Sports
Archives

Peanut gets his big shot yet again

• Boston signed South Georgia's Steve Garrabrants on Wednesday, sending him to its High-A Lancaster team.

Paul Dehner Jr.

ALBANY — After waking up to his trainer informing him the Boston Red Sox signed him away from the South Georgia Peanuts, it occurred to Steve Garrabrants that the Fourth of July will take on an extra special meaning for the rest of his life.

“I was just thinking about that, the Fourth of July, it is a good day to have it happen,” he said. “An independence, I guess, from the Peanuts.”

Regardless, it was a day to celebrate for Garrabrants.

The former Arizona State star and Arizona Diamondbacks prospect had been leading the South Coast League in average (.364) and slugging percentage (.700), but remarkably remained unsigned by an affiliated organization.

But when the call came from manager Wally Backman Wednesday, Garrabrants was asked to report to Boston’s High-A affiliate, the Lancaster (Calif.) Skyhawks, as soon as possible.

Garrabrants emptied his locker and began driving his truck on the 33-hour trek across the country Wednesday afternoon. Along with him rides a vindication that the risk the 25-year-old took in falling back to the South Coast League after being released by the Diamondbacks was worth it.

“Definitely,” he said. “It feels like all that stuff has paid off because you never know what it going to happen playing independent ball. I am excited.”

Ironically, his signing came on the same day he was named the SCL player of the month for June. He hit .342 with six home runs and 24 RBI in the month.

He is the third member of the Peanuts signed by an affiliated organization, following former teammates Jon Zeringue (Oakland) and Jared Sutton (Milwaukee).

That is satisfying for Backman, who made it a priority upon his arrival here to return players back to affiliated clubs.

“No matter what happens here,” he said, “that means a lot to me personally.” Backman and Garrabrants first met while the skipper was with the Diamondbacks in Lancaster. Since, the Red Sox took over the Lancaster franchise.

There is some solace for Garrabrants in moving to an area he is familiar with.

“I lived there for three years before,” he said. “It makes things easier, I have lot of confidence, I have played there and played well there. Hopefully I can do it again.”

MAJOR REPLACEMENT

Now faced with a gaping hole in the middle of the lineup as well as in left field, Backman reached out to a former major leaguer.

The Peanuts plan to sign Curtis Goodwin, who flew in to Albany Wednesday night, to take Garrabrants’ place.

The 33-year-old played five seasons in MLB with the Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays.

He hit .248 with 66 stolen bases in his five years with 56 RBI and 66 doubles.

“He is in great shape and he wants to play,” said Backman.

This will be the second former big-leaguer he has brought in to play for the Peanuts. He added Mike Caruso, who played for the Chicago White Sox, earlier in the year.

Back to today's Sports>>