Maine news, sports, weather from Waterville Morning Sentinel

COMMENTARY

March 10

Mixed emotion about Fairchild's retirement

By Scott Martin smartin@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

A few thoughts while waiting for the spring season to start, which, at the risk of jinxing it, looks like it might start on time this year.

* Tip Fairchild's announcement this week that he was retiring from professional baseball brought out mixed emotions. It's a bit sad to see a guy who has dedicated so much time to his big-league dreams call it quits because he just couldn't do it any more (Fairchild sighted arm trouble as the reason he retired).

But, at the same time, Fairchild had the chance to live a life so many of us dream about. How can you not be happy he had the opportunity?

Fairchild never did realize those big-league dreams, making it as high as Double-A with the Houston Astros farm system before Tommy John surgery in 2007 derailed his ascent. The Monmouth Academy graduate and former University of Southern Maine pitcher fought his way back, and he was pitching in Double-A last summer, but when his arm gave him problems this winter, he decided his pitching days were over.

Fairchild will remain in baseball, teaching youngsters the game. He understands how lucky he has been and hopes to share his experience and baseball knowledge.

How can you not be happy about that?

* Clay Buchholz will be in the Boston Red Sox opening day starting rotation. So will Tim Wakefield.

I keep hearing the question raised, "What is going to happen with Clay Buchholz?" I'm not sure if anyone who is asking the question has paid attention to what is going on in Fort Myers, Fla. (many of them seem to be in Fort Myers) but Daisuke Matsuzaka hasn't even thrown batting practice yet, let alone pitched in a game. Why anyone thinks he'll open the season anywhere but the disabled list is beyond me.

Now, when Dice-K is healthy, the Sox could very well have six starting pitchers for five spots. But as Wakefield said earlier this spring, these things have a way of working themselves out. It seems every spring the Sox have "too many" starting pitchers (as if there is such a thing), only to be left scrambling for starters in July and August.

It happened last year, when the Sox sent Buchholz to Pawtucket after a great spring and waited with baited breath for John Smoltz to be ready. We all know how that worked out. Brad Penny didn't last. Smoltz was never any good. Tim Wakefield got hurt. Dice-K was out of shape to start the year and wasn't healthy until September.

I'm with Wakefield. These things will work themselves out. Someone with get hurt or need a break or be just plain awful and Boston will be wondering what happened to all that starting pitching. It happens every year, with the exception of 2004.

And I never, and I mean NEVER, want to hear someone say a big-league team has too much pitching.

* It is awfully disappointing the way the Celtics have struggled through the season. It's actually embarrassing how lethargic and uninspired they've looked since Christmas Day. Yes, they've won four games in a row, but they haven't exactly played championship caliber clubs. I, for one, am surprised a team led by a competitor like Kevin Garnett could appear to care so little.

Maybe the Celtics can just flip a switch and become unbeatable in the playoffs. I don't see it happening.

* Can I start looking at the calendar to figure out when Casey Kelly will be pitching in Portland?

It should be a lot of fun to watch the Sox latest pitching prospect take the hill for the Portland Sea Dogs. I just hope people remember this is a 20-year-old kid who has yet to spend a full season as a pitcher in professional baseball. Let's not put him in the Hall of Fame -- or even the Sox starting rotation -- just yet.

Like it has been with Buchholz, who caught our attention with the Sea Dogs in 2007, it will take time for Kelly to become an ace in the big leagues. Let's enjoy him for what he is, a very good, 20-year-old pitcher who has a lot of work ahead of him.

Remember how fun it was with Buchholz?

Scott Martin -- 621-5618

smartin@centralmaine.com