New Injuries Cast Shadow On Opener

I have it on good authority that two key components for tonight's game are recently injured, and it is 50/50 if they will be good to go.

John Sterling cracked his right elbow on a bar last night, trying to grasp 4 frozen margaritas and a jello shot in his right hand. His elbow nailed a brass divider on the bar, as he swirled and headed for a table of close friends named, Mindy, Dawn, Annie, and Chiquita.

All were wearing Tampa Bay Rays colors and had face-painted sting rays on their cheeks.

John was helped to a taxi and sent off to the hotel about 3:30am. But he was barely moving that arm when he left, a moment that reminded me of Tex right after he took that fast ball in spring training. I can tell you this, John had to use his his left arm, in a clearly awkward and unnatural motion, to escort either Mindy or Dawn into the cab with him.

In a separate incident, possibly worse than John's injury, color woman Suzyn was seen badly limping near Fenway last night, right after finishing a cob salad and a glass of Pinot at a local bistro. There was some concern, at first, that a group of Red Sox rowdies had mirrored the famous " Nancy Kerrigan " incident ( Tanya Harding had Nancy knee-capped, remember?), in revenge for her clear loyalty to the Yankees.

The Boston Police denied this rumor. Nonetheless, Suzyn had to be escorted back to her room by Yankee Administrative staffers who were quickly called to the scene.

As of this writing, it remains a huge question mark how John and Suzyn will perform behind the microphones tonight. Opening day against Boston, in Boston, in front of a national audience is enough pressure for these super stars, even when in prime health.

One thing is clear; if they are not at the top of their games, we won't be at the top of ours.

What a season. I'm worn out already.