Beavercreek graduate makes debut in Fenway
Justin Masterson gets an unexpected call to drive to Boston from Class AA Portland (Maine).
> Can he make it in the major leagues?
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Friday, April 25, 2008
BOSTON — So perhaps this wasn't quite in the plan, a start in the big leagues in April, less than two years after being drafted in the second round out of San Diego State.
Despite even the confidence that led Justin Masterson, a 2003 Beavercreek High School graduate, to explain in spring training that, "I'm looking to definitely September, possibly have that call-up, but I don't count it out for anytime before that."
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Six-foot-6 right-hander and Beavercreek High School grad Justin Masterson made his major-league debut against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, April 24, and had them stymied for six innings. The Angels managed just two hits against Masterson, and he left with a 3-1 lead. 'It's tough when you haven't seen a guy,' Angels third baseman Chone Figgins said, ' ... but he was throwing strikes.'
Boston Red Sox pitcher Justin Masterson, center top, smiles while talking with teammates in the dugout after giving up only one run in six innings of baseball against the Los Angeles Angels at Boston's Fenway Park, Thursday, April 24, 2008.And that's a good thing, given that Masterson got the call on Wednesday night, April 23, to drive down to Boston from Class AA Portland (Maine), destined for his major-league debut with the Red Sox against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Thursday.
It was more than anyone — maybe even Masterson — could have expected.
Not only did he work six full innings, more than he had in any of his four minor-league starts, throwing 95 pitches and allowing just two hits, but he left with the Red Sox up by two runs, eventually absorbing a no-decision in a 7-5 loss.
Though one of the two hits he allowed was a home run by Mike Napoli, falling beyond the bullpen in center field, that was all the damage that would be done against the 23-year-old.
Wednesday's call had come suddenly. "I was at home with my wife (Meryl), trying to figure out something to do," Masterson said. "My coach called, (Portland pitching coach) Mike Cather, and said, 'Are you ready for your start?' I go, 'Yeah.' He goes, 'Well, good, it's going to be at Fenway.' So then I scrambled to get everything together and drive down here.
"Honestly I didn't think he was serious. I didn't think he was joking, I thought maybe he misspoke, he meant Pawtucket. I got to the (Portland) field in about 10 minutes. Everyone was like, 'Congratulations.' I was like, 'I really am going?' "
Masterson, a sinkerball specialist, got 11 of his 18 outs on the ground, three in the air and four on strikeouts.
"When we talked to him in spring training, he said he wanted to work on his changeup, and that's exactly what it looks like he did," Sox manager Terry Francona said. "He's got great, tremendous late movement on his two-seamer and as his second pitches come, which they are, he's going to be a complete pitcher."
"I think I threw more changeups in this outing than I have the whole season so far," Masterson said. "I was real happy with how the changeup looked, mix in some sliders, and used what got me here, the sinker. I was actually real happy with the mix."
His return to Portland after the game hardly dampened the spirits of his entourage outside the postgame clubhouse.
About 10 members of Masterson's family, including his wife, parents, brother and sister, and a couple of friends from Ohio, gathered around the door.
Mark Masterson, Justin's dad, is pastor of Creekside Community Church in Beavercreek. Judy, his mom, teaches at Parkwood Elementary.
"Never thought he would be here so soon," Judy said. "Always thought he would be here, but never thought it would be in April."
No decision
Justin Masterson's pitching line in his major-league debut Thursday in Boston:
| IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
| 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
Comments
By Jim
May 19, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
Great job Justin! I pitched for Beavercreek from ‘81-‘83 and wish it could have been me to get where you are!..LOL..but it is good to hear of your success and from what I have heard, you are a nice, hard working young man!..Keep working hard and you will be up there soon!..The harder you work the luckier you get!
By Mark
April 26, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this
Justin has a nasty sinker and he is well composed. The Sox will benefit from his delivery and the Majors will benefit from his integrity. I taught Justin in middle school and I can attest for his character. What a stand up guy!
By kevin
April 25, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
Why don’t the reds scout these local kids? They let Brandon Webb get away and look at what he is doing in Arizona. They don’t pay any attention to what is happening in front of there noses.
By kevin
April 25, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
Why don’t the reds look at these local kids instead of looking at players not even from around here. Heck they let Brandon Webb get by them. Look at what hes doing now. Shows you where there priorities lie.
By Michael
April 25, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
As of 3 p.m., if you went to yahoo.com and looked at the bottom right for today’s top searches, Justin Masterson is No. 10. That’s neat.
By Alice1939
April 25, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
What a quality young man. He is a very special person and player. We are lucky enough to know him and his family as we also belong to the Missionary Church. He has a beautiful testimony and can he pitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck Justin and may the Lord bless you richly and also your beautiful wife.
By Chavez7
April 25, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
Hey Bill! - 6ip, 1r, 2h. Wow great outing. And at Fenway no less. Keep it up Justin!
By zeke
April 25, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
You mean like Belisle (shelled this week), or Bailey (shelled in preseason)?
By Kev.
April 25, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
If the Reds would give their young talent a chance like this maybe they to would not have the loosing record they have today. (last place in the central and 9 and 14).
By danny
April 24, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this
justin masterson is the number 8 prospect in the major leagues. i seen him pitch in fort meyers this year when i went down for spring training and he throws hard and has good off speed stuff. he has alot of potential and will most likely make the starting rotation in the next couple years for the sox. they sent him back to portland tonight after the game but give it time he will be back. good luck masterson
By scott
April 24, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
No dice for the replacement for Dice-K. Bosox bullpen blew it. It’s 5-3 Halos.
By Laura
April 24, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
And you’re wrong Bill - 4 up, 3 outs, 1 walk, 1 KO, 2 ground outs.
By Laura
April 24, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
How exciting for Justin! Having gone to school with him and been friends with his sister, I can attest to the fact that he is a great guy and super humble. Couldn’t have happened to a better person. Best of luck, Justin!
By 12penguins
April 24, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
Looks like my mistake. I would have sworn that Tim Henry made the majors in the early 80’s bu baseball almanac will not back me up on that one…
Matters not..
By 12penguins
April 24, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
Likely Beavercreek’s first major leaguer since Tim Henry. Good luck young man.
By Bill
April 24, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
Figgins, Matthews, Guerrero, Anderson, Hunter, Kotchman.
He will be lucky to make it out of the 1st inning.
By Michael
April 24, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
He moved through the ranks pretty fast, so that’s a good indicator that he can be successful. It sounds like he’s a good kid from a good family. Good luck!