Remember this day, April 15, 2008: after getting called up last week, Jed Lowrie made his debut for the Boston Red Sox.

I'd read about him since he was drafted in 2005, but I first saw Jed in person in 2006, when I first went to Spring Training.

March 14, 2006


March 15, 2006:  I captioned this "Jed Lowrie would be with the Sox right through April 2. Mark my words, he'll be at Fenway in time!"


March 16, 2006


Seems we've seen that fellow to Jed's right, too!




April 1, 2006


April 2, 2006

Jed had a bit of a tough year in 2006 in Wilmington; injuries wiped out a chunk of his summer, and he never quite seemed on track that year. But spring 2007 brought a fresh start...

March 2, 2007








Whoops!


March 9, 2007

He moved up to Portland for 2007, but the great state of Maine couldn't hold him--by midsummer he'd been promoted to Pawtucket.  And not incidentally, I could finally see him play in games that counted!

Did I mention that Jed obliged me by hitting two home runs, each with Jacoby on base, at the first PawSox game where I saw him?

August 5, 2007

Jed went on to earn Minor League Offensive Player of the Year honors for 2007.


September 26, 2007

In 2008 we saw a lot of Jed during the Rookie Development Program. He participated in New Stars for Young Stars

January 12, 2008

and in the signing at the Team Store

January 16, 2008

before participating in the PawSox Hot Stove Party.

January 19, 2008

And then it was off to Fort Myers again!
February 28, 2008, with Justin Masterson


March 5, 2008






March 6, 2008

I was sure Jed would get the call to Fenway this year, but didn't think it would be so soon. I took advantage of the opportunity to shoot, if not on the field...

April 11, 2008






With Javier Lopez, April 13, 2008

Jed finally made his debut in Cleveland, getting his first hit, not to mention 3RBI. It's only the very first step in what I'm sure will be a very exciting major league career. Can't wait to shoot Jed on the field at Fenway. But in the meantime, congratulations, Jed!

My life as a baseball photographer started on April 11, 2005, when I brought my little Olympus digital to Opening Day in hopes of getting a few shots of the ring ceremony.  It's amazing what changes--and what doesn't--in three years.

Tedy Bruschi was back



but this time he was followed by Curtis Leskanic, carrying the 2004 prize.



(Retirement seems to agree with him, doesn't it?)

One more of Tedy...



Doug Mirabelli made a cameo to accept his ring and the thanks of an adoring crowd...



... and I very much wished that Kyle Snyder had done the same.

I was asked during last season if I wanted the Red Sox to win in 2007 as much as I wanted them to win in 2004, and I answered that while 2004 was a once-in-a-lifetime event, I still wanted the 2007 team to win one for themselves, and that one thing I very much wanted to see was Clay Buchholz gazing at his World Series ring.



Looks like a good fit to me.



Mike Timlin might have a fistful, but he doesn't look any less delighted than Manny Delcarmen.



And it might be hard to tell who appreciates Jon Lester's achievement more: Lester, or Terry Francona.

The Red Sox of 2007, like the Red Sox of 2004, were made up of many faces, many  talents, many characters.  But at heart, they were all our Red Sox, past, present and future.

I loved being back at Fenway.  I loved the Fenway hawks showing that nature's flyovers are as impressive as those by fighter jets.  I loved the sun, the crowd, the banners, the baseball.  I love our Red Sox. 


(Tim Wakefield escorts Johnny Pesky back from the flag raising.)
More photos of mine from Opening Day can be found here.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

(Philippians 4:13)

On the way back from Fort Myers this spring, sitting at the airport waiting for our flight, my buddy and I started chatting with the couple at the next table.  The conversation turned to the unwillingness of some players to give autographs, and they were delighted to relate a story about a generous and polite player who stood signing patiently for everyone who asked.  And I knew from the instant they started the story that it was about Justin Masterson.

Masterson doesn't blend into a crowd; standing 6'6", shaved bald as a cue ball and sporting flashy high socks, he's hard to miss.  But more than that, he carries himself as a man with a much bigger responsibility than his employment in baseball.   In an age when many ballplayers indulge themselves in the trappings of fame and fortune, when others search out drugs and doctors to keep them ahead of the game, Masterson's devotion is clearly to God, before baseball, before any earthly pursuit.  And that devotion in turn clearly guides his actions here, from his work to improve himself and his game to his influence on his teammates.  Even as a fan, it's hard to miss the joy and good will that radiate from him--even if he didn't appear to be Mr. Clean incarnate, clean-scrubbed glowing aura and all.

Masterson's pitching style--his heavy sinker, slider and changeup--has earned him comparisons to Derek Lowe, at least on the mound.  Masterson was drafted by the Red Sox in 2006, pitching the rest of that summer in Lowell.  He started 2007 in the winds of Lancaster but earned his promotion to Portland.  It certainly seemed possible that Justin would start 2008 in Pawtucket, but for the moment he's landed back atop Portland's rotation.  In any case, I'm sure it won't be long before he finds himself on the mound at McCoy--and I hope it's in the cards for him to pitch at Fenway sooner rather than later!

I managed a photo or two of Justin pitching at Futures at Fenway in 2006

but only caught him in the lineup in 2007.

In January 2008, Justin was part of the New Stars for Young Stars Jimmy Fund benefit.

He started the game in Fort Myers against Northeastern on February 28.

(I think Jed Lowrie is warning him that he could hurt his hamstrings dashing off the mound!)

Guess that one didn't go where it was supposed to!

I'm thinking neither Justin nor Michael Bowden agrees with the call here...

On the railing with Craig Hansen.

With Coco Crisp and Joe Thurston, smiles all around!

Justin also pitched on March 7... in the sunlight this time, thanks!

By my last day in Florida, Justin had returned to the minor league camp, where I did get one last glimpse of him...

It's a privilege to be able to root for a player who's not only a talented pitcher but also a young man of great character.  Any article on Justin I've read, any interview I've heard, any time I've seen him play or even just be around his teammates, I've been struck by his smile and by the way goodness and honor surround him. During the January events, Justin signed a few photos for me, always citing Philippians 4:13.  But one can look a few verses earlier for a message equally appropriate:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

The first real win is in the books, and my login here finally works again!  Thought I'd celebrate by posting a few smiles I captured down in Fort Myers this spring...

Dave Pauley, cheerful even between laps.

Brandon Moss, one of today's heroes, shares a laugh with one of the college players.

Manny Delcarmen.

Even Mike Timlin smiles!

Javier Lopez, Kyle Snyder, and Bryan Corey make light work of shagging BP flies.

Jacoby Ellsbury.

Jason Varitek--not an easy smile to catch!

Julian Tavarez, whose inclinations toward on-field massage will have to be chronicled separately, and an amused Hideki Okajima.

Kyle Snyder, deserving of a second look!

Clay Buchholz, who was laughing as MDC teased the fans with a ball.

Jed Lowrie. (I can't put all my smiling photos of Jed here; I'd run out of room.)

Finding himself between two of the best smiles on the roster--Coco Crisp and Justin Masterson--I'm sure Joe Thurston had no chance at all to stay solemn.

You can just barely see Bobby Kielty's smile, I suspect it's a mirror of Ron Johnson's!

Jon Lester and Craig Hansen.

Justin Masterson, after a good pitch.

It seemed like a pretty good bet that Beckett wasn't hurt too badly, since he left a lot of smiles in his wake!

Nick Hagadone appreciates the fun of the parachute run!

While Hot Stove talk goes on from the end of the World Series to the start of Spring Training, it's nice to get a midwinter taste of the real thing; the boys of summer may not take the field, but here in Boston we've had a very full month of rookies, prospects and veterans alike!  Needless to say I've been snapping away... click thumbnails below for larger photos!

Sunday, January 6 marked not only the eve of the Red Sox Rookie Development Program but the annual Hot Stove concert at the Paradise.  In years past players have appeared, but this year we made do with some Sox brass

Theo Epstein.

Sox-connected commentators

Peter Gammons.

prominent Sox fans...

Bill Janovitz.

and one former player!

Bronson Arroyo.

On Saturday, January 12, the Jimmy Fund held their third annual New Stars for Young Stars fundraiser at Jillian's, right down the street from Fenway.  Gabe Kapler, now signed by the Brewers, appeared in something of an elder statesman's role, while Dustin Pedroia and Jon Lester represented the 2007 World Series Champions.  A selection of Sox prospects--Justin Masterson, Michael Bowden, Jed Lowrie, Bubba Bell, Ryan Kalish and Nick Hagadone--rounded out the bill.  It was a delight to meet Bowden and Masterson in particular, and Jed Lowrie's long been a favorite of mine. 

Justin Masterson.

Michael Bowden.

Bubba Bell.

Nick Hagadone and Ryan Kalish.

Jed Lowrie and me, photo by the Red Sox Chick. Thanks!

Next up was the benefit for the Red Sox Foundation at the Team Store on Yawkey Way, featuring the twelve players selected to take part in this year's Rookie Development Program.  Since last year's event I've suspected that while this is a treat for the fans and a nice fundraiser, it's also an illustration for the rookies of the invigorating but potentially oppressive lunacy of Red Sox Nation.  This year my suspicions were confirmed...

Meg Vaillancourt, executive director of the Red Sox Foundation, was happy to help the future stars try to get accustomed to the intensity that is Red Sox Nation.

"This teaches them what to expect when they get here, how to handle being bombarded by fans, sign autographs and how to deal with having a sore hand afterward."

Even Clay Buchholz and Jed Lowrie looked a little apprehensive as they walked in

but they seemed to relax a little as they figured out that none of us were actually dangerous.

Bubba Bell, Clay Buchholz, Justin Masterson.

Hunter Jones.

Devern Hansack.

Thursday night brought the biggest event: the Boston Baseball Writers Association of America awards dinner at the Westin Waterfront.  Judging by audience reaction Mike Lowell reigned as king for the evening, though his court included Dustin Pedroia, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Theo Epstein, Dave Magadan, and John Farrell at the head table while the rookie development pups sat at tables right up front.

John Farrell and Theo Epstein.

Dustin Pedroia and Clay Buchholz gaze as Jon Lester points out something in the yearbook.

(Whatever it was, it must have been pretty good!)

Mike Lowell.

Dave Magadan, Mike Lowell, Dustin Pedroia.

Jon's about had it with his tux, I think!

Saturday, January 19 it was time to celebrate the minor leagues, as the PawSox held their Hot Stove party in the inner sanctums of McCoy Stadium.  Showing no signs of flagging enthusiasm, Justin Masterson, Michael Bowden, Jed Lowrie, Dusty Brown and Jonathan Van Every joined PawSox manager Ron Johnson in greeting fans and signing autographs!

Jonathan Van Every.

RJ and Justin Masterson.

Jed Lowrie and Michael Bowden.

Dusty Brown.

What I enjoyed most about this series of events, aside from spending time with baseball friends and acquaintances, was getting a chance to meet the young men on their way up in the Sox organization.  I often cite Theo's statement that to become Red Sox GM he had to give up being a fan, and I know that in some ways my belief that the Sox should hang on to Lester, Masterson, Lowrie, Bowden et al. is indeed that of a fan.  But this is a remarkable group of prospects, in talent and in character, and I have to say that if I had a vote, I'd hang on to every last one of them.

Photos above are just a sample of what I took; please see full photo pages linked below.
Hot Stove Cool Music
New Stars for Young Stars III
Team Store Signing
BBWAA Dinner
PawSox Hot Stove Party

 

I came into September with tickets for three of the six games on the final homestand for the Sox, and realized about mid-month that that wasn't going to do.  Hit ebay and Stubhub, and managed to cover all six games.  Tuesday I brought my friend Cindy to see Curt Schilling.  Wednesday I had a loge box single from which I hoped to see Clay Buchholz pitch in relief of Jon Lester, but 'twas not to be.  Thursday we drove toward a possible clinch of the AL East... but again, not in the cards that night.

Friday I had a loge single way out in left field--quite a challenge even to get into the section!  It was quite a good game--good pitching from Daisuke, quality offense, and a satisfying win.  Not to mention a quick one!  I'd spared a few glances at the scoreboard, enough to see that the Yankees had a pretty good lead on the O's.  But I was still delighted when, a few bars into "Dirty Water," the PA cut out and the Yankees/O's game was suddenly on the scoreboard.

About two weeks earlier I'd had a thoroughly wonderful evening at Fenway... on an off day.  The Red Sox Chick had invited me to a benefit for the Angel Fund, a charity supported by Mike and Dawn Timlin.  The benefit was terrific; getting winked at by Mike was even better.  But perhaps best was going on a brief tour of a dark Fenway and sneaking off to the far end of the Monster to gaze over the mysteriously unlit park, and later eating dinner perched in the Pavilion over home plate, again, gazing into a familiar home seen literally in a ddifferent light.

So I thought of all that as the fans sitting around me left and I settled in to watch the televised game.  The Orioles threatened in the bottom of the eighth, but failed.  Many of the fans who did stick around headed out.  I looked in toward home, and seeing that many who were left had clustered around the Sox dugout, I moved down to the first row between the visitors' dugout and home.

The O's held the Yankees in the ninth, and then the fun really started.  I hadn't dreamed I'd hear an enthusiastic "Lets go Orioles!" chant at Fenway--let alone that I'd be participating!  Jay Payton came through with the stunning tying triple, and I started to think that maybe this could happen after all.  In the tenth, we screamed our hearts out for Millah, but it was Melvin Mora who came through with the bunt and sealed the clinch for the Red Sox.

I hadn't allowed myself to think about it, but I got out the camera...

Kevin Youkilis.

Coco Crisp.

Mike Timlin with his new tee!

Josh Beckett.

Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Beckett watches Dustin Pedroia.

Jon Lester on the receiving end of a cold beer down the spine.

Clay Buchholz.

Jason Varitek, who had left the park, returned after the clinch, and received an extra-thorough dousing as a result!

Mike Lowell.

Jonathan Papelbon points to Alex Cora up in the PA booth.

Lots more photos on this page. Enjoy!

Going to ten games in the 11 days from September 1 to September 11--in two states--has wreaked havoc with my ability to get photos up in timely fashion.  But here's a couple from Sunday, September 9 at Camden Yards...

Clay Buchholz stretches...

... and throws.

Devern Hansack.

Announcing the changeup.

Kyle Snyder.

Two fingers means...

... well, in this case it meant "I'm going to throw it past you and scare the daylights out of the fans." Note Clay is laughing.

Josh Beckett was the first to see the descending alien mothership.

Never hard to pick out a hatless Bobby Kielty.

Tek with a wistful look back. "Are you sure he wasn't out?"

Clay acknowledges his admirers as he returns to the dugout.

I think I first saw Clay at Fenway last September, when he received the Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Year award.

September 27, 2006

and again at the New Stars for Young Stars event to benefit the Jimmy Fund.

January 6, 2007.  After the signing he had a pretty serious game going against Kason Gabbard!

I finally got to see him pitch on a magical day last March when we went to the minor league complex at Spring Training after the big club had decamped but the full-on games hadn't yet started up.

Had to follow Clay at a distance for a while after that, though we were lucky to see some games televised (including his start on Memorial Day).  He went up against Clemens and outpitched the Rocket.  His numbers in Portland made it clear he was ready for Pawtucket.  And off I went to see him...

July 22, 2007.

July 22, 2007.

And then came the call to Fenway, and I scrambled to get a good seat!

I have to be honest here--as I scrambled to get a better seat for his debut, I fantasized about a no-hitter. Unlikely, sure, but dreams usually are...

I'd had a good pair of tix for Saturday, September 1 in hand all season.  Even a few days before the game I hadn't asked anyone to go.  If Clay got the call, I was thinking I'd see if any of the guys who follow him over at soxprospects (an invaluable site for following the minors) wanted to go.  But Tavarez got the call.  I knew that my great friend Cyn, the Red Sox Chick, was awaiting Mike Timlin's 1000th appearance, which he might or might not see Friday night, so Friday afternoon I offered her the ticket.  In about an hour, Wake was scratched, Tavarez was moved up, and Clay got the call.

And, perhaps not incidentally, the Sox took a tough and injury-laden defeat.  They, and we, were reeling.  A good night to go with friends (not just Cyn but fellow fans Nancy and Brenken!) whose passion for the Sox is steeped in support and, yes, love for our team!

How to talk about a no-hitter?  I'd been close once before; Chris Young took a no-hitter to the first out of the ninth at Petco last September 22.  The night before Clay's start I'd actually turned away from the Red Sox game to watch Scott Baker try for a perfect game.  I think I first had the thought in the third.  By the fifth I was starting negotiations with the Powers That Be for a large charitable donation if he got through the game unscathed.  In the seventh the Powers came back with a counter-offer, which I had no choice but to accept.  Anything to do with Pedroia's magnificent play?  You'd have to ask the Powers.  (Having seen both Buck's press conference, in which he described knowing at that moment that something was going on, and having seen the replay, where you can clearly see that epiphany in his expression, well, I'm typing through my tears right now.)  And Coco, Coco, throughout making exceptional plays we are coming to take nearly for granted.

And this is where going with Cyn--and having good fans all around us--comes in.  Cyn and I didn't talk of the no-hitter.  We talked of Brian Roberts' range of interactions with Sox players at second base (less flirtatious with Lowell than with Drew, for example).  As the runs mounted--but the time dragged out, and we were thinking of Buck in the dugout, waiting for his next opportunity to look destiny in the eyes, we decided Joe West was being far too stingy in calling strikes on Coco.  Great offense, but it seemed to take forever until Clay took the mound again.

But he finally did.  And he seemed calm, though he took that extra moment to compose himself.  Tek, I may never have appreciated you so much as I did watching Clay look to you for the signs, for instructions on how to make history.  I'll never forget Fenway, already in a frenzy from the seventh on, all on our feet, screaming as one.  I'll never forget that pause before Joe West rang up Markakis.

Congratulations, Clay.  Congratulations.

Clay walks in with John Farrell.

Composing himself before the first pitch.

Nothing to be worried about, son...

... a message that was clearly imparted.

Nice pickoff move to first that busted Brian Roberts.

Gazing in at Tek in the ninth.

There are several online communities of Red Sox fans which have greatly enhanced the way I follow the team and the enjoyment I find in doing so.  But I have to admit that the morning after a tough loss, I tend to shy away from participating.  It's so easy to complain—it's so easy to propose theoretical alternatives to choices that were made (and of course all those theoretical alternatives would have succeeded, mind you).  Fans who pursue other professions and have minimal access to information assert with no sense of irony that they know better than the actual participants in the sport.  Etc.  So if I do anything, I usually try to be Little Miss Positive…

… and on that note, I'll talk about a great night at the park this week.  McCoy Stadium, to be specific!  Tuesday night was poster and autograph night—every fan got a free team poster, and from 5:00pm to 6:00pm fans could walk from table to table around the warning track and get autographs from the players.  Tailor-made for a woman clutching a folder of 8x10s!  (Click thumbnails below for full photos!)

Had Hansen sign this one:

since, as I told him, I didn’t get to see him pitch all year!  Glad to hear that his recent injury sounds more like a bump on the arm and less like impending Tommy John surgery!

All the good pictures I have of Brandon Moss

feature him goofing off, which he readily admitted.

I really loved this shot of Bobby Scales

and so did he!  (He warned me as he handed it back—"You be careful with this picture—it's hot!")

I told Ed Rogers I’d waited a long, long time to get this spring training shot

signed!  This was from a Spring Training game against the Mets.  Mets fans had infiltrated City of Palms, and the home team had some catching up to do... Ed's walkoff grand slam made it happen. What a smile! 

Went back to Spring Training for my shot of Clay Buchholz

who looked younger off the mound than he does on it, and who was very gracious and fan-friendly.

But I only went back a few weeks for Jed Lowrie

and Jacoby Ellsbury

who were seated next to each other, much to my delight!  Told them how much I appreciated both Jed's home runs at the last game I'd seen and Jacoby's brilliant smile as he circled the bases.  Jacoby in turn was amused that I'd caught him running with his tongue out!

Got to tell Travis Hughes that playing baseball or playing hacky-sack, he’s the fiercest competitor I've seen.  Craig Breslow, seated next to him, was only slightly mollified that I then awarded him second. "Well, you had to say that…"  (But it's true.  You expect it from Hughes—he's a big guy.  If you could envision the buddy  you'd want to come back you up in a bar fight, well, he looks the part.  Breslow's fierceness is more unexpected.  Although, given that he was miffed to come in second even in my rankings, I may need to reconsider!)

Not sure who Joe McEwing ticked off, but he got to sit with Paws and Sox!

Went with a classic shot for George Kottaras

but when it came to Dusty Brown, well... I hadn't run a print from Futures at Fenway, so I just traded in all my baseball credibility and, well, had him sign my arm.

Many thanks as well to Abe Alvarez, Jeff Bailey, Devern Hansack, Javier Lopez, Edgar Martinez, and David Pauley, who also signed photos for me, and  to Mike Burns, Lincoln Holdzkom, and Junior Spivey, who accepted gracefully that I didn't have good pictures of them!  Kudos as well to the PawSox staff for a well-run and really fun evening.  (Special thanks to Brandon Moss for his two home runs in the game!)

A few samples from Clay's winning debut on August 17 against the Angels; more photos to be found here.

Congratulations, Clay!  May it be only the first of many, many wins.