BALTIMOREThough Theo Epstein is far away in Chicago running the Cubs and wants nothing to do with the current controversies swirling at Fenway, the former Red Sox GM knows whats going on. Epstein was also aware of the unfortunate passing of Sox icon Johnny Pesky on Monday afternoon, and had plenty to say about the 92-year-olds six decade association with the Sox franchise at every conceivable level.
Pesky was a regular presence around the clubhouse, dugout and field during Epsteins tenure running the Sox, and the Brookline native always knew exactly what kind of importants he held within Sox lore.
Heres what Epstein had to say when asked about the passing of Pesky and what hell miss about him:
Just his generosity of spirit. He was always happy to be at the ballpark, so that really rubbed off on everyone around him. He always believed in players, always had players backs and saw the best in everybody, including players and just baseball. The Red Sox organization meant so much to him that he was just always happy to be at Fenway. That helped on those tough days seeing how much he genuinely enjoyed it, how long hed been there and helped you with your own mood sometimes when you needed it. He had that effect on a lot of people so hell be sorely missed. He was a great baseball guy with a tremendous amount of knowledge and was always telling great Ted Williams stories and a real living link to the past. Hell be sorely missed.
The Red Sox will wear black bands on the sleeve of their uniforms for the rest of the season when theyre on the road, and theyll wear white patches with Peskys No. 6 on the left shoulders of their home uniforms for the rest of the season to honor Peskys memory.
Bobby Valentine said that Felix Doubront was on schedule to jump back into the rotation after his skipped start in the series against the Orioles. That means Doubront should get a start against the Angels in the series following the weekend three-game set against New York at Yankee Stadium.
Hes going to throw his bullpen soon. I think once we get home hell be right back into the saddle, said Valentine, who made a decision to skip the young lefty when he was showing signs of fatigue giving his high innings pitched total.
Boston Red Sox
Jacoby Ellsburys 38-game hitting streak vs. Orioles is the second longest since 1900 for any player versus any team. Vladimir Guerreros 44-game streak vs. Texas is the only longer streak since 1900. Ellsbury went 2-for-4 in Wednesdays loss to the Orioles to extend that streak.
Mark Reynolds has been a killer against the Red Sox this season while hitting .423 (11-for-26) with four doubles, four home runs, seven walks, seven runs scored and 13 RBIs against Boston. To put that into proper perspective the all-or-nothing Reynolds is hitting .216 for the season.