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Coco may go to Japan

Email|Link|Comments (1) Posted by Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff March 17, 2008 01:00 PM

TAMPA - If Coco Crisp responds well to playing in a minor league game today, he might be making the trip to Japan after all.

Sox manager Terry Francona said that Crisp came into his office this morning and told him he was feeling much better. Crisp has been nursing a groin injury. If he responds, Crisp could be on the plane.

"We're just waiting to see how he'll be," Francona said in the Red Sox clubhouse during batting practice. "We're still waiting to see who's coming and who isn't. We'll have a better idea tomorrow."

In other news:

*Daisuke Matsuzaka arrived in Fort Myers this morning from Boston where he'd been with his wife Tomoyo, who gave birth to a boy. He threw a side session of 58 pitches. He's scheduled to pitch Game 1 of the season in Tokyo vs. the A's.

*Alex Rodriguez got the day off, but took part in pre-game. "I was looking forward to seeing Manny," said A-Rod. "He's having a great spring I hear. That's great. He's going to be able to hit until he's 45 years old."

* The Yankees were excited to see Andy Pettitte on the mound. Pettitte had been battling elbow soreness.

* Hank Steinbrenner was due at the game, though hadn't been seen as of a few minutes ago. He's been sparring with the Red Sox, recently with Jonathan Papelbon.

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1 comments so far...

I was struck over the weekend by all the focus on the incredibly long trip to Japan for the Sox and the burden and after effects it might place on them. Give me a break. This team will travel on a chartered plane, with I'm sure less than 200 people. they will be hydrated throughout and receive good food. They will be able to stretch out and relax, both going and returning. Yes, it's a long flight but they won't have to sit around airports wiating for hours to get the right connecting flights.

Now let's compare that with the typical traveler, incluidng myself, flying to Japan or other locations in that region. It's economy all the way. it's over 250 passengers squeezed into tiny spaces. It's lousy airplane food, and it's long, very long waits for connections. At the end of which we are also expected to be at the top of our game.

I don't begrudge the Sox their ability to have these conveniences. But let's not make it sound like they are going to the moon in a dump truck.

Posted by Paul Houlihan March 17, 08 05:56 PM