Sox Leave Too Many Runners

Baltimore 2, Boston 1. Red Sox were 0 for 10 with RISP. Nuf ced! You can't win a close game when you leave 10 runners stranded. Nice effort from Jon Lester. Grady Sizemore homered for the Sox only run of the day. A late homer in the 7th by Nelson Cruz was the difference in the game for the O's. Lots of chances, just none that the Sox could cash in on this day. Tomorrow's another day.

Starting Lineup

WEEI lists the Boston Red Sox lineup for game 1 as follows: Daniel Nava RF, Dustin Pedroia 2B, David Ortiz DH, Mike Napoli 1B, Mike Carp LF, Grady Sizemore CF, Xander Bogaerts SS, AJ Pierzynski C, Will Middlebrooks 3B, Jon Lester P. I'm a little surprised that Sizemore isn't leading off & that Middlebrooks is batting 9th, but we'll see how it works out. Nava has a good OBP & maybe the coaches don't want too much pressure on Sizemore, Bogaerts or Middlebrooks by keeping them lower in the order. Let the fun begin in 3 hours! Remember this lineup as it may be quite different by game 162.

Vic Placed on DL, JBJ Called Up

Shane Victorino starts the season on the 15-day DL with an aggravated hamstring. In his place is Jackie Bradley, Jr. who was recalled from Pawtucket. The Sox had several different stretches without Victorino last year, so guys like Nava, Gomes & Carp will get a little more playing time with Bradley probably filling in defensively late in games. Here we go with a deep roster helping out in game 1. Given the colder weather, it's not a bad thing to hold the Flyin' Hawaiian out until he is 100%. And somehow JBJ gets to be on the 25-man roster for the 2nd year in a row on Opening Day. Last year JBJ patrolled CF for an ailing Ellsbury in the Sox Yankee Stadium opener. There's something about this kid that just won't keep him down. He may surprise this year.

Spring Training Over!

Shane Victorino is having an MRI on his hamstring, an injury that flared up more than once last year. His status for Monday is uncertain. If Vic can't go, I'm sure that a competent Daniel Nava could get the call to play right with Jonny Gomes in left. Or Mike Carp could play left to get another lefty bat in against the O's Chris Tillman. Mike Napoli is leaving the spring with a hot bat & we all remember that Nap had a big April last year while David Ortiz recovered from his Achilles injury. Jake Peavy had a nice final outing as his tune-ups are over now. Peavy has the #4 spot in the rotation. Clay Buchholz will stay in Florida to get his final pre-season start in before joining the team in Baltimore. The biggest news as the Sox break camp may be what didn't get done. No extension was finalized for Jon Lester. No move was made to re-acquire Stephen Drew. However, the Sox start 2014 in very good shape with a roster full of talent & very deep at every position. It's game time!

One More Scrimmage

The last, yes last, pre-season tilt happens today against the Twins. Yesterday, Jackie Bradley, Jr., Drake Britton & Ryan Lavarnway were optioned to Pawtucket. Mike Napoli hit his 4th HR of the spring. Felix the Cat Doubront pitched 5 scoreless innings. And Grady Sizemore was named the starting CF. Jake Peavy gets the final start today versus the Twins in Florida. Then it's off to Baltimore on Sunday for Monday's opener at 3:05. It's been a healthy spring, minus a few finger issues that all resolved themselves. This team is strong & deep once again. Kudos to Ben for finding a diamond in the rough like Grady Sizemore! Grady is a great veteran addition. And nice moves to strengthen the bullpen with guys like Mujica, Badenhop & others. You have to like the composition of this team as they break camp. Time to get the regular season going!

Has Grady Won the Job?

Concensus would be yes. Grady Sizemore should be patrolling CF on Monday in Baltimore - with the usual caveat said throughout all of March - as long as he is healthy. Thus far Sizemore has shown no signs of wear & tear. And who wouldn't want a former all-star & leadoff man in their lineup? Jackie Bradley, Jr. will have his time, probably many years ahead of him, as the everyday CF for the Red Sox. More triple-A at bats can only help Bradley to contribute more on offense in the future. JBJ already has the defensive skills to play CF in any major league park. But, getting back to Sizemore, I had a chance to see him play with the Indians before he was hampered by all of his injuries. Grady reminded me of a young Johnny Damon with speed & occasional power, along with being a threat on the bases. You have to admire Grady's determination to play again. He has to be the "feel good" story of this year's Red Sox spring training.

Sox 4, Twins 1

Lackey good. Bullpen good. Offense good with Middlebrooks going 2 for 3. 4 days until opening day in Baltimore. Nuf ced!

Baltimore 5, Boston 4

Another good tune-up game is in the books. X-Man & Middlebrooks hit back-to-back homers. Jon Lester tells reporters that he is optimistic about getting his extension finalized. Allen Webster continued his up & down spring with a down performance, giving up 5 runs. And Dustin Pedroia went 2 for 2. Grady Sizemore plays for a 3rd day in a row today. Mercy! The pre-season is almost over. Lackey & 4 relievers gets the nod in tonight's game. Let's break camp for Baltimore healthy & ready to go.

Sox 4, Rays 2

Nice day for Clay Buccholz, Grady Sizemore & Will Middlebrooks. Buck went deep into the game. Sizemore & Middlebrooks each homered. And spring training is another day closer to being over. Grady Sizemore will play back to back to back days to test his endurance. If he has no setbacks, Grady looks to be the starting CF on Monday in Baltimore. JBJ can still benefit from more at-bats in AAA & he will be ready for a call-up if Grady fails to stay healthy or fails to perform. Another story is Will Middlebrooks who looks to have won back his old job at 3B. Will has 3 homers in the pre-season, so his power bat is back. I think he is a work in progress on his defense though, so we take the good with the bad. Everyone is itchy to get the real season started now in 5 days - players, coaches & fans. No last minute injuries, please.

Guest Article: The New Manny

Manny Ramirez has been talking comeback again. He wants to hook up with a major league team. He need not bother because he has already made it. Manny lives in MLB through the likes of Yasiel Puig. Puig is an enormous talent who took LA by storm last year. Like Manny, he is a marvel to watch with the bat. However, Puig has a side to him that has manager Don Mattingly pulling his hair out. He regularly runs the bases like a Little Leaguer, running into outs and taking his team out of a potential big inning. Puig showed up for camp this year overweight. He has twice pulled himself from games this week after striking out; once claiming he had a sore back, and the other claiming a sore shoulder. It reminds me of the time that Manny pulled himself with a sore right knee, only to be seen limping on his left knee later on. Yes. Manny is back! (Author Steve B.)

Is Lester's Extension Next?

Short answer: Yes. I say yes because the Red Sox website is talking about both sides being professional & that discussions are on-going. They would never write that if a deal wasn't imminent before Opening Day on March 31st. And it would be to the team's benefit to get this deal/extension done before Lester hits free agency next year. Who knows what a crazy marketplace that paid $31 mil a year for Clayton Kershaw would fetch for the prize lefty? Lester has stated his preference to remain in Boston for the rest of his career & he would take a reasonable, not highest, offer to stay - similar to Pedroia's deal. Get 'r done, Ben, get 'r done!

Papi Gets His Deal

1 year, $16 million extension through 2015. Club options for 2016 & 2017. Amen, it's done. There should be no more whining from David Ortiz who will end his career as a Red Sox. The one-time castoff from the Minnesota Twins was part of 3 world championships in the last 10 years with the Sox, the first one in 2004 to break an 86-year curse. Ortiz can be hot & cold with his moods. I want to see & hear nothing but smiles now from #34. No more disrespect talk. No more I need more protection in the lineup. Shut up & play now! You got your deal.

Latest on A-Rod

OK, Lackey got shelled yesterday & there wasn't much to chat about on the Sox front. So I googled A-Rod only to find that he is now stiffing his lawyers, refusing to pay $3 million of his $5 million legal bill. Perfect! The article by John Heyman says that if A-Rod claims malpractice by his legal team, he will lose his client privilege & more seedy facts about his suits against MLB, the Yankees & the Yankees team doctor could see the light of public scrutiny. Heyman goes onto say that A-Rod's comeback & contract future from 2015-2017 - worth $61 million - may depend on his necessary admission of wrongdoing, something that A-Rod has yet to deal with. Sometimes the best deals are the ones you don't make. Just think if A-Rod had become a Red Sox!

Sox 2, Phillies 2

Jon Lester & Cliff Lee look in good form to start the season. Off the field, the Sox website says the 1-year extension for David Ortiz worth $15 million is almost finished. And Jonathan Herrera won the utility infield spot over Brock Holt. Rubby de la Rosa was moved to the Pawtucket roster, meaning he is available for call-up if needed. He is a kid that Pedro has spent a lot of time with & I would watch him this year. Another day closer to the start of the real season. Stay healthy, men! Guys like Jacoby Ellsbury, Jose Iglesias & several pitchers have already gone down for their teams, some for the season. We just need one more healthy week.

The Spring Slump of David Ortiz

Really? Are we going to listen to writers worry about Big Papi not tearing the cover off the ball in Florida? I say give it break! As Allen Iverson famously said, "it's practice, man, we're talking about practice." Most of the time guys who are hot in March start the season cold in April. Ortiz had no spring training last year & look what he did. Come March 31st everyone starts over, just like in October when the playoffs start. Spring training is one thing. The regular season is another thing. And the playoffs are the final thing. Don't confuse one with the other. Each segment stands on its own. What do I always say? Just leave spring training healthy. So far, so good. Big Papi will be fine.

Lavarnway On Trading Block

So says WEEI today citing a report by Sean mcAdams. It's not shocking. Lavarnway was a power hitter until the Sox made him concentrate on the defensive side of catching. Remember 2011 when he hit 2 HR's in Baltimore in the last games of the season? Tito started him ovcer Saltie because of his bat. But, as Lavarnway got better behind the plate, he got worse at the plate. Another team could definitely use a backup catcher, 1B or DH like Lavarnway who is only 26 years old. There are just too many other young Sox prospects, like Vazquez & Butler, who will get playing time before him. Think of Napoli moving to 1B permanently & how it has helped with his offense & general body health. I've always liked Lavarnway, so maybe he can turn into a Mike Napoli for another team. Good luck, Ryan!

Big St. Paddy's Day for Sizemore

O'Grady or Grady O'Sizemore showed that the luck of the Irish was on his side on Shamrock Day yesterday. 2 great catches. 3 hits at the plate. No one knew what to expect with this signing, but it sure has worked out to date. Another good job by Ben Cherington & his staff to bring a quality guy & a hungry guy into camp. IF he stays healthy, Sizemore can step into the void left by the departure of Jacoby Ellsbury, both in the field & at the leadoff spot in the lineup. It would also give JBJ a chance for more seasoning at AAA. I didn't think that Sizemore would make such a great use of this opportunity, but he has. Competition is always good. Keeps everyone focused on the job at hand.

2014 Crystal Ball Time

As spring training keeps rolling towards its end, let's review the AL East for 2014. We start by going back to the results for 2013. Red Sox 97-65, Rays 92-71, O's 85-77, Yankees 85-77, Blue Jays 74-88. Red Sox lost Ells & Saltie, but picked up AJ & Grady along with a few other pieces to go along with lots of young talent from the minors. Rays still have pitching led by David Price. O's lost closer Jim Johnson, but added Nelson Cruz. Yankees went free-agent happy by signing Ells, Beltran, McCann & Tanaka to offset the losses of Rivera, A-Rod, Granderson & Pettitte. Blue Jays made no big moves & they hope their signings from last year perform better in 2014. The baseball "wisdom" last year was that 88 wins could take the division with Boston & New York predicted to finish in last & Toronto in first. We all know how that turned out! What do you think for 2014? I'll go on record as follows: Boston 92 wins, Tampa Bay 90 wins, New York 90 wins, Baltimore 88 wins, Toronto 86 wins. I see a little more balance, but the Sox are returning too many playoff vets not to take the AL East for a 2nd year in a row. That's my crystal ball for 2014.

Rays 8, Sox 4

David Price threw like David Price. Another good day of spring training as the Sox enter the 2nd half of their Florida tune-ups before starting the real thing in 2 weeks. The only hiccup for the Sox was Will Middlebrooks who is nursing a hyper-extended finger on his throwing hand. A report from WEEI says that it bothered Middlebrooks to throw more than hit - which sounds odd. A few days of rest & treatment should get him back in the lineup before the end of the week. Webster, Vazquez & Marrero were send to the minors with John Farrell saying all 3 have continued to make excellent progress. These are players that could be called up this year if needed. The Sox continue to build a deep roster at every position.

No Extensions for Ortiz or Lester Yet

With 2 weeks left to the pre-season there have been no announcements about the anticipated extensions to be offered by the Sox to David Ortiz & Jon Lester. Big Papi is looking for 1 more year, probably around the same $13 million he is making now. Jon Lester should get 5 years minimum at a hometown "discount" of $15 mil to $20 mil per year. Ben Cherington has been very quiet & no news has leaked about any on-going talks. I think that both deals will get finalized before the big club heads north to Baltimore to start the season. Especially for Lester, he said no negotiations will take place once the season starts. You, me & the Sox don't want him going to free agency, so Ben best get his deal done in these next 2 weeks.

Lee, Lester Shine

Cliff Lee still "got it." The lefty veteran for the Phillies had Sox batters guessing during his 5 innings of shutout work. Jon Lester had another nice outing as well, giving up just 1 run in the first inning. Johnny Gomes blasted a monster shot over everything in left field. And another good day of spring training concludes with no injuries while the Sox dropped a game to the Phils 4-1. Middlebrooks was out of the lineup, sporting the 3rd finger injury by players this year, but it was just a precaution. Peavy & Victorino had finger issues earlier this spring, but both are playing now. Half of camp is over. Sizemore-Bradley & Holt-Herrera are the only stories dealing with position battles. Let's hope that the 2nd half of spring training goes as smoothly as the 1st.

Ortiz & Protection

I guess I'm basically tired of hearing Big Papi complain about everything -- how he gets no respect, lobbying for another contract extension through 2015 & now the fact that he is still the main man in the batting order at 38 years old & not just a complimentary piece. My first thought yesterday about his latest whining was to say look, you're getting paid to be the #4 cleanup hitter, so stop the baby tantrum & go out there & hit. Today, however, I think that there is merit to what Big Papi says about the lack of a young, proven power hitter within the Red Sox farm system. Bryce Brentz may be a future Mike Napoli type. Travis Shaw certainly has the physical presence, but he hasn't shown consistent power yet. And Blake Swihart is still developing. Getting a kid like Giancarlo Stanton would have been a nice power addition, but he was not for sale by the Marlins. You have to know that a power hitter must certainly be on Ben's radar. This pitching-rich system of the Sox should be able to swing a deal so that there is an Ortiz replacement in the near future.

Buck Looks Back in Form

Clay Buchholz pitched 4 scoreless innings today in a 3-1 win over the Blue Jays. This was his second good outing, albeit with the usual caveat that it's only spring training. Perhaps the bigger story was the return of Rich Hill to the mound in his first appearance since his infant son died. Hill pitched a scoreless inning. Both Jonathan Herrera & Brock Holt, dueling utility candidates, were in the lineup as they continue to battle for a roster spot. All in all, another good day in the Florida sun.

Peavy Makes Debut

Jake Peavy made it through 3 innings. WEEI reports that Jake starting experimenting with a splitter taught to him by Koji. And on it goes at spring training as the Sox beat the Twins 4-3. Everything is on track & all players are healthy. Victorino has been playing regularly. Pedroia shows no signs of slowing down. And Grady Sizemore is still standing as a viable option in CF. Even Big Papi is whining about a lack of protection in the order. I guess he doesn't see Pedroia & Napoli as protection, not to mention Pierzynski, Middlebrooks & Bogaerts. Stop whining, big man, & just play! Be happy you have a contract.

What's Happening With the Yankees?

The Sox had an off day yesterday, so I wondered over to the Yankees website to see what was happening there. I guess there is concern that CC has only thrown in the 80's & got hammered by the Nationals a few days ago. And yesterday Kuroda gave up a bunch of runs in his start. The Yankees continue to be age-sensitive & guys like Jeter, Sabathia, Kuroda, Teixeira & Beltran have to perform like they did in much younger years to give the Yankees a chance to contend. Not the Yankees of old, just old Yankees. Hey, where's A-Rod?

Middlebrooks Goes Yard Again

Can we end the Stephen Drew thing once & for all? Although it's only spring training, Middlebrooks & Bogaerts seem fine on the left side of the diamond. With training well underway, with Brock Holt (who also homered yesterday), Brandon Snyder & Jonathan Herrera available as utility men, with Deven Marrero & Garin Cecchini just a few steps away from the bigs, the Sox have more than enough infielders in the system without Drew. I would hate to see Ben sign Stephen Drew now & upset the chemistry of the young guys. Go young & stay young this year!

Red Sox 6, Rays 2

Another good day at Jet Blue Park for the home team. Jon Lester - 3 scoreless innings. Big Papi & Mike Napoli - a home run each. Will Middlebrooks - 2 hits. Grady Sizemore - a hit in the leadoff spot & a few plays in center. Shane Victorino - scored on a Middlebrooks double. Victorino may or may not switch hit this year, a story onto itself - which shows how tame this spring training is for story lines with the Sox. As opposed to the Yankees dealing with Jeter's final year & no A-Rod, life in Fort Myers is pretty business-like. Another day closer to getting ready for the regular season. And no injuries to report. Perfect!

Flyin' Hawaiian Plays Today

Today is the day for Shane Victorino to make his grapefruit league debut. Recovering from off-season thumb surgery, Vic has been slowed by back soreness as well. No need to rush a veteran like Victorino. We all saw how productive he could be in last year's playoffs with big hits against the Tigers & Cardinals. Take your time, Vic! I'm impressed in the early going with the power shown by Bryce Brentz - 3 HR's. If Victorino needs time off during the year, guys like Nava, Carp & Brentz can fill-in offensively. But we certainly lose something defensively with the way he plays RF at Fenway & away. Not since Dwight Evans has a player had as good a command of the tough RF corner at Fenway as Vic.

Sox 4, Pirates 1

Another good day of spring training at the ballpark. Clay Buchholz pitched 3 scoreless innings without giving up a hit. Super sub Mike Carp hit another home run. And the 2nd week of spring training is off & running on a positive note. Just an FYI. Thank goodness that the Red Sox are not involved in the opening series in Australia this year. I bet the Dodgers are Diamondbacks are real happy about those travel plans! Who thinks these things up?

Brentz, Middlebrooks Go Yard

Not much to report in 2 split squad games against the Orioles. Will Middlebrooks showed his power to right-center & Bryce Brentz kept his home run swing going. Jake Peavy will get his first start on Thursday while John Farrell & his staff get ready to make their first cuts next week. Let's stay healthy, men, & everything will be fine!

Americans, Stop Whining!

I'm going off script again. If you have a chance, watch the HBO documentary called Citizen USA. This 60-minute film interviews newly naturalized citizens from all states & talks with them about why they renounce their birth country in favor of becoming US citizens. One new citizen suggests that every American go live in another country for a period of time & then come back to see all the wonderful things that we who were born here take for granted. Clean water at your tap without the need to go get it & bring it back. Constant source of electricity. As one Slovakian woman said, I like being a free agent & not being told where I have to work. Ability to dissent with government policies without being arrested. Religious freedom. Ability to own a home. Women's rights to education. One Russian woman saved for years to buy a car, only to be told that she had to buy the last Russian-made car on the lot (a yellow one) or go to the end of the line again. Freedom to be gay or straight. Ability to go out at night without being hassled by soldiers. Ability to eat a wide variety of foods. And on & on. We Americans have a good everyday life compared to the rest of the world. Watch this show so we don't forget it.

Red Sox 4, Braves 1

As one commentor to the blog reminded me about Allen Webster's last performance, it is just spring training. So with that caveat, a good win by the Sox yesterday with good performances by Doubront, Lavarnway & Sizemore. I didn't think that Grady Sizemore would be a big factor in challenging JBJ for the CF job this year, but I'm starting to think differently now. Grady just may play himself into the lineup & take over the top spot in the order. Forgetting grapefruit results, if Sizemore remains healthy with no setbacks, he has a good shot to be the starting CF in Baltimore while JBJ gets more time for seasoning at Pawtucket. This is turning into a much more interesting battle than we first thought! Nice pick up, Ben!

Webster Better Against Marlins

WEEI says Allen Webster had some extra coaching this week, from fellow starters Lester, Lackey & Buccholz. The result was 3 scoreless innings against the Marlins yesterday. Webster has all the right stuff. It's just been his command that gets him in trouble. Webster & Brandon Workman are 2 guys that could easily slip into the starting rotation if Lester or Lackey need 2 or 3 starts off in the middle of the season, or if injury occurs. Getting Webster into big league readiness will only serve to further strengthen the depth on this team. Once Webster "gets it" he should be good for a long time. Maybe this is his turnaround year.

Anthony Rizzo

Remember Anthony Rizzo? He went to the Padres as a piece of the Sox trade to get Adrian Gonzalez. Rizzo is 24 years old now & he is the everyday 1B for the Chicago Cubs. Theo jumped on the chance to get Rizzo away from the Padres & then signed him to a long-term deal. In 160 games last year Rizzo produced 23 HR & 80 RBI with an OPS of .742. Not bad for a 24 year old kid! I wish we could have kept him, but we went through Gonzalez to get Napoli & things have worked out just fine. I mention Rizzo because I'm getting a chance to see him play today as the Cubs take on the Indians. I always liked his swing & now he gets a chance to play everyday. Win-win for all parties.

Cardinals 8, Red Sox 6

Another day of good work yesterday at the Fort. X-Man & Nava both homered. Nice to see that the Red Sox offer power from multiple sources within the lineup. Assuming no injuries (which isn't realistic), or at least no major injuries to key personnel for an extended period of time, the Sox will field another highly competitive team in 2014. They will again have a deep lineup, deep bench & deep reserves to call up. Just keep getting that spring training work in!

Rays 8, Sox 0

Clay Buccholz got an inning of work in for the first time this spring. Grady Sizemore had no setbacks. And the Sox bats took a day off against Chris Archer & the Rays. Another good day of work completed at the Fort. Nuf ced!

Brentz Another Homer

Bryce Brentz is flexing a little muscle in the early stages of spring training. He hit another homer yesterday for his 2nd of the grapefruit season. I'll take my own advice - spring training means nothing. But it is nice to see the potential of a young power bat. Super sub Mike Carp also had a dinger yesterday. Think about Middlebrooks, Bogaerts, Brentz & Shaw as future middle-of-the-order guys. No one has a better stocked minor league system than the Sox. We can expect a playoff-contending team for years to come.

NESN HIres New Women

Sarah Davis from Toronto & Elle Duncan from Atlanta are the latest women of NESN. Both made their NESN debut a few days ago when the Sox played the O's. Davis will do player stories from the dugout & Duncan will do fan stories from the stands. Let's give them some time to see if they measure up to Dell, Watney, Mae & Cervasio.

Peavy Cuts Finger With Knife

Fishing, a sport that I know nothing about. Southern sportsmen like to fish a lot & Jake Peavy just wanted to take his son fishing. Cutting fish line with his knife, Peavy accidentally cut his left index finger. He expect to lose a few days of practice while his finger heals on his non-throwing hand. Not the worst thing to keep Peavy back a few days as he is prone to breaking down & he only has so many bullets left in his right arm. Injuries during spring training are never fun, but this one seems to be minor & should cause no significant loss of time. That starting rotation this winter of 6 has gone down to 5 without Dempster & now down to 4 for a few more days. The saying "things will work themselves out" is true this year.

More on Travis Shaw

Travis Shaw is 23 years old, 6'4" & 225 pounds. He is from Ohio & a graduate of Kent State University. Like Bryce Brentz, he is one of the few power hitters in the Sox farm system. Even better, he is a left-handed hitter. Maybe in 3 to 5 years we will see Brentz & Shaw as your 3 &4 batters in the lineup for the Sox. Shaw had 66 extra base hits in 2012, 19 of them round-trippers. In 2013 he had 41 extra base hits with 16 of them being homers. He should progress through Portland & Pawtucket over the next few years. Travis Shaw is a kid to keep an eye on.

Boston 8, Baltimore 6

Thank you, MLB Network, for showing this game from beautiful Jet Blue Park. Mike Napoli's beard isn't slowing down his swing as he crushed a 2-run homer to dead center. Felix Doubront had 3 things going for him - he's in shape, he's throwing strikes & he's working faster. X man looked good at the plate & in the field. For some reason Travis Shaw reminds me of Travis Hafner - 2 big guys who look mean & look like they can hit it out of any park. Another perk of yesterday's game was hearing Jerry Remy back in the booth with Don Orsillo. The Rem Dawg sounded just fine in what will be a tough year for him, especially after the season when his son goes to trial. Lots of players getting good work in. A good spring training day.

First Game of the Year

I got to see my first spring training game today, Indians vs. Mariners. Yes, Swisher is an Indian, Cano is now a Mariner & I saw 4 people with Yankees gear on. Gross! Regardless, there is always something special about your first game of the season. I tell my wife about where we saw this player or that one from years ago. She is always amazed at how I can remember players, but I can't remember directions on how to get any place. Selective memory I guess. You get to see & hear the national anthem, today sung by a small boy who did a great job. You smell the burgers & dogs. You see a very old couple scoring the game. You see moms, dads & toddlers. It's just a great ecape from the entire world for 3 hours. No Ukraine-Russia to listen about. No family or friends with illnesses to discuss. No everyday life problems. Just baseball. It's great!

Twins 6, Sox 2

I got a chance to watch this game on the MLB Network. Drake Britton & Brian Villareal both threw well. It was nice to see Daniel Nava homer from the right side. Garin Cecchini added a few hits. And it was also nice to see Grady Sizemore finally get on base. There could be a good battle brewing between Herrera & Holt for the utility spot. Both looked good yesterday. Other than that, it was a good work day for all who participated. Another day closer to the start of the season.

More on Bryce Brentz

Bryce Brentz is an interesting player. He has a power bat, averaging 22 homers & 78 RBI over the past 3 seasons in the minors. Brentz had a setback last year when he injured his leg cleaning his gun. Just a weird accident. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State University & was drafted in 2010 by the Red Sox. Brentz is 6'0" & 190 pounds. A player of similar stature in size is Mike Napoli. Maybe Brentz will get a chance at OF/1B/DH whenever David Ortiz finally retires. Brentz is someone to keep track of for the future, or earlier if injuries occur. He is a part of a stacked Red Sox minor league system.

Twins 8, Sox 2

Nice performance yesterday by Anthony Ranaudo who pitched 2 strong innings. 2 hits for Mike Napoli. Bryce Brentz, one of the Sox only power hitters in the farm system, cracked a home run. And so start the games of spring. Everyone else in the lineup just got their normal work in. Sizemore, Pierzynski & Nava join in the fun today behind Allen Webster as the Sox & Twins go at it again. Like every year, the goal of spring training is no injuries. So, to that end, a good start.