Stuff I'm Thinking About

A few things I’ve been thinking about lately, as pitchers and catchers are only a month away from reporting.

HOLY CRAP! Our very own Boston Red Sox manager will be the AL manager of the All-Star game this year!

Speaking of Mr. Francona, I don’t think he was given enough credit for handling some of the sticky situations some of his players (Pedro) put him in last season. He came into a situation where some players (Pedro) were already used to getting their way on certain things, had been for years, and were not willing to change. That has to be tough to deal with. This year, he can come into spring training without having to worry about dealing with that kind of crap, because now someone else (Willie Randolph) has to deal with it. Good for him.

I watched D-Lowe put on the Dodgers uniform this week and I realized that of all the players that didn’t come back, he’s the one I’ll probably miss the most.

He may not have been the most consistent pitcher, but he was certainly one of the most durable. I cannot recall this guy going on the DL. With the exception of those blisters that would crop up and force him out of a game occasionally, I don’t ever remember him being hurt.

His inconsistency drove me insane, but this guy was out there on the mound every fifth day as a starter and whenever we needed him as a closer. Unlike some other pitchers (Pedro), he always talked to the media, even when he was not going well or just downright sucked. He was a great clubhouse guy, and also unlike some other pitchers (Pedro), he said all the right things on his way out.

Oh yeah, and no more Trinka Lowe (his wife) either. That’s one name I’m going to miss.

With the exception of a few innings for the Mariners in “97”, he spent the rest of his 8 year ML career in Boston. It’s a little sad to me that he won’t be here anymore.

Wade Miller is going to be the difference maker for us this season. If this guy can get healthy, he easily replaces Pedro’s “04” numbers. Let’s hope that happens.

Kevin Millar is getting a bum rep for his defense at first base. He’s not a bad fielder; he’s just no Minky. He will be fine at first base and it won’t hurt our defense enough to make any kind of significant difference. Assuming he’s the one who stays, which is looking more and more likely.

Ian Brown makes an interesting suggestion on RedSox.com. If all 6 starters are healthy and ready to go, someone has to go to the pen. Bronson Arroyo could be very effective as a set up man (we really don’t need a long man now that we have Halama). He could help take the load off of Timlin and Embree, particularly if Mantei isn’t ready. I really like this idea; the only problem with it is that his new contract has a bunch of incentives in it involving innings pitched. They would obviously have to work something out there, assuming they’re even interested in trying it.

It’s kind of sad that guys like D-Lowe, Kapler, Cabrera, and Roberts won’t be on-hand at Fenway for Opening Day to get their rings, their standing O’s, and their turns to take their bows. Cabrera’s the only one that will be coming back to Fenway at all this season when his Angels come to town. Hopefully, someday before they’re done playing, the others will get back here. You just know that Dave Roberts will get a standing O for every at bat he ever has at Fenway for the rest of his career. Hopefully there’ll be at least a few.

Speaking of the Pats (well, I wasn’t, but I needed a way to bring them into this), here is my prediction for Sunday. I don’t care what the experts say, or how much more they know than me, I’m going with my gut.

I’m now convinced that Belichick is the greatest coach this game has ever seen. He, along with Crennel, Weis, and the rest, will be better prepared than Cower and his staff. They’ll have all the answers.

Brady will do what he always does, which basically is, lead the team to victory. Dillon won’t pickup the kind of yardage he did against the Colts, but he’ll be effective enough.

The defense, as always, will be all over the field, completely flustering the rookie and forcing all kinds of mistakes. Here’s a great quote from Jim McCabe in today’s Globe, which I think sums it up nicely:

“Look again, Ben, there are 14 defenders on the field for the Patriots. Make that 15. Or is it 16? They're everywhere. Nowhere is safe. You'll never understand how it happened. Pick: Patriots.”

I love that, because I think that’s exactly how it will go.

I know Pittsburgh has the best defense in the league and they will be very tough on our offense, but they will not be able to force Brady into mistakes like OUR defense will be able to do with Roethlisberger. Our defense forces at least 3 turnovers (at least one interception and 1 fumble as he gets hit by Big Ben) and scores at least one touchdown, which ends up being the difference in the game.