Quick Sox Before Mailing My Taxes

Dan:

Step away from the ledge, Red Sox fans. It is April 15. I know the Sox are 2 and 6, and Papi and co. are struggling. But take a deep breath and consider these points:

• Two Aprils ago, people wanted to ship Pedroia back to Pawtucket.

• Two Aprils ago, people thought J.D. Drew was the second-coming of Carl Yastremski.

• Nine Aprils ago it looked like Carl Everett was the next Ken Griffey Jr.

• Nine Aprils ago we thought Wilton Veras was the Sox thirdbaseman of the future. Remember him?

• During their 86-year championship drought, how many April championships did the Red Sox win? Lots.

Sure, all 162 games mean the same. But if the Sox went through this same stretch in June or July, nobody would be too concerned. Every year, fans magnify the importance of what happens in April, and by Memorial Day people don't even remember what happened in April. This is a good Sox team with a ton of depth. So talk to me come Memorial Day.

Meanwhile, Daisuke's health woes have to be cause for concern. But this is where the depth of the Sox could play a huge role in their success this season. If he needs to be out for any length of time, the Sox can turn to Clay Bucholz, who looked like a world-beater this Spring. They also have Michael Bowden in the minors, and, if things get bad, their bullpen is so good they could slide Justin Masterson into the rotation without missing a beat.

BTW, the Beckett suspension is bogus.