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Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Sox voices still have lots to say
Copyright © 2006 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. | ||
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BANGOR — Jerry Trupiano might be double-checking the Boston Red Sox roster when it again is time to broadcast the games. "Going to have to buy a program to find out who some of these guys are," Trupiano said of the changes in Boston's roster. Trupiano and partner Joe Castiglione, the Red Sox radio voices, were in town Tuesday night for the third annual "Evening with Joe and Jerry" at the Bangor Civic Center. Sponsored by WZON, a sports radio station, the popular event features Trupiano and Castiglione chatting in a town-meeting format. Tickets were free but limited to 450. They were available by calling the station or visiting sponsors at certain times. Before Trupiano and Castiglione took to the homey stage, complete with gas stove, six members of the state-champion Westbrook Little League team were recognized for their appearance in the Little League World Series. The players, who received a nice ovation, demonstrated their statewide appeal when listeners at the Bangor station selected them as the top sports story in 2005. The presence of Boston's 2004 World Series trophy at the event was also a big hit. A long line of fans waited to see and pose with the trophy. The talk Tuesday night naturally centered on the changes undergone by the Red Sox. They traded shortstop Edgar Renteria without having a suitable replacement, lost center fielder and leadoff hitter Johnny Damon, and saw popular general manager Theo Epstein leave. Bill Mueller, Kevin Millar and Doug Mirabelli also left. But Boston added as well as subtracted, Castiglione said. "I think it's surprising they got a guy like Josh Beckett," Castiglione said of the young pitcher. "You don't get a No. 1 starter very often. "That has sort of gone under the radar. He's the biggest acquisition in the division, maybe in all of baseball." Yes, he said, it's an even bigger acquisition than the New York Yankees signing Damon. Castiglione said Damon's exit was "not surprising. When a guy is a free agent, anything can happen." Trupiano, however, disagreed. "I didn't think there was any way they would let Damon get away," he said. "We'll never know what the magic number was that would have kept him here. I don't think it had to be $52 million (his contract with the Yankees)." Castiglione said the Yankees probably overspent on Damon, and he's not worried about the vacancy in center field. "They'll find someone who is pretty good," he said. "If the pitching is good, there is reason to be optimistic. The Red Sox have always scored runs. That's not really a concern. "The pitching was good in '04 and they won the World Series." Castiglione said the pitching, with Beckett and a deeper bullpen, is better than 2005. Trupiano was not so sure. "When I look at the pitching staff, you have to wait and see what you get from (Curt) Schilling and from (Keith) Foulke," Trupiano said. Trupiano sounded cautious about 2006. Castiglione sounded optimistic, until asked to make a prediction. "I'll reserve judgment until I see the roster," he said. Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:
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