It may not be the time for peanuts and cracker jacks at Fenway Park just yet, but it sure is time for the Boston Red Sox to begin training at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Florida. Boston’s beloved baseball team has begun its annual spring training down south. Every year before each season, the team trains at JetBlue Park in Florida to practice and prepare for the upcoming season. The team officially began their training for the 2016 season on Feb. 18, 2016.
However, many concerns for the team need to be addressed as the new season approaches. For the past few years, the team has needed to improve defensively, particularly with player Hanley Ramirez. His performance was less than stellar in the outfield last season, and great defenders in the outfield can really change the game. The outfield can also make the infield work harder to create for a more cohesive system of teamwork throughout the game.
There are plenty of outstanding players on the Red Sox as well. Among those admired by Bostonians are Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz. Pedroia and Ortiz have been a part of the Red Sox since the mid-2000’s, and have become fan favorites.
While Pedroia has not spoken out about his remaining time on the team, this will be Ortiz’s last year in Major League Baseball. He has been in the MLB for 20 years and has had a tremendous impact on the Red Sox” (Lauber). It is difficult to adequately convey what [Ortiz] has meant to the Boston Red Sox,” said Red Sox principal owner John Henry (Lauber). “For [his teammates], [Ortiz] has been the one constant force underpinning what it means to play for this organization and making it fun. For the fans, [Ortiz] has been the one consistent force behind three world championships” (Lauber).
So far, the Red Sox have played seven spring training games, including a doubleheader with Boston College and Northeastern University. They have won four games so far and have lost three games. After taking a leave of absence last year due to his cancer diagnosis, Red Sox coach John Farrell will return to coach the team this season.
However, Torey Lovullo will remain on the team as bench coach. He is very grateful to be continue to be a part of the team, and claimed that “It just felt right to stay here to see this through. [He has] have a love for the organization. [He has] a love for John and for the players. If something were to happen, [his] time is coming if it’s meant to be. It just felt like this was the right thing to do to stay here to see it through” (Lauber).
The Red Sox will continue to train until Apr. 2 and will begin the 2016 season on Apr. 4 , where they will play the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.
All information from [http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox_mlb/clubhouse_insider/2015/10/john_farrell_will_manage_red_sox_in_2016_torey_lovullo]
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