This just in … Brendan Donnelly’s dog, Snapper, ate his wife’s phone. (I can’t help it. In some respects a half German shepherd-half pit bull is just more interesting than most things in Fort Myers.) In other news, Julian Tavarez confirmed that Manny Ramirez told him yesterday that the slugger won’t be reporting until March [...]
And the winner is … Travis Hughes. With a time of 10:09, the 6-foot-5, 28-year-old out-ran the rest of the Red Sox pitchers in the group’s mandatory 1 1/2-mile run. Craig Breslow had the second-best time. It was strongly suggested that all participants finish the jaunt in 12 minutes or under. Let’s just say that [...]
Just a quick update: Daisuke Matsuzaka threw 40 pitches to Jason Varitek. He started warming up at 10:14 and pitched from 10:17-10:25. Pitching in the same group were the other four starters, Jonathan Papelbon, Josh Beckett, Curt Schilling, and Tim Wakefield, along with Japanese reliever Hideki Okajima, who threw alongside Matsuzaka. The group then went [...]
Besides the Japanese word that sounds like the Buckeye State and means “Good morning,” I picked up a couple key Japanese phrases thanks to catcher Alberto Castillo (who carried a list of 15 key phrases on a card and has played with pitchers Hideo Nomo, Keiichi Yabu, and Masato Yoshii). “Gambate” – Good morning“Nondai Naiyo” [...]
Starting tomorrow actual baseballs will be thrown by actual baseball players. Edison Avenue is alive with excitement … OK, I’m being a little dramatic. Seriously, there is something special about watching the public cheer every player’s move. And even better than that is watching the new players’ reaction to being cheered in such a usually [...]
Pitchers and catchers just got off the field after doing a conditioning test. This was new to the Red Sox, although strength and conditioning coach Dave Page said that the tests were something they did every year in Arizona. The tests that were administered on the field included:- Two timed 300-yard shuttle runs- 10-pound medicine [...]
I know there are some really good questions I haven’t got to, but will answer them all later today. Just wanted to give quick update on what Jason Varitek had to say. It should be noted that his conditioning is the best I’ve seen it (added a few pounds he said, although it looks to [...]
Wanted to answer some really impressive questions before I head down to Tim’s Magic Wok and wait for a Daisuke appearance. (Everybody wants to know, does Matsuzaka actually eat in the same place two nights in a row? It’s our job to find out.) By the way, before I get the questions, I have to [...]
Wily Mo Pena has agreed to a one-year contract with the Red Sox, making the trip of assistant general manager Jed Hoyer and Director of Baseball Operations Brian O’Halloran to sit in on a potential arbitration hearing unnecessary. Pena was asking for $2.2 million while the club was offering $1.725. It keeps Theo Epstein’s mark [...]
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 … [...]
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