If a feeling of optimism has swept through the streets of Boston recently, it may not be a coincidence.
March tends to be the most hopeful time of year in Boston, and this year is no different. For the 85th consecutive spring, the Red Sox are beginning their quest for their first World Series title since 1918. And though fans say it every year, this year might actually be the year it happens.
‘I think people are very optimistic,’ said Red Sox spokesman Kevin Shea, who also doubles as a Hockey East assistant referee. ‘But it is spring training, and people are always optimistic.’
The core of the Red Sox featuring right-hander Pedro Martinez, shortstop Nomar Garciaparra and leftfielder Manny Ramirez returns this year for another crack at the New York Yankees and the rest of the American League. Add to that solid base a number of new faces acquired in perhaps the team’s best off-season in years, and a talented group is currently getting ready for the showdown in Fort Myers, Fla.
First-year Sox GM Theo Epstein, a 29-year-old under intense scrutiny this winter, has given manager Grady Little a lot of options. Epstein’s most notable moves came in the bullpen, an Achilles’ heel of the Sox a year ago. The team acquired a quartet of right-handers to go along with righty Bob Howry and southpaw Alan Embree. The group includes veterans Chad Fox, Mike Timlin, Ryan Rupe and most notably former Yankee Ramiro Mendoza.
The club also made some improvements in the lineup. Todd Walker brings production to the second base position, and newly acquired Bill Mueller, Jeremy Giambi, David Ortiz and Kevin Millar should join Shea Hillenbrand in a five-way battle for the third base, first base and designated hitter jobs.
‘There are lots of decisions to make,’ Shea said. ‘But they are good decisions to have; it means we have a lot of depth. [Little] is going to get to see all these guys play.’
The Grapefruit League schedule, which began on Feb. 27, should be a useful way for Little to evaluate the 2003 version of the Sox. But the team’s on-field performance will not be seen for real until it takes the field in Tampa against the Devil Rays on Mar. 31.
Still, a team’s clubhouse chemistry as the Patriots reminded the world during their Super Bowl run of a year ago is a very important aspect, and one that the Red Sox have checked off the list.
‘I have been here for 13 years, and this is the best clubhouse I have seen since I have been here,’ Shea confirmed, noting Millar and Walker as key additions to the atmosphere. ‘I think it’s going to be a great clubhouse.’
This could be an important advantage over the Sox’ New York rivals, as the Yankee camp sits in a state of chaos. Dubbed the ‘Bronx Zoo’ by some, lefty David Wells’ issues about a book he has written, as well as problems between shortstop Derek Jeter and owner George Steinbrenner have subjected the Bombers to Steinbrenner’s tightly-run wrath.
Unlike the Boss, Grady Little’s camp does not resemble boot camp.
‘He’s a laid back guy, but he’s very efficient and organized,’ Shea confirmed. ‘They’ve run a pretty good camp so far – it’s not loosey-goosey. [Little is] pretty intense on the field, but he is laid back and has a great sense of humor off of it.’
Little’s first full spring as manager has City of Palms Park in a much more serene state than last year, which can only improve the club’s chances. With new ownership and the manager and general manager’s jobs up in the air a year ago, things are a lot more relaxed a year into the John Henry era.
‘John Henry said he felt like a guest last year, but now he feels like it is his organization,’ Shea said. ‘There was a lot of uncertainty in spring training last year, but things have definitely settled down this year.’
But it wouldn’t be Spring without a little bit of controversy. The most pressing issue of the Grapefruit league campaign involves the Sox’s ace and three-time Cy Young award winner.
Martinez has made it known he wants the club option on his contract for 2004 to be picked up before opening day, or else he will consider other offers when he becomes a free agent. The team has not yet commented on the situation.
‘There is a great deal of communication and respect both ways,’ Shea said. ‘That is going to be the key. There have been discussions, and they will continue.’
But despite the looming issue of Martinez, it would not be springtime without the loyalty and optimism of the Red Sox’s fan base as well. Not only is Red Sox Nation showing itself in full force down in Fort Myers, but Commonwealth Avenue is teeming with people who can think of nothing but Opening Day.
Fans also seem to agree that the team has improved and has as good a shot as ever to dethrone the Yankees as AL East titleholders and possibly make some noise in October as well.
‘I like the depth in the rotation with [Martinez, righty Derek Lowe, southpaw Casey Fossum and right-hander Tim Wakefield], and even though we don’t have a closer, as a whole I think the bullpen is better,’ praised College of Arts and Sciences freshman Dave Proulx, a Springfield, Mass. native and Sox fan. ‘The outfield is better than the Yankees, and top to bottom we have people who can hit the ball.’
Though it is easy to think big thoughts, Proulx sets a model for Sox fans, restraining his optimism to a degree and avoiding the foolishness that has set the Fenway faithful up for disappointment the last 84 years.
‘I’m not going to say that this is the year,’ Proulx said. ‘But from the look of things, it’s another step toward it.’