Special Bonds You couldn't help but feel that Tuesday's Grapefruit League tilt between the Red Sox and Astros carried more than just your typical Spring Training essence.
During a time of year consumed by preparation, internal competitions and simply getting a feel for baseball again, this contest at Osceola County Stadium seemed to center on pride, admiration and love.
Those are three feelings shared between Red Sox manager Terry Francona and new Astros skipper Brad Mills -- two former college roommates, Major League teammates, longtime co-workers and still best friends. |
Major League Baseball is a professional organization at it's finest. Sure, you have to look your best and approach everything with a serious look and abit strict look. But, at the same time, it doesn't hurt to be a little personal regardless of it being on a family or friend-like level.
This was the case in Florida this past afternoon, two managers met and both of them were longtime friends. They had been to school together, played in the Majors together and have been friends over that time and now, they're managing together. But, they aren't managing together on the same team, they are managing different clubs in two different leagues in which both have the same goals but for differently working leagues.
The Red Sox were scheduled for a split-squad day-night doubleheader against the Astros and Rays on Tuesday. But instead of making the shorter 45-minute drive from Fort Myers, Fla., to Port Charlotte, Fla., Youkilis and Pedroia instead opted to take a three-hour bus ride to Kissimmee early in the morning.
They wanted to see Mills. And Mills was happy to see them.
"They're not only good players, they're quality people," Mills said. "And it's nice to be able to stay in touch with those type of guys. They're quality individuals, and they've got a lot of them in that clubhouse. That's one of the reasons they've done so well the last few years."
"It's good to see him getting the opportunity to run his own ship," Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek added.
Considering Mills was Francona's roommate at the University of Arizona, his teammate with the Montreal Expos from 1981-83, his first-base coach from 1997-2000 in Philadelphia -- before they were both dismissed by current Astros general manager Ed Wade -- then his bench coach from 2004-09 with the Red Sox, many have been wondering whether Mills would take on Francona's personality. |
How they go about their lives isn't what matters on the Major League diamond. It's how they approach the game, and how they lead their clubs to victory. Whoever wins or loses, it really does not matter because this pair will always be friends throughout the length of time. A good testament to the commitments and life-changing situations in the field of Major League Baseball.
Now, they both have something to feel really good about -- Mills and the opportunity he has with the Astros.
Mills is excited, too, and he's shown throughout the course of Spring Training that he's the type of guy who likes to hit the ground running.
But the bond he and Francona share will never go away, and neither will his admiration for the Red Sox.
"It's tough to pick up a paper," said Mills, who is known mainly for how meticulous he is. "You see all the little capsules about each ballclub, you look at us, and maybe our division maybe and look at the National League. And then, of course, you got to find out exactly what's going on with those guys.
"Being there and [seeing] what they've been able to accomplish these last six years, the whole culture and how they've gone about those things, is pretty special." |
And the rest, they say is history. Two good friends, two baseball clubs and two different careers to make a point with. It's amazing what these two have gone through, and what they will continue to go through in their managing careers.
A true test of friendship through the trials of time.
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