Having your number retired is the highest tribute a team can pay you.  It says "You distinguished yourself while wearing the number and no on else could ever hold a candle to what you accomplished."  Traditionally, it is a teams way to thank a player who meant something to the franchise.  Next time you're at Fenway, look up at the rightfield grandstand and you'll see the retired numbers of great Sox stars.  The first thing most fans do when they go to the Garden is look towards the heavens and try to name the players who have had their numbers retired by the Celtics.  Even the Yankees have that tradition, I hear.  Baseball decided that they would pay the ultimate tribute to Jackie Robinson by retiring his #42 throughout baseball, forever.

     The practice of retiring numbers just took a shot to the heart in Chicago.  The White Sox are going to "un" retire the number 11 that had been put in moth balls in honor of the great shortstop Luis Aparicio.  The Venezuelan who spent part of the tail end of his career in Boston was enshrined in Cooperstown in 1984.  That same year, his number was retired.  The 1956 American League Rookie of the Year was a nine time Gold Glove winner and a ten time All Star and this is how they thank him.  Omar Vizquel is the man who'll wear the number this summer and Aparicio said all the right things in a recent interview.  "I have known Omar for a long time.  Along with being an outstanding player, he is a good and decent man."  Vizquel is a compatriot of Aparicio and a borderline potential Hall of Famer at best.  Vizquel has played more games in the Majors at shortstop than anyone else ever has, and is a 3 time All Star.

     Who's to blame?  Let's start with Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen.  He wears the number 13, which was the number Vizquel has worn throughout his career, no doubt a tribute to yet another great Venezuelan shortstop, Dave Concepcion.  Any other manager would put a player ahead of his own needs.  Not Guillen.  He basically told the media in the Windy City that 13 was his number and there was no way he'd give it up to Vizquel.  Very mature.  Never liked Guillen, never will.  How about Omar, himself?  Grow up and wear any old number.  Do you really think it makes a difference?  How is this a tribute to Aparicio?   The tribute was when you retired the number.  This is an anti-tribute.  Poor old Luis Aparicio.  He was in a no-win situation.  If he said he didn't want his number worn again, he'd have been villified as a poor sport.  Inject Aparicio with truth serum and he has to be ticked off.  Wouldn't you be upset if your former team yanked the rug out from under your feet?  "Sorry Mr. Ruth, but David Wells wants to wear the number 3.  I'm sure you wouldn't mind.  Thanks for being the greatest player ever, but you're dead now and Wells could win a few games for us, and after all..."  It just isn't right.

     Maybe the White Sox should think twice before retiring a number.  Maybe they should just say they are putting it down for a nap.  Maybe they could invoke a Brett Favre or a Jay Leno clause.  Anyway, no matter how you slice it, Luis Aparicio deserves better treatment. 

     Saturday would have been the 115th birthday of George Herman Ruth, known simply as the Babe.  Of course, no one except maybe some Estonian woman, living in the mountains, makes it to that age.  I read an article that pointed out, that since Ruth retired in 1935, the number of Major league records he owns has dropped from 17 to now, just 4.  Career and single season marks for home runs and other categories have been obliterated by the good (Hank Aaron) the bad (Barry Bonds) and the ugly (Mark McGwire).  I think though, that if you ask people of a certain age or generation,  Babe Ruth is still the gold standard.  I realize he died in 1948, but to me, (born in 1961) he was the player to which all others are compared.

     We talk about performance enhancing drugs, human growth hormones, steroids.  All the things that modern players thought would make them bigger, stronger and better.  From what I read, Babe Ruth was on the hot dog and beer diet.  A carouser of epic proportions, that answered the bell every night.  Ruth would be a megastar even today.  He loved people and loved being loved.  He was an orphan who himself, had a soft spot for kids.  I've never been much for the arguments about Ali/Louis or Russell/O'Neal because they're strictly speculation.  There really is no way to know how a players' skills would translate in a different era.  The exception in my mind is Ruth.  I am pretty sure he could hit a fastball of Nolan Ryan or Tim Lincecum or Sandy Koufax.  Any pitcher, any time.

     You can't help but wonder how the complexion of the game would have been different if Red Sox owner Harry Frazee hadn't sold Ruth to the Yankees to help finance his play "No No Nannette".  There would have been no Murderer's Row, no teaming with Lou Gehrig, no multiple crowns for New York.  It all may have happened in Boston instead. 

     One term I don't miss is "Curse of the Bambino".  Fabricated by Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe, it was finally eradicated when Boston defeated St. Louis in the 2004 World Series (Not after the GREATEST collapse in the history of sports- by the Yankees in the '04 American League Championship Series).  About 15 years ago I interviewed Ruths' daughter, Julia Ruth Stevens on a radio show I was hosting.  I asked and she kindly consented to lift the "Curse".  It did take about 8 or 9 years to catch on, but it finally did.

     Babe Ruth seemed like a really cool guy.  One of my favorite photos in the vast McCoy Stadium collection, is of Ruth and Ted Williams sitting and talking.  I imagine it would have been fun to sit and have a beer with a guy like Ruth.  I'd buy the first round.  After all, it is his 115th birthday.

     The Red Sox, like the Patriots make no secret of their desire to clean house, whittle away the pieces that they feel are no longer useful, or that won't ever, in their minds, make a contribution at the Major League level.  I am absolutely fascinated by the fact that the two longest tenured members of the Sox are now way past their primes and clinging to days gone by, hoping for a renaissance.  Tim Wakefield and Jason Varitek, mainstays of the two World Series champions are going to be relegated to backup roles in 2010.  The question is, will the old men act like little kids?

     Varitek was a cheap option as a backup to Victor Martinez. Maybe if George Kottaras had shown enough improvement, he wouldn't have ended up with the Brewers.  We are all painfully aware of Teks' precipitous dropoff in offensive production these last couple of years.  The company line though, is that he is so valuable as a handler of a pitching staff.  I suppose he can't hurt you that much if he plays only once a week.  If Martinez gets hurt,  Dusty Brown and/or Mark Wagner better be ready.  Varitek still wears the Captains' "C" on his chest.  There is a reason he does and it's because of the respect he's earned throughout his career.  I envision Varitek as the "good soldier" that won't rock the boat and relish his role as elder statesman on the club.  It won't be easy on him psychologically, but there will be so much less wear and tear on him physically that he might actually be productive in the new role.

     Wakefield might be a different story.  In 2009 he made his first All Star team after a stellar first half.  His 43 year old body broke down and was of no use the rest of the way.  Terry Francona made it abundantly clear (at least in my mind) that Wakefield would be used in the rotation on an "as needed" basis.  He more than likely will serve as a long reliever.  Francona talked about 2006 and vowed that he and Theo Epstein would never come up short on pitchers again.  I am enthralled by the rotation of Lester, Beckett, Lackey, Matsuzaka and Buchholz.  Could they become the first team since the Orioles of the early seventies to boast 4 20 game winners?  With all due respect to Jim Palmer, Mike Cuellar, Dave McNally and Pat Dobson, it is a real possibility.  Wakefield is making noise about expecting to be in the rotation not the bullpen.  Those in the know realize that although the Sox gave him a two year extension, he was very unhappy with the money.  Giving him the benefit of the doubt, we'll assume that he too, will behave nicely.  If he is unhappy and is vocal about it, that could affect the team chemistry.  I'm positive that Tim Wakefield has many fans in the Boston clubhouse.

     The third "old guy", Mike Lowell comes in to Spring Training in some sort of weird "limbo".  If not for the bad thumb that required surgery, Lowell would be apartment hunting in Arlington, Texas.  Lowell will arrive in Fort Myers knowing that he already is "persona non grata."  It makes things just a tiny bit uncomfortable.  Not just for the three senior citizens, but for management and the other players.

     Much has been made of the revamped defense and the deep pitching.  The offense is being underestimated, I think. On paper, the Red Sox might be very good.  Haven't really heard anyone mention the chemistry.  That could be the X-factor heading into 2010.

     I think it's remarkable how well Dan Hoard and I get along.  Given the amount of time we spend together during the season, we genuinely like each other.  That is not to say that we agree on everything.  He likes to try new places for lunch and I could eat a tuna sandwich from Subway every day.  Dan tries different imported beers when we go out and I drink only the "King of Beers", Budweiser.  One area where I believe we are in 100% agreement is when it comes to Jon Miller.  The Giants announcer is second only to the great Vin Scully.  This July,  Miller will take his rightful spot in the announcers' wing at the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, as the recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award, for meritorious service to baseball broadcasting.  Miller has a great voice, but that is only the beginning.  There are lots of guys with good pipes, but Miller has substance.  Come to think of it, I'd probably enjoy listening to him recite the alphabet.  His timing is impeccable and his vocabulary is extensive.  In short, he is just about the best.  His partner in San Francisco is former PawSox announcer Dave Flemming, the man I replaced in Pawtucket in 2004.  Dave is a super-intelligent guy to begin with, with degrees from Stanford and Syracuse.  Imagine the Phd. he's getting sitting next to Miller every night.  I met Miller back when he was working for the Orioles, before he achieved his legendary status.  I will never forget him parading through the press box at Camden Yards in bright orange gym shorts and a dress shirt and sandals, with a paper plate full of hot dogs.  Beats the heck out of going into the office every day, doesn't it?  My guess is that he'll wear a nicer outfit when he is enshrined.  I can guarantee, however, that he will give the days' best acceptance speech.

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     Joe Nelson has signed with Boston.  The 35 year old reliever, who spent 2009 with the Rays, inked a minor league deal with the Red Sox and could spend time at McCoy this season.  Nelson pitched for the PawSox back in 2004.  There are two things I'll always remember about Joe.  1.) His "Vulcan" pitch and 2.) He wound up marrying his surgeon.  This signing will also cause some turmoil in my nephews' house. Seven year old "Duke" told me he hated Nelson because he pitched for Tampa.  The kid is already a Sox loyalist.  I'm going to have to play the role of Henry Kissinger and set up a summit so the two "adversaries" can meet.  Poor Joe has no idea what he's in for.

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     It looks like we can take Joe Mauer off our wish list.  The MVP catcher for the Twins is scheduled to be a free agent after the 2010 season, but reports out of Minnesota indicate that Mauer and the club are on the verge of a ten year deal that could be worth around 200 million dollars.  It would be a departure for the Twins, signing one of their stars to a long term deal.  He is just 27 years old so a ten year pact isn't outlandish.  Only Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez are currently under such a long-term contract. 

     I think it's remarkable how well Dan Hoard and I get along.  Given the amount of time we spend together during the season, we genuinely like each other.  That is not to say that we agree on everything.  He likes to try new places for lunch and I could eat a tuna sandwich from Subway every day.  Dan tries different imported beers when we go out and I drink only the "King of Beers", Budweiser.  One area where I believe we are in 100% agreement is when it comes to Jon Miller.  The Giants announcer is second only to the great Vin Scully.  This July,  Miller will take his rightful spot in the announcers' wing at the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, as the recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award, for meritorious service to baseball broadcasting.  Miller has a great voice, but that is only the beginning.  There are lots of guys with good pipes, but Miller has substance.  Come to think of it, I'd probably enjoy listening to him recite the alphabet.  His timing is impeccable and his vocabulary is extensive.  In short, he is just about the best.  His partner in San Francisco is former PawSox announcer Dave Flemming, the man I replaced in Pawtucket in 2004.  Dave is a super-intelligent guy to begin with, with degrees from Stanford and Syracuse.  Imagine the Phd. he's getting sitting next to Miller every night.  I met Miller back when he was working for the Orioles, before he achieved his legendary status.  I will never forget him parading through the press box at Camden Yards in bright orange gym shorts and a dress shirt and sandals, with a paper plate full of hot dogs.  Beats the heck out of going into the office every day, doesn't it?  My guess is that he'll wear a nicer outfit when he is enshrined.  I can guarantee, however, that he will give the days' best acceptance speech.

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     Joe Nelson has signed with Boston.  The 35 year old reliever, who spent 2009 with the Rays, inked a minor league deal with the Red Sox and could spend time at McCoy this season.  Nelson pitched for the PawSox back in 2004.  There are two things I'll always remember about Joe.  1.) His "Vulcan" pitch and 2.) He wound up marrying his surgeon.  This signing will also cause some turmoil in my nephews' house. Seven year old "Duke" told me he hated Nelson because he pitched for Tampa.  The kid is already a Sox loyalist.  I'm going to have to play the role of Henry Kissinger and set up a summit so the two "adversaries" can meet.  Poor Joe has no idea what he's in for.

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     It looks like we can take Joe Mauer off our wish list.  The MVP catcher for the Twins is scheduled to be a free agent after the 2010 season, but reports out of Minnesota indicate that Mauer and the club are on the verge of a ten year deal that could be worth around 200 million dollars.  It would be a departure for the Twins, signing one of their stars to a long term deal.  He is just 27 years old so a ten year pact isn't outlandish.  Only Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez are currently under such a long-term contract. 

     Johnny Damon is a nice man.  I say that from experience.  In 2004, Red Sox senior adviser Jeremy Kapstein facilitated a meeting at Fenway Park between the long-haired, bearded outfielder and my two daughters, Eva and Carly, then 11 and 8.  They idolized Damon and he could not have been any nicer to them.  He signed autographs and posed for a picture with the girls.  In fact, I still carry the photo in my wallet.  Needless to say, like the rest of Red Sox Nation, they were heartbroken when he signed with the Yankees.

     Damons' contract with the Yankees is up and for the moment, he has no baseball home.  Earlier this offseason,  New York offered him a reported 14 million over the next two years and he and his agent, Scott Boras, turned it down.  Damon, 36, will be hard pressed to get an offer from any team, anywhere near that amount.  The Yankees insisted that they want to go "younger" when Damon spurned their offer.  They signed Randy Winn, 35.  They did hold true to their word, I guess.  Recently, bargaining from a positon of power, the "Empire" offered a one year, 6 million buck deal.  Damon again said "no".  Toronto has expressed interest, as has Tampa Bay.  Neither will come close to either of the Yankees' offers.

     I guess I am continually amazed at the salaries offered, accepted, and turned down.  Scott Boras is very often in the middle of these negotiations.  A couple of years ago, he "helped" Jason Varitek to half of what Boston originally offered, and now he's done the same for Johnny.  These are grown men who ultimately make their own decisions, so you can't blame Boras entirely, but they do rely on their agents and personal managers for such advice.

     You can't fault the Yankees for trying to get him, or anyone, as cheaply as possible (although they've never worried about money before) and you can't argue with Damons' reasoning either.  Athletes have a very limited window of opportunity to make as much as they can.  Sometimes, you have to recognize when you are well off, though.  Damon is still a very viable option.  He handles the circus in New York very well and still has the skills to get it done.  The Yankees cut ties with Damon and Hideki Matsui this offseason, giving their 2010 lineup and outfield a decidedly different look.

     Damon helped both the Sox and Yankees to World Series titles.  He remains one of my personal favorites.  Former PawSox manager Ron Johnson managed a young Damon years ago in the Kansas City chain and he loves him.  Johnny will make some team better this season.  I'm just glad it's not the Yankees anymore.

     How badly has George Steinbrenners' health deteriorated?  The 79 year old Yankees owner had the World Series trophy brought to his home in Tampa so he could see it.  Big news in the Florida city was that the Boss stopped by the office the other day.  He used to make headlines for firing managers, now it's news when he's seen in public.

     Apparently they held aa fantasy camp at the Yankees complex and fans plunked down money to play with the likes of Lee Mazzilli, David Wells and Mickey Rivers.  As Simon and Garfunkel once asked- "Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?"

     Scary moment for former PawSox speedster Freddy Guzman recently.  The outfielder was zapped in the head while playing a Winter League game in the Dominican Republic.  Ubaldo Jimenez uncorked a 97 mile an hour fastball that hit "Fast Freddy".  Guzman is OK and has been cleared to resume play. 

     Speaking of Winter ball.  There was a great article in the "New York Times" recently about former PawSox manager, Buddy Bailey.  The 52 year old Bailey has distinguished himself as a manager in Venezuela, where his teams have won 5 titles in the last decade.  "An American Household Name In Venezuela" first appeared in the "Caracas Post".  It detailed Baileys' exploits managing the "Tigres de Aragua".  According to the story- "Bailey is worshipped by some, reviled by others, but ignored by no one" in the baseball-obsessed nation.  The fact that he has gained success in President Hugo Chavez' Venezuela is that much more remarkable.  Chavez has made no secret the way he feels about the United States.  Bailey is so well thought of that some want him to replace former Major Leaguer Luis Sojo as manager/coach of the Venezuelan National Team.  Bailey is a taskmaster and does not suffer fools well.  He is an "old-school" type of guy that values hard work and effort. "If you're being paid to be a professional, you have to put your nose to the grindstone and work hard all the time.  I believe in hard work."  In the year I spent with the "Captain" (2004), I found him to be an extremely engaging gentleman.  When he's working, he's working.  After the game, he'll enjoy a cold beverage and some "man talk."  He really is a lot of fun to be around.  While he was with the PawSox, a couple of players who've gone on to success in the Big Leagues complained about Buddy and his approach.  One player, who I won't name, "cried" incessantly about Bailey.  "He doesn't like me!"  Waaaaaah!!  As I tried to tell the young man then, Bailey was just trying to get the most out of him.  Apparently he has succeeded in South America with that approach.  Buddy still manages in the Cubs organization (Daytona) during the season where he toils in relative anonymity.  In Venezuela, he is famous.  One sports scribe down there wrote "Maybe he's not very friendly and maybe he's not easygoing with teammates, but he's a leader who knows how to win."  Sounds like Buddy Bailey has earned the respect of an entire nation.  Glad to hear it.  Incidentally, this article appeared on page  A1 of the December 30, 2009 edition of the "Times."    

     While most baseball players have been working out diligently in preparation for the 2010 season, one is not.  Oakland's, Grant Desme, ranked the eighth best prospect in the Athletics system is retiring.   Not because he is old.  He's just 23.  Not because he is no good.  He was recently named the Most Valuable Player at the Arizona Fall League, where he hit .315 with 11 home runs and 27 rbi in just 27 games.  Desme completed a successful 2009 campaign with Kane County and Stockton, hitting .288 with 31 round trippers, 88 rbi and 40 stolen bases.  Desme has decided to trade in his bat and glove for rosary beads and a bible.  He aspires to become a Catholic priest.  Most players are "gym rats", the type of guys who have to have the uniform torn off their back at the end of their career.  Desme was a second round pick out of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2007.  He will put away his cleats and enter the seminary in August.  At about the time many of his teammates will be hitting their prime in the Majors, Desme will realize his dream of becoming a priest.  In a recent interview Desme said "It's a ten year process.  It's kind of like re-entering the minor leagues."  Many of us aspire to fame and riches.  Playing professional sports is a dream to the vast majority of people.  This dude must really be legit.  He is giving up the chance at making life-changing money to try to change the lives of other people.  While fans sit in the stands praying for a win, this guy is going to be in a church somewhere praying for those fans.  While former teammates are at a bar or mall trying to meet women or shop for the latest fashions, Desme will be knee-deep in vows of celibacy and poverty.  Doesn't sound like much fun to me.  I can honestly say that I have never once, even for a second, toyed wsith the idea of the priesthood.  How does that thought creep into ones' head?  And further, how do you finally pull the trigger and act on it?  When speaking about his decision last week, he admitted- "It took me a while to get to."

     I don't know Desme, but I guess his actions are to be appauded.  it's just not my cup of tea.  In one of my all-time favorite movies, "Saturday Night Fever", Tony's (John Travolta) brother "Father Frank" decides to leave the priesthood, bringing shame to his middle-class Italian family.  I guess this is just the opposite, although I'm sure that there are folks who are scratching their heads over this choice.  The only one who really matters in this case is Desme, himself.  "I love the game" he said.  "But I aspire to higher things."  Still what about some kind of compromise like a trade to the Angels or even the Padres?

     The PawSox annual Hot Stove party takes place this weekend at McCoy Stadium.  On Friday we got together with a bunch of the Red Sox top prospects in Pawtucket and looked ahead to the 2010 season.  New manager Torey Lovullo, and his wife Kristen are still in town and will preside over the festivities Saturday.  Also present were Director of Player Development Mike Hazen, who good naturedly threw a beat down at former manager Ron Johnson.  "Torey won't want to use the office that RJ had until it's been disinfected."  Jon Jochim is the new athletic trainer, replacing Greg Barajas, now with the Red Sox.  He joins the staff after a year with the Double A Portland Sea Dogs.  Mike Roose will also join the staff as the strength and conditioning coach.

     It will be interesting to see which of the prospects begins the season in Pawtucket.  On hand were 21 year old Ryan Kalish who split 2009 between Salem and Portland.  He combined for 18 HR and 77 RBI.  The native of New Jersey was a ninth round pick in 2006.  Juinchi Tazawa, no stranger to PawSox fans, was accompanied by translator Masai Takahashi.  Tazawa made his M.L. debut in '09.  25 year old Randor Bierd, acquired last season in the trade for David Pauley says he is healthy and ready to go.  Lefty Felix Doubront had the second best ERA in the Eastern League last year.  The 22 year old could be a good bet for a summer in Pawtucket.  Kyle Weiland was a third round pick in 2008 out of Notre Dame.  He spent last season in Salem and could be a year away from McCoy.  Jeff Natale, looking fit and trim after spending his winter in Boston working out is ready for '10.  "A little bit of defensive consistency is all that is keeping him out of the Majors" according to Ron Johnson.  Assuming Natale returns to Pawtucket, he will continue to host his weekly radio segment "At Bat with Nat." 

     Casey Kelly is one of the crown jewels in the Red Sox system.  Ranked as the #2 prospect in the organization by Baseball America, behind RI native Ryan Westmoreland, Kelly is the son of former Major Leaguer and minor league manager, Pat Kelly.  The senior Kelly was the skipper of the 2009 Syracuse SkyChiefs and I was the radio broadcaster for the team.  I have clear memories of PK bringing his son with us on the road and dining with them at a steakhouse.  Casey was set to accept a full scholarship at the University of Tennessee to play quarterback for the Vols before he was drafted by Boston in the first round in 2008.  After splitting time between shortstop and pitcher last season, he and the Sox have decided to devote all Caseys' time to mound work.  He looks forward to a season with no big decisions to make.  "I only played football because it was fun.  I never thought I could do anything with it.  I just played it because I had a good arm and I liked football.  I started to get noticed, and have letters come in from big-time programs.  It was very exciting and when I signed with Tennessee, I was ready to go there."  The Red Sox were able to change his mind.  "The draft came and it was something I couldn't pass up.  Growing up around baseball, I knew it was my first love and from there, it was a no-brainer."  So he picked baseball over football and with some prodding, pitching over shortstop.  "We kind of sat down during the offseason and talked about where we saw me and the path I'd take to the Major Leagues.  I sat for long lengths with my family and talked about what was my goal.  That was to be in the Big Leagues.  It really didn't matter how I got there.  That was an easy decision." 

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     Last summer, I had to be peeled off the ceiling when legendary writer and broadcaster Peter Gammons told me he enjoyed listening to me on the air.  Got just as big a boost on Friday when Gordon Edes, formerly of the Boston Globe, now with ESPN Boston.com told me he liked this blog.  Thanks Gordon.  The feeling is way more than mutual. 

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     I want to congratulate two colleagues.  Joe McDonald of the Providence Journal was named the state of RI's sportswriter of the year.  I am honored to share the states' sportscaster of the year award with Steve McDonald of WHJJ, who also serves as a sideline reporter for Cox broadcasts of PawSox games.  We will be heading to Salisbury North Carolina in early May for the annual National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association convention.  I'm fortunate enough to have won for the third time in the last four years.  No way it's possible without my partner Dan Hoard, and  Ben Mondor and Mike Tamburro who graciously allow me to broadcast PawSox games. 

     New PawSox skipper Torey Lovullo made his first public appearance in Pawtucket on Wednesday morning as a member of the "Nation",  addressing the gathered media at McCoy Stadium.  Lovullo most recently served as the Triple A manager in the Indians system, first in Buffalo and then in Columbus.  After the gathering, he headed to Boston.  He'll be back in Pawtucket by Friday afternoon for another media assemblage, prior to Saturdays' Hot Stove Party at McCoy.  Lovullo, 44 is a veteran of 22 years in pro baseball, including parts of 8 seasons as a big league player.  Lovullo looks forward to getting started with the PawSox.  "I'm really happy to be here.  What I'm joining is such a great baseball tradition.  What goes on here in Pawtucket is pretty special.  As a visiting manager, as a visiting player, I used to enjoy coming in here.  The town, the chemistry, the community of people, the fan support...Now that I'm a part of it, it's just too much for me to think about.  There's so much excitement, I can't wait for the season to get started."

     Lovullo has a pre-existing relationship with several key members of the Sox organization.  He played for Terry Francona in Philadelphia and worked with pitching coach John Farrell and Director of Player Development Mike Hazen in Cleveland.  Those factors played a big role in his decision to join the Red Sox chain. "One of the major reasons  I came here was the family of managers and the family of people that are making key decisions.  That's what I want to be around.  Great baseball people, great teachers and great friends.  John Farrell and Terry Francona fit into that category."

     Lovullo is ready to cast his own shadow in Pawtucket.  He fills the considerable shoes of Ron Johnson, who will be the first base coach for Boston in 2010.  While he knows and respects RJ, he will make the job his own.  "I don't want to try to replace Ron Johnson, I don't want to try to be Ron Johnson.  He had a great run here and now he's in the Big Leagues where he belongs.  It's time for  me to step in and continue the tradition he started, developing players and sending them to the Big Leagues.  I don't want to feel the pressure of having to replace him because you can't.  It's impossible.  He's a great man, a great baseball man.  I want to go in there and develop Major League players to the best of my ability.  I want to teach them what my expectations are to help get them to that next level and be successful."

     Born in Santa Monica, California, Lovullo's father, Sam, was a legendary producer of the TV show "Hee-Haw."  Torey once told me a story about himself and "The King".  I made him tell it to me again.  "I didn't know who he was.  I was 5 years old.  My family made a trip to Palm Springs where Elvis Presley had a home.  We walked in for a visit.  I migrated outside where there was a basketball hoop.  I was playing basketball with this giant figure.  I didn't know who he was, but when we got in the car, my sisters told me I had just played basketball with one of the greatest entertainers of all time.  At that point I realized that maybe it was something special.  It really wasn't until about ten years later that I realized what I did."

     As a player, Lovullo was a part of 4 Governors' Cup championships.  If he can bring the first one to McCoy since 1984, maybe we'll refer to him as "The King".