Caught up in hoopla

Doug Mirabelli started the 2004 season with a bang, hitting three home runs in his first seven at-bats.

The 2005 season is off to a similar start. In his second game behind home plate, Mirabelli launched a rocket into the Monster seats for his first home run of the young season yesterday, giving the Red Sox a 2-0 lead in an eventual 8-1 victory over the Yankees yesterday in their 94th opener at Fenway.

Mirabelli came to the plate in the second inning after Bill Mueller was hit by a pitch, and didn't waste any time.

The 34-year-old veteran got a fastball from Yankees starter Mike Mussina and took advantage.

"I was just trying to be aggressive in that situation," said Mirabelli. "Mussina has so many pitches, it's hard to wait and try to work the count with him. When you see a first-pitch fastball, you have to be aggressive."

It was Mirabelli's first home run and fourth career hit off the Yankees righthander in 10 at-bats.

Last season, his second as Tim Wakefield's personal catcher, Mirabelli put up career numbers. His .281 batting average, 32 RBIs, and .468 on-base average were career highs.

Mirabelli's home run ratio in his 3 1/2 seasons with the Red Sox -- 1 every 19.7 at-bats -- is phenomenal for a part-time player, and his success against the Yankees is savored by Red Sox fans.

His lifetime average against New York is .322 (19 for 59), and he just keeps getting better: he went 6 for 17 for a .353 average in 2003 and 7 for 19 (.368) last season.

Still, Mirabelli isn't in the game for his bat. He is there to give captain Jason Varitek a break when knuckleballer Tim Wakefield takes the mound.

It is a full day of work behind the plate, chasing balls that can dart in any direction.

Wakefield says he is fortunate to have Mirabelli as a batterymate.

"We've been working together for three years," said Wakefield. "He did a great job out there today and he did a great job with me. He knows my little idiosyncrasies. He knows when I'm out of whack. He knows what to tell me and what not to tell me at times. He's a large part why I've been successful."

Mirabelli was nearly perfect behind the plate. The only ball that got by him was a wild pitch in the fifth inning. It proved harmless.

It was a perfect day and a perfect ending for Mirabelli, who said he never will forget the pregame ceremonies and his new piece of jewelry.

"The ring is beautiful. Something I've been thinking about all offseason . . . it was well worth the wait," he said. "It was great to see all the guys come back and join us today. Great to see all the guys who played before us. It was beautiful."

And the cherry on top was his first home run of '05, which put the Sox ahead for good.