BOSTON — Third baseman Garin Cecchini was all smiles in the Red Sox’s clubhouse Tuesday.
Cecchini was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket as outfielder Grady Sizemore was designated for assignment before Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park. Cecchini’s second major league stint might not last long considering outfielder Shane Victorino is expected to rejoin the Red Sox during their upcoming West Coast swing, but the 23-year-old is relishing every minute of his current opportunity.
“Putting things in perspective that you’re playing for the defending world champions,” Cecchini said Tuesday when asked the key to staying on an even-keel mentally while being shipped back and forth between the majors and Triple-A. “That’s how I take it. I mean, I was in Triple-A for the defending world champion Boston (Red Sox) and wanting to help the Red Sox win. I’m trying to keep things in perspective and living the dream.”
Cecchini received his first major league call-up June 1 before the Red Sox’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays. He started that game on the bench but entered the contest when second baseman Dustin Pedroia was ejected for arguing. Pedroia’s ejection paved the way for Cecchini’s first big league hit.
“Dream come true,” Cecchini said of getting called up to The Show. “You work your whole life — everyone does — just to get that call and do it on one of the biggest stages in Fenway Park. (It’s) humbling.”
Cecchini was shipped back to Pawtucket immediately following his first major league game, only to return Tuesday when Sizemore was DFA’d. Red Sox manager John Farrell said Cecchini will come off the bench during his time with Boston, and the young infielder doesn’t plan to change much in his preparation despite not playing every day like he was with Pawtucket.
“It’s definitely a transition, but at the end of the day, it’s the same game,” Cecchini said. “You’ve got to be ready. If you’re an everyday player, you’ve got to be ready every single day. If you’re a bench player, you’ve got to be ready every single day, because you never know what’s going to happen. Someone might get ejected, someone might get hurt. But when you’re called upon, you need to be ready to help the Boston Red Sox win.”
Cecchini, who is batting .263 with two homers, 24 RBIs and a .344 on-base percentage in 62 games with Pawtucket this season, is considered one of the organization’s top prospects. It shouldn’t be long before he receives a permanent big league call-up, although it’s hard to imagine the energetic Louisiana native being any happier than he already is.
Photo via Twitter/@FrankTank96
