Clearing the Bases Blog Index
April 23, 2008
Go (ex) Dog Go

Can we officially call Coco Crisp the back-up outfielder now?

Crisp is a great centerfielder and a decent, though inconsistent hitter. And he will make a solid starting center fielder for some team ... just not the Red Sox.

Not when they have Jacoby Ellsbury. Ellsbury, the ex-Portland Sea Dogs star, gave another sampling on just how much he can impact a game.

In Boston's thrilling 7-6 win over the Angels, Ellsbury not only stroked two home runs, he reached on a bunt single in the eighth, disrupted the pitcher with his constant threat to steal, and then scored the winning run, reaching home from first base on a double down the left field line.

Amazing. Sea Dogs fans saw that potential in the championship year of '06, and at the start of last season. Red Sox Nation experienced Ellsbury's flare in the World Series.

Now is there any doubt he is the starter?

When Crisp heals from his latest injury, he will either have to accept the fact, or push for a trade.

Ellsbury's is one of 10 Sea Dogs jersey hanging up at Hadlock Field on Tuesday - symbolizing the number of former Portland players currently on the Red Sox roster.

Can you name all 10? (the answer below)

Red Sox farm director Mike Hazen was a busy man Tuesday, trying to shape the minor league rosters after the injuries to outfielder Jay Johnson (ruptured Achilles tendon) and infielder Jeff Natale (broken arm), not to mention adjusting to other moves.

Reliever Bryan Corey, who refused an assignment to Pawtucker and became a free agent, apparently did not find a huge market for his services. He has signed back with the Red Sox, and was assigned to Pawtucket.

And now for the 10 former Sea Dogs on the Red Sox roster Tuesday:
1. Josh Beckett (the one player from the Dogs' days as a Marlins affiliate); 2. Kevin Youkilis; 3. Jonathan Papelbon; 4. Manny Delcarmen; 5. Dustin Pedroia; 6. Jon Lester; 7. Jacoby Ellsbury; 8. Clay Buchholz; 9. Jed Lowrie; 10. David Pauley.

Pauley is expected to be sent back to Pawtucket today. The Red Sox could call up a catcher (Dusty Brown?) if Jason Varitek is still too sick to play.

Posted at 09:49 AM

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Kevin covers baseball for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. He first reported on spring training games for the St. Petersburg Times in 1978. He wisely moved to Maine in 1994 and now writes about the Portland Sea Dogs and Boston Red Sox—when he's not coaching Little League baseball.

He is married to Nancy, and the couple recently completed their lineup card with the birth of their ninth child.



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