As the Boston Red Sox begin preparation for the 2010 Season, I become petrified of the upcoming changes.  I know that baseball is a business.  Red Sox management is loaded with talented and brilliant business men and women, who make decision based on cold, calculating numbers.  The players play the game, but know they are part of business as they attempt to accumulate as much weathy as possible.  

As a fan I have a more difficult time with the business aspect of the game.  I get attached to the players.  I like them and want to see them succeed.  They are like my brothers or sons I want to see them reach their potential.  I worry about their health and every ache and pain.  I cheer for their success and boo anyone who attempts to make them fail.  They become family.  Then it ends.  They have to go.  They get traded or demand to be traded.  They don't resign.  They file for Free Agency.  Are my feelings supposed to turn off?  Does love vanish that quickly?  If so, was it really love?

Take Manny Ramirez.  By all accounts Manny gave-up at the end of the 2008 season.  He wanted to go somewhere else and get a bigger pay day for himself and his agent.  He faked injuries and countless other acts against the purity of the game.  Yet.......I can't get that beautiful swing out my mind.  The countless clutch swings that changed certain defeat into wins.  I can't forget the 2004 World Series MVP.  I can't forget his carefree attitude and the joy he played with.  I can't hate Manny and never will.  He will always be one of my favorites, now and forever.  Steroids or not.  Period point blank.

That's why this time of the year hurts so much.  I feel like my family is splitting up and I can't do anything about it.  Of course I want the Red Sox to get better, but I wish it could happen with the same players.  Of course I'll embrace the new additions, they are my new brothers and sons.  But it still hurts to lose the ones that leave.

I'm happy Jason Varitek is coming back.  He's the team Captain.  Fruitgirl posted a great blog with pictures and quotes that say better then I can, but his pressence means so much to the Red Sox organization.  He is the pitching staffs peace of mind.  If the pitching and defense wins championships (History proves that so.) then a catcher like Jason Varitek is invaluable.  He was shortcomings but don't we all?  I'm not very good looking, fat and a little slow, but my friends keep me around.  Captain Varitek doesn't hit as well as he use to or throw out base runners as well, but his ability to communicate with the pitchers, set-up and impliment the game plan, call pitches and block the plate is unparalleled.  He is still a valuable player and someone that makes the Red Sox better.

I know the 2010 team will be different from 2009 and I will miss some of my favorites.  I know I'll have a hard time dealing with the loses and fret how well the new faces will do.  But I trust in Theo and believe he will everything he can to field the best team possible.  I will try to keep that in mind as I'm missing my boys that don't comeback.