Now that he finally has the Hall of Fame on his resume, Jim Rice may be ready to reclaim another title - best right-handed hitter in Red Sox history.
That designation looked like it belonged to Manny Ramirez after seven-plus dominant seasons in Boston. But yesterday's news that Ramirez tested positive for a banned substance and was suspended 50 games calls into question everything he did in a Red Sox uniform. Rice has no such asterisk attached to his accomplishments.
``Even though Manny was here, to me he wasn't a true Red Sox ,'' he said. ``He's not a guy who was signed by the Red Sox and played his whole career here. That's a different category. He belongs in an elite group of guys, but it's a different group. As far as what's going on with him now, I don't know what to say.'' There's no questioning the best left-handed hitter in franchise annals. That's Ted Williams. The right-handed argument boils down to Jimmie Foxx, Rice and Ramirez. Rice outlasted both and takes pride in the designation.
``Of course I do. I have to,'' he said. ``If you look at the numbers and the right-handed hitters that have been in Boston, I don't think anyone spent 15 years in the big leagues like I did. I have to be in consideration. Dwight (Evans) did it, but I don't think his numbers were better than mine. I have to be in that category with Williams.''
Rice has long bristled at the accomplishments of the Steroids era, though he has generally bitten his tongue. He takes pride in posting his numbers clean.
``Of course,'' he said. ``We didn't have any of this stuff. You went on your ability. We didn't even have weights or video. We didn't have Red Bull or Full Throttle (energy drinks). You just had coffee. That was it. Strap it on and go get 'em. That's what you did.''
Rice produced 382 career home runs and 1,451 RBI, both third on the franchise's all-time list. As for the news on Ramirez, he just shook his head.
``Why do you need it?'' Rice said. ``That stuff doesn't make you hit home runs. With more teams and more pitchers and ballparks with drafts flying out of them everywhere, you don't need drugs.''
Ortiz out
Designated hitter David Ortiz was a late scratch last night with a sore neck. Ortiz felt fine when he arrived at the park, but stiffened up during batting practice and was replaced by Julio Lugo at DH for the 13-3 rout of the Rays.
``I couldn't even turn it,'' Ortiz said.
Ortiz did not term the injury serious and expects to be in the lineup tonight.
Happy returns
Two players returned to the lineup with a bang.
Starting his first game since Sunday, Lugo went 3-for-5 with three runs and a triple. Center fielder Rocco Baldelli was activated from the 15-day disabled list and went 1-for-4 with the go-ahead, two-run single during the 12-run sixth. He also added a diving catch.
``Every time you play you want to do good,'' Lugo said. ``It's good for you and the team.''
Baldelli's hit came after an intentional walk to Mike Lowell.
``I was looking for a fastball and I got it,'' he said of the hit off Jeremy Sowers. ``I'm just lucky it missed the second baseman.''
Dice-K warms up
Right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka will make at least two more rehab starts with Triple-A Pawtucket, the first coming Sunday in Columbus. . . .
Kevin Youkilis remains day-to-day with tightness in his lower left side. Manager Terry Francona said after the game that Youkilis will likely miss tonight's game, though Jacoby Ellsbury is expected back in the lineup.
``It's a little tight,'' Youkilis said. ``Hopefully I'll be back soon.''
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