20 replies to this topic

[Mike F]

2/16/08

The day was hot (about 72 with a 10mph breeze when we arrived at the facility)and the sky was blue as the Amigos trekked over to field number two.
The pitchers and catchers came out to a small but enthusiastic crowd and did the usual
stretching and loosening exercises. They then did dome light tossing and some long tossing before breaking into groups. Essentially the starters (less G38) went to the back of the workout area where the 6 practice mounds are located. Starters threw today and the relievers will throw tomorrow with the starters back in harness on Monday. It appears that they will all have 3 sessions or more before throwing live BP.

The relievers were broken into groups of 6-7 and did the ST routines on different fields.
-fielding balls hit back at them and tossing to 1st
-fielding bunts on both sides of the plate and throwing to 1st or 3rd base as dictated by the coach. Interestingly, Luis Alicea was running this exercise and would more than occasionally “bunt (toss)” a ball right on the line. The pitchers were pretty good about
either picking up the fair balls or waiting for it to go foul and grabbing it.
-mock throwing a pitch and having to cover 1st on a ball hit to the right side.
All pretty routine as those who were watching NESN live coverage can attest.

It was very different from the 1st day lat year when the Dice-K mania was in force and there was a huge crowd, 6 and 7 deep on the fence around whatever field Dice was working out.

All the guys looked to be in good shape, unlike the Beckett picture I that understand was in one of the Boston area papers. Both Hansen and Masterson look really big, not buffed or fat, just tall, broad shouldered and big. I am anxious to watch them throw. Lester also looks as if he put on a little muscle. No idea of how hard he’s throwing but I’ll bet by the end of March he’ll be a couple-three mph faster than last fall.

Oh, there was a Youk sighting this morning. The beard is back

Oki had spent over ½ hour signing when we left. He and Dice seem much more “at home” this spring.

Tomorrow there’s a local bridge tournament so Dave and Cheri will have to tell you about the day. We’ll all be back together Monday.

<>
We have enough youth.
How about a fountain of "smart"?

[Clemente38]

I spent the morning watching the NESN Spring Training Report but I realized I was looking for the 3 amigos more than I was listening to TC or CHB or Gordie. No sighting of you guys, as you must have been hard at work checking out the Ps & Cs and not looking to get your mugs on TV.

Now Spring Training has officially begun. Mike F. and the gang are in place, and we will all be waiting for the threads to develop. Now if you could do something about melting the 3 inches of solid ice in my driveway, I'll be more willing to believe that it will once again be warm up here.

Thanks to all for keeping us informed of the process and progress of ST and good to hear that Josh looked good to you. I must say that Julian looked like crap as he ran with the other pitchers. I stopped watching once they lapped him.

[ToeKneeArmAss]

Mike F is back. I am alive again.

Thank you my brother - no other harbinger of spring has been so awaited, nor so warmly welcomed.

[Skiponzo]

And so it begins anew.

God I love baseball!

Thanks Mike.

Edited by Skiponzo, 16 February 2008 - 11:37 PM.

[kartvelo]

Amen, brothers and sisters.

[saintnick912]

Noticed the Youk beard at the Celtics game last Sunday. He was at the "famous person" table behind the one basket, and they kept cutting to him to get the crowd reaction.

At one point they cut to another bald guy with a similar goatee, then back to Youks who tugged on his to prove it's real, back to the guy who tugged on his to prove it's real, back to Youks who pulled his shirt down a smidge to show the rug on his chest, and back to the guy who then conceded the contest.

Hopefully Dice-K settles down this year with the media circus lessened.

[NJ Fan]

Like the swallows of Capistrano...

Welcome back Mike and welcome to the 2007 WS Champs.

[BoSoxLady]

Here's a few pix from Day 1 of spring training.

[amh03]

Ah...now Spring has truly arrived...it's just not there yet until the first report is in from Mike F & accompanying pics from Cheri. Thank you both!!

Edited by amh03, 17 February 2008 - 08:17 AM.

[bosoxgrl]

Lovely - the harbingers of spring - we love you guys! And we are so jealous!

[Robinson Checo]

Thanks Cheri and Mike F! I look forward to your reports every year. Sentimental fool.

[Frisbetarian]

Cheri's picture of Beckett above does not make me feel any better than the Herald picture. Would any of our Florida contingent care to comment on what looks like a much heavier (flabby midsection) ace?

When your body can allow you to make tens of millions of dollars, why would you ever let yourself get visibly out of shape?

[4-6-3]

Wow - pictures can be deceiving but Beckett looks like he was as active as the front office this off season.

[sodenj5]

I think everyone's is overreacting to the Beckett thing. Should he be in top shape to start the season, absolutely. It looks like he put on maybe 15-20 pounds. It's not like this is irreversible. I think on NESN they said he started working out in December. I'd say by the end of Spring Training, which is a full month and a half, most of that weight is gone.

I can't wait until Beckett gets his first loss and people start clamoring about how he should have came into camp in better shape, how he shouldn't have gone to Japan, and how the sky is falling and the season is a waste.

[JohnMal]

Great pics! Great to hear from you guys.
Opening day Mojitos all around!

[amarshal2]

Beckett looks the same as he did last year. I don't remember our ace ever having washboard abs as a member of the Sox. They showed him on TV during the work-out yesterday and he had that exact same compact wind-up and delivery as he did all of last year. I'd be shocked if his arm and legs weren't in great shape to take on the full season. Remember that speech he gave to Buchholz last year about the importance of getting your arm in top shape over the off-season? This guy will be ready to go.

Edited by amarshal2, 17 February 2008 - 01:12 PM.

[sittingstill]

Beckett looks the same as he did last year.

Agreed. Photos from March 5, March 7 and March 8 bear out that he came into last year with a bit of a belly, too.

And I've been waiting for this first thread of photos and reports. Thanks!

[ookami7m]

ahh...... springtime is in the air. Keep em coming!

[TallManinOregon]

Truck Day...
Reporting Day...
Mike F.'s journal...
BoSoxLady's pics...

The Four Spring Sacraments are in place... bless all you Floridians and travellers!

[BoSoxLady]

Don't be deceived by the Herald photo or mine, for that matter. Josh Beckett appears to have gained perhaps 5-10 lbs during the off-season. The wind shirt the players wear during the workouts tends to make everyone look heavy. Beckett isn't in tip-top shape, but he's moving around very well and will no doubt be in great shape when the season begins. This is why there's six weeks of spring training.

[Lucen]

Mike F is back. I am alive again.

Thank you my brother - no other harbinger of spring has been so awaited, nor so warmly welcomed.

Can't say it better. Been a couple of days since I've been able to really dig through the forums and seeing this thread really brightened my day.