Newcomers Find Their Niche In The Red Sox Clubhouse Without Much Trouble

February 24, 2009 | The Providence Journal | By Joe McDonald



FORT MYERS, Fla. –– When Mike Lowell first came to the Red Sox in 2006 he remembers Gabe Kapler and Kevin Youkilis having a conversation. They were in the middle of the debate when they asked Lowell’s opinion on the matter.


“That made me feel good,” said Lowell. “In some organizations, newcomers are not welcomed. Here we know the guys coming in are going to help us win. We have a good group of guys in here.”


Lowell credited the personalities on the team more than the organizational philosophy on the matter. Basically, no one feels like an odd-man out in the Red Sox clubhouse.


The 2009 Sox will feature a few new faces, including pitchers Brad Penny, John Smoltz, Takashi Saito and outfielder Rocco Baldelli, but the newcomers have nothing to worry about as far as being accepted by their new teammates.


Boston’s philosophy is all about winning and if a player, any player, will help them accomplish its goals, they’re welcomed.


For some, getting acclimated to a new environment, especially a big-market team such as Boston, may take some getting used to, while others quickly adjust. Either way, the chemistry in the Red Sox clubhouse is accepting.


“Everybody is a little different,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. “I do think our ballclub does a very good job making guys feel comfortable in a hurry. A guy like Saito, he looks comfortable out there. He’s not huddled over by himself, especially a guy who is limited with the language. Guys do a really good job making guys comfortable – real good.”


The chemistry amongst players in the clubhouse is a viable thing and that translates into winning. The players consider themselves character guys, willing to accept anyone with the same work ethic and mentality.


“I’ve known some of these guys from competing against them,” said Baldelli. “Coming over and seeing it first-hand, everybody has been great to me. They’re all good guys. I think anyone who is around this group knows they are a bunch of good guys who work hard. I couldn’t ask for more coming into a new place.”


The turnover in professional sports, especially baseball, is constant. When the Red Sox sign, trade or draft a player, one of the intangibles management takes into account is whether or not that player will be able to play and be success in pressure-packed Boston.


“It takes special people to play here,” said Red Sox captain Jason Varitek. “You need character people here.”


 Just because the Red Sox believe they have a strong nucleus of players doesn’t mean the clubhouse is without its problems. Varitek explained that things always comes up that the players have to deal with, including when guys aren’t happy about playing time, or dealing with a slump, or hot streak. There will be player meetings behind closed doors or even on the field.


Even at the minor-league level it’s important.


For example, PawSox manager Ron Johnson has daily meetings with his entire team. If there’s an issue to deal with, that is the time to get it settled and get on with playing the game. It’s effective, especially preparing players to deal with similar situations once they get to the majors.


Even after the newcomers understand that they belong, getting comfortable in the entire environment in Boston is not immediate.


“You never know until you get a chance to weather the storm, both good and bad,” said Varitek. “If a player never allows himself to get to that point, you’re going to have a little trouble.”


When Varitek came to Boston from the Seattle organization, he didn’t have the responsibility that he has now. He’s in his 13th season with the Red Sox and he’s seen a lot of things change within that clubhouse. He’ll also admit that since the club finally won a World Series in 2004, the atmosphere is more stable for everyone involved.


“It’s gone through a lot of cycles and through a lot of different people,” said Varitek. “The people who have been here have taught me a lot of things and how to deal with different personalities and different situations. I’m a big proponent that the team has to be able to take care of things in-house and be able to communicate through them.”


Jason Bay learned that when he first arrived in Boston last August when the Sox’ left fielder was involved in the three-team deal that sent Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers. Ramirez wasn’t happy in Boston and there was a bit of tension in the clubhouse.


When Bay arrived he didn’t know what to expect.


“It’s different everywhere,” said Bay. “Everyone here was a huge help. The unknowns of coming to Boston are ten-fold than a lot of other places. For me, when I came to Boston I was only here for a couple of days, but it felt like a couple of months.”


Bay said everyone in the clubhouse was very welcoming and helped the adjustment period.


“The biggest difference in a lot of aspects about coming over here is a lot of stuff away from 7 o’clock,” said Bay. “There’s a lot of stuff that goes into being a member of this team before and after [game time]. Once the game started, for me that was my ease period because that’s when you’re the most comfortable.”