Wakefield! Varitek! Nothing Beats Red Sox Opening Day!

2012 is going to be a special year. It's the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park and what better way to celebrate this momentous occasion but to celebrate Red Sox Opening Day? Fenway Park looks much different than it did 100 years ago, but on opening day the team remains the same as it did back in 1912 - talented and somewhat flawed.

And that's the point. Because 2012 is also the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Maybe you've seen the movie? And no coincidentally, the Mayans think the world is going to end in December of this year. So the sinking of the Titanic and the end of the World are also in the news this year? What better way to celebrate another Red Sox season. The symmetry of it all isn't lost on me.

But it's a beautiful, sunny day, and the Red Sox and Rays are going to be playing in Kenmore Square to start another season. Who cares that the Red Sox are 1-5 this year? They started 0-6 last year and look at what happened! Well, until September that is.

2pm. Boston, MA.  It was a nice touch that Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield threw out the first pitches.  They both looked somewhat uncomfortable out there, but who cares?  Let's get to the game though.  Josh Beckett, after a horrid start against the Tigers in the second game of the season, looks to improve against a formidable Tampa Bay Rays starting lineup that has started the season 4-2.

First Inning.  The only highlight is Brignac and Longoria bumping into each other on foul pop fly.  I guess no news is good news.  0-0 after 1.

Second Inning.  How uncomfortable were the Wakefield and Varitek interviews with Don and Jerry.  "How do you like retirement?"  They both answer that they are ready to come back if needed.  Sounds like voluntary retirements if I ever heard them.  And this is the highlight of the inning.  Oh man.  1-0 Rays after 2.

Third Inning.  Just when I thought that the highlight of this inning would be Kelly Shoppach literally sticking his elbow out to get hit by a pitch (Coach Buttermaker would be proud), the Red Sox score three runs on bleeders by Ellsbury, Gonzalez and Big Papi.  Red Sox take the lead 3-1!

Fourth Inning.  Ellsbury drives in another run and doubles his hit count on the season and then immediately gets hurt trying to break up a double play.  Seriously?  So now our vaunted outfield consists of Darnell McDonald, Ryan Sweeney and Cody Ross.  I'm now shaking my head.  And Carl Crawford show us his wrist to let us know that he's still hurt too, OK thanks, Carl.  Hopefully it was a just little dislocation and he'll shake it off, unlike his "broken ribs" from a couple of years ago.  It's a contract year after all.  Red Sox lead 4-1.

Sixth Inning.  Kelly Shoppach is a menace on the basepaths.

Seventh Inning.  Oh, that's where Luke Scott went.

Eighth Inning.  Josh Beckett pitches a great game, reminiscent of 2007 or even early in 2011.  He holds The Rays to one run on five hits.  His battery mate, Kelly Shoppach, has three hits and drives in two runs with a double and continues his hairy baserunning when he his driven home by a Ryan Sweeney double and awkwardly slides into home.  Nevertheless, the Red Sox pour it on and take the lead 12-1.  This game is as good as over.  Unless they bring Mark Melancon in.  Oh crap.

Just kidding.  He gives up a meaningless run and the Red Sox win 12-2.  A lot of bloops and bleeders, but a win is a win.

Now about Jacoby Ellsbury...