History on side of Red Sox

First place standing bodes well

Good morning, all! It’s Frrrriiiiiddddaaayyyyy!!!

Red Sox nation is exuberant these days, and why not! The Red Sox were supposed to be mediocre at best this season. Yet, here they sit atop the American League East Standings on April 30. Meanwhile, their arch rivals, the New York Yankees, favored to go to the World Series, are not treading water.

Not counting the shortened-2020 season, recent history is on Boston’s side, if one examines the last 10 full seasons (2010-2019). In the last decade, four times a club has been in first place in the division, entering the month of May, and gone on to win the AL East. The Red Sox were the last club to do it, twice, in 2018 and 2013. Boston fans do not have to be reminded that they won the World Series in both those years. The other two clubs to be in first place on April 30 and go on to win the AL East were the 2011 Yankees and 2010 Rays.

Some may say Boston is playing over its head, but through the season’s first month, kudos go to the Red Sox’ Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom. He was hired to do what he did at Tampa Bay, build a ball club for the long haul, without spending all of owner John Henry’s money. He is off to a good start.

What does exceeding expectations in April mean for the 2021 Red Sox? It is hard to say. Although it is always fun to compare seasons, I have always believed each season is an entity onto itself. In other words, the fact the Red Sox are in first place on April 30 means one thing; the Red Sox are in first place on April 30. It means nothing more and nothing less. But the Red Sox are having fun, so are their fans and so is the Boston media, writing one flattering story after another, while preparing to enshrine Bloom and manager Alex Cora in the Hall of Fame. And what’s wrong with that? Isn’t that what first place in April is all about?

Bye, bye Sanchez

Thoughts while watching the NFL draft, wondering what the New York Giants will do to screw up this year’s pick and how Bill Belichick will attempt to steal the show.

Why do I now get the feeling, anytime the Yankees start catcher Gary Sanchez, they are showcasing him? Probably because they are. He can’t even hit his weight. After a power surge to start the season, that part of his game has also become unplugged.

It is becoming more evident, the retooling the Yankees underwent, during the 2016 season, is becoming a failure. Deals for prospects at the trade deadline that year, and players from their farm system, were supposed to have New York poised for another one of their championship runs by 2021. In reality, the Yankees peaked early, surprising the baseball world by coming within a win of the World Series in 2017 and falling short since.

It is now obvious the Yankees over evaluated their prospects and trades, leading one to wonder about the future of GM Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone. (We know what the future would have been, if George Steinbrenner were still alive.) Cashman has already made two deals in the last three weeks - though not earth shattering - but another retooling is just weeks away. By the time the calendar turns to June, it would not surprise me if Sanchez is an ex-Yankee and by season’s end, Cashman and Boone are shown the door.

Congratulations to Adrienne Roberson

Finally, congratulations to the Baltimore Orioles new public address announcer Adrienne Roberson. It has always been her dream to work the PA at Camden Yards, and before being hired full time this season, she did some fill-in work there.

I remember Adrienne, when she was working the PA at Bowie Baysox games, the Orioles’ AA affiliate. When the Hartford Yard Goats played at Bowie and I made the trip to broadcast the games, Adrienne always made it a point to seek me out and be sure of the correct pronunciation of the players’ names, uniform numbers, etc. I know she did the same with my broadcast partner Jeff Dooley and other visiting team broadcasters.

Her attention to detail was and is impeccable; her delivery over the PA superb. Adrienne is living the dream, great at what she does. She has earned this promotion. I wish her continued success.

Another week is in the books. As always, thank you for your support and have a tremendous weekend!

SPORTSCASTER DAN