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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 21, 2015 15:22:26 GMT -5
Made the game in Bradenton today and Castillo looked really good. The kid looks the part and has one quick bat. In my opinion, a few weeks at AAA would definitely not hurt him, but I really am impressed with his athleticism going back on a long fly to his easy power. I actually hope they use him some in right at Pawtucket because Mookie should be our center fielder for the next decade. I'd leave Betts alone as he is really looking comfortable in center, and Rusney has played a lot of outfield and it would probably be less of a problem for him moving to right.
Special kudos for Wade Miley and Jackie Bradley Jr.
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 21, 2015 9:42:56 GMT -5
With Kirby pitching like that I don't see him being there at 7. Yeah he is my favorite also and I doubt there is a chance he gets to #7. I would hope the Sox have access to Brady Aiken's condition in depth. No one today really looks twice if we are talking Tommy John, but you want to be sure EXACTLY what is going on in that very valuable arm of his.
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 21, 2015 8:03:09 GMT -5
By the way, I just wanted to report that Yoan Moncada looked good in his uniform yesterday.
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 20, 2015 14:39:29 GMT -5
Guerra with a long homerun he pulled. Next inning Devers hit more of a low flying missile for a homer that just went over the right field fence. The kids were happy when Kevin Gausman finally left the game. Met his dad and mom who live in Denver. Nice couple.
Chavis looked very solid playing 3rd with a couple of nice plays and strong throws. Hope he starts in Greenville.
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 15, 2015 11:33:42 GMT -5
I watched the Orioles a lot for that reason last year. It really does make the game more fun to watch. When they played the Red sox, they always did their homework and knew about our players, had insightful things to say. Gather you are talking about Palmer and Thorne.
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 14, 2015 11:36:13 GMT -5
Time for our yearly reminder that this is likely coming from the higher-ups at NESN and not necessarily Don and Jerry. Past experience has shown them to be very capable in what most of us here would like their roles to be. Not saying they're not willing participants though. I would put a lack of preparation on them, but I think we all agree it's not like their bosses are getting on them for not knowing anything when a guy gets called up or anything like that. Blame it on those first few genuine moments of comedy (pizza throw, Jerry falling while playing air guitar). I'm sure you are right Chris. I've watched a national game with Don Orsillo doing the commentary and he was better. Not sure how or why this is the broadcast, but it is probably tied into ratings, but I still have that same opinion.
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 14, 2015 10:53:08 GMT -5
I so glad I wasn't the only one who was so annoyed last night watching the game. Orsillo is really just the straight man for Remy (or is it the other way around?). Neither really give us much useful information. The charity work is great and I get promoting it some, but last night was totally ridiculous. Orsillo, I thought, was supposed to give us the line-up changes, and it was like the game was an after-thought.
Every time I listen to Vince Scully, I think: do the Dodgers fans really know how unbelievably fortunate they have been to have that man (by himself) been so good for so long? And we have the opposite end of that. My favorite broadcasting team in the ALEast is Thorne and Jim Palmer. They are entertaining but quite insightful. Our "team" just jokes around, and a little of that is good, but not this much. I guess NESN figures their act is what most folks want.
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 13, 2015 14:03:00 GMT -5
What a shame, and no surprise. Every team attempts to see what makes their draftees "tick", but it is, at most, an opinion or a guess. Most of us on this board learned the following item eventually......a person almost never changes their stripes. Once a person makes a questionable decision, you need to watch closely if it a pattern. Jon Denny is probably the next in line.
I always thought I could motivate or change the productivity of one of my employees, but I found out pretty quickly....you either have it or you don't and few can become someone else.
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 13, 2015 13:52:57 GMT -5
Usually Greenville is quite comfortable in April. I would not be surprised, if he starts there and gets 100 - 150 at bats, and starts his accent. What kind of accent do they have in Greenville? SCNR. Very funny. I will change it. To your question: Southern Charm Y'all. 1st word Yoan needs to learn: hey. 2nd word: y'all. 3rd word: where is the ATM.
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 13, 2015 12:07:31 GMT -5
Another big reason they will start him in Greenville is the weather. Portland would be a total shock to his system immediately throwing him into colder weather, but anyone who has been in the Salem, VA area in April can tell you it can get down right cold too. May is OK, and June is fabulous.
Now in Greenville, Moncada will (hopefully) get off to a fast start, get his confidence, and get comfortable. Usually Greenville is quite comfortable in April. I would not be surprised, if he starts there and gets 100 - 150 at bats, and starts his assent. Probably he will end up in Portland. Maybe he will only spend the last few weeks there, but he may scorch High A and move faster. I think it is smart starting him in Greenville to get his feet wet.
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 13, 2015 8:28:48 GMT -5
Unfortunately the ones around Fenway suck now. No one cooks the peppers and onions enough and no one uses red peppers anymore like they used to 20 years ago. It's been disappointing for decades. You poor, poor, people. That's what happens when you're 2,000 miles from the Mexican border. You take Fenway's advice, and the quicker the better. There are enclaves... Didn't know there were so many aficionados with respect to sausage with peppers and onions on this board. Good to know.
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steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 12, 2015 17:57:28 GMT -5
Oops! May have originally posted this on the wrong thread. Apologies. At the risk of a double dip...... Saw the Sox play today on a whim at beautiful old McKecknie Field in Bradenton. Quick hits: Papi looks in damned good shape and hit a typical tower job over the 400 foot sign in dead center against a pretty strong cross breeze. Panda looks better physically in person and was pretty damned agile at third fielding a high chopper by going airborne and landing like a cat. He also came in on a tapper and displayed a quick release and strong arm nabbing the runners in both cases. He hit a HR matching Papi's trajectory but over the 375' sign in right center. Both were no-doubters. Hanley is not 240 lbs. He looks jacked top and bottom but not really heavy. He raked a bullet down the LF line that was somehow caught on a stagger. The fielder must have been playing Hanley strongly to pull. As Hanley was going back to the dugout he stopped, stared out at the left-fielder and jokingly motioned him to play more straight away so he could have gotten a hit. He does have something of a swagger and did not run balls out to first. Ok, yup it is spring and we don't want him to pull a hammy. JBJ made a nice running catch coming in from center, raked a line drive hit over second base and hit a high drive to the warning track in dead center that probably would have been out had the wind not been blowing as strongly. Napoli has a new body. Wow. What a difference....much leaner but not skinny. He looks 5 years younger. The stadium had a clock that displayed a countdown of time between innings but none other. There was no radar gun reading that I could see but Buch enjoyed good results following the first three batters who hit sharp liners. Rodriguez punched out 4 in his 2 2/3 innings on what seemed a variety of offerings. Swihart displayed a strong arm to second on a stolen base but the throw was high as he had to hustle to retrieve a boxed ball. He probably would have had the runner despite that had the throw been accurate. The temp was 84 at game time, the sausages and onions primo and the ambience unbeatable. The fan loyalties seemed about 70% pro-Sox. That was great Ken. I too love sausage with plenty of peppers and onions!! Yum. You had a beautiful day for the game.
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 12, 2015 15:00:47 GMT -5
Breaking News!!! I love Eduardo Rodriguez. Is there any doubt he will be in Pawtucket's 5-man rotation? Another solid, and yes dominant, performance from our Christmas present from Baltimore.
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 9, 2015 11:25:26 GMT -5
Yup he looked good yesterday, 0-3 certainly didn't tell the whole story. Almost had a single up the middle, and took the ball the other way in his 2nd at-bat, ended up lining out to SS. Don't see where he fits in with Boston, but if anything he's increasing his trade value. He really should go nowhere this year. He's a lot more valuable to the Red Sox as injury insurance stuffed in AAA than we'd get in a trade right now. I like JBJ as depth for Castillo and Betts a lot more than Sizemore as depth for JBJ and Victorino. Double that. He is excellent depth for us this season, and he has the opportunity to really increase his value by having a good season in Pawtucket....and permitting us to get more in a trade. He probably will be an add on and not the primary piece, but with solid improvement at AAA, were he could definitely use several hundred more at-bats, he will actually be sought after. I really like the depth Ben has accumulated for us in the ML and in AAA (and yes even in the rotation).
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steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 9, 2015 8:15:09 GMT -5
Sox go 2 for 9 with RISP today. You have to be effing kidding me. Amazing. Larry.....you are in trouble!
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 7, 2015 16:05:02 GMT -5
I attended the Red Sox game in Sarasota vs the Orioles and there was some very positive moments for us.
1st........wow was Eduardo Rodriguez really good! He threw mostly fastballs and was blowing it by the top line-up of the O's. His fastball never went lower than 94 and sat mostly at 95, but he threw a couple of 97. His 3 innings were primo. You could look into the Orioles dugout and see them all up on the top step watching and probably wishing they had traded someone else. Eduardo threw about 4 sliders and only a couple of change-ups. His change-up was about 84 to 85 and his slider was around 90. He looked GOOD!
Allen Craig was seeing the ball well today with a couple of walks and what should have been 2 doubles. His 1st hit was a shot over the head of the right-fielder who played it off the fence quickly and somehow kept Craig at first. The 2nd double almost went out and was a ground-rule double in left center. He also made a nice catch in left center on a hard hit ball that saved a run.
The legend of Blake Swihart has begun. Hitting from his weaker side, Blake clobbered a long 3 run homer into right center, and had 2 sharp singles. Both were struck solidly. He handled both Steven Wright and Rodriguez very well. He had no problems handling the knuckler.
Cecchini looked real good in batting practice and one solid hit. Misplayed a sharp hit ball in the 1st which caused an unearned run to score.
Bryce Brentz is one strong dude. His homer early in the game when to the opposite field and easily cleared the fence in right center.
Escobar looked OK after starting his 1st inning with a hit batter and a walk, and allowed both to score with out a hit on a wild pitch, ground ball, and a sacrifice fly.
Weather was perfect and the place was filled. Lots and lots of Red Sox fans!!
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 7, 2015 10:02:27 GMT -5
Great stuff guys. This site just keeps getting better and better. I honestly might have convolutions if this site wasn't here. Again thanks for such a fine job!
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steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 7, 2015 9:53:58 GMT -5
Gordon Edes ?@gordonedes Yoan Moncada expected in camp with minor leaguers today. Official announcement coming . . . Brian MacPherson ?@brianmacp Red Sox A-team lineup: Betts CF, Pedroia 2B, Ortiz DH, Ramirez LF, Sandoval 3B, Napoli 1B, Bogaerts SS, Hanigan C, Berry RF. Buchholz P. Brian MacPherson ?@brianmacp Victorino had been on the schedule to play but is not in the lineup. . . . Pete Abraham ?@peteabe #RedSox at Balt: Bradley Jr. CF, Weeks 2B, Craig LF, LaHair DH, Swihart C, Cecchini 3B, Brentz RF, Shaw 1B, Bianchi SS, Wright RHP. Heading to the game today with my wife. Just looking forward to hearing the "crack" of the bat again, but I have got to admit that is one sorry line-up. Really looking forward to seeing Rodriguez pitch, Swihart catch, and Bradley getting 2 hits. And..............hopefully Craig, at least, hitting the ball hard a couple of times!
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 7, 2015 9:50:16 GMT -5
I can't see Tate lasting to #7 if keeps pitching the way he has - but I'd love it if he did. It would be nice if Swanson does keep impressing. One thing we are not really in need for in 3-4 years is a shortstop (probably). I still like Marrero a lot and Xander does look better. And even in the lower minors we have some interesting folks. Nothing against Swanson, but with him and almost definitely Rodgers becoming potential top 5 draftees....it just pushes some pitchers down to us that are exciting. Tate has been impressive. Lets see how he is looking at the end of April. It is nice (for us) to have the excitement of another high pick this June, but hopefully it will be a loooooooong time before we do again!
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 4, 2015 19:30:29 GMT -5
I would have to agree that we probably take a college pitcher. I like Allard but with us taking Ball and Kopech so high in the last couple of drafts, I'd be surprised if we when with a high school hurler this year. We certainly will have some solid choices
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 4, 2015 11:21:39 GMT -5
From Tim Britton's e-mail notes: Notable pitchers for the upcoming games, as posted in the clubhouse: Thursday at Minnesota Joe Kelly Matt Barnes Brian Johnson Junichi Tazawa Edward Mujica Alexi Ogando Robbie Ross Tommy Layne Heath Hembree Friday vs. Miami Justin Masterson Henry Owens Koji Uehara Saturday vs. Minnesota (ss) Clay Buchholz Craig Breslow Brandon Workman Anthony Varvaro Saturday at Baltimore (ss) Steven Wright Eduardo Rodriguez Edwin Escobar Sunday at New York Mets Rick Porcello Brian Johnson Heath Hembree Tommy Layne Robbie Ross Got tickets for Saturday's game in Sarasota. Glad to finally see Eduardo Rodriguez. The weather is finally gorgeous down here and it looks like Saturday's weather should be excellent.
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 4, 2015 7:28:50 GMT -5
Just because a condition is uncommon doesn't make the player risky. If it's a "common and manageable" condition as has been reported then drafting him isn't a risk. I would imagine that Houston might pass on Matuella due to last year's fiasco but unless something else happens, he's a top five pick. Minus Houston, Boston picks fifth. You could also make the same general statement about Aiken. I didn't think of that. So Aiken has told the Astros he isn't interested in them? I understand he can have a say with a team that has already drafted him and didn't sign him. Aiken would be of even more interest to me, but doubt he gets to #7.
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 3, 2015 8:13:56 GMT -5
Thank you God for GAMES finally starting!! Amen.
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 3, 2015 8:03:46 GMT -5
I'm personally a big fan of Javier Guerra. He really wasn't the best GCL hitter (Devers was easily), but he really consistently put the ball in play and often with some sting. Very interested in what he accomplishes in full season ball. He could really be a real gem and rank even higher in our eyes come August.
I could probably say some of the same things about Henry Ramos. He has physically filled out nicely and is certainly a good looking athlete. I wouldn't be shocked, if he stays healthy, if he jumped up on the prospect list a lot. He finally is turning into baseball player as his early experience was not totally focused on the diamond. It is always surprising how many fans have no idea about the importance of staying healthy and being able to continue a consistent path of improvement. When you follow a farm system, as we do, we see first hand some very talented individuals not ever quite developing....and a lot of it is because of missed time or bad timing.
Luis Diaz, to me, is at a crossroads. Yes he has had some very good moments, but there are so many pitchers ahead of him.....I'm not sure his TIMING is good. Trade chip.
As for Wendell Rijo: still VERY young. Your comments about him may be too early. After this season, they will be "right on", if he doesn't progress. The few times I saw him, he was a player who seemed to always be in the right place and going about his business in the right way. Another year and I think we will have a very good idea of what we have. I personally like him and think he will fill out some and get stronger. He does have a good idea of what he is doing at the plate and what his strengths are currently.
I don't see much future for Weems. I have never seen Diaz. And I too am intrigued about what Whitson will do this year. I'm following him closely.
My personal focus will be on 2 lower prospects. Trenton Kemp and Nick Longhi are guys that I like.
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,826
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Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 2, 2015 14:31:29 GMT -5
I'd love to see your top 10 lists. And as I mentioned to start, get out your crystal ball and look forward to 2020. Any Sox on it?
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