Welcome to Thursday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

THURSDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
MLB: Red Sox at Rays, 7:10 p.m. (NESN; WEEI)
MLB: Yankees at Blue Jays, 7 p.m. (MLB Network)
MLB: Phillies at Cubs, 8 p.m. (WGN)
NBA playoffs: Heat at Pacers, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
NBA playoffs: Clippers at Spurs, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
NHL playoffs: Coyotes at Kings, 9 p.m. (NBCSN)

AROUND THE WEB:

Tim Tebow has made a good first impression on his new Jets teammates. (AP)

♦ Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis, who we last heard from ripping Bill Belichick and Tom Brady as “disrespectful,” feels quite the opposite about new teammate Tim Tebow.

“He’s a born leader,” Revis said in the Jets locker room after a voluntary team workout. “He really is. Very few athletes have the gift that he has. He tries to lead by example all the time and he tries to be positive, which is awesome. I think that results [in] his success on the field. He came in with Denver and did unbelievable. And now he’s with us. We’re happy. We’re excited for him. We’re happy [that] he’ll bring his leadership qualities to this team.”

Revis added that he’s looking forward to seeing what the team comes up with to utilize Tebow and starting quarterback Mark Sanchez together.

“My initial [thought] to the play would be a trick play, something tricky,” Revis said. “Tim is dangerous and Mark is dangerous as well. So, to have them both on the field at the same time, you wouldn’t be able to prepare for it because no one has ever seen it. You’ve just got to be cautious, where maybe on the defensive side, you’re like, ‘Hey, back up,’ and it could be a trick play or a double-reverse trick play or something up their sleeve.”

♦ The Giants held a ceremony Wednesday night at Tiffany and Co. on Fifth Avenue in New York City to receive their Super Bowl rings, and defensive end Justin Tuck said the Giants are aiming for at least one more title.

“The first time you’re in awe,” he said. “You win a second one, you think, ‘Maybe we can do something here.’ Let’s make it a dynasty. We want to make it a dynasty.”

Added safety Antrel Rolle: “This is a great piece of hardware on my hand right now. But we can always have more rings. Just ask Michael Jordan.”

♦ Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee and state economic officials met Wednesday with Curt Schilling, who asked for help to save his video game company.

Schilling’s 38 Studios missed a $1.1 million loan payment on May 1, and the company appears to be in dire straits. The former Red Sox pitcher was brief in addressing the media while leaving the meeting.

“My priority right now is to get back to my company,” Schilling said. “My priority right now is to get back and talk to my team. I will be making a statement at some point in the near future.”

♦ Roger Clemens‘ lawyer did his best to embarrass star witness Brian McNamee on Wednesday, at one point asking the former trainer, “Do you sometimes just make stuff up?”

McNamee, who continued to detail how he injected Clemens with HGH and steroids, was resolute: “I didn’t make it up.”

Meanwhile, prosecutors expressed concern that another juror might have been sleeping during testimony. Two jurors already have been dismissed for falling asleep, leaving 12 jurors and two alternates.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On May 17, 1971, the Red Sox signed which pitcher who was released by the Twins in March and then signed and released by the Braves?

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Welcome to Wednesday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

WEDNESDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NBA playoffs: Celtics at 76ers, 7 p.m. (TNT)
NBA playoffs: Lakers at Thunder, 9:30 p.m. (TNT)
NHL playoffs: Devils at Rangers, 8 p.m. (NBCSN)
MLB: Red Sox at Rays, 7:10 p.m. (NESN, ESPN; WRKO)

AROUND THE WEB:

♦ Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee revealed Tuesday that he has called the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation to an emergency meeting Wednesday morning to discuss financial problems at former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling‘s video game company.

Two years after relocating from Massachusetts to Rhode Island to take advantage of a $75 million taxpayer-backed loan, Schilling’s company missed a loan-guarantee payment of $1.125 million, setting off red flags.

“We’re concerned and just doing everything possible to ensure that 38 Studios stays part of the Rhode Island community,” Chafee told Providence TV station WPRI earlier this week. “We’re working on different issues with them.” Asked whether he thinks 38 Studios can be stabilized, Chafee paused and said: “We’re working on it.”

Last June, PriceWaterhouseCoopers audited 38 Studios and expressed “substantial doubt” that the company would be able to stay solvent. The company since released its first game, “Kingdom of Amalur: Reckoning,” to positive reviews and decent sales, but another game, “Project: Copernicus,” appears to be facing delays.

Schilling, who also serves as an ESPN analyst, loaned his company $4 million in 2010, but that money was paid back from the package the company received from Rhode Island.

♦ The Giants will receive their Super Bowl rings Wednesday night in a ceremony at Tiffany’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue.

“It will be exciting for everybody, no doubt,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. “That’s the symbol, you know? In your heart it’s already been established. I look forward to it, I think it’s going to be very festive. Let’s face it, now it’s twice in a lifetime. It’s a wonderful thing to do it again.”

The ring is 14k white gold with surrounding diamonds, sapphire band (representing Giants blue) and diamond footballs. It has images of the four Lombardi trophies the franchise has won, plus the team logo and the score of Super Bowl XLVI, a 21-17 victory over the Patriots.

“Big and obnoxious, that’s always the goal,” guard Kevin Boothe joked.

♦ Brian McNamee continued to testify in Roger Clemens‘ perjury trial Tuesday in Washington, but the star witness wasn’t enough to keep all the members of the jury awake, as one juror was dismissed for sleeping.

What the sleeping juror missed was McNamee claiming his wife encouraged him to keep evidence that he injected Clemens with steroids. McNamee said he did, putting a needle, swab and cotton ball in an empty beer can to sneak it out of Clemens’ apartment after an injection.

McNamee also talked about injecting Clemens’ wife, Debbie, which he insists was done with the pitcher’s approval.

♦ According to police in Oceanside, Calif., someone broke into Junior Seau‘s San Diego-area home last week, five days after Seau committed suicide in the bedroom. Lt. Leonard Mata told the North County Times that the burglar accessed the garage through a doggy door and apparently did not enter the main part of the house. The only item noticed to be missing was a bicycle that belonged to a friend of the former NFL star.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On May 16, 1989, Mike Milbury was hired as Bruins coach replacing which man?

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The Celtics' trade of Kendrick Perkins is just one of many trades that shocked Boston sports fans in this young century. (AP)

The Celtics’ trade of Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson to the Thunder for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic on Thursday marked the second surprising trade of the winter for Boston sports teams. Back in December, the Red Sox got Adrian Gonzalez from the Padres for prospects Casey Kelly, Anthony Rizzo and Reymond Fuentes. That got us thinking about other shocking trades by the hometown teams this century. Here are the top dozen.

12. Nov. 24, 2005: Sox land Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell

Top prospect Hanley Ramirez had been mentioned in a number of rumors, but it appeared that he was pretty much untouchable. That was until the Sox sent the shortstop to the Marlins — along with prospects Anibal Sanchez, Jesus Delgado and Harvey Garcia — in exchange for Beckett, Lowell and reliever Guillermo Mota. As expected, Ramirez turned into a superstar, but Beckett and Lowell became key parts of the 2007 World Series team. Most would probably agree that this deal was a win-win.

11. Nov. 28, 2003: Curt Schilling comes to Boston

Schilling was just one year removed from back-to-back 20-win seasons and consecutive Cy Young runner-ups when the Sox acquired him from the Diamondbacks for pitchers Casey Fossum, Brandon Lyon and Jorge De La Rosa. Lyon and De La Rosa went on to have serviceable careers, but Schilling helped lead the Sox to two World Series titles, posting another 20-win season and Cy Young runner-up in 2004 along the way.

10. Sept. 18, 2009: B’s ship Phil Kessel to Toronto

The Bruins sending Kessel to the Maple Leafs wasn’t a total shock because everyone knew the B’s probably wouldn’t be able to keep all three of Kessel, David Krejci and Milan Lucic long term. But it’s still surprising any time you trade a 21-year-old former fifth overall pick who was the leading goal-scorer on your first-place team the previous season. The deal ended up looking much better when the first-round pick Boston got in return turned out to be the second overall selection, which became Tyler Seguin.

9. March 6, 2000: Ray Bourque heads to Colorado

The trade itself wasn’t shocking — everyone knew Bourque wanted a chance to win the Stanley Cup and everyone knew the Bruins were happy to accommodate the legend — but just seeing Bourque in another jersey was. After 21-plus seasons in Boston, Bourque was sent to the Avalanche along with Dave Andreychuk in exchange for Brian Rolston, Martin Grenier, Samuel Pahlsson and a first-round pick. Bourque and the Avs went on to win the Cup the next season.

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Deion Branch

With Deion Branch catching the door after Randy Moss let himself out, Patriots fans are daydreaming about Super Bowl XXXIX, when Branch was the MVP and the Pats won their third title in four seasons.

The Patriots hope Branch’s second go-round in New England can be as successful as the first, as Branch returns from a rough stint in oblivion in Seattle.

Here’s a look at some other notable returns to Boston teams over the past decade.

10. Delonte West, 2010

West may be most famous for an alleged relationship with LeBron James‘ mother, but the versatile point guard could play a major role for the Celtics this season. Originally drafted by the Celtics out of St. Joseph’s, West was a regular starter in his three years with the team. But after he averaged double digits in his second and third years, the Celtics made way for Rajon Rondo by dealing West to the SuperSonics in June 2007 as part of the Ray Allen deal. Three years later and a few gun charges and rumors later, West finds himself back in Celtic green playing alongside Allen and backing up Rondo. He won’t get his first chance to get out on the court until Nov. 17 because of a 10-game suspension, but look for West to make an impact this season.

9. Ellis Burks, 2004

Burks was heralded as an up-and-coming star when he broke into the big leagues with the Red Sox in 1987, but despite making the All-Star team in 1990, he was often treated as if he failed to live up to his potential in Boston. His existence with the Sox was, at times, uncomfortable, made more so by the fact that he was the lone African-American on the roster at times. When he left the Sox as a free agent after the 1992 season, it was with unhappy feelings about the organization with whom he came up.

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Greg Cameron gave Boston a technical introduction to Wallace on Monday, but there’s no doubt all eyes will be watching this afternoon as the big man is formally introduced.

Press conferences have always been something of a spectacle, but Boston has seen its fair share of introductions that put others to shame. Bill Parcells warranted the governor’s attention back in 1993, and remember the time the Sox brought that Matsuzaka guy over from Japan?

Very few thought John Smoltz would ever be introduced to a city outside of Georgia, so seeing the Braves legend in a Sox cap in January was a headline-grabber to say the least.

But enough about the Pats and Red Sox, this day is about the Celtics, who have had plenty of big-time introductions of their own. Before getting to the one that brought banner 17 to Boston, who could forget Rick Pitino? With fresh, new banners made up for the FleetCenter hanging behind him, the local hero was all but sworn in as Mayor of Boston. Dan Shaughnessy used up an entire column back in ’97 listing all of the things Pitino already knew about the town when he came here. By the time he left, he probably knew a few more things, including which retired players aren’t walking through a certain door.

The biggest non-international press conference in recent memory has to be the one that followed the Kevin Garnett acquisition. What made it so incredible was the way the Celtics went about it by re-introducing Paul Pierce and Ray Allen along with him. They weren’t pushing KG on Boston, they were pushing an idea, and one that the entire city believed in once they saw the new Big Three, Boston Three Party, or whatever else they wanted to be called.

The promotion of that idea continues as Wallace enters the fold. On Sunday Mike Mutnansky rightfully joked that the Celtics are borderline elderly these days, but thanks to what these three guys have done, nobody seems to care. Is there anybody left that still damns Ainge for giving up on Al Jefferson? Is anybody totally up in arms about letting Leon Powe go? The Celtics have placed an incredible emphasis on experience these last couple of years, and it’s led to fantastic results. And for those who do feel that old age will bite the Green in the you-know-what this season, Wallace at the very least can serve as tremendous insurance in case KG goes down again.

"I guess I hate the Yankees now."

Whether it’s the delayed signing of J.D. Drew, or the poor translating at the Matsuzaka introduction, Boston has never shied away from a good ol’ press conference. Even when the Sox brought on a former enemy in David Wells, there were smiles across New England, and the affinity for introductions doesn’t end there.

Tell me you weren’t watching, fists-clenched each time as the Yankees introduced Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon, and Mark Teixeira, and I’ll kindly tell you to get your morning links and videos elsewhere. Likewise, the folks in New York couldn’t have exactly been thrilled when Curt Schilling dropped his famous quote after hitchhiking from Arizona.

There may be no politicians or Japanese media surrounding Wallace as he holds up his green No. 30 jersey today, but one thing is for sure: you, along with the rest of New England and NBA fans, will be watching.

Love him or hate him, Michael Jackson was an icon. From his days as a child star to his tremendous success with Quincy Jones to questionable surgical procedures to accusations that eventually proved to be false, the King of Pop always seemed to be caught up in headlines. A day after his death, nothing has changed.

Coverage of Jackson’s death has been inescapable since the news broke yesterday afternoon. In addition to undoubtedly being an inspiration to his fans — “Black or White” — MJ had an impact on athletes all over the world. Many have sent their condolences through the media and Twitter.

“rip micheal jackson. wut a sad day. my homies gone,” said Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard via Twitter on the same day his team acquired Vince Carter from the Nets. “y are people so controversial on here. i am very shocked about mj. i have every song he ever put out. i am shocked and sad … today isnt a good day to talk about trades. really not. im sorry.”

Meanwhile, Chad Ocho Cinco did the unthinkable by taking it a little too far, something he had never, ever, done before. Check out some of these tweets from 85:

“Okay, first Mrs. Fawcett now Mr. Jackson, please tell me that this is a mistaken rumor, if not this is just as sad as 9/11 …”

“okay not as bad as 911, its sad period, both situations my goodness people, they just said he is okay in the hospital …”

“The 9/11 was a bit over the top, i am just in an emotional state right now, bare with me while i regroup people, be back in 10 minutes …”

“Sorry 85 million times, today sucks man, i still have my jacket with the zippers on it, wow”

Surprisingly enough, Dennis Rodman had the sincerest (and best-written) tweet of the trio:

“Mourning the loss of the greatest pop star and icon of my lifetime. Michael Jackson was truly the best. I wish his family well.”

In a chat during yesterday’s Red Sox game on the the Full Count Blog, former Sox ace Curt Schilling gave his two cents on the death of the pop star.

 ”I am not sure how to react to that other than to feel sad he is gone,” said Schilling. ”[The] last half of his life I felt incredibly sorry for him.”

Athletes didn’t just wait for his death to pay tribute to the King. Who could forget Donovan McNabb turning to the following dance for inspiration on his touchdown celebration? 

And Carmello Anthony felt he had to tell everyone just how much Allen Iverson loved Jackson last year.

Chris Rock famously said America’s love for MJ was apparent when his child molestation accusations weren’t taken seriously. As is usually the case with Rock, the video contains explicit language.

Here’s a glimpse at what some of his fellow pop stars had to say in Jackson’s memory. Note that Paul McCartney still spoke highly of Jackson despite the fact that MJ screwed him over in an auction for the rights to Beatles songs. Apparently Jackson made all things right again in his will.

Despite the accusations, skin transformations and which babies Jackson may or may not have endangered on a certain balcony, the King of Pop is gone. Clearly, he will be remembered.

This morning we learned through Kevin Love’s Twitter that Timberwolves head coach Kevin McHale would not be returning. Last weekend Shaq tweeted congratulations to Kobe and Phil Jackson for the Lakers’ Championship win.

It was only a matter of time before the Twitter explosion made its way to the Boston sports scene. Now some of our favorite players, managers and even owners Tweet to keep you busy when you should be working. Let’s take a look at some of the most animated Boston Tweeters in the Boston sports world:

John Henry

You can always count on the Sox most vocal owner to add his two cents. Just a few weeks ago when the Sox were sweeping the Yanks at Fenway, he got a little too excited with his Tweets, causing a ruckus with Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira. Henry’s Twitter account revealed a post on June 11 with the words “the MT curse?”, an intimation the Yankees had been cursed since their acquistion of Teixeira — they’ve lost their first eight contests against the Sox this season. When Teixeira was informed of the Tweet, he said he didn’t want to become involved in a war of words with a “seventy-something-year-old-man,” referring to the 59-year-old Henry. Henry’s response the next day, “Hope I didn’t hurt Mark’s feelings!” May the drama continue…

Curt Schilling

Surprise, surprise — Did you really think Curt would pass up an opportunity to share his thoughts with everyone? This is Curt’s dream come true. The ever vocal Schilling mainly posts about the Sox, his own Fantasy baseball team and his family. Last Saturday he tweeted, “Don’t blink, or you’ll miss Lester rising into the top 3-4 pitchers in baseball in the next 30 days.” You can be sure he’ll have something to say about the recent steroid allegations laid on Sammy Sosa.

Vince Wilfork

Who would have thought the big man had so much to say? Wilfork updates his Twitter almost daily, even while skipping the Patriots’ organized team activities in the beginning of June because of a dispute over his contract situation. He took time to Tweet about the departure of former teammate Rodney Harrison, saying, “rodney is a great guy on and off the field he will be missed.” Wilfork recently posted about his BBQ raffle to raise awareness for diabetes and his early Father’s Day gift to watch the US Open at Bethpage Black this weekend.

Laurence Maroney

Still no Tom Brady Twitter as of yet — that would have been an interesting offseason to follow. But maybe one of his favorite running backs can persuade him to create an account. Maroney Tweeted about his excitement for camp at the end of May, “Just got done wit day 3 of camp…. I got a to keep working hard to get ready for the season.”

Paul Pierce

After updating his Twitter almost daily during the season about the Celtics playoff run, Kevin Garnett’s health (“Looks KG gonna b out another week or two but have no fear 34 is still here” on March 31) and Ray Allen’s play (“Man what a Game and Jesus Shuttleworth comes thru again” on April 1), Paul’s tweets have slowed up lately, but he unloaded with this gem during the NBA Finals — “Lakers vs orlando. Looked like a german sherperd vs a poodle that’s ok the rotwieler celtics will b back in 2o10.”

Curt Schilling has let his words do his talking … until now!

(Hat tip to Boston Sports Media Watch)

Compiled by Drew Scott

When Curt Schilling first arrived to play for the Sox, he was featured in a Dunkin’ Donuts where he put on a fake Boston accent, saying, “Play wicked hahd when I go to the pahk.” It is funny to think that ad could truly describe Curt Schilling’s career, but his relentless work ethic and preparation were two things that set him apart from the rest.

Here is Buster Olney discussing Schilling’s legacy:

And here are Peter Gammons thoughts:

With both men in agreement Curt deserves a spot in Cooperstown let’s take a look at Schilling’s career resume: 20 MLB Seasons with 5 teams (BAL, HOU, PHI, ARI, BOS); 216 career wins (80th all time); career ERA of 3.46; 3,116 K’s (15th all time); six-time all star selection (1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004); three-time World Series Champion (2001, 2004, 2007); 2001 World Series MVP, and a postseason record of 11-2 with a 2.23 ERA.

What the baseball writers are saying:

Alex Speier on WEEI.com reminds us of the trade that brought Schill here.

If you need your fill of Schilling stats’ check out Gary Marbry’s post on the Nuggetpalooza blog on WEEI.com.

When Tom Verducci was asked whether or not Curt was the best postseason pitcher of all time, he had this to say: “You know, it’s hard to define the absolute best. Christy Mathewson was pretty darn good. But I would just go by his generation. I would pick him and John Smoltz as the best big-game pitchers of this generation.” Check out the rest of the article here.

In regards to Schilling’s Hall of Fame candidacy, Rob Neyer from ESPN writes, “I’m fairly sure there’s a rational argument to be made against Schilling. But I’m still waiting to see it.” To read the rest of his thoughts click here.

Here’s what the Canadians think about Schilling’s retirement. Here is what the gaming blog Kotaku had to say about Schilling calling it quits.

And this kid thinks that Curt should get in, and he is also very concerned about him having a good life after baseball:

Oh, and you didn’t think I could possibly resist posting something on the bloody sock, did you?

Regardless of whether or not Schilling makes it into the Hall he was a joy to watch and was an integral part of two Red Sox World Series Championships. He may have been outspoken and opinionated, but when he took the ball every fifth day you knew that you were going to get one of the most prepared pitchers in the game. Oh and if you happened to be facing him in the postseason as an opposing player, you might as well have just not shown up at the ballpark. Thanks for 20 great seasons, Curt.

Mark Teixeira may or may not wind up in Boston. As you wrap up your holiday shopping, wondering if he’ll wind up under the Red Sox Christmas tree, may we offer a one-stop shopping source on all things Tex.

Red Sox quiet on the Teixeira front.

Theo and Tito air it out for jetBlue as the official airline of the Red Sox.

Rob Bradford on how Tex almost began his career in Boston.

Alex Speier on whether both sides are posturing.

And Curt Schilling selling Teixeira on why Boston is the best place for him.

Then there’s the weather forecast for Sunday at Gillette. The Weather Channel simply calls it a mess.