So much promise, so much money invested by Red Sox management, so many dreams of high-drama playoff games played beneath clear, crisp October skies. Such hopes, so many dreams. All down the drain.

That’s right, the Sox got croaked in their opening day game against the Kansas City Royals, who put a mega-hurt on the Beantown nine. Gil Meche pitched brilliantly, shutting up those critics (at least for now) who laughed at the Royals spending that kind of money on a mid-tier free-agent. The Red Sox, on the other hand, pitched poorly – Curt Schilling looked especially human, and bullpen newcomers Hideki Okajima (who gave up a home run on his very first American baseball pitch) and Joel Pineiro abysmal), ran into outs as if there were hundreds to spare, and basically played sloppy, uninspired ball, looking as if they’d just got of of bed after an all-nighter. Hitting? What hitting? Julio Lugo (3 strikeouts), Coco Crisp, and Jason Varitek not only looked overmatched against Meche, but between the three of them, I don’t think they hit even a hard foul ball all day.

Sigh. What’s to become of our summer? Do we start counting the days down until the Patriots camp opens in July? Will we win more games than Tampa Bay? What is the New York Yankees’ magic number for clinching the pennant?

These are the only questions that seem to matter after a thorough drumming by the KCs. Thank God tomorrow’s an off-day – there’s still 161 games left to go, and manager Terry Francona already has to start thinking about overworking his bullpen.

Has the NHL season started yet?