The Red Sox bench
By Bob Hohler, Globe Staff, 3/29/2002
C Doug Mirabelli (28)
Age: 31
Bats - throws: R-R
Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 228
Avg.: .226 HR: 11 RBI: 29
Fast stat: Hit .435 last season when game margin was 2 runs or fewer.
The lowdown: Only Cleveland Gold Glover Einar Diaz threw out a higher percentage of runners attempting to steal (35.4) last year than Mirabelli (34.4). That's no small feat considering Mirabelli spent the second half of the season with Sox pitchers who effectively were told not to hold runners. Solid defensively, he also showed some power, with nine homers in 141 at-bats for the Sox.
1B Brian Daubach (23)
Age: 30
Bats - throws: L-R
Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 220
Avg.: .263 HR: 22 RBI: 71
Fast stat: With Boston - 32 HRs, 120 RBIs at home; 32 HRs, 100 RBIs on road.
The lowdown: Heartened by recently signing his first multimillion-dollar contract, Daubach arrived early in camp, eager to expand his role by splitting time as a first baseman, DH, and backup left fielder. No such luck. Clark became the everyday first baseman and Henderson emerged as the primary DH and backup left fielder. That leaves Daubach as insurance in case of injuries and slumps.
INF Carlos Baerga (10)
Age: 34
Bats - throws: S-R
Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 200
Avg.: .000 HR: 0 RBI: 0
Fast stat: Averaged 38.7 extra-base hits per season during the 1990s.
The lowdown: A three-time All-Star who helped lead the Indians to the 1995 World Series, Baerga is the feel-good story of the spring. Jobless after the 1999 season, he tried to make his way in Korea in 2000 and spent last year with the independent Long Island Ducks. But he thrived in winter ball in Puerto Rico and won a job in spring training with his bat and leadership. He will be used mainly as a DH and pinch hitter.
INF Lou Merloni (26)
Age: 30
Bats - throws: R-R
Ht.: 5-10 Wt.: 200
Avg.: .267 HR: 3 RBI: 13
Fast stat: Sox were 23-17 last season when Merloni started.
The lowdown: Devastated last year when he did not break camp with the club, the Framingham native this year clinched a spot on the Opening Day roster for the first time since 1999 with a strong performance at the plate and in the field. He can fill in at second base, short, and third, and he could see limited action as a late-game sub in the outfield.
DH-OF Rickey Henderson (12)
Age: 43
Bats - throws: R-L
Ht.: 5-10 Wt.: 195
Avg.: .227 HR: 8 RBI: 42
Fast stat: Career .291 hitter at Fenway with 5 HRs and 35 RBIs.
The lowdown: He won't start Opening Day, but he will share the leadoff role with Damon, and who better to fill the spot part-time than the best of all-time? The majors' career leader in runs, steals, and walks, Henderson, even at 43, can still cause havoc on the basepaths. He has some pop in his bat, some fire in his belly, and some wisdom to share on the bench. His career on-base percentage: .402.
OF Michael Coleman (11) *
Age: 26
Bats - throws: R-R
Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 215
Avg.: .211 HR: 1 RBI: 7
Fast stat: One career walk, 26 career strikeouts.
The lowdown: The outfielder had a shot to make the Opening Day roster before he strained his right hamstring. He has played in only 22 big-league games, 10 with the Sox from '97 to '99, and 12 last year with the Yankees, but the Sox like his bat and defense. The big question will be whether they have a place for him when he is due to come off the DL April 9.
* - will start season on disabled list
