JetBlue Park - 2012 Spring Training

[Muggah]

I'd like to see the Globe get a bit more positive about the Sox, now that Spring Training is around the corner. I don't know what Boyd using coke 30 years ago has got to do with anything. Ancient history.

 

And Beckett on the Millar show sounded OK to me. Beckett is the last guy you want to point fingers at.

He came out of spring training in shape, unlike a few others, and had a pretty good season. The killer was Buchholz, and all the failed efforts to replace him.

 

I wouldn't get your hopes up. This is just the tip of the iceberg with Bekcett. He's squarely in the crosshairs of just about everyone not employed by the Sox. Ownership and the FO are already at DEFCON 2, anticipating the worst. Of course this could all change with a reversal by Josh towards his behavior last Sept., but that's highly doubtful if history is any judge. They'll do their best to shield him from the media and fans, but from what I've been told they're fully expecting him to be booed out of the stadium on opening day on the 13th. Tough situation.

[a700hitter]

Sweet deal. Very thoughtful. Thanks.

I'll be down there from the 17th - 24th. I will try to stop by when I arrive.

[FortMyersJerry]

From what I see in the Jet Blue Park diagram, the Sox will be using the third base dugout. I tried to buy tickets there but they were out of sight or not at all. I live within walking distance of the field. I will be somewhere over the 400 mark for season tickets when I add my name to the waiting list. The stadium is great, you can't help staring at it when you drive by. Bet there will be rear end accidents there soon.

[FortMyersJerry]

The Jet Blue Stadium is the most beautiful in the big leagues. I live walking distance away and everytime I drive by I can't take my eyes off it. I bet there will be rear end collisions on Daniels Parkway because of it. :thumbsup::thumbsup:[ATTACH]816[/ATTACH

[Spitball]

We won't make it this year. I will miss it...and I bet the tiki bar at the Clarion on Cleveland Avenue will miss the money we have spent there.

[jung]

Josh could make things much easier on himself if he was not so fixated on his entitlements or so it seems.

 

In my view the problem with Beckett is not his individual performance although if his oft mentioned odd/even year performance continues, that could be an issue this year as well. The problem at least from appearances is that he is the kind of player that thinks that his individual performance allows him his entitlements regardless of what the team is doing, winning or losing.

 

In fact he still seems fixated on his entitlements claiming that the real issue last year was that his "behavior" was reported and became media cannon fodder. He then goes on to point out that the drinking by some members of the 2004 team did not get reported, using that as a means of explaining himself. Beckett totally misses the point. The 2004 team won the WS. The 2011 team suffered the worst collapse in baseball history.

 

While I have nothing to substantiate it one way or the other, I suspect that Beckett's 7th inning departures were frequent, frequent enough to be noticed at least.

 

I think that if Josh tries to make an issue of this in 2012, it will in fact become an issue that will be difficult to deal with and make it difficult for this team to put 2011 behind it. I think V is going to be in a pretty tough spot over a whole host of issues including this one.

 

I am more inclined to think this will be an issue than that it will not because I don't expect this team to go out there and dominate the league. If it works hard and the breaks fall right for them I expect they have a good shot at getting to the post season. However since they will be under a microscope because of last year, if the team is not rolling over the league like some sort of juggernaut and anything like the 2011 behavior rears it head it will end up being an issue. Does anybody on this board think they are going to roll over the league like a juggernaut? From his public comments does anybody think Josh intends changing his behavior from last year?

 

If there is one irony here I think it might be that at least in my view if Josh would simply make a different kind of public comment than the ones he has made so far....one that would lead us to believe he understands that regardless of whether it was reported or not, particularly given the profile of a team struggling to get to the post season his behavior was ill advised and would not be repeated in 2012 then I think those opening day jeers will turn to cheers. Without that, I tend to agree with Muggah. I think he will likely be booed anywhere from an undercurrent of distain to outright full throated booooos.

[NativeBostonian]

I'm planning on going to the new park. It doesn't take me that long to drive there ( I live in Tampa,FL). The only thing I don't get is the green monster. What is going to be considered a home run. There are seats in the middle of the wall then there is wall space between that and the top of the wall. Just seems confusing to me.

[Muggah]

Josh Beckett will address the media today at 12:00 noon. You can hear it live on WEEI.

[SoxSport]

I wouldn't get your hopes up. This is just the tip of the iceberg with Bekcett. He's squarely in the crosshairs of just about everyone not employed by the Sox. Ownership and the FO are already at DEFCON 2' date=' anticipating the worst. Of course this could all change with a reversal by Josh towards his behavior last Sept., but that's highly doubtful if history is any judge. They'll do their best to shield him from the media and fans, but from what I've been told they're fully expecting him to be booed out of the stadium on opening day on the 13th. Tough situation.[/quote']

 

It's not such a bad thing the Globe is going after the players--it puts the heat on them and helps Bobby V. But they have let the real culprits--Tito and Theo--off the hook. These are the guys who set the lax tone of the team. And that's why they're gone--when you take the sugar coating off their departure.

 

Beckett is making a lot of dough. And he's a competitor. He had a good ST and start last season. He had a good year, except for September. He'll be good again, as long as he can stay healthy. I'm pulling for him, and wish him the best.

 

Look for their injury issues to diminish if V. can improve their conditioning in ST.

[Muggah]

It's not such a bad thing the Globe is going after the players--it puts the heat on them and helps Bobby V. But they have let the real culprits--Tito and Theo--off the hook. These are the guys who set the lax tone of the team. And that's why they're gone--when you take the sugar coating off their departure.

 

Beckett is making a lot of dough. And he's a competitor. He had a good ST and start last season. He had a good year, except for September. He'll be good again, as long as he can stay healthy. I'm pulling for him, and wish him the best.

 

Look for their injury issues to diminish if V. can improve their conditioning in ST.

 

He had a very good season going last year, IMO. That is until he turned into the Michelin Tire Man and quit on his team. That's what concerns me about this year. Historically he has tanked badly during even numbered years. And history is correct a lot more often than any of us are.

[VA Sox Fan]

It's not such a bad thing the Globe is going after the players--it puts the heat on them and helps Bobby V. But they have let the real culprits--Tito and Theo--off the hook. These are the guys who set the lax tone of the team. And that's why they're gone--when you take the sugar coating off their departure. Beckett is making a lot of dough. And he's a competitor. He had a good ST and start last season. He had a good year, except for September. He'll be good again, as long as he can stay healthy. I'm pulling for him, and wish him the best.

 

Look for their injury issues to diminish if V. can improve their conditioning in ST.

 

I must have read different Globe articles than you did. They completely threw Tito under the bus in typical Boston media fashion, bringing up the alleged prescription drug thing and his marriage problems. I had never heard of those issues before the collapse. The Boston media craps on anyone who leaves, they always have.

[Muggah]

I must have read different Globe articles than you did. They completely threw Tito under the bus in typical Boston media fashion' date=' bringing up the alleged prescription drug thing and his marriage problems. I had never heard of those issues before the collapse. The Boston media craps on anyone who leaves, they always have.[/quote']

 

 

 

"The Boston media craps on anyone who leaves, they always have."

 

I don't disagree with you on this, VA. But if we're being fair we have to include that the vast majority of these smear campaigns are generated out of the Sox FO. They're notorious for it. Call it petty, unprofessional, whatever...but if it's not for ownership and the FO, most of that negativity never happens.

[VA Sox Fan]

"The Boston media craps on anyone who leaves' date=' they always have."[/i']

 

I don't disagree with you on this, VA. But if we're being fair we have to include that the vast majority of these smear campaigns are generated out of the Sox FO. They're notorious for it. Call it petty, unprofessional, whatever...but if it's not for ownership and the FO, most of that negativity never happens.

 

I agree with you about the FO. They provide the media with the fuel.

[jung]

I tuned in to 15 minutes early to catch Beckett and turned out being 45 minutes to late. Josh apparently came out and was done by 11:30 which caught most of the media hounds off guard as well.

 

Not at all sure what he said as yet but apparently the media guys are shall we say "irritated".

[Muggah]

I tuned in to 15 minutes early to catch Beckett and turned out being 45 minutes to late. Josh apparently came out and was done by 11:30 which caught most of the media hounds off guard as well.

 

Not at all sure what he said as yet but apparently the media guys are shall we say "irritated".

 

Sounds like Josh pulled a fast one on the media members. LOL

[a700hitter]

Sounds like Josh pulled a fast one on the media members. LOL

Good for him. Although I think Beckett dogged it last year and contributed to the slothful attitude of the pitchers. he doesn't have to answer to the media about it. It should stay in house. He helped Tito lose his job in disgrace and it greased the skids for Theo to leave his beloved Sox. There is a new sheriff in town. He'll have to deal with him.

[seabeachfred]

Well I guess Spring Training really starts tomorrow and I'm jealous about this new Jet Blue Stadium that has been built and me having to wait until next season to see it. Maybe some of this clamor of last year will die down long enough for the team to start getting the kinks out and get in shape....and this year stay in shape. I think Valentine will see to that because he promised he would, and, besides, the press is now very unfavorably disposed towards the players and very much in favor of BV taking over and restoring order.

 

One point of contention....When the hell are we going to finally settle with the Cubs over Theo's compensation. Selig said he would step in; so why hasn't the owners lackey done that? Seems that should be one of the first orders of business if you ask me.

[NativeBostonian]

Just got tickets to see them play the pirates. The only game available.

[jung]

Just heard that the Sox are charging $5.00 a head for a quick tour of the new ST park. Not sure if I would do that if I were them. Why not just make it a free tour? Wonder how many folks will try to get their $5.00 worth if you know what I mean.

[ibot2much]

I just saw a picture of Lackey "taking it slow" at ST......Has he met the media yet...or have they kept him far, far away? If Beckett seemed to maintain his arrogance, I imagine Lackey would be the same, plus he has the divorce to cop an attitude about.

[a700hitter]

I just saw a picture of Lackey "taking it slow" at ST......Has he met the media yet...or have they kept him far' date=' far away? If Beckett seemed to maintain his arrogance, I imagine Lackey would be the same, plus he has the divorce to cop an attitude about.[/quote']Was he wearing a beer hat?

[BSN07]

I just saw a picture of Lackey "taking it slow" at ST......Has he met the media yet...or have they kept him far' date=' far away? If [b']Beckett seemed to maintain his arrogance[/b], I imagine Lackey would be the same, plus he has the divorce to cop an attitude about.

 

 

Not sure I follow. I read his interview. Looked to me like he owned up, admitted he made bad choices and was distracted. Even admitted to gaining some weight. Maybe when he talks he comes off as arrogant to some. Just the way he is. He was cocky when he was in the Marlins system where I watched him play alot and met him on few occasions. But I just found that to be the norm for baseball players in general. He was always nice to me and my friends. Of course that was a while ago, not telling how he is now.

 

Same goes for Prince Fielder. I met Prince this winter when he was here in the Netherlands, cocky when bsing with the young players, but really a nice guy. i could see how some people might think he was arrogant, but it wasn't really the case.

[redsoxfan3]

Just heard that the Sox are charging $5.00 a head for a quick tour of the new ST park. Not sure if I would do that if I were them. Why not just make it a free tour? Wonder how many folks will try to get their $5.00 worth if you know what I mean.

 

I thought about doing this, but not for $5.00. I would probably go if it was free. I will be at the park three times for games this Spring. I will just take a look around the stadium when I watch the first game at JetBlue Park. I have seen pictures of the clubhouse and it looks sick. Ellsbury posted a picture of it on his Twitter. I do know they are opening up the stadium two hours before games (or at least the area outside of the stadium). They have a shops and stuff outside so it has a similar feel to Yawkey Way. I am interested in seeing what that is like. I might try to go to the park tomorrow or Friday to watch practice. If I do I will let everyone know what it is like.

[BSN07]

I thought about doing this' date=' but not for $5.00. I would probably go if it was free. I will be at the park three times for games this Spring. I will just take a look around the stadium when I watch the first game at JetBlue Park. I have seen pictures of the clubhouse and it looks sick. Ellsbury posted a picture of it on his Twitter. I do know they are opening up the stadium two hours before games (or at least the area outside of the stadium). They have a shops and stuff outside so it has a similar feel to Yawkey Way. I am interested in seeing what that is like. I might try to go to the park tomorrow or Friday to watch practice. If I do I will let everyone know what it is like.[/quote']

 

$5.00 for a guided tour doesn't seem outrageous. At least it gives the people running the tours a job.

[NativeBostonian]

$5.00 for a guided tour doesn't seem outrageous. At least it gives the people running the tours a job.

Agreed, five dalliers isn't anything to get to see the stadium. Hell, I am paying a lot more then that to see a spring training game in the stadium and I don't get an in-depth tour.

[ibot2much]

Was he wearing a beer hat?

 

I didn't see the hat but his balls were in a Bud soft cooler

[BSN07]

I didn't see the hat but his balls were in a Bud soft cooler

 

Please tell me it was bud light

[a700hitter]

Please tell me it was bud light

Don't start with the Bud Light. The Bud Light at Remys started the downfall of the 2011 Sox.

[ORS]

I agree with you about the FO. They provide the media with the fuel.

I think everyone with access shares some blame, from the players themselves, who I'm sure inadvertently say too much from time to time, to the grounds crew, trainers, staff, etc, etc.

 

I forget who it was that suggested this sometime last year, but it makes a lot of sense. How much of this stuff that comes out when personnel leaves was kind of generally known to insiders? I can easily envision a scenario where the media sits on this stuff that nobody else has access to, and then when someone is on the way out, the gloves come off.

 

If I have to pick the most significant component to the nasty atmosphere that develops as someone finds themself walking through the exit to Fenway for the last time, I pick the Boston press. There's a long history of journalistic nastiness in the region.

[a700hitter]

I think everyone with access shares some blame, from the players themselves, who I'm sure inadvertently say too much from time to time, to the grounds crew, trainers, staff, etc, etc.

 

I forget who it was that suggested this sometime last year, but it makes a lot of sense. How much of this stuff that comes out when personnel leaves was kind of generally known to insiders? I can easily envision a scenario where the media sits on this stuff that nobody else has access to, and then when someone is on the way out, the gloves come off.

 

If I have to pick the most significant component to the nasty atmosphere that develops as someone finds themself walking through the exit to Fenway for the last time, I pick the Boston press. There's a long history of journalistic nastiness in the region.

Some of it is too specific to have come from people with general access. There are numerous examples. The first one I remember were the stories regarding the confrontations with Nomar and the FO immediately prior to his trade. It seems that there were few witnesses to those conversations, but it was written about in great detail. This organization has been very effective when it comes to plugging leaks about trades. People were basically put on notice that they would lose their jobs if the info leaked, and the leaks stopped. The personal character assassination has been allowed to go on without being curbed. The trade leaks were definitely coming from lower level organization people. If they could put a lid on that, they could put a lid on this stuff too. It's a question of organizational leadership. What is everyone else going to think when your owner is openly questioning and disagreeing with the last big FA signing by his former GM, while the player is still under contract? They are going to think it is okay to bash the guy who left.