“I finally did what I was trying to do for a long time, be standing there on Opening Day,’’ he said. “I had been in the big leagues. But that day was big for me.’’
Atchison, 34, appeared in 31 games for the Mariners and 22 more for the Giants from 2004-07 before spending two seasons in Japan with the Hanshin Tigers, going overseas to earn a better living than he could trying to break out of the minors.
But Atchison was compelled to return. The primary reason was better access to medical care for his daughter Callie, an energetic 3-year-old born without radius bones in her forearms. Atchison also wanted to give the majors one more chance.
He succeeded on both accounts, making the Red Sox out of spring training and appearing in 43 games last season despite three demotions to Triple A Pawtucket. At the same time, Callie responded well to therapy and is learning how to use her hands.
It was a success story. But now Atchison faces the tough task of doing it again.
The Red Sox have 20 relief pitchers in camp competing for seven spots. Five of those jobs belong to Daniel Bard, Bobby Jenks, Jonathan Papelbon, Tim Wakefield, and Dan Wheeler. Another most likely will go to a lefthander.
Atchison is the favorite to claim the other spot. But Alfredo Aceves, Matt Albers, Michael Bowden, Matt Fox, and Tony Pena Jr. have their own dreams, too. When asked how secure Atchison was, manger Terry Francona chose his words carefully.
“He was very valuable to our bullpen and we anticipate going forward with the same thing,’’ he said. “We felt a need to stabilize that bullpen. We don’t know how things are going to break six weeks ahead of time. But we certainly like what Atch does.’’
That’s a polite way of saying, “He has to prove it again.’’
Atchison expected that to be the case. He was paying attention over the winter when the organization signed one reliever after another to fix a leaky bullpen.
“I don’t know that I could come to spring and not think I’m competing for a job,’’ said Atchison. “I feel like I had a good year. But I knew they were going to go out and make some moves.
