So it is only nine days after New England's second Super Bowl in three years. 15 straight wins, a 17-2 overall record and quarterback Tom Brady has emerged as one of Boston's elite athletes. However, two words not pertaining to football are on the minds of many New Englanders including myself: Spring Training. With pitchers and catchers due to report in less than two weeks, there is already much talk and excitement about the 2004 Red Sox. It will not be for nearly two months that Pedro Martinez opens the season in Baltimore.
The horrific night of Oct. 16 will never leave the minds of Red Sox fans. Nonetheless, we are ready for another season. With the recent news of the signing of former Red Sox outfielder Ellis Burks and the two-year extension given to right fielder Trot Nixon, fans are already speculating about possible lineups and combinations for the summer of 2004. Ahhh, summer, a word that seems as far away as the Patriots set back in September to the Redskins. With temperatures frequently dipping below zero degrees, New Englanders have had to endure an usually tough winter. The thoughts of sitting in the bleachers enjoying a Fenway Frank watching Curt Schilling pitch are rather pleasant.
Football season is over and the the NBA and NHL are well into their second halves, the local teams are nothing to get too excited about. The Bruins are having a fine season, but the chances of them making noise in the playoffs are about as good as Brady being named as a reserve to the AFC Pro Bowl team. The Celtics are now six games below .500. The chances of them getting into the playoffs or furthermore advancing to further rounds are about as good as Antowian Smith getting the nod for the replacement spot for the Pro Bowl.
It is hard to even make a case for excitement over the local college hoops teams. February is known as the "dead month" in Boston sports, and it is no livelier this year with the let down after the Patriots' celebration.
This year's team promises to be even stronger than that of last year. Newly acquired starting pitcher Curt Schilling and closer Keith Foulke will hopefully improve a pitching rotation and bullpen that were suspect at times last year. Although Todd Walker's offensive production will be missed (five home runs in the post-season), the platoon of Tony Womack, Pokey Reese and Mark Bellhorn should prove to be effective at second base.
Old friend Ellis Burks joins the Sox for the first time since the elder Bush administration in what will most likely be his last year in the Major Leagues. The new acquisitions accompanied by the return of key players such as Trot Nixon, Mike Timlin and Scott Williamson make even the most pessimistic of Red Sox fans somewhat hopeful heading into the 2004 campaign. And of course long time Red Sox nation hero Nomaah Garciaparra will be the opening day shortstop after all.
The early days of the 162 game baseball season are relatively meaningless if looked upon in light of the whole season, however thoughts of Johnny Damon digging in for the first pitch of the season on opening day and hearing Jerry Remy and Sean McDonough broadcast games are only a couple of the numerous aspects of the baseball season that us fans look forward to. So for the next couple weeks there will be the annual Beanpot and the College Basketball rivalry week, however although they play each other a million times during spring training, I believe the first Twins and Red Sox spring training game will generate nearly as much excitement for Boston sports fans as any sports event in February.