Yes, it's finally time to dust off from Super Bowl XLII and the Patriots' 18 and...18 and...sorry, apparently I'm still in a state of denial. Not to worry, though, since our beloved, defending World Champion Boston Red Sox or at least pitchers and catchers will take the field and kick-off Spring Training tomorrow in sunny, Fort Myers, FL (position players report February 20th).
There are a lot of things to be excited about entering this year's Spring Training. For instance, every core player from the '07 team is back for the '08 season giving the Red Sox an opportunity to repeat as World Champions - a feat not achieved since the New York Yankees of 1998-2000. It's refreshing, in a world of free agency and star players seeking top dollar over team loyalty, to be able to see the same jerseys take the field two seasons in a row.
I'm certainly looking forward to watching Jacoby Ellsbury follow in Dustin Pedroia's foot steps and make a bid for Rookie of the Year honors. It's all speculation right now, but let's face it, we're New Englanders - it's cold outside, we just lost the Super Bowl (there, I said it); it's time to warm-up with The Boys of Summer and hope history can repeat itself and rekindle fond memories...
