Shaughnessy: Reflections from the sunny side

Spring doings…including this Koenecke-the-dots moment with Yaz.

What does Carl Yastrzemski think of the beer ban in the clubhouse? “As long as you get it on the flight, it’s no big deal,’’ said Yaz, who was known to drain a bottle or two during his 23-year career. “I think a lot of that stuff was exaggerated. If somebody just did it once, or whatever, you know, just had a beer . . . Everything’s a big story today. No beer in the clubhouse is one thing. As long as they have beer on the flights, I think it’s OK. I couldn’t take a plane unless I had a beer.’’ For the record, the Sox have banned beer in the clubhouse, home and away, but will have beer on flights unless they are flying back to Boston.

Bobby Valentine might be the greatest micro-manager of all time. He wants a say on everything. He is working overtime to improve communication throughout the organization. And no matter what they say, it’s going to be a little awkward between the manager and the general manager, given that Dale Sveum was Ben Cherington’s original candidate. It’s hard to believe Cherington is a fan of Adrian Gonzalez playing outfield in spring training games.

The Sox still have holes at shortstop, left field, and right field. They have downgraded at closer. They don’t have fourth and fifth starters. New York, Tampa, Texas, Anaheim, and Detroit all got better. The Sox are not better. Anybody else skeptical about the Local Nine? Who will be the first to note that the home opener is on Friday the 13th?

...Gonzalez is one sour dude. Almost Nomar-esque. Nobody likes a know-it-all.