Andrew Benintendi Still Looking To 'Get Comfortable' Playing In Front Of Green Monster
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi is sort of getting thrown into the fire on Tuesday against the New York Yankees. It will be his first game playing left field at Fenway Park, which means he has to man the Green Monster.
Fenway's iconic 37-foot wall has a reputation for befuddling inexperienced fielders but becoming relatively easy with practice and repetition. Speaking to WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Jonny Miller, Benintendi sounded unintimidated by the work he needs to put in and adjustments he will need to make to become an adept player of left field.
"[Playing the wall] is something I've been working on, especially with the wall in [Double-A] Portland," said Benintendi. "Definitely going to work on it before the game and continue to work on it, try to get comfortable with it, and just try to get better out there."
The wall he speaks of is the left field wall at the Portland Sea Dogs' home ballpark Hadlock Field. It's known as the "Maine Monster" because of its similar dimensions to the Green Monster - it's basically the Green Monster's mini-me. It's the same height at 37 feet, but is five feet farther away from home plate (315 feet) and is 80 feet shorter in length (160 feet). But the height is the important part, and Benintendi, a natural center fielder, got to play four games in left field for Portland before he got the call to the major leagues.
So as far as playing the Monster, Benintendi may not be ...
(•_•)
( •_•)>⌐■-■
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... as Green as you think.
I'll see myself out, but first THIS. ...
When asked about his hitting, Benintendi said it's important not to try to do too much as he continues to adjust to batting against major league talent.
"I think [I'm focused on] just sticking to my approach and swinging at pitches that I can handle and not going outside the zone," said Benintendi. "Obviously, pitchers have a lot more control up here and can throw all their pitches for strikes in any count ... so I think [it's about] just recognizing that and putting good at-bats together."
Benintendi was originally tabbed as a starter in left field only against right-handed pitchers but has had three at-bats against lefties so far with the Red Sox, going 1-for-3. Manager John Farrell said Benintendi could soon become the full-time left fielder. Overall, Benintendi is 5-for-13 (.385) since making the jump from Double-A to the major leagues.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.