Roberts's rule: Use his speed
NEW YORK -- There aren't many players in baseball who can change a game with their speed. But Dave Roberts is certainly among the handful who can, and the Red Sox utility outfielder made his presence felt on the bases in Games 4 and 5.
In the eighth inning of Game 5, with the Yankees holding a 4-3 lead, New York reliever Tom Gordon appeared rattled by Roberts, who was on first after running for Kevin Millar. Gordon kept throwing over to first, and maybe even surprised Roberts once or twice. Gordon had made the mistake of walking Millar, and he knew Sox manager Terry Francona was going to try to steal a run.
Gordon was so distracted that when he finally did throw a pitch to the plate, Roberts was off, and the hit and run was executed perfectly when Trot Nixon singled to center, sending Roberts to third. Roberts then scored the tying run on Jason Varitek's sacrifice fly to center off Mariano Rivera.
"Tom likes to be about 1.3 seconds to the plate, which is not too quick," said Roberts. "If I can give him pause by rushing things to the plate to Trot because he's worried about me . . . then Trot got ahead on the count and took advantage of it."
Roberts had done the same thing to Rivera Sunday night in Game 4. With the Sox trailing by a run, 4-3, in the ninth inning, Roberts again got the call to run after Millar, coincidentally, had reached on a walk. After a few tosses to first base, Rivera threw his first pitch to Bill Mueller and Roberts easily stole second. He scored on Mueller's single up the middle to tie the game.
"I've been watching a lot of videotape and talking to scouts about some of the American League pitchers," Roberts said. "Our scouting department has done a good job on that information. Before the series and during the game I'm watching videotape on pitchers' tendencies and things like that."
Roberts is appreciative of the opportunity to have the green light, even when the team is down a run.
"When you're down by a run, managers wouldn't be that confident about giving you a chance to do what you do best, but Terry's been great about leaving it up to me to go out there and make a play if I can," Roberts said.
And when Roberts is on, his intent is no secret.
"It makes it much more exciting," Roberts said. "Anyone can steal a base when it's unexpected. I pride myself on being able to do it when 65,000 people know it's coming. We have a very good team and they have a very good team over there. [Speed is] a different facet to this team. Every guy on this 25-man roster has a role, so if I can add something different that can help us win a game in the playoffs, we're going to be better off for it.
"I never envisioned being on the bench and being a pinch runner. It is what it is, and it's great for this team and this organization that we have that element."
Roberts admits he's dreamed about beating the Yankees with a stolen base, or scoring from first on a double, something dramatic. He said when he dreams, the opposition is always wearing pinstripes.
"In a reserve role I have to try and be efficient with my time," Roberts said. "I have to try and find a way to get into scoring position. The Yankees have a great relief staff over there with Gordon and Mariano. So to be conventional and try to get something done by just getting hits, you're going to be unsuccessful 99 percent of the time. For me it's to be proactive and push the envelope, whether it's make them slide step, or pitch out or get behind."
Roberts, who learned all of his tricks from Maury Wills while in the Dodgers' organization, still sees himself as an every-day player, and as a veteran free agent this offseason, hopes to find a starting job in '05. Roberts said for now it's "a matter of coming here, sucking it up, and swallowing your pride. It's not about Dave Roberts, it's about the Boston Red Sox. I'm grateful for any opportunity I get. To be on this stage, you can't beat it."
