A lot springs to mind
Time to dig deep in Florida
FORT MYERS — Spend enough time in Red Sox spring training watching clubhouse ping-pong games, sitting in the press box, driving down Daniels Parkway and occasionally glancing up to catch a pitch
RED SOX BEAT Michael Silverman
in a Grapefruit League game, and your mind starts to wander and you start to collect random objects, sights and sounds.
It’s time to de-clutter:
The beard game of the first four starters — Chris Sale, David Price, Rick Porcello and Drew Pomeranz — is he-man strong. Too soon to say if it’s going to reach 2013 facial hair proportions but they’re off to a nice start.
Alex Cora isn’t shy about saying when he’s not sure or doesn’t know. That’s a plus. He started bringing notes to the twicea-days with the media so he had the right answers to the bombardment of questions about pitching schedules and the like. Much appreciated.
The three young sons of Dustin Pedroia have been unable to watch their dad play any games this spring, but I don’t think they’re complaining. They’re his constant companions, sitting on his lap watching ping-pong games, raiding the bubblegum bin, picking up balls with him around the batting cage after BP, shagging fungoes in the main stadium while the team is on the road. Pedroia’s a doting, patient force with them, reinforcement for my long-held belief that in my next life, I could care less about being a major league ballplayer. I just want one for a dad.
I’m not the first to notice but the teaching skills of former infielder Cora will be tested in assembling above-average or perhaps average defense from the infield, at least until Pedroia returns. Hanley Ramirez is OK on a good day at first base, and second baseman Eduardo Nunez is not known for his range. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts is working on improving his footwork and throwing mechanics, as well as learning how to turn the pivot on double plays when the shift is on, a big change. And Rafael Devers also has room for growth in terms of some fundamentals and consistently getting to balls and making throws.
Based on head-nods to the beat of the betweeninnings PA music, I’d wager Dave Dombrowski is a Tom Petty fan. And he still likes “Sweet Caroline.” But I’m not staring, I swear.
The wait for a verdict from MLB in Steven Wright’s domestic-assault case makes for an awkward situation to say the least. The subject is off-limits for now, meanwhile we report on his progress from knee surgery.
Roenis Elias showed up in much better shape than last year.
Matt Barnes has no idea why his home and away splits were so vastly different last season. At home, he posted a 2.77 ERA and 1.077 WHIP, while on the road he was at 5.28 and 1.402. “I’ll try to switch it up this year,” he said. Two seasons ago, Barnes had a 9.15 ERA at home, 2.01 on the road.
There is a palpable difference in the way Eduardo Rodriguez interacts with his teammates. He’s much more affable and confident. It’s how good his knee feels, he admits, but it’s also worth remembering he’s only 24 years old. A lot is being asked of him.
From the side, when he stands in the batting circle with his bat on his shoulder, you can’t tell Sandy Leon apart from Kevin Youkilis.
Wish Michael Chavis hadn’t gotten hurt early in spring training. Was very curious to see how he’s apparently taken his offense to a new level.
It’s still somewhat startling to remember that the Red Sox have entrusted the highest payroll in baseball (approximately $230 million) to a new manager, new pitching coach and new hitting coach.
Four Red Sox media guide nuggets: 1. Assistant athletic trainer Jon Jochim was once athletic trainer for the Harlem Globetrotters. 2. Massage therapist Russel Nua massages horses and the polo players who ride them during the offseason in Palm Springs, California. 3. First base coach Tom Goodwin managed Tim Tebow. 4. Eduardo Nunez leads the team in last-name diacritical marks: an accent over the “u” and tilde over the “n.”
When one ping-pong player did not go after or even react to a tough, almost impossible return that was made, his doubles partner stopped to ask him why he didn’t try. And the response was “I didn’t think he was going to even get to that ball.” And his partner reminded him: “We are athletes — professional athletes. Always assume they’re going to get to the ball.”