Callahan Predictions

 

Callahan begins with nine comic predictions for the 2013 Sox. Two examples: "Mike Napoli will show up at the park every day and work hard, serving as an inspiration to all Americans who struggle with bone death in their hips." Another: "John Lackey will get in the best shape of his life and his teammates will hail him as a leader, a role model and an all-around great guy." His final prediction: "The team will win 78 games and finish fourth in the division."

 

The Townies have a tough road ahead. Their roster is full of maybes. An aging David Ortiz is their only proven power hitter. Will Middlebrooks and Jacoby Ellsbury are coming off serious injuries. Despite some reassuring words from John Farrell, Lackey''s comeback right now is really just wishful thinking. And so it goes.

 

Would Boston fans be satisfied with 78 wins, 84 losses and a fourth or fifth place finish? Probably not. Yet after the depressing chaos that has marked the team since September 2011, the team's strength should not be judged totally on wins and losses. Like most fans, Sox Nation wants a squad they can be proud to root for. The key word for this season should be improvement. Certainly wins and losses matter, but the Bosox are in one of baseball's strongest divisions. It means playing 19 games against the Yankees, Orioles, Rays and Blue Jays. Even a .500 campaign would be fine with me (and I think most rooters) as long as the Sox show they want to win as much as the fans do, not simply coast and count their millions.

 

I agree with Callahan that the team did the right thing in not pursuing baggage-laden superstar Josh Hamilton and rebuild with young players and maybes. I disagree with him, however, in the importance of final record.. What I most want to see is a squad that plays their you-know-what's off for a full 162 games. We haven't seen that for a while.