Change of heart
Terry Francona has changed his mind, he will be attending the Red Sox 100th anniversary celebration of Fenway Park Friday.
Francona has always been as classy as they come, and nobody would have blamed him for not showing, but the former Sox manager is taking the high road. If he did not show Friday, he would have left a huge void as he is the most successful manager the team has had in nearly a century. Given the recent controversy with the team both at the end of last season and early this season, Francona may be the only person associated with the Red Sox that is untouchable at the moment and seen in a positive light.
Francona initially declined the invitation to Friday's celebration citing the way last season ended, when unnamed sources in the Red Sox organization suggested that Francona's troubled marriage and alleged pain medication use played a part in the team's collapse in September.
Backstrom Suspended
Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom will not be playing tonight in game four of the Eastern Conference Quarter Finals against the Bruins. Backstrom was suspended one game by the league after he received a match penalty for cross checking Bruins forward Rich Peverly in the face at the conclusion of Boston's 4-3 win over Washington in game 3.
The Bruins have a 2-1 lead in the series and Backstrom will be a key subtraction to the Capitals lineup as he is one of their more crafty offensive players and scored the overtime game winning goal in game 2 of the series.
ND coach in Danvers
Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly, a St. John's grad, will be speaking at a St. John's Prep Alumni Association function on May 10 at the Danversport Yacht Club. The event is open to the public. For information on tickets visit stjohnsprep.org/briankelly or call 978-774-6727 x417.
-Compiled by Nick Curcuru and Michael Muldoon
