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PREGAME: Nerves are to be expected

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Manager Terry Francona was asked if he felt the need to tell rookie center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury to relax and not think about the fact that he's about to start in the World Series in front of a zillion baseball fans around the world.

''I think the biggest thing we can do as a staff is just remain consistent,'' said Francona. ''We talk to our guys all the time, but not that speech. I think that would set him off and make him nervous. He'll be fine.''

But, said Francona before tonight's Game One, being nervous is natural. It just can't become overwhelming, he said.

''If he wasn't nervous tonight, he'd be crazy,'' said Francona with a chuckle. ''I mean, this is the World Series. I'm nervous now, but it's a good nervous. It's fun. It's okay to be nervous. You just don't want that to get in the way of your success.''

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 6:30 PM | Permalink