GaryMrMets
05-17-2005, 02:12 PM
Oil Can Boyd Begins Latest Comeback
By JIMMY GOLEN
.c The Associated Press
BROCKTON, Mass. (AP) - Oil Can Boyd picked the perfect place to start his latest comeback attempt - in the Can-Am League.
Making his first professional appearance since 1997, the former Boston Red Sox right-hander pitched three scoreless innings on Monday night for the Brockton Rox against the Worcester Tornadoes in the independent minor league. He struck out three, allowed one hit and walked two batters on eight straight pitches to start the second inning.
Pitching the exhibition season opener in 50-degree temperatures in front of a few hundred fans, the 45-year-old Boyd said he felt a twinge in his hamstring that kept him from throwing his fastball at full speed.
``I'm trying to make a team with these young kids, so I've got to push it up there,'' he said. ``The weather up here won't let you loosen up.''
Boyd was 78-77 in a 10-year career with the Red Sox, Montreal Expos and Texas Rangers. He had 13 complete games with Boston in 1985, won 16 games in '86 and went 10-6 with a 2.93 ERA with the Expos in 1990.
Since leaving the majors after the 1991 season, Boyd has pitched in Mexico and various independent leagues. He last pitched for the unaffiliated Massachusetts Mad Dogs in '97.
Worcester manager Rich Gedman was Boyd's catcher on the Red Sox. Tornadoes pitching coach Bob Ojeda was a teammate in Boston in the early 1980s and was with the New York Mets when they beat the Red Sox in the 1986 World Series.
``It was kind of like a little reunion,'' Boyd said. ``I think he (Gedman) was tickled to death to see me out there. He was the love of my life in the game of baseball.''
Boyd is a non-roster invitee to the Rox spring training. He is competing for one of four veteran spots allowed for each Can-Am team.
05/16/05 22:20 EDT
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
By JIMMY GOLEN
.c The Associated Press
BROCKTON, Mass. (AP) - Oil Can Boyd picked the perfect place to start his latest comeback attempt - in the Can-Am League.
Making his first professional appearance since 1997, the former Boston Red Sox right-hander pitched three scoreless innings on Monday night for the Brockton Rox against the Worcester Tornadoes in the independent minor league. He struck out three, allowed one hit and walked two batters on eight straight pitches to start the second inning.
Pitching the exhibition season opener in 50-degree temperatures in front of a few hundred fans, the 45-year-old Boyd said he felt a twinge in his hamstring that kept him from throwing his fastball at full speed.
``I'm trying to make a team with these young kids, so I've got to push it up there,'' he said. ``The weather up here won't let you loosen up.''
Boyd was 78-77 in a 10-year career with the Red Sox, Montreal Expos and Texas Rangers. He had 13 complete games with Boston in 1985, won 16 games in '86 and went 10-6 with a 2.93 ERA with the Expos in 1990.
Since leaving the majors after the 1991 season, Boyd has pitched in Mexico and various independent leagues. He last pitched for the unaffiliated Massachusetts Mad Dogs in '97.
Worcester manager Rich Gedman was Boyd's catcher on the Red Sox. Tornadoes pitching coach Bob Ojeda was a teammate in Boston in the early 1980s and was with the New York Mets when they beat the Red Sox in the 1986 World Series.
``It was kind of like a little reunion,'' Boyd said. ``I think he (Gedman) was tickled to death to see me out there. He was the love of my life in the game of baseball.''
Boyd is a non-roster invitee to the Rox spring training. He is competing for one of four veteran spots allowed for each Can-Am team.
05/16/05 22:20 EDT
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.