The frigid Fort
Feb 16th, 2007 by Rob Bradford
My optimistic nature got the better of me and I find myself waiting outside the Red Sox minor league facility in Fort Myers wearing flip-flops in 50-degree weather. Oh well. It gives the opportunity to find warmth next to my computer. Some early-day observations:
– Good to see Gabe Kapler sprint out to the field … as a coach. His smile couldn’t have been any bigger.
– Got a chance to talk to prospect Edgar Martinez. The catcher-turned-minor league closer is a really engaging guy, although having to deal with the loss of his father to heart attack during the Portland Sea Dogs’ playoffs last year is still weighing on him. Atinencio Martinez was only 50-years-old.
– Potential closer Joel Piniero went out and played catch with fellow newcomer J.C. Romero. Semi-useless information warning: Piniero attended nearby Edison Community College in 1997. He used to drop by and watch Twins and Red Sox spring training games. The school no longer has a baseball program.
– Alberto Castillo, one of the candidates for a backup catcher position, has caught a knuckleball. He caught for Jared Fernandez in the last two Dominican Winter League seasons, using a first-base glove during games.
– There’s something reassuring about driving up to the complex and knowing that at least one player hasn’t arrived. If the Japanese media are lining the sidewalks than Daisuke isn’t the house.
– Josh Beckett had a press conference. Nothing new to report.
– J.C. Romero’s ultimate goal is to open his own hair cutting place (complete with video games for the kids). He was the team’s official hair stylist with Minnesota. He also won’t blame his performance last year on the World Baseball Classic, but did want to compare notes with fellow WBC participant Mike Timlin.
– Daisuke Matsuzaka was seen last night eating at Tim’s Magic Wok. He also played catch today, wearing a red glove, in front of the usual throng of media onlookers. At last check, he is still a mere mortal.
– Terry Francona and Theo Epstein are speaking in about 30 minutes, will update.
Again, any questions please post and I’ll track them down as the day unfolds ..
9 reader comments to “The frigid Fort”
-
1Anonymous said:
Hey Rob Great Blog
Do you think any of the Red Sox rookies have a shot at rookie of the year this year? If not which AL prospects have a shot?
-
2Anonymous said:
Is J.C. Romero gay?
-
3Irv Arons said:
Rob, just to let you know, although the RSS feed wouldn’t work (I’ve told your technical people about it), the atom feed did — you’re now part of my My Yahoo page, alongside the Globe and Herald baseball blogs.
Keep up the good work.
Irv Arons
-
4debbie said:
I’ve been out of commission lately, did Curt Schilling get his 1 yr extension or not?
-
5Anonymous said:
Robbo,
Has there been any fallout from the Sox’ Hispanic players over the organization’s going all out for Matsuzaka? I’m referring to a giant Sunday piece by one of your competitors talking about the Dice-man’s perks, as well as the Sox business cards being printed in English and Japanese. Is anybody grumbling about why the Sox are only NOW deciding multiculturalism is “about respect” when the team has been multicultural for years? Any sense of resentment that, of course, the Sox would never officially cop to? -
6Anonymous said:
Robbo,
One last thing: Why are so many of the Sox’ young pitchers so tubby? I could understand Boomer — he’s always had a weight problem — and Schilling (his injury) last year. But it looks like many of the young pitchers are woefully out of shape — maybe not too fat to pitch and play baseball (it never stood in Babe Ruth’s way, after all), but are these guys living on KFC and all-you-can-eat buffets? -
7Anonymous said:
Great blog so far. Love the tidbits that wouldn’t normally make it into a non-feature story. Thanks for this.
And please tell JC Romero to take care of whatever the hell that is growing on Papelbon’s head. kthxbye.
-
8El Guapo's Ghost said:
Rob,
Is Edgar Martinez concentrating on one off speed pitch since he will/is a reliever? Last spring, he showed a good change. Thanks,
-
9newsgirl said:
The Sea Dogs didn’t forget about Edgar Martinez last year during the Eastern League championship series against the Akron Aeros. After Martinez had to go home when his father passed away, his fellow pitchers were clearly thinking of him: a Martinez team jersey was hanging near the door to the dugout (most of it is enclosed now since the Sea Dogs built the new right field seats last spring) so that the crowd in the stands and players on the field could see the tribute.
