7 posts tagged “baseball”
Opening day was fun but we (Sox fans) know the baseball gods will come back and bite you.
Matsuzaka had a good game. Hernandez had an awesome one spoiled by a hit from Drew. Talk about the Drew hit. Take a deep breath. It's only the first week.
Monday was the only training season day off for the Sox, so last night I took a look at some stats and read some columns ...
One of the nice things about this year, so far, has been non-roster invitee Joe McEwing. Here is a guy who is a real utility player. He can play infield or outfield, just ask the Mets. So far this preseason, in 30 ABs, he's got an OBP of .382, a SLG % of .368 and a .333 batting average. He's not a kid and I doubt there's a big batting average there for the regular season. However, I think it would be nice to have his glove on the bench. Now, what do ya think Hinske cost?
Standing in line at the pharmacy last week I browsed through their video bin. Laying among the "straight to video" DVDs was Field of Dreams, Anniversary Edition for $9.99. I've wanted my own copy for years and ten bucks was kinda painless.
You know, I still get pulled into this movie and in a dark, silent, room belief is suspended - except for one scene. Can you really believe Costner and James Earl Jones having a conversation in front of a Fenway frank and beer stall without getting asked to move along AND with three guys waiting to serve 'em? Total fiction, I say.
It's still a very good film and the bonus features were OK. I will dig up the book Shoeless Joe before regular season starts.
Well, I'm back from Montreal. It was a quick but lovely trip. Money was no object as there really wasn't any money to spend but that's OK.
First stop was the Biodome - not to be confused, although it always is, with the Biosphere. The Biodome is located in the old Olympic Velodrome beside the Olympic stadium. It is, of course, right on the Metro.
There are several ecosystems to enjoy. We started with the Tropical Forest. After the incredibly cold weather outside this was a welcome shock to the system. The birds and plants are easy to see and as one allows the eyes to scan about for creatures you soon begin to feel you are really in their environment.
This was followed by the Laurentian Forest which is actually the local wild habitat. This is more interesting than I thought it would be and I can't believe a saw a Lynx even if it was behind a screen. It was so close and it's fur is incredible.
We then moved into the St. Lawrence Marine Ecosystem. Wow. One can begin to appreciate rains and little streams flowing into rivers that, in turn, flow into the mighty St. Lawrence which itself meets the Atlantic Ocean. The interrelationship between the different animals seems so obvious when they are observed up close and thousands of square kilometers of nature are compressed into just a few square meters.
The last section puts the Arctic and Antarctic environments beside each other. Here the many varities of Penguins 'steal the show'.
The Biodome is fun for families and just fine for the lone visitor. It's a jewel. If you're thinking of going, there is a shuttle bus between the Biodome, the Insectarium and the Botanical Gardens.
After this it was time for something completely different. Located by the Place des Arts Metro is the Musee d'art contemporain de Montréal. Here we saw kinetic works by Jean-Pierre Gauthier, amazing paper 'assemblies' by Jérôme Fortin and an installation work called Tree House Kit by Guy Ben-Ner. Also on general view were recent additions to the museum's collection.
After this a break was taken followed by an early supper, certainly by Montreal standards, of Japanese food on de la Montagne - no poutine or smoked meat - and an early return to the hotel.
The next morning was window shopping on Ste Catherine although I did allow myself a small purchase. I went into HMV and picked up Beethoven, The Piano Sonatas, by Vladimir Ashkenazy. That's 32 sonatas for thirty dollars which is quite the deal, I hope. I'm not really familiar with Ashkenazy with the exception of his recording of Musorgski's Pictures at an Exhibition.
After lunch it was time to return home which was done by train. I believe a good time was had by all. It's still sad, however, to be at the Olympic Stadium and know the Expos will never play again - you see I can sneak baseball into anything.
Man, I miss Montreal.
Call it Spring fever ...
In the spirit of Manny showing up early for training camp I offer you some thoughts on the '07 starting lineup.
Catcher: Varitek and Mirabelli. Varitek is a team leader. Let's hope he stays healthy. Mirabelli will remain Wakefield's catcher. Kottaras I've seen in the minors but don't remember.
First base: This is, of course, Kevin Youkilis and speculation is Hinske could back him up.
Second base: Pedroia would seem to be the choice but I'm already missing Loretta and that says something. After the closer position this is the biggest question mark in the lineup.
Third base: Lowell. He was named named the Defensive Player of the Year in MLB.com's fifth annual This Year in Baseball Awards but no Golden Glove - yet.
Shortstop: Julio Lugo who will probably serve as lead off batter.
Right field: Drew. What is it about this position? Just like Nixon, it will be "if he can stay healthy..."
Center field: Crisp. Health could be an issue here, too.
Left field: Ramirez. 'nuff said!
DH: Ortiz. Take that!
Bench: Cora, Pena, Hinske. It only looks OK. Yes, I'm a pessimist.
It's -26C, -15F, outside but the sky is blue and the sun is bright. My mind has drifted to a warmer place - Spring Training.
Here are the important upcoming dates!
| Pitchers and catchers report | Friday, February 16 | |
| Pitchers and catchers first official workout | Saturday, February 18 | |
| Position players report | Tuesday, February 20 | |
| First official full-squad workout | Wednesday, February 22 | |
| First spring training game | Wednesday, February 28 | |
| Final spring training game | Thursday, March 29 |
Do I have this thing bad? Somebody recently had the nerve to ask me what Dom D.'s number was and I knew that but couldn't recall if anyone had it during the war years. I am not worthy ...
Well, It's snowing here and the skiers are in heaven. For baseball fans the good news is that Spring Training starts March 1st.
The Red Sox open up with a split side day. One squad meets the Jays and the second game sees NEU (whoever that is) coming to the Sox' Fort Meyers park. You can find a schedule here. Tickets on the grass are $12. Who wants to stand for ten bucks? Prices go up from there.
