Local Red Sox Fans: Hope Springs Eternal

1901 was a watershed year for professional baseball in Boston.

In order to compete directly with the already established National League, the newly formed American League decided to place a team in Boston instead of Buffalo, N.Y.

The Boston Americans originally played at the old Huntington Avenue Grounds, where Northeastern University stands today. Games cost 25 cents, and fan support was immediate.

On a March day in 1901, Jimmy Collins, Cy Young and the rest of the newly formed team boarded trains at South Station and rode the rails to Charlottesville, Va., where they held their first spring training session.

Over the years, the team we now know as the Red Sox has been hosted by 18 different cities in 11 different states coast to coast and as far north as Medford, Mass.

A few local baseball fans were kind enough to share their thoughts on the Red Sox and the team's competition as it begins its 18th spring training session in Fort Myers.

Ben Olson, who can usually be found manning the front desk at the , has still not recovered from the loss of his favorite player.

"I miss Manny Ramirez," said Ben. He still, however, forecasts a World Series appearance for his Fenway boys.

At on Essex Street, Robert Trezza is not so excited for the Red Sox. As a Yankees fan, he holds out hope for the bad boys from the Bronx.

"You're okay when your ace is C. C. Sabbathia," Trezza said. "Phil Hughes looks good also, but I worry about A. J. Burnett and the rest of the starting pitching."  Trezza anticipates Boston fans will "be very happy" with the New York pitching issues.

Taking a break at from studying for her Masters in Education, Colbi Gorham of is not all that excited about the BoSox being the favorite in the AL East.

"They were favored last year too" she said. "They always have a good shot, but should jump in early and never settle" Colbi added.

While drinking coffee at , John Kane spoke of "always feeling anxious"  concerning the Red Sox, but he also said he is "hopeful the new additions [will] step up and prevent an October letdown."

While cooking the sliced carrots to put into chicken pot pies at , Lou Apicella was more than willing to share his views.

"This will be a bounce-back year for Josh Beckett, and I'm looking at Clay Bucholz for the Cy Young Award," he said. Lou is not so worried about the Yankees or any other AL foes — he sees the Phillies and Cardinals as the best of the rest.

John Seger of Seger Architects  looks for the "Sox to have a great year" and sees  Philadelphia as a potential series opponent.

Leaving his coffee on the table at on Washington Street, Wally Birmingham said he believes "the Sox have a good chance to meet the Phillies in October. Philadelphia has good pitching, but the Sox have Crawford, who can run like nobody's business." Wally sees pitching as the Yankees downfall.

Tony Porcello stopped prior to his workout to offer a thought or two. Tony said the Sox status as the favorite has him on edge.

"It makes me a little nervous," Tony said. "Nothing ever goes as planned." Pitching is also a concern for Tony. "I am still suspect of Beckett; he's really had only two good years in his career and Lackey may have won 15 games last year, but his ERA was up far too high."

On the upside, Tony figures " Dice-K is looking at a good year and Adrian Gonzalez will flourish at Fenway." Always one to keep an eye on the enemy, Tony anticipates "the Yankees will make a move or two for pitching."

There you have it. A few opinions from some local fans. Spring training is here, spring itself is a month away. The Grapefruit season will give way to opening day. May and June will follow, and the dog days of August too.

Let's see if the the 2011 Red Sox can avoid the late season fade of Cy Young and the 1901 Boston American League Baseball Club.