Julian Tavarez Goes Slugger On Speedster

Keith Foulke has the bad knee, Mike Timlin has the rubber arm, Jonathan Papelbon is the savior, Rudy Seanz and David riske have the bloated ERA's. Julian Tavarez needed to find someway to fit in to the Boston bullpen. Might as well be for his fists. Tavarez, one of the new members of the Red Sox bullpen, took offense to a hard slide by Tampa Bay outfielder Joey Gathright in the eight inning of an exhibition game today so the tall righty did what any crazy man would do -- he knocked Gathright out with a hard right hook. As Gathright was getting up from his slide, Tavarez delivered his punch. Seconds later, Gathright was on his back. Tavarez hasn't put someone on their back so fast since he drugged his last date. (Booooooooo. Bad taste.) This is not the first time Tavarez has lost his cool. In the 2004 NLCS as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals he punched a clubhouse wall and hurt his hand. Is this guy fit for Fenway? Hopefully Tavarez can keep his emotions and fists under control this season. Playing in Boston isn't easy under the best of circumstances and a hothead like Julian Tavarez can find trouble quickly in this city. Then again, if that fist is aimed at A-Rod or Sheffield or even (dare I say) Posada, maybe things will be smooth sailing for the new heavyweight of the Sox clubhouse. Maybe 'Tek can give him a few pointers.