Two huge early signs

Beckett, Papelbon big news at camp

February 17, 2006|Chris Snow, Globe Staff

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- ''Jon Papelbon," the 25-year-old said yesterday, extending his pitching hand to teammate Josh Beckett. There wasn't a Boston cameraman or photographer in sight at the Red Sox' minor league complex yesterday afternoon, and the instant when the pitchers made each other's acquaintance on Florida's west coast went undocumented. But the moment was a fascinating study of just how much power could be atop the Sox' rotation.

Papelbon is listed at 6 feet 4 inches, 230 pounds, Beckett 6-5, 220. But their bodies are discernibly different. Because, before the chubby face, before the goatee, before the prodigal arm, before anything else, when you look at the former Marlin, your eyes take you to his legs. The bio says Beckett is 1 inch taller than Papelbon, but it doesn't mention anything about distribution of those 77 inches, and Beckett's torso rises noticeably higher than Papelbon's. Upon first sight, the source of Beckett's power -- the transference of kinetic energy between legs and right arm -- comes as little surprise.

''This kid shakes your hand," manager Terry Francona noted yesterday, ''and your whole body shakes."

Beckett and Papelbon weren't due in camp until tomorrow, but both showed up yesterday, and Beckett, along with former Indians reliever David Riske, threw bullpen sessions on side-by-side mounds outside City of Palms Park. Beckett was spinning off curveballs and locating fastballs, and, after disappearing into a weight room, emerged to say he believes he's healthy.

''I think I'm fine," he said. ''I threw a bullpen today. I've thrown about eight other bullpens. I haven't had any setbacks. We're good."

Beckett is quickly learning he's no longer pitching for old-school skipper Jack McKeon. At the Sox' behest, the 25-year-old, who dealt with elbow tendinitis last season, cut his offseason throwing program nearly in half (eight bullpens vs. the 14 he threw an offseason earlier). The Marlins, Beckett said, went with a four-man rotation last spring and wanted those four to show up ready to pitch.

''I think things are a little different over here," Beckett said. ''They want us to ease into it."

Problem is, Beckett doesn't ease into much, and Francona has made it a point of reminding Beckett, ''The last thing I want you to do is throw 98 [miles per hour] the first day. I want you to throw 95 in August.

''I'll remind him another 10 times," Francona said. ''It's human nature to want to. I know he's pitched in big games, so he's not nervous. But, he's also human, he's new here, and he's trying to show everybody what he can do. I told him, 'Don't do anything stupid. Just get ready for the season.' "