The starting lineup
By Bob Hohler, Globe Staff, 3/29/2002
CF Johnny Damon (18)
Age: 28
Bats - throws: L-L
Ht.: 6-2
Weight: 190
Avg.: .256
HR: 9
RBI: 49
Fast stat: Slow starter is a .249 career hitter through April (only .211 last year).
The lowdown: He'll be in the leadoff spot against righthanders, and he'll follow Henderson at times (particuarly against lefties). If the plan works, Garciaparra and Ramirez could thrive. Imagine an opposing pitcher trying to focus on facing two of the league's best hitters while Henderson and Damon are on base. Damon has averaged nearly 34 steals a year since 1998. His career on-base percentage: .346.
DH Jose Offerman (30)
Age: 33
Bats - throws: S-R
Ht.: 6-0
Weight: 190
Avg.: .267
HR: 9
RBI: 49
Fast stat: Third on team in multiple-hit games in 2001 with 36.
The lowdown: After a strong start with the Sox in '99 (.294 with 56 extra-base hits and 107 runs), he steadily declined, prompting the Sox this spring to weigh the possibility of eating the $8.5 million they owe him ($6 million this year, plus a $2.5 million buyout next year). With Merloni considered a stronger middle infielder, Offerman will scuffle for at-bats as a DH (sharing role with Carlos Baerga and Brian Daubach) and backup outfielder.
SS Nomar Garciaparra (5)
Age: 28
Bats - throws: R-R
Ht.: 6-0
Weight: 185
Avg.: .289
HR: 4
RBI: 8
Fast stat: Career .409 hitter when he puts the first pitch in play.
The lowdown: His love of the game - and lust for a championship - compelled him to rush back last year from tendon surgery on his right wrist, putting his career at risk. The failed comeback raised questions about whether the two-time AL batting champion's wrist would ever be the same. But he appears to have allayed every concern this spring by swinging the bat and throwing as well as ever.
LF Manny Ramirez (24)
Age: 29
Bats - throws: R-R
Ht.: 6-0
Weight: 205
Avg.: .306
HR: 41
RBI: 125
Fast stat: Last season, batted .333 as DH and .262 as left fielder.
The lowdown: All he wants to do is hit baseballs, which few players in the game do better - or with more power. With Little at the helm and old pal Carlos Baerga by his side, Ramirez appears poised to focus on what he does best and forget about the distractions that sent him into a funk last year. Pitchers, beware.
1B Tony Clark (22)
Age: 29
Bats - throws: S-R
Ht.: 6-7
Weight: 245
Avg.: .287
HR: 16
RBI: 75
Fast stat: Just three errors in 78 games at 1B last season, career .992 fielder.
The lowdown: Awesome potential, lingering questions. If the big man kicks the injury bug that plagued him the last two years, he could put up huge numbers batting behind Manny, Nomar, & Co. He needs to overcome his tendency to start slowly (a .245 career average in April). But he has torn up Fenway through the years, hitting .382 with a .443 on-base percentage and .645 slugging percentage.
RF Trot Nixon (7)
Age: 27
Bats - throws: L-L
Ht.: 6-2 Ht.: 210
Avg.: .280
HR: 27
RBI: 88
Fast stat: Of his 88 RBIs in 2001, 32 tied the score or put the Sox ahead.
The lowdown: After scoring 100 runs last year for the first time in his career, he is a prime candidate to knock in 100 - which would be another career first - from this spot in the order. After a breakout season, one of Nixon's top challenges will be improving against lefties. He hit .210 against them last year and is .206 for his career. He may drop into the seven-hole against lefty starters.
3B Shea Hillenbrand (29)
Age: 26
Bats - throws: R-R
Ht.: 6-1
Weight: 200
Avg.: .263
HR: 12
RBI: 49
Fast stat: Hit .230 when swinging at first pitch and .278 when taking it.
The lowdown: He says he learned a lot over the winter about being more selective in the batter's box, which he recently demonstrated when New York's Mike Mussina tried to bait him with four straight balls and he let them all pass. After a respectable rookie season, Hillenbrand has a chance to sew up the third base job for years to come.
C Jason Varitek (33)
Age: 29
Bats - throws: S-R
Ht.: 6-2
Weight: 230
Avg.: .293
HR: 7
RBI: 25
Fast stat: Team ERA last season with Varitek was 3.00; without Varitek it was 4.65.
The lowdown: He is invaluable behind the plate, highly respected by Martinez and the rest of the pitching staff for his savvy in calling a game and anchoring the defense. The right elbow he fractured last year has yet to fully heal, so he will not play every day right away. And don't be surprised if he struggles for a while at the plate.
2B Rey Sanchez (13)
Age: 34
Bats - throws: R-R
Ht.: 5-9
Weight: 175
Avg.: .281
HR: 0
RBI: 37
Fast stat: Averaging less than a homer per season (12 in 11 years).
The lowdown: The most vital defensive upgrade of the offseason, Sanchez will be part of the best double play combination for the Sox since Garciaparra reached the majors. One of the most surehanded shortstops in the game in recent years, he has shown no trouble adjusting to second. Sanchez also is a far better contact hitter than his predecessor, Jose Offerman.
