BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox wrapped up their workout at exactly 4:02 yesterday afternoon at Fenway Park.
"Spring training is officially over," said Lou Merloni as he trotted off the field with his teammates.
And now it's time for the 2002 season to begin for real.
Today, the Red Sox play host to the Toronto Blue Jays, with Pedro Martinez's first pitch of the season expected to be delivered about 1:15 as hopes abound for a playoff season under new owners and with a cast that features a few new faces.
"Opening Day in Boston has to be different than it is anywhere else," said Merloni, a Framingham, Mass., native who broke camp with Boston for the first time in his career. "In a city like this, it's something special. Everybody's talking about (it)."
Everybody except Pedro, that is. Asked if he thought Opening Day was exciting, Martinez shook his head slightly.
"Actually, I think it's boring. It's too long," said Martinez.
Martinez was talking about the pregame festivities, which will include the introduction of all the players, a ceremonial first pitch expected to be thrown out by Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, surrounded by teammates, and a fly-over by four F-16 Air Force jets.
While the Fenway faithful, especially those sitting in the 200 new field-level seats, will get their first close-up look at additions such as Johnny Damon, Tony Clark, Rey Sanchez and Rickey Henderson, the loudest cheers probably will be reserved for shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, catcher Jason Varitek and Martinez. Each of them missed a major chunk of last season because of an injury.
Garciaparra (right wrist) and Varitek (right elbow) showed this spring they are ready to go. And Martinez (right rotator cuff) said yesterday he's all set, too, though he admits he has no idea how his shoulder will respond, requesting fans to be patient as he works through the start of the season.
"Right now, I feel healthy. I have no fear," said Martinez. "I might not be as sharp as I normally am, or it might be totally the opposite and I'll be as sharp as I've ever been. We'll see. Whatever happens, happens."
One thing Martinez does know, however, is that he isn't going to push his pitch count, especially early in the season, and especially if the weather isn't conducive to getting and staying loose.
New manager Grady Little said that depending on today's weather, Martinez could be throwing 75-85 pitches if everything works smoothly. Martinez, who was limited to 18 starts (7-3, 2.39 E.R.A.) because of shoulder troubles last year, knows one long inning could result in an early hook, and he said he's fine with that, even though he does not like to leave a game.
"If I'm struggling and throwing 30 pitches in an inning, before they might leave me in. But if they don't know how I'll bounce back from that, they'll take me out," said Martinez. "I have to look at it as that's good advice for my career. I'm experienced enough to know I have to be patient. If I'm not patient, I might be throwing my career out the window."
While Martinez was trying to be patient, Little was anticipating a few jitters today when he officially manages his first big-league game. Little served as interim manager a few times in Cleveland for Charlie Manuel when Manuel was ill over the last two seasons, but now the bull's-eye is on Little.
"I'm sure there will be a few butterflies when they play the national anthem," admitted Little. "When I was the bench coach to Jimy [Williams] here and for Charlie Manuel, I'd make suggestions. Now I have to be accountable for those suggestions. But I'm excited, looking forward to it."
And, after six weeks in spring training, Varitek, for one, is eager to get started and likes the direction this team is headed, especially in light of last season's self-destructive group of players.
"I can't put my finger on it, but it's just a nice atmosphere," said Varitek. "There's an excitement, a feel. There's fun on the bench, fun during the games. People were in the weight room. People were taking extra hitting. From the best players to the role players, everyone was getting their work in. Coaches, too. I can honestly say I haven't been able to say that before."
So, not surprisingly, optimism abounds. And the Sox know the fans have been looking to the Patriots for inspiration.
"Red Sox fans can't help but think: If the Patriots can do it, the Red Sox can do it, too," said Merloni.
The Blue Jays will start pitcher Chris Carpenter, who grew up as a Red Sox fan in New Hampshire.
"It's going to be outstanding, it's probably going to be the best and biggest game of my life," he said. "I'm excited for it and I can't wait for it to happen."
New Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi wants the Blue Jays to use the same power and on-base strategy of Oakland, his last team.
Alex Gonzalez, closer Billy Koch, setup man Paul Quantrill and DH Brad Fullmer are all gone. Carlos Delgado, Jose Cruz Jr., Raul Mondesi and Shannon Stewart still make up the offensive nucleus.
Second-year Toronto manager Buck Martinez can't think of a better place to open a season than Fenway Park.
"To think that Babe Ruth, Ted Williams Carl Yastrzemski and the great pitchers and players that played there for so many years -- it has a wonderful baseball tradition," Martinez said. "For our young players it'll be a very special day, to open up in a baseball shrine like Fenway Park."
And it all starts today.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
