some quick observations and tidbits from Spring Training

[chitownsportsfan]

Hit up three games, two the Sox played in.

 

Compared to when I went in '14, Abreu was incredibly relaxed and loose. Was joking around with the guys pregame, donned a skullcap under his hat and just really appeared at ease.

 

When not playing, Collins was working in the bullpen quite a bit with the pitchers and coaches, obviously the kid wants to stick at catcher and the sox are providing him that opportunity.

 

Avi hit one of his patented two choppers to 2nd, then as he was going out to the field Steverson stopped him and they chatted for a minute, looked like from the hand motions Steverson was making it known he wanted avi to pull the damn ball. After this happened I yelled (was about 80 feet away): "todd, teach that guy to hit, and he looked at me and shrugged. I laughed out loud so did a couple sox fans around me.

 

Renteria looked like a kid in a candy shop, he was chatting with the fans way more then robin, I think the job wore RV down, we'll see how Renteria handles it.

 

Moncada was electric from what I saw. Built like Mike Trout and runs like him too. He came up 2nd to last in the top of the 9th in the game yesterday (sell out against the Dbacks, 13K in the house) and probably half the people left just wanted to see him hit, as soon as he popped out quite a few sox fans got up, including us, and left.

 

Good overall showing from the Sox fans (didn't get to camelback this year) throughout the parks and Valley. So many damn Cubs fans. One local "the f***ing cubs fans have ruined spring training" As we walked out my buddy had on a Byrant shirt and the usher goes "104 more years!" Ha.

 

Sox played nice crisp defense in the IF other than Davidson, who you just hope can not be butcher level bad. There was a wide throw on a double play ball from Anderson I saw but all the routine plays were made in both games I saw, at least when the starters were in. Jose looks a little lighter to me this year. Engel looked good in OF, May not so much.

 

Lopez has a very smooth delivery and the D-Backs didn't hit him very hard. Wasn't blowing it by guys but was working ahead.

 

probably some things I'm forgetting but we did a lot of drinking so forgive me. If I remember anything else interesting I'll add it.

Edited March 6, 2017 by chitownsportsfan

[NorthSideSox72]

Thanks for the report!

 

[chitownsportsfan]

Thanks for the report!

 

no problem, it was a blast down there. Early spring is def the time to go.

 

Oh, one thing I forgot, we sat behind probably the most knowledgeable rangers fan you'll ever meet. He relayed numerous conversations he had with their management this spring. He goes to the practices and s*** on his days off. Real superfan, only 21.

 

The fans down there are for the most part engaged in the games, plus, there's plenty of eye candy otherwise.