Gold Prospecting

If Boston’s rise to superpower status could be attributed solely to an increase in spending, we’d feel better. Of course, we know better than to assume a simple causal relationship. After the Hendry/Werner sale, the team was thoroughly revamped – smarts became a prerequisite for contracted employees, players and management alike. Watching this transformation unfold in the early part of the century, we knew that the groundwork for a winning product was being formed, one that would inevitably derail Torre’s previously uncontested stranglehold on success.

What we did not expect was that as it was building a winning team at Fenway, Boston would pay equal attention to Pawtucket and every other lower station. This caught us by surprise – and it made us feel worse. By drafting and developing very good players, Boston has pre-empted what was been the most effective anti-Yankee barb over the years – “you buy your championships”.

Which is why today is so important. Justin Masterson, the next hyped product of a stellar farm system, makes his debut. If he falters this year, there’s that much more of a chance Boston will throw cash around in Yankee-like desperation come August. If his performance is Papelbonian, then we’ll lose not only in the standings, but also in the very significant department of moral high ground. And that’s about the best we can hope for these days.