Red Sox Crawford: 'I'm On Your Side Now'
FORT MYERS, FL (CBS) - When Baseball's free agency began over the winter, Carl Crawford was not sure where he would end up.
Now that he is with the Red Sox, he couldn't be happier. At least after getting rid of the "first day' jitters.
"I thought I was ready for it, but I really wasn't. It felt like I was day dreaming a little bit," Crawford said of his first day at Red Sox camp down in Fort Myers, Florida. "Today, I felt more cofortable. I figure as each and everyday goes, I'm going to get more comfortable."
Carl Crawford Checks In From Fort Myers
Crawford spent Thursday getting to know his new teammates and coaches. His spot in the lineup is still undecided, but the lefty will be okay wherever manager Terry Francona puts him. He talked with designated hitter David Ortiz about hitting at Fenway Park, and the objective is simple: aim for the wall.
"He was like 'if you can hit that green monster, try to,'" Crawford said of Papi's advice. "That was pretty much the plan I had already, but hearing him say it made me more comfortable."
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Crawford is no stranger to the Red Sox. Often a thorn in their side as a Ray, he wreaked havoc on the base paths. He once stole six bases against Boston in a single game, tying a major league record. Now that he is on their side, he had to make sure there were no hard feelings with catcher Jason Varitek.
"When I went up to Boston, we just kind of gave each other a hug, buried the hatchet," Crawford joked. "I told him 'I'm on your side now, you don't have to worry about that.'"
Crawford also got a good laugh when WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Jonny Miller asked if his stolen base totals would go down now that he is no longer running against Boston.
"I'm not sure about that, I hope not," Crawford said with a smile on his face. "I try to get as many (stolen bases) as I can every year. That's my goal, to come out and put pressure on the other team. Steal as many bags and try to get in scoring position."
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Crawford was surprised when he got a seven-year, $142 million deal from the Red Sox, a contract that is usually given to power hitters. With such a big contact, some players would feel pressure to live up to it, but not the four-time All-Star.
"I just take the same approach I do every year," he said. "Get ready for the season the same way, my main goal is to worry about us winning. That's all I'm worried about."
Aside from his speed, Crawford also puts a lot of work into his defense. Despite making dazzling catches and making tough plays look routine, it took until 2010 for him to win his first Gold Glove. Even he was surprised it took that long.
"Everyone knows in Tampa that meant the world to me," he said of the award that eluded him for so long. "I've been playing so hard to get it, I was kind of surprised it took this long. That's something I set out every year to get.I love playing defense, I take a lot of pride in it."
Crawford is not the only speedy outfield on the Red Sox roster. Along with center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, the two will cover a lot of ground at Fenway, both in the outfield and on the base paths. They both average over 50 steals a season and are destined to give opposing pitchers nightmares in 2011.
As for who would win a foot race, Crawford kept quiet.
"It would be a good race. I can't say who would win, but I can't go against myself either."
