Well hello out there in Gabland, The first week of baseball season is in the books.I love this time of year baseball is starting and Hockey is in it’s second season, It’s all good.

It didn’t get any better then the Penguins –Flyers game last night to kickoff the NHL playoffs. The Pens had a 3-1 lead in the 3^rd period and the Flyers battled back winning the game 4-3 in OT. Dan Briere with a pair of goals. Sid the kid seems to be back in full fore. Tonight I’m looking forward to the Bruins and The Capitails.. I think will be a good series with the Bruins off course ending up on top.

The Boston Red Sox have picked up right were they left off last year. They are struggling to start the Bobby V. era. Of course being dealt a blow two days before the season started didn’t help with the often injured Andrew Bailey well getting injured no closer to July. They have in fact nominated Alfredo Aceves who struggled his first two outings but looked good in his 3^rd. I’m pulling for this kid he was thrown in the fire and I hope he does well. But the one major flaw with the Red Sox is pitching after John Lester who do they have Josh Beckett and his thumb injury and he does have one. Then who I’m hoping Daniel Bard does well in the starter role didn’t have an awful outing is first time out but it was great allowing 5 in5. The one ki a do like on that staff is Felix Doubront. I think he will  be ok as a starter.

Is Bobby V the man ? Time will tell the masses here in the Bay State want the guys head after 6 games. But honestly he hasn't made any bad moves the players aren’t performing up to expectation AND THAT’S NOT HIM THAT’S THEM. Valentine likes the media and he likes being in the spotlight but don’t push him or ask him anything controversial like they did on WEEI’s Dennis and Callahan  ( listen to interview click link) yesterday because Bobby got a little defensive and ended the interview abruptly.

It’s ok for both Rodney Harrison and Teddy Bruschi to criticize and give there honest opinions about the Patriots both on NBC and ESPN. Why in Red Sox fans eyes it isn’t ok for Curt Schilling to give his honest opinion after talking  to some connections about the Bobby Valentine and the players not buying in.

 I’m keeping an open mind with him in my eyes  I thought Terry francona was fantastic handling the egos and personalties and protecting his players. I also thought Francona had good coaches with him over the years especially John Farrell , and Brad Mills. Farrell  brought the best out in Josh Beckett in my humble opinion.

Speaking of Terry Francona he slapped the Red Sox back a little back after telling them he doesn’t feel comfortable coming back for the 100 year celebration next Friday against the Yankees. They have invited every living Red Sox player and manager back and the guy that won them 2 World Series won’t be there  according to an  article by Dan Shaugnessy of the Boston Globe. Francona got a call from Larry Luchino  and they ended up in an argument. Francona simply says he doesn’t feel comfortable coming back and I don’t blame him. After somebody in that organization threw Tito under the bus do you blame him?

It was probably time for change when your employees kind of tune you out and do with they want. It’s time for you to go or it’s time for them to go. In the rest of the World the employees would be going as the company would say they are right sizing, In sports it’s all on the coach or manager the mid level manager handling millions of dollars in assets. If they don’t perform it’s on him.

Tales From Behind The Mask.

My  High School Baseball season started yesterday. I ended up doing a Freshman game . It was opening day for both teams and it was a fairly well played game to the surprise of both Umpires and Coaches. The kid for the home team went 7 complete worked his way out of bases loaded no out jam in the 5^th without allowing a run. 

So we are in the parking lot changing for the game the AD comes over and starts teasing my partner who he knew . Just  some real good natured teasing. The first question we ask for the 4 O’Clock start will we be on time. I had a miserable day at work with some serious issue happening near the end of the day. I was looking forward to this. The bus rolls in  and  the question was answered we will be on time. Wait hold on there is no team on it. The bus driver got confused he was picking up the home team  Instead of picking up the visiting team. He got the venues confused. The bus company sent another bus for the visitors and we started about a half hour late.

Finally

Lil Lanz made is Major League Debut with his  Blue Jays in a preseason matchup went 0 for 2  with a walk ended up stealing 2 bases was stranded at 3rd. against those pesky Red Sox