"Nine years of memories rushed back at him as Carl Crawford walked into Tropicana Field on Monday afternoon, his first visit as something other than a member of the home team Tampa Bay Rays.

He thought of his very first game, the managers he played for, the unbelievable 2008 season and the trip to the World Series.

"I had a lot things going through my head," said Crawford, making his return as his new team, the Boston Red Sox, and the Rays kick off a three-game series.

The big question is: How will Rays fans greet the best player in team history, a four-time All-Star who developed into one of the best left fielders in the game before their very eyes?

It's a question Crawford has been asked a lot recently.

"I figure it will be good at first," he said. "But once the game begins it will be back to the regular way."

Which means Crawford will receive the same treatment Rays fans reserve for all Red Sox. In a word: Boooooooooooo.

It was no secret the Rays would not re-sign Crawford after the 2010 season, but to see him accept a seven-year, $142 million deal with the arch-rival Red Sox was seen by some as an act of treason.

Boston is the Rays' biggest rival, and Crawford never hid the pleasure he took in beating the Red Sox. But, money talks.

After a horrible start to the season, Crawford has come to life. He's hitting .300 since the beginning of May and has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games."