He plays ping pong too! And he kicked Youks butt and won the Golden Paddle.

(photo from bostonherald.com)

Some great stories from Washington, when the guys went to visit the wounded soldiers at the Walter Reed Hospital.  Josh Beckett said it was the best part of the trip.  The guys spent more time asking the soldiers questions than the other way around.

The Sox won the game against BC yesterday. 24 to Zip.  If you read this mornings Herald it looks like Jocoby was the only guy playing. Almost every picture is of him.  There are a couple of Papi signing  Autographs for the kids from BC, but none of him playing.

At least the games have begun.

In Patriots news today, Tedy Bruschi is coming back next season. It's almost worth watching football. No, maybe not.  But we won't have to store away the shirts.

(photo from boston.com)

It's Friday, it's cold (8 degrees) and there is snow on the way.  But the weekend is almost here.  Have a nice one.

Noni

I love the fact that our guys got invited to the White House! I feel so proud of them.  I am not a George Bush fan, and I must say I hated the way he razzed on Manny.  But after a quick trip to the White House the guys got to go to the Military Hospital and visit with the wounded soldiers and for that I wish Manny had gone to Washington.(didn't anyone tell Bobby Kelty it was dark suit day?)

How cute is this picture?  You never see Mikie being silly.

I love Dougie and think this is a really good picture of him, just though I would share.

The guys are back in Fort Myers today.  We really are getting closer to spring, even if it did snow again last night.

Noni

I have been having some problems getting into MLBlogs to post.  Sometimes it lets me in and as soon as I try to save the post it tosses me out.  Hope it's not personal : )

Sunday, February 24 was Mike Lowell's birthday(photo from yahoo.com)

I don't really see what Colon is going to do for the team, but, we shall see.  At least it's only a minor league deal.

photos from boston.com

I am really happy Coco is still with us and hopefully he will be starting in center field.  I think Jacoby needs a little more experience.  Coco played really well the first half of the season last year and I think he deserves a chance to do it again.

What is up with Jacoby being in every shot of Coco?  I love Coco, and having a rookie that was trying to take my job away with me all day long would certainly tick me off.  Coco is being very professional.  Working with the kid, knowing he could jump right into his job any time.

Something I personally don't want to see.  I think Jacoby is still too young, and needs a little more seasoning before he takes over.

Coco looks great and hopefully he is in as good a shape as he looks.

Hey look a picture of Coco alone, wow, whats up with that 'do?  Time for the corn rows.

Noni

I love starting the day with a couple of pictures of Mike!

Big Papi seems to be the happiest player there.

In this picture I think he found out his pal Manny was there, On Time!

And here's Manny, New Car, New Attitude, I hear he is in great shape and raring to start playing ball.(photos from boston.com and bostonherald.com)

All is well in Fort Myers.  Now Let's Play Ball!

Noni

Yes!!

I guess Spring Training has really started!  This picture just makes my  day ! 

Dice K is teaching the guys how to dance so when they go to Japan they don't look like tourist.  He is so cute this year.  The new hair doo and the new baby on the way really are agreeing with him.

I use to really like Andy Pettitte but after watching an interview with him that is over.  I don't know if he is dumb, acting dumb or trying to make us look dumb, but I will never listen to another interview he gives.  I don't really care anymore what he took, he belongs to the Yankees and they can have him.

Noni

I thought this year would be the year for the older pitchers.  It will probably be their last year, so why not make it a good one.  Wakefield and Timlin look great!

Curt on the other hand is hurting. I saw him on an interview and he sounded a little bitter that the Red Sox said no to surgery right now.  I know he has had two previous surgeries on that shoulder and now his doctor thinks he needs another. ( I think I would retire before I let them cut my shoulder again. ) I have to give him a lot of credit.  I know how tough it is to come back from shoulder surgery.  And the thought of throwing a ball makes me sick to my stomach.  But, he is tough, he is a professional and he wants to play ball.  Maybe they should let him have the surgery.  It would either get him back on the mound or force him to retire.

(photos from boston herald.com)

Noni

Take a look at these pictures and tell me the Sox aren't happy Spring Training is finally here?  It has been a long cold winter and even though it is February 15 and we still have 5 weeks of Winter, when you look at these pictures you know Spring is in the air!(photo's from boston.com)

Even a little rain could not take the smile off Dice K's face.  I feel bad he may not make it to Japan for opening day, but priorities first. And family is always a priority.

Can't wait for the players to show up (Youk is already there and working out)

Noni

I have to say I was kind of happy to see it raining in Florida yesterday.  It rained so hard in Boston I didn't think there was enough water in the sky to rain anywhere else!  But it didn't stop Spring (don't you just love the sound of that word) Training, theyjust picked up and went indoors.

I love Dice K's new look! (photo from boston.com.)

I must say Roger cleans up real nice, but he really should keep his mouth shut.  It appears he spent more time when he was in school, throwing baseballs than learning the English language.  If you listen to the hearings you will hear Roger making up words.  Ridiculous, he should have told the truth up front and prevented all of this exposure.  It is a terrible way to end his career.

Happy Valentines Day!

Noni

Tell me someone Photo shopped this photo.  If that is really what Beckett is looking like, he's got a lot of work ahead of him!(photo from bostonherald.com)

And Dice K sporting a new do and a new ball? what's up with that?

Noni

Looks like Curt's shoulder is pretty bad.  Hopefully cortisone injections and physical therapy will help enough to get him back on the mound by the All Star Break.  And at least we found this out before the season started.

The other side of that coin of course is Clay Buchholz.  This will definitely put him in the rotation.  He has been working out for two months and has put on 10 lbs.  I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but try losing it and you will understand how much it really is. He is really in great shape.

Good luck to both of them, I would have loved to see Curt go out with a great year, but if he can't maybe Clay will have 15 or more wins!!

Spring Training starts in 2 days, Woo Hoo!

Noni

Finally Truck Day is here and gone! 3 more days and it all begins again.

Red Sox Hen's Chick (dark glasses) and some friends were there to wish them well!!(photo from Boston.com)

It was a busy Red Sox weekend.  Curt's shoulder is not looking good. I can relate to that.  I had shoulder surgery in September and it still is not right. (one of the most painful surgeries I've ever had)  So right now it looks like he may not be playing until after the All Star Game.  That's okay.

And Youkilis signed for 3 Million!

I guess were ready to play ball now!

Noni

(photo from boston.com)

Word is that Manny is going to show up at Spring Training on the 21st of February.  That is really early for Manny.  That means no Manny watches.  Where is Manny? Is he going to show up? Does he want to be traded? Is he unhappy? Does his wife want to move out of Boston?  Every year it's the same thing, Manny is late, and the stupid questions start.  Well not this year.  He has been with a couple of the guys in Arizona working out for at least a month. He is ready for Spring Training to start (aren't we all) and he is Going To Be On time!!

Welcome back Bobby Keilty, and Welcome to Sean Casey.  The Team just keeps getting more personable, I saw Sean on a local interview last night and really liked what I heard and saw.

7 days until it starts!!!!!! I'm not too anxious!

(photo from Boston.com)

It was great this morning to open up Boston.com and see these pictures this morning!  Here in Boston it is Cloudy, Rainy and Cool. In Sunny Florida the Sox are starting to come together for Spring Training.  It seems they are as anxious as we are for the season to begin.

With the Super Bowl over, and the Primary over (in Massachusetts) all we have to  look forward to is Spring. And that means Spring Training.  The Truck leaves Fenway in 8 days!

My heart and prayers go out to all the people in the 5 southern states that got hit with the tornados yesterday.  Last count was 27 dead.  Tragedy like that always makes you stop and think about priorities.

Noni

(photo from Boston.com)

This photo was in Boston.com to help you get over the Super Bowl. It works!

Trucks roll out of Fenway in 9 days.  The count down has started.

I would love to go to Spring training this year. Love to get away, but alas, that is not happening.  But there will be plenty of coverage on the local stations.  It will just have to do.

Noni

Well, thankfully, the football season is over. I am sorry to say the Pats lost, but congratulations to the Giants.  They really played like they wanted to win, and they did.

Now back to baseball.  Spring training is just around the corner. And the Red Sox have taken on a new, back up first baseman, Sean Casey.

I think I'm going to like him.  In a Sports Illustrated poll, Sean was voted the nicest player in baseball BY the players.

He also has the same name as a local Disc Jockey I have listened to for years.  And best of all, he looks an awful lot like my nephew Patrick.  So with all that, he's got to be good!

Just a 10 days or so for the Pitchers and Catchers to report.

I can smell spring in the air!

Noni

I know this is a big Football weekend. Especially if you are from the East Coast. But, I really miss Baseball.  Everyone keeps telling me Spring Training is starting in 14 days, but that seems like a very long time right now.

I hate reading the papers and computer news and not finding anything interesting about the sox.  It's all the same old stuff.  Okay, no more complaining, 2 weeks until spring training.  6 weeks until Easter.  It's almost Baseball Season!

Noni