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INSIDE THE GAME -- Sox 7, Angels 6 »

Pauley sure seems relaxed

Maybe if David Pauley gets to stay in the majors for an extended period he will not do what he just did this afternoon.

Right now, though, Pauley is a relaxed and amiable guy, even on a day that has turned into one of the biggest of his career. As Steven Krasner reported here earlier, the 24-year-old right-hander has been called up from Pawtucket to pitch against the Angels tonight, an emergency replacement for Josh Beckett, who is out because of a stiff neck.

Almost all starters prefer to be left alone on the day they are to pitch. In many cases, not even teammates go near them, never mind members of the media.

Not Pauley, at least not today.

Pauley arrived in the Red Sox clubhouse about 4:10 this afternoon. The clubhouse was almost deserted. Most of the reporters were upstairs for the daily meeting with manager Terry Franconca. Most of the Sox players were on the field getting ready for the start of batting practice. I was on watch to chase Mike Lowell and Alex Cora, both of whom are on the disabled list. They were finishing early batting practice.

Pauley walked in and saw Pam Ganley from the Red Sox public relations staff. He smiled and gave her a hug. Pauley saw me and smiled. We have been having chats for three days now. I have covered Pawtucket games the last two days. Pauley was supposed to have started Sunday against Buffalo.

Pawtucket manager Ron Johnson received a call from Boston officials about 45 minutes before game time. They informed Johnson that Pauley might be needed in Boston. They told him to have someone else pitch, instead. Edgar Martinez started the first game of his pro career and pitched well, helping the PawSox beat the Bisons.

After the game, we talked to Pauley. He still was not sure what was going on, other that that he was on call for the parent team. He said he was happy just to be on call. He was not sure if he would be reporting to McCoy or Fenway Monday.

Monday, when Pawtucket played a day game, Pauley was in the clubhouse. He smiled when I saw him and asked the obvious, ``Still here, huh?’’

Today, both of us were at Fenway. I did not know what was going on when he walked into the clubhouse. Theo Epstein had been in the clubhouse earlier and was on the phone as he was leaving. Francona’s meeting with the media had been moved back a few minutes from its usual 4 p.m. start. I went up to Pauley and asked what was going on. He said he had gotten the call to report.

``About 15 mintes ago,’’ he said.

``Where were you?’’ I asked.

``At a hotel here in Boston. They told me to come up last night and stay just in case. I got a call a couple hours ago saying no, then another call about 15 minutes ago saying yes. I was going to stay here for a little while, just in case.’’

``What’s the situation?’’

``I’m starting, as far as I know?’’

``Tonight?’’

``Yes.’’

``Oh. Sorry I shouldn’t be bothering you.’’

``Nah. It’s fine,’’ he said.

Manny Delcarmen came in and went over and welcomed Pauley, who was given a locker between Javy Lopez and Julian Tavarez. Cora came in, saw Pauley and went over and gave him a hug.

A short time later, when the reporters who had been at Francona’s press conference arrived, a couple went over and chatted with Pauley. Pauley talked to them, too.

If he was nervous or uptight, he sure was not showing it.

Posted by Paul Kenyon  at 5:33 PM to Projo Sox Crawl | Permalink