When praising Chris Smith, however, Pawtucket Red Sox manager Ron Johnson describes a pitcher who hasn't changed much in two years.

"I haven't seen a difference in him," said Johnson, who managed Smith at Double-A Portland in 2004. "(In Portland) he was leading the Eastern League in strikeouts by about 40, and then I moved on and he got hurt, and I didn't see him (again) until he got back here (earlier this month). And he's the same guy he was back then."

In Smith's case, at least, such words are a distinct compliment. Since his outstanding start to the 2004 season, the 25-year-old right-hander has endured ample misfortune. In August 2004, he underwent surgery for a torn labrum, one of the most perilous injuries a pitcher can have. Three months later, his father, Brian, died unexpectedly at 47. And at Portland in 2005, his arm just wasn't strong enough to do what it had done so effectively before the surgery - keep hitters off balance and send them back to the bench in frustration.

But this season, Smith has returned to the form that made him such a promising prospect when Boston chose him in the fourth round of the 2002 draft. With his fastball back to near the 90 mph mark, he can once again effectively use that pitch to set hitters up for his changeup. And he's still blessed with the extraordinary command of the strike zone that has always been his trademark.

Two weeks into his first month at the Triple-A level, Smith is pitching superbly - and proving to be a survivor.

"You kind of find out what kind of person you are deep down inside once you go through trials and tribulations," said Smith. "I know how high I can bounce back and how to do it. I know that I'm ready for anything else."

In 20 starts this year at Portland, he went 9-6 with a 4.05 ERA, walking just 29 batters in 1152/3 innings. Since his Aug. 3 promotion to Triple A, he has been even better, posting a 2.04 ERA in 172/3 innings with a superb WHIP (walks and hits per inning) of 1.08.

"I'm the guy who's seen him nasty," said Johnson. "And he's back to nasty."

It would be poor form for Smith to describe his performance in the same vernacular, but he is clearly pleased with the results so far.

"I feel the same as I did before, and I'm just happy to be pitching again," added Smith, who has walked just 107 batters and struck out 337 in 4402/3 innings as a pro. "I don't look back to 2002 at all. I mean, '04. I just keep on looking forward. I like what I have right now."

The reference to 2002 may have been unintentional, but it can't be ignored. Smith was coming off a solid rookie campaign for the '02 Lowell Spinners when he broke two bones in his right forearm in a dune-buggy accident on Jan. 3, 2003.

He recovered from that accident (which Sox GM Theo Epstein said could have been career-ending), just as he has recovered from the labrum injury. If he can stay healthy, Smith's shot at the majors might not be so far away, because he seems to have both the control and the mentality needed to take the next step.

"The biggest thing for young pitchers to realize for them to pitch in the big leagues is that they just can't pitch afraid; they have to attack the hitters," said Pawtucket catcher Ken Huckaby. "He knows on any count, he can throw any pitch, and you can see that when he's out there."

Two years after injuring his shoulder, Smith is combining that confidence and command with his restored physical ability. Those three elements, working in harmony at last, have brought him as close as he has ever been to his ultimate goal. Now that he's back to his form of early 2004, he's finally making progress.

"It's really pleasing to me because I had him two years ago and I saw how good he was," said Johnson. "I know it's got to be something to battle through that type of injury and see these other guys go along (while) you're sitting down there (rehabilitating) in Fort Myers. To see him come out and pitch the way he has here to this point is really exciting."

PAWTUCKET RED SOX

PAWTUCKET, R.I.

Stadium: McCoy Stadium (capacity 10,031)

Opened: 1942 (renovated 1999)

Directions: Take Interstate 95 South to Exit 2A in Massachusetts (Newport Avenue). Follow Newport Avenue for two miles, then take a right onto Columbus Avenue. Stay on Columbus for a half-mile, then turn right (after a traffic light) onto George Bennett Highway. After a quarter-mile, turn left at a light onto Division Street and follow signs for parking.

Team Web site: www.pawsox.com

Ticket prices: Box seats, $9; general admission (bleachers and grass knoll), $6; children (12 and under) and senior citizens, $4

Concession prices: hot dog, $2.50; soda (small), $2; beer (small), $4.25; pretzel, $2.50; ice cream (dish), $3.75; chicken sandwich, $5; pizza, $5.25; peanuts, $2.75; Italian sausage, $4.75

Souvenir prices: Cap (fitted), $22; foam finger, $5; program, $3

Parking prices: Free

Thumbs up to: The grass slope beyond the left-center field wall. Bring a beach towel, lie back, soak in the sun, and enjoy a great view of the game. ... The variety of food and drink is the best in New England (maybe better than Fenway). ... And the tradition of autograph-seeking kids dangling items into the field-level dugouts is undeniably cool.

Thumbs down to: All of that foul territory, which reduces the park's intimacy. The Oakland Coliseum comes to mind, which is never a good sign.

Overall grade: B-plus. No wacky on-field promotions here, just top prospects (Dustin Pedroia, David Murphy) and some familiar veterans (Lou Merloni was in town with Buffalo this week) at an unbeatable price.