Andrew Bailey has that closer mentality when it comes to pitching. He didn’t want to have any rehab outings after recovering from a biceps strain. He wanted to get sent right back into the fires of major league baseball.

John Farrell and the Red Sox overruled him on that, however, instead choosing to send the closer to Triple-A Pawtucket for one game on Satuday to make sure that he’s fully ready to take back the reins in the back end of the Boston bullpen. Bailey, to his credit, came around on the idea and is now promising NESN’s Jenny Dell that he’ll be “ready to go” in the big leagues come Monday.

Check out what else Bailey had to say on Red Sox GameDay LIVE.

Jonny Gomes started his career with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2003 and stayed to see a name change, a uniform change and a change in attitude at Tropicana Field. The outfielder agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal with the Red Sox in 2012 and has made solid contributions to the team this season.

The Sox are in Tampa on Tuesday night for Game 1 in a three game series, and Gomes talked about the homecoming on Red Sox GameDay LIVE with Jenny Dell.

Check out the video above to hear Gomes talk about what it feels like to be back and where he thinks the Sox are headed this season.

On Wednesday, May 15, you have the chance to eat under the stars at Fenway Park.

Chefs Ming Tsai and Ken Oringer came up with the idea behind “Boston Bites Back,” an event at Fenway Park that brings 100 of the city’s best chefs together to raise money for The One Fund. There are 5,000 total tickets that cost $200 per head. The chefs will be showcasing their creativity by cooking in the concession stands.

Check out the video above of NESN’s Jenny Dell touching base with Tsai and Oringer on this week’s Ultimate Red Sox Show and go to BostonBitesBack.org for more details.

Boston runners took to the streets on Saturday in the first big run since the 2013 Boston Marathon. The 4th Annual Run to Home Base 9K brought the city together once again and proved that its residents are, indeed, Boston Strong.

Thousands of people crossed the finish line of the race at Fenway Park in support of the Red Sox Foundation and the Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program, which provides clinical care and support services to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and families. The hospital is also engaged in cutting-edge research to improve treatment for PTSD and traumatic brain injury.

More than $10 million has been raised for the cause since the first race four years ago.

Check out the video above to hear runners, including Jenny Dell, talk about what the race meant to them.

More than 2,000 runners participated in the 2013 Run/Walk to Home Base event, and of those, 480 were active service men and women.

The annual event raises money for the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program, which provide clinical care, education and research to help Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and families dealing with post traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury.

NESN’s own Tom Caron and Jenny Dell both raised funds and participated in the event. It seems TC may have had a faster time, but conceded to Jenny when it came to raising money for a good cause.

Hear what Jenny and TC had to say after the run in the video above.

Patrick House has lost 215 pounds in three years and has committed his life to staying active and fit. Last month he finished his third Boston Marathon, and on Saturday he took part in another run close to his heart.

The 4th annual Run/Walk to Home Base event raises money and awareness for clinical care and support services for more than 500 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families. The Season 10 Biggest Loser participant ran in the event to honor a friend in the Marine Corps who died just before House ran his first Boston Marathon. House said participating in the run and supporting the cause was “awesome.”

Hear what else House had to say in the video above.

As part of the opening ceremonies, members of the Massachusetts National Guard were recognized for their efforts as first responders at the scene of the Boston Marathon bombing on Patriots Day. The annual event, sponsored by New Balance, is put on by the Red Sox Foundation and the Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program, provides clinical care and support services to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and families and is also engaged in cutting-edge research to improve treatment for PTSD and traumatic brain injury.

NESN’s own Tom Caron and Jenny Dell raised money and participated in the event. Caron recorded a time of 48 minutes, 56 seconds, while Dell came in at 56 minutes and 19 seconds.

Check out the photo below to see Jenny celebrating her finish with members of the armed forces.

Photo via Twitter/@JennyDellNESN

That’s exactly what the Lowell Spinners are doing for NESN’s very own Jenny Dell, as the Single-A Red Sox affiliate will be passing out Dell bobbleheads to the first 1,000 fans at their July 1 game.

Check out the figurine below.

A preview of your @JennyDellNESN Bobble Head that the first 1,000 fans will receive July 1! #NESN #Spinners #RedSox http://t.co/jrZFKVOsEQ

—
Lowell Spinners (@LowellSpinners) May 01, 2013

Not only did Rich Hill spend much of the last three seasons with the Red Sox, the left-handed reliever grew up in the Boston area, as well.

A native of Milton, Mass., Hill was deeply affected by the tragic events that occurred near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Hill says that his father ran the nation’s oldest marathon no fewer than 24 times, with the younger Hill watching the conclusion of many of those races not far from the spot of Monday’s explosions.

Now with the Indians, reunited with former Sox manager Terry Francona, Hill sat down with NESN’s Jenny Dell during Red Sox Gameday Live presented by DCU prior to two teams’ series finale in Cleveland on Thursday.

Check out the full interview in the video above.

In one of the stranger deals in recent memory, the Red Sox traded shortstop Mike Aviles to the Blue Jays in exchange for manager John Farrell.

Aviles is now with Cleveland, reunited with former Sox skipper Terry Francona, and he says he’s definitely excited to be playing against his old teammates this week. Jenny Dell caught up with the infielder prior to Wednesday night’s game to talk about Aviles’ whirlwind offseason and his thoughts about playing in a new city for the same manager.

Check out the interview in the video above.

The event, presented by New Balance, will take place Saturday, May 4. It takes runners (and walkers) throughout Boston and culminates with the ultimate finish line — crossing home plate at Fenway Park. America’s Most Beloved Ballpark will also open its gates to friends and family members, encouraging them to cheer on participants in the stands. The Fens will also offer food, entertainment and family fun activities.

The 2013 Run-Walk to Home Base is a 9K fundraising run that raises money for the Red Sox Foundation and the Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program. Proceeds will provide clinical care for veterans with combat stress or traumatic brain injury and support services and counseling for wounded veterans’ families.

Learn more about the event and register to run or walk at RuntoHomeBase.org.

Click here to see Jenny and Jack peruse the site>>

The team is holding a “Meet Your Sox” promotion, where fans who see larger-than-life cutouts of players’ faces can enjoy special perks. (Check out the Red Sox’ Facebook page for more information.)

But Sox players’ heads aren’t the only ones that will be appearing around Boston. The faces of NESN’s own Jerry Remy, Don Orsillo and Jenny Dell will also be in Beantown during the day before taking care of the Red Sox-Yankees matchup Thursday night.

See what Don tweeted Thursday as he looked forward to the event.

Apparently these are out and about in Boston today. Hope you all get tickets. Sadly, my head will be easy to find. http://t.co/Iuu5B8M0bI

—
Don Orsillo (@DonOrsillo) April 04, 2013

A familiar face was back in Fort Myers on Tuesday.

Former Red Sox shortstop Mike Aviles returned to JetBlue Park as a member of Team Puerto Rico, which dropped a 4-3 decision to the Sox in a World Baseball Classic tune-up. Aviles has had a tumultuous offseason, first being traded to Toronto in exchange for manager John Farrell (a deal that he called “weird”) before being shipped to Cleveland, where he now plays for Terry Francona — his former skipper in Boston.

The shortstop took some time to joke around with Dustin Pedroia and Will Middlebrooks before going 2-for-4 in the contest. Check out more from the reunion in the video above.

Facing the Toronto Blue Jays may have been a bit awkward for Red Sox manager John Farrell — who managed the Jays just last year — but two other Boston newcomers thoroughly enjoyed it.

Steven Wright and Allen Webster combined to allow a run on four hits over four innings in the first appearance with the pro club for both hurlers. Wright, a knuckleballer, got the start and the win, striking out two and allowing a pair of hits over two scoreless frames.

Check out postgame reactions from Farrell and the two right-handers in the video above.

As spring training got underway, NESN’s Red Sox broadcast team set of on a whirlwind journey to meet with Sox fans across New England.

Don Orsillo, Jerry Remy and Jenny Dell visited Burlington, Vt., Hartford, Conn., Springfield, Mass., Portland, Maine, and Providence, R.I., over a four-day span, making appearances everywhere from courthouses to sports bars to call centers.

Check out some highlights from their travels in the video above.

Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@TheRickyDoyle

The memories most Red Sox fans share about J.D. Drew are not exactly fond ones. His younger brother hopes to make a different impression this season, his first in Boston.

Stephen Drew will almost certainly be the Sox’ Opening Day shortstop, as manager John Farrell says the 29-year-old is fully recovered from an ankle injury suffered in 2011 that has hampered him during the last two seasons.

“There seems to be no ill effect of the ankle injury,” Farrell said Sunday. “Through his ground ball work, through the team defense that we’ve run through so far, he’s very particular and just looking for feedback. … He’s very meticulous in his work.”

For more on Drew, plus a look at promising outfield prospect Jackie Bradley Jr., check out the video above.

Don Orsillo, Jerry Remy and Jenny Dell concluded their four-day tour by spending an eventful day in Rhode Island that included a number of stops, plenty of laughs and now countless memories.

The crew kicked off the day in Providence, R.I., where they stopped by 94.1 WHJY to do a radio appearance on Paul and Al. The topics ranged from the Red Sox’ upcoming season to the crew’s crazy antics and everything in between.

The radio appearance was just the beginning, though. Don, Jerry and Jenny then stopped by the Meeting Street School, which was an amazing experience for all involved. The trio was greeted to chants of “NESN” and “Red Sox,” and the kids loved being able to chat baseball on the day before the start of their school vacation.

Day 4 also included stops at Amica and Cox Communications, and then it was on to the final stop of the tour at the Warwick Mall. Fans from all over the area came out to the mall, and they asked NESN’s on-air talent plenty of hard-hitting, interesting and often hilarious questions. The day concluded with a meet and greet and autograph signings.

All in all, to say the trip was successful would be an understatement. Don, Jerry and Jenny had some long days, yet loved every minute of being able to interact with Red Sox Nation before what is sure to be an interesting season. Now, let the games begin.

Click here to see photos from Day 4 >>

Click here to see photos from Day 3 >>

Click here to see photos from Day 2 >>

Click here to see photos from Day 1 >>

Jerry Remy,

The NESN on-air crew stopped by two radio stations in Portland, Maine, on Thursday to begin the day. First, they appeared on WHOM 94.9 with a couple of welcoming hosts in Teddy McKay and Sandra Harris, where the topics ranged from “Pizzagate” to Jenny’s cooking resume and everything in between. Jerry, Don and Jenny then popped on over to Q97.9 for some more wacky conversations.

That was just the start of Day 3, though. After bouncing off the airwaves, the threesome headed on over to St. Brigid School, where they discussed Red Sox history, fielded personal questions, signed autographs, gave out Wally dolls and even busted out a few dance moves. In fact, the crew moved around surprisingly well for early in the morning.

After saying goodbye to the third graders at St. Brigid, it was back on the road. The trio eventually landed at Binga’s Stadium Smokehouse and Sports Bar for a meet-and-greet session with some avid Sox fans. While at Binga’s, they answered some hard-hitting questions, gave some insight into their gameday routines and were even offered a beer by some of the locals. Of course, this all was in addition to Jenny receiving a Valentine’s Day gift from an unexpected romantic.

The NESN Spring Training Kickoff Tour will continue in Providence, R.I., on Friday. On the tour’s final day, Jerry, Don and Jenny will host a public meet and greet at the Warwick Mall in Warwick, R.I., at 3 p.m.

Click here to see photos from Day 3 >>

Click here to see photos from Day 2 >>

Click here to see photos from Day 1 >>

Jerry, Don and Jenny have fielded plenty of questions throughout their excursion. Sometimes, the questions pertain to the action on the field. Other times, they relate to the trio’s broadcast career. Regardless of the questions or comments thrown in their direction, though, the crew is all about having fun and getting ready for what should be an interesting Red Sox season.

One of the radio stations Jerry, Don and Jenny stopped at in Portland on Thursday was Q97.9-WJBQ. Click on the link below to listen to their hysterical interview.

Click here to listen to Jerry, Don and Jenny on WJBQ in Portland >>

“Jenny Dell, will you be my Valentine?”

That’s what Slugger, the Portland Sea Dogs’ mascot, would have asked NESN’s Red Sox reporter on Thursday … if he could talk. Instead, Slugger settled for presenting Jenny with a single red rose on Valentine’s Day during a NESN Tour stop at Binga’s Stadium in Portland, Maine.

To see Jenny’s response, check out the video above.

Thumbnail photo via Facebook/Portland Sea Dogs