Torre has set a precedent for setup men at the All-Star Game by selecting pitchers such as Tom Gordon and Jeff Nelson.

"I'm very aware of guys in that role that are having, in my opinion, All-Star years," Francona said. "Mike Timlin's name is certainly one of them. I don't think you have to be a starter or so-called closer to be an All-Star."

As for being an All-Star himself for the first time, Francona thinks the honor will mean more to him as the event draws closer.

"Right now, you get so focused on what you're doing," Francona said, "but I'll really enjoy it."

Schilling checks back in: While the Sox were preparing for Wednesday's game against the Reds, ace Curt Schilling was in the midst of flying back to Boston from Arizona, where he has been rehabbing his ankle the last couple of weeks.

Schilling wanted to throw batting practice to hitters from Arizona State on Tuesday, but the NCAA rules prohibited that from happening. Schilling threw 65 pitches off a mound instead.

"I think he thought it went pretty well," said Francona. "I think he felt a little stronger in that ankle area. Again, it will be interesting to see, after throwing a little more aggressively to hitters and to see him travel back here, kind of like we do during the season, how he reacts to it and see what the medical people say the difference is after not seeing him for a little while. I'm kind of looking forward to that."

So was Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein.

"We're going to be patient with him and make sure he doesn't get back into a game situation until he's 100-percent ready, not 100-percent [healthy], but 100-percent ready," said Epstein.

Foulke back in groove: Red Sox closer Keith Foulke appears to be rounding back into form. He fired a 1-2-3 inning on Tuesday night, easily shaking off the rust after not pitching for six days. Foulke hasn't allowed a run in his last four outings, not to mention seven of his last eight.

"[Foulke's] numbers are going to be somewhat skewed at the end of the year because he had a tough three or four weeks, whatever it was," said Francona. "But if he's the Foulke like last night for the rest of the year, it doesn't matter anymore. We just need him to be the pitcher he can be. He's a pretty valuable guy to have down there. And because of that changeup, it takes away the right-left advantage for the other team."

Theo starts foundation: Epstein announced on Wednesday that he is starting a charitable foundation with his twin brother, Paul, called the "Foundation to be Named Later." The Foundation to be Named Later will be a branch of the Red Sox Foundation, and will benefit eight non-profit organizations that Paul Epstein, a social worker, is involved with. The organizations focus on, according to a press release, "at-risk, underprivileged and disadvantaged youth."

In conjunction with the announcement of the new foundation, "Hot Stove, Cool Music" announced it will have a summer concert for the first time, on July 16 at Fenway Park.

"Hot Stove, Cool Music" has become an annual winter charitable event in Boston, combining music and baseball. This summer event, which is pending city approval, will be titled, "Hot Stove, Cool Music: The Fenway Sessions." Proceeds will go to the Foundation to be Named Later.

Theo Epstein, who has played guitar at the winter event the last three years, will perform at the Fenway concert. So, too, will ESPN baseball guru Peter Gammons, who is one of the founders of Hot Stove, Cool Music. Red Sox pitcher Bronson Arroyo and Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams, both of whom are noted for their musical talent, will also perform.

Tickets for "Hot Stove Cool Music: The Fenway Sessions" are $50 and $100 and are available starting June 16 at noon via redsox.com or by calling the Red Sox ticket office, 877-RED-SOX9. The gates are expected to open at 6 p.m. ET, and the entertainment is expected to begin at 7 p.m. ET.

On deck: Following Thursday's off-day, the Sox host the Pirates on Friday night for the start of a three-game series. Wade Miller (2-2, 5.03 ERA) draws the start for Boston. The Pirates will counter with right-hander Josh Fogg (4-3, 4.33 ERA).

Source: http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/