PawSox Reliever Robert Manuel Ready to Make Most of His Call Up to Boston

by

Jul 2, 2010

BOSTON – Three days ago, Robert Manuel stood in the Pawtucket Red Sox dugout at McCoy Stadium begging the team’s radio personnel for a little extra exposure.

"I feel like the fans need to get to know me," he told them. "Just put something on the website."

Then, the next evening, Red Sox reliever Manny Delcarmen wound up on the disabled list, and Manuel got the call to Boston.

How’s that for exposure?

"That's plenty,” Manuel said with a laugh. “[If it’s] either the radio show or up here, I'll take up here."

It was quite a Wednesday for the PawSox reliever, who was also named an International League All Star. He’s one of two Pawtucket players to make the team after posting a 4-1 record with a 1.54 ERA and going 8-for-8 in save opportunities in 40 1/3 innings.

Opponents were hitting just .204 against the right-hander, who has yet to give up a run at home at McCoy Stadium and began 2010 with nine straight scoreless appearances.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona seemed to take notice. Though Manuel was called up on June 19, he didn’t get a chance to pitch and was optioned back down to Triple-A on June 22.

"He deserves to be here,” Francona said prior to Friday’s game against Baltimore. “He was pitching great. I don't know — righties were hitting something silly off him down there [in Pawtucket], so we'd like to give him a chance to pitch and see how it goes."

However great Francona’s expectations may be, they don’t scare Manuel. He’s ready to show the big club what he has.

"I'm excited to get out there and get an opportunity to show him,” Manuel said. “I showed [the Red Sox] in spring training, but to show them here in a pressure situation, with this atmosphere … it’s exciting.”

In fact, Manuel had a bit of an inkling that the good fortune would start rolling this week.

"I was telling some guys earlier, my parents are in town, and every time my parents show up, I either pitch well or I get called up,” he said.

Being named a minor league All Star was good enough, but now that he has a locker on Yawkey Way, Manuel has bigger things to worry about. And even if it means missing the game on July 14, he doesn’t mind a bit.

"This is by far better,” he said. “I wouldn't mind staying here till the All-Star break then going home."

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