This evening, at 5:15 p.m., Johnny Damon will step into the left-handed batter's box of Tropicana Park in Tampa Bay, Fl. As he digs his cleats into the chalk-outlined dirt in anticipation of the season's first pitch, it will be that very moment that I will fully realize what I've suspected for a long time: this is the year of the Sox!
After the first turn through a potent lineup that will begin with Damon, Todd Walker, Nomar Garciaparra and Manny Ramirez, Boston's ace Pedro Martinez will take the hill in the bottom of the first. Pedro has looked particularly sensational this spring and is healthier than ever. Oh, the excitement for the year!
Sox fans have been saying "wait 'til next year" since they last won the World Series in 1918. As this is "next year" after last year's annual second-half collapse,so it clearly is the year.
What makes following the Sox so entertaining -- besides the anticipation for the impending Series title -- is that there is no greater source for off-field intrigue. The following anecdotes from this year's spring training are undeniably true. I only wish I were making it up. So it goes.
First, I will begin with the truly ridiculous. Yes, of course I'm talking about Manny Ramirez. This year Manny decided to dedicate himself entirely to his hitting and has done spectacularly, batting .490 with five home runs in 19 games. But he also took a vow of silence. He now refuses to speak with the media. Nothing like a surly personality to improve relations. I guess I should point out that Manny has spoken to one reporter -- a young Mexican journalist who just-so-happened to be the runner-up in the 2001 Miss Mexico pageant. Bueno, Manny ... bueno.
Casey "Bartolo" Fossum certainly has gained plenty of media attention this spring. Fossum is the organization's brightest pitching prospect and he impressed in limited action last season. He sprang to the limelight this offseason when Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein's refused to trade him for either Kevin Millwood or his nickname's namesake, Bartolo Colon. Many Sox fans were indignant at Epstein's decision to hold onto the prospect at the cost of a proven starter. How has Fossum responded to this undue pressure? By pitching wretchedly. He went 1-3 in the Grapefruit League with an 11.94 ERA, allowing 27 hits in 17.1 innings and even recording Boston's only balk of the spring. Sounds like a solid No. 4 starter to me ...
Also, the Sox let closer Ugeth Urbina go without replacing with someone proven, opting instead to go to a bullpen by committee -- a great idea in theory that I feel has little-to-no chance of actually working. I'm too angered and distraught to pursue this one further.
One of the bigger ordeals that sent ripples -- ripples, not waves -- through Red Sox camp was the acquisition of former Florida first baseman Kevin "The Franchise" Millar, who was ripped from the claws of Japan's Chunichi Dragons. I can't tell you how many times I looked at last year's Red Sox squad and thought to myself, "We're just Kevin Millar away from winning the World Series." And the Sox went to great lengths to get him. I mean, what the Red Sox are always in need of is a decent-hitting, average-fielding, slow-footed first basemen/designated hitter. Look at recent history: Brian Daubach, Tony Clark and this year's other signings, David Ortiz and Jeremy "Dom" Giambi. You can just never have too many of these guys.
This is especially the case since the Sox won't be treated to the services of first-baseman/catcher Dave Nilsson, who opted to retire to Australia rather than join Boston in spring training. It's not the best of days when guys would prefer to stop playing the game they love and leave the country than play for the Red Sox.
Someone else who might figure into the first-base/DH mix is last year's third-baseman, Shea Hillenbrand. How would you feel if you were Shea? Last year, he enjoyed a breakout season as the Sox full-time starting third baseman. He batted .293 with 18 HRs and 93 RBIs and even started in the All-Star game. The following offseason, however, management does everything in its power to remove you from the team, doing everything from widely publicizing his availability and linking his name in every trade rumor up to, and including, signing your eventual replacement in former Cub and Giant third-bagger, Bill Mueller. Wow, Shea, talk about management's utter lack of confidence in your ability to continue at such a high level.
Shea, by the way, batted .448 this spring.
Another recurring Red Sox disaster has been Pedro Martinez's arrival to spring training. He's always late -- often by several days. It reached the point of absurdity one year when his excuse was his need to stay in the Dominican Republic to celebrate his father's birthday. This might have been a reasonable excuse had his brother and teammate at the time, Ramon, not dutifully reported to camp on time without mention of any their father's birthday. Can't you just see Pedro as a child, telling his teacher how his dog ate his homework? Even if the Martinez family doesn't own a dog?
Regardless, imagine my surprise when Pedro came on time this year! Naturally, though, there is a definite hitch, as Pedro has made it abundantly clear that the Sox need to pick up his $17.5 million option for 2004 by Opening Day (i.e. this evening, 5:15 p.m.) because he will not negotiate during the season. The new, stingier Sox owners and general manager, however, are not likely to accept his demand, especially not now, and I can pessimistically see Pedro leaving. And becoming a Yankee next season. Cold shivers just ran down my spine.
Finally, the Sox may have lost out on acquiring Colon and Cuban star Jose Contreras but did beat out the Yankees for the ace of the Cuban junior national team, 18 year-old Gary Galvez. I think this is a clear omen of what's to come -- this could be el año!
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