Three Rules

My opinion on baseball or the Red Sox certainly isn't any better than yours. The only difference is that you may not have a forum to discuss your opinion. As we approach the quarter of a season mark, here are some thoughts and observations.

• I still have concerns about the Red Sox starting pitching, particularly when Tim Wakefield has been the "ace" of the staff. Yes, Lester is coming around, Beckett hasn't had full command, Daisuke is still on rehab, and Penny hasn't consistently shown he can win in the AL. Masterson is really better in the pen, as he has issues the second or third time around.
• The bullpen looks pretty solid, though.
• Jason Varitek's 0.791 OPS is something we can live with, particularly when he has reduced his strikeout percentage to 18%. Has he lost something defensively? That's not clear.
• Losing Youkilis' bat simply hurts.
  
• Great to have beaten the Yankees five straight, but they're like Jason Voorhees...hard to put down.
• Two of the three major offensive powers in MLB (A-Rod, Manny, Pujols) have now made steroid perp walks or the equivalent. Is that eye black or a black eye, sir?
• Are they afraid of Pedroia's power, or just working him outside?
• Has Carl Crawford become the Red Sox' new Lou Brock?
• Has Joe Giardi lost his mind? Is Tim Bogar the Sox' secret weapon?
  
• Many people are telling me they're tired of the Sox-Yankees marathons.
• Haven't heard anything about Bob (The 26th Man of the Yankees) Watson giving Joba Chamberlain a warning about plunking J Bay...
• I'm looking forward to seeing how Dave Roberts does as an analyst.
• But we all want Jerry Remy getting better ASAP.
• Not many guys have great nicknames like "Mudcat".
  
• Longer-term, the Sox have no solution behind the plate.
  
• Nick Green or Julio Lugo? Maryann or Ginger?
• Not many pitchers of note have been outed on steroids. Cleaner or sneakier.
  
• Manny Pacquiao. The real Manny?
• Three rules to remember: HAVE FUN, GET IT DONE, DON'T BE A JERK. These were the motto of my late brother-in-law Michael Egan. He never violated his rules. May the Sox adopt them as well.