In a scene more than a little symbolic of how the 2006 season has played out for the Boston Red Sox, David Ortiz watched his teammates play, and lose, another game from the dugout while wearing a heart monitor. In a midday press conference, Ortiz claimed that he felt fine and that he felt like he could pinch-hit during the afternoon game, if necessary. Doctors and team management disagreed with his sel####iagnosis, however, and wouldn't commit to a timetable for the slugger's return.
His recurring symptoms of heart palpitations can't be too much different than what is being felt all over New England. Another player went down during last night's 2-1 win over Toronto when rookie closer Jonathan Papelbon clutched at his shoulder after delivering a pitch in the ninth inning. He was immediately taken out and hopes to be back in a week or so, if and when his shoulder tightness eases.
Meanwhile, you have to wonder how many of his teammates Ortiz actually recognized while he was watching from the dugout. Kevin Jarvis, the latest pitcher to be taken out of the stands, I mean off the waiver wire, started for the Sox and actually fared relatively well, going five innings and giving up just two earned runs.
In right field, making his major league debut, was David Murphy, who picked up his first big league hit in three at-bats. Another rookie, who made his major league debut in the disastrous last road trip for the Sox, Dustin Pedroia, was on the bench today and didn't play. Carlos Pena, another new addition to the Sox since Ortiz left the road trip, played first base and batted eighth, going 0 for three.
All told, the only positions being manned by players you would have expected to see in the lineup for Boston as of a couple of months ago, were center field (Coco Crisp) and third base (Mike Lowell). Every other position was being played either by a regular not at his normal position (Kevin Youkilis in left field), a backup not expected to play every day (Alex Cora at shortstop), or a warm body picked up by the Sox to avoid having to forfeit the last month of the season due to a lack of players: Javy Lopez behind the plate, Carlos Pena at first base, and the aforementioned Murphy in right field.
Someone in the Foxsports.com blogging community, it may have been Cuzzifer, said in a comment a few weeks ago that the Red Sox had made a bargain with the devil in 2004 to make their miraculous comeback in the ALCS against New York and then sweep St. Louis to win the World Series. If that's the case, the devil is letting loose with both barrels on the Sox this year.
Oh, and by the way, Boston announced today that Curt Schilling will miss his scheduled Monday start due to tightness in his shoulder. The devil has no sense of humor whatsoever.
Hey everyone, I know it must seem like I've dropped off the face of the earth, but it's nothing like that.
I've been busy writing - two full-length novels so far, plus over a dozen short stories - and working hard to try to get an agent. If you are curious and have a few minutes, check out my website, www.allanleve rone.com.
If you're a literary agent or if you know one, by all means contact me! In the meantime, I'll be here when I can - love this forum - and as always, thank you for checking out my blog, especially considering how many great ones you could be reading instead....
