On Center Field, And Youk, Just Because It's Opening Day, With All The Smiles To Come This Afternoon.

"Although Wily Mo Pena has experience playing center field, Francona said Mohr would likely see time in center. The Sox seem uncertain of Pena's ability in center and are wary of moving him there before he becomes comfortable playing right field at Fenway."
***Peter here, and that quote reflects what my last post said. Center field is a territory, not a space. Is Wily Mo up to it? We have the options, so there is no need to find out the "hard" way. Capable players for daunting challenges..that's what these 2006 Red Sox will become, and rather quickly. Jump on. Or if you're like me, having never ever jumped off, enjoy the ride.
And again from the Globe...."With Coco Crisp's fractured left index finger keeping him out of the lineup for the foreseeable future, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said that Kevin Youkilis will be the Sox primary leadoff hitter. Youkilis is batting leadoff today in the home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays.
"I don't want to disrupt [batters] 2, 3, or 4, and Youk is a good on base guy, which we value," said Francona. "We can change it up sometimes, which we might, but we don't want to ask too much of [Adam] Stern and make it unfair for him."
***Peter again, and again this is a smart and calculated decision by Francona and company. Youk has been spraying the ball with uumph to all fields. Lead-off will be good. And on a day such as this, there will be so much good. I don't know about you, but at 12:50 EDT, I am smiling. Wow, just think about 2pm. My goodness. Or as the late and loved Ned Martin said so many times in so many perfect moments, "MERCY!"