cp176

I am pretty well convinced that he would have been great on any team in any era. He was never a back to the basket player but when he needed to score - he scored. Actually Chamberlain should probably get a few votes as well. Winning certainly makes them all look good. There are some who don't consider Dan Marino to be one of the all time great QB's because of no ring. That's a joke. With respect to Russell, there really wasn't anything that he couldn't do. The Celtics of old were great for sure but without Russell not so much.

I have every intention of staying upbeat about this team but my overall approach will be one of - wait and see - This is a big year for everyone in a management position. There is no question that there have been some good upgrades but I am not quite as excited as I think people want us to be. A realistic approach this year is not a bad one to have. It will be nice if everything comes together. I think that this is a very difficult team to predict. I want to think that they are capable of winning between 85 and 90 games. I am just not ready to place any bets. I think that we will soon see really what kind of a manager we have. He has a tough job with lots of decisions to be made-lots. I like him. I hope that he gets it done.

I like your list. I am changing my hockey choice to Gretzky (I loved Orr though) bb - still Russell - just on general principal but if my heart wasn't doing the picking Magic would of course get the nod. Ruth still tops the baseball list - Mays just ahead of Aaron for me. Koufax could have been the best ever for a short time.

He certainly was one of the most dynamic running backs that I ever saw. Sad - I still do not put in the category of a Sanders, Payton, or Sayles.

I was just going to say as much. You beat me to the punch. They have basically already eliminated the real fan in many respects. It has truly become an entertainment industry. A real Sox fan should make the pilgrimage but if you have expectations of anything other than green grass and blue sky good luck with that. I thought that at one time a plan was in place for a new park just south of the city and just off I 95. I am sorry if this sounds disloyal (actually I'm not) but as ticket prices continue to go up, you really are "entitled" to have some expectations with respect to the facility. Prices don't seem to be going up in nickel and dime increments either.

I guess that I hope that most stadiums are more comfortable than Fenway. For the sake of the fans.

And how did that work out for Red? Didn't the lakers love coming to that old "dump". Turn up the heat in that visitor's locker room. If I thought the Sox got any advantage playing in that stadium, I would favor keeping it. They don't. It serves as a wonderful piece of nostalgia and that is about it. I have been all over that park and would now opt for standing room only and just wander around.

Swihart - Rodriguez - Owens - Devers

I like this list of untouchable minor leaguers. I would like to see them keep Johnson as well but something as to be given to get anything.

I am in Providence at this time. The people I am around for the most part are some of the most ardent fans of all Boston sports teams that I have ever seen.

I am not disagreeing with you but I would find it highly unlikely that they both wind up playing together. We would all like to keep the best ones but sometimes it just doesn't work. If they both prove capable in the field and at the plate, my guess is that one will be moved to help get a very special player as in a young potentially great pitcher. It is just a personal thing I guess but I don't see that special pitcher in our system. Some would suggest that it is Owens - I don't agree. They have a number of potentially solid middle to back of the rotation guys coming along. Rodriguez maybe a little better but it is an area that I think they have the trading chios to improve at.

I agree with you entirely. We know what Vasquez appears to be capable of. Swihart, as far as I am concerned is still a prospect. That being said- if he is as good as they say he could be Fisk might have to move aside. Better to wait and see on this one. No rush to judgement. Too early and too sign. I would go so far as to say that if Vasquez hits .260, Swihart will very likely get moved for that "special piece".

Believe it or not, it could be Vasquez who winds up getting moved ultimately.

Swihart is a catcher. i think that he will remain a catcher. Pretty soon there will be an issue there. It will be a good problem to have if they both continue to develop as expected. Glad I won't have to solve it. I don't see him being moved from behind the plate.

I feel like an idiot for getting those two mixed up.

I think that that is a very fair point. I would probably still go with Ruth just from a historical perspective but there are other candidates. Mays? or maybe even the greatest hitter of all time. Orr Russell My first thought is Jim Brown but I might also consider Lawrence Taylor. Without him, left tackles would not be making the $ they are today. He changed the game and redefined a position.

Thank you - that is what I meant. I ought to take a break. just starting to rattle away. I am excited to see it begin though. I was also pleased to hear what you had to say about Ortiz. I am curious to know if his feet have healed completely. Not much fun as an athlete to have that type of injury!

Cecchini = blocked in boston for a few years at least Marrero = blocked in boston forthe froseeable future Johnson = back of the rotation kind of guy Any combination of those 3 that brought back any type of dependable pitching would seem like a good deal to me. I would like to see Johnson stick around if possible because has has shown some solid ability and right now we have no idea what we will be getting from that top 5. My feeling about prospects is that is does no one any good to keep them around forever if there is no obvious place for them to be on the roster.

If (and it appears that he is) Victorino is healthy, my bet is on Mookie to be in cf on opening day and not Cespedes. Things might change. He may be a lot better than I think he will be. We don't know. What we do know is that a healthy Victorino is about as good as you can get in right field. Ramirez will be in left. He may or he may not be an upgrade in the field. Once again we don't know. Like to think so but who knows. I hope that he stays healthy while playing the field. Looks to me like a future dh candidate. Betts had a great debut and projects high. I realize that we all love Brock Holt but if (when?) Pedroia gets hurt I hope that Betts gets moved to the position that he should be in.

That is a very different way of looking at things. It is refreshing. It can't get any worse.

The projections are all over the place and probably for good reason. They could be good and they could be bad. no one really knows what to make of this team. Project, guess, hope, all you want - I really can't remember seeing them go into the spring and feeling this way about them before. Let's hope the job gets done and that they compete. What are the constants here? who on that field would you be willing to say is a safe bet to perform at a high level? If everything aligns, they will be fine.

Once again - It literally is a whole different ballgame than it used to be. I think that this forum is actually just a small sample of the typical Red Sox fan. But, that being said, I really do think that the Red Sox fans that I have known, have never been particularly kind in either word or thought when the Sox haven't played well. Whether you or I like it or not, it is a way of life in New England. The true fan of this team feels a sense of ownership that we certainly don't have any right to feel but that is the way it goes. Personally I am very excited for the season to start but if things fall apart for whatever reason, I don't think that it will set well with Sox fans. We live in an environment that can be kind of harsh for a good part of the year - tends to darken ones thoughts. I think that most of us try to remain positive but it just doesn't always work out that way. I am a fan and will support them all the way but I can only speak for myself. The average guy or gal off the street is going to see a team that has spent the second highest amount of money spent by any team in the majors and still heads into the spring with what could to some appear to be muddled mess. Admittedly many of the issues this team has are good ones to have and many will work themselves out but I think the average fan might tend to be a little less positive about it than that. It certainly should be entertaining!

HEY - I am a lifelong Giants fan. Some might consider me old(er) but I am no old timer.

Odd man out is the million dollar boy who nobody really knows much about. If everybody is healthy, that would be my outfield.

I have to admit that I am looking forward to it more so than in some past years. There seems to be a great deal of intrigue here. A ton of questions that need to be answered. I still think that the Sox are holding some strong cards and that there will still be some significant moves made as we go along. Thank you and I hope that you enjoy the season as well.