Anytime a New Englander goes to see a Red Sox game, it’s special for them. So, being a Massachusetts resident and journalist, I was especially excited to interview the players I’ve spent the past ten years watching every season.
Wednesday, after nearly a two and a half hour drive to Fort Myers, Glenn and I arrived to find the Sox taking some BP before their game against the Mets.
The Red Sox take turns batting and keep the atmosphere relaxed.
The Sox made a big edition to the pitching staff in Daisuke Matsuzaka and we were eager to find out how catcher Jason Veritek was crossing the language barrier with the Japanese pitcher.
V-tek has a drink after some fielding practice.
The solution, Varitek says, is using sign language to communicate, but the system isn't perfect yet. The captain also noted that defensive consistency and solid pitching will help the Sox get back to the playoffs.
Of course, it would be hard for the Sox to reach the playoffs without the offensive power and production from DH David Ortiz. We caught up with Big Papi after he finished his BP.
#34 will have to hit like he did last season to help power the Sox through 2007.
Despite the Sox reliance on Ortiz’s hitting, the big man doesn’t feel any extra pressure to produce run support for Matsuzaka. Why? He's got Manny Ramirez hitting behind him.
Sox fans can look forward to the dynamic hitting duo of Ramirez and Ortiz again this season.
Manny will be joined in the outfield once again by center fielder Coco Crisp. Crisp missed a large chunk of last season because of a dislocated finger that needed surgery, but this season he says he’s ready to go.
Crisp’s presence in center will bring consistency to the Sox outfield, which changed frequently last season.
The difference this season in the outfield is J.D. Drew. The Sox picked him up in the off-season and Crisp says that they already have a good working relationship on the field. Drew’s bat will also contribute to the Sox overall offensive power.
Drew goes full swing.
The Sox got the victory over the Mets 9-5 with a walk off grand slam by non-roster invitee Ed Rogers. Manny also picked up his first hit of Spring Training. RBIs for the Sox came from Rogers, Ramirez, Crisp and Mike Lowell.
-Cynthia Johnson
WEBN Sports Staff
CLICK HERE to see our Spring Training 2007 photo gallery
| |||||
