A Good Friend is Gone

Well, our friend, Red Sox player, Curt Schilling has finally retired. He played 23 years as a pitcher for the Phillies, Diamondbacks, and Red Sox. He is currently 42 years old, and pitched last in 2007, after missing the '08 season with shoulder surgery. He was essential in both their '04 and '07 championships. He is an extremely clutch pitcher, as he made it to 4 World Series, and won 3 of them. the big question is "Will he make it to the Hall of Fame?" but I really don't know if he will. You need to get at least 75% of the votes to get into the Hall of Fame, which he may not be capable of doing. He is a great pitcher, but he only ever got 216 wins, and never threw a no-hitter (although he came very close in '07), he did throw 3 one-hitters. I think it is too bad he is retiring, he is a spectacular pitcher.

A Gain, a Release, and a Backup

The Red Sox have been going through catchers like nobody's business. First Varitek's contract expired at the end of the '08 season. Then they signed Josh Bard, and resigned Varitek. So now they have resigned Varitek, released Josh Bard, and called up George Kottaras. Kottaras will also do the job of catching Wakefield's knucklers. He will also back up Jason Varitek who is a great catcher but is getting older and will need a day off from time to time. Kottaras spent most of last year on AAA Pawtucket, then got called up to the MLB. I'm excited to see how he does in the new season!

5 More Years of Lester

The Red Sox have recently signed pitcher, Jon Lester to a 5-year contract. Last year, Lester was probably the 2nd best pitcher on the team after Daisuke Matsuzaka. He threw for a 3.21 ERA and a 16-6 record. He also threw a team-leading 33 starts. He went on a 7-0 streak, started by a no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals. 16-6 was also 3rd among AL lefties after Cliff Lee's Cy Young campain and Joe Saunder's breakout season. He also completely recovered from a form of cancer that also had Rocco Baldelli in July of 2007. Overall, I am very happy that they have resigned him, he is an ace pitcher in the making.

An Actual Battle?

I really see this as unnecassary, but Jed Lowrie and Julio Lugo are still competing for the starting shortstop job! I made a post about this earlier, but back then I though that Lowrie would still get the job. Now, I'm not sure, they have both gotten off to good starts in spring training however. The problem is that, every season he has played for them, Lugo has disappointed in defense and offense. Last year, Lowrie wasn't spectacular, but he was still a very good shortstop and wasn't that bad on offense. I do say that the job will eventually be solely Lowrie's.

Drew is Back and Healthy

J.D. Drew, the rightfielder for the Red Sox, is back and healthy after having a back injury. He now feels as he can be for his return. At the beginning of this week he flew back to Boston to get a cortisone shot. Yesterday, he played DH against the Marlins as they won 5-3, he went 1-2. Now he is trying to get it acroos that he is feeling fine agin and ready to play. If Drew is not healthy for the regular season, I expct that they will put Rocco Baldelli in right field until he is feeling better. As I have mentioned before, I think Rocco is perfectly capable to do the job.

Smoltz, Not Yet

Yesterday, Red Sox pitcher John Smoltz was supposed to start, but he was pushed back, again. He is very eager to be with the Red Sox, but he still can't bear to watch as everyone on the team gets to go out, but he's in the dugout. He says that when somebody is throwing on th mound, he wants to do it so bad. It's possible that our team isn't lettin ghim play becaus he was injured most of last season, but still, let the poor man play! This is also his 22nd season, and his first not on the Braves. Medics even said that his arm responded to surgery so well, and it's fine now. I hope he gets to play soon, and in the regular season, I like this guy.

Winning the Rematch!

Today when the Red Sox played the Twins for the second time this season, after losin gto them the first time, they won! Beckett and Papelbon debuted and did great, leading the Sox to a 2-1 victory! The highlights were when Dustin Pedroia hit a sacrifice fly and Kevin Youkilis got a solo home run. The Red Sox are now 2-3, and the Twins are 4-1! Beckett didn't even give up a hit over 2 innings, Wakefield gave up onne hit and one walk, and Jonathan papelbon threw a 1-2-3 inning in the fifth. It's March, a month closer to April 6th!

A Bad Start

Over the past few days, the Red Sox have not been playing very well. Here is their schedule so far:
vs. BC W 7-1
@ MIN L 5-2
vs. PIT L 3-2
@ TB L 12-4
vs. NEU W 14-0
vs. CIN W 16-5

Today they play the Twins again, hopefully they win this time. Their only wins have been against 2 colleges and the cincinatti Reds! If they don't get better than this is not good.