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By BRENDAN MCGAIR Sports writer PAWTUCKET — Brandon Moss was quite the popular figure during Tuesday’s “Media Day” festivities at McCoy Stadium – and a baseball IQ the magnitude of say, Peter Gammons, isn’t required to see why.
By BRENDAN MCGAIR
Sports Writer
After all, you too would be in demand if your first MLB home run had significance attached.
There was Moss, standing in the soggy outfield, fielding questions about the clutch blast he delivered in Japan a week ago, a ninth inning shot off Oakland closer Hutson Street that sent the game into extra frames. Needless to say, the homer represents the crowing moment in a big league career that, to date, consists of 33 at-bats.
“[The pitch] was a 2-2 change-up,” said Moss.
Thanks to J.D. Drew, Boston’s regular right fielder, pulling up lame with back stiffness, Moss was presented the chance — call it a golden opportunity — to make his voyage to the Far East a memorable one.
Thanks to Moss, the Red Sox exited Japan with a split against the A’s, for his final totals from the first game (two extra base hits, two RBIs) were no question key factors in Boston grabbing the “International” opener, 6-5 in 10 frames.
Moss did set the record straight on how he found out his name was in the starting lineup, and, no, he wasn’t seated in the barber’s chair as was previously reported. The news was more of the moment’s notice variety,Terry Francona filling the role of messenger.
“I actually found out as they were calling the names of the reserves; it was two minutes before the game started,” recalls Moss. “In all honesty, I wasn’t sure if I was going to get to play because those are regular season games and they count.”
As pleasurable and memorable Moss’s time in Japan was (“Enjoyed the scenery and food,” he said), the novelty quickly wore off. Boston announced before boarding to the United States that Moss was on his way to Pawtucket. He did accompany the parent club to Los Angeles before making the cross-country flight (along with fellow PawSox teammates Dusty Brown and Jed Lowrie) to Rhode Island.
Moss doesn’t consider himself a one-game wonder, nor an overnight (or in Boston’s case, an early morning) sensation. That might be what Red Sox fans are labeling the 24-year-old, but what Moss gleamed from the Japan trip was that the Red Sox hold him in high regard.
“I’ve always been a believer of overall production and not just a one-day thing,” said Moss, whose first Triple-A go-around resulted in an All-Star appearance and .282/16/78. “I think going into the season [Boston] had confidence in me; they wouldn’t have put me in if J.D.’s back wasn’t bothering him.
“I think that maybe [the numbers in Japan] helped their confidence in me a little, but I don’t think they said ‘Oh, Brandon Moss can play a little.’ I think they already knew that.”
Does Moss believe then he’s on more notice than before? “Maybe, but it’s tough to say,” he said. “That’s something out of my control.”
PawSox manager Ron Johnson, back for his fourth season, introduced Moss to the crowd who braved the rain drops as a first baseman/outfielder. The “first” base part is a new wrinkle, a suggestion Johnson made last season.
Moss completely threw his arms around the idea. Drafted a second baseman out of Loganville (GA) High School in 2002, Moss got his feet wet at the position during a September call-up last year, working at first during batting practice at Fenway Park.
He intended on furthering his education during his stint in the Dominican Winter League, but Moss ended up seeing action in just one game, though it lasted 10 innings. “RJ said [becoming a first baseman] is only going to help you get more at-bats at the next level. When you hear words like that you say ‘Let’s go,’” said Moss.
Moss isn’t the first Red Sox farm hand to see how the grass or dirt feels in another part of the ballpark. Boston has stressed to a number of minor leaguers the importance of expanding their baseball horizons for the sole purpose of trying to expedite their path to the majors.
And with Boston firmly set on its outfield grouping, sometimes one has no choice but to travel down a different road with the hopes of cracking a roster spot. “You have to have versatility in the Red Sox organization because every starter they have is a superstar,” said Moss. “You aren’t going to be a starter unless you prove yourself at other positions.”
“There aren’t a lot of holes in Boston, so it’s only an advantage to them to gain flexibility and versatility,” said Johnson.
If anything, the steps Moss is taking can only enhance his value. Take former PawSox outfielder David Murphy. Murphy came up primarily a center fielder, but he begun seeing time in both right and left not soon after arriving in Pawtucket two seasons ago.
Now Murphy is the fourth outfielder with the Texas Rangers and is listed on the team website as someone who can play all three outfield spots.
“Everything is cemented, but I can’t think of a better organization to come up with than the Boston Red Sox,” said Moss. “It’s definitely worth paying your dues to play for a team like that.”
Soon to become the proud owner of a World Series ring, Moss can take comfort he’s already made a noteworthy contribution to the Red Sox’ 2008 cause.
Thanks to his eagerness to dabble his feet at first base, clutch performances like the one witnessed in Japan might not be an isolated incident.
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