CENTER FIELD :: Your Newest Starting Pitcher

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Your Newest Starting Pitcher

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:

Comments (22)

[ Ian ] says:
on April 24, 2008 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.

[ Lindsay ] says:
on April 24, 2008 1:34 AM

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

[ Lindsay ] says:
on April 24, 2008 1:39 AM

Damn! He''s 6'6!

[ Lindsay ] says:
on April 24, 2008 1:40 AM

Oh and also, so is this is MLB debut?

[ Lindsay ] says:
on April 24, 2008 1:42 AM

Wopps, i now see that it is. sryy

[ Trish ] says:
on April 24, 2008 6:44 AM

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

[ Abby ] says:
on April 24, 2008 9:49 AM

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

[ joyosity ] says:
on April 24, 2008 10:43 AM

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

[ Jennifer ] says:
on April 24, 2008 10:52 AM

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.

[ Lyndsay ] says:
on April 24, 2008 10:57 AM

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.

[ jules ] says:
on April 24, 2008 11:00 AM

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? ;-)

[ 1863_project ] says:
on April 24, 2008 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.)

[ Liza ] says:
on April 24, 2008 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.)

[ Lyndsay ] says:
on April 24, 2008 1:06 PM

oh, the potential for clever Globe punnage here:

"JUSTIN MASTERFUL IN START"

"He "mastered" the Angels lineup..."

"RED SOX MASTERY!"

I could go on...

[ Liza ] says:
on April 24, 2008 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.

[ Lindsay ] says:
on April 24, 2008 5:04 PM

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

[ Lindsay ] says:
on April 24, 2008 5:49 PM

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

[ Mrs. Ellsbury ] says:
on April 24, 2008 9:48 PM

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.

[ njdevils ] says:
on April 24, 2008 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

[ Awwww ] says:
on April 24, 2008 11:27 PM

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

[ Lindsay [Ellsbury♥] ] says:
on April 25, 2008 12:12 AM

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

[ christa ] says:
on April 25, 2008 1:25 PM

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

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