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Sox Hold First Official Workouts Today

February 15, 2011 By

The Red Sox officially begin spring training this morning with the first workouts of pitchers and catchers down in Fort Myers.

A crack team, but with holes – As loaded as the Red Sox appear to be, Peter Abraham says that there are still valid concerns in certain areas.

Eight spring things every Sox fan should keep an eye on – Jon Couture has some things to consider about this edition of the Red Sox.

After up-and-down first year, Lackey eager for seconds – John Lackey was the subject de jour in Fort Myers yesterday, in addition to this Sean McAdam article, there are more from Brian MacPherson | Steve Buckley | Dan Shaughnessy | Alex Speier | Gordon Edes. If that’s not enough Lackey for you, I’m not sure where else to point you.

Sox always fit Dan Wheeler – John Tomase has the Rhode Island native living a dream by putting on the Red Sox uniform.

Michael Bowden hopes to cut in – Tomase’s notebook has Bowden trying to impress with a new pitch. The Red Sox Journal from MacPherson and the Red Sox notebook from Abraham both have more on Wheeler.

Celtics defy injuries, age, logic – Gerry Callahan says that these Celtics don’t just defeat opponents, they demoralize them.

Celtics show toughness by keeping cool – Paul Flannery has more about how the Celtics get in the heads of opponents.

Erden back with ill mother in Turkey – A. Sherrod Blakely with the scoop that the rookie center is all the way back in Turkey right now.

Bill Russell: Symbol of excellence – Mike Fine looks at Russell being recognized by President Barack Obama as a 2010 Medal of Freedom Award recipient.

Von Wafer doing more than scoring – Mark Murphy has the guard feeling peer pressure to step up his defensive game.

Pierce a member in good standing – Frank Dell’Apa has the Captain ready to go tomorrow night, and an update on each of the other injuries facing the Celtics. The Herald notebook from Mark Murphy has more on Pierce. Jim Fenton has Delonte West set to return tomorrow.

Time for Peter Chiarelli to trade – Stephen Harris says that the Bruins GM needs to make a big deal.

Bruins rookies going through growing pains – Fluto Shinzawa has has the Bruins youngsters experiencing peaks-and-valleys.

Logan Mankins gets tagged – Mike Reiss has the Patriots becoming the first team to use the franchise designation this offseason.

Patriots Could Look to Takeo Spikes for Veteran Leadership in Linebacking Corps – Jeff Howe wonders if the elder Spikes could be a mentor to his younger cousin here in New England.

Crowned Eagles – Nancy Marrapese-Burrell has Boston College holding off a strong bid from Northeastern to win the Beanpot.

Filed Under: Morning Links
  • APimpNamedDaveR

    I'm sorry, but does every sportswriter in this town somehow seem to have completely blocked out the fact that Saltalamacchia was the Braves' starting catcher for about a quarter of the 2007 season when Brian McCann was hurt? And that during said stint (about 45 games or so) he hit .284 and had an OPS+ of 93? And that he basically did the same thing when traded to Texas mid-season?

    Health is the issue with Salty. Not "will he hit". From the way he's being written about, it's as if he's Kevin Cash without the defensive skills. That's just plain wrong.

  • Big Jeff

    I don't think they've blocked it out, I don't think they actually know about it.

  • JCSB

    Wow! Forty-five whole games four years ago? That's clearly something a huge amount of conclusions can be drawn from.

    • APimpNamedDaveR

      Ninety-three games and 300 at-bats in a season isn't a small sample size. Especially given 1600 ABs in the minors at a .271 clip with an .823 OPS. By comparison, a certain J.V. hit .248 with a .739 OPS… and I don't remember anyone EVER asking whether he'd be able to hit at the major league level. And sure enough, when he was handed the full-time job in '99 (at age 27 — two years older than Salty) — he went out and hit .269/.813.

      Also, THIRTY-THREE whole games four years ago was enough for these same writers (mostly) to annoint Jacoby Ellsbury the starting center fielder in perpetuity. Why? Well, because Jacoby hit in the minors!!!!! Jacoby hit .192 last year. Are we worried about whether he'll hit or not????

      Of course we aren't. We're worried about whether he'll stay on the field. Because if he is healthy, he'll hit just fine. As will Salty. But somehow, the People Who Are In The Know don't apply the same analysis to what is, more or less, exactly the same situation.

  • Tony

    I do remember being impressed with Salty's bat when the Braves came to Fenway for an interleague series in 2007, before he was traded to Texas. I hope he can produce. He doesn't need to be great, but at the very least he has to be able to hit well from the right side against lefties: the everyday lineup is still way too left-handed for my tastes, especially given that Papi and Drew are basically useless against LHPs at this point in their careers.

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