Mo Vaughn by Matt Christopher

Author:Matt Christopher [CHRISTOPHER, MATTHEW F]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780316095266
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 2009-12-19T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven 1992

Back to Stay

Mo spent the off-season working out at a college just outside Boston with his Pawtucket teammate Eric Wedge. Now that Mo had played in the big leagues, he wanted to stay there.

The Red Sox made a change in the off-season. Manager Joe Morgan was let go and replaced by Butch Hobson. Mo was thrilled to be reunited with his old minor league manager. He felt as if Morgan and some of his Boston teammates had lost confidence in him as the previous season had progressed. Hobson already knew what Mo could do, and though the question of who would play first base, Quintana or Vaughn, was still unanswered, Mo hoped that Hobson’s presence would result in increased playing time for him.

On the eve of spring training, the first base choice was taken out of Hobson’s hands. Carlos Quintana was injured in an automobile accident in his native Venezuela, breaking his left upper arm and his right foot. Doctors expected him to miss at least half the season.

Quintana’s misfortune opened the door for Mo Vaughn. He would be the Red Sox starting first baseman — or so he thought.

During the first few days of workouts, Hobson played outfielder Tom Brunansky at first base. Vaughn was confused. Although Hobson assured him that he was still the Red Sox starting first baseman, the move undermined Mo’s self-confidence. He wondered if the Red Sox really believed he could play in the major leagues.

Privately, some members of the Red Sox front office did lack confidence in Vaughn. His power drain at the end of the 1991 season was a source of concern, and they weren’t certain he could hit left-handed pitching. If need be, they wanted Brunansky available.

Mo did little to reassure the Red Sox in spring training. He struggled at the plate and his defense continued to be erratic. One moment he’d make a great play, scooping an errant throw out of the dirt. Then he would bobble an easy ground ball. He still wasn’t hitting with as much power as the Red Sox expected, and during the exhibition season he cracked only one home run. He continued to have trouble with off-speed pitches, breaking balls, and left-handed pitching.

Nevertheless, when the Red Sox opened the season in New York against the Yankees on Opening Day, Mo Vaughn was in the Red Sox starting lineup, playing first base and hitting seventh.

Mo was nervous before the game. Not only was it Opening Day, but his hometown of Norwalk, Connecticut, was very close to New York City. Dozens of his friends and members of his family were in the stands.

The Yankees led, 1–0, entering the second inning. Then Red Sox outfielder Phil Plantier hit a home run to tie the score.

Up next was Mo Vaughn. New York pitcher Scott Sanderson made a mistake and put a pitch over the plate. Vaughn connected.

The ball soared straight down the right field line and landed in the seats for a home run. He didn’t hit the

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