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Baseball Today: Wednesday, February 20 »

Position players streaming in; Crisp says he won't be happy as backup

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Today is reporting day for position players and the clubhouse this morning seemed as busy as an airport terminal, with players hauling in bags and greeting teammates for the first time since last fall.

Among the new arrrivals: outfielder Coco Crisp, first baseman Sean Casey and shortstop Julio Lugo.

David Ortiz and Mike Lowell, who checked in yesterday afternoon, are also here.

There is still no sign of Manny Ramirez, but coach Ino Guerrero, a Manny confidant, said Tuesday that Ramirez will arrive sometime today. Technically, Ramirez only has to be in town, but that hasn't stopped TV camera crews from staking out the parking lot, hoping to capture Ramirez's arrival.

Utility infielder Alex Cora, who, like Ramirez, lives across the state in the greater Miami area, is the only other position player who has yet to check in. Bobby Kielty, whose wife is expecting a baby any day, has been given permission to report late.

Crisp, who added 14 pounds of muscle in the offseason, reiterated his desire to be dealt elsewhere if he's not going to be the team's starting center fielder.

''I want to play,'' said Crisp. ''I wouldn't be happy on the bench. I want to play every day. I think everybody wants to play every day; if you don't, there's something wrong with you. I would honestly rather be somewhere else and play than sit on the bench.''

Crisp wasn't angrily issuing ultimatums, but merely repeating what his agent, Steve Comte, said over the winter.

''It will work out the way it's supposed to,'' Crisp concluded.

Posted by Sean McAdam  at 10:01 AM | Permalink