I promise you spring is almost here.....Revis Island???

Forget March Madness, baseball is back this month!

If you're from the Southern New England area like myself, you know it's time to start up that Red Sox Nation's engine.  Which in turn means hurry and catch up on visiting the local AHL teams like the P-Bruins or Worcester Sharks because baseball season is right around the corner and accompanying it will possibly be the season of spring. Something the whole Northern part of the Continental United States is seething with anticipation for the prospect of grilling outdoors again, known to be associated with that first fresh aroma of mouthwatering delights roasting away in the backyard.  See here's the thing, if you've never been to a region that's frigid during the winter time, you simply wouldn't understand how that precious moment is when the nose recognizes that savory scent of succulent steaks being scorched on charcoal for the first time in months. People who normally deal with blistering cold climates know that in the land of ice and snow you really cannot smell anything, period.  Well, maybe there's the exception of of standing literally right next to something burning profusely or some ungodly pungent nasty odor and even then it's still difficult to obtain a clean whiff, not that you would want to with these examples but you get my point.  

Damn!

All ranting aside I am currently salivating not at the idea presented prior, but towards the thought of juicy marinated steak tips along side some plump wieners that have a hint of my trusty McCormick's fiery 5 pepper seasoning and as Fall River's Emeril Lagasse would say "Bam"! You got the perfect meal for you and your friends or maybe just you.  I know, none of this has anything to do with sports, ah but see that is where you are wrong my good friend.  This kind of BBQ pig-out goes hand in hand with sports, especially if you're like myself, you'll have the Sox on the radio and a nice spot carved out on the deck or some prime-time real estate for your lawn chair to indisputably kick back relax and honestly be able to forget all your worries while enjoying the fruits of your labor and washing it down with an ice-cold frosty Gansett or Foolproof maybe it's a Sam's or whichever thirst quenching beer you prefer just no bud light please, if you want to drink water just pick up a Poland Spring bottle at the store instead. 

Not too shabby for a wicked cheap brewski.

Well maybe I'm springing ahead a little too early on all that summertime day dreaming, oh whatever June's right around the corner right?  See I wasn't joking about being passionately wired for the end of the 2014 winter which without a doubt has been one of the coldest and longest winters that many in America can recall, and that's coming from a Pats fan first, normally I embrace the suck(cold).  Let's be serious it snowed in the vicinity of Atlanta and the city of Georgia looked as if the entire state dropped on by to get an early start on some demolition derby action in case you missed the twisted metal motor mash-up.  So now that I've helped assist you in day dreaming about your own spring wish list or summer fantasy(something that you've probably done way be reading this) I'd like to get back on track to the topic of baseball. Namely the Boston Red Sox and their living breathing good luck charm connection with their triple-A affiliate the Pawtucket Red Sox that is Arnie Beyeler. If you don't know who that is well shame on you, especially if you consider yourself to be an avid part of Red Sox Nation.  If you do know Arnie my apologies but for those of you who don't Arnie Beyeler was the manager for the Pawsox two years ago in 2012 when he skippered the minor league team to their first Governor's Cup in 28 years.  

Arnie with Pawsox's President Mike Tamburro after winning the 2012 Governor's Cup.

Arnie was then promoted to the big-league club the following year as Boston's first-base coach for the 2013 season or as many know it, the year of the "fear the beards" World Series Championship.  Arnie Beyeler was able to enjoy that title right in front of the many fans in Bean town at Fenway Park unlike when his Pawsox beat the Charlotte Knights down in Fort Mill, South Carolina.  The most intriguing part of all of this is the plethora of players on the Boston roster that were coached by Arnie well before they made it to the majors to be crowned kings of the diamond in 2013, such as Jacoby Ellsbury, Clay Buchholz, Will Middlebrooks, Jackie Bradley Jr., Daniel Nava, Junichi Tazawa, Felix Doubront, and Ryan Lavarnway amidst others. Beyeler has spent over 12 seasons as a manger with some of the Red Sox minor league teams and it was the "cherry on top" to see Arnie running around Fenway with many of the players his helped develop into major leaguers and now Champions.  So here's to a tip of the cap to ole Arnie and his Army of Pawtucket players now with the Bosox. 

Aqib says goodbye Revis says hello....hello hello!

After only a day from losing former corner back Aqib Talib to New England rivals the Broncos, the Patriots have made their rebuttal and possibly an upgrade at the position with one of the best corners in the NFL with former Buccaneer an Jet Darrelle Revis whom Bill Belichick has coveted and admired from his time preparing against Revis when he still in the New York Jets secondary.  Now Revis Island makes his way to New England on a 1 year deal worth $12 million, yes he can hit the open market next year, but the Patriots could also use the franchise tag next season or he could decide to stay in New England with a new deal.  Regardless of everything the number 24 will mean  something again in New England since Ty Law's departure the 24 hasn't meant the same fear of shutdown corner or interception until now, that is if Revis gets the number, but do you really want to bet against me on that one. This is the diesel signing off saying goodnight and sweet dreams.