The Sox come into Yankee Stadium tonight, having taken two of three from the Blue Jays here after taking three of four from the Yankees last weekend in Fenway Park, where Rodriguez went without a hit until his final at-bat on Patriots Day.
They have crafted a 9-6 record in the American League East without Garciaparra and Trot Nixon, and in so doing have created a new fan favorite -- the irrepressible Curt Schilling, who enthusiastically embraced the chance to immerse himself into the local culture, be it Dunkin' Donuts or the Sons of Sam Horn, from the moment he decided to relocate to New England. Being as good as advertised -- despite last night's meltdown against the Blue Jays -- has made Schilling's acceptance here a foregone conclusion, whether or not he ever masters the nuances of wicked hahd.
But the unexpected story line of the season's first month revolves around Ramirez, who apparently is constitutionally incapable of harboring a grudge. Given ample cause to resent the way he was treated in the offseason, when the Sox first placed him on irrevocable waivers, then tried to unload him to the Texas Rangers in a deal for A-Rod, Ramirez instead has become the ultimate happy camper, and has gone out of his way to let everyone -- including media types he has studiously avoided in the past -- know it.
His locker has become a regular stop for reporters seeking a postgame quote, and he has sat down for any number of TV interviews, including one yesterday afternoon with NESN.
"A lot of people expected me to come back mad, this and that," Ramirez said on camera. "But life is too short."
