Mike Lowell made his spring training debut for the Boston Red Sox. Of course it was on first and not third, but thats okay, as long as Mike is playing for the Sox I'm happy.

I'm not stupid and I know Mike will not be with us forever, but I'm going to enjoy having him around while I can.

Wakefield had a poor outing yesterday, but that's what Spring Training is all about.  Get those kinks out before opening day.

The rain has finally stopped in Boston, and maybe that means Spring is on the way so when the Sox get home the weather will be beautiful

Noni

Daisuke Matsuzaka  played catch, and shagged fly balls but did not get back on the mound a day after a stiff neck kept him from throwing batting practice. (boston.com)

I am really looking forward to seeing John Lackey in a Red Sox uniform on the mound at Fenway Park.  He has had two really good outings so far at Spring Training. And I have yet to see him pitch

.Photos from boston.com

Mike Lowell has not played in a game yet.  He took a few personal days.  Now he is back at camp working out. 

Lester is not having a great Spring Training.  Hopefully he will straighten all that out before opening day.

Jason Varitek's Dad is not well and Jason took a few days to be with him. He is back in Fort Myers and will probably get to play in a game early next week. PV's Jason

26 Days till opening day!

Noni

(photos from boston.com)

Nomar is retiring as a Red Sox! As a mega fan of the Sox and Nomar, I couldn't be happier.

Now if you check the Globe and read Dan Shaughnessy, I will not put a link to his column, you will see a nasty spitefull Boston Sportwriter.

The people in Boston love Nomar and remember what he did for the 2004 Red Sox!

I have almost stopped reading the Globe because of people like Shaughnessy, can't he let the people enjoy this day? Was he not at the Game when Nomar played in Boston last season?

Nomar Garciaparra always loved the Boston fans, and the Boston fans always loved him.For seven years, there sure was a lot to like.(bob ryan, Boston Globe)

Ryan just proved all Globe writers aren't bad people.

The People in Red Sox Nation are happy, Nomar is happy and the Front office is happy! Now we just have to retire his number.

Boy some days like yesterday I really wish I was at Spring Training.

Noni

(photo borrowed from Boston.com)

30 Pitches, 22 Strikeouts!! That was Wakefield yesterday.  He pitched so few that they had him pitch a while longer after he was taken out of the game.  Looks like he is going to have a great season!

Mike Lowell wasn't around yesterday, his locker not touched.  Word was just personal reasons and he would be back today. I hope all is well with him and his family.

I would love to be in Fort Myers this year, as much as I dislike Florida ( and I do dislike everything about the State) I would love to be at some of these games.

The young kids that won't start with the team are looking pretty good. And I'm sure before the season is up some of them will be called up.  I like seeing them early and getting an idea what they are like before coming up.

Today it's Lester, let's hope he has a better game this time up!

Noni

Yes that is a picture of Josh Beckett smiling.  I know, something we don't see very often, but, after 3 great innings against the Cardinals, and the team pulling it out in the ninth, he should be smiling.  Here's hoping that smile last through October.

Why are all the Red Sox Spring Training Games not shown in the Boston area? Are there not enough fans waiting to see these games? Shame on you MLB

Noni

The 43-year-old knuckleballer (Tim Wakefield) is ideal as the sixth starter. He's still effective and valuable. And if Lester keeps pitching like he did Friday against the Twins, Wakefield will be a shoe in for the 5th starting postition.

(photos from Google)

Noni

First base or Third base, either way, Kevin is comfortable with the Red Sox, and we're comfortable with him.  He is maturing nicely.  No longer that angry player he was when Manny was on the team.  He is a Senior player for the sox, and hopefully he can be a mentor for the younger players.

He spent the winter in Boston where he lives full time with his wife Enza and their son Michael.  We're hoping he's with us for a long time.

Big Papi, looking really good, hit a home run in yesterdays game against Northeast.  Okay it was Northeast, but the sox creamed them, 15 to 0.  I have a neice who was at that game, and she was freezing.  60 degrees in Fort Myers is like 40 in Boston.

Hope it warms up down there.

Noni

That's what they call Keven Millar

The Cubs haven't won a pennant in 101 years. So they brought Kevin to Spring Training.  If he can make the team, he will be the official slump buster.  He will also be back up 1st base and 3rd base.  I don't think any team can go wrong having Kevin play for them, just being in the dug out will help morale. Something they will probably need with Lou Piniella as manager. Good Luck Kevin, I hope you make it!

I know he was here in Boston when we needed him.  Maybe some of that magic will work for the Cubs.

Noni

Eri Yoshida, the first woman drafted by a Japanese team, was in camp to meet Matsuzaka.

I wonder how Dice K feels about a female pitcher?

The 18-year-old sidearm knuckleballer, who learned the pitch watching videotape of Tim Wakefield, played for an independent league team in Japan last season. Yoshida was in Fort Myers yesterday, being trailed by the Japanese Papparazzi.  

I would love to see her pitch.  In Japan she is pitching on an all Male team, she must be pretty good.

And I have always had a soft spot for knuckleballers.

Noni