By MaureenMullen
CSNNE.com
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Before Tuesday's 1-1 tie between the Red Sox and Rays at City of Palms Park, Marc Topkins of the St. Petersburg Times and the BBWAAs Tampa chapter chairman presented Carl Crawford with the Rays 2010 MVP and Paul C. Smith Champion (Good Guy) awards.
My work getting ready for the 2010 season paid off, Crawford said. I won the MVP of the team from the writers and the Good Guy award, so I was able to carry myself in the manner that was professional and respectable on and off the field. So, it's nice to win both of those awards. They're equally important to me. I take a lot of pride in making sure I don't get in trouble and set a good example when I'm at the field."
The Pawtucket Red Sox have announced that every PawSox player will wear a patch with the name BEN on their right uniform sleeve this season in honor of late PawSox owner Ben Mondor who passed away last October 3. The patch will be worn on each home uniform and will measure 5.5 long by 3.25 high.
Ben always wore his love of the PawSox on his sleeve, so its only fitting that we carry BEN on our sleeve for the 2011 season, said PawSox president Mike Tamburro.
The PawSox open the 2011 season on Thursday, April 7 vs. the Rochester Red Wings at 7:05 p.m. at McCoy Stadium.
Josh Beckett is scheduled to start the exhibition game Wednesday against the Astros at Minute Maid Park. He will be followed by Jonathan Papelbon, Dennys Reyes, Bobby Jenks and Daniel Bard. The Astros are expected to start Nelson Figueroa, followed by Brandon Lyon, Wilton Lopez, Enerio Del Rosario, Aneury Rodriguez, Henry Villar, and Jose Valdez.Daisuke Matsuzaka will pitch a simulated game Thursday morning in Houston.
Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox will be moving to a new facility in Lee County for next year's spring training, and manager Terry Francona spoke about the Sox final game at City of Palms Park.
I think wed be a little more sentimental if we were leaving town," he said. "I think were all glad were staying in Fort Myers. I think were also very appreciative that we get to go into a state-of-the-art facility where we can probably get our work done a little bit better and have our minor-league complex together. But I think were very appreciative of the support we get here. Obviously we get great support and Im glad were staying. Im also glad were going into a nice, new facility.
Maureen Mullen is on Twitter athttp:twitter.commaureenamullen