But for rookie Kristian Campbell, the experience was completely new. First pitch was scheduled for 11:05 a.m. ET, so the 22-year-old needed to rise and shine early, and the team wore its white uniforms that read “Boston” instead of “Red Sox.” It’s a special day for everyone in the city, and for Campbell, the Patriots’ Day debut was noticeably different than the previous nine games at Fenway Park to begin his big league career.
“It was electric,” Campbell said following Boston’s 4-2 win over Chicago, per NESN. “The city, the fans, the people. Everybody was super excited the whole game. … It was a great experience overall. To top it off with a win in the series is great.”
Campbell continued: “Yeah, I asked a lot of people what it’s like and it’s a very big deal. Pushed the game up for a reason. It’s a big day for everybody, a lot going on today. It’s just exciting. To be a part of it for the first time this year is a big deal to me and a lot of people in this clubhouse.”
Boston’s youngster was a major contributor to the electric environment himself. Campbell worked a crucial at-bat against Chicago starter Jonathan Cannon in the third inning, and on a 3-2 count, he singled to drive in two runs and give the Red Sox a 4-1 lead over the White Sox. Fenway Park’s home crowd erupted and Campbell, too, was pumped as he made his way down the line to first base.
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The base knock secured Campbell’s 21st time — in his first 22 big league games — in which he’s reached base safely.
The Red Sox have already seen what Campbell can do, both as an infielder and outfielder, and the flashes continue to appear with each passing day. Campbell’s patient approach in the third inning to work an 0-2 count to 3-2 and cash in on a bases-loaded opportunity spoke volumes about his maturity and batter’s box discipline.
That’s a great sign, both for Campbell’s confidence in himself and for the organization’s belief that he’ll be a critical part of restoring the franchise’s competitive tradition in the American League East.
“He’s a good hitter,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters, per WEEI’s Tom Carroll. “We had no doubts about controlling the strike zone. His swing was all over the place in spring training. There was a lot of stuff going on, too. Now that he’s here, game-planning comes into play and I think from tomorrow on, as a group for us, we’re gonna have our routines back.”
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Cora added: “I think from now on, guys are gonna slow down and get their work in, get in extra work and he’s gonna benefit from that, too.”
Campbell’s rookie surge is an especially encouraging sign for the Red Sox, as the organization signed him to an eight-year, $60 million contract before he had even logged a full month of big league service time.
