Normally, I would report on the game that occurs on Monday.  Since there’s an off-day (much needed, as the Sox have an excruciating stretch of baseball coming up), I’ll go ahead and spew some mental diarrhea onto my computer.  Stand back!

Mental Diarrhea

* Like a rare, exotic fungus, NESN sportscaster Tina Cervasio is growing on me.  She is the down-to-Earth “Mary Ann” to Hazel Mae’s “Ginger”.  Bellisimo, Tina, Bellisimo! 

* J.D. Drew has been swinging the bat very well, but has also made a couple of very visible gaffes on this road trip.  I have a feeling that the latter, and not the former, will be on the minds of the Calvinistic local fans and media when the team comes home tomorrow.  It’s underserved, but he will be under a constant microscope this year.  Every misplay will be magnified times 100.

* Francona had been playing with fire, relying on J.C. Romero (who should be a LOOGY) a bit too often, and he was burnt against Texas.  However, when you factor out Romero, the bullpen has had a 2.35 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP thus far.  A small yet encouraging sample.    

* The 2 new radio guys are a study in contrast.  Dave O’Brien is outstanding, possessing a great radio voice and an excellent feel for the game.  Glen Geffner, however, sounds like I did when I was on Stonehill College radio.  That’s just a quick, crude observation on my part.  I’m a patient guy, and I can tolerate Geffner….but O’Brien has been tremendous thus far.

* Did you see where Dan O’Dowd and Clint Hurdle (GM and Manager of the Colorado Rockies) were given contract extensions?  If they were in Boston, their bloated carcasses would be at the bottom of Boston Harbor, being feasted upon by crabs and eels.    Seriously, I’m not sure how Rockies fans and media have given them this much of a pass over the years.

* I know this comment will instantly make me a pariah among the internet baseball community, but I actually enjoyed some of Joe Morgan’s analysis Sunday night on ESPN.  While he did say some things that made my head spin (“Kenny Lofton makes everyone around him better”), he had some great insights on David Ortiz’ swing, among other things.  I imagine that is his strength: picking apart the individual physical intricacies of the game.  As one of the best players in history, he probably has quite a bit to share about such things.  If he would only focus on that, and stop beating the “stats are useless” drum, he might remove that bullseye from his back.

* The stadium of our new high-A ball affiliate in Lancaster, CA had already acquired the reputation as one of the premier offensive parks in professional baseball, and that reputation has been fulfilled so far this season.  In 2007, an average of 20 runs per game has been scored at that park.  This can’t be good for the development of our pitching prospects at that level, and we do have quite a few of them there.   

* Over the past few seasons, John Lackey of the Angels has very quietly established himself as a legitimate #1 starter.  After two dominating starts, he is keeping the party rolling in 2007.  Look for him to be in the Cy Young conversation a few months down the road.

* I’ve never been a Barry Bonds guy, but I have to admit, it’s quite remarkable that he’s still standing after just about everything (including the U.S. Government) has been thrown at him over the past few seasons.  He really wants that record.     

* Right now, if you have to pick one MLB relief pitcher to go to war with, from any team in baseball, you pick Jonathan Papelbon.  His secondary pitch has improved, and his fastballs are cutting through bats like NYPD bullets though innocent citizens.

* You have to love the generosity of the Minnesota Twins and their GM Terry Ryan, handing the reeling Yankees a win last night.  I know the Bombers are going through some injury difficulties and pitching problems, but did the Twinkies really need to hand them a 700-pound gift basket in the form of Sidney Ponson?  They do still have one of the most promising pitching prospects in baseball in AAA (Matt Garza).  There is absolutely no reason for the Twins to employ someone of Ponson’s ilk.

* Today is the day of the 2007 opening of Fenway Park.  Alas, I have to work, but I plan on walking over to Game On (the bar underneath the stadium) to have a beer at lunch, and take in the atmosphere.  There is nothing else like it on earth.