Oh boy oh boy oh boy! At ten past four o'clock today, (Eastern Daylight Time) the Boston Red Sox take on the Kansas City Royals to start their 2007 season!
Curt Schilling is pitching against Gil Meche, who I've never heard of, other than the fact that he got $55 million this year for five seasons, making him the most expensive player in Kansas City history. Fifty-five million, awww, that's so quaint.
I think there are two or three Sox players who don't make that much.
No, I'm kidding - money doesn't buy sucess, just look at the Yankees. And hey, Kevin Youkilis and Jonathan Papelbon both get paid squat, and they're fantastic.
But all is not solid in Red Sox land, especially the outfield. From right to left we have "Not-Trot" Drew, Coco "So-many-jokes-to-make, but-I'm-going-to-center-on-the-fact-that-he's-not-Jacoby-Ellsbury" Crisp, and Manny "Just-being-Manny" RamÃrez.
Yikes.
Also sketchy? The Sox are starting their 13th different opening-day second baseman in 14 years - Dustin Pedroia.
But that's not the only position in which Boston has played musical chairs. Julio Lugo replaces Alex Gonzalez at shortstop this year. Gonzalez had replaced Edgar Renteria, Renteria replaced Orlando Cabrera, and Cabrera replaced ... hmm, what's his name? Something like Nomar?
And while it seems like a lifetime ago, Nomar only left us two and a half seasons ago, in July of 2004.
Other than those few shakey details, things are the same. Mike Lowell at third, Jason Varitek catching, and, of course, David Ortiz as the designated hitter.
Man, I love this game. |
