Pitching coach John Farrell watches Beckett on the mound Wednesday morning 
Delcarmen ran out of the clubhouse for a morning workout
Wally the Green Monster directed traffic around the truck on Yawkey Way
The truck arrived at a frigid Fenway Park this mornin' just after 6 a.m. and the packing began at around 7:30 a.m. It was fully loaded by 2:15 when Hall of Famer Johnny Pesky climbed inside the cab and turned on the engine, symbolizing the start of the 2009 season.
Al Hartz of New England Household Moving and Storage, the company that has carted the Sox gear to Florida for the last 11 years, was back to drive the truck for the 11th time himself.
"I'll stop at a truck stop down somewhere in Jersey, sleep right here in the truck then stop again around Georgia," Hartz said this morning. "I'll roll into Fort Myers on Sunday, then into camp early Monday morning." (Steve Silva / Boston.com)
Sox legend Johnny Pesky was the Grand Marshal of the Truck Day ceremonies
The truck was loaded up with everything from bats and balls to e-mails from fans and even a motorcycle!
So while the rest of the world suffers through six more weeks of bitter cold winter, Red Sox Nation can wrap itself up in the thought of the team's spring training essentials travelin' to warmer weather.
Mark the calendar with these spring training dates to help you survive winter's final gaelstorms:
I'm sure its merely coicindence that the little one's initials spell out PAP...
The party calls Obama “the candidate which expresses legitimate concern for the continued improvement of technology, as well as the other key issues of importance: patent and copyright reform.”
“Mr. Obama clearly understands the important role that the internet plays in delivering information and communications in general, and his stance on privacy reflects this, saying at a speech given at the Google campus, 'I will take a backseat to no one in my commitment to network neutrality.'” Yar!
In Massachusetts, you have less than 11 hours to get out and vote. Find your polling location at VoteForChange.com and remind your friends that every vote counts!
[Photo Credit: Esty]
Papelbon dressed in drag at an event to support The Lester Project
Farrell will be back with the BoSox in '09, but the fates of the Admiral and Cap'n are still unknown.Pitching coach John Farrell, who has received rave reviews since arriving in '07, is expected to be back for a third season. Farrell received interest from the Pirates for their managerial position a year ago, but he elected to stay in Boston. (Ian Browne / MLB.com) Yar!
Bullpen coach Gary Tuck's key role for the team has been working with the catchers aboard the Black Pearl. More importantly, though, it was at his behest that the Red Sox relievers began referring to themselves as band of pirates in 2007.
Also part of the returning crew are bench coach Brad Mills, hitting coach Dave Magadan, and third-base coach DeMarlo Hale. First-base coach Louie Alicea was not offered a contract.
[Photo Credit: AP Photo]
El Caballito and Crisp look dismayed in the 9th as Casey and Drew begin to pack up
Lester delivered a strong performance in Game 7, allowing three runs and retiring the first nine batters he faced.
Okajima pitched in his third consecutive game on Sunday, and just like in Games 5 and 6, Okajima didn't allow a run. In 7 1/3 innings during the ALCS, Okajima didn't allowed a hit or a run, striking out five. (Mark Remme / MLB.com)
As if it wasn't bad enough watching Garza expectorate a moat of saliva around the mound for 8 innings, Lester's three earned runs were more than enough for the Rays as they advance to the World Series after tonight. Fer those of you brave enough to watch (though I'd prefer to pretend it isn't happening), the coverage will begin Wednesday on Fox.
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On the horizon:
A silver lining:
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[Photo Credit: Boston Globe]
