Former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling will be at a Game Stop in Bellingham, Massachusetts at midnight tonight for the release of his video game company 38 Studios' highly anticipated first title, "Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning."

The game has won positive early reviews and, as the Providence Journal reported this weekend, industry analysts are expecting sales of at least 1 million, which would make the game a moderate success.

The Boston Globe reports on Massachusetts state officials' efforts to hold onto former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling's video game company.

Schilling is set to meet with Rhode Island officials on Thursday to discuss up to $75 million in loan guarantees designed to draw his company here. Rhody would seem to have a leg up: it is one of about 20 states that offer financial incentives to lure video game developers.

I admit it. I was still a Manny Ramirez fan - even after he pushed the Red Sox traveling secretary. Even after he whined his way out of a Red Sox uniform. The guy was entertaining. He was mercurial. More than you can say for most of the stiffs in baseball uniforms. But now, a report from the Los Angeles Times that Manny has tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug and will be suspended for 50 games. Oh, Manny. It may be time to reconsider.

Far more interesting than ProJo sports columnist Jim Donaldson's assertion today that Jim Rice is not "a real Hall of Famer" (his italics) are some of the responses from readers on projo.com. Donaldson's point is that Jim Ed was "borderline," not a top-notch hardball luminary in the style of Babe Ruth or Ty Cobb.

Even in sports:

Spark Of Humanity Fades From Mark Teixeira's Eyes After Signing With Yankees

January 8, 2009 | Onion Sports

Just as money and message are two cornerstones of a successful political campaign, health and performance go a long way in powering a sucessful baseball team.

Translation: If David Ortiz and Mike Lowell have good seasons, the Sox could go deep into the post-season, in part because of stacked starting pitching: Beckett; Lester; Dice-K; Penny; Smoltz; Wakefield.

Much of the reporting immediately after word broke that Mark Teixeira would sign with the Yankees treated this development as a hard-to-figure and unexplainable mystery.

In fact, there were many clues -- such as how Teixeira grew up revering Don Mattingly, and how he'd previously had a bad encounter with the Sox -- that he'd sign with the Evils.

There were points this year when it felt as if the Sox needed another big bat in their lineup. Considering that, Mark Teixeria seemed like a perfect target, the kind of player around whom the offense could be built for years to come. Now, of course, he's a Yankee.

The immediate reaction to this development yesterday afternoon was one of bewilderment.

Washington Times via Dirt Dogs:

A major league baseball source has told The Washington Times' Thom Loverro that there will be an announcement today regarding the future of free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira.

While the source declined to discuss specifics, there are strong indications that the Red Sox will announce that they have landed the highly-coveted slugger, who has been courted this off-season by several major league clubs, including the Angels, Orioles and Nationals.

Red Sox tickets seem recession-proof, so perhaps it's no surprise that the august New York Times Company may be considering selling its 17 percent share (h/t Romo) in the Old Town Team (a topic whose implications I previously examined here).

CHICAGO (Reuters) - New York Times Co (NYT.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) could raise at least $200 million if it sold its 17-percent stake in the Boston Red Sox baseball team to raise cash to counter the advertising decline that is gouging U.

N4N was among those selected for an invite to the Sox' first "Great Fenway Yard Sale," so I made the familiar trek to the old ballyard on Sunday.

Basically, for $30, you got the chance to take away two bricks from 96-year-old Fenway and to have your pick of a bunch of other grab bag-type material, including T-shirts (one per customer), yearbooks, media guides, mini-packs of 2007 baseball cards, and such.

Word comes that C.C. Sabathia is poised to join the Evils.

Meanwhile, Mike Lowell remains one of the great class acts in baseball, but landing Mark Teixeira would solidify the Sox offense for years to come, whereas Lowell is approaching the end of his career. What's more, Tex sounds like an upstanding citizen.

Good news for Sox fans in what has been a slow start to the hot stove season: Dustin Pedroia, who has fast become one of the top faces of franchise, has signed a six-year extension.

Dustin Pedroia, the team's popular and remarkably productive second baseman, signed a six-year extension with the Red Sox today for $40.