Baseball talk brings spring closer

News out of Fort Myers, Fla., that the Boston Red Sox have signed Bartolo Colon – a rather portly Bartolo Colon – to a minor league contract certainly got the baseball juices flowing in my house.

After all, it has been a long winter, and any baseball talk is better than none.

Colon, a former Cy Young winner, is 34 and posted a 6-8 record last year with the Los Angeles Angels. His 6.34 ERA is certainly not a bright spot for a team seeking pitching help, but with Curt Schilling out with a shoulder injury, a proven starter might be just what the doctor ordered to shore up a pretty good pitching staff. Remember: These Sox are defending World Series champs, and any moves like the Colon signing can only help a team that many experts think will run the table again in 2008.

I always loved spring training. Back in the day in these parts, there were two sure signs of spring. First up was the beginning of the University of Maine baseball season, broadcast live from Florida on WABI AM 910 radio with announcer George Hale and his sidekick Al Hackett. I have many fond memories of riding my bike and tuning into the action coming out of Florida. Red Sox preseason action was the second sign of the change of seasons.

It may have been a chilly March up here in Maine, but the Florida sunshine seemed to seep through my little radio and warm me up.

For the Red Sox back in those days, we didn’t get a lot out of our TV or radio.

NESN now gives day-to-day coverage on the Old Towne team, and it’s a little early to be glued to the TV for baseball.

I usually wait until the exhibition games begin before I give the pros that much of my day.

Once those contests are on the radio, I can keep track in small doses. This winter we have been blanketed on several occasions with nearly enough snow to start a ski resort in our back yard. Oh, my.

I’m glad I’m not coaching a spring sport at the high school level. If this past week is any indication, this winter is far from over.

If you follow this space, you know that my father, Doug, was a huge baseball fan. One of his favorite times of the year was spring. He loved spring training. He and my mother lived in Sarasota, Fla., home of the Baltimore Orioles, in the winter. Although not a big Orioles fan – he always loved the Boston Braves and, of course, the Red Sox – he did get quite a kick out of pulling up a lawn chair and watching all the Florida action.

A special thrill for Dad was bumping into a star player and engaging him in conversation. My father was quite a storyteller, and I enjoyed listening to his tales about the many discussions he had through the years with Nolan Ryan, Reggie Jackson or Roger Clemens.

Dad wasn’t much for talking about himself, but he always enjoyed famous players who were humble and not hesitant to sit with a fan and just talk.

Dad always told me spring training had a different feel about it than the regular season. It was more relaxed, he said, and all the players paced themselves as they went about the process of getting ready for the trip north and opening day at the historic Fenway Park.

Will Colon help this year’s Sox? Only time will tell, but the prospects of the Red Sox returning to my radio is as good news as I’ve had in a long time.

Surviving winter takes on various forms in our neck of the woods. Looking forward to warmer weather and outdoor activities can only be enhanced by thoughts of Florida and spring training. It won’t be long until we are all partaking of it.

30-Second Time Out

One final thought about this year’s high school basketball tournament action from the Bangor Auditorium.

As the Class A boys prepare to have at it tonight in Portland, it’s time for the powers that be in the Maine Principals’ Association to better enforce those who sit at the so-called press table in Bangor.

Reserved for media, TV guys and gals from MPBN, and college coaches – a group who should sit somewhere else – and Maine basketball commissioner Peter Webb and his minions, this year’s table was occupied by high school coaches and a guest or two of college coaches. Can we create a special ribbon and reduce the traffic down there? Let’s hope so.

Last year, media ribbon in hand, I was told by Auditorium security that there wasn’t room for me and my wheelchair to sit at what once was a strictly media table. My friend John helped me crawl into the bleachers, and I was not pleased.

The handicapped section behind the press table offers a restricted view of the floor.

bdnsports@bangordailynews.net