Life in Fort Myers
There's not a ton going on this afternoon at the minor league complex, so I thought I'd bring you a little bit of life at spring training. Josh Beckett did, in fact, speak today. I let Dan Shaughnessy, who is columnizing on the experience for tomorrow's paper, handle the press conference, so you'll have to turn to the paper for his comments.
Other than that, yours truly (along with all the other media members) have been at the ballpark for quite some time. While many of you readers were setting out coffee, bagels and lox, and opening the Sunday paper (people still do that, right?), we arrived here at around 7:30 a.m. this morning. The clubhouse is open between 8 and 9 a.m., before the players head out to the fields for their workouts.
This morning Dustin Pedroia and Manny Delcarmen drew some reporters. Delcarmen is sporting a shaved head look. Pedroia mentioned -- in jest, I think -- that he might use his Rookie of the Year award as some sort of doorstop.
"That's just something that sportswriters voted on," he said. "I don't think I was the best rookie. I didn't really think about it. The only thing I knew is I got an opportunity to play in the World Series and we won. That's what our goal was all year. The whole Rookie of the Year thing, I'm not really concerned about. In fact I might put a little holster on it, hold up my garage door."
I spent some time after that talking to Chris Carter, the player to be named later in the Wily Mo Pena deal. Though much has been reported about his lack of fielding prowess, Carter wants people not to judge him quite yet. We'll see. I watched him take ground balls yesterday at first, as part of the PFPs (pitchers' fielding practice), and he didn't look too bad. Small sample size, though. Carter has been coming in at 5 a.m., or sometimes earlier, to get in double sessions in the field. He actually happened to go to high school a couple of hours from Pedroia, and they played together both in high school and college. Carter was also a teammate of Jed Lowrie's at Stanford, in fact.
There may be some exciting announcements in this blog space in the coming days. I make no promises, but keep clicking. We'll be here for you. (Just in case this causes confusion, these are about blog content, not about Red Sox-related moves. I'm not predicting a trade or anything. You just might find an interesting feature or two here. Sorry for any anxiety this has caused.)
And, if you would like some questions answered, feel free to leave them in the comments section of the blog or in my inbox. We'll try to take care of them.
Can you list some on the players who might be on the Portland Sea Dogs roster this year and some of the players who are projected to be on the Paw Sox roster this year. Also, are their any rumors on who the Sox are looking for in exchange for Coco, if he is out there on the trading market. Thank you.
At what time to the players start working out (for someone who plans to come down on Friday, that is)? Where are the best spots to watch from? To get autographs? To take pictures?
Also, what's the latest on Schilling? What's he doing in terms of working with his arm?
Thanks!
I would love to know more about how Clay Bucholtz and Jon Lester are doing, because without them having a decent year, I cannot see the rotation holding up without Schilling. Lastly, although he is not at camp yet, does anyone know Coco's thoughts about him being in trade talks and having Ellsbury sneaking up behind him. Just a couple basic questions.
My girlfriend keeps asking me if you guys are going to have another feature with the clubhouse manager's bulldog again this year.... any plans?
As for my question: Are there any other catchers, besides 'Belli, getting some one-on-one time with Wakefield to get used to the knuckler?
I am interested in knowing who the Sox got for Pineria, who went to the Cardinals.
How do all you hard working, early rising reporters find the energy to be on the job at 7:30. Wow.
Will the Red Sox release a game schedule for the minor league games when those start for those fans who are interested in watching the up-and-comers?
Weather comments no problem. It was a lovely 75 here in Texas with a cool almost uncomfortable northerly breeze blowing. Still, it is nice to enjoy the cool weather before the nasty three digit stuff arrives. We have about two more months of good weather before the unruly stuff sets in for its six month stay. That is what is always nice about about the end of the series, the bad weather is pretty much behind us. (not to mention basketball season is here along with hockey--that odd shaped ball sport is only a time killer between symmetrical ball sports)
Hey, I grew up in Maine so I know cold and nasty when I see it, but it still can be dealt with. Three digit heat has only one refuge, AC.
But Amalie! There are so many of us who no longer read anything Shaughnessy writes. It would be helpful if you could cover the same ground and provide information we could trust.
the Globe staff (at least the ones who cover the Sox) never answer anybody's questions... don't even bother.
Oh and to Henry Gray, most of New England missed out on the news regarding who the Sox got in return for Joel Piniero.... They got a Double-A outfielder, Sean Danielson. He'll probably play in Portland for the Sea Dogs this season.
now stealing from rotoworld.com (much better place for minor league info)
"Danielson, who turned 25 in August, hit .291/.370/.384 with a 41/38 K/BB ratio in 320 at-bats for Double-A Springfield last season. He's a fifth outfielder at best."
your best bet when you have questions regarding the Sox is to just ask other fans... the Sox globe staff never responds to inquiries...
How do you put up with Shaughnessy?
My sympathies
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