^{Adrian Gonzalez stands on first base after singling in a game against the Balitimore Orioles in April}

When Adrian Gonzalez was traded to the Red Sox, the first feeling that came over hometown fans was happiness. Because for two years, Theo Epstein & Co. have flirted with Epstein protégé Jed Hoyer, executive VP and general manager of the San Diego Padres, regarding the availability of a guy Epstein has coveted since before the 2004 season.

With the State Farm Home Run Derby set for later tonight at Chase Field in Phoenix, American League captain David Ortiz looks to carry his squad to victory in what has become a brand-new derby format.

Each league will have one captain -- last year's champion, Ortiz, for the AL and Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder, the 2009 Home Run Derby champion for the NL.

With a payroll of more than $160 million and a lineup hailed last winter as one of the best ever, you'd think that the 2011 Boston Red Sox could have field half an All-Star roster. Instead, the injury-plagued team is sending just four players to the Midsummer Classic next week in Arizona.

It's no secret that the Red Sox have had some great and not-so-great moments, from starting 2-6 in early April to going 8-1 on their best roadtrip since 1977 in early June.

Tim Wakefield's new book, Knuckler: My Life with Baseball's Most Confounding Pitch, describes a career that's been . . . well, as unpredictable as a knuckleball. The kid who learned the knuckler as a last resort to stay in baseball has become the elder statesman of the Red Sox, a determined pro willing to do anything to play ball and help his team.