AP/ Nathan Denette
Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Steven Wright took the mound for the Red Sox yesterday, where R.A. Dickey of the Blue Jays opposed him. Meanwhile, Tim Wakefield sat behind home plate. What do they all have in common?
Knuckleballs!
It’s rare to see one knuckleballer at the park. There were three at inelegantly named Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.
“Today was a good day just for the game itself,” Sox manager John Farrell said.
Wright threw two scoreless innings in a 4-2 victory for the Sox. He struck out three and added to the organization’s belief that he can help the major league team this season.
“I was a little nervous. Not scared, just a little nervous,” Wright said. “You want to do your best in general. Once I got out there, I felt pretty good. A little antsy at first, but I felt I was able to get that in order and compete.”
Globe: Wakefield gets look at the stuff of Red Sox knuckleballer Steven Wright
Although it was getting hammered into our heads all day like an annoying Top-40 radio station playing Ke$ha every half an hour, the trio knuckleballers involved in the game really was an interesting and rare circumstance.
You have a 28-year-old Wright, who is trying to make the big leauges. You have a Cy-Young Award winner in Dickey, who is a comeback story in itself. And, you have a future Red Sox Hall of Famer in Wakefield taking it all in and playing the role of Wright's mentor. Pretty cool stuff, if you ask me.
As for Wright's outing, he was pretty flawless, throwing two scoreless innings and compiling three strikeouts. There's chance he could make the major league club right out of camp in a bullpen role. However, he's more of a "5-A" rotation option and will likely start the year in Pawtucket.
Keep an eye on this guy. He doesn't throw big floating knucklers like Wakefield, but throws more along the lines of a hard knuckler, like Dickey. If and when one of the Sox starters goes down to injury, Wright will be the first option to get the call.
Rest of the links- Globe: Aceves hanging in there | Herald: Farrell still provokes inquisition from Blue Jays | Bard looks for small signs | CSNNE.com: Webster puts in a Special K performance | ESPNBoston.com: Pedroia pain-free | Projo: Sox have plenty of arms...just in case
