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Fenway's
Future Still Runs Through Trenton
by Mike Ashmore
June 1, 2006 - Hunterdon County Democrat
From 1995 to 2002, the Trenton Thunder were the Double-A
affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, sending countless players
on to the hallowed grounds of Fenway Park.
But even after the Yankees took over the Thunder's
affiliation in 2003, Fenway's future has still been coming
through Waterfront Park, if only for three days at a time.
During the Portland Sea Dogs recent trip to Trenton, four
players on the Boston Red Sox 40-man roster got a preview of
the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry, with a fifth making a return
from having seen it at the big league level.
For those unfamiliar, the 40-man roster is a 15 player
extension of the 25-man active Major League roster from
which the big league team can summon a player from for a
call-up from the minor leagues.
Outfielders Brandon Moss and David Murphy and pitchers Edgar
Martinez and David Pauley were all added to the 40-man
roster in time for the 2006 season.
Murphy's path to the big leagues seems to be secured, with
the Red Sox unlikely to hold back their 2003 first round
draft pick too much longer. The $1.5 million signing bonus
he received not only helps his cause, but also stirs up
memories for the former collegiate First Team All-America.
"I actually took a picture of it," said the
24-year-old of the million dollar check that arrived at his
door. "It'll be fun to show my kids someday."
Different as they may seem, the stories of
the American-born Moss and Venezuelan native Martinez are
actually somewhat similar, with both playing different
positions from the ones they started their careers at.
Moss, drafted by the Red Sox in the eighth round of the 2002
draft, spent draft day at a baseball camp wondering what
position he'd be picked to play.
"I'm not even sure why I was at the camp," he
said, "I think it was the last day or something. I was
expecting to go as a pitcher, but I went as a hitter, so
that was fine with me."
Moss was a standout pitcher at Loganville (GA) High School
with a fastball that topped out at 92 miles per hour before
being converted into an Eastern League All-Star outfielder
by the Red Sox.
Martinez, who resembles current Beantown slugger Manny
Ramirez far more than he does the former Seattle Mariners
designated hitter with the same name, was converted from
catcher to pitcher midway through the 2004 season.
"Having been a catcher for six years," he said,
"I think I know how to throw to the hitters better. I
love pitching, I don't think about catching anymore."
The stats speak for themselves, with Martinez going from a
.223 career hitter to a pitcher with an ERA under two,
numbers that put him on the fast track to Fenway Park.
But for pitcher Phil Seibel, Fenway couldn't seem
further away. Seibel made just two appearances for the Red
Sox during their 2004 World Championship season before Tommy
John surgery ended his season prematurely. Shortly
thereafter, Seibel was not only removed from the 40-man
roster, but released from the organization before ultimately
re-signing.
While most players can recall with vivid detail their first
time on a big league mound, it's the second of those two
games that Seibel will have etched in his mind forever.
He spun 3.2 innings of hitless relief in an April 18th game
against the Yankees, adding his name to the list of hundreds
that have played in the best rivalry in sports. It was that
game where he clearly earned his World Series ring.
"The day of that ring ceremony was the greatest day of
my life," Seibel said through a smile.
"Being in the dugout, and having them call my name and
looking on the screen, seeing the highlights of pitching
against the Yankees and striking out (Jason) Giambi...it was
indescribable."
Before batting practice, it was poker that was on the minds
of the players, with a game being played in the clubhouse
and another one being displayed on TV. But baseball is a
high stakes game in itself, and for the Sea Dogs players on
the 40-man roster, only time will tell if the Red Sox are
just bluffing, or if they're all in.
Thunder Notes: 19-year Major League
veteran and nine time All-Star Gary Sheffield made a brief
appearance in a Thunder uniform before being re-activated by
the Yankees. Hampered by a wrist injury, the outfielder went
1-for-3 with an RBI in his lone appearance with Trenton, on
the road in New Britain in a 7-4 win over the Rock Cats.
For Past Articles: MikeAshmore.com
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