With Offerman tapped as the designated hitter, Daubach will start the season on the bench, a hard fall for a guy who arrived in camp hoping his role would expand.

''I've probably learned more about baseball in the last four weeks than I did in the 12 years I've played,'' Daubach said.

Fresh from signing a $2.3 million contract, Daubach entered camp as the incumbent first baseman, figuring he would split time with Tony Clark, acquired from the Tigers. But the switch-hitting Clark emerged as the everyday first baseman, and Daubach's chances to play elsewhere were cut by the acquisition of Rickey Henderson as a backup left fielder and by Little's decision to go with a committee of designated hitters, including Offerman, Henderson, Daubach, and Carlos Baerga.

Daubach was reluctant to elaborate on the lessons he has learned, other than to say of a player's destiny: ''Sometimes you can't control it.''

As painful as his situation may be, he is determined not to stir the peaceful waters in which the club appears to be sailing. The Sox left Fort Myers yesterday free of the turmoil that erupted last year before they played their first game in the Grapefruit League. ''We've had enough distractions and we don't need any more,'' Daubach said. ''I'll just try to be as positive as I can every day.''

Offerman, who lashed out at reporters last week amid speculation he might not make the team, declined to comment about his spot in the Opening Day lineup. The order: Johnny Damon (CF), Offerman (DH), Nomar Garciaparra (SS), Manny Ramirez (LF), Clark (1B), Trot Nixon (RF), Shea Hillenbrand (3B), Jason Varitek (C), Rey Sanchez (2B).

Daubach said, ''I'm disappointed, but I'll be there on the top step [of the dugout] cheering guys on.''

In many ways, Daubach feels as if he is reliving his rookie year in 1999, when he arrived in Sox camp as a nonroster invitee after tearing up the International League with Florida's Triple A affiliate in Charlotte. He hit .316 for Charlotte and led the league in home runs (35) and RBIs (124).

''Basically, I made the team as an extra guy,'' he said, ''just like I did this year.''

He had a better spring training in '99 - .313 with four homers and 12 RBIs - than he has had this year. In hitting his first homer of the exhibition season yesterday - a solo shot in a 17-2 loss to the Rangers at City of Palms Park - he chalked up his second RBI and improved his average to .212.

But he plans to use his '99 experience as a blueprint for this season. Though Daubach started on the bench in '99 and shuttled to Triple A Pawtucket and back in April, he was batting third for the Sox by May 1 and stuck there, as he helped the team reach the playoffs by hitting .294 with 21 homers and 73 RBIs. He joined Ted Williams and Fred Lynn as the only lefthanded-hitting Sox rookies to hit more than 20 homers and he led American League rookies with 33 doubles and 57 extra-base hits.

''It looks like I'm going to have a more limited role in the beginning, but I'll get an opportunity and I have to take advantage of it,'' he said. ''I've just got to keep my mind clear, knowing I'm going to be a big part of this team.''

Little appears poised to use Daubach as a part-time DH and pinch hitter.

''He'll be fine,'' the manager said. ''He just has to be patient and be ready.''

Amid reports that he was on the trade block, Daubach spoke recently with interim general manager Mike Port, who told him the Sox were not shopping him but had received inquiries about him. Daubach said he wants to stay with the Sox, who gave him his break after he spent nine seasons in the minor leagues. But he took consolation in feeling wanted.

''It wasn't that long ago that I was a minor league free agent and I didn't have a whole lot of offers out there,'' he said. ''At least other big league teams are talking about wanting my services.''

Daubach, 30, hit .263 last year with 22 homers and 71 RBIs, the third straight year he had exceeded 20 homers and driven in more than 70 runs. And despite his limited role, he is determined to improve his numbers.

''I'm going to have some career highs,'' he said. ''I haven't had a great spring training, but I know I'm better than I was the last couple of years.''

What's more, he said, the team will be better than it was the last couple of years. ''We're going to have a great team,'' he said, hoping he can help make a difference.

This story ran on page D5 of the Boston Globe on 3/29/2002.
© Copyright 2002 Globe Newspaper Company.