A Second Look
Friday, February 26, 2016 – JetBlue Park
Spring Training Workout
Today I was back in Ft. Myers for my second look at the 2016 team. The temperature was still below 70, but without yesterday’s breeze it felt a lot warmer. I even got started on my annual farmer’s tan. Big Papi was given the day off, and Rusney Castillo still has the flu, but the rest of the team was out working on fielding drills, live B.P., and regular batting practice. My favorite photos from the day are below.
Hall of Famer Jim Rice came out to watch while the team stretched. He's just one of several Red Sox alumni who we've seen working with the kids over the past couple of days. Rich Gedman is the Triple-A hitting coach, and Dwight Evans and Tim Wakefield are special instructors. Former players Lou Merloni and Steve Lyons are here too as members of the media.
New closer Craig Kimbrel, who came to the Red Sox in a trade with the Padres.
Lefty Robbie Ross Jr. and righty Carson Smith. Smith was acquired this off-season in a trade with the Mariners.
Travis Shaw fields a grounder at first base. He also got in some reps at third.
I got my first look at Hanley Ramirez at his new position. He spent the time fielding grounders and receiving throws from the other infielders, and did both without incident.
We watched Clay Buchholz throw live batting practice to Dustin Pedroia. We also saw Rick Porcello, Carson Smith, Junichi Tazawa, and minor leaguer William Cuevas throw to their teammates.
Jackie Bradley Jr. waits his turn before facing Rick Porcello.
It was a beautiful day for some batting practice.
Jackie Bradley Jr. smiles after finishing a round of B.P.
At the end of practice, Brock Holt stopped to sign autographs. We got Mookie Betts's autograph too. Thanks, guys!
The workout wrapped up earlier than usual because the players were on their way to a charity golf tournament in the afternoon. I was so happy to get an autograph from Mookie Betts that I didn’t even make a crack about whether he should be allowed on the course after his cart rolled into a lake during a golf outing earlier in the spring. Maybe let someone else drive the cart this time!
After lunch we headed up to Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota. It was cooler north of Ft. Myers – only 62 and very windy at the beach. But the water temperature was 64 and felt quite nice, warmer than my favorite Maine beaches get in the summer. We made sure to stop for an orange ice cream (technically I had a chocolate-lime twist) at Nokomis Groves in Nokomis on the way back.
Siesta Key Beach... Air temperature: 62, water temperature: 64, clouds in sky: 0.
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