So long Tony Graffanino. Was there really any alternative?

This was the only way to give Graffanino the playing time he deserves.
I will surely miss him. I enjoyed what he brought to the game and the clubhouse.

His experience and his versatility were a welcome for the half-season he was in a Boston uniform. He did everything that was asked of him.

However, Mark Loretta is the everyday second baseman, Mike Lowell is at third and well Graffanino was on a stacked bench.

He'll be rejoining the team from hence he came, the K.C. Royals. I wish him nothing but good wishes.

We can only hope that Loretta stays healthy and can match Graffanino's .319 avg.

I'm a little late on the two altercations that transpired earlier in the week. Josh Beckett entered a heated exchange with Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard.

Here's what I gathered from my viewing. As Beckett was coming off the field, Howard said something to the effect, "that was a home run, man, I had you." Beckett, replied "just a pop-fly, buddy."

Of course the communication was laden with vulgarities and finger-pointing but essentially that is what happened. Benches cleared and well, with 80 people on the field the sight could have been bad.

But it never escalated, thanks to teammates keeping Beckett in the dugout.

I welcomed the altercation, not for reasons you might think.

It showed that this team is beginning to gel. Players are getting fired up for the season. And, it illustrated the type of attitude Beckett is going to bring to this ballclub. He's coming with some fight.

Certainly if the wind weren't blowing as it was, Howard's fly ball would have gone over the fence. That guy is strong.

Julian Tavarez on the other hand seems to have a reputation of having an attitude problem. While I think he has potential out of the pen, his emotions get the best of him.

If he can't handle pressure situations with more control, they'll be more intense situations to come, especially in Fenway Park.

That is my take. I welcome yours. Only five days until opening day...

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