For openers, he's excited

TORONTO -- They've opened Fenway Park 93 times, but never in his previous 10 seasons with the club has that privilege belonged to Tim Wakefield.

Today the honor will be his, when the 38-year-old knuckleballer takes to the Fenway mound for the 200th time. In the process Wakefield will pass Roger Clemens (199 appearances) for second-most by any pitcher at Fenway, trailing only Bob Stanley (321). This will be Wakefield's 126th start, to go with 74 relief appearances.

A win today would tie Wakefield with Stanley for seventh on the Red Sox all-time list with 115. Eight strikeouts would tie him with Cy Young for third (1,341), behind Pedro Martinez (1,683) and Clemens (2,590).

"I know he's excited and honored," said Sox bench coach Brad Mills, who managed his fourth and final game in Terry Francona's absence. "The people are going to appreciate that as well."

Wakefield refused to talk yesterday, as he always does the day before a start. But his recent showings against the Yankees speak for themselves.

Since Grady Little restored Wakefield to the rotation in 2003, he is 5-2 in 10 starts against the New York, postseason included, with a 2.80 ERA. He has pitched six or more innings in nine of those starts and only once allowed more than three earned runs.

Wakefield had hoped for a contract extension before this season, but the team showed little interest in offering one. The Sox already have five starters under contractual control for 2006. But, at about $5 million per season (what Wakefield probably would want), he's a good value in the current market.

Consider that the Yankees are paying their pitching staff $96.6 million this season, a figure recently pointed out by USA Today. The Dodgers rank second at $53.8 million and the Sox third at $48.9 million.

Buckner in the park?
Dr. Charles Steinberg, lead choreographer for today's events, will not unveil who will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. In an email yesterday Steinberg refused to disclose the person's identity, saying, "Ah, still top secret, for now! Whom would you like to see?" Told Bill Buckner, Steinberg said, "VERY clever!" What that means we shall find out today . . . Another question to be answered: What will former Sox Derek Lowe (now a Dodger) and Curtis Leskanic and Ellis Burks (both retired) wear during the ceremonies? "The choices would be plain clothes, Red Sox jerseys or jackets over clothes, or full unis," Steinberg said. "The choice will be theirs." . . . Wakefield will be the 13th Sox pitcher to start a home opener in the last 15 seasons. The list: Wakefield (2005), Bronson Arroyo (2004), Martinez (2003, 2002), Tomo Ohka (2001), Ramon Martinez (2000), Bret Saberhagen (1999), Brian Rose (1998), Steve Avery (1997), Tom Gordon (1996), Aaron Sele (1995), Clemens (1994), Frank Viola (1992, 1993), and Danny Darwin (1991).

Elbow holds up
As expected Johnny Damon missed just one game with a gash on his left elbow. Despite six stitches in the elbow, Damon went 2 for 5 yesterday, doubling in the third and singling in the ninth. Damon, who bled a little during the game, didn't feel much pain. "Just throwing, but that's it," he said. "I tried out my swing in batting practice and was very confident." . . . Jay Payton got his second start of the season, spelling Trot Nixon in right field against lefty Ted Lilly. He drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the second inning, then singled in the fourth . . . Remember Manny Ramirez saying Saturday that he's "hitting like Ichiro." He explained what he meant yesterday. "I'm running [in the box]," said Ramirez, who attributed his season-opening 3-for-20 slump to improper balance and overly active feet.

Youkilis debuts
Before yesterday, Kevin Youkilis was the only player on the Sox roster yet to appear in a game. He started at third base in place of Bill Mueller, who will be rested once a week and who is 1 for 15 career against Lilly. Hitting eighth in Mueller's usual spot in the lineup, Youkilis went 1 for 2 with a walk, single, and strikeout. Mueller pinch hit in the ninth and lined to center . . . The Sox have to make a decision Wednesday to open a roster spot for Curt Schilling, and Youkilis stands a strong chance of being demoted to Pawtucket. The reasoning? No. 1) The Sox front office is inclined to go with 12 pitchers. No. 2) It sure would seem a waste to have traded for Blaine Neal only to expose him to waivers less than two weeks into the season . . . Former Boston third baseman Shea Hillenbrand, the DH Friday and Saturday, played third base . . . David Ortiz was just 1 for 14 career against Lilly but doubled in the second. That gave Ortiz an extra-base hit in six straight games. The American League record is 11, established by Toronto's Jesse Barfield in 1985.

Martinez gracious

Unlike Lowe, Martinez will not join his former Sox teammates to receive his World Series ring, but after winning his first game for the New York Mets yesterday, Martinez was gracious in wishing the Sox well. Asked by reporters if he were sorry he wouldn't be there, he said: "Not at all. I have a new job. And I have to be there for my new team. I wish them well and I hope Tito [Francona] gets better. I hope that everything works out beautifully for them and the fans. They really earned it and they deserved it."

Martinez was asked if he knew when he'd get his ring. "I have no idea, but I'm not worried about it. I'm just glad that they're getting it, and that means that they're the champions. And I am a champion also."

Gordon Edes of the Globe staff contributed to this report.