Put Me In Coach.

I don't know if it's because Truck Day is tomorrow but Ron Johnson's enthusiasm and excitement over being the first base coach for the Boston Red Sox is palpable and infectious. Says Johnson:

"I’ll sit around the house and it’ll just hit me that I’m the first-base coach of the Boston Red Sox. I’m going to spring training on Tuesday, and I don’t have to go to minor-league camp. I don’t mean anything disrespectful against the minor-leagues because I spent a lot of time there and I was very fortunate to have that job, but this feels like Christmas. Every time I think about it I get goose bumps, but it’s not the nervous kind, because I’m excited.”

Except for the rookies when they first come up, the rest of them are slightly jaded professionals so it's fun to see that joy.

He also wants someone, if at all possible Beckett, to plunk his son for him. (The son plays for the Astros.)

“I’ve already talked to him and told him whoever is pitching for us — and I hope it’s [Josh] Beckett — I want our guy to drill him. We’ve talked a few times, and I am very aware of those dates. I’m really excited about it because it’s going to be really fun.”

Which, for some reason, makes me like him even more.

Cold Winter Fun.

A bit of information that may only be of interest to myself:

Former best beloved Craig Breslow [Aside: He really needn't worry about me stalking him. Honestly. I'm not the stalking type--well, except for that weatherman but that was quite awhile ago.] is scheduled to appear at the World Baseball Coaches' Convention at the Mohegan Sun, January 21-23. He doesn't actually appear on the schedule of events, though.

And to make it more relevant to anyone else: Strength and conditioning coach, Dave Page will be giving a talk entitled "The Facts About Baseball Fitness Training: Getting Your Player Ready for the Season" on January 22.

All Hail Hale.

Over the weekend, Gordon Edes returned to the world of Boston sports writing and every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small, was singing! Can I get a squee? Is that allowed? I've always liked Edes. He writes well and has interesting things to say--two traits not commonly found in tandem in a Boston sportswriter. It was a sad day when he departed leaving us in the easily flustered, overly anxious, Chicken Little-esque hands of Tony Mazz.

And what better way to really get started than to pass on the information that DeMarlo Hale will be named Terry Francona's bench coach in a few days, Tim Bogar will shift over to third, and (Pawtucket manager) Ron Johnson will man first.

Movin Up.

The Houston Astros announced this afternoon that they would be going into next season with Brad Mills at their helm. Terry Francona had nothing but good things to say about his friend:

"I think he's ready. He's been ready. That's subjective, but he's been working his whole life toward this. When he was second in charge, he did a great job. Now he's going to be making the decisions, and he'll do a great job. You can't find a better guy. He deserves this opportunity. Again, I hope he takes it and runs with it. I'm thrilled for him."

Good luck to Mills. He has, to put it politely, a challenge ahead of him.



And as long as we're talking about one, we might as well mention the other: Assistant GM Jed Hoyer has also gotten himself a new job. He has been hired as the General Manager of the San Diego Padres for the next four years. He also has a challenge ahead of him.

Total BFF.

Brad Mills interviewed for the Houston Astros managerial job this morning and was subsequently interviewed by the Houston Chronicle about the interview. From the tone of his responses, I'd guess that he thinks it went well. But the quote at the end about Francona:

"I might be a little prejudice, but I think Terry’s one of the best managers in the game today. He’s one of the best managers. One of the reasons he is, is because his work ethic is second to none. He plans and prepares each day with the players. That’s one of the things I’m going to take with him. His knowledge of the game, the way he manages a game, the way he runs a game, the way he works with the press, the way he works in the community and the way he works with the organizations. Those types of things really make him stand out from other guys that I know or I have seen. Those are all traits that I’ve taken from him and learned from him.”

while not the most eloquent, warms my heart.

Boston? You're My Home.

John Farrell, it seems, will be returning to the Sox next year. Having turned down the job as manager of Cleveland, telling the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

"It's an honor to be considered for the job. Especially for a team I played for, my father played for and where there are so many people I know and respect. All those things considered, my desire is to fulfill the commitment between Boston and myself.

"There's no denying there is an intent to manage at some time. But I have a mutual commitment with Boston that I feel I should fulfill."

It's pretty clear that he had no PR flackie write his statement for him. You can hear the convoluted syntax that he often uses, especially in the first sentence of the second paragraph.

I've got no problem with Farrell and the pitchers seem to like him, so it's probably a good thing that he'll be back. As for Cleveland, they might want to strongly consider Bogar; three years ago he was successful as their AA manager. (Of course, Eric Wedge was also a good minor league manager.)

Another Awww Moment.

Yesterday, the baseball world turned it's attention to the All-Star game in St. Louis but that doesn't mean there wasn't any baseball being played at Fenway.

The CVS Caremark All Kids Can Baseball Camp held their first tutorial of the season yesterday. The program provides Little League teams which have players with disabilities (although the term du jour was special needs last time I heard) from throughout New England the opportunity to take batting practice in Fenway under the guidance of Dave Magadan. Says Mags:

"I don't know who was having more fun: the parents, me, or the players."

Social Calendar.

The latest installment of the Red Sox social calendar: John Farrell will be speaking at the World Baseball Coaches Convention at the Mohegan Sun on January 8-10. If your stalking time is limited, he'll be presenting three talks (Maximizing Your Pitcher's Performance, Improving Your Pitcher's Mechanics, and Talking Baseball) on Friday, January 9. His first talk ends at around three in the afternoon and second begins at seven at night-prime stalking time would probably be between those hours. Raymond Fagnant, Northeast Regional Scouting Director for the Red Sox, will also be there but he is less stalkable.

DeMarlo Gets His Turn.

DeMarlo Hale's interview with Seattle Mariners is this morning. I would wish him lucky but it would be a shame to lose one of the few working stoplights in Boston (not my joke but I liked it so I took it.)

Millsie's Big Chance.

At some point today Brad Mills will be interviewing to be the manager of the Seattle Mariners. I don't know whether to wish him luck or not but I suppose I should.

*Update* In the Seattle Times there was a list of all the candidates the Mariners were considering and while Mills and DeMarlo Hale were on the list, there was no John Farrell. I was certain that someone (the Herald, maybe?) had him on Seattle's list.

The First Changes.

Luis Alicea was given the old heave-ho.

I don't know, other than not tackling Casey as he tried to stretch a wall-ball single into a double twice in the same game, I can't think of any reason to not bring him back. Maybe he wanted to leave.

And Chris Smith has decided to take his straight-brimmed cap and knickers and try his luck on the open market. The best of luck to him.