Opening Day thoughts:

- Curt Schilling looked a lot more like the 2004 21-game winning model than the version we saw last year. 7 innings, 2 runs and touched 96 on the radar gun. As I have said here before, a healthy, productive Schilling will go a long way toward assuring a 4th straight playoff appearance for the Sox.

- Not so encouraging was Keith Foulke, who gave up a run and a couple of hard outs in the 9th inning. I'm reserving judgement until he comes into a real save situation (the Sox were up 7-2 to start the inning), but the initial results weren't good.

- It is good to know, however, that Jonathan Papelbon is in the bullpen as a backup should Foulke falter. He pitched a 1-2-3 8th in relief of Schilling yesterday.

- On the lineup side, it was pretty much all good news. Coco Crisp scored two runs and made a great over-the-head catch to save Foulke in the 9th. Papi hit a home run. Mike Lowell, continuing to recover from his slow Spring Training start hit one as well. Even Alex Gonzales, who only had six hits in March, had a pair of singles.

- Roger Clemens visited with Theo, John Henry and other members of the Sox in the visitors clubhouse at Ameriquest Field yesterday. The Rocket still won't tip his hand, but said the Sox are definintely in the running if he should decide to come back and pitch this year. I'm still handicapping it that he'll either retire or stay close to home in Houston, but it doesn't sound like the door is completely shut on a return of #21.

Other Opening Day items from around the leagues:

- Aaron Harang got walloped by the Cubs for five runs in the first as the Reds lost 16-7. Great American Ballpark fans had better get used to lots of high scoring games.

- Ex-Red Sox watch:
Derek Lowe: 8 runs (7 earned) in five innings as the Dodgers fell to Atlanta. Grady Little had better hope he isn't dating any more TV reporters.
Nomah: Injured a muscle in his right side in an exhibition game against the Angels Sunday and was scratched from the lineup. Think George Mitchell is going to taking a look at him?
Bill Mueller: Old Reliable with a 2-for-4 and an RBI. Dodger fans are going to love this guy.
Johnny Damon: 3-for-7(!) in the Empire's 15-2 slaughter of the A's last night. I watched the first inning of the 10PM start to catch Johnny's first at-bat. Barry Zito struck him out on a nice 12-to-6 curveball, but then he started walking people. I immediately said that he's going to get killed if he walks people in this lineup. Good call by me: Zito gave up 7 runs in an inning and a third.
Orlando Cabrera: Drove in the winning runs for the Angels, as they beat the Mariners last night.

- Someone at Petco Park tossed a srynge at Barry Bonds last night. While I can appreciate the sentiment, I'm not a big fan of jerks throwing things on the field, even at Bonds. I listened to the game on the 'Net last night as I was working on tax returns, and Bonds was booed lustily by the normally placid San Diego crowd last night.

- Wouldn't you love to have Jake Peavy on your team? 24 years old and maybe the best pitcher in the league.