LeLacheur's path to the majors: Former Spinners leave mark on way to big leagues

LOWELL — Every so often, Lowell Spinners third baseman Will Middlebrooks finds himself studying the group of pictures that hang on the wall running from the players' clubhouse to the manager's office inside LeLacheur Park.

The oldest picture has hung since 1999, and the most recent was added less than a month ago. They represent players who have accomplished what Middlebrooks and his teammates have dreamed of as far back as they can remember. They are the former Spinners who have made the major leagues.

"To see the pictures of those players in our uniforms," said the No. 17 prospect in the Red Sox system, "and to be playing on the same field as them. ... We pay a lot of attention to those guys because we are trying to follow the same path they took to get to the majors."

In all, 36 players who once called LeLacheur Park home (or Alumni Field, the Spinners park for their first two seasons) have appeared in at least one major league game — and one more made it to the NFL — since Lowell began play in 1996.

Those players include a batting champion (Freddy Sanchez in 2006), a World Series MVP (David Eckstein in 2006) and the leadoff hitter for the National League All-Star team this season (Hanley Ramirez). Of the entire group, 22 have made their major league debut since 2004.

Many Spinners have completed the 33.3-mile trip from 450 Aiken St. in Lowell to 4 Yawkey Way in Boston.

This season, a whopping eight Lowell alums have suited up for the Red Sox. They include All-Stars Kevin Youkilis and Jonathan Papelbon, along with pitchers Clay Buchholz, Justin Masterson and Chris Smith, outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury and Brandon Moss and shortstop Jed Lowrie. Six of them were members of last year's World Series champions.

"(The Red Sox) really take care of us in Lowell," said Tim Bawmann, Spinners vice president and general manager. "We get almost all of their top picks. And they now draft quality kids that are good for the organization."

Papelbon was different

Papelbon has become known for his antics since emerging as one of the top closers in baseball. But not much compares to what happened in Lowell in 2003.

"We were going to do a cow milking contest between a Lowell player and a (Staten Island) Yankee," remembered Jon Goode, Lowell's vice president of corporate communications. "I ran into the clubhouse and asked who could milk a cow, and the only one to raise his hand was Papelbon. So he went out there and won the contest, then looked at me and said, 'I didn't know how to milk a cow.'

"That's just Jonathan. What you see is what you get. So many major leaguers are different people when they get in front of the camera, but he doesn't put up any fronts."

Goode has encountered plenty of personalities since starting with the Spinners in 2000. But Youkilis is someone who stands out even seven years later.

"Kevin might have been the hardest worker I have seen," he said. "One night after a game we were hanging out with the players. I was sitting there talking to him and I said, 'Hey, Youk, it's 10:45 p.m. and curfew is 11 p.m.' He said, 'Oh my God, you're right' and literally sprinted out of the place to make it back by 11.

"Nothing was going to stop him from reaching his dream of making the majors. He never did any of the community appearances, not because he didn't want to but because he didn't want to interrupt his workout routine. He was so dedicated."

One of the first prospects to really wow the Goode was Ramirez, now the Florida Marlins All-Star shortstop, who was in Lowell in 2002.

"I was walking along the concourse while the players were taking batting practice and I was listening to the bat hit the ball," he said. "Then another batter took the plate and it just sounded different. It was Hanley, and I thought he might kill someone. Everyone was hitting looping line drives, and he was hitting it so hard. (Spinners 2001 manager) Arnie Beyeler told me that when it's guys that are going to make the majors, it just sounds different off the bat."

Masterson showed class

From his surprise emergence in the starting rotation, to his recent move to the bullpen, Justin Masterson has become a celebrity in Boston. But he has long been the favorite player of 13-year-old Chloe Bawmann, daughter of the Spinners' GM.

"We do a baseball camp every year," said Tim Bawmann. "We always ask the guys to sign up, and a lot of the high picks don't sign up. But (second-round pick) Justin did and he really got to know my daughter, who was going through the camp with a friend.

"Ever since, she has been a huge Justin fan. And every now and then he sends her a note saying, 'Hey Chloe, how are you doing? Tell your dad to bring you next time.' She has a collage on her clip board of her picture of him with all the notes. He doesn't have to do that."

Bawmann, who has spent 20 years working in baseball with the Astros and Expos, came to the Red Sox organization in 2005, the same year as the draft class of Buchholz, Lowrie and Ellsbury all played for the Spinners.

"We have kids from everywhere and we want to introduce them to the Red Sox way," Bawmann said. "They see Jonathan Papelbon on TV, then they see his picture on the wall and say, 'If they played here and made the majors, then I can make it to the big leagues.' We ask them to walk through the office on the way out because we want to get to know these guys."

Sox player, Yankee remember Lowell fondly

On Friday, Lowrie played his 25th game of the season for the Boston Red Sox, starting at shortstop and batting sixth. But it was less than three years ago that he was patrolling the hole between second and third at LeLacheur Park.

"I spent my first professional season in Lowell," said the 2005 first-round draft pick. "It was a great experience to be right next to Boston. They give you a great taste of what it is like to be in Boston. You are so close and the Red Sox sent players to rehab there. You can feel the relationship."

The 24-year-old has performed well since his promotion, hitting .292 with 10 RBIs through Friday. And he credits his time in Lowell for giving him a good base.

"They do a good job of setting you straight and treating you like a professional. I try to maintain the same mentality I have had since the start of my professional career."

The majors seemed a long way off for current New York Yankees reliever Dan Giese when he pitched for Lowell in 1999.

"You grow up watching major league games and I never imagined that it could actually be me," said Boston's 34th-round draft pick. "We came to Fenway Park to watch a game as a team when I was in Lowell. I never thought I would actually be here on this field, let alone with the Yankees. It seemed far off then. It was a real journey"

But after spending 10 seasons in the minors, Giese finally made his major league debut last season with San Francisco. He has appeared in 10 games for New York this season, including two starts, and is 1-3 with a 2.59 ERA.

Even now as a major leaguer, Giese glows at the mention of Lowell.

"I loved my time with the Spinners," the right-hander said. "That was my favorite stop in the minors. It was better than any stop in Triple-A. Every game is sold out and they treat you like family. If you're never going to make the major leagues, then you can't do any better than Lowell."

Odds remain steep

Doubters have always scoffed at Spinners pitcher Bryan Price's dream.

"In elementary school, I told my best friend that I wanted to be a professional baseball player," remembered the Red Sox's 2008 first-round pick with a smile. "And he said to me, 'There aren't too many people that are able to do that. Maybe you should think of something else.' There have always been skeptics, but I have held onto the dream."

The majors still seem far away for Price. After all, living in dorms and making overnight bus rides to New York can dampen anyone's spirit. And, don't forget, more than 400 players have dressed for the Spinners and have not seen an inning in the majors.

"It's a long journey," said the No. 13 prospect in the Red Sox system. "We know that it will be tough and we will have to work our butts off. But (being here) makes you believe that it can be done. We have the evidence right in front of us."

Middlebrooks, who had the opportunity to meet some of the big leaguers during spring training, is proud to take the same third base position as Youkilis and former Red Sox players Shea Hillenbrand and Wilton Veras.

"Everyone's going to talk," said the 6-foot-4, 200-pound Middlebrooks. "You have to keep working hard and be dedicated. Everyone hopes for it, to be on the big stage."

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