J.D. Drew's #7 uniform

The Red Sox signed Ryan Roberts to play infield for them (Middlebrooks going on the DL), and gave him #7.

Red Sox and challenges: 0-1

Under MLB’s new system permitting a manager to challenge an umpire’s call and have it reviewed by video, John Farrell challenged a call in the bottom of the second. He thought Jackie Bradley Jr. was safe at first, running out an infield grounder. The Red Sox began the “challenge era” 0-1.

It didn't look all that close to the naked eye, but had Farrell been upheld, the Sox would have had the bases loaded -- and might actually have scored a run in the game...

So, the Red Sox won the last nine home openers in a row...and then I skipped one

Sorry, I had to go to New York, to promote Don't Let Us Win Tonight on MLB-TV.  Was it my fault the Sox lost?

They'd won the last nine home openers in a row...and then I missed one.

Oops. Anyhow, my real "thing" is Game Twos.  I have missed several openers over the years, but hardly ever missed a Game Two. All the hoopla used to get to me. And the second game of the year was often the worst-attended (and easiest to get seats to). So, a few minutes before I head out to Fenway for tonight's game, I have some hope.

Meanwhile, I do remember this picture I took last year...

an "inside view" of the 2013 Red Sox world championship rings

This is my favorite view.

Boston Globe review of DON'T LET US WIN TONIGHT

“Don’t Let Us Win Tonight” by Allan Wood and Bill Nowlin is a modern-day, single-team cousin to the classic 1966 omnibus work “The Glory of Their Times,” the key literary effort of the first half of baseball’s history.

Overblown, sure.  But we'll take it!

Student Toga Night at Fenway Park on April 8?

Yes, the Red Sox just announced this. This could be interesting to behold - though I can imagine seeing some parkas over the togas.

And prices of just $9 for high school and college students to get standing room spots, with a $20 ticket for an actual seat.

Clearly, they are trying to attract a younger audience.  There will also be Student Scavenger Hunt Night on April 20, and some other themed dates.

AL East standings

Because the Yankees don't play their opener until tomorrow, they can't be in first place tomorrow morning.