Opening Day 2011

Jerry Remy says there is nothing normal about Opening Day.

Adrian Gonzalez says it's just 1 game out of 162.

I'm more in agreement with the Rem Dawg. There's a different buzz in the dugout. There is a different buzz in the stands. There's even a different anticipation with fans watching the game on TV.

Opening Day is a ship setting out from port on an adventure. It's like your first day at college. You can't help but have butterflies as a player or a fan.

I hope you thoroughly enjoy Game #1. I know I will.

Rough Schedule for Sox in April

With Spring Training over but for one game in Houston tomorrow I thought it would be a good time to look into the Sox regular season schedule for April.

It's a tough start to 2011 with 13 of 27 games against AL East foes. The Sox host the Yankees, Rays & Blue Jays while playing at Baltimore.

There are 12 home games & 15 road games, including an early trip to the west coast to play the Angels & A's. Let's not forget that the Sox start the season against the AL Champs in Texas.

Given the caliber of teams & the number of road games, I predict the Sox will go 14-13 in April. I'd rather have them start around .500 & improve as the season goes along. 14-13 would be a big improvement from their horrendous start in 2010.

What do you think? Click on the Comment button & leave your prediction for the Sox record in April.

Albers, Reyes Beat Out Oki, Aceves

Per the Red Sox website, Matt Albers & Dennys Reyes stay with the big club. Hideki Okajima & Alfredo Aceves go to Pawtucket.

Albers & Reyes had no options left & would have gone through the waiver process. It was unlikely that the Sox would have kept them once they hit waivers. On the other hand, Oki & Aceves did have options & the Sox exercised them.

Overall, the Sox keep 4 relievers & lose none. Good move for the team. 162 games will give all 4 relievers a chance to log a lot of innings.

Spring Training Results

OK, thankfully, Spring Training is just about over. Real games start on Thursday for several teams. We start on Friday.

Remember what I said at the start of Spring Training - results mean zero. Yes, Crawford, Youk, Papi, Gonzalez & others haven't hit much. Beckett & Lackey have been spotty. An on & on.

The goal of Spring Training is to make sure everyone is healthy & ready to start the regular season. They are. As George Bush would say, "mission accomplished." But let's not get into George Bush.

We are starting the 2011 season with a healthy bunch of talented players. Let's see what happens when the games count, starting Friday in Texas.

Dice-K, Adrian Look Good in Loss

Dice-K pitched another good pre-season game against the Twins.

Adrian Gonzalez hit his first HR of Spring Training & went 2 for 3.

Bob Jenks got roughed up for the late inning loss after the Sox had mounted a 8-3 lead.

Dennys Reyes had his contract purchased by the Red Sox. (See yesterday's article.)

It was a good day at the park as the last few chips are falling into place before the Sox break camp in Florida.

It's off to Houston later this week for the last 2 tune-ups before starting the regular season in Arlington, Texas against the reigning AL Champs on Friday. It's time for the real games to start.

Cuts Leave 2 Spots for 4 Relievers

It's like American Idol or Surviver or Dancing With the Stars. We're coming down to the last few roster spots & 3 of the 4 contentents are new to the team.

According to the Red Sox website, Hideki Okajima & Dennys Reyes are the final 2 lefties with Matt Albers & Alfredo Aceves the final 2 righties. Two of these 4 will join a packed bullpen with Pap, Bard, Wake, Jenks & Wheeler. Andrew Hill & Andrew Miller were sent to Pawtucket.

Oki is an odds-on favorite to win one of the spots because of his experience with the big club. Because of the off-days early in the season I think the last spot will go to Reyes. The Sox can always use 2 lefties when playing the Yankees.

But let's see who Tito picks.

Showalter Mouthing Off At Theo & Jeter

It's the dog days of Spring Training. All the players are ready to go, but there are more pre-season games to play. It was nice of Buck Showalter, the new Orioles skipper, to spice things up this week with his comments in Men's Magazine.

Showalter said Theo Epstein looks like a genius because he has a $200 million budget to work with. He went on to say that Derek Jeter frequently jumps back from pitches to work the strike zone in his favor.

I guess when you have a team that is picked once again to finish last in the AL East this is the only way to drum up some excitement. Showalter should remember that the San Francisco Giants won the World Series with no name-brand players. How about the Texas Rangers, Cincinnati Reds, Tampa Bay Rays & Texas Rangers all making the playoffs last year? None of those teams are known for lavish spending. Maybe Buck should be talking to Peter Angelos, owner of the O's, to spend some of his luxury tax money to field a competitive team. To paraphrase Rick Pitino, Jim Palmer, Dave McNally, Mike Cuellar & Mike Flanagan are not walking through those doors. It's too bad to see such a good baseball city as Baltimore with a beautiful park have such a poor product year after year.

As far as the Jeter comment, it's just another in the line of oddities surrounding Jeter's return to the Yankees this season. It started with ownership bad-mouthing his new contract negotiations in the press. The banter continues through Sprinmg Training as reporters speculate how long Jeter will continue to play short. Nice way to treat a 15-year player who will reach 3,000 hits this year.

In my opinion Showalter is just getting a few things off his chest. He realizes his team is going nowhere for the um-teenth year in a row. Maybe Buck should be jawing with Bud Selig to separate the Red Sox & Yankees into different divisions.

Long Term Deal for Adrian Close

Adrian Gonzalez & his agent are close to signing a long term deal with the Boston Red Sox. Multiple sources expect the deal to be done around the start of the regular season.

What kind of numbers are we looking at? Probably $15 - $20 million a year for 7 years. Looking at the Jayson Werth deal, you would definitely say Gonzalez is worth the big money. He should at least get Carl Crawford numbers.

Gonzalez is a very level headed, even keel kind of guy. He is not looking to be the A-Rod or Albert Pujols to set the salary bar. Gonzo just wants a fair contract.

I'm impressed with everything this guy does so far. I'm sure it will translate onto the field as well.

Youk & Pedroia Back

Kevin Youkilis & Dustin Pedroia are back in uniform. It's a welcomed sight for Red Sox Nation. Both dirt dogs are healthy & recovered from their wrist & foot injuries of 2010.

How important are these two guys? I say immensely important. You could reliably say that Youk & Petey represent the heart & soul of this team. Having both of them back in the lineup on a daily basis can't be overstated as it relates to the success of this team.

Both are MVP candidates. They play well on both sides of the ball. I'm sure Tito will have fun penciling them into the lineup this year. With so many left-handed bats in the Sox lineup Youk & Petey will get more chances to feast off of the opposition's left-handed pitching.

I expect big years from Youk & Petey. Don't you?

MLB Likes the Sox

30 Clubs in 30 Days. The MLB Network profiled the Boston Red Sox this week. Both Harold Reynolds & John Hart like the Red Sox chances this year.

John Hart has the Sox winning the AL East over the Yankees by 1 game with 93 wins. The last time the Sox won the AL East outright was 2007 when they went on to capture their 2nd World Series title in 4 years.

Harold Reynolds has the Sox winning everything. Less than a World Series Championship would be disappointing per Reynolds. That's a lot of pressure to start the season with.

But aren't we all expecting big things this year? I am. I think John Hart & Harold Reytnolds got it right.

And I think the new acquisitions of Gonzalez & Crawford will keep the Sox the best team in the East for years to come. Yankees are stepping backwards with aging stars.

Spring Training Lumbers Along

The position players are ready to go. The starting pitchers are getting their long session in this week before scaling back their innings next week. The pre-season games are getting boring - at least to the players.

Like football with 4 pre-season games in August, Spring Training for baseball players is at least one week too long. All the kinks are out by now.

The last 10 days of Spring Training are good for players who have a minor injury. For example, Darnell McDonald jammed his thumb, so it's good that he has a little more time. Felix Doubront is getting his pitching elbow to feel stronger. Other than that, it's a mental test for players to keep an edge until the regular season starts.

April 1st can't get here fast enough - for players & fans alike!

Nava, Wagner Optioned Back to Triple-A

Daniel Nava & Mark Wagner won't break camp with the big club. They were both optioned back to Pawtucket today.

Nava made a splash last year as a switch-hitter with power. His defense left a lot to be desired. Nava's spring training saw improvement in his defense, but his hitting was slow in coming around. Playing everyday in Pawtucket may help him to find his swing again.

Wagner does an excellent job on the defensive side of the ball. His hitting is spotty, but he will be ready should the duo of Salty & Varitek need relief help during the season.

Both guys are still in the mid to late 20's. They are nice position pieces to have available should they be needed at the big league level during the year. Just look at last year to see how important additional pieces can be.

Matt Albers & Alfredo Aceves Have A Chance

It's going to be a tough cut-down for the last few spots on the 25-man Major League roster for Terry Francona. Making their push to stay with the big club are Matt Albers & Alfredo Aceves.

Albers comes from the Orioles & knows the AL East. He has looked very good in his relief appearances to date.

Aceves, an ex-Yankee, can be a long man out of the pen or another spot starter. Depending upon what the Sox do with Tim Wakefield, Aceves is one of those versatile guys, a la Justin Masterson, & he is making his case to stay with the team.

There's nothing like competition.

Francona Drops Beckett to #4

Give Terry Francona credit. He is making decisions in the best interest of the team.

Earlier this week, Jon Lester was moved to the #1 spot in the rotation to start the season in Texas. Now we learn that John Lackey will pitch in the #2 spot, Clay Buchholz #3 & Josh Beckett drops to #4.

I'm sure most people thought that Beckett would naturally assume the #2 spot. I sure did. However, the possibility of giving Lester, Lackey & Buchholz an extra start over the course of the season makes sense. It's similar to picking your first 3 batters in the lineup. Also, Beckett has had a slow start each of the last 2 seasons.

Tito may be lighting a fire under Beckett to prove him wrong. Like pinch hitting for Big Papi last year, this move of Beckett to the #4 spot may be a good thing in the long run. Look what Ortiz did after that.

Nice move, skip! I like it.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

If you get to a Spring Training game today, you will see many teams sporting their green ball caps in honor of St. Patty's Day.

Enjoy the corn beef & cabbage. Don't drink too much green beer.

Lester to Start Opening Day

The baton has been passed from Josh Beckett to Jon Lester. Terry Francona announced today, to no one's surprise, that Jon Lester would be the Sox starting pitcher in Texas on April 1st against the Rangers. I think all of Red Sox Nation is cool with his decision.

OK, old timers. Any of you former baseball athletes ever had the opportunity to pitch the season opener? I'm lucky enough to have had the honor a few times. There is nothing like it.

The adrenaline is pumping for the entire first inning. You throw a little harder & maybe are a little wild until your emotions come under control. Getting through the first 3 outs with no runs scored is a huge moral boost to your entire team.

Even the crowd is different on Opening Day. There's a different buzz that fills the stands. Everyone's team is in first place until the game is over.

Opening Day is one of those lifetime memories - as a player or fan. 15 days until Game #1. Can't wait.

Dice-K Hurls 5 Scoreless Innings

Much better outing for Dice-K against the Tigers this afternoon. 5 innings of shutout baseball.

This is one of the reasons why Red Sox management can't get rid of him. Dice-K can pitch lights out at times. Maybe this is the year he gets back to being consistent for 30 starts.

Red Sox Beat Yankees

Red Sox - 2

Yankees - 1

Even in Spring Training, it's nice to beat the Yankees.

Professional Athletes & Kids

Here's few thoughts I had yesterday.

I'm sitting at a Spring Training game & a very old couple, both with walking canes, take their seat close to mine. They had to be close to 80 years old. I commented to my brother-in-law (a Yankees fan) how nice it is to see elderly fans still able to get out to the ballpark & enjoy a game.

At the same time I noticed this young kid about 7 years old. He is wearing the official team hat. He has his sunglasses up above his hat, upside down, just like he sees the players wearing them.

Seeing that young boy reminded me that kids emulate their favorite sports figures - their heroes if you will. Growing up, I modeled my batting stance after Carl Yazstremski & I wanted to pitch like Sandy Koufax & Warren Spahn. They were my heroes.

Kids still look up to athletes today. And all the steroids, guns & bad behavior do impact a young person's mind. I'm sure there are still athletes that kids can look up to out there. It just seems like you hear more & more about others who are not living up to being role models.

Is Dice-K on the Trade Block?

Yes, the Red Sox would entertain offers for Dice-K if you believe one sports report. No, he is not trade bait if you believe what Theo Epstein said in response.

The Dice-man has had back-to-back tough years in 2009 & 2010. His Spring Training results in 2011 have been more of the same - ineffective results.

The Sox would have to eat a lot of his $10 million salary & Dice-K would need to waive his no-trade clause. But stranger things have happened.

With just 3 weeks left to Spring Training I doubt that Dice-K will be moved before the start of the season.

Gonzalez Returns

Adrian Gonzalez saw his first game action of the Grapefruit League against the Florida Marlins yesterday. By all measures it was a successful return to the field.

Gonzo had 2 at-bats which were productive. He lined his first pitch from Josh Johnson to left-center for a single, then had a sac fly in his 2nd at-bat. That was enough to call it a day.

Adrian is scheduled to take batting practice today & get more playing time in Monday's game. He re-emphasized that he expects to be ready for Opening Day in Texas.

By the way, it didn't hurt to see Ellsbury & Pedroia on base in front of Gonzo. Both players have had multi-hit games in their last few starts. With Gonzo, Youk, Crawford & other big sticks hitting behind Ells & Petey they can expect to score a lot of runs.

All signs are positive as another week begins.

Blog Visitors Increase

Thanks to all the visitors to 3 No-Hitters in the past few weeks. It's obvious that there is a lot of excitement about the upcoming Red Sox season.

Over the past few weeks we have had international visitors from India & Canada. Thanks to you for viewing the blog!

We have had new visitors from Traverse City, MI & Dallas, TX. Thanks & I hope you continue to check us out.

We have our steady weekly visitors from Mountain View, CA, Goodyear, AZ, Concord, NH & that catch-all category of Unknown, US. Thank you for your steady support.

Please check-out our new podcast about Spring Training 2011. I hope you enjoy the added piece on "where are they now?" which spotlights Chuck Schilling.

This blog is dedicated to my brother Paul who passed away from cancer in 2005. You, the viewers, make it fun to keep it alive in his memory. Thanks again to all!

Fun At Spring Training

I have had a chance to attend several pre-season games in the Cactus League. Yesterday was one of the funniest.

I had 3 elder gentlemen sitting behind me who were "experts" in all things baseball. It appears that they were also "experts" in solving the world's problems. My ears were hurting as they never stopped talking the whole 3+ hours.

Here's a few of their selected comments:

1) The Green Monster at Fenway Park is in center-field. I didn't know John Henry & Co. had moved it from left!

2) If a ball hits above the yellow line on the outfield wall, it shouldn't be a home run if it rebounds back into the park.

3) Pabst Blue Ribbon beer & a seat at the ball game on a sunny day is heaven. I'm good with that statement except for the PBR.

4) Chin Soo Choo, a South Korean player for the Cleveland Indians, should have had the day off to call & see if his family in Japan is OK. Wrong country!

These 3 seniors from Michigan & Canada had a great time. There were many other non-game tidbits as well. (Did you know that 60% of our crude oil comes from Canada?)

It's all part of the fun of going to a game. People are funny. You can't make up this stuff.

Red Sox Sign 15 Players for 2011

According to the Red Sox website, the Sox completed their 40-man roster by signing 15 players to contracts for 2011.

Among the more notable signees:

Daniel Bard

Clay Buchholz

Felix Doubront

Jed Lowrie

Ryan Kalish

Darnell McDonald

Daniel Nava

Josh Reddick

I'm impressed with the Sox 40-man roster. This club is as deep as any in the bigs. If their talent can move from being capable on paper to being capable on the field, we are in for a special season.

Anthony Rizzo: A Bright Future

The Boston Red Sox gave up a lot to get Adrian Gonzalez from the Padres. To get a player of Gonzalez' caliber you need to give up a lot. And I'm glad that Theo & Co. did what they needed to do to get Gonzo in a Boston uniform. All of Red Sox Nation is glad they did.

The centerpiece of the trade for the Padres was Casey Kelley, a very talented young pitcher in the Red Sox farm system. You may see him in the bigs later this year.

A secondary piece of the 4 player trade was Anthony Rizzo, a power hitting left-handed first baseman. Rizzo hit 20 homers in Portland last year & drove in 80 runs.

I had a chance to see Rizzo play for the Padres in a Cactus League game today. First pitch - home run to left-center about 400 feet. He reached base 3 out of 4 times & ended up with 2 or 3 RBI on the afternoon. He also played a solid 1B for the Padres.

It's too bad we couldn't see Rizzo blossom in Portland & Pawtucket over the next few years. He appears very mature on the field & very comfortable. He is someone to watch as a rising star.

Lackey, Lester Progressing

John Lackey threw 4 innings of 1-hit ball against the Orioles yesterday. This is a nice step forward for Lackey as opposed to his first outing.

Jon Lester threw a side session yesterday & is feeling better from his recent bout with the flu. He should be back on a regular work schedule for the rest of his Spring Training.

Keeping everyone healthy & on track to get their work in - that's Tito's job for March. So far, so good.

Oki, Miller, Hill Battling for Spot

The Red Sox had one of their best ever off-seasons with the signing of 2 big name players in Adrian Gonzalez & Carl Crawford. Both will be wearing a Red Sox uniform for a long,long time.

Not stopping there, Theo also has a nice trio of left-handed relievers trying to make the team in Andrew Miller, Rich Hill & Hideki Okajima. Oki is being pushed by Miller & Hill for a bullpen spot. And Denys Reyes is working his way back into pitching shape.

The Red Sox have a very deep team this year. They are better prepared to handle any injuries that should occur.

Dice-K Gets Shelled

I'm the first one to say that results in Spring Training mean nothing. But it still concerns me when Dice-K gets shelled like he did against the Marlins.

The Dice-man racked up one very unimpressive outing yesterday. 7 runs, 6 hits, 2 walks, 3 innings. I hope it's because he was working on a gyro ball or some other pitch that he hasn't controlled yet.

Finally, I have to close by saying - Red Sox 5, Yankees 3 on Friday night. It's fun to beat the Yankees anytime of year.

Spring Training - Week 1

The first week of Spring training has gone well. The only blemish was a hit in the head to Josh Beckett. He appears fine with no lasting effects. Beckett is pitching a side session today & hopefully will stay on track for the rest of March.

Other quick observations:

- the starting pitchers are getting their work in

- the starting position players are getting some work in

- the bullpen looks strong as anticipated

- Big Papi is hitting the ball well

- Adrian will get his 30 at bats in later during Spring Training

- looks like lots of options for the last spot or two in the bullpen

- same for the last spot or two for bench players

The Sox & Yankees tangle tonight for the first time. No doubt there will be a sell-out crowd, even in March. They still are the best rivalry in all of sports.

Overall, a good week #1 in the books.

Another Good Day for Andrew Miller

Awhile back I said that Andrew Miller would be an interesting guy to watch this year. So far my comments are looking pretty good.

Miller had another good outing today, pitching a scoreless inning. Wouldn't it be nice to have a young guy, young lefty arm that can be a bullpen reliever or a starter? Andrew has a long way to go & a lot to prove, but the prospects of a second Jon Lester sounds nice.

The Sox may have a real find in Miller.

John Henry & Revenue Sharing

John Henry got fined $500,000 by MLB for speaking out about the luxury tax & revenue sharing with smaller clubs. According to Henry, the smaller clubs are just pocketing the money.

Here's my question - isn't Henry right? Why would an Oakland, KC or Pittsburgh invest in players when their fan bases are use to perennial losers? Why not just have the owners pocket the money?

I guess the truth hurts. It hurts $500,000 worth.

Thanks, Bud, for sweeping the truth under the rug instead of addressing it. Very presidential of you.

Sox Beat Twins 5-0

It was another good day of Spring Training. The Sox won the game, but more important was the work of Jon Lester & Jon Papelbon. Each had a good start to their pre-season with scoreless outings.

Josh Beckett was seen at the game & feeling better after being hit on Monday. If he continues to improve, Beckett may make his start on Thursday - although the Sox are always cautious & will probably move him back. As one commentor to this blog mentioned, Tito thought his head getting hit was better than his arm.

The beat goes on towards the regular season.

Beckett Hit in BP

Josh Beckett sustained the first major injury of the pre-season when he got hit by a ball in batting practice before yesterday's Grapefruit League game. The early diagnosis is that Beckett sustained a mild concussion.

Josh was sent home to rest. So much for just getting his work in. This could set him back for a few weeks, depending upon his symptoms.

The talk about 100 wins is a jinx.