--OF Mark Kotsay underwent back surgery in late January to remove a displaced disk fragment, a procedure that was performed by Dr. 

The theme for the Red Sox headed into spring training is pretty simple: a carbon copy continuation of last year's version of the Olde Towne Team that won 95 regular-season games and pushed the ALCS to seven games before falling to the upstart Rays. 

--OF Mark Kotsay underwent back surgery in late January to remove a displaced disk fragment, a procedure that was performed by Dr. 

It became a compulsion. 

Baseball NOTES 

Here's a fun fact to know and tell: In the coming Baseball season, every single Major League Baseball player, no matter how crummy, will be paid at least as much as the president of the United States. 

The last time someone other than Manny Ramirez opened the season as the Red Sox' starting left fielder was 2001, when Troy O'Leary went 0-for-4 in a 2-1 loss to the Orioles. 

The last time someone other than Manny Ramirez opened the season as the Red Sox' starting left fielder was 2001, when Troy O'Leary went 0-for-4 in a 2-1 loss to the Orioles. 

The last time someone other than Manny Ramirez opened the season as the Red Sox' starting left fielder was 2001, when Troy O'Leary went 0-for-4 in a 2-1 loss to the Orioles. 

The Red Sox brought in some complementary pieces in the low risk/high reward category -- RHP John Smoltz, OF Rocco Baldelli, RHP Brad Penny, RHP Takashi Saito -- but did very little to change the basic structure of last year's 95-win ballclub. 

--OF Mark Kotsay underwent back surgery in late January to remove a displaced disk fragment, a procedure that was performed by Dr. 

The Red Sox brought in some complementary pieces in the low risk/high reward category -- RHP John Smoltz, OF Rocco Baldelli, RHP Brad Penny, RHP Takashi Saito -- but did very little to change the basic structure of last year's 95-win ballclub. 

--OF Mark Kotsay underwent back surgery in late January to remove a displaced disk fragment, a procedure that was performed by Dr. 

The theme for the Red Sox headed into spring training is pretty simple: a carbon copy continuation of last year's version of the Olde Towne Team that won 95 regular-season games and pushed the ALCS to seven games before falling to the upstart Rays. 

The theme for the Red Sox headed into spring training is pretty simple: a carbon copy continuation of last year's version of the Olde Towne Team that won 95 regular-season games and pushed the ALCS to seven games before falling to the upstart Rays.