Announcers field questions about Sox

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BANGOR – Judging from the questions asked and the tone they were asked in, the honeymoon for Boston Red Sox fans may be over.

Unlike the previous two installments of “An Evening with Joe and Jerry,” a baseball hot- stove session presented by Bangor all-sports radio station WZON (620 AM) and the Bangor Daily News, the third annual event was a bit short on the boundless enthusiasm, optimism and excitement for the Olde Towne Team.

And like the previous two events, there was no shortage of questions for longtime Red Sox radio announcers Joe Castiglione and Jerry Trupiano Tuesday night at the Bangor Civic Center.

The tone was set early on when Trupiano, a veteran broadcaster whose career spans the last four decades, made a “special commercial message” before fielding questions.

“All Johnny Damon and Edgar Renteria jerseys are now 50 percent off at the Red Sox pro shop, and Nomar [Garciaparra] and Pedro [Martinez] jerseys are now 75 percent off,” he said with a slight chuckle.

It’s a whole new ballgame for Sox fans this year and it seems uncertainty, cynicism and – at best – cautious optimism have replaced their high hopes and expectations.

Damon was the primary fodder for fans, as the former Sox center fielder’s name came up early and often.

When asked for their take on Damon’s signing of a four-year, $52 million contract with the New York Yankees, the Sox duo offered the following:

“Some thought New York overpaid for him, but only time will tell,” said Castiglione, who is entering his 24th season in the radio booth for the Red Sox.

“He won’t be the rock star in New York that he was in Boston,” said Trupiano, who asked for a show of hands on who would take a $52 million offer over a $40 million one.

When asked if he would take the money if it required him to wear pinstripes, Trupiano said “For $52 million, I’d wear a monkey suit.”

Someone did just that Tuesday, after WZON afternoon host Jeff Solari announced a special addition to the evening’s program in the form of an appearance by former Sox general manager Theo Epstein. With that, someone dressed in a gorilla suit came into the room.

Epstein wore a gorilla suit to evade media at Fenway Park last Halloween.

What followed was a slew of questions centering on Sox additions, subtractions and open roster spots as uncertainty characterized the session … Questions concerning:

. Trading Edgar Renteria to Atlanta for top prospect Andy Marte and cash – “That was my biggest surprise,” said Trupiano. “I would not have traded him. I would have kept him another year.

. Manny Ramirez being Manny – “He’s at times a 13-year-old,” said Trupiano. “If Manny stays, maybe there’s hope for Nick [Lachey] and Jessica [Simpson].”

. The long-rumored Ramirez-for-Miguel Tejada deal with Baltimore – “The Orioles remain a team, it seems, that is almost impossible to do a deal with, and I just don’t think it’s going to happen,” said Castiglione.

. Sox pitching prospects Jonathan Papelbon and Jon Lester – “Papelbon reminds me of a young [Roger] Clemens, and I know that’s a lot to say,” Castiglione said. “And Lester is valued very highly.”

. Recent free-agent signee infielder J.T. Snow vs. Kevin Youkilis – “Two scouts I talked to think he’ll tattoo the ball at Fenway against that wall and I think he’ll play more than Youkilis at first,” Trupiano said.

. Former Sox first baseman/designated hitter and clubhouse presence Kevin Millar, who signed with Baltimore as a free agent this offseason – “I think, to a certain extent, they’ll miss him, but that ‘spokesman’ stuff only goes so far,” Trupiano said. “I don’t think it’s that big a loss.”

. The resignation of Epstein last Halloween and prospects for his return to the Red Sox – “We were surprised it was even an issue,” said Castiglione. “I do think he’ll be back in Boston at some point, but probably not this season.”

“What’s funny is everyone figured it was [Yankees general manager] Brian Cashman who wasn’t supposed to return, not Theo,” Trupiano added.

. The holes in the Sox lineup at shortstop and center field – “Right now Alex Cora, who’s an excellent defensive player, is the starting shortstop, but I don’t think they’re done making moves,” said Castiglione.

“The names we keep hearing are [former Marlins shortstop and free agent] Alex Gonzalez and [Tampa Bay’s] Julio Lugo,” said Trupiano. “As far as center field, we’ll just have to see.”

. Quirks, habits and funny stories from life on the road together with Joe and Jerry – Trupiano divulged Castiglione’s habit of using hotel pens to stock his stationery, his penchant for being on the phone and once inadvertently tying himself and a chair up in 30 feet of telephone cord during a call, and a hilarious karaoke rendition of “Runaround Sue” which he offered money in return for an audio/videotape copy of the performance.

Castiglione countered with tales of Trupiano accidentally losing a $1,500 crown on a tooth by tossing some chewed gum out a car window and off a bridge into the river below and his love for pens and other office supplies, which causes him to stock his house with boxes of writing materials and has earned him a nickname of “Staples.”

. Hall of Fame induction prospects for Jim Rice, Curt Schilling, and steroids-tainted players Rafael Palmeiro and Mark McGwire.

“Palmeiro was never the best player on his team or the best player at his position,” said Castiglione. “His home run totals are fraudulent and I would have a problem voting for him now.”

“I’m really disappointed about Rice not getting in because his numbers are legitimate,” Trupiano said. “Some writers are holding a grudge against him and I think that’s ridiculous.”

“Schilling needs two or three more great seasons to be a candidate because even with him being a big-game pitcher, the second half of his career is much better than the first half,” said Castiglione.

“Andro [androstenedione] wasn’t a banned substance when McGwire used it, but he really looked bad at those [Congressional] hearings and I think they’ll make him wait awhile before he gets in, if he gets in,” said Trupiano.

The evening’s activities included the second appearance of the 2004 World Series trophy at the Civic Center, recognition of the Westbrook Little League and University of Maine baseball teams, door prizes, and an autograph session.