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The Red Sox Nation Podcast has been published on Tuesday due to the host traveling to Fenway Park. Tony Cincotta is heading to check out Bartolo Colon on Wednesday evening. I missed Curt Schilling and his off the wall comments. So I went and got Curt taking on the media with WEEI in Boston. Curt hurry back, Red Sox Nation misses the roar.

                                                       Red Sox Press Release 

Red Sox Scholars class of 2008 to be introduced at Fenway Park on Sunday 25 Boston Public School rising sixth graders to receive college scholarships, mentoring from the Red Sox Foundation; program presented by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

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BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox will introduce the Red Sox Scholars Class of 2008 in an on-field ceremony with Red Sox players at Fenway Park prior to the Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners game on Sunday, June 8th. The 25 Red Sox Scholars, who will enter sixth grade in the fall, are all academically talented, financially challenged middle school students in the Boston Public Schools. The program is the educational cornerstone of the Red Sox Foundation, the team charity of the Boston Red Sox, and is presented by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), the Official Hospital of the Boston Red Sox. Each of the 25 Scholars will receive a $10,000 college scholarship, along with access to tutoring and mentoring from Red Sox Foundation staff members and other after school enrichment activities.

The Red Sox Scholars program was inaugurated in 2003 and now includes 150 Boston Public School students in seven class years, with the first class entering 11th grade in the fall. The Scholarship program is open to all 5th grade students in the Boston Public School system. Each year, the Scholars are chosen by a panel represented by the Boston Red Sox, Red Sox Foundation, BIDMC, Boston Public Schools and a new sponsor this year, the Highland Street Foundation, which supports educational programs serving disadvantaged and under-served children in Massachusetts.

"The Red Sox are proud to work with Mayor Menino and Superintendent Carol Johnson to help open the doors of higher education to talented students in Boston's public schools," said Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner. "The Red Sox Scholars represent a bright beacon of hope for the future of our community and we are honored to join the Red Sox Foundation and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in introducing this year's new class of Scholars to fans across Red Sox Nation."

In a pre-game ceremony slated to begin at approximately 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, each scholar will be escorted to the baseline by a Red Sox player and health professionals from BIDMC in the special pre-game ceremony. Each year, BIDMC provides 25 volunteers to serve as "Medical Champions" for the Scholars. These generous health care professionals and medical administrative personnel help introduce the youngsters to possible health professions and serve as hosts of a "Shadow Day" at BIDMC during the Scholars' 6th grade year.

"Each year we are so proud to work with this wonderful group of people on such an innovative program with students from the Boston Public Schools," said Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center President/CEO Paul Levy. "It reflects our commitment to the community along with our partners at the Boston Red Sox."

The first five classes of Red Sox scholars will enter seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades in the fall. They will participate in Sunday's pre-game ceremony to help welcome this year's class to the Red Sox Scholar program. Names of all 150 Red Sox Scholars, including the 25 new Red Sox Scholars, along with a brief biographical sketch of each member of the Class of 2008, are attached.

Additional support for the Red Sox Scholars program comes from the Highland Street Foundation (HSF), and Microsoft. In addition to the scholarships, payable directly to the accredited college after the Scholar successfully completes high school and enrolls in college, the Red Sox Foundation provides educational and social activities for the children and mentoring and academic tutoring. The scholarships are conditioned on each Red Sox Scholar maintaining good citizenship throughout their educational career.

"The Highland Street Foundation is very excited to partner with the Red Sox in such a worthy cause," said HSF Trustee Holly McGrath. "The scholars are now part of a very special family where they will have continued educational support and the comfort in knowing that financial assistance is waiting for them. We believe in the Class of 2008 and look forward to seeing them succeed!"

About the Red Sox Foundation: The official team charity of the Boston Red Sox, the Red Sox Foundation is committed to using the power of the Red Sox fan base to improve the health, educational, and recreational opportunities for children and families in New England, and address social issues that affect the quality of life in urban neighborhoods. A registered 501c3 nonprofit, the Red Sox Foundation was created in 2002, immediately after the group led by Principal Owner John Henry, Chairman Tom Werner, President/CEO Larry Lucchino and the team's partners purchased the Red Sox. Over the past five years, the Red Sox Foundation has donated more than $25 million to nonprofit programs, making it the largest professional sports foundation in New England and one of the largest in Major League Baseball. The Executive Director of the Red Sox Foundation is Red Sox Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs Meg Vaillancourt.

Boston also selected Seaford (Del.) High School shortstop Derrik Gibson in the second round (77th overall); University of Utah right-handed pitcher Stephen Fife in the third round (85th overall); University of Notre Dame right-handed pitcher Kyle Weiland in the third round (108th overall); Unionville (Pa.) High School outfielder Peter Hissey in the fourth round (142nd overall); Portsmouth (R.I.) High School outfielder Ryan Westmoreland in the fifth round (172nd overall); and Yale University catcher Ryan Lavarnway in the sixth round (202nd overall).

Kelly, 18, who was recommended by Red Sox scout Anthony Turco, was ranked the No. 19 overall prospect in the draft by Baseball America. He was also rated the best defensive high school player and the third-best high school arm in the draft. The 18-year-old hit .473 with 13 doubles, one triple, five homers, 31 RBIs and 11 steals in as a senior at Sarasota (Fla.) High School in 2008. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound right-hander took the mound in 12 games, going 8-1 with two saves and a 1.16 ERA. He fanned 77 and walked just 12 over 66 innings pitched. He was named All-State as a junior in 2007 and also collected All-Area and Athlete of the Year honors, batting .349 with four homers, 19 RBIs and 23 runs scored. On the mound, he went 11-0 with a 0.24 ERA with 62 strikeouts in 45 innings pitched. Kelly is the son of former Major League catcher Pat Kelly, who played for the Blue Jays in 1980.

Price, 21, went 3-4 with two saves and a 3.65 ERA in 27 games (one start) as a junior at Rice University this season. He fanned 50 and walked 24 in 44 1/3 innings, an average of 10.2 Ks per nine innings pitched. In 2007, the 6-foot-4, 210 pound right-hander went 0-0 with a save and a 7.84 ERA in eight games (one start). He fanned 12 and walked seven in 10 1/3 innings pitched, an average of 10.5 Ks per nine innings. He was ranked the No. 47 overall prospect and the No. 25 pitcher in this year's Draft by Baseball America. The Marble Falls, Texas, resident was recommended by Red Sox scout John Booher.

Gibson, 18, was ranked the No. 199 overall prospect and the No. 92 position player in this year's Draft by Baseball America. He hit .633 with five doubles, five triples, five homers, 29 RBIs, 34 runs and 13 steals as a senior at Seaford (Del.) High School. The 6-foot-1, 170 pound right-handed hitter was named the 2008 Delaware High School Player of the Year as well as earning First-Team All-State honors at shortstop in his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. He was named the 2006-2007 Delaware Baseball Player of the Year after batting .491 with a home run, 19 RBIs and 15 steals while going 7-1 with a 1.38 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 56 innings on the mound. He was recommended by Red Sox scout Chris Calciano.

Fife, 21, who was recommended by Red Sox scout Matt Mahoney, was ranked the No. 57 overall prospect and the No. 33 pitcher in this year's Draft by Baseball America. The 6-foot-3, 215 pound right-hander was 7-5 with a 3.72 ERA in 15 starts as a junior for the University of Utah in 2008. He struck out 78 and walked 29 over 92 innings. He threw two complete games, including one shutout. The Boise, Idaho, native led the Utes in wins (seven), starts (14), innings (92), strikeouts (78) and opponents batting average against (.252). He went 6-2 with a 4.43 ERA in 17 games (six starts) as a sophomore in 2007. He posted a team-low .298 batting average against and finished second on the club with 53 Ks.

Weiland, 21, is the University of Notre Dame's all-time leader with 25 career saves. The Albuquerque, N.M., native posted a 2-2 record with seven saves and 5.04 ERA over a team-high 26 appearances as a junior for the Fighting Irish in 2008. He struck out 31 and walked 10 in 30 1/3 frames, an average of 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. The 6-foot-3, 180 pound right-hander went 1-2 with a save and a 2.38 ERA for the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2007 and ranked third nationally with 16 saves as a freshman in 2006. He was recommended by Red Sox scout Chris Mears.

Hissey, 18, hit .509 with 26 steals and a .672 on-base percentage as a senior for Unionville (Pa.) High School this year. The 6-foot-1, 180 pound left-handed-hitting outfielder was ranked the No. 136 overall prospect and the No. 66 position player in this year's Draft by Baseball America. He was recommended by Red Sox scout Chris Calciano.

Westmoreland, 18, was ranked the No. 113 overall prospect and the No. 53 pitcher in this year's Draft by Baseball America. The 6-foot-2, 195 pound outfielder hit .486 with four homers, 31 RBIs, 37 runs scored and 17 steals for Portsmouth (R.I.) High School this season. He went 7-0 with a 0.45 ERA in seven games (six starts) and tossed a perfect game on April 30, fanning 19 of 21 batters faced. He also pitched a complete-game one-hit shutout and fanned 20 on April 3. In 2007, he was named the Rhode Island High School Baseball Player of the Year as well as the state's Schoolboy Athlete of the Year. He was recommended by Red Sox scout Ray Fagnant.

Lavarnway, 20, led the Ivy League with 13 homers, 42 RBIs, 29 walks, a .824 slugging percentage and a .541 on-base percentage as a junior for Yale University. He led the Bulldogs with a .398 batting average. The Woodland Hills, Calif., native is Yale's all-time leader with 33 career home runs. He was a semifinalist for the Johnny Bench Award and the Golden Spikes Award, as well as a candidate for the Brooks Wallace National Player of the Year Award. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound right-handed-hitting catcher was named Second Team All-Ivy and First-Team All-New England. As a sophomore in 2007, he led the NCAA with a .467 batting average and a .873 slugging percentage, both school records. He also set single-season Yale marks in homers (14), hits (70), doubles (17), RBIs (55) and total bases (131). He was recommended by Red Sox scout Ray Fagnant.