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Baseball Today: Tuesday, April 10

The local world of baseball in two minutes . . .

TO DREAM: Today officially begins the season-long celebration of the 1967 Impossible Dream Red Sox. More than 20 members of that unforgettable team -- where, though, is George Scott? -- will be part of the Opening Day ceremonies, and, according to today's story by Joe McDonald, there are at least two more events planned with the '67 team this year.

It must be difficult -- nigh, impossible -- for people under the age of 45 or so to understand the mystical grip this team still holds on a certain segment of the population. I've tried to explain it (you can read said explanation in the first link above); so, too, has Carl Yastrzemski. (Boston Globe). Maybe you get it, maybe you don't. Maybe it's not necessary to get it. Look at the pictures (the result of yeoman-like work by Journal employee and Sox fanatic Denise Bass), read the personal remembrances from people such as M. Charles Bakst, listen to the stories from people like the Herald's Steve Buckley (Boston Herald). Pretty soon we'll have some audio from '67 for you to listen to (and maybe even some video). Take it all in.

And just remember: What we have around here today is the direct result of that magical season 40 years ago.

Now, back to the present . . .

ON THE MEND: Pedro Martinez' recovery from shoulder surgery is progressing better than anyone dared hope, according to Fox Sports. (foxsports.com)

IF YOU SAY SO, SCOTT: In that same notes column, Scott Boras channels Kevin Bacon -- "Be calm! All is well!" -- when addressing Jason Varitek's two-year offensive meltdown.

LOCAL BOY MAKES GOOD: To most of the baseball world, the news is Brad Lidge is out as Astros closer. But around here, the news is Dan Wheeler is in. (Houston Chronicle)

EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN: Think this pitch-count business is something new? Think again. (Detroit Free Press)

(Milt Pappas is 67 years old?? Seems like yesterday -- to me, anyway -- he was being traded for Frank Robinson.)

MORE WORRIES IN THE SOUTH BRONX: The angst in Yankee Nation over their horrific starting pitching eased a bit last night -- Carl Pavano, savior! -- but Steven Goldman writes in the New York Sun that the Yanks have bigger issues than mediocre starting pitching. ("For all of Brian Cashman's manifold strengths as general manager, when it comes to the major league bench he has always had a cavalier attitude bordering on neglect.") (New York Sun)

AMAZING WHAT YOU CAN FIND OUT WITH A LITTLE TIME ON YOUR HANDS: Joe Posnanski tried another in-game blog last night, but the Royals' one-sided loss to the Blue Jays eventually had him putting up 1980s band surveys. Before that, though, he took a look at some recent teams that broke out of the gate quickly, and what it meant in terms of eventual, season-long success. Nothing really surprising, but I bet you'd forgotten the 1999 Sox started off 5-0. Good thing, too, because that was the season after they lost Mo Vaughn and a slow start would have driven hysteria levels locally completely off the charts. (thesoulofbaseball.blogspot.com)

-- ART MARTONE

Posted by Art Martone  at 7:06 AM | Permalink