Sea Dogs -- past and present -- get their shot with the Sox

If you follow the Boston Red Sox, you probably know that a good portion of the team is fighting the flu, injured or both. Particularly hard hit has been the pitching staff. While that's not good news for those who are hurt or sick, the situation has created some opportunities for promising pitchers in the Sox farm system. We're excited about this because of the pitchers' connections to the Portland Sea Dogs, the Sox Double-A affliate -- and our favorite team.

Earlier this week, former Sea Dog and current Paw Sox pitcher David Pauley started for the Red Sox in the place of Josh Beckett (also a former Sea Dog from the team's past affiliation with the Florida Marlins). Yesterday, Craig Hansen (we saw him pitch for the Paw Sox last weekend, topping 95 mph with more than a few pitches) came in in relief. While Pauley and Hansen's outings weren't entirely successful, a current Sea Dog had a better day today: sensation Justin Masterson (0.95 ERA so far this season in four Double-A starts) got his first major league start, going a solid six innings against the Angels, and giving up only one run. He was in line to get his first major league win, but bullpen problems gave Masterson a no-decision in a 7-5 loss for the Sox. (Read about the game here)

Although this was Masterson's first start for the Sox, it wasn't his first time pitching at Fenway Park (despite the comments of one former Sox player and current NESN broadcaster). Two seasons ago, Masterson was on the mound for the Lowell Spinners at the first-ever Futures at Fenway, a double-header that pitted the Spinners against the Oneonta Tigers in the first game and the Paw Sox against the Rochester Red Wings in the second. Masterson pitched four innings in relief, and came up with the win after giving up only two hits and striking out four batters. (box score)

We were at that game (natch) and before the action started, we were hanging out on the "Big Concourse." We had made our way down to the far end of the concourse and encountered a lone ballplayer, in uniform, looking for the gate into the section of the park reserved only for players. And yes, it was all 6-feet, 6-inches of Justin Masterson, who creates quite an impression up close. We gave him a nod and the always-friendly Masterson smiled and nodded back (we didn't want to bother him, as much as we would have liked to hit him up for an autograph). In the photo at left, Masterson (No. 45) and his fellow Spinners are on the field for the Futures at Fenway pre-game. Also out there are two of the three Spinners' mascots, Canaligator and Millie-Gator, and two Red Sox mascots, Lefty and Righty.

A year and a half later at this past winter's Paw Sox Hot Stove Party (an annual fan event not to be missed), Masterson was one of about a half-dozen hot Red Sox prospects talking to fans, answering questions and signing autographs. When we got to talk to him, we recounted how we'd run into him previously at Futures at Fenway. He gave us a broad smile and said how much he'd enjoyed the whole experience. No doubt, that experience came in handy today when he was back on the mound at Fenway.