Boston 7 Minnesota 6...Beckett Has Concussion

Daisuke Matsuzaka, who is being counted on by the Boston Red Sox to have a great year, as is Josh Beckett (they are two musts), pitched well yesterday down in the land where it ain't cold. Dice went the first two innings of the spring training game with the Twinkies and gave up a solo run. Here, in order, is Boston Red Sox manager Terry "Tito" Francona and then Daisuke himself. Here's Tito...

“Very good velocity. That was exciting to see that, especially early on. Very aggressive with his fastball. Had some good life to it. I was excited about that.”

And the Dice Man...

“As it’s the first outing of the spring season, the fastball is running pretty well. That’s something I’m very confident with. Overall, I think I did a very good job as a first outing.”

Papi popped, too. Big Papi David Ortiz, who has had horribly slow starts the last two years, hit his first 2011 tater, had two hits and drove in three. Way to go, David. No slow start this year. You are the number six batter in a power packed lineup.

Carl Crawford had an hitless and uneventful debut for his Boston club but it's SO early, it's not even early! So don't worry, be happy. We're going to be just fine this year.

A freak batting practice accident had left Josh Beckett hurting. Here is the latest from the Boston Herald...

FT. MYERS — "The day after he stressed how he only wanted to get through spring training healthy, Josh Beckett became the first health casualty of 2011 spring training yesterday. Beckett sustained “mild concussion symptoms,” according to the club, after being hit on the head by a ball during batting practice in the morning. The right-hander will be re-evaluated today before a decision is made on whether he will make his next scheduled start, his second this spring, on Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies. The incident falls squarely beneath the “fluke” category heading. Beckett was standing in shallow left-center field with a small group of teammates. Staff assistant Ino Guerrero was attempting to hit balls into a plastic bucket in the outfield with a fungo bat but miscued, and a ball hit an unsuspecting Beckett in the left temple. Beckett went to one knee and second baseman Dustin Pedroia could be heard yelling, “Trainer, trainer.’"

Oh boy. Click on the title of this post for more on Josh. As always, be well, especially you, Josh.