Your Newest Starting Pitcher

by Texy
2008 April 24 at 12:31 am

Say hi, hello and howdy to your newest Sox team member:

Justin Masterson is movin’ on up from AA-Portland to make his debut in The Show, and will start today against the Angels. After Beckett’s flu scratch (and David Pauley’s callup and sendback), and Dice-K’s flu scratch (and Jon Lester’s emergency start last night), the Sox are desperate to plug the holes in the rotation– and Masterson may be just the ticket.

Things you may or may not know about Justin:

1. He was born in Jamaica.

2. He was supposed to attend Notre Dame, but got sick on the day he was scheduled to visit… and the Irish never rescheduled. So he attended Bethel College in (very) nearby Mishawaka, Indiana instead.

3. He grew up a Cubs and Reds fan.

4. He has what may be the most misleadingly hideous official photo ever:

next post:
Gameday Open Thread: Angels 4/24 »»
previous post:
«« Gameday Open Thread: Angels 4/23
23 Responses leave one →
  1. 2008 April 24 at 1:12 am

    I’d say he might have been drunk when he took that but he doesn’t drink. what a goof ball.

    He’s the first member of the 2006 draft class to make it to the bigs.

  2. 2008 April 24 at 1:34 am
    Lindsay permalink

    He’s a cutie! But is he good on the mound? I guess i’ll see tomorrow!! =P

  3. 2008 April 24 at 1:39 am
    Lindsay permalink

    Damn! He’’s 6′6!

  4. 2008 April 24 at 1:40 am
    Lindsay permalink

    Oh and also, so is this is MLB debut?

  5. 2008 April 24 at 1:42 am
    Lindsay permalink

    Wopps, i now see that it is. sryy

  6. 2008 April 24 at 6:44 am
    Trish permalink

    People also think he looks like Rick Astley, considering that wherever I’ve seen his name come up I’ve been getting Rickrolled. :D

  7. 2008 April 24 at 9:49 am
    Abby permalink

    What roster move did they make to get him up to Boston? Did they send Hansen back down for a day?

  8. 2008 April 24 at 10:43 am
    joyosity permalink

    Sad…I was at Papelbon’s premiere (as a starter, nonetheless!) in 2006 and Dice-K’s and Buccholz’s premieres in 2007 but I won’t be at Masterson’s. Hope that doesn’t jinx the rest of his career. ;P

  9. 2008 April 24 at 10:52 am
    Jennifer permalink

    Ah….this is depressing. Of all the times Justin has to start, I have to be working extra hours. -hates life- Ah well. You all better cheer him extra for me.

  10. 2008 April 24 at 10:57 am
    Lyndsay permalink

    hey TG – totally unrelated question – can you send me (or put in a subsequent comment) the link to embed that “Noogie” video from last week? I’m trying to put it up somewhere else, and I can’t seem to get it from NESN. thanks.

  11. 2008 April 24 at 11:00 am
    jules permalink

    Good morning!

    wow, called up from AA. I hope throws a great game. Too bad it’s a day game.

    And yeah, why didn’t the photographer let him know his hat was crocked? ;-)

  12. 2008 April 24 at 12:02 pm

    Trish, the Rick Rolling thing is a long story – a friend of mine and I are convinced he Rick Rolls people. He doesn’t actually bear too much resemblance.

    That being said – YES. I don’t want to see him rushed or anything, but one start shouldn’t be too much of a big deal. Of course, I have to be in class and I’m very disappointed that I’ll be missing him, but…I’ve got a good feeling. I’m not sure why, but I’m confident in him.

    (Also, jules – I think he has his hat crooked on purpose. He’s a goof.)

  13. 2008 April 24 at 12:50 pm

    OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD

    This was a little quick, yes? Called up from Portland in late April?

    That being said… OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD

    (I’m having a moment here. Don’t mind me.)

  14. 2008 April 24 at 1:06 pm
    Lyndsay permalink

    oh, the potential for clever Globe punnage here:

    “JUSTIN MASTERFUL IN START”

    “He “mastered” the Angels lineup…”

    “RED SOX MASTERY!”

    I could go on…

  15. 2008 April 24 at 1:10 pm

    NESN just showed him walking from the dugout to the bullpen and joking around with some of the pen guys. I’m getting really really excited for today’s game.

  16. 2008 April 24 at 5:04 pm
    Lindsay permalink

    Great pitching by him today! Unfortunately, the bullpen screwed up the chance of him getting his first MLB win =(

  17. 2008 April 24 at 5:49 pm
    Lindsay permalink

    Just a lil’ something that i made in honor of Masterson’s GREAT MLB debut. =P

  18. 2008 April 24 at 9:48 pm
    Mrs. Ellsbury permalink

    Haa.. that is a hideous picture of him. And he’s honestly not too good looking. He resembles a girl in my point of view. Idk. Just does. And, how and why was he born in Jamaica? ;-) The kid did pretty good today though, for an MLB debut.

  19. 2008 April 24 at 10:14 pm

    Here’s the answer to the ‘why’ part of the Jamaica question above:
    “Born in Kingston, Jamaica, while his father was teaching at the Jamaican Theological Seminary, his family relocated to the midwest when he was 2.”

    I’m not going to answer the ‘how’ part, though…
    =D

  20. 2008 April 24 at 11:27 pm
    Awwww permalink

    He looks like he should be in junior high school.lol

  21. 2008 April 25 at 12:12 am
    Lindsay [Ellsbury♥] permalink

    Yeah he does! haha. well he is 23 yrs old, but he does look veryyy young!!

  22. 2008 April 25 at 1:25 pm
    christa permalink

    yeoooowsers. Anyone else have the ‘hey you guuuuuys’ thought? Cute but far from photogenic.

  23. 2009 April 29 at 11:07 am
    Sheano permalink

    I went to high school with Justin and he’s been an awesome role model to many. He’s a great guy to everyone, high school prom king yet really humble. One of the kindest yet bold people you can meet in life. His dad is a Pastor in our hometown and I know he’s a strong Christian that lets his life speak louder than his words. He’s been pitching amazing and I’m proud of him!