GRID

I heard our boy Oil Can got in trouble again.

 

they coulda used him in the rotation this year.

what did he do?

 

Spousal abuse I think. I'll look it up.

 

Oil Can charged with threatening ex-girlfriend, son
By Jennifer Kovalich, Enterprise staff writer

Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd has a friend in his former manager, Ed Nottle.

The Brockton Rox pitcher and former Boston Red Sox ace surrendered to federal agents Monday in Tupelo, Miss., on charges he threatened a former girlfriend and possibly her son, the FBI said.

Despite the accusations, Nottle is not turning his back on the 45-year-old Boyd.

"I have always loved Dennis Boyd and always will," Nottle said in a telephone interview from Indiana on Monday afternoon.

"I realize he has a tendency to step in and out of situations," Nottle said. "I consider Dennis a treasure in our business and regardless of things that have taken place in his life, I still consider Dennis Boyd a great friend."

John G. Raucci, special agent in charge of the FBI in Mississippi, and U.S. Attorney Jim M. Greenlee said in statement that Boyd allegedly made five telephone calls in which he threatened to harm the ex-girlfriend, who was also a business associate, and her son. The woman and her son live in Mississippi.

Authorities gave no other details about the case.

Eight years after making his last professional appearance, Boyd began pitching for the Rox this past season.

Boyd made his first start for Brockton in May, going 4-5 with a 3.83 ERA in 17 appearances, including 16 starts. The righthander finished third on the Rox pitching staff in strikeouts with 69.

He had received a standing ovation at the Shaw's Center when Nottle announced at the third annual Brockton Rox Hot Stove Banquet in January that Boyd had been invited to spring training with the Rox at Campanelli Stadium.

Boyd had not pitched professionally since 1997, when he pitched for another independent team from Massachusetts, the Lynn-based Massachusetts Mad Dogs.

Boyd was drafted by the Red Sox in the 16th round of the 1980 draft and pitched from 1982-'89 in Boston, compiling a 60-56 mark. He was the Red Sox starting pitcher for Game 3 of the 1986 World Series, which Boston lost, 7-1, to the New York Mets. His 16-9 mark that season was his career best.

The colorful Boyd began his pro career pitching in New Britain and Pawtucket as he moved up toward the big leagues before making it to Boston and then finishing his career with the Montreal Expos and Texas Rangers, ending his major-league career after the 1991 season.

Boyd's best season

Boyd, a native of Meridian, Miss., who lives in East Providence, R.I., was indicted by a federal grand jury in Mississippi earlier this month.

It could not be learned Monday just how the accusations will play out with the Rox. Brockton Rox General Manager Andy Crossley, Rox President Jim Lucas, and Thomas Whaley an executive vice president with the Goldklang Group which owns the Rox, could not be immediately reached for comment last night.

Nottle said he had fielded about a handful of phone calls regarding Boyd on Monday.

"I don't really know anything even though I have had phone calls about it today," Nottle said. "I hope Dennis is safe and whoever is involved is safe."

Boyd on Monday was being taken to Oxford, Miss., to await an initial appearance before a federal magistrate.

If found guilty of the charges, Boyd could receive a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, three years' supervised release and up to $250,100 in fines.