We'll have to wait another week to see him whaling on Yankees pitching, but fans in Pawtucket will probably vouch that David Ortiz looks ready. Playing the first game of his seven-game trip through the minors, Papi homered to lead an offensive barrage as the PawSox crushed the Mud Hens 15-6.

The buzz in Pawtucket was definitely centered on the big guy, but Sox fans had to like what they saw all around. Jeff Bailey (who's had a couple lattes with the Sox) and George Kotteras also homered, while Edgar Martinez (not the longtime Mariner) pitched a solid start and Justin Masterson continued his transition to the world of relief.

PawSox manager Ron Johnson gushed: "It’s good for the young players to be around him, and it’ll be good for guys to be playing in the game with a guy like that. He’s a guy who is your future teammate, if you get to where you want to get to." Ortiz served notice that he doesn't want to hear any more crapslinging between Manny Ramirez and Red Sox brass. Good for him.

It's 115 degrees out, so let's think hockey! The Bruins released their 2008-09 schedule yesterday. They start on the road, of course. Their first home game is October 20th against the defending Eastern champion Penguins, and the hated Habs come to town for the first time on Nov. 13.

Photo by Bostonist's own Victoria Welch.