A spring of questionable decisions received a jolt of good news when Ozzie Guillen announced that Nick Swisher would bat lead off in the Sox line up for a bulk of the early going.

Swisher, owner of a .381 OBP in 2007 and unparalleled ability to work counts, will bring a new look to the first inning. No, he doesn't have the speed of a traditional leadoff hitter, but the bottom line is he'll provide the Thome-Konerko-Dye trio with more RBI chances than anybody else. So, after a lot of spilled ink on the issue, a good choice.

But don't thank me, or the scores of other Sox observers that contended Swisher was the best lead off candidate all along. Thank Jerry Owens and his bum groin.

Actually, if you continue to follow it out, Swisher became the leadoff hitter because Owens hurt his groin, Owens hurt his groin because he pushed himself too hard too early in spring training, and Owens pushed himself too hard because Ozzie Guillen mandated a more "intense" spring from day one.

So, in a way, Ozzie caused Swisher to be the leadoff hitter. And yes, I am implying Rosie O'Donnell can't drive.

******

The Sox dodged another bullet Thursday when Nick Masset, in his one last chance to make the team as a reliever, bombed again vs. the Diamondbacks: 5 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 4 BB, 2 K.

The performance should be enough (key word: should) to earn Ehren Wassermann, who is clearly the more effective pitcher at this point, a spot on the Opening Day bullpen. Even though, as we all know, some believe Masset has the potential to be the second-coming of Walter Johnson. And of course he will have to pass through waivers to remain with the organization if cut.

But Masset was so bad today, and on the spring as a whole (7.06 ERA), that it's possible he indeed will pass through waivers and accept a minor league assignment with the Sox.

And then Williams can continue to tout him as the key piece to the Brandon McCarthy-John Danks trade.