Red Sox Magic Number - 28

The Red Sox magic number is now 28 and their lead over the Yankees is up to 6.5 games in the AL East.

There are two players who wore the number 28 that I'd like to mention.

First - the number 28 was worn by Sparky Lyle in his days in Boston. In New York - Lyle is remembered as the 1977 AL Cy Young Award winner and as a clutch reliever but in Boston he is remember as the man who made the name Danny Cater a sort of a curse word and as the next to ultimate example of why the Red Sox should never deal with the Yankees (Babe Ruth being the ultimate example).

The number 28 is also currently worn by Doug Mirabelli who is known in some circles as Tim Wakefield's binky or as Doug Fatbelli (though to be fair - Mirabelli reported to camp in great shape this year). I'm of two minds with Mirabelli. On one hand I don't like the Red Sox using up a roster spot on a guy who has trouble hitting his weight. On the other hand - Mirabelli is a veteran and al the pitchers are comfortable with him and honestly back-up catcher is not the most vital position on the roster.