raw thoughts from Boston's last home Spring Training game

**i am starting to think that Pedroia's problem on the field isn't inexperience or lack of talent. he's just too tiny to cover the Lugo-sized hole at short.

**this Clay Buccholz kid gave a heck of a first impression. they kept likening him to Anaheim's K-Rod, which if i am not mistaken, is just plain awesome. plus his name sounds like he belongs in Boston. just like i said about Hinkse last year. but back to this kid. look at this scouting report!

Scouting Report: Buchholz has a low-to-mid 90s four-seam fastball, a two-seam
fastball, a slider, a hard 12-to-6 curveball, and a change-up. In 2006, Buchholz
actually let loose towards the end of the season, when his fastball was sitting
around 96 mph. However, over the course of the season his fastball typically
sits around 93-94 and tops out at about 97 mph. His change-up is generally a
straight change that sits around 78-82 mph; he also throws a circle change. Good
demeanor on the mound. Pitches well under pressure, pitching coaches have said
he has ice water running through his veins. Needs to improve his consistency
slightly, but otherwise has ace makeup.

ice water in his veins?? that's *exactly* the kind of thing we need -- to put up with the constant swarm that results from playing for the Red Sox. i am intrigued. i hope he lives up to his stamp of "hot prospect" as he makes his way up through our farm system.

**why do they always say that the batter didn't like the called third strike? did we *expect* them to be happy about it? before someone starts explaining it to me, i know what they mean. the expression just bugs me.

**quote of the game: "what does Tampa Bay need to improve? about sixty million dollars." =P

**i never want to hear the words "Papelbon got spiked making the out at first" again. dear. God.