According to Rob Bradford, yesterday was "Test Day" for the Red Sox. Not only did they receive their annual eye exams, but they were also administered "the MLB drug test".
Photo from Community Eye Health Journal – taken by R BourneThe vision of brawny baseball players squatting in front of a slit lamp is pure comedy for me. I know it’s an important thing to do (if you’re reading this and squinting, go get your eyes checked! Here endeth the lesson.) but it just seems so grammar school to me to have them all getting tested on the same day.
THIS is the stuff NESN should be showing us.
The drug test? I can live without watching Kevin Youkilis pee into a cup, thanks.
Bradford had another good tidbit in that same piece for those of you who really need to know: Bobby Kielty is growing out his hair again and hopes to look like the picture posted here in a few months. Hopefully he’s still around as Bradford also reports that there are out-clauses in his contract which say that he can void his contract "if he doesn’t make the team out of spring training; or two months later if he chooses to accept a minor league assignment". Bobby has a unique situation. He isn’t complaining about being a bench player. He’s happy to do it. But if Coco Crisp and Jacoby Ellsbury both stay with the team, he’ll get even less playing time than the average bench player. I can’t really blame him for not being pleased with that. And from a totally selfish point of view, I enjoy this issue of having too many decent players on the team.
I hope Bobby ends up staying. For that to happen, most likely, Coco will have to go. I’m still not convinced that will be the right choice. I’ve written it before and I mean it. I really like Jacoby Ellsbury but Coco is a better outfielder. I’d like to see Coco, at LEAST, start the year as the starting centerfielder.
In the upcoming week, I have a handful of friends who will be making the trek to Ft Myers. As I look out the window at the snow surrounding my house, I know I should be jealous, but I just keep thinking about spring and how much more it’ll mean when the snow melts and I get to make MY first trek of the season to Fenway!