SPRING TRAINING WITH THE 1986 RED SOX
THE CURSE OF THE BAMBINO, PART 9
"IT AIN'T OVER 'TIL IT'S OVER"...

December 11, 1985 ... Pitcher Mark Clear was traded to the Mets for shortstop Ed Romero. Clear was 1-3, 3.72 with 50 walks in 55 2/3 innings last year, and only once in his five-year Boston career did he have more than nine saves. The clubs had to work out a $50,000 trade buyout and clear some incentives.

December 13, 1985 ... In their second bench deal of the meetings, they picked up left- handed- hitting outfielder Mike Stenhouse from the Twins yesterday for pitcher Charlie Mitchell.

December 18, 1985 ... Lou Gorman simply made official what the newspapers had known for five days: that shortstop Joaquin Gutierrez was traded to the Orioles for pitcher Sammy Stewart, the first real trade between the two teams since Boston sent Gene Stephens for Willie Tasby on June 9, 1960, a day that lives in ecstasy.

January 17, 1986 ... General manager Lou Gorman said a record nine Red Sox players have filed for arbitration over their 1986 salaries, headed by third baseman Wade Boggs, who won a million-dollar contract in arbitration last year. Joining Boggs this year are catcher Rich Gedman, pitchers Oil Can Boyd, Al Nipper, Bruce Hurst and Steve Crawford and infielders Marty Barrett, Ed Jurak and Dave Stapleton.

January 23, 1986 ... Rookie outfielder Ellis Burks each underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right (throwing) shoulder, but he is supposed to be ready for spring training. Lou Gorman is talking to two left-handed relievers about spring training invitations: former Astros star Joe Sambito, whose family is from this area (uncle Billy Sambito is an Ayer barber) and Dave Schuler of Framingham.

January 30, 1986 ... The 47th annual Boston Baseball Writers Dinner at the Sheraton featured a mix of honorees: Two of the game's great hitters, Red Sox MVP and Thomas A. Yawkey Award winner Wade Boggs and American League MVP Don Mattingly of the Yankees; Four New Englanders who had great seasons: Cardinals left-hander John Tudor of Peabody (23-3 over a 4 1/2-month period); Expos reliever Jeff Reardon of Lee and the University of Massachusetts (the reliever of the year); Red Sox catcher Rich Gedman of Worcester; and the Mets' superb right-handed pitcher, Ron Darling of Millbury and Yale; Oil Can Boyd was honored as the Red Sox pitcher of the year; Bill Buckner received the Hugh McGovern Award for Special Achievement; Steve Lyons was acknowledged as Red Sox Rookie of the Year; George Digby, who signed both Boggs and owner Haywood Sullivan in his distinctive scouting career, was saluted as Scout of the Year; Rico Petrocelli was feted as the Former Red Sox; and legendary press room favorite Walter Underhill  was cited as the Good Guy.

January 31, 1986 ... Tommy Harper, his wife, Bonnie, and his lawyer walked into the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission office in the JFK Federal Building in downtown Boston and filed a formal complaint of race discrimination against the Boston Red Sox. Harper had to fill out a form, a "Charge of Discrimination" form.

February 1, 1986 ... The Red Sox decided to take a shot, signing 33-year-old left-handed reliever Joe Sambito to a Pawtucket contract and inviting him to spring training.

February 13, 1986 ... Relief pitcher Wes Gardner and rookies Rob Woodward and Mike Rochford were the latest players to return signed contracts, according to Lou Gorman.

February 15, 1986 ... Buddy LeRoux went to court once again, bringing suit against all of his partners in the ownership of the Red Sox, asking the State Superior Court to place the team in the hands of a receiver for the purpose of selling the franchise. In his latest suit, LeRoux tells the court that the original partnership agreement drawn nine years ago does not allow for limited partnership shares to be "retired," and that he suffered financially due to the way the deal was structured.

February 19, 1986 ... Catcher Rich Gedman lost his arbitration case against the Red Sox and will have to accept a $650,000 salary this season rather than the $1 million he sought. Meanwhile,  second baseman Marty Barrett won his arbitration and will receive a $435,000 salary next season rather than the $325,000 the club offered him. Right-hander Dennis (Oil Can) Boyd decided to avoid arbitration and signed a one-year contract calling for a 160 percent pay boost to $375,000. A year ago, Boyd reluctantly signed for $140,000.

February 20, 1986 ... Left-hander Bruce Hurst reached agreement with the Red Sox for a one-year, $490,000 contract. Hurst's agreement canceled his scheduled salary arbitration hearing. The 28-year-old pitcher was seeking $585,000, while the Red Sox had offered $375,000.

February 24, 1986 ... Wade Boggs lost his bid for the pot of gold at the end of baseball's rainbow when an arbitrator ruled in favor of the Red Sox in what could be called a landmark case in salary arbitration. The defending American League batting champion will be paid $1.375 million this year. The decision of arbitrator Thomas Roberts came after more than 48 hours of deliberation, and denied Boggs the $1.85 million he sought. Even in losing, of course, Boggs will receive the highest salary ever awarded by an arbitrator.

February 25, 1986 ... Jerry Remy took the field looking trim and fit. After the workout, he received a shot to help reduce swelling in his left knee, which is the major reason he has been unable to return. It's all or nothing for Remy. He is in the last season of a $500,000-a-year contract. If he can't make the Red Sox in five weeks, he'll have to find another alternative.

February 26, 1986 ... The Red Sox signed pitcher Mitch Johnson and outfielder Steve Lyons to one-year contracts, leaving six players unsigned. General manager Lou Gorman says he is close to an agreement with pitcher Roger Clemens. The other unsigned Sox are Mike Trujillo, Rey Quinonez, Mike Greenwell, Ellis Burks and Marc Sullivan. Veterans Jim Rice and Mike Easler were among the arrivals today.

February 27, 1986 ... Roger Clemens signed a one-year contract for a slight raise over his $140,000 salary in 1985. Outfielder Ellis Burks, who underwent shoulder surgery in January, was given permission to start throwing.

February 28, 1986 ... Pitcher Mike Trujillo signed a one-year contract. Arrivals today included Marty Barrett, Glenn Hoffman, Dave Stapleton and Dwight Evans.

March 1, 1986 ... Commissioner Peter Ueberroth announced in New York that 11 players implicated in drug use have been conditionally suspended for all or part of the 1986 season. In recent months, Ueberroth tried to get major league owners and the Players Association to unite in implementing a drug-testing program, but to no avail. The union position is that testing should be voluntary. The owners favor mandatory testing.

March 2, 1986 ... Because he is recovering from knee problems that curtailed his 1985 season, Rice was restricted to lifting weights and light jogging when he arrived for spring training. Outfielder Ellis Burks and shortstop Rey Quinonez signed one-year contracts, leaving only rookie outfielders Dana Williams and Mike Greenwell unsigned on the 40-man roster. Sam Horn has been in camp for several days and is at least 20 pounds over his listed weight of 215 pounds. Tony Armas reported slimmer than a year ago, when he was unable to run and thus put on weight.

March 3, 1986 ... Roger Clemens threw batting practice for about 12 minutes and had no less than Jim Rice mumbling over a forkball, which the big right-hander describes as a sort of change-up. Rookie shortstop Rey Quinonez became the first casualty of the spring when he was struck on the right shoulder by a line drive and suffered what was described by manager John McNamara as a "bruise."  The Red Sox finished up their strength and stamina tests. A total of 45 players were examined. Oil Can Boyd had only 4 percent body fat, which therapist Rich Zawacki said is about as low as you can get, except for long distance runners, who, like Boyd, are also thin.

March 4, 1986 ... Jerry Remy's longshot comeback bid suffered a setback. He was unable to participate in manager John McNamara's 4 hour 11 minute workout. He suited up, but could not run due to swelling in his left knee and was back in the clubhouse before the session was half over. McNamara had his pitchers working on pickoffs and covering first base. The hitters spent a lot of time on baserunning. Steve Lyons has some soreness in his throwing shoulder. Bob Stanley has some stiffness in his left thigh. Ted Williams arrived in camp.

March 5, 1986 ... Rookie slugger Sam Horn suffered a pulled muscle. It is a serious setback for Horn, who checked in weighing 239 pounds, far above his listed weight of 215. Jerry Remy (swollen knee) was back on the lower field, but his activity was restricted. Right-hander Steve Crawford had a strong 10- minute outing. Ted Williams has a press conference today to discuss an upcoming movie based on his autobiography, "My Turn At Bat." 

March 6, 1986 ... Oil Can Boyd took his normal turn throwing batting practice. Late in the afternoon, the Red Sox announced that he was returning to Boston and would check into the UMass Medical Center in Worcester, where he will undergo a series of tests under the supervision of Arthur Pappas, the club physician. General manager Lou Gorman said at a press conference that he had lost 10-12 pounds, and that the Sox were concerned that a liver problem had developed.

March 8, 1986 ... LaSchelle Tarver made a memorable Red Sox debut. With former Sox reliever Bill Campbell pitching for the Tigers, Tarver hit into a triple play in the ninth inning, ending the game. It was the first triple play hit into by a Red Sox player in 21 years. With Mike Stenhouse and Mike Greenwell (singles) on base, Tarver batted for Mike Easler. Shortstop Doug Baker caught Tarver's line drive, stepped on second and threw out Greenwell before he could retreat to first.

March 9, 1986 ... Boston dropped its second straight to the Tigers, 6-4, but Al Nipper started his spring with three innings of no-hit, one-walk ball. He struck out three. While the news on Nipper was good, reliever Sammy Stewart was roughed up in his first Red Sox appearance. The former Oriole gave up three runs on three hits, three walks and a hit batsman in two stormy innings. Sox lefty Mike Rochford gave up four hits and three runs in two innings. Wes Gardner yielded three long fly-outs in his inning, and Bob Stanley blanked the Tigers in the ninth. There isn't much to say about the Sox hitters after the first two games. Tony Armas' two-run bloop triple down the right-field line is Boston's only extra-base hit in 18 innings.

March 10, 1986 ... Roger Clemens, who underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason, made his first appearance since last August in an 11-2 exhibition loss to the Tigers, but said his shoulder was pain-free. Meanwhile, the Red Sox announced that Oil Can Boyd may rejoin the team as early as Wednesday, pending the results of more tests on his liver. In a terse announcement, the club said Boyd, who has been undergoing tests the last three days at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester, is apparently free of the usual ailments associated with quick weight loss.

March 11, 1986 ... Jerry Remy returned to the Red Sox lineup and that was the best news of the spring. Remy not only played his first exhibition game since a seventh operation on his left knee and a year of frustration, but contributed a clutch single in the eighth inning that set up the winning run in a 7-6 win over Los Angeles. In winning for the first time in four games, Boston rapped out 16 hits, with six players getting at least two. Dwight Evans drove in three runs. Bob Stanley pitched two strong innings and got a save.

March 12, 1986 ... Roger Clemens was able to throw 10 minutes of batting practice with no apparent problems. Jerry Remy worked out with no swelling in his left knee and said he felt fine. Steve Lyons, who received a cortisone shot, is expected to be available.

March 13, 1986 ... Boston sent a split squad to Miami, where the Red Sox beat the Orioles, 5-1. But the trip home was not as successful. The team bus broke down some 20 miles east of Winter Haven and didn't reach the park until 3:45 a.m. The regulars (infielders) who made the trip had the day off, but others didn't.  Bruce Hurst pitched four strong innings, scattering three hits, to earn the victory. Rob Woodward and lefty Joe Sambito followed Hurst with two-inning scoreless stints. Bob Stanley finished up for the save, allowing his first home run of the spring, in the ninth to Mike Laga. Steve Lyons (shoulder) was ready to play but was held out by McNamara. Jerry Remy played in his second game of the spring and helped turned a double play. Remy says his injured left knee still swells a little after a game, but he can still play on it.

March 14, 1986 ... Sammy Stewart has hardly been overwhelming in his first three appearances for Boston. Stewart was the losing pitcher as the Sox dropped a 9- 8 extra-inning decision to the Tigers, who overcame a 7-2 deficit. With the game tied, 8-8, Stewart worked the final 1 1/3 innings. He gave up two hits, including a game-winning single in the 10th to Larry Herndon. That left him with a 1-2 record and a 12.46 earned-run average for 4 1/3 innings of spring work. Catcher Rich Gedman went home because of an illness in his family. Outfielder Steve Lyons (shoulder) was available but missed his second straight game because manager John McNamara wants to see him throw and run in practice first . Glenn Hoffman already has two doubles, a triple and a home run this spring. Newcomer Al Bumbry, who was hired as a minor league instructor, is still working with the major leaguers. But with the full minor league camp in session, Bumbry will make the switch next week.

March 15, 1986 ... Rain forced postponement of today's game against the Phillies in Clearwater.

March 16, 1986 ... Rich Gedman is still in Worcester, Mass., because of an illness in the family. With Players Association honcho Donald Fehr in Arizona, the Red Sox' annual meeting with their union leaders was uncommonly brief, a mere 10 minutes or so with Mark Belanger. A full meeting will be held later, either in spring training or during the regular season. Rookie Todd Benzinger swings a nice bat.

March 17, 1986 ... Roger Clemens was in the upper part of the strike zone and his ball didn't have much movement. Bill Hatcher smoked Clemens' first pitch 400 feet to center for a triple. In five spring innings, Clemens has allowed 10 hits, seven runs and two walks. He's also balked twice. His ERA is 12.60. After he was replaced by Calvin Schiraldi, Clemens did his running, strapped an ice bag to his shoulder, then fired some answers back at a thirsty throng of reporters. The Red Sox hit only two homers in their first seven exhibitions, but today went deep three times in an 8-5 victory over the Houston Astros. Bill Buckner, Glenn Hoffman and Dave Sax all hit two-run homers against Houston. The Sox are still carrying 28 regulars and 17 pitchers. They'll have an evaluation meeting after Tuesday's game with the Blue Jays. Rich Gedman remained in Worcester because of an illness in his family. He is expected back tomorrow. 

March 18, 1986 ... Steve Lyons wasn't sure if he should jump for joy. Three hits in his second game of the spring may not be enough to keep him out of the doghouse. That is because despite a home run, single and double, Lyons got picked off first in the fifth inning of today's 6-3 loss to St. Louis. Pitcher Bruce Hurst was on second at the time, and Wade Boggs was at the plate. Lyons strayed too far and was caught. In the rundown that followed, he stayed alive long enough to give ideas to Hurst, who also got caught in a rundown trying to get to third and was tagged out. Lyons' three hits were all scorchers. He hit a two-run homer off Tim Conroy in the third inning, and was pleased because it came with two strikes. Tim Lollar had a strong outing, but Joe Sambito did not, giving up three hits in his inning. The Red Sox plan an organizational meeting tonight to review the rosters and prepare for the various cuts that will be made starting next week.

March 19, 1986 ... Al Nipper gave up three home runs. Two of them sailed out of the park in the Red Sox' 5-2 loss to Toronto. But neither of the pair of home runs by the Blue Jays' Rance Mulliniks discouraged the Boston right-hander, who pitched five strong innings and continues to look as if he has completely recovered from the ulcer problems that made his spring so miserable last year. Dr. Pappas confirmed that pitcher Sammy Stewart suffered a pulled right thigh muscle Monday, and that it might keep him out 4-7 days. The Sox held an organizational meeting.

March 20, 1986 ... The numbers game caught Eddie Jurak today. After 10 years, the Red Sox gave up on the veteran utility man and asked waivers on him for the purpose of giving Jurak his unconditional release. First baseman Bill Buckner joined the ranks of the Red Sox injured. He suffered a pulled right thigh muscle running the bases in a 7-4 loss to the New York Mets. It was a blessing in disguise. With Buckner gone, Dave Stapleton moved to first base, and Jerry Remy played six innings at second base, his longest stint since 1984. Calvin Schiraldi got roughed up by his former Met teammates, yielding six runs and six hits in two innings. Bob Stanley, who breezed threw his one inning of relief, has given up only one earned run in five games and says this is his best spring since 1983.

March 21, 1986 ... "Oil Can" Boyd was an hour and 34 minutes late getting to the ball park. When he finally got to the stadium, he was admonished (but not fined) by manager John McNamara. Then the Can took the mound and pitched three innings of shutout ball against the Detroit Tigers. He gave up two hits, one walk and hit a batter while striking out two. He threw a fast ball past Lance Parrish, struck out Parrish and Mike Laga, and threw eight of nine curves for strikes. He forgot how many outs there were only one time. The Red Sox, 10-9, in 10 innings. Standing on the far side of the right-field bullpen, Boyd filled the air with vintage Canspeak.

March 22, 1986 ... Roger Clemens summed it up as best he could. With a large dose of frustration in his voice he said, "My arm feels fine. I don't have a lot else to say." From the Red Sox point of view, there isn't much else to say. It really doesn't matter that he was shelled for seven runs yesterday in just three innings of work during an 8-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins. Injuries continue to plague the Red Sox camp. Pitcher Sammy Stewart's pulled leg muscle is no better and he may be sidelined for 10 days. Wes Gardner's shoulder problem has improved, but he is unable to throw much. Manager John McNamara said Bill Buckner (pulled muscle) was improved, but that Benzinger has been unable to play because of a bad wrist. Dwight Evans was quick on his feet yesterday. He was scheduled to leave the game after five innings, but was startled to see the sixth inning start with only eight players on the field due to a mixup. While the first pitch was being thrown, Evans raced onto the field and made a one-handed diving catch. Kevin Romine, who was supposed to play right, took over in the seventh.

March 23, 1986 ... In another year, Bruce Hurst might have been discouraged by the way the Twins got to be 4-0 winners over the Red Sox. Minnesota scored what proved to be the winning run on two wind-blown pop-ups in the fifth inning. Boston's fifth-straight loss may have stemmed from the fact that manager John McNamara once again had left his regular infield at home again, and it was sealed when young Calvin Schiraldi got bombed again for three runs in the seventh inning. Jim Rice had two hits, both singles. Dave Stapleton had a clutch single in the ninth when the Red Sox loaded the bases with two out but failed to score.

March 24, 1986 ... Sox reliever Wes Gardner threw for five minutes without pain in Winter Haven. Gardner has tendinitis in his right shoulder. Sammy Stewart (hamstring) may start throwing off a mound this week, but could have trouble getting into shape by the time the team goes north. Bill Buckner has a hamstring pull and a case of the flu, and will probably take the rest of the week off. Bob Stanley, Kevin Romine and John Christensen also have flu symptoms. Manager John McNamara left Jim Rice, Tony Armas and Dwight Evans back in Winter Haven. Evans is hitting .129, Rice .207, and Armas .313. None of the slugging outfielders has hit a home run. Tim Lollar had two strikeouts and got the side in order in the seventh, but surrendered a titanic leadoff home run to Steve Balboni in the eighth. Joe Sambito retired the side in order in the ninth on three grounders.

March 25, 1986 ... The Red Sox hit into four double plays. The starting outfielders now have gone to the plate 106 times this spring without a home run. Suffice to say that the club that led the American League in hitting a year ago (.282) is hardly busting down any fences. Mike Easler had a two-run homer in today's 4-3 loss to Houston, but otherwise, there is a widespread power shortage. The Sox have hit only .247 in compiling a 5-11 record. Of their 134 hits, only eight have been home runs. Tony Armas has been a bright spot, batting .333 with five doubles and one triple. But Dwight Evans is batting .114 and Jim Rice .194. Neither have any extra-base hits. The Red Sox camp buzzed after the game about a sudden closed-door meeting involving front office officials and McNamara. Bill Buckner was held out of the game because of a cold. He has recovered from a pulled leg muscle. Wes Gardner's shoulder is well enough for him to pitch against the White Sox.

March 26, 1986 ... "Oil Can" Boyd went to the plate twice and struck out both times. Facing right-hander Lee Tunnell, Boyd batted left-handed once and right-handed once. Jim Rice had a single in two trips, but still isn't running well.

March 27, 1986 ... The Red Sox blasted their way to a 27-10 spring training victory over the White Sox at the aptly named Payne Park. It was both sloppy and comical. Boston's run total rendered the right-field scoreboard useless. The board was fine from 1-19, but once the Red Sox got to 20, the tired board couldn't keep up. In five innings, Roger Clemens gave up three runs on nine hits and one walk. He did not strike out a batter and was late covering first base once. In 13 spring innings, Clemens has allowed 17 runs on 23 hits and 8 walks while striking out only 4. His ERA is 11.77. 

March 28, 1986 ... Pitchers Mike Rochford and Mitch Johnson were sent to the minor leagues. Bruce Hurst had his worst outing of the spring in the 5-2 loss to the Pirates. In five innings, Hurst threw 87 pitches and gave up eight hits and four runs (two earned) while walking two. Mike Brown followed Hurst and was again effective. Brown pitched two innings of one-hit shutout ball. Catcher Dave Sax had a hit yesterday and is batting .429, but he'll have trouble sticking. Marc Sullivan is hitting .167 and is assumed to have the backup catcher's job because of his defensive ability (he's also the owner's son and makes $110,000). Tony Armas sat out another game due to tightness in his lower back. Rich Gedman got hit in the toe a few times and was hobbling.

March 29, 1986 ... On an afternoon when he hit a home run and a single off wunderkind Dwight Gooden, the Red Sox dealt Mike Easler to the New York Yankees in exchange for designated hitter Don Baylor. It marks the first Red Sox-Yankee swap since March 22, 1972, when the Sox acquired Danny Cater from the Yanks in exchange for future Cy Young Award winner Sparky Lyle. Less than an hour before the trade, Marty Barrett's two-out, 10th-inning single scored Steve Lyons (who had stolen second) to give the Red Sox a come-from-behind, 6-5 victory over the New York Mets. Sox starter Al Nipper gave up 10 hits and four runs in six innings, but reliever Sammy Stewart had his first good outing in a Boston uniform. Stewart pitched two innings of hitless ball and struck out three. Warren Spahn and Ted Williams taped a promo for the Red Sox old-timers game at Fenway Park May 17. Spahn also threw out the first ball. Sox players raised more than $10,000 for the American Cancer Society in Winter Haven. Boggs showed great natural ability in his role as DJ/ auctioneer at Christy's Lounge.

March 30, 1986 ... Mike Greenwell's first-pitch, 11th-inning grand slam off Randy O'Neal powered the Red Sox to a 9-5 victory over a Tiger "B" squad. It was great timing for Greenwell. The acquisition of Don Baylor has solved most of Boston's right-handed hitting questions. Greenwell is a 22-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder. He hit .256 for Pawtucket last year, then batted .323 with 4 homers and 17 RBIs for the Sox in September. He's hitting .267 this spring. Dwight Evans hit a three-run homer in the third. Evans' blast snapped a string of 138 homerless plate appearances by Boston's starting outfield trio. Steve Lyons played center field and had three hits, a stolen base and scored twice.

March 31, 1986 ... Left-handed hitting outfielder Mike Stenhouse boosted his chances of sticking with the Red Sox by knocking in three runs with two hits in two trips as Boston beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 7-2. Stenhouse is hitting .370 (10 for 27) with 11 RBIs (second on the team) in limited duty this spring. A 1979 graduate of Harvard and the son of former major leaguer Dave Stenhouse, Mike was acquired from the Twins in exchange for pitcher Charlie Mitchell. He is one of four nonroster hopefuls still in the Sox camp. He has a .195 career average in 186 major league games with the Expos and Twins. Glenn Hoffman twisted his right ankle trying to beat out a grounder in the second inning. Hoffman left the game, but the injury is not considered serious. Sammy Stewart pitched two more shutout innings and Mike Brown blanked the Jays in the ninth. The Red Sox pounded out 13 hits. Dwight Evans was 3 for 3 with an RBI. Don Baylor was scheduled to arrive in Winter Haven last night and will be in the lineup against the Expos tomorrow. Four right-handed relievers have been outstanding. Bob Stanley's ERA is 1.13, and Mike Brown (0.75), Steve Crawford (1.59) and Wes Gardner (1.50) have been equally impressive.

April 1, 1986 ... Roger Clemens pitched six strong innings in Boston's 8-6 victory over the Montreal Expos. Clemens threw 96 pitches and yielded three runs (two earned) on six hits and one walk. He struck out four. He was clocked between 86-93 m.p.h. on the Sox' radar gun. Don Baylor looks good in a Red Sox uniform. Boston's DH introduced himself to his new teammates in the Sox clubhouse early yesterday, then fielded questions at a news conference.

April 2, 1986 ... Opening Day starter Bruce Hurst was overpowering in his final spring outing. Hurst allowed three hits while striking out 10 (five called) in seven innings of a 3-0 Red Sox loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. He completed 30 innings of spring pitching without allowing a home run. His Grapefruit earned-run average was 2.10. Glenn Hoffman's right ankle is still swollen and he's going to need a few more days off. Hoffman turned the ankle trying to beat out a grounder against the Blue Jays Sunday and hasn't played since. X-rays were negative, but he still has swelling and pain on the inside of his ankle and foot. Team physician Arthur Pappas will look at Hoffman's X-rays. Filling in for Hoffman, Ed Romero was 2 for 2 and again made all the plays. Jim Rice took a home run away from Gary Redus in the fifth. Steve Lyons made his second error at third in two days. Don Baylor played nine innings of errorless first base and had a single in four trips. Bob Stanley pitched another shutout inning (two strikeouts) in the ninth

April 3, 1986 ... In the wake of Tuesday's organizational meeting, the Red Sox made their final cuts. The big winners were a pair of non-roster long shots - left-handed pitcher Joe Sambito and catcher Dave Sax. The toughest cuts were right-handed pitcher Mike Brown (0.75 spring earned-run average) and left-handed-hitting outfielder Mike Stenhouse (.333, 11 runs batted in during spring training). The other players cut included right-handed pitchers Calvin Schiraldi, Jeff Sellers and Rob Woodward, and outfielders John Christensen and Mike Greenwell.

April 4, 1986 ... Don Baylor's Red Sox batting average was .100, and there had been no evidence of his prodigious power. Baylor had two hits yesterday, including a leadoff ninth- inning home run off Pirates right-hander Bob Walk. Baylor's blast came on a 3-2 pitch and went way over the left-center-field fence at McKechnie Field. It sent the Sox and Pirates into extra innings. Pittsburgh won, 4-3, in the 11th, but Baylor's home run was more significant than another Grapefruit defeat in a 10- 16 spring season.

April 5, 1986 ... Jerry Remy's tenure as a Red Sox player ended when the Red Sox announced their plans to waive or release the veteran second baseman, or make him a coach in their minor league organization. Remy finishes with a .275 career average in 10 major league seasons. He had two hits in seven at-bats this spring, but his left knee prevented him from making a bid to play for the Sox again. Boston's starting outfielders have hit only two homers in 204 at-bats. Rice is 0 for 67 in the home run department.

April 6, 1986 ... Spring training ended on a very encouraging note for Roger Clemens, who's coming back from shoulder surgery. Boston's young right-hander overpowered a team of Tiger scrubs, allowing only three hits and one walk and striking out nine. It was easily his best outing of the spring. His Grapefruit ERA dropped to 6.58. Boston finished with a 12-16 spring record (closing with back-to- back shutouts), but couldn't cop the coveted Polk County Trophy. Detroit beat the Sox six times in nine spring meetings. The Sox left Florida with a few nagging injuries. Shortstop Glenn Hoffman turned his right ankle last Sunday and sat out five consecutive games before testing the injury yesterday. Hoffman had one hit in five innings and said he'd be ready to play tomorrow. Buckner received a cortisone shot in his aching left elbow Friday and did not play again. Catcher Rich Gedman and Stanley had back problems late in the spring, but Stanley pitched a shutout inning against the Astros Friday and Gedman caught five innings against the Tigers.

WADE BOGGS, TED WILLIAMS & DON MATTINGLY DISCUSSING HITTING AT A RESTAURANT IN FLORIDA