Another beautiful day and another strenuous one for our beloved Boys of summer as the Red Sox must get up a little earlier today to be on the field by 9am (can you imagine?).

The Sox will practice for less than 2 hours and then be off to their annual Spring golf tournament.-C'mon how much can we expect of these guys?.

Manager Terry Francona is expected back from his short stint on the DL- he mised all of yesterdays practice with the flu.  and Curt Schilling is still unsigned for 2008, but after pitching live batting practice to a few minor leaguers (one who took him deep on the 1st swing of the spring against live pitching) Schilling is on schedule to pitch in the 1st exhibition game of the year next wednesday against the Minnesota Twins at City of Palms park.

He says it is not nearly as big of a deal as the media is going to make of it. That would be that there is no deal, at least to keep Curt Schilling in a Red Sox uniform thru 2008.

Schilling said that he and Theo met yesterday for about 3 minutes and basically Theo told him that the team is not yet ready to make that kind of a financial commitment ($13-14 Million). The financial parameters had been set but yesterday Theo said the Red Sox would rather wait.

That decision may have had something to do with the shape Schilling came into camp in- which was more out of shape, tho today he did finish the conditioning run, barely, about 5 days after the rest of the pitchers did.

Schilling was very matter of fact about the Red Sox decision saying that he was disappointed but realizes that it is a business decision and that it will not afffect his pitching this year- the Red Sox hope that it will inspire him to be even better and at least get in better shape sooner.

Theo Epstein also spoke today and very matter of factly about it saying that it would have been too much of a financial investment at this time and that the club will have to take their chances of signing Schilling after the season when he becomes a free agent.

So what will happen here?- I'll tell you exactly what will happen- look for the 2 sides to get together before the end of the season- I'd say sometime around the all-star break and work out a deal, that is if Schilling is stilll healthy and has about 8 or 9 wins.

You'll hear from schilling and Theo coming up on newscenter 5 at 5 &  6

Curt Schilling announced this morning on his weekly paid radio talk show appearance that he and the Red Sox have not been able to come to an agreement on a new contract for 2008 and so he will file for free Agency after this season. So why?- I'll tell you why.

1st off don't blame the Red Sox on this one. Schilling looks to be grossly overweight so why would you plop down an additional 14 million on a guy who cannot come into shape when 14 more million is on the line for the next season? Some media members thing that he actually looks bigger than he did in 2005 when he came into camp- by his own admission- out of shape and overweight.

I think that I would not be quick to invest another 14 million into a guy who comes into camp looking like he does now when so much is on the line. Schilling remains the only player in camp who has not completed, much less attempted, the conditioning run and for obvious reasons- he will not be able to pass it.

I am well aware that you do not have to be in peak physical shape to pitch in the majors, ala David Wells, but don't come in weighing substancially more than you did last year when you want your employer to give you 13-14 millon dollars more.

More from Schilling himself when he talks after this mornings workout at about 11;30. (yes, that would be a daily workout that lasts no more than 2 hours, and of which 30 minutes is strtetchin. ....why didn't I continue to play baseball??)

Upon arriving at Spring training today David Ortiz gave his annual state of the Red Sox address AND his annual State of Manny address, after barely surviving the Red Sox conditioning run, a run in all honesty, which was not exactly over strenuous.

The Conditioning run was a minute run back and forth thru the outfield-done twice, and then a sliding back and forth drill where they touch cones about 5 yards apart. That is it, but remember baseball players aren't exactly hockey players, or basketball players or even football players, in fact they are more along the line of golfers. Many of them are just not in very good shape like doug mirabelli who Barely finished his conditioning run and Curt Schilling who hasn't even done his yet (and probably will find a way to get out of it-I mean he is the big Schill).

Anyway after all of the everyday players completed their conditioning runs, by the way, Jd Drew is in excellent shape and looks good, Big papi delivered his state of the Sox/manny address.

Ortiz likes the improvements/new signings that the team has made such as Lugo and Drew and realizes that Manny will always be Manny-on and off the field. And Ortiz will take off the field manny to go along with the on the field Manny. Ortiz did say that he would still be Manny's babysitter , but he did say that in a freindly way. He does get along well with Manny.

Ortiz was greeted with a new truck from red Sox management- isn't 14 million a year enough? and a new dog for his wife names Mikie!?

Ortiz certainly lights up a room and today he lit up Red Sox spring training but did admit that it would be tough to top what he did last season when he hit a team record 54 HR's

Tomorrow we get a chance to see Ortiz hit, like only David Ortiz can

JD Drew has received alot of bad press for not caring enough about baseball but for whatever 1st impressions are worth, (and I pride myself on being a pretty good judge of character) I like this guy. But then again I am always for the underdog.

JD Drew just spent about 10 minutes answering all kinds of questions about his atttitude(which seems just fine-relax cycincs) and health (says that last year was a healing year for his shoulder) and everything else. Writers have been negative about this guy, but this 31 year old from Georgia sounds like he is from Georgia and seems respectful. Now will he be worth the nearly 70 million the Red Sox forked over for him over the next 5 years, well we'll see. You'll hear from Drew on our early newscasts.

We're supposed to hear from David Ortiz after the conditioning drills which will take place between 12:30 and 1:30- more later

He is a patient hitter and will now have amplke opprtunities for rbi's as he will bat in the 5th spot behind Ortiz and Manny

Manny Ramirez remains the only holdout/late show as David Ortiz has showed up for camp along with Alex Cora and JD Drew who showed up last night.

All of the other everyday players from Eric Hinske to Willie Mo Pena and new shortstop Julio Lugo have been here for at least 2 days. Coco Crisp showed up yesterday.

I should be able to talk to Big Papi early this afternooon and we will have that for you on our early newscast at 5pm, but I will give you a preview of that conversation right after it happens.

New Red Sox right fielder JD Drew has checked into camp- he actually checked in last night but David Ortiz has not yet been seen as of 9:30 this morning.

Physicals are taking place right now for the every day players and then most of the players will probably head out and take batting practice.afterwards

By the way- picture perfect conditions- clear blue sky and nearly 70 degree temperatures are greeting the players this morning. A surprisingly small crowd is on hand to watch the pitchers and catchers practice. I know it is not the most exciting workout to take in but previous years there have been alot more people on hand. That could change tomorrow when all of the everyday players, except of course for Manny will be on hand for their 1st workout

Another grueling day here in Fort Myers, at least for the players as most all of them are here for about 3 and half hours (maximum) and then they are gone to play golf, go swimming or do whatever it is they do for the rest of the day after about 1 o'clock. (OK the day is not alot tougher for us here, just alot longer)

All of the Red Sox players don't have to be on the practice field until thursday- but all are on hand except for Ortiz, Manny and J.D. Drew.

I talked to Coco Crisp, an interview you can see later today on chennale 5 and in it's entirety on this web site. He is ready and is already pushing to bat 2nd, tho he will probably end up batting 8th with pedroia 9th

We are still awaiting the arrival of David Ortiz and J.D. Drew which may not happen untiil tomorrow but Coco Crisp and Mike Lowell are on hand and ,need i say, look to be in the best shape of their lives, at least that is the old spring training saying made famous by former red Sox pitcher Bob Stanley, who said that every year.

Coco is always going to be in great shape and Mike Lowell, soon to be 33, knows he has better be in shape since this is the last year of his current contract.

It is a Chamber of Commerce type of day here in Fort Myers- already about 60 degrees, soon to be 74 without a cloud in the sky.

And so with the good weather comes the Red Sox ownership. You didn't think that they would show up when it was still cold for Southern Florida standards.

Manny is not here and not expected until March 1st, tho fellow countryman and new Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo is. Seems like a nice kid- has a little Orlando Cabrera in him but more pop in his bat. He is listed as 6-1, might be 5-11. Dustin Pedroia is lised at 5-9, might be 5-8.

David Ortiz expected soon, and supposed to be a bit more buffed than in recent years- we'll have picturers as soon as he arrives.

More later- the players are about to come out,

So says Red Sox relief pitcher Julian Tavarez, who claims he is closer to manny than a brother. Tavarez says that if Manny really wanted to be traded from Boston then Manny would have been gone a long time ago.

Tavarez, who held court after practice today for about 20 minutes also tried to tell us that Manny loves Boston. Actually Tavarez did tell us that, it's just a question of whether or not we believe him. Tavarez did admit that Manny feels like he is in a cage at times in response to my question about whether Manny feels like he has lost his privacy.

Tavarez also told us that he feels like he, Tavarez is very misunderstoood since he has lost his temper on the field a couple of times and hit batters intentionally. Tavarez says that he is , well, a good guy and that we shouldn't judge players too quickly and over one or 2 incidents.

You know what I say- shut up and successfully close some games, would you please?. No, Just kidding. This Tavarez does seem like a nice enough guy, he just happens to have a very short fuse and he relates to Manny because he feels like they arre both understood.

Nothing like Spring training. More later

The excuses have ranged from his new born twins (he never had twins, just one baby at a time) and a sick grandparent. This time it is a sick parent that is supposedly keeping manny away from Spring training for another week and half.....

And remember manny lives less than 2 hours away in the Miami area

Not that this should come as any big surprise but Manny Ramirez looks like he is going to show up late for srping training, again.

That is the word from Red Sox releif pitcher Julian Tavarez who at this stage appears to be the only person employed by the Red Sox who actually talks to Manny.

Red Sox management- Theo & Francona, have maintained that all is well with Manny and he will be here on time despite neither one of them talkibg with him for the past 2 months.

A March 1st date was thrown out by Tavarez which would put Manny here after the Sox 1st exhibition game.

The bottom line is that Manny will always march to the beat of his own drummer and there's nothing the Red Sox will ever really do as long as he Manny continues to hit 40 Hr's and knock in 120 runs.

More later including reaction from Francona

42 degrees and sunny skies welcomed the 36 Red Sox pitchers and catchers to The Fort Myers Spring training facility this morning.

Everyone on hand, including Daisuke and his band of 100 media members.

We'll get a closer look at all of the relief pitchers as they are all scheduled to pitch off the mound this morning in what may end up being a 2 to 3 month compeition for the only real question mark in camp this year- that of closer.

More coming soon.

Yes, there are other Red Sox pitchers besides Daisuke and all of the Red Sox starting pitchers threw off the mound today but it was Matsuzak-san who, of course, received the most attention.

Daisuke threw hard and Jason Varitek is about to come out and give us his impressions which I will relay to you in just a little while.

Curt Schilling also threw as did Joch Beckett, Tim Wakefield & Jonanthon Papelbon- all without incident.

There was a relatively light crowd- I'd say a couple of hundred- on hand for todays initial workout probably because of the windy cool conditions. In fact I would say that more than half the crowd was Japanese, coming from all over southern Florida. More on this later as well as on Newscenter 5 at 6.

The Red Sox pitchers and catchers took the field this morning at about 9:10 am for their 1st workout of the 2007 Spring Training and right near the front of the line was the most anticipated player in years- Daisuke Matsuzaka, and he was carrying the big bag of equipment, an assignement that is always handled by a rookie.

Daisuke's every move continues to be covered by nearly 150 media people- probably 100 of whom are Japanese media. He is being covered like Paris Hilton, Brittany Spears AND Lindsay Lohan combined.  It really does border on the absurd. So when does Curt Schilling become really jealous from not getting enough attention.

Daisuke is scheduled to throw this morning at 10:10 along with the rest of the Red Sox starting pitchers- I will update you later on this and other goings on here at the 1st day of workouts for Red Sox pitchers and catchers 

The Red Sox crack PR Staff was put into motion after the japanese media asked pitching coach John Farrell about Daisuke's spot in the rotation who did not know what would be made of his innocent answer.

Farrell responded to the question with an answer along the lines of "Daisuke will fit in with Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett near the top of the rotation." The Japanese media ran with that comment penciling Daisuke in as pitching the Red Sox 3rd game of the regular season.

The Red Sox PR staff tried to downplay Farrell's comment as to saying that one possible scenario would be for Daisuke to follow Schilling and Beckett but that it is not a certainty as alot can happen in the next 7 to 8 weeks.

But if by chance that rotation order does work out, Daisuke would pitch in the Red Sox 2nd home game of the year and not the home opener which is already enough of a circus every year.

More later after the Red Sox physicals later today.

Now, before you jump to any negative conclusions, todays's workout was not an official one so just being at todays workout gets you bonus points so give a couple to Daisuke.

Having said that I can tell you that while all of other Red Sox pitchers and catchers -most of whom are minor leaguers, showed up for an informal workout at 9am, Daisuke showed up at about 10 O'clock and came out on the field at about 11 when all of the rest of the red sox players were off the field. While this may sound a little Roger Clemens like, marching to his own drummer- or at least working out by himself- if Daisuke can produce like Clemens during the regular season then Daisuke can show up whenever he wants ala Manny, who by the way they still expect here to be on time next week.

Actually Daisuke may have checked the outside temp before he came over and if so proved to be the smartest person working out. At 9am it was about 51 degrees. By the time Matsuzaka came out it was alot closer to 60 degrees.

Jonathon Papelbon, Kevin Youkilis and Josh Beckett were 3 other veterans on hand as was the other Japanese pither to sign on with the Red Sox this off season- lefthanded reliever Hidecki Okajima. Also the man who has the best shot at being the answer to the biggest question this team faces this year- relief pitcher/closer Joel Pineiro was on hand.

So tomorrow all of the Red Sox pitchers and catchers are to undergo physicals and conditioning tests to make sure that they are ready for there 1st official workout on Sunday.

And last but not least the newly Married Theo Epstein was on hand and the only answer he would give me concerning just having been married was a big smile, so the honeymoon is still ongoing.

1st off, don't feel too badly that you are not here in the warm Southern Florida sun because right now their is no warm Souther Florida sun(not that I am complaining because I am well aware that it is 30 degrees cooler in Boston). This morning the Red Sox players were greeted with 55 degree temperatures and cloudy conditions when they took the field for an informal workout.

And just about when many of the Red Sox Pitchers finished their workouts- The Dice man- Daisuke Matsuzaka arrived and came out onto the field which is where he is right now. And every one of his moves is being chronicled by 10-15 Japanese cameras from different Japanese media outlets and about 5 more from the Boston market.

Josh Beckett just this morning said that he hasn't even met Daisuke yet and they've been in the same locker room. Becket also said that while all of this attention and all of this scrutiny may be difficult for Daisuke, he'll have alot of friends on the team and Beckett thinks that overall it will be a good experience for Daisuke.

More on Daisuke's day coming up because I think the sun is actually trying to come out and it may be hitting 60 degrees (Not that I am complaining in the least)