Adam Hyzdu. Boston Red Sox Neal joined the Red Sox immediately and made a total of eight appearances, posting an 0–1 record with an ERA of 9.00. On May 8, 2005, just five weeks after acquiring Neal from the Padres, the Red Sox designated him for assignment. The Colorado Rockies claimed him off waivers. In an odd twist of fate Randy Williams, his former teammate in San Diego and with whom he had competed for a spot in the bullpen, had himself been waived by the Padres and then claimed by Colorado. In retrospect Boston sportswriter Steve Buckley criticized the trade which had brought Neal to the Red Sox, calling it typical of general manager Theo Epstein:"[the] barely-talked-about Blaine Neal-type acquisition." Colorado Rockies Neal made 11 appearances for the Rockies but his right elbow began bothering him again, and he went on the 60-day disabled list. Once he came off the DL the Rockies outrighted him to the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox, where he made one appearance before the season ended, at which point Colorado released him. In his career at Colorado he posted a 1–2 record with an ERA of 6.14. Around the minors On January 9, 2006, Neal signed with the St. Louis Cardinals, but was released during spring training. Neal signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 22, 2006 and pitched for the Double-A Altoona Curve, but became a free agent after the season ended. During the season, Neal pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays Triple-A affiliate, the Syracuse Chiefs. Neal signed with the Detroit Tigers for the season and pitched for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. Working as the team's closer, he went 1–0 with a 1.21 ERA and 26 saves. Mud Hens manager Larry Parrish gave Neal a vote of confidence: "To me, he has enough stuff to get back to the major leagues." On July 16, 2008, Neal was named to the United States national baseball team for the 2008 Summer Olympics. He became a free agent at the end of the 2008 season and signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on December 17, 2008. Neal was released by the Phillies at the end of spring training. On May 11, 2009 Neal signed a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians and joined the Triple-A Columbus Clippers. Personal life Blaine is married and has two kids. References External links 1978