This And That. The Red Sox will interview Rangers first base coach DeMarlo Hale for the manager's job on Monday. Hale has managed in Boston's farm system and was named Minor League Manager of the Year in 1999 by Baseball America, The Sporting News, and USA Today's Baseball Weekly. Larry Dierker's name is being mentioned also (Bill James likes him), but Jeff Horrigan says the odds of Dierker getting called in is about 50-50 because the Sox are so impressed with Francona. That makes no sense. If the club is in no hurry to announce a skipper, why not talk with one more candidate, who might impress them as much as Francona?

The Red Sox added six players to their 40-man roster: 3B Kevin Youkilis, C Andy Dominque, RHP Jerome Gamble, RHP Edwin Almonte, LHP Phil Seibel and LHP Tim Hamulack. ... A Report Card on David Ortiz. ... Kelvim Escobar (who the Sox had an interest in) is apparently signing a three-year deal with the Angels. There is talk of Boston trading for Minnesota's Eric Milton, which for reasons outlined here might not be a good idea.

The A-Rod to Boston rumors are not dying. There is talk of a straight Manny-for-Alex deal, a swap Rodriguez likes and one Sean McAdam says the Red Sox would do like that (snaps fingers). ... Allen Barra on the insanity of trading A-Rod. ... Dan Shaughnessy tells us that last year Alex asked for a tour of Harvard, something you know dumb ol' Manny never did (walking around Harvard being one of those "intangibles" that win oodles of ball games.) The CHB's tune (and typing) would quickly change if Alex donned red socks, since he makes a ton of dough, will make outs with guys on base now and again and has an ongoing "simmering feud" with his manager. ... Speaking of intangibles, Steven Goldman ("The Pinstripped Bible") says it's time for Derek Jeter to "demonstrate that pride of winning comes before pride of self [and move off shortstop]. ... The Yankees are apparently not considering these possibilities because no one wants to offend Jeter and point out that the emperor has no clothes."

Soapbox, Etc.: Pentagon hawk Richard Perle concedes that the invasion of Iraq was illegal. ... Man, is this a bad review or what? ... This website of Forgotten New York, including subway oddities, lampposts and streets to nowhere is great. I love seeing old advertising on the sides of buildings (more here).