Stern catches some attention on way out

Adam Stern, fresh off his absurd snow-cone catch to end Tuesday night's game and save Jonathan Papelbon, sat on the black leather couch facing the clubhouse's flat-screen television, as ESPN's Web Gems feature played. He waited, through No. 5, through No. 4, through No. 3, to see his name pop up. Because he knew it would.

And there, at No. 2, it showed. There was the dive and the seemingly impossible catch. And he waited, a moment longer, to see who had bested him.

Of course. Johnny Damon.

Stern tried again last night in another bid for the top spot, though even his second straight game with a stellar catch couldn't save him from a trip down to Pawtucket.

With Ty Wigginton on first, and on Curt Schilling's 108th and final pitch of the evening, Stern caught Toby Hall's drive to left-center just before the wall. Stern slammed his face and both elbows into the unforgiving green structure. One second later, he was up, ball-filled glove held high with the surprised-happy smile of someone who's found more than just a scintillating catch.

It's just not a place on the roster.

Even with Coco Crisp's finger injury keeping him from the upcoming nine-game road trip, manager Terry Francona called Stern into his office after the game to let him know the news: Stern was headed down. And, though there were no roster moves after last night's game, the 26-year-old outfielder won't dress for tonight's sweep attempt of the Devil Rays.

''The organization's being honest and they're giving me a shot," said Stern, whose Rule 5 obligation expired after last night's game. ''They don't want me to come out of the gate and be a fourth outfielder. They want me to get at-bats, so I can get a shot at starting someday. I think that's what you need, especially as a young guy. You don't ever want to be put in the fourth outfield slot right out of the gate. You want to eventually get to there, but you don't want to start out that way."

Stern was pulled from the Atlanta roster, but injuries last year forced the Sox to keep him on the 25-man roster for 17 days this season to satisfy Rule 5 requirements, or else offer him back to the Braves.

''I lost a year. It's tough to get everything back and in synch and where you're feeling it. You need 500 at-bats. Look at my career numbers in the minor leagues. I've never had 500 at-bats. I've had 400 twice," he said. ''Obviously you want to be here and be a part of everything, but you've got to get out there and play every day."

Francona has already made it clear that is exactly what he wants to happen for Stern. He wants him to get at-bats. Stern already possesses speed, range, a daring edge, and an arm he demonstrated with a throw in Baltimore, when he lasered a relay from a few steps in front of the warning track in deep center to third base on one bounce. So there, Damon.

He just can't hit. Not, at least, at a level that would keep him on the roster right now (.150 in 20 at-bats this season). He can, however, field, a fact that was made abundantly clear over the past two days.

''We had a pretty good lead, but he saved a run . . . and who knows how many more pitches," Francona said. ''That was a great catch. You just always try to play the game correctly. I'm just glad he didn't get hurt."

Stern was, too. Though he wasn't sure, as he banged into that wall, how hurt he might be. By the time he was dressed to leave the park, he was happy to report that there were no lasting effects. At least not from the hit.

The lasting effects from his stay, though, should be felt. ''It's a relief," Stern said, of finishing his Rule 5 status. ''It's good to get it out of the way. I've been a Rule 5 player for a year and a half now, so I'm kind of glad to lose that stigma. I think it's like the [scarlet] letter 'A' they wear."

For now, it's back to Pawtucket, where he'll be in uniform Saturday when the PawSox play Buffalo. He knows he got one last good one in, one last bid to make No. 1, one last opportunity for ''SportsCenter." This week. Because he knows, if the team's plan works out, it won't be his last chance.

''I kind of feel slighted on [Tuesday's catch]," Stern said, laughing. ''The wind kind of changed directions [last night] and it allowed me to get on it, except that wall doesn't give as much as other ones in the league . . . Thank goodness I held on because if I run into that wall and don't hold on, I'm going to be [ticked]."