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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Dec 11, 2023 17:33:19 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe Spring training invitees for the #RedSox: LHP Jorge Benitez, LHP Cam Booser, RHP Frank German, and LHP Helcris Olivarez, INF Jamie Westbrook, OF Mark Contreras, and INF/OF Eddy Alvarez.
(Not all of them, of course, just the first group they announced). 5:28 PM · Dec 11, 2023
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Dec 11, 2023 19:07:41 GMT -5
Red Sox invite pitcher who ‘annihilates lefthanded batters’ to camp
Updated: Dec. 11, 2023, 5:57 p.m.|Published: Dec. 11, 2023, 5:45 p.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
The Red Sox announced Monday they have invited seven minor leaguers — including three left-handed pitchers — to major league spring training camp. More non-roster invitees should be added before camp opens Feb. 13.
Left-handed pitchers Jorge Benitez and Helcris Olivarez are the two most interesting invitees. Cam Booser, who spent last season at Triple-A Worcester and throws in the upper-90s, is the third lefty who Boston added.
The Red Sox signed the 24-year-old Benitez and the 23-year-old Oliverez to minor league contracts in November.
Benitez, a Mariners 2017 ninth round pick, posted a 2.14 ERA and 1.34 WHIP while holding opponents to a .190 batting average for Arkansas, Seattle’s Double-A affiliate, last year. He averaged 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings but also also averaged 5.9 walks per nine innings. So he had difficulty throwing strikes.
Baseball America wrote about him March 6, “Benitez annihilates lefthanded batters with a 90-93 mph fastball from a low arm slot and a high-spin curveball in the mid 70s. His tough angle also plays against righties and gives him a chance to be a low-leverage reliever.”
Olivarez ranked as high as Seattle’s No. 11 overall prospect in 2021. But he appeared in just one game in 2022, then didn’t pitch in 2023 while recovering from left shoulder surgery.
The 31-year-old Booser recorded a 4.99 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 66 strikeouts in 48 appearances (57 ⅔ innings) for the WooSox last year.
Brennan Bernardino (3.20 ERA) is the only left-handed reliever on Boston’s 40-man roster who posted an ERA under 4.90 in ’23. And Benitez, Olivarez and Booser should have a chance to compete for an Opening Day roster spot unless the Red Sox sign a southpaw to a major league free agent deal this offseason.
The Red Sox’s other four invitees
Boston also added right-handed relieve3r Frank German, infielder Jamie Westbrook, outfielder Mark Contreras and infielder/outfielder Eddy Alvarez as non-roster invitees.
German, 26, has appeared in five major league games, all for Boston in 2022. He allowed eight earned runs in 4 innings.
Westbrook, a 28-year-old right-handed hitter, batted .294 with a .400 on-base percentage, .496 slugging percentage, .896 OPS, 21 homers, 20 doubles, 70 runs, 65 RBIs, 67 walks and 81 strikeouts in 117 games (496 plate appearances) for Scranton Wilkes-Barre, the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate, in 2023.
Contreras, a 28-year-old left-handed hitter, has appeared in 28 major league games, all with Minnesota in 2022. He went 7-for-58 (.121) with three homers and one double. He slashed .274/.352/.418/.769 in 90 games (381 plate appearances) for Minnesota Triple-A affiliate St. Paul in 2023.
Alvarez, a 33-year-old left-handed hitter, has appeared in 50 major league games over parts of three seasons with the Marlins (2000-01) and Dodgers (22). He slashed .286/.402/.476/.877 in 64 games (259 plate appearances) between Triple-A Nashville and Worcester last year.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Dec 13, 2023 17:55:18 GMT -5
No issue finding kids to play seeing they won't trade any
Pete Abraham @peteabe MLB announced a four-day “Spring Breakout" series of spring training games to showcase prospects.
The Red Sox host the Braves at JetBlue Park at 1:05 p.m. on March 16 for a seven-inning game. Teams will be comprised of the top 20-25 prospects from each organization. 6:27 PM · Dec 13, 2023 · 18.1K Views
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jan 2, 2024 14:09:55 GMT -5
Red Sox announce dates for Truck Day, first workouts of Spring Training boston
By Matt Geagan
January 2, 2024 / 12:06 PM EST / CBS Boston
BOSTON -- There isn't much buzz around the Red Sox at the moment, but Spring Training is just around the corner. Pitchers and catchers will hold their first workout at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Florida in just over six weeks.
We'll see if new chief baseball officer Craig Breslow adds a few more pitchers to the mix before that first workout.
Before anyone can report for duty, the Red Sox will need to get the team's equipment out of Fenway Park and down to JetBlue Park. So on Monday, Feb. 5, everything the team needs will be loaded onto a big truck outside of Fenway and then begins its trek to Florida on what is known as "Truck Day."
Boston pitchers and catchers will hold their first workout at JetBlue Park on Wednesday, Feb. 14, followed by the first full-squad workout on Monday, Feb. 19. Between those two workouts, the team will also hold an open house at JetBlue Park on Saturday, Feb. 17, where fans will be welcomed in to walk around the park and the grounds.
All workouts during Spring Training are free and open to the public as well.
The Red Sox will begin their spring schedule when they take on the Northeastern Huskies at JetBlue Park on Friday, Feb. 23. Boston will play 17 games at their spring stadium, with tickets going on sale Friday, Jan. 5 at 10 a.m. on the team's website.
While top prospects will be highlighted throughout Boston's spring slate, the Red Sox will field a team of their best prospects for a seven-inning exhibition against the Braves' top prospects at JetBlue Park on Saturday, March 16 as part of MLB's "Spring Breakout" initiative.
The Red Sox will open their 2024 season on Thursday, March 28 against the Mariners in Seattle.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jan 26, 2024 15:56:26 GMT -5
Red Sox Add Thirteen Non-roster Invitees to 2024 Spring Training Roster 23 minutes ago Share
BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox have added 13 non-roster invitees to the team’s 2024 Spring Training roster: pitchers Luis Guerrero, Justin Hagenman, Alex Hoppe, A.J. Politi, and Chase Shugart; catchers Nathan Hickey, Mark Kolozsvary, Roberto Pérez, and Stephen Scott; infielders Chase Meidroth, Nick Sogard, and Nick Yorke; and outfielder Corey Rosier.
Luis Guerrero, RHP – Guerrero, 23, will be attending his first Major League Spring Training camp after he posted a 2.32 ERA (14 ER/54.1 IP) with a .157 opponent batting average, 1.23 WHIP, and 68 strikeouts over 49 appearances between Double-A Portland (43 games) and Triple-A Worcester (six games) last season, earning the 2023 Red Sox Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year Award. In his 43 outings with Portland, the right-hander recorded a 1.81 ERA (10 ER/49.2 IP) with 59 strikeouts while converting 18 of 22 save opportunities. Selected by Boston in the 17th round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft, Guerrero was born in the Dominican Republic but grew up in Boston near Franklin Park.
Justin Hagenman, RHP – Hagenman, 27, will be attending his first Major League Spring Training camp. He was acquired by Boston from the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 25, 2023, in exchange for Kiké Hernández. In 41 outings between Triple-A Oklahoma City (25 games, five starts) and Triple-A Worcester (16 games), the right-hander recorded a 2.95 ERA (28 ER/85.1 IP), 1.15 WHIP, and 88 strikeouts. Selected by the Dodgers in the 23rd round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of Pennsylvania State University, the New Jersey Native owns a 3.57 ERA (126 ER/317.1 IP) with 323 strikeouts in 172 career minor league appearances (10 starts) with the Dodgers (2018-23) and Red Sox (2023) organizations.
Nathan Hickey, C – Hickey, 24, will be attending his first Major League Spring Training camp. He is ranked as a top Red Sox prospect by Baseball America (No. 15) and MLB.com (No. 16). Last season, the left-handed hitter batted .265 (95-for-359) with 24 doubles, 19 home runs, 65 RBI, and an .858 OPS in 98 games between Double-A Portland (80 games) and High-A Greenville (18 games), starting 74 games as the catcher and 23 as the designated hitter en route to Eastern League Post-Season All-Star honors. Selected by the Red Sox in the fifth round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Florida, the Florida Native has batted .262 (168-for-642) in 184 career minor league games.
Alex Hoppe, RHP – Hoppe, 25, will be attending his first Major League Spring Training camp. The right-hander made 43 relief appearances in 2023, splitting his first full professional season with High-A Greenville (31 games) and Double-A Portland (12 games) and going 2-5 with a 4.10 ERA (22 ER/48.1 IP) and 64 strikeouts. The Iowa native was selected by Boston in the sixth round of the 2022 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of North Carolina Greensboro.
Mark Kolozsvary, C – Kolozsvary, 28, has played in 11 Major League games with the Cincinnati Reds (2022) and Baltimore Orioles (2023). The right-handed hitter spent 2023 with the Orioles and Minnesota Twins organizations, playing in 26 Triple-A games between Norfolk (20 games) and St. Paul (six games) and batting .171 (14-for-82) with three home runs and 11 RBI. In his 255 career minor league games as the catcher, Kolozsvary has thrown out 97 of 322 runners attempting to steal (30.1%). The Florida native was originally selected by Cincinnati in the seventh round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft and has batted .211 (219-for-1,038) in 325 career minor league games.
Chase Meidroth, INF – Meidroth, 22, will be attending his first Major League Spring Training camp. He spent the majority of 2023 with Double-A Portland and was named the team's Defensive Player of the Year, playing 55 games at third base, 18 at shortstop, and 16 at second base. The right-handed hitter batted .255 (83-for-325) with a .761 OPS, 59 runs, 24 extra-base hits, 43 RBI, and 59 walks in 91 games for the Sea Dogs. Selected by Boston in the fourth round of the 2022 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of San Diego, the California native has batted .278 (132-for-475) with an .828 OPS in 133 career minor league games (2022-23).
Roberto Pérez, C – Pérez, 34, appeared in five games with the San Francisco Giants in 2023 before being placed on the 60-Day Injured List on April 8 with a right rotator cuff strain. A Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner in 2019 and 2020, he has made 471 career starts as the catcher, throwing out 97 of 252 runners attempting to steal (38.5%). The right-handed hitter has batted .207 (314-for-1,520) with 57 doubles, four triples, 55 home runs, and 193 RBI in 516 career games with the Cleveland Guardians (2014-21), Pittsburgh Pirates (2022), and Giants (2023). The Puerto Rico native was originally selected by Cleveland in the 33rd round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.
A.J. Politi, RHP – Politi, 27, will be attending his third Major League Spring Training camp (also 2021 and 2023). He was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2022 Rule 5 Draft but returned to the Red Sox on March 28, 2023. In 54 appearances for Triple-A Worcester last season, the right-hander went 7-5 with a 4.45 ERA (29 ER/58.2 IP), 60 strikeouts, and 15 saves. Selected by Boston in the 15th round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of Seton Hall University, the New Jersey native is 23-18 with a 4.20 ERA (145 ER/310.2 IP) in 179 minor league appearances (22 starts).
Corey Rosier, OF – Rosier, 24, will be attending his first Major League Spring Training camp. In 2023, he batted .285 (113-for-397) with 24 doubles, six triples, seven home runs, 41 RBI, and 49 stolen bases with Double-A Portland (104 games) and Triple-A Worcester (12 games). Following the season, he played for Glendale in the Arizona Fall League, batting .258 (24-for-93) with four doubles, two triples, eight stolen bases, and eight RBI in 23 games. Acquired from the San Diego Padres on August 2, 2022, the Maryland native has played 256 career minor league games with the Padres (2021-22) and Red Sox (2022-23) organizations, making 79 starts right field, 40 in center field, and 22 in left field.
Stephen Scott, C – Scott, 26, will be attending his second consecutive Major League Spring Training camp. The left-handed hitter spent 2023 with Triple-A Worcester (63 games) and Double-A Portland (37 games), batting .235 (80-for-340) with 19 home runs, 66 RBI, and an .812 OPS while making 59 starts as the catcher, 26 as the designated hitter, and 10 at first base. Selected by Boston in the 10th round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of Vanderbilt University, the North Carolina native has hit .249 (287-for-1,153) with an .813 OPS in 335 career minor league games while making 144 career starts at catcher, 74 as the designated hitter, 67 at first base, 19 in left field, and 17 in right field.
Chase Shugart, RHP – Shugart, 27, will be attending his second consecutive Major League Spring Training camp. The right-hander spent the 2023 season with Triple-A Worcester, going 4-1 with an 8.22 ERA (42 ER/46.0 IP) in 40 appearances (two starts). Selected by Boston in the 12th round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Texas at Austin, the Texas native is 21-17 with a 4.74 ERA (164 ER/311.2 IP) in 127 minor league appearances (45 starts).
Nick Sogard, INF – Sogard, 26, will be attending his second consecutive Major League Spring Training camp. In 2023, the switch-hitter batted .266 (104-for-391) with 20 doubles, four triples, seven home runs, and 47 RBI in 112 games with Triple-A Worcester. Acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays on February 17, 2021, the California native has played in 380 career minor league games with the Rays (2019) and Red Sox (2021-23) organizations, making 147 starts at third base, 103 at second base, 79 at shortstop, 18 in right field, 10 in left field, five as the designated hitter, and three in center field.
Nick Yorke, INF – Yorke, 21, will be attending his second Major League Spring Training (also 2021). Ranked as a top Red Sox prospect by Baseball America (No. 8) and MLB.com (No. 6), he was named Double-A Portland’s 2023 MVP after leading the team in runs scored (74), hits (119), doubles (25), and RBI (61). He was selected to play in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game on July 8, 2023, playing the entire game at second base and going 1-for-3 with a double. Selected by Boston in the first round (No. 17 overall) of the 2020 First-Year Player Draft out of Archbishop Mitty High School (CA), the California native has batted .276 (320-for-1,159) with a .798 OPS in 287 career minor league games (2021-23).
BOSTON RED SOX 40-MAN ROSTER (40)
Pitchers (24): Brayan Bello, Brennan Bernardino, Isaiah Campbell, Max Castillo, Kutter Crawford, Cooper Criswell, Lucas Giolito, Wikelman Gonzalez, Tanner Houck, Joe Jacques, Kenley Jansen, Zack Kelly, Chris Martin, Bryan Mata, Chris Murphy, Luis Perales, Nick Pivetta, John Schreiber, Justin Slaten, Brandon Walter, Zack Weiss, Greg Weissert, Garrett Whitlock, Josh Winckowski
Catchers (2): Reese McGuire, Connor Wong
Infielders (7): Triston Casas, Bobby Dalbec, Rafael Devers, Vaughn Grissom, David Hamilton, Trevor Story, Enmanuel Valdez
Outfielders (5): Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, Tyler O’Neill, Rob Refsnyder, Masataka Yoshida
Infielder/Outfielders (2): Ceddanne Rafaela, Pablo Reyes
BOSTON RED SOX NON-ROSTER INVITEES (20)
Pitchers (9): Jorge Benitez, Cam Booser, Justin Hagenman, Alex Hoppe, Frank German, Luis Guerrero, Helcris Olivarez, A.J. Politi, Chase Shugart
Catchers (4): Nathan Hickey, Mark Kolozsvary, Roberto Pérez, Stephen Scott
Infielders (4): Chase Meidroth, Nick Sogard, Jamie Westbrook, Nick Yorke
Outfielders (2): Mark Contreras, Corey Rosier
Infielder/Outfielders (1): Eddy Alvarez
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 1, 2024 6:23:41 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe #RedSox sent out their Truck Day press release. It noted that "Wally the Green Monster, his sister Tessie, and Fenway Ambassadors ... will be tossing soft Red Sox baseballs to fans."
Wonder if any of them will be thrown back?
It's Monday, btw. Leave now to get your spot.
3:15 PM · Jan 31, 2024 ·
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 4, 2024 12:10:17 GMT -5
Truck Day tomorrow. See the front office has it all ready as good as this off season has been And the chase for the basement begins
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 5, 2024 15:09:24 GMT -5
Lamenting the lost luster of … Red Sox Truck Day? The lack of buzz surrounding the annual February send-off is a sign of the times. By John Tomase, Red Sox Insider • Published 2 hours ago • Updated 2 hours ago
It’s a day that Red Sox fans always look forward to — Truck Day at Fenway Park, the unofficial start of the upcoming baseball season.
Of all the contrived holidays we celebrate, mostly because Hallmark or Jeff Bezos commanded it, none is as uniquely Boston as Truck Day.
Started in 2003 to celebrate the departure of an 18-wheeler for Florida with the bats, balls, and accoutrements of spring training, Truck Day provided our version of Punxsutawney Phil, except in the grizzled form of Milford's Al Hartz, the walrus-mustached long hauler who has piloted the rig since the late 1990s.
Truck Day demanded full TV coverage, drew hundreds of fans, and served as our unofficial start of spring. Dr. Charles Steinberg, the PR maestro who conceived of the event to aid his goal of keeping the Red Sox on the front page 365 days a year, typically oversaw the festivities with some poetry about the Boys of Summer delivering six weeks of warmth during our starkest days in this joyous celebration of boundless faith and blah, blah, blah. It was good theater.
The cynics among us rolled our eyes from the start. Come on, they're just ... moving. But deep down, we recognized how the event spoke to the team's place in our regional consciousness. Twenty years ago, the departure of that truck signaled the start of a nine-month odyssey, and weren't we all just thrilled to come along for the ride?
Those of us lucky enough to be on the ground in 2003 and 2004 know nothing will ever top the fever pitch that started the moment Hartz eased off Van Ness and didn't end until October delivered salvation and Duck Boats along a confetti-strewn Boylston Street. Even three Super Bowls into the Tom Brady Era, the Red Sox still ruled.
If this sounds like the setup to yet another, "and now look at how useless they are" lament, I apologize for being predictable, but if hope springs eternal, despair just zombie-staggers towards oblivion.
In case you most definitely missed it, Truck Day is here. On Monday, the team's gear will begin the journey south, with a pit stop in Worcester, where Steinberg now orchestrates minor spectacles in Triple-A. The local stations will provide dutiful coverage during a slow news time, but no one's skipping work in the hopes of catching a glimpse of Papi's bats or Pedey's gloves. The truck will depart in appropriate anonymity.
But here's the thing: I would love for Truck Day to matter again, even if it's phonier than Black Friday or Father's Day. People caring about the truck means people caring about the Red Sox which means John still has a job. But what it really means is that the Red Sox are worth our investment of time, emotion, and money.
Right now, no one can credibly make that case. The Red Sox are hunkering down like survivalists, hoarding prospects and waiting for a day when the American League East is safe again, but it could be a while. It's never a good sign when the buzziest news the team has announced in years has nothing to do with the on-field product, but is instead the return of Theo Epstein as an owner/consultant.
Epstein built the teams that captivated the region two decades ago, and his full-circle journey offers a welcome glimmer of hope, but it's not like he's reclaiming his basement office in baseball operations. He'll make his impact felt eventually, because he's too competitive to watch the team languish, but it won't be right away.
In the meantime, if the rest of us are giving any thought to next week's start of spring training, it's to see if we can remember who's on the team beyond Rafael Devers, Triston Casas, and maybe Trevor Story.
Until the Red Sox fix that problem, we're not going to much care what's in the truck or when it leaves, even as the most too-cool-for-school among us would love nothing more than to mock the day's very existence while secretly appreciating that it matters.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 5, 2024 15:10:50 GMT -5
What batting order can we expect from the Red Sox in '24? 2:23 PM AST Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
When it comes to the batting order that Red Sox manager Alex Cora will make for the 2024 season, here is what we know.
Trevor Story should be there from the start this time after not playing until August last year as he recovered from right elbow surgery. Justin Turner (signed with the Blue Jays as a free agent) and Alex Verdugo (traded to the Yankees) won’t be part of the mix. Adam Duvall, who belted 21 homers last season despite missing two months with an injury, is a free agent. While there’s still a chance Duvall could be re-signed, he currently is not part of the mix, so projections must be made without him at this point.
So how might Cora’s batting order shape up in ’24?
Here is an early projection:
1. Jarren Duran, LF 2. Rafael Devers, 3B 3. Trevor Story, SS 4. Triston Casas, 1B 5. Masataka Yoshida, DH 6. Tyler O'Neill, CF 7. Wilyer Abreu, RF 8. Vaughn Grissom, 2B 9. Connor Wong, C
Analysis on all nine
Boston’s lineup was at its best last season when Duran was performing well at leadoff. It will be interesting to see if Cora starts the season with his speedster up top or gives him time to build some confidence and timing after missing a few weeks at the end of ’24 following left big toe surgery.
Without question, Devers is the most dangerous player the Red Sox have. In 1,386 plate appearances batting second, he has a .900 OPS. In other words, expect him to be back in the two-hole to start ’24.
Last year, Turner was the club’s most frequent No. 3 hitter, starting 101 games in that spot. Given the projection of lefties in the first two slots, as well as the fourth and fifth slots, the right-handed-hitting Story might be the best fit to bat third.
Casas was perhaps the team’s most dangerous hitter after the All-Star break and figures to do plenty of damage from the cleanup spot. Look for him to make a dramatic jump from the 65 RBIs he had last season.
In his first season in the Majors, here was the breakdown of Yoshida’s lineup placement by starts: Second (35), third (17), fourth (45), fifth (21), sixth (16). The moral of the story is that Yoshida is the type of pure hitter who can hit anywhere in the lineup. Despite a keen batting eye when he is at his best, Yoshida prefers not to hit leadoff and Boston respected those wishes last year. If O’Neill starts strong, he could switch spots with Yoshida to give Cora some more balance in the first five spots.
O’Neill looked like a star in the making with the Cardinals in 2021, but he struggled the past two years with both health and performance. If O’Neill can get his groove back and take advantage of the Green Monster, he will be a mainstay in the lineup. If not, look for him to be more of a platoon player.
For a player with 76 career at-bats, lots of optimism surrounds Abreu. The left-handed hitter has a polished approach for a player with such limited experience. He will get a chance to prove he is worthy of all the faith the organization has in him. Abreu has a strong batting eye and an arm that plays in Fenway Park’s big right field.
Of all the players in Boston’s starting nine, Grissom is the hardest to project because he only has 256 career plate appearances. His Minor League track record and brief exposure in the Majors show that he is someone who can hit for average. The Red Sox dealt Sale to the Braves for Grissom with the idea that the right-handed hitter has more power than he has shown so far. Given his impressive build -- spoiler alert, he does not look like a second baseman -- there’s a decent chance of that.
The Red Sox are most concerned with what Wong does behind the plate. However, he was dangerous at the plate in spurts. If Wong’s hot streaks can last a little longer in ’24, that would be a bonus.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 6, 2024 6:45:43 GMT -5
50-70 people there. Delusional people. Heck, I recall a few of these days were thousands would be around, TV crews, ( not one yesterday)
On Truck Day, Red Sox fans’ hopes still spring eternal
By Gabrielle Starr | gstarr@bostonherald.com February 6, 2024 at 6:00 a.m.
A new year of baseball began on Monday, and with it, a chance to love the Red Sox again.
Since 2003, Truck Day has served as the unofficial first day of the Red Sox season. 20,400 baseballs, 1,100 bats, 200 batting gloves, 200 batting helmets, 320 batting practice tops, 160 white game jerseys, 300 pairs of pants, 400 t-shirts, 400 pairs of socks, 20 cases of bubble gum, and 60 cases of sunflower seeds are headed from Fenway Park to the Red Sox spring training facilities in Fort Myers, Fla. in the capable hands of Al Hartz, who’s making the journey for the 27th consecutive year.
Perhaps, stowed away somewhere in the 53-foot vehicle, is a little bit of hope, too.
Because even after watching the Red Sox trudge to back-to-back last-place finishes (three over the last four), fans still showed up to stand outside on a frigid February day to send a truck on a 1,480-mile road trip. According to a team employee, an estimated 50 to 75 people braved the cold. That’s far from the packed crowds of happier Truck Days past, but it’s not nothing.
“Red Sox fans come out in the freezing cold to see an equipment truck go off to Florida, and it’s a reminder of what really matters, which is our fans and how much they care about this team,” team president and CEO Sam Kennedy told the Herald.
They know where they stand with their fans, though. “The hate comes when you don’t get it done on the field,” Kennedy said frankly.
When it comes to sports fandom, the fine line between love and hate is often blurred, and frequently crossed. Fans can go from loving their team to hating them and back again, often in the nine innings of a single ballgame. Sometimes, from one at-bat to the next.
The prevailing fan sentiment these days may be hate – or more likely, frustration – but it’s certainly not apathy. Neither love nor hate can be felt unless one cares, and sports fans in this town can’t stop caring, even if they want to. The majority of Red Sox fans love to love their team, they don’t want to hate them. And even when they say they’re out, they’re always waiting to be pulled back in.
During the long offseason, there is nothing to do but talk, stew, and wait for baseball. Its return each year brings with it endless possibilities, and therefore, hope that this season will be better.
“We’ve had a really difficult couple of years, and we have a long way to go,” said Kennedy of repairing the club’s relationship with fans. “We have a lot of work to do, but hopefully, we’re gonna win their hearts and minds back.”
There wasn’t a cloud in the sky as the equipment truck departed just after noon. As the crowd dispersed, a family walked down Van Ness Street, their young daughter waving a bright red flag twice her size. On it, a baseball and the words “Believe in Boston.”
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Post by Kimmi on Feb 6, 2024 14:52:51 GMT -5
50-70 people there. Delusional people. Heck, I recall a few of these days were thousands would be around, TV crews, ( not one yesterday) On Truck Day, Red Sox fans’ hopes still spring eternal
sky as the equipment truck departed just after noon. As the crowd dispersed, a family walked down Van Ness Street, their young daughter waving a bright red flag twice her size. On it, a baseball and the words “Believe in Boston.” I'm excited that Truck Day has arrived and the season is getting closer. I'm not happy with the state of the current team, but as the article says, hope springs eternal. I'll remain hopeful for the Red Sox season until I can't.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 7, 2024 11:23:05 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe Hello from JetBlue Park, where it’s sunny and 60 and baseball players are doing baseball things.
This is something new. Sox built a warm-up area for the pitchers near the bullpen along with a small equipment shed.
Brayan Bello getting some work in. Looks a little bigger.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 7, 2024 20:45:41 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Ballplayers already are stirring at Red Sox camp in Fort Myers By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated February 7, 2024, 4:52 p.m.
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox pitchers and catchers don’t officially get started until next week. But a large workout group was on hand at Fenway South Wednesday morning.
With new pitching coach Andrew Bailey watching, Brayan Bello made some throws from flat ground in front of the clubhouse in 60-degree weather. Brennan Bernardino and Brandon Walter also were on the field.
The minor league players included shortstop Nazzan Zanetello, a second-round pick last year.
One structural improvement was a plyometrics wall behind the main bullpen to aid the pitchers in warming up. Utilityman added
Free agent utility player Dalton Guthrie was signed to a minor league contract that included an invitation to spring training.
The 28-year-old has hit .244 with a .726 OPS in 37 games for the Phillies the last two seasons, receiving playing time at all three outfield positions, second base, and third base.
Guthrie is a .289 hitter with a .791 OPS in 209 career Triple A games. He was a shortstop at the University of Florida and has played 104 minor league games at that position.
The Sox also signed undrafted righthander Cooper Adams to a minor league contract. He played at UMBC and Mount St. Mary’s from 2020-23. Adams was 8-3 with a 4.70 ERA last season and struck out 73 over 82⅓ innings. Weiss to Twins
Righthanded reliever Zack Weiss, who was designated for assignment last week, was claimed off waivers by the Twins. Weiss, 31, has a 4.61 earned run average over 25 major league games with the Cubs, Angels, and Red Sox. He also has minor league time with the Reds and Mariners. The Sox lost righthander Max Castillo, who was claimed by the Phillies after being designated. He had been claimed off waivers from the Royals Jan. 2 … In the interest of reducing pregame traffic, parking fees were built into the ticket prices for spring training home games. It’s something other Grapefruit League teams have had success doing.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 8, 2024 10:21:31 GMT -5
Red Sox Add Three Non-Roster Invitees to 2024 Spring Training Roster 9 minutes ago
BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox have added three non-roster invitees to the team’s 2024 Spring Training roster: right-handed pitcher Melvin Adón and infielder/outfielders Joe Dunand and Dalton Guthrie.
Melvin Ad**ón, RHP** – Adón, 29, will be attending his fourth Major League Spring Training camp (also 2019, 2020, and 2023). He posted a 5.19 ERA (34 ER/59.0 IP) with 69 strikeouts over 43 appearances with the San Francisco Giants organization in 2023, pitching for Triple-A Sacramento (32 games), Single-A San Jose (six games), and the ACL Giants Black (four games) and Orange (one game). Originally signed by the Giants in 2015 out of the Dominican Republic, the right-handed pitcher owns a 4.47 ERA (227 ER/457.0 IP) with 451 strikeouts in 181 career minor league games (65 starts).
Joe Dunand, INF/OF – Dunand, 28, will be attending his third Major League Spring Training camp (also 2021 and 2023). In three career Major League games—all with the Miami Marlins in 2022—he is 3-for-10 with two extra-base hits, including a home run in his first career plate appearance. The right-handed hitter spent 2023 with the Atlanta Braves organization, playing in 95 Triple-A games with Gwinnett and batting .268 (93-for-347) with 19 doubles, 17 home runs, 52 RBI, and an .843 OPS. Selected by Miami in the second round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of North Carolina State University, the Florida native has hit .238 (431-for-1,809) in 519 career minor league games while making 209 starts at second base, 56 at third base, 11 as the designated hitter, and five in left field.
Dalton Guthrie, INF/OF – Guthrie, 28 will be attending his third Major League Spring Training camp (also 2022 and 2023). In 37 career Major League games with the Philadelphia Philles (2022-23), he has hit .167 (11-for-45) with one home run and five RBI while playing right field (14 games), left field (12 games), center field (seven games), third base (two games), and second base (one game). The right-handed hitter spent 2023 with the Phillies, San Francisco Giants, and Atlanta Braves organizations, playing in 80 Triple-A games between Gwinnett (49 games), Lehigh Valley (22 games), and Sacramento (nine games) and batting .274 (82-for-299) with 15 doubles, three triples, four home runs, and 33 walks. Selected by Philadelphia in the sixth round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Florida, the Florida native has hit .264 (417-for-1,582) in 451 career minor league games. His father, Mark, pitched in 765 career Major League games, including 46 with the Red Sox during the 1999 season.
BOSTON RED SOX 40-MAN ROSTER (40)
Pitchers (22): Brayan Bello, Brennan Bernardino, Isaiah Campbell, Kutter Crawford, Cooper Criswell, Lucas Giolito, Wikelman Gonzalez, Tanner Houck, Joe Jacques, Kenley Jansen, Zack Kelly, Chris Martin, Bryan Mata, Chris Murphy, Luis Perales, Nick Pivetta, John Schreiber, Justin Slaten, Brandon Walter, Greg Weissert, Garrett Whitlock, Josh Winckowski
Catchers (3): Tyler Heineman, Reese McGuire, Connor Wong
Infielders (7): Triston Casas, Bobby Dalbec, Rafael Devers, Vaughn Grissom, David Hamilton, Trevor Story, Enmanuel Valdez
Outfielders (5): Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, Tyler O’Neill, Rob Refsnyder, Masataka Yoshida
Infielder/Outfielders (3): Romy Gonzalez, Ceddanne Rafaela, Pablo Reyes
BOSTON RED SOX NON-ROSTER INVITEES (23)
Pitchers (10): Melvin Adón, Jorge Benitez, Cam Booser, Justin Hagenman, Alex Hoppe, Frank German, Luis Guerrero, Helcris Olivarez, A.J. Politi, Chase Shugart
Catchers (4): Nathan Hickey, Mark Kolozsvary, Roberto Pérez, Stephen Scott
Infielders (4): Chase Meidroth, Nick Sogard, Jamie Westbrook, Nick Yorke
Outfielders (2): Mark Contreras, Corey Rosier
Infielder/Outfielders (3): Eddy Alvarez, Joe Dunand, Dalton Guthrie Did you like this story?
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 8, 2024 11:51:50 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe Tyler O'Neill one of the few big league position players on hand at Fenway South to this point, which is no surprise as they don't report for another 10 days. Ceddanne Rafaela and Reese McGuire also at the ballpark today.
John Schreiber has been in Florida since Jan. 11. Deep into his program, having throwing off the mound a bunch of times. Shoulder is fine. Should be a big part of the bullpen.
12:03 PM · Feb 8, 2024 · 10.2K Views
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