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Fit as a fiddle
Boston Globe, March 28, 1941
O'FARRELL PREDICTS SOX PENNANT
SARASOTA, FLORIDA--Mike O'Farrell has never been accused of lacking confidence.
Nevertheless, the Red Sox righthander has rarely seemed more sure of himself than he did yesterday, as he predicted a pennant for the 1941 edition of the Boston American Leaguers.
"We have the perfect combination of experience and youth," O'Farrell told reporters. "There are veterans in our clubhouse who have won before, and know what it takes to put a team over the top. And there are younger guys who haven't tasted winning yet, and we want to become part of the winning tradition here."
Since arriving in Sarasota, O'Farrell has done nothing to make his words seem empty. He has pitched well every time he has taken the mound, and he is looking good in his practice sessions as well.
O'Farrell reported to camp with a leaner, more powerful-looking physique, which he attributes to a different off-season routine. "I spent the fall and winter back at the family place in the Berkshires," he explained. "So I'm fresher than I was when I played football, and more fit than I was when I spent the off-season in Boston."
The righthander also has an extra sparkle in his eye these days. "I'm getting my spring work in early, because I'm going to get married next week," O'Farrell confided. "We'll take our honeymoon trip in the fall."
The Red Sox are generally considered one of three teams that have a real shot at the American League pennant, along with the defending champion New York Yankees and the always-tough Detroit Tigers. If the bridegroom-to-be with the powerful right arm proves to be a prophet, then he and the future Mrs. O'Farrell won't be saying "bon voyage" until mid-October, and he'll have two shiny new rings on his fingers.
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