Center Fielders

This release from the Red Sox: Curt Schilling, whose legendary bloody sock is synonymous with the historic 2004 World Championship, heads the 2012 class of inductees into the Red Sox Hall of Fame. John I. Taylor, who owned the Red Sox and conceived and named Fenway Park, will also be enshrined, posthumously, in ceremonies at Fenway Park August 3. Taylor was the club's owner from 1904-11. Joe Mooney, one of Fenway's most colorful characters in a career that has spanned more than 50 years, will also be inducted for his care of the grounds.

This release from the Red Sox: Curt Schilling, whose legendary bloody sock is synonymous with the historic 2004 World Championship, heads the 2012 class of inductees into the Red Sox Hall of Fame. John I. Taylor, who owned the Red Sox and conceived and named Fenway Park, will also be enshrined, posthumously, in ceremonies at Fenway Park August 3. Taylor was the club's owner from 1904-11. Joe Mooney, one of Fenway's most colorful characters in a career that has spanned more than 50 years, will also be inducted for his care of the grounds.

By Christopher L. Gasper, Boston.com Columnist Sports discourse has become strictly a numbers game. The only acceptable way to make a point in a sports discussion these days it seems is with a decimal point. Whatever happened to the good, old-fashioned eye test or context? Formulating an opinion has been replaced by formulas when it comes to dissecting and discussing the games we love. Statistics have overrun sports the same way weeds spread through a deserted parking lot. If the 1950s-'60s-era debate about who was a better player Mickey Mantle or Willie Mays was happening today, fans...

By Christopher L. Gasper, Boston.com Columnist Sports discourse has become strictly a numbers game. The only acceptable way to make a point in a sports discussion these days it seems is with a decimal point. Whatever happened to the good, old-fashioned eye test or context? Formulating an opinion has been replaced by formulas when it comes to dissecting and discussing the games we love. Statistics have overrun sports the same way weeds spread through a deserted parking lot. If the 1950s-'60s-era debate about who was a better player Mickey Mantle or Willie Mays was happening today, fans...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Unlike Jacoby Ellsbury, the up-and-coming rookie who said all the right things about the Red Sox' center-field competition, Coco Crisp made it clear yesterday that being relegated to the fourth outfielder spot would not be desirable. Though he stopped short of demanding a trade on the first day position players were required to report, Crisp made it clear that was a possibility, depending on how the competition goes. When reminded that his agent had said in the offseason that if Crisp didn't win the center-field job, it might be best to move him, Crisp was asked if those...

He confounds you. Heck, Bronson Arroyo even confounds himself . Last night, he throws 13 pitches in the first inning, trudges off down, 2-0, and if you are a Red Sox fan, you're not sure you want to see him come out for the second. He does, of course, and he coughs up another run, and the murmurs begin in earnest. Why won't he throw strikes? Why does he insist on falling behind in every game he pitches? You want him bounced from the rotation, banished to the bullpen. You want him to put down his guitar and pick up his pitching.

Jacoby Ellsbury was about to leave his spring training meeting with general manager Theo Epstein and the Red Sox coaching staff. They had talked about Ellsbury’s role on the team, about the upcoming season. They had talked about who he had been, and who he could be. He had one more thought. As Epstein recalled, “The last thing he said in that meeting was, ‘I want to play 162.’ ’’ “Ever since I played organized sports, it was never an option of missing a game,’’ Ellsbury said.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Red Sox are being extraordinarily cautious with Jacoby Ellsbury , who was hit in the back by a fastball in the eighth inning Friday night. The center fielder was taken for an X-ray after the game and yesterday had an MRI to confirm that he suffered nothing more than a bruise. Ellsbury did not play in last night's 9-4 loss against the Royals and is not expected to play this afternoon. "We'll give him another day for sure," manager Terry Francona said.

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The ball traveled over the wall in straightaway center at Fenway Park, clanged off a cameraman's leg, and came to rest on the field. That was a blessing for George Lombard, who was able to retrieve the ball he hit off Sunny Kim for his third career home run and first in Boston. He inscribed, signed, and dated the ball. To the best grandfather ever. George Lombard. July 7, 2002. He delivered the ball to his grandfather and namesake, then 91 years old. "That was just a special time," said Lombard, a 29-year-old center fielder contending...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - His handshake could send you to the disabled list; that's how strong he is. But that strength no longer could translate to his limbs, and the fatigue he experienced was so severe that it ended the career of one of the great New England athletes. Rocco Baldelli had it all. He was a five-tool player. He could run with anyone - including Carl Crawford, a player he came up with through the Rays organization. He could hit, hit for power, and played center field as well as anyone in baseball, with a terrific arm. But little by little, what was first...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Red Sox are being extraordinarily cautious with Jacoby Ellsbury , who was hit in the back by a fastball in the eighth inning Friday night. The center fielder was taken for an X-ray after the game and yesterday had an MRI to confirm that he suffered nothing more than a bruise. Ellsbury did not play in last night's 9-4 loss against the Royals and is not expected to play this afternoon. "We'll give him another day for sure," manager Terry Francona said.

Jacoby Ellsbury was about to leave his spring training meeting with general manager Theo Epstein and the Red Sox coaching staff. They had talked about Ellsbury’s role on the team, about the upcoming season. They had talked about who he had been, and who he could be. He had one more thought. As Epstein recalled, “The last thing he said in that meeting was, ‘I want to play 162.’ ’’ “Ever since I played organized sports, it was never an option of missing a game,’’ Ellsbury said.

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Unlike Jacoby Ellsbury, the up-and-coming rookie who said all the right things about the Red Sox' center-field competition, Coco Crisp made it clear yesterday that being relegated to the fourth outfielder spot would not be desirable. Though he stopped short of demanding a trade on the first day position players were required to report, Crisp made it clear that was a possibility, depending on how the competition goes. When reminded that his agent had said in the offseason that if Crisp didn't win the center-field job, it might be best to move...

He confounds you. Heck, Bronson Arroyo even confounds himself . Last night, he throws 13 pitches in the first inning, trudges off down, 2-0, and if you are a Red Sox fan, you're not sure you want to see him come out for the second. He does, of course, and he coughs up another run, and the murmurs begin in earnest. Why won't he throw strikes? Why does he insist on falling behind in every game he pitches? You want him bounced from the rotation, banished to the bullpen. You want him to put down his guitar and pick up his pitching.

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The ball traveled over the wall in straightaway center at Fenway Park, clanged off a cameraman's leg, and came to rest on the field. That was a blessing for George Lombard, who was able to retrieve the ball he hit off Sunny Kim for his third career home run and first in Boston. He inscribed, signed, and dated the ball. To the best grandfather ever. George Lombard. July 7, 2002. He delivered the ball to his grandfather and namesake, then 91 years old. "That was just a special time," said Lombard, a 29-year-old center fielder...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - His handshake could send you to the disabled list; that's how strong he is. But that strength no longer could translate to his limbs, and the fatigue he experienced was so severe that it ended the career of one of the great New England athletes. Rocco Baldelli had it all. He was a five-tool player. He could run with anyone - including Carl Crawford, a player he came up with through the Rays organization. He could hit, hit for power, and played center field as well as anyone in baseball, with a terrific arm. But little by little, what was first diagnosed as a mitochondrial...

SEATTLE -- Raise your hand if you want to see anyone but Johnny Damon play center field for the Red Sox next season. The can't-miss kid, Hanley Ramirez? The younger free agent-to-be, Juan Pierre? The aging future Hall of Famer who could be a short-term solution, Ken Griffey? Damon's fabulous start -- a league-leading .383 average fueled by his current 17-game hitting streak in which he is hitting an outrageous .468 (36 for 77), has caused potential alternatives to appear ludicrous.