Empyreal Environs

Chris Kline of Baseball America has been touring spring training camps and posted his observations on the Red Sox yesterday. Most of the column inches were devoted to the Red Sox advanced class A affiliate Wilmington Blue Rocks. With the return of first baseman Ian Bladergroen (or, as he appears to be known, “The Blade”) and first round draft picks shortstop Jed Lowrie and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, the Blue Rocks look to compete in the Carolina League once again. If there is any doubt about what homegrown players up the middle can do to form the foundation of a championship team, please refer to the Yankees of the late 90s.

I’m definitely considering a trek down to Delaware to watch the team live. Of course, there are those three prospects to observe, but you can’t forget the undeniable appeal of a team that has three mascots. Not only do they have a 6'7" boulder named Rubble, but a blue moose named (appropriately enough) Rocky Bluewinkle as well as the matchless Mr. Celery. Of the three, the one I find most intriguing is Mr. Celery. He’s healthier than the food mascots you’ll find at MLB parks, particularly the trotting tubular meats in Milwaukee and the prancing pierogies of Pittsburgh. I think he’s had a problem with stalkers, however, so be sensitive when you seek him out.

Kline also devoted a paragraph to the low profile, switch-hitting utilityman Alejandro Machado. Kline interviewed the recently hired farm director Mike Hazen, who said Machado has “been outstanding. His versatility allows us some options with him and that’s his strongest suit.” I’ve been a Machado fan since I saw him play in Pawtucket last year and I hope he’ll get another chance to play with the MLB club when rosters expand. In fact, I’ve written about Machado in every one of his eleven major league starts with the Red Sox; here’s to many more.