Spring Training 2007

Spring training is moving along and the Fenway faithful are migrating back and forth between their summer and winter homes. Everyone is here to see the 2007 version of the Boston Red Sox. With the addition of Dice K and J D Drew the Red Sox should be in contention to take home another World Series Ring. The day was warm and the players were all out and about the business of getting ready for the season.

Coco Crisp toys with Poppy and Manny as he ran circles around the two big men. Wally was shouting encouragement, but it wasn't going to matter. The field as always is in perfect shape. 330 down the lines, 385 to the power allies, and 410 to the screen in center field.

There were many Rockland people in attendance including former Fire Chief Kevin Henderson, who we must thank for making these two games possible. Arbo Machine Shop owner Aaron Onbashion made an appearance and Dick Dunham from my old neighborhood was a volunteer at the park.

Looking toward home plate from Henderson's Corner and Dick Flavin sitting in the BoSox Club members section.

Now for the reason we came!

Dice-K Matsuzaka

Dice-K got off to a good start in the first, but an error and 2 home runs, made this outing a little less than spectacular. Hordes of Japanese media followed him step for step everywhere he went. Hopefully the whole furor will die down and he will be left alone to play baseball. These are the times to iron out the kinks and DK will get together with the "boys up the middle" on who's getting the throw. When the coach went to the mound once to talk to him, everyone asked, "What can he be saying to him?" I told them the coach should have the basics taped to his arm like a NFL quarterback. He just look down and reads "How are you feeling?" in Japanese. Simple I think.

The "Captain" Jason Varitek waits for a fat one, and Manny spanks one into center field. Both of these key players seem in good shape and ready to play. Manny made a nice running catch going toward center field and had a walk to go with his hit.

The fans looking in from right field are hoping the one Alex Cora find it's way to them. Not this time ladies, as they watch the ball go foul. There isn't a bad seat in the place and the new seats in right are no exception. One warning to those who venture there, Those metal tables get extremely hot and you should place some sort of cover on it to protect yourself from both heat and glare. More coming on the Yankees.

All photos by Elmer