Spring Game 16 Recap/Spring Game 17 Preview

The Red Sox won a rain-shortened affair on Friday over Baltimore 7-4. Manny Ramirez and J.D. Drew each homered in the early innings and the Sox pitching made it stand up. Ramirez’ homer was an absolute missile streaking out of City of Palms Park while Drew’s was a high towering drive that seemed to keep going of its own volition.

On the mound the Sox saw Jonathan Papelbon turn in another dominating outing as he continues to look strong. Daisuke Matsuzaka on the other hand did not impress. His numbers were solid but his overall performance seemed less so. I cannot put a finger on it but there was simply something about his performance that left me underwhelmed.

Manny’s hair/helmet combo almost came into play again today on a ball hit by Lowell. Fortunately Manny beat the play but still…I don’t really care if Manny wants his hair in dreadlocks then whirled into a beehive that stands four feet above his head. It affects the team when he slows down to keep his helmet on his head or his helmet hits his legs and slows him down. Terry Francona needs to have a chat with Manny because it could cost the Sox a game.

Today also marked the return of Carl Beane to the PA booth. After many years of the great Sherm Feller in the booth the Sox got some mixed reviews to Leslie Sterling and Ed Brickley. Since Carl Beane took over he has done an outstanding job. His style is enthusiastic without being over-the-top and his “thank you” after announcing the visiting base coaches is a nice homage to Feller’s legacy.

Good: Alex Cora had a good day with a couple of hits and three RBI

Bad: In the 3rd inning Ortiz attempted to time a Jon Leicester pitch and steal a base. What he did was take off too early and it was a simple matter for Leicester to step off and make a true throw to second base for the easy out.

Ugly: Everyone involved should be grateful that Manny Delcarmen was not seriously injured slipping on the mound. It was absolutely pouring at the game, a driving, cold rain coming down in big drops and they had no business playing the seventh inning.

Fragile Freddy Tip O’ The Cap: J.D. Drew with two walks and a homer. I remain hopeful that 2008 will be a resurgent year for Drew.
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Spring Games - 17

Opponents: Cincinnati Reds

Park: City of Palms Park

Pitchers: Jon Lester (0-0, 5.63) vs. Homer Bailey

Other Pitchers: Bryan Corey, David Aardsma, Javier Lopez

Stat of the Day: Lester has a team best 5.33/1 Ground Out to Air Out ratio this Spring.

Randomness: This is a little thing but it bothers me. I’m a classic bleeding heart liberal and have never been accused of being any sort rabid patriot. That said the Star Spangled Banner is the National Anthem of the greatest country in the world. Every day brave men and women risk their lives defending the values espoused in the song and what it represents.

That’s why it pisses me off, absolutely infuriates me, when some idiot like the woman today sings the National Anthem. Not only could she not sing at all but she dressed in this sequined denim jacket with a flag “bedazzled” onto it. It was not at all about the song but all about calling attention to her.

Add to that these drunken boobs who feel the need to scream “OH!” as the final verse of the song begins and I find myself furious. If the teams aren’t going to take it seriously when they hire someone to sing the song, why should I waste my time standing for the Anthem, let’s just have the ump yell “Play Ball” and get on with it. It would be better for everyone if they just played a taped version of the music and let the several thousand people sing along as they always do in that situation. It would be much more heartfelt and meaningful.