With an injury-free Big Three, a new attitude, and a revamped lineup, Sox rarin' to go
Forget the spring training stats. If those numbers meant anything, the
Yankees might not have reached their fifth World Series in six years last
October, because Roger Clemens went 1-3, Derek Jeter hit .200, and the
Bombers finished dead last in the Grapefruit League.
Sure, Martinez struggled with his command in the exhibition season.
Varitek wished he had more time to work on his hitting. And Garciaparra
never seems to mind a little more practice. But their expressions say it
all: The Big Three are ready for action.
Which means the Red Sox are back in business after a season in which
the trio's injuries served as a backdrop for the team's baseball
equivalent of bankruptcy.
The ownership puzzle has been solved. Discontented souls such as Carl
Everett who contributed to last year's foul chemistry are gone. Grady
Little is the new field boss, to the delight of Manny Ramirez and most of
his mates. There is promise where there once was pathos.
In a fortunate twist, deposed general manager Dan Duquette, who emerged
as the chief goat amid last year's debacle, left an array of parting gifts
that could enrich the club, including Johnny Damon, Tony Clark, and Rickey
Henderson. If nothing else, the new guys possess character traits
conducive to winning.
On paper, the revamped lineup - deeper and speedier than many in the
club's recent history - packs the potential to rank among the most
productive in baseball. The defense promises to improve with the fleet
Damon in center field, Trot Nixon back home in right, and second baseman
Rey Sanchez helping Garciaparra establish a legitimate double play
combination.
The strength of the pitching staff remains the biggest question. John
Burkett already is sidelined with shoulder trouble. And barring a
sensational year by Martinez and major breakthroughs by Derek Lowe and
Dustin Hermanson, Boston's rotation will be hard-pressed to match New
York's or Oakland's. The bullpen is above average, but far from the best.
And it remains to be seen how well the Sox can contain opponents on the
bases.
Teams ran almost at will on them last year, and opponents had stolen 28
bases in 31 attempts in spring training, a 90-percent success rate.
But as the Sox prepared to break camp, statistics meant much less than
smiles.
Starting lineup (against righthanded opposition)
CF Johnny Damon (18)
Age: 28 B-T: L-L
Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 190
Avg.: .256 HR: 9 RBI: 49
Fast stat: Slow starter is a .249 career hitter through April (only
.211 last year).
The lowdown: He'll be in the leadoff spot against righthanders, and
he'll follow Henderson at times (particuarly against lefties). If the plan
works, Garciaparra and Ramirez could thrive. Imagine an opposing pitcher
trying to focus on facing two of the league's best hitters while Henderson
and Damon are on base. Damon has averaged nearly 34 steals a year since
1998. His career on-base percentage: .346.
DH Jose Offerman (30)
Age: 33 B-T: S-R
Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 190
Avg.: .267 HR: 9 RBI: 49
Fast stat: Third on team in multiple-hit games in 2001 with 36.
The lowdown: After a strong start with the Sox in '99 (.294 with 56
extra-base hits and 107 runs), he steadily declined, prompting the Sox
this spring to weigh the possibility of eating the $8.5 million they owe
him ($6 million this year, plus a $2.5 million buyout next year). With
Merloni considered a stronger middle infielder, Offerman will scuffle for
at-bats as a DH (sharing role with Carlos Baerga and Brian Daubach) and
backup outfielder.
SS Nomar Garciaparra (5)
Age: 28 B-T: R-R
Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 185
Avg.: .289 HR: 4 RBI: 8
Fast stat: Career .409 hitter when he puts the first pitch in play.
The lowdown: His love of the game - and lust for a championship -
compelled him to rush back last year from tendon surgery on his right
wrist, putting his career at risk. The failed comeback raised questions
about whether the two-time AL batting champion's wrist would ever be the
same. But he appears to have allayed every concern this spring by swinging
the bat and throwing as well as ever.
LF Manny Ramirez (24)
Age: 29 B-T: R-R
Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 205
Avg.: .306 HR: 41 RBI: 125
Fast stat: Last season, batted .333 as DH and .262 as left fielder.
The lowdown: All he wants to do is hit baseballs, which few players in
the game do better - or with more power. With Little at the helm and old
pal Carlos Baerga by his side, Ramirez appears poised to focus on what he
does best and forget about the distractions that sent him into a funk last
year. Pitchers, beware.
1B Tony Clark (22)
Age: 29 B-T: S-R
Ht.: 6-7 Wt.: 245
Avg.: .287 HR: 16 RBI: 75
Fast stat: Just three errors in 78 games at 1B last season, career .992
fielder.
The lowdown: Awesome potential, lingering questions. If the big man
kicks the injury bug that plagued him the last two years, he could put up
huge numbers batting behind Manny, Nomar, & Co. He needs to overcome
his tendency to start slowly (a .245 career average in April). But he has
torn up Fenway through the years, hitting .382 with a .443 on-base
percentage and .645 slugging percentage.
RF Trot Nixon (7)
Age: 27 B-T: L-L
Ht.: 6-2 Ht.: 210
Avg.: .280 HR: 27 RBI: 88
Fast stat: Of his 88 RBIs in 2001, 32 tied the score or put the Sox
ahead.
The lowdown: After scoring 100 runs last year for the first time in his
career, he is a prime candidate to knock in 100 - which would be another
career first - from this spot in the order. After a breakout season, one
of Nixon's top challenges will be improving against lefties. He hit .210
against them last year and is .206 for his career. He may drop into the
seven-hole against lefty starters.
3B Shea Hillenbrand (29)
Age: 26 B-T: R-R
Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 200
Avg.: .263 HR: 12 RBI: 49
Fast stat: Hit .230 when swinging at first pitch and .278 when taking
it.
The lowdown: He says he learned a lot over the winter about being more
selective in the batter's box, which he recently demonstrated when New
York's Mike Mussina tried to bait him with four straight balls and he let
them all pass. After a respectable rookie season, Hillenbrand has a chance
to sew up the third base job for years to come.
C Jason Varitek (33)
Age: 29 B-T: S-R
Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 230
Avg.: .293 HR: 7 RBI: 25
Fast stat: Team ERA last season with Varitek was 3.00; without Varitek
it was 4.65.
The lowdown: He is invaluable behind the plate, highly respected by
Martinez and the rest of the pitching staff for his savvy in calling a
game and anchoring the defense. The right elbow he fractured last year has
yet to fully heal, so he will not play every day right away. And don't be
surprised if he struggles for a while at the plate.
2B Rey Sanchez (13)
Age: 34 B-T: R-R
Ht.: 5-9 Wt.: 175
Avg.: .281 HR: 0 RBI: 37
Fast stat: Averaging less than a homer per season (12 in 11 years).
The lowdown: The most vital defensive upgrade of the offseason, Sanchez
will be part of the best double play combination for the Sox since
Garciaparra reached the majors. One of the most surehanded shortstops in
the game in recent years, he has shown no trouble adjusting to second.
Sanchez also is a far better contact hitter than his predecessor, Jose
Offerman.
Bench
C Doug Mirabelli (28)
Age: 31 B-T: R-R
Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 228
Avg.: .226 HR: 11 RBI: 29
Fast stat: Hit .435 last season when game margin was 2 runs or fewer.
The lowdown: Only Cleveland Gold Glover Einar Diaz threw out a higher
percentage of runners attempting to steal (35.4) last year than Mirabelli
(34.4). That's no small feat considering Mirabelli spent the second half
of the season with Sox pitchers who effectively were told not to hold
runners. Solid defensively, he also showed some power, with nine homers in
141 at-bats for the Sox.
1B Brian Daubach (23)
Age: 30 B-T: L-R
Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 220
Avg.: .263 HR: 22 RBI: 71
Fast stat: With Boston - 32 HRs, 120 RBIs at home; 32 HRs, 100 RBIs on
road.
The lowdown: Heartened by recently signing his first
multimillion-dollar contract, Daubach arrived early in camp, eager to
expand his role by splitting time as a first baseman, DH, and backup left
fielder. No such luck. Clark became the everyday first baseman and
Henderson emerged as the primary DH and backup left fielder. That leaves
Daubach as insurance in case of injuries and slumps.
INF Carlos Baerga (10)
Age: 34 B-T: S-R
Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 200
Avg.: .000 HR: 0 RBI: 0
Fast stat: Averaged 38.7 extra-base hits per season during the 1990s.
The lowdown: A three-time All-Star who helped lead the Indians to the
1995 World Series, Baerga is the feel-good story of the spring. Jobless
after the 1999 season, he tried to make his way in Korea in 2000 and spent
last year with the independent Long Island Ducks. But he thrived in winter
ball in Puerto Rico and won a job in spring training with his bat and
leadership. He will be used mainly as a DH and pinch hitter.
INF Lou Merloni (26)
Age: 30 B-T: R-R
Ht.: 5-10 Wt.: 200
Avg.: .267 HR: 3 RBI: 13
Fast stat: Sox were 23-17 last season when Merloni started.
The lowdown: Devastated last year when he did not break camp with the
club, the Framingham native this year clinched a spot on the Opening Day
roster for the first time since 1999 with a strong performance at the
plate and in the field. He can fill in at second base, short, and third,
and he could see limited action as a late-game sub in the outfield.
DH-OF Rickey Henderson (12)
Age: 43 B-T: R-L
Ht.: 5-10 Wt.: 195
Avg.: .227 HR: 8 RBI: 42
Fast stat: Career .291 hitter at Fenway with 5 HRs and 35 RBIs.
The lowdown: He won't start Opening Day, but he will share the leadoff
role with Damon, and who better to fill the spot part-time than the best
of all-time? The majors' career leader in runs, steals, and walks,
Henderson, even at 43, can still cause havoc on the basepaths. He has some
pop in his bat, some fire in his belly, and some wisdom to share on the
bench. His career on-base percentage: .402.
OF Michael Coleman (11)*
Age: 26 B-T: R-R
Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 215
Avg.: .211 HR: 1 RBI: 7
Fast stat: One career walk, 26 career strikeouts.
The lowdown: The outfielder had a shot to make the Opening Day roster
before he strained his right hamstring. He has played in only 22
big-league games, 10 with the Sox from '97 to '99, and 12 last year with
the Yankees, but the Sox like his bat and defense. The big question will
be whether they have a place for him when he is due to come off the DL
April 9.
Starting rotation
SP Pedro Martinez (45)
Age: 30 B-T: R-R
Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 170
W-L: 7-3 ERA: 2.39 K: 163
Fast stat: Since he joined Sox, opponents have hit .133 in two-strike
counts.
The lowdown: A year later than they hoped, Martinez, Ramirez, and
Garciaparra will appear in a game together for the first time Opening Day.
But none of the three is more crucial than Martinez, who yet again will be
asked to carry the club on his aging shoulder. After the fraying in his
rotator cuff last year, he is a new pitcher, more dependent on his control
and finesse since he has vowed to resist trying to overthrow his fastball.
SP Derek Lowe (32)
Age: 28 B-T: R-R
Ht.: 6-6 Wt.: 205
W-L: 5-10 ERA: 3.53 K: 82
Fast stat: Had 1.48 ERA when retiring first batter of inning in 2001,
7.80 when not.
The lowdown: When he went 0-7 in his debut as a Sox starter in 1998,
Lowe had only two pitches. He has since added a changeup and a cutter. He
also has gained confidence and knowledge. If he puts it all together, he
could join the few pitchers who have gone from making an All-Star team as
a closer (2000) to making one as a starter. If he fails, he faces the
prospect of returning to the pen as a set-up man.
SP John Burkett (19)*
Age: 37 B-T: R-R
Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 211
W-L: 12-12 ERA: 3.04 K: 187
Fast stat: In nine daytime starts last season, went 4-1 with 3.21 ERA.
The lowdown: It's an inglorious start for the righthander who is coming
off an All-Star year with Braves in which he posted the third-best ERA
(3.04) in the National League. He was pitching masterfully in spring
training, too, with an 0.90 ERA. The trouble was, the more he pitched, the
more he was troubled by tendinitis in his right shoulder. He will enter
the starting rotation as soon as he is well, which could be mid to late
April.
SP Dustin Hermanson (31)
Age: 29 B-T: R-R
Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 200
W-L: 14-13 ERA: 4.45 K: 123
Fast stat: Has career record of 14-7 and 3.65 ERA in month of August.
The lowdown: A workhorse, Hermanson has averaged 31 starts over the
last five years. The only Sox pitcher who managed more than 26 starts last
year was Hideo Nomo (33). The hard-throwing Hermanson can raise his game
substantially if he develops a better changeup. He also needs to control
his emotions to keep from rushing into jams.
SP Frank Castillo (37)
Age: 33 B-T: R-R
Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 190
W-L: 10-9 ERA: 4.21 K: 59
Fast stat: Went 7-2 with 3.38 ERA on road last year; 3-7, 5.01 at home.
The lowdown: At 10-9, he won more games for the Sox last year than
anyone but Nomo (13-10). He also killed the Yankees, going 2-0 with a
no-decision (he left that game in the seventh inning with a 1-0 lead). But
Castillo went a combined 0-6 against the Mariners, A's, Blue Jays, and
Indians. He is in the final year of a two-year deal.
Bullpen
CL Ugueth Urbina (41)
Age: 28 B-T: R-R
Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 205
Saves: 24 ERA: 3.64 K: 89
Fast stat: Threw first-pitch strike to 65 percent of batters he faced.
The lowdown: The Sox went from 60-44 before Urbina's arrival last year
to 22-35 with him as the closer, but that had more to do with the
implosion around him. Urbina gave the Sox the strikeout punch they sorely
needed at the end of a game, as he fanned 32 batters in 20 innings. The
only concern is how much stress his right elbow can bear. He twice
underwent surgery in 2000 to remove bone chips.
RP Rolando Arrojo (44)
Age: 33 B-T: R-R
Ht.: 6-4 Wt.: 220
W-L: 5-4 ERA: 3.48 K: 78
Fast stat: 7-3, 3.99 ERA as Sox starter; 3-3, 4.42 ERA as Sox reliever.
The lowdown: A starter all his life, he reluctantly opened last season
in the bullpen. He didn't allow a run in his first 10 appearances, but he
made perhaps his greatest contribution when he posted a 2.04 ERA in six
starts in July while filling in as a starter for the injured Martinez.
When Arrojo is on, he's nearly untouchable, as he showed when he took a
no-hitter into the seventh inning last year against the Blue Jays. When
he's off, it can get ugly.
RP Willie Banks (17)
Age: 33 B-T: R-R
Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 202
W-L: 0-0 ERA: 0.84 K: 10
Fast stat: Averaged better than a strikeout per inning for first time
in career.
The lowdown: He was selected third overall in the 1987 draft by the
Twins (the Mariners took Ken Griffey Jr. first), but shoulder trouble
turned him into a journeyman. When John Burkett went on the disabled list
last week, Banks made his first Opening Day roster since 1998. Little says
this is the best Banks has pitched in his career. He figures to work in
long relief.
RP Casey Fossum (15)
Age: 24 B-T: L-L
Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 162
W-L: 3-2 ERA: 4.87 K: 26
Fast stat: Held leadoff batters each inning to measly .122 average.
The lowdown: After spending the winter devouring Krispy Kremes trying
to bulk up, Fossum said he will have to switch in Boston to Dunkin'
Donuts. But Little is not concerned about Fossum's weight (162 pounds at
last count). The kid can pitch, as he showed last year both as a starter
and reliever. Little will use him in various situations.
RP Rich Garces (34)
Age: 30 B-T: R-R
Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 255
W-L: 6-1 ERA: 3.90 K: 51
Fast stat: Lefthanded batters hit .194 against him last season.
The lowdown: Entering what may be his last year in the Hub, El Guapo
has slimmed down a bit as he approaches free agency. If he can keep the
weight off, he may avoid the injuries that have hampered him in recent
years. But his numbers speak for themselves. The set-up man has gone 23-7
with a 3.51 ERA in his six years with the Sox.
RP Darren Oliver (35)
Age: 31 B-T: R-L
Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 220
W-L: 11-11 ERA: 6.02 K: 104
Fast stat: Went 2-0 with 1.38 ERA and .302 OBP vs. Yankees in 2001.
The lowdown: He was 13-20 with a 6.60 ERA in his last two seasons with
the Rangers, but he looked in spring training as if he had turned a
corner, going 2-1 with a 0.69 ERA. The lefthander also has been a Yankee
killer (2-0 last year, 5-1 in his career). But the Sox won't need a fifth
starter until April 12, and if Burkett is ready by then, Oliver will
remain in the bullpen.
RP Tim Wakefield (49)
Age: 35 B-T: R-R
Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 215
W-L: 9-12 ERA: 3.90 K: 148
Fast stat: Held hitters to .204 average when Sox were ahead, .287 when
Sox were behind.
The lowdown: The longest-serving member of the team, the knuckleballer
can do it all, from start to close. Though he wants to start, Wakefield
will be content as a set-up man or middle reliever, anything but a mop-up
guy. He believes he has earned that much respect. Nearly 10 years have
passed since he last pitched in a League Championship Series - he went 2-0
for the Pirates in 1992 - and he would love another shot.
Coaching staff
Manager - Grady Little (43)
Age: 52 Tenure: 1st year
Fast stat: Yankee ties - was player/coach in system in early '70s;
brother Bryan ended five-year career with NY in '86.
The lowdown: The new owners chose him over Felipe Alou and Mike Cubbage
to right the ship after last year's calamity. Endorsed enthusiastically by
many of the Sox who went to the playoffs in 1998 and '99 when he was bench
coach under Jimy Williams, Little was bullpen coach for the Padres when
they went to the playoffs in '96. He spent the last two years as bench
coach for Cleveland's Charlie Manuel. A former cotton farmer, he also
prepared for the Sox job by managing 16 years in the minors.
Pitching - Tony Cloninger (36)
Age: 61 Tenure: 1st year
Fast stat: Only pitcher in major league history to hit two grand slams
in one game (1966).
The lowdown: The one man Little wanted with him, Cloninger goes back 15
years with the manager to their home state of North Carolina. He replaced
Ralph Treuel, who last August succeeded Joe Kerrigan. Cloninger's style
appears to be the antithesis of Kerrigan's hands-on, computer-driven
approach. Cloninger coached 10 years with the Yankees before joining the
Sox. He pitched 12 years for the Braves, Reds, and Cardinals, going 113-97
with a 4.07 ERA.
Hitting - Dwight Evans (25)
Age: 50 Tenure: 1st year
Fast stat: In '86, became first player to homer on first pitch of the
major league season.
The lowdown: After one of his mentors, Walt Hriniak, declined the job,
Evans agreed to work as a big-league batting instructor for the first time
since 1994, when he coached the Rockies. A member of the Red Sox Hall of
Fame, Evans played 20 seasons in the majors (19 with the Sox) from
1972-91, batting .272 with 385 homers and 1,384 RBIs. He was an All-Star
three times and won eight Gold Gloves.
Bench - Mike Stanley (20)
Age: 38 Tenure: 1st year
Fast stat: Of 187 career homers, 73 came with Sox, 72 came with
Yankees.
The lowdown: He had no coaching experience, but he was so highly
regarded by Sox players and executives for his leadership that they wasted
little time hiring him to replace Nelson Norman. Stanley provides a vital
link between the players and management. He played 15 years with five
teams, including the Sox, hitting .270 with 187 homers and 702 RBIs. He
was an All-Star with the Yankees in 1995.
First base - Tommy Harper (51)
Age: 61 Tenure: 3d year
Fast stat: When stealing Sox-record 54 bases in '73, hit .281
(second-best in 15-year career).
The lowdown: Why the previous administration let him hang for two
months last winter before asking him to sign the 40th one-year contract of
his career remains baffling. Harper has brought hard work, dignity, and
knowledge to the team in his three years at first. He coached 10 years in
Montreal before joining the Sox. He played 15 years with eight teams.
Third base - Mike Cubbage (12)
Age: 51 Tenure: 1st year
Fast stat: First of 503 major league hits was a grand slam in '75.
The lowdown: He kept the team on track as interim manager between the
firing of Kerrigan and hiring of Little, who edged him out for the
manager's post. Cubbage joined the Sox after five years as bench coach and
third base coach for the Astros. He spent the previous seven years as a
coach for the Mets after managing in the minors for six years. He played
eight years for the Rangers, Twins, and Mets from 1974-81.
Bullpen - Bob Kipper (58)
Age: 37 Tenure: 1st year
Fast stat: Surrendered HR to Ron Gant in '91 NLCS in only playoff
appearance of eight-year career.
The lowdown: He replaced John Cumberland after spending the last three
years as a minor league pitching coach in the Sox system, including the
last two years for Single A Augusta. A lefthander, he pitched for the
Pirates from 1985-91 and the Twins in '92, going 27-37 overall with a 4.34
ERA. He never returned to the majors after having shoulder surgery in '93.
* - will start season on disabled list
This story ran on page D12 of the Boston Globe on 3/29/2002.
Copyright 2002 Globe Newspaper Company.